Hello all! Scarlet Rebelle here! That's about it, just wanted to say hi…. Yeah…

Twadruumer :so that's what orange Wednesdays are…as for your questions, they are very good ones, but being the mean authoress that I am, I'm not gonna say a thing. glad I am that you are still liking it, thanks for the ideas!

Sarah-K-O-M: yes, I agree, the fluffiness needs hugging every now and then.

Hmmm… do I detect a reason ( coughmeaning cough ) behind the choosing of said name?

Chocola Emo Shizzle: Hey! Totally not what you think, get your mind out of the gutter! Or, mebbe, you like it there, ah, whatever.

Oh, hey, I do the same thing with reviewing (most times).

Jessteress: right you are, you're just gonna have to wait (evil laugh). A-hem, let's pretend that never happened, ok?

Bookworm1211: Um, happy late half birthday! And hey, no worries, sticky gobble dee gook gets in the way some times

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Katrina crouched down in the shadows between two crates, studying the ships before her. Sera was behind her, still wrapped up and partially asleep.

Pier 34, that's what the man said, wasn't it? The first ship leaving for the Caribbean was docked at pier 34. She had done it before, why not again, granted, Sera was going with her this time, but Sera could behave, right? Besides she had no money for a place for her on a passenger ship, much less for two. The ship looked big enough to hide on, besides, how long was the voyage anyways? Two, maybe three weeks?

Katrina moved back by Sera, she would wait a few hours, until a little after midnight, then she would wake up Sera, and they could get on board.

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"Seeeraaa." Katrina called softly. "Time to wake up."

"No." Katrina clenched her teeth. Not again, not now.

"Fine," Katrina said, picking up the cloak-wrapped little girl. "but you have to be quiet." She started towards the gangplank, than froze. There was someone coming down the ramp. He stopped at the end and set down a rifle. Katrina could see him lighting what looked like a pipe of some kind. He'd be there for a while.

Katrina spun, took a few quick steps and pushed her back against some crates. Great, they stationed a guard, now what?

Katrina grinned as her eyes fell on some loose rocks. She tied the cloak around herself, slipping it over one arm and under the other, she made an impromptu sling for the sleeping Sera.

Picking up the rocks, Katrina picked a likely grouping of crates farther down the dock, and threw one of the rocks, it landed with a clattering noise, causing the guard to look up, his face eerily lit by the soft red glow from his pipe.

"Damn rats." He murmured.

Katrina scowled in annoyance and let loose a few more stones.

"Who's there?" the guard demanded. No answer. "Bloody hell." He sounded exasperated, but picked up his gun and cautiously made his way towards the crates.

As quickly and as quietly as possible, Katrina scurried up the gangplank, carrying Sera on her back. She stealthily making her way towards the hatch, halfway, she stumbled over a loose line. Oh sh-

"You there!"

Not good.

Katrina tried to run back down the gangplank, but the guard had heard the shout from deck and intercepted her, grabbing her arms from behind. Katrina kicked and thrashed about. "Let me go." Katrina hissed. But her captor didn't answer, but instead hauled her back onto deck. "Jones, bring a light, man."

Katrina squinted at the lamp light as it shone harshly in her face.

"Looks like ye caugh' a pretty one." Jones snickered. "Seems we migh' 'ave a bit o' fun tonigh't ay?"

"But the captain-"

"Wha' the cap'in don' know won' hur' 'im."

"True," a new voice said from behind Jones, causing the man to spin around. "but what he does know will hurt ye."

"We were jus'-"

"I know what ye was doin'." The new man nearly roared. "Go back ta yer post 'fore I put ye in the brig." He watched as Jones sulked back to his post. "What's this abou', Brick?" He addressed Katrina's captor.

"Caught the girl sneaking about deck, we did."

"Wha' ye got to say, girl?"

Katrina merely stared at him.

"The first mate asked ye a question wench!" Brick shook Katrina.

"Wha's tha' ye got in yer pack? Stolen goods?" the first mate advanced at Katrina and roughly cut the cloak from her, also cutting her dress and making a small gash across her abdomen. The makeshift sling fell to the deck with a thump, a yelp followed by a whimper issuing from it. "Wha's this?" he whipped the folds of the fabric back.

Sera stared back at the man, fear mixed with curiosity filled her eyes. "A little one!" The fist mate took a step back, surveying the two girls. "Bring them to the brig, Brick. Wee will see what the cap'in wants wi' 'em tomarrow."

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Katrina hit the damp wood of the brigs floor hard. Getting up just in time to catch Sera from falling, the cold metal door closing behind her with a bang.

"Sweet dreams." Brick chuckled, locking the door.

The brig was completely dark after he left. It was cold and wet, Katrina hugged Sera to herself. What have you got yourself into this time, Katrina?

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Ooooo, bet none of you thought she would get caught!

Reviews are as good as Pop Rocks!

Movie quote:

"I want you, I need you, oh baby, oh baby."

Where's it from? Any takers?