Chapter Five- Honesty hurts

Back on track you follow Scarlet up the street. She turns inside a place called The Bunny Hut. Strange name for a whore house. Once inside you are met by a wave of red. On the walls, draped over candle holders, and on the furniture. Scarlet stops to talk to another woman. She is much younger, with blond hair and porcelain skin. Getting up courage you clear your throat.

"Um excuse me? Scarlet?"

You run up to her and touch her on the arm.

"Ah Gezelle look! This is her. Jack's newest gal."

"Pretty little thing."

"You bet."

"I need to speak with you. That is, if you're not busy?"

A serious look comes over her face as she sees you have been crying and nods. Leading you up the stairs and into a small room, she locks the door.

"What's wrong hun?"

Immediately you begin to cry and Scarlet pulls you in for a hug.

"Jack is so- so…"

"Oh no. He didn't do it now?"

"I'm so confused about this whole situation. One minute we're together. The next… he's drunk and talking about going wench hunting."

"Sweetheart, Jack is just that way. He's a pirate."

"But you…"

"Yes, but not all my life love. No I used to be pure… if I can put it like that."

Scarlet and you sit down on the only bed in the room, and she runs her fingers through your hair."

"Scarlet. Did you and Jack… were you ever together?"

"Yes. Unfortunately. Wait… this isn't about what I said… oh love I didn't know! Usually Jack uses you once then he's done."

You let out a small laugh and smile.

"No. He was probably thinking that all along."

"Are you sure? He seemed pretty concerned to me."

You stand up and walk over to the window. Below, a party rages silently on.

"Yeah right. It's just that… when I was with him… everything seemed so wonderful and simple."

"You love Jack Sparrow?"

"No never."

You curse yourself for sounding so defensive.

"Ah, I think you are. Not many women could be."

"You-"

"Nah. Wenches don't fall in love. At least not my girls. They may be whores, but they still hold dignity."

"What was it like for you?"

Scarlet seems almost pleased to be reciting her love life with Jack as she is smiling largely.

"Well, he was always different. It was his first time to Tortuga and I was just beginning my work. He went to the bar on his second night here, and I happened to be there with another man. Drunk as a pig he wobbles up to me and asks how much. I couldn't say a word for a while. His looks blew me away. Never had I seen such a handsome man. So I agreed and we had it off. The next day he left early in the morning. No note. Nothing. I was kind of heartbroken, but after that night I didn't much give a damn to weather he would have stayed."

"That can't be. You must have felt something?"

Scarlet shook her head.

"That's where ye wrong love. Like I said before. Not many women could love Jack."

"I must be a fool then."

She gets up and sides by you.

"In no way are you any such fool. You have a gift. You, of every woman Jack Sparrow has ever slept with, which, I do admit is many, love him. And he you. Perhaps, you judge too harshly?"

"I? A woman of upper class does not judge harshly! He hurt me! How do you expect me to love?"

Scarlet shakes you slightly.

"Dear, If you were I, what happened tonight would not have happened. Jack would have never ran after me. He would have said the hell with it, and moved on!"

"Really?"

"No. The point is, Jack is showing feelings, no one would expect. Love, compassion, caring, protection. Gezelle, who has been with Jack countless times is even stunned at this behavior."

"Why is he not here then?"

"You expect too much love. He is human. You hurt his feelings!"

"Oh god…"

After an hours realization it hits you. On the verge of more tears you fall to the floor.

"How could I? God forgive me I've been a bitch!"

"You can stay the night if ye likes love. No charge."

Scarlet unlocks the door and is halfway out when you stop her.

"Scarlet!"

"Yes love?"

"Thank you. For everything."

"I'm not all bad am I?"

She gives you a wink, and shuts the door behind her.

************************************************************************

The moon shines upon your silhouette as you lay by the window. It has been a few hours since Scarlet left.

"Jack… I'm sorry. I love you."

You want so bad to find Jack. To run to him and to be in his arms. Safe. He was the one and only man you have ever really loved. He, among many other suitors, have given you love, but his is special. Sacred. The love of a pirate. You drift off into an uneasy sleep. In your new dream Jack is sailing away, leaving you on the island. He is yelling to you that it's your mistake. That he gave you love and you did not return it. Before he vanishes, a single tear runs down his face…

"Wait!"

You sit up. The sunlight is pouring in and you are dumbly sprawled on the floor. Every muscle in your body aches. Just as your heart and head do.

"Jack don't leave me."

Knocking. It's on your door.

"Yes?"

"Love are you awake?"

It's the voice of Gezelle.

"Yes come in."

She enters and halts, seeing you on the floor.

"Poor child, you didn't sleep there did you?"

She hurries over to help you up.

"Yeah. I did."

"Oh. None of that now."

"I'm fine."

You yank out of her hands and turn back to the window.

"Scarlet told me all about what yous said. It's true."

"Yes. I know. I want to see him."

"Well, he's at the bar still. Scarlet had me keep watch over him for you."

"Still?"

"After you ran from him he went all slump-like and wasted himself all night."

"I have to see him. Will you come with?"

"Of course love!"

"Let's go."

************************************************************************

Down the street you jog and into the bar. The sight is horrendous. Men are passed out all over.

"Where is he?"

"This way."

Gezelle takes your hand and leads you into the back. There he is. On the ground sleeping. With Mr. Gibbs and…

"Pigs."

"Don't mind them. Jack! Wake up!"

Jack springs up.

"Bloody coward I'll kill ye!"

"Jack…"

He sees you and turns silent. Not holding back you run into his arms. He willingly embraces you.

"I'll leave you two at it. Gibbs! Out!"

"Mr. Gibbs who woke up with Jack, gladly stumbles out of the room with Gezelle.

"Love where have you been?"

Jack is completely hung over.

"I went to Scarlet. I'm so so sorry, I feel like such a-"

"You went to Scarlet?"

"Well where else was I supposed to go? Have sex with a drunken pirate?"

"Yeah! Me!"

He trips and falls down into the mud, dragging you with. You scream as the mud throws itself all over you.

"God love I'm sorry!"

You look at him, also covered in mud, and begin snorting with laughter.

"You'd best be glad I love you Jack Sparrow."

"What?"

Jack tries getting up again, but fails. This makes you laugh even harder. You pull him close.

"I love you."

Jack wipes some mud off your face. Lovingly you do the same. This man. A pirate. The only one you wanted. You loved deeply.

"Aye. I love you."

"Your drunk."

"I'm not just saying it love."

"I know that."

"I want you forever. Ever since the-"

He gets up and pulls you up also.

"-first time I saw you lying on that deck, I knew you were the one. Mind you I'm not much good with the whole love thing."

"So I've heard."

"Scarlet…"

"She is actually a very nice person."

"Oh she's nice, but slaps awful hard."

"About that…"

"Not to worry. Get it all the time."

You and Jack walk back out of the bar into fresh air.

"Jack…"

"Aye love?"

Your turned down to the docks. Another ship has come in. A tall man in uniform is slowly making his way up the road.

"Whose that? Oh damn…"

"Norrington…"