*AUTHOR'S NOTE
I've decided to add two chapters again today instead of one since I'll be staying with friends for a day or two and ff.net is going to be done tonight and part of tomorrow for updates. Like always please read and review.
CHAPTER 3: I look Like A Bloody Pirate
Jack paused outside the door of his cabin. Hopefully, the rum had calmed the lass a bit. Jack couldn't blame her really. If any other pirate captain had come upon her, Miss Darcy's fears could have turned out to be very founded. Still, one moment she had been a bawling terrified mess and then next she had shown a fire that Jack had admired. She was beautiful. That long red hair was enough to make any man take leave of his senses. The body that had been revealed to him had been perfect. Jack shook his head. These thoughts would do him no good. Taking a deep breath Jack opened the door and stepped into the room prepared to go another round with the shrew.
Katherine was stretched out on the bed, propped up on the pillows, and now dressed in one of Jack's shirts and a pair of Anamaria's trousers and boots. A sash held her pants up at the waist. Her strawberry locks fell loosely around her shoulders. Her blue eyes watched him calmly. A half empty bottle of rum sat on a table near the bed.
"Miss Darcy," Jack flashed her a grin, "You're looking better."
"I look like a bloody pirate." Her voice was slightly slurred from the rum.
Jack's grin widened. "You sound a bit like one as well."
The girl sighed tiredly, "What do you intend to do with me, Captain Sparrow?" Jack didn't miss the slight tremor in her voice.
Before Jack could answer there was a knock at the door. "Come in," Jack called. Katherine watched in surprise as several of the pirates carried in large covered dishes placing them on the Captain's table. "Thank you. That'll be all, mates," Jack dismissed.
Jack lifted one of the lids and Katherine felt her mouth begin to water as she saw the large stuffed bird that lay on the tray. Jack turned his dark eyes back to her knowing all too well that the girl must be starved. "I thought we'd eat."
Jack gestured towards one of the chairs, "Come, have a seat."
Katherine slowly swung her feet to the floor gasping as her ribs protested. When she was able to open her eyes again Jack Sparrow was standing before her offering a hand. Katherine looked at it and then up at him. Jack sighed. "I think I've earn the right to a little trust 'ere," he told her in exasperation, " Now you need to eat and you obviously can't make it to the table on your own. So give me your hand. I won't bite, luv."
The smell of food made up her mind for her. Katherine took the offered hand and Jack placed his other on her elbow gently pulling her to her feet. Katherine's head swam and she staggered against Jack and he swept her up into his arms as if she were a child. "Slowly, Miss Darcy," he warned, "You'll feel better once you've got some food in ya."
Katherine subsided into his arms having little choice in the matter. She was too weak to walk on her own. Besides, Jack Sparrow's touch was surprisingly gentle and his body warmed hers, which was still chilled from her time in the water. She suppressed a shudder at the memory of how she'd gotten there. Jack slowly carried her to the table and gently eased her down into the chair always mindful of her bruised ribs. "Help yourself, Miss," Jack invited gesturing to the food-covered table.
Katherine needed no further prompting and began stacking food onto her plate as Jack poured them both a tankard of rum. Jack took the chair at the opposite end and as he ate he watched her thoughtfully.
Jack wanted to know what had happened. If there were other pirates nearby he and his crew would have to keep a sharp lookout as Jack had his fair share of enemy's. The girl had been through quite an ordeal and did not trust him. Getting her to confide in him could prove difficult. Jack waited until she sat back, a satisfied expression on her face. The food had worked it's magic and while she was still a bit pale her pallor was much improved.
"I need to ask you some questions, Miss Darcy," Jack decided to take the direct approach, "I need to know what happened to you."
Katherine tilted her head allowing her deep blue eyes to search his, "Why do you care? What business is it of yours?"
Jack leaned forward his kohl-lined eyes seeming to stare right through her, "I've got me crew to think about. If there are other pirates in these waters I need to know who they are."
Katherine shook her head. What did it matter if he knew? Maybe Sparrow would kill him and good riddance. "I don't know who they are," she replied softly, "Only that they came out of nowhere. They killed everyone on board the ship," her voice faltered, "Everyone."
Jack arched an eyebrow, "Where were you traveling from?"
"My father and I were crossing from England. We were heading to Port Royal where my father was to take a position as the Governor's top aide." Her lower lip started to tremble, "I saw my father lying on the deck covered in blood. I-I think he was shot."
"How did you survive, lass?" Jack questioned his eyes still locked on hers, "Did they hurt you?"
"They found me hiding in my cabin and drug me out onto the deck," Her blue eyes darkened with fury, "They meant to rape me, no doubt." Katherine took on a grimly proud demeanor. "I didn't give them the chance. I jumped overboard. I think they blew up the ship. The last thing I remember before waking up here is a loud explosion and the ship being on fire. I think I was hit by falling debris." Katherine leaned back in her seat wanting the comfort of the bed but too proud to ask for it. "It appears I know nothing that can help you, Captain Sparrow."
"Did you manage to catch a glimpse of their flag?" Jack pressed, "What were their colors?"
Katherine bit her lip thinking, "I-I think that the flag was black and red. Yes! It was a black flag with a bloody sword on it!"
Jack frowned. He'd never come across this group before. Most pirates just went with the traditional skull and crossbones "Port Royal," Jack repeated leaning back. "You're not too far from there. Do you still wish to go there?"
Katherine closed her eyes and gripped the arms of the ornate chair she sat in, "Why? What's left for me? What would I do when I got there?"
"You could go see Governor Swann. He's a good man. His daughter is a fine woman."
"That's right," Katherine nodded, "You know them very well don't you?"
"Aye," Jack's expression was solemn, "Elizabeth and Will Turner saved me life."
"But what am I to do in Port Royal, Captain? Shall I throw myself upon the sympathy of the Governor? Be married off to the first Gentleman that will have me?" Katherine ran a hand through her hair. She was so very tired. It was difficult to keep her tattered emotions in check. "That's not the kind of life I want."
"How old are you, girl?" Jack asked knowing that she couldn't be more than twenty. Her face was far too young.
"Nineteen."
"Didn't your father leave anything behind?"
"No, everything we had was on that ship. My father sold everything before we left England. He intended to start over in Port Royal and spend the rest of his life there. My mother died of fever when I was ten. I have no family, no fortune, and nowhere to go." Katherine lifted her eyes to his and Jack was taken aback by the bitterness there, "Sadly for you, Captain, that means that there is no chance of ransoming me. There is no one left that cares." Her voice broke and Katherine covered her eyes as her shoulders began to shake.
Jack suppressed a groan. Not this again. Please, anything but this. Jack watched helplessly for a moment; her pain affected him more than he would have liked. Jack rose to his feet and went to her pulling her into his arms.
Katherine's mind told her to pull away but she needed the comfort too much. Her body and soul ached and her weakness and the vulnerability of her situation were maddening. She had lost everything and now she needed someone to hold onto even if that someone was a pirate. Katherine docilely allowed Jack to gather her into his arms and carry her back to the bed. The pirate sat her on the bed then sat next to her and pulled her back into his strong arms.
"Let it out, darlin'" Jack whispered as he rocked her, "Let it all out."
"M-my father," she sobbed, "T-they killed h-him. He-he was just lying there. He was d-dead but his eyes were open." She looked up at Jack her blue eyes haunted, "He w-was just st-staring up at nothing."
Jack said nothing. There was nothing to say. Jack Sparrow knew all too well the bitterness of having lost everything that you held dear. So, he just held her until finally her breathing slowed and she nodded off against his shoulder.
Jack laid her back on the bed tucking the blankets around her and then sat down in the chair where he had been sitting when she woke and watched her sleep. Jack knew very well what she was feeling. When he had lost the Pearl he had lost everything. His crew, his ship, and the last of his innocence were gone. Jack had been a boy himself really when he captained his first ship. He'd only been twenty when he'd lost the Pearl to Barbossa. The things that Barbossa had done to him . . . Jack still had the occasional nightmare. Slowly, Jack's eyes grew heavy as he drifted off to sleep.
I've decided to add two chapters again today instead of one since I'll be staying with friends for a day or two and ff.net is going to be done tonight and part of tomorrow for updates. Like always please read and review.
CHAPTER 3: I look Like A Bloody Pirate
Jack paused outside the door of his cabin. Hopefully, the rum had calmed the lass a bit. Jack couldn't blame her really. If any other pirate captain had come upon her, Miss Darcy's fears could have turned out to be very founded. Still, one moment she had been a bawling terrified mess and then next she had shown a fire that Jack had admired. She was beautiful. That long red hair was enough to make any man take leave of his senses. The body that had been revealed to him had been perfect. Jack shook his head. These thoughts would do him no good. Taking a deep breath Jack opened the door and stepped into the room prepared to go another round with the shrew.
Katherine was stretched out on the bed, propped up on the pillows, and now dressed in one of Jack's shirts and a pair of Anamaria's trousers and boots. A sash held her pants up at the waist. Her strawberry locks fell loosely around her shoulders. Her blue eyes watched him calmly. A half empty bottle of rum sat on a table near the bed.
"Miss Darcy," Jack flashed her a grin, "You're looking better."
"I look like a bloody pirate." Her voice was slightly slurred from the rum.
Jack's grin widened. "You sound a bit like one as well."
The girl sighed tiredly, "What do you intend to do with me, Captain Sparrow?" Jack didn't miss the slight tremor in her voice.
Before Jack could answer there was a knock at the door. "Come in," Jack called. Katherine watched in surprise as several of the pirates carried in large covered dishes placing them on the Captain's table. "Thank you. That'll be all, mates," Jack dismissed.
Jack lifted one of the lids and Katherine felt her mouth begin to water as she saw the large stuffed bird that lay on the tray. Jack turned his dark eyes back to her knowing all too well that the girl must be starved. "I thought we'd eat."
Jack gestured towards one of the chairs, "Come, have a seat."
Katherine slowly swung her feet to the floor gasping as her ribs protested. When she was able to open her eyes again Jack Sparrow was standing before her offering a hand. Katherine looked at it and then up at him. Jack sighed. "I think I've earn the right to a little trust 'ere," he told her in exasperation, " Now you need to eat and you obviously can't make it to the table on your own. So give me your hand. I won't bite, luv."
The smell of food made up her mind for her. Katherine took the offered hand and Jack placed his other on her elbow gently pulling her to her feet. Katherine's head swam and she staggered against Jack and he swept her up into his arms as if she were a child. "Slowly, Miss Darcy," he warned, "You'll feel better once you've got some food in ya."
Katherine subsided into his arms having little choice in the matter. She was too weak to walk on her own. Besides, Jack Sparrow's touch was surprisingly gentle and his body warmed hers, which was still chilled from her time in the water. She suppressed a shudder at the memory of how she'd gotten there. Jack slowly carried her to the table and gently eased her down into the chair always mindful of her bruised ribs. "Help yourself, Miss," Jack invited gesturing to the food-covered table.
Katherine needed no further prompting and began stacking food onto her plate as Jack poured them both a tankard of rum. Jack took the chair at the opposite end and as he ate he watched her thoughtfully.
Jack wanted to know what had happened. If there were other pirates nearby he and his crew would have to keep a sharp lookout as Jack had his fair share of enemy's. The girl had been through quite an ordeal and did not trust him. Getting her to confide in him could prove difficult. Jack waited until she sat back, a satisfied expression on her face. The food had worked it's magic and while she was still a bit pale her pallor was much improved.
"I need to ask you some questions, Miss Darcy," Jack decided to take the direct approach, "I need to know what happened to you."
Katherine tilted her head allowing her deep blue eyes to search his, "Why do you care? What business is it of yours?"
Jack leaned forward his kohl-lined eyes seeming to stare right through her, "I've got me crew to think about. If there are other pirates in these waters I need to know who they are."
Katherine shook her head. What did it matter if he knew? Maybe Sparrow would kill him and good riddance. "I don't know who they are," she replied softly, "Only that they came out of nowhere. They killed everyone on board the ship," her voice faltered, "Everyone."
Jack arched an eyebrow, "Where were you traveling from?"
"My father and I were crossing from England. We were heading to Port Royal where my father was to take a position as the Governor's top aide." Her lower lip started to tremble, "I saw my father lying on the deck covered in blood. I-I think he was shot."
"How did you survive, lass?" Jack questioned his eyes still locked on hers, "Did they hurt you?"
"They found me hiding in my cabin and drug me out onto the deck," Her blue eyes darkened with fury, "They meant to rape me, no doubt." Katherine took on a grimly proud demeanor. "I didn't give them the chance. I jumped overboard. I think they blew up the ship. The last thing I remember before waking up here is a loud explosion and the ship being on fire. I think I was hit by falling debris." Katherine leaned back in her seat wanting the comfort of the bed but too proud to ask for it. "It appears I know nothing that can help you, Captain Sparrow."
"Did you manage to catch a glimpse of their flag?" Jack pressed, "What were their colors?"
Katherine bit her lip thinking, "I-I think that the flag was black and red. Yes! It was a black flag with a bloody sword on it!"
Jack frowned. He'd never come across this group before. Most pirates just went with the traditional skull and crossbones "Port Royal," Jack repeated leaning back. "You're not too far from there. Do you still wish to go there?"
Katherine closed her eyes and gripped the arms of the ornate chair she sat in, "Why? What's left for me? What would I do when I got there?"
"You could go see Governor Swann. He's a good man. His daughter is a fine woman."
"That's right," Katherine nodded, "You know them very well don't you?"
"Aye," Jack's expression was solemn, "Elizabeth and Will Turner saved me life."
"But what am I to do in Port Royal, Captain? Shall I throw myself upon the sympathy of the Governor? Be married off to the first Gentleman that will have me?" Katherine ran a hand through her hair. She was so very tired. It was difficult to keep her tattered emotions in check. "That's not the kind of life I want."
"How old are you, girl?" Jack asked knowing that she couldn't be more than twenty. Her face was far too young.
"Nineteen."
"Didn't your father leave anything behind?"
"No, everything we had was on that ship. My father sold everything before we left England. He intended to start over in Port Royal and spend the rest of his life there. My mother died of fever when I was ten. I have no family, no fortune, and nowhere to go." Katherine lifted her eyes to his and Jack was taken aback by the bitterness there, "Sadly for you, Captain, that means that there is no chance of ransoming me. There is no one left that cares." Her voice broke and Katherine covered her eyes as her shoulders began to shake.
Jack suppressed a groan. Not this again. Please, anything but this. Jack watched helplessly for a moment; her pain affected him more than he would have liked. Jack rose to his feet and went to her pulling her into his arms.
Katherine's mind told her to pull away but she needed the comfort too much. Her body and soul ached and her weakness and the vulnerability of her situation were maddening. She had lost everything and now she needed someone to hold onto even if that someone was a pirate. Katherine docilely allowed Jack to gather her into his arms and carry her back to the bed. The pirate sat her on the bed then sat next to her and pulled her back into his strong arms.
"Let it out, darlin'" Jack whispered as he rocked her, "Let it all out."
"M-my father," she sobbed, "T-they killed h-him. He-he was just lying there. He was d-dead but his eyes were open." She looked up at Jack her blue eyes haunted, "He w-was just st-staring up at nothing."
Jack said nothing. There was nothing to say. Jack Sparrow knew all too well the bitterness of having lost everything that you held dear. So, he just held her until finally her breathing slowed and she nodded off against his shoulder.
Jack laid her back on the bed tucking the blankets around her and then sat down in the chair where he had been sitting when she woke and watched her sleep. Jack knew very well what she was feeling. When he had lost the Pearl he had lost everything. His crew, his ship, and the last of his innocence were gone. Jack had been a boy himself really when he captained his first ship. He'd only been twenty when he'd lost the Pearl to Barbossa. The things that Barbossa had done to him . . . Jack still had the occasional nightmare. Slowly, Jack's eyes grew heavy as he drifted off to sleep.