Embracing Katrina

(Sequel to With Katrina… Three-quel to Including Katrina)

Disclaimer: No, I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean (characters, plot, dialogue, etc.). Any other tid-bits of creativity, however, are mine… in which I hope you will enjoy. Please be sure to read and review!

Author's Note: Hope you all like this little addition! Let me know what you think of it!

Chapter 21

The Plan

"What is the ship doing now?" Will asked Howell when he arrived back up at the helm.

"I'm not sure," Howell answered truthfully as he hinted to the oncoming white sails, "It seems t' be comin' right at us… and at a rather fast speed."

"You don't plan to fight them off do you?" Will asked anxiously.

"If there be no others behind them," Barbossa spoke up as he approached the men, "then we 'ave the advantage."

"Is there no other way about dealing with this?" Will turned to Barbossa.

"It's the East India Trading Company," Barbossa sneered, "They be after us no matter what. They check e'ery ship they come into contact with."

Will looked over at the near-approaching ship, trying to come up with another plan. However, as he looked about the ship coming into clearer view, he noticed sailors beginning to hoist up a flag in addition to the Union Jack and the flag containing the seal of the East India Trading Company.

"Gentlemen," Howell broke off Will's concentration on the other ship, "I believe we have been signaled to come to a stop."

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"Do you think we've past them yet? Or perhaps the other ship changed their course?" Katrina asked nervously with wishful hope.

"I don't t'ink so, child," Tia Dalma said gently.

"I agree," Elizabeth also said gently, "I doubt they've changed-"

Suddenly the ship came to an abrupt halt, causing the women of the cabin to lose their balance.

"What's going on?" Elizabeth cried out as she held onto the bookshelf.

"I don't know," Katrina replied from beside the bed, holding onto one of its posts, "Why did we drop anchor?"

The women all exchanged fearful looks.

"You don't think…?" Katrina began with a hint of panic.

"No!" Elizabeth gasped, "They couldn't! I mean we can't possibly be trying to make a stand to fight them off!"

"What if there's a whole fleet of them?"

"Dat's enough, girls," Tia Dalma intervened, "Let's just wait 'ere 'til-"

"Ladies!"

The women of the cabin nearly jumped a foot off the ground in fright at the unexpected intrusion from Mr. Gibbs.

"Apologies," Gibbs bowed hurriedly, "But I've been sent t' address ye by Captain Hunter."

"Captain Hunter?" Elizabeth looked at Gibbs with confusion.

"Yes," Gibbs nodded with an added wink, "Captain William Hunter is the one in charge o' this 'ere trading vessel."

"Oh," Elizabeth understood, "And what are Captain Hunter's orders?"

Gibbs smiled, "Well, it turns out that some men aboard the other ship 'ave been ordered t' search this ship. Therefore, Captain Hunter 'as asked me to inform ye ladies that we be a tradin' vessel in the East wi' rum to trade for spices t' bring back t' the Caribbean."

"Apparently we have a well established business," Katrina joined in when she had caught on with Elizabeth.

"Aye, we do," Gibbs grinned at Katrina, "And… we also 'ave some pirates down in the brig… dead pirates that is."

"Do we?" Tia Dalma laughed.

Gibbs chuckled, "Aye. We be keepin' them 'cause we thought we sell their garments and effects to make a bit o' extra sums."

Elizabeth couldn't help but to laugh as well, "And this was all Captain William Hunter's idea?"

"Aye, Miss Elizabeth."

"Is that all that there is for us to know, Master Gibbs?" Katrina smiled at the older pirate.

"Well, not quite," Gibbs answered, "Captain Hunter 'as asked that ye ladies remain in 'ere, playin' music and reading… but he'd like for ye all t' be well groomed and in…"

"Dresses?" Elizabeth offered.

"Aye," Gibbs nodded before hesitatingly adding, "William also said… and he hopes ye would understand this, Miss Elizabeth… he also said that Mrs. Sparrow is now to be Mrs. Hunter… Captain Hunter's wife."

"I'm presuming that this is solely because I'm pregnant?" Katrina rolled her eyes.

Gibbs nodded again, "He thought makin' ye 'is wife would be the key t' gettin' us out o' this mess… with ye expectin' a baby and all as ye mentioned. Oh, and Miss Elizabeth, you're the Captain's sister."

"How marvelous," Elizabeth said sarcastically.

"Dat leaves me," Tia Dalma crossed her arms as she stared at Gibbs, "Who am I? De maid?"

Gibbs nervously looked away as he replied, "Aye."

"Very well," Elizabeth spoke up with a hint of bitterness in her voice, "You may tell Captain William Hunter that we will follow his orders… though we do not fully approve of them."

"Aye, Miss Elizabeth," Gibbs acknowledged before rushing out of the room.

"This had better work!" Elizabeth sulked as she took a seat on the bench of the pianoforte.

"Well, as much as I'd love to complain, too," Katrina said as sat on her bed, "the truth is I would much rather go through with this ridiculous plan than watch this ship be blown to pieces… bringing a terrible ending to the journey to retrieve Jack."

As if it were a natural reflex at hearing the name "Jack" being said aloud, Katrina and Elizabeth automatically looked away from each other. Tia Dalma shook her head as she stood in the middle of the room looking at both of them.

"We need to try dis plan," Tia Dalma broke the awkward silence, "and so… Elizabet' you need to wear a dress."

Elizabeth made no reply.

"She can wear," Katrina began quietly, "one of the dresses from that third drawer of my dresser. Teague had the whole dresser stocked with clothes for me… but obviously he didn't know… of my condition… and so none of them fit me as of right now."

Elizabeth looked over to Katrina and gave her a small, timid smile, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Katrina gave a small nod in return.

Tia Dalma smiled to herself at seeing the tiny bit of progress taking place between Elizabeth and Katrina. However, just as she was about to speak up again, loud noises of men shouting orders and noisy footsteps from the above deck took everyone's attention.

"Elizabet'," Tia Dalma took the woman by the hand and pulled her to stand, "We need you in a dress now."