AN: okay, hope it isn't too confusing; the points of view/locations of the
characters might switch around kind of quickly-
And I'm getting bored with just thanking my reviewers so-
*gets up and hugs computer then gives it a big kiss*
Thanks!
Disclaimer: The only things that are mine are the plot, the bad guy, and the new girl. Everything else *sob* is Disney's.
________________
Chapter 11: Confrontations
_________________
Day 10: Nightfall.
It was quiet. The gentle ocean waves made nearly no sound and none of the mournful cries by tropical birds were distinguishable. The oars of Ana's rowboat seemed unnaturally loud as she and the ten men accompanying her crew rowed alongside the boat that they had viewed earlier as just a smudge in the distance. The Pearl and the Dauntless had gotten as close as possible to the ship without being noticed, but it wasn't possible to see the ship's name or any identifying marks. Ana and several redcoats and crewmembers from the Pearl were on a mission to identify if this was the ship that held Captain Jack Sparrow, the Scrounge of the Seven Seas.
The pirate woman's doubts crept back as they approached the dark ship looming forebodingly over them, and those little voices in her head whispered mercilessly that it was quite possible that Jack wasn't on the ship and that they had locked him away somewhere on land, given him up to be hung, or even killed him themselves.
Ana lit the small lantern she was holding as they approached the stern of the ship. The redcoats had their rifles ready and aimed upwards in case someone shouted a warning shot and they were spotted. She held the lantern aloft against the script that clearly indicated the ship's name. There in blood red letters it was: The Incorrigible.
A murmur went up from the crew of Anamaria's boat. She silenced them with a threatening look. Ana pointed back towards the rocky cliff behind which the Dauntless and the Pearl had made anchor and very slowly and cautiously, the rowboat's progress brought Anamaria farther from Captain Jack Sparrow.
James caught Ana's arm to steady her as she was one of the first crewmembers to climb aboard the Dauntless from the teeny boat. "That's it," she told him in a hushed whisper that didn't quite conceal her impatience. "That's our ship."
Elizabeth let out a little gasp as she realized what was happening. "We're going to attack tonight? Just like that?" she asked Will in a barely audible whisper. Will nodded with a grim smile.
Tonight they were going to reunited Jack Sparrow with his Pearl.
_________________________
Eve shifted uncomfortably in her cell. She hadn't eaten in several days and her stomach protested loudly. Eve frowned to herself. She should not be the one who was complaining. The poor man, er, Captain, had been beaten and tortured in God himself knew what way. She knew that Captain Sparrow was awake; she'd heard him sigh and shift only moments before. Even in the dim light she could see parts of his shirt soaked through with blood and how he winced anytime he moved. She clenched her fists. What awful men would do this to a defenseless man?
In her twenty-four years, Eve had been far from sheltered throughout her life; as a barmaid she'd seen her fair share of brawls and horrid people, but the crew on this ship was downright ruthless. She wasn't a simpleton; she also knew that this was a slave ship. She also knew that too many innocent men and women and even children had been claimed by this ship in this very hold. Eve shuddered; those poor, poor innocents.
The woman rose and peered through a knothole in the wood into the black abyss. She heard a faint 'popping' noise in the distance and frowned, her brow furrowing. "What was that?" she whispered, more to herself than anyone. Somewhere above and to her right she heard a loud explosion and crash as if something had fallen.
Jack Sparrow's eyes flew open. He ignored the shooting pains throughout his body and sat bolt upright, grabbing the iron bars to support himself as he hauled himself to his feet. His vision spun and his head pounded, but with wide, clear eyes, he met the woman's puzzled gaze through the dim light. "I know those guns," he drawled thoughtfully.
____________________
James stood at his post, the diagram of the Incorrigible lying open on a table in front of him. Anamaria, Gibbs, and Will had protested the use of the cannons, but eventually James had been able to convince the concerned friends that it was the best way to weaken the other ship's defenses before sending people in. Besides, he had reassured the still doubtful woman, with the diagram of the Incorrigible, they knew what region of the ship Jack was being kept in and with the precision of both the Dauntless' and Pearl's guns could attack in such a way that there was almost no chance of harming Jack.
He looked down along the Dautnless' deck and saw clearly Anamaria standing there giving orders on where to fire, her face expressionless. James shook his head. If-no, when Jack was returned to his ship, he was going to have to tell a certain pirate captain how lucky he was. After several minutes of firing and progressively creeping closer to the vessel, now filled with shouts and the sounds of destruction, the Dauntless and Pearl had surrounded the Incorrigible from two sides and were less than ten yards away.
"All those designated, prepare to board!" James heard Anamaria call out sharply. He motioned to his quartermaster, who echoed the same reply. Grappling hooks swung out of the darkness to firmly hook on to the ship under attack.
They had argued this earlier and it was finally decided that Gibbs, Elizabeth, and James himself would stay aboard the ships and control the snipers and attacks from there while Anamaria, Will, half the crew of the Pearl and half the troops of the Dauntless would board the Incorrigible to search for Jack and subdue most of the crew. Somewhat later, James and several of his men would board the Incorrigible to hopefully arrest Evans. Anamaria had warned him that the man might be impossible to subdue peacefully and it was more than likely he would have to be wounded or knocked unconscious to stop him.
Anamaria grasped her rope tightly, her pistol tightly in hand, another in her belt, and sword strapped securely to her waist. She could already see bodies strewn about the Incorrigible. She had memorized the diagram of the Incorrigible's interior and with the assumption that Jack had been locked somewhere in the ship's all-out prison, had a pretty good idea of where she was headed. "Go!" She shouted. All at once, the boarding crew swung out and landed aboard the Incorrigible, sniper's aboard the Dauntless and Pearl protecting their entrance.
Ana landed on deck with a thud. She straightened up, a man's rushing cry to her right catching her immediate attention. She aimed and shot him in the leg. The man went down. Ana motioned to her team of three redcoats who James had insisted accompany her on her mission to find Jack. She glanced around as she approached the stairs, and saw Will fighting off two large burly men.
"Move!" she yelled at the three redcoats, and they scattered. She went down on one knee, aimed, and took out one of Will's assailants with a shot to the head. Will glanced up, surprised, as he easily fought off the other one. Ana grinned at him and saluted.
She ran down the stairs, pausing to lift a lantern off the wall as she passed it. The redcoats stomped along behind her and she passed through the large iron door with a resounding clang.
____________________________
Eve stared at Jack after he made his statement. She narrowed her eyes, "What do you m-" the man sagged against the bars and stumbled backwards to collapse against the bench. "Captain Sparrow!" she exclaimed. "Captain Sparrow, are you alright?"
Jack didn't answer her. He felt his consciousness slipping somewhat, due to blood loss, hunger, dehydration, or perhaps even relief that his ship was coming after him, he didn't know. Jack fought to keep his eyes open. The Pearl, she was coming.
No, he argued with himself. Damaged as she had been not too long ago, the Pearl couldn't face a ruthless crew like this on such a heavily armed ship. Not without help, they couldn't. Jack hoped that Gibbs had found help. His mind wandered and he found himself floating between consciousness and unconsciousness, blocking out the lass's concerned voice from across the way. He lost track of time. Jack wondered if Ana was with Gibbs. He hoped Gibbs hadn't been stupid enough to bring the girl that they were hunting straight to these bastards.
He heard the clang of the metal door above him. Jack's body jerked somewhat and he became slightly more conscious. Those men wouldn't break him. He wouldn't let himself betray Ana. Those bastards wouldn't get-
"Jack Sparrow?"
Jack jerked his head up at the voice, trying to raise himself up to a sitting position. He somewhat succeeded, propping himself up against the wall.
"Anamaria?" he asked, confused. He caught sight of the three men behind her and his expression turned murderous. "Oh, bloody hell, Ana," he said furiously, "Did ye let them get ye, too?"
Ana's concerned and frightened face swam before his eyes as it appeared on the other side of those blasted bars. He almost swore he saw her eyes fill up with tears. "No, Jack. We're getting ye out of here." She said sharply. Ana looked around impatiently for the keys and, unable to find them, raised her pistol and shot the lock open.
Anamaria spun around, pistol raised when she heard a scream from another cell. A young woman was cowering in a corner, her face streaked with tears. "Shut-up," Ana told her harshly, "Or do ye want the whole bloody crew knowing we're here?"
Ana motioned to one of the redcoats to release the woman, and then turned around and ignored her, turning her focus to Jack. She set down her light on a dry patch of floor and pushed open the door to his cell. Ana's joy at finding him here and alive was short lived. Her eyes roamed his body, taking in the torn and bloodstained shirt and britches and the raw flesh on his wrists.
Ana fell to her knees in the shallow water beside the bench and put out a trembling hand, stopping just before she reached his pale face. Jack seized it, linking her fingers in his and pressed the back of her palm against his cracked lips then rubbed it gently across his cheek, closing his eyes and heaving a sigh.
Ana choked back a sob. Those bastards, what had they done to him? She had never seen a Jack Sparrow like this before. "Jack," she whispered. She opened her mouth but the words stuck in her throat. Jack opened his eyes and watched the salty pearls travel down her cheeks. Jack used his free hand to force himself up into a straight sitting position, every part of his body with the exception of his heart screaming in protest. Ana gently put her free hand on the back of his shoulder to steady him, praying that she was not hurting him more.
Jack gritted his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut. After a moment the word stopped its crazy spin and he could see Anamaria's eyes, dark with anger and emotion clearly. He pushed her damp hair back from her face with their joined hands and leaned down clumsily to press his lips against hers.
He felt Ana trembling and tasted the salt of her tears on her lips. He kissed her forehead and muttered thickly, "I'm not dreamin' of ye again, am I Ana?"
Ana shook her head slowly, biting her lip. She took their joined hands and pressed the back of his palm against her heartbeat so he could feel it. Jack let out a tired but relieved sigh and bowed his head, burying it in her shoulder. He breathed in her hair and she could a few drops of moisture dampen her shirt. "No," she whispered.
_____________________
AN: -- sob. I know, it's not a funny one. Yes, I know you all must be wondering curiously, what has happened to our other heroes and heroine back topside and aboard the Pearl and Dauntless? And what happens to Ana and Jack? And that girl, Eve, what does she have to do with anything?
Ahh, All the questions that must be answered! Patience, my dear Watson.
Disclaimer: The only things that are mine are the plot, the bad guy, and the new girl. Everything else *sob* is Disney's.
________________
Chapter 11: Confrontations
_________________
Day 10: Nightfall.
It was quiet. The gentle ocean waves made nearly no sound and none of the mournful cries by tropical birds were distinguishable. The oars of Ana's rowboat seemed unnaturally loud as she and the ten men accompanying her crew rowed alongside the boat that they had viewed earlier as just a smudge in the distance. The Pearl and the Dauntless had gotten as close as possible to the ship without being noticed, but it wasn't possible to see the ship's name or any identifying marks. Ana and several redcoats and crewmembers from the Pearl were on a mission to identify if this was the ship that held Captain Jack Sparrow, the Scrounge of the Seven Seas.
The pirate woman's doubts crept back as they approached the dark ship looming forebodingly over them, and those little voices in her head whispered mercilessly that it was quite possible that Jack wasn't on the ship and that they had locked him away somewhere on land, given him up to be hung, or even killed him themselves.
Ana lit the small lantern she was holding as they approached the stern of the ship. The redcoats had their rifles ready and aimed upwards in case someone shouted a warning shot and they were spotted. She held the lantern aloft against the script that clearly indicated the ship's name. There in blood red letters it was: The Incorrigible.
A murmur went up from the crew of Anamaria's boat. She silenced them with a threatening look. Ana pointed back towards the rocky cliff behind which the Dauntless and the Pearl had made anchor and very slowly and cautiously, the rowboat's progress brought Anamaria farther from Captain Jack Sparrow.
James caught Ana's arm to steady her as she was one of the first crewmembers to climb aboard the Dauntless from the teeny boat. "That's it," she told him in a hushed whisper that didn't quite conceal her impatience. "That's our ship."
Elizabeth let out a little gasp as she realized what was happening. "We're going to attack tonight? Just like that?" she asked Will in a barely audible whisper. Will nodded with a grim smile.
Tonight they were going to reunited Jack Sparrow with his Pearl.
_________________________
Eve shifted uncomfortably in her cell. She hadn't eaten in several days and her stomach protested loudly. Eve frowned to herself. She should not be the one who was complaining. The poor man, er, Captain, had been beaten and tortured in God himself knew what way. She knew that Captain Sparrow was awake; she'd heard him sigh and shift only moments before. Even in the dim light she could see parts of his shirt soaked through with blood and how he winced anytime he moved. She clenched her fists. What awful men would do this to a defenseless man?
In her twenty-four years, Eve had been far from sheltered throughout her life; as a barmaid she'd seen her fair share of brawls and horrid people, but the crew on this ship was downright ruthless. She wasn't a simpleton; she also knew that this was a slave ship. She also knew that too many innocent men and women and even children had been claimed by this ship in this very hold. Eve shuddered; those poor, poor innocents.
The woman rose and peered through a knothole in the wood into the black abyss. She heard a faint 'popping' noise in the distance and frowned, her brow furrowing. "What was that?" she whispered, more to herself than anyone. Somewhere above and to her right she heard a loud explosion and crash as if something had fallen.
Jack Sparrow's eyes flew open. He ignored the shooting pains throughout his body and sat bolt upright, grabbing the iron bars to support himself as he hauled himself to his feet. His vision spun and his head pounded, but with wide, clear eyes, he met the woman's puzzled gaze through the dim light. "I know those guns," he drawled thoughtfully.
____________________
James stood at his post, the diagram of the Incorrigible lying open on a table in front of him. Anamaria, Gibbs, and Will had protested the use of the cannons, but eventually James had been able to convince the concerned friends that it was the best way to weaken the other ship's defenses before sending people in. Besides, he had reassured the still doubtful woman, with the diagram of the Incorrigible, they knew what region of the ship Jack was being kept in and with the precision of both the Dauntless' and Pearl's guns could attack in such a way that there was almost no chance of harming Jack.
He looked down along the Dautnless' deck and saw clearly Anamaria standing there giving orders on where to fire, her face expressionless. James shook his head. If-no, when Jack was returned to his ship, he was going to have to tell a certain pirate captain how lucky he was. After several minutes of firing and progressively creeping closer to the vessel, now filled with shouts and the sounds of destruction, the Dauntless and Pearl had surrounded the Incorrigible from two sides and were less than ten yards away.
"All those designated, prepare to board!" James heard Anamaria call out sharply. He motioned to his quartermaster, who echoed the same reply. Grappling hooks swung out of the darkness to firmly hook on to the ship under attack.
They had argued this earlier and it was finally decided that Gibbs, Elizabeth, and James himself would stay aboard the ships and control the snipers and attacks from there while Anamaria, Will, half the crew of the Pearl and half the troops of the Dauntless would board the Incorrigible to search for Jack and subdue most of the crew. Somewhat later, James and several of his men would board the Incorrigible to hopefully arrest Evans. Anamaria had warned him that the man might be impossible to subdue peacefully and it was more than likely he would have to be wounded or knocked unconscious to stop him.
Anamaria grasped her rope tightly, her pistol tightly in hand, another in her belt, and sword strapped securely to her waist. She could already see bodies strewn about the Incorrigible. She had memorized the diagram of the Incorrigible's interior and with the assumption that Jack had been locked somewhere in the ship's all-out prison, had a pretty good idea of where she was headed. "Go!" She shouted. All at once, the boarding crew swung out and landed aboard the Incorrigible, sniper's aboard the Dauntless and Pearl protecting their entrance.
Ana landed on deck with a thud. She straightened up, a man's rushing cry to her right catching her immediate attention. She aimed and shot him in the leg. The man went down. Ana motioned to her team of three redcoats who James had insisted accompany her on her mission to find Jack. She glanced around as she approached the stairs, and saw Will fighting off two large burly men.
"Move!" she yelled at the three redcoats, and they scattered. She went down on one knee, aimed, and took out one of Will's assailants with a shot to the head. Will glanced up, surprised, as he easily fought off the other one. Ana grinned at him and saluted.
She ran down the stairs, pausing to lift a lantern off the wall as she passed it. The redcoats stomped along behind her and she passed through the large iron door with a resounding clang.
____________________________
Eve stared at Jack after he made his statement. She narrowed her eyes, "What do you m-" the man sagged against the bars and stumbled backwards to collapse against the bench. "Captain Sparrow!" she exclaimed. "Captain Sparrow, are you alright?"
Jack didn't answer her. He felt his consciousness slipping somewhat, due to blood loss, hunger, dehydration, or perhaps even relief that his ship was coming after him, he didn't know. Jack fought to keep his eyes open. The Pearl, she was coming.
No, he argued with himself. Damaged as she had been not too long ago, the Pearl couldn't face a ruthless crew like this on such a heavily armed ship. Not without help, they couldn't. Jack hoped that Gibbs had found help. His mind wandered and he found himself floating between consciousness and unconsciousness, blocking out the lass's concerned voice from across the way. He lost track of time. Jack wondered if Ana was with Gibbs. He hoped Gibbs hadn't been stupid enough to bring the girl that they were hunting straight to these bastards.
He heard the clang of the metal door above him. Jack's body jerked somewhat and he became slightly more conscious. Those men wouldn't break him. He wouldn't let himself betray Ana. Those bastards wouldn't get-
"Jack Sparrow?"
Jack jerked his head up at the voice, trying to raise himself up to a sitting position. He somewhat succeeded, propping himself up against the wall.
"Anamaria?" he asked, confused. He caught sight of the three men behind her and his expression turned murderous. "Oh, bloody hell, Ana," he said furiously, "Did ye let them get ye, too?"
Ana's concerned and frightened face swam before his eyes as it appeared on the other side of those blasted bars. He almost swore he saw her eyes fill up with tears. "No, Jack. We're getting ye out of here." She said sharply. Ana looked around impatiently for the keys and, unable to find them, raised her pistol and shot the lock open.
Anamaria spun around, pistol raised when she heard a scream from another cell. A young woman was cowering in a corner, her face streaked with tears. "Shut-up," Ana told her harshly, "Or do ye want the whole bloody crew knowing we're here?"
Ana motioned to one of the redcoats to release the woman, and then turned around and ignored her, turning her focus to Jack. She set down her light on a dry patch of floor and pushed open the door to his cell. Ana's joy at finding him here and alive was short lived. Her eyes roamed his body, taking in the torn and bloodstained shirt and britches and the raw flesh on his wrists.
Ana fell to her knees in the shallow water beside the bench and put out a trembling hand, stopping just before she reached his pale face. Jack seized it, linking her fingers in his and pressed the back of her palm against his cracked lips then rubbed it gently across his cheek, closing his eyes and heaving a sigh.
Ana choked back a sob. Those bastards, what had they done to him? She had never seen a Jack Sparrow like this before. "Jack," she whispered. She opened her mouth but the words stuck in her throat. Jack opened his eyes and watched the salty pearls travel down her cheeks. Jack used his free hand to force himself up into a straight sitting position, every part of his body with the exception of his heart screaming in protest. Ana gently put her free hand on the back of his shoulder to steady him, praying that she was not hurting him more.
Jack gritted his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut. After a moment the word stopped its crazy spin and he could see Anamaria's eyes, dark with anger and emotion clearly. He pushed her damp hair back from her face with their joined hands and leaned down clumsily to press his lips against hers.
He felt Ana trembling and tasted the salt of her tears on her lips. He kissed her forehead and muttered thickly, "I'm not dreamin' of ye again, am I Ana?"
Ana shook her head slowly, biting her lip. She took their joined hands and pressed the back of his palm against her heartbeat so he could feel it. Jack let out a tired but relieved sigh and bowed his head, burying it in her shoulder. He breathed in her hair and she could a few drops of moisture dampen her shirt. "No," she whispered.
_____________________
AN: -- sob. I know, it's not a funny one. Yes, I know you all must be wondering curiously, what has happened to our other heroes and heroine back topside and aboard the Pearl and Dauntless? And what happens to Ana and Jack? And that girl, Eve, what does she have to do with anything?
Ahh, All the questions that must be answered! Patience, my dear Watson.
