Disclaimer: *grins* Mission 'smackdown' about to commence…
*other authoress ponders* So, what are we going to do once we escape?
*shrugs* Besides take over the world? Well, I was thinking something along the lines of pillage, sack, and destroy the homes of all Mary-Sues. Sound good?
*blinks* Really? Wow…I was thinking of a second breakfast, but that sounds jolly good!
Authors Note: *grins* I love this chapter title…hope it doesn't spoil the more serious mood of the chapter…*shrugs* And um…sorry for taking so long with getting it out. Don't mean to leave you guys out on a limb. I just have finals on the 15th…and tons of homework to make up, etc…couldn't get the proper mindset for Janette in this scene, all that stuff. Enjoy!
Four-Sided Eyes
(a.k.a. Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the fangirl)
Chapter 23: Under Wraps
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(Jack's POV…)
What is with this storm? It's got to be one of the worst I've seen in quite some time. And I'm beginning to believe my crew is out of practice.
Just the combination I need.
Not to mention having to force Pierre to keep Janette safe and inside. He was a good pirate in the making. His hands and efficient knots would be very helpful. The looks he gave me though…you'd think the lad would mutiny. Not to mention his strange actions before. Somehow, the lad must think I've done him a great injustice…
Not a good thought, Jack, keep concentrating on the storm.
Luckily the storm did not worsen much more, and stayed at a level of high annoyance. Not enough to kill a man, but if not given enough heed it could be the death of a ship and crew.
The practice began to get boring, but then I saw something most unpleasant. Janette had run out of the cabins, which I distinctly remember telling, nay, ordering, Pierre to keep her safely inside.
I let out a string of curses, then found my attention brought back to keeping the Pearl all together. This storm must have some hidden agenda. Really…how much longer must it go on?
Sparing a few more glances to the deck, I saw Pierre frantically searching for her. At least the lad was correcting his problem. All should be fine then. Breathing deeply, I let the security of Pierre's abilities replace the slight tinge of anxiety over Janette being on deck during this storm.
The waves and rain kept pounding and beating on us, but Captain Jack Sparrow does not give in easily.
Never.
My eyes began to wander again, and this time I spotted Pierre dragging Janette along the deck…by her wrist. What in the…well, Pierre doesn't look angry, he's doing his best to get her to safety. I wasn't able to spare much more of my attention, that is, until a huge wave hit the starboard side…where Pierre and Janette had been slowly working their way back to the cabins. I held tightly to the helm, and won, but I saw something… entirely…frustrating.
Pierre had been caught in the wave…he looked stunned still, and I stared in surprise. He started to put his hand out for the railing - good lad - but then our eyes met…and he froze, getting that far-off gaze of his.
And he didn't grab the railing.
So…I have a man, lad more like, overboard. Splendid, an indispensable one too. And I still haven't figured this little enigma out.
Gibbs pounded up the stairs, "Captain! Pierre's been washed overboard!"
"I know," I growled, "Take the helm."
He nodded and did as I said. Can't trust anyone else to it…no doubt the boy won't be able to grab a rope that's thrown to him. You couldn't see it out there in that water anyway. I quickly took off my effects and dropped them next to Gibbs.
"Do not lose these!" I yelled over the screeching wind.
He nodded and I hurried down to the deck. Mr. Cotton nodded to me and pulled on a rope he had already secured, handing it to me. With a curt nod, I tied the rope to my waist and jumped in.
The ocean hadn't been this cold in quite some time…or I had simply forgotten the cold sting. It started to make me tingle all over, and increased the desire to go back to the Pearl without my annoying enigma.
Really, Pierre, you better survive this and serve me extremely well, or else you will be one of the few to make Captain Jack Sparrow regret an action.
It didn't take too long to find him, but he was sinking quickly. I struggled my way over to him and snatched him up. He really was light…
Swimming up to the surface was another shock. I had almost run out of air, and the storm made it hard to not inhale seawater with every passing wave. I pulled on the rope and was glad when a strong, continuous tug was my response.
With not much left for me to do but wait to get pulled back I had a chance to see Pierre close up and soaking wet. Seeing him as such, the thought of how much he ate despite his size came to me. Odd little contradiction that he is… His shirt was falling to shreds and I could see his wrap again. His wrap…I suppose now will be as good a time as any to finally solve this mystery.
Finally I was pulled back aboard and was glad to see the storm was calming. Now I can solve this mystery once and for all. With a nod at Gibbs, he tossed my effects to Anamaria, and I carried the…was he clinging to me?
Yes, that was definitely clinging. Pierre was shivering violently, and didn't seem entirely conscious…nor unconscious. He jerked himself right up next to me, curling his head under my chin, his teeth chattering. No doubt he was doing his utmost to get all the warmth he could. The scrawny lad…or lass, was freezing. Unconsciously I ran my hand along his back, hoping to restore as much warmth to him as possible. As least he still had the strength to cling. And the more strength Pierre has, the better.
Now, to get those wet clothes off him. Or her.
Anamaria followed me to my cabin, where Janette was shivering and cowering in the corner, setting my effects on my desk. Don't have time to deal with her, Pierre needs immediate attention. As does the nagging question that's been plaguing me ever since I took on the little enigma.
"Thank you, Anamaria, I'll handle this now."
"But Captain, you may need help with Pierre."
Well…I guess she's the best crewmember to help with this. Gibbs on the other hand…it's best that he's not here.
"All right," my bed was the best place to put the lad. He'd need to get out of his wet clothes and into something dry and warm soon.
I set Pierre down on my bed and I vaguely heard Anamaria getting something out of the cabinets, towels or dry clothes no doubt. Pierre's shirt was only worsening by the moment and it didn't take much effort to rip it open. The wrap was still there, just like it had been before.
Janette made a small gasp - almost forgotten that she was there - but I paid her no heed. Pierre had to be dealt with now. The enigma had deceived me for far too long.
Anamaria started to walk over, and I grabbed a knife that was sitting on my nightstand, carefully slicing open the wrap. I gently lifted Pierre up and pulled off the remnants of his shirt, then began taking off the wrap. It was as if he were dead the way he hung limply…eyes closed, arms dangling to the sides…his face too pale. All traits I certainly did not want in Pierre, irritating or not.
Janette let out another gasp, and Anamaria said nothing.
She set down a towel and a long shirt of mine that would no doubt serve as a nightgown for Pierre.
My work with the wrap was quick and I paused after the last strand was gone.
Here, limply in my arms, is indeed a young lass…with a small scar between her breasts.
Pierre…you sham. Yet you didn't even lie to me about the scar…
"We shouldn't let Pierre get any colder, Captain," Anamaria held out a towel, and I nodded, setting the little imposter down and set about drying her.
Janette must have seen all this and not taken to the discovery well, as I heard her back into the wall and slide down it, her breathing nothing more than shallow gasps.
I paused in my drying and looked to Anamaria, who nodded and went over to Janette.
Returning my gaze to Pierre's face, it's hard to believe I had ever thought this little lass to be…a boy. Squinting for a moment, I guess I can remember it. I can't say that I've ever seen Pierre this calm. This…disturbingly peaceful. Even when she'd been knocked unconscious or was sleeping, the lass consistently had a smile, or a frown. It was as if she were constantly concentrating on something.
Now I can only assume that she was doing her best to keep up the Pierre façade.
At least that part of the enigma is exposed. But…why did my little enigma do so? That will be left to speculation and Pierre's own words, I suppose.
Still…how…why?
A scowl came onto my face.
This little lass had duped me.
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(Janette's POV…)
Breathe…just breathe…
Concentrate on that, and I'll be all right.
Glancing around the confines of the room I'd hid in, I found tears coming to my eyes. Why must I suffer this? Stuck on an awful pirate ship with only a cold-hearted boy to talk to…and…oh I miss home. And Mother and Father. I just want to go home and forget that any of this happened.
I am so tired, and cold, and sick of this place. These…circumstances. Pierre had been so rude to me. He called my words 'frippery'. How could he be so…so…uncaring? Black-hearted?
He's a pirate.
Biting my lip, I hoped to hold back the tears.
I keep forgetting that…this does not feel real. It's an awful nightmare to me… one that I just wish to wake from. But it never works. I go to sleep, and wake up in the same place. In that tiny cabin with so many terrible pirates lurking about outside. Thank goodness none have come in. Well…besides Pierre. At least he knocked.
Pierre…where is he? Has he not come in yet? Wait…
Holding my head, and calming my anxiety for but a moment, the chaotic events came back to my mind unbidden. Water…we'd been out in the storm. He had chased me out with his cruel words, and then helped me back. I'd disgracefully lost my footing and actually let him drag me on the floor…but…the boy was much smaller than I. It was so cold and wet there…
I'm still cold and wet.
Shivering again, I huddled up tighter and refocused my mind on the memories that I had seemingly blocked out. Those of just before I had found myself in this room, nearly hysterical.
Pierre had helped me to my feet. He was a bit rough with me…but it was so frightening out there. I could not do more than try to keep from crying and screaming in fear. And…he pushed me back towards the cabins…then…
Water. An enormous, never-ending wall of water.
I had seen it and frozen. Pierre noticed and slammed the door shut. Then…a thunderous crash.
Too petrified to do anything more, I had stood there and watched the door open again…but there was no Pierre. He…he had saved me. And for it, he'd been swept away.
Perhaps…just perhaps he was still on the 'deck' -- Pierre had insisted on trying to make me learn the proper ship terminology -- and working with the other pirates. Or… no… come, Janette, try not to think about Pierre.
This time, I could not stop the tears from falling as reality returned to me. As did the hysterics.
Pierre could be dead.
And I could have been the cause. By running out on deck when I should have known it would be dangerous, I had risked both our lives, and…he had spared me, and sacrificed himself. How can I…
What have I done?
Sobs wracked me for a time, and then a loud banging regained my attention. I looked up and saw Captain Sparrow, the woman crewmember, and…a very small and wet Pierre in the captain's arms.
He's…he's still alive?
The captain seemed to only spare me a glance before continuing his conversation with the woman lying the poor boy on the bed. Was this the captain's quarters? Well…it was the largest room…but…
I blinked my eyes and saw the captain…taking off Pierre's clothing? Why? Was he… Pierre is shivering. The captain is only trying to get some dry, warmer clothing on him. What a relief…I suppose I should do the same once Pierre is tended to. I just…have to see that Pierre is all right.
Since I was the one to threaten his life…
My breathing was slowly coming under control…wait. What is the captain getting a knife out for. What is he doing?
Taking a step to the side, I saw that the captain had cut a few strands of a thin bandage-like cloth that was wound around Pierre's upper chest. Was Pierre hiding an old wound? I'd never seen that before…
And…the…no…
My eyes locked onto Pierre's limp body. Is he…this can't be.
Is Pierre a…a…oh my.
My knees went weak. That is no boy's chest…that is a…the chest of a small girl.
All this time…
I was now sliding down the wall, hyperventilating again…and…
Pierre…a girl? How can this be? No girl could possibly…
Someone was touching me, acting soothing in a way. Looking up, I saw the woman pirate, a darker woman, smiling softly at me and speaking in what I took to be an attempt at a comforting tone. She put a blanket around me, and rubbed my back, still mumbling something.
Pierre…what a funny name for a girl. Unless, well…that is probably a name she chose for her disguise. But why…why would a girl need to hide herself as a cabin boy on a pirate ship? Surely not all of the children on these islands are hiding from dark pasts, right? And…
My vision was giving in to black spots, but I rested my face in my hands, finding the woman to be gone now. Regaining a bit of sense, I looked to the bed and saw myself alone, except for Pierre's petite body dwarfed by the large bed she inhabited. I looked to her chest and was relieved to see it slowly rising and falling.
Pierre would survive. I had not killed him…I mean…her. Resting my head in my hands once more, I rubbed my temples and continued to keep myself calm.
I am aboard a pirate ship. They have been considerably nice to me - or so Pierre says - and there has still been no word from father. No doubt Mother would have only recently heard about my kidnapping and…
Why does this not terrify me? Should I not be doing all within my power to free myself of these brigands? But…Pierre. Poor little Pierre.
A small girl, for reasons unknown posing as a cabin boy aboard this ship. A pirate ship. How…how does this all work? I…
I'm so very tired…so tired.
I don't think that…I had been doing much more than running and shivering for the past while. What is to become of me?
A sob caught in my throat, and I huddled up more, laying down on the floor in the corner and pulling the heavy blanket tightly around me. I…I should just sleep. I cannot think clearly, I am so dreadfully cold, and…Pierre lies on that bed, deathly pale.
Please Pierre…survive. I…I know you don't like me, but…I could not live to see your life end because of me. Whimpering again, I pulled the blanket tighter and felt my exhaustion deepen.
It's quite calming to let sleep take you…very nice, in fact…
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Now…for all my (off-and-on) faithful reviewers! Whoop. 126 pages! Go me!
AAR Rocks My Socks: Yep, yep, Pierre is saved. *nods* Though…I'd been waiting to do that cliff hanger for a bit. It was far too tempting to pass up…hope it didn't kill any of you guys.
KawaiiRyu: Yep, Pierre went over the side. But! Sparrow went in and got her. That was a very happy streak of updating indeed…I just…can't keep it up all the time. Got finals coming up and all…*shudders*
PED-sarah: Um…sorry? I really hate cliffy's myself…but…as said above, it just…worked too well. The chapter would have been too long and…I…sorry?
Layla Sparrow: It seems that you have some great ideas, and I hope it is really original. Hope you enjoyed chapter 23.
goran: Here ya go! And thanks for being a new reviewer! Yippie!
Elsinore: Don't know when you'll get to this…but…I fixed the stuff you suggested, asked for your advice on how to fix that um…*coughs* Situation with Janette and such…and well…hope all is still up to your approval. But I really do think I'll come running for help for the later fighting scenes.
