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Indomitable Interrogatories
OrionRedStar
Chapter VIII Get Wisdom At Any Cost
Author: OrionRedStar
Title: Indomitable Interrogatories
Genre: Drama/Romance/Humor
Pairing: M/F
Rating: M - Mature; Adult s, language, suggested sexual relationship in material (please do not read if you find offensive)
Characters: Jack Sparrow /Elizabeth Swann, Will Turner, Gibbs, and surprise character
Timeline: After AWE
Summary: Jack and Elizabeth hitch a ride in the Flying Dutchman back to the Black Pearl in their escape, but much to their surprise, Sparrow's ship has 'company.'
Chapter VIII - Get Wisdom At Any Cost
They were all assembled upon the Flying Dutchman now and by Jack's calculations only a half hour from meeting up with the Black Pearl. He had estimated where she would most likely be on her way sailing towards Jamaica for the midnight rendezvous with himself and Elizabeth. At the present moment Jack and Elizabeth were standing at the side rail and looking out the port bow to try and discern through the night for the svelte shape of his grand dame.
"We should b' upon her any time, then…if Gibbs took off at the right time t' come fetch us. He should be 'round here somewhere, eh?" Sparrow said as his kohl framed eyes narrowed to strain a peer ahead into the night.
Elizabeth seemed distracted and had been ever since they boarded her husband's ship. It was an oppressive situation for her. The fact of William staying away and at the helm through the entire voyage made it even worse. It really had felt as if there was a distinct separation from she and him; a more solid and profound spit than any letters of their marriage being dissolved could muster. Of course Sparrow recognized the distant veil of her gaze as she was not engaging in conversation and abnormally subdued. He of course was so wrapped up in the news of this baby, that it nearly consumed most of Jack's thoughts in relation to Elizabeth. That was probably why he imagined she was feeling ill. He had heard woman in this state felt poorly, but Jack did not know the particulars; never needing to require that knowledge previously with anyone he'd been with, thank goodness. So when Jack discerned Elizabeth's unsettled visage he automatically assumed she was not feeling well.
"What 'tis it…yer feelin' sick, then? I'd heard women in….y' know….." Sparrow glanced around the immediate vicinity to ensure their conversation was not heard by any of Will's crew whispered, "….yer condition...are feelin' usually poor n' out of sorts, then."
For the moment Elizabeth had laughed, being entertained by Sparrow's absorption of her being with child. That seemed to be the only thing he saw when looking at her! It was getting to the point where Elizabeth was starting to feel like a bloody incubation container rather than a flesh and blood woman!
"No Jack, I am fine. What you are referring is the morning sickness. I had that early on, but that has pretty much abated by now…mostly."
"Oh!"
Sparrow tapped out an exuberant drum beat on the wooden rail of the ship in an upbeat manner and flashed a winning smile.
"Right."
He glanced over at her again and still could discern her sinking back into that gloomy, over-shadowed expression upon her countenance. No doubt feeling uncomfortable for having to use William's service he now supposed. Catching Sparrow staring at her, he flinched and tried to hold that phony smile for as long as he could until Elizabeth's head tilted to one side and called him out on his off-beat behavior.
"All right Jack, you have grilled me, peeked, boldly stared at me, and now you are grinning at me like a half-crazed ghoul hanging from the edifice of some gothic church."
Sparrow instantly dropped the visage of feigned smiles and rescinded the act entirely and appeared serious now.
"Alright then, tell me what it 'tis that's got y' all quiet-like, then? But first off le'me state fer the record that I know yer head up 'bout us bein' transported via this conveyance."
"You mean the gross misuse of my betrayed husband for our own personal gains―yes."
"Well you don't 'ave to put it like that, then…sounds s' very…selfish." Sparrow balked defensively.
"Fine, then. You tell me of your perceptions of it Jack, because to tell you honestly….I feel like we are rubbing poor Will's face in it!" Elizabeth hissed at him in a low voice to ensure privacy.
Sparrow rolled his eyes up to the midnight blue sky and then closed them with angst. He knew there would be hell to pay for this act, but it was the best way to get Elizabeth out of the grips of the British Royal Navy. And as chances turned out Jack was correct. Right under the light of day the cloaked Flying Dutchman sailed past the Naval barrier positioned all around the north easterly waters of the island―just like that. The mood upon the ship as they sailed towards the Black Pearl had been one without fanfare, other than Jack having a nice chat with Bootstrap for a bit of the journey while Elizabeth pined by the rail alone. But now Sparrow had to once again endure the painstaking matter of justifying his wily ways. It was imperative to make Elizabeth comprehend this was done out of extreme necessity. Sparrow had proven to be sound in selecting to go this way since they had indeed sailed right under the Navy's very nose!
"Elizabeth….I know y' think of me as a lowly bastard right now, but the need justified th' means, eh? An' jus' for the record, William had offered! All I did was take him up on it, then?
Elizabeth had to concede to the practicality of the thing, for she was antsy to get off that island and did not want to be returned to that awful cell. She needed to simply adapt to the facts as they were and be gracious enough to realize this had to be difficult for Jack too, although he was much more adept at hiding his discomforts with bravado which he outwardly showed to the world. Heaving a sigh, Elizabeth agreed to the reality of it and attempted to tone down her discomfited thoughts and stop railing on Jack so much. He loved her and was doing his best. Soon they would spot the Black Pearl, get off the Dutchman, and that would be the end of that.
"I imagine you are right."
"Of course I am."
Elizabeth flashed him a look of caution as if to warn him not to press it. Sparrow instantly flashed her another gold and silver beam in accordance with the threat. Instead, he grabbed her hand and kissed the top of it while flashing her a very pensive and foxy smile as he crooned,
"Ah, what I'd only do t' you if I could right now."
Jerking her hand free from Jack's clutches and dropping it to her side as if it had a dead weight tied to it, Elizabeth glanced about for onlookers and shot Sparrow another glare of forewarning.
"And we should have none of that, thank you very much. It is one thing to be standing here obtaining a much needed transport Jack, but we do not have to flaunt it in Will's presence. I cannot wait to be off this ship." She groaned.
No sooner than Elizabeth had stated that when Bootstrap had approached Sparrow. Tapped him on the shoulder and nodding to Elizabeth with respect, Bill then stated,
"Excuse me Jack, but William needs to speak with you."
Elizabeth and Jack instantly exchanged a precautionary glance. Clearing his throat and hoping to narrow down the topic of discussion requiring discourse with the Dutchman's Captain, Sparrow asked with a wily tenor,
"Oh…..An' do we know what this lit'le meetin' 'tis about, then?" Jack asked with reserve.
Suddenly there was a shout from another crewman about seeing ships on the starboard side horizon. Sparrow instantly perked up to assume it was his own vessel being sighted as they swiftly neared the spot most likely to meet up with it. Jack loped over to the starboard rail and peered out over the white capped waves to the distance. There was the Black Pearl alright; however there was a shadow of another ship which was located just beyond it. That particular ship was not readily discerned at this distance. The cloak of darkness and the strange ship being overshadowed by his own great lady made it a difficult task.
"Blimey, there is another ship beyond the Pearl."
Sparrow muttered to himself as Elizabeth suddenly joined his side.
"Who is it, the Royal Navy?"
"Mmmm…don't think so, they're of a like mind that lot―never t' travel solo…least not in these waters. I can't make out who it 'tis, then. Me eyes are too tired and I can't see that far out, luv."
"You are right, there is another ship and it is not the British Navy."
Elizabeth and Jack startled at first at the suddenly closeness of another voice in their company. They both had turned simultaneously to spot William Turner now standing behind them. Jack gestured a tilt of his head out towards the two ships side by side in the distant night and sternly asked with concern,
"Can y' make 'er out a 'tall, William? The other ship, are there any colors showin'?"
"No.
Elizabeth was biting her lower lip, not only for the questionable visiting ship in the distance next to the Black Pearl, but the tension still between her and Turner. They way he looked at her; when he did it was with utter disdain. Elizabeth felt sad it had come to this end, but their lives were about to become even more distant once he'd learn of what Jack and she were expecting. Her thoughts were disrupted by Jack's deep voice of worry as he looked out to the distant ships getting closer as they approached.
"I can't make 'er out either, then. I sup'ose it 'twould be alright since they're not in the midst of a battle."
"Yes, but I feel it is a good idea if I go over there and escort you two upon the Pearl and remain until you do find out just who it is that has your ship held hostage."
Sparrow's head snapped to stare at William with a peculiar, squinted eyed stare of apprehension.
"Eh? Hostage y' say? Why ever twould y' suspect or say such a damnable thin'?"
William walked to the other side of Elizabeth at the rail as all three now glanced over to the stilled ships on the horizon.
"Well for one, your crew had no idea we were coming…that I was bringing you and Elizabeth to her. Secondly, the Pearl's sails are down….she is not at full canvas or sailing to hurriedly meet you both for the rendezvous as you had stipulated. Therefore my only deduction is that your ship and crew are being held hostage against their will."
Jack did not like what Turner had deduced or said, but it did however have an awful ring of truth to his analysis. Elizabeth tried to see for herself if there was any hostility of cannon fire or any damage to the hull as they drew nearer yet. Heaving a huge sigh of frustration for she could not focus properly in this unusually darker night, Elizabeth imagined she was able to contain whatever the affair was by her being Pirate King. If they were going to step amid a dispute among pirates going on there, she would make a quick end if it by use of her authority alone―and that was that.
"Well, if it is some sort of squabble between pirates aboard the Black Pearl and members of the unidentified ship, I shall concisely handle the matter with care and make quick end of it."
An alarmed Jack Sparrow pushed himself off the rail and backed a few paces and was adamantly shaking his head, now pulling out a hand shaking profusely back and forth in a waving fashion as if to negate that lame-brained idea immediately.
"Mmmm…not thinkin' that 'tis such a good idea, then. Mebbe y' should stay on the Flyin' Dutchman jus' in case there is any sort of battle goin' on, eh?
Jack glanced beyond Elizabeth hoping to gain a strong leg of support from William who would also agree to his theory. Of course, Turner was smirking back at Sparrow as if to say 'you wanted her, now keep her out of trouble as you promised' sort of grin splayed across his visage. Jack held his breath from saying anything as he viewed that spiteful grimace and then looked down to Elizabeth who was naturally getting twisted out of sorts with his rebuke. That was only because Elizabeth knew exactly what this was all about. Sparrow's over-protective nature was appearing and this skittish apprehension over her being pregnant and therefore making her more fragile. This had to stop or Elizabeth was about to go insane with Jack's wanting to handle her with kid gloves.
"Nonsense! You and I are both going over onto the Pearl. Will….if we could please impose upon your service just a trifle longer, if you would―"
"No need to ask, Elizabeth…of course I have no issue at all to ensuring your safety." Turner replied as he retained that smug grin and continued to gloat over at Sparrow.
Jack felt defeated for nobody seemed to be on his side or would agree to his sage advice. His hand dropping to his side in a pathetic and resolute gesture of defeat, he proffered a jerking shrug of his shoulder. Well that was that! He thought to himself; Elizabeth had executed that ruling easily enough and went over his head with that decision. She had over-ruled on his notions and took to her own as the Pirate King. Jack looked out again over the waves and saw the shadowy outline past the Pearl a bit clearer, but was still unable to discern by form of the ship which vessel it was. It still maintained a cloaked position on the opposite side of his ship. Jack only hoped that the scenario was not an ominous one or dangerous enough to injure Elizabeth.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Gibbs had made arrangements for the party to board the Black Pearl as soon as he saw the Flying Dutchman within his sights. He only assumed it was William boarding, forgetting he could simply appear at will using his supernatural powers. It was merely out of habit Gibbs had the crossing plank secured and on the ready. However once the ship arrived and the plank was set into place and hooked up, Gibbs was not only shocked but elated to see it was none other than his captain and Elizabeth next to him, followed by William Turner. He rushed up to Jack as soon as he set foot onto the Pearl's deck. Sparrow was holding Elizabeth's hand as she made the step down onto the deck herself when Gibbs rushed up to him. He hopefully wanted to convey what was going on before the surprise had sprung. Out of breath and appearing anxious, Gibbs seized the opportunity to try and explain what had happened and why they were stalled in the water and not in route to pick them up.
"Jack! By all the Saints…yer a sight fer sore eyes!"
"What the bloody hell is goin' on wiv me ship, Mister Gibbs!" Sparrow tartly commanded for an immediate answer.
However before Gibbs had the chance to offer enlightenment, a voice bubbled from the shadows nearby his cabin and was heard soaring over the deck to meet everyone's ears,
"Why hello Jack, it is so good to see you again."
Eight pairs of eyes were cast towards the shadowy under-ledge of Sparrow's cabin, where a female form finally strutted out in a breezy fashion and exposed itself. Nearly aghast, Sparrow gasped and swallowed air as he stated in a low murmur under his breath,
"Angelica."
Elizabeth had glanced from the strange woman with the thick Spanish accent and then snapped right over to Sparrow's stoic visage. He was struggling to transform his countenance from one of shock into a very weak upturn of a single corner of his mouth; a feeble answer of producing a quirky smile. Suddenly aware of the piercing glower he was receiving from Elizabeth, Sparrow nervously cleared his throat but failed to give rise in adding an audible voice. Elizabeth was glancing from the woman to Jack and was clearly trying to draw some sort of conclusion that they obviously knew one another, but to what extent? Knowing Jack's sordid past, Elizabeth assumed it had to be some sort of romantic dalliance of his long and dotted history of women.
"Jack, do you know this woman?" Elizabeth had demanded in a stern but level voice.
There was a subtle chuckle emanating from Turner as he slipped to one side leaning on the rail, arms folded over his chest and situated to watch the entertaining show unfold before him. Sparrow seemed to squirm in place as he cleared his throat again. One arm rose as he managed a slight gesture in Angelica's direction and then nodded to her again. Elizabeth was waiting. Not wanting to lose face in this situation or jump to conclusions, she spared as much patience needed to give Sparrow ample time to collect himself.
"Jack?"
"Mmmm…..yes, luv. This….mmmmm….this is….Angelica, then."
Laughing to herself over Sparrow's obvious awkwardness of seeing her, Angelica stepped forward until she was directly across from Jack and Elizabeth.
"It is good to see you Jack, although I would imagine you would not figure on seeing me for some time…at least not after you had abandoned me on that island, yes?"
Elizabeth sharply honed in on this swarthy woman now that she was in the light of a lantern and closer for inspection. She felt her own cheeks flush with jealousy and trepidation, but still maintained an even keel as she stared at this petite but attractive female. Both women were now focused upon one another and sizing each other up, while a twitching Sparrow was attempting to look cavalier. Jack's mind raced like a tempest to capture an adequate answer that would not hang him altogether. Feeling flushed and put on the spot under the glare of both females waiting for him to answer; Jack took off his hat and started to fan himself with it. Only diversionary tactics flooded to Sparrow's mind as he announced in a flip jovial manner,
"Right! Might I suggest we all convene within me cabin, then? 'Tis far cozier an' I can pull out some rum, eh? We can down a few drinks…circle 'round me table, an' then we can all go round th' horn n' introduce ourselves properly, savvy?"
Another snicker was heard in the background by a demonic sounding Turner to which Sparrow had cast a backwards filthy glare over his shoulder at him. Meanwhile, all four of them were swiftly hustled into the cabin by Sparrow, who caught William sniggering at him still. Jack flashed an evil slanted and squinting pair of obsidian eyes at him for enjoying this close encounter too much; obviously thrilled over seeing him trapped within this tight and sticky situation.
Once inside his cabin Jack clumsily hung up his coat and hat upon the coat rack, dropping his hat several times from fumbling fingers with nervousness. The two women were still warily scoping each other out with catty up and down glances of appraisal, each imaging the other with Sparrow. By that time Jack was noisily at his library behind the desk and desperately rooting for a full bottle of rum. He was tossing maps asunder causing them to spill onto the floor, opening and closing rattling drawers, and creating absolute havoc in that corner. The clanking of empty tankards was overheard as he gathered them all up within his arms, balancing them against his chest along with the bottle of rum while using his chin atop of the pile as an aid for ballast.
"Right! Here we are then, a nice cool drink of rum should―"
"Just who exactly are you?" Elizabeth coldly asked of Angelica out of nowhere with an authoritative bark.
A paranoid Sparrow dropped the tankards in a noisy clutter smack in the middle of the table to thwart that exchange as best he could. Immediately in Sparrow overdrive, he was sorting out the goblets with much fanfare and animation as he could, knocking them over haphazardly and slapping them around the table with repeated oratory calls of each maneuver he demonstrated.
"Ah yes…one fer you…..an' you…" he paused and then went for another, "...an' last but not least, another fer you."
Jack was loudly clanking each tankard in front of his array of guests about the table―only Turner appearing to be having a blast at this variegated mix of female company. Angelica and Elizabeth both familiar with Jack's jittery display had observed him with slight regard, looked to one another once more with a spurious glare, and then Angelica replied with a coy tone,
"I am a very….close friend of Jack's. Has he not told you about me?"
"No." Elizabeth crisply replied.
Another loud clank as Sparrow nearly slammed the tankard in front of Angelica as a subliminal signal to shut up. Meanwhile he slipped an awkward smile over toward Elizabeth directly across from her. William of course was no help whatsoever as he grasped his tankard from Jack's hand and mused in a mellow and soothing tone of voice,
"No….indeed Jack has not told us of you. Won't you kindly enlighten us? Oh…let me introduce myself. I am William Turner. I so happen to be the Captain of the Flying Dutchman…as you probably saw my ship upon our arrival here."
Angelica's dark mahogany eyes drifted over the pleasing visage of the newly introduced man of handsome featues, gentile manners, and rich but cunning brown eyes.
"My pleasure…..to be sure."
"I am Elizabeth Swann…..Pirate King and also his wife."
Sparrow shot her a very scathing look for all of the sudden the estranged Elizabeth was proclaiming herself as Turner's spouse! But this was no time to quibble over particulars. Jack was terrified to get out of this predicament alive! Now pouring rum all around and filling each one to the top, both ladies were staring lethally silent glares at one another. The only two who seemed to be enjoying this reunion were Angelica and Will. Elizabeth was seething now and having a very keen suspicion there was more here than meets the eye. Jack was worried this was it―this was his demise for certain. If Angelica breathed one word of their having had a sexual tryst, even though it was before he and Elizabeth had become united, this would be the last straw to break the camel's back. Sparrow finished off pouring the rum and then cleared his throat again. This tick was becoming annoying to Elizabeth for she knew Jack's habit of doing that was to bargain for more time and concoct some bullshit story or excuse. Sparrow lifted and extended his goblet, stood taller, and then with a note of formality to his voice suggested,
"Right, a toast 'tis in order 'ere, I should think. How 'bout t' good times, eh?"
"Why not drink to past l'amour's, Jack?" Angelica cooed with a wily glint to her eye.
Elizabeth watched Sparrow's reaction to that intimate address closely, which of course was followed by a nervous and skittish laugh from him. Glancing from Angelica's mischievous grin to Elizabeth's piercing glower, Sparrow pursed his lips and forced a scowl as he repined,
"Mebbe…..mebbe not. Le's just keep it t' old times, then….no wait….new times, rather?" he quickly corrected.
William laughed again and decided to offer Sparrow a bone. The pirate was shaking like jelly in his boots and evidently there was a good deal of intrigue going on at this table of assorted females. If it came out as Will suspected, Jack was going to find himself in hot water one way or the other by the end of this gathered company. As much as Sparrow deserved to be boiled alive, Turner offered him a life preserver as he boisterously inserted his own idea,
"How about I make the first toast of the evening and make it to freedom?"
On that all could agree, the tankards clanked, except for Jack who was so clumsy he nearly caused them all to spill! His overt and anxious thrust to meet the other tankards nearly caused a slushy disaster. Elizabeth shot him another delaminate peer with narrowed amber orbs of suspect. Sparrow appeared wilted and still on his feet, unable to relax enough to bend his knees and reach a sitting position. However, as he struggled by sheer determination, Jack had maneuvered his posterior slightly lower to get closer to the chair seat, but not quite. Elizabeth was not going to waste any more time for sampling a cross examination of this pretty female who so happened to be upon Jack's ship.
"So Angelica, are we to understand you have initiated a hostile takeover of the Black Pearl?"
Sensing imminent danger after hearing Elizabeth state that, Sparrow wanted to diffuse this query from the get-go. Knowing the intensity already wafting between these two scrappy and fiery females, he wanted to ensure there were no spontaneous cat fights. Instantly he jumped in and disrupted Angelica's ability to answer,
"No…NO, of course not….'tis only a casual an' ceremonious visit, I should imagine. Tisn't that right, Angelica?"
Sparrow managed to fall into the chair, his legs finally buckling from under him and butt hitting the seat hard for all who heard the thud. Angelica took a slow sip of rum as she peered over the rim to Elizabeth's piercing and judgmental gaze. She licked her lips seductively as she languidly drew her stare over to Jack and then purred,
"I never thought I needed to hold Jack against his will."
"Is that so? Well why is his ship immobilized here when it was slated to sail elsewhere?" Elizabeth countered sharply.
Jack was chuckling nervously as he swiftly interjected with a dash of sound reason and a flamboyant wave of a flourished hand between the stalemated women,
"Well then, that matters not since William brought us 'ere, eh? We should not dwell on the past, right…to the future was it not the toast, eh?"
"No actually it was to freedom, Jack." Turner aptly mused with the sly correction.
Sparrow reiterated the toast anyway and ignored William, only to remind them to play nice. He'd handle the whelp later. But, Angelica seemed disturbed by that crass remark of Elizabeth's and quickly countered with,
"But Jack, you did me a disservice….I expect recompense."
"Oh, what sort of disservice?" Elizabeth asked jumping in with a keenly sharp eye to the dark woman across from her.
"He stranded me upon an island…oh, only after he made certain to slay my father first."
Sparrow visibly balked hearing that unjust accusation, his head snapping back and a frown dominating his rugged countenance. The raven dreadlocks were still swaying as he then barked,
"Her father so happened t' be Blackbeard, eh? Very nasty man…..nasty pirate." Jack insisted as a broadcast statement with exaggerated high lifting of brows upon his forehead and then drew a large pull of rum from his mug.
Angelica seemed just as annoyed of Sparrow's denial and leaned towards him and snarled with sufficient power behind her retort with her accent thickening along with her ire.
"That does not matter! I told you Jack, you owe me from a time before that…and after! Now you are indebted to me even more."
Elizabeth's eyes darted from the annoyed Angelica then over to Sparrow to read his visage. Jack was peering down into his tankard and ignoring them both. In fact, if he could have crawled into that mug to hide he would have! Wanting to get to the bottom of this matter as Pirate King who settled disputes all the time, Elizabeth evenly asked,
"So for this transgression what would you have done? How can Jack repay you for all of these terrible deeds?"
Sparrow suddenly looked up from his mug with a crackling whipping head snap towards Elizabeth, wondering just what she had up her sleeve. Angelica sneered over at Elizabeth and brushed her off with a casual flare that was both insulting and irreverent.
"I pay no homage or allegiance to any 'Pirate King' as my superior." She announced in a thick accent and flaunting a trivializing wave of her hand.
Sparrow's eyes widened a bit with trepidation, terrified this was indeed going to wind up as a cat fight as surely as his knees were knocking under the table. Turner, still cheeky with the Cheshire Cat grin across from him was having a ball. Watching Jack squirm was a delightful payback for the stealing of his wife; at least a bit of it anyway. William cleared his throat and decided to add his own sage wisdom to the fray by using his handsome countenance to dissuade Angelica from provoking Elizabeth too far,
"Perhaps I can loan myself to assist in this delicate matter? Are you seeking a fiscal compensation from Jack? Or did you have designs on confiscating the Black Pearl? I see you do have your own vessel and a very fine one it 'tis indeed. I would not know why you would require another."
"Oi!" Sparrow interjected as he was concerned over Turner handing over his ship so precipitously to this she-cat wench, "….might I state that it 'tis my ship yer negotiatin' wiv 'ere?"
Angelica looked from William over to a frazzled Sparrow, now glaring at the still coy man poised across from him.
"No Jack, I was merely attempting to proffer an adequate solution. Clearly Angelica here has an ax to grind with you―issues to be met. I was merely seeking a means to outline her needs so they could be fulfilled as best we can."
"We? I'd not heard yer name tossed in 'ere, Turner…." Sparrow growled like a junk yard dog, "…..go fulfill 'em wif yer own ship, eh?" Sparrow indignantly snapped.
"Be quite Jack." Elizabeth barked at Sparrow and returned to Angelica, "…so please tell us what it is exactly which you require so we can manage to try and offer some sort of compensation for the damages."
"Damages!? Her bloody father was the cruelest, evilest, mos' incredulous blither on the fuckin' waters!? She drank from the fountain of youth n' has many years t' dispense with―so that debt was paid back aplenty fer all me wrongs! An' now y' want to compensate 'er with more!?"
Sparrow squawked his dissent vehemently as Angelica looked on with a dry and calculating smile feeling he was getting his just desert. Simply watching Jack lose himself had pleased Angelica. Elizabeth held up a halting palm towards Jack, still operating as mediator whether or not this woman would adhere to her final pronouncement.
"Now there is no need for obscenities here, Jack. Please stay your comments until I speak to you."
Jack's kohl framed eyes narrowed at Elizabeth for putting him in his place like a wee lad. He was definitely getting pissed off by every moment this arbitrary and half-bait interview was going on. However, now was a dangerous time to cross Elizabeth for Angelica was closely nipping at his heels. Jack was certain that any minute Angelica was probably going to unleash the nuances of their dark and secret affair. Biting back his words, Jack leaned into his seat and growled like a disgruntled bear. Elizabeth returned her attentions to the black haired Spanish beauty across from her and then readdressed the matter.
"So then, if you do have some sort of compensation in mind, please dispense with your thoughts."
Angelica made a very animated and visual sweep of the Pearl's cabin, not to miss gliding over Sparrow's grumpy visage in the overall picture while watching her calculate. She huffed a cocky half-laugh at him and then glanced back to Elizabeth and finally replied,
"The Black Pearl is a grand ship," she paused to glance at the panicked expression of Jack's wincing veneer only to anguish him all the more, and then slowly added looking back to Elizabeth, "…but I do not need another ship."
Sparrow released his held breath and took another very much needed drag of rum. This was an impossible situation for any pirate to find himself in―at the mercy of women! Not one but two! If only he could rid the world of bloody, interfering women! They were a vexation and a ruddy plague amongst all men! And these two were doing a proper job of rendering him into a castrated and impotent pirate right before his eyes. And there was Turner, gloating and enjoying every single second of this torment with his smug grin still spread across his eunuchy façade!
"I was thinking along the lines of coin….gold coin."
Jack sputtered out his rum into the mug and nearly gagged as Elizabeth jumped in quickly to thwart any harsh comments to fly following his coughing fit.
"How much do you want?"
"Thirty thousand…..in Spanish gold coins." Angelica announced boldly.
Jack had it up the ass just about long as he could abide it and was determined to have a say in what was transpiring. No way could he come up with a hefty ransom such as that. Not now or ever―even in the next two years if he worked his ivory trade non-stop! But now that he and Elizabeth were having a child, Jack was going to be grounded for a while. Sparrow had not yet worked out the finite details of how to keep it running smoothly while he was absent.
"See 'ere Angelica, that 'tis bleedin' robbery n' I've no intention whats'ever of―"
"Fine…." Elizabeth interrupted Sparrow's tirade, "….come to Shipwreck Cove three days hence and you shall have your coin."
In the middle of taking another drink of rum, Sparrow's wide-eyed glare of shock floated over to Elizabeth's stern countenance.
"WHAT?" Jack squawked while choking on the rum having gone down the wrong way,
"I want it now." Angelica adamantly insisted.
"We do not have it here with us…as you can imagine. Do you require me to write out a promissory note for the coin? But I would strongly urge you to agree upon my honor as Pirate King before these witnesses. I promise you shall have your coin forthwith. All I need is get to the source requiring the three days travel."
Lips pursed and glancing from Elizabeth over to Jack and back to Elizabeth again, Angelica was mentally mulling over the tempting proposition.
"You shall pay me in full?"
"Yes."
Elizabeth sharpened her gaze at Angelica, undaunted and like a fortress of inordinate power. She took a long draw from the tankard, emptied it and set it firmly upon the table placed precisely in front of her. Shaking her head so those blue-black tresses shifted out of her face, Angelica peered hard at Elizabeth. This was a tough but beautiful woman and Angelica could understand why Jack was attracted to her. Fine boned and blonde with skin like alabaster; a dust of rose in the apple of each cheek. She was a natural beauty all right. There was a part of Angelica that was envious of Elizabeth now being with Jack in spite of who she was married to. Angelica was clever enough to discern the strong attachment between Sparrow and this lady. She always harbored feelings for Jack and still had them, so the idea of his being with Elizabeth was daunting. Angelica was remiss that there was no chance to be alone with Sparrow and…reminisce.
"You sail there now?" she stated with a firm tenor.
"Yes." Elizabeth wearily responded trying to avoid sounding too terse over this tedious affair of repetition.
Angelica smiled at the forever pleasant William and asked in a seductive coo,
"And you….do you sail to Shipwreck Cove as well?"
Jack was now sending Turner a smug grin since he was under the scope of those amber eyes watching how he reacted to Angelica's flirting. Clearing his throat too like a nervous Jack Sparrow, William then answered with a charming, slight chuckle and produced a pleasant smile of charm,
"No…alas my duty at sea has already been grossly detained….quite a bit indeed. I must get back to it straight away. But I will vouch for Elizabeth that she shall keep her word…it is as good as the gold itself."
Hearing that remark of William's had caused Elizabeth to cast her eyes down. She did not feel comfortable owning such a compliment when her heart was so duplicitous. Reminded of what she had not told William about her and Jack made her feel worse. Nor did Elizabeth know when that opportunity to tell him about it would happen again now that he was leaving. That was when Angelica got up from her chair causing both William and Jack to rise simultaneously in a gentlemanly fashion of respect. Elizabeth remained seated and was near nausea over the men fawning over this fake female rogue. She formed an instant dislike and was especially intimidated over what the relationship had been between Jack and Angelica. Already Elizabeth was teaming with the green monster of jealousy.
"Alright. I shall follow you there in my own ship, then…..be true to your word and we shall have no problems." Angelica announced with her head held high.
William offered his arm to her and announced with courtly conduct,
"Might I offer you escort to your ship, Angelica?"
Smiling broadly and with a coquettish flash of desire in eyes, she nodded approval. Jack was almost grateful for Turner getting her out of his cabin and hoped on the off-shoot he might even drown her in the process! Meanwhile Elizabeth was glaring at Jack who was avoiding to look in her direction altogether. Sparrow knew it in his bones what was coming and the ominous shadow of doom which was hanging over him like the insidious blade of a guillotine!
Turner and Angelica sashayed over to the cabin door and departed, leaving Sparrow who followed to close it. Jack was leaning on the portal after they had left and heaving a sigh. Jack's forehead was pressed against the wood with closed eyes. That was a close call. However, he could sense the piercing orbs of hot yellow embers burning into the back of his cranium. That fatal and deafening sound of portentous silence was foreboding. Should he stay or should he go? If Sparrow left too soon he'd certainly run into Turner and Angelica still on deck, only departing a moment ago. If Sparrow stayed, no doubt Elizabeth was going to rack him for the next hour with a barrage of questions more excruciating than putting hot needles into his eyeballs! Which choice, Jack pondered in those few sort seconds while he was at the portal of freedom, should he take?
.
