A/N & Disclaimer: First off... indicates a jump between characters... and - - these little things indicate thought... Second, a number of you will notice me using Cassie as well as the title 'Storm Bringer' in two other stories in two other fandoms. This is the Pirates of the Carribean fic. I do have a reason for doing this, eventually the three will be tied together by that one character. Read 'Before the Story' and you might understand.

Everything recognizable.. isn't mine.. everything else is.. Don't use it without permission...

Hide -N- Seek

"Cap'n?" Standing before the figure at the helm, barely visible in the thick fog, he pushes the concern from his tone as their gazes meet. "Sails off th' starboard Cap'n."

He looks out into the fog, watching his captain carefully, though covertly. The captain raises a hand, fingertips touching brow absently. "What's 'er colors mate?"

He cannot quiet hide a grin of anticipation, "It's th' one Cap'n, an' she be runnin low."

He feels the adrenaline begin coursing through his veins at the bright glint which jumps to the captain's eyes, he bounds into motion even before the order. "Make ready ye dogs! It be time!"

Cannon fire echoes through the fog causing James to jump, grabbing his jacket he hurries from the cabin. Coming to the helm he focuses on the man there even as another shot disturbs the air. -No way to discern the distance due to the bloody fog.- "Gillette. Report."

The captain strains to see as he motions, "Hard to tell Commodore. Thought we saw a few flashes to port. I have adjusted course." He shakes his head turning his full attention to James, "We followed the Pearl into this mess. It is possible Sparrow is trying to out maneuver us in the fog."

"That does not explain the cannon fire." James peers ahead as a sudden flash is visible, followed by another echoing boom. Moments later the fog parts just enough to allow those about the Dauntless to glimpse the battle, which would be better described as a slaughter.

Commodore James Norrington clenches his fists at his sides as the pirate's ship cuts away into the fog, leaving behind the Sweet Maria, well what was left. She is split in half as if severed by an immense cutlass, smoke and flames billow from what was once her helm, and all about her float the bodies of her crew. "Ready the boats!"

With silent grace the Pearl slices through the fog, her speed lessened by the damped sails. The crew remains still and watchful, more than a few of them admiring their captain's composed demeanor. His hand rests lightly on the helm, relying more on instinct than vision. His gaze flickers to the right an instant before a shadow looms from the blanket surrounding them. With a low snarl he quickly turns her hard to port barely avoiding collision with the other ship. Having already ordered the crew to ready the guns he cannot resist the grin as they fire a solid hit upon the behemoth. He motions to Ana even as he releases the helm. Even rocking from the impact the other vessel manages to pull ahead as he pushes his way to the bow for a better look. He is pleased to note the fog is clearing. "Oars! Get us out!"

They remain within sight of the other ship, following her through the thinning mist. He remains at the bow studying the ship ahead as Gibbs comes to his side, "That ain' th' Dauntless Jack. Ye be thinkin' they sunk 'er?"

"Can't say I know Gibbs, but that lady there be runnin' low. Ye know 'er?" He looks sharply to his friend, who shakes his balding head. As he begins to speak movement from the other vessel catches his attention. "Bloody hell Jack! She's comin' 'bout for attack!"

Turning on heel he makes for the helm, shouting orders the entire way, "We hit 'er once, we'll do it again! Trim th' sails! Pull th' oars! Up with th' bloody flag!"

Reclaiming control he smiles with pride as the crew scrambles, the fog finally clear. Maneuvering with ease they are once more along side the other, close enough to see she is in no condition to fight and to hear the barked orders of her captain. Just as he prepares to give the order to board he is distracted. The behemoth that moves with a grace nearly matching the Pearl turns hard starboard, jerking away while from her helm, looking so much like a rag, a once beautiful gown tumbles towards the depths between the ships. A trail of crimson locks, as well as the solid splash indication enough for Jack that indeed there was a highborn woman in that gown. "Man overboard!"

Pushing away a few of the crowded men Jack spares a final glance to the ship slipping back into the fog. Kneeling beside the sputtering woman he is first struck by the fact that even soaked her crimson waves shine with a luster rivaling fire.

"Easy luv." He smoothes a hand over her back as she pushes aside that mane enough to peer at him with one wide emerald hue, her breath hitches and she whispers, "More pirates?"

"Cap'n Jack Sparrow. Welcome 'board th' Black Pearl." He spreads his hands as he spreads with an easy smile. Whispering as she closes her eyes, passing out, "Lady Cassandria Rain."

Her eyes flutter as consciousness returns, fingertips rising to her brow. She takes a moment to assess her surroundings, the gentle sway of a ship, softness below her obviously a bed, the heady scent of incense, and quiet breath of another close by. Fully opening her eyes she glances about the large cabin, her gaze settling on the figure standing near. Undeniably handsome, obviously a pirate, the captain her mind tells her. She allows her eyes to again flutter closed as she groans, fingertips pressing in her distress.

"Well, seein' ye be 'wake. How 'bout some answers Lady Rain." She cracks open an eye as he pulls a chair to her side. "What's a lovely lass as yerself doin' with pirates?"

"You speak as though you are not one of the same." She arches a brow staring at him fully now. "I was taken from the Sweet Maria, for ransom I suppose. I imagine you shall do the same Captain Sparrow."

He cannot resist the smile at her tone, even after being thrown off a ship as a distraction she retains her spunk. "Oh I be thinkin' I jus' may. How long where ye 'board?"

"Not long, I imagine you heard the cannon fire." She again closes her eyes, obviously strained, "There is no one to ransom me to Captain. As I attempted to explain to that other fine gentleman, when he sank the ship he killed my family. I suppose he felt I was expendable using me to get away from you."

His brow arches in contemplation, "Interesting, an' why would they be wantin' t' do that ye think?"

With a heavy sigh she studies him once more, "How do I know that if I tell you, you will not use me to get what they have taken and kill me?"

He leans forward, her question taking him by surprise at the implication, "They got somethin' worth that much eh? Well lass, somewhere in that fog be th' Commodore from Port Royale. Ye tell me, I get th' treasure, ye get a dingy an' a pick up from th' Royal Navy. Ye don' tell me, I drop ye back in th' water, savvy?"

Her eyes narrow as she weighs her options before replying, "I come from England. My family was wealthy, all of our belongings where aboard the Sweet Maria," her voice is tired, "gems, gold, silver by the barrels. They are heading for an isle nearby."

"Where lass?" His brows rise as he studies her. She sits up glaring at him, "How am I to know? I was a hostage remember and not aboard more than quarter of an hour. I suppose it twould be a safe assumption on your part that the isle would lie in the direction they were going before running into you."

She tugs at the shift her dress was replaced with, noting it for the first time. Her haughty demeanor falters as she looks to him with wide eyes, her tone the barest of whispers, "Where is my clothing?"

He leans back in his seat, a mischievous smile dancing over kissabley full lips as he drawls, "Well luv, wouldn' be wantin' y' t' catch a chill." His brow arches meaningfully, "So I took th' liberty of 'aving m' firs' mate change ye."

He stands stretching as she stares at him in borderline terror. Taking his time he crosses the room, "There be a dress ye can change into on th' desk. An' please Cassie luv don' lookit me so, m' firs' mate be a woman same as you."

Shutting the door behind him he leans against it for a moment laughing richly as something sounding suspiciously like his pillow thumps against it.

A/N2: Just so everyone knows where this stands in relation to the Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl... a week after the end.

The Demented Ferret