When love interferes

Chapter seventeen: Annoyance

Christine went down to her cabin to change. She had left her clothes in Jack's cabin and had no intention on ever going in there again. She couldn't wait until James would find her. James was a man of virtue, a man that would never take advantage of her like Jack had done. She silently cursed him as she buckled her belt and pulled her shirt over her head. When finally dressed she left the cabin in search for Lucas. There were some things in need of explaining.

She found him in his room, the door was slightly ajar as if he had been waiting for her.

'' Lucas…'' Christine pushed the door open. '' Can I come in?''

Lucas sat on the bed with his back at her. He slowly nodded but didn't turn around.

'' I really think I should explain what you saw up there…''

'' If you wish…'' Lucas replied without turning.

Christine sat down on the bed, turning her back at him. '' He offered me to dine in his cabin last night…a sort of repayment for all the trouble he has caused me.'' Lucas didn't say a word so Christine continued.

'' I had a bit too much to drink…and the next thing I know I awoke in his cabin.'' Lucas sat there silent…he partially believed her story. She was a strong woman, capable of taking care of herself….but then there was the part about being away from her man. Maybe she had given in to him in need of some manly affection.

Christine turned around. '' Lucas…you've got to believe me…I would never do such a thing. I love James…and I would never do anything to betray him.''

Lucas sighed and stood up from the bed. Christine stood up and walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

'' Please Lucas…'' Lucas turned to face her but didn't say anything.

'' Say you believe me…'' Christine begged. Lucas gave her a small smile. '' I don't know…I don't know what went through your head at the time, so I must take your word for it. Purposely done or not…I can't say…for your sake I hope it was only a mistake.''

'' It was…I promise…'' Christine replied happily as she threw herself around his neck. Lucas patted her back and smiled.

'' I'm sorry to have to leave you…but the work calls.'' Christine nodded her head and he was gone. She wasn't completely sure he believed her…there seemed to be some doubt in his voice. At least all was good between them again.

Being on a ship had its ups and downs. The fresh air, the sun and the freedom was great. There wasn't a long distance between the quarters of the ship and therefore easy to reach your destination quickly. On the other hand the short distance between the quarters made it nearly impossible to avoid seeing someone…in this case Jack.

Cursing to herself Christine headed towards her room. She didn't want to see anyone…not after the shame she had brought over herself when she came out of Jack's cabin that morning. Laying down on her bed she sighed. How could her life had gone so wrong? She closed her eyes imagining James standing beside her, a smile on his face. She smiled as she saw his tall, slender form begin to clear up in front of her. Even though it had been that long since they last saw each other, she remembered him as if she had last seen him yesterday. Suddenly the image turned darker and another man began to form, it was Jack. He flashed her his golden grin and narrowed his eyes at her, seducing her like always. Christine sighed at his appearance, he sure looked gorgeous! Lost in her thoughts she didn't notice a man entering her cabin, creeping near the bed. A hand was placed on her shoulder and she jumped.

'' Jack! You scared the hell out of me…what are you doing down here?''

Jack stood there grinning at her. '' Oh I just wanted ta see if ye weren't alright…ye haven't been up on deck for a while.''

Christine looked at him surprised. Did he really care? '' Well I just needed some time on my own…had a few things to sort out thanks to you.''

Jack sighed and rolled his eyes. '' Luv…we've had this conversation…it wasn't me fault entirely.''

'' Well you started it…'' Christine felt her anger flaring.

'' Actually it wasn't…ye came onto me first…'' Jack said grinning.

'' I'm sick of this…I can't argue with you…you always find a way to turn everything I say against me!''

'' What can I say…it's a gift…'' Jack said smirking. Christine shook her head in defeat and left the room.

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Back on the Dauntless life was much better. With Beckett gone Elizabeth didn't have to constantly avoid his attempts to woo her and could enjoy her life with Will. James couldn't but admit that he was slightly jealous of them. They looked so in love…like he and Christine had been.
Standing by the rail her was soon joined by Elizabeth.

'' You must be thrilled that Beckett is gone.'' James said with a laugh.

'' Oh you wouldn't believe it…that man was driving me insane!''

'' He had that effect on many…'' James smiled. '' So…when did you and Mr. Turner…you know…get involved?''

Elizabeth was a bit surprised by his question. '' A few weeks ago…I'm really sorry for the inconvenience we may be having.''

'' No… not at all…I'm thrilled to see that you're happy. I won't spoil a love like that.'' James said with a smile, but she saw the sadness in his eyes.

'' You truly are in love…that isn't something you experience often. Finding the right one is a delicate process…and for some it never occurs.'' He stared out at the ocean. '' And some lose it after once gaining it…'' His voice trailed off.

Elizabeth turned him to face her. '' James…you can't give up on her…she's out there somewhere…waiting for you to rescue her.''

'' How can you be so sure…how can you know that this search isn't just a waste of time…we haven't seen or heard anything for months!'' James replied, his voice cracking.

Elizabeth pulled him closer to herself, embracing him lovingly. '' You can't give up…I'm sure she's closer than you think.''

James gave her a grateful smile. '' I don't know what I would do without your support…''

'' That's what friends are for.'' Elizabeth replied with a smile. Will came walking up from behind her and wrapped his arm around her waste, kissing her neck. James turned and looked back at the sea. Elizabeth giggled and turned around, kissing Will on the lips.

'' I hope I wasn't disturbing anything…'' Will said worried.

'' It's alright…we were just talking.'' Elizabeth replied. James gave her a small smile and turned his attention back to the sea.

Will wrapped his arms around her from behind, holding her close. Elizabeth leaned into the embrace and smiled, she had never been this happy in her life. Will surely brought a lot to her life.

'' James…would you like to have a cup of tea with us, I'm sure it will do you good.'' Elizabeth suggested.

'' No thank you…there are some things I need to sort out…I will be in my cabin if you need me.'' He smiled wearily and headed towards his cabin.

'' Is he alright? '' Will inquired concerned.

'' Yes…I think he is. He's been through a lot lately…he just needs some time to sort things out.''

'' Yeah…I guess…'' Will kissed her under her ear, making her giggle.

'' Will! Stop it…you're tickling me…'' Elizabeth laughed.

'' Well that was the plan…''

Elizabeth turned around with a smile. '' What did I do to deserve you?'' She kissed him sweetly, wrapping her arms around his neck. Will picked her up as they broke the kiss.

'' What are you doing? ''

'' I'm sure you know exactly what I'm doing.'' Will grinned. Elizabeth giggled.

'' Then what are you waiting for? '' She said with a seductive smile.

Will narrowed his eyes at her hungrily and carried her over to their cabin, shutting the door behind them with his foot.''

***

James was sitting in his office, reading a book about sailings when one of the crew knocked on the door.

'' Come in…'' James said as he placed the book on his desk. A young man appeared in the doorway.

'' Sir…we have detected a ship on the horizon.''

'' A ship! What color is she flying?'' James didn't wait for the man to answer but ran out on deck and grabbed the spyglass from the captain. The ship was pretty far away but he could faintly detect the black sails of the ship.

'' No ordinary ship has black sails…this must be pirates! '' His hope was restored, maybe this was the ship that took Christine.

'' How long until we reach them?'' James inquired inpatient.

'' With this wind we should reach them by tomorrow.'' The captain replied.

'' Excellent…now order the men to make the guns ready. If she's on that ship, I'm not letting them get away with her!''