Chapter Six

Impossible:

She rolled over, she was so comfortable. She stretched outwards and yawned. She sat up looking around. She must have dozed off. She glanced about at her surroundings and then her mood turned sour. This wasn't her ship, this wasn't her cabin and how the heck did she end up in the bed. She scanned the cabin once more and Jack wasn't anywhere in sight. It would take Jacob even longer now to get to the trades post. She knew he was capable but going the route she had intended was tricky. She knew he wouldn't return for at least two to three weeks. She sighed heavily before standing. She might as well make herself at home...ish. She thought. She headed to the door pausing as she reached for the handle. Jack had made it very clear for her to stay in the cabin. Did he not trust his own crew? What kind of person did he turn into? She thought as she began turning the door handle. She wasn't afraid of any man and she certainly was going to spend three weeks shut in a cabin. She would go absolutely crazy. She pulled the door towards her as she made her way out. She thought she would be walking out of the cabin to the sun still shining but it had set and the stars were out shining brightly. She heard talking up by the helm. She glanced at the vacant ship. There were random men ust sleeping randomly about the ship. A small group of men were nestled on the lower deck drinking and playing cards by candlelight. She chuckled thinking about how the candle light could almost make it seem romantic. The cool breeze from the sea ran through her hair. She shut her eyes, enjoying it. She was made to be on the open water. She never felt more safe or at home than she did on a ship. 

She began making her way quietly down the ship. She was excited to explore it without anyone bothering her. The moonlight reflecting off the little silver details of the ship played into the ghostly feel of it. She crossed the lower deck careful not to wake anyone and found herself heading towards the helm. Before she knew it she was up the stairs and standing facing the helm. She frowned slightly seeing Jack attempting to steer. He hadn't seen her yet but his brow had sweat beads across it and his face looked painful. She sighed, his shoulder was never going to heal. She walked over to him and cleared her throat.

“Minimum usage of your shoulder is what I said. Sure looks like your following orders real well.” Claire said her voice showing her disappointment.

“I don't follow orders real well. Why i became captain.” Jack said, flashing her a forced grin.

“You're supposed to be in my cabin.” Jack said his tone matching hers.

“I don't follow orders.” Claire said, smirking at him.

“I see that.” Jack said as his hand began to shake.

“Where’s your first mate or second in command? They should be steering for you.” Claire said, looking about the ship.

“Jonah is the only one who knows how to steer besides me. He needs to in the morning.” Jack said annoyed.

“You only have two people who know how to steer on your whole ship.” Claire said, shocked.

“The more people who know how to steer, the easier you are at being replaced. I die and Jonah dies, they sink.” Jack said, explaining his logic.

“Seriously! Move!” She said walking over to the wheel.

“You are not steering my ship.” He said gripping the wheel tighter.

“When your shoulder becomes more painful and I don't know if it starts bleeding then you're not going to have an option.” Claire said, standing her ground and becoming more frustrated with him.

He frowned, ignoring her. He kept his eyes and tried to push the pain and her presence from his mind.

“Jackie! Seriously. You have turned into an impossible man.” Claire yelled at him, her hands in fist at her side.

“Impossible. Well you're not a peach ethier.” He grumbled to her.

Claire folded her arms across her chest and moved to the railing. Leaning on it she stared at him down. She could count the sweat beads on his forehead. He was going to cave at some point. She just had to wait him out.

“So you're going to stand there all night and stare at me?” He asked, his voice growing tired.

She didn't answer and chose to look up to the star. A memory of her and Jack laying out under the stars on The Morning Star flashed through her mind. Jason steered telling them stories about the stars and their patterns. She followed the stars till she found ursa major and then the north star just as Jason and Jack had taught her. It had stayed with her all these years. She learned much about the stars and the night sky sailing on many trips with Gavin  but this was one of her favorite teaching memories. Jack watched her face as she looked at the stars different emotions passing over it. He wondered what she could possibly be thinking of. The pain in his shoulder radiating down his back now and was causing awful cramping in his neck. His opposite arm was starting to ache from trying to  compensate. She pretends not to notice him struggling. She shifted her gaze to the men below. The card game from earlier was gone and their romantic candle blown out. She smiled softly. She missed her crew, she missed her ship, and she was angry for missing out on her one opportunity. She hated dwelling on it but she kept thinking about it. 

The ship swayed one way and then quickly back to the right. She stumbled while keeping her footing. A man walking across the low deck wasn't so lucky and fell over. She looked at Jack who looked like he was about to topple over. She turned to him, putting her hands on her hips. She watched him, watched her and took a deep breath.

“Don't say a bloody word. Just come take over for now.” Jack said, giving into Claire finally.

Claire smiled triumphantly and started over to him. Taking the wheel she went to tell him that she told him so but seeing the pale look of pain on his face she decided not to rub it in. He leaned up against the first mate's cabin watching her. 

“Just stay the course, we're sailing close to the next docking area.” Jack said, sinking to the floor to sit.

“I know so you can go raid another poor helpless ship.” Claire said out loud, irritated.

“Aye Gorgeous.” Jack said, smirking closing his eyes slightly.

She tighten her hands on the wheel. She was becoming more and more frustrated with him. She glanced back at him. He sat on the floor, his head leaned back and eyes shut. She clenched her jaw.

“Gorgeous, I can feel the daggers you're shooting at me. If you're any good of a captain you know when steering you keep your eyes on the horizon.” He said with a smirk on his lips.

“Why?’ She shouted at him as she fought the urge to let go of the wheel and shake him.

“So we don't crash? You have steered before?” He said, opening his eyes slowly.

“No thats-” She started to say but he was up on his feet trying to walk to her.

“For the love of god you can't sail!” He said nearly falling over.

“SHUT UP!” Claire screamed at him, her frustration and anger rolling off of her in waves.

Jack stopped short and almost stumbled back, as if she hit him physically. He paused, waiting for her to continue. Claire took several deep breaths in and out before she could even continue responding to him. 

“That is not what I was saying. Now go sit down before you fall down.” Claire said not looking his way.

Jack put his hands up defensively and walked back to the spot he was sitting at. Completely confused about what just happened. Even his own actions confused him. If she had been anyone else he would have thrown her overboard at the very least. He sat silently watching her.

She could feel his eyes on her watching her. He wanted her to continue or to explain and she debated asking her questions again. She was torn for one he had turned into this arrogant, irritating man and she would much rather ignore him completely but she had this nagging need to know what happened, what turned her Jack into this Jack. 

“Why...I meant why are you doing this? “ Claire asked softly, almost sad.

“I’m a pir-

“Jack, don't give me no smart ass answer. I know you're a pirate but why turn into this?” Claire siad cutting him off trying to hold on to the little patiences she had left.

“Don't worry yourself with it. It doesn't concern you. When your men get back you'll be free and back on whatever path you were heading down.” Jack answered short and cold.

“Fine.” Claire said in the same short tone he was using. 

Claire tried to focus on anything but the thought of Jack sitting behind her. She stared up at the night sky trying to get her mind off of him. She steered silently. She couldn't help herself, she glanced back and his eyes were closed again. A small noise escaped out of his lips as his breathing deepened. Claire rolled his eyes, that's all  she needed was him snoring away.

She stared at the horizon, her mind drifting to home. She began to hum quietly to herself. 

“Keep this candle lit for my love’s at sea. Keep it bright so my love can see.” She sang quietly in between humming.

“The sea is rough and the days are long. My love is gone. I’ll keep this candle lit for me, so my love comes back to me.” 

The sun was slowly peeking up over the horizon, shimmers of gold touched the tops of the passing waves. The sunlight dancing on them. Claire’s eyes were heavy and she slowly began to nod in and out. The men below were starting to wake as the sun began to slowly spread over the deck. The sunlight sneaking into the deepest cracks on the ship. The men grumbling that had fallen asleep on the deck as the sunlight woke them.

“What's your name Lady Captain?” A voice said from behind her.

Claire snapped her head up as she realized it was starting to slump forward. She glanced over their shoulder to see a tall man standing beside Jack who was still sleeping. His hair was the color of the raven's wings and his eyes almost golden. She straightened up and looked forward again.

“It's Claire.” She said firmly.

“Ah...Claire.” He said as if he had heard of her.

She glanced back at him, narrowing her eyebrows at him, a small frown developing on her face as she did so.

“And you are?” She questioned him.

“Jonah. I’m the Captain’s first mate.” He said walking up to the wheel.

“Nice to meet you.” She said not paying any more attention to him.

“Where did you learn to sail?” Jonah asked, leaning against the upper rail facing her.

“My cousin.” Claire answered shortly.

“Don't like to talk much?” Jonah asked with a small smile dancing on his lips.

“Did you want to take over?” Claire asked him with a sweet smile.

“Tired?” Jonah asked, his smile growing.

“I could go back and forth with you, with whatever silly nonsense this is but aye i am tired. So if you wish to take over please do so and if not then it would be much appreciated if you took your mindless chatter elsewhere or get to the point of whatever it is you're trying to ask me.” Claire said, growing tired instantly.

Jonah’s smile quickly turned into laughter. Claire was a bit taken back by it but his laughter was a little contagious and she began to smile but shook her head at him.

“What?” Claire asked with a smile on her face.

“Nothing.” Jonah said through another laugh.

“No seriously you're laughing at me.” Claire said, trying to frown at him.

“You're just different….it’s nice. Here let me take over.” Jonah said, walking over holding his hand out to take the wheel.

“Thank you.” Claire responded by letting him take the wheel and step back.

“Welcome. Go get some rest. You can sleep in my cabin behind us. No one will bother you and I'll be right out here to make sure.” Jonah said, taking over.

Claire smiled at him. She decided that maybe everyone on this ship wasn't so annoying. She might just like Jonah. 

“Thank you.” Claire said softly as she nodded at him heading towards his cabin.

She stepped past Jack. She frowned slightly as she squatted down to look at his shoulder. The sutures were still intact. It was very swollen from his trying to use it. She sighed looking at it and then wondered how he could possibly be sleeping like that.

“Hey Jonah. I know this might be completely ridiculous to ask but could you try to keep this impossible man from using his shoulder?” Claire asked as she stood up.

Jonah laughed deeply at her statement as he nodded.  Claire grabbed the door handle of Jonah’s cabin as she heard him laugh again muttering about how she was right about Jack being impossible. She smirked as she stepped inside the cabin closing the door.