Chapter Four

Aboard:

Claire stood aboard The Evening Star, her anger fuming off of her. She couldn't imagine this man being the boy she once knew. The boy who kept her safe aboard the Morning Star. The boy who would every month come back and see her with Jason. Those weekends were the best. He would always bring her something back from his trips. Her hand unknowingly went to her chest. Underneath her shirt hung a necklace.  It was an aquamarine stone that hung off a simple silver chain. She smiled softly at the memory.

Claire’s feet dangled off the dock; she had just turned fifteen that passing summer. It was September, the day was still long and still hung on to the warmth of summer. She had been counting down to this weekend. Jack was returning, Claire had not seen him in four months. He had written to her and let her know that this journey was taking longer than normal. She waited her eyes on the entrance of the bay. The sun was setting and she was growing tired but she knew he was coming. She glanced up to the cliff side, Morgan had lit the candle. Morgan was waiting as well. A fish circling below her foot in the water drew her attention. She watched it debating on biting her foot. A strong wind kicked up sending a chill down her back. The wind knocked her golden blond hair into her face. She frowned trying to move her hair out of the way.  She heard a chuckle behind her and knew instantly who it was. She jumped up with hair still in her face as she spun around. She went to take a step forward and bumped into his chest.

“Jackie!” Claire squeaked in excitement. 

Laughing at the sight of her, he helped get her hair out of her face. As he swept her hair away from her face he was taken back by just how blue her eyes were. They did this to him every time. He smiled at her and then scooped her into the biggest bear hug.

“Oh how i've missed you Claire Bear!” He said, picking her up off the ground in the hug.

She laughed, throwing her head back, her arms wrapped just as tight around him. He set her down, his hands still on her waist.

“Why didn't I see you come in? I have been sitting here for hours.” She pouted.

“We docked on the other side; it was easier from the direction we were coming.” He said grinning.

“You’ve gotten so much taller!” Claire laughed looking at him, Jack was now seventeen and in a few months time he slowly changed from looking like a young boy into a man.

“Yeah I thought you looked smaller for some reason.” He teased her.

“Shut up! Are you hungry, I’m sure Morgan has put aside food for you and Jason.” Claire grabbed his hand and started to pull him down the dock.

“Hang on.” Jack said, pulling her back.

“I have something for you.” He smiled, his hand going to his back pocket.

Claire paused tilting her head to ask what. He chuckled at the response.

“Turn around and close your eyes.” Jack said a smile plastered on his lips.

“Ok.” Claire chuckled, although she was secretly excited.

She turned around and shut her eyes. She felt Jack come up behind her and place something up over her head. Something with weight hit her chest and she felt him clip something behind her neck.

“I had to wrestle a mermaid for this.” He whispered into her ear.

A small chill ran down her spin from his breath hitting her ear. She laughed at his statement. She felt his hands on her arms as she turned her towards him.

“Ok you can open your eyes now. I wanted to see you look at it.” He said excitedly waiting for her to look.

Claire opened her eyes and her hand went to her chest. A necklace dangled there. It was the most beautiful stone she had ever seen. The bright blue ocean color of it made her smile brightly. 

“Jack, it's beautiful.” She whispered looking at it.

“You like it?” He asked, his voice sounding a little vulnerable.

“Like it? I love it!” She said, jumping into his arms.

He caught her laughing. 

“Was the mermaid angry? Should I expect her to plot revenge against me?” She laughed.

“No but it is called the mermaid's treasure. It's called aquamarine. It means good luck, fearlessness, and protection to sailors.” He whispered to her as he touched the stone.

“Oh then you should wear it.” Claire said, her hand going to the back of her neck.

He caught her hand shaking his head no. “ I have all the good luck in the world.” Jack said with a wink.

“Oh yeah.” Claire said a smirk on her lips.

“Yup, I have the best good luck charm ever.” He said mischief flashed in his eyes.

“Oh well it can't be as pretty as the one around my neck though.” She said her voice teasing.

“Oh it's much much prettier.” He said his voice was getting a little serious.

“What's it look like then?” Claire said, making a face.

“Well it's about this tall.” He said, holding his hand above her head.

“You can't carry something that tall around with you.” Claire said, making a face.

“Shhh. ITs about this tall, has hair as gold as the summer sun, and has eyes bluer than any sky or ocean put together. And her laugh puts songbirds to shame.” He said very seriously to her.

Claire looked at him listening to him describe his good luck charm. Her cheeks were getting a little red as she began to realize what his good luck charm was.

“The only downside about my good luck charm is I can't take it with me. At Least not yet anyways.” He said his voice was now sad.

“Not yet?” She asked, confused.

“When you turn eighteen come with me.” He whispered to her, taking her hand.

“Claire, I know you love the sea, I know you love adventure. We could go anywhere you want, see or do anything.” He said his voice was full of excitement.

“Morgan….”She whispered.

“I’m sure she’ll understand. She has Gavin and they're a growing family.” Jack said, squeezing her hand.

Claire thought for a moment and then looked back at Jack, her stomach full of excitement, as she couldn't help but nod yes. He scooped her up into his arms again and spun her in a circle. As her feet touched the dock. He brought his lips to hers and kissed her. This was the last time she saw Jack.

Claire shook her head, shaking the memory from it. It always made her heart ache and she was left with so many questions. She frowned deeply.

“Frowning already, We haven't even introduced you to everyone.” Jack’s voice interrupted her.

“Don't worry i dont need to know your band of hooligans. Just show me where I'll be staying, for the time being.” She refused to look at him.

She wanted to hit him every time she spoke to him. He was so….so annoying! She thought. She couldn't even look at him without wanting to shake him. She turned slightly away from him. Her eyes scanned the ship; she watched the men from Jack’s crew leave The Crown and come back to their ship. She saw Jacob fustratedly pacing back and forth on the helm. She frowned slightly. She wanted to tell him everything was going to be ok. JAcob was family and she could only imagine what was running through his head.

Jack was studying the girl he used to know. She was different. The carefree Claire was gone. She was ridgid, responsible, and almost pretentious. He shook his head at her. She caught him looking at her and her frown deepened.

“Well this is going to be lovely. This way Gorgeous.” He grumbled as he started walking towards the stairs.

He walked past her and started towards the stairs. As his foot hit the first step there was a bunch of commotion behind him. He followed the noise with his eyes. A man was on the lower deck with a circle of men around him. His blade was drawn and he was yelling something about Claire not going anywhere. His men were snickering at him as they closed in on him. Claire’s eyes snapped from the man to Jack and without saying anything, she grabbed Jack’s sword at his waist band. She yanked hard on it as it was released from the stealth. In a split second she was across the deck and to the circle of men surrounding the man from her crew. Jack was stunned a bit as he watched Claire. Reaching the circle of man, she shoulder checked one hard and he stumbled into the man beside him. Not sensing a hit from behind him and the man standing next to him toppled to the side. She moved quickly into the circle sword drawn and stood directly behind the man.

“Adam what in god's name do you think you're doing!?” She yelled at him as he joined him.

“Captain we can't let you go with these...these poor excuses for men.” Adam said practically spitting at them.

“I appreciate the sentiment Adam but I had given orders and you're disobeying them.” Claire said, staring down at the men enclosing in on them.

Jack groaned as he stomped across the lower deck to the commotion. One of his men decided to lunge in. Claire’s sword clashed against his as she shoved his strike back at him the man stumbled surprised. Another began to attack Adam. Adam blocked his strike counting them. The man attacking Claire went back at her, his sword tighter in his hand. Claire smiled at him, almost begging for him to try attacking her again. As he went for her she dropped down and swung her legs at his. Jack looked a bit surprised but a small smile came to his face. He should have known Morgan would have taught her how to fight.  The man’s legs connected with hers and he stumbled on to the ground, flat on his back.  Jack was finally reaching them as another man began a sword fight with Claire. He almost wanted to sit back and watch, he was very impressed. Adam was holding his own with two men. A man sneaking up behind Claire with his sword raised. Jack’s stomach dropped. She didn't see him coming with a cheap shot. Jack pushed past his men in a hurry. He didn't have a sword but he wasn't thinking. He needs to get to Claire. He raced towards her just as the sword was coming down Claire's shoulder. Jack slammed into his man; throwing his shoulder in place of Claire. The blade sliced through Jack’s shirt and skin. Jack let out a groan as he pushed his man away from Claire.

Jack’s groan made the ship go silent; his men froze. Blood ran down Jack’s arm and dripped off his hand beginning to make a small puddle on the ground. Jack gritted his teeth angrily seeing his blood and the searing pain in his shoulder.

“That's Enough.” Jack yelled, his voice sending chills through the men. 

They seem to shrink away in fear of him. Jack turned his eyes on the man who started all this.

“You.” Jack said, stepping towards Adam.

Adam still had his sword drawn as the angery Captain Jack came towards him. The anger coming off of him would terrify the bravest man. Adam pointed his sword at him and Jack didn't even seem phased.

“I suggest you get back on your own ship before I lose all my patiences.” Jack growled.

“Claire-’ Adam began to say.

“She’s staying. Go back on your own ship and see her when you return with more coins. Or die now and never see her again. It’s all the same to me.” Jack said, gritting his teeth.

Claire was shocked as she had watched the sword intended for her slice Jack’s shoulder open. The man who did it was now cowring in the corner. Jack was face to face with Adam not even acknowledging that Adam had a blade to him. Claire watched the blood drops from his hand fall from the ground. She didn't tell her feet to move but they were. She walked to Jack and stepped between him and Adam. Jack growled seeing her going to defend Adam. Who was this man to her, anyways! He thought a tinge of jealousy ran over him.

“Adam, I gave my orders, you're disobeying. Return to the ship now.” Claire said her voice holding so much authority in it Jack was taken back.

Claire stepped closer to Jack and he seemed to freeze as she closed the space between them. Standing on her tippy toes, Her hand went to his shoulder as she pulled back the pieces of loose clothing.

“Claire I-” Adam began to say.

“Adam! The ship now! “ Claire said, turning on her heels to face Adam.

“Disobey another order of mine Adam and god help you.” Claire said her hand in fist at her side.

Adam nodded and stepped back. The men around them didn't move away from Adam. He was not able to make his way back to The Crown even if he wanted to. Claire was becoming angrier and angrier. 

“Well move!” She shouted at Jack’s crew, who quickly cleared away for Adam.

Claire turned back to Jack who was just staring at her, him and the rest of his crew. Adam made it back to her ship as She began to look at his wound again. She shook her head and sighed.

“There’s too much blood right now. I need clean water and to get you to sit down. I can't stand like this and work on your shoulder.” Claire grumbled,

Jack looked down at her confused, how was she annoyed with him. This wound would have been hers if he didn't step in the way. He thought looking at her. Claire sighed loudly as she looked around at the crew who was just watching.

“I said I need clean water and some bandages. Bring them to the captain’s cabin please.” Claire said, giving orders as she then glanced to the upper deck.

She decided that the one away from the helm was most likely Jack’s. She stepped away from Jack and began heading that way. Jack shook his head trying to gather what just happened. She basically scolded him and then gave his crew orders. He watched one man heading off to get clean water. He smirked a little bit as he shook his head. This was going to be a long two weeks. He then saw the man who sliced his shoulder. Anger bubbled up from inside him as he approached the man. The man slowly backed himself into a corner and shirkned down into it.

“Captain, I swear I didn't mean it. Captain i, it wasn't meant for you. I am so sorry.” He said, shaking.

Jack debated throwing him overboard but instead he took out his dagger pointing it then man, he motioned for him to stand.

“Get up.” Jack growled as the man continued to try to shrink away,

“Captain, I would never hurt you.” He pleaded.

Jack gritted his teeth before motioning him once more to stand. The man stood shaking. Jack looked him over quickly. Debating on how bad he was going to injure him. Twirling his dagger in his hand.

“Right handed or Left.” Jack sneered at him, he didn't need anyone useless on his ship ethier.

“Rrrright.” The man said, still shaking.

Jack nodded and snapped his hand at the man’s left hand. The man held his hand out like a misbehaved child. Jack rolled his eyes at his response. He took the man’s hand and placed it against the ship's side. 

“Don't move.” Jack said in a whisper.

The man nodded, closing his eyes. Jack in one swift motion pinned the man’s hand to the ship with his dagger. The man let out a painful yell as Jack turned and began walking away. Claire’s head snapped over to the direction of the yell as she reached the stairs for the upper deck. Jack was heading to the opposite stairs. She sighed irritated as she turned to follow him. He paused lingering at the stairs as if he knew she was coming. Reaching she raised an eyebrow to ask what that was all about but her ignored it. He began walking up the stairs leaving little drops of blood behind. Claire clenched her jaw as she walked behind him.