Again the fab four don’t belong to me.

Lady Pirates

by

Ceniana A.K.A CourtneyHawk
(Ceniana@gmail.com)

Chandler let out a soft groan. "What am I going to do with this girl?" Chandler looked down at the small teenager. "I can’t bed her yet."

"You will marry her!" The elder Evans snarled quietly. "Her family is one of the richest in the colonies. We need her father’s support."

C.C. watched the men. They are talking about me like I’m not even here. She kept her eyes down, feeling the elder Evans’ stare at her.

"You’ll wed and bed her… Chandler, that’s the end of it." He hissed quietly. "I want grandchildren by her quickly."

Chandler snickered rolling his eyes at C.C. "I prefer an older woman’s bed." Chandler snickered trying to shame C.C.

I will not show any fear. I am a Babcock and will do my duty. C.C. lifted her eyes to stare into Chandler’s. Her father had handed her over to the elder Evans for Chandler to marry, and she would do her duty. What else did she have left?

"Well, I’ll make good use of her father. Can I put some more servants for my own household now?" Chandler turned toward his father ignoring C.C. for now.

"Do what you want. You have your own income now. Remember you will never inherit Lance’s birth right, but if you are lucky Chandler, my dear boy, you could have our own glory."

Chandler started smiling, just dreaming of something beyond his power. "I am going to go. Keep her for now. We will wed in the morning." Chandler walked out, and the elder Evans looked toward C.C.

Rickard Evans was a cruel man who would blackmail anyone to get his desires. "Enjoy this last night of freedom, my dear. You are about to become an Evans…and nothing will ever save you from this life."

C.C. shivered, trying to hide her own fear. He was pushing her toward a cruel future. Babcocks are the masters of their own fate…C.C. …Kitten always remember that when fate treats you cruelly… you must find a way to rage back.

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

Fran Fine grumbled looking at her mother and father. "Ma… "Fran’s English was heavily accented. "What happens if we end up with two different families?" Fran hated all these men looking at her. They had traveled to this new world searching for the chance of a new start. In Europe the Fine Family had been run out of country after country because of their Jewish religion. To prepare them for the journey they had learned English in an effort to be selected for the best families. Fran watched as some sailors started laughing in the small crowd. She blushed understanding every dirty word.

"Now, sweetheart, you are a grown woman, but if that should happen we will meet again in New York near these docks."

"Alright ma." Fran shivered as the man started calling out.

Chandler smirked, drinking a mug of ale. "If my father thinks I’m just going to settle down because he gives me a wife, well, he has another thing coming. I’ll take them and a couple of servant girls along!" He looked at the group smiling at him. "What do you gentleman think about sailing?"

"You know nothing about sailing, young pup." The old pirate’s nickname was Bitter. Chandler was sure this had something to do with his teeth. "You bring that wifey along, and a few servant girls! We’ll make women out of them!"

Chandler smirked yet again, taking another sip of ale. This was going to be an interesting adventure, and not the boring life that his brother had lead. "Then here’s to the seas! Make sure you build me a fine ship, because I will be using my bride’s money to fund it."

C.C. looked around at the dark room shivering. It had been four days since Richard Evans had met with her father. She pulled on her pony tails undoing the braids. "You are a Babcock…. I will face my fears… I will overcome my own fate." C.C. wondered if she could believe anything she was saying.

Fran grumbled as the man pulled her by her long braids. "You be serving Master Evan’s, and you’ll do a good job! Do you understand me?" He tossed her inside a dark basement and Fran let out a soft nasal whine looking around. Would she ever see her mother again? Her father? Her sister?

C.C. blinked as sunlight streamed into the room. She got dressed walking down the long halls in the Evans’ household. She was left alone for now, but they would come for her soon.

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

"Hello?" Fran heard the footsteps. She was still in darkness but could see the hint of sunlight streaming at the bottom of the door.

"Who are you?" C.C. held her ears. The girl had some type of nasal voice, and an accent she couldn’t place.

"Fran!" She reached under the door trying to grab a hold of something solid.

"C.C." She reached out touching the young girl’s hand. "How old are you?" C.C. could tell she no longer sounded like herself.

"I don’t remember really… Ma told me it’s never a good thing to keep track of your age." Fran let out a long sigh. It was nice to hear a friendly voice. "Help me please?"

C.C. looked around wondering what she could do. "I’ll see what I can do." After hearing footsteps, C.C. quickly ran back to her room.

"I’m ready for my wedding, father!" Chandler screamed out in his drunken rage. "Where is my bride!" He laughed, walking down the hallway. "C.C.! Come on Babcock! It’s time to get married!"

Rickard groaned, watching his young son enter his study. He was just now talking with the priest in his chamber. "You are shaming me boy…" He pulled Chandler back on his feet. "My son father James…"

The priest let out a long sigh. "I will see you both at the church. Will the bride’s family be attending?"

"No… they are…away…"

Chandler fought the urge to say. *That’s because he’s blackmailing them into the marriage no doubt…*

Rickard walked by the door of C.C.’s room. He watched the girl lower her eyes. "I will allow you one thing C.C."

"I want to go home." C.C. said, trying to find her old Babcock will.

"I can’t do that." Rickard responded, eyeing the young woman. No, young child, but he needed C.C. Babcock to marry Chandler.

"Give me Fran." C.C. looked at Rickard. He had every intention of using Fran for his own purposes.

"Alright…C.C. she is now Chandler’s property… when you marry him. She’ll be your servant."

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

Fran blinked as she was dragged to her feet, and faced Rickard Evans. "You are a lucky girl…I had other things in mind for you, but… I’m signing you over to my son, Chandler Evans. He will decide when, and if, you ever pay off your debts.

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

C.C. didn’t want to recall her wedding night. The pain of being anywhere near Chandler Evans was too much. "Where are we going?" C.C. grumbled as Chandler waved her onward toward the docks.

"You and Fran are going to have to cut your hair, and pretend to be cabin boys for a bit." Chandler looked over toward a group of sturdy ships. "I’m hiring a crew." Chandler grumbled, looking at the ships. "Next time keep your mouth shut, C.C."

Fran rolled her eyes looking at C.C. Fran could speak three different languages and would often mumble to herself some insult toward Chandler. She already decided to teach C.C. a few key words in Polish so they could both speak freely without Chandler listening in. "If you had any common sense, Chandler, you would realize these men are not taking you seriously" Fran grumbled softly in her native tongue.

"Fran… if you speak in that language one more time…I will take a whip to you." Chandler turned around waving his horse whip. Fran nodded slowly, but once he turned back around, she rolled her eyes, and managed to get a smile from C.C.

The harbor was full of ships trading goods from the old world. Chandler stopped to breath in the sea air. He walked toward an inn forcing the women into a small room. "You can’t look like women here." He tossed them trousers and shirts. "I will be gone for the next few hours, and I want you to look less… womanly… not that would be hard for you to do C.C." Chandler stormed out, locking the door behind him.

C.C. pulled at the locked door growling. "Will we always be behind locked doors?" She looked at her new friend who sided.

"Oy, just be thankful it’s only a locked door." Fran frowned, looking at the clothing. "Does he have no style?"

"He has no brains Fran either." C.C. remarked, looking around the room. "His father is going to disown him for this stunt."

"This is our life now." Fran sighed, placing her hand on C.C.’s shoulder. "Why do I feel like this is only going to lead to trouble?"

"Trouble is a good thing sometimes." C.C. picked up the oversized clothing. "If you can handle things carefully… Trouble can even be fun."

"I don’t want to get whipped, C.C." Fran had been threatened with Chandler’s horse whip more than once today.

"If he has the guts to hit you… He’ll have to take us both on." C.C. reached up, touching Fran’s hand. "It’s now us against him."

Fran smirked feeling that C.C. was the most unlikely ally she would ever find. "Fate brought us together, and I thank God everyday. If I had to face this hell, Oy at least I don’t have to face it alone anymore." That had been her real terror since being pulled from her mother’s weeping arms.

"Don’t you have two women already?" The man, Bitter, smirked watching Chandler pay a tavern woman a few coins.

"C.C. is less than a woman." Chandler snickered, shaking his head. "Fran is my slave."

Bitter glared at his other friends. "He don’t see it. Those are two attractive women, and he don’t see it…What a fool this one is. Well you wouldn’t mind if we all had a poke at them?" Bitter teased, but then felt the point of steel at his neck.

"They are my property, and no one touches my property ." His hiss was loud, and echoed in the bar.

Bitter smirked, and then nodded. "You have no idea about a real woman, do you boy? Your property. Us pirates have a code… We understand they are yours!" Chandler lowered his sword, and Bitter once again grabbed for his mug of ale. "We need to spend time getting you used to the sea, boy. Now that we have a ship. Why don’t you move your party… on deck?"

Chandler rubbed his growing beard and nodded. He would have to get used to the waves at some point. "That’s the first smart thing you have said all day."

"Make sure dem women don’t look too womanlike…" Bitter hissed once more, watching Chandler pay the tab. "I am taking a bloody fool along for one little ship ride."

"He could be a good sailor." The man who answered was nicknamed Ace. "It’s been known to happen, look at Ghost!"

"Darren was a man who was a diamond among shit." Bitter gulped the ale once more. "If there is something worth using on that rat. Then I’ll keep him on board… If not." He pushed the empty clay mug off the table allowing the pieces to crash on the wooden floor. "Then the sea can have him."

C.C. had cut off all her long locks. She now had her hair chin length. "Stay still Fran." She was now working on the tangles in Fran’s hair cutting hers just as short. "Don’t they have a comb in Europe?"

"Sorry when it was a choice between bread and a comb my family--OUCH that hurts!" C.C. pulled something out of Fran’s long hair and let out a sigh.

"I’m sorry you where saying?"

"Oy vey. My family chose the bread." Fran shifted as C.C. finished the work. C.C. and Fran did what they could with the clothing, and now stood in front of the mirror.

C.C. couldn’t believe it. She looked like her older brother. "Noel." She sighed in sorrow.

"Who is that?" Fran turned wondering how long they would be able to hide themselves like this.

"My brother… I do indeed look ugly." C.C. walked around in the boots trying to break them in.

"We are just at that age." Fran frowned shaking her short hair. "This won’t last forever. My people lived in the desert forty days and forty nights."

"How long are we going to have to spend with him." C.C. heard the door opening up, and Chandler came stumbling inside.

"Ah Ha!" He pointed laughing at the women. "Good, Good! You obeyed me for once!" He grabbed C.C., laughing. "We are leaving for the boat tonight… So here!" He put down a bag of food, and then stumbled back outside locking the door once more.

Fran eyed C.C. "It’s going to be alright."

"I have lost everything… My father… My family…" C.C. looked toward Fran. "Aren’t you bitter?"

"Have I lost everything? Or is this the start of a brighter birth?" Fran opened the bag. "He can’t lock us up forever…He needs us more than we need him."

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

Chandler smirked as C.C. and Fran carried his trunks. Bitter couldn’t help but shake his head. "Why did you tell him about a Pirate code?" Ace looked over at his captain.

"If he’s willing to believe we live by a code then he’s more of a fool than Darren was first coming on my ship." Bitter walked down taking Chandler’s hand. Chandler had used the money from his father, and C.C.’s to buy this ship. "Welcome aboard Captain."

*"Yeah… that’s a big old lie . He’s a Captain in name only."* Fran mumbled in her native tongue once more.

Bitter eyed Fran. "Careful with that tongue…boy ." Bitter winked, waving Chandler onboard.

"Come on Frank…Claude ." He eyed C.C. and Fran.

"Frank?" Fran said shaking her head, trying to lower her nasal voice to sound more manly. "No one is going to believe it with my accent." They both were before Bitter and Chandler was behind him.

"What am I going to do with them?" Bitter knew what he would like to do with them, but withheld his comment.

"Treat them like normal cabin boys, but… at night they are to be locked up." Chandler smirked as C.C. felt the waves take them further and further out to sea.

"I can’t do that sir ."

"Why the hell not?" Chandler hissed looking toward Bitter. "I don’t want anyone touching them."

Bitter smiled at Chandler’s outrage. "Do you want anyone touching you, Claude?" He tilted his head toward C.C.

"No sir." C.C. spoke quietly, unable to look him in the eyes. She quickly grabbed her face forcing him to look in directly in the eyes.

"You look a man in the eyes…If you don’t they think you have something to hide." Bitter let out a long sigh looking toward Chandler. "If you mean to have them here then they are under my care for now."

"They are mine, dammit!" Chandler stood up grumbling.

"Sir, if you want them to survive . You want your property protected then you’ll turn them over to me for training… you are doing that for yourself…allow me to train them as well." Bitter’s looked soften toward C.C. "I have a daughter in the world your age."

C.C. felt hope rise up in her soul. "Report now to scrub the deck!" Ace called out, and C.C. along with Fran left the room. Chandler smirked walking outside. He had to see the poor little rich girl do real labor.

"Why are you going easy on the women?" Ace came back as Bitter was pouring himself some whiskey. "They are going to cry and whine… that boy shouldn’t have brought them along."

Bitter was rubbing his temples now enjoying the taste of Irish whiskey. "Something about them…."

Ace sat down and held out his cup. "Yeah. Cap…I Know." He let out a long sigh as Bitter filled it to the rim. "So we are keeping the boy because of the women?"

Bitter nodded. "They need real training, but…" Bitter leaned back looking over his shoulder. "Give them what they need to survive for now . Show them how to sail, and what they need to know if in case we are boarded."

"They will need more than that." Ace stood up shaking his head.

"Teach them all they need to know for now… the rest will come later on." Bitter sipped at the whiskey shaking his head. He had to be careful with Chandler Evans.

"Aye, Sir." Ace walked outside calling out orders to each man on deck.

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

C.C. ran and twisted her body away from the wooden sword. She then felt the whack of wood hard against her back. "You’re dead, Claude!" Ace called out hissed, sitting down as C.C. started to pant, feeling the fresh bruise on her back.

"So tired…from all the…chores…" C.C.’s hands ached from washing and scrubbing the wooden decks. She wanted to lie down and die at this rate….and now this silly man was expecting her to dodge a wooden stick.

"You must learn speed!" Bitter got up as Chandler was still laughing madly. "Get up Frank." Fran was still on her back from a blow. "Get up now!" Bitter wasn’t waiting for her to move and slammed the wooden stick down onto the deck. "In a battle you won’t get a chance to rest! You must be quick!"

Chandler was still laughing. He had taken fencing lessons since an early age and didn’t need this kind of training. "You have the deck Bitter…I’m going to take a nap…make sure my cabin boys are still at least in one piece."

"Aye, Captain." Bitter watched as Chandler went toward the cabin, and then turned back toward C.C. and Fran. "Get up…."

"Give me a wooden sword and allow me to beat you with it." C.C. hissed, standing on her own two feet again."

"Until you learn how to dodge a man’s blows… you’ll never learn anything." Bitter once again hit C.C. when she tried to dodge. "Ace! Sing let’s teach them how to dance since either one of them can pick of their feet…. John!" Bitter called out toward the crow’s nest. "Play! Good and loud!"

"Ayyyye! Sir!" John’s response was faded since he was up some forty feet in the air. They could hear the faint lute hang in the air as Bitter looked back toward C.C. and Fran. "Move your feet like this is a dance… and remember to be quick about it."

C.C. smiled, she hated being hit, but she was starting to like this ‘Bitter Dance’. "Alright." C.C. found her feet and was able to dodge two of his blows before he finally landed one. Fran too was able to dodge.

"YES! You see there! It can be done! That’s enough for now." He waved up toward the crow’s nest and quieted Ace. "Next time you will dodge more, and now Mister Ace ,show them everything about the rigging."

Ace nodded, leading C.C. and Fran away. "Not bad. Not bad at all." Bitter rubbed his chin recalling his other great pupil Darren could move that quickly.

At last C.C. was allowed a few moments peace. She had never really had a chance to look out on the ocean. "It’s so big…" Fran leaned on the rail beside her. Fran couldn’t hide her nasal accent as was carried on the wind toward C.C.’s ears.

"Bitter says the sea can humble any man… Do you think it will humble Chandler?" C.C. looked at her would-be servant.

"I doubt anything could humble that man." Fran sighed shaking her head. "Why do you always look toward that star?"

C.C. smiled sadly, looking back at the North Star. "I am hoping my match is looking at the same star."

Fran smirked watching C.C. "You still hope… even though you are stuck with him." Her head jerked back toward a drunken Chandler.

"You’re the one that taught me bad times don’t last forever." C.C. smiled, and then shivered hearing Chandler call for her.

"Claude! In here now!"

Fran frowned, watching C.C. walk toward Chandler slowly. "Yeah. They don’t, but sometimes it feels like they do." Fran looked toward the North Star. "Tell my match not to keep me waiting too long." Fran teased hold into the rail.

Somewhere out on the same sea… Niles Butler let out a long sigh looking toward the same star. He looked toward his commander Maxwell Sheffield and nodded at his new orders.

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

"It’s Spanish…" Bitter smirked as he waved his arms. "Spanish ships always have the most gold Captain." Bitter nodded toward Chandler, "With your leave of course sir?" Bitter did a dramatic bow.

Chandler nodded waving his rapier towards the ship. The wind picked up, and to Fran it seemed like god was on their side as she walked downstairs toward the cannons with C.C. "You two come here!" Ace yelled out point them to a cannon. "Remember yesterday now you get to put that lesson to the test!"

Fran and C.C. both teamed up with two other men loading the cannon then awaiting the order to fire from Ace. It would travel down from Bitter… from Chandler. C.C. snickered to herself realizing that men were waiting on Bitter’s word more than Chandler’s "Stop that laughing Claude, and FIRE!" Ace roared out in her ear.

C.C. and Fran both heard the crushing sound of wood on wood as both ships came together. "It’s time to dance boys!" Ace rushed to toss the woman two daggers. "Stay close to me if you need." Ace whispered softly, and both Fran and C.C. nodded slowly.

C.C. could feel her heart pounding in her chest. This was it . This is what her life would be like from now on. The sound of a man’s deathcry ringing out in her ears. "Fran." she hissed as they fired once more on the Spanish ship. Men started to stream inside from the cannon ports. C.C. froze as she fired the cannon once more being sprayed with a man’s blood.

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

"Move it boy!" Ace growled, forcing C.C. down. C.C. turned as another Spanish sailor started to slam his rapier downward. She had to dodge every last blow.

I am a Babcock. I will not show fear. She reached up and did something unexpected, decking the sailor, and stealing his crude rapier. She then turned around facing the man attacking Fran. "Dance…Dance!" She called out to Fran who started moving more swiftly. "Get his rapier Fran…k" She blinked, trying to remember their cover names.

Fran dodged using her small body as an advantage. She twisted once more hearing the second attacker trying to press her. She twisted once more and both Spanish sailors ended up stabbing one another. "MOVE!" Fran notice C.C. was about to have five men on her. Fran quickly picked a rifle firing it at one of the men. C.C. now only had two men to worry about.

C.C. had never felt more alive. Since she was first dragged out of her father’s house she had felt dead inside. The blood felt strangely warm on her tunic as she danced around once more. She turned once more as Fran was being grabbed from behind. "DUCK." C.C. called out, and Fran dove under one man’s legs. They now stood back-to-back each holding a rapier unsure how to use it.

"You know what would have helped?" Fran grumbled softly.

"Lessons on sword play?" C.C. snickered softly. "A bath?"

"Besides that." Fran wanted to laugh. She felt her Jewish guilt rising up… Killing was a sin but. They would have killed her if she hadn’t defended herself. "better weapons." Fran finally was able to spit out her comment while fighting some type of Spanish officer.

"Yeah . Right… better weapons…" C.C. let out a long sigh as the flow of men stopped attacking them. "Are they all dead?"

Fran walked up slowing taking a pistol off the officer she killed. C.C. grabbed the man’s hat putting the tricorn hat on her head. "Oy. You look rather silly."

"Would you hurry up!" C.C. pushed on Fran and they both notice the last of the Spanish crew at surrendered.

"Well WELL!" Bitter smirked looking at the two women. "I was right about you two." He whispered softly placing his huge hands on their shoulders. "We won! Let’s go aboard and see what we can make out of the new ship."

C.C. moved quietly onto the Spanish ship. Bitter handed her the Captain’s coat. "Can I really have that?"

"I’m giving it to you, Frank." Bitter smiled as C.C. slipped on the coat. It felt so. Right… It was something better than a Knight’s armor.

"Well this will do nicely." Chandler walked up with face all bloody. He was holding a chest. "The hull is full of supplies and cargo."

"There is a small island we can hide from the Spanish patrols." Bitter winked as Chandler cracked open the fallen Captain’s treasure chest. "COME ON LADS! Time to get paid!"

The crew all rushed to get in line as the each receive apart of the treasure. Bitter smirked as the waved some of his men back on board his own ship. "Remember Chandler every ship needs a gewd name! Follow us and we will have ourselves a little party tonight."

Chandler smirked as the crew divided up. He waved his hand at C.C. "You have the ship…for now. ‘Claude’" Chandler couldn’t but release a small snicker. C.C. nodded slowly.

She had the ship. She had survived a battle, and now… "Set Sail!" C.C. roared in a deep husky voice.

Bitter smirked placing his hand on Ace’s shoulder. "You see . One day those two will be legends…" He pointed at the ship. "You did well teaching them all and in such a short amount of time."

"They had to learn quickly… I think they both know it’s their only path toward freedom." Ace grumbled looking towards his Captain. "He has his ship now. Are we done with him?"

"Yes mores the pity… I was rather hoping to steal those women." Bitter grumbled pulling out a metal flask taking a quick drink.

C.C. looked around the desert island smiling. She would be able to escape to the stream and take a quick bath. She tried to push her missing hair back behind her ears, but let out a long sigh. "You know… soon they’ll know." Bitter walked up smiling.

"That I’m a woman?" C.C. smirked shaking her head. "I know."

"Your body is going to give that away soon enough. You’re already getting those womanly curves." Bitter sat down next to her. "I’m going to teach you one more lesson….and I want you to pass this lesson on to Fran."

C.C. narrowed her eyes. "What?"

"First rule always follow the Pirate code." Bitter smirked unable to sit still, and he stood up quickly. "Second rule… "

"There is no code." C.C. smirked crossing her arms.

"You see… You got wits . Why that husband of yours has none, I never know…. You were born for this life C.C., but never make this your life permanently." Bitter let out a long sigh taking another gulp from his flask. "You could be a legend of the seas… but legends rarely have long lives."

"I’m tied to him." C.C. made a head jerk towards Chandler. She was sure he was getting drunk …."He’ll soon drag me aside…"

Bitter grumbled biting his lip." C.C….remember your training. You can dodge anything. That’s the first step to becoming a great fencer."

"How does that help me with Chandler."

"You were forced to marry him true enough, but that doesn’t mean you’re forced to accept him in your bed every moment he wants a poke at ya." He winked, taking her hand. "It’s been a pleasure… I wish my travels took me along the same path…"

"What is your real name, Bitter." C.C. was curious looking at the elder man’s eyes.

"James…" He smirked kissing her hand. "If God allows me to see you and Frannie once more then that will truly be a gewd day… If not… Then we will surely see one another in the heavens. Now my dear little lady… Since you asked my real name. I get to ask what is your name?"

"Chastity…" She smiled letting go of a long sigh.

C.C. watched as the drunken man stumbled toward his crewmen. Fran soon joined C.C. by the fire. "I’m scared now. It’s really starting."

"I think God will watch after us." C.C. mumbled, drinking the ale she was handed slowly. The liquid hit her stomach heavily. C.C. wanted to forget the young man she had used the cannon on. She wanted to forget the screams. Fran soon joined her, drinking their troubles away.

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

"Some of us believe things will never change, but the seas can change everything…A man can find fame… and wealth, but the next moment the hand of God can work against him… Fate is never a kind master for those that wish to tame her."

"Are you an idiot?" C.C. glared, watching Chandler’s stupid smirk cross his face. "You better be careful dealing with the English royal navy."

"We can pick up more crew." Chandler rolled his eyes feeling a bit outraged that he was having to explain this to her. "Listen to me… Dammit." Chandler hit his fist on the table. "You are my wife, and you take orders from me. Remember?" Chandler raised his hand to strike C.C., but instead she caught it.

"That is the last time you will attempt to strike me without me hitting you back." C.C. stepped out onto the deck leaving Chandler alone in the cabin. C.C. looked around at the crew. She felt so sore this morning. They only had a half crew at best. "You." She pointed to the elder sailor. "What is your name?"

"I would ask the same of you." He smiled back running a hand in his long graying hair. "Evan."

"Claude…" C.C. felt strange, but she had to keep up the farce for awhile longer. She would have to earn everyone’s respect before letting people know she was indeed a woman. "We need a safe port to find more crewmates…any ideas?" C.C. waved her gem around. It had been her only payment besides the captain’s coat from the Spanish ship.

"Well… one can to many ports, but …." Evan smiled softly. "The men could use a break after that last fight before facing another real challenge. "If you can handle such a port."

"What do you mean if I can handle such a port?" Evan wiggled his eyebrows at her. "I know who you are lass."

C.C. let out a groan." How…?" She titled her head looking into Evan’s deep green eyes.

"That fool of a Captain, Chandler." Evan smirked, and waved a hand toward were Fran was working. "I know she’s not a he either." Evan’s eyes twinkled with delight watching C.C.’s shocked face.

"Please don’t tell anyone… Please Evan." C.C. looked at the young man. He had to be in his twenties a little older than Chandler. "It could mean our lives."

"Bitter left me for a reason, lass." Evan smiled, kissing C.C.’s hand. "You need lessons on life and I’m your best ally little sister."

"Little Sister?" C.C. smirked moving on step back from Evan. "I have a brother already." Fran walked up seeing C.C.’s distress.

"You okay?" Fran jumped down off the ropes and rails.

"He knows everything." C.C. stood before Evan smiling. "He says Bitter sent him." C.C. shook her head not wanting to trust anyone.

"Well. He is his son." Fran smirked and then laughed at C.C.’s shocked face. "You didn’t listen to a word the crew said on the last voyage?" Fran tilted her head.

"They spoke so many tongues I couldn’t keep up." C.C. frowned, shaking her head.

"Well little sister…. We must teach you French, Spanish and Dutch… we will need to fill that head of yours with so much information it will burst from knowledge." Evan grabbed a rope holding onto it tightly. "I think my father taught you the first two lessons of the high seas?"

"One… Follow the pirate code, and two there is no code." Fran repeated the words that C.C. had taught her. "You have another lesson for us…if so I’m all ears."

C.C. looked out on the blue ocean once more. "Well? Teacher, teach us something useful."

"You want to win a man’s heart… Gold is not always the best way to earn it." Evan opened in palm. "The last battle Chandler was able to pay us each a small fortune, but… do any of us respect him…No…"

"What do you think about him going after English shipping?" C.C. tilted her head looking at Evan.

"English, Spanish, French it makes no difference." Evan pulled out a piece of salt beef from his pocket. "One day Chandler will have to limit his options, but for now we can attack anything that moves on the open sea."

"You have to talk to Chandler then, Evan, about heading to port. He won’t listen to me, but I’m sure he would listen to another."

"That will be his downfall." Evan groaned jumping off the ropes. "I’ll go talk with the Captain now."

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

Fran moved quickly as the walked on the dock. The men pour on the shore looking to spend their new fortunes on women and ale. "Get back on ship." Chandler let out a soft hiss.

"You don’t let them come… everyone will be at your cabin door for a chance at the next voyage." Evan stood next to Chandler whispering.

Chandler rolled his eyes once, throwing up his hands. "You want to baby-sit my property, boy then fine." He pulled Evan close to him. "If anything happens… if you even think about touching either one of them."

"Now Captain, why would I want to touch young boys?" Evan snickered winking back toward Fran and C.C. "Isn’t that your department?"

C.C. couldn’t suppress her laugh this time, and Fran started to crack up horrifying all three of them. "Frank… I would see that that… problem if they got a doc in town."

The remain crew all stopped and listen to the nasal sound. "He’s just getting a real bad cold, mates." Evan winked at a few elder crewmen walked off the ship. Then he looked back toward Chandler. "Soon…. Their bodies will be telling your crews all they need to know… That their names are not ‘Claude and Frank’" Evan waved at them. "Come on lads, I’ll buy you your first woman."

Fran suppressed her laughed now following Evan. "Where are we going?"

"Some place where you can enjoy peace and quiet for a few days." Evan grumbled throwing a few coins toward a group of young boys.

"Who are those children?"

"Who knows! Children of pirates! Remember, always treat the lower folk with respect lesson number four! One day they can offer you protection and safety."

"I’m going to get tired from all these lessons." C.C. groaned trying to keep up with the much larger man.

C.C. looked around. She wasn’t expecting to be dragged inside a house. "Evan, what in the name of all the saints?" The woman’s French accent was thick. She stood in front of the girls. "Evan?"

"Sit down Eve and I’ll explain everything." He took the woman’s hand leading her back towards the fire. Evan put on a pot of crude tea for his guests. He started tell the woman about C.C. and Fran… at the end of his tale Eve was frowning at the young girls.

"Sit down you poor dears." She waved toward a few chairs. "Evan you must find a way for them to stay with me if only for a while. Here they can learn proper dagger training."

"They need more than just dagger training." Evan smirked shaking his head. "They need to learn everything and anything… I need your father’s aid."

"That is a tall order." Her face softened looking to C.C. and Fran. "I shall teach you French and the ways of …."

"No. Don’t teach them that." Evan groaned shaking his head. "Anything but that, Eve." Evan walked back towards the fire place.

"We will be talking about that later." Eve winked whispering in C.C.’s ear.

"I’m going to check on the little ones…" Evan walked upstairs letting out a long sigh. "Forgive me, love." He leaned over the ladder blowing a soft kiss toward Eve.

"He’s your husband?" Fran sipped the tea trying her best not to cough. C.C. was about to ask the same question, and Eve looked to one girl and then another.

"Are you both so green that you can’t see beyond what is written?" Eve smirked. "What do you think?"

C.C. blushed not wanting to insult the woman. "You are …."

"I am a what child? Speak plainly." She waited for C.C.’s response, and then turned to Fran. "What am I, Fran?"

"A whore." Fran’s voice grew quiet, and she blushed.

"Well not anymore anyway." Eve smiled handing them a piece of warm bread. "How many lessons have Evan and his father given you."

"I can’t keep up." C.C. grumbled and looked towards Fran who shrugged. "Why are you helping us?"

"Bitter liked you both, and you both showed promise…. Which leads to another lesson…. Always repay your debts." Eve poured them each another cup. "Bitter will be expecting a favor one day for his help"

"He showed me more kindness than my master." Fran grumbled running her hands in her short hair.

"Another lesson … Pirates will rarely use their real names." Eve smiled as Evan climbed down holding a small little girl tight to his chest. "You didn’t have to wake her?"

"How often to I get the chance to see her?" Evan smirked putting down a pouch which was his payment from the captured Spanish ship.

"Your daughter?" Fran smiled taking the little girl.

"Elizabeth." Evan smiled as the little girl shifted in his arms. "You might have the pleasure of having children one day Fran… If you learn the lessons well." Evan handed his small daughter to Fran.

"I would just be happy for freedom." Fran said softly, and then looked towards C.C. "So would she." C.C. was already talking to Eve learning anything she had to offer.

"You’ll learn Fran… There are many types of freedom." Evan watched as Fran brushed the little girl’s matted hair out of her eyes. "A soul could be free all their life, but find out years later… they’ve always been slaves…" Evan smiled at the little girl giggling.

"You at your master Chandler… He’s a slave and he doesn’t even know it."

"What do ya mean mista?" Fran tilted her head.

"He seeks glory, but that is something more than a trap… over the next few years you’ll notice they will become his chains that tie him to this life."

"What ties you to this life?" Fran smirked looking at Evan.

"You have a quick wit… You read people better than C.C. … She has strengths too that you don’t have… You’ll both need one another to survive what’s coming."

C.C. nodded laughing at Eve’s last comment. "You have stopped him from entering your bed?"

"Let’s just say he can no longer catch me." C.C. rubbed her hands together. "No man will ever take me without my leave again… that includes my husband."

"You must still harden your heart C.C. … Men are strange creatures. In battle they become something less than human, and it can even happen a woman."

"Are you speaking from experience?" C.C. smirked taking another sip of her tea.

"You’ll find other female pirates…Some will have different reasons for this life, but you must always look beyond what they tell you."

"You mean they’ll lie to me?"

"We all lie C.C. You’ll find that only a few pirates tell the whole truth. You must think of a lie as another means of telling the truth…not everything is black and white… good and evil in our way of life here." Eve handed C.C. a small book. "It’s in French. The only one my father took from his homeland."

"A treasure." C.C. ran her hands up and down its spine. Her father had had four books in his study each was worth its weight in gold to her.

"This week I will teach you a few words… and then… You will teach me a few words." Eve smirked opening the book. "I think my father stole it from a church he was a scribe once… a monk… before he left the order for my mother’s bed."

C.C. opened the book looking at it. She wanted to laugh. She already knew a handful of French words. "This is a bible?"

"Ahhh see you knowledge is power. You have common sense and Fran has people sense."

"Are you saying together we make a whole person?" C.C couldn’t keep her sarcastic tone out of her voice.

"Together, soon, no one can stop you from gaining your heart’s desire."

"What is my heart’s desire?" C.C. grumbled hating that term.

"I don’t know, little one, you tell me?" Eve smiled offering the young girl a real drink. "You must learn to drink this sooner or later. Evan!" Eve waved the jug of ale around.

"I am not sure we should be giving them that stuff, Eve."

"If they are going to be on a ship with me… They have to learn how to drink like men!" Eve walked over handing Fran a cup of the strong ale. "To answer your question, Fran… yes that is another lesson."

"The others will be learning how to sing and dance." Eve looked to C.C. who blushed.

"I haven’t sang since I was a little girl." C.C. looked down feeling shy once more.

"Sing for us, lass…" Evan smiled looking towards C.C. Evan pulled out his lute smiling at C.C. "Sing… and we will have a spot of music this fair night."

"When my heart feels like it’s dying …I find myself looking in his eyes."

"When my soul feels like it’s fading . I find my hope in the skies."

"The sword that I carry can’t hide my true love’s star."

"Allow my shield and my armor to hide my wounds from my foes."

"For when my battle is at last over I hope heaven will for give my sin."

"I long for something more than just here."

Fran watched C.C. with new respect. C.C. had been so cold, and yet had hidden her heartbreak." Oy, C.C. I had no idea you could sing like that."

C.C. smiled sadly looking to Eve. "You told me we could sleep here tonight?"

"Yes let me set ya up a sleeping mat." Eve got up.

Evan looked at the two girls sleeping in Eve’s living room floor. "I could kill Chandler Evans." Evan let out a big sigh shaking his head.

"All we can do for now is teach them everything we can. In the long run they must decide for themselves how to carry on."

"They are babes… C.C. and Fran can’t be older than thirteen!" Evan grumbled shaking his head. "I don’t understand how the high class folk treat their young, and Fran, is a trip to the new world worth slavery?"

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

Niles let out a groan looking at Maxwell. "Sir, if you don’t mind me saying."

"Stuff it man!" Maxwell poured him another drink. "We are on my first ship! We should be celebrating. I should name her something royal. I was given leave to name her whatever I wanted… Lady Sarah?" Maxwell looked down in the metal cup trying to hide sorrow.

"Sarah was a good woman, Maxwell." Niles reached over trying to touch his childhood friend in a move of comfort. "She will be missed by everyone who loved her."

"She was expecting our first child, old man." Maxwell looked at his cup wanting to sob but fought his own tears. "You think I’ll ever feel that way about someone ever again?"

Niles let out a long sigh. *I would like to have my heart stop once at the sight of a woman.* Niles grumbled thinking about his own engagement. "I hope so sir."

"No. No hundred times, no, Evan." Chandler grumbled looking at his new rapier. "I’m not leaving them here with your whore." Chandler hissed, but he didn’t notice Evan’s hands balling into fists.

"They need training… You need training. You need to focus, and you paid my father good money for my skills." Evan let out a soft sigh. "Half the men know they are women… You want to have them raped by these men over and over again?"

"It’s my right. If I wanted to offer my wife…who is my property to hundreds of men. By god… I’ll do it. If I want to offer Fran… I’ll do it…"

"IF a man wants to kill you…. He’ll do it, too. Don’t be a fool… Let the girls stay here this go around… Let them learn… You won’t regret it." Evan frowned, but noticed a change in Chandler’s face.

"No fencing."

"They need fencing lessons." Evan groaned shaking his head.

"Then they come with us."

"Alright! No fencing!" Evan rolled his eyes saluting his Captain.

"Then, I have your word of honor? On the pirates’ code?" Chandler smiled, handing Evan a small bag of coins.

"On the pirates’ code." Evan opened the bag, and then lifted his drink to Chandler.

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

C.C. smirked looking at Fran trying to dodge Eve’s knife. "How much different is it from using a rapier?" C.C. was enjoying the fact Chandler was at sea, and he had allowed them to stay ashore.

"Once you master a dagger… The rapier is the next step." Eve smiled waving towards Fran again. "Come on Fran… attack again."

"This is rather pointless…Oy vey!" Fran groaned rubbing her sore rib. The small wooden stick and been jabbed at her side earlier by Eve.

"A child must first learn to walk before they can run." Eve once again ended up jabbing Fran’s ribs causing a quick nasal whine from her lips.

"That voice of yours can surely be used as a weapon." C.C. rolled her eyes standing up and facing Eve. "Who taught you how to knife fight?"

"A man named Jacobs." Eve smiled dancing around. "That was of course after he paid for a round of lovemaking." She then jabbed C.C.’s ribs after C.C. froze in shock. "How did I win C.C.?"

C.C. let out a small groan holding her side. "You shocked me."

"Your foes aren’t going to whisper sweet nothings in your ear…Most of them will threaten to do evil things… and this is even before they find out you’re a woman." Eve grumbled taking a sip of water from a near by lake. You can’t be shocked when they tease or taunt you… Your mind … must remain focus on the target."

Fran nodded slowly watching C.C. sit down next to her. "Would they do those things to us?"

Eve let out a long sigh. "Yes if you give them a chance… They might… and you will see men do evil things… men that are on your own crew."

"If I Captain my own ship… no man would be allowed to harm a woman… ever…" C.C. hissed rubbing her side once more.

"You will then have to be the best at everything….C.C. . You’ll have to be able to beat a man who is three times your size." Eve shook hear head. She admired C.C.’s attitude, but it was sooo… innocent.

"Then we’ll be the best." Fran smirked looking at the book Eve had handed C.C. last night. "Can you teach me how to read and write in English C.C.?"

C.C. had to do a double take. It didn’t even dawn on her that Fran had no idea how to read. "You don’t know how?"

Fran shook her head slowly. "Teach me."

"Alright. Come inside. My two boys are coming home soon anyway." Eve winked helping the two women up. "Now remember this is your best source of rumor and gossip in town are the women that service the men."

C.C. made a face walking inside Eve’s crude dinning area. "Why is that?"

Eve looked from C.C. and then to Fran. "Men have a habit of telling women things in bed."

Fran started to cough madly. C.C. blushed recalling her few times with Chandler. He was so drunk, but had given her insight into his strange soul. "I understand." C.C. nodded.

"One…Two…Pick up those feet!" The elder man barked out while the music played. "One….Two….three…Move it Babcock!" The man reached over with his wooden staff poking it at C.C.

C.C. and Fran both stopped the large men holding them for the dance both grumbled. "Why are we even learning this Roger?" She eyes the aged sailor who laughed.

"Every high born lady learns to dance Babcock…Fine. You both will learn each and every dance so fools can’t tell the difference."

"My last name is Evans now." C.C. lowered her eyes letting out a long sigh.

"HAR! You said the words before a man of God, but God knows you didn’t mean them… until you say those words and mean them…. You will always be Babcock." Roger once more puffed away on his long pipe. "Now! Jay… play it again so our two mares get the idea."

The young man nodded starting again on his crude drum. C.C. and Fran both twisted and turned each receiving a quick jab if they missed a step. "Remember… every thing goes back to the dance… fighting….love….it’s all connected in the game of life." Roger puffed away again watching the girls. "Everything you learn is important just like the dance."

C.C. grumbled as the large brute laughed quietly. C.C. had the strange urge to step on his toes but fought it off because of Roger’s cane. "Come on now Babcock! Get you head in the dance!" Roger roared C.C. back to listen to the drum beat. "Alright that’s enough dance practice for today."

"Chandler’s been gone a year, and maybe if we are lucky he’s dead." C.C. spoke out in French towards Fran.

"Only if our luck changes."* Fran answered her back in Spanish.

"Good! Wonderful girls!" Eve walked out with two jugs. C.C. was hoping one of them would at least be ale. She was starting to love the taste, and she could drink any sailor under the table at port. "I have bread baking so I hope you are hungry?"

"We didn’t mean any disrespect Eve." Fran blushed thinking about her comments on Chandler… If he could be dead. Then what did that mean about Evan?

"I know Fran." Eve touched Fran’s cheek. "Roger how are they doing?"

"Fine’s got a natural gift, and Babcock’s not far behind….I would like to teach Fran more. I have this feeling once they get into rapier training… their styles are going to be different." Roger rubbed his hand along his beard.

"Oy… More lessons?" Fran groaned and C.C. started to laugh.

"Just as well Roger… I would like to teach C.C. a thing or two myself." Eve winked at Fran.

"When do we get to have fun around here?" C.C. had felt like her head was about to explode with all the information. "We have been jumping around on ropes… Playing with wooden daggers! Dancing… Singing… Reading…When and where is the fun?"

"Poor child." Eve smirked at C.C. "Forgive her Roger she’s cranky."

"Most women are at times." Roger smirked leaning on his staff. "You need to see to their clothing soon Eve. They are getting those womanly curves."

C.C. and Fran both started to blush. "My clothes are getting a little tight." C.C. let out a long hiss.

"I’ll see to them…Alright…both of you inside." Eve waved both Fran and C.C. back inside. "What do you think Roger?" Eve looked towards the aged man.

"I can see the promise, but if they don’t get rapier training… It’s all wasted." Roger lifted up his mug. "I am sure Chandler will be taking them back after he showed back up in port."

"We must teach them everything we can. I doubt we will see them again anytime soon after that." Eve frowned looking inside.

"It’s Chandler’s right to take them, but it doesn’t make it right." Roger growled slamming his mug down.

"They are hoping he’s dead." Eve frowned sitting next to her friend. "I would hope that as well if I was in their shoes."

"He’s not dead. We both know Evan can keep any fool alive." Roger smirked sipping his drink. "Fate has tied them all together for a purpose, but I think if he even thinks about harming those girls… no women…he’ll pay the price."

**BONG…BONG……BONG…***

C.C. and Fran both froze hearing the great bell ring. They had been taught that three rings were a sign of ship incoming. "You think…it’s him." C.C. felt renewed fear enter her soul.

"Remember C.C. we can defend ourselves." Fran reached up touching C.C.’s shoulder. "Come on we can at least see if it’s Evan…. Eve will be happy to see him." Fran smiled as Eve rushed past the two girls.

C.C. felt her heart pound in her chest, and then drop. She could tell by the sails it was indeed Chandler’s ship. "He’s alive…" She hissed pulling her cloak over her shoulders.

Chandler laughed wanting to find the nearest tavern wench. "We have enough gold for repairs, and a few nights pleasure!" Chandler was already drinking.

Evan rolled his eyes at the young man. "You don’t want to go with me, and see your property?"

"Bah! If your wench has harmed them…I’ll just take it out of your pay! I will be by to collect them later tonight." Chandler waved his arms to the waiting women signaling he had payment for a full night’s service.

Evan shook his head watching the man walk off. "EVAN!" Eve ran up hugging the man.

"Hello you." Evan kissed her deeply looking into her eyes. "How are the kids?"

"Everyone is fine." Eve smiled as Evan pulled her closer. He smiled looking to Fran and C.C. "I see the girls I once knew….in the women that stand before me."

C.C. blushed, and Fran let out a nasal laugh. "Evan always a smooth talker! Mista you better have some good stories to tell."

"I do! Ahoy Roger!" Evan waved his hand towards the older man. "Would you mind taking them for rope training on the ship since it’s docked."

"More training…" C.C. groaned rubbing her sore arms.

Roger laughed understanding Evan’s desire to have Eve alone. "I’ll keep this busy until late in the night."

Fran rolled her eyes shaking her head. "Oy vey…"

C.C. quickly went up and down from the crow’s nest and back on deck. "You need to be faster than that Babcock."

"It’s dark! I can hardly see the ropes!" Fran grumbled during her climb.

"You need to have every rope… in any ship you are on memorized! You need to know this ship like you would any lover."

"I would prefer." C.C. was about to make a remark but felt the sharp stab of Roger’s staff on her back.

"Less talk more climbing!"

Evan smiled snuggling Eve’s body next to his. "I’m out. Done… we have enough money for a new start." He reached up stroking her cheek. "What’s wrong?"

"The girls…." Eve whimpered thinking about C.C. and Fran. "We are leaving them to such a harsh fate."

"They are both strong… we have earned our time away… We can do anything now and leave this world behind us at last!" Evan smiled his hands roaming her nude form. "We could marry in a real church!"

Eve’s eyes started to twinkle her dreams were coming true. "God will watch after C.C. and Fran."

"You taught them everything you know, and …. God will watch after them." Evan nuzzled her neck. "We can at last start our new life…" Evan kissed her lips quieting Eve’s doubts.

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

Evan let out a long sigh watching Eve hug C.C. tightly then grabbing Fran. "Watch your backs please." Eve whispered in each of their ears.

"I wish." Evan stood in front of C.C. "But we can’t."

"You can’t give me all the answers Evan." C.C. managed a weak smile. "You must look towards your own family."

"You lack only rapier training and pistol training C.C…. we couldn’t teach you that, but watch the others…In time god will open up that window…. Now I must ask you to promise me something."

"What?" C.C. tilted her head towards the older man.

"Again don’t allow this world to become your life forever… look beyond what you see, and when the chance comes… grab it." He pulled her into a brotherly hug. "May you have strong winds carry you home."

"We’ll miss ya." Fran smiled sadly.

"Don’t forget us." Eve whimpered hugging C.C. and then Fran again.

C.C. watched the couple with their young children walk off, and onto a boat. "Fran…"

"Yeah C.C.?" Fran started a soft nasal whimper.

"Promise me something… That we will never leave each other behind?" C.C. whimpered at the loss of another teach.

"Oy…You and me Babcock always against the world." Fran reached up guiding C.C. back to Chandler’s ship. It felt like they were heading back to a cage. "We could rid ourselves of Chandler ." Fran decided to throw the idea out there.

"I so scared of my own shadow right now….I need to find myself." C.C. growled as her mind reached for anything…something to balance herself.

Niles grumbled looking over his orders. "Commander." Niles saluted Maxwell handing over the drawings. "It seems there is a new troublemaker out there."

"His own father is offering money for his head." Maxwell started to laugh madly. "That’s rich, old boy."

"It reminds me of your father, sir." Niles smirked as the ship’s Captain came up to Niles. "Sir! New pirates to hunt down."

The Captain quickly looked over the new drawings. "More fools to deal with."

"Sir, did you see the new pirate named Chandler Evans?" Maxwell couldn’t help but point out the young man. "His own father wants him dead."

"The royal crown, and the navy has no time for such pity family quarrels." The Captain rolled his eyes handing Niles the drawings.

"I think it’s fairly funny." Maxwell walked off still laughing giving a few sailors orders.

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

"Niles! Are you coming old boy?" Maxwell called out standing by the wheel. "We have to go earn our reward!"

Niles laughed shaking his head slowly. "Coming sir."

"Women… They’re women!" Chandler’s crew all started to laugh pointing at C.C. and Fran.

"Keep your head up, Fran…" C.C. was watching all the men pointing and laughing. Chandler had outted them for a reason…. To humble them. "Whatever you do don’t blush."

"Oy vey, if only they would stop laughing." Fran then felt Chandler turn her around.

"They all know you are both my property now… Stay in the cabin." He then gave both C.C. and Fran a shove to his cabin.

C.C. heard the door locking behind them. "Oy… All that training . And we are back to square one?" She tilted her head towards Fran. "He’s heading off to do some type of job."

"Why in the hell bring us at all?" Fran let out a soft hiss looking around at the bed and table. "Some marriage you have Miss Babcock."

"Well… a marriage made in hell…" C.C. looked around at the cabin and then at last found a map. "He’s attacking some port."

"No wonder he hired all the muscled men." Fran looked over C.C.’s shoulder. "Haven… or is that Heaven…."

"Port Haven…" C.C. shook her head and then turned. "I got a bad feeling about this."

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

C.C. blinked, holding her sore head. She could barely remember the past few days Chandler had indeed landed at the Port Haven, but after that? C.C. couldn’t explain to anyone what happened…. "Stay still…" The soft female voice answered back.

"What. What happened." C.C. let out a soft groan pushing the woman’s hand away. "Who are you? Where’s Fran?"

"You don’t remember?" The woman was wearing some type of black dress. "You are on Ghostdancer."

C.C. groaned hearing the screams of young children and women being violated. "What did he do?"

"C.C.!" Fran stepped into view holding her hand. "You’re up thank God! You have to get on your feet quick before it happens."

"Before what happens?" C.C. let out a soft groan trying to focus her eyes to the sunlight streaming in the cabin.

"They are going to hang Chandler." Fran’s voice sounded weak and faint.

*Maybe there is a God after all.* C.C. couldn’t help herself, and broke out in a smile.

"Ghost is going to hang your husband, and you’re smiling?" The woman in the black dress groaned. "What kind of marriage do you have, Babcock?"

C.C. glared at Fran. "You told them my name?"

"They welcomed us on board as heroes." Fran shook her head. "Are we going to save Chandler or not?"

"Give me a moment." C.C. wanted to laugh, but her head was ringing so badly. "I’m going regret saving his hide." She stood up trying to take in her surroundings. The cabin was unlike Chandler’s and had no bed but six sleeping cots. This was a cabin of a Captain that cared about his crew. "Alright… help me outside."

C.C. started to laugh looking outside. Chandler was upside down hanging by his feet screaming like a pig. "I didn’t know a pig was stuffed with such pretty packaging!" C.C. noticed that Chandler’s body had grown muscle tone since her last ‘forced’ inspection of it.

"Yeah it’s a shame he’s got so little soul…So are we going to help him or not?" Fran turned her head narrowing her eyes at C.C.

C.C. rubbed her temples trying to drive the cries from Chandler’s raid of Port Haven out of her mind. Her own rage at seeing women, and even small children treated less than human. "Remind me again, Frannie… why should we safe him?"

"If he dies, our truth dies with him." Fran sighed softly thinking about her parents. "I would still like to know what the elder Evans wanted me for."

C.C. grumbled watching the men circle around Chandler. The truth about her father’s deal in her so called married would die with Chandler as well. "Well? Will anyone speak or fight for this scum? Or shall we make him walk the plank!" The man speaking was the leader C.C. could remember that much.

The crew around them started to bang their feet on the ground, making so much noise it started to destroy her courage… "I will stand for him." C.C. at last found her voice stepping before the ship’s Captain who had his whip in hand.

"Do you remember me, girl?" His eyes narrowed looking at this young woman.

"Is your name written on your chest in big letters? " C.C. smirked stepping before the beaten Chandler. "It’s not glaring in front of me so…. I have no idea who you are."

"She’s still got fire in her belly!" An elder man yelled out. "Girl, the fool needs to die! If you speak for him than you’ll fight me!" The pulled out a curved dagger stepping next to the Captain. "I’ll get her Ghost."

*Ghost…* C.C. blinked trying to recall where she had heard that name… Yes she had heard it a few times last might….but…" Give me a dagger if you want to take on a woman."

"Darren…don’t!" The woman in the black dress called out…. C.C. then remembered it was the nun from last night… "She’s just a girl."

"She’s challenged the ship’s Captain ." Darren smiled. "Jacobs. If you want to fight her to the death, and that will decide this scum’s fate!"

‘My name is Chandler!" Chandler growled shaking in his ropes.

"Your name is scum until…." Darren leaned in close to C.C. "My man Jacobs is one of the best knife fighters on the seven seas."

C.C. smirked looking back at an nervous Fran. "Then you really should get out more."

"Don’t blow this one Babcock!" Chandler yelled while hanging more than ten feet in the air.

C.C. grumbled pulling out her simple knife. "Later remind me why I am doing this…" C.C. hissed at Fran.

"One!…Two!!…Three!" Darren called out as the crew made a huge circle. It gave both C.C. and the much larger man, Jacobs, room to move. C.C. already found Jacobs trying to overpower her with his size.

*"A man will think his brute strength and size will win out over any woman, but remember… sometimes…the best knife fighter will not always win… It is speed that can overcome anything. Speed of mind! Speed of hand!" Eve’s early lesson echoed in Fran’s mind while watching C.C. dance around Jacobs.*

"You’re a pretty lass…it’s going to be a real shame that you’ll end up in the bottom of the ocean." Jacobs had a thick Irish accent like most of Darren’s A.KA. The Ghost’s crew.

C.C. wasn’t going to engage in taunting him using every piece of the ship she danced around poles and ropes. "Come on Jacobs!" The young man who had led them last night Nat called out. "She’s good but not that good!"

"Oy…" Fran groaned as Jacobs managed to cut a piece of C.C.’s loose fitting shirt. Twisting and dancing around the ship C.C. saw her goal. The Captain had given clear orders this was to the death, but his tone… he didn’t mean it… This was to be her ’lesson’… She turned hearing Jacobs run up… then quickly dived as he ran past.

Jacobs didn’t see the rigging on the deck, but a few moments later his prized knife fell out of his hands, and he had joined Chandler ten feet in the air. C.C. smirked looking up at the elder man. "It’s never nice to taunt a lady mister Jacobs!" C.C. blew a kiss his direction, as the crew started to laugh.

Darren let out a rather large groan. "Hey… "He turned towards Fran. "What is your names again girl?"

"Fran Fine!" Fran then pointed to C.C. "C.C. Babcock."

"Cut them both down… Chandler’s a fool, but he’s learned his lesson… the men have had their sport, and by keeping Chandler alive you can figured out who hired him to attack the port, and gain three fighters for your crew."

Fran let out a soft sigh watching people help Chandler down. "We could have been free of him." She whispered towards C.C.

C.C. shook her head. "We could have…" She then tilted her head towards Jacobs who bowed before her. It was such a courtly gesture coming from a pirate it nearly made her laugh.

"I am your man…" He whispered softly pulling her close.

"I know." C.C. groaned as Chandler called her over. Jacobs now stood beside Fran.

"She is married to that?" Jacobs groaned shaking his head.

"Oy…if you can call what they have a marriage." Fran let out a long sigh looking at her ruined clothes. "Jacobs?"

"Aye?" Jacobs grumbled as more of his crewmates started to laugh again.

"Do you have anything more stylish that I could wear besides this?" Fran extended her hand to point out her dress ruined from the battle at Haven.

Nat jumped forward all the sudden. The young man was one part Irish…one part Scottish, and all jester. "If her worship would only come with me." He leaned down kissing her hand.

"Oy…I’m on to you mista." Fran winked rather enjoying the attention she was getting from Nat.

Chandler pulled C.C. close. "You tell that slut… and you remember. Both of you. You’re my property… and all your answers. Depend on me."

C.C. narrowed her eyes. "I just saved your miserable life…. Remember?"

"What are we going to call them?" Darren grumbled as Jacobs returned to his side.

"Batty Babcock…" He pointed to C.C. "And I’m not sure about Miss Fine yet…" He smirked shaking his head. "If she’s digging into Nat’s tunics, and kilts I’m going to nickname her Fancy."

Darren started to laugh softly. "Alright bring Captain Chandler to the cabin for questioning, and make sail we have a date to keep with Anne Bonney, and her newest friends."

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

C.C. let out a long sigh looking up at the stars. Everyone was expected to work on this ship, and that include her. The first night she pulled night duty with Fran. She gazed at the North Star in the heavens wondering who else in the world could be watching that same start twinkle in the heavens tonight. Fran leaned beside her friend joining her in the star gazing.

"Teach me their names again C.C. … Oy please!" She looked up into her friend’s eyes.

"If you teach me a few more words in Polish." She smiled pointing towards the big dipper.

Niles grumbled pulling the warm blanket over his shoulders while in the crow’s nest. He started to count the stars again, but found himself looking to the North Star. "I wonder." He shook his head, and looked back down to Maxwell who was on deck, and at the wheel.

He too was star gazing. "Someday. Someday…" He mumbled and turned the ship.

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

C.C. let out a long sigh pulling the cloak tighter around her shoulders. She and Fran had taken the duty of keeping watch in the crow’s nest. It was far from the other pirates, and one could think among the stars. "Babcock!" Darren. Otherwise known as ‘The Ghost’ wasn’t used to climbing up to the crow’s nest. C.C. turned around and quickly poked a sleeping Fran.

"Hallo Darren ." C.C. let out a snicker.

"Captain." Darren smirked as Fran got on her feet.

"Not until you ‘earn’ it." C.C. hissed as Darren settled himself inside the nest.

"Well seeing how you are on my ship young lady." He waved a wine skin around. "You should be calling me Captain."

"Captain…" Fran let out a nasal laugh as Darren handed her the wine skin. "What brings ya up here mista Captain?"

"Why did you save him?" He looked first at Fran, and then at C.C. "You both could have been freed from that scum?"

"Why did you allow us to save him?" C.C. snickered back playing his chest game.

"Good question! For your reasons mainly…I can use him, but that always is a risk taking on more shady characters… anyway… You have real reason to want him dead, but instead…. You saved him."

"Call it a woman’s weakness for her husband." C.C. rolled her eyes trying to return to her duty.

"Chandler is hardly a husband." Darren leaned over standing next to C.C. and he waved Fran to him. "Listen to me girls….You both need hard lessons. I’m not talking about rapier training, but…"

"If Chandler dies… The truth behind what my father did or didn’t do dies with him." C.C. felt a lump rise up in her throat.

"You know he won’t tell you the truth….ever…" Darren lifted C.C.’s chin up. "You are a smart woman… both of you are…. Remember there are two types of men."

"Oy. What are the two types of men?" Fran tilted her head.

"First you’ll have those wearing black hats, and then those wearing white hats." Darren smirked taking a sip from his wine skin.

C.C. shook her head. "Which are you Darren?… Captain?" C.C. recalled Darren holding the pregnant nun tightly.

"I prefer something in a gray myself." Darren let out a long laugh watching C.C. and Fran’s faces. "You will hardly if ever find men who have any type of honor ladies."

"If men like Chandler are around… somewhere someone has to be his match in a white hat." C.C. didn’t believe her own words. They sounded like a faint prayer to God.

"Then why didn’t you two let me kill the man… dammit…" Darren groaned looking down on deck. "We are now all three stuck with him."

"Kill him now?" Fran teased watching Darren’s face.

"I can’t now . I gave my…" Darren grumbled watching C.C. laugh.

"For one, pirates have no honor… second thing… You are going to keep your word?" C.C. rolled her eyes. "You are an odd man Ghost."

"This coming from the woman who saved him." Darren smirked taking her hand. "You both have a home now…"

"What home is that?" C.C. snickered, and watched Darren point on the horizon.

"Port Refuge…" C.C. watched him as he said the words… did tears come to his eyes? "It is now your home… and if you give yourself into my care. You’ll find this a world unlike any you have ever seen."

C.C. could see the buildings off in the distance as Fran ran out the call of land. "What is it like?" She could feel her heart beating in her chest. She hadn’t had a real home since she left New York.

"Freedom… Freedom, C.C., and if you give us half a chance . We are family… we are a home." Darren smiled, small smile, watching the young women look at the growing port town. "I’ll make sure you get your own household."

"Chandler. Will not let us go…" C.C. hissed.

"Chandler I’m sure will be too busy paying off every tavern wench in town!" Darren had heard rumors about Chandler’s lust for women. "You saved someone I cared for… I own you both a debt….For now put aside your old families…Babcock…Fine… Join our home. Our hearth isn’t much but we offer you everything."

"Yes…" C.C. felt her own heart pound in her chest.

"Yes." Fran touched Darren’s shoulder nodding quietly. Fran was tired of running from one port to another port… "A home…" Fran let out a nasal sigh enjoying the way that sounded.

Niles took her gloved hand enjoying the touch. "Well mother? What do you think of Katherine?"

"She’s lovely, Niles!"

"But?" Niles could hear the doubt in his own mother’s voice.

"You don’t seem happy…"

"She’s my match as you pointed out mother, and father seems pleased with the match he’s made."

"You will never marry this girl, Niles… I wish you would more than anything, but something is still pulling at your soul."

Niles let out a long sigh. He did feel empty inside, and his growing emptiness was spreading to his friend Maxwell. He would grow to love Katherine in time, but… the doubt remained…"Something is mother…"

"Don’t ask her then, Niles… The governor’s ball is only a year away. Wait at least until that time."

Niles let out a groan. He wanted more than anything to start a family… "Family. Duty… Honor." He repeated his family’s words. In Latin they were on his family’s coat of arms, but. It all seemed so. Hallow…

.

"Hello old boy! Why the long face?" Maxwell walked up placing a hand on his shoulder. "Mrs. Butler you have never looked more lovely." Maxwell leaned over kissing her gloved hand.

"Always a tease Maxwell." Mrs. Butler blushed, and Maxwell led Niles away.

"Are you alright old boy? Did you tell her of your desires to marry …Katherine ." Maxwell let out a soft groan.

Niles shook his head. "She wants me to wait… My I speak freely sir?"

"Old man, we are off duty." Maxwell gave him a playful smirk.

"She wants me to wait until the governor’s ball." Niles ran a hand in his hair. "That is a long time to wait."

"Give it time Niles." Maxwell let out a long sigh. "We both have been off as of late."

"No. No. No. Five hundred times no." Chandler let out a strange howl looking at Darren. "I will not allow it!"

"You have no choice everyone here is trained." Darren stood on the dock watching Chandler pace up and down. "Years ago other pirates attacked our small little town, but they didn’t expect young women, and children to defend the port." Darren watched Chandler twist in the wind. "You are lower than scum, but you need a home."

Chandler let out a long sigh. "Damn you… You have weaved a trap in front of me."

"Your own father now hunts you." Darren was playing with a Spanish coin. "You have been run out of the last port."

"How did you know that?" Chandler tilted his head towards Darren who snickered.

"I don’t like you, but you are a packaged deal." Darren let out a long sigh. "In this town you’ll find a household set aside for you."

"Enough for all my."

"No… C.C. and Fran get their own homes." Darren narrowed his eyes. "I am governor here by vote. If you want that to change. You have to either pay for the vote. Or earn it." Darren snickered watching Chandler already figure out the coin he would need to rule. "While I am in charge. They are separate from you."

"She is still my wife! Fran is still my property." Chandler let out a long hiss watching Ghostdancer being repaired.

"I should have killed you, and saved us a whole lot of trouble."* Darren narrowed his eyes. "No one will fight the fact you have a paper… making Fran your servant… or C.C. your wife…"

"Damn straight!" Chandler balled his hands into fists. "Teach them then… but remember this. In the long run Ghost. They are mine, and I’m not letting either of them go easily."

*Famous last words* Darren narrowed his eyes walking off. "The tavern is up and to the left."

C.C. couldn’t believe this was really hers. "I don’t have to pay a dime for this?"

"You have to do your duty… We all do things on the off season. Either building new ships or…" Jacobs smirked watching C.C. walk around the small home. "This is really small compared…"

C.C. let out a long sigh her heart filling with a unlikely pleasure… was it… hope? "It’s perfect!" This wasn’t the large hallways or rooms in New York, but it was hers.

"Does the young lady like what she sees?" Darren stepped inside looking around.

C.C. took leave of her senses for the first time allowing her thick armor to fade. She ran up hugging Darren’s neck tightly giving him a quick kiss on his cheek. Darren blushed madly as Jacobs started to laugh. "Babcock you better be careful that lad can make any lady forget her vows." Jacobs laughed again as Darren became even redder.

C.C. ran upstairs looking around again at the two small rooms. Jacobs turned towards Darren. "The man accepted the terms?"

"Chandler knows better than to mess with the Ghost." Darren winked at Jacobs.

"Fran will be settled by now… Tomorrow will start the real work . Do you mean to use them both on your brother?"

"I think they can be used for blackmail." Darren winked pulling out his wine skin again. "That bloody ball is a year away we have enough time to get my birthright, and to have a signed contract with the British crown."

Jacobs shook his head. "I like these girls Darren."

"So do I, old man, but we have six hundred mouths to feed, and babies coming every day." Darren let out a soft sigh pulling out his bone pipe. "I know you have sworn an oath to watch after C.C., but."

"My own daughter would have been her age if the fever hadn’t taken her away." Jacobs mumbled. "She has a quiet wit that is itching to escape."

"Well my old friend… You work on the wit, and I’ll get them both trained with pistols and swords. Maybe next season we will steal a few extra ships from the French this time."

C.C. curled up in her own bed. Chandler had seen to it she would never feel safe in a normal bed, but this was just like the sleeping cots on Darren’s ship. "Babcock… I’ll be by early in the morning." Darren tossed a small back C.C.’s way.

Jacobs walked in the doorway after Darren left. C.C. tilted her head towards the elder man. "Teach me something." She looked up as his brown eyes.

"Now Babcock isn’t your head full of my silly stories, not even the mates on deck could stand me for this long." He blushed with pleasure.

"Tell me more about this place. The coins Darren gave me are all either Spanish." She pulled out a coin. "French…" She pulled out another. "Or English."

"We use what we steal little lady pirate make no doubt."

"Lady Pirate?" C.C. started a slow careful smile. "I heard the men on deck calling Fran and I that."

"Nat is already working on a song for ya! No doubt you’ll be hearing it tomorrow." Jacobs watched as C.C. stood up. "He has a habit of spreading stories now lass remember that."

"I still don’t feel like myself. Yet…" C.C. grumbled wondering if she could get back that ‘Babcock’ fire that had been in her veins so long ago.

"You need to open up more! Be a pain in the ase Babcock! You’ll get no were if you hold that sharp tongue of yours. " Jacobs let out a long sigh. "Yes I heard the jokes ya was making with Fran."

C.C. blushed recalling the jokes about Darren, Nat… and Jacobs. "I’m sorry."

"Don’t be… use that wit girl! I think with some practice it can be as sharp as you keep that dagger."

"Ladies do not." C.C. couldn’t finish her statement. "I’m not a real lady am I?"

"You are far beyond that Babcock, and I think someday…. Someone will see that light in your eyes."

"If you were only ten years longer." C.C. blushed looking at Jacobs.

"I’m not!" He then reached out to take her hand. "Come on let’s see to Frannie, and I’ll buy ya both an ale… You need to meet the locals anyway… They are so going to love you."

C.C. let out a hiss of air. Walking the streets she could see this town was indeed wild, but…home… Fran showed off her small home, and then the three of them headed towards the only tavern. "Jay will sometimes ride out to pirate, but he prefers to stay here mainly…. "

"Everyone here has gone on raids!" Fran was recalling Nat’s tales. "Even the three monks that control the local church."

"Once you’re a pirate… part of you is always a pirate…"

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

Maxwell grumbled looking at his new uniform. He was now a Captain of his own ship. Course his parents had sent words of congratulations, but Maxwell had always been off on his own. "Congratulations!" Niles came in smiling watching the tailor outfit him for the uniform. "You look like a real Captain now sir!"

"Thank you Commander." Maxwell smirked shaking his head. "It all feels so strange, old man. You know Katherine is…"

"Engaged." Niles let out a long sigh this year had come and gone so quickly. Niles felt his own heart breath a soft sigh of relief.

"Why do you look so happy then old man?" Maxwell smirked running his hand along his graying streak.

"I don’t think she was the one, sir." Niles let out a long sigh. "My father wasn’t too happy this morning when he found out."

"I’m sorry, old man… Really I am. You more than anyone deserver a chance at happiness." Maxwell looked down at his missing wedding ring. "I was in heaven at one time, and it’s magical."

Niles looked at his old friend’s face. "I think one day you’ll feel that way again sir."

"Well… We have our first orders….We are to meet with Darren Seaworth and Chandler Evans."

"Wonderful are we going to miss the ball staying out to sea?" Niles had been counting down the days. The ball was two months away. "I was looking forward to the colony taking leave of its senses for a night."

"We are men of honor old boy." Maxwell smirked jumping down off the stool. "Are we done?" He turned to the tailor who nodded.

"Yes’m Sir! I’ll send the bill on later." He pulled Maxwell’s coat off to do the alterations needed. "I’ll have this and your hat ready for the ball."

"I should get a new uniform made." Niles was wearing Maxwell’s old commander uniform.

"You look fine enough for now. We are to talk to these pirates about not attacking our shipping, and they want to sign a contract."

"Pirates." Niles snickered shaking his head. He had heard stories about how honor less such men were. "Does the crown really need their help?"

"If they annoy the French… the Governor wants us to talk to them." Maxwell groaned walking to the bar. "More of those women are out there…" He pointed to a lady in a skimpy looking dress.

"Men have needs Maxwell." Niles smirked as Max grumbled walking to their favorite pub.

"Hellfire!" C.C. ran her hands up and down the red wood rails. "Why are you making me a Captain?" She titled her head to Darren and Jacobs.

"Well Jacobs will be here to help you lass, and…. You scare the hell out of people… So Hellfire is a good name for your first ship."

"You don’t want to be a Captain?" C.C. tilted her head to her mentor.

"No lass… I am a follower not a leader." Jacobs snickered looking at the other ship being built in the small shipyards.

"That’s Fran’s ship?" C.C. leaned over watching them build the small yet strong ship. "I don’t understand any of this… Am I being used again?" C.C. turned her hair tossing in the wind. She had grown it back out once again.

"You don‘t like the idea of running your own ship? Even Anne Bonney doesn’t have that." Darren smirked looking down at the teenager.

"I know you are using me Darren, and don’t even try to deny it." C.C. walked up to the unfinished stern.

"I am not using you, C.C…. Well, I am in a way." Darren grumbled trying to cheer up. It had been a hard month for him losing his wife, and giving away his son.

"If this is to repay me for my silence…." C.C. eyed the man. "You still made a mistake, and I had to."

"I don’t want to hear it woman…" Darren let out a groan.

"Careful C.C. you are going to drive him right back into the bottle." Jacobs grumbled watching C.C. glare at him then at Darren.

"I’m am not going to shut up, and if is to buy my silence about the boy… then shove it up your ass!" She walked quickly down the game plank not looking behind her. Darren had given away the baby back to the convent at Port Haven… He had walked away from his own son so he wouldn’t grow up in this world. "The hell with them… the hell with them all" She walked up banging on Fran’s door. "Fran!"

Fran opened the door rolling her eyes. "Come on in." Fran rolled her eyes waving her inside. C.C. could smell the ale on her breath. Fran always did love children… she would often play with the local children in the town square… She had found the duty of giving the small boy away… hard.

"They show you the ship yet?" C.C. sat down taking Fran’s bottle away.

"Hawk’s nest…."Fran poured another drink in her wooden mug, and handed C.C. the bottle. "Small price for our silence?"

"You feel like Darren’s trying to silence us too?" C.C. snickered taking a long gulp from the brown bottle.

"I feel…. Like …" Fran looked at his hands. "Chandler wants to send us to some ball in a few months."

"Yeah that is something I really want to do…." C.C. snickered shaking her head. "Why?"

"Our presence is demanded as part of this agreement…. Darren and Chandler are leaving tonight to work out the details, but we are to play ‘pet’ pirates."

C.C. started to snicker while taking another gulp. "Anyone tell this governor that pirates… women pirates. Don’t make good pets?"

"We saved the man’s wife back at Haven." Fran lifted her head up to C.C.

C.C. felt her eyes glaze over haunted by the events in that town. "I don’t even want to think about Haven."

"Well… We ‘have’ to go….oy…" Fran looked at her hands. "I love this place, but."

"Something is still missing in our lives." C.C. let out a long sigh. "Least you’re not married to Chandler."

"I would stop calling what you have a marriage C.C." Fran narrowed her eyes. "It’s more of another form of slavery."

"Here’s to Hellfire and Hawk Nest." C.C. raised her bottle… "I vow…I would never give up a child…. No matter what happens."

"Oy… be careful what you say." Fran smirked raising her mug. "I agree… I would never give up a child no matter what it might cost me."

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

Niles smirked looking over the sandy beach. "Pirates know how to pick a lovely area."

"It’s good enough they can spring a trap on us." Maxwell let out a long sigh watching as Chandler, and Darren walked forward out of the small jungle of trees.

"These people have a rather large bounty on my head." Chandler held on his rapier. "How do I know that bounty is going to be withdrawn?"

"Long as the girls keep their end of the bargain and show up at the governor’s ball." Darren walked forwards taking Maxwell’s hand. "Hello there Captain Sheffield!

"Captain Seaworth." Maxwell tried to hold back his sneer handing over the piece of paper. "The terms are good, and the governor will expect his five percent of your earnings every six months."

"He’ll up his desires of course… If I know my brother." Darren grumbled looking over the contract. Maxwell let out a soft gasp at hearing Darren’s words. "Course my brother doesn’t talk about his lordship’s bastard son." Darren snickered handing the paper over to Chandler. "We will be running four ships soon."

"We will expect attacks on Spanish and French ships ." Maxwell waited as Darren nodded slowly.

"Course if either one captures us… The good English crown has no idea who any of us are." Chandler snickered adding his signature with Darren’s.

"Your other ship captains should be here to sign this." Maxwell frowned taking the parchment back.

"The good governor will be expecting our other captains later. You can ask him Sheffield… We have a private agreement." Darren narrowed his eyes watching Maxwell’s doubting face.

"I don’t like side agreements."

"Then sir. We shouldn’t be sailors in the English navy." Niles smirked looking to his captain.

"That’s enough old boy." Maxwell started to laugh, and Darren joined him. "Shall we sit a while and have a small drink?"

"No…No… we have other plans…" Darren took Maxwell’s hand. "I have this strange feeling this isn’t the last time we shall see one another Sheffield… Butler." Darren nodded towards Niles. "The governor is sending you was something more than fate."

"A pleasure sir." Niles nodded his head watching the men walk down the beach slowly. He stood next to Maxwell waiting for him to move. "Are you alright sir?"

"I just had this funny feeling… he’s right old boy." Maxwell rolled up the contract and headed off towards his own ship with Niles following behind him.

C.C. couldn’t help but laugh at the French Captain. "Do you enjoy hanging there?" She would often toy with her prey before ending their suffering one way or another.

*"You faithless harlot! You are nothing more than a tavern wench whore!"* The Frenchman screamed out in his native tongue.

Fran shook her head watching C.C. give the signal to have the man hoisted up farther. "Oy… I think we should let this one go for once Babcock?"

C.C. narrowed her eyes. "What fun would that be?" C.C. grinned looking up at the French Captain. "He’s supposed to be the son of some Admiral."

"Uh’no…" Jacobs smiled watching C.C.’s growing smirk. "Ya know you both ‘ave them extra party dresses."

Fran started her rather loud nasal laugh. "That’s suppose to be just in case…"

"Well I think this qualifies." C.C. had already dragged one of the ugly yellow dresses Chandler had picked out for her. "We are going to see a Frenchie home in style. Let’s make sure if any of his men want to live they won’t dare take him out of this."

Fran looked over the prisoners, and noticed their smirks. "Oi . I think they will be on our side for once."

"Jacobs… Make sure we hurry up… We have a party to attend… and our orders are not to be late."

C.C. walked inside the cabin and stared back at the remaining dresses. She then tossed the brown one outside towards Fran. It was one Chandler had purchased for Fran… He seemed to want to ugly them up as Fran said earlier, but Darren had given them real courtly gowns. C.C. looked once again at the blue dress she would wear later this week. "I’m losing my mind." Reaching out touching it she could remember her father’s hand… she could remember the ballroom hall that her father would give feasts.

"You okay, lass?" Jacobs knocked on the door knowing C.C. wouldn’t want to miss this part.

"Yeah… I’m coming Mister Jacobs." C.C. let out a long sigh pulling out her rapier. The dreams would have to wait until later on.

Maxwell handed over the contract. "Their other captains were missing from the signing." Maxwell expected the governor to be outrage, but he nodded.

"I know… You are dismissed Captain. We will see you and the good Commander at the ball in a few days." The governor looked to Maxwell who gave him the salute and walked out the door.

"I don’t like hidden deals…hidden agreements." Maxwell hissed at Niles.

"Come on sir… We are about to experience the one time of year when magic is made!" Niles had heard his father talk about the yearly ball, and was starting to believe the tales.

"I think the magic has gone out of my life old man." Maxwell put on his hat, and turned towards the docks. "I’ll go just because your mother will expect it of me."

"Sir… It’s a party… You need this chance to . Pardon me for saying this, ‘lighten up.’"

"Where did you hear that Niles?"

"Where did I hear what, sir?" Niles stopped looking at Maxwell. "Lighten up? One of the young ladies in town said it."

Maxwell smirked shaking his head. "We have to go pick up our new uniforms…. I would hate to go to this party… which every high born lady in the colony will be attending, not dressed in my best."

"Right behind you, sir."

"There she is lasses… Port Royal." Jacobs placed his hands on C.C. and Fran’s shoulder. "I feel like a father about to send his little girls off out into the world."

"You still feel like that once you remember what we did to that French Captain?" C.C. smiled turning around in her dress. She felt like the old C.C. the one that had lived before Chandler.

"Ooo…. Captain…" Jacobs smiled looking into C.C.’s eyes. "I hardly know you."

"Well? What ya think mista?" Fran came out from behind the crude dressing area dressed in her royal blue gown. C.C. was wearing something sky blue.

"You both look like something…. Like angels… the crew isn’t going to recognize you."

"That’s the idea for no one to recognize us." C.C. let out a soft hiss feeling protected by the hidden daggers. "Don’t wait up for us daddy." C.C. opened the cabin, and her crewmates started to whistle madly at the appearance of C.C. and Fran in real dresses.

"You are both most welcome." The Governor held out his arms hugging the women tightly. C.C. turned to face the young woman Daniel. "I think you both remember my wife Danny?"

Fran nodded to the young woman. C.C. had pulled two full grown men off the woman before they were about too….tear her apart. "Your ladyship." Fran bowed, and then saw C.C. out of the corner of her eye.

"Your Lordship does us a great honor." C.C. felt all her old training coming back, and Eve’s guidance.

"You have done us both a great honor by joining us tonight." Danny smiled taking the women’s hands. "If my Lord husband wouldn’t mind… I’ll be taking our guests showing them their rooms." Danny was only a few years younger than C.C.

*She’s just a child.* C.C. frowned shaking her head. "You do us a great honor lady."

"Oy… This is some place you have here Danny!" Fran and C.C. both were blown away by all the paintings, and murals.

"It will be a wonderful party tonight, and you both are going to come to dinner before!" Danny led them to a group of rooms. "Two adjoining rooms… Mine is just down the hall!"

"You don’t share a room with your lord husband?" Danny was so young… C.C could recall the first brutal year of her marriage to Chandler.

"Noo! Silly my husband wants to give our marriage time to grow… He says I’m still a child." Danny handed C.C. and Fran each a box. "I hope you love stars!"

C.C. let out a sharp gasp of air. She was now looking at a pendant shaped like a star, and two earrings. "My lady…This is too much."

"You both seemed so sad after saving me… Why?" Danny watch them both. "You don’t have to tell me, but would you allow me to offer you a different life at least for one night?"

"Oy…. Angel we had a different life once… It didn’t work out." Fran let out a nasal sigh.

"Give me a chance… The event is big and my lord husband has made sure no one knows who you are… You both will be the talk of the colony." Danny leaned over putting the shiver chain around C.C.’s neck. "My granny said stars have magic… maybe this will be your good luck?"

The girl then stepped down from her step stool signaling her maids. "They shall attend you dinner will be in an hour! The ball will happen at dusk!" Danny winked towards Fran. "You look really pretty."

C.C. sat down on the bed letting out a soft sigh waving the maids away. "Why do I feel my heart beating out of my chest?"

"These are real diamonds!" Fran smirked putting on the earrings. "Oy C.C. look at it this way for a moment…. At least yer not married to Chandler!"

"Great what a way to make me feel better Frannice. " C.C. snickered shaking her head. "We shouldn’t use our normal names."

"Alright Chastity." Fran let out a nasal laugh.

"Maybe a little less nasal?" C.C. pointed towards a blushing Fran. "Why are you blushing!"

"We are acting …. Normal… for once…"

"Yeah… it’s nice."

"Are you coming Niles?" Maxwell couldn’t believe Niles was running late. "We are going to miss the first dance."

"I’m sorry sir… My parents were invited to dinner, but it is too bad we could get an invite." Niles had seen his mother all dressed in her flowing gown, and his father in his old military uniform.

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

"You’re insane." C.C. let out a soft hiss. "Hiding food?"

"Oy you never know when we are going to get it this good again Chastity." Fran wanted to laugh every time she used that name.

C.C. turned her head to scold Fran on her manners but was drawn in…. to the deep blue eyes…. She felt her own heart beat lightly in her chest.

"Chastity? Are you alright?" Oy!" Fran waved her gloved hand playfully in front of C.C.’s face wanting for it to get slapped back, but when that didn’t come she followed C.C.’s eyes. "ooooo."

"I’m going to dance." C.C. handed the silver goblet over to Fran who shook her head.

"Cupid is out firing arrows tonight." Fran let out a wishful sigh.

"Hello." C.C. smiled brightly bowing to her partner. She could feel his strong arms wrap around her small waist.

"Everyone in this room is staring at you and your friend good lady." Niles purred softly enjoying holding this rather exotic beauty close.

"Maybe they are staring because it’s not often I dance with a servant." C.C. couldn’t keep from teasing people. She didn’t even know this man, but something about him….

"I live to serve others… I would gladly serve you if you ever needed aid." Niles looked at his partner her eyes capturing his.

"Careful what you offer a lady, sir… You never know who you are dancing with."

"Now… what fun is life without a little danger?" Niles let out a soft laugh. "Commander Niles Butler at your service!" Niles looked at her.

"Chastity" C.C. smiled as the both stopped in front of a waiter offering them more silver wine goblets filled with sweet tasting rum. "Careful their servant… men have been known to loose their senses drinking that stuff."

"I think I lost my senses seeing you tonight Lady Chastity." Niles took her hand. "Would you care to walk in the gardens?"

C.C. looked back to find Fran now missing. "It would be my pleasure Commander."

Fran let out a soft giggle trying to hide her nasal tone. The young officer was indeed handsome, but then her partners changed once more…. She finds herself now frozen looking in his deep dark eyes. "Hello there." Fran’s voice was now strangely quiet for a woman who had always something to talk about… she was now tongue tied.

"Hello good lady… Captain Maxwell Sheffield at your service."

"Francine." Fran looked up once more in his eyes wondering if she had seen that twinkle before. "A pleasure, Captain."

"I think the pleasure is all mine." Maxwell twisted and turned them. *My god she is beautiful! This is how it feels… I remember it now…* "I’m sorry. It seems I’m ruining the dance." Maxwell had now refused to give her up to another partner.

"Then Captain shall we take a walk?" Fran felt her legs move unsure across the hall. Danny lifted her glass towards Fran who was walking outside to the veranda over the sea.

Maxwell could find courage out here smelling the sea air . He was already full of four glasses of the rum mixture. "Everyone has a betting pool on who you and your lovely friend are Francine."

"What do you think Captain?" Fran was having a rather good time now.

"Someone who could capture my heart."

Fran felt then her heart skip another beat looking at his eyes. *Ooooo… This is a dangerous, and yet magical night indeed.*

C.C. turned looking into his eyes. "Is the servant tongue tied now?" She could feel his eyes on her. She wanted him…. She wanted to feel something more than just her heart skipping a beat.

"You are a crafty woman Chastity." Niles had been playing riddle games with her. It was an interesting game to while drunk. Niles was indeed loosing his wits to the prettiest little angel in the heavens.

"People have rarely called me crafty!" C.C. twirled once more in her dress. She had another drink of the sweet rum. "I have never seen gardens like this since I was a little girl."

"That was when a hundred years ago?" Niles smiled but then had to catch C.C. in his arms. He held her close to his body feeling her heart pounding. "You are leading me down a dangerous path Chastity." He was unable to let go.

"Danger comes in all shapes, and sizes… Are you man enough to handle it?" C.C. couldn’t move Chandler had never held her like this. "Do you love your ship more than a real challenge?"

"I can face anything, but …" His lips brushed hers, and never did he find a sweeter taste in all wide world. He felt his whole body hum with desire. He was going to say…I can face anything, but a woman’s kiss… This would be his undoing.

"Have you ever touched starlight." C.C. was now back on her feet pulling at Niles’ hand. She had wanted to see the great tower in this keep.

Fran felt his hand on her waist again as they dance privately. Maxwell had locked everyone else out preferring to keep her all to himself. "My heart was dead until I saw your beautiful face tonight, and that wonderful smile." Maxwell found the rum had indeed gone to his head as he leaned over to kiss her ruby lips.

Fran let out a soft moan. "I don’t know what to say…Max…" She had indeed had too much to drink, but her heart was telling her a different story. *Oy. This is the one… all the tales about love at first sight. Are true, but after tonight… I’ll never see him again.* Fran felt her doubts rise up in her throat and she forced it back down as Maxwell’s kisses became more tender.

"I think your beauty is getting to me." Maxwell pulled her into a dark corner. He kissed her again, and again. "Would I be to forward if I kissed you again Francine?" * I have lost my mind this night… but it matters not… My heart feels free!*

"I would take it as an insult if you didn’t." Fran felt her own body ache. She grabbed for the cup she had set down handing it to Maxwell. "I would drink this first Captain… You might regret hearing my next offer."

Maxwell had a boyish grin on his face now drinking the rum in one mighty gulp. "I think I’ll regret letting you leave." Maxwell felt his hand now pulling her towards him tightly.

"Then come to my room, Captain." Fran’s eyes narrowed issuing him the challenge.

"Lead the way." Maxwell couldn’t believe it …. He had said the words, but he wanted this woman so badly.

Niles matched her step for step up the tower. He started to laugh watching her climb up towards the last great step. He wanted to tell her no one ever came up here. "Careful dear lady." He had caught her yet again in his arms. "This time I might never let you go."

"You say it silly servant. But you don’t mean it." C.C. now felt his hand on her breasts, and her hands begin to roam his body.

"You have torn your lovely gown." Niles held up a long piece of fabric. "It’s a real pity."

"I was planning on doing more than just tearing it tonight." C.C. kissed his lips again as they both settled down on the stone floor of the great tower.

"I never expected to find an angel up here in the cold." Niles broke off the kiss trying to find his honor again, but her hands kept on exploring his body. Niles let out a soft growl when C.C. had found his bare skin.

"Would you risk one night with an Angel?" C.C. felt a pain of guilt. *You should tell him… he’s a man on honor… tell him about the pain in the ass husband you have that forced you into a life of piracy.*

"With all my soul…I would risk it." Niles picked her up, and the both for a moment looked towards the stars. "They shine brightly for you."

Fran felt her heart beating as Maxwell carried her inside the room. His deep kiss had made her head spin even more than the rum. Maxwell tossed his hat towards the far corner of her room, and Fran started to push his coat off his shoulders. "Make love to me." Fran couldn’t believe those words had come from her own mouth.

"God, you’re so beautiful." Maxwell pulled at her gown. Some part of him was screaming this wasn’t right… this was sinful, but the look in her eyes he was willing to take any chance even if it meant his soul. "I love you."

Fran looked into his eyes for a moment. Fran leaned in for his neck heated kiss. *This is it… this is how it feels.* "Love me…" Fran narrowed her eyes giving him another demanding kiss.

Niles couldn’t help but be pulled into this. She was now running down the hall laughing. This was a game he loved to play as a child running down the halls as she lead him. Then he stopped. "Chastity?" She was gone Niles turned only to feel her arms pull him inside the room.

C.C. had never felt her heart sing before. She had heard Eve tell tales about romance, and love…. But… never like this. Chandler had never been anything but cold hearted towards hers… but this man… Niles Butler was treating her like an equal after only knowing her a few hours. "Niles." She pulled him inside the room and felt the warmth of his embrace.

"After tonight… You are going to have to marry me Chastity…" Niles teased her pulling on her gown as C.C. pushed the uniform’s coat off his shoulders.

"Shhhh…" C.C. didn’t want to hear promises… she didn’t want to think beyond this night. "Love me."

Her voice was so full of heartbreak Niles knew he would give into any of her demands. His hands ran up and down her body. Faintly he could hear Maxwell’s voice in the back of his mind talking about honor, but he pushed it aside. "So beautiful."

"You can paint a picture… it will last longer." C.C. teased pushing him down on the bed, and then leaned down to pull of his boots.

Maxwell held her tightly against his bare chest. The feel of her soft body on bare skin was over whelming. He was at last able to put Sarah’s ghost aside, but the rum was quickly fading from his system. "So beautiful." His eyes roamed her body again taking in everything. She had a few scars on her back for some odd reason, but this woman was perfect.

"Are you ready for another try, Captain?" Fran opened her eyes slowly, and nibbled along his neck. Maxwell pushed his doubts, and honor aside yet again.

Niles leaned down worshipping her full breasts allowing the sweet taste to invade his mouth as he heard her cries of passion. He was shocked to discover her body reacting like it had never been worshiped like this before. His soft licking of her skin made her wiggle under him. *I can’t control myself…. Madness… I’ve given myself over to lust… love . . Madness*

C.C. cried out once more. *This is what love is….This is it…My God* "Niles!" She let out a husky groan and Niles lifted himself up, and over to her lips. C.C. felt Niles be slow… and gentle… Chandler used to be so brutal with her body… Niles was ….was a White hat! She felt him about to enter her, and C.C. let out another loud soft moan.

Niles pushed in slowly enjoying the feel of this smart, witty, beautiful woman. "Never letting you go…Love you." Niles let out a soft whisper unable to control himself anymore.

"Don’t stop…" C.C. rocked her own body into his. "Please….Please don’t."

*God help me I want her so much.* It had all blurred in one moment of utter glory. Niles now understood it … Understood all of Maxwell’s groans, and moans about love… It was worth feeling this… whole… "Love. you…" She’s the one.

Niles hand turned them over so C.C. was resting on his chest. She felt protected, and for the first time… in a long time… safe. "I love you too."

Jacobs let out a long sigh looking around in the night air. "I hope the lasses are having fun Nat."

"Not too much fun." Nat came up handing him a bottle. "Something I got from town."

Jacobs laughed. "Shall we toast to our new captains?" Jacobs looked around at the Hellfire… both crews of the Hellfire and the non completed Hawk’s Nest were on board.

"May Batty and Fancy give them all hell!" Nat drank up laughing. "Why the long face Jacobs? I would think you would be happy they got away from that ass Chandler?"

"I just have a bad feeling…. Hardships are right around the corner." Jacobs took another large gulp of the sweet tasting rum, and handed back to Nat. "I hope my instincts are wrong."

Niles couldn’t take his eyes off her. He reached out touching her cheek. "I now understand what it means to be in love."

C.C. let out a long sigh she was only partly covered by the blankets. "Hold me. Please… Just hold me." C.C. could feel the hours ticking away. "I want to feel your arms around me."

Niles smiled pulling her into his arms. He wondered what sadness hung over this beautiful woman. "Such sadness… Your life should be filled with nothing but joy." Niles kissed her ear softly. He had this odd feeling she had undergone some trauma.

Fran let out a long sigh shifting in Maxwell’s arms. She did indeed feel sore, but feeling his touch was something beyond addictive. He had talked about his ship and the world that he lived in. "Your Jewish… indentured…. and a woman… his world. Oy is no place for you." Fran mumbled softly listening to Maxwell’s soft breathing.

"You should be sleeping darling." Maxwell had heard her soft mumbles. "We are both going to feel the rum in the morning."

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

C.C. let out a huge sigh her hand running up and down his chin trying to burn his face into her memory. "For one moment… for one night . You have made me happy beyond my wildest dreams, but your world… isn’t mine." C.C. let out a soft sob trying her best not to wake him. "Silly…Servant." C.C. looked out wearing disguise she had hidden away in her small bag. "Come here." C.C. waved towards the maid placing her gown in her hands. "My gift to you."

"My lady… This is worth more than I make!" The woman gasped kissing C.C.’s hands. "Bless you anything you want dear lady…"

Fran groaned looking towards C.C. They were both wearing something… unique. "Here." Fran handed her gown over towards the other maid. "Maybe this will bring you luck." Fran smiled walking towards C.C. "Oy. Did someone get lucky?"

C.C. felt her world starting to fall apart. "My God… Fran…" C.C. felt her heart stop once. "I don’t want to…"

Fran walked to C.C. giving her a strong hug. "What else can we do?" Fran fought back a nasal sob that would have woken half the house. "Let’s go… we both know we can’t stay…"

Niles turned reaching for her. "Chastity?" Niles lifted his head up finding the bed empty. "Chastity?" Niles reach for his clothes pulling them on quickly. The room that once was so full of life… now had grown cold.

"Niles?" Maxwell opened the door. He was fully dressed expect for his hat. "Have you seen her?"

"Chastity’s gone too!" Niles let out a sound of distress. "Let’s go now. Find the servants."

Fran felt her own heart trying her best to betray her. She lifted up the hood over her head walking around the docks. They could hear the clicking on soldiers searching for something. "They aren’t here Captain! Commander!" Fran froze next to C.C.

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

"Don’t be a fool. Niles. Let me go and keep your honor." C.C. let out a whimper hiding further under her hood. "Keep moving Fran." C.C. found her own feet growing heavy, and a small voice begging her to go back. *He would understand…Please… Listen to your heart let it decide…* C.C.’s mind quickly raced forward…she could picture it now Chandler coming to claim her and Fran… No she would have Niles keep his honor… C.C. looked at Fran still walking towards Hellfire.

Fran felt her own tears starting to stain her face when she heard his voice. *Let me go, Maxwell. For your own good. Oy. Let me go* "You there! Brothers!" Maxwell called out and C.C. and Fran froze in place keeping their heads down, and faces hidden.

"We are looking for two women that might be taking leave of the area have you seen them?" Niles waited and one of the monks shook their head slowly. Niles felt his heart ache. *She’s gone… my God . She’s gone, and taken my heart with her.*

Fran felt his eyes on her. She stood there for the longest time. "Can you speak?" Maxwell’s voice sounded annoyed.

*If I speak all hope is lost… God I love you Maxwell. Oy more than you will ever know.* Fran had heard C.C. say they were men that took vows of silence. Fran shook her head slowly unable to see if C.C. was following her lead.

C.C. walked on the ship… her ship… She didn’t bother lifting her head to look at Jacobs. "Please. Dear God, get us out of here." She whispered in her second’s ear.

"Not that easy Captain… The English are searching every ship for some reason. Some Captain has gone a bit mad!" Jacobs wanted to laugh at their costume at first, but. Something was wrong… deeply wrong.

"I don’t care about the fucking English. You have your order." C.C. hissed, and opened her cabin door slamming it. C.C. had no idea were Fran ran off to… No she know the crow’s nest

Niles froze while on a ship called Faded Density. "Maxwell… Sir!" Niles pointed towards the departing ship his heart dropping.

"She’s gone…" Maxwell felt his heart beat heavy in his chest. "I have lost . Someone again."

Niles held his aching heart. "We can reach Lady Sarah and try to catch them."

Maxwell knew that the chances were slim, but any was better than none. "Let’s go old man."

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

C.C. couldn’t move. "Captain?" Jacobs couldn’t just let it go. He had ordered the men to pick up speed at all cost… C.C. and Fran wanted out of there for a good reason. He turned to Nat pointing up towards the crow’s nest mouthing ‘Fran’ "Captain? Chastity Claire?"

"Don’t call me that…" C.C. had hidden herself away in the cabin’s far corner. "I’m no one…."

Jacobs’ eyed the girl. He started to wonder was he dealing with C.C. Babcock Evans the pirate… or the girl Rickard Evans had stolen from her family. "My Scarlet once said…. She didn’t need to have her walls up around me. Either do you Chastity. Not when we are alone."

"I’m not your daughter…" C.C. hissed as her tears started to roll more freely.

"No… I think you need a father right now Chastity." The man was a giant wrapping his thick arms around the crying girl.

C.C. couldn’t handle it her walls had been completely and utterly destroyed by Niles Butler. It all came out as her sobs became howls. Her father. Her family… Lost… She had killed men. Seen women raped…Seen men die… Now she had lost Niles. "I am so lost……"

Jacobs held C.C. tight trying to protect her. "Sweet Captain… Find yourself…You are Batty Babcock!" Jacobs smiled looking down in her blue eyes.

C.C. coughed trying to stop her tears from rolling. She looked up at the elder man’s eyes. He was indeed treating her like his daughter, and she loved him for it. "Jacobs… How do you know my whole name?" Chandler didn’t even know what her middle name was.

"My daughter speaks to me child… Even those who are gone are with us as we go on . She said ya was needing help in my dreams one night. I would meet a woman of all things that would best me! Here you are! "Jacobs winked helping her up. "I am not even going to ask what happened at the ball… " Jacobs let out a long sigh. "Dry yer eyes … I hear the warning bell."

C.C. let out a groan . *He won’t stop trying… My god… part of me wants to be caught.*

Maxwell walked up and down his deck watching his men move quickly. "Once we board I want every inch of that ship…"

Niles blinked looking at the colors. "It’s over Captain…" Niles felt his heart sink. *Pirates… It’s a Pirate ship sailing our colors. *Chastity was better than piracy. She wouldn’t be on his ship*

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

Fran let out a long sigh shaking her head. Her eyes were still red from her own sobs. "I knew it would work." She felt Nat’s presence behind her. C.C.’s HellFire flag the skull and crossbones encase in flames… and the English flag showing that they were indeed under contract.

"Little sister… "Nat put his hands on her shoulders. "You can tell me why your heart is so broken into many pieces."

Fran sobbed softly turning around to hug her second in command. "Now we are indeed family…"

Niles had touched heaven if only for just a moment, and then had it jerked from his hands. "Lady Daniel. Thank you for seeing us." Niles did his courtly bow towards the governor’s young wife, and hit Maxwell to do the same.

"I normally don’t see officers…. That’s my husband’s duty, and my friends call me Danny please do so." The teenager waved her hand for the men to sit. "I am told you come about my guests a few weeks ago at the ball?" Danny’s eyes danced around playfully.

*She knows what happened…* Maxwell nodded slowly. "Can you please tell us anything you know about them?" Maxwell knew this was a faint hope, but the governor’s wife was their only lead.

Danny let out a sad sigh looking from Maxwell’s eyes, and then back towards Niles. "I had so many guests that night gentlemen, but those two women are my friends… and…"

"It’s important good lady." Niles sat up higher looking down at the younger girl. "I …We need to know…"

"For honor’s sake, good sir?" Danny waved her hand, and her maids closed the door behind them leaving only one in the room. "No… I will not betray them."

Maxwell felt his hope fading. It all had been some wonderful dream holding Francine in his arms…making love to her… seeing her smile… hearing her tease playfully. "You won’t tell us anything?"

Danny let out a long sigh putting her hands in her lap. "I owe them both a debt… I could never repay… They must have had reason for leaving your sides sirs…I’m sorry."

Niles stood up feeling his heart sink to the floor. "It was all just a dream."

Danny raised her hand once more for them to stay. "Here good Commander and Captain." Danny stood up placing the blue piece of fabric in his hands, and she quickly turned towards Maxwell placing the star earring in his. "Fate is sometimes a cruel master, but all things change."

Niles watched as she left the room handling the small piece of cloth. She had teased him… matched wits with him… Niles shook his head slowly at Maxwell. "I feel so…"

"Empty, old man?" Maxwell put the earring in his pocket. "We have a duty… shall we head off in our ship and take out our misery on a few French pirates?"

*Duty will be a shield…* "Yes sir…" Niles walked behind Maxwell turning around to look at the ball room one last time.

"We are two days from meeting up with Chandler and Darren for this meeting." C.C. hissed holding her stomach. "If Nat makes that salt pork again I’m going to hang him from the crow’s nest."

Fran wanted to laugh but her stomach too was doing a jumping act. "Oy we should just drop anchor for a few days."

"Both of you look so pale! Ay think Nat wants his own ship Captain and he’s trying to poison ya." Jacobs raised his hand to feel Fran’s head. "Ya both never been sea sick."

"Nat!" C.C. called out walking down the deck. "Are we ahead of schedule? Or behind?"

"Well Captain … Chandler, and Darren would expect ya both to be running late for this pirate meeting." Nat walked up from the cargo hold. "We have plenty of goods to sell, and they should be happy to see the extra coin."

"We all would be happy with that extra coin Captain!" A sailor called out while working on some rigging.

Jacobs shook his head. "Maybe just setting down on a island… for just a night would do you both some good… I don’t like either one of ya’lls coloring."

"Nat find us either a nearby port, or… a island to rest on." C.C. entered the cabin followed close behind by Fran and Jacobs.

"I don’t like it… Not one bit Captain." Jacobs looked once more at the two women.

"You know Mister Jacobs when I want your …" C.C. grabbed her stomach again, and then the table trying her best not to pass out.

"C.C.!" Fran jumped up holding her up.

Jacobs narrowed his eyes, and helped Fran sit C.C. down on the sleeping mat. Six people slept in the cabin… C.C. and Fran had their own blocked off corner. "You know… Nat, and I heard you two sobbing again last night." C.C. was now out cold giving in to what ever was causing her state.

"Mister Jacobs… "Fran let out a sigh placing the cover over C.C.’s form. She white face twisted in pain. "I don’t know where to start…"

"I know these signs, Frannie… I don’t need any doctor to tell me what you have." Jacobs grumbled looking into Fran’s eyes."

"Oy." Fran took a long gulp of air.

"You spent the night with some young Englishman didn’t you? So did C.C.?" Jacobs was trying to walk a thin line here between a parental figure, and friend…and crewmate.

"Double Oy." Fran slowly nodded her head.

Jacobs let out a long sigh brushing C.C.’s hair out of her face then pulling Fran to the side. He held the small woman tightly. "I should have kicked ya both off this ship the night you both showed signs of unhappiness."

"Chandler would have come looking for his property…" Fran let out a long hiss. "My heart is bleeding. Oy Vey . In such a bad way, but I wouldn’t change that moment… We still have three months of raiding to do with the others… You’ll keep your mouth shut even if Nat hasn’t figured it out yet."

"I should haul you both home right now!" Jacobs let out a loud grumble. "As long as you can hide it… Alright… Alright . Damnit Frannie you and C.C. will need to be careful."

"Who me?" Fran smirked shaking her head. "Again what do I have?"

"My God in heaven? You don’t have a clue do you!" Jacobs wasn’t sure if he should laugh or cry at Fran’s childish nature. "I’m going to have to explain this to Babcock too no doubt…" Jacobs shook his head. "Didn’t ya ma teach ya anything ."

"Never leave food behind." Fran let out a small nasal laugh that caused C.C. to stir awake.

"Next time god decides to make the world so shaky I wish he would damn well tell me." C.C. stood back up on her legs.

"Chastity ya know those times when I’m not under yer command?… This is about to be one of those times…" Jacobs blushed slowly looking at C.C.’s confused face.

"Mister Jacobs . I am always Captain of this ship…" C.C. put her hands on her hips looking towards the elder man. "If I say jump you better damn well…"

"Yer carrying…" Jacobs didn’t give C.C. a chance to finish her ranting.

Fran’s jaw dropped. "Triple Oy!" She then looked at a frozen C.C. who couldn’t find her own voice at the moment. "No way…"

Jacobs crossed his arms looking into C.C.’s eyes. "You both are showing the signs. I could be wrong… We could talk to."

"No one…" C.C. hissed softly trying to absorb the possibility. "We have to do these raids… and… "

"And?" Jacobs frowned shaking his head. "It changes nothing?"

"Oy vey." Fran frowned wondering if what Jacobs said could be true… Maxwell had left something of himself behind… it might even now be growing within her.

C.C. nodded slowly. *I am Captain of this ship… These men are my family for now… I will face this when we get back home, or if other signs show themselves.* Her mind then raced back to Niles feeling his strong arms around her. "We have a job to do Fran." She looked towards Fran. "Are you with me?"

"Aye …" Fran nodded slowly.

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

C.C. leaned over the railing. "Why aren’t you feeling this way!" C.C. turned her head sharply towards a pale, yet smirking Fran. "I have been feeling this way, and sick for days but not once have you…" C.C. was still in shock over Jacobs guess she was indeed pregnant. It had only been one month since the ball at the governor’s palace.

"Spilled my guts over side… Fines hate to waste food." They both had taking up the duty of standing in the crow’s nest. "Do you love him? This Niles?"

"Yes…" C.C. sat down allowing Fran to stand up on watch. She was happy Fran had ordered Nat to take over the ship. "You love Maxwell?"

"I never expected to love anyone C.C., but yes . I am in love with him for the rest of my life…Oy…" Fran let out a sigh. "If Jacobs is right what are we going to tell Chandler?"

"We will tell him together." C.C’s eyes searched the stars … trying to find the answer to her question. *Does Niles miss me? Did he really mean what he said… That he loves me… Will I regret running from him?*

"In the starlight so far from home ." C.C. started to sing softly to herself.

"Does he still love me.

Where does my heart travel does it still beat.

When the wind carries me far into the sea.

Love is a danger, and it’s my hope.

Will the wind carry me back to his home.

Does he mean the words. Does he really love.

Stars do you hear me. Answer my prayer.

Fate here my tears is god really their.

Miracles can happen if one believes….

Will love save me . Will wind blow him back to me."

Fran watched C.C.’s face for a moment. "At times Babcock . You can be as cold as iron….but then you shock me." Fran held out her hand helping C.C. back on her feet. "Where did you hear that song?"

"Meg was singing about Darren." C.C. smirked shaking her head. "I think she made up the song off the top of her head."

Fran blinked beating at the warning bell hitting it three times. "Spanish sails."

"Well it’s time someone finds out why this ship is named Hellfire… it’s a pity we will be running late to that party Jacobs promised." C.C. climbed down slowly from the crow’s nest. "Get out the oil boys! Time to light up the sky!" C.C. stood next to another man. "This time Jay put your back into it."

"We’ll show them what hell means Cap!" The young man raised his rapier toward C.C.

Men came forward hauling large clay jars of oil. Jacobs came out of the cabin laughing. "I never thought you would use that stuff."

"Babcock has more guts, and is crazier than any man that’s for sure!" a man at one of C.C.’s catapults yelled out.

"She’s got bigger balls than her husband that’s for sure." another man screamed.

"Frannie has bigger balls than Chandler." C.C. teased looking towards Fran who couldn’t help but laugh.

Niles held onto the small piece of blue cloth. He wanted to drown his sorrows in the nearest rum bottle, but his mother was now hovering over him, and Maxwell.

"Mother… we aren’t ill." Niles grumbled playing the card. "I would prefer if we were out to see now rather than three weeks from now."

"You had to bring that Pirate back here! It was a mess seeing that man hang from the town square." Niles watched as his father came in the room. "Ahhh Maxwelll my lad how are you?"

Maxwell smiled taking the man’s hand. "I am ….alright."

"You see what I mean… It as if something has haunted them since the ball." Mrs. Butler shook her head watching Maxwell and then Niles.

"Now leave the lads alone… They have enough worries." Mister Butler walked out leaving Niles along with Maxwell to play the card game.

Niles reached up pulling at a chain that Maxwell was wearing around his neck. He then found the star earring around his neck now. "How man times have you dreamed of her since that night sir?"

"Every night … Every day." Maxwell then placed down another card. "Never again Niles…"

"What Maxwell?" Niles looked up to face Maxwell’s dark eyes.

"Never again will I found a love like that…" Maxwell then stood up walking out of the Butler home.

"History has a habit of repeating itself… I will see her again… Please God. Here me… I will see her again." Niles picked up the cards walking towards his own rooms.

C.C. danced around the feel of metal on metal… She laughed as the Spanish Captain growled. He didn’t want to give up… and for once. C.C. needed this fight. The flames dance around them. "You’re insane." The man growled at her in Spanish.

"Yield, and you’ll live… if you don’t… You’ll die ." C.C. smiled, and Fran stood beside her with the same sly smile…C.C. hissed fighting an image of Niles standing their under the point of her sword.

"I… I. Yield…" The man hissed dropping his rapier and dagger. C.C. let out a thankful sigh watching him. ……………………………… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C.C. let out a long sigh the raiding season was done… C.C. could feel the soft growing belly. "Come here lass." Jacobs and Nat had both attended a small meal inside the cabin. The combined crews now could tell C.C. and Fran were both indeed expecting a child, but… outside the crews, no one knew. Jacobs smiled resting his hand on her little stomach.

*I’m cheating Niles out of this… Out of this child .* C.C. let out a soft sigh smiling at Jacobs. "If any of the crew saw you right now Mister Jacobs they might suspect…"

"That he is more that just a bloody monk?" Nat let out a soft chuckle sitting down next to Fran. "When can I have a feel." He wiggle his eyebrows to Fran tickling her ear.

"When men are made of betta stuff than earth mista." Fran pushed him off the bench laughing her nasal laugh. "What are they saying about this?"

"Some say we did it." Jacobs let out a soft laugh watching C.C.’s and Fran’s faces.

"You both wouldn’t…" C.C. hissed.

"Lass we might treat ya like our kin, but we can whore like tha rest of them boys out there." Jacobs winked pulling again at the roast duck.

"We could head back to a certain port and drop you both off." Nat smirked watching C.C. and Fran twist in their seats.

"No ." C.C. could picture Chandler marching up demanding his rights as her husband. "You can’t… "

Jacobs let out a long sigh. "The boys have been talking since we all picked up those five extra ships… we shouldn’t need to go out next season."

"They have too…" Fran did a double take. "Hell Chandler will make us go out pregnant or not."

C.C. felt her blood shiver. "Mister Jacobs… You have to go out raiding…. With or without me. "

"Then we aren’t going Captain and that is that!" Jacobs leaned back looking to C.C. "Don’t try using that wit on me girl. I can see past the bullshit you tell other people!"

Fran looked to C.C. "Oy. They are sounding like our parents rather than our second?"

"Well someone needs to keep you honest." Nat laughed tossing Fran another piece of duck. "Eat up! Oh. look who I’m talking to! This is the woman that order us to attack that Dutch ship in a faint hope of trying their food."

"I remember being kicked out of their country as a kid…. It’s really good." Fran turned to C.C. who was strangely quiet.

"I have never been scared before." C.C. let out a soft mumble. "I can match wits with anyone… rapiers… daggers… but Chandler has such a temper when he feels like his rights have been tampered with."

"You aren’t his property… " Jacobs took her hand patting it. "You are so much more than that."

"He could lie, and claim a child that isn’t even his." C.C. narrowed her eyes, thinking. I already have to live one lie. I don’t need that as well."

Fran let out a long sigh. "He’s never going to call my contract complete…I start to wonder if what Rickard Evans had planned for me might have been better."

C.C. shivered at Fran words shaking her head. "We have one more day before we are home… after that more than just our crews will know Fran."

"The boys will keep quiet if ya want them to, Captain." Nat smiled offering her the oak cake. "They won’t tell a soul… hell quite a few of them have a few…."

"Bastards?" C.C. turned her head quickly feeling her temper starting to boil. "Is that what my child is Nat? Is that how he or she will be viewed? Hell no…if any man ever calls my child a bastard… They’ll face more than just my rapier… they’ll be less than a man."

Fran let out a nervous nasal laugh, but then narrowed her eyes at Nat. "Same here!" Fran slammed her mug down on the table.

"You two are going to be a handful when ya get later in carrying" Jacobs let out another laugh. "I see ya point, but ya know dey mean no harm when they use that…."

"Word? Course they mean harm… People use it against Darren all the time." C.C.’s mind raced remembering how Darren reacted to Black Bart when he was called The Bastard Seaworth. "My child… is born out of love ."

"Then let us take you back to the port." Nat let out a sad sigh. "We can tell Chandler that you both got sick… hell we will make something up."

"I would have him… with his honor…" C.C. let out a soft whimper. "I would have that twinkle in his eyes remain just as bright."

"You think it’s still there?" Nat turned his head towards Fran. "If the two of you are acting like this… Those men you left behind are just as torn up."

"We are from two different world’s Nat, and I have no place in that world mista." Fran pulled on Maxwell’s stolen hat. Fran had taken to wearing it around for comfort as a way of still being near him.

Niles let out a soft groan of defeat. "You want me to do what?" He looked at the sailor.

"All I’m saying Commander…. Find yerself a pretty little wench for you and the Captain." The man winked pulling at his duty station. "It will help ya forget those other women."

Niles shook his head. "I don’t think that will help."

"Har! Commander with all due respect sir… are ya less than a man? Just find a tavern wench and take her! It will drive your demons away."

"Or make them worse." Niles pulled his hat back on walking towards Maxwell. Niles closed his eyes trying to picture himself holding another woman in his arms, and then it came back to her… always to her….

"You look awful old man." Maxwell turned offering him the wheel.

"Right back at you, sir." Niles let out a soft laugh taking the wheel. "Why don’t you try and rest…"

"Yes… If my blood dreams will leave me alone." Maxwell groaned once more missing his hat, and running his fingers in his black hair. "I will be back when the watch changes."

"Very good, sir." Niles reached inside his pocket feeling the blue strip of cloth that came off Chastity’s ball gown. "Very good…"

C.C. touched her belly softly. "Are you ready?" She turned her head to Fran who groaned. "I know… Together remember?"

"Is something up with them?" Darren walked off his ship pointing towards a departing C.C. and Fran. "Jacobs?" He narrowed his eyes to his old friend. "Should I be worried?"

"We should follow them to make sure they’ll be alright." Jacobs couldn’t tell his old friend not yet. Nat let out a soft sigh from behind his old Captain.

"I have this awful feeling you two aren’t telling me something." Darren let out a soft grumble. He had to deal with Anne Bonney. Black Bart…. And letting go a fortune of Aztec gold. "This has been an awful few months."

C.C. closed the door behind her as Chandler sat down. "Chandler…" She narrowed her eyes at her so-called husband. "Fran and I need to talk to you about something."

Fran crossed her arms nodding. "Oy. Yeah, we do."

"Listen I don’t have time for your woman problems, C.C. . Fran. Just enjoy the off season, and stay out of my way." Chandler returned to his paperwork preferring to ignore them.

C.C. pulled off the coat that had hidden away her growing belly these past three months. "O course NOW you pay attention." C.C. hissed narrowing her eyes, and handling her dagger.

Chandler narrowed his eyes in shock, but when Fran joined C.C.’s action his shock quickly turned to outrage. "You dare shame me!"

"If you had been half the man… You should have been. You would have let me go a long time ago." C.C. leaned over his desk letting out a hiss.

"Don’t you dare leave the room Fran… Remember I own you." Chandler thought Fran was moving to leave, but she joined C.C.’s side.

"You don’t know me at all do you, Mista Evans…" Fran narrowed her eyes.

"I know you both are whores and I can have you whipped for disgracing me… What about your vows Babcock?"

"Like you ever followed them." C.C. turned to Fran. "He knows. Let’s get out of here now." C.C. felt the heavy blow to her head come thundering down.

"C.C.!" Fran rushed grabbing the wooden chair hitting Chandler over the head with it.

Darren turned to Nat, and Jacobs frowning. "What the hell?" Nat took off at full speed to the upper chamber that held Chandler’s office. They were soon joined by two members of Darren’s crew… Jay and Markus. "Get that damn door open.!" Darren yelled as the men went searching for a battering ram.

Fran felt the kicks to her belly as she was overpowered by Chandler. C.C. found her feet and dagger quickly taking a piece of the ruined wooden chair and hitting Chandler once. "Hey Hubby!" C.C. hissed letting go of her dagger.

Fran whimper in pain holding her stomach. "Please… God… Don’t take the baby away from me."

C.C. had to turn a deaf ear to her friend’s cries and hit Chandler one last time before dropping to the floor herself. She didn’t even know where her dagger ended up…. The only thing that matter Chandler had stopped his attack. "Captain!" Jacobs roared running in.

Jay leaned over Fran who was still quietly whimpering in her corner. C.C. could feel someone’s strong arms around her. *Niles?* She blinked again to see Darren look in her eyes. "Don’t let her lose her baby… Please Darren… Don’t let me lose mine…" C.C. would not whimper . Forcing the pain and dread back.

"You’ll not lose that babe… either one of you… I promise ." Darren picked her up, and Jacobs took Fran in his arms. "The women first to tha doc!"

"Mother of God…" Markus had found Chandler with the dagger sticking out of one eye. He wasn’t moving, but was indeed alive. "Chandler’s still alive Captain! What shall I do with him?"

"He’ll fucking wait, Mark… Come on!" Darren ran down the stone steps feeling C.C. sob out in pain. "It will be alright Babcock… Never again. Trust me. Never again."

C.C. soon felt the darkness overtake her… praying that she wouldn’t lose his child… Niles’ child…" Please… don’t let me lose him ."

Chandler had been removed a few hours later, and placed in his own quarters. He had indeed lost his eyes. "C.C. will pay for this…" He grumbled softly. She was, after all, his wife, and he wouldn’t permit her to carry another man’s child. He tossed and turned quietly in his bed.

Shadows gathered along the wall, and Chandler lifted his head. "Hello… One Eye…" The man was wearing a hood handling a dagger.

"Who the hell are you?" Chandler couldn’t move as four men held him down.

"I’m here to deliver a warning…Touch them again… and… your not only be missing an eye… but the whores will have one less client to deal with in town." The man jabbed at Chandler’s groin. "They are equals now. Do we have an understanding?"

"Why should I fear you?" Chandler couldn’t help his shivering.

"Because we know where you sleep." The figures faded into the darkness leaving Chandler alone with is pain.

Fran lifted up her head slowly touching her belly. "Your still with me." She let out a sob of joy. "Thank you. Thank you God." She then felt Jacob’s soft hands on her shoulders, and turned to see C.C. asleep in another bed.

"You want that small one to stay with ya Captain then you’ll follow my orders." Jacob’s winked as Darren entered the room.

"Fran, why didn’t you tell me when we were with Bonney and the others?"

"I…I…" Fran let out a sigh taking the water Nat now offered her.

"You didn’t trust me." Darren sat down next to her. "You know we are more than just pirates here, and Chandler will never again lay his hands on you or C.C."

"What are we then?" Fran lowered her eyes.

"We are family." Darren reached out touching her belly. "You have to stay in bed. Looks like all of us are going to miss next season."

"That could put the agreement with the English in some trouble." C.C. woke up tilting her head.

Darren shook his head. "Luckily… I know the governor…We will still pay off the English, but no one is sailing without you two." Darren let out a playful laugh. "We after all are your brothers."

"We will….our babes?" C.C. reached for her stomach.

"They’ll live…and grow… I promise." Darren took both C.C.’s and Fran’s hand. "Not all men are cut from the same cloth."

"Are you sure you’re not one of the White Hats?" Fran said in a teasing voice.

"I’m just a man… trying to help his friends… We will all be outside. Until you deliver those little ones… Jacobs is taking care of you."

"Har! That’s right now all of you git out of dere room!" Jacobs pushed the gathered men outside, and Fran let out a small nasal laugh.

"A fine son…" Darren laughed holding the little boy tightly. "You ready for a party tonight Babcock?" Darren looked down at his friend.

"Fran?" C.C. had spent six months in this bed and was looking forward to leaving it. They had moved Fran to another room a month ago leaving her alone with Jacobs to check on her, and other members of her crew. "I heard her a few hours ago? Is she alright?"

"Ya see I been having to run messages between tha pair for a month now, Captain." Jacobs groaned softly. "I wish Doc would have never put Fran in that other room."

"She has a little lass." Darren handed back the crying boy. "He’s cute Babcock." Darren let out a soft sigh. "You better come up with a name and quick."

"Why?" C.C. groaned as Darren left the room. "Why doesn’t that man every sit still for five seconds!"

"I don’t think he feels… " Jacobs let out a long sigh. "You and Fine really let him have it about giving up his son."

C.C. started to blush, but pushed her thoughts away. "It doesn’t matter if he can’t get over his own fears…" C.C. looked into the little baby’s blue eyes. "He looks like Niles."

"What was that?" Jacobs had been listening for some clue as to the indentity of the father for some time now.

"Nothing… You better leave old man so I can get up at last."

"What me to send ya Mary to help?" Jacobs smiled taking the little baby in his arms. "Come on little boy let’s allow yer ma some time to dress."

"I can make it on my own." C.C. let out a long sigh squeezing his hand. "It’s nice to know I have some friends."

"Hell you have friends Babcock?" Jacobs teased softly. "That’s a miracle in itself."

C.C. took the infant’s hand. "I’m sorry… You should have your father, and I can’t give you that. He’s a man… not of this world. The world you been born into is. Odd." C.C. rolled her eyes trying to put into words the pirate port city. "He’s with us even now… I can feel he’s thinking about me… and if he knew you were out here. He wouldn’t stop looking." C.C leaned over to kiss his small hand.

"SO you know Captain… You’ll need a name tonight." Jacobs laughed watching C.C. groan. "You know Fran did the same thing…"

C.C. was once again dressed in her pirate grab… A Spanish coat she had taken off that first Captain. Bitter had allowed her to keep it as part of her payment. She turned towards the broken mirror. "You ready?" Fran was standing holding the small girl in her arms.

C.C. walked over smiling taking the little girl. "You have a name for her yet?" Rocking the child back and forth in her arms. Fran took C.C.’s son from his small box.

"No. Do you?" Fran smiled looking at the baby’s blue eyes.

"No… She’s got the darkest eyes." C.C nuzzled the little girl tightly against her neck.

"Are they having a party outside?" Fran was leaning out on the window and C.C. walked to her friend. "OY VEY They are!"

C.C. backed against the wall looking at Jacobs in the doorway. "I’m not going!"

"Batty Babcock! You can fight men with fifty rapiers pointed at your throat but you’re scared of one little party?" Jacobs held out his hand. "Come on. How long has it been since you have had a good cup of wine!"

C.C. turned to Fran letting out a groan. "We are in trouble ."

"It won’t be that bad . We need to see the little lady. And the bright eye man." Jacobs took C.C.’s son in one arm, and then Fran’s little girl in his other. "Come on Captains . Have courage ya already did the hard part."

C.C. let out a deep sigh. "I wish."

"Oy, me too Babcock. Me too." Fran walked to the door.

Darren stood up before the group pointing to the four throne like chairs. "Four chairs for Four Captains!" Darren let out a playful howl! "Bring them out! Bring them Out!" Darren started the chant as C.C. and Fran both walked out holding the babies. Darren pointed towards C.C.’s chair that had it’s flame like skulls. C.C. lowered herself slowly down smiling trying her best to put on her Babcock persona. Fran was lead towards the symbol chair. On closer inspection she could tell the hawk was guarding a nest. "Four chairs for four pirates Captains!" A man called out.

"You notice someone didn’t have the balls to show up tonight." C.C. hissed she hadn’t seen Chandler since that faithful day.

"He’ll be missing some one day." A sailor called out.

"Like had any to begin with?" Fran let out a nasal laugh.

"We aren’t worth all this trouble." C.C. felt her guilt over Niles not knowing about her baby grow. She looked down at her feet as people dropped off small offerings at her feet. Fran’s pile was growing as well.

"Babcock’s being humble again!" A man stood up standing on the table. "Are you going to start the event Captain Darren?"

"These four chairs are a symbol of equals. No one is above another here! So we welcome these children with gifts so they might know generosity. We welcome them with a song…"

"So they might understand what an arse Nat is!" Jacobs yelled out at the front table.

"Hey! I’m not doing the honors tonight." Nat let out a soft cheer. "Darren’s going to do it!"

The crowd quieted down. Darren held up his hand. Waving towards C.C.’s head cannoner Jay. "Following yer lead Captain!" Jay called out cheerfully.

"A single thread in a tapestry
though its color brightly shines
can never see its purpose
in the pattern of the grand design
and the stone that sits up on the very top
of the castle’s mighty face
does it think that it's more important
than the stones that forms the base
So how can you see what your life is worth
or where your value lies
ohhhh, you can never see through the eyes of man
you must look at your life
look at your life through heaven's eyes
lai-la-lai ..through heaven's eyes
A bag of gold in the summer sun.
is less than a cool fresh spring
and to one stranded man, a sailor
is greater than the richest king
should a soul lose everything they owns
have they truly lost their worth
or is it the beginning
of a new and brighter birth
So how do you measure the worth of a soul
in wealth or strength or size
in how much they gained or how much they gave
the answer will come
the answer will come to those who try
to look at their life through heaven's eyes
lai-la-lai ..through heaven's eyes
and that's why we share all we have with you
though there's little to be found
when all you've got is nothing
there's lots to go around
No life can escape being blown about
by the winds of change and chance
and though you never know all the steps
you must learn to join the dance
you must learn to join the dance
lai-la-lai ..through heaven's eyes" **

C.C. let out a joyous laugh being carried along in a dance. The whole town had come out dropping off gifts, and when the musicians had finished C.C. and Fran… along with Darren returned to the stage. "Now! Third. We welcome them with a name. Here you can choose any name…"

"James Babcock." C.C felt her heart pound looking at the little boy crying softly in her arms.

"Eve Fine ." Fran had tears in her eyes as Nat walked up taking the baby from her arms.

"So be it! Let every man and woman care for them… let them have food. Shellter, and fire!" Darren hit a large metal plate. "Let us all have ale in honor of the newborn babes!"

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

"Mama! Sta. Safe!" James waved next to Eve who had joined them on the docks. They would both been turning three this year. C.C. and Fran had both left presents for them, but… this would be the first year they would miss their birthdays.

"Oy… this is the first raiding we have all done on the same ship." Fran smiled leaning against C.C. for just a moment. Fran’s Hawk’s Nest was up for repairs, and so she left half her crew behind this time. "Darren left you long instructions!"

C.C. undid the long piece of parchment. C.C. rolled her eyes. "Darren you ass!" She threw the paper up in the air, and Fran caught it in midair.

Fran reread the paper. "We are to do what?" Fran eyed a laughing Jacobs. "C.C." Fran pointed her finger towards Jacobs.

"Well Captains… I didn’t do it!" Jacobs backed up against the rail being cornered by C.C.

"We are going to Port ROYAL???" C.C. roared knowing that would take her one heartbeat closer to Niles. "What kind of game is Darren playing? We are to steal three diamonds for the Governor’s castle and give it back to him once the game is done?"

Jacobs let out a nervous laugh, and Nat smiled. "Captain, are you too scared to take on the English? They want to test their wits against the best raiders on the seven seas." Nat nibbled on an apple.

*No. This puts me closer to Niles, and he damn well now knows my secret.* C.C. had a moment of weakness spilling her guts to Darren Seaworth a day before he married again. "Darren’s playing games with my head!"

"That’s both of our heads missy." Fran narrowed her eyes at the laughing men. "What are you laughing AT."

"Nothing …Nothing .Captain… It’s just going to be fun seeing you steal those three diamonds! Darren has done it for the past three years, but since his broken hand." Jacobs was still smiling along with Nat. "Come on Captain if he wanted to mess with ya he has more things on ya than…"

C.C. let out a sigh backing down and putting away her weapons. Darren was still recovering from his own broken hand, and his new wife was expecting any moment…Maybe just maybe . He wasn’t using all this as some sort of game. "We wear masks during this contest?"

"Yes’m Cap… Ya get to do anything ya want but ya will be allowed

masks…Remember after ya still de gems you get to ring them church bells." Nat smiled watching Fran’s face twist in pain.

"Oy more things I have to explain to my mother when I see her again… What I was doing in a church." Fran walked towards the cabin. "Darren better have left us those monk outfits and masks."

"Please… That’s like number ninety-eight on the list of one hundred things you have to explain to her." C.C. took the wheel from Jacobs waving him away. "We will be meeting the governor’s ship in an hour Fran."

"Gotcha!"

C.C. let out a sigh putting on the new uniform had been a chore. "Oy. We look like young boys rather than women." Fran lifed up the mirror shard, and handed it to C.C. "I wish I could at least wear my kilt…Nat’s right it’s a lot easier to move in."

"You just like to tease Nat that he wears nothing underneath." C.C. sighed at the mirror. They were both wearing black and silver style uniforms… with black masks.

"They’re here Captain!"

Fran and C.C. froze walking out onto the ship. *He… looks sooo good…* C.C. tried her best to breath, but he was standing by the governor’s side. *Fran better keep her mouth shut or we are done for.* Maxwell Sheffield, and Niles Butler had been forced to escort the Governor on this silly training exercise.

"They look like young boys." Niles whispered into Maxwell’s ear. "This shall be easy this year sir."

"I don’t know old man… the governor has a high opinion of these two." Maxwell let out a sigh as the two masked figures walked up to them holding a small box.

Fran better follow my lead… *"It is a pleasure seeing you again Lordship."* C.C. had always been able to speak fluent French, but Eve had helped along her skill with it.

"French pirates sir?" Niles did a double take hearing the words.

"Quiet old man ." Maxwell growled.

"So is that going to be your game?" The Governor crossed his arms letting out a laugh. "Well my brother always did have a sense of humor…I look forward to see the skill that took the Dutch Admiral’s pride and joy."

Maxwell leaned to Niles knowing he would know what had happened there. "What did these two do?"

"Rumor has it they stole a necklace off an Admiral’s wife… Babcock and Fine are their names they go by… No one has been able to get a good look at them yet.

C.C. handed over a small box. *"Send Danny our best, and this is for your new daughter."* C.C. smiled softly remember the governor’s wife earlier kindness.

"I will… You have until sunset to start the game… " The Governor placed the gold coins in her hand. "No fire arms will be used against you . Use any tricks you can come up with… I want to see if my guards can grab you."

"Do we get to unmask them too sir?" Niles could help this funny feeling… his whole body started to cry out.

The Governor crossed his arms looking at Fran and C.C. "It’s only fair."

Fran nodded her head slowly still too terrified to talk. *My god. If Maxwell unmasks me. It will be all over for him… He’ll know. He’ll know everything.*

"It’s only fair." C.C. nodded her head slowly at the men left her ship. She could feel Niles stare at her. A lot of people have blue eyes Niles… She tried to will that into his head wondering… hoping…he would obey… but that small part of her soul cried out for him.

"Sir. Did you sense something about our prey?" Niles couldn’t stop thinking about those blue eyes.

"Yes old man… yes indeed…" Maxwell let out a soft groan.

C.C. let out a sigh pulling off her mask when the ship was well out of sight. "Dear God, Fran." She tilted her head towards Fran. "We are playing with fire here."

"Something wrong Cap?" Jacobs came up to take his place by the wheel. "You’ll have fun showing those English a thing or too… Last year they managed to unmask Darren, and the year before that they got Chandler."

"Thousand times Oy…" Fran rolled her eyes letting out a deep breath. "It’s a big city C.C. maybe we won’t see them." Fran whispered softly in her ear.

"Yeah…only if our luck changes." C.C. pulled back on her mask. "Alright lads. Me and Miss Fine are off to make the English cry."

"Give them hell, Cap!" Everyone on the ship started to shout and C.C. felt her heart pounding in her chest. Niles… Was he married by now? Was he happy? She forced such thoughts down following Fran to the small row boat.

"Remember keep your head down!" Nat tossed her a small pack. "We will be on the other side of the island waiting for you… see you tomorrow."

C.C. felt her heart race. They were able to use any costume, but part of the game had them remain in masks. They also had three yellow pieces of cloth attached to their clothing. C.C. pulled her cloak even tighter. "This is going to get hot and soon."

"Oy you didn’t think this was going to be easy?" Fran let out a groan. "We can’t get caught… no matter what missy. If they know it’s us."

"They’re done for… and we are done for… I know." C.C. felt her heart starting to betray her. She could even now feel his hands on her bare skin, and the memory made her shiver.

"We can split up meet at the last gem?" Fran pulled the boat on shore. "It would divide their forces."

"Alright." C.C. pulled out the map. "You head towards the west church, and I’ll go to the east, and will meet in the middle."

"Oy, this the only plan we got?" Fran let out a nasal laugh. "We making it up as we go along again?"

"Course!" C.C. turned before walking off. "Fran…. Remember."

"I know…Be careful Chasitity"

"You too." C.C. ran to the stone wall climbing it. She counted herself lucky she had been forced to regain her figure so quickly after James’s birth. She pulled the hood over her head trying to blend into town.

Fran let out a groan. She wondered how was she supposed to get inside a church guarded by twenty men. "Oy… this could be trouble."

C.C. pulled out her favorite new toys. She had hated Darren for giving the children fireworks, but since they weren’t allowed fire arms… no one said anything about the use of fire works near horses. "I’m going to thank you later Darren… Right after I kill you for this…" C.C. pulled out lighting the first fire cracker as the soldiers horses made a break for it . C.C. now faced only two men. "Oy Vey."

"Kid…." Fran tilted her head, and held out the piece of hard candy. "Come here." She smiled handing the boy the candy whispering in his ear. "Do you understand sweetie?"

"Yes’m!" The boy laughed walking to the soldiers. The men all ran off leaving Fran only three to deal with.

"Oy. God loves kids." Fran smiled pulling out her raiper and small dagger. She was sure to make short work of them.

Niles blinked hearing the bells go off east and west…" Who ever they are… they have made quick work of things sir."

"Keep your head clear old man…"Maxwell pulled on his tricorn hat again. "They aren’t getting past us that easy… I want to remove those masks!"

C.C. laughed walking up besides a waiting Fran. "I think the Lord Governor needs to work on his defensives… that was way to easy." Fran’s face went pale looking at the last church. "What’s wrong?"

"They’re in there." Fran pointed out Maxwell and Niles’ forms moving about. C.C. then felt her stomach twist in a knot. "Double Oy."

"So…" Fran leaned down using the wall for protection. "What shall we do?"

C.C. felt her heart pounding in her chest. "Panic?" C.C. tilted her head to Fran. "I don’t’ know… I can’t. face him…."

"Well we got the robes. Let’s use them!" Fran pulled out her monk robe pulling it over her clothes and handed C.C. hers. "It’s going to be alright… if any sword play is involved… I’ll handle … Niles?"

"I’ll grab Maxwell." C.C. nodded trying to keep her hands from shaking. "Confession booths are inside. We can walk inside the church and duck in there for a small rest."

"That will be another thing I have to explain to my ma." Fran lifted her head up pulling her hood up over her head.

"That list is growing even longer over the years…. Fran keep quiet…. Too. You’ll give us away for sure."

Fran snickered she didn’t need to be told twice her accent mixture was unique. They both kept their head down following a small trail of monks inside the church. Maxwell’s men were indeed better trained than the other soldiers they had faced. They looked over each monk, but still let them past. Fran let out a deep sigh opening the confession booth noticing C.C. was taking up her place. They would only have a ten minutes peace here. "Forgive me brother it has been over three years since my last confession." Maxwell’s voice filled the small both, and Fran felt her own heart stop again.

C.C. held back a gasp hearing Niles’ voice. She had heard his whispers on the ship, but this was different they were so close… and yet so far…" I know…I shouldn’t be doing this now sir, but something has been weighing heavily on my mind."

"I love a woman. I haven’t seen in over three years…" Maxwell let out a sigh. "I think if she would have stayed around. I would have been too scared to tell her anyway, but my heart keeps on drifting back to that one sinful night."

"She’s witty. She’s smart… She’s even wild." Niles let out a soft laugh. "I’m hopelessly in love with a memory."

C.C. felt her heart twist as she fought to keep the sobs at bay. He still loved her … but she had to go…what could she do .

"I would give anything just to hear a few words from her again." Maxwell and Niles said at the same time…

"Father. Brother, are you there?" Niles blinked realizing he hadn’t heard anything from the mouth of the monk. He had admitted moments before about his one-night-stand with this woman. "Sir?"

C.C. felt the tears flow down her cheeks… Oh God. I’m going to kill Darren. "Do the stars still shine from the great tower? The stars that night. Were shinning for you."

Niles felt his heart pound… "Chastity??"

Maxwell turned. "Why aren’t you saying anything father? I just told you I slept with a woman outside the bounds of marriage."

"Oy. Love is worth any effort…and I do long for you as well." Fran couldn’t help her own voice…she had to say something…

C.C. placed her hand on the window not raising her head. He couldn’t see her mask that she knew for certain. She could feel his hand touch the metal like window the feel of her skin on his was too much, and C.C. got up.

Niles heard the movement of her leaving. It was her! It had to have been her. Niles pushed at the door to find it jammed. "No… No. You aren’t getting away from me… not again."

Maxwell banged at the door trying to bust it open. Then his whole body shivered hearing the bell ringing. "No…." The door suddenly was opened by Niles. "What the bloody hell happened old man?"

"I’m not. Sure." Niles turned to see his men all in place with their mouths wide open.

"No one has shown up sir! Or we would have known."

"FIND THEM NOW!" Maxwell tried his best to recover from hearing her voice. I know I heard her voice…no one has that accent. I know that was her.

C.C. climbed up onto the roof after Fran. They had to get away the game wasn’t over until they made it back on their own boat. "I have no idea how you got in, but the game stop here." Niles pulled out his rapier and his dagger. Maxwell let out a deep sigh pulling out his weapons. He would have preferred to find her, but duty always came first.

C.C. acted quickly engaging Maxwell. She danced around using her speed against his strength. She had to keep her mouth shut and her eyes lowered. She managed to pull out one of the ribbon signaling Maxwell was wounded.

Fran used her high stepping style and the environment around her. What shocked Fran is that Niles could match her style so quickly. "You’re good, but I’m better." Niles had his coy smile forcing Fran back in a corner.

*No.* C.C. narrowed her eyes running away from Maxwell who was trying to regain his balance. C.C. let out a soft hissing noise as the two women successfully caused Niles to lose every ribbon he had on his body. Niles fell to his knees as the masked figures pulled out the ribbons with their rapiers, and helped Maxwell up from a likely fall.

"DAMMIT!" Maxwell let out a roar looking towards the sky. They should have had the masked pirates…. "If only…" Maxwell turned noticing the two strangers where on the move. The game wasn’t over yet.

Niles buried his head in his hands. "I’m going crazy… My God. Please…"

C.C. couldn’t stop her hidden tears as she ran, and dashed the strikes from Maxwell’s and Niles’ men. One even claimed one of her three ribbons. "Keep moving." She pushed Fran onto a horse. "We can‘t be caught remember?"

"Sir…Did they get you both?" One of Maxwell’s sailors walked up handing them a wine skin.

"I’m afraid so." Maxwell had his men search the church. "Did you find any women?"

"No sir, the good brothers say their haven’t been any ladies here praying since yesterday. The man saluted going back to his duty. Maxwell gave Niles a harsh look.

"I know I heard her!" Niles started to ball his hands up into fists. He had felt her skin on his…. That touch. His whole body shivered.

Maxwell walked to the back of the church feeling his stomach tighten. His heart wouldn’t stop pounding. He turned to find Niles joining him. "I don’t know…. What we are going to do old man?"

"We fight…" Niles had listened to his mother, and let go the issue of the woman who had haunted his dreams, but now…"We go to the one person that knows who they are… The good governor’s wife."

Maxwell nodded slowly. "Soon old man…. Soon…"

C.C. climbed up onto the boat where the governor was waiting. Fran rubbed at her red eyes. "Here, they are your lordship." C.C. bowed trying to remember her courtly manners.

"You did well… You both are talented. My brother was right…" The governor took her hand, kissing it. "I have given Mister Jacobs’s your payment."

C.C. turned her head to Jacobs who nodded. "Thank you … Lordship, but forgive our manners it has been an awful day."

"You won the day good lady…" The Governor raised his eyebrow. "You should be happy."

"Sometimes. When you win… you loose…" Fran let out a long sigh pulling off her mask.

Niles let out a sigh he had used his father’s contacts to get her here. "Please, good lady. Help us…"

Danny held tight her baby shaking her head. "I gave my oath. My word sir…That I would keep their secrets…but. If you are willing… and are willing to play a game…" Danny had written her brother-in law many times regarding the lady pirates. She was always writing C.C. and Fran as well. "I will help you, and keep my word."

Niles felt his heart swell with hope, and turned towards Maxwell who was smiling. "We thank you…"

"Don’t thank me yet… It might take some time…long period of time… but I promise you I will make is possible for you to see them again…"Danny smiled at the men.

"Are either one of them back YET!" He screamed out looking at his empty docks. The docks, main part of this unusually city. A old stone fort once owned by the French sat nearby. A small village full of families and retired pirates ran near the docks.

"No sir! I’ll send work Governor when they return." The old dock master grumbled.

"He should know why they are both late getting in." The young boy fishing at the end of the dock looked over at the small girl.

"I want to head to sea someday! They both tell me stories!" She pulled out the fish smiling looking at her supper for tonight.

"Your mom ever tell you about your dad?" The boy whispered his blonde hair tossed about.

"Naw! Ma never tells me anything." The girl frowned looking out over the waves. "I see the Hellfire!" The girl pointed to the oncoming ship. The girl’s thick black hair blew in the wind.

"Now Miss Eve… Mister James be careful!" The dock master called out to the two young children.

C.C. Babcock looked on the ocean blue. Her long hair tied back in a thick braid as she looked out on the pirate city. "It’s good to be home captain!" An old pirate called out from the crows nest, and he managed to get C.C. to smile. She adjusted her stolen French coat and put her rapier back in her belt. Her tricorn hat another stolen item from a French captain.

"MOM!" James ran down the deck fishing pole in hand.

C.C. puffing away on her cigar while James , and his tag along ran on board. "Hello, Hello!" C.C. smirked looking at the kids. "Why aren’t you two in school."

"Mom! School is boring!" James groaned loudly as C.C. ran her hand in the boy’s hair.

"Is Ma on her way?" The girl’s dark eyes looking into C.C.’s

"Yeah. Fran’s on her way." C.C. grumbled looking at the side of her boat. "She’s alright Eve." She lifted the child’s chin upward and smiled.

"I just worry." She smiled back.

"Damnit Babcock! I’m waiting!" A loud male voice called out over the dock.

"Run along kids…. Duty calls." C.C. rolled her eyes walking towards the stone fort.

Chandler Evans had sailed once for the King’s navy until one day he decide it wasn’t enough. He had been a native of the English Colony of Massachusetts. "You’re late C.C." He was still a rather handsome man, but ran into C.C.’s temper a few years ago. The cost was his left eye.

"Stuff it old one eye." C.C. snickered puffing on the cigar again throwing down a box.

"That’s no way to treat your husband." Chandler leaned over touching her soft skin. He hadn’t even notice C.C.’s dagger was now pointing directly under his chin. He soon felt the pin prick and saw her devilish smile.

"You lost husbandly rights when I was fourteen." She snickered holding his head. "Shall I make you totally blind?"

Chandler snickered looking at his would-be wife. "Now you wonder why they call you Batty Babcock." He moved away allowing her to sit down in the chair. "Where the hell is Fran?"

"She had to make another run at a French ship. Come on Chandler give her a break." C.C. rolled her eyes taking a bottle and pouring out a good helping of the rum.

"You know I have enough explosives in this room . They could go off." Chandler eyed her carefully.

"So could I." She snickered putting out the cigar. "How much are we giving to the English this month?"

"Twenty-Five percent." Chandler turned putting up a few boxes in a crude safe.

"I don’t understand why you don’t let me handle them." She pulled out her rapier laying it across her lap.

"I thought you and Fran wanted to keep away from English sailors. " Chandler smirked as if he knew a secret. C.C. and Fran had made an effort to keep away from their English allies.

"Don’t go there Chandler." She gave him her best warning snarl.

"After all. Didn’t some officers get the two of you… You did become pregnant soon after…." Chandler knew he was crossing the line, but as usually couldn’t help himself. C.C. hand landed her right hook successfully across his jaw causing him to fall over.

She picked up her tricorn hat looking down at the man rubbing his chin. "If you ever hint with James and Eve." She pointed down to Chandler as the dock master’s words rang out.

"SHIP AHOY! HAWK‘S NEST!"

Fran breathed in the sea hair. C.C. was the strong arm of the group, but Fran was the wild free spirit. Fran wore inside of the sailor’s outfit a Scottish looking kilt. Her peasant blouse dipped down enough to catch a hit of her cleavage. "Very good Roger!" She looked up at the crow’s nest smiling.

"We’ll eat well tonight Captain!"

"Oy! Don’t talk about food right now!" she smiled noticing the children on the dock. "A girl’s got to watch her figure. See that good old one-eye gets the loot."

"Aye, Aye Captain!"

"MA!" Eve smiled running on board past her mother’s sailors into Fran’s arms.

"Sweetie! Oy you’re getting so big!" She hugged the child to her and smiled at James. "Your Ma make it in sweetie?" Fran always had that hidden fear that one day… either she or C.C. wouldn’t make it back alive.

"Yeah she’s up there with him." James rolled his eyes in his dramatic fashion.

"Yeah. We all must pay the devil a visit." Fran found herself snickering but looked to the children. "Well? I’m sure you both …"

"We know, back to school." They walked back to the village.

"About damn time Fran." Chandler walked down the long stairway yelling followed by C.C.

"I would have to interrupt a lovely reunion." Fran smirked adding a bow. "Ahh I see Miss Babcock has already blessed you." She laughed at Chandler noticing his growing bruise on his chin. Fran tossed over a finely made musket for him to inspect.

"I had no choice, but to bless the good governor. Since he made comments." C.C. moved up onto the ship, now while Fran was bundling some ropes.

Fran gave Chandler a sharp look. "Chandler…I agree with C.C. on this."

"Listen, I take care of your bast—Children while you are way. I think I’m entitled…."

Chandler’s remarks were cut short noticing C.C. had a cannon ball in her hands. "You were saying?"

"Never mind. Listen. The English want to inspect our little operation here." Chandler quickly backed far from C.C.’s reach.

"The English…" C.C. rolled her eyes. "IF we end up captured by the French or Dutch. They don’t know us! But. "

"They still want fifteen percent." Fran tried to finish for C.C. who shook her head and mouthed twenty-five now. "CHANDLER!"

"Small price of doing business." Chandler waved away both of the women. Fran was just as deadly with her rapier as C.C. "Remember! You two gave up dealing with them."

Fran’s eyes darted to C.C.’s who shrugged. "Well he’s your husband."

"Not in my eyes." C.C. pulled out her cigar again restarting it.

"Well ladies…I will see you two at the feast tonight." Chandler gave a dashing smile. "I will go gather our guests." He ran off the ship leaving C.C. and Fran to shake their heads.

"The English are going to take over this port soon." C.C. offered Fran a pipe.

"It was only a matter of time." Fran let out a mournful sigh thinking about their freedom.

"At least I could retire in America somewhere. " Fran muttered thinking about her family in New York… .

"Would you want to see them Fran?" C.C. leaned over towards her friend.

"At times, I can understand my needing to pay my way to the new world." Fran shifted picking up a few items on her ship. "I never thought, I would end up here."

C.C. rarely let her guard down with anyone… "Do you miss them?" Her blue eyes reflected a deeper meaning looking to her dark-headed friend.

"Everyday for the past nine years." Fran muttered into her own chest. "Come on Batty Babcock! I’ll buy you a whiskey."

"Alright! Fancy Fran." C.C. smirked. Either woman liked the given names their crews had placed on them.

"You have orders Captain." The governor groaned looking at the English officer.

"Sir why, are we even dealing with these pirates?" He shifted frowning combing his hand in his black hair.

"Sheffield, for the same reason the crowns has colonies. They are useful." The Governor hated to be questioned. "Take your second with you." He looked down at the official documents. "You also need a shave! You are a bad example for your men."

"Niles? Sir?" Maxwell gasped. He had promised his old friend time with his parents. Maxwell ran a hand along his new beard. It was a new addition that added to his regal look, or so Maxwell thought

"Yes, NILES." The governor rolled his eyes. "You have your orders Captain dismissed." The governor looked up moments later as his wife Daniel entered the room. "You think this is going to work?"

"They can’t hide from their feelings forever, and I did promise one day to help them." Daniel leaned over kissing his hand. "Thank you my lord husband."

Maxwell groaned after leaving the governor’s office. Maxwell Sheffield was the son of Lord James Sheffield. His father owned lands in the New York colony. That land had been a gift from the crown. Maxwell sighed placing his hat on his head looking across the port city. He was far from England now. It had been ten years since he had first set foot in the new world. This place had cost him everything… his wife death these ten years… the only comfort he took was with ….that wonderful vision. So many years ago.

His footsteps became heavy walking down the pathways towards his friend’s parents dwelling. Knocking on the door heavily it was answered by a smiling native.

"Ahh Captain Sheffield! The Butlers are expecting ya!" Samuel smiled taking the Captain’s hat and coat.

"Maxwell!" Marie Butler was an older woman who smile made Max blush.

"Hello Mrs. Butler, I am sorry, I should have come sooner." He kissed her hand softly as both Butler men walked in the room.

"Sir!" Niles sapped to attention.

"Niles!" Maxwell rolled his eyes rubbing his temples. "We are not on duty… at the moment anyway."

"Then you’ll join us for a brandy?" David Butler handed over a glass to Max.

"Niles we have been given new orders. Tonight we must depart." Maxwell quickly held up his hand. "I know, I know."

"Maxwell, the governor is working you lads to hard! Maybe I should talk with him?" David sipped slowly.

"Duty is duty sir." Maxwell gave a boyish grin.

"Sir, you barely had time to sleep after running down the Frenchman Fox." Niles looked at his Captain. "I can only go far looking after your health."

"That’s my Niles." Marie played with her son’s hair. "Always looking after others."

"You fellows need to spend some time on shore. It might be the only way you find you proper wives." Daniel grinned teasing the pair. Niles rolled his eyes towards Maxwell at his father’s last comment.

"Well we going to be the invited guests of One-Eyed Chandler." Maxwell waited for the gasps to die down.

"Don’t worry mother, Dad. Chandler’s in the pocket of the crown." Niles smirked looking towards a nervous Maxwell. "I hear he has some women pirates running his ships now." Niles had heard rumors of French Captains grumbling about their treatment.

"They been running his ships for nine years now. They are barely out of their twenties." Maxwell grumbled looking at the information given to him. "You don’t think those might have been the bandits from that trail a few years ago?"

"No true lady would ever take up thieving." Marie mutter under her breath

.

"Well, mother these women are wanted, and sooner or later." Niles mumbled taking another sip. He tilted his head noticing his friend’s gaping mouth. "Sir? Maxwell?"

Maxwell was holding tight drawing. The drawing was made by a French captain that had his ship raided by two women. "Come on Niles." He lifted his head up.

"Mother…Father ." Niles leaned over to kiss his mother’s cheek and quickly grabbing his coat and hat. "Sir?" He tried to stop Maxwell would was walking quickly towards the dock. "SIR!" Maxwell’s mind shut down walking past sailors and villages alike.

Maxwell looked towards the sky groaning loudly. "I don’t believe this!" He stopped on the wooden dock letting out a long roaring sigh.

"If you wouldn’t mind telling me, sir?" Niles watched his friend change three different shades of red then white. Maxwell quickly handed over the drawings.

"Oh," Niles felt his heart beating fast looking into those eyes… her eyes….

"Again James." C.C. roared holding out her wooden rapier towards the young boy.

"If I win would you tell me?" James stood up after C.C. had tripped him. He saw his mother’s playful smile cut across her face.

"I could, if you win." C.C. tapped his shoulder. "Remember young man, everyone is wearing masks tonight." She started out thrusting towards James putting him off balance again.

"Ouch!" He felt the tap and frowned. "I’ll win one day!"

"I’m sure you will." She helped him up hugging him tightly.

"So? More English officers coming?" James gave her a coy smile.

"What do you mean more?" C.C. had been at sea for three months.

"Governor had two men here after you and Fran left." James put up the two wooden practice blades following his mother inside the house.

"Well that explains were the ten percent went." C.C. smiled looking towards her two elderly maids. "Marry and Joan." She smiled handing them a small bag apiece.

"Bless you Captain." They both hugged her tightly causing C.C.’s face to twist. James let out a burst of laughter. C.C. shot her son a look. The women walked out.

"Here it comes." James groaned noticing his mother’s look.

"Last time we had the Spanish here you disobeyed me." C.C. snarled. "Remember if anyone outside this port knew…"

"They would use me to get to you." James yawned playfully and C.C. jerked the boy’s head around.

"This is serious James."

‘Alright, alright . I get the picture mom." James groaned picking up the hooded mask. "I’ll wear this tonight while serving. The other kids like to wear them anyway."

"Good boy." C.C. smiled ruffling up his hair.

"Governor says you have to wear at least a kilt!" James called out walking to his room.

"Yeah what else is new." C.C. snickered sitting down in a chair lifting up her feet pulling off the long boots. Her eyes went to it. The small piece of blonde hair she had stolen from him that night. C.C. had it placed under glass. James thought it was a trophy from some French Captain. Her hands run along it slowly trying to break the barrier of time the glass represented.

"C.C.!" The loud nasal cry echoed in the house. It had brought her mind back towards the present day. C.C. turned to face Fran who was pure white.

"What is it?" She tilted her head. C.C. knew normally nothing upset Fran. She was as fearless as her.

"You better get dress and come look… They are here ." Fran muttered madly.

C.C. had put on the best Spanish uniform she could find. Fran wore a new kilt, her red hooded mask along with a sash, and a clean white peasant blouse with gold trim.

"They both came in blindfolded." Fran lead C.C. towards the wall as she took off the hat placing the brownish/golden hooded mask on.

"Oh." C.C. leaned over watching both Niles Butler and Maxwell Sheffield looking around at the five ships on at port.

"What are we going to do Miss Babcock?" Fran chewed at her fingernails.

"How long are they here for?" C.C.’s mind was racing. This was the man she couldn’t get out of her heart. For eight plus years, since that one night in bed she had been carrying a torch for him.

"Three days…" Fran groaned looking back towards C.C.

"Fran, did Maxwell Sheffield get a good look at your eyes?" The mask covered everything, but that… * How often does a lover or anyone notice someone’s eyes?*

"I remember his… I have no idea if he’ll remember mine…" Fran looked worried. "Wait! The feast tonight will be held out in town square! "

"Yeah? So?" C.C. was now racing for answers.

"They’ll not be able to see well in the fire light…" Fran nodded trying to reinsure C.C.

"Okay! Stay away from bright lights… Got ya…" Her eyes followed Chandler who was leading them this way.

"You see Captain, we run an honest business. The crown gets advantages to our little treaty." Chandler stopped to face Niles and Maxwell. Fran and C.C. felt themselves blending into the background.

"When is thievery honest?" Niles smirked taking off his hat.

"Niles?" Maxwell shot him a look and he bowed his head.

"So you’ll report back to the good Governor I have kept my word." Chandler grinned walking towards a larger room showing them the income that awaited them to take home.

"I see a lot of French markings… I see nothing from Spain." Maxwell looked around picking up a coin flicking it towards the pirate.

"Fighting Spain is tricky business." Chandler muttered.

"Like fighting the English?" Maxwell smiled back nodding. "The governor might want to redo the agreement soon."

"I expect… We could… Cause problems with Spanish shipping this next season." Chandler let out a soft grumble.

"Another subject… You are using female Captains for your pirate ships."

"Babcock and Fine are the best… "Chandler smiled his eyes following Maxwell around the room. He noticed Niles’s odd smirk. "Do you have a problem with them Captain?"

"We would like to meet them." Niles finally spoke up Maxwell nodded to Niles.

"Now in fact…" Maxwell grumbled looking at Chandler.

"Captain Sheffield as you can tell this is a rather large port . It might take time."

"Then I suggest you send someone out to find them now One-Eye ."

"Of course. And I’ll show you to your rooms." Chandler bows leading the men off.

C.C. groaned after listening into the conversation. "They so know."

"Last time we tease a French Captain while taking his supplies." Fran shook her head.

"Were can we buy us some time?"

"Darren’s" They both said at once running down the steps quickly.

Niles held up the drawing again looking at the women’s faces. "She even teased me that night." He sighed his hand running up and down one woman’s face.

Maxwell closed his eyes. "I still remember her giggle." He sat on the edge of the bed holding his hat. "She just told me one name that night… Francine ."

Niles looked outside to the sea. "We are haunted men Maxwell. My mother has always tried to fix us both up with many wonderful women."

"No one has come close to that night." Maxwell smirked thinking. "Niles…"

"Sir?"

"They could be these pirate women ."

"Indeed sir. Indeed." Niles walked towards his makeshift room grumbling.

Maxwell jumped from the bed hearing loud knocking. "Enter."

"Sir!" The young bow nodded his head. "Governor Chandler told me you might want some tea. He is busy looking for Captain Babcock and Fine now."

"Wonderful." Maxwell let out a groaning roar stretching awake. "Boy would you go knock on the commander’s door? and… why are you wearing that thing?" He noticed the hooded mask.

"Sir? Every time we have a visitor. We hide our faces." The boy frowned waiting to be dismissed.

"Alright. Very well then go wake the Commander for me." Maxwell sipped at the tea.

"Any word?" Niles walked in the doorway as Maxwell waved him to sit.

"Not yet. You don’t think he would be trying to stall our investigation?"

"No doubt. You noticed the masked lad here?" Niles looked towards Maxwell.

"They don’t exactly trust us do they? Why do I have a feeling the reason they haven’t touched one Spanish ship." Maxwell’s mind trailed off.

"Is because they have an agreement with them as well?" Niles smirked grabbing for a cup. "Sir it makes perfect sense… The crown sooner or later will want this port."

"When happens they’ll try and see it to the highest bidder." Maxwell shook his head. "Pirates…"

"These are the best." A man stood at the doorway. His mask black. "No one has been able to steal more gold!… pardon Captain. Commander you can call me Jax." He smiled handing over some new clothes. "You’ll be needing these for the feast tonight."

"Why?" Niles looked over the normal clothes eyeing Maxwell for permission.

"Ya would hate to stick out like a sore thumb!"

"Now is this normal Jax?" Maxwell looked at the hooded mask on top.

"No sir!… Chandler said you’d be wanting to see all the port! Everyone will be wearing masks outdoors! Hiding from the Englishmen!" he nodded both Niles and Maxwell could tell Jax was missing a few marbles.

Niles watched Jax run out. "Well Niles old boy…When in Rome." Maxwell lifted up the gray mask to his face.

"Permission to speak freely sir?" Niles’s eyes darted around the room.

"Granted!"

"Let’s hope we aren’t falling into a trap."

C.C. poured another drink in the wooden cup eyeing Darren. "Why did you marry him again?" Darren was slurring his words.

"Remember, I’m a woman . I had no choice at the time." C.C. tipped the bottle again draining her cup and eyeing Fran.

"We can out duel most … all men… yet we have no real rights." Fran’s eyes started to grow heavy as C.C. giggled. "You remember that Dutch Admiral?"

"Then I hung up naked from the crows nest?" C.C. grinned remembering the fat man’s screams of injustice.

"You wonder why yer crew calls you Batty Babcock." Darren eyed his now empty bottle of rum. "Did either of you steal some more…." Before he could finish Fran produced a brown glass bottle. "Ahhh bless you Frannie."

"That’s what I’m here for." She eyed her glass looking in it. "When did you get this?"

"Babcock gave me a set." Darren pointed towards C.C. "Why are you two hiding out here again?"

"Chandler wants us." C.C. took the bottle uncorking it.

"Well damnit Fran! C.C.!" Darren’s eyes look back and forth between the two. "Would you rather face the problem head on, or hide here?"

"Hide here." C.C. and Fran both raised glasses clicking them together.

"Mom! Mom!" Eve’s voice was like a cannon inside the house. C.C. and Fran both shared looks.

"Sweetie how many times do I have to tell you…" Fran leaned over hugging her daughter’s waist. "When mommy is at Darren’s…."

"…Mommy is hiding from Chandler ." His voice rumbled in the room.

"OY! This can’t be good." Fran groaned as Chandler pulled up a seat.

"They want to meet you." He looked at the pair.

"Who wanta to meet me. " C.C. leaned over snapping his eye patch.

"Now. I ask myself…." Chandler turned around to notice Eve had quickly left. "Why you two never wanted to be around the English… Sure you stuck around for Spanish representatives."

"Stephen…" Fran and C.C. both said letting out a girlish sigh. Darren rolled his eyes looking at them.

"For once would you both pay attention!" He slapped his hand down on the table.

"I tell myself since James and Eve’s birth either one of you want nor desire to be around the English …" Chandler yet again didn’t have finish his statement. This time Fran had a hold of something. Chandler was rather fond of that possession.

"Interesting. I didn’t know you had it in you." C.C. turned looking approvingly to her ally. "Chandler. I would stop talking about that subject. We will meet them tonight."

"Well Darren. Thanks for the whiskey." Fran stood up putting her mask back on. C.C. quickly followed leaving Chandler gasping that private part of his body.

Eve had been waiting outside for them. "Ma I’m…"

"No need to be sorry." Fran smiled noticing the purple mask her daughter had on. She quickly ran off towards the fort causing Fran to stop "Where are you going sweetie?"

"Chores!" Eve called back and Fran felt her insides jump.

Maxwell looked at himself in the mirror. It had been a while since he had seen himself in anything but a uniform. Niles walked in. "You know sir . If you would stop accepting assignments that could happen more often." He pointed out Maxwell’s clothes.

"I’m sorry old boy . It feels rather odd . "

"Hi!" The purple masked girl tapped on the doorway. In her hands two buckets carrying shaving supplies. "Jax says you need this!" She handed the each a bucket and smiled. "Are you really English?"

"Yes my good lady." Niles knelt and smiled kissing her hand. "Who might you be?"
"Eve." She blushed at Niles. "If you need anything you both ring these." She placed an odd looking horn in each hand. "We’ll come to help you!"

"We?" Maxwell couldn’t help but smiled at the cheerful child.

"Us kids silly!…. Sir ."

"Max." He took her small hand in his. "How old are you?"

"Eight! Mama says I’m quick for my age."

"I bet your mother and father are proud of how quick you are…" Niles added winking at the child.

The girl’s face fell. "I better go! I’ll see you at the feast! Maybe ya can dance with my Ma tonight." She pulled her hand away from Maxwell.

"If I’m lucky she’ll be as wonderful as you." Max’s eyes sparkled looking down at her hidden face.

Eve giggled running out of the room. "We are likely to see a lot of fatherless children here." Maxwell shook his head looking towards his old friend.

"They live life for the moment here, sir." Niles put on his black hooded mask. "Since Captain Babcock and Fine will not come to us. Shall we find them sir?"

Niles had been apart of many Governor’s balls, but this was …pure sin. "They surely do live in the moment!" Maxwell was making a face noticing a pirate ravishing a wench on his crewmates wooden table.

"This is ungodly…" Maxwell found his jaw dropping. Maxwell started to rub his temples trying to get that image out of his mind.

"Sir. We are sailors. Surely you have heard tales our crewmates have."

"Niles . I don’t want to even think about it." Maxwell started to search with his eyes noticed five chairs at placed on a stage.

Niles held Max back. "How about we play a game of our own, sir." He pointed towards a table taking a seat. "I don’t think our host will mind."

"He better not ." Maxwell grabbed a wooden cup a masked child ran by and filled it. "Do you see that kind of thing everyday child?" He pointed towards the table.

Niles was taken aback by the boy’s deep blue eyes. "Where do you think babies come from!" he filled Niles’ cup as Maxwell twisted his face in pain.

"If you sirs need anything just yell for James tonight." The boy ran off after another pirate.

"This is worst than savages…" Maxwell saw another act of a women being pleasured. Her moans filled the air. The roar from the men all the sudden came to a halt. Two figures stood before the table in which the act was taking place.

One was clearly a woman wearing a red hooded mask looking at the small figure next to her. Another woman they both raise their pistols in the air firing. "You didn’t even pay the last one Nat!" the voice yelling at the laughing young man as the wench hopped off him.

"Well Captain Fine she wasn’t all that good." he was pulling up his trousers as the woman wearing the Spanish uniform handed the wench something.

The woman raised the green gem at the pirates. "Eat your heart out boys!"

"Captain Babcock!" Nat groaned. "I didn’t mean to…"

She turned to face the young pirate. "Remember Nat… everyone has to earn their keeps in this port… even them." She pushed the pirate to sit back down. "Where’s our English guests?"

Niles and Maxwell hugged the table closely wanting to watch the pirates without letting on who they are.

"How about a song Jay!" Captain Fine turned towards five men who had sat on a stage.

"Shall we not wait for his Lord Governor!" Jay called back smiling.

"Some of us are still waiting for him." Babcock snickered as the men let out cat calls at her remark.

"Whiskey in a Jar if you please! Nat! Sing!" Fine called out with a huge smile stepping on a table.

‘As I was going over the far famed Kerry mountains
I met with captain Farrell and his money he was counting.
I first produced my pistol, and then produced my rapier.
Said stand and deliver, for I am a bold deceiver,

I counted out his money, and it made a pretty penny.
I put it in my pocket and I took it home to Jenny.
She said and she swore, that she never would deceive me,
but the devil take the women, for they never can be easy

I went into my chamber, all for to take a slumber,
I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure it was no wonder.
But Jenny took my charges and she filled them up with water,
Then sent for captain Farrel to be ready for the slaughter.

It was early in the morning, as I rose up for travel,
The guards were all around me and likewise captain Farrel.
I first produced my pistol, for she stole away my rapier,
But I couldn't shoot the water so a prisoner I was taken.

If anyone can aid me, it's my brother in the army,
If I can find his station down in Cork or in Killarney.
And if he'll come and save me, we'll go roving near Kilkenny,
And I swear he'll treat me better than me darling sportling Jenny

Now some men take delight in the drinking and the roving,
But others take delight in the gambling and the smoking.
But I take delight in the juice of the barley,
And courting pretty fair maids in the morning bright and earl"

Her foot movements quick, kicking up her heels causing plates to fly as everyone sang along with the high stepping tune. Maxwell watched with growing interest at the woman’s foot work.

"I have never seen anyone move so gracefully Francine" Maxwell smiled as they floated across the room.*

Everyone clapped afterwards banging their wooden and metal cups on the table.

"Fancy footwork can save your life right, Captain!" A man shouted out and she lifted a glass to him.

Maxwell spit out his remaining liquid. "Niles. It is them…"

Niles blinked as he turned his eyes to the other woman. Her eyes …like the ocean.

"Stop looking at me you silly royal servant." C.C. smiled as he held her face in his hands.

"I could drown myself in your eyes… Chastity. Niles leaned over kissing each eyelid. Holding her naked form against his tightly.

Maxwell closed his eyes trying to remember. "How much did we have to drink that night Niles?"

"Enough." Niles couldn’t take his eyes off her. Even in that mask he could make out her soft features. Even under all her clothes he could make out that small form that was had curves to make any priest forget his vows. "Your orders, sir?"

"I haven’t a clue at this point." Maxwell looked towards Fran who was taking place at the waiting table.

The men started to bang the cups on downwards yet again signaling Chandler’s appearance. "RAWR!" The crowd yelled out.

"Ahh my fighting Seadogs!" Chandler walked in wearing all black waving around pouches for each man who rose up to receive their wages.

"God bless you sir!" An old toothless man called out.

"You better hope the devil keeps on blessing him, or none of us will get paid. " C.C. had in her hand a whole bottle of rum drinking it.

"My dear, if god wasn’t blessing me. We would have stayed married…" Chandler smiled kissing Fran’s hand.

"You’re the one who is weeping in that department Governor!" Niles called out then hid behind another pirate.

"That man has earn an extra bag." C.C. grabbed one looking around the table. Niles turned his back. He couldn’t allow himself to be found. Not yet.

"Where is the Englishmen?" Fran called out.

"What’s a matter Fine. Need another English play thing?" Chandler smirked as Fran picked up a bottle hitting him over the head knocking the man out cold. The other pirates started cat calls towards her, and Fran took a bow.

"They really have an odd relationship those three." Niles at last noticed Jax sitting with Maxwell.

"What do you mean odd?" Niles asked while him and Maxwell leaned over. Jax smiled knowing pointing towards Fran.

"That one. Forced under contract to be…until Governor sets her free…" His hand quickly moved towards C.C. who was taking her chair. "Marriage ties her. From young age did her father sell her for Evan’s lands."

Niles rubbed his chin thinking.

"Both hide extra earnings away hoping to escape . Hoping for freedom. Dreaming of an old longing of English sailors!" Jax gave a knowing smile towards Maxwell and Niles looking at the men.

Maxwell felt his face go bright red . "Do you mean an indentured servitude contract?"

"Call it what you want. All is the same. Both are trapped." Jax ate his chicken leg. "Governor has more now than just marriage ties and contracts to hold them. English sailors made sure of that."

"What does he have Jax?" Niles pulled on his shoulder. He had forced Jax to turn around to face his angry eyes.

"If you have eyes. You’ll be able to see. If not I can’t help the." Jax got up and Maxwell tired to pull him back down.

"Let him go, sir. We can figure this out." Niles scanned the feast looking over every pirate searching for his clue.

‘Where are the English men!" C.C. roared looking around. *It’s not a time to show any fear C.C. face them like Darren said!*

"Maybe you scared them off Captain!" a young man rose up lifting his glass toward the main stage.

"With her words the meowing hasty-witted strumpet could run off both English and Spanish ships" Niles couldn’t help it . Maxwell was giving him a look to remain quiet, but another part of his body now had control.

"I would rather use my wits than the policy . If you can’t get them out. Then breed them out." C.C. retorted back drinking some ale. She was clearly eyeing a few of the sailors who laughed. The men shrink backwards on the benches grumbling.

"I would rather go with the wenching policy!" A man at their table called out.

"My dear boy." C.C. walked over holding her cup lifting the man’s chin. "Then I’ll be sure and drop you off at the next English port!" She snickered. "Better yet…" her eyes found Maxwell’s and Niles. "Would you accept him now…?" She sat down looking at the men.

Niles felt his face twitching. "He couldn’t handle the discipline needed. Nor could you."

Fran leaned forward in her set. Maxwell was no longer hiding his eyes watching her carefully. "I doubt you could keep her tied to her wheel! Or a bed post!" Fran laughed uneasily with the men never taking her eyes off Max.

C.C. sat before Niles the men around them kept on eating. Fran now found her way towards the table sitting beside her friend.

"Hello Chastity…" Niles at last cracked a faint smile…Do you even care how much I’ve dreamed about you?

Her blue eyes reflected back at his. "Niles." At last my dreams become reality again can either of us live up to them?

"Would I be to forward if I kissed you?" Maxwell leaned closer touching her cheek.

"I would take it as an insult if you didn’t " Fran purred leaning into his lips. She smelt the scent of rum on his lips. For once it didn’t matter to her he was drunk.

His lips felt so soft against her own sucking her in with a promise. "I think your beauty is getting to me." his hands became more brazen and Fran leaned over grabbing another rum from a passing by servant offering Maxwell the cup.

"You better drink this, or you’ll do something you’ll regret." She felt her own body shiver as Maxwell pulled her back into his arms.

"I think I’ll regret letting you leave…" His whispered his kisses becoming bolder. Fran took his hand in hers with a soft smile.

"Come to my room, Captain." She purred as Maxwell pushed her against a wall forgetting himself due to rum.

The feast went on around them as Niles, C.C., Maxwell and Fran exchanged quiet looks. "You could have informed us you were pirates." Niles smirked finally breaking the silence.

"That’s the kind of thing you want to yell in the middle of English elite." C.C. smirked placing a brown bottle in front of them.

Maxwell’s glare on Fran heated the whole table. "Shall we all retire to my household?" Fran at last took her eyes off Maxwell looking at C.C.

"That might be a good idea…" C.C. grumbled as She drank from the bottle. Niles found his feet slowly either man would touch another drop of whiskey … nor the rum. He followed Maxwell noticing that C.C. stopped to whisper something to an elder serving woman.

Fran’s household was nicely outfitted everyone walked inside a normal sitting room. Maxwell noticed the English sailor’s hat on a mantle. Maxwell walked over picking it up. The tricorn hat still had a new look. "I was wondering what happened to this."

C.C. sighed pulling off her blindfold. "You’re married to him." Niles snickered looking into C.C.’s eyes.

"If you call what I have a marriage." She fired back.

"In the sight of God… it’s a marriage." Niles snickered and Fran tilted her head.

"Another form of slavery if the truth be told." Fran mutter thinking about her own run-ins with Chandler.

"Fran I can handle the King’s Servant." C.C. took another sip off the bottle. "He would rather have life in a more honorable package."

"If you don’t have honor. You don’t have respect." Maxwell rush to defend his friend. He couldn’t even start to handle his own feelings at the moment.

C.C. handed Maxwell the bottle with a sly smirk. "Drink this Captain then tell me how much honor you have left." Maxwell started to turn a bright red.

"C.C…" Fran eyed her friend. "I think that’s enough."

"I have seen English honor . Do not even hint I or Fran took advantage of the events in Jamaica" She tilted her head towards Niles. "I know for a fact at least one of you gave as good as you got."

Niles let out a low groan. Her eyes held such life back then what happened to her? "This coming from a woman who earned the name Batty."

"Don’t you have to go lick Sheffield’s boots here?" C.C. snickered.

"You both are famous for humbling half the French navy . I will not sit." Maxwell got up and noticed the two pairs of small eyes watching him.

C.C. swore out loud eyeing the children as Fran gasped.

"Yeah. I’m sorry. This is a bad time." James and Eve had both already taken off their masks hoods thinking this place was indeed safe. The children looked up towards Maxwell’s and Niles’s stunted faces.

"Come on James." Eve pulled James out the door.

"Who. Was that?" Maxwell started to rub his temples.

"Just some more fatherless children." Fran snickered signaling to C.C. for them to go after James and Eve.

"Damn you both for making us believe for one night our lives could be different." C.C. growled following Fran.

"Funny women aren’t they?" A male voice came out of the darkness. "Don’t worry lads, I’m not here to hurt you… I’m here to help you."

"And you might be?" Niles’s mind was still doing the math inside his head.

"Darren… You can call me Ghost if you like." He smirked walking forward. "Why don’t you lads come with me, and maybe I can help clear your heads about the given events."

Niles and Maxwell followed the man deeper inside the village. "I don’t know why we expected any less of them… They are pirates after all." Maxwell was still rubbing his head trying to get his image of Fran out of his mind.

"We both saw them sir ."

"So much talking ." Darren stopped. "Why are you acting like wounded puppies?… I wonder." His walking staff went up to Maxwell’s neck hitting on a silver chain forcing it out of the shirt. One could see a small ear ring attached to it. "How can one night effect four people so deeply if it wasn’t …Love?"

Niles snickered shaking his head at Darren who turned to walk. "Course you two gave them more than just a hat, or a piece of hair to remember you by." Darren forced them both inside his house. His sitting room looked like an English tavern. "Sit lads…and you’re both going to listen."

Darren eyed the men. "Some on this island would say he had every right. Most didn’t." Darren opened the bottle offering a shocked Niles and Maxwell a drink. "They might not tell you themselves. It’s not our way, but their children, are your children."

Maxwell started to rub his temples again. "What do you want us to do?"

"Do? What do you what to do?" Darren smirked while taking another big sip.

"Did. Chandler ever try anything like that again?" Niles felt his blood pressure rise.

"Ha! After C.C. took out his eye. Nope. She wanted his balls as well at one point." Darren laughed as he was recalling something. "Both of them ended up spending the next six months in bed. " He shook his head.

"I’m not sure about any of this." Maxwell felt himself groan.

"Well Captain. I would try and remember what made you bed the woman in the first place." Darren made a funny face looking at the shocked pair. "After all you two fellows are lusting after them. Like they are lusting after you."

Niles felt his cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "She’s married. There is little I can do."

"Spoken like a man who would rather give up than be happy." Darren once more offered Niles a sip, and this time Niles took a gulp. "Fate has a funny way of taking care of these problems."

"You mean pirates have a funny way of taking care of ’problems’" Maxwell groaned seeing the man’s mischief in his eyes.

"AH HA! We will make you a pirate yet Captain Sheffield!"

The soft gentle waves of the port always did make her feel better. C.C. looked to the crows nest. "I know you’re up there James." She let out a long sigh walking on board the HellFire.

C.C. climbed up slowly noticing the young boy. "Are you going to hide there all night?"

"Would it matter if I did?" James’s blue eyes looked at his mother’s.

"Yes." C.C. climbed inside the nest with him smiling. "So?"

"Why do you cry every night?" James took his mother’s hand holding it tight.

"I don’t cry James."

"Yeah you do. Tell me about him mom… Please."

"He was the first person to see past my hard edges…" C.C.’s eyes went skyward looking at the starry sky. "His wit as sharp as a razor’s edge."

"Did he love you?"

"I loved him. For that one night I think my heart was free." C.C. brushed the boy’s hair out of his face. "Maybe… one day my heart will be free again." She felt the boy’s arms come crushing around her small waist, and she let out a tearful sigh. "Never doubt . You were born out of love."

"I love you, mom." James mumbled.

"I love you too, son ." C.C. smiled looking into his eyes… Niles. Eyes.

Maxwell stopped in front of Fran’s household noticing Eve thrusting away with a practice rapier. Niles had left his side moments ago to take a walk along the docks. The girl’s feet seemed to be off balance. "You’re doing that wrong." he walked up carefully.

"Hello…" She smiled looking at the man. "I am? Ma says sometimes I get dancing and sword fighting mixed up."

"Does she now?" Maxwell smiled picking up a wooden blade from the barrel. "If I may?…I’m Max ." He bowed towards her.

Eve let out a bashful giggle. "Eve." she bowed back.

"Can I show you how I do it?" he corrected her stance with a tap of his blade on her toes and smiled. "There you see."

"Are you new to my mother’s crew? Is that why she was fighting with you." The girl’s face looked lost.

"No child." Maxwell lifted up her chin looking into her face. I do see my mother’s features in hers. "You are a pretty young lady."

Eve blushed looking at his dark eyes.

"Tell him thank you, sweetie ." Her voice was hovering in darkness.

"Thank you." the girl blushed again then ran inside.

"She’s beautiful Fran." Maxwell smiled sadly looking at her hardened face.

Fran started to smile. "That stance you showed her is all wrong."

"Is it now?" Maxwell grumbled throwing Fran a wooden practice blade. "Then show me Miss Fine."

Fran smirked saluting him. "That’s Captain Fine …. Mister Sheffield."

"Only if you earn it." Maxwell gave her a boyish grin thrusting the wooden stick to her.

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

Niles walked onto the ship feeling fine craftsmanship that went into every plank. He could see the varnish on the deck of her ship. "The good Captain is expecting ya!" James smiled sliding down from the crow nest.

"Thank you, young sir!" Niles started the long climb up towards Hell Fire’s crows nest. Niles smiled looking down at C.C. she was seated holding a bottle. "Now I thought they only allowed old crows up here."

C.C. smirked as Niles climbed inside. "I never expected to find an angel up here."

"You used that line on me . "

"Around nine years ago?" His eyes twinkled taking one of her rough hands. "I haven’t forgot not one word… Chastity." He kissed her hands and she managed a smile.

"I’m a married woman, Niles. You sure you want to risk your honor with me?"

Her eyes started to flicker of a long dead passion was about to reawaken.

"When does a pirate have honor?" He teased holding her hand tight.

"We have our own type of honor." She shifted closer to him.

"You’ll have to explain that to me ." His lips hovered over hers.

"I would rather show you." Her hands wrapped around his neck. Giving him punishing kiss. She put all her longing. All her hidden desires for him behind it. His hands ran up and pushed the coat off her shoulders.

"How you have haunted my dreams C.C." he groaned looking into her eyes.

"I can’t promise anything beyond ." C.C.’s whole body shook as he quieted her.

"I am not asking anything, but this… Do you love me?" His eyes seemed to glow in the moonlight.

"Yes…" Her words soft ,and the hard edge shield that had kept her safe seemed to melt away.

"I’m told that these things have a habit of working themselves out." Niles smirked holding her tight.

"Ahhh what did Darren tell you." She laughed as he kept his hands roaming.

"Why must you cover yourself so." he groaned kissing her neck softly.

"Fran’s crew already drool over her. You want my men to respect me?, or drool over me?"

Niles’s face twisted a bit looking at her hooded eyes. "At least tell me I’m one of the few people that has seen you in that dress."

"What dress?" She batted her eye lashes at him. Niles pulled out a small piece of blue torn cloth with a smile.

"I never forgot anything…"

She leaned into his kiss again …then shook him off after hearing a bell sound out. "HELL." She got up grabbing her coat.

"What’s going on?" Niles jumped to attention.

"The French have been spotted off the coast… "

"Don’t be afraid…" C.C. looked inside one closet then another. "Chandler’s just a mean bully. Let me help you." C.C. had seen the dark-haired girl being dragged to the house by Chandler’s father. "I’m not a very nice person either, but I can help you." C.C. looked around again.

She opened up the door looking into C.C.’s deep blue eyes. "Let me help you." Her hand touched hers. "I’m called C.C…"

"Fran."

Fran blinked noticing how Maxwell was reading her movements. "Oy vey! You are smooth Mister Sheffield." Fran laughed using the house to balance herself.

"You use to much of your environment to aid your fencing Miss Fine . What happened to your fancy footwork?" Maxwell laugh noticing her face.

Fran laughed something had caught her eye as she managed to knock him on his back. "All I needed was glick!"

"Glick?" Maxwell coughed still laying on his back.

"Luck! Mister Sheffield…. Luck!" Fran smirked, and didn’t notice Maxwell had gotten a hand on her kilt causing her to fall on him.

"This is what I call luck." Maxwell grinned wrapping his arms around her waist. "I did regret . Letting you go ." His voice broke with emotion looking into her eyes.

"Max…." Her lips brushed across his neck as his hands locked keeping her close to him.

*Booooooooooooong!….Booooonggggg! Bonnnggg! Booooong! Booong! Booong!*

Maxwell stood up recognizing it was some sort of warning bell. "What’s going on Fran…"

"EVE!" Fran looked around and Eve poked her head out.

"I heard it ma. James is here and we’re going." Eve hugged Fran tightly.

"You better go with them." Fran’s eyes looked into his. "Please Max."

"Not a chance." He smiled following her towards the docks.

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

C.C. pushed all her men on her ship. "About time Fran." She growled eyeing the woman climbing on Hawk’s Nest. "Lets get underway now shall we?"

"Darren’s crew is coming. So is Chandler’s." Fran grumbled looking to her friend. "Be careful Babcock." Fran looked over towards her friend.

"You too." The Hellfire ran out of port and Niles looked towards C.C. "Mister Jacobs… Please show the good Commander what he might do to aid us. EVERYONE. We have a few French ships to catch."

"How many French are coming?" Niles walked with the man towards the cannons.

"The bell tolled six. "

Niles remember there was only four ships at the Pirate port and gulped. "Dear God."

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

Maxwell quickly shifted out of Fran’s way helping men with the sails preparing cannons. He fought his greater instincts to take charge, and to protect her. "She’ll be alright Captain sir." Jax touched his shoulder. "Make no mistake. Them French are coming after us!"

Fran looked over the wheel. She then looked behind her noticing Darren’s ship ‘Ghostdancer’ was behind them. C.C.’s ship was by her side. "Seems like Governor Chandler is going to sit out this fight." Fran spat looking towards her second. "What do you think Nat?"

"I’m shocked de gewd governor get’s out of bed to wipe his arse in the morning." Nat snarled handing her a dagger.

Fran managed a worried nasal laugh.

C.C. looked out on the sea counting the French ships. "Alright. Standard orders John! Jacobs! Let’s take them on!"

"Aye! Aye !" The man nodded as Hellfire course was pointed towards a French ship. "To hell and beyond boys! Let’s push this boat to glory!"

C.C. looked down towards the cannon room and sighed. "Jacobs?" she called on her second who walked up. "Chandler’s ship isn’t behind us?"

"You didn’t expect him, to make?" John handed her over a French surcoat and tricorn hat.

"He would rather take an easy way out than the hard way." C.C. grumbled pulling off her old coat, and quickly pulling on the French coat.

"That’s one reason ya kicked him out of the marriage bed isn’t it Captain!" Someone called out causing C.C. to let out a deep throated laughter. "Good one Niles." She whispered to herself. She was going to try an bold move. Taking on two ships at once hoping her crew’s experience would win out over the French. "Jacobs! Lets make sure our new friends understand why I call this ship Hellfire!"

"Awww! Captain couldn’t we just drink the rum?" Jacobs teased looking towards C.C.

"You have your orders!" C.C. snarled as Jacobs nodded.

Two small children watched lights ahead. Sparks set off a glow as everyone left in Refuge port turned to face the growing sea battle. A group of old men manned the stone fort waiting for a siege.

"You think that’s them?" Eve leaned over whispering to James.

"I look like him!" James smiled watching the men in the fort ready the defensives.

"I don’t know James. They both seem rather …"

"Uptight?" James grinned then noticed Thomas watching him. "Sir?"

"You two want to talk all day, or help us out?" Thomas, a toothless old man, offered them the proper tools to load cannons.

"Thomas… " Mary whispered in his ear. "You can’t have children loading cannons."

"If it comes to town Mary. We are all in trouble." Thomas placed his hand on Mary’s shoulder then walked over to show them out to load the cannon.

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

C.C. found her ship pen down… "I’m going to board her…" C.C. called out over the cannon fire. She pointed towards three other men. "Come on, It’s one way out of my marriage." She smiled towards her laughing men.

"C.C." Fran’s eyes became huge, noticing how two of the larger French ships had her cornered. "Remember what we did near Cuba, Nat?"

"Aye, Captain Fine wishes to …"

"Just do it!" Fran snarled watching C.C.’s crew fight for life, and limb. Fran picked up an odd looking flag waving it high above her head. "Robert! Take this to the crows nest! Make sure Darren sees it!"

Darren watched as a flag was waved from the Hawk’s Nest. "Alright boys… Babcock’s trying to earn that batty title." He waved his hand towards his second. "Let’s join her in hell!" Flames had taken over the Hellfire, and four of the six French ships. Fran quickly swung over towards Hellfire along with five other men to aid its crew.

"Out of the way!" Darren felt black ash on his face running around town. Niles had felt his heart stop when he had seen her fall. Niles felt a sharp pain in his left arm when he had tried to pick her off the burning ship. Niles looked over watching Maxwell carrying Fran.

"What the hell!" Doc answered his door. "Captain bring them in! How many more are out there?"

"Enough Doc…" He started to touch C.C. who groaned. "Well Captain Babcock, are you trying to meet your maker again?" He waited for the normal response, and sighed.

"Will she be alright? Will they both be alright?"

"I don’t know yet…Darren would you escort our new friends outside, and find Markus and Liam have them head to the docks…" He leaned over Fran now who wasn’t moving.

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

Maxwell and Niles both stood still. "Come on fellows… Doc’s the best you have to let him do his work." He pushed them outside. "Let’s get Markus to set that arm Commander."

"They both… Just… " Niles was in shock.

"They did what they had to do." Darren grumbled then let out a groan noticing James and Eve coming towards them.

"Are they alright? Will they be okay?" Both children spoke in one voice.

C.C. let out a large groan looking towards Fran who had her eyes open. "Do that again Miss Babcock, and I’ll kill you." Fran’s face was twisted in pain as Doc was tenting to a rather large cut.

"We won didn’t we…?" C.C. eyed Doc.

"Since you are both here, and we are not running for our lives… I would have to say yes…" Doc was trying to work quickly on Fran. "Why are you blushing Captain? I did after all deliver your child."

"Forgive us Doc … We have Englishmen on the brain tonight." C.C. grumbled trying to stay still. "Why do I have a feeling if I move…? I’ll regret it…"

"You would… Now both of you stay still and maybe when the Englishmen return… I’ll have them take you home."

C.C. closed her eyes carefully trying to sleep

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

Darren glared at the docking ship with his men. He had a few men from Fran’s and C.C.’s crew along with him. "Nice of you to join us…" Darren glared at Chandler.

"I had things under control."

"You ran… Now it’s time for you to keep on running governor…" Darren forced a chest into Chandler’s midsection. "To run and never return…"

"I own this land… I …"

Chandler turned only to see Max and Niles holding pistols at his face. "Now that isn’t the proper way to treat your host."

"Allow me to reintroduce myself… I’m Eve’s father…" Maxwell growled.

"I’m James’ father…" Niles smiled coyly clicking back the hammer back on his pistol.

Darren looked at his former comrade smiling. "You should go now, and never speak of this place with anyone." He then forced the chest into his hands.

"I have rights… "Chandler growled.

"You’ll be dead if you enforce them…" Darren eyed him. "Go ahead coward… I would love for you to try."

"Nat…Jacobs… It’s my WIFE… My servant…" He snarled as his men stood still.

"Sir… I saw Babcock and Fine take on two to one odds…With no help from you." Nat pulled out his pistol. "I suggest you get going."

"What are you going to tell them?" Chandler eyed Darren.

"If you’re lucky… That you died by French gunfire… "Darren waved his French made pistol around "If your not… Shark bites Mister Jacobs?"

"Sounds good to me…" Jacobs now joined the men waiting for Chandler to depart.

"Oh you are not taking that ship." Darren waved his pistol over to a small row boat…

"I’ll never make it!" Chandler howled towards the moon.

"Not my problem." Everyone watched the small figure row out of sight.

"What are you going to tell them?" Nat placed a hand on Darren’s shoulder. Darren looked towards a whispering Niles and Maxwell.

"That he’s dead, and they are free." Darren smirked shaking Nat’s hand.

Darren walked towards them smiling. "Why are you so cheerful you old ghost?" Niles smiled looking into Darren’s brown eyes.

"I left word with your Governor… That you will be late returning home…Seeing what a good man my brother is… He has agreed to allow you this respite"

"Your… Brother?" Niles and Max both gasped.

"Now I would suggest you both go tell C.C. and Fran the horrible… news… They will both be so broken up, and I’ll go find your children. I’ll invite them to a late night fishing trip." He winked at both men walking away.

C.C. let out a soft groan. Her whole head was thundering. The more she moved, the more it hurt. She felt the cool damp cloth touch her forehead, and she dared to open her eyes. "Hello, hello…" She groaned looking in Niles’ eyes.

"Well hello." He whispered softly holding the cloth still. "Next time woman… Don’t scare me like that."

"Was it too much for your poor heart to handle?" C.C. grinned and then let out a soft groan.

"Doc here says you’ll be feeling that for a few days, and maybe weeks to come."

Niles dipped the cloth back in the small bowl then placed it above her head again. "Crazy woman… that stunt you and Fran pulled saved us all."

"I’m sure Nat will write a song about it…" C.C. started to laugh, but thought better of it. "James?"

"He’s alright… I sent him to school…"

"Fran?" She blinked and forced her head around to see Maxwell caring for her.

"I would say she’s in good hands…I want to know what the hell you were thinking woman over on that boat ." Niles grumbled holding her hand tightly.

"I could tell you… ." C.C. felt her eyes closed as she gave into sleep.

C.C. tried to shift slowly turning in her own bed. She lifted her head up quickly and regretted it. She pulled on her boots slowly hearing the soft voices coming from the other room.

"Every time after church Ma prays for someone." James was sitting on the floor watching Niles’s stunned face.

"You mean this place has…a man of God on it?" Niles raised a hand to his chin rubbing it.

"Yeah! He’s on my mom’s crew even! "James laughed eating the cooked meal. "You’re pretty good at this!"

"A proper solider should always know how to fix their own meal." Niles smiled handing over what remained of his plate.

"What’s England like?" Niles noticed something on the mantle.

"Would you like to see it?" Niles stood up taking the glass in his hand.

"Would I! " James nearly jumped a few feet off the floor. "MOM!" He rushed over to hold onto her waist.

Niles looked down at the piece of his hair then back up at C.C. "How do you feel?" He smiled walking over helping her towards a wooden chair.

"I would be lying if I didn’t say everything hurts. I don‘t remember…"

"We moved you two days ago…" Niles smiled handing her a cup.

"This better be whiskey…" C.C. groaned tasting the cold water.

"Sorry Doc’s orders… None of the hard stuff for you… for a while at least."

"I’ll go tell Captain Darren she’s awake!" James stood up chicken leg in hand running out the door.

"I’m sorry…" She groaned looking into his deep blue eyes.

"Whatever for my dear?" kneeling by her side looking up at her black and blue face.

"I must look awful…" she shifted… Normally words would come easy for her ., and yet at this moment she was at a loss. "I didn’t mean to scare you. I am not seeking death."

"What are you seeking C.C.?" Niles brushed a hand across her face wiping away a tear.

"You…" She whispered so lightly Niles could barely hear it. Niles sat up using his own lips to brush away new tears.

"You should be in bed…" His words broke with worry and emotion over her torn body.

"Make me servant…" She growled, but the fight had been pushed out of her. They both heard the loud coughing in the doorway. "Darren…" C.C. didn’t take her eyes off Niles

"I could come back… If this is a bad time…" Darren smirked looking at the couple.

"Niles was about to put me to bed…" C.C. smirked trying to re-arm herself in good humor. "You want to join him in that effort!" She managed one painful wink his direction. Niles blushed shaking his head towards C.C.

"No…No…No… I thought ya might want to know how yer ship is doing, and how Fran is." He sat down next to her.

"Fran? How is she…?"

"Well her leg is broken at least one place. Doc had a hell of a time setting it. Niles, show your trophy…" Darren lifted up Niles’s other hand it was done in a crude cast. Niles let out a soft groan.

"How did you manage that?" C.C. frowned.

"Going after you…" Niles winked bringing an unexpected smile to her face.

"Good old Maxwell has a trophy himself as well… a lot of people are bruised this day… I am sorry to report Chandler ended up on the receiving end of a cannon ball himself." Darren couldn’t help, but let out a coy smile.

"Is that right?" C.C. turned to face Darren. "Now… This begs the question, whose cannon ball did the honors?"

"Does it really matter?" Darren laughed standing up. "The point is this… I’m sorry for your loss…" He bowed. "We will have the wake when you’re up to it!"

"Hell, have it tonight…" C.C. laughed then grabbed her head…"Wait maybe… In a few days, well have a party to end all parties?" She let out a groan.

"Shall I send the good monk over?" Darren pulled on his hat.

"Unless you want him to see something ungodly, like you undressing me?" C.C. managed a wicked grin looking towards a blushing Niles.

"You undressed would be ungodly Babcock!" Niles held her hand in his good one

.

"Yes, but you’ll never doubt there is heaven on earth."

"Don’t you mean hell on earth?" Niles laughed as Darren quietly made his way outside. "Wouldn’t you agree Darren? Darren??"

"Now you understand why he was named Ghost…" C.C. smiled looking around at the food. "Now I’m hungry got anything else left over?"

"I’ll make you something… You must regain your strength and soon!"

"Why?" She smiled watching him pick up the metal dishes him and James had been using.

"You’ll be needing every drop once I get you in bed." Niles’ words rang out in the room, and this time it was C.C.’s turn to blush.

Fran laughed being carried in his arms was …. Fun. "I could get used to this form of transportation."

"I could get use to carrying you around. No wonder you’re so light on your feet. Do you ever eat?" Maxwell smile placing her down on her makeshift bed. "Don’t you have a proper bed Fran?"

"I’ve never been able to sleep in one…" She smiled as Maxwell eyed her.

"You did at least once…" He took great care with her leg. "Doc told me every cast he has ever put you in… you end up breaking…"

"They’re heavy and slow me down!" Fran groaned as Maxwell stood over her.

"Fran… I have seen men die from broken bones." He sat back down next to her makeshift bedroll. "I’ll be dammed if I loose you too." his hand reached up to touch her chin.

"I’m alright Maxwell. I have seen worse injuries than this."

"You mean like the injuries that kept you in bed with Eve?" He held her face in his hands just then keeping her focused on him. "I’m not letting you get away from me this time Francine."

"I haven’t… wanted anyone else since…" She found her lips trembling.

"Do you know what hell I went thru seeing you fall…?" He felt his own eyes burning with tears. "I don’t care what I have to do Fran… I’m not leaving without you."

Fran let out a soft whimper as he leaned over to kiss her cheeks. "Sleep…"Maxwell muttered in her ear.

"Will you be here when I wake up?"

"I’m not going anywhere…" He smiled pulling her towards him.

The men started to let out loud cat calls watching Maxwell carry Fran to her appointed chair on the stage. "Eat your heart out ladies…" Fran called to the serving wenches who joined in the whistles. The loudest cat calls came from Fran’s crew all sitting together watching the pair.

"You’re breaking our hearts Captain!" Nat called out from the table.

"Isn’t that Babcock’s job to break your heart Nat?" Fran winked towards her second as Maxwell lowered her carefully. C.C. was walking slowly holding onto Niles’ good hand.

"I like to break their balls Francine more than hearts." C.C. picked up someone’s rum off the table taking a quick gulp before Niles removed the bottle from her hands.

"At least most here knew enough to stay away from burning ships." Niles teased helping her up on the makeshift stage. "It must remind you of home!"

"I think hell’s a lot hotter than that Commander!" Darren walked forward to the cheers of his own crew. Darren was carrying a makeshift coffin on his good shoulder. "We can’t have a wake without a body of the good governor!" He placed the makeshift wooden coffin at the bottom of the stage.

"First things first Captain Darren…" Fran’s broken leg was given a stool she was now in comfort with Maxwell keeping a careful eye on her at the nearest table.

"Ahh! Yes… The dear departed governor’s ship… It was agreed by Captain Fine, Captain Babcock and I… Nat! Is now Captain…" Darren tossed out the black tricorn hat towards the Irish man with a smile. "Come take your seat man!"

The crowd started to bang mugs on the table. "Wait a moment…" C.C. groaned looking towards Nat. "You didn’t, did you?"

"Ay, not sure what ya mean Captain Babcock" Nat winked towards C.C.

"THE song! I know you wrote a blasted song Nat! James will not stop singing it." C.C. growled loudly as the crowd all laughed.

Fran blinked looking at a smiling Darren and an annoyed C.C. "You wrote a song! Let’s hear it!" Niles felt himself laughing as Maxwell started to smile.

"Only for you my former Captain Lady Fine!" Nat leaned down to kiss her hand. "Boys?" A few men for the Hawk’s Nest rose up taking out make shift instruments. The music was something Fran would have normally done her high stepping to.

Nat started his Irish accent seemed to be heighten by the song. He smiled giving a bow at Darren, C.C. and Fran.

Babcock and Fine two women true ladies born!

Until a man came to cage them until dead!

Both courage who knew no bound!

One was a little batty

The other fancy Fran!!

The men started singing the chorus smiling while mugs started to crash around them.

What is the truth we told you!

Fighting like the dogs.

Lots of fun at the governor’s wake!

Nat jumped up then behind a blushing Darren.

Pitty old ghost did you ever see.

Chandler did pity the!

Fighting to regain dignity!

The men grew louder singing the chorus as Fran laughed watching Eve. She was trying to dance with the other children.

What is the truth we told you!

Fighting like the dogs!

Lots of fun at governor’s wake!

Nat jumped up on a table looking out on the crowd.

Then the bell did engage!

The warning was made.

Babcock ran to face death!

Now love for the liquor she was born.

She did race hellfire into the storm!

Niles laughed noticing C.C. had a smile on her face.

What is the truth we told you!

Fighting like the dogs!

Lots of fun at Governor’s wake!

Nat took his hat off during a slow part of the song.

See how hellfire blazes .

It drowns Fine’s senses.

Chandler runs like crazies!

Ghost rises from the dread!

The French ships soon join the blazes!

James sat down next to his father offering Niles a fresh cup of rum.

What is the truth we told you!

Fighting like the dogs!

Lots of fun at Governor’s wake!

Nat looked around the gather group, and started once more.

Sword slashes as heaven hovers over head

So soon we out numbered the enemy!

Poor Chandler didn’t survive cannon fired at the!

Babcock and Fine both said ‘More whiskey for me!’

C.C. couldn’t stand it anymore she laughed watching the Irishman perform was truly a delight.

What is the truth we told you!

Fighting like the dogs!

Lots of fun at Governor’s wake!

Fran managed to lift herself up while the group started to cat call and clap. "It was good!" Fran’s face twisted in pain, as she lowered herself back down.

"Now!" C.C. stood up looking around. "It has been decided the new governor is, our lordship here Darren!" C.C. gave a mocking bow and wink.

"Yeah, I am governor next thing you know… You’ll both be marrying some English sailors…" Darren mocked playfully while drinking his mug.

"Guess you’ll have to take over then!" Niles called out playfully. "I intend to have her!" Niles smiled watching C.C. blush.

"Did I hear a challenge!" Darren got up playfully looking around pretending he had no idea who spoke.

"I intend to have Fran!" Maxwell couldn’t help, but play along.

"Oh! Oh!" Nat got up from his new chair! "I couldn’t give her up!"

Both of the crews started to thumb tables with mugs. "What claims do ya have on the!" Darren looked up towards the ladies. This was their way in the port. If a woman didn’t have a male relative or husband…. The group would act as protector. Darren had told Maxwell and Niles this would happen.

"None expect my child and me." Fran and C.C. both said at once.

"Then how do you claim to love them?" Darren stood before the men. The crowd went silent waiting for the response.

"Because. The children. We fathered them." Niles smiled watching James’s jaw drop… Maxwell quickly spoke the words as well much to Eve’s delight.

"HELL!" Jacobs grumbled throwing up his hand. "It’s over then!" He walked towards C.C. on his hands and knees holding his heart. C.C. couldn’t help, but feel her heart swell looking at Niles who was now hugging James.

C.C. smiled looking at the five men who stood before her. They had acted over the years as her protectors, and crewmates. Darren force the other three men out of the room. "How Nat we got them all to ourselves!"

Fran laughed looking at C.C.’s worried face. "I doubt these two could handle us!"

"It would take a stronger man to handle me ." C.C. snarled playfully as Darren picked her up in a bear hug.

"Now Now C.C…. You know I loves ya!" Darren laughed as C.C. relented holding onto the man tightly.

"You are one sly man Darren… Are you sure you want to sign on with the British?" C.C. smiled at Fran who was glowing in her gown.

"Dammit Captain it was a way to keep you at least here!" Nat laughed picking Fran up in his arms. "Will your future husband forgive me .if I ravage you right now ?" He wiggled his eyebrows at Fran who laughed.

"I think he might be. A bit upset."

"How did you get them to station Niles and Maxwell here?" C.C. eyed Darren carefully. He would give no sign of his dealings

"My dear . It’s not who you know… It’s what you do with given information." Darren kissed her hand slowly. "Shall I give you away to the good Commander now?"

"Let’s go teach the English how to party…" C.C. smiled taking her friend’s hand.

"Gee you think they can handle it?" Fran laughed looking into Nat’s eyes.

"Well English laws don’t go into effect until next week! Reminds me of something Captain. You’ll let us know how he takes ya with the cast on that leg!" Nat winked as Fran hit his shoulder carefully.

"Shhh Nat! We are about to walk into the house of God!" Darren smiled kissing C.C.’s hand again.

"It’s not like Nat hasn’t taken Elizabeth…." Fran’s mouth was closed by Nat’s gentle hand while Darren and C.C.’s jaws dropped.

"That’s a story you’ll have to tell me after the wedding!" Darren laughed waiting for the cue to enter.

Niles had been worried how his parents would react to him marrying C.C. He was shocked at the joy they displayed, and even more shocked at their acceptance of James. His heart has burst seeing the normally rough C.C. walk inside the church dressed in white. Niles looked worried at Maxwell both had wondered what kind of party the pirates might have in store after the wedding.

"They’ll be on their best behavior Niles." C.C. took his hand.

"Sure they will!" Fran wink towards Niles. Maxwell had taken over the honors of carrying her around. "We are all safe…that is if ."

"If?" Max and Niles jerked looking into Fran’s eyes.

"If Nat hasn’t written another song for the event." C.C. laughed

Maxwell let out a playful groan. "Well it could be worse I suppose."

"Worse?" Fran pulled his head around to face hers

"You could have said no." Maxwell brushed his lips against hers, and she let out a nervous laughter.

"Well get ready for an interesting life ahead boys." C.C. smiled looking into his deep blue eyes. "It’s never a dull moment in this port."

"Soon… there will never been a dull moment in our bed." Niles teased her back.

"I’ll make sure to humble you." C.C. leaned up against him quickly as the made their way down towards the party…

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