I leaned against the rail as I watched the storm, it seemed we were steering directly toward it. Lightning flickered behind me casting my shadow on the ground, my hair twirled wildly around me making the waves look like Medusa's snakes. I glanced back as another flash came and saw the outline of a man at the wheel, rocking steadily with the ship. On the wind I could almost catch the ghostly sound of his voice as he muttered to himself. I could not see his face, but somehow I knew it was Captain Jack.
He took no notice of me, though I knew he was fully aware of where I was. My gut was telling me that not much slipped past Jack's notice. I watched him for a moment,, amused at his antics, before returning my contemplation to the sea.
"What are you doing here?" a voice rasped from behind me. My hand flew to my chest as my heart stopped beating for a few moments. I could see nothing and I almost panicked until a flash of light lit the face of Will Turner.
"What are you doing here?" I asked crossly. "You very nearly scared the life out of me."
"It's as it should be." He said clearing his throat and his voice returning to its normal rich sound. "No woman has any business wondering around at night alone."
"Did you get too much sun today?" I returned sweetly and turned to go. "I can handle myself thank you." I called over my shoulder as I started away.
"Could you really?" Will asked, his hand wrapping around my uninjured arm and turning me back to face him. "I don't think so. I knew another girl who once thought like you do."
"Once?" I queried quietly sensing the pain in his words.
"Once." He said with a finality that I knew I wouldn't have to question further to find what happened to this other girl.
"Well, I am not that other girl." I assured him "I do not need a man to protect me."
"Yes, that is exactly what she thought." Will replied. "Tell me what makes you think that you are safe on the Pearl when you were not safe on the Nautilus. We are pirates as well, Jack Sparrow is infamous."
"Jack also tried to save me from Captain Malachi." I told him, lifting my chin and glaring mutinously at him. "I don't believe I have had a choice in whom I trust. I woke up here in the middle of the sea after all. Though Audra seems at ease with you."
"Yes, but Audra is a healer, a rare one at that." Will said, a smirk lifting one corner of his mouth. "We pirates are obsessed with the rare, and a healer is rarer still among us. We often have need of such skills. You however have no talents we can use, or at least none that we know about."
The last was said with a sneer that made my spine stiffen and my hand rise. It was flying through the air before I knew what I was doing and collided solidly with Turner's cheek. His head whipped around and remained turned away for a moment before he turned back to me.
How dare you." I hissed, fear at the way his hand dug into my arm flashing through me, but I was unwilling to back down. "If I have any talents that remain unknown, you will be the last to know. I'll earn my weight around here, so don't you worry about it. Why is it all the men I've met seem to think I'm a woman of dubious virtue? Do you treat all women as if they were whores?"
"You don't exactly have the mannerisms of a blushing virgin." Will snapped. He seemed a little taken aback as a flash of lightning lit my face and a gust of wind swirled around me finally blowing my hair back from my face. I knew my eyes were flashing and my face set in a look of fury.
"What mannerisms are those William?" I questioned, my voice low, carrying a warning he'd be a fool to ignore.
"Any woman who wonders about in men's clothing is obviously a woman of dubious virtue. Those were your words, yes?" He didn't wait for me to give any affirmation to his words. I wouldn't have anyway. Young William was certainly a fool, but from the glassiness of his eyes and the jug of rum in his hand I figured it must be liquid courage that was making him act so. Not forgivable, by any means, still I took less offense to what he said. "Look at you wondering about the deck with your bum and your legs in full view of any man that might care to look. And you certainly don't look at a man with maidenly shyness, bold and straight as though you were a man yourself."
"So because I don't simper and I wear a disguise for my own protection I am now a wanton woman?" I asked incredulously "Please, surely you can come up with something better than that."
Without warning he lunged toward me his hands slipping to my waist and anchoring me as he bent his head for a kiss I didn't see coming. It took me a moment to get over my shock and realize exactly what had happened, but by that time it was too late. I responded hesitantly to the passion that I would never have guessed ran beneath William's cool exterior. I now knew what the romance novels talked about when they spoke of women who were cool yet passionate. I stumbled a bit when he pulled away, my mind in scattered pieces.
I desperately grasped at what we had been arguing about, my mind still frozen by William's kiss. The only thoughts that circled in my brain were those focused entirely on this new experience. Never before had I felt as I did when he kissed me. Never had I wanted to match a kiss passion for passion before. What was wrong with me? This man had called me a whore.
My head swung up to the man in question to find him leaning against the rail of the ship nonchalantly, a smile of triumph curving his lips.
"Not a kiss of a virgin either." He said once he had my full attention.
"A kiss does not answer the question of virginity." I growled, my temper really beginning to boil at this point. I knew if I lost my tempter though he would have the upper hand, and that was the only think keeping my white knuckled hold on it.
"You can not say you have not known passion."
"To know passion and to act on passion are two totally different issues." I shot back.
"So let us put it to the question, are you Miss.................." he trailed off, suddenly realizing he did not even know the name of the woman he was insulting.
"Jameson." I replied deciding instantly he was not worthy of my christian name.
"Miss Jameson." He continued not fazed in the least. "Are you a woman of dubious virtue or are you a maiden as pure as untouched snow?"
"I don't see how that is any of your business." I retorted.
"A scarlet woman then." He replied in kind.
"How dare you." I snapped for the second time raising my hand yet again in proper response to such a statement. He was ready this tim,e and his hand caught my wrist effortlessly.
"I wouldn't do that." Came his warning.
"Young William, it's a sad day indeed when I see discredited the honor of a lady." Jack's voice was heard over Will's shoulder, glancing up, I could see him moving in time with his ship as he watched us below him. " Been drinkin' again?"
"I might have had a drop or two." Turner shot back, his eyes still on my face as he talked with the Captain, but he did drop my hand. I just glared at him with all the rage I could muster. If looks could kill, my look would have had him writhing on the floor. The thought of such an occurrence was enough to bring a malicious smile to my lips. His attention left my face at the spiteful look and turned to Jack. " Though it isn't as though you're one to talk, was it you that just a few nights ago said 'life is more interesting with rum'?"
"Yes, but you see young William, I happen to be a good tempered drunk." Jack responded moving down the stairs with a swagger. "And a good tempered drunk you can always be sure will be civil, however, a bad tempered drunk such as yourself can always be counted on to ruin any mood, good or bad. Don't run away with ya mouth young William, ya may regret your words come morning. I however, don't often regret my words drunk or sober, and the ladies are rarely unentertained by me."
"I'll bet." I said wryly to his wink in my direction.
"You on the other hand are a horrible nasty drunk, and no one wants to be within three feet of you the moment you have rum down your throat. He drinks for all the wrong reasons, really. Doesn't even like the taste of the liquid."
This was said off handedly to me though with an air of confidence despite the fact that Will stood only a few feet away glaring balefully at Jack.
"What a shame." I chuckled amused once again at Jack's lighthearted banter and the opportunity to needle Will myself.
"The wrong reasons Jack?" he asked, even in the dim light I could see his cheeks flushed with anger. "When are there ever right reasons?"
"You don't do her memory any good my lad by drinking yourself into oblivion. Not to mention she would be appalled to see you acting so." Jack said softly. I wouldn't have heard it had the wind not been blowing in my direction.
"What good is her memory to me?" Will asked bitterly. "She is not here and that is all that matters."
I felt my heart ache for him, despite what he had said to me, he was wounded deeply by the loss of this girl; I wondered what she had been to him. Had she been a sister, a lover, a wife? Sympathy combined with pity swam through my veins bringing with it forgiveness for his words, despite my wishes. I was still angry, yet at the same time I understood and it was the understanding that caused the forgiveness. It was a trait that was both a blessing and a curse. I was not one to hold grudges and I was quick to forgive, some times too quick. My hand reached out of it's own accord in a comforting gesture.
"Don't touch me with your filthy hands." Will roared, the meaning of the word filthy clear after our earlier argument. I snatched my hand back a feeling of hurt washing through me, but I didn't move them quick enough and he batted them away with considerable force. Pain shot white hot up my arm and down my back and I felt the tears in my eyes from the pain. I groaned as I leaned against the side of the ship and felt Captain Jack reach for me as I saw white stars.
"This is getting redundant." I muttered., as Jack's hands closed over my upper arms and held me upright.
"Lass, can you hear me?" he bellowed into my ear and I waved the other hand weakly at him.
"I can hear you, a dead man would be able to hear you." I growled as I blinked the tears from my eyes. "Damn thing isn't stitched yet."
"Ya shouldn't be out wanderin' lass." Jack told me I shrugged it off and turned my back on them both.
"Perhaps not." I said wearily looking out at the sea and feeling homesick. "I shouldn't even be here."
"And where should you be?" Came the question I knew would be asked.
"I should be in a place I can't reach." I replied cryptically before falling silent. It was a silence they seemed to realize they wouldn't be able to breech, for neither of them asked more.
"I'll help ya back to your cabin." Jack said instead, holding his hand cajolingly out to me. I took it; suddenly ready to find the comfort of my bed. I was tired both physically and emotionally. As we passed Will a flash of light caught his features making them stark in the darkness. His eyes stood out the most, so full of anguish and pain that my heart instantly went out to him. Some of the emotion he invoked must have been transparent on my face for his face closed off and he turned away.
"Very interesting." Was all Jack said as he led me away. My mind was on what had happened with Will, as we made our way down the steps. Jacks hand held firmly to the upper part of my good arm to steady me. He was as steady as he never could possibly be on land as he helped me along.
What ever had happened to the girl Will spoke of had scarred the man for life. I wondered if he ever would get beyond it or if he would spend the rest of his life bitter over it. I wondered what had happened, I couldn't help it. Natural curiosity ran in the family. For that matter, so did falling for men in other times. At least one other relative had managed it. I wondered if I could not get home, how many of my children would become my ancestors. An odd thought really, one I had never contemplated before. Did this mean then that we were meant to come back, that it had been preordained that we do such things? Perhaps it was us going back in time that balanced things. It was something I would have to contemplate.
I shook my head as I realized where my thoughts were heading. I would not accept this as my fate, unlike Aunt Morai I didn't believe in such things. I would have to keep reminding myself that I did not belong here, I didn't want to be here, and I certainly didn't want the urge to fix the wayward emotions of William Turner. Still I couldn't help the warm feeling that settled in the pit of my stomach as I thought of him. He was handsome there was no doubt about that, but he had been injured. I knew from past experience that trying to heal the injured heart and pride of a man only brought pain to the one stupid enough to try to help.
"He's a good man." Jack said to me, and I glanced at him curiously.
"I'll bet he is." I responded, "I'm not certain I care whether he's a good man or a bad one, just so long as he doesn't try to attack or rape me I'll be perfectly happy."
"Ya must be interested if he's a good man, if ya weren't then ya wouldn't care if he did attack or rape you." Jack pointed out. I rolled my eyes, irritated he had pointed out a very reasonable flaw in my argument. Truth be know I was finding myself more interested in Will than I wanted to admit. I was certain it was really no more than a little crush, after all it wasn't uncommon for women to get all fluttery over a man that had saved them.
' Then why aren't you all fluttery over Jack. He should get most of the credit for saving you.' A little voice in my head asked, one that I stamped down on ruthlessly. I had been here only a few days, and the last thing I needed was to get attached to anyone. I was going to be gone the moment I found that amulet.
' But what if you can't find the amulet?' The voice came again. ' And even if you do find it, what makes you think you can control it. It will only work for you if the circumstances are right and deep down you really want to go home.'
"I will find it." I snapped "And I will go home."
As soon as the words came out of my mouth I realized my mistake. Jack looked at me appraisingly, but with none of the suspicion of insanity I expected. It seemed as if he understood me, which only made me more nervous. Then again if there was anyone that would not worry about my sanity it would be Jack Sparrow, he certainly was a bit touched himself.
"Here you are." Jack said and I found that we had stopped; he said nothing however. Instead he gestured down the hall in the wide sweeping manner he did all things in. "I'll be in my cabin. If you should take it into your head to go wondering about my ship again it would be best if you let me know first."
"I'll try to remember that." I told him giving him a smile that told him I had absolutely no intention of remembering if I could help it. He shook his head as he made his way back up the stairs to the set of steps that lead from the deck to the captain's quarters. Smiling a little to myself I opened the door to the cabin I was currently sharing with Audra to find her awake and glaring at me.
"I told you to stay in bed." She said with a considerable amount of irritation.
"I never said I was good at doing what I was told." I replied with no little heat myself. Her eyes widened at the sight of blood once again at my shoulder.
"This is exactly why I did not want you to leave your bunk." She grumbled as she eased the shirt away so she could look at the damage. I winced at the flash of pain, but allowed her to poke at it.
"I seem to be very good at reopening it." I said wryly, trying to lighten the situation, but she only scowled at me, letting me know it was not the best of ideas to remind her of this fact. "I promise I'll stay in here tomorrow, I couldn't handle being cooped up any longer."
"You're as bad as a man." She muttered in a voice designed to be loud enough to be heard, but still seem as though she hadn't meant for me to hear.
"I needed fresh air Audra." I pleaded looking properly forlorn. "The only time I've seen the open sky since I've come here was the night you took me to the docks."
"Well you won't be seeing anything if you keep opening this." She grumbled as she took out a bit of rum and some cloth to clean it with. "Still if you hadn't continued to open it, it would have killed you. You let the infection drain every time you reopened it."
"See I was actually doing it good." I said between clenched teeth as she poured the rum into it.
"Not any longer darling." She replied though she smiled as she said it. "For the next four days you stay in here and you do not move it do you understand?"
"Yes, ma'am." I said as she helped me lay back, suddenly too tired to argue, though she caught the sarcasm in my voice. I could tell by the flash of the dimple in her cheek.
"Sleep, you need rest the most." She whispered though I was already drifting off. My mind was exhausted from pain and emotional toil. I had a feeling that fate had played a cruel trick on me be placing me on the Pearl with William Turner. Then again, so far fate hadn't been the kindest of forces.
Miserylovescompany: Thank you, if I made you feel like you were on the ship then I did my job! I'm glad you enjoyed it and I hope you continue to do so.
Rumor: Wow, it's been a really long time since I updated this story hasn't it. The festival was in Wakini by the way. I have no idea where that is in relation to any other city and it was unfortunately a bust. I read your story and I believe I reviewed it. It was awesome! It's great you took the time to read my chapter even though you had to go to work. Yeah, Jack is sexy enough to make any woman loose her train of thought. I will explain the crest and in the rewrite of Hourglass the crest makes an appearance as well. I promise it will all tie together. Bye Grams and I miss you! Thanks for sending me the beginning DTD.
Ciara Lewis: Thank you I am glad you reviewed despite your hesitations. For a while I was hesitant about continuing to write it. I hope you enjoy this chapter and thanks again for reviewing.
Dreamer: You better get ready for more groveling. I've updated DTD twice and no review. Where'd ya go Rach? Are you okay? Oh and thanks for the animal crackers and OJ. You're ruthless you know exploiting my weakness, but I love you anyway. Trust me you will see enough of Will and Morgan action, oh, that sounded bad, but you know what I mean. And as for Will and Lill, hey they rhyme; I'm a poet................and I leave it there. I hope to talk to you soon!
XOXSilverDragonXOX: Well hello there. (Does the now infamous new reviewer dance that the POTC section has yet to see. Wow, you've created a first.) Thank you, I really pride myself on attempting a realistic time travel. Well at least as realistic as you can get. I hate the stories where they fall into the past and are immediately accepted. I like causing trouble and often strife in my characters lives for the amusement of others so hold on to your seat. Thank you very much for your review and your complements they mean the world to me truly. I hope to see another review and I hope I have created another chapter you can enjoy.