Summery: All Lily ever wanted to be is a pirate. when the ship she works on is being attacked by them, she joins their crew by disguising as a boy. now she needs to prove herself in front of their captain James Potter, who swore to never let a woman step on his ship...
Deep breath
By: Ruby89
Chapter one
The lady stepped cautiously on the deck and looked around her with a stern look. Her elegant clothes indicated easily that she wasn't any commoner. She glanced with an impatient expression at the young girl behind her.
"Hurry up Andrea! We haven't got all day" the lady snapped at her.
"Yes, ma'am" Andrea answered through gritted teeth, trying to keep her hold on the heavy luggage in her arms.
The lady watched several men tying ropes and cleaning the deck before deciding to ask for help.
"Excuse me" she called aloud. One of the men looked up and walked quickly towards them "yeah? What can I do for ya'?" he asked.
The lady stepped back in disgust from the smell that was coming from the shipmen and waved her hand-held fan in front of her face as she spoke "I need someone to show me my private cabin"
The man scratched behind his head in thoughtfulness "I think Ray can help you with that"
The lady looked at him with confusion "who?"
"Ray is our youngest ship worker" the man explained. He then raised his head upwards, put both his hands around his mouth and yelled "hey Ray!". A small boy that was hanging up on one of the ropes looked down at the man with curiosity "oi! What is it?" he yelled back.
"There's a woman here! Needs help!". The little boy nodded "coming!"
Andrea observed with half amazement and half fright as the boy skidded quickly down the rope before letting go of it completely and landing on his feet like a cat in front of them.
The boy seemed to be around 12 years old. He wore short baggy pants that reached to his knees and a short-sleeve blouse that lay loosely on him. On top of his head he wore a bandanna that covered most of his red hair and kept it away from his startling green eyes.
He nodded his head in greeting and smiled "what can I do for you ma'am?"
The lady observed the boy's appearance in one glance, twisted her mouth slightly in an unpleased manner and answered with her nose held high "I need someone to show me my private cabin so I could get away from this heat. You know where it is?"
"Yes ma'am. I know this ship like the palm of my hand".
"Very well, you may take one of suitcases from Andrea" the lady made a small movement with her hand towards the young girl next to her "and help her bring the luggage to my cabin while I'll speak to the captain"
The boy blinked in surprise at her commending manner when suddenly recognition flashed through his green eyes and he smiled "you're Miss Wallington, right? We thought you'll arrive much later. We're not ready to sail yet"
"Apparently so" Miss Wallington commented dryly "when are you going to, then?"
Ray shrugged "when the Captain will order, of course" he glanced sideway and his smile widened happily "speaking of the devil"
A tall man that seemed to be in his forties, with flaming red long hair, moustache and beard approached them with confidence.
He took his hat of his head and bowed towards the lady "Miss Wallington I presume?"
The woman smiled towards the handsome man in front of her and bowed slightly in return "correct, and I believe you're Captain Evans?"
"Indeed" he smiled politely and was about to add something more when he caught sight of the smiling kid that was observing him with amused smirk. His expression softened slightly and his smile become warmer "what are you doing on the deck? I thought you were suppose to be hanging by the bridge"
"I asked his help with my luggage, if that is all right with you" interrupted Miss Wallington.
The Captain seemed pleased and he grinned towards the woman "ah, I see that you've already met my daughter then, Miss Wallington"
"Your… daughter…?" repeated Miss Wallington in complete shock and looked at the child she thought was a young boy. Ray stifled down her laughter when she saw the astonishment on the woman's face.
The Captain noticed her reaction and gave a slight uncomfortable chuckle "I understand your confusion. You see my daughter... err… rather enjoys working on my ship in a boy's clothes. Comfort of course"
His daughter cleared her throat loudly and cast an irritated look at her father "I think you twisted a few points, Dad" she then turned towards the woman and said with a wide smile "I actually plan to become a pirate"
The shock on Miss Wallington's face increased before she turned pale as a ghost. Captain Evans stepped closer with a worried expression in case the woman will faint and put his hand on her arm to steady her.
He cast a disapproving glance towards his daughter which she returned with much more annoyance.
"How many times have I told you not to mention this subject around other people?" he asked, releasing his hold on the young woman and staring directly at his daughter's eyes "I told you that I don't want you to be a pirate. So get this idea out of your head"
Ray narrowed her eyes in anger "and why not? I can be a pirate if I want to. I'm good with a sword and I'm the fastest climber in this area. I know the ropes of any ship and I can find my location in the middle of the ocean without a map. I've got all the needed qualities to be a shipman- or woman- even Gregor said so"
The Captain looked at her surprised "Gregor said that?"
"Aye, indeed" came a grumpy voice behind them.
Miss Wallington gave a small scream when she saw the old man that was limping towards them slowly. The man wore a long dark coat that reached almost to his boots. A large hat was slanted on one side, casting dark shadows on half of his scarred face and in his right hand he held a walking stick that made a small clunk every time it hit the floor.
"Miss Wallington, let me present to you my first mate and old friend Mr. Gregor O'rbay"
Gregor looked at the trembling woman and gave a curt nod, not seemingly impressed. Muttering a small grunt that sounded something like "another land lubber", he turned his attention towards Ray and frowned "what are you doing here?" he barked "get back to work! Tighten the bloody mainsheet ropes properly. Don't want any mistakes this time, clear?"
Andrea watched with surprise as Ray straightened her back immediately "aye sir!" she called.
Ray grabbed the end of the rope which she used to skid down and started to climb back up in quick movements. Everyone's gaze followed her small frame before she reached the bridge and sat on one of the booms, her hands working quickly.
The Captain turned to look to at his friend with an uneasy expression "you told her that she has the quality to be a proper shipman?"
"She's good an' you know it" came the grumpy respond.
"I know, but you know how she is when idea gets stuck in her head. And she wants to be a pirate nonetheless" he mumbled with a slight frown.
Gregor looked at his friend with one raised eyebrow "she wanted to be one ever since she came aboard. Where have you been in the last seven years?" when he didn't get a response he clapped his palm on the Captain's shoulder in understanding "don' worry 'bout it mate, she's not exactly a pirate material" he looked up to see the girl running to the other side of the boom "your lass is too bloody cheerful to be a coldhearted pirate who slashes others' throats for pleasure"
The Captain smiled in response "got it from her mother's side, as well as her charms to make everyone to like her" he sighed quietly before gaining his earlier composure "prepare to sail!" he yelled. He turned his attention to the woman and held his arm for her "would you care to join me for a drink in my cabin?"
"I'd loved to" she answered in a soft voice, still a little shaken from the last surprises, and took his offered hand with a grateful smile.
Gregor continued to yell commends to the running men when he finally noticed Andrea still standing on the same spot as if glued to the floor with two big suitcases by her side.
"What are you still doing here? Get a move on or I'll throw you off the ship!"
Andrea jumped in fright but a voice above them interrupted them "give her a break Gregor, she's not one of your crew"
"Which is a good enough reason to throw her out" the old man frowned towards the smiling face of Ray that was hanging with only one hand on the rope "everything is ready?"
"Aye sir" Ray jumped down and dusted her clothes. Then her smile turned into a smirk when she added "if you don't believe me, you can check it up yourself"
"Really funny" Gregor grunted and walked away, continuing to yell at random people.
The girl laughed before turning around to face the second girl with curiosity "so who're you?"
"I… I'm Andrea…" the girl mumbled hesitantly.
The redheaded girl's smile widened as she took Andrea's hand and started to shake it enthusiastically "pleasure. My name is Lily Evans, daughter of Captain William Evans, also known by the name Ray. In the name of the whole crew I welcome you to the 'Emerald Ox-Eye'"
A/N: hope you liked it. please REVIEW and tell me what you think :)
Ruby89