A.N.: I wish- but I own nothing
Chapter X
A huge hand grabbed my waist and dragged me into a dark corner.
"Hello my pretty…"
Frightened as I was, I began to scream, a rough hand covering my mouth a whisper in my ear, "Scream for me later my dear"
His hands were all over me.
The horror and fear paralyzed me. The shock stopped my breathing and I could feel helpless tears from my eyes.
"Sorry to interrupt" Jack's voice brought my eyes to tear in relief.
The bulky toothless man froze in surprise but held onto my shoulders.
"What do ye want- I found her first" the roaring man's spit flew everywhere.
Jack Sparrow lazily nodded as if this was getting to be boring, "No…." he looked at his fingernails, "That corner yer in- blocks the sign to the docks- a fine of two shillings- or so I've heard"
The man immediately dragged me to the side, "Run off ye scoundrel"
"Secondly, ye have something of mine"
I tried struggling against the man's firm grip.
"She's mine" the drunkard bellowed shaking me.
"I belong to no one" I spat.
"Now ye do" the bulk grinned his ugly face, he bent down his lips puckered-
With a shout I slapped his face, he jerked up in astonishment, an angry glare in his beady eyes.
"She's untouchable mate" Jack shook his face as if sympathizing.
God. Just do something, my mind screamed at Jack.
"Anyway we must get going" Jack looked at me, "Very late-"
My attacker shook his fist and cursed, "Come and get her"
Yes come and get me, inwardly I screamed.
I stopped myself as I realized what I have just thought.
Was I this desperate?
"Ye have two choices mate" Jack thumbed, "Ye can give the lass to me-"
With one hand he securely held me and with the other, the man brought out his dagger.
Jack brought his hands forward as if to stop him, "Or I could sell her for twenty shillings"
WHAT?!??!
My eyes widened at his offer, as Jack grinned, "Now what do ye say, eh mate?"
That bloody bastard – pirate scum-
I could see the dark man smile widely.
"She's not worth twenty- I bet she's not a virgin- ten shillings"
I blanched.
What the hell? They were bargaining.
Hot rage poured from my stomach
And to have thought that Jack would save me-
I had enough.
Despite my past terror-
I stomped my foot on his toes and elbowed his chest as hard as I could muster.
With a loud shout, the man let me go to nurse his ribs.
Quickly Jack reached out a hand and grabbed me. He swung out his brilliant sword at my assailant.
"I promise I won't tell anyone that ye blocked the sign" with that said Jack led me away.
Finally when we have ran as far as we could, I got up and struck the jerk's face.
The back of his head turned to me, I sniffed.
Slowly and carefully turning, he rubbed his jaw and eyed me.
"You coward-" a knot in my throat tightened.
"I was only joking love" Jack explained, "Honestly, I was going to rescue you after-"
"You sold me like a bloody prostitute" I finished loudly, I could feel my cheeks reddening, "I hate you Jack Sparrow- you are such a-"
He reached for my arm and softly asked, his dark eyes burning, I refused to look at him.
"Are you well?" he cleared my bangs from my eyes.
"No" I whispered.
A flash of strange light swept his serious eyes. He wordlessly bent down to redo my dress's back laces.
Still overwhelmed, I lacked the energy to stop him.
"I hope you're satisfied" I brushed my tears
Without answering, the pirate glanced with a hesitant nod and motioned me onward, "Come, we have to be quick. It won't be long until the big fellow realizes that there is no fine for covering signs"
I bit my lip to hold my smile.
"Just- observing this lovely ship" Jack bowed at the skinny boat dealer.
I couldn't help frowning at the squeaking unclean wooden floors with colorful things spilled on it.
"A bit pricey the ship" the old man spoke to Jack.
As if deciding, Jack sauntered around rubbing his chin and occasionally murmuring a "hmm"
"How much is this beauty?"
Beauty? More like ugly
"Over two hundred shillings" the man suspiciously watched Jack, "Ye can't possibly afford it"
"I'm afraid yer right" Jack let out a disappointed sigh, and tested the ship's wheel. "I feel terribly sorry to let go of such a-" as if he ran out of words, he slowly spoke, "grand boat"
"It's a ship" the old cranky man spat
"Sorry- ship" Jack smiled, "Well- new ships to look at- come Miss Sullivan"
"I don't think anyone wants their ship sold" I whispered to him as we walked far from the old man's ears.
"Have ye ever heard of a relationship?" The pirate stopped short to watch me.
"Relationship with what?"
"With a ship"
"That's ridiculous- how could you possibly have a relationship with your ship?" I blinked at the absurdity
"Ahhh- but its there mate" Jack looked at the sea's horizon, "It's quite deep- and a personal love…someday if ye are fortunate- you might feel it too."
"I'll never own a bloody ship- I hate the ocean" I shook my head, "And what's your point?"
"That old man's a respectable man lass" Jack shook his head towards the old man, "We'll have to find a more…uncaring boat owner, eh?"
After a few seconds of trying to make sense of what Jack just said I shook my head, "What ever you say Captain Pirate"
Strolling now, Jack spoke, "So what makes you- eh think so lowly of the ocean love?"
I paused to think.
"It's too deep- too wide-" I looked at him, "It reminds me of a drowning prison, a suffocating trap, something that you might never escape"
Jack looked thoughtful, "How ironic"
Ironic?
I waited for his explanation.
"Why ironic?"
Jack stopped and spread his hands towards the horizon; "The ocean- the Pearl means nothing but freedom and unexpected adventure to me"
"But it was interesting to hear it from your perspective lass"
Yes, what a strange pirate.
"Don't you feel drowning against its waves?" I insisted as we resumed our pace
A grin curled up from his sculpted face, "Unlike ye, I know how to swim me lass"
I blankly looked at his pleased expression.
Then I scowled, "Don't look so damned pleased with yourself"
"We've viewed eight boats- ships" we were at another bar- called the Sharks Bank close to the docks, "All of them not as great as the Pearl eh lass?"
Whispering, we sat down at the table closest to the door.
"Which one are we taking?" I curiously asked.
The pirate played with the half-filled tankard and gave me a small smile, "Ye almost sound like a pirate love- I'm impressed"
"Don't be stupid" I sternly looked at him, "Don't make me sick"
"So which one?"
"Don't worry lass, I know which one" he laid his hands open on the table, "I know what to do"
"Oh?"
He raised his tankard to his eyes and drank it.
"What do I do?" I asked.
Surely I get to play a part in stealing the ship.
Jack froze midway of placing his tankard down and studied me quietly, "Ye lass- hmmm, er- once again lass, you have a very important thing to do"
"What" I blurted
"Ye sneak in the boat" he mysteriously waved his tankard, "And be very quiet"
He sipped his rum.
"That's it?" I shrieked
"Am I asking too much?" He eyed me and lifted the tankard to his lips, "Ye don't have to be quiet the whole time love, feel free to be cheering me on-"
"Like hell! You do everything-" I loudly voiced, "That's how we're going to steal that bloody boat?"
The bar suddenly grew quiet and many eyes turned to look at us.
A look of panic drew on Jack's face as he suddenly broke into a big merry smile and looked around.
"Please gentlemen and gentlewomen- back to yer drinks" he continued smiling,
"Don't listen to me aunt's wild talks-" and with a low voice, "She's a bit- ye know-" he tapped his head seriously.
I sighed as Jack shot me an encouraging look.
Forcing a crazed smile on my face, I started to mumble gibberish.
Satisfied as the people laughed and turned back to their drinks.
Jack let out a breath of relief, "Close lass, got to be more careful" his eyes widened when he noticed a small shrewd lady glaring at us.
"Anyway- auntie- Aye the table is very evil" he loudly nodded at me. "We'll definitely cut its fingernails"
"Fine Jack Sparrow- but if you fail to steal the boat then you'll be dead before they kill you"
Jack's eyes shifted cautiously, "Hush- we are going to borrow- borrow" he earnestly insisted.
"Borrow without returning it back" I sarcastically pointed.
Jack exclaimed, "Wonderfully said-"
"Alright- alright" I paused, "whatever you're going to do- you'd better do it well"
"Of course" he flashed his golden teeth, "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow"
How reassuring.
A.N. continued:
Yes this is a romance fic- basically on Jessica and you all know who. I've tried to shape this trying to avoid the Mary Sueness
I've tried to create Jessica's character, as being imaginative, spoiled, bratty, sharp tongued, critical, tense, strict, mean, but sensitive. She detaches herself from the world.
I hope she doesn't sound too good to be true.
I think she's not exactly perfect due to many character flaws she has.
If she does. Please tell me in a constructive criticism and I will be delighted to acknowledge it.
