Johnnydspiratequeen's disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except for me (Kelsey). This is dedicated to Chi-Chi, Becca, & Majerle, My best friends.

Chapter One

My heart pounded in my chest as I waited in anticipated silence. The rum cellar was damp and dark and smelled heavily of the alcohol. Everything about being in there felt so sneaky. I had crept onto the large black ship while its captain was in some bar in Tortuga. I hadn't laid eyes on him or the crew but I had to find somewhere to stow away.

I had left my hometown in Port Royal where I felt so reserved and restricted to go to Tortuga. I would hide out in a ship and then they would have no choice but to take me on an adventure, even if it was brief. I craved a pirate's life since I was young and I had always needed to break away from the formalities of my home. It hadn't occurred to me before, but I could easily have to walk the plank once they found me. Then my plan would be foiled. Best not to think about things like that.

The hours dragged on and I was growing tired and achy from my hunched position. I couldn't wait any longer and finally drifted off to sleep on the cold wooden floor. I awoke with a start. How long had I been asleep? I had heard a noise…a creaking of a lock. Now the door was swinging open… someone was coming down the steps and into the room! I began to panic but stayed quiet. I was surprised that whoever it was could not hear my heart thumping loudly like a drum. I heard the footsteps getting closer and closer until they stopped on the other side of the rum rack I was hiding behind. My mouth felt like cotton and my brain like mush. I stood up slowly so that I could escape if I needed to. Then the mystery person pulled the rum bottle out of its slot right in front of my face. I froze. I could see his eyes staring back at me through the hole. I gasped as he furrowed his brow and began to walk around the rack towards me.

"Oi! Who are you and what are you doing on my ship?!" the pirate demanded. He was intense and slightly wobbly from drinking. His skin was darkened by the Caribbean sun and his dark eyes shone in the only candlelight in the room. He had a mustache and a braided beard. His hair was beaded and a red bandana covered his forehead, just above his eyebrows. He wore a tri-cornered hat, he was obviously the captain. His clothes were worn and a little dirty but he wore a captain's coat.

"I- I", I stammered helplessly, "I mean, my name is Kelsey and I uh snuck onto your ship while you weren't here."

"Well that's apparent!" he slurred, slinging his rum bottle around.

"I just came here 'cause I want to be a pirate", I admitted.

He stared at me blankly for a moment before saying: "Do you now?"

I nodded as he came closer. He smelled of rum and sea water.

"Do you think ye have what it takes lass?" he asked.

I stood up a little taller to appear braver than I was, "Yes! I do!"

"Welcome aboard!" he exclaimed and gulped down an astonishing amount of rum, "This way."

I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that he wasn't going to throw me overboard. As I followed him onto the deck he stopped in front of a door. He turned to me, the moonlight illuminating his features. He was incredibly good looking with high cheekbones and full lips that were well experienced with smirking. I stared at him, not realizing it. He seemed to stare at me too, for just a moment, before gesturing to the door.

"Right in here love", he said, pushing open the door. It was a room full of hammocks and sleeping, drunk pirates.

"You can have the one over there in the corner", he said, "It's the most private."

"Thank you," I replied, heading into the crowded sleeping quarters.

"If any of those rum-pots give you any trouble, tell them you're with me", he suggested.

"They won't buy it", I said coyly.

"Why not?" he asked.

"Everybody knows the saucy wenches sleep with the captain."

He pondered this for a moment. I wondered if he was the kind to buy into it. Of course I wouldn't go with him, not then.

"Well", he said, gulping, "You'll just have to handle that when the time comes. You're a pirate now, aren't you?"

This was the greatest thing I had heard since arrival. "Yes, yes I am!"