Hello, I know I should be writing my Pride and Prejudice one, but...you know. This popped out. So, I get to write two stories at once! LOL.

Please review. I love reviews. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Also, please give me feedback. Stylistic suggestions, grammar corrections, historic anachronisms, questions. Please tell me!

"Well, hello me purdy."

I scowled and continued walking. It was another drunk. You would think they would have learned their lesson by now. I came here almost every night, looking for my brother, and anyone who tried touching me got hurt.

My brother was a pirate. Well, actually, he was a naval sailor gone pirate after being captured by the infamous Captain Arthur Kirkland, a gentleman gone rogue who was known for his cold-hearted cruelty and his fickle mercy. Really, it was not so bad for my brother. He had been on the crew for so long that he had become Kirkland's right hand man, and was second only to him in reputation.

My brother had taught me how to defend myself and so I had no fear wandering the docks at midnight, as I always did, waiting for his arrival. After all, it wasn't like the ship could just dock and he could come visit me. They were wanted men.

The drunk was still following me, so I turned around and fixed him with a cold glare. "Unless you want to get hurt, I suggest you turn around and leave, right now."

He chuckled darkly. "Missy, you ain't go no chance of fightin' me. Come quietly, and nobody gonna get hurt."

My eye twitched. His grammar was atrocious.

He reached out a hand to grab me, but I intercepted it, grabbed his wrist, and flipped him over my shoulder, throwing him back-first into the ground. All air was expelled from his lungs, and I grabbed my pistol, cocking it as I pointed it at his head.

I had begged my brother to teach me swordplay and marksmanship, and, being the pushover he was, he agreed. When I mastered marksmanship, he gave me a pistol, for which I had made a secret pocket in all of my skirts, in which to hide it. I also had a knife strapped to my thigh, just in case.

I was also an excellent swords-woman, but carrying around a sword, especially dressed as I was – as a noblewoman, petticoats and all – was a bit conspicuous.

The drunk was staring up at my gun, terrified. Even a bad shot couldn't miss at this range. "I will shoot. Leave now, or meet the Devil at Hell's Gate."

He gulped and nodded, slowly getting to his feet. I followed him with the pistol as he slowly backed away, never taking his eyes off the weapon.

Growing impatient, I fired a round at the ground between his feet. He squealed like a pig and ran for his life. I allowed myself a small smile of amusement, which quickly vanished when I heard men chuckling behind me. I spun around, cocking my gun, as I glared into the shadows.

Then I heard a familiar voice. "Woah, woah, there girl. Put the gun down." I smiled. Releasing the hammer, I stowed the pistol and ran towards my brother, laughing, as he stepped out of the shadows. "Alfie!" I cried, jumping at him.

He caught me in his arms and spun me around, laughing. He set me down and grinned. "How's my little sis?"

I smiled. "I am very well. Oh! I am so glad to see you!"

"So this is the Amelia Jones I have heard so much about."

We both turned towards the voice, and Alfred smiled. "Amy, meet Captain Arthur Kirkland."

I frowned a little bit. I had never met the pirate before, and frankly, I was a little frightened. I trusted my brother, but that did not completely assuage my fears.

The man that stepped out of the shadows took my breath away. He was nothing like how I had imagined a pirate would look. He wore a simple white shirt, breeches, boots, a blood red coat, with a black cravat tied at his neck. A sword hung from a belt around his hips, and a red tricorne sat cockily on his head, sporting a black feather. His clothes gave off an air of elegance that defied his career.

What was more striking was his appearance. He was slightly tanned – due, probably, to the sun – and he had bright, golden hair that peeked out from under his hat. He was surprisingly slender, and, though taller than I, was shorter than my brother. He had huge eyebrows that somehow worked, accenting his piercing forest green eyes. Basically, he was gorgeous.

He smiled, took off his had, and bowed dramatically. "Captain, Arthur Kirkland, at your service."

I smiled. "Amelia Jones." I stuck my hand out to shake, but instead, he took it and placed a kiss on the back of my hand. I blushed, avoiding eye-contact. He released my hand, and it dropped to my side. Not only was he drop-dead gorgeous, and a flirt, I couldn't help noticing how down-right sexy his voice was.

Alfred laughed. "Artie, stop flirting with my sister."

I elbowed my brother in the ribs. "Be polite. He is your captain."

Kirkland chuckled. Even that was sexy. "Your sister has a point, Mr. Jones. She has a nice independent streak, too." He winked at me.

Blood rushed to my face and I looked away again, wishing my heart would stop pounding. I mean, I know he was attractive, but he was a pirate, and was just flirting, just like every other man I had ever met. Why should I respond any differently to him?

Then I realized my brother was talking to me. "Amy, we have some wounded men, can you make room in the house?"

I sighed. "I suppose. Do you want me to call a doctor?"

"No. That will not be necessary. We have a doctor on-board, but he needs a steadier environment. He has also run out of room in his quarters," replied Kirkland.

I looked at him and shrugged. "Fine. But what did you do to have so many injuries? Start a war?"

Alfred laughed. "Pretty much, yeah."

I resisted the urge to walk away right then. They were all idiots, the lot of them. "Do you have a way of transporting the men? Or do I need to get the carriage?"

"We have our own transportation. Just lead the way, please."

I rolled my eyes. Kirkland was starting to get on my nerves. He gave orders like he ruled the world, and his requests were nothing short of politely phrased demands.

I turned on my heel and began walking away from the two men, setting a brisk pace. I did not bother to check if they were following, whether they did or not was their own choice. Alfred knew the route, anyway.

I left the docks behind, and then the industrial district, relaxing a little as I entered the more affluent side of town. Not that it was safe, but it was safer, and I was close to home.

I reached the townhouse Alfred owned and unlocked the door. Stepping in, I left the door open. I turned on the gas and lit the lamps with the matches sitting by the door. All the servants had gone home. Tomorrow was a Saturday, and everyone had both Saturday and Sunday off. I required no help in running the house by myself, and they were only there for cleaning. I had no fears of Alfred and his friends being betrayed by someone in the household.

I went up the stairs and entered my room, locking the door behind me. I did not trust a crew of pirates to leave me in peace, even if my brother was among them. I changed into my nightgown and washed my face. I heard the front door closed and relaxed a little. At least I didn't have to worry about that all night. I climbed into bed and drifted into a peaceful slumber.

Well, that's that. :) Hope you enjoyed the first "chapter."

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Couple of notes for you people:

A Tricone is what you think of when you think of a pirate hat.

A Cravat is the fancy neck-tie French and English gentlemen wear. Looks like this: cdn. /blog/ wp-content/uploads/ 2010/06/tied-cravat-style- (remove spaces)