Chapter 14 – The Sea
"I'm glad ye decided t' leave the lass," Stench spoke up beside Jack. He was at the helm staring out across the water. He didn't even acknowledge the other man's presence. Stench assessed Jack quietly then whispered. "Yer in love with her ain't ye?"
Jack's eyes narrowed as he turned to glare at Stench. "I would imagine, Mr. Stench that there is something to be done on this ship that requires your attention," Jack growled coldly.
Stench lowered his eyes begging Jack's pardon then hurried away. Jack took a deep breath trying to alleviate his heartache. He would never be the same, he realized. He was in love with a woman he would never have. He could only hope that she hated him now for leaving her and would never feel the way he was feeling. He wouldn't wish such pain on his greatest enemy.
Even his ship was not comforting him. He longed to be done with this escapade and settled into his loveless marriage. Then he could try and forget Cole and start over. Damn! What had he done to deserve such misery?
************************************************************************
Cole did not taste the food as she ate. She was extremely irritated by the attention of the commodore. He did not take his eyes off her whenever they were near one another. Cole put the soupspoon down and wiped her lips. "Would you excuse me Commodore, Will, Elizabeth? I have a headache, and I think I'm going to go lie down," Cole stated.
"Are you alright my dear?" Norrington asked worriedly.
"I'll be fine," she answered then exited the dining room. Cole grasped the beads around her neck, breathing raggedly. She bit her lip to keep from crying as she stroked the necklace. "Oh Jack," she moaned softly. "You have gotten the better of me in a way you wouldn't have expected."
The moon was bright and the sky clear. There was a light breeze that caressed her face and rustled her skirts. "I never believed such a love existed," she confessed to herself. "I didn't ask for this!" she exclaimed, covering her face with her hands. If Jack truly believed that just by leaving her it was over between them, he was sadly mistaken.
************************************************************************
The Black Pearl reached Tortuga two and a half days after leaving Port Royal. It was early afternoon as the crew made their way to the Faithful Bride Tavern. Jack followed behind slowly, and no one questioned it as they'd seen their captain's short temper displayed many times in the past few days. Gibbs was worried when Jack passed right by his usual whores without so much of a glance in their direction. When they took seats inside the tavern, Jack refused the rum he was offered. Gibbs decided it was time to have a chat with the captain.
He pulled Jack up out of his chair and dragged him to the back room. "Unhand me!" the captain demanded, lividly. He reached for his sword.
"Jack! Would ye look at yerself?" Gibbs insisted. "I want to know what bug's up yer arse because I won't have the crew take any more of yer abuse!" Gibbs squeezed Jack's shoulder painfully.
"I don't want to bloody talk about it, and I want everyone to leave me alone!" Jack growled shoving Gibbs away from him and stalking out of the tavern. As he walked down the dirt path, he heard running feet behind him.
"Sparrow!"
"Ana?" Jack grunted at the barmaid. She was a former crewmember of the Black Pearl.
"What's your problem?"
"Nothing Ana. I'm not in the mood to talk right now. I'll catch up with you tomorrow," he assured her and continued on his walk.
Ana just stared after him amazed in his change of personality. It made her glad she was no longer apart of the Black Pearl's crew.
Jack wandered about the island, slashing at plant life with his sword. He muttered curses at himself and thought about what he'd done. He climbed a gnarled tree and straddled a thick branch leaning back against the trunk. He pulled his pistol from his waist and stared at it. He wasn't even sure why he still had it. It had been two years since he'd fired the gun, and it hadn't been loaded since. Something told him he might want to pick up some shot. The pistol would be needed once more.
***********************************************************************
Will shook Cole's shoulder gently until she awoke. She gazed at him through sleep-hazed eyes, confused for a moment as to where she was. Realization struck her and she lunged into a sitting position. "Will?" she whispered, worried.
"I didn't mean to scare you love. We're nearly there, and I'm sure you'd like to prepare for whatever it is you plan on doing," he suggested helpfully. A dimple dented his cheek as he smiled secretively.
"What is it that the commodore and his crew plan on doing?" she wondered.
"They're just here to keep an eye on the Pearl. The commodore would love nothing more than to prove that Jack is up to no good. You better be careful. Should he find out your true relationship to our beloved captain, it might lead to Jack's undoing," Will patted Cole's shoulder.
"Don't you worry yourself Mr. Turner. The commodore won't suspect a thing," Cole assured him. "Unless of course Jack doesn't have the proper explanation for what he's done. Then perhaps I'll let Norrington have a go at him."
Will's dimple deepened as his smile spread. "Oh I do like you Cole. You will be very good for Jack."
"He may not agree with you once I'm through with that scoundrel."
**********************************************************************
They Interceptor reached Tortuga around 3 o'clock in the morning. The Black Pearl was there looking lonely as it sat on the water unattended. The crew would stay on the Interceptor throughout the night in case the Pearl tried to leave. With Elizabeth in bed, regretful that she'd be unable to partake in the morning's adventure due to a headache, Will and Cole crept from the ship. Since the plank was not there for assistance, they had to wade through the water in order to get ashore.
Cole still wore Jack's necklace and Elizabeth's dress and carried Will's sword. Her feet were bare as she scrambled after Will. She was shocked at how awake he town was at such an hour. There were scantily clad people everywhere and it seemed as though they were all drunk. Will and Cole crept through the less crowded areas of town, and still a man groped at Cole's skirts when they passed by his slumped form. On reflex, she raised her sword then immediately lowered it to her side realizing she was in no real danger. Will didn't say anything but took Cole's hand to keep her closer to him.
"It's Joel!" Cole gasped. A pirate who was consumed by raucous laughter was headed toward them, a woman on his arm. Without thinking it completely through, Will shoved Cole up against the wall of a building on their right and pressed against her. He buried his face in the crook of her neck on the pretense of kissing her, while in actuality covering his face and blocking Cole's all at the same time.
Cole held her breath trying not to utter a sound that might attract attention. She was also willing her body not to respond to Will's closeness. It was having a dizzy affect on her, which had guilt washing over her. Images of him ravishing her against the wall had her body tingling and her groin burning with need. Will's image twisted however, changing into a more seasoned pirate with gold teeth and a braided beard. This had her sighing with relief, but she was still disturbed by her body's reaction to Will's touch.
Will murmured soothing words against her neck as Joel continued to pass them. The sensation of his warm breath on her throat had her breasts tingling, and she struggled against him. Will's lips were suddenly at her ear. "What is it?"
Cole moaned and began sliding down the wall, her eyes squeezed shut. Will grasped her about the waist before she fell. It appeared the coast was clear, so Will pulled Cole away from the wall. "I'm fine," she lied breathing hard. "I just don't like uh tight spaces."
"I'm sorry. I didn't want anyone to foil your plan by discovering us," he explained. She couldn't see it in the dark, but Will was blushing as he explained his actions. His breeches were tighter than they should be. Thinking of his sleeping pregnant wife, he was ashamed of his unchaste visions of Cole. He immediately released his hold on Cole. "Are you alright to keep going?" Will asked.
"Yes, please, let's keep going," Cole requested taking a deep breath.
Once they reached the Faithful Bride Tavern, Will looked up to the second floor. "That is Jack's special room," he pointed. He laced his fingers together creating a step for Cole. She smiled at him gratefully then on impulse gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you Will Turner. I will see you in the morrow," she said quietly.
"You come back to the ship if anything goes wrong, you understand?"
"Yes, father. I'll be fine," she promised unable to resist teasing him. With that, she stepped into his hands and reached out to grasp the sill of the window above them. She pulled herself up until she was quite steady on the sill. The window was open and after offering Will one more wicked smile, she crept inside.