Chapter 3
"Are you calmed down now, darling?" She glared at him. "Clearly not." Jack made to leave, but she pulled the sword out, and set it on his shoulder. He grinned, pushed the blade away and turned to face her; she was standing in the en garde position. "What are you going to do with that?"
"Kill you."
"Then what?" Alex hadn't thought of that. "See, you have to plan ahead. All right, fight me. Then we'll make arrangements for you."
Jack laughed and pulled out his sword, and they fought. They traded feints and thrusts and parries for a while, and she became somewhat predictable to Jack.
"Am I boring you, Captain?"
"Let's just say, I have more important things to do."
Alex lunged at him, then he moved out of the way, forcing her to be inches from him, and he grabbed her around the waist. She could smell the liquor on his breath and clothes. She made a face of disgust.
"You're drunk."
"C'mon, luv. We can be friends, can't we?"
She pushed him off of her, and he soon knocked the sword out of her hand. She couldn't figure it out, how could a drunken madman beat her? Jack walked to the door, and left, laughing. Alex walked out onto the deck, and looked out onto the ocean. The men laughed to her left, and she looked. The men were watching the Captain dance a fast paced dance with an invisible partner. Alex laughed.
"Men," she sighed.
"What? I expect you can do better?" slurred Jack.
"Of course."
"Then show us."
"All right, who would like to learn to dance?" she asked, standing as straight as she could, her head high, being as proper as she could.
"I would," said the Captain.
"Anyone else?" The crew laughed, but stopped the second Jack looked at them. "All right, Captain, come here."
"Right."
Jack walked to her, and she put his right hand around her waist, and she put her right hand in his left, she picked up her skirts with her left hand.
"The first thing to learn is how to hold your partner. Like this, obviously, then the man leads, in this case, I shall teach the man to lead. I watched my mother teach my father to dance, so I know what to do. First, the man steps forward with his left foot, and then it's very fast paced, and spinning and jumping mostly. All right, let us start."
Jack and Alex danced around the ship's deck. And when the men's clapping died down, the two stopped.
"Now, how do you dance to a slower pace?" Jack asked her.
"Follow my lead."
Alex put Jack's hands how they were for their last dance, and she stepped back with her right foot, Jack stepped forward with his left, she stepped forward with her left foot, and Jack stepped back, they did the same movements, in slow circles around the deck.
"This it? This is easy!"
Alex smiled.
"Now, you stand on my left, facing me, and put your left arm, around my waist, and I do the same to you, then we join our right hands at the fingers above our heads, and we turn slowly in a circle, both of us walking forward. Then after one complete turn, we switch, I go to your left, and we put our right arms around each other, join our left hands, and walk forward."
Jack nodded, and they tried it. Jack looked at Alex's concentration. Alex looked up into Jack's eyes and he smiled. Alex looked into his eyes deeper than anyone had before. She saw his vast unhappiness, even though he smiled, she saw that he was miserable.
"Working hard at this, are you?"
"No. You seem to be getting this. You can do it."
Alex walked quickly into the captain's quarters, and sat down to the dinner that had been set out for her and Jack. Jack came in and they ate, in silence.
"What are you afraid of, Miss Jackson?" Jack finally asked her.
"Nothing, Captain."
"Was that fear I saw in your eyes when we were dancing or was it my imagination?"
"It must have been the glare of the sun, Captain, for it was not fear."
"All right then."
Jack stood to leave. Alex grabbed a sword, and threw it, the tip of the blade was wedged between the door and the doorway, keeping Jack from leaving.
"We were not finished, Captain," said Alex, grabbing another sword.
Jack smiled, mocking her in his expression. He grabbed the handle of the sword with both hands and tried to pull it out of the woodwork, be he could not.
"Neat little trick you've got there."
"No trick. Fight me like a man."
"As though you were a man, or me?"
Alex felt the rage rise within her, and she attacked, unpredictable in complete anger. She lunged to stab him and again missed. Jack grabbed her around the waist and kissed her.
"Captain!" she said in disgust, and she slapped him, knocking him over.
She walked to the door, held the sword in her right hand, and pulled it out of the wall. Alex threw both of the swords at Jack's feet, and walked out. She looked at the sky, the sun was setting, and she was bored. She walked down to the crew's quarters, and saw them playing cards. They stared at her.
"Are you here to teach us to dance, too?" asked one of the men.
He was short, balding, and dirty.
"No, I want to play."
They laughed, one even fell off his chair. Alex glared at them, took a bottle of rum and took a swig. The men got quiet, and one man, who was down on his luck stood, and let Alex sit. She smiled politely, thanked him and sat down.
"We're playin' poker. The rules—"began one of the other men.
"I know how to play. Deal the cards," interrupted Alex.
No one noticed Jack standing in a dark corner, staring. After several games, Alex losing only two of them, and folding once, Jack spoke.
"Deal me in."
The crew looked up at him. Most had in fact gone to bed, and there were four left, Alex being one of the four. The short man from before left, and went to bed. Jack sat across from Alex, and one of the men dealt the cards.
"One," said Alex.
"Are you sure?" said Jack, not taking his eyes off of Alex.
"Absolutely."
She placed her card on the table and the man gave her another. She picked it up, and put it in her hand.
"Where did you learn to play poker?"
"My grandfather."
"Was he a pirate?"
"No, he was not."
"What did he do for a living?"
"I have never asked. I know why you are so miserable, Captain."
"Why?"
Alex pulled her left knee up to her chest, and tucked her right leg under her left.
"You don't know how to express your feelings."
The men laughed.
"I am serious! You cannot say 'I love you' in any form, which is why all of you chose to be pirates."
"I see your five gold pieces, and raise you ten. You think so?"
The man on Alex's left folded the man on Alex's right put down fifteen gold pieces. Alex put down her own money.
"Call. Yes, I think so. I think if you found a way to express love for someone, you wouldn't have to continue this life of piracy."
"Really? So what should my expression of love be? One shot for no, two for yes, three for I hate you, four for I love you, and five for will you marry me?"
"To each his own. If that is how you want to tell a girl you love her, then do it."
Jack raised his bottle of rum.
"Take what ye can!" he said, to his crewmen remaining to finish their card game.
"Give nothing back," replied Alex.
Alex took another drink from the bottle of rum next to her, and she began to hum.
"What's that?" asked Jack.
"Nothing, just a song."
"Let's have it."
"No—I shouldn't—"
"C'mon, no one will ever tell your mother about this, let's have it!"
Alex smiled, thinking of what her mother's reaction would be if she ever found out and sang.
"We pillage, we plunder, we rifle, we loot, Drink up me hearties, yo ho,
We kidnap we ravage, and don't give a hoot, Drink up me hearties, yo ho,
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me
We're rascals and scoundrels we're villains, we're naves, Drink up me hearties yo ho,
We're devils and black sheep, we're really bad eggs Drink up me hearties, yo ho,
We're beggars, we're blighters, and ne'er-do-well cads Drink up me hearties, yo ho,
Aye, we're loved my our mothers and our dads Drink up me hearties, yo ho."
Jack laughed.
"I LOVE that song! Where did you learn that?"
"My mother."
Jack looked dumbstruck, and his mind flashed back nearly twenty years before.
"That was an interesting trick today... with the sword."
Alex looked at her cards.
"Trick?"
"Yes, the throwing thing."
"That is not a trick, Captain. It is a skill."
"Who taught you?"
"My father."
Jack put down a straight of diamonds, the man put down two pair, and Alex put down a flush.
"You win, Miss Jackson," Jack spit out her last name.
Alex pulled the money toward her.
"Thank you, gentlemen. It is late, and I shall now retire."
She stood up, placing the money in her skirt, using it as a basket, and walking to the captain's quarters, where she placed the money in her money pouch, and hid it inside her dress. She took off her shoes, and got into the bed in which she had been sleeping for the past week and a half.
"Drink up me hearties, yo ho..."
Alex closed her eyes and fell asleep. She felt as though someone were watching her, so she opened her eyes. It was morning, and the light blinded her. Once her eyes adjusted, she saw Jack sitting in a chair, leaning back on its back legs, watching her.
"Good morning, Miss Turner."
"Good—excuse me?"
"Who are you, really?"
Alex sat up, fixed her hair, and put on her shoes.
"What do you mean, Captain?"
"You are not from London."
Alex stood to leave.
"I am. I was born in Suffolk."
"No you weren't. Tell the truth, luv."
Alex left to stand on the deck. She noticed a ship with white sails gaining on them. This time, she said nothing, hoping they wouldn't see the ship. Jack followed Alex.
"What do you want, Captain?"
He grabbed her by her upper arms, and pulled her to face him.
"The truth."
She struggled to get free from his grip.
"Let go of me, Captain."
"Tell me what I want to know, and I shall."
Alex fought and fought, he was much stronger than any other man she had met. The ship was just behind them now, only feet between the ships. Alex had almost begun to cry.
"FINE!" she shouted, and the entire crew listened to her.
"Good. Who are you?"
"My name is Alexandra Victoria Turner, daughter of William and Elizabeth Turner. I was born in Port Royal, and I have lived there my entire life. Charles Norrington, the son of Commodore Norrington is my friend. I will be eighteen in a month from today. Are you satisfied?"
"No. Are you in love with me?" Jack asked, looking into her eyes.
Before Alex could answer, there was a boom, and the ship lurched. Jack looked around and saw The Dominance sailing behind them, cannons out. Alex leaned out, and saw Charles and Commodore Norrington at the head of the ship.
"Alexandra!" called Charles.
"Alex!" shouted Will's voice.
"Will, mate!" said Jack.
"Jack?" Will looked as though he'd never been more surprised in his life.
"It's me!"
"Hold fire!" shouted Commodore Norrington.
"Why did you take Alex?" Will called to his friend.
"Mix up, the crew's idea. I just keep the order."
Elizabeth came on deck.
"Alex!" she called
"Mother!" Alex shouted back.
"C'mere, Miss TURNER," said Jack, pointedly.
Alex looked at him, and he grabbed her around the waist with one hand, and held a rope in the other.
"What are you—?"
"Hold on."
Alex realized what he was doing, and held onto Jack for dear life. Jack's feet landed on board The Dominance, and Alex didn't let go.
"Alex!"
"You can let go now, luv," said Jack.
Alex opened her eyes, and let go of Jack.
"Thank you, Captain," said Alex, stiffly.
She held out her hand. Jack shook it.
"Sorry about the mix- up."
Jack got back on his own ship, and The Dominance turned around. Alex watched as she sailed into the distance. She saw Jack pace along the length of the deck, then go into his quarters, then she turned to her family.
BANG
Alex turned around and raced to the back of the ship to see Jack, holding his pistol in the air.
"Are you calmed down now, darling?" She glared at him. "Clearly not." Jack made to leave, but she pulled the sword out, and set it on his shoulder. He grinned, pushed the blade away and turned to face her; she was standing in the en garde position. "What are you going to do with that?"
"Kill you."
"Then what?" Alex hadn't thought of that. "See, you have to plan ahead. All right, fight me. Then we'll make arrangements for you."
Jack laughed and pulled out his sword, and they fought. They traded feints and thrusts and parries for a while, and she became somewhat predictable to Jack.
"Am I boring you, Captain?"
"Let's just say, I have more important things to do."
Alex lunged at him, then he moved out of the way, forcing her to be inches from him, and he grabbed her around the waist. She could smell the liquor on his breath and clothes. She made a face of disgust.
"You're drunk."
"C'mon, luv. We can be friends, can't we?"
She pushed him off of her, and he soon knocked the sword out of her hand. She couldn't figure it out, how could a drunken madman beat her? Jack walked to the door, and left, laughing. Alex walked out onto the deck, and looked out onto the ocean. The men laughed to her left, and she looked. The men were watching the Captain dance a fast paced dance with an invisible partner. Alex laughed.
"Men," she sighed.
"What? I expect you can do better?" slurred Jack.
"Of course."
"Then show us."
"All right, who would like to learn to dance?" she asked, standing as straight as she could, her head high, being as proper as she could.
"I would," said the Captain.
"Anyone else?" The crew laughed, but stopped the second Jack looked at them. "All right, Captain, come here."
"Right."
Jack walked to her, and she put his right hand around her waist, and she put her right hand in his left, she picked up her skirts with her left hand.
"The first thing to learn is how to hold your partner. Like this, obviously, then the man leads, in this case, I shall teach the man to lead. I watched my mother teach my father to dance, so I know what to do. First, the man steps forward with his left foot, and then it's very fast paced, and spinning and jumping mostly. All right, let us start."
Jack and Alex danced around the ship's deck. And when the men's clapping died down, the two stopped.
"Now, how do you dance to a slower pace?" Jack asked her.
"Follow my lead."
Alex put Jack's hands how they were for their last dance, and she stepped back with her right foot, Jack stepped forward with his left, she stepped forward with her left foot, and Jack stepped back, they did the same movements, in slow circles around the deck.
"This it? This is easy!"
Alex smiled.
"Now, you stand on my left, facing me, and put your left arm, around my waist, and I do the same to you, then we join our right hands at the fingers above our heads, and we turn slowly in a circle, both of us walking forward. Then after one complete turn, we switch, I go to your left, and we put our right arms around each other, join our left hands, and walk forward."
Jack nodded, and they tried it. Jack looked at Alex's concentration. Alex looked up into Jack's eyes and he smiled. Alex looked into his eyes deeper than anyone had before. She saw his vast unhappiness, even though he smiled, she saw that he was miserable.
"Working hard at this, are you?"
"No. You seem to be getting this. You can do it."
Alex walked quickly into the captain's quarters, and sat down to the dinner that had been set out for her and Jack. Jack came in and they ate, in silence.
"What are you afraid of, Miss Jackson?" Jack finally asked her.
"Nothing, Captain."
"Was that fear I saw in your eyes when we were dancing or was it my imagination?"
"It must have been the glare of the sun, Captain, for it was not fear."
"All right then."
Jack stood to leave. Alex grabbed a sword, and threw it, the tip of the blade was wedged between the door and the doorway, keeping Jack from leaving.
"We were not finished, Captain," said Alex, grabbing another sword.
Jack smiled, mocking her in his expression. He grabbed the handle of the sword with both hands and tried to pull it out of the woodwork, be he could not.
"Neat little trick you've got there."
"No trick. Fight me like a man."
"As though you were a man, or me?"
Alex felt the rage rise within her, and she attacked, unpredictable in complete anger. She lunged to stab him and again missed. Jack grabbed her around the waist and kissed her.
"Captain!" she said in disgust, and she slapped him, knocking him over.
She walked to the door, held the sword in her right hand, and pulled it out of the wall. Alex threw both of the swords at Jack's feet, and walked out. She looked at the sky, the sun was setting, and she was bored. She walked down to the crew's quarters, and saw them playing cards. They stared at her.
"Are you here to teach us to dance, too?" asked one of the men.
He was short, balding, and dirty.
"No, I want to play."
They laughed, one even fell off his chair. Alex glared at them, took a bottle of rum and took a swig. The men got quiet, and one man, who was down on his luck stood, and let Alex sit. She smiled politely, thanked him and sat down.
"We're playin' poker. The rules—"began one of the other men.
"I know how to play. Deal the cards," interrupted Alex.
No one noticed Jack standing in a dark corner, staring. After several games, Alex losing only two of them, and folding once, Jack spoke.
"Deal me in."
The crew looked up at him. Most had in fact gone to bed, and there were four left, Alex being one of the four. The short man from before left, and went to bed. Jack sat across from Alex, and one of the men dealt the cards.
"One," said Alex.
"Are you sure?" said Jack, not taking his eyes off of Alex.
"Absolutely."
She placed her card on the table and the man gave her another. She picked it up, and put it in her hand.
"Where did you learn to play poker?"
"My grandfather."
"Was he a pirate?"
"No, he was not."
"What did he do for a living?"
"I have never asked. I know why you are so miserable, Captain."
"Why?"
Alex pulled her left knee up to her chest, and tucked her right leg under her left.
"You don't know how to express your feelings."
The men laughed.
"I am serious! You cannot say 'I love you' in any form, which is why all of you chose to be pirates."
"I see your five gold pieces, and raise you ten. You think so?"
The man on Alex's left folded the man on Alex's right put down fifteen gold pieces. Alex put down her own money.
"Call. Yes, I think so. I think if you found a way to express love for someone, you wouldn't have to continue this life of piracy."
"Really? So what should my expression of love be? One shot for no, two for yes, three for I hate you, four for I love you, and five for will you marry me?"
"To each his own. If that is how you want to tell a girl you love her, then do it."
Jack raised his bottle of rum.
"Take what ye can!" he said, to his crewmen remaining to finish their card game.
"Give nothing back," replied Alex.
Alex took another drink from the bottle of rum next to her, and she began to hum.
"What's that?" asked Jack.
"Nothing, just a song."
"Let's have it."
"No—I shouldn't—"
"C'mon, no one will ever tell your mother about this, let's have it!"
Alex smiled, thinking of what her mother's reaction would be if she ever found out and sang.
"We pillage, we plunder, we rifle, we loot, Drink up me hearties, yo ho,
We kidnap we ravage, and don't give a hoot, Drink up me hearties, yo ho,
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me
We're rascals and scoundrels we're villains, we're naves, Drink up me hearties yo ho,
We're devils and black sheep, we're really bad eggs Drink up me hearties, yo ho,
We're beggars, we're blighters, and ne'er-do-well cads Drink up me hearties, yo ho,
Aye, we're loved my our mothers and our dads Drink up me hearties, yo ho."
Jack laughed.
"I LOVE that song! Where did you learn that?"
"My mother."
Jack looked dumbstruck, and his mind flashed back nearly twenty years before.
"That was an interesting trick today... with the sword."
Alex looked at her cards.
"Trick?"
"Yes, the throwing thing."
"That is not a trick, Captain. It is a skill."
"Who taught you?"
"My father."
Jack put down a straight of diamonds, the man put down two pair, and Alex put down a flush.
"You win, Miss Jackson," Jack spit out her last name.
Alex pulled the money toward her.
"Thank you, gentlemen. It is late, and I shall now retire."
She stood up, placing the money in her skirt, using it as a basket, and walking to the captain's quarters, where she placed the money in her money pouch, and hid it inside her dress. She took off her shoes, and got into the bed in which she had been sleeping for the past week and a half.
"Drink up me hearties, yo ho..."
Alex closed her eyes and fell asleep. She felt as though someone were watching her, so she opened her eyes. It was morning, and the light blinded her. Once her eyes adjusted, she saw Jack sitting in a chair, leaning back on its back legs, watching her.
"Good morning, Miss Turner."
"Good—excuse me?"
"Who are you, really?"
Alex sat up, fixed her hair, and put on her shoes.
"What do you mean, Captain?"
"You are not from London."
Alex stood to leave.
"I am. I was born in Suffolk."
"No you weren't. Tell the truth, luv."
Alex left to stand on the deck. She noticed a ship with white sails gaining on them. This time, she said nothing, hoping they wouldn't see the ship. Jack followed Alex.
"What do you want, Captain?"
He grabbed her by her upper arms, and pulled her to face him.
"The truth."
She struggled to get free from his grip.
"Let go of me, Captain."
"Tell me what I want to know, and I shall."
Alex fought and fought, he was much stronger than any other man she had met. The ship was just behind them now, only feet between the ships. Alex had almost begun to cry.
"FINE!" she shouted, and the entire crew listened to her.
"Good. Who are you?"
"My name is Alexandra Victoria Turner, daughter of William and Elizabeth Turner. I was born in Port Royal, and I have lived there my entire life. Charles Norrington, the son of Commodore Norrington is my friend. I will be eighteen in a month from today. Are you satisfied?"
"No. Are you in love with me?" Jack asked, looking into her eyes.
Before Alex could answer, there was a boom, and the ship lurched. Jack looked around and saw The Dominance sailing behind them, cannons out. Alex leaned out, and saw Charles and Commodore Norrington at the head of the ship.
"Alexandra!" called Charles.
"Alex!" shouted Will's voice.
"Will, mate!" said Jack.
"Jack?" Will looked as though he'd never been more surprised in his life.
"It's me!"
"Hold fire!" shouted Commodore Norrington.
"Why did you take Alex?" Will called to his friend.
"Mix up, the crew's idea. I just keep the order."
Elizabeth came on deck.
"Alex!" she called
"Mother!" Alex shouted back.
"C'mere, Miss TURNER," said Jack, pointedly.
Alex looked at him, and he grabbed her around the waist with one hand, and held a rope in the other.
"What are you—?"
"Hold on."
Alex realized what he was doing, and held onto Jack for dear life. Jack's feet landed on board The Dominance, and Alex didn't let go.
"Alex!"
"You can let go now, luv," said Jack.
Alex opened her eyes, and let go of Jack.
"Thank you, Captain," said Alex, stiffly.
She held out her hand. Jack shook it.
"Sorry about the mix- up."
Jack got back on his own ship, and The Dominance turned around. Alex watched as she sailed into the distance. She saw Jack pace along the length of the deck, then go into his quarters, then she turned to her family.
BANG
Alex turned around and raced to the back of the ship to see Jack, holding his pistol in the air.
