Yet again, usual disclaimers apply throughout this tale. If you recognise it, it probably belongs to the Mouse – else it is mine!

Chapter 15 – Meetings on the Black Pearl

"I heard she'd been injured…" Theodore ventured, desperate for news of Catherine as Jack took the oars and rowed into the darkness.

Jack sighed. "Yer sister was hurt when we took th' Gallian. We didn't know she was aboard, I swear."

"Jacoby Roseridge said her injuries were grievous, according to his crew…" Theodore said worriedly, wondering how the pirate knew she was his sister.

"It was close, mate, I won't lie. We nearly lost her... but she's gettin' better now..." The row boat knocked against the hull of the Black Pearl, almost invisible in the darkness of the night. Theodore heard a pistol being cocked above their heads. "It's me!" Jack slurred, "an' a guest fer Kitty." He climbed up onto the deck. "Lieutenant..."

"My sister first Sparrow, then we will deal with Mister Roseridge," Theodore demanded.

"How many times must I tell you, it's Captain, Captain Sparrow, matey." They entered the main cabin. "Kitty, I've a guest for yer…".

Catherine eased herself slowly upright, pulling up a blanket and covering herself modestly, her eyes searching the main cabin behind Jack in the gloom. "Theo?" she gasped in delight on seeing him.

"Cat!" He strode past Jack, moving to embrace his sister.

"Gently mate! Her wounds aren't fully healed yet!" Jack warned, placing a firm hand on Theodore's shoulder.

Theodore stopped and looked again at Catherine. For the first time he realised that she was pale, her lips thin as if she held herself upright by pure will power. He noticed to his surprise that she was also only wearing her undershift. "May I see?" he asked cautiously. She nodded and Jack moved past him, helping her turn around. With deft fingers, he undid her new undershift he had purchased for her in Tortuga to reveal her back. Theodore frowned at the intimacy, but said nothing, paling as he saw the angry wound.

"Cotton is trying t' get more air to it at th' moment to help it scab better like," Jack explained, his waving hands taking in the state of her undress and explaining why her undershift was back-to-front, "but th' bleeding has stopped an' it isn't weeping so badly now at least."

"And Cotton is…" Theodore frowned.

"Ship's doctor mate. Best we've had in a long time..." Jack replied.

Catherine could see that her brother was angry and interrupted. "Ned saved my life, Theo, as did Jack."

"Jack! If it wasn't for Jack you wouldn't be injured in the first place!" Theodore retorted angrily. "How can you defend Sparrow when your injuries are his fault?" he demanded.

Jack winced, the lieutenant's comments too close to his own thoughts, for once not bothering to correct the omission of his title.

"Because this is the second time he has saved my life," she argued. "I hold no grudge for what was simply an accident. I am alive – it is enough!"

"But..." Theodore halted and turned, hearing a young voice at the cabin door.

"Mistress Cat, can I sleep with the crew again tonight…" A small boy, barefoot with a blue and yellow macaw squawking on his shoulder ran into the cabin. He stopped upon seeing the stranger, wide-eyed and distrustful.

"Of course you can James, but don't get under the crews' feet… and take that darn bird out of here!" The small boy turned, whooping in delight as he ran out.

"That was James Schott?" Theodore asked in cautious disbelief.

Catherine smiled. "Yes, I'm afraid he's been running a bit wild of late. I think it's the pirates!" She winked at Jack. "Do you think the Commodore will be very shocked?"

Theodore stared at her. "Cat – are you mad!" He hissed, glancing sideways at Jack in alarm, worried at how much she had told the pirate.

"The captain has known who both of us are for a long time Theo. I trust him... now." She smiled as she shifted slightly in the bunk, wincing in pain as her back pulled. Jack moved instantly to assist her, only standing back when she was settled. She smiled at him gratefully. "After all, what's not to trust?"

Theodore looked at his sister in confusion. The last time he had seen her was shortly after news of Greg's death – withdrawn, shocked, grieving. Yet here she was, sitting calmly in the bunk of an infamous pirate with only her undershift on as if it were a perfectly normal, everyday occurrence.

She sighed, realising Theodore was going to demand some explanations. "Jack, could you please leave us alone for a moment…"

"Sure thing, luv..." he grinned at her, taking pleasure in her brother's confusion. Theodore's head whipped round at the endearment, but Jack Sparrow had already left his cabin, closing the doors firmly behind him.

Catherine turned to her brother. "Okay – ask your questions, Theo," she ordered.

"But... how... what..." he stuttered.

Patiently, Catherine explained her adventures from the time she left England. She could see his anger when she described her treatment by Francis Bailie and his crew, and his clenched fists whitening when she described Sarah's death, but he kept his silence. She paused, knowing his question and unsure how to say it. "Yes, I have..." she admitted, lowering her eyes as she bit her lip, waiting for the explosion.

"You have!" he shouted in disbelief. "How could you? He's a notorious pirate!" he raged.

"Theo, I am a grown woman. What I decide to do between the hours of sundown and sunrise is my own business. It isn't as if I am some delicate virgin saving herself for a marriage, is it!" she defended.

"But you could make a good marriage here in the Caribbean!" he argued.

"With whom?" Catherine demanded. "I am a widow, Theo, a widow with little money and little prospects of finding another husband – not that I want one."

"There are many single officers at Port Royal - even the Commodore!" he countered. "You could marry well again."

"And how many of them would want me when they learn I cannot give them children?" she retorted. Theodore could not reply, but his silence was answer enough to her. "Exactly!" she cried. "But I am happy, for the first time in a long while. Let it be Theo... please? Both Jack and I know it cannot last – when I am well enough I will continue to Port Royal, I promise." She looked at him, her eyes pleading for his understanding.

"And no more pirates..." he cautioned. He never had been able to deny her anything if it had been in his power to give her, even teaching her to shoot a pistol in defiance of their father's wishes.

"I'll not promise what I may not keep, Theo. Jack and the crew have become friends to me," she admitted, Jack's earlier vow to visit her foremost in her mind.

He nodded, not liking, but accepting her honesty. "I should see Damian Roseridge now... I have his ransom," he sighed.

"You are taking James?" Theodore nodded. "He won't like that. He'll miss Ned's macaw, but he'll be safer on a naval ship."

He leaned across his sister, kissing her gently on the cheek. "It is good to see you, Cat. Keep safe! I'll return to say goodbye before I leave." He turned, quietly shutting the cabin doors behind him.

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