Usual disclaimers. blah!
Hope you guys all had a good Christmas Day...
***
Jack searched for his kohl, rummaging in the drawer that it had been in. He frowned, noticing a small cloth bag that he did not recognise. Carefully he opened it. "Kitty... I think you've forgotten something..." He reached into the bag to reveal her pearl necklace and earrings.
"Oh!" Catherine's hand reached to her neck, realising that she still wore the simple pendant that she had worn in New Orleans. "I forgot!" She blushed, embarrassed at her slip. "It's been so long..." She smiled as Jack removed the old necklace, slipping her pearls over her neck. "Now all I need is my sword an' pistol and I'll be back to normal." She grinned, reaching up to touch his cheek. "Although you seem to be missing something too..."
Jack returned to the drawer, eventually finding what he was looking for and quickly re-kohled his eyes. "Now we are both properly back... I'd better rustle up some gold fer t'night though... I think th' crew will drink th' Bride dry..."
***
They stayed at Tortuga for the two weeks as was promised to the crew before eventually heading southwards through the Windward Passage. Catherine was eager to see her brother again, knowing he would have been worried by her absence. Although she was not sure of the reception from her father - she knew he considered her a disappointment following her marriage to Jack, letting down the family name. Her excitement grew as the Black Pearl rounded the headland, Port Royal harbour appearing before her - the HMS Gauntlet was in port. She turned, sensing Jack beside her.
"We'll get there soon enough Kitty..."
"I know, but..." After so long away from her family she was anxious to return to Port Royal as quickly as possible - even the speed of the Black Pearl seeming slow to her.
"But Theo will be there! I'm sure he'll be waitin' at th' docks if he can..."
But Theodore was not there, although they were as busy and bustling as normal. Jack frowned. "P'raps he's home..." They walked through the narrow streets towards the house, people often stopping to call out welcome to them. Catherine eagerly climbed the steps, putting her key in the door. It would not open.
"Jack?" she frowned, banging on the door in the hope that her brother was home. She stepped smartly back, hearing a bolt being drawn back.
"Yes?" A liveried man stood before her, sneering down at her attire.
"I am looking for Theodore Groves..."
"Captain Groves is not currently at home... and you are?"
"I am his sister - I live here! Is Papa home?" Eagerly she went to push past him, only to find her way barred. "I will see if Mistress Groves will see you..." The door was firmly shut in her face.
"Jack!" She turned to him in disbelief. "Please tell me that man did not just shut me out of my own house - my family home!"
He rested a hand on her shoulder, forestalling the explosion. "Wait Kitty... let us see what's happenin' first..." His grip tightened as the door opened again. "Wait..." he warned.
The same man stood before them. "Mistress Groves will see you in the lobby," he informed them, reluctantly allowing them to pass.
Catherine pushed past him, standing in shocked awe in the lobby. Gone were the simple tasteful furnishings that she had spent her own money on, replaced with rich, fashionable ones which were in her eyes hideous. "Tell me I am dreaming Jack..." she gasped, her jaw gaping.
"Even Barbossa had more taste!" he agreed. He glanced towards the top of the stairs, a rustle of fabric catching his ears. "Miss Spense?"
"It is Mistress Groves now, Mister Sparrow!"
"An' it is Captain Sparrow Missy, always was!"
For a moment Catherine wondered if she would have to restrain Jack or he her. Taking a breath she sighed heavily. "Congratulations on your marriage Mary, welcome to the family." She paused, looking around. "And where is Theo?"
"Theodore is at the fort - perhaps you should go and see him there..." The air of dismissal was obvious in her voice.
"Perhaps we should," Catherine smiled, her voice icy as she turned and left, stalking up the road towards the fort.
"Kitty! Slow down!" Jack caught her arm, pulling her round to face him. "There's probably a perfectly reasonable explanation..."
"Reasonable! I've been locked out of and shown out of my house - all by a woman with less taste than I've seen in my entire life!"
"Cat!"
Catherine turned sharply on hearing the sound of her brother's voice. Jack placed a warning hand on her shoulder, grip tightening. "Hold your fire..."
"Cat! Jack!" Theodore walked up to his sister, warmly embracing both of them. "When did the two of you get in... I feared I'd never see you both again!"
Jack placed his hand back on her shoulder, seemingly affectionate, but in truth enforcing his earlier warning. "About an' hour ago mate..."
"Have you been to the house..."
"Aye," Catherine replied cautiously.
"Did you meet... oh, obviously you did! I'm sorry, I should have been there..."
"And what happened to my furniture? My belongings? My room? My God Theo..."
"Kitty, the street is not the place for this..." Jack warned, tightening his grip until she gasped.
Theodore looked at them confused. "I am sorry Cat, but Mary suggested the back room was more appropriate for us. Do you mind sleeping on board until I sort things out? Perhaps the two of you will come to dinner tonight... Mary has taken on a wonderful cook..."
"We'd be delighted to mate!" Jack smiled warmly as he steered Kitty away from her brother. "We've a lot t' sort in town so we'll see yer later!"
"Oh, okay... fine! About seven?"
"We'll be there!" Jack led Catherine back towards the docks, away from the house and her brother.
"Jack!" she protested. "What the hell are you doing? Do you want to give her the satisfaction of throwing me out of my home again?"
"We've been invited by yer brother, an' we will go... but in th' meantime we go an' speak with Will an' Elizabeth t' find out what's been happenin' - savvy?"
"Savvy..." she sighed, slowly smiling at him.
***
The welcome from the Turner household was much warmer and they were soon sitting around a small fire drinking tea - or in Jack's case, rum. Elizabeth's face was worried as if she were unsure what to say, wishing desperately for Will to get home soon. Billy was out with his grandfather, so the place was for once quiet.
"Come on Elizabeth, tell us... it cannot be any worse than what we've already found!" Jack sighed.
"Well," she sighed, "it all started about late January. Theodore was walking the Governor's nanny... oh, what is her name... Kas... Kasia? Yes, Kasia! Anyway, it came out that a number of the marines that went south with you had decided to buy out of the navy and that they were very well off. Rumours started about Theodore and his involvement in it... about the money and all." She paused, sipping her tea. "Then things started to go missing from the Governor's mansion... money, jewellery - that sort of thing... and they were found in Kasia's room. Although she protested her innocence, she was fired and a new nanny found. Theodore couldn't be seen walking with someone accused of theft, so it ended and pretty soon Mary Spense found her way to his arm."
"Pretty bloody convenient," Catherine sneered. "I thought she was a money- grabbing minx when I saw her at that banquet..." She paused, frowning. "What happened to Kasia?"
"I don't know... I think I saw her near the docks a few weeks ago, but I might have been mistaken." Elizabeth shrugged. "Anyway, convenient or not, within two months they were married... your father was delighted with the match. And then things started to change at the house.
"I've seen it," Catherine sighed. "A Tortuga whore-house probably looks better!" She frowned. "Do you know what happened to the furniture? My furniture?"
Elizabeth winced as she spoke, anticipating Catherine's response. "She gave it away..."
"She what!" Catherine exploded, half way to the door before Jack grabbed her, stopping her from leaving, murder in her eyes.
"Sit!" he ordered.
"But..."
"Sit Kitty! That is an order if I have t' make it one! No good will happen if yer confront her now - all half-cocked an' angry!"
"But that was my furniture... I bought it with my money! She had no right!"
"What's done is done luv... an' we can't do nothin' until t'night... savvy?" A slow smile curled his lip. "An' we need t' plan!" He rose, leaning across to kiss Elizabeth on the cheek. "Tell Will we'll catch him later..."
She sighed as she rose and saw them to the door. "You're not going to get yourself in trouble again, are you Jack?" she pleaded.
He grinned. "I'll be fine," he assured her, "although I'd be more worried about Kitty if I were you!" Taking her hand he led Catherine back towards the docks.
"What are you planning Jack Sparrow?" she demanded, but he just smiled, rowing her back to the Black Pearl. He nodded towards the cabin, barring the door behind them as he started pulling clothes from her chest. "Jack!"
He laid out her best dress - the pale cream one that she had worn when they had confirmed their marriage. Digging in the chest again, he pulled out the native trousers given to her by the Chickasaw, placing her newest boots next to them.
"Okay luv... fancy or pirate? You are second-in-command on this ship after all!"
She smiled, realising what he was thinking. "Pirate!" She walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "You know Papa will be scandalised..."
"Mmmnn, shame about that, isn't it!" Jack grinned, his delight in taunting her father obvious as he kissed the top of her head.
Hope you guys all had a good Christmas Day...
***
Jack searched for his kohl, rummaging in the drawer that it had been in. He frowned, noticing a small cloth bag that he did not recognise. Carefully he opened it. "Kitty... I think you've forgotten something..." He reached into the bag to reveal her pearl necklace and earrings.
"Oh!" Catherine's hand reached to her neck, realising that she still wore the simple pendant that she had worn in New Orleans. "I forgot!" She blushed, embarrassed at her slip. "It's been so long..." She smiled as Jack removed the old necklace, slipping her pearls over her neck. "Now all I need is my sword an' pistol and I'll be back to normal." She grinned, reaching up to touch his cheek. "Although you seem to be missing something too..."
Jack returned to the drawer, eventually finding what he was looking for and quickly re-kohled his eyes. "Now we are both properly back... I'd better rustle up some gold fer t'night though... I think th' crew will drink th' Bride dry..."
***
They stayed at Tortuga for the two weeks as was promised to the crew before eventually heading southwards through the Windward Passage. Catherine was eager to see her brother again, knowing he would have been worried by her absence. Although she was not sure of the reception from her father - she knew he considered her a disappointment following her marriage to Jack, letting down the family name. Her excitement grew as the Black Pearl rounded the headland, Port Royal harbour appearing before her - the HMS Gauntlet was in port. She turned, sensing Jack beside her.
"We'll get there soon enough Kitty..."
"I know, but..." After so long away from her family she was anxious to return to Port Royal as quickly as possible - even the speed of the Black Pearl seeming slow to her.
"But Theo will be there! I'm sure he'll be waitin' at th' docks if he can..."
But Theodore was not there, although they were as busy and bustling as normal. Jack frowned. "P'raps he's home..." They walked through the narrow streets towards the house, people often stopping to call out welcome to them. Catherine eagerly climbed the steps, putting her key in the door. It would not open.
"Jack?" she frowned, banging on the door in the hope that her brother was home. She stepped smartly back, hearing a bolt being drawn back.
"Yes?" A liveried man stood before her, sneering down at her attire.
"I am looking for Theodore Groves..."
"Captain Groves is not currently at home... and you are?"
"I am his sister - I live here! Is Papa home?" Eagerly she went to push past him, only to find her way barred. "I will see if Mistress Groves will see you..." The door was firmly shut in her face.
"Jack!" She turned to him in disbelief. "Please tell me that man did not just shut me out of my own house - my family home!"
He rested a hand on her shoulder, forestalling the explosion. "Wait Kitty... let us see what's happenin' first..." His grip tightened as the door opened again. "Wait..." he warned.
The same man stood before them. "Mistress Groves will see you in the lobby," he informed them, reluctantly allowing them to pass.
Catherine pushed past him, standing in shocked awe in the lobby. Gone were the simple tasteful furnishings that she had spent her own money on, replaced with rich, fashionable ones which were in her eyes hideous. "Tell me I am dreaming Jack..." she gasped, her jaw gaping.
"Even Barbossa had more taste!" he agreed. He glanced towards the top of the stairs, a rustle of fabric catching his ears. "Miss Spense?"
"It is Mistress Groves now, Mister Sparrow!"
"An' it is Captain Sparrow Missy, always was!"
For a moment Catherine wondered if she would have to restrain Jack or he her. Taking a breath she sighed heavily. "Congratulations on your marriage Mary, welcome to the family." She paused, looking around. "And where is Theo?"
"Theodore is at the fort - perhaps you should go and see him there..." The air of dismissal was obvious in her voice.
"Perhaps we should," Catherine smiled, her voice icy as she turned and left, stalking up the road towards the fort.
"Kitty! Slow down!" Jack caught her arm, pulling her round to face him. "There's probably a perfectly reasonable explanation..."
"Reasonable! I've been locked out of and shown out of my house - all by a woman with less taste than I've seen in my entire life!"
"Cat!"
Catherine turned sharply on hearing the sound of her brother's voice. Jack placed a warning hand on her shoulder, grip tightening. "Hold your fire..."
"Cat! Jack!" Theodore walked up to his sister, warmly embracing both of them. "When did the two of you get in... I feared I'd never see you both again!"
Jack placed his hand back on her shoulder, seemingly affectionate, but in truth enforcing his earlier warning. "About an' hour ago mate..."
"Have you been to the house..."
"Aye," Catherine replied cautiously.
"Did you meet... oh, obviously you did! I'm sorry, I should have been there..."
"And what happened to my furniture? My belongings? My room? My God Theo..."
"Kitty, the street is not the place for this..." Jack warned, tightening his grip until she gasped.
Theodore looked at them confused. "I am sorry Cat, but Mary suggested the back room was more appropriate for us. Do you mind sleeping on board until I sort things out? Perhaps the two of you will come to dinner tonight... Mary has taken on a wonderful cook..."
"We'd be delighted to mate!" Jack smiled warmly as he steered Kitty away from her brother. "We've a lot t' sort in town so we'll see yer later!"
"Oh, okay... fine! About seven?"
"We'll be there!" Jack led Catherine back towards the docks, away from the house and her brother.
"Jack!" she protested. "What the hell are you doing? Do you want to give her the satisfaction of throwing me out of my home again?"
"We've been invited by yer brother, an' we will go... but in th' meantime we go an' speak with Will an' Elizabeth t' find out what's been happenin' - savvy?"
"Savvy..." she sighed, slowly smiling at him.
***
The welcome from the Turner household was much warmer and they were soon sitting around a small fire drinking tea - or in Jack's case, rum. Elizabeth's face was worried as if she were unsure what to say, wishing desperately for Will to get home soon. Billy was out with his grandfather, so the place was for once quiet.
"Come on Elizabeth, tell us... it cannot be any worse than what we've already found!" Jack sighed.
"Well," she sighed, "it all started about late January. Theodore was walking the Governor's nanny... oh, what is her name... Kas... Kasia? Yes, Kasia! Anyway, it came out that a number of the marines that went south with you had decided to buy out of the navy and that they were very well off. Rumours started about Theodore and his involvement in it... about the money and all." She paused, sipping her tea. "Then things started to go missing from the Governor's mansion... money, jewellery - that sort of thing... and they were found in Kasia's room. Although she protested her innocence, she was fired and a new nanny found. Theodore couldn't be seen walking with someone accused of theft, so it ended and pretty soon Mary Spense found her way to his arm."
"Pretty bloody convenient," Catherine sneered. "I thought she was a money- grabbing minx when I saw her at that banquet..." She paused, frowning. "What happened to Kasia?"
"I don't know... I think I saw her near the docks a few weeks ago, but I might have been mistaken." Elizabeth shrugged. "Anyway, convenient or not, within two months they were married... your father was delighted with the match. And then things started to change at the house.
"I've seen it," Catherine sighed. "A Tortuga whore-house probably looks better!" She frowned. "Do you know what happened to the furniture? My furniture?"
Elizabeth winced as she spoke, anticipating Catherine's response. "She gave it away..."
"She what!" Catherine exploded, half way to the door before Jack grabbed her, stopping her from leaving, murder in her eyes.
"Sit!" he ordered.
"But..."
"Sit Kitty! That is an order if I have t' make it one! No good will happen if yer confront her now - all half-cocked an' angry!"
"But that was my furniture... I bought it with my money! She had no right!"
"What's done is done luv... an' we can't do nothin' until t'night... savvy?" A slow smile curled his lip. "An' we need t' plan!" He rose, leaning across to kiss Elizabeth on the cheek. "Tell Will we'll catch him later..."
She sighed as she rose and saw them to the door. "You're not going to get yourself in trouble again, are you Jack?" she pleaded.
He grinned. "I'll be fine," he assured her, "although I'd be more worried about Kitty if I were you!" Taking her hand he led Catherine back towards the docks.
"What are you planning Jack Sparrow?" she demanded, but he just smiled, rowing her back to the Black Pearl. He nodded towards the cabin, barring the door behind them as he started pulling clothes from her chest. "Jack!"
He laid out her best dress - the pale cream one that she had worn when they had confirmed their marriage. Digging in the chest again, he pulled out the native trousers given to her by the Chickasaw, placing her newest boots next to them.
"Okay luv... fancy or pirate? You are second-in-command on this ship after all!"
She smiled, realising what he was thinking. "Pirate!" She walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "You know Papa will be scandalised..."
"Mmmnn, shame about that, isn't it!" Jack grinned, his delight in taunting her father obvious as he kissed the top of her head.