Chapter 3. Flight of the Sparrow

            Disclaimer- Nothing is mine. Bla bla bla bla…..Disney owns all possible rights. One of these days I'm going to add one of my own characters in so I don't get so depressed. (DEPPressed) heh heh heh….

            AN-I love all of you guys!!! I came home from the beach sore, and exhausted from surfing…but…dun dun DUN…8 new reviews in my inbox!!! I'm glad you like my writing, and I'm not going to thank each individual person because every time I do another review shows up and I get all confuzzled inside…*sob* lol seriously, thanks so much for reviewing and catching my mistakes…thankfully I didn't make any much…heh heh heh…

            AN2-Hey this is Grace again…a week after I wrote that last author's note…I'm so sorry about the delay in postage!! I wrote this chapter, but then wrote it over…and well…I still think it sucks, but you guys tell me what you think!

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            He had saved my life; and I his. At least this is what was whispered in my ear before his clean exit. The words rang in my head in his crotchety voice. 'You saved my life, and I saved yours, we're square,' we were not square. They reverberated around in my brain, as I gazed at him, mouth slightly agape. It would take a lot for me to repay Captain Jack Sparrow.

            He glanced rapidly, and optimistically upward, I could practically see the cogs working furiously in his head. The corners of his mouth arched in a smile that was concealed by his scruffy moustache. On ether side of me I felt the tension of the guards rising in the air. I knew any second now they were going to spring into action. Out of the corner of my eye, I witnessed the commodore give a very discreet nod, so discreet in fact that it could have been mistaken for a twitch. The guards leapt forward, obviously hoping to catch the pirate off guard. In a swift motion Jack seized the rope dangling from one of the extraordinary contraptions the workers used. For one moment I thought they had him; my breath caught in my throat as one of the guards made a feral dive for him, but Jack, almost gracefully, swung a foot up, kicking a lever into gear. As he flew up into the air, I let my breath out, but immediately sucked it back in as whatever was on the other end of that rope crashed down onto the dock, very nearly missing the guards.

            A thrill of excitement shot through me as the guards scurried about, cursing and yelling. But they weren't the only ones yelling. High above, the comical figure of the pirate, who's escape had just caused me to feel more excitement than I had in years, was flailing and twisting around in the air. He was spinning in a wide circle, clutching the rope for dear life, yelling with mingled fear and frustration. I put a hand to my mouth to stifle a giggle, and looked around at the commodore. His upper lip was curled with disgust and dislike, and I had a strange premonition about what the next words to come out of his mouth would be.

            "Open fire!" He shouted, motioning to the guards that were back on their feet, watching the man overhead with awe. I almost screamed as gunshots pierced the crisp, cool, afternoon air. Jack was still orbiting above us; I clapped a hand to my mouth, and squeezed my eyes shut as tight as they would go. A scream was rising in my throat, and I bit my lip as hard as I could to stop it. I wanted to cry out, do whatever I could to impede the shots. This wasn't right; this man had saved my life! He must be a good man, however slippery he may appear. I felt a hot rush of hatred towards Commodore Norrington. I clenched my teeth together; my trepidation for Jack elapsed for a split second. The gunshots were slowing and at a snail's pace, I opened my eyes, petrified of what I might see.

            I realized I had been holding my breath, and I let it out in a relieved stream. Jack was teetering hazardously atop a narrow beam, rigged with ropes to support the shore workers. I stole a quick peek around me, relieved to find that no one had glanced in my direction. I was now beginning to feel exceedingly foolish, and a cherry tinge crept into my cheeks as I held my head up as high as possible. Siding with a pirate. Standing up for a scoundrel who only saved my neck in hopes of saving his own. I should be disgusted with myself; with him!

            The heavy footsteps of all the guards rushing past at once brought me back to earth with an unpleasant thump. Feeling much like I had been caught in the middle of a frantic stampede of charging bulls, I tried to shrink to the side. I soon realized why they were hurtling down the dock. I looked up just in time to see Jack speeding down the rope rigged to his perch. I was reminded plainly of a child on a particularly lofty and dodgy playground. He landed most ungracefully on the very solid ground, and took off with a swift glance over his shoulder. The look on his face was not of fear, or desperation to escape. He was having the time of his life.

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            "There you are Miss; you've had a hard day," The maid smiled warmly at me as she placed the hot pan between my sheets, with a glance out the window. What had started as a wonderfully inviting day had turned into what could have been easily mistaken for a chilly winter's night.  I closed my book; drowsiness was engulfing me, making my eyelids droop.

            "Well I suspected the commodore would propose, but I must say I wasn't entirely prepared for it," I mused aloud. The maid looked taken aback,

            "Oh! No, I meant getting threatened by that pirate! It must have been terrifying…" A flush crept into my face once again. I felt suddenly very childish. Rambling on about a proposal, completely oblivious to the fact that a pirate had held me at gunpoint.

            "Oh yes…terrifying…" Even as the words escaped my lips they sounded forced and unconvincing. There was a silence in which I stared avidly at the soft sea green hangings that graced my bed, without seeing them.

            "If it isn't to bold to say…You and the commodore, now there's a smart match," She looked at me, head cocked to the side. I quickly resumed my examination of the hangings. Smart match indeed. The commodore and the governor's daughter. But whenever I thought of the commodore a dull, monotonous feeling would creep up my chest. His face seemed bland, old, and fatherly. Out of nowhere Will's face drifted into my mind; I smiled to myself. Whenever I thought of Will my heartbeat would accelerate, and a thrill would wriggle in my stomach.

            "Yes, I suppose it is a smart match…Any girl would dream of marrying the commodore," But Will would not leave my thoughts alone.

            "That Will Turner…he's a fine man too," She smiled knowingly at me. I started; I felt my eyes widen in shock, and the flush creeping down my neck. I didn't know what to do or say, and I suddenly felt irritated. Who did she think she was?

            "That is too bold," I stated in a dangerously soft voice. If I was not mistaken she seemed somewhat dissatisfied.

            "Well I'm sorry miss, it wasn't my place," She smiled again and headed for the door.

            The heavy-eyed feeling that had overcome me moments before had vanished. I felt wide awake, all kinds of thoughts flashing through my brain. The Commodore, Will, Jack… How could I turn down Commodore Norrington? I was expected to marry a well respected man, not a blacksmith! I smiled sheepishly to myself, and pulled the warm silk comforter tighter around me. Had I just thought of marrying Will? I sighed at the rush of mingled emotions that were consuming me. I turned my thoughts over, trying to get them off Will and Commodore Norrington. They fell on Jack. Every part of me wanted to hate that man. My insides seared with boiling anger when I thought about my panic earlier today. I had been worried for the bastard; I had been worried sick.

            Kicking the covers off, I slipped silently out of bed, and padded across the room to the window. Leaning against the wall, I pressed my forehead against the chilled glass. Every part of me wanted to hate that man. But something about the depth in those brown eyes wouldn't let me.

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Ok, question!!

Who thinks I should cut the crap and after she's kidnapped go strait to when Will saves her…*abandoning jack in the process…Grrr...*….or write every little detail about her on Barbossa's ship? It's up to you all!