When love interferes

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to POTC or Disney.


Chapter thirteen: Problems


The morning sun was shining as the crew of the Pearl finished their morning chores. Christine was swabbing the deck by the helm and Lucas stood nearby, tying up some sails. He had been trying all morning to talk to her, but chickened out every time he was near. He knew he had to gather up his courage and talk to her eventually, hopefully before the captain awakens. He had a way of complicating things, intentionally or not Lucas wasn't sure about. He tied the last knot on the sail and walked over to where Christine was kneeling, scrubbing the deck vigorously.

'' Christine…I need to talk to you.'' Christine turned around surprised.

'' Alright…'' She stood up, put the brush into the water bucket and dried her hands on her shirt. '' What is it? ''

'' It's about yesterday…'' He begun.

'' We didn't sleep together if that's what you mean.'' Christine replied.

'' No…I know…that's not what I wanted to talk to you about.'' Lucas said with a half smile.

'' Then what is it? '' Christine inquired puzzled.

'' What happened in there…between you and the Captain? ''

'' Nothing…we were just settling some issues. '' Christine replied, surprised by his interest in their conversation.

'' Are those issues connected to what happened between you a week ago? '' Lucas inquired.

'' Why do you have such an interest in what happened. What's done is done. We've settled our issues and everything is fine.'' Christine assured him.

'' I'm sorry for being so nosy…I just don't want anything to happen to you.'' Lucas admitted.

'' And I'm grateful for that…you just have to ease up a bit, I can take care of myself. If I need any help, you will be the first to know.'' Christine said with a smile as she embraced him lovingly.

'' I will try my best to stop interfering. '' Lucas smiled back.

The door to the captain's captain opened and out stepped Jack, yawning. He was only dressed in his breeches and boots, making his tanned chest glow in the sun.

'' Hey boy…go down to the storage room and fetch me some rum, there seems ta be some shortage of it in me cabin.'' Jack ordered.

'' Yes Captain.'' Lucas replied as he walked below deck. Jack spotted Christine by the helm, having returned to her swabbing, not wanting to look at her captain. He grinned and swaggered over to her, watching her round ass move back and forth as she scrubbed. He stopped a few steppes behind her, enjoying the view. Christine heard him stop and when he didn't say anything she stood up and turned around.

'' Can I help you? '' She inquired with a questioned look on her face.

'' Well I could think of a few things ye could help me with…'' He said grinning. '' But what ye were doin' is enough for now.''

Christine's gaze fell onto his tanned chest, glowing in the sun. She traced his muscles with her eyes, feeling the urge to know how they felt beneath her fingers. She squeezed the scrubbing brush tightly in her hand as she tried to regain her composure.

'' What were you saying again?'' Christine inquired when she managed to break her gaze from his chest.

Jack grinned, having seen her gazing at him. '' Nothin' luv…just came by ta praise ye for yer scrubbin'.''

Christine looked at him baffled. What the hell was he talking about? '' Thanks…I guess.'' She smiled awkwardly.

At that moment Lucas emerged from down below deck, holding a wooden crate with dozen rum bottles.

'' Captain…I have your rum.''

Jack turned around and grinned. '' Wonderful…put it in me cabin.'' He turned to Christine again. '' Keep up the good work…I'll be watchin' ye.'' He smirked and turned to walk to his cabin.

Christine stood there dumbfounded.'' That was strange.'' She thought to herself. She shrugged and picked the brush from the soap water. She kneeled down and started scrubbing again.

Jack entered his cabin with a smile on his face. '' Rum…there's nothin' better in the world…'' He picked up one bottle from the crate that was sitting on his desk and walked over to the door. Outside he saw Christine scrubbing. A grin spread over his lips.

'' Rum…the second best thing in the world.'' He took a swig from the bottle, feeling the amber drink burning down his throat.
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James was out on deck when an officer came walking towards him.

'' Sir, The Endeavour has signalled us to slow down, Lord Beckett wants to board our ship.''

James sighed. '' Tell the captain to slow down and let someone signal them back. '' The officer nodded and hurried away.

'' What do you want now? '' He wondered as he went below deck. In the galley he met Will and Elizabeth.

'' James…have you eaten yet? '' Elizabeth inquired sweetly.

'' No…as a matter of fact I haven't.'' He replied with a smile.

'' Then why won't you join us.'' Elizabeth offered. James sat down and poured himself a cup of tea.

'' You will never guess who decided to honor us with his presence today.'' He said sarcastically.

Elizabeth's chin fell. '' Oh no…you don't mean…''

'' Yes…the one and only. '' James frowned.

'' I've got to find a place to hide…I can't face that man again! '' Elizabeth replied with a frown.

James laughed. '' Then you better be quick, he's coming any second now.''

Elizabeth jumped up and ran out of the room. Will and James sat in the galley and laughed.

'' It's not always good to be a woman.'' Will said with a laugh.

'' Not when Lord Beckett is around.'' James replied chuckling.

Elizabeth ran out on deck, trying to find a place to hide when a horrible sight awaited her.

'' Miss Swann…what an honor to be in your presence again.'' He kissed the top of her hand.

'' Lord Beckett…what do we own the pleasure of your visit?'' She tried to be polite.

'' The pleasure is all mine. '' He said with a smile. '' Actually I came to find you. I wanted to give you a tour around my ship, to show you how a lady should be travelling.''

Elizabeth smiled, not wanting to go with him. '' Really…I'm flattered by your proposal.''
Will and James emerged from the galley and instantly saw Beckett and Elizabeth talking.

'' I guess she didn't have the luck with her this time.'' Will stated with a frown.

They walked over to where they were standing. Elizabeth was relieved when she saw them coming towards her. Now she wouldn't have to be around that creep alone.

'' Commodore…how nice of you to join us. I was just offering Miss Swann a tour around my ship, a lady such as herself should be able to enjoy every luxury that exists.''

James forced a smile. '' They sure do.''

'' Would you like to join us as well? Even though you are a navy officer, I'm not sure you've had the pleasure of seeing a ship like The Endeavour up close.''

'' I can't say I have…'' James tried to sound interested.

Beckett smirked. '' Well then this will surely be an experience you will late forget.'' He offered his arm to Elizabeth, who hesitantly accepted it. Then Beckett, accompanied with Elizabeth walked towards his ship. James and Will followed, feeling sorry for Elizabeth.

Beckett led them through the ship, showing off his luxury artworks on the wall, the carpets on the floor and his antique furniture. He claimed that no ship was as well furnished as this one and that the queen herself had picked them out herself. James and the others pretended to be interested and complimented him on his ship. In the middle of the tour Elizabeth stated she needed to go to the lavatory.

'' I would be delighted to escort you Miss Swann.'' Beckett offered.

'' That won't be necessary, I'll take her.'' Will replied.

Beckett started to make a fuss when James asked him about the curtains in the room. Beckett forgot all about Elizabeth and started telling him the story behind the drapes. Will and Elizabeth hurried out of the room and out to the hallway.

'' That was close…'' Elizabeth stated with a sigh. '' Thanks for helping me out.''

Will smiled. '' Don't mention it.''

'' Now we need to find a place to hide…I swear, if I have to be near that man for another second I will die! '' Elizabeth stated.

Will chuckled. '' We can't let that happen now can we? ''

Elizabeth smiled. They heard the voice of Beckett coming from behind them, sounding near.

'' Quick, we need to hide!'' Elizabeth squealed.Will opened a door on their left, it was vacant. He pulled her inside and closed the door. He placed his finger over his lips, signalling her to be quiet. They heard as the footsteps approached, his voice sounding through the air. A short reply from James was heard and then Beckett continued his blabbering. When the footsteps went quiet, and the voices of the men couldn't be heard anymore they breathed easier.

'' That man can talk!'' Elizabeth shook her head. Will smiled. She looked at their surroundings. '' Where are we? ''

'' I think we are in a closet.'' Will replied with a laugh. Elizabeth stepped over a mop and a bucket on the floor.

'' I think you might be right.'' She laughed. She tripped over a brush on the floor and fell into Will.

'' I'm sorry…'' Elizabeth excused herself. She lifted her head, finding that their faces were only inches apart. They gazed into each others eyes…feeling an electrifying current run through their body. Overwhelmed by having her so close to his body his breath quickened. He could feel himself leaning down towards her, capturing her lips with his. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she leaned in closer, deepening the kiss. Will's hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. Their tongues dueled in a fierce battle of lust and wanting. Finally they broke the kiss, panting.

'' We really need to get out of here…Beckett must be wondering why we are taking so long.'' Will stated. Elizabeth nodded. Will opened a crack on the door and peered out. There was no one in sight.

'' Come on…'' They stepped out of the closet and headed to the main deck. There James and Beckett awaited them.

'' There you are…I was getting worried.'' Beckett stated.

'' We got a bit lost…I'm not used to those grand ships.'' Elizabeth tried to save herself.

Beckett smiled. '' I blame myself for this…I should have escorted you myself…''

'' No worries…I won't get lost again.'' Elizabeth faked a smile.

'' I think we better return to The Dauntless, thanks for the tour Lord Beckett.'' James said with an inclination of the head.

'' My pleasure Commodore…'' He turned to Elizabeth. '' I hope to be honoured by your presence soon Miss Swann.'' He kissed the top of her hand again. Elizabeth frowned, making James and Will turn away chuckling.

James offered her his arm and together they made their way over to The Dauntless. Will touched his lips, still feeling the effects of her kiss. He smiled as he followed them over to their ship