I'm really happy about the response I've been getting from this story! Y'all are great! Also, this one might be a little shorter than the rest because I'm going to White Plains to meet James Patterson at a signing for his latest book. But I promise to update ASAP!

Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter Four

Castle had to physically restrain himself from shoving his head in the basket of bread that Lanie placed in front of him, and instead forced himself to pluck a single roll out and break it in half for the little girl sitting in his lap.

Alexis had no such qualms, however, and immediately sunk her teeth into the first real food she'd had in over twenty four hours. She practically purred as she gobbled the warm—and surprisingly fresh—piece of bread down. Castle wondered, in the back of his mind, if it was stolen (them being pirates and all) but he soon realized that he didn't care so much; not when it was filling both his and his daughter's sore stomachs.

Kate watched them with a amusement as the man attempted to keep some sort of civility, only nibbling at the half-roll in his hand, while his daughter shoved as much into her mouth as she could until she was too full to eat anything more and curled up against him, her eyes closing as she quickly fell into a deep slumber. Kate's heart swelled slightly when the man, named Castle, wrapped one arm protectively around her.

"Just how old is she?" she asked, surprising both of them. She'd meant to ask this man what business he had being on her ship, but instead…

"Three," the man replied, running his fingers through the girl's dirty hair.

"And how long have you been living on the streets?" Kate asked, frowning.

The man let out a deep sigh, looking down in shame.

"Two years now. At first, we stayed in inns, boarding houses, anywhere we could afford until I found a job, but…"

"You found nothing? In two years? What did you do before? What was your profession?"

Castle looked up at that, his startling blue eyes boring into hers. She spoke to well for a pirate, he thought; her accent suggested high-born. A Lady.

"Where are you from?" he asked, ignoring her previous question. Kate's eyes widened at that, before narrowing, threateningly.

"I believe I asked you a question first," she replied, lowly. "And I expect you to answer it or get off of my ship."

"A writer," Castle answered, dismissively. "Now, that accent…you're from London, are you not? But it's too…posh to be of lower-class…"

"We're not talking about me, Mr. Castle; we are discussing your future—or lack thereof—on my ship. And only I will ask the questions, is that understood?" The man nodded slowly, reaching for another roll and dropping all pretenses as he bit into it, savoring the taste. They were silent for a moment.

"What did you write?" Kate asked, thinking of the small collection of books she'd lifted from the marketplace in London. She'd always had a fondness for books and she often used them to teach Lanie and the boys how to read. Both Tory and Jenny had come onto the ship already knowing, and they borrow Kate's books from time to time. But perhaps Mr. Castle was a poet. Whatever he was, he'd made at least some money at it.

"A series of books," he answered, his mouth full, but he couldn't force himself to stop eating. He rarely had any food, too preoccupied with finding Alexis something to eat and drink. He reached for the mug of water that had been placed in front of him and took a healthy sip, before coaxing Alexis awake so that she could drink as well. When he looked back up, the captain was staring at him, expectantly, waiting for him to continue. He swallowed the rest of the roll before going on. "Derrick Storm," he answered, finally.

Kate's brows lifted at that. "The soldier-turned-pirate?" she asked. His books were the ones she coveted; the one about a once decorated man who turned to piracy after a grievous portrayal—books that she somewhat identified with, despite the mystery of what led her life to ruin in the first-place. Castle grinned at her; so people still remembered him, long after he'd had a book published? And a pirate captain, no less.

"That's the one," he confirmed, nodding. "You're a fan?"

At that, her face turned stony. "I've read them," she replied, nonchalantly. "Lifted them from a bookseller in London. When you're at sea for weeks at a time, it helps to have something to occupy yourself with."

"And is that occupation a pleasant one, Captain?" Castle asked, starting to relax.

"They're good," Kate replied, honestly, "and they do help pass the time, I must admit. But I haven't read a new one in years; I was beginning to wonder what had happened."

At that, Richard's face dropped. "Life took a rather…complicated turn," he said, gravely. "I don't wish to discuss it." Kate nodded in understanding; she'd been there as well.

"Then it shall not be discussed," she said, respectively. "Now, tell me, why are you on my ship, exactly? Why a pirate's ship? Why not a sailor or a navy man?"

"You think they'd let me on, looking like this?" he laughed. "Or with a sleeping toddler on my shoulder?" He shook his head. "They would sooner throw us into the ocean before they'd help us."

"But why a pirate ship, then?" Kate asked. "Are you not worried that you'll be putting your daughter in harm's way?"

Castle sighed. "It's better than allowing her to starve," he replied, solemnly, looking down at her, "or become ill; it's a miracle that she's never had a fever yet. I was just hoping…" he trailed off.

"What?" Kate urged. "What were you hoping for, Mr. Castle?"

"That you would be willing to help us," he replied. "Give me some work so my daughter can eat and sleep in a real bed. And take us away from here."

"What's here that you are so afraid of, Mr. Castle?" Kate asked, tilting her head in confusion.

"Demons," Castle replied, simply. He didn't embellish and the tone of his voice suggested that Kate would get no further explanation.

So she nodded and stood, her back straight as a pole. "Welcome aboard then, Mr. Castle; we were looking for a replacement, anyway."

"A replacement for whom, may I ask?"

"Deacon and Martin," Kate replied. "Two of my laborers; you can take their position making trades and lifting crates with the other men. If you can handle twice the work, I will provide you will both of their salaries, as well as their meal portions to feed you and you're daughter."

"Thank you, Captain!" Castle exclaimed, standing as well. "I greatly appreciate—"

"I'm not finished, Mr. Castle; there are also a few conditions."

"Name them."

"Firstly, you are to pledge yourself to this ship—this crew. I won't have any traitors on my ship, Mr. Castle. If I find that you have spoken to any authorities about what goes on here, I will have my men throw you and your little girl overboard."

"You can't—"

"I am the Captain," Kate interrupted, firmly. "I can do anything that I very well please. Is that understood?"

Castle swallowed thickly and nodded. "Yes, Captain," he said.

"Good. Secondly, I must admit that I've been without any good reading material for a while now and I grow tired of the meager selections they have now in the marketplace, so I would very much appreciate it if you could write me a few pieces of your own, original work. I will provide the paper and pen you require." Castle nodded, trying to tamp down the smirk that threatened to split his face.

"Yes, Captain," he said, deeply. Kate rolled her eyes.

"Don't let it make you cocky," she hissed and he schooled his features, nodding meekly. "Thirdly," she went on, "before anything else, you and your daughter must…bathe. And kindly groom yourself, Mr. Castle; you must look presentable if I am to introduce you to the rest of the crew tonight. I'll have Lanie bring you some fresh clothes, a razor, and some hot water for your bath. It's down the hall. Make good use of it; we don't like to waste water here." Castle nodded in understanding.

"Yes, Ma'am," he said.

"And don't call me 'ma'am'," Kate hissed. "It is Captain or it is sir; understood?"

"Yes, sir," Castle replied, obediently.

"Good," Kate sighed. "Now go. I'll have Lanie fix you a bath." Castle nodded and begin to walk away, his daughter slung over his shoulder. "Oh, and Mr. Castle?" He turned before he reached the door, waiting for her instructions. "Since you will not be starting your work until tomorrow, I'll expect the first story by the morning; do not disappoint me."

He nodded, swallowing thickly, before bidding her farewell and closing the dining room door behind him.

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