Disclaimer: If you recognise it from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean then, sadly, it is not mine.
Chapter 4: Who is she?
Jack Sparrow was drinking.
There was nothing out of the ordinary about this - he was often drinking - but this time he did not drink for the enjoyment of it. He drank to steady himself, and had been doing so ever since he had found that his men brought a captive on board in the hope of "cheering him up". He glanced again at the sleeping form on his bed. He hadn't seen this woman for almost five years, but her features were still hauntingly familiar, reminding him of a time when life had seemed a lot simpler. He had only one goal then: get the Pearl back. Oh, and kill Barbossa, but that was part of getting the Pearl back. He hadn't thought much beyond that goal, and so had still been able to enjoy an interlude such as the time spent with a lovely red-haired wench with the voice of an angel.
There was something strange about all this, though, and it had taken him a while to figure out what it was. It struck him as he made her comfortable on the bed, however, that it was the first time he had seen her wearing the sort of dress that most ladies these days wore. It had a tight bodice and a full gathered skirt, and was trimmed with lace and ribbons and beads. He stared at it a while in mild surprise. She had always maintained that she made her own clothes, preferring dresses that had simple lines and were less restrictive - a necessity for a performer. So why would she now be dressed like this? Perhaps she had married some wealthy young buck who wanted to show his new wife to be a gentlewoman?
That was when Jack started drinking. It was easier to drink than to think. He was still drinking when the door was hesitantly pushed open and Gibbs entered with a tray. "Thought you might be wanting your dinner," he said gruffly. Jack said nothing and continued to stare at the still figure on the bed. There was silence for a while, then Gibbs asked, "Who is she, Captain?"
Now Jack looked up with a mirthless grin. "Someone who shouldn't matter to me half as much as she does," he replied with a sigh. He abruptly flung himself out of the chair and began pacing agitatedly up and down the cabin. "We met about 5 years ago, when I was still trying to find a way to take back this ship. She was a singer, and a musician, and one of the most stunning women I've ever met. She also came close to making a eunuch out of me when we met." He chuckled and shook his head. "We got over that, and spent two weeks together in some backwater port. A grand time was had by all. I would have brought her with me if I could. Considered it, even. But we both had things of our own to do, and it just wouldn't have worked so well. I've tried not to think of her since then."
He heard movement behind him and spun to find the woman on the bed had roused and was watching him with dry amusement. "And you couldn't have told them that before they hit me?" She turned a sour gaze on Gibbs and added petulantly, "You hit me."
The older pirate looked away and mumbled, "You did threaten us with a knife, miss. Two knives."
The woman snorted. "You broke into my cabin and said you were going to take me away. I was supposed to be happy to see you?" Her lips twisted in a wry smile and she levered herself into a sitting position, one hand raising to gingerly touch the lump at her temple. After and experimental prod, she winced and lowered the hand. Her focus swung back to Jack. "You don't look like you've changed one bit, old friend." Her smile was warmer now, and Jack couldn't help smiling in response as he stepped forward.
"Not sure as I can say the same for you, Red. Not quite the style I'm used to seeing on you." He gestured towards her dress, then added with a grin, "Or off you, either."
She laughed, then clapped a hand to her head again. "Oh, don't make me laugh, Jack, it hurts," she complained, leaning back against the bedhead. She sighed and closed her eyes. "I'd be more than happy to change into something more familiar to both of us, if you've brought my trunk. You have brought my trunk, haven't you?" Her eyes flew open again and regarded the two pirates with concern until Gibbs pointed to it at the foot of the bed. She relaxed and closed her eyes again. "Thank you. My fiddle's in there. I'd hate to lose it."
Jack moved over to the bed and sat carefully on the edge of it. As she opened her eyes to look up at him, he said softly, "I think we owe you and apology, Red. Gibbs should never have brought you off that ship, especially without asking me first." He threw a quick frown at his old friend, causing the man to hang his head to avoid the gaze.
Siamsa smiled and shook her head carefully, so as not to jar it. "No, Jack, I owe you and your crewmen a thank you for the deed, if not the manner it was carried out. I can honestly say I had no wish to remain on that ship." She caught his enquiring look and added, "I had the misfortune to run into one of my uncles recently, who was horrified that I had turned out so terribly 'frivilous'. I was being taken back to be married off and have an honest woman made of me." Her nose wrinkled in disgust. "Like that's even possible!"
Jack raised one eyebrow in surprise. "I should hope not!" he exclaimed. "Where would the fun be in that?" She isn't married! he crowed silently. Almost, but almost isn't married. He grinned and touched a hand to his hat in salute. "Well, always glad to be of service to a fair lady," he continued in an amused tone. "From the sounds it it, your uncle would have married you off to someone frightfully boring."
With a laugh, Siamsa caught his hand and gave it a squeeze. "Could you be of more service Jack? Will you let me stay on your ship for a while? Uncle Simon will be hopping mad when he finds me gone, and the more distance I can put between us the better." Her eyes were wide in their sincerity and Jack found himself captivated anew by their emerald depths.
"You can stay as long as you wish, Red," he replied grandly. Inwardly, he wondered how much of a fool he was being. They had never considered that their relationship would be a permanent one - there had never been any thoughts of commitment or even of love when they had been together. Would things be any different now? Would they be able to fall back into the same easy relationship they had enjoyed? Would she even want to? He didn't know the answers to any of the questions that flashed through his head. The only thing he knew was that he didn't want to have to let her go just yet. Not when he had her on his ship at last.
She was smiling broadly now, a bright glimmer in her eyes suggesting how much his acceptance had meant to her. That was a good sign, perhaps. Pushing such thoughts aside for now, he withdrew his hand and stood up. "Gibbs, if you could see your way to bringing in a second tray? I think Red and I are both in need of a good meal." The woman beside him nodded vigorously, then groaned and clapped a hand to her forehead. With a frown, Jack added, "And perhaps a bucket of cold water and a flannel for that lump."
"Aye, Cap'n, miss." Gibbs hastily backed out of the room, in search of the things his captain required.
Many Thanks to:
• PED-sarah - Not quite, but thanks for the idea. :)
• Rustic Zebra - Yep, you are. And thanks.