Usual disclaimers. and a Happy New Year to the Corporate Mouse Machine
too...grrr!
***
Jack sat quietly nursing his rum in the Grey Mare tavern overlooking the docks, smiling when he saw Will enter. "Sorry I couldn't get away earlier," he apologised, "but a customer walked in." He sat down, picking up the ale that Jack pushed across the table towards him. "From all the gossip, I take it you're leaving?"
Jack shrugged. "Well, I did warn Elizabeth that it was Kitty she should worry about..."
"How much of the gossip is true?" Will looked around the tavern, thinking the place was a dive even by Jack's standards.
"What? That she slapped Kitty, that Kitty punched her, or that Theo an' I had to pull them apart before they killed each other?"
"I meant the bit about a Tortuga whore-house..." Will grinned, remembering how shocked Elizabeth had been by the language.
Jack laughed, catching the arm of the barmaid as she walked past. Her lips twitched when she heard the comment, and he looked up sharply, recognising her. "I'll have another rum, if yer not too busy..." He watched her as she walked away, a frown creasing his brow.
"Jack?"
"What? Oh yeah, Kitty did say that! Also called her a money-grabbing bitch..." He smiled at the barmaid as she returned with his drink. "Thanks luv!" He turned to Will, his eyes serious. "But we're really leavin' t' go after Lact... an old score to settle so to speak..."
"When will you be coming back?"
"Dunno mate... it's a bit hard with Kitty like..." His voice trailed off as he watched a number of drinkers dock workers that were getting rowdy nearby, jostling the barmaid.
"Why would it be hard with Kitty?" Will frowned, not noticing Jack's gaze - and mind - was elsewhere.
"Oh, 'cause I locked her in th' brig..." he replied distractedly, his eyes on the scene unfolding behind Will.
"Why?" Will gasped before putting Jack's comment and the gossip he had heard together. "She must have been furious for you to have locked her up..."
"Eh?" Jack forced his mind back on the conversation. "Well it was either the brig or run th' risk of having her swim ashore an' punch Mary again..."
"Won't she be mad when you let..." Will's question died on his lips as a tray of tankards crashed to the floor behind him. "Wha..."
Jack looked quickly at Will, relieved to see he was armed. "Can yer still remember how t' use that?" he smiled as he rose, striding across to the scene. He reached down, helping Kasia up, turning on the men with a snarl. "That wasn't necessary..." he threatened.
"We won't be served by a thief!" The docker turned towards Jack, stepping forwards aggressively. Will eyed the sour faced man cautiously - he was stout and if his muscles were anything to go by had been working the docks for a long time. He fingered his sword, realising the probability of this ending in violence.
"But she isn't! An' what right have yer t' call Kasia a thief?" Jack reasoned.
"We know why she was dismissed... theft!" He walked forward, standing eye to eye with Jack.
"I've already told yer Kasia ain't a thief... yer callin' me a liar?" Jack threatened, his voice low and threatening.
"An I said she's a bloody..."
He never finished his sentence as Jack's fist connected with his face, knocking him backwards over the table. "Anyone else callin' me a liar?" Jack rested his hand on his sword, threatening the remaining dockers.
Will stood behind him, mirroring his stance. "Are you calling Captain Sparrow a liar?" he asked quietly.
"Er... the Captain Sparrow?" The dockers suddenly did not look so certain, glancing down to their colleague as he tried to get up. "Er, no... not at all... sorry... misunderstanding Captain, just a misunderstanding..." They hauled the semi-conscious man to his feet, dragging him from the bar with as much speed as they could.
Jack turned to Kasia. "Are yer alright Kasia?" He flexed his hand, bruises already rising on his knuckles.
Kasia looked at him in disbelief. "You believe me? You must be the only person in Port Royal that does!" She sighed heavily. "I'm surprised you remember me..."
"Oi! Get yer lazy butt moving!" the bar owner shouted. "Clean up that mess yer stupid cow!"
"Ah, sod off!" Jack drawled, ignoring the man as he offered Kasia his arm. "Have yer anything t' stay in Port Royal for? No? I thought not... but I know a lady who runs a tavern an' she has a little girl needing care..."
Kasia frowned. The last months had not been easy with all the accusations against her and this dive had been the only place that would give her work. She knew that his wife was Theodore's sister and wondered if she should trust him, afraid of being set up again.
"Where the hell do you think you are going?" The bar owner threw his dirty cloth on the bar in disgust, grabbing hold of Kasia's arm, but releasing it abruptly as Will punched him.
"Why, thank you dear William," Jack smiled. "You'll just have t' trust me luv... I'm sure yer don't want t' stay here?" He smiled as she slowly placed her hand on his arm.
"I believe we were leaving..." she smiled nervously, realising that he was right - anywhere at the moment would be better than Port Royal.
They walked out into the sunshine, leaving the bar owner sprawled on the floor, dazed and staring at the ceiling
***
Jack rowed Kasia back to the Black Pearl, helping her climb up onboard. "Gibbs - is everyone aboard? Weigh anchor then an' set course fer Tortuga!" He escorted Kasia up to the quarter deck, standing beside Oran as the Black Pearl slowly unfurled her sails and headed out of the harbour. He caught Kasia staring at the harbour as it disappeared from view. "Don't worry about it, there's plenty of other places better than Port Royal..."
"Where are you taking me?"
"Tortuga luv. I've a friend there that could do with yer help... an' it's not as if yer wanted t' stay in that dive anyway, is it now?"
"No, I did not... Is your wife aboard Captain. It would be nice to see her again..."
He turned to Oran, a smile on his lips. "D'yer think I should let her out now..."
"She's a good swimmer Captain, but..." He glanced over his shoulder. "But I don't think even she could swim that."
"Are yer sure I can't bribe yer t' let her out while I hide?" Jack laughed, only half-joking for he dreaded what her reaction would be.
Oran laughed. "No Captain, she's all yours! And yer can't hide behind me either" he teased.
"Damn!"
Kasia looked at them bemused. "What are you talking about?"
"Haven't yer heard th' gossip luv?" Kasia shook her head. "M' wife punched Mary yesterday..."
"Wha..." she gasped in shock.
"Oh well, s'pose she can only kill me once..." He jumped down the stairs, heading downwards again to the brig, twirling the key in his fingers with practiced bravado. "Well Missy," he teased, "Will yer behave if I let yer out an' promise not t' hit me?"
"Don't call me Missy!" A heavy sigh sounded from beneath a blanket. "I notice you waited until we sailed."
"Of course! Yer don't think I'm that stupid to let you out before, do yer? Do I have yer word... no violence?"
Catherine knew he would not let her out unless she agreed, and that once she had given her word she could not break it. "You are evil, you know!" The blankets moved to reveal the crumpled form of his wife.
"Yup!" Jack grinned.
She reached through the bars, trying to get the key. "Let me out Jack..."
"Your word first!" He twirled the key in his fingers, ensuring he was just out of reach of her arm.
"Jack! Damn you, you bastard!"
"I probably am... yer word Kitty, or yer stay there until yer give it!"
She sighed resignedly, realising that she would have to give her word if she ever wanted to leave the brig. "Okay, you have my word."
He turned the key in the lock, opening the door wide. "Out yer come!" He hung the key on it's normal hook, mischief twinkling in his eyes. "It was a beautiful punch though..."
She looked at him sharply, catching the glimmer of a smile across his face. Unable to resist, she burst out laughing and hugged him tightly. "And you are still a bastard Jack Sparrow... but I do love you!" She stood on tiptoe, kissing him warmly.
She walked behind him back up onto the deck. At the base of the stairs he paused, turning to her. "We have a guest onboard... Kasia."
"You found her!" Catherine beamed.
"Aye, she was being given a hard time tryin' t' work as a barmaid... I... er, thought Sanchia might appreciate some help..." Jack explained, glancing away so that she could not see his eyes.
But as he turned she could see his bruised knuckles, realising he had been fighting and had hit something or someone very hard. "You're a softie Jack Sparrow!" Catherine teased. "But don't worry, I won't tell! Come, I've some creams that will help bring the bruising out..."
"Thanks," he mumbled as they walked back up onto the deck.
***
Sanchia stared at the woman beside Jack Sparrow, her grey eyes widening with surprise. "Well Jack, that is very thoughtful of you... thank you!" she smiled. "Help is always welcome here - and somebody used to children doubly so!"
"Well," Jack smiled. "Kasia here is th' best Nanny in th' whole of th' Caribbean! Worked for th' Governor, don't yer know!"
"Then why..."
"Falsely accused of theft by th' Governor's daughter." He looked at Sanchia serious for a moment. "I believe her."
"Well," Sanchia smiled reassuringly at Kasia, "the past matters little in Tortuga compared with what you can do. You will not be judged here! Come, let us find you a room and you can start look after my daughter Abigail for me... she is three and quite precocious!"
Jack watched as the two women walked away, Kasia and Sanchia already talking animatedly. "I think you've scored a hit there dear," Catherine smiled as she walked up behind him, slipping her hands around his waist. "Mine's a wine..."
Jack headed for their booth, relieved to find it empty. Once Catherine was seated he went to get their drinks - a rum and a wine - smiling happily to himself as he crossed the room. He sat next to her, passing her the drink.
"You love it when a plan comes together, don't you?" Catherine teased.
"Aye... an' things are beginning t' make sense now - at least with Mary! She wasn't interested in Theo until he became rich and then suddenly Kasia is accused of theft..." He grinned. "Who had access to all the rooms in the Governor's Mansion - Mary! Who had reason to want to frame Kasia - Mary! Who is now married to Theo instead of Kasia - Mary!" He sighed. "But t' prove it is another thing..."
"True... but what about Jean Claude? Any great plan there?"
He shrugged. "Not a lot I can do... but I don't intend t' chase all around th' Caribbean looking fer him! I think I'll just sit here until after Christmas - spend a nice quiet time with m' wife an' then wait to see who will give us th' information we need." He turned to face her, smiling into her eyes. "An' fer the right money, we shouldn't have t' wait long..."
***
***
Jack sat quietly nursing his rum in the Grey Mare tavern overlooking the docks, smiling when he saw Will enter. "Sorry I couldn't get away earlier," he apologised, "but a customer walked in." He sat down, picking up the ale that Jack pushed across the table towards him. "From all the gossip, I take it you're leaving?"
Jack shrugged. "Well, I did warn Elizabeth that it was Kitty she should worry about..."
"How much of the gossip is true?" Will looked around the tavern, thinking the place was a dive even by Jack's standards.
"What? That she slapped Kitty, that Kitty punched her, or that Theo an' I had to pull them apart before they killed each other?"
"I meant the bit about a Tortuga whore-house..." Will grinned, remembering how shocked Elizabeth had been by the language.
Jack laughed, catching the arm of the barmaid as she walked past. Her lips twitched when she heard the comment, and he looked up sharply, recognising her. "I'll have another rum, if yer not too busy..." He watched her as she walked away, a frown creasing his brow.
"Jack?"
"What? Oh yeah, Kitty did say that! Also called her a money-grabbing bitch..." He smiled at the barmaid as she returned with his drink. "Thanks luv!" He turned to Will, his eyes serious. "But we're really leavin' t' go after Lact... an old score to settle so to speak..."
"When will you be coming back?"
"Dunno mate... it's a bit hard with Kitty like..." His voice trailed off as he watched a number of drinkers dock workers that were getting rowdy nearby, jostling the barmaid.
"Why would it be hard with Kitty?" Will frowned, not noticing Jack's gaze - and mind - was elsewhere.
"Oh, 'cause I locked her in th' brig..." he replied distractedly, his eyes on the scene unfolding behind Will.
"Why?" Will gasped before putting Jack's comment and the gossip he had heard together. "She must have been furious for you to have locked her up..."
"Eh?" Jack forced his mind back on the conversation. "Well it was either the brig or run th' risk of having her swim ashore an' punch Mary again..."
"Won't she be mad when you let..." Will's question died on his lips as a tray of tankards crashed to the floor behind him. "Wha..."
Jack looked quickly at Will, relieved to see he was armed. "Can yer still remember how t' use that?" he smiled as he rose, striding across to the scene. He reached down, helping Kasia up, turning on the men with a snarl. "That wasn't necessary..." he threatened.
"We won't be served by a thief!" The docker turned towards Jack, stepping forwards aggressively. Will eyed the sour faced man cautiously - he was stout and if his muscles were anything to go by had been working the docks for a long time. He fingered his sword, realising the probability of this ending in violence.
"But she isn't! An' what right have yer t' call Kasia a thief?" Jack reasoned.
"We know why she was dismissed... theft!" He walked forward, standing eye to eye with Jack.
"I've already told yer Kasia ain't a thief... yer callin' me a liar?" Jack threatened, his voice low and threatening.
"An I said she's a bloody..."
He never finished his sentence as Jack's fist connected with his face, knocking him backwards over the table. "Anyone else callin' me a liar?" Jack rested his hand on his sword, threatening the remaining dockers.
Will stood behind him, mirroring his stance. "Are you calling Captain Sparrow a liar?" he asked quietly.
"Er... the Captain Sparrow?" The dockers suddenly did not look so certain, glancing down to their colleague as he tried to get up. "Er, no... not at all... sorry... misunderstanding Captain, just a misunderstanding..." They hauled the semi-conscious man to his feet, dragging him from the bar with as much speed as they could.
Jack turned to Kasia. "Are yer alright Kasia?" He flexed his hand, bruises already rising on his knuckles.
Kasia looked at him in disbelief. "You believe me? You must be the only person in Port Royal that does!" She sighed heavily. "I'm surprised you remember me..."
"Oi! Get yer lazy butt moving!" the bar owner shouted. "Clean up that mess yer stupid cow!"
"Ah, sod off!" Jack drawled, ignoring the man as he offered Kasia his arm. "Have yer anything t' stay in Port Royal for? No? I thought not... but I know a lady who runs a tavern an' she has a little girl needing care..."
Kasia frowned. The last months had not been easy with all the accusations against her and this dive had been the only place that would give her work. She knew that his wife was Theodore's sister and wondered if she should trust him, afraid of being set up again.
"Where the hell do you think you are going?" The bar owner threw his dirty cloth on the bar in disgust, grabbing hold of Kasia's arm, but releasing it abruptly as Will punched him.
"Why, thank you dear William," Jack smiled. "You'll just have t' trust me luv... I'm sure yer don't want t' stay here?" He smiled as she slowly placed her hand on his arm.
"I believe we were leaving..." she smiled nervously, realising that he was right - anywhere at the moment would be better than Port Royal.
They walked out into the sunshine, leaving the bar owner sprawled on the floor, dazed and staring at the ceiling
***
Jack rowed Kasia back to the Black Pearl, helping her climb up onboard. "Gibbs - is everyone aboard? Weigh anchor then an' set course fer Tortuga!" He escorted Kasia up to the quarter deck, standing beside Oran as the Black Pearl slowly unfurled her sails and headed out of the harbour. He caught Kasia staring at the harbour as it disappeared from view. "Don't worry about it, there's plenty of other places better than Port Royal..."
"Where are you taking me?"
"Tortuga luv. I've a friend there that could do with yer help... an' it's not as if yer wanted t' stay in that dive anyway, is it now?"
"No, I did not... Is your wife aboard Captain. It would be nice to see her again..."
He turned to Oran, a smile on his lips. "D'yer think I should let her out now..."
"She's a good swimmer Captain, but..." He glanced over his shoulder. "But I don't think even she could swim that."
"Are yer sure I can't bribe yer t' let her out while I hide?" Jack laughed, only half-joking for he dreaded what her reaction would be.
Oran laughed. "No Captain, she's all yours! And yer can't hide behind me either" he teased.
"Damn!"
Kasia looked at them bemused. "What are you talking about?"
"Haven't yer heard th' gossip luv?" Kasia shook her head. "M' wife punched Mary yesterday..."
"Wha..." she gasped in shock.
"Oh well, s'pose she can only kill me once..." He jumped down the stairs, heading downwards again to the brig, twirling the key in his fingers with practiced bravado. "Well Missy," he teased, "Will yer behave if I let yer out an' promise not t' hit me?"
"Don't call me Missy!" A heavy sigh sounded from beneath a blanket. "I notice you waited until we sailed."
"Of course! Yer don't think I'm that stupid to let you out before, do yer? Do I have yer word... no violence?"
Catherine knew he would not let her out unless she agreed, and that once she had given her word she could not break it. "You are evil, you know!" The blankets moved to reveal the crumpled form of his wife.
"Yup!" Jack grinned.
She reached through the bars, trying to get the key. "Let me out Jack..."
"Your word first!" He twirled the key in his fingers, ensuring he was just out of reach of her arm.
"Jack! Damn you, you bastard!"
"I probably am... yer word Kitty, or yer stay there until yer give it!"
She sighed resignedly, realising that she would have to give her word if she ever wanted to leave the brig. "Okay, you have my word."
He turned the key in the lock, opening the door wide. "Out yer come!" He hung the key on it's normal hook, mischief twinkling in his eyes. "It was a beautiful punch though..."
She looked at him sharply, catching the glimmer of a smile across his face. Unable to resist, she burst out laughing and hugged him tightly. "And you are still a bastard Jack Sparrow... but I do love you!" She stood on tiptoe, kissing him warmly.
She walked behind him back up onto the deck. At the base of the stairs he paused, turning to her. "We have a guest onboard... Kasia."
"You found her!" Catherine beamed.
"Aye, she was being given a hard time tryin' t' work as a barmaid... I... er, thought Sanchia might appreciate some help..." Jack explained, glancing away so that she could not see his eyes.
But as he turned she could see his bruised knuckles, realising he had been fighting and had hit something or someone very hard. "You're a softie Jack Sparrow!" Catherine teased. "But don't worry, I won't tell! Come, I've some creams that will help bring the bruising out..."
"Thanks," he mumbled as they walked back up onto the deck.
***
Sanchia stared at the woman beside Jack Sparrow, her grey eyes widening with surprise. "Well Jack, that is very thoughtful of you... thank you!" she smiled. "Help is always welcome here - and somebody used to children doubly so!"
"Well," Jack smiled. "Kasia here is th' best Nanny in th' whole of th' Caribbean! Worked for th' Governor, don't yer know!"
"Then why..."
"Falsely accused of theft by th' Governor's daughter." He looked at Sanchia serious for a moment. "I believe her."
"Well," Sanchia smiled reassuringly at Kasia, "the past matters little in Tortuga compared with what you can do. You will not be judged here! Come, let us find you a room and you can start look after my daughter Abigail for me... she is three and quite precocious!"
Jack watched as the two women walked away, Kasia and Sanchia already talking animatedly. "I think you've scored a hit there dear," Catherine smiled as she walked up behind him, slipping her hands around his waist. "Mine's a wine..."
Jack headed for their booth, relieved to find it empty. Once Catherine was seated he went to get their drinks - a rum and a wine - smiling happily to himself as he crossed the room. He sat next to her, passing her the drink.
"You love it when a plan comes together, don't you?" Catherine teased.
"Aye... an' things are beginning t' make sense now - at least with Mary! She wasn't interested in Theo until he became rich and then suddenly Kasia is accused of theft..." He grinned. "Who had access to all the rooms in the Governor's Mansion - Mary! Who had reason to want to frame Kasia - Mary! Who is now married to Theo instead of Kasia - Mary!" He sighed. "But t' prove it is another thing..."
"True... but what about Jean Claude? Any great plan there?"
He shrugged. "Not a lot I can do... but I don't intend t' chase all around th' Caribbean looking fer him! I think I'll just sit here until after Christmas - spend a nice quiet time with m' wife an' then wait to see who will give us th' information we need." He turned to face her, smiling into her eyes. "An' fer the right money, we shouldn't have t' wait long..."
***