Things Fall Apart
14 seeing double
Disclaimer: Same as always.
Author's Note: The tone of this chapter is much lighter than the last couple have been. Because, like the movie, there has to be heavy moments and light ones. Besides, after all the drama, and the depression I know I am gonna put you guys through, you deserve it. For my own sake, and to avoid much confusion, I have taken to calling both Jacks mostly by their last names. It's not a constant thing but you will notice that I do it a lot. Also, unlike Charles Vane, I intend to make Rackham and his two lovely ladies permanent or at least semi permanent fixtures in my story. Because of conflicting historical references and different stories that have been passed down, some things may not be exactly as you have heard before. I've read a lot of different things about how Calico Jack became Captain, and the one I've chosen to use is the scenario in which he was voted into position and Vane was voted out. There is another story that says vane gave him a ship and they finally spit over a liquor dispute. As far as the circumstances surround his trial and murder, well, for obvious reasons, that's going to change a bit.
Oh, and here and two things you might actually want to read regarding this chapter.
Grog is rum, lemon juice, water and sugar.
Bombo is rum, nutmeg, water and sugar.
&& The story that Anne and Mary tell is a true one. When Mary Read first joined Jack's crew everyone thought she was a man. Anne fell in love with her and when she revealed herself as a woman to the 'young sailor' Mary Read did the same. It must have been . . . a pretty funny / embarrassing moment, eh?
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The first thing she noted was that his clothing seemed to be made entirely from calico, a material that came from India, hence the nickname. The pirate was no taller than Jack, and he didn't seem to have a much larger build, either. There were ribbons tied here and there in his hair, and he wore a large hat to top it all off. The general air about him was unthreatening, and thus, Elizabeth smiled, though the name clearly meant nothing to her.
"Pleased to meet you." Even a year aboard a pirate ship had done nothing to purge the girl of manners.
"Likewise, miss--?" He left the sentence open.
"Elizabeth Swann." Jack answered for her.
Rackham looked surprised for a moment, and then there was a flicker of understanding that played across his features. He smiled, almost knowingly.
"Ah." He nodded. "So, this is the Miss Swann, then?"
Realization dawned on Sparrow as well, who only laughed. "Aye, she's the one."
Arching a brow, Elizabeth looked to both Jacks and Will, though none offered her an answer. Clearly Rackham was familiar with her name and Sparrow had been the one to mention it. She felt her face grow hot at the notion of Jack talking about her before they had entered into a relationship. What had he said? Was it good? As it turned out, the words between the two pirates had not been about love.
"Oy! Jack!" Rackham clutched his chest in mock horror and took a step backward, "You've taken up with the insane pyromaniac who harmed the rum!?"
Jack nodded, beaming proudly, and squeezed Elizabeth's shoulder. "That's right, Jack" He characteristically narrowed his eyes and learned forward, "What of it?"
Calico Jack raised his hands in surrender, and shrugged. Elizabeth, mouth agape, moved from under Jack's arm, and glared up at him, hands on her hips, foot tapping impatiently.
"You told him about that!?" She demanded, slapping his arm was every word was spoken.
She wasn't really cross with him. Instead, she resembled a little old woman, reprimanding her husband of fifty years.
"Ow, ow, bloody ow!" Jack humored her in her little outburst. His face went solemn for a moment and he explained. "It's not everyday that something as dreadfully traumatizing as burned rum happens." He looked away, as if still mourning said rum, even after two years. "How's a man supposed to deal and move on if he can't share his pain with his mates?" He offered a gold capped grin, which quickly faded, and shifted nervously.
Elizabeth was clearly unimpressed by her answer, but something, beneath all her annoyance, she found it endearing. She looked to Rackham, who, oddly enough, wore the same apologetic grin as Sparrow, as if he feared her wrath as well.
Will was not enjoying the show, and, it was taking a great deal of strength to keep him from drawing his sword. He did his best to wear a pleasant and passive expression whenever someone happened to look his way. After remaining silent for some time he finally cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention.
"Don't we have some business to take care of?" He reminded the group.
Jack Sparrow held a finger aloft, as if just remembering, "You're absolutely right." Taking the arm of the nearest passing serving wench he said, "I'll have a grog." And then, nodding towards Elizabeth, "And a bombo for the lady. Right, luv?"
Elizabeth nodded wordlessly, pleased that he had remembered what she usually drank. The wench looked to Will.
"And you?" She asked, noting that Rackham already held a mug in his hands.
"Well," Turner thought for a moment, "this wasn't the type of business I had in mind. But," Another pause. "do you have water?"
The group stared, as if it was the most absurd utterance in all of human history. Sparrow pressed a leather bound hand to his forehead and closed his eyes, imitating a sudden head ache as a byproduct of the blacksmith's naive ignorance.
"It's a tavern, William." He said, exasperated, "You wouldn't want to water here, anyway." Turning to the wench he rolled his eyes, silently apologizing for his friend, "Another grog."
He nodded, and the woman turned and went on her way.
There was another long pause in which all present simply stood, wondering what was to be said next. Jack didn't want to jump right into his crusade, especially now that there were drinks on the way. Elizabeth was still muttering a perfectly good defense of her rum burning ways, which was only heard by herself, and Will just stood, stoic and silent as ever. A pair of smaller hands, presumably female, were slipped under Calico Jack's arms, wrapping themselves around his torso in an embrace. He smiled, as if knowing already who to expect upon turning, and it was now his turn for introductions.
"And this," He began, pulling the woman to stand beside him. "is my lovely---" Pausing he tried to think up a suitable position for the woman he loved. What should he call her? Wife, friend, lover? Brows furrowed the woman frowned, and introduced herself, hand never leaving Rackham's side.
"—better half, Jack. I'm yer better bloody half." Noticing finally that our heroes were looking at her, she smiled, "M'names Anne."
"Anne Bonny." Her lover parroted.
"So good of you to remember the name of the woman you share a bed with." Came another female voice.
The speaker appeared, slinging a hand around Anne's shoulder, grinning. "Mary Read." The redhead said with confidence.
With all three now making some form of physical contact, it was easy to draw conclusions, and so Jack Sparrow did. Eyes wide, he quickly questioned how one man could have such good luck.
"You mean you're all—" He reworded, "---the three of you are—"
Rackham looked confused for a moment, but suddenly burst into a fit of laughter. Anne and Mary, obviously having had to of shot down such notions before, followed suit. "No, no." Anne replied, "Mary's me best mate, is all."
It seemed very strange, indeed, that two Captains who seemed so alike in mannerisms also both had two women on board his ship. It wasn't the type of thing anyone would say aloud, but still, it makes you wonder. Sparrow nodded, and dismissed the thoughts he had originally had, almost certain that a pirate wouldn't lie about such a thing. On the contrary, he'd brag. The Captain of the Black Pearl also made the silent decision not the speak of Rackham's alleged mutiny until the opportune moment.
Finally the drinks arrived and Calico Jack led everyone back to the table he had been occupying prior to the almost angry mob attack.
"---And so there I was, naked as the day I was born, confessin' my undyin' love, and what should happen but—"
"Well naturally I couldn't let the poor girl go on thinkin' I was a man. So I unbuttoned me shrit an' said 'Hey Annie, take a look at this'." Mary interrupted, pausing ever so often to snicker or snort at the memory she and Anne were relaying. "You should `ave seen yer face!" She pointed at Anne, and did quite a good impression of the face of a shocked woman.
Rackham nodded, "Aye, And you're lucky that you indulged in that bit of immodesty, Mary. I would `ave killed you meself if I thought you were movin' in on my territory." He threw a possessive arm around Anne.
All seated at the table burst into laughter again. It had been an hour since their first drinks arrived and the refills just kept coming and coming. Elizabeth calmed down in her giggles, a content smile on her face, as she watched the scene. It was with a great pleasure that she noticed Will was smiling as well. Maybe Jack was right, she thought, maybe he did just need to be drunk.
The light spirit of the entire moment was short lived though, as two armed Spanish guards entered the tavern. Jack looked to Elizabeth, who looked to Will, and all smiles faded.
"Well," Jack said gravely, "I think I just remembered what business we had here." Looking once more, saying volumes with his eyes, to those seated at his table, "I'd say it'd be best if we all `eaded back to our respective vessels, aye?"
"There's no need for that, mate." Rackham said hesitantly, eyeing the new guests, "How's about you and you're fine lady and friend `ere come back to my own humble sloop. No reason we should let a little military presence get in the way of a friendly reunion."
Sparrow thought for a moment, and nodded, rising to his feet and gathering his faded coat in his arms. Elizabeth and Will followed in standing, and all six headed through the door.
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JackSparrowsBooty: Definitely, he's my favorite pirate. I'm playing the whole 'he's just like Jack Sparrow' angle here. I certainly hope that I've done him justice, he deserves it.
Liz & Estelio*Duredhel: Both of you noticed my shout out to The Patriot, and, Return of the King. Yaaaaay!
Cap'n Keira Sparrow & jellybeanblondie & inu lover & Gimilisbraut: Thanks for your reviews! :D