Archiver's note: The language may be short and simple, but this story is definitely worth the read.  You'll be laughing your ass of soon enough, I guarantee it. ;)

        The sands swept across the arid lands as Jenna continued on. How long had it been? Weeks? Months? She had come upon no others except a deserted caravan that held two skeleton hosts; it was there she'd found the map. The map spoke of a fabled citadel of Moorador across the desert in the mountains of Iraseas. The citadel of Moorador was boasted to be a land rich with milk and honey, meaning a place that flourished without plague or famine. No one Jenna had ever known had seen the place, but it was spoke of around campfires when Jenna was but a child.

She had left her home in Dalewin to find a mate to claim; it was part of her right of passage to the throne. Her Mother, queen Aroura, had conquered all nations in the surrounding area of her kingdom, and those who opposed her were devastated in her wrath. Jenna was trained very young in the art of war, and helped bring down the unruly nations enforcing her mother's will. Six years had passed since they had conquered the lands around them, and the newly claimed nations were finally becoming accustomed to the rule of their new queen. Jenna spent most of her days setting up trade routes to the surrounding nations, and had become quite fond of sailing to the different ports and carousing with the local males in the taverns.

One morning upon arriving from Jenna's latest port trips, a messenger was there waiting for her with a telegram from her mother. Jenna made her way to the castle to meet with her mother; she found her mother in the courtyard staring at the sea. Queen Aroura turned to meet her daughter as Jenna strolled over to her.

"You wanted to see me, mother?" Jenna asked.

 "Yes my daughter, we need to discuss your future," Aurora stated.

"My future? As far as…what?" Jenna said puzzled.

"Jenna, I will not live forever, and you will one day soon take rule of this kingdom. You will have many responsibilities that lay on your shoulders as queen," her mother sighed.

"I realize this, mother, and I believe I have proved myself worthy, have I not?" Jenna exclaimed.

"Yes, yes you have daughter, but there is more to running a kingdom than fighting and sowing your royal oats with those little sluts in those port taverns you go to. I understand every woman needs to find adventure before they can settle down, but you need to start focusing on the future, and…"

 "Oh mother! This isn't another request to marry is it?" Jenna interrupted.

"Jenna please, listen to me for once. I just want you to find a nice young man…"

"I know, I know, to settle down with, and have a daughter to rule the kingdom when I'm gone. I know this mother! I just don't want to marry any male that bows before me. I want an exotic, feisty, and intelligent male for a mate," Jenna exasperated.

"Then I have a quest for you daughter, if there is not a suitable man in all my ruling kingdom that will make you happy, go and find yourself a mate of your liking and bring him back here. I trust you will have no disagreement to that?" queen Aurora sighed.

"You're really serious about this whole marriage thing aren't you?" Jenna questioned.

"It is traditional for a queen to have a king by her side, I just want to see you happy Jenna," her mother stated.

"Then I will take this quest mother, and I will not return until I have found a suitable mate to bring home," Jenna bowed and turned to exit.

"I know you will not let me down," Queen Aurora said as she watched her daughter leave wondering just how long it would take for her daughter to find a man to satisfy her needs.

Jenna gathered enough of her belongings to survive a long journey, strapping her trusty bastard sword at her side and headed out on horseback. Jenna traveled many days until she reached the end of her mother's ruling kingdom, looking down from atop the rolling hills to the endless kingdom stretched out before her. She had never left the kingdom before, and she felt almost renewed at the thought of exploring distant and never before seen lands. She traveled on across the plains and through the woods until she came to the mountains. Her horse had tripped coming down the mountain, and it was unable to travel anymore, so Jenna headed out on foot. The ground became rocky with small patches of brush and sand. It was not long before she found herself in the desert and was disheartened, and about to turn back, when off in the distance she saw a caravan. She thought that if there was a caravan out here, there must be another kingdom not far away! She hurried towards the caravan, and was happy to see that they seemed to be taking a break because they were not moving. It had seemed so long since she'd had contact with another human being. As she neared the caravan she stopped realizing it to be derelict, the wheels of the wagons already halfway covered in sand.

Upon searching the remains of the wagons, she found several corpses all that was left was mainly skeletons with a few beetles digesting the last of the flesh left on the bones. Jenna was about to leave when she noticed a scroll case clenched in the hand of a corpse. She pried the case free from the grip of the skeleton's grasp, and popped the top off. Inside was a map, there was an inscription detailing the way through the Iraseas mountains to the North leading to the fabled citadel of Moorador. Moorador was a nation supposedly secluded from all others, a sort of utopia. Jenna always believed it to be a nonsense bed time story to put rug rats to sleep, but now seeing this map a world of dreams opened in front of her and she was no longer crestfallen, but filled with excitement. A new force of determination flowed through her as she vowed to herself to find this lost city.

She stayed at the abandoned caravan until nightfall, and headed out across the desert towards the fabled city of Moorador. She traveled through the night and into the day; endless expanse of desert was all she could see, but she continued on, resting during the mid day. She continued on for four more days, baking in the sun, wondering if she would soon die of thirst. She had drank the last of her water that morning and felt an encroaching doom clouding over her. Would she die out in this forsaken desert? All because she would not settle on just any male to be her mate. Her head swam as she sank to her knees exhausted,

"No! I will not die here and be left for the circling buzzards!" She crawled to her feet wearily and struggled on for a while longer before collapsing in the sand falling unconscious.

Jenna awoke coughing and sputtering sand; the sun had fallen and the night's cool air made her sunburned skin feel better. She wearily rose to her feet and climbed the huge sand dune that she'd recently thought would be the last thing she would ever see. As she cleared the dune, she almost cried. There in front of her was the mountains! She had made it through the desert alive! With renewed energy, she trudged forward.

It took about two hours, and she was at the base of the huge mountain it towered it seemed forever upward. Rigorously she climbed, getting more excited by the moment. If what the map said held to be true, Moorador would be in the valley of the mountain. She ascended the mountain quickly, her heart racing in anticipation. At the rate she was going, she was sure she'd make it to the top by dawn. As she pulled herself atop the mountain's pinnacle, the sun was rising to her right, spreading across the land like a blanket. It was then that she saw the walls of the fabled city of Moorador in the green valley below. It was the most beautiful site she'd ever laid eyes on; trees as high as the mountain rose to meet her, and she could hear a babbling brook in the distance. She wandered forward drinking in the site.

"It is true!" she yelled out to the birds chirping through the trees, "There is such a place as paradise!"

She dropped to the edge of rapidly flowing brook, gorging herself on the cool waters and splashing it across her face. She filled her canteens, and ate the remains of her dry rations. Even though she was so excited to have finally arrived at the fabled lands of Moorador, she was exhausted, and fell asleep to the sounds of the brook's serene flow.

Jenna awoke as the sun's last rays were dipping over the mountainside. She'd never felt better in her life, and with a little effort, she caught a fish and ate. It was much tastier than the salty rations she'd been previously sustaining on, and she knew the kingdom of Moorador must have ample food for feasting in lands like this. With those thoughts mingling through her mind she marched onward. As she approached the walls of the city the crickets chirped at the coming of night. She gazed in horror at what looked to be a once beautiful city, it's walls over grown with ivy. At one time this city looked to have been a very successful nation all but ruins now. Maybe there was life within the walls of the city? Maybe they had heard her coming, and were hiding, or waiting to ambush her? She pulled out her sword, and her eyes darted around warily looking for any motion of life. Nothing.

She wandered through the uninhabited city, peeking through the nooks and crannies, almost desperate to find a trace of residents in the forgotten ruins. She continued on until she came to stairs leading up to what looked to be holy grounds.  A ziggurat rose from the middle, guarded by two crumbling oracles shaped like griffons clawing at the sky. She ran up the stairs into the ziggurat; still nothing and no one. This angered Jenna.  She had traveled so far, and for what? A deserted city in the middle of nowhere. Upon coming out of the ziggurat her anger furrowed into a maddening rage and she struck at the griffon oracles again and again screaming, "What have I done that you visit this plague of misfortune down on me?!?"

She slashed and slashed at crumbling stone when all of a sudden she hit a soft part in the stone, her sword sliding into the belly of the stone beast. The mouth of the griffon opened, spitting out fire, and the other simultaneously opened, spitting out a blast of ice.  When they struck one another they joined into a purplish glow with what seamed like a mirror in the middle, showing another land.  It looked like the inside of a cave. Jenna withdrew her sword and walked in front of the purple glowing mirror, prodding it with her sword.  It rippled like water, and she could see the other end of her sword in the cave within. This intrigued Jenna.  Maybe this was the real city of Moorador? She could resist no longer, and so she stepped through to the other side.

The walls dripped with dampness, as she continued forward towards what appeared to be moonlight. She came to the mouth of the cave, looking out onto a tropical island. Where was she? Where ever it was, it was nice. Her head ached from the night's events, so she sat on a rock and looked out to the sea. She sat up abruptly seeing a ship in the distance. She looked around quickly, but saw no ports or port cities for that matter. "What would a ship be doing out here so far away from anything," she mused to herself.

She wandered around the beach side where she saw a longboat pulled ashore. Jenna thought to herself, "That boat must have come from that ship, I wonder if I can find them?" She walked up to the boat, seeing a trail of several footprints leading into the forest. She unsheathed her sword, and started to track the footprints across the beach and into the wilderness. As she crawled deeper into the depths of the forest, she heard voices coming from up ahead. She cautiously stalked forward, being careful not to make any noises.

She followed the source to a clearing where she saw a small group of six men digging, it seemed; for what she did not know, but it was weird to see men doing hard labor. In Jenna's homeland men never did such things, men were pampered and taken care of by their women. She was amazed at the site of such things.  How could there be so many men and no women to protect them? Another thing that shocked Jenna was the fact that these men seamed to be very scruffy and unmanaged. Only two really caught her eye as good looking, and one would not due as a mate because he was but a whelp, but the other, the other was quite fine to look at. He had long black hair pulled back in a pony tail with a neatly trimmed mustache, and seamed a bit more refined than the others. She watched as they worked, and decided she must have him. She rose from her hiding spot and sheathed her sword; the pirates token by surprise at the sudden intrusion jumped with a start.

"Good evening my fine gentlemen!" Jenna bowed to the stunned pirates.

"What in the...It's a girl?" Mullins slurred.

"Why yes, I suppose it is?" Starkey stated.

"Who would leave you poor males out here all by your lonesome?" Jenna asked condescendingly.

At that remark several of the pirates burst out laughing, "That's a good one sister, I suppose we'd be askin the same of you?" replied Mullins.

"Where are your women?" Jenna asked, a little angered at this unheard of disrespect coming from a man.

"Oh women? We's ain't got none of those ha ha," Cookson chuckled.

"You mean to tell me no woman has claimed you, and you're all out here by yourselves?!?" Jenna exclaimed wide-eyed.

"Err? Yea I guess?" Billy Jukes laughed, "Why were you looking?" All the pirates laughed whole heartedly.

"Well, I don't think mother would be too happy if I took you all," Jenna laughed.

"Huh? What the heck are you talkin about Missus?" Mullins queried.

"I've come searching for a mate to take back to my kingdom in a far away land. I traveled very far and you are the first available males I've seen," Jenna stated matter-of-factly.

The pirates started murmuring to each other that they thought the girl was a little loopy, and Smee wandered over to Jenna shaking her hand, "Oh it is a pleasure missus…? Eh… I don't quite thinks I got your name?"

"Mistress Jenna and you my dear?" Jenna smiled. "Oh beggin ye pardons, I'm Bo'sun Smee, at ye service, missus Jenna," Smee removed his hat and bowed.

"Pleasure is mine," she smiled.

"So…err…what do ye plans to be doing now that you're here in Never Land?" Mullins queried.

"Hmm, Never Land? Is that the name of this place? Interesting.  What a strange little place this is," Jenna mused as she looked around at the staring pirates. "I want you," she pointed directly at Starkey.

The other pirates whooped cat calls. "M…Me?" Starkey stuttered, "Well now! I might be obliged to share my company with you," he smiled.

"You're not a whore are you?" Jenna questioned.

"Wha…what!? A whore?" Starkey was taken aback; he'd never in all his days been asked a question like that! The pirates by now were rolling on the ground in a fit of laughter. Starkey blushed, "No, I don't think I've ever been deemed such a term."

 "I apologize my dear, I did not mean to offend your honor," she took his hand and kissed it.

"His honor! Ha, Ha, Ha! Did you guys here that?" Jukes laughed hysterically.

 "Oh God, me sides is about to burst!" Mason laughed, out tears rolling down his face.

Starkey, embarrassed, took his hand away and crossed his arms indignantly across his chest.

"I didn't mean to anger you?" Jenna said puzzled at his reaction, "Your ways are strange to me, where I come from men do not act like this."

"Oh, they're just a bunch of uneducated rabble," Starkey huffed annoyed at the others fun at his expense. This girl did seem very interesting, but it kind of bothered him that she was as tall as Mason and built to; she looked like she could tear him limb from limb if he pissed her off, but it had been so long since he'd had the attentions of a pretty woman, so who was he to complain?

The other pirates were getting a hold of themselves chocking back laughter. "Hey Starkey! If'n you're done flirting with the missus, we've got work to do," Mullins picked up his shovel and started digging again, "I Don't think the captain would take too kindly to not getting this hole dug."

"What's the hole for?" Jenna asked.

"It's for a…uh secret," Starkey stopped himself before giving away the hole's purpose of ambushing Peter Pan, and he suddenly became suspicious of Jenna.

"Secret? Secret what?" she asked more interested now than before.

"If I told you, it wouldn't be much of a secret now would it?" Starkey replied wittily.

"And what right is it of men to keep secrets from women?" Jenna asked getting a little peeved at not getting the answer she wanted. How dare this male refuse to answer a simple question she asked!

"Huh?" Starkey was bewildered, "I didn't know men were required to reveal all truths to women," He laughed.

"Most men wouldn't hold their tongues when a woman asked a question because they would be severely punished," she said flatly.

Starkey was even more stunned as the conversation continued. "Err?...Uh…you really are a strange one, I've got to uh…get back to work," he said as he started to walk away. Jenna grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him back to her forcefully.

"I wasn't finished speaking with you male," she growled. Starkey went to pull away, but her grip was like a vise.

"I say! Unhand me woman!" Starkey hollered.

"You are a feisty one aren't you," She grinned evilly as pulled him closer, holding his chin with her other hand she pulled his ear to her lips, "Don't make me make a scene dear," she whispered as he tried in vain to pull away from her. No one had seemed to notice, and Starkey didn't want the others to see him in such a position; he could just hear the laughing and jeering now. "Come," she said as she let go of his chin, and, keeping hold of his wrist, she dragged him away from the prying eyes of others.

She was quite forceful as she pulled him next to a big boulder pushing him up against it. "I've never had a man resist me before," Jenna stated, "I like it," she grinned as pushed herself against him pinning him to the boulder.

"My lady! Please! Ha…have a little restraint!" Starkey pleaded.  He'd never been treated this way, and he was starting to get nervous.

"Yes, I am sorry," Jenna apologized, realizing she was being a little forceful.  Most men would have begged her to take them if she'd done this to them. She released her grip on his wrist and backed off, and Starkey rubbed it, staring at her wide-eyed, not knowing what to expect from this girl. "I got a little carried away, you see, I want you, I want to make you my king. I've never been so attracted to someone before," she crooned.

This was just weird. Starkey didn't feel comfortable at all, and he wondered if this was how women felt when they thought he was being too aggressive. "You're confusing me greatly my lady, I've never quite met someone like you either," he quaffed.

"I am sorry if I frightened you, I'm just not used to not getting a straight answer from a male when I ask a question," Jenna apologized.

"Frightened!? Heavens no, of course you didn't frighten me," Starkey lied, "but…eh… it's not common etiquette for a lady to …eh…forcefully lead a gentleman away from his crew when he has work to do," He was trying to figure a calm and easy way to get back with the other men and away from this psycho wench.

"I think they're doing just fine without you," she smiled, looking intently into his eyes. Starkey was speechless. "Say you'll come with me, let me take you away from this, make you mine," She said, pleading with her eyes.

"Uh…Well you see, I can't leave, I…I…have…err? Responsibilities to my captain…Yes that's it, responsibilities." What kind of response was that? Starkey thought to himself

"Oh? Really?" Jenna grinned.

"Starkey! Get yer sorry carcass over here and help us dig," Mason hollered.

"I'd better get going; I don't want to leave them waiting," Starkey said quickly, and Jenna could tell he was waiting for her to let him pass. She motioned for him to pass, and he darted back to the digging pit. Jenna didn't quite know what to do; after all she was the daughter to the throne! How could he not want her to sweep him off his feet? Wasn't that how all the childhood fairytales went? Maybe he's playing hard to get? Damn! Why did men have to be so damn fickle and complicated?

Starkey rounded the bin to see the rest of the pirates had already finished the hole and waiting for him to return. "You sly dog," Mason congratulated Starkey.

More whoops and hollers resumed, and Starkey rolled his eyes commenting, "I was a perfect gentleman, something you scalawags would know nothing about."

"Ahh! How sweet! Well how's about you be a perfect gentleman, and bring the shovels back to the longboat," Mullins scoffed as he started heading off towards the longboat, followed by the rest of the pirates.  Sighing, Starkey muttered under his breath as he started to pick up the shovels to head back to the longboat. He gathered the shovels, and as he turned around, Jenna was standing there, startling him and causing him to fling the shovels in all directions.

"Here let me help," Jenna exclaimed as she quickly started to gather the shovels.

"Oh no! A lady should never do such things," Starkey said as he bent down getting the other half of the shovels. She was persistent! Starkey thought to himself a little annoyed, but she was pretty hot, and it sure would be nice to get laid. He might be able to play her game…after all; it wasn't like the Jolly Roger was leaving Never Land anytime soon, and who knows when the next lady would wander up to him, here of all places, showing interest in him.

"Don't be silly," she said, "I couldn't let you carry all those heavy things by yourself."

It unnerved Starkey the way she behaved; it was awkward, but Starkey resigned to letting her carry the other three shovels; it was better than getting into a debate over shovels. Besides, it would be ungentlemanly to just leave a woman out here on her own, although Starkey doubted this particular female would have any problems surviving. Mullins would definitely not agree with the idea of bringing a woman on deck. Starkey chuckled to himself as he imagined Mullins saying a woman on the ship would be blasphemous. How would Hook react? Hook wouldn't turn a lady away, it wouldn't be proper form, and the captain was definitely a man of principles and good form.

"This way my lady," Starkey led them to the clearing where the other men were waiting.

"You're not thinking what I think you're thinking are you Starkey!" Mullins said, "No women on the ship!"

"Oh come now Mr. Mullins, we can't just leave her here now can we?" Starkey piped back.

"No women on the ship? Ha! That is funny! Where I come from many women believe the same about men," Jenna laughed amusedly.

Mullins just grumbled, "There's evil in it I say."

"Aw, come on, Robert, Starkey's right.  We can't just leave her out here," Mason interjected.

"I'm telling you, it's bad luck, but I guess we ain't got much of a choice" Mullins quipped,

"Alright Miss, you can come."

It amazed Jenna how these men acted so dominant.  They even looked her in the eye when she spoke, and they were not at all giddy like most men. As a matter-of-fact, they acted like the women in her world.  How odd, she thought.

"So, tell us, how exactly did you get here?" Jukes queried.

"Well…I left my kingdom some time ago on horseback…" Jenna told of her grand adventure and how she had entered the forgotten city of Moorador; she told of the oracles and the portal through the cave up until she had met with them in the clearing. All the pirates listened intently as they rowed to the Jolly Roger.

"You did that all by yer self?" Mason asked in disbelief.

"I had to, as I said before, I've come looking for a mate, and I will not go back to my kingdom until I have fulfilled this quest," Jenna said nonchalantly, "I believe this young man will make a perfect mate for me," she smiled at Starkey.

Starkey turned white as a sheet, "Mate? Me? Uh…?"

The other pirates laughed, "Aw ain't that just so sweet Starkey," Mason said as he made kissing noises.

"At least there's a woman that wants me," Starkey spat back.  Maybe this wasn't a good idea after all.  Starkey started regretting letting her come along, but it wouldn't have been right to leave her back on the beach. Why do I have to be such a gentleman? He thought to himself.

The crew heard those familiar foot steps. Captain Hook stepped on to the deck and noticed the tall female. "Starkey…. Would you care to explain?" inquired hook calmly.

"Captain, it's not what its looks like. I mean we couldn't just leave her," Starkey groveled.

Jenna took a moment to look over this captain. To think a male could actually command a ship!. "Next they'll be telling me a boy runs the weapons" she thought.

"You must be the Captain holding my Starkey".

"Your Starkey?" asked Hook.

"Yes, I will take him back with me and make him my mate". She wondered if this is what it was like to ask a man's parents if she could take him. Hook couldn't help but laugh.

"Wench, Starkey is a pirate. He stays here".

"Wench?" she thought. How dare he imply she's a man.

"Wench? You overused old slut! How dare you!" She hissed. Hook stared back blankly.

"Lass, you need learn your place" Hook spoke with a growing hint of amusement.

"That's my line". Replied Jenna. Hook turned to Smee.

"Smee, are you pondering what I'm pondering?' asked Hook. Smee looked up to the captain.

"Sir, I know we should throw her over, but that's one big lass". Hook looked back at Smee with a surprised look

"Well Smee, you do have a brain". Jenna stepped up

"Who are you to even think a man could defeat a Woman?" Jenna snapped.

The pirates in unison began to laugh. Even Hook couldn't contain himself.

"Lass, I hope you can swim" Grinned Hook.

All of the Pirates circled around Jenna, except Starkey, who wasn't sure what to do. Hook's grin turned into a smile.

Jenna sized up the situation. . There was a certain excitement to it. What woman wouldn't like having a half dozen men climbing over her? However, she didn't care for these men. They were all big for men and not very well kept.

Mullins had all the encouragement he needed. He lunged forward, and in one swift motion, Jenna turned, backhanding him head over heels.

Hook's jaw dropped. The rest of the pirates pounced.

When the smoke cleared, Cookson was clinging to the edge of the ship, trying not to fall overboard; Mullins was staring blankly into space holding on to himself; Jukes was quivering behind Long Tom; Mason was folded up under some mops; and Smee was blubbering in bad Irish while Jenna was slowly trying to pull his arm out of its socket.

"Lass! Lass! Please stop!" blubbered Smee.

Hook stepped up. "Ok Lass, let him go. You fight better than any of the boys, and you have a sharp tongue; you can stay for awhile,"

Hook continued to laugh all the way back to his cabin. The Pirates grudgingly left Jenna alone.

Night soon followed. Some of the Pirates slept on deck, but she demanded a room. Starkey thought he would at least be able to escape Jenna at night. He was wrong. When most of the pirates had fallen asleep, Jenna crept out of her room. Starkey was trying to stay awake but sleep was coming. Jenna crept on deck and saw Starkey dose off. She quietly snuck over to him.

She thought to herself "Mother will be proud". She gently lifted him up and carried him down to her room. She secured the door with a bookshelf, and now it was just the two of them.

Starkey awoke with sound of a splash. His face was all wet. He was also all tied up. He couldn't move. When his eyes focused he saw Jenna standing over him. He was also missing his clothes. Jenna grinned evilly at him.

Mullins arose to the sound of a dull scream. "Wha? What was that?" he mumbled. He heard it again. The scream sounded like Starkey. He stood up and began to follow the screams. It led to Jenna's room. He put his ear to the door. "Oh stop mistress! Ahh! That hurts! My bum can't take much more! Oh not the oar! Ahh! Its too big!" screamed Starkey. Mullins was confused.

"Stop whining slut, you know you enjoy it!"

Mullins knew that was unmistakably Jenna. By this time Mason had strolled over.

"Mullins what's that noise?" inquired Mason.

"I don't know, but I know there's evil in it. It's coming from Jenna's cabin. I think Starkey's in there too".

"So why is Starkey screaming so much?" asked Mason innocently.

"I don't know".

"Oh that's right, your mine aren't you? Say it! Say it! Come on ride that! Oh you're the best I've had in awhile!"

Mason and Mullins looked at each other wide eyed.

"Should we get the Captain?" asked Mason.

"You wanna get the captain over this?" Mason understood, and they both leaned against the door.

"Ahh! Not there! Not There! Ahh that hurts!" wined Starkey.

"Someone seems to like it…. And I said stop your whining" Snapped Jenna.

"I can't keep this up much longer, I can't hold it back" screamed Starkey. Mullins and Mason looked at each other, confused.

"Ok, I'm done with you" panted Jenna. Mullins and Mason skulked away.

The next morning the whole crew waited next to Jenna's door. Jenna opened the door and walked out, looking refreshed. She yawned and headed top side. Everyone busted into the room. Starkey was bruised and limping for his pants. Everyone gasped. "Where….were…you….guys…?" Starkey whined. Everyone looked at each other, still in shock.

"We…uh, didn't want to interrupt the two of you" replied Cookson.

"You didn't want to get beaten up" Jukes quietly muttered.
 

Starkey shot up like a bolt of lightening, sweat dropped from his brow, "A dream…it was a dream…" He lay back panting, the cool night air made him shiver from his sweat soaked shirt. He was lying in a hammock overlooking a full moon next to Jukes, passed out in the rope pile; he and drifted back to the night's events, mainly the remarks made over dinner by his shipmates when Jenna had retired for the night.  They kept going on about how they thought she was one of those dominatrix chicks they'd heard about in underground whore houses containing dungeons and whips, and how men would pay them to do horribly painful things to them. The thought made him uneasy, which lead to him having his current nightmare.

She was very dominate, unlike any woman he'd ever known, and for some reason, when he was around her, he felt submissive. He had never felt this way towards a woman, he was the Casanova, the aggressor, the one who broke the ice and sent shivers down women's spines. He was the one who started an interaction and sent the women swooning, after all wasn't that the man's part? Jenna was just so odd and so… so… unfemale-like? Why him? Why not Alf? Or Robert? They seemed to be more up to par with her strength, although she had bested them all, which also scared Starkey, adding to his nightmare.

What scared him most was all this talk about being her mate? As if he was no more than a possession to be won. He stared at the moon and the passing clouds as he slowly drifted back to sleep.

Jenna awoke feeling refreshed, thinking to herself, "How will I convince him to come back to my kingdom with me?" She had fallen asleep to the same query, several ideas had come to mind, like throwing him over her shoulder, dropping him in the rowboat and physically taking him. It was not overly uncommon for the barbaric to claim mates in such a fashion, but she was of the royal family and had more class then to resort to such deeds. She would have to court him, and when she'd won his heart, then take him to become her king. The only perplexing question was how was she to get him to fall in love with her, when he would hardly even speak with her? She would have to get him alone. She sheathed her sword and hurried onto the deck.

The sun was rising, and she could see her object of lust looking so cute, curled in a ball covered by his cape. She walked up to him, staring at his sleeping body, and she imagined what it would be like to rip off his clothes and take him here and now, but she retained her composure and instead touched him gently on the cheek and gently ran his thin mustache through her fingertips.

Starkey's eyes fluttered dreamily open, and upon seeing Jenna he let out a yelp and tumbled out of the hammock and onto the floor.

"Are you alright my dear?" Jenna asked worriedly.

"Uh…Oh, Yes, Yes, I'm quite fine, my lady."

Jenna leaned over, picking Starkey up off the ground, at which point Starkey got angry, "I…I don't need your help thank you very much!" he yelled and squirmed out of her hands,   "Now if you'll excuse me," he mumbled as he stormed down to the galley, embarrassed that she had caught him by surprise, making him feel like a fool.

Jenna watched him go bewildered, and Jukes laughed, "Don't worry, he always gets his feathers in a ruffle."

"I don't understand? What did I do?" Jenna asked quizzically.

"Who knows, with Starkey it could be a lot of things,"

Jukes yawned as he closed his eyes and went back to dozing; he wasn't planning on waking any earlier than he had to. Jenna watched the waves feeling a little dejected, she didn't understand what she could have done to have angered him so.

Starkey found Cookson cutting up potatoes, he turned as Starkey entered,

 "Ah you is not wit youse new girlfriend eh?" he bellowed out in laughter.

 "You're not a comedian Cookson, and I wouldn't veer yourself in such directions," Starkey spat.

"Oh was wrong wit you? You no like the pretty girl?" Cookson puzzled.

 "It's not…well, it's just…, well I really can't put a finger on it Cookson, I'm just baffled about this situation. For once in my life, I'm all thumbs," Starkey stated, "I just don't know how to proceed around her, she has this air about her…this, I don't know she is just peculiar."

Cookson smiled, "Ah she is not so bad now, she no complain about Cookson's meals which make her good in Cookson's book."

"See, now that is just what I mean when I say she's peculiar, who on god's earth would not wretch at your cooking," Starkey quipped.

"Youse better watch what you say about Cookson's food, youse no comedian neither!" Cookson waved his spoon at Starkey angrily.

"What's all this yappin about?" Mullins entered groggily scratching his stomach.

"Is Starkey, eis aving women's troubles," Cookson said as he turned back to his potato cutting.

"I'm telling you, it's bad luck having that broad on board," Mullins mumbled to himself.

"Oh stuff it Robert," Mason yawned as he cracked his back and neck, "You're just mad she served you up on a platter last night," Mason laughed.

"Keep laughing cully and I'll wipe that grin off your face," Mullins drew his sword, "And You seems to be fergettin you weren't walking away on your two feet either."

"Gentlemen please!" Starkey mediated stepping between them.

"Why? It's yer fault that wench is here Starkey!," Mullins shot back angrily.

"Belay the jaw music you lummoxes! And get up here!" shouted Hook from the doorway, "What kind of ship do you think I'm running here!"

Hook paced on deck as the men filed atop the deck of the Jolly Roger.

"Let's get one thing straight, women aboard this ship or not, work needs toget done… NOW!"

Jenna watched as the men scurried in all directions, this Hook was definitely a crotchety man, he reminded her of a convent's head of household in her kingdom. Those men were always so protective of the young men in their care lest they fall out of the hands of God and fornicate with some horny woman on a drinking binge. Jenna chuckled inwardly at the thought.

Hook walked over to Jenna in a dignified and gentlemanly way, "I trust you slept well my dear," he smiled at her, "perhaps you mayhap join me for breakfast?"

"Food sounds great, I'm starving," Jenna smiled back.

"Well,  Uhum, yes, I will have us a fine meal made my lady. COOKSON! On the double!"

"Uh, yes sir! I is going to make you fine cuisine," Cookson said as he scampered off down to the Galley. Hook held out his arm, and Jenna grabbed his arm to escort him getting all tangled because both were trying to escort each other. Hook was a little bewildered, shook his head and pointed towards his cabin, "This way," letting Jenna lead the way; she opened the door accommodatingly.

 "So tell me, how on earth did you find yourself in Never land?" Hook queried.

Jenna reiterated her story once again, and Hook listened intently and burst out laughing, "Do you take me for a fool girl? You expect me to sincerely believe that!" Jenna looked at him puzzled,

"Why wouldn't you believe me, and better yet, why would I lie?"

"Well for one your story seems a bit far fetched, and--" Hook was interrupted by Jenna,

"If I told my mates there was a ship headed by all males, they'd tell me I was fantasizing! Your lucky I have enough respect for the elderly not to raise hands to you!" she said hotly.

"Elderly! Why!... aha ha ha, oh you are a funny little girl aren't you," Hook laughed.

At that moment Smee bust in, "Beggin your pardon sir but yer food is ready," he said as Cookson slapped two trays with sterling silver hoods in front of each of them. Cookson lifted the lid revealing steak, eggs, and hash browns. The food looked much more nicely prepared then the dinner the night before Jenna noted, but her conversation with Hook had left her almost too angry to be hungry anymore. How dare he accuse her of lying! She wanted to reach across the table and backhand him, but that wouldn't get him to give her time with Starkey.

She swallowed her comment and smiled at Hook, "You will believe what you want, and I can not stop you. I know that you know nothing of me, and I will have to all but prove myself to you," she smiled picking up the silverware laid out in front of her, "Shall we?"

Hook laughed, "Indeed."

Starkey fumed as he mopped the deck, what were they talking about? How long was she going to be on deck? The other men looked as though they were wondering the same thing.

 "So what you think they're talkin about in there?" Mason asked Mullins.

"Hell if I know," Mullins shrugged, "and if'n I were you, I'd just worry about your own duties," he scowled as he finished winding up the mast's rope.

They finished their breakfast in silence. Jenna waited until Hook had set his cloth napkin across his plate before asking, "So, what would it take to win your trust?"

Hook looked up at her and smiled, "My dear lady, what do you hope to accomplish here on my ship? We have been here some time, and we don't plan to leave anytime soon."

"Then may I propose a contest?" Jenna challenged.

"Contest? Preposterous, what kind of contest?" Hook scoffed.

"You name it, but if I beat you, I want some private time with your man, Starkey," Jenna smiled.

"And if you lose?" Hook smirked. "If I lose, I will leave your ship never to return again," she responded.

Hook mulled over her proposal, "Why not, I'll tell you what," he laughed, "There is a certain thorn in my side that I've not been able to rid myself of…he is a boy that goes by the name of Peter Pan," Hook spat as he gritted his teeth. "If you can capture Peter Pan and deliver him to me so that I may exact the revenge on the boy that took my hand," he raised his hook angrily, " You can have all the time in the world you want with gentleman Starkey."

Jenna grinned, "So be it." She looked Hook over, "What does this boy look like?"

"Haha, believe me you'll know him when you see him, he'll be the most arrogant and brash of the gaggle," Hook scoffed.

"Gaggle?" Jenna queried.

"Yes, there will likely be several of the little brats flying about with the scalawag," Hook retorted.

"Flying!?" Jenna was astonished that this place had flying boys scampering around, and she was growing more and more intriged by the minute the more Hook described. When she had been told about the lost boys and Wendy and where about she could find them, she was ready to head out.

The pirates watched and Hook chuckled to himself as Mullins gladly rowed the woman away from the boat,

"If she captures Pan, I'll be more than astounded," Hook scoffed at how rediculous the thought of this mere girl capturing his arch nemisis was. "The party is over gentlemen, back to work," he hollared as the men scurried to their duties, and he took leave to his cabin sanctuary.

As they pulled onto shore and Jenna jumped out, Mullins mumbled, "Hold up a sec girly, take this," he handed her some rope and a white bandanna, "If'n you can catch Pan, which I highly come out ta collect ya," he scowled, "and if'n you can't catch Pan," he snorted, "then it's signora sister," he said as he pushed away from the beach shore mumbling to himself, "there's evil in it I say."

Jenna looked around the beach side thinking to herself, "How the hell am I supposed to track down this boy if there isn't any tracks to follow?" This was not going to be easy, but if it was one thing Jenna loved, it was a challenge!