Usual blah, blah, blah!
Thank you for your reviews, they are always appreciated.
Hilary, I agree it was a bit rushed, but I was too impatient!
Chibi, I'm not sure I'd like to see too much of evil Jack, but he may pop up again later, who knows!
Lady Skywalker, the tone will lighten soon, I promise.
Linthilde, this chapter's for you. You helped me a great deal in ironing out the creases! Thanks {{{}}}
Chapter 22
The crew returned to their ship and sailed a distance away. Maddy watched from the cabin window as The Chinaman got smaller, feeling very uneasy about what had happened. Yes, Burns was an evil bastard, but Jack.....? Maddy went up on deck and stood beside Will as they watched the other ship, waiting.
'Drop anchor,' Jack ordered, waiting for the ship to settle. He didn't feel as elated as he'd hoped. It wasn't in Jacks nature to be vicious, and although he wanted Maddys torturer punished, and had enjoyed doing the punishing, afterwards he'd felt almost ashamed of himself, especially as Maddy had seen the state Burns was in. Jack was aware that the crew were watching him, he looked towards The Chinaman, the despondent feeling lifting slightly. 'Fire.' His voice was a barely audible growl, but every man on deck heard it. There was a loud boom, and the ship rocked slightly. They watched as the cannonball hit home, and there were a series of dull thuds, followed by a huge bang, as the gunpowder ignited, blowing The Chinaman to pieces. The crew dived for cover, as debris showered them.
Jack helped Maddy to her feet, then led her to their cabin calling for the crew to make sail towards Tortuga. He wanted everyone to know it was *Captain Jack Sparrow* that had dealt with Burns. But right now, Jack had pressing things on his mind.
'Madalene, y'all right luv?' Jack was concerned about the look he'd seen in her eyes.
'I don't know Jack. Why did you torture him? Wasn't a bullet in the head enough for you?' Maddy avoided his gaze, looking out to where The Chinaman had been blown out of the water.
'It doesn't matter what I did to him luv,' Jack approached Maddy slowly, uncertainly.
'Yes it does Jack.' Maddy wheeled around to look at her husband. 'What you did makes you no better than him.'
'Madalene.......' Jack stroked her arm, 'Please luv.'
Maddy stiffened at his touch. 'No Jack, leave me alone for a while please.'
Jack sighed, then turned and walked out of the cabin, feeling sick and scared. 'I'll take the wheel,' he said, almost shoving the crewman aside. 'And bring me some rum, lots of rum.'
Joshamee Gibbs sighed, he'd been afraid this might happen. He went about his duties while surreptitiously keeping an eye on his captain, lest he get too drunk to steer the ship.
Tom had brought Maddy some food and ale to the cabin, which she barely touched. 'Do I really know Jack? Have I been fooling myself all this time?' Maddy nearly went crazy going over and over those questions in her mind. Jack didn't return to the cabin that night, and Maddy lay alone in the dark, crying and hugging herself, missing the warmth of Jacks body, but at the same time, not wanting to be near him. She tossed and turned, trying to sleep, but every time she closed her eyes, she could see Burns hanging there, blood dripping down his body. Maddy sat up on the bunk, looking out of the window at the moonlit ocean. 'Maybe the reason Jack doesn't want me to take part in raids on other ships, is so that I don't see what he's really like.' Maddy physically shook herself. 'No,' she argued, 'Jack is *not* like that.' She got off the bunk and paced the floor of the cabin, running her fingers through her hair, feeling desolate. 'Oh Jack, why did you have to do that?' Maddy choked back a sob, shivering in the dark. She climbed back onto the bunk, pulling the covers around her shoulders as she stared out of the window, trying to dislodge the images playing around in her mind. Just before dawn, Maddy gave up the battle and went up on deck watching the rising sun.
'Morning Maddy,' came Wills voice from behind.
Maddy smiled weakly at him, 'Hello Will, couldn't you sleep?'
'I'm supposed to be on watch, but to be honest, I'm worried about you.' Will looked at Maddy, his eyes filled with concern.
'Oh Will, what am I going to do? Is Jack really like that? I'm starting to think I don't know him at all.' Maddy wiped away a tear rolling down her cheek.
'I'll be honest with you Maddy, I was shocked too. But I was the one who told him what happened Maddy, I saw the pain in his eyes when he found out what Burns and his men did to you. Burns was an evil bastard, he deserved to die.'
'Maybe he did Will, but in doing what he did, doesn't that make Jack the same as Burns?'
'No it doesn't Maddy, what Jack did was a one off, he needed to make Burns suffer, to make Burns understand the sort of pain he put other people through. Jack acted out of character, he isn't that sort of man, deep in your heart you know that Maddy.'
Maddy gulped back the lump in her throat. 'I'm just scared Will,' she whispered, 'Scared that he might change, that he might become like Burns.'
'That ain't gonna happen luv,' Jack stood behind them, eyes fixed on Maddy.
'I'll leave you two alone. As Will turned to leave, Jack caught his arm and squeezed it gently in thanks.
'I'm sorry luv, I know yer don't understand why I did it, but yer didn't know what it was like fer me luv. I knew what sort of man Burns was, I knew what sort of ship he ran,' Jacks voice dropped to a whisper, 'I knew what he'd be doin' to ya,' he stroked Maddys face tenderly. 'When I breached The Pearl, I thought I'd signed your death warrant.'
'Oh Jack,' Maddy couldn't stop the tears from flowing as she wrapped her arms around her husband and held him tightly, feeling his warm breath on her neck.
'I promise ya luv, unless it involves you, I'll never kill anyone in that way again, savvy?' Jack held his wife tighter, wanting to take her body into his so she'd never be in danger again. 'Madalene?' Jack lifted her chin with his finger and kissed her, 'D'ya forgive me luv?'
Maddy frowned, still unsure. 'I think I do Jack, but it'll take time for me to come to terms with what happened and with what you did. It was so unlike you Jack, it scared me. It still scares me.'
'I know luv, I know.' Jack looked tenderly at Maddy, wishing he could do more to take away her pain. 'I'd have given The Pearl up for ya, ya know.' Jack felt a tear trickle down his cheek as his held his sobbing wife, crooning softly in her ear.
Joshamee Gibbs watched the scene, smiling to himself and firing a warning glance to any crewman who went too close to Jack and Maddy, not wanting anyone to disturb them.
Jack released his hold on Maddy, brushing the tears from her face, then kissing her hesitantly, feeling relieved when she returned the kiss. He noted Eb Tucker stopping dead, and then turning away as he saw Maddy. 'Madalene, Eb's beating himself up over what happened, he needs yer forgiveness as well.'
Maddy turned and looked at Eb's departing figure. 'I know, I've been trying to find him, but I think he's been avoiding me.'
'Well let's go an' find him together eh?' Jack wound an arm around Maddys waist, and they set off to find Eb, finding him in the far corner of the mess, looking morose. Maddy kissed Jack once more, then made her way over to the bench where Eb was sitting, seeing the panic in the big mans' eyes.
Maddy placed a hand over Eb's, 'T'wasn't your fault, there were far too many of them for you or Pete to fight off. Even in the worst times on The Chinaman Eb, I never once blamed you, savvy?'
'B-b-but, Maddy....'
'No Eb, no but's. You'd be dead too, but for the fact that they needed Jack to find out what had happened to me.' Maddy held the big man close to her, feeling him tense up, then relax as he returned the hug.
'Thank you Maddy,' his voice breaking with tears, 'Thank you.'
Maddy smiled at Eb as she stood. 'I've forgiven you Eb, now it's time to forgive yourself, savvy?' She leaned forward and kissed the top of his head, then made her way across the mess to Jack, who flashed his golden smile at her, pleased to see her looking like the Maddy of old. He sat with one leg stretched along the bench and pulled Maddy into him, wrapping his arm around her waist.
'Y'all right now luv?' Jack lay his head on Maddys shoulder, while she ate the food Tom had put out for her.
Maddy nodded, polishing the broth off and then washing it down with ale. She snuggled back into Jacks body, feeling his chest rising and falling against her back. 'Are you coming to bed tonight?' She murmured, her voice low enough for only Jack to hear.
'Aye luv, if ya want me.'
Maddy gave a snort, 'When have I ever *not* wanted you Jack?' She chuckled, shaking her head slightly.
'Oh I can think of a few times luv, like when ya first came aboard, after yer first trip ter Tortuga......' Jack couldn't continue as he had to defend himself from Maddy, who had turned and was hitting him playfully. He caught her hands and leaned forward. 'D'ya want ter go to bed now?' He wiggled his eyebrows, a mischevous gleam dancing in his eyes.
'Why not.' Maddy stood and pulled Jack up, blushing at the cheers and catcalls from the crew as she led him out of the mess and to their cabin.
Jack pressed Maddy against the cabin door as she closed it behind them, kissing her hungrily. Maddy peeled off her clothes, then did the same to Jack, who was fumbling around, trying to undo his. Jack picked Madalene up and started to carry her to the bunk, but tripped up instead and they both ended up on the floor giggling, then moaning with pleasure.
Thank you for your reviews, they are always appreciated.
Hilary, I agree it was a bit rushed, but I was too impatient!
Chibi, I'm not sure I'd like to see too much of evil Jack, but he may pop up again later, who knows!
Lady Skywalker, the tone will lighten soon, I promise.
Linthilde, this chapter's for you. You helped me a great deal in ironing out the creases! Thanks {{{}}}
Chapter 22
The crew returned to their ship and sailed a distance away. Maddy watched from the cabin window as The Chinaman got smaller, feeling very uneasy about what had happened. Yes, Burns was an evil bastard, but Jack.....? Maddy went up on deck and stood beside Will as they watched the other ship, waiting.
'Drop anchor,' Jack ordered, waiting for the ship to settle. He didn't feel as elated as he'd hoped. It wasn't in Jacks nature to be vicious, and although he wanted Maddys torturer punished, and had enjoyed doing the punishing, afterwards he'd felt almost ashamed of himself, especially as Maddy had seen the state Burns was in. Jack was aware that the crew were watching him, he looked towards The Chinaman, the despondent feeling lifting slightly. 'Fire.' His voice was a barely audible growl, but every man on deck heard it. There was a loud boom, and the ship rocked slightly. They watched as the cannonball hit home, and there were a series of dull thuds, followed by a huge bang, as the gunpowder ignited, blowing The Chinaman to pieces. The crew dived for cover, as debris showered them.
Jack helped Maddy to her feet, then led her to their cabin calling for the crew to make sail towards Tortuga. He wanted everyone to know it was *Captain Jack Sparrow* that had dealt with Burns. But right now, Jack had pressing things on his mind.
'Madalene, y'all right luv?' Jack was concerned about the look he'd seen in her eyes.
'I don't know Jack. Why did you torture him? Wasn't a bullet in the head enough for you?' Maddy avoided his gaze, looking out to where The Chinaman had been blown out of the water.
'It doesn't matter what I did to him luv,' Jack approached Maddy slowly, uncertainly.
'Yes it does Jack.' Maddy wheeled around to look at her husband. 'What you did makes you no better than him.'
'Madalene.......' Jack stroked her arm, 'Please luv.'
Maddy stiffened at his touch. 'No Jack, leave me alone for a while please.'
Jack sighed, then turned and walked out of the cabin, feeling sick and scared. 'I'll take the wheel,' he said, almost shoving the crewman aside. 'And bring me some rum, lots of rum.'
Joshamee Gibbs sighed, he'd been afraid this might happen. He went about his duties while surreptitiously keeping an eye on his captain, lest he get too drunk to steer the ship.
Tom had brought Maddy some food and ale to the cabin, which she barely touched. 'Do I really know Jack? Have I been fooling myself all this time?' Maddy nearly went crazy going over and over those questions in her mind. Jack didn't return to the cabin that night, and Maddy lay alone in the dark, crying and hugging herself, missing the warmth of Jacks body, but at the same time, not wanting to be near him. She tossed and turned, trying to sleep, but every time she closed her eyes, she could see Burns hanging there, blood dripping down his body. Maddy sat up on the bunk, looking out of the window at the moonlit ocean. 'Maybe the reason Jack doesn't want me to take part in raids on other ships, is so that I don't see what he's really like.' Maddy physically shook herself. 'No,' she argued, 'Jack is *not* like that.' She got off the bunk and paced the floor of the cabin, running her fingers through her hair, feeling desolate. 'Oh Jack, why did you have to do that?' Maddy choked back a sob, shivering in the dark. She climbed back onto the bunk, pulling the covers around her shoulders as she stared out of the window, trying to dislodge the images playing around in her mind. Just before dawn, Maddy gave up the battle and went up on deck watching the rising sun.
'Morning Maddy,' came Wills voice from behind.
Maddy smiled weakly at him, 'Hello Will, couldn't you sleep?'
'I'm supposed to be on watch, but to be honest, I'm worried about you.' Will looked at Maddy, his eyes filled with concern.
'Oh Will, what am I going to do? Is Jack really like that? I'm starting to think I don't know him at all.' Maddy wiped away a tear rolling down her cheek.
'I'll be honest with you Maddy, I was shocked too. But I was the one who told him what happened Maddy, I saw the pain in his eyes when he found out what Burns and his men did to you. Burns was an evil bastard, he deserved to die.'
'Maybe he did Will, but in doing what he did, doesn't that make Jack the same as Burns?'
'No it doesn't Maddy, what Jack did was a one off, he needed to make Burns suffer, to make Burns understand the sort of pain he put other people through. Jack acted out of character, he isn't that sort of man, deep in your heart you know that Maddy.'
Maddy gulped back the lump in her throat. 'I'm just scared Will,' she whispered, 'Scared that he might change, that he might become like Burns.'
'That ain't gonna happen luv,' Jack stood behind them, eyes fixed on Maddy.
'I'll leave you two alone. As Will turned to leave, Jack caught his arm and squeezed it gently in thanks.
'I'm sorry luv, I know yer don't understand why I did it, but yer didn't know what it was like fer me luv. I knew what sort of man Burns was, I knew what sort of ship he ran,' Jacks voice dropped to a whisper, 'I knew what he'd be doin' to ya,' he stroked Maddys face tenderly. 'When I breached The Pearl, I thought I'd signed your death warrant.'
'Oh Jack,' Maddy couldn't stop the tears from flowing as she wrapped her arms around her husband and held him tightly, feeling his warm breath on her neck.
'I promise ya luv, unless it involves you, I'll never kill anyone in that way again, savvy?' Jack held his wife tighter, wanting to take her body into his so she'd never be in danger again. 'Madalene?' Jack lifted her chin with his finger and kissed her, 'D'ya forgive me luv?'
Maddy frowned, still unsure. 'I think I do Jack, but it'll take time for me to come to terms with what happened and with what you did. It was so unlike you Jack, it scared me. It still scares me.'
'I know luv, I know.' Jack looked tenderly at Maddy, wishing he could do more to take away her pain. 'I'd have given The Pearl up for ya, ya know.' Jack felt a tear trickle down his cheek as his held his sobbing wife, crooning softly in her ear.
Joshamee Gibbs watched the scene, smiling to himself and firing a warning glance to any crewman who went too close to Jack and Maddy, not wanting anyone to disturb them.
Jack released his hold on Maddy, brushing the tears from her face, then kissing her hesitantly, feeling relieved when she returned the kiss. He noted Eb Tucker stopping dead, and then turning away as he saw Maddy. 'Madalene, Eb's beating himself up over what happened, he needs yer forgiveness as well.'
Maddy turned and looked at Eb's departing figure. 'I know, I've been trying to find him, but I think he's been avoiding me.'
'Well let's go an' find him together eh?' Jack wound an arm around Maddys waist, and they set off to find Eb, finding him in the far corner of the mess, looking morose. Maddy kissed Jack once more, then made her way over to the bench where Eb was sitting, seeing the panic in the big mans' eyes.
Maddy placed a hand over Eb's, 'T'wasn't your fault, there were far too many of them for you or Pete to fight off. Even in the worst times on The Chinaman Eb, I never once blamed you, savvy?'
'B-b-but, Maddy....'
'No Eb, no but's. You'd be dead too, but for the fact that they needed Jack to find out what had happened to me.' Maddy held the big man close to her, feeling him tense up, then relax as he returned the hug.
'Thank you Maddy,' his voice breaking with tears, 'Thank you.'
Maddy smiled at Eb as she stood. 'I've forgiven you Eb, now it's time to forgive yourself, savvy?' She leaned forward and kissed the top of his head, then made her way across the mess to Jack, who flashed his golden smile at her, pleased to see her looking like the Maddy of old. He sat with one leg stretched along the bench and pulled Maddy into him, wrapping his arm around her waist.
'Y'all right now luv?' Jack lay his head on Maddys shoulder, while she ate the food Tom had put out for her.
Maddy nodded, polishing the broth off and then washing it down with ale. She snuggled back into Jacks body, feeling his chest rising and falling against her back. 'Are you coming to bed tonight?' She murmured, her voice low enough for only Jack to hear.
'Aye luv, if ya want me.'
Maddy gave a snort, 'When have I ever *not* wanted you Jack?' She chuckled, shaking her head slightly.
'Oh I can think of a few times luv, like when ya first came aboard, after yer first trip ter Tortuga......' Jack couldn't continue as he had to defend himself from Maddy, who had turned and was hitting him playfully. He caught her hands and leaned forward. 'D'ya want ter go to bed now?' He wiggled his eyebrows, a mischevous gleam dancing in his eyes.
'Why not.' Maddy stood and pulled Jack up, blushing at the cheers and catcalls from the crew as she led him out of the mess and to their cabin.
Jack pressed Maddy against the cabin door as she closed it behind them, kissing her hungrily. Maddy peeled off her clothes, then did the same to Jack, who was fumbling around, trying to undo his. Jack picked Madalene up and started to carry her to the bunk, but tripped up instead and they both ended up on the floor giggling, then moaning with pleasure.