Disclaimer:Mouse and men own PotC. I've been wanting to do this chapter for a very, very, long time, but I knew it couldn't come until now. I present to you...
Captain
"Anamaria…Miss Ana…" she rolled over in her hammock mumbling incoherently, it was probably a go-away-or I'll throw-a-parrot-at-you-I'm-exhausted mumble or possibly I'm-pretending-to-be-asleep-because-you-annoy-me-mumble. The voice called again and she pulled her hat over her face, eyes stubbornly shut. The hammock rocked slightly as whoever it was tried to nudge her awake. The rocking grew harder and she had to grip the fabric.
"Ah, gents? Let's not agitate the woman of the hour..." The rocking stopped. Ana closed her eyes tighter at the sound of Jack's voice. Suddenly, the foul, overpowering, stench of breath overwhelmed her, "Oy, let's not let the sand bury the sleeping sailor!" Her closed eyes began to water, her mouth scrunched into a frown, and she shuddered as the rum soaked, slept in a muddy pig inhabited, flour tinged, old hardtack smell blasted her. Finally, she could take it no longer and a loud sound filled the crew's quarters. FWAP!
Jack held a hand to his cheek, and moved his jaw around to confirm it was properly attached.
"He-he-he didn't deserve…" Mullroy wisely didn't finish his sentence.
"That's not fair!" FWAP! Unfortunately, Murtogg did.
"Ah, good! You're awake." Jack pulled a long strip of cloth from his pocket and shook it out. "Now, if you please. Turn around."
"No."
"Trust me." Ana folded her arms and glared. "Alright, trust him." He waved towards Jon who was smoothing out the All Knowing One's feathers. Jack coughed. Jon looked up, "Yes, holder of the Black Pearl's captaincy?"
"Ah-hem." Jack waved the strip of cloth around. Jon stared. The All Knowing One squawked, "Preet-tee bird!Pwetty bird!"
"It is as the all knowing one has said."
"Meaning?"
"Your safety and well being are in no way endangered by what is to come. You have my word and honor as-"
"I get it!" Jack proceeded to tie the cloth over her eyes. "If this is a trick…"
"You are free to slap me as many times as you please."
"I'll hold you to it."
"Naturally."Jack guided up her up the ladder, across the ship, and down the gangplank. She could hear many footsteps behind her, people talking, and the sound of cargo being lifted into holds. Docks. She didn't quite like the feeling of not knowing where she was going. The fact that Jack was humming that song didn't help.
"Yo-ho, yo ho..mmmm…Watch your feet.Up!"
"I'm not a-oof!" she stumbled and Jack helped her up, "a child…" The familiar upward slant and loss of solid ground beneath her feet indicated a ramp-no another gangplank.
"Anamaria," He turned her around and untied the cloth. Murtogg pulled a long coat over her shoulders. "The ship formally known as the Moderation is yours. Call it what you will." Mullroy lifted a large hat with a fancy feather and held it out to her.
"Mine?"she said weakly, staring at the hat and the ship. A ship. A true ship in it's own right and it was-"This is that woman's ship. You're not borrowing without-"
"Bartered and paid in full."
Ah, so that's what they were talking about…thought Charlie.
"Now, any of you were wanting a new captain...Everyone else…Be back at the Pearl by sunset." Jack removed his hat with a flourish and bowed to Ana, "Captain." He turned and proceeded to descend the gangplank.
"Wait!" he turned and said quietly and quite unlike himself, "Aye?"
"Good luck."
