Chapter Three

 

Encounter:

Her eyes met his at the sound of her name. She narrowed her eyes at him as he slowly dropped his sword away from her neck. Who was he? She stepped towards him squinting as she studied his face. Her eyes searched, his hazel eyes were familiar, it was like she knew each freckle of gold in them, and  his rulely tousled bronze hair reminded her of a young boy she used to know. 

“Claire.” He repeated his name with a smile slowly coming to his face.

“Jackie?” She whispered, unsure of the words coming out of her mouth.

“Aye it's me!” He said, grabbing a hold of her and pulling her into a hug.

She hit his chest and the instant feeling of home wrapped around her. Jack had helped her keep it together and distracted her on The morning star as a young girl.  He was her best friend then. He was always there for her and then he was just gone. He stopped visiting a few years after Morgan, Gavin and her began their new life.  She would wait by the docks on the third weekend of every month. She had waited there for years after he stopped coming. The sadness replaced the excitement. She pulled back from his chest, staring at him still a little confused.

“What the heck are you doing out here? Whose ship is this?” He said  as she pulled back; this need to hug her again and not let go overwhelmed him.

“What the heck am i doing? What the hell are you doing?” She said waving her hands around at the other pirates.

“I’m a pirate….doing pirate things.” He said, sounding like a boy that was confused.

The silence behind them as the men from both crews watched the strange encounter taking place. Jack’s crew was confused as they watched their ill-tempered captain put his sword away and act like a young man who causally bumped into an old friend. Claire’s crew was still on edge watching her every move and waiting.

“Pirate! Pirate things! Really  Jack! Did you not see the queen's colors! Did you not think?” She said, jabbing him in the chest with each sentence.

Jack took a step back completely confused and not sure how to respond as this small woman stabbed him with her finger. A shock noise went through Jack’s crew. No one touched the captain like that. The noise snapped Jack out of being stunned. He remembered he was a pirate, a captain, and his whole crew was watching. He became slightly angry. He had a ruthless image to uphold. He snatched Claire by the wrist. She looked a bit surprised at first but quickly recovered. She pulled her hand back but Jack wasn't letting go.

“Let me go Jack.” She said gritting her teeth.

“No, as of right now you're our prisoner.” He motioned to her crew standing there with blades pointing at them.

“You will let go of me and You will let my crew go!” She yelled stepping towards him, she stood on her tippy toes squaring off with him. Her nose inches away from his as fire burned in her eyes.

A growl erupted from his chest. Who  did he think she was talking to. He stood straightening out his shoulders. He instantly grew taller and towered over her. She blinked a moment. This was not the boy she one knew. 

“Where is Jason?” She said, trying to calm the anger out of her voice.

“He’s dead.” Jack said with no emotion.

“Dead…”She said softly, her eyes shifting from him and to the crew behind him.

“Aye.” He answered just as coldly.

“Thomas?” She asked quietly, afraid of the answer because she did not see him.

“He left and started a new life.” He said watching different emotions pass over her face.

“Then whose captain? I demand to speak to him.” She asked, growing frustrated.

Jack chuckled, shaking his head. How did she not realize during this whole exchange. He rolled his eyes letting her wrist go. She stepped back away from him, her eyes studying him.

“Um...Captain?” Jonah asked, stepping out from the crowd.

“What?” Jack said, irritated.

“Captain! You! Your Captain!” She yelled.

“Aye, I am.” He smirked looking from her to Jonah.

“If you're Captain then let us go!” She growled.

“Well first I need to speak to your Captain and I will be taking some of the ship's valuables.” He grinned.

“What are your terms?” Claire asked, straightening herself up.

“Terms? Love, I need to talk to your Captain for that. Now which one of you lads back is captain?” Jack asked, turning around staring at Claire’s crew.

“Ah Jacob!” He smiled seeing Jacob.

Jacob nodded coming forward. Claire smirked, folding her arms across her chest and just waited.

“Aye Jackie. It's good to see unfortunate circumstances though.” Jacob said, reaching Jack.

“Unfortunately indeed. Now I know you must be captain. I will be generous and not take everything you got but I need a good amount of gold or coins or something I could trade for that. What do you have?” Jack said, putting his hand on Jacob’s shoulder.

“We don't have much. Some coins and some spices that we are on your way to trade and develop a trades deal.” Jacob said shrugging.

“Shit.” Jack grumbled.

‘Well i'm sorry but i got to take your coin. I’ll take your coin and your crew can go free deal, tradesman?” Jack smiled.

“I’m sorry Jackie but I can't make any deals. I’m first mate not captain.” Jacob said a small smile on his face as he glanced back at Claire.

“Then bring the man to me. I’m growing annoyed and when I get annoyed people die.” Jack said, his voice deadly.

“You’ve already spoken to her; Jackie.” Jacob said not being able to control the smirk on his face.

“Her! Bloody hell.” He groaned, turning around to see Claire with a grin plastered on her face.

“Your captain!” He grumbled.

“Aye Love I am.” She said mimicking his previous tone.

He exhaled, growing tired of everything.

“Your coins love, get them to me and your crew can go.” He growled.

She went back and forth on it. They didn't need coins to get to the trading post but they would need someone to resupply for the journey back.

“Half of the coins.” She said, narrowing her eyes at him.

“This isn't a negotiation with Claire Bear. I'm taking your coins and graciously letting your crew go.” He said, stepping to her, his anger beginning to boil.

“If you take all of our coins we won't have any supplies for the way home.” She said meeting him half way.

“Half your coins and you stay.” He smirked.

“Me stay? Are you crazy?’ Claire said her eyes widened slightly.

“Crazy, Aye most likely. Jacob will go make your trades deal. We will meet back here and I'll take the other half that I should take now. You're going to make a traes deal so I know you will be getting coins from that. S on your way back we can trade more coins for you to come back to them.” Jack smiled wickedly.

“You know you're not just stealing from the queen right now. You're taking from Morgan and Gavin. This is their company and their livelihood.” Claire said her voice was disappointing.

“Well this is my livelihood.” He said clenching his teeth.

“I can't believe this is how you turned out. Fine deal.” She said looking at him repulsed as she held out her hand from him to shake.

“Excellent. It's a deal.” He smiled brightly, taking her hand and shaking it.

She squeezed hard back wanting to break his hand but he acted like he didn't even notice.

“Claire you can't do this.” Jacob said stepping to her, Jack stepped in front of him with his hand on his sword.

“Jacob, go retrieve my belongings and half of the coins from our ship. I am making you a temporary captain in my place. When you return I will resume my role as captain until then you are in charge.” Claire said, speaking around Jack.

Jacob shook his head but Claire narrowed her eyes at him and he reluctantly gave in. Jacob shook his head as he began climbing the stairs to the captain's cabin. Silence fell over the crew and all you could hear was the echoing of Jacobs footsteps. Claire rubbed her brow annoyed as she gave Jack a cold shoulder. She had even turned herself away from him. She was doing everything in her power to ignore him. This will be how it will be for however long it takes for Jacob to return from the assignment. She clenched her fist in her hands, anger rushing through her as she thought about the voyage. This was supposed to be her assignment, her chance and now it was being taken from her. It made her blood boil. She shut her eyes trying to calm herself down. She could feel a vein in her neck throbbing. She could murder his right now.

A soft touch on her shoulder stirred her. She jumped slightly but regained herself seeing Jacob. He smiled weakly at her, handing her the coins, a bag of her clothings, and personal belongings. 

She smiled her thanks taking the bag and swinging it over her shoulder. She gripped the bag of coins looking at them. She then looked at Jack and backed down at the coins. Angered, still begging to be released she shook her head and chucked the bag of coins at him. He caught the bag of coins as it bounced off his chest. He clenched his jaw as he was about to say something. Claire started talking to Jacob without ever acknowledging Jack.

“The plans for the trade negotiation are in the middle drawer of my desk. We won't take or accept anything else. The good faith trade is in the lockbox in the upper right hand drawer of the desk. Give them what's in the box as a token from us showing that we believe in the relationship. Lastly don't not report this to the queen when you dock. If they asked why we were delayed there was a storm. I  know she won't check on us but do not report anything.” She said firmly, as she took off a necklace that was around her neck.

She held the necklace out to Jacob it was a sliver chain holding a small key,

“This is the key to the lock box. Keep it on you.” She said, handing it to him.

“Aye captain, I will do my very best and we will be back to get you in no time.” Jacob said, squeezing her shoulder.

“Aye i know you will. I doubt you would be able to go home without me. If Morgan saw you return without me; you probably wouldn't have a head.” Claire chuckled.

“Allright shall we get going boys!” Jack yelled as he bounced the bag of coins up and down in the palm of his hand.

At the sound of his voice the men slowly began backing away from Claire’s crew. Swords still drawn but they began to make their way back to the Evening Star, Claire sighed deeply seeing the scene. 

“Take care of my ship Jacob and the crew. Adam, you are now first mate.” She smiled.

“Milady it's your turn now.” Jack smiled, extending his hand to her.

Claire grumbled rolling her eyes at the sound of his voice. This was going to be the longest few weeks of her life. Jack held his hand out to her like he was going to help her across the ladder. She ignored him and grabbed a rope that was dangling. Without a second glance she took several steps back and then swung gracefully across the gap. She landed neatly on The Evening Star. She smirked looking back at The Crown as a wided eye Jack stood there. She placed a hand on her hip as if to say she was waiting. Jack shook his head as he hopped up onto the ladder. He began making his way across when he heard a voice.

“Good luck with her Jackie.” He said with a silly smile on his face, as if Jack didn't know what he was getting himself into.

“ You best keep her safe or this whole ship and Gavin’s ships will be after you. Never mind what Morgan will do.” Jacob paused before continuing. He smiled brightly at him.

Jack shook his head slightly as he made his way back onto his ship.