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

Chapter 20 - Decisions

The day passed painfully slowly for Catherine. Her eyes found Jack's at the least opportunity and she could not bear it. Dinner was stiflingly formal, with Jill serving them now that Theodore was back, but Jack still managed to rub his foot against hers. There was no chance for further private conversation either before she retired to bed and left the two men quietly drinking.

Theodore watched her quietly close the door. "I meant it Jack, leave my sister alone," Theodore warned.

Jack shrugged. "What if she doesn't want t' be left alone?"

"Do I need to remind you of your dalliances in the past two months? The brunette, the blonde..." Theodore argued.

"Kitty isn't a "dalliance" as you so quaintly put it, matey. Anything done is the past months was done by Thomas Wells th' spy, not me," Jack countered. "I had t' maintain th' façade fer both our sakes!"

"Oh how convenient your split personality can be..." Theodore retorted angrily. "Leave her alone!"

"If Kitty wants me to come a' courting her, then I will," Jack replied stubbornly.

"She's been rebuilding her life since that escapade with you," Theodore explained. "Do you know how hard it was for her when she'd enter a shop and everybody went silent. She's worked damned hard to be accepted here – don't ruin this for her!" he pleaded.

"But what if this isn't what she wants?" Jack said quietly.

Theodore snorted. "How would you know?" he demanded.

"And how would you? Have you asked her? I doubt it!" Jack argued. "But I will not bring disgrace upon her here... despite what yer think, I can be discrete, all right?. But I will be a' courting her if she wishes, with or without yer permission mate. Savvy?" Theodore glowered at him, but Jack carried on. "The maid's gone for th' night, so it's just the three of us, and I'm going upstairs now t' talk with Kitty..."

"Talk?" Theodore questioned, disbelieving, but Jack had already left, bounding up the stairs two at a time.

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He knocked on the door quietly. "Kitty, can I come in?" He turned the handle, "Kitty?"

"Come in Jack, I'm not asleep. You two men arguing is enough to keep anyone awake," she replied softly.

"You heard?" he frowned, smiling as he saw she was already in bed and wearing her nightclothes.

"Yes," she sighed. "I heard..."

"Same as I heard your tirade at Gillette. Did you mean that?" Jack asked.

"Mean what?" Catherine frowned.

"That you'd rather marry a pirate?" he grinned.

"I wasn't intending it as a compliment Jack… I thought you were dead!" she protested, handing him his hat.

"How..." Jack began, delighted to be reunited with his hat, before remembering her comment about Zeke and sobbing pirates in the kitchen. Zeke must have given it to her he presumed.

The silence dragged. "Damn you, you miserable excuse for a pirate!" Jack looked offended. "Just hold me, please!"

So he held her, bemused at the logic of women, while she sobbed her heart out on his shoulder, crying until she fell asleep. He lay her down gently, kissing her forehead as he rose. For a moment he considered sliding into the large bed next to her but quietly slipped out of the room instead. A shadowy figure was waiting for him outside the room. "Jesus, Groves!" Jack jumped, relieved that he had not given in to the temptation to stay. Theodore was leaning calmly against the banister in the darkness. "We just spoke – okay! An' now I'm going t' bed, alone, in that room there... savvy?"

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Catherine awoke in the night with a start, convinced it had been a dream. For over two weeks she had grieved for Jack, cursed and regretted her lack of courage to stay upon the Black Pearl even if it would have only been for the few months before he had been lost. But he was alive – God had given her another chance at this and she was not going to lack that courage now. Quietly she opened her door, listening for sounds of her brother snoring across the corridor. Yes, Theodore was asleep. Carefully she slipped along the landing, keeping to the shadows, until she reached the guest room – the guest room where Jack Sparrow was currently sleeping. She opened the door, gradually sliding into the room. Her hand brushed against the edge of the bed, guiding her in the darkness.

"An' I thought I was gonna have t' wait all night f' yer to get here…" Jack drawled. Without saying anything, she slid in next to him, her lips meeting his. "Damn, I've missed yer," he sighed in contentment, wrapping his arms around her.

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It was there that Theodore found her the next morning, curled up asleep, her arm draped across him. "Just talking Sparrow?"

Jack looked at him, having awakened as soon as the door had opened. "She came t' me! An' I've already told yer mate, it's Captain Sparrow!" he defended.

"And I've already told you to leave my sister alone!" Theodore warned, his voice rising in anger.

Catherine stirred. "My, what a delightful way to wake up with two men shouting! Theo – go away!" She rolled over, ensuring she kept herself modestly covered. "Theo, I am here because I want to be. I was not forced, coerced, or threatened in any way..."

"And if Jill finds you like this?" Theodore argued.

Catherine sighed. "Well, if you would be so kind as to turn around Theo, I will get up." She rose, putting on her nightdress and dressing gown. Jack's hand traced the jagged outline of the scar on her back, her skin shuddering in memory at his touch. "There, decent enough?" Turning to Jack she added, "You'd better at least put a shirt on too... those tattoos are too well known." Her eyes were drawn to a fresh scar on his left shoulder, a deep and obviously cauterised wound.

"God has a sense of humour Kitty," he smiled at her questioning look. "I'll tell yer later, but yer'd better be gone before th' maid gets 'ere." He leaned across and kissed her, ignoring Theodore. "Thanks for m' hat!" he grinned. "Now go!"

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At breakfast, the two men sat opposite each other, Theodore glowering in response to Jack's grin. Having sent Jill to the kitchen for more tea, she sat between them. "Please! Will you two stop this!"

"Stop what?" they both said in unison.

"This! Am I going to have several weeks of this between the two of you! Theo, can you not be pleased that I am happy?" she pleaded.

"Not when he can only bring you grief!" Theodore hissed, aware of the proximity of Jill.

"And what would you know of grief, Theo. The only thing you love is that bloody ship!" She pushed her chair back, standing abruptly. It fell backwards with a clatter as she stormed out of the room.

"Why are yer so hard on her mate?" Jack asked quietly.

"Because I don't want her grieving over you the way she did over Greg and your profession is not famed for long life! What will it be? Pistol? Sword? Hangman's noose?"

Jack shrugged. "P'raps, but she's done her grieving these last few weeks. Let her live fer a while." He rose and quietly followed Catherine, knocking on her door, returning to his cultured speech. "Mistress Catherine, may I come in?"

The door slowly opened. He walked in, shutting the door behind him. "Kitty?" He held his arms out to her. "If it's t' be two weeks then let's enjoy 'em," he slurred, kissing her. "An' I promise I'll come back more often..."

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