Marin stared out across the water, Jack by her side, to where the Black
Pearl limped after them, making terrible time due to her holed hull. She
could see Gibbs running back and forth, keeping the ship afloat with
nothing more than will-power, it seemed. Jack had wanted to put into
Tortuga to repair his beloved ship, but both Gibbs and James had
strenuously objected, pointing out that the battered ship would never make
the port in her current condition.
In an effort to convince Jack to bring the Pearl to Port Royale to be repaired, James had taken him aboard the Dauntless and officially taken the irascible pirate under his protection, and his crew and ship along with him. Shocked, Gillette had been forced to accept his part in the affair as a witness, fully aware that the sailors on board were highly tickled at this turn of events.
James had remained on board the Dauntless, resuming command of the ship despite his captain's protestations as they sailed back to Port Royale, keeping pace with the two injured ships that accompanied them. Jack had been persuaded by Will to remain on the Dragon for this painful journey, ostensibly to help him grow accustomed to commanding a ship once more, though they both knew that was a lie. He was there to keep Marin's spirits up, and doing a fine job.
Her deep sense of loss remained, haunting her eyes with a mournful sadness intriguing to those who did not know what Elias had been to her. But she had cheered significantly after her day and night of desperate grief, allowing herself to feel more than just despair and sorrow. She was keenly aware that whenever her spirits seemed to droop, Jack was there, his arms open to hold her against the nightmares that would plague her for months to come.
Marin could not imagine another day without him. She had lost too much to be able to cope with losing him, and yet she could not see any way that he could stay with her, despite his insistence that he would keep his last promise to his old mentor. Content to enjoy his company as long as it lasted, Marin welcomed his company, revelling in the sense of completeness that surged through her whenever his arms wrapped about her slender shoulders.
For himself, Jack was discovering new depths to the sudden cowardice that seemed to come over him whenever he tried to tell his companion of his feelings for her. He was Captain Jack Sparrow, he did NOT get tongued-tied over a woman. At least, that's what he kept telling himself. He could express his affection in many little ways, such as holding her close and keeping a smile on her face with a careless remark, but when he tried to put that affection into words, his throat constricted, his voice-box refused point blank to work at all.
It never seemed to be the right time to tell her, either. When he had just realised what it was he felt for her, they had been preparing to go into battle, and confessing his undying love for her the night before either of them could be killed hadn't seemed such a great plan. And now, she was grieving for Elias. There was no way she would want to hear what it was he wanted to say to her at the moment.
Marin sighed softly, leaning into his embrace with a gentle smile.
'I'm glad you're coming back to Port Royale, Jack,' she murmured, the pleasure in her voice doing much to allay his fears that he and she were being pushed together for no reason.
Elias was a crafty old coot, Jack knew, admiring the old devil's final manipulation. He must have known how his student felt about the young woman by his side, and so arranged their lives obliquely in his last hour. It was a masterful piece of work.
'Aye, love, you may be,' he said ruefully, glorying in her closeness, 'but there is nothing for me there but a noose.'
Marin frowned, unaccountably hurt by his words.
'Nothing?' she asked softly.
Jack sighed, sensing an opportunity to speak out.
'Well, maybe not nothing,' he conceded. 'But all I want is right this moment sailing towards the port, so I suppose you could say there's nothing there for me, yet.'
She sighed, a slightly bitter smile on her lips as she realised he must be speaking of the Black Pearl. She had been right when she'd told Elizabeth that Jack Sparrow had no need for a woman. He had his Pearl, and needed no other to be his companion.
'Yes, she's a fine ship,' she agreed softly, her gaze moving to light on the black sails once more. 'Still the fastest in the Caribbean.'
Jack blinked, confused for a moment, until he guessed her misinterpretation of his words. Well, he supposed it could have sounded like he was talking about the Pearl . . . what did he have to do to convince the girl that it was her he wanted?
'Nigh un-catchable,' he heard himself say, and inwardly cursed.
You're supposed to change the subject, not compound the mistake, you fool, he thought harshly, wishing there were some way he could administer a swift kick to his own backside.
'But hardly the most attractive lady I've ever met,' he added, pleased that he'd managed to turn the mistake into a compliment.
Marin snorted, unimpressed.
'She pleased you enough that you stuck a knife in Elias' ribs for her,' she informed him.
Jack's eyes widened in surprise.
'How the bloody hell did you know that?' he demanded, shocked.
She laughed.
'Well, I was on board at the time,' she reminded him. 'I was only a child, but I remember the night after you left. He was in such a foul mood, you were lucky he didn't catch you.'
'I can imagine,' he agreed ruefully. 'Still, the knife didn't really solve my problems, did it? I ended up losing her to a mutinous crew, and gaining her back with the help of His Majesty's Navy. Hardly a glorious tale, now, is it?'
Marin just grinned up at him, turning in his embrace to look fully into his eyes. She held the look for a long while before speaking.
'Did you really sack Nassau Port without firing a single shot?' she asked curiously.
He coughed, rolling his eyes self-consciously.
'Not intentionally,' he admitted. 'We just found ourselves in an opportune moment, as it were.'
She smiled, intrigued by this odd confession.
'What happened?' she pressed warily, having heard some of his embellished tales before.
'Well, we'd put into harbour to pick up some supplies,' Jack said awkwardly. 'The governor thought we were someone else, and ordered everyone to abandon the town, even the soldiers. So when we got there, there was no one to shoot, and we pillaged the lot . . .'
His voice trailed off as she reached up to run her hand through his hair, admiring the delicate beads that adorned the dreaded locks. Her eyes slipped to his, their gazes locked in mutual longing for the other's touch. His hand ran up her back to grasp the nape of her neck lightly, the warmth of his fingers sending shivers through her. As her fingers tightened on his shirt, he bent, his lips brushing against hers in a tender kiss.
At the helm, Dugan nudged Will's stomach sharply, winding his new captain slightly as he pointed silently down to where the two stood together, lost in one another's embrace. Will grinned, seeing the approval on every face around him as Jack's arms tightened visibly around Marin, pulling her closer against his chest as he deepened the kiss.
She melted against him, breathing in his unique scent of rum, sea salt, and spice, a musky smell that could be no one other than Jack. He was gentle, giving as much as he took, and she sought to match him as his lips moved against hers, setting her blood aflame with longing for him.
They didn't notice the entire crew watching them from their various posts, each sharing knowing grins as they observed the final nail being hammered into the coffin of Marin's childhood. Will glanced over to the Dauntless, where he could see the commodore walking the main deck with his officers.
'Hopkins,' he called to his first mate. 'Do we have signal flags aboard?'
The old sailor grinned, anticipating what was in the young man's mind.
'Aye, sir, that we do,' he said, gesturing for them to be fetched.
Will grinned.
'Send up a signal for the Dauntless and the Pearl,' he suggested. 'Both sides have engaged should be obscure enough for them.'
Hopkins laughed.
'Aye, aye, sir,' he agreed, hurrying down from the poop-deck to oversee the signal being put together.
As they ran it up, Will glanced back down to where his friends had pulled apart, staring mutely into one another's eyes. Dear God, he hoped they didn't muck this up now.
*~*~*
James nodded warmly to the helmsman as he stepped up onto the poop-deck, Lieutenant Goode and Midshipman Fazackerly in tow. The slow pace of the ships was interminable, but he was determined not to get so far ahead that he could not return to the Dragon and prevent Marin and Jack spilling each other's blood should they irritate one another enough.
The stiff breeze that cooled his cheeks was most welcome, helping him to soothe other worries within him. As head of his family, he was expected to take Elias' place as Marin's guardian, but Jack had slipped into that role with very little trouble. He had no problem with that as such, but the fact that one day soon he would have to choose between having the irascible pirate for a cousin or losing Marin weighed heavily on his heart. It wasn't that he didn't want her to be happy, of course he did. It was just the impending relation with Jack Sparrow that concerned him somewhat.
'Sir, the Red Dragon has run up a signal, sir,' Midshipman Fazackerly piped up suddenly, peering out across the water to where the bright flags flapped in the breeze.
Lieutenant Goode smiled proudly down at the lad, watching as he translated the signal as accurately as he could. James waited patiently, resisting the urge to glance across and read it for himself.
'Both sides have engaged, sir, whatever that means,' the boy said finally, sounding very confused.
James's eyes widened, and he turned to face the Dragon, reading for himself the obscure signal. Will waved his arm to catch the commodore's attention, pointing down onto the main deck. James followed the gesticulating arm to where Marin was locked in a tender embrace with Jack Sparrow. A triumphant smile crossed his impassive features.
'Run up a signal, Lieutenant,' he ordered. 'Proceed with all due caution.'
He waited as the flags were run up, watching as Will doubled over laughing, holding on tightly to the wheel to avoid losing his balance. Midshipman Fazackerly leant over the side, peering up into the Dragon's rigging to read the next signal that was sent up to whip about in the breeze.
'Captain Turner assures you he knows what he's doing, sir,' he said eventually, turning to the commodore in confusion.
James let out a bark of laughter, startling officers and men alike.
'I'm sure he does,' he laughed, turning back to his crew. 'I believe I will retire. Good night, gentlemen.'
As they murmured their good evenings, he slipped down from the poop, unable to resist another glance across at where Marin stood, safe in the arms of a man she loved, and whom he was certain loved her.
In an effort to convince Jack to bring the Pearl to Port Royale to be repaired, James had taken him aboard the Dauntless and officially taken the irascible pirate under his protection, and his crew and ship along with him. Shocked, Gillette had been forced to accept his part in the affair as a witness, fully aware that the sailors on board were highly tickled at this turn of events.
James had remained on board the Dauntless, resuming command of the ship despite his captain's protestations as they sailed back to Port Royale, keeping pace with the two injured ships that accompanied them. Jack had been persuaded by Will to remain on the Dragon for this painful journey, ostensibly to help him grow accustomed to commanding a ship once more, though they both knew that was a lie. He was there to keep Marin's spirits up, and doing a fine job.
Her deep sense of loss remained, haunting her eyes with a mournful sadness intriguing to those who did not know what Elias had been to her. But she had cheered significantly after her day and night of desperate grief, allowing herself to feel more than just despair and sorrow. She was keenly aware that whenever her spirits seemed to droop, Jack was there, his arms open to hold her against the nightmares that would plague her for months to come.
Marin could not imagine another day without him. She had lost too much to be able to cope with losing him, and yet she could not see any way that he could stay with her, despite his insistence that he would keep his last promise to his old mentor. Content to enjoy his company as long as it lasted, Marin welcomed his company, revelling in the sense of completeness that surged through her whenever his arms wrapped about her slender shoulders.
For himself, Jack was discovering new depths to the sudden cowardice that seemed to come over him whenever he tried to tell his companion of his feelings for her. He was Captain Jack Sparrow, he did NOT get tongued-tied over a woman. At least, that's what he kept telling himself. He could express his affection in many little ways, such as holding her close and keeping a smile on her face with a careless remark, but when he tried to put that affection into words, his throat constricted, his voice-box refused point blank to work at all.
It never seemed to be the right time to tell her, either. When he had just realised what it was he felt for her, they had been preparing to go into battle, and confessing his undying love for her the night before either of them could be killed hadn't seemed such a great plan. And now, she was grieving for Elias. There was no way she would want to hear what it was he wanted to say to her at the moment.
Marin sighed softly, leaning into his embrace with a gentle smile.
'I'm glad you're coming back to Port Royale, Jack,' she murmured, the pleasure in her voice doing much to allay his fears that he and she were being pushed together for no reason.
Elias was a crafty old coot, Jack knew, admiring the old devil's final manipulation. He must have known how his student felt about the young woman by his side, and so arranged their lives obliquely in his last hour. It was a masterful piece of work.
'Aye, love, you may be,' he said ruefully, glorying in her closeness, 'but there is nothing for me there but a noose.'
Marin frowned, unaccountably hurt by his words.
'Nothing?' she asked softly.
Jack sighed, sensing an opportunity to speak out.
'Well, maybe not nothing,' he conceded. 'But all I want is right this moment sailing towards the port, so I suppose you could say there's nothing there for me, yet.'
She sighed, a slightly bitter smile on her lips as she realised he must be speaking of the Black Pearl. She had been right when she'd told Elizabeth that Jack Sparrow had no need for a woman. He had his Pearl, and needed no other to be his companion.
'Yes, she's a fine ship,' she agreed softly, her gaze moving to light on the black sails once more. 'Still the fastest in the Caribbean.'
Jack blinked, confused for a moment, until he guessed her misinterpretation of his words. Well, he supposed it could have sounded like he was talking about the Pearl . . . what did he have to do to convince the girl that it was her he wanted?
'Nigh un-catchable,' he heard himself say, and inwardly cursed.
You're supposed to change the subject, not compound the mistake, you fool, he thought harshly, wishing there were some way he could administer a swift kick to his own backside.
'But hardly the most attractive lady I've ever met,' he added, pleased that he'd managed to turn the mistake into a compliment.
Marin snorted, unimpressed.
'She pleased you enough that you stuck a knife in Elias' ribs for her,' she informed him.
Jack's eyes widened in surprise.
'How the bloody hell did you know that?' he demanded, shocked.
She laughed.
'Well, I was on board at the time,' she reminded him. 'I was only a child, but I remember the night after you left. He was in such a foul mood, you were lucky he didn't catch you.'
'I can imagine,' he agreed ruefully. 'Still, the knife didn't really solve my problems, did it? I ended up losing her to a mutinous crew, and gaining her back with the help of His Majesty's Navy. Hardly a glorious tale, now, is it?'
Marin just grinned up at him, turning in his embrace to look fully into his eyes. She held the look for a long while before speaking.
'Did you really sack Nassau Port without firing a single shot?' she asked curiously.
He coughed, rolling his eyes self-consciously.
'Not intentionally,' he admitted. 'We just found ourselves in an opportune moment, as it were.'
She smiled, intrigued by this odd confession.
'What happened?' she pressed warily, having heard some of his embellished tales before.
'Well, we'd put into harbour to pick up some supplies,' Jack said awkwardly. 'The governor thought we were someone else, and ordered everyone to abandon the town, even the soldiers. So when we got there, there was no one to shoot, and we pillaged the lot . . .'
His voice trailed off as she reached up to run her hand through his hair, admiring the delicate beads that adorned the dreaded locks. Her eyes slipped to his, their gazes locked in mutual longing for the other's touch. His hand ran up her back to grasp the nape of her neck lightly, the warmth of his fingers sending shivers through her. As her fingers tightened on his shirt, he bent, his lips brushing against hers in a tender kiss.
At the helm, Dugan nudged Will's stomach sharply, winding his new captain slightly as he pointed silently down to where the two stood together, lost in one another's embrace. Will grinned, seeing the approval on every face around him as Jack's arms tightened visibly around Marin, pulling her closer against his chest as he deepened the kiss.
She melted against him, breathing in his unique scent of rum, sea salt, and spice, a musky smell that could be no one other than Jack. He was gentle, giving as much as he took, and she sought to match him as his lips moved against hers, setting her blood aflame with longing for him.
They didn't notice the entire crew watching them from their various posts, each sharing knowing grins as they observed the final nail being hammered into the coffin of Marin's childhood. Will glanced over to the Dauntless, where he could see the commodore walking the main deck with his officers.
'Hopkins,' he called to his first mate. 'Do we have signal flags aboard?'
The old sailor grinned, anticipating what was in the young man's mind.
'Aye, sir, that we do,' he said, gesturing for them to be fetched.
Will grinned.
'Send up a signal for the Dauntless and the Pearl,' he suggested. 'Both sides have engaged should be obscure enough for them.'
Hopkins laughed.
'Aye, aye, sir,' he agreed, hurrying down from the poop-deck to oversee the signal being put together.
As they ran it up, Will glanced back down to where his friends had pulled apart, staring mutely into one another's eyes. Dear God, he hoped they didn't muck this up now.
*~*~*
James nodded warmly to the helmsman as he stepped up onto the poop-deck, Lieutenant Goode and Midshipman Fazackerly in tow. The slow pace of the ships was interminable, but he was determined not to get so far ahead that he could not return to the Dragon and prevent Marin and Jack spilling each other's blood should they irritate one another enough.
The stiff breeze that cooled his cheeks was most welcome, helping him to soothe other worries within him. As head of his family, he was expected to take Elias' place as Marin's guardian, but Jack had slipped into that role with very little trouble. He had no problem with that as such, but the fact that one day soon he would have to choose between having the irascible pirate for a cousin or losing Marin weighed heavily on his heart. It wasn't that he didn't want her to be happy, of course he did. It was just the impending relation with Jack Sparrow that concerned him somewhat.
'Sir, the Red Dragon has run up a signal, sir,' Midshipman Fazackerly piped up suddenly, peering out across the water to where the bright flags flapped in the breeze.
Lieutenant Goode smiled proudly down at the lad, watching as he translated the signal as accurately as he could. James waited patiently, resisting the urge to glance across and read it for himself.
'Both sides have engaged, sir, whatever that means,' the boy said finally, sounding very confused.
James's eyes widened, and he turned to face the Dragon, reading for himself the obscure signal. Will waved his arm to catch the commodore's attention, pointing down onto the main deck. James followed the gesticulating arm to where Marin was locked in a tender embrace with Jack Sparrow. A triumphant smile crossed his impassive features.
'Run up a signal, Lieutenant,' he ordered. 'Proceed with all due caution.'
He waited as the flags were run up, watching as Will doubled over laughing, holding on tightly to the wheel to avoid losing his balance. Midshipman Fazackerly leant over the side, peering up into the Dragon's rigging to read the next signal that was sent up to whip about in the breeze.
'Captain Turner assures you he knows what he's doing, sir,' he said eventually, turning to the commodore in confusion.
James let out a bark of laughter, startling officers and men alike.
'I'm sure he does,' he laughed, turning back to his crew. 'I believe I will retire. Good night, gentlemen.'
As they murmured their good evenings, he slipped down from the poop, unable to resist another glance across at where Marin stood, safe in the arms of a man she loved, and whom he was certain loved her.