Disclaimer/Summary: See first chapter.
A/N: Mouse – Yeah, by this point, they must care for each other a little, despite what they pretend.
Loyalty
September 7
Maturin operated on Jack yesterday. He isn't dead yet, but he hasn't moved or said anything, either.
September 9
This morning we were greeted with cries of "But why is the rum gone?" Looks like Jack'll make it. Maturin felt sorry for Jack and fed him a dose of laudanum, in absence of rum.
September 12
We've spotted a frigate off our stern. Everyone agrees it's most probably the Surprise. Maturin is especially hopeful, though he concedes that he would miss Cotton's parrot and the undead monkey if rescued.
September 14
Sparrow playing game with Surprise. Allows them to get short and then bolts on ahead. He seems to be enjoying it, even if the rest of us are not.
I suppose he'll lose them in the long run. The Pearl is quite fast, after all, and the captains have decided that since the doctor saved Sparrow's life, we have to keep him. Doctor v. annoyed and regretting successful operation.
September 15
Lost a game of poker.
September 16
Storm repairs complete. The carpenters say we've all but run out off good wood, and next time we face a similar storm, we'd better be close enough to land to get some more.
September 18
The Surprise is still dogging us, staying right on our tails. Sparrow is growing tired of his little game and says if we can't outdistance them in two days, we'll turn about and drive them off. Dr. Maturin was understandably alarmed at this, and cornered me to solicit my help.
"You were a member of the Royal Navy," he said. "The other crew members said so. How can you possibly fire on one of England's ships now?"
"England abandoned me whenever it was convenient. I've never had that problem here."
"Oh, I see. A tragic back-story." He scowled at me. "Well, I have a back-story, too, and while I was not always loyal to England, I have always stood by my friends. Isn't there anyone you feel that way about?"
I thought of my one-time fiancé, Elizabeth Turner, nee Swann. Unless she somehow found the Fountain of Youth herself, she was probably long dead. But I always loved her, and I would have done anything to protect her, regardless of duty. "There was."
"So, you have no sense of devotion to anyone here, I trust? After all, what honor is there amongst thieves?"
I pursed my lips and considered what he was asking of me. After a long pause, I replied, "Yes, they are thieves, but sometimes… at very rare times… they can be very good men. I'm sorry, but I must stand by my captains and my fellow crewmembers."
"I'm sorry, too," Stephen replied, "for when Jack and the others come to rescue me, I doubt they will show any mercy to my captors."
"I understand." That said, I locked Dr. Maturin in the brig until we resolved the situation with the H.M.S. Surprise. He hasn't said a word to me since.