The Chase Ensues

"Next time you see me,
Things won't be the same,
And if it hurts you my darling,
You only have yourself to blame."

***

            After he left the auction Jack decided it was time for a drink.  Not that it wasn't always time for a drink, but at the moment it was definitely time to get a head start on drowning one's sorrows.  Sauntering through town Jack made straight for the tavern and headed inside.  Plopping himself down at the bar, he was promptly served a mug of rum, and turned himself around to survey the bar's other inhabitants.  Glancing over at the man next to him, who seemed to be surveying Jack as well, he nodded.

            "What can ye tell me about that woman over there", he asked the man.

            "Who her", the man asked nodding his head in Sophia's direction.

            "Aye."

            "Ye've never heard of Barrister", he sounded shocked.  "The woman's practically a living legend round these parts.  She's tangoed with the best of them that one has, and always managed to come out on top."

            "The best of whom?"

            "Oh anyone who gets in her way I reckon.  From what I gather, she's not too particularly found of any man.  You know how it is with women, a man breaks their heart once and then they have it in for the rest o' us from then on."

            At this Jack stopped in mid-sip.  "So all that over a broken heart", he asked curiously.

            "Well I can't say for sure.  But I tell ya, I haven't met a man yet who got involved with Sophia Barrister and lived to tell about it afterward."

            "I know one", Jack commented seriously as he stood up. 

            "Oh yeah, where can I meet him?"

            "Ye just did", Jack answered under his breath as he walked away and towards the table where Sophia sat.

"Alright, let's tally it up shall we", Jack overheard one of the men sitting at Sophia's table begin. 

            "Let's see, we got two springs from prison, one commandeered merchant vessel, a coupla arsons, the death of a hardly respectable pirate captain and subsequent seizure of his ship, a miraculous escape from the noose, several successful business ventures, few killins here and there along the way, and now to top it all off, dodging the Port Antenea slave auction.  It's a wonda yer still alive girl."

            Jack listened intently to the rap list, really quite impressed with everything Sophia had managed to get herself successfully in and out of since he last saw her. 

            "Ah Sims, you sure know how to make a girl blush", Sophia laughed in response.  "But seriously, I'm sick of this livin day to day shit, all this small timin.  I want a ship, my own ship.  Knocking off some captain is just gettin to be too much of a hassle these days."

            "Aye", the table members all agreed.

            "Even if I can't get me own, I at least need to get meself back on one ye know?"

            "I might be able to help with that", a new voice spoke up. 

            Everyone turned to find the source of the voice and saw Jack standing there.  Sophia rolled her eyes.           

            "I don't think so Captain", she sneered, putting a little extra distaste on the last word. 

            "And why's that", Jack asks non-plussed. 

            "Because I loathe you Jack.  And always will."

            "Ye didn't used feel that way", he replied with a grin.       

            "Well, ye've only got yerself to thank for the change of heart", she shot back, standing up, finishing her drink and slamming it back on the table as she turned to leave. 

            This time though, Jack was not content to just let her walk out on him for the second time that day.  Throwing a chair out of his way, he quickly made to follower her out of the bar, however his mission was not successful.  Before he could go more than two feet, someone stepped into his path.  Looking up, he recognized the man who had been sitting with Sophia earlier, and vaguely remembered his being called Sims.

            "Where d'ye think yer goin", the man asked him gruffly.

            "Excuse me", Jack replied as though he could not believe anyone would dare address him as such. 

            "You heard me.  Where d'ye think yer goin?"

            "Well I was on my way out actually."

            "I think ye were meanin to follow Sophia", Sims replied.

            "And what if I was?"

            "Then I'd have to stop you."

            "Yes, I see that, perhaps you might explain what that is", Jack shot back.  "Because from where I see it there's no reason why I shouldn't be able to have a conversation with a woman if I so choose."

            "You can have a conversation with any nice woman you want, just not with Sophia."

            "What are you her daddy or something?  Oh God, yer not her husband are you", Jack asked in horror.

            "I am neither.  Only a good friend who knows well enough to keep you away from her.  She wants nothing to do with you Captain, and if you know what's good for you, you'll let go of whateva distant memory holds you to her and be on yer way."

            Jack looked at him in disbelief, slightly taken aback by just how much this man seemed to know.  After a moment's consideration, he gave Sims a silent nod and turned to leave.  Walking through the bar Jack's head spun with confusion and answered questions and he walked in a daze unaware of his surroundings.  Bumping into someone, he quickly apologized and stepped outside before any altercation arose over it.

            Squinting his eyes at the sun's brightness, Jack raised a hand to his forehead as a shield and peered down the crowded streets.  Though Sim's words had struck a chord in him, he had no intentions of heeding his advice and hoped to catch sight of Sophia's retreating figure.  In the end he came up empty handed and began his return back to the Pearl.  It seemed as if fate would not allow him to have his way this time. 

            Sauntering down the street disheartened, Jack was all but ready to abandon hope when something nearby caught his attention.  Scanning the shops along the street it was apparent that an argument was taking place inside what appeared to be a small pawn shop.

            "Oh sod off ye great oaf", a woman's voice yelled out clearly as the door swung open.  "I wouldn't give three shillings for that piece o' crap if me life depended on it!"

            Slamming the door, the woman huffed angrily, straightened her jacket and stepped off the stoop making away from Jack.  Realizing that it was Sophia, the captain quickly took off after her, maintaining a safe distance between the two of them until the opportune moment to approach her presented itself.


***

            Jack followed Sophia through the crowded streets of Port Antenea, his eyes fixed on her back so as not to lose her among the throngs of people.  She wove her way carefully through the masses, occasionally stopping for a minute to exchange a friendly word with some and some not so friendly words with others.  At one point Jack was sure she would end up in a fight with one man but apparently a harsh threat was all it took to deter him. 

            As Sophia made her way on, Jack's line of vision was suddenly cut off by two men whose argument placed itself directly in his path.  Moving first to the right, then to the left, Jack craned his neck as he waited for them to get out of his way.  Once they'd gone, Jack continued forward scanning the street for any sign of Sophia, and grew irritated when he realized he lost her.  Walking slowly on, he hoped that she had perhaps stepped inside another shop and would shortly reemerge.  Keeping his attention on the doors to each building, Jack was hardly aware of anything as he walked carelessly passed an alley way.  He was both startled and shocked when an arm reached out, grabbed him, and pulled him backwards into the dark street, his assailant's other hand pressing a dagger firmly against his throat. 

            Taking a moment to regain his bearings, Jack began to asses the situation but was not given much time.  Momentarily his attacker released him and spun him around. 

            "Why are you following me", Sophia asked him in irritation, still dangerously gripping her dagger. 

            "I wasn't", he retorted indignantly.

            "Liar, ye've been behind me the last two blocks.  Eva since ye left the tavern.  What d'ye want?"

            Jack returned the glare she was giving him with a stern look, unable to mask the ever present egotistic look that shone in his eyes.

            "I just wanted to talk to ye", he shrugged indifferently. 

            "Don't even start yer tricks on me", Sophia seethed at him.  "They might 'ave worked once, but I neva make the same mistake twice."

            "So that's what I am to you?  A mistake?"

            "Bout sums it up I'd say", she answered with a snide grin, reveling in the fact that her hateful comments seemed to be having some effect on him.  "Don't see why you'd even care really", she continued in his silence.  "After all, yer Captain Jack Sparrow.  Who loves no woman and has no regrets", she chided as she walked around him in a circle, dragging a finger around his shoulders and back.  "How does that feel anyway?  To have no regrets?  I've always wondered what it's like having no concern for the people ye've betrayed and left behind."

            "I have regrets Sophia", he replied softly.

            "Really?  Sure coulda fooled me", she stopped in front of him.  "Tell me something Jack.  Did you eva think about me?  Eva once, in all the time ye were away, did I cross yer mind?  Did you wonder if ye'd see me again, or care if ye did or didn't?"

            Jack's gaze drifted downward and he did not answer.    

            "Come on Jackie.  Jackie Allen Sparrow", she kept pushing.  "This is it, here it is, yer big chance to put those immaculate skills of yer's that I've heard so much about, to work.  To explain away everything, to tell me how much ye missed me and how you always planned to come back but neva got the chance.  To tell me how sorry ye are and how ye'll do anything to make it up to me now.  Come on Jackie, I'm waitin", she finished running a finger under his chin lightly.

            Jack grabbed her hand sharply, pulled it away from him and stared at it for a minute.  "What's the point", he asked at last.  "Ye wouldn't believe me anyway."

            "Ye neva know."

            He sighed.  "Look, it's not all as simple as that alright.  There were complications, many of them.  And I am sorry, neva in all my life did I mean to hurt you."

            "Oh yeah?  Prove it", Sophia cut him short, completely un-phased by his apology as though she hadn't heard it at all.  And in fact, she could not have cared less what he said. 

            "And how do you propose I do that?"

            "Give me the Pearl."

            "What?"

            "You heard me.  If you really want prove to me that yer sorry give me yer ship."

            Jack stared at her in horror, unable to believe what he was hearing.  There was not a hint of emotion in her tone, as though she had been planning this all along, just calculating how she could take advantage of him.  This was not the Sophia he knew, and Jack did not like it one bit.   

            "Soph", he began, but she cleared her throat to remind him that they were not on amicable terms and this was no time for nicknames.  "Sophia", he corrected himself.  "Yer bein ridiculous."

            "Oh, I don't think it's so ridiculous.  Rather fitting actually.  You did leave me for it after all, least ye could do to make it up to me."

            "Give up me ship.  You actually want me to just hand it over to you.  Do you 'ave any idea what I've been through with this ship these past years", Jack raised his voice indignantly.

            "I've heard a thing or two, but no matter."

            "This is manipulation.  Ye deliberately picked something you know I won't do."

            "So that's a no", she asked.

            "OF COURSE IT IS!"

            "Suit yerself", she finished with a shrug then turned to walk out of the alley. 

            "Where're ye goin", Jack called after her.

            "Sorry luv, ye had yer chance and ye blew it.  I'll see ye in another 13 years if yer lucky", she called back just as she turned the corner and was out of his range of sight. 

            Staring at the spot where she had just been, Jack scoffed in irritation and refused to follow her again.  Scowling under his breath he made his way out of the alley, checked quickly to see if she was still around, and stomped back to the Pearl.