Usual disclaimers. bah humbug!
***
Kasia found to her surprise that Tortuga was not as bad a place as she had feared and was definitely better than those last months at Port Royal. True the men there were pirates and were more than often drunk, but she had a home, a job and the respect of her employer. Even if somebody were to call her a thief here, it would be a very minor compared with the crimes that some could be accused of... especially Jack!
Sanchia's daughter Abby was a delightful child, full of bubbly mischief which was encouraged by most of the pirates - much to her mothers despair. One day Kasia started to teach the child her letters in the sand on one of the beaches and was surprised to see a few of the pirates hanging around, trying to listen. "Would you like to learn too?" Some of the men muttered embarrassed and walked away, but two remained and she soon found herself teaching them as well whenever their ships were in port.
When Abby was asleep she would work in the Faithful Bride, where Jack seemed to live, holding court in his attempt to track down Jean Claude Lact. He had set all Tortuga afire with the amount he was offering as a reward... even the man's own mother would have told on him - if she had been alive that is. A never ending stream of shady looking pirates would sit at his table and speak for a few moments before slipping away.
"What's all that about?" Kasia asked Sanchia as they worked the bar together.
"Oh, just Jack seeking revenge on Jean Claude... it's too big a reward to be unclaimed long..." Sanchia explained that Jack had been taken and how he had escaped.
"Oh..." Kasia's voice trailed to a whisper. "Will he kill him?"
Sanchia shrugged. "Probably..."
***
Mid-November
Jack looked up, noticing Catherine walk into the bar looking for him. She headed to the bar, talking secretively with Sanchia before heading over to his booth, wine goblet in hand.
"What was that about?" Jack frowned.
Catherine smiled. "Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies..." She took a measured sip of her wine. "Any news yet?"
"No," he sighed. "A few clues point south, but nothing definite yet... but I can be patient." He turned to her excitedly. "Come on... what were you and Sanchia so secretive about..."
"I thought you said you were patient... so be patient!" she teased, noticing Sanchia beckoning her over again. "I've got to go..."
"Kitty!"
"Patience darlin'!" She leaned across the table, kissing him before heading back to the bar. "Are we on Sanchia?"
Sanchia smiled. "I've spoken to th' ladies, everything is sorted. Food, drink, entertainments too!" She caught Jack watching them, frowning. She grinned, poking her tongue out at him. "Nosey, isn't he? Does he have a clue?"
Catherine shook her head, laughing. "Nope! Even Gibbs has kept the secret... although I think I put the fear of God in him!"
Sanchia laughed. "Tomorrow night then..."
"Tomorrow night!"
***
Jack was puzzled when Sanchia was not to be seen at the Faithful Bride the next day. Kasia, on seeing him enter, beckoned him over.
"Oh Jack, I'm glad you're here. Catherine left a message for you to meet her at the livery yard! She said it was important..."
Jack frowned, looking around the bar. "Thanks luv!" He looked around the bar, strangely empty of any Black Pearl crew members. The women were plotting something... but what? He turned and headed out of the door, walking through the town to the small, decrepit stables. He found Catherine there, waiting as Kasia had said, with two sets of reins in her hands.
"I thought you'd never get here..."
"What's happening Kitty? I know you're up to something..." he said, eyeing her suspiciously.
"Me?" She burst out laughing, unable maintain a façade of innocence under his gaze. "Maybe, but I'm not telling!" She handed him the reins of the large chestnut. "I fancied a ride... some time alone for our anniversary. Perhaps we can find somewhere quiet? Just the two of us..." She let the suggestion linger as she mounted the smaller grey horse. "Gibbs will keep the Pearl safe... an' I've got lunch..." She patted the two panniers on her horse.
Jack mounted, frowning as he looked at her. "I still don't trust you!"
"I should hope not - I am a Sparrow after all. Are you coming?"
"Aye, even though I hate horses!" he muttered sourly.
Putting her heels to her horse Catherine led the way and they soon disappeared from view of the town, cantering smoothly along the narrow track that led into the interior of the island.
***
Kasia watched them leave, waiting until they were out of sight before running down to the docks. Signalling wildly she was quickly spotted and the Black Pearl raised her anchor and slipped from the harbour.
***
Catherine forced a good pace but soon the narrow track disappeared. They dismounted, walking hand-in-hand as she continued on, walking through the trees until they had nearly crossed to the far side of the island. Finding a sheltered grassy area she tied her horse to a tree, easing the panniers from it's back. "I think here will do..." Spreading out a large blanket she reached for the food, but his hand stopped her.
"I'd prefer m' wife first!" He nuzzled her neck, easing her down onto the blanket as he eagerly undressed her. She responded, kissing him, her urgency matching his. "Happy anniversary love!"
***
It was some time before they moved on.
We should head back..." he suggested, realising that he had left his gift onboard the Black Pearl.
"We can only be a mile or so from the sea... let's go on a way..."
He frowned. "Why?"
"Well, I don't have to get the horses back until morning... and you always were partial to a spot of skinny-dipping..."
Leering at her suggestion, he followed eagerly.
***
Jack stared in amazement, for a moment wondering what the Black Pearl was doing anchored in the quiet bay. Then he spotted the people on the beach, a number of large fire pits burning. "You scheming, sneaky..." He looked at her, speechless, as Joshamee Gibbs walked up the beach towards them.
"Cap'n! Kitty! We thought you'd never get here!" He saw Jack's eyeing the crowd on the beach. "Happy Anniversary! Don't worry Cap'n... th' Pearl has enough onboard t' guard her!"
John Mallory took the reins of both horses, tying them a short distance from the beach where there was good grazing and a bucket of water awaited them.
He turned to Catherine. "You are a devious, lying, little..."
She laughed, running down the beach as fast as she could, ducking behind Oran as she tried to hide. "Save me! Somebody! Give him some rum!"
Jack chased her down the beach, only to find Sanchia blocking his path. "Rum?" She handed him a large bottle, his favourite rum. "Enjoy yourself Jack, everything has been sorted..."
Jack paused, looking around properly for the first time. Most of the crew of the Black Pearl were ashore, whole pig carcases roasted over the fire pits and more food was laid out to one side. A small bar area had been set up using two water barrels and a plank of wood. Catherine peeked out from behind Oran. "You didn't want to celebrate alone... did you?"
He laughed, uncorking the rum and reaching for her, pulling her close and kissing her. Some of the crew had brought instruments and the party began. Jack frowned, noting a number of the local whores mingling with the crew, some simply dancing with the crew whilst others disappeared into the darkness. Oran reached for Sanchia's hand, leading her to where the dancing was. Jack blinked - even Little Feather was dancing... well, kind of, as he tried to teach some of the crew a favourite Chickasaw dance.
"Don't worry... everything is paid for... girls included!" she smiled.
"You paid for the..."
Catherine laughed. Jack's face was a picture when he realised that his wife had hired the women for the duration of the party. There would be a lot of disgruntled pirates left in Tortuga that night.
"Well, after last year... you know..." She looked up at him, biting her lip. "I'm sorry..."
He hugged her tightly. "You are priceless," he murmured, nuzzling her neck. "An' th' past is th' past." Jack tilted her face, kissing her. "Dance with me..." he whispered.
They danced, a little apart from the others, lost in their own little world. All in all, it was a very pleasant anniversary he mused.
***
They had rotated the watches so that nobody had missed out on the celebrations and the next morning there were only a few sore heads. The crew had realised that they still had to be alert enough to defend the Black Pearl the next day if needed. The women and any unused food and drink were rowed back to the ship.
"I'm amazed Gibbs sailed with so many women aboard," Jack smiled, knowing how superstitious his Quartermaster was.
"I think th' crew had more than a quiet word with him," Catherine smiled. "And I don't think a bottle was his only companion last night... savvy?"
Jack laughed, knowing that Joshamee Gibbs had enjoyed numerous companions that night. "Aye, savvy!"
Paul Fearnan walked across the sand, handing Jack a small package. "You asked for this Captain..."
"Aye, thank you." Jack turned to Catherine. "It's not much after such a party, but... Happy Anniversary love."
She took the package from him, carefully unwrapping it to reveal a beautiful pistol, it's wooden stock inlaid with silver. "It's beautiful," she gasped.
"Matches it's owner then," he winked.
Catherine stood on tiptoe, kissing him. "Thank you," she smiled.
Oran and Little Feather offered to ride the horses back, but Little Feather was too tall for the shorter horse that Catherine had ridden. "I'll go," Sanchia offered. "It will be nice to get to ride again..."
Jack smiled to himself, not missing the quick look that passed between Oran and Sanchia - belatedly realising how much time the two of them had spent together lately. He watched from the quarterdeck as they disappeared out of sight into the trees before ordering the anchor raised. Jack smiled to himself, pleased that Oran appeared at last to be getting Catherine out of his system. The Black Pearl slipped smoothly from the bay, circling the island back to Tortuga.
***
***
Kasia found to her surprise that Tortuga was not as bad a place as she had feared and was definitely better than those last months at Port Royal. True the men there were pirates and were more than often drunk, but she had a home, a job and the respect of her employer. Even if somebody were to call her a thief here, it would be a very minor compared with the crimes that some could be accused of... especially Jack!
Sanchia's daughter Abby was a delightful child, full of bubbly mischief which was encouraged by most of the pirates - much to her mothers despair. One day Kasia started to teach the child her letters in the sand on one of the beaches and was surprised to see a few of the pirates hanging around, trying to listen. "Would you like to learn too?" Some of the men muttered embarrassed and walked away, but two remained and she soon found herself teaching them as well whenever their ships were in port.
When Abby was asleep she would work in the Faithful Bride, where Jack seemed to live, holding court in his attempt to track down Jean Claude Lact. He had set all Tortuga afire with the amount he was offering as a reward... even the man's own mother would have told on him - if she had been alive that is. A never ending stream of shady looking pirates would sit at his table and speak for a few moments before slipping away.
"What's all that about?" Kasia asked Sanchia as they worked the bar together.
"Oh, just Jack seeking revenge on Jean Claude... it's too big a reward to be unclaimed long..." Sanchia explained that Jack had been taken and how he had escaped.
"Oh..." Kasia's voice trailed to a whisper. "Will he kill him?"
Sanchia shrugged. "Probably..."
***
Mid-November
Jack looked up, noticing Catherine walk into the bar looking for him. She headed to the bar, talking secretively with Sanchia before heading over to his booth, wine goblet in hand.
"What was that about?" Jack frowned.
Catherine smiled. "Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies..." She took a measured sip of her wine. "Any news yet?"
"No," he sighed. "A few clues point south, but nothing definite yet... but I can be patient." He turned to her excitedly. "Come on... what were you and Sanchia so secretive about..."
"I thought you said you were patient... so be patient!" she teased, noticing Sanchia beckoning her over again. "I've got to go..."
"Kitty!"
"Patience darlin'!" She leaned across the table, kissing him before heading back to the bar. "Are we on Sanchia?"
Sanchia smiled. "I've spoken to th' ladies, everything is sorted. Food, drink, entertainments too!" She caught Jack watching them, frowning. She grinned, poking her tongue out at him. "Nosey, isn't he? Does he have a clue?"
Catherine shook her head, laughing. "Nope! Even Gibbs has kept the secret... although I think I put the fear of God in him!"
Sanchia laughed. "Tomorrow night then..."
"Tomorrow night!"
***
Jack was puzzled when Sanchia was not to be seen at the Faithful Bride the next day. Kasia, on seeing him enter, beckoned him over.
"Oh Jack, I'm glad you're here. Catherine left a message for you to meet her at the livery yard! She said it was important..."
Jack frowned, looking around the bar. "Thanks luv!" He looked around the bar, strangely empty of any Black Pearl crew members. The women were plotting something... but what? He turned and headed out of the door, walking through the town to the small, decrepit stables. He found Catherine there, waiting as Kasia had said, with two sets of reins in her hands.
"I thought you'd never get here..."
"What's happening Kitty? I know you're up to something..." he said, eyeing her suspiciously.
"Me?" She burst out laughing, unable maintain a façade of innocence under his gaze. "Maybe, but I'm not telling!" She handed him the reins of the large chestnut. "I fancied a ride... some time alone for our anniversary. Perhaps we can find somewhere quiet? Just the two of us..." She let the suggestion linger as she mounted the smaller grey horse. "Gibbs will keep the Pearl safe... an' I've got lunch..." She patted the two panniers on her horse.
Jack mounted, frowning as he looked at her. "I still don't trust you!"
"I should hope not - I am a Sparrow after all. Are you coming?"
"Aye, even though I hate horses!" he muttered sourly.
Putting her heels to her horse Catherine led the way and they soon disappeared from view of the town, cantering smoothly along the narrow track that led into the interior of the island.
***
Kasia watched them leave, waiting until they were out of sight before running down to the docks. Signalling wildly she was quickly spotted and the Black Pearl raised her anchor and slipped from the harbour.
***
Catherine forced a good pace but soon the narrow track disappeared. They dismounted, walking hand-in-hand as she continued on, walking through the trees until they had nearly crossed to the far side of the island. Finding a sheltered grassy area she tied her horse to a tree, easing the panniers from it's back. "I think here will do..." Spreading out a large blanket she reached for the food, but his hand stopped her.
"I'd prefer m' wife first!" He nuzzled her neck, easing her down onto the blanket as he eagerly undressed her. She responded, kissing him, her urgency matching his. "Happy anniversary love!"
***
It was some time before they moved on.
We should head back..." he suggested, realising that he had left his gift onboard the Black Pearl.
"We can only be a mile or so from the sea... let's go on a way..."
He frowned. "Why?"
"Well, I don't have to get the horses back until morning... and you always were partial to a spot of skinny-dipping..."
Leering at her suggestion, he followed eagerly.
***
Jack stared in amazement, for a moment wondering what the Black Pearl was doing anchored in the quiet bay. Then he spotted the people on the beach, a number of large fire pits burning. "You scheming, sneaky..." He looked at her, speechless, as Joshamee Gibbs walked up the beach towards them.
"Cap'n! Kitty! We thought you'd never get here!" He saw Jack's eyeing the crowd on the beach. "Happy Anniversary! Don't worry Cap'n... th' Pearl has enough onboard t' guard her!"
John Mallory took the reins of both horses, tying them a short distance from the beach where there was good grazing and a bucket of water awaited them.
He turned to Catherine. "You are a devious, lying, little..."
She laughed, running down the beach as fast as she could, ducking behind Oran as she tried to hide. "Save me! Somebody! Give him some rum!"
Jack chased her down the beach, only to find Sanchia blocking his path. "Rum?" She handed him a large bottle, his favourite rum. "Enjoy yourself Jack, everything has been sorted..."
Jack paused, looking around properly for the first time. Most of the crew of the Black Pearl were ashore, whole pig carcases roasted over the fire pits and more food was laid out to one side. A small bar area had been set up using two water barrels and a plank of wood. Catherine peeked out from behind Oran. "You didn't want to celebrate alone... did you?"
He laughed, uncorking the rum and reaching for her, pulling her close and kissing her. Some of the crew had brought instruments and the party began. Jack frowned, noting a number of the local whores mingling with the crew, some simply dancing with the crew whilst others disappeared into the darkness. Oran reached for Sanchia's hand, leading her to where the dancing was. Jack blinked - even Little Feather was dancing... well, kind of, as he tried to teach some of the crew a favourite Chickasaw dance.
"Don't worry... everything is paid for... girls included!" she smiled.
"You paid for the..."
Catherine laughed. Jack's face was a picture when he realised that his wife had hired the women for the duration of the party. There would be a lot of disgruntled pirates left in Tortuga that night.
"Well, after last year... you know..." She looked up at him, biting her lip. "I'm sorry..."
He hugged her tightly. "You are priceless," he murmured, nuzzling her neck. "An' th' past is th' past." Jack tilted her face, kissing her. "Dance with me..." he whispered.
They danced, a little apart from the others, lost in their own little world. All in all, it was a very pleasant anniversary he mused.
***
They had rotated the watches so that nobody had missed out on the celebrations and the next morning there were only a few sore heads. The crew had realised that they still had to be alert enough to defend the Black Pearl the next day if needed. The women and any unused food and drink were rowed back to the ship.
"I'm amazed Gibbs sailed with so many women aboard," Jack smiled, knowing how superstitious his Quartermaster was.
"I think th' crew had more than a quiet word with him," Catherine smiled. "And I don't think a bottle was his only companion last night... savvy?"
Jack laughed, knowing that Joshamee Gibbs had enjoyed numerous companions that night. "Aye, savvy!"
Paul Fearnan walked across the sand, handing Jack a small package. "You asked for this Captain..."
"Aye, thank you." Jack turned to Catherine. "It's not much after such a party, but... Happy Anniversary love."
She took the package from him, carefully unwrapping it to reveal a beautiful pistol, it's wooden stock inlaid with silver. "It's beautiful," she gasped.
"Matches it's owner then," he winked.
Catherine stood on tiptoe, kissing him. "Thank you," she smiled.
Oran and Little Feather offered to ride the horses back, but Little Feather was too tall for the shorter horse that Catherine had ridden. "I'll go," Sanchia offered. "It will be nice to get to ride again..."
Jack smiled to himself, not missing the quick look that passed between Oran and Sanchia - belatedly realising how much time the two of them had spent together lately. He watched from the quarterdeck as they disappeared out of sight into the trees before ordering the anchor raised. Jack smiled to himself, pleased that Oran appeared at last to be getting Catherine out of his system. The Black Pearl slipped smoothly from the bay, circling the island back to Tortuga.
***