Chapter 4

The crew quickly began their row to the island. Hook was seated at the head of the long boat and was carefully watching the men. Any of them who rowed too slowly were quickly reprimanded. Katherine looked out over the water as the boat made its way to shore.

The waters were glistening aqua. There were the barest traces of clouds in the sky and the sun shone brightly. It was simply beautiful. Katherine was so caught up in the scene surrounding her that she was completely unaware that a certain icy blue gaze had settled itself upon her.

Hook was watching her closely. To the men it probably seemed as if he was keeping a close watch out for mermaids or for the infamous crocodile. But in actuality he was studying her. She seemed lost in her thoughts. Actually, she seemed lost in the beauty that was Neverland. Hook had been a part of the place for so long that the beauty sometimes escaped him. Her enthusiasm had surprised him though. Not many people would have accepted joining a pirate crew. She was truly different. This was going to be interesting, he thought to himself.

When they reached the shore Katherine broke herself out of her reverie and was eager to leave the long boat. Hook was surprised that she jumped right out of the boat into the crashing waves and walked to shore herself. Not too many of the women he had known would have done that.

Once all the men were on the beach Hook quickly began giving orders. The men were to go and gather water and restock the ship's supply. He wanted them to row the barrels back and forth to the Jolly Roger until the ship was completely stocked. Once that was done they were to return to the shore and go hunting.

Hook knew that the hunting wasn't really necessary, the ship was full of food, but he decided that letting the men go chasing after something would do them some good. They hardly ever got the chance to really shoot or be the bloodthirsty pirates they once were. The brats that were the Lost Boys weren't fair game. They flew away as soon as the men started to gain an upper hand. The men looked pleased at the idea of being able to kill something and quickly set out with their work.

Hook stood watching them and then his eyes trailed over to Katherine. She was looking into the trees curiously. He smiled inwardly and thought to himself how much she must want to go tearing off exploring through those trees. He walked over to her and gently tapped her on the shoulder. She turned slowly and looked up at him questioningly.

"Captain, with all the men fetching water and hunting, what am I going to do?" she asked.

"I was thinking that perhaps you'd like a little tour of the island, since you seem to be about to take off through the trees," he said, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

Katherine couldn't help but smile. "I'd love it."

"Well then, we'll be going this way then. Would it interest you in seeing the mermaids?"

"Very much!" she said excitedly.

Hook took her arm and they began their walk through the jungle. The further they walked, the more unbearable the heat seemed to become. Hook changed direction and turned toward a small waterfall that wasn't much further ahead. He released her arm and gestured for her to sit.

"I take it this isn't our destination?" Katherine said looking around.

"No, it is not. This heat is intolerable. We shall rest for a bit and then continue on," Hook replied, sitting down on a large rock.

Too curious to sit still, Katherine made her way to the edge of the water. There were several strange looking flowers floating on the surface. She tried to pick one but found it rooted beneath the surface. The petals were graceful and feathery, and were a shimmery pearl white. They were extraordinarily beautiful and she was very sorry that she had nothing to cut the stem with.

She sat at the edge of the water and was peering down into its depths when she saw something move. She leaned closer and was very surprised when a brilliantly colored fish swam close to the surface. It was unlike anything she had ever seen. Its scales were a hotly colored pink, and its fins and tail had yellow and orange streaks running through them.

She reached her fingers into the water and was about to run them over the fish's scales when she was violently jerked backward by a strong hand.

"Don't touch it!" yelled Hook, pulling her backwards.

She pulled her hand away and sat looking at him. She was afraid now. He looked angry. Hook could see the fear beginning to spread through her face and mentally chastised himself for reacting as severely as he had.

He sat next to her on the ground and softened his expression. "I apologize, Miss Black. I was only looking out for your safety. As brilliantly colored as that creature may be, it is brilliant for a reason."

"What is it?" Katherine asked softly, looking at the water warily.

"The Indians call it a Fire Fish. Not only for its colors, but for what it would do to you had you touched it. The scales are extremely poisonous. One touch and it would feel as if your hand was on fire. Then the burning sensation would spread, and eventually you would be driven to madness with the searing pain. Most do not survive."

"My God!" exclaimed Katherine. She quickly moved back several inches from the water.

"Is your shoulder alright?" Hook asked.

"What?" she asked confusedly.

"Your shoulder… I believe I gave it quite a jerk when I pulled you away from the surface. Is it alright?" he queried.

She quickly tugged down the sleeve of her shirt and was surprised to see a bruise forming on her right shoulder.

"I apologize Miss Black, that is entirely my fault."

"It is quite alright Captain. It was my own fault for reaching into the water. Besides a bruise is much better than a searingly painful death, isn't it?" she said smiling.

"Indeed it is," he responded, the twinkle back in his eyes. "Shall we continue on then?"

"Lead the way Captain."

They were about to set off for the Mermaid's Lagoon when they heard the crashing sound of footsteps. Hook instantly drew his revolver and pointed at the direction the sound had come from. A few seconds later a tall rather embarrassed looking pirate came through the trees. Hook replaced his revolver and crossed his arms in annoyance.

"Captain," he stammered, "you're needed on the beach sir. There's a bit o' a problem."

Hook shot the man a look than could have easily scared someone to death. He turned to Katherine and offered his arm. "Let us see what seems to be the trouble, shall we?"

When they got back to the beach Hook saw immediately what the problem was. His voice dropped to a deadly tone. "Where is the long boat?" he said, murder ringing in his voice. The men began stammering how they had gone hunting only to find the boat floating away when they had returned.

Hook growled. "Did you secure the boat down before you went hunting?" There was a soft round of aye captains to this. "I ought to shoot the lot of you for being such idiots! Who was supposed to secure the boat?"

A nervous looking pirate stepped forward. "I was Capt'n, and I did Capt'n!"

"Really?" said Hook sarcastically. "Then where is it?"

"To be honest sir, it float'd away."

To this Hook drew his revolver. "If there's one thing I cannot abide, it is incompetence!"

"Wait! Don't!"

Hook turned with a murderous look. "Who said that?"

Katherine swallowed hard and stepped up to Hook. "I did."

"Miss Black, I suggest you step back before you come into my line of fire as well," he said eyeing her dangerously.

"But Captain! It wasn't his fault! Look…the rope's been cut," she said holding up an end of rope tied to a tree. The rope had indeed been cut, with the edge of a blade it seemed.

Hook turned to the pirate shaking in front of him. "You'd best get on your knees and thank this lady. She's just saved you a bullet through your chest. Another trick of Pan's no doubt." He paused looking up at the sky. "Well men, it appears that we'll be spending the night on the island then. Go off and make some decent place for yourselves to spend the night. By tomorrow morning the men aboard the ship will realize that something is amiss and will come to collect us."

The men quickly took off into the jungle to search for someplace to spend the night. Hook put away his revolver and turned to face Katherine.

"Well Miss Black, it appears you just saved a man's life. I'm not sure if what you just did was bravery or foolishness. I could easily have killed you."

"I couldn't let you shoot him. He hadn't done anything wrong. And I honestly didn't think you'd shoot me, though with the look you gave me it seemed like you wanted to at the moment," she said looking up at him nervously.

"And what makes you think that I wouldn't shoot you?" he said with a touch of danger still in his voice.

"You said yourself that you were a gentleman. And gentlemen don't shoot ladies do they?" she said challenging him.

At this Hook smiled dangerously. "A gentleman yes, but a pirate nonetheless. And if you will recall Miss Black, you are a member of my crew. A captain holds the right to do as he sees fit with his crew," he said stepping toward her.

"Then perhaps you do not deserve the right of being called a gentleman."

At this, some part of Hook snapped. He had never been challenged this way without consequence and he was not about to start letting it happen now. He easily grabbed Katherine and pulled her backward toward his chest. With his left hand he held her tightly, and he pressed his hook to her throat.