A change in the winds

Chapter five: Competitors

Christian opened the door to his cabin and gestured for Kenna to step inside.

'' Sit down and make yerself at home. I'll get the rum,'' he smiled at her and then turned to his desk, opening the top drawer and pulling out a key. He went over to a small cabinet in the corner of the room and opened it, taking out two bottles of rum. Kenna sat down on the bed and was taking a glance over the room when her eyes fell on him standing by the bed.

'' You have a nice cabin here, pretty neat for a pirate.''

'' Not all pirates be slobs. We be a few who know some manners,'' Christian replied with a raised brow, knowing that she hadn't meant it the way it sounded.

'' I'm sorry…I didn't mean it that way. It's just, I've only heard…''

'' Don't worry about it, I'm not offended.'' He sat down on a chair beside the desk and handed her a bottle. She gave him an insecure smile as she uncorked the bottle.

'' So what's yer story, what brings ye here?'' Christian took a swig from his bottle.

'' Oh it's a long story. I wouldn't want to bore you…'' Kenna replied, taking a sip from her bottle. The amber liquid burned down her throat; she had never liked that drink much.

'' By all means tell me, we have unlimited time on our hands.'' Christian encouraged her.

'' Oh, look, a swallow. I think I saw a swallow!'' Kenna placed the bottle on the nightstand as she stood up from the bed and went over to the window. Her heart was pounding in her chest; she couldn't tell him her secret. She felt the presence of a body behind her and a low voice spoke in her ear.

'' There be no swallows here…'' Startled by the voice cooing in her ear, she couldn't move. She swallowed hard.

'' I…I'm sure I saw one…flying by…just now…'' She didn't dare to move or turn around; his body was awfully close to hers. She felt him moving closer to her, his hands on her upper arms and his warm breath on her neck.

'' What are you doing?'' she managed to utter. A low chuckle was heard from behind her.

'' Tryin' ta see this swallow ye say ye saw…'' He gently swept her hair away from one side of her face, tucking it behind her ear.

'' I can't see it. Are ye sure ye saw one?''

---

Up in his cabin, Jack was going over the charts. He figured that with this wind they would reach Port-au Prince in about two days. A part of him wanted nothing more than to get rid of her and her magic, but deep inside him he felt that his job wasn't fulfilled by taking her home. There was something he was meant to do. He had no idea what it was. What could she probably need from him? With a sigh he rested his head on his right hand. Why did he have to get himself into this trouble? Kenna…He raised his head from his hand. Where was she? Come to think of it he hadn't seen her since she stormed out of the galley earlier.

'' I guess I should apologize ta her…'' He stood up from his chair and left the cabin. He went down to her cabin and knocked on the door. He got no response so he knocked again.

'' Kenna…open the door. I need ta have a word with ye.'' He still got no response so he tried to open the door, it was unlocked.

'' I'm comin' in.'' But to his amazement she wasn't inside. '' Where can she be?'' He left the cabin and went over to the galley, but only found the cook and a few members of the crew.

'' Ye haven't by any chance seen the new lass?''

'' No, Captain, not today,'' one of the crewmembers replied as he took a bite of his bread. Jack nodded his head and left the galley.

'' Maybe she be up on deck.'' He searched the whole deck, but saw no sign of her.

'' It's like she disappeared. I hope it isn't one of her spells…'' Jack said with a frown as he went back below deck. While he was walking through the hall he stumbled across a crewmember.

'' Have ye seen a girl about this high? '' He stuck his hand out from his body in his shoulder height. '' She has red hair and green eyes?''

'' Aye, I saw her with Christian a while ago.''

'' Christian? Do ye know where they were goin'? '' Jack inquired, feeling the panic wash over him.

'' No, but it seemed they be headin' to his cabin.'' Jack hurried over to Christian's cabin and threw the door open.

'' Step away from the girl!'' he growled. Kenna spun around in surprise. What was he doing here? Christian chuckled and stepped away from her.

'' What are ye so afraid of? I won't harm her. We were only talkin'.''

'' What are ye doin' in his cabin? Ye shouldn't be here,'' Jack said sternly.

'' The girl should be able ta chose whom she wants ta associate with,'' Christian pointed out.

'' Not when it comes ta ye. Step away from that window and leave the room,'' he ordered her.

'' He's right. I should be able to chose whom I want to talk to. You've made it very clear that you don't want anything to do with me so why should you care whom I talk to?''

'' He's not ta be trusted, believe me. Nothin' good will come out of that.''

'' And I'm supposed to believe you? Why can't you let me be happy? You always have to ruin everything!'' She stormed out of the cabin. Jack closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

'' Ye sure be good with the ladies Captain…'' Christian mocked. '' I suggest ye don't strip them off all their dignity next time.'' He winked at him and patted him on the shoulder as he headed out of the room. Jack grabbed his hand.

'' Leave her alone, you hear me.'' Christian pulled his hand from Jack's grip.

'' Why would I do that? Like she said, ye don't want anythin' ta do with her…do ye?'' Christian left the cabin, leaving Jack standing in the doorway, gritting his teeth.

---

Kenna fled into her room and locked the door. She threw herself on the bed and cried. Why did he always have to be so mean to her? She could never have any fun around here; he was always there to ruin it. She wished they could be friends, but he had made it clear that it would never happen. A knock was heard on her door and she buried her face further down into the pillow. Another knock was heard and a voice spoke.

'' It's me, Christian. Open the door honey.''

'' Go away…''

'' Please, open the door. Let's talk about this.''

'' No, go away…I want to be alone.''

'' I know what yer feelin'. Just open the door.'' Jack was heading up on deck when he saw Christian outside her door.

'' You don't have a clue what I'm feeling right now. Now leave me alone!'' she shouted. Jack couldn't but laugh.

'' I guess yer not doin' so well either…'' he said grinning as he walked up on deck. Christian leaned his forehead against the wall beside the door. He had never been humiliated like that before…and in front of the Captain! He pulled himself together and went up on deck. There he found Jack by the helm.

'' Given up on the lass have ye?'' Jack said grinning.

'' Laugh all ye want, I know why ye're doin' this,'' Christian spat back.

'' Doin' what, keep her from gettin' hurt? It's me responsibility as the Cap'n.''

'' That's not the reason. Ye don't want ta admit it, but I know ye like her.''

'' I would save any lass from ye Christian. Even though ye're not infamous for yer dealings with the ladies I be knowin' ye well enough. Ye'll break her heart faster than tyin' yer own breeches.''

'' I admit I haven't exactly been very loyal in me former relationships, but who are ye ta talk? I'm not the gent with the infamous reputation with the ladies.''

'' I at least leave them satisfied,'' Jack added.

'' Ye can't forbid me ta see her if ye're as bad yerself.''

'' I don't want anythin' ta do with her. I just want ta keep her out of trouble.''

'' Ye keep sayin' that, but I know ye're just jealous 'cause she doesn't want ye.''

'' Me? Jealous? Never! That girl be nothin' but trouble.''

'' Then why won't ye let me have her? She'll be off the ship in a few days anyways.''

'' I wouldn't underestimate her lad, that cat's got claws.''