Usual disclaimers. humph!
You reviewed yet? Yes... YOU!
***
As Jack and the Black Pearl fought their way through the storm, Jean Claude, Anamaria and baby Edan sheltered in their cave. Anamaria held Edan close to her. He did not like the thunder and was hungry too. "Jean Claude..." she sighed, nodding to her son. "I need to feed Edan..."
Jean Claude looked at the storm outside. "Ana!" he protested. "You cannot be serious! I'm not going out in this!"
"But..."
"For God's sake woman!" he cursed. "I am enough of a gentleman to turn away if you insist - but you are sadly mistaken if you think I am going out in that weather!" A flash of lightning illuminated the bay below, the palm trees swaying wildly in the storm. He lay down near to their small fire, his back to her.
"Jean Claude..." she protested.
"You have my word I will not turn around Ana... just feed Edan and then we can all get to sleep." He sighed. "Please!"
"Your word?"
"Yes, my word! Or do you want me to sign an accord too!" he grumbled. God, she could be infuriating at times!
For once, thankfully, she did not answer, but Jean Claude heard sounds of Edan suckling as he fell asleep, lulled by the warmth of the fire.
***
"Jean Claude!" He opened a bleary eye at the noise, finding himself shaken awake by a highly excited Anamaria. "Jean Claude! We are rescued!"
"Eh?" He blinked, confused for a moment at being awoken with such a screech.
"Jack's here... the Black Pearl!" Anamaria grinned. "She is in the bay!"
"How do you know Jack Sparrow?" he frowned.
"I was helm on the Pearl for two years - before I gained my own ship!" Her grin widened. "Come on!"
"Are you sure it is him?" Jean Claude asked cautiously, reaching for his pistol. He knew how quickly and easily a ship could change hands and whilst he was hoping that had not happened he remained cautious.
"Is there anyone else you know of with a red bandana and such braids!" she demanded, picking up Edan from where he slept, quickly walking down towards the beach. Jean Claude followed, eyes alert for any sign of a trap.
***
Jack looked up in disbelief as two figures walked towards him along the beach. "Ana?" He recognised Jean Claude, instantly reaching for his pistol. "I've been lookin' fer yer mate!" he snarled.
"Jean Claude!" Catherine beside him broke into a broad grin at seeing the Frenchman. He looked as if he had been on the island some time, his face dirty and unshaven, a beard evidence of the amount of this. Definitely not his normally immaculate appearance.
Jack suddenly noticed that Anamaria was carrying a small baby. "Ana?"
"My son Edan..." Anamaria explained, eyeing cautiously the woman standing beside her old Captain, more crew that she did not recognise ringing them.
"You an' Jean Claude?" he gasped, totally misunderstanding..
"No, Edan's father is... was.. Neithan Hallam." She sighed sadly. "Can we barter passage Jack..."
"Yer most welcome Ana, an' yer babe... but this frog is another matter..." He kept his pistol trained on Jean Claude. "Where's m' twenty five per cent?"
"Sailing on the Catalyntie under the command of my brother!" Jean Claude snapped. "Do you honestly think I would break our accord!"
Jack and Catherine looked at each other in disbelief. "Louis escaped?" she gasped. "How?"
Jean Claude sighed heavily. "Can we discuss this somewhere a bit more civilized - onboard with a large brandy perhaps in the company of your delightful wife..."
"Jack Sparrow! Married?" Anamaria snorted in disbelief. "I heard rumours but didn't think anyone would be so stupid!"
Jack saw Catherine tense and placed a hand on her arm. "Now Ana, that's not a wise thing t' be saying in front of m' wife..." He smiled broadly. "I don't believe yer've met Kitty..."
"You married Jack?" She shook her head in disbelief. "I guess it takes all sorts..." Anamaria shrugged and turned back to Jack. "So can I barter passage - to Tortuga?" Catherine's eyes narrowed at the comments but she held her tongue for Jack obviously knew this woman.
"I would barter passage too but I cannot claim old friendship and have nothing to offer..." Jean Claude paused. "Except perhaps news..."
Catherine turned to Jack. "We can't exactly leave him here, can we?"
"I could - and I should!" he reasoned.
"Jack!" Catherine said warningly. "You were wrong before and you are wrong now!".
"Stop defending him!" Jack argued.
"Stop accusing him then!" she countered, muttering under her breath. "Especially since it looks like I was right!"
Jack looked at her sharply but before he could respond Jean Claude interrupted. "You have my word that I will not try anything... please?" he begged, desperate not to be left on the island.
Jack turned to Jean Claude, slowly uncocking his pistol as he eyed Jean Claude warily. "I'll give yer passage t' Tortuga," he sighed. "Same terms as before, or yer sit in th' brig."
Jean Claude smiled, holding his hand out to Jack. "Agreed! Merci!" He sighed in relief as Jack shook before turning back to his crew.
"Spread out an' find us some fresh food an' meat!" he ordered.
"There is a goat tethered in a small pen just up the trail," Anamaria suggested. "We won't be needing it now so it might as well be slaughtered..."
Jack nodded and the crew departed, splitting into small groups to find game. He shouted after the departing men. "An' don't forget about th' mizzen!"
Jean Claude looked at the Black Pearl, for the first time. "You've taken some damage!" he exclaimed in shock. "How?"
"Bloody French frigate!" Jack cursed, before laughing when he remembered to whom he was talking. "Come on, let's get yer back to th' Pearl an' cleaned up!"
"And Madame Catherine?" Jean Claude suddenly spotted the healing cut on her cheek, about an inch long and obviously deep.
"Bloody French frigate," she smiled, mimicking Jack and laughing as well. "It's just a scratch."
Jack led the way back to one of the ship's boats, but Jean Claude caught Anamaria's arm gently. "Do not dismiss Madame Catherine so lightly," he warned. "She may be small but she is the bravest and most resourceful woman I know..."
Anamaria blinked but did not say anything. Instead she quietly studied the small flame-haired woman at Jack's side. She wore her sword with practised ease - and surprisingly appeared to be left handed. Her sword was clearly good quality and looked to have been made for her. She wore clothes that were simple, but practical for a ship - trousers, a shirt, she was barefoot too. She also wore a palm protector. When she turned on reaching the boat Anamaria also noticed a very good pistol tucked into her waistband, a single strand of pearls and a pair of dainty pearl earrings. Her wedding ring was a simple gold band - obviously not a woman for vulgar displays of wealth. She frowned, realising that perhaps Jean Claude was right.
The two men took the oars, rowing out to the Black Pearl. Anamaria was pleasantly surprised to find two of the old crew still aboard.
"Ana!" Joshamee Gibbs cried in delight, dashing forward to hug her before he realised she held a small baby. "What? How?" he stuttered. "Damn, it's good to see you!" He took her by the arm, leading her towards the bow. "Cotton! Look who we've found!"
Anamaria allowed herself to be led away into a whirlwind of introductions to the new crew.
"I didn't know she used to be crew?" Catherine said quietly to Jack. "You never said..."
"Before yer joined us luv," Jack explained, leading the way back to the cabin. "She used t' be helmsman."
Catherine stopped outside of the cabin, looking at Jack shrewdly. "What aren't you telling me Jack Sparrow?" she frowned.
"Nothing luv, nothing," he evaded smoothly as he turned to Jean Claude. "There's a mirror in th' side cabin if yer want t' shave Jean Claude..." Catherine turned, walking the other way. "Kitty?"
"Somebody will have to cook dear - and it sounds like I'll have little help from Cotton." She pointed to a small cluster of crew who were gathered around Anamaria near the bow. "I'll be in the galley if you want me..."
"Perhaps I could help Madame Catherine?" Jean Claude suggested. "I have some skill in the galley..."
"That would be most kind of you Jean Claude," she smiled. "Come find me when you've cleaned up..." She walked across to the crew, pulling Joshamee Gibbs from the crowd. "If you want to eat tonight I'd find me something to cook," she threatened. "Some fish would be nice..."
"Aye Kitty," he acknowledged, clouting those near him to go and find the fishing nets as she disappeared down to the galley. If Catherine wanted fish then it meant she was cooking fish stew - his favourite!
***
You reviewed yet? Yes... YOU!
***
As Jack and the Black Pearl fought their way through the storm, Jean Claude, Anamaria and baby Edan sheltered in their cave. Anamaria held Edan close to her. He did not like the thunder and was hungry too. "Jean Claude..." she sighed, nodding to her son. "I need to feed Edan..."
Jean Claude looked at the storm outside. "Ana!" he protested. "You cannot be serious! I'm not going out in this!"
"But..."
"For God's sake woman!" he cursed. "I am enough of a gentleman to turn away if you insist - but you are sadly mistaken if you think I am going out in that weather!" A flash of lightning illuminated the bay below, the palm trees swaying wildly in the storm. He lay down near to their small fire, his back to her.
"Jean Claude..." she protested.
"You have my word I will not turn around Ana... just feed Edan and then we can all get to sleep." He sighed. "Please!"
"Your word?"
"Yes, my word! Or do you want me to sign an accord too!" he grumbled. God, she could be infuriating at times!
For once, thankfully, she did not answer, but Jean Claude heard sounds of Edan suckling as he fell asleep, lulled by the warmth of the fire.
***
"Jean Claude!" He opened a bleary eye at the noise, finding himself shaken awake by a highly excited Anamaria. "Jean Claude! We are rescued!"
"Eh?" He blinked, confused for a moment at being awoken with such a screech.
"Jack's here... the Black Pearl!" Anamaria grinned. "She is in the bay!"
"How do you know Jack Sparrow?" he frowned.
"I was helm on the Pearl for two years - before I gained my own ship!" Her grin widened. "Come on!"
"Are you sure it is him?" Jean Claude asked cautiously, reaching for his pistol. He knew how quickly and easily a ship could change hands and whilst he was hoping that had not happened he remained cautious.
"Is there anyone else you know of with a red bandana and such braids!" she demanded, picking up Edan from where he slept, quickly walking down towards the beach. Jean Claude followed, eyes alert for any sign of a trap.
***
Jack looked up in disbelief as two figures walked towards him along the beach. "Ana?" He recognised Jean Claude, instantly reaching for his pistol. "I've been lookin' fer yer mate!" he snarled.
"Jean Claude!" Catherine beside him broke into a broad grin at seeing the Frenchman. He looked as if he had been on the island some time, his face dirty and unshaven, a beard evidence of the amount of this. Definitely not his normally immaculate appearance.
Jack suddenly noticed that Anamaria was carrying a small baby. "Ana?"
"My son Edan..." Anamaria explained, eyeing cautiously the woman standing beside her old Captain, more crew that she did not recognise ringing them.
"You an' Jean Claude?" he gasped, totally misunderstanding..
"No, Edan's father is... was.. Neithan Hallam." She sighed sadly. "Can we barter passage Jack..."
"Yer most welcome Ana, an' yer babe... but this frog is another matter..." He kept his pistol trained on Jean Claude. "Where's m' twenty five per cent?"
"Sailing on the Catalyntie under the command of my brother!" Jean Claude snapped. "Do you honestly think I would break our accord!"
Jack and Catherine looked at each other in disbelief. "Louis escaped?" she gasped. "How?"
Jean Claude sighed heavily. "Can we discuss this somewhere a bit more civilized - onboard with a large brandy perhaps in the company of your delightful wife..."
"Jack Sparrow! Married?" Anamaria snorted in disbelief. "I heard rumours but didn't think anyone would be so stupid!"
Jack saw Catherine tense and placed a hand on her arm. "Now Ana, that's not a wise thing t' be saying in front of m' wife..." He smiled broadly. "I don't believe yer've met Kitty..."
"You married Jack?" She shook her head in disbelief. "I guess it takes all sorts..." Anamaria shrugged and turned back to Jack. "So can I barter passage - to Tortuga?" Catherine's eyes narrowed at the comments but she held her tongue for Jack obviously knew this woman.
"I would barter passage too but I cannot claim old friendship and have nothing to offer..." Jean Claude paused. "Except perhaps news..."
Catherine turned to Jack. "We can't exactly leave him here, can we?"
"I could - and I should!" he reasoned.
"Jack!" Catherine said warningly. "You were wrong before and you are wrong now!".
"Stop defending him!" Jack argued.
"Stop accusing him then!" she countered, muttering under her breath. "Especially since it looks like I was right!"
Jack looked at her sharply but before he could respond Jean Claude interrupted. "You have my word that I will not try anything... please?" he begged, desperate not to be left on the island.
Jack turned to Jean Claude, slowly uncocking his pistol as he eyed Jean Claude warily. "I'll give yer passage t' Tortuga," he sighed. "Same terms as before, or yer sit in th' brig."
Jean Claude smiled, holding his hand out to Jack. "Agreed! Merci!" He sighed in relief as Jack shook before turning back to his crew.
"Spread out an' find us some fresh food an' meat!" he ordered.
"There is a goat tethered in a small pen just up the trail," Anamaria suggested. "We won't be needing it now so it might as well be slaughtered..."
Jack nodded and the crew departed, splitting into small groups to find game. He shouted after the departing men. "An' don't forget about th' mizzen!"
Jean Claude looked at the Black Pearl, for the first time. "You've taken some damage!" he exclaimed in shock. "How?"
"Bloody French frigate!" Jack cursed, before laughing when he remembered to whom he was talking. "Come on, let's get yer back to th' Pearl an' cleaned up!"
"And Madame Catherine?" Jean Claude suddenly spotted the healing cut on her cheek, about an inch long and obviously deep.
"Bloody French frigate," she smiled, mimicking Jack and laughing as well. "It's just a scratch."
Jack led the way back to one of the ship's boats, but Jean Claude caught Anamaria's arm gently. "Do not dismiss Madame Catherine so lightly," he warned. "She may be small but she is the bravest and most resourceful woman I know..."
Anamaria blinked but did not say anything. Instead she quietly studied the small flame-haired woman at Jack's side. She wore her sword with practised ease - and surprisingly appeared to be left handed. Her sword was clearly good quality and looked to have been made for her. She wore clothes that were simple, but practical for a ship - trousers, a shirt, she was barefoot too. She also wore a palm protector. When she turned on reaching the boat Anamaria also noticed a very good pistol tucked into her waistband, a single strand of pearls and a pair of dainty pearl earrings. Her wedding ring was a simple gold band - obviously not a woman for vulgar displays of wealth. She frowned, realising that perhaps Jean Claude was right.
The two men took the oars, rowing out to the Black Pearl. Anamaria was pleasantly surprised to find two of the old crew still aboard.
"Ana!" Joshamee Gibbs cried in delight, dashing forward to hug her before he realised she held a small baby. "What? How?" he stuttered. "Damn, it's good to see you!" He took her by the arm, leading her towards the bow. "Cotton! Look who we've found!"
Anamaria allowed herself to be led away into a whirlwind of introductions to the new crew.
"I didn't know she used to be crew?" Catherine said quietly to Jack. "You never said..."
"Before yer joined us luv," Jack explained, leading the way back to the cabin. "She used t' be helmsman."
Catherine stopped outside of the cabin, looking at Jack shrewdly. "What aren't you telling me Jack Sparrow?" she frowned.
"Nothing luv, nothing," he evaded smoothly as he turned to Jean Claude. "There's a mirror in th' side cabin if yer want t' shave Jean Claude..." Catherine turned, walking the other way. "Kitty?"
"Somebody will have to cook dear - and it sounds like I'll have little help from Cotton." She pointed to a small cluster of crew who were gathered around Anamaria near the bow. "I'll be in the galley if you want me..."
"Perhaps I could help Madame Catherine?" Jean Claude suggested. "I have some skill in the galley..."
"That would be most kind of you Jean Claude," she smiled. "Come find me when you've cleaned up..." She walked across to the crew, pulling Joshamee Gibbs from the crowd. "If you want to eat tonight I'd find me something to cook," she threatened. "Some fish would be nice..."
"Aye Kitty," he acknowledged, clouting those near him to go and find the fishing nets as she disappeared down to the galley. If Catherine wanted fish then it meant she was cooking fish stew - his favourite!
***
