The Captain's Cabin Boy

A/N: Hello, loves! Welcome to the latest chapter! I hope you like it.

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean.

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Chapter 17

 

 

Jack slammed the cabin door shut and looked around the deck with irritated eyes, “Josh!” he shouted and Josette looked up from her place by the stairs.

“Sir?” she answered cautiously as she placed the wet rag inside the bucket and sat back on her knees. She had been scrubbing the stairs that led to the helm for ages but the wood was so old that it made dirt difficult to remove.

“Warm water.” Jack said as he walked towards her while rubbing his temples.

“You’ll take a bath, sir?” she asked quietly, fearful that she was going to make him mad again. He still held a grudge towards her because of how she had spoken to him the other day.

“I don’t want to take a bath! I want to put on all of my clothes and then jump off the ship so that the sharks can make a nice dinner out of me. Or better, I might drown so that it would be less painful. Which one would you choose?” he asked her angrily and Josette could swear that smoke was rising from his ears.

“Um…I’d probably rather…drown, sir.” She answered timidly and Jack pointed at her with wide eyes.

“My thoughts exactly! Would you push me over?” he asked and she paused.

“Is something the matter, Captain?” she asked and he growled.

“She is the matter!” he pointed at the cabin door and Josette finally realized what was going on.

“She doesn’t want to go.” Josette said and Jack chuckled humorlessly.

“You think I care? I ain’t going to babysit a silly wench forever! The lass has some serious issues, lad.” He huffed and Josette slowly stood up.

“May I speak my mind?” she asked and Jack’s gaze turned to her.

“Don’t you always do lately?” he inquired with a cocked eyebrow and Josette flushed.

“I suppose I do…But, there are things that confuse me.” She said and Jack stared at her.

“’Scuse me, Cap’n.” Dave made his way towards the helm and slipped in between them so he could pass.

Jack looked at Dave as he walked away and then walked closer to Josette.

“What are the things that confuse you then?” he asked her in a hushed voice and she swallowed hard.

“Well…you say things…” she trailed off and Jack smirked.

“I do say a lot of things. You do as well.” He narrowed his eyes.

“Yes…but…”

“Oh, lad.” Jack laughed and she startled, “You do make it sooo easy for me to tease you.” He said as he hooked his finger in his belt and looked at her with amusement.

“But do you, sir?” she asked as she straightened her posture and looked at him right in the eye.

“Do I what, Josh?” he asked her with expectation.

“Do you really only tease me?” she asked and he took a deep breath through his nose before he leaned slightly closer to her.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” he asked with slightly hooded eyes and a small grin.

Josette reared her head back and away from him and looked around the deck.

No one was watching them.

“I am not sure.” She muttered and he laughed quietly as he stepped back.

“Good.” He said before he grinned fully, “I rather like you on edge, freckles. Oh and that backbone you’ve developed?” he leaned closer again and her eyes widened, “Do keep it. It’s rather entertaining.” He winked and then walked past her to head for the helm, “Now get that tart her water because if I hear her whining one moment longer I will go barking mad!” he called as he climbed up the stairs.

“Captain?” she called and he paused. He turned to face her as she fought for the right words.

“Aye?” he tapped his foot impatiently, “Out with it, lad!”

“If you don’t like her…Why do you…you know…” she trailed off and this time she managed not to blush.

Jack frowned and then ginned, “Well, who am I to disappoint a young lady, hmm?” he shrugged before he turned and sauntered away.

Josette blinked numerously and then sighed.

The man was unbelievable. For sure.

 

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

 

Josette dumped the last of the warm water inside the tub and then quickly stepped back.

“There you go, miss.” She mumbled as she picked up the two buckets and made to walk out of the cabin.

“Wait…” Victoria called quietly and Josette almost groaned.

What does she want?

“Josh, is it?” the woman said and Josette turned to face her.

“Aye, miss.” She nodded her head.

“What you said…The other day about Jack…” Victoria bit her lip as she approached Josette, “Did you mean? Is it true?”

“What is true?” Josette frowned.

“Um…does he have a lot of girls?” Victoria choked out and Josette paused.

“Oh.” She put the buckets down and looked uncomfortably around the cabin, “Yes, it’s true…”

“Is that why he doesn’t want to keep me here?” Victoria asked softly.

“Yes…I don’t know. It’s not easy being here.” Josette said with hesitation.

“You…” Victoria took a deep breath, “You are close with him.” She stated and Josette grimaced.

“I am just a cabin boy, miss…”

“Yes, but…he talks to you…He trusts you, doesn’t he?” Victoria pressed on.

“I guess.” Josette nodded tentatively.

“Can’t you…convince him to let me stay? Even as a part of the crew…He doesn’t have to love me.” She said hopefully.

“I…” Josette was at a loss for words. She felt pity yes, but the truth was that she didn’t want the woman to stay. A harsh thing to say but she could see that John was sad and uncomfortable too. Not to mention her own confusing feelings and absurd jealousy.

“I am sorry but I can’t help you.” Josette said strongly and Victoria’s eyes narrowed.

“You like him, don’t you?” she spat and Josette’s eyes widened.

“What?”

“I saw you staring at us that first morning. When we were in bed. You thought I was asleep but I wasn’t. Does he know? Does he provoke it? Even if you’re just a boy?” Victoria’s voice was dripping with disdain.

“I beg your pardon?” Josette sputtered hoarsely.

“You heard me.”

“I have no idea how that thought entered your mind, miss.” Josette said loudly and at that moment the cabin door opened.

“What’s all this shouting?” Jack asked as he walked in and shut the door.

“Nothing.” Josette said quickly but Jack wasn’t fooled.

“Josh.” He warned and at that moment Victoria exploded.

“You call him by his name? You never use my name!” she exclaimed and Jack’s eyes widened.

“Are you barking, lass? Does everyone and everything bother you?” he snapped and Victoria pursed her lips, “I told you that you can’t stay. Josh cannot help you because I don’t want to help you. Now I know why your brother warned me about you.” Jack muttered and Victoria gasped.

“Please don’t take me back.” She whispered and Josette wanted to bang her head against the closest wall.

“I won’t take you back. I will let you off at Tortuga. I’ve already said that.” Jack growled.

“Okay…” Victoria whimpered and Josette stifled her sigh.

“And mind your mouth around here, lass. This ain’t a merchant ship, savvy? Now take your bloody bath and wait here. We’ll be making port soon.” Jack said as he looked at Josette and rolled his eyes with meaning.

Josette picked up the buckets and slowly made her way out of the cabin with her heart thumping loudly in her chest.

 

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

“So you’ve decided to come with us.” John smirked as Josette walked away from Jack, Gibbs and Victoria and approached him and Dave.

“Yes…Is that okay?” she answered as she pushed some hair behind her ear and put on her hat.

“Yep. You will buy us rum then?” Dave asked as he wiggled an eyebrow and Josette rolled her eyes.

“I have no money.” She muttered while John gently clapped her back and rubbed it for a moment. Josette smiled and he smiled back at her.

“John!” Jack’s voice thundered and the trio stopped.

They all turned and faced Jack’s angry stare, “You will be coming with us.” Jack said briefly before he shot a look towards Josette who was beyond confused.

“Um…okay.” John said before he stepped towards his Captain.

Josette could only stare as Jack sneered and then turned and walked towards the opposite direction.

John shrugged and waved before he followed the others.

Dave sighed and turned to Josette, “Seems like the Cap’n is a bit annoyed…Why do you think that is?” he asked and Josette shrugged.

“I guess the woman was a little annoying…” she replied and Dave snorted.

“A little? That is why I only meddle with the wenches of Tortuga. You pay them and they do their job with no emotions involved.” He muttered and in a way Josette understood his reasoning.

“Yes, but what about emotions? Where do you find those?” she asked and he paused.

“There are other ways to find them…” he trailed off, “Through friendship I guess…But I wouldn’t know.” He laughed.

“Why?”

“Because I have no friends.”

At that Josette paused, “That’s not true. What about John?”

“I guess…And you?” he asked, “You were the first to help me up that day you saved the Captain from that bullet.”

“I was…It’s in my nature to help, I guess…” she shrugged and paused.

“I never thanked you for that.”

“Don’t mention it.” She waved him off with her hand.

“But I have to because I didn’t treat you that well when you first arrived.” He said and she frowned.

“That’s not true…”

“I made you milk the goat.” He laughed and Josette chuckled.

“I still milk the goat but I’ll pay you back.” She said and Dave smirked before he ushered her inside the closest tavern.

 

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

 

Josette took a sip of gin and sighed. Well, it was better than rum in her book. Dave was standing next to her and a few minutes ago Gibbs had joined them as well.

Dave poured some more rum in Gibbs’ mug and then smirked.

“Looks like Giselle found our Captain.” He said and Josette looked up.

“Who?” She asked and Dave pointed towards the entrance of the tavern.

A blonde woman had just thrown herself in Jack’s arms and she had wasted no time in placing her full red lips against his grinning ones. Josette looked away when she saw her captain’s hand going dangerously close to the woman’s bottom and cleared her throat.

“Who is she?” she asked and Gibbs snorted.

“She’s an old friend of Jack’s. He’s known her for ages. Since she was a wee little lass.” He said and Josette nodded.

“Aye, they are very close indeed!” Dave chirped in and Josette looked up. They weren’t kissing anymore but they were talking closely and Jack seemed almost relaxed in her presence.

“Where’s John?” Josette asked as she forced herself to take her eyes away from the couple.

“He said he’d take a walk along the dock.” Gibbs answered and Josette nodded.

“Did Victoria cause a fuss?” Dave asked as Josette took a sip from her gin.

“Nah. She didn’t. We put her at an inn. Left her enough money to get back if she wanted.” Gibbs shrugged and Josette breathed a sigh of relief. Her relief was cut short when she noticed that Jack was approaching their table with his arm thrown around the woman’s shoulder.

Josette tensed but remained still as Jack sat down next to her and pulled Giselle onto his lap.

“Josh, this is Giselle. Giselle, Josh.” He introduced them and the woman smiled at Josette gently.

“Hey there.”

“Hello.” Josette replied more warmly than she thought she was capable of. The woman seemed nice.

“What do you do upon the Pearl then?” Giselle asked and before Josette had time to speak, Dave cut her off.

“He’s our cabin boy of course! The best one ever, aye Cap’n?” Dave asked and it was obvious that he was a little inebriated. Josette’s eyes bugged out of her head at his words but Jack’s next words made her blush to the roots of her hair.

“Aye. The best ever indeed.” He said with a wink and Giselle chuckled.

“Well, he sure is if he has to put up with you.” She said and Jack pouted.

“I ain’t that bad, am I Josh?” he asked and before Josette had time to answer she was cut off again.

“Yes, you are for not coming to see me sooner.” The blonde said as she grasped his chin and planted a kiss on his still pouting lips.

Josette averted her eyes but not before she had caught Jack’s eyes which were open and staring at her as he kissed the woman.

Josette slowly finished her drink and then stood up, “I’m going to find John.” She said quietly before she pushed her chair back and made to walk around the table.

Jack’s hand seized her wrist before she had the chance to walk away though, “Alone?” he asked and Josette paused.

“Sure, Captain.” She shrugged and Jack looked at her dubiously, “What? I’m not in danger.” She said as she tugged at his hold but he was relentless.

“Aye, he ain’t that pretty!” a voice jeered and Josette rolled her eyes while Jack’s head turned sharply towards the man who had spoken the words.

“Got a problem, mate?” he asked with a cocked eyebrow and the man only laughed before he turned to his company.

Josette pulled her hand away and smiled at Jack, “He’s right.” She mouthed before she turned and walked out of the tavern, missing the quick emotion that flashed over Jack’s eyes.

 

 

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

She hadn’t even reached the docks when she heard footsteps behind her. She didn’t stop walking though.

“You need to learn how to use a sword if you want to go on moonlit walks along the docks of Tortuga.” A smooth voice said and Josette paused.

“Who is going to teach me then?” she asked as she turned and faced her Captain with her hands on her hips.

Jack grinned and his golden teeth sparkled in the darkness, “Me.” He pointed at himself and then walked ahead of her, “You’re awfully close to John.” He noted and Josette followed him.

“He’s my friend.” She shrugged.

“Is he? Curious thing because John didn’t have any friends before you showed up.” He said as they walked side by side.

“I didn’t have any friends before I came aboard.” She said and Jack looked at her.

“Aye.” He nodded and she looked back towards the direction of the tavern.

“You didn’t have to follow me.”

“You’re going to tell me what to do from now on?” he quirked an eyebrow in challenge and she shook her head.

“Nobody could tell you what to do.” She said quietly and Jack smiled to himself.

“Is that right?” he chuckled and she nodded.

“You know it is, sir.” She whispered as they arrived at the docks.

“So how about those lessons?” he asked and Josette paused and blushed.

“Captain?” she asked and he looked at her blankly before he laughed.

“I meant sword fighting lessons but if you want kissing lessons I guess I could help you out.” He smirked as he tugged on her braid but her gaze was elsewhere.

“What?” he frowned when she gasped and sprinted away from him.

“Oh my God!” she exclaimed and Jack’s eyes shifted towards their right.

A man was leaning over another man who Jack soon realized it to be John. John’s face was bloodied but he was still trying to fight against his assailant.

Jack’s eyes followed Josette as she made her way over and his eyes widened when he saw her knocking the man off of John by using her entire body.

“Josh! Get back!” he barked as he ran over to them and rolled John away from the edge of the dock.

“Are you alright, mate?” he asked and John nodded.

“Josh!” Jack called again but as he tried to help John sit up he missed the fact that she and John’s attacker had been near the edge of the dock. When he looked up again he saw them both in the water. His eyes widened when he saw that John’s attacker had Josette by her collar and was shouting unintelligible words at her in Spanish.

He watched with increasing amusement as Josette slapped the man hard in the face but his expression sobered when he saw the knife in the man’s hands.

“Captain!” Gibbs was breathless as he arrived at the spot and looked at John with wide eyes.

“Take him back to the ship.” Jack ordered before he pulled his pistol from his belt and pointed it straight to the man’s head that was protruding from the water. If he hadn’t been so focused on shooting the man he would have noticed Josette’s struggle to stay afloat.

“Captain! The angle is not-…” Gibbs’ speech was cut off when Jack fired the pistol and hit the man straight in the head.

He fell dead and Josette gasped as his hands, which had been holding her afloat, released the grip on her shirt and left her bereft. She tried to keep calm but without the man holding her captive she felt herself getting heavier. She tried to keep her head above the surface but her swimming skills had never been sufficient.

“Take him back. We’ll be there soon.” Jack said as he looked at Gibbs and tucked his gun away.

“Aye, sir.” Gibbs pulled John up but John was mouthing something.

“What?” Gibbs asked.

“Can’t swim.” He wheezed before Gibbs pulled him away but Jack heard it and jerked his head towards Josette.

His dark eyes flooded with panic when he saw her gasping for breath while flailing her arms about.

“Bugger!” he hissed before he removed his hat, coat, sword and pistol and then dived into the water. He swam towards her and pushed the dead man away before he reached for her. His hand grasped the collar of her shirt and he jerked her towards him with a groan. Her body collided painfully with his and Josette groaned and gasped at the same time. More water slipped into her mouth and she grasped Jack’s shirt in a death grip as she fought for breath.

“Hold on.” He gasped breathlessly as he wrapped an arm around her neck and pulled her towards the dock.

He grasped the wooden surface and heaved himself up before he pulled her up by her arms. She fell onto the dock with a gasp and Jack turned her over onto her side. He clapped her back hard and she coughed out all the salty water she had took in while in the sea.

“Spit out!” Jack snapped above her and she did but exhaustion took over and she rolled over onto her back. Jack slipped a hand under her head and stared at her wildly as she fought to catch her breath.

“Is…is John alright?” she gasped in between breaths and Jack’s flashed dangerously as he stared down at her.

“You little idiot.” He muttered and her unfocused, half lidded eyes looked up at him.

“S-sir?” she said before she coughed some more.

As she did so, more water still leaked from her mouth but Jack was already seizing her face in his wet hands and pulling her up from the filthy wet dock. Josette’s eyes snapped open at his touch and before she had the time to take another much needed breath, his lips crashed against hers in an almost kiss. It was more like a clash of mouths and teeth and Jack even bit her lip before he pulled back and slapped her hard across the face.

Josette gasped and stared at him in shock and fear.

His eyes were wide and scarily dark as he spat the words out at her.

“Why in bloody hell didn’t you say that you can’t swim?” he barked at her and she gulped.

“Captain.” She whispered.

“You could have bloody died, Josh! Bloody hell, you stupid boy!” he threw her away from him and she fell back against the dock while he stood up and started walking away.

Josette gasped as she collided painfully with the dock but she sat up nonetheless, “Captain!” she called and he paused. If it was the helplessness in her voice or the fact that she was shaking, she wasn’t sure.

“Next time you decide to do more foolish things like attacking an armed man, please inform me so that I won’t be there to see it.” he said as he turned to face her. He leaned down and picked up his things before he shot her a glare.

“Men with no swimming skills are not adequate for my ship. But I guess that you didn’t know that since you didn’t think it much before you stowed away upon my ship, did you?” he snapped her and she could see that there was more beneath his angry façade.

“Sir, I only wanted to help. I didn’t think-…”

“Exactly!” he cut her off sharply before he turned and started walking again, “If you want to see your friend I suggest that you get up from your arse and follow me.” He called but the shaky undertone in his voice gave away his feelings.

Josette gaped at his back at the realization. He was worried. About her.

Oh God. She thought as she watched his soaked figure walking further and further away before she stood up on shaky legs and followed him in silence.

 

End of chapter 17

 

Author’s note: Tell me how you liked it!

 

Xxx Lina :)