"So explain to me again about how you know Weskham and how he owes you a favor?" Tracy asked as they started to climb into an awaiting gondola as they heading for Maagho's.

"Remember when I told you about the research that we had done on the fish hatcheries here in Altissia?"  Bob asked as he reached his hand out and pulled Tracy onboard.

"Sure I do. Even Jen mentioned that one to me. Your team had been able to help out all the fish by figuring out what was making them all sick. Apparently where they had set up the fish pools, was right were there was a small but dangerous algae that was killing all of the babies." Tracy replied as she stepped on board.

"Exactly. Well the reason that it was killing them wasn't so much that it was dangerous. You or I could touch it with no problems. The issue was that it was very attractive to them. They would eat it thinking that it was food. Not knowing that it was actually poison to them. And with the fishermen not realizing what was going on, all they could do was stand by and watch them die."  Bob explained as he pulled her into the double seat at the back of the boat as a couple other people climbed on boarded as well.

"That must have been very frustrating for them."  Tracy said as she looked down as she sat down beside him.

"Not just frustrating, but devastating for some.  Since that's a fisherman's entire livelihood."  Bob said as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him.

"But your team was able to solve that for them."  She said in wonder as she looked at him with pride.

"We did."  He said as he smiled back.  "And due to that, we were able to keep restaurants, like Maagho's open for business.  Because without those fish, he had nothing to sell to his customers."

Tracy smiled at him, before she gave him a gentle kiss.  "Looks like someone else was also willing to help out when they didn't need to."

Bob smiled back at her and gave her a gentle kiss back before looking at her as he moved her hair behind her ear. "Looks like we're both just a couple of softies after all."

They both then laughed at each other as he pulled her in closer and gave her a kiss on her head as they settled in and enjoyed the ride.  And the comfort of the other.  Because the more she learned about him, the more she loved him.  And the more that she was looking forward to staying with him and learning even more.

~~~~~~~~~~0~~~~~~~~~~

"Of all people the people in the world for her to bring to me.  It had to be you."  Weskham said as he look at Bob with a slightly surprised grin as he shook his head.

"What can I say.  She's a very smart and resourceful woman."  Bob said as he glanced at Tracy as he squeezed her hand. 

"But I have already told you.  I want no part of this.  I can't do what you do anymore.  My fighting days are long gone."  Weskham said as he gave them both an exasperated look.

"You won't have to."  Bob said as he looked at him.  "All we require from you, is your boat.  Everything else will strictly be coincident."

"Are you positive that you'll take care of it?  That boat is the last thing that I have left from my old life."  Weskham said with a sobering tone.

"I swear it on my life."  Bob said as he gave Weskham a grin.

"Don't do that lad.  There is already too much at risk here and you both know that."  He said as he gave Bob and Tracy a serious look.  "All I ask, is that you stay safe.  Both of you.  I would hate for anything to happen to either of you."

"Thank you."  Bob said as he took the keys from Weskham.  "And we'll be sure to return your boat to you safe and sound."

"Please do."  Weskham said.

~~~~~~~~~~0~~~~~~~~~~

"Holy shit?  Are you sure this isn't a yacht?"  Tracy asked Bob as she stood on the hidden pier that had a large black and white speed boat docked to it.

Bob chuckled at her.  "I am.  Even though I can see your point.  But no, this one is simply to small to be an appropriate yacht.  This boat is more for short trips or outings on the water.  She's not seaworthy enough to sail the high seas like my ship is.  She would simply be swallowed up by it."

"Are you serious?"   Tracy asked as she was slightly stunned by his statement.

Bob then looked at her and smiled.  "But not to worry.  She is exactly what we need.  We don't want a boat that's too big to get close enough to the islands in the area.  But at the same time, she's large enough to carry what we need."

Tracy then smiled back at his confidence.  He sure knew a lot more about boats than one might think.  But then again, he was full of surprises.  To which Tracy was learning very quickly.

"Now come on, we have to head back to the docks and meet up with the fishermen.  They will be able to tell us if they have seen any unusual ships lately."  Bob said as he stepped onto the short gangway the attached the boat to the pier. 

"Okay."  She said as she watched him board the boat.

She then walked on the gangway herself and stopped at the end of it and smiled as she looked at him.  "Permission to board skipper?"

Bob smiled at her, then he walked over and grabbed her off of the gangway.  He pulled her in close as he looked her in the eyes.  "My lady never has to ask for permission to board any boat under my command.  For you are always welcomed."

He then pulled her closer as he pressed himself against her.  "And wanted."

Then he dropped his head to her ear.  "And needed."

She then felt the heat starting to rise off of him as he passionately kissed her ear again.  "Down boy.  We aren't exactly out of sight here."

"I don't see anyone."  He said as he moved down and kissed her neck.

She had to close her eyes as she was once again starting to heat up from his advances.  "But what if someone walks by?"

"Let them walk by.  Hell, they can watch if they want.  I don't really care right now.  And besides," he started as he tightened up his grip on her butt, "you never said that we had to stop if someone interrupted us.  You only said that we had to be out of the view of the others.  And I did make you a promise."

"Now that's not..."  She started to argue back.

But she was interrupted by him as he captured her mouth with his.  Then he lifted her up off of the deck and carried her into the bridge area of the boat.  She couldn't help it anymore as she melted against him as she could feel him getting hard as he was pressed up against her. And as he moved, the world seemed to dissolve around her as she once again became lost in the moment with him.

~~~~~~~~~~0~~~~~~~~~~

Tracy didn't recall how long that they were there before they both called out their release again before collapsing from satisfaction.  All she knew was that it seemed that each time was becoming more intense as they seemed to push the other to new heights each time.  Although this time, he had actually pulled out a small foil packet so that he didn't have to pull out.  Which that alone raised the bar.

"You're incredible.  You know that."  She said as she looked at him with pure lust still in her eyes. 

"What can I say.  You bring out the best in me.  And a lot more."  He said with a seductive smile.

Tracy smiled back at him before giving him a gentle kiss.  "Perhaps we should head over to the docks now?"

"It can wait until tomorrow morning.  It's too late to catch them now.  They have already pulled in for the night.  And most of them have gone home for the evening."  He said in a low voice before he gave her neck a gentle kiss.  "Which I suggest for us as well."

Tracy smiled at him as she felt her body tremble under his touch.  "Can we at least eat dinner first?"

"But I just ate."  He said with a smirk before he nibbled her ear.

"You are impossible."  She joked back.  "I mean food.  You know, real food.  Like a fish dinner or something."

"Hmmm.  Does this mean I can get you drunk as well?"  He asked as he kissed her neck again.

"Bob."  She pleaded as her body trembled again.

"Hmmmm."  He purred against her.  "I love how you say my name like that."

"Uhh.  I can't win can I."  She said as she moved her head back.

"Nope."  He said as he released her and gave her a seductive grin.  "But I do agree that a fish dinner sounds good right about now."

"Great.  Then we can head back to the hotel to rest up for tomorrow."  She said and gave him a simple smile back.

"Rest?"  He joked back.

"Yes.  Rest."  She teased back.

"What no more...?"  He teased as he rubbed up against her.

She rolled her eyes as she smiled back at him.  "Let's eat first.  Then we'll see."  

"Alright.  Fine." He said with a smile.

Then he released her as he stood back up and started to straighten himself back out again.  Tracy smiled as she shook her head as she did the same.  It wasn't that she didn't want to do it again with him every chance that they got.  It was quite the opposite actually.

But if they kept this up, they wouldn't get anything done, except that.  Not that she was complaining.  But they did have a bit of a short time frame to get everything done.  Because she knew that the hideouts moved quite frequently, just based on Bob's observations of them.  So if they were to get the pirates at their hideout, then they had to start their search sooner, not later.

~~~~~~~~~~0~~~~~~~~~~

"A group of us noticed a few strange boats heading over towards this island.  We weren't sure what they were doing considering that it is nothing but a rock.  And they didn't seem to have any fishing gear with them.  We just figured that they were heading there for some privacy."  One of the older fisherman was telling Bob and Tracy as he was pointing to a small cluster of rock formations just outside the main entrance to Altissia.

"Perhaps."  Bob said as he studied the map.  "And thank you for telling us."

"No problem.  I'll help out in anyway, if it means that we can finally fish in peace again."  The old man said with a slight smile.

"That's our goal."  Tracy said with a smile.

The fisherman then simply smiled and nodded at Tracy.

"Thank you again."  Bob said as he rolled back up the charts. 

"Anytime.  Just let us know if you need anything."  The fisherman said back.

"Well do."  Bob replied back.

Then he turned to Tracy.  "Let's  head over there to see for ourselves."

"Right."  Tracy replied.

Then they both said goodbye to the fisherman and headed to the boat.  After boarding, Bob coiledup the ropes after undoing them from the pier.  Tracy watched how he did it so that she could help out next time.  Then once the ropes were clear and coiledup, he walked over and started up the engine.  

Tracy was surprised at how smooth but powerful the engines sounded as he slowly pulled away from the pier.  They didn't have the deep hum that the ship's engines did.  But they did seem to purr as he expertly guided the boat out of Altissia entrance and towards the rock formations. That was until he opened it up as he picked up speed and had it flying across the water.

She couldn't help but to get excited as the engines roared under them as the boat flew across the smooth water.  She tightly gripped onto the handrail that ran along front of the bridge.  But it didn't seem to do anything to her racing heart as the boat soared across the water.  She looked over at Bob and saw that he was watching her as she was getting excited all over again.  Not that the morning shower sex hadn't been enough for either of them.

But then as the rocks came into view, the air on the bridge shifted drastically.  For there was several small boats right where they were heading.  Bob quickly slowly the boat back down and turned the boat as he headed to some of the other rocks so that they could try to keep out of sight.  It looked like the fisherman had been right.

Once they were behind one of the rock formations, Bob brought the boat closer to it so that they were hiding behind it.  Then he brought out the rock climbing gear that they had gotten from a member of the Society and tethered the boat to the rock face.  Once that was done the two of them walked out to the bow with their binoculars and laid down on their stomachs.  Then they peered around the edge of the rock and watched the other small boats.

At first glance, the boats looked like they were there just having a lazy day of fishing.  But just like the fisherman had mention from before, not a single one had a pole in the water.  They may have had them on board this time.  But not a single line was actually in the water.  This alone peeked both of their interests. 

"It looks like we may have found our pirates."  Tracy quietly said as they watched the three boats floating close to each other.

"That it does."  Bob said as Tracy pulled out her camera and started getting shots of the boats so that they could try and figure out who the boats are registered to.  "And I have a feeling that those boats are among some of the ones that the Society had reported as missing."  

"Possible.  But we won't know for sure until we run it through the city database."  Tracy said as she made sure to get pictures of the hull numbers and names of the boats.

"Well they certainly seem to know each other."  Bob said as he watched the people onboard the boats as they seemed to be talking to the other boaters.

"Yes they do."  Tracy said as she zoomed in and was able to get some head shots of them.  "Now if only we knew who they were."

"Well it's a good thing than that one of the members from the Society said that he works for the city's Investigator Security team.  We can have him run these photos through their system and see if we can get any hits."  Bob said as they watched them carefully.

Suddenly as they watched, another boat approached them.  They all seemed to be very interested in the new comer since they all seemed to freeze in place and stare at the approaching boat. Then once the boat came to a stop by the other boats Tracy zoomed in with her camera and was able to make out an older man who was a bit on the heavy set side.  He had short blonde hair and a long blonde mustache.  

He walked out to the bow of the boat and seemed to be barking at the others.  And the only reason Tracy assumed this, is that suddenly the rest of them got really stiff while it looked like he was about to fly off of the boat as his arms were wildly waving around.  The sight made her slightly smile as she tried to picture someone as large as him actually getting his fat ass off of the ground.  Of course this was intensified as she saw that the boat was actually moving underneath his weight.

"I bet their all hoping that he will fall off of the boat right about now."  Bob said with a hint of humor in his voice.

Tracy glanced over at him and saw a smile on his face.  "But it won't do us any good if he falls off and gets eaten by a shark or something."

"Most definitely not."  Bob said before he glanced back at her.  "We would have to go rescue the shark from the indigestion. Because I'm sure that he would cause it."

Tracy laughed at him.  Then she turned her attention back to the boats and continued to take pictures.  Bob laughed back before he turned back to them as well.  But right as they did, the party seemed to be breaking up as the fat, blonde, presumably boss, turned and walked back to the bridge of his boat as it turned and headed back the way it came.  

Then they watched as one boat followed him, while two others headed in different directions.  Which left one boat still sitting right where they had all left from.  They carefully watched this one since it seemed to be just one guy.  But he was pacing the deck as it looked like he was talking on the phone.  Then after a few moments, he was off of the phone and was driving towards the rock in front of his boat.  But then as they watched, he seemed to simply disappear from view.

"Let's go.  I want to get a bit closer to see if we can see which direction he went."  Bob said as he quickly got up and started untying the boat.

"Okay."  Tracy said and she quickly got up and gathered up her things and headed back into the bridge area.

But after making a few passes by where the boats had been.  They didn't notice anything out of the ordinary.  Of course they also never saw where the boat disappeared to either.  But with now knowing where to keep any eye out, they decided to head back for the day.  This way they could start their research into who they were.

~~~~~~~~~~0~~~~~~~~~~

"I can start running these first thing tomorrow."  The investigator from the security team said as he looked at them in wonder.  "I still can't get over that you two found them."

"We may have found them.  But we don't know who 'they' are yet."  Bob said as he looked at the investigator.  "And that is what we are hoping that you can tell us, RJ."

"I will.  I'll call you when I get the results from all of these."  RJ said as he nodded back at them.

"Thank you."  Tracy said with a smile.

"No. Thank you."  RJ said to both of them as he looked back and forth between them both.  "This is the first break through for this.  We will be forever in your debt if we can do this.  And for the first time ever.  I think we actually can.  Thanks to you two."

"Let's not celebrate yet."  Bob said as he stood up to head out of the cafe.  "We still have to prove that there is a connection. Which hopefully we will get with these videos and photos.  But in the meantime, we're going to keep an eye on them."

"Right.  Well just let me know when you have more."  RJ eagerly said as Bob and Tracy started to walked away.  "In the meantime I'll get these done."

"Thanks again."  Bob said as he took Tracy's hand and started to lead her out of the cafe.

"Well hopefully he'll find something for us."  Tracy said as they left the cafe and started to make their way back to the hotel.

"We can hope."  Bob said as he squeezed her hand.  "In the meantime, we need to find out where that boat went."

"So I take it we'll have to keep going out there until we figure it out then."  Tracy said with a smile.

"It appears so."  He said as he interlaced his fingers with hers.  "I hope you brought your sun block."

******Author Note******

Now that they have a rough idea of where the hideout might be.  Now the hard part of finding out how they get in is the last thing standing between them and taking down these pirates for good.

But will this be the last stand for the team?  We shall see.

Thanks for reading.  :)

************************