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

Thanks to Druidan54 for spotting the typo of Yarrah's Bay… corrected now to Yallah's Bay.

Chapter 33 – Return to Jamaica

The Black Pearl and the Leochek matched their speed to that of the slower Resolute, almost dawdling on the journey westwards. All of them fretted about not arriving earlier, but without the Resolute and her captain, they knew that the townspeople would assume they were just more pirates and flee. Well, they were more pirates – obviously – but they were a different type of pirate.

It was nearly dusk when they anchored in the bay. The pirate ships lashed themselves to the HMS Resolute, protecting the damaged ship. The Leochek on the shoreward side whilst the Black Pearl watched the sea for any signs of danger. A plank bridged the gap between the two smaller ships but a line was needed to reach the larger Black Pearl. One set of guards could easily patrol all three boats, enabling as many men as possible to go ashore. Pistols, shot and powder were safely transferred to shore.

"Stay here, Kitty…" Jack ordered.

"No!" she cried, unwilling to be left behind.

"Kitty! It is too dangerous!" Jack argued.

"So why is Elizabeth is going? She's pregnant for crying out loud!" Catherine countered crossly.

"She is the Governor's daughter, people will trust her…" Jack held his hands up, trying to pacify Catherine, but he could see she would not be calmed by his words.

"Oh yes, and I'm just your wife…" she replied bitterly.

"I said no!" Jack shouted angrily, unused to having his orders defied.

"I'll follow…" Catherine warned, staring at him rebelliously.

"It will be safer here…" he pleaded. "Kitty…"

"And what if the Blessed Mae sails by? Do you really think they wouldn't investigate three ships sitting quietly at anchorage – especially when there are two pirate ships and one English Navy ship?" She could sense him wavering. "Wouldn't I be safer with you? Please… please don't leave me where he…" She bit her lip, looking up at him hopefully.

Jack sighed, ruefully admitting to himself that if Catherine were a mild, dutiful woman then he would probably not have married her. Her spark, her fire, had been what had attracted him to her in the first place but it was the first time that they had clashed like this. He smiled, holding her tightly to him, nearly squeezing the breath from her, belatedly realising her fear of being found by the man that had raped her. "You wear breeches, carry a pistol, and stick close to me at all times… agreed?"

She hugged him back. "Agreed," she grinned in delight.

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They walked several miles westwards, spread out through the dark landscape, searching without success for any signs of survivors. It was nearly dawn when they spotted a faint fire, half hidden behind some dunes. They circled in carefully. Women and children, young and old, slept fitfully around the fire. Some just sat and cried. A few exhausted troops patrolled the edge of the camp and the Commodore could be seen pacing in the firelight, but there was no sign of Governor Swann.

"I'll go in with two of my men," Theodore said. "The sight of the uniforms will be better than…" He gestured at the pirates' attire. Quietly he stood up, walking cautiously forwards. "Commodore!" he called. "Commodore, may we assist you?"

The Commodore started on hearing the voice of his captain. "Captain Groves?" he questioned, searching the darkness.

"Yes, Sir!" Theodore stepped into the light to find weapons aimed at him. "And I have some others with me. Will your guards put up their firearms? I have some unusual companions…"

James Norrington nodded, and the two pirate captains, Catherine, Will and Elizabeth stepped into the firelight. Elizabeth ran up to the Commodore. "My father?" she asked worriedly.

"Sleeping, Mistress Turner. The retreat was hard for a man of his age…" He gestured over to the other side of the fire. "Sparrow!" He reached for his sword and then, remembering his word, forced himself to relax. Some of the townspeople woke up and started screaming on seeing the pirates.

"Quiet!" Theodore Groves bellowed. "These pirates are here to help us, they aren't with Bailie!"

The noise gradually quietened, and curious, frightened faces edged forwards.

Theodore continued. "Captain Sparrow, Captain Marra and their crews are here to offer us their assistance against Bailie. Indeed they have already rescued the Resolute from his ship and sunk another ship that was in league with him." He turned to the Governor, who was sleepily being helped to his feet by Elizabeth. "You already owe them a great deal of gratitude."

The Governor looked startled, but muttered, "Yes, gratitude. Thank you."

"Your ships?" The Commodore asked, leading the group away from the fire. "My nephew?" he pressed.

"We are anchored in Yallah's Bay, Sir. James is as safe as he can be - he's sitting in the crow's nest of the Black Pearl. May I suggest we get the townspeople safely aboard the ships and away from here. Bailie won't give up until you are dead, down to the last man," Theodore warned.

Oran skidded to a halt next to Jack, his green eyes wide. "Captain, they're coming! Torches about a mile away… they'll be here in barely fifteen minutes"

"Commodore! Move your people out – fast! Kitty, Elizabeth – lead the way, we'll stay and cover the retreat!" For a moment Jack thought she was going to argue again, but she nodded and started urging the people to follow her, quietly and quickly. "Get them to th' Pearl!" he urged. "Zeke, follow Kitty. Nobody gets through."

Zeke merely nodded, quietly following the women and children who were gathering what belongings they had been able to rescue and hurrying along the shore. Although he would not be in the main battle he knew he had been given the most important job by the captain – to protect Catherine at all costs. They fled eastwards, the women having no time to worry about the shouts of men, clashing of swords and noise of pistols that they could soon hear behind them. Catherine and Elizabeth urged the women and children onwards, helping where they could. The increasing light helped them go faster, but still it took several hours before they reached the bay.

Catherine fired her pistol into the air, signalling the men on the ships, and gradually all the women, children and the elderly were safely rowed across and were standing nervously on the decks of the Black Pearl. The soft drizzle turned to rain.

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