[size=18]Meggie threw her things down and went after Raider, grabbing his arm just before he walked out of the cave. "You don't care if I stay here? You won't force me to leave?" Meggie didn't know whether or not to feel relieved or not. She was so confused that she truly didn't know which way was up or down anymore.

"I will go with you when you go out, to help you avenge yourself and get a ship." She layed her stuff down behind a large rock, and walked back over to him, her head down. "You don't understand. I can't go back now. I would no longer fit in with people." She was definately not dumb, she knew that she'd been alone too long and had become too independent and wild to fit back in. The longer they were here, the more she remembered about her life with her father, the teas and dresses.

She walked to the entrance, turning she looked up at him, "I am sorry I spoke poorly to you. It's not your fault you wound up here." She walked out of the cave, leaving Raider standing there, hopefully feeling like an ass for what he'd said to her about not caring if she stayed or not. [size]

Bryn and Atien both sat and watched the exchange between Raider and Meggie with mild amusement. Had the Captain found his match in this half wild, untamed, young woman? Bryn couldn’t suppress the smile that tugged at the corner of her mouth. This was better than watching two men fight at a tavern. Of course Bryn thought Meggie could use a swift turn over Raiders knee for the way she was speaking to the man, but that wasn’t her call to make.

Evangeline, Erwin and Roubins all sat with equally bewildered and amused expressions on their faces. Evangeline rolled her eyes a few times while Erwin brought out his badly soiled kerchief and patted his brow in nervous anxiety. Roubins expression was, as always, unreadable but from time to time Bryn saw a twinkle in the brown depths of his eyes.

Looking at Atien and sharing the like minded look with him, Bryn glanced between Meggie and Raider as they exchanged barbs with each other. The only thing missing now was a good tankard of ale and perhaps some cheese and meat with fresh baked, brick oven bread.

Atien started preparing the tea as Meggie instructed as he watched the wild woman and Raider in the cramped cave. He was, to say the least, relieved when the woman decided to stay put with them. They couldn’t take any chances with her being discovered by the sailors. The woman would find herself in the worst way if that were the case. Not to mention the element of surprise from Raider and his crew on the sailors would be completely lost.

When Meggie walked out of the cave, Bryn finally cleared her throat and spoke up.

“Well……that was….interesting. I’d say keeping her close would be the most beneficial to all of us right now. If she gets out there and is caught by those sailors, we wouldn’t have a snow balls chance in hell of doing anything.”

The tea had stepped long enough and Atien poured it into a cup for Bryn to drink. As he handed her the cup he spoke up as well.

“Miss Bryn be right, Captain. If we let her go out alone we take a huge risk we cannot afford to take right now.”

As Atien spoke, Bryn took a sip of the tea and when she choked down the first swallow, she coughed and made a rather nasty looking face.

“By Odin this is most likely the most horrible thing I’ve ever tasted! Please tell me Cooky has something that will rid this horrible taste in my mouth.”

Atien looked over at Bryn and smiled brightly.

“De bitterness means it will work fast for you, Miss Bryn.”

“Well that’s excellent news, Atien, but that still doesn’t answer my question now, does it?”

Atien chuckled.

“No….it does not.”

About that time Cooky spoke up as he handed over a mango.

“Since when did ye think I dinna have something that wouldn’t agree with yer pallet, lass?”

Bryn smiled and accepted the mango biting into the sweet, tangy fruit and getting the taste of the bitter tea from her mouth.

Bryn sipped the bitter tea followed by a bite of the juicy mango as she watched the exchange between Raider and Meggie. When the young woman finally sought refuge in a back corner of the cave, Bryn and Atien shared another knowing look. If Bryn had the strength she would have gone to the young woman and tried to talk to her, but there was no way she could trust her legs right now. She had just finished the bitter teat and was just finishing up the mango when Meggie returned and sat in front of her and Atien.

As Meggie began to talk, Atien and Bryn once more shared looks with each other that spoke volumes to each other. Bryn listened to what the young woman said and as Meggie explained things, she knew that she and Meggie were more alike than the young woman knew.

Atien, true to his quiet nature, sat and listened attentively to Meggie as well as he prepared a new bandage with poultice on it for Bryn’s foot. He didn’t look at Meggie when she got done talking, but he did let her know something he was certain Meggie would need to hear.

“De Captain….he be a fair man. His temper is not something you want to see, but a fairer man on de sea, you will not find. Work hard, earn your place on de ship and de Bill of Rights be your home for as long as you wish it to be.’

Atien finished wrapping Bryn’s foot then looked up at the red haired woman and nodded before he silently excused himself, taking Bryn’s now empty cup with him. He knew Bryn and Meggie had more things to discuss with each other that he didn’t need to be there to hear.

Bryn waited until the large African was out of ear shot before she looked over at Meggie and studied the young woman’s face for a moment. Taking a deep breath, she tired to find the right words she knew Meggie needed to hear.

“You never realize how much you miss being around others until they are no longer around you. As frustrating and complex as other humans can be, it’s undeniable they play a vital role in our daily lives.”

“You are correct when you think the sailors would do those horrible things to you, Meggie. What you saw was rape. It’s a brutal, violent act of sex men use to hurt women. Even kill them as you saw first hand. It’s not something you want to experience. You’re very innocent and that’s why we were so adamant about getting you back here with us. We didn’t want to see you get hurt that way.”

“Like you, it wasn’t our choice to get stuck here but stuck here we are. I know what it’s like to have a rush of memories invade your mind you thought were long gone. But don’t let those memories make you sad or scared. Remember that they are who you were and played an important role of making you the young woman you are today. If it weren’t for those memories you wouldn’t have had the strength to survive as long as you have on this untamed, wild island.”

“I know we frighten and confuse you. Hell, I was once like that myself, but instead of keeping us at a distance, come closer and let us teach you what we know. At the same time, you’ll be teaching us what you know. And while you made Raider angry he wasn’t angry at you personally. He was angry at the fact you’re as head strong and stubborn as he is. Like we all are. But listen to what he says. Don’t think he’s trying to tell you what to do. He’s merely trying to protect you as he is the rest of us. I can’t be the one to say you can be a part of the Bill of Rights. I’m not a member of the crew. I’m with Mr. von Halde over there and we are just passengers along for the ride. (pointing to Erwin) That will have to come from Raider.”

Bryn reached out and touched her finger to Meggie’s cheek as a tear slipped down, wiping the tear away.

“You don’t need to fit in anywhere. Be who you are every where you go. Be true to yourself and who you are and the hell with the rest of the world. All that matters is you.”

Bryn’s face slowly eased into a small grin.

“Although, I would suggest just a hint more clothes. Raiders crew are honorable, loyal men, but even they can be hard pressed to mind themselves with a woman who barely covers her assets. I’m not saying hide the fact you’re a woman. I think you should make no mistake you are female, but at the same time you need to make sure you don’t expose too much. If you have some skins or more clothes somewhere, I’ll be glad to help you make some clothes that will cover just a hint more skin in the right places. But the choice is up to you, Meggie.”

Raider turned to thank Meggie as he reached of his spyglass and she was gone. "Damn that flighty wench, be a flyin' fish caught on a deck." he thought and then brought the glass to his eye. Scanning the quarter deck of the ship anchored just off shore saw all he neede to see, to confirm his supicions. There standing bold as a bull walrus stood two officiers of the Royal Navy , Raider scanned the deck and the shore line. Along the shore stood two men dressed in French seamans clothes and an officer in a French Lieutenant's uniform, two mor officers and a group of sailors were approaching the long boat.

Raider could not hear what was said but shortly there after the climbed in the boat and rowed back to the ship. Upon arriving the officers reported to the older of the two officers standing on the quarter deck. The senior officer was very antimated and stormed aroung the deck. Raider stayed hidden and watched as other long boats were prepared to be lowered.

"I be thanin' ye Meggie" he said as he gave her a glance "Ye kin come along if ye wish. But I must tell ye it may be a year or more 'efore we be ta home port agin. We 'ave a mission that needs doin'. Ye can earn yur passage by workin' onboard. If ye wish ta join the crew, an 'ave earned the right then ye kin serve as long as ye wish. Meggie it be a hard voyage we be on with many a danger. Death may be yur shipmate many time over 'efore this voyage ends." He then pointed to the ship offshore. "That be tha first of many perils that we be facin'. That not be ship maned by the French, but be a wolf in sheeps clothing as I suspected."

As Raider kept to his hiding spot and watched the anchored ship at a safe distance, he noticed something else. Far off, in the distance was a ship sailing full sail and making good use of the fair sea winds. Even at this distance, he could barely make out the sails but could tell they were full of favorable winds. As the British men, disguised as French sailors, debated about what to do next, Raider kept watching the ship in the distance. By his estimates, the ship would be to the island within the half hour at this rate.

Many thoughts went through his mind. Was this another British ship coming to aide this one? Was it a French ship thinking they were about to come upon one of their own? Was it something different entirely? The more he watched, the more these questions, as well as others, formed in his head.

How was he going to protect Meggie? Bryn wasn’t strong enough to help fight off anyone yet. He’d have to give up Atien for her protection. A crew member he could sorely use in a fight with the sneaky Brits. Then there was Meggie again. If she had any smarts she would high tail it away from the danger and wait to come out when it was all clear. If it ever would be all clear again.

He was finally able to see the ship, barely, as it came closer. It was a dark ship and something about it struck a familiar chord within him. He still couldn’t make out the flag she was flying and that made him very uneasy. He liked to know what and who he was dealing with BEFORE he had to deal with them.

Hearing shouts form the anchored ship, he quickly let his attention settle on them. They were all scrambling to the ship and trying to make out the one heading for them as well. Finally he heard a shout he could make out.

“SHE FLIES THE KINGS COLOR’S, CAP’N!”

Raider felt dread wash over him. Not only did he have this ship of fake Frenchies, he now had another British vessel to deal with. This just kept getting better and better. As the full sail ship approached, he noticed they weren’t dropping any of their sails. Odd, he thought. If they were rendezvousing with their fellow shipmates, they should at least be lowering the main sail to come in a little slower. But they seemed to be coming in as fast as they were on the open seas.

He looked through the spy glass once more and saw that the ship was indeed flying the Union Jack colors. Finally he knew he had to make a move. Whistling softly he got Billy Bones attention. Jotting down something on a piece of paper, he handed it to the little monkey and gave him orders to deliver it to the others. The little monkey scampered away chattering lively as he slipped away.

Raider watched the approaching ship and once more got that familiar feeling about it. He couldn’t remember where he’d seen it but he HAD seen that ship somewhere before. By now the anchored ship had lowered the French flag and raised the Union Jack letting the approaching ship know they were fighting for the same side.

Again Raider noticed none of the sails had been lowered and the ship was now making a wide turn to come in on its port side. The anchored ship watched the ship and was just as confused at the maneuver. Of course it didn’t take long for the others and Raider to realize what was happening, but by then, it was too late.

As the ship made a sharp turn, causing it to list dangerously to one side, the main sail was finally lowered swiftly to slow the ship just enough so that when they sailed by the anchored ship, they leveled out in the water and the firing doors for the cannons were raised and the black barrels of the cannons the ship carried poked out just before a barrage of explosions announced the ships intentions.

Raider had just enough time to get out an “OH SHIT” before he grabbed Meggie’s head and shoved her down to the ground with him, practically covering her prone, struggling form with his own. Several more explosions were heard as well as a few large objects whizzing over head or landing near Raider and Meggie. A few minutes later, deathly silence filled the air.

When Raider finally got off Meggie and dared to peek out over his hiding place, all he saw was the smoking rubble of what once was a fine French ship. Splinters of wood covered the waters surface as well as several bodies. As the sound began to return to Raider’s ears he could hear several moans of those who had actually survived the attack.

Raider quickly pulled his spy glass up to see the ship as it turned, slower this time, with only one sail raised. He searched frantically for any clue as to who the ship belonged to. It didn’t take him long to find out when he saw the flag it flew. A white, yellow and red flag with the black silhouette of a wolf’s head in the center. Now he knew where he’d seen that particular ship from. And knowing who it belonged to didn’t make him feel any better. In fact. It made him feel down right ill.



A series of curses slipped softly from his lips as he saw the ship finally lower the last sail and drop anchor not far from the decimated ship that had been attacked. Two shore boats were quickly lowered into the surf and the moans of survivors were quickly changed to screams and cries of mercy only to be turned into gurgles of death as the men from the attacking ship killed anyone they came in contact with.

Raider looked at the ship and saw the intricate carving of the wolf on the bow of the ship and read the name of the ship near the bows point. The She Wolf had attacked so swiftly and so deadly there wasn’t a single survivor left from the British occupied French ship. As he quickly pulled his spy glass back to the group in the shore boats, he didn’t see who he was looking for. Finally he turned his attention back to the ship and searched near the captains wheel house and there he saw who he was looking for.

Shoulders squared. Head held proudly. Back straight as a board and hair as soft as fresh corn silk, Captain Ann Bonney stood at the helm of her prize ship surveying the bounty that was now hers. Her dark eyes seemed to twinkle as she saw the supplies and provisions that were now being scavenged and loaded onto the shore boats to be brought back to her ship.



A deck hand walked up to her and asked her something to which she seemed to debate for a moment before she nodded her approval. The crew member turned around and shouted to the others which brought a series of loud cheers from all the others.

Raider knew what they’d just been given and he knew it was merely a matter of time before all but a select few from the ship came ashore for a brief island visit before they were set to sail out again. Raider looked at Anne once more and saw her looking at the sky then at the sea. 6 hours. That’s all he had was 6 hours to figure out if they were going to remain hidden and prisoners on this island indefinitely OR reveal himself and try to get Anne to help get them off the island.

Trouble with that second part was the fact Anne had been hunting him for over two years now. Seems a woman, pirate or not, takes it hard when her lover just up and leaves her in the middle of the night without so much as a good bye or any word of where he was headed.

Meggie stopped struggling when the first blast showered debris over her and Raider. Her legs were the only things not protected by Raider's body and she felt them being peppered by sharp pieces of rock and splinters of wood from the nearby bushes and small trees.

By the time it was over, her ears were ringing and she was shell shocked by what had just happened. When she heard the screams of death and pleas of mercy cut short, she couldn't stop the tears from falling down her cheeks. She watched Raider as he stood there taking everything in through his spyglass.

Meggie began to quietly scoot backwards, away from him. Looks of fear, confusion, shock, and panic kept crossing her face and darkening her green eyes. She'd heard screams like that before but to this magnitude. Covering her ears with her hands, she sat there, shaking, tears streaming down her face. What had happened to her island? She had dealt with violence before when other ships had come to the island and she'd seen what had happened to those two women. But this violence was on a whole new scale and she simply didn't know how to deal with it. She'd always been able to hide whenever other ships had come, but something told her that this time was different. For one, she couldn't go and hide and leave Raider and his crew alone on an island they knew nothing about. Two, something told her that these were the type of sailors who apparantly didn't take any prisoners, if the screams and pleas had told her anything.

She looked up at Raider again, staring at his back as he watched the other ship. She was terrified, confused, and in shock. Her legs had little scratches all over them and stung, but she didn't really feel it.

"Raider? Raider? I know of a place to hide. On the other side of the island."

Her voice was small, the woman who had stood up to him before seemed to have been replaced by someone frightened. She also knew it, but she couldn't seem to stop the fear from consuming her. This was her home and it was once peaceful. Now, once again, her world was being torn apart. She knew she needed to take control, fight for her home, but the explosions around her and the screams of death, on top of Raider and his crew finding her and then the other sailors, had taken their toll on her. She had no clue how to deal with this anymore and she wasn't sure she wanted to. All she knew was she wouldn't leave Raider and his crew to deal with it alone. She knew where to hide and if they would let her, she could help them.

Babe had finished helping the deckhands pull in the main sail, the She Wolf had made fast work of the French Vessel, what was left of it rolled to one side and slipped into the surf.

Captain Anne ordered her men to get to the rowers and finish off any man who survived the sinking of the ship, her men did this with gusto. The men rowed through the debris and scattered bodies killing anyone who still drew a breath and gathering up anything of value that had not yet slipped into the drink.

The sail's in Missus, the fight is ours...you win again Cap'n Anne.
Babe was grinning like a kid as he addressed his captain, he admired the woman, her skill as a sailor and her black heart as it pertained to anyone that she saw as an enemy.

No prisoners today I suppose Missus, same as any other day. If ye fancy a trip on the sand I would be tickled to go along Cap'n.
Babe watched her for a moment, she studied the carnage that was before her vessel through her looking glass, she watched the water and the beach for a few moments before she turned her attention back to him.

What was she looking for through the glass? What was she searching these dangerous seas for? Babe thought that it could not simply be wealth for the She Wolf had commandeered a lot of spices, silver and gold as of late. It was not his place to ask Captain Anne such things but theses questions persisted in the big man's mind.

What'll it be Missus? What are your orders?

Anne listened to Babe’s thick, Irish accent as she surveyed what was left of the British occupied French vessel. Other than Captain Raider, the French and British were tops on her list of despised enemies and she gladly drove them to Davey Jones locker any chance she got. They may be commissioned by their countries and fly their flags but the things these “educated” sailors did was nothing different than what she did. The only difference was they were able to do it legally.

Babe had been with her for damn near 12 years now, longer than any other crew member, and she knew she could rely on him for anything at anytime. More than once he had her back in many a fight on land and at sea. Besides the fact he taught her how to fight as well as any man, he taught her how to wield her rapier as though it was an extension of her own arm and not some cold, metal object held in her hand. He was older, yes, but when Anne heard him talk like this and saw that twinkle in his eyes, she was reminded just how youthful his mind still was and she couldn’t help but give him a bright smile as she laughed.

“Babe, me boyo, I believe a good walk with sand between me toes would do me heart a world o’good. Besides…how am I spose to deny ye when ye look so eager t’go ashore, hm?”

Anne’s own Irish accent sounding much like that of her Man at Arms. Seeing the broader smile he sported, revealing his gold tooth, she chuckled again.

“Have th’crew take th’bodies out beyond th’ship so th’current drags ‘em away. I dun wanna smell th’stench or worry about sharks eyeing me crew as meals. Besides…I like th’look o’ th’clear water minus th’blood.”

Lowering her looking glass, Anne set the device down on the ledge near the ships wheel, ready to be used at a moments notice. As she watched her crew working as one being, making sure the bounty they just retrieved from the destroyed ship, securing rigging and folding the sails and tying them down she gave a intake of air and nodded. She was proud of these men who served under her. It wasn’t easy for them at first but when they saw she wasn’t your typical woman at sea, they soon realized the only thing that separated her from them was her gender. She thought, fought and talked like a man but there was no doubt she was very secure in her femininity not bothering to hide the fact she was a woman from anyone. In fact, they learned, she took joy in letting her enemies know they had been defeated by a woman.

Looking back over at Babe once more, Anne nodded and smiled.

“I be goin’ to change inta somethin’ more land appropriate. The newest members o’th’crew stay aboard and keep watch. No one stays on th’island overnight. I wanna be ready t’heave as soon as th’tide hits its full depth.”

Anne glanced at the island once more as her smile faded. It had been a good long while since she’d been to these islands and while they seemed to look the same, she couldn’t shake the feeling there was something definitely different about them now.

Raider lowered the spyglass from his eye and dropped down below a fallen palm tree trunk. "Bloody 'ell," he muttered "Of all tha ports, taverns an wretched islands between Portsmith an Hong Kong she has ta seek out this rock. This wretched rock an me without 'The Bill Of Rights'. Tis never a day that be goes by 'tween now an judgment day that I be reminded of this day. "