Disclaimers – pah!
Thanks again for your reviews, always good for a girl's ego!
La chica mysteriosa – I'd never intended for Maddy and Jack to have children, and was rather hoping to get away without bringing the issue up. You, however, had other ideas!! :D The reason I didn't want to bring children in, was as Jack says, Maddy would have had to live in a house, and they would have been separated for too long a period, and I think it would have killed the story. It's also very difficult to write Jack 'in character' as it were, but I do try and put in a little humour and oddities every now and then.
Hilary – peace? Ha, that won't last long, but not for the reason you think.......!
Caffeine fairy – hehehe, the sappiness won't last long either. I couldn't resist the black pearls on the cutlass, I thought Jack would love them.
Linnie – the saviour of my sanity, thank you.
Chapter 29
'Well, that turned out better than I thought. Ya got a good bargain there Will.' Jack rubbed his hands together, extremely satisfied with the deal on the two ships.
'I just hope there is enough trade to keep two ships running Jack.' Will was starting to wish he hadn't agreed to their deal, he had visions of ending up being a lowly blacksmith again.
'Will, have I ever given ya reason not ter trust me? Ya saw the books, ya saw how much trade Davies had. An' if the widow puts in a good word for ya, which she will, ya'll have all the old man's business ready an' waiting, savvy?'
'Yeah, well, don't ferget my cut Sparrow. Ya still owe me, an' don't even think about stitching me up, or ya might regret it, know what I mean?' Nate looked Maddy up and down, behind her back, bellowing in surprise as he found himself up against a wall with a blade at his throat.
'You ever, EVER threaten my wife again and I'll kill ya Nate, savvy?' Jack snarled, hatred written across his features. Nate looked around, wondering if it would be worth fighting Jack off, but then saw Will, who stood just behind Jack, also with his knife drawn, fury in his eyes.
'All right, calm down Sparrow. It were only a joke.' Nate tried to laugh, but it came out as a pathetic snigger. He pushed Jack off him and stomped off down the street, firing a look at Maddy.
'What was that about Jack?' Maddy looked at the departing figure of Keating with a frown.
'Nothing luv, just Nate being... Nate. C'mon, let's get back to t'Pearl.' The three of them walked down to the docks, Maddy flanked by Jack and Will, each having their knives discreetly hidden in their sleeves. 'I think ya'd best stay aboard t'Pearl tomorrow luv.' Jack tried to hide his concern, but knew he'd failed when he looked into Maddy's eyes. 'Nate Keating ain't a nice man, that's why he's here and not at sea, no captain'll have him. So he drinks himself stupid and gets more and more bitter every time I see 'im.'
'Why doesn't he get his own ship?' Maddy climbed into the boat, steadying it as Will and Jack got in.
'Cos he's too much of a bastard to get anyone ter crew for him. Stay well out of his way William, d'ya hear?' Jack looked at his young friend, suddenly realising that Keating was in a perfect position to make things bad for Will, just to get at Jack.
Will smiled, grateful for Jack's concern. 'Don't worry Jack, you've taught me the best ways of defending myself.'
'Yes, by fighting as dirty as you can,' Maddy chipped in, drawing laughter from the two men. Maddy took up an oar, and she and Will rowed the boat back around the bay, to The Pearl, while Jack lounged back acting like a gentleman of leisure.
**********
Jack and Will rose early the following day and made their way back into town to talk to Esme once more, and to meet some of the crew, who were hoping for employment by Will. 'T'good thing about Fleuts, is they don't need a big crew, which is probably why Davies brought them and not Sloops. But, if ya want me advice whelp, get as big a crew as yer can afford ter take on, that way you'll have plenty to man the cannons, savvy?' Will nodded, yawning. He hadn't slept very well, tossing and turning, worrying about how things would turn out. They made their way quickly to Esme Davies' house, eager to tie up the final bits and pieces of the arrangement.
***********
Maddy propped herself against the ship's side, gathering a sail to her and searching out the tear in it, so that she could repair it. She looked up suddenly at a noise, but shrugged to herself, putting it down to something in the water hitting the ship. Maddy carried on with her sewing, humming a song to herself and occasionally singing a few words out loud. Her head shot up again. 'There *was* a noise.' She stood slowly, drawing her dagger as she did so, her ears straining to see if she could hear anything else. 'Maybe it's the crew below,' she thought to herself, knowing full well that it wasn't, they were down in the hull, stocktaking, and the noise was too near for it to be them. Maddy caught something out the corner of her eye and half turned, crying out with shock as a figure launched towards her, flattening her on the deck. Maddy tried to scream, but the breath had been knocked out of her and it came out as a strangled cry. A huge hand clamped over her mouth and Maddy stared into the half mad eyes of Nate Keating.
'I wouldn't if I were you lass.' Keating waved his knife in front of Maddy's face, then held it to her throat. 'Yer make a noise an' you'll get it, now undress.' Maddy whimpered and started unbuttoning her shirt, gasping as Keating ripped it open, then ripped her bodice, exposing her breasts. He moved off her to pull down her breeches, yelling as Maddy jumped up and ran down the stairs, screaming for help. Searing pain ran through Maddy's head as Keating caught her and slammed her into the wall, making her black out momentarily. Maddy became groggily aware that Keating had pulled her breeches down and was about to force himself on her. She reached down to his groin and pulled hard, causing him to double in pain, cursing her loudly. Maddy hastily pulled her trousers back up and ran down another flight of stairs, praying she'd bump into a member of the crew. Keating took the stairs three at a time and soon caught Maddy, hitting her hard then jumping on top of her as she fell. 'You'll regret that, you bitch.' He forced his mouth over hers, his tongue probing deep, making Maddy gag, her hands flailing wildly, trying to push him off, and stopping suddenly at the feel of a knife in Keating's belt. Maddy struggled against him to cover up her withdrawing the knife, then brought her knee up, not quite connecting with his groin, but high enough to make him move. Maddy saw her chance and wriggled from under him and plunged the knife into his neck. Keating looked at Maddy in surprise, a strange gurgling noise coming from his throat. He clawed at the knife, then pitched face first onto the floor.
Maddy sat there in shock, for how long she wasn't sure. She pulled her ripped garments together, making herself decent, and stood shakily. Her head was spinning and her body trembled as she hugged the wall, making her way to safety.
'Maddy? What the hell has happened?' Maddy smiled weakly at the youngest and newest member of the crew, Freddie Snow. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around Maddy's shoulders, leading her to where the rest of the crew were.
'Nate Keating attacked me.' Freddie had to strain to hear Maddy's weak voice.
'Keating? Here, on board?' The other crewmen murmured, and some jumped to go and find him. Maddy put up a hand, stopping them.
'He's dead. I killed him by Eb's quarters.' Maddy sat down, gratefully accepting a flask of rum, and downing it almost in one.
'We'll go an' fetch t'cap'n.' A couple of the crewmen hurried out of the door on their errand, while the rest went to find Keating's body, leaving Maddy with Freddie and a couple of others.
'Come on Maddy, let's get you to your cabin.' The men supported her as they made their way slowly back up the ship, passing the blood stained floor where Keating had died. 'How did he know where to find you? How did he know that Ja....sorry Captain Sparrow wasn't here?' Freddie looked at Maddy, concern showing clearly in his eyes.
'He probably kept watch at the docks and made his way here once he saw Jack and Will were ashore. As for me, I was on deck, making it nice and easy for him,' Maddy gave a small laugh, trying to stifle a sob. They arrived at Maddy's cabin and Freddie pushed the door open, allowing Maddy in first, then going to follow her. 'No, I'm all right now. Thank you lads, I appreciate what you've done for me.' Maddy shut the door on them just in time as the tears started to pour down her face, she tore off her clothes, throwing them to the floor in disgust, and laid on the bunk shivering and feeling extremely nauseous.
**********
'Captain! Captain Sparrow, Will!' Jack looked around in surprise at the sight of two of his crewmen running towards him.
'Just what do ya think yer doin' lads?' Jack folded his arms, his eyes narrowed in annoyance.
'Captain, Maddy was attacked by Nate Keating.' The man panted, not used to such exertion.
'WHAT?' Jack exploded, grabbing the hapless man by his shirt. 'Where is she? Is she safe? Fer gawds sake man....' Jack shook him until restrained by Will.
'N-no, she's quite safe Cap'n, she killed Keating herself.' Crewman Moyles backed away from his captain, not wanting to be the scapegoat.
'And just *where* were the rest of ya?' Jack shrugged Will's hand off, glaring angrily at him.
'We were stocktaking Cap'n, just as you ordered. Maddy was on deck, an' Keating must've slipped aboard.' Not waiting to hear another word, Jack ran down the street towards the docks, leaving in his wake a trail of men trying to keep up and a host of annoyed people who had to dive out of his way.
'Jack, wait!' Will jumped into the boat as Jack pushed off, breathing heavily. 'We'll go quicker with two of us rowing.' Will grabbed an oar and the two men rowed with backbreaking speed towards The Pearl.
'I her left on the bloody ship cos I thought she'd be safer there! Bleedin' hell Will, I can't even look after me own wife properly.'
'Don't be daft Jack, you weren't to know what would happen.' Will pulled harder on the oar in an attempt to keep pace with Jack.
'I know what Nate bleedin' Keating's like Will. I should've known he'd pull a stunt like this, especially after yesterday.' Jack glanced back, pleased to see the bulk of his ship looming large. As soon as they'd reached the hull, Jack grabbed a rope and climbed up, years of practise giving extra speed to his hands. 'Where is she?' Jack looked around the deck, noticing the discarded sail.
'She's in t'cabin sir.' Freddie jumped out of Jack's way as the older man pushed past and ran down the stairs.
'Madalene?' Jack burst through the door and over to the bunk, taking Maddy into his arms. 'Oh God Madalene, you all right luv?' Maddy nodded, regretting the action as pain throbbed through her head. Jack pulled back and inspected the two cuts either side of Maddy's head. 'Let's get them seen to luv, eh?' He went to the door and bellowed for Mr. Cotton to come, then went back to Maddy holding her tightly. 'Did he....?'
'No, he didn't rape me Jack.' Maddy realised she was still naked and got off the bunk, searching for some clothes to put on.
'Leave that luv, you're all right.' Jack tried to pull his wife back, fearing that this attack might affect her badly.
'I'm not having Mr. Cotton seeing me in my birthday suit, Jack Sparrow.' Maddy winced as she tried to straighten up, the pain in her head becoming increasingly sharp.
'Here Madalene, let me get yer somethin.' Jack sat Maddy down on a chair, then scouted around for a dress, finding a shift that he decided would do just as well. He pulled it gently over Maddy's head and lifted her off the seat, letting the dress fall into place. 'There, all decent luv.' Jack looked worriedly at Maddy, smiling weakly when she attempted a smile. 'Come in Mr. Cotton.' Jack called to the knock on the door. He turned to see the mute man enter the cabin, his eyes taking in the bag, which contained various potions and implements that Cotton used in his medic duties.
Cotton examined Maddy carefully, then indicated to Jack that he wanted some water. Jack returned a few minutes later with a bowl of clean water and some rags, and watched as Cotton carefully bathed Maddy's cuts. Mr. Cotton tried to be as gentle as he could, shrugging apologetically whenever Maddy winced, he nodded to Jack's rum bottles and waited while his Captain fetched one.
'What's this for?' Maddy peered at the blurred image of the bottle, trying to re-focus her eyes.
'Cotton needs ter stitch yer cuts luv, and it'd be best if yer drunk when he does, savvy?' Jack uncorked the bottle and held it to Maddy's lips, tipping it up gently.
'I hate rum though,' Maddy slurred, already sounding drunk, even though she wasn't. She gagged at the taste, but obediently drank as Jack poured, until she fell back in the chair, head lolling to one side.
'I reckon she's drunk enough now Cotton.' Jack smiled ruefully, knowing how much Maddy's head would hurt when she eventually woke.
Thanks again for your reviews, always good for a girl's ego!
La chica mysteriosa – I'd never intended for Maddy and Jack to have children, and was rather hoping to get away without bringing the issue up. You, however, had other ideas!! :D The reason I didn't want to bring children in, was as Jack says, Maddy would have had to live in a house, and they would have been separated for too long a period, and I think it would have killed the story. It's also very difficult to write Jack 'in character' as it were, but I do try and put in a little humour and oddities every now and then.
Hilary – peace? Ha, that won't last long, but not for the reason you think.......!
Caffeine fairy – hehehe, the sappiness won't last long either. I couldn't resist the black pearls on the cutlass, I thought Jack would love them.
Linnie – the saviour of my sanity, thank you.
Chapter 29
'Well, that turned out better than I thought. Ya got a good bargain there Will.' Jack rubbed his hands together, extremely satisfied with the deal on the two ships.
'I just hope there is enough trade to keep two ships running Jack.' Will was starting to wish he hadn't agreed to their deal, he had visions of ending up being a lowly blacksmith again.
'Will, have I ever given ya reason not ter trust me? Ya saw the books, ya saw how much trade Davies had. An' if the widow puts in a good word for ya, which she will, ya'll have all the old man's business ready an' waiting, savvy?'
'Yeah, well, don't ferget my cut Sparrow. Ya still owe me, an' don't even think about stitching me up, or ya might regret it, know what I mean?' Nate looked Maddy up and down, behind her back, bellowing in surprise as he found himself up against a wall with a blade at his throat.
'You ever, EVER threaten my wife again and I'll kill ya Nate, savvy?' Jack snarled, hatred written across his features. Nate looked around, wondering if it would be worth fighting Jack off, but then saw Will, who stood just behind Jack, also with his knife drawn, fury in his eyes.
'All right, calm down Sparrow. It were only a joke.' Nate tried to laugh, but it came out as a pathetic snigger. He pushed Jack off him and stomped off down the street, firing a look at Maddy.
'What was that about Jack?' Maddy looked at the departing figure of Keating with a frown.
'Nothing luv, just Nate being... Nate. C'mon, let's get back to t'Pearl.' The three of them walked down to the docks, Maddy flanked by Jack and Will, each having their knives discreetly hidden in their sleeves. 'I think ya'd best stay aboard t'Pearl tomorrow luv.' Jack tried to hide his concern, but knew he'd failed when he looked into Maddy's eyes. 'Nate Keating ain't a nice man, that's why he's here and not at sea, no captain'll have him. So he drinks himself stupid and gets more and more bitter every time I see 'im.'
'Why doesn't he get his own ship?' Maddy climbed into the boat, steadying it as Will and Jack got in.
'Cos he's too much of a bastard to get anyone ter crew for him. Stay well out of his way William, d'ya hear?' Jack looked at his young friend, suddenly realising that Keating was in a perfect position to make things bad for Will, just to get at Jack.
Will smiled, grateful for Jack's concern. 'Don't worry Jack, you've taught me the best ways of defending myself.'
'Yes, by fighting as dirty as you can,' Maddy chipped in, drawing laughter from the two men. Maddy took up an oar, and she and Will rowed the boat back around the bay, to The Pearl, while Jack lounged back acting like a gentleman of leisure.
**********
Jack and Will rose early the following day and made their way back into town to talk to Esme once more, and to meet some of the crew, who were hoping for employment by Will. 'T'good thing about Fleuts, is they don't need a big crew, which is probably why Davies brought them and not Sloops. But, if ya want me advice whelp, get as big a crew as yer can afford ter take on, that way you'll have plenty to man the cannons, savvy?' Will nodded, yawning. He hadn't slept very well, tossing and turning, worrying about how things would turn out. They made their way quickly to Esme Davies' house, eager to tie up the final bits and pieces of the arrangement.
***********
Maddy propped herself against the ship's side, gathering a sail to her and searching out the tear in it, so that she could repair it. She looked up suddenly at a noise, but shrugged to herself, putting it down to something in the water hitting the ship. Maddy carried on with her sewing, humming a song to herself and occasionally singing a few words out loud. Her head shot up again. 'There *was* a noise.' She stood slowly, drawing her dagger as she did so, her ears straining to see if she could hear anything else. 'Maybe it's the crew below,' she thought to herself, knowing full well that it wasn't, they were down in the hull, stocktaking, and the noise was too near for it to be them. Maddy caught something out the corner of her eye and half turned, crying out with shock as a figure launched towards her, flattening her on the deck. Maddy tried to scream, but the breath had been knocked out of her and it came out as a strangled cry. A huge hand clamped over her mouth and Maddy stared into the half mad eyes of Nate Keating.
'I wouldn't if I were you lass.' Keating waved his knife in front of Maddy's face, then held it to her throat. 'Yer make a noise an' you'll get it, now undress.' Maddy whimpered and started unbuttoning her shirt, gasping as Keating ripped it open, then ripped her bodice, exposing her breasts. He moved off her to pull down her breeches, yelling as Maddy jumped up and ran down the stairs, screaming for help. Searing pain ran through Maddy's head as Keating caught her and slammed her into the wall, making her black out momentarily. Maddy became groggily aware that Keating had pulled her breeches down and was about to force himself on her. She reached down to his groin and pulled hard, causing him to double in pain, cursing her loudly. Maddy hastily pulled her trousers back up and ran down another flight of stairs, praying she'd bump into a member of the crew. Keating took the stairs three at a time and soon caught Maddy, hitting her hard then jumping on top of her as she fell. 'You'll regret that, you bitch.' He forced his mouth over hers, his tongue probing deep, making Maddy gag, her hands flailing wildly, trying to push him off, and stopping suddenly at the feel of a knife in Keating's belt. Maddy struggled against him to cover up her withdrawing the knife, then brought her knee up, not quite connecting with his groin, but high enough to make him move. Maddy saw her chance and wriggled from under him and plunged the knife into his neck. Keating looked at Maddy in surprise, a strange gurgling noise coming from his throat. He clawed at the knife, then pitched face first onto the floor.
Maddy sat there in shock, for how long she wasn't sure. She pulled her ripped garments together, making herself decent, and stood shakily. Her head was spinning and her body trembled as she hugged the wall, making her way to safety.
'Maddy? What the hell has happened?' Maddy smiled weakly at the youngest and newest member of the crew, Freddie Snow. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around Maddy's shoulders, leading her to where the rest of the crew were.
'Nate Keating attacked me.' Freddie had to strain to hear Maddy's weak voice.
'Keating? Here, on board?' The other crewmen murmured, and some jumped to go and find him. Maddy put up a hand, stopping them.
'He's dead. I killed him by Eb's quarters.' Maddy sat down, gratefully accepting a flask of rum, and downing it almost in one.
'We'll go an' fetch t'cap'n.' A couple of the crewmen hurried out of the door on their errand, while the rest went to find Keating's body, leaving Maddy with Freddie and a couple of others.
'Come on Maddy, let's get you to your cabin.' The men supported her as they made their way slowly back up the ship, passing the blood stained floor where Keating had died. 'How did he know where to find you? How did he know that Ja....sorry Captain Sparrow wasn't here?' Freddie looked at Maddy, concern showing clearly in his eyes.
'He probably kept watch at the docks and made his way here once he saw Jack and Will were ashore. As for me, I was on deck, making it nice and easy for him,' Maddy gave a small laugh, trying to stifle a sob. They arrived at Maddy's cabin and Freddie pushed the door open, allowing Maddy in first, then going to follow her. 'No, I'm all right now. Thank you lads, I appreciate what you've done for me.' Maddy shut the door on them just in time as the tears started to pour down her face, she tore off her clothes, throwing them to the floor in disgust, and laid on the bunk shivering and feeling extremely nauseous.
**********
'Captain! Captain Sparrow, Will!' Jack looked around in surprise at the sight of two of his crewmen running towards him.
'Just what do ya think yer doin' lads?' Jack folded his arms, his eyes narrowed in annoyance.
'Captain, Maddy was attacked by Nate Keating.' The man panted, not used to such exertion.
'WHAT?' Jack exploded, grabbing the hapless man by his shirt. 'Where is she? Is she safe? Fer gawds sake man....' Jack shook him until restrained by Will.
'N-no, she's quite safe Cap'n, she killed Keating herself.' Crewman Moyles backed away from his captain, not wanting to be the scapegoat.
'And just *where* were the rest of ya?' Jack shrugged Will's hand off, glaring angrily at him.
'We were stocktaking Cap'n, just as you ordered. Maddy was on deck, an' Keating must've slipped aboard.' Not waiting to hear another word, Jack ran down the street towards the docks, leaving in his wake a trail of men trying to keep up and a host of annoyed people who had to dive out of his way.
'Jack, wait!' Will jumped into the boat as Jack pushed off, breathing heavily. 'We'll go quicker with two of us rowing.' Will grabbed an oar and the two men rowed with backbreaking speed towards The Pearl.
'I her left on the bloody ship cos I thought she'd be safer there! Bleedin' hell Will, I can't even look after me own wife properly.'
'Don't be daft Jack, you weren't to know what would happen.' Will pulled harder on the oar in an attempt to keep pace with Jack.
'I know what Nate bleedin' Keating's like Will. I should've known he'd pull a stunt like this, especially after yesterday.' Jack glanced back, pleased to see the bulk of his ship looming large. As soon as they'd reached the hull, Jack grabbed a rope and climbed up, years of practise giving extra speed to his hands. 'Where is she?' Jack looked around the deck, noticing the discarded sail.
'She's in t'cabin sir.' Freddie jumped out of Jack's way as the older man pushed past and ran down the stairs.
'Madalene?' Jack burst through the door and over to the bunk, taking Maddy into his arms. 'Oh God Madalene, you all right luv?' Maddy nodded, regretting the action as pain throbbed through her head. Jack pulled back and inspected the two cuts either side of Maddy's head. 'Let's get them seen to luv, eh?' He went to the door and bellowed for Mr. Cotton to come, then went back to Maddy holding her tightly. 'Did he....?'
'No, he didn't rape me Jack.' Maddy realised she was still naked and got off the bunk, searching for some clothes to put on.
'Leave that luv, you're all right.' Jack tried to pull his wife back, fearing that this attack might affect her badly.
'I'm not having Mr. Cotton seeing me in my birthday suit, Jack Sparrow.' Maddy winced as she tried to straighten up, the pain in her head becoming increasingly sharp.
'Here Madalene, let me get yer somethin.' Jack sat Maddy down on a chair, then scouted around for a dress, finding a shift that he decided would do just as well. He pulled it gently over Maddy's head and lifted her off the seat, letting the dress fall into place. 'There, all decent luv.' Jack looked worriedly at Maddy, smiling weakly when she attempted a smile. 'Come in Mr. Cotton.' Jack called to the knock on the door. He turned to see the mute man enter the cabin, his eyes taking in the bag, which contained various potions and implements that Cotton used in his medic duties.
Cotton examined Maddy carefully, then indicated to Jack that he wanted some water. Jack returned a few minutes later with a bowl of clean water and some rags, and watched as Cotton carefully bathed Maddy's cuts. Mr. Cotton tried to be as gentle as he could, shrugging apologetically whenever Maddy winced, he nodded to Jack's rum bottles and waited while his Captain fetched one.
'What's this for?' Maddy peered at the blurred image of the bottle, trying to re-focus her eyes.
'Cotton needs ter stitch yer cuts luv, and it'd be best if yer drunk when he does, savvy?' Jack uncorked the bottle and held it to Maddy's lips, tipping it up gently.
'I hate rum though,' Maddy slurred, already sounding drunk, even though she wasn't. She gagged at the taste, but obediently drank as Jack poured, until she fell back in the chair, head lolling to one side.
'I reckon she's drunk enough now Cotton.' Jack smiled ruefully, knowing how much Maddy's head would hurt when she eventually woke.