by Poppets of the Pearl
a.k.a. Cherry-Alanna and LittleBlackStarz
Disclaimer: You know what we own. Adelia. Odessa. The plot. No stealing. And please no flames--be kind. Don't spoil the movie for us. But, Constructive criticism is accepted, with thanks.
~Chapter 5: New Revelations
The restaurant was similar to the bar they had just visited: rustic, dim, and lively. A band played in the corner, sorrowful Italian tunes dancing through the entire room.
Jack pulled two chairs, offering them to Odessa and Adelia.
"Thank you," Odessa said politely, her sweet smile sending an awkward kind of disgust down Adelia's spine.
Adelia just sat, glaring off to the side and wishing herself away from her company.
Jack took a seat across from Odessa, grinning at her. "Would you like to order a bottle o' wine? It's on me," he said cheerfully.
"Indeed I would," Odessa replied.
Jack ordered a rich red wine for his lady friend, some for himself, Will stuck with water, while Adelia downed shots of tequila.
"So what brings you all to Spain?" inquired Odessa, trying to make polite conversion instead of an awkward silence.
"Well, I promised alcohol," Jack replied, shooting a glare in Will's direction.
"Felt like a change," Adelia shrugged, sipping her drink. "And there is a personal reason that is none of your business."
Odessa ignored the tone in the girl's voice, and turned to the young man next to the red-head.
"And you?" she questioned.
The man looked up, almost startled. He hadn't been listening.
"Oh...well," Will began, a bit awkwardly, his eyes on the woman's. "It's silly."
"Please...any reason to bring you all the way to Spain could hardly be silly. Quite the opposite I would think," Odessa replied, a kind smile on her face.
Will smiled back, feeling a weird kind of connection. Those eyes, he thought, intrigued, they seem so familiar...
"I'm here to find my--" A noise interrupted him, and as they all turned, they noticed a group of burly looking man in the doorway.
Adelia glanced quickly at Jack, and then back at the men, her decision quick and clear. Her eyes lighting up, she jumped up and ran to the men, her arms open.
"Why, fancy seein' you here, boys!" Adelia shrieked happily and rather flirtatiously. "20 shillings, if ye play along, boys," she added with a whisper. The lead man of the group grinned at her. It wasn't everyday a young woman with such an attractive body came up to them, presenting herself, and for 20 shillings!
" 'Ello, miss!" the big man bellowed, hugging her tightly. Adelia gasped at the man's strength, ready to hurt him extremely badly if he tried anything. As the man released her, Adelia winked and waved to Jack.
"I'll be back later, maybe! Nice meetin' you!" She called to Jack and then Odessa, giving a pompous glare to Will.
And so she headed off with the strange men, hoping to God that she wouldn't have to hurt any of them.
Back at the restaurant, Jack, Will, and the Spaniard known as Odessa chatted peacefully.
"So what's yer story, lass?" Jack asked Odessa, his eyes bright and on hers. He still felt nervous around her, like a young lad would on his first date, but he didn't know why he felt it now. It's not like he hadn't wooed women before...hell, some even jumped into his bed with little more than a 'hello'. But this girl...she was different. Yes, she was very different.
"I was born in Barcelona...I never knew my mother, she died giving birth to me, but my father," she smiled in remembrance, "he was always there for me when I was young. He was a pirate, one of the greatest, and I'm proud to say it. When I was a child, he felt the urgency to keep me from piracy, so he sailed with his ship, returning when I needed him and whenever he felt necessary. He died years ago, however, and so now I live with my grandparents."
Will considered all of this a moment. No, it couldn't be possible...this girl couldn't be her...
Yet, Will couldn't be sure...Jack hadn't even told him the lady's name...
But just as Will was about to voice his opinion, an overly-dressed waiter approached their small group. With his nose upward at the pirate, scruffy-looking men, he hesitantly took the orders consisting of delicious pasta, hot bread, and more wine.
Outside the restaurant, near the closest lamp post, Adelia was thanking the group she considered to be her rescuers whole-heartedly for their kindness.
"...I just had to get away from the absolute boredom Jack had planned. I'd rather not be there when he forfills his desire with his newest conquest. She looks like she'll give him a run for his money, but I don't think she liked me much; she kept giving me odd looks. And that Will Turner! Begad!! I've never met a bigger fool of a man!"
Adelia stopped to take a breath, all the while surveying her small group of rebel pirates. Each of the four were muscular and burly. They were taller than her and scuffed up from weeks aboard the sea. Adelia decided that the least she could do in thanks was offer them a night on the Pearl for a bath, or two.
Feeling friendly, she held out a hand. "I'm Adelia. Crew member of the Black Pearl. And ye gentlemen are?"
The leader, she assumed, took her delicate hand in his large one, and kissed it. "We, milady, are mere traveling pirates. I am Nicholas, and this is me crew of corsairs. And we'll be happy to assist a pretty thing such as yerself around Spain while ye wait out the dinner."
Adelia smiled; at least they weren't going to try anything, she hoped.
Meanwhile...
Will silently picked at his food, not listening to the conversion or situations around him. Jack made small talk with Odessa, his hands finding their way to hers.
"It's getting late, I should probably be getting home," Odessa smiled, squeezing Jack's calloused, pirate hands. "Thank you for the nice evenin'..." she added, her eyes on his.
"It was my pleasure, Miss Odessa," Jack replied, kissing her hand softly, a grin on his face.
Will eyes shot up. Had he heard correctly? "Your name is Odessa?" he asked, his exhausted eyes sharp, and his voice level.
"Yes..." Odessa answered, slightly ruffled at Will's urgent tone.
Will's honey brown eyes shot to Jack, and then back to Odessa. "Unhand my sister, pirate!" Will bellowed, standing up abruptly. Jack startled, letting go of Odessa's hand immediately. No...it couldn't be...Jack thought, his heart sinking. Odessa's eyes were on Will's, confused.
"I don't have a brother..." she said softly, feeling slightly afraid.
"Yes, you do," Will replied. "Is your father the pirate Bootstrap Bill Turner?"
Odessa couldn't find words; they'd completely abandoned her. She nodded her head, her chest rising and falling as her breath quickened. Was this man really her brother? He did look a lot like how she remembered her father...but how could she be sure?
"How did you find me?"
"The blacksmith who had taken me in told me I had a sister, and I made it my quest to find you." Will's eyes were sympathetic now as he looked at her. Walking towards her, he wrapped her in a tight hug.
Odessa was still in shock as she looked over Will's shoulders at her date, Jack, who was picking up his hat, preparing to leave.
"Jack," Odessa called, her voice hoarse from sobs about to shake her. "Wait."
Breaking away from her half brother, Odessa went to Jack and smiled. "I would like you to join my brother and I on a trip to visit my family," she said softly, hopeful.
"Only if dear Mr. Turner agrees," Jack replied, his eyes on Will's. Will bit his lip, Jack's eyes apologetic on his.
Will smiled. "Of course, your presence is welcome...Jack."
~
The trio left sometime later after causally paying their dinner fee. Odessa kept an arm hooked about her half brother's, while Will silently patted himself on the back for accomplishing his search mission.
Jack lazily strolled with them, feeling like the third wheel. If Will hadn't been the gypsy woman's brother, he would have been insulted. Especially since he had been on such a roll with Odessa. But he decided not to say anything; he knew it meant a great deal to Will. So he occupied himself with his flask of rum, and his search for Adelia.
He didn't have to wonder, or worry, long, for within a few moments, he spotted her jolly little group. The men were laughing heartily and merrily, while Adelia was talking rapidly to her 'old friends.' Jack knew she didn't know them, but hadn't said anything for fear of emotional distress from Will. He had been cheated on by his fiancée, after all; another girl wouldn't give the lad too much confidence.
Yet, but what happened within the next mere seconds, Jack would recall all his addled life.
Will happened to glance over at Adelia's gathering also, but became concerned when one of the burly men pushed her, friendly, making her scowl. But when Will saw another of the sailor's intimately put an arm around Adelia, and pull her too close for Will's comfort, he acted without thinking.
He broke himself away from Odessa, making her curious. He ran with great speed towards the group and quickly threw himself upon the man who had touched Adelia.
Will punched and kicked as the man fought back for what seemed like a eternity. Will didn't know what possessed him so, but he didn't care.
He felt someone desperately pulling at him, trying to tear him free, but ignored them. Will pretended that the man he was beating to a pulp was Commodore Norrington. Will had an emotional battle to settle with that man, and his revenge started here. Norrington had already claimed his Elizabeth; he wasn't going to take another girl away from him!
That was when Will stopped; as soon as that thought occurred...Adelia wasn't his to protect. Adelia wasn't his period, he realized.
The person that had been clawing at him finally succeeded in freeing him of his victim. It was Adelia. Probably the last person he wanted to face at the moment.
Her auburn hair was askew and her cheeks were aflame, same color as her hair. Her eyes were overbright with unshed tears; hot and angry tears.
Struggling with her emotions of anger, embarrassment, and hate, Adelia couldn't think of anything foul enough to call him, so she slapped him across his face. Quick and hard.
"I have never been more humiliated in my entire life!" she shouted at Will. "What is in you head that told you that you need to defend my honor?" Adelia moved a step closer to whisper to him only. "If you were smart, ye'd stay away from me."
Will stood there and took her slap and her words; he knew he deserved them. For the embarrassment he had caused her. And himself.
As she stepped away from him, he surveyed the crowd that had gathered at this display...Rogues, gypsies, drunks, nobles, and pirates stared back at him; some in horror, others in humor. Among the few in confusion was the crew of the Black Pearl.
When Adelia spotted them, she called out to one of them.
"Anamaria!" she shouted and indicated with her head for her fellow wench to come. Anamaria approached without hesitation. And in act of sisterhood and longtime friendship, put an arm around Adelia's shoulders. Together they walked to the Pearl, only after Anamaria shot Jack a look that clearly said: "Talk to him," as which Jack nodded to.
Will watched as Adelia and Anamaria walked briskly, and thought how he knew Adelia was right when she warned him away, but his stubborn mind was set as he turned to see Jack start to approach him.
Before Jack could reach him, Will rushed to Odessa to apologize.
"I'm sorry to even ask this, but can I meet your family tomorrow?" At her nod, he continued. "Jack, Adelia, and I will meet you at your bar tomorrow morning. Nine o' clock."
With that, he turned and headed after Adelia.
~*~
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