Disclaimer: I don't own Pirates of the Caribbean, only my OCs, who have been listed in previous chapters.
A/N: The funny thing about this story being over a year old now is that I can already see room for improvement and things I wish I'd done differently in some of the other chapters.
Chapter 11:
Jack spent the majority of the next four days on the Pearl, unable to stand the stares of the Dauntless's crew. It was painfully obvious to him how loud his outburst had been. He avoided Norrington in particular, partly because of waking up to him that night, partly out of shame of how he'd acted in his panicked state. He didn't know what the man thought of him, and he was fairly certain that he didn't want to know either.
Elizabeth acted as a messenger to deliver any requests the Commodore had for Jack, most of which he obeyed without a word. But the pair hadn't talked face to face since the outburst. Sometimes, he could see the man eying him from the other ship. The pirate wasn't sure if the navy man was concerned or wary of him.
Aboard the Pearl, it seemed as if none of the crew knew of the events that had occurred the other night. He knew that Gibbs had been told, however, for the older man kept a closer eye on him than ever. To Jack, it was more annoying than anything. He was tired of having everyone watch him constantly.
Jack also noticed that Cotton's parrot seemed to have disappeared. It wasn't uncommon for crew members to send it off with letters, but he had a sneaking suspicion that it had something to do with his brother.
He tried to sleep as little as possible, just enough to get by with, for he feared of a similar incident happening again. When he did sleep, he made sure Elizabeth was at his side to wake him if he should show signs of reliving his memories. True to her word, she would wake him every now and then. He'd thank her, then, depending on how he felt, would go back to bed or out on deck.
Jack spent the fourth night after the outburst in the Pearl's crow's nest, lying on his back and watching the stars. He named them over and over to himself, refreshing his memory on them. Betelgeuse, Rigel, Bellatrix, Altair, Carina, Arcturus, Sirius, Castor, Pollux, Polaris. There were so many stars. He used to lay back and watch them all the time, when he was younger; when he was more carefree.
He could remember a time just after he was branded by Beckett, not long after Hector Barbossa had joined his crew. The man had never liked him, but they'd had their more tolerable moments of each other. They'd both been on deck one late night, had talked about the stars. He'd learned that Hector had a fascination with Carina. Jack could remember lightly teasing him about it.
"Ye've fallen for a star, mate." He'd said.
"Shut your trap." Barbossa had growled.
He chuckled softly. That was the main thing he missed about his former first mate; seeing how far he could annoy him before the man threatened to cut out his tongue. Jack froze at that thought, all humor gone. Now's not the time to think about those jokes.
He went back to naming the stars, to doing more simple thinking; the kind that didn't require too much thought.
He didn't move until dawn, when the cry of "LAND HO!" came from the other ship. He'd stood up drowsily, glancing towards the Pearl's bow. Sure enough, he could see a medium sized island not far ahead. He briefly opened his compass, glad to see that it had led them straight and true. The island ahead was indeed their destination. With a grin, he pocketed the item and climbed the ratlines down to the main deck.
"ALL HANDS! Furl the sails! Drop anchor!" He called in as clear a voice he could muster.
Within a few moments, he could hear the crew rousing beneath him, scrambling to do as ordered. Soon, the deck was crowded with sailors as they hurried to their stations; some up the masts, some to the capstan to lower the anchor. Gibbs took a position at his captain's side.
"We've arrived then?" The older man asked.
"Aye." Jack confirmed, unable to suppress a hint of confidence. "Bloody finally."
A glance to the Dauntless showed that the navy men were preparing to anchor as well. He cast the fading stars one last look, giving a silent goodbye to the peacefulness of the night. There was a long day ahead of them.
"Jack!" Elizabeth called from the other ship.
"Norrington…" Jack sighed, already knowing why he was needed. He glanced at Gibbs. "Make sure they get the job done by the time I'm back."
"Aye, Cap'n." The first mate nodded.
The pirate captain made way for the gangplank, quickly crossing over onto the Dauntless. Elizabeth greeted him.
"Did you sleep at all?" She asked.
"No. Probably for the best." He responded. "He waitin' for me?"
She nodded. "He's in his cabin. The doctor's with him."
"Figures." Jack grumbled. "C'mon then…'M not goin' in a room with Norrington without ye."
They found the Commodore's cabin. The doors were open. The pair entered, closing the doors behind them. Norrington was busy looking through a supply list. The doctor was going through his medical bag.
"Well, what can I do for ye?" The pirate asked them, slightly impatient.
The two men looked up at him, but it was Norrington who spoke. "Are any of your crew coming ashore with us?"
"No." He replied. "I'd doubt they'd get along well with yours."
"You're probably right." The man agreed. "Before we go ashore, I wanted to have Doctor Porter take a look at your wounds."
Jack merely nodded.
The doctor approached, first examining the stitches cut on Jack's face. "Those can probably come out." He lifted up the patient's pant leg to look at the stitches on that stab wound. "Those too. How's your back?"
"Fine, so long as I don't stretch it."
"Stitches can probably come out of that as well then."
Porter took a small pair of medical scissors from his bag. The pirate found himself unable to move when he felt the metal slide against his face, under the stitches. Snip! The scissors were removed and Porter began carefully pulling the stitches out. The patient winced. After they'd all been removed, the man went on to taking out the ones in his patient's leg.
Jack glanced at Norrington, who was straightening up as he finished up his list. "'My apologies 'bout the other night."
"You were not in control over yourself, Sparrow, and should not have to apologize for anything." The Commodore assured him. "As a matter of fact, you even warned me. It's my own fault that I didn't heed it."
The pirate slowly nodded, glancing away. If you say so, mate.
"Could you take your shirt off for me?" Porter asked him.
Jack did as requested, wincing as the scissors slid between the skin of his back and some stitches.
"Your bruises are nearly gone." Norrington pointed out from across the cabin.
"Aye. Nearly." He quietly agreed, fingering the scar across his cheek. He growled as the scissors dug into- but didn't puncture- his skin.
"Sorry about that." The doctor apologized.
"Commodore-" Elizabeth spoke up, just about spooking Jack out of his skin as she laid a hand on his shoulder without warning.
"Yes, you may come along on land as well." Norrington promised.
Jack snorted softly at the look of surprise on her face.
"Thank you." She said gratefully.
"Lord Karver is also coming along. His son, however, is not. His leg still needs time to heal." The Commodore added. "Governor Swann will stay here as well, with some men to guard the ship."
"What about Will?" Elizabeth wondered.
"I haven't seen Mr. Turner yet. I'll ask him when I do." He told her.
Jack could feel the last of the stitches leave his back. He pulled his shirt back on, pleased that it could no longer get caught on stitches. As he buttoned it up, the first rays of sunlight shone through the windows of the cabin.
"Right, well, I 'ave a couple things to go grab from the Pearl." He informed them, heading for the door. "I'll send William your way if I see 'im."
The pirate captain exited the cabin, Elizabeth behind him. He was pleased to see that the ships had successfully anchored and were no longer moving. They crossed over onto the Black Pearl, heading for Jack's quarters. Gibbs called a greeting to Elizabeth, which she happily responded to.
"Cap'n." The first mate called after them.
Jack turned to face him, one eyebrow raised. "Aye?"
"What did the Commodore want?"
"Ah. Jus' asked a couple questions. 'M goin' ashore with his men. Ye're in charge o' this lot. Stay 'ere, an' out o' trouble."
"Aye, Cap'n."
The pirate captain entered his cabin, the governor's daughter still behind him. He paused for a moment, thinking of where he'd left his effects. He snapped back to reality as he remembered where they'd been placed, walking over to his desk. He grabbed the scabbard that held his sword, strapping it around himself. He grabbed his pistol, checked to see if it was loaded, and attached it to his belt beside his compass. He grabbed a few extra shots, then paused to make sure he had everything.
His eye drifted over his hat, where it hung up near the door. He made a mental note to grab it on the way out. "Right." He moved to where a spare sword lay, sheathed in a scabbard of its own. He picked it up and handed it to his companion. "Ye might need this."
"Thank you, Jack." Elizabeth strapped the weapon at her side.
He gave her a small nod in response.
*X*
With all of his effects- tricorn included, Jack made his way through the jungle of the island, Norrington and the others not far behind. Will and Lord Karver were among them, whilst Elizabeth was between the group and the pirate captain; she was trying to be there if he needed her, but she couldn't quite keep up with his pace.
As is normal with tropical islands, the heat was intense, the air was humid, and the bugs were annoying. Jack could feel a layer of sweat beneath his bandanna as he lazily swatted at a swarm of mosquitoes in his face.
He knew that Craving Caverns- the place in which they were seeking out- was here somewhere. The difficult part was just looking for signs of the entrance. And the journey, that was difficult as well. Especially since he wasn't fully healed yet.
But it felt good to be making progress.
"Sparrow!" Norrington called from the front of the main group, behind Jack. "Slow down!"
How about you speed up instead? The pirate captain sighed, coming to a halt as he turned back to watch and wait for the others. He impatiently crossed his arms, leaning his back against a tree.
He wanted to remind the Commodore that he was still healing, and somehow outwalking them, but he remembered that most of the soldiers had packs of supplies upon their backs. He understood that's why they were so much slower than he was, but he couldn't push away the impatience he felt either. They were close now, he could feel it.
The sooner they arrived at the caverns, the sooner Jack could get what he desired; restoration of his eye and tongue.
"The caverns aren't going to leave if we don't get there by noon, Jack." Elizabeth assured him good-humoredly as she stopped by his side.
"I know." He grunted. But it'd be bloody great to see better again. And to speak more clearly. "But I'd rather get there sooner."
"You know Norrington doesn't want you to get too far ahead."
Too bad for him then. The pirate shrugged in response, slipping from the natural trail they'd been walking along.
"Jack! What are you doing?" Elizabeth hissed quietly after him, following along.
"Gettin' too far ahead." He whispered back, pushing through the brush and low leaves.
She sighed in audible annoyance, but didn't try to stop him, to his relief.
A rock formation caught Jack's eye and he started for it curiously. He drew his sword to hack away at some thick overgrowth. A low hissing sound came to his attention as he did and he pulled back from the bushes as a snake lunged at him. Elizabeth was unable to hold back a squeal of alarm, clapping her hand over her mouth as quickly as she could.
As the angry animal lunged again, venomous fangs visible, the pirate swung his sword at it. The blade met the snake's flesh at its neck, slicing through it and effectively cutting its head off. It landed on the ground hard, the body wriggling for a moment before lying still.
I always forget about the snakes. Jack wiped his sword on a tree to clean it of snake blood before sheathing the weapon. He glanced back at his startled companion. "Ye alright?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Just a little startled."
The pirate's lips curled upward for a moment in amusement, but he didn't press it.
They pushed onward, towards the rock formation. They weren't far now, as the rocks had begun to tower above them. Jack saw the entrance to something that looked to be a cave. He picked up his pace a little, hopeful that they'd found the entrance to their destination.
It wasn't long before they reached the rocks. The pirate was quickly at the hole in the rocks, peering inside. It was a cavern; a large one. He could see all kinds of obstacles and oddities he'd never seen in caves before. In that instant, he knew what he was looking at;
The Craving Caverns.
"Elizabeth, love, ye need to go get Norrington."