The Call of the sea.
By Latanya
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with the Pirates of the Caribbean or NUMA but I do own Pearl, her yacht "The Black Pearl II" and anything else that I made up. Also, I re-wrote chapter one because I decided that it wasn't right.
Chapter Three: Teaching Pirates to talk.
Pearl was up early the next morning, dressing slowly on deck in a wet suit and dive gear. She wasn't worried about Jack waking up and discovering her gone because she had left clues on the deck. A warm fluffy towel, her clothes for the day and a bottle of water had been left atop a bench so she could strip out of the wet suit as soon as she got out of the water.
The depth of the ship was not one that meant that she needed to drop another tank to a certain level for her ascension but Pearl did make sure that she had a double tank rather than a single just in case. However, this dive was to simply see what the condition of the Black Pearl was and to take some photos of the ship and layout of the site.
Dropping down into the dingy, Pearl started the motor and headed over the water to where the ship rested beneath the waves. Stopping a short distance away, Pearl dropped anchor before strapping on the last of her dive gear. Slipping over the side into the water, she made sure that everything was working – especially the oxygen tanks. Once sure, Pearl secured the dive weights and dove down with a dive torch in one hand and a waterproof digital camera in the other.
When Pearl reached the Black Pearl, she took several birds-eye-view shots before she started swimming around. Taking photos constantly, Pearl was amazed by the condition the ship was in. As a marine archaeologist, Pearl had seen so many ships in such conditions that they were almost totally gone.
Checking her gauge after half an hour, Pearl gave herself another half hour before she'd head back up to the surface and spent that last half hour photographing the layout of the wreck. When she had five minutes left, Pearl started on her way back up to the dingy. By the time she saw the hull of the dingy, Pearl was starting to remember and worry about Jack.
Breaking the surface, she started to remove her gear and place it in the dingy. Climbing aboard, she started the motor again and headed back towards the yacht where she unloaded her gear. Carrying her gear over to where it went, Pearl looked around for Jack before she started to strip out of her wet suit. Standing on deck with a towel wrapped around her body, she cleaned her gear and hung out to dry what needed to be dried. Singing softly, Pearl walked over to the cabin and turned on a stereo so she could listen to music. Returning to her clothes, she had a drink of water before starting to dress. Pulling on the warm pants, Pearl dropped the towel to pull on her shirt when she heard a man's laughter behind her.
Turning, Pearl's eyes narrowed and she waited for Jack to say something. When he did not speak, she growled: "Do you mind turning around Mr Sparrow, I'd like to get dressed in privacy."
He smiled, crossing his arms and leaning against the door, "Oh I don' know 'bout that lassie, I like wha' I can see."
"Turn around Mr Sparrow else I won't be responsible for any injuries you may suffer at my hands." She crossed her arms also and glared at him.
"Ye see Pearly me lass, if yer goin' to be so open 'bout yer body, ye
'ave no right to stop those who look." Jack was enjoying the look on her face.
Spluttering, Pearl said, "This is my yacht Mr Sparrow, therefore my word is law and while you are aboard the Black Pearl II, I expect you to respect my wishes."
"Ye 'ave such a pretty blush lassie, don' know why yer fussing. Tis not like I 'ave never seen a woman before. Aye and what ye were wearing yesterday during our dip revealed more of ye body to me." His grin was starting to disturb her.
Watching as he stood up straight and walked towards her, Pearl felt her heart skip a beat. Captain Jack Sparrow was a man to be aware of constantly else he would do something unexpected. This was one of those times and Pearl did not know what he was going to do, she hadn't a clue if he was going to say something or do something. The innate feeling of helplessness that filled her was starting to unbalance Pearl's carefully worked for state of detachment.
Gripping her chin, Jack lifted Pearl's face upwards to study her feature before chuckling, "Ye need to relax lassie, ye take thin's to seriously. Laugh a little 'n' find me some rum." Then leaning in, he kissed her lips ravenously.
Startled, Pearl reacted by lashing out with her hand – which Jack promptly caught and used the force of her motion to pull her against his body. Holding her tightly, he arched an eyebrow thoughtfully before kissing her again. Letting her go suddenly, he turned and walked away. Once he was out of sight, Pearl cursed loudly and quickly finished getting dressed. She had to many things to do and there was no way that she was going to let Jack get the better of her. He was not going to interrupt her plans nor stop her from fulfilling them. Heading inside, she directed herself to the "study" area with the intention of uploading the photo's onto a computer so she could study them.
Looking at the first photo, Pearl found herself even more certain that the ship was in the best condition that could be expected. Printing out several of the photos she put them aside to show Jack later on. Turning on one of the other computers – one that was linked to the sonar side scan – Pearl planned to do another scan of the Black Pearl. Going outside, she hit the button to bring the anchor up and at the same time, she looked around for Jack.
It was only once the yacht was moving that the pirate captain reappeared to see what exactly was going on. Unable to find Pearl, he leant over the side of the yacht to watch the water go by. Much to Pearl's joy, there were no problems with the scan and it was soon completed, giving the woman a full and detailed map of the site.
Returning outside to the deck, Pearl was greeted by a very confused man. He quietly followed her around while she pulled the sonar up out of the water and let the anchor drop. Once Jack saw what she was doing, he felt confident enough to ask her what had been going on.
Turning to him, Pearl explained what she had been doing, "I was developing a full and detailed image of the site where the Black Pearl is currently resting. I'll show you in a moment the images I have of her but right now, I have to finish this first."
He nodded, "But how could ye 'ave an image of me ship if she's at the bottom of the sea?"
"Right well. I plan to sit you down with some books so you can start reading about the technology that we have today. My plans are to educate you enough so that you can pose to the world as my assistant and friend. Hopefully, you'll be smart enough to adapt and learn what I have to teach you." She met his eyes and smiled. "Please do this for me and if not me, for your friendship with my ancestors Will and Elizabeth and for what remains of your beloved ship the Black Pearl."
Meeting her gaze, the pirate didn't know what to say to her. The look in her eyes inclined him towards agreeing but deep down, he was not sure about it. If the world was as different now as she said it was, he did not know if he wanted to be experiencing it. "I'll think 'bout it Pearl but I don' know what to say. Ye tell me the world be different now to wha' I be used to and I don' be sure if I want any part of it. Ye know what I mean?"
Pearl nodded, "I know what you mean Sparrow, oh yes, I know what you mean. To often do I wish that I had been born in your time because I would be more suited to that age than I am to this one. Who knows, I might have even been a pirate and a good one at that."
"Ah now yer talkin' lassie. How 'bout this deal? I teach ye to be a good pirate and ye teach me to be a man of this age? Like ye say, who knows, ye might 'ave been a good pirate." He replied, watching for her reaction.
There was a silent pause and Pearl couldn't speak. Her mind was far to locked in thought for her to say anything to him. Considering Jack's suggestion, Pearl had to admit that it was an attractive idea. In return for learning what she had to teach him, she would learn what he had to teach her. It would at least make things fun for the two of them.
"Well lassie? What do ye say?"
Grinning in glee she agreed, "Alright Captain Jack Sparrow, I'll accept your offer if you accept mine. See, you have my interest stirred and I have a problem when that happens because my interest becomes insatiable."
"Really?" He raised an eyebrow, "Insatiable eh? I think I know of some other interests I could stir in ye."
"I'm sure you do but for now, it's my teaching time. That is, if you are man enough to agree to our deal. Are you man enough to endure what I have to teach?"
Holding out a hand to her, Jack smiled as innocently as he could manage, "Aye, I'll endure ye but will you be able to endure me? Let us 'ave a little wager Pearl Turner. The longer ye resist me, the longer I will endure your lessons."
"And what makes you think that I have any need to resist you?" She asked, taking his hand.
"Ah well, ye see, I can tell yer attracted to me."
A blush appeared on her cheeks again and Pearl growled, "I most certainly am not attracted to you! What would give you that idea?"
Jack grinned wickedly, "Ye didn't resist me kiss and I could tell ye were welcoming it."
"I was not! And you didn't give me a chance to resist you."
"Ye keep tellin' yerself that Pearly lass, I know what I know and yer body never lies. We'll see who'll win this little wager."
She took a deep breath and steadied herself before responding, "You know absolutely nothing about me or what I like Mr Sparrow and you will not win this wager of yours. Now, if you would like to follow me, I'll show you the images I have of your old ship and you can see what state she's in."
Following her into the "study", all the strange equipment contained within stunned Jack and every time he went to touch something, Pearl smacked his hands away with a warning look. Holding out to him the photos she took during her dive, the woman waited to hear his response to them.
"This can't be me ship!" He cried out.
"I'm afraid that that ship is your Black Pearl. Though I must admit that she's in fairly good condition considering what she's probably been through. Mr Sparrow, I'm sorry if you do not like what you are seeing but I did promise you to show you what she looked like and there she is." Pearl bowed her head sadly. "I only wish I could have seen her during your time for she would have been a magnificent ship."
A look of pride appeared on the pirates' face and he lifted his head high, "There was no ship faster or greater than the Black Pearl. She was me pride, me joy, me freedom and me life and to see 'er like that, well, it breaks me 'eart. What would ye think if ye saw yer yacht at the bottom of the sea like that?"
Pearl shook her head, "I would not know what to think Mr Sparrow but I know I probably would react the same as you do. There could be nothing worse in my mind than the idea of loosing my beloved yacht to the sea unless she took me down with her. A captain is supposed to go down with his or her ship."
"Partners 'til the end indeed. I would 'ave done that but the curse would not let me. 'Ave I said thanks for what ye did Miss Turner? Ye 'ave truly rid me of the curse." Jack smiled at her sadly.
Turning away from him, she studied the images on the screen from the sonar scan that she had just done of the Black Pearl. From what they showed up, it was clear that the site was slightly more extensive than she had thought before and that there seemed to be evidence of an earlier shipwreck in the area close to the site of the Black Pearl. Frowning, she sat down in front of the computer and started enhancing the images, trying to get a clearer picture of the remains of the other ship.
Watching her curiously, Jack wondered what she was doing and thought about mentioning the British navel ship that he and his crew had sunk in the area at one point. Shrugging, he reached out a finger to point at what looked like the remains of another ship and told Pearl about the British navel ship. She turned about and hugged him, laughing gleefully at the news. Arching a brow, he hugged her back with a small smile.
"I'm glad I could be a help to ye, but, what be so important 'bout the other ship? She was just a ship from the Brit navy who was tryin' to destroy me Pearl."
"Yes but at least I have several new wrecks to investigate." She closed her eyes, suddenly feeling dizzy.
Feeling her falter, Jack kept his arms around her and frowned in worry. "Luv, are ye savvy?"
She shook her head, clenching her eyes shut, "I feel like I'm going to be sick, my stomach is doing cartwheels and my head feels like it's on fire."
"Lets get ye sat down somewhere safe." He picked her up carefully, carried her out of the room, down the walkway and into her room where he laid her down on her bed. "Now, what can I do for ye?"
"Absolutely nothing right now since I shall be perfectly fine once I've allowed myself to relax. I think it's because I haven't been very careful with what I've been doing." She curled herself up into a ball and rested her head on the pillow.
Watching her, the pirate frowned again, "What do ye mean by that lassie? Are ye seriously ill?"
"Not exactly. I suffer from vertigo and quite often diving down on a wreck will set it off more surely than traveling on a plane will."
"A plane?" Jack was interested suddenly, "What is a plane?"
"Let's just say that a plane is giant metal bird that carries people to places around the world. It travels through the air at amazing speeds and gets people to where they want to be within a day or two of leaving where they were." Pearl explained, smiling faintly.
Shaking his head, "That can't be possible! How can a man travel on the back of a bird from one place to another in two days?"
"Actually, it is. When I take you back to where I live when I'm not sailing around the world, I'll show you a plane and perhaps even take you on one. Would you like that?"
Snorting, he stood up from his perch on the edge of her bed and walked around the room restlessly. Studying him, Pearl couldn't admit to herself that he meant a lot to her and that she would not be able to bear to see him leave. Closing her eyes again, she could still hear him pacing back and forth across her room.
"Jack?" She heard him stop. "Will you be okay if I fall asleep?"
Jack walked back over to her and sat down, "Tis okay with me if ye do luv, besides, ye need the rest to make ye feel better. I'll be right 'ere watching ye and everything will be savvy."
That was the last thing she heard before floating off into unconsciousness. Lying down beside her, Jack wrapped his arms around her tense form and hugged her against his body. She murmured something before curling herself up against him, hiding her face in the nape of his neck. Smiling sadly, the pirate lifted on of her hands to his lips and kissed it gently before allowing himself to drift off to sleep as well.
