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

Chapter 16 - Leavings

Jack sat quietly on the starboard stairs that led to the quarterdeck, well able to hear the shouting from within his cabin. He frowned on hearing that Catherine could not have children, wondering briefly if it was something to do with the scarring on her stomach. Perhaps she would tell him, perhaps not... it was obviously a very personal matter. He heard his cabin doors open, quickly schooling his expression to one of bored indifference.

"Satisfied now, Groves?" he asked.

Theodore Groves walked across to the stairs where Jack was waiting for him. "I'll see Damian Roseridge now..." He paused, considering his words. "And if you hurt Cat, I will kill you!" he warned.

"That's a brave threat t' be makin' on my ship, Lieutenant." Jack's voice slipped to a mere whisper.

Theodore turned to face him. "It wasn't a threat, it was a promise. You may have saved my life once, Sparrow, but this is my sister I'm talking about!"

"Kitty is th' one person I'd never hurt, Groves. I'd have thought yer'd have known that by now after yer little chat..." Jack's eyes narrowed.

"Until the next woman comes along..." Theodore began.

Theodore Groves never got to finish his sentence. Jack's fist shot straight at him, faster than he could follow, the impact of the blow leaving him reeling. "I meant what I said, mate!" Jack snarled. "Roseridge is this way..." Jack turned his back on Theodore, leaving him to follow as he stomped towards the brig.

Theodore followed, wiping the blood away from his split lip, surprised by the Jack's reaction and wondering if there was more going on between the pirate and his sister than he realised. Down and down again he followed Jack below decks until they stood before the two cages in the lowest hold that served as the brig on the Black Pearl - one of which contained Damian Roseridge. The lieutenant realised that any further thoughts regarding his sister would have to wait as he reached within his coat for the ransom money.

Damian Roseridge looked up cautiously on hearing footsteps. "You're a lucky lad, Roseridge, seems your dear old Pa does love yer after all," Jack drawled. He held out his hand, taking the large pouch of coins from Theodore, before unlocking the brig. "He's all yours, Lieutenant."

Damian rose, stiff from his days of captivity. He had not been badly treated, all things considered, but he had not been in luxury either. "Lieutenant?" he frowned, for the man was clearly not in uniform.

"Lieutenant Groves, Mister Roseridge. My men are waiting ashore to escort you to HMS Resolute." He turned to Jack. "I will take Master Schott tonight as well."

Jack shrugged. "Jimmy won't like it..." he said, but he obligingly led the two men through the darkness of the gundeck to where the boy slept in a hammock with the crew. "Jimmy, time to go." The boy struggled from the hammock, confused, Cotton's macaw squawking it's disapproval. "This man is Mistress Cat's brother, Theodore, Jimmy. He's gonna take yer to yer uncle now..."

"But what about Mistress Cat?" James asked worriedly.

"Mistress Cat will follow when she is better Jimmy, but she is far too poorly now. Go, say goodbye to her an' I'll meet yer on deck," Jack explained. He shoved the nearest hammock. "Gibbs, I want every crew member on deck. Jimmy is leaving us tonight..." Joshamee Gibbs eyes widened in surprise, but he wasted no time in bashing hammocks left and right as Jack escorted the two men back up topside onto the main deck.

"I'd like to say goodbye to my sister too..." Theodore asked.

"'Course, mate." Jack slipped back into his lazy drawl as he stood aside. "Take whatever time yer need. Mister Roseridge'll be waiting on deck when you get there..." He shoved Damian Roseridge up the stairs ahead of him.

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Theodore was surprised to find James sitting on the bunk with Catherine, sobbing that he did not want to go. "James, your uncle will be waiting for you." She hugged him. "I will join you soon, I promise."

"Promise?" he pleaded.

"I promise! Now go and find Jack and tell him you are ready to leave..." She shooed him from the cabin, turning awkwardly to her brother. His lip was split, but she said nothing of it. "You have my word, Theo. As soon as I am well enough I will be at Port Royal, by Christmas I hope."

He nodded, hugging her carefully. "I'll be waiting!" he smiled warmly, relieved that she was at least alive.

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Theodore was even more surprised to see the entire crew of the Black Pearl standing in a line on deck. Jack was walking along the line with James, the boy murmuring his farewells and hugging the pirates. He spent a long time with one of the pirates who had a blue macaw sitting on his shoulder. Must be the one called Ned Cotton the lieutenant assumed. He walked up to the man. "

"Are you Cotton?" The man nodded. "I understand you saved Catherine's life – I want to thank you." He held out his hand, relieved when the pirate took it and shook it but was puzzled when the man didn't speak.

"Ned cannot speak, Lieutenant," James explained. "They cut his tongue out... but his parrot speaks for him."

"Wind in yer sails!" the bird screeched.

The boy just burst into tears again and hugged Ned. "I hope we meet again too. Goodbye Ned." He turned to Jack. "I'm ready to go now, Captain."

"Aye lad, we'll all miss yer!" Jack stunned Theodore by crouching down and hugging the boy. "Keep safe Jimmy!" He turned to face the lieutenant. "Boat's all yours, mate. We'll not be stopping to collect it... Tortuga's that'a-way." He waved his hand vaguely in the direction of the shore.

Theodore and Damian Roseridge climbed down into the small boat that still bobbed gently along side and Jack handed James down to them. "Maybe I'll see yer in Port Royal, lad!" he winked. James broke into a smile, but before he could venture a reply Jack was gone, bellowing to the crew to ready the Black Pearl to make way and leave Tortuga.

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Jack sat on the edge of his bunk, holding Catherine gently so not to hurt her back.

"He took it quite well really…" Catherine began.

"Quite well! He threatened to kill me – on my own ship!" Jack spluttered indignantly, releasing her briefly as he took off his sword belt, setting it carefully within reach of the bunk.

She laughed at him softly. "So that is why my brother said goodbye with a split lip?" She smiled. "I'd never have thought you the type to fight over me, Jack Sparrow," she laughed, tilting her head to kiss him.

"I may have given my word to let you go Kitty, but it doesn't mean I have to like it." He pouted as he kicked his boots off and lay down next to her, and settling himself comfortably beside her. "Are yer sure I can't keep yer?" he murmured, wrapping his arms around her. "I want t' keep yer!"

Catherine laid her head on his chest, listening contentedly to his heartbeat. "You know I cannot stay Jack," she sighed regretfully, "however much I might want to..."

"Well p'raps I'd better make th' most of these days then," he smiled, easing her undershift from her body, grinning in delight as she responded to him. "I promise I'll be gentle," he vowed, remembering her back.

"Stop talking!" she cursed, pulling him to her. He did, kissing her as hungrily as she kissed him.

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