Usual disclaimers. blah!
3 chapters being uploaded as you were all so good and reviewed!
Don't forget to review though if you want more... mwhahahaha!
Especial thanks for Mulberry for continuing to proof read all this for me. I remember days when we both had a life outside of the Caribbean!
***
Whilst they remained at the island Jack had ordered a lookout to be kept with his spyglass in the crows nest. He was determined not to be caught out by the frigate again - or any other ship. It had been far too close in his mind, and the cut on Catherine's cheek made him feel guilty each time he looked at it - he was meant to be protecting her. It would take a few days to repair the mast and the other damage and he intended to get it started first thing in the morning. At least he had not needed to give up his bunk, Anamaria preferring to sleep in a hammock like the rest of the crew, Edan cradled in her arms.
After a quiet walk around the deck he returned to the cabin. Catherine was sitting quietly looking at the charts, her back to him as he approached.
"What yer lookin' at?" he asked, slipping his arms around her shoulders.
"Just wondering about that frigate... wondering if has given up or will quarter back to look for us..." she sighed, tracing their route with her finger.
"Th' seaward guns are readied - just in case," he smiled reassuringly. "An' th' lookout has m' spyglass to give us as much warning as possible if she does show up..." He kissed the top of her head. "Yer comin' t' bed luv?"
"When you admit you were wrong..." she said, unable to hide her smile.
"Wrong about what?" Jack frowned, warily, worried at her smile.
"Jean Claude - we know now that he did not deliberately break the accord. Surely you'll concede that mutiny and marooning are a pretty good reason..." she said smugly, determined to get him to admit - just once - that he was wrong.
"I never said they weren't luv..." Jack protested.
"But you never said you were wrong either!" she persisted. "Admit it Jack - you were wrong about Jean Claude!"
"I..." Jack struggled as he tried to come up with a convincing argument - and failing miserably.
"Admit it Jack or you can sleep with the crew!" Catherine threatened.
"Alright!" He threw his hands in the air in exasperation. "I was wrong about Jean Claude! Happy?" She just smiled. "But he's still a Frog an' I've yet t' decide if he's stayin' - savvy?"
"Yet to decide... which means you are considering it - yes?" Catherine grinned.
"Stop twistin' m' words Kitty. I'll decide m'self about this!" He knew she had him, but was determined not to be seen giving in.
"We need help in the galley..." she tempted. "And he knows his way around a galley..."
"But what about Theo?" he protested in desperation.
Catherine smiled, realising she had won. "We just don't tell him..." She rose, turning to face him. "Coming to bed love?"
***
Catherine rose early, slipping from the bunk to fix breakfast for the crew, the smell of which woke Jack from his deep sleep. He dressed and stumbled along to the galley to find most of the crew had already eaten with only a few remaining that had scrounged seconds. "I thought you were going to miss breakfast," she smiled, handing him a bowl.
Jack ate quickly, pulling her onto his lap when she came to collect his empty bowl. "M' compliments to th' cook," he smiled, kissing her.
"Merci," Jean Claude laughed from the galley.
"What?" Jack gasped, realising the trick they had played on him. "Get out here you bleedin' Frog!" he ordered. Jean Claude emerged, still laughing. "Okay! Yer can stay! Yer duties are th' galley an' anythin' else I can think of!"
"Merci!" Jean Claude smiled. "Thank you Jack!"
"From now on that'll be Captain mate - savvy?" Jack snarled, his eyes narrowing as Catherine laughed in delight.
"Oui Captain!" Jean Claude responded, grinning at Catherine.
"An' speak English!" Jack rubbed his face blearily. "Heaven knows how we're gonna get this past Theo!"
Catherine smiled, kissing him on the nose. "Don't worry about Theo - I can handle him when the time comes..."
***
Jean Claude settled in well as crew during the few days that they made repairs and remembered most of the time to speak in English. Sometimes Jack would pass the galley and find him talking with Catherine in French but he ignored it - reasoning that it was useful for Catherine to keep her accent fresh for they never knew what the future would bring.
On the third day Joshamee declared that all of the repairs had been done. Jack squinted as he looked up the mizzen mast, relieved to see the new timber was straight and true. He let Oran take the helm as he stood beside the wheel, spyglass in hand as he scanned the horizon for the frigate. He sighed in relief for she was nowhere in sight. "Tortuga Booth!" he ordered. "North north west an' well approach from th' east." He had a feeling he'd best avoid the Windward Passage for the HMS Gauntlet often patrolled there. Considering he was sailing with two wanted pirate captains on his ship he did not want to meet his brother-in-law.
***
It took them a week to reach Tortuga. Jack sighed in relief as they anchored in the bay, the twinkling lights of the various taverns and residences welcoming him home. Several crew members were waiting to row Anamaria ashore and escort her to Jeremiah Hallam's home - he would take no risks with her safety now. Old Man Hallam was practically King of Tortuga, one of the few pirates ever to make it to retirement and he lived, and ruled, from a grand house some distance from the town itself. Oran was one of those going, but Jack called him across. "Booth! On yer way back pop into th' Bride an' smooth things over with Sanchia... I'd hate t' have a scene there tonight!"
"Get slapped you mean," Catherine laughed, watching as Anamaria carefully handed Edan down to Joshamee's waiting hands in one of the ships boats.
Anamaria turned to Jack. "You know the Old Man will probably want to question you..." she warned.
"Interrogate yer mean," Jack laughed uneasily. Even pirate captains walked carefully around Jeremiah Hallam.
Oran climbed down into the boat, closely followed by Anamaria who gently took Edan back from Gibbs. She stared up at Jack as the crew took up their oars. "Thank you Jack!" she smiled. "I owe you!"
"An' yer know I'll remember it too!" he grinned.
Anamaria smiled up at Catherine, surprised to admit to herself that she liked Jack's wife for she didn't get on too well with women usually. "Goodbye Kitty - I'll probably see you later!"
"Sure," Catherine smiled, staying beside Jack as they watched until they saw her safely reach the shore.
Jack turned to the remaining crew. "Right!" he ordered. "I want all hands cleaning th' Pearl - we'll probably have a visitation from the Old Man or one of his sons. I want her gleaming!" He put his hand out to stop Catherine from following the crew. "Not you luv," he smiled. "Th' only thing yer are cleaning is yerself! Have a proper bath - I'll get water heated. If we're gonna be seeing th' Old Man I want t' be showing yer off in yer finery!"
"Showing me off?" she queried.
"Old Man Hallam likes a pretty face... if yer've seen his wife then yer'd know why!" Jack laughed. "If we're summoned I want yer best ship clothes - you're still First Mate on this ship an' I want yer t' dress as such..."
***
Catherine's hair was still damp from washing when the eldest Hallam son was rowed out from shore. She watched through the side cabin window as he climbed onto deck, a space clearing around him as the crew of the Black Pearl found other jobs to occupy them. He spoke quietly with Joshamee before being led towards the cabin - for once Joshamee knocked before entering. "Captain!" he announced. "Captain Joshua Hallam to see you!"
"Come in," she heard Jack say. "An' shut th' doors behind yer Gibbs. Captain Hallam, what can I do fer yer?"
"My father wishes to see you," Hallam informed him. "You will return with me - you, your first mate and the Frenchman... now!"
"I was expectin' such." Jack smiled as she emerged from the side cabin plaiting her hair. "Ah, yer ready luv. She was wearing her tight leather trousers and her best richly embroidered waistcoat over a shirt of purest white cotton with slashed sleeves which revealed her arms, her tattoo clearly visible. She was armed with her pistol and sword.
"I said your first mate, not your wife!" Joshua Hallam stared in disbelief.
"M' wife is first mate," Jack smiled. "An' she's more than earned her rank!"
Joshua Hallam looked at him with scepticism. "My father is waiting..."
"Well let's not keep him waitin' then..." Jack led the way to the doors, opening and indicating for Joshua Hallam to lead.
"Ladies first..." Hallam deferred.
"Rank first, Captain..." Catherine replied, politely waiting.
He raised one eyebrow, but led the way back to his waiting boat, Jack following winking at her as he passed. He had warned her earlier that she should be on best behaviour and act as crew with no favours and she had been expecting Captain Hallam to try something.
"Jean Claude - with us!" Jack ordered, relieved to see the Frenchman waiting on deck and that he too had washed and cleaned up.
Catherine smiled at Jean Claude as he climbed down into the boat behind Joshua Hallam. Jack gave her a hand into the boat. He refused to ignore the fact that Catherine was his wife and that she deserved courtesy - whatever the Hallam might think.
They quickly reached the shore and walked up the hill and out of the town towards the Hallam house. It felt strange not to be walking hand in hand with Jack, but Catherine walked just behind with Jean Claude. She eyed the house warily when they arrived. It was larger than the Governor's mansion and twice as grand. Piracy had obviously been profitable for Jeremiah Hallam.
Joshaua Hallam led them up the steps and into the lobby. "Wait," he ordered. "I will tell my father you are here..."
He left them standing there as he disappeared through a doorway. Footsteps echoed and several doors opened and shut. In the distance they could hear voices before the footsteps gradually returned. "This way..." He turned without waiting to see if they followed, leading the way down a plushly decorated corridor into the most incredible room that Catherine had ever seen. Tapestries covered two of the four walls and plush rugs covered the floor. She was drawn almost hypnotically towards the third wall where a large bookcase reached to the ceiling. Jack caught her arm, shaking his head and smiling as he noticed her stare. She caught herself, blushing and biting her lip as she stepped back.
"You like my books Mistress Sparrow..." a dry voice sounded behind her.
She turned, spotting an elderly man in a high backed leather chair studying her intently. She looked at Jack, who nodded. "Books are knowledge, Sir," she replied cautiously, feeling as if she was six years old and about to be told off by her father. "And knowledge is power."
Jeremiah Hallam chuckled. "My wife is in the garden - why don't you go and join her..."
"M' wife is first mate - yer called her to this meeting," Jack countered. "Yer wouldn't be sending a man off t' sniff th' flowers..." His eyes flashed angrily. "She stays." This time it was Catherine that put a hand on his arm...
Jeremiah turned his gaze to the Captain of the Black Pearl. He was well aware that Mistress Sparrow was first mate on the ship but had been testing the two of them. Their unspoken looks and gestures gave away more than they would ever realise. Sparrow was a fool to have a woman onboard for they did not belong at sea and could only distract a man from the pleasures of piracy.
He shrugged. "Whatever." He looked closely at Jack. "But tell me Sparrow - if you had to choose between your wife and your ship, what would it be?"
Jack laughed. "I've known th' answer fer years now - an' it's none of yer business."
Jeremiah raised an eyebrow, but smiled all the same - Jack's response confirming his guess.
"What d' yer really want Hallam? I doubt you summoned us just t' admire yer books!" Jack demanded.
Jeremiah smiled contentedly. Catherine had been right when she said that knowledge was power for he now hoarded knowledge as he used to hoard gold and had found it had given him far more power than he could have imagined. Like a spider in his web, he had power now over the three of them before him and they knew nothing of it - the knowledge of the Catalyntie that they were seeking.
"I want the man that killed my son... and the three of you are linked to him." He pointed at them, one by one - Jean Claude, Catherine, Jack. "Brother, deceiver and the cause of his ruin - Anamaria has told me enough." Apart from a blink, the three hid their surprise well. Jeremiah continued. "I want Louis Lact, before me in chains on his knees..."
"Well that might be a bit difficult as we don't know where he is an' I've already promised his death t' two others..." Jack shrugged.
"I'll double what they're paying!" Jeremiah offered.
"Ah, but that would be a mite difficult as they aren't payin' me a shilling!" Jack smiled ruefully.
"What?" For the first time in a long while Jeremiah Hallam was surprised - nobody ever said no to him. "What are your terms then?" he asked, still trying to grasp the idea of a pirate working for free.
"I already have an accord - I'll not break it with yer even fer a whole sackful of kittens!" Jack assured him.
Jeremiah frowned, totally lost by the comment, but it appeared Catherine had understood for a smile flickered across her face. He was not used to being turned down. "Perhaps we could reach a compromise?" He indicated for Jack to sit opposite him. Catherine and Jean Claude remained standing. "Would you take a representative of mine onboard?" he asked.
"Depends on who it is," Jack shrugged. "An' in what capacity they'll be on m' ship."
"My youngest son Isaac. He is twenty five and between ships at the moment. I'll accept his witnessing the death for my family's honour..." Jeremia studied Jack's face carefully, watching as he considered his request.
"I'll take no responsibility fer his safety..." Jack warned.
"The lad is old enough to take care of himself," Jeremiah assured him.
"What's in it for me?" Jack frowned.
"Information..." he tempted.
"Such as..." Jack pushed.
"Such as the Catalyntie being in Tortuga just two weeks ago..." Jeremiah left his words unfinished, waiting for a reaction from Jack.
"She could be anywhere by now!" Jack snorted. "What sort of information is that?"
"More than you had before," Jeremiah smiled. "Now I know who to look for I will see what I can discover..." He looked at Jack speaking seriously. "And my protection is still worth something in the Caribbean..." He allowed his gaze to drift towards Catherine before returning to Jack. "I think we understand each other..."
"We do." Jack had seen the look, understanding that Jeremiah realised just exactly how far he would go to protect Catherine.
"So do we have an accord?" Jeremiah raised an eyebrow, watching Jack's face as he began to realise that his weakness was known.
"Your word he will obey m' orders?" Jack pressed.
"He will," Jeremiah assured him.
"Then we have an accord!" Jack smiled as they shook, rising to leave. He nodded to Catherine and Jean Claude who silently followed him to the door.
"One moment," Jeremiah said quietly as they were about to leave. "I am throwing a party tomorrow night to celebrate the birth of my first grandson... perhaps the three of you would like to attend?" He looked at Catherine. "Your wife does have a suitable dress I take it, Sparrow?"
"Aye, she does." Jack smiled. "She most definitely does!"
***
3 chapters being uploaded as you were all so good and reviewed!
Don't forget to review though if you want more... mwhahahaha!
Especial thanks for Mulberry for continuing to proof read all this for me. I remember days when we both had a life outside of the Caribbean!
***
Whilst they remained at the island Jack had ordered a lookout to be kept with his spyglass in the crows nest. He was determined not to be caught out by the frigate again - or any other ship. It had been far too close in his mind, and the cut on Catherine's cheek made him feel guilty each time he looked at it - he was meant to be protecting her. It would take a few days to repair the mast and the other damage and he intended to get it started first thing in the morning. At least he had not needed to give up his bunk, Anamaria preferring to sleep in a hammock like the rest of the crew, Edan cradled in her arms.
After a quiet walk around the deck he returned to the cabin. Catherine was sitting quietly looking at the charts, her back to him as he approached.
"What yer lookin' at?" he asked, slipping his arms around her shoulders.
"Just wondering about that frigate... wondering if has given up or will quarter back to look for us..." she sighed, tracing their route with her finger.
"Th' seaward guns are readied - just in case," he smiled reassuringly. "An' th' lookout has m' spyglass to give us as much warning as possible if she does show up..." He kissed the top of her head. "Yer comin' t' bed luv?"
"When you admit you were wrong..." she said, unable to hide her smile.
"Wrong about what?" Jack frowned, warily, worried at her smile.
"Jean Claude - we know now that he did not deliberately break the accord. Surely you'll concede that mutiny and marooning are a pretty good reason..." she said smugly, determined to get him to admit - just once - that he was wrong.
"I never said they weren't luv..." Jack protested.
"But you never said you were wrong either!" she persisted. "Admit it Jack - you were wrong about Jean Claude!"
"I..." Jack struggled as he tried to come up with a convincing argument - and failing miserably.
"Admit it Jack or you can sleep with the crew!" Catherine threatened.
"Alright!" He threw his hands in the air in exasperation. "I was wrong about Jean Claude! Happy?" She just smiled. "But he's still a Frog an' I've yet t' decide if he's stayin' - savvy?"
"Yet to decide... which means you are considering it - yes?" Catherine grinned.
"Stop twistin' m' words Kitty. I'll decide m'self about this!" He knew she had him, but was determined not to be seen giving in.
"We need help in the galley..." she tempted. "And he knows his way around a galley..."
"But what about Theo?" he protested in desperation.
Catherine smiled, realising she had won. "We just don't tell him..." She rose, turning to face him. "Coming to bed love?"
***
Catherine rose early, slipping from the bunk to fix breakfast for the crew, the smell of which woke Jack from his deep sleep. He dressed and stumbled along to the galley to find most of the crew had already eaten with only a few remaining that had scrounged seconds. "I thought you were going to miss breakfast," she smiled, handing him a bowl.
Jack ate quickly, pulling her onto his lap when she came to collect his empty bowl. "M' compliments to th' cook," he smiled, kissing her.
"Merci," Jean Claude laughed from the galley.
"What?" Jack gasped, realising the trick they had played on him. "Get out here you bleedin' Frog!" he ordered. Jean Claude emerged, still laughing. "Okay! Yer can stay! Yer duties are th' galley an' anythin' else I can think of!"
"Merci!" Jean Claude smiled. "Thank you Jack!"
"From now on that'll be Captain mate - savvy?" Jack snarled, his eyes narrowing as Catherine laughed in delight.
"Oui Captain!" Jean Claude responded, grinning at Catherine.
"An' speak English!" Jack rubbed his face blearily. "Heaven knows how we're gonna get this past Theo!"
Catherine smiled, kissing him on the nose. "Don't worry about Theo - I can handle him when the time comes..."
***
Jean Claude settled in well as crew during the few days that they made repairs and remembered most of the time to speak in English. Sometimes Jack would pass the galley and find him talking with Catherine in French but he ignored it - reasoning that it was useful for Catherine to keep her accent fresh for they never knew what the future would bring.
On the third day Joshamee declared that all of the repairs had been done. Jack squinted as he looked up the mizzen mast, relieved to see the new timber was straight and true. He let Oran take the helm as he stood beside the wheel, spyglass in hand as he scanned the horizon for the frigate. He sighed in relief for she was nowhere in sight. "Tortuga Booth!" he ordered. "North north west an' well approach from th' east." He had a feeling he'd best avoid the Windward Passage for the HMS Gauntlet often patrolled there. Considering he was sailing with two wanted pirate captains on his ship he did not want to meet his brother-in-law.
***
It took them a week to reach Tortuga. Jack sighed in relief as they anchored in the bay, the twinkling lights of the various taverns and residences welcoming him home. Several crew members were waiting to row Anamaria ashore and escort her to Jeremiah Hallam's home - he would take no risks with her safety now. Old Man Hallam was practically King of Tortuga, one of the few pirates ever to make it to retirement and he lived, and ruled, from a grand house some distance from the town itself. Oran was one of those going, but Jack called him across. "Booth! On yer way back pop into th' Bride an' smooth things over with Sanchia... I'd hate t' have a scene there tonight!"
"Get slapped you mean," Catherine laughed, watching as Anamaria carefully handed Edan down to Joshamee's waiting hands in one of the ships boats.
Anamaria turned to Jack. "You know the Old Man will probably want to question you..." she warned.
"Interrogate yer mean," Jack laughed uneasily. Even pirate captains walked carefully around Jeremiah Hallam.
Oran climbed down into the boat, closely followed by Anamaria who gently took Edan back from Gibbs. She stared up at Jack as the crew took up their oars. "Thank you Jack!" she smiled. "I owe you!"
"An' yer know I'll remember it too!" he grinned.
Anamaria smiled up at Catherine, surprised to admit to herself that she liked Jack's wife for she didn't get on too well with women usually. "Goodbye Kitty - I'll probably see you later!"
"Sure," Catherine smiled, staying beside Jack as they watched until they saw her safely reach the shore.
Jack turned to the remaining crew. "Right!" he ordered. "I want all hands cleaning th' Pearl - we'll probably have a visitation from the Old Man or one of his sons. I want her gleaming!" He put his hand out to stop Catherine from following the crew. "Not you luv," he smiled. "Th' only thing yer are cleaning is yerself! Have a proper bath - I'll get water heated. If we're gonna be seeing th' Old Man I want t' be showing yer off in yer finery!"
"Showing me off?" she queried.
"Old Man Hallam likes a pretty face... if yer've seen his wife then yer'd know why!" Jack laughed. "If we're summoned I want yer best ship clothes - you're still First Mate on this ship an' I want yer t' dress as such..."
***
Catherine's hair was still damp from washing when the eldest Hallam son was rowed out from shore. She watched through the side cabin window as he climbed onto deck, a space clearing around him as the crew of the Black Pearl found other jobs to occupy them. He spoke quietly with Joshamee before being led towards the cabin - for once Joshamee knocked before entering. "Captain!" he announced. "Captain Joshua Hallam to see you!"
"Come in," she heard Jack say. "An' shut th' doors behind yer Gibbs. Captain Hallam, what can I do fer yer?"
"My father wishes to see you," Hallam informed him. "You will return with me - you, your first mate and the Frenchman... now!"
"I was expectin' such." Jack smiled as she emerged from the side cabin plaiting her hair. "Ah, yer ready luv. She was wearing her tight leather trousers and her best richly embroidered waistcoat over a shirt of purest white cotton with slashed sleeves which revealed her arms, her tattoo clearly visible. She was armed with her pistol and sword.
"I said your first mate, not your wife!" Joshua Hallam stared in disbelief.
"M' wife is first mate," Jack smiled. "An' she's more than earned her rank!"
Joshua Hallam looked at him with scepticism. "My father is waiting..."
"Well let's not keep him waitin' then..." Jack led the way to the doors, opening and indicating for Joshua Hallam to lead.
"Ladies first..." Hallam deferred.
"Rank first, Captain..." Catherine replied, politely waiting.
He raised one eyebrow, but led the way back to his waiting boat, Jack following winking at her as he passed. He had warned her earlier that she should be on best behaviour and act as crew with no favours and she had been expecting Captain Hallam to try something.
"Jean Claude - with us!" Jack ordered, relieved to see the Frenchman waiting on deck and that he too had washed and cleaned up.
Catherine smiled at Jean Claude as he climbed down into the boat behind Joshua Hallam. Jack gave her a hand into the boat. He refused to ignore the fact that Catherine was his wife and that she deserved courtesy - whatever the Hallam might think.
They quickly reached the shore and walked up the hill and out of the town towards the Hallam house. It felt strange not to be walking hand in hand with Jack, but Catherine walked just behind with Jean Claude. She eyed the house warily when they arrived. It was larger than the Governor's mansion and twice as grand. Piracy had obviously been profitable for Jeremiah Hallam.
Joshaua Hallam led them up the steps and into the lobby. "Wait," he ordered. "I will tell my father you are here..."
He left them standing there as he disappeared through a doorway. Footsteps echoed and several doors opened and shut. In the distance they could hear voices before the footsteps gradually returned. "This way..." He turned without waiting to see if they followed, leading the way down a plushly decorated corridor into the most incredible room that Catherine had ever seen. Tapestries covered two of the four walls and plush rugs covered the floor. She was drawn almost hypnotically towards the third wall where a large bookcase reached to the ceiling. Jack caught her arm, shaking his head and smiling as he noticed her stare. She caught herself, blushing and biting her lip as she stepped back.
"You like my books Mistress Sparrow..." a dry voice sounded behind her.
She turned, spotting an elderly man in a high backed leather chair studying her intently. She looked at Jack, who nodded. "Books are knowledge, Sir," she replied cautiously, feeling as if she was six years old and about to be told off by her father. "And knowledge is power."
Jeremiah Hallam chuckled. "My wife is in the garden - why don't you go and join her..."
"M' wife is first mate - yer called her to this meeting," Jack countered. "Yer wouldn't be sending a man off t' sniff th' flowers..." His eyes flashed angrily. "She stays." This time it was Catherine that put a hand on his arm...
Jeremiah turned his gaze to the Captain of the Black Pearl. He was well aware that Mistress Sparrow was first mate on the ship but had been testing the two of them. Their unspoken looks and gestures gave away more than they would ever realise. Sparrow was a fool to have a woman onboard for they did not belong at sea and could only distract a man from the pleasures of piracy.
He shrugged. "Whatever." He looked closely at Jack. "But tell me Sparrow - if you had to choose between your wife and your ship, what would it be?"
Jack laughed. "I've known th' answer fer years now - an' it's none of yer business."
Jeremiah raised an eyebrow, but smiled all the same - Jack's response confirming his guess.
"What d' yer really want Hallam? I doubt you summoned us just t' admire yer books!" Jack demanded.
Jeremiah smiled contentedly. Catherine had been right when she said that knowledge was power for he now hoarded knowledge as he used to hoard gold and had found it had given him far more power than he could have imagined. Like a spider in his web, he had power now over the three of them before him and they knew nothing of it - the knowledge of the Catalyntie that they were seeking.
"I want the man that killed my son... and the three of you are linked to him." He pointed at them, one by one - Jean Claude, Catherine, Jack. "Brother, deceiver and the cause of his ruin - Anamaria has told me enough." Apart from a blink, the three hid their surprise well. Jeremiah continued. "I want Louis Lact, before me in chains on his knees..."
"Well that might be a bit difficult as we don't know where he is an' I've already promised his death t' two others..." Jack shrugged.
"I'll double what they're paying!" Jeremiah offered.
"Ah, but that would be a mite difficult as they aren't payin' me a shilling!" Jack smiled ruefully.
"What?" For the first time in a long while Jeremiah Hallam was surprised - nobody ever said no to him. "What are your terms then?" he asked, still trying to grasp the idea of a pirate working for free.
"I already have an accord - I'll not break it with yer even fer a whole sackful of kittens!" Jack assured him.
Jeremiah frowned, totally lost by the comment, but it appeared Catherine had understood for a smile flickered across her face. He was not used to being turned down. "Perhaps we could reach a compromise?" He indicated for Jack to sit opposite him. Catherine and Jean Claude remained standing. "Would you take a representative of mine onboard?" he asked.
"Depends on who it is," Jack shrugged. "An' in what capacity they'll be on m' ship."
"My youngest son Isaac. He is twenty five and between ships at the moment. I'll accept his witnessing the death for my family's honour..." Jeremia studied Jack's face carefully, watching as he considered his request.
"I'll take no responsibility fer his safety..." Jack warned.
"The lad is old enough to take care of himself," Jeremiah assured him.
"What's in it for me?" Jack frowned.
"Information..." he tempted.
"Such as..." Jack pushed.
"Such as the Catalyntie being in Tortuga just two weeks ago..." Jeremiah left his words unfinished, waiting for a reaction from Jack.
"She could be anywhere by now!" Jack snorted. "What sort of information is that?"
"More than you had before," Jeremiah smiled. "Now I know who to look for I will see what I can discover..." He looked at Jack speaking seriously. "And my protection is still worth something in the Caribbean..." He allowed his gaze to drift towards Catherine before returning to Jack. "I think we understand each other..."
"We do." Jack had seen the look, understanding that Jeremiah realised just exactly how far he would go to protect Catherine.
"So do we have an accord?" Jeremiah raised an eyebrow, watching Jack's face as he began to realise that his weakness was known.
"Your word he will obey m' orders?" Jack pressed.
"He will," Jeremiah assured him.
"Then we have an accord!" Jack smiled as they shook, rising to leave. He nodded to Catherine and Jean Claude who silently followed him to the door.
"One moment," Jeremiah said quietly as they were about to leave. "I am throwing a party tomorrow night to celebrate the birth of my first grandson... perhaps the three of you would like to attend?" He looked at Catherine. "Your wife does have a suitable dress I take it, Sparrow?"
"Aye, she does." Jack smiled. "She most definitely does!"
***
