The voices of many frightened citizens rang in Percy's ears as she looked out into the ocean. She could make out a threatening looking ship that was moving quickly, even in the pitch dark. But there was something about the sails that lessened her worry for some reason…

"Hold your fire, men. Wait until it gets closer…" she decided, and the soldiers eased their triggers, but kept the rifles cocked, ready for an instant command. One of them handed her a telescope, and she pressed it to her eye. Dammit, Hobson. Did you know what you were interrupting? Ben was going to kiss me. Ugh! Oh, tosh. Enemy ship my ass… She ranted angrily, and shoved the telescope back at the soldier who gave it to her. "Drop your weapons. It's nothing I can't take care of. Head back to your posts, please; I'd like to make sure the streets are still safe."

"But, Your Majesty-"

"I'll be fine, Tom. I have Benjamin, here, don't I?" she gestured the blond standing very close to her, protectively glancing around. He nodded briskly, and Tom was dismissed. The boat grew ever nearer, and Percy got even more annoyed by the second.

"So, what ship is it?" Ben asked hesitantly, not wanting to frustrate the little woman any further. A moody Percy was not someone to irritate if you wanted to keep your limbs.

"It's a Reaver Industries' ship."

"How do we know it wasn't stolen?" Ben said suspiciously.

Percy sighed. "Wait for it…" And sure enough, the clear voice rang above the rest in a foreign language Percy didn't even know existed.

"What? He DARES to show his face here after he left us to fight the Darkness by ourselves?"

"I guess so… but, Ben, please relax; he loves to agitate people, and I don't need you shooting him. He's still my ally, and a friend of mine, no matter how distant." He knew not to cross her. The ship docked, and a plank fell from the side, and the first thing that touched it was a perfectly polished black boot. Then followed the rest of the perfect body.

"Well, hello there, Your Majesty," smirked Reaver as he strode towards her. He glared at Ben, who stuck even closer to her than before. "Hello. Finnegan, was it?"

"It's Finn. And what's it to you, Reaver?" Ben hissed viciously.

"I merely wanted to get the name of our Dear Queen's escort correct. Now, Percy- assuming the battle against the darkness so intent on destroying our way of life went well, I'll be quick with this.

"Now, I heard you were going mental. I'd like to inform you that I have a cure for it. All you have to do is sign this contract." He held out a piece of parchment.

"What's the cure, Reaver?" Percy asked, a hint of frustration lacing her voice.

"Now, now, my sweet, I'll tell you after you sign." He thrust a quill into her hand. "Go on."

"Reaver, I swear it t Avo; if you don't tell me, I'll set you on fire," she hissed, glowering at him. He noticed how the paper was beginning to smoke…

He snatched it from her and clutched it protectively. "Your Majesty! I spent a long time writing this!" A large flame burst from Percy's hand, and she stepped closer, daring him to try her. Quickly, he pulled out his Dragonstomper .48, and pointed it at her head. "Now, my queen, I'm sure you don't want to do that… Oho! Look; your soldier wants to play, too!" Reaver growled, jerking his head in ben's direction. The 'Swift Irregular' was positioned directly to hit Reaver between the eyes.

"Drop the gun. Now," Ben hissed, moving closer.

"I will if Miss Ravenswood puts out her fire."

"Do it, Percy."

"I will if he tells me what the contract's for."

"Now, Your Majesty, I-"

"TELL ME, REAVER!"

"Tell her, Reaver."

"I'll tell her if she signs the contract."

"I'm not signing the contract. I'm perfectly fine. I'm not crazy! Now, LET ME ALONE!" Percy cried and the flame hit the ground. It did not burn the other two; it merely sent a warm wind that caressed them with gentle hands. They stood there, shocked, gaping at the fuming young woman. Her usually bright, colorful eyes were now burning with anger, and an ice blue had replaced the irises. Her Will lines were glowing bright blue, and, if looks could kill, Reaver would have been six feet under.

"Very well," Reaver said, turning to walk away. "You're missing out on a good coupling, though."

"What. Did. You. Just. Say. To. Me?" Percy was madder than ever. Fire built quickly, and she threw it at Reaver, who jumped out of the way just in time.

"Relax, Queenie! I thought you'd be used to that!" Another ball of flame was sent towards him, this time narrowly missing his face. "How DARE you try to singe my beautiful face?" Ben began to laugh hysterically. More fire flew short a few inches of Reaver's feet. "Alright! I'm leaving! And this is not a laughing matter, Flynn!" he called over his shoulder as he quickly strode- no, strutted- away.

"Damn him," Percy muttered angrily as the rest of Reaver's crew filed off the ship, watching the queen cautiously. Ben walked towards her and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, taking a deep breath.

"Percy?" Do it, you coward!

"What, Ben?" she sighed, letting her anger flood out of her.

"I-" Come ON! Do it! She was going to let you kiss her! "I really appreciate what you did there. It was hilarious." I'm such an idiot. Dammit. God, fucking shit. I. Am. A. Coward. C-o-w-a-r-d.

"Thanks. Can we go back? I need to sleep to get over my extreme disappointment. I can't believe I didn't get to burn his face off…" she grumbled and took his hand. Ben yelped and pulled it away, clutching it, looking at her in disbelief.

"Ben? Oh, fuck! Did I burn you? Oh, shit, I'm so sorry! Here," she tore off her gauntlets and grabbed his other hand. "Let's get that fixed before any bad damage is done. Oh, gods, I'm sorry…" she said before they were teleported back to the sanctuary.

"Did it all end well?" Jasper smiled at them, but it fell quickly. "What happened to Master Finn?"

"I scorched his hand after I tried to kill Reaver. Now get me a bowl of cold water, a health potion, and a flagon of ale." Jasper quickly did as she said.

"What's the ale for?" Ben asked, and then cringed. Percy had prodded his hand gently, and it stung painfully.

"Sorry. It's for me. I need it when I'm tending to people so I don't dissolve into tears. I always feel it's my fault, and this time, it is. Oh, god, Ben. I'm so sorry…"

"Don't be. It was just an accident, Perc. But you know what would make me feel better?"

"What?" Percy looked at him pleadingly.

"Well, before we were interrupted by that prat you call an attendant…"

"Yes?" Her pleading look fell.

"I was going to kiss you…"

"So…?" Her eyebrows rose. She knew what was going on…

"I was wondering…" he leaned towards her, his eyes closed. Finally, he thought.

"I've gotten the required… Oh, my… I'm interrupting something, aren't I? I'll- I'll just leave, now…" Jasper stammered out just before their lips met.

"No, no. I need to tend to his hand. I don't need permanent damage to my best marksman," Percy said as she pulled away, walked over and grabbed the three things from Jasper. "Thanks," she smiled. She turned back to Ben, who looked sorely disappointed. "Sit down, Ben. I need to take care of your hand," she said gently. He did as told, and sat cross legged on the floor. She joined him and placed his burned hand in the cold water. She uncapped the health potion and made him take small sips until she was satisfied with his hand. Meanwhile, she took great sips of ale.

"Percy?"

"Yeah?"

"My hand feels a lot better, now," he said and let her study it. She smiled.

"It didn't scar, either; excellent. Now, let's head back to the castle, so we can go back to sleep." And, again, Percy dragged him to the map table and transported them to the castle.

.O.O.

Percy yawned and stretched out her arms as they made their way up to the extravagant front steps of Bowerstone Castle.

"Would you like me to carry you over the threshold again, m'lady?" Ben didn't wait for an answer. He scooped her up in his arms again, and flew up the steps, the queen giggling as she flung her arms around his neck.

"Good evening, Majesty. Major Finn," said Thom the cook, who was beginning to prepare food for the morrow's feast.

"Oh, cheffie… why don't you head to bed? You'll be exhausted, and you won't be able to enjoy the wonderful food you're making," Percy looked at him pleadingly.

"Does- does that mean I'm invited to the queen's birthday feast?" He looked shocked.

"But of course! Anyone can attend! It's my party, and I get to decide on the guest list. So you'd better be there tomorrow, cheffie," she smiled. Thom looked incredibly pleased with his good fortune as he turned off the stove, hung up his hat and apron, and bided Ben and Percy and excellent evening.

"That was very kind of you, Percy," Ben said as he carried her up the large staircase that led to her childhood bedroom.

She grinned at him. "I meant what I said, Benji." They were silent for a while as he put her down, and they took off their boots, propped their weapons against a wall, and clambered into bed fully clothed. "I hope you're going too? It would be so dull without you being there for me to stabilize you and your two left feet," she sniggered and turned to face him.

"Of course I'm going, Percy. I wouldn't miss it for the world," he smiled back at her, marveling her face. She was not just a pretty woman- no, she was beautiful. Beautiful in every sense of the word. She had beautiful eyes, a beautiful nose, lips, ears, eyebrows, hair… body… She was magnificent to behold. "Percy?"

"Yeah?"

It's now or never… "I love… your eyes…" GOD DAMMIT! YOU COWARD! "They're truly unique, and they're so wonderful to look at…" Tomorrow, at the feast. I'll tell her then.

"Umm, thank you. I prefer yours, though… did you know that cerulean is my favorite color?" she smiled at him, watching his face turn darker in the lightless room.

Yay! Another chapter! And it's longer this time! Hooray! Anyway, I want to thank everyone who's reviewed and added my story to their favorites so far… it makes me feel so special! I'll have another up soon! Tatty bye, for now!

~Finny