Chapter 8: 1743 A Flight in the Dark

Chaos and confusion prevailed aboard the "HMS Vengeance". Still no one was able to explain wherefrom the offender came all of the sudden. The black galleon appeared out of the dark and without making any noise and they opened fire nearly the same moment without revealing their identity.

High above the deck at the main mast waved the skull and crossbones – on red ground. Every single man aboard knew what this meant: The Captain of that pirate vessel wasn't in a temper for negotiation and nothing but smoldering debris would remain of the warship if, yes if the the men wouldn't finally find their courage again.

Tomlinson hastened to the deck, only dressed in his shirt and his pants, with bare head and without his uniform, trying to get into his boots while he ran over to the stern. No one dared to step in his way when he jumped up the stairs to the helm frowning like a tropical storm and with his cheeks reddened from anger.

"What's going on here! Bring her out of the fireline! Immediately! Otherwise I will have you keelhauled! Got me?"

Tomlinson bawled at his helmsman who just shrugged and pointed towards the stern of the "Vengeance" and replied: "Sir! There is no way to get her out of the fireline! Have a look on your own! We may thank our stars if I will be able to hold her on her course in any way thinkable and possible! I'm sorry, Sir, but we're disabled!"

"What do you want to tell me? Those pirates are with one ship! They're not even able to take us under crossfire! How can they disable a warship of the Royal Navy if they're all alone? They neither outgun nor outman us!"

"Sir, it is like I just told you! I'm sorry!"

With an angry snort Tomlinson jumped down the stairs again and found himself immediately mingled within a fight to death and by and by he got aware that there was something going on which he lightheaded missed to take it into consideration.

Underneath the cut and tumbled masts there lay several of his men – wounded to death or not even able to move or to free themselves any more.

Some barrels standing on the deck sprung leaks and drained off. They were filled to the brim with pitch, meant to preserve the dead body of that hanged pirate until they would have reached London. Now it caught fire and enlightened the nightly scenery.

The flames caused eerie shadows and Tomlinson fumed inwardly. All his plans were doomed to failure ere he was actually able to carry them into effect. If he would lose the ship he would more probably than not lose his status as the leader of the East India Trading Company.

Just when he feared he might lose everything he heard the familiar voice of a woman: "Start searching for the Captain! He's aboard this vessel and I will not leave without him. As soon as you found him inform me immediately! And now hurry!"

Within the first moment Tomlinson was convinced that this could only be an illusion but without any doubt it wasn't that way. The woman was no hallucination, she was real!

Totally dressed in black, her hair hidden underneath a bandana, sword, cutlass and pistol within her hand and at her belt she cleaved through the debris, the wounded and the death.

For about more than fifteen years he had been convinced that she must be dead long ago.

Did he not see with his own eyes when the "Wicked Wench" burst into flames? Did not Lord Beckett order that pirate lass to be left behind aboard?

No!

Caithleen Stevens, the beautiful and strong-minded lover of his former Captain and current prisoner – Jack Sparrow – was for sure not a hallucination!

She was still alive and Tomlinson understood that there was only one single reason why she took the risk to attack an English warship all alone:

Caithleen Stevens was here to save her beloved Jack Sparrow!

An icy smile found its way to his lips and he knew how he possibly would be able to use this as a vantage for his own...


Caithleen used her sleeve to wipe her face clean from sweat, smut and blood. She was tired and the strain showed up upon her features while she, still the same vigilantly and venturously, hurried over the deck of the "HMS Vengeance", always aimed to avoid debris, bullets and the next blade waiting for her at the next corner.

She pulled her bandana off her head and used it to wrap it round her palm to cover a deep cut she got during one of those nearly uncountable duels she went through since they boarded the warship. Meanwhile she was convinced that it wasn't her best idea to grasp for the blade with her bare hand and with a sarcastic grin she monished herself never again to do something stupid like that.

Within the same moment she hastened round another corner just to stand rooted to the ground within the same breath. In front of her stood a young man – still nearly a child. For sure he wasn't twenty at all and he gazed at her out of wide opened eyes. Fear was shown within them and his trembling hand desperately clutched his pistol. He raised his hand to aim at Caithleen and she got aware that his left tried to cover a wound in his side. Blood poured out of it and ran through his fingers.

"Who are you?" The boy asked with a silent and quivering voice while he tried to hide his fear.

"I search for someone! He's aboard this vessel and I don't know where to search for him! He's the man I love, you know, but I can't find him." Caithleen looked openly into his face. She wasn't able to belie him or to fool him.

"Where is he?" The boy beheld her – the same curious and distrustful – the whole time troubled not to show her that he was afraid and that he suffered from pain.

"They imprisoned him in a cell and I'm afraid they tortured him!" Caithleen did not know if it was wise to tell him the truth or not but she felt she had no other choice. She had just this one single chance left and it was the only way to save her's and Jack's life.

"You're a piratess, aren't you?" The boy still stared at her in surprise and disbelief.

"Aye! That's true!" Caithleen lowered her gaze and after a few moments she pointed at his side: "You got hurt. What happened to..."

"Keep quiet! Please! Don't dare to come up to me! I'll shoot! Did you get me? I'll shoot!"

He armed his pistol but Caithleen pushed her sword back to her belt: "You're not my enemy, young man. I don't want to harm you! All I want is to find my beloved. If I will not find him, I will lose him, because he certainly will die..."

"He's also just a pirate! What does a pirate know about love!"

"I would die for him! I would sacrifice everything I own to save him!" She gazed at him and continued: "I suppose you have a girl too. Who is she? Is she a pretty one?"

"That's a trick! Stay away from me or I have to shoot you! I don't want to do it but if you dare to come closer you'll leave me no choice! You're nothing but a piratess..." His hand still trembled and he moved back some steps.

"You're aware how it feels to love a pretty girl. So I beg for only one favor – take me to my love. Please! No one will ever come to know anything about it." Caithleen reached out her hand: "Give me that bloody pistol!"

The boy shook his head. He pulled the trigger but nothing happened. Whatever the reason was – supposedly the powder got wet or he had already fired before – the only sound which was to hear was the click of the trigger...

While the boy stared at his weapon in absolute confusion Caithleen grabbed his arm and dragged him with her into the light of a lantern. He did not struggle against her touch when she pushed his uniform aside. She frowned because what she saw did not please her. A bullet hit the boy somewhen earlier and he already lost a not even small amount of blood. She did not hesitate but pulled her bandana off her palm again and wrapped it round the slender body of the boy.

"For sure you've a doctor aboard, am I right?" Caithleen looked into his face and he nodded: "That's good! Want you to have a visit with him. Aye? I'm sure you want to see your girl again. So hurry, son. I'll find my love on my own..."

The boy hesitated for a moment then he suddenly grasped her hand and dragged her with him: "Come with me! The cells are below..."


When the first broadside smashed into the "HMS Vengeance" Jack was convinced that he would once again not end up at the gallows. If there was a thing he would find out amongst thousands it would be the guns of his beloved "Black Pearl" and there was only one single person aboard who was supposed to convince his crew in following the warship.

Caithleen was a fool, she was crazy to take the risk of fighting a heavy armed English warship all alone but he knew no one and nothing would have been able to hold her back from doing so – and that was why he loved her.

She was an image of him – mad and passionate...

A grim smile appeared upon his lips when he thought of Tomlinson.

The English must still be convinced that Caithleen Stevens was dead. To come across her right here, right upon his vessel into the bargain midst the night and as a Captain of a ghost ship would not really please him.

Jack's smile died away as fast as it appeared. Another thought came to his mind. If Tomlinson really recognized Caithleen he would for sure try whatever possible to finish what Lord Beckett missed to end – that would be to kill her...

"Oh Bugger!" A curse slipped over Jack's lips when he tried to get up. The fresh wounds upon his back still felt as if they want to tear him apart.

He bit his lips and tried to forget about the pain – with rather less success. It cost him quite an effort to make another try to get up but finally he made it and as fast as possible he forced himself into his shirt and into his boots.

He had a rapid look around and started feverishly to search for something which could be a help with a try to open that bloody cell door. Pry it open, force it open – he did not care about the how the main thing was that it helped him to get out of the cell and that it helped him to find his weapons, his compass, his tricorn and his coat!

He knew Tomlinson would keep his belongings within the Captain's cabin. A kind of trophy which would remind him of the notorious pirate he wanted to meet the gallows!

Jack shivered while thinking of such morbid kind of behavior then he started searching his cell once again. With a sigh he had to realize that there was neither a key hidden within it nor something else he could use to open the door.

His confidence already started to die away when a hand reached through the bars which fingers played with a bunch of keys: "Take these! Think it's what you're searching for! It'll be much easier to open this cell while using them..."

He raised his head and had a direct look into a pair of shiny gray eyes: "Caithleen!"

"Aye! It's me! Did you think I would leave that comfortable passage to London to you all alone? Oh, no, Jack Sparrow, that would not have worked as I fear. Even if I'm not really interested in having another visit with the town. You remember those uncomely encounters we had last time...?" She gave him a smile and added: "But enough of that idle talk! I would feel much better if you could hurry just a little. I always start getting nervous while thinking of English warships as you for sure can imagine..."

"Don't worry, love! Within a split second I will take you back aboard the "Pearl" – means as soon as I will have found that bloody key. Aye?"

"I don't think we'll have enough time to try them all!" Without further ado Caithleen drew her pistol, aimed at the lock and shot: "Let's take the shortcut and vanish from..."

She did not succeed in finishing her last sentence because prior to that Jack dragged her into his arms and covered her lips with his kissing her passionately. He closed his eyes and surrendered for a moment to the warmth of her body and the longing he felt for her, then when he opened them again he remarked with a grin: "That was worth the try, love! You're really real! So to say! You know, I almost doubted it. Well then, let's make our exit!"

He just wanted to leave the cell when he nearly stumbled into the young man with this alarmingly pale face who leaned against the wall within the narrow corridor: "Oi! Who's that, love? Where did you find that exsanguinous fellow? He looks bloody awful!"

Caithleen turned round: "You should be grateful that I came across him. Without his help I would possibly never have found you. He's in need for a doctor..."

"I fear, I'm in need for one as well, love, and I think it's really time to make our exit until I will think it over once again."

Jack grasped her hand and his gaze met hers. The same moment she understood what is was he wanted to tell her. It needed no additional words – the pain got mirrored within his eyes.

"I agree! Let's hurry..."


Jack and Caithleen just went up the stairs to get to the deck – still accompanied by that scared boy – when they almost stumbled into Hawke and Prue.

"For heaven's sake, Prue, put that pistol away before you'll shoot one of us!" Caithleen winced nearly jumping out of her skin.

"I'm sorry, Caith, but the second sight is one of those talents I do not own so far!" Prue explained then she turned over to Hawke: "And you'll better not telling me once again that you're in the know where to search for the cells aboard an English warship, Brian Hawke!"

"Ladies! Is it possible that you will discuss this for sure really important issue as soon as we're back aboard the "Pearl"? Don't want to scare you but we're still aboard that warship and I can assure you I'm not intended to utilize the legendary English hospitality much longer than I already got forced to. Savvy?" Jack pointed at the plank which connected both ships.

Caithleen nodded. She turned round and yelled: "All hands back aboard the "Pearl"! Hurry! I want movement! Cut the lines and let's leave these waters!"

While the crew hurried back aboard the "Pearl" a frosty voice was to hear behind them: "Captain Stevens!"

The unexpected call let them both turn towards the man who yelled at them – Prudence as well as Caithleen. It was Tomlinson and Caithleen reacted instinctively when she got aware that he was confused because of the fact that both women felt addressed by him: "Jack! Take the boy aboard! Hurry!"

He did not give her a reply but pushed the boy over the plank until they both reached the "Black Pearl". Shortly after he heard Brian Hawke shout: "Run!"

Several shots cracked while Caithleen, Prue and finally Hawke hurried over the plank to get aboard the "Pearl".

It needed only a split second and the legendary pirate vessel set full canvas.

Caithleen looked at Jack: "Orders, Captain?"

He gave her a grin and replied: "I think you should take your leave of them with another broadside, love! Commander Tomlinson shall remember you as the most fearsome pirate lass he ever came across!" He gave her a wink and added: "Afterwards I would think it's time to bring her into the wind. Aye?"

"Aye, Captain!"

While Jack took the boy below now Caithleen jumped up to the helm: "You heard the Captain! Prepare one last broadside and then let's get out of here!"

Her hands flew over the helm while once again the cannons roared then the "Black Pearl" veered into the wind and vanished within the night like a shadow in the dark.


Dawn had already broken when Caithleen stumbled into the Captain's cabin – tired, dirty and totally exhausted. Jack just managed to catch her when she wasn't able any more to keep herself up: "Oi! Not that fast, love! Even if I'm in the know about my extraordinary and devastatingly talent concerning the hidden desires of a beautiful woman – means your hidden desires, love – you should still wait until we have reached the berth. Seems to me to be much more comfortable. Aye?"

She wrapped her arms round him and gazed at him with a shy smile: "You're right, my beloved Captain! Although I fear there is only one single wish I would love to see fulfilled at the moment – me and you together within this berth, sleeping – as close to each other as possible – making love – if we're not too tired – and sleeping again. And all of this together for at least two days."

"Oh! Good! Sounds exactly like what I already had in mind. Don't think that I'll might be too tired to cause you some pleasure, love!" His eyes sparkled within the candlelight: "I promise..."

Caithleen beheld him with a smile. He was unique! Although he was tired and exhausted as well he still tried to seduce her. He was really irresistible...

Her hand gently caressed his cheek then she leaned her brow against his and whispered: "You're alive, Jack Sparrow! This is the only thing that is important to me! You're alive! For a while I was convinced that I lost you..."

They remained where they stood, tightly embraced, close to each other, motionless until they remembered that it wasn't time to rest yet.

"Which course do we sail?" Jack asked although he already knew the answer.

"Back to the Caribbean!" Caithleen replied: "In addition we have to store fresh water and supplies and we should search for a doctor, even if we lost much less men as I feared. But there are more than enough wounds I would think our self-proclaimed medico will be overstrained with."

"There's not much to find within these waters, but we'll make a try." Jack looked into her eyes: "Oh, and before I will forget about it: What do you have in mind concerning the boy, love?"

"I'm not quite sure at the moment. Where is he?"

"I thought by myself for you'll sleep together with me within my berth anyway – well, you know what I want to explain to you, eh?" He cleared his throat: "He's within your cabin, love, and he sleeps now."

"Well done! What's with that bullet?"

"It still stucks! I tried to get it out but I fear that's where my talents end."

"And you?" Caithleen pointed at his back where still some dark spots of fresh blood soaked his shirt.

Jack kept silent and avoided her gaze but let it happen that she pulled his shirt and his bandana off. Without saying a word she pushed him over to his berth and forced him to sit down then she grasped the bowl with fresh water standing upon the table and searched for some pieces of cloth.

Carefully she started to clean his face and the fresh wounds upon his back. He did neither say a word nor did he scream but Caithleen saw him wince when she touched him. She knew how it felt and she knew that even her gentle touch caused him pain...

She hurried to relieve him then she started to wash the dried blood out of his hair.

After a while Jack took the water bowl out of her hand and dragged her in his arms again. He struck some dark curls out of her face and kissed her gently and softly while he had another deep look into her eyes: "I love you, Caithleen Stevens...More than you can imagine..."


***Enjoy***R & R***Constructive Critisism Appreciated***