By the way, if I ever try to write an HTML document again, shoot me in the foot to stop me from coding again, 'kay?
As before, I would like to thank emmygirl, LMRS and aeverett for contributing to this story idea. I have played with the story somewhat, kids, so if you see a few of your phrases mingled in with my own, I swear I'm just re-writing to make the story make a little more sense. That's all.
As before, all characters except the mystery girl belong to Rennaisaince Pictures. I own nothing. Litterally. So don't bother sueing me, as I am so poor I can't even pay attention.
And Awaaaaa-y we go. . . .
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Jack realized with dismay that the French solider addressing him and the strange girl was none other than Captain Brougard's second in command; Dussel Von Klampberg. The man was a perfect beaurocrat, pushing pencils was his favorite pastime, and his neck was so stiff that you could use him as a sun dial. He loved to regale people with stories of his illustrious ancestry. (Despite his name, he was quite French.) The man even carried a little book of rules at his side. Which he was getting ready to whip out.
Jack knew that this was trouble with a capital "TRUH."
Von Klampberg said, "Monsier Stiles, what are you doing with the beautiful lady here?" With that, he turned to the girl and said, "I don't think I have had the pleasure. . . .", while trying to kiss her hand. The girl didn't try to pull away, but Jack saw her stiffen imperceptably. Jack also saw the look on Von Klampberg's face. It wasn't pretty. Time for evasive action. . . .
"Actually, Von Klampberg, this girl is my, uh. . . distant cousin on my father's side." Jack explained, trying to get himslef out of this difficult position. Not only with Von Klampberg, but the girl, too.
"Daddy, stop it! You recognize your little girl don't you?" she said with a hurt expression on her face. Which Jack knew was strictly for Von Klampberg's benifit.
This was not going according to plan. Jack disliked it when people pushed him into doing things their way, as opposed to his way. He looked back at the girl, and made a decision. Fine. If Little Miss Bossy Britches wants me to play along, then play along I shall! Abruptly, Jack proclaimed, "Jenny!! ItÕs so great to see you!" He swept her into a fierce bear hug, and whispered to her, "How's this, 'Jenny'?"
"Perfect. Keep it up." she whispered back.
Pulling back, Jack took a moment to take all of her in. At first glance, yes, she was young. Less then twenty. But if you took a moment to really look at her, there were almost invisible lines around her eyes and mouth. Her hair, which was raven black and curled, was one color of black. Jack, as a spy, knew that that meant only one thing; she used hair dyes. To cover grey, perhaps, but Jack caught a glimpse of her roots. They were blonde. So she was covering her natural hair color. Ergo she was hiding something. Or from someone. . .
"Jenny, dear, it's been ages! You should've written daddy a letter to let him know you were coming!" Jack laughed uproariously, and added, "Have you been eating your broccoli?"
Von Klampberg eyed them suspiciously. "Jenny" gritted her teeth and said quietly, through a forced smile, "Don't do it up too thick, Stiles."
She then clearly said, "Of course I have daddy! You know me and my broccoli! Can't get enough of the stuff!"
Von Klampberg tried to interupt. "Excuse me. . ."
Jack plowed ahead, regardless. "So, what brings you to Pulau Pulau, daughter?"
"Excuse me. . ."
Jenny answered his question, ignoring the soldier. "I've just finished Finishing School, and Mummy said that I should round out my education traveling. . ."
"Excuse me. . ."
"And seeing as I've never traveled that much and you were here, this was the logical choice!"
"EXCUSE ME!!!"
"Hey, no need to yell, Klampy, we ain't deef." chuckled Jack.
Von Klampberg blew out a sharp exhalation of air. "Why did you say she was your distant cousin, Messier Stiles?" He looked smug. Like he'd just caught a particularly naughty puppy going poo poo on the rug, and knows that said puppy is going to be in the stew tonight.
Jack thought fast. But "Jenny" thought faster.
"Oh, heavens, Monsier Von Klampberg! That's an old inside family joke!"
"Yeah," said Jack. "You don't want to know what I call my mother!"
"I know what I'd call your mother. . ." muttered Von Klampberg under his breath. Before Jack could give the soldier the pummeling he so rightously deserved, "Jenny" grabbed his arm.
"We should get going, daddy. Adieu, Monsier Von Klampberg. It's been a delight interacting with you, and I hope to do so again in the distant future."
And with that parting barb, "Jenny" picked up her luggage, handed it to Jack, wrapped her arm around the krook of his elbow and steered him away from the docks.
They hadnÕt gotten 20 feet out of hearing range when Jack whispered, sotto voice, "So, 'Jenny,' whatÕs the story?"
"Not now, Daddy. We're being followed don't look by that charming gendarming." He was glad she had stopped him from looking. Out of his peripheral vision, Jack saw a furtive movement off to the left. It was indeed Von Klampberg. And he was moving like someone who had absolutely no experience following people. "Keep up the charade a moment longer, till we're in private. Then, I'll tell you everything. I promise."
Jack and Jenny continued their amble along the side of the road. She added loudly, "So tell me, daddy, what have you been doing here on Pulau Pulau? Not up to your usual chicanery, I hope."
"Oh, you know, Jenny, a little of this, a little of that. Imports, exports, the works." Jack was trying to keep an eye on Von Klampberg while at the same time keeping up a conversation with "Jenny" and walk straight too. Confusing.
"You're not going to try and sell me swampland, are you?"
"Can't."
"Why ever not?"
"No swamps on a tropical island. But I do have a swell option on Independance Hall you might be interested in. . ."
She laughed hartily. Jenny laughed like. . . Kentucky Sue. How deep does this girl's knowledge go? How carefully has she studied me? And Emilia? Jack mused to himself. Whoever she was, she was no piker. She was the real thing.
A spy. Just like him. Certain puzzle pieces fit together, no doubt about it. But who's side was she on?
"I missed you, Daddy." She smiled up at him. "I missed your jokes. When will you be able to come back home?"
"Not for a while, kiddo. I've got a lot invested here on Pulau Pulau and I just can't pick up stakes and skedaddle." Jack noticed that they'd somehow lost Von Klampberg. Oh, wait, no, there he was, behind that stall selling Spanish Fly. So the charade must continue. . .
"Mummy misses you too, you know," the girl said coyly. "She asked me to give you this." She handed Jack a gold necklace with a heart pendant, which was either the real thing, or a damned good replica of a necklace that he had given Sue years ago. He flipped it over.
The inscription wasn't there. The inscription had read, "To my Sweet Sue, Don't take any wooden nickles." So this was a replica. But this girl knew enough to give it to him. And she also knew that he'd miss the inscription. She was trying to tell him something, but what? She eyed his reaction, and nodded slightly.
"I hope nothing's amiss, daddy?"
"Nothing at all. I'm just trying to think of something, that's all."
She nodded again, and said with a smirk, "I hope it doesn't hurt too much."
Jack raised an eyebrow at her and said, "Oh ha ha. Very funny. Listen, young lady, if you were a few years younger I'd fan your britches good."
This caused "Jenny" to raise her own eyebrows. She didnÕt reply at first, but Jack could see the laughter in her eyes. Finally she said, "Daddy, who's that charming blonde coming our way?"
Jack stopped in mid-stride. Uh-oh. . .
It was Emilia. And she was on the warpath. Jack swore he could hear The Ride of the Valkeries playing somewhere. . .
Jack and Jenny watched as Emilia came stalking toward them. Tossing a casual look over his shoulder, Jack tried to spot Von Klampberg. The soldier was nowhere to be seen. Which didn't mean that he was gone, not by a long shot. He whispered to "Jenny", "HeÕs not there."
"I know. But don't. . ."
Before she could tell Jack what to don't, Emilia was upon them.
She seemed not to see "Jenny" for a moment, but Jack knew that that was her way of disaproving of his choice of companion. She said, "Really, Mr. Stiles, does the concept, 'Time is Money,' mean absolutely nothing to you? Could you be so incompetent as to take a good hour to deliver a simple missive? Or were you distracted again?" This last was accompanied with a pointed glance at "Jenny." The brunette blushed, and slightly turned away, feigning embarrassment. Jack knew that she was looking for their tail. So Jack grasped the nettle.
"Well, Em. Um. This is going to sound really weird. Please hear me out on this. . . but. . . this is Jenny and she's. . ."
"His daughter," proclaimed "Jenny."
Jack watched as Emilia's mouth dropped in amazement. "Your daughter?" She asked in surprised.
Jack spun on "Jenny." Wait a cotton pickin' minute! This is EM! I can't tell EM I have a daughter! She'll flip! This is what Jack wanted to say to the girl. But what came out was, "Yeah. I guess."
"You guess?" asked Emilia, obviously confused.
"Oh," "Jenny" whispered, "He never told you about me?"
"Well, no," said Emilia. She was perplexed. She was sure that she knew Jack well enough by now that he'd have mentioned that he had a daughter. That he didn't just went to prove how complex of a man that he was, and you never can really know the person that you love. . . But it still pissed her off.
"Oh. Oh dear." the girl quivered her lower lip. She looked as if she was about to cry. She fanned her face with her hand.
"Now hold on there, sister..." stammered Jack. This was going too far. To dazzle the yokels was one thing, but this was Emilia. . .
"SISTER?!? You call me sister?" "Jenny" sobbed. She grabbed Jack by his lapels and yanked him a few steps away from Emilia.
Emilia started to protest, started to follow, but she stopped herself. Even if it is a former lover, and not his daughter, I have no right to interfere, she thought to herself. Besides, a daughter could be just what Jack needed to get him to settle down. . . Emilia shook herself. That would get her nowhere...
Meanwhile, "Jenny" had leaned in close to Jack. "Ok, hotshot, what didn't you understand about shut up and play along?"
"I think it was the 'shut up' part..."
"Shut up. Look. I came to this godforsaken little island to find you. You're the only one who can help me. As far as everybody, and I do mean everybody," she said, shooting a pointed look at Emilia, "is concerned, I'm your daughter Jenny, with your former lover, Kentucky Sue."
"Look, Emilia knows Sue. Emilia can sniff out a rat faster than. . . than. . . . Well, faster than you can imagine"
"Oh, I don't know. I'm a pretty fast girl."
Jack gulped.
"So keep up the pretence for just a little longer. Until we can get somewhere safe. Then I'll tell you the whole story."
"Why not now?" pressed Jack.
"We're in an open air market place, and there are people who would just as soon slit our throats for a penny as look at us. Soon. I promise. Now please, come on."
"Jenny" frog marched Jack back over to Emilia, who was looking slightly put out. Jack tried not to think about exactly what the information that he had a "daughter" would do to their budding relationship. Jack sighed deeply and dramatically, and said, "Ok. Em, this is Jenny. I hadn't told you about her because, well, it was personal. And you know I hate mixing personal and business."
Emilia stared at Jack for a moment. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She couldn't help it. She laughed right in Jack's face. "What a preposterous load of poppycock, Jack Stiles! You mix personal with whatever business happens to come along at the moment!"
Jack ignored her and continued, but he at least had the decency to look chagrined. "Jenny is going to stay with us for a while, and I'd be really happy if we never discuss this arrangement again."
"Well, Mr. Stiles, it appears that your sordid past has finaly caught up with you." smirked Emilia. "Maybe now you'll appriciate the finer subtleties of a stable and loving relationship." Emilia couldnÕt believe her own words, this time. Ye gods, I sound like I'm volunteering! Am I. . .?
Jack stiffened at her advice. "There's nothing subtle about marriage, sister. I'd sooner have a cannonball tied to my earlobes and tossed in sea before I get married."
Emilia made a funny huffing noise, turned a lovely shade of scarlet and turned on heel and stormed away, back towards her house. Jack watched her go, with a large dollop of guilt and regret washing over him. To cover his emotions, he yelled after her, "What'd I say? You've always known that!"
"Nice one, daddy. Shall I make arrangements for your wedding? Would you prefer a traditional ceremony?"
Jack had fianlly had enough. He had momentarily forgotten the buxom brunette, but now reality came back in a tidal wave of anger. Who did this girl think she was to come trouncing into my life? Spreading lies and innuendo in her wake, charming the male half of the populace and pissing off the female half.
Maybe she is my daughter after all.
He grabbed her wrist, pulled her close, her head snapping back, her eyes widening in shock.
"Who. Are. You."
"The important question here, Mr. Stiles, is who am I not?" She eyed him for a moment, and added, "Or shall I denounce you as the Daring. . . ."
"Ok. That's enough," he interupted her.
Jack, still holding the girl by her wrist, pulled her through the streets of Pulau-Pulau. "Where are we going, daddy?"
"You want a private place? I've got one for you. And no funny stuff, kiddo. I'm packing."
Her eyes widened again, but not from shock or horror. She looked. . . impressed. And more than a little surprised.
The vendors hawking their shoody goods paused for a brief moment, watching them weave their way through the bazaar. They stared after the girl who was with Jack. She looked familiar, somehow... but the next customer would attract his attention and the matter was forgotten.
A few soldiers turned their heads to watch the duo pass, and something would nag at their minds, but they forgot it a moment later. They were intent on harrasment of aforementioned vendors, and had smaller fish to fry.
Jack was in such a hurry to get to his private place. He wanted to get the full story out of this girl so urgently, that he didn't even see the posters that dotted the water front, all of them bearing a picture. And a warning.
"The Black Widow. Supposed to be armed and dangerous. Accused of foul play, she has killed her last three husbands on their wedding nights, through untracable means. She was last seen boarding a ship headed to Pulau Pulau, so be on the alert."
Above this warning was a picture of Jenny.
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HA! So is "Jenny" really a murderess? What's her real name, anyway? Why did Jack pick that particular name for this girl? Is there some strange backstory there? Oh, you better belive it. . .
TO BE CONTINUED. . .