When love interferes

Chapter nineteen: Retrieved from the devil


'' Yer James…'' Jack said surprised. '' So he really did come after all…'' He mumbled to himself. Christine was too busy peering trough the spyglass to notice his comment.

'' I knew he would come for me…I just knew it!'' Christine shone brighter than the sun, she had never been so happy in her life. Jack looked at her with a smile, she really did love that chap.

At that moment Lucas came up from below. '' Christine…what happened. Why are you so happy?''

Christine ran over to him and hugged him in joy. '' He has come for me…James is here!''

Lucas didn't believe his own ears. '' He's here? Really!''

'' Yes!'' Christine pulled him over to the railing and pointed out towards the ocean. ''
Look…there's his ship.''

Lucas narrowed his eyes at the ship and saw the British flag flutter above the main mast. He then turned to Christine with a smile.

'' I'm so happy for you…'' But then the smile turned into a frown. '' That means you will be leaving won't you? ''

'' Yes…I can't stay here…I need to be with the man I love…I'm sure you can understand that.'' Christine said as she took his hands in hers.

'' I do…I just wished that there was another way.'' Lucas replied with a sad frown. Christine smiled at him sweetly, feeling the sadness take over her. It would be painful to part with him…after all he had saved her from that ghastly pirate captain. Their friendship had bloomed since the day she was abducted and now she considered him as her closest friend.

The Dauntless had sailed up against the Pearl and James stood by the rail, prepared to order the men to fire the cannons if needed. When Christine saw her beloved standing on the other ship she ran over to the rail.

'' James! Don't shoot…they won't harm you!''

Hearing her voice, his head shot up to the direction of the sound. Seeing her standing there…as fair as a rose he smiled.

'' Hold your fire! '' He ordered as the plank was thrown over to bridge the ships. He ran over the plank and took her in his arms.

'' Christine…my fair Christine! I feared I had lost you forever.'' He kissed her passionately on the lips as he gazed into her eyes, holding her face in his palms.

'' I can't believe that I now hold you in my arms…you can't possibly know how many days and restless nights I have spent in dreaming of this moment.''

Christine laid her hands on top of his as she glowed in happiness. '' So have I. Oh James…you never gave up on me!''

He removed his hands from her face and held hers dearly in his. '' I can't say I wasn't tempted to, the weeks passed without as much as a single notion of your whereabouts…I admit that at times the hope of seeing you again was far from my mind.''

'' But you didn't give up…you came out here to look for me, and for that I will be eternally grateful.''

'' How I hate myself for ever giving up hope…will you forgive me? ''

'' I have nothing to forgive…I myself have lost the faith of seeing you again. Let's not waste our time in grieving for our thoughts at those dark times. We have been brought together again and should rejoice instead of feeling remorse.

James cupped her face again, kissing her lips sweetly. '' You are right…from now on nothing will separate us.''

Jack, having been listening to the whole conversation decided to make his presence noticed and cleared his throat.

'' I'm sorry for interruptin' this sweet reunion…'' He started but was cut off by James pressing his blade to his neck.

'' Enough…you've done enough to harm us.'' James growled.

'' James! Put that sword down…he hasn't done anything wrong!'' Christine cried out.

James looked back at her with a surprised look on his face, while Jack moved the blade over to his other shoulder.

'' Nothing wrong! How can you say such a thing…what has he done to you to think that abducting you is not wrong!''

'' He isn't the one who abducted me…he saved me.'' Christine explained. James looked over at Jack who smiled.

'' He saved you…the pirate saved you?'' James inquired puzzled.

'' Yes he did…he saved me from the pirate that abducted me.'' Christine pushed his blade off Jack's shoulder.

'' If it hadn't been for him I would probably not be still alive.'' She smiled sweetly at Jack who returned the smile and then gave James a teasing look.

'' So that man saved your life…unbelievable…'' James shook his head.

'' Well believe it…'' Christine said with a smile.

James sheathed his sword and looked sternly at Jack. '' I believe thanks are in order.'' He put his hand forward for him to shake. Jack shook his hand and smiled.

'' Ye're welcome mate…''

'' So this man you say has rescued you…he did not touch you or make you do anything against your will?'' James inquired.

Christine felt her cheeks blushing from the grin Jack was giving her. '' No, not at all…'' She turned her gaze towards Jack. '' He was a true gentleman.'' Jack winked at her as his grin widened.

James breathed easier. '' Good…I wouldn't want to know that anything happened to you while we were so unfortunately separated.''

Christine walked over to him and placed a hand on his chest. '' Stop worrying so much…I am fine, Jack treated me well.''

James looked down at her and smiled content. '' If you say so…'' She reached up to kiss him once softly on the lips.

Lucas had been keeping a safe distance from them, not wanting to interrupt their conversation. When Christine's eyes fell on him, she immediately pushed herself away from James and smiled.

'' James, this is my friend Lucas…he kept me save on the other pirate ship before Jack rescued us.''

James looked over to the boy standing nearby. '' Come closer boy…'' He said beckoning him. Lucas moved closer to them and Christine linked her arm with his.

'' He saved me from being raped…and killed the captain on the ship when he refused to let me go.'' Christine said with pride. '' He's a true friend…my guardian angel.'' She kissed him on the cheek, making him blush.

'' I see that you have surrounded yourself with good and caring people. It brings much joy and relief to my heart to see how well you've been attended to.'' He finally noticed what she was wearing.

'' Why are you wearing those clothes? They don't suit you at all.''

Christine looked down at her clothes, they weren't that bad. '' Well I couldn't work in a dress…and I didn't have any spare clothes.''

'' Working! He made you work on the ship!'' James said startled.

Christine rolled her eyes. This man took everything too seriously. '' No he didn't make me…I offered to. I wanted to repay him for rescuing me.''

James calmed down. '' Very well…you are too kind hearted.''

'' I just did what I felt was right.'' Christine said with a smile.

'' She was a hell of a worker…'' Jack added, feeling quite left out of the conversation.

James turned his attention towards him. '' I didn't suspect any different. She's a hard working woman. Which reminds me…Mrs. Barker has been inquiring about your whereabouts…I heard her complaining the other day. She was cursing over the fact that you couldn't have picked a better time to be abducted.'' He said with a mocking smile.

Christine chuckled. '' I could have guessed…that woman probably thinks I did it to escape work.''

'' I really need some rum…'' Jack said with a sigh as he headed towards his cabin. '' Those love birds are killin' me!'' He grabbed a bottle and half emptied it. With a smile for having his sweet rum in his system he returned to the deck.

'' So when will ye two love birds leave?''

They turned around to face him. '' As soon as possible I prefer.'' James answered.

'' Great…well it was fun ta have ye here luv…'' He winked at her. '' Keep good care of her…she's somethin' special.'' He said to James and then took a large swig of his rum.

James frowned, which made Christine laugh. She turned to Lucas and took his hand in hers.

'' If you ever happen to come to Port Royal, don't be afraid to show yourself at my door.''

Lucas smiled at her in gratitude. '' I will…I wish you all the best in life.'' He turned to James. '' You are blessed to be granted the honor of her presence by your side. She is a fine woman.''

James smiled and nodded in agreement. '' She sure is.''

Christine hugged her friend closely, whishing she would meet him again soon. When they broke apart she turned to Jack.

'' I know I've told you this a thousand times…and you probably don't want to hear this again, but I want to thank you for everything you've done for me. I hope you will let Lucas stay with you on the ship, he has no one else.''

'' Of course he can stay…'' He bent his head closer to her ear.'' Are ye sure ye wanna go…I have a good bed waitin' for ye.''

Christine laughed. '' I will miss you…if you ever happen to be around Port Royal…you know…I can always afford seeing a friendly face.''

Jack smiled. '' I'll think about it…especially if that includes some of the activities we did earlier.'' He said with a grin.

'' Well I can't promise you that…but if all goes wrong with me and James I will consider it.'' She hugged him closely, feeling him pulling her closer.

'' You know you've got to let go of me…he might get worried over there.'' She heard him chuckle in her hair and then he released her.

'' Ye would have been a great pirate…ye've got the spirit.''

'' Thanks Jack…'' She smiled and turned to James. '' Now I think we are ready to leave.''

'' Actually there's one thing I wanted to ask you.'' James said as he raised her chin up to meet his eyes.

'' What is it?''

'' I've loved you since the first day I saw you. That day something stirred in my chest, a strong feeling I haven't been able to understand completely. You made me see the life in a different perspective, with you by my side the world seemed a bit brighter. When you were taken away from me I first realised how strong this feeling towards you was…I cannot live without you Christine…Will you do me the honor of your hand in marriage?''