Usual disclaimers. bleedin' things - worse than housework!

***

Catherine sighed as a group of four men were thrown into the cell next to her, regretfully realising that her solitude was at an end. She shut her eyes, ignoring them for they were drunk and rowdy but soon they spotted her half-concealed by her blanket. "Hey boys! What 'ave we got 'ere? I think it's an angel..." A chorus of ribald whistles accompanied their comments. "Come 'ere darlin' an' give us a kiss..."

Catherine opened one lazy eye, sighed heavily and shut her eye again.

"I said come 'ere darlin'!" the man slurred.

"Ah, sod off you drunken bastard!" She didn't even bother looking at them - they were so drunk they could hardly stand up.

"Ah, th' angel speaks!" The drunk's companions laughed.

She ignored them, her eyes remaining closed despite their best attempts to get her attention.

"Give it a rest guys!" A red-coated marine that she did not recognise stomped down the steps and threw another into their cell - although the man had been drinking, he was not drunk. His face was cut and bloody - he had clearly been fighting. "I'd have guessed we'd have a full house tonight with your ship in port!" He slammed the door, locking the man in, but before he could leave another man was escorted down the steps.

"Put him in the other cell Chantry... can't have them fighting again!" Harvey, the first marine said not realising that Catherine was huddled beneath her blanket in the dim light.

Catherine opened a cautious eye as she realised that the door to her cell was open. The man was pushed roughly into her cell. He too was bloodied - obviously from the fight with the first man. He sat on the straw covered floor, taunting the man in the neighbouring cell as the guards left.

"Come here yer nancy and I'll finish what we started!" the tall man taunted.

"Go t' Hell Estes!" the other man laughed, sticking his fingers up at him. "Tosser!"

"Oooooooo brave are yer now with bars between us Smythe? Yer can't hide forever in there - they'll let us out in the morning!" Estes promised.

"The whore was mine!" Smythe argued.

Estes walked up to the bars, leaning with his hands through them. "Hah! I'd already paid her yer slimey weasel! Yer couldn't even wait your turn! Wait until the Captain hears about this!"

"You're too scared to speak to the Captain... and you wouldn't even know what to do with a whore if you found one!" he taunted.

"I know what to do with a whore yer bleedin' eunuch!" Estes made a grab through the bars, trying to reach Smythe who was wisely just out of reach.

"Hah! So that's why you're sitting on the floor in a cell with a woman..." Smythe pointed to where Catherine was quietly watching the argument.

The tall man stopped, cautiously looking around. He'd been too interested in taunting his opponent to notice who was in the cell with him, but his eyes widened when he saw her. "Well, perhaps things are looking up after all if they're providin' whores with their cells these days..."

"Don't even think about it," Catherine drawled, carefully keeping her voice calm and disinterested even though she was panicking inside.

"And what if I already have..." Estes started walking towards her, swaying slightly.

She shrugged. "I could scream..."

"Wouldn't stop me. There's many a way to shut a pretty mouth!" He leered, walking closer.

"Or I could just smash your face in instead," she warned, her voice quiet with threat.

He paused, blinking. This was not the response he expected. "What you waiting for Estes? She's not exactly too big for you!" Ribald hoots of derision and laughter erupted in the other cell.

Catherine sighed, standing up slowly. "Don't say I didn't warn you mate..."

Estes grabbed for her arm, slamming her against the bars. She brought her knee up, but he blocked it, smiling - unaware that her real attack was her left fist. Catherine smashed him in the face with all her strength, blood and several teeth spraying the wall.

"You bitch!" he gasped in disbelief, staggering back in shock. The other cell fell quiet, unsure what to make of the turn of events. With an enraged roar he rushed her, using his strength to physically lift her feet from the ground, slamming her down into the straw.

***

Joshamee Gibbs led the group of men from the Black Pearl into the tavern, rubbing his hands with glee at the thought of a few pints of ale. Oran, Paul Fearnan and William Hawker brought up the rear, chatting animatedly. Although they did not mind their enforced stay in port, they were anxious to get to sea again and eager for Catherine to return to the ship... and especially the galley. Cotton was a good doctor but his cooking left a great deal to be desired - including flavour. Joshamee headed to the bar, buying the crew with him a drink, grateful that Jack had given him some money for the night. They found themselves a table, drinking heavily and eyeing appreciatively as a few whores began to notice them. Although the town was more respectable than Tortuga, a good whore could still be found if you knew the right taverns.

The tavern filled, there were a large number of ships in the harbour tonight and soon drunken laugher filled the air. Oran left the table to get another drink, listening to the conversations around him whilst waiting quietly to be noticed by the barmaid. His heart sank as he realised the topic of conversation involved Jack and Catherine.

"Yeah, for all his swagger Sparrow ain't yet got a child on her. Now there's this rumour about the woman being barren... right convenient if you ask me. Sounds more like a ploy to cast the blame away from him. He can't be right, dresses strange with all those beads and plaits..." the man next to him slurred.

The man seemed drunk, spouting his nonsense to all who would listen, but his eyes were sharp. The barmaid eventually reached him and he placed his order for another ale, but as he spoke the drunk realised who he was.

"Hey, you're from the Black Pearl... aren't you? My friends and I were wondering about the truth to the rumours... is it the woman or the Captain?" he asked.

Oran sighed. "The only thing it is mate is none of your business..."

"Come now... you're one of the crew - surely you can tell us..." He waved his arms encompassing his companions. "We won't tell anyone now, will we mates!" They laughed. He walked up to Oran, standing eye to eye with him. "If Sparrow can't get a child on her then I'll be glad to try..."

Oran looked at the man in disgust, picking up his ale and heading back to the table. He felt a hand on his shoulder, pulling him back and making him spill his drink.

"Hey, I was talking to you!" the man shouted. The bar suddenly went quiet, the rest of the Black Pearl crew rising.

"You're not even fit to lick Kitty's boots..." Oran turned again, intent on heading back to their table.

"I'll be glad to lick her elsewhere," he laughed.

Oran dropped the rest of his ale, his fist slamming hard into the stomach of the man. "Oran! No!" Joshamee cried too late, holding back the rest of the crew as he belatedly remembered Jack's orders. "Oran!" But Oran was not listening as he and the suddenly sober man traded blows. Tables were upturned, chairs smashed as they fought. Somewhere in the distance he could hear the watch being called for, but Oran did not stop - realising that the fight was a set up but vowing to make his antagonist pay. The fight tumbled outside and continued on the dockside, a crowd following from the tavern. "Paul - get Jack!" Joshamee ordered, but he could already hear the sound of the watch approaching and knew that Paul would not reach the Black Pearl in time.

Red-coated marines surrounded the combatants, pulling them apart. "Alright you two, let's be having you up in the cells..." Oran and the man were forced up the hill towards the Fort, aimed rifles ensuring their obedience.

"Back to the ship!" Joshamee Gibbs ordered the remaining crew, muttering under his breath. He didn't want to think what Jack would say when he found out...

***

Catherine gradually felt the cell blacken, his hands around her throat slowly tightening. She went limp, sagging suddenly in the hope he would think she had fainted. He released her, ripping her shirt open to cheers of encouragement from the next cell. Catherine took a rasping breath, her knee finally connecting with his groin with the last of her strength... He squeaked in disbelief, collapsing on top of her as he held himself defensively. "Bitch!" he gasped, his voice much higher than usual.

"I told you," she panted. "I told you I was no whore!" She froze, hearing booted footsteps on the stairs, then everyone seemed to talk at once.

"Hey, what's going on here?" a marine demanded, as he escorted Oran down to the cells.

"Kitty!" Oran shouted, pushing past the guard in an attempt to get to her. "Let me in there mate!"

The guard laughed, opening the door. "Never seen someone so anxious to get in a cell before!" He opened the door and Oran dashed through, hauling the groaning man off Catherine.

"Kitty! Are you alright?" He picked her up gently, holding her ruined shirt around her shaking body, turning angrily to the marine. "Get this man out of here mate, before I kill him!" he warned.

The guard blinked, realising that the dark haired man meant his threat and panicking as he realised who had been in the cell with the tall sailor. "Murtogg! Mullroy! Get down here!"

Murtogg and Mullroy soon appeared, stumbling down the stairs in their haste. "Mistress Kitty?" Murtogg gasped, rushing past the guard into the cell to help Oran. "Harvey!" he shouted up the stairs to the other guard. "Send for the Commodore and Captain Sparrow!" Murtogg ordered, "And Captain Groves!" He turned to the guard. "What the hell were you thinking of Muir? Didn't you know Mistress Kitty was in here?"

"I didn't put anyone in there with her! It must have been Harvey or Chantry- I've only just come on duty! I had no idea she wasn't alone!" Muir protested.

Oran sat her on the stone seat, wrapping the blanket protectively around her shoulders. He brushed her hair away from her face, spotting her already bruised throat. "At least I was in time," he smiled, hugging her.

The cell door was still open, although guarded by Mullroy's raised rifle, when the man Oran had been fighting with was brought in. The new guard looked at the scene in confusion. "Put him in the full one!" Murtogg ordered angrily. "This cell's occupied!" The marine blinked, but unlocked the second cell and forced the man through. The marine dashed from the cells, realising something was going to happen and he did not want to be anywhere near it.

"What the hell is going on here?" The angry voice of the Commodore could be heard at the top of the stairs, heavy footsteps descending. He looked in disbelief at the scene before him, jumping as the door above was flung open to reveal Jack and Theodore racing each other to the bottom. The marine Harvey followed slowly behind.

"Kitty!" Jack shouted, nearly pushing the Commodore over as he dashed to her side. He quickly took in the state of her throat. "Is this the best safety you can offer her?" Jack shouted, his eyes black with anger. Theodore pushed past too, crouching next to Jack.

"Murtogg - what is going on?" Theodore asked.

"I don't know Sir," Murtogg admitted. "Mullroy and I came down when Muir shouted. He'd just brought Oran down for fighting... Mistress Kitty was barely conscious under the man in her cell..."

Jack looked at Oran. "I'll speak with you about that later!" he sighed, disappointedly. "I thought I'd told all the crew not to fight!" Oran opened his mouth to argue, but was silenced with a look.

"Cat, are you alright?" Theodore was relieved when his sister nodded. "Commodore, Cat cannot remain here!"

The occupants of the other cage watched warily, unsure what was happening - why were both the Naval Captain and Jack Sparrow arguing on her behalf with the Commodore? Just who was this woman?

"I cannot release her until she apologises - it is the Governor's orders!" James Norrington argued. "Will you apologise?"

Catherine shook her head. "Never!"

"Damn it woman!" James Norrington shouted, losing his patience. "Will you apologise?"

"No," she tried to shout, but her voice only came out as a whisper.

Jack rose, turning to Theodore. "Theo, what does a man have t' do t' get locked up here? Get drunk? Fight? Punch a naval officer?"

"Any of those would work..." Theodore frowned, unsure what Jack meant.

"Fine!" Jack's fist connected with Theodore's face - not as hard as he could punch but hard enough to split his lip, knocking him to the floor. "Then I'm stayin'!"

Theodore rose, wiping the blood from his lip. "That won't work Jack. I won't lock you up for that!"

Jack started to walk out of the cell. "How about hittin' th' Commodore then?" he smiled.

James Norrington took a step back, his hand reaching for his sword. "Captain Sparrow, I suggest you stop now!" he threatened.

"Yer gonna lock me up then, or do I have t' draw m' pistol too?" Jack grinned.

The Commodore looked at him in disbelief, realising that Jack's antics would get more and more outrageous until he got his wish. "I never thought I'd see the day when you begged to be locked up!" He shook his head. "Leave your effects on the side - you can stay until morning." He turned to Theodore. "Captain Groves, I believe we need to visit the Governor in the morning about your sister!"

Smythe gasped, realising who Estes had attacked - the wife of Captain Sparrow who was also the sister of Captain Groves. He paled backing away from the bars into the darkness.

James Norrington rounded angrily on the two marines. "Muir! Harvey! You are suspended from duty tonight and will report to my office in the morning - Chantry too if he was on duty when this happened! Whatever possessed you to put a man in with Mistress Sparrow!"

"Commodore!" Harvey protested. "I didn't see her in there! I thought she was gone!"

"I do not want to know tonight!" the Commodore argued furiously. "You will all report for punishment to my office in the morning!"

"Commodore, what about..." Murtogg indicated the still groaning form of Estes on the ground.

"Put him in the other cell," he ordered, "for his own safety!"

The Commodore turned on his heels, leaving Theodore and the marines to sort out who was in which cell. "You going to be alright Cat?" he asked, crouching down before her.

"I'll be fine Theo... Jack is here now," she smiled.

He messed her hair, glad that she appeared to have shrugged the incident off. From what he understood it was a good thing that Oran had gotten into the fight or who knew what would have happened. "Murtogg, Mullroy, you are on duty here until relieved. If my sister requires anything she is to have it immediately!" They nodded and he turned to Jack as he locked the cell. "I'll see you in the morning..." He nodded before turning and leaving the cells.

Jack's wrapped his arms protectively around Catherine. "Yer safe t'night luv," he whispered, kissing her on the lips as he wrapped the blanket around them. He stared as Estes came to the bars.

"I'm sorry Captain. I didn't realise she was your wife..." Estes spoke quietly, realising only too late his error and terrified of the consequences.

Jack shrugged. "Doesn't matter mate - dead is dead. If I don't get you then one of m' crew will!" He turned his attention back to Catherine, but Oran grinned as he saw the occupants of the cell backing away from Estes as he slowly realised he was a good as dead already. Oran caught Estes' eye, drawing his finger across his throat, imitating a blade. He smiled as he saw the man understand his threat, nearly fainting in fear. Oran shut his eyes, still smiling as he calmly settled down to sleep.

***