Disclaimer: I do not own POTC or any of its characters. I only claim the characters and story I create amongst these chapters.
Please read and review.
Thanks!
Tinkerbellxo
A/N: Near the end of the chapter you'll see a lot of "+++" and the scenes jumping back and forth rather quickly. Just picture Jack and Ibini in a split screen or flashing back and forth between them and I think you'll understand the hilarity of the situation. I hope.
Chapter Twenty Nine
Parlez Vous Français?
The next morning, despite the copious amount of alcohol that had been consumed the previous evening, everyone was in great spirits and readying the ship to dock later in the day. Everyone that is, except Jack. The sun was already high in the sky and he had yet to emerge from his cave of a cabin. Gibbs had tried earlier to roust him from his hiding place but to no avail. Land had been spotted a two hour distance away, however with no real wind to speak of the crew knew they were in for a much longer haul. But alas, they didn't let this dampen their spirits.
The plan was set. Jack, Gibbs and a few of their best and most trust-worthy men would parlay their way onto Vane's ship. Once aboard, they would negotiate the amount The Pearl would receive from their efforts in the successful capture of the King's illegitimate son. Although an agreement had been settled upon prior to the heist, Jack knew that his rash move to take off and go after Ibini would change their pact. He would no longer get the amount agreed upon, however he hoped to get as close to it as possible. The men left behind on the ship would be on guard for the monetary exchange and after the transaction was completed they were to bring The Pearl into port. Newer crew members as well as two or three of Jack's closest friends had been assigned to stay behind and protect the ship should it come under attack. The rest would be free to descend upon Tortuga and enjoy the pleasures it surely promised. Yes, it was going to be a profitable and enjoyable day for everyone aboard The Pearl.
Everyone except Ibini who was currently assisting Cotton with scrubbing the side rails of the ship down; although that was not where her mind was. As she rubbed back and forth with the sooty rag, she stared absent-mindedly along the horizon. As they drew closer to the shore of Tortuga she wondered what part she would play in this plan. When Gibbs had given the orders from Jack he had said that Elizabeth was to remain behind and to hide if anything were to go wrong. There had been no mention of where Ibini stood and when she had approached Gibbs after the gathering he had apologized.
"The Captain said nothing about you, lass. You might want to ask him yourself," he then walked away, giving her a sympathetic look.
Of course she would do nothing of the sort. The last thing she wanted to do was ask Jack anything. So she decided that remaining in the dark was the best option. She was sure that eventually she would be told exactly what to do and she waited anxiously for that time to come. She was never one to just sit back and watch the action; she wanted to be involved even if it meant staying behind to protect Elizabeth.
She was broken from her trance-like state when she heard a door slam loudly behind her. She looked over to where the racket had come from and saw Jack standing tall but not looking like his dashing self. He was tired, she could tell by the bags under his eyes. But he refused to let the crew see his weakness so he puffed out his chest as far as it would go and walked to the main mast where he consulted Gibbs on their progress. Ibini turned back to her task and was shocked to see how close the island was now. How long had she been rubbing the same spot? Probably an hour, maybe more, and she wondered why Cotton hadn't said anything to her.
It was because he had finished up the job she realized looking at the gleaming rails around the ship. How could she have missed that? She shook her head. She needed to focus, she needed to stay together. She needed to keep her wits about her and not let Jack's infuriating behavior get to her. Of course, that was easier said than done but she was resolute to try her best not to let her mind drift off again.
She dumped the bucket of dirty water over board and stowed the cloth with the rest of the washing supplies. She went into the cabin she shared with Elizabeth and washed her dirty face in the basin on the small dresser by her bed. She pulled her hair from its braid, combed it and twisted it up in a tight bun. It was a rather hot day out and it felt good to get the hair off of her neck. When she felt the familiar lurch of the deck, signaling the anchor had been let down, she decided it was time to find out what Jack had in mind for her on this particular part of the voyage. She left the room, head held high, and walked straight over to the helm. Jack was at the wheel, a tight frown on his face. He was anxious, embarrassed and feeling like a fool. If he hadn't have gone after Ibini he wouldn't have to be here now, returning to Tortuga to renegotiate something that was supposed to be over and done with. He was a prize idiot and in following what he thought was the right thing to do, he had let his crew down. They refused to let their captain see their disappointment but he knew it was there. They were a good crew, the best in fact, and he owed this to them.
Besides, a night in Tortuga with some lovely maiden might do me some good, he then copped a smug smile but it faded quickly.
Make me forget all about that vixen, he lied to himself.
Of course said vixen appeared just then, hands on her hips and looking ready to kill. But he was surprised that when she spoke, her voice was calm and business-like.
"Captain Sparrow, what are my orders during this operation?"
He sized her up, not sure if she was mocking him or not. When he saw she was dead serious, he relaxed his posture just a bit.
"You are to remain on this ship until we arrive at your village," he replied looking her straight in the eye.
She started to leave but another question burned in the front of her mind and she had to know the answer.
With her back turned she asked, "And what will you do after you finish your business with Vane?"
She was almost positive she knew what his reply would be but she had to hear it for her own sanity.
"I will remain on Tortuga until I decide it's time to set sail. I have as much right as the rest of my men to enjoy what this pirate haven has to offer."
She turned around and gave him an impersonal nod, "Of course, Captain."
She turned on her heels and walked away.
He almost went after her, to apologize for what he said and did, to beg her forgiveness but he refused. Soon she would be off his ship and out of his life. This was no time to get attached. Ibini wasn't even upset with his reply for she felt the same way. Soon they would be oceans apart and though she wished this wasn't the case, she knew she must accept it. And the sooner she got used to the idea, the better.
She helped the crew launch one of the landing boats. Mr. Gibbs, Young Brown, Marty, Pintel and Ragetti climbed aboard and Jack was the last one to follow. He looked at her, their eyes made contact for a brief second, but he turned away quickly and jumped down to the boat. She watched the long journey as they rowed to shore. When she saw they had gotten to the beach and had tied up the boat, she went back to the cabin. Elizabeth was sitting inside, reading a book she had found in the hold amongst the other riches the crew had obtained over the past few months.
"So you're stuck here too are you?" she said looking up at Ibini.
"Yup," she exhaled loudly as she collapsed onto her cot, "he'd rather leave me behind than take along the one person that can't be killed."
"I was the Pirate King and he's left me behind because I'm pregnant and according to Jack, 'Pregnant women should never be sent on negotiation missions. They are too temperamental,'" Ibini laughed at Elizabeth's dead on impersonation of the rogue captain.
"That's Jack for you," Ibini replied.
"Although," Liz began, "he must really have feelings for you because usually he'd just use anything that would give him the advantage. And having an immortal along would definitely give him the upper hand."
"There are no feelings in his heart for me. Jack Sparrow doesn't know how to feel anything for anyone other than himself."
Elizabeth gave Ibini a knowing smile and if the woman hadn't been pregnant, Ibini would have loved to slap it from her face. But she couldn't let her emotions take over like that. It wasn't Elizabeth's fault that Ibini had fallen for a man who was ego-centric and incapable of feeling anything towards another human being. Elizabeth had known Jack for longer, but she had never been as intimate with him as Ibini had. Or had she?
"Elizabeth?"
"Hm?" she replied.
"How well do you know Jack?"
Elizabeth let out a quick trill of a laugh, "how well does anyone know Jack?"
"I think you know what I mean Lizzie," Ibini said seriously.
"Ah, you mean do I know him in the biblical sense?"
Since Ibini's village had their own beliefs and did not refer to anything involved with the white man's god, this was a new term for her but she immediately recognized its meaning and nodded.
"No, Jack and I never had relations."
Ibini was relieved.
"And you never wanted to?"
"I'm not going to lie. The idea of being a dashing and infamous pirate's mistress was somewhat appealing to me at one point of my life. But that wasn't me. Jack is a good man. But Will is who I love, who I've always loved and will always love," she paused, "thanks to you."
Liz held out her hand and Ibini took hold of it. It was a gesture of friendship, and Ibini knew she would miss Liz when she was off on her adventures with the captain of The Dutchman. Maybe, since soon Liz would be immortal, she'd come and visit Ibini. It gave her hope that this exciting journey was not all for nothing. Maybe she had gained a friend.
"I'm going out on deck, get some fresh air. But don't go brooding over Jack," she laughed, "he's not that handsome. And if you haven't noticed, he doesn't bathe as much as he should."
Ibini nodded and smiled. Letting go of Lizzie's hand, she watched her walk out the door and close it behind her. Exhaustion washed over Ibini and she laid back on her cot. She had been up all night after her encounter with Jack and she had worked hard all morning. She deserved some rest and she finally felt like sleep would come to her. The last thing she thought of was the look on Jack's face when he told her he would stay on Tortuga until the time to set sail had come. She then shut everything from her mind and slowly slipped into dreamland.
Jack stood aboard Vane's deck. He walked heavily towards the captain's cabin, flanked by Gibbs and Young Brown. Marty, Pintel and Ragetti trailed them. He entered the elaborately decorated room and was greeted by a sly looking Charles Vane.
"Sparrow, back so soon?" he quipped.
"Charles!" Jack's arms flew out in a dramatic gesture.
"Where's that native beauty you had on your arm a few weeks ago?"
"You think I'd bring her over here?" his tone was light but he meant what he said, "you'd take the maidenhead off a nun if one stepped aboard this boat."
"Like you haven't had a taste of the exotic yet," Vane's laughed filled the room.
"Actually no, I haven't," he replied and both Gibbs and Young Brown turned to look at him.
They had heard their captain's activities a few nights ago and found it hard to believe that he and the young woman had merely had a fight. They knew something was going on between them and were shocked that Jack would protect her reputation and honor.
"You mean you haven't taken advantage of such a rich, hmmm, treasure?" Vane's smile grew even wider and Jack could see the few teeth that still remained in the older man's mouth.
"Unlike some people, I respect a woman's virtue. The virgins I claim always come to me willingly, and then they usually come back for more," Jack replied cautiously. He came here to negotiate and the last thing he needed was to insult the man who basically held his future in his hands.
"Well Jack, why did you come back? You were in a right hurry to take off a few weeks ago."
"I'm back to collect what's owed to me," he replied simply.
"Oh really? Well if I remember correctly part of our deal was that you would help us with the exchange of the bastard and you weren't even here to craft the ransom note."
"Well I'm back now and if you remember correctly I did help plan and orchestrate the ambush that ended in the kidnapping of said bastard. I believe that to be worth something," Jack replied, not missing a beat.
Vane sat in his chair scratching his scraggly beard, a pensive look on his face. Suddenly he sat forward, his moves were too swift for a man of his age and it put Gibbs and Young Brown on their guard.
"Here's the deal. I sent off the ransom note to the governor of Port Royal but he claims not to know of Charles Beauclerk's existence. We have no idea who his mother is and it would take too bloody long to get a note to the King."
"So why not talk to the whelp and find out from him who you should send the letter to?" Jack took a seat across the desk from Vane. He now knew the older man needed him and he had regained some of his power. He enjoyed the feeling.
"The problem is the whelp doesn't speak English. He only speaks French and no one aboard my crew speaks French. Never bring a Frenchman aboard, they cannot be trusted."
Gibbs nodded as if to say, "Amen."
"And no one in Tortuga speaks French?"
"I've approached a few people I know, but no one is willing to help without trying to swindle me out of a sizable cut of the profits . . . and I don't like sharing," he grabbed a bottle of rum from one of his drawers, took a swig and passed it over to Jack who accepted it gladly, "it's enough that I let you in on this."
"And how do I play into this?"
"We need someone who can talk to him, persuade him to give us a name."
Jack sat there quietly for a moment when a thought struck him, "I might know someone who speaks French, but what's in it for me?"
Their conversation was interrupted by a loud banging. They were talking but nothing could be heard but a booming sound.
That's when Ibini awoke to find the banging was at her door. She stood up and rushed over to open it. Ragetti was standing outside, his arms hidden behind his back. He went to speak but Ibini cut him off.
"Let me guess, Jack needs someone who can speak French to Vane's prisoner?"
"How did you know that?" he looked thoroughly shocked.
"Nevermind, let me get my boots on," she started to turn from him but he stopped her.
"Actually miss, the Captain has requested that you wear this."
She turned around to see the older man holding up a pale blue lace confection.
"You have got to be kidding me," she dead-panned.
He shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how she would react to his next request.
"And we need you to do up your hair and put some powder on your face."
"Shall I wear white gloves as well? Completely cover up my savage heritage?" she said in a mocking tone but when he did not refute her comment, she let out a grunt.
"Unbelievable," she began, "Jack there is no way I am doing anything of the sort."
"Did you hear that?" Jack asked back on Vane's ship.
The men around him just shrugged their shoulders.
"She can't be here already," he continued and he ran out on deck to search for her.
When he didn't find her he came back into the room.
"I could have sworn I just heard Ibini's voice."
"Jack, you can hear me?" Ibini was shocked.
Were they communicating across islands now?
"There it is again!" he cried.
"Does no one hear that?"
With wide eyes, they all shook their heads "no."
Ibini stopped speaking and started thinking what she wanted to say so she would stop scaring Ragetti.
Jack I am not doing this. I don't care what you say. I am not dressing up as some nitwit debutant to talk to some spoiled royal brat bastard.
"Such language Ibini!" he feigned disappointment in her choice of words.
The men were staring at him like he had gone mad.
"Would you mind leaving us alone for one moment?"
They all but ran out the door, including Vane, and shut it behind them.
You know if you keep your thoughts to yourself I can still hear them and you wouldn't look quite so insane.
"Maybe I want to look insane, hm? What say you to that!" he gestured dramatically.
I'd say well done on all accounts, Captain, her tone was wry and for a while she didn't hear anything from Jack.
I am not wearing this abominable frou-frou excuse for a dress and I am certainly not wearing a pound of powder on my face just because some pretentious prick refuses to speak to anyone who's had to actually work to get by in life. And you do realize I am considered royalty in my village?
"Well excuse me, your majesty, but you don't have much a choice there do you?"
It's not like I have anything to lose here Jack. You are the one who needs me . . . remember?
[silence]
I thought you'd see it my way Jack. So if I do help you out of this rut, what do I get for it? What's the benefit for me?
"The pleasure of a job well done," she could hear the desperation in his voice.
I am not amused.
"Fine, no kitchen duty for a week."
No kitchen duty at all. That's my offer. Take it or leave it.
He wrestled with himself mentally but if anyone had been in the room with him they would have seen a rather comical look upon his face.
"Fine. But get here before nightfall. If you don't, deal's off."
So we have an accord?
"Agreed."
He walked back over to the door and flung it open. Almost everyone aboard tumbled in, they had been listening to his antics through the door.
"So Vane," Jack began, "have I got a treat for you."
He heard Ibini laugh mirthlessly but then their connection broke off.
A/N: I really enjoyed writing the end of this chapter. I hope it has the effect I want it to because I was laughing the whole time I wrote it. And I'll feel really dumb if I'm the only one that finds the humor in it. Thanks to all my reviewers: Annaxsuperman, Kit-cat99, linalove, Storylover456, Old Gregg93, Howlongmustiwait, Arathi.x and ShortRound09. Thanks all!
Please R&R!
Tinkerbellxo
