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MAKING WAVES Author: BusyQuill Disclaimer: I don't own PotC or any of the characters. Summary: Craving adventure, you board the Black Pearl and meet Will who makes a good impression on you. You also meet Captain Sparrow who makes an... impression on you. Is Jack what he seems? * * * * * CHAPTER 1 You crouch down beneath some boxes as footsteps approach. They seem to stop and a creak of wood is heard as, luckily, the footsteps fade into the distance. The smell of rum is everywhere and you know you can’t get it out of your dress after this. You hear the anchor being raised and the boat begin to move – you’ve made it this far, whatever happens next will be an adventure. You feel the waves swaying the boat, which makes you remember your thirst. You look around – nothing but crates of rum. Surely it can’t hurt to have a sip? You pull the lid of an already open crate and take out a bottle. You pull the top off and have a mouthful, which you immediately spit back out. Rum doesn’t seem to be your drink. You place the cork back in and put the bottle back and the crate lid on as the footsteps re-approach. You listen attentively at the conversation… “Do you think Jack will let us have some of this?” Asked a gruff voice which sounded like rocks eroding against each other. “Course he will.” Answered a high, squeaky voice that resembled fingers being scraped down a blackboard. “He wouldn’t ‘ave us bring up two crates, if we weren’t goin’ to get some.” “Still, I’m sceptical. He drunk an awful lot yesterday.” Responded the gruff voice. “It doesn’t matter anyway – If Jack wants ‘is rum, Jack gets ‘is rum.” You can now see the squeaky man as he bends down. He is waif like, with scraggly black hair and darkly tanned skin. He picks up a box. “’urry up!” His footsteps dwindle away. You shift a bit and see the gruff man, who is grey but with no beard, no teeth and apparently, no bone as he had a large frame. “Hold up!” Said the gruff man. The squeaky man’s footsteps returned. “What now?” Asked he. The gruff man appeared to be pointing right towards you. “There’s a crate already open – lessen the load!” Laughed he, the squeaky man joined it. “Come on then Leo, lets get these up to the capt’n.” You realise they’re walking right towards you so you move a bit, hiding yourself more. “Get that crate then Tom!” “I just ‘eard somethin’.” Said Tom, turning to Leo. “It’ll ‘ave been a rat.” Said Leo, waving his hand in dismissal. Suddenly there was another set of footsteps. “Hurry up you two.” The voice was soft and smooth. “Jack says if you’re not quick, you’ll have a nasty surprise waiting for you when you do come up.” “Ok Mr. Turner. Tom ere thinks he ‘eard somethin’.” Leo chuckled. “Oh really?” Mr. Turner’s footsteps drew nearer and could be seen next to Tom’s ragged old boots. Your heart beats loudly as a crate moves and a squeak sounds followed by a scream. “It was a rat!” Grumbled Leo. “Get a move on!” Mr. Turner growled to the nervous wreck, which was Tom. “Or you’ll do what, cabin boy?” Retorted Tom sounding like he was threatening Mr. Turner. “Or I’ll string you by your ankles, pirate!” Mr. Turner shoved his face inches away from Tom’s, seemingly calming him down. You settle a bit as all footsteps leave. It’s then you realise you’re rather uncomfortable crushed between a crate and the wall. You shuffle out and stand, brushing yourself down, cursing under your breath when you realise your dress has been ripped. “Oy! What are you doin’ ere?” Squawked a voice behind you. Alarmed you spin and see the voice was only a parrot. “Shh! Birdie.” You reach to stroke its feathers but out of the darkness another hand grabs your wrist. It is another pirate, an old and worn one with a grip like a vice. You wince in pain and tremble to your knees. “Cotton?” It’s a relief to hear that voice as the grip loosens and eventually your wrist is free. “Shiver me timbers!” Said the parrot. “Yeah, well, get on up ‘ere. Jack’s tellin’ us our next destination or whatever.” It’s another gruff voice but a bit lighter. Cotton glares at you and walks away and up the steps. You’re still trembling so you open another crate, take another bottle of rum and forget you don’t like it by taking three large swigs then corking it up, it seems to relax you. “Crikey! Cotton’s right and so was I, there is somethin’ down ‘ere – a girl!” Tom squeals with glee, obviously very sexually frustrated. “Ooh! She’s pretty too.” Says another pirate as they make their way towards you. “Look at that dress.” Says another as they get closer. You back away until you are pressed against the wall, terrified at the thought of being touched by these – unworthy pirates. You liked hearing about them but as far as your meeting with them now goes, you seem to not like them at all. “What is goin’ on?” Says a drunken slurred voice as a man pushed his way to the front of the crowd. He is quite tall, wearing a red scarf around his black dreadlocked hair, which was also laden with beads. “Look lads…ello?” He stopped mid sentence with this greeting as he lays eyes on you. “A woman?” He states it more of a question than a statement, which annoys you. He seems to be the captain though, which could ease your mind or trouble it. “You’re the captain?” You ask shyly, holding your hands behind your back. Suddenly Jack’s eyes drop a bit. “I am. Captain Jack Sparrow to be precise, I’m sure you’ve heard of me.” He grins, showing several gold teeth. “Of course.” You answer. Jack seems to be happy with this and his face fills with pride. “Of course.” He nods and takes a step closer. “What are you doing here?” His eyes are still fixed a lot lower than where they should be. “I’m here to be part of your…” You search for the right words. “Legendary,” ah, that should sweeten him a bit. “Crew.” The crew murmur proudly and in agreement. You notice Mr. Turner and smile at him, he returns the smile then steps back. “Well I don’t know about me crew but I am considered quite the legend.” You notice he is quite pompous and you also notice his stare. You gasp un-approvingly and take a step back, causing him to look up at your face and sway towards you in a drunken manner. You are now pressed against the wall with that smell of rum again filling every sense in your body, as his nose is but an inch from your own. The crew nudge each other and begin to talk, passing coins in bets. “Milady, I notice you’re not used to us miscreants, us…” He pauses to take in your scent. “Scallywags.” You jump a bit as his hand rests on your side. “Sorry.” He takes his hands away and steps back. “Take her to the brig!” He yells. “The brig?” You ask as the pirate’s approach and Jack disappears into the crowd. “I’ll take her.” Says Mr. Turner. You’re grateful as the pirates back away, although Mr. Turner takes your arm quite roughly. You look at the faces and notice someone tut and say something about ‘luck’, then you’re thankful to see what seems to be a woman, scowling at you with dark eyes as Mr. Turner leads you away. * * * * * CHAPTER 2 Mr. Turner practically hurls you into the dark and small cell below deck. He locks the two of you in, sits on the bench and pats the place next to him, motioning you to sit down, you oblige. “Thanks for that.” You say, he quickly responds. “What are you doing here?” He snaps, his supposed gentleness melting away. “What?” You are taken aback. “Are you doing here?” He smartly improvises the end of your ‘sentence’. “Um…” You stutter, still confused. “Ok. What’s your name? Perhaps that is a question less difficult to answer.” He looks expectantly at you. “Um…” You begin. He raises an eyebrow. “I’m – I’m…” You say your name. “Nice. My name is William Turner. People normally call me Will though, I suppose you can do the same.” You sense some hostility against you and figure that the Pearl doesn’t take kindly to stowaways. “Ok… Will.” You smile and blush slightly. “I heard stories, that’s why I’m here.” “You’re here because you heard stories of the Pearl?” He sounds confused. “I was in Tortuga and surrounded by pirates. I’d never really been on a pirate ship and I kind of wanted my own story to tell. I guess I was tired of listening. So I just jumped on any ship –it just happened to be the Pearl.” You shrug your shoulders and swing your feet. “This ship doesn’t take kindly to strangers.” He confirms your suspicions. “You’ve torn your dress?” It sounds like a statement. “It’s nothing.” You sigh – it was your favourite dress and you lamented crushing yourself between those crates. “It’s nothing I can take care of… left my sewing kit at home!” He tried to make a joke and you feel you can only let out a little laugh in thanks and pity. “Listen, you’ll be harassed. Jack won’t keep you here forever. He’ll probably make you do work and such and if he likes you, don’t expect to be allowed on land. If he doesn’t like you, expect to be on land all by yourself and if he trusts you, expect to be treated a little better than the crew, but lower than him, understand?” “I suppose so. How do you mean ‘harassed’?” You ask, knowing the answer. “Expect to not sit down for a while, your lower quarters could be severely bruised after all of the pinches you are likely to get. Jack might not let it happen – I’m not sure. We’ve never really had more than two women on board. Ophelia, who wasn’t exactly liked by Jack, but she was good – if you get my meaning and Elizabeth…” He trails off and gets a dreamy gaze. He comes back down to earth with your following question. “Ophelia – is that the woman who I saw in the store-room?” “Oh! No! I forgot about her. We don’t really see her as a woman now, that one. It’s Anamaria. She doesn’t like women being on the Pearl much. She feels kind of resentful about the way they’re treat compared to her and Mr. Gibbs feels the same way – except he feels that women are ‘bad luck’. I don’t really mind and find them to be very lucky – especially to be on this ship!” He smiles fondly. “I’m going to have to go. I’ll probably have to come back later, but I’ll bring you a new dress if possible. If I am not here, don’t speak to who does come – unless it’s Jack of course.” “Of course.” You don’t really want him to leave, as you know things will get worse. “Bye.” He nods and leaves, locking the door behind him. You’re left there for a while, swinging your feet, reassuring yourself, singing songs and thinking about how you could tell this story when you’re back in Tortuga – if you’re ever back in Tortuga. You wonder if anyone misses you or if they indeed realise you are gone. Soon someone returns so you can speak to someone other than the wall. You frown when you see it is not Will – but Anamaria. “Hello.” You smile; hoping you could make a friend out of her. “I’m a pirate, I’m not likely to go around making friends with the noble-women Jack brings aboard.” She snaps at you. You are taken aback once more. “Jack didn’t bring me aboard.” You correct her. “That’s what they all say.” Snaps she again. You realise that it’s a long shot trying to make friends, especially with the cheek in your tone. “Here, Jack says we have to feed you, although I don’t know why.” She kneels down and slides in two apples. “I hope you like apples, that’s all I got for you.” “Thank you.” You smile at her, still determined to get a friend. She gives half a smile and walks out. You hungrily eat the apples and leave the cores on the floor, when for the first time you see someone watching you. It’s Jack and he seems to have a smirk on his face. “That was quick – hope you’re slower than that at other things.” He winks at you, which makes you shift about uncomfortably. “Anyways. I’m going to ask you a couple of questions. Nothing too ‘uncomfortable’ for you.” He seems to make yet another joke at your expense as he sits cross-legged on the floor, outside of the cell. “Yes?” You ask, feeling a bit more confident. “What’s yer name lass?” Is the first. You tell him and he begins to nod. “Ok. Nice, sweet proper ladies name – bet yer rich?” The tone in his voice suggests that this is a wish, so he could perhaps hold you up for ransom. “No.” You mumble. “Father died, I don’t know what happened to the money.” There is a solemn and regretful silence before Jack begins to chuckle to himself. “What?” Ask you sounding quite offended by the laughter. “Nothing Love.” He replied shaking his head. “Nothing that won’t keep anyways.” He gives you a wink. “About those questions – where do you hail from then?” “England – London.” You vaguely remember your time in London; it was fun – for the most part. “England?” He seems surprised, even though he is from England himself. “Can’t you tell?” You ask, deliberately making yourself sound insulted. “I suppose so, didn’t think of it.” He traces circles with his finger on the floor. “So how do you like my pride and joy then?” “The Pearl?” He nods. “It’s alright I suppose, from what I’ve seen of it. I’m kind of cramped – stuck in this cell.” “Well get used to it, you’ll be stuck here for a while until I figure out what to do with yer.” He stands and you follow, getting the feeling he is about to leave. “Don’t you like me?” You blurt out, immediately cursing yourself for saying something so smutty. “What?” He laughs. “Maybe, perhaps. You’ll just have to wait and see love.” He winks that trademark wink at you and leaves. Luckily you’re not alone for long, as Will returns. “Hello.” You smile, happy to see someone you could class as a friend. “Hi.” He smiles back. “How did you get on with the captain?” “He’s alright – I think. From what I gather he seems very…how do I put it… cheeky.” You can’t decide whether you like that aspect of him or not. “He winks an awful lot too.” “That’s Jack.” He reaches through the bars of the cell and you put your hand in his. “You’ll be alright.” He reassures you, before letting your hand drop, and then he leaves. * * * * * CHAPTER 3 You pass the time by singing old tunes you heard from your time back home and from the inn. The songs vary – some are about fair England and the ‘English gardens’, others are songs in praise of pirates, others from the officers about loathing pirates and occasionally you sing a few songs about going to distant countries – some are even in foreign languages and you don’t fully understand what they’re about. You’re in the middle of one of there when you see Jack re-approaching. His eyes seem to bulge out of his head when he hears the strange words. “What’d you say lass?” Asks he, shifting about uncomfortably in the same manner you often do. He sways closer in a drunken state and peers into the cell. “Nothing – just a song I heard.” You reply. “Heard it in a bar? I didn’t know you spoke Native Gujeratiti.” He grins. “I don’t.” You look annoyed, he sounds like he’s keeping something from you. “Thought as much. I know a few words, not fluent like, but I know a few words.” He moves his arm daintily. “And?” Your tone is demanding. “Well, for example…” He trails off as he opens the cell. “For example…” He locks it and moves over to you, sitting next to you on the bench. “For example…” He begins to smell your hair. “For example…” You help him along. “For example, that verse you just said ‘huraah he do ti soman uylo ptrianana’, it means something a little…” He pauses for the right word. “Un-lady-like.” “What does it mean?” Your eyes are frantic and your face begins to turn crimson. “Oh, nothing I wouldn’t refuse.” He grins wider than ever and puts his hand too far up your leg. “Mr. Sparrow!” You gasp, standing quickly. “Captain Sparrow.” He corrects you, slumping down so he is barely sitting on the bench. “Ok – Captain Sparrow…” You are about to rant on when he annoys you further by starting another sentence. “I ‘eard that song once. Old Broken-arm Bill used to sing it. I didn’t ‘alf impress the ‘girls’. Foreign languages. A Godsend, if he doesn’t mind me saying so, that is. Oh don’t worry – it goes on much worse – lucky you didn’t get to that part eh?” He winks at you again which merely pushes you further with your anger. “Do you have an itchy eye?” You ask, crossing your arms in front of your chest. “I uv made a decision.” He says slurring his words. “Are you drunk?” You unfold your arms and place them on your hips. “Always.” He chuckles to himself. “Well you shouldn’t.” You don’t like drunk men – seen too many of them. It has just become tedious. “I should not, should I not?” He pauses for a second, sitting up interested with his re-arranging of words. “So suppose I stopped drinking, I’d become sober and you’d be less attractive, so I’d drink to make you more attractive then I’d have to stop again – so there’s no real point is there. Unless of course I stopped drinking, saw you as more attractive then – dare I say it – fall in love with you, I’d loose all manner of respect and control I have within this crew and become a ‘cabin boy’, so I don’t think I’ll stop, savvy?” Out of the whole confusing rush of words you manage to pick out ‘attractive’, ‘love’, ‘cabin-boy’ and ‘savvy’ and piece together that Jack is gay and loves Will, who you presume is the cabin-boy due to earlier conversations you’ve heard. He sees your confusion and continues, satisfied with himself. “So love, about that decision…” He can barely pronounce the word. “I’ve decided – you’re alright, I’ll let you out of yer cell.” You’re so happy you let out a little squeal and hug Jack, who is somewhat surprised if not a little turned-on and feels your arse just to show it. You turn around and look at him questionably. “Which sounds best – I’m preparing you for life with the crew…” He pauses to congratulate himself on rhyming. “Or I’m really happy for you and returning the hug?” You can’t help but smirk but quickly hide it, straighten out your dress and wait to be let out of the cell. “Oh – right!” He stands and fumbles with the keys, trying five before finding the right one – even though there are only three on the ring. “Milady.” He bows and lets you pass and you do, he follows quickly. “Oh, and what would you prefer? Living in the cabin, or living with the crew?” “Cabin – of course.” You respond as if it were a joke. “Splendid.” He lets out a cheeky smile and leads you to your ‘new home’. You walk in. It’s quite dark but there are plenty candles about. The bed is not small, yet not big and some tables and chairs are put in a few various places. You immediately notice the overpowering stench of rum as your attention is drawn to the many bottles lying around. Jack smiles sheepishly and begins to clear the bottles away hastily. “I ‘ad a bit of a party last night.” He lies. “With who?” You ask. “Well… I prefer my own company when it comes to that sort of stuff.” He’s a little annoyed at you questioning his rum loving as he dumps some armfuls of bottles in one place, shattering many of them. Your attention is drawn to one of the small windows, where Will sits on a small stool reading a book. He looks at you and smiles. “He likes you then?” He questions. “I suppose so.” You shrug. Jack comes up beside you. “There, all done.” He pants, obviously working a little harder than usual- either that or he’s mourning over the loss of his precious rum. “I’m afraid it will be a tight squeeze – you and Jack in that bed. When I check on him in the morning – to make sure he hasn’t done anything stupid whilst drunk – he’s often covering the whole bed – you could be bruised in the morning.” He jokes. You look astonished and turn to Jack. “What does he mean? I don’t have to share a bed with you do I?” You know the answer. “Well, no, course not. You can always sleep with the crew.” He knows your reply. You growl and flop down on the bed, before realising you’re supposed to be the modest, wilting flower, not some girl in a Reikon story. You compose yourself and sit up straight, noticing the startled stares you are receiving from each man. “Yes?” “What?” Says Jack, looking like a dumb puppy. You sigh and stand before you begin walking around the room. “Do you have any water?” “Water? What do you want water for?” Gasped Jack as if water was a new concept to him. Now that you look at him you see he is quite dirty, next to Will anyway, but next to the crew he was cleaner than soap. He seemed permanently drunk so you assumed he rarely drank water and saw the liquid simply as a sort of road for his precious ship. “To throw off deck, what do you think captain?” You hastily reply with a harsh tone. “Well the whole ship is surrounded by water, I’m sure you’re quite able to get some!” Jack snaps back. “I think she wants to drink it – I’ll get some for you.” Smiled Will. Suddenly it dawned on you that as you told this story back home the main words you would use would be ‘wink’ and ‘smile’. He left. “You know what? I think you’ve got an attitude problem.” Sneers Jack making a sort of joke out of it, you don’t take it that way. You open your mouth to retaliate but all you can do is watch the beauty of Jack’s swinging hips as he walks out of the cabin. * * * * * CHAPTER 4 Jack really upset you and you don’t feel like talking to him so you stay in the cabin. You go over the past, present and future over and over again trying to make some sense out of it. What will Jack do to you? Why did you get on this ship over all of the others? How will you get home? Why were pirates nicer in the taverns? The answers you seem to know already but ponder more as the door swings open and Jack stumbles in. “Oh, you’re still here?” He teases walking in the straightest line he can to the table. He picks up a bottle and begins to drink. “Where else can I go?” You reply, looking to the ground. You want Jack to be nice so you try and make him pity you. “You could jump off the side.” It’s not working… “Or you and cabin boy – who you’ve warmed up to – could go and have some fun.” You then realise Will has not yet come back with your water. You look up. “Where is Will?” “William? Oh! He’s swabbin’ the deck as it were. He did send your water in with me but after you attitude – I threw it overboard.” He chuckles at himself and takes another drink of rum. “Swabbing the deck? Can’t your crew do that?” You question him. “Will’s part of my crew, isn’t he? Besides, Anamaria’s got them all pullin’ on ropes and what not. You could lend a hand – but I’d much prefer to borrow them.” He winks again and you quickly look down at your feet again. “What did your daddy do then?” “Excuse me?” You snap, assuming he was enquiring to how your father died. “What was ‘e?” He slurs his words in annoyance and brings his rum over to the bed and sits next to you. “He was a governor – in London.” You mumble back. “I know a Governor.” Jack smiles, trying to relate to you. “Why’d you come to the Caribbean then? Tortuga of all places…” “After my father died I wanted to find my friend. But unfortunately the man who promised to take me to her turned out to be a pirate. He threw me overboard as his crew laughed and cheered and another pirate ship took me aboard and dropped me off at Tortuga. I have no way of accessing my father’s legacy and I work and live in a seedy tavern called ‘The Randy Wench’.” You sigh and notice Jack grinning broader than ever before, showing quite a lot of gold teeth. “The Randy Wench? I’ve been in there! One of my favourite places! I picked up quite a few girls there… Lets see…” He begins to inappropriately count on his fingers. “There was Giselle, she was pretty good. Jemima, who was crap. Scarlet, who didn’t work there but was still good. Freda, she was all right if you like that sort of thing. Ingrid, who didn’t leave much to the imagination, Georgina, who was crap but had soft hands…” He trails off noticing your evil glare. “Oh! I remember you now! I tried to score with you but you slapped me! That was a first – being slapped beforehand!” “Jack!” You growl. “Captain Jack, love.” He corrects you. “I’m trying to describe my anguish here and you’re… Wait a minute! You’re the one who slept with my best friend then felt my… never mind.” You suddenly realise why you’re so hostile towards Jack of all people after what he did. It’s not the sort of thing you like as you believe in marriage first and swear by that. But you can’t remember why you couldn’t remember him sooner. “Ok, you were saying…” He helps you along. “I think I finished.” You sigh again and move further back on the bed so you’re lying down. “Got any other family, lass?” He asks, taking one of your bare feet and massaging it. It feels good so you don’t stop him, but you swear not to let it go any further. “These are cold.” “No. My mother had my sister, my brother then she died whilst giving birth to me. My sister was murdered when she was walking home from the grocery store. My brother caught smallpox a few years later when I was 18. He died…” You choke on your words. “I… I…” “Shh.” Jack purrs. “It’s alright.” You take a moment to gather yourself and go on. “My father, my father hung himself out of grief. I found him in his bedroom. He never forgave me – said it was my fault. The trouble started with my birth.” “I’m sorry.” He seems full on genuine concern and for a moment you trust him and go on. “He left no note, but I know why. He couldn’t stand to be stuck with me – everything I touch dies.” Your voice falters and you begin to feel tears straining to get out. “Well that’s not quite true. You’ve just had a dose of bad luck. But your fortune is improving – you’re aboard the Pearl with the famous Captain Jack Sparrow.” He seems to calm you and you smile. Suddenly the trust seems to melt away as he licks your toe and moves your dress up. “Captain Sparrow!” You exclaim. Moving your leg quickly away. “What?” He whines, frustrated. “I was just moving it out of the way.” Luckily Will, who covers his eyes as soon as he enters, saves you again. “Sorry.” He blushes. “It’s alright. I’m not getting anywhere.” Jack whines again. “Oh, ok.” He moves his hand from his eyes and smiles, embarrassed. “Get her a night dress. I didn’t think she’d need one but…” Jack begins. “Of course.” He opens a chest near the bed and rummages around. “Sophia had a nice one – she was about her size.” He pulls out various things including corsets and petticoats. Jack shuffles about nervously and casts you a wayward grin. “Did she take it with her? Ah ha! Sarah was about your size too – this will do for tonight.” He pulls out an ordinary white, thin dress and throws it over to Jack, who catches it and smells it. “Still smells of her. Yuck – do my things never get washed?” He hands it to you as Will puts everything back in the chest. “You’ll have to forgive Jack, he’s not used to clothes.” Jokes Will, locking the chest again. “There.” “Ok then love?” Asks Jack, taking his boots, hat and coat off, throwing them anywhere. Will begins to roll a blanket onto the floor. “I can’t when you are all here.” You say. “We’re not watching.” Says Jack. You look sceptical. “Don’t think too much of yourself love, I’m captain Jack Sparrow. I’ll see it eventually anyway, savvy? So get yourself changed when I’m busying myself with the same task.” After a couple of seconds of thought Jack says “Unless you want me to do it for you…” “No thanks!” You begin to immediately fumble with the laces at the back of your dress. “Hold on.” You hear Will say as he finishes making his bed. He walks over to the other side of the room as Jack casts him a long suspicious glare. He pulls out a screen and stands it between Jack and you. “Privacy.” “Thanks.” You say. You see Jack making angry gestures at Will as you move behind the screen. When you come out you have your clothes neatly folded and you put them on the table next to Jack’s rum. You notice Jack is already in bed and Will is sitting next to a candle writing something in a book. He has taken off his shirt and you pause a moment, staring at the tanned beauty of an obviously misplaced soul. “What are you doing?” He looks up, startled and puts the book down quickly. “Oh, I’m… nothing. Just writing my journal.” “Oh.” You smile and tug nervously at the strange garment you’re wearing. It is a lot nicer than the things you have in Tortuga, but not as nice as the ones back home in your house. “It really suits you – better than it suited Sarah. You are…” he mouths a word then smiles bashfully. “You remind me so much of her…” You assume he means Sarah. “Oh.” You walk over to the bed and tap Jack on the shoulder. “Jack.” You whisper. “He’s had a lot to drink.” Says Will, pulling the blanket over him. “Oh.” You repeat in the same manner. “He’s on my side of the bed!” You climb over him as Will blows the candles out. “Goodnight.” Whispers Will. “Goodnight.” You whisper back. You’re asleep within minutes. * * * * * CHAPTER 5 You open your eyes and take in your surroundings. The first thing you notice is it’s still dark, so it must still be night. The second thing you notice is you’re still aboard the Pearl, and the memories of the day flood back to you. The third thing you notice is the strong frame moulded around you in your exact shape, which you settle in to. The fourth thing you notice is the smell of rum and the low rasping breath of Captain Jack Sparrow, who is the mould around your body. “Jack?” You whisper, hoping for a reply. He groans and turns over, you turn over to face him, but you only face his back. “Jack?” He grunts and you’re not sure if he is asleep or awake, or if the grunt was indeed an answer to your call. “Jack?” “What?” He moans, keeping his back turned to you. “What do you think of me?” You ask, not sure where the question is coming from. Perhaps you’re a little self-conscious. After all, the only other woman on the ship isn’t exactly the shy wilting flower you are. “What?” He repeats, turning his head slightly. “What do you think of me?” You wonder if you will just repeat the same things over and over, but Jack rolls to face you. “What?” He rubs his head. “This is the earliest hangover I’ve experienced. Where’s the rum gone?” “Jack…” You have a warning tone in your voice, willing him to either pass out or answer you. “Ok, ok.” He sighs. “Well, I suppose you’re stubborn. You have an attitude problem. Um…” He trails off. “Oh! You’re brave and intelligent I suppose, boarding the Pearl rather than the other daft ships around the place. You’re prim and proper, cause when I do this…” He moves his hand on your thigh. You jump slightly. “You back away – which isn’t really very nice!” He moves his hand and sighs again. “You’re pretty enough, your, um, backside could do with some toning though.” You’re sure you glimpsed the golden grin. “And, if you don’t mind me saying, you’ve got a really nice rack.” “I’m not quite sure how to take that…” You begin. “Take it how to like darling, just so long as I get some shut eye or some other form of exercise.” You can feel him winking, although you can’t see him. He rolls back over. “Jack!” You re-start. “What now?” He snaps, quite frustrated. “I think I’m ill.” You try the sympathy card again. “Ill?” His tone is panicky and he quickly spins over. “You haven’t got the plague have you? I know how quickly you Londoners pass that around, more common than the common cold I hear. What are you still doing here? Get out of my bed!” “Jack! Jack!” You try to calm him down in fear of waking Will. “I’ve just got a bit of a headache.” “Oh, right.” He replies. “Well… I’ve got just the thing – rum!” “No thanks. I’ll just sleep it off.” You offer, hoping he won’t fetch any more of the stuff. “Ok then. Are you sure? It always cures me you know, and I’ve got a bit of a headache me’self y’know, savvy?” he seems to be desperate for it and you’re not quite sure why he’s so attached to it. “No! No thanks. Goodnight.” You turn back over and close your eyes tightly. “Aye. ‘Night.” He accepts his defeat and you can feel his eyes burning into the back of your head. You secretly hope you wake in the morning in his arms again but don’t hold much hope. You hear Will mutter something in his sleep before you’re in your slumber again. The next time you wake the cabin is brightly lit by the new sun. You wonder if the conversation with Jack was just a dream, but decide not to investigate it any further. You turn over and notice an empty space beside you, where Jack’s form once was. His shirt, coat, boots and jacket are still lying around the room so this sets your mind to wondering how long you’ve been alone, but then you realise you haven’t been alone at all, as Will is still lying upon the cabin floor. You just lie and watch Will, huddled into himself, his breath calm and soothing. The calm does not last as long as you would have wished, as the cabin door swings open and Jack walks in. He stops suddenly, noticing you’re awake, then continues to walk over to his ‘effects’. He picks up his shirt and boots and sits on the end of the bed, putting each item on with the utmost care. “Have a nice sleep, eh?” He asks, somewhat annoyed. “Yes, why?” You question, curious as to the tone in his voice. “Must be nice. You see, I’m not used to women staying fully clothed during the night, then waking me up in the middle of the night to have a self-esteem boosting chat, savvy?” He finishes putting on his boots and stands. “Oh, so it did happen.” You blush. “Um…” He smiles sarcastically and fixes on his hat. “Don’t let William sleep too late will you, and I expect you on deck today.” He fastens his scarves and belt around his waist. “I’m sorry.” You feel a bit like crying, why you do is unknown. Jack lets out a small laugh and leaves. It isn’t long before Will begins to stir. He opens his eyes and blinks, making sure he isn’t in some sort of trance. He then yawns, stretches and stands and for the first time you feel a pang of lust in your heart as he moves his arms, flexing each muscle before putting on his shirt. “Good morning.” He smiles, opening the chest again. “Morning.” You choke, playing with the ‘borrowed’ night-dress. “I’ll get you a new dress. If Jack still has Sarah’s, you’re obviously the same size, so that would be a help!” He rummages through. “It’s alright. I don’t mind.” You feel yourself glowing pink. “It’s no bother. Hmm… I can’t see anything else of Sarah’s. Try this.” He throws you a sage-green plain dress. “It isn’t like what I am sure you’re used to – but it’s clean. Jack bought it for Mary but she never wore it, if you know what I mean.” “Thanks.” It’s soft, so soft you rub it against your cheek. “Egyptian cotton. Like I say it’s nothing too special, but Jack sailed half way across the ocean to get it.” Will feels the bottom of it. “It’s lovely though. Smell it.” You take in the scent. It’s strong and musky, yet light and airy. It smells like the roses from your garden in England, but also like coconut and sea breeze. “Mm…” “Put it on.” Says Will, snapping you out of your daydream. “But what about…” You begin, debating whether to go on or if to ask would be too bold of you. He looks expectantly at you so you decide to continue. “What about a corset?” “You don’t seriously wear those? My girl… my friend fainted whilst wearing one of those. You remind me a lot of her.” He picks up the corset from Jack’s table and hands it to you. “And your bodice.” “I do?” You ask, whilst disappearing behind the screen. Will does not reply. “How long have you been on the Pearl?” “On and off. I’m never normally on for more than three months. I’ve been on for a little bit longer this time.” He seems to have a sense of lamenting in his voice. “And you knew each of Jack’s whores personally?” You seem to have a sense of bitterness in yours. “Not personally. You see, Jack isn’t the sort of man who takes rejection easily. He never gets rejected. After about two days he could have the noblest of women rolling around in lamp oil with him.” He pauses, giving a small laugh. “Not my friend though.” You wonder why he keeps bringing up his ‘friend’. “He goes to a port, sees a woman he likes, says a couple of things, then either stays in the tavern or if he really likes them, he brings them aboard. If they don’t respond cheekily to his classic ‘hand on the derrière’ move, he’ll get them drunk then try again. If they don’t respond and don’t get drunk then, well, he tries – and I mean tries – to be nice to the girl. But that’s a very rare case. They normally submit to his charms more or less straight away. I’m not like that though. I find a girl, get to know her, then propose…after a century or two of preparing myself.” Should you laugh or not? “Oh, I see.” You curse yourself for being so dumb. “Do you need a hand?” He asks. “The laces look difficult, are you alright?” “Yes thank you.” You are having a hard time lacing, but you don’t want to lead Will on. After about five minutes of struggling and silence, you’re ready. You step out from behind the screen. Will lets out a little gasp as Anamaria enters the cabin. “Jack sent me to check you were up.” She tells Will. “And if you are you’re to report to him immediately.” She looks you up and down, then looks to Will. “Jack won’t be happy to see her in that.” She exits. “What, I, that?” You stutter, still wanting to be friends with her and pondering her nastiness. “Relax. Come on.” He stands from the bed and opens the door allowing you to step out. Time to report to Jack. |