Chapter Two

Aphrodite cringed as She watched the proceedings on the island. It had been hard enough to watch the bitches cut off the catpeople's claws, but as they made their way to the ships, various ones of Jack's crew were pushed to the ground or grabbed by their collars. It seemed that these women were eager for any way to cause pain to those they had control over, those who had not even had a chance.

Aphrodite was furious not only with the situation at hand and with Ares for allowing Discord to do what She had done but also for Her Father's most ignorant rule. "If only He didn't have that silly thing about free will!" She murmured under Her breath. There had been a time when Zeus had not really enforced it, but lately He had been a stickler and She had seen the other Gods paying for Their interference in human affairs. As long as Their interference had something to do with Their jobs, that was fine, but let Them directly help one of Their people who had fallen into a bad situation . . . Ditey sighed and shook Her head. No way was She letting Zeus do anything like that to her!

No, She had to find something else. But what? Who could She get to help Her favorite Pirate crews? Her first thought was Xavier, but as She tuned into him, she discovered that he was already aware of the situation. Unfortunately, like She, he also could not take a direct hand in the matter. She heard him talking telepathically to Albus and knew they would do what they could, but that wasn't going to be enough.

Okay, She wondered, who else does that leave that might help? The next turn of Her thoughts brought Her to watching a Pirate ship with both black wood and sails. She watched the crew milling about it for a minute before Her eyes were caught by a cute Irish man. "They'd help in a minute, and . . . " She smiled, and an eager light met Her eyes. "They're close enough to reach them!"

She looked again at the mortal and couldn't help a pout. "It's really too bad," she thought aloud, "that he's such a cutie." She hated to hurt cute men or women, but this was an emergency . . . "Hold on, sugar," She told him though he could not hear Her, "because your world's about to be rocked."


Doyle had been sitting on a keg for the better part of the morning trying to get his music to come out so that he could play a new tune that was running through his head for the crew that night. He looked at the piece of parchment that was almost torn apart by all the scribbles that he had scratched out. The part just would not come together!

He reached into his pocket and brought out his harmonica. The first note sounded wonderful, but then he hit the note that was giving him so much trouble. He backed up and began to play it again. Just as he hit that note again, he was racked with a horrible headache so intense that he fell to the deck of the ship on all fours. As always, a vision accompanied the headache. He screamed in pain as the images filled his mind.


Kyna was deep in talk with her First Mate when he suddenly raced from her side. Before she could even turn to see what was happening, she heard Doyle scream and was passed by what almost looked like a fuzzy, blue lightning bolt.

Beast raced to Doyle's side and beat Spike there by seconds. He tried to hold Doyle down without hurting the man, but he was a very frail individual and Beast was worried that he would hurt him. He was relieved when Spike arrived. Between the two of them, they managed to hold Doyle still and listened to his words. Some one was in deep trouble!

As soon as she'd realized that it was a vision, Kyna had sprinted over to join the others in helping Doyle. She reached there just as he was coming back to reality. "Doyle, what did you see?"

"It's Jack Sparrow. He's in trouble. Some one has captured his people, an' he's trapped in a burnin' house."

"Any idea who?" Beast queried.

"Women. Bitches. We've run into 'em before. Two ships. The Saucy Wench an' the Harlot. We've got tae di somethin' tae help 'em out o' their trouble."

Kyna did not need to ask to know that Doyle did not know where the others were. They had to find a way to help them. That was true beyond any doubt, but it would be a little more difficult to find them. She had barely raised her head to call for the Sorceress when she saw a spot of shimmering air on the deck. She started to warn the others, but her open mouth turned into a smile when she saw who was materializing.

"Hank, get Doyle some of that awful stuff Phong feeds him. Doyle, don't make that face; you know it helps you. Spike, come with me; I believe we're about to learn where we're headed."

Spike looked up at his beloved Captain, and his gaze turned to follow the spot where she looked back to. He groaned aloud. "Not that ol' bugger again . . . "

"William!" Kyna exclaimed.

"You know I don't like anybody orderin' me around . . . " he started. At her look, he grinned. "Just you, pet."

"Then get moving. We have to save the others while there's still time." Looking back to Hank, she told him, "Warn the others what's afoot." Then she and Spike headed together for Charles Xavier.

Spike was still murmuring under his breath when Charles looked at him. He smiled an overly brilliant smile and fell silent as he waited for the old man to fill them in -- again. He had never liked Charles' attitude, but even he was thankful that some one would be able to point them in the right direction to save Angel and the others. As he thought over the situation, he remembered the pieces of his past that were on the Saucy Wench, and his hands curled into fists. He couldn't wait to see Dru again and deliver the retribution he had been longing for.


Callisto was not happy with the turn things had taken when they had reached the ships, but she had to admit that the Harlot had been closer and thus the more ideal location to toss the prisoners for the time being. Now, however, they were far enough away from the island, and she could once again get her itching hands on Gabrielle. "Sorceress," she called, "we're far enough away. Return and remove the spell on those still sleeping. Then go over to the Harlot and claim your bounty. Lilah, Darla, come with me, and we'll collect ours."

They found the Harlot's deck suspiciously devoid when they swung over. Callisto headed straight away for the ship's hold and was not surprised to find the Harlot's crew standing before the cells and discussing who was getting who. "Trying to reap the best for yourselves?"

"No," Anamaria returned, "just putting them somewhere we know they can't get away from us. I see you brought two others with you? Three of you will choose, and three of us will choose, each one at a time. Then we will wait till others come from your ship and again, we will choose until we have divvied up everything equally! I don't want any trouble out of you!"

"Nor I you," Callisto scowled in response. She still hated the fact that she was actually having to work with another Captain, but it would all be worth it when she saw Xena's face when the blasted Pirate Princess looked upon the remains of her lover.

"One of you choose first," Anamaria told her. "Then one of mine will choose." She glared at Callisto. She hated blondes, and Callisto was no easy person to work with yet without her, they would not have been able to make the haul that they had.

"I'm claiming four," Helvira spoke up from where she was busily chaining Wolverine to the wall. He was the last in a line of four prisoners who made her prouder than any other bounty she'd ever before collected.

"I'm choosing next," Anamaria said, "and I claim Will Turner and that stupid donkey, and I'm claiming dibs on the black talking cat."

Salem gawked at the black-skinned Captain. Dibs? Just what would she do to him? He backed up and bumped into Meesy who whispered to him low enough that the enemy could not overhear, "I warned you to keep your mouth shut!" Salem shook his head in disappointment. Surely this was the worst mess his big mouth had ever gotten him into!

Callisto scowled. "You can keep him. Cats are only good for one thing, and I'm not hungry. And don't forget that Helvira isn't part of my crew. I'll take my turn now, and Lilah will choose after me," she informed Anamaria. Then looking into the cells, she pointed a finger straight at Gabrielle. "She's mine," she announced.

"I'll never be yours, bitch."

Callisto smiled. "I've missed that tongue of yours. Don't you think it's about time you had it cut out?"

"Xena will come for us," Gabrielle announced, refusing to believe that her beloved could have been killed.

Callisto's smile grew even bigger. "I'm counting on it."

"Where's Faith?" Lilah questioned as Callisto indicated that it was her turn.

Judson appeared behind the brunette and lowered his head so that his lips brushed against her hair as he whispered, "I know where she is, Lilah, but she's the reason I agreed to work with you."

"I want -- "

"I know you do. I know exactly what you want. You want her to suffer. You want to see her writhing in pain, squirming underneath you again." Lilah smiled, and even as her smile met her eyes, Judson added, "So do I, and I believe we can help each other."

Dawson wondered where Judson had hid Faith. He had not seen her since they had come aboard the ship, and he was extremely worried about her. Now having heard the words of the Priest and the bitch, he figured that these two were the ones who had tormented his Faith before. He clenched his hands before he realized it. He knew he couldn't show anything outward, but inside he was railing against the two for ever having got their hands on Faith. How had this nightmare come to happen, and where was Jack! He couldn't be dead! He had to come get them!

Lilah nodded. "All right, but I'll . . . " Her attention turned to the freaks in the group. "I don't know what kind of ugly Demon that is," Lilah admitted, pointing at the green-skinned Demon with red horns and eyes, "but I'll take him. Sinister should pay a pretty penny for him and . . . the dragons too."

Faith had been a near call, and Judson thought he'd best speak up for his other two before some one else called on them. "I'm also taking the Princess," he pointed at Cordelia, "and Frost there." He indicated Crystal.

Enchantra stepped forward and looked their prisoners over. "I want those two," she said and reached out and touched Cole and Dawson through the bars. She then stepped back to stand by her Captain.

Anamaria nodded. "You can have those two."

Piper's eyes blazed up at the one who laid claims on Cole, but she knew better than to speak for anything she would say would only land them into even deeper trouble.

Dawson had been hoping to be taken onto the ship where Faith was. He wanted to be close so that even if he couldn't touch her, he could talk to her. Being stuck on this ship would cause problems for him later, but he vowed to seek every opportunity he could to reach Faith.

Cole looked at Piper, sadness showing in his eyes. It was the first time he had ever felt completely at a loss. His powers had completely failed him, and he didn't know why. He figured they must have a spell on them, so that none of them could use their powers and he knew it had something to do with the collar. Once again, Cole attempted to shimmer, and the shocks that ripped through his body drove him to his knees. His hands reached to his collar and tried to pull it off, but he was only shocked several more times, each one stronger than the last.

Piper could not stand seeing Cole in such pain. She cried out his name even as she tried to reach him, but her collar cut even more deeply into her arm. Still, she reached for him even as Helvira laughed.

Helvira could see the confusion on the others' faces and explained with a devilishly pleased smile, "I thought we might like to know when they're actually idiotic enough to attempt their powers."

"Very good ideal," Anamaria was quick to agree with her. "The sooner they learn they belong to us, the better!" She looked at Darla. "Your turn. Who or what do you want?"

"I'll take Angel and Connor," Darla replied, smiling at her ex-lover and their son. She couldn't wait to make both scream in agony.

Angel was careful to keep his eyes away from Cordelia as he did not want Darla to even suspect that they might belong to each other. He hated that Cordelia had fallen into Judson's hands, but better him than Darla. He had already once been tortured by Darla and barely made it out. He knew Cordelia wouldn't have stood a chance. He was concerned for Connor, but there was nothing he could do. Not even with all his immense strength could he overcome the dire straights he now found himself in.

Connor looked at Darla with eyes filled with hate. He hated his bitch of a mother and would have loved to wrap his hands around her throat and strangle her but knew it would do no good. He would keep looking for any kind of wood stake that he could use on her, hoping to spare Angel and himself from her torments.

Zora had managed to stay close to Connor. Now she leaned as close to him as she could get and whispered at a tone she prayed the others would not hear. "I'll come for you," she promised. "Just as soon as I can get free, I'll come for you." When she did get free, she'd rip into both these ships until their crews were dead and they themselves were nothing but wooden shards. She'd already seen her family's claws been ripped off, and she hated to imagine what would befall Connor and Vang, as well as the others, yet.

Darla looked straight at Zora. She'd heard the blonde's words, but she had already spoken. She wanted Angel and Connor, but she'd find a way to use their little bitch against them, as well.

"Be very careful," he whispered back to Zora. "If I get free first, I'll come for you." He wished he could hold her one last time, but all he could do was rub gently against her for a brief second. Then he was snatched out of the cage by Darla and herded toward the door with Angel following close behind.

Cordelia wanted to cry out as she watched Darla lead Angel away, but she knew they might use her against him if she did. Therefore, she forced herself to stay silent and did not even speak in response to Judson as he instructed, "Move it, Princess." He yanked her forward, and her collar bit again against her skin. She glanced at it and was not surprised to see the blood running down her arm.

Catra stepped forward. "I choose the orange catman, and Clawdeen will make a choice." A pink lioness stepped into view beside her mistress. Their tails swished in synchronicity as they both surveyed the remaining prisoners. As Clawdeen's eyes fell upon the tiger, she raised a paw and growled. Catra smiled, pleased with her choice. "The tiger."

"Very well. You may have them. Take them to your room, and do what you will with them."

Zora wanted to roar in protest, but she knew that if she did, they would use her against Vang. She would not let that happen, but she could not stop her tears from reaching her eyes as she watched her father being poked and prodded.

Catra had to snatch Tom away from Katrina's side, but even then his angry eyes blazed into hers. "You'll never have me, bitch," he told her.

Katrina's arms trailed after Tom even as he was pulled away from her. She felt as though her heart were breaking, and she fell into complete despair, knowing she would never see her love again. She screamed his name and told him she'd love him forever.

Tears were running down Tom's face even as Katrina's words met his ears. He turned back to try to look at her one last time, ignoring the painful teeth that embedded in his arm, but still he could not see her for the throng of bitches. "I won't do it, Katrina! I swear I will never betray you or stop loving you!"

"Then you'll die a fool," Catra told him even as she shoved him out of the hold.

"Take your prisoners over to your ship and send the next three over," Anamaria told Callisto. "I'll be waiting for them to return."

Callisto nodded even as she reached in. Her blue eyes peered at Gabrielle. "Move."

"Make me."

Callisto sighed, shook her head, and promptly pointed a gun at one of the others within the cell. Gabrielle was on her feet and out of the cage in a second.

"Move it, boys," Enchantra purred. "My cot awaits." When they were slow to move, she, too, pulled a gun and held it pointed toward a woman who just happened to be Piper. Cole rushed out of the cell as though he was going to a fire. Dawson stumbled behind him. Enchantra stayed behind them and pushed them whenever they slowed.

With Cole gone, Piper cried freely. He and the others had saved their lives and brought them all such happiness, but now . . . Now, instead of dying, they would know what Hell was like. Indeed, she realized, what these women held in store for them was undoubtedly worse than actual Hell itself.

Phoebe, too, was still crying, but Piper's tears made her realize something. Maybe it's a good thing Joxxy didn't make it. They can't hurt him any more.

To Be Continued . . .