Chapter 2: Anything But That!
Katherine was huddled in the corner of her cabin and she could hear people screaming. As time went by though there were less screams and that frightened her the most. She closed her eyes and tried to still her racing heart. In a very short period of time her life as she had known it had come to a violent end.
The ship had come out of nowhere, its cannons turning the hull of the merchant ship into Swiss cheese. Her father had ordered her to hide in their cabin choosing to go on deck and try and protect the ship. That had been over an hour ago. Now she rocked herself quietly knowing that her luck wouldn't last much longer. It was only a matter of time until she was found. Katherine bit her lip to keep from crying out as she realized that if the ship had been taken as it obviously had that could only men that the ship's screw - and her father- were dead. She had nowhere to run.
As if the attackers had been reading her mind the door of her cabin burst open and three men barreled in. Katherine gasped as she saw that their clothes and swords were covered in blood. She let out a scream when they spotted her. The tallest of the three, a bald man with a scar running across his left cheek, grinned at her revealing rotting teeth as he strode across the room grabbing her by the arm and pulling her to her feet. She struggled desperately but he was too strong.
"Look at what we 'ave 'ere, mates," her captors grinned lecherously, "Entertainment."
She screamed again as she was tossed over his shoulder and carried up to the deck, "Look what we found!" he called as he tossed her onto deck. She landed headfirst and lay dazed for a moment feeling blood trickle from a cut over her right eye. She scrambled towards the rail using it to pull herself to her feet.
"'ello, poppet," one of the men called as the pirates began to close in on her, "Look at that pretty red hair."
Desperately seeking a way to evade the pirates, she glanced to her right and screamed again. Her father lay only feet away, blood tricking from his mouth, eyes open and staring, "Father!" she cried, tears falling from her eyes. Her hand reached out as if to touch him but she was frozen by her grief. Deep in her heart she had known that he was dead but it was too much to see it with her own eyes.
"Poor lass," the man who had carried her out of her room laughed, "C'mere, girl," he leered, "We'll comfort ye."
Her eyes widened as she realized what these men meant to do. Katherine's skin crawled in revulsion. These men had robbed her of her father and her future but they would not take her honor. "I'd rather die," she spat her decision made. "I hope you burn in hell," she hissed as she turned and jumped over the railing plummeting into the ocean below. She cried out as she hit something solid instead of water and fire spread across her right side knocking the wind out of her. Katherine lay on her stomach fighting desperately not to loose consciousness. She had hit her head again when she fell and she could feel the flow of blood from her wound increase. She lifted her head weakly and looked up the merchant ship. The last thing she saw was the ship on fire and a piece of burning wood falling towards her and then there was nothing.
Jack jerked awake when the girl in his bed let out a terrified scream. She was struggling to sit up and Jack grabbed her by the shoulders forcing her to lie back down. "Easy, lass, you'll hurt yourself," he said as she struggled against his grip. His voice seemed to startle her and blue eyes snapped open and focused on him briefly before she moaned curling in on herself sobbing.
"No, no, no! Don't do that!" Jack begged shaking his head and waving his hands frantically. She continued to cry. Jack clutched his hands to his chest, "Please stop," he pleaded eyes darting desperately around the room. Dealing with crying women had never been something he was good at. Unfortunately it seemed that the lass had no intentions of stopping anytime soon. Carefully, Jack reached out to run a soothing hand over her hair. "Easy lass," he murmured, "I'm not going to hurt you."
The lass didn't stop crying or uncurl but she didn't try to pull away from his touch either. Taking this as a good sign Jack slowly sat down next to her. "You're safe, luv," Jack told her still stroking her hair, "No one's going to hurt you. You have me word on that."
The girl began to quiet and Jack sighed in relief, "That's a good lass." Jack placed a hand on her shoulder, "Come on darlin', let me have a look at you."
"It hurts," she whimpered.
"I know, luv, but you need to relax. You're only making it worse by tensing up. Now, be a good lass and turn on your back for me." This time she nodded and allowed Jack to ease her back up so that she was no longer curled on her side. It was then that the girl realized that she was naked except for the bandages wrapped around her aching ribs. She squealed pulling the blanket up to her chin. The shock seemed to clear her mind somewhat as she seemed to be aware of her surroundings for the first time.
"Who are you? Where am I?" she demanded glaring at Jack.
Jack answered her in a quiet voice trying not to frighten her. "I am Captain Jack Sparrow. You're aboard my ship. We pulled you out of the water a day ago."
"Captain Jack Sparrow?" she repeated eyes wide, "This is the Black Pearl!" Her bottom lip trembled. "Not more pirates!" She was so tired and she hurt so badly. She'd never be able to fight this man off. Katherine began to wish that she had drowned.
Jack could see that the girl was becoming hysterical at an alarming rate. He held up his hands in a soothing gesture. "I gave you my word that no one would harm you. You're safe here."
"Then where are my clothes, Captain?" she retorted her eyes brimming with tears once more. She had not jumped overboard to loose her honor now. The thought of what this man could have done to her while she was unconscious made her nauseous. Katherine hit her breaking point and began gasping unable to breath. She cried out in pain as her ribs protested the harsh movement her rapid breathes were causing.
Jack's pleasure at the use of his proper title of Captain faded as the girl in his bed began to hyperventilate her shoulders heaving with the effort. Jack took the girl by the shoulders and forced her to look at him. "I've not hurt ye," he told her solemnly, "No one on this ship has laid a hand on you unless it was to help save your life. Now, I'm telling ye for the last time; I gave you me word that you would not be harmed and I'll keep me word. Calm down!"
Katherine looked into the pirate's dark eyes and found that she believed him. There was nothing mocking in his eyes that would have given a lie away and if he had harmed her there was no reason for him to lie. He had nothing to gain by it. With these thoughts in mind her breathing began to slow and she collapsed back against the pillows more tired than ever.
Jack nodded in satisfaction, as his words seemed to sink in. He released his grip on her shoulders and instead tucked the blankets more snugly around her. "There now. Gettin' all worked up isn't goin' to help ye none, missy."
When he was satisfied that she wouldn't have another fit Jack answered her earlier question. "Your dress is at the bottom of the sea. It was too heavy and I had to cut it loose or we would have both drowned. As for the rest we had to get you dry and warm didn't we?"
"W-why should I trust you?" she demanded clutching the blankets to her.
"Because you don't 'ave a choice," he replied bluntly, "And I could have left you to die. Now," Jack continued briskly lest she become hysterical again, "Being that I saved your life and you know my name I am entitled to know yours."
Katherine hesitated then sighed. This man had saved her life pirate or not. "Katherine Darcy," she informed him lifting her chin proudly, "That is Miss Darcy to you, Captain."
"Well, Miss Darcy," Jack grinned, this girl reminded him of a certain governor's daughter. "Consider yourself my guest. Now," he continued picking up a bundle of clothes and placing them on the bed, "Here are some clothes. They should fit you. I have duties to attend to. Dinner will be ready in an hour. I'll send Anamaria to help you."
"Anamaria?"
"Aye. She's the only woman on board other than yourself. She'll see to your needs," Jack grabbed his hat placing it on his head. Before Katherine could say anything else Jack left, shutting the door behind him.
When Jack reached the deck he immediately sought out Anamaria. "Our guest is awake," he told her, "Have our meals brought to me cabin. Also, please go in and assist her in getting dressed."
"Aye, Captain," Anamaria turned to go but Jack grabbed her arm.
"Give her some rum for the pain," said Jack looking away, "She's a bit wound up maybe it'll calm her down some."
Anamaria smiled. Despite his best efforts Jack Sparrow was always a bit of a softy. "Aye." He must have taken a liking to the girl to be willing to give up some of his precious rum.
*AUTHOR'S NOTE
Two chapters in one night. This one is a bit longer and I apologize for the shortness of the first chapter but unfortunately it was necessary to set things up. I hope you're enjoying this story so far. Please R and R and let me know what you think. You guys are my inspiration and I wouldn't be able to do this without you.
Katherine was huddled in the corner of her cabin and she could hear people screaming. As time went by though there were less screams and that frightened her the most. She closed her eyes and tried to still her racing heart. In a very short period of time her life as she had known it had come to a violent end.
The ship had come out of nowhere, its cannons turning the hull of the merchant ship into Swiss cheese. Her father had ordered her to hide in their cabin choosing to go on deck and try and protect the ship. That had been over an hour ago. Now she rocked herself quietly knowing that her luck wouldn't last much longer. It was only a matter of time until she was found. Katherine bit her lip to keep from crying out as she realized that if the ship had been taken as it obviously had that could only men that the ship's screw - and her father- were dead. She had nowhere to run.
As if the attackers had been reading her mind the door of her cabin burst open and three men barreled in. Katherine gasped as she saw that their clothes and swords were covered in blood. She let out a scream when they spotted her. The tallest of the three, a bald man with a scar running across his left cheek, grinned at her revealing rotting teeth as he strode across the room grabbing her by the arm and pulling her to her feet. She struggled desperately but he was too strong.
"Look at what we 'ave 'ere, mates," her captors grinned lecherously, "Entertainment."
She screamed again as she was tossed over his shoulder and carried up to the deck, "Look what we found!" he called as he tossed her onto deck. She landed headfirst and lay dazed for a moment feeling blood trickle from a cut over her right eye. She scrambled towards the rail using it to pull herself to her feet.
"'ello, poppet," one of the men called as the pirates began to close in on her, "Look at that pretty red hair."
Desperately seeking a way to evade the pirates, she glanced to her right and screamed again. Her father lay only feet away, blood tricking from his mouth, eyes open and staring, "Father!" she cried, tears falling from her eyes. Her hand reached out as if to touch him but she was frozen by her grief. Deep in her heart she had known that he was dead but it was too much to see it with her own eyes.
"Poor lass," the man who had carried her out of her room laughed, "C'mere, girl," he leered, "We'll comfort ye."
Her eyes widened as she realized what these men meant to do. Katherine's skin crawled in revulsion. These men had robbed her of her father and her future but they would not take her honor. "I'd rather die," she spat her decision made. "I hope you burn in hell," she hissed as she turned and jumped over the railing plummeting into the ocean below. She cried out as she hit something solid instead of water and fire spread across her right side knocking the wind out of her. Katherine lay on her stomach fighting desperately not to loose consciousness. She had hit her head again when she fell and she could feel the flow of blood from her wound increase. She lifted her head weakly and looked up the merchant ship. The last thing she saw was the ship on fire and a piece of burning wood falling towards her and then there was nothing.
Jack jerked awake when the girl in his bed let out a terrified scream. She was struggling to sit up and Jack grabbed her by the shoulders forcing her to lie back down. "Easy, lass, you'll hurt yourself," he said as she struggled against his grip. His voice seemed to startle her and blue eyes snapped open and focused on him briefly before she moaned curling in on herself sobbing.
"No, no, no! Don't do that!" Jack begged shaking his head and waving his hands frantically. She continued to cry. Jack clutched his hands to his chest, "Please stop," he pleaded eyes darting desperately around the room. Dealing with crying women had never been something he was good at. Unfortunately it seemed that the lass had no intentions of stopping anytime soon. Carefully, Jack reached out to run a soothing hand over her hair. "Easy lass," he murmured, "I'm not going to hurt you."
The lass didn't stop crying or uncurl but she didn't try to pull away from his touch either. Taking this as a good sign Jack slowly sat down next to her. "You're safe, luv," Jack told her still stroking her hair, "No one's going to hurt you. You have me word on that."
The girl began to quiet and Jack sighed in relief, "That's a good lass." Jack placed a hand on her shoulder, "Come on darlin', let me have a look at you."
"It hurts," she whimpered.
"I know, luv, but you need to relax. You're only making it worse by tensing up. Now, be a good lass and turn on your back for me." This time she nodded and allowed Jack to ease her back up so that she was no longer curled on her side. It was then that the girl realized that she was naked except for the bandages wrapped around her aching ribs. She squealed pulling the blanket up to her chin. The shock seemed to clear her mind somewhat as she seemed to be aware of her surroundings for the first time.
"Who are you? Where am I?" she demanded glaring at Jack.
Jack answered her in a quiet voice trying not to frighten her. "I am Captain Jack Sparrow. You're aboard my ship. We pulled you out of the water a day ago."
"Captain Jack Sparrow?" she repeated eyes wide, "This is the Black Pearl!" Her bottom lip trembled. "Not more pirates!" She was so tired and she hurt so badly. She'd never be able to fight this man off. Katherine began to wish that she had drowned.
Jack could see that the girl was becoming hysterical at an alarming rate. He held up his hands in a soothing gesture. "I gave you my word that no one would harm you. You're safe here."
"Then where are my clothes, Captain?" she retorted her eyes brimming with tears once more. She had not jumped overboard to loose her honor now. The thought of what this man could have done to her while she was unconscious made her nauseous. Katherine hit her breaking point and began gasping unable to breath. She cried out in pain as her ribs protested the harsh movement her rapid breathes were causing.
Jack's pleasure at the use of his proper title of Captain faded as the girl in his bed began to hyperventilate her shoulders heaving with the effort. Jack took the girl by the shoulders and forced her to look at him. "I've not hurt ye," he told her solemnly, "No one on this ship has laid a hand on you unless it was to help save your life. Now, I'm telling ye for the last time; I gave you me word that you would not be harmed and I'll keep me word. Calm down!"
Katherine looked into the pirate's dark eyes and found that she believed him. There was nothing mocking in his eyes that would have given a lie away and if he had harmed her there was no reason for him to lie. He had nothing to gain by it. With these thoughts in mind her breathing began to slow and she collapsed back against the pillows more tired than ever.
Jack nodded in satisfaction, as his words seemed to sink in. He released his grip on her shoulders and instead tucked the blankets more snugly around her. "There now. Gettin' all worked up isn't goin' to help ye none, missy."
When he was satisfied that she wouldn't have another fit Jack answered her earlier question. "Your dress is at the bottom of the sea. It was too heavy and I had to cut it loose or we would have both drowned. As for the rest we had to get you dry and warm didn't we?"
"W-why should I trust you?" she demanded clutching the blankets to her.
"Because you don't 'ave a choice," he replied bluntly, "And I could have left you to die. Now," Jack continued briskly lest she become hysterical again, "Being that I saved your life and you know my name I am entitled to know yours."
Katherine hesitated then sighed. This man had saved her life pirate or not. "Katherine Darcy," she informed him lifting her chin proudly, "That is Miss Darcy to you, Captain."
"Well, Miss Darcy," Jack grinned, this girl reminded him of a certain governor's daughter. "Consider yourself my guest. Now," he continued picking up a bundle of clothes and placing them on the bed, "Here are some clothes. They should fit you. I have duties to attend to. Dinner will be ready in an hour. I'll send Anamaria to help you."
"Anamaria?"
"Aye. She's the only woman on board other than yourself. She'll see to your needs," Jack grabbed his hat placing it on his head. Before Katherine could say anything else Jack left, shutting the door behind him.
When Jack reached the deck he immediately sought out Anamaria. "Our guest is awake," he told her, "Have our meals brought to me cabin. Also, please go in and assist her in getting dressed."
"Aye, Captain," Anamaria turned to go but Jack grabbed her arm.
"Give her some rum for the pain," said Jack looking away, "She's a bit wound up maybe it'll calm her down some."
Anamaria smiled. Despite his best efforts Jack Sparrow was always a bit of a softy. "Aye." He must have taken a liking to the girl to be willing to give up some of his precious rum.
*AUTHOR'S NOTE
Two chapters in one night. This one is a bit longer and I apologize for the shortness of the first chapter but unfortunately it was necessary to set things up. I hope you're enjoying this story so far. Please R and R and let me know what you think. You guys are my inspiration and I wouldn't be able to do this without you.