Chapter Four

Beatrice downed another drink and slammed it back down on the bar. She sighed and rested her head in her arms.

The bartender walked up to her and leaned against the bar, a smirk on his face. "That it for the night Bee?"

She waved a hand without looking up and held up a finger. "Unn or." Her response was muffled by her arms and bowed head.

"One more?" He asked. "You sure?"

She glared at him. "I didn't ask for your opinion Alan, I asked for another drink."

Alan nodded. "Coming right up."

She smiled a fake smile. "Thank you." She placed her head back on the bar and closed her eyes. Everything was kind of fuzzy around her, but her mind was still partly sharp and aware. She'd only been drinking for about an hour, which wasn't too long of a time compared to her previous bar visits that week.

There were signs of her becoming as big of a drunk as her father, but she didn't care. Like father like daughter as some said when they saw her, but it wasn't her fault. She was just so bored. No one would come to the shop because they knew what a drunk her father was, and they definitely wouldn't leave their weapons and such in the hands of a woman. She had nothing to do now that Will was gone.

There was no reason to make swords or stay in the shop. She had no friends to gossip with – none of the women in town actually liked her – and the only place left in town that was mildly entertaining and didn't discriminate against her gender was the bar near the harbor.

The sound of a heavy glass being placed on the bar made her look up. "'Ere ya go Bee." Alan said brightly.

"Thanks much." She mumbled. She reached out for the glass as she sat up and took a large drink. The taste was bitter but she was too used to the taste to notice. The glass was half empty when she put it down. Or was it half full? She wondered with a small smile playing on her lips.

"I must say I'm impressed."

Beatrice rolled her head in the direction the voice came from. A sailor had taken a seat behind her. He was leaning an arm against the bar and his cheek against his fist. She raised an eyebrow and turned her body in his direction, mirroring his position.

"With what may I ask?"

He laughed. "There are not many women that I know that can hold their drink as well as you can." He leaned towards her. "I've been enchanted since I walked in."

"So you should be for there is not a man or woman in this town who can, and may I ask the name of the man I enchanted?" She spoke the word sarcastically and gave him a smirk.

"Charles, and I think I'd like to take you up on that. My mates and I have a little drinking game going on. Would you like to join us?" He asked, motioning to the other side of the room. Beatrice followed his arm and noticed a two other sailors at the booth on the other side of the room. One nodded to her while the other lifted his glass.

"That is if you're not too busy drinking away any problems…."

"Beatrice. Oh don't get my reasons wrong. It's not because of sadness, but boredom actually. This town is so dull it can drive a girl to drinking." Beatrice grinned and lifted her glass to her lips.

Charles laughed. "Well then, let me assist you in escaping your boredom with a small drinking game."

She nodded and stood. "Alright, but I warn you, I'm not an easy competitor."

He placed a hand on the small of her back and led her to the table. "I like a challenge." He whispered in her ear.

"Outstanding!" She said happily as she slid into the booth across fro the other two soldiers. "Makes things all the more fun."

Charles sat beside her and patted the table. "And fun is good. Mates, this is Beatrice-"

"Bee for short." She interjected.

Charles nodded. "Bee it is. And these two are Fred and Henry. Why don't you get better acquainted while I get the drinks, ya?"

"Go for it." Beatrice said as Charles left. She turned back to the two across from her. "So I take it you're all sailors?"

Fred nodded and took a swig of his drink. "And proud of it. There's no finer job than that of a sailor."

"Can see the world that way." Henry said wistfully, stroking the stubble on his chin. "There's nothing better than to watch the sun rise over a horizon of blue, getting the intense feeling of freedom from it."

"Sounds beautiful." Beatrice said feeling an ounce of jealousy. "But I heard being a soldier isn't that bad of an occupation either."

Henry banged the table, causing Beatrice to jump. "A soldier? Bunch of low life jackasses they are!"

Fred nodded. "Yeah, they are just low life arrogant gits. Thinkin' they can tell us what to do on our bloody ship! They may be employed along side the Navy but they're on our turf on the sea."

"Oh." Beatrice muttered. "I always thought that the soldiers and sailors had a sort of agreement when it came to things."

Henry snorted and pointed at her. "Where do you think those stinkin' soldiers would be without us? At the bottom of the ocean, that's where."

"Have you ever seen a soldier try an' put up a mast? They just get tangled in the ropes. The soldiers might get all the credit for their sea voyages, but it's us that do all the work!" Fred said passionately.

Beatrice nodded. "Makes sense, but what about the commodore and the captains? Surely they know how things work?"

"Sure." Fred shrugged. "It's required for the positions to have naval and military training, but do you really expect them to do any work on the ship?"

Henry shook his head. "They stay in their quarters looking at maps and going over plans. Probably why they aren't able to see the bastards their soldiers are."

Beatrice banged her fist on the table. "Bunch of bastards!"

"Here, here!" The two sailors agreed.

"Are they ranting to you?" Charles asked as he placed a large tray of drinks on the table.

Beatrice grabbed a glass to replace her now empty mug. "Nah, they're just informing the unaware of the subtle difference of sailors and soldiers."

"Bunch of bastards and all that?" Charles asked as he handed Henry and Fred another drink as well. They nodded all nodded. He took a seat beside Beatrice. "Ah, well, too true."

"You know, after this conversation I'm thinking about going on a sea trip. Sounds fun." Beatrice said thoughtfully.

"Oh, well don't be fooled by our easy talk, sailing is harder than it seems." Henry warned.

"The more challenging things make life fun." Beatrice stared at the three men confidently and tapped her fingers on the side of her mug. "Alright sailors, are we going to just sit here gushing over those soldiers or are we going to get this game going?"

Henry laughed loudly. "I like this girl Charles, you know how to pick 'em."

Beatrice smirked. "I don't think you'll be saying that after I whoop you all."

"Well that doesn't sound that bad at all." Fred said wiggling his eyebrows.

Charles shot him a look. "None of that Fred."

Fred held up his hands. "I get it. Off limits. But next time it's my turn."

Beatrice had no idea what they were talking about, but shrugged it off and lifted her drink. "You fellows ready?"

"Prepare to lose girly." Henry said as he lifted his own drink, Fred and Charles following their lead. Charles pushed the tray of drinks to the middle of the table. "Right, one with the most empty mugs wins. Go!"

Beatrice drank so fast she nearly chocked, but kept going. There was no point to the game. She knew that if she won she wouldn't get anything, but doing something for the fun of it was better than doing nothing. Besides, drinking with some sailors would take her mind off her boredom. Nothing bad could come from having fun with some new friends.

Beatrice giggled and leaned heavily against Charles. She stumbled as she walked, but he placed an arm around her waist. He wasn't quite as tipsy as Beatrice was. She laughed again at nothing in particular and slung an arm around Charles's shoulders. "I told you I'd win. You guys didn't even stand a chance."

Charles nodded. "Guess I should have listened."

She nodded dramatically and lifted her other arm. "I know! I was halfway through the drinks when you all finished your third. What kind of sailors are you?"

Charles laughed. "Are you implying that sailors are drunks?"

"No…" She paused and lifted a finger, blinking rapidly. "You're just very bad at drinking! And what k-kinda sailors go home early? Why…" She swayed and Charles held her tighter. "Why couldn't Fred and Henry stay longer?"

"Because they knew it's my turn." He said simply.

Beatrice opened her mouth and looked up at him, his face slightly blurry. She suddenly began laughing again. "Why do I get the feeling that you're not as drunk as I am?"

"It's because I'm not as drunk as you. You've drunk a lot more than the rest of us." He said with amusement.

Beatrice giggled and broke away from him, spinning around with clumsy steps. "And that's why I am victorious!" She tripped and fell backwards onto her back. She laughed loudly.

Charles stared down at her, a smile playing at his lips. "You alright?"

"What shall we do when we're broke and busted? Blame it all on the drunken sailor!" She sang loudly.

Charles shook his head and helped her back up. He continued walking as Beatrice continued to sing.

"What'll we do with a drunken sailor? What'll we do with a drunken sailor? What'll we do with a drunken sailor?! Earl-aye in the morning?" She sang out the last word loudly and off pitch. Charles cringed. She smiled and leaned her head on Charles's shoulder. Blinking slowly she looked around. Everything was fuzzy, but part of her could still comprehend that she had no idea where she was.

"Charles?"

"Hmm?"

"Where are we going?"

"I'm taking you to my place." He said. "Near the harbor."

Beatrice pouted. "But I want to go home."

"I don't know where you live though." He said. "Do you know where you live?"

"Of course I do!" She said affronted. She hiccuped. "I live…umm…that away!" She pointed in a random direction, stumbling as she did. Charles caught her and laughed.

"Exactly. Beside we'll have much more fun at my place." He said mischievously.

She stopped and stared up at him owlishly. "Fun?" She grinned. "I like fun."

He smirked and wrapped both arms around her, pulling her closer. "Good, because I plan on having a lot with you tonight."

Beatrice furrowed her eyebrows and leaned away from him. "Um, Charles... What'cha doin'?"

"Nothing." He said huskily. "Just having a little fun."

She tried to pull away. "I don't think I want to have fun anymore."

Charles laughed, but Beatrice didn't see what was so amusing. He backed her into the wall of the nearest building, his lips connecting with the side of her neck. She giggled as his beard tickled the side of her face and she tried to push him away again.

"Come on Charles, stop."

"No can do Bee." He looked down at her. "It's my turn."

She shook her head. "Turn? What?"

His hands played with the bottom of her shirt. "Right before we cast off on a long journey Henry, Fred, and I go out to the bar and try finding some girls for one last fling. And if there aren't enough girls for all of us only one of us gets her. This time was my turn." She grinned at her and leaned down to kiss her.

Charles leaned back after a moment and she stared up at him, shocked. "You… You…"

He smiled and traced her jaw with the back of his hand. "I just couldn't wait until I got you home to do that. You're the best find so far I think. You never stop to amuse me."

"Okay…" She glanced around and tried to push him away again. "So now that you've done it can I go back to town? I think I remember where I live now."

He laughed quietly. "See, hilarious. I'm far from done with you." He leaned down again.

She avoided his lips. "But can't you find someone else?"

"Too late now. I ship off tomorrow." He said leaning in again.

She placed her hand over his mouth. "Can't you wait till you make port to find some other girl?"

He moved her hand. "But I want you, now." Beatrice opened her mouth, but Charles cut her off. "No, no more talking. I only have so much time and you're so drunk you won't even remember."

He kissed her again and she shook her head. His lips were rough and his scruffy beard scratched against her face uncomfortably. She felt his hand sliding up her sides and she made a noise in the back of her throat. He leaned back and smiled, but cringed when she kicked him. He pulled back and when he did she took a deep breath and screamed. He covered her mouth and she used her free hand to punch him in the face.

Charles cried out and backed away, giving Beatrice an opportunity to run. She stumbled but miraculously kept her balance and got some distance away from Charles. She heard him yell, but didn't stop and didn't look back, and refused to trip. She would not be a victim to some horny sailor.

Beatrice gasped as a weight hit her hard and sent her tumbling to the ground. Charles had thrown himself on her and they both ended up on the ground, Beatrice getting a mouthful of dirt. Charles panted and flipped her around, glaring down at her.

"You're not getting away."

Beatrice glared. "Really man, it's just sex. Is it really that important to you?"

"It'd be important to you too if you were about to ship out and wouldn't see a woman for a long time." Charles said angrily.

Beatrice sighed. "I'm sure it won't be that long." She lifted a finger and waved it in his face. "Oh, I have a great idea. Why don't you just wait until you actually find a woman who wants you and have sex with her?!"

Charles pinned her hands down. "No, and besides, I want you." He leaned down again and started kissing her neck. "And it will be much easier for you if you don't fight."

"Oh." It took a moment for Beatrice's mind to come up with something. His lips were right above hers when she yelled out. "Wait! I agree!"

Charles paused and looked at her. "What?"

She nodded. "I agree, but only if we go to your place. I don't want this to happen in the street."

He slowly smiled and sat up. "Fine." He stood quickly and brought her up with him. "Let's go." He said eagerly.

He started walking, but Beatrice dragged her feet. "Wait!"

"What?" He said impatiently.

Beatrice didn't answer. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. Charles was surprised, but got over it quickly and kissed her back, closing his eyes. Beatrice kept her eyes open and looked around bored. He wasn't that good of a kisser, but then again she only had James to compare him to. She gave him a second longer before catching him off guard and kicking him hard between the legs. He cried out and as he fell she pushed him away and backed away.

She laughed at his expense, finding the situation funnier than it probably was. "Well that's what you get!"

Charles growled and glared at her. Beatrice noticed he was recovering faster than she hoped and her eyes widened. "Uh oh." She turned and ran, only to run into something hard. She fell back, but two arms wrapped around her waist to steady her. She stared at the man's chest and looked up slowly, hoping it wasn't one of Charles friends coming back to assist him.

"Beatrice?"

She gasped. "Groves." She looked behind her and saw Charles was getting up. Beatrice quickly hid behind Groves and pointed to Charles. "Quick Groves, he's trying to have fun with me!"

Groves glanced at her and then looked down at Charles, a hard look in his eyes. "Sailor Bent, what are you doing out so late? We are shipping out tomorrow morning and I do not think staying out late drinking is smart."

"Yeah!" Beatrice added. "Or trying to pick up random women at a bar. You never know what you can get that way."

Groves held up a hand and she quieted down. He glared down at Charles again. "It would be best if you returned home or you'll find yourself too hung over to make it to the ship on time. Go, now."

Charles stood, wincing as he did and glaring at Groves, but nodded nonetheless. "Aye, Captain." He turned and limped down the street, turning occasionally to glare, but once he was gone Beatrice smiled and patted Groves hard on the back.

"Well, thanks. I should get going now." She started forward, but tripped. Groves caught her again and chuckled.

"I think it would be best if I walked you home." He said.

Beatrice sighed and slumped over. "Fine." She poked his chest and glared sternly. "But no fun, got it?"

Groves nodded seriously. "I promise."

Beatrice smiled and linked her arm though his. "Lead the way, because I don't remember where I live."

Groves laughed. "Alright."

The walk back was uneventful and Beatrice spent the time talking about everything that came to mind. When they arrived at the blacksmith Groves let her go and smiled down at her. Beatrice smiled back.

"Thank you and goodbye Groves. I hope you have a safe journey looking for Elizabeth."

Groves placed a hand on her cheek. "Thank you Beatrice, and please, call me Jacob."

Beatrice nodded. "Okay. You know what Jacob, I've been thinking about taking a trip, away from Port Royal, so if I don't see you in a while…" She shook his hand. "Farewell."

Jacob laughed. "And where are you going?"

Beatrice placed a finger on his lips. "Shh, it's a secret."

He nodded. "Alright. Then farewell."

She gave him a tight friendly hug. "Goodnight!" She let go and quickly entered the blacksmith and headed to her room. She fell back on her bed and didn't even bother getting under the covers or changing her clothes before falling asleep.

Beatrice opened her eyes and immediately groaned. "Bloody hell, my head!" She blocked her eyes from the sun with her hands and tried to remember what happened the night before and how she got home, but she was drawing a blank. She remembered talking to the sailors, then drinking with the sailors and getting so pissed she couldn't walk straight. Then after that…

"Oh well, guess it's not that important. Henry, Fred, and Charles are all probably aboard the Dauntless and heading out." She moved her hand and sighed, staring at the ceiling.

"I have to get out of this place. I can't just spend my time becoming a drunk with sailors." She thought for a moment and suddenly an idea crossed her aching head. She sat up in a flash.

"I got it!"

She groaned as the room spun and she laid back down. "Ow, my head. Later. I got it later." She threw the covers over her head and went back to sleep to sleep off her hangover.