I thought I would present this chapter has a bit of a New Year's present! There's not a whole lot going on plot-wise, but it explores Jack and Kate's relationship a bit further. And as always, a big thanks to Lightwolfheart and Rwy'n-Y-Blaidd-Drwg for always reviewing. Enjoy! (:
Chapter Eight: Just Friends?
Kate slowly opened her eyes. Her head was pounding and there was a bitter taste in her mouth. The curtains were pulled taught across the windows to cloak the sunlight from entering the room, but a small sliver managed to fight its way through and land across Kate's sensitive eyes. She threw her arm over her face to block the light.
She couldn't think straight. She tried to organize the thoughts that seemed to be blindly let loose in her mind. Flashbacks from the night before kept randomly flashing through her mind, just tidbits of the night she was trying to remember. An image of herself bent over a bed of flowers vomiting with Jack by her side, holding her hair back, entered her mind.
She slowly propped her body up on her elbows and took in her surroundings. She was in Jack's cabin; she remembered now coming to sleep in the captain's cabin the night before. The make-shift hammock that he had slept in was still there. A small smile reached her lips as she now realized that he had sacrificed his bed for her and respected her space, even in her wasted state. That said a lot for a pirate.
She noticed a cup of some warm liquid set on the bedside table. There was a little ripped piece of paper that had 'Kate' scrawled on it, signifying it was for her to drink. Kate hesitantly reached over to take the cup in her hand. It was still warm, and the heat felt inviting against her cold hands. She leaned forward and took a whiff of the drink, immediately pulling her head back, revolted at the awful smell.
She set the cup back down roughly and the resulting clank of the cup against the wood set her head pounding again. Her stomach churned and Kate had just enough time to grab the bucket that was set beside the bed the night before to puke into it. Kate's empty stomach ached and Kate set the bucket down, leaning back against the head board. "Never again," Kate mumbled to herself. She tried to remember the last time she had become that drunk, but her mind drew blank. Probably never.
Kate eyed the warm cup of liquid next to the bed and decided that she would at least try it, praying and hoping that it would ease her hangover. At the least, it would soothe her stinging throat. She slowly brought the cup to her lips and took a drink. The liquid had an awful bitter taste, but Kate continued to drink. It tasted like a mixture of bitter herbs and Kate downed the rest of the drink quickly.
Her mouth still felt dry after she was done and she thought she would try to make it to the galley to fetch herself a drink. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, searching for her boots. Jack had placed them at the foot of the bed and Kate scooted until she could reach them. She grabbed one boot, sliding her foot in, and then grabbed the other, sliding her other foot in.
She slowly stood to her feet, finding her balance and managed to make it to the cabin door. Her head was still pounding, but Kate continued, stepping out into the bright sun. Kate tried to shield the sun from her sensitive eyes, trying to ignore the pain and looked around. There was only one crew member and he was at the helm, steering the ship. Kate recognized the pirate as Conrad, and she took a couple steps towards the blond pirate before he noticed her and gave a wave.
"Hey Kate!" He shouted.
Kate flinched and groaned, the noise worsening her headache. She gave a small wave. "Where's the rest of the crew?" She questioned quietly, her own voice coming out raspy.
Conrad replied a little quieter, seeming to notice her earlier reaction. "Breakfast," he said simply.
Kate said her thanks and headed down to the galley, not bothering to stop by the dining hall. She was not in the mood to be surrounded by the rowdy pirates or to eat anything, fearing she would throw it right back up.
When she entered the galley, Jack and Bigs were sitting at a table, talking quietly. They both looked up at her as she entered, pausing in their conversation. Jack stood up, offering his chair to her. "How're ya feelin'?" He asked in a softer tone. Kate grunted and took the chair that Jack had offered her. Jack chuckled, and without asking him to, he went to the cupboard to pull out a cup and then filled it with fresh water.
"Too much ta drink last night, eh?" Bigs teased her.
Kate nodded in reply with a small smile. "The rum was a bit stronger than I was used to."
"That was it," Jack grinned, setting the cup down in front of her. Kate resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at him. Jack pulled out another chair and sat down.
"D'ya want anything to eat?" Bigs asked. "We saved ya a plate just in case."
"No, thank you." Kate said, shaking her head. She knew there was no way that she would be able to keep any food down. She was lucky enough to be holding her drinks down. Her head was still pounding. She finished the cup of water.
"I think I'm just going to go lay back down for a while…" Kate stood and took the cup to the sink. She then waved to the two pirates and walked out of the galley, heading down the hallway to her own quarters. When she entered her small room, she noticed there was a pile of blankets and two pillows set on her mattress. Those were not there before. Kate smiled to herself, knowing that there could only be one person that would've been thoughtful enough to bring them by.
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"So what happened last night?" Bigs winked at Jack.
Jack grinned but shook his head. "Nothin' like that." He replied.
"Then what?"
"She was just a mess, drank too much…an' had some other stuff on her mind." He answered vaguely.
"She bought some chocolate to make you and those pesky best friends some hot chocolate." Bigs said randomly.
Jack raised his eyebrows and laughed. "I'm only looking forward to it if she adds some alcohol into mine." Jack joked.
Bigs gave a big grin. "I have a feeling that after last night, she'll be avoiding alcohol for a while."
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Jack stood at the helm, his compass out, trying to determine where they should head once they left Tortuga. Apparently he was undecided as the compass spun one direction, paused, and then spun in another direction. "Bloody thing," Jack shut the compass and clipped it back to his belt.
It was mid-afternoon and Jack had sent Gibbs out to the town to collect the crew, hangovers and all, to be ready to set sail by sunset. Most of the crew had meandered their way back by then, moving a little more sluggishly than usual after their late nights and debauchery.
Nate walked the stairs to the helm. "Kate still in your cabin?"
Jack lowered his eyebrows in confusion. "No, why?"
Nate shrugged. "Just a couple people were sayin' that she stayed in your cabin last night." He said slowly, "and her shining face wasn't in the galley to make me that hot chocolate." He added.
Jack grinned, realizing the gossip that must be spreading on the ship. "She's in 'er own room. She had a bit too much ta drink last night." He said, giving no further details.
"Oh," Nate simply said and then chuckled. "I was probably a bit too intoxicated myself to notice." Nate studied his captain for another moment, trying to determine if there was something going on between him and Kate. He decided to leave it be for now.
At that moment, Kate emerged from below deck, looking a little sleepy, but better than she did before. Her brown hair was a little mussed, but the wind would only continue to ruffle it further.
"Oi, sleeping beauty!" Nate waved at her and Kate smiled, heading towards the two other pirates.
"Still like hot chocolate more than that rum?" Nate asked with a smirk.
Kate playfully punched him in the shoulder. "I like hot chocolate ten times more after last night. You could drink all the hot chocolate you wanted and not feel hungover the next morning." She quipped.
"Hmm, I suppose so." He said, rubbing his chin.
Jack wasn't paying much attention to the other two. He had his telescope out and was using it to see down the streets further into town. He had seen two men dressed in blue and white uniforms walking down the streets, looking at everything around them in disdain. Jack snapped his telescope shut.
Nate and Kate both turned, finally realizing Jack's absence in their conversation.
"We need ta go." Jack said, quickly striding down to the main deck where a few other crew members were situated, hastily shouting commands at them.
Nate quickly abandoned Kate to follow the captain's orders.
"Kate!" Jack took quick strides towards her and grasped her by the arm. "Do me a big favor?" He asked, his face close to hers and his voice only an urgent whisper.
"What?" Kate asked, bewildered.
"Go down ta yer quarters and stay there until we set sail." He instructed.
"But—"
"I'll explain later, savvy?" He gave her a gentle push in the direction of the stairs before turning and hurrying across the gangplank to find his first mate. Despite her reluctance to do so, Kate obeyed Jack's orders and headed to her quarters.
Jack quickly tried to find his first mate, pushing his way through pirates and prostitutes. He finally found him by a fruit stand, standing with Conrad, Simon, and another member of the crew. "We're leaving. Now!" Jack commanded. "Who else is on land?" He asked, his voice urgent.
Gibbs looked around at the other three and shook his head. "We're the last ones." He answered. "Though, Bigs was telling me Kate mi—"
"Not here!" Jack hissed at his first mate, glancing around furtively. Gibbs stared warily at him. It wasn't often that Captain Jack Sparrow was nervous.
"Just get to the ship." Jack turned on his heel, not waiting for the others and tried to maneuver through the crowds without being seen. He finally reached the docks and he crossed the gangplank in record time. He turned to see the others behind him. Once they had set foot on the Black Pearl, the gangplank was removed and Jack was immediately at the helm, steering the ship out of the port.
The excitement from earlier began to die down as the crew fell into their positions and The Black Pearl was sailing through smooth waters. Jack left his position from the helm to Gibbs as he went to find Kate. Jack arrived outside Kate's room and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Jack opened the door and stepped inside the room, shutting the door behind him. "Sorry about earlier," he apologized.
"It's alright, I suppose." Kate answered.
"I saw two Navy officers in Tortuga. I didn't want to take any chances." He explained.
Realization dawned on Kate. "Oh, I see." It was times like this that Kate was reminded that she wasn't just a part of the crew; she was still technically a hostage. She resented this fact, and it only gave her a more fierce determination to find answers to the questions that never ceased to wrack her brain.
"I want more answers." She decided to simply say.
Jack frowned. He was halfway back to the door and, stopping, turning slightly towards her. "I'm not sure yer in the position to be bargaining with me." He said evenly.
Kate distractedly picked up a book that was lying next to her on the bed. "I don't see why not. I may not be a true pirate or hold any kind of position superior to that of yours…" She flipped through the pages of her book now, stopping where a red piece of cloth marked her page. "But," her eyes met his now, "I considered us at least friends."
Jack didn't know where this was leading. He cocked an eyebrow and turned fully towards her. "Friends," he repeated.
She nodded.
"Yes, friends." He agreed.
She pursed her lips. "And friends can't share secrets? I wouldn't use the word bargain—"
"—because I'm not goin' ta get any thing in return." He finished the sentence for her.
She merely shrugged. "Well, peace and quiet. I'll have answers and you won't have to hear my ceaseless attempts to drag answers out of you."
A grin flitted across his face. "That'd be a first."
Kate rolled her eyes.
Jack folded his arm and narrowed his eyes. "But I need to trust you in order to tell you…certain things."
Kate shut the book. "What's not to trust?" She flashed a smile at him and spread her arms out.
Jack opened his mouth to reply but was cut off when the ship lurched violently. Jack staggered and fell on to the bed. The book Kate had been holding flew out of her hands and she collided against the wall with a small groan.
"What the—" Jack was cut off again as the ship lurched violently again, this time in the opposite direction, causing them to both tumble off the bed and onto the hard floor. Kate and Jack managed to get to their feet, staggering their way into the hallway as the ship rocked violently. Jack took the stairs to the main deck three at a time, Kate close on his heel.
The two emerged into an onslaught of rain and wind, Kate almost losing her balance as the wind hit her body like a wall. Jack did not pause after he emerged, instead hurrying to one of the crew member's aid, struggling with pulling and tying down a runaway rope.
Kate was too stunned to move, never experiencing anything like the storm before her. Kate could barely see through the rain pelting against her face and eyes; everything else beyond the ship was just a dark mass. The black stormy clouds above rolled and rumbled above with a dart of lightning flashing across the sky, lighting up the ocean for a split second.
A large wave grew and approached and Kate watched in fear, almost as if in slow motion, as the waved crashed over the railing of the ship. Kate's feet were immediately swept out from beneath her and she slammed against the wood of the deck, her breath taken away. She scrambled to get up to her feet again when another wave crashed onto the ship, submerging her for a few tantalizing moments. She knew she had to get to her feet and take hold of something otherwise she would be swept overboard. Suddenly a hand was grabbing her arm and helping her to her feet. Kate looked up gratefully into Brandon's drenched face.
"Get Kate to my cabin!" Jack shouted at the two, his black hair flying crazily around his head in the wind and rain.
"I can help!" Kate argued, her voice rising over the rain, but Brandon was already pushing her against the wind and towards Jack's cabin. "Stay here!" He yelled to be heard above the storm. "It's not safe!"
"Let me do something!" Kate protested, but Brandon had already opened the cabin door and was ushering her inside.
Kate stepped into the cabin, drenched from head to foot. Her pants and shirt stuck to her body and drops of water rolled down her arms and face, splashing onto the floor boards at her feet. She hadn't realized how hard she was breathing and her hands shook slightly. Her hair was plastered to her face from the rain and she shoved it aside. She took a few steps to reach one of the windows and flung open the curtains just in time to see lightning dart across the sky, illuminating the room. Kate, taken by surprise by the sudden light, took a step back from the window, a small gasp escaping her mouth.
The waves below crashed against each other angrily and lashed out towards the ship. The boards of the ship creaked and groaned against the stress of the storm. Kate could faintly hear shouts from Jack and a few others, but the wind carried their voices away as quickly as it had brought them. She frowned, crossing her arms. She wanted to help, and while she may not be used to the rough storms at sea, she knew she could grow to learn. She was tired of feeling so useless.
Yet, as quickly as the storm came, it passed, moving with the southeasterly wind. Clouds still gathered overhead but the threat of storm had dissipated. Kate stepped out of the cabin and took in the soaked crew, wearily checking the ship to make sure all was in order.
Kate decided she may not be able to help with this type of work above deck, but she knew she could in another way. Kate carefully trekked to the stairs, careful not to slip on the wet boards. Once Kate reached the galley, she put some coal in the stove to warm the area up for the crewmembers who would soon seek refuge in the warmth the galley could provide. Kate began to pull ingredients from the store room, carrying them in her arms and then letting them fall to the counter in a heap.
Grabbing the pot, she began to melt the chocolate, stirring it constantly so it would not burn. She began to add extra ingredients, tasting here and there to make sure that it tasted right. By then, the galley had warmed up and Brandon and Nate entered the galley with Conrad. They were all soaked and left little puddles of water behind them wherever they walked. Kate's clothes were merely damp, drying from the heat emanating from the stove.
Kate took out three cups from the cupboard and slowly poured the steaming drink into them. She carried the cups to the three pirates that were seated at the table. "The hot chocolate that I promised," she prompted encouragingly.
Nate and Brandon glanced at each other, both with small grins, and picked up the cups at the same time.
"Well, here's to nothing." Their glasses clinked and they both took a large drink. Nate started to cough hysterically and Brandon spewed half of his across the table in the next moment.
Kate stood aghast, afraid that she had made the drink wrong and that it tasted awful. She had tasted it though and it had tasted fine to her. "Is it really that awful?" Kate asked in embarrassment.
"It burnt my tongue!" Brandon complained.
"I think my throat is scorched raw," Nate added, feeling his neck tenderly with his hand.
Kate covered her mouth and laughed. "Well of course it's hot." She stated, sitting down in the empty chair at the table. Kate turned her attention to Conrad, who was being unusually quiet. "Does it taste alright to you, Conrad?" Kate asked.
Conrad, startled, looked up at Kate as if he had been day dreaming. "Oh, yes. It's definitely what I needed." He said, taking a small sip of the warm drink. Kate smiled at his compliment and at his sense to drink the hot chocolate slowly.
"I can't tell if this is good or bad." Nate commented, "I can't taste anything. All my taste buds are burned." He stuck out his tongue to try and examine it but gave up and set the empty cup down. "But I'll just say it was good." He grinned at Kate.
Kate stood to pour herself her own cup of hot chocolate when the captain entered the room. "Hot chocolate?" She asked, holding up a mug of steaming liquid. Jack looked at it warily as he took a seat at the table.
"Is there any alcohol in it?" He asked hopefully.
Kate raised her eyebrows, giving him a look. "No." She stated, pouring another cup anyways for the captain.
She placed the steaming drink in front of the captain and took a seat next to him, blowing on hers to cool it off. She took a sip and closed her eyes, savoring its sweet taste and its warming abilities. Jack watched her take her drink, and after noticing Brandon and Nate had already finished theirs, hesitantly took a drink as well. His face remained passive for a moment, until it slowly screwed up and Jack forced himself to swallow. Brandon and Nate couldn't contain their laughter as they watched their captain, and even Kate managed a smirk.
"I don't see how you can't like it." She said mildly, taking another sip of hers.
Jack stood from his chair and strode to the store room, returning with a bottle of rum in his hand.
"You've got to be kidding me." Kate said incredulously as she watched Jack pour the alcohol into his hot chocolate. "You're ruining it!"
Jack took a long draught of the now spiked hot chocolate. He took a big sigh afterwards, as if it was immensely refreshing. "I was just adding a bit of a kick to it." He grinned, propping the bottle towards her. "You like rum, perhaps you'd like to add some to yours?"
Kate scoffed and pointed the bottle the other way, back towards him. "I've had enough of the foul drink for the rest of my life." She declared, pointedly taking a drink of her hot chocolate.
Jack smirked, "What? You didn't like the night that followed?" He winked at Nate and Brandon who instantly started to crack up. Conrad didn't seem to notice his surroundings, still looking as if he were in his own world.
Kate's face burned bright red and she slammed her cup onto the table. Her mouth opened and closed, but nothing came out.
"See, such a memorable night yer speechless!" Jack teased again, three of the four pirates laughing hysterically at Kate's dispense.
Kate snatched the empty cups from Nate and Brandon and then Jack's half full cup and headed to the sink. She dropped the cups angrily into the sink, and in her rush, accidentally let one fall and break into dozens of pieces on the floor.
"Oh c'mon Kate! We're just teasin'!" Jack stood to come help pick up the pieces of the cup that lay shattered on the floor.
Kate didn't say anything; she wasn't as angry as Jack thought she was, but she was embarrassed. She began quickly picking up the broken bits and piled them into her hand. As she went to pick up a shard of the cup, the edge slit her hand. "Ah!" Kate dropped the shard and the rest that she had already collected as her other hand moved to cover the cut.
Jack looked up, gently taking her hand and looking at it. He took one of the cloths that was lying on the counter and ripped a piece off. He gingerly looped it around Kate's hand, tying it and pulling it tight. Kate winced slightly. "Better?" He asked.
Kate nodded, keeping her gaze down as she picked up the rest of the pieces with her uninjured hand.
"Oi! What are you two doin' behind there?" Brandon called, walking over to the counter and looking over to see the two.
Jack and Kate looked up, Jack with a grin and Kate with another blush. "I dropped the cup!" She defended.
Nate walked over to Brandon's side and they exchanged glances. "A likely story."
I hope you liked the chapter! Tell me what you did and didn't like in a review and I'll keep your opinions in mind for the next chapter. Reviews make my day! (: Also, Happy New Year's to those that celebrate!
Always,
Becca xoxo