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Chapter 21

Jim rowed with strength and stealth, making sure that no sound was made by his strokes as he rowed up to the ship.

"Here." he whispered, handing two pistols to Scarlett, "You hold them to keep the powder dry otherwise they'll be useless."

She took them and went back to staring into space, Jim carried on rowing, his thought on the task at hand.

Eventually they reached the ship and Jim gently pulled her up to the side and tied it to a hook meant for the lifeboats. He held out a hand to Scarlett and went to help her up before realizing she was as white as a sheet.

"What's wrong?" He mouthed in concern and she turned her head away, refusing to meet his eyes.

"Scarlett?" He whispered, turning her head gently with his hand. "Tell me."

Scarlett took a deep breath, "I'm frightened." She admitted in a breathy whisper. "They'll kill us."

Jim embraced her and she rested her head on his shoulder, glad of the warmth and comfort.

"We're going to be okay." He whispered in her ear, "I'm here with you, I'd never let anything happen to you."

She nodded but he could feel her shaking and stroked her hair softly.

"You can stay here if you want until I come and tell you it's safe." He suggested but she recoiled.

"No!" She said vehemently, "I'm not afraid for me. I'm coming with you." She said, fire in her dark blue eyes.

"Alright, well I'll be glad of the company I must admit." Jim said as he began to climb the rope ladder he had left hanging over the side of the ship the night he'd made his escape and then helped her over. For a moment it seemed as if the ship was deserted but then a distant shout made them both jump.

"That came from the galley." Scarlett mouthed, pointing. Jim nodded and backed away but stumbled over something, he had to stop himself from yelling as he realized it was one of the pirates sprawled dead on the deck. Scarlett clapped a hand over her mouth as she looked around her and saw another man to her left in the same condition.

Jim grabbed her hand and pulled her behind some stacked crates in a corner of the deck. He moved just in time as soon they heard heavy footsteps running up the galley stairs and a man called Toby Farthing emerged, locked in combat with Israel Hands. Scarlett's heart sank as she saw Hands – they were done for.

The two men slashed at each other but it was clear that Toby was very drunk and Israel already had a leg wound. Despite this he managed to pin Toby against the mast and in an instant the other man was dead, Israel's knife embedded in his chest.

"Serves you right, you bugger. Knife me will ya?" Israel growled as the man's body slid down the mast to land in a heap at his feet. He gave it a vicious kick and Scarlett squirmed in horror, Jim placed a hand on her back.

"The pistols." He mouthed and she shakily handed them over.

Israel swore as he remembered his injury and put a hand to his leg, he staggered over to a half empty bottle of rum but before he could reach it his leg gave way and he toppled to the floor.

"Blast." He growled, leaning back against the side. Jim chose that moment to emerge, both pistols aimed at the pirate's chest.

"Don't move or I swear I'll shoot." He said, his voice remarkably steady. Scarlett's heart began to race, please don't let him die he thought desperately, her eyes wide with fear, please not Jim.

Israel looked at him with cold and calculating eyes and Jim felt his first tremor of unease.

"Jim lad!" Israel said suddenly and Jim gave a slight start, "We've always been mates, ain't we?"

"No Mr. Hands we haven't. Now I've the upper hand as I'm armed and you're injured so I reckon you have to hear me out." He said bravely and the man gave a slow, dark chuckle.

Scarlett's eyes were trained on the pistol in Israels belt, she knew that he could draw at a moments notice – Jim wasn't half as safe as he thought he was. Powerless as she was to warn him of this she could only watch and know that the minute Israel's hand moved to his gun she would shout.

"Well it seems you've the best of me." Israel said, grinning his usual wolfish grin, no sign of tension or fear showed in his face and body language even though he was well and truly cornered and Jim was beginning to be unnerved by it.

"It seems so." He answered slowly. It took him all of his self control not to look back and see if Scarlett was okay but he managed it, he only prayed she wouldn't give her position away as he knew he couldn't concentrate if she was in danger.

Scarlett meanwhile was still focusing on the gun, and then suddenly it happened – his hand moved, quick as a flash, towards the weapon and she felt as if her scream was punched out of her lungs. Jim instinctively dove out of the way and Israel's gun skittered across the floor where Scarlett dashed to pick it up.

Israel stared at her and grinned in spite of his predicament.

"Well well." He muttered, his eyes raking her figure as they always did. Jim tensed and went to stand in front of her.

"Back off." He snarled and Israel raised his eyebrows with a smirk.

"Well someone's protective." He observed, crossing his arms and leaning casually against the mast.

Jim took a calming breath and glared at him. "We're taking the ship." He said flatly and Israel nodded mockingly.

"I gathered." He drawled. "But, forgive me if I'm wrong Captain Hawkins, but you and the girl couldn't commandeer this vessel on yer own now could ye?" He smirked, Jim's lips tightened.

"That's why I haven't pulled the trigger and laid you beside your friend over there as of yet." He retorted sharply and Scarlett winced.

"Careful." She breathed but years of battle had sharpened Israel's hearing and he caught her warning.

"Now who's the cap'n here then?" He asked, laughing his menacing laugh. Scarlett clenched her fists and he laughed harder. "You were always too feisty for yer own good." He told her, shaking his head.

"Your life is in my hands if I may remind you. " Jim warned but Israel only shrugged,

"And the success of your little scheme is in mine." He countered. "How's about we strike a deal?"

"I'm listening." Jim said.

"Simple." Israel said, his voice growing smooth as it did when he was trying to win someone over, "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. I help you get the ship where you want it, you stop threatening to kill me." He said plainly, Jim gave a short laugh.

"How can I trust you?"

Israel spread his arm, indicating himself, "Look at me. I'm unarmed and injured – what harm could I do now, eh?"

Scarlett shook her head slightly, "Don't listen to him, he's lying." She whispered urgently but Jim waved her aside.

"I can make my own decisions thanks." She stepped back, hurt plainly showing on her face but Jim ignored her and turned to Israel again. "Done." He said, lowering the guns.

The two men shook hands and Israel sat back down, clasping his leg. Jim turned back to Scarlett but she avoided his eyes and went to stand at the side with her back to him.

"Lovers tiff?" Israel goaded and Jim clenched his fists.

"She's just sulking." he muttered.

Scarlett heard his words and took in a gulp of fresh sea air to steady herself as a tear trickled down her cheek. She could not remember ever being so scared in all her life, Jim did not know Israel as she did, he had not seen the man at his most cruel and cold-hearted. She had seen him at his very worst and felt first hand the effects of his cruelty, she knew he would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Suddenly she felt a shiver run down her spine and looked around to see Israel staring at her, he held her gaze with his steely eyes and slowly ran his tongue over his teeth. Scarlett shuddered and turned away in time to see the flash of lust that entered his eyes at the sight of her fear.

She cradled her head in her hands, this was not good at all.