This story was inspired by my own ideas of the history between Jack Sparrow and Lord Cutler Beckett and takes place before The Curse of the Black Pearl.
Disclaimer: All Pirates of the Caribbean characters are owned by Disney and I just write my own interpretation of them.
...
Jack Sparrow sauntered down the Tortuga docks, a bottle of rum in one hand and a wench on his arm. They were accompanied by the satisfying jingle of pieces of eight that filled his pockets. The young captain was under the employ of the East India Trading Company but had made a trip to Tortuga to make a little money off the record. He had won the money and the wench in a gamble.
"Hey! Captain Sparrow!" shouted Jack's first mate, a man by the name of Smith. He was frantically running toward the pair. "We've been plundered by pirates!"
Jack turned to the woman on his arm. "Another time, love." He reluctantly pressed a shilling into her hand and turned to his first mate.
"Captain, the shipment. It's gone. Silks, spices—they took it all!"
Jack frowned. "Where was the crew?"
"Ashore, sir. You gave us leave, remember?"
Jack furrowed his brow, his memory clouded by one too many bottles of rum. "Bloody hell. Beckett's not going to like this." He tipped the bottle in his hand and downed it in one gulp.
...
The sky over Port Royal was painted a fiery gold and crimson by the setting sun as the Wicked Wench docked. Even at sundown the wharf was bustling with merchants, sailors, cargo, and soldiers. As there was no shipment to unload, Jack sent his first mate to settle the affair with the dock master while he made his way through the streets of Port Royal to meet with one Lord Cutler Beckett. Though not head of the company, Beckett was his employer and had very high standing within the East India Trading Company. In truth Jack didn't much like Beckett. The man was obsessed with money and flaunted his high social status. Jack would much prefer his ship and the open sea than the frivolous life Beckett led. However, after his mistake in Tortuga, he knew that his standing in the company was now precarious at best.
Across town from the docks, Lord Beckett resided in a grand mansion. Although his actual home was in England, he dwelled in Port Royal more often than not because it was the base of operations for the East India Trading Company. Beckett and his fiancée, Rachel Morgan, were dining when they were interrupted by a visitor.
"My apologies, Lord Beckett, but there is a Captain Jack Sparrow here to see you," said the servant.
"Oh? Send him in, Mr. Mercer," replied Beckett with an air of annoyance. He turned to Rachel. "Forgive me but it seems there is a matter of business to discuss."
The servant admitted Jack into the dining room. Beckett was standing waiting to receive him and there was a lady seated at the table. Beckett followed Jack's gaze to Rachel. "Jack Sparrow, my fiancée, Rachel Morgan." Jack was taken by the blue-eyed brunette beauty. Beckett was engaged? And to this lovely creature?
She smiled demurely at him. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Sparrow," she said, standing and offering her hand.
"That would be Captain Sparrow, my lady," Jack said as he took her hand and kissed it lightly. He flashed a roguish grin and she was intrigued by the glint of his golden teeth.
"My apologies, Captain." Rachel was fascinated by the dashing young captain.
Beckett cleared his throat. "And what business do you have to discuss with me, Jack? I trust that you've already unloaded your shipment and are here for your next assignment?"
"Actually, about the shipment…" Jack began, obviously uncomfortable. "Ransacked, we were… at sea…"
Beckett coolly interjected. "What exactly are you saying, Mr. Sparrow? Perhaps you should accompany me to my office." Without so much as glancing at Rachel he left the dining room for his office across the hall. Jack followed with a nervous shuffle a few paces behind.
Rachel again took her seat at the table, nettled that she was now alone in a place where she didn't really care to be in the first place. She could see the two men standing in the office, the door ajar and Beckett's voice was raised.
"And the pirates only took the cargo and left the Wicked Wench unscathed?" Beckett asked Jack incredulously. "What did the ship look like? Who was the captain?" He fired questions at Jack without giving him the chance to respond. "They will not escape the East India Trading Company!" he said resolutely, pounding his fist on the desk. If there was one thing he hated more than anything in the world it was pirates.
When Beckett raised his voice Rachel was able to catch bits and pieces of the conversation. Actually, she thought it sounded more like an interrogation. She knew she shouldn't be eavesdropping but when her ear caught the word "pirate" she was captivated. She strained to hear more and didn't realize she was leaning so far forward in her seat until she actually lost her balance and she and the chair went crashing to the floor.
Both Jack and Beckett stopped and stared silently at her through the half open office door, at the moment too surprised to move. Then they both crossed the dining room towards her and Jack was the first to reach her. Her cheeks flushed and she stammered as she allowed him to help her to her feet. "Excuse me, I.. I.. don't—"
"Had a little too much wine, did we darling?" Jack began but quickly shut his mouth at Beckett's withering stare. Rachel stared at him with an open mouth, appalled but slightly amused at his directness.
"Are you alright?" Beckett asked her, a look of genuine concern on his face. He eyed Jack's hand still on Rachel's arm and Jack hastily released her but did not take his eyes off her.
Rachel could feel the weight of Jack's stare as she turned to her fiancé. "Yes, Cutler. I'm just feeling a little tired, perhaps you should take me home?" Rachel lied, embarrassed and feeling slightly guilty for listening in on his conversation.
"Yes, of course. Mr. Mercer?" he called his servant into the room. "Have my carriage prepared and please show Mr. Sparrow the door. We will continue this conversation tomorrow, Jack."