Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
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Pirates of the Caribbean 1.5: The Adventures of Captain Jack and Ashlyn
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Chapter 11: A Little Less Complicated
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I was woken up a few hours later by Anna-Maria's grumbling,
"Wasgoin'on?" I slurred groggily.
"I'm a gonna kill Jack Sparrow," she hissed venomously. I quirked an eyebrow, "It's the damn treasure he led us to! It wasn't even real treasure!"
"What was it?"
"It was a chest full of wooden buttons!" I snorted and laughed, soon discovering that it hurt my ribs.
"So, uh, what's next then?"
"We have to pick up the rum and then we're going to Credos for a day." She sniffed, sitting down beside me.
"What is Credos?" I asked, shifting to make more room for her,
"Credos," Anna-Maria began, "Is a pirate's trading port. There be a law enforcement, but not like that Port Royal. Credos is far more relaxed then the other ports. Not as rowdy as Tortuga, aye, but that's why Credos is good spot for a rest." I nodded, bringing my knees up to my chest. Credos would be the place where Jack would pick up his company. I hugged my knees and swallowed. It shouldn't matter to me, right? I sighed and a thought hit me in the face.
"Wait a second… Doesn't Credos mean something like the musical setting in mass?" Anna-Maria laughed,
"Aye it does. Credos was supposed to be used for a church but pirates took it over and were too lazy to change the name." I snorted,
"That's lame,"
"Aye, but so be Jack," and we chuckled.
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After stopping three or four hours later, then starting up again, I could only assume that we were now on our way to Credos. No offense to Anna-Maria, but I wanted to get up and move. I got sick of sitting or lying in bed, staring at the ceiling or the walls. It was ridiculous and I was getting bored. So, I rolled out of bed, ignored the pain and waltzed out of her cabin to see Credos on the horizon.
"That was fast," I mumbled, adjusting Poppins on my back. The bag had been oddly quiet lately and I had planned to interrogate it in the crow's nest. Avoiding the doctor and Jack, I stealthily darted to the main mast, glanced around and then began the climb up. When I reached the top, I threw Poppins in first and clambered in after it. "So," I began sitting down, "Are you okay?" I heard the bag sigh,
"I'm okay,"
"Then why are you so moody?" If the bag could glare, then, well, it would be doing so,
"Because," Poppins grumbled,
"Because what?" I prompted childishly,
"Because you and Jack haven't fucked yet, that's why!" the bag squawked. Eyes wide, I hit Poppins,
"Keep is down dumb ass!"
"It's just," Poppins huffed, "The two of you bicker and you get mad at him and then he does something and you two are back together and there's so much sexual tension that if something stupid happens, it's gonna explode!" I raised an eyebrow,
"First of all, he's an idiot, which is why we argue. Second, there's no sexual tension. It's just tension."
"Then why are you blushing?"
"I am not blushing!" I hissed.
"Uh-huh, and I'm blue,"
"You could be," I challenged, "You could actually be just a really dark blue that looks black in normal lighting,"
"Then why am I black in the sunlight?"
"Shove it,"
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I watched from the crow's nest as Jack nearly ran to shore first. I felt myself sulk. He must really want that company. Huffing, I climbed down the mast and met up with Gibbs,
"Aye lass, how be yer ribs?" he took a swig form the flask around his neck. I sighed,
"Better,"
"Did, uh, somethin' happen between ye and the Captain?"
"What ever gave you that idea?" I asked, eyes narrowed,
"Well, it's just, ye see, uh, he- ah, never mind,"
"Oh, so he's happy now that I'm not using his cabin as an infirmary?"
"That's not-"
"No, its okay Mr. Gibbs, I get it." And I kicked a keg of rum as hard as I could, "You might want to fix that before your holy elixir is gone," I noted mildly as the amber liquid began to flow on deck.
"That was a bit harsh," Poppins muttered,
"Just taking out my anger," I replied darkly, though my face was blasé. I wandered around Credos, looking at vendors here and there. As I looked around, I noticed a lot of pretty, thin girls dressed rather modestly but in extravagant colors. I lowered my eyes as a sailor walked by, arm in arm with a gorgeous red head in green. Sighing, I entered a tea shop. Sitting down at one of the benches, I asked the young serving boy for just a cup and teapot with hot water. He complied and when he was away, I quietly asked Poppins for two bags of Jasmine. I dipped the bags into the teapot and closed the lid. Gibbs walked by, did a double take in the window and came in. He sat across from me,
"What's bothering ye lass?"
"Why would you think something's wrong?" I asked, staring into my empty cup,
"Well, I could only think that when someone is alone in a place of drinks, no matter what drinks they may be, sighing and looking rotten, then, I'd have to say something was wrong,"
"Ah," I poured my self a cup and offered Gibbs a cup as well. Much to my surprise, he accepted and waited for me to take the first sip, "I'm sorry about the rum," I mumbled. The older man laughed,
"We saved it, so, it's nothing," We sat in silence before I glanced up at him,
"Is Jack really forty-four?" Gibbs snorted and laughed,
"Aye, is that what he told ye?" I nodded, "Nah, he's not forty-four. He's thirty-four." I scowled,
"Why did he lie about it?" He shrugged,
"He does things like that to ward off unwanted attention," We stared at each other, "Oops," I sighed,
"What day is it?"
"Twenty-third of May,"
"Oh man, its way past my birthday,"
"How old are ye lass?"
"Well, no I'm twenty. Man, I feel so old."
And Gibbs laughed.
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It was early evening when Gibbs and I went back to the Pearl. He was actually a pretty cool guy to hang out with; my mood had brightened considerably. We leaned against the rail, talking and watching the gentle waves. Suddenly, I stopped talking.
"Ashlyn?" Gibbs asked, "Are ye alright?"
"I'm fine," but my voice sounded faint and distant. Jack was approaching the ship with a beautiful girl. In the setting sun, her hair was a rich honey color with streaks of gold and chestnut. Her hair was like the sunlight itself and as she came closer, I took note of her crystalline blue eyes tinged with green, sea eyes. She was perfect. Her skin had a healthy golden glow and she was small and lithe, perfect for protecting. I found my self becoming wistful and, for a long moment, I longed to look like her. Like a nymph who just emerged from the ocean to take on a lover. I heard myself sigh and Jack caught my gaze. For a second, he stopped smiling and laughing with her and simply stared at my. There was something indescribable in his eyes and I closed my eyes as they walked by.
"What's wrong Jack? Are you alright?" Her voice drifted to me as they went to his cabin. She was concerned, and it sounded genuine. She was so intone with him already,
"I'm alright pet," And it sounded so strange to hear him call another girl that. I bit my tongue and felt Gibbs hand on my shoulder.
"I'm okay," I repeated and as I watched him leave, I realized how deeply I had fallen for this man.
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Heh.
……
Heh, heh, heh. (goes into a sing song voice) Ashlyn admitted her love, Ashlyn admitted her love
Well, not really. She did to herself, but, um, maybe she'll tell Jack in the next chapter! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha… I'm an idiot.
Reviews are love,
The Idiot Author
