*Disclaimer*: Guess what!? I don't own POTC. Betcha didn't know that, huh? Well here's something you would do well to remember: I. Own. Lee. And anyone else. Jack ain't mine, but everyone else is. Even the people who don't get names are mine. So don't go stealing their descriptions. Moo.
^Lil Note^: Hey! Thanks to all you people who actually READ THESE. You rawk. Anyhoo, we're starting to get into some MAJOR happenings. I know I've said that like… what, 3? 4 times? But seriously. We are. BUT… we have a little problem. Basically, after the next 2 chapter we got a big hole. After that hole we got some SERIOUS drama. I'm talking tears and screams n all that good stuff. But, we gotta find away across this hole. And it can't be simple filler chapters because we need a connection between those chapters and the chapter across the hole. I'll try to think tonight about what I can shove in that hole, but until then… um… bare with me, I guess. This is actually going a lot quicker than I had imagined. See, I add to this story every night in my head. It's like a mind movie type thing. And I stopped adding to it a few weeks ago so I could catch the story up and I wouldn't forget any of it. And already we're just about caught up. Guess that means I need to start thinking up more, huh?
If you want, I have a song you can download and listen to as you read this, but it's not imperative you do so. It'll only set the mood for probably the last part of the chapter, but it will set the mood I want. If you have Kazaa, search under audio for Spy Game. I'm not sure if this is the actual title, but on Kazaa it's called My Name is Tom. It's a background song from the movie Spy Game (wonderful movie). Pretty song, me like. Anyway, yahoo! Read on. -skitters-
Lee Caelum stood behind the wheel of the Mare Orientale. She sighed slightly and her eyelids fluttered closed for a moment. Everyone felt better now that they had eaten, and it was even more comforting to know that they had a full stock of food and water. The day was steadily sinking under the horizon and the night crept upon the sky like an inkwell spilled across parchment. The thin line between the two turned a soft lavender, which melted into the last bit of orange and gold. The deep blue sky cooled the air and the moon shone bright in the canvas untainted by clouds. It seemed such a delightfully calm night, but Lee couldn't shake her anxiety. She couldn't believe Albert had found her. She had been nearly invisible for all these years and then somehow he managed to find her. Was he still in contact with her father? No, surely he wouldn't still be sulking with that old pig. But if he was…
Lee jerked slightly as an arm slid around her waist. She turned quickly and her eyes softened as they met Jack's. She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. Jack hummed with delight as their lips touched slightly.
"Didn't mean to scare ya, luv." He whispered, delivering another soft kiss.
"Ya didn't." Lee's lips parted slightly and connected with Jack's. She closed her eyes and caressed his warm neck. After a few moments she withdrew from the kiss and slowly opened her eyes.
"Find someone else to steer the ship, luv." Jack said quickly and quietly.
Lee nodded and glanced around, her eyes settling upon Lana. She wore a pair of laughing eyes and a wide grin. How did she always know exactly what Lee needed her to? Lee mouthed the question to her and she nodded, waving a hand at the pair and sauntering toward the wheel as Lee led Jack below deck.
No sooner than the door had closed, Lee and Jack were on the bed engaged in a deep kiss. Jack's hand felt the curve of her waist and found its way underneath her shirt. The kiss broke for a moment and Lee stretched her neck up as Jack kissed it tenderly. Both were unaware of everything but each other, and both didn't care.
There was a knock on the door. They carried on, undisturbed. There was another knock. Not even a glance from Lee or Jack. The third knock was followed by a voice.
"M'lady?"
Lee moaned as her head rolled to the side and Jack kissed her cheek softly. Her hands slid under the collar of Jack's shirt and caressed his shoulders as he pulled her closer.
"M'lady?" The voice pressed. Lee still couldn't here the voice. She only heard Jack's breathing and her own as the heat began to rise between them. There was mumbling outside the door as the voice was joined by another, deeper one. There was a loud pound on the door and finally Lee was brought out of the passion. She rolled her eyes.
"Ugh, WHAT!?" She yelled irritably.
"Lee." The tone of Booker's voice sent a freezing sensation throughout Lee's entire body and her eyes snapped wide.
It only took one word. Lee took in her breath so quickly she could have choked. She sat up and Jack stood awkwardly, rubbing his hand behind his neck. He looked at Lee questioningly and she darted to the door. She flung it open and looked up at Booker. His usual scowl was tainted with worry and Jack knew instantly that that couldn't be good.
Lee flew up the stairs to the deck, followed by Booker and then Jack. She spun around to one direction, then to the other, her hair flinging wildly around her face. Booker handed her a spyglass and turned her to the back of the ship. She peered into the spyglass frantically.
In the distance was a ship, slightly larger than the Mare Orientale. The great ship sped through the waters at a surprisingly fast pace, and the pace pleased the lanky man proudly standing on the ship's bow. Lee squinted and her vision darted across the ship. She found the neat gold lettering and held her breath as she finally lowered the spyglass and stared in disbelief. Booker put a hand on her shoulder and she turned sharply.
"It's Imbrium." She whispered.
Booker nodded. There was silence among the crew. Lee turned to face them, staring back at her like little lost boys. Suddenly they irritated her, everything about them irritated her. Anger filled her body, but fear had gotten there first and wasn't giving up easily.
"MOVE THIS SHIP!" She barked. For a moment they just stood, dumb as they could be. Lee brought her hands to her head and screamed. "MOVE!"
They scampered about, trying to look busy, but what was there to do? There wasn't a way to move the ship faster. The Mare Imbrium would be upon them in no time at all. Lee paced and mumbled to herself until she ran into Jack. He grabbed her shoulders and she turned and jerked away. He grabbed her again. She looked up and barked incoherently.
"Lee, what's goin' on?"
Again she jerked away and he grabbed her arm, spinning her around and staring into her eyes.
"Lee." His eyes were demanding and she couldn't look away. Jack felt her relax as she gave a heavy sigh. She raised a trembling hand to her forehead and brushed her hair from her face.
"My name is Natalie Holloway. My father is a Lord. I ran away when I was 15 to become a pirate. I'm the only hope for the continuation of the Holloway line and ya know what? I don't wanna be."
It was a three second explanation, but it was good enough. Jack tilted his head and looked to the side.
"Well that explains a lot." Lee hissed and jerked away again. Jack let her go with a sigh, he thought it best not to irritate her at this time.
Lee turned to see the Mare Imbrium was steadily drawing closer. She became frantic again and put her hands in her hair. Booker put a strong hand on her shoulder and she looked up at him.
"I think it's best if we start thinkin' 'bout how to get ya off this ship, Miss Lee."
Lee stared at Booker for a moment before nodding ever so slightly. Lana grabbed her arm gently and pulled her toward the cabins door.
"Come on Lee, we best get ya packed."
Lee nodded and glanced at Jack. She reached a hand out to him and touched his cheek softly before following Lana below deck. They went to Lee's room and Lana pulled out an old leather suitcase. She flung it open and began pulling open every drawer in the room, throwing what wasn't needed on the floor and stuffing what was needed in the suitcase. Lee opened the drawer in her nightstand and pulled out the cloth that held those few items. As far as she was concerned, that was all she needed. Suddenly Jack was in the doorway. Lee looked up at him and he glanced at Lana throwing clothes into the suitcase, then back at her.
"I wouldn't be packin' anythin' I wouldn't want to get wet."
Lee's shoulders dropped and she looked at him hopelessly. "No." She said in a low voice.
Imbrium was far faster than Orientale. The old ship was giving it her best, but Imbrium was gaining. When Lee stepped onto the deck some of the men had already plunged into the deep blue waters. The rest of the crew were tossing barrels and crates overboard before they, too, jumped from the great ship.
"It'll look like we're lightenin' the ship. They won't suspect you jumped off." Booker said in a monotone voice. Lee nodded and proceeded shakily to the side of the ship. Jack climbed onto the thin wooden rail, and reached a hand out to Lee. She stared at his hand for a moment, then turned to Booker. He was standing behind the wheel. Lee stared with wide eyes.
"Booker--"
"Go." He said sternly.
"But Booker… you can't. You… they'll arrest you! Booker they'll arrest you, you can't!"
"Go." His voice was slightly louder. He glanced at her, but his head didn't move. He stared into the blank distance. It might as well have been a blank future, Lee thought. Warm tears filled her eyes and she didn't bother to wipe them away. She stood in front of Booker, looking up at him like the little girl she once was, lost and tired and cold. She stared into his dark eyes, which held so much sadness but wouldn't let it fall. He wrapped his arms around her, lowered his head and kissed her forehead softly. Lee hugged him tightly and sobbed. Her shoulders shook as she cried, and he hushed her with his warm voice.
"Go, Miss Lee. I'll find you." He whispered.
She finally stepped back and sniffled once, looking at the ground. Reluctantly, she walked to Jack and took his hand. Jack's face didn't have its usual happy glow. He gave Booker a short nod, which Booker returned. It was a silent agreement, and terms were that Jack protect Lee with his life. In return, he would find respect in Booker's eyes.
Lee hopped onto the rail and slid her legs around. With one last glance at the man who had been the only father worthy of the name to her, Lee Caelum let herself fall from the Mare Orientale.
