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

Chapter 54 – No, Yes, No

A few days later the Black Pearl again sat at anchor in the harbour of Port au Prince. Will arranged lodgings for himself, Elizabeth, Weatherby Swann, Catherine and the two children. James had wanted to stay with Jack but he had been firm, warning him that a ship looking for a fight was no place for a young boy.

"An' I need yer t' look after th' women, Jimmy. Young William will need help an' yer are th' only man for the job… savvy?"

James looked miserable, but had reluctantly agreed.

88888

"No!" Catherine said firmly.

"No what?" Jack looked at his wife, confused. He had not even said a word.

"No, I am not staying ashore with Elizabeth. Don't even try it Jack or I'll bloody shoot you myself!" she threatened. "I know Will has already booked me a room!"

"But…" he began, realising belatedly that she knew what he had been planning.

"No buts, Jack! I'm not going to sit in town waiting for them to deliver your hat again!" Catherine argued.

"You fight dirty," he accused.

She smiled. "Pirate!"

"You're going ashore!" he ordered.

"No!" she retorted angrily.

"Yes!" he shouted back at her.

She stormed out of the cabin. "I'm not bloody going!"

He grabbed her arm, swinging her to face him. "Yes, you bloody well are!"

The crew watched silently, in amazement. The Captain and Catherine rarely argued, but when they did it was usually explosive.

"Let go of me!" she protested.

"You are going!" Jack pressed.

"I said… let… go… of… me!" Catherine twisted in his grasp until her arm came free, punching him in the face as she fought. He had taught her well.

He spat blood. "Why you…." but she dodged out of his reach, racing for the main mast and scrambling into the rigging. "Kitty!" Jack chased her, but for once her size was to her advantage as she raced higher, hiding in the crow's nest. "Kitty!" Angrily he climbed after her. "Will you please come down and go with Elizabeth!"

A face peered down at him from over the rim of the crow's nest. "No! And if you try to move me Jack we'll both fall!"

"Damn woman!" he cursed but knew her threat was the truth. The high rigging was not a place to try wrestling at the best of times. Resignedly he climbed down. "Weigh anchor Gibbs, we're leavin'!" He stomped back into the cabin.

Catherine stayed in the crow's nest for the rest of the day. She knew if she came down too soon Jack would just turn the ship around and force her ashore. Moodily, and more than a little thirsty, she glared at the sunset.

88888

It was gone midnight when Jack at last climbed up to her, a flask of water in hand, surprised to find her asleep curled around the mast. "All right, Kitty, you win." She opened one sleepy eye as he handed her the flask. She drank deeply before following him back to the cabin.

88888