Just a little note.
Thanks again to all of my wonderful reviewers. You guys are great! And also thanks for continuing with it despite the length, which of course there is more to come.
Jackfan2: Thanks for the approval. I hope I'm living up to her standards.
LegolasGirl666: Don't worry, updates are coming.
captainsparrowfeistylass: Wow, it's amazing that I could have written something that moved anyone. Your enthusiasm is extremely appreciated.
PineAppleLint: Winner of the quote question and future Mrs. Captain Jack Sparrow! Glad you like it!
And now just a little FYI on this chapter. This is one of those flashback mixed in with present day deals. Unfortunately though, I'm new to the whole Fanfiction.net world so I haven't figured out all the little formatting tricks. I've wanted to use bold and italics but I guess since I use Word it just doesn't like that. So anyway, the flashbacks are the parts that come in between the squiggles ~~~ (I'm sure they have a more technical name but I'm sure you get the point). Now then, there are a lot of squiggles which can get confusing so I have put (end) at the end of them all. I hope it's not too difficult to understand, I'm sure you're all smart enough to figure it out. Oh, and if anyone has any insight on the whole bold/italics issue, please fill me in.
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Juli sat there after Ana left, long into the night, turning over in her head the other woman's words. The next day when both ships set sail, the crew was both surprised and pleased to see that their captain was in a much better mood than in the previous few days. That evening, after getting herself cleaned up and putting on fresh clothes, Julianne swung herself across to the Pearl ready to talk to Jack. As her feet touched the railing, she became aware that the entire crew was staring at her.
"Where's Jack", she asked to everyone in general.
"Cabin", Gibbs answered with a nod of his head in that direction. Nodding her thanks in return, Julianne strode meaningfully to the door of the captain's quarters and knocked loudly.
"I thought I told ye all to leave me alone", Jack's voice yelled from within.
"Sorry. I must 'ave missed that announcement", Julianne answered stepping inside and walking back to Jack's bedroom.
"Jules", Jack said, catching in his breath as he sat up in his bed. Throwing herself lazily into a chair at the opposite side of the room, she stared at him critically for awhile. "So.umm.hello", he stammered under her gaze, receiving a reproachful look.
For her part, Julianne had not really planned exactly what she wanted to say or get out of Jack when she ventured over to the Pearl, now as she rapped her fingers on the table she wished she had.
"Ok, well.", Jack continued to flounder nervously. "I guess I'm the one who should be the talking anyway. So. Jules, I'm really sorry." She opened her mouth to protest but before she could speak he went on. "I know, I know you've 'eard it all before alright. I know that. But I really am sorry. I don't know what came over me. I'd like to blame it all on the drug, but I know that's no excuse for what I did. For what I said", he stopped and looked at her, searching her face for a reaction, but it was unreadable. "Anyway", he continued, "I've been doin a lot of thinkin lately. Since I've 'ad so much time to meself an all. Ye want to know what I've been thinkin about?"
Again Julianne did not answer, but shrugged indifferently, then picked up a cigar from the box sitting on the table next to her, lit it and began smoking as though he wasn't even in the room with her. Jack didn't carry on though with his story for a few minutes, he continued to watch her in hopes that she would interject some comment or question, but the moment never came.
"I've been thinking bout 'ow we met. Do you remember it?" he finally spoke, breaking the silence that had begun to grip the cabin.
"What?"
"I remember it."
"Oh don't start in with that crap now", she replied sharply, not liking where the conversation was going.
"It was 15 years ago almost to the date. You were 17 at the time, and I was 19. I 'ad been on the Pearl goin on three years then, was just startin to get comfortable with myself."
"Yes, you were a bit twitchy then weren't you? As if your signature little gait wasn't quite perfected", she added snidely, blowing out a large puff of smoke as if it was the most intriguing thing she'd ever seen and he was positively boring her to death.
"I like to think it was a work in progress", he replied ignoring her scornful tone. "Anyway it was kinda mid afternoon I think. The Pearl was docked at Tortuga for a couple o weeks, and I was 'eadin down to the ship for guard duty. So there I am sauntering along down the beach, nothing out o the ordinary, when I hear the great blast of a horn. Now, just three years out on the sea there were only a few other pirate ships that I'd run into, so hearing this god awful blowing, me curiosity gets the best of me and I start hightailing it down to the dock so's I can see what's going on. And there it was pulling into the harbor. And you know, the Pearl will always be my ship, but standing there watching this absolutely majestic piece of work gliding through the water me 'eart almost skipped a beat. Then I read the insignia along the side and I couldn't believe me eyes, The Renegade. Oh the stories I'd 'eard about this ship, and 'ere it was right in front o me. Naturally, I hustled myself right along in 'opes of makin it on the dock in time to see everyone unboard. I don't know what I expected really. I mean I knew the crew was just going to be another bunch of grimy pirates, just like those on the Pearl, but standing their waitin I must 'ave been expecting gods to walk down that plank."
At this Julianne took a break from her cigar, pulling it away from her face. Looking at him with raised eyebrows and a sudden interest in his story. "Gods?"
"Oh yeah. I was particularly interested in seeing Mendoza. Ah, what did they used to call him? Mad Mex? Wasn't that it?" Julianne nodded.
"Yeah, I thought. So right, I'm standing there, kinda hangin round the Pearl but lingering a bit, not wanting to get on, hopin no one would take much notice of me and yell at me to get on with it.
~~~ Down came the plank of the Renegade, and Jack watched as its crew walked off and onto the dock in groups of twos and threes. He studied each face and each man's clothing, looking through all of them for the Captain. After a few minutes, all of them had walked by and were gone, and Jack was quite disappointed that he had not seen who he had been looking forward to seeing. He stood there and waited a minute or two, just in case, but to no avail. Dejected, he turned back up to his own ship and began walking up the plank, when he saw something that caught his attention. ~~~ (end)
"At first, I didn't know what it was. Just a flash of gold caught out o the corner of me eye. I stopped where I was then and just waited to see if I'd catch another glimpse of whatever it was, and a lucky call that was cause after a minute, there you were. I remember just standing there staring at you."
"You looked like you'd never seen a woman before", she retorted coldly, but after a moment's consideration she stood up from her seat, made it a point to put out her cigar right on Jack's table, and walked over to the bed where she took a seat next to him.
"Not a pirate woman, anyway. God Jules, you were so beautiful", he paused, and took a minute to examine her. "You're skin was lighter then. You could almost see the blue of your veins through it. And it was soft, soft and cool like the water", he said running a finger down the side of her face.
"You couldn't tell what my skin felt like just from seeing me", Julianne cut in skeptically, grabbing his hand and pulling it away.
"You're right, that I found out later", he replied with a grin. "So anyway, there I am, standing on the plank gawking like an idiot, and you about to go walkin right by me."
~~~ Julianne walked off of the Renegade and onto the dock. Her blonde hair whipping behind her from the wind, she reached into her pants pockets and pulled out a small cloth bag.
"Right here", she said with annoyance, speaking to the toll man who was making his way passed her and towards the ship.
"Oh, right", the man stuttered, looking a bit embarrassed. "That'll be a shilling a day."
"We'll be stayin two weeks, that should take care of it", she replied dropping the bag into his hand.
"Welcome to Tortuga miss", the said with a little bow before turning and heading back down the dock.
Scowling a bit to herself over being addressed as miss, Julianne continued her walk from the ship. About halfway down the dock, she noticed a young man standing on the plank of another ship staring down at her with a look of pure confusion.
"What are you lookin at?" she spat viciously.
"Whoa, sorry luv, no need to get vicious", Jack cooed in his ever present manner and apologized quickly. "Are you a pirate", he then asked, the faintest hint of amazement in his voice.
"Of course I'm a pirate", she answered with detest, turning her right arm over and pulling up her sleeve to reveal her pirate brand. "Why the hell else would I be getting off a pirate ship if I wasn't a pirate?"
"Right. So, you sail with the Renegade?"
"Oh bugger off", she replied rolling her eyes, and walked away leaving him standing there alone again.
Jack stood where he was watching her as she left, and long after she was gone. It wasn't until the person whose shift was ending came and barked at him that he finally moved from his spot. ~~~ (end)
"You were mean", he said as he turned over the hand she had just lowered and taking it in his own.
"You were so daft, what did you expect?" her tone still harsh, but not pulling her hand away again.
"I wanted to follow you right then and there, and I was so pissed that I couldn't."
~~~ Jack stood on the main deck of the Pearl cursing his guard duty assignment bitterly in his head. What was worse, was that he had chosen a long 5 hour shift so that he could get it all done at once and get it out of the way. When 7:00 o'clock finally rolled around after what seemed like days, he was relieved that the person taking over for him had been a little more considerate than he and had showed up on time.
"Off ye go Jackie", Bill Turner said clapping him over the back. "Try not to get yerself in too much trouble tonight", he laughed as the younger man scurried off the ship as fast as his legs could carry him. Guessing that the tavern was the likeliest of all places to find someone around dinner time, that's where Jack headed. Stepping inside the crowded place, he surveyed the room looking for a golden head sticking out in, but to his disappointment came up empty handed. Walking over to the bar to at least make his trip worthwhile, he took a seat in an empty stool and sipped from the mug that was placed in front of him. Putting his cup back on the table, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve then turned to his left to see if anyone he knew was sitting at the bar also. To his surprise, he was delighted to see that the person sitting next to him just happened to be who he was looking for all along.
"Hello luv", he said in a surprised voice when Julianne looked over at him. She was now wearing a blue bandana over her hair, which explained why he had not been able to pick her out earlier.
"You again?"
"Look, before you go and get all mad again, I'm sorry for being such a shmuck earlier when I saw you." When the woman made no response he continued. "Names Jack, Jack Sparrow", he said holding out his hand.
"Julianne", she replied after a minute, shaking his hand firmly.
"Lovely to make your acquaintance", he added dramatically, receiving raised eyebrows from Julianne.
After the initial awkwardness of meeting someone new, the two young pirates soon hit it off and were still sitting in the same seats talking to one another a good 3 hours later.
"Wow, we've been 'ere for awhile", Jack observed, looking at the clock and the vast collection of empty mugs that now sat in front of them. "It's already ten o'clock."
"You wanna go somewhere?" Julianne inquired, seemingly innocent.
"Where would we go?"
"My house."
"Your house? You 'ave a house?"
"Well, me dad does. It's up on the hill."
"Alright", Jack agreed getting up from his chair. "Your house it is then."
"So, how'd you end up in this whole pirating business anyway? Seems awful strange for.", Jack asked as they walked up the town's dark streets.
"For what? A girl? Is that what you were gonna say?"
"For someone as good looking as yerself." ~~~ (end)
"That was a good save."
"I thought so."
~~~ "Me dad was a pirate. Sailed on the Renegade his whole 'career'. Me mum lived 'ere on Tortuga, lady of the trade you could call her. Anyway, right after I was born she was killed in a big bar brawl between two fucks fighting over her. Dad had always kept up with me you know, stopped in whenever he was 'ere. When he found out about me mum he just decided I was his responsibility and he came back and raised me. We went out though with the ship a lot, and I kinda always felt that's where I belonged. Out at sea. Anyway, when I was old enough I just decided that's what I wanted to do, and so I did."
"You just walked right out and joined the crew of the Renegade."
"Course I did, I grew up there so wasn't anything out o the ordinary really. What about you?"
"Well that, is a very interesting story."
"Go on."
"Alright well, I was born and grew up on the mainland. Me dad was the governor of a little town called Port Arbor. Despicable scum he was. Had beautiful wife, two lovely daughters, and a son, but still maintained his favorite past time of fuckin around with the servants of his household, including me mum. She was a maid, beautiful Spanish woman, took care o the missus' children mostly. Anyway, there were quite a few of us half- governors runnin around the place, stuck together the lot of us. There was no denyin who our father was, but o course it wasn't ever mentioned. Mostly, the men who worked for him stood up and fathered us as best they could, many of em even married to some of our mothers. Not mine though. Anyway, guess the worthless scum musta felt a little guilty over the position he left all his bastards in and he made somewhat of an effort to compensate, at least for the boys. The girls he usually just shipped off to his other wealthy friends as maids. But for us boys, he made sure we were well trained in sword fightin' and when we were old enough, got us all involved in some trade or another.
Some of us were luckier than others, I had one brother who went off to become a blacksmith's apprentice, while another got stuck as a stable boy. Lucky for me I was a favorite of the old man and since he knew how I always liked spending time down by the waterfront, he set me up working down with the shipping boys in the harbor. Now, me pop wasn't just a scoundrel when it came to fidelity, he was pretty rotten in just about every other way too. Always wanting to make the most profit he could, Port Arbor wasn't just a stop for merchant ships and other respectable vessels, it was also a pretty frequented stop for pirates as well. He would let em dock and use the town and harbor, as long as he was given a fair amount of payment for it."
"Yeah, I know about that. The Renegade stops up there every few months or so. Hmm, what a coincidence", Julianne added thoughtfully.
"I guess. So anyway, since I was workin down there an all, I got to know some o these pirates pretty well. I was fascinated by it and would spend my time daydreaming about runnin off and becoming one myself. It was me mum who put the idea in me head in the first place. 'Someday Jackie, yer gonna get out o this place and make your mark in the world', she used to say to me. 'Someday my little Sparrow, you will spread your wings and fly away from here forever.'
Back in those days, the Black Pearl used to stop in our little harbor quite frequently. Apparently old Cap'n Kanter 'ad a woman he was particularly fond of in the vice district whom he liked to keep up with. After several visits I'ad seen him around quite a bit and I finally worked up the nerve to ask if I could see his ship up close. He was a good man, Old Kanter, and he gave me the grand tour of the whole thing. Well after that I was sold. I made up my mind right then and there that before the year was out I would be on a pirate ship and out of Port Arbor. I didn't ask him that day, to join his crew, I waited a few more visits, but I always knew that the Pearl was the ship for me. On its last visit before the year was out, I overheard that one o the crewmen had taken ill and died. Hoping they'd want to fill his spot, I asked the Cap'n if he'd take me on and he agreed.
I'll admit, it wasn't all as spectacular as I had imagined it. Those first few weeks were hell, being the new guy an all. The veterans were all really 'ard on breakin me in. Made me do all the worst jobs and gave me me pirate brand and name mark all on the same day. Hurt like hell it did and they only let me get drunk for the brand. ~~~ (end)
"It was a very captivating story", Julianne commented from where she sat on the bed, now leaned against him.
"It was true, every last word of it."
"I didn't say it wasn't, Jackson Gorrion."
"Don't call me that. There is no Jackson Gorrion now, only Jack Sparrow."
"Captain Jack Sparrow you mean."
"Aye, Captain Jack Sparrow."
~~~ "Naming mark?"
"Yeah, you know, like everyone on the ship has one. Want to see?"
Julianne did not answer right away, unsure of exactly what she'd be shown. Jack decided to take that as a yes and pulled up the sleeve of his right arm to reveal a tattoo of a bird flying over the waters and the name Jack right above his brand.
"Jack Sparrow. Very clever. Though on the Renegade we all just have our ships mark to match", she commented.
"You included?"
"Aye."
"Can I see it?"
"No!" she snapped. "Sorry, it's just that it's on me back, kinda 'ard to show you at the moment."
"Oh."
"Well this is it", Julianne announced proudly and coming to a stop. Looking up, Jack was amazed to find himself in front of a beautiful stone house.
"Ye sure yer dad's a pirate", he asked.
Julianne just shot him a look, then pulled a blackened skeleton key out of her pocket and unlocked the door.
"DAD?" she called out, but received no answer. "Prolly down at the ship", she said aloud, more to herself than Jack. "Well, ere we are. You want a drink?"
"Love one", Jack answered sitting down on the living room couch.
Pulling two bottles out of the cabinet, Julianne held one out to him. "Personally, I'm a bit tired of ale", she said uncorking her own, letting the smell of the rum fill the air.
"No complaints 'ere."
The two young pirates sat and drank together until they were both fairly inebriated.
"You could possibly be the most beautiful pirate I've ever seen", Jack said turning to Julianne and drunkenly touching her face.
"I'd hope so, or else I'd 'ave to wonder about your preference", she laughed in response. Jack smiled crookedly to this, showing off his set of perfectly straight white teeth. Setting his almost empty bottle down on the coffee table, he leaned across the couch and kissed Julianne as passionately as one who was particularly intoxicated could. The affection was returned, and before too long, the pair was making their way from the living to Julianne's bedroom. ~~~ (end)
"I wasn't yer first. That surprised me a little. Well, maybe more than a little. Did get to see your tattoo though."
"I don't know why you were surprised. I wasn't your first either."
"I know, I guess I just didn't expect you to be so."
"So?"
"So absolutely pirate, in every way."
"You would 'ave preferred otherwise?"
"I didn't say that. No, I much prefer you the way you are. Well, I guess I could do with a few less of the rough edges you've acquired over the years, but neither the less", he added kissing her cheek from behind. "And what about you? I obviously know what you think now", he continued with a sly grin, "but wouldn't mind knowin what you thought of me back then. Was I very different?"
Julianne took a deep breath and sighed before answering his question. "Yes and no I suppose. You were just as cocky, maybe a little less so than now. But mostly it was your looks, you know, before this whole get up you parade about in now. No beads, no kohl rimmed eyes, no gold teeth, or plaited beard", she added tugging on one of the two braids.
"It all adds to me charm though don't it?"
"Yes, now it does. But back then, it was nice without it. Just you, as you were, with nothing extra. You were so.handsome. A little scrawny at the time, as though you 'ad't quite grown into your height. But still handsome. With your shaggy hair that was just long enough that it fell over your deep brown eyes, and your perfect tan complexion. That's why I didn't want to talk to you, ye know. I wanted you there on the dock; it took every ounce of will power in me to be mean to you. And I would've succeeded if it 'ad't been for you coming into the tavern later."
"Wait a minute", Jack demanded sitting up behind her and peering around to look her in the face. "You didn't want to talk to me because you thought I was good looking? That doesn't sound like you at all."
Juli looked down at her hands and then back at him. "I knew if I had you once, you'd be all I ever wanted."
"And?"
"And what?"
"Am I?"
Julianne looked at him for a moment. Opening her mouth slightly, as though to answer, she promptly snapped it shut again and stood up swiftly. Proceeding back to her earlier position in the chair, she picked her cigar back up and relit it. Again silence filled the room. Jack, who had remained seated where he was, watched her closely, but puffing on her cigar Julianne avoided his gaze. Sitting there looking intently at the wall, she remembered Ana's words to her the night before. She sighed heavily, then looked back at Jack who was no longer sitting on the bed. Moving slowly across the room, he squatted down in front of her, one hand balancing himself with the arm of the chair, and the other removing the cigar from hers and entwining his fingers in hers.
"You are" he said softly.
"I am what?"
"All I've ever wanted."
Juli was speechless, unable to believe what she was hearing. He rose slowly, moving his other hand through her hair and giving her a kiss. It lasted only a second, until Julianne pulled back and stood up. Walking back across the room, she picked up a bottle of rum that was sitting out and took a drink. Setting it down and leaning some of her weight on it, she spoke, not looking at him.
"Things 'ave to change Jack." Turning to face him, he was shaking his head.
"I know."
"I don't care what's right by standards. If you want me, you can't 'ave anyone else."
Jack crossed to where she was standing and put his hands on her shoulders. "I promise", he whispered. Deciding she was satisfied, he leaned in to kiss her again, but she pulled back again.
"And if I ever catch you breaking that promise, I will leave you for good and our ships will be enemies until long after we're both dead."
He nodded, then leaned in again, to be shut down once more.
"And if you ever lay so much as a finger on me like that again, you won't live to see another day."
He nodded again, leaned back in, and was denied a third time.
"And Jack."
"Oh bloody hell woman, now what", he exclaimed in fake exasperation.
"'Ave I ever told you how much I love you?"
He shook his head no.
"Well I do."
This time, Jack's efforts were successful and two the captains shared a long and passionate kiss. Abruptly pulling away himself, Jack wrapped his arms around her neck and looked at her thoughtfully for a minute before speaking. "And I you."
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And just a little end note. For anyone observant out there. Gorrion is the Spanish word for Sparrow. Thought that was pretty clever personally.
Thanks again to all of my wonderful reviewers. You guys are great! And also thanks for continuing with it despite the length, which of course there is more to come.
Jackfan2: Thanks for the approval. I hope I'm living up to her standards.
LegolasGirl666: Don't worry, updates are coming.
captainsparrowfeistylass: Wow, it's amazing that I could have written something that moved anyone. Your enthusiasm is extremely appreciated.
PineAppleLint: Winner of the quote question and future Mrs. Captain Jack Sparrow! Glad you like it!
And now just a little FYI on this chapter. This is one of those flashback mixed in with present day deals. Unfortunately though, I'm new to the whole Fanfiction.net world so I haven't figured out all the little formatting tricks. I've wanted to use bold and italics but I guess since I use Word it just doesn't like that. So anyway, the flashbacks are the parts that come in between the squiggles ~~~ (I'm sure they have a more technical name but I'm sure you get the point). Now then, there are a lot of squiggles which can get confusing so I have put (end) at the end of them all. I hope it's not too difficult to understand, I'm sure you're all smart enough to figure it out. Oh, and if anyone has any insight on the whole bold/italics issue, please fill me in.
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Juli sat there after Ana left, long into the night, turning over in her head the other woman's words. The next day when both ships set sail, the crew was both surprised and pleased to see that their captain was in a much better mood than in the previous few days. That evening, after getting herself cleaned up and putting on fresh clothes, Julianne swung herself across to the Pearl ready to talk to Jack. As her feet touched the railing, she became aware that the entire crew was staring at her.
"Where's Jack", she asked to everyone in general.
"Cabin", Gibbs answered with a nod of his head in that direction. Nodding her thanks in return, Julianne strode meaningfully to the door of the captain's quarters and knocked loudly.
"I thought I told ye all to leave me alone", Jack's voice yelled from within.
"Sorry. I must 'ave missed that announcement", Julianne answered stepping inside and walking back to Jack's bedroom.
"Jules", Jack said, catching in his breath as he sat up in his bed. Throwing herself lazily into a chair at the opposite side of the room, she stared at him critically for awhile. "So.umm.hello", he stammered under her gaze, receiving a reproachful look.
For her part, Julianne had not really planned exactly what she wanted to say or get out of Jack when she ventured over to the Pearl, now as she rapped her fingers on the table she wished she had.
"Ok, well.", Jack continued to flounder nervously. "I guess I'm the one who should be the talking anyway. So. Jules, I'm really sorry." She opened her mouth to protest but before she could speak he went on. "I know, I know you've 'eard it all before alright. I know that. But I really am sorry. I don't know what came over me. I'd like to blame it all on the drug, but I know that's no excuse for what I did. For what I said", he stopped and looked at her, searching her face for a reaction, but it was unreadable. "Anyway", he continued, "I've been doin a lot of thinkin lately. Since I've 'ad so much time to meself an all. Ye want to know what I've been thinkin about?"
Again Julianne did not answer, but shrugged indifferently, then picked up a cigar from the box sitting on the table next to her, lit it and began smoking as though he wasn't even in the room with her. Jack didn't carry on though with his story for a few minutes, he continued to watch her in hopes that she would interject some comment or question, but the moment never came.
"I've been thinking bout 'ow we met. Do you remember it?" he finally spoke, breaking the silence that had begun to grip the cabin.
"What?"
"I remember it."
"Oh don't start in with that crap now", she replied sharply, not liking where the conversation was going.
"It was 15 years ago almost to the date. You were 17 at the time, and I was 19. I 'ad been on the Pearl goin on three years then, was just startin to get comfortable with myself."
"Yes, you were a bit twitchy then weren't you? As if your signature little gait wasn't quite perfected", she added snidely, blowing out a large puff of smoke as if it was the most intriguing thing she'd ever seen and he was positively boring her to death.
"I like to think it was a work in progress", he replied ignoring her scornful tone. "Anyway it was kinda mid afternoon I think. The Pearl was docked at Tortuga for a couple o weeks, and I was 'eadin down to the ship for guard duty. So there I am sauntering along down the beach, nothing out o the ordinary, when I hear the great blast of a horn. Now, just three years out on the sea there were only a few other pirate ships that I'd run into, so hearing this god awful blowing, me curiosity gets the best of me and I start hightailing it down to the dock so's I can see what's going on. And there it was pulling into the harbor. And you know, the Pearl will always be my ship, but standing there watching this absolutely majestic piece of work gliding through the water me 'eart almost skipped a beat. Then I read the insignia along the side and I couldn't believe me eyes, The Renegade. Oh the stories I'd 'eard about this ship, and 'ere it was right in front o me. Naturally, I hustled myself right along in 'opes of makin it on the dock in time to see everyone unboard. I don't know what I expected really. I mean I knew the crew was just going to be another bunch of grimy pirates, just like those on the Pearl, but standing their waitin I must 'ave been expecting gods to walk down that plank."
At this Julianne took a break from her cigar, pulling it away from her face. Looking at him with raised eyebrows and a sudden interest in his story. "Gods?"
"Oh yeah. I was particularly interested in seeing Mendoza. Ah, what did they used to call him? Mad Mex? Wasn't that it?" Julianne nodded.
"Yeah, I thought. So right, I'm standing there, kinda hangin round the Pearl but lingering a bit, not wanting to get on, hopin no one would take much notice of me and yell at me to get on with it.
~~~ Down came the plank of the Renegade, and Jack watched as its crew walked off and onto the dock in groups of twos and threes. He studied each face and each man's clothing, looking through all of them for the Captain. After a few minutes, all of them had walked by and were gone, and Jack was quite disappointed that he had not seen who he had been looking forward to seeing. He stood there and waited a minute or two, just in case, but to no avail. Dejected, he turned back up to his own ship and began walking up the plank, when he saw something that caught his attention. ~~~ (end)
"At first, I didn't know what it was. Just a flash of gold caught out o the corner of me eye. I stopped where I was then and just waited to see if I'd catch another glimpse of whatever it was, and a lucky call that was cause after a minute, there you were. I remember just standing there staring at you."
"You looked like you'd never seen a woman before", she retorted coldly, but after a moment's consideration she stood up from her seat, made it a point to put out her cigar right on Jack's table, and walked over to the bed where she took a seat next to him.
"Not a pirate woman, anyway. God Jules, you were so beautiful", he paused, and took a minute to examine her. "You're skin was lighter then. You could almost see the blue of your veins through it. And it was soft, soft and cool like the water", he said running a finger down the side of her face.
"You couldn't tell what my skin felt like just from seeing me", Julianne cut in skeptically, grabbing his hand and pulling it away.
"You're right, that I found out later", he replied with a grin. "So anyway, there I am, standing on the plank gawking like an idiot, and you about to go walkin right by me."
~~~ Julianne walked off of the Renegade and onto the dock. Her blonde hair whipping behind her from the wind, she reached into her pants pockets and pulled out a small cloth bag.
"Right here", she said with annoyance, speaking to the toll man who was making his way passed her and towards the ship.
"Oh, right", the man stuttered, looking a bit embarrassed. "That'll be a shilling a day."
"We'll be stayin two weeks, that should take care of it", she replied dropping the bag into his hand.
"Welcome to Tortuga miss", the said with a little bow before turning and heading back down the dock.
Scowling a bit to herself over being addressed as miss, Julianne continued her walk from the ship. About halfway down the dock, she noticed a young man standing on the plank of another ship staring down at her with a look of pure confusion.
"What are you lookin at?" she spat viciously.
"Whoa, sorry luv, no need to get vicious", Jack cooed in his ever present manner and apologized quickly. "Are you a pirate", he then asked, the faintest hint of amazement in his voice.
"Of course I'm a pirate", she answered with detest, turning her right arm over and pulling up her sleeve to reveal her pirate brand. "Why the hell else would I be getting off a pirate ship if I wasn't a pirate?"
"Right. So, you sail with the Renegade?"
"Oh bugger off", she replied rolling her eyes, and walked away leaving him standing there alone again.
Jack stood where he was watching her as she left, and long after she was gone. It wasn't until the person whose shift was ending came and barked at him that he finally moved from his spot. ~~~ (end)
"You were mean", he said as he turned over the hand she had just lowered and taking it in his own.
"You were so daft, what did you expect?" her tone still harsh, but not pulling her hand away again.
"I wanted to follow you right then and there, and I was so pissed that I couldn't."
~~~ Jack stood on the main deck of the Pearl cursing his guard duty assignment bitterly in his head. What was worse, was that he had chosen a long 5 hour shift so that he could get it all done at once and get it out of the way. When 7:00 o'clock finally rolled around after what seemed like days, he was relieved that the person taking over for him had been a little more considerate than he and had showed up on time.
"Off ye go Jackie", Bill Turner said clapping him over the back. "Try not to get yerself in too much trouble tonight", he laughed as the younger man scurried off the ship as fast as his legs could carry him. Guessing that the tavern was the likeliest of all places to find someone around dinner time, that's where Jack headed. Stepping inside the crowded place, he surveyed the room looking for a golden head sticking out in, but to his disappointment came up empty handed. Walking over to the bar to at least make his trip worthwhile, he took a seat in an empty stool and sipped from the mug that was placed in front of him. Putting his cup back on the table, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve then turned to his left to see if anyone he knew was sitting at the bar also. To his surprise, he was delighted to see that the person sitting next to him just happened to be who he was looking for all along.
"Hello luv", he said in a surprised voice when Julianne looked over at him. She was now wearing a blue bandana over her hair, which explained why he had not been able to pick her out earlier.
"You again?"
"Look, before you go and get all mad again, I'm sorry for being such a shmuck earlier when I saw you." When the woman made no response he continued. "Names Jack, Jack Sparrow", he said holding out his hand.
"Julianne", she replied after a minute, shaking his hand firmly.
"Lovely to make your acquaintance", he added dramatically, receiving raised eyebrows from Julianne.
After the initial awkwardness of meeting someone new, the two young pirates soon hit it off and were still sitting in the same seats talking to one another a good 3 hours later.
"Wow, we've been 'ere for awhile", Jack observed, looking at the clock and the vast collection of empty mugs that now sat in front of them. "It's already ten o'clock."
"You wanna go somewhere?" Julianne inquired, seemingly innocent.
"Where would we go?"
"My house."
"Your house? You 'ave a house?"
"Well, me dad does. It's up on the hill."
"Alright", Jack agreed getting up from his chair. "Your house it is then."
"So, how'd you end up in this whole pirating business anyway? Seems awful strange for.", Jack asked as they walked up the town's dark streets.
"For what? A girl? Is that what you were gonna say?"
"For someone as good looking as yerself." ~~~ (end)
"That was a good save."
"I thought so."
~~~ "Me dad was a pirate. Sailed on the Renegade his whole 'career'. Me mum lived 'ere on Tortuga, lady of the trade you could call her. Anyway, right after I was born she was killed in a big bar brawl between two fucks fighting over her. Dad had always kept up with me you know, stopped in whenever he was 'ere. When he found out about me mum he just decided I was his responsibility and he came back and raised me. We went out though with the ship a lot, and I kinda always felt that's where I belonged. Out at sea. Anyway, when I was old enough I just decided that's what I wanted to do, and so I did."
"You just walked right out and joined the crew of the Renegade."
"Course I did, I grew up there so wasn't anything out o the ordinary really. What about you?"
"Well that, is a very interesting story."
"Go on."
"Alright well, I was born and grew up on the mainland. Me dad was the governor of a little town called Port Arbor. Despicable scum he was. Had beautiful wife, two lovely daughters, and a son, but still maintained his favorite past time of fuckin around with the servants of his household, including me mum. She was a maid, beautiful Spanish woman, took care o the missus' children mostly. Anyway, there were quite a few of us half- governors runnin around the place, stuck together the lot of us. There was no denyin who our father was, but o course it wasn't ever mentioned. Mostly, the men who worked for him stood up and fathered us as best they could, many of em even married to some of our mothers. Not mine though. Anyway, guess the worthless scum musta felt a little guilty over the position he left all his bastards in and he made somewhat of an effort to compensate, at least for the boys. The girls he usually just shipped off to his other wealthy friends as maids. But for us boys, he made sure we were well trained in sword fightin' and when we were old enough, got us all involved in some trade or another.
Some of us were luckier than others, I had one brother who went off to become a blacksmith's apprentice, while another got stuck as a stable boy. Lucky for me I was a favorite of the old man and since he knew how I always liked spending time down by the waterfront, he set me up working down with the shipping boys in the harbor. Now, me pop wasn't just a scoundrel when it came to fidelity, he was pretty rotten in just about every other way too. Always wanting to make the most profit he could, Port Arbor wasn't just a stop for merchant ships and other respectable vessels, it was also a pretty frequented stop for pirates as well. He would let em dock and use the town and harbor, as long as he was given a fair amount of payment for it."
"Yeah, I know about that. The Renegade stops up there every few months or so. Hmm, what a coincidence", Julianne added thoughtfully.
"I guess. So anyway, since I was workin down there an all, I got to know some o these pirates pretty well. I was fascinated by it and would spend my time daydreaming about runnin off and becoming one myself. It was me mum who put the idea in me head in the first place. 'Someday Jackie, yer gonna get out o this place and make your mark in the world', she used to say to me. 'Someday my little Sparrow, you will spread your wings and fly away from here forever.'
Back in those days, the Black Pearl used to stop in our little harbor quite frequently. Apparently old Cap'n Kanter 'ad a woman he was particularly fond of in the vice district whom he liked to keep up with. After several visits I'ad seen him around quite a bit and I finally worked up the nerve to ask if I could see his ship up close. He was a good man, Old Kanter, and he gave me the grand tour of the whole thing. Well after that I was sold. I made up my mind right then and there that before the year was out I would be on a pirate ship and out of Port Arbor. I didn't ask him that day, to join his crew, I waited a few more visits, but I always knew that the Pearl was the ship for me. On its last visit before the year was out, I overheard that one o the crewmen had taken ill and died. Hoping they'd want to fill his spot, I asked the Cap'n if he'd take me on and he agreed.
I'll admit, it wasn't all as spectacular as I had imagined it. Those first few weeks were hell, being the new guy an all. The veterans were all really 'ard on breakin me in. Made me do all the worst jobs and gave me me pirate brand and name mark all on the same day. Hurt like hell it did and they only let me get drunk for the brand. ~~~ (end)
"It was a very captivating story", Julianne commented from where she sat on the bed, now leaned against him.
"It was true, every last word of it."
"I didn't say it wasn't, Jackson Gorrion."
"Don't call me that. There is no Jackson Gorrion now, only Jack Sparrow."
"Captain Jack Sparrow you mean."
"Aye, Captain Jack Sparrow."
~~~ "Naming mark?"
"Yeah, you know, like everyone on the ship has one. Want to see?"
Julianne did not answer right away, unsure of exactly what she'd be shown. Jack decided to take that as a yes and pulled up the sleeve of his right arm to reveal a tattoo of a bird flying over the waters and the name Jack right above his brand.
"Jack Sparrow. Very clever. Though on the Renegade we all just have our ships mark to match", she commented.
"You included?"
"Aye."
"Can I see it?"
"No!" she snapped. "Sorry, it's just that it's on me back, kinda 'ard to show you at the moment."
"Oh."
"Well this is it", Julianne announced proudly and coming to a stop. Looking up, Jack was amazed to find himself in front of a beautiful stone house.
"Ye sure yer dad's a pirate", he asked.
Julianne just shot him a look, then pulled a blackened skeleton key out of her pocket and unlocked the door.
"DAD?" she called out, but received no answer. "Prolly down at the ship", she said aloud, more to herself than Jack. "Well, ere we are. You want a drink?"
"Love one", Jack answered sitting down on the living room couch.
Pulling two bottles out of the cabinet, Julianne held one out to him. "Personally, I'm a bit tired of ale", she said uncorking her own, letting the smell of the rum fill the air.
"No complaints 'ere."
The two young pirates sat and drank together until they were both fairly inebriated.
"You could possibly be the most beautiful pirate I've ever seen", Jack said turning to Julianne and drunkenly touching her face.
"I'd hope so, or else I'd 'ave to wonder about your preference", she laughed in response. Jack smiled crookedly to this, showing off his set of perfectly straight white teeth. Setting his almost empty bottle down on the coffee table, he leaned across the couch and kissed Julianne as passionately as one who was particularly intoxicated could. The affection was returned, and before too long, the pair was making their way from the living to Julianne's bedroom. ~~~ (end)
"I wasn't yer first. That surprised me a little. Well, maybe more than a little. Did get to see your tattoo though."
"I don't know why you were surprised. I wasn't your first either."
"I know, I guess I just didn't expect you to be so."
"So?"
"So absolutely pirate, in every way."
"You would 'ave preferred otherwise?"
"I didn't say that. No, I much prefer you the way you are. Well, I guess I could do with a few less of the rough edges you've acquired over the years, but neither the less", he added kissing her cheek from behind. "And what about you? I obviously know what you think now", he continued with a sly grin, "but wouldn't mind knowin what you thought of me back then. Was I very different?"
Julianne took a deep breath and sighed before answering his question. "Yes and no I suppose. You were just as cocky, maybe a little less so than now. But mostly it was your looks, you know, before this whole get up you parade about in now. No beads, no kohl rimmed eyes, no gold teeth, or plaited beard", she added tugging on one of the two braids.
"It all adds to me charm though don't it?"
"Yes, now it does. But back then, it was nice without it. Just you, as you were, with nothing extra. You were so.handsome. A little scrawny at the time, as though you 'ad't quite grown into your height. But still handsome. With your shaggy hair that was just long enough that it fell over your deep brown eyes, and your perfect tan complexion. That's why I didn't want to talk to you, ye know. I wanted you there on the dock; it took every ounce of will power in me to be mean to you. And I would've succeeded if it 'ad't been for you coming into the tavern later."
"Wait a minute", Jack demanded sitting up behind her and peering around to look her in the face. "You didn't want to talk to me because you thought I was good looking? That doesn't sound like you at all."
Juli looked down at her hands and then back at him. "I knew if I had you once, you'd be all I ever wanted."
"And?"
"And what?"
"Am I?"
Julianne looked at him for a moment. Opening her mouth slightly, as though to answer, she promptly snapped it shut again and stood up swiftly. Proceeding back to her earlier position in the chair, she picked her cigar back up and relit it. Again silence filled the room. Jack, who had remained seated where he was, watched her closely, but puffing on her cigar Julianne avoided his gaze. Sitting there looking intently at the wall, she remembered Ana's words to her the night before. She sighed heavily, then looked back at Jack who was no longer sitting on the bed. Moving slowly across the room, he squatted down in front of her, one hand balancing himself with the arm of the chair, and the other removing the cigar from hers and entwining his fingers in hers.
"You are" he said softly.
"I am what?"
"All I've ever wanted."
Juli was speechless, unable to believe what she was hearing. He rose slowly, moving his other hand through her hair and giving her a kiss. It lasted only a second, until Julianne pulled back and stood up. Walking back across the room, she picked up a bottle of rum that was sitting out and took a drink. Setting it down and leaning some of her weight on it, she spoke, not looking at him.
"Things 'ave to change Jack." Turning to face him, he was shaking his head.
"I know."
"I don't care what's right by standards. If you want me, you can't 'ave anyone else."
Jack crossed to where she was standing and put his hands on her shoulders. "I promise", he whispered. Deciding she was satisfied, he leaned in to kiss her again, but she pulled back again.
"And if I ever catch you breaking that promise, I will leave you for good and our ships will be enemies until long after we're both dead."
He nodded, then leaned in again, to be shut down once more.
"And if you ever lay so much as a finger on me like that again, you won't live to see another day."
He nodded again, leaned back in, and was denied a third time.
"And Jack."
"Oh bloody hell woman, now what", he exclaimed in fake exasperation.
"'Ave I ever told you how much I love you?"
He shook his head no.
"Well I do."
This time, Jack's efforts were successful and two the captains shared a long and passionate kiss. Abruptly pulling away himself, Jack wrapped his arms around her neck and looked at her thoughtfully for a minute before speaking. "And I you."
**************************************************************************** *********************
And just a little end note. For anyone observant out there. Gorrion is the Spanish word for Sparrow. Thought that was pretty clever personally.