Damned to the depths whatever muttonhead thought of disclaimers!
With thanks to johnny'shumilatedgrape, Kat Carvell, Hils, Miss Sopha, Pendragginink, A Depp Girl, punkdpirate, Cayenne PP, Mrs. Depp, Noelle, AJSparrow, beatlechicksteph and Lip Butter.
Kat, I hope you've calmed down a bit now, dear:pPen, I have toyed with that idea – it might yet happen.
…
Chapter eight: 'It's fight or go under. And I don't intend goin' under.'Early April
'Yer bleedin' mad, Sparrow!'
Jack looked along the crowded table placed in the centre of the floor at The Faithful Bride at the owner of the voice, Charles Vane, captain of the Ranger and arched an eyebrow. 'So it's been said,' he drawled laconically. 'However, the fact remains that we have to do something before the Navy succeed in wiping us all out or driving us away.'
'An' ya reckon hittin' 'em is th'answer?' Batholemew Roberts enquired, watching Jack carefully as he drank from his mug.
'Even if only half of us around this table fight them, we outnumber them easily. They have three ships – three very good ships I admit, but it's still only three ships,' Jack argued.
'Three ships out of Port Royal ya mean. Don't forget all th'other naval bases around th'Caribbee – they've been hittin' us hard as well.'
'All right,' Jack conceded, nodding at Roberts. 'So they have around eight ships – if we can perhaps pair up and attack the ships at th'smaller bases, two on one, it'll reduce their successes a little, eh?'
'You have a point,' Edward Teach agreed. 'But there's one ship in particular that seems to have more success than the others – it's that one we need to be concerned with.'
'Let's not run before we can walk,' Jack soothed. 'Hit th'lesser ships first an' get them worried – we can concentrate on th'big guns at Port Royal at a later date.'
'What's in it fer us?' Jack Fowler shouted from the bottom end of the table.
Jack Sparrow sighed, shaking his head slowly. 'We don't have th'Navy breathin' up our stern every time we sail,' he replied sarcastically.
'Don't see why I should be fightin' fer you, Sparrer – or any of ya come ter that!' Fowler sneered, laughing with his cohorts.
'Then fuck off an' see how long ya last,' Jack snapped, slamming his mug on the table.
'Don't take that tone with me, ya weasel! I went out of me way ter tell yer about Anamaria.'
'Nobody forced you to,' Joshamee Gibbs spoke up, then he stood, addressing the table. 'Look lads, I'd heard of Beauchamp years ago when he was a naval captain and I was a mere midshipman - he was a bastard then and he doesn't seem to have improved with age!' He smiled at the chuckles his joke brought about. 'He will not go away just because we all want him to – we have to do something about it ourselves.'
'If we can take out just two or three ships,' Jack put in, rising to stand next to his quartermaster. 'We'll have them on th'back foot. They'll be short of ships and men and they'll want ter keep th'sugar plantations defended more than they'll want to attack us. That is their primary concern out here, savvy?'
'Fair point, Jack,' Edward Teach said. 'I'm in – who else is?'
Around eight hands went in the air, followed by two more after some consideration, the rest of them drifted away, uninterested in trying to save their livelihoods.
'So that makes eleven including th'Pearl,' Jack said as the remaining pirate captains bunched closer together around the table.
'We'll need to decide which would be th'best bases to hit,' Thomas Tew of the sloop Liberty, said.
'An' I don't think it'd be a good idea ter spread around what we're doin' either,' Batholemew Roberts added. 'Some of them bastards back there'd sell their own souls in a thrice.'
'You're right,' Jack agreed. 'So firstly, who wants ter pair up with whom? An' where do we hit first?'
…
Jenny looked up from the kitchen table where she was making dough as Scurvy Tom entered the room, holding up a brace of rabbits.
'Told ya I'd get us some,' he grinned toothlessly.
'So you did,' she smiled, grateful that she had not made the dough for nothing. 'Put them in the sink and I'll skin them just now.'
'All right, me dear. D'ya mind if I take a nap?'
'I've told you before, Tom, you don't have to ask.'
'Much obliged.'
Jenny smiled as he headed for his room, glad of his company but wishing Luke were here instead, or better still, Jack. She had not heard from him for around three weeks, apart from one letter that had arrived the previous day, but Jenny had no way of knowing when Jack had sent it. It could have been the day after they parted or a few days ago. She chewed her lip, trying to keep the tears from welling up and busied herself skinning and gutting the rabbits to put in the pie for her and Tom's supper.
…
The Black Pearl and the Liberty waited patiently, anchored off Dogwood Point just around the coast from the naval base at Charlestown. Jack blessed his good fortune when Thomas Tew announced that he knew the coast around Nevis very well and would help him to take out one of the ships based there and also do some damage to the small fortress. They had seen HMS Eastern Pride return to her anchorage the previous evening and they were now waiting for her to resume her patrol of the coast, knowing that she always headed south whilst the Crescent Moon went north towards Newcastle. But there was nowhere for them to hide north of Charlestown, no little bays or inlets, much to Jack's chagrin for it was that ship he would have liked to take out.
'I still reckon we should let Tew do it,' Joshamee Gibbs worried as he joined his captain standing at the bowsprit. 'What if someone recognises our ship?'
'Highly unlikely,' Jack sighed, rolling his eyes at having to go through this argument yet again with the quartermaster. 'I've told ya, it's all plantations down here an' th'only people around are slaves. They're hardly likely ter go to Newcastle an' see us there, are they?'
'But their masters might be about. Please let Tew deal with them. We can be back up if you like.'
'Well I don't like,' Jack snapped, losing his patience. 'Two on one – that's what we all agreed, savvy?'
'Aye, Captain,' Gibbs sighed, taking his leave.
'Cap'n suh!' Olabisi called from the opposite end of the ship. 'Th'Liberty is signallin' to us.'
Jack's head spun around to his ally, nodding to himself as he saw the signal that the Navy ship had been spotted. 'Make ready to sail,' he ordered, striding along the deck and climbing the steps to the quarterdeck. He stood besides his helmsman as the former slave waited for the anchors to be raised so he could turn the ship to give chase.
'I wonder how Teach an' Moody are gettin' on at Grand Turk?' Mad Pete mused aloud.
'Let us concentrate on our own fight,' Jack reminded him. 'We can worry about th'others when we next meet up.' The rebel pirates had agreed to convene in The Faithful Bride in three weeks time to plan their next move.
The crew watched as the Eastern Pride rounded the point, safe in the knowledge that it would be too late for their quarry to escape back to their base four miles along the coast.
A loud boom filled the air as Liberty took her first shot at the hapless ship. Although the shot fell short, it was enough to send panic coursing across the decks of the naval ship and the shouts of alarm could clearly be heard on the Pearl, positioned to the port stern of Liberty.
'Deploy th'sweeps,' Jack ordered, having had the men on standby since dawn two hours previously. 'Take us out in front, I want ter come around her.'
'Aye Cap'n,' Bisi deferred, feeling the surge as oar power combined with sail power to push the large ship quickly through the water.
The Liberty took another shot, this time causing some damage along the port gundeck of her adversary. The HMS Eastern Pride fired back with what guns were still working, hitting but barely making a scratch in the pirate ship.
'Don't bloody sink them before we get in position,' Jack grumbled, pacing up and down impatiently.
The Black Pearl tacked across the bow of the naval ship, raking her as they did so. The sound of splintering wood and dying men carried across the water, followed by cries of panic as Liberty hit them again.
'Give them everything, David,' Jack bellowed to his master gunner, David Penhaligan. A faint 'Aye Cap'n,' was drowned out by the cannons loosing their load again and Jack had to steady himself as the ship rocked with the sheer force of it.
The two pirate ships pounded their hapless enemy remorselessly until she started sinking, slowly at first but faster as her lower decks became flooded. Survivors tried desperately to swim for the sheer cliffs but those who were not taken out by pirate's pistols were dashed against the rocks and razor sharp reefs until not a single sailor of the King's Navy survived.
…
'That's what my Edmund told me,' a shrill voice sounded from across the market stall where Jenny was browsing. 'Pirates sank the Navy ship and destroyed the fort! Left no survivors…' the voice trailed off as the woman moved out of earshot.
Jenny's head shot up, cold panic coursed through her body as she hastily paid for the fruit and stuffed it into her basket before hurrying along the lane towards her house. 'Jack.' She knew it had to be Jack, it would be of no benefit to any other pirate for that particular ship and naval base to be destroyed. 'But why?' she mused. 'Why would he risk it?'
'Tom!' Jenny called as she entered the kitchen. 'Are you here?'
'Aye, me dear. What's th'matter?' he frowned as he saw her worried expression.
'The Navy's ship and base have been destroyed by pirates,' she informed him, sitting heavily on a chair. 'It had to be Jack.'
'Aye, I reckon so,' he agreed, not being quite sure why she was so upset.
'What if there was a survivor? They would recognise the Pearl if ever they came here.'
'Th'Captain's no fool. I'm sure if it was him, he had his reasons,' Scurvy Tom assured her. He walked to the sink and pumped water into a beaker, handing it to her when it was filled.
'Thank you,' Jenny smiled, taking a sip. 'He wouldn't come back here yet, would he?'
'He'll be wantin' ter see you before too long. He might leave it a week or so though,' he added on seeing the panic in her eyes.
'Why ever didn't we move to Tortuga?' Jenny lamented, running her hand through her hair. 'It would have been far safer.'
'Maybe it would an' maybe it wouldn't. It's also a dangerous place, it's just a different sort of danger.'
'Danger from other pirates rather than the Navy,' she sighed having had this conversation with Jack on many occasions. She placed her hand on her stomach as the child within gave a kick and smiled to herself. 'I reckon this one is practising his father's walk!' she chuckled, changing the subject.
'If he's half th'man his father is, he'll be all right,' Tom smiled. 'I'll get on with th'garden, shall I?'
'Thank you, Tom.' Jenny leaned forward and buried her face in her hands after he had left the house, struggling to keep the tears at bay. 'Oh Jack, I wish you would come home.'
…
Jack grinned ferally, the moonlight glinting off a gold tooth as he crept along the deserted street to his house. He could not wait to see Jenny again and wondered how big she was now.
He sidled up the garden path and stood under the window of his and Jenny's bedroom, cursing to see it in darkness. 'Must be later than I thought.' He picked up a small stone and threw it, looking around to see if the noise had attracted any unwanted attention, but it had not.
Jenny jumped as she woke, wondering what the sharp rap at the window was. She padded across the floor and peered out, nearly fainting with shock as Jack waved up to her. She flew down the stairs to the kitchen and unbolted the door quickly before finding herself smothered in Jack's arms, kisses raining down on her.
'What are you doing here?' she muttered between kisses. 'Was it you who sunk the Navy ship?'
'Aye, luv,' he smiled, standing back and running his hands over her belly. 'Gawd you've got bigger! he exclaimed.
'You shouldn't be here!' Jenny hissed. 'You shouldn't have attacked the ship in the first place, let alone the fortress.'
'Stop frettin'. There were no survivors.'
'How can you be so sure?' she fretted, resting her head against his shoulder, scarcely believing that he was actually there. 'Why did you attack them in the first place?'
'Why don't we go back ter bed an' I'll tell ya all about it there, eh?' Jack bolted the door and took her hand, leading her from the kitchen to the hallway.
'Ah, Cap'n. I wondered if it might be you,' Tom smiled from the bottom of the stairs, his sword in his hand.
'Good job it is, eh?' Jack grinned in return. 'How ya doin', Tom?'
'I'm fine, Cap'n Sparrow. Who wouldn't be with Jenny's cooking?' he chuckled. 'I'll take meself back ter bed then.'
'Goodnight, Tom, thank you,' Jenny smiled as she followed the older man up the stairs, Jack behind her. She braced herself for a hand or two on her behind, smiling to herself as she felt him squeeze her cheek.
'I've missed you,' Jack murmured as he shut the door to their room and hugged his wife to him.
'I've missed you,' Jenny replied, turning in his embrace to face him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a searing kiss, breaking only when they were both breathless.
'I won't be able ter reach you to kiss soon,' he grinned, stroking her swollen belly.
'No,' she smiled, a tinge of sadness in her eyes.
'It'll be all right this time,' he promised, knowing it was a promise he could never guarantee keeping, but felt he had to say it anyway.
'I hope so. So, why did you attack the Navy ship?' Jenny climbed back into bed, watching Jack by lamplight as he shed his clothes and joined her, snuggling up.
'We're fighin' back,' he admitted, feeling her tense in his arms.
'You are fighting back against the whole of the bloody Navy! Have you taken leave of your senses?'
'Whoa! Calm down luv. Not us on our own. A group of pirates have formed a brotherhood. Us an' Thomas Tew hit Nevis, Edward Teach an' William Moody hit Grand Turk an' Bartholomew Roberts an' Sam Bellamy are headin' fer Antigua an' English Harbour.'
'Is that wise?' she worried.
'Aye… Ana's dead,' Jack sighed, pain flitting across his face.
'What? Oh dear God,' Jenny breathed, tears springing to her eyes. She had not liked the female pirate very much but she never wished her harm.
'We have ter do somethin' otherwise how long before they come fer th'Pearl?' Jack held her tighter, savouring the warmth of her body against his.
'Aren't they more likely to come after you because of the attacks?' Jenny argued, more fearful than ever for her husband's safety.
'It's fight or go under,' he reasoned. 'And I don't intend goin' under. Now go back ter sleep.'
'How can I ever sleep again when I shall be forever worrying about you?'
'Ya mean ya don't already?' Jack joked, kissing her forehead.
'Jack…' Jenny admonished sleepily, her eyelids getting heavy and hot as she fought against sleep.
'Ya can tell me off in th'morning,' he promised.
'I'll hold you to that,' she mumurmed, giving in to the battle and drifting back off to sleep.
…
'Mmm?' Jenny opened a bleary eye and found herself looking into a dark brown liquid pool.
'Mornin' sleepyhead,' Jack smiled, kissing the tip of her nose.
'I thought it was a dream' she murmured, snuggling closer, well as close as her bump would allow.
'No luv, it's me in th'flesh,' he chuckled, his hand travelling down her side until it reached the hem of her nightgown, then it started travelling upwards again, inside it.
'No…' Jenny giggled, trying halfheartedly to stop him. 'Behave yourself Jack Sparrow.'
'If I can't misbehave with me wife, whom can I misbehave with?' he replied with a wolfish grin.
'It had better only be me you misbehave with…' she warned with mock severity. 'Or I really will turn you into a eunuch!'
'Oooh,' Jack shuddered, laughing with her. 'I'm hidin' all th'swords an' knives from ya!'
'There are ways and means, so you keep telling me,' Jenny teased, cupping his balls in her hand and gently rolling them around, her thumb stroking along his erection.
'You have th'most beautiful hands, d'ya know that?' he rasped, closing his eyes in bliss.
'Is that all?' she murmured, shifting her position so she could nibble his ear whilst her hand continued to stroke and caress him.
'Christ no! You've got a beautiful tongue as well,' he growled as her tongue licked the inside of his ear.
'Oh, I am disappointed,' Jenny admonished, moving off him and making him moan at the loss. 'I thought you found more of me beautiful…'
'Yer teasin' me again,' he pouted theatrically. 'All right,' he growled, rolling over so he towered over her. 'I find this beautiful,' he said, kissing her face all over until she was giggling. 'I find this beautiful.' He nuzzled her neck, licking and nipping at the tender skin.
'Mmm,' Jenny responded throatily. 'Where else?'
'Here…' Jack moved to a dusky pink nipple and sucked hungrily on it, making Jenny moan out loud and arch her back.
'I find this especially beautiful,' he murmured, fondling her belly then smothering it with kisses, grinning with excitement when the baby kicked out. 'Seems my son does as well!' he laughed.
'Might be a daughter…' Jenny reminded him, stroking his hair. 'Would you mind if it was?'
'No,' he replied emphatically. 'So long as it's healthy an' strong, I don't care what it is.'
'Carry on,' she urged, trembling as he moved downwards.
'I find this beautiful,' he growled, burying his face in her fuzzy mound, his tongue immediately flicking along her slit and between the folds.
'You're not the only one,' Jenny purred. 'Dear Lord,' she swore as his tongue entered her, bringing the sweetest feeling of ecstasy. 'Please…' she begged, covering her face with a pillow to muffle her cries as Jack brought her to a forceful climax.
'Come on darlin' – over ya go,' he said, helping her turn around onto her knees once she had recovered. He pressed against her, slipping his pulsating length into her moist heat until it could go no further, then he started pumping, holding her hips for better leverage as he drove deeper and harder.
'Oh Jack…' Jenny panted, pushing her hips upwards to meet his thrusts.
'You don't know what ya do to me,' he gasped, his fingers digging into her soft flesh as his body tensed.
'Jack!' she cried, clutching at the sheets as her body spasmed once more, waves of white hot flames shooting through her body.
Jack let go immediately, having held control over his release until Jenny had had hers. He slowly eased from her, flopping onto the bed beside her before pulling her so she half lay on top of him.
'How long will you stay for?' Jenny asked, fearful of the answer.
'A few days,' he assured her. 'I'm not goin' to be rushin' off on ya just yet.'
'Good,' she murmured sleepily, the sound of his heartbeat sending her off to sleep once more.
…
Author's notes:
The British Navy's prime concern in the Caribbean was protecting the sugar plantations.
All of the pirates in the brotherhood were actual pirates and their ships because I couldn't be arsed to make up half a dozen names of men and ships:D
…
