Disclaimer: Each story we go through this, and each time we all agree that none of us, whosoever we may be or claim or think we are, own the legal rights to this movie theme, the characters, the ocean, the rum or the chicken dressed in a man suit. Thank You.
Damned to the Depths
-Chapter Nine
---
Ana turned in the warm blanket, her arms reaching for the pillow beside her to find that it was unoccupied. She opened her eyes to see an empty spot; creases and rumpled sheets being the only thing left behind. The sun was well on it's way to announcing mid-afternoon and Ana guessed that Jack had risen with it, rather silently to her surprise.
She started to turn back over when a flash of red caught her attention, a smile replacing her disappointment. Leaning over the empty bedside, she picked something up from off the table, her fingers careful not to touch the thorns of the rose. Ana smiled and set the flower down before drifting off to sleep once more.
---
"Okay, just a little lower, now to the left- I said LEFT! Not your left- my left! No, no! Hold it, don't move!" Jack was shouting from the quarterdeck as some of his crew tried to adjust a sail on a poorly reconstructed mast. They had been at it for hours now and Jack needed a break from his feeble minded men who didn't seem to understand the command, "A little to the left."
He had gotten up with the sun that morning, quietly leaving Ana's side to inspect the damage done to his ship. Gibbs had met him with a full report at the docks, a frown on the old man's weathered face. "She don't look good, Jack. Gonna take some time to patch 'er up t' sail."
The Pearl sustained heavy damage to her port side, some of the holes bigger than Gibbs' head, but with some patience and luck, Jack had managed to get them patched. Not a top-notch job, but they were patched, enough to get them to the nearest port. The damaged mast had been fixed the best it could be, the sail mended and replaced on its spars. It had taken most of the day just to get that section of the ship repaired, and even though the mast was standing, a strong wind at any time was likely to knock it back down again.
Jack had considered sailing the Pearl without the mast, but it would slow the ship down, and that was time he didn't have to spare. So he opted for the mast to be replaced, held in place the best the crew could do and go from there. Now as he watched the splintered structure replaced, he silently hoped it would stay in place long enough for them to properly repair it.
Gibbs approached him, some papers in his hands and a frown on his face. "Cap'n, I 'ave th' figures fer th' supplies we loaded from th' Old Reliable."
"Oh, good!" Jack took the papers and looked over them. "I don't see a price on here, Gibbs."
"I know Jack. Turner refused t' give me one. Says these things were extra, they wouldn' need 'em."
Jack scratched his head. "That boy is way too considerate. I'll just slip some coins in his pocket when he's not lookin'. Have the boys move everythin' to the galley whilst I go see the Turner's," he handed Gibbs the papers back as he headed for the other ship.
"Jack, how be Ana?"
The pirate captain stopped and looked over his shoulder at his quartermaster. It was the first time any of the crew had asked how she was doing after her collapse and Jack had been hoping that it would stay that way. He didn't feel like explaining to them the state in which she was in, and if things went well, then Ana's condition would remain well hidden for some time. Jack winced, That is if things go well.
"She's well. Just needs her rest," Jack weaseled without telling the complete truth.
Gibbs studied him, "Aye that she does, especially in her condition. But ye yourself don't seem too happy about it."
Jack's brow wrinkled as he leaned against the railing overlooking the waters. "Ye know Gibbs, it ceases to amaze me how ye know these things."
"Well Jack, it comes wit' th' territory. Father of two meself," Gibbs paused. "Or was. After a while, ye just pick up a sense fer this stuff."
"You, Gibbs? A father?" Jack asked with surprise.
The old quartermaster nodded glumly as he stood beside his captain. "Aye Jack, two strappin' young boys- don't know where they be now. Their mother up and left, them in tow. Ne'er saw 'em again. Last I 'eard they was livin' in merry old England. Doin' well though, I am told."
"Interesting," Jack murmured.
Gibbs glanced at him. "So why th' long face, Jack? Ye should be rejoicin'- with Ana."
"It's not that I ain't rejoicin' Gibbs, I just can't," Jack stated morosely. "Ana doesn't belong here, on the ship. Not in her condition."
"Aye Jack, a ship is no place fer a woman in her state. But her place is wit' ye, and we all know ye ain't leavin' this ship," Gibbs pointed out. "And whatever ye 'ave planned, I'd think it over before goin' through wit' it. Ana won't take lightly to your idea; she'll run ye through the ground first. And if she don't, then I'd start to worry."
Jack frowned at this. "Aye, I know. But I got to try, Gibbs. I refuse to let her waltz right back into a battle with a man who is tryin' to kill her, especially now that she's- now that she is-" he trailed off, unsure of how to put it.
Gibbs gripped his shoulder, "I understand, Cap'n. Ye do what ye gotta do, let's just hope that Ana understands this as well," he turned and headed for the galley, leaving Jack alone with his thoughts.
I hope she understands as well, Jack thought as he too pushed away from the railing, his eyes darting over the crew on the deck replacing the sail. With the slight repairs done, now all Jack had to do was have a talk with Will… and gather some of Ana's things while she was onboard the Old Reliable. He sighed, then disappeared into his cabin, the door closing behind him.
---
Ana pushed her hair from her face as she strolled across the deck of the Turner's ship. She couldn't stand staying in the cabin another minute longer; her well rested nap from the day before ridding her of any exhaustion to the point that she could no longer sleep. So instead she had opted for taking a small walk around the ship, at least until she came across someone in which she could talk to.
Not long after she had started her stroll did she hear the voices of Jack and Will coming from out on the deck somewhere. Will seemed to be protesting as the pirate captain kept insisting that the young blacksmith listen to him. What they were discussing, was beyond her, but she figured she'd find out soon enough. As she rounded a corner, she saw Will standing there shaking his head at Jack as the pirate rambled on, his hands gesturing wildly.
"But ye said you'd take her with ye, Will!"
Will sighed, "Jack, I don't think this is a good idea."
"But ye promised, Will," Jack argued. "Ye promised. Don't go back on that now, lad."
The blacksmith finally gave in, "Fine Jack. But don't blame me if she slaps you, you have it coming. Mark my words, you have it coming."
Jack nodded and grinned, his hands pressed together. "I'll keep that in mind, whelp. And thanks mate, I owe ye one," he commended, turning to leave.
Will watched him disappear back to his ship, a hand massaging the bridge of his nose. He turned and jumped back when he saw Ana there gazing at him questionably. Uh oh, he thought as he quirked an eyebrow at her. "Out enjoying the afternoon?" he tried hoping she hadn't heard any of the conversation he and Jack just had.
"Trying to," she answered turning to take up pace beside him as he walked the deck. "What was Jack carrying on about?"
The blacksmith made a face as he waved a hand dissuasively, "Nothing really. You know how Jack can be."
Ana quirked an eyebrow. Yes, she knew how Jack could be, but she also knew he had reasons to be the way he was. And there was a reason behind Jack's display moments ago, and she wanted to know. Yet somehow, she didn't think Will was going to tell her.
"What did he mean though by saying you promised to take her with you?" Ana questioned again.
Will thought for a moment. "Oh! He was talking about LeeAnn. Taking her out on a ship when she is older, letting her get the feel of the ocean under her feet."
Ana looked at him, her nose wrinkling. "I see. Well she does have pirate blood in her Will, I guess it makes sense," she agreed.
He nodded, taking her arm and leading her up to bow of the ship. "Perhaps."
Leaning against the railing Will considered the woman before him. Here she was, totally unsuspecting of anything going on around her, willing to do what was asked of her. She was a pirate, as well as married to one of the most notorious and infamous captain's that sailed the Caribbean, yet every inch of her was a lady. She held herself like Elizabeth did, something that caught Will's attention since the moment they met- but her heart still lied with Jack.
Ana shifted her weight uncomfortably under Will's gaze, her own gaze settling on the ship opposite of them. "Jack's over there, isn't he?"
Will looked in the direction she pointed, "Aye. He is."
The woman stood up, her arms wrapping around her waist as she stepped back. She had hoped to catch him before he left; she hadn't seen him all day and the sun was beginning to sink below the horizon. She missed him. She thanked Will for his company and then started for the Pearl. Tonight, Ana was going to sleep in Jack's arms, in their own cabin.
---
A/N: Another short chapter, me knows. But everything is coming in small spurts, and I feel its better leaving it this way instead of compiling them to the point where they become confusing. Hopefully the next one will be slightly longer, but I can't make any promises. But it should be up soon, and I know that makes you all happy!
Special Thanks to Jackfan2, Rat and Tinkabell21.
-J