Disclaimer: Don't own it, don't really wish to own it- so don't assume I do.
(Quick Note from the Author: This is a sequel to Joy of the Hunt- but it can be read as an individual story, should you happen upon it. But if you care to know what exactly some of the things mean mentioned here, I'd suggest you'd read its leader.)
The Ties That Bind
By: J.L. Dexter
Rating: PG
Summary: Sequel to Joy of the Hunt. Months after their fierce battle, Jack and Anamaria find themselves in the most awkward of discussions dealing with their past, their present and their future.
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Something cool tickled at her neck interrupting her dreamless sleep. She swatted it away but had no luck in shooing whatever it was that insisted on bothering her and she finally cracked her eyes open warranting a growl of pain for her efforts.
A low hiss of aggravation broke the awkward silence as she felt something course trail across her collarbone. She forced her eyes open to be met with a blinding light before blinking rapidly to clear away the blur in her vision.
When Anamaria finally woke up, she noticed two major things. One- this certainly doesn't look like the rigging, and two- this definitely isn't my cabin.
A noise from beside her drew her attention from her thoughts as she gazed over to see two dark kohl rimmed eyes staring back at her, the brow above them furrowed slightly. Jack. Anamaria thought as she closed her eyes and shifted uncomfortably under a heavy blanket.
"Ana, are ye still awake?" Jack asked, the breeze of his words tickling her ear.
She opened her eyes and looked up at him, a small nod forming as her answer. Jack gave a nod of his own in return as he reached up and dabbed at her sweat-covered forehead. He briefly paused before dragging the damp cloth down her neck and over the exposed area of her chest.
Anamaria flinched at his touch, a frown appearing on her lips. After some time, she questioned in a cracking voice, "What happened?"
Jack removed the cloth and set it on a nearby table as he studied her. "Ye passed out is all."
"Its happenin' again, isn't it, Jack?" Anamaria asked closing her eyes once more.
The pirate captain leaned closer and pushed a strand of Anamaria's damp hair from her face. "I don't think so, love. I just think it was a relapse. Perhaps one last spell that tried breakin' free."
"And if not- what if-" Anamaria was cut off by Jack's callused finger on her lips, he moved his hand allowing his thumb to stroke her flushed cheek.
"Just trust me for once," Jack told her gently.
Anamaria stared at him, her eyes taking on an angered glaze. "Ye have to give trust to earn it, Jack."
Jack frowned at her but before he could answer, Anamaria quietly said, "But for what its worth, I believe ye- ye mangy black hearted blighter."
There was slight movement as Jack bobbed his head in agreement. "Well and if it makes ye feel better- ye haven't had another spell for the past three days."
"Th-three days?" Anamaria croaked.
"Aye, three days ye have been out- I was beginning to wonder if ye would wake up before we left Tortuga," Jack consoled.
Anamaria blanched. "We- we are in Tortuga?"
Jack looked at her, his nose wrinkling. "Aye, Ana. Tortuga! The best place of all to be- Wouldn't ye say?"
The female pirate scowled at him. "I can think of about a dozen other places I'd rather be right about now, and Tortuga ain't one of them!"
"Ah, now that hurts love to hear ye say that about me favorite place," Jack exclaimed with feigned disappointment.
Anamaria pushed him away as she roughly used his arm as support to pull herself out of his bed. Snorting in disgust she asked rudely, "So just how many times were you with me, while I was immobilized, Jack Sparrow?"
She allowed her eyes to sweep across his cabin, a deeply disturbed expression crossing her features. What an odd man, she thought. He actually keeps his cabin neat and tidied.
Jack followed her, watching her as she surveyed his belongings. "I was with ye every day, Ana. Not like I couldn't be, not with ye alone in me cabin and all, savvy?"
Anamaria whirled on him, the anger rising. "Jack," she growled as her hand reached for the closest thing she could find. An empty rum bottle.
Jack looked from her to the rum bottle and then back to her. "Ana- that's empty."
"I know its empty ye daft fool. Now stop playin' your mind games with me, Sparrow and answer my question." Anamaria said in a threatening tone as she raised the bottle in the air.
The captain blinked before asking, "What be the question again?"
Anamaria growled as she repeated, "Just how many times were you with me, while I was immobilized, Sparrow and I want the truth."
Jack looked perplexed before his eyes got wide and he began waving his hands in defense. "What? None! I never once touched ye, Ana, I swear," Jack protested with a glint in his eyes.
A glint that went unnoticed.
Anamaria took a step back clutching the bottle closer to her. "Liar," she whispered as she felt her mind swarming with curses and screams. Her face puckered in confusion as her grip on the bottle loosened, the dark glass container falling to the floor shattering.
"I swear it, Ana. I thought ye said ye trusted me," Jack pointed out with confidence as he took a step towards her.
"Wrong. I said I believed ye, not trusted ye. How do ye expect someone to trust ye if ye don't trust them in return? It don't work that way," Anamaria explained as her hand reached out to his desk, her fingers wrapping around something else to use in her defense.
Jack reached out to her, a sincere look on his face as he said, "Then believe me once more, Ana, when I say I didn't lay a finger on ye. I may not have any honor as a pirate, but I'm still a gentleman by any standard. I'd only touch if that's what the lady wants." He paused and looked at her.
"I want it," Anamaria whispered suddenly before realizing it as Jack added, "And ye don't want it," the two voices overlapping each other.
"Wait- ye what?" Jack asked his voice taking on a bewildered tone. He looked at her, an expression of fear tracing her features. "Ana." Jack gently took her arm and moved closer only to stop as Anamaria's other arm cut in front of him, her fingers holding onto the candle that had been sitting on Jack's desk, the small flame giving off the dim light in the cabin.
"Don't ye sweet talk me, Jack Sparrow. I'm not in the mood to hear it."
Jack stared at her through the flickering flame of the candle; the small light gradually fading as the flame neared its end. "But I thought ye just said-"
Anamaria cut him off as she tried to place some distance between her and her captain without luck. Jack's grip was firm but gentle as he rendered her movement. "What I say and I what I feel are two different things, Jack," Anamaria hissed as he held onto her.
"Well ye must feel that way somehow or else ye wouldn't have said what ye did to begin with!" Jack argued pulling her close.
The woman glared at him over the candle, her only defense in stopping him. The silence hung in the air as they both stared at each other, the flickering light casting shadows on their faces.
"Anamaria."
"Don't."
The light went out.
Jack knocked the candle out of her hand as he pulled her against him, his hands searching her as he finally allowed one to rest on her shoulder as his other rested in the crook of her neck, his thumb stroking her jaw line.
Through the dark his mouth found hers as he pressed her lips to his, his dark eyes remaining open.
Anamaria tensed as he kissed her, her mind telling her to stop him. She was sure that his hands would find some way under her shirt but to her surprise they never moved down and instead moved up as he tenderly ran his fingers along her neck and through her hair.
She was surprised at his gentleness but even more surprised when she felt herself returning his kiss. Her eyes snapped open as Jack's head snapped back with a sickening crack.
Jack slowly turned back to gaze at the woman before him, his jaw tightly clenched in anger and pain. He searched her eyes for a reason, an answer, anything that could explain what had just happened.
He certainly was sure that he didn't deserve the slap she had just dealt him, but as he looked at her, he knew he had. He had kissed her. Well what was I bloody suppose to do? Wait for her to kiss me?! Jack argued mentally as he assessed their current situation.
The woman before him deftly moved away, her feet shuffling across the floor for the door. Jack stood motionless before saying, "Ana, wait. I don't understand-"
"No Jack, you're right!" Anamaria shouted back to him. "Ye don't understand! And I don't ever expect ye to. It wouldn't ever work, but ye don't seem to grasp that concept. There will never be anythin' but captain and first mate between us, Jack."
Jack flinched at the words as if he had been struck. "And what brings ye to that conclusion, might I ask, Ana?"
Anamaria, even though Jack couldn't see it, glared at the man viciously. "'Cause Jack- where are we?"
"As in docked? Or as in us?"
"As in docked," Anamaria hissed.
Jack rubbed his chin. "Tortuga, but ye knew that Ana."
"Aye Jack, I knew it," Anamaria whispered. "And why do ye keep dockin' in Tortuga?"
"Simple!" Jack stated. "So that we- as in us and the crew- can have a break, have some drinks, a lil' fun. I don't see why it's such a big deal."
"Jack! Don't ye get it?" Anamaria questioned angrily. Jack could distinctly hear her voice quivering and he knew that she was crying. "Ye dock in Tortuga for fun, Jack. Each time we come back here, ye go to a bar, play some cards, get drunk, sing your bloody song and come mornin' ye find yourself in the arms of some- some whore!"
The pirate captain looked confused at this as he stated, "But Ana that's the whole reason I come to Tortuga."
"I know Jack," Anamaria said softly. "And it wouldn't work- with us. It wouldn't last 'cause it would never begin. Ye don't know the meanin' of one and ye never will- I don't think ye'd even know the meanin' of one if ye were all alone, Jack Sparrow."
Anamaria bit her tongue. She had never been this open with Jack before but it was too late to go back now. Jack leaned against his desk. "Ana, I know where ye are headin' with this, but there's one thing ye have to know."
"And what would that be," Anamaria asked sarcastically.
The answer floated through the silenced dark reaching Anamaria's ears causing her to hold her breath. "I do care for ye, Ana. Maybe one day ye can accept that."
Anamaria hung her head. Not this time Sparrow. It's not good enough. Anamaria thought sadly as she turned around. "And maybe, Jack Sparrow, ye can accept that ye are nothin' but a womanizer and as long as ye adhere a trait like that, ye aren't good enough for the likes of me."
She cast one last glance at the shadowed figure before turning to go. Despite the dark that surrounded her, she found the door and left, slamming it behind her.
---
Jack stumbled around in the darkness, his mind a torrent of confused thoughts. The argument between him and Anamaria lingered heavily on his mind as he made his way towards a tavern he spotted in the distance.
The pirate captain swaggered through the door and found his way to the bar, taking a seat at the far end in the shadows of the room. The barkeep studied him before asking, "What'll it be?"
Jack glanced up from the stained and chipped counter, his eyes crestfallen and his brow furrowed in agitation. "Mead," he replied after some hesitation. Screw the rum, he thought dryly. It's probably just somethin' else for her to tally against me.
The barkeep all but slammed the drink before him, gave a silent nod then turned back to what he was doing before interrupted- flirting with a buxom strumpet. Jack watched the man for a moment, taking in the details of the barkeep and his object of entertainment.
The barkeep had his hands around the woman's waist as she ran her fingers through her hair. Jack scrutinized the woman that sat on top of the bar counter- she had unruly blonde hair that sat in a heap on top of her head as several strands and curls framed her face. Her eyes were small and narrow, almost catlike, their hazel irises bringing out the freckles sprinkled across her face. Her nose sported several freckles itself and was a bit large compared to her other facial features. Her pink painted lips parted to reveal a white smile and Jack had to admit that she was a bit easy on the eyes- from her freckles to her toes, to which he noted were slightly crooked.
She had one of her legs dangling off the counter as the other was wrapped around the barkeeps waist as the man buried his face in her showing cleavage. The whore giggled as the man murmured something only she could hear as she scooted closer to him, the hem of her skirt rising enough to show off her upper thigh.
The first thing Jack thought was- Disgusting. He tilted his head at the scene, his nose wrinkling in repugnance. Do I really act like that? He asked himself at the display of lust before him. He shook his head as he mumbled, "Of course ye do, mate. You're Captain Jack Sparrow- a man who likes his rum and women."
His conversation was cut short as someone took a seat beside him and once again, the annoyed barkeep saw to the man, a scowl on his face. Jack ordered another drink since the barkeep was up and soon resumed in his self-pity and drinking.
From next to him he heard, "I like t' whores 'ere as much as t' nex' man, but th't jus' makes me stomach churn."
Jack snorted at him as he watched the liquid in his tankard swirl around, his thoughts mingling with the alcohol. Does Ana really think all those things she said? No, she can't- she said she wanted me. She said it would never work. I don't know the meaning of 'one' but there has always been just one. I kissed her- wait! She kissed me back, sort of. But she said I wasn't good enough for her.
The pirate captain's mind swelled at the thoughts and as he argued with himself and he paid no mind to the fact he had started muttering out loud. It was only until the guy next to him nudged him and said, "'ey, buddy- whatcha mumblin' 'bout ov'r there?"
Without looking up from his drink Jack deftly answered, "She said I wasn't good enough for her." His head snapped up- Oh by the code! I just said that out loud!
The man on the chair next to him chuckled. "Aye, ye get ov'r it real quick. Women, good fer nothin's the 'ole lot o' them 'cept as whores."
Jack jumped to his feet his movement knocking his stool over as he grabbed a fistful of the man's shirt. "Ana is no whore and no one speaks about Captain Jack Sparrow's woman like that, especially not the likes of a scoundrel like ye. Savvy?"
"Captain Sparrow, is it?" The man echoed as he pried Jack's hands from his shirt. "I 'eard of ye. Biggest investment to these whores, ye be. Its said ye've bedded most ev'ry gal in Tortuga, mate. 'ate to be t' one t' break it t' your bleedin' 'eart, but ye ain't no one woman man, Sparrow."
Jack spun around to look at him, the anger in his dark eyes. Before the other guy knew it, he was staggering back, a hand to his face from the onslaught of Jack's fist. The barkeep's whore shrieked as glasses shattered and tables overturned while Jack and the other man exchanged punches.
The barkeep yanked Jack off the man and slung him into a nearby wall, his head striking a table's edge and knocking him out. The other man scrambled to his feet, his nose and lip bloody, his shirt ripped and a scowl on his face. He cast one last glance at Jack before fleeing the tavern as the barkeep tried to grab him.
The barkeep sighed at the mess and turned to the woman who he had been consorting with. "Milly, I want ye to take our friend, Captain Jack Sparrow to the docks and see if ye can find 'is crew. If not, then just leave him and come right back, ye understand?"
The woman nodded and moved towards Jack as the barkeep rummaged through the pirate captain's jacket, withdrawing a small coin purse. "This ought to be enough t' cover the damage and 'is drink," he said with a smile as he watched his whore half drag, half shove Jack out the door into the cold night.
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Anamaria sat huddled against a crate watching the stars, her knees drawn to her chest. She couldn't stop thinking about Jack or their argument. More importantly she couldn't stop herself from thinking about the kiss. She felt her cheeks grow hot as she blushed at the memory.
For so long Anamaria had wished just once, that she could hold or kiss Jack the way she saw Elizabeth do with Will but each time, something stopped her. It was usually Jack who either was drunk, flirting with the wenches of whatever port they stayed in or his uncanny ability to piss her off every time she turned around.
Anamaria rested her chin on her knees as she felt her eyes tingle with unshed tears. She had tried for so long to not cry- she had always considered it a weakness, especially since she was the only woman among a throng of men.
She used the back of her hand to wipe away the stray tear that made its way down her face as she remembered all the fights she and Jack had. All the fights, all the laughs and all the calm moments she and her captain had shared so many times when she'd usually find him at the helm long after the others had retired.
Anamaria enjoyed those times and she cherished how Jack often spoke to her of the things he thought about despite the fact that he believed he didn't trust her. Anamaria knew he did, he just refused to admit it. And in all truth, she trusted him too. He was the first guy she had opened up to after- after I lost my parents and my fiancé.
She'd never admit it, but Jack was the first guy after all that that earned a spot in her heart for as long as lived. Anamaria wasn't sure how much longer life was going to hold out for her, not with her current occupation, but to be honest, she wasn't sure if she cared, so long as she was with Jack.
Anamaria sighed as she shivered from the cool breeze that wafted across the ship's deck, her arms covering in goose bumps. Her thoughts were shattered as she heard a noise from the docks below.
She heard a muffled shout that sounded along the lines of like, "Bloody wench! Ye lost me ship, don't ye know who I be?"
Sounds like Jack, she told herself as she rose to her feet and crossed to the gangplank to see who ever was nearing the ship. She leaned over the railing to see two figures below straggling up the pier. "Who goes there?" Anamaria called down to the two.
She heard the drunken gurgling of one person followed by an accented female voice, "I be lookin' for t' crew o' Jack Sparrow."
"And just why are ye lookin' for them?" Anamaria asked cautiously.
"'Cause I wish t' be returnin' th' troublesome fool, tis why. Now do ye know where I can find 'em or not?" The woman shouted back up.
Anamaria groaned in annoyance. "Aye," she called back down as she headed for the people standing on the pier. When she reached them, she saw Jack slumped over, barely able to stand on his own, his weight against the blonde whore who had brought him to the docks.
I knew he wouldn't be able to resist the whores- he never does. Anamaria cast a shamed glance at her captain as she sighed, Jack, when will you learn, this is what keeps up apart, before staring back at the woman beside him.
The female pirate growled in disgust at the woman as she noticed half the wench's clothes were missing or either scantily loose. Anamaria rolled her eyes as she took one of Jack's arms. "I thank ye for bringin' the wayward captain back," Anamaria seethed at the sight of the woman.
"'Old on there, who are ye an' 'ow do I know I can trust ye?" The woman said stopping Anamaria.
Anamaria sighed. "Ye were lookin' for his crew, yes? Well ye found it. That is his ship, the Black Pearl and trust me, there wouldn't be a single positive thing about kidnappin' Jack Sparrow, I assure ye."
The woman shrugged and turned to go. "Eh, well no skin off me back."
"Oh my goodness! What happened to him?" Anamaria exclaimed as she had noticed Jack's state for the first time.
The whore glanced back at her before saying, "Got in ta' a fight at t' tavern protectin' t' honor o' some whore named Ana. Drunken fool th't man Sparrow. Do what ye like wit' im' he's o' no concern o' mine."
From Anamaria's side came a gurgled reply as Jack tiredly lifted his head to proclaim, "I'm not as think as ye drunk I am, mate! Now… where be me rum?"
Both women rolled her eyes as the blonde turned to leave mumbling something about Jack's drunkenness.
Anamaria watched her walk off as a smile came to her face. She helped a limping Jack to the ship and to his cabin once on deck. Dropping him carelessly on his bed, Anamaria began to wipe the signs of blood from his face away as she thought about the irony of the situation and how he had come to be like this.
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A/N: Dum dum duhn… right, so chapter two holds a bit more of a promise. Chapter three, definitely holds more promise than two, I can assure you.
Review Thanks-
Vienna1- Hey, anytime and thanks for reading/reviewing! Hope to see ya around soon!
Jackfan2- Aww, me trusty friend- a bit you weren't exactly expecting? Who says she didn't make a full recovery? She has- but even in recovery things still have a tendency to rear its ugly head. My course of direction hasn't changed much except to how to start things off. Which this is it- and you seem fairly happy with it so I'll continue going this route. ^_~
-J