When love interferes

Chapter eleven: A surprise visit.

Days had passed and there was no sign of Christine. They had met a merchant galleon coming from the Spanish Main a couple of days ago, but they could not give them any news about her whereabouts. The merchants had passed a few ships on their way, but none of them were pirates. They praised their luck for that, they would probably not be still afloat if they had.

Norrington's worries increased by every day that passed. It had been two weeks since she was abducted, two terrifying weeks in the hands of bloodthirsty pirates. If they hadn't taken advantage of her now, they would soon…or even kill her. Norrington shook they idea away from his head. He had to be strong, he had to keep his hopes up, it would be the only way for them to rescue her. They cannot give up!

'' Christine…if you're somewhere out there…don't loose your hope. I will find you.'' Norrington whispered to himself as he stared out onto the clear viridian ocean.

'' Sir! There's a ship approaching at the horizon…'' One of the crew shouted. Norrington's head shot up. He ran over to the captain.

'' Is it pirates? '' He inquired with a hint of hopefulness in his voice. The captain lowered his spyglass.

'' No sir, it's a navy vessel.''

'' The navy…I cannot recall asking for naval support. Is it ours? '' Norrington inquired surprised.

'' Most likely not sir...but it's British.''

'' British…what could they be wanting here…'' James wondered. '' How far until they reach us? ''

'' They will be with us soon.'' The captain replied.

***

The HMS Endeavour soon reached them and the gangplank was pushed over. A short, arrogant, wig haired man walked over the plank, accompanied by a few of his men.

'' Who is in charge on this ship? '' The man inquired scanning the deck.
Norrington stepped forward. '' That would be me sir. Commodore James Norrington, of Port Royal.'' He said with an inclination of the head. '' Can I inquire what it is that you seek fulfilled by your visit? ''

The short man grinned slyly. '' Lord Cutler Beckett, the head of the East India Trading Company. It appears we have a problem with a certain company of men whose employment appears to be rather inconvenient for the law.''

'' You mean pirates? '' Will inquired.

'' Indeed. I have recently received a notion that you yourself commodore are having a problem with one, am I right? '' Beckett smirked.

'' That would be right…how did you acquire that notion?'' Norrington inquired surprised by his knowledge of these matters.

'' I have my ways…'' Beckett smirked. '' I have a proposal for you…but I would like a cup of tea before getting into that.''

Norrington nodded. '' Of course…I'll send someone after it.'' He led him to a table placed outside the main wall of the captain's cabin.

'' Please sit.'' James said politely, but Beckett had already sat down. Feeling awkward just standing there, he sat down against him by the table. The tea was served and Beckett reached out for the sugar.

'' What I was saying before, I have a proposal for you.'' He stirred the sugar in the teacup and placed the spoon on the saucer.

'' I offer you my service in look for the pirate that's been troubling you. '' Beckett offered as he took a sip of his tea.

'' I thank you for the kind offer, but that cannot be all there is. What do you benefit by helping us? '' Norrington inquired.

Beckett smirked. '' Well lets just say that the finding of your pirate might lead to the finding of the others of his kind.''

'' So you want to eliminate all pirates from the Caribbean? '' Will inquired stunned. '' That's madness!''

'' And why is that? '' Beckett inquired sceptically.

'' You will never catch them all…there's bound to be someone that escapes.'' Will stated.

'' Not necessarily… '' Beckett said with a mysterious look on his face. '' That's something that only time will reveal.''

Elizabeth emerged from the galley with a smile on her face, but it soon faded when she saw the mysterious visitor.

'' I didn't know we were expecting company.'' Elizabeth said surprised as Beckett's gaze turned towards her.

'' Oh how rude of me.'' Beckett apologized as he stood up from the table.

'' Lord Cutler Beckett, the head of the East India Trading Company. '' He gently kissed the top of her hand.

'' And who may be the fair lady that honors us with her presence? ''

Elizabeth cringed and removed her hand away from him. '' Elizabeth Swann.''

'' Miss Swann, the Governor's daughter of Port Royal. It's an honor to meet you. I am acquainted with your father, but I haven't seen him in years.'' Beckett bragged.

'' I'm sure he regrets that.'' Elizabeth tried to be polite. '' So what is the nature of your visit? ''

'' I have a business proposal for the Commodore, we were in the middle of our negotiation when you appeared.''

'' I'm sorry to have disturbed you…it was not my intension to do so.'' Elizabeth apologized, catching a glimpse of Norrington's frown at Beckett's smug behavior. She moved away quickly, trying to hide her laughter from seeing Norrington's face.

'' Oh don't be, you did nothing but to enhance the beauty of the gathering.'' Beckett fawned.

Elizabeth forced a smile as she hurried away, having a hard time keeping her laughter inside. When out of hearing distance she let it all out. Will seeing her running away decided to check if she was alright. When he came closer he hear some sounds emitting from her, but wasn't sure if they were sobs or laughter.

'' Miss Swann, are you alright? ''

Elizabeth turned around, he cheeks flushed with laughter. '' I'm fine.'' She said laughing.

'' What's so funny? '' Will inquired, feeling himself starting to laugh.

'' That man…he's awful…I've never seen such fawning in my life!'' Elizabeth hid her face in her hands for she laughed so hard.

'' Yeah…he sure is a sycophant… '' Will said with a laugh.

'' I hope he leaves soon…I don't know how much more of this I can take!''

'' That makes two of us…I can't stand that man! '' Will frowned.

Back at the table Beckett was trying to convince James to accept his offer. James was not too eager to do it, there was something about that man that creeped him out, and his behavior towards Elizabeth! James had never seen such a fawner.

'' I really appreciate that you want to help, but I'm sure we can manage on our own.'' James politely rejected Beckett's offer.

'' I'm sure you can, but with my men your chances will improve greatly.'' Beckett was not a man to surrender.

James frowned in annoyance, why can't the man just give up? '' I believe you are right, but…''

'' Splendid, I will tell my men of the decision.'' Beckett said with a smile as he headed towards the gangplank.

'' But…'' James started but was cut off by Beckett.

'' No need to be thanking me…I will be in my quarters if you need me.'' Then he was off.

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Christine had grown accustomed to the air on the Black Pearl. The men were really nice and funny and made her feel like one of the crew. She had demanded to take part in the work around the ship, even though Jack had tried to get her off it. He said it was no work for a woman, but she didn't give much for that. She was used to long hours at the tailor's so scrubbing the deck and fixing some sails was not something she considered as hard work. With her skills in sewing, the men often asked her to fix their breeches or shirts, some even taking them off in front of her, making her face redden.

She had taken up a new attire, one that suited the work a bit better. She took the dress that she had been wearing, if it could be called a dress, and sewed a nice shirt out of it. The breeches she borrowed from Jack, but had fixed them so they fitted her perfectly. She used a piece of cloth from the dress as a bandana to keep the hair away from her face and borrowed some boots from one of the crew members. Now she was ready to face her duties as a pirate.

Jack was really pleased with her work, both as a sewer and a crew worker. She was hard working and never complained. The men on the ship loved her free spirit and her lively manner.

Lucas stayed as close as he could to her at all time. He still didn't trust the crew completely, but as the days passed, his worries did as well. He had a great respect for the Captain and did everything in his power to please him. Jack noticed that and admired his ambition.

The sun was setting by the horizon, streaking red and orange colors across the sky. Jack stood by the helm, steering his beloved ship into the unknown. Sundown was his favourite time of the day, the sky so vivid with colors and the air so brisk and soothing. Lost in the beauty that the sky beheld, he did not notice Christine sneaking up behind him.

'' The sky is beautiful tonight, don't you think?'' Christine inquired with a smile.

Jack turned his head a bit startled, but smiled when he saw Christine behind him. '' Aye, it is…''

'' I always wanted to thank you properly for saving me from that horrible man. I don't know if I would be alive by now if you hadn't.''

Jack turned around to face her. '' Stop thinkin' about the past…what's done is done.''

'' I know…I just can't help but to wonder…how it may have been if you hadn't found me.''

Jack didn't have any reply to that statement. He knew that only luck brought him to Terrance's ship.

'' I know luv…'' He said with a smile. '' but you don't have ta worry anymore, he's dead and yer safe here with me.'' Jack said as he placed his hands on her upper arms.

'' At least let me pay you back for all you've done for me.'' Christine said as she gazed into his eyes.

'' And how were ye thinkin' ye could pay me back? '' Jack cooed, gazing intently into her eyes.

'' Perhaps like this…'' She leaned forward, capturing his lips in a kiss. She placed her hands on each side of his face as she deepened the kiss. Jack willing to comply raised his hands up to her hair, tangling his fingers in the golden locks as the kiss lingered on. Breaking the kiss, Christine still had her hands on his face, but slowly removed them.

Jack smirked. '' I think this was a fair payment.''

Author notes: So what do you think. Is Christine falling for the Captain or was the kiss just a payment for her rescue? Please review and let me know what you think:-D