Lets pretend I didn't read the original plot

Pirate Business 2.14

In quick succession the slavers where offloaded into the clearing with nothing but the clothes on their back and a weeks' worth of rations. The nearest town was only three days away providing you didn't get lost and walked all day. Whether the slavers could manage that though was another question. Bit of hardship will do them good, besides this way there is nothing serious to pin on us so far as crimes go. Unless they start killing each other in which case their own paranoia will ruin them that much faster.

"have a skeleton crew of experienced pirates on the slaver ship and keep everyone else on our ship." I say to Gabel as we relaunch.

"Why?" Gabel asks.

"Insurance, you go to the main ship, if we encounter anything remember to keep the slaver ship between you and any enemies and try to move in quite close to obscure more."

"eh right. Whatever the captain says is what it is." Despite looking puzzled Gabel still complies leaving just Levi, a skeleton crew and I manning the slaver ship.

"How are you planning to coincidentally meet a royal enforcer patrol?" Levi comes up behind me where I stand looking out from the bow and whispers in my ear.

I force myself to remain still and not give him the satisfaction of flinching while hoping that the mask was hiding the faint blush no doubt heating my cheeks. Cheap flirt, two can play at this game. I turn into his embrace looping my arms over his shoulders and lean up slightly to whisper "well originally I was just going to find an excuse to cross one of the known patrol routs but since you're here perhaps you can tell me if there is any new routs in play near here that we can 'accidentally' encounter." At the last I let my lips brush his check before leaning back again. While wearing a 'I was just talking' expression on my face. I may not have the practice, but I am a theoretical expert. I'll be damned if I'm the only one getting embarrassed out of this.

Levi flinched slightly before his eyes narrow, I can almost see the words 'It's on' written across his face. "as a matter of fact, due south of here about 20 km there is a new patrol route that should have a ship approaching about the same time as us if we fly directly." As he spoke Levi leant back down and caged me in properly against the railing so he spoke directly against my lips and while he didn't actually kiss me no way would any of the crew believe that.

As he leans back with a gentle smile, I narrow my eyes and then abruptly lean forward a nibble on his ear while saying. "then best be prepared to hold them off for everyone to bail to our ship then." As I finish speaking, I slide under his arm and head towards the navigator. The navigator stood marking on a map engraved on the wall just behind the wheel plotting the course for the airship back towards the Alethian base.

I approach and look over his shoulder for a minute. Well, well, this seems I can go be a salted fish. The bearing currently set to go due south for 30km. "The bearing looks good, keep alert." I turn away again and almost stumble directly into Levi. "Geeze can't you walk louder?" I catch myself against his chest and he promptly wrap his arms around my waist.

"Now what would be the fun in that." Levi laughed gently and out of the corner of my eye I see the crew nearby smile and turn away.

Hmph, think you can win that easily? I lean into him and laugh. "then I guess I shall have to try hard to return the compliment. You're not allowed to complain later."