Fountain of Youth
Chapter 8
James concentrated on hacking and slashing, barely taking notice of Jack's babbling coming from behind him until Jack started talking about his 'gift'.
"Can't say I ever heard of those what'd been brought back from an expiratory state being in possession of extraordinary powers Commodore."
James kept hacking and slashing as he raised an eyebrow and cast back over his shoulder, "I take it from that statement I am not the first, you have in fact come into contact with a goodly number of these reanimated beings such as myself then?"
Jack rocked back on his heels and waved his hands about at James' back, "Wouldn't be goin so far as ta say that Commodore." After a pause in which he cocked his head to the side and considered James words he continued, "I'd not be thinkin they'd be even tolerable company if ya get my meaning," then realizing how that sounded he added hastily, "Present company excluded of course."
"Of course." James replied with a smirk.
"So Commodore, are all you returnees to the livin side of things given these…gifts?"
"I am uable to express an opinion on that Captain as I have no idea, myself being the only returnee as you so eloquently put it that I have come into contact with." James answered dryly, continuing to hack and slash as he did.
"Why'd ya suppose out o all them that's gone to the other side so to speak you were chosen ta be returned?" Jack said as he stared at the Commodore's back with his head tilted to the side, tapping his chin as he thought this over.
"And why here, why would they send ya ta me?"
James back stiffened but he did not answer. Jack didn't miss this little tell, "Ya do know something yer not tellin don't ya Commodore." He could tell by the way the man's back straightened even more and his hacking, slashing motions hesitated just the slightest bit he'd hit on something. He smiled to himself and then continued, "Why are ya here….with me Commodore? Not like we could be considered close friends or such, and I can't really see ya askin ta be brought to me side as if ya'd been pinin away fer me company or the like. So just why would ya be here Commodore?"
James stopped his hacking and slashing, let his sword drop to his side, and stood there with slumped shoulders for a moment or two. He had wondered how long it would be before Sparrow asked that very question. He didn't really want to answer, didn't want to see the humor on Sparrow's face as he realized the Commodore was there to serve him, his pride would not be able to handle the smirking look that would no doubt take over the Pirates face as soon as he knew the truth. And James was not comforted at the thought of just how far Sparrow would push this situation, he being under Sparrow's thumb so to speak. The being had not given him any specifics as to how this was supposed to work so James was at a bit of a loss at present. James decided the best way to handle this was as he handled most things in his life; head on and with determination to do the best job he could of it. This was his duty after all and he was never lax when it came to that. He straightened his back and shoulders, put his best Commodore-ly expression on his face, and turned around towards Sparrow.
"I was sent here to be your Guardian Ang…… Commodore…Guardian Commodore." James said, catching himself and continuing with as much dignity as he could muster, watching Jack's face for reaction.
Jack stood there staring at him almost blankly for just a moment before a wide glittering grin spread across his face, his hands danced about in front of him and he said much too happily for James liking, "Yer me Guardian Angel."
James would not have been surprised if the Pirate had broken out in a jig he was wiggling and swaying around in front of him so enthusiastically. "Commodore! Guardian Commodore!" James said sharply.
Jack continued to smile and fluttered his fingers in James' face as he leaned into James personal space, "All means the same in the end no matter what name ya'd be callin it Commodore."
James lowered his gaze and muttered, "So it would seem."
After a moment Jack said, "This seems ta put a whole different light on things now don't it Commodore?"
"I would suppose it does in your eyes Sparrow." James snapped.
Jack stopped grinning for a moment and peered at James, "So just what all does this entail if ya don't mind me askin?"
"I am charged with keeping your person unmolested and unharmed." James replied.
"That entails a lot then don't it Commodore." Jack said, the wheels clearly turning in his mind.
"Seeing as it is you I am dealing with I would say that is a gross understatement Captain." James answered a bit glumly. "You go out of your way to put yourself in inadvisable situations, and now I will be the one responsible to see you come out of them unscathed."
Jack waved a hand about as he answered, "We're in the middle of the jungle Commodore, how much trouble can I get in here?"
"I am loath to even imagine the possibilities." James retorted.
Jack gave him a pouty look and then started waving his hands about, "Well Commodore, let's see what trouble I can get me into and you can get me out of, what say you to that?"
"Oh please."
"Hack and slash Commodore if you please, can't stand around here all day makin idle prattle now can we. Have things to do, places to be." Jack said in an admonishing tone.
James snorted, then turned and began slashing at the vines and sundry blocking their way.
Jack smiled at James' back and began to hum under his breath.
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James had been hacking and slashing for what seemed like hours and he was about worn out. He stopped, sat down on the ground and laid his sword beside him.
"Oye! What 'r ya doin? Ya can't be stopping, we're not there yet." Jack said with a pout.
"Well by all means feel free to carry on without me Captain; I will catch up with you as soon as I have rested." James said sarcastically as he motioned from Jack to the vines blocking their way.
"Don't think it would be a necessarily good thing for me to be goin off by me onsies and without me Guardian Ang…." Jack changed this as he caught the look he was getting from James, "Commodore….Guardian Commodore." Jack continued to stand there and pout for a few minutes until he saw the Commodore really wasn't going to get up and continue. He plopped down beside him and pulled a bottle of rum out of his pocket and took a long drink. Out of the corner of his eye he caught James looking at the bottle. He thought about not sharing but the idea of a highly irritated Guardian Angel having his back changed his mind. He couldn't resist a little jibe as he lowered the bottle from his mouth, "I'd offer ya some Commodore, but I'm not sure what the Guardian Angel's code would be sayin bout drinkin on duty." It only took one brief glare from those green eyes, and what could pass in a fine manner for a growl for Jack to hand the bottle over; he had no hankering to wind up lying on his back several yards away like the unfortunate mermayde after all.
James took the bottle and drank. He handed it back to Jack and then stretched out, made himself comfortable on his side, and made ready to take a short nap.
Jack poked him in the back, "Yer not goin ta sleep are ya Commodore?"
He raised up on his elbow, looked back over his shoulder and said, "That was my intent yes." When after a few moments Jack did not respond he settled back down, made himself comfortable, closed his eyes and prepared once again to nap.
A few minutes later Jack poked him in the ribs, "You've no interest in keeping me company Commodore?" Jack said a bit plaintively.
James didn't bother rising up on his elbow this time, just opened his eyes and looked back over his shoulder, "You are your own best company Sparrow." He lay his head back down and closed his eyes.
When a few minutes later he was poked in the back again with a sad little "Commodore?" accompanying it, James cleared his throat and spoke in a low clear tone, "Sparrow, I do not think among the legends that are told about you far and wide you would wish to add 'He was the only Pirate to be murdered by his own Guardian Angel'." After finishing this statement, James did raise his head enough to glare at Jack over his shoulder. Jack gave him a little smile and a shrug and scooted a few feet away.
To Be Continued
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