Well, aren't you guys in for a treat? Two updates in one day! Hope you like this one. The cliffhanger is coming soon. I have two different ways this story could go for Norrington. But that's for me to know and you to read about. Let me know what you think of this chapter!
Disclaimer: I only own Calise.
Chapter 4
"Calise. Sweetheart. How have you been?" asked a very nervous Jack Sparrow as Calise slowly pushed him harder against the wall. "Now, luv, don't want to do anything rash," he said.
"Me? Do something rash? Now, Jack, you know me better than that," she said as she let go of him. "You owe me," she added, pointing a finger at him.
"Owe you for what?" he asked. Ah, great. Not another one, he thought.
"Beckett is after me because of you," she replied.
"Beckett? Cutler Beckett? What does he want with you?" Jack asked.
"Your compass. He finally found out how you got the Pearl so quickly after you lost the Wicked Wench. He wants the compass to find the heart," she answered.
"I know he wants my compass, girl. William told me. But why does he want you?" he emphasized.
"So Will did find you. I guess he told you how the wedding was interrupted?" she asked.
"Not exactly. Only that Elizabeth was in danger, again, and that he needed my compass to rescue her," he replied. He took a moment to study his foster daughter. She has not changed over the months. Still as beautiful, stubborn, and deceitful as ever. Definitely Barbossa's daughter.
"Well, Beckett didn't think that you would rescue Will and Elizabeth. So he thought of the next best thing," she said. She watched as the pieces came together in Jack's mind. Damn the bastard, thought Jack, going after my girl just to get me. Then his attention turned to the man at the roster table. Is that…
"Now do you understand what's at stake?" she asked, but she realized that Jack was not listening to her. Following his gaze, she smiled at what he was looking at. "Oh, did I forget to mention that Norrington and I are reacquainted?" she asked sweetly. She watched as James glances her way and smiles, then tips over the table and asks aloud, "So, am I worthy to serve under Captain Jack Sparrow…or should I just kill you know?" Calise turns her head and noticed Jack was not there anymore. Following to where James was pointing his pistol, she smiled as Jack tries to slip away behind a plant.
"You're hired," he says, trying to put on a smile. Calise proceeded to laugh as James said, "Sorry, old habits die hard." He tries to make a shot when all of a sudden a brawl ensues. But Calise was soon not paying attention. For in the corner of the tavern sat a familiar figure. Matching eyes, the person made for the door, Calise following. When she made it outside, she looked around for the individual. That was when she felt the knife tip against her back. "You have caused a lot of trouble," said her assailant.
"I could say the same for you, Mercer. Tell me, what brings you to Tortuga?" she asked as the knife went from her back to her throat.
"Following you," Mercer answered as her pulled his prey closer to him. "I figured that one of these days, you would show up in Tortuga. I guess I was right," he added.
"I guess you were," she said. "But realize that I am no good to you dead," she continued. Mercer roughly turned her around and said, "You know you could profit from this."
"Not interested," Calise said venomously. Before Mercer could say anything else, the door flew open and out comes Norrington being tossed out with the pigs. "Until next time," he said as he walked off. Calise turned just in time to see Elizabeth kneel next to James. "James Norrington, what has the world done to you?" she heard the woman ask.
"According to him, nothing he didn't deserve," Calise answered as she knelt next to Elizabeth.
"Calise?" said Elizabeth, recognizing her companion.
"Nice to see you too, Elizabeth. Knew Beckett couldn't keep you forever," greeted Calise as they helped James to his feet. "Come on, you two. Let's find Jack," she continued, leading them to the docks.
They caught up with Jack and Gibbs at the Black Pearl. "This is your interrogation," Calise said to Elizabeth. Elizabeth smiled and followed behind Jack. Calise and James followed. "Captain Sparrow," Elizabeth called.
"Come to join my crew, lad? Well enough welcome aboard," said Jack, not recognizing at first.
"I've come to find the man I love," she continued.
Jack stopped dead in his tracks. "I'm deeply flattered, son, but my first and only love is the sea," he said, not turning around.
"Pervert," Calise mumbled to James. James, in turn, stifled a laugh. Rolling her eyes, Elizabeth stated, "Meaning William Turner, Captain Sparrow."
Then it dawned on Jack. "Elizabeth?" he asked, turning around and looking at her closely. Turning to Gibbs, he whispered, "Hide the rum." Turning back to Elizabeth, he continued, "You know, these clothes do not flatter you at all. It should be a dress or nothing. Come aboard. I happen to have no dress in my cabin."
"Jack! Stop making the natives restless," said Calise as she stood next to Elizabeth.
"You can't stop a man from trying, luv," said Jack.
"Jack. I know that Will set out to look for you. Where is he?" Elizabeth asked.
Jack stood there for a moment, trying to figure out what to say. "Darling, I am truly unhappy to have to tell you this…but through an unfortunate and entirely unforeseeable series of circumstances that have nothing whatsoever to do with me, poor Will was press-ganged into Davy Jones' crew," he finally said.
"Davy Jones?" asked a disbelieving Elizabeth while Calise looked ready to kill. "Jack! How could you? This is the lowest thing I have ever seen you done!" cried Calise.
"Not the lowest," murmured Jack.
"First Calise, now you? Oh please. The Captain of the Flying Dutchman. A ship that ferries those who died at sea from this world to the next," said James.
Calise glared. "Didn't we already go over this?" she asked as James cringed. "Besides, that's not entirely true," she added.
"Listen to the lady. Bang on. You look bloody awful. What are you doing here?" Jack asked Norrington.
James rolled his eyes. "You hired me. I can't help that your standards are lax," answered a exasperated former commodore.
"You smell funny," said Jack.
"Sh. Jack, all I want is to find Will," said Elizabeth. Calise watched as Jack's eyes suddenly sparked.
"Are you certain? Is that what you really want…most?" he asked. Calise suddenly caught on.
"Of course," answered Elizabeth.
""I'd think you'd want to find a way to save Will…most," said Jack.
"And you have a way to do that?" she asked.
"Well…there is a chest," Jack said forlornly.
"Oh, dear," James started to say before Calise elbowed him in the gut.
"A chest of unknown size and origin," Jack started to say before Pintel and Ragetti interrupted. "What contains the still-beating heart of Davy Jones!" said Pintel.
"thumpThump," Ragetti added for effect. Jack and Calise glared at them.
"And whoever possesses that chest possesses the leverage to command Jones to do whatever it is he…or she…wants. Including saving our dear brave William from his grim fate," continued Jack.
"You don't actually believe him," said James, who cringed again at Calise's glare.
"How can we find it?" asked Elizabeth.
"With this," Jack answered as he pulled out his compass. "This Compass is unique," he explained.
"Unique here having the meaning of 'broken'?" asked James.
Jack glared at him as James stood behind Calise. "True enough, this Compass does not point North," he answered.
"Where does it point?" asked Elizabeth.
"It points to the thing you want most in this world," he answered.
"Jack, are you telling the truth?" she asked.
"Every word, luv," he answered.
"Don't worry, he is," Calise put in, supporting Jack.
Jack smiled at her. Then he turned his gaze back at Elizabeth and puts the compass in her hands. "What you want most in the world is to find the chest of Davy Jones, is it not?" he asked softly.
"To find Will," Elizabeth added.
"By finding the chest of Davy Jones," he pressed. He opens the compass and stands back. Then he lens in to look at it, being careful not to touch it or Elizabeth. The needle swings and then holds steady. Jack grins. "Mr. Gibbs! We have our heading!" he called to his first mate.
Calise grinned as she heard Gibbs say, "Finally! Cast off those lines! Weigh anchor and crowd the canvas!"
"I found some more recruits, sir," said and Irishman.
"Welcome aboard! Miss Swann?" he says as he gestures to the plank. Elizabeth walks up it. Jack turns to Calise. "Don't even think it, Jack. James is with me and you can't order him to do anything, saavy?" she said. James smiled. Jack mumbled as they made their way up to the ramp.