Night Music: Not quite yet. Next chapter, I think.

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Chapter 16

"Zan'ra? Where are 'ou?" It was Alissa, climbing up the stairs from the galley. All on the deck stiffened. If the kids came up now they would be in big trouble.

"Zandra? We're done with the dishes. Can you play now?" James was following close behind the little girl. Zandra glanced at her captor, then at Jim, they both nodded. The kids shouldn't see this.

"James, I need you to take Alissa and go back down to the galley and count all of the silverware. Okay?"

"Why?"

"Trust me. It needs to be done."

"Why?"

"James. Please."

"Whatever. C'mon 'Lissa let's go back down there."

After the kids footsteps had died down her captor began talking again.

"Assss I sssaid Cap'n, nobody movesss or the girl getsss ssshot. Underssstand?"

"Yes."

"Your whole crew?"

"Nobody moves! You hear me? No one! That's an order!" Jim shouted, not letting his eyes leave Zandra's face. "Happy?"

"Yesss. Now, my dear girl, let'sss be on our way." He grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards the ship that sat along side the Alexandra. Without thinking Jim lunged at him as soon as his back was turned. The creature must have suspected such. He spun around shot Jim, grabbed Zandra before she could run to Jim, and jumped to the other ship. At his signal, the ship took off at lightening speed.

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"Why did you do that?!" Zandra screamed. "Why did you shoot him?!" Her captor didn't turn around.

"Cap'n'sss orderssss."

"Who's your captain? I demand to know!"

"You'll find out ssssoon enough."

"Oh really? When?"

"Assss ssssoon assss you're cleaned up."

"What's wrong with how I look?"

"Nothing."

"Then why must I get cleaned up?"

"Cap'n'sss orderssss. misssss."

"If I get cleaned up will tell me why you were ordered to shoot him?"

"No."

"Why not?!"

"Cap'n'sss orderssss."

"Will you ever defy you're captain?"

"No. Now sssshut up!

"I will do no such thing unless you tell me what's going on!" The snake turned around and slapped her. She yelped and moved a few steps back.

"Being quiet works too."

She was led to a small room with closet, vanity, and small bed in it.

"Looks like I'll be staying here a while." She muttered under her breath.

"I'll sssend ssssomeone in an hour. There'ssss a dresss in the clossset, put it on. Put your hair up fansssy like. Be ready when he comessss"

"Why?"

"Because that'sss the way the Cap'n likesss to sssssee women."

"I can't wait to find out what kind of a man this captain of yours is."

"He'ssss a good man. Don't be afraid."

"Like I've got a reason to be." She murmured sarcastically.

The snake left the room and shut the door. She instantly ran over to it and tried to open it. No such luck. It was locked securely. She fell to her knees and began to cry. Why was this happening to her? She didn't have any money.

Well, she did, but all of it was back on Earth and it was her fathers anyway.

Why did he have to shoot Jim? Why did Jim try to stop him? Why? Why? Why?!!! She didn't even know if Jim was alive or not! She didn't know if she'd ever see the man she loved again. She didn't know what to do! She was scared and worried about Jim and what was she going to do? What was she going to do? If only she could see him. If only she could know he was okay.

She stood up and wiped the tears from her eyes. If she was going to meet this captain, she was going to appear calm and put together. There was no way that the captain would see her like this. Maybe she could win him over and convince him to take her back to the Alexandra, to see Jim. With new resolution she walked over to the closet and open the double doors.

She caught her breath in spite of herself. Inside the closet there was the most beautiful dress she'd ever seen. It was floor length, with spaghetti straps, and was made out of dark red silk with some sort of a glittery embroidered sheer red overlay. It looked something like a prom dress, but with a hint of old fashioned elegance. There was a pair of sandals that laced up to her mid-calf, tying in a bow just below her knee cap. (AN: Think ballerina) When she sat down on the vanity and opened a jewel case she found garnet and gold earrings, necklace, and a bracelet that had a thin gold chain connecting it to a ring. She decided to leave her long hair down, pinning some of the front up out of her face. She looked at herself in the vanity's small mirror. Through the cracked glass she could she that she looked wonderful. How she wished Jim was here to see her, but instead an awful pirate captain awaited her presence.

Oh Jim, find me. Please find me. I love you Jim, with all my heart. Please don't be hurt bad. I can't live without you Jim! I... Her thoughts were interrupted by someone pounding on her door.

"Are ya' ready in 'dere?"

"Yes. Come in." A big man that slightly resembled a cat or tiger or something entered the room. He stopped and looked her over.

"Didn't know The Cap'n knew such a fine lady as yerself. He'll be pleased to see ya, I'm sure. Come now, afore 'e gets to anxious." He led her down a long hall to an ornately carved door. He rapped on it loudly.

"She's 'ere Sir."

"Let her in, but you stay out."

"Aye, aye Cap'n. 'Ere she comes." The big man opened the door and roughly pushed her inside. She glanced around at her dark surroundings. She was in a dining room of sorts, perhaps a stateroom. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness she made out a figure and the end of the table.

"Zandra. It's good to see you again." The voice sounded strangely familiar.

"Drake?"