Hello, sorry it took me so long but this spring break was so eventful. If
there are any screw-ups please excuse them, I only read it over once and
had my sister read it over. I really apologies for the length of all my
chapters but I just get so into it. I checked my reviews on Thursday and
it's Sunday now at around 10:45 p.m., and I loved them. Thank you, I love
you so much! I didn't have a floppy and had to check them at my mom's work.
Then I didn't have a floppy at my friend's house. I hope I'm doing Jack
okay, he gets better later, I swear (and hope!). Man, today I checked out
some haunted houses with my friends, what a rush, and we went to this
creepy one outside of town, it was to dark to see anything but I swear
there was someone in the window. Anyway, please read and review. -ashlyns
Ch.3- Late night fights
The funeral was a week later in the churchyard outside of town. Jack let the drizzle of rain trickle down his back without a shiver, his dark hair damp and hanging limp in his eyes as the holy man talked away. He hardly heard the words; his mind was stuck on his mother's last words. "Jack, watch Rosa, don't leave...until she's...engaged to a...fine and...decent man...please."
He looked to his left and watched his sister's face for a while. She hadn't worn any paint on her face today and Jack thought she looked all the better for it. He decided that the reason she hadn't was because their mother had never, and so Rosa was going to follow in Meredith's shoes and challenge the system as well.
Seeing another tear stream down her face, Jack stepped a little closer to her, half under the protection of her parasol and grasped her hand. She looked up at him; green eyes full of pain and squeezed. Jack smiled reassuringly and then looked out across the crowd of people gathered around the grave.
Sarah and her husband were standing a ways off from everyone else with Prudence Whitaker, conversing in low voices annoying Jack. Why did they even have to come? Jack thought bitterly making an ugly face at Prudence when her eyes wondered over to him and Rosa, They hadn't liked mother very much and she certainly didn't like her. He looked away from the disgusting scene and his eyes fell on Susan. She had a black handkerchief over her mouth and was visibly hysterical, her husband's arm around her shoulder and her son patting her back.
Hetty and her daughter Fanny also stood a ways back, almost looking apprehensive to join the crowd. Fanny's eyes caught Jack's and she waved slightly, the look on her face conveying sympathy. Jack didn't wave back. He didn't want sympathy! He wanted revenge. The past week, he had lain awake in his room, his mind spinning over possibilities and scenarios of the future, all leading up to one very important thing. The death of Peg- Leg Fritz! He would be the one to pull the trigger, or be the force behind the blade that punctured the stomach of his mother's killer.
Rosa pulled her hand away from his suddenly and he realized he had been squeezing to tight. He gave her a look and then clasped his hands in front of him. A soft hand on his shoulder made him look around as Lily joined him, a bonnet over her curly brown hair to keep the rain off her head. She was looking down at the grave. Jack suddenly felt warmer with Lily there beside him. The pain at his mother's passing was still great and every promise welled in his mind until he thought it might explode but Lily seemed to ease that, even a little.
**
The house was quiet, the sun had not even begun to turn the dark from the sky and extinguish the stars when Jack slipped from the house and made his way down the garden path with only the moon to light his way.
He was dressed all in dark so no one would see him and his feet were bare so the crunch of gravel wouldn't give away his position. A sword, which he carried under one arm and had taken from the 'secret' sword cupboard his father had, was wrapped in a cloth so it wouldn't catch the moonlight. He winced as he took off stealthily down the main path at a full sprint, the rocks digging noiselessly into his feet. He had; of course, snuck out millions of times to see old girlfriends from the poorer side of town and new every way to escape detection but, he had never had to carry a heavy sword before.
Three or four days after the funeral, Mary had taken him through a field outside of town and to the top of a hill through very dense trees. He had heard it was haunted and had even believed a little in it himself until Mary showed him the secret. At the top was a beautiful old tree, great for climbing and hiding, his mother's initials carved into the bark along with another set, J 'MH' D. Together, they had decided that that was the perfect place for Jack to practice sword fighting without getting caught. For the past week, he had practiced by himself for an hour or so and then made his way home each morning before anyone in the house woke up and knew he was gone. The problem was, he wasn't very good and trying to learn by yourself wasn't easy.
He crept through the town, almost ghostly at night and proceeded down Main Street, past a few abandoned stands outside the bakery. He had never liked the dark when he was younger; it was to weird, not being able to see anything. As he had gotten older, though, he had found sanctuary in the blackness and quiet. There were no snobby women commenting about him, no men staying clear of him, no whispers behind his back and no girls giggling and waving.
The path to the woods and the tree was bathed in moonlight, the silvery grass swaying in the hushed breeze. Now he put on his boots, sure no one would here him and wanting the protection he'd need from thorns and protruding roots. The first night he had come here, he had tried to climb it barefoot and some of the cuts he'd received hadn't fully healed yet.
Halfway to the trees, though, a sharp crack behind him made him spin around and he looked down the path towards the town to see he wasn't the only one on the path. A girl, he could tell by the long hair and swaying ragged dress, followed him, her balance unsteady as she came nearer and nearer.
"Who are you?" He called out softly. "Why are you following me?" The girl stopped walking a few meters from him and called back.
"It's me," The Irish voice said. "I wanted to see what you're doing." Jack rolled her eyes and suppressed a snort of laughter as Lily tried to take another step and tripped on a root. She was obviously in her bare feet, like he had decided not to do. He made his way down to her, readjusting the sword under his arm as he went and came to a halt just close enough he could see her shadowed face.
"Why do you want to follow me, luv? I'm just going for a night stroll."
"To a haunted forest, every night with a sword in your hand and your boots off?" She asked bluntly. "I don't know about you Jack Johnson but, that seems a little far out there if truth be known." She smiled at the obviously astounded look on his face. "I couldn't sleep, I've been watching you for a while, out the window."
Jack glanced down at the cloth-covered sword at his side and found himself slightly astounded. "How did you know that it's a..."
"Sword?" Lily giggled. "Jack, I'm Irish, means I'm a mind reader, and that's the truth of it." She smiled. "Plus I saw the steel a few nights ago, in the wind when it blew the cloth away from the blade." She smiled brightly and Jack released a breath he hadn't noticed he had been holding and then looked around frantically for more spies.
"Well, I guess I'm not going to be able to shake you off." He turned and continued up the hill but Lily's sweet voice stopped him again.
"Jack, you wouldn't happen to be carrying around another pair of shoes now would you?" She asked. Jack turned back to her and stared at the darkened ground where her feet were. "I now it was stupid of me but, I saw you and decided maybe I should be finding out what you were up to."
"I don't have more shoes darling." He looked towards the moon-bathed hill and decided that maybe it wouldn't be so bad to have company tonight. Glancing back at the town and then again to the hill, he deduced he'd already wasted five or so minutes talking. "How about you go back to your house, grab a shawl..." His eyes moved up and down her bare arms which she hugged around herself, "and some boots...maybe even get dressed." Lily looked down at herself and Jack could tell, even in the dark, she was blushing. "Then meet me at the top."
Lily watched the top of the hill and the trees for a minute and then shook her head, her hair bouncing lightly about her face. "No." She said wearily. "I'll be fine. I'm warm." At that moment a shiver ran through her as a breeze picked up and Jack couldn't help but grin.
"Afraid of the dark or nasty creatures in the trees?" He asked mochinly. Lily straightened up and held her head high.
"No, if truth be told Jack Johnson, I hold with no such nonsense. I mearly am stating the truth and am not cold, only fed up with this useless conversation. Now, if we will continue." She took a step forward and tripped over another root, almost landing her on the ground. Jack took pity on her and went to her side as she stood perfectly still again, bent over double, peering at the darkness.
"Here, luv." He handed the sword to her and then, with one swift motion, swept her off her feet and into his arms. "I'll carry ye, it'll be quicker." Lily wrapped her arm around his neck, free one still holding the sword and giggled slightly as his warm breath caressed her face.
"You sure know how to sweep a girl off her feet." She whispered making Jack smile, "But I doubt 'tis proper." They made it to the top of the hill five or six minutes later and Jack collapsed under the large tree, exhausted, as Lily removed the sword from it's protective black cloth and began to spin in around and around, the blade flashing in the slight amount of moonlight allowed through the canopy of leaves above them. Jack watched her go, impressed, and fond himself admiring the Irish far more then he had dreamed possible.
"Where'd you learn that?" He asked when she finally stopped and sat down beside him smoothing out her nightdress. She handed the sword back to him with a sigh and brought her knees up to her chest, arms wrapped around them, head resting back against the tree. She watched him through bright eyes and he suddenly found that his lips itched to kiss her but he restrained himself.
"My father, believe it or not." She said quietly. Her gaze traveled past him to the ocean. Jack turned his head to and stared at the silvery light on the waves. His mother...
Closing his eyes, Jack turned away from the water and looked back at Lily who was running a hand through her hair. "Where are the ghosts?" She asked. Jack shook his head and she laughed slowly. "Well, alright, you talked me into it...I will teach you." She stood up and waited for him to follow. When he didn't Lily reached down, grabbed his hand and pulled him roughly to his feet. "Come! Leave the sword." Jack allowed himself to be pulled up and laid the sword carefully beneath the tree. "You steady?" Lily asked anxiously as Jack staggered back a few feet but he was used to it, it happened all the time. With a quick nod of reassurance, Lily proceeded to pick up two long heavy sticks from the ground and handed one to him.
"Okay, let's start." She took a stance and prepared herself for their stick fight. Jack rolled his eyes and walked back to the tree where he sat down, tilted his head against the bark and closed his eyes. He didn't need this right now! Suddenly a loud crack sounded over his head and he looked up to see Lily standing above him, stick in hand. She had hit the bark inches above his head as hard as she could; he could almost feel the vibrations through the tree. "Don't turn your back like that on an opponent." She scolded. "And don't mistake my power, I'm quite capable of bringing you down Jack Johnson. Now, lets do this." Jack allowed himself a half smile and sprang to his feet.
"Okay, attack." She instructed. Jack stood there for a moment, unsure as to weather he should comply. Lily watched him and then almost screamed, "Attack me, now!" Jack lunged at her, swiping with his sword and Lily side stepped, kicking him in the back of legs as he fell past her. Jack hit the dirt and sat up, spitting grass from his mouth. "Not bad." She said fairly coming over to him. With one swift move, she thrust the stick at his throat and held it there, acting as though she had killed him. "Not good enough." Grinning, she pulled the stick away and helped him to his feet.
"Don't attack so hard next time, okay? Act on impulse, watch what I do and never let me get the upper hand, you have to predict. You could have all the strength in the world but, if I'm quicker on the uptake, I can take you down." She said. She took her stance again and Jack followed. "Alright. Foot work. Follow the way I move."
For the next hour, Jack and Lily practiced, Lily showing him easy beginner's stuff, him following along. After an hour, they made their way back down the hill to the village; Lily suspended over the ground in Jack's arms. He had to get the sword back and get some sleep before his father and sister woke up.
At the front door to her house, Jack set Lily down carefully and turned to go before she grabbed his sleeve to stop him. "You forgot a thank you." She said softly. Jack looked up at the windows of her house to make sure there were no shadows of someone watching and then leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Heat radiated from her skin and when he pulled away he saw she was blushing.
"Thank you." He said. Lily sighed and then went into the house, closing the door with barely more then a click. Jack stood there; staring at the place she had disappeared for a few seconds more then made his way quietly back to the house.
**
The next morning dawned with Jack still fully dressed and awake, sitting in bed with his eyes closed. He hadn't been able to sleep after he had got home. All the thoughts about Lily circled in his head and his heart. What was this feeling? Never had he felt this way about any other girl, it was as if he were in love. No, a voice in his head screamed. Don't say love! That's awful. You are not in love; it's a feeling, nothing more! You like her! That's it mate, like not love.
Jack rolled over and watched the door to his room without really seeing it. Last night had been wonderful, exhilarating. He was planning to go back tonight and hopped Lily would be joining him. Why, though, had she been awake everynight to watch him? What secret had she hid from him?
Speaking of secrets, what was in his mother's cedar chest? He suddenly thought of the words he his mother had said on the dock, "Jack, there is a map, it the cedar chest, in the master bedroom. You know the one under the window? Well, inside, under all my collections and you and Rosa's baby things, there is a secret panel. Pull that up, you'll find half a map." He could almost hear her voice as if she were there with him, sitting beside him on the bed.
"Half a map?" He had asked. "A map to treasure?"
"Yes Jack, keep it safe, keep it with you until the opportune moment. I want you to get on the ship, the Catherine, and I want you to watch Joshua, watch what he does Jack. Study and learn...follow your heart." Joshua. He sat up and went to the window. In a week or so Joshua would be back but he still couldn't go. Rosa had to get married. Down in the yard he saw his father walking away down the path to the fort, his red uniform catching the dim light of outside. Jack looked to the sky, it was cloudy and threatened rain. A wicked smile crossed his lips as he imagined Robert being killed by a giant raindrop. The image stopped when there was a knock on the door and a servant stepped into the room.
"Sir," He said politely. He looked Jack up and down; almost surprised he was awake and dressed already. "Um, sir, breakfast is served." Jack nodded and the servant left with a small bow of his head.
Like usual when he left his room, Jack felt the sadness and emptiness through the house. Everyone here had loved Meredith. She was always kind to the servants and really lit up the house with her personality. As Jack made his way carefully down the stairs, he had a tendency to fall from time to time; Mary from the kitchen was just leaving to go do some fruit shopping. She seemed to be doing that a lot lately.
"Oh, hello young sir." She said by way of a morning greeting. "Did ye sleep well?" Jack nodded and she winked at him. "Anything in particular from the market today?"
"No, thank you." He said. Mary smiled and was about to leave when Jack pulled a coin from his pocket and handed it to her. "Wait, give this to Lily, if you see her and thank her, tell her same time, same place." Mary nodded and left. Jack turned down the hall and entered the dinning area, which was empty save for two kitchen maids setting up the large table for two occupants. Jack sat and was immediately served two eggs, a piece of meat and a small glass of orange juice. He had just started eating when Rosa entered all dressed in a blue gown, her hair done up tight in a bun at the back of her head. She eyed her brother in his day before cloths, which were wrinkled and dirty but didn't comment.
"You look good." Jack said lightly. "What's the occasion?" Rosa began to eat and didn't comment for a moment. Jack watched her, seeing if she'd get uneasy with him staring at her but she didn't. He suddenly noticed she had a light coat of freckles, like their mother.
"I have an engagement today at the Smith's house." She replied before taking a sip from her glass. "Heather is getting married next week and has asked me and some other girls over to review the plans." She glanced over at him, taking in his appearance. "I hope your not going out like that Jack."
Jack wrinkled his eyebrows in confusion. "What? I hope your not inviting me along. I can't stand that girl. She looks like a sea lion." Rosa actually smiled as she set her glass back down on the table.
"Yes, well, we have to at least pretend we like them." She set down her knife and fork suddenly and looked at him long and hard. "I hate this sheraide Jack, pretending I'm proper..."
"You are." Jack reminded her. He swept his eyes up and down her body to indicate that she was sitting board straight.
"Mother had to pretend to." She said. She lifted her fork and knife and began cutting at the meat on the plate, tears in her eyes. Jack reached a hand across the table and grasped hers firmly making her set down her utensils.
"It'll be alright. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." He knew this was a lie, he was going somewhere, to the sea, when he could but Lily seemed to take heart in this and nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Stop crying, please."
"Okay. I'll stop crying if you change." Rosa said suddenly. Jack laughed lightly.
"We have an accord." They shook hands at that and then Jack rose and left the table, half his food still on the plate.
**
Later that day, he found himself alone except for the slaves. Rosa had left, beautiful as always for the do at the Smith's and Robert was at the fort, now was a perfect time to find the map his mother had talked about.
He entered the room and shut the door carefully behind him. This room was only for his mother; his father had his own, which Jack had always found slightly strange. He made his way past her bed and across the oriental carpet, coming to a stop at the chest under the window. It was knee high and perfectly crafted, depicting a ship on the ocean. Jack smiled and ran a hand across the carving before pulling up the lid.
There was, like his mother said, old baby cloths and some poems she had written. He pulled them out one by one, setting the cloths aside and reading the poems. They were wonderful, mostly about the ocean and freedom. He had never imagined his mother to be a writer.
At the bottom of the chest he found a pull ring which he lifted, presenting a trick bottom. Under the bottom were letters, an open box of beads, a few bandanas of varying age and, there, on the top of the letters was a map. Jack lifted this out carefully, unfolded it and lay in on the carpet. Part of the map showed a town called Tortuga; Jack had heard a few stories about Tortuga. It was a pirate haven! Exciting. At the other end of the map there was half an island in the shape of what looked like it might be a skull. Intrigued, Jack flipped the map over and found words in Spanish. Part of the words were missing where the map had been torn in half but he could make out: Isla de Muerta, Caribbean, following, Tortuga, compass. He needed the other half of the map.
"Joshua must have it." Jack said to himself under his breath. He folded the map again and stuck it safely in his shirt near his heart. "I can't just leave the rest." He said again looking into the box. He lifted out the box of beads and left the rest. Love letters weren't really his forte. Replacing all the cloths and poems, Jack left the room the way he had found it and went to his own to hide his loot.
"Mister Johnson." Mary's voice called out as he placed a hand on the doorknob. Jack spun around and watched the old woman chugging up the marble stairs. "I have something for you." She handed Jack back the coin he had given her earlier. "Miss Lily Larson awaits you in the entrance, says it's urgent." She gave Jack a small smile and, still puffing, climbed down the stairs, slower this time.
Jack rushed into his room, hid his mother's beads and the map, and then followed Mary's path down the stairs, clutching the wide marble banister. His eyes caught Lily and he had to blink several times. She was in a rather simple pink dress that made her gray eyes seemed to glow. Today she wore her hair in curls and she watched him with a rather curious expression. When he was finally at the bottom of the staircase, he opened his mouth to speak but Lily raised a hand and silenced him.
"Mr. Johnson. Are you trying to pay me off for last night?" Jack looked at the coin in his hand and grinned. "It won't work. I give my services to the less able at swords with out having to be paid. And that's the truth of it." She wasn't smiling but Jack could see she was almost. "Now, if you will excuse me, I need to be going. Good luck."
Lily turned to leave but Jack leaned over her shoulder and caught the door, keeping it closed. "Come on, luv. You went out there, in your nightgown and helped me even a little. Don't you want some repayment?" Lily turned around and looked him in the eyes.
"Okay, Jack. How about you buy me something from the heart and not just hand me a coin." Jack smiled and took two steps back from her, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Like what?"
"A necklace from the market." She said simply, cocking her head to one side. Jack snapped his fingers.
"I know just the one." He motioned for her to stay still and began walking backwards to the stair way. "Stay here, I'll be right back." He needed to change.
**
The market place bustled, sailors from docked ships made their way to the pub and Jack felt he was right at home, walking side by side with Lily, jealous young women watching them go. There were only a few places here that made fine jewelry. He had tried to bring Lily into one of them but she had demanded that it was too expensive and insisted they go somewhere else.
They stepped into a musty shop called Pridrots and Lily proceeded to look through the glass cases at the back while Jack's eyes swept over a few of the items in the glass counter. There was a gold dagger that caught his eye along with a number of silver rings and a sword that was beautifully hand crafted. Lily's call made him snap out of imagining what he'd do with all these things and brought him to her side.
"Look at that Jack." She said quietly, pointing to a silver chain with a weird turquoise symbol hanging on it. Engraved in the turquoise rock was a heart that looked, as though it was missing it's other half. Suddenly, a woman appeared at their side making them jump.
"Beautiful isn't it?" She asked. Lily nodded still rubbing her chest over her heart. "It is made of jade. Some people say that there is a spell on it, who ever wears it is destined to be with their true love." Lily grinned and glanced at Jack. Jack rolled his eyes and the woman looked at him strangely. "What?"
"A spell? As in magic?" The woman nodded and he snorted. "I don't believe in curses."
"It's not a curse. It's a spell. The person who wears this will be with their true love and no one else." Lily took in a deep breath.
"What if they never find them?" She asked, her voice shaking slightly. The woman looked them both up and down, an interested look on her face.
"She or he will. It's destiny." She opened the case and lifted the necklace out carefully. "The mind may cloud their heart over but, they will always find their true love." She handed the necklace to Lily. "For free." Lily shook her head and tried to hand it back but the woman pressed it on her again. "No please." Lily turned to Jack who nodded, grabbed her hand and led her to the shop door. Once there, he turned to say thank you to the woman but she was gone. A little worried, they left quickly and headed up the high street towards the secret tree.
"Oh, this is wonderful. A true love!" Lily cooed, holding the necklace up high so she could stare at it. "Don't you think so Jack?" Jack didn't answer. "Jack?"
Jack shook his head. "Don't tell me you believe that." He said. Lily looked affronted and put the necklace on, playing with it as the climbed the hill.
"I need something to believe." She replied coldly. Jack ignored her.
"Come on, we should practice."
**
Months passed like days for Jack. Lily was a great teacher at the basics of sword fighting but he really wished he had a more suitable, stronger teacher. Someone who had been in battle, a professional. As the nights grew colder with the coming winter, they kept the practices to the day and Jack paced his room at night, mind full of thoughts like the map, Lily and of course, the one that dragged on him often, revenge.
As spring began to blossom and Jack's sixteenth birthday approached, his father began seeing another woman. She was a catch, no doubt about that, but she was no where near as beautiful or as smart as Meredith had been. That summer they were married and Rachel, who was only four years older then Jack and Rosa, began preparations to send Jack to a private school in London.
"It's a good opportunity for you." She said fairly when she brought it up at the dinner table one night. Rosa looked at her shocked and Jack could see tears in her eyes. First her mother and now her brother. "Really, it will teach you how to be a gentleman." She looked him up and down.
"Rachel, don't you think it unnecessary?" Rosa asked. Rachel stiffened and looked at Rosa. She had been telling them that she was their real mother now and to call her such. Jack often wanted to punch her but held himself back with the satisfaction of imagining it every night before bed. "I mean, Jack is sixteen, there's not much left for him to learn in books."
"There's where you're wrong young lady." Rachel said coldly. "There is much for him to learn yet." She glared at Jack. "Maybe he'll get his head from the clouds and join the royal navy like his father." Jack shrugged just to annoy her and kept his eyes on his plate. Maybe, tomorrow, he'd stick a fly in her morning drink and wait for her reaction.
Robert cleared his throat and stood. "I think I'll turn in for the night. Rachel, come along soon." Once he was gone Rachel departed as well, leaving Rosa and Jack at the table.
"Awful woman!" Rosa hissed, her hands clenching the side of the table so hard her knuckles were white. Jack sighed and looked at his sister.
"Well, what shall I do to her tomorrow?" Rosa looked at him curiously. "Shall it be a fly or a beetle swimming in her drink tomorrow." Rosa grinned.
"It was you then." She pointed at him. "You put the moth's in her closet?"
"Guilty." Jack said happily. Rosa sat back in her chair and laughed. Then, quite suddenly, her expression darkened and she lowered her eyes to her hands.
"Jack, I don't want you to go. I mean, you might never come back and I'd certainly never see you again." Jack shook his head and leaned across the table to place a hand on her shoulder.
"I am not going anywhere." He said fairly. "I'll be able to finish out the year here and then, by next winter we'll see what happens. Savvy?" Rosa looked up at him curiously at his words. Jack grinned and popped a bean in his mouth. "I heard it on the docks."
**
The summer rushed by. Jack spent a lot of it with Lily and Rosa, up at the tree. Jack had convinced his sister to escort him, even if it was in the daytime and was having Lily teach her to sword fight to. He had to admit; if he had known a year ago that Rosa would be learning how to wield a sword he would have died laughing. Now, though, watching her, he suddenly saw his mother.
There was mixed feelings though when he found out at the end of the summer that Rosa was engaged to Ralph Whitaker, the nephew of Prudence Whitaker. Jack had never got along with the guy; he was three years older then he and Rosa and was in the navy as well. He was of course glad that now he would be able to board the Catherine but that meant leaving Rosa and Lily who were now best friends.
With the last month of summer and his days before his departure to the boarding school almost up, Jack found himself wandering around the docks, searching for someone from the crew of the Catherine.
"Excuse me, sir?" Jack said, coming up to a man loading a large barrel into a row boat, the Catherine visibly bobbing in the water not to far away. "I'm looking for a crew member to that ship." The man looked up in the direction Jack was pointing and nodded.
"Just down there kid." He said and, with one gnarled hand, waved over a short elderly man. Jack realized a once that the man was Roger. Roger's face lit up when he saw Jack.
"Well, by the love of god, Jackie my boy!" He shook Jack's hand roughly and grabbed his shoulders, holding him in place so he could have a better look. "Wow, you've grown." He lowered his voice, "If you don't mind me saying, ye kinda look like the cap'n." He let go of Jack and said a little louder, "Come to join the crew?"
"Yes, is there a position?" Roger's eyes twinkled.
"I'm thinkin' we can find somethin' for ye." Jack grinned. "But first," He said eyeing Jack's cloths. "That won' do. Ye look like an upper class boy an' the cap'n may not like that eh." Jack looked himself up and down.
"How long will you be in dock?" He asked. Roger's gaze shifted to the Catherine and he scratched at a thin scar on his chin.
"I'm guessin' I could be keepin' the cap'n till tomorrow, two at the least." He winked. "Better make yerself stand out Jackie. Do somethin' to yer image to impress the cap'n kay?"
"Done." He said. Roger smiled.
"Good, then meet back here on the dock by mornin' eight o'clock sharp." Jack turned and made his way back to the town, heart pumping with excitement but also grief.
**
Rosa and Lily were lying lazily under the large tree when he arrived shortly after his meeting with Roger. Quickly he told them everything. By the end, Rosa was in tears and Lily was shocked. 'I have to be there at the docks tomorrow morning." He finished. He looked at his sister and she burst into tears.
"Jack, no please." She cried. She wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his shirt. "I can't lose you to." Jack patted her on the head and made shushing noises as sobs racked her body. "I don't want you to go."
"Sshhh! Rosa, please." He pulled her away from him and held her at arm length. "It's a respectable merchant vessel, I'll learn loads about ship life and sailing. I need this. I'll come back, we dock here every month and, besides, you're moving on with Ralph." He suppressed a grimace at the mention of the man and smiled instead. Looking over at Lily, he let go of his sister and walked over to the Irish girl, his heart doing a drum roll in his chest. What was wrong with him? Why was it suddenly so hard to say good bye as he looked into the gray eyes in her beautiful face.
"And you," He said pointing at her. He stopped just inches from her, face to face, his hand moving up to touch the necklace around her neck. "You have to find your true love, remember." Lily's eyes became watery and suddenly she kissed him full on the lips. Jack froze up, his mind numb. He had been kissed before but this was different, it was...passionate. As suddenly as it had happened, it stopped and Lily turned quickly and ran to the forest, back to the town.
"What was that?" He asked, turning to his sister who had just stood there watching. She placed her hands on her hips.
"I can't believe you don't see it. She loves you Jack, you daft sot!" With that she followed Lily's path down the hill through the forest, leaving Jack utterly dumbstruck.
He placed a hand to his lips, mind whirling. She loved him.
**
To my reviewers:
Whitewolf XIII: thanx, and I swear you'll die now after school but hey! It's all good.
Alteng: I actually thought about having Richard catch her but I didn't, it would have been good though. You think Josh is next on the block do you? Maybe...maybe...anyways, thank you, your reviews made my day. I had to have a tooth pulled (Eye tooth) the day before I read it and it brightened me up. Thanx, please keep reading...I hope it gets better.
DragonHunter200: Josh is a fox (in my mind) oh baby baby...Thank you, like Alteng, I read yours the day after I had my tooth pulled and the whole hunky jack-josh fox thing was great, it made me smile (which hurt). Thank you, please keep reading and reviewing, I love to here from you.
Holiday1081: I thought it was sad to, but it had to happen. Their relationship will be complicated, to say the least but...that's how life goes, you can't have everything perfect. Please keep reading and reviewing...it makes my day.
Ch.3- Late night fights
The funeral was a week later in the churchyard outside of town. Jack let the drizzle of rain trickle down his back without a shiver, his dark hair damp and hanging limp in his eyes as the holy man talked away. He hardly heard the words; his mind was stuck on his mother's last words. "Jack, watch Rosa, don't leave...until she's...engaged to a...fine and...decent man...please."
He looked to his left and watched his sister's face for a while. She hadn't worn any paint on her face today and Jack thought she looked all the better for it. He decided that the reason she hadn't was because their mother had never, and so Rosa was going to follow in Meredith's shoes and challenge the system as well.
Seeing another tear stream down her face, Jack stepped a little closer to her, half under the protection of her parasol and grasped her hand. She looked up at him; green eyes full of pain and squeezed. Jack smiled reassuringly and then looked out across the crowd of people gathered around the grave.
Sarah and her husband were standing a ways off from everyone else with Prudence Whitaker, conversing in low voices annoying Jack. Why did they even have to come? Jack thought bitterly making an ugly face at Prudence when her eyes wondered over to him and Rosa, They hadn't liked mother very much and she certainly didn't like her. He looked away from the disgusting scene and his eyes fell on Susan. She had a black handkerchief over her mouth and was visibly hysterical, her husband's arm around her shoulder and her son patting her back.
Hetty and her daughter Fanny also stood a ways back, almost looking apprehensive to join the crowd. Fanny's eyes caught Jack's and she waved slightly, the look on her face conveying sympathy. Jack didn't wave back. He didn't want sympathy! He wanted revenge. The past week, he had lain awake in his room, his mind spinning over possibilities and scenarios of the future, all leading up to one very important thing. The death of Peg- Leg Fritz! He would be the one to pull the trigger, or be the force behind the blade that punctured the stomach of his mother's killer.
Rosa pulled her hand away from his suddenly and he realized he had been squeezing to tight. He gave her a look and then clasped his hands in front of him. A soft hand on his shoulder made him look around as Lily joined him, a bonnet over her curly brown hair to keep the rain off her head. She was looking down at the grave. Jack suddenly felt warmer with Lily there beside him. The pain at his mother's passing was still great and every promise welled in his mind until he thought it might explode but Lily seemed to ease that, even a little.
**
The house was quiet, the sun had not even begun to turn the dark from the sky and extinguish the stars when Jack slipped from the house and made his way down the garden path with only the moon to light his way.
He was dressed all in dark so no one would see him and his feet were bare so the crunch of gravel wouldn't give away his position. A sword, which he carried under one arm and had taken from the 'secret' sword cupboard his father had, was wrapped in a cloth so it wouldn't catch the moonlight. He winced as he took off stealthily down the main path at a full sprint, the rocks digging noiselessly into his feet. He had; of course, snuck out millions of times to see old girlfriends from the poorer side of town and new every way to escape detection but, he had never had to carry a heavy sword before.
Three or four days after the funeral, Mary had taken him through a field outside of town and to the top of a hill through very dense trees. He had heard it was haunted and had even believed a little in it himself until Mary showed him the secret. At the top was a beautiful old tree, great for climbing and hiding, his mother's initials carved into the bark along with another set, J 'MH' D. Together, they had decided that that was the perfect place for Jack to practice sword fighting without getting caught. For the past week, he had practiced by himself for an hour or so and then made his way home each morning before anyone in the house woke up and knew he was gone. The problem was, he wasn't very good and trying to learn by yourself wasn't easy.
He crept through the town, almost ghostly at night and proceeded down Main Street, past a few abandoned stands outside the bakery. He had never liked the dark when he was younger; it was to weird, not being able to see anything. As he had gotten older, though, he had found sanctuary in the blackness and quiet. There were no snobby women commenting about him, no men staying clear of him, no whispers behind his back and no girls giggling and waving.
The path to the woods and the tree was bathed in moonlight, the silvery grass swaying in the hushed breeze. Now he put on his boots, sure no one would here him and wanting the protection he'd need from thorns and protruding roots. The first night he had come here, he had tried to climb it barefoot and some of the cuts he'd received hadn't fully healed yet.
Halfway to the trees, though, a sharp crack behind him made him spin around and he looked down the path towards the town to see he wasn't the only one on the path. A girl, he could tell by the long hair and swaying ragged dress, followed him, her balance unsteady as she came nearer and nearer.
"Who are you?" He called out softly. "Why are you following me?" The girl stopped walking a few meters from him and called back.
"It's me," The Irish voice said. "I wanted to see what you're doing." Jack rolled her eyes and suppressed a snort of laughter as Lily tried to take another step and tripped on a root. She was obviously in her bare feet, like he had decided not to do. He made his way down to her, readjusting the sword under his arm as he went and came to a halt just close enough he could see her shadowed face.
"Why do you want to follow me, luv? I'm just going for a night stroll."
"To a haunted forest, every night with a sword in your hand and your boots off?" She asked bluntly. "I don't know about you Jack Johnson but, that seems a little far out there if truth be known." She smiled at the obviously astounded look on his face. "I couldn't sleep, I've been watching you for a while, out the window."
Jack glanced down at the cloth-covered sword at his side and found himself slightly astounded. "How did you know that it's a..."
"Sword?" Lily giggled. "Jack, I'm Irish, means I'm a mind reader, and that's the truth of it." She smiled. "Plus I saw the steel a few nights ago, in the wind when it blew the cloth away from the blade." She smiled brightly and Jack released a breath he hadn't noticed he had been holding and then looked around frantically for more spies.
"Well, I guess I'm not going to be able to shake you off." He turned and continued up the hill but Lily's sweet voice stopped him again.
"Jack, you wouldn't happen to be carrying around another pair of shoes now would you?" She asked. Jack turned back to her and stared at the darkened ground where her feet were. "I now it was stupid of me but, I saw you and decided maybe I should be finding out what you were up to."
"I don't have more shoes darling." He looked towards the moon-bathed hill and decided that maybe it wouldn't be so bad to have company tonight. Glancing back at the town and then again to the hill, he deduced he'd already wasted five or so minutes talking. "How about you go back to your house, grab a shawl..." His eyes moved up and down her bare arms which she hugged around herself, "and some boots...maybe even get dressed." Lily looked down at herself and Jack could tell, even in the dark, she was blushing. "Then meet me at the top."
Lily watched the top of the hill and the trees for a minute and then shook her head, her hair bouncing lightly about her face. "No." She said wearily. "I'll be fine. I'm warm." At that moment a shiver ran through her as a breeze picked up and Jack couldn't help but grin.
"Afraid of the dark or nasty creatures in the trees?" He asked mochinly. Lily straightened up and held her head high.
"No, if truth be told Jack Johnson, I hold with no such nonsense. I mearly am stating the truth and am not cold, only fed up with this useless conversation. Now, if we will continue." She took a step forward and tripped over another root, almost landing her on the ground. Jack took pity on her and went to her side as she stood perfectly still again, bent over double, peering at the darkness.
"Here, luv." He handed the sword to her and then, with one swift motion, swept her off her feet and into his arms. "I'll carry ye, it'll be quicker." Lily wrapped her arm around his neck, free one still holding the sword and giggled slightly as his warm breath caressed her face.
"You sure know how to sweep a girl off her feet." She whispered making Jack smile, "But I doubt 'tis proper." They made it to the top of the hill five or six minutes later and Jack collapsed under the large tree, exhausted, as Lily removed the sword from it's protective black cloth and began to spin in around and around, the blade flashing in the slight amount of moonlight allowed through the canopy of leaves above them. Jack watched her go, impressed, and fond himself admiring the Irish far more then he had dreamed possible.
"Where'd you learn that?" He asked when she finally stopped and sat down beside him smoothing out her nightdress. She handed the sword back to him with a sigh and brought her knees up to her chest, arms wrapped around them, head resting back against the tree. She watched him through bright eyes and he suddenly found that his lips itched to kiss her but he restrained himself.
"My father, believe it or not." She said quietly. Her gaze traveled past him to the ocean. Jack turned his head to and stared at the silvery light on the waves. His mother...
Closing his eyes, Jack turned away from the water and looked back at Lily who was running a hand through her hair. "Where are the ghosts?" She asked. Jack shook his head and she laughed slowly. "Well, alright, you talked me into it...I will teach you." She stood up and waited for him to follow. When he didn't Lily reached down, grabbed his hand and pulled him roughly to his feet. "Come! Leave the sword." Jack allowed himself to be pulled up and laid the sword carefully beneath the tree. "You steady?" Lily asked anxiously as Jack staggered back a few feet but he was used to it, it happened all the time. With a quick nod of reassurance, Lily proceeded to pick up two long heavy sticks from the ground and handed one to him.
"Okay, let's start." She took a stance and prepared herself for their stick fight. Jack rolled his eyes and walked back to the tree where he sat down, tilted his head against the bark and closed his eyes. He didn't need this right now! Suddenly a loud crack sounded over his head and he looked up to see Lily standing above him, stick in hand. She had hit the bark inches above his head as hard as she could; he could almost feel the vibrations through the tree. "Don't turn your back like that on an opponent." She scolded. "And don't mistake my power, I'm quite capable of bringing you down Jack Johnson. Now, lets do this." Jack allowed himself a half smile and sprang to his feet.
"Okay, attack." She instructed. Jack stood there for a moment, unsure as to weather he should comply. Lily watched him and then almost screamed, "Attack me, now!" Jack lunged at her, swiping with his sword and Lily side stepped, kicking him in the back of legs as he fell past her. Jack hit the dirt and sat up, spitting grass from his mouth. "Not bad." She said fairly coming over to him. With one swift move, she thrust the stick at his throat and held it there, acting as though she had killed him. "Not good enough." Grinning, she pulled the stick away and helped him to his feet.
"Don't attack so hard next time, okay? Act on impulse, watch what I do and never let me get the upper hand, you have to predict. You could have all the strength in the world but, if I'm quicker on the uptake, I can take you down." She said. She took her stance again and Jack followed. "Alright. Foot work. Follow the way I move."
For the next hour, Jack and Lily practiced, Lily showing him easy beginner's stuff, him following along. After an hour, they made their way back down the hill to the village; Lily suspended over the ground in Jack's arms. He had to get the sword back and get some sleep before his father and sister woke up.
At the front door to her house, Jack set Lily down carefully and turned to go before she grabbed his sleeve to stop him. "You forgot a thank you." She said softly. Jack looked up at the windows of her house to make sure there were no shadows of someone watching and then leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Heat radiated from her skin and when he pulled away he saw she was blushing.
"Thank you." He said. Lily sighed and then went into the house, closing the door with barely more then a click. Jack stood there; staring at the place she had disappeared for a few seconds more then made his way quietly back to the house.
**
The next morning dawned with Jack still fully dressed and awake, sitting in bed with his eyes closed. He hadn't been able to sleep after he had got home. All the thoughts about Lily circled in his head and his heart. What was this feeling? Never had he felt this way about any other girl, it was as if he were in love. No, a voice in his head screamed. Don't say love! That's awful. You are not in love; it's a feeling, nothing more! You like her! That's it mate, like not love.
Jack rolled over and watched the door to his room without really seeing it. Last night had been wonderful, exhilarating. He was planning to go back tonight and hopped Lily would be joining him. Why, though, had she been awake everynight to watch him? What secret had she hid from him?
Speaking of secrets, what was in his mother's cedar chest? He suddenly thought of the words he his mother had said on the dock, "Jack, there is a map, it the cedar chest, in the master bedroom. You know the one under the window? Well, inside, under all my collections and you and Rosa's baby things, there is a secret panel. Pull that up, you'll find half a map." He could almost hear her voice as if she were there with him, sitting beside him on the bed.
"Half a map?" He had asked. "A map to treasure?"
"Yes Jack, keep it safe, keep it with you until the opportune moment. I want you to get on the ship, the Catherine, and I want you to watch Joshua, watch what he does Jack. Study and learn...follow your heart." Joshua. He sat up and went to the window. In a week or so Joshua would be back but he still couldn't go. Rosa had to get married. Down in the yard he saw his father walking away down the path to the fort, his red uniform catching the dim light of outside. Jack looked to the sky, it was cloudy and threatened rain. A wicked smile crossed his lips as he imagined Robert being killed by a giant raindrop. The image stopped when there was a knock on the door and a servant stepped into the room.
"Sir," He said politely. He looked Jack up and down; almost surprised he was awake and dressed already. "Um, sir, breakfast is served." Jack nodded and the servant left with a small bow of his head.
Like usual when he left his room, Jack felt the sadness and emptiness through the house. Everyone here had loved Meredith. She was always kind to the servants and really lit up the house with her personality. As Jack made his way carefully down the stairs, he had a tendency to fall from time to time; Mary from the kitchen was just leaving to go do some fruit shopping. She seemed to be doing that a lot lately.
"Oh, hello young sir." She said by way of a morning greeting. "Did ye sleep well?" Jack nodded and she winked at him. "Anything in particular from the market today?"
"No, thank you." He said. Mary smiled and was about to leave when Jack pulled a coin from his pocket and handed it to her. "Wait, give this to Lily, if you see her and thank her, tell her same time, same place." Mary nodded and left. Jack turned down the hall and entered the dinning area, which was empty save for two kitchen maids setting up the large table for two occupants. Jack sat and was immediately served two eggs, a piece of meat and a small glass of orange juice. He had just started eating when Rosa entered all dressed in a blue gown, her hair done up tight in a bun at the back of her head. She eyed her brother in his day before cloths, which were wrinkled and dirty but didn't comment.
"You look good." Jack said lightly. "What's the occasion?" Rosa began to eat and didn't comment for a moment. Jack watched her, seeing if she'd get uneasy with him staring at her but she didn't. He suddenly noticed she had a light coat of freckles, like their mother.
"I have an engagement today at the Smith's house." She replied before taking a sip from her glass. "Heather is getting married next week and has asked me and some other girls over to review the plans." She glanced over at him, taking in his appearance. "I hope your not going out like that Jack."
Jack wrinkled his eyebrows in confusion. "What? I hope your not inviting me along. I can't stand that girl. She looks like a sea lion." Rosa actually smiled as she set her glass back down on the table.
"Yes, well, we have to at least pretend we like them." She set down her knife and fork suddenly and looked at him long and hard. "I hate this sheraide Jack, pretending I'm proper..."
"You are." Jack reminded her. He swept his eyes up and down her body to indicate that she was sitting board straight.
"Mother had to pretend to." She said. She lifted her fork and knife and began cutting at the meat on the plate, tears in her eyes. Jack reached a hand across the table and grasped hers firmly making her set down her utensils.
"It'll be alright. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." He knew this was a lie, he was going somewhere, to the sea, when he could but Lily seemed to take heart in this and nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Stop crying, please."
"Okay. I'll stop crying if you change." Rosa said suddenly. Jack laughed lightly.
"We have an accord." They shook hands at that and then Jack rose and left the table, half his food still on the plate.
**
Later that day, he found himself alone except for the slaves. Rosa had left, beautiful as always for the do at the Smith's and Robert was at the fort, now was a perfect time to find the map his mother had talked about.
He entered the room and shut the door carefully behind him. This room was only for his mother; his father had his own, which Jack had always found slightly strange. He made his way past her bed and across the oriental carpet, coming to a stop at the chest under the window. It was knee high and perfectly crafted, depicting a ship on the ocean. Jack smiled and ran a hand across the carving before pulling up the lid.
There was, like his mother said, old baby cloths and some poems she had written. He pulled them out one by one, setting the cloths aside and reading the poems. They were wonderful, mostly about the ocean and freedom. He had never imagined his mother to be a writer.
At the bottom of the chest he found a pull ring which he lifted, presenting a trick bottom. Under the bottom were letters, an open box of beads, a few bandanas of varying age and, there, on the top of the letters was a map. Jack lifted this out carefully, unfolded it and lay in on the carpet. Part of the map showed a town called Tortuga; Jack had heard a few stories about Tortuga. It was a pirate haven! Exciting. At the other end of the map there was half an island in the shape of what looked like it might be a skull. Intrigued, Jack flipped the map over and found words in Spanish. Part of the words were missing where the map had been torn in half but he could make out: Isla de Muerta, Caribbean, following, Tortuga, compass. He needed the other half of the map.
"Joshua must have it." Jack said to himself under his breath. He folded the map again and stuck it safely in his shirt near his heart. "I can't just leave the rest." He said again looking into the box. He lifted out the box of beads and left the rest. Love letters weren't really his forte. Replacing all the cloths and poems, Jack left the room the way he had found it and went to his own to hide his loot.
"Mister Johnson." Mary's voice called out as he placed a hand on the doorknob. Jack spun around and watched the old woman chugging up the marble stairs. "I have something for you." She handed Jack back the coin he had given her earlier. "Miss Lily Larson awaits you in the entrance, says it's urgent." She gave Jack a small smile and, still puffing, climbed down the stairs, slower this time.
Jack rushed into his room, hid his mother's beads and the map, and then followed Mary's path down the stairs, clutching the wide marble banister. His eyes caught Lily and he had to blink several times. She was in a rather simple pink dress that made her gray eyes seemed to glow. Today she wore her hair in curls and she watched him with a rather curious expression. When he was finally at the bottom of the staircase, he opened his mouth to speak but Lily raised a hand and silenced him.
"Mr. Johnson. Are you trying to pay me off for last night?" Jack looked at the coin in his hand and grinned. "It won't work. I give my services to the less able at swords with out having to be paid. And that's the truth of it." She wasn't smiling but Jack could see she was almost. "Now, if you will excuse me, I need to be going. Good luck."
Lily turned to leave but Jack leaned over her shoulder and caught the door, keeping it closed. "Come on, luv. You went out there, in your nightgown and helped me even a little. Don't you want some repayment?" Lily turned around and looked him in the eyes.
"Okay, Jack. How about you buy me something from the heart and not just hand me a coin." Jack smiled and took two steps back from her, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Like what?"
"A necklace from the market." She said simply, cocking her head to one side. Jack snapped his fingers.
"I know just the one." He motioned for her to stay still and began walking backwards to the stair way. "Stay here, I'll be right back." He needed to change.
**
The market place bustled, sailors from docked ships made their way to the pub and Jack felt he was right at home, walking side by side with Lily, jealous young women watching them go. There were only a few places here that made fine jewelry. He had tried to bring Lily into one of them but she had demanded that it was too expensive and insisted they go somewhere else.
They stepped into a musty shop called Pridrots and Lily proceeded to look through the glass cases at the back while Jack's eyes swept over a few of the items in the glass counter. There was a gold dagger that caught his eye along with a number of silver rings and a sword that was beautifully hand crafted. Lily's call made him snap out of imagining what he'd do with all these things and brought him to her side.
"Look at that Jack." She said quietly, pointing to a silver chain with a weird turquoise symbol hanging on it. Engraved in the turquoise rock was a heart that looked, as though it was missing it's other half. Suddenly, a woman appeared at their side making them jump.
"Beautiful isn't it?" She asked. Lily nodded still rubbing her chest over her heart. "It is made of jade. Some people say that there is a spell on it, who ever wears it is destined to be with their true love." Lily grinned and glanced at Jack. Jack rolled his eyes and the woman looked at him strangely. "What?"
"A spell? As in magic?" The woman nodded and he snorted. "I don't believe in curses."
"It's not a curse. It's a spell. The person who wears this will be with their true love and no one else." Lily took in a deep breath.
"What if they never find them?" She asked, her voice shaking slightly. The woman looked them both up and down, an interested look on her face.
"She or he will. It's destiny." She opened the case and lifted the necklace out carefully. "The mind may cloud their heart over but, they will always find their true love." She handed the necklace to Lily. "For free." Lily shook her head and tried to hand it back but the woman pressed it on her again. "No please." Lily turned to Jack who nodded, grabbed her hand and led her to the shop door. Once there, he turned to say thank you to the woman but she was gone. A little worried, they left quickly and headed up the high street towards the secret tree.
"Oh, this is wonderful. A true love!" Lily cooed, holding the necklace up high so she could stare at it. "Don't you think so Jack?" Jack didn't answer. "Jack?"
Jack shook his head. "Don't tell me you believe that." He said. Lily looked affronted and put the necklace on, playing with it as the climbed the hill.
"I need something to believe." She replied coldly. Jack ignored her.
"Come on, we should practice."
**
Months passed like days for Jack. Lily was a great teacher at the basics of sword fighting but he really wished he had a more suitable, stronger teacher. Someone who had been in battle, a professional. As the nights grew colder with the coming winter, they kept the practices to the day and Jack paced his room at night, mind full of thoughts like the map, Lily and of course, the one that dragged on him often, revenge.
As spring began to blossom and Jack's sixteenth birthday approached, his father began seeing another woman. She was a catch, no doubt about that, but she was no where near as beautiful or as smart as Meredith had been. That summer they were married and Rachel, who was only four years older then Jack and Rosa, began preparations to send Jack to a private school in London.
"It's a good opportunity for you." She said fairly when she brought it up at the dinner table one night. Rosa looked at her shocked and Jack could see tears in her eyes. First her mother and now her brother. "Really, it will teach you how to be a gentleman." She looked him up and down.
"Rachel, don't you think it unnecessary?" Rosa asked. Rachel stiffened and looked at Rosa. She had been telling them that she was their real mother now and to call her such. Jack often wanted to punch her but held himself back with the satisfaction of imagining it every night before bed. "I mean, Jack is sixteen, there's not much left for him to learn in books."
"There's where you're wrong young lady." Rachel said coldly. "There is much for him to learn yet." She glared at Jack. "Maybe he'll get his head from the clouds and join the royal navy like his father." Jack shrugged just to annoy her and kept his eyes on his plate. Maybe, tomorrow, he'd stick a fly in her morning drink and wait for her reaction.
Robert cleared his throat and stood. "I think I'll turn in for the night. Rachel, come along soon." Once he was gone Rachel departed as well, leaving Rosa and Jack at the table.
"Awful woman!" Rosa hissed, her hands clenching the side of the table so hard her knuckles were white. Jack sighed and looked at his sister.
"Well, what shall I do to her tomorrow?" Rosa looked at him curiously. "Shall it be a fly or a beetle swimming in her drink tomorrow." Rosa grinned.
"It was you then." She pointed at him. "You put the moth's in her closet?"
"Guilty." Jack said happily. Rosa sat back in her chair and laughed. Then, quite suddenly, her expression darkened and she lowered her eyes to her hands.
"Jack, I don't want you to go. I mean, you might never come back and I'd certainly never see you again." Jack shook his head and leaned across the table to place a hand on her shoulder.
"I am not going anywhere." He said fairly. "I'll be able to finish out the year here and then, by next winter we'll see what happens. Savvy?" Rosa looked up at him curiously at his words. Jack grinned and popped a bean in his mouth. "I heard it on the docks."
**
The summer rushed by. Jack spent a lot of it with Lily and Rosa, up at the tree. Jack had convinced his sister to escort him, even if it was in the daytime and was having Lily teach her to sword fight to. He had to admit; if he had known a year ago that Rosa would be learning how to wield a sword he would have died laughing. Now, though, watching her, he suddenly saw his mother.
There was mixed feelings though when he found out at the end of the summer that Rosa was engaged to Ralph Whitaker, the nephew of Prudence Whitaker. Jack had never got along with the guy; he was three years older then he and Rosa and was in the navy as well. He was of course glad that now he would be able to board the Catherine but that meant leaving Rosa and Lily who were now best friends.
With the last month of summer and his days before his departure to the boarding school almost up, Jack found himself wandering around the docks, searching for someone from the crew of the Catherine.
"Excuse me, sir?" Jack said, coming up to a man loading a large barrel into a row boat, the Catherine visibly bobbing in the water not to far away. "I'm looking for a crew member to that ship." The man looked up in the direction Jack was pointing and nodded.
"Just down there kid." He said and, with one gnarled hand, waved over a short elderly man. Jack realized a once that the man was Roger. Roger's face lit up when he saw Jack.
"Well, by the love of god, Jackie my boy!" He shook Jack's hand roughly and grabbed his shoulders, holding him in place so he could have a better look. "Wow, you've grown." He lowered his voice, "If you don't mind me saying, ye kinda look like the cap'n." He let go of Jack and said a little louder, "Come to join the crew?"
"Yes, is there a position?" Roger's eyes twinkled.
"I'm thinkin' we can find somethin' for ye." Jack grinned. "But first," He said eyeing Jack's cloths. "That won' do. Ye look like an upper class boy an' the cap'n may not like that eh." Jack looked himself up and down.
"How long will you be in dock?" He asked. Roger's gaze shifted to the Catherine and he scratched at a thin scar on his chin.
"I'm guessin' I could be keepin' the cap'n till tomorrow, two at the least." He winked. "Better make yerself stand out Jackie. Do somethin' to yer image to impress the cap'n kay?"
"Done." He said. Roger smiled.
"Good, then meet back here on the dock by mornin' eight o'clock sharp." Jack turned and made his way back to the town, heart pumping with excitement but also grief.
**
Rosa and Lily were lying lazily under the large tree when he arrived shortly after his meeting with Roger. Quickly he told them everything. By the end, Rosa was in tears and Lily was shocked. 'I have to be there at the docks tomorrow morning." He finished. He looked at his sister and she burst into tears.
"Jack, no please." She cried. She wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his shirt. "I can't lose you to." Jack patted her on the head and made shushing noises as sobs racked her body. "I don't want you to go."
"Sshhh! Rosa, please." He pulled her away from him and held her at arm length. "It's a respectable merchant vessel, I'll learn loads about ship life and sailing. I need this. I'll come back, we dock here every month and, besides, you're moving on with Ralph." He suppressed a grimace at the mention of the man and smiled instead. Looking over at Lily, he let go of his sister and walked over to the Irish girl, his heart doing a drum roll in his chest. What was wrong with him? Why was it suddenly so hard to say good bye as he looked into the gray eyes in her beautiful face.
"And you," He said pointing at her. He stopped just inches from her, face to face, his hand moving up to touch the necklace around her neck. "You have to find your true love, remember." Lily's eyes became watery and suddenly she kissed him full on the lips. Jack froze up, his mind numb. He had been kissed before but this was different, it was...passionate. As suddenly as it had happened, it stopped and Lily turned quickly and ran to the forest, back to the town.
"What was that?" He asked, turning to his sister who had just stood there watching. She placed her hands on her hips.
"I can't believe you don't see it. She loves you Jack, you daft sot!" With that she followed Lily's path down the hill through the forest, leaving Jack utterly dumbstruck.
He placed a hand to his lips, mind whirling. She loved him.
**
To my reviewers:
Whitewolf XIII: thanx, and I swear you'll die now after school but hey! It's all good.
Alteng: I actually thought about having Richard catch her but I didn't, it would have been good though. You think Josh is next on the block do you? Maybe...maybe...anyways, thank you, your reviews made my day. I had to have a tooth pulled (Eye tooth) the day before I read it and it brightened me up. Thanx, please keep reading...I hope it gets better.
DragonHunter200: Josh is a fox (in my mind) oh baby baby...Thank you, like Alteng, I read yours the day after I had my tooth pulled and the whole hunky jack-josh fox thing was great, it made me smile (which hurt). Thank you, please keep reading and reviewing, I love to here from you.
Holiday1081: I thought it was sad to, but it had to happen. Their relationship will be complicated, to say the least but...that's how life goes, you can't have everything perfect. Please keep reading and reviewing...it makes my day.