Kicking her door quickly shut, she shut it in her first mates face, just before he could enter her room. She pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance waiting for it.

Knock knock (There it was.)

"Captain" knock knock "captain" knock knock "sir?"

Sigh- "what do you want?" Eron said flinging the door open to find her newest crewman and Rick barging in.

"No, no, no, no, no." She caught them both by the collar. "Out, get your own room." Pushing them both back to the door.

"Captain, we have no money." Rick pleaded.

"Yea, I am working for my travels because I'm broke." John squeezed in.

"You..." Eron pointed to John "Your personality doesn't match your face." Moving her finger to Rick. "And you, where is your pride, lad?"

John just stood there staring like a puppy wagging its tail, begging, and Rick latched on to her leg. "Please Cap' you wouldn't leave your mates stranded outside, now would you?"

Bang!

"Well, I did not expect that." Rick said picking John up from the hallway. "Let's head back down and get a drink."

"Is he always so stubborn?" John asked rubbing his backside from the sting lingering from his fall.

"Yup, you will get used to it." Rick brushed the scene off like it was nothing.

"You sure he is a he?" John questioned. "He is so tiny and cute if I might add, but I'll admit he does pack some strength." Touching his ass again in memory.

"Look, I know he's a little pint sized but I have been sailing with him for eight years now, and I have known his father for 12 years. Eron joined the crew long before he was ever a captain. I assure you he is as much of a man as you or I." Rick said with a serious tone. "In all honesty we thought the same thing a while back but with his father our as our previous Captain there was no need to question it further, and it would be wise of you not to either." His whole demeanor changed telling John to drop it.

"I mean no harm, he's just..." John couldn't find the words.

"Beautiful?" Rick finished it for him, and John nodded. "You are not the first to say that. That's why I warned you not to touch him. We have lost many crewmates overboard due to the captain's temper. Take my word for it, you don't need to check." Rick shivered thinking of Eron's bad side.

"Noted." John said. "So, you knew his dad? You said something about him being the late captain?"

"Yeah, it hit Eron hard when it happened, but it was peaceful, old, in his sleep kind of thing." Rick rook a seat at one of the tables a table.

John held a mischievous grin like he knew something he didn't, but the look quickly shifted away making Rick feel suspicious.

"Wanna split a room with me?" John asked when sitting down on the opposite side of Rick.

It only took an instant for Rick to go back to acting like a younger brother and dismiss the uncertainty he had previously felt. "You read my mind." Turning to the barman he held up two fingers "two, one for me and one for my new mate here." Rick had a huge grin on his face knowing he was going to be saving enough money he could fancy a good fucking tonight.

After kicking the boys out Eron decided to undo the bandages around her breast and let the girl's breath. Being a little muscular and relatively small chested had helped disguise her breast as pecks, so she hasn't had to band them as tightly as she used to. "Freedom." She silently laughed while she jiggled her boobs in her hands then dropped them in relief. Tonight, she decided she would sleep naked basking in nothing being bound. She slipped into the covers without a worry, but someone kept invading her thoughts. She couldn't deny her newfound attraction, but she felt it would be too dangerous if she immersed herself in a pleasure focused on someone she would be out at sea with for a lengthy period of time. Her rules were there for a reason. She finally drifted off to sleep, neglecting her urges.

3 Am

Knock knock knock

Eron sat up quickly and reached for her sword. She quietly shuffled herself and stood behind the door holding the blanket in front of her body. "Who is it?"

"Captain, it's John." He was trying to keep his voice down but loud enough for her to hear through the door.

"I'm in no mood to deal with whatever it is you caused. Wait till sunrise." Dropping her sword down she headed back to bed.

Knock knock

"Captain? I didn't do nothin' your mate brought a woman into the room." John was standing there hoping she would let him in.

"What's your point? Why don't you join him? The more the merrier, why bother me?" Eron annoyingly put her undergarments and bandages back on. "Sorry girls." She whispered to herself. After finally getting to sleep from plagued thoughts of him he stood outside her door while she was getting dressed.

Flinging the door open John stood there playing at nothing with one foot. She couldn't help but think that he was slightly cute, when he is acting helpless, but quickly dismissed it remembering her place.

"Can I please bunk here tonight; I'll take the floor." John pleaded. "I can't sleep through all the moans and slapping." He shivered in thought.

"Fine." Eron allowed him in before realizing what she was doing. Her mind screamed at her to attack him. "I have no spare blankets you might as well take the bed."

"What about you Cap'?" He looked at her puzzled.

"The curse of being a captain, once I'm up there is no going back. I got to see to some cargo being loaded anyways, so you take the room." She dressed the rest of the way no longer shy with the years of dressing in front of men and headed out. She could stay there for another second, or her chastity would be long gone, and the poor boy would be attacked.

The empty streets, the night crisp air, and the bright moonlight all made up a beautiful night to enjoy a walk along the beach. Eron finally felt relaxation in picking up seashells and sand dollars. Placing them in her pocket, she thought she could use them for decorating her cabin. Even though she dressed, talked, and acted like a man she still enjoyed the pretty things in life, especially if it sparkled, which is why the ocean is the most desirable when the sun is overhead.

6 AM

The sun was rising over the ocean and the streets were starting to become crowded again. Merchants brought out their goods and began their daily routine to sell their products. Eron trotted on her way to the loading dock and worked with the hired help to restock the ship.

John had shown up shortly after her with a big smile plastered across his face as he looked at Eron. He decided to help them out to start earning his keep early. It looked like he didn't get much more sleep than her last night.

"Thanks." Eron politely thanked John for lending a hand. They were finished loading the supplies, and the remains of labor clung to them. She brushed the dirt off her clothes and sniffed inside her shirt. "Time to bathe now, follow me." She swats at some dust on his chest and quietly laughed. With determination they walked to the bath house up the street. John stayed a couple steps behind Eron watching her movements.

She ordered two separate sections for her new 'mate and herself, separating rank had allowed her to bathe in secrecy. They both went their separate ways inside the bath house and decided to meet up after they were done.

Eron indulged herself in her bath. She ordered Jasmine flower petals to give her a relaxing feeling. The flowers oils had mixed in with the hot water smoothing her skin and giving her a light fresh scent. She didn't bother to get out until the water was starting to turn cold. She almost regretted taking a bath before finding clean clothes to wear but dismissed the feeling by deciding to wash them later.

When she walked out of the bath house a very clean and handsome man stood before her waiting. Her knees almost went out when he turned to face her. "Captain." He said nodding his head.

"John?" She looked stunned. "Is that you?" She laughed.

"Don't tease Cap' I know I was dirty before, but I should still look just as handsome dirty as I do clean." He towered over her oozing with confidence over his appearance. He smiled at her as he kept stepping closer to her.

"Alright, alright let's head out. Unless you have other plans then don't let me get in your way." Eron maneuvered around him heading back down the street.

"No sir, I'm ready when you are and here to help you with anything you might need." He said following closely behind her. Still wearing the smirk on his face.

A chill went down her spine as she heard the way he said that last part.

Great this was going to be a whole new challenge for her. One she wasn't to sure she wanted to fight against, but as of right now she had to. Maybe when they part ways she could at least say goodbye properly.