Chapter Text
Sherlock Holmes, nefarious pirate and thief, also captain of the Scarlet Revenge, grinned as the port came into view. She tapped her sword scabbard repeatedly against her thigh as she turned to her crew after giving the helmsman, Thomas, directions to anchor the ship a quarter mile off shore.
“Right, you know the drill. Head over, take as many valuables and goods as you can, but don’t kill anyone, and only injure if necessary." She glanced around her crew, then over to Anthony, the first mate, waiting next to the boats. “Let’s go!”
Sherlock’s crew swarmed out, manning and lowering the boats. Their captain made sure her sword was safely in its scabbard, then climbed aboard the last boat.
She arrived shortly after her crew, who had already frightened the first vendors into giving over their gold and goods. Nodding appreciatively to Matthew the cannonmaster, she ventured further into the port city, and entered the Kraken, a tavern and gambling bar.
“Do me a solid and fill this up, please.” Sherlock pulled a tankard from her pocket, where a line was drawn at 1 pint: just enough for her to feel the alcohol, but not enough to get her drunk. She picked up the now full glass and walked over to an empty table in the corner of the tavern, where she had an overview of everything. Placing her black tricorne hat on the table and unbuttoning her coat, she sat down and took a sip of her drink.
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Joanne Watson grimaced as she looked at the chaos left behind by the pirate crew of the infamous ship called the ‘Scarlet Revenge’. It was another typical day for her: sail to different ports, tell off the pirates ransacking there, and continue to the next city. Day, after day, after day.
Now it wasn’t her job she had a problem, and with her captain, Greg Lestrade, was pretty decent. She enjoyed the sailor life: being outdoors, traveling to different cities and meeting new people. But did pirates have to rob every city, every day?
She sighed and walked down the alleyway leading to the Kraken. She’d run into the captain of the Scarlet Revenge multiple times before and knew from recent records that she liked to invest in a drink while on land.
Stepping through the door, Joanne looked around the dimly lit tavern. She was met with wary, guarded and intrigued glances as she walked over to the bar. Leaning against it, she ordered her drink and looked around the room. She did a double take when she saw a woman sitting alone in the far corner, surveying the room with watchful eyes. She locked eyes with Joanne and gestured for her to take the spare seat. Joanne walked over and rolled her eyes as she recognized the long tousled black hair, lean frame and pale, green eyes of Sherlock Holmes, the very woman she’s been looking for. She pulled out a chair.
“Hello Holmes”, she greeted. Sherlock raised her glass in response.
“Admiral Watson. Pleasure seeing you here.”
“The pleasure is all yours. Did you have to invade the port?”
Sherlock snorted. “Yep. We had no more food.”
Joanne nodded and looked around. “Right, fair enough, but today was supposed to be my day off, and I’m spending it with you.”
“Well, justice never rests, as they say. Neither does crime, for that matter. And I can also think of better ways to spend a Sunday.”
Joanne grinned. “Glad we’ve established that.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a roll of paper. “I’ve got an arrest warrant here, from Captain Lestrade. It’s for you.”
Sherlock raised an eyebrow. “Who should I arrest?”, she joked.
Joanne rolled her eyes again. “Idiot. I’m supposed to arrest you.”
“Now?”
“Technically, yes, but we can go outside if you prefer.”
“Yes, please. Don’t need to cause more drama than necessary.”
“Says the drama queen.” Joanne emptied her drink and stood. “Right. You pay.”
Sherlock gave her a pointed look. “I’ve only got enough to pay for my drink.”
“I thought you were here to steal?”
“Yes, the gold should now be on the ship.”
“Fine.” Joanne placed a handful of coins on the table, then gestured for Sherlock to lead the way.
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Sherlock stopped just outside the tavern, holding out her hands for Joanne to tie together. Her coat was still unbuttoned, and the sunlight illuminated her glossy black corset. She winced as the ex-soldier tightened the knot sharply. “No need to vent your frustration that way. There are so many better ways to do it. I could help you.”
Joanne glared at her, blushing furiously. “No need”, she copied Sherlock, then tugged on the rope to get her to move. “Let’s go.”
“So you’re just gonna throw me in your brig, huh?”
“What else am I supposed to do, let you go?”
“No, just… What about my crew?”
Joanne stopped abruptly, causing her prisoner to collide with her back. She whirled around. “What about them?”
Sherlock grinned broadly. “They don’t know a thing about camping. They’d be stuck here forever, and would continue ransacking this poor, poor village.”
Joanne tugged on the rope, bringing Sherlock‘s face so close to her own that their noses touched. “Holmes. You’re not just a thief, you’re also a liar. I’ve read up on your crew. Your first mate is an ex-Navy captain. I’m very sure they’ll manage without you.”
Sherlock’s eyes roamed over Joanne’s face. She leaned even closer, making Joanne blush fiercely and step back. She had one last trick up her sleeve. “Well, too bad. Because I’m the only one who can tell you where the King’s precious sapphire is.”
“The Blue Carbuncle? The one Mycroft has been looking for?”
“Aw, they’ve got my darling brother involved.”
“Of course they do. He’s the king's secretary.” Joanne locked eyes with the pirate captain. “Where is it?”
Sherlock leaned against the tavern wall. “Oh, that would be so boring if I just told you. How about I lead you to it?”
“Or you could just tell me. It would save us a lot of trouble, you know.”
“Not happening.” She held eye contact. “Come on, you’re burning to go on an adventure. This would be your chance!”
Joanne glanced around and started walking back to the ship. “Fine, I’ll take you to my ship, talk to Admiral Lestrade, and then we’ll see.”
Sherlock smirked. “Deal.” She knew Lestrade would jump at the offer, if only to be the one to present her brother with the stone.
She winked at her first mate as they passed him. Anthony nodded and signaled to the rest of the crew to make their way back to the ship.
Sherlock had drilled her crew on what to do if she was ever arrested. She'd come up with silent signals, and her crew wasperfectly capable of handling themselves.
Back there, that wink had meant: Go back to the ship, but await my further order. If I don’t return by sunrise, leave and don’t look back.
Joanne dragged her up the gangplank aboard the HMS Bachelor, the Royal Navy‘s best ship. She tied Sherlock to the main mast and told the artillery master to watch over her. Then she descended down the steps into admiral Greg Lestrade’s cabin.