The only characters I own are the alter egos of the Challenger Expedition and their not so favorite house guests, the rest belong to J&G, Newline, etc.

History Or Destiny

"Grandpa, tell me a story" the girl begged her grandfather. "It's late, your mother would not be too happy with me if you were up this late" the man lovingly told his granddaughter, her stormy green eyes and thick black curls, an exact replica of her grandmother. "Please" the girl begged. "Ok, if you promise to go sleep right after" he told her. "I promise" she replied. "Once upon a time, long ago, there lived a man named Captain John Roxton...

1538

The battle had been bloody. He was sure the ship was in ruins and his men were either dead or rotting in jail. Captain John Roxton, scourge of the high seas, plunderer of the Spanish galleons headed for the new world, unofficial pirate for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth sat rotting in a jail cell, sure that this day would be his last. The Spanish had surprised them, destroying their defenses before his men could react. He had seen his lieutenant, Edward Melfius, swept into the water as the cannon hit the bow of the ship.

His thoughts were interrupted by a female's shrill voice and the laughter of the two guards who were dragging her. "I said, let go of me" the blond struggled. "Or what?" one of the guards taunted her. "This" she freed herself from the guard's grasp and held the other guard, ready to cut his throat, not seeing a third guard, hitting her with the but of the sword, knocking her unconscious. "What should we do with her?" they maliciously imagined the fun they could have with her. "What did you do to her?" their captain charged in. "She attacked us" the first guard stammered. "You heard what the lieutenant governor said; we need her to find her sister; that means no touching. Throw her in a cell, get her food and no touching or it will be your heads on the chopping block" the captain charged off.

Seeing there were no empty cells, they opened John's cell, throwing her in. If he hadn't caught her, she would have been dead from the fall. "You enjoy her" the soldiers laughed cruelly and walked away. "Where am I?" she asked, her eyes fluttering open. "I believe we are in a jail cell somewhere in the Indian Islands," he explained. "My head" she moaned. "Here, drink this" he eased her onto the cot.

"Thank you" she replied. "My name is John Roxton, what's your name?" he asked her. "As in Captain John Roxton?" she asked, her eyes widening. "One and the same. I don't believe I've had the pleasure of yours," he said. "Valencia Laurelton-Krusix" she introduced herself. "Sounds like an aristocrat" he replied. "I was once, but not anymore" she replied as voices were heard. "I saw her dragged this way" they shrunk into the darkness of the cell as a blast was heard.

"Valencia, where are you?" another female voice was heard. "Margo, over here" Valencia moved out of the darkness. "Move back" the brunette ordered them, as an older ginger haired man shot at the lock, forcing it open. "Are you ok?" the sisters hugged as the guards were heard in the background. "I don't think this is the best time for family reunions," John said. "The ship is waiting, we must hurry" Dr. George Chancus, Margo's lieutenant said. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your names" John said as they rowed out of the harbor. "My sister, Captain Margo Laurelton-Krusix and Dr. George Chancus, her lieutenant. Captain John Roxton" Valencia introduced them.

"Hoist the anchors, set the sails, we leave now. George, clean their cuts and get them fresh clothing" Captain Margo was clearly in charge. "As you wish, Margo" Dr. Chancus led them away. "My child, you're all right" Arthur Sommers, Margo and Valencia's uncle, breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, I'm fine, Uncle. Those solders didn't know what hit them, thanks to your genius" Valencia replied. "It was nothing, I'm just glad that you're safe" he told her.

"It's quite a ship" John walked out of the cabin. "Thank you, captain, I take pride in my ship" Margo replied, fighting to keep her eyes on the sea and not the handsome man that stood before her. "As do I, if there is anything left of her" he told her, awed by the fact that this beautiful woman with jet black curls and flashing green eyes could control a ship full of men. "Where is your ship, if I may ask?" she turned to him. "The last time I saw her, she was being destroyed by the Spanish and whatever men had survived the attack were being taken prisoner" he explained as a figure was spotted in the water.

"Captain, look" one of the men pointed up. "What is it?" Margo asked. "A man" he replied as the unconscious man was pulled up from the water. "Edward?" John asked, recognizing his first mate. "Captain" Edward groggily said. "Who is this?" Valencia asked. "Edward Melfius, my first mate" Valencia tried not to stare. "Bring him to my cabin, George" Valencia offered. "Right away, Valencia" George picked up his medical kit.

"Neddy boy, I thought I lost you for a while" John said as Valencia and George cleaned his cuts. "So did I" Ned replied. "What about the ship?" John asked. "Last I saw her, she was in ruins and is probably on the bottom of the sea by now" Ned replied. "I hope these fit" Arthur walked in, carrying a bundle of clothing. "Thank you" Ned told him, trying to get up as his body protested. "Easy there, you'll need to rest" George told him. "I'll stay with him," Valencia volunteered.

"George!" Margo called out. "Here, captain" George called out as Margo stepped inside. "Take the helm; I'll be in my cabin. Captain Roxton, I need your expertise" she said. "As you wish, Madam Captain" George bowed. "A drink, captain?" Margo offered him. The wine burned sweetly down his throat. "This wine is delicious, where did you get it?" he asked. "The local merchants. They hate the Spanish who control their Island as much as I do. Whenever we dock, they give us food and other supplies and we give them our booty. An equal trade, don't you agree?" she explained. "Yes, if you don't mind me asking, how does a woman such as yourself become a pirate? You have the makings of a lady and yet, you choose otherwise" he commented.

"Captain Roxton, I brought you in here to ask your advice, not to discuss my past" anger boiled in her eyes. "Madam Captain, I apologize" he bowed deeply. "Apology accepted, captain," her normally cool demeanor returned as she opened up the map. "Where are we going?" he asked. "Cuba, I have business with the lieutenant governor" she told him. "Thomas Miguel Tribune?" Roxton asked, aware of the reputation of the man. "We go back a long way" Margo growled, remembering the man who had simultaneously destroyed her family and broken her heart. "Whatever he did, he doesn't deserve her" Roxton was surprised by the thought that entered his head.

"Margo, dinner is ready" Arthur knocked on the cabin door. "Thank you, uncle" flashing a grateful smile, she led the way to dinner. "What I wouldn't do for one of those smiles" again Roxton was surprised, this woman was definitely intriguing. She had an air of sophistication, yet it was obvious her life had not been the easiest.

Margo observed John Roxton as he eat. He was a man's man; she had no doubt that many women had fallen prey to his charms. Handsome, charming, worldly, educated with a whiff of animal instinct that ever made her usually cool demeanor ruffle. "So, Margo, what's the plan?" George asked. "Tribune is giving a masque in honor of his sister's twenty first birthday. We will attend the masque, learn all that we can and use it to destroy Tribune and Danielle" she replied.

Valencia watched as Margo's eyes light up. Danielle Tribune, sister of the lieutenant governor, caused the downfall of the Laurelton-Krusix family by accusing their ailing father of seducing and raping young Danielle on the eve of Margo's betrothal to Thomas. Despite the family's protest's, their father was found guilty and hanged. Margo had tried to persuade Thomas otherwise, but he refused to listen. Their family name and fortune in ruins, Margo and Valencia joined Uncle Arthur on his ship, Margo eventually taking control of the ship from him.

"Miss Krusix, is something wrong?" Edward asked as Valencia replaced his bandages after dinner. "No, please, call me Valencia" she told him. "My name is Edward, but my friends call me Ned" he replied. "Good night, Ned" she said, walking. "Valencia, wait" she returned to the bed, where he gently kissed her, causing both sets of cheeks to redden. "Good night, Valencia" he said quietly as she exited.

"Is everybody in their places?" Margo asked the sailor who manned the wheel. "Yes, captain" he replied. "I'm going to bed, you know what to do," she told him. "Sleep well, captain," he said. With the addition of their guests, their quarters had become cramped, with everybody bunking in twos. "Pardon me, Madam Captain, I wanted to thank you for the delicious meal..." he stopped short as he stepped inside the cabin. Margo stood unaware of his presence, her normally bound curls hanging down off her shoulders, wearing only a white robe that hugged every curve. Her breasts peeked out of the lace knitting, pleaded with him to step closer, to feel on her body next to his, to kiss her until their lips were swollen with desire...

"One step closer, Captain and I will blow your brains out" Margo cocked and aimed her rifle at him. "Margo, if you want me to sleep somewhere else, I will" Valencia walked in. "No, Captain Roxton will be returning to his quarters, isn't that right, captain?" her tone remained firm. "Yes, she is correct. Captain Morgan, Miss Krusix, have a good night" John Roxton bowed and left.

Margo had rarely dreamed, and even so, dreaming fitfully of a handsome Captain who, as much as she was starting to despise, would liked nothing more to taste his lips on hers. "Bloody Hell" muttering to herself, Margo pushed off the covers, grabbed her robe and walked outside. "Captain?" the sailor asked. "I'll take over, you get some rest," she told him. "Thank you, captain" the sailor yawned.

"Can't sleep either?" Roxton asked. "Unfortunately, no" Margo replied. "May I?" John asked. "Thank you" she stepped back, letting him take the wheel. "Captain Margo, I apologize for rudeness earlier, I should have knocked" he apologized. "Apology accepted, Captain," she told him. "Do you come out here often?" he asked. "Not that often, but I do come out here when I need to clear my head" she shivered. "Are you cold?" he asked. "No, thank you, I'm fine" Margo knew that wearing his coat would open a can of worms that she would prefer remain closed.

"I insist, please" he begged her. "Fine, as you wish, captain" the jacket contained his smell, a potent mixture of the high seas and masculinity. The conversation stopped after a while, John turned around to see Margo sleeping. She looked peaceful and almost innocent, contradicting the image of the woman he had met less than 24 hours ago. Deciding to let her sleep, he stayed at the wheel, with the sea his only companion.

"Captain, should I?" the sailor came up to the wheel, noticing Margo sleeping. "No, let me" he said, picking up the sleeping Margo, who wrapped her arms around his neck. "Captain Roxton?" a groggy Valencia asked. "Go back to sleep" laying Margo down on the bed, he took one last look at the beauty who he had fallen in love with.

"Good morning, sleepyhead" Valencia grinned as Margo woke up hours later. "How'd I get here?' Margo asked. "Captain Roxton carried you, it was very romantic and I believe you used his jacket as a pillow," Valencia teased. "I gave up on romance a long time ago. If were talking romance, let's talk about you and Ned. Your cheeks were quite red after dinner last night" Margo teased back.

"We talked and we kissed, it was nothing" Valencia's cheeks colored. "You, little sister are infatuated with Mr. Melfius." Margo declared. "What about you and Roxton?" Valencia asked slyly. Their conversation was cut off as Arthur charged in. "Margo, Cuba" he handed her the telescope. "We dock by those cliffs, the party is tomorrow night, we leave at sundown" Margo declared.