Duck Lake follow that star and on toward the morning

I changed the title to something a little more 'piratey'! Also, I'm going to post-date this after Bazi steps down so that it makes even more sense... :)

"Remember when we were littler and we talked about courting and whatnot?" she mused in response, smiling fondly at him before casting her eyes out over the lake. "After what happened at Tortuga, I lost all hope for that. When I first came back, I still felt... hopeless," Bones admitted without looking at him. That was too light a word for the guilt, shame and horror she'd felt but already that dark smear was fading from her heart.

"But I spoke too soon." She turned toward him again, their eyes locking. Hers softened. "Ye've been by me side since we found each other again, even when it's been hard for ye. Ye've defended me during me most difficult moments. And ye came to Tortuga to rescue me before that. Ye love me more than anyone has ever loved me before. Am I wrong?"

Without waiting for an answer, she bumped her nose against his. "And I love ye too, Ira. Sure, it's young love but it's strong... stronger than merely friendly love too," she hinted, green eyes sparkling again. "And I was thinkin' we could become betrothed to be mates, if ye like that idea. Ye'd have to be patient with me and we probably couldn't be intimate for a while but ye've been by me side and I want to keep ye there, blaggard," Bones finished, licking his cheek softly.