The Late Lady Kenna Bordeaux

Jack was too drunk to function. He never got this drunk. He usually had a high tolerance of alcohol. He clearly had exceeded that limit. The world was spinning. He walked into things, he sounded as if he were speaking another language his words were so slurred, his head pounded, his stomach churned and he felt terribly confident, despite how awful he felt. Kenna would not leave his mind. He had tried to drink her away, but that had only made it worse. Now he was drunk and sad. Why hadn't Kenna come with him?

She'd been afraid. She didn't believe in her own courage, the courage that he saw within her. She was strong and brave. She could've gone with him. But she had doubted. And now, Jack was left to pick up the pieces of himself. Damn her! Jack hated this. He was supposed to be the heartbreaker, not the heartbroken. Damn Kenna Bordeaux! Jack tried to hate her, but he couldn't. He still loved her.

He staggered outside, feeling dizzy. He looked around, trying to remember in which inn he was staying. He stumbled around, his head thumping. "Wha' a pretty lass you are!" he heard someone cackle.

"Leave me alone!" cried another voice.

Jack stopped in his tracks. That voice sounded like Kenna. Great, now I'm imagining her voice. I have certainly stooped. "C'mere, pretty one… Oh, ho! Look at her dress! You ain't from around here, are ye?" said the man.

Jack tried to block the voice from his head, but he couldn't stop listening. "No, I'm not! Now let me go!"

Jack cursed himself. He couldn't let this woman get harassed. He turned the corner and entered the alleyway. "Let the lady go." He thought it sounded brave and strong, but it came out slurred, tired and weak.

"What are you gonna do? Yer drunk off yer ass!" snarled the man.

"Jack?" whispered the female. Jack tried to focus on the woman's face but couldn't. It was too dark, and he was too drunk.

"Who do I have here?" whispered the man. "An aristocrat? Yer far from home, ye are."

"Jack, help me!" cried the woman. Jack stumbled forward. He shoved the man away from the woman.

"Leave her alone." he garbled.

"Ugh!" huffed the woman. The attacker shoved Jack against the alley wall.

"Stay outta this!" he snarled. Jack blinked as stars danced in front of his eyes. Jack felt someone touch his waist. He widened his eyes in confusion. Someone unsheathed his sword.

"Let Jack go, and get out of here!" snarled the woman. The man scampered away after calling the woman some very rude names. The woman put Jack's sword back in his belt. "Thanks for the help. I can tell you missed me a lot!"

Jack looked at her, frowning. He still couldn't see the woman's face. "Who're ye?" His vision darkened, and he felt himself falling.

Jack awoke in his bed. He looked around, frowning. His head was hammering, but he didn't care. He sat up. Who was that woman? He looked around blearily. He caught sight of someone slumbering in the armchair in the corner of the room. His jaw dropped. He got to his feet and staggered toward her. He crouched before her, examining her face. It was a dream. It had to be. He reached out to touch her face. She stirred but didn't wake. Her face was dirty, her hair was messy. Her dress was covered in dirt and vomit. She looked tired, despite the sleep she was getting. Jack took her hands in his. It was her. It was Kenna.

She opened her soft brown eyes and frowned at Jack. "Jack?" she croaked.

Jack grinned. "Hello, love," he murmured.

Kenna frowned. She reached out and slapped Jack across the face. Jack blinked spastically in surprise. "Thanks for the help last night! I nearly got raped because you didn't lift a finger to help me!"

Jack scowled. "That's not true! I tried to help, I was just drunk."

"Yes, I know," snarled Kenna, getting to her feet. "You passed out, and I had to drag you here! You woke up, only to vomit on me!"

Jack grinned nervously. "Sorry 'bout that, love," he said. "I can't believe you're here."

Kenna softened, her anger vanishing. "I decided you were right," she said. "Marcus grew worse… And I couldn't be without you."

Jack grinned. He pulled Kenna toward him. "If you hadn't come to me, I would've gone to you," he admitted. "You saw what I was. What have you done to me?"

Kenna half-smiled. "Hopefully something good."

Jack closed the gap between their lips, crushing hers with his. Kenna responded just as passionately. Jack wrapped his fingers in Kenna's hair. Kenna embraced him, and Jack wanted to close any gaps between them. He reached down to undo the buttons on Kenna's dress. Kenna stiffened and pulled back. Jack stopped immediately. "If you're not ready, we can wait." he said. Kenna gazed up at him.

"I… I'm not ready, Jack. I'm sorry." she murmured. Jack smiled and wrapped his arms around Kenna's waist.

"I'll wait for you, love," he promised. He looked down at Kenna's filthy dress. "You do need out of that dress, though."

Kenna scowled. "Jack…"

"I mean you need a change of clothes." Jack said, eyeing her with a lopsided grin.

"Oh," Kenna smiled. She looked at him, her eyes sparkling. "What are we going to do?"

Jack sighed. "Not sure, love. Piracy is dangerous and not honorable… But there's freedom with it, too. I may go to Shipwreck Cove to get some advice."

Kenna frowned. "Shipwreck Cove? Advice from whom?"

"My dad," Jack replied grimly. "If that's all right with you, of course. I won't do anything to make you uncomfortable."

Kenna smiled. "I'd love to meet your father," she said. She looked down at herself. "I'm not comfortable wearing pants yet, though."

Jack's lips upturned devilishly. "Why not?"

Kenna looked up, smirking. "I-I… I'm still a lady!"

Jack grinned. "Aye, that you are. Never been much a fan of women in men's clothing, anyhow."

Kenna beamed. "Thank you, Jack."

…

Jack waited for Kenna to emerge from the powder room. She stepped out, looking down at herself. "It's a bit awkward… I'm not used to such liberating clothes." she said. Jack looked at her. He was leaning against the wall casually. He straightened a bit, smirking. Dressed like a feminine pirate, Kenna looked effortlessly beautiful. Her skirt was loose and silver. A billowy white blouse was tucked into the skirt. The sleeves hung off Kenna's shoulders, leaving them bare. Her corset, a yellow vixen peacock coat, cinched in her waist and accentuated her breasts. Her hair fell around her in soft brown curls. Her makeup had been washed off, leaving her face fresh and innocent.

"You look… Stunning." Jack said, smiling.

Kenna beamed. "Thank you," she said brightly. "Now, how are we getting to Shipwreck Cove?"

Jack pushed away from the wall. He held out his hand to her. She took it, grinning. Her eyes were bright with happiness and excitement. Jack detected a hint of nervousness behind Kenna's smile. He didn't blame her; leaving everything she'd known must have been damn near impossible. Jack hoped he could offer Kenna a good life. He had wanted to rid himself of piracy, for it caused him so much pain. But he couldn't be free without it. How could he give Kenna a stable life with that paradox haunting him?

Jack led her to the docks. He bought passage to Shipwreck Cove. They boarded a ship, which set sail within the hour. Jack and Kenna were given a cabin to share, but Kenna insisted upon staying on deck for a while. Jack frowned. He knew he couldn't give Kenna the life she deserved. He stepped outside of the cabin to remind Kenna of this. He stopped, watching her hair billow in the moonlight. The sea breeze ruffled her skirt. She gazed at the sea, watching it glimmer in the night. Jack trekked over to her. "Kenna," he began gently, "I can't promise you anything."

Kenna looked at him, her face drawn with confusion. "Pardon?"

Jack looked at her. "I can't give you a lavish lifestyle. We'll never be rich. We'll never go to fancy parties, we won't have a title…"

"Do you think I care about any of that?" Kenna interrupted, her eyes blazing. "I'm no fool, Jack. I know this won't be easy. I only want you."

Jack sighed. "I just want to make sure that this wasn't a rash decision on your part. Once we get into this, there's no turning back. You could be branded a pirate, love. You can never return to Port Royal, or your family."

Kenna nodded. "I understand," she murmured. "I thought this through, Jack. I couldn't imagine life without you. I'd rather have you than riches and a title."

Jack encircled an arm around Kenna's waist. "I also must warn you… I'm not a romantic."

Kenna laughed. "That's all right," she assured him. "I'm not really either."

"You're a woman," Jack argued.

Kenna raised an eyebrow. "I'm so glad you've noticed!"

Jack rolled his eyes and kissed her neck playfully. "You know what I mean, love."

Kenna looked up at him. "If I find myself in need of romance, I'll let you know."

Jack grinned. "C'mon," he said, pulling her toward the cabin. "I think it's time I shared my past with you."

Kenna beamed and trekked with Jack into the cabin, the hem of her skirt brushing the deck with a soft swish. Jack sat her down. He opened a bottle of rum. "Where'd you get that?" asked Kenna, frowning.

Jack frowned at the bottle. "Found it here. Hope the captain won't mind."

Kenna laughed. "Hopefully not." she agreed.

Jack grinned. He took a swig of the spicy yet fruity beverage. He handed it to Kenna. "Careful love, it's a bit stout," he warned. Kenna grimaced as she handed the bottle back to Jack.

"A bit," she rasped.

Jack chuckled. He sat on the bed beside her. "Guess I'll start from the beginning." he said. And so he jumped into the story, leaving nothing out. He told her about his time living on Shipwreck Cove, his abusive Grandmama, his adventures with Arabella, Fitz and Billy, his time working for Lord Cutler Beckett, how he freed the slaves (which got him branded as a pirate), the sinking of his ship, his bargain with Davy Jones to raise said ship from the depths, the mutiny of Barbossa, his adventures with Will and Elizabeth, and finally, his adventures with Angelica Teach and the notorious Blackbeard. Kenna was a very good audience. She gasped and giggled in all the right places. She didn't interrupt.

"So… You loved Elizabeth?" she asked quietly.

Jack frowned. "Not sure," he muttered. "She was a good friend. After she left me for the kraken, we never rekindled that friendship. I forgave her, but I never told her. I just hope she's happy."

Kenna had an understanding smile plastered on her face. "You gave up immortality so that her husband could live," she said. Jack nodded. "Sounds like love to me."

Jack shrugged. "Doesn't matter, does it? I'm with you now."

"What about Angelica?" questioned Kenna.

Jack sighed, a sharp pang flashing though his heart. He swallowed the lump in his throat. "She'll never forgive me." he muttered.

Kenna tilted her head. "But you saved her," she said.

Jack smiled without humor. "But I caused her a lot of pain in doing so."

Kenna's smile was sad. "You love her still."

Jack opened his mouth to argue. He shut it with an audible pop. "I love you." he insisted.

Kenna nodded. "And her," she said.

"I'm with you now." Jack retorted.

Kenna leaned forward and kissed Jack on the cheek. "I know," she whispered. "It's getting late."

Jack glanced at the bed. "Do you mind sharing a bed? If that makes you uncomfortable…"

Kenna laughed. "I'm all right, Jack," she said. Jack grinned and took off his boots. He slipped out of his effects and vest. He took off his hat and laid it down. Kenna took off her belt and vixen corset. She slipped out of her skirt. Her white blouse was long enough that it covered her bottom. She crawled onto the bed and slipped beneath the covers. Jack slid in beside her. Kenna wrapped her arms around Jack. "Goodnight, Jack."

"Goodnight, love." Jack murmured. His eyelids slid shut, and he was overcome with the most peaceful sleep he'd had in years.

...

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