A change in the winds

Chapter two: Unexpected findings

The sun rose up on the horizon, streaking orange and pink colours over the slightly brightening sky. Jack stretched his arms and yawned, waking up after a good night's sleep. He sat up in his bed, scratching his chest as he reached for his shirt. He put his effects on and left the room. Seeing Cotton by the helm, he went down to the galley for some breakfast. Picking up an apple, he sat down, putting his feet up on the table. Half way through his apple Kenna entered the galley.

'' Good morning Captain, how did you sleep?'' she inquired sweetly. Jack pulled his feet of the table, startled.

'' Just fine thank you…'' Then he raised an eyebrow. '' Why?...''

'' Oh, nothing, just being polite,'' she replied with a smile. She sat down on a chair against Jack. '' I see that we have set sails…when did that happen?''

'' Late last night. I figured it would be better, gets ye home sooner. ''

Kenna didn't know whether she should be happy or sad over what he said. Did he really want to get rid of her that much? What had she done to him? If he disliked her so much then why did he set her free?

'' Why do you dislike me so much?'' Kenna inquired, feeling hurt.

Jack looked at her baffled. '' Dislike ye…I don't dislike ye…''

'' Then what is it? You act so strangely around me. It's like you're afraid you'll catch a disease if you get too close to me.'' Jack didn't know what to say, he couldn't admit that he was afraid of her. He gathered up the courage to look up at her and saw tears filling her eyes.

'' Luv…it's nothin' like that. How can I dislike ye when I not even be knowin' ye?''

'' Then why are you acting this way? Clearly there's something about me that you don't like.'' She stood up from the chair. '' No one forced you to buy me!'' and she ran out of the galley, tears flowing freely from her eyes. Jack felt a lump form in his chest as he watched her run through the door. He had never meant to hurt her, he just didn't feel comfortable around her. With a sigh he threw his apple away and buried his head in his hands. He had to do something about that girl, he couldn't be afraid of her forever.

Kenna ran to her cabin and shut the door behind her, locking it. She threw herself on the bed and cried. Why was he acting this way? She couldn't see why he bothered buying her if he didn't even want to be near her. It just made no sense. Knowing that she was in far better hands with Jack than with any of the other men in the tavern made her feel better, but she wished he would just be honest with her.

Jack left the galley and took the wheel from Cotton, who was glad to get some sleep after staying up all night by the helm. One by one the crewmembers came up on deck, starting their daily tasks. The sun was now high in the air, casting her rays over the sea, making it sparkle as the waves slowly crashed on the ship. Jack forgot all about Kenna and her sudden outburst when he felt the warm air play with his hair as the ship glided over the sea. A while later Gibbs came up to the helm.

'' So Jack, how be the new lass…ya never told us why she be here.''

'' The new lass? Kenna! Oh no…I forgot all about her...'' He leaned his head back, sighing over his stupidity.'' This will not be helpin' me and me reasonin'…'' Gibbs cocked a brow, not understanding what the captain was rambling on about.

'' Take the wheel, I be needin' ta talk ta the lass…'' Gibbs did as his captain ordered and took his place by the wheel. Jack headed down to her cabin, knocking softly on the door. He got no response so he tried to open the door, but it was locked.

'' Luv…we need ta talk. Can ye please open the door?'' Kenna was sitting on the bed but stood up when she heard him speak. She opened the door just enough to reveal her face.

'' What do you want? '' She tried to look stern but when she saw his sad face all her plans washed away.

'' We need ta talk…will ye let me in?'' he asked remorseful. Kenna stood in the doorway, deciding whether she should let him in or not. Finally she moved away, giving him clear passage into the room. A relieved smile spread over his lips as she let him in but it vanished as soon as he looked into her emerald eyes.

'' I'm really sorry for me actions earlier today, but I wasn't lyin' when I told ye I didn't dislike ye.'' Kenna sat down on the bed again, looking down at the floor.

'' Just explain why you are acting this way, that's all I'm asking for.'' She looked up at him.'' I thought I didn't need to know why you set me free, but your behaviour leaves me no choice but to insist to know.''

Jack fumbled with his fingers, not knowing whether he should tell her the truth or not. '' It's complicated luv…I can't even explain it ta meself. There be somethin' about ye that intimidates me, but I not be knowin' what or why.''

Kenna looked up at him and saw that he was telling the truth. '' I'm sorry that you feel intimidated by me, believe me it was not my intention. I must ask though, why did you buy me if I frightened you?''

'' I never meant for ye ta stay with me. Settin' ye free was just somethin' I felt was the right thing ta do. I not be knowin' why, but when I saw ye up there I couldn't take me eyes off ye. It was like I was hypnotized.''

Kenna looked at him surprised by his honesty. '' Hypnotized? I see…so you bought me because you felt it was the right thing to do, but you had no idea why? '' Jack nodded his head.

'' I know it be soundin' stupid…'' Jack begun but, she cut him off.

'' No it doesn't. It means that my spell worked,'' she said with a relieved smile. '' All this time I thought you hated me…''

'' Wow, hold on luv. Yer spell worked? Are ye tellin' me that ye tricked me into buyin' ye with magic?''

'' I didn't trick you into anything, it was only a protection spell,'' Kenna said in her defence.

'' But ye just admitted ye used spells ta get me ta buy ye…'' Jack raised his finger at her.

'' It wasn't pointed towards you; it was just a protection spell. It was supposed to save me from my grim fate. And you did.''

'' So what are ye…a witch? I knew I shouldn't have taken ye aboard. I had a feelin' somethin' wasn't right…'' Jack was on the verge of freaking out.

'' Calm down, I'll explain everything…'' Kenna begged, standing up and touching his forearm. Jack jerked his hand back when he felt her touch.

'' I not be trustin' ye. Ye'll go off board in the next port…'' and with that he left the room.

Kenna let herself fall down on the bed and cried. Now she had ruined everything. She was still far away from home, and didn't have much faith in surviving in the port Jack would leave her in.

'' You are so stupid Kenna! Why did you have to tell him about the spell? Now he really does hate you!'' She buried her head in her hands and sobbed.

Jack went straight to his cabin and sat down by his desk, opening a bottle of rum. After finishing half the bottle, he put it down and started tapping on the desk with his fingers. He didn't believe what just happened. He did not have a witch on his ship!

'' I've got ta get her off the ship. I can't be transportin' a witch to her hometown. What if there be a group of witches waitin' for me there? '' Jack stood up from the chair. '' I can't let that happen…'' He started pacing around the floor. '' But maybe she will curse me if I leave her behind. That's not good either…but I can't have her here…she might try ta take over the ship or somethin'!'' With a frustrated sigh, he let himself fall down on the bed. '' Why do I always have ta get meself into trouble?''