JOEY: Do we have to?!?!?
ARY: Unless you want the big freaky mouse to come after us with his hundred lawyers!
JOEY: Fine! (sighs frustrated) We don't own it. Get over it.
Chapter 8: A Lesson Aboard the Pearl
Abbi woke late the next day, and she walked into the kitchen to find it emptying from lunch. Faith looked up from where she was moving the dishes and smiled when she saw the disgruntled piratess.
"Settled the score, have you?" she said as she went back to work.
Abbi said nothing in reply but merely watched her young charge for a moment. "You seem to be settling in quite nicely," she observed as she rolled up her sleeves and moved to help.
Faith smiled a little, inclining her head, but she gave no concrete answer. The truth was that she was becoming rather attached to the ship and its inhabitants – specifically three: Jack, Abbi, and Thomas. But she wasn't about to volunteer that information to the public.
She was glad she had kept silent when Thomas appeared out of nowhere, handing her his dishes and telling her that 'Captain Sparrow' had asked to see her again.
Faith sighed. "Again?"
Thomas nodded, giving her a knowing look and making a quiet exit.
Faith retrieved some water for Abbi before going up to see Jack again. When she found him in his cabin, she came in without even knocking. "What is it this time, Jack?"
"Captain! Captain Jack!" he said as he stood from the desk and turned to face her.
Faith waved him off, crossed her arms, and leaned against the door expectantly.
Jack watched her for a moment before abruptly placing his hands behind his back and pacing as he explained. "If you're going to be a pirate on this ship..."
"Piratess," Faith interrupted.
"What?" Jack asked, pausing in his pacing and squinting at her as if it would help him understand.
"PiratESS. I am a woman, not a man – a piratess, not a pirate."
Jack grunted and continued his speech. "...a piratess on this ship, you're going to have to take a watch," Jack finished. Faith racked her brain for possible meanings. When Jack saw her puzzled expression, he elaborated. "Meaning you're going to man... or woman... the helm for an hour or so."
Faith's expression showed comprehension, but what it did not show was her ignorance of how it was done. It was the same thing that had started the fight between Abbi and Jack. She nodded before asking, "Which watch am I going to take?"
"Fourth," Jack answered absentmindedly.
Faith nodded again before exiting the cabin. Somewhat panicked, she moved to a place where she could watch the helmsman who was currently on duty where she wouldn't be noticed. After observing for a little bit, she turned around to go, her brow knit in frustrated confusion.
She ran directly into Thomas.
"Whoa, slow down!" he exclaimed in surprise.
Faith turned a deep shade of crimson. "Sorry," she muttered, trying to skirt around him.
He reached out and caught her by the waist before she could escape. She turned to face him, her head down. He took her by the shoulders and bent to catch her eyes. She looked up into his face, obviously frustrated about something.
"Okay, Faith. Tell me all about it."
"About what?" Faith was very aware of the warmth of Thomas' hands on her shoulders.
"About why you're frustrated."
Faith stood for a moment in hesitation, merely looking at Thomas. Then she let it out. "Jack told me that I had to take the duty at the helm today during the fourth watch and I have no idea what that mean or how you do it or why or where or when or anything and I'm sick of being confused and left out all the time just because I'm not used to all this!" Faith expelled in one big breath.
Thomas smiled a little, but quickly schooled his features. It didn't matter; Faith had already seen it. "Is there something funny?"
"You are."
Faith opened her mouth, changed her mind, closed it, and then tried to leave.
Thomas, his hands still in place on her shoulders, "I didn't mean it that way. I meant that... well, you've only been here for a day, and all you had to do was ask for help. Captain Sparrow, Abbi and I are all more than willing to help you. But instead, you chose to be frustrated, confused, and left out. I had to force you to tell me what was bothering you, Faith, and that won't get you anywhere on this ship. I mean, you're probably not gonna run into me every time you have a problem."
Faith stared up at Thomas as she felt the truth of his words sinking in. Her face fell a little. Thomas' thought raced for a solution.
"Okay, how about this? I know you probably don't want Abbi and Captain Sparrow to know about this, so you're gonna have to learn sometime soon. How about if I come with you to your first two or three watches so that I can teach you the basics? Okay?"
Faith nodded, at a loss for words.
"All right, then." He released her shoulders and looked at her calmly. "The fourth watch is a few hours after dinner, so if you just want to meet me up here after you're done with the dishes, we can start then."
Faith nodded. "Okay, Thomas, I have to go start the dinner."
Thomas agreed knowingly. Faith turned to go, and Thomas looked after her for a moment before turning back to go to his own work.
"Thomas!" Faith called, stopping the pirate in his tracks. He looked back at her. "Thanks," she said sincerely.
Thomas did a strange sort of two-fingered salute before turning again to go. Faith turned as well, bit her lip, lifted part of her skirt to her chest, and then moved in the direction of the kitchen.
*
Faith stood behind the serving counter, busily taking and stacking dishes. No man had been stupid enough to be rude to her since the episode with Scarsdale, but they joked with her as they left, finding it was the only way to get her to talk to them peacefully.
"When are you gonna marry me, Faith?" asked one.
"When pigs fly, Peter."
"I saw a pig fly once. Will you marry me?" asked another.
"Bring it to me, and maybe I will."
And so it went. Abbi smiled, humming as she transferred the dishes Faith was stacking. Just as the last pirates were leaving, Thomas entered with water for the dishes. Faith took the bucket with a questioning look.
"I figure the more time you can save, the quicker we can get started, eh?" he said so that only Faith could hear. He winked and she smiled.
She headed over to pour the water into the tub. Thomas smiled at her retreating figure before going up to finish his own work.
*
Faith leaned against the railing, much as she had the day before, waiting for Thomas to finish. She sighed, turning around, and surveyed the horizon. The sun was just starting to set. The clouds along the horizon seemed to be on fire with the red glow the sun was casting upon them. Faith smiled at the beauty of it all.
"Nice view, eh?" As was becoming a habit for him, Thomas had startled Faith.
Nevertheless, she recovered quickly. "Yes, it is."
"That's one of the better things about living on the sea: there's always a wonderful view."
Thomas moved to stand close beside Faith, and they just stood to watch it for a moment. "You know," Thomas began softly. "We have a saying here on the ocean: 'Red sky at night, sailor's delight – red sky in the morning...'"
"'Sailors take warning,'" Faith finished, smiling at Thomas' surprised face. "I have been on the sea for four months, Thomas. I was bound to pick something up."
Thomas laughed heartily. "Come on!" he said, still chuckling a little. "It's time for you to pick up a little something more."
He put a hand to her back and led her where she needed to go. The maneuvered to the stern and Thomas began their first lesson.
"Okay, the first thing you need to know is the terms for the directions on the ship. Right now, we're standing at the 'stern' or 'aft.' To the right is 'starboard' and to the left is 'port.' The front of the ship is the 'stem' or 'fore.' With me so far?"
Faith quizzed herself aloud. "Back – 'aft' or 'stern.' Front – 'fore' or 'stem.' Right – 'starboard.' And left – 'port?'"
Thomas nodded his approval. "Very good. Now, if you lean over the back of the ship, you'll catch a glimpse of the rudder, which is the device that controls the direction the ship is going in."
Faith leaned over the side, but she couldn't see the rudder. She leaned still farther, but no rudder presented itself. She leaned a little more, determined to see and learn, but as she wasn't incredibly tall, as Thomas was, she failed yet again. In a split second, she lost her footing. She felt herself about to fall overboard. Her mind was racing for possible escapes from her predicament. When nothing came to mind, fear crowded in, and she felt panic taking over.
She felt someone catch her waist and heard Thomas' voice as if he were far away. "Whoa! Whoa! Careful!" He pulled her back onto the deck and helped her to right herself. "Are you all right, Faith?" Thomas asked, already knowing the answer.
Faith was having trouble breathing. She was gasping, and she felt the tears coursing down her cheeks. She brought a hand to her forehead and sank down onto the deck. She scooted backwards until she felt the side at her back.
Thomas knelt at her side and pulled her hand away from her face. Her breath was coming in ragged gasps and she was very obviously still rattled by the whole incident. He kept her hand in his and stroked her hair with his other hand, telling her that everything would be all right. It didn't take long for Faith to recover. She sniffed and stood somewhat shakily, retrieving her hand from Thomas. Thomas just waited for her to say something.
"I still haven't seen that rudder," she stated, sniffing and feeling that she had to make up for her blunder.
Thomas was silent for a moment. "If you really want to see it, I'll hold your waist so you won't fall again," he suggested after a moment of reflection.
Faith hesitated, but then nodded. She walked to the end of the boat and leaned over, feeling Thomas' large protective hands grasping her small waist. She leaned out trustingly, even allowing her feet to come off the ship a little. Finally, she saw the rudder. She breathed a small, inaudible sigh of relief as she pushed herself back up. Thomas removed his hands slowly, staring into her eyes for a moment. Faith made no move to look away. Thomas caught himself and look away, clearing his throat. Faith looked down at her hands, now folded in front of her.
"So, what's next?" Faith asked to break the mood, looking around the ship with genuine interest.
Thomas, happy for a distraction, led the way to the mast and continued the lesson. "This is the mast."
"I knew that much," Faith muttered under her breath.
Thomas, unaware of her remark, continued once again. "Up at the top – just below the flag – is the 'crow's nest.' That's where lookouts go to watch for land, ships, obstacles, opposing pirate ships, etc."
Faith nodded, something she did quite often. "I've seen people up there before. How do you get up?"
"I'll show you, and then you can try. I know Captain Sparrow will want you up there soon."
Faith smiled familiarly at Thomas to show that she agreed. As he climbed expertly up the mast, using the rigging and rope, he gave Faith step by step instructions. He finished by hopping over the railing and spreading his arms wide in triumph. "And that's how it's done!" he called.
Faith surveyed the mast and ropes for a moment before walking over, selecting a rope and beginning her climb. With very few stumbles, she was soon joining Thomas at the top. "And that's how it's done," she mimicked.
Thomas smiled again. "I'm impressed."
"It won't be the last time. I was always a quick learner." She smiled precociously.
Thomas was nearly beaming with joy. "Okay, now to our last lesson for tonight: the helm itself."
Faith's smile faded a bit as she looked down toward the deck. "How do you get down?"
"That lesson is for another night. Right now, you'll just have to hitch a ride."
He grabbed a rope and put one foot up on the railing. Faith swallowed hard. "I don't know, Thomas, I..."
"Faith, do you trust me?"
Faith hesitated for a moment, then remembered all the things he'd done for her. She looked up and found his eyes. "Yes."
"Then come over here," Thomas ordered, taking a hand from the rope and beckoning her over.
He kept his hand out as Faith came over to him. She put her arms around his neck to support herself and felt his arm encircling her waist. She put a foot on the railing as well, and on Thomas' count, they pushed off. Faith saw the deck rushing up at her, and fear grasped her for a moment. She closed her eyes and clung tighter to Thomas.
"Faith." Thomas' voice broke into her thoughts. "Faith, we're done. You can stop trying to choke me now."
Faith opened first one eye and then the other as she realized with subdued surprise that her feet were firmly planted on the ground. She smiled somewhat sheepishly. "Sorry."
Thomas merely smiled his wonderful smile. "And now for the real work."
*
JOEY: Ok, we know, LONG chapter and hardly anything about Jack or Abbi in it.
ARY: It's not ALL about Jack!
JOEY: (looks at Ary as if she's insane) You wanna tell that to some of the fans out there?!?!?
ARY: (looks down at her feet) Never mind.
Anyway, there is MUCH more to come about Jack and Abbi in the next chapter, but in order for us to post it, we need more reviews!! So PLEASE send them!
Pirate'sRedWinter: Thank you so much for your reviews! They really mean a lot to us! It helps to know we have at least ONE person out there who is reading our story! Muchas Gracias!
Now, as for the rest of you- REVIEW PLEASE!
Keep Reading (& Writing)!
~Ary and Joey~
ARY: Unless you want the big freaky mouse to come after us with his hundred lawyers!
JOEY: Fine! (sighs frustrated) We don't own it. Get over it.
Chapter 8: A Lesson Aboard the Pearl
Abbi woke late the next day, and she walked into the kitchen to find it emptying from lunch. Faith looked up from where she was moving the dishes and smiled when she saw the disgruntled piratess.
"Settled the score, have you?" she said as she went back to work.
Abbi said nothing in reply but merely watched her young charge for a moment. "You seem to be settling in quite nicely," she observed as she rolled up her sleeves and moved to help.
Faith smiled a little, inclining her head, but she gave no concrete answer. The truth was that she was becoming rather attached to the ship and its inhabitants – specifically three: Jack, Abbi, and Thomas. But she wasn't about to volunteer that information to the public.
She was glad she had kept silent when Thomas appeared out of nowhere, handing her his dishes and telling her that 'Captain Sparrow' had asked to see her again.
Faith sighed. "Again?"
Thomas nodded, giving her a knowing look and making a quiet exit.
Faith retrieved some water for Abbi before going up to see Jack again. When she found him in his cabin, she came in without even knocking. "What is it this time, Jack?"
"Captain! Captain Jack!" he said as he stood from the desk and turned to face her.
Faith waved him off, crossed her arms, and leaned against the door expectantly.
Jack watched her for a moment before abruptly placing his hands behind his back and pacing as he explained. "If you're going to be a pirate on this ship..."
"Piratess," Faith interrupted.
"What?" Jack asked, pausing in his pacing and squinting at her as if it would help him understand.
"PiratESS. I am a woman, not a man – a piratess, not a pirate."
Jack grunted and continued his speech. "...a piratess on this ship, you're going to have to take a watch," Jack finished. Faith racked her brain for possible meanings. When Jack saw her puzzled expression, he elaborated. "Meaning you're going to man... or woman... the helm for an hour or so."
Faith's expression showed comprehension, but what it did not show was her ignorance of how it was done. It was the same thing that had started the fight between Abbi and Jack. She nodded before asking, "Which watch am I going to take?"
"Fourth," Jack answered absentmindedly.
Faith nodded again before exiting the cabin. Somewhat panicked, she moved to a place where she could watch the helmsman who was currently on duty where she wouldn't be noticed. After observing for a little bit, she turned around to go, her brow knit in frustrated confusion.
She ran directly into Thomas.
"Whoa, slow down!" he exclaimed in surprise.
Faith turned a deep shade of crimson. "Sorry," she muttered, trying to skirt around him.
He reached out and caught her by the waist before she could escape. She turned to face him, her head down. He took her by the shoulders and bent to catch her eyes. She looked up into his face, obviously frustrated about something.
"Okay, Faith. Tell me all about it."
"About what?" Faith was very aware of the warmth of Thomas' hands on her shoulders.
"About why you're frustrated."
Faith stood for a moment in hesitation, merely looking at Thomas. Then she let it out. "Jack told me that I had to take the duty at the helm today during the fourth watch and I have no idea what that mean or how you do it or why or where or when or anything and I'm sick of being confused and left out all the time just because I'm not used to all this!" Faith expelled in one big breath.
Thomas smiled a little, but quickly schooled his features. It didn't matter; Faith had already seen it. "Is there something funny?"
"You are."
Faith opened her mouth, changed her mind, closed it, and then tried to leave.
Thomas, his hands still in place on her shoulders, "I didn't mean it that way. I meant that... well, you've only been here for a day, and all you had to do was ask for help. Captain Sparrow, Abbi and I are all more than willing to help you. But instead, you chose to be frustrated, confused, and left out. I had to force you to tell me what was bothering you, Faith, and that won't get you anywhere on this ship. I mean, you're probably not gonna run into me every time you have a problem."
Faith stared up at Thomas as she felt the truth of his words sinking in. Her face fell a little. Thomas' thought raced for a solution.
"Okay, how about this? I know you probably don't want Abbi and Captain Sparrow to know about this, so you're gonna have to learn sometime soon. How about if I come with you to your first two or three watches so that I can teach you the basics? Okay?"
Faith nodded, at a loss for words.
"All right, then." He released her shoulders and looked at her calmly. "The fourth watch is a few hours after dinner, so if you just want to meet me up here after you're done with the dishes, we can start then."
Faith nodded. "Okay, Thomas, I have to go start the dinner."
Thomas agreed knowingly. Faith turned to go, and Thomas looked after her for a moment before turning back to go to his own work.
"Thomas!" Faith called, stopping the pirate in his tracks. He looked back at her. "Thanks," she said sincerely.
Thomas did a strange sort of two-fingered salute before turning again to go. Faith turned as well, bit her lip, lifted part of her skirt to her chest, and then moved in the direction of the kitchen.
*
Faith stood behind the serving counter, busily taking and stacking dishes. No man had been stupid enough to be rude to her since the episode with Scarsdale, but they joked with her as they left, finding it was the only way to get her to talk to them peacefully.
"When are you gonna marry me, Faith?" asked one.
"When pigs fly, Peter."
"I saw a pig fly once. Will you marry me?" asked another.
"Bring it to me, and maybe I will."
And so it went. Abbi smiled, humming as she transferred the dishes Faith was stacking. Just as the last pirates were leaving, Thomas entered with water for the dishes. Faith took the bucket with a questioning look.
"I figure the more time you can save, the quicker we can get started, eh?" he said so that only Faith could hear. He winked and she smiled.
She headed over to pour the water into the tub. Thomas smiled at her retreating figure before going up to finish his own work.
*
Faith leaned against the railing, much as she had the day before, waiting for Thomas to finish. She sighed, turning around, and surveyed the horizon. The sun was just starting to set. The clouds along the horizon seemed to be on fire with the red glow the sun was casting upon them. Faith smiled at the beauty of it all.
"Nice view, eh?" As was becoming a habit for him, Thomas had startled Faith.
Nevertheless, she recovered quickly. "Yes, it is."
"That's one of the better things about living on the sea: there's always a wonderful view."
Thomas moved to stand close beside Faith, and they just stood to watch it for a moment. "You know," Thomas began softly. "We have a saying here on the ocean: 'Red sky at night, sailor's delight – red sky in the morning...'"
"'Sailors take warning,'" Faith finished, smiling at Thomas' surprised face. "I have been on the sea for four months, Thomas. I was bound to pick something up."
Thomas laughed heartily. "Come on!" he said, still chuckling a little. "It's time for you to pick up a little something more."
He put a hand to her back and led her where she needed to go. The maneuvered to the stern and Thomas began their first lesson.
"Okay, the first thing you need to know is the terms for the directions on the ship. Right now, we're standing at the 'stern' or 'aft.' To the right is 'starboard' and to the left is 'port.' The front of the ship is the 'stem' or 'fore.' With me so far?"
Faith quizzed herself aloud. "Back – 'aft' or 'stern.' Front – 'fore' or 'stem.' Right – 'starboard.' And left – 'port?'"
Thomas nodded his approval. "Very good. Now, if you lean over the back of the ship, you'll catch a glimpse of the rudder, which is the device that controls the direction the ship is going in."
Faith leaned over the side, but she couldn't see the rudder. She leaned still farther, but no rudder presented itself. She leaned a little more, determined to see and learn, but as she wasn't incredibly tall, as Thomas was, she failed yet again. In a split second, she lost her footing. She felt herself about to fall overboard. Her mind was racing for possible escapes from her predicament. When nothing came to mind, fear crowded in, and she felt panic taking over.
She felt someone catch her waist and heard Thomas' voice as if he were far away. "Whoa! Whoa! Careful!" He pulled her back onto the deck and helped her to right herself. "Are you all right, Faith?" Thomas asked, already knowing the answer.
Faith was having trouble breathing. She was gasping, and she felt the tears coursing down her cheeks. She brought a hand to her forehead and sank down onto the deck. She scooted backwards until she felt the side at her back.
Thomas knelt at her side and pulled her hand away from her face. Her breath was coming in ragged gasps and she was very obviously still rattled by the whole incident. He kept her hand in his and stroked her hair with his other hand, telling her that everything would be all right. It didn't take long for Faith to recover. She sniffed and stood somewhat shakily, retrieving her hand from Thomas. Thomas just waited for her to say something.
"I still haven't seen that rudder," she stated, sniffing and feeling that she had to make up for her blunder.
Thomas was silent for a moment. "If you really want to see it, I'll hold your waist so you won't fall again," he suggested after a moment of reflection.
Faith hesitated, but then nodded. She walked to the end of the boat and leaned over, feeling Thomas' large protective hands grasping her small waist. She leaned out trustingly, even allowing her feet to come off the ship a little. Finally, she saw the rudder. She breathed a small, inaudible sigh of relief as she pushed herself back up. Thomas removed his hands slowly, staring into her eyes for a moment. Faith made no move to look away. Thomas caught himself and look away, clearing his throat. Faith looked down at her hands, now folded in front of her.
"So, what's next?" Faith asked to break the mood, looking around the ship with genuine interest.
Thomas, happy for a distraction, led the way to the mast and continued the lesson. "This is the mast."
"I knew that much," Faith muttered under her breath.
Thomas, unaware of her remark, continued once again. "Up at the top – just below the flag – is the 'crow's nest.' That's where lookouts go to watch for land, ships, obstacles, opposing pirate ships, etc."
Faith nodded, something she did quite often. "I've seen people up there before. How do you get up?"
"I'll show you, and then you can try. I know Captain Sparrow will want you up there soon."
Faith smiled familiarly at Thomas to show that she agreed. As he climbed expertly up the mast, using the rigging and rope, he gave Faith step by step instructions. He finished by hopping over the railing and spreading his arms wide in triumph. "And that's how it's done!" he called.
Faith surveyed the mast and ropes for a moment before walking over, selecting a rope and beginning her climb. With very few stumbles, she was soon joining Thomas at the top. "And that's how it's done," she mimicked.
Thomas smiled again. "I'm impressed."
"It won't be the last time. I was always a quick learner." She smiled precociously.
Thomas was nearly beaming with joy. "Okay, now to our last lesson for tonight: the helm itself."
Faith's smile faded a bit as she looked down toward the deck. "How do you get down?"
"That lesson is for another night. Right now, you'll just have to hitch a ride."
He grabbed a rope and put one foot up on the railing. Faith swallowed hard. "I don't know, Thomas, I..."
"Faith, do you trust me?"
Faith hesitated for a moment, then remembered all the things he'd done for her. She looked up and found his eyes. "Yes."
"Then come over here," Thomas ordered, taking a hand from the rope and beckoning her over.
He kept his hand out as Faith came over to him. She put her arms around his neck to support herself and felt his arm encircling her waist. She put a foot on the railing as well, and on Thomas' count, they pushed off. Faith saw the deck rushing up at her, and fear grasped her for a moment. She closed her eyes and clung tighter to Thomas.
"Faith." Thomas' voice broke into her thoughts. "Faith, we're done. You can stop trying to choke me now."
Faith opened first one eye and then the other as she realized with subdued surprise that her feet were firmly planted on the ground. She smiled somewhat sheepishly. "Sorry."
Thomas merely smiled his wonderful smile. "And now for the real work."
*
JOEY: Ok, we know, LONG chapter and hardly anything about Jack or Abbi in it.
ARY: It's not ALL about Jack!
JOEY: (looks at Ary as if she's insane) You wanna tell that to some of the fans out there?!?!?
ARY: (looks down at her feet) Never mind.
Anyway, there is MUCH more to come about Jack and Abbi in the next chapter, but in order for us to post it, we need more reviews!! So PLEASE send them!
Pirate'sRedWinter: Thank you so much for your reviews! They really mean a lot to us! It helps to know we have at least ONE person out there who is reading our story! Muchas Gracias!
Now, as for the rest of you- REVIEW PLEASE!
Keep Reading (& Writing)!
~Ary and Joey~