Disclaimer: I do not own the X-men or anything associated with them…
A/N: Hope y'all didn't hate John and Piotr TOO much in the last chapter. I was going to put this first scene at the end of Chapter 16, but decided to hold off…sorry! I hope it explains their thoughts a bit more. We broke 200 reviews! A special thanks goes out to Fauna Greywolf, who was the 200th reviewer, and thanks to all who took the time to tell me what they thought!
Chapter 17: Unexpected Alliances
Rogue had just vanished through the doorway of the library, the sound of her strides echoing behind her in the sharp rhythm of her boot-heels striking the flagstones. Kurt ran out after his sister, while Wanda and Kitty stared blankly for a short moment before turning their attention back to their respective men.
"What was that all about!" Wanda exclaimed as she stood, placing her hands on her leather-clad hips and throwing a stern glare at John.
"Yeah, Piotr. I thought you liked Captain LeBeau. I don't understand why you don't want to help. Lord only knows what that monster is doing to him!" Kitty said as she, too, stood to look at the men.
John glanced over to Piotr with a questioning look and shrugged. Piotr let out a deep sigh and motioned for the women to take their seats once more. He paused for a moment as if gathering his thoughts and a deep sadness darkened his brow. "I did not mean to imply zat we not help Captain LeBeau, Katja. He is one of my closest comrades. I merely want us to consider all possibilities before allowing our emotions to dictate our actions."
"I think we need to tell the sheilas the whole truth, mate." John moved to Piotr and paced a hand on the man's large shoulder.
The sadness in his eyes intensified.
Wanda and Kitty looked at each other, both wearing matching expression of confusion. "I don't think we understand, love."
"As you may know, Captain LeBeau and I joined forces early in zis expedition, ladies. Together, we were able to learn more about zis 'necklace' we were sent to locate. He believes it to be not only ze most valuable jewel in ze world, but legend says zat it holds a power passed down by ze ancient gods. Captain LeBeau and I do not believe ze necklace to be anything more zan a rare jewel, but it could give us an advantage if we are to face Essex. He is a man ruled by avarice."
John frowned. "See, loves, Piotr and I have dealt with this situation before. Crickey, you have to understand that Essex's prison is bloody impregnable. We had two weeks to plan a rescue last time and we nearly lost him. This time it will be even more difficult. Essex will be expecting us, even if by some stroke of luck he doesn't know about the Anna Marie. If we can find this piece of glitter, maybe we can buy Remy's freedom."
Wanda and Kitty stared at John and Piotr as they tried to fathom what they were telling them, and then understanding set in. The men were worried.
"Do you really think Essex would release Captain LeBeau for a piece of jewelry?" Kitty asked.
John sighed and turned in frustration to the stained-glass window overlooking the countryside. "I don't bloody well know, but I do know that our chance of getting the captain back by force is low. The Devil's Lust is out of commission until she can be repaired and one ship against the fleet of Port-au-Prince…Hell, even Remy wouldn't take that gambit!"
Wanda rose and wrapped her arms around John's waist, leaning her head on his strong shoulder. "How did you get him out of that place last time, sweetheart?"
"We were lucky last time, sheila. Piotr and the Neptune's Pearl arrived about three days before Rems was scheduled to be hung. We came up with a diversion and managed to get the captain away from the guards as he was bein' led to the gallows. He was in a bad way and getting' back to the ship was like fightin' our way out of the fires of Hell, but we managed to make it to the Lust and escape before the fleet could mobilize." John shook his head and punched the stone wall. "Essex will be ready this time."
Wanda took John's abused fist in her hands and placed a gentle kiss on his knuckles. "We'll get him back, love."
John rested his forehead on the top of Wanda's head and sighed. "What if we're already too late? What about Christian? I couldn't…" His sentence died in his throat, unable to pass his lips.
Piotr wrapped his arms around Kitty as they watched Wanda console John, the weight of the events of the past few days finally sinking in and taking hold of their friend. They needed to find Rogue and move quickly. Remy's fate was in their hands.
Port-au-Prince...
In the darkened cell, Bella stood, inspecting her prey. Remy was barely holding onto consciousness. The beatings had sapped his strength, only the pain allowing him to win his fight against sleep. He looked subdued, having lost his will to fight…magnificent. His head was resting back against the cold stone wall and his Adam's apple moved slightly as he swallowed a sudden surge of pain. His corded muscles glistened in the light torchlight that filtered in through barred window of the cell door. Small drops of blood and sweat slowly trickled down chiseled abdomen and his flesh called out to her.
Biting her lip, Bella moved closer, tracing her hand over his fevered skin, marveling at the texture, at the feel of his muscles beneath her hand. He felt like velvet stretched over steel. Never had she felt anything so marvelous.
Hungry to feel more of him, she traced one hand over his pectorals, delighting in the feel of his skin against her palm. Remy moaned. "No…Bella."
Brushing her lips across his forehead, she inhaled the spicy masculine scent of him. One day she would win his heart. You will be mine.
Impulsively, she leaned over and touched her lips to his. Remy groaned and tried to turn his face away from the touch, but Bella persisted as she trailed her hand down his ribs and to his naked back. Desire coiled in the center of her stomach, aching for his touch.
As Bella moved her hand over his injured rib, Remy cursed and threw his head back.
"Be mine, mon amour, and y'll be free," she whispered into his ear as she nipped at the lobe. "Or reject me and die."
Remy heaved a heavy sigh. "Death is not de greatest loss in life, chere. De greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live."
Bella glared as her anger took control. "Y' reject me f'r her! Y' would die before havin' me! And f'r what? Rogue?"
With his head lowered, Remy answered, "Oui…"
"Y' don't believe she loves y', do y'?" Bella laughed. "Oh…mon cœur, Rogue doesn't love y'. De only reason she let y' into her bed was t' win a bet. She only wanted y'r body, chere…nothin' more. She likes t' win."
A familiar disappointment squeezed his chest so tightly that he could barely breathe. Well, what did y' expect? Love isn't f'r de likes of y', LeBeau. But Rogue had seemed different than all the others. When they were together, everything seemed so right. He was happy.
No. Bella was wrong. He would believe others capable of using him, but not Rogue…never Rogue.
Lifting his eyes, Remy met Bella's gaze and smirked. "Well, looks like she did, non?"
Bella's mouth gaped. "Y' don't care?"
Remy kept his face completely devoid of his true emotions. "Non…Remy'll be dead soon, mais…" Remy's eyes shone with a mischievous glint, "Remy'd take Rogue over y' any day."
Hissing, she closed the distance between them and backhanded him. Remy laughed at the blow he couldn't even feel over the rest of the pain of his body. A slow, evil smile curled her lips. "I may have lost my temper, mon amour, but y'…y're goin' t' lose more dan dat. A lot more."
Turning, Bella stalked from the cell.
Remy had a few short moments alone before the door creaked open once more. "Miss me, punk?" Finally, he gave up his fight and drifted into darkness.
Orcadia…
Kurt's heart ached in sympathy as he faced Rogue in the courtyard. He looked past his sister to see Christian, whose face showed his own sadness that there was nothing being done for Remy. "Ve can't go after him vithout a plan, schwester. Ve don't even know vhat to expect."
"Why not? The longer we wait here without doin' somethin' … we could be losin' him, Kurt! We have two days while sailin' to Port-au-Prince to think of a plan. Ah have ta go ta him! You don't understand! Ah have ta!"
Kurt embraced his sister in a hug and Christian wrapped his arms around her waist. "You'd go after him alone, vouldn't you?"
"Aye, Ah would and Ah will."
"Rogue, if Essex captures you…"
Rogue stood straight and stepped away from Kurt. "Nothin' in life comes without risk, and he's worth it. Ah would die if somethin' happened ta him because we waited too long. Ah have ta do this and Ah don't need their help!"
Kurt was about to argue when someone else spoke.
"Aye, you do."
Rogue turned at the new voice to see Joseph standing in the arch of the courtyard. "'Ello, Kurt," he said in a cool tone as he joined the small group. He looked Kurt up and down. "You've not changed."
Kurt curled his lip. "Who let you in here? And how did you find us?"
"The butler…I think. Told him you needed my help, and you do." His voice was thick with a proud superiority.
Kurt rolled his eyes as he sneered. "Ja, ve need you…" He narrowed his gaze menacingly. "Use your head…and I use that term loosely. Fűr all ve know, you could've been the one responsible für this."
Piotr, John, Kitty, and Wanda came into the courtyard at that moment. Upon seeing Joseph, John launched himself from the steps and lunged for the man with fire in his eyes. "You… What are you doing here! I swear to bloody hell if you had something to do with this, I'll rip you apart, you pommy bastard!"
Piotr grabbed hold of John before he could connect with Joseph. "We all need to calm down, my friends." Turning to Joseph, Piotr added, "Now, do you care to explain yourself?"
Joseph sat on a stone bench and began his story. Rogue clenched her hands into fists and made a sound of disgust when he explained his meeting with Belladonna Boudreaux and her intentions with Nathaniel Essex. He continued to describe his initial meeting with Essex and his misgivings about the agreement he had struck on a whim with the beautiful blonde. Piotr continued to restrain John during the tale and fought against his own need to lash out, while Christian hid his face in his palms. Finally, Joseph told the captains of the traitor on the Devil's Lust, who gave away the destination and course of their captain to Belladonna.
"So I decided that no matter what I think of that rat LeBeau, he doesn't deserve whatever that man has planned for him, and I came here. You do need me if you hope to save your friend."
"And we're supposed to trust you?" John asked.
"Aye…do you honestly think I would risk showing my face here surround by LeBeau's friends, and reveal my earlier deceptions just for kicks? Are you daft? Well, actually knowing you John…you probably are." Joseph said with a snicker.
"Shut up!" John snapped.
Wanda cupped her hand under John's chin. "Sorry, love, but he does have a point."
"And Ah don't care," Rogue said between clenched teeth as she added her own glare to theirs. "Right now, the only thing that matters ta meh is the fact that Remy needs our help. Now, who is decent enough ta help meh rescue him!"
Joseph let out a snide laugh. "For the record, gorgeous, that's not particularly motivating to those of us who pride ourselves on being indecent and indifferent."
"Fine! Ah'll go alone!"
"I didn't…" Joseph began, but was cut off.
"Get out of mah way!" Rogue said, letting her anger at the man and situation show.
"Wow," Joseph said in a sarcastic voice. "That's pretty damned scary. Good tone, and the glare is a particularly nice effect."
Joseph stepped aside, but before she could walk by John stopped her.
Rogue growled at him.
John stared her down. "Don't give that look to me, sheila. You don't know your way around Port-au-Prince like I do, and I'm not about to let you go alone."
"I'm with you," Piotr said, much to Rogue's surprise. He didn't strike Rogue as the type to do something so foolish, especially after their last discussion on the matter. "But we need a plan of attack. Essex will be expecting us."
"But he won't be expecting me." Joseph said, letting out an agitated breath.
All faces turned to look at him, surprised.
"What? I might as well be an idiot, too. After all, that is why I came here or have you not been listening to me?" Joseph smirked. "All right, beautiful. Let's go die."
"Let's not," Wanda said. "But if we do get into trouble, I say we sacrifice him."
One hour later…
After discussing the concerns that John and Piotr had expressed earlier to Wanda and Kitty. Everyone came to an agreement on a course of action. Rogue refused to wait before departing to save Remy, and the rumors Joseph had heard about his upcoming execution only hardened her resolve.
John agreed with Rogue after hearing that Belladonna was involved and Joseph's suspicions concerning the scheme. But he was also convinced that Essex's greed would free Remy if all else failed, if only they could find the jewel in time. They finally concurred that the best course of action would be to split their efforts. With the Devil's Lust in need of repair, John's crew would remain in Orcadia and repair the vessel while Piotr, Kitty, and Kurt searched for the necklace. Meanwhile, Rogue and Wanda would sail the Anna Marie with John and Joseph would follow with his crew in the Triton's Revenge, a ship with forty guns. If the necklace was found, Piotr would sail the repaired Devil's Lust to Port-au-Prince to join the others. On the way to the city, Rogue and the others would decide what to do when they landed.
On the beach of Orcadia…
Standing closer to the once magnificent ship, Rogue could almost taste and smell the last battle Remy fought aboard her decks. The charred wood along the edges of the gaping holes created by the cannon fire left a familiar stench of powder on the air. The broken base of the foremast jutted up from the deck ending in pointed spears that drew her attention to the shredded sails above. Looking to the remains of the quarterdeck, Rogue remembered standing in Remy's cabin in Port Royal and the wonderful tension she felt for the man as they sparred. Now that same cabin, once beautiful, was bared to the world.
Accepting Joseph's help left a bitter taste in her mouth and seeing the proud Triton's Revenge docked between the Anna Marie and the Lust made her chest tighten. None of this should be happening. Remy should be standing with her on this beach or driving her mad with his touch back at the castle. He should be anywhere but in that prison, locked away from the world.
"She's seen better days." Joseph's voice rose above the sound of the crashing waves.
Rogue turned with a frown. "Ah'm not happy with this situation and Ah don't like the fact that Ah need your help, but Ah do. This changes nothin' between us…Ah'm doin' this for Remy."
Joseph ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "I know, Rogue," he said as he stepped closer to her. "And I'm doing this for you. There's no love lost between myself and LeBeau. That's no secret, but he doesn't deserve what's happening to him in that place. Listen, I need to sail with you on the Anna Marie. We both need to know what the plan is before we arrive at the port, so I'm going to leave command of the Revenge to my quartermaster."
Rogue began to protest, but Joseph raised his hand. "No. We both know I'm right. When we dock in Port-au-Prince, I'll return to my ship and give my crew their orders. Don't worry, love. I won't cause you any troubles and I'll behave…sometimes."
"Fine, but ya'll bunk on the lower decks with mah crew and if ya start a fight with John, Ah'll keelhaul ya! Do ya understand?" Rogue ordered, stabbing her finger into his chest with each punctuated word.
All around the pair, the crews were busy loading the supplies needed for the voyage and preparing the two ships for departure. Christian, who had been ordered to remain at the castle for his safety, was hiding behind some rocks, watching the crews work and looking over the Anna Marie. It was as big as a floating castle, equal in size to Remy's ship, and was bristling with deadly armaments. If anyone could save his captain, it would be Rogue. Awed by the majesty of the great vessel, he studied the colorfully painted figurehead for a moment, while the ship's crew scurried about the copper-clad hull like drone ants around the queen. His gaze ran the length of the two-hundred foot hull with its double gun decks, all the way back to the carved and gilded stern.
How in blazes am I going to get on that thing? He wondered, and considered his options. Climb up one of those ropes? He was a skilled climber, after all. No, they'll see me. What about those big crates they're loading aboard? Maybe I could stow away in one of those.
It seemed as good a plan as any.
Taking one, long, last look back at the Devil's Lust and wondering if he'd ever see it again, he faced forward once more, steeled his nerve, and then darted out of his hiding place, running stealthily from rock to rock toward the great pile of wooden crates being loaded onto the ship.
With the sailor's distracted by the rising voices of their captains, Christian stole over to the pile of crates variously labeled BANANAS, POTATOES, COCONUTS, ONIONS, and FLOUR. He wrenched the top off one and dove inside, hastily pulling the lid back on over his head. He waited, heart pounding, then he held his breath as more of Rogue's sweaty sailors returned, trudging back through the sand to continue their task of loading the crates onto the longboats for transport to the huge galleon.
"Sweet Morgan's balls, these bananas is heavy!" a man in a red shirt exclaimed as he picked up the crate Christian was hiding in.
"At least we won't get scurvied, eh?"
"Give me a hand with this one, Sharkey! I'll break me damn back," the first said, but thankfully, nobody noticed Christian's presence as they carried his crate over to the longboat and stacked him in with all the others.
Before long, the cutter took to the waves, the seamen rowing out to the ship and complaining all the way about the heat. Pushing a few bananas out of his way, Christian peered out through the slats of the crate, wide-eyed. He saw the bare masts of the galleon scrape the very sky.
Then suddenly, from out of the blue sky, a giant crane descended with a cargo platform hanging from its huge metal hook. When it came down low enough, the sailors began transferring the crates of fruit onto the platform.
" 'Hoy, Oars, think Cap would notice if we took a few o' these 'ere bananas?" a large fellow with an earring asked the others as he lifted Christian's crate onto the platform.
He balled up as small as he could make himself and prayed no one would see him.
"Course she'd notice, knowin' her, you tit. Tie 'er up tight there!" Sharkey ordered the others, then secured the stack of crates with a rope. "Cap will have a fit if we drop 'em in the brine."
"Right, take 'er up!" the one in the red shirt yelled, gesturing to the men operating the davit.
Up on the ship's deck, another team of sailors lurched into motion, pushing the mighty winch around in a circle, and drawing the great pulley upward. Meanwhile, another pair of seamen posted at the taffrail kept a weather eye out for anything amiss.
Christian stared out over the water and land, barely daring to breathe as the cargo platform ascended, up and up and up so high, until he could see for miles over Orcadia's countryside.
The nearby forest was afire with a blazing fuschia sunset behind it, silhouetting towering pines and the other leafy giants. He could see the rolling hills and deep valleys and could almost make out the lofty peaked mountains in the distance. Back at the castle, Reeves believed he was sulking in his room and he felt a twinge of conscience, but he had to help his captain…his family. He swore to himself that this was for the best.
Christian saw Rogue approach the men on the beach. They were already working hard, but visibly doubled their efforts when their captain arrived. The he plunged into darkness as the crane descended through the large square hatch, going down deeper into the bowels of the great ship, until, at last, he was swallowed up in the deep, dark recess of the cargo hold.
Port-au-Prince…
Creed stepped into the darkened office and shut the door behind him. Essex sat at his desk finishing the last of the needed paper work for the day, and smiled as Creed approached.
"Tell me, Victor. How is our guest enjoying his stay?"
Creed smirked, "He's stubborn." That was an understatement and Essex well knew it. Remy was proving to be just as uncooperative and obstinate as before. The pirate seemed inured to pain, a prospect that for some reason thrilled him. Over the next three days, he would enjoy testing LeBeau's threshold of pain.
Since Remy's successful capture, it hadn't taken Essex long to decide that Remy should be hung, and he felt justified in holding a public execution. Remy was a pirate who had previously escaped sentence, attached his ships and disrupted shipping and naval operations. In Essex's opinion, the world would be a better place without him.
Creed was quick to voice his opposition, when told of Captain LeBeau's fate. "Sir," he said, "executin' 'im in public isn't a good decision. Y' remember what happened last time."
Essex fixed him with a quelling glare. "I have taken precautions this time, my friend. I will have my naval fleet standing ready incase of an assault by sea and to seal the harbor if needed. Six of my finest guards will accompany LeBeau to the gallows, and there will be little ceremony to the procedure. It will be quick and efficient…no time for complications." He pinned Creed with a hard glare. "If you value your life, I suggest that you make arrangements for a public execution. Have I made myself clear?"
Creed tipped his head to Essex's wishes. "Very clear, Sir. The pirate'll be hung accordin' to yer directions."
"Post notices," Essex ordered. "A public display will affirm my authority and make everyone aware of what happens to those who rise against me. And, Creed, arrange for a gibbet to be constructed at Deadman's Cay. I wish for the body to be hung in chains after the execution in the same fashion as Captain 'Calico Jack' Rackam. I want the body of the infamous Remy LeBeau to be seen by the crews of all ships entering and leaving the port."
"Aye, Sir." Creed said, leaving Essex feeling highly proud of himself.
Aboard the Anna Marie…
That night, Rogue ordered the crew to be silent and the ship's lanterns doused. The mood on board was tense as the crew imagined what might be waiting for them at their destination and their captain's wrath if they were too late. Nevertheless, a fair wind out of the east drove them along.
It was a fine night to make sail, cool and partly clear, but though tranquil, there was an eeriness to the silence and the way the bright half moon lit up the cloud clusters here and there. Luminescent algae, famous in the torrid zone, glowed atop the waves.
"Wanda, what is our speed?" Rogue asked.
"Eight knots, Captain."
Not bad, she thought. Because they were still in coral reef areas, caution dictated a moderate pace, but they didn't have time to waste. Caution had to be thrown to the wind. A smattering of some twenty small islands dotted the seas, shallows and reefs surrounded most of them.
For now, standing arms akimbo near the helm, she passed a glance across the starry sky. "How reads the barometer?"
"Stable, Rogue," Wanda answered, a sympathetic smile on her face. Rogue never asked so many questions in the matter of a minute.
Rogue nodded. "Steady as she goes, boys," she murmured to the crew, strolling restlessly from the quarterdeck to the bow. "Let's make full sail."
The crew muffled their answering cheer and eagerly ascended the stiff rope ladders of the rigging. Rogue tilted her head back and watched them climb out onto the yards with unflinching bravery despite the ship's constant wide rocking and the action of the wind. In four minutes flat, they unfurled the rest of the magnificent vessel's full two acres of pearly canvas, gleaming and magical in the moonlight.
It always took Rogue's breath away to see her come to life with the breath of the wind filling the newly lowered sails. "She's a beauty, Rogue."
Rogue turned and smiled at John. "Aye, she is."
Drifting to the rails, Rogue gazed down rather broodingly into the foaming wake off the bow, easy with the Anna Marie's familiar rocking as she ploughed on through the waves and sent up plumes of brisk spray.
Far below, a few dolphins plunged merrily alongside them, their slick hides gleaming in the moonlight. It was a good omen and all had gone smoothly. Joseph and John had avoided any confrontations, but Rogue's mood was a little pensive. Guilt gnawed at her. She was here, sailing under this beautiful night sky while Remy was locked away in a dark, dank cell, suffering god knows what horrors. God, she missed him. And she would be sure to let him know the moment she saw him…no more missed opportunities.
Rogue turned away from the rail and motioned up to the helm for John to follow her below deck to the galley. They needed to start planning a rescue.
John and Rogue entered the large hall and spotted Joseph sitting near one of the portholes with a tankard of ale. "Come and have a seat. We should talk."
John bristled but took a seat opposite, while Rogue sat next to him. "Any ideas what we can expect?"
"Aye," Joseph replied. "I have a few ideas. Since John and Piotr used the day of execution for their last attempt, Essex will be expecting a similar tactic. Unfortunately, the layout of the prison dictates we take the same course. If the rumors are wrong, we may have more time to prepare, but we can't depend on that chance." Joseph paused to take a swig from his tankard. "Essex will have his fleet ready in the harbor this time without a doubt, and we won't be able to escape without additional help. But I have a suggestion."
"And what might that be?" Rogue asked, letting out a heavy sigh as the depth of their troubles came into light.
"Someone owes you a favor, I believe. He could help." Joseph said, locking eyes with Rogue.
Rogue looked pensive, confused, until a glint of understanding lit her eyes. John looked at her waiting for an explanation. When Rogue spoke, she whispered just one word. "Summers."
Before she could explain further, a member of her crew burst into the room. Rogue looked up as the grizzled master-at-arms entered.
"Problem, Bastian?" Rogue glanced at her fob watch. "Our inspection's not 'til six."
"If I could have a word with ye, Cap'n," he said, his hat in his hands.
"Of course. Speak freely."
Bastian eyed Joseph with his usual warrior's wariness. "Thought you should know, Cap, there's a rumor goin' around among the men, quietlike, says we picked up a stowaway."
Rogue steepled her fingers in thought. "Really?"
"Aye. One o' the carpenter's mates thought he caught sight of a young lad hidin' on the orlop deck."
"Is that right?" she murmured, taking no heed of how John perked up at the news.
She considered for a moment; Bastian waited.
"Take a couple of the men below and have a look around. If ya find anyone hidin' out down there who's not on my roster, put him ta work. Everybody pays their way on mah ship," she said. No, it couldn't be.
Christian was bold, but not insane. No doubt it was just the imagination of the men running away with them.
"Aye-aye, Cap'n," Bastian answered stoutly and went to do her bidding.
It couldn't be Christian.
He wouldn't.
Would he?
Don't forget who you're dealin' with here. The boy was no ordinary child, the little imp. Staring at nothing as she tapped her finger on the table, Rogue recalled the worry on the boy's face in the library and on the beach when they first arrived, the fear in his voice, the love in his heart for Remy that mirrored hers, and his desperation when they ordered him to stay in Orcadia. But was he foolhardy enough to stow away?
Of course he was, she realized.
"Rogue?" Joseph asked.
In a state of mystified incredulity, she got up from the table abruptly. "We'll finish later, Joseph. Ah have ta go, um, check on somethin'."
Reclining in the orlop deck with his head resting on a sack of sugar, Christian was thumbing his fingers in a state of extreme boredom, when suddenly his senses registered an unfamiliar presence somewhere very nearby.
He froze for a second, then rolled onto his side and crouched down behind the fruit crates. Someone was coming…or already here?
He had to get out of here…now. Stealing up the narrow ladder of the companionway with his bag over his shoulder, he arrived on the lower gun-deck and dodged down the cramped passageway at the top of the steps.
When he came to the corner, he looked left and right, advanced cautiously, hearing noises ahead, the nearly stepped out into the sailor's quarters. Hundreds of hammocks hung from the ceiling. He darted out of sight again, backing into the dim passageway.
Hearing voices in the other direction, Christian glanced over and drew in his breath. Five rough-looking sailors were trudging down the companionway, heading for the orlop deck. He pressed back deeper into the shadows. Blending into the perpetual twilight belowdecks, he stepped into another companionway and ascended to the middle gun-deck, creeping silently down the passage.
Steadying himself against the rocking of the ship, Christian could smell the galley stoves cooking a late evening meal for the sailors on duty and hear the men relaying orders through the hatch. On this level, the flanks of the Anna Marie were also lined with long rows of bristling cannons, but here, the wooden gun ports were open on both sides, creating a nice cross-breeze.
Moonlight filtered down through the grate over the hatch some yards away. Christian stopped to stare at it for a moment. He had heard no one, but when he flicked his eyes down the dark passageway, he saw her…a silhouette at the far end of the corridor. Like the prey entranced by the predator, he was momentarily transfixed, knowing he was caught. Rogue did not call out to him, but the second she moved…began striding toward him…Christian whirled around and fled.
He could feel Rogue coming after him, feel her gaining on him. He flung around another dim corner of the passageway, but all that was ahead of him was the open deck. Casting about in desperation for anyplace to hide, he spotted a closet marked LIFE BUOYS and dove into it. He wedged himself in among the piles of hard cork life rings and pulled the door shut silently. He held his breath, his heart pounding.
Listening hard over the din of his own thundering heartbeat, he heard sharp, forceful strides approaching over the wooden planks.
"Captain, is something wrong?" Wanda asked from the helm.
"Did anyone come this way jus' now?"
"Aye…one of the powder-monkeys, I think. He ran up on deck a moment ago."
Rogue sighed, just outside the door of the closet.
Christian waited with his heart in his throat. After a nerve-racking moment, she moved on. Just when he started to exhale, the hard, firm footsteps returned.
Turning to the closet with narrowed eyes, Rogue gripped the latch and suddenly threw the door open, thrusting her free hand into the closet. As her questing hand grasped the front of the miscreant's clothing, a small yelp rose from the darkness.
"Come out of there!" Rogue yelled, hauling the stowaway out into the open.
It was Christian, all right…looking a mess, trapped, and terrified of her wrath. Rogue released him. "Where do ya think ya were goin'? We're in the middle of the ocean!"
Christian bowed his head. "Sorry, ma'am."
Rogue raised an eyebrow. "What are ya doin' here, Chris?"
"I couldn't just sit back and do nothing while captain is in trouble! He's in that place 'cause of me! If I hadn't gone up on deck, he'd still be here. He was trying to protect me!" Tears began to fill the boy's eyes. "I have to help. I didn't get to say good-bye."
Rogue grabbed the boy in a tight embrace and held him as the tears began to flow freely. Could she blame the boy? He was feeling the same regrets she herself felt. She understood his desperation and need to help…and his love for Remy.
"Everything will be fine, Christian. Ah promise. We'll get Remy back." She whispered as she held him tightly.
Christian pulled back slightly and looked up into Rogue's eyes. "You love him, too, don't you?"
Rogue smiled down at the boy's tear streaked face. "Aye…Ah do." She kissed the top of Christian's head. "Ah do."
A/N: Yep...they are on their way! Chapter 18 will bring the arrival in Port-au-Prince and more adventure in Orcadia for Piotr and his group. Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter!
