Authors Note: I know it's supposed to be Rat's turn next, but I'm going to be away in a cabin in the country (it's really nice, but there's no internet connections). Therefore, they're going to continue with the story and I'll make the chapters up when I get back. I swear. Talk to you all then! It's only a week right? *hesitant smile*
~Part 4~
Written by: Lykosdracos
Mary was quite upset; no, upset wasn't the right word for it. Furious. That ignorant Spaniard had dared to harm her pet! Granted, Jack HAD taken the sword from him, but that didn't excuse the man for harming what was rightfully hers. She'd worked hard for Jack, and it had almost been for nothing had the blade fallen in the wrong direction.
While the images of the events that had transpired were blurred somewhat, through dreams and a few potions, she got the general idea. There was another woman involved, a dark woman, one who was a potential threat. No matter, all she'd have to do was make his next dream even worse than those previous. The dark woman would leave him for sure this time, she was sure of it.
Spying just the right potion for this dream, her emerald eyes glittered with delight as she spied the azure bottle to the left. This was perfect as it had to be just right for her spell to work. These were, after all, were some of the best spells she'd ever conjured up. Already he knew she was real and he was inexplicably drawn to her, doing everything he could to reach her. That was good, nay, that was VERY good. After intoning some of his last thoughts, only one problem remained, while he considered her beautiful, apparently her beauty only warranted the favor of a ruby? An emerald was nice, but only one? A treasure chest full MIGHT be enough; she couldn't compete for the Commodore's attention with a single gem.
Taking a deep breath, she cleared her mind. The incense filling her lungs, relaxing her mind… This one was going to be the very best she'd ever done. It would have to be, as she wanted him here by tomorrow. Closing her eyes, she focused her internal eye, drawing all her attention on the peacefully slumbering pirate captain. A slow, malicious smile slithered across her high-boned, delicate face. No, Jack Sparrow, she thought, you will not sleep now. You will come to me... come to me... come… to me….
~ ~ ~
Jack ran through the mist trying to catch a glimpse of red, anything to let him know that she was there and unharmed. The ground seemed to be holding him back, no matter how hard he fought against it. Every step he took he seemed to be sapped of what little strength remained. It was like trudging through deep, unending sand.
"Mary! Where are you, lass?" he called out again desperately.
"Right here, Jack." She stepped out of the curling fog dressed in a sheer black gown that left nothing to the imagination. Looking up at him through long lashes she waved a hand and his shirt evaporated into the air. "Much better, don't you agree?"
Confused, Jack watched as she bent her head and kissed the place Captain De Leon's sword had punctured his flesh. He tensed, but instead of pain, all he felt was the light brush of air, soothing and gentle.
"It doesn't hurt anymore, does it?" she purred looking up at him. The trill of her laughter echoed in the fog as she delighted at Jack's expression at seeing the gash completely gone. Not even a scar, only the bullet wounds of other battles remained.
"No, how did you-?"
"Shh. . ." she said putting a finger to his lips, "Don't waste time with questions."
The air glowed around them, when Jack was able to open his eyes he realized with a sinking heart where they were. The cave was all too familiar; treasure piled everywhere. The cursed Aztec treasure sat atop the mound and disappeared beneath the stacks of riches.
"Fit for a queen, aye?" she winked and held out a crown. Jack understood at once, he had the answer to his question. This was what she wanted? Well, then, this was what she would get.
"None more beautiful than you." He murmured and reached out to touch a lock of golden red hair. "I'll bring you whatever your heart desires."
"Excellent." She purred. Just then, he could have sworn her eyes changed color, but he shrugged it off as a trick of the light. "You do that, then come find me. I'll be waiting for you. . ." she backed away into a shadow and was gone.
"Mary?" he ran to where she had been and saw nothing but the damp cavern walls. "Mary!"
~ ~ ~
The sound of his hoarse scream woke him. Bolting upright, he panted and tried to catch his breath. Despair filled him as he groaned and buried his head in his hands. Desperately, he struggled to regain control. Control? That was a laugh, all he had wanted was to really touch her, just once. Her hair, the softness of her cheek, he always woke up before she let him. Where she was concerned, he had no control, over anything.
Walking out to the deck he breathed in the air of the sea, none of it compared to when he was with her. It struck him then, he would even gladly give up 'The Black Pearl' should she ask it of him. Thoughts of her consumed him and he no longer wanted anything except to be with her.
It was only then he realized that his shirt was gone. . . so was the wound on his shoulder. Startled, he realized she wasn't a dream, but neither was she real. No, such thoughts were treacherous, she was perfect in every way and he loved her. That's how things were, that's how they'd stay.
Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice another door at the end of the deck open and closed. Anamaria leaned against the wall and wrapped her arms around her stomach as if to ward off pain. Unnoticed by her captain, her lover, she gazed openly at him. Her mind tumbling over what she'd witnessed of him as he slumbered, again calling out to her to Mary. From what she'd just seen Jack Sparrow had turned his back on them all.
If that were true she wasn't sure how much more she could do to bring him back. Shaking her head to release those thoughts, she came to a conclusion. This woman, Mary, wasn't going to get him without a fight. He was her captain, her friend, and her love; no dream-woman, real or imagined, was stealing him from her.