BEGINNING OF CHAPTER FOUR

The Secret Ingredient

Riley looked into the dirty pot and almost threw up. Chunks of whatever was left from other dinners still clung to the inside of the pan as well as the outside.

"No wonder they're breath is so bad! That's why Jack must drink so much rum, to cover up that awful-oh!" Riley couldn't stand it anymore and took the pot by the handle and tossed it out the door.

"WATCH IT!"

"Oh, sorry Kat!"

"It's alright," Kat said, rubbing her nose. Then, she turned around and grinned. "Looks like Jack got the full hit anyhow."

Riley raised an eyebrow and went to the door. A smirk spread on her face when she saw Jack on the floor, the pot not far behind him. He sat up and rubbed his head. Rolling her eyes, Riley turned to Kat.

"Can you start with something so I can take care of Sparrow? Seems like he needs some ice on that nasty bump."

"Sure ... uh, what exactly am I cooking?"

"How the hell should I know? Just find something. Cook rats if you have to."

"Rats? Eww!" Kat laughed at Riley's hurt expression. "You want me to cook rats?"

"It's the only thing left probably." Riley then walked over to Jack and touched the bump.

"Ah, hell!" Jack shouted, pushing her hand away.

"Oh stop being a baby! Hey Kat," Riley yelled. "We don't got no ice on this boat, do we?"

"Don't be thinking so!" Kat replied from the kitchen.

"Ice? What's the ice supposed to do?" Jack asked, gingery touching the large bruise. He winced in pain. "And why in all blasted hell did you throw that pot out?"

"First of all, it wasn't even close to sanitary and second of all ... well, no, it just wasn't clean enough." Riley grabbed a hankie out of Jack's pocket, went over to a water barrel and dunked it in. She came back and pressed it lightly against Jack's forehead.

"Ah, hells teeth!"

"You like that word, don't you Sparrow?"

"It's Captain to you, missy!" Jack sourly said, his hand over the wet hankie. Riley just rolled her eyes.

"How am I supposed to catch those stupid rats? The mouse traps probably haven't been invented yet and I'm not seeing a cat ... Riley!" Kat came over and sat down next to Jack and Riley.

"What you be cookin lass without the pot?" Jack said, suspiciously.

"You'll have to wait and find out." Kat looked at Riley. "Could I borrow Riley for a couple minutes? I need me a kitten."

"Kitten?" Jack said, looking at Riley who had an evil and angered look on her face.

"Kat, how many times have I told you not to call me that!"

"Just like I ask you not to call me Red?"

"That's different!"

"How so?"

"It just is."

"Why then?"

"Because I said so and that's the end of this conversation!" Riley said, crossing her arms and glaring at Kat.

"How is it that whenever we argue about something and I'm right, you always end the conversation?" Kat said, tilting her head in amusement at her friend.

"Why do ask so many stupid questions?" Riley asked, her temper flaring up again. Kat loved to tease her friend. It was just so easy!

"Because you give me stupid answers!" Kat replied, a cool grin on her face.

"Hate to break up this little brawl, luv but is there something burning in the galley?" Jack pointed to the smoke coming out of the galley.

"AHH! I forgot! I left the furnace open!" Kat jumped up and grabbed Riley's arm, dragging her. "You have to catch me some rats, Kitten!"

"Stop calling me Kitten!"

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Riley stood next to Kat, waiting for the pirate's opinion of their quickly made dinner. It had taken awhile to round up all the crew to the large table Kat and Riley had, well, improvised but it looked like they were about to be paid off.

Mr. Gibbs was never one to pass an false judgement so it was him they gave their test-taste to. He had said it was fine but as soon as he found out what was inside their 'secret' stew, he had run out, shouting for rum. After swearing him to secrecy, Kat and Riley decided not to tell anyone else what the 'secret' ingredient was.

"Now, this stew of yours is supposed to be healthy for us?" Jack said, poking his wooden spoon in soup. "What be these orange and white things?"

"Sparrow, those are carrots and potatoes. They were growing in the back of your kitchen." Riley said, making a mental note to wash the table after all the crew was done eating. Boy, what messy eaters. They were worse then her brothers and that was saying something!

"Our what, luv?"

"Your galley, Captain." Kat said, nudging Riley in the side. To Riley's ear so that only she would hear, "Try and remember that we're not in Kansas anymore?"

"Oh and stop being such a nag, Kat." Riley laughed. "It's not like they're gonna think that we're from the," whispering, "future."

"Jack isn't as stupid as you think he is, Riley." Kat saw Jack look up at them with raised eyebrows, probably wondering what they were whispering about. Riley just shrugged.

"Alright, I'll try and keep things on the down low."

"Hmm, luv?"

"What are you gonna complain about this time, Sparrow?" Riley said, coming up and standing above him. Jack didn't like it and made it clear on his face.

"Why aren't you two lovely ladies eatin' some of your stew, hmm?"

"Oh, we uh, there wasn't enough to eat so we went and caught some fish and we ate that instead." Riley said, a big smile on her face. Jack didn't like the look either but decided he liked the way her black hair fell over her eyes. The blackness hid the devilish smile that was always on her face.

"You did, did you now?" Jack smiled, slowly sliding the soup bowl to Riley. "Why don't you finish mine? I'm not that hungry."

"Oh that is such a pity, Sparrow because I put extra rum in your stew since you like that, well, stuff." Riley pushed the bowl back.

"Really now?" Jack grabbed the bowl and drank it all. Riley and Kat shared a knowing smile.

"You didn't put any in his and a lot in the others, didn't you, Riley?"

"Perhaps."

END OF CHAPTER FOUR

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