Ghosts of Heartache:
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The
sound Jack heard next sent his heart into his throat. He spun around
and saw Rhi fall to the ground, and Kelly raising a hand to slap her
again.
"Oy!" he shouted, running back over to the Irish
Rose's plank and pulling out his pistol. He cocked it and waved it
threateningly at the other ship's captain.
"That's not very
nice, mate. Don' touch her, or I'll kill ye." He slowly made his
way up the plank, towards Rhi, keeping his gun on Kelly. He knelt
down beside her and offered a hand, keeping his eyes on the man
standing there, looking mutinous.
Rhi could hear as someone yelled
from the docks. She dared not open her eyes for fear the voice was
all in her head. Her heart jumped as she realized it had been Jack's
voice.
She could feel someone kneeling down beside her, it could
not have been Kelly he would never be kind this soon. She opened her
eyes and glanced over at Jack. He had his hand extended for her to
take. She let out a sort of crying sigh and threw herself into his
arms making sure not to knock him over or the pistol from his hand.
Was this really happening?
Jack pulled her away, and behind him.
He backed up a little shielding her from Kelly. "Only a fool
treats a woman like that," he said, his voice low and calm, to
Kelly. He turned his head, looking at Rhi out of the corner of his
eye.
"Rose, go down to the dock." Looking back to
Kelly, he gave a little mocking bow of the head.
"I don't
know why anyone would ever marry the likes of ye," he commented,
trying to give her time to get away.
Rhi did as Jack said, she ran
hard and fast as Jack stood between her and Kelly. Why had he saved
her? Did he realize who she really was? Rhi moved quickly not really
caring where she was going, nor noticing, that was until she was in
the middle of a group of seedy pirates on the deck of the Black
Pearl.
She looked behind her at Jack, what was she going to do
now?!
--------------------
Jack
backed his way down to the dock, keeping his pistol on the man in
front of him. "Captain, I bid thee a fine day!" He tipped
his hat and dashed away, back to the Pearl. He reached the deck of
his ship and looked back, then turned to his crew.
"Get
going, ye worthless dogs! We're setting sail, and quick." He
turned to Rhi, concern suddenly settling in his eyes.
"Who
the bloody hell are you?!" he said, quietly. But his voice was
exasperated. Why was he wasting his energy and time saving a woman he
didn't even know, from her own husband?
Rhi stared at Jack, what
was she going to say? She lowered her head keeping her rauna still
around her belly. It would not be a wise move to let everyone aboard
know she was with child. She walked slowly over to Jack and with
whispered words:
"I am Rose, but Jack...can we talk in
your cabin?" She felt tears fall down her face, now what?
Jack
stared at her. "Rose, Rose..." He pounded his head into
his fist, trying to think. I don't know anyone named Rose!
He
walked over to the door of his cabin and held it open.
"After
you, Rose," he said, still with a small frown. What was going
on? Had she not wanted to be saved from her husband's abuse? And why
had he saved her, anyways?
Rhi stepped into his cabin and looked
around. A small faint smile spread on her face. She turned and walked
around, her fingers brushing over everything. She delighted in
touching it all. How long it had been since they both had been
together, since he held her in his arms, and so long since his
lips...Rhi shook that from her mind the faintest memory
replacing it.
'One day we'll leave here, you an' me. I wanna show
ye the world Rhi. When I go, say ye'll come with me.'
Rhi stopped
at the door to his room and turned to gaze at Jack.
"So you
really did make it. You got your ship back and became of pirate. I'm
proud of you Jack, I just wish that I..." She could not
finish tears streaming down her face.
Jack's brow furrowed
intently. He watched as she went around, looking and touching all of
his stuff. The things on the desk, the wardrobe.
"Wha'?"
he said.
"You...I...do I..." he babbled,
uncomprehendingly.
"Do I know ye?" he asked again.
Something slid into place in his head suddenly. Rose... Irish
Rose... He shook his head, suddenly sad for the second time that
day, and sat down on the edge of the bed. It can't be, she's dead, he
thought, his heart actually aching. He looked up into Rhi's eyes and
then down at his feet, not understanding.
---------------------
"Jack
I..." Rhi ran down and kneeled in front of him, her arms
wrapping around his legs. She rested her head on his lap and began to
cry a bit harder.
"...I never wanted you to leave."
She choked back the tears and looked up into his eyes, his sorrowful
eyes. Did he recognize her, or what was it that caused that look of
sorrow?
"Jack?"
As he looked down at her, his eyes
wide, Jack shook gently. His mouth opened, but no words came out. He
just sat there, staring at her, his jaw working furiously as if he
had lost his voice.
Then suddenly, he stood up, gently pushing
her off him.
"No. You...you can't be." He turned and
walked out of the cabin, his mind working furiously. The crew gave
him curious looks as they worked. They had gotten out into open
water, with Tortuga now not much more than a place on the
horizon.
Ignoring them all, he took hold of the rigging and
climbed his way to the crow's nest. No one was there, Cotton had not
yet taken up watch. His mind was reeling, and he felt suddenly sick.
How could this be?
--------------------
Rhi
sat on the floor of his cabin in tears, what had he meant she can't
be? She grabbed a hold of the sheets on the bed and pulled herself
up. A strange pain in her belly.
She trudged herself out on deck
and watched as the crew stared at her like she was some ghost. She
looked around for Jack but could not see him anywhere.
She saw a
scruffy looking man standing at the helm, his eyes staring straight
up. The pain in her belly grew stronger. Just as she came to him she
collapsed into his arms. The last thing she heard before she passed
out was him yelling.
"Jack, not more bloody women!!!!!"
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Discalimer: Don't own a bloody thing to do with POTC, look on author page for full disclaimer.
