Arms folded, Scarlett and Giselle scowled at the pirate captain with the stinging face who had once been a valued customer. "We told you, no ladies allowed what don't work 'ere. It's not an 'otel. What makes you think we'll allow this trollop in?"

"One more won't make much difference," said Jack. They slapped him again. He grimaced but persisted. "I need cover. She's 'urt an' it's the only place I trust she'll be safe. I'll pay double the cost, the charges for the room and the pretence of service, savvy?" He looked down at the barely conscious form of the woman in his arms and then to the dolled-up whores. Sparrow put on his most charming smile. "'Ow about it? For me?"

Their jealousy momentarily put aside, the two Tortugan floozies exchanged glances.

"All right, 'and 'er over then," said Giselle.

Jack frowned.

"You ain't comin' in with 'er."

Scarlett rubbed her thumb and forefingers together. "Unless…"

The pirate rolled his eyes. "Triple, an' that's me offer."

"You're lucky Christmas 'as made our 'earts so gen'rous. Quickly then." Giselle lifted her skirts for better movement and motioned to the brothel's entrance. Once inside she retrieved a key from a cabinet and handed it to him. "Second room on your left, top of the stairs."

Jack bobbed a thankful bow and made for the steps.

"Sparrow…"

He turned slowly, eyes wide with innocence. Their vicious glares burned into him.

"No off-the-register business on our property."

Smiling weakly, Jack replied, "Wouldn't dream of it." The hands drew back ready to strike. He dashed up the stairs and into the specified room. As quick as he could, he laid the girl on the bed and returned to lock the door. Eyes darting about his surroundings, the pirate hurried to the window and peered out carefully. No one seemed to be watching from the streets. If they were lucky, neither the EITC nor the Brethren would be informed of their presence. He pulled the curtains closed, lit a few lamps and perched on the bedside. Then he waited, toying with his fingers and glancing occasionally to the bed's occupant.

Eventually, Jade stirred. She looked blearily about until her gaze settled upon him, at which point she startled herself upright.

"Easy," Jack blurted, palms raised to pacify her. "You took a knock, lie still. You're safe."

"Safe?" she shouted. "When will I ever be safe when yeh about?" She winced and rested back against the great pillows cushioning the headboard. "Where'm I?" She took in the ornate surroundings; the silks; the satins; the fancy canopy above; the beautiful furniture; the paintings of pastoral landscapes; and the soft rugs sprouting across the polished wooden boards. The smells of perfume danced violently in the air. "Whose house is this?"

Jack opened his mouth and raised his index fingers, hesitating over an explanation. A hesitation was too long. Jade sprang off the opposite side of the bed and ran for the door. She grasped the handle and yelped as it rattled. Keeping the door pressed against her back for comfort, she drew her knife.

"Give meh the key!"

"Jade…I'm not going t-."

"Give it t' meh!"

The pirate relented and threw it to her. She caught it and turned to the door. Jack seized his chance to attempt to grab her as she turned to free herself but leapt back, narrowly avoiding a slice to his stomach. Jade barrelled out of the door and fled down the corridor, too dazed to locate the stairs, paying little heed to the drunken gentlemen she passed with paid goods on their arms. She blundered into a large open room and froze.

It might have been a pleasant space, she considered, what with the shining festive decorations on the walls and dangling from the ceiling. Red-ribboned wreaths hung in the corners and a warm fire blazed hungrily in its hearth. The furnishings were fit for a palace. It was the people that drew her attention. People draped across chaise-longues, lounging upon floor cushions, sitting upon sofas, propped against walls and gathered around tables. A good portion of them were men, at least half of them inebriated, and the women, their faces rouged, skirts swishing, corsets heaving, many of them dancing, were caught in such a lewd picture that Jade could hardly believe her eyes. She could not even bring herself to look at those wearing even less.

Several of the gentlemen in the room turned their attention upon her. A few of them cheered.

"Look, lads! Get a feast of 'er, eh? She's wearin' breeches!"

Laughter ensued with more cheering.

"What's she think she keeps in those?" chortled another. "Come 'ere, you cheeky minx, we'll show you where you're going wrong!"

Jade gasped and bolted back out. To her dismay, there was a roar of excitement from within.

"A chase!" they cheered. "First to find the rabbit gets to have her first! Someone bring some mistletoe."

Terrified, she darted for the stairs. Discovering they were blocked off by some visually compromising actions, she balked and turned back. Nowhere else to go, she ran through the first open door she came across. It closed behind her.

Within seconds the rowdy bunch of presumptuous customers were thundering down the passageway. One man thumped upon the door. He was surprised to find that when it opened a pistol barrel was pressing firmly to his nose. He looked nervously to the rogue-eyed pirate holding the gun.

"Er, beggin' your pardon, sir, but did you 'appen to see a little strumpet dressed like a boy? Just a game we're all playin', you see. I don't want any trouble."

Jack fixed him with a stare. "I might've 'eard light steps patterin' down the stairs. If you'll excuse me, my privacy is included in the price."

"Yes, o' - o' course. Apologies, sir." The man hurried off.

Sparrow locked the door and holstered the pistol, not wishing to cause any more distress to the woman hovering in the far corner. He made as if to speak but thought better of it. It appeared she had noticed, for after a few moments had passed she burst out in fearful hysterics.

"You-! Y' said safe? Can' believe that – no, no I can believe. Safe? Chris'! What the -?" She clenched her fists, the knife still clutched in her right hand. "Jack! Yeh took meh to a whorehouse?"

"Just calm down…"

Jade gave out a cracked laugh and let the knife fly. It embedded itself in the wall an inch to the right of Jack's head. She shocked herself into silence, petrified of what he would do. She watched him simply walk to the bed and take a seat, back against the headboard. His legs stretched out upon the quilt, he tipped his hat over his eyes and reclined. Awkwardly, Jade began to realise that the enemy in the room was not the man on the bed. Clutching her aching head, she trudged toward him and sat upon the edge of the covers.

"They nearleh…"

"They wouldn't."

"But -."

"The moment they found you weren't of the house, they wouldn't be willing to pay the expense nor risk losing their right to do business."

Jade turned to face him and mumbled, "What if they 'adn' believed meh?" Jack tilted his hat back in order to meet her eye. His expression held no solace. She sighed and rolled flat onto the bed, keeping as far to his opposite side as possible. She crossed her arms and glowered at the canopy. "This is a rott'n Christmas. Why can' I 'ave a normal one wiv silly songs an' roast dinner, or snow? Stupid Caribbean…"

The pirate captain pinched out the lamp nearest to him and made no comment.

After a while she added, "Least I c'n get some sleep."

The law of sod could not resist. From the room adjacent came a rhythmic thudding accompanied by loud breathing and feminine moans. Mortified, Jade gave a half sob and looked to the suspiciously rigid pirate. With a sulky toned "I hate yeh…" she buried her head in her pillow.