Rating: NC-17
Distribution: Anyone who wants it just ask.
Disclaimer: Joss is a god he of course owns all.
Summery: Angelus the Scorge of Europe is a...pirate??
Spoilers: None it's my own little world.
authors_notes: I'd like to dedicate this story to my best friend Kimberly aka Evlwillow. If it wasn't for her I'd never write..thank you :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
England 1775
Lady Willow of Ravenscrest lived a most boring life. She had acted the lady her entire life, in fact she acted it out so well that she was a lady. When she was young she had sworn she would never be like her mother, prim and proper and utterly boring, but she was becoming like her. Her father had begged her not to act like the son he never had. She had tried for her fathers sake and she was now becoming a stuck up prim and proper woman of her station, just like her mother.
"Willow, will you please join me on the verandah?"
"Yes mother, I shall join you in just a moment." Willow quickly finished binding her hair and went to join her mother for another exciting day of tea drinking and gossip.
**********
Willow and her family were having dinner when their servant Giles walked in, "Pardon me but Sir Alexander of Harisville is here to see Mistress Willow."
Alexander and Willow had been friends since they were conceived, well practically.
She jumped up from the table and ran out to meet him. "Alex!"
"Brat!" Alex ran up and enveloped her in a giant bear hug.
"It's so good to see you. I was away so long, god you've changed. You look beautiful." "
So do you-I mean you look very handsome Alex."
"What have you been up to Brat?"
"Alex I believe I've outgrown the name, brat. You may call me Lady Willow."
"Oh may I? Why Willow if I didn't know better I'd say you've turned into you're mother."
"I have not! I can't believe you would imply such a thing!"
"Prove it then."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Come riding with me tomorrow morning."
"How will that prove anything?"
"We're going to ride like we used to as children"
"You mean-" "That's right, we'll ride bareback."
"You mean with my legs on each side? Galloping?"
"Well if you think it's improper than we shall find another way to pass the time."
"I think that would be best."
"My god you have become you're mother! I didn't think I'd been gone that long."
"People grow up Alex, you certainly have." Willow said this while looking him up and down.
"At least you still appreciate a good looking man." Alex said arrogantly, having seen Willow eyeing him.
"Alex! I can't believe-you're the most exasperating boy-man...oh you make me so mad!" Willow hadn't been this flustered since...well since Alex had left to go to school.
"I seem to have this effect on all the women I come in contact with, but I have to say none were as beautiful as you."
Before Willow could come up with a response he pulled her to him and kissed her long and hard.
Willow shoved him away from her, and slapped him hard across the face. "You-you bastard!" She ran from him and into the house.
"Until tomorrow my cute little brat."
*********
Willow was lying in bed thinking about her encounter with Alex earlier that day. Had she really become her mother? God she hoped not. She had tried so hard to please her father and in doing so had lost her identity. She was going to prove Alex wrong, she would accept his invitation to go riding and prove that she was still the same old Willow.
***********
"So you see Alex I've decided to go riding with you. I am not like my mother and I shall prove that to you."
"This I can't wait to see." Alex said grinning like the cat that eat the canary.
"I don't see why I must do this to show you I have not changed a bit."
Willow started walking towards the stable. Alex watched her walk away her hips swaying ever so slightly.
"Oh my sweet little Willow you have most defiantly changed." Alex went after the girl he had been friends with that now enticed him to become far more.
**************
Willow and Alex had ridden to the large oak tree they used as a meeting spot as children. Willow had proven that she was still an excellent rider and hopefully that she hadn't changed one bit since Alex had left.
"Well?" Willow asked Alex.
"Well what?"
"Will you now stop falsely accusing me of being my mother?"
"Yes Brat I will, but you have most definitely changed." Alex looked at Willow lustfully and moved closer. "In fact I'd love to find out how much you've really changed."
"A-Alex what are you-" Willow was cut off as Alex reached around her waist and pulled her against him.
"I'm not doing anything you won't like."
As he said this he cupped Willow's breast and leaned in to kiss her. Willow was shocked. She could not believe this was Alex. He had always treated ladies with the utmost respect now he was treating her as if she was a whore to do his bidding.
(Well I'll show him.) Willow bit Alex's lip as hard as she could, drawing blood, and then shoved him away from her.
"Ow! What was that for!"
"I'm not your whore Alex I thought you had more respect for me than that."
"Willow sweaty, I never thought of you as a whore I care about you. I've always cared about you....I love you and I intend to ask for your hand in marriage."
"Alex, you can't be serious?"
"I am. I want you to be my wife, please say you want the same."
"I-I'm not sure. I don't think I'm ready for marriage." Willow said shyly, she was only bold when her temper reared its ugly head.
"By the time I'm done courting you, you'll be more than sure."
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Willow again sat in her room pondering her situation with Alex. (I just don't understand him. He leaves for three years then comes back and wants to marry me. The last time I saw him he still teased me and stuck frogs down my dress. Ack! I hate frogs!) Night had almost fallen and Willow felt restless. She wrapped her shawl around her shoulders and decided to take a walk down to the docks. The cool night air always helped clear her head. She loved to stand on the docks and look out at the ocean as the fog rolled in.
**************
Angelus the infamous pirate also happened to be on the docks that night. His ship anchored not to far away. He had been seeing to repairs all night, now all he wanted to do was relax. That damn crew of his had made him so mad he ended up killing two of them just to teach the others a lesson. Now all he wanted was some ale and a woman.
**************
Willow took one last look at the ocean then turned to go. She had stood there for an hour and still had no idea what to do about Alex. (Maybe I should just marry him. It would be better than marrying a stranger. And I know Alex will take care of me, but I had always hoped I would marry for love.)
"Oh well I guess I'll just_" Willow was cut off as she ran into a solid wall of..... "Oh my god!"
Willow looked up onto the face of the most freighting man she'd ever laid eyes upon. He wore a lose white shirt open to mid chest, black pants that clung to his muscular thighs, knee high black boots, and a sword at his waist. Angelus looked down at the girl who had run into him. He did not have time for little lost girls.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you that walking around alone at night is dangerous?" He grabbed her arm before she could pull away, "And I'm one of the dangers."
"No please sir, don't hurt me!" Willow could not remember a time that she had been scared...had she ever been scared? She had been sheltered her entire life, never made to want for anything, and always protected. Now this man whom towered over her treated her as if she were nothing but a lowly tavern whore, frightened her to death.
"What's to keep me from doing as I please?" Angelus sneered. "Uh-my-uh my father! He can give you whatever you want. He's a very rich man."
"Your father? And who pray tell is your father?" Angelus leaned down and pulled a dagger from his boot. "Don't be lying to me now."
He said as he put the dagger to her throat.
"I-I-that is-uh- I" Willow never had a chance to finish her sentence for she fainted dead away from fear.
"God's blood! I swear women are the weakest damn creatures." Angelus gathered Willow in his arms, "I'll find out who yer father is lass, and then I'll get my ransom." Angelus started towards his ship with his captured prize slung over his shoulder.
**************
Willow woke up and thought it had all been a dream, that she was at home in her room...her very dark room. She tried to sit up but soon realized she was tied up...that meant.... "Oh god it wasn't a dream." Willow almost fainted again but her survival instincts told her it was important to stay alert.
****************
Angelus was charting their course when his first mate William came in. "The chit is awake."
"Good now I can find out who the hell her father is, get my ransom, and be rid of her." Angelus had no tolerance for spoiled little girls.
"I don't know, I think she's a cutie." William said as he leaned against the wall.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Angelus said looking from the chart for the first time since William walked in. He couldn't mean what he thought he meant.
"I was thinking of keeping her for myself." When it looked like Angelus would object he added, "You'd still get your ransom we'd just forget to return her."
"Are you insane!?" Angelus walked over to where William stood.
"She's not your type at all. She's nothing but a spoiled little girl. She'd whine and complain about every little thing until one day you'd throw her overboard!" Angelus walked back to his desk and began looking over the charts once more.
"She goes back to her family and that's that." He stormed out of the room and down to the cargo hold to see his little captive.
******************
The room was filled with a blinding light and Willow shrank away from it. She heard people coming and realized that a hatch had been open allowing sunlight to stream in.
"Who's there?" She managed to croak out.
"Don't worry girl I'm not going to hurt you, that wouldn't serve my purposes." Angelus said in his in his most menacing voice. A whimper of fear was her only response. As Angelus moved closer she shrank back.
"What's wrong afraid I'm going to rape you? That would be damaging the goods and I doubt your father would like that."
He glared down at her. "What's your name?"
Willow tried to answer she really did, but when she opened her mouth nothing came out. She was like a scared rabbit ready to bolt. Angelus picked Willow up by the shoulders and slammed her up against the wall.
"I asked you a question!" He noticed that tears were running down her cheeks and snorted in disgust.
"You're naught but a freighted little girl. What's wrong never been away from daddy for longer than five minutes? Well it's time you grew up!" Angelus punctuated his point by backhanding her across the face. He left her crumpled up on the floor, a sobbing mess.
*****************
Since Angelus had left Willow he began to feel something he hadn't felt since he left home, remorse. He claimed he didn't have a conscience, but deep down inside he knew he did. He had cared for only one person in his entire miserable life, and that was his sister. He had left home and her to get away from a life he never wanted. He vowed he would return for her one day and that's what this voyage was all about. Only now he had a captive and was risking his chances of reaching Ireland safely.
He had a sudden urge to not only keep his sister safe but the girl as well. "God damn it! Why should I care if she's cold and hungry! That's the way she's supposed to be. She's my god damn prisoner!" He slammed his fist into the wall trying to get rid of his anger and frustration.
"Problems mate?" William asked as he entered Angelus' chamber.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Angelus snarled. He was not in the mood to talk to his first mate.
"I came to ask you about the chit. I was wondering if I could borrow her for the evening?" William said with quite the mischievous grin.
"No you can't borrow her for the evening you jackass! We can't return her to her father a deflowered, and most likely raped, virgin! We'd be hunted to the ends of the earth if her father is as powerful as she says he is and-"
"Angelus! Good lord mate, I wasn't talking about shagging her. I need someone to do my laundry and the new cabin boy jumped ship last night."
"Oh well uh....if that's the only reason you want her I guess you can take her. Just return her when she finished with your chores."
"Thanks captin', the chit may as well be useful while we have her, that's the way I look at it." Only when William was out of the room did he allow himself a small smirk.
"I won't take her to my bed, unless of course that's where she wants to be." William walked toward the cargo hold with a slight bounce in his step.
**************
Willow had never been more thankful for anything in her life. She was no longer tied up in the cargo hold, she let herself a small smile but it immediately turned to a frown as pain went thorough her jaw. It had swollen and bruised from Angelus' hit earlier. Again she was glad to be free of the dark confines of the hold. Only thing was she wasn't sure what to be more afraid of, being alone in the cargo hold or being alone with this pirate William fellow.
William watched the girl out of the corner of his eye, she was more beautiful than he had first thought. He noticed the bruise on her jaw from Angelus' hit, he felt bad for the girl but not bad enough to consider not seducing her.
"What's your name luv?" The sound of William's voice startled her.
"My uh-I...uh Willow, my name is Willow."
William smiled reassuringly at her, "A pretty name for a pretty girl."
He walked over to her and offered her a chair which she gratefully accepted. "Well then Willow now that we have been properly introduced why don't you tell me a little about yourself."
Willow looked up at William not sure what to tell him, not sure if she could trust him. Were all pirates like Angelus? He was well known, Angelus the scourge of Europe, he was feared everywhere and she knew first hand that his reputation was well deserved.
"Well uh...what do you want to know?" William had been staring at her breasts and not paying attention to what she was saying.
"What was that luv?"
"Uh nothing never mind. If it's ok with you I'd rather not talk about me with uh... well you." Willow asked shyly almost certain that he would hit her like Angelus had done.
"It's ok, I understand. Maybe once we get to know each other better you'll be able to open up to me." Willow stared at William unable to believe he was being so nice. Maybe all pirates weren't cruel; then again maybe this was all an act. What would he have to gain by pretending? Perhaps he was trying to get information out of her to give to Angelus. All she knew was that she didn't trust him and probably never would.
"Is there something I can do for you? When you came to get me you mentioned that you had some work for me to do?" Willow said in the bravest tone she could muster. (That's it Willow show some back bone.)
William smirked at her attempt at bravery, mayhap she had some fire hidden in her. (How I would like to be burned by that fire, consumed by her heat.) He quickly snapped out of that frame of mind it wouldn't do to start drooling all over the girl.
"I need someone to do my laundry and that someone is going to be you. That is of course if you don't mind." Willow had the feeling that she didn't really have a choice.
"It's no problem, just show me where the washing tub is." William led her below decks to the washroom. Then left her without so much as a fare thee well.
"Well so much for the sweet and charming act." Willow muttered. "Sweet and charming was never his strong suit." Willow nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard someone speak from behind her.
She slowly turned around to stare into the face of Angelus, she let out a small whimper and backed away.
"Don't worry I'm not here to hurt you." Willow lifted a hand to her bruised jaw and in a moment of boldness spoke what was on her mind,
"That's what you said last time and look how well you kept your word then." Indicating her jaw.
Angelus took a step toward her and she took an involuntary step back.
"I-I'm sorry please don't hurt me." Willow pleaded. As Angelus walked closer he could see the fear in her eyes, and felt a small twinge of guilt. He quickly shook it off.
"Stop your whining girl. I'm only here to drop my laundry off, and it looks as though you'll be the one to do it." He paused a moment and looked her up and down. "You do know how to do laundry don't you? Or did you have servants that did all that for you?" He added with a condescending look.
"I'm quite capable of doing laundry. I'm not an invalid just because my family is rich." Willow instantly regretted the words as they flowed from her mouth but she couldn't stop them. She knew he was going to hit her any moment, she just hoped it wouldn't be in the same spot. When the hit didn't come she glanced up to see Angelus smirking, now she was really scared.
"Well, well, well look who decided to grow a back bone. I'll let it slid this one time," his look grew dark and dangerous, "But if you ever talk to me like that again you'll wish I'd only hit you. Understood?"
Willow took one look at him and knew he was serious. Good lord how had she gotten herself into this? All she wanted was to be at home with her parents and her loyal servant and friend Giles. To be able to see Alex's smiling face and here his horrible jokes. Now she wasn't sure if she would ever see them again. She was on the verge of tears but refused to cry in front of Angelus it would show weakness and she couldn't do that.
"I understand perfectly." She answered with an unsteady voice. He was having that annoying attack of conscience again. He felt bad for the girl she had been taken away from everything she had ever known and thrown onto a ship full of bloodthirsty pirates.
"When you're done with my laundry give it to William and he'll see it gets to me." He spun around and slammed the door.
He leaned against the wall, what was wrong with him? He was starting to care about her well being. He had to snap out of it, only problem was how?
Willow watched as he left, she let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She went to work not wanting to give Angelus any reason to be mad at her. Just as she got the first load washed and hung she heard the door open again. Expecting it to be either Angelus or William she didn't turn around, that was a very bad mistake. She was grabbed from behind and she let out one blood curdling scream before the stranger clamped his hand over her mouth and drug her to the ground and began tearing her clothes off.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Angelus stood at the helm trying to clear his head when he heard a very loud female scream and since there was only one female on board he knew exactly where to go.
He had William take the helm and ran down to the laundry area. (She probably just saw a spider.)
He smashed through the door and saw Willow laying on the ground her skirts about her waist, tears streaming down her face, and one of his crew members on top of her.
Willow looked up as the door was smashed in and hoped it was someone come to help her but when she saw Angelus standing there she wasn't sure if he'd help her or not. When he just stood there rage shown clearly on his face she said the only thing she could, "Please help me."
The man on top of her thinking his captin wouldn't care smacked her across the face and yelled, "Shut up whore!"
Angelus looked down at her and was so overcome with rage he couldn't move. She looked up at him and asked in the such a desperate and freighted voice, "Please help me."
Then the man on top of her had hit her and that was enough to spur him into action. With a howl of rage he lunged at the man and twisted his neck, breaking it. Then looked down to see Willow quickly backing away from him.
He had saved her why was she afraid of him? Then it hit him, she had never seen a man killed before and he had nearly ripped the mans head off with his bear hands. Willow looked up at Angelus horrified by what he had done. Yet at the same time grateful to him for saving her. She pulled herself off the floor holding her jaw and checking her lip which was spilt from the blow she had just received. Her eyes met his,”
“Thank you." She knew she was thanking him for saving her even it had cost another man his life.
Angelus looked at her stunned that she would be thanking him when he had just killed a man right in front of her. He was about to say something when William burst in.
"What the bloody hell happened here?" He asked shocked to find a dead man and a very serious looking Willow and Angelus.
He could tell Willow had been attacked then pieced together the rest.
"Get back to work. Once you're done you are to return to the cargo hold, there will be a cot for you to sleep on. I will take this mans body on deck and let everyone know this is the punishment for touching you. It will not happen again."
He slung the dead man over his shoulder, "Come on William you're needed on deck.”
William took one last look at Willow before he left and for the first time felt genuine pity for the girl, so much had happened to her in such a short time; then turned and followed Angelus out.
Willow didn't want to be alone; she resisted the urge to call out to one of them begging them to stay with her. Once the door closed she slid down the wall, brought her knees to her chest, and wept. She wept for everything she had lost, she wept because she was with these pirates, and she wept because she felt totally helpless.
When she was attacked she felt so dirty and worthless, she still did. Angelus had shown up before anything had really happened but the fact that it almost had scared her more than any of Angelus fits if anger ever could. Oh how she hated him, she hated him with every fiber in her body, and she would hate him for the rest of her life. So there she sat cold and alone on the washroom floor weeping and praying that this would all be over soon.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Willow awoke to the off key singing of Angelus' crew. She pulled her weary body off the cot and was about to go on deck when the hatch was thrown open and William entered.
"Brought you some breakfast luv." When her stomach growled she realized for the first time that she hadn't eaten since she'd been kidnapped, which she guessed was two days ago.
She walked over to where William had set her breakfast. She didn't even spare it a glance, she wolfed it down it a matter of minutes. William stared in awe as she devoured her breakfast of oatmeal and eggs. He had never seen someone so small consume so much food.
"I guess you were hungry." He said amusement clear in his voice. Willow looked up and her cheeks flamed with embarrassment, she hadn't acted anything but the way a lady of her station should in years.
Now only after two days on board Angelus' ship and she was acting like a child.
"I'm sorry, I was starving. I haven't eaten since I was-uh-since I was kidnapped." Willow looked up at William to see if she had gotten herself in trouble.
She wasn't sure if she was allowed to talk against Angelus or not. When William only gave her a sympathetic smile she let out a sigh of relief.
"Am I allowed to go on deck?" She really wanted some fresh air; the hold was so dank and depressing.
Well I'm supposed to clear it with the captin' first," Willow's hopes died right there, she knew he'd never let her on deck, "But I'm not going to."
Willow let out a small squeak of joy and William couldn't help but laugh. "You'll have to stay close to me though, and promise not to touch anything."
"I promise, can we go now?" Willow stuck her lip out and pouted, no one had ever been able to resist her pout and William was no acceptation. (I'd love to take that lip between my teeth, I'd like to take her other lips between my teeth as well) Those were the thoughts running through William's head as they went up on deck.
Angelus was at the helm looking out at the ocean and trying not to think of Willow, only problem was she was all he could think about. He had a very protective nature, she was so small and helpless, like his sister.
Maybe that was what this was all about; his guilt over leaving his sister. It's not like he really cared for her. How could he? He'd only known her for but two days. There was still something about her. It was as if she was to be his salvation. The one who would save him from himself. It was ridiculous but what if she could save him, save the man he once was. As if conjured from his thoughts she appeared before him, on the arm of a very smug looking William.
William stopped walking and turned Willow toward him. "Do you have anything to go home to?" Willow looked at him as if he had asked why the sky was blue. Of course she had something to go home to, didn't she? (This is ridiculous I have my mother and father.... who treat me as nothing more than a decoration. I have Alex and I know he loves me, but I don't love him, not that way anyhow. This is stupid of course I have something to go home to. I have a lot more there than I do here that's for sure.)
"I have plenty to go home to. I have my family and a very charming man that wants me to become his wife." Willow said with her nose in the air acting every bit the princess. Where did he get off asking her personal questions? He was one of the people holding her prisoner.
"A family huh? That reminds me, exactly who is your father?" Willow looked up knowing that William would no longer be standing in front of her but Angelus. William now stood by the helm giving her a sympathetic look. When she looked back at Angelus he wore his usual scowl.
"I asked you a question?" Oh how she hated him, every time she saw him she felt like throwing herself at him and strangling him, that and crying.
"My father is-is.... It's none of your business who my father is." Willow knew she was taking a huge risk, not only was she chancing her chances of ever getting home, she was also chancing Angelus' anger. He didn’t disappoint. Angelus couldn’t believe her nerve. She pushed him far beyond his limits and he was going to teach her place. He reached out for her and halled her up against him,
“Who the hell do you think you are little girl? When I ask you a question I expect an answer,” He slammed her against the mast, “Is that clear?”
Willow tried desperately to hold in her tears, she just wasn’t able to any longer.
“The only thing that’s clear to me is that you’re nothing more than a monster!” Angelus’ grip loosened, he had been called that many times and it had never rung true until he had heard her say it. He looked at her tear stained face, looked into her eyes and saw the suffering he had but put there in but a few short days. He released her and watched her flee from him.
To Be Continued
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