A/N: I don't know if many of you will like this chapter, after much
editing, I still am not completely satisfied. Also anyone who read THE
JERRY SPRINGER SHOW fic that I wrote there IS A SEQEUL that I don't think
anyone has found judging by the lack of reviews. It's titled POTC: THE
JERRY SPRINGER CONCLUSIONS it hasn't gotten very far but still, you should
check it out! Also THE JUKE BOX will be put on hold until further notice I
want to get this done first and also the Springer stories.
P.S. Keep in mind that I do all of this myself and don't use a beta so there might be some errors, I have done my best. Exams are coming up and Thanksgiving in California, maybe I will see some of you guys there! That would be cool. So excuse lacking updates, feel free to mercilessly beat me with sausage sticks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ashley awoke as the first grayish lights of dawn were peaking over the horizon. Sleepily, she rubbed her eyelids and yawned.
~~**Feels good to be able to stretch without any pain**~~
Slowly, she rose to her feet and was able to stand. She began making her way to the edge of the ship, enjoying her freedom to move around once again. Although there was still soreness, overall she felt no throbbing from the still healing wound on her stomach.
When she reached the edge, she leaned over the wooden surface and shut her eyes, inhaling the salty scent of the ocean. She wanted to close her eyes and be lost in a world full of wind and waves, for while she was there she could forget all that had happened over the past months, and even years. Maybe she was a bird, soaring above everyone, or a cloud, lazily drifting across the sky. Before she knew it, a small smile was playing at her lips; a laugh was right behind it. She wanted to leap into the wind and be lost in it all, in the air, in the sea, in the sky, in everything.
"Wha's got yeh so happy?" So deep in her thoughts was she that she didn't hear the approaching footsteps.
The words jolted her out of her pleasant and beautiful world, and sent her crashing back down onto the ship, and into reality. Her eyes flickered open, and sighed softly as a frown replaced her once relaxed and unguarded face.
"Nothin'."
"Didn't look like nothin'."
"Well it was."
Gritting her teeth, she wanted to hit him; she wanted to make him bleed. Why did he always have to challenge her, fight her? The sooner she got away from him and Annamaria and Will and everyone else, the better she would be.
"I've always hated sunsets." Murmuring softly, she gazed at the golden sphere beginning to rise over the horizon. The words tumbling easily out of her usual firmly closed mouth.
"Is 'at so?" He replied idly, with a hint of nonchalance in his voice.
"Yeah. I always figur'd tha' at least when the sun set yeh knew yeh were done fer the day, and what was done was done. But when the sunrises, yeh don't know what's gonna happen or who yeh gonna meet."
There was silence for awhile as they both stared at the colors bursting across the morning sky. Jack spoke softly after the sun was halfway raised.
"But . . . without the sunrise, there would be no sunset. 'Sides, sunsets mean an end, sunrises mean beginning."
For a moment she was at a loss for words.
"Tha's rather insightful, Sparrow."
"Captain." He corrected as if the beautiful sentences he had just spoke had never been uttered.
"Yeh mean co-captain. Or did yeh forget the duel?"
The sun was now completely raised, and before Jack could argue, Gibbs, with most of the crew in tow was making his way onto the deck. Jack turned to nod at Gibbs and shout orders to his crew. When he was satisfied that they had heard his orders, he turned back to where he had been looking at the horizon. Ashley was gone, no doubt lost among the throng of pirates. In a barely audible whisper he said thoughtfully,
"Although sunrises are dull when it comes to color . . ."
~~**~~ "Tell me more about yer lass, Turner." Will looked up from a knot he had been tying to face Ashley. He was shocked to say the least,
"What are you doing up?"
"What? Yeh thought I was too much a weaklin' to handle any work? I believe I'm offended." For the second time that day she smirked, and Will grinned back.
"I'm glad your well."
"Stop avoiding the subject! Wha's she like?" She sounded to him almost like a gossipy woman back at Port Royale. Eyes full of curiosity, she sat in front of him in rapt attention.
"I already told you about my adventurous with Miss. Swann."
"Miss Swann? Kind of a bloody name is tha'?" Suddenly his eyes got a faraway look to them, and Ashley grabbed his shoulder lightly.
"Yeh'll right?"
"Mmm? Oh yes, fine." Shrugging, he went back to the knot he was tying, hoping that Ashley would leave.
"Yeh still love her, don't yeh?" He sighed at that, and stopped his work.
"Would it matter?"
"Depends, answer the question."
"I do miss her. I do care for her. But I have made my decision, I cannot go back."
"Who says?"
At a loss for words he frowned,
~~** Who does say I can't go back? **~~
"Jack."
"Hm?"
"Jack, my captain, I can't abandon him, or the crew."
Nodding, Ashley posed another question.
"If he gave yeh permission, would yeh go back fer her?"
"Do not speak of anything to him, Ashley." He whispered sharply. "This does not concern you."
"I see."
"Please, Ashley, please don't for my sake."
"All right. I won't." Will looked at her nervously, as she continued to avoid making eye contact with him.
~~** Please don't let her say anything to Jack. **~~
"Gel! Get over here and 'elp us with these sails." Ashley sighed and gave a mocking bow to Will.
"And if yeh'll excuse me, I shall be takin' my leave." Watching her stroll over to where Annamaria had called her, he shook his head and finished tying the knot, and began to tie another.
He really was too stupid for his own good. Always making rash decisions, never stopping to think if he would really remain content with them after a week or two. Was he happy on the ship with the crew and with Jack? Of course he was. Did he miss Elizabeth? Yes. Why? Because he loved her. But he also loved the sea. His heart felt as though it was being ripped in two and nothing could stop the ache that tore at both sides. A prisoner, yes that was what he was, a prisoner of himself. He had been forced to make the worst decision a person could have ever been forced to make. Whether he should remain with the one he loved, or escape to pursue the thing he loved. The two things he would die willingly for, the two things he would suffer for, Elizabeth Swann, and the sea, the unknowingly cruel masters of his heart.
~~**~~
"Captain Sparrow? Can I 'ave a word?"
"Depends, 'bout what?"
Ashley took a deep breath and sat down on the bed in the quarters she had remained in when she was ill. Sitting not too far away was Jack, digging through the drawers of the late Bleedin' Betty. He was finding a lot of alcohol, which was a very good thing, in his opinion.
"I think yeh should 'ave a talk with Turner."
"Concerning?"
"His bonnie lass." Still busy with another container he had found filled with a strong smelling substance, Jack did not respond.
"Are yeh even listening?" Jack made a loud 'ah ha' sound as he found yet another flask. Inspecting the dusty label he announced,
"Yer mum certainly had good taste."
Angrily she got up off of the bed and stood behind Jack who was still rifling through the drawers. She grabbed the bottle he was holding and flung it onto the ground, watching it shatter into hundreds of the pieces, the brown liquid began spreading across the floor like a swelling lake. Jack turned to her his eyes narrowed,
"Now *that* was uncalled for."
"Yer a blatherin' idiot! Turner needs to go back to Port Royale." She paused and then shouted even louder, "He needs to go back now!"
"Go back? To a place where I 'ave a price on me head? I don't think so." He waggled his fingers in his usual fashion and strode across to the other side of the room, where there was a chest. Rummaging though it, he began flinging things behind him as she continued to talk.
"Sparrow! Jus' look at the lad. Look at 'im! He's miserable, he wants to go back. He needs to go back. Can yeh think of someone other than yer bloody self and at least *try* to 'elp 'im."
"Where's the profit in it fer me?" He asked. He stopped throwing things when he found a leather bound book. Opening it, he began to turn some of the pages and then tossed it backwards. Ashley ducked as it narrowly missed skimming her forehead.
"Yeh, absolute ass! Yeh almost hit me! I swear when yer asleep I'll . . ." She stopped, frozen and unable to move. Gazing at the book's cover, she slowly bent over and gingerly traced her fingers over it.
"Yeh'll what?" Turning, Jack saw Ashley absolutely lost in thought. She was holding the book with shaking hands and was slowly turning the pages as if they were so delicate they might break if she breathed on them.
"Whasat?" He asked uninterestedly.
"I-I dunno. I think it might be 'ers." Her eyes remained glued to the pages, never looking up.
"Well, read it and find out."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"I don't know how."
Surprised, Jack's eyes widened slightly.
"Yeh don't know how to read?"
"Yeah, yeh got a problem with that?" Ashley snapped angrily.
"No, not at all. Few pirates I know can."
"I'm not a pirate." She mumbled, going back to stroking the pages. He watched her for a moment before walking over and snatching the book out of her hands.
"Lemme see that. . . hmm." He squinted at the words, holding the book close to his face. After a moment, he sat down in front of her and began to read.
"'Today Caroline almost fell off the ship. She was challenging Daphne to a duel, which was stupid seeing how Daphne is at least twice her age, and ended up on the ship's edge. I watched as she nearly stumbled but at the last moment grabbed onto the ledge. She climbed back aboard but fell over the other side, crashing onto the deck. Not only was she bleeding from her nose but a tooth was lost in the process as well. I scolded her on the stupidity of her choice. I try to teach her there is a time to fight with weapons and a time to fight with words. She seems to enjoy fighting with her sword while taunting her opponent. Her temper has gotten worse as well, sometimes it helps her remain alert and enhances her attacks, but other times it causes her to be lost in such a rage that she ends up making mistakes that are much too careless and could easily be avoided. Sometimes I wonder why I put up with her.'" Jack stopped and scratched his head.
"I think that's what it says. Can't figure out the next couple o' lines though." His dirty finger skimmed the worn pages until he found a sentence at the bottom.
"Aha! Here we go! ' . . . gets it from her father. So much like him, and not at all like me. She hasn't even got my hair or eyes. I foresee much failure and pain for her, and it will all be brought upon by herself. If only she had been born male so that I could have thrown her off the side of the ship, but I must admit that she will grow up to be a fierce and bold thief someday. Her skills will most likely be unmatched by anyone. But until that time she is little more than a nuisance and a child.'"
Jack paused again, looking at Ashley, watching her eyes stare off into space. Placing the book a few inches away from her lap, he stood up and was ready to leave.
"One question, if I may," he asked.
She nodded, still not making eye contact.
"Why does she call yeh Caroline? And yet yeh go by Ashley?"
A small sound between a laugh and a sniff escape her before she answered,
"I've just learned something. Yeh can call a brick a feather, but that don't make it weigh any less."
"Wha'sat supposed to mean?"
Shaking her head she laughed,
"Nothin', not a damn thing."
She waited until Jack was gone before looking at another passage, trying to imagine what it might say about her. Some words began to blur, and she carefully touched the wet stain on the paper, only to find another one appearing shortly after.
~~** So this is what it's like to cry? **~~
And she buried her head into her arms.
P.S. Keep in mind that I do all of this myself and don't use a beta so there might be some errors, I have done my best. Exams are coming up and Thanksgiving in California, maybe I will see some of you guys there! That would be cool. So excuse lacking updates, feel free to mercilessly beat me with sausage sticks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ashley awoke as the first grayish lights of dawn were peaking over the horizon. Sleepily, she rubbed her eyelids and yawned.
~~**Feels good to be able to stretch without any pain**~~
Slowly, she rose to her feet and was able to stand. She began making her way to the edge of the ship, enjoying her freedom to move around once again. Although there was still soreness, overall she felt no throbbing from the still healing wound on her stomach.
When she reached the edge, she leaned over the wooden surface and shut her eyes, inhaling the salty scent of the ocean. She wanted to close her eyes and be lost in a world full of wind and waves, for while she was there she could forget all that had happened over the past months, and even years. Maybe she was a bird, soaring above everyone, or a cloud, lazily drifting across the sky. Before she knew it, a small smile was playing at her lips; a laugh was right behind it. She wanted to leap into the wind and be lost in it all, in the air, in the sea, in the sky, in everything.
"Wha's got yeh so happy?" So deep in her thoughts was she that she didn't hear the approaching footsteps.
The words jolted her out of her pleasant and beautiful world, and sent her crashing back down onto the ship, and into reality. Her eyes flickered open, and sighed softly as a frown replaced her once relaxed and unguarded face.
"Nothin'."
"Didn't look like nothin'."
"Well it was."
Gritting her teeth, she wanted to hit him; she wanted to make him bleed. Why did he always have to challenge her, fight her? The sooner she got away from him and Annamaria and Will and everyone else, the better she would be.
"I've always hated sunsets." Murmuring softly, she gazed at the golden sphere beginning to rise over the horizon. The words tumbling easily out of her usual firmly closed mouth.
"Is 'at so?" He replied idly, with a hint of nonchalance in his voice.
"Yeah. I always figur'd tha' at least when the sun set yeh knew yeh were done fer the day, and what was done was done. But when the sunrises, yeh don't know what's gonna happen or who yeh gonna meet."
There was silence for awhile as they both stared at the colors bursting across the morning sky. Jack spoke softly after the sun was halfway raised.
"But . . . without the sunrise, there would be no sunset. 'Sides, sunsets mean an end, sunrises mean beginning."
For a moment she was at a loss for words.
"Tha's rather insightful, Sparrow."
"Captain." He corrected as if the beautiful sentences he had just spoke had never been uttered.
"Yeh mean co-captain. Or did yeh forget the duel?"
The sun was now completely raised, and before Jack could argue, Gibbs, with most of the crew in tow was making his way onto the deck. Jack turned to nod at Gibbs and shout orders to his crew. When he was satisfied that they had heard his orders, he turned back to where he had been looking at the horizon. Ashley was gone, no doubt lost among the throng of pirates. In a barely audible whisper he said thoughtfully,
"Although sunrises are dull when it comes to color . . ."
~~**~~ "Tell me more about yer lass, Turner." Will looked up from a knot he had been tying to face Ashley. He was shocked to say the least,
"What are you doing up?"
"What? Yeh thought I was too much a weaklin' to handle any work? I believe I'm offended." For the second time that day she smirked, and Will grinned back.
"I'm glad your well."
"Stop avoiding the subject! Wha's she like?" She sounded to him almost like a gossipy woman back at Port Royale. Eyes full of curiosity, she sat in front of him in rapt attention.
"I already told you about my adventurous with Miss. Swann."
"Miss Swann? Kind of a bloody name is tha'?" Suddenly his eyes got a faraway look to them, and Ashley grabbed his shoulder lightly.
"Yeh'll right?"
"Mmm? Oh yes, fine." Shrugging, he went back to the knot he was tying, hoping that Ashley would leave.
"Yeh still love her, don't yeh?" He sighed at that, and stopped his work.
"Would it matter?"
"Depends, answer the question."
"I do miss her. I do care for her. But I have made my decision, I cannot go back."
"Who says?"
At a loss for words he frowned,
~~** Who does say I can't go back? **~~
"Jack."
"Hm?"
"Jack, my captain, I can't abandon him, or the crew."
Nodding, Ashley posed another question.
"If he gave yeh permission, would yeh go back fer her?"
"Do not speak of anything to him, Ashley." He whispered sharply. "This does not concern you."
"I see."
"Please, Ashley, please don't for my sake."
"All right. I won't." Will looked at her nervously, as she continued to avoid making eye contact with him.
~~** Please don't let her say anything to Jack. **~~
"Gel! Get over here and 'elp us with these sails." Ashley sighed and gave a mocking bow to Will.
"And if yeh'll excuse me, I shall be takin' my leave." Watching her stroll over to where Annamaria had called her, he shook his head and finished tying the knot, and began to tie another.
He really was too stupid for his own good. Always making rash decisions, never stopping to think if he would really remain content with them after a week or two. Was he happy on the ship with the crew and with Jack? Of course he was. Did he miss Elizabeth? Yes. Why? Because he loved her. But he also loved the sea. His heart felt as though it was being ripped in two and nothing could stop the ache that tore at both sides. A prisoner, yes that was what he was, a prisoner of himself. He had been forced to make the worst decision a person could have ever been forced to make. Whether he should remain with the one he loved, or escape to pursue the thing he loved. The two things he would die willingly for, the two things he would suffer for, Elizabeth Swann, and the sea, the unknowingly cruel masters of his heart.
~~**~~
"Captain Sparrow? Can I 'ave a word?"
"Depends, 'bout what?"
Ashley took a deep breath and sat down on the bed in the quarters she had remained in when she was ill. Sitting not too far away was Jack, digging through the drawers of the late Bleedin' Betty. He was finding a lot of alcohol, which was a very good thing, in his opinion.
"I think yeh should 'ave a talk with Turner."
"Concerning?"
"His bonnie lass." Still busy with another container he had found filled with a strong smelling substance, Jack did not respond.
"Are yeh even listening?" Jack made a loud 'ah ha' sound as he found yet another flask. Inspecting the dusty label he announced,
"Yer mum certainly had good taste."
Angrily she got up off of the bed and stood behind Jack who was still rifling through the drawers. She grabbed the bottle he was holding and flung it onto the ground, watching it shatter into hundreds of the pieces, the brown liquid began spreading across the floor like a swelling lake. Jack turned to her his eyes narrowed,
"Now *that* was uncalled for."
"Yer a blatherin' idiot! Turner needs to go back to Port Royale." She paused and then shouted even louder, "He needs to go back now!"
"Go back? To a place where I 'ave a price on me head? I don't think so." He waggled his fingers in his usual fashion and strode across to the other side of the room, where there was a chest. Rummaging though it, he began flinging things behind him as she continued to talk.
"Sparrow! Jus' look at the lad. Look at 'im! He's miserable, he wants to go back. He needs to go back. Can yeh think of someone other than yer bloody self and at least *try* to 'elp 'im."
"Where's the profit in it fer me?" He asked. He stopped throwing things when he found a leather bound book. Opening it, he began to turn some of the pages and then tossed it backwards. Ashley ducked as it narrowly missed skimming her forehead.
"Yeh, absolute ass! Yeh almost hit me! I swear when yer asleep I'll . . ." She stopped, frozen and unable to move. Gazing at the book's cover, she slowly bent over and gingerly traced her fingers over it.
"Yeh'll what?" Turning, Jack saw Ashley absolutely lost in thought. She was holding the book with shaking hands and was slowly turning the pages as if they were so delicate they might break if she breathed on them.
"Whasat?" He asked uninterestedly.
"I-I dunno. I think it might be 'ers." Her eyes remained glued to the pages, never looking up.
"Well, read it and find out."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"I don't know how."
Surprised, Jack's eyes widened slightly.
"Yeh don't know how to read?"
"Yeah, yeh got a problem with that?" Ashley snapped angrily.
"No, not at all. Few pirates I know can."
"I'm not a pirate." She mumbled, going back to stroking the pages. He watched her for a moment before walking over and snatching the book out of her hands.
"Lemme see that. . . hmm." He squinted at the words, holding the book close to his face. After a moment, he sat down in front of her and began to read.
"'Today Caroline almost fell off the ship. She was challenging Daphne to a duel, which was stupid seeing how Daphne is at least twice her age, and ended up on the ship's edge. I watched as she nearly stumbled but at the last moment grabbed onto the ledge. She climbed back aboard but fell over the other side, crashing onto the deck. Not only was she bleeding from her nose but a tooth was lost in the process as well. I scolded her on the stupidity of her choice. I try to teach her there is a time to fight with weapons and a time to fight with words. She seems to enjoy fighting with her sword while taunting her opponent. Her temper has gotten worse as well, sometimes it helps her remain alert and enhances her attacks, but other times it causes her to be lost in such a rage that she ends up making mistakes that are much too careless and could easily be avoided. Sometimes I wonder why I put up with her.'" Jack stopped and scratched his head.
"I think that's what it says. Can't figure out the next couple o' lines though." His dirty finger skimmed the worn pages until he found a sentence at the bottom.
"Aha! Here we go! ' . . . gets it from her father. So much like him, and not at all like me. She hasn't even got my hair or eyes. I foresee much failure and pain for her, and it will all be brought upon by herself. If only she had been born male so that I could have thrown her off the side of the ship, but I must admit that she will grow up to be a fierce and bold thief someday. Her skills will most likely be unmatched by anyone. But until that time she is little more than a nuisance and a child.'"
Jack paused again, looking at Ashley, watching her eyes stare off into space. Placing the book a few inches away from her lap, he stood up and was ready to leave.
"One question, if I may," he asked.
She nodded, still not making eye contact.
"Why does she call yeh Caroline? And yet yeh go by Ashley?"
A small sound between a laugh and a sniff escape her before she answered,
"I've just learned something. Yeh can call a brick a feather, but that don't make it weigh any less."
"Wha'sat supposed to mean?"
Shaking her head she laughed,
"Nothin', not a damn thing."
She waited until Jack was gone before looking at another passage, trying to imagine what it might say about her. Some words began to blur, and she carefully touched the wet stain on the paper, only to find another one appearing shortly after.
~~** So this is what it's like to cry? **~~
And she buried her head into her arms.
