Passing Ships
Chapter Seven: A Meeting of the Minds
"And so, when I found the jar empty I knew it had to have been the Commodore who had Jones' heart. Suspected that he was clever, but not sneaky." Jack Sparrow looked up towards the sails, "He would have made a good pirate if his heart had been in it." He smiled and Emily caught herself admiring his gold teeth. Why did these bodice laces keep loosening?
"When Jones brought me aboard I was convinced to give him information that would guarantee my passage aboard the Flying Dutchman. I am sorry, love, but your name was the only one I could remember the dear Commodore saying with any sort of compassion."
Emily now had the story. James was alive and possibly on his way back to Port Royal to claim her. Granted, he'd deceived a seemingly good pirate, if you could believe Jack's stories, and perhaps her sister and Will Turner to get the prize, but she tried to convince herself his heart was true.
They were still gathered under the stairs. Mr. Turner had found a small barrel for Emily to sit on and luckily little JD had slept through the majority of Captain Jack's tale.
"You're a bright lass, so I don't think you'll find it a surprise that I'm Will Turner's father. They call me Bootstrap Bill." Bootstrap addressed Jack, "Will knows that I'm here, but what about you, Jack? Do you think they'll be able to figure it out?"
"Well, that's a bit that I'm still working on. Luckily, your son has a hard-head. Couldn't imagine where he gets it from?" Jack flashed another smile. "He'll be coming after you. Along with Elizabeth…" Jack hadn't told Emily or Bill the entire story of how he'd come to meet the Kracken aboard the Pearl. He was still in a bit of disbelief over the younger Miss Swann's actions; a pirate, she was.
Jack changed the subject. "Now, would you hand over your little one? I wasn't lying when I said that I do adore babies." Emily hesitated but passed over the sleeping JD. The pirate had only been asking for rum. It didn't seem as if he'd partaken of it yet.
Captain Jack would be the first one to hold the little boy besides herself. With all the barnacles and what-not covering Mr. Turner, and the attitude of the rest of the crew, she hadn't considered asking any of them to do the honors.
"And your baby's name, if you please?"
"I call him JD."
"JD. And that would stand for something else, I imagine."
"James David."
"James David…. And he would be named after his father?"
Mr. Turner looked at the exchange. Emily didn't answer.
"I also assume that the noble Commodore had, has, no idea of his new relation?"
Emily sighed. "No, he does not. When he left I was not aware of my… my situation, but we are engaged. And, more importantly, Jones doesn't know that James is ignorant of the fact of his parentage." Emily looked Jack Sparrow in the eye. "I'm aware of your past necessity for information, but I would appreciate that you don't use this piece to further your standing aboard ship."
"Of course, love! Don't you worry! Captain Jack Sparrow will do what he can for you and your little son. I've been rooting for the Commodore all along, savvy?" He looked down into the little fellow's open eyes. There indeed was another Swann.
Emily had no idea what he meant by that last statement, but decided to take his word.
"Now, you say that Jones gave the Commodore an ultimatum to return the heart? He certainly does enjoy giving people chances to let him down. He once valued me at one hundred souls. We need to think about this… Bootstrap, do you remember when Jones sent you to the Pearl? Could you…"
But he didn't have time to finish the question.
The sailor with the conch shell for a head had appeared before the group and grabbed Emily by the elbow. "The captain needs to be seeing you. The rest of you, get back to your work!"
"But, wait!" The sailor was dragging her away. "Wait! I don't have…. Jack! You're going to have to keep him for me! Have Bill…" She didn't have time to finish. The doors to the lower deck had already closed behind her.
Captain Jack Sparrow watched as Emily's pale face was shut behind the rotting wooden doors leading to the captain's cabin. He would do right by the older of the two Swann sisters. "You understand that, little Commodore. We'll figure a way to save your momma from this mess, savvy?"
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Davey Jones was sitting once again before the immense organ. Little ringlets of smoke danced above his tentacled head. He didn't acknowledge her arrival.
"Captain Jones! I do not appreciate the manner in which I was asked to receive you! Your sailor gave me no time to retrieve my son! He's been left with someone I barely know! I demand that you…"
"You'll demand nothing of me and like it, Miss Swann. You're lucky you even still have that small son of yours. He was not part of the bargaining between Mr. Norrington and myself. Consider yourself fortunate one of my crew hasn't taken him yet." Jones looked at Emily with his cold blue eyes. She could see no compassion residing in them.
He had risen from the bench and walked towards her. He was very tall. "I've found need of your… services today."
Emily stood as if an oar was placed against her backbone. "Yes, well, we've already determined what those services will be, Captain, so what do you need scribed?"
"Scribed? Ah yes, that's what I'd said you would be doing for me, right." He walked behind her and stepped so close she could hear his next words spoken right against her ear.
"Honestly I can think of better activities to occupy your time," Jones bubbled, "but seeing as you're already spoken for…" His slippery arm had encircled her waist, holding her alarmingly close to his massive form.
Emily pushed at the prying tentacles and stepped forward. "Yes, Captain. That's correct." She was trying to control the fright in her voice and hoped it was convincing.
She noticed the little writing table in the corner and ran across the cabin to place herself behind it and as far from Jones as she could get.
Jones smiled, or looked as if he smiled. "Take a note…
My Dear Mr. Norrington,
Please be advised that your lady's days, enticing as her charms may be, are fleeting. You have 25 days left. Use them wisely. You're floating in the wrong direction.
Yours Sincerely,
Capt. D. Jones, Flying Dutchman
Emily looked up, "And just how do you know that he's going in the wrong direction, Captain?"
"Because, Miss Emily, I am the sea." He paused for what only could be dramatic emphasis. "The sea knows when a ship is passing here and there. Your Norrington's ship is not but ten leagues away from this very spot."
"And how do you intend on sending him this missive, sir?"
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"Jack! Wake up!"
Emily had admired the blue sleeping form cradling her baby. I love James, I love James, I love James…. But good ness me….
She had found them curled up in her cabin, both fast asleep. For a cursed pirate, Jack Sparrow looked unusually comfortable holding James Norrington's baby.
"What?"
Jack sat up. "What is it, love? Is the rum gone?"
"Rum?
Jack, don't be silly."
"Rum isn't silly, darling. You wouldn't happen to have any placed in that lovely bodice, um, dress of yours now would you?" He smiled up at the angry girl standing over him.
I love James, I love James, I love James… "Here now, give me JD…" She stalled to get control over herself. Why had Elizabeth never mentioned how good-looking Jack Sparrow was? "I'll tell you what I've just learned. I think there's a way we can get a message about you over to the ship that James is sailing."
Jack patted the bed next to him, "Do tell, future Mrs. Commodore, do tell."
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Do not worry, lovely readers. Our gorgeous hero Norrington will return soon! In the meantime I hope I've captured a bit more of Captain Jack to your liking. I figured any woman interacting with the Captain would have to remind herself of her other love. Reviews are certainly appreciated! Thanks! (I do not own any Disney-related characters)
