by Cherry-Alanna and LittleBlackStarz
~Chapter 2: Secrets and Lies
Later that Night...
Jack smiled inwardly as he watched Adelia laughing whole-heartedly amongst his crew. She was wearing his hat and laughing as if she were drunk. He had scowled when she had claimed his hat, but said nothing, as she knew he would. They cared for and understood each other more they many people could know, or even imagine. Jack would never let her know it, but Adelia held a special place in his twisted heart. She was his best friend, his other half, his sanity, and he was her strength. And they both knew, no matter what, that unique bond couldn't be broken. They would always have one another.
Much to the crowd's dismay, Adelia stood up, telling her audience she needed fresh air due to the smell of smoke and whiskey in the room. As she left, she silently patted Jack's matted hair, only making him smirk as she grinned.
*
Adelia inhaled the scent of saltwater deeply as she leaned against the bow of the Pearl. She watched the gentle waves toss about, and closed her eyes to reflect upon her day: She was finally rid of England, the land and people that came with it. She was with Jack again and aboard the fastest ship of all the seven seas. They were heading to Spain, Asia, and the Americas, as Jack had informed her...
A sudden movement from beside her had Adelia opening her grey eyes swiftly.
It was a man.
A man about her age that she didn't recongize as a member of Jack's crew. His long, shoulder-length brown hair fell about his face; his deep brown eyes were transfixed on her as he studied her as intently as she did him.
"Hello," he said casually, moving towards her until their arms resting on the bow nearly touched. He was about a head taller than Adelia, and smelt of leather, iron, and saltwater--an interesting mix, she concluded, that certainly didn't degrade his handsome features.
"Hello yourself," Adelia responded. "Who ye be?"
"Will. Will Turner," the man (practically a boy) replied, offering her his hand to shake. "I'm a friend of Jack's."
Adelia only stared at the hand. She assumed he was rich, and probably had ever girl in England swooning over him, so she kept her distance. "I'm Adelia."
Will withdrew his hand with a frown. "I'm assuming one of Jack's mistresses," he said, indicating the hat.
Before Adelia could stop herself, she burst out laughing. She didn't know why this Will Turner had assumed that very absurd speculation, so she didn't ask, not wanting the answer. But even if she had wanted the answer she wouldn't have been able to ask for due to the fact that she was laughing so hard.
Somewhat embarassed, Will asked,"So you have no feelings for him then?"
Adelia regained her disposition, almost. "Not that it's any of your business. But I do love him, he's like me brother. I've been around him longer than ye can manage. I mean, I've seen the man naked! Besides, I don't believe in romance and that 'meant to be together' business. It's folly."
Will was surprised; he'd never heard anyone say that. "Do you not believe in love? Why?"
Adelia's eyes clouded over. "Personal reason. Anyhow, I've always said 'Why do I need a man in my bed, if I have a ship underneath my feet?' I don't like the loss of freedom and good sense that comes with commitment. I do like men, don't get me wrong, they're fun, but stupid and can be hurtful."
Will was confused; how could a woman as attractive as the one before him not believe in love?
Due to the feeling of his eyes boring and gazing on her, Adelia left, uncomfortable.
*
"I need to talk to ye," Adelia whispered to Jack.
One look at her face told Jack she was serious. "Of course, love. Let's go outside."
"No, not outside," she whispered again, this time urgently.
"Alright," he complied. "Follow me, love."
Adelia gingerly followed Jack up and all around until they reached his chambers aboard the Pearl. He led her in, and indicated for her to take a seat in one of the overly-stuffed armchairs. She spied a look around the room while he comfied himself in another chair. The room was dark and musty, but at the same time, the furniture was gaudy and expensive-looking; stolen, most likely, Adelia silently concluded.
When Jack turned his brown eyes to her grey ones, Adelia voiced her concern.
"Who was that man outside on deck? Went by the name of Turner. What he doin' 'ere? Ye told me not just anyone get to board the Pearl?"
Jack laughed slightly at her rush. "Slow down, love. First of all, Will is a friend of mine. Old Bootstrap Bill's offspring. And he's here to journey to Spain with us for this wonderful alcohol he's 'eard about. He tells me it can best any rum in the Caribbean!" Jack's face broke into a broad smile.
"Rum?" Adelia asked, confused. She knew for a fact there was no such drink in Spain. In fact, they drank wine over there, not any alcohol that even resembled the Caribbean's well-known rum. This Will Turner was a liar; she knew it. But Adelia didn't have the heart to tell Jack, especially since the wide smile on his tanned face grew larger by the minute. So she acted like she knew what he was talking about. "Oh! Rum! The kind you drink! Of course!"
"Are ye alright,lass?" he questioned.
"Yes! Why wouldn't I be?" Adelia threw back. "I should be going." She rose, somewhat giggling, and kissed his cheek.
With that Adelia left, leaving Jack Sparrow to think about her strange reaction.
~*~
When Adelia went back to where the pirate crew was previously, she found this Will with them. She glared at him when he grinned at her. She didn't like him, she knew it, but she wanted to show that to him. There had to be a way to rid herself of him.
Suddenly a brilliant idea occured to her.
"Hello, Mr. Turner," she practically purred, "I'm so glad you can join our little game." She shook her head slightly as the pirates began to mumur their confusion. "Which means it's your turn."
Will felt slightly put on the spot, but nodded his head anyway. "Um...okay."
"Mr. Turner, "Adelia began, "I dare you to jump into the ocean."
Will nodded; that didn't sound too bad. "Alright."
"Naked," Adelia added with a sly grin.
Will's eyes went wide with shock, but he didn't hesitate to nod his head; he wasn't one to turn down a challenge.
~
Adelia had her back turned as Will undressed.
They were on deck once again, in the moonlight. Adelia gazed wonderingly at the stars that were always bright at sea, especially the North star. She could have admired the bright lights all night as she used to on the Pearl as a child, but had other thoughts on her mind. Such as the man some feet behind her, stripping down to nothing.
As soon as she heard a splash, she turned to find Will gone and his clothes tossed on the deck carelessly.
Adelia grinned mischeviously as she gathered his clothes in her arms and left the deck.
~
Will shivered as he hugged himself tightly, trying to stir some body heat as he walked to Jack's chambers.
He had climbed back on deck to find his clothes gone, and he knew for a fact that a certain grinning, pretty red-head was responsible.
Will knocked, practically pounded frantically, on the wooden door of the captain chambers until Jack opened it. His pirate companion surveyed him with wide, shocked eyes.
"Bloodly hell!" Jack shouted. "What's wrong with ye boy? There's woman on board!"
Jack suddenly yanked him in his room, not giving Will the time to answer, and tossed him a blanket to wrap around himself.
"Well," Will started, "one of those women is responsible for this!"
"Adelia?" Jack asked, eyes laughing.
"Yes, her! She dared me to jump in the water without my clothes. I don't know what made me do it; insanity I suppose. But she stole them before I was on deck again."
Jack figered his small beard, thoughtful. "Ye've only known the lass a night, and already she's gotten ye to take off yer clothers. Smart girl," Jack said proudly.
"Well? Are you going to help me?" Will asked impatiently, still shivering despite the blanket. He knew he needed Jack to talk to the girl, for he couldn't. Jack seemed to be the only this Adelia would listen to, due to their past.
"With Adelia? Sorry, lad, this is something ye're goin' to have to handle yerself. And I'd rather not get in the middle too soon."
Will glared at his pirate friend. "Well, at least fetch me some clothes!"
~
"So when were ye goin' to enlighten me about yer girl?" Jack inquired softly, standing with Will on the ship's deck.
The moonlight casted down upon the ship, giving off an eerie blue glow.
"Do you really want to know?" Will asked him, his eyes hardening.
When Jack nodded, Will took a deep breath and began to explain everything.
"We were to be married, a month after you left...oh, she looked so beautiful as she tried on her mother's wedding gown," Will started, pausing a moment, thinking.
"Norrington had kept close...alittle too close, I'm afraid, and Elizabeth's father kept pushing her to leave me for him. Of course, she'd pretended to ignore her father's pleas, but deep down inside she'd begun to feel this hunger for power...a power I couldn't provide."
Jack knew what was coming. "I'm so sorry, lad," he said, placing a hand on Will's shoulder.
"I walked in on them, Elizabeth and him, and saw the lengths she was willing to go through to break me. I left the next day and never looked back. Well, till now anyway."
Silence followed, and Jack had to bite his lip to keep from cursing Elizabeth's name with every foul word he knew. he knew Will's pain, only from the other perspective. He knew what it felt like to cheat on someone, and now he finally felt the pain it caused.
Seething inside, Jack felt sick with himself. One of his best friends was now in horrible pain over his lover's betrayal, and all Jack could think about was how he was somewhat connected to the pain Will was feeling. After all, he had caused pain, such as Will's, before. Now he wished he never had.
Patting Will's back, Jack turned and left, hoping to drink on the matter.
~*~
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