quiet-one145: Things are going kinda slowly but I hope when I do actually get round to the action it won't disapoint :)
Thankee v. muchly for the lovely review.
Flashback = **
*9*
**Things changed aboard the Black Pearl after Jade's fight with Bo. She was still Barbossa's, she still cooked and
cleaned, but she was now acknowledged as a member of the crew, not just 'the flesh'. A lesser member of the crew, but
certainly she was one now. When she helped abovedecks she was not considered a nuisance, she could go about business
aboard with at least less lecherous remarks. Now, it seemed there was a begrudging undertone of respect from them. She
aided them when they attacked and plundered ships and ports, she tended to the wounded, she fought just as viciously as
they did.
Still at night Jack met her, the light turning her into porcelein and he couldn't touch her. He wondered when she had
become the only person on this ship that he trusted. She didn't know the code, despite her inner strength and survival
instincts the treacherous aspect of piracy was still far from her reach, and she saw him as a confidante. Her friend.
He greedily soaked up the fact that he never saw her laugh when she was with anyone but him. He entertained her with
endless stories about what he had done over the years of his piracy, the ships he had destroyed, the gold he had hoarded.
All ridiculously elaborated, and they both knew it, but that didn't seem to stop Jade enjoying the stories, it only
seemed to amuse her further as he leapt around the ship, waving his hands dramatically and miming what had occured.
As he enjoyed her company so much she wondrously absorbed everything that he told her of all the things he had seen,
fascinated even by the gore and blood. "I've not seen much in my life. So you must tell me everything that you have
seen." It was getting progressively harder to hold himself in check when she was near him. He had her as a friend, she
had no other, she trusted no one else. But the presence of Barbossa was always hanging over her head, making her
fearful, drawing her away. She would never be as close as he wanted her.
Now his nights when he did in fact sleep were worse because he dreamt of her. Her hands. Her mouth. Every inch of
skin. She wanted him and there was no cause to stop. But the dreams never lasted
"Who's Jade?"
Jack blinked and sat up a little from where he had been reclining in the bed, staring up at the ceiling with sated
satisfaction. The girl - he couldn't quite remember her name - was already dressing again, forcing her abundant cleavage
up before tightening the ribbons of her bodice. "What?" he replied, the name sending a shockwave through the pleasant,
lazy haze he was experiencing. "You said her name. Twice." said the girl, the racket she was making of moving things
around on the table suggesting she wasn't happy about this. Jack groaned and allowed his head to smack back down against
the pillows. Damn his irresistable nature that even the whores got uppity with him! This thing with Jade was getting
well and truly out of hand. "She another one of your litte bits on another island?" demanded.... Sarah, that was her
name! - as she turned, her face garishly re-made-up. Jack gave a brief grunt of laughter before collecting up his
clothes and getting dressed himself. "No luv. She isn't anybody you know."
Back downstairs, the bar they had decided to plant themselves in was overflowing with violent drunk pirates and the
whores that trailed after them. Jack weaved his way around a fight, peering into the scrum of men to see if any of them
were his boys. "'Scuse me..." he said cheerfully as he danced round them, tipping his hat at some of the whores that
giggled in response. Kicking a paralytic man out of his chair and taking his half empty bottle of rum, he swaggered
over to the table where a load of his boys and Jade were playing cards and drinking. "I LOVE TORTUGA!" screamed Twig
as Jack came over, knocking back a load of rum before sprawling out of his chair and heading back up to the bar,
tripping over a fight and swiftly getting involved himself. The sound of splintering glass and fists impacting with
flesh was almost deafening. Jack took up the chair Twig had left and nodded to be brought into the card game. "What are
we playing for lads?" he asked as Jade seated herself on Barbossa's lap to make room for another pirate who wished to
join them.
"Whatever we've got." said Bo, fixing a broad grin on the Captain. Jack gave him a sarcastic, narrow smile
in return before flicking a ruby out from beneath his hand, seemingly from nowhere, and dumping it on the table. "Good
way to start the game 'eh boys?" he smirked, seeing the look of surprise on all of their faces. "You playin' Jade luv.?"
he enquired, throwing the cards to Barbossa to be shuffled. "I ain't got anything to play with Captain sir." she replied,
taking the cards up and shuffling them with agile long fingers. "Nought but yeh virtue 'eh Lass?" said Barbossa,
squeezing her waist as they all laughed. She smiled in a tolerating way and replied dryly "And I haven't even got much
of that.", causing them all to laugh further. "Play anyway. And drink up." said Barbossa, shoving a bottle of rum into
Jade's hands. She shrugged and grinned "I'll see you all when I have to carry you back to the Pearl." she said glibly,
before tipping her head back and gulping down the rum, causing the table to erupt with cheers.
As the card game progressed well into the night, the goods going from pirate to pirate as they gained and then lost their
edges, they were joined by two whores who seated themselves on Jack's lap and next to him. Jade, drinking just as
heavily as the men much to Jack's surprise and enjoyment, was losing after a long winning streak and was finding it
increasingly frustrating. "DAMNIT!" she snarled, smashing her cards down on the table as she lost again, growling at
the laughter as the watches and gold coins were dragged away from her pile. She glowered through her eyelashes at the
two whores that were pawing over Jack, giggling at her theatrics and giving her snide looks. Jack seemed totally
oblivious to everything, simply swigging back on the rum and maintaining at least a respectable standing in the game even
though she doubted he could see straight.
"Don't worry luv., sweetcakes, you'll win the next one. I have a hunch." he slurred, attempting to tap the side of his
nose confidentially and missing. Feeling quietly liberated by the warm drunken haze the rum had given her, Jade
shrugged "I'd be doin' better if I could concentrate." she replied, fixing the two whores with a menacing glare. "You
gotta problem with us bein' here ducky?" said one of them with a nasty smile on that bright red painted mouth of hers.
"The stench of whatever you think is perfume that you've dunked yourself in is making me feel rather ill." Jade shot
back, Barbossa laughing loudly and giving her a squeeze at this, the crew at the table joining in. Jack chose this
moment to smack his head against the table to try and wake himself up. Despite hating this damned crew, Jade felt
mildly supported by their laughter as the whores looked ready to get their claws out. "Awwww what's wrong darlin',
don't like the competition on your men? You're a whore just the same as us, so don't be thinkin' you're any better."
hissed the other, making the first erupt with cruel laughter.
Leaping from Barbossa's lap, Jade stalked round the table and grabbed the second whore, the one on Jack's lap, by the
hair. Physically dragging her across the floor by it, ignoring the howling shrieks, she threw her up against the bar and
punched her in the face. As the blood streamed down her face and she let out snivvelling little sobs, Jade span her
round and slammed her bodily against the counter, holding her there, her face against it. When the barkeep looked about
to step round and object she fixed him with her hot glare "You stay out of this!" she snarled. She noticed the silence
around her that was swiftly spreading and ignored it. Whilst violence was normal, almost expected in a bar in Tortuga,
anything except cat fights between women were very rare. Gripping the whore's hair and forcing her head up so that she
had to look at herself in the mirror, Jade spat in her ear "Look! You say I'm the same as you!" Pulling her dress up
around her shoulder, she showed a livid angry bruise. Jack, who through his blurred drunkeness was watching this with
astonished curiosity, threw a glare Barbossa's way. "D'you think I got this from spreading my legs like you? I'm not a
soft delicate kitten like you sweetheart. I'm nothing like you." she hissed, before letting the girl go abruptly, letting
her sink to the floor. Noise abruptly continued in the bar, and Barbossa laughed heartily, no doubt revelling in the
aggression Jade was displaying.**
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"... And then I turned to Jade and said 'Cap'n the ships alight we're going to sink!' and she tells me 'Rita you
goddamn idiot we're in the sea, use the water to put out the fire!' and so I'm tying a rope to her ankles and she's got
two buckets in her hand, and there are cannonballs flying all over the place, and the crew all think I'm trying to drown
her when she leaps over the side with these buckets in her hand, and I'm stuck holding this rope with the Cap'n on the
end trying to pull her back in with the water..."
Will cautiously edged himself into a seat with the others to the sound of hysterical laughter as Rita tried desperately
to grab breath to continue her story, the others all falling off their seats in a mixture of drunken floppiness and
amusement. Tortuga still made him feel uncomfortable, never sure whether he was about to be attacked for no better
reason than because he looked like he'd had a bath recently. Nevertheless, now that he was here with two fiercesome
pirate crews he felt more secure. They all greeted him cheerfully over the general noise of the bar, Jack slapping him
on the arm and Elizabeth leaping onto his lap for a hug, Jack's hat placed lopsided on her head. Will eyed Elizabeth
suspiciously as he hugged her "Elizabeth, how much have you had to drink?" he inquired as she turned sloppily and
grinned happily. "Only a little darling, just a tiny bit..." she said, giggling naughtily as she attempted to measure
the amount between her finger and thumb to the rest of their amusement.
"You really oughta join us mate, there's enough rum for everyone!" declared Jack, causing the others to cheer delightedly.
"No I'm really not much of a drinker Jack." confessed Will, trying to control his laughter at the utterly horrified look
that fell across Jack's face. "But WHY wouldn't you want to drink rum?? Are you mad?!?" he exclaimed, looking to the others for help
here. "Yeah c'mon Will, keep us company! I mean Elizabeth didn't drink... until about five minutes ago." said Jade,
sprawling across the tabletop to fix him with a beatific grin and to snatch a bottle from under Jack's nose. Will had
to admit that he felt a little left out from all of this heady blissful friendship they seemed to be swept up in. Jack
handed him a bottle and flashed that infamous grin, leaning heavily on his shoulder "Remember what I told you about what
a man can do and what he can't? Either you can allow yourself to be out-drunk by three women, one of which whom I might
add is your bonny lass, OR you can't. Plus the fact that I'll tell everyone in this bar that you're a eunuch if that
happens." added Jack, once again peering suspiciously at Will's nether regions. "Shut up Jack." he replied sullenly
before necking the bottle, making them all cheer. "Just be glad I haven't let the girls check for me yet mate." added
Jack.
As the night wore on, only the girls remained, Jack having wandered, staggered and tripped his way back to the Pearl, and
Will having passed out on the floor. The rest of the two crews were spread out through Tortuga, collapsing, drinking,
throwing up and then drinking some more. "I told him he shouldn't have challenged Jack to a drinking game." said Elizabeth
woefully, giving Will an affectionate prod with her foot. Will had understandably, not even stood a chance as the
rum-soaked pirate consumed bottle after bottle before there seemed to be even any side effects at all. "Don't worry
mate, think of it as a learning experience." Jack had commented as Will knocked over the entire table in a bid to stand
up. I have to say I like Will a far lot more when he's drunk Liz luv." commented Jade, swaying precariously in her seat
as she shot back the remains of some rum. Elizabeth smiled slightly "Yes, he did seem a lot more free didn't he? Not
so uptight..." she said "He'll be uptight again sure enough when he remembers half of the things he was saying tommorow
mornin'." laughed Rita loudly, slapping the table. "'Who's hand is that? Oh it's mine.' 'Why does Jack smell of fish
and rum?' 'I love you all!'" she mimicked in a butch man's voice. They all joined in the laughter before Rita fixed her
obsidian eyes on Jade and became serious. "Now Jade, when are you going to stop playing the fool, and go after Jack?"
Jade frowned as if trying to work out a very hard problem inside her head and then stared at Rita incredulously
"What?"
"You come from nowhere, you tell me nothing of why you bleed and why you are bitter and seek revenge, and I accept that.
I have you as my Captain because I know it is right, I know you were meant to lead me in my life. I have you as my
friend because I could never be your enemy. But Jack is from a past that only you know about and your eyes do not speak
of him as enemy or friend. He is something different to you." said Rita, Elizabeth fascinated by the power and knowledge
in her voice. Jade had taken to frowning at the ground, not looking at either of them, her face obscured by her hair.
Rita leaned forward, her voice more gentle "Jade? Right at this instant, what is it you want?" Jade looked up lazily,
her thoughts carefully guarded by a bored expression "I think I want some more rum." she said, putting a hand out to take
up a bottle only for it to be moved away from her by Rita. Rita fixed her with a knowing grin, eyebrows raised
expectantly. Jade sighed and shook her head swiftly as if to shake away cobwebs in her brain. Finally she looked up and
met Rita's gaze "I want Jack." she replied simply. "Then why are you still talking to us... Captain Quinn?" said Rita,
leaning back and smiling at her. Jade gave her an annoyed smile before standing, taking Jack's hat off Elizabeth's head,
and running out into the dark.
Jack sat at the end of the port absentmindedly staring at the stars, alternating between grinning and frowning as his
brain picked through memories he associated with this place. He turned when he heard the creaking of boards behind him
and took in Jade, wearing his hat on top of her own, grinning cheekily. "Thought you might want this back." she said,
taking it off and throwing it at him. He caught it and suspiciously tapped his own head "Hmmm, wondered where Elizabeth
had got that lovely hat she was wearing from." he replied before settling it on his head. "Need some more company? You
left rather quickly." she said, stepping up to him and tilting her head curiously. He shrugged and laughed a little
"We're in Tortuga aren't we luv.? Just a lot of memories, and I'm tryin' to remember if the good outweighs the bad."
She nodded understandingly before leaning in for a confidential whisper "Well, how about, we get so damn blind drunk, we
don't even remember we're in Tortuga. Sound good to you?" His grin increased and he nodded. It had been too long. "I
always liked you luv. Distinct lack of rum left on the ship though, I was goin' to wait until the morning to get
supplies." Jade shrugged and rummaged through the ridiculous amount of pockets on her immense coat, before pulling out
three bottles of rum. "Sure I've got some more in here somewhere." she said, flashing a manic grin. "That things a
damn smuggler's coat, I need to get myself one!" Jack declared, slinging an arm round her shoulder and drawing her up
to where the Pearl was anchored.
"... AND REALLY BAD EGGS!"
Both Jack and Jade had disintegrated into drunken warblings of the song that Elizabeth had taught them both, never
maintaining the song for long before they collapsed with laughter. Jade crumpled to the floor in a heap of giggles,
pulling her jacket off and peering into each of the pockets. "Nope, I think that's all of our rum gone!" she slurred
sadly, pretending to cry. "Weeeee don't need rum! We can.... Ok, perhaps we do, but we've got two ships, we've got the
ocean, we've got agreeable company and a fanTAStic song to sing!" yelled Jack, throwing himself into his chair only for
it to collapse backwards. "Jack where did your head go? Why are your boots up there?" asked Jade, crawling over to
where he was and dragging him upright before crumpling into hysterics again. "We are so damn tough! I can' think of
any other pirates as scary and downright nasty as us! Commodores... all over the place, they're lining up to hang us,
I LOVE it!" declared Jack, attempting to stand up and flopping right over again. "You an' me luv., we OWN this place!"
he slurred, tussling her hair vigorously "We own EVERY place! she chimed in, thwacking him enthusiastically on the
shoulder.
"D'you have any new tattoos?" she inquired randomly, peering at him with one eye over the top of his leg, giggling
quietly. "Only one luv." he replied, showing her the 'P'brand on his wrist. "Ooooh you got caught too!" she exclaimed
happily as though it were a club, rolling up her sleeve and flashing her own. They bumped the two brands together and
yelled victoriously before Jack slowly grew more serious, or as serious as a man wavering dangerously could look. "What
about where you were shot?" he asked, resting a hand on her shoulder to steady himself. Jade closed her eyes,took a deep
breath, shifting round onto her knees in front of Jack before pulling her shirt to one side. Just beneath her shoulder
was the savage remains of a scar, across the otherwise golden, perfect skin. Jack's fingers gently trailed across it, his
gaze fixed upon it as his eyes narrowed with anger. Jade swallowed as his fingers skimmed across her skin, sliding lower
across the top of her breasts. "Jack?" she said quietly, hardly daring to breathe. "Mmmmm?" he said absentmindedly,
his gaze still fixed on where his hand was before he looked up at her. Acknowledging how close they had become, his
eyes darkened.
Leaning in, forehead pressed against his, Jade flicked her tongue across his bottom lip, hazarding a playful, nipping
kiss as her brain slowly realised that the warmth of his chest was pressed against her own, his hard breathing beneath
her. It was enough to set her own heart pounding as fast as a dream. He didn't lean into the kiss, seemingly frozen as
she stroked a hand across his cheek, nibbling his lip in the hope of getting a reaction. Pleased by his sharp intake of
breath, she felt his breathing increase as he began to return the kiss, his hands coming up to clasp her face, the kiss
becoming hotter, more demanding. Breaking away for an instant to gather a shuddering breath, Jade did not get much of a
chance before his mouth was on hers again, tugging, wanting more.
Falling into it, she slid a hand down his chest to his leg, smiling at the slight jump he gave in response. Her hand
trailed in lazy circles across his thigh and he moaned softly into her mouth. And then suddenly even these touches were
not enough and he pulled her easily up onto his lap, dragging her shirt out from her trousers, sliding his hands over
the silky skin beneath. The kiss was becoming more intense, more hot and hazed, his hands gliding over her heated flesh
as her mouth trailed down his neck and over his throat. He pulled her forward to feel every inch of her flesh pressed
against his, almost desperate, both of their hands pulling at buttons, seeking more delicious skin. He let out a groan as she
left wet biting kisses in her wake, across his shoulder and up his neck to just beneath his ear... A single whisper that
sent his brain into tailspin...
"I'm yours."
The sound of the handle on the door turning seemed louder than anything ever had before and Jade launched herself off
Jack's lap, landing with a loud thump on the floor. A skinny freckled blond woman from Jade's crew opened the door and
took in the situation briefly before attending to what was at hand "Cap'n, Gibbs called Margot 'Ye of the magnificent
chest' and she's chasing him round the ship with a spade. Thought we could do with some help." Jade cleared her throat
and stood up, trying to organise her dishevelled clothes and pulling on her jacket. "Right I'll be there right away
Betty." she said with the vestiges of her dignity trying feebly to assert themselves. "Yeah I'll come too, sort out
Gibbs for you. Yes, that's what I'll do." said Jack, standing swiftly. Jade shot a glance at him that she did not
intend to maintain but her heart jolted at how his eyes had darkened to black, his lips swollen from their kisses.
Straightening his own clothes, he retained his composure far better than Jade felt she was before exiting after the
girl.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Probably needs some work, you tell me :). XXX
Thankee v. muchly for the lovely review.
Flashback = **
*9*
**Things changed aboard the Black Pearl after Jade's fight with Bo. She was still Barbossa's, she still cooked and
cleaned, but she was now acknowledged as a member of the crew, not just 'the flesh'. A lesser member of the crew, but
certainly she was one now. When she helped abovedecks she was not considered a nuisance, she could go about business
aboard with at least less lecherous remarks. Now, it seemed there was a begrudging undertone of respect from them. She
aided them when they attacked and plundered ships and ports, she tended to the wounded, she fought just as viciously as
they did.
Still at night Jack met her, the light turning her into porcelein and he couldn't touch her. He wondered when she had
become the only person on this ship that he trusted. She didn't know the code, despite her inner strength and survival
instincts the treacherous aspect of piracy was still far from her reach, and she saw him as a confidante. Her friend.
He greedily soaked up the fact that he never saw her laugh when she was with anyone but him. He entertained her with
endless stories about what he had done over the years of his piracy, the ships he had destroyed, the gold he had hoarded.
All ridiculously elaborated, and they both knew it, but that didn't seem to stop Jade enjoying the stories, it only
seemed to amuse her further as he leapt around the ship, waving his hands dramatically and miming what had occured.
As he enjoyed her company so much she wondrously absorbed everything that he told her of all the things he had seen,
fascinated even by the gore and blood. "I've not seen much in my life. So you must tell me everything that you have
seen." It was getting progressively harder to hold himself in check when she was near him. He had her as a friend, she
had no other, she trusted no one else. But the presence of Barbossa was always hanging over her head, making her
fearful, drawing her away. She would never be as close as he wanted her.
Now his nights when he did in fact sleep were worse because he dreamt of her. Her hands. Her mouth. Every inch of
skin. She wanted him and there was no cause to stop. But the dreams never lasted
"Who's Jade?"
Jack blinked and sat up a little from where he had been reclining in the bed, staring up at the ceiling with sated
satisfaction. The girl - he couldn't quite remember her name - was already dressing again, forcing her abundant cleavage
up before tightening the ribbons of her bodice. "What?" he replied, the name sending a shockwave through the pleasant,
lazy haze he was experiencing. "You said her name. Twice." said the girl, the racket she was making of moving things
around on the table suggesting she wasn't happy about this. Jack groaned and allowed his head to smack back down against
the pillows. Damn his irresistable nature that even the whores got uppity with him! This thing with Jade was getting
well and truly out of hand. "She another one of your litte bits on another island?" demanded.... Sarah, that was her
name! - as she turned, her face garishly re-made-up. Jack gave a brief grunt of laughter before collecting up his
clothes and getting dressed himself. "No luv. She isn't anybody you know."
Back downstairs, the bar they had decided to plant themselves in was overflowing with violent drunk pirates and the
whores that trailed after them. Jack weaved his way around a fight, peering into the scrum of men to see if any of them
were his boys. "'Scuse me..." he said cheerfully as he danced round them, tipping his hat at some of the whores that
giggled in response. Kicking a paralytic man out of his chair and taking his half empty bottle of rum, he swaggered
over to the table where a load of his boys and Jade were playing cards and drinking. "I LOVE TORTUGA!" screamed Twig
as Jack came over, knocking back a load of rum before sprawling out of his chair and heading back up to the bar,
tripping over a fight and swiftly getting involved himself. The sound of splintering glass and fists impacting with
flesh was almost deafening. Jack took up the chair Twig had left and nodded to be brought into the card game. "What are
we playing for lads?" he asked as Jade seated herself on Barbossa's lap to make room for another pirate who wished to
join them.
"Whatever we've got." said Bo, fixing a broad grin on the Captain. Jack gave him a sarcastic, narrow smile
in return before flicking a ruby out from beneath his hand, seemingly from nowhere, and dumping it on the table. "Good
way to start the game 'eh boys?" he smirked, seeing the look of surprise on all of their faces. "You playin' Jade luv.?"
he enquired, throwing the cards to Barbossa to be shuffled. "I ain't got anything to play with Captain sir." she replied,
taking the cards up and shuffling them with agile long fingers. "Nought but yeh virtue 'eh Lass?" said Barbossa,
squeezing her waist as they all laughed. She smiled in a tolerating way and replied dryly "And I haven't even got much
of that.", causing them all to laugh further. "Play anyway. And drink up." said Barbossa, shoving a bottle of rum into
Jade's hands. She shrugged and grinned "I'll see you all when I have to carry you back to the Pearl." she said glibly,
before tipping her head back and gulping down the rum, causing the table to erupt with cheers.
As the card game progressed well into the night, the goods going from pirate to pirate as they gained and then lost their
edges, they were joined by two whores who seated themselves on Jack's lap and next to him. Jade, drinking just as
heavily as the men much to Jack's surprise and enjoyment, was losing after a long winning streak and was finding it
increasingly frustrating. "DAMNIT!" she snarled, smashing her cards down on the table as she lost again, growling at
the laughter as the watches and gold coins were dragged away from her pile. She glowered through her eyelashes at the
two whores that were pawing over Jack, giggling at her theatrics and giving her snide looks. Jack seemed totally
oblivious to everything, simply swigging back on the rum and maintaining at least a respectable standing in the game even
though she doubted he could see straight.
"Don't worry luv., sweetcakes, you'll win the next one. I have a hunch." he slurred, attempting to tap the side of his
nose confidentially and missing. Feeling quietly liberated by the warm drunken haze the rum had given her, Jade
shrugged "I'd be doin' better if I could concentrate." she replied, fixing the two whores with a menacing glare. "You
gotta problem with us bein' here ducky?" said one of them with a nasty smile on that bright red painted mouth of hers.
"The stench of whatever you think is perfume that you've dunked yourself in is making me feel rather ill." Jade shot
back, Barbossa laughing loudly and giving her a squeeze at this, the crew at the table joining in. Jack chose this
moment to smack his head against the table to try and wake himself up. Despite hating this damned crew, Jade felt
mildly supported by their laughter as the whores looked ready to get their claws out. "Awwww what's wrong darlin',
don't like the competition on your men? You're a whore just the same as us, so don't be thinkin' you're any better."
hissed the other, making the first erupt with cruel laughter.
Leaping from Barbossa's lap, Jade stalked round the table and grabbed the second whore, the one on Jack's lap, by the
hair. Physically dragging her across the floor by it, ignoring the howling shrieks, she threw her up against the bar and
punched her in the face. As the blood streamed down her face and she let out snivvelling little sobs, Jade span her
round and slammed her bodily against the counter, holding her there, her face against it. When the barkeep looked about
to step round and object she fixed him with her hot glare "You stay out of this!" she snarled. She noticed the silence
around her that was swiftly spreading and ignored it. Whilst violence was normal, almost expected in a bar in Tortuga,
anything except cat fights between women were very rare. Gripping the whore's hair and forcing her head up so that she
had to look at herself in the mirror, Jade spat in her ear "Look! You say I'm the same as you!" Pulling her dress up
around her shoulder, she showed a livid angry bruise. Jack, who through his blurred drunkeness was watching this with
astonished curiosity, threw a glare Barbossa's way. "D'you think I got this from spreading my legs like you? I'm not a
soft delicate kitten like you sweetheart. I'm nothing like you." she hissed, before letting the girl go abruptly, letting
her sink to the floor. Noise abruptly continued in the bar, and Barbossa laughed heartily, no doubt revelling in the
aggression Jade was displaying.**
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"... And then I turned to Jade and said 'Cap'n the ships alight we're going to sink!' and she tells me 'Rita you
goddamn idiot we're in the sea, use the water to put out the fire!' and so I'm tying a rope to her ankles and she's got
two buckets in her hand, and there are cannonballs flying all over the place, and the crew all think I'm trying to drown
her when she leaps over the side with these buckets in her hand, and I'm stuck holding this rope with the Cap'n on the
end trying to pull her back in with the water..."
Will cautiously edged himself into a seat with the others to the sound of hysterical laughter as Rita tried desperately
to grab breath to continue her story, the others all falling off their seats in a mixture of drunken floppiness and
amusement. Tortuga still made him feel uncomfortable, never sure whether he was about to be attacked for no better
reason than because he looked like he'd had a bath recently. Nevertheless, now that he was here with two fiercesome
pirate crews he felt more secure. They all greeted him cheerfully over the general noise of the bar, Jack slapping him
on the arm and Elizabeth leaping onto his lap for a hug, Jack's hat placed lopsided on her head. Will eyed Elizabeth
suspiciously as he hugged her "Elizabeth, how much have you had to drink?" he inquired as she turned sloppily and
grinned happily. "Only a little darling, just a tiny bit..." she said, giggling naughtily as she attempted to measure
the amount between her finger and thumb to the rest of their amusement.
"You really oughta join us mate, there's enough rum for everyone!" declared Jack, causing the others to cheer delightedly.
"No I'm really not much of a drinker Jack." confessed Will, trying to control his laughter at the utterly horrified look
that fell across Jack's face. "But WHY wouldn't you want to drink rum?? Are you mad?!?" he exclaimed, looking to the others for help
here. "Yeah c'mon Will, keep us company! I mean Elizabeth didn't drink... until about five minutes ago." said Jade,
sprawling across the tabletop to fix him with a beatific grin and to snatch a bottle from under Jack's nose. Will had
to admit that he felt a little left out from all of this heady blissful friendship they seemed to be swept up in. Jack
handed him a bottle and flashed that infamous grin, leaning heavily on his shoulder "Remember what I told you about what
a man can do and what he can't? Either you can allow yourself to be out-drunk by three women, one of which whom I might
add is your bonny lass, OR you can't. Plus the fact that I'll tell everyone in this bar that you're a eunuch if that
happens." added Jack, once again peering suspiciously at Will's nether regions. "Shut up Jack." he replied sullenly
before necking the bottle, making them all cheer. "Just be glad I haven't let the girls check for me yet mate." added
Jack.
As the night wore on, only the girls remained, Jack having wandered, staggered and tripped his way back to the Pearl, and
Will having passed out on the floor. The rest of the two crews were spread out through Tortuga, collapsing, drinking,
throwing up and then drinking some more. "I told him he shouldn't have challenged Jack to a drinking game." said Elizabeth
woefully, giving Will an affectionate prod with her foot. Will had understandably, not even stood a chance as the
rum-soaked pirate consumed bottle after bottle before there seemed to be even any side effects at all. "Don't worry
mate, think of it as a learning experience." Jack had commented as Will knocked over the entire table in a bid to stand
up. I have to say I like Will a far lot more when he's drunk Liz luv." commented Jade, swaying precariously in her seat
as she shot back the remains of some rum. Elizabeth smiled slightly "Yes, he did seem a lot more free didn't he? Not
so uptight..." she said "He'll be uptight again sure enough when he remembers half of the things he was saying tommorow
mornin'." laughed Rita loudly, slapping the table. "'Who's hand is that? Oh it's mine.' 'Why does Jack smell of fish
and rum?' 'I love you all!'" she mimicked in a butch man's voice. They all joined in the laughter before Rita fixed her
obsidian eyes on Jade and became serious. "Now Jade, when are you going to stop playing the fool, and go after Jack?"
Jade frowned as if trying to work out a very hard problem inside her head and then stared at Rita incredulously
"What?"
"You come from nowhere, you tell me nothing of why you bleed and why you are bitter and seek revenge, and I accept that.
I have you as my Captain because I know it is right, I know you were meant to lead me in my life. I have you as my
friend because I could never be your enemy. But Jack is from a past that only you know about and your eyes do not speak
of him as enemy or friend. He is something different to you." said Rita, Elizabeth fascinated by the power and knowledge
in her voice. Jade had taken to frowning at the ground, not looking at either of them, her face obscured by her hair.
Rita leaned forward, her voice more gentle "Jade? Right at this instant, what is it you want?" Jade looked up lazily,
her thoughts carefully guarded by a bored expression "I think I want some more rum." she said, putting a hand out to take
up a bottle only for it to be moved away from her by Rita. Rita fixed her with a knowing grin, eyebrows raised
expectantly. Jade sighed and shook her head swiftly as if to shake away cobwebs in her brain. Finally she looked up and
met Rita's gaze "I want Jack." she replied simply. "Then why are you still talking to us... Captain Quinn?" said Rita,
leaning back and smiling at her. Jade gave her an annoyed smile before standing, taking Jack's hat off Elizabeth's head,
and running out into the dark.
Jack sat at the end of the port absentmindedly staring at the stars, alternating between grinning and frowning as his
brain picked through memories he associated with this place. He turned when he heard the creaking of boards behind him
and took in Jade, wearing his hat on top of her own, grinning cheekily. "Thought you might want this back." she said,
taking it off and throwing it at him. He caught it and suspiciously tapped his own head "Hmmm, wondered where Elizabeth
had got that lovely hat she was wearing from." he replied before settling it on his head. "Need some more company? You
left rather quickly." she said, stepping up to him and tilting her head curiously. He shrugged and laughed a little
"We're in Tortuga aren't we luv.? Just a lot of memories, and I'm tryin' to remember if the good outweighs the bad."
She nodded understandingly before leaning in for a confidential whisper "Well, how about, we get so damn blind drunk, we
don't even remember we're in Tortuga. Sound good to you?" His grin increased and he nodded. It had been too long. "I
always liked you luv. Distinct lack of rum left on the ship though, I was goin' to wait until the morning to get
supplies." Jade shrugged and rummaged through the ridiculous amount of pockets on her immense coat, before pulling out
three bottles of rum. "Sure I've got some more in here somewhere." she said, flashing a manic grin. "That things a
damn smuggler's coat, I need to get myself one!" Jack declared, slinging an arm round her shoulder and drawing her up
to where the Pearl was anchored.
"... AND REALLY BAD EGGS!"
Both Jack and Jade had disintegrated into drunken warblings of the song that Elizabeth had taught them both, never
maintaining the song for long before they collapsed with laughter. Jade crumpled to the floor in a heap of giggles,
pulling her jacket off and peering into each of the pockets. "Nope, I think that's all of our rum gone!" she slurred
sadly, pretending to cry. "Weeeee don't need rum! We can.... Ok, perhaps we do, but we've got two ships, we've got the
ocean, we've got agreeable company and a fanTAStic song to sing!" yelled Jack, throwing himself into his chair only for
it to collapse backwards. "Jack where did your head go? Why are your boots up there?" asked Jade, crawling over to
where he was and dragging him upright before crumpling into hysterics again. "We are so damn tough! I can' think of
any other pirates as scary and downright nasty as us! Commodores... all over the place, they're lining up to hang us,
I LOVE it!" declared Jack, attempting to stand up and flopping right over again. "You an' me luv., we OWN this place!"
he slurred, tussling her hair vigorously "We own EVERY place! she chimed in, thwacking him enthusiastically on the
shoulder.
"D'you have any new tattoos?" she inquired randomly, peering at him with one eye over the top of his leg, giggling
quietly. "Only one luv." he replied, showing her the 'P'brand on his wrist. "Ooooh you got caught too!" she exclaimed
happily as though it were a club, rolling up her sleeve and flashing her own. They bumped the two brands together and
yelled victoriously before Jack slowly grew more serious, or as serious as a man wavering dangerously could look. "What
about where you were shot?" he asked, resting a hand on her shoulder to steady himself. Jade closed her eyes,took a deep
breath, shifting round onto her knees in front of Jack before pulling her shirt to one side. Just beneath her shoulder
was the savage remains of a scar, across the otherwise golden, perfect skin. Jack's fingers gently trailed across it, his
gaze fixed upon it as his eyes narrowed with anger. Jade swallowed as his fingers skimmed across her skin, sliding lower
across the top of her breasts. "Jack?" she said quietly, hardly daring to breathe. "Mmmmm?" he said absentmindedly,
his gaze still fixed on where his hand was before he looked up at her. Acknowledging how close they had become, his
eyes darkened.
Leaning in, forehead pressed against his, Jade flicked her tongue across his bottom lip, hazarding a playful, nipping
kiss as her brain slowly realised that the warmth of his chest was pressed against her own, his hard breathing beneath
her. It was enough to set her own heart pounding as fast as a dream. He didn't lean into the kiss, seemingly frozen as
she stroked a hand across his cheek, nibbling his lip in the hope of getting a reaction. Pleased by his sharp intake of
breath, she felt his breathing increase as he began to return the kiss, his hands coming up to clasp her face, the kiss
becoming hotter, more demanding. Breaking away for an instant to gather a shuddering breath, Jade did not get much of a
chance before his mouth was on hers again, tugging, wanting more.
Falling into it, she slid a hand down his chest to his leg, smiling at the slight jump he gave in response. Her hand
trailed in lazy circles across his thigh and he moaned softly into her mouth. And then suddenly even these touches were
not enough and he pulled her easily up onto his lap, dragging her shirt out from her trousers, sliding his hands over
the silky skin beneath. The kiss was becoming more intense, more hot and hazed, his hands gliding over her heated flesh
as her mouth trailed down his neck and over his throat. He pulled her forward to feel every inch of her flesh pressed
against his, almost desperate, both of their hands pulling at buttons, seeking more delicious skin. He let out a groan as she
left wet biting kisses in her wake, across his shoulder and up his neck to just beneath his ear... A single whisper that
sent his brain into tailspin...
"I'm yours."
The sound of the handle on the door turning seemed louder than anything ever had before and Jade launched herself off
Jack's lap, landing with a loud thump on the floor. A skinny freckled blond woman from Jade's crew opened the door and
took in the situation briefly before attending to what was at hand "Cap'n, Gibbs called Margot 'Ye of the magnificent
chest' and she's chasing him round the ship with a spade. Thought we could do with some help." Jade cleared her throat
and stood up, trying to organise her dishevelled clothes and pulling on her jacket. "Right I'll be there right away
Betty." she said with the vestiges of her dignity trying feebly to assert themselves. "Yeah I'll come too, sort out
Gibbs for you. Yes, that's what I'll do." said Jack, standing swiftly. Jade shot a glance at him that she did not
intend to maintain but her heart jolted at how his eyes had darkened to black, his lips swollen from their kisses.
Straightening his own clothes, he retained his composure far better than Jade felt she was before exiting after the
girl.
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Probably needs some work, you tell me :). XXX