Usual disclaimers. darn Corporate Mouse Machine!
***
Mid September
Jack smiled when James Norrington presented him with the formal papers declaring them privateers and assuring them of safe anchorage. He ordered Gibbs to run out the sweeps and to take them into the harbour, finally allowing the HMS Gauntlet to enter behind them.
Once they had dropped anchor again Jack turned to his Quartermaster. "Gibbs - see t' repairs an' let th' crew off in rotation like," he ordered, watching as Catherine disappeared over the rail, climbing down into one of the ships boats.
"Aye Cap'n."
Jack climbed down into the same boat as Catherine. The Governor's young twin girls were sitting in the bow waving excitedly at their father. Jack picked up the oars and rowed to shore. As soon as the boat beached the girls were out, running across the sand to their father. For a moment he watched them enviously, knowing that he and Kitty would never be blessed with a family.
In the other direction, ran a highly excited James Schott, macaw flapping on his shoulder. "Jack!" He threw himself at Jack, causing him to stagger, knocking him from his reverie.
"My Jimmy, you've grown!" James was now a strapping nine year old, and showed signs of becoming as tall as his uncle.
"Jack!" Elizabeth Turner dashed down the beach, carrying young Billy in her arms, Will trailing behind. She handed the toddler to him before hugging Jack tightly, kissing him on the cheek. "Welcome back," she smiled, turning to hug Catherine as well.
The other ships boats had unloaded their passengers and Governor Spense found himself surrounded by his family. He looked across in amazement as the townsfolk came out to welcome the crew of the Black Pearl - the women especially hugging Mistress Sparrow who looked in danger of drowning under a pile of children. The Commodore had probably understated the affection that they had for the crew of the pirate ship. He noticed the Commodore was talking to Captain Groves and an elderly man, nodding before walking towards him.
"Governor, it seems the HMS Gauntlet has a brig full of pirates for hanging - the remaining crew of the Black Boar and the Winter's Heart."
"The remaining crew?"
"Well, what is left of them after they had a run-in with the Black Pearl."
"Do you mean to say that the Black Pearl has taken out three other pirate crews in the last two weeks?"
The Commodore just smiled, realising exactly why Jack had been so insistent about regaining his privateer status. It was unlikely that the Black Pearl would attack three pirate ships, so therefore the three pirate ships must have attacked him. It was obvious that he needed at least one safe harbour - Port Royal, and he had gotten it without revealing how desperate he probably had been.
***
The following day Governor Spense announced that he would be holding a party in two days time to celebrate the safe return of his family. All of the town notables were invited, the officers from the fort and his wife Rosamund had insisted that Captain Sparrow and his wife be invited as well. Reluctantly he had agreed, not sure if he wanted a pirate anywhere his silverware - even if he was officially a privateer.
He watched as the Sparrows arrived with Captain Groves, hardly recognising them. He had not believed that Mistress Sparrow was the Captain's sister, but seeing them together the family resemblance was obvious. Captain Sparrow had changed from his usual clothes into some dark, sombre trousers and jacket. His hair, although still braided, was not hidden beneath his red bandana. But it was his wife that drew most eyes, his included. In a beautiful pearl-beaded cream dress with a pearl necklace and earrings, she moved through the crowds with assured ease. Cautiously he admitted to himself that he might have underestimated the Sparrows.
Theodore caught his sister's arm. "See you later," he whispered. "I'm in search of a dance!"
Seeing the Sparrows talking with the Commodore, he walked slowly over, his oldest daughter Mary on his arm. Cautiously she eyed the two men appreciatively, surprised at how attractive the pirate was when clean and properly dressed.
"Commodore, Captain Sparrow, Mistress Sparrow." Thomas Spense nodded.
"Governor, Miss Spense," they chorused. Mary blushed slightly as Catherine held her eye, as if she knew exactly what she had been thinking about her husband.
"My wife has told me of the kindness you showed to her and the children on your ship. Thank you." He realised he did not know what to say to these people, so outside of his normal social circle and was relieved to be rescued by his son and young James Schott. The two boys were of a similar age - merely a year apart - and were already becoming firm friends. James had managed to smuggle Pearl into the party and she was sitting on his shoulder squawking at all who came near.
"Jimmy!" Catherine scolded. "What is that bird doing here?" The macaw hissed at her.
"I think she remembers you luv!" Jack laughed.
"The feeling is mutual!" Catherine retorted, eyes narrowing as she stared at Pearl, laughing too.
"Peter, perhaps you and your friend should take the bird up to your room. I hardly think this party is the place for such a creature!" Thomas Spense frowned at his son.
"Yes father!" Peter replied dutifully. "Come on James!" The two boys raided the refreshment table before disappearing upstairs.
The music started again and the Governor cleared his throat. "Mistress Sparrow, might I have this dance?" He noticed she glanced at her husband, who nodded.
"I'd be delighted Governor Spense," she demurred, leaving Jack, the Commodore and Mary Spense alone.
Mary turned and watched her father dance with the pirate Captain's wife, envious of their grace. She made a mental note to strike a certain pirate captain off her list - his eyes never left his wife even as he talked quietly with the Commodore, a smile playing on his lips. She tried to eavesdrop without it seeming obvious.
"Okay Jack - what is this all about? And don't try that innocent look on me! Theodore tells me you have destroyed three other pirate ships in just over a week. What is happening?"
"Nothing that should worry you," Jack smiled. "I have something, they want it and they will kill for it."
"But Theodore said three reds! Three!" James Norrington hissed, conscious of Mary standing nearby.
Jack shrugged, watching Catherine in delight as she danced with the Governor. "Well, they ain't taken us yet!"
Realising that Jack would say no more, he turned to Mary. "Miss Spense, might I have the next dance?"
She blushed, secretly delighted that her ploy had worked - James Norrington was probably the most eligible man in the whole room. "Of course, Commodore. I would be delighted." One way or another, she would get herself a husband that could afford to keep her!
***
Mid September
Jack smiled when James Norrington presented him with the formal papers declaring them privateers and assuring them of safe anchorage. He ordered Gibbs to run out the sweeps and to take them into the harbour, finally allowing the HMS Gauntlet to enter behind them.
Once they had dropped anchor again Jack turned to his Quartermaster. "Gibbs - see t' repairs an' let th' crew off in rotation like," he ordered, watching as Catherine disappeared over the rail, climbing down into one of the ships boats.
"Aye Cap'n."
Jack climbed down into the same boat as Catherine. The Governor's young twin girls were sitting in the bow waving excitedly at their father. Jack picked up the oars and rowed to shore. As soon as the boat beached the girls were out, running across the sand to their father. For a moment he watched them enviously, knowing that he and Kitty would never be blessed with a family.
In the other direction, ran a highly excited James Schott, macaw flapping on his shoulder. "Jack!" He threw himself at Jack, causing him to stagger, knocking him from his reverie.
"My Jimmy, you've grown!" James was now a strapping nine year old, and showed signs of becoming as tall as his uncle.
"Jack!" Elizabeth Turner dashed down the beach, carrying young Billy in her arms, Will trailing behind. She handed the toddler to him before hugging Jack tightly, kissing him on the cheek. "Welcome back," she smiled, turning to hug Catherine as well.
The other ships boats had unloaded their passengers and Governor Spense found himself surrounded by his family. He looked across in amazement as the townsfolk came out to welcome the crew of the Black Pearl - the women especially hugging Mistress Sparrow who looked in danger of drowning under a pile of children. The Commodore had probably understated the affection that they had for the crew of the pirate ship. He noticed the Commodore was talking to Captain Groves and an elderly man, nodding before walking towards him.
"Governor, it seems the HMS Gauntlet has a brig full of pirates for hanging - the remaining crew of the Black Boar and the Winter's Heart."
"The remaining crew?"
"Well, what is left of them after they had a run-in with the Black Pearl."
"Do you mean to say that the Black Pearl has taken out three other pirate crews in the last two weeks?"
The Commodore just smiled, realising exactly why Jack had been so insistent about regaining his privateer status. It was unlikely that the Black Pearl would attack three pirate ships, so therefore the three pirate ships must have attacked him. It was obvious that he needed at least one safe harbour - Port Royal, and he had gotten it without revealing how desperate he probably had been.
***
The following day Governor Spense announced that he would be holding a party in two days time to celebrate the safe return of his family. All of the town notables were invited, the officers from the fort and his wife Rosamund had insisted that Captain Sparrow and his wife be invited as well. Reluctantly he had agreed, not sure if he wanted a pirate anywhere his silverware - even if he was officially a privateer.
He watched as the Sparrows arrived with Captain Groves, hardly recognising them. He had not believed that Mistress Sparrow was the Captain's sister, but seeing them together the family resemblance was obvious. Captain Sparrow had changed from his usual clothes into some dark, sombre trousers and jacket. His hair, although still braided, was not hidden beneath his red bandana. But it was his wife that drew most eyes, his included. In a beautiful pearl-beaded cream dress with a pearl necklace and earrings, she moved through the crowds with assured ease. Cautiously he admitted to himself that he might have underestimated the Sparrows.
Theodore caught his sister's arm. "See you later," he whispered. "I'm in search of a dance!"
Seeing the Sparrows talking with the Commodore, he walked slowly over, his oldest daughter Mary on his arm. Cautiously she eyed the two men appreciatively, surprised at how attractive the pirate was when clean and properly dressed.
"Commodore, Captain Sparrow, Mistress Sparrow." Thomas Spense nodded.
"Governor, Miss Spense," they chorused. Mary blushed slightly as Catherine held her eye, as if she knew exactly what she had been thinking about her husband.
"My wife has told me of the kindness you showed to her and the children on your ship. Thank you." He realised he did not know what to say to these people, so outside of his normal social circle and was relieved to be rescued by his son and young James Schott. The two boys were of a similar age - merely a year apart - and were already becoming firm friends. James had managed to smuggle Pearl into the party and she was sitting on his shoulder squawking at all who came near.
"Jimmy!" Catherine scolded. "What is that bird doing here?" The macaw hissed at her.
"I think she remembers you luv!" Jack laughed.
"The feeling is mutual!" Catherine retorted, eyes narrowing as she stared at Pearl, laughing too.
"Peter, perhaps you and your friend should take the bird up to your room. I hardly think this party is the place for such a creature!" Thomas Spense frowned at his son.
"Yes father!" Peter replied dutifully. "Come on James!" The two boys raided the refreshment table before disappearing upstairs.
The music started again and the Governor cleared his throat. "Mistress Sparrow, might I have this dance?" He noticed she glanced at her husband, who nodded.
"I'd be delighted Governor Spense," she demurred, leaving Jack, the Commodore and Mary Spense alone.
Mary turned and watched her father dance with the pirate Captain's wife, envious of their grace. She made a mental note to strike a certain pirate captain off her list - his eyes never left his wife even as he talked quietly with the Commodore, a smile playing on his lips. She tried to eavesdrop without it seeming obvious.
"Okay Jack - what is this all about? And don't try that innocent look on me! Theodore tells me you have destroyed three other pirate ships in just over a week. What is happening?"
"Nothing that should worry you," Jack smiled. "I have something, they want it and they will kill for it."
"But Theodore said three reds! Three!" James Norrington hissed, conscious of Mary standing nearby.
Jack shrugged, watching Catherine in delight as she danced with the Governor. "Well, they ain't taken us yet!"
Realising that Jack would say no more, he turned to Mary. "Miss Spense, might I have the next dance?"
She blushed, secretly delighted that her ploy had worked - James Norrington was probably the most eligible man in the whole room. "Of course, Commodore. I would be delighted." One way or another, she would get herself a husband that could afford to keep her!