I don't own Pirates of the Caribbean and Port Johnson is not real. At least, I don't think it is.
Chapter Eight: Jack
"What?"
"My name. You said it," Jack repeated.
"And?"
"It sounds nice," he said.
"Well, someone's a little bit cocky," I said. "Takes joy in the sound of his own name."
"I meant the way you said it, luv," he grinned. "Say it again."
"Jack, come on, leave it be."
"Ha! There, you said it again! And because you have, I suppose I'm obliged to do the same. No more formalities then!" he laughed. I raised my eyebrows at him. What was he going on about?
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, you see, a few of the men have been taking bets on how long it would take you to warm up to me. I've just won the bet!" he exclaimed triumphantly.
I was almost mad, but then I realized something there by the warm comfort of the fire. Jack's personality would never change, there was nothing I could do about it. He would always have some small end game, he would always be flamboyant, he would always be...Jack. I decided I might as well just start going along with the flow of the tide.
"I suppose there's not," I said, tying my thoughts back to the conversation.
"There's not what?" Apparently, Jack had been in his own little world as well.
"Need for formalities. I have a proposal for you Jack. Let's start over. I'm Captain Arabella Fletcher, you can call me Arabella or Bella if you'd like," I smiled, and held out a hand.
"Well then, Bella, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, but you can call me Jack." He took my small hand in his huge tanned one and gave it a firm squeeze.
Later on that evening, I found myself back on deck, now squeezed into a light, pale yellow dress. I'd brushed my hair again and tied it up in a loose bun and had pinched my cheeks to give them some natural blush. I wanted to blend in where we were going. Jack said we were stopping at a port. Port Johnson, to be exact.
It was a small place, but it was notorious for capturing pirates. Being the home of many naval officers and their families, it was clear why. Also, it's Governor was one that I'd dueled before, barely escaping with my life. I was not looking forward to being on my toes the whole measure of our time there, but I was happy to get the chance to buy a few things for myself and Jack, who's birthday was the next morning.
"Arabella, you look rather ravishing," a voice stated from behind me.
"Why thank you kind sir," I smiled as I turned to come face to face with Jack. "May I add that you also look dashing this lovely evening."
"Thank you madam." He bowed low to the wood of the deck. I smirked hugely. Jack had been practicing all day so that he would fit in at the port. I had no need of practice. I'd once been a lady, so I knew all the right things to say. Jack, however, had needed lots of help from all the members of the crew, even Mr. Cotton, who's parrot did most of the teaching, for Mr. Cotton himself was a mute.
"Well Jack, I think you've come quite far. I could almost mistake you for a gentleman," I teased.
"Not I!" he exclaimed. "I hate the word! I am a pirate, true as the sea is blue."
"Well, I've heard that it's the gentlemen who get all the ladies," I told him.
"Is that so? What makes a gentleman better than a pirate I wonder?" he asked, stroking his beard, looking genuinely interested.
"I suppose their elegance and eloquence... and there's the matter of cleanliness," I laughed.
"Now my curiosity has been peaked. What is it that you find pleasing in a man, Arabella? Gentleman or pirate?" Jack asked, a smirk evident in his voice and eyes.
"That's personal Jack," I said sternly.
"Well you're no fun at all!" he whined.
"Oh bloody hell! If it makes you happy, Jack, I shall tell you." I wasn't excited to reveal my personal feelings, but I knew he'd keep at it if I didn't tell him. "It does not matter to me if the man be gentle or not," I told him." It matters what their morals are. Those Governors and military men may indeed be very rich and fancy, but if they don't think twice about having a young boy hanged or running the enemy through with their sword because they have been ordered to, I will find nothing pleasing about them at all. It's the inside that counts, the building blocks of a person that makes them who they are," I said.
"Is that so?" he asked after a moment.
"It is indeed."
"That's interesting. So you care nothing about reputation?" Jack took a step closer to me.
"No, nor do I care about rank or social hierarchy." I turned to look out at the sun coming down from the sky like a golden and rosy ball bouncing back to earth.
"What about a man who has been to the locker of Davy Jones himself and returned to the land of the living? Who has defeated a very important member of the East India Company and fought on the Flying Dutchman?" Jack finished asking and took another giant step towards me.
"There is no man such as that," I said with a shake of my head.
"Oh, but there is luv," Jack smiled and put an arm around my shoulders.
"Who?" I asked looking up at his warm chocolate eyes and his white and gold smile.
"Me."