Author's Notes:
Holy guacamole! I am sorry it took so long to update. Let's see here......I know it hurts to see Jack Sparrow's dark side, but he is a very stubborn pirate. What was he supposed to do, get down on his knees and confess his undying love? A pirate's life is no fairy tale, mates. I love hearing from all of you and I tried to portray their emotions in as great a detail as possible. Writing this story has been so much fun and remember: They still have to go to Nassau Port to locate Snidely's treasure! Here are a few things for you to ponder about......
What exactly is Snidely's treasure?
Will Jack and Gallagher forgive and forget?
What tricks does Gallagher have up her sleeve?
Look at all these reviews! Well I guess since I promised you all I would
do a jiggy dance and Jack would too, (sigh), Come on, Jack! You
promised!
Jack: (shakes head) Nuh uh, no way!
PaL: Uh, Gallagher will give you a kiss if you do! (Note that Gallagher is no where in sight at the moment to hear me promise this, for if she was, I'd be dead right now.)
Jack: (looks suspicious) You ain't lyin' to me now, lass?
PaL: Of course not! (laughs nervously) Now dance, entertaining monkey, dance! The one I taught you, remember? With the song?
Jack: (rolls eyes) Oh hell............
(The red lights flash on the stage, and fog machines begin to billow fog around Jack's feet)
PaL: CUE THE MUSIC!
**BOOM CHIC BOOM CHIC BOOM CHIC BOOM CHIC**
Jack: GO REVIEWERS, GO REVIEWERS, GO, GO, GO BREAK IT DOWN! (starts to take off shirt slowly and seductively while wiggling his tooshy.)
PaL: WHOA! HOLD UP! WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING?
Jack: Doing the dance you taught me!
PaL: I didn't teach you how to strip, you imbecile! (even if it was a wonderful sight to see)
Jack: (blank stare) You didn't?
PaL: No, I taught you the Macarena and all that good stuff.
Jack: Well that's no fun a'tall. Now where's Gallagher?
(Gallagher runs in, out of breath) Sorry I'm late! What did I miss? (notices the fog machine and strobe lights, then frowns)
PaL: Nothing really.
Jack: Ye owe me a kiss, luv.
Gallagher: What the hell are ye talkin' about?
PaL: Uh............
Jack: PineAppleLint said you would give me one if I did a dance. And I did.
(Gallagher shoots PaL a murderous look)
PaL: Uh, GOT TO GO! On with the next chapter, mates! ENJOY! (runs away with Gallagher right behind her, swinging her sword blindly, yelling 'I'll kill yeh!')
**Please note a change in the first part of this chapter. I thought we should mix it up a little and get into Jack Sparrow's mind for a change, eh? (evil grin)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
He leaned against the smooth, worn wood of the helm, caressing it gently. If he and Gallagher hadn't gotten into another tussle that evening, he wouldn't be standing there in the light drizzle, alone, while the others lay down peacefully asleep. Sparrow would be holding her in his arms, pleasuring her.
Jack clenched his teeth and stared in the direction of her quarters, longing to go back there, pick the coins he threw at her off of the floor as well as scoop her up off her feet and kiss her pain and troubles away.
"Stupid hellcat," he said quietly, half in anger and half in pain. Those harsh words ran through his mind over and over until he was massaging his temple.
Sure, he was mad as hell at her, and when was he not? They fought everyday, and in some weird quirky way he was beginning to enjoy their daily tiffs. It amused him to see her stark raving mad, glaring at him as if wishing he would burst into flames, the way her fingers ran along her sword in a seductive and angry manner, warning him to keep his mouth shut. Of course, he gave in to his inner urges and said something sarcastic. That would lead to her throwing a punch at him, and he would throw her up against the wall, which would end up in sexual tension, which led to fierce kisses. A daily routine he was beginning to enjoy very, very much.
Jack didn't want to admit it, but he was vulnerable. Will had cornered him during their talk in the mess hall, talking of lovey dovey business until Sparrow had grown panicked. A pirate captain didn't fall in love! But the truth was he was enjoying Gallagher a bit more than he should be.
'She isn't some one night stand,' a small voice proclaimed in the back of his mind.
"Shut yer hole," he muttered, then laughed bitterly. He was bloody talking to himself! The inner battle he was having inside himself was causing him to go insane.
"Perhaps," Captain Jack Sparrow said to no one in particular, "Insanity is a better thing to live with than heartbreak." He adjusted his hat and reached underneath the helm, pulling out his secret stash of rum, shaking the bottle lovingly.
A memory of her slipping his coat off of her bare shoulders was enough to make him shiver in ecstasy, for that night she seduced him would never be erased from his mind. Her fingerprints would be branded forever onto his skin.
"I can solve this problem one way and one way only," he concluded, "Get stinkin' drunk."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Where is the cap'n?" I asked with a growl, "It's almost noon and he hasn't come out of his quarters."
"Usually stays in there when he has a bloody hang over, Gallagher," Stu answered, pausing with his mop for a moment. "But," he added wickedly, "I thought the reason he would be in there for so long was because you would be in there 'consoling' him."
"If ye ever talk like tha' to me again," I said, my gray eyes flashing, "I will not hesitate to cut off yer fingers one by one and let the fish nibble on them. Savvy?"
Stu gulped and nodded vigorously, avoiding my eyes as he began to mop energetically.
"I'll wake the bastard up," I said with a sly grin. My eyes went to the large dinner bell hanging out near the mess hall.
I took it off the wall, using my dagger to loosen it from the wood, and carried it to Jack's cabin. I closed the door quietly and he was still in bed, clearly nude in the white sheets, yet that did not bother me anymore for various reasons. He looked pale in the faint daylight streaming in through his window, and his dreads were more tangled than usual. His mouth was agape and he was breathing slowly.
Ah, how peaceful.
"WAKE UP, DEAR OL' CAP'N!" I shouted and rang the bell about five inches from his face, making as much of a racket as possible.
Jack jumped in shock and in the process, rolled off the bed and fell to the floor with a solid 'thump', trapped in the white sheets.
He didn't move.
I dropped the bell and it fell to the floor with a loud clang. "Oh dammit," I cursed and ran to his side, landing on my knees. I rolled him over onto his back and realized he wasn't breathing.
"Jack!" I said hoarsely and picked up his head, examining him, "Jack! Wake up!"
Nothing.
"Sparrow!" I said frantically, slapping his face gently, as if to get him to snap out of it. His kohl rimmed eyelids didn't open or even flicker. I leaned in and placed my lips on his, breathing into his mouth.
I was blinded by so many emotions, I didn't notice the hand that began to snake around my waist and pull me closer. After a couple seconds, I realized he was kissing back.
I yanked myself away from him, landing on my bum, staring wildly at him. He looked up, grinning devilishly.
"Ye were FAKIN' IT?" I shouted with wide eyes.
He shrugged, looking utterly pleased with himself. I stood up and kicked him in the side, not hard enough to break ribs but with enough force to get his attention.
"Don' EVER do that again!" I cried, and he grabbed my leg and pulled me down to him, grabbing me by the hair.
I winced as my scalp stung with the force of his fingers entwining painfully into my locks.
"Don' try that prank on me again, Gallagher. I feel bloody fucked up this mornin', if ye haven't noticed, and I would rather not have loud things clanging by me ears," he said harshly, letting me go and pushing me away all at the same time.
"Hurt me head again and I will not hesitate to leave ye with a limp for a couple of days," I snarled, massaging my scalp.
"Ah, a limp, ye say?" he answered, intrigued, "I could think of many things we could partake in that will leave us both sore."
I flung my hands to the ceiling and let out a muffled yell in frustration, stomping out and slamming the door rather loudly to help his headache. I grinned when I heard a shout that sounded like "DAMMIT! STOP WITH THE LOUD NOISES!" coming from inside the cabin. A harsh groan erupted from Sparrow, for his shouting probably did nothing to alleviate the pounding in his head.
"What the hell did you do?" Elizabeth scolded, walking up, examining me with curious eyes, "All we heard were shouts, loud bells, silence, and fighting."
"Twas nothin', Elizabeth. I just suggest ye don't go in there for a while. He's a bit grumpy."
"Ye seem to put him in that mood an awful lot," she answered.
"All in a day's work," I replied and walked off, whistling to myself.
"Yet ye seem to put him in a good mood more often than bad," Elizabeth said softly to my shadow.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Three long, long weeks later..............
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Ye got lost about a week ago, admit it!" I said with a frown, "We were off course for a day or so!"
"Not true, young missy! I used me trusty compass! Captain Jack Sparrow never gets lost!"
"Yeah, the compass that doesn't point north," I scoffed, "It's a miracle we are still making good time due to the fact we almost wandered off the edge of the map and into a black holed oblivion thanks to our OH-SO- INTELLIGENT captain."
"Why you............" Jack growled and stepped up to me right as Will dodged between us, blocking our paths so we couldn't reach each other.
"You would be happy to know that Nassau Port is on the horizon," William said hastily, placing a hand on Jack's chest and holding him back, "For goodness sakes would the two of you stop ACTING LIKE CHILDREN, GODDAMMIT?"
The two of us gawked at Will, who grew scarlet at his sudden outburst.
"William said goddammit," I whispered in awe.
"Holy shit," Jack replied with a grin, "Maybe he isn't that much of a eunuch after all!"
"I was never a eunuch to begin with!" Will shouted in frustration, leaving the helm with a huge irritated sigh.
"Will, are they saying you are a eunuch again?" we heard Elizabeth ask the disgruntled Will and I smiled. It was too easy a task getting on Mr. Turner's nerves.
"Prepare to dock!" Sparrow shouted with delight, "Make it quick, ye scabberous dogs!"
Nassau Port, my salvation, and where my future lay in hibernation. Who knew what Snidely would give to me? I took off my hat and rested it over my heart in his memory, wishing his soul peace. My eyes closed and I took a breath of salty air, then placed the hat back over my unruly locks.
My eyes met Jack's and I realized he had been watching me intimately. He broke the gaze, growing quite uncomfortable and he shouted, "Lower the anchor!"
The dock was bustling with activity, for Nassau Port was one of the most productive ports in the Caribbean. We pulled up gracefully beside a smaller boat which looked like an ant compared to the Pearl.
Jack let out a groan in disgust.
"What is it, Jack?" Will asked with concern.
Jack pointed to the small boat, as if that explained everything.
"Uh, yes. That would be a boat. What of it?" Will said with raised eyebrows.
"Remember Ana Maria?" Jack questioned with a wince, "That is her boat if I am not mistaken. The wench is in town."
Ana Maria. That name sounded so familiar............ I scanned my inner thoughts quickly as if studying a map, and came across the vision of a dark skinned lass with long straight raven hair and piercing eyes. Nah, it couldn't be. Not the Ana Maria from all those years ago, certainly not.............
Was the world really that small?
"What is our course of action, Jack?" I said gruffly, making sure my weapons were in their proper places. Even if Nassau was a respectable port, there were still some rough edges among it that you had to be careful not to cut yourself on.
"We best be takin' a break. Better to loot and pillage by nightfall, aye?" Jack said, his eyes resuming that mischievous gleam at the thought of treasure.
Will, Elizabeth, Jack and I headed down the dock as one group, Jack taking the lead and he looked downright ridiculous with his narrow hipped swagger and animated hands.
"Ye best not be makin' a scene, Jack," I commented. Jack whirled around and glanced back at me.
"There are no scenes to be makin', Gallagher."
"If I am not mistaken, ye are wanted dead here for causing quite a ruckus at Nassau all those many years ago."
"Ah, so ye have heard o' me accomplishments," Jack said with a bow, "I feel touched."
"Don't be. As a matter o' fact, they want to lock me up too."
"Let me guess," Jack said and began to lead the group again, not bothering to look at me, "A troublesome lass was stealin' a fine ship of the Nassau navy when they caught her. For some odd reason, she managed to escape under the eyes o' twenty soldiers and set their fort on fire."
I grinned and Will and Elizabeth looked amused, not bothering to comment.
"So ye have been doin' yer research as well, Sparrow," I replied with a wink at the Turners, "I'm impressed."
"We best not be lettin' a few pansies wreck our evenin'," Jack informed us, "I want to have meself a good time. Will, Elizabeth, meet us back here at sunset, savvy?"
Will nodded and replied, "Don't manage to get arrested. Give me your word."
"I'll keep the bloke in line," I piped up, "Don't worry about a thing. Have fun! Be merry! Go on now, you two!"
Elizabeth smiled and nodded at me, took Will's arm, and they headed in the opposite direction.
"Ah, they're growin' up so fast," I said with a smile.
"What do ye mean, 'I'll keep the bloke in line?' I'm goin' me own separate way, thank ye very much. Tis much better than hangin' around the likes o' you and getting harassed," Jack pointed out.
"Well I'm going to get meself a drink," I shrugged, "And I thought that was where you'd be headin'."
Jack opened his mouth, and that was going to be exactly where he was heading but he didn't want to admit she had been right. "Ye don't know everythin' about me, luv."
"I know enough," I said with a sly smile. Suddenly I turned sober and reached into my boot, grabbing my small pouch and extracting the four shillings he had thrown at me that awful night.
"Here," I said quietly, grabbing his tanned hand and placing the shillings into it, "Use them on someone who's willin' to please just for kicks." I closed his fingers around them and he stared at me. I grinned weakly and began to walk in the direction of the tavern.
"Wait up, luv," he shouted and I stopped, turning around to see him bumbling after me. "How bout I buy ye a drink?"
"That would be fine," I replied and opened the squeaky door. The place was filled with shouting, fighting, and curses. I breathed in the scent of hard liquor and sweat. My kind of place.
"Well if it ain't Terrence Gallagher," a familiar woman proclaimed in the corner of the dimly lit tavern. I turned with a huge smile plastered onto my face. She was leaning comfortably in a wooden chair, paying no attention to the bar fight a couple of yards away from her. Her clothing was tattered, but she looked clean, her hair shiny and black eyes alert and ready.
"Ana Maria," I said, my hands on my hips, "Hell, it's been a long time."
"You two KNOW each other?" Jack groaned, "I should have known!"
"What are ye doin' with this idiot?" Ana Maria questioned, pointing a finger at Sparrow.
"He kind of follows me everywhere," I replied, shrugging, "Acts like a homeless dog, he does."
"That is not true!" he growled and smiled innocently at Ana Maria, "How are ye doin', luv? See ye still got that boat of yers."
"And if ye manage to steal it like the last one, I will come after you and ram my cutlass down yer throat."
"BORROWED, luv, borrowed without permission!" he corrected.
I grabbed a chair and sat down next to her, stretching comfortably. Jack did the same, looking for a wench to bring him a mug.
"Three mugs o' rum, dearie!" he said to the nearest wench, "And make it quick!" He winked at her and the young redhead giggled, scampering off to get his order.
I rolled my eyes and Ana Maria said, "So, how are the two of you companions? Never thought I'd live to see the day that my former mate Gallagher would be standin' within five feet of the crude Captain Jack Sparrow."
"Funny ol' world, in't it?" Jack said.
"Are the two of yeh knockin' boots?" Ana Maria asked lazily, her eyes on us.
Sparrow and I threw a quick glance at each other and silence surrounded our table.
Ana Maria's eyes grew wide in shock and I opened my mouth to explain, but she held up a hand and replied, "Sparrow, can't ye keep yer hands off any lass that comes yer way?"
"What can I say luv? I'm Cap....."
"....Captain Jack Sparrow, I know," Ana Maria finished with sarcasm, "I've heard ye whistle this same tune before."
"We are not knocking boots!" I said with a frown, "Well........."
"Not recently," Jack muttered, examining a dead fly on the table, "She has resisted me manly charms extremely well."
"Stop talkin' about me like I'm not sittin' here," I snapped and he looked up, eyes flashing. I turned to face Ana Maria, who was watching us bicker with amusement.
"What are ye doin' here in Nassau Port?" she asked, and the wench delivered the mugs, leaning in a bit too close to Sparrow so that their bodies brushed.
I was about to answer Ana Maria but I grew sidetracked as I watched the wench whispered something into Jack's ear seductively. He watched my reaction as the whore continued to advance, touching his shoulders, massaging gently and whispering provocative things to him.
"You are Captain Jack Sparrow," I heard her whisper, "I've heard of you."
"Have you now?" he answered with a grin.
"Spend the night with me," she offered, "Free of charge for a pirate like yourself. C'mon, we can have a real fun time, I promise."
And Captain Jack Sparrow opened his mouth to speak.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Uh oh! Will Sparrow accept the whore's invitation? Will he turn her down and fancy Gallagher from a distance? When will they get to the FReAKIN' TREASURE? How about they MOVE THEiR ASSES? All in due time, mates, all in due time!
Review and tell me what you think! I love your comments and concerns! : )
Holy guacamole! I am sorry it took so long to update. Let's see here......I know it hurts to see Jack Sparrow's dark side, but he is a very stubborn pirate. What was he supposed to do, get down on his knees and confess his undying love? A pirate's life is no fairy tale, mates. I love hearing from all of you and I tried to portray their emotions in as great a detail as possible. Writing this story has been so much fun and remember: They still have to go to Nassau Port to locate Snidely's treasure! Here are a few things for you to ponder about......
What exactly is Snidely's treasure?
Will Jack and Gallagher forgive and forget?
What tricks does Gallagher have up her sleeve?
Look at all these reviews! Well I guess since I promised you all I would
do a jiggy dance and Jack would too, (sigh), Come on, Jack! You
promised!
Jack: (shakes head) Nuh uh, no way!
PaL: Uh, Gallagher will give you a kiss if you do! (Note that Gallagher is no where in sight at the moment to hear me promise this, for if she was, I'd be dead right now.)
Jack: (looks suspicious) You ain't lyin' to me now, lass?
PaL: Of course not! (laughs nervously) Now dance, entertaining monkey, dance! The one I taught you, remember? With the song?
Jack: (rolls eyes) Oh hell............
(The red lights flash on the stage, and fog machines begin to billow fog around Jack's feet)
PaL: CUE THE MUSIC!
**BOOM CHIC BOOM CHIC BOOM CHIC BOOM CHIC**
Jack: GO REVIEWERS, GO REVIEWERS, GO, GO, GO BREAK IT DOWN! (starts to take off shirt slowly and seductively while wiggling his tooshy.)
PaL: WHOA! HOLD UP! WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING?
Jack: Doing the dance you taught me!
PaL: I didn't teach you how to strip, you imbecile! (even if it was a wonderful sight to see)
Jack: (blank stare) You didn't?
PaL: No, I taught you the Macarena and all that good stuff.
Jack: Well that's no fun a'tall. Now where's Gallagher?
(Gallagher runs in, out of breath) Sorry I'm late! What did I miss? (notices the fog machine and strobe lights, then frowns)
PaL: Nothing really.
Jack: Ye owe me a kiss, luv.
Gallagher: What the hell are ye talkin' about?
PaL: Uh............
Jack: PineAppleLint said you would give me one if I did a dance. And I did.
(Gallagher shoots PaL a murderous look)
PaL: Uh, GOT TO GO! On with the next chapter, mates! ENJOY! (runs away with Gallagher right behind her, swinging her sword blindly, yelling 'I'll kill yeh!')
**Please note a change in the first part of this chapter. I thought we should mix it up a little and get into Jack Sparrow's mind for a change, eh? (evil grin)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
He leaned against the smooth, worn wood of the helm, caressing it gently. If he and Gallagher hadn't gotten into another tussle that evening, he wouldn't be standing there in the light drizzle, alone, while the others lay down peacefully asleep. Sparrow would be holding her in his arms, pleasuring her.
Jack clenched his teeth and stared in the direction of her quarters, longing to go back there, pick the coins he threw at her off of the floor as well as scoop her up off her feet and kiss her pain and troubles away.
"Stupid hellcat," he said quietly, half in anger and half in pain. Those harsh words ran through his mind over and over until he was massaging his temple.
Sure, he was mad as hell at her, and when was he not? They fought everyday, and in some weird quirky way he was beginning to enjoy their daily tiffs. It amused him to see her stark raving mad, glaring at him as if wishing he would burst into flames, the way her fingers ran along her sword in a seductive and angry manner, warning him to keep his mouth shut. Of course, he gave in to his inner urges and said something sarcastic. That would lead to her throwing a punch at him, and he would throw her up against the wall, which would end up in sexual tension, which led to fierce kisses. A daily routine he was beginning to enjoy very, very much.
Jack didn't want to admit it, but he was vulnerable. Will had cornered him during their talk in the mess hall, talking of lovey dovey business until Sparrow had grown panicked. A pirate captain didn't fall in love! But the truth was he was enjoying Gallagher a bit more than he should be.
'She isn't some one night stand,' a small voice proclaimed in the back of his mind.
"Shut yer hole," he muttered, then laughed bitterly. He was bloody talking to himself! The inner battle he was having inside himself was causing him to go insane.
"Perhaps," Captain Jack Sparrow said to no one in particular, "Insanity is a better thing to live with than heartbreak." He adjusted his hat and reached underneath the helm, pulling out his secret stash of rum, shaking the bottle lovingly.
A memory of her slipping his coat off of her bare shoulders was enough to make him shiver in ecstasy, for that night she seduced him would never be erased from his mind. Her fingerprints would be branded forever onto his skin.
"I can solve this problem one way and one way only," he concluded, "Get stinkin' drunk."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Where is the cap'n?" I asked with a growl, "It's almost noon and he hasn't come out of his quarters."
"Usually stays in there when he has a bloody hang over, Gallagher," Stu answered, pausing with his mop for a moment. "But," he added wickedly, "I thought the reason he would be in there for so long was because you would be in there 'consoling' him."
"If ye ever talk like tha' to me again," I said, my gray eyes flashing, "I will not hesitate to cut off yer fingers one by one and let the fish nibble on them. Savvy?"
Stu gulped and nodded vigorously, avoiding my eyes as he began to mop energetically.
"I'll wake the bastard up," I said with a sly grin. My eyes went to the large dinner bell hanging out near the mess hall.
I took it off the wall, using my dagger to loosen it from the wood, and carried it to Jack's cabin. I closed the door quietly and he was still in bed, clearly nude in the white sheets, yet that did not bother me anymore for various reasons. He looked pale in the faint daylight streaming in through his window, and his dreads were more tangled than usual. His mouth was agape and he was breathing slowly.
Ah, how peaceful.
"WAKE UP, DEAR OL' CAP'N!" I shouted and rang the bell about five inches from his face, making as much of a racket as possible.
Jack jumped in shock and in the process, rolled off the bed and fell to the floor with a solid 'thump', trapped in the white sheets.
He didn't move.
I dropped the bell and it fell to the floor with a loud clang. "Oh dammit," I cursed and ran to his side, landing on my knees. I rolled him over onto his back and realized he wasn't breathing.
"Jack!" I said hoarsely and picked up his head, examining him, "Jack! Wake up!"
Nothing.
"Sparrow!" I said frantically, slapping his face gently, as if to get him to snap out of it. His kohl rimmed eyelids didn't open or even flicker. I leaned in and placed my lips on his, breathing into his mouth.
I was blinded by so many emotions, I didn't notice the hand that began to snake around my waist and pull me closer. After a couple seconds, I realized he was kissing back.
I yanked myself away from him, landing on my bum, staring wildly at him. He looked up, grinning devilishly.
"Ye were FAKIN' IT?" I shouted with wide eyes.
He shrugged, looking utterly pleased with himself. I stood up and kicked him in the side, not hard enough to break ribs but with enough force to get his attention.
"Don' EVER do that again!" I cried, and he grabbed my leg and pulled me down to him, grabbing me by the hair.
I winced as my scalp stung with the force of his fingers entwining painfully into my locks.
"Don' try that prank on me again, Gallagher. I feel bloody fucked up this mornin', if ye haven't noticed, and I would rather not have loud things clanging by me ears," he said harshly, letting me go and pushing me away all at the same time.
"Hurt me head again and I will not hesitate to leave ye with a limp for a couple of days," I snarled, massaging my scalp.
"Ah, a limp, ye say?" he answered, intrigued, "I could think of many things we could partake in that will leave us both sore."
I flung my hands to the ceiling and let out a muffled yell in frustration, stomping out and slamming the door rather loudly to help his headache. I grinned when I heard a shout that sounded like "DAMMIT! STOP WITH THE LOUD NOISES!" coming from inside the cabin. A harsh groan erupted from Sparrow, for his shouting probably did nothing to alleviate the pounding in his head.
"What the hell did you do?" Elizabeth scolded, walking up, examining me with curious eyes, "All we heard were shouts, loud bells, silence, and fighting."
"Twas nothin', Elizabeth. I just suggest ye don't go in there for a while. He's a bit grumpy."
"Ye seem to put him in that mood an awful lot," she answered.
"All in a day's work," I replied and walked off, whistling to myself.
"Yet ye seem to put him in a good mood more often than bad," Elizabeth said softly to my shadow.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Three long, long weeks later..............
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Ye got lost about a week ago, admit it!" I said with a frown, "We were off course for a day or so!"
"Not true, young missy! I used me trusty compass! Captain Jack Sparrow never gets lost!"
"Yeah, the compass that doesn't point north," I scoffed, "It's a miracle we are still making good time due to the fact we almost wandered off the edge of the map and into a black holed oblivion thanks to our OH-SO- INTELLIGENT captain."
"Why you............" Jack growled and stepped up to me right as Will dodged between us, blocking our paths so we couldn't reach each other.
"You would be happy to know that Nassau Port is on the horizon," William said hastily, placing a hand on Jack's chest and holding him back, "For goodness sakes would the two of you stop ACTING LIKE CHILDREN, GODDAMMIT?"
The two of us gawked at Will, who grew scarlet at his sudden outburst.
"William said goddammit," I whispered in awe.
"Holy shit," Jack replied with a grin, "Maybe he isn't that much of a eunuch after all!"
"I was never a eunuch to begin with!" Will shouted in frustration, leaving the helm with a huge irritated sigh.
"Will, are they saying you are a eunuch again?" we heard Elizabeth ask the disgruntled Will and I smiled. It was too easy a task getting on Mr. Turner's nerves.
"Prepare to dock!" Sparrow shouted with delight, "Make it quick, ye scabberous dogs!"
Nassau Port, my salvation, and where my future lay in hibernation. Who knew what Snidely would give to me? I took off my hat and rested it over my heart in his memory, wishing his soul peace. My eyes closed and I took a breath of salty air, then placed the hat back over my unruly locks.
My eyes met Jack's and I realized he had been watching me intimately. He broke the gaze, growing quite uncomfortable and he shouted, "Lower the anchor!"
The dock was bustling with activity, for Nassau Port was one of the most productive ports in the Caribbean. We pulled up gracefully beside a smaller boat which looked like an ant compared to the Pearl.
Jack let out a groan in disgust.
"What is it, Jack?" Will asked with concern.
Jack pointed to the small boat, as if that explained everything.
"Uh, yes. That would be a boat. What of it?" Will said with raised eyebrows.
"Remember Ana Maria?" Jack questioned with a wince, "That is her boat if I am not mistaken. The wench is in town."
Ana Maria. That name sounded so familiar............ I scanned my inner thoughts quickly as if studying a map, and came across the vision of a dark skinned lass with long straight raven hair and piercing eyes. Nah, it couldn't be. Not the Ana Maria from all those years ago, certainly not.............
Was the world really that small?
"What is our course of action, Jack?" I said gruffly, making sure my weapons were in their proper places. Even if Nassau was a respectable port, there were still some rough edges among it that you had to be careful not to cut yourself on.
"We best be takin' a break. Better to loot and pillage by nightfall, aye?" Jack said, his eyes resuming that mischievous gleam at the thought of treasure.
Will, Elizabeth, Jack and I headed down the dock as one group, Jack taking the lead and he looked downright ridiculous with his narrow hipped swagger and animated hands.
"Ye best not be makin' a scene, Jack," I commented. Jack whirled around and glanced back at me.
"There are no scenes to be makin', Gallagher."
"If I am not mistaken, ye are wanted dead here for causing quite a ruckus at Nassau all those many years ago."
"Ah, so ye have heard o' me accomplishments," Jack said with a bow, "I feel touched."
"Don't be. As a matter o' fact, they want to lock me up too."
"Let me guess," Jack said and began to lead the group again, not bothering to look at me, "A troublesome lass was stealin' a fine ship of the Nassau navy when they caught her. For some odd reason, she managed to escape under the eyes o' twenty soldiers and set their fort on fire."
I grinned and Will and Elizabeth looked amused, not bothering to comment.
"So ye have been doin' yer research as well, Sparrow," I replied with a wink at the Turners, "I'm impressed."
"We best not be lettin' a few pansies wreck our evenin'," Jack informed us, "I want to have meself a good time. Will, Elizabeth, meet us back here at sunset, savvy?"
Will nodded and replied, "Don't manage to get arrested. Give me your word."
"I'll keep the bloke in line," I piped up, "Don't worry about a thing. Have fun! Be merry! Go on now, you two!"
Elizabeth smiled and nodded at me, took Will's arm, and they headed in the opposite direction.
"Ah, they're growin' up so fast," I said with a smile.
"What do ye mean, 'I'll keep the bloke in line?' I'm goin' me own separate way, thank ye very much. Tis much better than hangin' around the likes o' you and getting harassed," Jack pointed out.
"Well I'm going to get meself a drink," I shrugged, "And I thought that was where you'd be headin'."
Jack opened his mouth, and that was going to be exactly where he was heading but he didn't want to admit she had been right. "Ye don't know everythin' about me, luv."
"I know enough," I said with a sly smile. Suddenly I turned sober and reached into my boot, grabbing my small pouch and extracting the four shillings he had thrown at me that awful night.
"Here," I said quietly, grabbing his tanned hand and placing the shillings into it, "Use them on someone who's willin' to please just for kicks." I closed his fingers around them and he stared at me. I grinned weakly and began to walk in the direction of the tavern.
"Wait up, luv," he shouted and I stopped, turning around to see him bumbling after me. "How bout I buy ye a drink?"
"That would be fine," I replied and opened the squeaky door. The place was filled with shouting, fighting, and curses. I breathed in the scent of hard liquor and sweat. My kind of place.
"Well if it ain't Terrence Gallagher," a familiar woman proclaimed in the corner of the dimly lit tavern. I turned with a huge smile plastered onto my face. She was leaning comfortably in a wooden chair, paying no attention to the bar fight a couple of yards away from her. Her clothing was tattered, but she looked clean, her hair shiny and black eyes alert and ready.
"Ana Maria," I said, my hands on my hips, "Hell, it's been a long time."
"You two KNOW each other?" Jack groaned, "I should have known!"
"What are ye doin' with this idiot?" Ana Maria questioned, pointing a finger at Sparrow.
"He kind of follows me everywhere," I replied, shrugging, "Acts like a homeless dog, he does."
"That is not true!" he growled and smiled innocently at Ana Maria, "How are ye doin', luv? See ye still got that boat of yers."
"And if ye manage to steal it like the last one, I will come after you and ram my cutlass down yer throat."
"BORROWED, luv, borrowed without permission!" he corrected.
I grabbed a chair and sat down next to her, stretching comfortably. Jack did the same, looking for a wench to bring him a mug.
"Three mugs o' rum, dearie!" he said to the nearest wench, "And make it quick!" He winked at her and the young redhead giggled, scampering off to get his order.
I rolled my eyes and Ana Maria said, "So, how are the two of you companions? Never thought I'd live to see the day that my former mate Gallagher would be standin' within five feet of the crude Captain Jack Sparrow."
"Funny ol' world, in't it?" Jack said.
"Are the two of yeh knockin' boots?" Ana Maria asked lazily, her eyes on us.
Sparrow and I threw a quick glance at each other and silence surrounded our table.
Ana Maria's eyes grew wide in shock and I opened my mouth to explain, but she held up a hand and replied, "Sparrow, can't ye keep yer hands off any lass that comes yer way?"
"What can I say luv? I'm Cap....."
"....Captain Jack Sparrow, I know," Ana Maria finished with sarcasm, "I've heard ye whistle this same tune before."
"We are not knocking boots!" I said with a frown, "Well........."
"Not recently," Jack muttered, examining a dead fly on the table, "She has resisted me manly charms extremely well."
"Stop talkin' about me like I'm not sittin' here," I snapped and he looked up, eyes flashing. I turned to face Ana Maria, who was watching us bicker with amusement.
"What are ye doin' here in Nassau Port?" she asked, and the wench delivered the mugs, leaning in a bit too close to Sparrow so that their bodies brushed.
I was about to answer Ana Maria but I grew sidetracked as I watched the wench whispered something into Jack's ear seductively. He watched my reaction as the whore continued to advance, touching his shoulders, massaging gently and whispering provocative things to him.
"You are Captain Jack Sparrow," I heard her whisper, "I've heard of you."
"Have you now?" he answered with a grin.
"Spend the night with me," she offered, "Free of charge for a pirate like yourself. C'mon, we can have a real fun time, I promise."
And Captain Jack Sparrow opened his mouth to speak.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Uh oh! Will Sparrow accept the whore's invitation? Will he turn her down and fancy Gallagher from a distance? When will they get to the FReAKIN' TREASURE? How about they MOVE THEiR ASSES? All in due time, mates, all in due time!
Review and tell me what you think! I love your comments and concerns! : )