silverwolfcc (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
silverwolfcc) wrote2009-02-01 01:19 am
silverwolfcc) wrote2009-02-01 01:19 am
Peel Out (Part 2)
Title: Peel Out
Pairing: Smoker/Keitha
Rating: PG-15 for violence, swearing, and psuedo-sex
Music/lyrics: Peel Out by Meatloaf.
Smoker rumbled his bike softly through Loguetown. He wasn't in a rush now that he'd actually reached the city. The pirates wouldn't be going anywhere soon. There didn't seem to be anybody on the streets, but most Loguetown residents had the sense to stay inside at night if there was bad weather. A few drunken sailors caught his eye now and again but they weren't his prey.
He kicked off the bike as he reached his destination, grumpily relighting a new set of cigars and wandered inside. It wasn't the Gold Roger, as only pirates who hadn't been to Loguetown in the last five years bothered going there usually. Still, like every other pirate dive he'd been in, it was dingy, a little disgusting, and thoroughly unkempt; rather like their patrons.
"Yo," he greeted the bartender who sighed and ducked under his bar sensing a fight brewing.
The pirates continued their coversation and drinking nonchalantly, as if they didn't care whether or not a marine walked in. The majority of the civilians however started to shirk out, not wanting to be involved anymore than the bartender did. "All those who are pirates raise your hand," Smoker ordered in a mocking drawl.
One of the pirates laughed, "That wouldn't make them very good pirates would it now?"
"No, but it'd make them a lot smarter than the last group I just fought on their ship," Smoker replied evenly.
"He's just trying to get a rise," one of the pirates cautioned quietly. Smoker still heard it though and grinned in response.
"Hmmm," he tapped a finger to his chin, "What were they named? Well they were much too small-time to have a big-bounty so I guess they couldn't have been important."
"Easy," the more level-headed pirate cautioned again as one of them stood to rise.
Smoker withdrew his jitte, resting it on his shoulders. He knew they were pirates and they knew he knew but they also knew he couldn't just arrest them without proof and without bounties or posters, it was a lot harder to do. "Ah well they had a kid with them -- dead now. But their captain drowned in the fight so I suppose that makes us even."
Even the smarter pirate lost his cool at this, turning with a dark glare to Smoker, "What did you say?!"
"And the rest are going to questioned for information," Smoker growled in a low voice, "As are you, most likely."
"Look man, we don't want any trouble," the pirate held up hands as if warding off a demon.
"You've got no proof," one of them began.
"I've got all the proof I need, pirate," Smoker growled locking him in handcuffs. "You can either come down to the fort and hope since this is probably your first offense the judge goes easy on you, or you can get killed right now."
"Killed?" one of them squeaked.
Inwardly Smoker sighed. Too easy. Too small-time. Where were the pirates who laid everything on the line including their lives? Without conviction, actions meant little. "Or you can come willingly and spare yourselves the trouble and me the trouble of having to pay to clean up your blood. Your choice."
There were a few quick shared glances and some furious whispers, darting looks at Smoker and back at each other. "You've got nowhere to go," Smoker growled actually bored with it. How many times had he given this speech? What he wouldn't give for pirates who actually tried to fight back like real men instead of the rats they were. "No captain, no ship, the minute you try to steal one, I'll be all over you like ants on honey, catch my drift?"
One nodded mutely. "Yeah, we got you," one sighed.
"Good," Smoker scowled leading them out and back to the fort.
Keitha was waiting in his office for him when he got back. The marines she sent arrived with perfect timing that he left them to bring the prisoners back to the base, riding on his own to get back. The red-head was no longer wearing the mask and scarf, instead arguing on the phone with some prick. "Look," she practically yelled at the snail phone, "I have a ten year old kid here name of Tam, he was kidnapped and I just want to get him back home, what is so hard to understand about that?"
Smoker arched an eyebrow at the coversation and threw his jacket on the blue sofas facing the small work table. Keitha sagged into the chair at his desk, "Yes, fine, I'll hold." She flipped the snail phone her middle finger and banged her head on the table.
Chuckling to himself Smoker could only all too well understand how she felt dealing with the blasted lines of communication the marines had set up, it seemed every one of them was manned by a beauracratic idiot on the other end. He hated dealing with them and had been nothing but relieved when she volunteered though she seemed to be regretting her decision. Smoker snuck up behind her and began softly sucking on her ears; payback for the many times she'd done it to him.
She glanced up at him looking like she wanted to say something but unable to with the line still open. Reaching up a slender hand she ran a finger over his neck, and thumbed his earlobe, enjoying the feel of his tongue on her own ear. "Transferring to the Mayor of Talmai."
"Whatever," Keitha grumbled, "Probably just make me wait another freaking half an hour you annoying little..."
"Hello?" a voice asked over the den den mushi.
"Hello, is this the Mayor of Talmai?" she scrambled into the speaker.
"Yes, speaking," he answered formally.
"I'm with the Loguetown marines. We have a citzen of yours here. Name is 'Tam', could I please talk to his parents? We rescued him safe and sound," she said cheerfully.
There was a long pause into the phone. "I'm sory Miss Marine, Tam's parents were killed."
Keitha's face drained of it's chipper red. She slumped in the chair, muttering softly, "But... they were going to ransom... how can they get money if... if..."
Smoker picked up the speaker, "This is Captain Smoker with the Loguetown marines," he growled over cigars, gripping Keitha's shoulder tightly. He'd suspected as much. It was easier to kill a family, rob them of their possession and sell the kids into slavery. If you knew the right market to send them, kids went for a high price. "Tam mentioned he has other family in Talmai, in the event of his parents death, who would be responsible for him?"
"What?" the voice scrambled, "Oh! Oh right, his um his Aunt and Uncle still live here."
"Please put them on the line and tell them their nephew is alive," Smoker growled, his voice unable to sound any less rough.
"I don't get it..." Keitha shook her head, "How could they..."
"Slave-trade," Smoker told her shortly.
She looked up with hurt green-blue eyes and he almost wished she hadn't. The captain hadn't ever seen the red-head look so sad; not even discussing her mother's death. "How can the World Government still allow that to exist?" she whispered.
"They've got you to stop pieces of it," he pointed out before kissing her forehead. The red-head nodded grimly, leaning her head against his chest wearily.
"That's why I had so much trouble. No one even thought to tell me they died. Stupid little..." she trailed off, looking like she wanted to cry.
Smoker dealt with the boy's family, informing them that he had Tam who would be returned into their care as soon as suitable transportation could be found. That finished, he was about to call HQ and get a ride for the boy but Keitha shook her head. "I'll do it. I said I would, it's my job," she said determinedly.
He watched her warily. Her voice still sounded like it wanted to break. "Are you ok?" he asked finally.
She grunted, "Just not liking what I have to do next."
"Next?" he scanned his desk looking for his pen to make a small note. Keitha handed it to him with a piece of scrap paper. She'd cleaned his desk... more than cleaned it, during his frustration with the phone she'd filed some of his paperwork. How did she even manage to get a shower in? He could smell her strawberry soap being so close and it being so fresh.
"Mmm, don't worry about it Smoker-kun," she replied lost in thought.
He twitched at the honorific but headed for his own shower. She was up to something and it probably involved spy games. On the hand, he probably should try to find out and head it off as much as possible, on the other hand, he just didn't want to bring himself to care. Whatever she was doing was probably dangerous and could get her killed but it was also likely to be necessary and he wouldn't be able to talk her out of it so he let it be. He took a long soak in his shower, letting the heat wash away tense anxiety and soothe worn muscles.
When he got out, Keitha was still arguing on the phone. "We've got a kid who was just kidnapped and he needs to get back to Talmai!" she growled probably the thirtieth time repeating that into the snail phone. Smoker had decided to walk out just in his boxers (as he usually did after a shower) still toweling his hair and smoking twin cigars as always. Keitha looked over his muscles with a sharp intake of breath, causing the marine captain to smirk slightly.
"No. He can't just take a merchant ship back, he needs to actually REACH his destination, meaning protection. Yes, fine, go check your duty roster," she grumbled looking for all the world like she wanted to throw something in a fit of rage.
Smoker ran his fingers down her back in a light massage. Keitha whimpered lightly, putting a finger in her mouth to clench the noise. The musclar man kneaded her shoulders, the red-head arching her back towards his touch. "Can Captain Smoker take the boy?" a voice asked.
Keitha raised an eyebrow at him. "Gladly," he answered into the phone.
"Good it's settled then," the voice replied before hanging up with a clink.
"That's nice of you," she grinned up at him, running her hands down his chest after she put the den den mushi away.
Smoker snorted over his cigars, "I wish I could say I had altruistic intentions but I'm just thrilled to get the chance to get off this rock."
"Well then at least one good thing came from all this," Keitha growled irritably.
"Two," Smoker reminded, "You rescued Tam."
"I should have... stopped them sooner. If I'd gotten to them before they even reached Talmai..." her voice choked up with tears.
Smoker leaned down and kissed her tenderly on the lips, "You rescued the kid. Be glad of that."
She swallowed her tears and pride and mumbled something incomprehensible into his chest. She started licking toned abdomen and Smoker closed his eyes, letting her teeth wash over him. "Didn't catch that," he mumbled as she started dipping her tongue lower down his waist.
"Three good things if you let me finish," Keitha mumbled pulling his light blue boxers off and licking up between his thighs teasingly.
"Keitha," Smoker said softly.
She looked at him with doe eyes, "Yes Taisa?" back to nibbling his chest once again, toyingly extending her tongue lower.
Smoker swallowed. What had he been thinking? Fuck, her eyes shouldn't do that to him. He breathed in deeply, inhaling cigar smoke and stawberry. Damn her strawberry shampoo, it lingered in his nose, seemed to seep into his brain and make him feel fuzzier. The marine captain couldn't remember what he'd been saying anymore. It didn't matter. He pulled her chin up and leaned down to kiss her again. "I owe you something right?"
Keitha licked her lips nervously, "I think it was a fuck into the nearest wall?"
The grey-green haired man grinned, "Sounds good to me."
*****
Several hours later Keitha snuck out of the captain's room, mentally cursing her desire to linger in his room as if she didn't have better things to do. She'd done what she came here for, now it was time to move onto the next part and be done with that as well. The red-head didn't regret seeing the fiends in prison. She hadn't exactly made friends with any of them, in part because she couldn't get attached but she probably wouldn't have made friends even if she hadn't been a marine spy. Aloof and violent; they were everything pirate crews were supposed to be.
Which made breaking one of them out all the harder. That she had to do it, that it was a necessary evil was nothing short of frustrating. She had to get one of them to get her connected to the other four ships. Breaking one out, disguised as the sole uncaptured crew member was the only way to do it. Still, she hated letting even one free, one who should be behind bars. One who murdered people for what? Money? Who was planning to sell kids into slavery... and she was breaking one of them out.
She knew that in the long run, it just meant a bigger capture. Justice sometimes took sacrifices and she wasn't going to let the pirate out of her sight long enough to do anything but she still hated the system. Bigger pirates required bigger bait and sometimes the pirates were just more bait for an even bigger fish.
The lieutenant only slipped one key out of Smoker's office, choosing instead to leave it to luck. Whoever's jail cell it opened, that would be the pirate she took back with her. Smoker, of course, would be furious the next morning when he found out but she'd deal with it when she had to.
His words echoed in her ears, "I don't like being used." The red-head looked down at the stolen key in her hand sadly. This almost definitely counted in the same boat. Would he consider it a betrayal even though she had to to see Justice through? Other words of his echoed in her head, "Do what you have to," well that was certainly what she was doing now. Maybe someday he would forgive her. If she could just forgive herself first.
Cell number 113. She didn't get the prison guards see her, it would raise too many questions, too many problems if they did. Couting off the guard's footsteps she waited until they were gone before slipping past, unnoticed, and unheard. The red-head slipped into the dungeon-like section of the fort. Luckily the cells were sectioned off from each other so she wouldn't have to deal with the other prisoners all begging to be let out or giving her away.
"Okay Benton," she told her sword, "Give me all the luck you got." She opened the jail cell and prayed it was someone who actually could take her to the other ships. "Lucky," she whispered to herself. The first mate was sleeping on his side. She was glad it wasn't the captain, right now she was still too furious with him for lying to her about the hostage. How much of his own crew did he lie to? All except her? Did the first mate know?
"Oyabun!" she whispered urgently, shaking him lightly, "We have to get out of here! Hurry!"
"Wha... what?" The first mate, Daitaro, blinked his eyes wearily.
"Prison break, boss," Keitha explained tossing him a small backpack of foodstuffs.
He blinked some more in complete confusion, "Keitha was it?"
"Yes," she nodded, "We have to hurry! Everyone's gone and I could only get your key!"
"But what about..." Daitaro began.
"No time," Keitha shook her head, "We have to get out of here before that monster, what's his name -- the one with the smoke -- notices."
He grabbed the pack, shivering in the cool morning air. "What happened to the others?"
"They've all been captured, I think some are dead," she bluffed the latter part, "Let's get out of here."
Daitaro took a look around and hastily followed her out.
"I'm sorry Smoker," she thought to herself, looking up at the cieling where he lay sleeping several floors above her. "I do what I must. I can only hope, you would do that same.
***
Captain Smoker wasn't surprised to find Keitha already out of his bed by the time he woke up. She usually woke up much earlier than him and could be found doing paperwork, running around the camp fencing other marines or writing songs on the rooftop. Still, something felt absent. He climbed out of his bed, ran a heavy hand through wiry green-grey hair and lit up a fresh pair of cigars. It looked like she'd once again replaced them while he was sleeping but it had to have been around two in the morning. He hoped she wasn't awake due to nightmares.
"Smoker-Taisa!" Tashigi rushed in, realized he was in boxers, blushed, started to back out giving him time to get into jeans.
"Tashigi, what is it?" Smoker growled.
"One of the prisoners escaped!" she said, still not looking at him, her face beet red.
Smoker paused, "What?"
"One of the prisoners! He's gone!" she stammered, eyes squeezed shut behind her glasses.
Smoker ran a hand through his hair again. He rather suspected he already had the answer but, "How?"
"We don't know sir, we found the key in the cell," she explained. That pretty much clinched it.
"And Lieutenant Keitha?" he growled, crankily putting on his jacket.
"I haven't seen her all morning, Sir!" Tashigi snapped a salute, frowning in thought. "Should I go look?"
"Don't bother," Smoker sighed. If she broke out one of the prisoners she had her reasons and would have left him a note explaining. Luckily she'd cleaned his desk the night before. He stomped over and sifted through the few papers until he found one in her neat handwriting.
Hey Taisa,
I'm really sorry about this. I wasn't trying to use you, but I know how it looks. HQ said they've had the hardest time getting access to the other ships and needed an inside infiltrator. This is the only way. It really sucks, you know? I mean, sure, I'm not going to let them do anything while I'm around but it's not fair.
Bigger bait for bigger fish, right?
Guess I'll just have to hope I'm not trying to wrangle in something stronger than me.
Sincerely,
Lietenant Keitha
Captain Smoker sighed. There was always a bigger fish and it was standard marine policy to use every bait available. She was following orders and while he himself might have said no to them, he couldn't fault her choice. She wasn't going against true justice, and if he really sat down and thought about it, he was pretty sure he'd do the same.
Something stronger than her? Smoker very much doubted there was anything stronger and woe to the pirates that got in her way. Woe to the marines who got her in way too it would seem. At least she'd left him the key. Smoker lazily sent Tashigi on her way with some orders about not bothering to look for him, just continue on as if he'd never been captured and ask the other pirates for what information they could get before sendng them off to court. He himself had other plans to attend to in order to get Tam back to Talmai in one piece.
Abstractedly, he wondered slightly how soon her next letter would be. Hopefully she'd have things wrapped up sooner than anyone, even she expected. For her own sake. He doubted she could handle her guilt running for too long.
Pairing: Smoker/Keitha
Rating: PG-15 for violence, swearing, and psuedo-sex
Music/lyrics: Peel Out by Meatloaf.
Smoker rumbled his bike softly through Loguetown. He wasn't in a rush now that he'd actually reached the city. The pirates wouldn't be going anywhere soon. There didn't seem to be anybody on the streets, but most Loguetown residents had the sense to stay inside at night if there was bad weather. A few drunken sailors caught his eye now and again but they weren't his prey.
He kicked off the bike as he reached his destination, grumpily relighting a new set of cigars and wandered inside. It wasn't the Gold Roger, as only pirates who hadn't been to Loguetown in the last five years bothered going there usually. Still, like every other pirate dive he'd been in, it was dingy, a little disgusting, and thoroughly unkempt; rather like their patrons.
"Yo," he greeted the bartender who sighed and ducked under his bar sensing a fight brewing.
The pirates continued their coversation and drinking nonchalantly, as if they didn't care whether or not a marine walked in. The majority of the civilians however started to shirk out, not wanting to be involved anymore than the bartender did. "All those who are pirates raise your hand," Smoker ordered in a mocking drawl.
One of the pirates laughed, "That wouldn't make them very good pirates would it now?"
"No, but it'd make them a lot smarter than the last group I just fought on their ship," Smoker replied evenly.
"He's just trying to get a rise," one of the pirates cautioned quietly. Smoker still heard it though and grinned in response.
"Hmmm," he tapped a finger to his chin, "What were they named? Well they were much too small-time to have a big-bounty so I guess they couldn't have been important."
"Easy," the more level-headed pirate cautioned again as one of them stood to rise.
Smoker withdrew his jitte, resting it on his shoulders. He knew they were pirates and they knew he knew but they also knew he couldn't just arrest them without proof and without bounties or posters, it was a lot harder to do. "Ah well they had a kid with them -- dead now. But their captain drowned in the fight so I suppose that makes us even."
Even the smarter pirate lost his cool at this, turning with a dark glare to Smoker, "What did you say?!"
"And the rest are going to questioned for information," Smoker growled in a low voice, "As are you, most likely."
"Look man, we don't want any trouble," the pirate held up hands as if warding off a demon.
"You've got no proof," one of them began.
"I've got all the proof I need, pirate," Smoker growled locking him in handcuffs. "You can either come down to the fort and hope since this is probably your first offense the judge goes easy on you, or you can get killed right now."
"Killed?" one of them squeaked.
Inwardly Smoker sighed. Too easy. Too small-time. Where were the pirates who laid everything on the line including their lives? Without conviction, actions meant little. "Or you can come willingly and spare yourselves the trouble and me the trouble of having to pay to clean up your blood. Your choice."
There were a few quick shared glances and some furious whispers, darting looks at Smoker and back at each other. "You've got nowhere to go," Smoker growled actually bored with it. How many times had he given this speech? What he wouldn't give for pirates who actually tried to fight back like real men instead of the rats they were. "No captain, no ship, the minute you try to steal one, I'll be all over you like ants on honey, catch my drift?"
One nodded mutely. "Yeah, we got you," one sighed.
"Good," Smoker scowled leading them out and back to the fort.
Keitha was waiting in his office for him when he got back. The marines she sent arrived with perfect timing that he left them to bring the prisoners back to the base, riding on his own to get back. The red-head was no longer wearing the mask and scarf, instead arguing on the phone with some prick. "Look," she practically yelled at the snail phone, "I have a ten year old kid here name of Tam, he was kidnapped and I just want to get him back home, what is so hard to understand about that?"
Smoker arched an eyebrow at the coversation and threw his jacket on the blue sofas facing the small work table. Keitha sagged into the chair at his desk, "Yes, fine, I'll hold." She flipped the snail phone her middle finger and banged her head on the table.
Chuckling to himself Smoker could only all too well understand how she felt dealing with the blasted lines of communication the marines had set up, it seemed every one of them was manned by a beauracratic idiot on the other end. He hated dealing with them and had been nothing but relieved when she volunteered though she seemed to be regretting her decision. Smoker snuck up behind her and began softly sucking on her ears; payback for the many times she'd done it to him.
She glanced up at him looking like she wanted to say something but unable to with the line still open. Reaching up a slender hand she ran a finger over his neck, and thumbed his earlobe, enjoying the feel of his tongue on her own ear. "Transferring to the Mayor of Talmai."
"Whatever," Keitha grumbled, "Probably just make me wait another freaking half an hour you annoying little..."
"Hello?" a voice asked over the den den mushi.
"Hello, is this the Mayor of Talmai?" she scrambled into the speaker.
"Yes, speaking," he answered formally.
"I'm with the Loguetown marines. We have a citzen of yours here. Name is 'Tam', could I please talk to his parents? We rescued him safe and sound," she said cheerfully.
There was a long pause into the phone. "I'm sory Miss Marine, Tam's parents were killed."
Keitha's face drained of it's chipper red. She slumped in the chair, muttering softly, "But... they were going to ransom... how can they get money if... if..."
Smoker picked up the speaker, "This is Captain Smoker with the Loguetown marines," he growled over cigars, gripping Keitha's shoulder tightly. He'd suspected as much. It was easier to kill a family, rob them of their possession and sell the kids into slavery. If you knew the right market to send them, kids went for a high price. "Tam mentioned he has other family in Talmai, in the event of his parents death, who would be responsible for him?"
"What?" the voice scrambled, "Oh! Oh right, his um his Aunt and Uncle still live here."
"Please put them on the line and tell them their nephew is alive," Smoker growled, his voice unable to sound any less rough.
"I don't get it..." Keitha shook her head, "How could they..."
"Slave-trade," Smoker told her shortly.
She looked up with hurt green-blue eyes and he almost wished she hadn't. The captain hadn't ever seen the red-head look so sad; not even discussing her mother's death. "How can the World Government still allow that to exist?" she whispered.
"They've got you to stop pieces of it," he pointed out before kissing her forehead. The red-head nodded grimly, leaning her head against his chest wearily.
"That's why I had so much trouble. No one even thought to tell me they died. Stupid little..." she trailed off, looking like she wanted to cry.
Smoker dealt with the boy's family, informing them that he had Tam who would be returned into their care as soon as suitable transportation could be found. That finished, he was about to call HQ and get a ride for the boy but Keitha shook her head. "I'll do it. I said I would, it's my job," she said determinedly.
He watched her warily. Her voice still sounded like it wanted to break. "Are you ok?" he asked finally.
She grunted, "Just not liking what I have to do next."
"Next?" he scanned his desk looking for his pen to make a small note. Keitha handed it to him with a piece of scrap paper. She'd cleaned his desk... more than cleaned it, during his frustration with the phone she'd filed some of his paperwork. How did she even manage to get a shower in? He could smell her strawberry soap being so close and it being so fresh.
"Mmm, don't worry about it Smoker-kun," she replied lost in thought.
He twitched at the honorific but headed for his own shower. She was up to something and it probably involved spy games. On the hand, he probably should try to find out and head it off as much as possible, on the other hand, he just didn't want to bring himself to care. Whatever she was doing was probably dangerous and could get her killed but it was also likely to be necessary and he wouldn't be able to talk her out of it so he let it be. He took a long soak in his shower, letting the heat wash away tense anxiety and soothe worn muscles.
When he got out, Keitha was still arguing on the phone. "We've got a kid who was just kidnapped and he needs to get back to Talmai!" she growled probably the thirtieth time repeating that into the snail phone. Smoker had decided to walk out just in his boxers (as he usually did after a shower) still toweling his hair and smoking twin cigars as always. Keitha looked over his muscles with a sharp intake of breath, causing the marine captain to smirk slightly.
"No. He can't just take a merchant ship back, he needs to actually REACH his destination, meaning protection. Yes, fine, go check your duty roster," she grumbled looking for all the world like she wanted to throw something in a fit of rage.
Smoker ran his fingers down her back in a light massage. Keitha whimpered lightly, putting a finger in her mouth to clench the noise. The musclar man kneaded her shoulders, the red-head arching her back towards his touch. "Can Captain Smoker take the boy?" a voice asked.
Keitha raised an eyebrow at him. "Gladly," he answered into the phone.
"Good it's settled then," the voice replied before hanging up with a clink.
"That's nice of you," she grinned up at him, running her hands down his chest after she put the den den mushi away.
Smoker snorted over his cigars, "I wish I could say I had altruistic intentions but I'm just thrilled to get the chance to get off this rock."
"Well then at least one good thing came from all this," Keitha growled irritably.
"Two," Smoker reminded, "You rescued Tam."
"I should have... stopped them sooner. If I'd gotten to them before they even reached Talmai..." her voice choked up with tears.
Smoker leaned down and kissed her tenderly on the lips, "You rescued the kid. Be glad of that."
She swallowed her tears and pride and mumbled something incomprehensible into his chest. She started licking toned abdomen and Smoker closed his eyes, letting her teeth wash over him. "Didn't catch that," he mumbled as she started dipping her tongue lower down his waist.
"Three good things if you let me finish," Keitha mumbled pulling his light blue boxers off and licking up between his thighs teasingly.
"Keitha," Smoker said softly.
She looked at him with doe eyes, "Yes Taisa?" back to nibbling his chest once again, toyingly extending her tongue lower.
Smoker swallowed. What had he been thinking? Fuck, her eyes shouldn't do that to him. He breathed in deeply, inhaling cigar smoke and stawberry. Damn her strawberry shampoo, it lingered in his nose, seemed to seep into his brain and make him feel fuzzier. The marine captain couldn't remember what he'd been saying anymore. It didn't matter. He pulled her chin up and leaned down to kiss her again. "I owe you something right?"
Keitha licked her lips nervously, "I think it was a fuck into the nearest wall?"
The grey-green haired man grinned, "Sounds good to me."
*****
Several hours later Keitha snuck out of the captain's room, mentally cursing her desire to linger in his room as if she didn't have better things to do. She'd done what she came here for, now it was time to move onto the next part and be done with that as well. The red-head didn't regret seeing the fiends in prison. She hadn't exactly made friends with any of them, in part because she couldn't get attached but she probably wouldn't have made friends even if she hadn't been a marine spy. Aloof and violent; they were everything pirate crews were supposed to be.
Which made breaking one of them out all the harder. That she had to do it, that it was a necessary evil was nothing short of frustrating. She had to get one of them to get her connected to the other four ships. Breaking one out, disguised as the sole uncaptured crew member was the only way to do it. Still, she hated letting even one free, one who should be behind bars. One who murdered people for what? Money? Who was planning to sell kids into slavery... and she was breaking one of them out.
She knew that in the long run, it just meant a bigger capture. Justice sometimes took sacrifices and she wasn't going to let the pirate out of her sight long enough to do anything but she still hated the system. Bigger pirates required bigger bait and sometimes the pirates were just more bait for an even bigger fish.
The lieutenant only slipped one key out of Smoker's office, choosing instead to leave it to luck. Whoever's jail cell it opened, that would be the pirate she took back with her. Smoker, of course, would be furious the next morning when he found out but she'd deal with it when she had to.
His words echoed in her ears, "I don't like being used." The red-head looked down at the stolen key in her hand sadly. This almost definitely counted in the same boat. Would he consider it a betrayal even though she had to to see Justice through? Other words of his echoed in her head, "Do what you have to," well that was certainly what she was doing now. Maybe someday he would forgive her. If she could just forgive herself first.
Cell number 113. She didn't get the prison guards see her, it would raise too many questions, too many problems if they did. Couting off the guard's footsteps she waited until they were gone before slipping past, unnoticed, and unheard. The red-head slipped into the dungeon-like section of the fort. Luckily the cells were sectioned off from each other so she wouldn't have to deal with the other prisoners all begging to be let out or giving her away.
"Okay Benton," she told her sword, "Give me all the luck you got." She opened the jail cell and prayed it was someone who actually could take her to the other ships. "Lucky," she whispered to herself. The first mate was sleeping on his side. She was glad it wasn't the captain, right now she was still too furious with him for lying to her about the hostage. How much of his own crew did he lie to? All except her? Did the first mate know?
"Oyabun!" she whispered urgently, shaking him lightly, "We have to get out of here! Hurry!"
"Wha... what?" The first mate, Daitaro, blinked his eyes wearily.
"Prison break, boss," Keitha explained tossing him a small backpack of foodstuffs.
He blinked some more in complete confusion, "Keitha was it?"
"Yes," she nodded, "We have to hurry! Everyone's gone and I could only get your key!"
"But what about..." Daitaro began.
"No time," Keitha shook her head, "We have to get out of here before that monster, what's his name -- the one with the smoke -- notices."
He grabbed the pack, shivering in the cool morning air. "What happened to the others?"
"They've all been captured, I think some are dead," she bluffed the latter part, "Let's get out of here."
Daitaro took a look around and hastily followed her out.
"I'm sorry Smoker," she thought to herself, looking up at the cieling where he lay sleeping several floors above her. "I do what I must. I can only hope, you would do that same.
***
Captain Smoker wasn't surprised to find Keitha already out of his bed by the time he woke up. She usually woke up much earlier than him and could be found doing paperwork, running around the camp fencing other marines or writing songs on the rooftop. Still, something felt absent. He climbed out of his bed, ran a heavy hand through wiry green-grey hair and lit up a fresh pair of cigars. It looked like she'd once again replaced them while he was sleeping but it had to have been around two in the morning. He hoped she wasn't awake due to nightmares.
"Smoker-Taisa!" Tashigi rushed in, realized he was in boxers, blushed, started to back out giving him time to get into jeans.
"Tashigi, what is it?" Smoker growled.
"One of the prisoners escaped!" she said, still not looking at him, her face beet red.
Smoker paused, "What?"
"One of the prisoners! He's gone!" she stammered, eyes squeezed shut behind her glasses.
Smoker ran a hand through his hair again. He rather suspected he already had the answer but, "How?"
"We don't know sir, we found the key in the cell," she explained. That pretty much clinched it.
"And Lieutenant Keitha?" he growled, crankily putting on his jacket.
"I haven't seen her all morning, Sir!" Tashigi snapped a salute, frowning in thought. "Should I go look?"
"Don't bother," Smoker sighed. If she broke out one of the prisoners she had her reasons and would have left him a note explaining. Luckily she'd cleaned his desk the night before. He stomped over and sifted through the few papers until he found one in her neat handwriting.
Hey Taisa,
I'm really sorry about this. I wasn't trying to use you, but I know how it looks. HQ said they've had the hardest time getting access to the other ships and needed an inside infiltrator. This is the only way. It really sucks, you know? I mean, sure, I'm not going to let them do anything while I'm around but it's not fair.
Bigger bait for bigger fish, right?
Guess I'll just have to hope I'm not trying to wrangle in something stronger than me.
Sincerely,
Lietenant Keitha
Captain Smoker sighed. There was always a bigger fish and it was standard marine policy to use every bait available. She was following orders and while he himself might have said no to them, he couldn't fault her choice. She wasn't going against true justice, and if he really sat down and thought about it, he was pretty sure he'd do the same.
Something stronger than her? Smoker very much doubted there was anything stronger and woe to the pirates that got in her way. Woe to the marines who got her in way too it would seem. At least she'd left him the key. Smoker lazily sent Tashigi on her way with some orders about not bothering to look for him, just continue on as if he'd never been captured and ask the other pirates for what information they could get before sendng them off to court. He himself had other plans to attend to in order to get Tam back to Talmai in one piece.
Abstractedly, he wondered slightly how soon her next letter would be. Hopefully she'd have things wrapped up sooner than anyone, even she expected. For her own sake. He doubted she could handle her guilt running for too long.