A Different Sort of Freedom
Disclaimer: I do not own anything POTC related or anything you might recognize. It's truly a shame isn't it?
Author's Note: This is intended to be a Jack/OC fic and it's set after The Curse of the Black Pearl. I'm currently in the process of working on a Norrington/OC at the same time so never fear it shall be posted soon! I just love them both so I had to write a story for both of them.
Summary: As the daughter of famous explorer Horatio Everard, Jessica Everard had spent most of her life experiencing things most young women of her time never even dream of doing. So when her father decides to settle in Port Royal, she's not exactly thrilled. But what happens when she's kidnapped by pirates and comes across the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow?
Chapter 1: First Meetings and the End of Expeditions?
'Father gave up going on expeditions for this?' Jessica thought, frowning. Well, could she really say he was giving it up? He had merely told her that he was taking a break from traveling for a while. However, in her mind, that could only mean one thing: he was giving it up. Her father, Horatio Everard, was been a famous explorer. Since he was a young man, he had visited some of the most treacherous places on Earth and even with a wife and several daughters, he still managed to keep doing it. Jessica had accompanied him since she was the ripe age of twelve and had seen and done things that would never fall under the category of "proper" for a young lady of her age. Now it was all ending with their settlement in Port Royal.
Port Royal wasn't without its charms, but it was frighteningly dull after traveling through jungles, crossing deserts, and sailing the seas. Jessica felt extremely confined standing there in her emerald green dress, hair styled half up, half down. She fanned her face but couldn't rid herself of the feeling of constriction.
'There is no guarantee that father is giving up but I fear he is growing tired of traveling, especially spending so much time away from mother.'
Jessica couldn't help but smile as she surveyed her younger sisters excitedly pointing out anything and everything as they walked to their carriage and her father proudly strolling with her mother. She could see the adoring looks they kept shooting each other and knew she couldn't truly be angry if her father was giving up traveling and exploring for love. However, Jessica was not a young woman focused on love and marriage and to her, these plans were keeping her away from what she loved to do. She was the only one of the girls to accompany her father, which meant she had grown up learning how to handle a sword and ride a horse like a man, not proper social etiquette and while she wasn't an old maid by any means, she felt as though people were already speculating about why she wasn't married. Her mother had been schooling her since before they had arrived, but she longed to go outside and ride her stallion, Octavius, or practice with her saber or pistols. Not exactly desired traits in a young woman, but what purpose would curtsying or acting demure serve in the most dangerous parts of the world?
Once they reached their new home, which was set a good ways from every other large home in the fashionable St. Paul's district, Jessica quickly hurried up to her room and quickly changed into her black riding boots, breeches, a shirt, and a dark red vest and letting her hair hang wild and free. Though her green gown and other things were lovely, these were the clothes she much preferred. Using some of the experience she had gained while traveling, Jessica stealthily snuck outside and to the stables. Once he noticed her presence, Octavius snorted and shook his dark brown mane. His dark palamino coat seemed to shimmer as he stepped forward to put his nose against her palm.
"What say you and I go for a ride, eh boy?"
Octavius simply snorted and have a soft whinny.
"I'll take that as a yes."
The wind whipped her hair as she galloped across the wide expanse of land behind their estate. She realized that her mother might worry about her but her father seemed to know her all too well. He probably already knew she was out here, racing against the wind. The smell of the ocean air filled her nostrils and she realized that their home must also be near the ocean. She soon discovered a trail that led out to a secluded beach. Goosebumps stood up on her skin as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She loved the sea. So even though she was confined to their home, at least she was close to the ocean. After some time of racing across the sand, Jessica turned around and headed back for her home.
As she got closer to the stables, two unexpected things, or rather people, and her father startled her. Octavius reared, as surprised as she was, but she managed to calm him as she stared down at the two individuals who were standing with her father. One man was rather short but dressed elegantly so there was no doubt that he was highly ranked. His eyes seemed cold, but he wore a somewhat smug expression on his face. The other was quite tall, at least six feet if not more and was wearing a naval uniform. He had intense green eyes that seemed sad but it wasn't overly evident in his stern expression. Her father was watching her with a slightly amused expression, but subtly indicated she should acknowledge the two men.
Jessica gracefully climbed down, keeping Octavius's reins in her right hand.
"My sincerest apologies, gentlemen. I suppose I was still exhilarated from my ride."
"No apology needed, Miss Everard. A young woman who can handle herself as well as you just did must have plenty of …experience and know what to do." The shorter man addressed her, his eyes glittering strangely as he said experience.
Jessica felt that there was a double meaning in that statement and had to restrain herself from raising a brow and responding.
"Jessica, my dear, this is Lord Cutler Beckett (whose smirk seemed to grow even more smug) and Commodore James Norrington (who merely nodded). Gentlemen, this is my eldest daughter, Jessica."
Jessica bowed her head and did a small curtsy, despite her wild appearance and manly attire. "It is a pleasure to meet you both."
Beckett kissed her left hand while Norrington actually made a proper bow. However, when he straightened again, Octavius's snorting caused him to speak.
"Wherever did you learn to ride, Miss Everard? Surely that is not something they teach in England."
Jessica's anger flared but she knew that at least one of them was going to say something about what she had been doing.
"I have not been to England in several years, Commodore. This is not something I learned there, no, but what use would riding side saddle be in a situation such as, oh, trying to outrun a sand storm in the desert?"
He said nothing so she continued. "I have spent the majority of my life doing things typically considered dangerous for a woman and my habits are not going to change as soon as I step into Port Royal."
'Don't start something unless you intend to finish, Commodore. I could throw something back at him; maybe he resorted to bribery to attain his rank. After all, he seems too young to be a Commodore just by servicing honorably in the Navy, but I won't bring myself down to his level.'
"Well gentlemen, I had better put Octavius up and let you get back to your business before I interrupted. Good day, Commodore, my Lord." With another quick curtsy, Jessica disappeared into the stables with Octavius. She heard her father walk off with the two men and was relieved. Beckett seemed a bit odd and the Commodore was a typical sexist. She sighed. If all the men in Port Royal were like these two, she might as well head for the open ocean right now.
Another Author's Note: I'm not a huge fan of this chapter since it's an intro chapter but let me know what you think! Things will take off in the second chapter trust me! Review please! :)