CHAPTER 26: Dangerously Close, Yet So Devastatingly Far…

It was nearing sunset now, almost 5 hours since Jack had first entered the "Singapore Sunset" opium den with Sarah and Laurie. The two women had left Jack nearly an hour before that, and left Jack by his lonesome on a bed with the servants, opium, and of course… rum. Jack's eyes opened slowly as he let the smoke slowly escape his mouth. He was out of it, and could barely make out the decorations of the den.

The den was quite full that night. Sailors from all over were lounging on the beds, normal everyday men and a few courageous women, and even some men from higher society lounged without shame, basking in the ambiance of the den. There were many rugs and single-body beds everywhere. There were servants working in the den (mostly women scantily clad), and many people either asleep, or laughing softly. There were a few naked women in the centre of the room, who the dazed and confused men would gawk at once they got their high.

"Senor…", Jack heard from a far away distance. "Senor Sparrow, sir…", Jack heard once more. He furrowed his brows in confusion and began to think of something other than reality. "God? Is that ye talkin'? I didn't know ye spoke Spanish…", Jack said with his eyes closed. The man who was originally speaking, rolled his eyes annoyed, and then went to an extreme, pouring a bucket of cold water on Jack's face. Jack shot up quickly, and began breathing hard from the shock.

"Are ye crazy? Nearly killed me", Jack said overreacting, making the two servants who were tending to him, and the man who was trying to get his attention, roll their eyes in unison. "Senor Sparrow", the man said once more. Jack looked at him with acknowledgement, and he continued. "You have used your money's worth of opium sir", he said. Jack made an annoyed face and began checking his pockets for extra coins. He found none, realising it was all on the 'Revenge', and made a face. "I'm sorry senor…", that man said. Jack said nothing else, but put on his hat and coat, and got off the bed, mumbling under his breath.

Jack had much trouble focusing on his way through the den leading to the outdoors. Once outside, he had to wait a few moments before his vision adjusted and his balance stabled. "Bloody git, tellin' me…", and that was where Jack trailed off and began mumbling his way into town. He rambled on about ships, prostitutes, and a dog he once owned while growing up… it made no sense whatsoever.

Jack was headed in the direction of the main city, Havana, less than 5 minutes away from where he was. He would probably try to find a crew member to pay for a few drinks in one of the taverns, and then most likely go back to the ship and sleep depressed and crestfallen once more.

oooooooooo

Phoenix was in her room being helped into a beige and gold-trimmed gown, quite fancy, and more than appropriate for a dinner party of any sort. Victoria had told her that Alex had most likely wanted to show her off, as an item hanging off his arm, and as an obedient slave. Phoenix wanted to spit at the idea, but decided to go along with it so she wouldn't have to endure any more harm from Alex.

Just as Victoria finished doing Phoenix's hair and make-up, they heard Jean, one of the bodyguards, call for Phoenix to get into the coach. Phoenix sight heavily, not wanting to go, wanting to go home. "You'll do fine dear. Just remember, do everything the Monsieur asks you to do, alright?", Phoenix nodded sullenly and got off of the stool she was sitting on.

She looked rather gorgeous. Her dress showed an ample amount of cleavage (an amount Jack would be proud of), it was cut and hung around her shoulders instead of having straps, and her hair was done beautifully. Her dreadlocks were tied up into her trademark ponytail, where random dreadlocks strayed into her face, accenting her eyes. Victoria made her make-up fit for a queen, and gave her encouraging words.

Phoenix walked out of her room slowly, walked down the hall, and then proceeded down the stairs to the main foyer. She walked slowly down the steps (never having much practice in heels and stairs), and slowly exited the front door when she reached the bottom. Alex was waiting beside the coach talking to the driver, his back to Phoenix. When he caught sight of the driver not paying attention to his words, and rather something behind him, he looked around curiously.

"Jesus", Alex breathed. He could feel himself grow instantly hard in his trousers, and wanting nothing more than to make Phoenix his that night. He wouldn't stop until he had her, no chance in hell. "Are ye always this articulate?", Phoenix said sardonically as she approached the coach, and got in without asking for aid from the two men. "Go on George then, take us", Alex said to the driver, and quickly got in the coach sitting in the seat opposite Phoenix.

The coach was on its way, and the two sitting in the coach could feel the horses pull out of the walkway. Alex stared at Phoenix nearly 10 full minutes until Phoenix finally objected. "Will ye stop that?", Phoenix said annoyed. It was nice when a man thought you were beautiful, but it was quite aggravating when they continued to pawn over your face like a historian pouring over an old book.

Alex gave a smirk to Phoenix's words and nodded, finally looking away. All he could think about was ways to take her and have his filthy way with her… nothing more. "You look even more beautiful than usual darling", Alex said hoarsely, as if he was ready to jump on his prey. "And ye look like that same old git", Phoenix thought rudely to herself. She put on a fake smile and thanked Alex for his compliment.

"May I ask ye a question?", Phoenix asked Alex quite politely enough for him to nod his head in agreement. "Where exactly is this house we're 'eading to?", Phoenix asked, making Alex give a slight smirk. "Well, my home is approximately 20 minutes from Havana, and Havana is about 5 minutes away from my friend's home", Alex paused and looked out the window, "He owns many taverns and such, so he resides around his businesses", Alex finished. Phoenix nodded and sighed.

She suddenly felt a hand on her knee and looked at him coldly in the eyes. Alex said nothing but began to trail his hand up her skirts, reaching her mid-thigh. "Open your legs darling", Alex said seductively; Phoenix did nothing. Alex then switched seats and sat beside Phoenix, his hand remaining on her thigh. He gently moved his hand higher on her leg until it was pulled away fiercely by Phoenix's hand.

Phoenix said nothing, but stared at Alex. "Do you think that's a wise decision?", Alex threatened Phoenix. She did nothing but look him in the eyes as he tried to intimidate her. "You'll regret that action when you get home tonight", Alex said coldly, switching seats, and not talking to Phoenix the rest of the ride.

oooooooooo

As Jack walked along the dingy streets, and through the back alleys, he had to try hard to hold his balance. "A pirate's life is a wonderful life", Jack said merrily to himself before he stumbled to the ground. "Stupid piece of---", he mumbled as he got up and regained his balance on a wall of a building. He was about to step out into the street, until a carriage passed him dreadfully fast. He stared at it for a moment, then realized it was stopping nearly 20 feet away from him.

Jack decided to go on his way, until he saw someone out of the corner of his eye come out of the coach. It was a man dressed in a top-notch suit, who looked strikingly similar to Jack himself. Jack recognized the man. He worked for the East India trading company. Jack knew his as the man who told Cutler Becket to brand him. Jack felt his scar twinge and he held his arm with his hand.

Suddenly, the man held out his arm for someone to come out of the carriage, and to that, Jack's breath got caught in his throat, and his body froze. The woman, it was, well… she looked exactly like, Phoenix. It couldn't be her? She was dead, wasn't she? Jack couldn't fathom her presence, but she looked exactly like Phoenix in every way. Suddenly, her saw the ring on her finger; it was their wedding ring.

As Alex and Phoenix walked up the steps into a large manor, Jack tried his best to run to them, but was still dazed over from his time in the opium den, and tripped nearly 2 steps after he'd moved. "Phoenix!", he said drunkenly, which came out quite slurred. Jack saw the door close behind the two people, and watched the carriage slowly pull away from the manor.

He saw her, he knew he did… didn't he? He was sure it wasn't the drugs talking. He needed to get help to get Phoenix away from that man, and needed help to get Phoenix away from the house. He couldn't do it by himself in his state, and was desperate. Jack slowly got up from the ground, and tried to stabilize himself on the wall beside him. He stared at the closed doors of the manor for a few moments, before trying his best to run to his ship and round up a few members of his crew.

oooooooooo

Nearly half an hour later, Jack finally stumbled towards his ship, shouting near the top of his lungs to get someone to answer him. He climbed up the gangplank unsteadily and got on deck where he met a confused Jacobs, Gibbs, Elizabeth, Will, Laurie, and Sarah, all playing cards. Jack went over to the quickly.

"I saw 'er!", Jack shouted the best he could. "Saw who?", Sarah asked lazily as she put down a few cards. "Phoenix! Isaw 'er! She's 'ere! Not dead! She---", he was interrupted by Elizabeth who put her hand on his shoulder. "Jack, it's alright to feel that way, but you need to realize she'---", she was interrupted in return by Jack, "SHE'S 'ERE! I'M TELLIN' YE!", he shouted.

"Did ye ever stop to think it was probably the opium talkin' Sparrow?", Laurie asked nonchalantly as she placed cards down on the deck. To that, Jack opened his mouth and closed it, knowing he couldn't convince the others he saw her with his own two eyes. "I swear I saw 'er", Jack said softly, his eyes filling with tears, as the people around him thought he was merely hallucinating.

"Come on Jack, let's get ye to bed then eh?", Jacobs said as he gently ushered his friend into the captain's cabin. As they entered the cabin, Jacobs went over to the side of the room and got a basin filled with water for Jack's face. "Ye believe me, don't ye Jacobs?", Jack said to Jacobs hopefully as he sat down slowly on his bed. Jacobs gave a weary smile and nodded as he set down the basin in front of Jack. "It'll be okay old man", Jacobs said quietly as he left the cabin, leaving Jack alone.

"Poor bloke's in denial", Jacobs uttered to himself as he went across the deck, and over to the others who continued playing cards, and telling stories.

Jack laid on the bed in his cabin on his stomach while his face was subdued in the water of the basin. He kept his head in the water for a couple of minutes before taking it out, and clearing his mind. If nobody believed him, then he would go and get her himself. A few minutes later once Jack could stabilize his stance, and think and speak more clearly, he changed some of his clothing to look more up-kept, and dressed himself with his many weapons. He heard a knock on the door shortly after he'd dressed, and told them to enter… it was the Turner's.

"Jack, what are you doing?", Will asked confused as to why jack was getting dressed with weapons. "I told ye I saw Phoenix", Jack began calmly, "And I plan on bringin' 'er back", he finished, making Will and Elizabeth look at each other and share their confusion. "Jack.. Phoenix is--", Will was cut off by Jack, "Alive and well, and she's attendin' some party tonight with some bloke who sanctioned me to be branded a pirate some years ago. I'm tellin' ye… I know me own wife when I see 'er", he finished, walking up to his two friends.

"Now, I 'ave a plan, but and even better one if yer willin' to 'elp me", Jack suggested. Will and Elizabeth shared a look, and both decided it would be best to at least humour Jack and attempt to help him. Jack gave them a appreciative smile and began his plan. "Now… what I need ye two to do is…"