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Title: Pirates
Pairing: Nick/Greg, Ricardo/Archie
Rating: NC-17 in some chapters and I'm too lazy to rate each one
Disclaimer: Most characters are property of CBS et al, and I don't own them or make money off them. Although I wouldn't mind taking to the high seas and plundering them. OK, not all of them. OK, Greg. So don't sue, here be monsters. Got no booty.
AU: Completely and wildly AU, doesn't even take place in this century.
Dedicated to

kahlualeia who shares my love of Georgette Heyer
Beta and semi-collab by

fred_bear aka jennybel75, who held my hand, encouraged me and did research.
And many thanks to Liriel for beta as well.

Chapter 1 here: here
Chapter 2 here: here
Chapter 3 here: here
Chapter 4 here: here
Chapter 5 here: here
Chapter 6 here: here
Chapter 7 here: here
Chapter 8 here: here
Chapter 9 here: here
Chapter 10 here: here
Chapter 11 here: here
Chapter 12 here: here
Chapter 13 here: here
Chapter 14 here: here
Chapter 15 here: here
Chapter 16 here: here
Chapter 17 here: here
Chapter 18 here: here
Chapter 19 here: here
Chapter 20 here: here
Chapter 21 here: here
Chapter 22 here: here
Chapter 23 here: here
Chapter 24 here: here
Chapter 25 here: here
Chapter 26 here: here
Chapter 27 here: here
Chapter 28 here: here
Chapter 29 here: here
Chapter 30 here: here
Chapter 31 here: here
Chapter 31 here: here
Chapter 32 here: here
Chapter 33 here: here
Chapter 34 here: here

Chapter 35/35

From by The Baite John Donne (1572-1631)

Come live with mee, and bee my love,
And wee will some new pleasures prove
Of golden sands, and christall brookes:
With silken lines, and silver hookes.

If thou, to be so seene, beest loath,
By Sunne, or Moone, thou darknest both,
And if my selfe have leave to see,
I need not their light, having thee.

Greg rested his hand lightly on Nick’s bare chest, feeling his heartbeat quicken under his hand. He felt his own heart synchronize with Nick’s and wondered what it might signify. Whilst he was deep in thought, Nick’s eyes opened and he smiled at his lover unobserved, watching emotion play over his unguarded face; the wonder, the desire, tenderness and love. He covered Greg’s hand with his own and the liquid chocolate eyes raised to meet his. Greg’s dimples sprang into existence as he smiled.

“You’re awake.”

“So are you, what are you doing?” Nick asked.

“Waiting for you to wake up,” Greg answered shyly.

“Why?”

“Because I want to make love to you.”

Nick’s breath caught and his heart beat faster; Greg watched him in fascination, mixed of equal parts of confusion, astonishment and admiration.

“I like to see what I do to you and see what you do to me,” he whispered. “I touch you and…”

Nick took up the utterance, “…And I am in danger of burning by fire. Your love burns brightly within me and I feel as if I am being consumed, but like the phoenix, I arise renewed from the ashes of each encounter. I look at you with new eyes and it’s as if I fall all over again.”

The eyes of both men shimmered with unshed tears and Greg moved closer to kiss his lover, thrilling to the feeling of his lips, firm and demanding, yet softly supplicating, melting into him. It was empowering to know that his touch could elicit such a fervent response. As he ran his hand over the muscles of Nick’s abdomen, he felt them quiver and twitch; excitement fluttered in his own stomach and he felt the hardness of Nick’s arousal pressed to his thigh.

Greg pushed Nick away gently and the older man’s body moved immediately whilst his lips lingered as long as was possible.

“How are your ribs?” Nick panted.

“Better, but I still can’t–”

“Don’t worry,” Nick murmured, his lips finding their way to Greg’s tender neck, “I’ll ride you.”

Shaking with desire, unable to wait, Nick pushed Greg onto his back and straddled him, watching his young lover’s eyes glowing with desire. Greg’s hands came up to touch Nicks’ chest again, stroking the burnished golden skin with care and delicacy, so reverent and careful and yet with each touch it felt as if liquid wildfire flamed in Nick’s veins, burning a path direct to his groin. Gentle fingers cherished each nipple, tracing around the pink circle.

Nick bent to plunder Greg’s mouth, taking possession of it, exploring without haste despite his burning need, until he broke away, gasping for air. Greg’s hands slid lower, brushing over the defined stomach and caressing the lean hips. Then he twisted under Nick, reaching for the flask of oil with trembling hands.

Nick took it from him and raising himself, started to prepare himself for their joining, Greg’s eyes fixed on his hands as he entered his own body. His young lover breathed erratically and moved restlessly under him, gasping when Nick grasped his arousal with slick hands, oiling him and guiding Greg to his own entrance.

Nick froze at the first penetration, waiting for his muscles to relax, then impaled himself slowly, all the while fixing his gaze on Greg’s. The younger man moaned; he felt as if Nick was surrounding him, pulling him in, his passage so smooth and so hot he was enthralled; the moment of unity in their physical connection was so stirring, tears spilled freely down his face when he thought of how nearly they had lost this.

“Don’t cry, pequeño, please,” Nick murmured soothingly.

Greg smiled through his tears, a smile that tore at Nick’s heart, his little one was being brave for him. Urgently he wanted to tell him it would be all right, they would be together, but his body’s response to riding his lover’s manhood undid him. When Greg raised his hands to caress Nick, the older man twined his fingers with Greg’s and pinned their hands together onto the mattress.

“Just let it happen, let go. Just breathe,” he whispered and Greg’s eyelids fluttered shut. He panted for air as if he would pass out, thrusting up mightily under Nick. The older man arched back, straining for control, wanting Greg to spend before him. It was as if a golden bubble were growing inside him and he felt borne aloft as they found their release together. In a burst of light enveloping them both, he felt as if they were falling down from the heavens back onto their bed.

Nick slowly lowered himself onto his young lover’s chest, their slick bodies sliding over each other, and kissed Greg lazily as the younger man raked his fingernails seductively down the entire length of Nick’s back from his shoulders to his tailbone. Nick moaned and stretched at the caress.

“I love you,” he whispered, nuzzling Greg’s neck.

“I love you,” Greg answered softly. He reached up to cup Nick’s cheek and held him still. “I never suspected that this awaited me. I could not have imagined loving anyone as I love you, better than I love myself. I would have died if they’d… hung you…”

“Don’t think of that, think of today, think of now. We will sail for the island; you can rest and heal,” Nick comforted him, wanting to set his fears to rest.

“And then?” Greg asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Are you going to continue as a privateer?”

“As a pirate, you mean,” Nick grinned down at the young man. He released Greg gently and went to fetch a cloth to clean them. “I hadn’t thought about it, I thought only about finding you, and bringing you home safe with me.”

Greg’s face crumpled a bit as he tried to hold the tears in. He held up his arms, silently asking for help and Nick pulled him up so he could sit, then gathered him into his arms.

“You are in my heart, in my soul, hermoso,” Nick whispered.

Greg rested his head against Nick’s shoulder and simply breathed. At length he said, “Whatever you choose to do we will be together.”

“Always,” Nick said.

“Mi sol,” Greg murmured. Nick felt his muscles relax and his breathing deepen. Gently, he lowered his sleepy lover to the pillows, smiling back as Greg drowsily smiled up at him. He brushed Greg’s hair back and bent to kiss his forehead.

“Sleep, little one, I will soon have you home.”

Greg nodded, his eyes closing.

~*~

Greg stood at the bow of the ship, the freshening air blowing his hair as he watched the waves froth and foam with the ship’s passage. The sea was deep blue, a different blue from the sky, complementing it’s beauty, not challenging it; dolphins jumped and frivolled beside the ship, the wind snapped the sheets bellied above him, the timbers creaked with the rolling of the waves. He arched his back, lifting his face to the sun. A month had done wonders to heal him; he barely remembered the injury to his ribs and the nightmares were beginning to lessen.

When first they returned to the island, Nick was disturbed by the terrors that woke Greg nightly. Greg tried to shield Nick from his haunted imaginings, but in the end the older man had forced him to speak of them and held him every time he was wrenched from sleep, shaking and sweating. Greg did not wish to discuss his fears; he could not understand why he was able to bear his imprisonment with equanimity, yet now was bedevilled with tormenting visions. After telling Nick his dreams, they seemed to relax their grip on him however and gradually he began to sleep the night through.

It helped to be surrounded by his friends, to feel himself slipping into the quiet routine of life on the island. Greg knew it would not remain so; neither he nor Nick were cut out for a quiet life sitting on an island, and as his physical injuries healed, he heard again the siren call of the sea, and a longing to be up and doing seized him.

They were sailing back to Port William, to their scheduled meeting with Father Grissom. Dear though his friends on the island were to him, he looked forward to seeing his mentor again. He had to admit that he wished also to see how the sparkling Lady Catherine did, as well as to discover whether Nick’s pardon from the crown had been secured. Even if Greg had not been injured, it behooved Nick to lie low on his island rather than sail about at risk of capture from the Royal Navy.

Hearing footsteps behind him, Greg opened his eyes; he knew the tread of his lover without looking and he tensed, waiting for the right moment. At the last instant, he suddenly ducked to the right and spun away whilst Nick’s arms closed on empty air. Laughing, Greg ran toward the stern, Nick in close pursuit.

Greg kicked a line into Nick’s path as he ran and although Nick avoided it cannily, he lost ground as he dodged. Ricardo looked up from the wheel as Greg skidded past and laughed, shaking his head. In the past, Nick had taken lovers for a time, but never had this playful side of him been displayed so openly to the crew. If the men were not so devoted in their loyalty, Ricardo would have called them both to task, but even now he saw Rich and David turn away from the chase, their hands discreetly covering their smirks, whilst Archie laughed openly, his eyes meeting Ricardo’s. Instantly Ricardo’s thoughts turned away from his friends’ antics and to the challenge in his own lover’s eyes; thinking they might have themselves a bit of a chase later.

Meanwhile, Greg ducked behind the navigation cabin whilst Nick careered by. The younger man turned and ran for their cabin, but Nick espied him and turned, quickly catching up as Greg tried to hold the door shut against him. Nick used his greater weight to advantage and forced the door open, laughing as he slammed it shut behind him. Greg backed away from him cautiously.

“Afraid, pequeño?” Nick asked, advancing slowly with a wicked grin.

“Not I,” Greg answered with his own evil smile. “Perhaps it is you who should be afraid.”

Nick lunged for Greg and the younger man dodged around the table, making for the door; he got it open before Nick just barely caught his shirt and hauled him back inside. Greg twisted from his grasp and retreated to the other side of the table, breathing hard.

“I almost made it,” he gasped.

“Almost is not good enough,” Nick grinned. He feinted left and then jumped right, but Greg’s reflexes were too quick, he vaulted over the table, heading for the door again, but veered, putting the table between them as Nick got too close.

“When I capture you,” Nick threatened, “I’m going to make you scream with pleasure.”

Greg looked slightly stunned but continued to back away from his lover. “You don’t think I’m loud enough already? I mean, we’re on the ship and… awk!” He squeaked as Nick grabbed for him, taking advantage of his momentary lack of concentration. Greg overturned a chair in Nick’s path and bounced off the bed to the other side, realizing too late that he’d boxed himself in. He waited for Nick to close in and at the last possible moment turned a quick somersault between Nick’s legs, rolling on the floor and coming up behind him.

“You little–!” Nick grabbed him round the waist and spun him, bearing him down to the floor using his weight to his advantage. Greg squirmed in Nick’s hands, trying to break loose, watching the excitement build in his lover’s eyes as he struggled. Nick tightened his grasp on Greg’s wrists, and sat squarely on his lover’s body, pressing his knees to Greg’s sides.

“Yes, resist me, I enjoy it when you try to get away,” Nick growled, his face flushed with arousal as Greg writhed under him. “You know you will not escape, you want me to take you, don’t you?”

“No, I do not, I shall never give in,” Greg said, his lips curling in a secret smile; he knew how his lover enjoyed the illusion of overpowering him and he got a secret thrill from being manhandled. The result was usually a spectacular night of lovemaking so he was more than willing to play this game.

“Then I shall have to take you by force, unless I can persuade you, my little one,” Nick said throatily. “I will ransack your virtue.” With that, he thrust his throbbing groin against his captive’s, noting that the younger man was equally hard.

“I do not yield, sir,” Greg said grandly, and then rather spoiled the effect by giggling.

“Wait here,” Nick commanded, diving down for a kiss before rising to retrieve a length of crimson silk, whilst his booty obediently remained supine on the floor. When Nick returned he pulled Greg up and removed his shirt, asking, “Do you permit?” Greg nodded with a smile and Nick crossed his wrists in front, winding the silk around them. Nick whispered, “Not too tight, let me know if you become frightened.”

Jumping back into character, the pirate captain said, “And now, my captive, you will serve my desires. I shall take my pleasure in your body and show you delights of the flesh as you have never dreamed of.”

Nick hauled Greg up off the floor by his bound wrists and stood with the silk grasped in his hand while he slid the other up the younger man’s back, feeling lean muscle move under the smooth skin, till he cupped the back of Greg’s head and drew him closer for a deep kiss. As his tongue slid inside, Nick was caught up again in the wonder of Greg’s openness; despite how many times they had made love, there was still an innocence about him; so trusting and forgiving, offering himself wholeheartedly, that touched Nick deeply.

If he had not already been deeply in love, he would have been lost in that moment. He felt as if his love was tinder and Greg touched it with a match, causing him to go up in smoke in an instant. He broke the kiss, panting heavily.

“When you touch me I burn hotter and brighter than the sun,” Greg whispered, and Nick was captivated yet again. He licked a line down Greg’s throat whilst the younger man stood very still, making no effort to escape. Nick dropped his head to lick at one pink nipple, till it stood erect and hard under his tongue. He feathered little kisses across the satiny skin to the other nipple.

Greg gasped as the hot wet mouth closed around him, sucking, teeth grazing wetly against the furled bud; he had discovered that this intimate touch aroused him greatly. He pushed urgently against Nick’s mouth only to moan in disappointment when the older man pulled away.

“I need to inspect my merchandise,” Nick said, holding Greg at arm’s length, impudently surveying his body. Greg remembered that he was supposed to be resisting and pulled away, allowing Nick to restrain him.

“You will have to take me by force for I shall never surrender,” the younger man said stoutly, resolutely pushing thoughts of Lord Atwater from his mind, but Nick caught the flicker of emotion crossing his lover’s face. Changing his tactics, he smiled and drew the young man closer, “Or perhaps I shall convince you. I have many ways to please you,” he murmured seductively.

“Perhaps you shall, I’m ready to hear your argument.” Greg dropped his eyes shyly, at variance with his bold speech.

Nick decided that his lips could be put to better use than speech and began to explore his captive’s neck, sucking a mark at the base of his throat. Greg let his head drop back and moaned. Pleased with this response, Nick’s hands dropped to Greg’s breeches, slowly stripping them off his lover until he stood naked, displayed to Nick’s admiring gaze.

Under his breath so low that Greg wondered if he was aware of speaking out loud, Nick purred, “Mine, mine, mine.” Greg shivered at the low raspy tone, his manhood swelling with arousal.

Nick circled the younger man, his hand stroking his own bulge as he devoured Greg with his eyes. Standing still in front of Greg, he stripped himself, watching his lover’s response to his display; the younger man tried to remain impassive but his eyes kindled with an ardent flame, allowing Nick to see how much he affected the young man.

Nick backed toward the bed, drawing Greg with him by pulling on the red silk that bound his hands. He pulled Greg along between his legs as he crawled back against the pillows. Nick looped Greg’s wrists over his head, pulling the younger man close for a kiss, feeling the tickle of the silk down his back, saying, “I must taste of you.”

Slowly Nick ran his hands over Greg’s back and down to his buttocks, his fingers digging in and caressing the full roundness. He pulled Greg up to his knees and urged his hips forward until he could reach the enticing shaft, taking it deep into his mouth.

Greg gasped as he felt the hot wet mouth close around him; he arched back, only his bound hands behind Nick’s head keeping him close. Strong hands held his cheeks in a hard grip, forcing him into a rhythm of his lover’s choosing as scorching sweat trickled down his back and into his cleft. His thighs trembled and burned as he tried to hold himself steady whilst Nick’s fingers left trails of fire on his skin.

Finally Nick’s frenzy seemed to calm and he pulled his mouth away from his lover lingeringly. “Your wine is strong but I will not drink it yet.” He sat back against the pillows and drew up his knees, allowing Greg to rest against his thighs.

Greg leaned back gratefully, the flame had burned too fast and bright for him; he panted, trying to catch his breath. Tonight Nick was taking him by surprise and he could do nothing but try to keep his balance.

Slowly Nick lifted his captive’s hands from behind his own neck, grinning. Greg sank back farther against Nick’s knees, straddling his captor, shifting a little as the hot arousal of his lover nestled between the valley of his buttocks; like a burning ember he felt it brand him, marking him, claiming him. He bowed to the claim, hearkening to the calling of heart, soul and body that bound him to the older man with no loss of self, rather an addition, a merging that made them one.

Nick reached for his lover, his fingers trailing delicately over beloved flesh, tasting the creamy richness of the skin, the hard muscle. He traced around the darker rose of the aureoles of the younger man’s nipples, and Greg groaned when Nick pinched a little harder, raising his bound hands as if to hold him off. Firmly, Nick pushed Greg’s hands down, and returned to his exploration. He trailed his fingertips gently down Greg’s chest over his stomach and tangled his fingers in the curly hair at his groin.

Greg moved restlessly, unable to still the small movements of his hips and he raised his hands again, watching the crimson silk trail along Nick’s golden skin, pressing his palms flat against the smoothness of his lover’s chest. Nick arched and groaned at the mere touch and fairly burst out in a blaze of excitement, “I must take you, I must be inside you, my love.”

“I need you inside me,” Greg whimpered. “I need to feel your strength.”

Hastily, Nick pulled out the oil and with shaking hands anointed his shaft and prepared his lover to accept him. Greg raised up with Nick’s help and froze, hissing with shock at the moment of being breached, then relaxed and sank down on his lover’s hard length until he was fully impaled.

Nick cupped Greg’s buttocks, sinking himself deeper inside, the molten silk passage gripped him tightly, echoing Greg’s words, ‘You are mine,’ as he moved, sliding in and out, searching for the centre of pleasure, the incendiary spark that burned between them, lighting them on fire with desire.

Greg arched back helplessly against Nick’s knees holding him in place, twisting as his lover thrust up hard inside him. Both men glowed with sweat, the sheen reflecting off their skin, silent and intent, their harsh breathing and the slap of their skin the only sound until Greg moaned, softly at first, then grew louder. Nick fingers dug in as he gripped Greg’s hips, guiding his motion until he could bear it no longer.

He rolled without losing his connection, flipping Greg onto his back and lifted the long legs around his waist, roughly driving deeper as Greg cried out. The intensity of the sensation caused the young man to writhe under Nick, caught up in the waves of pleasure that crashed over him like the tide.

Nick grabbed the silk and raised Greg’s, holding them over the younger man’s head, pinning him against the pillows, rendering him helpless, unable to resist as his head whipped from side to side as he moaned under the delicious assault. A jolt of pleasure shot through him, as if liquid sunshine pooled in his groin and Nick watched to see the surprised bliss on his face as he found his release.

Nick thrust hard and the spark became a blaze, consuming him in rapture as he lost himself in his own ecstasy, spurting hot seed inside his lover whilst Greg was still convulsing from his own climax.

They lay in silence, pale skin against gold, legs entwined as their breathing slowed and their hearts steadied.

“My moon,” Nick whispered against Greg’s cheek, gently pulling the silk that bound him from his wrists.

“My sun,” Greg answered contentedly. “You warm my soul.”

“And you light the way for me, my little moon, all would be darkness without you.”

“I only reflect your light back to you. I was long asleep in the darkness before I met you,” Greg said softly. “When I first met you, I was afraid to look too long at the sun. I was blinded by your brilliance and your love.”

“I fear you are blinded still, little one, if you love me that much. I am merely a man,” Nick sighed. “And not a very perfect one, I fear.”

Greg only smiled and touched Nick’s face tenderly.

“Since I met you, I’ve been chasing the moon,” Nick continued, “And now at last I have you and I shall never let you go.”

“I will be here,” Greg said softly. “At your side till death parts us.”

Nick shivered, thinking how nearly death had almost parted them. “Everything happens for a reason, perhaps if you had not been taken from me, I might yet have failed you in some way, been too afraid to love you the way you deserve. Now I know how much I need you and I will spend my life proving it to you.”

“I love you.”

“I love you.”

~*~

When Nick and Greg left the cabin the next day, Greg was confronted by Alex the younger.

“Where have you been, Greg? And why was Nick chasing you about the ship?” Alex asked with his usual directness.

Nick chuckled but remained silent, deeming it Greg’s job to deal with his young friend’s queries.

“We were playing tag, Alex,” Greg answered, looking pleasingly pink.

“I did not know adults played like that,” Alex observed. “You and Nick must have lots of fun. My parents don’t play like that.”

Ricardo and Jacqui tried to squelch their smiles, but Nick was grinning openly.

Greg gave him an innocently wicked smile. “Perhaps they prefer playing hide and seek,” he suggested.

Jacqui looked daggers at him, while her husband stood behind her, looking amused. Nick laughed. Ricardo saved Greg from further embarrassment by scooping the boy up onto his shoulder.

“Why don’t we go look at the anchor as I promised, Alex the younger,” he suggested and bore him off.

Jacqui advanced purposefully on Greg, who looked alarmed and starting edging behind to Nick.

“Don’t look to me to save you from her,” Nick teased.

Belinda swooped in just then and linked her arm through Jacqui’s. “Come, dear, no fisticuffs. We’re coming into port; let’s look for our friends on shore.” She drew Jacqui to the rail and Greg called after them, “Thank you, Bel!”

“Well, you certainly are fortunate in your choice of friends,” Nick laughed. “Women are always rescuing you from danger.”

“Yes, I’m very lucky that way,” Greg agreed solemnly.

“You little snirp, I had something to do with rescuing you as well,” Nick growled, advancing on the younger man.

“Not now,” Archie grinned. “We’re coming into port. Save it for your game of tag later.”

“Very lucky!” Nick glared at him.

~*~

Golden sunlight poured down on the gathering in Lady Catherine’s garden, caressing the roses that bloomed in profusion. A slight breeze stirred the silken skirts of the ladies and friends mingled who had been parted for more than a month.

At last Father Grissom took his place under a tented pavilion, which had been erected for the occasion. The crowd noticed him standing there and silence fell over the crowd. Lady Catherine, clad in pale pink silk, took Nick and Greg by the hand, and led them to stand in front of him.

They linked hands and a look of love passed between them before they turned to face the priest. Ricardo came to stand behind Nick, whilst Archie took a stance by Greg.

“The church is officiated by man, but all things divine come from God,” Father Grissom said quietly. “The church has devised no way as yet to recognize a union such as this. But God is a God of love; it is my belief that if he could create the beauty that surrounds us, he also created love, and that he recognizes and celebrates all love.

“The recent events in which we all played a part, have served to illustrate the difference between lust and love; therefore it is clear that the two men who stand before us today do so with love. They have demonstrated that they hold each other’s interests as importantly as their own and they do only what will serve and not harm each other.”

“Therefore we are gathered to bear witness to their love, their commitment, and their truth as they pledge themselves as companions on the journey of life they would undertake together.”

Greg turned to Nick, his face radiant whilst Nick surprised the gathering with the tears glistening on his cheeks.

“You are the bravest man I have ever known,” Nick said softly. He smiled at the look of pleased surprise on Greg’s face. “To me, courage lies in facing the unknown and meeting it with a stout heart. Since we met, I turned your footsteps onto a different path than you had planned for your life. You walked, nay, you ran to embrace the challenge; you have taught me the true meaning of heroism, the intelligent spirit that sees danger yet meets it dauntlessly.”

“I ask you now to continue on the journey by my side, as my companion for all life, for without you, my prince of moonlight, the night would always be dark and I would lose my way. I started by chasing the moon and now, my love, you rule my heart. I ask you to take it into your keeping.” He bowed his head, waiting for Greg’s answer.

Greg’s voice shook as he spoke. “You warm me like the sun you are, and your light bursts over my eyes when I behold you. You have opened my eyes to a whole new world and I want nothing more than to explore it at your side. You say that I am brave when all I have done is love you. I looked into the heart of the sun and I beheld there a treasure worth more to me than any treasures the earth has to offer. I wandered alone and lost, but now I have found your heart and I have all that any man could desire.”

“I will love you and care for you and spend my life with you and no other. I will cherish the love you offer me. My heart, body and soul are entwined with yours; I could never part from you willingly.”

“You are mine, as I am yours, always and forever.”

Father Grissom blinked back a tear. “You have each found your soulmate, may your journey together be a long and loving one. Let God honour this union, for a truer promise has not yet been made before me. Go in love, to live together to the end of your days.”

Nick pulled Greg close and kissed him, to the delighted murmurs of their gathered friends. When he released his husband, they turned to look at all who had gathered to help them celebrate, their eyes misty at the love that shone in every face.

Jacqui pushed Alex the younger forward, murmuring instructions to him. He came toward them, holding a small wooden box, which he offered, saying, “All your friends wished you to have this.”

Greg stooped and hugged the boy. “Thank you, my friend, my bestest friend.” He took the box and opened it, turning to Nick with a gasp. Inside lay two rings, cunningly wrought from gold, sinuous vines twining over the surface. The wide bands matched except for the center plaque; Nick’s bore a crescent moon, whilst Greg’s had a blazing sun. Inside the rings, the surface was highly polished and bore the legend, ‘Two hearts entwined, ’til journey’s end.’

The two men gazed deeply into each other’s eyes as they placed the rings each onto the other’s finger. They embraced again and turned to face their friends, the men who sailed and fought with them, Father Grissom so pivotal to Greg’s life, the valiant Lady Catherine and Lady Sara, whose meddling in the affairs of men brought them back together, Ricardo and Archie, so protective of them both, the Vartaans who gave Greg sanctuary and family when he needed it, Al and David, whose interest and caring were manifest; these were all a part of the journey completed and without them, the journey could not have continued.

Bereft of speech by such deep emotion, the two men could only hold hands and gaze with joy upon the assemblage.

Father Grissom, having hastily and surreptitiously wiped his eyes under cover of the couple, now stepped forward and said, “We have been blessed to witness the promise taken here today by these two men.” He looked directly at Ricardo and Archie and continued, “Are there any others here today who wish to pledge their love and their life?”

Ricardo’s green eyes sparkled as he sought Archie’s black one. “What say you, my love, will you ship with me?”

“Aye, Captain,” Archie smiled and stepped forward to take his hand. Greg and Nick moved aside to stand up for their friends as they had for them.

A slight commotion claimed Father Grissom’s attention as Belinda moved to the front, towing Rich with her.

“You may be married in a regular ceremony in a church,” Father Grissom said gently.

“I would rather, by far, honour my friends by taking these unconventional oaths with them today. If their union cannot be recognized by the church, then I would prefer to share the same blessing here today,” Belinda declared. “Besides, I’m not much on obeying.”

Rich said, “This is what we wish. Please accept this as our tribute to our friends’ love. And to our own.”

Father Grissom nodded, smiling as he began to speak.

Jim Brass took Lady Catherine’s hand and said, “What say you? Will you wed me today, here under the grace of God’s sun?”

She smiled regretfully and squeezed his hand. “Forgive me, I am too newly free. I would that I could simply say yes and take the leap, but…”

Jim looked down, regarding their joined hands. “I had never thought to be wed, but when I met you, your courage and zest for life made you stand out from any other lady I have ever known. If it makes me more acceptable to you–”

She put a finger on his lips. “I have but tasted freedom after a long servitude, I cannot give it up just yet. If it makes you feel any better, I think if I were to wed again, I could not wish for a better partner than you.”

Brass grinned. “I should not repine; you are a free spirit. Most men wish to be unfettered by the bonds of love and you offer me all that I could wish, without the chains.”

“Look not a gift horse in the mouth,” Lady Catherine smiled and kissed him lightly. They returned their attention to Father Grissom as he pronounced over the two couples standing before him.

The three happy couples were surrounded as their friends came to greet them. Musicians started to play and refreshments were provided by Lady Catherine’s servants. Brass stood up, drawing Lady Catherine’s hand to his arm, covering it with his other hand. Seeking to lighten her mood, he nodded to where David stood with Lady Sara, apparently showing her the finer points of knife handling.

“There’s a unique wooing,” he said.

“Indeed.” Lady Catherine looked at Father Grissom sadly watching. “I would welcome such a union for her, she has for so long loved another unattainable star. Perhaps a man who would indulge her bent for the more vigorous pursuits she enjoys would be the best for her.”

“I’m sure we shall see,” Brass replied. “Will you do me the honour of dancing with me?”

Lady Catherine nodded and he swept her into the dance.

“I hear you do not dance,” Nick teased his young husband.

“That is one thing I have not mastered,” Greg said sadly. “It looks as if it could be enjoyable.”

“I will teach you. When we go to visit my parents, it’s a skill you will need,” Nick said, putting his arm around Greg’s waist.

“It’s a skill I may need anyway, for I fear you shall lead me a pretty dance,” Greg said with a smile.

“I shall do my best,” Nick promised wickedly. He drew Greg into his arms and held him close as they began to sway slowly to the music. “My husband,” he whispered.

~*~

Nick jerked upright, unsure as to what had awakened him and realized the bed was empty and Greg gone. For a moment his heart raced in panic but he calmed himself, realizing that if a boat had come alongside, the bump would have awakened him. He threw on a shirt and breeches, and went in search of his young husband; he bethought himself of where Greg would go and headed for the bow.

He spied the slim figure standing alone, beautifully silvered by the light of the ancient and mysterious moon. All was quiet, but for tiny waves lapping against the sides of the ship. Nick went to him, quietly but letting his footsteps echo, not wishing to startle Greg.

Greg gazed dreamily over the horizon as a gentle breeze blew his hair away from his face. He started as strong arms slipped around his waist, and Nick’s voice rumbled in his ear.

“Trying to fly away from me, querido?”

“No,” Greg laughed. “Just happy.”

“To be with me?”

“To be on a ship, to feel free, to be with you,” Greg said softly.

Nick watched his lover’s beautiful eyes and asked in a soft whisper, “And what do you see?”

Greg turned in Nick’s arms, looking at the love shining there for him.

“I see heaven in your eyes.”

The End.

A/N: I want to thank everyone from my heart who went along on this journey. I did not know it would lead here, to meeting so many new, precious people. I had a wonderful time writing this and it just kept getting more wonderful as I posted and got such fabulous comments. You will never know how much your encouragement and appreciation has meant to me. Thank you all! Much love. Parting is such sweet sorrow.