Savior Renewed

"I've been watching you from a distance.
The distance sees through your disguise.
All I want from you is your hurting.
I want to heal you.
I want to save you from the dark."

***

            Pulling open the door, without having bothered to knock, Anamaria was not at all pleased with the sight that greeted her.  Jack remained at his desk where he had been seated for the past few hours, clearly intoxicated beyond any level typical for Captain Jack Sparrow. 

            "Ye bloody oaf", she muttered under her breath as she beheld the sorry state he was.  She wasn't angry though, she knew this was no happy bout of insobriety.  Honestly though, at times like these she wondered to herself how any woman in her right mind could ever be attracted to such a mess, and mentally congratulated herself for never counting among them. 

            Jack looked at her through hazed eyes and blurred vision.  "That you Anamarariria", he slurred.

            "Aye, it's me ye daft drunkard", she shot back as she made her way toward him.

            Grabbing him roughly by the arm she pulled him from his seat.

            "Ah, watch it.  Let a drunken man rest", Jack whined in protest.

            Rolling her eyes in thorough annoyance Ana knew this was no time to try and straighten anything out though she resolved to raise the issue with him the following day.

            Unfortunately for her, while getting Jack to do anything he didn't want when he was sober was difficult, getting him to do it while he was drunk was damn near impossible.  After a twenty minute fight, she finally got him out from behind the desk and into his bedroom.  Throwing him face down on the bed, mostly because she no longer had the strength to deal with his struggling, Ana decided he would have to sleep in his clothes because there was no way she was touching him any further.  With a final sigh, she put out the candle that lit both rooms and headed back for her own cabin where Sophia still lay snoring soundly. 

            The following morning Jack awoke with a pounding headache.  Rolling over to bury his face in his pillow in attempts to block out the blinding sun which was surely not helping his condition, he tried to piece together how exactly he had gotten himself into this position.  Without too much effort the events of the previous night came flooding back to him, and he quickly jumped out of bed in search of more rum.  If one thing was for sure as far as Jack was concerned, the best way to cure a hangover was with more alcohol. 

            Taking a drink, he straightened out the mess that was his clothing and made his way out onto the deck.  From what he saw of the crew, it appeared everyone had mutually decided to take advantage of his current state by calling it a late start.  The Pearl was not moving and no one seemed to have intentions of getting her going any time soon.  Shaking his head in annoyance at the laziness of his crew, he acknowledged that they were not in any particular rush to be getting anywhere and refrained calling them into action. 

            Heading for the galley, Jack was not surprised to find almost everyone there enjoying a hearty breakfast.  Looking around he found Sophia sitting with Gibbs and Anamaria, all of them laughing happily at some apparent joke.  For a second Jack was slightly taken aback by Sophia's complete change in demeanor from last night, but soon remembered that she had always been quick to recover from any kind of emotional stress.  When they were younger, it had been a characteristic necessary for survival, but seeing it now only made her seem heartless and irritated him to no end. 

            Grabbing himself a full plate, he made his way over to where the three of them were sitting, his presence quickly putting a damper on the once cheerful mood.  Sophia, whom had apparently served as the source for the earlier humor, quickly quieted at the sight of him, becoming withdrawn and picking randomly at her food which suddenly became extremely interesting. 

            "Mornin", Jack greeted them with forced good nature. 

            "Morning Cap'n", Gibbs returned as Ana nodded in Jack's direction. 

            Sophia remained silent, and after just a short while she finished her breakfast and left the table.  Within minutes of her departure, most of the rest of the crew began finishing up and made their way above to get the ship ready to sail.  It was not long before everyone was at their respective position and the Pearl slowly started on its way through the calm waters.  That particular day Sophia managed to weasel her way into managing the sails on the fore deck.  This put her as far away from Jack as was possible on the ship, and she passed the time chatting with Lee much to the annoyance of their captain. 

            Back at the helm, Jack watched the scene for several hours, fuming with anger. 

            "What's got you", a voice startled him out of his vicious stare.  Looking toward the source of the voice, he cleared his throat and put on his typical nonchalant expression.

            "Whateva do you mean luv", he asked Anamaria, as though he hadn't a clue what she was referring to.

            "Oh don't you play daft with me Jack Sparrow.  Ye've been standing up here with smoke comin out yer ears for the entire mornin.  Ye can deny it all ye want but that doesn't change the fact that it's true."

            "It is not true", he answered indignantly, sounding very childish in the process.

            "Alright then", Ana replied, sounding very sure of what she was going to say next.  "Though if its Lee yer upset about, I don't see how ye have any reason to be as it was you who left her in the first place", she finished cockily before walking away.

            As she expected Jack took the bait.  "Wait just one minute", he yelled, demanding that she come back.  "What did she tell you?"

            "Only enough to confirm what I already knew.  That you, Captain Jack Sparrow, are the biggest scoundrel by far in all of the Caribbean."

            "Well that's just silly", Jack shot back with a snide grin.  "Have you met everyone in the Caribbean?"

            "Joke all you want Cap'n, but in the end yer the one standing 'ere bein all worked up while Sophia there is havin' quite a nice time with yer apparent replacement."

            Again Ana had hit the nerve she had been intending on and this time Jack did not stop her from taking her leave. 

            "Women, always stickin their noses where they don't belong", Jack muttered to himself as he watched her retreating figure. 

            Settling back into position at the wheel, he stewed over his pilot's words, putting him in an even fouler mood than before.  He wondered what skewed version of the story Sophia had told her, then reminded herself that from her point of view, it didn't even need to be skewed to show him in a bad light.  If he could just explain to her what had happened maybe she would understand, but in his heart he knew the explanation was not what he would have liked it to be.  His distress over this however soon turned back into irritation as the object of his turmoil along with her new cohort soon placed themselves back into his line of vision. 

            Lee also seemed to have a funny bone, a trait which became apparent as Sophia bucked forward with uncontrollable laughter at whatever he had been saying.  It wasn't that Jack didn't like the young man, on the contrary he had always been quite fond of him.  A shy kid, generally respectable and eager to please his captain, and with the kind of dry sense of humor Jack appreciated, he was also a pretty decent crewmen.  All if that was soon forgotten however at the mere thought of him having anything to do with Sophia.  Calling for another bottle of rum, Jack decided to go the mature route and forget his sorrows by drowning them out with alcohol and daydreams that played at the sight of calm, clear waters.  Daydreams, which as of late, were often of the life he could have had rather than the freedom he convinced himself he cherished so dearly. 
            His silent reverie was soon broken though by the sound of one of his younger crewmen calling down from his lookout up in the crow's nest.

            "Ship off the port side", the young man's voice rang across the deck.

            Turning to confirm his sailor's words, Jack looked out over the waters and saw that he had spoken true.

            "Who is it", he called back.

            "Dunno sir, she's too far away to rightly tell yet, though she don't look no navy or merchant vessel."

            Jack considered this for a second.  Another pirate ship could mean any number of things, including several bad ones.  Taking another look at the ship, he considered its positioning with respect to the Pearl and concluded that at their current speed there was no way to outrun whoever it was. 

            "BRING US TO A HALT", the captain ordered his crew, who immediately set to work dropping the sails. 

            "Any idea who it is Cap'n", the first mate asked as he strode to the helm to take over so Jack could go about whatever business he had in mind.

            "Not a clue Gibbs.  They've got no sails up so we'd be best to expect the worst, though I don't plan on jumping into anything."

            Gibbs nodded and watched his captain's retreating figure for a moment before turning back to watch the approaching ship.

            Back on the foredeck Sophia and Lee worked together leveling out the sails to steady the ship.  They, along with everyone else, were unaware of what was going on and continuously gazed out at the approaching ship for any indication of who it might be.  Within twenty minutes the Pearl sat unmoving in the waters and everyone onboard did their best to act busy while remaining prepared for any type of confrontation.  Looking out over the water the approaching ship was now within less than a half league and taking in the sight, Sophia's eyes widened in horror.

            "Oh shit", she muttered to herself under her breath. 

            Despite her attempts to keep the recognition to herself, Lee overheard her comment. 

            "What?"

            "What", she asked back, hoping she could play her way out of it.

            "What are you 'oh shitting' about?" he persisted.

            "Nothing", she replied.

            Thankfully, before he could inquire further, Jack called the whole crew down to the main deck as the Gauntlet pulled up along side the Black Pearl.  A plank was thrown from the Gauntlet over the rail to bridge the gap between the two and soon after several men made their way across.  Stepping to either side once they boarded the Pearl, they made room for their captain to stride safely and purposefully down between them.

            "Ye know mate", the captain was greeted by Jack.  "I'm not generally one for protocol but the way I see it, ye've just violated a hell of a lot o' the code."

            "My apologies captain.  I'm a bit new to the position and I assure you it will not happen again", the other man answered him.

            Jack seemed content with this answer, or at least that was the impression that he gave as he continued on.  "Right then, let's see.  It appears that that there is the Gauntlet, howeva you do not appear to be Cap'n Rackam, therefore I must ask you to state yer name and business and state it quickly", he instructed, his fingers dancing lightly across the hilt of his sword.

            "Of course Cap'n", the other man complied.  "Ye are right in yer observations.  I am not Cap'n Rackham, I am his former first mate and now Cap'n Aberdine.  In fact, it is the passing of our late captain and my good friend that brings me here.  I understand you recently made a purchase at the Antenea Auction?"

            "What's that got to do with anything", Jack asked, growing annoyed at Captain Aberdine's total avoidance of getting to the point.

            "Well, it just so happens that the woman you bought is really quite indebted to me n' me crew.  She's responsible for the murder of our late captain, as well as stealin' the Gauntlet."

            "I see, and what do ye want me to do about it?"

            "Under the circumstances, I'd be willin to pay ye at least three times the value ye spent in Antenea if ye'd so kindly hand her over to me."

            "And if I don't?"

            "Well, in that case, I'm afraid I'd have to take her by force", Aberdine answered, nodding behind him at his crew who all stood with pistols drawn and cannons ready to fire.  "Either way", he turned back to Jack, "I'm going to have her, it's really just a matter of you getting richer, or losin some o' yer crew."

            "That won't be necessary", a new voice added itself to the conversation.  All eyes turning toward the course of the voice, Sophia stepped forward.

            "Ah, Miss Barrister, we meet again at last."

            "Lucky me", Sophia retorted wryly.  "But, I'm willing to go peacefully, though I can't quite understand why yer so upset.  If ye think about it, the whole deal really worked out quite well for you seeing as how yer captain now."

            "Cap'n Rackham's been me friend since we were lads, I at least owe it to him his vengeance.  Besides the fact that you neglected to mention the part about stealing the Gauntlet."

            "I wouldn't call it stealing.  I'd call it borrowing without permission, after all, I did give it back", she retorted smartly, in a very Jack-like way that the whole crew of the Black Pearl noticed.

            "After you got it blown full o' holes by the navy", Aberdine snarled back.           

            "Details, details", Sophia brushed his comment off with a flick of the wrist.  "But nevermind, I've already agreed to come without a fuss, no need to stand 'ere and hold up the Pearl from her business", she finished making to cross onto the Gauntlet

            "Wait just one minute", Jack interjected, causing her to stop in mid-stride.  "So far as I'm concerned, you belong to me", he continued, taking her by the shoulder.  "Excuse me Cap'n, but Sophia 'ere is still a part o' me crew until I agree to her release, and as such, I think I'd like a moment to speak with her concerning all the details of the situation seeing as how this is all news to me."

            Aberdine considered this for a minute, then conceded.  "I suppose that'll be alright, but me crew stays 'ere in the meantime."

            With a nod, Jack steered Sophia out of the group and led her to his cabin where he thrust her into a chair.  "ARE YOU MAD WOMAN?"

            She did not answer.

            "Jumping ship for some island to spite me I can see, but handing yerself over to an entire crew set to torture and kill you.  Ye can't hate me that much and you must admit being on the Pearl ain't so bad is it?"

            "Oh shut it will you", she shot back angrily, slamming her fist against the chair's handrail.  "Not everything is about you all the time for Christ's sake.  Besides, ye really think yer still keepin me 'ere by force.  If I had really wanted to be gone by now I'dave already been."

            At this Jack was a little shocked.  Clearing his throat he decided to steer the conversation in a different direction to avoid her noticing.  "Then perhaps ye'd like to explain yerself."

            "I'm doin' it for the crew alright.  I just can't live with any o' them dyin on account of something stupid I did."

            "What exactly did you do?"

            "Did you not hear it?  I knocked off their cap'n, stole their ship, took it on a little jaunt through the Caribbean, got it blown full o' holes, and left it sitting a mess in the middle of one of the harbors up along the coast."

            "You really did all that", he asked in disbelief. 

            'Yes I really did all that", she replied mocking him.  "Don't look so surprised, ye aren't the only one with a reputation these days."

            Jack pursed his lips in thought, trying to decide what he wanted to do about the situation.  After a moment's silence he finally spoke up.

            "Well, if ye think I'm gonna let ye waltz onto that ship only to meet an unfortunate death, yer nuts."

            Sophia opened her mouth to protest but was silenced by a wave of Jack's arm.

            "I know ye want to keep the crew out o' harms way alright.  But it's my decision and if anyone's hurt I'll be the one responsible", he assured her.  "Now, we're gonna go back out there, take the money, act like I'm sendin on yer merry way, and when the opportune moment arises we will attack and you will stay.  Savvy?"

            Sophia nodded.

            "Good, then let's get movin."

            And heading back outside, they did exactly that.  Jack graciously accepted the payment for Sophia's exchange, much to the shock of the rest of the crew, and handed her over to Captain Aberdine.  She was led across the plank by two armed guards who shoved her along roughly.  When all those among the crew of the Gauntlet were off the Pearl, Jack waited until their cannons were withdrawn and immediately had his own crew fire upon the other ship.  Before anyone could stop her, Sophia was quick to jump overboard on Jack's advice for fear they might just kill her then and there for spite.  Swimming closely along the hull of the Gauntlet, and out of firing range, she quickly made her way around the ship back for the Pearl.  Missing most of the chaos that ensued, she waited in the water until a rope was thrown down to her after the Gauntlet began its retreat. 

            When she finally did find herself back on deck and soaking wet, she was happy to see that Jack's plan had worked and not a single member of the Black Pearl had come out harmed. 

            "Are ye alright luv", a voice asked as she stood ringing the water out of her clothes.  Looking up she saw Jack, and followed his gaze down to her arm where she discovered her sleeve was cut open and blood now ran from a gash in her arm.  Realizing that her all too familiar tattoo was also showing, and that several of the surrounding crew were staring at it in wonder, she quickly pulled her arm to her chest to cover it.

            "I'm fine", she answered and turned and headed for her cabin.  Just before she stepped inside, she turned back around.  "Thanks", she said to Jack before closing the door behind her.

***

Author's Note:

            Just want to give a quick apology for my horrible updating as of late.  It's been a hectic holiday season but I hope to be back on track within the next few days.  Hope you enjoyed and stay tuned for more.