COMMENTS ON THE COMMENTS (the place where I acknowledge your input and add my own scariness)
Puck Eroy-Joic thanks! I do so try to be original and I love throwing pple off guard. Uh, what did throw you off? My mind must know!
roberta ) thanks for the comment! Hope I keep up with your standards!
Lady Nicole Potter yeah! I caused tears which is emotion! I stirred emotion! Aww, the greatest thing as an author to hear! Yes, everything is weird but shall soon be explained! Luv the name!
heykyra13 I am officially starting on rewriting your fic "Jim Hawkin's Greatest Adventure" so there! I have written a new chapter for this story. Started a new Harry Potter story and am rewriting my Treasure Planet story (update for any who are reading). I'm on a roll!
Victoria87 wow, guess I'll keep writing if you like it so much! You have given me much inspiration!
American Drama a new fan, I greet you with a savvy grin and a drunken bow with me hat!
Aisha I think you've commented before but I apologize if I haven't commented back to you before! The anticipation is the best part, luv!
Li'l-Red-Bandana luv to keep writing for ye! Savvy little name you got there, lass!
END OF COMMENTS ON THE COMMENTS
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
APOLOGIZING IS HARD FOR A PIRATE
Riley lay down on the bed next to Kat, her eyes barely open. The two girls had collapsed into bed, after changing back into their pajamas, and started to fall asleep. At least, Riley was trying to. Kat was sitting up, her eyes enthralled and stars shining in them.
"And then you should have seen the Commodore's face when he saw Will grab my hand. I think his eyes popped out of his head." She sighed deeply. "Oh Riley, I never though I would ever say this but I'm glad I was chosen to be the guy this time."
"Yeah, ah-uh," Riley twisted on her side, trying to look like she was listening. Her mind was too littered with thoughts of what had happened that night. She just felt like sleeping it all off and hoping it had been a just a bad dream.
"While the Commodore was chasing after you, me and Will took the short-cut. It felt so cool running down those alleys with him, Riley. Our hands just kind of, melted into each other and the moon was shining right over us and," Kat tilted her head and laughed. "I sound like a romance author, don't I?"
"Suuuuurreee."
"Riley, are you asleep?" Kat poked her friend in the side and laughed when one eye opened. "Are you seriously that tired?"
"I don't know, why don't you try poking me again and find out."
"Oh, c'mon!" Kat promptly poked her again when Riley closed her eyes.
"Damnit Kat! Leave me alone!" Riley shoved Kat away and burrowed herself deep in the covers.
"Okay, sorry." Looking down at her friend, Kat began to wonder what was bothering her. Still, not wanting to really piss her friend off any more than she already was, Kat settled down into the bed and tried to fall asleep. "Night, Riley."
Immediately feeling bad, Riley sighed and lifted the covers off her face. She faced her friend with a big pouty lip. With her most serious face, she tried to explain. "I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at myself because," she took a deep breath. "I think I'm going insane."
"Riley, if you're just noticing that you're insane now, what did you think were before? Sane?" Riley made a face and her frown deepened. Regretting what she had said, Kat tried to make amends. "Aww, I didn't mean it that way. I'm just saying … never mind, I wasn't saying anything. I'll just shut up and listen to your rantings, err, problems."
"Well, if you promise not to laugh or make fun of me."
"Promise!"
Riley shifted into a more comfortable position and wondered how to start. Should she tell how she had been having hallucinations and how sometimes she didn't know whether she hated Jack or loved him more? Why the hell not?
"Kat, I've been having these dreams lately. These really weird dreams."
"Is it about the flower you dreamed of and fell in love with and wanted to marry cuz if it is, I can't really help you there," Kat teased. Riley pushed her playfully.
"No," Riley paused and looked up at the cabin room ceiling, finding interest in the woodcarvings. "They're more like hallucinations. Like I'll be just standing and talking to someone and the next minute, I'll be somewhere else doing something entirely different." She turned to Kat. "Do you think I'm on drugs?"
"That's your question?" Kat shrugged. "Well, I'm pretty sure you're not on drugs. I don't think drugs in these days really did anything like that."
"But just tonight, I had this sort of vision of myself. I was this princess or someone really important and I was dancing in this fancy ballroom. And then, there was this really cute guy! I mean like melt-your-heart hot!" Riley sighed, a tiny smile finally appearing. "He was so charming and elegant, Kat. I wish you could have seen him."
"Uh, I know that you think that Jack is all sexy-stuff …"
"I do not!!"
" …but I don't think he's ever been in a ballroom, dancing like some sort of prince." Kat chuckled a bit at the thought of Jack in a tux. "Oh don't sweat it, Ri. I'm sure whatever you're experiencing is normal—"
Riley eyed her. "Me? Normal? I can't even experience normal things."
"Okay, well. Just get over it. It's just a phase of some sort." Kat rolled on her side toward Riley, grinning madly. "You wanna know what Will told me?"
"That he wants to marry you?"
"I wish," Kat pouted for a second. "He told me that he thought I looked good in his clothes."
"I bet he wishes he was in them with you too."
"Riley!"
"What?"
It was two weeks later and the Black Pearl was gliding through the Mediterranean Sea. On account of Kat's love of sweets, the group decided to tour around Spain. It would be awhile before the British army would stop looking for them so they decided there would no better way to pass the time than touring the world.
Will was eager to see new lands, studying their weapons and armory. Jack couldn't wait to attack new fleets and steal more treasure. Kat was ecstatic about going anywhere with Will by her side. Riley was sick … sick of eating nothing but bread and watery soup, that is. She and Kat couldn't wait to go somewhere with fine cuisine, or as fine as you could get in this time and age.
"Wonder what kind of foods they'll have, huh?" Riley was out on the deck, her black hair flying around her head. The wind had been picking up over the days and now you had to shout to be heard. Kat, on the other hand, was having an easier time with her hair. Her long hair was pulled back, twisted into a fine, tight braid. It rested behind her, barely moving in the fast wind. (symbolism)
"Probably a lot of bread. Especially if we go to Italy or Rome. Spaghetti will probably be on the top of the menu, along with fine wines and champagnes." Kat fiddled with the dagger Will had given her. "I'm just anxious to walk around down there. Imagine, we're seeing history in the making," excitedly, Kat gestured to the shoreline where hundreds of people were living and working. "I mean, how many people get this kind of chance?"
"Technically, every day is history in the making so everyone is really seeing it happen." Riley smiled, knowing that she was saying something brilliant. Which, usually was unusual. "It just happens so slowly that to us, making history is in the past."
"Has anyone ever told you that sometimes you make perfect sense and no sense at the time?"
"You did yesterday when I was trying to explain the importance of jellybeans."
"Just wanted to make sure." Kat turned around and watched as Will and Jack came over. A plan had been made the night before about how they were going to approach the Spanish coast. They were merely going to act as themselves, enjoying all that they could afford. After all, what's the point of stealing all that gold if you can't spend it?
"Lasses, tis time to don the fancies and boast of our trade." Jack bellowed, showing off his new coat. It was fine black leather, very near to the one he had on earlier but much cleaner.
"The only fancy thing we have is our PJ's and I doubt anyone in this time will appreciate our creativity." Riley pointed out, knowing that the only real clothes that she had was the dress she had worn when they had foiled the Commodore. "And I'm not about to wear those old dresses."
"Then, we shall buy you better clothes, right Jack?" Will glared at his captain friend, knowing that Jack would just make them wear the dresses.
"Eh? Right, right. Better clothes."
"Nice clothes?" Will asked, catching Kat's eyes. "Something that would be more suitable?"
"Right," Jack said slowly, not liking where this was going.
"Then its settled. We'll go into town and buy the girls new dresses in Barcelona." Will smiled as Jack shrugged, helpless to say no. He turned to Kat and took her hand. "Come, you can tell me about what you know of Spain while we wait for Jack to dock the Pearl."
"Well, first you have to have their spaghetti. Where I come from, its one of the most famous dishes and the most tasty." Kat tried to keep her voice from rising in excitement as Will led her to the other end of the ship. "And you have to go inside the Gothic Quarter. I heard it was built in the Middle Ages and that it is Barcelona's Art Nouveau architecture that enhances the city's uniqueness."
Riley fidgeted with her hair, really not wanting to talk to Jack. She watched as he came over and leaned against the railing. Great, he was probably going to say something about that night. Damnit! Why did she have to be the one with the weird hallucinations.
"Ye've been avoiding me, Kitten," His eyes, dark with question, roamed over to her face. An urge to move the hair out of her eyes and touch her cheek consumed him. It was unfair that he, Captain Jack Sparrow, had so much to offer and yet, was not being accepted.
"Have I? What gave you that idea?" Her voice shook and her efforts in hiding it were failing. I can't believe he's this close! Oh no, what if I have another one of those visions? Quick, keep control! His hand crept closer to her, sliding down the wood towards her.
"Just that ever since that night in the alley, you haven't been talkin' to me much, luv." He smiled, his finger tugging on her hair playfully. "Me hair is getting' tangled a bit."
"Is that all?" Riley turned her head to face him, glaring. "I'm you hairdresser?"
"No one else can make me shine like you can, Kitten." Jack thought that line was rather clever, not to mention very sweet and charming. He'd have to use that one again.
"Sure, make you shine so that all the girls can fall in love with you." Riley crossed her arms and faced away from him. She could feel an old spat coming up and for the life of her, she couldn't understand why she was even bringing it up. Then again, she'd fight about anything as long as they didn't have to talk about that one dance in the alley.
"Yer not listenin', luv." Jack knew that a fight was brewing and he for one was not going to stand for another day of isolation. He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him. "Listen to what I have to say and maybe you'll understand."
"Yeah, understand why you have to have so many girls around you." Riley tried to stop from shouting but her anger was too much for her to keep quiet. "Understand this need you have to always be flirting with every girl? Understand that I'm just a girl on the side, no, I'm not even on the side!" Riley took his hair in her hand and yanked it. "I'm your fucking hairdresser! You know what, make an appointment next time you want to talk, Sparrow!"
"Now, that's not fair," He was beginning to get aggravated. How thick-skulled can one girl be? Another urge to take her by both arms and shake her as hard as he could swelled in his brain. That actually didn't sound like a bad idea! Just as she was about to wrench herself from his grasp, he took her by the arms and held her there in front of him.
"Let GO of me, Sparrow!! Right NOW!"
"Not until you listen to what I've got to say, me bonny lass!" the last part was dripping in sarcasm and Jack knew it would catch her attention. Her body went rigid and then loosened. Jack saw the anger leak from her eyes as she looked up at him. Alright, now say what ye've got to say and then be done with it. The sooner I can get this out, the sooner I can get to other things.
His mouth opened but he couldn't think of what to say. Where was that damn cleverness of his? He seriously hoped that it hadn't left him because this was the worst time for a desertion. He closed his mouth and tried again. He inhaled, the air stuck in his throat. This wasn't as easy as Will had made it out to be.
A thousand phrases and a million words overflowed his mind but could not put even letters together to say one word. What was wrong with him? Damn women! They made all this apologizing nonsense so … so …
"Difficult!" Jack finally sputtered. That one word relieved him. He bowed his head and hoped for a more, eh, enchanting word. When he looked up, the look on Riley's face was far from hope-filling.
"That's it? This is what you've been waiting to tell me?" Her face fell into confusion. "I think I'd rather go listen to Kat's conversation about how she's in love with Treasure Planet." She began to turn away when Jack held her tighter.
"Why in bloody hell are you so stubborn?!" Jack hissed, letting his own anger show through.
"Why can't you just say what's on your mind? You're always free with criticism and flirtation. Just pretend I'm one of your whores or something."
"You are not one of my whores, luv." He smiled, chuckling a bit at the tempting idea."You're a bit young for that kind of thing." As soon as the words had left his lips, Jack instantly regretted having ever opened his mouth. Wide eyes looked up at him with some kind of realization. Her lips trembled and she began to walk away. He opened his mouth to apologize when he realized that apologizing had been the problem before. Damn that whole apologizing business to hell! "That's not what I meant to say, lass." He tried to tell her.
She didn't even bother to look back at him or answer back with a crude remark. Shoulders hunched, Riley made her way into the cabin and shut the door quietly. Jack wished she had slapped him, stomped off and slammed the door or better yet, thrown him overboard. Anything would have been better than that sad face of hers.
"Ahh, Kitten. What am I going to do about you?" Jack whispered. Thinking about what he was going to say, he started walking over to the door. "I am happy to report that I am regretting my actions. No, too long." He scratched the back of his head, wishing that the walk to her room was longer. "Apology is a form of affection that I wish to share with you, drat, no. That's too stupid. Clever, think clever."
Looking at the door in front of him, he stopped. He shouldn't bother her. She was probably too mad at him and probably wouldn't even open the door! No, he should practice his apology to perfection before he said anything to her again. Sighing, he turned around and went up to the bow, watching the shoreline of Barcelona drift closer and closer.
Jack's head tilted to the side as he watched hundreds of torches light up the streets of the small city. There must be a festival of some sorts. People were coming out as the sun was setting. It would be a good idea to patch things up with Riley before they docked but a better idea was hatching.
With a sneaky smile, Jack began practicing his I'm-sorry speech. Apparently, there were many ways to apologize and Jack had to have the perfect one. This was the last time he wanted to screw anything up. Maybe, he would be able to actually have his Kitten tamed enough to give him a …
Jack shook his head, laughing. Looking back up to the city, he decided to take one task at a time.
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
sorry, I had to put this in. ever since I had ms.plummer in English for Senior year, I've been putting all these literary terms into my stories. One of my main ones are symbolism. Anyhow, that sentence symbolizes Kat's strong character. How even in the toughest of battles or arguments, she's steadfast and sticks to what she believes in. If you wanna try to find any other kind of symbolism, have fun and let me know if you find any.
Okay, so now that I have another chapter up so quickly, you won't mind if I take a candy break? Oh, and a potty break! I haven't eaten all morning and it's already 3!! What? I can't? Well, I don't care if you wanna know what Jack is planning! I need to piss! Hey … what's that mallet for … okay! I'll write more! (grumbles) slave-drivers!!