“EXPLAIN TO ME AGAIN why Tiger Lilly is pretending to be me, and why I am supposed to be her?”

I sat gussied up in Tiger Lilly too tight clothes as she glided around the deck making a damnably good impression of me. The pirate ship was approaching at a steady clip. But they didn’t have their cannons out.

This was the strangest day I had ever had.

“I already told you,” Alex sighed. “Their boat is three times the size of ours Eb. If we put up a fight, we all die. And besides that, salient point, Long John Silver has a bone to pick with Hook. If we let him take you, we will never see you again.”

“But you are willing to part with Tiger Lilly?” I fired back, my eyes not leaving the massive ship approaching. They had the skull and crossbones waving in the breeze.

Alex clenched his jaw, and I knew he was trying to reign in his temper.

“No, I am not happy with that. But my vote was overruled. I wanted to send Tinkerbell in your stead.”

“I heard that!” Tink called out, from where she was flirting with Tom.

“I meant you too,” Alex replied snarkily.

Tom growled at Alex.

“Stop,” I put my hand up, but Tiger Lilly was already on it.

Getting right in Alex’s face she yelled, “You are not helping. Stop being a dumb-fuck and try being useful.”

Shit.

She did know me.

Alex flushed, “Sorry, Captain.”

He has never been that respectful to me in all the years that I have known him.

Alex had it bad for Tiger Lilly. I just didn’t understand why he didn’t go for her. Didn't she seem to like him back?

Not that I was an expert in romance. Clearly, a novice, but one plus one still equals two in my book.

“Ahoy there!” There was a loud cry from the other ship, and we braced ourselves, guns at the ready just in case. “We mean you no harm, friends.”

Pirates don’t have friends.

There was a sizeable creaking sound and then a jolt where we almost lost our footing as the ships came alongside each other. This captain defied description. He had a wooden leg and carried a crutch that he brandished about when he spoke.

A large parrot perched on his shoulder. He was a giant of a man, limber and quick with sparkling eyes.

“Well now, aren’t you a hearty crew! Is this my old friend, Hook’s vessel? I dare say, I never thought the Jolly Roger would be manned by anyone but the old crook.”

I felt myself bristle and went to retort when Alex elbowed me in the stomach.

“My father,” Tiger Lilly replied with as much pride and circumstance as a queen.

They were never going to believe this.

“Ebony?” his voice cracked and strangely enough, I felt it clear through my bones.

“Yes,” she replied, folding her arms across her chest.

“Tis me, Sweetness, your pa. I am Long John Silver, and you are my sweet Ebony.”

What the actual fuck was going on?

“My father is Captain Hook,” Tiger Lilly didn’t miss a beat. But my eyes were glued to Captain Silver.

“Sweet Ebony! Squawk!”

“Ai, Captain Flint, it is our little girl, returned to us at last.”

“Are you addressing the bird?” I asked without thinking. Alex sent me a thunderous glare.

Long John Silver grinned, “This here is Captain Flint, he sails the seas with me and has for many a year.”

“What happened to the original Captain Flint?” Peter came out from the shadows and Silver’s eyes narrowed.

“Strapping young lad, now aren’t you? That’s a fine question and one that I have an excellent answer to!”

“You tell ‘em, Barbeque!” One of his sailors called out.

“Barbeque?” I repeated dumbly.

“Tis on account that I used to be the Quartermaster, but it’s been nigh on a hundred years since those days,” Silver smiled again at Tiger Lilly.

“We just came to get you darlin.’ If you come along with us, we won’t harm your friends.”

“You can’t take her!”

I shoved my way past Alex and out into the light.

Silver’s breath caught in his throat. It was as if he had seen a ghost.

“You are the spitting image of her,” his genial tone falling away as honesty prevailed. “It’s been so long since I laid eyes on the both of you.”

I felt a strange churning in my stomach, “What are you speaking of, Pirate? State your case and then be gone. We need to return to my father. He is ill.”

“I know what be ailing, Hook,” Silver’s eyes glinted. “But he’s not your father, Sweetness. Why did you send another girl before? What trickery is this? Did you not think I wouldn’t know my own? I have her likeness. I carry it with me everywhere. Would you like to see your mother, child?”

I took a step forward only to have a large hand yank me backward.

“You are going to be the death of me,” Peter hissed. He walked over and grabbed a rope. Pushing off with his legs, he swung over the side onto the other ship.

“I will bring it to her,” Peter growled.

Silver tipped his head to the side, “Do you I know you, lad? There is something about your eyes that is rather familiar.”

Peter cocked a brow, “Do you find yourself involved with the club scene in Manhattan?”

“Liar, Squawk,” chimed in Captain Flint.

Peter snarled at the bird.

“Don’t mind him,” Silver cajoled. “Can’t say I have ever been much of a dancer.”

He motioned to his peg leg, and I snorted a laugh.

It was rude, but I couldn’t help it. An answering smile crossed Silver’s face as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver locket.

“Did I miss anything?” Tink and Tom rejoined us on the deck. “Oh, Silver! How lovely to see you again!”

The captain’s eyes flew from Tink to Peter and back again.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Peter Pan all grown up,” all the friendliness has evaporated, and Silver sounded like the bloodthirsty pirate he undoubtedly was.

“Oops!” Tink covered her broad smile with a hand.

Peter went to swing away but was stopped by five of Silver’s crew.

“Don’t run away on me now,” Silver stroked his whiskered chin. “I have much I wish to discuss with you.”

Peter’s jaw clenched, “As you wish, Captain.”

Silver looked over to where I was standing on the deck of the Jolly Roger. And again, his expression softened for the briefest of moments.

"Take the lot!" He commanded harshly. In the next second, there were dozens upon dozens of sailors swinging onto the Jolly Roger.

We fought with skill and determination. Swords were clashing as they met again and again. I swung my saber with my right hand while using my dagger to stab with the left.

I saw Charlie go down, but there wasn't much blood, so I had hopes that he would be alright.

Tom was leading his tormentor on a merry chase up the rigging while Alex wielded his weapon bravely. 

There were just so many of them. I wanted to be proud of the fight my crew was putting up. And I was, for the most part. Tink had disappeared once again, and there was no sign of Nate. I was going to wish her small, at my earliest convenience. 

They trounced us in about eight minutes.

It was dismal, to say the least. 

"Bring my daughter over here!" Silver called out as if asking for another spot of tea, not a person.

I was grabbed by a burly character. I kicked my feet and bit him, at least seven times. But it was to no avail. And with a gruff hold, we were airborne and sailed towards the larger boat.

Can I help that my heart was grateful Peter was already on board? Perhaps Alex wasn't the only one who had it bad.