Captain William Schuester cleared his throat before muttering, "This is of the upmost importance. King Richard needs the map gone before there are any other attempts to take it."

First mate Finn Hudson looked around the crowded tavern before fixing his gaze back upon his captain. "Where should I tell Tinsley we're going?"

"Spain."

"Spain?!" Noah Puckerman sputtered. "We were just at war with them! Why would King Richard want anything of value to go to those mongrels?!"

Shue waved him quiet and looked around the crowd to make sure they weren't being overheard. "It would be safer. He did not explain his reasoning with me but I assume so. It's not my place to question my king."

Noah bowed his head. "Apologies, Captain."

Shue nodded. "We only have to get it there as soon as possible. We set sail soon. Tell the rest of the men that leave is over. All hands on deck. His Majesty's Royal Navy sets sail in three days time."

The men at the table nodded.

At a little table tucked away in a dark corner, someone smiled.

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"Are you sure that's what you heard?" Sly demanded.

"Yes, Captain." Her spy bowed.

"Get me Q, MC, MA, T, Satan and Bratt. Alert the rest of the crew to gather supplies. We'll be setting sail in three days time."

"Yes, Captain."

Sly smiled to herself as she sat back in her chair. The first attempt ended with her hands empty but she was sure that out at sea, she would emerge victorious.

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Michael Chang clapped his brother on the back. "I had to say goodbye to my paramour. How is it my fault you never leave anyone behind?"

Malcolm sneered. "You're a good person and a good sailor. Why do you leave so many women brokenhearted?"

"Hey! They always have smiles when I leave!"

"And tears in their eyes! From port to port, you go and break so many hearts." Malcolm shook his head.

"I am not a heart breaker." Michael was offended.

"Not purposely but you never stay with any one woman passed several days."

"At least I spend my leave with women. You just sit in your rooms awaiting orders to ship out again."

"These women don't interest me." Malcolm admitted. So far he'd only used women to slake his thirst when he had to but no woman held what he was looking for.

"What woman do you want? I admit British women aren't bred to appease all of a man's appetite but at least they take the edge off and they appreciate it oh so much."

"I'm looking for a woman that can think about something other than the weather and what other people are wearing. I don't care about fashion nor gossip. It's tedious."

"I understand. I admit I don't listen as well as I should."

Malcolm sighed. "Is the ship ready?"

"Aye. We're ready to set out."

The two brothers walked across the harbor to where two men were standing. "Puckermans."

Noah and his younger brother, Jacob turned. "Changs."

"Said goodbye to your many conquests?" Michael grinned.

Both brothers smiled rakishly. "Aye. Left so many!"

Malcolm rolled his eyes. Whores. The lot of them. "Let's just get on the ship."

The foursome walked onto the gangplank and walked up onto the ship. It took no time at all to settle into the rhythm of the rocking.

Shue waved his hat before slamming it down about his head. "Ahoy! Tend to the sails!"

"Aye, aye, Captain!" They saluted before jumping into the fray that was the ship at the moment.

Shue went over the list in front of him. "Cross off the Chang brothers and the Puckerman brothers."

Finn nodded. "Yes, sir." He found and crossed off all four names.

"Who else are we missing?"

Finn counted. "Just Karofsky and Adams."

"Is Karofsky being careful with his liaison?"

"We've stressed how important it was to be careful on the last shore leave." Finn nodded.

"How about Smythe?"

"He's aboard, sir."

"No. Is he being careful?"

Finn nodded. "Moreso than Karofsky at any rate."

"He's going to get his heart broken and turned from society if he doesn't think."

Finn shrugged.

"As soon as they board, we're off." Shue handed the page to Finn and walked down the stairs to go to the captain's quarters.

Finn looked to Arthur Abrams. "How's the skies look?"

Arthur adjusted his glasses. "We look good. If the weather holds up, we'll be out of the port and on our way before the next storm hits."

"Good. Tinsley!"

The African stood at attention. "Sir?"

"As soon as Karofsky and Adams board, we're off."

"Yes, sir." Shane Tinsley nodded.

"I think that's them." Arthur inclined his head.

Finn turned and sure enough, both husky men were walking up the gangplank. "Karofsky! Adams!"

Both looked to him and waved.

"Pull up the gangplank!"

Together with two others, they pulled up the large piece of wood and put it away.

Finn turned to Shane and nodded. Shane turned the wheel slowly and shouted, "Raise the anchors!"

Men hauled up the heavy iron masses and the ship began moving.

Finn looked over the ship at the men working in unison. "This will be our smoothest mission yet. I can feel it."

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"I hate you." Ryder Flynn said flatly.

Jacob laughed. "Don't hate me. Imitate me."

"I can't attract a woman for the life of me." He complained.

"Sad." Azimio Adams smirked. "You want a woman and can't find one while Malcolm attracts them but is too…"

"Pretentious?" Michael supplied.

Adams laughed as Malcolm glared at his brother. "Right. Pretentious. Malcolm's too pretentious to settle on one."

"I know what I want out of a woman. I don't go from one to the other like I have the attention span of a fruit fly." Malcolm argued.

Noah grinned. "What's wrong with pollenating the flowers?"

"Your stinger falls off."

Samuel Evans laughed. "He's got you there!"

Arthur smirked. "Even I'm getting action. If the cripple can pick a woman, why can't you, Malcolm?"

"I'm telling you; my right woman is out there." Malcolm swore. "She's sweet and kind and smart. She's fun and lively. I want that woman."

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Majors leaped back. "Please leave me alone!"

MA relaxed her stance. "You will never become a better fighter if you don't practice."

"I don't need to be a better fighter. I have you." Majors smiled prettily.

"I won't always be here to save you. One day I'll be hanged and where will you be?"

"Stop saying that!" Majors glared.

MA chuckled. "We both know it's going to happen. A pirate's life is never long."

"We won't always be pirates."

"Because I'll be dead."

"No, you won't!" Majors grew upset. "Stop talking about your death as if it's inevitable!"

"We all die, Majors. I'm just not going to see one and twenty."

"You're eighteen!"

"I have two more years."

"I'll tell your sisters!"

MA rolled her eyes with a sigh. She sheathed her sword and walked to the redhead. She adjusted her body. "At least become proficient in fisticuffs."

"I can throw a punch!" Majors was officially diverted.

"Aye but does it connect?"

Majors was offended. "Yes!"

MA gave her a look before sneaking a kiss. Majors blushed and giggled and never saw what happened next. She was flat on her back.

"Ow! Why'd you sneak attack me?!"

"Why'd you let your guard down?" MA walked around her sprawled body.

Majors sat up, disgruntled. "You tricked me!"

"Why else would I kiss you during daylight?" Still MA circled.

"I thought you were lightening up."

MA snorted.

Majors climbed to her feet. She wavered unsteadily as the sea rolled then found her footing. "I won't be so easy to distract next time!"

MA stayed silent and walked leisurely.

Majors hated when she got like this. It was more attractive than she wanted to admit. All of MA's focus was on her (for once) and all she wanted to do was revel in it.

MA kept walking until she was behind Majors. She struck quickly and Majors was back on the ground, writhing in pain.

"Ouch!" Majors rubbed her legs and buttocks.

"Fight back. Don't just let me corner you." MA held out a hand.

Majors took it and was hauled up. MA wrapped her arm around Major's neck while still holding her hand. She squeezed the hand for added pain.

Majors cried out. "Please let me go!"

MA released her and she crumpled to the ground.

"Can we take a break?" Majors just laid there.

"An enemy will not allow you rest."

"You're not my enemy. I don't even know what we are." Majors pouted.

"Why must you label everything?" MA sighed.

"Bratt and Satan are lovers. Everyone aboard knows and nothing bad has happened!"

"We are not Bratt and Satan." MA walked to a strip of cloth and threw it at Majors.

"You're worse than Satan. At least she tells Bratt how she feels about her!"

"And how do you know?" MA sat down.

"Bratt tells us."

MA gave her a heavy lidded stare.

"But I'd never tell anyone what you'd say!" Majors said quickly.

MA stood. "Rest over. Stand."

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MC turned from the small, circular window. "It's been two days and I'm already sick of this ship!"

Q smirked. "Settle yourself, dear sister. Everything is going according to plan."

MC stomped over to the open chair and slammed into it. "I hate this! That treasure map will be the death of us!"

"Just think of it this way; once we get it, we'll be one step closer to the treasure and once we have the treasure, we can retire and never have to pillage again."

MC smiled. "I'll be glad to hang up my sword. Gods know I'm loyal to Sly but I want to do more with my life than steal."

Q nodded. "I understand. I think I would like to go to some place far away and be a lady."

MC's chocolate eyes widened. "Yes! To wear fancy gowns and have jewels and have men attend to me instead of trying to kill me!"

"What a life!" Q giggled.

There was a knock on their cabin door. "Enter!"

A small brunette with cornflower blue eyes stuck her head inside. "Captain says to get ready."

"Thank you, Rosette." MC stood.

Rosette nodded and left.

Q rubbed her hands together as she stood. "It's almost time."

The two held hands on the way out.

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"Finn!" Arthur rolled over to the tall man.

Finn inclined his head. "Yes?"

"Shane says there's a ship approaching."

"A ship? Does he see their colors?"

"Black." Arthur adjusted his spectacles.

Finn swore. "Pirates!"

Arthur nodded grimly.

"Tell Captain Shue. I'll alert the men."

"Aye, aye." Arthur rolled away.

Finn stalked off to tell the men of the approaching threat. He had them ready the cannons and prepare themselves for battle.

Shue slammed out of his quarters with Arthur on his heels. "Prepare yourselves, men! I don't know if they're after our contraband but we must be prepared to die to protect it!"

"They're coming up fast, Captain!" Shane shouted.

"Get ready, men!" Shue gripped the map in one hand and unsheathed his sword with the other.

The pirate ship sailed up next to the royal ship. Pirates swung from ropes onto their ship as others put planks across to serve as bridges.

The S.S.R was boarded.

Finn stared in awe. "Women?!"

"That's right!" Q grinned darkly.

Shue sheathed his sword. "Madam, I know not what game you're playing but-"

A wild yell sounded from the other ship. The men looked over and saw the tall Sly raise her sword to the sky. "Charge!"

The girls moved forward.

Bratt, who was closest to Shue, snatched the map from him. "Thank you."

Arthur rolled in front of her and she tripped over his chair, landing on his lap. She accidentally put her arms around his neck. "Hello, pretty lady."

Bratt smiled. "Hi. I'm Bratt."

Arthur raised his chin. "Arthur."

Satan sneered and took the map from Bratt and pulled her from the brunette man's lap.

Finn moved in front of her. "Stop right there, Miss!"

Satan laughed. "Don't get hurt, giant."

"Giant?!"

The girls giggled.

Finn blushed, distracted but he still was able to yank the parchment from Satan. He walked backwards but didn't see T until she rammed her elbow into his side. "Ugh!"

T laughed and threw the map to MC, who turned around and ran into Michael. Michael smiled charmingly and held out his hand.

"Ooh! Don't hurt him, MC! He's cute!" T called out.

Michael's eyes shined. "I thank thee, lady pirate. You're quite becoming yourself. Madam?"

MC blew out a breath and gave him the map. He seemed too nice to kill.

Michael handed the map to his brother.

Sly narrowed her eyes. "MA! Get me that map!"

MA giggled madly as she took her sword from her scabbard. She approached Malcolm slowly, swinging her metal in graceful arcs.

Malcolm was flabbergasted. He'd never met a woman pirate, nor one that seemed ready to divest him of his soul. "I have never taken up arms against a female and I shan't start now."

"Twill be a short fight." MA came closer.

"Corporal! Protect that map!" Shue yelled.

Malcolm hated this but orders were orders. He unsheathed his sword with shaky fingers. "Miss, please. I do not want to hurt you."

"Don't worry. You won't." MA swung.

Malcolm parried quickly and found the strike to be weak. Really women had no business fighting. The next blow was far more substantial and he realized she was just lulling him into a false sense of security.

Malcolm blocked all of her blows but it was difficult. She was wild and unpredictable. She was also fast and never took her eyes off of his.

He found himself looking back and got sliced for his trouble. Her dark eyes were like a forest; deep, green, mysterious and beguiling. He shook it off and paid attention before she separated his head from his neck.

Malcolm was so busy trying to block her blow for blow that he didn't notice she was backing him up. Suddenly she threw a blade at him with her left hand. He barely had time to dodge it before she lunged at him. He jumped back and found himself backed into a mast.

Her sword sank into the wood between his legs at an angle. She came forward and took the map from his limp fingers as he tried with all his might to not relax.

She winked at him before pulling the dagger from the wood and her blade from it as well. She put away both the dagger and map and turned her back on him to walk away.

The men watched in stupefied awe as the women retreated to their own ship and sailed away as Sly laughed loudly at her victory.

Malcolm slid to the ground slowly as Samuel scratched his blonde head. "Mayhap I'm none too bright but what just happened?"