Chapter 4: Maria?
Ten minutes later, a very content captain sat at an immaculately polished wooden table, drinking the best soup he'd ever tasted. Maria stood mixing some herbs into a cup of hot water.
"I take it you like my cooking, Mr. Sparrow?" Jack looked up, and grinned, several of his gold teeth flashing.
"I do indeed."
"Well," she said chuckling, "I'm going to give this tea to your friend, Mr. Crane, if he isn't already asleep." Jack nodded nonchalantly, but as she walked out, he stared at her retreating form—and seconds later, his eyes widened, and he flashed a knowing smile. He laughed quietly to himself, then continued drinking his soup.
"Mr. Crane?" Maria called out, knocking on the door to his room. She tried the knob and found it locked. Suddenly, the rustle of sheets being pulled back sounded from the room, and a thump confirmed her suspicion that he had just gotten out of bed. The lock clicked, and when he opened the door, he looked rather flustered, his words coming out in a rather rushed manner.
"I'm terribly sorry, Miss, I didn't mean to lock the door. It's out of habit from what I did back home, and—"
"Constable, please," Maria said, holding up her hand, smiling in understanding. "It's okay. I brought you your tea. Make sure to drink all of it, otherwise the effect desired will not take place."
"I will, Miss, thank you," Ichabod said, gingerly taking the China tea cup from her hands.
"Have a good rest, Constable," she said, as he shut the door and retreated back into his room. That's when Jack's voice sounded behind her.
"So tell me, Ana Maria: what's become of my ship?"
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A/N:) Thank you to those who reviewed my previous chapters; especially Tilt At Windmills. Your review made my day, and I really appreciate it! Next chapter should be up tomorrow, and will be longer than this one, I promise! (EDIT: Please note that this chapter has been edited.) To the rest of you, please read and review!