Usual disclaimers... but I'm plotting!

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Chapter 35 - Death and Protestation

Jack unlocked his cabin door, finding Bessie sitting by the stern windows stroking Daffodil on her lap. She looked up as he entered. "Time fer Hughes t' die," he said, offering her his arm. Bessie did not speak as he led her across to where a trestle was readied; Hughes already laid out upon it.

"You've already killed him?" Bessie frowned, her step faltering as he led her closer.

"Not yet," Jack grinned, leaning closely to the wrapped body. "Yer should never have touched Bessie," he said darkly. "Goodbye Hughes!" He laughed as Archibald Hughes thrashed about within the bindings.

"He's not dead!" Bessie gasped, looking in horror at Jack, only then realising what he was about to do.

"Soon will be." Jack nodded to the crew that were holding the trestle.

"But..." Bessie protested, but a quiet shake of the head from Joshamee bade her hold her tongue. The crew raised the trestle and Jack watched as his enemy slid smoothly towards the sea, a loud splash in the darkness marking his demise. There was no eulogy for Archibald Hughes, no prayers said.

"Wha..." Jack staggered as Bessie unexpectedly slumped against him, catching her as she fell. "Bessie?" He gathered her in his arms, her head cradled against his chest.

"Poor lass," Joshamee exclaimed. "Fainted clean away!"

"Best cure is t' loosen clothin'," Jack grinned, carrying her back towards the cabin. "Make fer Tortuga," he ordered. "We've some partyin' t' do!"

A chorus of "Aye" sounded round the deck and all the men went about their tasks eagerly, unfurling the sails as Paul Barker climbed the stairs to the quarterdeck to take the helm. They had not been to Tortuga for a number of months and were all eager to return.

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Bessie came to laying on the bunk, staring at the bulkhead above her. Jack hovered at the edge of her vision. "Bessie?" he asked softly. "Bessie, are yer alright?"

She turned, looking at him in shock. "You... you killed him!"

"I told yer I would," Jack said, not understanding her reaction. "He can no longer hurt yer Bessie." He reached out to reassure her, surprised when she flinched at his touch. "Bessie?"

"What you did was wrong!" she protested pulling away from him. "You buried him alive!"

"It was no less than he deserved!" Jack argued.

"It was a mockery!" she cried. "A mockery that lessened every burial that has ever happened on this ship!"

"But Bessie..." Jack began, reaching out to comfort her.

"No," she interrupted, brushing his hand away. "It lessens every burial - including the burial of our sons!"

"He killed our sons!" Jack argued. "They died an' yer could have too!"

"But I didn't!" Bessie countered. "It was wrong! No, worse than wrong, it was evil!"

Jack looked at her, studying her face silently for what seemed like an age. Finally, he spoke. "I'm sorry yer feel that way Bessie," he said softly. "But I won't apologise fer doin' what I did. I'll do whatever I need t' in order t' protect yer..."

"I don't want your protection!" she protested.

Jack wrapped his arms about her, tightening them until her struggles died. "An' what if yer are already with child again?" he said softly, placing his hand on her stomach. "I know yer don't want t' stay onboard Bessie... but hopefully news of this will keep yer safe..."

"Even at the cost of your soul?" she asked, looking at him tearfully.

"Some would say that I'm already damned Bessie," he smiled ruefully, kissing her on the top of her head and hugging her.

"You shouldn't say that," she chided. "God teaches us that all can be rescued..."

"P'raps yer can be my rescuer then," Jack tempted, brushing a tear from her cheek with his thumb. "But savin' me will have t' wait. It is late an' yer should be in bed..."

Bessie looked at him worriedly. "You will keep your word?"

"What was that?" he grinned, teasing.

"You..." she started.

"I know," he stopped her, his fingers on her lips. "I won't touch yer if yer don't want me to..." He slid her dress from her shoulder. "Unless yer do want me to?" he offered.

"No, I don't want you to touch me," Bessie said firmly, eyes daring him to make a comment as she slid off the bed and slipped out of her dress, standing briefly before him naked but for her necklace and earrings. Jack gulped audibly.

"I'll keep m' word," he winced, "but yer sure know how t' tempt a man..."

"Perhaps if I could have an undershift then my nakedness would not be a problem?" Bessie retorted.

"It isn't a problem..." Jack sighed. "More of a dilemma." He smiled regretfully. "Go on, in yer get!" He moved to one side, allowing Bessie to climb into the bunk, burrowing under the blankets before taking off his shirt and joining her. He wrapped his arms around her. "G'night Bessie," he muttered, kissing her softly on the head again. "P'raps yer'll trust me t'morrow!"

"Never," Bessie muttered drowsily but she was soon asleep, her head resting on his chest.

Jack stroked her hair. "Yer'll be mine some day Bessie Masters," he said quietly. He smiled to himself as he thought of his reputation, and how it would be ruined if it ever became known that he had a naked, bejewelled, pretty young woman in his bed and all he did was hold her. He slid his hand beneath the blanket and down her back until it rested on her bare bottom, He hugged her to him. "T' hell with reputations," he muttered, wrapping his other arm around her and settling down to sleep. She would be his again, and he was prepared to wait.