Chapter Thirty-four
Jack sat, watching Will slowly making his way up the line, and played with his food. He wanted to march up to the table and break line with Will getting a plate. He did not want to eat the delicious food and not have some to eat while Will was eating. He gazed longingly at Will, and his mind went back to earlier when they had almost had a few stolen moments in his cabin. He felt Jareth's eyes on him, and he looked at him. "Just waiting," he explained why he wasn't eating his food.
"I understand," Jareth acknowledged. "What I was wondering is if there will be seconds?" Jack gazed down at Jareth's plate and saw that there was not a crumb on it. The King lifted his shoulders into a shrug. "I can not tell you how long it has been since I have had good food. Actually, I can't even remember it myself."
Jack asked him, "Doesn't the Queen cook? You said you ate goblin food. Doesn't any of your goblins actually cook well?"
Jareth shook his head. "Trely cooks as well as she can but is hindered by her own tastes." He glanced at Delvira to make certain that she was not eavesdropping, then leaned over the table to whisper to Jack. "Delvira cooks wonderfully in the bedroom, but that is all. She has attempted it, but that is one thing that even her sister, Elvira, can do better . . . And that's even taking into consideration that the last thing Elvira cooked attempted to eat her instead."
"What!" Jack nearly shouted. Lowering his voice back to a whisper and ignoring the curious glances that shot his way, he repeated, "It tried to eat her! What was it?"
Jareth leaned back in his seat, his mischievous gaze meeting Jack's calmly. "A casserole."
"Oh my Gods! What is that?" Jack asked. Even the name sounded awful!
"Normally, it's just a dish, but this thing had hands and a mouth."
"What did you do with it?" Jack was sure that even though he had not said so, Jareth had had to deal with it.
Jareth glanced at Elvira, who was making her way through the line alongside Wolf, before looking back to Jack and whispering his response. "She still thinks that she managed to handle it, but it was a good thing that I was checking in on her at that moment. I saw the . . . situation through my crystal ball and sent two of my goblins into the drain where she was pushing it." He grimaced. "Only one returned."
"Where is the thing now?" Jack questioned.
"Long dead," Jareth quietly assured Jack.
It was then that Elvira's voice broke in. "What are we talking about, boys?"
Jareth looked up in surprise, but Delvira quickly covered for them. Looking at Wolf's pants, she noted aloud, "I see you're wearing a different pair already."
"Yes, ma'am," Wolf said and smiled at her. "Your sister has a penchant for popping pants." He sat his plate on the table and then turned to pull a chair out for Elvira. He slipped it under the table as she sat.
Delvira winked at Elvira. "She's not the only one."
As the two women burst into a fit of giggles, Jareth warned Wolf, "Remember to buy yourself as many new pairs as you can afford." His free hand reached out to gently caress Delvira's. "We went through twenty just last week."
Wolf shook his head. "I don't have that much money. If she puts too many holes in them, I'll have to wear them anyway or she'll have to sew them up for me."
"If she's as . . . talented as her sister, there won't be much to sew."
Will, having just taken the seat beside Jack, thought it best to interrupt the conversation before more innocent ears overheard them. Looking to Jack's nearly-full plate, he asked him, "Why aren't you eating, love?" The word felt wonderful on his tongue, and he smiled at his beloved.
"I was waiting for you, sweetheart," Jack said, liking the sound of that word. "Why didn't you just come where I was? I didn't realize until I was through the line that you had gone all the way to the end. You were with me; you could have stayed there." He looked questioningly at Will. "The Captain and any of his company have first rights on the food."
Will cocked an eyebrow at Jack. "Any of his company?"
"But of course, darling. You're not only my company; you're my life. Next time, let me know. Never go to the end." He looked at Will as though he could eat him if given the chance.
"I didn't know," Will defended himself, "and besides, I'm used to going last."
"Never again, beloved," Jack reassured him. "You'll always be first." He wanted to reach out, kiss Will, and go to wherever that led them but knew he'd have to sit there and finish his meal. Although it tasted wonderful, it was just one more hindrance between him and Will. He tried to send all the love he was feeling in his look to Will even while his hands longed to caress him.
Will's pressed lips silenced his sigh. Gods, how he wanted to reach out, touch Jack, and take his lips with his own!
"Boys," Delvira told them, "you can't do that at the table."
"But," her sister slightly disagreed, "if you want to kiss, go ahead."
Even Jareth couldn't help smiling. "No one's going to eat you."
Crystal silently placed Delvira's, Elvira's, and Wolf's drinks onto the table. She did not speak for she did not want to interrupt the moment and wished Jack and Will the best even as she slipped just as quietly away. She hoped Wolf would like what she had chosen for him as she had not been able to ask his preference.
His eyes still locked with Will's, Jack used a fork and picked up a piece of the bourbon chicken. Taking the fork to Will's mouth, he held it temptingly in front of his lips. Will's eyes never moved from Jack's as his lips slowly took the piece of chicken from his fork. He chewed it quietly and swallowed quickly but then leaned over to Jack. "I'm not afraid of being seen with you," he whispered so that the only normal ears that should have been able to hear him were Jack's.
Jack whispered back, "I just didn't want to embarrass you, love. I didn't know how you'd take it."
In answer, Will brushed his lips softly across Jack's. Jack pulled Will to him in a gentle embrace and deepened the kiss. After several minutes, they released each other reluctantly and forced their attentions to turn back to their plates though both burned desperately for each other.
Autolycus had been relieved to find that Xena was no longer waiting for him. Turning to the frightened girls, he declared, "Ladies, we must get off this awful ship at once! Why, your very lives are in danger, not to speak of your virtue!"
Where the blonde gasped, the redhead asked, "What virtue?"
"You are aboard The Sea Witch, and a most terrible, awful Captain wishes your presence at once! Why, she might even feed you to the sharks or she might just let her crew have their way with you! I can't remember the last time we were at port!" He gave the redhead one of his most charming smiles even as the blonde screeched in fear. His mustache hid the grinning corners of his lips as the latter clung to him.
"Wait a minute," the brunette spoke up slowly, looking at him. "The Sea Witch? Isn't that . . . the sister ship to . . . to the . . . the . . . Black Pearl?"
"You bet it is!" Autolycus said with a shake of his head. "And what her crew doesn't do to you, the fearsome Captain Sparrow will!"
"You are so full of dung!" the brunette exclaimed, causing Autolycus' mouth to drop open in surprise. Turning to the blonde and redhead, she told them, "He's the one after your virtues! There's no safer ship out here than the Pearl!"
"What's a . . . virtue?" the blonde gasped out, her pretty forehead creased with confusion.
Autolycus was taken aback at the brunette's words and then the blonde's question but quickly recovered himself and shut his mouth. He was not expecting the question, so he chose to ignore it. Instead, he quirked an eyebrow at the brunette. "What do you mean -- the safest ship? Haven't you heard? The Black Pearl is a Pirate ship! It rapes, pillages, and plunders in every port or as the occasion may occur!"
The brunette was now staring at the mustached man, her hands defiantly placed on her hips. "It may be a Pirate ship, but -- "
Before she could continue, the redhead put in, "Do you really expect us to believe all that? You guys are the ones who rescued us!"
"So that they could have their way with you!"
"And what about you and your way with us?" the redhead countered. She glanced at the blonde who was still upset over the virtue issue, "And, honey, you ain't had any virtue in so long that you wouldn't recognize it if it stared you in the face! It's nothing to worry about. But, you," she glared back at Autolycus, "you're a Pirate!" She pushed angrily at him. "You just want to steal the money and run!"
"And us too!" the brunette chimed in. "Not all Pirates are bad, but you know what?" she asked the other girls. "I thought I knew this idiot!"
"How do you know me?" Autolycus asked. "You know of my reputation?" He twirled his mustache.
"Save it," the brunette snapped, knowing that he believed his mustache to be one of his many attributes. "I know that you're one of the scurviest members of these crews! You're the one that'll steal anything from anybody, and you're the one who can't cook to save any one's life!"
"That hurts me to the heart, ladies!" he cried, clasping a hand to his heart in mock pain. "If you want to stay here and be pillaged and plundered, I'll leave you here."
"You're not going anywhere," the brunette told him, "and neither are we!" She then called out at the top of her lungs: "ANGEL!"
Autolycus' mouth fell open again. How in the Hell did she know Angel! He had to get away! If Angel caught him, one glance would tell him that he was trying to run away with the women and loot, and he'd deliver him straight to Xena!
"ANGEL!" the brunette repeated even as the redhead attempted to grasp Autolycus' hands and still his retreat.
The blonde just stood and gazed at him, not knowing what to believe. The brunette, seeing the look on the blonde, paused a moment to explain, "I know these ships. Angel's one of the best men I've ever met. He'll keep us safe, but we can't trust him," she jerked her head toward Autolycus, "with anything!"
Angel's feet had barely touched down on the Witch with Elizabeth when he heard his name frantically called. What in the Hell was Dawn Summers doing there! She should have been safe and at home on Tortuga! How could she have gotten aboard the Witch? "Excuse me, ladies; I'll be right back," he told them as he reached out and gently caressed Cordelia's chin.
Elizabeth and Cordelia exchanged a glance, then followed right behind Angel. Cordelia had no intention of letting him get out of her sight again, and Elizabeth was simply curious.
Upon reaching the group, Angel gazed at Dawn's face. He could tell she was upset but did not expect her to run into his arms. "Dawn, what are you doing here?" He could not believe that the trembling girl had grown so much since he had last seen her and was now no longer a child but a beautiful young woman.
As Angel's arms went around Dawn in a reassuring hug, she knew she was truly safe at last. Her tears instantly began to wet his shirt. "Oh, Angel, I'm so glad you're here! They -- They sold me -- and then -- then he wanted us to run away with him!"
Angel's eyes went immediately to the only other male in their group. "Autolycus, what are you trying to pull? I thought you were told to report to Captain Xena?"
"I did. Now I'm leaving."
Angel placed Dawn behind him, who was immediately surrounded by the redhead's arms. Angel faced Autolycus. "I don't care if you leave, but you're not taking the women or the loot," he added, noticing the bags. "I would suggest that if you leave, you hide yourself, because Xena's going to find you and when she does, you know what she'll do."
When Autolycus made no move to give Angel the bags, Angel reached out and snatched them from him. He handed them to Cordelia. "Keep them for me while I deal with him." Even though Autolycus struggled, Angel picked him up as though he didn't weigh anything and carried him to where he last saw Xena, the women following behind them.
Reaching the galley and kicking the door open, Angel continued until he dropped Autolycus in front of Xena's table. "I caught him attempting to steal both the women and the loot." He placed his boot on Autolycus to hold him down. "May I suggest that he be made to walk the plank?" He looked hopefully toward Xena.
She sat in stunned silence for a moment, scarcely believing that Autolycus had dared to defy her, but also knowing that she could not kill him for old times' sake. She didn't know what had happened to him, because he had, at one time, been a good friend. However, he now operated as though he were a couple of screws short of a load. She glanced at Gabrielle, hoping that she would have an ideal.
Gabby's understanding gaze met Xena's worried eyes. "He deserves worse. He wants to leave. Walking the plank would let him do just that, and knowing his scurvy butt, he'd sneak aboard Jareth's ship instead of drowning. I suggest the hold. We could keep him shackled there until we hit land."
"So be it," Xena announced, glad that Gabrielle had so quickly came to her aid, and motioned to a couple of her crew members who rushed forward and snatched Autolycus off the floor.
They wasted no time in dragging him out the door and down to the brig. Although Autolycus tried to worm his way out of their clutches, he soon found himself in the chains and all alone in the dark where he could hear the sounds of several somethings gnawing and claws skittering across the wood. He prayed the rats wouldn't eat him and that they were just rats and not some other kind of monster that had found its way onto the ship. Could it be goblins instead, he fretted, having came from Delvira's Delight just to devour him?
The girls stood trembling before Xena, the redhead's arms still not leaving the youngest girl's shoulders. Xena took in their appearance and gasped when she recognized the young girl. "Dawn? What are you doing here?" Xena asked.
Dawn glanced at Angel. At his nod, she turned her shy gaze on to the Captain. "They . . . they sold me," she whispered in a near whimper.
"Well, you're not a slave here, and neither are the other two. I'd like to know your names, and then you can get a plate and get something to eat. You're now members of my crew as long as you want to be."
With an understanding nod, the redhead spoke. "My name is Linda, and thank you, Captain."
"J-Jasmine," the blonde spoke up, her voice quivering.
"It's nice to finally meet you ladies, and, Dawn, even under the circumstances, it's good to see you again." She looked around for a moment and finally spotted the one she was looking for. "Simon, I want you to be in charge of taking care of the ladies. Make sure they get food and somewhere to sleep. If you need anything, let Simon know. You can trust him. He'll take care of you."
The old man smiled at the ladies. "Come this way, ladies," he spoke softly to them as he ushered them toward the table. Linda and Jasmine followed without hesitation, but Dawn lingered behind.
"D-Does that mean I don't have to go back home?" she queried, her voice quivering as she looked hopefully but frightfully at Xena. "Ever?"
"Only if you want to, Dawn. You're more than welcome to stay on the Sea Witch."
"Then I want to stay," she told her with a quick, decisive nod. "Mom and Buffy . . . They're . . . They're the ones who . . . who sold me . . . "
Xena and Angel were not surprised though the others next to them -- Gabrielle, Cordelia, and Elizabeth -- all were. "I'll take care of them when we get to Tortuga. They won't bother you again." She smiled at her. "Now go get some food."
Angel reached out and took Dawn's hand. "If you need anything, Dawn, be sure to let me know. I want you to meet two ladies -- one's a friend and . . . the other one holds the key to my heart," he finally managed to get out.
Dawn couldn't help a small grin at that. "I always knew you could do better than Buffy."
"Even a frog may kiss a Princess," Angel replied as he reached out and placed his hands over Cordelia's hands. "Cordelia, this is a kid who's now grown up into a woman, and I hardly know her anymore. She's always been like a little sister to me. Dawn, Cordelia. And this is Elizabeth." He gestured respectfully with his head to the blonde who stood next to Cordelia.
Dawn could tell from the way Cordelia and Angel looked at each other that it was definitely love, and she was happy for them.
Cordelia had to tear her eyes away from Angel's to look at the girl. She could hardly believe that her own mother and sister had sold her, and her eyes were saddened by that thought as she looked down at her. "Dawn, I hope we can be very good friends in the future, and . . . I'll be here if you ever want to talk." Her eyes shone with sympathy as she gazed down into Dawn's watery eyes.
"As will I," Elizabeth chimed in. She, too, was saddened by the thought of what such a young girl had been put through.
Dawn nodded. "Thank you . . . " She glanced back at Xena so that the Captain would know she included her, as well. " . . . all." She struggled against the tears that came to her eyes. She was finally safe!
Xena smiled at her before turning her attention to what Cordelia held. "Are those for me?" she asked.
"Yes, those are the bags Autolycus took," Angel answered her.
Cordelia had been about to glance at Angel for affirmation when he answered the Captain. She quickly handed the bags over to Xena.
"We should be reaching the chapel by day's break. Keep one of them and send it at dawn's light to Father Wagner." She handed one of the bags to Angel. "One day we're going to have to dock and meet him personally. He does such good work to help all of us. I'd truly like to meet him. Thanks, Angel."
There was a smaller bag that fell from Xena's hand. "This one belongs to Captain Jack; I'll give it to him. Have fun," she said with a smile at the group. She got up and headed toward Jack's table.
Jack had not been paying attention to the commotion at Xena's table. His eyes had been locked on Will's, and they had been watching each other eat and wishing that they were eating something else. Jareth and Delvira had been watching them and were still grinning from ear to ear when the other Captain approached.
Xena dropped the bag beside Jack's plate. "This belongs to you. I gave Angel one of the other two bags for the Father."
"Good," Jack said, never taking his eyes off of Will.
Jareth looked up, clearly surprised. "You donate to a Priest?"
"Every time we make a haul, we give the good Father a percentage. He's one of our charities. He does a lot of good work to help all of our people."
"Like what?" Elvira, who had exchanged a curiously worried glance with Delvira, spoke up. "I mean, really, how many Christian Priests are you going to find who wouldn't condemn this entire lot?"
"He's not Christian, but he is a Priest, one of ours in hiding. We haven't actually met him. Awareness of him came from a friendship, but he's always helped, in every way that he can, Pirates, Vampires, Werewolves, Lesbians . . . They're all the same to him. If they need help, regardless of who or what they are, he helps them."
"A wonderful man," Jack had to agree, still not taking his eyes off of Will.
"Oh, for Gods' sakes, Jack, get up and take the boy to your cabin! You'll have all of us wanting each other!"
Jack shook himself and looked up at Xena, a rueful grin on his face. "Sorry. Didn't mean to upset the rest of you."
"You didn't, Captain," Elvira told Jack even as she crept a hand underneath the table. Hidden from the others' sights, she reached out and squeezed Wolf's sword through his pants even as she winked at him.
Wolf almost jumped out of his hide at the unexpected touch and his quick reaction.
Xena looked at Jack. "That's what I mean, Jack. You've got the whole crew worked up, and some of them don't have anybody. Go to your cabin!" She turned and walked stiffly back toward Gabrielle. "Gabby?" she called when she got there. "Cabin."
Gabrielle, who had been watching Xena's every move, nodded. She stood to join her, and the two left without a further word.
Jareth, meanwhile, was grinning. "I must say that your people definitely know how to put downtime to good use!" As Wolf had done seconds before at Elvira's touch, Jareth now jumped as he felt Delvira's sharp fingernails graze his tight pants. "Not in front of everybody, sweetheart!" he gently scolded his wife despite his increased grin.
"Why not, Hot Stuff?" Delvira returned with a lustful growl. Her fingernails carefully kneaded Jareth's pants, and he had to reach a hand underneath the table to still his wife's.
Will glanced at the couple, then quickly looked back down at his plate. A deep crimson still stained his cheeks.
Jack was not embarrassed, but he felt for Will. He had not meant to embarrass him. He realized Will was a virgin, never having known a woman or a man, and that what would ensue if they did go to the cabin would probably embarrass him further. He wasn't sure how to proceed. He reached down, gently caressed Will's hand, and smiled at him.
At Jack's touch, Will again lifted his eyes. This time, he gazed back into his beloved's. "I'm not embarrassed by us," he told him even as his fingers entwined with Jack's. "I'm just not used to . . . everything else." He tried to grin sheepishly.
"You will be in time, but don't feel sorry about being embarrassed." Jack continued to hold Will's hand. "Some people are more sexual than others. I've been around it all my life; that's why I'm not embarrassed. You don't want to know some of the places and things I've seen. When I was your age, I had seen and done most of it, even things I didn't want to see or do, but that's in the past and this night starts our lives anew. We'll find love together," he whispered next to his ear.
To any one looking, it would have seemed that Jack was nibbling Will's ear, but instead their whole conversation had stayed so that only Will and very sharp ears could hear it. There was no way to keep secrets from ears as sharp as some of the crew members'. "I find your innocence to be very refreshing. I am glad that you're not jaded. Maybe we should go to the cabin so that we can talk more in private, or we can stay for the festivities?"
"Festivities?"
Prue had heaped food upon Hoggle's plate. She had thought that it was probably more than the little guy could handle, but he had cleaned it up promptly and was now looking up at her. "We're not ready for seconds yet. I'm not sure if every one's eaten or not, but if they have, we will have some seconds."
Hoggle shook his head, and his politeness as he spoke surprised Prue. She had never thought such a creature as he could be so polite. "Madam, as delicious as the food is and as much as I would love seconds, I was actually thinking about some one else. This food is the best I've ever had; in fact," he admitted, "it's the only good food I've had my entire life!"
Prue looked at him in disbelief. "You've never had food this good? Piper will love to hear that!" she said, looking toward her sister.
"Madam, the things I've had to eat in my life are not worthy of being talked about in lady's presence."
"I don't want to know," Prue said with a shake of her head. She looked back at Hoggle. "You had a question?"
He nodded. "I was hoping to invite another friend to eat? He's still over on Jareth's ship. I don't understand the guy. I think guarding the Bog his entire life has made him go nuts, but he's a good fellow, a Knight, and I think he'd love the food."
"Ask him, but do it quietly so as not to draw the King's attention." She was thinking to herself, He's a Knight! Surely he must be normal! Was he cute? He might suit Paige far better than that Gnome. She was happy that Phebs had already found what she thought was her true love, even if it was Joxer. Piper had Cole, and she hoped to have Brendan. So that only left poor Paige out. A Knight would suit her youngest sister perfectly!
With a quick nod and a, "Thank you," to Prue, Hoggle snuck out. Standing on deck, he gazed toward Delivra's Delight. "Sir Didymus!" he whispered in a loud whisper, knowing fully well that Didymus could hear him. "Come quietly!" He grimaced, realizing that there was no way in Hell that Didymus would be quiet. The Knight simply didn't know the meaning of the word. He didn't know which one could bark the loudest -- Didymus when he was angry or Ambrosius when he was scared.
It took him several minutes, but Didymus finally managed to get his steed to make the jump from one ship to the other. After landing, he gazed intently at Hoggle. "What do you want, Hoggle?" he questioned.
"Great food for you! In there!" He pointed to the galley. "But you have to be quiet about it! Jareth's in there!"
Sir Didymus looked down his nose at Hoggle. "I am always quiet as a mouse," he informed him in contempt, "unlike some that I know." He referred to the countless times that Hoggle had made loud noises. "It's Ambrosius that doesn't want to be quiet. He wants the whole world to know that a glorious Knight has arrived and that he is his mighty steed!"
"Yeah, sure," Hoggle grunted as he waved his hands dismissively at him. "The fact remains that you'd better be quiet or Jareth will send you back to the ship without food -- if that's all he does!"
"Ambrosius," Didymus was already having trouble with him as he would not go forward but steadily backed up, "go forward!"
"Right through this door!" Hoggle called over his shoulder as he disappeared into the door and quickly hid himself behind Prue's long skirts.
"Ambrosius, I said go forward!" The sheepdog whimpered. Didymus thrust his cane into the air. "Go forward or there shall be no supper for you tonight!"
Cole looked anxiously around the room, noticing that many of the Pirates were still sitting in place and wanting seconds. "How many plates do I need to make for us?" he asked Piper.
Piper scanned the galley, considering. She saw Prue still guarding the pies and noticed that something seemed to be clinging to the back of her skirts; she also saw Lorne and Crystal still finishing the drinks for the girls. Her eyes even fell upon a young man hiding in the shadows. She looked at him in surprise, not having noticed him before during the bustle. "Six. No, wait, best make that seven. There's also that rude girl from earlier."
Cole went immediately and began to make their plates. As the first one was finished, Piper picked it up and headed for the boy. He was about to slip further into the shadows when she reached out and grasped his wrist.
Dawson gasped. He had not realized that any one had seen him, but he had not been able to fight the delicious smells of the food any longer! He had not eaten all day and was starving. His frightened eyes met hers. "Please don't reveal me," he begged. "Don't let her know I'm here."
"Who?" Piper queried, her brow creasing.
"Faith," he simply stated, his eyes imploring her for the food even as his stomach rumbled.
"If she's the dark-haired girl with the filthy mouth, you have nothing to worry about; she already stormed out. Regardless, you need to eat." She had just started to hand the boy the plate she had brought him and Prue had been about to ask Hoggle what his problem was when the doors burst open.
Didymus finally had Ambrosius going full sped straight into the galley! He aimed for the wall behind the table and was flung over Ambrosius' head when his steed came to a skidding stop. Food, glorious food, sat out all around them, and Didymus, forgetting himself in his hunger, sat up barking.
Hoggle clutched his forehead and groaned behind Prue, but Prue handed a plate to Didymus. "Sh!" she reminded him, but it was too late.
"Didymus," Jareth called, "what are you doing here?"
Prue spoke up before any one else could. "I invited him, Your Majesty. I hope it was okay," she flashed him one of her best smiles.
Piper quickly thrust the plate at Dawson as she looked over at Prue and the scared -- dogman? -- and then back over at Jareth, who appeared to be glowering at her sister and the fellow she had invited. "What's wrong, Your Majesty?" Piper questioned, her voice tight. "Do you not think my food worthy of your crew members?"
"No, ma'am, I think my crew's not worthy of your food. I can't take them anywhere and expect them to behave. I did not want to bring their unworthy hides aboard and have them do something to disgrace me and appall you. They're here; they can stay if they behave themselves. Your food is the best I've ever eaten! I salute you, madam. In fact, I would like to ask a favor of you. I have an unworthy, lowly female who is one of our closest servants and needs training. I will pay you handsomely if you will train her to cook."
Piper stared at Jareth in surprise, unsure of what to say. Normally, she would not ask to be paid for cooking lessons, but she had heard Hoggle talking to Prue, though neither knew it, and wished to leave an open invitation to the lot of them. However, at the same time, she could not help remembering that, though she was the cook, the galley was part of a ship that did not belong to her. She glanced around the room but could not find Captain Xena anywhere.
Dawson had heard the entire conversation, as had the rest of the galley. "Ask Captain Sparrow," he whispered to Piper. "He owns both ships. Captain Xena is just the Captain, not the owner of the Witch."
"Thanks," Piper whispered out of the corner of her mouth. She did not know if the others had spotted the boy yet but did not wish to bring their attention to him if they had not. Her questing eyes turned toward Captain Sparrow who sat across from Jareth. "Captain?"
Jack was totally lost in Will and did not hear any of the conversation that was going on. He failed to hear Piper call him, so engrossed was he upon Will's eyes and the daydream that he was living in the moment.
Captain? Tom's voice inside Jack's head interrupted the other man's thoughts. We have a situation here.
"What?" Jack said, snapping his head around to look at Tom questioningly.
Tom pointed a finger toward Piper and another at Jareth.
"Did I miss something?" Jack asked, concern on his face. "Sorry," he apologized sheepishly. "My mind was not here."
Tom could tell from the look in Piper's eyes that she was still quite upset and at a complete lost as what to do. Madam, he thought to her. The surprise of his voice in her head made her jump; wild eyes flashed around the galley in search of the speaker. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you, but I can tell you're in quite a fix. If you'll allow it, I can open a link between your mind and the Captain's. That will allow you to ask him whatever it is you're thinking.I -- I am hearing you, aren't I? I -- I haven't finally lost it?
Tom couldn't help a grin and a twitch of the tip of his tail at that. No. Look at me; I'm the catman. I'll wink my right eye three times. Piper nodded slowly as her baleful eyes turned to look at the orange catman. Tom's right eye winked once . . . twice . . . . three times.
At least I'm not insane, she thought to herself, not realizing that Tom, too, could hear her.
May I, madam?
May you what? she asked, still confused.
Link your mind with the Captain's so that you might have a word with him in private? Although if I were you, I'd make it a bit quick; Jareth looks like he's getting ready to explode.
She gulped and nodded once, granting him her permission.
Tom quickly turned his mind to Jack's. Captain Sparrow, Miss Piper needs you, but I don't think Jareth's going to want to hear whatever it is she has to say. If you'll grant me permission, I can link you two so that you can talk as we are now.
Go ahead, Tom, and thanks, Jack answered him with a mere thought. No matter how many times Tom had spoken telepathically to him before, he could never get quite used to it. He saw Katrina looking at her husband with a curious look on her face.
Katrina wondered what the heck Tom was up to now. What kind of trick was he playing? Then she realized that he was not tricking but being very serious as she watched the reaction of Jack's face. She made eye contact with the Captain once and then returned her attention to her food. Whatever it was, Jack was not mad at Tom, and that was all she was concerned over.
Cole finished fixing the last plate and looked worriedly at Piper who stood as though she was in a trance. He was concerned that she had not answered the King yet and was prepared to do battle if necessary to keep her safe. He set the plate on the working table.
It's done, Jack and Piper heard Tom's voice announce simultaneously within their minds.
You needed me, Miss Piper? Jack queried.
Piper's thoughts came to him in a rush. Didymus' entrance angered his King. Prue invited him, and there's another in here that he wouldn't want, I believe. Any one's welcome to partake of my food, Captain, and poor Hoggle! I heard him say he's never had good food before, never in all his life! Jareth wants me to teach one of his goblins how to cook! I don't mind that and don't usually ask for payment though he's offered! And I'd like for them to be able to eat when they can. Not the Goblins or those other things. I know that would be asking for trouble, but what's wrong with Didymus and Hoggle? Don't they deserve good food?
Now, Miss Piper, Jack thought to her, hiding a smile, calm yourself. I'll speak with the King. Hold on. Let's see what his reaction is.
Jareth, who had stood and was now staring holes into Piper who looked quite like a trapped rat, heard Jack speak his name. "Sit down, Jareth. You make me nervous. I'm already nervous enough. I can't find any more rum."
"Miss Piper has two conditions for teaching your servant. One, that any members of your crew who can behave themselves might be allowed to come for meals freely, and two, she wishes to keep the payment open for now. She does not know how much to charge and might would like a future boon of something else. She is more than willing to teach any one who wants to learn to cook."
Jareth sat and looked at Jack. "How did you get all that from her with one look?"
"She and I can read each other's thoughts." Jack did not elaborate.
"Delvira and I can do that," Jareth said with a knowing nod, "but not until we were one. Shouldn't you have that with Will?" A look of confusion crossed his face.
Jack finally came up with, "She's my sister. Will and I have not had that pleasure yet, although I hope it will be soon." He smiled at Will before looking back at Jareth.
"Thank you, Miss Piper." Jareth again got to his feet, but this time, not in anger. "Any that you wish from my crew may attend freely and partake of your food. I only have one I wish you to train, and I will gladly grant your request later."
Piper nodded, fighting to keep her quivering to her insides only. "You are quite welcome, Your Majesty, and thank you." And you, Captain, she thought to Jack. And you too, Mister Ballard, if you can still hear us.
Of course I can, the catman grinned, and it's Tom.
"Why are you grinning so sheepishly, Tom?" Katrina asked him. "What did you just do? Are you making Jack angry again?"
Thank you, Tom, Jack's voice whispered in his mind. I'm not angry any more about the rum; I understand. Are you happy aboard the Witch?
Tom's grin grew as he answered Katrina. "Why, milady wife, I've done nothing but save a damsel in distress."
"What damsel?" Katrina demanded.
"Miss Halliwell -- er, Piper," he clarified, remembering that there were four of the women. He reached over and lovingly cupped her cheek. "But you will always be the only woman in my heart." He brushed his lips adoringly over hers even as he thought back to Jack, It is not the same, Captain, but it does allow my wife to be with her sister. Then including Piper in his thoughts, he continued, You are both welcome; I'm only glad I was able to keep us from having to deal with a pissed-off Jareth. I don't think that's a sight that any of us want to see.
I agree with you, my friend, and you thought I had a hot temper! I've never seen one with a hotter one than he has except Faith!
Maybe we should lock those two up together sometime?
Tom! Piper admonished. They'd kill each other!
Yep, Jack agreed. Kill each other and destroy the ships.
Tom rolled his shoulders in a shrug. It was just a thought. He paused before asking, Shall I break the link now?
Yeah, you better, Jack said. My mind's on Will again. It might shock you.
Me? Impossible! Tom thought back. But there is a lady present. With that, he ended their three-way link.
Lex looked over to Tom. He had realized there was something going on but had no ideal what. Perhaps Tom had been playing with Katrina under the table as he wanted to do with Clark but had not been able to as the children were sitting between them. Julian and Sarah had both fallen asleep, and he had barely managed to snatch the plates out from under them. Clark looked as though he could eat two more plates, but he knew that Faith had not had a single thing. He had not even seen her. He looked over at Tom and Katrina again. "Thanks, Katrina, for taking care of the children."
"It was my pleasure, but there's something wrong with Sarah's voice. I didn't know what it was, but I tried to heal her and it didn't work. You need to get Doctor Richards to check her out."
"I had noticed that," Lex told her, "but I thought perhaps it might be shock. We don't know everything that happened to the children. I hope that there's not anything seriously wrong. Thank you for trying. Have you seen Faith tonight?"
Tom nodded. "Yeah. She's just as bitchy as ever. She almost tangoed with the lioness."
"Over what?" Lex asked. "Didn't she want to eat supper?"
"She tripped over Crystal's boots. Don't ask me what they were doing in the middle of the galley floor; I don't know. What I do know is that she threw them at her, accidentally hit Piper, didn't apologize, warned Crystal to -- well, I believe her exact words were 'Watch where you strip, bitch'."
"Oh no! I know that didn't set well," Lex said. "What happened then?"
"Well, everything was going nuts, and Jack demanded an apology from the crew because of the way most were acting in trying to get to the food. You know we haven't eaten anything decent in Gods only know when."
Lex shook his head. "I imagine she took that pretty well, didn't she?" His sarcasm was obvious.
Tom grinned. "You know Faith." He paused, then added solemnly, "And it gets worse."
"How much worse can it get?" Lex queried.
"Well, as I said, she almost tangoed with the big cat, Cindy I believe. Right after the rest of us apologized, Cindy roared a warning at Faith. She wanted an apology and was going to attack her if she didn't get it."
"Who gave up first -- Faith or the cat?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Faith actually gave up and left? I'll never understand her," Lex admitted.
"She actually apologized," Tom informed him, "but we all know she didn't mean it."
"Faith never apologizes," Lex commented.
"She did that time," Morph put in from where he sat on Tom's other side.
"So things calmed down? Faith ate and left?" Both men were shaking their heads, and Lex stifled a sigh.
"She stormed out," Tom explained.
"Didn't eat a bite," Morph added.
"Thanks, guys; I'll take her a plate."
"Watch yourself when you do." Morph grimaced. "I still remember the time I pissed her off." He shifted in his seat. "And the pain."
"Yeah, so do I. You couldn't walk for a week," Lex remembered.
"My butt was totally done in," Morph agreed.
"One day, that wild temper of hers is going to get her into trouble, and I only hope that I'm there to bale her out," Lex said. He looked over at Clark. "I'm going to get a plate and take it to her; then I'll be back to get the kids to bed. If they go for seconds, get me some."
"Of course, love, but like the guys said, watch yourself. She already wasn't in a good mood. Who knows what she's doing now?"
"Looking for a fight," Tom and Lex spoke as one.
Lex walked over to Piper. "Can I have a plate of food for Faith? I heard she showed out earlier and didn't get anything to eat. I'm sorry."
"There's no reason for you to apologize for her antics," Piper assured him. "Though, if I may ask, what is wrong with that girl? I've never known any one to behave like she does!"
"Her life hasn't been easy. She's been hurt so many times it's not funny, and she won't let anybody get close to her. She's all full of hate and anger, but yet she still has a softer side. She just won't let any one see it. Her motto is 'Get them before they get you'."
"Even with those who'd like to be her friends?" Piper asked, her eyes searching Lex's.
"Even with those. She keeps me away and only sometimes lets me near but never close. I think the cats are trying to get close to her too, and she fights them harder than she does even me. It would be so good for her if she'd just let one of us in!"
As she talked with Lex, Piper's mind went back to the boy. Could he be another who was trying to help her? She'd find a way to catch him later and talk to him. Leading the way over to the working table, Piper picked up a plate and turned to hand it to Lex. "Good luck with her."
"I'll need that, Miss Piper, and thanks for the food. I'm not going to give up on her. There, but for Gods' grace, go I except that Clark saved me. Clark loved me enough to fight my evil side and to chase it away. I could be Faith. Thank the Gods for Clark." He glanced back over at Clark who sat patiently waiting for Lex's return. "I know I don't deserve him, but I am so thankful for him!"
"I . . . I am glad Clark and you found each other," Piper told Lex, somewhat unsure of what to say, "and I do hope that some one can reach Faith." She wondered silently if there might be anything that she could do.
Lex headed out the door in search of Faith. He had not gone very far when he heard a voice and recognized it as belonging to Salem. "There! Finally there's some one else out here! Have you seen Faith, Luthor?"
"No, I've been looking for her, Salem. Have you seen her, and have you eaten?"
The black cat shook his head. "I've been trying to find her ever since she stormed out, but her smell's all over the ship. It's not exactly easy to find her with this breeze screwing with everybody's smells and those goblins' stinking."
Lex glanced over at Delvira's Delight and could see bobbing lights jumping up and down. "Don't they ever slow down?" he asked.
"Not that I've seen, but a word of advice?" Salem quirked his eyebrow up at Lex as he padded beside the man. "If you see something orange and it asks to play with your head, run the other way."
"I have not had the displeasure of meeting any of those yet," Lex replied. "I take it you have?"
Salem nodded. "A long time ago."
"What are those things?"
"Fieries."
"You mean Faeries?"
"No," Salem shook his head. "I mean Fieries."
"What exactly are they? Some type of goblin?"
"I think they're some type of Goblin, Fire Elemental, and Demon crossed." Salem made a face. "Not a good mix. They love fire, taking off body parts, and playing games with them. Theirs can come off, so they figure any one else's can too. They're not exactly the world's smartest creatures." He sniffed disdainfully. "Actually, a post probably has more brains."
"I was surprised to find you out here. I figured you'd be with Jareth. Aren't you two buddies or something?" Lex asked.
"Remember when I told you that I was cursed to be a cat because of trying to take over the world?"
"Yes."
"Jareth was my right-hand man."
"Good Gods! He was cursed too?"
"Yup." Salem's tail swished.
"So what's his story? He's the King of the Goblins? How's that a curse?"
"He was trapped in the labyrinth for years and, I'm sure, still has to spend most of his time there. He's got to deal with the Goblins, the Fieries, the Bog, and Gods only know what all else. Plus he has to deal with the stupidest bits you'll ever come across."
"Sure wouldn't want that job! I don't like bits . . . much. They want to run their hands all over you, and you can't get away from them. So what kind of dealings does he have with them? He's married, isn't he? Doesn't his wife have something to say about that?"
"He doesn't have a choice," Salem explained. "Acting the part's all part of his curse."
"Acting what part? Come on, Salem. Be truthful; quit beating around the bush. What does he do -- sleep with them?"
Salem shook his head. "They're made to think he's in love with them. Every one has some kind of kid sibling that they're wanting to get rid of. They call him. He has to whisk the baby away to his castle at the center of the labyrinth and tell them that everything he's doing is because they've asked for it. They have to find their way through the labyrinth and always end up finding out exactly what they're made of and saving the baby." He shook his head. "It's a shame, really. If he could just manage to keep one of those kids, he could make him the next King and be free!"
"Damn!"
"Yeah."
"That would be a nightmare in itself!" Lex exclaimed. "I'm thankful I'm not in his shoes. All those bits! How long has he been doing it?"
"About two hundred years."
"Good Gods! How many more of those working with you got caught?"
"Most of them, and all but one was cursed." Salem's green eyes glowed in the dark of the night as he glared over at Lex. "All because some stupid newcomer turned us over to Drek."
"Who was that?"
Salem paused in mid-stride. "Lionel Luthor. Your great-great-great grandfather or some such."
"I always knew my family wanted to take over the world and cause total annihilation to every one who stood between them and their goal, but I never knew this story. You would have thought Lionel, my Father, would have gloated over it! He was a jerk, if there ever was one!"
Salem shook his head. "He doesn't know. They wiped that Lionel's mind clean."
"There have been crumbs that long ago in my family! Then I guess I really am the only good one! I owe that all to Clark," he mused, deep in thought. "Shall we be friends, Salem?" he asked as he leaned down and offered his hand to the cat. "Can you ever forgive me for my ancestor's screw-ups?"
"Son," Salem purred, "you're not your ancestors, and besides, everybody screws up. Take it from the original screw-upper." Nonetheless, he placed a paw in Lex's outstretched hand.
"We shall band together and save Faith even against herself," Lex declared, glad to have an ally. "She's one tough cookie to crack."
"You can say that again . . . " Salem had been about to continue when his voice abruptly trailed off. He sniffed the air.
"What is it?" Lex asked even as he heard soft sobs that were barely audible. That couldn't be Faith . . . could it?
"Blood," Salem stated. "Faith's blood." He darted off with Lex right behind him. Their hearts pounded in their chests as they ran as if their own lives depended upon their reaching her.
