A.N.: I do not own POTC or any of its characters-etc.
The Sands of the Hourglass
The bright blue skies were so clear- the aqua blue waters crashing softly against white fine sand.
The Caribbean.
It was as beautiful as I have imagined.
The fresh brisk of the ocean scent swept- lingering in the air.
"Miss Sullivan- breakfast"
The high-pitched call from my maid awoke my dreamy gaze of nature's beauty.
"Miss Sullivan?" a soft hand rested on my shoulder.
I jerked up, forcing a smile at my maidservant, "Of course Charlotte,"
"What were you doing miss?"
"Just admiring the island," I gestured outside, "It's beautiful"
"It's very fortunate your father had the chance to buy this island," Charlotte breathed happily
My eyes dimmed, "Fortunate indeed"
The maid grinned widely, "There's breakfast downstairs"
"Lieutenant Hemmingway" I blurted, "He's here again?"
"Your father invited him-well again"
I mentally screamed. It was that weary short man that always ruined a perfectly good day. He was the only thing that marred the pleasure of staying here in this isle.
Unfortunately, Father had taken a special liking for the fellow. Now he showed up- always for breakfast.
"I'm not hungry" I grumbled
"But- miss"
"Tell my father and give my apologies to Hemmingway" I interrupted.
"W-well…all right ma'am" my red faced maid looked confused.
Dismissing my maid with a quick nod- I turned back to the window- touching the lining of its wooden sill.
Father had bought this island just a few weeks ago, originally intending to start a trading business of some sort. However, he lost most of his merchant ships from pirates and the hideous weathers of the ocean…it was smart of him to avoid any risks and just lay soundly on a long vacation here.
The vacation was nice. But not with Hemmingway.
I could feel my mouth curving down to a small frown.
Most definitely not.
Hemmingway…the most boring but well-known Lieutenant in the Caribbean, who seemed
to be an extreme anti-pirate 'kill them all' person for whatever the reason.
Of course I secretly agreed with disgust the subject about those seafaring scum. But I despised Hemmingway. And whatever Hemmingway did not like. I liked. So in front of him, I spoke highly about the courage and boldness of pirates, satisfied with a small wince or a cough from the man.
Short and pudgy, the familiar white haired wig on his obviously baldhead, the small goatee, small eyes, and those always-grinning fat lips. Always about money and some boring lecture about his dead wife. From the way he spoke of his dead wife, it may seem that he had been the one to murder her. I was almost sure.
I shook my head
To fill my head with that dreadful man was far a wasteful thing to do.
Breathing out a small sigh, I stretched and froze to hear pounding footsteps stomping closer and closer to my door.
Expecting a knock on the door. I quickly stood waiting.
Without a warning the door swung open as widely as it could, presenting a tall lean figure casually leaning by the door's frame.
My eyes narrowed.
Of course….who else?
"Richard- when will you learn to be a gentleman and knock before entering a lady's room?" I exasperatedly spoke
Why was he smiling so widely?
My cheeks flushed angrily, amused was he?
"My dear sister, when will you learn that I am a gentleman but did not have to knock on your door" he laughed.
Unable to withstand my urge, I swiped a pillow from my bed and hurled it at his chuckling self, "Are you questioning my femininity?"
"You will never be a lady" my brother's laughs silenced, "Always outside scraping your knees, climbing trees, swimming,-"
"That was a long time ago" I stifled a small smile, "When we were children"
Striding forward with a fond expression, he ruffled my hair, "You'll always be that little girl crying for her older brother to rescue her"
"Richard you're messing my hair"
I frantically batted his hand away ignoring his cheery morning personality.
"What now sister? It was always untidy- you've just woken up haven't you?"
"Why are you here?"
"Ah yes- I'm here to proudly declare of my reports on eavesdropping the conversation of our father and the lieutenant just five minutes ago downstairs"
Not waiting for my response, he continued, "Hemmingway asked father for your hand in marriage"
Don't joke Richard Sullivan.
Don't you dare- I looked up at his serious blue eyes and knew he was not lying.
Silence invaded the room, thick with surprise and uneasiness.
Instantly my mouth dropped, the room suddenly spinning wildly, "W-what?" I sputtered.
"It won't be that bad" my brother patted my shoulder reassuringly, "I heard he was a good man"
"What did father say?"
My brother shrugged, "Couldn't hear…the old maid…what's her name? She was screeching with joy"
"Charlotte" I numbly whispered
"AH yes- her"
I could faintly hear my brother saying something about the proposal and the wedding…
No.
It can't be.
T-This would be hell for me.
"I can't" I interjected –anger bursting from my insides.
Richard froze, his mouth stopped moving in mid sentence.
"He-he- oh my God with that man?" I choked, "I just can't"
"Jessica" he firmly spoke a slight warning ringing behind his tone, "He's a good man- he will be able to take care of you"
I was almost in a daze, "What about me?"
Richard shook his head sadly, "If father arranges the marriage- it is done…please Jessica- he's doing the right thing"
"You're on their side?" I incredulously gasped.
"There is no side" Richard waved, "But yes- I'm looking forward to you're marriage- he's the right man"
"How on bloody earth would you know?" I exploded
"Cause I'm your older brother" anger glinted in his eyes, "I know what's best for you"
Enough
Enough with that fake protecting excuse.
Why Richard?
I thought you knew me.
What was he thinking?
Slowly I forcefully swallowed up my rage and hung my head. My eyes were staring intently on every fiber of cotton on the floor carpet.
No.
I will not.
"Jessica?" Richard softly chided, "Don't worry yourself too much- maybe this is all too big for you to understand"
I'm twenty- five for goodness sake.
Too old for marriage.
I thought they had given up on me.
A wry smile cracked my lips. After scaring away all my fiancés and young men. Perhaps I would be capable of yet another-
Richard's cold blue eyes darkened "Don't think of pulling another disastrous scheme. This time no one will put up with childish behavior Jessica"
I continued counting the cotton fibers, losing count when I reached fifty.
"Jessica"
I clamped my jaws shut, stubbornly refusing to tear my interest away from the carpet.
"I know how you feel."
No my dear brother you do not.
Do you know I'm suffocating? Unable to control my own life and destiny? Of course not.
I was certain of father's acceptance to Hemmingway's declaration.
I bitterly cursed, what would father know of his own daughter's feelings? Father only need money right now, and marrying me to that bloody old man would only fulfill his needs.
My mind was deep in thought of an escape- a scheme-….
An audible click and the small creak from the closing door awoke me from my trance. Realizing that my brother had left my room, my mind became clearer and soon began devising all the possibilities. All the risks. Chances I must take to choose…
I will not
I left Jessica's room filled with impatience and frustration.
My dear-young- very young sister.
Right now, I hated to see her frighteningly in despair.
But father was right.
Lieutenant Hemmingway was a great man. He would be perfect.
A small voice in head shouted back, Jessica cannot be tamed.
She doesn't want or need another restraint- a husband. She had a free spirit- she did whatever she pleased.
Another characteristic developed from our late mother, who had died after giving birth to Jessica.
Mother had always wandered, and ventured- she was free…but she also married Father. With that in mind- Jessica could also commit herself to a husband too.
Why not? I wondered defiantly.
My shoulders sagged, no.
But she had father's intelligence and stubbornness.
With the will power the greatest I have ever seen.
She will never marry Hemmingway.
I gritted my teeth in a silent oath.
Unless I see to it.
"Honestly- you do not want to do that" Captain Jack Sparrow winced at the rifle pointed at his face.
"Ye villain!" the soldier roared, his fellow soldiers also loading their guns at the surrounded pirate.
Swaying forward to the nearest man, he motioned wildly, "I swear by my death…" dramatically he motioned, "I didn' commit such a crime"
Alas, he stood in the middle of a small bar on an unnamed island, surrounded by military men. Next to Jack laid a dead man sprawled on the floor, his blood seeping from his head and flowing heavily.
"Don't move!" they yelled as he stared at them all in bewilderment
"I swear-"
"We've heard enough" the tallest soldier motioned at the advancing soldiers.
"No, wait- let's not make any hasty decisions- eh
fellows?" Jack Sparrow shook his head, his hands pressed together in a begging
motion.
Glancing at the ignoring men, he stepped backwards, stumbling over the dead man's arm, "Sorry" he looked at the lump and grimaced.
How to get out this one, eh?
Jack Sparrow tipped his triangular hat and bowed slightly, his colorful display of gold teeth glinting.
Abruptly he jumped forward on a small wooden table receiving surprised cries from the crowd.
"Stop him!"
With a quick pull of an overhead string of lanterns, the lanterns crashed below at the roaring soldiers who started to blindly shoot at walls.
Instantly the lights disappeared and pitch-blackness seeped into the bar. Small streams of light poured from the windows revealing only shadows and figures.
Softly at a corner an unknown door silently opened and closed locking the
confused shouts and screams.
Outside from the chaotic bar, Captain Jack Sparrow made his way with brilliant full smile gracing his tanned well-defined face. His bright crimson band tied around his head, his beads and odd items adorning his black braided hair. Neighbors of the bar stared at such oddity, unaware of the loud confused noise coming from the dark unlighted bar.
Just stopped by the nearest isle to catch a drink and of course for once I cannot escape trouble, Jack amusedly smiled and winked at the nearest opened jawed neighbor.
Must hurry, Jack swayed, Black Pearl on shore-
"Ye…stop!" a voice yelled from behind.
Briefly Jack's eyes widened, his walking strides becoming faster.
"Stop or I'll shoot!" a sudden jab from Jack's back sent him sprawling on dirt, his dark eyes confused.
"What in bloody hell-"
A sudden crack and pain exploded at the side of his head, and the great Captain Jack Sparrow laid unconscious, captured by a small trembling lieutenant called Hemmingway.
