Chapter One
Watching him sail away with her ship, the ship that she had bartered her very soul for, she knew this was it. The pistol felt so, so very heavy in her hand, and with each passing day, the single bullet called to her in her despair. Finding the rum cache gave her hope; she might just live. But as the ship of smugglers appeared on the horizon, something instinctive told her that there was danger sailing toward her; something about that ship didn't feel right; she should hide and wait for another.
Jack should have listened to that instinct.
Jacklyn Sparrow was always a fan of grand entrances, as seen in her insistence of being called "Captain", though she did not have a ship nor crew.
That being said, she would settle for no less than dignity while standing atop the mast of her sinking skiff as she drifted into Port Royal. The breeze was fresh on her skin, and she closed her eyes a moment, enjoying its gentle caress before jumping down and attempting to bail water out of her ship.
Looking up, Jack saw the grave sign that greeted her as she neared the dock and saluted to the rotting pirate bodies swaying in the breeze. May they find rest in the oceans eternity, she thought solemnly. Stepping proudly onto the dock as her little ship came to a sinking halt, men gaped as she waltzed past, and with good reason. No longer the young, spry girl she used to be, Jack had womanly curves that were even more noticeable from the men's clothing she wore. Her long black tresses had yet to gray and were pulled back by a red bandana, covered by her beloved hat. Her skin, though scarred, had a smooth golden look from her years spent at sea. A cream shirt with a weathered brown coat and a wide scabbard completed the look. Jack was quite the beauty, comparable to even the younger women men sought for brides. Wandering down the dock, she finally caught sight of the ship she was looking for. The Interceptor was a sight to behold, bedecked with the navy colors and shining with fresh paint. She hated it, but it would have to do until she could regain The Pearl again.
"Miss, you can't be up there, this dock is closed to civilians".
A pair of guards had appeared at the end of the gangplank, looking a touch nervous at having to address such a pretty woman.
Whirling about from her place at the helm, Jack ran a loving hand down the rail. "Oh...sorry. I didn't know. It's just such a pretty boat. Ship." she corrected.
"Yes, but you aren't allowed," the shorter one said.
Narrowing her eyes, she changed the subject. "There must be some big to-do up at the fort, so the question remains; what are you two doing down here, pestering civilians such as myself?"
"Captain Norrington is being promoted to Commodore today, and someone needs to remain to guard the ship. He will use it to hunt down the last dredges of pirate scum in the Spanish Main." the taller one proclaimed proudly.
Jacklyn snorted. "Well, by my account, this ship is nothing compared to the Dauntless," she said, pointing across the bay at the much larger ship.
"Well...that is true, but no ship can match The Interceptor."
Her eyes twinkled as she leaned in. "I've heard of one, said to be nigh uncatchable. The Black Pearl".
The pair looked at her in disbelief, and she felt a bit miffed. What was the point of being captain of the most fearsome ship in the Spanish Main- nay, the world- if no one believed it existed?
"We meant a real ship"
"The Black Pearl is a real ship" she retorted sharply, her pride slightly wounded. "I've seen it with my own two eyes". She widened her gaze and stared at them intently.
They sat in silence for a moment.
"No, it's not"
"Yes, it is!"
"How would you know?"
"I just do!"
Tiring of bickering, Jack wandered back to the helm, running a hand along the smooth planes of the wheel. She could taste the open sea once more. Her eyes flashed open. Revenge was close; she could taste it. Something in her bones told her patience. The end was dawning near. Jack was interrupted from her dark thoughts by another shout.
"Hey! We told you that you can't be up there! No civilians allowed!"
She flashed an apologetic grin. "I know, I know. It's just such a pretty boat- I mean ship".
The pair looked at her for a moment. "What's your name, anyway?"
"Smith." She answered.
"And what's your business in Port Royal, Ms. Smith?"
"Yeah, and no lies!"
"None? Very well." She lifted a hand and waved it about airly. "It is my intention to commandeer one of these ships, pick up a crew in Tortuga, and raid, pillage, plunder and pirate to my black hearts' content."
"Pirating?" He asked incredulously. "A pretty wench like you? I said no lies." He was nudged by the other guard. "I think she may be telling the truth."
He was nudged by the other guard. "I think she may be telling the truth."
"She's not telling the truth."
"I said she may be."
"If she were telling the truth she wouldn't have told us."
"Unless, of course, she knew you wouldn't believe the truth even if she were to tell you." She noted, leaving the two men stunned as they exchange a glance.
"And then, they made me their queen-"
Jack's story was interrupted by a loud splash. She and the guards rushed to the edge of the ship just in time to see a young woman sinking into the sea. Jack looked at the guards expectantly. "Well, aren't you going to save her?"
"I can't swim," Mullroy said hesitantly. Murtogg looked away with a decidedly guilty face.
Jack sighed. "Men. Can't expect anything these days." She quickly doffed her effects, shoving them at one of the guards. "Don't lose these," she said. And with a graceful leap, she dove into the water.
Finding herself immersed in the calm, clear depths, Jack quickly began swimming to the sinking figure. Upon reaching her, she quickly decided the dress had to go and promptly sliced it off. Instantly lighter, Jack began pushing for the surface, towing the unconscious girl along.
Breaking the surface with a gasp, she quickly hauled the woman onto the dock where Murtogg and Mullroy were waiting.
"Not breathing," Mullroy said in a panic.
"Move."
Pulling out her knife once more, Jack quickly sliced off the restricting corset laced tightly around the girl's body. With a gasp, her lungs heaved water and she began coughing heavily.
Mullroy looked impressed. "I would have never thought of that."
Jack gave him a glance. "Clearly you've never been to Singapore."
Jack looked back at the still sputtering woman and caught sight of a golden glint that made her blood run cold. It was a round medallion on a chain, with a grinning skull. Jack gingerly reached out and touched it. "Where did you get this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Before the girl could respond, a commanding voice rang out, and Jack felt the telltale sting of a sword held to her neck. "On your feet."
Slowly, she stood up and was met face to face with the newly appointed Commodore, surrounded by a squadron of soldiers.
"Elizabeth!" A new voice cried out. A man with a large, powdery wig pushed through the crowd of soldiers. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, father." The girl- Elizabeth, answered. Turning, Elizabeth put a hand on her hips and looked disapprovingly at the sword held to Jack's neck. "Commodore, do you really intend to kill my rescuer?"
Reluctantly, the Commodore sheathed his sword and stuck out his hand. "I believe thanks are in order."
Jack felt slightly smug. Finally, she thought. It's about time someone recognized-
Her moment of triumph was cut short as her sleeve was roughly pushed up. Norrington held tightly to her wrist, revealing the 'P' branded onto her skin. "Just as I suspected. Had a brush with the East India Trading Company, did we, pirate?" he all but sneered. Before she could blink, an entire squadron of guns was trained on her. "Keep your guns on her men. Gillette, fetch the irons."
As the lackey hurried off to complete the order, Norrington caught sight of a blue tattoo; a sparrow flying over water. "Well, well. Jack Sparrow, is it? And to think, all this time, I thought you were a man."
Jack curled her lip a bit. "Captain, if you please."
Norrington looked about in mock surprise. "You call yourself Captain, yet I see no ship."
"I'm in the market, as it were."
"She said she'd come to commandeer one!" Murtogg piped up. "These are hers, sir," he added. Norrington accepted her effects with barely concealed disgust. "Let's see...an outdated pistol, with no additional shot nor powder...a compass that doesn't point north…"
Jack was really starting to dislike this man.
Norrington pulled out her cutlass. "And I half-expected it to be made of wood. You are, without a doubt, the worst pirate I've ever heard of."
"Ah," She said, giving him a sly look. "but you have heard of me." Now it was the Commodores turn to curl his lip. "Enough. Gillette, the irons if you please."
As the manacles were secured around her wrists, Elizabeth interrupted. "Commodore, I really must protest. This woman did save my life."
Norrington's face hardened slightly. "One good deed is not enough to redeem a woman from a lifetime of wickedness."
With a click, the shackles were locked in place. Finally, Jack thought. Quick as a flash, she slung the chain over Elizabeth's head and neck, pulling the younger woman tight against her. "Commodore, as much as I've enjoyed our stimulating conversation, I do believe it's time I was leaving. My effects, if you please."
The Commodore hesitated, and Jack tightened the chain with unexpected ferocity. "Commodore!"
Norrington silently handed Jack's effects to Elizabeth. Jack turned Elizabeth around. "So sorry about all this dear, but would you be so kind..?"
"It's Miss Swan." Elizabeth hissed sullenly.
"Ah! Don't forget my hat!"
Elizabeth started at Jack for a moment. "You're despicable." Jack just grinned impishly. "Pirate, love. I saved your life, you save mine. Now we're square."
Before Elizabeth could respond, Jack whirled her about so she was facing Norrington, with the pistol held to her head. The shot was not meant for her, and she was loath to waste it. "Gentlemen, M'lady... this is the day that you will always remember as the day you almost caught Captain... Jack Sparrow!" and with that, Jack shoved Elizabeth toward the Commodore and grabbed a nearby rope. Before anyone could react, Jack was swinging wildly about in the air as Norrington gave the order to fire. She ducked out of the way and sprinted into town.
Deep in town, Jack heard the marching of boots on flagstones and quickly ducked into the nearest door she could find. She breathed out a sigh of relief as the footsteps passed. She was safe, for now. Turning, the first thing Jack noticed was the shop was stock full of hanging cutlasses, beautiful creations. Her jaw dropped a bit as she walked over to the rack and picked up the shiniest one. Giving it an experimental swing, she found the balance was exquisite; better than anything she had ever fought with. The handle was wrapped with a gold hand guard, and the blade had a slight curve to it.
She had to have it.
Feeling only slight remorse as she traded her old one out, Jack started as a loud snore came from the corner of the smithery. She froze, before slowly turning. There, drunk asleep in a chair, was the apparent owner of the shop. With a smirk, she poked him soundly in the arm and was very satisfied when he didn't stir. Now, to take care of her shackles…
Several minutes later found Jack free, rubbing her wrists. As she headed for the door, however, she heard footsteps from the back and without a second thought, she dove for cover. A man walked in, quite handsome...and quite familiar.
About to make a break for the door, Jack realized that she forgot something very crucial. My hat!
There it was, sitting next to the anvil she had used to free herself, which also happened to be where the man was now standing. Dammit. This was not going to be as smooth as she had hoped.
Stepping out of the shadows, she silently drew her sword, and as the man reached for her hat, she smacked him with the flat of her blade.
He looked up with a start. "That's my hat love," she said.
He frowned. "That's my sword."
Oh. Bugger.
"Fair point, but seeing as you are an upstanding citizen and I am not, you will let me have my hat and I will continue on my merry way, savvy?"
His eyes lit up with realization. "You're the one they're hunting, aren't you? But I thought they were looking for Jack Sparrow...Oh! You are Jack Sparrow!"
She smirked proudly. "The one and only."
"But...you're a woman."