A/N: Since I wanted Jim to be current with the time period, he is a bit sexist in this chapter. Just a warning for anyone who might get offended by that.

I also wanted to say thank you to everyone who is reading this so far. :)

-Jess

3. A Piece Of The Past.

Silver. That name...

"Are you in any way related to a pirate called Long John Silver?" I asked, biting back the haunted memories that were finding their way to the surface.

Something in those guarded brown eyes snapped. "Pirate?" she said, "You say it as if it were some horrible disease you fear catching. Yes, I am related to that pirate." She paused for effect. "He was my father."

This bit of news shocked me far more than anything had so far. John Silver had a daughter? It seemed so absurd, the very idea of it, and yet as I looked at her, I could tell she was telling me the truth.

"I suppose," I asked, "since you said 'was', he is no longer living?"

"He was hanged for piracy." She said it without emotion.

I had always wondered what had become of John Silver after he stole some of the gold and disappeared out of my life, but never had I imagined something like that could have happened. I quite nearly felt sorry for him, for I knew from his deeds he would find no peace in the hereafter.

"I'm sorry," I said softly.

She glanced up sharply, those eyes flashing something unreadable. "Don't waste your pity."

She did not have one ounce of her father's charm, of that I was certain. "You still have not explained to me why you are in possession of the map of the Island," I reminded her harshly.

"I found it," she answered.

"More likely stole it."

"My father taught me well." She accompanied her words with an unladylike smirk.

"Oh and I suppose you are also going to tell me your father taught you how to murder innocent men as well," I accused, my temper rising again.

"You arrogant bastard," she hissed, "Because I stole a map that rightfully belonged to my father, and I claim to be a pirate, you also suppose I am a murderer?"

"Rightfully belonged to your father?" I asked in surprise, ignoring the completely inappropriate language she had just used.

"Yes, rightfully. He along with the others on Flint's ship earned that treasure. You and your friends were the ones who stole that map. And yet you hate pirates. You are nothing but a goddamn hypocrite."

I am ashamed to admit, I nearly lost my temper with her again. "If you ever use that sort of language aboard this ship again," I threatened, "woman or not, I will personally see to it you are keelhauled."

"And you call yourself a gentleman."

I had had quite enough of this. I couldn't very well trust myself to be civil. I glanced at her and noticed she was still clutching the cloth across her chest. "Clothe yourself," I ordered, "I am taking you to the captain."

I removed the map from the table, then stalked up the stairs to wait for her to dress herself more appropriately.

I had never before in my life met a woman like that one. She disgraced the very name of women, not to mention she brought out the worst in me. Women should be gentle, caring, submissive; not rough and disgraceful with a mouth any sailor would envy. What would possess a woman to go about dressed as the opposite sex, calling herself a pirate? I did remind myself that she was the daughter of John Silver, though surely even he would not condone such behaviour from a lady.

I turned as I heard her coming from the galley. She looked a bit more feminine than before. Her hair, though short—a little below her ears—was parted to the side and she was wearing her clothing in such a way that did nothing to hide her true identity. I was very glad that there were not many of the hands about, for this would have surely caused some sort of disturbance. I remembered briefly the feeling I had had when I first met her looking as a boy. She had looked small and out of place on this ship, and I had felt the need to protect her. That feeling was still there—more so now I knew she was a woman—though I was doing my level best to try and ignore it.

I waited for her to start toward the captain's cabin, then followed her from behind. For the second time, I awoke the good captain from his much needed sleep. He came to the door holding his pistol ready as he had before.

"It's just me," I said, "I have something to show you that might be somewhat of a shock." I pushed Panya in ahead of me, then turned to Williams. "As you can see, she is a woman."

I am sure the captain looked as amazed as I first had. I told him what she had said to me, and about finding the map in her possession. I was slightly surprised she stayed silent throughout the entire story. When I was finished, the captain turned to her.

"Let me tell you right now so there will be no mistake," he began sternly, "You have stolen this map, and that alone is enough for punishment. But, since I do not believe you capable of having murdered the two men, nor do I think you of that character, I am willing to give you another chance." He paused to look to me, then continued, "You may either work with or against us. I can promise you a share in the treasure if you so chose the former. You are a capable cook, and know how to handle yourself fairly well aboard a ship, so I have no doubt as to letting you continue as you have, despite you being a woman. However, if you chose to betray us, I will have no other choice but to keep you under guard for the rest of the voyage. Do you understand me fully Miss Sliver?"

I was completely startled by the way she replied. I was fully expecting a sharp retort, followed by a string of profanity, but she amazed me by simply nodding her head.

"I understand you sir," she said, pausing. She seemed to be struggling with something. Finally she said, "I will not cause any trouble, just continue as before. Thank you."

"Maybe you could find her something a bit more appropriate for a woman to wear? A dress perhaps?," I suggested, receiving a glare from Panya.

"I don't happen to have any dresses aboard," the captain replied, "And Hawkins I think It would be wise if we kept this a secret between the three of us for the time being. That means she must keep on dressing like she has been, and we both shall not treat her any differently. This could cause problems I would rather avoid."

I nodded in agreement, though the thought of her, a helpless woman, doing a mans job made me disgusted with the arrangement.

I accompanied Panya back to the galley, though she glared at me all the way. Obviously whatever respect she held for the captain was not also directed toward me. I said goodnight to her and spent what was left of the night on deck.

I did not know what to think of Miss Silver. It was shocking to say the least. I set out on this voyage to be rid of my past, not to have it show up on my ship. Yet here she was, a woman I hadn't known existed before tonight. Long John Silver's daughter. I told myself I would keep an eye on her, make sure she had everything she could need; that was after all the right thing to do. But though I tried to tell myself that was the only reason, I could not. The truth was I did not trust her. As the saying goes—the apple does not fall far from the tree. John had been a manipulator and a backstabber. Why wouldn't his daughter be exactly the same?

The next few days passed in monotonous routine. The wind would not show it's face to our sails, so we drifted aimlessly. The captain finally decided we could not stay about doing nothing. He told the mate they would go ahead and do what he had mentioned. The hands were getting restless and it would be better if they were working. On the morning of the third day, he addressed the crew.

"Men as you know we have been becalmed for a few days now," he said to them. "We will tow the Athena along with the boats. It might not take us far, however it is far better than nothing at all."

The men seemed to agree, for they fell about their task with a will. I for one was glad of the prospect of moving, even if it would be only a few miles. I was anxious to get to the island as soon as possible.

I went out with the first team of men. It was backbreaking work manning the oars, pulling the ship along by the sheer force of muscle. Each man did his full share, the captain himself pulling oar with everyone else.

Much to my annoyance, Panya showed signs of wanting to help out. I had been trying to keep her from having to go out, for I was sure she would never be able to lift an oar, let alone pull one for hours with no interlude.

"You cannot go out there."

"Excuse me?" Those flashing brown eyes met mine.

I was glad we were in the galley with no one around, for already I knew I was going to lose this argument.

"You cannot go out and row with the men," I persisted.

"And why the hell not?" The way she was glaring at me said I should back off while I still had my life, but like a man, I stubbornly pushed the matter.

"It's not a job for a lady to trouble herself with."

"A lady?" she hissed. "If you haven't noticed mister Hawkins, I am no lady."

"You're damn right you're no lady!" I answered back with anger.

She smirked at my use of language. I took a deep breath. This woman knew how to bring out the worst of me and what was worse, she enjoyed doing it.

Thankfully I was saved any further loss of control by the captain entering the galley.

Panya immediately changed her demeanor, smiling at him. "Hello captain."

"Ah yes, Miss Silver I was looking for you," the captain said. "I was wondering if you would be so good as to make sure there is food for the men. They are working hard and I think it would be good to keep them well fed for as long as they must do this."

"Of course," she said smiling. "I won't leave this galley till every one of the crew has been properly fed."

The captain thanked her and left.

I felt tremendously relieved. I would have to thank the captain later for his excellent timing. It most definitely saved me from a pointless argument with this headstrong woman.

We continued rowing in shifts all day. By evening's last light the men swore they could go no further. It was a hard days work, though all we were reworded with was a disheartening seven miles at the end of the day.

The hands were all allowed a meal and a rest for their hard work. I stayed on deck with the captain for the first watch. Panya joined us later, looking completely exhausted.

Her cheeks were flushed from being in the hot galley, her short hair in disarray.

She looked rather pretty in a way. I shook my head slightly, averting my gaze. That was not a thought I should be entertaining.

"I never want to see another pot for the rest of my life!" She wiped perspiration from her brow as she leaned against the mast and closed her eyes.

The captain chuckled and she opened her eyes to see whom it was. As she saw it was the captain she smiled, though I felt certain had it been me who had laughed, she would have not hesitated in dumping me overboard. At least that was what all those looks she sent my way seemed to be saying.

"So we made seven miles today?" she asked, looking at the captain.

The captain nodded, smoking his pipe. "Yes."

They started conversing, and I took the chance to walk around a bit. The sea was perfectly calm, only the slightest ripple disturbing it's glass-like appearance. I could faintly hear my companions voices, but other than that small noise, all was still.

I gazed out at sea, the moon sending out a eerie path on the water. The glow of the moon swayed and shifted on the sea and I thought I saw...I closed my eyes trying to fight the image. For a brief moment I actually supposed I saw the face of John Silver, grinning at me as he hung by a rope. I rubbed my eyes. Even awake it seemed I was not safe.

The cold night air biting into my thin shirtwaist, caused me to realize where I was. I shivered slightly. It seemed to me the temperature had dropped considerably since this afternoon. I headed off toward my cabin thinking I would fetch my coat. As I passed by, I thought I would also take a quick look at the barometer.

I was alarmed by what I saw. I had just checked it this morning so it could not have possibly dropped so low. But I knew this time eyes were not deceiving me. There was going to be a storm.

I ran back to the captain. "We're in for a storm!" I shouted.

"Storm?" Panya huffed. "There Isn't any wind."

"What do you mean Hawkins?" the captain asked.

"I just checked the barometer," I explained, "It has dropped considerably."

The captain went to look at it himself, and came back, his face grave. "We are going to have a storm all right. Wake the crew, we need to prepare as swiftly as possible."

As I headed toward the crews' quarters I could already feel the wind picking up. Whatever storm we were going to have was coming upon us quickly. I rushed down, calling out to the men as I ran through the crews' quarters. I had to shake a few of them awake, and they would have been out for my blood had I not quickly explained to them why it was so urgent they be up and ready.

They were all out on deck and ready in a very short period of time—to my amazement, and the captain wasted no time on giving orders for preparing the Athenafor the storm.

I helped out where I was needed, and though I strongly disliked the idea, Panya went aloft and assisted with the taking in of the sails. I was mildly surprised by the grace and skill in which she accomplished the task. She was without a doubt the daughter of Long John Silver.