Jack and Katrina turned the corner, leaving Daniel behind them. Jack's brown eyes darted left to right, checking the ends of the street for approaching naval officers. Seeing that the coast was clear, he began to run down the side street, Kat close behind.
"Jack, they were going to hang you in Port Royal!" Kat exclaimed as she caught up with him. "When Daniel told me he had seen you I couldn't believe it…I didn't tell him about you but I must have looked so shocked that he figured it out. That's why he went after you. But Jack, how did you escape?"
Jack smiled and slowed to a walk, always pleased to be asked about his adventures. "Well," he began eagerly, "just before they reached Port Royal, I picked the lock of my cell and climbed back on deck unnoticed. Then, when Norrington's back was turned, I dived into the sea and with the help of some sea turtles managed to swim all the–"
Kat suddenly cut him by hitting him in the chest with the back of her hand. "Come off it Jack! What do you take me for – a simpleton? Didn't that night on the island meant anything to you? What about all the things you told me; all the secrets and the truth that you trusted me with? You know that you're the one I'm interested in, not all your infamous escapades."
"I know." Jack said softly. "But if everyone knew the truth about me then nobody would even know my name. Piracy is on its way out and my ship is practically the last threat left in the Caribbean. That's why I…what's so funny?"
"I'm sorry." Kat bit her lip. Here was Jack trying to open up to her about his insecurities and she was spluttering and grinning like a fool. "It's just…sea turtles?"
She burst out laughing as the image of Jack in the sea surrounded by sea turtles stuck in her mind. She saw the corners of Jack's mouth begin to turn up as well and his eyes gleamed at her. Then a shout in the distance made them both turn their heads. Two Royal Navy officers had spotted them and were charging forward, muskets aimed. The lightness went out of Jack's eyes and Katrina's smile disappeared. They both began to run for their lives, Jack holding Kat's wrist tightly. Bullets flew past them and Kat didn't dare look back as they sprinted around another corner.
Now they were back in the market place, where some more navy officers including the Commodore of St Lucia noticed them and started after them too. Kat's heart was in her mouth as Jack pulled her along with him through the town. People gasped and pushed at the sight of Captain Jack Sparrow and a female thief running from the Navy down to the docks. Their boots pounded on the wood as they ran up to the edge of the dock. There, Kat saw the Black Pearl floating not too far away on the bright blue sea.
Jack looked down at the water and turned to Kat. He suddenly reached out and started to undo the laces on her dress. Before she could exclaim furiously he said hurriedly,
"It's to help ye swim faster, savvy?"
Kat quickly took it off and tossed it aside without a second thought. Then as Jack dived off the edge of the dock into the sea, she took a deep breath and jumped in after him.
Minutes later, the Black Pearl was sailing at high speed away from St Lucia.
Katrina stood on the deck, watching it disappear and knowing that she was finally free. Anamaria came up behind Kat, touched her lightly on the shoulder they embraced in a quick hug.
"It's good to have ye back." Anamaria smiled. "I knew Jack would get there in time."
"So you rescued him from Port Royal?"
"We knew they had taken him there because we spotted the Dauntless by the island. We were careful not to follow straight after in case they noticed us; but later that night we came ashore and broke him out of the jail."
"I swear that man has nine lives." Kat remarked with a half-smile. "He shouldn't have risked coming back for me."
"Kat, the first thing Jack said when we broke him out of that cell was we had to get to St Lucia to save you."
Kat sighed and stared down at the floor. "Ana, there's something I want to tell you. That night I spent on the island with Jack…well…we talked a lot and it felt so special; and then we…we…made love."
Anamaria's mouth fell open. "But…why would you…? I thought…"
"I love him." Katrina told her earnestly. "It was always there underneath, but I just kept fighting it. Not any more."
"Does he know?" Ana asked her, her face creased in concern.
"Yes…"
"Has he said it back to you yet?"
"No." Kat's face fell. "Do you think he ever will?"
"Well, ye know he's not really the sort." Ana said sympathetically. "But he might, you never know."
"But what if I'm carrying his baby?" Kat suddenly whispered in panic. "It would ruin everything!"
"I suppose all ye can do is wait and see." Anamaria replied worriedly.
"And now I haven't got any clothes." Katrina grumbled. "I had to take my dress off so we could swim away faster and it was the only one I have. I feel like such a fool standing here in my shift!"
Anamaria suddenly beamed. "Come with me, I've got something to show you."
Jack looked at his hat fondly before putting it on. Nobody knew the story behind it – not even Kat. That night on the island she had asked how he had come by his compass, but not his hat. It was the one story about him that he didn't have to elaborate much. Jack thought that he would like tell it to her some day. He looked around for Kat, but she was nowhere to be seen. She and Anamaria had been missing for a while. Perhaps Kat was telling her about their night on the island and they were having one of those weird female conversations about him. He just hoped she wasn't saying anything that Anamaria could use to tease him with later. Just then, he looked down to see Anamaria approaching the foot of the stairs that lead up to the helm. Her arms were folded and she was smirking at him. Jack frowned and let go of the wheel. He started to walk down the steps and then froze.
Kat burst out laughing. "I don't think he recognises me, Ana!" She was dressed head to toe in pirate clothes: a red bandana, brown suede boots, green breeches, white shirt and a blue jacket. Jack noticed that she also wore a belt which held and sword and a pistol. He opened his mouth and closed it again as he stared. Kat caught Ana's eye – it was rare for Jack to be lost for words.
"Where did they come from?" Jack finally spoke, looking puzzled.
Anamaria started to explain to him. "During the battle with Blackmore's crew a complete git of a pirate locked me inside a room on the Lagoon. He had taken my sword so I was looking around the room for another one. I came across this trunk full of pirate clothes and decided to steal some for Kat. I also took the sword and the pistol. I put them in a bag and then some of Gibbs and some of the crew kicked the door in and got me out. We went back to the Pearl because we saw you with Kat already. It was only after the battle that I realised who the garments and sword actually belonged to."
"My mother." Kat put in, unsheathing her sword and walking up to Jack. "See the initials carved into the handle?"
"She would have wanted ye to have them, luv." Jack told her quietly. "They really suit ye."
Kat smiled and began to ascend the staircase. "May I request your company at the helm, Captain Sparrow?" she spoke in a very formal way, her eyes dancing with laughter.
"It would be my pleasure, m'lady." Jack grinned and held his arm out to her as if they were a posh couple at a grand ball.
Anamaria watched as they both walked up to the helm together, looking like the perfect pair. Who would have thought that those two stubborn, independent people would end up together? Anamaria walked away, smiling to herself. She had known they'd get there in the end.
Jack and Katrina stood at the helm together, looking out to sea. Jack stood behind Kat, his hands on top of hers on the spokes as they tilted the wheel.
"Jack?" Kat spoke into the silence. "Do you remember that night on the island when we…you know…"
"How could I forget?" replied Jack huskily, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder.
"Well..." Kat swallowed and closed her eyes. "What if I'm carrying your child?"
Jack moved Kat round to face him. "Are you?"
"I don't know yet, do I?" Kat looked deep into Jack's eyes as if she were trying to read what he was thinking. "But what if I am?"
Katrina watched his expression carefully. He frowned slightly, his eyes moving from left to right but not meeting hers. She knew he was having trouble finding the right thing to say. The last thing she wanted to do was tie him down. It had been a great sacrifice for him to be so emotionally open with her, but now the prospect of being a father…
"Well," Jack began eventually. "I suppose having a lad wouldn't be so bad. That way the Sparrow name can be –"
"And if it's a girl?" Kat raised her eyebrows at him.
"We don't even know if ye are pregnant yet, luv." Jack avoided the question. "No need for these conversations yet, savvy?"
"You're right." Kat sighed, knowing she had spoilt the moment. "I'm sorry…I was just worrying about it and what would happen if you…you…"
Jack put his hands back around her waist. "Whatever happens, I won't leave ye – I promise." His hands tightened around her and she felt his breath on her cheek as he said into her ear,
"I-I love ye, Kat."
Katrina turned to face him, her face a picture of shock at his words. He looked back at her, his eyes soulful and deep. Kat was so pleased that he had said it and leaned in to kiss him, but he stopped her.
"Wait there, luv. This is the part where ye say it back to me."
"I already did!" Kat frowned. "Before we left Daniel, remember?"
"Yes, I do remember, but I seem to recall that ye said 'I love him' to the whelp, rather than to me."
"Jack, does it really matter?"
"Yes."
"But it's different because you already know how I feel – I didn't know that you loved me before now."
"It's still nice to hear." Jack was smiling teasingly at her.
"Oh fine!" Kat sighed although she couldn't help smiling back. "I love you, Jack."
Then she suddenly lifted Jack's hat off his head and put it on to her own.
"Yo ho, yo ho; a pirate's life for me." Kat sang softly and then she put her arms around Jack's neck and kissed him.
THE END
Epilogue:
Jack and Katrina never got married; it just didn't seem right for them. They had managed to admit that they loved each other and that was enough. Two people who had never really believed in true love or romance had found it in each other. Kat needed a man who was unpredictable, exciting and could give her the freedom she wanted. Jack needed a woman who wasn't interested in his reputation (however proud he was of it) but saw through his pirate exterior and loved him for who he was.
It turned out that Katrina wasn't pregnant after all. As time went by, it became apparent that she couldn't and wouldn't ever have children. This worked out rather well for them, as their adventures together had only just begun. Jack took Kat to the Spanish Main, Singapore and the Mediterranean. They did get into some trouble with the Spanish Navy but they never ran into Norrington again. They were free-spirited rebels, going wherever they wanted and doing whatever they pleased – because after all, they were pirates through and through.
So there you go! I hope the ending and the epilogue was to everyone's satisfaction :) Thanks SO much to every single person who reviewed. I never dreamed I'd get so many. This story took me four months to write and it's my biggest achievement as a writer so far. I really want to write a novel some day, but I probably won't. I've got all these years of exams and studying to get through. So anyway, thanks so much guys. Hugs to you all!
From Bethan :)
P.S. to Raz 42492 – I didn't mean to miss you out, I'm so sorry! It's just that I got your review for Chapter 14 after I'd put up Chapter 15. I'm really glad you liked reading my story. Thanx girl :)
And also to DruMalfoy, who I missed – thanks so much too!
