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

Chapter 60 - Gillette Attacks

Catherine looked down at Jack in shock. He was a mess - shot in the leg, wrist clearly broken, he had also suffered a number of nasty cuts. She could not lift him, he was too heavy for her to even drag; she could not move him and so with sword drawn, she stood quietly over him , determined to defend him to the death, if need be. Someone burst through the double-doors, swords clanging against an attacker. Lieutenant Gillette! He dispatched his opponent, turning to face her.

"Mistress Sparrow?" He glanced at the body of Jack. "Oh, I see he's still alive - perhaps I should see to that…" Catherine placed herself in front of Jack, raising her sword. He laughed at her. "You don't really think that you can protect him, do you?" he sneered. He lunged, his sword thrusting towards Jack's prone body.

Catherine parried, throwing her entire strength behind her sword, stopping the blow before it could land. Gillette grunted in disbelief, surprised when she pressed her attack, smashing the hilt of her sword in his face. She fought dirty, knowing that she had to use every sneaky trick that she had been taught just to counter his superior height.

Practicing with Zeke had been helpful, as she was used to fighting someone larger than her - everyone she knew was larger than her.

Lieutenant Gillette spat blood on the floor, a tooth falling with it. Enraged he fought, determined to kill her. "You dirty little pirate!" he hissed.

"I'll take that as a compliment," she gasped, twisting to dodge another blow, "coming from a stuck-up pig like you!" She remembered Jack's advice, like a whisper in her ear… keep them angry and they cannot think.

He lunged forward, his sword catching her along the ribs. She winced in pain, but fought back. She knew he would try to kill her simply so he could then kill Jack. He surged towards her; she slipped as she jumped back , sword flailing wildly as she fought to regain her balance.

A strange look came over his face, shock, disbelief, agony combined in one. She glanced down, shocked to find her sword sticking hilt-deep in his chest. He tumbled over backwards - dead.

88888

Theodore came across his sister as she pulled her sword from Lieutenant Gillette's body. He quickly took in the scene - Jack, unconscious possibly dead at her feet, a deep slash across her ribs bleeding heavily through her shirt.

"Cat?" he gasped.

She looked up, relieved to see who it was, but wary, frightened at the sight of him, her brother, but too 'Navy' to trust completely. She held her sword and faced him. "Are you going to try to kill Jack too?" she asked, weaving on her feet. Jack groaned. Theodore took a step forward, stopping when she drew her pistol on him.

"Cat!" he protested, stunned by her actions.

"Jack," she urged. "Get up!" She crouched down, helping him as he staggered to his feet, keeping the pistol aimed at her brother. Jack blinked, confused. "We are leaving, Theodore and the Black Pearl won't be coming back…"

"Cat, whatever this is I had nothing to do with it!" he pleaded.

Tears welled in her eyes, the pistol waving alarmingly. "I'm sorry, Theo. I trust you, but not your uniform…" She glanced down at Robert Gillette. "I dare not." Half-supporting Jack she edged backwards toward the door. "Please don't follow…"

88888

They staggered together through the streets down towards the dock, relieved to find Joshamee Gibbs still hunting through houses. "Mary, mother of…" he gasped on seeing them.

"Gibbs, gather the men!" Jack ordered, although his voice was none too steady. "Th' Pearl is leaving!" They clambered into one of the ships boats, Jack taking the right oar with his good hand whilst Catherine struggled with the other. The boat made somewhat erratic progress out of the harbour before eventually bumping against the hull of the Black Pearl. The effort of rowing had drained Jack and he slumped forward, unconscious, succumbing to the demands of pain and injury.

"Give me a hand! Now!" she shouted, her own head woozy from blood loss. She felt herself being manhandled aboard before she too slipped into the welcoming blackness.

88888