~*~*~
Naturally, after the storm had cleared, we reached the Isla de Muerta. The island itself was shrouded in mist, and fog swirled around us. Steam rose off the water, and a glance overboard revealed some fearsome-looking sharks. I shivered reflexively at the sight of the rotting skeletons on the rock ledges. Adding to the effect was the floating wood, a definite sign that this was a ship graveyard. The whole scene vaguely reminded me of my dream from the previous night.
"Dead men tell no tales," I heard a creaky voice grate. Identifying it as Cotton's parrot, I was about to say something rude to the offending bird, when the complete silence struck me. No one was saying a word. All that could be heard was the groan and creak of the ship as it slowly forged its way through the water. Sighing, I reigned in the comment and kept my mouth shut.
It appeared as if we had made it past the worst of the wreckage, and the crew prepared to weigh anchor. Nervous chatter could be heard. 'It's amazing what nerves can do to someone,' I thought philosophically. Anamaria was actually babbling away to one of the crew members, whose name I didn't know. Among the whispering conversations, I heard Will and Gibbs talking about Jack. Gibbs was speaking, "Not a lot's known about Jack Sparrow before he showed up in Tortuga with a mind to go after the treasure of the Isla de Muerta . That was before I met him, back when he was Captain of the Black Pearl." I sidled closer so I could hear all that was being said.
"What? He failed to mention that," Will replied, looking slightly taken aback. 'Trust the lad to be the last one with the news.' I sighed wearily. He wasn't the sharpest cutlass in shop.
Gibbs proceeded to explain to Will about the mutiny, and soon launched into an explanation about how Jack escaped from the island he was marooned on. It was an interesting rendition, though highly unlikely. Involved something about sea turtles and rafts. "What did he use for rope?" I asked, sending Gibbs one of my trademark smirks. He looked at a loss for words.
"Human hair. From my back."
I instantly recognized the voice as Jack's. I turned around slowly to look at him. "That's an interesting version," I snipped. "But the question, once again, is how did you really get off that island?" I knew full well that he wouldn't tell me.
"Wouldn't you like to know," he shot back. "Let go of the anchor!" he called to one of the crew members. He turned back to us. "Young Mr. Turner and I are to go ashore." He started to walk away. I cleared my throat noisily. He turned on his heel slowly so that he was facing me. "Yes?"
"I'm going too."
"No, love, not this time."
I felt anger rising inside me. "Why the hell not?" I demanded, struggling not to lose my already short temper.
In a low voice that only I could understand, he whispered, "Someone has to make sure the crew stays loyal." He grinned. "And I know you'll keep them in line."
I glared at him. I had a feeling my eyes had a dangerous glint to them that only appeared when I was really angry or upset. "Jack, if you know what's good for ye, you'll let me go," I growled, my voice low.
"And if you know what's good for *ye*, then you'll obey your captain, savvy?"
I glared furiously at him. I opened my mouth but closed it again. He had me there. 'Damned code,' I thought viciously. "You'll regret this decision," I finished, and stalked away angrily.
~*~*~
Twenty minutes later, I reappeared on deck. My fury had been replaced with an uncharacteristic worry. I sought out Anamaria. She was sitting on a crate cleaning her fingernails with a dagger. I pulled up another of the wooden boxes and sunk down beside her.
"You seem stressed."
I looked at Anamaria. She hadn't even taken her eyes off of her work. "Of course I'm stressed," I replied defensively. "I'm on an unfamiliar Navy ship that's captained by a lunatic, who, despite all the help I've given him, refuses to let me accompany him on the main part of the whole bloody escapade!" I said all of this in one breath, and added a string of curses.
"You're worried."
I stared at her. 'I'm not worried, damn it! Just pissed off,' I thought. Deep down I knew I was in serious denial. "No, I'm not," I retorted.
She chuckled quietly to herself. "Whatever you say."
I bolted off the bench and stormed off to the helm. I grabbed the wheel, the smooth, worn wood giving me a kind of comfort. After calming my nerves, I returned to where Anamaria was sitting. She was now whittling away at a piece of drift wood. "Better?" she asked.
I nodded.
"Great." She tossed me a potato.
"Where'd that come from?"
"My pocket, but that doesn't matter. Peel this, it'll help."
For lack of anything better to do, I took out my knife and worked away at the potato until the skin was off. Pretty soon, I had chopped the whole vegetable into little bits. Now all I had left was a mutilated potato. 'Peachy fucking keen,' I thought irritably and stood up and began to pace. After about ten minute of this Anamaria spoke again.
"You care about him don't you?"
I froze.
"I think you do."
Silence. I turned slowly.
Anamaria gave me a placid look. I wanted to shoot her. I resisted the urge to draw my pistol, and instead said, "Don't even go there." I stalked off down to the galley.
It was void of any crew members. "Thank God." I searched around for more potatoes. It seemed that Anamaria had started a bad habit.
I rationed myself twenty large potatoes, and in a matter of minutes they had been hacked and whittled away to nothing. 'I can't waste anymore.' I went above deck, and leaned against the railing, and stared blankly towards the mouth of the cave.
~*~*~
Some time later, I saw a one of the row boats aproaching. As it drew nearer, I saw clearly that it held two people. One rowed, and the other was throwing things overboard. After looking closely, I saw that the things were oars. 'Well, at least they did something right.'
Gibbs and Cotton helped raise them onto the deck, and I strolled over. Preparing to give Jack and Will a piece of my mind, the words died on my lips when I realized Jack wasn't there. Instead, a woman, whom I presumed to be Elizabeth, was in Jack's place. "Not more pirates," she wailed, giving us a suspicious look. I smiled as politely as possible at her, then gave Will a venemous look.
"Where's Jack?" I demanded. Will looked vexed.
"He fell behind," he stated simply, and led Elizabeth away.
I felt numb at first. 'Fell behind?' I thought dumbly. The numbness soon changed into suspicion. Jack wouldn't be captured or killed so easily. Something wasn't right. 'Someone needs to go back and save him.' I considered this for a while, and then threw the thought away. 'Sure as hell isn't going to be me. 'sides, I have the ship all to me onesies now.' I knew how horrible this state of mind was, but I was a pirate; I certainly wasn't going to risk my neck for someone else.
Heaving one last sigh, I turned toward the crew, who was watching me expectantly. "Keep to the code," I announced gruffly and gave a nod toward Anamaria.
"Weigh anchor! Hoist the sails! Make quickly, divvies!" she commanded the crew sharply. Gibbs muttered something about female captains being bad luck. I took the helm, and we slipped out of the cove, and after careful navigation, we were soon on the open sea.
TBC
~*~*~
A/N: Hi everyone! What's shakin bacon? Hehe. This chapter is pretty short, but necessary. It gives you an insight to how Rachel feels about Jack and the whole scenario. I figure there's about four or five chapter left in this, but there should be a sequel if I get enough requests. Oh, and everyone go out and read katesparrow's Pandora's Box. It kicks major ass. *grins* The main character in that story is a lot like Rachel. ^_^ Now onto review replies!
katesparrow- What's up my homefry? Lol. I seem to be into food right now. Hmmm....Oh well. Thanks so much for the reviews! And the compliments!
Jack: Why would anyone compliment you?
Me: Haven't we been through this before?
Jack: *shrugs*
Me: Be nice, or I'll sic Rachel, Kate, and fangirls on you! Mwahaha! Feel my wrath!
Rachel: Just say the word, and I'm there! *grins wickedly at Jack*
Me: Anywho, I can't wait for your next update! And for your HP story! ta!
Jessi Lupin- You get a cookie for understanding last chapter! Thanks for the review. I'm glad you still like this story. I'm waiting impatiently for you to update your story. I updated my HP story, you'd better update yours, savvy? ^_^ Ta! Oh, and here's your cookie. *hands Jessi a big chocolate macadamia nut cookie*
chibichibi386- Yes, poor Jack. He deserves it though! Thanks for the reviews! And I had a great time in Vegas!
BlackHearte11- NO! Don't throw yourself overboard! I would miss you! Hehe. You'd better share Johnny with me!
Johnny: Not two of them!
Me: *smirks* Anywho, your new story is great! I can't wait for more!
That's all for now! Remember to REVIEW!!! They make me write faster, savvy? All of those silent readers out there, please review! Let's see if we can get to 70! Y'all can do it!
Until next time,
~TheSiriusSparrow~
