AN (5/5) - Wow...I still have ten minutes in English class. On with the writing!
Chapter 23- Promise
Jack slightly frowned as he glimpsed at Nassau once more. It was about the size of the fingernail on his index finger. Mentally berating himself, he turned and got back to the newly assigned task of repairing the Black Pearl. While almost all of the crew were busy with the insane idea of ransacking the governor's house, several soldiers had shelled the Pearl, rightfully assuming that this had been their base of operations. Unfortunately for their designs, but fortunately for the Pearl, they'd been called as backup to the governor's large mansion after too much damage had occurred.
Jack, rather naively, had assumed that once a ship was damaged, it was unsafe to sail on it. Calico Jack had weakly laughed at his naivety, still pale from his blood loss. He'd placed Jack in charge of getting new wood and such before they'd left. Jack had hastily done so, stocking the underbelly of the Black Pearl almost to capacity because he didn't know how much they'd need. Thankfully, the lumberyard had delivered the wood promptly, and the Pearl had been able to escape. Jack had then placed Mark and Whitey in charge of the reconstruction, seeing as they knew the most about carpentry. Jack had offered his services on the menial labor, anxious for a distraction.
"Jack, could ye 'and me tha' board?" Whitey quietly asked. Whitey was a quiet man, his honey blonde hair usually clean and cut short. He was several inches shorter than Jack, and Jack respected his quiet and loyal attitude. He hadn't ever heard of Whitey making negative comments on any of the crew.
Jack nodded, carefully grasping the rough-hewn board and placing the wood where Whitey indicated. Jack didn't particularly like handling wood that hadn't been properly sanded and lacquered with an odd and smelly mix of tar and sulfur. The mixture was spread across all parts of the ship to prevent nasty little bugs to worm their way from the water into the wooden ships.
Whitey nodded thankfully. "That will about do it, Jack. Go an' 'elp Mark on the other side o' the Pearl."
Jack grinned. "Right, mate, I'll go an' 'elp him, then." Without waiting for a reply, he made his way around the various obstacles to where Mark was standing. His dark eyes surveyed the vast amounts of carpentry going on, grinning with satisfaction as he saw the dark wood of the Black Pearl being rebuilt.
"Jack?" Mark asked as he looked up from the board he was nailing, several crude nails in his thin mouth. "Would ye mind takin' tha' board," his long finger pointed to an oddly shaped piece of wood, "over t' Robert?" He pointed vaguely to the aft of the Pearl.
Jack nodded and complied, feeling rather like a piece of equipment. He carefully made his way to the gray eyed Robert, willing to do whatever else was required.
Several hours later, a sweaty Jack swaggered slowly towards the galley, desperate for something to quiet the rumblings of hunger in his stomach. Jack hadn't eaten anything since the salad he'd had at the Dennis household. Carefully opening the door, Jack inwardly groaned as he caught sight of Barbossa. There always seemed to be some tension between the two-each trying to prove their merit to Calico Jack. Not letting any outward emotion show, Jack slowly said, "'Ello, Barbossa. I see ye've taken a break as well." From the look of things, Barbossa had been here for quite a while.
Barbossa lowered his left hand, placing the apple he'd been eating on a simple wood table. Glaring up at Jack, he frigidly said, "Aye, Jack, I be takin' a break."
Jack smiled rather sarcastically in response and made his way to the cupboards, withdrawing a small amount of hardtack. Biting into the hardy biscuit, he leaned on a rough countertop. While chewing, he asked, "Where were ye, Barbossa?" He swallowed, trying to appear as if he wanted to have a bit of small talk.
Barbossa slowly smiled. "Tha' be none o' your business, boy. Never you mind." He picked up the apple and Bit into it, flecks of apple juice spraying across his face and refracting light off his sun weary face.
Jack sighed, wondering if today was the day they'd finally have a confrontation. Jack did not hate Barbossa particularly, but hated the way he was always negative and making comments about Jack to the more unsavory members of the Pearl's crew. Barbossa was a fine pirate, always trying to divvy up swag fairly. After finishing one tough biscuit, Jack succinctly said, "Alright."
Barbossa smirked slightly, wanting to get Jack into a fury and not wanting to at the same time. He sighed and said, "The cap'n wants t' see ye, boy." He bit into his nearly finished apple that was turning brown as it oxidized with the warm Caribbean atmosphere.
Jack sighed, diving into his sanctuary. Calico Jack's injury was remarkably similar to the one his mother had received. Ironic that the same man had shot both Calico Jack and Rosalyn. While Jack was thinking these similarities over in his head, he was stuffing another piece of hardtack in his mouth, nodding his thanks to Barbossa, and swaggering towards the door. Catching a glimpse of an empty rum bottle, Jack suddenly had the intense desire to drink some of his favorite alcoholic beverage. Unfortunately, only Calico Jack and Barbossa had a key to the liquor cupboard.
Sighing, Jack walked to the large barrel of grog kept aboard the Pearl, reached for a slightly dirty mug and filled it with the weak substitute for spirits. Drinking most of it down as he swallowed the dry hardtack; he wiped his mouth on his sleeve and sighed a bit satisfactorily, aware that Barbossa was watching every move he was making.
Jack soon reached the door and bowed somewhat sarcastically towards Barbossa, saluting his superior as he opened the door and stepped into the warm sunlight.
Jack let the door shut with a large noise, his own way of a little backlash against the surly first mate. He nearly ran into Devon, stopping within millimeters of his face. "Sorry," Jack mumbled, backing up slightly. Something about Devon made him, well, uncomfortable, and Jack didn't ever invade Devon's personal space as he did with the rest of the crew. Then again, most of the other pirates aboard the Pearl avoided Devon even more.
Devon smirked mysteriously, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement tinged with a hint of something else. "No matter, Jack."
Jack hastily nodded his thanks, trying to naturally swagger away from Devon without him nodding. Pointing towards the captain's quarters, Jack said, "The cap'n needs me, mate. I'd love," Jack imperceptibly winced, unnoticed by Devon. Without pausing for more than a fraction of a second, he added, "t' help you wiv your project."
Devon nodded, stepping out of the way and watching Jack through undecipherable blue eyes. "Tha's alright, Jack." He bent down and started applying the aforementioned sulfur mixture across the newly repaired deck of the Pearl.
Jack sighed in relief, continuing his way to Calico Jack's cabin, nodding towards Kaman and Viktor, who were working on their English with Robert, one of the more culturally minded pirates who'd been signed to the Pearl's crew back in England. They all nodded back in unison, and Jack chuckled slightly, reaching Calico Jack's quarters and entering the room after a cursory knock.
The ship's surgeon, Eric Leglan, was busy wrapping Calico Jack's chest in a simple cloth wrap. Eric had been on the Pearl roughly as long as Jack had been, and had used the expertise he'd gained in England to save the life of many crew members. Unfortunately, Eric had dropped out of his medicinal education before they'd covered poisons, which is why he hadn't been able to treat Jack for that poison. "Take more care, Cap'n," he said as he tied up the cloth. "It was only inches from yer liver, which isn' doing very well either." In-between his index finger and thumb in his right hand was a small ball. The ball's metallic silver surface was coated with a fine sheen of red.
Jack shuddered slightly as Eric wiped the ball on a bloodstained apron that had once been white. Eric handed it to Calico Jack and nodded. "I'll be back in several hours, Cap'n. Don't want an infection t' develop." Eric then gathered his tools up and left the cabin, in search of water to clean him with.
Jack swaggered over to the bedside, placing his hand on the wooden post. "Barbossa said ye needed me, Cap'n."
Calico Jack nodded, twirling the angry metal bullet around between his fingers. The weathered captain was unusually pale, his normally tan skin sallow. His brown eyes appeared sunken, and the scar on his cheek's red hues contrasted with the slightly green tint to his face. "Come 'ere, boy," he said with a slight smile.
Jack nodded and leaned in a bit. Calico Jack was speaking quite softly and was fairly difficult to hear. "What is it, Cap'n?" he asked, sympathy shining through his dark brown eyes.
Calico Jack sighed and Jack tried not to grimace as a stagnant smell assaulted his olfactory senses. "I'm gettin' old, Jack."
Jack chuckled, unsure of how to reassure the middle aged man. Finally deciding to say something, he said, "Yer no' that old, Cap'n. The whole crew respects yer wise judgments from yer years of experience."
Calico Jack smiled, the streaming sunlight reflecting off his dirty gold teeth. "Well, be tha' as it may, Jack, it doesn' change the fact tha' I am old. I used t' be able to avoid this sort o' injury. Commodore Dennis caught me off guard." He put a hand to his bandaged belly, wincing a bit.
Jack sighed and quietly replied, "He caught me mum off guard as well. Tisn' because ye be old, Cap'n."
Calico Jack stared at Jack, his eyes full of surprise. "So 'e was the one who finished off Sandra?"
Jack nodded. "Aye, abou' six years ago." With the utterance of that statement, Jack suddenly felt rather old. He shifted the weight on his feet uncomfortably. Jack didn't really know why he was bothering to tell Calico jack this information. He might tell him that the Commodore was his brother-in-law without even thinking about it.
Calico Jack sighed, his mind wandering to memories of Rosalyn. "Tha' must be why ye din' want t' go to that dinner. I'm sorry, Jack, I din' realize..."
Jack cut the apology off by raising his hand. "No apology's necessary, Cap'n. Can't change the past." He grinned, feeling rather uncomfortable. Glancing into the older man's eyes, he seemed to sense there was something Calico Jack wanted to say still. "Wha' else did ye wish to discuss?"
Calico Jack jumped slightly, startled out of his reverie. "Well, Jack, I've been thinkin' tis about time I retire from piracy."
Jack scowled and shook his head. "The Pearl wouldn' feel right without ye, Cap'n."
Calico Jack smiled slightly. "Well, tis good t' 'ear ye say tha', Jack." He stretched, trying to relieve his weary muscles. "However, I've go' meself enough swag saved up t' retire."
Jack nodded, rather surprised by that statement. Most pirates spent everything they ever earned within a few weeks of obtaining it.
Calico Jack looked at Jack intently. "Ye might be wonderin' why I'm tellin' you this, bu' I plan t' give the Pearl t' you." He smiled, adding, "Ye've been like the son I ne'er had."
Jack's jaw dropped open in utter amazement. The son statement didn't even process in his exultant mind. He'd always dreamed of being a captain. "Really?" he asked breathlessly.
Calico Jack nodded. "I think ye be the bes' replacement, mate."
Jack grinned, a sense of euphoria overwhelming him. Suddenly, a thought came to his mind. "Wha' about Barbossa?"
Calico Jack sighed, thinking of his very capable first mate. "I'd like ye t' keep 'im as yer first mate, Jack. Hector 'as been a very good pirate. I jus' feel tha' you'll appreciate the Pearl better."
Jack grinned. "Thanks, Cap'n. I will, I promise. 'E is a very good pirate." Jack sighed inwardly. Barbossa really complicated everything.
Calico Jack grinned. "I'm glad ye are willin' to take the Pearl, Jack." Yawning, he added, "I plan t' retire sometime this year. Got a few things t' wrap up."
Jack nodded, his mind still reeling from Calico Jack's promise. "I'll wait as long as ye want me to, Cap'n."
Calico Jack smiled, waving his left hand. "Go, now, boy. I'm tired." As if proving his point, a large yawn spread its way across his leathery face.
Jack saluted his captain eagerly, whistling some nameless tune as he made his way back to the simple wood door. He opened it and stepped outside. His break had been more than long enough, and the exultant young man felt as if he could tackle anything.
Jack nearly tripped over Snide Shaine as he started walking. "Sorry, mate!" Jack called after the tall man as Snide Shaine began briskly walking away from Jack. Jack sighed, his good mood dampened like the rocks next to a waterfall. Something about the way Snide Shaine had acted made Jack very suspicious. Barbossa's right hand man had probably been eavesdropping, and could be off to report to the jealous Hector Barbossa. This was potentially a horrible problem, for Barbossa would be very mad if he knew Jack had, indeed, usurped his position. Jack would have to tread carefully, and he was slightly mad at himself for promising Calico Jack he would keep the envious man as first mate. Jack had never purposely backed out on a promise, though, and he'd have to make the leering man his second in command. Thinking it best to pretend he hadn't noticed Jack began whistling again and cheerfully offered his help to Mark.
Yeah- Well, I hope you read on further…that pretty much answered your whole review thing. But thanks for leaving a review! I love reviews!
WaNdA-Yes, it was pretty funny to picture him all jazzed up like that…hope you enjoy this chapter, for it is a bit odd. The next one should be a bit better, I hope…more action packed, I think…I don't really know, because I don't know what the chapter will be about until I'm nearly done.
Vee017- Actually, no, that wasn't the sacking of Nassau…that'll be a bit later, when Jack is captain…wait a second, I'm giving things away! Shame on me! And yes, Jodi should've hugged Jack, but can you seriously imagine them doing much hugging? I can't. Probably because I don't do much hugging myself…And the whole Mulroy thing was actually a mistake…was supposed to be a random name, but you can tell what I had on my crazy mind. That is a good possibility, though. Anyway, thank you kindly for the reviews! And thank you especially for the compliments…they earn you three cookies, they do.
Kirby- I'd have to say the one set in the past, poppet. Those Jack in 2004 fictions drive me absolutely bonkers. And I know that the details were rather, vague…I like being vague. It's great fun! Hope to see you at the RP, I do…
Animejacksparrowlover-Just keep reading, and thanks for leaving a review! I didn't know that Jodi had so many fans…
cheatachu82- I like writing tense chapters. They make life more fun, and it's a lot easier to make myself work on it-I'm intolerably lazy. Thanks for leaving your sentiments!
Daisy- I get a hat! That makes me oh so happy! As well as a cute filet! Yippee! Anyway, thanks for always supporting me, Daisy dear. Hope you don't get too mad, with the whole Devon thing…
Jacquelyn Sparrow- Well, we'll soon see a bit more of Barbossa, if you get my drift. Except, now he knows he can't be too rude, or he'll be kicked off the Pearl. Never fear, I plan to have him particularly nasty in the last chapter…
sunkist3208- Well, now the next step is to update…and for that, I will anxiously await. And, yes, you are the "inspiration" for Whitey…hope you liked a bit more of a glimpse into his persona…mind you, he's just based off of you…
starwarsfreakford13- Thanks, poppet! I appreciate seeing your review each week! Makes me feel all warm and happy, and helps me to keep going, because sometimes I wonder if anyone actually likes it…
DragonHunter200- Well, I think my tests went alright…won't know until July, unfortunately. And I agree with you-if one of my brothers did that, I would murder them. Fortunately, Jodi isn't like you or I, and she does have more self control and such…
Meggumscat- I think that's my favorite song, poppet. It's very fun! You keep updating, savvy? I want to read more about Will's past…and have two cookies, just to add more to your cookie count…