One Heart
Disclaimer: See previous chapter
One thing I would like to address which I forgot about at my end note of the last chapter is if anyone is confused about Elizabeth's reaction to what she saw with Will and the other lady. If anyone thinks that her reaction was a bit much for a simple kiss on the cheek, I would like to point out that considering the fact that during this time period it was improper for a unmarried man and woman to hold hands, receiving a kiss, albeit on the cheek, when one is in confirmed love with another, is something of a scandal.
I might also note that no one has actually brought forward a problem, but I felt it might be easier just to say it here and now.
On to the story!
One Heart
Elizabeth ran her hands down her new outfit. She looked every bit the part of a pirate, that is, if you didn't notice her immaculate soft hands that looked like they'd never held anything heavy in their life. Or her pale skin and groomed, shiny hair. And then there was her refined accent of speech. Maybe not so much a pirate after all.
All that was left was to find a ship. Certainly not some stuffy, proper ship where she would be corseted and polished to an inch of her life. She'd had quite enough of that. She would join a pirate ship, and learn the trade. Providing someone would take her on.
She had spoken with every crew in the pub, and no one wanted to take a woman. Especially one that needed to be taught. She could seek Jack out, she supposed, but it would be best if she should start out anew, with new people. The Pearl belonged to her last life. Finally making her way to the darkest corner of the room, where lay her last hope, she noticed a woman sitting with them, presumably part of the crew.
Approaching what seemed to be the most formidable of the lot, her breath caught in her throat at the looks cast upon her. Finding her strength, she spoke, voice coated in pure-bred aristocratic accents, "I wish to join your ship."
Muffled laughter rose from the group. The man she had addressed jerked a finger at the lone woman, "Ask the cap'n."
Embarrassed but determined, she took the few steps to what appeared to be the captain. The woman looked up from under a wide brimmed hat, shocking Elizabeth with her appearance. She was just like her. Not nearly so pale, nor smooth, but the air of old aristocracy lingered about her. "So you want to join our humble little ship," she took a swig of her drink, "Did you run?"
"Yes."
For a brief moment, the two women looked at each other with understanding. They were the same. The next, she was the captain, Elizabeth the rookie who needed extensive tutelage.
The captain stuck her hand out, "Welcome to The Dragonfly."
********
Will caught sight of the shores of Tortuga, filled with a deep relief, and a sense of wariness. Tortuga was not a place to be caught unawares. Docking upon the sandy shore, he climbed out, limbs sore with the heat of the morning sun upon him. Sliding into what he took to be the rowdiest, loudest bar, knowing Jack and crew would preside there.
Not a few steps in did Jack Sparrow sit. Joining him at the table, he watched his drunken expression break out into a grin. Clapping him on the back, and rum bottle swinging freely, he laughed, "So, what brings you to Tortuga, mate?"
Before he could speak, Jack was motioning wildly to the bar, calling for another rum. Setting it down in front of him, he took a swig from his own, "It's yer bonnie lass, isn't it?"
Will glanced at the drunk pirate, "How did you know?"
"Lemme tell ye something. When a man like you walks in 'ere looking fer me, and then doesn't touch 'is rum when it's set down in front o' him, You know somethin's wrong."
Half-choking, half-laughing at Will's confused expression, he continued, "Besides, you look lovesick. An' not the kinda lovesick I left you all lookin' like. Yer 'eartbroken mate, and I'm gonna 'elp you find 'er."
Will's confused look cleared, to be replaced with a sad sort of hope, "What will we do?"
"Well first of all, you get yerself some rum." He set the bottle closer to him, encouraged by the rough laughter of the crew around him.
********
Captain Jack steered lazily, glancing every now and then at his broken compass. Will stood at his side, "Where is she?"
He ignored him and called out instead, "Ana Marie!" The single female crew member strode up and took the helm. Walking to the stern, with Will following like a puppy, he remained silent until he felt his companion could take it no longer.
Spinning around, and leaning on the brace, he finally spoke, "There is a ship commandeered by a woman called Laura; The Dragonfly. Beautiful ship, only one to rival the Pearl. Anyway, this Laura girl, story 'as it that she ran away from home some years ago because she thought her boy was cheatin' on 'er."
Will cut in here, "What does any of this have to do with Elizabeth?"
Jack stared at him for a moment, "You're not botherin' with that Miss. stuff any more are you? Anyway, word 'as it that she just got 'erself a new crewmate. A lovely girl who goes by the name of Katharine Turner. An' I don't know meself, but there seem to be many Miss. Turners runnin' aroun' the Caribbean nowadays. Don't you think?"
Will was silent for a moment, digesting all of this. "So she's gone off to become a pirate."
"That would be correct, yes."
"Then we must find the Dragonfly."
Jack waved his finger once, "Oh no. It's not that easy now mate. No one just goes up to a ship and demands that they turn over one o' their crew. It's not right. Besides, the Dragonfly 'as got this terrible ferocious pirate, at leas' he's like tha' with the men. But with the ladies, he's more forwar' than me."
Will's jaw tightened at this, "If he tries anything--"
"That's just the thing though, you can't do anythin'. If she left ya, then yeh've got no claim to 'er."
"Then what do you suggest we do?"
"Yeh've gotta wait for the opportune moment, and then you'll win 'er back."
"You think I can do this Jack?"
"O' course! You're Bootstrap's son! And it's Captain Jack if you please."
********
A/N: Well, how was it? Good? Bad? You tell me. I know my Jack is.interesting, but I try. Suggestions welcome. R/R!
Disclaimer: See previous chapter
One thing I would like to address which I forgot about at my end note of the last chapter is if anyone is confused about Elizabeth's reaction to what she saw with Will and the other lady. If anyone thinks that her reaction was a bit much for a simple kiss on the cheek, I would like to point out that considering the fact that during this time period it was improper for a unmarried man and woman to hold hands, receiving a kiss, albeit on the cheek, when one is in confirmed love with another, is something of a scandal.
I might also note that no one has actually brought forward a problem, but I felt it might be easier just to say it here and now.
On to the story!
One Heart
Elizabeth ran her hands down her new outfit. She looked every bit the part of a pirate, that is, if you didn't notice her immaculate soft hands that looked like they'd never held anything heavy in their life. Or her pale skin and groomed, shiny hair. And then there was her refined accent of speech. Maybe not so much a pirate after all.
All that was left was to find a ship. Certainly not some stuffy, proper ship where she would be corseted and polished to an inch of her life. She'd had quite enough of that. She would join a pirate ship, and learn the trade. Providing someone would take her on.
She had spoken with every crew in the pub, and no one wanted to take a woman. Especially one that needed to be taught. She could seek Jack out, she supposed, but it would be best if she should start out anew, with new people. The Pearl belonged to her last life. Finally making her way to the darkest corner of the room, where lay her last hope, she noticed a woman sitting with them, presumably part of the crew.
Approaching what seemed to be the most formidable of the lot, her breath caught in her throat at the looks cast upon her. Finding her strength, she spoke, voice coated in pure-bred aristocratic accents, "I wish to join your ship."
Muffled laughter rose from the group. The man she had addressed jerked a finger at the lone woman, "Ask the cap'n."
Embarrassed but determined, she took the few steps to what appeared to be the captain. The woman looked up from under a wide brimmed hat, shocking Elizabeth with her appearance. She was just like her. Not nearly so pale, nor smooth, but the air of old aristocracy lingered about her. "So you want to join our humble little ship," she took a swig of her drink, "Did you run?"
"Yes."
For a brief moment, the two women looked at each other with understanding. They were the same. The next, she was the captain, Elizabeth the rookie who needed extensive tutelage.
The captain stuck her hand out, "Welcome to The Dragonfly."
********
Will caught sight of the shores of Tortuga, filled with a deep relief, and a sense of wariness. Tortuga was not a place to be caught unawares. Docking upon the sandy shore, he climbed out, limbs sore with the heat of the morning sun upon him. Sliding into what he took to be the rowdiest, loudest bar, knowing Jack and crew would preside there.
Not a few steps in did Jack Sparrow sit. Joining him at the table, he watched his drunken expression break out into a grin. Clapping him on the back, and rum bottle swinging freely, he laughed, "So, what brings you to Tortuga, mate?"
Before he could speak, Jack was motioning wildly to the bar, calling for another rum. Setting it down in front of him, he took a swig from his own, "It's yer bonnie lass, isn't it?"
Will glanced at the drunk pirate, "How did you know?"
"Lemme tell ye something. When a man like you walks in 'ere looking fer me, and then doesn't touch 'is rum when it's set down in front o' him, You know somethin's wrong."
Half-choking, half-laughing at Will's confused expression, he continued, "Besides, you look lovesick. An' not the kinda lovesick I left you all lookin' like. Yer 'eartbroken mate, and I'm gonna 'elp you find 'er."
Will's confused look cleared, to be replaced with a sad sort of hope, "What will we do?"
"Well first of all, you get yerself some rum." He set the bottle closer to him, encouraged by the rough laughter of the crew around him.
********
Captain Jack steered lazily, glancing every now and then at his broken compass. Will stood at his side, "Where is she?"
He ignored him and called out instead, "Ana Marie!" The single female crew member strode up and took the helm. Walking to the stern, with Will following like a puppy, he remained silent until he felt his companion could take it no longer.
Spinning around, and leaning on the brace, he finally spoke, "There is a ship commandeered by a woman called Laura; The Dragonfly. Beautiful ship, only one to rival the Pearl. Anyway, this Laura girl, story 'as it that she ran away from home some years ago because she thought her boy was cheatin' on 'er."
Will cut in here, "What does any of this have to do with Elizabeth?"
Jack stared at him for a moment, "You're not botherin' with that Miss. stuff any more are you? Anyway, word 'as it that she just got 'erself a new crewmate. A lovely girl who goes by the name of Katharine Turner. An' I don't know meself, but there seem to be many Miss. Turners runnin' aroun' the Caribbean nowadays. Don't you think?"
Will was silent for a moment, digesting all of this. "So she's gone off to become a pirate."
"That would be correct, yes."
"Then we must find the Dragonfly."
Jack waved his finger once, "Oh no. It's not that easy now mate. No one just goes up to a ship and demands that they turn over one o' their crew. It's not right. Besides, the Dragonfly 'as got this terrible ferocious pirate, at leas' he's like tha' with the men. But with the ladies, he's more forwar' than me."
Will's jaw tightened at this, "If he tries anything--"
"That's just the thing though, you can't do anythin'. If she left ya, then yeh've got no claim to 'er."
"Then what do you suggest we do?"
"Yeh've gotta wait for the opportune moment, and then you'll win 'er back."
"You think I can do this Jack?"
"O' course! You're Bootstrap's son! And it's Captain Jack if you please."
********
A/N: Well, how was it? Good? Bad? You tell me. I know my Jack is.interesting, but I try. Suggestions welcome. R/R!