Disclaimer: Own me myself and Irene... ok just me then, and Jade, and her crew. The rest is all someone else's. DAMN I
wish I was that someone else.
Plateado: Thanks for the tip re. paragraphs, u keep it up with ur story!
Lilith Hollow: Awww thanks! I seriously loved ur story so I'm glad u like mine. I'm trying to get a balance between
Jack being an idiot and the more serious, darker side of him, tell me when I go wrong, lol.
jackfan2: YAY I'm not hated *does a little dance and puts away the suicide pills* hee hee. Thankee very kindly :)
Daisy Sparrow: Hell yeh Jack has bad luck with the women! Just count the slaps, lol. I'm gonna try and do more stuff
from Will's viewpoint, but I find him a really hard character to write.
quiet-one145: Ooooh dear I hope I don't disapoint you now :S
I've also had several ppl saying this is hard to read so I've been trying a lot harder with paragraphs and spacing stuff
out. I'm kinda lazy with that stuff, sorry *nervous giggle*. Anyways, hope you enjoy...
*4*
For three days they had sailed almost continuously, attempting to gain speed and therefore the sight of the ship they
sought. Jack rarely relinquished the wheel, on occasion reluctantly allowing Will to take over when the need for sleep
became too much. His possessiveness of the ship had not flagged since it had been returned to him, in fact it had
intensified as all that he had missed about the Pearl was sharply brought to his attention. It's graceful skimming over
the sea's surface like something lighter than the foam that topped the waves, its clever ability when dodging was
necessary, as it commonly was aboard a pirate ship.
The day was turning to dusk, the sun skimming the horizon and setting the sky alight with rare purples and yellows when
Jack's eyes viewed what they had been searching for. A black smudge against the otherwise monotonous display of sea, the
familiar damaged sides with its unusual scaffolding billowing around it. A smile graced his lips and his eyes sparkled
a radiant black. "There you are my Lovely." he said quietly to himself, before turning and addressing the crew. "Stand
for attack! Load the cannons!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"There coming up fast Cap'n!" roared Jade's first mate, a black woman with obsidian eyes and a fierce voice. Jade smiled
almost to herself as the ship flew after them. "Of course they are Rita. That's the Black Pearl." Heading to the front
of the ship, swiftly being flanked by Rita and Elizabeth, she yelled to the crew "Get ready to dance ladies. Get those
cannons set!" Elizabeth span her round sharply, livid and panicked "This is insane! You said Jack was your friend!"
Jade pinched the bridge of her nose exasperatedly and tried valiantly to think of a way that she would not be tempted to
punch Elizabeth for her constant protests. The girl really did not have a minute amount of understanding despite her
dealings with pirates. "Which is why I'm being nice luv, and am only blowing a FEW holes in that lovely ship of his. By
all rights I should be blowing that god forsaken thing out of the water!" she snarled, spinning to face their oncoming
target. "Starboard cannons, prepare to fire!"
The cacophanous sound of the cannonballs being released shook the entire ship as those not on the cannons mastered the
sails and turned the ship to the left away from the approaching Pearl. "Fire again! Keep tacking, don't let them
close!" screamed Jade, pacing the ship as crewmembers scurried round her, dodging past her to continue with their tasks.
She looked at Elizabeth, who clutched the side of the ship and looked back at their attackers, fear playing a pantomime
of frowns across her face. "Will..." she whispered, the private call catching easily in the wind and travelling to
Jade's ears. Jade felt her resolve flicker. She was doing her no harm, would do her no harm, and yet these stupid men
had to follow her, and no one attacked the Sea Demon without reprisals. Even if they were people to which she held an
affectionate regard and respect. She wondered how surprised Elizabeth would be if she was aware of just how much she
knew of their adventure with Barbossa. ... But it HAD to be done. The hot hate and stinging cuts of sorrow that never
seemed to fully die were a constant reminder that she had been... infected. Ruined. And whatever was needed to seal
over the scars, would be done.
Taking Elizabeth by the elbow she drew her away from the ship's side. "I don't wish them any harm Elizabeth. But I
won't allow them to get in my way." she said. Elizabeth felt she saw a sadness beneath the hardness in those sparkling
eyes that she had not before encountered and it surprised and touched her. Over the past four days, she had encountered
Jade the deranged pirate, who had a penchant for rum that almost matched Jack's, a bizarre sense of humour and a
theatrical, almost idiotic attitude to life around her. Life was simply an amusement to her, certainly not something to
be taken seriously. And then she had seen the darker image of an inner self that Jade tried valiantly to keep under
control, only glimpsed on occasion in the furious glint in her eye, the shocking violence she would exhibit, the brooding
silences thick with tension that Elizabeth did not know how to break. But never before this lost, tired, world-wearied
sadness of someone who seemed utterly crushed. Her stare had not left Jade this whole time, and Jade had not broken the
gaze, allowing this perusal, undoubtedly aware of her exhibition of weakness and sustaining herself with a quiet dignity.
Elizabeth felt she was far more now a person she could understand, a woman, as opposed to a pirate.
Finally Jade's gaze flickered away to behind Elizabeth, and she turned to see the Black Pearl coming up along side them.
Elizabeth started when she heard the sharp skimming noise of a sword being brought out and span again to face Jade. "Get
below decks Liz, don't want you damaged." gritted Jade through her teeth, her eyes no longer on her, focused on the ship,
hardened with grim resolve. "This doesn't have to happen!" Elizabeth said desperately in vain as Jade stalked away from
her "They're setting to board us Cap'n!" yelled Rita. Elizabeth backed away to beneath the stairs, heart pounding
painfully inside her chest. "Then let's make them wish they never did! ARM YOURSELVES!" roared Jade, and as crew of the
Black Pearl swung aboard on ropes, Elizabeth lost sight of her in the chaos.
The two crews collided with the intensity of Hell, swords bared and teeth set in snarls of fury. Elizabeth could only stare
in mute horror at the vicious attack, the screams and clashings of metal upon metal deafening as people battled. Those
who had used the cannons streamed past her up the stairs and threw themselves into the fight, spearing members of the
Pearl's crew. The barren fear inside Elizabeth swiftly snapped. She had to do something! There was no need for this,
she believed with all her heart that when Jade promised she would not be harmed it was the truth. Scrambling up the
stairs on all fours, keeping herself low as possible, she seized the gun of a fallen woman out of her hands, checking to
see if she still lived. Relieved that she did, she bolted upright and sprinted up the steps to where the Wheel stood,
dodging knots of people locked in battle.
How could she make herself be heard over all of this chaos? Inspiration hit her as she remembered the vague sound that
had cut through her unconsciousness when she was first brought to this ship. The Horn. It rested next to the wheel, a
bizarre thing made out of a pale cold substance; possibly a shell or even bone, that curled towards the end of its long
distended neck. Lifting it and finding it surprisingly heavy, Elizabeth brought it to her lips and blew it as hard as
she could. The noise was so resonant and all-consuming that Elizabeth dropped it in sheer surprise after only a few
minutes. Looking up she noticed the deep silence she had created with this act, everyone still as the grave, eyes fixed
on her. Slowly people were beginning to move again, cautiously standing down from their fighting stances, eyes darting
to those they had been trying to kill. Stepping forward, Elizabeth skanned frantically through all the faces and found...
Will, moving towards her, pushing his way through. "Elizabeth!" he breathed when he finally reached her, wrapping her
tightly in his arms. "I'm all right..." she found herself murmuring over and over, drowning in his warmth. The two
crews were beginning to look at each other nervily as the Black Pearl crew realised how easy it had been to get the girl
back, and the Sea Demon crew saw that they did not seem to wish to press the matter further. "Uhhhh.... Elizabeth luv,
what the Hell's going on?" asked Jack in hushed tones, eyebrows drawn together. "I'm fine, really, I've not been harmed
in the slightest." she said, raising her voice so that the entire crew could here.
"Too true Jack, haven't hurt a single hair on the darling's head."
Jack turned to face that familiar voice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She was magnificent.
She didn't look the same. That skin which had once been a delicate, lady-like cream was now a soft golden, burnished by
the sun. No dresses, no corsets, no billowing skirts. Pirates clothes. Her hair blew free and wild in waves about her,
that incredible lustrous red.
The softness, the sad innocence and fear in those enormous eyes had all but died, she was no longer a little girl in any
shape, but that sweet playfulness wrapped around a core of steel that he had loved so much was still there, glowing like
a fire. Hardness was in those eyes now, attempting to encroach upon the warmth and wit he had known even if it had been
concealed. She was filthy and wind-blown and a scar had marred that long neck of hers, but she was still beautiful.
Jack slowly stepped forward now, close, forgetting the crews, forgetting what they were here for. His fingers were
itching to drag her to him and touch her, to make up for lost time and relearn her. She still had a knack for doing
that to him.
"You're dead." It was not a question he asked as he took her in, his mind curiously blank except for the knowledge that
Jade was standing in front of him. Beautiful Jade who was dead and who he had regretted ever having to endure the curse
of setting foot on his ship. She smiled now, a strangely sad smile, shaking her head. "Sorry Jack, I'm afraid I'll
have to prove you wrong there." she said, her voice affecting a humour that didn't seem to be backed up by the look in
her eyes. "Salt water seems to do miracles for preserving wounds. I had to swim for four days, but I reached land
eventually." she continued, turning away so she would not have to look at his dark, intense eyes that she had wanted to
see again for so long and now couldn't bare the perusal of, pacing slightly before him. There was a long pause in which,
for the longest time ever, Jack couldn't think of a thing to say. Just as strong as he had ever suspected. Four days!
Damn, he needed a drink.
"... So what happened to you? I heard miraculous stories of escape from the island Barbossa took you to. Something
about some sea turtles and hairy backs." she said coolly, stopping her pacing, flicking a languid hand at her crew to
tell them to stand back and sheath their weapons. "Sorry luv, I'm afraid my stories far less dramatic than yours. I
just paid for passage on a boat of smugglers." Jack said, giving a slow dazzling smile, teeth glinting in the setting
sun. Had he noticed the look of disapointment that fell across his crew's face that the amusing story was not true, he
might have been less pleased. Jade smiled, a soft smile now. She ignored the twinge in her heart at the endearment used,
not thinking herself fool enough to have sole possession of his affectionate terms. Her eyes wavered to the side of
Jack's head and she raised an eyebrow.
Jack flicked a hand up to see what she was looking at, coming into contact with
one of the many trinkets wound into his black dreadlocked hair. It was a silver earring, set with jade and diamonds.
He shrugged, his gaze going back to her. "What can I say, I guess I really am a sentimental romantic at heart." he said
teasingly, another grin emerging. Will found himself pressed to think of another occasion when Jack had smiled so often
and so sincerely. Jade flipped open her large jacket suddenly, opening one of the many inner pockets, a smaller one.
She removed the other earring of the pair, dangling it between her fingertips.
"Aren't we all?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mwahahaaa lame I know, but plz R n R anyway! I wasn't sure about the fight scene so I made it rather short. Laterz XX
wish I was that someone else.
Plateado: Thanks for the tip re. paragraphs, u keep it up with ur story!
Lilith Hollow: Awww thanks! I seriously loved ur story so I'm glad u like mine. I'm trying to get a balance between
Jack being an idiot and the more serious, darker side of him, tell me when I go wrong, lol.
jackfan2: YAY I'm not hated *does a little dance and puts away the suicide pills* hee hee. Thankee very kindly :)
Daisy Sparrow: Hell yeh Jack has bad luck with the women! Just count the slaps, lol. I'm gonna try and do more stuff
from Will's viewpoint, but I find him a really hard character to write.
quiet-one145: Ooooh dear I hope I don't disapoint you now :S
I've also had several ppl saying this is hard to read so I've been trying a lot harder with paragraphs and spacing stuff
out. I'm kinda lazy with that stuff, sorry *nervous giggle*. Anyways, hope you enjoy...
*4*
For three days they had sailed almost continuously, attempting to gain speed and therefore the sight of the ship they
sought. Jack rarely relinquished the wheel, on occasion reluctantly allowing Will to take over when the need for sleep
became too much. His possessiveness of the ship had not flagged since it had been returned to him, in fact it had
intensified as all that he had missed about the Pearl was sharply brought to his attention. It's graceful skimming over
the sea's surface like something lighter than the foam that topped the waves, its clever ability when dodging was
necessary, as it commonly was aboard a pirate ship.
The day was turning to dusk, the sun skimming the horizon and setting the sky alight with rare purples and yellows when
Jack's eyes viewed what they had been searching for. A black smudge against the otherwise monotonous display of sea, the
familiar damaged sides with its unusual scaffolding billowing around it. A smile graced his lips and his eyes sparkled
a radiant black. "There you are my Lovely." he said quietly to himself, before turning and addressing the crew. "Stand
for attack! Load the cannons!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"There coming up fast Cap'n!" roared Jade's first mate, a black woman with obsidian eyes and a fierce voice. Jade smiled
almost to herself as the ship flew after them. "Of course they are Rita. That's the Black Pearl." Heading to the front
of the ship, swiftly being flanked by Rita and Elizabeth, she yelled to the crew "Get ready to dance ladies. Get those
cannons set!" Elizabeth span her round sharply, livid and panicked "This is insane! You said Jack was your friend!"
Jade pinched the bridge of her nose exasperatedly and tried valiantly to think of a way that she would not be tempted to
punch Elizabeth for her constant protests. The girl really did not have a minute amount of understanding despite her
dealings with pirates. "Which is why I'm being nice luv, and am only blowing a FEW holes in that lovely ship of his. By
all rights I should be blowing that god forsaken thing out of the water!" she snarled, spinning to face their oncoming
target. "Starboard cannons, prepare to fire!"
The cacophanous sound of the cannonballs being released shook the entire ship as those not on the cannons mastered the
sails and turned the ship to the left away from the approaching Pearl. "Fire again! Keep tacking, don't let them
close!" screamed Jade, pacing the ship as crewmembers scurried round her, dodging past her to continue with their tasks.
She looked at Elizabeth, who clutched the side of the ship and looked back at their attackers, fear playing a pantomime
of frowns across her face. "Will..." she whispered, the private call catching easily in the wind and travelling to
Jade's ears. Jade felt her resolve flicker. She was doing her no harm, would do her no harm, and yet these stupid men
had to follow her, and no one attacked the Sea Demon without reprisals. Even if they were people to which she held an
affectionate regard and respect. She wondered how surprised Elizabeth would be if she was aware of just how much she
knew of their adventure with Barbossa. ... But it HAD to be done. The hot hate and stinging cuts of sorrow that never
seemed to fully die were a constant reminder that she had been... infected. Ruined. And whatever was needed to seal
over the scars, would be done.
Taking Elizabeth by the elbow she drew her away from the ship's side. "I don't wish them any harm Elizabeth. But I
won't allow them to get in my way." she said. Elizabeth felt she saw a sadness beneath the hardness in those sparkling
eyes that she had not before encountered and it surprised and touched her. Over the past four days, she had encountered
Jade the deranged pirate, who had a penchant for rum that almost matched Jack's, a bizarre sense of humour and a
theatrical, almost idiotic attitude to life around her. Life was simply an amusement to her, certainly not something to
be taken seriously. And then she had seen the darker image of an inner self that Jade tried valiantly to keep under
control, only glimpsed on occasion in the furious glint in her eye, the shocking violence she would exhibit, the brooding
silences thick with tension that Elizabeth did not know how to break. But never before this lost, tired, world-wearied
sadness of someone who seemed utterly crushed. Her stare had not left Jade this whole time, and Jade had not broken the
gaze, allowing this perusal, undoubtedly aware of her exhibition of weakness and sustaining herself with a quiet dignity.
Elizabeth felt she was far more now a person she could understand, a woman, as opposed to a pirate.
Finally Jade's gaze flickered away to behind Elizabeth, and she turned to see the Black Pearl coming up along side them.
Elizabeth started when she heard the sharp skimming noise of a sword being brought out and span again to face Jade. "Get
below decks Liz, don't want you damaged." gritted Jade through her teeth, her eyes no longer on her, focused on the ship,
hardened with grim resolve. "This doesn't have to happen!" Elizabeth said desperately in vain as Jade stalked away from
her "They're setting to board us Cap'n!" yelled Rita. Elizabeth backed away to beneath the stairs, heart pounding
painfully inside her chest. "Then let's make them wish they never did! ARM YOURSELVES!" roared Jade, and as crew of the
Black Pearl swung aboard on ropes, Elizabeth lost sight of her in the chaos.
The two crews collided with the intensity of Hell, swords bared and teeth set in snarls of fury. Elizabeth could only stare
in mute horror at the vicious attack, the screams and clashings of metal upon metal deafening as people battled. Those
who had used the cannons streamed past her up the stairs and threw themselves into the fight, spearing members of the
Pearl's crew. The barren fear inside Elizabeth swiftly snapped. She had to do something! There was no need for this,
she believed with all her heart that when Jade promised she would not be harmed it was the truth. Scrambling up the
stairs on all fours, keeping herself low as possible, she seized the gun of a fallen woman out of her hands, checking to
see if she still lived. Relieved that she did, she bolted upright and sprinted up the steps to where the Wheel stood,
dodging knots of people locked in battle.
How could she make herself be heard over all of this chaos? Inspiration hit her as she remembered the vague sound that
had cut through her unconsciousness when she was first brought to this ship. The Horn. It rested next to the wheel, a
bizarre thing made out of a pale cold substance; possibly a shell or even bone, that curled towards the end of its long
distended neck. Lifting it and finding it surprisingly heavy, Elizabeth brought it to her lips and blew it as hard as
she could. The noise was so resonant and all-consuming that Elizabeth dropped it in sheer surprise after only a few
minutes. Looking up she noticed the deep silence she had created with this act, everyone still as the grave, eyes fixed
on her. Slowly people were beginning to move again, cautiously standing down from their fighting stances, eyes darting
to those they had been trying to kill. Stepping forward, Elizabeth skanned frantically through all the faces and found...
Will, moving towards her, pushing his way through. "Elizabeth!" he breathed when he finally reached her, wrapping her
tightly in his arms. "I'm all right..." she found herself murmuring over and over, drowning in his warmth. The two
crews were beginning to look at each other nervily as the Black Pearl crew realised how easy it had been to get the girl
back, and the Sea Demon crew saw that they did not seem to wish to press the matter further. "Uhhhh.... Elizabeth luv,
what the Hell's going on?" asked Jack in hushed tones, eyebrows drawn together. "I'm fine, really, I've not been harmed
in the slightest." she said, raising her voice so that the entire crew could here.
"Too true Jack, haven't hurt a single hair on the darling's head."
Jack turned to face that familiar voice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She was magnificent.
She didn't look the same. That skin which had once been a delicate, lady-like cream was now a soft golden, burnished by
the sun. No dresses, no corsets, no billowing skirts. Pirates clothes. Her hair blew free and wild in waves about her,
that incredible lustrous red.
The softness, the sad innocence and fear in those enormous eyes had all but died, she was no longer a little girl in any
shape, but that sweet playfulness wrapped around a core of steel that he had loved so much was still there, glowing like
a fire. Hardness was in those eyes now, attempting to encroach upon the warmth and wit he had known even if it had been
concealed. She was filthy and wind-blown and a scar had marred that long neck of hers, but she was still beautiful.
Jack slowly stepped forward now, close, forgetting the crews, forgetting what they were here for. His fingers were
itching to drag her to him and touch her, to make up for lost time and relearn her. She still had a knack for doing
that to him.
"You're dead." It was not a question he asked as he took her in, his mind curiously blank except for the knowledge that
Jade was standing in front of him. Beautiful Jade who was dead and who he had regretted ever having to endure the curse
of setting foot on his ship. She smiled now, a strangely sad smile, shaking her head. "Sorry Jack, I'm afraid I'll
have to prove you wrong there." she said, her voice affecting a humour that didn't seem to be backed up by the look in
her eyes. "Salt water seems to do miracles for preserving wounds. I had to swim for four days, but I reached land
eventually." she continued, turning away so she would not have to look at his dark, intense eyes that she had wanted to
see again for so long and now couldn't bare the perusal of, pacing slightly before him. There was a long pause in which,
for the longest time ever, Jack couldn't think of a thing to say. Just as strong as he had ever suspected. Four days!
Damn, he needed a drink.
"... So what happened to you? I heard miraculous stories of escape from the island Barbossa took you to. Something
about some sea turtles and hairy backs." she said coolly, stopping her pacing, flicking a languid hand at her crew to
tell them to stand back and sheath their weapons. "Sorry luv, I'm afraid my stories far less dramatic than yours. I
just paid for passage on a boat of smugglers." Jack said, giving a slow dazzling smile, teeth glinting in the setting
sun. Had he noticed the look of disapointment that fell across his crew's face that the amusing story was not true, he
might have been less pleased. Jade smiled, a soft smile now. She ignored the twinge in her heart at the endearment used,
not thinking herself fool enough to have sole possession of his affectionate terms. Her eyes wavered to the side of
Jack's head and she raised an eyebrow.
Jack flicked a hand up to see what she was looking at, coming into contact with
one of the many trinkets wound into his black dreadlocked hair. It was a silver earring, set with jade and diamonds.
He shrugged, his gaze going back to her. "What can I say, I guess I really am a sentimental romantic at heart." he said
teasingly, another grin emerging. Will found himself pressed to think of another occasion when Jack had smiled so often
and so sincerely. Jade flipped open her large jacket suddenly, opening one of the many inner pockets, a smaller one.
She removed the other earring of the pair, dangling it between her fingertips.
"Aren't we all?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mwahahaaa lame I know, but plz R n R anyway! I wasn't sure about the fight scene so I made it rather short. Laterz XX