I WANNA BE BAD LIKE YOU II:

THE RETURN OF THE SCARLET SPARROW

(Note: I do not own all of the characters in this story)

Chapter 1

The Plunder In Paradise

The sun rose over the cliffs and rays of light finally lit up the once darkened ground.  The black slated cliffs echoed with the sound of the waves.  The town was quiet except for the faint murmuring of people chattering.

A filthy potato sack was thrown onto the sand, followed by a small chest and another sack. 

Jack and Miranda, rather disappointed for reasons unknown looked down at them.  Jack bent down, untied the sack and opened it.  Inside were piles of coins and jewellery, some rusted and old. 

He tied the bag back up and flung it away from himself angrily.

Miranda patted him on the shoulder as he got to his feet and sighed.

"It could be worse." She began, now staring up into town, "You could have lost all of your rum."

Jack waved his hand, drew his pistol from his belt, cocked it at the chest and pulled the trigger.

The blast blew the lock off the chest, and smoke began to billow out.  He replaced the pistol as Miranda went over to inspect it.

She opened the lid and rummaged through the papers and objects in it.

"Letters, photos, books and everything non-important."  She explained, seeing the annoyed expression on Jack's face.

"This is the tenth bloody time! Doesn't anybody carry anything of any value anymore?" He cried.

"It seems they're learning."

Jack picked up the bags and threw them through the air to land on the deck of the Corsair.  He kicked the chest instead and the contents flew across the sand to the water.

Miranda seized his sleeve and pulled him closer to kiss him lightly on the cheek, before Jack forced her away from him.

"Now's not the time, Miranda!"

Instead she pouted and kicked the chest too.

Jack clicked his fingers and pointed toward town.

"We need to find a new zone.  There is no way we are going to obtain anything valuable here when everyone's fearful of pirates, savvy?"

Miranda laughed out loud, trying to sound brave.  Jack ignored her and took off into the street.  Eventually she took to the streets after him.

Jack stormed very angrily into the street, people who were standing there watched him curiously.  Miranda, quite embarrassed at his behaviour followed waving at people and smiling.

"He's fine folks!"  She explained and the people raised a brow at her.

He stepped up to the tavern's veranda and stopped at the large bulletin board there, covered ironically in graffiti and black and white drawings and photos of men and women.  Jack ripped pages off the board to clear a spot.  He turned to Miranda and motioned for her to do something.

"You were the only one with edification.  Git some paper, write 'All citizens ye be warned.  Landlovers are becomin' aware of our constant threat!' Come on!"

Miranda shook her head ashamedly.

"What makes you believe anyone else will be able to understand it?"

Jack thought for a second.

"Write it chaotically." He ordered, and Miranda nodded, although she thought it was a stupid idea.

She turned and entered the tavern leaving Jack behind to think to himself.

One of his previous crew members, Gibbs approached him cautiously.

"Jack!" He cried, patting him on the shoulder, "How be our Governor!?"

"Bankrupt to be honest." Jack replied irritably.

Gibbs gasped then cleared his throat.  He leant in and looked to see if anyone was watching.

"You noticed too?"

Jack glared at him without having to say a word.

"I despise having to sound like authority but pinchin' goods from ships and towns is what we thrive on!"
"Aye! I see what you mean.  So we're screwed?"

"Yes."

Two men left the tavern and spotted Jack and Gibbs whispering.  Jack nudged Gibbs and they stopped, now smiling and waving.  The men rolled their eyes and left them.

They went back to talking.

"Well, what are we supposed to do?" Gibbs asked.

Jack shook his head and clenched his fist.

"Take the power back."

"But, but how?"
Miranda reappeared holding up the page with large black letters and handed it to Jack.  He looked it over before pulling a nail out of the board and pinned it in the centre.  It read exactly what Jack had ordered and how he had ordered, with the words 'All Citizens Ye Be Warned' in big, black, messy letters.  Miranda clung onto his arm and admired it.

"Have any ideas, Jack?"
He shook his head hard and pulled his hat off his head.  The three of them glanced at each other and turned into the tavern.

The people didn't look up from their conversations and rather ignored the fact that they were there.  Jack, Miranda and Gibbs occupied the table closest to the door.  There was silence between them.  Others in the background spoke so loud that they didn't bother making a racket themselves.  The bartender came on over immediately, slid the three of them drinks across the table and left them be.

Jack massaged his forehead, staring down at the table.  Gibbs sipped his drink, before gulping it all down, but Miranda just pushed hers away from herself.  Instead, Gibbs snatched hers and drank that one as well.  When he was done, he slammed the mug down on the table, causing the candle in the middle to flicker violently.  They stared at Jack, and Miranda put her head in her hands.

"Perhaps we should come up with some sort of plan, capt'n?"  Gibbs asked rather cautiously.

Jack now looked up at him, a very unimpressed expression on his face.

"And what would that be? I know we be pirates, I know we be unstoppable, but them damn traders have found a way around us.  If you have any thoughts, please, share them."

Gibbs cleared his throat and ceased from speaking any further.

"Send lots of ships out!" Miranda insisted, "One at each time interval!"

Jack shook his head.

"What do you mean? Why do you have to confuddle me!?"

"Send one of our rouges out every hour and if possible we might be able to catch them off guard!"

"There ain't be enough ships 'ere to be doin' such a thing!" Jack ordered back, "Besides, these blighters won't listen to me.  I'm only their Governor."

Miranda frowned for she knew he was right.

He gazed around at the room, hoping to find an answer to their problems.

Another man entered the tavern, carrying a small sack.  Jack looked up and saw him.  The man stood over him and opened his sack to reach inside.  He pulled out a handful of gold and silver coins and dropped them onto the table in front of Jack.

"Thanks for tha bottle o' rum the otha day." The man said, sounding rather drunk.

Jack smiled and nodded.

"It seems to me you didn't need it."

The man grinned and stumbled over to the bar behind him.  The three at the table glanced at each other strangely before turning their attention to the coins.  Jack tried to ignore them and put his hands behind his head to relax.  Miranda, rather curiously leant over and took a few pieces of the treasure.

"I'm shocked you even gave any of your prized liquid up."

"I only provided the man half a bottle.  It's scarcely worth it."
Gibbs did the same as Miranda, but instead, inspected the coins.  He shook his head and showed it to Miranda without letting Jack see.  She took the two coins from him and cleared her throat.

"Which is doubtless. Could be the reason why he compensated for Polynesian and Greek printed coins instead."

Jack sat up quickly, took his hands away from his head and snatched the coins away from her.  He looked them over and slowly a soft smile appeared on his lips like always.  He pocketed them, along with the coins on the table and got up.  He came over to Miranda, kissed her on the top of her head and patted her back. 

"You're a marvel!" He cried.

Miranda didn't know what to say.  She leapt to her feet, followed by Gibbs and left the bar in a hurry with Jack.

He slapped his hat back onto his head and stood at the top step, taking time to breathe in the morning air.

"What you be speakin' of, Jack?" Gibbs queried, "What on earth makes Miranda a marvel?"

"Because she just recommended that we relocate to different areas!"

Miranda scratched her head.

"I did? How's that?"

From his hand, he began flipping one single silver coin. He looked up and smiled at Miranda.

"We split up.  One of us can sail east to the Mediterranean Sea, the other, West toward Hawaii."

"You've got to be teasin', Capt'n!" Gibbs cried, his eyes wide, "Without any ships to back us, we could get into a deep snag!"

"I'm certain there will be several here prepared to take that risk."

Some men who were walking down the street at that time, listening to what they were saying stopped and stood there looking up at them, their hands on their hips and shaking their heads.  Jack saw them and shrugged.

"What?"

"Go shove your head in that there cannon, you nut!" The man demanded quite angrily, pointing to one of the cannons fixed outside the tavern, and walked away in a huff with the other.

Miranda stepped forward, a smile on her lips.  She raised her hand and tapped Jack's shoulder.

"I'd like to say I'm all for this experiment." She began, "In fact I'd very much like to butter your head…"

Gibbs laughed, and Jack looked at her oddly, trying to ignore what she meant.  Instead he smiled stupidly.

"Why what's wrong?"

"He's right. Jack, even if you are the Governor of this ere town, I doubt if by any chance that even one single captain would want to endure such a journey." Gibbs explained, and Jack rubbed his chin.

"Really?" He asked, taking off down the street.

Gibbs and Miranda shot after him once more.

"Then what should we do, Jack. You and I both know we can't go it alone.  The voyage is too long, it would take at least two months or so to get there. Either direction, and we also know that there are other pirates out there. Rouge ones, just as yourself who would do anything to steal what you have taken when they find the chance to do so.  They don't know you like the people around here do.  Remember, the only people you will have to defend yourself with will be yourself.  No one else will be there to help you, Jack. Remember that."

Jack heard what Miranda was saying, but he stopped and looked at her, smiling eagerly.

"Miranda, I'll tell you the same thing I told Barbossa.  You have forgotten one very important thing yourself.  I'm Captain Jack Sparrow.  I have means of manipulation, and you know that. Savvy?"

Miranda looked angry.  She crossed her arms and stared at him.  Gibbs ignored her and stepped in.

"If you're confident enough to set sail by ourselves, then I'll be along with you.  No doubt about it."

"Good man." Jack smiled, and his head darted to Miranda who was still looking at him evilly.

He took her by the shoulders and shook her lightly.

"Listen, Miranda, luv, you take the Corsair and go to Hawaii.  You were capt'n of the ship way before I even knew it existed, and a great pirate.   I've told you that previously and I'll tell you again.  You don' need me.  Go to Hawaii, and make me proud yet again."

Miranda finally stopped pouting and thought to herself.  Without warning she threw her arms around him.  Jack cleared his throat, and motioned to Gibbs.  Miranda ceased hugging him and took him by the collar.

"But if you are going East and I'm going West then I won't see you for a long time.  That's not going to be easy."

"Well put up with it, luv!" Jack ordered, sort of sarcastically.

Miranda pulled him closer and kissed him.  Gibbs did what Jack had done, and cleared his throat loudly out of embarrassment.

She let go of his collar and pushed him away.

"Come on then." Gibbs began, "We need to find our crews, and tell them the arrangement… I'm sure they'll love…"

"If they don't agree, why… I'll have their heads lopped off." Miranda stated, now sounding confident.

That night, after trying desperately to explain the plan to the rest of the crew, they were ready to leave Tortuga.  Reeves and Cooper from the Corsair wanted desperately nothing more than to stay by the quiet and simple lives of a local pirate, and began complaining when they were ordered to pack more food rations onto the ship.  Miranda couldn't take their bickering and mocking so she pushed the two of them off the plank as they were trying to haul a large box up the ramp.  It took them at least half an hour to get the box out of the water, and Cooper found it funny that Reeves looked like a drowned rat when he was wet.  Reeves on the other hand knew that Cooper looked worse but decided to keep the mean comments to himself, as if would get him marooned.  Both Jack and Miranda were determined to come back loaded, but by doing so it meant that Miranda would have to go a few months without Jack, which took her a couple of hours to try and understand.  Jack though so too, but he was too excited about what might happen on the way there not want to worry at all.

That minute when the two ships were about to depart, Jack came on over to Miranda, supervising as her crew checked the sails and riggings one last time.  He slapped his hand down on her shoulder and she turned around.

"Well this is it.  No turnin' back." He said.

Miranda hugged him again, and this time, Jack didn't seem to mind.  He pushed her off and sighed.

"Good luck, Miranda."

She smiled at him and nodded.

"Gook luck, Jack." She replied, "Oh, and be vigilant……please."

Jack eyed her strangely.

"Listen luv, I'm a pirate.  People are frightened of me.  Not the other way around……At least I bloody hope not."

Miranda laughed and put the hat she had in her hand onto her head.  Jack put out his hand finally, and she shook it.

"Take what you can…"

"…Give nothing back!" They said and let go.

Jack and Miranda looked at each other one last time and they turned away.  He made his way back to the Pearl and took his post at the helm.  Gibbs approached him eagerly.

"You going to miss her capt'n?" He asked.

Jack laughed slightly and nodded.

"Course! I taught her, she's my student!"

Gibbs laughed too.

"Though there's somethin' bad about Hawaii that I just can't seem to recall, Jack."

"Hmm, what's that?"

"I don' have a clue.  It shouldn't be anythin' serious, right?"

"Not at all Gibbs.  You are forgetting that this is Miranda Sparrow.  Besides me, what could ever impede her?"

Gibbs sighed and turned to leave.

"Not a clue, capt'n, not a clue."