(9 years later)
It was a cool summer's night on the shore of Port Royal. A light breeze setting the sea at a gentle rocking. On this fine midnight, the distinguished place of dwelling was again visited by the crew so wanted for crimes of piracy. Not to mention the famous captain, who would be called by no other name.
The great Black Pearl, with its hull scarred by battle and sails full of holes, though now rolled up in its rest, floated before the worn, wooden docks. And on those docks stood the Turner family, the only ones aware of the ships arrival, preparing to bid farewell to their most cherished member.
Katherine Turner, now well passed the years of childhood, stood firmly before the ship. Clad in a shirt and trousers, this time made her size, hair cut serviceably at the nape of her neck, and a sea chest planted by her side, as well as a burlap sack of more important objects slung over her shoulder. She gazed up at the magnificent vessel, not believing that now she would finally be sailing. Sailing far on the open sea; beside the man whom she idolized most. The man to whom she owed this very chance; Captain Jack Sparrow.
She turned in a valiant fashion to her mother, brother, and father standing behind her. She could see that none wanted to see her go. "So," she said, "This is it."
Elizabeth, not being able to control herself, reached out to her little girl and embraced her as only a mother could, "I'll miss you so much, darling." she cried, chocking back tears.
"I'll miss you to, Mum." Kate replied, hugging her mother tightly, "Every single day."
Reluctantly, Elizabeth let go of her daughter, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief.
Next on the list for good-bye's was Anthony, Katherine's older brother, now nearly 20. Sibling rivalry existed with the two as much as any other brother and sister, but they were still genuinely sad to see each other go. "Wish you were coming with me, Barbossa." Kate said, using her brothers well known identity of play.
Anthony laughed a little. "Well, I suppose by the time you get back you really will be able to beat me and the boy's alone." he said. Kate smiled, her eyes teary, and pulled him into a huge bear hug. As they broke apart, Anthony added with a grin, "But I bet you'll still fight like a girl."
"That's 'cause I am, you twit." she retorted, giving her brother a playful punch in the arm.
"I'll miss you, Jack." he said, now sounding truly sincere. "Me, too." Kate replied, "Tell the same to the boys." she added.
"I will."
Last in the line-up was Will. It was hard for him to accept that the day had finally come for her to leave. Not to mention he knew there was a chance she might not come home again. But despite the risks and fatherly worries, as she stood before him, not looking much different than he had on his first adventure with Jack, he couldn't help knowing that this was the right thing to do. As all the rest, he reached out and hugged his daughter.
"Did I ever properly thank you for letting me do this?" Kate asked as she wrapped her arms around him.
Will sighed thoughtfully, still warmly embracing her, "This is enough." he replied.
"I hate to spoil such a heartfelt moment," shouted Jack, from his place at the helm, where he had gone un-noticed during the previous exchange, "But I do hope to make way before Norrington sees me. But then, a nice hanging might lighten up the day, I suppose."
"Alright, Jack." said Will, letting go of Kate and turning to her, "You be careful now. I want to see you back here, safe and sound-"
"In exactly two year's time." Kate finished for him, having heard it countless times in the passed 9 years, "Don't worry, Dad, I promise I'll come home in one piece and ready to decide if I want to go back."
"That's my girl." he said, smiling.
With one last hug to each of her family, Kate boldly turned about and heaved her chest and bag to the foot of the gang 'plank.
"'Bout time." muttered Jack, strutting, swaying slightly as he went, down the plank and onto the dock. The rest of the crew, Gibbs, Cotton, Anna and all the rest of them, obediently followed to get a good look at their next shipmate.
As he reached Kate, Jack stopped, their toes nearly touching, and looked intently at her as though making an assessment of what was held in her eyes. "So, Miss Turner, you wish to make passage to my ship?"
"That is correct, Captain." Kate responded, keeping her eyes level with Jack's.
Jack continued to stare into her face, illuminated by the moonlight. "Katherine Turner; that does seem kind of a bore, doesn't it?" he pondered, "Waddya say we give you a proper pirate name?" he requested.
"Of course." Kate replied.
"How about Sassy Katherine, eh?" a man named Bowsprit Robert put in, "Does seem to suit her, from the way she's been described."
"That's to girly." Kate said, boldly.
"You are a girl, luv. You've just said so down there." Jack pointed out.
Anna-Maria stepped out from the mob of men, "You can't have a girly pirate name! How would you be expected to threaten folk and such?"
"Well, then, who's got another idea?" Jack inquired.
"What about taking on Bootstrap's name; passing the torch like?" asked Gibbs.
"No," Jack said, thoughtfully, "This one needs a name all her own; similar to Bootstrap perhaps. But a clear difference is vital."
"Jack, I thought you said you had to leave." Will called from the dock, where he, Elizabeth and Anthony were still waiting.
"Quiet, Will; this is very serious business." Jack retorted, "Now who's got a good pirate name for Katherine here?"
"SQUAK! Trimmin' the sails! Trimmin' the sails!" chortled Mr. Cotton's parrot.
"Not from you, Cotton!" Jack snapped, impatiently.
"Bootleg?" suggested a man called Hobbs.
The crew turned about and gave him a look of disbelief. "Somehow, I think not, Hobbs." Jack stated.
There was a pause as the company, as each racked their brains for a catchy title for their new crew member. Will and the rest stood on the dock, rolling their eyes in the absurdity of it all. Kate stood anxiously, hoping these pirates would come up with a better name for her than Bootleg. Suddenly Anna-Maria spoke up.
"I've got it; Brassy!"
"Brassy?" exclaimed Gibbs, "Where on earth did you get a name like that?"
"You know, like the brass buckle of a boot? Brassy Kate."
"Ah, yes, it does seem to have a certain ring to it." Jack replied. "Well, what say you, Katherine?"
Kate put her hand to her chin thoughtfully before shouting out, "Aye!"
"Very good, then. Now there's only one more thing to do before you're officially one of the crew." said Jack. And with that he turned surprisingly sharply from his swagger and, looking Kate straight in the eye, began to speak.
"Brassy Kate Turner, do you have the courage and fortitude to follow orders and stay true in the face of danger and almost certain death?" he rattled off in one breath. The crew looked at her with waiting expressions.
Only pausing for a moment, Kate shouted her obvious answer, "Aye, Captain!"
"Aye!" shouted the crew.
"On deck, you scabrous dogs!" Jack shouted, "Man the sails! Prepare to make way!"
Two sailors ran forward, took Kate's trunk by the handles and hauled it up the gang 'plank, dropping it with a hollow thud into the deck. Kate hurriedly followed and as she came aboard, the ramp was raised. There was no turning back now.
The entire crew was in an uproar as they prepared to launch. Men climbing the rigging, pulling up anchor and letting out sails with Captain Jack Sparrow at the helm, yelled orders all the while. It was fantastic to behold; more so in the center of it all, rather than from the dock, as Kate as become accustomed.
As no orders were being yelled her way though she knew there'd be plenty to come, Kate ran, her boots thunking loudly, to the starboard side. "Good-bye!" she yelled, leaning overt the side of the ship, waving her arm faster than a birds wing. Her family stood on the docks and waved back and, as many a window opened to the sound of the shouting crew, watched the proud vessel sail off into the starry horizon.
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It was quite into morning now. The shouting and excitement had worn down and sailors were now meandering about the deck, spitting and drinking and all that sailors do. But Kate still remained at the boats edge, staring off to the side as if her home were still in plain view, though now it was merely a speck on the distance.
As she let out a sigh for which she had no particular reason, someone leaned onto the railing next to her.
"You've been quiet since we left, Brass." said Jack's voice.
Kate smiled at the use of her new name. "It must be so wonderful."
"What's wonderful? The ocean? The ship?"
"Freedom."
"What do you mean?" Jack asked, turning toward her.
"All my life, even after Dad made this wager with me, I've never really had any control over my own life. Dad said I would, that I would choose my own way of life, but I never really have. There have always been lessons and places to be and rules to follow. But now, looking over the sea and having no cares, even just for the moment, I know what freedom really is."
Kate shifted her head to rest on her left hand and she turned to Jack, who was now looking toward the ocean.
"Thank you, Jack."
Jack at first didn't seem to hear, and then formed an expression of confusion. "Since when has there been a monkey on my ship?"
Katherine laughed, just enough for Jack to hear, "I know, all those years ago, that it was you who put this idea into my Dad's head. He would never have let me board a ship, work in his shop, or, really, just be myself if it hadn't been for you. I was so preoccupied with excitement during the next few weeks that, even when you did stop by to see us, I never really properly thanked you for it. So, thank you; thank you for giving me this chance."
Jack was still looking out at the briny blue, but Kate could see from the side that he had an odd expression on. He brought a grimy hand to his face and spoke in such a way that he appeared to be crying. "D-Don't let the crew see me like this." he said in a mock sob, "I just-get so emotional when people tell me that my evil schemes prevail." He took his hand away from his face, now revealing his mouth spread in a clear smirk.
Kate shook her head at Jack's humor and faced him again. "You really are quite mad, you know." she stated.
Jack grinned one of his mischievous grins, sometimes to be seen on the girls own face, "Wouldn't live any other way, luv."
Kate turned back to the deep blue ocean spread before her and replied, "Nor would I."
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DO YOU LOVE IT! how true is that whole naming thing of the crew? You know Jack would totally do something like that. (BTW, for anyone who cares to know, brassy also means bold or brave. Just thought I'd get the double meaning known.)
Anyways, I think this is going to be the last chappie. I was thinking about writing more about Kate's adventures and so on, but I think the story has gotten just about as good as it can get. but who knows; maybe once the POTC sequel comes out, I might be in the mood for some more adventure writing.
But, in the meantime, feel free to let your own imaginations run free with the many potential adventures of Brassy Kate Turner! I sure hope you've enjoyed the ride! See ya later.
Chef13
