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A Plan in motion
Jack Sparrow sat in the Galley, his hands wrapped around the edge of a bowl of soup. The steam was rising up into his face; disappearing as it drifted to the ceiling and fading as he breathed it in.
James stopped in the doorway unsure what he should say. Jack had his back to him, and James wasn't sure whether he knew he had followed him. Also, Jack wasn't the only one there, and causing an argument in front of pirates probably wasn't the best of ideas.
"You enjoying withholding things don't you Mr Sparrow? But perhaps you might like to explain the latest lies?" James asked not hiding the anger in his voice. It would do Jack good to know that he did get angry, and that he was the cause of it.
Jack jumped and made James smile. The pirate hadn't been aware that he had had company.
"You worked out the map then," Jack answered sadly, but not bothering to turn around and face him.
James felt his anger ebbing away. He was too tired to banter with Jack. All he wanted was answers, and was going to talk until he got them. The Dauntless was safe, and hopefully nearby, and so his first fears and worries had somewhat disappeared. If she'd been destroyed as he had first thought up on the top deck, James supposed she'd no longer be on the map.
"I was beginning to think you'd forgotten how to think sideways," Jack continued pushing a chair out by kicking it from under the table.
"Sideways? Yes I suppose sideways is the way I think around you. Clearly reason and rationale is something that is thrown out of the window," James said taking the chair and accepting a bowl of soup from the cook. The other men at the large table gave him a contemptuous glare and returned to their own conversation, ignoring their Captain and his guest.
"Look mate, I didn't lie to you ... I just didn't acknowledge a certain truth," Jack said dipping his spoon into the bowl and lifting it to his mouth. It was still too hot, and he put it down again. "What would you 'ave done anyway? There was nothing you could 'ave done."
"Yes, you seem to be rather skilled at not telling the truth. I suppose I couldn't be trusted with the plan of Monet either. Had to be told a yarn didn't I?" James said still not letting that issue rest. It had dented his pride to have been so concerned, and to have been seen to be so was worse. He wasn't yet ready to forgive.
"You weren't supposed to be told anythin'. You believed what you wanted mate," Jack said stirring the soup round and round. "Besides, that all got out of hand. Anamaria was the one tellin' you stories."
"So you have said before."
"But," Jack interrupted pointing his spoon at James. "I 'ad it all under control."
"That is a contradiction Sparrow, and therefore impossible! How can you have something under control that 'got out of hand'?"
"I don't need no English language lesson from you mate," Jack said forgetting the soup was hot and burning himself. " 'Ow am I supposed ter eat this when it's hotter than the sun?"
"Blow on it then," the cook retorted offended.
"Blow on it then," Jack mimicked in a juvenile voice. James stared; he hadn't heard anyone mimic anyone in that way since he'd been a child. "No you wouldn't have been able to do anythin' anyway. Best ter just get some shuteye."
Jack's ability to switch from conversation to conversation was something that the ladies of Port Royal would have prized. But to James it was just too confusing. He had never been one for the complex trivial conversations that ladies preferred. He liked to keep one topic at a time.
"I would have liked to have known all the same."
"Why? So you could have worried about it all night long?" Jack asked dropping a square cube of bread into his bowl.
"You still don't seem to trust me Jack, even though I've kept you from the gallows for so long."
This statement didn't have the effect on Jack that James had hoped it would. He hoped the pirate would feel grateful, but he only laughed and began eating.
"Tis good," Jack said smiling and causing the frosty manner of the cook to disappear. For his recommendation, Jack was rewarded with another bowl. James was only rewarded with his loaf of bread being taken away.
"We could have taken the Pearl and helped!" James said annoyed again. Talking with Jack Sparrow made his emotions bounce up and down like a yoyo. He was either annoyed or amused. There never seemed to be a stable equilibrium.
"With a crew all over the town? Tell me James love, how would the two of us 'aved fared with the Pearl when she be restin'?" Jack asked. "Pearl only wakes early when I need of her, not when you do."
"So you would have left them to their deaths?" James asked banging his fist on the table. The crew members jumped and grumbled, but ignored them once again.
"Twas a gamble. But they're still here, and on the map. Look'ee love, the Aurora Rise casts up complications," Jack said slowly.
James looked about him. The ship's galley was hardly the place for such a conversation as this. Not only was it the galley, but it was the Black Pearl's galley. Who knew who could be trusted and who couldn't aboard a pirate vessel? Did Jack really know?
The cook was still washing pots, and although he was making a lot of noise and clearly not listening. James wasn't so sure he wanted the man to hear what Jack had to say at the same time as he did. As for the men at the other side, he was already positive that they were talking about him.
"Good or bad for us Sparrow? Or would it be more appropriate to ask whether it is good or bad for you?" James asked, his voice lowering with the tone of impatience.
Jack looked affronted.
"For meself? None of this yet 'as been to me own advantage."
"Is there anyone in this damned part of the world that doesn't want you dead?" James asked folding his arms.
"Do you?" Jack asked as soon as James stopped speaking.
James faulted.
"I don't particularly want you dead, no Jack," he answered, struggling to find the right words.
Jack nodded, satisfied with that answer, at least he appeared to be, and knocked his foot into James'. James pulled his foot away and looked anywhere but at Jack. The pirate was playing that game again.
Jack smiled as he saw the look of realisation flash over James' face.
"I think it's time we went to my cabin," Jack said watching for telling expressions on James' face.
A glint of fear in James' eye told Jack that he had his attention. If he didn't know it already, he knew now that James was thinking in the same way he was. Yet it was still too soon to suggest anything more than hints and innuendoes.
Jack knew he was playing too many games right now to consider adding another to the list. But if James decided to move the game forwards, Jack was sure he'd learn fast how to juggle. Whilst James kept his distance, Jack still had control over what happened.
"We 'ave to chart a new course love. Can't 'ave those scoundrels sailin' about in waters that belong to Captain Jack Sparrow!" Jack said standing and heading to the door with determined steps. They had been sitting in the dark galley too long, and his eyes were beginning to hurt.
"The waters do not belong to you Sparrow. That is exactly the attitude that places you on the scaffold," James said standing also, and walking towards the smaller man.
Jack shrugged.
"Well tell me James, does the King think any differently?"
"The King may think whatever he likes; he is the King after all. You however are not, and therefore your comparison is unfounded."
Jack spun round and faced him, teetering on his feet and leaning forward. His eyes narrowed, and he opened his mouth for a second before speaking.
"Who says I'm not a King? I could very well be mate. I 'ave me own ship, a stash of treasure, and a little island of me own that you rescued the lass and myself from not long ago. 'avin' studied the list before now, I'd say I'm well in with the gentry," Jack explained. "In fact, I could probably barter for a nice little manor house and a bonny wife of me own. We could be neighbours!"
"Well now that is an idea Captain Sparrow. Yet I hardly see you meaning the words 'I do'. Or, being a very considerate neighbour for that matter."
Jack walked back up the stairs and back onto the top deck. Still wearing the stockings since he'd not yet had the opportunity of changing; Jack strode over to the helm and coughed for the attention of the people nearest him. James watched him from the bottom of the quarter-deck steps, and looked on as Jack waited for the silence of the entire ship.
Looking like an actor upon the stage, Jack waited for the best moment to begin speaking. There was a point in time that he liked to call the 'opportune moment' and now it had come. It was time to tell his crew the next stage of the journey.
"I suppose you lot are wonderin' why we've been followin' the Navy like lost sheep for the last few days," Jack said leaning backwards, and swaying forward at the word Navy. His face screwed up from the nose as he waited for someone to answer him.
"Aye, I was wonderin' about that Sir," Gibbs said wiping his forehead with his sleeve.
Jack placed one hand on the wheel and peered at them all.
"The Aurora Rise," he said suddenly.
A murmur of surprise ran through the crew, but no one raised their voice over the noise, and so Jack continued.
"The ship and crew that almost took our lives 'as been 'ere. Sittin' out there waitin' for us, or ready to sack this port. The sight of the Dauntless 'as scared 'er away for now, but she won't get far," Jack said steadying the wheel as a gust of wind blew it to the left.
"I want any reports you can give me about this ship," Jack said looking at few members in particular. "I'll be in my cabin."
James followed Jack once more. The parrot was singing above him, and the crew were busy again. Jack's speeches must not be such a rare occurrence onboard since no one was discussing it. James wondered what would happen on the Dauntless if he was to start talking to everyone like they were friends. There seemed to be no hierarchy upon the Pearl. There was just Ana, Gibbs and Cotton, everyone else were all treated the same. The three named seemed to be the only ones slightly above the rest, since they were the ones Jack depended upon to run his ship. Take them away and there would be chaos.
"Jack, I can't help but think you've kept things from you crew," James said as they clattered into Jack's cabin.
"They know we're lookin' for the pirates that sacked Antigua, and that we're 'elpin' the ol' jolly Navy. I dunno what else you want tellin'."
"How about that there is no reward? They won't receive anything from this, other than their lives. There is no treasure, or rum, or whatever else you might pay your sailors in Jack."
"No treasure, no rum? James love ... what do you think this ship 'as been stealing?" Jack asked as he sat behind his desk.
James stopped walking across the room and stared at him. Of course, that was what Jack was after. The horded treasure! It was so simple that James wondered why he'd never thought of it before. All the hours he had spent worrying about Jack's motives, and how they might involve him, suddenly became ridiculous.
"I suppose you want a percentage," he said fixing Jack with a hard stare.
"Not a percentage love, the whole lot. You've got me services for hire here mate, and although you've bought that with me life, me crew need paying. You may keep the renegade ship, if you like."
"Why Mr Sparrow, you are so generous," James said seating himself also.
"Listen, if things were ter go wrong, it's best my crew know as little as possible. As far as they're concerned, you Navy boys are just after the pirates, not the gold," Jack explained, resting his feet on the table and pulling the bowl of fruit towards him. "And that I have the bearings and am trading them with you."
"I don't understand Sparrow..."
"Captain Sparrow."
"Captain Sparrow. What are you keeping from them then? What you told me is indeed what is happening," James said confused. He watched Jack pick out three oranges, inspect them all and choose the best.
"I ain't the one who said I was keepin' somethin'. You invented that," he said biting into the skin of the orange to open it.
James felt the spittle in his mouth double. He hated sour tastes, and watching Jack eat part of the orange peel made him feel sick.
"How can you eat the peel?" he asked, then realising he was changing the subject, shook his head and stared again. "What don't they know? It will be in your best interest to tell me, then I will know what not to say to them."
Jack grinned and began pulling the skin from the fruit and placing it on the desk. It was coming off slowly and in small pieces since Jack seemed to be taking great care over it.
"Nice try Commodore, but I ain't drunk enough to give you more information to use as bargainin' material against me. I'm fast runnin' out of things you need now. I'm just hopin' your word was worth taking' the chance on," Jack said selecting a segment of the orange and biting it in half. "I like oranges."
"I know," James answered remembering Jack talking in his sleep from the night on the Dauntless. Thankfully he'd been quieter in Tortuga, since James didn't remember any more mumblings.
"Wha'?"
"I believe we are here to discuss this map Captain Sparrow, not your favourite foods," James said taking from his pocket the two halves of the map. "There are still three ships anchored next to Tortuga, explain this Jack."
James placed the maps in front of Jack. The pirate's eyes danced over them and came to rest on the Pearl.
"The map shows the last place the ship anchored. Now that they're back together they'll change more swiftly. The Pearl wasn't at Port Royal when you first saw this half James, 'cause the map hadn't yet caught up," Jack explained opening a draw and eating his orange at the same time.
"And this is how we're going to catch them?" James asked making sure he'd understood what jack had been hinting at.
Jack grinned his golden teeth in a smug way.
"Do you wanna thank me now or later? Now you know why Captain Monet wouldn't have given it up any other way. It's not somethin' you trade for a few coins now is it?"
"But he would have traded it for you?" James asked his eyebrow raising.
"What can I say mate," Jack said shrugging. "I'm irresistible!"
James had to stop himself from nodding. But finding words on the tip of his tongue, he had no choice but to turn them into a question.
Jack placed another map on the table and dipped a pen into the well of ink.
"But he wouldn't have given it to you anyway, even after?"
Jack stopped drawing on his plain piece of parchment and looked up. Finally James understood what had happened the other night. After all the yarns spun, the jokes and worries, James had finally discovered the truth.
"Aye," Jack answered sadly.
"Look Jack, lets not talk about this anymore. I am grateful for the map. Admittedly I thought you were just being careless, but I was wrong. This will be useful indeed," James said walking around the desk and peering over Jack's shoulder.
"What did I tell you mate?"
"What are you doing now?" James asked watching as Jack paused over the map.
Jack frowned as he looked from one map to the other. His face filled with concentration and none of it focused on James.
James took a step back and looked at him. His black stockings now covered with dirt and dust, and along the back of his left calf was a rip in the material. His breeches were now covered over with his long coat, which James deemed a shame. The pirate would have looked nice bending over the map, one leg bent slightly at the knee to let him roll with the ship.
James closed his eyes. He had to stop thinking like that.
"We're gonna 'ave to split up," Jack said bending lower to the map. "We won't catch 'em any other way."
"Split up? No, we need both ships," James said looking over Jack's shoulder, and when Jack straightened back up, he stood with his back flush against James front. A smile spread itself over his face. This was an interesting position to be in.
"We'll need to trap them. One of us will have to be the prey, the other can do the chasin'," Jack said tilting his head backwards and looking back at James' confused face.
Jack's words snapped James out of his trance and he realised suddenly that the pirate had pressed himself closer, or that he, James, had stepped too close. He had no idea how long they'd been standing there, only that Jack was much too near. Stepping back, James brushed the front of his shirt removing invisible dirt.
"Your plan is a reckless one Sparrow," he said finally.
Jack was still smiling.
"I cannot let you sail out of my sight," James continued when Jack said nothing. "I won't allow it."
Jack gathered up the maps and folded them. A shout from above interrupted anything Jack might have said.
"Ship Ahoy! It be the Dauntless!"
Ana arrived two seconds later to inform them of the same news and disappeared as quickly as she'd come. Jack looked disappointed, but James was too relieved to waste time wondering why. His ship was safe, just like Jack had said it would be.
"Well, I suppose you'll be goin' now then?" Jack said walking to his private cabin. "Tell me when the map changes."
Without another word Jack disappeared behind the door and shut it. James stared at the empty space in which Jack had been standing and frowned. Why had the pirate's mood change so suddenly? He'd been happy enough before.
"Capt'n?" Ana called as she opened the door again. "Oh," she stammered as she realised only James was there.
"Is something wrong?" James asked as she stared at him.
"Where's Jack?" she asked ignoring his question.
James nodded his head at Jack's rooms and waited for her to understand. Ana shrugged.
"Usually takes the helm at this time is all," she said confused. "Just thought he'd want ter be on deck. Anyway, we're alongside yer ship."
James frowned. He also would have expected Jack to be on deck, since he'd never before missed a chance to annoy his men, or flaunt himself and the fact that he was a pirate in everyone's face.
"Thank you miss," James replied walking past her and out into the sun.
"Sir!" Cheered the sailors of the Dauntless as soon as the recognised James.
"We feared that Jack Sparrow had kidnapped you," one of the redcoats said heartily as James came aboard. "He is rather improper," he added with a touch of awe.
James nodded at him.
"I need men to return to the Pearl and keep and eye," he shouted over the greetings.
Unsurprisingly the redcoat next to him offered to go. James rolled his eyes, the pirate was beginning to become something of a fascination with a lot of his crew.
"Very well, you Mr ... er... you may go," he said walking away to the helm.
When underway again, James was sure his thoughts would be emptied of Jack Sparrow and filled with the sea. At least he hoped so. But as the day wore on, he began to wish the map would hurry up and change.
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