Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.
I didn't get to sleep that whole night. Well, you wouldn't either, with grenades going off every few seconds, and disgusting sex-deprived pirates prowling around in search of "pleasurable" company. I shuddered just thinking about it. So I spent the entire night sitting with Will's head in my lap and pretending to be unconscious, so the pirates would leave me alone. I suppose thar'd be no use in a knocked out wench, har har. Bloody pirates.
And all I could think about was how I could easily leave behind my sister in the mansion with pirates, that was fine. But I couldn't bring myself to part from Will. Perhaps it was because I fancied him, and not Elizabeth (that would be utterly and supremely disgusting) but then seeing as how there was no point in that, I let the matter drop. But all night kept going back to it, mulling it over in my mind.
"Unghhh," Will said. "I'm going to assume that was 'good morning' in whatever language you chose to speak," I said as he sat up slowly. He smiled weakly at me and winced as he lifted a hand to touch his head. "What happened?" he asked.
"Good Lord, don't tell me you don't remember! Screaming, pirates that wouldn't stay dead, bloody big explosions," Me in my tattered nightgown, I hinted.
"Elizabeth!" Will exclaimed, trying to get up quickly and failing. I sighed. "Yes, there was her to," I said, a bit reluctantly and then felt the thousandth pang of guilt of the day. My sister was captured, her life in danger - if she was still alive - and I was still jealous of her?
"Come on, up you get," I said, stretching out my sore legs. I got gingerly to my feet and then helped up Will. "We need to see your father, and the Commodore. We have to find her," he said desperately, grabbing my hand and dragging me to where my father, the Commodore, and a few military men stood hunched over a map.
"They've taken her! They've taken Elizabeth," Will said, and the fury and desperation in his voice made me quail. He would hate me if he knew how I left her in the mansion.
"Mr. Murtogg, remove this man," the Commodore said, bored. Bastard.
"We have to hunt them down! We have to save her!" Will nearly shouted. I winced, against my will wondering if he would so frantically demand a search for me? Or would he be content if Elizabeth was safe, and I would merely be a forgotten memory? If I was the one captured, would they even notice I was gone? I tried to fight the sinking feeling that they wouldn't.
"And where do you propose we start? If you have any information concerning my daughter, please, share it," my father said curtly, worry clearly etched on his face. Never mind the fact that I was standing here in my torn nightgown and robe, muddy and bloody…
"Christina, what on earth are you doing here? Christina?" I was surprised to hear my father say my name, I had assumed that I had just gone invisible again. Will touched my arm lightly, and I jumped. "What?" I asked. My father frowned at me, "Christina, what are you doing here? And why are you dressed like that?" he asked. No 'Thank goodness you are safe, Christina, I was worried sick."
"Have you not noticed that the Port was attacked by pirates? I ran out of the house, assuming that the pirates who had attacked us would follow me, as I told them that Elizabeth had already gone. I didn't exactly have the time to put on my festival gown, Father," I said sarcastically. Sometimes he was just so thick. Well, most of the time.
"Well, thank heavens you are alright," my father said, surprising me for the second and third time that day by hugging me. I couldn't help it, I started to cry. "Father, I'm so sorry about Elizabeth! I tried to tell her not to hide in the closet, and to jump out the window instead, but she wouldn't listen and it was too late. So then I tried to tell the pirates that she has left already so they would follow me when I jumped out the window, but they didn't!" I wailed. I wanted to kick myself, bawling like a typical stupid girl in front of Will. I am an idiot.
"You tried, Christina, that was brave of you at least," my father said, but I could tell he was angry with me. Perhaps I should have gotten kidnapped instead, so Elizabeth could go on being the only child, and Port Royal could carry on like I didn't even exist.
"What ship took her?" I asked. The Commodore glared at me. I was so sick of him. "Don't you glare at me like that, you stupid old wind bag! I have a right to know what bloody pirate ship took my sister!" I said angrily. My father opened his mouth to scold me, I'm sure, but I was on a role. "And you, don't even think of scolding me, Father. Now is not the time or place and every second you morons waste here is another second that Elizabeth may be killed, and although she is insufferable, she is also my sister and I do not wish for her to die. Now will someone please tell me what ship took my sister?" I shouted.
The soldier known as Murtogg said, "That Jack Sparrow. He talked about the Black Pearl."
I gasped; I knew the stories of the Black Pearl. It was a foul ship, sailed by the dead and the damned. And from what I saw last night, there was no doubt in my mind that it was indeed the Pearl that had taken Elizabeth.
"Mentioned it is more what he did," another soldier put in, as if he thought he was being helpful. "Ask him where it is. Make a deal with him, he could lead us to it!" Will said, and I nodded vigorously. The Commodore, however, seemed to have had another idea. "No…the pirates who invaded this Port left Sparrow locked in his cell ergo they are not his allies. Governor, we will establish their most likely course…"
"That's not good enough!" Will yelled, slamming an axe into the table where their map was, and I jumped again, but walked away from my father and over next to him.
"Mr. Turner, you are not a military man, you are not a sailor. You are a blacksmith and this is not the moment for rash actions. Do not make the mistake of thinking that you are the only man here who cares for Elizabeth," he said, almost nose-to-nose with Will, whose jaw clenched with suppressed fury. I wanted to scream, and Will looked abashed at being told he was 'just a blacksmith'. I wanted to scream more, for his sake and for mine because once again the fuss was all about Elizabeth.
Will turned and walked away. I glared at the Commodore, "You are spineless," I hissed, seething. The poor man was just trying to do his job, I'm sure, but did he have to go about it in such an infuriating way? I turned and followed Will, ignoring how my father called after me. The only place I wanted to be right now was with Will, even if he was thinking only of my sister.
1.
I hurried to follow Will, he was storming through the streets towards the jail. I knew what he was going to do, and from my experience with pirates I wasn't quite eager to be in the presence of one again.
Will slammed open the door and hurried down the stone steps to the jail cell where Mr. Sparrow would surely be. "You, Sparrow!" Will called.
"Aye," came the Captain's reply from where he was laying down in the jail cell staring up at the ceiling. The cell next to him had been blown open by canon fire. I couldn't help but grin: this man had no manner of luck at all.
"You are familiar with the ship, the Black Pearl?" Will asked. "I've heard of it," Captain Sparrow said nonchalantly. "Where does it make berth?" Will asked. I raised an eyebrow, did he not know?
"Where does it make berth? Have you not heard the stories?" Captain Sparrow said incredulously. Will stayed silent, looking politely nonplussed - Jack Sparrow could help us far faster than the Commodore could, so Will couldn't afford to offend him - and also very agitated.
"Captain Barbossa and his crew of miscreants sailed from the dreaded Isla de Muerta. It's an island that cannot be found…" Jack started to say, reeling it off as if he'd said and heard it so many times that it was immensely boring.
"…except by those who already know where it is," I cut him off, smiling. Will looked at me oddly, and I shrugged. "You may not have heard the stories, Will, but our butler used to tell Elizabeth an I a different pirate story almost every night until we were fifteen, and she grew out of them."
"The ship's real enough. Therefore its anchorage must be a real place. Where is it?" Will asked the Captain, his eyes resting on me only a moment longer. Captain Sparrow was looking at me with an odd little smile on his face, his dark eyes shining. I raised me chin and crossed my arms defiantly. There was something knowing about his smile, and it unnerved me.
"Why ask me?"
Will sighed, "Because, you're a pirate," he said. Jack smiled slowly, amused. "And you want to turn pirate yourself, is that it?" he asked. Ooh, wrong thing to say…
"Never!" Will said dangerously, and Jack seemed unfazed. I tried hard not to laugh; this pirate would drive Will mad. Will sighed again, "They took Miss Swann," he said. Mr. Sparrow looked at me, confused
"Oh, not me; my sister," I offered. Jack nodded. "Oh, so it is that yeh've found a girl, I see. Well, if you're intending to brave all, hasten to her rescue and so win fair lady's heart yeh'll have to do it alone, mate. I see no profit in it for me," he said. Goodness, all men were infuriating. I may never get married.
"Please, Mr. Sparrow, I have to save my sister," I said desperately, hoping to come across as a damsel in distress. Not that I thought it would work against any pirates, who usually were the cause for the damsel's distress. I just hoped that perhaps Jack Sparrow would be different.
"Sorry, love, cant help ye," he said. I sighed angrily and muttered, "Bloody pirates." Jack laughed.
"I can get you out of here," Will said suddenly, furtively. I looked interestedly at him. Now just how was he about to do that?
"How's that? The key's run off," Jack said dejectedly. I grinned, enjoying his misery incalculably. It was bad of me, I know, but then again he was a very irritating pirate. "I helped build these cells. These are half pin-barrel hinges. With the right leverage and proper application of strength, the door will lift free," Will said. Aha, I understood absolutely none of that, 'cept for the application of strength part. That was something I'd like to see.
"What's your name?" Jack asked, out of nowhere. He looked as though he was trying to be offhand about it, but something about him struck me as very calculating. I pursed my lips, intrigued in spite of myself. Oh, who am I kidding? It wasn't in spite of myself…I didn't think there was anything wrong with being interested in such a colorful character such as Captain Jack Sparrow. He was quite unlike anyone I've ever met before.
"Will Turner," Will sounded as if he wanted to ask why.
"That will be short for William, I measure. Good, strong name. No doubt named for your father, am I right?" he asked. I wondered why this was all so important. Who gave a damn whether Will was named after his father or not?
Will nodded.
"Aha. Well, Mr. Turner, I changed me mind. If ye spring me from this cell, I swear on pain of death, I shall take yeh to the Black Pearl and yer bonnie lass,"
I clucked my tongue loudly, causing both men to look at me oddly. "Nothing! Carry on!" I said, gesturing for them to continue. Bonnie lass. I'd give them bonnie lass, for God's sake…And if anything, Elizabeth was the Commodore's bonnie lass, after all, they were courting. And he was, after all, her suitor.
Suddenly I was very grateful for the Commodore's existence.
"Do we have an accord?" Jack asked, looking at me skeptically. I would bet anything that he could see right through me. Exasperating pirate.
"Agreed," Will said, and they shook on it. Men and their stupid habits. Wasting so much bloody time. Will took a bench and lifted it easily, positioning it under the bars of the cell, and pushing up. My jaw dropped a little. He wasn't kidding when he said (and I quote) "proper application of strength." Jack hurried out, looking me over. I realized I was still in my night gown, and crossed my arms defensively over my chest. "See something that interests you, Mr. Sparrow?" I asked. He grinned, looked me over again, and turned to leave. God help me, I'd have to travel with the likes of him. But there was no way that I was going to be left behind.
"Hurry, someone will have heard that," Will said anxiously. "Not without my effects," Jack said. I tossed them to him and we left the jail.
1.
"We're going to steal a ship. That ship?" Will said, pointing to the Interceptor and sounding less-than-thrilled at the prospect. We were standing in the water under the dock, and I was shivering with cold. All I had on my feet were flimsy little ballet flats, and all I had to wear was this bloody nightgown and a robe. Not the best attire when you're about to embark on a grand adventure, I assure you.
"Commandeer. We're going to commandeer that ship. Nautical term," Jack corrected. "One question about your business boy, or there's no use going. This girl, how far are you willing to go to save her?"
"I'd die for her," Will said fiercely.
"Oh, for God's sake, Will!" I said loudly, and they both turned to stare at me again. What is this, women are supposed to be seen and not heard? "Will, would you die for someone you barely know? You never talked to Elizabeth except on a handful of occasions, and all you know about her besides the fact that she's pretty is she shares my birthday!" I snapped. This was getting ridiculous.
"That's not true!" Will said angrily. I raised an eyebrow, "Oh, and what else do you know about her, then?" I asked. We were wasting time, I knew, but I could not just stand here and bite my tongue while Will made stupid promises. About my stupid sister!
"Well…I know that the Governor is her father!" Will said.
"As he is mine, and everyone in Port Royal knows that!" I said. Jack laughed, "Well, then, Miss Swann, how far would you go for her?" he asked. "She's not coming," Will said quickly. I blanched. "Excuse me, did I hear you right, William? Did you think I just came here to see you off? I am coming!" I said furiously.
"Christina, it's too dangerous," he said. "Dangerous my arse, Will! It was dangerous yesterday when I was trapped in the mansion with two pirates and no weapon. It was dangerous when I had to fight yesterday in the middle of the night, with bombs going off everywhere and pirates that don't stay dead. Elizabeth is my sister, I'll be damned if I'm not going with you!" I retorted. How dare he! Will opened his mouth to argue, but I glared at him, and he finally fell silent. I didn't miss all the evil looks he sent my way. Infuriating boy. Man. Bah!
"Well, Miss Swann? What'll be yer answer?" the Captain asked me, looking quite amused.
"She's my sister," I said stoutly. He nodded, "Yes, well I know that, but that doesn't answer my question. How far are you willing to go to bring her back…to reunite her with this brave young stallion here?" he said, indicating Will.
I felt my face heat and a frowned. The Captain certainly knew much more than he let on, although all of this sailed right past Will, who was fidgeting to leave. I glared nastily at Jack, but to my own chagrin kept picturing Will and Elizabeth together again.
"I'd…bloody hell, what has this got to do with anything?" I sputtered, annoyed.
"Right then, no worries. Let's just get going, eh?" Jack laughed. I groaned. I don't know which one of them I wanted to punch more.
"Er, Mr. Sparrow?" I asked tentatively.
"Captain, love. Or just Jack. None of this formal bilge, eh? After all, we are on an adventure together," he said. I blinked. "Right, Captain, sir, how are we going to get to the Dauntless?" I asked.
"Ah, what a bright lass yeh are, and a pretty one, wouldn't ye agree Will, my lad?" Will looked up, and I looked down. Bloody pirates. Will smiled, "That she is, Jack," he said. I looked up, shocked. Will smiled at me, forgiving me for not listening to him. Friendly. Nothing more. Well I didn't want his forgiveness for something that I was right about. Men. I forced myself to smile back. "Yes, well, that doesn't answer my question, Captain," I said, using his own words and hastily changing the subject.
He laughed, "Ye see that boat there, Miss Swann? We're gonna use that," he said. I looked at the tiny row boat that was on the shore. "We're just going to row out there?" I asked. "Ha, no love, we're going to swim," he said. I sighed - we were doomed. The Captain was quite mad, I was sure of it now. I didn't ask another question.
"Right then, let's lift this old girl up then, shall we?" Jack asked with a grin. I raised an eyebrow sardonically, quite resigned to my fate. It was evident that the chances of surviving an adventure with Captain Jack Sparrow in the lead were slim. I was, however, quite ready to have an adventure after eight long years at Port Royal with precious little to distract me from hearing Elizabeth ninny on about this suitor or that dress or these ribbons…It was odd to think that I was out here about to risk my life and sanity to bring that back into my life again. Elizabeth was my sister, however, and I felt partly to blame for her kidnapping. At least if I'd stayed in the mansion we would have been taken together, and then I would have had some chance to protect her.
"Aye aye, Captain, we shall!" I said mockingly gallant. He laughed again. He and Will politely held most of the weight, I just held on as we walked forward. There was no way the soldiers would not see us, not even they were quite so stupid. And what a sight we would be, three pairs of legs walking quickly from under and overturned row boat. "Oh, bother, we're doomed," I said, my voice sounding odd under the boat. Will groaned, seemingly in agreement with me.
Suddenly, my feet were in the water.
"Jack! What are you doing! We'll drown!" I yelped, trying to stop but not wanting to be left behind, and not wanting to be dragged. "Relax, pet, I've done this before. Ol' Jack Sparrow knows what 'e's doing," Jack said. I sighed angrily. Men.
Water was up to my waist and I started to get nervous, my thin nightgown ballooning up around me. How humiliating. Thankfully I was behind Will, who was behind the Captain, so neither saw my legs. I was starting to rethink this whole adventure ordeal.
Then we were under water, and the most amazing thing happened. When the row boat went under, it must have taken the air with it, because we were walking on the bottom of the bay and we could breathe. If the navy knew about this, they'd probably have us hanged for witchcraft. Idiots.
"Amazing," I whispered.
"This is either madness or brilliance," Will muttered in agreement.
"Remarkable how often those two traits seem to coincide," Jack said quietly. I jumped as I heard something crunch beneath me. Will had gotten his foot stuck in a lobster cage, and I was getting tangled with the rope. "Will, you big oaf," I groaned. Like I said, the only thing that he was not clumsy with, as far as I knew, was a sword. Jack chuckled again. All the man did was drink and laugh and cuss and fight. A real pirate. But I liked him. He was different from most of the uptight ninnies I was accustomed to being around. Different in a good way, he a relief from prissy puffs with wigs.
We got to the Dauntless and climbed up the side. "Bloody nightgown," I muttered as it got caught. By now it was near transparent, and I gather my soaking wet robe around me. Will turned around and looked at me as if to say "I told you so."
"Quit bloody staring at me if you do not intend to help," I snapped. He grabbed my arm and hoisted me up until I tumbled onto the deck. He was going to drive me mad, absently holding out a hand to me to help me up. Such a gentleman, eh? I rolled my eyes and ignored him, getting up unsteadily by myself.
"Everyone stay calm, we're taking over the ship," he called, and the sailors turned around. "Aye, avast!" Will shouted. The sailor's laughed, and Jack looked at Will as if he were mad. Will shrugged.
"This ship cannot be crewed by two men. You'll never make it out of the bay," the naval officer said. I cleared my throat.
"Aye, not by two men alone, but we are lucky enough to have a woman among us as well," Jack said, and I smiled approvingly at him. The sailors, curse them, only laughed harder. Jack raised his pistol and cocked it, "You forget, mates, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, ye savvy?" They stopped laughing.
"Oy, Captain," I said, not taking my eyes off the sailors. "I fear I'm going to need more, er, suitable clothes for this adventure," I said, shooting an apologetic look at the naval officer.