Silhouetted by the Sea

Disclaimer: Never been mine; never will be.

Author's Notes: This fic was so much fun to write. Of course, anything that allows me to think of Heero in breeches is fun for me!

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Silhouetted by the Sea
by Kristen Elizabeth

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When Sally opened her eyes the day after the pirate's raid, Relena shoulders sagged in utter relief. "Oh thank the Lord," she breathed. "I thought you weren't ever goingwakewake up."

The older woman struggled to sit up, but her hands were tied behind her back. Relena helped her as much as she could until she was propped up against the wooden wall. "Where...what...?"

"Don't try to talk yet." Relena paused. "We've been taken hostage by pirates. We're on their ship now."

Sally blinked several times. "I think I'd rather be unconscious." Her eyes closed again. "I can't believe this...this has happened...to us."

"I'm sorry, Sally." Relena rested her cheek on her companion's shoulder. "They killed most of the crew. I had to save the captain....but they ended up taking us instead."

"It's all right, Relena. I'm sure you...handled things much better than the average woman would." Sally sighed. "What do they intend to do with us?"

Relena's reply was soft. "Ransom. They're trying to get a message to Lord Kushrenada, but for right now, we're just staying here. With them."

"How much do they want?"

"One thousand gold pieces."

Sally lifted an eyebrow. "Ambitious, aren't they? Well..." She arched her back, trying in vain to break her bonds. "He'll pay that much to get his ship back, that's for sure."

Relena frowned. "His ship?"

"The *Lady Anne*," Sally reminded her. "There has been this persistent rumor that while he was serving in the Army during the Rebellion, Lord Kushrenada met an American woman named Anne. He wanted to stay in America after the war and marry her, but his father ordered him to travel to Barbados as soon as his commisson in the Army was over. Most people believe he didn't want his son marrying a traitor. Apparently, she went insane and died after he left her. Hence, the *Lady Anne*. He gave her the title in death."

"That's so sad," Relena frowned. "But...if he loved this woman, why did make this agreement with my brother?"

Sally looked at her. "You've truly never heard the details of what haed ted to your brother during the war, have you?" When Relena didn't reply, she sighed again. "To make a long story short, your brother became very sick on the voyage back to England after the defeat. When he thought he was dying, he made Lord Kushrenada promise to take care of you. I suppose not going back on that, even when Millardo didn't die, was the honorable thing for Kushrenada to do."

"Honor." Relena looked up at the wooden ceiling of the tiny cabin she and Sally had been tossed into. "That's something I was sure he would not have."

There wasn't time for further conversation. The small door opened suddenly and the tall pirate with green eyes stepped inside. "I've coo tao take you above deck. If you want some fresh air."

Relena managed to stand up, only swaying with the motions of the boat. "That's very kind of you."

The man had barely any reaction to her thanks. He walked over and pulled Sally to her feet. "Are you all right?" he asked her. "You hit your head on a coil of rope."

She scowled. "I'm fine. But you tell your dark haired friend that the next time he puts his hands on me, he'll get kicked in an even more sensitive place."

Relena thought she saw a flicker of amusement on the man's stoic face. "Come on," he told them.

The first thing Relena felt as she was helped up the ladder to the main deck was how cool the air around her had become. She looked up the mast to the sky which should have been a pure blue, dotted with white puffs. Her heart thudded when she saw nothing but grey.

"Is there a storm coming?" she asked the pirate.

"Could be. Probably very mild though. We'll get you below deck before we get anywhere near it."

"Nothing to be scared of, duchess." Relena turned around to see the pirate leader, Heero, sitting on a pile of crates, sharpening his sword. "Just a little rain."

She straightened her shoulders. "I never said I was afraid."

Heero set down his sword and approached his hostage. She thought he was going to say something more to her, but he addressed the other pirate. "Trowa, can you see about getting them something to eat?" Trowa nodded and went back below. He glanced back at Relena. "I doubt your fiancee will pay much if you're starved to death."

"Certainly not. In fact..." She was cut off by the sound of a loud whistle from high above on the mast. Everyone's gaze turned up to see the dark haired pirate climbing down the rigging. In a few minutes, he landed on the deck in front of them. Sally's scowl reappeared.

"Report, Wufei," Heero ordered.

Wufei's almond shaped eyes were worried. "Hurricane," was all he said.

****

Relena had never beo gro grateful for not having gotten to eat. She was sure that if there had been anything in her stomach, it would have most certainly come back up again after the hours of rolling and tumbling that the pirate's ship had endured as a result of the approaching storm.

She scooted closer to Sally as the cabin continued to lurch and buck. "I'm not sure I can take much more of this."

The older woman nodded, looking a shade green herself. "Hopefully, it'll blow over soon."

After a long minute of unbearable silence, the door to the cabin flew open, bringing in a rush of cold air and a thoroughly soaked Heero. Relena and Sally stood up as he strode over to them. He wiped a hand down his wet face and shook his hair back, flinging droplets of water onto them. Fresh water, Relena noted when she licked her lips.

Heero's white shirt clung to every muscle. He was the very definition of a perfectly made man. Something Relena had never seen before. Her cheeks were on fire as he grabbed her shoulders and spun her around.

Sally cried out when he pulled a knife from his bres. es. "Don't hurt her!"

Relena closed her eyes. Was he going to kill her? Was this it? "Heero," she whispered, saying his name out loud for the firime.ime.

He slid the knife between her bound wrists ever so carefully. With quick, strong motions, he sawed through the ropes until she could shake them off. Relena turned back around and closed her hand over her bruised wrist. Heero was already working on Sally's ropes.

"Why have you freed us?" Relena asked.

Stormy blue eyes met hers. "I don't get any ransom money if you drown." He slipped the knife back into his wet breeches. Relena looked down and then immediately back up. His clothes below the waist clung too and she'd blushed enough for one day. Heero backed up. "Stay here. Don't come up on deck unless I tell you to."

When he was gone, Sally grabbed her. "The hurricane must be getting closer. I think he's very worried."

Relena continued to idly rub her sore wrist. "He freed us...but what about the others? The captain....he and his men could drown, too. And that man wouldn't be worried about them." She gathered her skirts and started for the door.

"You shouldn't go up there, Relena. It's dangerous!" When her charge ignored the warning, Sally cursed and followed her above deck.

They emerged and were instantly drenched by the heavy rain that pummeled the ship. The seas, once so blue, were now a mottled grey and dark green. Lightning illuminated the sky for a moment, making Relena jump. But rather than retreat, she gritted her teeth, braced herself against the rain and staggered to find her footing on the slippery deck.

Someone grabbed her arm, much stronger than Sally's grip could be. She was spun around to confront those Prussian eyes once more.

"I told you to stay below." His voice rose to be heard over the waves and rain.

Relena blinked to keep the water from her own eyes. "I won't go below until you show the same consideration to your other prisoners as you did to us." Soaked strands of her hair slapped against her cheeks. "I want you to free the captain and his men."

Heero studied her face for a long moment. Set and serious, she still managed to be distractingly beautiful. Finally, he took her chin in his hand and twisted her head so she could see the far end of the deck. "What do you see?"

"Men...working." She threw her head back to shake off his grip. "Are they..."

"Your captain and his crew, yes. They're helping ready the ship." Heero shook his head. "You actually thought I'd let them drown."

Relena was instantly ashamed of herself. "I'm...I'm sorry. I didn't think..." She scowled. "In all fairness, you haven't given me much cause to think you anything more than a murderer so far."

Heero lifted his shoulders. "Perhaps." His features hardened. "Now get the hell below deck."

Her mouth dropped open at the curse word. "I mostly certainly will not!"

This time it was Sally who pulled on her arm. "Relena...don't be foolish. Let's do what he says."

"Do you want to die?" Heero yelled at her. "Because if so, by all means..." He spread his arms. "Stay up here!"

A wave slapped the ship, sending water up and over the railing. Relena swallowed back a scream, but stood her ground. "Perhaps we can help!"

Heero shook his head disbelievingly. "Get below deck, duchess. There's not a damn thing you can..."

"Look out!" From across the deck, Trowa pointed behind them. Relena turned her head. A towering wave of water advanced towards them. Before anyone could react, it smacked the ship. The deck flooded, knocking everyone off their feet. As the ship tilted to one side, Relena found herself swept to the railing. Heero's arm shot out to grab her, but she slid past him.

The wooden rail broke her fall and kept her from washing overboard. When the ship righted itself, Relena pulled herself up by the railing and coughed to clear the salt water from her mouth.

"Relena!" Heero called to her.

Her eyes stung so badly that all she wanted to do was keep them closed. But she forced them open to see him. He was clinging to the rigging with the others. He held out his hand, beckoning to her. The space between them might as well have been miles. Relena took a step towards him and released the rail.

"Relena!!" he screamed again as another wave of water crashed over the boat. It was the last thing Relena heard before she was pulled into the churning sea.

****

Hilde was at a complete loss for words. The man with braided hair looked down at her with such a friendly face, yet he asked such an accusing question. She forced herself to remember the mission. Act helpless. At least she was wearing the right sort of clothing.

"Oh thank goodness you found me!" she exclaimed, sitting up in the berth. She threw her arms around the stranger in what she hoped passed for the actions of a weak woman. "I was afraid I was going to die out here!"

The man made no motion to pry her arms away. Instead, she felt his chest rumble with laughter. "Easy there; we've just met. Why don't you just tell me who the hell you are and what happened to this ship?"

Hilde pulled back and frowned. He didn't seem to be particularly worried about the damsel he found in distress. "Pirates," she finally declared. "Pirates came....they robbed our ship! They killed people...and took the others!" She buried her face in her hands dramatically. "It was horrible!"

"Hmm." He pulled at his clean-shaven chin. "You're a little young to be a baroness...you wouldn't happen to be the Baron's sister, would you?"

Lying would defeat her entire purpose and wanseqnsequently out of the question. But Hilde suddenly got the feeling that her mission was not going to be an easy one. "I'm...no, I'm not. I'm...the...um...the Lady...um...Hilde. Lady Hilde," she mumbled into her hands.

Another man entered the room, blond and dressed in the height of fashion. Hilde peeked out of her fingers as the braided man walked over to his companion. They conversed for a moment, casting several glances her way, before the man who had woken her returned to her side.

"Lady Hilde you said?" He scratched the back of his thick, chestnut head of hair. "Odd since the *Lady Anne* only carried two female passengers. The baroness and Baron Peacecraft's sister. So, the question remains." He smiled broadly, but dangerously. "Who the hell are you?"

Hilde thought quickly. One of her thoughts happened to be how satisfying it would feel to kick the braided man in a place that would wipe the smirk off his face forever. Finally, she came up with a new story. "I'm a stowaway," she confessed. "I hid when the pirates came and they didn't find me." She looked up at the men with wide eyes. "I overheard them saying they were going to hold the Baron's sister for ransom! Then they set this ship adrift..." Her head lowered in mock sorrow.

A comforting hand was laid on her shoulder. Hilde lifted her eyes, expecting to see warmth and pity. The braided man shook his head, his violet eyes twinkling. "Maybe your third story will be the truth."

"But...I..."

He cut her off. "You dropped the anchor. All by yourself I'd imagine. One more time. Who...are...you?"

Oh yes. Just one swift kick, she thought. So satisfying.

****

Heero stopped breathing for a long minute after Relena disappeared over the side of the boat. As soon as he could, he tore himself away from the rigging. "I'm going after her!" he shouted to Trowa and Wufei.

His Chinese companion shook his head. "She's gone, Heero. There's no point!"

The other woman, the Baroness, begged with him. "Please...you must try!" She turned on Wufei. "Don't stop him from trying!!"

"If you had stayed below deck, this wouldn't have happened!" Wufei shot back.

Heero ignored them. "Trowa! Get the rowboat ready. I might need you to lower it down!"

Trowa nodded and looked up at the sky, blinking back the rain. "The lightning is getting closer. Be careful!"

Their leader staggered away and reached the railing re tre the next wave. With a length of rope, he connected himself to the rail, took a huge breath and dove into the ocean.

The water was surprisingly warm. Below the surface, the noise of the storm disappeared and all he heard were the thoughts inside his own head.

*Hang on, duchess. I'm coming for you.*

Heero opened his eyes, barely flinching at the stinging salt. After a lifetime on the ocean, he had trained himself to see underwater. But the acquired talent was useless to him; he could barely see his own hand in the dark sea.

He surfaced for air. "Relena!" he shouted, spitting out a mouthful of water. "Answer me, Relena!"

The reply was faint, but persistent. "Heero....Heero!"

Treading water, he spun around, searching for the face to match the voice. He spotted her, several yards away, struggling to keep her head above the surface. Inhaling, he dove back underwater and swam as fast as he could to her.

When he broke the surface again, he caught a glimpse of her as she lost her struggle and slipped under. "Relena!" He dove again and opened his eyes. She was only a few feet away, but sinking with the weight of her petticoats. Heero reached out for her, catching a handful of wet hair. He pulled, hauling her body to his. Her face emerged from the water, but she did not begin to breath.

The rope connecting him to the railing pulled taut. He grunted in pain as it dug into his lower torso. They were at least thirty feet away from the ship now. With his arm firmly around her waist, Heero began to pull them back, using the rope as a guide. When they were twenty feet away from their goal, the sky lit up with a massive bolt of lightning.

To their saving grace, it struck not the water, but the mast of the *Tempest's Wing*. He had just enough time to tuck them back underwater before the mast exploded into fire. By the time they surfaced again, the fire had spread down the mast almost to the deck. Heero quickly freed himself from the rope and curled his arms around her chest, supporting Relena's unconscious body against his own.

The task of holding himself and another above water was tough, but he kicked his legs and endured. Think of the money, he told himself. If she dies, you don't get it.

But even Heero Yuy wasn't blind enough to believe that money was his only reason for living up to his name where Relena was concerned.

Just when his immeasurable strength was about to give out, Heero felt hands hauling him up and into the rowboat. As Trowa pd hid him over the edge, Wufei grabbed onto Relena. They both landed at the bottom of the rowboat like lead. Heero coughed twice before reaching for Relena.

At the far end of the boat, Sally was the picture of panic. "She's not....please say she's not..."

Heero tilted the girl's head back and after only a second of hesitation, placed his mouth over hers. He bseveseveral quick breaths before pressing his ear to her chest. After one more try, Relena emitted a life-affirming cough. He turned her head to the side as to let her rid her lungs of the salt water. When he was sure she was going to be all right, Heero's attention turned to his ship.

The *Tempest's Wing* was engulfed in flames. He was motionless as he watched his life burn away and then, slowly begin to sink into the Carribean. A single tear flowed down his cheek with the salt water dripping off the ends of his hair.

He looked at his friends. "The captain and the crew?"

Trowa shook his head. "They just jumped. Crazy bastards."

The storm had already begun to die down. It had come, done its damage and moved on, leaving five people in a tiny rowboat in the middle of the vast ocean.

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To Be Continued