The usual disclaimers – grrrr!
Thanks for the reviews and I'm sorry Maddy has got up a few noses, Jack deals with her in this chapter!
Hilary, I thought you knew that his name is Captain Jack 'Trouble' Sparrow? :D
SparrowPhoenix, unfortunately Secret Window doesn't open in the UK til next month – boohoo :-(
Lady Skywalker and Sakhara, see above explanation, but if you were Maddy, wouldn't you be scared for Jack's safety?
**************
Chapter 39
'Eb, make ready to sail fer The Keys.' Jack called as he swung over the side of The Pearl and strode to the helm, leaving Maddy to climb over by herself.
Maddy went below to change out of her dress, into working clothes, cussing beneath her breath as she did. 'Damn that bloody husband of mine, he's got a bloody death wish!' Maddy wondered if maybe the crew had been right, that the ship *was* unlucky and maybe even cursed. She stomped up the stairs to the deck, scowling at anyone who got in her way, and climbed the rigging, preferring to be well away from company.
'Everythin' all right Cap'n?' Eb looked cautiously at Jack, in case the Captain should turn on him.
'Aye mate, she's just got a bee in 'er bonnet 'bout me not taking anything seriously.' Jack sighed, wondering if Maddy would ever shake off this mood. 'D'ya think I'm too impulsive?'
Eb regarded Jack for a few moments before answering. 'Ya sail close to t'wind at times, but yer the best Captain and sailor I've ever known. Yes yer impulsive, but yer clever enough ter get away wi'it.'
Jack smiled his thanks, 'Would ya want ter tell Madam that?' He jerked a thumb up towards the crows nest, a rueful smile on his face.
'She only worries cos she cares, Cap'n.' Eb shrugged, and then darted across the deck as he spied a crewman about to unfurl the wrong sail. 'Hav'n't ya ever been aboard a bloody ship before boy?' His loud voice boomed across the deck. The youngster cowered before Eb's imposing figure and shook his head, tears springing to his eyes. Eb looked at Jack with exasperation and sighed, and proceeded to give the boy a less demanding task.
Jack watched the scene deep in thought. 'Maybe it isn't a good idea going after Castigne wi'a new crew,' he mused, stroking his beard braids. Jack decided to have Maddy take over duties in the galley for now. He wanted all of his experienced crewmen, including those they picked up in Havana, to watch over the younger crew members and to make sure a more dangerous mistake wasn't made. Jack sighed and looked up at Maddy, who was leaning on the rail of the crows nest. 'Eb, take over fer a while.' Jack yielded the helm to his first mate, and climbed the rigging.
Maddy closely watched Jack's progress up the rigging, moving over when he arrived at the nest, a query in her eyes.
'We need ter talk luv. I know yer worried for me, and that's nice, but ya can't mollycoddle me Madalene. Fer one, it shows me up in front o'the crew, an' fer two, I can't and won't change, savvy? Ya see these?' Jack pulled open his shirt to reveal the two pistol shot marks on the right side of his chest. 'I nearly died. It was only by the skill of a surgeon on the ship I was servin' on that saved me. But a month after I got these, I was leadin' the raid on another ship, savvy?' Jack placed his hands on Maddy's shoulders and squeezed gently. 'I'm sorry luv, I know it must be hard for ya, but it's who I am.'
'I know Jack, and I don't want you to change, it's just... everything seems to be going wrong and I'm scared your luck is running out.' Maddy took Jack's hand and kissed the palm, then tickled it with her tongue.
Jack grinned then pulled Maddy into his arms, looking deep into her eyes. 'Ya make yer own luck, savvy?' He leaned into a kiss, savouring the taste of Maddy's mouth. 'I could ravish ya right now Madalene Sparrow,' he murmured huskily, before breaking away from the embrace. 'But duty calls, an' I need ya in t'galley, so off ya jolly well go.'
'Why in the galley, Jack?' Maddy asked as she climbed over the rail and started to make her way down the rigging.
'Let's just say, I need as many experienced hands as I can muster.' Jack followed suit down the rigging, speeding up a little to try and beat Maddy to the bottom, jumping the last few feet, wincing as his most recent scar protested forcibly. 'Beat ya!' Jack bobbed a tongue out at Maddy as she stepped on the deck, pulling a face at him.
'You cheated.'
'Pirate.'
**********
Maddy wiped the sweat from her brow as she bent over the stove, stirring the fish stew. The young lad sent to help out was taking forever to peel the potatoes and Maddy shot filthy looks at his back, until she remembered the first time she'd had to peel the potato mountain, not long after she joined The Pearl. Maddy smiled at the memory and at how long it had taken her and Jack to admit their feelings for each other. 'I wonder what would have happened if Norrington hadn't been in Montego Bay at the same time?' Maddy wondered aloud, causing the youth to look at her strangely. Maddy laughed to herself. 'He's going to think I'm as mad as Jack soon,' she thought, still smiling as she returned to her task at the stove.
The lad brought the pan of spuds to the stove, and they lifted it up together. Maddy looked at him, smiling, but inwardly frowning at his youth. 'What's your name?'
'Bob Baker, Ma'am.' He smiled nervously at her and shuffled his feet.
'Well Bob, you look a little young to be aboard a pirate ship. How old are you?'
Bob sighed, rolling his eyes. 'Seventeen Ma'am, but I know I don't look it. An' I served under old man Davies since I was fifteen. I wanted some adventure, so here I am. There's a lot o'us from Davies' crew aboard this ship. We don't like Brown too much, so we took our chances here.'
'Brown? Jeremy Brown?' Maddy asked, puzzled.
'Nah, he's Jeremy's father, Matthew Brown. Good sailor, but not too nice a person. Stab yer in the back as soon as look, like father like son, I guess.' Bob had such an infectious grin, that Maddy couldn't help but smile back.
'Well Bob, this won't get dinner cook itself, and you don't want to deprive this lot of their grub, not if you know what's good for you.' The pair busied themselves, preparing the rest of the food, chattering away as they worked. Various crewmen passed in and out of the galley, brought there by the delicious smell of the stew wafting around the ship. Maddy ladled some of the fish stew into a bowl and added some potatoes to it, then handed it to Bob. 'Take this to the Captain, he'll have it in his quarters.'
'Nah he won't,' Jack's drawl floated to them from the doorway. 'He'll have it wi'his crew tonight, an' his wife'll join him.'
Maddy smiled at her husband, her heart skipping a beat as she looked into his deep eyes. 'I've got to serve the men first Jack, so you eat yours and I'll join you when I've finished here, all right?'
Jack raised his eyebrows, then shrugged and went to ring the dinner bell. The sound of heavy feet stamping along the corridors and down the stairs reverberated through the galley, which was soon filled with the loud chatter of many men, eager for their food. Bob took Jack his bowl, then helped Maddy in dishing out the stew, carefully ensuring that each man got the same amount as the last one. Maddy watched him out of the corner of her eye, smiling to herself as she realised that he was going to fit in just fine. When the last man was served, and Bob took his bowl over to join his friends, Maddy went and sat with Jack, snuggling into his arms as she ate her food.
'Y'know luv, I reckon this crew might just turn out all right.' Jack ran his eyes around the galley, taking in the how young, green sailors and the older, more experienced pirates were mixing well. Jack took a long swig of rum and sighed contentedly.
'I think you're right, as usual Captain.' Maddy giggled at the dig she received for teasing Jack. 'What say you to an early night, husband o'mine?'
Jack leaned forward and brushed his lips against Maddy's ear. 'Sounds like an excellent idea luv,' he whispered, rubbing his thumbs over her hips.
'I thought you might say that. I'll clean up the galley first.' Maddy leaned back, so she was pressing against him, taking in the spicy, salty smell that was Jack.
'No ya bloody well won't, get t'lad ter do it, that's what he's for.' Jack nipped Maddy's ear lobe, causing her to gasp, then blush as a couple of men looked around at the noise. 'Now luv, unless ya want ter be embarrassed further, I suggest ya move yer pretty little arse, savvy?'
Maddy laughed, and downed her ale as she stood. 'Bob, would you take care of cleaning up the galley please?' She led Jack out of the door, drawing a few sly glances and grins from the men.
Once clear of sight, Jack pressed Maddy against the wall and ran his hands down her body, growling softly in her ear. Maddy pushed him away from her, and ran down the corridor, laughing as he gave chase. She darted into a cabin, leaving the door open and hiding behind it, holding her breath and grinning. Jack crept in and yelled out as Maddy shoved him further into the room and ran out, slamming the door behind her. She hid behind a pillar, listening to his footsteps getting closer as he searched her out, then she ran again, along the corridor and up the stairs, squealing as Jack almost caught her. Maddy made it to their cabin before Jack caught up, his face flushed with exertion and lust.
'Bleedin' hell luv, it ain't a good idea ter wear me out beforehand y'know.' Jack grabbed Maddy around the waist and pulled her into a long and passionate kiss, only drawing away when they were both breathless. He stripped quickly, then watched as Maddy shed her clothes, then led her to their bunk and a long, pleasurable night.
Thanks for the reviews and I'm sorry Maddy has got up a few noses, Jack deals with her in this chapter!
Hilary, I thought you knew that his name is Captain Jack 'Trouble' Sparrow? :D
SparrowPhoenix, unfortunately Secret Window doesn't open in the UK til next month – boohoo :-(
Lady Skywalker and Sakhara, see above explanation, but if you were Maddy, wouldn't you be scared for Jack's safety?
**************
Chapter 39
'Eb, make ready to sail fer The Keys.' Jack called as he swung over the side of The Pearl and strode to the helm, leaving Maddy to climb over by herself.
Maddy went below to change out of her dress, into working clothes, cussing beneath her breath as she did. 'Damn that bloody husband of mine, he's got a bloody death wish!' Maddy wondered if maybe the crew had been right, that the ship *was* unlucky and maybe even cursed. She stomped up the stairs to the deck, scowling at anyone who got in her way, and climbed the rigging, preferring to be well away from company.
'Everythin' all right Cap'n?' Eb looked cautiously at Jack, in case the Captain should turn on him.
'Aye mate, she's just got a bee in 'er bonnet 'bout me not taking anything seriously.' Jack sighed, wondering if Maddy would ever shake off this mood. 'D'ya think I'm too impulsive?'
Eb regarded Jack for a few moments before answering. 'Ya sail close to t'wind at times, but yer the best Captain and sailor I've ever known. Yes yer impulsive, but yer clever enough ter get away wi'it.'
Jack smiled his thanks, 'Would ya want ter tell Madam that?' He jerked a thumb up towards the crows nest, a rueful smile on his face.
'She only worries cos she cares, Cap'n.' Eb shrugged, and then darted across the deck as he spied a crewman about to unfurl the wrong sail. 'Hav'n't ya ever been aboard a bloody ship before boy?' His loud voice boomed across the deck. The youngster cowered before Eb's imposing figure and shook his head, tears springing to his eyes. Eb looked at Jack with exasperation and sighed, and proceeded to give the boy a less demanding task.
Jack watched the scene deep in thought. 'Maybe it isn't a good idea going after Castigne wi'a new crew,' he mused, stroking his beard braids. Jack decided to have Maddy take over duties in the galley for now. He wanted all of his experienced crewmen, including those they picked up in Havana, to watch over the younger crew members and to make sure a more dangerous mistake wasn't made. Jack sighed and looked up at Maddy, who was leaning on the rail of the crows nest. 'Eb, take over fer a while.' Jack yielded the helm to his first mate, and climbed the rigging.
Maddy closely watched Jack's progress up the rigging, moving over when he arrived at the nest, a query in her eyes.
'We need ter talk luv. I know yer worried for me, and that's nice, but ya can't mollycoddle me Madalene. Fer one, it shows me up in front o'the crew, an' fer two, I can't and won't change, savvy? Ya see these?' Jack pulled open his shirt to reveal the two pistol shot marks on the right side of his chest. 'I nearly died. It was only by the skill of a surgeon on the ship I was servin' on that saved me. But a month after I got these, I was leadin' the raid on another ship, savvy?' Jack placed his hands on Maddy's shoulders and squeezed gently. 'I'm sorry luv, I know it must be hard for ya, but it's who I am.'
'I know Jack, and I don't want you to change, it's just... everything seems to be going wrong and I'm scared your luck is running out.' Maddy took Jack's hand and kissed the palm, then tickled it with her tongue.
Jack grinned then pulled Maddy into his arms, looking deep into her eyes. 'Ya make yer own luck, savvy?' He leaned into a kiss, savouring the taste of Maddy's mouth. 'I could ravish ya right now Madalene Sparrow,' he murmured huskily, before breaking away from the embrace. 'But duty calls, an' I need ya in t'galley, so off ya jolly well go.'
'Why in the galley, Jack?' Maddy asked as she climbed over the rail and started to make her way down the rigging.
'Let's just say, I need as many experienced hands as I can muster.' Jack followed suit down the rigging, speeding up a little to try and beat Maddy to the bottom, jumping the last few feet, wincing as his most recent scar protested forcibly. 'Beat ya!' Jack bobbed a tongue out at Maddy as she stepped on the deck, pulling a face at him.
'You cheated.'
'Pirate.'
**********
Maddy wiped the sweat from her brow as she bent over the stove, stirring the fish stew. The young lad sent to help out was taking forever to peel the potatoes and Maddy shot filthy looks at his back, until she remembered the first time she'd had to peel the potato mountain, not long after she joined The Pearl. Maddy smiled at the memory and at how long it had taken her and Jack to admit their feelings for each other. 'I wonder what would have happened if Norrington hadn't been in Montego Bay at the same time?' Maddy wondered aloud, causing the youth to look at her strangely. Maddy laughed to herself. 'He's going to think I'm as mad as Jack soon,' she thought, still smiling as she returned to her task at the stove.
The lad brought the pan of spuds to the stove, and they lifted it up together. Maddy looked at him, smiling, but inwardly frowning at his youth. 'What's your name?'
'Bob Baker, Ma'am.' He smiled nervously at her and shuffled his feet.
'Well Bob, you look a little young to be aboard a pirate ship. How old are you?'
Bob sighed, rolling his eyes. 'Seventeen Ma'am, but I know I don't look it. An' I served under old man Davies since I was fifteen. I wanted some adventure, so here I am. There's a lot o'us from Davies' crew aboard this ship. We don't like Brown too much, so we took our chances here.'
'Brown? Jeremy Brown?' Maddy asked, puzzled.
'Nah, he's Jeremy's father, Matthew Brown. Good sailor, but not too nice a person. Stab yer in the back as soon as look, like father like son, I guess.' Bob had such an infectious grin, that Maddy couldn't help but smile back.
'Well Bob, this won't get dinner cook itself, and you don't want to deprive this lot of their grub, not if you know what's good for you.' The pair busied themselves, preparing the rest of the food, chattering away as they worked. Various crewmen passed in and out of the galley, brought there by the delicious smell of the stew wafting around the ship. Maddy ladled some of the fish stew into a bowl and added some potatoes to it, then handed it to Bob. 'Take this to the Captain, he'll have it in his quarters.'
'Nah he won't,' Jack's drawl floated to them from the doorway. 'He'll have it wi'his crew tonight, an' his wife'll join him.'
Maddy smiled at her husband, her heart skipping a beat as she looked into his deep eyes. 'I've got to serve the men first Jack, so you eat yours and I'll join you when I've finished here, all right?'
Jack raised his eyebrows, then shrugged and went to ring the dinner bell. The sound of heavy feet stamping along the corridors and down the stairs reverberated through the galley, which was soon filled with the loud chatter of many men, eager for their food. Bob took Jack his bowl, then helped Maddy in dishing out the stew, carefully ensuring that each man got the same amount as the last one. Maddy watched him out of the corner of her eye, smiling to herself as she realised that he was going to fit in just fine. When the last man was served, and Bob took his bowl over to join his friends, Maddy went and sat with Jack, snuggling into his arms as she ate her food.
'Y'know luv, I reckon this crew might just turn out all right.' Jack ran his eyes around the galley, taking in the how young, green sailors and the older, more experienced pirates were mixing well. Jack took a long swig of rum and sighed contentedly.
'I think you're right, as usual Captain.' Maddy giggled at the dig she received for teasing Jack. 'What say you to an early night, husband o'mine?'
Jack leaned forward and brushed his lips against Maddy's ear. 'Sounds like an excellent idea luv,' he whispered, rubbing his thumbs over her hips.
'I thought you might say that. I'll clean up the galley first.' Maddy leaned back, so she was pressing against him, taking in the spicy, salty smell that was Jack.
'No ya bloody well won't, get t'lad ter do it, that's what he's for.' Jack nipped Maddy's ear lobe, causing her to gasp, then blush as a couple of men looked around at the noise. 'Now luv, unless ya want ter be embarrassed further, I suggest ya move yer pretty little arse, savvy?'
Maddy laughed, and downed her ale as she stood. 'Bob, would you take care of cleaning up the galley please?' She led Jack out of the door, drawing a few sly glances and grins from the men.
Once clear of sight, Jack pressed Maddy against the wall and ran his hands down her body, growling softly in her ear. Maddy pushed him away from her, and ran down the corridor, laughing as he gave chase. She darted into a cabin, leaving the door open and hiding behind it, holding her breath and grinning. Jack crept in and yelled out as Maddy shoved him further into the room and ran out, slamming the door behind her. She hid behind a pillar, listening to his footsteps getting closer as he searched her out, then she ran again, along the corridor and up the stairs, squealing as Jack almost caught her. Maddy made it to their cabin before Jack caught up, his face flushed with exertion and lust.
'Bleedin' hell luv, it ain't a good idea ter wear me out beforehand y'know.' Jack grabbed Maddy around the waist and pulled her into a long and passionate kiss, only drawing away when they were both breathless. He stripped quickly, then watched as Maddy shed her clothes, then led her to their bunk and a long, pleasurable night.