Find Yourself
Chapter 3: Away and Back

When you find yourself
In some far off place
And it causes you to rethink some things
You start to sense that slowly
You're becoming someone else
And then you find yourself

"An island?"

"About three days away, at least that what we predicted."

"Is there something wrong with this island?" James watched as her complexion almost paled fear still evident in her eyes. There was something wrong with the island, the only questions was when and where would they run into it. He gave a small smile of comfort before he turned to the bridge.

"Turn the ship around Mr. Hayes were going home."

"Yes captain."

"Thank you." Catherine said as she walked up next to James.

"I don't take lightly to endangering my ship or its passengers Ms. Maxwell."

"Catherine please." James smiled.

"Mr. Hayes, please escort her below for dinner. Have Lumpy prepare something for her."

"Yes captain." James took the helm as Hayes escorted Catherine below. He turned back to the sea and took it all in. He couldn't get attached, it wouldn't do well for him or his crew.

"The captain has taken a liking to you."

"Has he now, does he take to liking every person he rescues." Catherine asked as they walked down the corridors.

"I didn't mean in that way Catherine." She smiled. "The captain doesn't like strangers on his ship, he tends to ignore them till he is rid of them."

"So it surprises you to see him not do as he has done." She asked as they stopped in front of one of the many doors.

"Yes, the kitchens in here. I'm sure Lumpy has something prepared."

"Lumpy?"

"Yes our cook." She smiled his name was unique. "I must return to the bridge now, if need anything don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you Mr. Hayes." She opened the kitchen door.

"Call me Thomas." She smiled and carried on into the kitchen shutting the door behind her. Looking around the room she saw Carl there and sighed, but he wasn't alone, there were others there. She assumed they were his film crew as she walked deeper into the kitchen to find Lumpy giving another member of the crew a shave.

"Lumpy I presume." The cook turned his eye on her and smiled. "I'm Catherine."

"Pleasure to meet you Ms. Catherine. I set you a bowl of porridge on the table over there." He pointed past her to the table with a bunch of equipment on it.

"Thank you." She went in search of it only to find all the bowls empty.

"Sorry about that miss someone must have gotten to it before hand." She turned back to him as he tossed her an apple. "Always plenty of fruit though."

"Thanks." She turned to Carl as he approached her.

"Did we change coarse." Catherine just shrugged and bit into the apple as he turned and walked out of the kitchen.

"Better stop him lass, the captain will not be pleased."

Thomas made his way back to the bridge to see his captain relaxed against the helm of the ship. James turned to his first mate and smirked.

"You like her." Thomas said as he leaned against the door frame.

"I cant say that I don't, I've never seen a sea captain so beautiful before."

"Captain, with all due respect you should give this one time." James sighed. "I don't want it to end up like the others." Thomas was right.

"Did you find something for her to eat?"

"Lumpy was cooking something, I'm sure he will attend to her." James smiled.

"Yes, yes he will." He pulled a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it.

"We should keep her away from Denham she might be the death of him."

"If she kills him by all mean lock them in a room together." They laughed together as the ship cut it way through the water. "He will be up here to complain any moment now though, just a warning." James sighed and waited.

Carl ran through the corridors and up the stairs to the bridge. Yelling the entire time.

"What's going on!" He stopped in the doorway of the bridge. "Hayes, Why have we changed coarse?" He stepped into the cabin as James came out of the radio room in the back. "Englehorn you cant just . ."

"Outside!" Carl did as the captain ordered and walked to the railing outside the bridge.

"Ms. Maxwell was quick to tell me about the danger in the direction you want me to go."

"What? Your going by her word she's just a straggler."

"No, Denham, she's a ships captain. Her eyes tell the truth and so we are turning back no questions asked."

"Lets keep going she cant be for sure of where she was."

"How do you know that Mr. Denham, She was there, she wouldn't lie."

"How would you know that she wouldn't lie to you about it just to get a free ride home."

"She's lost everything that she has. Don't be quick to judge her."

"Why do you defend her! You met two hours ago." James just stared at him anger in his eyes. "Look, lets continue for another two days if we don't find anything in seventy-two hours you can turn back."

"No."

"Then you don't get paid." Carl turned away as James sighed. " Ill let you break it to the crew, I'm sure they would like to know that they wont be getting their paychecks."

"Wait!" Carl turned back he knew he had gotten his way. "Seventy-two hours no more. We turn back with out your arguments and threats." Carl smiled and left the area of the bridge.

Catherine was heading through the corridors and up to the bridge as she felt the ship shift. They changed course, she couldn't believe that Denham presented a good argument in the matter. She scowled as Carl passed her on her way up to the deck, she grabbed the front of his shirt.

"What did you say to him!" He pulled away from her.

"Money fixes everything Ms. Maxwell." She watched as Carl walked back to the kitchen. Sighing she turned and jumped at the sudden sight of another.

"I must speak with you." James said and lead her out to the rear of the ship. Leaning against the rail he pulled out his cigarettes and offered her one. Accepting it from him, he pulled out his lighter and lit them both. She took a drag of her cigarette and stood in front of him waiting for his explanation.

"I did not intend to continue on but he offered a reasonable argument."

"Money."

"Yes." James sighed and took another drag of his cigarette. "I do not want my crew to be disappointed when word comes that they will not be paid."

"They would be glad not be paid this time, for they still have there lives." Taking a drag of the cigarette Catherine walked to the railing. "Do what you need to captain its your ship."

"Please call me James." She chuckled, leaning on the rail watching the water pass them by as she smoked. "I will sail slow ahead and burn up time. Hopefully we wont get anywhere near this island you speak of."

"And if there is a complaint."

"Don't worry Ill think of an excuse." He finished his cigarette and tossed the bud into the water.

"How much is he paying you?"

"Two thousand." She turned to him.

"Then I respect you decision. I would do the same."

A/N: The More the Reviews the more I tend to write a New chapter. Please Leave your thoughts and Feedback as much as you can soI can Improve this story so that it is enjoyable for all. Thanks!