Disclaimer: All POTC characters and songs used in this story belong to other people. Not me. Unfortunately.
Chapter Ten- Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better
Days dragged into weeks as we traveled towards our destination. I was growing bored with the monotonous days spent in my cabin or at the helm, avoiding Sadie. On this particular day, wind barely filled the sails, the Pearl moving slowly through the waves. I stood at the helm thinking absently about this and that, humming a tune. We're devils and black sheep. We're really bad eggs.
Sadie wiggled her way into my thoughts. Whenever I needed to speak to her, she regarded me with a cold disposition, hardly speaking at all. I'd watch her mill around talking cheerfully with the crew. Occasionally at night I'd hear her singing in her room, slow melancholy songs that tortured my soul. I knew I couldn't avoid her forever, but my stubborn pride kept me from going to her.
"Ha! Best swordsman my ass," her laughter assaulted my ears from the deck below me. I turned to watch her, seeing her in playful conversation with Ragetti while they cleaned and sharpened swords.
"Aye Miss. 'e be nearly undefeatable they say. An' me seen it meself. 'E's clever Cap'in Jack 'e is," came Ragetti's stuttered reply.
I smiled at his words.
"Clever maybe. But I'm sure he lacks actual talent," she said snidely.
Lacks actual talent? My face turned down angrily.
"Talented or nay Miss, I ne'er seen 'im lose." Because I've never lost blasted woman!
"That's because he's never fought me before," she said arrogantly, a challenge in her voice.
Unable to take anymore of her snarky comments. I left Cotton at the helm and stomped down the stairs towards Sadie and the pirate.
"Miss Morgan! Draw your sword," I snapped at her. She stared at me in amusement before standing and brandishing her sword. I assess my opponent, taking in her dark pants and simple tight shirt. Her feet were bare and she had her hair tucked into a floppy knit hat, curled tendrils falling out around her face. She took the hat off, shaking out her hair as I unsheathed my sword.
"What are the rules of the match Captain?" she said with a cocky smile.
"First to disarm or land a mortal blow with the flat of the blade wins," I said authoritatively.
She nodded and found her stance, her face arrogant and light. I struck first aiming low and she blocked me easily before striking towards my side. Dancing out of range I spun behind her and swung again. Without turning, she ducked below my blade, sliding her sword near my calves, bumping one with the flat of her sword.
She's good, I thought aiming for her legs again, but she jumped over the sword and blocked my next blow. We danced around deck, swords clashing, neither of us landing a winning blow. She was always just out of my reach, twirling and dipping just before my sword could touch her, all the while a self-assured smile on her lips. A few rounds later I found myself nearly backed against the main mast as she struck towards me again, this time catching my sword with her, flipping in the air backwards, kicking my sword from my hand before landing and catching it in her free hand. She scissored them around my neck, pinning me to the mast.
"I win," she smirked. Her chest heaved from exertion, sweat glistened on her brow. Her eyes danced and sparkled mischievously. The sun behind her framed her fiery mane in a halo of light. Her red cheeks glowed and her smile was blinding.
I felt as though I had been punched in the chest. Standing before me as she was, she looked more beautiful than ever before. Staring at her glorious face, it hit me. I'd been lying to myself, hiding behind egotistic denial. She backed away from me and threw my sword at my feet before turning away and walking into her cabin.
The crew had gathered around us to watch the match, they stood silent, in shock. A few started clapping and soon the whole crew was applauding and cheering for Sadie. I hardly noticed because at that moment I knew I could deny it no longer.
I was in love with Sadie Morgan. And now I was ready to tell her.
XXXXXXX
I stormed into my room, adrenalin coursing through my body. The way Jack had looked at me while I had him pinned was that same love filled adoration he had in his eyes when I woke up after he saved me from Barbossa. I paced the room in frustration running my hands through me hair, tugging at the scalp.
Damn you Jack Sparrow!
I threw myself on to my bed. The fight had left me sweaty and my clothes stuck to me uncomfortably. I stood again and set about changing for dinner. I selected a loose fitting pair of torn up jeans and a tight white t-shirt with a plunging V-neck, pulling my hair back in a messy ponytail, I walked to my dresser grabbing a cloth to remove my now smudged makeup, not feeling bothered to reapply any. When the dinner bell rang I slid my feet into my green and white Converse and headed to the galley.
As soon as I walked through the door, everyone cheered and clapped, a few slapping my back in congratulations as I walked through the crowd to my usual seat next to Gibbs, Ragetti and Pintel. Everyone was talking about the sparring match. Gibbs handed me a bottle of rum.
"Ta celebrate ye're win," he smiled. I took the rum and drank, listening to the excited crew around me. We ate and drank merrily and someone suggested I sing for them again. I eyed a man further down the tables, tuning his guitar.
"Excuse me? Do you mind if I borrow that?" I asked him, gesturing to the stringed instrument. He quickly finished tuning it, nodding, before handing it to me. I took it, sitting on the table top, resting my feet on the bench. The crew formed a semi-circle around me as I strummed the guitar absently, getting a feel for the tuning. I struck a particular cord that brought a song to mind and began to play.
"Didn't I make you feel like you were the only man," I sang the Janis Joplin song, slowing it down from the original version.
"An' didn't give you nearly everything that a woman possibly can?'' The crew stared, captivated as I played,
"Honey you know I did! And each time I tell myself that I, well I think I've had enough, but I'm gonna show you baby that a woman can be tough."
I sang with feeling, emotions pouring into the song, letting it wash over me and consume me.
XXXXXXX
I followed the sound of her singing to the galley and nudged my way through the crowd. Her voice was throaty, and she sang with captivating emotion. Her eyes were closed as she sang; only occasionally opening to watch her fingers.
"I want you to come one, come one, come on, come on and take it! Take another little piece of my heart now baby! Break another little piece of my heart now darling yeah yeah yeah. You know you got it, if it makes you feel good. Oh yes indeed."
Her eyes watched her fingers as she played. She somehow sensed my presence and she made eye contact with me.
"You're out on the streets, looking good. And baby deep down in your heart I guess you know that it ain't right," She smiled at me as if she were singing those words directly to me.
"Never, never, never, never, never, never hear me when I cry at night, babe and I cry all the time! But each time I tell myself that I, well I can't stand the pain-'' I stormed from the room, her words and smile mocking me. I paced the deck waiting for her to follow me. The music had stopped, so I knew she would.
As soon as she came out, closing the door, I rounded on her, "What the bloody hell was that?" I yelled angrily.
"A song Jack! What's wrong with the song," she shot back.
"Ye dare mock me! What's wrong with the song," I scoffed.
"Mock you? You think that was about you?" she asked spewing venom and coming to stand inches away from me. "You selfish, self centered asshole! That song had nothing to do with you!" she yelled in my face.
"My arse it didn't! Admit it Sadie! Ye've been stormin' 'round me for weeks."
"Yes Jack, I'm pissed at you. Fuck! I'm beyond pissed! But I can't help that you're so damn self absorbed that you can't see what's right in front of you!" she swore, anger flaring in her Emerald green eyes.
"Oh! I'm self absorbed? Ye come on my ship, eat my food, and drink my rum. An' ye think ye own the place."
"Argh! This is not about you Jack! In fact, the only reason I'm here is because you, oh great Captain Jack Sparrow, need me," she glared at me.
"I don't need ye Miss Morgan," I spat in response.
She shook with rage before me, her eyes wild. "Fine. You don't need me. Then turn back and take me home. Obviously even if we could find the Fountain we couldn't fucking use it," she turned to leave but I caught her arm to stop her.
"Sadie, wait," I said her words stung and the need to make her stay was strong.
"What Jack?" she sighed, resigned, looking at me. "I don't want to do this anymore. Just take me home and I'll be out of your hair." I stared at her, sadness filling her eyes as she looked away from me.
"Ye can't go home," I said quietly.
"Why not? You've made it clear you don't want me here," she asked still not looking at me.
"'cause I do want ye here," I whispered. When she still wouldn't look at me, I grabbed her chin, turning her face towards mine.
"Sadie, ye are the most confusing, brave, and stunning lass I've ever met," I said staring into her eyes. "An' I'm in love with ye."
She blinked, shocked, "What did you just say?"
"I love ye Sadie Morgan. I cannot deny it any longer." She started at me, not saying a word. Seconds ticked by feeling like an eternity.
What if I was too late? Had she given up on me?
Suddenly she threw her arms around my neck, mashing her lips to mine in a passionate kiss. I wrapped my arms around her, lifting her from the deck, twirling her around, kissing her back with as much fire and intensity. She snaked her legs around my waist and pulled back.
"I knew you did, but your stubborn ass just couldn't admit it," she laughed.
I laughed with her, staring into her eyes while the stars twinkled above us, the moon shining a spotlight on our embrace.
"Say it again," she giggled.
"I love ye Sadie-luv," I laughed back.
"I love you too Jack Sparrow," she kissed me again and the world around us ceased to exist.