A/N—I messed some things up in the last chapter. My bad; I shall do my best not to do it again, but…..eh, don't hold it against me if I do. I'll try to clear some things up in this chapter, and get to some more exciting parts! Review replies at the bottom, as always.
Chapter 3—Birthday Gifts
You press a hand to your lips as you stare after Jack, wondering what in blazes caused him to do that. But, you have to admit, it did feel rather nice, and the small, nagging, annoying voice in the back of your head tells you that you would like him to do it again. Scolding yourself for thinking such stupid things-you were a pirate; you had better things to worry about-you slam the door and flop back down on your bed, trying to think but drawing a blank, the image of Jack pressing his lips to yours still floating in your mind's eye.
"Aaaggggh!" You scream in frustration into your pillow, the sound muffled but loud. You had wanted to sleep just then, but it seems you wouldn't be able to. Grabbing a discarded rum bottle-even if Mother hated it, you still liked it and drank it-you swill the last bits around the bottom of the jar before emptying it into your mouth. A shout drifts through your door, your mother's voice asking you why you were screeching into something that muffled the sound. Apparently you screamed loud enough to be heard in the kitchen. Opening your door you stalked out of your room, trudging through a hallway and down two steps, and into the kitchen.
"Mom, why are you home?" You ask as you sit at the table, swinging your legs like a child. Your mother gives you a leg of fried chicken before sitting down and answering your question.
"I didn't feel like working tonight. Although I should….we do need money for food and such. You wouldn't happen to be thinking of changing your dream in life and becoming a street walker, hun? It would be great if you could get us some money so we wouldn't have to eat this slop."
"It's not that bad Mum." You reply, your mouth full. "'Sides, I'm becoming a pirate with Jack, and we're gonna sail the Caribbean and pillage and plunder and do all that other fun stuff. I don't wanna sleep with dozens of men and land with several children I ain't even home to take care of." Your mother only shakes her head in disappointment, rising and heading out the door.
"Where're ye going?"
"Out."
"But I thought ye weren't workin' tonight!"
"I'm not; I'm going to meet someone at a bar. Don't worry," she adds, seeing the look on your face, "I won't sleep with him. Honestly, I'll try not to." You snort at this. The last time your mother 'tried not' to do anything resulted in catastrophe. "Ok." She sighs. "You win. But don't think I'll come back early; I plan to stay out late." You nod as the door finally closes behind her.
Finished eating you go back to your room, flopping down on your bed. It would be your birthday in a few hours; it was almost midnight. Closing your eyes you had a sudden thought. Things you dream about never come true, so you could dream about Jack all you liked, but it would never happen! Grinning smugly at this new wave of wisdom, you slide under your covers and begin to make up stories in your head as you drift off into sleep.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Morning sunlight floods over your face, warm and inviting. It seems to be a glorious day for your birthday. Smiling, you rub the sleep from your eyes and sit up, wondering how you should spend your birthday. Maybe you would take Jack up on his offer and steal something nice for yourself; it seemed like fun, and you did want something pretty. Climbing out of bed you open the shutters for good measure, allowing the light to spill out onto your bed, and decide you could use some breakfast. Dragging your feet you slip into the kitchen, making yourself some cold, roasted chicken for breakfast. Not the greatest meal, but better than whatever else you could be eating. Shoving food into your mouth-you were hungry after all- you give some to your younger brother who has just woken up. "Happy birthday sis." He mumbles sleepily to you, knawing on the slightly tough chicken.
Such a wondrous day, you think. I s'pose I can wear something clean today, and perhaps be clean me self. Snorting at the last thought you wander back up to your room, gather your other pair of clean clothes, and then head up to the washroom.
There wasn't much in your washroom, 'cept for a cracked sink and other bathroom necessities, all having seen better days. You forget that you would have to drag warm water up from the kitchen, but it didn't matter; today was your birthday, and you weren't going to let nothing spoil it! You disappear for a moment, but come back, dragging a bucket behind you. Dipping a cloth into it you begin to wash your face, hands, and your whole self. That done, you pull on your cleaner clothes and go to poke your head in your mom's room, to see if she was asleep or even home. She was awake, so she bade you a happy birthday and allows you to go and wander the streets, most likely with Jack in tow.
The sunlight is warm and refreshing on your face. Smiling, you seem much too happy at this time of day as you stroll down the street, towards Jack's house. He normally sleeps later than this, but you're going to wake him up and pay him a visit.
The thin wood of the door shakes as you knock on it. No one answers straight away, so you knock again. Finally the sound of footsteps can be heard as someone approaches the door. The door is opened, and Jack's head pokes out. He looks dreadfully tired, but you aren't at all in the least sorry that you got him out of bed. "Mornin' Jack!" You say cheerfully as he lets you in, still half asleep. "I couldn't sleep in this mornin', so I decided to come o'er here and wake ye up!" Jack looks at you and shakes his head, rubbing his eyes to try and clear the sleep from them.
"Why are ye here now, luv? It's bloody….early in th' mornin' for ye ter be playin' wake up calls!"
"Yes, but Jack it's my birthday today! I'm officially eighteen! So we can finally get a ship an' sail away! Don't that seem jolly?"
Jack nods slightly, yawning. "An' ye came ter me at this hour jus' ter tell me that? Honestly Tammy, can't I ever sleep in nice an' late?" You grin at him and nod. He knew you too well; of course he knew you'd answer in the way that you did.
"Stay 'ere then luv while I go an' get dressed fer the day. An' after that we can go an' have a birthday celebration at one o' the bars!" He seems real excited about the last part as he runs off, leaving you to make yourself comfortable.
Five minutes later Jack returns, tying the laces to his shirt. He offers you his arm and guides you out the door, while you cling to his arm and mutter things about the foolery of it all. But you go along with him anyways, last night's episode apparently forgotten.
"So, what shall we do today luv? Steal somethin' nice, perhaps? Or git ourselves nice 'n drunk? Ye can choose." His eyes are hopeful, and it's clear he wants you to choose the second option.
"I think," you begin, making a show of being slow just to annoy him, "that we can go 'n steal somethin' nice. It's to early ter drink Jack; you know that! Now, come on. I think some o' the ships unloading have some nice necklaces that I'd like." You half drag him down to the docks, where men are already at work.
"Oye!" Someone calls to you, and you look up. It's the man who gave you directions yesterday. "Are ye 'ere ter help again, as ye did yesterday? Yer friend can 'elp to, but I ain't gonna give both o' ye ten shillings."
"That's ok!" You call to him. "We don't mind really. We can only 'elp fer a little; we gots things ter do." Jack nods solemnly at your side as you're directed to where a whole lot of crates lie, looking cheap and easy to crack open.
You set to work with Jack, moving the crates from the docks to wherever they're wanted. When the man in charge calls a break you and Jack take the opportunity to open a crate and steal something from it. You knew there was gold in them; necklaces, earrings, jewels filled almost all the crates. Grabbing a gold necklace studded with emeralds, you stuff it in your pocket as you and Jack tell the cargo master that you must be leaving, and disappear before he can notice anything strange.
Working at the docks took up most of your day, so you decide to head to a bar with Jack. Entering the one you spent your night in two nights ago, you sit at a table and Jack goes to get your drinks. You smile and wink at another young man a few tables over, knowing you would never go farther than flirting with anyone in the bar, except for maybe Jack, but you don't let yourself think that last thought. You want to enjoy the evening, not ruin it by moping and thinking on things you can't change.
The man winks back and toasts you, returning his attention back to his friends. Jack has just arrived, so your attention was diverted to. "Thanks Jack." You take one of the tankards he has, and toast him, then drink deeply from it. Pulling the necklace from your pocket, you grin over at Jack. "What do ye think of it?" You hand it to him as he inspects it.
"It's pretty. Right fit fer ye, if I do say so me self." He hands it back to you and grins, knowing he's embarrassed you. "Dun look so shell-shocked luv. Yer a pretty lass and ye know it, so I can give ye compliments if I want." You snort at this, almost choking.
"You give compliments? That seems pretty unlikely Jack."
"I just gave ye one, din't I?" You suppose he's right, and give up the argument. You know he's right anyways. Drinking from your tankard, you look around, noting the usual bar fights, gunshots and whores sitting around.
"Seems ter be unusually crowded today Jack, it not even bein' evenin' yet." Jack shrugs in reply. "It's not like it matters or anything, it just seems ter be crowded. But then again, bars 'round 'ere always are…." You trail off as you turn you attention back to Jack.
"Luv, its yer birthday. Ye woke me up nice 'n early, made me 'elp you steal a pretty necklace, and now yer complaining about how crowded the bar is." Jack sighs and downs the rest of his rum. Rubbing his hands together he says cheerfully, "Now that that's done, do ye want another? Coz I sure do!" He gets up and saunters away, not even bothering to hear your reply. It isn't like you have one, anyways. As you watch him you see he stops at various tables, talking to the people sitting there. He was slapped once, cursed at twice and threatened three times. Smiling you bury your face back into your rum.
Someone slides into the vacant seat across from you. You glance up, only to find it isn't Jack. In his place is the young man you winked at earlier. You smile at him, but return to your drink, not wanting to flirt with him at the moment.
He leans across the table and whispers to you, "Ye know Jack Sparrow, right?" You nod in reply; of course you know him! He's your best friend after all. "I wudn't git too involved wiv 'im, if I was ye."
"And why's that?" You try to keep your voice patient, not liking him at all for coming here and telling you things about your best friend. You begin to drum your fingers on the table impatiently, not truly noticing what you are doing.
"Because," he leans closer, "I 'eard he's plannin' on commandeerin' that big black ship out front o' Tortuga, an' he's plannin' on takin' some wenches wiv him." He gestures to some of the women sitting in the bar.
"I highly doubt Jack would do that…." You trail off, your tone clearly asking for his name.
"Matt."
"I highly doubt Jack would do that Matt. He's planning on taking me with him. Now git outta me sight, afore I make ye." He only grins at you.
"An' how's that? Wiv a tankard of rum? Or are ye gonna shoot me wiv yer little pistol?" Scorn drips heavily in his voice, telling you his opinion of female pirates.
"I don' think that's a nice way ter treat a lass, mate." Jack's returned, and you smile at him. "I 'eard her tell ye ter leave, so why don't ye go and do tha'? Else wise she'll make ye leave." He grins maliciously at Matt, who shoves his chair back and leaves, shouting curses at you.
"Don' worry about 'im Jack; 'e wasn't really botherin' me, honest. Just came an' started saying some drivel about ye commandeering the Pearl out front, and takin' a whole bunch o' wenches wiv ye, and not takin' me at all. But I don't believe 'im, honest." Realizing you had finished your rum, you take the one that Jack has brought you. As he sits across from you, hooking one leg around the chair to draw it closer to him before he sits, Jack nods.
"I wouldn't think o' leavin' you 'ere, Tammy. Yer me friend, and yer right pretty too. Now, I think we've done enough complainin' an' moping fer one day, aye?" He raises his tankard in a toast. "Ter a righ' pretty lass on 'er birthday!" The tankards clash together as you both toast, grins plastering both your faces.
Some hours later-you have lost track of time-you and Jack are stumbling home. You near the docks, where the Pearl rises up in front of you, a great hulking mass floating in front of you. "Seems ter be quiet." Jack whispers to you, taking your wrist and dragging you with him towards it. A rope hangs down, and he lets go of your wrist, scaling it swiftly. "Come on lass, but be quiet abou' it!"
You scowl up at him, but begin to climb the rope. You almost lose your grip twice, and bang painfully against the side of the ship. Jack tells you to be quiet again, since you're making an awful racket. Finally you reach the ship's deck, Jack gripping your arm and hauling you up. "Luv, ye make too much noise!" Motioning you to follow him, he sets off to the cabins.
The ship was deserted, except for one man held prisoner in the brig. Jack releases him, only on his word that he'll stay on the ship and be part of his new crew. Grinning, Jack goes back above decks, you following, tottering behind him. As he hauls up the anchor with the other man's help you can't help but give him a lopsided smile. "A necklace, lotsa rum and now a ship Jack! What else could I ask fer, since I be getting' away from this island!" Black specks swam before your eyes, and you collapse as the ship began to move away from Tortuga.
A/N—There ye go mates! I hope that clears up some stuff that ye all had a problem with in the other chapters. It's me longest one-about 2,650 words or summat like that. Please press that purple button and drop me a review; I'd love ter 'ere from ye! Oh, question. What would you like to happen to 'YOU' when you wake up?? I like ideas, coz I'm always drawing a blank on 'em!