By, Xorion
Disclaimer: See first chapter
Summery: The hunt is on for the Jewel of Legends, finding it is a matter of honor for pirates and royal alike. However, the Map has fallen into the hands of the most unlikely person imaginable. And what happens when she is picked up by The Black Pearl? Will be Jack/OC
A/N- Set about a year after Curse of the Black Pearl. Thank you to everyone who reviewed, I loved reading all your compliments! However, I would not mind some constructive criticism so don't be afraid to point out shortcomings. Anyone know what was wrong with the site?
Chapter Three: Of Clever Captains and an Interesting InterviewCharlotte was startled when the Captain said this. The Black Pearl? She knew that name from the tales sailors brought back to England. It attacked ports and ships and left no survivors. Before she could respond he had a hand on her back and was propelling her to a small table.
"Right then." Jack said settling himself in a chair across from her. "Elizabeth said yer name is, Charlotte Black?"
"Aye."
"Ok Charlotte, here's the deal. I'll ask some questions, you'll answer to the best of yer knowledge then I'll drop you off at the next port, savvy?" Jack offered.
Charlotte nodded.
"Fantastic. Now, do ye know of the Jewel of Legends?" Jack asked putting his hands together in front of his face.
"Aye, I know of it." Charlotte replied warily.
"Well then. That makes this so much easier." Jack said spreading his hands apart. "Were you aware that the boat you were sailing upon carried the only map in existence of the said jewel's location?"
"Aye." Charlotte answered, not liking where the conversation was going. She was suddenly very conscious of the locket hanging around her neck.
"Good, good. Now about the ship that attacked."
Charlotte frowned slightly from the sudden change in subject. She wondered if it was perhaps a strategy of sorts.
If Jack noticed her unease he didn't show it but continued on questioning and making odd little hand gestures to emphasize each one.
"Do you know what the ship's name was? Do you know who was captaining this ship? Did ya even see the ship? That's something. What did it look like?"
Shaking her head for the first two questions Charlotte finally nodded to the third. When she hesitated at the forth Jack gestured her to talk with a spin of his hand.
"It was… big." Charlotte started.
"Big. Well, that rules out Anamaria's boat." Jack commented tilting his head to the side thoughtfully.
"I heard that!" Anamaria shouted from across the deck.
"I'm terribly sorry Captain Sparrow but it was quite dark and I was focusing more on getting away from it." Charlotte apologized.
"Right. Must have been a terrible ordeal, very traumatic." He gave her an overly sympathetic look. "Can ya remember anything about it? Anything at all? The flag. It must have had a flag."
"Oh! It did have a flag." Jack leaned forward eagerly. "Sort of a skull with something tangled through it."
"A snake?" Jack remarked indifferently studying his hand.
"Why, yes. I do believe it was a snake."
"Her name's The Cobra." Jack announced fixing his gaze on Charlotte. "Captain's called Snake-eyes. Quite infamous these days actually."
Charlotte shifted nervously in her seat. She found the Captain's stare unsettling, his dark eyes bored into her own and seemed to pierce her very soul.
"Now that we've got that figured let's move on." Jack said brightly, his previous seriousness gone. "You are the only person to escape that ship. Why do you think that was?"
"Luck I suppose, Captain Sparrow."
"Luck indeed. Just out of curiosity how did you do it?" He asked.
"I jumped out a window." Charlotte answered slowly.
"You just abandoned the ship? Left your Lady and Lord to die at the hands of bloodthirsty pirates?" Jack goaded her.
"I most certainly did not! I'll have ye know my lady commanded me to desert the ship!" Charlotte defended herself.
"Why's that luv?"
"Pardon?"
"Why only you? Surely you weren't the only maid on board. Why would she want you to stay alive?"
"One could only guess." Charlotte said fearing the captain suspected.
"Of course." Jack gave her an indulgent smile. "One more question. Do you know of the fate of the before mentioned map to the also before mentioned Jewel of Legends that was carried the ship which you were a passenger on, that was attacked by The Cobra and from which you escaped from on the bidding of yer lady to be picked up by The Black Pearl?"
Charlotte blinked. Jack had managed to ask the question in one breath without pausing. He was now looking at her expectantly.
"Nay." Charlotte lied. However if there was one thing she was not, it was a good liar. She could not even bring herself to meet his eyes.
"Ships incoming!" The lookout cried.
Jack quickly leaped onto the railing of the ship and pulled out a small telescope.
"Friends of yours, luv?" Jack asked tossing her the telescope.
"Our escort!" Charlotte exclaimed looking through it.
"Prepare to attack!" Jack commanded heading toward the bridge. "Man the cannons!"
"You can't!" Charlotte protested.
Jack pivoted on his heel and spread is hands wide. "I'm a pirate. Of course I can."
"But our deal! You said you'd drop me off! I want to be dropped off with those ships!" Charlotte argued.
"One: The deal was you would get dropped off at a port. Two: You didn't honor your half so I'm not planning to honor mine either. Three: As long as you're withholdin' knowledge about the map, you're staying on The Pearl. Savvy?" Jack told her counting the points off on his fingers. "Elizabeth, show Charlotte the way back to her cabin."
Elizabeth materialized next to her and holding Charlotte's arm gently steered the way back to Charlotte's cabin.
"I'm sorry." Elizabeth told her when they reached the cabin. "But Jack, excuse me, Captain Jack, makes the rules on this here ship and while on board I'm obligated to follow them."
With that Elizabeth closed and locked the door leaving a frustrated Charlotte alone in the room, not quite realizing what she had gotten into.
A/N- Ok, did I keep Jack in character? I tried to.