Kat, still seething with anger and red in the face, forced her way through the unruly crowds of people. She hoped Jack was in this horrible place, but she had a feeling he wasn't and that she had came in here for nothing. Where could he be then? What did he do in Tortuga? Finally, she arrived at the far end of the pub and looked around for Jack. Then she saw him and the colour drained from her face. He was sitting there, kissing a whore who was sat on his lap. His hands were on her…and she was…Kat looked away and then looked back again. She felt a pain in her chest and a lump forming in her throat. Suddenly another cloud of anger consumed her; she felt angry with Jack and angry with herself.
She had thought she was starting to see another side to Jack, but she had been wrong. He was just the over-confident pirate rogue everyone saw him to be. When he had held her at the helm this morning, it hadn't meant anything. She was just another wench to him. And to think that she had started to fall for him and came in this disgusting pub to find him…it made her blood boil. She was Kat Scorer – she wasn't going to be disrespected by anyone, especially not a man. She hated Jack, she hated him…but then she was angry with herself for hating him because he was with a whore. She wished the sight of them didn't bother her, but it did. She wished that she had been right about Jack Sparrow in thinking that he did have a heart and he wasn't just a scoundrel. But unfortunately this didn't seem to be the case. Kat knew she could do one of two things – she could charge at them in a rage, grabbing the whore by her hair and then punching Jack in the face; or, she could turn on her heel and Jack would never know she had seen him. But before she had decided what to do, Jack and the harlot finished their French kissing.
As Luella leaned back from him, Jack shifted his eyes uncomfortably. He felt like he had done something wrong and it annoyed him. He was Captain Jack Sparrow – he had never felt any guilt in leading on more than one woman before. The kiss had been good, but something had stopped him enjoying it the way he was used to. He frowned as Luella affectionately fiddled with his beard. Then he glanced to the left and caught sight of Kat. She was just standing there and staring at him. Her furious expression told him that she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of being upset, but her eyes were pained. Jack was trying to think up the best upbeat remark to lighten the atmosphere, but as soon as he opened his mouth Kat gave him a withering look and turned away, her head held high.
Luella watched Kat stalk off and gave a catty laugh. "What's her problem? Can't she handle a little competition?"
Jack gave her a hard look and said sternly, "She's not one of you."
He felt awful. The way she had looked at him. He would rather she slapped him like Giselle and Scarlett had done last time he was here. But somehow this was different; Kat wasn't a wench from Tortuga. For the first time in his life, Jack actually felt ashamed of what he had done. From the other end of the tavern he heard the door swing back – Kat had left. Jack wondered if he should run after her and try to explain but then he almost laughed at the thought. Him, Captain Sparrow, running after a lass! It was almost unthinkable; disgraceful behaviour for a pirate. But Jack had never been one to miss the opportune moment.
Kat pushed open the door to the tavern and breathed in the night air gratefully. As she stepped out the door swung to, leaving the rowdy noise of drunkards and whores inside. She started to walk away, although she didn't really know where she was going. She hadn't gone far when she heard Anamaria call her name from behind.
"Kat!" Anamaria ran to catch up with her. "What are ye doing out here? I thought ye went to find Jack?"
"He was a bit…preoccupied." Kat said casually. "Did you win your fight?"
"I taught that slut a lesson she won't forget." Ana smiled triumphantly but then her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What do ye mean he was preoccupied?"
"If you must know, he was with a whore." Kat looked at Ana's expression and shrugged. "I don't care, really."
"What happened? Did ye punch him?"
"No."
"Slap him?"
"No."
Anamaria was confused. "Ye must have done something to the wench?"
"No. I just left them to it." Kat replied. Anamaria looked blankly back at her. "Jack's not my man – there was no need to cause a fuss just because he was with some woman. Anyway, if I had then it would look like I was jealous and I wouldn't want to give Jack that idea."
"Well, even if you don't care, I do. Jack can't treat ye like that after this morning! He's not getting away with it, Kat. He's an arrogant rogue and it's about time someone told him so."
Anamaria started back towards the tavern, pulling Kat along with her. Kat shook herself free.
"No! We don't have to kick up a fuss about it. You know what Jack's like and he's not going to change. I was stupid in thinking that he cared about me and I've realised my mistake. Just leave it Ana, please?"
But Kat knew she couldn't stop Anamaria. She looked furious as she barged her way through the tavern door. Kat watched the door swing shut behind her and walked away in frustration. She wasn't going to wait around if Jack came out. She didn't know what Anamaria was going to say on her behalf, but it would make Jack think that she cared. It would be a huge blow to her pride, but she would have to deal with it later. Right now all she wanted to do was to go back to the ship and go to sleep.
Kat was walking down a side street that reminded her of St Lucia. Only it was surprisingly deserted. All she could hear was the sound of her boots as she walked. She felt slightly uneasy as though there was someone watching her. She stopped in her tracks and heard footsteps coming up fast behind her. As she turned in panic, two men roughly pulled her back by her arms. She started to thrash and kick them as best as she could, but then one of them grabbed a fistful of her hair, jerking her head back. A cloth was pressed into her face, the smell making her head whirl. She swooned dizzily – it was as though she was being forced underwater and trying to keep her head above the surface. She fought to keep her consciousness, but the fumes were too strong and as she inhaled, the darkness closed in around her.
As Jack made his way across the tavern he pretended not to hear the names Luella was shouting after him. It had been very hard removing her from his lap and in the end he had lost his patience with her. But at least she had got the message.
"EUNUCH!"
Jack frowned and looked back at her, now thoroughly insulted. He almost decided to go storming back over there, but thought better of it. Still – eunuch indeed! The stupid wench was only angry because he had refused to pay her for the kissing.
He had just begun to start forwards again when he spotted Anamaria coming towards him. He raised his eyebrows – boy, did she look mad. As she reached him, she drew back her hand and whacked him across the face. Jack put a hand to his cheek where it stung and frowned at her. The last time she had done that was when he stole her boat and he certainly never wanted her to slap him with such force again. Anamaria glared at him while he tried to think what it was he could have done to her. Nothing came to mind, so he said to her,
"I'm not sure I deserved that, luv."
"You've really crossed the line this time, Sparrow!" Anamaria shouted at him.
"Why were ye picking up a whore after ye were so intimate with Kat this morning? I saw ye both from the crow's nest and now I've just got out of her that ye were in here with some wench!"
"I was just coming to apologise." Jack explained calmly, but Anamaria's expression remained furious. "I didn't mean to hurt her."
"Kat's not hurt Jack! And she would never show it even if she was. Ye've got to stop assuming that every lass ye meet is going to fall in love with you! She's just disappointed that all there is to ye is an arrogant rogue."
Jack frowned and raised a finger. "Actually, I'm more of a charming rogue – savvy?"
Anamaria rolled her eyes and stared at him in exasperation. "Don't ye care what she thinks of you after this?"
"If I didn't care, then why do think I got rid of the wench?" Jack turned around and pointed down the tavern at Luella. "She's the best one I've seen in ages. And she's got great –"
"Shut up!" Anamaria cut him off quickly. "Honestly Jack, you're just despicable sometimes!"
"So where's Kat then? I hope she's not far because I need another drink."
"Jack!" Anamaria exclaimed, restraining him as he stared to walk past her. "You're not taking this seriously at all are ye? One apology isn't going to make everything go back to normal. Whatever you and Kat had, you've ruined it now."
Jack's dark brown eyes suddenly looked sad, but he seemed determined to not let it show in his face. Maybe he had really messed things up this time. But Kat wasn't even his lass so why did he feel so guilty? He had always told himself that he wasn't going to let himself be tied down to one woman. He'd become a pirate for freedom and had sworn that nobody was going to stand in his way. Why did he suddenly feel more for a woman than lust? These thoughts troubling him, he followed Anamaria out of the pub to find Kat.
Gibbs squinted at the bay, unsure at what he thought he was seeing. Two men were holding up a woman between them, dragging her as quickly as possible up to a ship. Her feet brushed the floor – her feet…she was wearing boots. Her head lolled as if she were unconscious. Her hair was a very dark brown and she was wearing a purple dress. No, it couldn't be…Katrina? Gibbs shook his head, wondering if the alcohol was making him see things. But no, it was her. Gibbs' eyes widened as they took her aboard with them and started to sail away from Tortuga. But hang on…he recognised that ship. It was the Lagoon. Gibbs put his tankard down on the top of a barrel and ran off in search of Jack. He had just got to the tavern door when Jack and Anamaria came out. They stared at his worried expression as he proceeded to tell them what he had seen.
Reviewer thanks –
Karibbean – Thanks so much! I had to stop there because otherwise the chapter would be too long. I suppose it is a sort of cliff-hanger although I didn't plan it. I love your story because it's different and I've always wondered how the film would be if Jack had a lass. Hopefully he'll get one in the next movie!
InToDepp – Thank you! I can't wait until you update your story too – I have a feeling that Alexis will be thrown further into the world of piracy now that Barbossa's on the scene!
The future Mrs Jack Sparrow – Anamaria is such a cool character! I think they should give her a bigger part in the sequel, but I've heard that Naomie Harris is playing the female lead so maybe she won't. At least we'll get to hear some more ingenious lines from the one and only Captain Jack! I can't wait! Thanx 4 reviewing :)
Aluna – Hiya, sorry she didn't kick his ass! Kat could have caused a scene, but as she's got so much pride, she'd rather die than show Jack she cared. But you're right by saying she wouldn't believe him. Thanks for reviewing!
TwistofShadows – Thank you so much, you're so kind:)
Happy Easter to all!
