Usual disclaimers... drat!

Still with me? Do keep up Pen!

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Chapter 29 - Too Many Guests

Once he had seen that Bessie was settled Jack walked back down to the main stern cabin, nodding to Henry as he opened the door. "Let's see th' woman then," he sighed, wanting to return to Bessie as quickly as possible. There were too many strangers onboard and he did not like it, wishing to be rid of them as soon as he could.

"How's Miss Bessie?" Henry asked. He liked the girl, unsure if he approved of how the Captain was deceiving her - even if it did lead to Masters' gold.

"Much better," Jack smiled. "She'll be joinin' th' crew at dinner..." He pointed towards the door, indicating for Henry to open it. "Better get this over with..." He leaned nonchalantly against the bulkhead, his eyes twinkling with humour as the woman cautiously walked from the cabin, the others clustering around the door. "Yer wanted t' see me?" he drawled.

"I... we... we wanted to know what you intended with us," Laura stuttered, suddenly finding herself not as brave when actually faced with the captain. "You said you were sailing to Port Royal..." she added hopefully.

"Yer've sharp ears," he nodded. "I'm takin' yer back like I promised... without ransom." Several of the women breathed a sigh of relief at this - obviously their parents were not well off.

"And the maid? What of the maid Bessie?" she pressed.

"She's none of yer business!" Jack warned, his voice dropping. He smiled to himself as she took a step back. "Yer goin' home - untouched - be grateful fer what yer have an' keep yer nose out of pirate business! That goes fer all of yer..." He paused, looking around. "Yer will join us fer our evenin' meal," he said in his normal tone, "but I suggest yer stay in th' cabin until then. I'll have water sent t' yer."

"Thank you..." Laura said, belatedly adding "Captain."

Jack nodded, turning to leave. "See nobody disturbs th' women Holt," he ordered.

"Aye Captain," Henry acknowledged, turning to Laura as Jack left. "I'd return to the cabin if I were you Miss - it would be safer..." He allowed his gaze to linger a moment on her state of undress, chuckling to himself as she blushed and fled, shutting the door quickly behind her.

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On a whim, Jack decided to visit the brig on his way back, turning down the stairs instead of up. Archibald Hughes was awake, although he was a mess. Nobody had bothered to see to his wounds, nor had he been given any bandages. He glared angrily at Jack. "What do you want Sparrow?" he spat.

"Seein' yer here is enough fer now," Jack smiled lazily.

"Yer'll never get th' treasure!" Hughes growled. "The bitch claims not to know!"

Jack shrugged, although inwardly wanting to smash the man's face for his words. "It's true that she doesn't know, but I've already got what I wanted," he said quietly.

Archibald Hughes looked at him in puzzlement, realisation suddenly dawning. "You..." he gasped.

"Me," Jack grinned.

"Then why..." Hughes waved his arm about him, indicating the cell.

"Yer crew are dead, yer ship is at th' bottom of th' ocean, an' pretty soon yer will be too!" He reached through the bars, pulling Hughes towards him until his face was pressed against the bars. "Yer cost me m' first-born sons," he snarled venomously, "and yer will pay fer it!" His fist shot out, skinning the bars as he hit Hughes on the nose, rewarded by the sound of cracking bones. He released Hughes, smiling as he fell back against the bulkhead. "Yer know yer could have asked her nicely if she knew where th' map was," he said almost conversationally, "but I guess yer didn't have th' brains fer that..." He turned to leave, but paused at the base of the stairs. "But if Bessie ever does realise where th' treasure is, who do yer think she'll be tellin'?" He chuckled at the enraged expression on the other pirate Captain's face. "Exactly mate!" he grinned, laughing as he walked back up onto the deck.