Usual disclaimers. blah!
***
October
Every morning for the next fortnight Jack would climb to the top of the town, scanning out to sea for any sign of the Black Pearl only to return disappointed to their rooms. But that morning he was back within five minutes, bursting through the doorway, braids flying. "She's 'ere!" He dashed out again, banging on the opposite door. "Oran, move! She's 'ere!"
Oran and Little Feather dashed out of their room carrying their belongings, closely followed by Catherine with her bags. "Jack, I can't carry your bags!" He snatched them from the floor, hoisting the heaviest bag over his shoulder.
"Come on, we can meet them at th' docks!"
They ran down through the town, startled mutters and stares in their wake. Sanchia saw them pass, smiling to herself in the knowledge that the Black Pearl had obviously arrived. Humming happily she went in search of some extra rum from the cellar - somehow she thought she'd need it.
***
Joshamee Gibbs sat despondently in the ships boat. It had been nearly a year since Jack had disappeared and still there was no sign of him - or Catherine. For a moment the dark thought that they were dead entered his head, but his heart would never allow him to believe it for long. This was the sixth time that they had returned to Tortuga for supplies, the sixth time without their Captain.
"Gibbs?" Thomas Cardew frowned, straining his eyes as he squinted in the bright morning light. "Gibbs? Is that who I think it is on th' docks?"
Joshamee Gibbs turned, nearly dropping his oar in shock - it was Jack! A broad grin split his face when he saw both Catherine and Oran were waiting for them together with a dark skinned stranger. "Jack! Kitty!" Gibbs rowed faster, nearly upsetting the ships boat in his haste to climb up onto the dock. He embraced Jack warmly, slapping him on the back before hugging Catherine tightly. "Welcome back Captain!"
"Let's get back aboard Joshamee," she ordered. "Whatever you were wanting in Tortuga can wait!"
"Aye!" He climbed back down into the ships boat, taking their baggage before making space for them to climb down too. He stared at the man with them.
"This is Little Feather," Jack said. "Further introductions can wait 'til we're aboard!"
Gibbs nodded, putting his back to the oars and rowing eagerly back to the Black Pearl. After a short time they bumped up against the hull. "You first Captain," he offered.
"No, I think Jack deserves to go first..." she smiled as he clambered over the baggage and up onto deck. Cheers echoed down to them as she started to climb but nothing prepared her for the noise that greeted her as she climbed over the ships rail. She found herself hugged, kissed and whirled around the deck as the crew erupted with joy. Eventually, somewhat dishevelled, she managed to find her way back to Jack. "Alright... is everybody here?" She looked around the crew, noting more than a few new faces. "Crew meeting!" For a moment she was drowned out by the noise of the crew still celebrating. "I said crew meeting!" she shouted. "Somebody wants his Captaincy back and I don't think he's in a mood to be patient!" She had not wanted to be Captain in the first place, and could hardly wait to be rid of the responsibility - she also knew how much it meant to Jack. "Hands raised for aye!"
Gradually hands reached skywards until every hand was raised bar hers. Catherine turned to Jack, smiling as she too slowly raised her hand, making the decision yet again unanimous. "Black Pearl is all yours Captain!" she grinned.
Jack smiled contentedly, running his hand along the ships rail. "I'd like a vote too... to keep Kitty as m' second in everything... hands raised for aye!"
If there was surprise at his request, especially from the new crew, none was shown as hands obediently went skywards. "I keep m' word Kitty!" He turned to Joshamee. "Gibbs, meetin' in m' cabin - I want t' know what I've missed! Oran, find yer hammock! Little Feather with me."
Jack threw open the doors to his cabin, surprised at the slightly musty smell. Catherine sighed and immediately began opening windows. "Sorry Captain," Gibbs apologised. "We didn't have the heart to come in here..."
"That's okay Joshamee, it just needs cleaning..." She noticed Little Feather looking carefully round the cabin. "Welcome to our cabin Little Feather," she smiled. "Make yourself at home!" She reached into the cabinet for one of the bottles of rum, surprised to find that none of the alcohol had been touched - Gibbs had been right about not entering the cabin. She sat next to Jack, boots on the table as she handed him the rum. "Home..." she sighed contentedly.
Jack took a heavy swig on the rum before turning to Joshamee. "Well, what's been happenin' Gibbs?"
"Well Captain, we took on more men as Kitty instructed... got up to full strength - an' no French either! Then we went an' hit everything we could, asking questions but nothing that would lead us to Lact. Had to make 'em think we weren't on to them - give Kitty more time... although we'd nearly given up."
"Well, I'm back an' now we can go after Lact... in fact that's m' number one priority!" He noticed Catherine looking sad. "What's th' matter luv?" He looked closely at her face, noting doubt in her eyes as she chewed her lip. "Gibbs, Little Feather - leave us for a while..."
"Aye Captain."
"P'raps yer could take Little Feather an' show him round th' Pearl? He'll be crew from now on..."
"Aye Captain." Gibbs rose, indicating that Little Feather should follow. "Come on, I'll find you a hammock."
***
Jack waited until Gibbs shut the doors behind him. "Okay Kitty, what's th' matter?"
"I'm sorry... I've got you back, but my heart isn't into vengeance..."
"Yer kiddin'?" Jack looked at her in disbelief. "How can you say that?"
"Because he hanged a man for me..."
"Th' man deserves t' die!"
"But you are alive... that is all that matters to me Jack!" she argued.
"I have t' strike back!"
"Why? Your being free is enough of a blow to him. His brother is taken, his family mine in flames... enough Jack... enough, please!"
"What about your word to th' Commodore - that you would take him out?"
Catherine sighed. "I promised him one less pirate ship," she stressed. "Ship! Ship Jack, not crew!" She shook her head. "I'm sorry Jack... but it is the truth. Jean Claude was good to me, as were his crew..." She sighed heavily. "Don't worry, I will still follow your orders... I'll happily take his ship, blow it to smithereens, but..."
Jack looked at her, frowning, unsure of her reaction to his words. "Yer objections are noted but we still go after Lact... I know yer serious 'bout this but m' decision as Captain is final."
"Aye Captain."
Her voice came out as a whisper and he tilted her chin, surprised to see tears in her eyes. "Hey, no tears! Can't have m' big tough pirate wife crying!" He held her close, feeling the dampness of her tears through his shirt. "You've got honour luv, even if it is misguided at times..." He wiped her tears away with his thumb. "Look, if yer don't want t' fight then stay in th' cabin... but we will go after Lact!"
Catherine nodded slowly, smiling as he kissed her. "Thank you Jack," she sniffed.
"For you, anything..."
"Even mercy?" she pressed.
"P'raps... I'll make no promises Kitty." He clicked the lock, ensuring they would not be disturbed, smiling as he caught her eye, hands mischievously reaching for her buttons. "Shall we make up?"
***
Little Feather looked in confusion as Joshamee shut the cabin doors firmly behind them. "Crazy Bird... Little Fox..."
"Eh? You mean Jack an' Kitty? Don't worry about it son - they'll just argue for a while an' then make up... it is nice t' have things back to normal!" He looked at him, frowning. "Little Feather, eh... what kinda name is that?"
"Chickasaw."
"Where's that then?"
"The Chickasaw nation is to the east of the river that you would call the Mississippi River."
"Oh, right. An' that is where you met Jack?"
Little Feather smiled at the man's inquisitiveness. "That would be Crazy Bird's tale. I am sure he will tell you himself..."
"Aye, that he probably will..." Gibbs sighed, realising he would find out no further information from the stranger. "Well, let's show you where things are..."
***
Jack held her close, smiling as she snuggled into him on their bunk. "I've missed this bunk!" he laughed, leaning down to kiss her. "An' although I could stay here forever, th' crew will be wantin' to know what happened..." His hand rested over the knife scar. "Don't worry, they won't know everythin'."
"We should move..."
"We jus' did..."
"I meant from this bunk Jack Sparrow! Like you said, the crew will be wanting your story..."
"An' your story too luv! I just sat around in a coal mine..."
"Pah!" She climbed out of the bunk, padding naked across the cabin to search for her clothes. Jack leered appreciatively as she dressed before him. "Oi! Get dressed!" She picked up his clothes from where he had dropped them, throwing them at him. "You audience is waiting... Captain!"
Sighing heavily he forced himself to rise, smiling at her as he pulled on his trousers. He smiled at her as he buttoned his shirt, walking across and kissing her again. "I suppose we'd better go..." Reluctantly he unlocked the doors, stepping out into the midday sun. Heads turned at their emergence. "Crew meetin' yer lazy swabs an' then yer can go ashore!" The crew gathered round, as eager to hear Jack speak as they were to hit the taverns of Tortuga. "Okay, just so yer know th' truth - this is what happened an' this is what we're gonna do about it..."
Catherine listened to the story as Jack told of their adventures, speaking for both of them. Several new members of the crew looked at her in disbelief, but wisely held their tongues. She smiled as Jack finished.
"So," he announced. "This is what we're gonna do - firstly we have two weeks shore leave at Tortuga... as is your due. I will buy crew drinks at th' Faithful Bride tonight an' tomorrow - half crew rotation, you can draw lots. Then, we will be goin' t' Port Royal t' let Kitty's family know she is safe... an' then we go after Lact."
Oran glanced at Catherine chewing her lip as Jack mentioned Lact, realising that it was what they had been arguing about. If she had any doubts now they were well concealed - except from those that knew her well which he felt he did following their time together.
"Okay Gibbs... now draw lots t' see who goes t' th' Bride tonight. Those that remain stay on watch! I won't have th' Pearl unguarded, even here!"
***
Okay - it is Christmas morning here, the presents have been opened and the first of numerous cups of tea has been drunk.
I must say a few special thanks yous to some very special people...
Firstly to Mulberry - my poppet proof reader - for slapping me around when I need it and not being scared to tell me the truth... ta mate!
To Starlight - much love and a secret wink!
And to Ani - who will trout me if I don't keep updating... or phone me with abuse... well, she is a poppet!
And finally, thanks to everyone who is still here and still reviewing.. you are the best!
***
October
Every morning for the next fortnight Jack would climb to the top of the town, scanning out to sea for any sign of the Black Pearl only to return disappointed to their rooms. But that morning he was back within five minutes, bursting through the doorway, braids flying. "She's 'ere!" He dashed out again, banging on the opposite door. "Oran, move! She's 'ere!"
Oran and Little Feather dashed out of their room carrying their belongings, closely followed by Catherine with her bags. "Jack, I can't carry your bags!" He snatched them from the floor, hoisting the heaviest bag over his shoulder.
"Come on, we can meet them at th' docks!"
They ran down through the town, startled mutters and stares in their wake. Sanchia saw them pass, smiling to herself in the knowledge that the Black Pearl had obviously arrived. Humming happily she went in search of some extra rum from the cellar - somehow she thought she'd need it.
***
Joshamee Gibbs sat despondently in the ships boat. It had been nearly a year since Jack had disappeared and still there was no sign of him - or Catherine. For a moment the dark thought that they were dead entered his head, but his heart would never allow him to believe it for long. This was the sixth time that they had returned to Tortuga for supplies, the sixth time without their Captain.
"Gibbs?" Thomas Cardew frowned, straining his eyes as he squinted in the bright morning light. "Gibbs? Is that who I think it is on th' docks?"
Joshamee Gibbs turned, nearly dropping his oar in shock - it was Jack! A broad grin split his face when he saw both Catherine and Oran were waiting for them together with a dark skinned stranger. "Jack! Kitty!" Gibbs rowed faster, nearly upsetting the ships boat in his haste to climb up onto the dock. He embraced Jack warmly, slapping him on the back before hugging Catherine tightly. "Welcome back Captain!"
"Let's get back aboard Joshamee," she ordered. "Whatever you were wanting in Tortuga can wait!"
"Aye!" He climbed back down into the ships boat, taking their baggage before making space for them to climb down too. He stared at the man with them.
"This is Little Feather," Jack said. "Further introductions can wait 'til we're aboard!"
Gibbs nodded, putting his back to the oars and rowing eagerly back to the Black Pearl. After a short time they bumped up against the hull. "You first Captain," he offered.
"No, I think Jack deserves to go first..." she smiled as he clambered over the baggage and up onto deck. Cheers echoed down to them as she started to climb but nothing prepared her for the noise that greeted her as she climbed over the ships rail. She found herself hugged, kissed and whirled around the deck as the crew erupted with joy. Eventually, somewhat dishevelled, she managed to find her way back to Jack. "Alright... is everybody here?" She looked around the crew, noting more than a few new faces. "Crew meeting!" For a moment she was drowned out by the noise of the crew still celebrating. "I said crew meeting!" she shouted. "Somebody wants his Captaincy back and I don't think he's in a mood to be patient!" She had not wanted to be Captain in the first place, and could hardly wait to be rid of the responsibility - she also knew how much it meant to Jack. "Hands raised for aye!"
Gradually hands reached skywards until every hand was raised bar hers. Catherine turned to Jack, smiling as she too slowly raised her hand, making the decision yet again unanimous. "Black Pearl is all yours Captain!" she grinned.
Jack smiled contentedly, running his hand along the ships rail. "I'd like a vote too... to keep Kitty as m' second in everything... hands raised for aye!"
If there was surprise at his request, especially from the new crew, none was shown as hands obediently went skywards. "I keep m' word Kitty!" He turned to Joshamee. "Gibbs, meetin' in m' cabin - I want t' know what I've missed! Oran, find yer hammock! Little Feather with me."
Jack threw open the doors to his cabin, surprised at the slightly musty smell. Catherine sighed and immediately began opening windows. "Sorry Captain," Gibbs apologised. "We didn't have the heart to come in here..."
"That's okay Joshamee, it just needs cleaning..." She noticed Little Feather looking carefully round the cabin. "Welcome to our cabin Little Feather," she smiled. "Make yourself at home!" She reached into the cabinet for one of the bottles of rum, surprised to find that none of the alcohol had been touched - Gibbs had been right about not entering the cabin. She sat next to Jack, boots on the table as she handed him the rum. "Home..." she sighed contentedly.
Jack took a heavy swig on the rum before turning to Joshamee. "Well, what's been happenin' Gibbs?"
"Well Captain, we took on more men as Kitty instructed... got up to full strength - an' no French either! Then we went an' hit everything we could, asking questions but nothing that would lead us to Lact. Had to make 'em think we weren't on to them - give Kitty more time... although we'd nearly given up."
"Well, I'm back an' now we can go after Lact... in fact that's m' number one priority!" He noticed Catherine looking sad. "What's th' matter luv?" He looked closely at her face, noting doubt in her eyes as she chewed her lip. "Gibbs, Little Feather - leave us for a while..."
"Aye Captain."
"P'raps yer could take Little Feather an' show him round th' Pearl? He'll be crew from now on..."
"Aye Captain." Gibbs rose, indicating that Little Feather should follow. "Come on, I'll find you a hammock."
***
Jack waited until Gibbs shut the doors behind him. "Okay Kitty, what's th' matter?"
"I'm sorry... I've got you back, but my heart isn't into vengeance..."
"Yer kiddin'?" Jack looked at her in disbelief. "How can you say that?"
"Because he hanged a man for me..."
"Th' man deserves t' die!"
"But you are alive... that is all that matters to me Jack!" she argued.
"I have t' strike back!"
"Why? Your being free is enough of a blow to him. His brother is taken, his family mine in flames... enough Jack... enough, please!"
"What about your word to th' Commodore - that you would take him out?"
Catherine sighed. "I promised him one less pirate ship," she stressed. "Ship! Ship Jack, not crew!" She shook her head. "I'm sorry Jack... but it is the truth. Jean Claude was good to me, as were his crew..." She sighed heavily. "Don't worry, I will still follow your orders... I'll happily take his ship, blow it to smithereens, but..."
Jack looked at her, frowning, unsure of her reaction to his words. "Yer objections are noted but we still go after Lact... I know yer serious 'bout this but m' decision as Captain is final."
"Aye Captain."
Her voice came out as a whisper and he tilted her chin, surprised to see tears in her eyes. "Hey, no tears! Can't have m' big tough pirate wife crying!" He held her close, feeling the dampness of her tears through his shirt. "You've got honour luv, even if it is misguided at times..." He wiped her tears away with his thumb. "Look, if yer don't want t' fight then stay in th' cabin... but we will go after Lact!"
Catherine nodded slowly, smiling as he kissed her. "Thank you Jack," she sniffed.
"For you, anything..."
"Even mercy?" she pressed.
"P'raps... I'll make no promises Kitty." He clicked the lock, ensuring they would not be disturbed, smiling as he caught her eye, hands mischievously reaching for her buttons. "Shall we make up?"
***
Little Feather looked in confusion as Joshamee shut the cabin doors firmly behind them. "Crazy Bird... Little Fox..."
"Eh? You mean Jack an' Kitty? Don't worry about it son - they'll just argue for a while an' then make up... it is nice t' have things back to normal!" He looked at him, frowning. "Little Feather, eh... what kinda name is that?"
"Chickasaw."
"Where's that then?"
"The Chickasaw nation is to the east of the river that you would call the Mississippi River."
"Oh, right. An' that is where you met Jack?"
Little Feather smiled at the man's inquisitiveness. "That would be Crazy Bird's tale. I am sure he will tell you himself..."
"Aye, that he probably will..." Gibbs sighed, realising he would find out no further information from the stranger. "Well, let's show you where things are..."
***
Jack held her close, smiling as she snuggled into him on their bunk. "I've missed this bunk!" he laughed, leaning down to kiss her. "An' although I could stay here forever, th' crew will be wantin' to know what happened..." His hand rested over the knife scar. "Don't worry, they won't know everythin'."
"We should move..."
"We jus' did..."
"I meant from this bunk Jack Sparrow! Like you said, the crew will be wanting your story..."
"An' your story too luv! I just sat around in a coal mine..."
"Pah!" She climbed out of the bunk, padding naked across the cabin to search for her clothes. Jack leered appreciatively as she dressed before him. "Oi! Get dressed!" She picked up his clothes from where he had dropped them, throwing them at him. "You audience is waiting... Captain!"
Sighing heavily he forced himself to rise, smiling at her as he pulled on his trousers. He smiled at her as he buttoned his shirt, walking across and kissing her again. "I suppose we'd better go..." Reluctantly he unlocked the doors, stepping out into the midday sun. Heads turned at their emergence. "Crew meetin' yer lazy swabs an' then yer can go ashore!" The crew gathered round, as eager to hear Jack speak as they were to hit the taverns of Tortuga. "Okay, just so yer know th' truth - this is what happened an' this is what we're gonna do about it..."
Catherine listened to the story as Jack told of their adventures, speaking for both of them. Several new members of the crew looked at her in disbelief, but wisely held their tongues. She smiled as Jack finished.
"So," he announced. "This is what we're gonna do - firstly we have two weeks shore leave at Tortuga... as is your due. I will buy crew drinks at th' Faithful Bride tonight an' tomorrow - half crew rotation, you can draw lots. Then, we will be goin' t' Port Royal t' let Kitty's family know she is safe... an' then we go after Lact."
Oran glanced at Catherine chewing her lip as Jack mentioned Lact, realising that it was what they had been arguing about. If she had any doubts now they were well concealed - except from those that knew her well which he felt he did following their time together.
"Okay Gibbs... now draw lots t' see who goes t' th' Bride tonight. Those that remain stay on watch! I won't have th' Pearl unguarded, even here!"
***
Okay - it is Christmas morning here, the presents have been opened and the first of numerous cups of tea has been drunk.
I must say a few special thanks yous to some very special people...
Firstly to Mulberry - my poppet proof reader - for slapping me around when I need it and not being scared to tell me the truth... ta mate!
To Starlight - much love and a secret wink!
And to Ani - who will trout me if I don't keep updating... or phone me with abuse... well, she is a poppet!
And finally, thanks to everyone who is still here and still reviewing.. you are the best!