Yet again, usual disclaimers apply throughout this tale. If you recognise it, it probably belongs to the Mouse – else it is mine!
Chapter 57 – Before The Dawn
Year 4 - September
Jack had told Theodore that he would wait at the southern tip of the Windward Passage, hurricanes permitting, so they did not need to search long for him. Once they were sure they had been seen, Theodore ordered the HMS Gauntlet back to Port Royal, knowing that the faster Black Pearl would soon catch them. When the ships drew level, Theodore swung over to the pirate ship, surprised to find his sister still aboard.
"What?" he shouted. "Why is Cat still here?"
"Because she wouldn't bloody leave!" Jack sounded exasperated, as if he had been through the same argument many times before. "Look, Zeke an' I are both gonna be there, all right?" He leaned close so he would not be overheard. "An' I don't think she'll fall for the brig trick again, mate!"
"No, I don't think so either, but there is nothing we can do about it now…" he sighed. "Anyway, the Commodore wants us to encircle the town if we can and go in together, destroy the ships and then clear out the pirates."
"Mmmnnn, nice an' simple," Jack smiled. "I can do simple!"
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Jack gave the helm to Joshamee Gibbs that night, determined to spend an uninterrupted night with his wife. Catherine sensed his mood and, some might say for once, kept her tongue. He knew she was as good as most of the men with her sword, having been taught by himself, Will, Theodore and most of the crew as well, but this was the first time she was going anywhere with the sole aim to kill someone. He looked at her, reading her silence, guessing she was nervous. Although he was confident in her skill, he was still unsure that he wanted her to go. Some part of him wanted to protect her from the very real savagery of what would be happening, but he understood that she needed to prove herself - and to have revenge against Robert DeWitt.
"You sure I can't lock yer in m' brig?" he asked, smiling.
"Jack…" she warned.
"S'all right, I won't!" He protested, hands in the air in surrender. "But I want to," he added, silently to himself as he climbed into the bunk next to her. It was inconvenient, having given his word, although he had not said he would not lock her up anywhere else, or perhaps he could tie her up somewhere instead. He stroked the hair away from her face as he kissed her. "T'morrow is t'morrow luv, let's concentrate on t'night."
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When he awoke it was still dark, but he knew dawn could not be far off. Already the sky was lightening in the east, a thin sliver of brightness against the blackness. He frowned. Catherine was not beside him, nor was she in the cabin. Confused, he pulled on his breeches before wandering out on deck.
Oran Booth was at the helm as he climbed up towards the wheel. "Mornin' Cap'n!"
"Have yer seen Kitty?" he asked. Oran nodded, smiled, and pointed upwards. Jack's eyes followed to the crow's nest. "Thanks," he mumbled, before starting to climb. "Kitty! Kitty! What are you doing up here?"
She smiled as she looked at him, dishevelled, blurry eyed and in need of rum. "I know you, Jack Sparrow! You were thinking something last night and I'm not falling for it - savvy?"
"Don't yer trust me?" he pouted.
Catherine glared at him. "It is because I trust you that I am up here - I trust you to try something!"
Jack cursed silently. Was she really getting so good at reading him - this could be awkward.
"But as you are up here now, you could always stay and watch the dawn…" She moved across slightly, leaving just enough room for him to stand next to her. It was a cosy fit, not being designed for two, but comfortable he thought as he wrapped his free arm around her.
They stayed there until the sky turned pink, gradually lightening to a pale blue. The sun's fiery orb could just be seen peeking over the horizon.
"Just comin' up t' drop off Cap'n!" Oran shouted up to them.
Jack jumped, lost in his reverie. "Come on, we'd better get ready…"
"Your word Jack - before I move an inch!" Catherine demanded.
"On what?" he said, blinking, having hoped she had forgotten.
"That neither you nor the crew will do anything to stop me going! That includes locking up, tying up, knocking unconscious and anything else I can't think of at the moment!" she retorted. He frowned, desperately trying to think of a way out of it. "No lies Jack… I want your word!" she pressed.
He sighed. Damn the woman for boxing him in like that. "All right, I give in. Yer have m' word Kitty." She started to climb down, but he stopped her. "Don't you dare get hurt though, all right!" She stretched up, kissing him, before climbing down.
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