Pirates with No Code

Jack and Kenna forgot about the near—fatal incident. They focused on enjoying each other's company. Jack had missed their friendship. Now, Jack could flirt with no shame. He enjoyed showing off to the crew that Kenna was his and only his. When Jack wasn't working as temporary captain of Teague's ship, he was teaching Kenna to duel. She wasn't very good, but she seemed determined. Jack found that Kenna was better at shooting than actually using a sword, but the lass was still determined to learn. When they weren't dueling, they were playing cards or simply talking. Jack would steer the ship while Kenna chatted with him, keeping him company. Jack enjoyed Kenna's delicate presence. She was kind and gentle, a stark figure aboard the rough ship. She had a childlike innocence, talking about the sea and far—off places. Jack wanted to take her all over the world. A slight twinge of regret panged him as he remembered… He had given up piracy. Freedom… Jack sighed.

Kenna looked at him, eyes wide with curiosity. "What is it?"

Jack leaned against the steering wheel. He smiled at Kenna. "I wish I could take you to those places, love."

Kenna's lips twitched with a smile. "Why can't you, Captain Sparrow?"

Jack smirked at Kenna's insistence upon calling him 'captain'. "I gave up piracy."

Kenna frowned. "What does piracy have to do with travelling the world?"

Jack shrugged. "Being on the sea is dangerous, love."

Kenna scowled and crossed her arms. "Many things are dangerous, Jack. I don't see why it matters."

Jack worked his jaw, choosing his next words carefully. "It's more dangerous when you're me."

Kenna frowned. "Why?"

Jack sighed. "I've made a lot of enemies."

"Is that the reason you're giving up piracy?" Kenna questioned.

Jack looked at her. Her brown eyes were bright with intelligence. She had caught on. He had taken her brightness for granted. "Yes."

Kenna pursed her lips. "So who is after you, Jack? Who is your enemy?"

Jack sighed. "Her name is Anastasia Bathory."

"It's a woman?" Kenna gaped.

Jack grimaced. "I haven't had the best reputation with women, love."

Kenna's eyes were wide in askance. Jack groaned. He didn't want to have this conversation. "Were the two of you… Intimate?" Kenna queried softly.

Jack looked at her. He didn't answer her. He didn't need to. He could see that Kenna already knew the answer. "It was before I knew you." he muttered.

Kenna nodded, but there were tears in her eyes. "What happened? Why does she hate you?"

Jack sighed for the umpteenth time. "I did what I do best. I left her. She had feelings for me, I didn't reciprocate. I just wanted…"

"Sex." murmured Kenna.

Jack nodded, grimacing slightly. "So I left. But she's not a woman I could love, anyway. She's ruthless, Kenna. I was also quite afraid of her. She kills her own crewmen if they piss her off. I'm not justifying what I did. But there were other reasons."

Kenna's lips were pursed. "How… How skilled is she at finding people?"

Jack grinned, his old humor returning. "No one's gonna catch us, love."

The ship rocked suddenly at the sound of a loud blast. Jack's grin faded. Kenna widened her eyes. "Except for perhaps that." she said.

Jack paled. He held up his hands, keeping Kenna from pushing through the doorway. "Stay here."

Kenna pouted. "To twiddle my thumbs while everyone else fights?"

"No, to keep yourself safe so that I don't have to worry about you." said Jack. He took off without another word. He rushed onto deck, which he found crowded with members of a different crew battling Teague's. Jack unsheathed his sword and jumped into battle with the nearest person.

"Sparrow! Just the man we were looking for!" cried Jack's opponent. Jack frowned. He recognized this sailor, but he couldn't tell from where.

A shot sounded in the air, stunning everyone into silence. "Where's Captain Teague?" cried a female voice.

"Not present," called a member of Teague's crew.

"Then where the hell is he?" cried the woman. Jack felt his stomach drop. He knew this voice…

"Not here." replied the member of Teague's crew.

There was another crack of a pistol, and the outspoken member of Teague's crew fell backward, dead. Jack pushed through the crowd until he laid eyes on the woman in question. She had fiery red hair and piercing green eyes. Her skin was pale. She wore a corset with no undershirt. Her breasts were pressed upward and together. Her black pants were tucked into knee-high black boots. She looked quite fierce and intimidating. Jack grimaced. "Then how am I supposed to find his son?" questioned the woman.

Jack found himself stepping forward. "Anastasia," he greeted her with open arms. "Fancy seeing you here."

Anastasia Bathory smirked. "Hello, Sparrow." Her voice was low and cold. It sent chills down Jack's spine.

"To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?" Jack asked nervously.

Anastasia's eyes didn't waver. "You know why, Sparrow. Grab him. Sink the ship." she ordered her crew. Jack was grabbed by two men. He instantly thought of Kenna.

"No! Don't sink the ship!" Jack cried desperately.

Anastasia stopped in her tracks, peering at Jack with suspicious eyes. "And why not, Sparrow?"

"Er…" Jack mumbled. "Don't harm the crew. They're not even mine."

Anastasia looked at Teague's crew with a calculating stare. "Tell me, crewmen of Captain Teague, why has Sparrow taken this ship?" No one spoke up. Anastasia drew her pistol and shot another man. "Anyone willing to talk now?"

"T-to protect his lady," called a crewman.

Anastasia's eyebrows shot up. She glared at Sparrow. "His lady, eh?" Jack clenched his teeth, refusing to say a word. Anastasia looked at one of her men. "Find her."

"No!" Jack bellowed, struggling to get free.

"Lock him in the brig." said Anastasia, waving to Jack dismissively. Jack was hauled across the gangplank to Anastasia's ship, the Hawk. Jack kicked his feet out, dragged his feet, yanked his arms and writhed to get free, but to no prevail. He was locked in a cell. If Anastasia hurt Kenna, Jack would not be able to forgive himself…

A few minutes later, Kenna was thrown into the cell with Jack. He caught her before she could hit the ground. Jack and Kenna were left alone. Kenna pushed away from Jack. "Well, that didn't take long." she snapped.

Jack grimaced. "I jinxed our luck by talking…"

Kenna huffed. "So, what now? Do we negotiate or something?"

Jack shook his head. "There's no negotiating with Anastasia."

Kenna pressed her lips together. "Isn't there some sort of code that pirates follow? That's what your father protects!"

Jack sighed. "Not all pirates follow the Code, love."

"Then what's the point of having one?" Kenna asked, sounding frustrated.

"Most keep to it. But there are some who don't see a point to the Code, like Anastasia." replied Jack.

Kenna tilted her head. "What does that mean for us, exactly?" She sounded as if she were trying to be brave, but her nervousness was peeking through her façade.

Jack grimaced. "Pirates without a code can't be reasoned with. They're ruthless, merciless and bloodthirsty."

Kenna's eyes grew large. "So we're going to die?"

Jack grabbed Kenna's hands. "I didn't say that, love. But we're in a risky predicament."

Kenna buried her face in Jack's chest. "I'm scared, Jack." she whimpered.

Jack stroked Kenna's hair. "I know, love. I'll get us out of this, I promise."

The sound of footsteps diverted his attention from Kenna. A man unlocked the cell door. "Captain Bathory wants a word with ye."

Jack stepped away from Kenna. He followed the man, who locked the cell door behind Jack, up to the captain's cabin. Anastasia was sitting on her desk, looking smug. Jack was left alone with the captain. "So, you have a new lady."

"Aye." Jack muttered.

"Didn't take you long." said Anastasia.

Jack gritted his teeth. "Didn't mean for it to happen."

Anastasia laughed, but there was no brightness in the sound. "You're a downright idiot, Sparrow."

Jack lifted his chin. "How so?"

"Thinking you could just drop piracy to hide from me? That was foolish." said Anastasia, getting up from her desk.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures." Jack countered.

"Stupid measures," sneered Anastasia. She trekked toward Jack, and he had to do everything in his power not to turn tail and run. "After you got off my ship, you went to Port Royal? I knew you were dense but… That was just reckless. You're wanted there!"

"I'm wanted a lot of places," Jack replied coolly. "And it was the only place I could go to seeing as how I had to hitch a ride on a naval ship."

Anastasia chuckled. "You mean smuggle aboard?"

"Yes." Jack growled.

Anastasia looked thoughtful. "And then you met that girl…"

"She offered me protection."

"I see that worked out well."

"Turns out she needed protection as well."

"From you?"

"From her fiancée, if you must know."

"Interesting…" Anastasia sounded bored. "Well, I will cut to the chase Sparrow: you're here because you're a lying bastard. It's time you paid for being one to only think with his masculine instruments."

Jack nodded. "I figured as much."

"You broke my heart," said Anastasia. Her eyes indeed mirrored the brokenness within. They instantly iced over once more. "And you will suffer for that."

"Do with me what you will," Jack said. "Just leave Kenna alone."

"Kenna, is it?" sneered Anastasia. Her eyes suddenly flittered with shock. "You love her, don't you?" Jack didn't reply. Anastasia had her answer. A feline grin curled her lips upward. "Then no, Sparrow. Kenna will be as much a part of this as you."

…

Dun dun dun… What do you guys think of Anastasia? Doesn't seem too bad yet, right? :) Lol. Let me know what you think by leaving a review! They make my day!