Disclaimer: POTC ain't mine, dangnabit.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews all! Keep it up.
niwrem: aww thanks. I really didn't like last chapter much, but hey, if everyone approved, I'll go along with it. I like this one much much more : )
VampireHelsing: YAY new reviewer! I'm glad you liked it, keep reviewing. It means so much to me just to get ONE review.
AneleTiger: I'm thinkin' bout it…I actually had a previous way that Ali would be discovered, and I really liked that way, but I have been considering someone ELSE taking off her hat before, and keeping her secret, until the finale (when everyone finds out… using my original idea…) does that make any sense?
For all the rest of you, PLEASE read and review!
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Ali clung close to Jack's side when they arrived at El Congo. She felt like a newborn baby, absorbing in all the new sights in shock. All around her was forest and trees—green and beautifully alive—and probably home to cannibals. The Pearl had landed about two minutes ago, and Ali was, truth be told, quite glad. Water rationing aboard the ship wouldn't allow her to take a bath—something she had missed dearly. After their landing the Captain had given out wages for the crew to spend here. He had given Ali extra money set aside for restocking the ship, and warned her that is she used this capital for her own interests, she would suffer severe consequences. Ali had no idea what to spend her own money on, let alone the excess food fund. After this, they had started walking.
Jack spun around in annoyance as Ali stepped on his heels once again. "Alan, lad, I am going to tell ye this One. More. Time," Jack said, irritated. Ali could see the muffled frustration in his eyes. "Yer too close. Please back off." Ali nodded frantically, still feeling out of place, and continued walking at the same distance away from Jack. Ten seconds later she stepped on him again.
"Will you DESIST?"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Ali cried in fear as a very pissed off Captain turned to confront her. "I won't do it again, I'm just…nervous."
Seeing the boy's face, Jack's heart softened. It was a scary thing to be out in a land you didn't know for the first time. "It's alright, Peters. Just…please…try not to do it again."
After about a half an hour of a walk (in which Ali did step on Jack again—each time causing them both to wince), the forest began to thin, and Ali began to relax. There were no hungry savages leaping out at her with spears, after all.
When the trees had literally all disappeared, Ali saw ahead of her a city—not even a town, a city. There were very dirty looking people running around drunkenly, chasing after scantily clad women with a lot of makeup on. Ali couldn't help but laugh inside. No matter where you were, there would always be places like this. Lighting was dim, as it was evening time, and in the shadows of lonely alleys, Ali could see the outlines of men skulking around. She shivered, and double checked for her hat again.
"Ah, we're here at last! Congo!" Jack cried out cheerfully to the line of crewmen behind him. He twisted around to face them. "I want ye all to return to the Pearl by sunset tomorrow night. Don't be late, for our patience is awfully thin, savvy? Now, go out, have fun, get drunk, get yerself a girl, or, in yer case--" He gestured to Anamaria, who was scowling unhappily. "A man. Take what ye can, and give nothin' back!" The crew cheered immensely after this.
While the crew dispersed, Ali remained close behind Jack, moving when he moved, turning when he turned, and stopping when he stopped. At last, exasperated, Jack faced her.
"Can I stay with you tonight?" Ali asked softly, her eyes wide and grey and frightened.
"Are ye a eunuch, lad?" Jack asked in disgust, drawing back, obviously taking her comment the wrong way. "I wouldn't be surprised, because yer master was doubtful as well…" Ali cheered up at this accusation. If she wasn't so scared, she would've laughed outright.
"No, I'm not missing any of my sexual organs," Ali replied truthfully. "What I meant was…could I follow you around this once? Since I'm new…"
The last thing Jack wanted was the scrawny, somewhat annoying child around whilst he…had his fun, but he couldn't refuse those huge scared eyes. Jack remembered when once upon a time he had been that boy, and also recalled how much he appreciated a fatherly figure. "Sure, lad," Jack replied, smiling and revealing golden teeth. "Stick with me—I'll show ye a good time." Ali nodded nervously and continued to tag along with Jack. He led them to a dirty, rowdy, cramped pub, with a rickety wooden sign declaring it "The Rose and Crown" in fancy script.
"Now THIS place," Jack said, gesturing wildly. "Makes the best rum in Congo…and they have the best entertainment, savvy?" He winked at Ali, and she thanked the Lord that she didn't blush easily.
The inside of the tavern was even dirtier than the outside. Constant brawls between drunken men broke out every few seconds, and Ali found it hard to dodge the conflicts. Even harder to avoid were the women—many approached Ali, purring and stroking her arm. She jerked away with disgust each time. Ali was not interested in sleeping with someone of the same sex. Hell, she wasn't interested in sleeping with anyone period!
Jack chuckled at the boy's foolish attempts to fight off the ladies. The girls at the Rose and Crown were persistent, determined, and really quite good. He beckoned Alan over to a table and sat down promptly. Alan joined him shortly, unnerved by the women.
"What would you like to drink, sir?" A blonde waitress said, sauntering up to Jack and sidling around the table. Her dress was really quite low cut, showing off her ample assets, and really short. Jack saw the boy wince as she leaned inwards to hear the reply.
"Rum, please," Jack answered, licking his lips as the woman smiled seductively. "And you, Alan?"
"Oh, just a glass of water," Ali replied nervously. She didn't need any woman coming on to her, and the aggressive waitress was worsening matters.
"A glass of water?" Jack cried, fakely outraged. "At the Rose and Crown? No, no Alan, I won't allow it. The boy wants rum too." The waitress nodded at this bent down further to whisper in Jack's ear.
"Would you like any…company for the night, as well?" She asked huskily. "I, for one, would be glad to comply."
A grin split across Jack's tanned face, showing off his golden teeth. "Yes please, miss…?" He asked.
"Lorelei," She answered, smiling as well.
"Nice to meet ye, Lorelei," Jack replied. "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow." He watched her shocked reaction with pleasure.
"Well, then, Captain Sparrow, I'll be right back with everything you asked for." She left with a wink.
Jack turned to face Alan, who looked positively scared out of his wits. "Oh, come on boy, live a little!" Jack cried, gesturing wildly. "Have some fun! Ye're as dull as that eunuch master of yours."
Soon Lorelei was back with the rums. As Alan watched, horrified, she straddled Jack and started kissing him fiercely all the while. Jack, however, didn't seem to upset by her advances. The rum lay untouched in front of Alan, but Jack gulped down the drink in between the action.
"Jack?" Lorelei gasped, breathless into his ear, stopping her kisses.
"Yes, luv," He murmured, pressing his lips to her neck, watching happily at her reaction.
"Would your friend like any company as well?"
Jack pondered for a while and decided that would be most amusing. "He's achin' for that brunette over yonder," Jack whispered wickedly. "He just doesn't know how to show it."
Lorelei grinned. "We can fix matters…"
Ali watched, even more horrified, as a busty brunette waltzed over to her and started flirting. She tried to show her disinterest, but the prostitute wouldn't give up. In between casual touches that were meant to turn Ali own, the brunette kept repeating: "I know you want me…I know you want me…"
Finally Ali stood up, completely appalled. "Who told you that I wanted you?" She cried.
The whore looked shocked for a second, and then pointed at a laughing Jack Sparrow. Ali could feel her temper rising and glared at him. Seeing her look, he occupied himself with Lorelei's lips. When they broke the kiss, Jack saw a very pissed off Alan Peters standing over him.
"D'ye need something, boy?" Jack asked. "I'm kinda busy here."
"Why did you tell her I wanted company for the night?" Ali hissed, pointing at theprostitute whohadleft Ali to find a more willing victim. Lorelei had enough sense to stop her actions and let the two men talk.
"I thought ye did, lad!" Jack cried innocently. "How was I supposed to know ye didn't? All men want a warm bed and a warm woman, eh? Only a eunuch would turn such a pleasure down. Or are ye a eunuch?"
"I'm NOT a eunuch," Ali said, seething. "I'm just. Not. Interested."
"How come, lad?" Jack asked curiously.
"I'm too…" Ali said, still quite upset. She couldn't think of a reason though—it was true that most men only wanted sex, sex, and more sex. "Young," She finished resolutely.
"Young?" Jack said, grinning. "I thought ye was 26! That's a ripe ol' age, if ye ask me." Jack watched the boy's face contort with anger at being caught in his own lie.
"Never mind!" Ali shouted, barely hearable over another brawl. "Just leave me alone, Jack Sparrow!" And with that she stormed off to get a room for the night.
"Leave ye alone?" Jack shouted after his back. "I thought ye wanted to follow me around!" The boy turned around and shot him a death look. "And it's CAPTAIN!" Jack cried before diverting his attention to the woman on his lap.
Ali lay in her bed, still incredibly pissed off at the smug, obnoxious, overconfident and annoying Jack Sparrow. It bothered her that she was still so mad, for she had just taken a bath—and normally those relaxed her. Ali sighed and ran her hands over her hair, still wet, which was currently let down in gentle damp waves that spread in a fan across the pillow. She hadn't considered how she would get her hair back up after taking it out, but somehow Ali would manage. She'd think about it all in the morning, when she wasn't so pissed off and the damn headache was gone.
A/N: Aren't you glad I posted again so soon? I was proud of myself, lol. And for a reward for me, please review. Please?