Disclaimer: I don't own the books or the film or the characters, apart from my own original characters.

I hope you enjoy this. It's my only Master and Commander fic, and is based on the film as opposed to the books.

Enjoy

THE PIRATE CAPTAIN

The HMS Surprise is gone… And Jack enlists the help of some rather unlikely characters to get it back.

One: The Hercules

Images began to form in front of his eyes; a pair of almond-shaped amber eyes… the swaying hulk of a huge ship… the wooden planking of a cabin. He heard voices, the slap of sail against mast and splash of water against the hull. Captain Jack Aubrey frowned as he tasted fresh water against his lips, and felt the rough palm of someone's hand against his head. Where was he? And how had he got here? The voices were soothing, calming, and foreign to him. He slipped back into the darkness, preferring that to the confusing information that waking gave him.

………………………

How long Jack slept, he had no idea, but when he woke, he was baffled by the sight that met his eyes. He was in a spacious, clean cabin, lying in a canvas hammock that smelt of soap. Gleaming windows showed him that they were still in the tropical oceans – from the high, hot sun, to the aquamarine glow of the sea. A long table stood at the centre of the room, with three tin basins of warm, steaming water and a bar of soap next to it. The soap rested on a neatly folded, clean, white towel. On the back of the chairs were clean breeches and shirts and coats – it was only then that Jack realised he was just in his skivvies. His boots, which had been polished, stood by the chair with his uniform on. Sitting up and glancing around, he noticed three other people. Lieutenant Tom Pullings, Doctor Stephen Maturin and Midshipman Lord William Blakeney all lay in their hammocks – apart from Blakeney, who was awake and looking around in as much bewilderment as the captain.

"Sir?" The blonde boy enquired. "Where are we?"

"I'm not sure." He rose and reached for his clothes. They were starched and fresh. "But for the moment, I wouldn't complain." He managed an unsure smile as he pulled on his breeches and picked up his shirt. Once dressed and washed using the basins and the soap, the two sat at the table, waiting for Tom and Stephen, who woke almost simultaneously. Equally as confused, they obeyed their captain's orders by dressing and washing before sitting opposite Blakeney and Jack.

There was silence in the cabin. Around and about, they heard muffled shouts and footsteps and the general sounds of a ship in sail. Jack opened his mouth to speak, just as there was a knock at the door. All four pairs of eyes stared in pure astonishment as a red-haired woman and slave assistant entered, carrying silver trays. The woman dipped a curtsey and set the trays on the table, nodding to the slave to clear away the used towels and basins.

"Good ter see yer awake. An', Cap'n's compliments, gennelmen, dinner is served." She announced in a thick Irish accent, lifting the lids on the trays to reveal steaming platters of chicken, bowls of soup, potatoes doused in butter, baby carrots, runner beans, bread, apples and a decanter of rich, red wine. The woman curtseyed again and left quietly. Jack and the others looked completely taken aback.

"Should we eat it?" Blakeney asked unsurely, staring hungrily at the chicken. It all looked so tempting, but Jack was in the same mind as his Midshipman – they had no idea where they were, whose company they were in, and if these hosts meant any harm. Tom's stomach rumbled traitorously.

"Well, why not?" Stephen said, helping himself. They tucked in, adding mumbled appreciation of the succulent chicken, aromatic wine and warm, fresh bread. They hadn't eaten in days, and to have such a feast spread before them felt like simple heaven.

"One thing though." Tom said after he had eaten his full. "Why was the steward a woman?"

"No idea, but she's a damn good cook." Jack answered, leaning back in his chair and resting a hand on his full belly. There was another knock at the door, and Jack looked around, wondering who the visitor was this time. But it was the redhead back again, this time with a tray of hot jam roll and custard. He stared at it momentarily, wondering if he could eat another bite. After tasting a corner of it, he decided he could make room. "I think, for the moment, we have to assume that we're in friendly company." He added, scooping some of the thick custard onto his slice of roll.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The redhead steward approached her captain and bowed her head quickly. The captain stared at her through amber-coloured eyes as she spoke.

"The guests are awake, cap'n, an' eatin' puddin' now."

"Thank you, Tanner. Please, bring our guests on deck."

"Right away, cap'n." Hannah Tanner returned below and knocked on the door to the cabin again. Without waiting for an answer, she entered and looked at the four men seated round the table. They had eaten her meal with relish, and had devoured the jam roll with as much enthusiasm. She suppressed a smirk and dipped a curtsey again. "Cap'n's compliments, you're wanned on deck." The tallest of the men rose. He was huge and solid and overpowering in his presence. His dark golden hair was tied back, and he fixed her with a perfectly set pair of cornflower blue eyes.

"Lead the way, ma'am." Hannah swallowed the chuckle at the gentlemanly title.

"Right away, sir." She left the door open, and heard four sets of feet following her up onto deck and up the steps to the quarterdeck. She could hear the muted sounds of astonishment, and allowed herself a little grin of triumph and pride – the reaction was not unusual for people arriving on the Hercules. The ship was a huge 74-gunner, made from only the best oak and elm, with a size and mast to rival the Victory herself. On the bow was a huge carved mermaid, face tilted to the sun. In full sail, the Hercules was a awe-inspiring sight to see. On the quarterdeck were the usual officers, and Hannah touched her hand to her forehead in salute to some of them, and had to forcefully stop herself from laughing when one voice – the pale, thin one (a doctor, she assumed, he didn't look to the be the seafaring type) – announced:

"Good God!" At the sight of the officers. Out of the four lieutenants on the Hercules, two were women, and out of the eight midshipmen, three were girls. But the most amusing comment was left when the captain turned to greet them. "Well I never…" Mumbled the stunned doctor. Hannah saluted her captain.

"The guests, cap'n."