Author's Note - Pirates of the Caribbean does not belong to me. Thanks for
the reviews, you're darlings . . . hope you enjoy the next chapter, beta-ed
by JediPati.
Chapter Two
Jack swaggered onto the docks of Tortuga, taking in everything from behind heavy-lidded, kohl-darkened eyes. It was immediately apparent that things had changed since his last visit, when he had been reunited with Anamaria and Gibbs.
"The devil . . .?"
The first noticeable difference was the appearance of soldiers. Jack recognized them as Norrington's officers, and they were not only posted at the docks, but patrolled the city as well. The next was the lack of civilians. Somehow, the streets had been cleared of nearly everyone; the only people remaining were tavern-keepers and other non-pirates, including slightly-more-acceptably-dressed prostitutes and brothel-owners.
Captain Sparrow froze as he saw an officer look his way. It was the younger of those two officers who had been unimportant enough not to merit an invitation to Norrington's ceremony. Beckoning to Gibbs, he whispered, "Get the Pearl out of here. Not far . . . just out of sight and shooting range . . . away from the docks. Leave me Anamaria, and be ready for my call."
Gibbs nodded curtly and strode back to the Black Pearl.
_____________________
"Jack Sparrow! It's Jack Sparrow!" The young man's cry rang out through the nearly silent docks.
Offering his arm to Anamaria, Jack grimaced. "Captain Jack Sparrow."
Within moments, armed officers surrounded the couple.
"Look, mates." Jack frowned apologetically. "This . . . really isn't worth it for you. It's doomed to end in tears, loves." He flung out his un-engaged arm dramatically, making the soldiers take a step backwards. "And it's Captain Jack Sparrow. Savvy?"
Drawing his sword, he swung it in a wide arc in front of the officers' faces. He then rushed forward into a roll, plucked the gun from the young officer's grip, and spun to face them. "Adieu." Jack bowed low then plunged into the dark water, leaving behind nothing but bubbles.
Immediately half of the dozen-or-so men ran to the place where he'd been standing. The others turned to surround Anamaria. "She's . . . gone."
Indeed, the pirate-dame seemed to have vanished. There had been no splash, were no bubbles in the water behind where she'd been standing, no sign of her anywhere on the docks.
One of the officers sighed in defeat. "Chaps, I believe yet again we have almost caught Jack Sparrow."
_____________________
"She's . . .gone."
Anamaria, who had swung herself beneath the dock the moment the men's backs were turned, grinned at this statement. Now she had only to find Jack. She rolled her eyes, hoping the fool hadn't gotten himself killed in his arrogance. Her worry, though - however cynical - was in vain, for at that moment Jack swam up to her side. Raising an eyebrow at her, he grinned confidently.
His grin only widened with the proclamation from above them. "Chaps, I believe yet again we have almost caught Jack Sparrow."
As the footsteps died away and the guards returned to their posts, Jack risked a whisper. "They'll have sent someone for Norrington. Hurry, love."
Chapter Two
Jack swaggered onto the docks of Tortuga, taking in everything from behind heavy-lidded, kohl-darkened eyes. It was immediately apparent that things had changed since his last visit, when he had been reunited with Anamaria and Gibbs.
"The devil . . .?"
The first noticeable difference was the appearance of soldiers. Jack recognized them as Norrington's officers, and they were not only posted at the docks, but patrolled the city as well. The next was the lack of civilians. Somehow, the streets had been cleared of nearly everyone; the only people remaining were tavern-keepers and other non-pirates, including slightly-more-acceptably-dressed prostitutes and brothel-owners.
Captain Sparrow froze as he saw an officer look his way. It was the younger of those two officers who had been unimportant enough not to merit an invitation to Norrington's ceremony. Beckoning to Gibbs, he whispered, "Get the Pearl out of here. Not far . . . just out of sight and shooting range . . . away from the docks. Leave me Anamaria, and be ready for my call."
Gibbs nodded curtly and strode back to the Black Pearl.
_____________________
"Jack Sparrow! It's Jack Sparrow!" The young man's cry rang out through the nearly silent docks.
Offering his arm to Anamaria, Jack grimaced. "Captain Jack Sparrow."
Within moments, armed officers surrounded the couple.
"Look, mates." Jack frowned apologetically. "This . . . really isn't worth it for you. It's doomed to end in tears, loves." He flung out his un-engaged arm dramatically, making the soldiers take a step backwards. "And it's Captain Jack Sparrow. Savvy?"
Drawing his sword, he swung it in a wide arc in front of the officers' faces. He then rushed forward into a roll, plucked the gun from the young officer's grip, and spun to face them. "Adieu." Jack bowed low then plunged into the dark water, leaving behind nothing but bubbles.
Immediately half of the dozen-or-so men ran to the place where he'd been standing. The others turned to surround Anamaria. "She's . . . gone."
Indeed, the pirate-dame seemed to have vanished. There had been no splash, were no bubbles in the water behind where she'd been standing, no sign of her anywhere on the docks.
One of the officers sighed in defeat. "Chaps, I believe yet again we have almost caught Jack Sparrow."
_____________________
"She's . . .gone."
Anamaria, who had swung herself beneath the dock the moment the men's backs were turned, grinned at this statement. Now she had only to find Jack. She rolled her eyes, hoping the fool hadn't gotten himself killed in his arrogance. Her worry, though - however cynical - was in vain, for at that moment Jack swam up to her side. Raising an eyebrow at her, he grinned confidently.
His grin only widened with the proclamation from above them. "Chaps, I believe yet again we have almost caught Jack Sparrow."
As the footsteps died away and the guards returned to their posts, Jack risked a whisper. "They'll have sent someone for Norrington. Hurry, love."