Chance Meeting
OrionRedStar
Chapter 6: Stormy Seas
Chapter Text
Chapter 6 Summary: Jack and Elizabeth reach the Pearl and set sail, but are having to weather a terrible storm, in more ways than one .
Chapter 6 - Stormy Seas
Elizabeth woke up with a start, feeling a shift of vast unbalance as she lay in the bed. It was the terrible storm that had disturbed her sleep in the middle of the night. Then she hazily recollected Jack's last words as she departed from his side, the Pearl's route had to pass through those waters in heading towards Shipwreck Cove. At that time Jack intended to skirt around it if possible, but it currently felt by the abrupt pitch of the ship, that he had brazenly decided to sail right through the brawling gale. It was known that as the famed Captain of the Black Pearl, Sparrow was always determined to see the crew safely through to the other side of any tropical chaos. It was winter and treacherous weather was known to be commonplace in these Atlantic waters. This being Jack's Pirate Lord territory, this squall was not a key affair to him and rather commonplace in fact. This form of bravery also did not transition to the crew, who often were not as staunch in making it through the storms as unwavering as their hearty captain.
Elizabeth raised a hand to her cheek having a memory of Jack imparting a kiss to her. Elizabeth wondered if in the late night hours Jack had been in the cabin at some point and placed such a peck upon her façade. She had no recollection of Jack visiting her in the cabin before the major squall had begun, assuming he remained upon the deck preparing to deal with it soon enough. Elizabeth had remembered Jack expressing rather sternly for her to stay inside the cabin, and most importantly of all―stressed that she remain inside the cabin, until he gave express permission for her to leave. Jack did not want Elizabeth taking any irrational risks on deck during this volatile stage of the storm, and this quirk of his irritated her. Sparrow was adamant about sheltering Elizabeth most times. In fact, as she departed from the quarterdeck, Elizabeth was nearly certain she overheard Sparrow muttering a loosely befitting threat that if she disobeyed his orders on this matter, she would most definitely be tossed into the brig on sight, no questions asked.
Hanging onto the furniture for ballast as she walked across the length of the cabin floor, it was daunting the way the ship was shifting so abruptly amid the clapping of loud thunder and the flashes of bright lightening. Unable to contain herself any longer on legs, and having been dashed about enough within the cabin of the Black Pearl, Elizabeth decided to try laying in bed. Clinging to the sides of the mattress, Elizabeth attempted not to notice just how intensely the massive ship was pitching about in the rough waters. In truth, Elizabeth was a bit scared, not ever been though as rough a tempest as this, matching it only to the horrible maelstrom they all had experienced when battling Beckett that awful day. This felt like such an enduring tempest, that Elizabeth tried not to think about how her stomach seemed to sour as the constant movement was making her turn ill. As a stationary figure amid the bed, the ship however was jostled about so much, it was inevitable to succumb to the movement sickness.
Elizabeth always thought her sea legs were still pretty fair, as Jack once admired, but not having been at sea for nearly a year, and with the sea violently sloshing about like this, she was faltering. As Elizabeth maneuvered about in the cabin from one point to the next, even she had to admit being especially sloppy in form and unable to handle the intense jerking of the ship. Elizabeth's footing was not faring well when the vessel got tossed about so precipitously. But even in her paranoid thoughts, one thing stood out as a definite mark in the positive column―that was a man named Captain Jack Sparrow. With Jack at the helm, all souls on that ship could be secured he'd sail this black beauty through the tempest clear to the other side of it with great dexterity. If Elizabeth allowed her fear of the squall to surface, she only had to hearken back to the fact of Jack's proficiency to ballast feelings of safekeeping. Sparrow contained enough experience and vast knowledge of aquatic tricks and was well equipped to guide that massive craft through all sorts of treacherous weather.
When the ship dipped sharply in a sideways slope, Elizabeth clung to the side of the bed post. Jack could be heard above her laughing, sounding like a mad man as he finally righted the vessel, having it come about in the next swell of large waves. Sparrow was fearless of such tempests, often mocking his crew members for being alarmed. In truth, some of them were so scared they began hollering aloud to their captain, blaring that if he continued on this insane course they all would all be doomed to the depths. Just listening to those men yelling out of desperation, how they feared to die such a gruesome death of drowning, was depressing to hear. Many claimed they would become crewed to the likes of the Flying Dutchman. Their squeals of foreboding were dashed by Jack's riotous laughter over their cowardice and then barked how they were shirking their duties. Jack had sailed though bigger squalls than this one and was undaunted. In fact, he was thrilled for the hallowed gales would get them to their destination all that swifter.
Captain Sparrow stood there affixed to the helm and his sharp eyes upon everything that moved within his scope of vision, as well the peripheral regions about him. Paramount in Jack's mind was Elizabeth as well. He was not keen on her being subject to this rocky journey for so long on her own, even inside the safe keeping of his cabin. Jack was worried about her welfare, but the best way to service her dilemma was to remain right where he was, in charge, at the helm of the ship, and to guide all on board to get through these seething waters. Jack wanted Gibbs to make a quick and continuous assessment of any and all injured on board, this way when they reached Shipwreck Cove, a physician on shore could be notified well in advance to attend them. There were a few men who had been plagued with cuts and bruises, but none seemed too serious as yet to require that sort of attention. The big problem was seasickness by many men who were not sage sailors. So in the meantime, Jack needed to concentrate on how to transition them through the worst of it. The gales from the tempest would cruise them to Shipwreck Cove a lot swifter and Jack took advantage of this gift by keeping his sails full and knowing just how to navigate the infamous vessel through this blow.
With Elizabeth safely tucked within the cabin, Jack felt confident that there would be no difficulty for him to veer his big ship through this scary bluster. Jack was amused as some newer crew members were taken to being seasick and had been puking over the side of the rails, hanging on for their lives so that they would not fall overboard. Taking a momentary break from this arduous battle with the sea, Jack relinquished the helm with confidence to his staunch and sturdy first mate, Mr. Gibbs. Sparrow wanted to rest his aching arms a bit, fetch some rum in the hold, and possibly grab a bite to eat because his stomach was absolutely fine. He would only permit a well seasoned and experienced sailor to handle the helm in those few moments as he was absent. Nobody else was allowed to pilot his beloved ship while Jack took a short respite for that drink of rum or possibly that snack―no one else.
The Pearl swayed up and down, nearly knocking Elizabeth out of the bed several times. She was too rattled and shaken up to get any sleep at this stage. Since Jack had ordained she could not leave the cabin this time, what could she do? In a way Elizabeth understood with her limited skill, she would only be in the way. Granted, it was too risky for her to be on deck where a number of accidental perils were just waiting to unfurl. One solid slap of a huge wave would be it, cause her to take a bad fall and hurting her thin limbs severely. But she was needing a bit of fresh air, longing for any kind of distraction to preoccupy her mind from the possible dangers. And besides, sitting there and watching the lanterns constant swinging with abandon, her stomach was getting more queasy as the time passed. Elizabeth got up to fetch a drink. There was still some wine leftover from a late night meal, and to her recollection there was still some tasty morsels leftover from Cook to be had there at the desk. Elizabeth got herself up out of bed and was currently swerving to and fro across the wobbly floor to the desk, staggering like a drunken sot. She grabbed hold of the desk just in time as the Pearl hit a particularly high wave. Elizabeth clutched the chair next to it and balanced her body weight as the Pearl eventually came about, surfing the wave with a deep dip forward until it dropped down to level off. Elizabeth took a deep breath and shook her head with shaken faith. How Jack could handle this huge vessel with such skill, Elizabeth deemed him incredible. Sparrow could keep the ship upright and afloat from sinking - that was indeed astonishing. His proficiency amazed Elizabeth to no end, but this was Jack's life and just another daily task to him. Elizabeth thought to herself, she had to give that credit to Jack hands down–he was absolutely fearless if nothing else!
Standing next to the desk and eyeing the food, a whirring buzz came over Elizabeth. Suddenly, she lost her balance and fell forward towards the chair. Catching herself, she realized it had been a whipping dizziness that almost made her keel over within the cabin. A few moments passed and then another terrifying experience just like the prior one had occurred. Elizabeth suddenly felt a gushing of acidic bile rise within her throat, felt it burning there as she nearly upchucked onto the cabin floor. The dreaded seasickness had finally claimed her. A flip flopped stomach gripped her insides and the sickness was overtaking Elizabeth's guts. She glanced about the cabin and swiftly grabbed a towel, shoving it up to her mouth.
Biting her lower lip and fighting back the nausea, Elizabeth had to do something, but not sure what. In the innermost caverns of her whirling mind, the rational answer that hit Elizabeth first was to either locate a chamber pot, or go outside and hang off the rail to vomit. If Elizabeth ventured out on deck, Sparrow would surely spot her. She did not know if Jack would discern this as a disobedient act. The illness was taking over her system quickly and clouded vision was becoming a challenge to see straight. Everything appeared to become a wavy blur to Elizabeth. Not knowing how to combat this medical problem, Elizabeth had no clue of what to do for treating seasickness. Leaning on the door and wrestling with the notion of what she could do to halt the excessive gagging, perhaps she'd ask one of the crew real quick before Sparrow could spy her. It was paramount in her mind, Elizabeth had to remain in the cabin. If she disobeyed Jack's order to leave it, there would be hell to pay. Elizabeth realized that once Jack would discover she was ill, and because there was no chamber pot within the cabin, of course this was an exception to the rule. Even if she disobeyed his order, Sparrow could not validate a complaint against her under the circumstance. In lieu of his main priority of seeing Elizabeth safely through this blow, there was no rule to include seasickness. Resolving that argument, Elizabeth opened the door and stepped outside.
Appearing on the blustery deck to seek a familiar face, Elizabeth hung onto the first solid thing she could grasp for ballast, which was the mast. She wanted to work her way to the rail so she could hang over the side if she had to vomit. Almost knocked over by Pintel running past her, Elizabeth stepped back far enough on the deck until she could view the helm. Elizabeth was shocked to see that it was Gibbs at the wheel and not Jack. There was so much shouting and activity of people running all around, Elizabeth was not positive she was strong enough to produce a shout loud enough to be heard over the din of the storm. Almost all of the crew seemed to stay clear of her. The torrential rain pelted Elizabeth's face and she could barely discern what was in front of her. Instantly soaking wet, she was seized by a flush of fresh nausea. Elizabeth knew she had to act fast for the dizziness was gaining on her, and soon the ability to walk would cease. Soaked to the skin from the deluge of torrential rain, it was coming down so hard, it was like peering through a sheet of glass. Elizabeth peeled heavy strands of wet hair from her eyes in order to navigate towards the rail just off to the starboard side. Gazing up to the flailing black sails, it was difficult to keep her eyes open long enough to view any one thing for too long. The rain came down so hard, it stung her cheeks as well. Elizabeth shouted as loud as she could manage to the first mate at the helm, first holding back the urge to vomit which had been gaining on her.
"Gibbs…where is Jack?"
Unable to hear Elizabeth from the loud roar of the storm, he signaled with a shrug of his shoulders. Gibbs dared not abandon his station for all on the ship would surely perish. Keeping his strong hands upon the helm, the only gesture Gibbs could produce was a quick shake of his head down to Elizabeth, indicating that he could not hear her. Attempting another try, Elizabeth grasped her churning stomach for a second to steady herself. At that moment another spiky pain stabbed her there and she gasped, groping empty air for ballast and combating the urge to empty her stomach over the side. Once more looking up to the quarterdeck with half opened eyes, she was being tormented with the down pouring of hard rain. Elizabeth shouted as loud as possible for her current state.
"Where is he―Jack….JACK!"
Elizabeth kept screaming it over and over hoping that in some manner Gibbs could eventually guess what she was asking him. All the while the dizziness from the seasickness had nearly crippled Elizabeth. Shakily she meandered over to the rail to make ready to vomit. Meanwhile, up in the rigging, Jack Sparrow had a peculiar feeling in the cavity of his being and contemplated his present thoughts. Jack imagined he was actually hearing the sound of Elizabeth's voice amid the roaring ocean. Wondering how she was faring through all of this action so far, Jack speculated that perhaps he should go make a quick observation and check up on her. He had not been within the cabin to see her in a while, so it was time. So involved with navigating the ship through this squall, and currently replacing the damaged line, Jack's thoughts and duties were too vast that he allowed himself to became preoccupied. Sparrow did not have that luxury to see Elizabeth until now. Completing the slashing away of the old and torn canvas, and adjusting the newly woven black canvass as the replacement, Jack just happened to glance back down to the deck. His eyes scanned below and then towards the helm. He saw Gibbs still there, just barely making out his form through the sheet of rain. The first mate seemed to be doing well without any problems. Next to himself, Jack had all the confidence of Gibbs' exceptional skills, even during a tempest of this magnitude.
Jack was going to quickly fix another ripped canvas, when suddenly he caught sight of a vaguely familiar form that lined up with his sideline view along the rail. Jack was certain his eyes were playing tricks on him. However, staring long enough through the pouring rain, it was all too evident as to the identity of that person on deck. The dense wall of rain was impeding clarity of vision, but starring down at it all the same, that blithe form moving was easy enough to discern. As soon as Jack caught sight of Elizabeth standing out on deck of the Black Pearl, watching her looking up at him where he was perched, Jack was furious. His obsidian black eyes squinted as his focus was on his own hands. Rapidly tying up the loose ends of the canvas, all the while Jack was growling menacing threats to Elizabeth under his breath in a fury over her insubordinate actions. Sparrow could not believe that Elizabeth would dare wander out in this treacherous gale, going directly against his explicit captain's orders. On this ship, Jack considered his orders were law, and lives depended on his expert judgment. For Elizabeth to test his mettle like this was unforgivable and Sparrow was determined to deal with her accordingly.
But suddenly Sparrow's attention was drawn to yet another familiar sight. He focused on the swell of a huge, rolling wave of sea water heading right for the ship. Not only that, but it was bound to hit that part of the bow where Elizabeth was poised. Too late to make a counter-move to thwart the hazard, or shout a warning to protect her―nothing would be effective enough now for Elizabeth to heed warning. The fast moving wave had crashed onto the deck of the Black Pearl with powerful force, washing right over Elizabeth. Jack started with an actual physical jolt of his body. His eyes widened in terror as Sparrow held his breath for the alarm that Elizabeth might have been knocked overboard. With the massive, crushing weight of seawater that enveloped her, it was a miracle to find Elizabeth was only knocked down onto the deck. She managed to cling onto the excess slack of rope from a tied up barrel. The onslaught of water had dragged her across the deck a few yards, but she clung fast to the rope and held on. Elizabeth was heavily soaked, laden with sea water, that compounded with the rolling and ever changing pitch of the ship, she could not stand up.
After watching that horrible scene play out right in front of his very eyes, Sparrow had imagining the worst of what could have happened. In fact, that very notion now had Jack incensed. Sparrow was so enraged that he considered her appearance on deck could have been for only one reason, Elizabeth's goal to spite him. Elizabeth's constant challenging of his authority on the Black Pearl had always been an issue in the past. This last shenanigan of hers was seen by Jack as her testing his altruistic nature―any of those antagonistic factors were a first guess. Jack's rage filled fortitude grew as he observed Elizabeth finally struggling, even slipping and falling onto her knees a few times until she got up onto her feet. The deck was wet and slippery, so now Elizabeth was shakily standing there rail side trying to get her bearings. A complete persnickety, bloody wench, Jack thought to himself in a malevolent growl.
Swearing aloud, Jack knotted his fingers securely onto the wet rope and began to shimmy down the hemp line with a feline finesse. The entire time he was cinching down the wet lines, he was grappling aloud with his own escalating rage, trying to calm himself down so not to make an outright, verbal assault on Elizabeth. The real reason Jack was this livid was because his instinctive first response to seeing her thrown by the wave had rattled him. Seeing Elizabeth nearly swept overboard and into the sea to drown―had shaken Sparrow down to the core. This had upset him emotionally. To lose Elizabeth to a watery grave like that was a stark reality Jack had never entertained. However to see it operating in front of him without any control over those circumstances at all, was equally terrifying to him. Even though she survived that deathly wave, Elizabeth could be seriously hurt. He had to find out first before shoving her back into the cabin. And to make no mistake, Jack Sparrow intended on locking Elizabeth up inside the cabin this time, whether she balked or not. It was either the cabin or the brig the way Sparrow saw it. This alternative of where did not matter to him so long as it kept her alive. Jack took considerable risk coming down the soggy lines as rapidly as he did, but his escalating rage and trepidation was well beyond the scope of rationalization and control at this point.
Elizabeth turned and glanced up, finding Jack tangled high in the rigging and slinking his way down. Relived that she finally located his whereabouts, Elizabeth observed closely as Sparrow methodically grasped hold of one line of rigging and then transitioned onto the next, snaring his boot purposely within the line just enough to ensure a strong and structured loop. He cleverly maneuvered so not to lose footing or fall overboard if he got caught in a rogue wave as he descended. Sparrow navigated his way down from the mass of lines swaying in the wind. Elizabeth was reassured just seeing Jack on his way to be with her. Even if she was in discomfort, Elizabeth was elated to soon have his charismatic company. She felt a tiny smile form upon her lips while doting on Jack's image drawing closer. As she observed his progress nearing her, all the while Elizabeth kept hanging onto the barrel ties, just in case another wave descended upon her.
Elizabeth watched when Jack finally made a last jump, both boots landing firmly upon the deck of the Pearl with a loud thud. He was presently loping his way across the length of the ship towards her with lightning speed. Elizabeth was going to release the line she clung onto and head off in Jack's direction to greet him, cutting the space between them all that quicker. Looking forward to rushing into his arms below the whipping and snapping black sails, Elizabeth started to walk towards him. However, another obstacle emerged―unbearable pain in her ankle had altered that course of action. In fact as she made another step, the pain removed that choice altogether. Somehow Elizabeth had twisted an ankle in the freak wave accident and was unable to put pressure upon it. Elizabeth remained where she was, observing Jack's use of long legged strides to close the gap. And that exaggerated lope had him speedily approaching with raven black dreadlocks flying behind him in the unrelenting winds. Elizabeth felt she wanted to fall into Jack's sheltering caress, when abruptly she stopped short that fantasy and changed her mind. As Jack loomed in large with his countenance now in view, Elizabeth discerned a sinister snarl of ire pasted across his twisted features. Lips taut and stretched, with an evil glare reflected off those piercing black orbs. Jack was acting more akin to a raging lion on the attack. His immediate exposition of fury upon her was so shocking, it caused anyone within sight or sound of his meddlesome glower to startle and hide from Sparrow's imposing stature.
"What're YOU doin' out 'ere on this deck?" Jack barked so loud when he caught up to where Elizabeth was, his shattering voice was like a lion's roar within an foot of her face.
Jack's visage was up in Elizabeth's while he raged and ranted, his flared temper permitting. Arms flailing in a massive, expressive tirade, Jack tossed some lose lines of rope out of his way with a violent jerk. Elizabeth was stunned that he was this incensed with her, it almost seemed his reaction was out of proportion to the alleged crime. Pacing back and forth in an angry stomp, it appeared as if Sparrow had to act out his wrath on something other than slugging the object of his desire. Startled by the infuriated manner to which Jack barked and postured over her, Elizabeth could not see Jack all too well because of the rain in her face. She began wiping the excess water away in order to focus. As soon as Elizabeth gleaned a descent glimmer of Jack, his threatening charcoal orbs had intimidated her. Any attempt to offer an excuse by Elizabeth's parting lips was instantly halted. She paused in trepidation feeling all was lost. Sparrow was so wound up and ready to strike out a counter attack, Elizabeth doubted Jack was even going to listen to what she had to say. Elizabeth wanted to explain what had happened to her, why she was out on the deck because of seasickness, but it was a moot issue. Before Elizabeth had a fair chance to even draw a weak breath and address him, an enraged Jack lifted up his arm and animatedly gestured to any crewman who was willing to watch or listen, bellowing as loudly as he could to publicly berate Elizabeth,
"Right–Master Ragetti, haul this insubordinate….willful, an' mutinous baggage t' the brig...now!"
Jack shouted his abuses out over the roar of the hurricane winds that were thrashing at the pair of them as they stood facing off on the rollicking deck of the Black Pearl. The captain was so enraged by his own temper, clearly not noticing the nearly hobbling Elizabeth hardly standing before him on her injured foot. Nor was Sparrow giving her the opportunity to plea an appeal before passing out sentence. Even the crewmen were baffled as to the overblown reaction of Captain Sparrow upon the tiny Elizabeth. She was standing there nearly passing out altogether from the seasickness as he was ranting! That was probably the single most reason why none of the crew offered to cart her off to the brig, figuring Sparrow had not really meant what he was saying.
Meanwhile Jack was tangled up in the middle of his venomous fit. His usual gold and silver beam was certain to show up whenever Elizabeth was in his perimeter. However, right now those metallic indicators were bearing at her with a threatening snarl of contempt. Elizabeth was currently the focus of abject ferocity. Jack's arms were flailing as he strutted back and forth amid running crewmen, crashing waves, and Gibbs calling out to him as to which direction he should navigate the ship. A gigantic wave was heading straight towards them from the horizon. Jack was blind and deaf to all except for honing in on the lone fact that Elizabeth had blatantly disobeyed his explicit orders. Sparrow could not tear himself away from that inexcusable offense because she executed this folly during a violent deluge. In his Captain mind set, Elizabeth was due for some formal chastisement.
The sea waters were rolling over and under the ship at a breakneck pace and the winds continually howling amid the clapping thunder and lightning. Most of the crew were either busily at their paces to keep the ship afloat and in one piece, puking over the rail, or hiding below deck. But Jack had been out and into the center of this storm for several long hours. He had been at it all night and it was nearing dawn. Daybreak was hardly discernible because of the charcoal skies. Sparrow had only just taken his first break from the helm before having to go up into the rafters and cut away ripped sails. He never got to that sip of refreshing rum or had that bite to eat. Jack was exhausted and now he would have to return to his post at the helm and resume the arduous task of holding that wheel steady. Sparrow might have gleaned a brief respite, had it not been for this egregious and blatant disobedience of his authority―again! Jack was unable to contain himself as his voice roared over the ear deafening sound of continuous thunder. The swells of seawater crashing, tall waves spraying high, and the sea hurling itself against the hull of the Black Pearl had not stopped him. Jack was pointing an accusing index finger at Elizabeth's façade which was now frozen into an open-mouthed gape of astonishment. Jack was seething at her with an obsessive vengeance, lunging towards her in short bursts as if he would attack, and then stepping to the side to flounce some more in his histrionic display of outrageous admonishing. Never had Elizabeth witnessed Sparrow rant to this degree.
"Bloody buggerin' hell, woman―why mus' y' constantly b' a vexation? Did y' mean t' test me mettle…..an' in the middle of a bloody hurricane!? Why must y' be a constant thorn in m' side when I've a ship an' crew t' see through this lot t' safety, eh? How do y' postulate bein' a woman of proper intellect when yer really jus' a bloody child?"
Elizabeth opened her mouth aghast that Jack would speak to her in such a disrespectful regard, and she remained poised like that, stunned. Elizabeth was about to address his string of outlandish accusations, but the ship dipped as she staggered with the Black Pearl's sudden pitch to a humongous swell of the ocean. That awful sense of motion sickness seemed to overtake her and the swirling buzz returned inside of her skull to thwart her chance to rebuke him.
"But Jack, I―" she stammered endlessly as the rain relentlessly thrashed at them both.
Jack was not beginning to let Elizabeth escape this major infraction of his authority as the rightful captain of this vessel. The very notion that she would put herself in harm's way and create chaos just to nettle him―was enough to hang her on the Black Pearl's mast as far as Captain Jack Sparrow was concerned this very second. To dally with her own life without any responsibility as a caring individual, to carry on with this jest on the deck of his ship in the middle of a serious hurricane simply to goad him―it was not only neglectful, it was premeditated murder in Jack's opinion. Now he stood confirmed and validated, having the guilty party on the block of justice. She was caught red handed in this dire deed. Sparrow was going to set forth sentence as to Elizabeth's punishment. Not only to teach her a lesson, but to set an example to his crew as well. Sparrow's tone was cruel and full of mockery as he taunted her further with vicious accusations.
"Stowe it! I've no mind a 'tall to hear what rubbish you've got t' say, madam! To th' brig wif ya! I've no time t' ave a bleedin' row with a stubborn, meddlesome, castratin', an'…an'―why are y'…movin' about like that?" he said distracted from rant.
Jack's head bobbed and weaved as he followed Elizabeth's erratic stance when the ship was not rocking. Just as Jack was stewing in the middle of back building another surge of gripping fumes to burn her with, he noticed her swaying. Elizabeth seemed to be buckled over and unable to stand or walk upright. She was nearly spinning on deck in a circle, and limping terribly as if her left foot pained from injury. Jack's black eyes swiftly scanned her slumped over shoulders as she suddenly clasped her hands onto the rail of the ship, hanging onto it while teetering. Jack could not help but notice Elizabeth appeared 'funny looking' to his line of sight. And as he was executing a quick study of this oddity, suddenly Elizabeth tumbled forwards, nearly falling dead away on her feet as she puked over the side of the rail. Jack was swift to lunge forward and be there just in the nick of time to snatch Elizabeth by the waist, breaking her fall. Jack had kept her from sailing completely over the rail and dropping into the rollicking ocean.
Even though he had prevented this slight slip of foot, Jack was cautiously under the impression that Elizabeth had merely tripped on the wet deck. Fortunately enough, Sparrow was there at her side to thwart this nasty accident. This hazardous misfire again fueled his resentment all the more. Now Jack had to patiently stand there and play nurse maid, stabilize Elizabeth's form as she was hurling up her guts over the side of his ship. This just proved his point to be a justifiable example of why Sparrow did not want Elizabeth out there on deck among the elements in the first place. Elizabeth practically fell over the side, just as Jack had feared and predicted―that some dire fate would befall Elizabeth if she dared venture out of the cabin. Jack was still inwardly fuming that Elizabeth could not fathom that simple rationale for herself, or even concede to his sage wisdom. So after the fact, here Jack was…saving her ass again at this point in time.
Jack continued to hold her by the waist, propping Elizabeth at the rail. He was now leaning over to the one side to inspect if she was still vomiting or just hanging limp from sheer weakness. Clearly she was suffering from seasickness and Jack had to take that into account. In spite of how furious he was with her, Jack's concern was ever present for her welfare. However what he was initially feeling deep down about being a protective agent, that was greatly compromised by what he was witnessing. Once Sparrow thought Elizabeth was safe enough to be able to focus on the rest of his lecture, Jack was seeking to point out that exact example of danger to her as it happened. His worst fear occurred in this exact catastrophe and was only prevented because providence mandated Jack being there in that specific moment. Thank goodness he was there to break what would have otherwise been a lethal plummet over the side. Jack was still uncertain if her trek on deck had caused that limp. Sparrow sort of caught her catering stance, favoring only one foot. Surmising as such, Jack grimaced at Elizabeth and swore under his breath, still seething with the entire situation and how he felt betrayed in an entirely different manner. Jack thought for certain Elizabeth had been cleverer or at least concerned enough about herself to not do this.
Elizabeth finally pulled herself up off the rail having emptied her belly and rested there while gasping. Jack had released her tiny waist and was about to guide her back to the cabin, when she began to teeter side to side. Jack reached out once more to stabilize her, gripping Elizabeth by the shoulders. He stood there preparing to resume the lecture, all the while maintaining her ballast by holding Elizabeth in place. Getting a gander at her pale coloring, Jack shook his head in order to peer through the rain thrashing past the brim of his hat and splattering into his eyes. Jack wiped his face clear long enough to proffer a vile growl without drowning from a rain-filled mouth. Jack managed to keep his hot temper stoked and continued further with the penalty of reprimanding her.
"Right, y' see what I bloody well mean, then? I've better thin's t' do rather than stand 'bout catchin' ya from fallin' on yer ruddy face….where it 'as no bloody business a 'tall bein!" Jack seethed now with a more quiet, but venomous hiss, "…a chamber pot could've served well 'nough fer this lot, then."
In his escort of dragging her back to the cabin, Jack suddenly realized Elizabeth was actually limping terribly, clinging to his arm for support. She seemed tilted and unable to stand upright or walk of her own accord. Jack also took note that Elizabeth had not attempted to thrash away from his grip, or combat him to releasing her, per her usual antics. Instead, she was nearly dead weight in his grasp and eerily compliant; the only sign of physical activity was Elizabeth holding his forearm. Sparrow now lowered that arm and wrapped about her waist. Sparrow's mind was reeling with more poison to spew, if not for this current minor distraction, her inability to properly vacate the deck. Angry and upset, Elizabeth was averting his focus and energy away from maintaining the safety of the ship. Jack toned down his growl promptly, long enough to transition it into an irritated query. While Jack held Elizabeth firm, she remained draped over his arm. With reluctant concern, Sparrow conducted a visual inventory of her injury and was becoming increasingly alarmed that he had made a grave mistake. Jack shouted over the din of the tempest as he gently shook Elizabeth, taking great care not to press anywhere near her weak frame as he regarded her strange stance.
"What's th' matter…stand up, yer makin' a bleedin' spectacle 'ere. Right, I've got t' be on the helm, Elizabeth an' do me job of bringin' the Pearl through this lot. Oi!...Did y' 'ear me then, stop muckin' 'bout an' get yerself back into the cabin….b'fore I take a paddle t' yer rather delicate hide. D' ya mean t' make a complete mockery of me captainship? Mus' y' carry on an' challenge me authority at every bleedin' step―enough o' this tomfoolery, says I. C' mon an' stand about proper…Lizzie, enough―Elizabeth?!"
Grasping onto his arm as her head spun, Jack turned Elizabeth around to face her nose to nose. One stare into those unfocused eyes and Jack instinctively felt a surge of adrenaline course through his veins like a lightning bolt. Something was direly wrong. He could detect it there, engraved within Elizabeth's muddled gaze. She appeared almost about to lose consciousness. But what struck Jack even more profound during this close up inspection was her pallor. Elizabeth was gray before and now had gone to a nearly ghastly ashy and white hue. She was hobbling on one foot, evidently having injuring the other. The silent but pleading stare for him to believe and assist her, that helpless female aura about Elizabeth―struck Sparrow hard.
The glassy look in her eyes nearly wiped him out emotionally. It was only then, at the apex of this revelation of her being disabled that Jack guessed he may have jumped the gun all the way around the horn and misjudged her intentions. And if he had done that, if Elizabeth was obviously in some sort of physical distress besides a bout with seasickness, Jack abused her harshly. Sparrow was entirely guilty of making a serious blunder. Throughout this event Jack had been browbeating her falsely and appeared a brute in all but name. Not wanting to let go of her now, Jack grasped Elizabeth even tighter as he pivoted his hip into her side to support her better. Jack's voice altered completely from rage and irritation to one of angst and caring. His piercing and accusatory black eyes softened now into concerned, appraising orbs while Jack regarded her features with great intensity.
"Right then, what 'tis it? Did y' go off an' get yerself a turned ankle as well, then? I…..I'd not realized y' had the stomach fever, then...a bit of seasickness? Ah…s' that's why y' wandered out 'ere…I was dead wrong to accuse y' of such dreadful thin's, then….was I not?"
"You gave me no chance to explain, you tore at me so precipitously…" Elizabeth weakly replied as the rain pelted against her ashen visage.
Jack was starting to feel the weight of immense guilt as Elizabeth resumed to state,
"….you proceeded to hold trial, judged me guilty, and aptly hung me...all within the matter of moments….without hearing my testimony. And I was too ill to speak up. You see, my stomach was twisting with knots due to this motion illness. I was in the cabin and as it hastened, there was no chamber pot to be found….so I―"
Alarmed by her response and explanation to events, Jack instantly realized Elizabeth was extremely distraught over being accused by him so callously. Evidently she had been injured on top of all that when the wave slammed her into the barrel. Sparrow felt even worse for how he had berated her in front of the crew. Jack grasped hold of Elizabeth to get a firm grip on her waist to support her, all the while his eyes frantically scanned her white countenance. Sparrow was now petrified, the consequences of his ruthless treatment of her. Surely he was due to eat some humble pie, but all Elizabeth did was simply stare at him. She fought to muster up the energy and form the appropriate words amid the disappointment. She continued seeking Jack's façade for an adequate answer to her silent appeal for impartiality and assistance to get back into the cabin. Elizabeth was too disconcerted and did not know how to facilitate a reconciliation in review of the last twenty minutes. What to say or do after such a terrific maze of misinformation?
The seasickness had taken its toll on most of the crew, and the rolling seas was making it worse. Elizabeth was just one of many feeling that whirling buzz fill her head. Added to that was a twisted ankle which was obviously painful. Elizabeth recognized this ill feeling before in the cabin and experienced it enough times to foretell she was nearly ready to pass through that whirling sensation again. The only movement Elizabeth could manage was her lower lip trembling. After staring at her in this motley condition for several moments, Jack felt his heart pounding as he instinctively glanced down.
There was something unusually dark lingering inside of Sparrow which came out before, and now that ogre within needed to be forgiven. Jack had to surface from this awful misunderstanding exonerated by Elizabeth, if he was ever going to erase the guilt he felt. But the ship was his concern as well and Jack needed to get to back the helm. Unfortunately, the rain soaked clothing on their backs had developed into a huge puddle of water beneath. Elizabeth was not going to make the trek to the cabin quickly. Jack improvised and made a decision that would satisfy both problematic issues. Keeping one hand on Elizabeth's waist for balance, Jack quickly bent down to place his other arm behind her knees. With a grunt and lifting from the legs, Sparrow hoisted Elizabeth's drenched body up into his arms,
"Right, le's get y' back into the cabin straight 'way, then eh?"
Startled with the sudden motion from a lift off the deck and realization of him carrying her, Elizabeth placed her arms about his neck. As Jack carted her swiftly to the cabin, Elizabeth did not speak. Jack gingerly glanced over at her hoping for a reprieve, but she continued gazing straight ahead, avoiding eye contact. This is not good. Jack figured to himself while he was making this quick jaunt a fruitful one as well as gallant. Jack hoped this close contact and chivalrous act might break culpability from his prior offenses and show penance. His voice a bit under duress as he carried Elizabeth, Jack cleared his throat and then stated with a flair for smoothing over his past, rough edges,
"S' alright, luv….it'll b' fine. I'm s' sorry fer what I'd done, then….I knew not what the matter was, b'fore. I know…nor had I given y' the chance t' explain it proper. I was sort of a lout, then…not a 'tall givin' ya a fair chance t' state yer case. Blunder…absolute n' utter blunder on my b'half, it 'twas. I jus' want to let y' know―I feel like a complete twit...utterly d, then. I shouldn't 'ave gone off like that, got head up an' accused y' of such a terrible an' vile act….'specially when y'd done nothin' of the kind. Bad form on my part. D' you fergive me, then? Nod fer me at least…mebbe a 'yes' would do, eh? Please don't hold it 'gainst me….I'm ever s' sorry…."
Elizabeth managed to listen and supply a weakly nodded 'yes' to Jack's sincere apology and present groveling, although there was lackluster in her eyes and that aspect worried Jack. After getting this bland answer, Jack pulled Elizabeth tighter into his chest into as sort of hug, hoping to display submission and show his sincerest regret for what he had done. Elizabeth had placed her focus still ahead of them, seeing the shape of a door, figuring it to be the cabin looming into her sights. But through her peripheral vision, Elizabeth could detect his countenance. Jack was staring at her, especially into her eyes and tried to communicate to her that way. She understood Sparrow was seeking a pardon, but Elizabeth put a snag in this style. This was his last chance to wheedle forgiveness from her, but Elizabeth was not interested. At the moment she was more or less consumed with the intense nausea and awful swirling sensation that made her mute. Jack had swiftly kicked open the door to his cabin, and once inside had placed Elizabeth into one of the chairs by his desk. Resting his palm atop her forehead in pause, Sparrow spoke with a steady voice, while his onyx eyes skittishly darted about the one corner of his cabin as if to locate something in particular. He left her side and quickly darted over to the bed, grabbed a pillow, and returned placing it atop the seat of the chair adjacent to Elizabeth. Jack then patted it as he looked to her pasty hued face.
"Up 'ere, then….keep yer foot elevated, should stop the throbbin' a bit …."
A sharp jarring of the ship was about to abruptly end their conversation. Jack had superior sea legs and weathered the shift of the Pearl readily enough, but he knew there was still danger lurking ahead. Elizabeth felt her stomach do another flip and intense nausea hit once more. Holding a hand to her mouth, Elizabeth closed her eyes battling another round of surging vomit. Jack had darted over to the bed, went down on all fours, and appeared with the empty chamber pot. Evidently it was there all along but unseen. Leaving it to the side of the chair in sight, Jack stated quickly in passing as he looked to Elizabeth once more,
"I left it out on the floor here, then…..oh, feelin' worse? Still out o' sorts again?"
Elizabeth slowly nodded, not opening her eyelids for the spinning sensation was too annoying and she felt overwhelmed by it. Leaning down to become eye level with Elizabeth, Jack's warm palm grazed her cold and clammy cheek as he softly asked in a warm, baritone tenor,
"What would y' 'ave me do fer ya, then? How can I help?"
Elizabeth only shook her head, there really was nothing Sparrow could do for her. The ship was clearly more important for all their lives were at stake. Elizabeth at least was smart enough to realize Sparrow needed to be at the helm for only then were they all safe within his expert guidance. The ship and their fates were all tied into Jack being there at the helm. With her last remark a silent one, Jack let his palm glide sensually down her cheek until it fell away in sort of a hopeless drop. He then stated with genuine heart and considerable affection,
"Right….Y' wait right 'ere, then…..Jus' hold fast, darlin'." Jack suggested while still out of breath, a residual effect from the long haul of carrying her so far and darting about the cabin, "…I'll send 'round Gibbs or Ragetti, they'll stop in 'ere t' bind that turned ankle of yers, eh? I've got to leave y' on yer own then, pet…got t' set me ship right, Lizzie. I hope yer not too cross wif me."
Her voice hollow, unemotional and detached, Elizabeth replied with a stoic tone that was far more formidable and effective than any screaming she could have used to admonish Jack.
"Go…I am fine." she insisted to inspire him to move from her side, which it was evident Jack did not want to leave.
One glance at her ghastly, chalky shade and Jack understood that was a fib. Elizabeth's seasickness was just as pitiable as some of the crew that had been hurling over the rail most of the night. But duty called and nobody could handle the Pearl the way Captain Sparrow could. He left Elizabeth with a glance back over his shoulder before passing through the door, an expression as if he was seeking a softer appraisal of sort from her. Sparrow did not wait for it was not forthcoming. He jogged outside with quick and affirmative steps.
Once Jack hit the deck he heard Gibbs frantically yelling once more for him to come to the helm. He darted up the series of steps, leaping two at a time until managing to reach his first mate. Gibbs gladly relinquished the helm to the Captain instantly. Once he resumed control of the wheel, Sparrow remained where he was, steadfast and holding the ship steady amid the ballistic series of waves. Jack had told Gibbs where he had abandoned a wounded Elizabeth, all the while still feeling the impression of carrying her frail frame within his arms.
Looking for an able bodied crewman to assist Gibbs, most seemed preoccupied with the bevy of excitement going hand in glove with this hurricane. Jack felt Gibbs was needed on deck and searched their immediate surroundings. Spotting Ragetti, Jack proceeded to wave him over to communicate with him. Jack knew he had to get somebody to care for Elizabeth right away, for she would soon get restless and start hobbling about in the cabin on her own to tend that ankle. Jack feared if she did that, Elizabeth might possibly keel over and get injured again. Sparrow had decided to send Ragetti in to do a simple bandaging for her, and then hoped that it was just a sprain and not anything broken. Jack only prayed that the threat of this monstrous storm would soon abate so he himself could care for Elizabeth first hand, even perform that procedure himself if need be. But this squall had some steam left within it, and if there was time enough to get a bit of rest before they hit Shipwreck Cove, an exhausted Jack hoped he had time for himself as well.
The dread in Jack's heart was awful as he assumed Elizabeth was furious with his leaping to conclusions. Sparrow felt lower than dirt for jumping at her like he had when all the while she was plagued with seasickness. His spirits started to sink in slow motion, struggling to remain conscious by gazing up into wide, gray, and rain soaked clouds above. He was filled with anguish. It was not long before Jack realized Ragetti was standing there along side of him, ready to report. Jack acknowledged him, a nod responding when being address as captain. Sparrow then learned from Ragetti that Elizabeth indeed had a slightly sprained ankle, but nothing too serious that could not be lived with. Jack dared not interrupt as he listened to Ragetti explain that Elizabeth was direly ill with a severe bout of seasickness, like many of the crew had been. Even those with seaworthy legs and stomachs had suffered from the prolonged and volatile motion of the ship. So, Elizabeth had fallen prey to a landlubbers nightmare. Jack noted Ragetti's service with a subtle, but grateful nod of approval, and then returned his attention back to the sea.
Once alone, Jack was shaking his head in silent remorse. Jack wiped the rain from his eyes and cheeks, struggling to study the ever shifting waves of the sea to ensure which way to out maneuver them and head the Pearl. It was tricky business to guess which way to drive his vessel towards the safest patch of ocean. It was a long haul and a far worse storm than many had seen for some time. But Sparrow was more concerned about the storm that was brewing within his cabin at the moment. If Elizabeth had not altered her character completely in this past year, to be more pliant and forgiving, then Jack knew he was heading from one gale straight into another. And, the next and second tempest was to be a far more lethal hurricane than the one he was presently sailing within.
"Captain…"
When Jack did not immediately react to the call of his name, a louder repeat of Ragetti's shout for him had pulled Sparrow back to the reality of what else was happening to others aboard the Pearl. Jack momentarily snapped back to attention, responding in a very official demeanor while his mind instantly wandered anxiously to consider Elizabeth's welfare as priority.
"Aye, what 'tis it, then….any damages of the ship, or additional injuries of the crew t' report?"
"Ship sailed through with flyin' colors, Cap'in―yer expert touch is what did it then, no doubt saved our ruddy hides. An' the crew…mmmmm…..a few minor injuries 'ere an' there, all accounted for an' treated. No broken bones save one finger of crewman Anderson. An'…mmm…..lots of lingerin' seasickness o' course. But since the sea's settled now, only a few are still a bit worked up."
"An' what of Elizabeth, how's she farin' at this hour?" Jack had asked directly, interrupting his lengthy account.
"Oh, she's asleep now, Cap'in. Still, sick as a bleedin' dog, that...with the stomach fever as are the men. They all could do with some drink, since they're runnin' a bit dry mouthed. But Elizabeth…..she's a strong one, that poppet….she had a bit of tea already. I should think the ankle will b' a bit more of a challenge to 'er when she's up an' about, tho."
"Good man. Oh, tell Mr. Gibbs we're t' sail straight 'way into Shipwreck Cove…tell 'im t' hasten the crew to prepare―we'll b' there nigh within the hour. I think it good form t' encourage those who are still unwell or injured t' see a proper physician ashore, then….tell 'im…'tis Captain's orders to get themselves checked out official, eh?"
"Yes, Cap'n Sparrah…'tis there anythin' t' be done…I mean, what else I can do to 'elp 'er…Miss Elizabeth, then?"
Jack looked up to a very fretful Ragetti and spoke with extreme trepidation, wiping the excess mist from his face, tired eyes, and then gazing down to the much calmer sea. Jack had not seen Elizabeth since he deposited her into the cabin. He could only hope that she would be gracious and had accepted the apology for his crude behavior and near histrionic outburst from hours before.
"Aye, Lizzie was fortunate b'fore, I'll grant y' that, mate. Thanks fer the offer Ragetti, but right now I feel the need 'tis greater fer lettin' 'er sleep until we're in Shipwreck Cove, so….off to it, then….an' make yerself ready as well." Jack added with a firm tone of dismissal to him.
"Aye, aye, sir."
Once they had seen the maze-like waterway to sail through in getting to Shipwreck Cove's pirate fortress, many a brigand was glad for it. Most were soaking wet and tired but pleased they made it alive. Jack began to concentrate on navigating his ship through those particularly tricky waters, only few captains having been given the correct pathway to take. This clever treatment of the entrance was part of the impenetrable secret of the cove. Its success as being an impregnable stronghold for decades was partly due to this secret and selective path. By his last calculations and the rate of wind filling the Pearl's sails, Jack thought by within the half hour they would be docked inside the great Cove's bay. Sparrow decided if he could hang on long enough from having no sleep for nearly thirty four hours, and if he could try to slow down the rate of Elizabeth's heated temper enough to chance speaking with her in greater detail, there was a good chance Jack could convince her to forgive him. Sparrow hoped they would go ashore together and get her settled within the fortress…at least that was the goal Jack was striving to meet. What Elizabeth had in mind, Sparrow was not certain if they were on the same program since they had yet to commune. In short, it was pot luck!