Usual disclaimers... but I'm plotting!
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Chapter 38 - Interlude
Jack was ribbed the following morning for his clean skin, but he took it with good grace. He knew that they would be leaving soon - the fresh water would be loaded that afternoon - and then they would be back to what they did best... taking ships. He looked at Bessie as she sat beside him, blushing as their good natured but ribald comments included her. He let it go on for a while before he spoke out, seeing that she was becoming upset. "Enough!" he barked. "Let Bessie be!" Eyebrows raised but the crew knew well enough to bide their tongues. Jack nodded, turning to Bessie. "Why don't yer have yer breakfast in th' cabin?" he suggested. "It'll be quieter there..." He watched her leave before addressing the crew. "Yer know that wasn't very nice," he threatened.
"Ease up Captain," Paul Barker said. "The men were only joshing!"
"She's young enough t' be yer daughter Barker!" Jack accused.
"And nearly yours!" Paul retorted, laughing.
Jack smiled wryly acknowledging the truth - Bessie was almost half his age. "Just remember that she could lead us t' her father's gold - we need her t' be happy here!" he cautioned. He was pleased when a number of the crew started to nod, seeing the sense in this.
"And in the meantime she warms your bunk..." Paul teased.
Jack grinned. "Aye, and delightfully too!" Scraping his bowl he rose heading to the galley. He stopped by the stairwell. "She is m' woman an' yer'd best be remembering that - make certain yer don't upset her," he warned. "She's good at disappearin'!"
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Bessie paused a moment, listening to the voices below. So Jack was worried that she might disappear, did he? She smiled quietly to herself - he was right to suspect her for if the chance came she would take it. She left her bowl, suddenly not hungry and wandered back to the cabin, shutting the door firmly behind her and sitting by the stern windows, smiling as Daffodil came and sat on her lap. She realised that Jack would never let her go, and that if she did break free that he would never stop searching for her until her father's treasure had been found. She stared moodily out the window, trying to figure out what she could do. She put her hand to her stomach, worrying what she would do if she were pregnant... if she were carrying his child again. Although she hoped that she was not, Bessie realised that it was only a matter of time before it happened - and every time he loved her increased the chances. For a moment she wished she could turn him away but her body shivered at the memory of his touch... his tempting touch that left her always wanting more. She hated him, she did not trust him, but she needed him.
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Jack continued to oversee the loading of supplies for most of the day for the Black Pearl was to sail at dusk. He liked to leave at night for the fewer eyes that noted their direction the better as far as he was concerned. He worried about Bessie for she was very quiet... too quiet in a way. He had not been joking when he had spoken to the crew and he was extremely glad that she could not swim. She could not leave the ship and he had no intention of allowing her to do so.
When he eventually returned to the cabin she was already asleep, the lit candle giving her the reassurance she needed when she was left alone. He slipped out of his clothes, hoping she would wake, but she merely muttered in her sleep and rolled against him until her head rested on his chest. Smiling Jack leaned across and blew out the candle before wrapping his arm about her and settling down to sleep himself as the Black Pearl sailed east towards the Mona Passage and the numerous islands beyond. They were bound to find ships there for the taking and the crew were eager for action, and for the plunder that would allow them to enjoy the delights of Tortuga again.
He looked down at Bessie, stroking her pale white blonde hair. He was worried what she would make of the attacks, fearing she would be frightened and wishing he could spare her it somehow. He sighed, resolving not to worry about it until the morning... he would speak with her then.
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Jack woke with a start as Joshamee Gibbs banged loudly on the cabin doors. "Captain!" he shouted. "Sail ho! French trader!"
"I'll be out in a moment!" he called, slipping quickly from the bunk and pulling on his trousers and the rest of his clothes. It was still half-dark in the cabin and he guessed it had only just gone dawn.
Bessie sat up, the blankets only partially covering her nakedness. "What is it?" she asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Work calls," Jack grinned, strapping on his sword belt and checking his pistol. "I want yer t' get dressed an' stay in this cabin. I'll lock yer in so yer'll be safe, but stay away from th' windows just in case..."
"But..." Bessie gasped, clearly frightened.
"Bessie, we're pirates," Jack smiled, "it's what we do..." He traced a line down her cheek. "Dress," he reminded her, handing her undershift and dress. "I'll be back when it's over..." He kissed her quickly and dashed out of the side cabin, unlocking the cabin doors and striding out onto deck. "How long Gibbs?" he asked, shouting up to the quarterdeck.
"About an hour at this rate Captain," Joshamee responded.
Jack nodded, returning to the cabin briefly to get his spy glass before locking Bessie safely within. He climbed the stairs to the quarterdeck, peering at the other ship before taking the helm from Joshamee. "Run up our colours an' ready th' cannons," he ordered, "although she's not got much weaponry!" He grinned as he saw the other ship panic and turn southwards, heading for open sea in the hope that they could escape. Clearly this ship was new to the area and had not heard that the Black Pearl was the fastest ship in the Caribbean - there was no escape once a ship had been sighted.