Things Fall Apart
13 madness or brilliance
Disclaimer: Same as always.
Author's Note: Ok here's the thing. I have known for quite some time that Jack doesn't use the pirate dialogue that everyone writes him doing, but I just did that as a means of showing that he still speaks in his own way, which is, while not uneducated, different. But I went back and changed a large bit of it, so all that is left is an obvious cockney accent, but no bad grammar and such. Then again, there wasn't much of that to begin with. Another thing? I would just like to say that any inconsistencies that anyone sees will be tied up. There are some things I have let come to pass for specific reasons, i.e.; Jack being a little too soft with Elizabeth in front of his men, Jack risking life, limb, crew and ship to take her to Port Royal, and all of that. I swear I know that's not a very pirate-y thing to do, and there will be consequences. Don't get me wrong. In this story they have been a couple for a year ( remember, this is a sequel ) and it has been two years since the movie, so he does love her and a few of his barriers have come down, as well as hers, but I still don't think he'd be Harlequin romance guy. Protective? Yes. Devilishly sexy? Yes. Caring and bordering on sweet? Sometimes. Mushy and love song writing? Um. No. But the thing of it is, that I'm not really sure where people got this 'pirates can't have love or friends' rule anyway. That is as bad as the stereotype that they were all evil killers. They were people, now, come on. They might not have been the most romantic bunch, but god knows they had feelings. I don't feel bad about letting Jack's layers show ( I don't refer to them as layers that I created, because, I believe that canon Jack has layers that were never allowed to show, save for a few deleted scenes, a drunken rant, and some looks. ) because of late I have noticed a lot of people moving in that direction, and I say, good on all of you! There are ways to make him human without loosing his Jack-y quality and humor. That said? I was considering not continuing. Really, I have quite a few reviews and people seem to be supportive, but I am my own worst critic and I'm forever finding things wrong, and getting discouraged, and all that. But in the end I decided to finish this because I need the outlet and I don't like not finishing things. So no matter how bad I butcher things, it will get finished. Also? Apologies for any stupid typos. I have no beta, and spell check misses some things. :\
Oh, and another thing, I'm putting review replies at the bottom to save space, from now on.
AND I have noticed being on some favorites lists of people that haven't reviewed. GRRR on you all. :X If you read then please review, unless you are only reading because this is a trainwreck that you can't stop looking at. But if you are liking it, then that encouragement is always welcome. I'm not gonna kill you if you don't, but, it would just be nice.
Um, yah, last note, on pain of death: I have taken liberties with the historical timeline simply because some of these people didn't exist at the same time, and some execution dates would have already passed. But other than that I've stayed true to every history book I've ever read. :D
On with the story...
****************************************************************************************************
Now, when a Captain sets out on what most would deem a suicide mission, there naturally starts to be concern amongst the crew. Normally in the pirate world every important move was put to a vote, and usually Jack followed that rule because he wasn't a tyrant, and he didn't want any reason for anyone to commit a mutiny. But, in this case, caught up in his daze, he didn't ask what the rest of men aboard thought about staying in the newly renovated Tortuga.
"Lost his bleedin' mind, `e as!" Kursar whispered harshly to Matelot.
The two men had jumped to work when Jack gave the order, but that did not keep them from discussing the turn of events. In fact, that's what most of the crew was doing, in hushed voices and out of Jack's range of hearing.
"But `e's never really `ad much a mind ta begin with, aye? D'ye see the way `e acts round `is wench?" The man jabbed a finger in Elizabeth's direction.
Kursar looked up from his chore and gave a sage nod, "S'gone soft."
"So what's ta be done about it?" A voice came, both men looked down. Marty stood, hand on his hips, looking rather impatient.
Before Kursar or Matelot could answer another of the crew joined them.
"Y'can get back ta work, that's what can be done!" Gibbs bellowed, "An` I don't want no more of this talk, y'hear? If I didn't know any better I'd say both of you was plannin' somethin', eh? Cap'n might not be too keen on that." He paused dramatically and thoughtfully, for emphasis, before adding, "And `e is still yer Captain, whether daft or no, you'd do well to remember that!"
All three conspirators fell quiet, their collective sets of eyes shooting daggers at the retreating first mate. Still, they knew they Jack would no hesitate to have them keelhauled, thrown overboard, shot, stabbed, or otherwise punished for anything resembling planning a mutiny. It was one subject that he was touchy on.
It wasn't that any of the crew hated Elizabeth, really. They had actually grown quite fond of her, and knew that she had some skill. The best proof of this was, of course, during the battle between the Interceptor and the Black Pearl two years prior. But, the fact remained that she softened the Captain, and she was a woman. It was bad enough having Anamaria, many of them believed, but two women was just crossing the line. In any case, it was nothing personal, against Elizabeth or Jack.
Even though he had quieted the potential troublemakers, Gibbs understood their fears. There had been many times that he had tried to approach Jack, but it was nearly impossible. The first mate feared what would happen if the Captain did not start listening to his crew.
Jack stood at the helm of his ship, looking every bit a Captain, his hair blowing in its own self possessed wind. There was a sort of pride of his face as he navigated the harbor of Tortuga. It was unclear to Elizabeth, who was standing by his side, whether he was in shock, or just didn't care. She knew the latter wasn't true, and decided on the former.
The real answer was neither, though. Jack knew full well what had happened in Tortuga. The Spanish had taken over, probably sometime after he had deposited Charles Vane on shore and set sail for Port Royal. They had taken over and the pirates had done nothing. Beneath the cool exterior that he had managed to put on after his initial shock he was a lot of things—he was livid, he was confused, and most of all, he was scared. Though he would admit none of these things, least of all the fear.
He remained calm now because he knew that letting authorities know he had any vulnerability at all would be his downfall. It was one thing to let Elizabeth know he had a softer side, as well as his crew, to a lesser extent, but to survive in this game you could never let the enemy know. So just as he had done upon entrance to Port Royal, he would hold his head high and proud and sail in like a pirate. Like a pirate who cared about nothing and feared no one. He would do that to serve his purpose.
Based on the timeframe Jack knew this much: there still had to be some pirates in Tortuga. The journey from the island to Port Royal is six days round trip, he knew that the take over had transpired during that time, and so it was highly unlikely that any reminisce of the former inhabitants would be wiped away so soon. The intention of the Captain of the Black Pearl was to find those pirates, and use their recent defeat to convince them to fight. Yes, yes, he himself was shocked at the idea that something was worth fighting for. Jack Sparrow spent his entire life taking the quickest and easiest route to any means, but that wasn't possible this time. He wasn't the sort to go looking for a cause to believe in, but if something wasn't done then his way of life would end, and there would no more ... well, anything.
It was one of those nothing to loose and everything to gain situations.
Jack certainly didn't want to be the martyr of piracy. He wasn't looking to be a hero. But he believed in his freedom, regaining that freedom had been his driving force for ten years, and now that it had been reclaimed he'd be damned if it was taken again.
Bravery or not, though, the noose was not something he looked forward to.
Elizabeth stood silently, chewing her lip furiously, racking her brain for anything that would talk sense into Jack. Hands were placed on her hips and she was looking every part the mother, but he didn't take notice. Going in, guns blazing, was not Jack's style at all, and she knew that, but his silent planning that she was not ever privy to until the 'opportune moment' drove her insane. For all she knew this really was a suicide mission, but the part of her that knew Jack knew that he wouldn't take the coward's way out. He may be a lot of things, but he was certainly not a coward.
Will did nothing at first, only kept staring out in the trance that he had been in for the majority of the trip. It was only after he realized the magnitude of what was doing on that he felt pity for Jack, and before he could stop himself to remember his bitterness, shot numerous glares at crew members who were speaking against their Captain. The blacksmith helped where he could at first, but upon finding that most jobs were filled and there was nothing he could do, he reluctantly started in the direction of Jack and Elizabeth. This was bigger than his anger and hurt, he realized, it was bigger than anything.
He would help. Because he was able. He needed no other reason.
Jack's kohl gaze broke its hold on the horizon for a second and he cast a sideways glance at Turner, who returned the look, and nodded as if nothing was amiss. Elizabeth caught the moment and couldn't help but smile despite herself, placing a thankful hand on Will's arm. They would go in as friends. Or at least something resembling. Hands at his hips, Will accessed the situation in a nonchalant manner.
"Certainty of death. Small chance of success." He shrugged, "What are we waiting for?"
There was silence for what seemed like forever, but in the end all three were unable to hold back laughter. They must have been quite the spectacle for the rest of the crew: The pirate, the lady and the blacksmith in a fit on uproarious laughter on the brink of such a dangerous mission. Though, for the three involved, it seemed quite fitting.
By the time all men were loaded into the boats, and said boats were rowed ashore, it was night. Jack walked proudly through the streets of Tortuga, which to his relief had only been quieted the slightest bit, Elizabeth on his arm and Will at his side. Elizabeth counted it a fortunate thing that she had had time to change out of the dress she'd been wearing in Port Royal, as the only dress wearing women in Tortuga were whores.
The first order of business was to find like minded people for Jack's not so noble cause, meaning, pirates. And where does one find pirates? In a tavern, of course.
As the group entered the Faithful Bride it became obvious that discerning friend or foe was going to be difficult. There was an assortment of characters present, many of them appeared very pirate, indeed, but there were a few who were almost impossible to peg down. No one looked blatantly military. Tricky bastards, Jack thought. How am I gonna figure who's wh—the idea came to him almost immediately. Sauntering into the center of the room Jack threw his hands out and announced as loudly as he could something that was sure to get the attention of everyone in the building.
"God save King Philip!"
It was one of those moments where you would be able to hear a pin drop, or crickets chirping. Jack stole a quick peak over his shoulder because the sounds of swords being drawn told him that he may have gone a bit too far, and would need a quick means of escape. Will and Elizabeth, who were already wondering if the pirate had lost his mind, now had their suspicions confirmed. Though on the upside, and just as Sparrow had planned, he was now able to tell that ninety percent of the patrons were, in fact, against Spain. Though, that knowledge would do him little good if they managed to cut his throat for claiming loyalty, false as it was, to the king. Now surrounded, our heroes stood back to back, Jack could do nothing but put on his most charming and apologetic grin, while Elizabeth thrust a hand into the pocket of her breeches searching for her dagger, and Will stood ready to draw his sword.
"Wonderful idea, Jack." Elizabeth shot.
"Yes, your best yet." Will agreed. In his lingering annoyance he added, "Perhaps, it was me who should have begged you not to do anything stupid."
Jack said nothing to his critics, his hand resting now on the hilt of his sword. "Gents, I'm sure this is all just a big misunderstand. Can't we all be civilized here?" As usual his extravagant gestures punctuated his every word, as if simply speaking was not enough to get his point across.
A voice came from the crowd, one that Jack recognized almost at once. "You see, mate, the problem with that suggestion, is that this is Tortuga." The statement was followed by laughter from the speaker and the gathering pirates. Pushing through the mass of people the owner of the voice finally appeared. "Fine mess yer in, eh, Jack?"
The first thing Elizabeth noticed about the pirate who had stepped forward was that he seemed to gesture in the same absurd manner as Jack. The second thing she noticed was that expression on Jack's face had changed to one that wasn't nearly as fearful. He looked happy, before answering.
"You know me, Jack." He shrugged.
Did he just call him Jack? Both Elizabeth and Will looked at each other, equally confused.
The newcomer shrugged, as if to say that, yes, he did know Jack. Slapping one of the angry mob on the back he spoke to the entire crowd.
"That's enough, lads. `E's an old friend of mine." He nodded in Jack's direction. "Didn't mean no harm."
That seemed enough of an explanation and soon there were only four people standing. Jack, Elizabeth, Will and the pirate who had just saved them. Elizabeth was still staring at the man, trying to figure out just who he was. Before she was able to question anything Jack moved from her side and threw an arm around the other man, who did likewise, but only for a second. Both seemed quite disgusted with the outburst and moved backward a few steps, regaining their pirate cool and composure. Once that was that, Sparrow finally turned to his lover and placed a possessive arm on her shoulder.
"'Lizabeth, luv." He beamed. "Allow me to introduce a dear friend of mine."
Dramatic pause.
"Calico Jack Rackham."
****************************************************************************************************
Terreis: You never can know with Jack, hence the name of this chapter. :D Anyways, here is the article that said Keira was gonna play Johnny's lover. Also, Dha-gal does parodies of each of my chapters in her reviews. –nods-
Inu lover: Those are good idea, I've actually thought about a few of them before, but I gotta figure out how to do it so it won't just come off as being an obvious plot device. But more than likely I will end up doing one of those things. Might even end up having character death. Who knows? Thanks for the input!
Dha-gal: You should feel loved! :D Lmfao, the image of Gibbs kissing Will is going to haunt my dreams forever. You realize that, right?
Cap'n Keira Sparrow & JackSparrowsBooty: Thanks, guys!
The next chapter will probably be out this weekend. I'm very full of ideas right now.