Chapter 7
The next morning they awoke together in the sand, hungover.
"We have to stop sleeping like this," Tora said with a slight groan as she got up. "I happen to like my bed."
"I happen to like waking up with you on the ground," he replied, grinning.
"How about waking up with me in a bed?"
"I dunno, love, might take some of the fun out of it," he said with a wink. He kissed her and she let him for a minute before pushing him away.
"Take me back to my ship, please. I need coffee," she said.
"I think you might be addicted," he replied and she punched him on the arm. "Ow!"
The trip back to the port took twice as long as the trip to Jack's secret place, or so it seemed to Tora. When they were approaching The Raven, Tora spotted the outline of a man leaning against the railing. She wasn't worried. There was only one person who Saida would allow on the boat in her absence.
The figure had disappeared by the time they reached the dock, however. When Jack had tied off the little rowboat, they got out and started towards her ship. She soon saw that Nate was standing on the dock, talking to a man she didn't recognize.
"Nate," she greeted as they approached. Nate looked at her, his eyes lingering on the dress and smirking ever-so-slightly.
"Captain," he responded with a quick nod. The other man's eyes got wide as he looked at Tora, then at Jack.
"Gibbs," Jack said.
"Mother's love, Jack - you're clean!"
Nate smiled at the ground, trying not to laugh.
"Aye," Jack said gloomily. "It's in the code."
"What code? Not the pirate's code!" Gibbs exclaimed. "…I don't think I've ever seen ye so clean, Jack. Like a baby's bottom."
He reached out to touch Jack's face and Jack slapped his hand away.
"That would be my code, Mr. Gibbs," Tora said, extending her hand. "Captain Tora Frost."
Gibbs shook her hand in a sort-of stunned way.
"A girl Captain?" he said aloud.
"Is that a problem?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
"No," Jack said, glaring pointedly at Gibbs. "It's not."
"It's not," Gibbs agreed. "Just caught me a bit unawares."
"Would you like to come aboard my ship, Mr. Gibbs?"
"I was just admiring her," he said with a nod.
Tora led the three men aboard. Gibbs let out a whistle as he looked around. Saida came out of the shadows to examine the newcomer and Gibbs just about wet his pants.
"Holy mother of pearl!" he exclaimed, jumping back.
Tora laughed as she scratched the big cat's ears and knelt to kiss the tip of her head.
"What is that?" Gibbs asked in awe.
"This is Saida. She's a Siberian tiger. She helps guard my ship," Tora explained.
"I'll bet," he said, standing stock-still while the tiger sniffed his boots and studied him scrutinously. She eventually lost interest. She walked past Jack with a low, half-hearted growl, then sat at Tora's side.
"Do you want to see my code?" Tora asked, leading them over to a wall where a plank of wood was nailed. Carved in the wood was the following:
Code of the Crew following under the Captain Tora Frost:
Anyone who wishes to sail under the captain will submit to inspection.
Those who pass the inspection will swear their loyalty to the captain by their own blood.
No one will enter the Captain's cabin without permission.
Whoever first spots the sails of a target ship, gets the best weapon aboard.
The Captain gets half the loot and first pick. The First Mate will receive two shares and will have the charge of delegating the remainder of the loot equally amongst the crew.
Anyone that should have the misfortune to lose a limb in time of Engagement, shall have the sum of 600 pieces of Eight, and remain aboard as long as he shall think fit.
Anyone who consents to sail under the captain will agree to wash every time the ship makes port.
In absence of the Captain, the crew will report to the first-mate.
Every man has a vote in affairs of moment; has equal title to the fresh provisions, or strong liquors, at any time seized, and may use them at their leisure, unless a scarcity makes it necessary to vote a retrenchment.
Everyone aboard must keep their piece, pistols, and cutlass clean and fit for service.
Any quarrels amongst the crew are to be ended on shore, at sword and pistol.
If any Man shall offer to run away, or keep any Secret from the Company, he shall be marooned with one Bottle of Powder, one Bottle of Water, one small Arm, and Shot.
If at any time you meet with a prudent Woman, that Man that offers to meddle with her, without her Consent, shall suffer present Death in the most gruesome way the Captain shall choose.
Punishment for any violation of the code will be decided by the Captain.
Underneath the code were the names of the crew, written in blood. Some were scratched out, having left the crew for some reason or other. In the center of all the names at the bottom was Saida's paw print. Tora's name was also written in blood, at the top. Jack and Gibbs were both reading it with thoughtful looks on their faces.
"I could live with it," Gibbs said. "If not for the washing part."
"No woman wants to be with a man who smells like a pig's asshole," Nate said reasoningly.
"Fair enough," Gibbs said with a slight nod.
"Were you looking for me for any reason in particular, Nate?" Tora asked him.
"Oh right. A few of the crew were wondering when you were planning to leave, Captain?" he asked.
"Hm…I haven't decided yet. Perhaps Saturday. Surely they aren't complaining about leave?"
"No, ma'am, just curious," he said, inclining his head. "I'll let them know."
Nate left the ship, leaving the three of them standing there. Gibbs was looking absently about, admiring the Raven. Jack cleared his throat and Gibbs started.
"Hm? Oh…Oh, I'll just be…going," he said quickly and left the ship. Tora smiled at Jack and went below deck to fetch some coffee. When she returned, Jack was doing something to her code. She walked over and saw that he had cut his finger with a blade and had drawn a wonky heart beneath her name.
"What'd you go and do that for?" she asked, scowling.
"I was just leaving my mark on you."
"What makes you think I want your mark on me," she said haughtily.
"You wanted my mark last night," he said, grinning.
"Wanting sex and wanting you claiming me is not the same thing," she said.
"I don't know how I feel about that," he said, frowning. "Feels like you're using me. That's backwards. …I think I like it."
"Get rid of that," Tora said, gesturing towards the heart. "I don't want a heart under my name where everyone can see. It makes me look weak."
"Fine," he said. He spit on his thumb and rubbed at the bloody heart until it was a shapeless smear.
"There," he said.
"Now I just have a random shapeless blob under my name," she said, half-smiling.
"An endless black pit, sucking in everything around you," he said. "Very fearsome."
Her smile morphed into a real one and she laughed.
"There's a touch of the poet in you, Captain Sparrow."
He was silent a moment.
"You're trying to find a way to make a sex joke out of that, aren't you?" she said.
"Uh…no, not at all," he said, obviously lying. He walked to the other side of the boat. He leaned over the rail, looking out at the sea.
"I'd love to go out on the water with you," he said.
"Well then let's go out on the Pearl."
"Can't do that, love. The Pearl is a large and magnificent vessel. It requires a number of strong men to…man it," he replied.
"Well…I suppose I could take you out. On my ship."
"What?"
"Yes. It only takes two bodies to man The Raven. And besides, you've taken me two places. Now it's my turn. Think you can handle taking orders from a woman?"
"On this ship, you are the captain," he said, taking his hat off and putting it on her head.
"Alright… On your feet, you blackguard! Untie us from the dock and prepare the top sails."
"Aye, Captain," he said with a smirk.