The back to Tortuga passed peacefully, and in no time at all the four
travelers found themselves getting ready to exit the ship. Tired, hungry,
and with other concerns on their minds, Julianne made the executive
decision not to unload the ship until the following day, with Jack's
approval of course.
"Alright mates, I know you're anxious to get this on with, but we'll prolly be 'ere two days at least til everything's been gotten to gettin. As for tonight, Jules and I 'ave some business to be discussin so we'll be 'eadin for the tavern", Jack said just before they unboarded.
"Oh", Elizabeth exclaimed.
"Sorry luv", Jack continued, "I'm sure you're all broken up about an evening without me company, but I promise to show you the sites round 'ere before we leave." Elizabeth snapped her mouth shut and put on a scowl while Will grinned beside her.
"He's just teasing", he reassured his wife giving her a little nudge in the side.
"I know", she answered lightly nudging him back.
Finally, satisfied with the condition of his ship, Jack led the small crew down the plank and onto the dock. On their way towards the little town, both captains turned around to give their friends a few last minute words.
"It's been a long day for the two o' you. Get yerselves something to eat and then 'ead on in for the night. We won't be out too late."
"You can either get a room, or stay at my place", Julianne added holding out a key. "It's number 13 up on the hill."
Will took the key hesitantly and nodded.
"Right then", she continued, "make sure ye don't lose it, and see you later", and she and Jack swung around arm in arm to be on their way.
"Wait," Elizabeth called after them and turning their attention back to both Turners. "If we have your key, how will you get in?"
"Oh not to worry luv, Jack has the other", and again they began making their way to the tavern, while Elizabeth shot Will a suspicious look.
It was about a half mile from the dock to the Faithful Bride. Jack and Julianne sauntered along talking about their stay in Port Royale. Jack wanted to know what she thought about Will and Elizabeth, and hinted that he had something important he wanted to talk to her about. When they had almost reached their destination, having just entered the square of the mangy little town where all around them people were drinking, laughing, and fighting; two women approached both of the captains. Obviously women of the trade, Julianne lowered the front of her hat just enough so that it covered her face, and fell in step a pace behind Jack. *So help me god, if they know your name Jack*, she thought to herself as they came closer.
"Ladies", Jack greeted the women in a monotone voice.
"I see the two of you 'ave just come in", one of them began moving forward and taking Jack by his left arm. "You must 'ave 'ad quite a long day. Anything we can do to improve on your stay 'ere in Tortuga?"
Seeing the other woman take a step forward toward her, Julianne cocked her head, flipped her hat up with her forefinger and answered harshly, "I don't think so".
Julianne smiled eerily as she watched the woman in front of her stop in shock, and gasp with eyes wide, and the woman hanging onto Jack drop his arm immediately and step back. Neither one said a word as they quickly collected themselves and scurried away. Continuing their walk to the tavern, neither captain spoke a word to the other about it.
***
The doors to the tavern both swung open in unison as the two captains made their entrance at the Faithful Bride.
"Cap'n Amaris, Cap'n Sparrow", the barkeep greeted his two old friends warmly. "It's been awhile since either of you've been in 'ere together" he added with a raised eyebrow.
"Not now Restin. We've only just arrived, no need to start in with that quite yet", Julianne smarted.
"O' course Cap'n", Restin replied with a sly smile in Jack's direction while pushing two full mugs and a jug of grog toward them.
"Now if you'll excuse us", Jack spoke up, "Captain Amaris and I have some business to discuss, savvy?"
Restin nodded, "I'll see to it that no one be botherin the two of you." Julianne flashed a charming smile, scooped up the mugs, and followed Jack to a small table in the back corner of the bar.
"So, exactly what business do we 'ave to be discussin' anyway?" Julianne inquired after a long gulp from her mug.
"Well, a lil' somethin' popped into me 'ead while we were in Port Royale, and I uh, thought I'd run it by you and see what you think."
"Umm hmm."
Without any further hesitation, Jack blurted out his answer, "What do you think about starting a fleet?"
"What?" Julianne sputtered through the sip she was taking.
"A fleet, you know, you and I and our two ships. I mean think about it, we already do more than half of our dealings together anyway so it's not like much 'ould be changing anyway."
Taking yet another large swig from her cup, Julianne pondered Jack's proposal. All in all, it wasn't too bad of an idea, and he was right, it wouldn't really be changing much. But starting a fleet, the idea of it just seemed, repressive somehow. Then again, there were a lot of advantages to the whole thing as well. Fleets among pirates were a rare thing, but those that did exist instilled a fear in people that allowed complete free reign. In her head, Julianne weighed the pros and cons of the situation and eventually came to a conclusion.
"And who would be commodore?" she asked with raised eyebrows.
There was a lot at stake with the answer to this question and Jack knew it. He knew that while the nature of their relationship gave him a lot of leverage, there were still limits. There was no way she'd ever take orders from him, but at the same time, giving in to her meant she had a power over him he was not willing to allow. Though she already held enough power over him in so many other ways, Jack could accept this because he knew he held that same power over her. They were equal, and either one becoming commodore would destroy the fragile balance that allowed them to coexist with each other under seemingly impossibly circumstances.
"Who says we need a commodore at all. Over rated if you ask me."
Julianne understood, as she too had been thinking along the same lines. Considering everything for just a second more, she finally agreed. "Alright, we'll do it. But if there's not going to be a commodore then it's going to be split, right down the middle, on everything."
Jack nodded. Together, the two captains raised their mugs to one another, drank, made their accord, "Take what you can, give nothin' back!", and slammed their drinks down on the table.
"So now that we're a fleet, I was thinking that."
"I KNEW IT!" Julianne exclaimed hitting the table with her fist. "I knew there was behind this whole scheme of yours."
"Oh calm down, it's not what you think."
"Fine, go on."
"What I was going to say what that since we're a fleet and all, it would make sense for the two of us to keep all of our loot at the same place."
"Makes sense, but what's your point in bringing it up now?"
"Well naturally, I don't particularly like the idea of having to go to Isla de Muerta every time we pick off a ship."
"Naturally."
"Then you agree that it would make more sense just to move everything to Santa Croix."
"Yes I suppose so."
"So I was thinking, since we've got to go to there anyway, why not just swing by Isla de Muerta, pick it all up, and drop it off while we're there gettin' Will's."
The look on Julianne's face made it obvious that she was not exactly thrilled with the idea.
"Jack, we told Will and Elizabeth this was just going to be a quick thing. I mean I know it saves us time, but it's really pretty out o' the way for them."
"Well we'll ask them o' course. If they aren't up for it, then we can just go take care of it when we get back."
Sighing, Julianne took another drink before replying. "Alright, fine. But this was your idea so you're the one whose askin'.
"Alright."
"And", she added quickly. "We are running this whole fleet thing by the crews too before we just go a'ead and do it."
"Alright", Jack repeated pretending to be annoyed.
"Oh shut up", Julianne laughed giving him a kick under the table. They sat together for another hour, eating dinner and having quite a few more jugs to drink, until it was agreed that it was time to turn head home for the evening.
Both sufficiently liquored up, but not quite entirely drunk yet, Jack and Julianne took what remained in their jug and left the Faithful Bride. Just moments later Will and Elizabeth also made their exit after them. Keeping some distance between themselves and the two captains who were talking and laughing too loudly to even notice, the Turners kept a close and curious watch on them. About half way up the hill to where Julianne's house stood, Jack stopped, turned to face her, and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her close. After a somewhat swaggering and sloppy kiss, Jack looked at Julianne with glazed eyes and asked, "Captain Amaris, will you marry me?"
For half a second Julianne just stared back at him and said nothing. Eventually, she broke into hysterical intoxicated giggling, lost her balance, and practically fell to the ground laughing, almost dragging Jack along with her. After steadying herself, Julianne tried to speak through occasional giggles and snorts.
"Jack Sparrow! 'ooow many timesss are ye going to ask such a rilicidous qweston?"
"As many times as it takes til ye say yes," he answered with a cheesy grin as he held her in place to keep from falling again.
"Ye know you'll be askin' forever then?" she said a little more serious.
"Whatever it takes luv, whatever it takes", and he swung back around and continued up the hill humming to himself.
Down below, Will and Elizabeth stood in shock. Elizabeth was the first to regain her wits. "I told you there was something between those two", she hissed at her husband. Will simply shrugged and nodded his assent. They continued up the hill slowly, and eventually reached their destination. Together, the Turners stood outside the front door of the house discussing what do to next.
"You sure we oughtn't just get a room?" Will asked Elizabeth not wanting to walk in on an awkward situation.
"Nonsense! If they had wanted us to get a room she wouldn't have given us the key", Elizabeth snapped and raised her hand to open the door.
"Maybe we should knock", Will said, grabbing her arm just before she opened the door. Elizabeth rolled her eyes but did not protest when Will rapped lightly. No answer came, but just as he was about to knock again someone pulled open the door.
"I gave you the key for a reason, ye know? Besides, wasn't locked anyway", Julianne greeted them.
"Sorry", Will mumbled, "didn't want to interrupt anything is all."
Julianne's eyes narrowed slightly at Will's comment, but she stepped aside to the let Turners in. Upon stepping into the house Elizabeth looked around amazed. Of all the houses that stood on Tortuga, Julianne's looked as though it belonged in Port Royale rather than on this miserable little spit of land. Though it wasn't very big by her standards, the house was fairly larger than any others that surrounded it and was beautiful both inside and out. Gazing around the room Elizabeth heard herself catch her breath.
"This place is amazing", she admired aloud.
"Thank ye. Belonged to my father. Good taste, he had, very good taste."
"Yes he did", Elizabeth continued, "I can't believe this."
"Well it's not that unbelievable, I mean I do 'ave a bit o' class after all. I'm a pirate not a barnyard animal you know."
Looking around, it was apparent that whatever had been in Will's head as to what the two captains were doing before they had arrived, he was wrong. Instead, Julianne had taken the time to make up the bed in the guest room, start a pot of what appeared to be tea although it seemed to have a faint hint of rum scent to it, and set out a fresh basin of water for washing. Even Jack seemed to be following some sort of very uncharacteristic protocol as he carefully removed 4 mugs from the cabinet, rinsed them, and placed them on the kitchen table.
After a long day of traveling and a very unenjoyable dinner at the tavern, the Turners graciously took a seat with Julianne and Jack and had a relaxing conversation over nothing of importance.
"Alright mates, I know you're anxious to get this on with, but we'll prolly be 'ere two days at least til everything's been gotten to gettin. As for tonight, Jules and I 'ave some business to be discussin so we'll be 'eadin for the tavern", Jack said just before they unboarded.
"Oh", Elizabeth exclaimed.
"Sorry luv", Jack continued, "I'm sure you're all broken up about an evening without me company, but I promise to show you the sites round 'ere before we leave." Elizabeth snapped her mouth shut and put on a scowl while Will grinned beside her.
"He's just teasing", he reassured his wife giving her a little nudge in the side.
"I know", she answered lightly nudging him back.
Finally, satisfied with the condition of his ship, Jack led the small crew down the plank and onto the dock. On their way towards the little town, both captains turned around to give their friends a few last minute words.
"It's been a long day for the two o' you. Get yerselves something to eat and then 'ead on in for the night. We won't be out too late."
"You can either get a room, or stay at my place", Julianne added holding out a key. "It's number 13 up on the hill."
Will took the key hesitantly and nodded.
"Right then", she continued, "make sure ye don't lose it, and see you later", and she and Jack swung around arm in arm to be on their way.
"Wait," Elizabeth called after them and turning their attention back to both Turners. "If we have your key, how will you get in?"
"Oh not to worry luv, Jack has the other", and again they began making their way to the tavern, while Elizabeth shot Will a suspicious look.
It was about a half mile from the dock to the Faithful Bride. Jack and Julianne sauntered along talking about their stay in Port Royale. Jack wanted to know what she thought about Will and Elizabeth, and hinted that he had something important he wanted to talk to her about. When they had almost reached their destination, having just entered the square of the mangy little town where all around them people were drinking, laughing, and fighting; two women approached both of the captains. Obviously women of the trade, Julianne lowered the front of her hat just enough so that it covered her face, and fell in step a pace behind Jack. *So help me god, if they know your name Jack*, she thought to herself as they came closer.
"Ladies", Jack greeted the women in a monotone voice.
"I see the two of you 'ave just come in", one of them began moving forward and taking Jack by his left arm. "You must 'ave 'ad quite a long day. Anything we can do to improve on your stay 'ere in Tortuga?"
Seeing the other woman take a step forward toward her, Julianne cocked her head, flipped her hat up with her forefinger and answered harshly, "I don't think so".
Julianne smiled eerily as she watched the woman in front of her stop in shock, and gasp with eyes wide, and the woman hanging onto Jack drop his arm immediately and step back. Neither one said a word as they quickly collected themselves and scurried away. Continuing their walk to the tavern, neither captain spoke a word to the other about it.
***
The doors to the tavern both swung open in unison as the two captains made their entrance at the Faithful Bride.
"Cap'n Amaris, Cap'n Sparrow", the barkeep greeted his two old friends warmly. "It's been awhile since either of you've been in 'ere together" he added with a raised eyebrow.
"Not now Restin. We've only just arrived, no need to start in with that quite yet", Julianne smarted.
"O' course Cap'n", Restin replied with a sly smile in Jack's direction while pushing two full mugs and a jug of grog toward them.
"Now if you'll excuse us", Jack spoke up, "Captain Amaris and I have some business to discuss, savvy?"
Restin nodded, "I'll see to it that no one be botherin the two of you." Julianne flashed a charming smile, scooped up the mugs, and followed Jack to a small table in the back corner of the bar.
"So, exactly what business do we 'ave to be discussin' anyway?" Julianne inquired after a long gulp from her mug.
"Well, a lil' somethin' popped into me 'ead while we were in Port Royale, and I uh, thought I'd run it by you and see what you think."
"Umm hmm."
Without any further hesitation, Jack blurted out his answer, "What do you think about starting a fleet?"
"What?" Julianne sputtered through the sip she was taking.
"A fleet, you know, you and I and our two ships. I mean think about it, we already do more than half of our dealings together anyway so it's not like much 'ould be changing anyway."
Taking yet another large swig from her cup, Julianne pondered Jack's proposal. All in all, it wasn't too bad of an idea, and he was right, it wouldn't really be changing much. But starting a fleet, the idea of it just seemed, repressive somehow. Then again, there were a lot of advantages to the whole thing as well. Fleets among pirates were a rare thing, but those that did exist instilled a fear in people that allowed complete free reign. In her head, Julianne weighed the pros and cons of the situation and eventually came to a conclusion.
"And who would be commodore?" she asked with raised eyebrows.
There was a lot at stake with the answer to this question and Jack knew it. He knew that while the nature of their relationship gave him a lot of leverage, there were still limits. There was no way she'd ever take orders from him, but at the same time, giving in to her meant she had a power over him he was not willing to allow. Though she already held enough power over him in so many other ways, Jack could accept this because he knew he held that same power over her. They were equal, and either one becoming commodore would destroy the fragile balance that allowed them to coexist with each other under seemingly impossibly circumstances.
"Who says we need a commodore at all. Over rated if you ask me."
Julianne understood, as she too had been thinking along the same lines. Considering everything for just a second more, she finally agreed. "Alright, we'll do it. But if there's not going to be a commodore then it's going to be split, right down the middle, on everything."
Jack nodded. Together, the two captains raised their mugs to one another, drank, made their accord, "Take what you can, give nothin' back!", and slammed their drinks down on the table.
"So now that we're a fleet, I was thinking that."
"I KNEW IT!" Julianne exclaimed hitting the table with her fist. "I knew there was behind this whole scheme of yours."
"Oh calm down, it's not what you think."
"Fine, go on."
"What I was going to say what that since we're a fleet and all, it would make sense for the two of us to keep all of our loot at the same place."
"Makes sense, but what's your point in bringing it up now?"
"Well naturally, I don't particularly like the idea of having to go to Isla de Muerta every time we pick off a ship."
"Naturally."
"Then you agree that it would make more sense just to move everything to Santa Croix."
"Yes I suppose so."
"So I was thinking, since we've got to go to there anyway, why not just swing by Isla de Muerta, pick it all up, and drop it off while we're there gettin' Will's."
The look on Julianne's face made it obvious that she was not exactly thrilled with the idea.
"Jack, we told Will and Elizabeth this was just going to be a quick thing. I mean I know it saves us time, but it's really pretty out o' the way for them."
"Well we'll ask them o' course. If they aren't up for it, then we can just go take care of it when we get back."
Sighing, Julianne took another drink before replying. "Alright, fine. But this was your idea so you're the one whose askin'.
"Alright."
"And", she added quickly. "We are running this whole fleet thing by the crews too before we just go a'ead and do it."
"Alright", Jack repeated pretending to be annoyed.
"Oh shut up", Julianne laughed giving him a kick under the table. They sat together for another hour, eating dinner and having quite a few more jugs to drink, until it was agreed that it was time to turn head home for the evening.
Both sufficiently liquored up, but not quite entirely drunk yet, Jack and Julianne took what remained in their jug and left the Faithful Bride. Just moments later Will and Elizabeth also made their exit after them. Keeping some distance between themselves and the two captains who were talking and laughing too loudly to even notice, the Turners kept a close and curious watch on them. About half way up the hill to where Julianne's house stood, Jack stopped, turned to face her, and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her close. After a somewhat swaggering and sloppy kiss, Jack looked at Julianne with glazed eyes and asked, "Captain Amaris, will you marry me?"
For half a second Julianne just stared back at him and said nothing. Eventually, she broke into hysterical intoxicated giggling, lost her balance, and practically fell to the ground laughing, almost dragging Jack along with her. After steadying herself, Julianne tried to speak through occasional giggles and snorts.
"Jack Sparrow! 'ooow many timesss are ye going to ask such a rilicidous qweston?"
"As many times as it takes til ye say yes," he answered with a cheesy grin as he held her in place to keep from falling again.
"Ye know you'll be askin' forever then?" she said a little more serious.
"Whatever it takes luv, whatever it takes", and he swung back around and continued up the hill humming to himself.
Down below, Will and Elizabeth stood in shock. Elizabeth was the first to regain her wits. "I told you there was something between those two", she hissed at her husband. Will simply shrugged and nodded his assent. They continued up the hill slowly, and eventually reached their destination. Together, the Turners stood outside the front door of the house discussing what do to next.
"You sure we oughtn't just get a room?" Will asked Elizabeth not wanting to walk in on an awkward situation.
"Nonsense! If they had wanted us to get a room she wouldn't have given us the key", Elizabeth snapped and raised her hand to open the door.
"Maybe we should knock", Will said, grabbing her arm just before she opened the door. Elizabeth rolled her eyes but did not protest when Will rapped lightly. No answer came, but just as he was about to knock again someone pulled open the door.
"I gave you the key for a reason, ye know? Besides, wasn't locked anyway", Julianne greeted them.
"Sorry", Will mumbled, "didn't want to interrupt anything is all."
Julianne's eyes narrowed slightly at Will's comment, but she stepped aside to the let Turners in. Upon stepping into the house Elizabeth looked around amazed. Of all the houses that stood on Tortuga, Julianne's looked as though it belonged in Port Royale rather than on this miserable little spit of land. Though it wasn't very big by her standards, the house was fairly larger than any others that surrounded it and was beautiful both inside and out. Gazing around the room Elizabeth heard herself catch her breath.
"This place is amazing", she admired aloud.
"Thank ye. Belonged to my father. Good taste, he had, very good taste."
"Yes he did", Elizabeth continued, "I can't believe this."
"Well it's not that unbelievable, I mean I do 'ave a bit o' class after all. I'm a pirate not a barnyard animal you know."
Looking around, it was apparent that whatever had been in Will's head as to what the two captains were doing before they had arrived, he was wrong. Instead, Julianne had taken the time to make up the bed in the guest room, start a pot of what appeared to be tea although it seemed to have a faint hint of rum scent to it, and set out a fresh basin of water for washing. Even Jack seemed to be following some sort of very uncharacteristic protocol as he carefully removed 4 mugs from the cabinet, rinsed them, and placed them on the kitchen table.
After a long day of traveling and a very unenjoyable dinner at the tavern, the Turners graciously took a seat with Julianne and Jack and had a relaxing conversation over nothing of importance.