A change in the winds

Chapter ten: An unfair fight.

The Pearl left port in a hurry, there was no time to lose. Kenna had to find her grandmother and that fast.

'' Kenna, what a lovely surprise. Couldn't stay away from me could ye?'' Christian said with a grin.

''Actually my return has nothing to do with you dear,'' Kenna replied, amused by the look appearing on his face.

''What? Then why did ye come back? Don't be tellin' me it's because of the Capt'n!''

''No, I just have some personal business to attend to.''

''And Jack's gonna help ye attend to it?''

''Yeah he is. Do you have anything against that?''

''No, no, not at all. I just didn't think Jack would be the type ta help others if it doesn't benefit him.''

''Well maybe he has changed,'' Kenna said with a smile as she saw Jack wave her to join him by the helm. She nodded and left Christian standing there all by himself.

''Somehow I doubt that...'' Christian said mumbling to himself as he went below.

''What do you want Jack?'' Kenna asked when she reached him.

''Nothin', just wanted ta see how ye were doin'.''

''I'm fine, you don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself.''

''I know, but she was yer mother...''

''No she wasn't. She was my aunt, my mother has been dead for a long time.''

''Ye don't have ta act so tough. I know it must be hurtin' ye that she be dead.''

Kenna looked straight into his eyes. ''I can't feel sorry for someone who lied to me for so long. She's not my mother, I don't even know her.''

''Luv...''

''Don't even try it Jack, you won't get me to change my mind.''

''All right, I won't talk of it, but ye shouldn't be so hard on her. She only did what she thought was best for ye.''

Kenna sighed; she really didn't want to talk about this. It had been shocking enough to find out that she never met her real mother, but now her fake one was also dead.

''I'm gonna lie down, it has been an eventful day.''

''Do that luv. I'll check in on ye later.''

''Thanks Jack.'' She gave him a peck on the cheek and walked away. Jack felt the place where the kiss landed get warmer and put his hand up to the spot. Selfish thoughts raced through his mind. He actually was happy that she had joined the ship again, even though it was under these circumstances. He knew it wasn't right of him to think that way but deep inside his heart grew warm every time he saw her. There was no use denying it, he had fallen for the red haired sorceress.

Kenna walked down to her cabin and sat down on the bed. Her eyes travelled to the leg of the desk that had a big part carved out of it. Memories from her first days on the ship came back to her and she smiled, remembering Jack's reaction when he saw the damaged leg of the desk. His attitude towards her had changed; she no longer saw the fright in his eyes every time she moved or the fear in his voice whenever they talked. She had grown to like him a lot, and the thought of having to leave him when they reached her town had been painful. Ashamed for even thinking about it, she was happy to be on the ship again. Of course she grieved her mother…well the mother she had always known. Her whole life had been a lie, and now she was searching for the man who was responsible for it all. Surely he hadn't had any part in her real mother's death, but he was responsible for the deaths of her townspeople and her aunt.

Kenna took her shoes off and lay down on the bed. She saw her carvings on the headboard and sighed. Those runes hadn't helped the people she loved when Tobo had attacked. How on earth would she be able to defeat him? She only knew simple rune spells that her 'mother' had taught her. They wouldn't be strong enough to defeat a great shaman like Tobo. Tears filled her eyes and slowly fell down her cheeks. She missed her former life. She missed her family. And she really missed her mother.''

Jack was by the helm, gazing out at the ocean. The weather was calm and the warm ocean breeze played with his hair. This was his favorite place to be, behind the wheel he felt powerful, he felt safe. His mind wandered over the passing day, all the blood they had seen, all the bodies they had found. This man they were after was not a man to take lightly. He had fought many great men but this man had strengths that were out of his league. Of course he wanted to help Kenna to be reunited with her grandmother but he feared that when the day came he would be useless against him.

'' What be troublin' ya Capt'n?'' Gibbs asked as he saw the thoughtful look on Jack's face.

'' Everythin'…'' Jack replied, not tearing his gaze from the ocean.

'' Does it perhaps have anythin' ta do with the return of the lass ta the Pearl?'' Jack didn't reply so Gibbs took it as a yes.

'' If I'm allowed ta ask, why didn't ye leave her in port?''

'' Ye're allowed,'' Jack replied blankly.'' Her time on the ship hasn't been fulfilled.''

'' What do ya mean by that?'' Gibbs asked puzzled.

'' We be needin' ta help her on her mission before she can leave the ship.''

'' And what mission she be on?''

Jack turned his head to face him. ''She be searchin' for her mother's murderer.''

'' Dear lord…'' Gibbs said in shock. '' That's why she be comin' back…''

Jack nodded. '' I couldn't leave her. She has no one but her grandmother and that man has kidnapped her.''

'' And who be the gent ya took along?''

'' I have no idea, but Kenna seems ta trust him.''

'' Where be she now?''

'' She wanted ta get some sleep. This day hasn't exactly been easy for her.''

'' Well as long as she be sleepin' she be safe,'' Gibbs said with a smile.

'' What did ye say?'' Jack narrowed his eyes at him.

'' I only be sayin' as long as she be asleep she be safe,'' Gibbs said a bit startled.

'' Asleep? Oh no! Take the helm!'' he shouted as he ran down the stairs and to her cabin. She can't go to sleep, she might not wake up again. He burst through the door, calling out her name.

'' Kenna! Kenna!'' He ran over to her bed. Kenna sat up startled, hearing the noise.

'' What's wrong? Why are you shouting?'' she asked startled, her heart beating fast in her chest.

Jack, relieved that she was awake, threw himself at her, embracing her tightly.

'' I was so scared. I thought ye had fallen into a deep sleep again.''

Kenna felt his heavy breathing against her chest and his heart pounding forcefully.

'' I'm all right, you don't have to worry.'' She embraced him back as she felt his breathing slow down.

''We've got ta get ye ta the ship doctor. I don't wanna risk ye fallin' into a deep sleep again.''

'' The doctor said he couldn't do anything, he doesn't know what's wrong with me.''

'' Then what do ye wanna do?''

'' Well, since you've awoken me I'm going to get something to eat. ''

'' But the dinner isn't ready yet. ''

'' Then what do you suggest we do? '' Kenna said teasingly as she licked her upper lip.

Jack looked at her surprised, which made her laugh. '' I was just joking. Let's go up on deck and get some fresh air. ''

'' All right, we can do that,'' Jack replied with an awkward smile as he stood up from the bed. ''I'm sorry I barged in on you like that... ''

'' There's nothing to be sorry about, you did it out of care for me,'' Kenna said with a smile. She put her shoes on and stood up from the bed.

'' Someone might think Christian was right about you... '' she said smiling as she left the room. Jack quickly spun around and followed her.

'' What do ye mean by that? '' Jack asked as he caught up with her.

Kenna laughed. '' I didn't mean it in a bad way. It's just that word is around you've fallen for the new girl aboard.''

Jack's face turned paler. '' What! Who be sayin' that?''

Kenna stopped and turned around to face him. '' Does it really matter? What difference does it make whether they think you like me or not? ''

'' None, I don't care what they think... ''

'' Exactly, so why are you making a big fuss about it? ''

'' I'm not, it was ye who started it. ''

Kenna sighed and ran a hand over his cheek. '' You are such a child sometimes.'' She gave him a smile and then ascended the stairs up to the main deck. Jack was left behind dumfounded. Had she just called him a kid? He followed her up on deck and found her by the rail.

'' The weather is nice, '' she said with a smile, but Jack didn't answer.

'' Are you mad at me?'' Kenna inquired as she turned to face him. He still didn't answer. Kenna sighed. '' You really can't take criticism can you? '' He didn't even look at her, which made her annoyed.

'' It's not like I was calling you a child. I was just... '' She was cut off by Jack's voice.

'' Do ye miss usin' magic?''

'' Do I miss it? What's this all about?'' Kenna inquired baffled.

Jack turned to face her. '' Do ye miss usin' magic?''

'' No…well I don't know…I guess I haven't really thought about it. What's your point with this?''

'' If we be huntin' that man who kidnapped yer grandmother we be needin' ta be strong enough ta defeat him.''

'' And…''

'' I don't think we can defeat him. Not unless we be usin' yer magic skills.''

'' What do you mean?''

'' I'm sayin' we be needin' ye ta help us defeat him. Do ye think ye're strong enough ta do that?''

Kenna slowly shook her head. '' Far from it. My magic skills are minimum, we don't stand a chance against a powerful shaman like him. Not if it's down to magic. That's why we must find a way to defeat him by force.''

Jack turned his head towards the ocean and sighed.

'' Are you frightened?'' Kenna inquired sweetly.

'' I've never been up against a force like that. I don't know if we can do it luv. I don't know if we can save yer grandmother.''

Kenna took his hand in hers, which made Jack turn his gaze back at her. '' We can do it, I know we can. If we believe we can save her then we will.''

Jack gave her a small smile. '' I wish I had yer spirit.''

'' Don't lose faith Jack. I need you with me in this.''

'' I'll do me best ta serve ye, but I can't promise ye victory.''

'' Your devotion is enough. Just that you agreed to take me on this journey is more than enough, not many men would risk their lives for a girl they just met.''

'' I couldn't have left ye all by yerself…''

'' Which is why I think I was destined to end up with you. Our paths were meant to cross.''

'' Luv, ye're startin' ta freak me out a bit…'' Jack said with a worried frown. Kenna just laughed.

'' You're one of a kind Sparrow…You look so tough on the outside, but on the inside you're a softy.''

'' Am not! I'm the most fearsome pirate in the whole Caribbean luv.''

Kenna leaned closer. '' Are you? Well I don't fear you.''

Jack narrowed his eyes at her.'' That's because I haven't shown ye how bad I can be.''

'' Oh, I'm shaking…'' Kenna said with a grin.

'' Ye should be. When I'm through with ye ye'll be screamin' for mercy.''

'' Show me your worst…'' Kenna said, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she felt his hot breath on her face.

'' I can't. Me honour forbids me ta hurt ladies,'' Jack said, moving away slightly.

'' You coward…'' Kenna laughed. '' You think I'll beat you?''

Jack turned his head closer to her again. His eyes stared deep into her green ones, captivating her. She never knew his eyes were so deep brown. She felt herself getting numb as she stared into those chocolate coloured orbs.

'' No luv, I know I'll beat ye. No woman can resist me charms,'' he said with a grin as he leaned closer to her, brushing his lips over hers. Instinctively Kenna moved her head forward to capture his lips, but he moved away slowly as her lips neared his.

'' See…'' Jack said triumphantly. '' I told ye I would win.''

Kenna broke out of the trance and scowled. ''You cheated! ''

'' Did not. No one said it had to be a game of physical strength.''

'' I still don't fear you,'' Kenna said in her defence.

Jack laughed. '' Oh ye do, just not in the way ye think ye do.''