I know it's a bit slow...but be patient!

Chapter four: Promotions

Jack was slowly swivelling in his chair, thinking. His one leg was pulled up, chin touching knee, his boots were off, his coat haphazardly thrown on his bed, all of his affects thrown about the floor, and a deep frown creasing his brow.

He was thinking about how a beautiful woman would hide her face. She had stormed out of the room, sore with herself and him, and stalked all the way back to the ship. She hadn't spoken to him in two days, and he got the feeling she wasn't trying to. She put the junk on her face again, and no one but Jack himself knew there was a difference. He wasn't hurt, or angry about it. Just confused. He lost no more sleep, but in his waking hours did he think.

There was a ship and a crew to be commanded, and a hundred more medallions to find. There could be no time wasted on a crew member who hid her true self.

Jack stood up and stretched his arms over his head, yawning. He still was having trouble sleeping. Ever since that damn day. He had tried tonics and powders, and even Katerina herself gave him a posset of lavender and camomile to either soak in tea or put under his pillow. He did neither and silently put it in his bottom desk drawer. Beings as milk went sour too fast, there was none to warm. And the usual rocking of the ship, that was in itself a lullaby, was making him toss and turn. He buttoned his pants back up and went out into the crisp night.

Only four people were out on watch. Katerina was up in the crows nest(her latest refuge) and Anamaria was steering. Gibbs was silently carving something out of a hunk of wood by the mast, and Cotton was dozing. It would have been a comforting type scene out of a picture book, but Jack was foul in mood, and stale in drink.

Jack walked barefooted to the railing and slunk under it, throwing his legs out to dangle freely. He put his head on the second rod and closed his eyes. The warm sea spray gently sprinkled his face cooling it.

Above Katerina watched him. Her eyes roaming around from time to time, never one for being completely still. She felt odd now. Now that Sparrow knew her real features, he would treat her differently like some whore that he was used to being around. She didn't hide her face because she was ashamed, or because she was afraid of men. When she was ugly(as she liked to call it) people were more interested in her mind. She pulled up her knees under her chin and counted the stars.

"Wait...if he had a medallion...how did he die?" Will was lounging in the galley, with Jack sitting on the table in front of him. Elizabeth was in her's and Will's cabin ill, and Katerina was dutifully mopping the decks.

"Oh shit." Jack muttered, making a face. "I forgot about that. Maybe he wasn't dead. We had gotten out of there quick. You know it takes a moment.

"Hmm." Will looked at his fingernails, then bit one.

"What does that Ginger girl think of all this?" He asked after a moment of silence.

"She's confused. But she doesn't really have a choice. She chose to stay on the crew." Jack swung his legs up on the table, and chewed on his lip.

"Does she even know?"

"Nope."

"Ah."

"Captain?" Katerina was standing in the doorway, looking slightly harassed, her clothes a bit damp. She had her hair loose and it framed her face. If only the grease was off her face, Jack thought.

"Aye."

"I'm done with the deck, and I polished all the wood. Is there anything else you would like me to do?" She wiped her forehead and blew a gust of a breath out her mouth.

Katerina was slightly frazzled. She told Gibbs she was done, but he only said to tell the captain. She wasn't embarrassed, just tired and wanted to pass out on her small hammock.

"I's like to speak with ya, when ya have a moment, Ginge." He said, rising to his feet, and nodding to Will.

"Er...well Im free now. I was going to lay down, it's my break."

"It wont take long." He clasped her shoulder and steered her all the way to his cabin. The morning sunlight broken by clouds weakly flittered in, giving the cabin a warm and comfortable glow. She felt oddly at home with the large light wood furnishings and the massive bed that took up on corner. She loved the desk that had bookshelves and a mirror sitting atop it. For once the cabin was tidy, and Katerina noticed a plush blue velvet rug covering most of the wood floor. He had a picture up in one corner, a small farmland scene nestled in the mountains.

Jack followed her gaze and chuckled. "Its me hunk of land. I look at it when I start feeling a bout of cabin fever comin' on." Katerina dropped her gaze, and looked at Jack instead.

"Well? Get on with it, sir. Im tired."

"You don't need to call me sir. His Royal Highness, King of the World will suffice." Katerina stared at Jack for a moment, then threw her head back laughing. She laughed so hard at his serious tone that tears rolled down her cheeks, smudging her disguise. When she finally quelled her laughter and looked up at Jack, she noticed he looked hurt.

"Oh," She gasped, feeling guilty and slightly embarrassed. Then he in turn roared with laughter. She had never really heard him laugh like that, and it was oddly satisfying. Like a good cup of tea. He usually put on a drunken slur and gait, or was poised on the sent like a pointer hound who found its kill. However; now he was relaxed and Katerina had the feeling that he was himself. Totally bare and exposed. It made her feel oddly protective, until she mentally slapped herself, pushing the thought from her mind.

"You are too much, so ya are. I have noticed that you have been doing an exceptional job around the Pearl. In fact, I'm quite shocked." Katerina sat down heavily on the chair without being told, and stared up at Jack's face.

"I was wondering if you should like a promotion?" She felt her jaw lower, and her eyes enlarge.

"...To what!"

"Second mate? I don't have one. Gibbs is just a good friend, and Anamaria is my first mate. You are a surprisingly good sailor for one who hasn't been on the sea too long. You handle the crew well, you do what is told of you without complaints...you deserve it. It also, of course, means a larger salary." Katerina put her hand to her throat, and was speechless. She was just a lowly store keeper, poor and alone. Now she had friends and a considerable amount of money. Plus she was second mate on the largest and most feared pirate ships around. It was all too fast.

"Well...whadaya say?" He pushed, crossing his arms.

"I...well...I...uh...yes." She finally sputtered out, she didn't seem to have a choice. She licked her lips and looked back up at Jack, who had a small smile on his lips that seemed to be hiding something.

"Before you go back out to the wolves, your face is smeared. You might want to fix it." She glanced into the mirror and smoothed out the paint, before standing up and quickly putting her hair in a knot.

Katerina looked out the window and saw that a steady drizzle had finally beaten out the sun and was glad her chores for the moment were done, otherwise it would have been a meaningless task.

"I...thank you, Captain." She said, taking a few steps to the door, then halting. "I really don't know how to thank you."

Jack raised an eyebrow but quickly lowered it. He stood rooted to the spot and sighed.

"Call me Jack, honestly, Ginger. You should tell me your real name as well. I know its not Ginger. That would never suit your...ah...beauty." Katerina put her hand on the door knob, and then sighed.

"Its Katerina." She swung the door open and walked out shutting it behind her silently. Jack stared after her, then sat down on his bed kicking off his boots.

Katerina swiftly walked below and to her hammock, taking off the vest she wore, and plaiting her hair. She was swaying slightly in her small bed, humming a tune that came to mind.

"Ging?" She looked around and saw Gibbs slightly limping towards her. She jumped down from her hammock and helped him.

"You shouldn't be out. Its raining, and I know how your leg pains you." Katerina said, helping him sit.

"Ah don' fuss, Miss Ginger. I came doan here ta give ya this." He handed her a small leather bound book. A slight bit bigger then her own hand. She saw no title, and opened it up to hear the spine crackling. It was obviously new and had never been opened before.

"'The Complete Works of Shakespear'" She read aloud, then looked down at Gibbs. "This is wonderful! ...but why are you giving it to me?" She almost felt uncomfortable, but smiled at him all the same.

"Well..." Gibbs smiled at Katerina and tried not to chuckle. "I 'eard of yer promotion. I thought ye migh' like it." Katerina set the book down in her lap, and felt guilty.

"Oh...Im so sorry. You must have wanted the–" But he shushed her.

"No, Ginger. Actually, I 'eard your name is Katerina. Kat, I don't wan' anything like tha'. Sailing is jest right fine fer me, so it tis. No fancy titles fer me." He grunted to his feet again, and after waving her goodbye disappeared back up to the deck.

Katerina sat back down on her hammock and cracked open the book once more. She began reading(though haltingly and with some difficulty) "Anthony and Cleopatra".

(Teaser for the next chappie!)

"Erm...Jack!" Katerina called, who saw the ocean before the rest of them. "Should the ship be sailing away like that...I mean Im not an expert, but should it be doing that while your not on it?"