Usual disclaimers. blah!
Okay... I've been waiting for some of the usual suspects to review before uploading this... and you haven't! Redmond, Blacklabel, Catiebug, Druidan54, Untypical, Delly and Maria... see me after class! You can thank my two new reviewers Jenni and Cap'n of the Deep that I am uploading tonight!
Nah! Nah! De Nah! Nah!
Now if you don't review these three chapters I will delay uploading a further two that are already complete! Hah!
I'll also go sit in the corner, pout and sulk... I will... believe me!
Seriously - thanks for all the kind reviews, and if you haven't reviewed or haven't lately reviewed please do. I love to know that people are still with me!
***
Late April
After the service the Black Pearl headed south through the Windward Passage before turning eastwards towards Martinique. It was risky, for the area was heavily patrolled by the French, but Jack had faith in his ship and his crew and it was one of the few remaining areas he had not searched. Recently the strange attacks on merchant ships had ceased and he wondered if the attacks had been the Catalyntie and if she had been sunk or had gone elsewhere. He hoped in his heart that wherever she was she had not been sunk, as he wanted that pleasure for himself.
Jack had spent most of the day in their cabin, studying his charts for areas for possible places to look. It was not until late when Jack finally climbed up the stairs to the quarterdeck, surprised to find Catherine at the helm with Oran standing watch beside her. He had continued to teach her all he knew about charts and navigation, and was pleased with her progress. He smiled as he noticed the lightness of her touch on the wheel, her feet slightly spread to feel the roll of the deck. She smiled, at him but did not talk, continuing to concentrate on the wind and the sails.
"How long yer been there?" he asked, noticing that she looked exhausted. The day before had been emotionally draining for her and he knew it would be a long time before she got over her father's death. He was grateful that they had been able to share a final meal on the Black Pearl with Theodore and Edmund, and not parted without goodbyes.
"A couple of hours..." she shrugged.
"Well take a break luv... let Booth take over," Jack suggested, leading her back down into the cabin as Oran took the wheel. "It's about time yer were headin' fer yer bunk..." He shut the doors behind them, hugging her. "Yer alright?" he asked, concerned.
"Yeah, just tired..." she yawned.
"Bunk it is then luv," he smiled, nibbling her neck. "An' I think I might join yer!
***
The Black Pearl sailed peacefully towards Martinique for another six days, not hurrying and always alert for naval ships. A Dutch trader provided a welcome break from the boredom for the crew, but Jack looked ever eastwards... always searching for the Catalyntie. He still could not understand Catherine's insistence that it was not Jean Claude, her belief in him a bone of contention between them that could only be settled by finding the ship. And find her he intended to do!
They had sheltered from a sudden storm in one of the many quiet bays of the region. Jack hoped it would not worsen for although it was not the hurricane season, the storms could still be vicious at this time of the year. He ordered sails furled and they sat quietly waiting for the weather to break.
***
Jack had only just woken, Catherine still cradled in his arms, when the shout went up from the look out.
"French frigate!" John Mallory cried in panic. "She's seen us!"
Jack flew out of the bunk, shaking Catherine awake. "Dress now!" he urged. "Frigate!" Giving no further explanation he ran onto deck, only just managing to struggle into his trousers before dashing through the cabin doors, spyglass in his hand.
"Bloody hell!" he cursed, seeing the French frigate closing, her gun ports open. "Hands aloft!" he shouted. "Ready th' cannons! Oran, get us out of here now!"
The deck erupted in a flurry of activity, the crew climbing the rigging as fast as they could to unfurl the sails. If they were lucky they could reach open water before the other ship closed, else they risked being trapped in the bay with no room for manoeuvre.
Jack watched as the ship came closer and for a panicked moment he did not think they would make it. "Run out the sweeps!" he ordered, knowing they would need every foot of clear water they could gain. The frigate was more heavily armed than they were and they had no option but to try to reach clear water and flee.
Catherine dashed up the stairs to stand beside him on the quarterdeck. "What do you want me to do?" He was pleased to see that she was fully armed and ready for a fight - although he hoped it would not come to that.
"When we get to clear water I want yer t' take the wheel. Head fer any point on th' horizon as fast as yer can!" Her eyes widened. "I'll be at th' sweeps with th' rest of th' crew luv!"
A cannon ball landed a short distance off starboard, splashing them with sea water... a ranging shot. Oran swung the wheel wildly, causing Catherine to stagger into Jack. "Steady luv," he smiled, righting her before she fell.
The Black Pearl sailed from the bay, keeping as much distance as possible from the French ship, but still they were within range of their cannons. A high shot smashed into the rigging, taking the top from the mizzen mast. Then a second shot smashed into the quarterdeck, throwing the three of them to the deck.
The Black Pearl shuddered as several more cannon balls hit her, crashing through her hull. Their own cannons fired in response, raking the frigate's bow as they passed. Jack stood up shakily, looking around frantically for Catherine, relieved to see her on her feet. He stared in shock at her bloody face - a splinter had sliced her cheek, but she clung to the rail as she stood. Oran staggered back to the wheel, righting their course and aiming for the closing gap to open water... they were through!
"Kitty! Take th' wheel!" Jack ordered. "Oran, man th' sweeps!"
Jack and Oran raced down the stairs and below deck to the sweeps, taking their places alongside every other crew member. For a moment she did not believe they would make it, hearing another volley of cannon fire, fearing to be hit again - but they fell short of the stern. She gasped as the cold water splashed over her, but clung to the wheel determinedly. The Black Pearl shot forward into open water, but the frigate turned to give chase. Desperately she glanced up at the sails, realising that the broken mast was fouling the lower sail.
"Jack!" she shouted. "I need someone aloft! Mast is fouling the sail!" She smiled as William Hawker emerged, quickly climbing up and hacking the damaged piece free.
"Below!" he warned as it fell but it landed well clear of her. He slid down the ropes, dashing back to the sweeps. They truly needed every hand to escape the chasing frigate. They had been down in these waters quite a bit recently with their search for the Catalyntie and obviously the French had decided to do something about them.
***
Jack kept them at the sweeps for an hour, until the frigate was a speck on the horizon before he eventually emerged from the hold. He climbed up to the quarterdeck, relieved to see that she was okay. He smiled reassuringly at her. "It's alright luv, Booth can take over now..." He hugged her. "Yer did good!" His hand touched her cheek and she winced. "But I think yer need t' get that sorted." He saw Joshamee emerging from the lower deck. "Gibbs!"
"Captain?" Joshamee Gibbs looked up at him.
"See that th' sweeps are stowed but keep th' cannons ready. I've a feelin' she ain't gonna give up!" He glanced backwards with his spyglass - sure enough, the frigate was still on their tail, even if a fair distance away. "Make what repairs yer can an' once we lose 'er we'll find somewhere quiet t' repair th' rest." But the speck remained on the horizon - for all of her speed, the Black Pearl was held back by her damaged mizzen mast. All day she fled westwards but without using the sweeps the frigate held the distance.
At dusk Jack looked again at the speck on the horizon through his spyglass. "Bloody French!" he cursed, stomping down to the cabin. When would the damned frigate give up? He stared at his charts, wondering if they were going to be chased all the way to Mexico. He knew they had to make repairs and make them quickly. His eyes caught on the small archipelago of Los Roques just off the coast of Venezuela... perfect. He knew a nice little island there with plenty of timber, food and water. If they shuttered their lamps and turned hard to port once darkness fell, they could break clear of the frigate. Once they were out of reach of the spyglass then they would be safe. Of course, it would mean keeping at the sweeps for most of the night and for Catherine to have to take the wheel again... but he had full confidence in her doing so.
***
Catherine stared at the compass in the dimly lit binnacle, Keep south-west Jack had told her - and she did but it was very lonely at the helm at night. She sighed, listening to the splash of the sweeps as all of the men rowed. It was going to be a long night. She hoped that they had lost the frigate in the darkness, fearing if the ship caught up for they had been heavily out gunned.
***
As dawn broke she was glad to see Oran coming to relieve her. He had managed a few hours sleep with some of the crew who would now man the ship whilst the others slept. He smiled as he took the wheel. "Get some rest Kitty... Jack said he'll join you in a moment..."
"Thanks." She staggered down the stairs to the cabin, falling onto the bunk fully clothed. She was soon asleep.
Jack emerged from below decks into the early morning light, eyes scanning the horizon. He sighed as he saw Catherine disappear into the cabin, glad that he had insisted she learn when he had. It had been very useful for her to be able to take the helm, even if she could not see over the wheel. He climbed up to the quarterdeck, checking more closely with his spyglass, relieved to see no sign of the French ship.
"I think we're clear Booth, but keep an eye - just in case!"
Oran nodded as Jack followed Catherine to their cabin, exhausted from rowing for most of the night. He slipped off his shirt and crept in beside her, smiling as she automatically turned and snuggled against him. If they kept a good speed today and through the night then they should be in sight of the archipelago by dawn. He just hoped the French captain did not realise where he was headed before he had been able to repair the Black Pearl... he didn't want to have to fight his way past that ship again.
The day passed quietly with a good wind behind them, but the wind started to rise and Jack started to worry. It was late evening when the storm hit them... not as bad as a hurricane, but still nasty. Catherine quickly extinguished the galley stove - the last thing they wanted was a fire on top of the damage they already had.
"Kitty! Get below luv," Jack ordered. "It's going t' be too rough fer yer tonight!" For a moment he thought she would argue, but a wave broke over their bow and knocked her from her feet and sweeping against the rail . "Kitty!" he shouted, fearful that she had been washed overboard. He sighed in relief when he saw her get up, staggering to safety of the cabin. Jack looked at the heavy skies, wondering if anything else could go wrong.
Okay... I've been waiting for some of the usual suspects to review before uploading this... and you haven't! Redmond, Blacklabel, Catiebug, Druidan54, Untypical, Delly and Maria... see me after class! You can thank my two new reviewers Jenni and Cap'n of the Deep that I am uploading tonight!
Nah! Nah! De Nah! Nah!
Now if you don't review these three chapters I will delay uploading a further two that are already complete! Hah!
I'll also go sit in the corner, pout and sulk... I will... believe me!
Seriously - thanks for all the kind reviews, and if you haven't reviewed or haven't lately reviewed please do. I love to know that people are still with me!
***
Late April
After the service the Black Pearl headed south through the Windward Passage before turning eastwards towards Martinique. It was risky, for the area was heavily patrolled by the French, but Jack had faith in his ship and his crew and it was one of the few remaining areas he had not searched. Recently the strange attacks on merchant ships had ceased and he wondered if the attacks had been the Catalyntie and if she had been sunk or had gone elsewhere. He hoped in his heart that wherever she was she had not been sunk, as he wanted that pleasure for himself.
Jack had spent most of the day in their cabin, studying his charts for areas for possible places to look. It was not until late when Jack finally climbed up the stairs to the quarterdeck, surprised to find Catherine at the helm with Oran standing watch beside her. He had continued to teach her all he knew about charts and navigation, and was pleased with her progress. He smiled as he noticed the lightness of her touch on the wheel, her feet slightly spread to feel the roll of the deck. She smiled, at him but did not talk, continuing to concentrate on the wind and the sails.
"How long yer been there?" he asked, noticing that she looked exhausted. The day before had been emotionally draining for her and he knew it would be a long time before she got over her father's death. He was grateful that they had been able to share a final meal on the Black Pearl with Theodore and Edmund, and not parted without goodbyes.
"A couple of hours..." she shrugged.
"Well take a break luv... let Booth take over," Jack suggested, leading her back down into the cabin as Oran took the wheel. "It's about time yer were headin' fer yer bunk..." He shut the doors behind them, hugging her. "Yer alright?" he asked, concerned.
"Yeah, just tired..." she yawned.
"Bunk it is then luv," he smiled, nibbling her neck. "An' I think I might join yer!
***
The Black Pearl sailed peacefully towards Martinique for another six days, not hurrying and always alert for naval ships. A Dutch trader provided a welcome break from the boredom for the crew, but Jack looked ever eastwards... always searching for the Catalyntie. He still could not understand Catherine's insistence that it was not Jean Claude, her belief in him a bone of contention between them that could only be settled by finding the ship. And find her he intended to do!
They had sheltered from a sudden storm in one of the many quiet bays of the region. Jack hoped it would not worsen for although it was not the hurricane season, the storms could still be vicious at this time of the year. He ordered sails furled and they sat quietly waiting for the weather to break.
***
Jack had only just woken, Catherine still cradled in his arms, when the shout went up from the look out.
"French frigate!" John Mallory cried in panic. "She's seen us!"
Jack flew out of the bunk, shaking Catherine awake. "Dress now!" he urged. "Frigate!" Giving no further explanation he ran onto deck, only just managing to struggle into his trousers before dashing through the cabin doors, spyglass in his hand.
"Bloody hell!" he cursed, seeing the French frigate closing, her gun ports open. "Hands aloft!" he shouted. "Ready th' cannons! Oran, get us out of here now!"
The deck erupted in a flurry of activity, the crew climbing the rigging as fast as they could to unfurl the sails. If they were lucky they could reach open water before the other ship closed, else they risked being trapped in the bay with no room for manoeuvre.
Jack watched as the ship came closer and for a panicked moment he did not think they would make it. "Run out the sweeps!" he ordered, knowing they would need every foot of clear water they could gain. The frigate was more heavily armed than they were and they had no option but to try to reach clear water and flee.
Catherine dashed up the stairs to stand beside him on the quarterdeck. "What do you want me to do?" He was pleased to see that she was fully armed and ready for a fight - although he hoped it would not come to that.
"When we get to clear water I want yer t' take the wheel. Head fer any point on th' horizon as fast as yer can!" Her eyes widened. "I'll be at th' sweeps with th' rest of th' crew luv!"
A cannon ball landed a short distance off starboard, splashing them with sea water... a ranging shot. Oran swung the wheel wildly, causing Catherine to stagger into Jack. "Steady luv," he smiled, righting her before she fell.
The Black Pearl sailed from the bay, keeping as much distance as possible from the French ship, but still they were within range of their cannons. A high shot smashed into the rigging, taking the top from the mizzen mast. Then a second shot smashed into the quarterdeck, throwing the three of them to the deck.
The Black Pearl shuddered as several more cannon balls hit her, crashing through her hull. Their own cannons fired in response, raking the frigate's bow as they passed. Jack stood up shakily, looking around frantically for Catherine, relieved to see her on her feet. He stared in shock at her bloody face - a splinter had sliced her cheek, but she clung to the rail as she stood. Oran staggered back to the wheel, righting their course and aiming for the closing gap to open water... they were through!
"Kitty! Take th' wheel!" Jack ordered. "Oran, man th' sweeps!"
Jack and Oran raced down the stairs and below deck to the sweeps, taking their places alongside every other crew member. For a moment she did not believe they would make it, hearing another volley of cannon fire, fearing to be hit again - but they fell short of the stern. She gasped as the cold water splashed over her, but clung to the wheel determinedly. The Black Pearl shot forward into open water, but the frigate turned to give chase. Desperately she glanced up at the sails, realising that the broken mast was fouling the lower sail.
"Jack!" she shouted. "I need someone aloft! Mast is fouling the sail!" She smiled as William Hawker emerged, quickly climbing up and hacking the damaged piece free.
"Below!" he warned as it fell but it landed well clear of her. He slid down the ropes, dashing back to the sweeps. They truly needed every hand to escape the chasing frigate. They had been down in these waters quite a bit recently with their search for the Catalyntie and obviously the French had decided to do something about them.
***
Jack kept them at the sweeps for an hour, until the frigate was a speck on the horizon before he eventually emerged from the hold. He climbed up to the quarterdeck, relieved to see that she was okay. He smiled reassuringly at her. "It's alright luv, Booth can take over now..." He hugged her. "Yer did good!" His hand touched her cheek and she winced. "But I think yer need t' get that sorted." He saw Joshamee emerging from the lower deck. "Gibbs!"
"Captain?" Joshamee Gibbs looked up at him.
"See that th' sweeps are stowed but keep th' cannons ready. I've a feelin' she ain't gonna give up!" He glanced backwards with his spyglass - sure enough, the frigate was still on their tail, even if a fair distance away. "Make what repairs yer can an' once we lose 'er we'll find somewhere quiet t' repair th' rest." But the speck remained on the horizon - for all of her speed, the Black Pearl was held back by her damaged mizzen mast. All day she fled westwards but without using the sweeps the frigate held the distance.
At dusk Jack looked again at the speck on the horizon through his spyglass. "Bloody French!" he cursed, stomping down to the cabin. When would the damned frigate give up? He stared at his charts, wondering if they were going to be chased all the way to Mexico. He knew they had to make repairs and make them quickly. His eyes caught on the small archipelago of Los Roques just off the coast of Venezuela... perfect. He knew a nice little island there with plenty of timber, food and water. If they shuttered their lamps and turned hard to port once darkness fell, they could break clear of the frigate. Once they were out of reach of the spyglass then they would be safe. Of course, it would mean keeping at the sweeps for most of the night and for Catherine to have to take the wheel again... but he had full confidence in her doing so.
***
Catherine stared at the compass in the dimly lit binnacle, Keep south-west Jack had told her - and she did but it was very lonely at the helm at night. She sighed, listening to the splash of the sweeps as all of the men rowed. It was going to be a long night. She hoped that they had lost the frigate in the darkness, fearing if the ship caught up for they had been heavily out gunned.
***
As dawn broke she was glad to see Oran coming to relieve her. He had managed a few hours sleep with some of the crew who would now man the ship whilst the others slept. He smiled as he took the wheel. "Get some rest Kitty... Jack said he'll join you in a moment..."
"Thanks." She staggered down the stairs to the cabin, falling onto the bunk fully clothed. She was soon asleep.
Jack emerged from below decks into the early morning light, eyes scanning the horizon. He sighed as he saw Catherine disappear into the cabin, glad that he had insisted she learn when he had. It had been very useful for her to be able to take the helm, even if she could not see over the wheel. He climbed up to the quarterdeck, checking more closely with his spyglass, relieved to see no sign of the French ship.
"I think we're clear Booth, but keep an eye - just in case!"
Oran nodded as Jack followed Catherine to their cabin, exhausted from rowing for most of the night. He slipped off his shirt and crept in beside her, smiling as she automatically turned and snuggled against him. If they kept a good speed today and through the night then they should be in sight of the archipelago by dawn. He just hoped the French captain did not realise where he was headed before he had been able to repair the Black Pearl... he didn't want to have to fight his way past that ship again.
The day passed quietly with a good wind behind them, but the wind started to rise and Jack started to worry. It was late evening when the storm hit them... not as bad as a hurricane, but still nasty. Catherine quickly extinguished the galley stove - the last thing they wanted was a fire on top of the damage they already had.
"Kitty! Get below luv," Jack ordered. "It's going t' be too rough fer yer tonight!" For a moment he thought she would argue, but a wave broke over their bow and knocked her from her feet and sweeping against the rail . "Kitty!" he shouted, fearful that she had been washed overboard. He sighed in relief when he saw her get up, staggering to safety of the cabin. Jack looked at the heavy skies, wondering if anything else could go wrong.
