Title: Pirate in Love

Summary: 18-year-old Catherine is kidnapped by pirates on her way from England to a British Colony in the Caribbean. Given the choice of life as a pirate, or death Catherine decides that the pirate life is for her. For the first month Catherine refuses to enjoy the freedom that her new life brings her. But slowly with the help of a newfound friend Catherine realises that the pirate life is for her. She becomes the feared Black Cat of the Caribbean, and falls in love with the handsome, if moody first mate. Now her life seems perfect, that is until she is caught during a raid, and given the choice of death, or returning to her previous life.

Prologue

"What are you doing to me?" the young woman screamed at the man holding her by her wrists.

"Taking you to my captain," the equally young man said. He was the newest pirate on the mighty ship know as The Wild Rose. By kidnapping the governor's daughter he was committing his first act as a pirate, and a good one at that. "We were ordered to find a woman for our ship, one who would be able to make sure that the everyday chores are carried out. One who could sew, cook and clean. I hope that you would be an appropriate candidate.

"Never!" the girl spat, "I am the governor's daughter. Not some servant."

"We'll see what The Captain has to say about that," was the young man's response.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" The Captain asked upon the young pair's entry into his cabin.

"I think that she," the young man said, gesturing to his captive using his head, "Would make a good headwoman on The Wild Rose. She is the governor's daughter, and no doubt has experience in managing a household."

"Well, you seem to have out done yourself this time Fishy," The Captain said to the young man, "A governor's daughter. If we weren't in such need of a headwoman, I would say that we should hold the young woman for ransom." To the girl he said, "What would your name be, my pretty?"

"That's no of your business," the girl spat, trying to twist out of Fishy's grasp.

"Yes it is," The Captain replied, "Let go of her Fishy. She is not going to go anywhere."

Fishy dropped to girl's arms, which he had held behind her back, and immediately she tried to make a run for it. She made it as far as the door to the cabin when an other pirate appeared to stop her.

"You see my dear," The Captain said, oddly calm, "You aren't going anywhere. Now what was your name?"

Again the girl refused to answer with her name.

"Well then," The Captain replied, a slight grin crossing across his face, "I'll tell you how we work on this ship. Once we have taken someone they don't return to shore. Either they become a member of my crew, or they decide to die, by walking the plank. Now I offer you with a choice. Do you wish to die, or become a pirate on The Wild Rose?" The girl didn't answer. "Well then, you have two turns of this here hourglass to make your decision. It works out giving you about a day to decide. I await your decision. Fishy, show he to her quarters, and stay with her until she has made her decision," Fishy nodded his head in understanding, "And while you're at it, see if you cannot find out her name."

Fishy took the young woman's arm (gentler than before though) and led her out of the captain. Upon arriving at an inner room Fishy he said, "This is where we stay until you have made your decision," he didn't notice the silent tears streaming down the girl's face.

The was only a bunk bed and a wooden chair in the small cabin. The girl sat down on the lower bunk, so Fishy took the chair. She didn't say anything for a long time, and Fishy was beginning to dread the coming day, with nothing to do but sit there, when she let out a huge sob. Oh no, she's crying, Fishy thought. He didn't have any idea of what to do, but something inside of him suggested that he sit down next to the girl, so he did. Putting his arm over her shoulder. He felt her tense up at first but then relax, letting her body sink in against his, crying into his shoulder.

After she had cried herself out she asked, "What do you think I should do? Why am I asking you anyways? You were the one to snatch me."

"Join us," Fishy said quietly, "Being a pirate isn't that bad. So far at least. I have only been aboard The Wild Rose for a month, but the crew is not as bad as I thought that they would be. We're like one big family."

"I don't know," the girl said, "Being a pirate is punishable by death."

"So is not agreeing to join our crew," Fishy added reasoning.

"The worse of two evils," the girl said sorrowfully.

This is where your morals come in. Do you wish to feed, clean and cloth men who steal to make a living and risk being caught and executed? Or do you wish to die?" Fishy asked. He didn't know why he was helping the girl make her decision, but he felt oddly attracted to her. Se wasn't very pretty in her current state. Her dark hair was tangled, clinging to her face and shoulders and her eyes were puffy and red from crying.

"I guess if all pirates are like you," she said, after a long pause, "than I wouldn't mind becoming a pirate."

"Well, they aren't all like me, but I won't let anybody hurt you he said, stroking the girl's hair, and letting her rest her head against his shoulder. "I promise."

"Thanks. Is your name really Fishy?" She asked suddenly.

"It's my nickname, if that's what you mean." Fishy responded.

The girl laughed, "I'm not sure if I want to know how you got it."

"I like fish," the young man said with a shrug, "I used to be called Richard, before I became a pirate. But nobody dares to call me that, I hate the name. Do I get to know your name now?"

"Isabella," the girl responded simply.

"That'll never do. It sounds too much like you came from an upper class family."

"But I did," Isabella protested.

"Trust me, its better if the other's don't know that," Fishy said, and Isabella caught a look in his eyes that suggested that he too came from an upper class family. "Even if you go by Bella," Fishy suggested.

"That would be fine," Bella relented.

"We should go talk to The Captain," Fishy suggested as Bella snuggled back into his arms.

"I'm not ready to face the world yet," Bella said, "Couldn't we just stay here?"

"Yes," Fishy said kissing and stroking her hair.

It was two years later, and The Wild Rose was anchored in at the Renegade Island. Bella was nearing the end of her pregnancy and nobody on the ship wanted to be the one to deliver the baby for her, so the captain decided that it would be best if they found a midwife to do the job.

Bella was lying in bed next to Fishy her huge stomach protruding under the blanket. The early winter morning was cold, even for the Caribbean, and Bella was worrying about the health of her unborn baby. Fishy woke then, and rolling over he placed his hand on her belly.

"That is going to be one fine lad when he is born," the young man said.

Bella grimaced, "Or girl," she said. She hoped that the baby would be a boy, not just for Fishy's sake. A boy would be more useful on the Wild Rose than a girl would, and the ship couldn't afford to keep those that were not absolutely necessary. Also a boy as a first child was considered good luck by the other pirates.

"Yes, or girl," Fishy consented grinning at his partner. Almost from the beginning the two had been considered a couple by the other pirates. Fishy had been fiercely protective of the young girl, not allowing anyone to do any harm by her. The had resulted in teasing directed at Fishy, but he didn't care. He had made a promise to Bella, and he as not about to break it. Bella was well liked among the crew. It had been a long time since they had had a female aboard the ship to help looked after them. Even though they were considered a couple long before, the two didn't even share their first kiss until months after Bella's arrival. Fishy had had to work up the courage all day. And now they were going to have their first child, and Fishy hoped for more.

It was then that the baby kicked. "Did you feel that?" Bella asked grinning at Fishy's startled face. No matter how many times he had felt the baby's kick Fishy had never gotten used to it.

"Yes," Fishy said, adding in a thoughtful tone, "It's hard to believe that in a matter of days that's going to be our child."

Bella didn't say anything, snuggling closer to Fishy. He leaned over and kissed her softly. He loved Bella so much. It was then that Bella grabbed at her stomach, "I don't think that the baby is going to wait a matter of days," she said urgently.

Fishy leapt out of bed and pulling on his pants he made for the rowboats screaming, "Somebody come quick and help me prepare the rowboat. Bella's having the baby." The ship seemed to come alive at that moment, pirates throwing open doors as they pulled on their clothes to fight against the cold winter's air.

Bella laughed silently to herself. It was just like Fishy to go into a frenzy like the one he was in now, and completely forget about what he should be doing. Bella heard someone telling him to 'go back to his wife' and to 'make sure Bella's okay'. That's exactly what Fishy did, scooping Bella up in his arms, despite her arguing that she could walk on her own two feet. He ceremoniously placed in in the rowboat, but by then she was experiencing a contraction and was unable to protest against her embarrassment.

On the short trip to shore Bella was only aware of the fact that Fishy was next to her, letting her squeeze his hand. He told her quietly to keep breathing steadily, because if she didn't she might forget to breathe at all, and that he didn't want to loose her. One of the other pirates (who was rowing) laughed a this, but Bella wasn't sure whom.

Upon reaching shore Bella heard someone say that they were going to run ahead and warn the midwife of their arrival, and that Fishy and Bella should make their way to the midwife's house as quickly as they could. The other two accompanying pirates announced that they were going to stay and guard the boat. Fishy laughed, and Bella knew that the two pirates were just terrified of experiencing a child being born. An she couldn't blame them, she was terrified herself.

"I'm scared," she whisper to Fishy as he carried her up to the small settlement.

"So am I," he responded, and Bella knew that he was telling the truth. She knew that he was scared of loosing her, and of the fact that he was going to be a father.

They managed to get to the midwife's cottage. Fishy had never met the old woman before. She probably had been tall, but her back was permanently hunched over. Her nose was crooked, but her eyes had a kind look to them. "Boil this here water," she order as soon as Fishy ha deposited Bella on the bed, "And you," she said pointing to the third pirate "You help him. The last thing I need is the two of you being underfoot, or even worse fainting."

The water boiled and was brought into the bedroom, but after that Fishy had nothing to do. He paced back and forth for hours, hearing Bella's cries of pain. The others brought him a drink from the pub, but Fishy refused, knowing that the taste of alcohol would probably make him throw up. Finally after it had grown dark, a cry was heard, followed by the cheer of four pirates. The midwife appeared minutes later carrying a small bundle, that was wriggling and crying. "Hold him under his head, yes like that," she encouraged.

"So I have a son?" Fishy asked, rocking the baby as he had seen done. The baby's cries subsided quickly.

"Yes a fine son," the midwife said quietly, "He was almost too big though. We almost lost the two of them.

"Bella!" Fishy cried jumping up quickly, which caused the baby to start crying again.

"Watch it," the midwife warned, "Fine give the baby here, and go and see your Bella. But don't wake her though she needs her rest."

Bella wasn't asleep though. She felt deathly tired and weak, but she had to see Fishy one more time, before she slept, in case it were her last. Fishy entered the bedroom, and upon seeing Bella awake he threw his arms around her.

"We have a son," Bella said weakly.

"I know," Fishy said.

"I want him to be called Richard," Bella said as her eyes gave way, and she fell asleep.

Fishy repeated the name quietly to himself. So Bella remembered their first conversation. She remembered that his name was, no is Richard. "My son's name is Richard," he announced after leaving the bedroom.

"A fine name," the old midwife said approvingly. As an after thought she added, "You know that Bella should bear no more children. She won't survive another ordeal such as this one. "

"I know," Fishy responded.