One More Taste of Freedom
03 an invitation
Disclaimer: See the previous chapter.
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As they sat Jack caught her up on all of his adventures over the past year. She listened like a child on the knee of a storyteller and wished that she were part of the tales. The Captain certainly was a dramatic storyteller, his hands would wave wildly and his voice was raised at the most exciting parts.
"-- And the lass wanted me, of course, wanted me for her own. But I said `Rosa darling, it never would have worked between us, ` and sent her on her way, poor dear. She was crushed. But who could blame `er?"
She nodded solemnly in an attempt to play along.
"How terrible that must have been for her."
His tone turned grave and he shook his head, beads causing a jingling sound as he did so.
"It was. But that's me curse, I suppose. The women find me irresistible," rubbing his cheek he winced at many painful memories, "Though that's not always a good thing. But we all `ave our crosses to bear."
"Yes," she whispered, her mind still elsewhere. Finally, she decided to ask him what was on her mind, "Why are you here, Jack?"
He stopped and studied her for a moment before answering.
"Supplies. The Pearl has a few areas that need ta be patched up. So while Gibbs and Anamaria are out .. borrowing, said supplies, I decided, since it had been almost a year since we'd laid eyes on you or young Mr. Turner, it was high time for a visit."
"In other words you missed us." A half smile formed on her face at that thought.
"Course not! It's not that its--"
Jack Sparrow, ladies and gentleman, never ever in touch with his feelings.
"Its okay, Jack." She reached across from her chair and placed a hand on his shoulder, "we've missed you too. Life hasn't exactly been the fairy tale I'd imagined it would be since the end of our little adventure."
Looking down at his shoulder he was a bit surprised at the contact, but it was no bother. He just wasn't accustomed to women not slapping him.
"You mean with the lack of marital bliss and all?"
"More like the lack of anything resembling what I want."
"And what d'ya want, luv?"
She breathed, any answer to that question would result in a rant that would probably scare Jack. He wasn't the type to share his feelings, so she imagined he wouldn't be the type to listen to hers. But it was freedom she wanted, and who better to understand that than the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow?
"The same thing you do."
"Lots of rum and strumpets?"
She smiled and shook her head. He'd been here less than an hour and already it felt like he'd never left. All the cares and burdens of the life of the governor's daughter were fading, and she was just Lizzy, sitting in the company of a pirate, and friend.
"Freedom, Jack. I want to break free of all this."
The smirk that he had been wearing faded and his expression turned serious, as this was a topic that he took very seriously.
"As someone who lost all their freedom for near ten years, I know exactly what you mean, luv. But are you not happy with William?"
"It's not a matter of Will. Neither of us is happy with our current situation. We're both bound by the expectations of everyone in this town. Most of the people here probably want the same thing. They just don't know. But Will and I," she bit her lip and continued, "We are perfectly aware of what were missing out on."
"And that would be?" his hand hovering in the hair, waiting for her to go on. He knew what she was going to say, but he wanted her to hear herself say it. That would seal the deal.
"It just seems to me," she began her moment of honesty, " that once a person has tasted adventure, they're infected by it. By the pursuit of it. Some mourn the loss of innocence, or normalcy, or even propriety. But those are the same people who sit, gazing out their windows, well into old age, pining away for just one more taste of freedom."
It was a new matter for someone to share their feelings so openly with him. And in some way it made him feel honored that she trusted him enough to do so, though he'd never say. Rising to his feet he looked down at her.
"Well, then, that settles it."
"Settles what?" cocking her head to the side she studied the pirate.
"You and young Mr. Turner cannot remain here, if you aren't happy."
"And where do you propose we go, Jack? Tortuga?"
Her answer had been a sarcastic one, but a light bulb went on in his head.
"Tortuga." he nodded with yet another gold toothed grin and held out his hand to help her up from her seat.
Rising, she crossed her arms across her chest and waited for him to start laughing or admit he was joking.
"Excuse me?" She gaped.
"You heard me, luv. You and dear William will accompany my crew and me on the Pearl, until such time as you no longer wish to play pirates."
Though he knew that that time may never come with these two. He recognized the same fire in them as in himself. It simply needed a way out.
"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to impose. And I'm sure Will wouldn't want to either."
"S'no imposition, pet. I invited you, all official like. But if you want to earn your keep you can help out same as everyone else. Savvy?"
Ending his offer with his signature line he stuck his hand out and waited for her to accept his offer.
"Savvy." She nodded and shook his hand.