Author's Notes:
Sheesh. Obviously you guys are having lots of fun with the rabid squirrels. Thank you so much for putting up with moi as I try to desperately find time to update! A pair of the best, worn out pirate boots for you!
Jack: The very best. They have been on me feet!
(Some fangirls scream hysterically and others crinkle their noses in disgust)
PaL: Erm, lovely. Anyways, a special thank you to Plateado for giving me extra emotional support. Grateful for yer reviews, luv! (bows slightly)
Jack: Yeah! And I'm a sexy beast in her story, too!
PaL: (rolls eyes) And when would you not consider yourself a sexy beast?
Jack: (mumbles slightly to himself for a minute or two, counting his fingers)
PaL: Well? We don't have all day!
Jack: (grins) I think I am a sexy beast 24/7 luv! Drinks all around!
PaL: Now on with the story! Reviewers, I love you all! Come on Jack, remember what I told you to give all the reviewers!
(Jack blows a kiss to everyone)
PaL: If there are any guys reading this, that was so wrong just now, there are no words. What the heck, enjoy Chapter 27, mates!
Yer off yer edge of the map, mate. Here there be monsters.
PineAppleLint : )
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The splash that erupted from the calm waters made me shake my head in wonderment. Didn't Sparrow know by now that I wasn't going to put up with his useless banter?
Laughter filled the docks and I sat at the edge, watching as little air bubbles popped on the surface of the gray waters. Sparrow was no where to be seen.
The giggles died and Elizabeth said worriedly, "Shouldn't he have surfaced by now?"
Will said, "Sparrow couldn't possibly be drowning," and he frowned as we examined the murkiness. Jack's hat was drifting in the small waves lazily.
"Go in after him," Ana Maria suggested.
"No way," I said, shaking my head, "He is just tryin' to trick me again. He did that before, pretendin' he wasn't breathin', and I found out he just wanted to grope me."
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at my remark and I grew red, saying, "Well, it's true!"
Will was busily taking off his boots and sword as we watched for Sparrow.
"I'm going in after him," Will said and added, "Stay here."
"Where else would we go?" I said sarcastically, "To the tavern fer more rum?"
Will shot me a dirty look and then dove into the water, disappearing at once.
Elizabeth clung to a wooden post, biting her lip.
"I sure hope Jack is all right," she commented.
"He's fine," I argued, "Don't be worryin' about that pretendin' cad."
Suddenly two yelling forms broke the water's surface.
"What the hell are you doing?" William shouted, pushing Jack away from him.
"I thought ye were Gallagher!" he protested, looking disgusted with himself and Will.
"What happened?" Ana Maria asked, intrigued.
"He pinched my butt!" Will said, grimacing as I pulled him onto the dock.
I fell over and started cracking up, holding my side because it hurt so much.
"I thought ye were the lass! Ugghhh!" Jack said, climbing onto the dock as well and then staring at his hands as if they were contaminated.
"HOLY HELL!" I wheezed, trying to catch my breath from laughing so hard.
"Ye find this entertaining, lass?" Jack said calmly.
I smiled and nodded.
"Well, that's wonderful, luv, but things won't be very funny in a minute."
"And why is that?"
With one quick movement, Jack lunged at me and I tried to scramble away but he grabbed me by the boots and pulled me to him.
"Let go!" I shrieked and he threw me over his shoulder. I kicked and punched wildly, but he was already giving me what I deserved. I flew into the air and landed in the chilling cold water with a loud splash.
I surfaced, sputtering and coughing. "Damn you, Sparrow!"
"I love ye too, me bonny lass!" he crooned sweetly.
"Isn't it about time we be heading to Snidely's?" Ana Maria pointed out, obviously ready to get going, "After all, the sun has set fifteen minutes ago."
I stared up at the sky and watched as the stars began to shine, the moon casting an eerie glow over bustling Nassau. Jack's hat floated past me and I placed it on my head with a squish. I swam to the dock's edge and Jack leaned over, grabbing my hand to help me up.
"I never knew ye felt that way about dear William," I teased, eyes twinkling.
Jack glared at me and let go of my hand so I fell into the water yet a second time.
"If ye are gonna be teasin' ol' Jack, ye can just forget me helpin' ye," he said with a grin. He leaned in and said softly, "Ye are gonna pay fer all this later, ye know."
A rush of heat settled over my chilled skin and I said, "What do ye have in mind?"
Captain Jack Sparrow's grin just widened, and he turned around and began humming to himself. He walked down the docks, grabbing his boots and pulling them on awkwardly before proclaiming, "Come now, mates! We have some loot to pilfer and plunder!"
I swam to shore and stalked out, dripping wet, sea weed dangling from Jack's hat. I picked it off while cursing. Elizabeth, Will, Jack, and Ana Maria had already begun walking off, leaving me to yank off my boots and spill the water out of them as well as some minnows that had also managed to find safe haven between my toes.
"Hold yer arses!" I called out, hobbling as I pulled on my boots, but they didn't hear my yell of frustration.
I smiled as I finally managed to get myself situated and began to walk, but ran straight into something hard. It was a man. The same man that had held me in his lap at the tavern! What was he doing here?
"Hello, lass," he sneered, obviously as drunk as a skunk. I curled my lip in disgust.
"What do ye want?" I asked coldly, "I have places to be, things to do..........."
"It wasn't very nice of you walking out on us men like that. We were hoping for a bit of nightly entertainment."
"I'm taken," I said and I felt my own eyes widen. Did I just admit what I thought I did?
"I don't see your man here with you," the bloke said innocently. He grabbed me by the shirt and yanked me to him.
"I'll advise ye to get yer dirty mitts off o' me," I growled. He didn't do as he was told and I unsheathed my dagger, slicing his arm open.
The large bulky man snarled and hit the blade from my hand, sending it into the air. My dagger clattered in the street, too far for me to reach as he pulled me to him again. I gasped when his lips savagely found mine. I twisted and tried to escape his vice-like grip. I felt dirty and unclean from his touch, and I felt as if I were going to throw up.
"Terrence," a steady voice stated from behind. The man lifted his head up from me to find a pistol pointing to his forehead. He dropped me instantly.
"Who ARE you?" the man said, staring in fear.
"Captain Jack Sparrow," he said, eyes flashing, "Now I advise ye to never touch me bonny lass again, savvy?"
"Sparrow," the man whispered. He stared at me and said, "You didn't tell me your lover was Sparrow."
"I said I was taken," I whispered, "That should be enough of an explanation for a dirty cur like you."
"You bitch," the man snarled, "You should be taught a lesson," and he grabbed for me out of pure, drunken anger. He was under the influence of alcohol, and making such a move in front of the quick and agile Captain Jack Sparrow was not a wise decision.
A shot rang out in the night. Then silence took its toll.
I stared at the body and wiped my mouth, feeling as if something slimy was crawling over my skin. I hadn't been handled like that in a long time, and it brought back many painful memories.
"Luv, are ye all right?" Sparrow asked and offered me his hand. I took it and he gently pulled me up off of the ground. I nodded, swallowing hard.
"Where's the others?" I asked quietly.
"Waiting around the bend," he answered, studying me, "Are ye sure you're all right?"
When I didn't answer he took his thumb and traced it over my swollen, harassed lips, as if trying to rid the memory from my mind. It reminded me of that day Jack had saved me from the angry sea and put me to bed, touching my face like he was doing at that very instant.
"Some things in life are painful to deal with, luv, but ye have got to learn to put them to yer rudder and ne'r look back."
"Let's get going," I said, beginning to walk in the direction of Snidely's.
"Now what's wrong?" Jack asked, sounding frustrated.
"Ye've saved me life too many times to count. I owe ye more than life itself."
"If ye haven't noticed, ye have done many the same for me, so I wouldn't be worryin' about it," he said good-naturedly.
Sure enough, Will, Ana Maria, and Elizabeth were waiting impatiently around the corner.
"Damn it to blazes, I thought we would never get goin'," Ana Maria grumbled.
"Don't we look a might suspicious walkin' around Nassau in a big group?" I asked, frowning. I looked back to find the respectable looking Elizabeth following closely, and Will, Ana Maria and the swaggering Jack bringing up the rear. One fancy lady and four pirates. Surely we have been raising a few eyebrows.
"Well where the hell is Snidely's?" Jack scowled.
"If I remember correctly," I mused, "it should be righttttt..................here." We stopped and stared at the building in front of us. It was old and there was a big ruckus coming from inside. No, it couldn't be.
They turned the respectable Captain Snidely's home into a WHOREHOUSE?
"This world is going to hell in a handbasket," I muttered and Jack, who heard this, laughed.
"A whorehouse! Those are wonderful fun!" he exclaimed.
Everyone shot dirty looks at him.
"Or, so I've heard," he said sheepishly, winking at the frowning Elizabeth. He ran his fingers over his goatee in thought.
"How are we going to be searchin' this place for treasure with a bunch of strumpets flailing around and pleasuring nasty old men in the rooms?" Ana Maria questioned.
I cringed, not liking the situation at all. "It should be in Snidely's room, which should be that one right there," I said, pointing to the top musty window.
"How do ye know the household so well?" Jack asked suspiciously.
"When we docked at Nassau, he would always invite the crew over and Mrs. Snidely would please us by hostin' a fancy dinner."
"There was a Mrs.?" Jack said, appalled, "Well, isn't this interesting. Where is the Mrs. now?"
"Dead. She died of scarlet fever years before he died himself," I informed him, "Now let's get back on track. Obviously Elizabeth can't go gallivanting in there."
Elizabeth glared at us, not liking the fact that she was being excluded.
"Will and Ana Maria, ye should stay and be the look out with her," I said, "So that leaves me and Jack." I stared at him and he grinned.
"I like this situation. Me an' Gallagher headin' into a whorehouse," he murmured.
"They have available rooms, right? Maybe we could ask if we could have a room."
Jack's eyes widened and I hit him on the shoulder. "How else are we goin' to get in?" I asked in exasperation.
"You are going to act like a whore, Terrence?" Will asked with a smile of disbelief.
"Whatever it takes to get that blasted treasure," I said, eyeing him angrily, "Now say anything else and I'll strangle you."
Will held up his hands in mock defeat, a smile still tugging at his lips, wearing a sarcastic expression that said 'sure, I bet you would really hate acting that out with Jack Sparrow.'
Elizabeth just shook her head and said, "All right, go and get it over with before they find us waiting out here and get suspicious."
I took a deep breath and said, "They are never going to believe a strange lass wearing men's clothing."
"Just say yer new," Jack said slyly, "They get new strumpets all the time."
"And ye would know all about it, wouldn't you," I muttered under my breath. I linked my arm into his and pushed the wooden door open, waltzing through.
The place was dimly lit with old furniture and portraits hanging on the wall. It seemed like an artificial existence, the perfect place for a whore. I blinked and I saw myself staring at the place as it used to look in Snidely's presence, with beautiful rugs and artifacts from around the world, lit up with sunshine streaming through the clean windows and flowers set out by Mrs. Snidely. I blinked again and found the dusty, old, matted wares of the house to be uncomfortable and unsettling to me.
An older plump woman with a rouged face and a revealing dress stood at a desk, watching us with calm interest. I smiled warmly and said in a perfect English accent, "I have gotten myself a catch tonight, miss!"
Jack cast me a look of surprise out of the corner of his eye but smiled drunkenly, his arm around my shoulders.
"And who are you, to be exact?" the woman replied, eyeing me wearily.
"The name is Helen. I am new here," I said with a meek smile, "The other girls showed me the ropes earlier."
"You sure work fast, girl," she said, staring at Jack in amusement.
"How do ye do?" Jack asked with a wink.
The woman flushed and said, "We have a room down that hallway to the left," and pointed in the direction of it.
I frowned. Snidely's room was upstairs.
"Well, actually," I said with a giggle, "This one here is a bit vocal when he gets riled up, or so he tells me."
Jack nodded vigorously and said, "Aye, I'm like a screechin' cat getting' run over by a horse carriage."
I grimaced at the simile but continued, "I would not want to be scaring away business for you, miss."
"Aye, I suppose the top floor will do," she sighed, handing me a brass key, "Bring it back to me when you are finished."
"Will do, miss," I said with a curtsey.
"Enjoy yourselves!" she called as we headed up the stairs.
"Indeed we will!" Jack called back and slapped me on the rump. Once we were out of sight I turned to him and said with raised eyebrows, "A screechin' cat?"
"Just makin' stuff up at the drop of a hat, luv," Jack said, shrugging innocently.
I walked down the hallway and winced as I heard sounds coming from the other rooms. Sounds we shouldn't have been able to hear. Sounds too personal.
"Sounds like they're havin' themselves a bit o' fun, aye?" Jack said with a wicked grin.
"Here it is," I whispered, "Please let the key work to this room."
Sure enough, once I shoved the key into the lock, it clicked open.
We entered the room and shut the door, locking it at once. I stared at the room, at the dark crimson color of the bed sheets, at the old, chipped basin and water pitcher, at the bottle of whiskey on the unsteady table in the center of the room and the one measly candle, the flame flickering slowly from the breeze flowing in from the opened window.
Jack, of course, uncorked the bottle of whiskey and took a gulp instantly. He grimaced and said, "Not like me rum, but it'll do."
My eyes wandered around the room and Jack watched me with quiet fascination.
"In the corner of the sun," I murmured, "Where those can walk on the beams and not even know it exists."
"What are ye babblin' about?" Jack asked, taking another swig.
"Snidely's riddle," I explained, "He used a riddle so if anyone was eavesdropping, they wouldn't be able to understand."
"Ah."
I stared at the window, the only window in the room. It was in the corner.
"The corner of the sun," I said softly, walking to the corner, "Where those can walk on the beams! Hell, I think I've got it!"
"It's in the floorboards?" Jack said with a puzzled expression.
"Yeah, ye nitwit." I grabbed my dagger and placed it in the grooves of the floor. Jack crouched down next to me, watching me work. I lifted one board up, yet the breaking, snapping sound of the wood echoed throughout the room.
"They probably heard that," Jack warned me and we both froze, listening intently.
Sure enough, we heard the steady sound of feet trudging up the stairs and a person stop in front of our room.
The door unlocked and without thinking, I placed my body over the new small hole in the floor so it was out of view and grabbed Sparrow by the hair, pulling his face to mine, finding his lips.
"Is everything all right......." the plump woman exclaimed but stopped when she found Sparrow on top of me on the floor.
Sparrow trailed kisses down my slender neck and he broke away at the sound of her voice. Acting bewildered, he glanced at her.
"I'm sorry," she said with a gasp, "I heard a loud noise and wanted to check........"
"No problem here, luv," Sparrow said huskily and kissed my temple to make his point, "Disregard any noises ye hear, aye?"
She nodded vigorously and left the room in a hurry, frankly flustered, and locked the door behind her.
"Nice save," I whispered and bit my lip when I realized he wasn't moving at all. His body was flush against mine and I lay there on the hard floor, staring up at him in alarm.
"Sparrow," I said, "She's gone. Ye can get off o' me now."
Jack gazed at me but shook his head a little as if to clear his mind and replied, "Yer right," and rolled off of me in a hurry. I smiled and he lowered his eyes uncomfortably, clearing his throat a little and massaging the back of his neck.
He grabbed a couple of the floorboards with his hands and ripped them back. I did the same, hacking at the old termite ridden wood with my blade. I wiped the sweat off of my forehead and threw the dagger down, studying the hollow hole before us. Jack did the same.
There was a cherry wood box. It was about the size of a vegetable crate, not too big and not too small. It was engraved with intricate designs, some of dragons and ships and sea creatures. Some of symbols we didn't recognize and others that made me open my mouth in shock. We lifted it out of the hole together and placed it in front of us.
I ran my fingers over the dusty box and found something that made me want tears to fall, half in joy and half in sadness. It was my past emblem. The Dancing Horizon's symbol. It had been carved on the side of the box, the symbol of a sunset and dancing waves. I touched it, sighing deeply.
"Yer symbol, luv?" Jack asked and peered closer. His eyes widened. I stared at him with a frown, wondering what he was so shocked about until he reached out his dirty, tanned fingers and hesitantly wiped some of the dust off of the beautiful box. There was another symbol right next to mine.
It was a sparrow flying across a red and gold sunset.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I don't know about you, but I was particularly pleased with this chapter. I had so much fun writing it. Some chapters, I would bite my lip and just sit there pondering and it would take forever to write. For this, my fingers flew around the keyboard like little speed demons. (mental image of fingers holding little pitchforks and having little horns) Whoa, maybe I need to get me some shut eye. Well you know what to do, my wonderful readers! Tell me what you think because I love hearing from you, as always. Reviewers ROCK! HECK YES!
Sheesh. Obviously you guys are having lots of fun with the rabid squirrels. Thank you so much for putting up with moi as I try to desperately find time to update! A pair of the best, worn out pirate boots for you!
Jack: The very best. They have been on me feet!
(Some fangirls scream hysterically and others crinkle their noses in disgust)
PaL: Erm, lovely. Anyways, a special thank you to Plateado for giving me extra emotional support. Grateful for yer reviews, luv! (bows slightly)
Jack: Yeah! And I'm a sexy beast in her story, too!
PaL: (rolls eyes) And when would you not consider yourself a sexy beast?
Jack: (mumbles slightly to himself for a minute or two, counting his fingers)
PaL: Well? We don't have all day!
Jack: (grins) I think I am a sexy beast 24/7 luv! Drinks all around!
PaL: Now on with the story! Reviewers, I love you all! Come on Jack, remember what I told you to give all the reviewers!
(Jack blows a kiss to everyone)
PaL: If there are any guys reading this, that was so wrong just now, there are no words. What the heck, enjoy Chapter 27, mates!
Yer off yer edge of the map, mate. Here there be monsters.
PineAppleLint : )
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The splash that erupted from the calm waters made me shake my head in wonderment. Didn't Sparrow know by now that I wasn't going to put up with his useless banter?
Laughter filled the docks and I sat at the edge, watching as little air bubbles popped on the surface of the gray waters. Sparrow was no where to be seen.
The giggles died and Elizabeth said worriedly, "Shouldn't he have surfaced by now?"
Will said, "Sparrow couldn't possibly be drowning," and he frowned as we examined the murkiness. Jack's hat was drifting in the small waves lazily.
"Go in after him," Ana Maria suggested.
"No way," I said, shaking my head, "He is just tryin' to trick me again. He did that before, pretendin' he wasn't breathin', and I found out he just wanted to grope me."
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at my remark and I grew red, saying, "Well, it's true!"
Will was busily taking off his boots and sword as we watched for Sparrow.
"I'm going in after him," Will said and added, "Stay here."
"Where else would we go?" I said sarcastically, "To the tavern fer more rum?"
Will shot me a dirty look and then dove into the water, disappearing at once.
Elizabeth clung to a wooden post, biting her lip.
"I sure hope Jack is all right," she commented.
"He's fine," I argued, "Don't be worryin' about that pretendin' cad."
Suddenly two yelling forms broke the water's surface.
"What the hell are you doing?" William shouted, pushing Jack away from him.
"I thought ye were Gallagher!" he protested, looking disgusted with himself and Will.
"What happened?" Ana Maria asked, intrigued.
"He pinched my butt!" Will said, grimacing as I pulled him onto the dock.
I fell over and started cracking up, holding my side because it hurt so much.
"I thought ye were the lass! Ugghhh!" Jack said, climbing onto the dock as well and then staring at his hands as if they were contaminated.
"HOLY HELL!" I wheezed, trying to catch my breath from laughing so hard.
"Ye find this entertaining, lass?" Jack said calmly.
I smiled and nodded.
"Well, that's wonderful, luv, but things won't be very funny in a minute."
"And why is that?"
With one quick movement, Jack lunged at me and I tried to scramble away but he grabbed me by the boots and pulled me to him.
"Let go!" I shrieked and he threw me over his shoulder. I kicked and punched wildly, but he was already giving me what I deserved. I flew into the air and landed in the chilling cold water with a loud splash.
I surfaced, sputtering and coughing. "Damn you, Sparrow!"
"I love ye too, me bonny lass!" he crooned sweetly.
"Isn't it about time we be heading to Snidely's?" Ana Maria pointed out, obviously ready to get going, "After all, the sun has set fifteen minutes ago."
I stared up at the sky and watched as the stars began to shine, the moon casting an eerie glow over bustling Nassau. Jack's hat floated past me and I placed it on my head with a squish. I swam to the dock's edge and Jack leaned over, grabbing my hand to help me up.
"I never knew ye felt that way about dear William," I teased, eyes twinkling.
Jack glared at me and let go of my hand so I fell into the water yet a second time.
"If ye are gonna be teasin' ol' Jack, ye can just forget me helpin' ye," he said with a grin. He leaned in and said softly, "Ye are gonna pay fer all this later, ye know."
A rush of heat settled over my chilled skin and I said, "What do ye have in mind?"
Captain Jack Sparrow's grin just widened, and he turned around and began humming to himself. He walked down the docks, grabbing his boots and pulling them on awkwardly before proclaiming, "Come now, mates! We have some loot to pilfer and plunder!"
I swam to shore and stalked out, dripping wet, sea weed dangling from Jack's hat. I picked it off while cursing. Elizabeth, Will, Jack, and Ana Maria had already begun walking off, leaving me to yank off my boots and spill the water out of them as well as some minnows that had also managed to find safe haven between my toes.
"Hold yer arses!" I called out, hobbling as I pulled on my boots, but they didn't hear my yell of frustration.
I smiled as I finally managed to get myself situated and began to walk, but ran straight into something hard. It was a man. The same man that had held me in his lap at the tavern! What was he doing here?
"Hello, lass," he sneered, obviously as drunk as a skunk. I curled my lip in disgust.
"What do ye want?" I asked coldly, "I have places to be, things to do..........."
"It wasn't very nice of you walking out on us men like that. We were hoping for a bit of nightly entertainment."
"I'm taken," I said and I felt my own eyes widen. Did I just admit what I thought I did?
"I don't see your man here with you," the bloke said innocently. He grabbed me by the shirt and yanked me to him.
"I'll advise ye to get yer dirty mitts off o' me," I growled. He didn't do as he was told and I unsheathed my dagger, slicing his arm open.
The large bulky man snarled and hit the blade from my hand, sending it into the air. My dagger clattered in the street, too far for me to reach as he pulled me to him again. I gasped when his lips savagely found mine. I twisted and tried to escape his vice-like grip. I felt dirty and unclean from his touch, and I felt as if I were going to throw up.
"Terrence," a steady voice stated from behind. The man lifted his head up from me to find a pistol pointing to his forehead. He dropped me instantly.
"Who ARE you?" the man said, staring in fear.
"Captain Jack Sparrow," he said, eyes flashing, "Now I advise ye to never touch me bonny lass again, savvy?"
"Sparrow," the man whispered. He stared at me and said, "You didn't tell me your lover was Sparrow."
"I said I was taken," I whispered, "That should be enough of an explanation for a dirty cur like you."
"You bitch," the man snarled, "You should be taught a lesson," and he grabbed for me out of pure, drunken anger. He was under the influence of alcohol, and making such a move in front of the quick and agile Captain Jack Sparrow was not a wise decision.
A shot rang out in the night. Then silence took its toll.
I stared at the body and wiped my mouth, feeling as if something slimy was crawling over my skin. I hadn't been handled like that in a long time, and it brought back many painful memories.
"Luv, are ye all right?" Sparrow asked and offered me his hand. I took it and he gently pulled me up off of the ground. I nodded, swallowing hard.
"Where's the others?" I asked quietly.
"Waiting around the bend," he answered, studying me, "Are ye sure you're all right?"
When I didn't answer he took his thumb and traced it over my swollen, harassed lips, as if trying to rid the memory from my mind. It reminded me of that day Jack had saved me from the angry sea and put me to bed, touching my face like he was doing at that very instant.
"Some things in life are painful to deal with, luv, but ye have got to learn to put them to yer rudder and ne'r look back."
"Let's get going," I said, beginning to walk in the direction of Snidely's.
"Now what's wrong?" Jack asked, sounding frustrated.
"Ye've saved me life too many times to count. I owe ye more than life itself."
"If ye haven't noticed, ye have done many the same for me, so I wouldn't be worryin' about it," he said good-naturedly.
Sure enough, Will, Ana Maria, and Elizabeth were waiting impatiently around the corner.
"Damn it to blazes, I thought we would never get goin'," Ana Maria grumbled.
"Don't we look a might suspicious walkin' around Nassau in a big group?" I asked, frowning. I looked back to find the respectable looking Elizabeth following closely, and Will, Ana Maria and the swaggering Jack bringing up the rear. One fancy lady and four pirates. Surely we have been raising a few eyebrows.
"Well where the hell is Snidely's?" Jack scowled.
"If I remember correctly," I mused, "it should be righttttt..................here." We stopped and stared at the building in front of us. It was old and there was a big ruckus coming from inside. No, it couldn't be.
They turned the respectable Captain Snidely's home into a WHOREHOUSE?
"This world is going to hell in a handbasket," I muttered and Jack, who heard this, laughed.
"A whorehouse! Those are wonderful fun!" he exclaimed.
Everyone shot dirty looks at him.
"Or, so I've heard," he said sheepishly, winking at the frowning Elizabeth. He ran his fingers over his goatee in thought.
"How are we going to be searchin' this place for treasure with a bunch of strumpets flailing around and pleasuring nasty old men in the rooms?" Ana Maria questioned.
I cringed, not liking the situation at all. "It should be in Snidely's room, which should be that one right there," I said, pointing to the top musty window.
"How do ye know the household so well?" Jack asked suspiciously.
"When we docked at Nassau, he would always invite the crew over and Mrs. Snidely would please us by hostin' a fancy dinner."
"There was a Mrs.?" Jack said, appalled, "Well, isn't this interesting. Where is the Mrs. now?"
"Dead. She died of scarlet fever years before he died himself," I informed him, "Now let's get back on track. Obviously Elizabeth can't go gallivanting in there."
Elizabeth glared at us, not liking the fact that she was being excluded.
"Will and Ana Maria, ye should stay and be the look out with her," I said, "So that leaves me and Jack." I stared at him and he grinned.
"I like this situation. Me an' Gallagher headin' into a whorehouse," he murmured.
"They have available rooms, right? Maybe we could ask if we could have a room."
Jack's eyes widened and I hit him on the shoulder. "How else are we goin' to get in?" I asked in exasperation.
"You are going to act like a whore, Terrence?" Will asked with a smile of disbelief.
"Whatever it takes to get that blasted treasure," I said, eyeing him angrily, "Now say anything else and I'll strangle you."
Will held up his hands in mock defeat, a smile still tugging at his lips, wearing a sarcastic expression that said 'sure, I bet you would really hate acting that out with Jack Sparrow.'
Elizabeth just shook her head and said, "All right, go and get it over with before they find us waiting out here and get suspicious."
I took a deep breath and said, "They are never going to believe a strange lass wearing men's clothing."
"Just say yer new," Jack said slyly, "They get new strumpets all the time."
"And ye would know all about it, wouldn't you," I muttered under my breath. I linked my arm into his and pushed the wooden door open, waltzing through.
The place was dimly lit with old furniture and portraits hanging on the wall. It seemed like an artificial existence, the perfect place for a whore. I blinked and I saw myself staring at the place as it used to look in Snidely's presence, with beautiful rugs and artifacts from around the world, lit up with sunshine streaming through the clean windows and flowers set out by Mrs. Snidely. I blinked again and found the dusty, old, matted wares of the house to be uncomfortable and unsettling to me.
An older plump woman with a rouged face and a revealing dress stood at a desk, watching us with calm interest. I smiled warmly and said in a perfect English accent, "I have gotten myself a catch tonight, miss!"
Jack cast me a look of surprise out of the corner of his eye but smiled drunkenly, his arm around my shoulders.
"And who are you, to be exact?" the woman replied, eyeing me wearily.
"The name is Helen. I am new here," I said with a meek smile, "The other girls showed me the ropes earlier."
"You sure work fast, girl," she said, staring at Jack in amusement.
"How do ye do?" Jack asked with a wink.
The woman flushed and said, "We have a room down that hallway to the left," and pointed in the direction of it.
I frowned. Snidely's room was upstairs.
"Well, actually," I said with a giggle, "This one here is a bit vocal when he gets riled up, or so he tells me."
Jack nodded vigorously and said, "Aye, I'm like a screechin' cat getting' run over by a horse carriage."
I grimaced at the simile but continued, "I would not want to be scaring away business for you, miss."
"Aye, I suppose the top floor will do," she sighed, handing me a brass key, "Bring it back to me when you are finished."
"Will do, miss," I said with a curtsey.
"Enjoy yourselves!" she called as we headed up the stairs.
"Indeed we will!" Jack called back and slapped me on the rump. Once we were out of sight I turned to him and said with raised eyebrows, "A screechin' cat?"
"Just makin' stuff up at the drop of a hat, luv," Jack said, shrugging innocently.
I walked down the hallway and winced as I heard sounds coming from the other rooms. Sounds we shouldn't have been able to hear. Sounds too personal.
"Sounds like they're havin' themselves a bit o' fun, aye?" Jack said with a wicked grin.
"Here it is," I whispered, "Please let the key work to this room."
Sure enough, once I shoved the key into the lock, it clicked open.
We entered the room and shut the door, locking it at once. I stared at the room, at the dark crimson color of the bed sheets, at the old, chipped basin and water pitcher, at the bottle of whiskey on the unsteady table in the center of the room and the one measly candle, the flame flickering slowly from the breeze flowing in from the opened window.
Jack, of course, uncorked the bottle of whiskey and took a gulp instantly. He grimaced and said, "Not like me rum, but it'll do."
My eyes wandered around the room and Jack watched me with quiet fascination.
"In the corner of the sun," I murmured, "Where those can walk on the beams and not even know it exists."
"What are ye babblin' about?" Jack asked, taking another swig.
"Snidely's riddle," I explained, "He used a riddle so if anyone was eavesdropping, they wouldn't be able to understand."
"Ah."
I stared at the window, the only window in the room. It was in the corner.
"The corner of the sun," I said softly, walking to the corner, "Where those can walk on the beams! Hell, I think I've got it!"
"It's in the floorboards?" Jack said with a puzzled expression.
"Yeah, ye nitwit." I grabbed my dagger and placed it in the grooves of the floor. Jack crouched down next to me, watching me work. I lifted one board up, yet the breaking, snapping sound of the wood echoed throughout the room.
"They probably heard that," Jack warned me and we both froze, listening intently.
Sure enough, we heard the steady sound of feet trudging up the stairs and a person stop in front of our room.
The door unlocked and without thinking, I placed my body over the new small hole in the floor so it was out of view and grabbed Sparrow by the hair, pulling his face to mine, finding his lips.
"Is everything all right......." the plump woman exclaimed but stopped when she found Sparrow on top of me on the floor.
Sparrow trailed kisses down my slender neck and he broke away at the sound of her voice. Acting bewildered, he glanced at her.
"I'm sorry," she said with a gasp, "I heard a loud noise and wanted to check........"
"No problem here, luv," Sparrow said huskily and kissed my temple to make his point, "Disregard any noises ye hear, aye?"
She nodded vigorously and left the room in a hurry, frankly flustered, and locked the door behind her.
"Nice save," I whispered and bit my lip when I realized he wasn't moving at all. His body was flush against mine and I lay there on the hard floor, staring up at him in alarm.
"Sparrow," I said, "She's gone. Ye can get off o' me now."
Jack gazed at me but shook his head a little as if to clear his mind and replied, "Yer right," and rolled off of me in a hurry. I smiled and he lowered his eyes uncomfortably, clearing his throat a little and massaging the back of his neck.
He grabbed a couple of the floorboards with his hands and ripped them back. I did the same, hacking at the old termite ridden wood with my blade. I wiped the sweat off of my forehead and threw the dagger down, studying the hollow hole before us. Jack did the same.
There was a cherry wood box. It was about the size of a vegetable crate, not too big and not too small. It was engraved with intricate designs, some of dragons and ships and sea creatures. Some of symbols we didn't recognize and others that made me open my mouth in shock. We lifted it out of the hole together and placed it in front of us.
I ran my fingers over the dusty box and found something that made me want tears to fall, half in joy and half in sadness. It was my past emblem. The Dancing Horizon's symbol. It had been carved on the side of the box, the symbol of a sunset and dancing waves. I touched it, sighing deeply.
"Yer symbol, luv?" Jack asked and peered closer. His eyes widened. I stared at him with a frown, wondering what he was so shocked about until he reached out his dirty, tanned fingers and hesitantly wiped some of the dust off of the beautiful box. There was another symbol right next to mine.
It was a sparrow flying across a red and gold sunset.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I don't know about you, but I was particularly pleased with this chapter. I had so much fun writing it. Some chapters, I would bite my lip and just sit there pondering and it would take forever to write. For this, my fingers flew around the keyboard like little speed demons. (mental image of fingers holding little pitchforks and having little horns) Whoa, maybe I need to get me some shut eye. Well you know what to do, my wonderful readers! Tell me what you think because I love hearing from you, as always. Reviewers ROCK! HECK YES!