Ice Queen - A Pirates Of The Caribbean Love Story

Chapter Eleven

“Who’s firing?” I yelled, starting to run. “All hands on deck! Load the cannons! Fire!”

“Cathy,” Jack grabbed my arm and hauled me back towards him. “It’s no good. It’s the Dauntless. You can’t fight her. She’s stronger and more powerful than this ship. Norrington knew what he was doing.”

“What do you mean?” I demanded. “Wait… You mean, Norrington gave me an inferior ship on purpose? So he could wait for me in Port Royal, attack us, then capture me, a bounty hunter with a price on my head, and you, the most notorious pirate on the seas?”

“Exactly. It’s a trap. And you walked right into it.”

I felt the breath catch in my throat. And I’m sure it wasn’t just because I was standing so close to Jack. Or because his hand was still clutching tightly on my arm.

Time seemed to stop, and all the sounds of fighting faded away. All I was aware of was Jack’s eyes locked onto mine.

And then the floor rocked beneath our feet, knocking us both to the ground.

The moment was gone, and I jumped up and started yelling out orders.

“What are you going to do?” Jack demanded.

“We’re going to fight,” I said, grimly.

“There’s no point.”

I realized he was right. “Everybody!” I yelled. “Cease fire! On deck! Weapons at the ready.”

Everyone obeyed. I saw around me a loyal crew, their eyes all fixed on me. I was their captain. I was supposed to lead them out of this. They trusted me. I was failing them.

“Any suggestions?” I asked, weakly.

“Yeah!” yelled Milton, dancing up and down and waving his arms in the air.

“Milton?”

“Give them him.” He cocked a gun and pointed it at Jack.

I felt my heart shudder inside my chest. I swallowed. “We can’t do that. We’re on the same side now. The East India Trading Company betrayed us all.”

“You mean we’ve turned pirates?” gasped Milton.

I fingered my sword absently. “Milton, we don’t have a choice. We can’t outrun them, we can’t fight them…”

“Then Milton’s suggestion is the only one that works!” cried Smith. “Make a deal with them, Captain! Sparrow, for our freedom.”

I felt the entire crew stare at me, and I had never felt more helpless. I couldn’t meet Jack’s eyes. I knew what I would see in them. If I agreed, I’d be betraying him. If I refused, I’d doom us all to death.

“Captain, you have to decide now!” yelled Smith. “They’re preparing to sink us!”

“Alright!” I agreed, quickly. I felt a wave of self-loathing. I was betraying Jack. The only man I had ever loved.

I turned to him, and finally met his eyes. I wished I hadn’t afterwards.

I had never seen such a look in anybody’s eyes before. Of pain, surprise and betrayal.

“It’s the only way,” I whispered. “The only way. You do see that, Jack?” He smiled, a sad, hurt smile. “Jack! If I don’t do this, we won’t make it. I have to do this, Jack,” I pleaded, desperately.

Smith and Milton came up, a piece of rope in their hands. They knotted it tightly round his hands. “Be gentle!” I ordered. “Jack…”

I wanted to tell him I was sorry. I wanted him to say he understood, that he forgave me. But he didn’t. Why should he?

I pulled out my gun and held it towards his head. There was no going back now. “Milton. Take down our colours and offer a truce. Sparrow for our freedom and their ship.”

“Aye, aye, sir,” Milton agreed, and scuttled off to do as I said.

“So, this is it, then,” Jack said, his tone mocking. “The great Ice Queen… Bounty hunter, heart-breaker and betrayer.”

His words cut through me like whips. “If I don’t do this, we’ll all die! Jack…” I waited. He was looking at me, waiting for me to say something. I fingered the ropes that were twisted round his hands. Impulsively, I hauled him towards me and clamped my lips on his. The kiss was never very gentle to start with, but it got more and more aggressive, until I felt I couldn’t breath. I pulled away. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

“Captain, captain!” yelled Milton, racing towards me. “Bring Sparrow. We need you now!”

I turned my face away from Jack, and pulled him along. I focused on how my lips were still tingling from that kiss, rather than how I felt like a betrayer.