Usual disclaimers... blah!
Special mention for DaydreamBeliever14 for her consistency... makes her sound like a cake mix!
Warning: More Mary bashing coming up in today's chapters!
###
Mary was surprisingly no trouble when Theodore, Oran and Catherine escorted her to Le Coq... indeed she tried her utmost to avoid attention, shielding her face with a gauzy scarf to conceal the bruises. She scowled when she saw the establishment they were entering. "I see you have found your natural level..." she sneered.
"Last time I checked, pirate wife was still one step above pirate whore," Catherine sniped, holding the door open for with her foot as she helped Oran carry the trunk. Already the tavern was filling and curious eyes watched as Theodore escorted Mary upstairs. She looked across to Paul who stared at her face in surprise. "We'll be done in a moment," she called out in French, following the others up the stairs. As she reached the top step she could hear Mary's voice raised in complaint.
"I cannot stay here!" she moaned. "It is filthy!"
"I'll bring you a bucket and a mop if you like?" Catherine offered, grinning at her horrified expression. "Or is honest work too much for your dainty hands to sully themselves with?"
"Cat!" Theodore chided, fearing another fight if he did not intervene. "Do not worry Mary. It is only until we leave tonight. The bed is comfortable if basic..."
She poked the mattress carefully. "It's alright Mary, I chased the wildlife out last night," Catherine laughed, before turning to Theodore. "Paul needs our help downstairs - keep her quiet and I will bring some food and drink up when I can..."
Oran said nothing as he followed her down the stairs, although he smiled at Mary's expression. "Wait up Kitty," he called quietly, placing his hands on her shoulder as she turned to face him at the bottom of the stairs. He touched the scratches across her face, one just below her eye. "Will you be alright?" he worried.
"I will be fine," she smiled assuringly, "but we should help Paul before we leave tonight... the bar is full."
Catherine headed towards the kitchen whilst Oran slipped behind the bar, automatically assuming his other identity. Paul smiled gratefully and went through to the kitchen with her. "What happened to you?" he asked, pointing to the scratches.
"Mary," she shrugged, before suddenly grinning mischievously. "Although she came off worse." He laughed. "What do you want me to do? I can work up until we leave tonight..."
"If you could take over the kitchen..." he asked hopefully. "I've started the food..."
"Go on," she laughed, shooing him towards the bar. "Just keep the orders coming and I'll cook!" She tasted the stew that was bubbling in the pot, adding more herbs before turning to prepare the ingredients for the second pot she would soon need. She smiled to herself as she chopped the vegetables, humming contentedly. If it were not for Jack and her life on the Black Pearl she could be happy here... a simple, uncomplicated life... but life without Jack was inconceivable to her and she missed him terribly already even though she had only been away for a few days. She stopped, twirling her wedding band on her finger automatically as she thought of him... she would be home soon.
###
The evening passed quickly and the first that she knew of Jean Claude's return was when he popped his head through the door near closing time. "Go upstairs and change," he said. "I'll call you when the bar is clear..."
"Oui," she acknowledged, wiping her hands on a nearby cloth. She was tired, for it had been a busy day, but at least she would hopefully be able to get some sleep on the boat. It would be a little cramped with the extra people they were taking back, but it would not be for long. She saw Alain Demers sitting at one of the tables, his son Luc beside him as she climbed the narrow stairs to the room above.
She opened the door to find the wet-nurse Claire was already there with the babies. She nodded to her and Theodore, pointedly ignoring Mary. Spotting her bundle of clothes she unwrapped her sword before wriggling into her trousers. "Er... Theo..." She smiled as he undid her laces before turning modestly for her to undress. Pulling off her dress and undershift she quickly slipped her shirt around her shoulders, ignoring the startled gasp from the wet-nurse as she noticed her scars. "I'll be back shortly," she said to her brother. "Gather everything and be ready to leave as soon as Jean Claude says..." she advised as she shut the door behind her, strapping on her sword and tucking her pistol into her sash.
Oran grinned at her on seeing her return, beckoning her across to where he was sitting with Jean Claude and the others at one of the tables, most of which had been dragged to the side of the room. Shaking her hair free of its feminine constraints she swiftly plaited it into the more relaxed sailor's plait that she favoured. "I've told the others to get ready to leave, Captain," she said to Jean Claude, nodding towards Alain Demers and his son.
"You call this woman crew?" he snorted. "Let us end this jest now Jean Claude!" Luc grinned in agreement.
"Alain, you should not be so hasty... I said earlier that tonight I would tell you the truth and so I will." He smiled, reaching for his brandy and taking a sip. "I do not have a ship, nor am I looking for one... I serve as Quartermaster on the Black Pearl..."
"You... what?" Alain Demers gasped. "When... how... why?" he stuttered.
"It was the Black Pearl that rescued me when I was marooned, Catherine responsible here for interceding on my behalf with her Captain..." he began.
"She is Black Pearl crew?" he blinked, trying to recall the gossip surrounding the English ship. He looked at her closely,
"Oran is helm, and Catherine is First Mate," he revealed cautiously.
"Sparrow..." he whispered in shock. "Sparrow sails with a woman... his wife!" He looked at her in realisation. "His red-haired wife..." Luc looked nervous for the first time, his confident stance of earlier gone.
"I will take Luc, if he is willing to serve on the Black Pearl... and if he puts up a good show against Kitty..." He turned to the boy. "Well... do you still wish to leave your father's ship?" he asked.
Luc looked to his father before nodding. "Oui Cap... what should I call you?" he puzzled. Clearly now Jean Claude was not a Captain, merely Quartermaster, but he knew better than to be disrespectful to such a well- known pirate.
"Sir will do," Jean Claude smiled. The boy had tact at least - he should do well if only he could fight. "Kitty..."
Sighing she rose to her feet, pacing to the middle of the cleared area. "Well..." She gestured for Luc to follow her.
Slowly he walked towards her, drawing his sword. He gulped as she drew too, suddenly realising that he would not only be fighting a woman, but a left-handed woman at that. He heard his father chuckling behind him.
"Everything not as it seems, eh?" he laughed as Luc tried a few testing blows against Catherine, watching as she met his blows, dancing backwards when needed. He nodded appreciatively as she fought, glad that his son had received at least some lessons against left-handed opponents. "So the woman ranks you?" he asked, surprised to see Catherine nearly knock the sword from his son's hand.
Jean Claude shrugged. "She is a good First Mate... she has earned her rank." He took another sip of his brandy, continuing to watch the fight. He knew she was tired and guessed her side was hurting her for her stance kept her recent wound as shielded as she could. "Enough!" he called, not wanting to risk injury to her. "We'll take him, let the Captain decide...."
Catherine sheathed her sword, returning to sit next to Oran at the table. "You alright?" he asked worriedly. "It's not hurting?"
"A bit," she admitted, gratefully leaning into his hug.
"You are injured?" Alain asked in surprise. "Other than..." He waved his hand, indicating her face.
"I took a shot when we captured Louis," she admitted. "But it is healing..."
"You fight well Madame, especially with such an injury!" He turned to Jean Claude. "I want to meet Sparrow!" he demanded.
"Kitty?" Jean Claude looked at her cautiously.
"We leave tonight and will have no way of returning you to your ship..." she reasoned.
"I could meet you outside of the city with two of my men in our own boat," he offered, watching her face carefully as she considered his request.
"Two miles down river - be in mid-channel at midnight and follow our light," she decided. Jean Claude seemed to trust this man with their true identities and she would be guided by his judgement. "And only two men," she warned. She looked to Oran and Jean Claude. "Right, if that is all this sorted, I am eager to get home..."
"And to Jack," Oran teased.
"Always to Jack," she smiled as she rose. "Jean Claude..."
"Oui Kitty..." he nodded, turning to Luc. "You can sail with your father," he said. "It will give you time to fetch your belongings from your ship..."
"Merci Sir," he said, watching as the three Black Pearl crew gathered at the bottom of the stairs. The two men climbed to the small room above whilst the woman he had fought, Madame Sparrow, waited.
"You'd best help Theo," Jean Claude said to Oran, who took one side of Mary's trunk whilst Theodore took the other. Jean Claude picked up the smaller trunk belonging to the wet-nurse. "Ladies," he smiled, gesturing to the door. Mary haughtily led the way, closely followed by Claire d'Avenell with the two babies. He closed the door behind him, following the others. When he reached the bottom of the stairs he found Paul embracing Catherine warmly.
"Take care," he cautioned before turning to Jean Claude. "I will return to the house as you asked me to tomorrow to pay the staff and to see that the property is sold..."
"Merci Paul," he smiled. "But we had best be away." He looked warningly at Mary. "I will expect silence as we walk - I do not want to come to the attention of the Watch. Do you understand?" She sniffed. "I will take that as a yes," he shrugged, turning and leaving Le Coq. He made sure she could see the concealed dagger in his sleeve. "Betray us Madame and it will be the last thing you ever do..." he threatened darkly.
He led the way through the dark alleys and across the meadow to where they had left the boat. Oran and Theodore put the trunk down and carefully checked the boat over, ensuring that there were no unwelcome visitors hiding within. Two snakes later they declared it safe, stowing the trunks securely before helping the two women aboard. Catherine helped them push off before jumping in herself, ensuring that she was well away from Mary. Oran and Theodore took the oars and guided the boat from the small creek before raising the sail and heading for their rendezvous with Captain Demers.
###
Special mention for DaydreamBeliever14 for her consistency... makes her sound like a cake mix!
Warning: More Mary bashing coming up in today's chapters!
###
Mary was surprisingly no trouble when Theodore, Oran and Catherine escorted her to Le Coq... indeed she tried her utmost to avoid attention, shielding her face with a gauzy scarf to conceal the bruises. She scowled when she saw the establishment they were entering. "I see you have found your natural level..." she sneered.
"Last time I checked, pirate wife was still one step above pirate whore," Catherine sniped, holding the door open for with her foot as she helped Oran carry the trunk. Already the tavern was filling and curious eyes watched as Theodore escorted Mary upstairs. She looked across to Paul who stared at her face in surprise. "We'll be done in a moment," she called out in French, following the others up the stairs. As she reached the top step she could hear Mary's voice raised in complaint.
"I cannot stay here!" she moaned. "It is filthy!"
"I'll bring you a bucket and a mop if you like?" Catherine offered, grinning at her horrified expression. "Or is honest work too much for your dainty hands to sully themselves with?"
"Cat!" Theodore chided, fearing another fight if he did not intervene. "Do not worry Mary. It is only until we leave tonight. The bed is comfortable if basic..."
She poked the mattress carefully. "It's alright Mary, I chased the wildlife out last night," Catherine laughed, before turning to Theodore. "Paul needs our help downstairs - keep her quiet and I will bring some food and drink up when I can..."
Oran said nothing as he followed her down the stairs, although he smiled at Mary's expression. "Wait up Kitty," he called quietly, placing his hands on her shoulder as she turned to face him at the bottom of the stairs. He touched the scratches across her face, one just below her eye. "Will you be alright?" he worried.
"I will be fine," she smiled assuringly, "but we should help Paul before we leave tonight... the bar is full."
Catherine headed towards the kitchen whilst Oran slipped behind the bar, automatically assuming his other identity. Paul smiled gratefully and went through to the kitchen with her. "What happened to you?" he asked, pointing to the scratches.
"Mary," she shrugged, before suddenly grinning mischievously. "Although she came off worse." He laughed. "What do you want me to do? I can work up until we leave tonight..."
"If you could take over the kitchen..." he asked hopefully. "I've started the food..."
"Go on," she laughed, shooing him towards the bar. "Just keep the orders coming and I'll cook!" She tasted the stew that was bubbling in the pot, adding more herbs before turning to prepare the ingredients for the second pot she would soon need. She smiled to herself as she chopped the vegetables, humming contentedly. If it were not for Jack and her life on the Black Pearl she could be happy here... a simple, uncomplicated life... but life without Jack was inconceivable to her and she missed him terribly already even though she had only been away for a few days. She stopped, twirling her wedding band on her finger automatically as she thought of him... she would be home soon.
###
The evening passed quickly and the first that she knew of Jean Claude's return was when he popped his head through the door near closing time. "Go upstairs and change," he said. "I'll call you when the bar is clear..."
"Oui," she acknowledged, wiping her hands on a nearby cloth. She was tired, for it had been a busy day, but at least she would hopefully be able to get some sleep on the boat. It would be a little cramped with the extra people they were taking back, but it would not be for long. She saw Alain Demers sitting at one of the tables, his son Luc beside him as she climbed the narrow stairs to the room above.
She opened the door to find the wet-nurse Claire was already there with the babies. She nodded to her and Theodore, pointedly ignoring Mary. Spotting her bundle of clothes she unwrapped her sword before wriggling into her trousers. "Er... Theo..." She smiled as he undid her laces before turning modestly for her to undress. Pulling off her dress and undershift she quickly slipped her shirt around her shoulders, ignoring the startled gasp from the wet-nurse as she noticed her scars. "I'll be back shortly," she said to her brother. "Gather everything and be ready to leave as soon as Jean Claude says..." she advised as she shut the door behind her, strapping on her sword and tucking her pistol into her sash.
Oran grinned at her on seeing her return, beckoning her across to where he was sitting with Jean Claude and the others at one of the tables, most of which had been dragged to the side of the room. Shaking her hair free of its feminine constraints she swiftly plaited it into the more relaxed sailor's plait that she favoured. "I've told the others to get ready to leave, Captain," she said to Jean Claude, nodding towards Alain Demers and his son.
"You call this woman crew?" he snorted. "Let us end this jest now Jean Claude!" Luc grinned in agreement.
"Alain, you should not be so hasty... I said earlier that tonight I would tell you the truth and so I will." He smiled, reaching for his brandy and taking a sip. "I do not have a ship, nor am I looking for one... I serve as Quartermaster on the Black Pearl..."
"You... what?" Alain Demers gasped. "When... how... why?" he stuttered.
"It was the Black Pearl that rescued me when I was marooned, Catherine responsible here for interceding on my behalf with her Captain..." he began.
"She is Black Pearl crew?" he blinked, trying to recall the gossip surrounding the English ship. He looked at her closely,
"Oran is helm, and Catherine is First Mate," he revealed cautiously.
"Sparrow..." he whispered in shock. "Sparrow sails with a woman... his wife!" He looked at her in realisation. "His red-haired wife..." Luc looked nervous for the first time, his confident stance of earlier gone.
"I will take Luc, if he is willing to serve on the Black Pearl... and if he puts up a good show against Kitty..." He turned to the boy. "Well... do you still wish to leave your father's ship?" he asked.
Luc looked to his father before nodding. "Oui Cap... what should I call you?" he puzzled. Clearly now Jean Claude was not a Captain, merely Quartermaster, but he knew better than to be disrespectful to such a well- known pirate.
"Sir will do," Jean Claude smiled. The boy had tact at least - he should do well if only he could fight. "Kitty..."
Sighing she rose to her feet, pacing to the middle of the cleared area. "Well..." She gestured for Luc to follow her.
Slowly he walked towards her, drawing his sword. He gulped as she drew too, suddenly realising that he would not only be fighting a woman, but a left-handed woman at that. He heard his father chuckling behind him.
"Everything not as it seems, eh?" he laughed as Luc tried a few testing blows against Catherine, watching as she met his blows, dancing backwards when needed. He nodded appreciatively as she fought, glad that his son had received at least some lessons against left-handed opponents. "So the woman ranks you?" he asked, surprised to see Catherine nearly knock the sword from his son's hand.
Jean Claude shrugged. "She is a good First Mate... she has earned her rank." He took another sip of his brandy, continuing to watch the fight. He knew she was tired and guessed her side was hurting her for her stance kept her recent wound as shielded as she could. "Enough!" he called, not wanting to risk injury to her. "We'll take him, let the Captain decide...."
Catherine sheathed her sword, returning to sit next to Oran at the table. "You alright?" he asked worriedly. "It's not hurting?"
"A bit," she admitted, gratefully leaning into his hug.
"You are injured?" Alain asked in surprise. "Other than..." He waved his hand, indicating her face.
"I took a shot when we captured Louis," she admitted. "But it is healing..."
"You fight well Madame, especially with such an injury!" He turned to Jean Claude. "I want to meet Sparrow!" he demanded.
"Kitty?" Jean Claude looked at her cautiously.
"We leave tonight and will have no way of returning you to your ship..." she reasoned.
"I could meet you outside of the city with two of my men in our own boat," he offered, watching her face carefully as she considered his request.
"Two miles down river - be in mid-channel at midnight and follow our light," she decided. Jean Claude seemed to trust this man with their true identities and she would be guided by his judgement. "And only two men," she warned. She looked to Oran and Jean Claude. "Right, if that is all this sorted, I am eager to get home..."
"And to Jack," Oran teased.
"Always to Jack," she smiled as she rose. "Jean Claude..."
"Oui Kitty..." he nodded, turning to Luc. "You can sail with your father," he said. "It will give you time to fetch your belongings from your ship..."
"Merci Sir," he said, watching as the three Black Pearl crew gathered at the bottom of the stairs. The two men climbed to the small room above whilst the woman he had fought, Madame Sparrow, waited.
"You'd best help Theo," Jean Claude said to Oran, who took one side of Mary's trunk whilst Theodore took the other. Jean Claude picked up the smaller trunk belonging to the wet-nurse. "Ladies," he smiled, gesturing to the door. Mary haughtily led the way, closely followed by Claire d'Avenell with the two babies. He closed the door behind him, following the others. When he reached the bottom of the stairs he found Paul embracing Catherine warmly.
"Take care," he cautioned before turning to Jean Claude. "I will return to the house as you asked me to tomorrow to pay the staff and to see that the property is sold..."
"Merci Paul," he smiled. "But we had best be away." He looked warningly at Mary. "I will expect silence as we walk - I do not want to come to the attention of the Watch. Do you understand?" She sniffed. "I will take that as a yes," he shrugged, turning and leaving Le Coq. He made sure she could see the concealed dagger in his sleeve. "Betray us Madame and it will be the last thing you ever do..." he threatened darkly.
He led the way through the dark alleys and across the meadow to where they had left the boat. Oran and Theodore put the trunk down and carefully checked the boat over, ensuring that there were no unwelcome visitors hiding within. Two snakes later they declared it safe, stowing the trunks securely before helping the two women aboard. Catherine helped them push off before jumping in herself, ensuring that she was well away from Mary. Oran and Theodore took the oars and guided the boat from the small creek before raising the sail and heading for their rendezvous with Captain Demers.
###