Chapter seven: Don't underestimate the things that I will do
Jack was standing on the deck of the Black Pearl with Bill, looking over a map, as they tried to figure out where they were going to make port, and though Jack thought it would be nice to go to Tortuga, Bill thought it would be smarter to go somewhere they could re-supply.
But Jack knew, just as well as Bill did, that he just wanted to go to Kingston because it was close enough to England, that the man could logically ask to stop in at London, and see his son (which Jack would oblige).
Jack was about to insist upon Tortuga (for they still needed a full crew), but when he was about to open his mouth, he paused and reflected, before nodding, "Alright." he said, much to Bill's surprise. "Maybe we could stop in London," Jack suggested, as he turned away, grinning over his shoulder, "An' see yer family." Jack outright laughed at the expression on Bill's face before he sauntered up the stairs to take the helm. Jack sets course for London, with a smile on his face, and Bill keeps an iron grip over the men.
Jack believes it will be this nice forever.
But sometimes places like London hold secrets that can tear your world apart. And send you crashing to the ground, with broken wings.
And Jack should realize, even now, that he will never be the same if he goes to London.
Hector Barbossa, currently shackled and being led into a cell, was mad. Mad because he'd been caught. Mad because he was sure his ship had left him behind. Mad at the code. Mad because he was to be hanged. Mad because he had no means of escaping.
Mad because it wasn't his crime he'd been captured for.
Once his wrists were free of the shackles Hector rubbed his wrists and stood looking at the guard, wondering if he'd be able to talk the man into letting him go, for promise of a reward he'd never receive.
But instead of trying, because he's always been better at threatening people then talking to them, Hector sits on the cold stone floor, and draws one leg up, and rests an arm on it, as his head falls back to hit the wall, and he sighed heavily.
Jack doesn't know why London charges you to make port, but he doesn't like it. The only reason he comes here as often as he does though, is for Bill to see his little son. The strange little bugger. He's a cute enough child, Jack thinks as he looks London over from the docks, but Jack just didn't understand that whole visiting your children thing.
He was sure he had many a child out there, but he wasn't set on seeking them out (well, if he heard about one perhaps he'd like to meet him, but he wouldn't go out of his way to raise him, the way Bill did.).
Jack scowled as he called a command up to the men on the ship, let them wait for Bill's return from his family. He was going to go find some rum.
Jack had been having a jolly good time in a tavern, with pretty women, and plenty of rum, until someone had gone and told the Royal navy that there was a pirate in town. And now he was being dragged, literally, through the streets of London, toward the cells in which he would now be confined, until he was to hang til he was dead.
Now usually Jack's mind would be working in over drive, trying to find a way out of this situation. Usually he would be all smiles, and cocky walk. Usually he would let everyone who passed him know that he was Captain Jack Sparrow.
But he was in London. And last time he'd been captured in London he'd been branded a pirate. And as far as he knew Cutler Beckett was still in London. And Jack was sure he was still mad over his whole escape.
Jack hated the sound that shackles made when they moved, so with each click, click, click he scowled harder, and harder. And though the men thought he was mad just for being captured, which wasn't the case, they only seemed to think it was all amusing.
Jack didn't move much when they dragged him through the streets, just the occasional smile at a pretty woman, but when they brought him to the cells he finally stood up straight, and seemed almost ready to resist the cell, but when they unshackled him and pushed him inside he didn't do much, just allowed himself to stumble, and then turned, with his hands raised up half way, and gave a slight wave as the soldiers stalked away.
Jack sighed, annoyed, and looked around the cell. He seemed to be the only man in this block. Did they have a cell block specifically for Pirates now? He wouldn't honestly be surprised (he'd heard that Captain Norrington had been making quite the name for himself capturing pirates lately). But how could he be the only Pirate in captivity? That made little to no sense, honestly.
Jack walked around the cell once, if only to see just how small it was, before he made his way to the window and stood looking out toward the docks, hoping beyond all hope to see William coming for him (again).
Hector, who would have usually held his head up high, and walked purposefully, no matter what the circumstances, had to be dragged back to his cell for the ruthless beating he'd received at the hand of Cutler Beckett. The new 'P' branded on his arm was still throbbing painfully, and as he was tossed into his cell he couldn't even get the strength into himself to make his legs keep him standing. But rather he fell face first onto the cold, hard stone floor, and groaned.
Jack scowled at the man that now lay motionless beside him and began to wonder if perhaps he'd been beaten so bad he was going to die. "Are ye alright, mate?" Jack asked cautiously, as he prodded Hector in the shoulder with two fingers, the other man, however just lay prone, and Jack scowled harder, shifting away, because if the man was dead he didn't want to be near the body.
Jack leaned against the metal slotted bars, and looked longingly toward the window. Maybe William would get back to the ship sooner then he was expected. Maybe he would notice that Jack wasn't there. Maybe he would come and find him.
Jacks fingertips slowly traced the 'P' that had been branded onto his own arm a long time ago, and closed his eyes, shifting into a more comfortable position he drifted off to sleep.
Jack rarely dreamed any dreams of goodness any more. Ever since he'd gotten captured by Beckett he'd had nightmares.
And the incident with Davy Jones had only made things worse.
But tonight was a strange, and welcome rarity. Dreams of The Pearl, gold, and men he felt safe with. Men he could hand his life to, and not have to worry over. Men who could steer his ship through the worst of sea storms, and hurricanes. Men who could make him feel comfortable with a (wandering) hand on the shoulder.
Men who could leave him breathless with the touch of the hand, and a kiss to the mouth.
Men, that no matter the circumstances all answered to the same name (Hector). A name Jack wouldn't remember when he awoke.
Men without faces.
Jack awoke with a start, shocked to find the man he'd taken for dead standing at the window, looking up longingly toward the moon. As he tried to figure out what had woken him, Jack climbed to his feet, and rubbed his eyes, to ensure he didn't look too childish as he approached the man. "Lovely night, eh?" Jack asked casually as he leaned on the wall, more to get a look at the man then anything else.
"Aye it is." he replied quietly as Jack studied him intently, wondering why he had such a sad look in his eyes, as if he'd given up all hope of leaving here alive,
"What's yer name, mate?" Jack asked at length, and the man fixed him with a cold piercing stare, and much to his horror, Jack just smiled at him, flashing gold and unusually white at him, (Hector)
"Hector Barbossa." he said finally as he held a hand out to Jack, and Jack casually placed a hand into his, and shook his hand firmly, though he appeared to be slightly perplexed,
"Captain Jack Sparrow." Jack said at length, holding Hector's hand just a little too tight, and too long, before offering a toothy grin, and he seemed totally confident, and self-assured. Too self-assured for a man locked in here, but something about his voice, maybe his name, and the confident way he smiled, made Hector long to believe that this man could help him get out of here.
Jack was sitting under the window next to Hector, they'd been talking since Jack had awoken, and Jack had learned that Hector had been quarter master on a ship that had docked here, in immediate need to resupply. And the a few of the men had caused trouble, that Hector had gotten picked up for. When he asked Jack, in turn, why he'd been picked up Jack fell silent, thoughtful as he continued to trace the 'P' on his arm, "Not really sure, mate." he said truthfully. "But I do 'ave a plan to get us out of here." Jack said turning toward Hector, with a wide grin.
"Us?" Hector asked, surprised as he turned toward Jack, curious. He hadn't expected the man to try'n help him. They were pirates. What was Jack doing helping him? (Wasn't it 'Take what you can.'?)
"Of course mate." Jack said as he looked slightly perplexed, "I like you. And since I like you, I can't just leave ye to hang all be yer onesie. Now can I?" Jack asked as he scratched his chin, looking at Hector as if he were daft.
Hector sat staring at him, shocked that the other man would display such bravado, though his he was a pirate. Such camaraderie. Shocked that this... boy would help him, when the men he'd been serving with for years had left him to hang for a crime they'd committed. "Now," Jack said leaning close, "Trust me. I 'ave a plan. An' I will get us-" he paused here to motion in between them, "You an' me both, out of 'ere. So ye jus' rest tonight, an' leave everything to Cap'n Jack." Jack grinned, and Hector couldn't help but laugh.
Couldn't help but let himself fall for all of Jack's charm. Couldn't help but let himself believe (couldn't help falling in love with Jack, again).
Jack wasn't sure when he'd fallen asleep, but he was roused some time around seven by the sound of keys. Sitting up from where he'd slumped down against Hector (who coincidentally was also leaning against Jack), he began to rub his eyes as Hector sat up free of his support, and looked around bleary eyed.
Rising to his feet slowly, Jack smiled at the guard as he walked into the cell, "Come to hang us then?" he asked casually and the guard looked at him blankly, before rolling his eyes, and turning around to grab the shackles he'd had to place on the floor while he unlocked the cell. Jack and Hector look at each other, each man with his eyes wide, and a grin on his lips, and each one asking the other with his eyes; It can't be this easy, can it?
Of course for Jack Sparrow escaping seems to come naturally. And this is no exception. So Jack leans forward, just as the guard is standing up straight, and wraps deft fingers around the hilt of his cutlass, much to Hector's shock and surprise, and slowly Jack draws it out, takes a silent step back, and as the man turns with the shackles his face blanches, and Jack just smiles, "Ye'd best be chainin' yerself to them bars, mate." Jack says casually.
And Hector, whose never seen anyone behave in such a way, is awestruck as Jack watches the guard shackle himself, and actually returns the cutlass. "Thanks mate." Jack says with a polite nod, and walks out of the cell. And a dumbfounded Hector can only follow (surprised to see that Jack is recovering their effects before they take flight).
"Go ahead then," Jack said as he placed his tricorner hat on his head, and turned toward Hector, "Get yer things mate, an' then we can head back to me ship." Jack said casually as he made sure his blade was still in the sheath, before looking around the corner, "Hope yer feelin' up to runnin', Hector." Jack said as he turned back to the still, and now visibly, stunned Hector, confused Jack hesitantly offered a smile, "Are ye alright?"
Hector started slightly, before quickly turning away to gather his things, embarrassed and still sore from the brutal lashing he'd received. "Aye." he murmured as he quickly placed his hat on his head, and grabbed his sword, "Lets go." he said grinning wickedly at Jack.
Jack's brash, and he's rash. But Hector begins to realize as they slip through the back alleys, making their way toward the docks, that he has a sort of cunning that most pirates don't possess. He isn't cruel though. Too nice, too sweet. Too childish.
Hector still doesn't understand why Jack is helping him. But he doesn't care (so long as he can stay with the younger man just a little longer).
"There she is." Jack's voice is soft, and loving, and it drags Hector from his reverie, and he looks up and sees Jack's ship. Jack's beautiful ship (and she's calling to him). "The Black Pearl." Jack's voice is practically caressing the ship, and his tone... Hector has never heard anyone use that tone over a ship before. But he understands. "Well then." Jack says, and he begins to walk casually toward the docks, and Hector doesn't move to follow (he has an ill feeling).
"Thank ye, Jack Sparrow." he calls, and Jack pauses, and turns to look at him, he has a strange expression, and Hector can't figure out what it is about the other man's expression that tugs at his heart the way it does. But he feels like he knows every one of them by heart.
"Ye don't want to come with me then?" he sounds almost offended, and Hector raises his eyebrows, and looks little more then surprised, "Ye can." Jack says as he motions toward the ship, "Even if ye don't want to sign on with me, I can drop ye off in Tortuga."
Hector loos around for a moment, and Jack wonders if he's going to say no, but Hector walks swiftly toward him after a moment, and Jack grins. "Ye'll love the Pearl." he says affectionately, and then, and only then does Hector grin at him, showing the same enthusiasm that Jack has been showing the entire time, and without knowing why only one thought crosses Hectors mind:
'Ye 'ave no idea, Jaack.'
A/N: This chapter kinda... blows.
Anyway, hope some one enjoys it regardless of my own negativity. I think the other chapters will come easier now that this is out of the way :D.
...Just a fair warning, I think anyone who might be reading this fic is gonna end up hating it for what I have planned. That being said, this miiiight turn into a romance/bromance fic~
