A/N: Well, I may not have a great number of reviewers, but those that I have certainly are loyal, eh?
Yeah, I know. I have absolutely no excuse as to why this took so long. What can I say? Senior year was a bitch. The ironic part is, that almost all of this chapter was finished around Christmas time. Well, the ending was anyway. It was just the filler scenes of Ana and Lev in the middle that kept me. And it didn't help that those scenes ended up being way longer then I had anticipated. The end result though, is the longest chapter to be posted in this story yet. Hopefully that will make up for something.
I tried very very hard to have this posted before the second movie premiere, but due to an inopportunely timed vacation, I could not. Let me just say that this story is still in progress, and still has many many more chapters to go. Also, this story is based only off of the original PotC. While the second one didn't change much as far as canon goes, I have this planned out so far in advance that it's much easier just to ignore it all together for now.
Anyway, on with the show!
Several days later, we pulled into port. A decision had been made after much debate that we would be sailing onto Africa, and then possibly onward to England. Our stock of food and water had by now dwindled to about half, so a course had been plotted to the nearest town, where we would load up before striking out.
Our English flag was billowing in the wind, and everyone was dressed fairly neatly. Conall was busy working in the rigging, and everyone else who wasn't immediately involved in the docking process had been ordered below deck for the evening. Most merchant ships you see, run on a bare minimum crew of about twenty in order to keep labor costs down. Our massive crew all being above deck would have been a bit of a give away.
Below deck was more cramped than ever, as there were rarely this many people lingering in the cabins besides at night. I imagined the crews room was packed, as were dinning hall and kitchens. I myself sat in the kitchen, perched a top a crate, and wearing my least favorite dress which I had let down again in order to hide my boots and allow me to fit in better once on land again.
Lev and Jack sat with me, one on each side, both looking pointedly in opposite directions, while Ragetti sat across from me, carving idly at a scrap of wood. Garrett, Owens, and Pintel sat a few feet away, all on upturned buckets and playing cards on the crate that stood between them. I noticed Garrett looked highly put out that he wasn't considered important enough to be needed above deck. None of the gunnery crew were needed though. In fact a large majority of the canons had been masked with piles of canvas this morning. Merchant ships were armed, to be sure, but never as heavily as ours was at the moment.
The docking process was near complete; the shouts echoing above told me as much. Making sure that my knife was in place in my boot and that there were a fair few gold coins tucked in the pocket of my dress, I stood and prepared to head above deck. In keeping with trying to keep our numbers masked, only fifteen men were going to be allowed on shore at a time. In the first shift to go, ten men had been appointed by Tomas (including Ragetti, Jack, and Owens) to go in search of places to purchase supplies and to catch or hunt food for the evening from the surrounding area. The remaining five and the order of the shifts to come after that were determined by each crew member drawing broom straws that had been broken off at various lengths. By some miracle, I had managed to choose one of the shortest ones, and therefore myself, and my 'protector' Lev, would be able to go on land in the first shift.
The shouts increased in volume, and the gentle 'thud' of the ship coming to rest at the dock could be heard even from my position on board. Tomas's heavy footsteps echoed down the stairwell, and a moment later he stuck his head in the kitchen door.
"I want all of my first shift men topside now!" The boys began to finish up their card game, and venture above. I nodded in response and joined them, passing Conall on the way to the main deck. Now that he had finished docking, he and the others were to head below until their turns to go on land came. He gave me a small wave as he passed, looking as solemn and thoughtful as ever.
By the time Tomas had returned above deck as well, all of those on the first land shift were lined up neatly under the main mast. After he had gone down the row and made sure everyone was clear on their duties, we were free to disembark.
Jack, with a steadying hand on my waist, managed to help me climb carefully between the ropes and down to the dock, with Lev shooting him only one or two dark glances. I had gained quite an agility on board as far as climbing around goes, but doing it in a full length skirt was something I was not yet able to accomplish. As my boots touched down on the wooden dock and Jack departed with the others, I was having difficulty keeping my excitement in check. It may seem like a trivial thing to most, but this was one of the first real port towns I would have the chance to explore. Beyond Port Royal and Tortuga of course.
Together, Lev and I left the docks behind and strolled down the main street, arm in arm. I wasn't particularly certain what I was looking for, but exploring a new area and getting some fresh air at the same time was always welcome. This town was small and quaint- not particularly upscale, but certainly not on the same level as Tortuga. In fact, it reminded me a bit of home. Port Royal rather- it wouldn't necessarily be accurate to call it home any longer.
People of all sorts walked in the streets, servants on errands, farmers selling their wares, and little children playing games- all looking respectable if not necessarily well off. The strong smell of food hung in the air here; there was a men's tavern not far away where it appeared the prominent men of the community gathered for sustenance and news. A small open market of sorts had been set up by peasants selling produce from their gardens. The little apprentice from the butchers shop sat on the front steps of the store, roasting scraps of meat on spits over a little fire and selling them to passer byes for pocket change.
The scents of fresh food making me suddenly aware of my hunger, I scanned the remaining shops on the street before dragging Lev into a small little bakery.
The door creaked loudly as we entered, announcing our presence to those inside. A stuffy looking middle aged woman stood by the counter, a servant according to her dress, who, judging by the long list that sat between her and the boy on the other side of the counter, was placing a very large order. Probably for one of the islands few estates. Both she and the boy looked up as we entered. She eyed me condescendingly for a moment, before turning back to the list, while the boys deep brown gaze lingered on mine momentarily, until he too turned his eyes downward again.
Lev quickly turned to exploring the quaint little shop, while I walked slowly to the front counter and scanned the several large wicker baskets set out, each full of freshly baked rolls and loaves of bread. They looked delicious, and I made up my mind immediately to purchase some. Weeks out at sea accompanied only by stale bread made a sight such as this irresistible.
The boy at the counter straightened and tucked the list into the pocket of his breeches. "This will be taken care of right away ma'am. Have a good day." The woman gave him a small nod before tucking her shawl tightly about her shoulders and departing. The boy watched her leave with a small smile on his face, before turning his attention to me.
"And what may I do for you on this fine day Miss?" He queried, with a jovial clap of his hands. I smiled warmly and set a couple of copper coins on the counter.
"I have been at sea for a long time," I said, pushing them towards him. "What do you suggest?" The boy, tall and lanky, and I guessed about twenty years of age, surveyed me carefully.
"From England?" He asked, his head tilted a little to the side in question.
"The America's," I said with only a little hesitation. I was getting better at making up plausible cover stories on the spot. "I worked as a maid on a plantation in Virginia, but the family decided to move here to try their hand at a sugarcane plantation." I shrugged offhandedly. "I had nothing of my own there, so I decided I might like to accompany them. A change of pace is often welcome."
I gazed at the boy levelly, wondering if he would accept this. I would be gone long before he discovered that there was no such family anyway. He nodded slowly, leaning on the counter as he spoke.
"I thought it must be some such thing." A sly smile crept across his face. "I surely would have taken notice of a girl as lovely as yourself before now, had you always lived here." A loud clatter resounded from the back of the store, and I turned to see Lev's unhappy face staring at the boy, before he picked up the metal measuring spoon he had dropped, and replaced it in the large wooden barrel of flour that sat along the side wall. Lev was so over protective.
Biting back a chuckle and a blush, I thanked the boy for his kind words. Being of such odd descent I had always been generally shunned by the shopkeepers sons in Port Royal, strictly European the lot of them, and was therefore unused to hearing such things directed at myself. I had always found it silly that even among the very lowest of classes, there was still so much discrimination and disdain. Shouldn't the poor stick together? Apparently not. This boy however, seemed to care little for my lineage. Upon closer inspection, I thought this might be because of the boys own descent. At first glance, I had trouble placing him, but as I observed his tanned skin, and dark hair and eyes, I thought he looked like a cross between a European, perhaps a Spaniard, and a native. That would explain a lot.
The boy jerked his chin in Lev's direction. "A suitor?" I laughed a little and shook my head.
"A chaperon, more like." The boy's smile widened.
"Good to know." He turned and reached under the counter, pulling out a small basket which he set on the counter, before giving me a winning smile.
"You may keep your money Miss. My compliments." I thanked him softly as he began to fill it to the brim with delicious looking rolls and breads, a faint blush creeping into my cheeks. I could practically feel Lev's eyes burning into the back of my head; I did my best not to turn and look at him.
The boy finished filling the basket, and tucked a scrap of cloth over the top to protect its contents from dust and dirt.
"Here you are, Miss. You have a lovely rest of the day." He flashed me one last charming smile, his warm gaze lingering on mine. After a moments pause, he added: "You know, there's going to be a bit of a festival in the town square in a fortnight to honor the start of the harvesting season. Perhaps I'll see you there?" I had hardly opened my mouth to reply before Lev was at my elbow.
"So sorry lad, but we'll be very busy next week, wha' with the- eh- settlin' of the planation an' all." I shot Lev a harsh look, feeling the agitation start to build in me, before turning back to the boy with a smile.
"I shall do my best to be in attendance." He nodded, content with my response, and bid us farewell. I took the offered basket and rested it on one arm, giving my thanks once more before turning on my heel and heading for the exit, pointedly not waiting for Lev to catch up.
Upon reaching the street once again, I dropped the wooden door behind me a little harder than intended. Right on Lev's face. I could hear a faint squeal from behind me as it hit him, but I carried on regardless. I continued to walk, or perhaps stalk is the more adequate term, down the main street, my fists balled in anger, until he caught up to me a couple of paces away.
"Now what was tha' for Ana?" He grabbed my upper arm in an attempt to stop me. I wrenched it away from him and kept walking.
"That, was for trying to interfere, Lev, again!" I could hear Lev's previously hurried steps slow a little in confusion.
"Interfere with what?" I hadn't the slightest idea where I was walking, but I refused to slow my pace, instead taking a turn off of the main road and following a smaller one. I didn't care where I was headed so long as it was away from here.
"In the store, Lev. With that boy. You know damn well that we won't even be here in a fortnight! There was absolutely no need to interject!" Lev looked highly surprised at my creative choice of words. Even being surrounded by pirates, I typically did my best not to resort to curses. Right now, however, I cared not a wink. And I was far from done. "In fact, you interfere with everything! You hardly leave Jack and I alone, as if there were risk of something happening between us, you never let me away from your side when we're in a new place, any male who so much as smiles at me, you're bound and determined to scare away! For goodness sake, he needn't even smile at me, just happen to be walking past!"
"I'm jus' lookin after ye Ana!" He was walking beside me again, his face imploring. I stopped in my tracks and turned to face him.
"I don't need to be looked after!" My scream attracted the attention of a couple of farm hands who stood nearby, loading bags of what looked like seed into a cart. They looked up at us for several moments, surprised looks on their faces. I could only imagine what sort of a scene we were making. Giving a groan of frustration, I turned around again and stamped off. The buildings were becoming fewer and farther between here, as the bulk of the little town was behind us. The road we had been walking on turned to dirt and trees and brush became more prevalent.
A few more minutes passed in complete silence, before I came to a stop. Civilization was completely behind us now, replaced by the tall stalks of a sugar cane plantation on either side of the road. I had calmed a little in my few minutes of walking, and shot Lev a hesitant look from under my lashes before settling down in the grasses by the side of the road.
"I shouldn't have shouted," I said softly. He didn't respond. After a moment, he sat down next to me without a word.
"Ye'r just frustrated. As ye have a right to I sup'se." He frowned. "Ye just have to understand Ana, ye'r like a sister to me, I'm goin' to look after ye."
We sat in silence for a moment while I mulled over this. In reality I was quite grateful for his protection. Honestly, where would I be without it? It was simply too suffocating. At times, I just couldn't take it.
Finally, I nodded. "Please, just trust me a little more from now on." I paused and fiddled with a blade of grass in front of me for a moment. "It's nice to have a guardian on occasion, but for goodness sake, I'm sixteen. Let me judge for myself every now and then." He eyed me for a moment.
"I will." He paused. " But ye have to promise t' be careful. An' watchful. An' I will interject if I deem it necessary." I gave him a small smile.
"Fair enough." An awkward silence hung between us for a moment. Pulling the little knife he had given me from my boot, I stood and walked to one of the great sugar cane stalks that grew nearby. I carefully cut off two small limbs of it, and peeled back the outside, before handing him one as a peace offering. "Truce?" A slight smile crossed his face.
"Truce." He accepted the stalk and took a bite. "Now where did ye learn a thing such as tha'?" I chewed a little on the end of my own stalk, reveling in it's sweetness.
"We used to do this all the time when I was a child. The local farmers were constantly shooing us off of their property." Lev laughed, and tentatively offered me his arm.
"Well, let's head bac' to town, a'fore this lands farmer has to shoo us away." I accepted the offered arm, and scooping up the basket, which had until now lain forgotten in the grass, we slowly headed back towards the main street. The matter had been settled. For now.
Lev and I were nearly half way back to the ship, smiles and laughter once again in our manner, when Alec came running up to us, a highly distressed look on his face.
"Ana!" He came to a screeching halt a few feet away. Alec was not one to converse freely, particularly with me, and I could never imagine him approaching me unless there was some sort of problem. I couldn't begin to fathom what could be the matter though. I knew that he and Owens and Jack had been on shore because they were assigned to hunt wild game for our supper. But why on earth would he be coming to me with hunting problems?
"Yes?" I asked, turning to face him, more than a little puzzled.
"It's Jack." Fear immediately struck me; with Jack it could be anything. Lev looked delighted.
"What did he do now?" he asked, a large smile on his face. Alec was out of breath from his run, managing only to pant out 'he's-in-jail,' in one hurried breath. Hearing that, I thought I might pass out on the spot. Even Lev looked worried, his large smile replaced with a somewhat anxious expression. Jail was the sort of thing that put the entire ship at risk.
"For what?" I gasped. Alec had recovered his breath a little and was again able to speak.
"The two of us and Owens were in charge of catching some game, so we were out hunting wild pigs in the woods. Apparently we strayed onto private property. Some old bastard heard us and came barreling out into the trees with a shotgun. We outran him in a second, but Jack was the last out and the man got a good look at him. After we lost him, Owens was bringing our catches back to the ship and Jack and I decided to stop by one of the pubs and see if we could nick a bottle of ale. On the way that oaf came by with a navy man and recognized Jack and had him hauled off."
"When was this?" I asked quickly.
"About an hour ago. I knew you and Ragetti were both on land, so I've been trying to find one of you. I didn't want to get captain involved in this yet, for Jack's sake." I thanked Alec profusely, and told him I'd take care of things from here, giving him my basket to take back to the ship and instructing him to distract father from noticing our absence for as long as possible.
I hadn't the slightest idea where the jail was, and therefore set about asking the least offensive looking pedestrians I could find. It took only a few moments, and a number of odd looks, before we learned of it's location on the other side of the island, told to us by a bent, aging farmer.
Immediately, I hurried to follow the man's directions, dragging a rather reluctant Lev along behind me. He would have been perfectly pleased to leave Jack there, or to report the matter to father. I knew that neither of these was a feasible option, but was also completely uncertain as to what I would do once we arrived.
Reaching the jail entrance, we paused outside the door a moment, where I smoothed my hair and skirts. I had forgotten my sun hat at the ship, and had no bonnet. I was going to need a good deal of grace in order to cover for my less than exemplary appearance. I shot Lev a final warning glance to ensure silence, then stepped inside. The prison was dim and dank, lit by a lone candle on the nearby table and a few dusty beams streaming in hesitantly from high, barred windows. A man sat at the table, hat pulled low over his face and feet propped up on the table in front of him. He wore a standard Navy issue uniform, though it was apparent from his lack of decoration that he was fairly low in the chain of command.
I straightened my shoulders, tried to look imperious, and walked up to him. "You, Sir, are holding a young man prisoner, brought in just a few hours ago. I demand to see him." I lifted my chin slightly and met his gaze steadily, trying to look firm and yet well mannered simultaneously. The man - who looked to have been half asleep - lifted his hat and surveyed me from under it's brim. Seeing who addressed him, he looked startled by my forwardness, indeed too startled to make protest. Yawning, he straightened his hat and swung his feet off of the table, grabbing a worn looking key ring off of a hook behind him and leading the way down a very short hallway lined with cells. He stopped at the second cell on the left, and I did as well, looping my fingers around the bars and peering inside; Lev stood silently off to one side. Jack sat up against one wall of the cell, eyes close; the picture of relaxation. His once white shirt and faded vest were unbuttoned about halfway, sleeves rolled to the elbow to ward off heat.
I cleared my throat and Jack opened one kohl lined eye, before springing to his feet delightedly. "Ana!" I glowered at him and he grinned.
"Ah, don't be sour with me luv, it wasn't my fault this time." I hushed him with a look, next sending one in Lev's direction. Getting the hint, he quickly began conversing with the guard over the fine quality of his sword. Seeing that he was suitably distracted, I leaned my head close to the bars. Jack linked his fingers through them as well, mirroring my stance.
"Do they know your of the Validus?" I hissed, just loud enough for him to hear. Jack shook his head no. "Do they know your a pirate?"
"No." I breathed a sign of relief.
"Do they know your real name?" He shook his head.
"I'm' John Turner to them," he whispered, giving me a bit of a grin. I nodded, then turned again to the guard, who was still conversing with Lev.
"Well, you see this particular curve of the handle allows for quick draw were you to ever have a swift or unexpected attack-"
"Sir," I said firmly, interrupting his and Lev's conversation. "I demand you free Mr. Turner this instant." The man eyed me carefully, half curious and half offended by the apparently low stationed girl who would speak to him so.
"I'm afraid I can't do that Miss, not until Mr. Johnson decides if he wants to press charges." I frowned.
"I'm afraid that won't do." The man's countenance turned angry. I knew immediately that I had over stepped my place, but there was no turning back now.
"And who are you then, to order me about so?" he asked angrily. Hmm. I couldn't claim to be some high officials relation; I guessed this port too small for anyone to believe such an unusual figure as myself had gone unnoticed this long. A relation to Jack would be my best bet now.
"I'm his-" I paused a moment, quickly running over my options. There was no way we could pass as blood relations, and Lev would probably hotly deny it were I to try and forge a familial relation there. Jack was too old for me to try and pass as his governance, and he didn't exactly look like the type of person wealthy enough to keep servants.
"His betrothed," I finished hesitantly. Jack and Lev were giving me shocked looks, but I ignored them, focusing my attention on the man, whose face has softened slightly.
"I'm very sorry Miss, but-," there was a tone of regret or sympathy in his voice now, which I could use to my advantage. I cut him off.
"Please Sir, perhaps this would appease Mr. Johnson. You could give him what ever he asks, and keep the remainder for yourself." I shot him my best pleading look, and pressed a generous amount of gold into his hand. All of the coins that I had been sure to tuck into my pocket before coming on land. Sympathy and bribes. If this doesn't work, nothing will.
Thankfully, the man didn't seem to be of high enough rank to care where I had gotten such a great portion of gold, he was too preoccupied with trying to figure how much he could keep for himself. Indeed, he stared at it for a moment before shrugging and reaching for his key ring.
"It was a minor infraction, I'm sure this will appease him." I grinned and thanked him profusely as the lock gave a rusty click and the door swung open.
"Ana!" Jack cried, coming forward and throwing his arms about me in the manner of one in love.
"John!" I cried in response, burying my face in his shirt to suppress a giggle. Our embrace lasted for several moments, before Lev made his presence known again by a loud clearing of his throat and the two of us broke apart, a tinge of pink in my cheeks. I thanked the man again, and the two of us swept out of the jail arm in arm. Lev was detained a few moments as the guard gave him detailed instructions on how to get to the blacksmith who made his sword, but he quickly caught up, mumbling under his breath.
"Like I really wan' a sword like that, mine's ten times better, really. That thin' would snap in half five minutes' into a real battle. Like he ever gets unexpecte'ly attacked anyway."
I waited until we were safely out of sight before rounding on Jack. "Don't you dare do that again Jack! Had you been discovered as a pirate, our entire ship would have been in danger." I kept my voice low, to avoid eavesdroppers, but menacing all the same. He raised a hand as if afraid I was going to slap him.
"Oh luv, don't worry yer pretty little head about it, I'm not marked." I pointed a threatening finger in his face and he hurriedly tried to shift the conversation away from himself. "Though I must admit Milady, that was a lovely rescue if I may say so myself. I hear we're betrothed then, eh?" I glared at him.
"It got you free did it not?"
"Aye, it did," he flashed me that roguish half grin and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me flush against him. "I was just wonderin when I'd be able to exercise my rights as a husband." Jack's dark eyes burned into mine, a playful gleam lying over something else I couldn't place. Now I was tempted to slap him, but I contented myself with taking a deep breath and wriggling out of his arms, my face hot.
"It got you free," I repeated firmly, turning and heading back in the direction of the ship. I thought Lev might tackle Jack right there in the street judging by the look on his face, but he seemed to know that after our little tiff earlier I'd be furious if he intervened further.
"My father does not need to hear about this."
The very next morning we set sail and the following evening, safe from the prying eyes of those in port, we threw a bit of a celebration in honor striking out on such a grand adventure. Leon had made a large meal out of our still fresh food; fish stew and one of the pigs that the boys had caught.
Wine and ale bottles were being passed around in abundance, and a large keg of rum stood open on the deck. No one was bothering with mugs, but there were several ladles being passed around for the rum, one of which was currently in my hands. There were enough people on deck that I needn't worry about being caught by father or Evan's, and I admit I'd already had numerous dipper fulls throughout the course of the evening. The others were even farther gone than I.
Jack had already regaled the tale of my daring rescue to Ragetti near ten times, and it grew more and more dramatic with every telling. The fiddler was playing again, and Lev, Pintel, and Owens were singing loudly and completely off key.
"And then she hit him over the head, stole the key ring, and we ran like mad." I took another drought of rum, turning just in time to catch a theatrical hand gesture from Jack.
"The next time you tell that tale, I'm going to run off and become the Queen of England!" I cried, throwing my hands in the air and spinning around. I came to a halt, leaning against the edge of the rum barrel, giggling, to slow the already spinning world. Once I could stand straight again, my cloudy judgment deemed the best course of action to be another dipper of rum. Carefully, I tipped back my head and downed another, wincing as the unbearable burn hit my throat.
I could hear the fiddle music distantly, though distorted. I took another spin, lost my balance and tumbled against Garrett.
"Ana? Are you alright?" I could hear my fathers voice shouting from the other side of the ship, and a blurry image of his face slowly came into focus. I straightened as quickly as I could. Too quickly. Oh, too quickly.
"Of course father!" I tried to sound chipper. And sober. He looked as though he was to come and investigate my sudden, unexplained clumsiness more closely, but another sailor halted him to talk. Seeing he was distracted, I fell against Garrett again laughing. He stood me up carefully, too drunk to be angry. Jack appeared by my side and steered me in the direction of the stairs.
"Let's get you off to bed before Captain discovers just how drunk you are." He spoke, his lips inches from my ear, though his voice louder than needed given our closeness. I stumbled. Tried to follow his lead more or less. I nearly tumbled down the stairs when we arrived at the top of them. Pausing, he linked my arms around his neck and scooped me up. He proceeded below deck slowly. Careful, deliberate steps.
After what seemed hours- no seconds, we arrived outside my tiny room. He knocked open the door with his hip, and staggered over to the bed. He made a move to gently lay me down, but lost his balance. We fell together. He was on top of me. His weight was comforting, and we were both laughing; I could feel his breath, hot, against the curve of my neck.
The room was unusually warm. The ceiling wouldn't come into focus. Still laughing, he rolled off of me and onto his back. His gaze lifted to the ceiling, with unfocused eyes. One hand rested on his chest. The other still looped about my shoulder. The room began to spin as I rolled onto my side and curled against him, my cheek coming to rest on his shirt. The hand that had been around my shoulder slipped up to stroke my hair. I closed my eyes tightly to stop the spinning. I could feel nothing, but the unbearable heat. And his hand in my hair.
A few moments passed before he started to stand. "Don't go." I could hardly hear my own voice.
"I have to luv. If your father catches me here, I'm a dead man." He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it, lips lingering longer than they should have. The mind numbing pain in the back of my head was too great. I could hardly move, let alone protest. Cold. The heat of his body removed, I was suddenly overcome with cold. I wasn't strong enough to make a move for the quilt. It was too far. I was so tired. And the pain was so great.
The next day I had awoken with a pounding headache and only a vague memory of the previous evening. I was never sure if Jack forgot altogether, considered it inconsequential, or made a conscious decision not to mention it, but either way, we never spoke of what happened that night.
A/N: Yet again, I'm sorry for the wait. Hopefully the next one shall be quicker. And thanks so much to all of my reviewers from chapter nine.
Now, please let me know I still have some readers out there! Reviews are greatly greatly appreciated.