A few thanks before we start
First and foremost Cherry I quite literally could not have done this without you thanks me dear drink up yo ho J
Pendragginink: as always thank you for your lovely long review, I hope you like where they have gone on their journey in this chapter.
nicole297: thank you for reviewing, am greatly honoured m'lady (please write some more of all your fics am eagerly awaiting them all : )
whys1the1rum1gone1 : thanks
XPUNKROCKGODESSX: thanks
Anelen No luv's in this chappie m'dear or the last J
Piratelf: thank ye
Yo ho me hearties lift up your mugs and drink with me while ye read this here chappie
Excuse me a minute my dear friend while I pay for my drink, oh that's much better nothing quite like a tankard of rum to lift the spirits yo ho me hearties yo ho I love that song my friend, you do not know of it well I will teach you it sometime would you like that? Well where were we are you sitting comfortably, then I shall begin.
Inside the shop someone was bent over several tools. As Jack barged in, they sighed and turned around.
"We're closed."
At the sight of the worker, Jack stopped dead in his tracks and did a fairly lifelike impression of a goldfish. Gibbs chuckled at this unusual slip of self-control.
"Now that was what I be tryin' to tell ye, Captain." Jack blinked…it was the girl from the tavern. As he tried to regain his composure, the girl let out a loud gasp, just recognizing Mr. Gibbs.
"Mr. Gibbs? It's been so long!" She set down her tools and embraced the older man warmly, then took his arm. I would love to stay here and chat but I've finished for the night and Father would simply kill me if you didn't come and see him straight away. He will be so pleased to see you." She paused, shrewdly sniffing the air around him. "Still on the ale?" Gibbs grinned.
"Aye, love. T'would be a brave man that tries to separate me and me flask." He patted his pocket lovingly. The girl smiled at him, and then realized that there was another person in the room, albeit a very quiet, non-intrusive one. Turning quickly, she faced Jack.
"And what about your friend, Mr. Gibbs? Are you going to introduce us? I'm assuming he does have a name." Now recovered from his momentary shock, Jack took her work roughened hand in his, quickly stating his name before Gibbs has a chance to reply.
"It's Captain Jack Sparrow, but you can call me Jack." At this she quirked an eyebrow. And there was me thinking he was a mute. She studied him taking him in inch by inch, from his tri-cornered hat bandana and braids to his eyes, he is simply beautiful she let out a small gasp as she realised she was on the verge of staring. Laughing at her momentary musings, she grabbed her hat and coat and linked arms with the somewhat bemused Gibbs, leaving Jack to follow behind.
Gibbs and the young lady chatted amiably on the way to her house. They had many years of catching up to do and neither knew exactly how long this precious visit would last. Jack still trailed a few steps behind the pair, feeling a small stab of loneliness as he was inadvertently left out of their obviously personal visit. Finally, the small group reached her home.
"Here we are. Welcome to my humble abode!" the young lady stated with a flourish. "Come in." She quickly thrust the door open and entered. The men followed meekly, listening as she called to the house, "Father, we have visitors!" She strode up to a comfy chair in the corner of the room and bent down to kiss its occupant. "And you'll never believe who the cat dragged in!" Her father rose to greet his guests.
"Joshamee Gibbs. Well I never! You're the last person I would expect to see." He beamed, grasping Gibbs's hand firmly in his.
"Aye, 'tis good to see you again, Jacob. It's been--" Gibbs' expression softened as he met his old friend's gaze.
"Too long. Too long," the other man finishes for him. "Let's sit and reminisce over a warm meal. You and Mr…?" his gaze swept enquiringly to Jack.
"Sparrow, sir. Captain Jack Sparrow." Jack volunteered.
"You and Mr Sparrow must be famished," he finished as he turned back to Gibbs. "Dear, is there enough to have Mr. Gibbs and his friend for supper?"
"Yes father, it's almost ready. I'll just set the table." The young woman started for the kitchen, but paused when Jack spoke.
"May I help you, miss?" he inquired, suddenly remembering his manners. A polite, but distant expression crosses her face.
"No, I…" she started but stopped at the look her father gave her. She forced a smile on her face and a cheerful tone to her voice. "Why, thank you, Captain. That is most kind." With this they quit that room for the next, leaving the older gentlemen to talk.
Once out of range of her father, she sighed and turned. "Knives are in there, plates here and glasses over there." She pointed to said objects in their various locations. Jack paused at her irritated tone.
"Have we met before, Miss…?" He queried, thoughtfully. She smiled pausing to think.
"It's Miss Timber. You may call me Miss Timber." Jack grinned at this obvious verbal stab. "And yes, Captain, I think we have met, though the time and location are somewhat bleary." She faced him and smirked. "Therefore I can conclude that the event was not memorable." On saying this, she placed her hands on her hips. "Now if you don't mind, Captain, I have dinner to serve." She sashayed out of the room, leaving a somewhat stunned Captain Sparrow gawking in the middle of the floor, baffled by his most brisk, and first, rejection. And this after merely suggesting that they were previously acquainted!
Well, Miss Timbers, Captain Jack Sparrow is not one to be put off so easily--two can play at that game. At this thought he gave a golden smile, wicked and full of mischief.
The appetizing smell of roast chicken wafted tantalizingly through the dining area and into the living room. Like bees to honey, Gibbs and Mr. Timbers followed the delicious smell to a quite respectable-looking table, considering that a pirate had set it.
Miss Timbers emerged from the kitchen, her arms laden with more food and after noticing the eagerly awaiting men, she grinned.
"I was just about to call you." She set the meal on the table. "Eat up. Don't let it get cold." Without further invitation they all avidly tucked in to the feast. Conversation flowed over the food and wine, and both Jack and Miss Timbers openly studied each other, each at a perfect vantage point for the occupation.
As he watched her he found her to be quite curious, unlike most women he had met. Intelligent with a sharp tongue and ferocious wit, perfectly at home in the company of only men. Her hair was pulled back out of the way into a ponytail, with errant strands falling to frame her face. Her skin was unfashionably brown with freckles running across her cheeks, but it oddly became her. She would have been passed over if he had seen her in a crowd, as her looks were attractive but not monumentally so. Her eyes, the most attractive feature she possessed, lit up deliciously with mirth when she laughed, a sound reminiscent of church bells. He could listen to that sound for eternity, he wanted to be the one that made her laugh, that made her eyes light up he smiled unaware of the fact that he too was being watched.
She was as curious about this strange Captain as he was about her. He was amazingly polite and quite intelligent for a pirate and, although she wouldn't admit it to anyone else, she found herself almost entirely comfortable in his presence. He was quite she thought about this beautiful? No that didn't seem right beautiful seemed too soft, striking seemed much more appropriate. In all, she found him very …interesting.
Once the meal was over Jack stood up and nodded at his hosts.
"Sir. Miss Timbers." He paused, his eyes sliding over to the somewhat inebriated Gibbs. "It was a fine meal and I thank you most wholeheartedly for it, but we'd best be off. I would not wish to overstay our welcome." Mr. Timbers stands, offering a hand to Jack.
"Well, Jack, it has certainly been a pleasure meeting you and seeing my old friend, Joshamee, again. I hope you will come and visit us soon," her father asked, turning the statement into a question. At the mention of his name Gibbs had risen, as had Miss Timbers. Her father releases Jack's hand and turn to the girl. "Would you care to see our guests out, my dear? I feel your legs are much younger than mine."
She smiled at her father, then led Gibbs and Jack to the door. She fiercely hugged Gibbs and made him swear to come and see them again soon. Jack watched this display of affection curiously. He had never seen Gibbs this fond of anything except his ale. He smiled wryly at this thought. Miss Timbers turned to face him and bid him farewell, though her manner was much more formal.
"Goodnight, Captain." She stuck out her hand.
"Ah," Jack stuttered. "Miss Timbers, I hear you are quite the shipwright, and as my ship is in dire need of repair, I was hoping to commission you. We'll be in town for a few days--if you would like to give it some thought." With this he found her hand, raised it to his lips, and gently kissed it, his eyes never leaving her own as some of his natural charm shines through his discomfort. Ms. Timbers face flushed delicately under his gaze, her own mouth unable to from any more words. Jack smiled at her and released her hand.
"Goodnight, lass." And with that he was gone.
She leaned against her open door, unconsciously stroking her hand where he had kissed her, her heart racing in a manner very uncharacteristic to her. Yes, he is interesting, she thought. Very interesting.
"Are you coming in, dear?" her father called from inside. She smiled, and then turned her attention to her father. As she stepped inside, the golden light spilling from the door, an aura of family, of home surrounding her, swallowed her frame.