Disclaimer: Every chapter I can wish to own Jack and Will but it will never happen.
Stick To The CodeWe rowed into the still waters of the cave, where the air was moist and thick. On the walls hung lanterns and there were skeletons of pirates long ago lying in the sand. The walls of the cave were shimmering from the thousands of gold coins that were lying in the water reflecting the lantern lights. As we drifted by the poor blighters Ben leaned in close to me and asked me a question.
"What if the worst should happen Captain?"
"We keep to the code. You know that. Any man who falls behind is left behind." I replied.
We silently rowed to a landing where Barbossa's pirates had moored their longboats. I hopped out while Ben pulled the boat ashore. Rogers and the other boat followed suit. Carefully I climbed the rocks and looked into a vast cavern. The entire cavern was filled with the most spectacular treasures. Glittering in the torchlight were bars of silver and gold, gold boxes set with diamonds, rings with sparking jewels, rubies large and small, great long strings of pearls, brightly colored silks, piles of coins and at the center of the cave sat Katheryn with Mandy.
"We must wait for the opportune moment." I whispered to the men. "I do not wish to put Katheryn's life any more at stake then it is."
Mandy suddenly looked up but then swiveled her head around when Jeffery spoke.
"You know the first thing I'm going to do after I get rid of this Sparrow?"
Jeffery grinned at Jem, whom I had not seen until now. She was standing next to the Aztec Stone Chest, which was off in a dark corner. Torches and shafts of moonlight lighted the cave yet it still was very dim.
"No Jeffery." Jem replied after a moment since nobody else spoke up. "I have no idea and I truly don't give a damn. I count the days, hours and minutes for you to take the Black Pearl from Captain Sparrow so I can have The Vengeance to myself."
Jem was now standing in the beams of moonlight shining through the cave. Her long auburn hair was glistening from the light as if gold was laced in each strain. Her perfect features were captivating. How Hector could have such a beautiful daughter was beyond my imagination.
"You know dear brother." Jem spoke sharply. " I'll tell you a secret. I even risked my life just for you. I stole upon The Black Pearl and captured said Captain Jack Sparrow on his own ship. I even shared a dram of rum with him. I most say it was entertaining while it lasted until he decided he didn't like my games and he broke up the party. Never the less, I told him you were tired of waiting for him. The night I found him and confronted him I knew trouble was on the horizon. He may appear daft and quite stuck on himself but he does have a head on his shoulders and he is an object we must reason with. Remember, he did kill our father and as he would say, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow." She spoke with such conviction and she threw her auburn hair over her left shoulder so it flowed down over her cheek to cover her scar.
"Yes it was a few days after my adventure you spotted The Pearl for yourself. I knew exactly where she and Sparrow were. They were coming to you. Of course I have always been more observant than you and I can't imagine why I didn't inform you."
She looked towards a young buccaneer and motioned him to follow her. "Oh I will never know why I didn't tell you." She rolled her eyes and stroked the scar upon her check.
"It is a shame father never realized that I have the brains and the beauty and lord knows what you have. But yes, you true as form played the fool and wanted to sink The Black Pearl. Why you would want to sink The Pearl was beyond me but in your haste you would have destroyed the last real pirate ship of the Caribbean and you would not have gotten your ship nor revenge for our father. You claim you are the worst, meanest or should I say the best pirate of the Caribbean? Yes you are the apple of father's eye, a pirate. Cold, calculating and uncaring. Curses, you are nothing like our father. You are weak, vain and like a mouse. You hide when trouble arises and expect me to clean up your messes. You need me. I know you do. The sad fact is you know you do, but you are not man enough to admit it. Your not man enough for anything or anyone. You are nothing without me." She glanced around at the crew and then set her eyes on Mandy.
"I am a cat. I pounce on our enemies. I'll attack and leave all dead. The only thing left will be the stain of blood on the deck. Remember Jeffery that is what father always told us. The Black Pearl is black because she is stained with the blood of pirates from the past and of all the battles she has endured. I'll eat my pray tail and all, will you?" She then transfixed her eyes on him.
"I am counting the days my dear simple sibling. I want you out of my life. I cannot wait for the day you are gone and The Vengeance is mine. Oh, but silly me I had to promise mother I would take care of her baby boy. Well mate I have paid my dues. I know I can't kill you. That's against the code and I will not go to hell because of you. I do fear for you my dear dear Jeffery. I know getting The Black Pearl will not be easy and you think Sparrow will hand over his ship for that Lass." She glanced at Katheryn and then straight back at him.
"You don't know Sparrow. You have never set eyes on him. He can be cunning and quite enchanting, easy on the eyes I must say but he is also ruthless and plays dirty tricks. That is why we are down three men. They or should I say I fell into his trap? Well that bird won't catch this cat again. No I know better and I won't let him or any man get the better of me. But alas my dear brother, you will have to find your own crew for I know these mates will stay with me. Then my dear you will have to keep a sharp eye to make sure I'm not behind you. For I do hate you and I will sink your ship. Your precious Pearl and take all your treasures."
She looked at him oddly and gave a sinful laugh.
"Ah brother you know that I jest. I will always be your poppet for the rest of my life and I will sail under your fleet because I am your loyal loving sister. I couldn't harm you for you know I would never go against the code." She tossed several bars of gold to a young man standing beside her and gave him a very seductive grin. "You know me so well Jeffery. I will follow you to ends of the world." Then she gave him a half salute.
She climbed over rocks and waded through the water towards Mandy and Kat. Kat stood up and walked over to her with her arms outstretched.
"Jem-Jem, up up!" The little girl spoke and almost fell into the water as she toddled over to the female pirate.
My god my daughter can walk and talk. I was spell bond as I watched this scene and smiled to myself. Wondering what Elizabeth would think. Katheryn obviously looks to Jem as a mother figure. Jem picked her up and cradled her in her arms.
Jeffery looked at Jem with contempt and then raised his gun. Pointing it at Katheryn.
"I'm going to kill that child and chop her into pieces. I will have sparrow fricassee. I am sure sparrow taste very similar to chicken or maybe even turkey. Jem! Put the damn child down. Now!"
She took her hand and ran it over Katheryn's soft curly head. The child was so still and quite. I couldn't believe it. She was beautiful. She looked so like her mother. Her features were faultless. Her eyes were dark like mine and so was her hair but her nose, mouth and cheekbones were that of her mothers. Jeffery laughed as he raised his gun and watched Jem jump.
"No, you are not to harm the child." Jem said as she reclaimed her composure. "That was not in the deal and once again you would be throwing your future away." She looked down at Katheryn and whispered in her ear. "He is stupid. Very very stupid."
Kat looked up into Jem's face with her melting brown eyes and giggled. The sound filled the cavern. It was a sound I had never heard before. It was a happy noise. It was music to my ears.
Jem put her finger to her lips. "Shhh we don't' want to make the stupid man mad." She then looked again at Jeffery with a wide genuine beautiful smile. "You said you wanted The Pearl. Well, if you harm this child you will never get it. You must know that or you are dafter then I imagined. Father would never have hurt a child. Aye but you are nothing like Hector Barbossa, you are a fool."
"Jem, I am not a fool and you best stop saying it or I will scar your other check and throw your dog off the ship again making sure there is a bullet in her head before she goes." He glowered at Mandy and she growled back at him.
"I will not kill the little bird but I can think of it." Jeffery grumbled. "I will compromise and just harm her. Just a little and do some damage."
He placed his gun back into his sash and pulled out his dagger.
"Jem, your problem is you are to soft. That is why I am the captain of The Vengeance and you are not. You see I don't like the way that child looks at me. She reminds me so much of-of your damn dog. All sweet and loving one minute and then she turns into a ball or fury and teeth the next. They are both unpredictable and should both be put out of their misery."
He approached Jem and placed his dagger near her face. "Now put the little Sparrow down or I will hurt you along with her."
Mandy immediately stood up and every muscle in the dog's body was twitching. She was going to jump and take Jeffery down. He pulled his gun and pointed it at her.
"No, stand down Amber!" Jem commanded. "It will be alright girl, stand down!"
Jem turned and with the silent swiftness of an owl she knocked the gun out of Jeffery's hand and kicked him in the stomach. The blow surprised him and he buckled for a second but only a second for he raised his dagger and drove it into her shoulder, just missing Katheryn. He pulled it out and headed towards Mandy.
Jem cried out in pain and flinched away from Jeffery. "Amber run, go now!"
The dog did not obey she stood her ground and bared her teeth. Amber was not a coward and she was going to stand up to Jeffery.
I snatched my pistol out of my belt, and resting it for an instant across my arm, fired at Jeffery. My aim was excellent and I hit his hand and the dagger. He yelled as the bullet tore through his flesh and the knife went tumbling to the floor.
At the sound of the shot and the fall of the knife the crew scattered upon all sides, yelling and screaming, and clearing the center of the cave.
The blood was now trickling down Jem's shoulder and her arm. The dark red stream was now flowing over Katheryn but the sight did not disturb the small girl. Though Jem was in pain she didn't even attempt to put the child down. She was protecting her from Jeffery's wrath.
He looked at her. "How dare you pull a gun on me. You challenge to shoot your Captain!" As he spoke he realized she did not have her gun drawn and she too was looking around in wonder too where the shot had come from.
She then gazed upon him and spit in his direction. "You know Captain, you should not attack your crew, let alone family. Let me guess the pirates codes are basically guide lines for you?" She continued to scan the cave to see where the shot came from. "I don't know where that stray shot came from but I only wish it had hit your heart instead of your hand. I guess maybe you don't have a heart so the bullet could not find the way. Either way Jeffery, stay away from my dog, and This Sparrow! The day will come mate that you will need my help and I will just stand there and watch you die. There is no rule against that."
He stood wrapping his hand with his bandana. Looking at her and then the crew who were now cowering around the perimeter of the cave he let out a long and loud laugh. "You talk big Jemima but I am not afraid of you or anybody. I will kill your dog, that bird and then you."
Holding Kat in her hurt arm she took her good hand and pulled her dagger from its sheath. She threw it with tremendous accuracy and it went into his left thigh just inches from his groin. He gave out a yell worse then the first time.
"Bloody hell girl. I will get you and I will scar you worse then you are."
By this time my men were behind me. All eleven of them gathered close. My weapon still lie resting on me arm smoking in my hand. I tensed to see what would happen. I pulled my pistol up again but I did not shoot yet. I turned to them and spoke quietly yet swiftly.
"I cannot sit here and watch this any more. That man gives us pirates a bad name. He torments a child and his own sister. I want the five of you to watch my back. Be prepared to attack when I give the order. Rogers I want you to go back to The Black Pearl and inform William to bring her around. Prepare the cannons and prepare to blow The Vengeance out of the water. Now I will make my move. Go now, make haste, time is of the essence."
Rogers took his men with him and they departed quickly and quietly. I stood up from my perch and made my way down into the cave.
"Excuse me." Came my voice. "Pardon me beg pardon."
Barbossa froze as he saw me making my way towards him through the cowering crew.
Gritting his teeth he stared at me and then at the crew. Barbossa pointed his knife he had just pulled out of his leg, at Katheryn and Jem giving Jem a threatening look.
"Sparrow I can only presume?" He looked at me quizzically. "So you are the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow? The captain of The Black Pearl?"
"Ay mate." I bowed at him and gave him one of my golden smirks. "I am Captain Jack Sparrow and I don't think you want to be doing that." I said calmly.
Barbossa clenched his fist and nodded at Jem to stand alert and be prepared to fight. He watched her roll her eyes as if she had no intentions of doing anything. He then turned back to me. "Now why don't I want to do this Sparrow?"
"Because The Black Pearl, the last real pirate ship, is floating right offshore waiting for you. But if I don't leave this cave alive mate with said child your ship The Vengeance and The Black Pearl will both be destroyed. Savvy? Now you see you can have the makings of your very own fleet or you can have nothing."
"Sparrow if I don't get your ship you don't get the Lass."
"Aye mate, and if I don't get the Lass you don't get the ship. Remarkable how those two traits coincide. That mate is why I am here. The Pearl is indeed my ship and if you want her you must do as I say."
I had Barbossa's full attention now. I smiled as I strolled over to the Aztec Chest and ran my fingers over the stone lid and kicked the lid off.
"So this is the blessed treasure that cursed your father and his crew. And this is the cave he died in is it not?" I ran my fingers through the gold coins and looked about the cavern as if it were my first time. "I trust one of you gathered your father's body and tossed it out to sea or do his bones lay here with the rest of these poor miscreants."
Jeffery glared at me. "You know damn well it is Sparrow. You were the one to kill my father and you took his ship from him."
"It's Captain, Captain Sparrow and I did not take his ship, I took my ship. You should get your facts straight mate and you should respect those older and wiser than you. I must ask you to address me as Captain Sparrow. Now if you don't mind." I meandered over to Jem.
"I'll be taken the wee bird off your hands."
For the very first time I noticed Katheryn was observing me. I stood perfectly still not wanting to alarm her. She clung onto Jem's neck and then hid her tiny face in Jem's long silky hair. She appeared so small and delicate but she seemed to have a strong spirit. I saw no fear in her eyes while she was watching me. She was content in Jem's arms even though she was splattered with blood.
"Think again Sparrow." Jem looked at me as if I were nuts. "Why would I just hand over the child? As you can see she is quite attached to me." As she spoke she was trying to release the little girls tight grip around her neck. She was holding fast and tight and looked to be choking her.
"No, Captain Sparrow I don't think you will be taking her anywhere. You are a traitor and a liar. You disobeyed the Pirate's Code by taking a fellow pirate's life for a reason other than wealth or women and it seems to me you owe my brother a ship. You see you give him The Black Pearl then I'll get The Vengeance and then you get your daughter and then we shall be square. Do we have an accord?" She smiled at me but did not extend her hand.
I forced a smile on my face. "Miss Barbossa, I mean Jem. Yes, I did kill your father but why you are so upset about his death I don't exactly know. Can it be possible you loved him? Aye, do you want me to say I am humbly sorry and that he was a charming man? Well Love, I can but you have already accused me of being a liar and that my pet would be one. Now in all honesty Lass he tried to kill me, for I couldn't kill him he was cursed." I said flatly.
"Captain Sparrow you may find this hard to believe but yes, I did love my father. I am in fact Captain Barbossa's only daughter. He met my mother eons ago and let's just say they became involved. For some years she never left his side and even became a pirate wench just to be with him. She was desperately in love with him and he with her. Eventually from this passionate union, my brother and I were born. We lived on the ocean and on land; wherever was convenient for the time being. Nevertheless, when he was given the offer to be permanent first mate of the Black Pearl, he couldn't refuse. He left when I was a child, and my mother and I saw him occasionally, whenever the Pearl came into port." Jem ran her fingers through Kat's hair looking into her sweet, beautiful face.
"Anyhow, time passed and my father became Captain of The Black Pearl roughly twelve years ago after an act of mutiny. Fair mutiny, might I add?"
"You may add." I interrupted. "But fair is not the word I would use. You see Love I had an honest streak in me back then. Your father claimed everything should be an equal share so I should tell him the location of the treasure we were seeking. I like an idiot gave up the bearings and on that night there was a mutiny. Yes, your father marooned me on an island and left me to die. Fair you say? HA!"
"If I said fair that is what I meant." She yelled back at me. "I told you once, I don't make mistakes. As you can tell my brother and I grew up but my wonderful mother died a few years back, leaving us in this world with nothing." She looked over at Jeffery and he sneered back.
"Jem, I am sure the captain is not interested in our life story." Jeffery spoke up while rubbing his leg and glaring at her. "To make it short and sweet Sparrow, after mother died we never saw our father again. There was too much pain and memories for him, supposedly. For the past years since her death, we have traveled far and wide, doing whatever we needed in order to survive. We would do anything for a shilling that is how bad it got. One day we heard of our father's death from an old seaman. He claimed Barbossa had died, but no not by old age, by murder. He had died at the gun of Jack Sparrow. Everyone I asked supported the man's story and so we decided to seek revenge. By the way Sparrow what ever I want I get. We have searched the waters for you and now you will die."
I now looked at Jeffery. "Yes the story of Barbossa's death is indeed true. I did kill him. Yes, I was there but we both had a score to settle. He took The Black Pearl from me and the one thing you best know about me mate is the only damn thing I probably care about in this world is my ship. So yes, I claimed revenge on your father and it took me ten years to get my bloody ship back."
Jem then spoke up. "Yes, but according to the Pirates code a pirate can only take another pirate's life for wealth and women not a ship. Also the code clearly states that a crew may indeed maroon their captain if the reasons call for it, as my father did to you."
"Aye miss, that is exactly right if the reasons call for it and take it from me they did not! But you must also understand I was ending the curse and a battle between the two of us. As I stated before, the both of you should get your facts straight and perhaps forget the bloody code after today. They are just guidelines! And now knowing the truth and knowing the bloody code so well, just pass the child over and we can part our ways."
Jeffery walked over to Jem and yanked the little girl out of her arms. Kat was now screaming and kicking at him. He smiled slowly and dangerously and smacked her with his hand and then whispered at me. "I wouldn't count on it, Captain." Putting his dagger to her throat.
I stepped back, took out my pistol and fired. Knowing my aim would not hit Katheryn. Jeffery went down with the blow of the bullet. He dropped Katheryn onto the cave floor and before she realized she was free Jem snatched her back. I drew my sword on her.
"Hand her over to me now! I will kill you."
Slipping her pistol from her sash she stopped when we both heard a pistol fire and it was so close to her head she stood like one stunned. Then another pistol shot rang out so deafening as it went echoing through the cave. There wasn't much left of my hearing after that. All I could hear was the ringing of the shots.
To Jeffery's surprise my crew stepped out of the shadows and to my surprise William was standing there brandishing his pistol and had it pointed at Jem.
"Put the child down or the next shot will be between you eyes." Will said holding the gun straight and steady at his target.
She immediately placed the child down but all along Katheryn was complaining. She wanted to stay in the arms of Jem. Crying and not wanting to let go. "Please Jem, stay…stay."
Jem with love in her eyes looked at her pleading "Little Bird you can't stay. Run. Run to the back of the cave and wait for me." Kat did as she was told. She picked herself up off the floor and started to run and Mandy was right behind her. I couldn't believe it the child did as she was told.
"Will." I yelled. "Grab the babe and make for the ship and do it now."
"No!" Cried Jem. "Let her go! He will kill her."
Suddenly I drew my sword and I charged at Jem. The two of us squared off, sliding over the treasure. I was fighting a personal battle with her. She had taken advantage of my hospitality and me. She had branded me and she had taken over my daughter. The sound of clashing metal echoed through the cave as we fought furiously.
There was a prodigious uproar of combat. Knives flashed everywhere, and pistols were being shot. Hearing some one crying out in a muffled voice, but not knowing whether it was a friend or a foe who had been shot both Jem and I turned. To our horror little Katheryn lay in a pool of water and it was gradually turning red.
I dropped me sword and ran for my daughter. There was a lump in my throat I could not get rid off. I tried to call out but no sound came. I picked up her small body, as she lay limp in my arms. The blood was pouring from her back. The poor thing had no idea what hit her. Rage and panic ran through me body. Who would do this? I turned to face the fight and by this time the whole cave was full of gunpowder smoke, and there was the sound of blows and oaths and out crying and the clashing of knives.
Then I saw him. I slowly placed Katheryn down as I saw the glimmer of Jeffery's smoking gun pointed at me head. "Yes, Captain I took your daughter and now I will take you and then your ship."
Not caring if he pulled his trigger or not. I leaped at him and took him to the ground. I punched him several times and then gave him a dozen blows with my fist. He fought back and hit me with the butt of his gun. We were both in a daze but we kept on fighting. I was fighting for my daughter he was fighting for his life.
At that moment he raised his gun and fired it at me. I staggered back and I shot him straight threw the eyes. "Aye mate you said you always get what you want. You have been asking for this and I am glad to deliver."
I watched Jeffery's gun fall to the ground and he lie at my feet gurgling as blood trickled from his mouth. Sounding as if he was taking his last breath. I stood there holding my stomach and watched the blood seep through my fingers. Before I knew it there were more men attacking me. I looked around desperately for a weapon since I had just shot my last bullet. To my surprise Jem suddenly flipped a beautiful sword off the floor into my hands. She watched as I clashed swords with two of her men at once and I believe she was marveling at my skill while on the other part she was screaming at her men not to do anything stupid.
"William." Jem yelled over the clashing. "Is that your name? You take this little bird. Take her now and save her. She picked up the small tiny body and shoved her unceremoniously towards my friend, then turned yelling at her crew. Don't harm this man let him get back to his ship. Go now William and take your crew with you. But you will leave Jack Sparrow. Now go. Get back to The Pearl and leave The Vengeance alone. Mark my words William. Leave The Vengeance alone or I will not leave your captain alone.
Will looked around the cave and our eyes met. Not knowing what transpired between Jem and William but I did see he held my daughter in his arms. She looked lifeless and the blood was soaked though her garments and dripping down Will's arm.
"Will take her. Go! Remember the code. Take her and go! The rest of yer go too. Go that is an order!
Little did I know it would be my final order for a while as I slashed at the other pirates and scrambled to get away from their advances.
Will did obey me; he gathered up Katheryn and made for the boats. The crew followed behind him. They pushed off the landing and Will was yelling. Row! Row as fast as you can back to The Pearl.
"Mr. Turner." One-handed Charlie bellowed. "We can't leave Jack, we can't leave the Captain." Rogers and Ben wailed above the din of the battle also.
Will let out a long, deep breath not wanting to leave me there either.
"These are Jack's orders." He said sternly. "We must go on it's too dangerous for us to stay here and I must get help for Katheryn the little bird."
Will held her close to him felling her small fragile heartbeat. She was now fighting for her life. "This is what Jack wants. Remember the code men. Any man who falls behind is left behind. Jack fell behind." Exchanging a grim glance with all those in the boat. "Yes, Jack fell behind for her." Will's words were soft and lost in the sounds of the oars as they beat on the water.
Inside the cave still skirmishing for my sanity and not knowing weather my beloved Katheryn was dead or alive. I noticed Jem had put her weapons away and was now standing over her brother's body. As the pirates were advancing on me Jem looked over at them and yelled. "Don't kill him. Put your weapons away."
"Sparrow drop your weapon and come here or I will just change my mind and have them kill you where you stand."
"No pet, I'll stay hear and take my chances." Looking at the ravaged faces in front of me and then at her I figured I could recover my strength. My shirt was now soaked with sweat and blood that was now escaping profusely from the bullet wound. I placed me hand on the wound trying to stop the flow and realizing it was quite useless. As I stood on the rocks surveying the men in front of me and looking down at Jem I could feel the pain in my gut and lowered me sword.
"I'll cease if you call your men off Lass, but I will not drop my weapon."
She looked toward her men and they backed away. I made my way over to her and placed my sword in it's sheath. I stood beside her and looked down upon her brother's body.
I turned the body over upon its back and I could perceive at a glance that the man was stone dead. I am sure she knew this before I even touched him. Indeed it must have been a dreadful sight for her since she knew it was my bullet that killed her father and now her brother. She stood rooted in her spot for I know not how long, staring down at the dead face with twitching fingers and shuddering limbs. Meantime the crew was gathering about us.
She knelt down and cradled her brother's head in her lap. "This poor bastard didn't know what hit him. I told him you would get him. I told him I wouldn't save him. He has made my life pure misery and now thanks to you Captain Sparrow he is gone. He has tortured me for the last time. To this day I vow I will never take an order from a man again and I am now captain of The Vengeance."
She looked at the crew and up at me. Her piercing black eyes showed no remorse that I had killed him. "Captain Jack Sparrow I will never forgive you for killing my father but I owe you for ridding me of Jeffery. I do hope Little Bird will live and your friend William will take her to safety. You though Luv must stay with me. You are my leverage to keep me and my ship safe." As she spoke two of her men grabbed me from behind and removed my weapons. One pressed his hands so hard into me stomach I cried out and almost lost consciousness. "Easy mate, I didn't deserve that!"
She once again looked upon her brother as she spoke to her men. "Don't hurt the Captain. Bound him up tightly. He is now mine, until I say otherwise. Don't damage the merchandise. I want to make sure he is treated well. Treated very well."
She then went about her work with the utmost coolness and deliberation imaginable, unbuttoning her brother's waistcoat and his shirt. She undressed the man I had murdered with her delicate fingers that neither twitched nor shook. There was a gold cross and a bunch of silver medals that hung by a whipcord about his neck. Jem reached and yanked all the baubles from his neck and then nerveless handed them to Tom, the kind young boy who tied me up.
"Place these over Captain Sparrow's neck. They can be his trophy's for killing Jeffery."
She then reached her hands into the breast pocket of Jeffery's jacket that had already been removed and pulled out a wallet, which was full of papers. She examined the papers one by one, and finding them to her satisfaction, tied them up again and slipped the wallet and its contents into her own pocket.
She stood up and gazed into my eyes. I could see something there and it scared me. I can usually read people through their actions or their eyes give them away. The eyes are the portals to the soul but I was beginning to think she did not have one. Was it hate I saw in her look, was it thanks or was it lust. She stood close to me. A little to close for my comfort. I could feel her breath on my face and the warmth of her body against mine. She then placed her hand between my legs but never removed her eyes from mine. I gave her a meek smile and then raised an eyebrow. Feeling like the cat caught the bird now.
"Aye you are a man. A man that has to be reckoned with." She spoke as she stroked my groin with her hand. "I would say you are much more of a man then my brother ever was."
I remained still knowing if I moved or said anything wise assed I would get beat unconscious by her goons or she would have my family jewels permanently damaged.
"Love." I spoke softly to her deciding if I broke the silence then maybe she would remove her hand. "With out prying methinks that the wild beast, your brother has so crushed your spirit by his tyranny and his violence that nothing that happened here today has really effected you."
She stopped her stroking and tightened her grip looking at me sharply. Needless to say my eyes opened wide. "Easy on the goods Love." I yelped.
She smiled at me and clutched even tighter. "Don't you go assuming what influences me Sparrow? Your right in saying, I am not like ordinary sort and it does take a lot to faze me. But don't you dare try to read me or figure me out because you never will."
She removed her hand from my groin but she kept staring in my eyes. I wanted to break the stare but I was not going to be the first to turn away.
"You know Sparrow I believe your daughter has a lot of you in her. She will also fight to the end. I do regret she got hurt today. She and I do have a unique and exclusive bond and I would not let Jeffery hurt her. If you hadn't attacked me she wouldn't be hurt now." She turned and walked to the pool of water where Katheryn had been laying.
Comforted that she had stepped away I answered. "No, if your brother hadn't have taken her from Miss Swann she wouldn't be hurt."
"Yes Jack, it was…."
"Captain if you please." I smirked and then received a blow from good old Tom who was still holding me in his death grip.
"As I was saying Jack." She gave me an evil smile. " It was that dim-witted girl, Miss. Swann that started all this. If she had not told Jeffery the child was yours when he took down The Jamaican Queen he would not have had any leverage on you. Yes, we would still have come looking for you but it would have ended differently."
She walked past the piles of gold, silver and silk and approached the Aztec Chest. Only for a little while she stood there staring at the chest and then replaced the lid.
I was now felling somewhat numb and dizzy. I was also dazed with what had happen here. My daughter if alive was now safe. She would be in her mother's arms in no time.
I began to think that Jem Barbossa might not be as bad as I have heard. She did hand me a weapon. She aided Will with Kat and ordered her men not to attack him. She truly cared for Katheryn. Mandy or should I say Amber seems to obey and adore Jem and my daughter Katheryn or is it Little Bird seems to possess an odd love for her. I have always felt that the only creatures that are evolved enough to convey pure love are dogs and infants and maybe if they can convey it the can sense it also.
As I watched Jem examine the cave. Amber joined her. They were walking side by side as the moonlight streaked through the shafts. Jem now aware I was watching her spoke.
"You know Jack you….
"Captain, Captain Jack Sparrow if you plea----." I didn't get to finish. Tom punched me so hard in the stomach, I doubled over and my world was dark.
A/N Well Jack was true to his word. He saved Kat and he spared his crew and ship. William got the honors of taking Elizabeth her child and now mother and daughter are together again. This is what Elizabeth wanted but how about Katheryn. We all know Jeffery did not get what he wanted. R&R.