Hi! I'm back in action and this is the fastest update I've ever had! Just a
few small things before we start...
I said in chapter one that Lily had blond hair, then I said she had brown.
Sorry, she has brown hair...hope no one noticed. Um, thanks to my reviewers
and my mouth is feeling so good now. This was a fun chapter to write but
it's still not my favorite. I you find any screw ups please tell me, I lost
the list of screw ups and I'm in comp. Class doing this when I'm supposed
to be doing my essay and a boy I like keeps coming around. See you soon!
Thanks!
Chapter four- Sparrow, Jack Sparrow
The next day after Robert had left for the fort. A few slaves had provided him with some worn cloths and a pair of boots after he paid them and Mary herself had tied a sash around his waist was he carefully placed the map and beads. His father had left a pistol and a few shots in his drawer which Jack had took. He had decided he might need it later.
Rosa looked him up and down in the entrance hall, her sad eyes moving from the worn leather boots to the long pants tucked into them, scrutinizing the black sash and billowing white shirt. She allowed herself to smile.
"You look like a sailor, bordering on a pirate Jack." She whispered. Jack frowned and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her. He was a pirate; she just didn't know that.
"I'm going to make a name for myself Rosa, I swear." Rosa pulled away.
"I don't want you to get hurt." Tears ran down her cheeks and she pulled her back to her. She wished he'd cry to, he knew, so she knew that he was in pain leaving her to but he didn't. Jack couldn't, pirates didn't cry. After a minute, he cleared his throat, noticing Mary standing in the doorway watching them.
"Your step mother is in town, she'll be back soon." She announced. "You may want to go now." She smiled, as she looked him up and down. He had known her his whole life; this was his life, the house, the town, and the plantation! It over whelmed him, he was leaving. Mary walked over and handed him an apple, which he tucked into his sash with the map. "Look at you, goodbye Mr. Johnson. Safe journey." Jack wouldn't let the old women get away with just a goodbye. Cocking his head to one side to let Mary know what he wanted, Jack held his arms wide and she laughed. Quickly they embraced. "Get going now." She said, wiping tears from her face. Jack looked back at his sister who stood near the door. She wasn't going to the dock with him this time; this was his feat, to do on his own.
"I will see you again." He said. Rosa nodded but she didn't look convinced. Jack nodded and walked to the door, hand on the handle. A strong urge to stay overwhelmed him but he pushed it away. Destiny awaited him outside this door; he had to meet it. With another quick glance at his sister, he flung open the door and walked swiftly down the steps. The faster he walked, the quicker he'd get to the dock and the sooner he'd be gone.
The door closed behind him as he got to the bottom of the steps, Mary most likely. He was half way down the garden path thinking about Rosa and realizing he'd never see her again when her voice called to him and he turned to see her running, her hands gripping a cloth bundle.
"Jack! Here." She said breathlessly, handing him the bundle. It was a book with a worn cover and spotted yellow pages covered in a gray cloth. "It's a book, it was mother's. Read it, whenever you miss me and think of me when you do, please. I've read it, it's really good." Rosa turned then and walked away, Jack didn't stop her. If they said goodbye one more time he might loose his resolve and stay there.
The town seemed to be feeling the way he was as he made his way through it, beads clinking and glistening in the sun. He decided he really didn't need to change his walk or talk until he hit the docks so he nodded to the familiar people and said hi to a few girls. People stared at him, Jack Johnson, a noble boy, walking through town dressed so strangely. He ignored them; it was his life now. As he made his way across the beach he clumsily wove a few of the beads in his hair and placed a bandana low over his forehead.
The dock was unusually deserted; no body paid any attention to him as he swiftly made his way to the dock where Roger stood. "Jackie!" Roger called coming forward. He stopped abruptly when he saw Jack's appearance. "What the hell 'appened to you boy?"
Jack smiled. "What do ye mean?" He had now adopted his swagger as he looked towards the Catherine. Roger shook his head, a smile on his face.
"Oh, the cap'ns gona love ye kid." Jack winked and carefully stepped into the rowboat. Roger, how ever didn't follow him, he was faced toward the beach. Jack followed his gaze and saw Lily standing there, brown hair blowing about her beautiful face along with her black lace dress.
"That your girl mate?" Roger asked. Jack continued to watch Lily and nodded. That was the same dress she wore the day of Meredith's funeral. "Wow, a catch all right." Jack ignored him and eyed Lily as she made her way slowly and carefully across the dock, a box in her hand. Roger leaned down and said, "I'll leave for a minute." Then loud enough for Lily to hear, "Keep your eyes in your head Jackie my boy, we gotta go soon, eh?" He moved away and Lily stood there, looking down at Jack.
"Going so soon Jack Johnson?" She asked quietly, looking him up and down with a cocked eyebrow. "You look like a pirate." Jack shook his head and got out of the boat, sitting on the dock with his legs hanging over the edge. Lily sat next to him and they stayed like that in silence before she handed him the box. "A gift." He opened it and pulled out a necklace. There was a rock, kind of like the one Lily wore, attached to the silver chain.
"It's a..."
"Bird. A Sparrow, actually. It represents freedom Jack, what you search for. I hope it brings you what you seek." Jack smiled at her lopsidedly.
"Lily, you didn't have..."
"Find what you search for quickly Jack, and come home...to me...and your sister." He looked down at the necklace and then reached over, grabbed her face and kissed her. Roger cut them off.
"Sorry lad." He said from above them as Jack squinted up at the man angrily. "Their wavin' the flag, we gotta go."
As he turned to go, Lily grabbed his hand and he spun to face her. Suddenly the whole ocean seemed black and foreboding. Maybe he shouldn't leave. "If you don't come back...I'll hunt your body down and...and..." She grinned and tapped his face lightly the she ran her smooth palm over his cheek, leaned close and kissed him passionately before stepping back, blushing.
Jack nodded, grinning, squeezed Lily's hand and then made his way back into the boat. Roger placed a hand under Lily's elbow, helped her up and then got into the rowboat himself. Jack kept his eyes on Lily the whole trip until he reached the Catherine and was hauled onboard.
Scary, was the first word that popped into Jack's head when he stepped aboard the Catherine. A crowd built quickly around him and inquiring eyes roved his weird choice of clothing and style. One man, probably in his twenties turned his head slightly to talk to the man beside him and Jack's stomach learched when he realized this man was missing an ear. On the pretext of scratching his own, Jack's eyes moved to the man's companion. Deep scars pitted the man's once handsome face. His black hair was a mass of knots and his left had had three fingers.
Most of the men around him, Jack noticed, were missing body parts like eyes and one man half his nose. Jack desperately hopped that wasn't the norm around here. The crowd parted to let them pass as Roger led him across the deck and knocked on the captain's quarters.
"Come in." Came a voice from inside, the voice of Joshua 'Mad Hawk' Delore, "It's open." Joshua looked different from the last time Jack had seen him, on the dock about to years before. There was a scar running deep down his left cheek and he looked older almost drawn as though in loosing Meredith he lost a piece of himself. He darkened as he looked at Jack. "What is this? Another new crew member? I thought that Turner kid would be the last!" His eyes roved over Jack and he raised an eyebrow. "Kid's hardly old enough to leave his mommy let alone come on a ship with adults, I have no time for this, take him away."
Roger placed a hand on Jack's shoulder and addressed the captain. "Cap'n, by all do respect sir, ye don' wanna be lettin' the young man go jus' yet." Joshua turned around enquiringly.
"Oh, Roger do you forget your place?" The captain asked. Jack could tell under the calm exterior there was a very angry man.
"Sir, this is a good strong kid and since we los' Pete, I really strongly think we be needen' Jack." Joshua stopped and looked again at Jack. He knows who I am! Jack suddenly thought! Joshua's eyes moved from the young man in front of him to a mirror in the corner and back again.
"What's your name kid?" He asked suspiciously. Jack had to think fast, how much had his mother told Joshua? Well, he already knew Jack's first name; he just needed a last name. His fingers touched the necklace Lily had given him and it popped into his head.
"Sparrow, Jack Sparrow. My name is Jack Sparrow." He stuttered. He could tell the captain was still suspicious but he played along with it.
"Alright, Sparrow. Do I know any of your relatives? A mother or father perhaps?" Jack shook his head and grinned to add effect. Joshua turned to the table and, with his back to Jack and Roger, said, "Put him with Turner, Roger, see that he's comfortable." Roger smiled at Jack and they left the captain's cabin for the crew quarters.
"I have one question, Jackie." Roger said as they made their way through the hall to the crew quarters, "Why'd ye change yer name? Wouldn it be better if the cap'n knows who ye'ar?" Jack shook his head.
"No, I really want to make a name for myself." Roger nodded in understanding and led him past beds and cots to a corner where there was only a bunk. He pointed to the top one.
"That's yers." He announced. Looking around, he said, "It's a little more private then the others, yer only mate is a kid little older then you named Bill Turner. Get used to it, Jackie, ye won' be seein' it much round here. Lota stuff'll happen'."
Jack jumped on the top bunk, testing the bed for comfort as Roger moved back to the deck. The feel of the swaying ship beneath him felt weird but, he had been on ships before, he'd get used to it. The bed wasn't that comfortable at all, more like a rock. That he'd have to get used to also.
"Jack Sparrow." He said under his breath, "My name is Jack Sparrow." He'd have to remember that. He pulled the book and apple from his sash, just remembering they were there. Placing the apple in the middle of the bed, Jack opened the book and a note fell out.
The note was from his sister. Jack; come home soon, please. I miss you already and you're just down stairs getting ready to leave. I love you, be safe. –Rosa, your loving sister.
Jack placed the letter back inside and closed the book again, running a hand along the cover. A voice startled him and he looked around to see a brown haired young man, around his age, standing in the doorway watching him. "Hmm?"
"I said, 'you must be Jack Sparrow, the nebie right?' You just didn't hear me." Jack set the book down and jumped from the bunk, landing hard on the floor. Finding his balance, he stood and walked over to the other.
"Sparrow." He held out a hand and they shook.
"Turner. William Turner but everyone just calls me Bill." Bill looked him up and down. "Are you crazy?" Jack smiled.
"Maybe a little." He answered. Bill laughed.
"Well, you'd have to be to work on this boat. I hear this is our last time stopping here for a while. Old Mad Hawk stopped here every month for practically his whole life, finally moving one, more picking grounds really." Jack raised an eyebrow inquiringly. This kid was really strange. Then again, said a voice in his head, he thinks you are to. There was something about this Bill Turner Jack just liked though.
Bill leaned against the doorframe and looked Jack up and down again. Jack mimicked his movement and leaned against the frame opposite bringing a laugh from Turner's lips. It was a welcome sound, his smile traveling to his eyes. "You're a queer kid, Sparrow." He said. "How old are you?"
"Sixteen." Jack replied. Bill shook his head and Jack looked at his confused. "What?"
Bill clucked his tongue. "Yer pretty young." He said. Jack straightened and crossed his arms over his chest. "Well, stick with me, you'll be fine. Come on, we're leavin' and you gotta swab the deck."
He motioned for Jack to follow him and they made their way to the deck. Most of the men ignored him as they went around preparing to move the Catherine from the harbor to the endless ocean. Some of the men were grumbling about the Caribbean. Caribbean? Jamaica! His eyes moved to the port town and a sudden fear clenched his heart. This was it, he was going.
Unthinking he moved to the railing with some of the other crewmembers and watched as they pulled away from the docks, his home falling away behind him slowly. Tears welled in his eyes but he pushed them roughly away, there was no way he'd do that in front of pirates.
Roger came up beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know how yer feelin' Jackie, but don let yer feelins get in the way of yer duties." He handed him a mop and bucket and pointed to the deck. Jack sighed, took one last look at the town and began his work, the captain watching from the wheel.
**
The next few weeks were rough, Jack, although liking the feeling of the ship beneath his feet, missed Rosa and Lily. Every night he had dreams about them and even occasionally found himself swabbing the dock, having a conversation with one of them in his mind.
Captain Delore had noticed to and called Jack to his cabin one night after Roger had taught him how to properly tie the rigging cables.
"Sit Sparrow." He said calmly, indicating a chair positioned at a table strewn with maps and a compass. He moved to a cabinet and took out two glasses and a bottle of some dark liquid. Setting one glass in front of Jack and then himself, he sat across the table and poured the drink into each glass. "Rum, you'll learn to love it."
Jack sniffed his glass and frowned. Taking a sip he almost choked as it burned his throat, it was absolutely disgusting, he'd never learn to love this! It was a crime it was even popular. Joshua laughed at the look on the boy's face and swigged back his own, pouring himself more.
"I have other things to discuss with you besides rum." He said simply. Jack set down the rum and wiped the back of his hand over his mouth. "Your home sick, no doubt about that. What is it that troubles you, do you miss your family?"
"Yes, sir." Jack said. There was no point lying, it was probably obvious. Joshua nodded thoughtfully and Jack saw his eyes flick to the mirror again.
"Well, Sparrow, you're going to have to let it go. I know it's difficult." He clasped his hands and leaned on the table. "Some of the crew found it was easier to fake your death." Jack was confused and let it show on his face. "They missed their family, didn't want them always watching the dock and worrying when they didn't hear from them because, face it, there is really not a lot of time to write. Someone would write to their families and say they'd been killed in an accident on board. The family would no longer worry, no longer stress about you, we would make a compensation bonus to them, set them for life. Really," He sat back in his chair again, "They'd make more from your death then they would from your life."
Jack tried to take this all in. He knew it was a stress on the girls, not knowing if he was all right, worrying constantly. He also knew that he'd disappoint them every time he didn't make it into dock. But, killing himself off in their eyes? He couldn't even imagine it. Joshua seemed to realize what was happening in Jack's head because he said, "I know it's a difficult discision." He poured more rum into Jack's glass. Jack stared at the amber liquid, not really seeing it. He had told Rosa that he was out to make a name for himself, he just hadn't told her he was going to be a pirate. If word got out who he really was by some chance, what would happen to her? She was going to marry a royal navyman. He'd never see her anyway, maybe he should sever the tie right now.
"All right, I'll do it." He said quietly. Joshua nodded and pulled a piece of paper towards himself. Jack took this as his sign to leave and stood. When he reached the door, Joshua asked, "How do you want to go? Heroic deed, accident?" Jack's heart clenched, he couldn't believe this was happening, he was killing himself off. He couldn't face the captain so he said to the door, "You pick." And left.
**
Joshua watched the boy go. Jack Sparrow, if that was his real name, looked a lot like how Joshua had pictured his own son from what Meredith had described. He stood once the boy had made it to the deck and followed his footsteps to the door. There he ran into Roger who had been obviously standing at the door listening. He made himself look busy when Joshua noticed him.
"Roger, please I need to know," Joshua said quietly, watching Jack and Bill Turner at the far end of the ship. Even at this distance, he could see Bill's bootstraps untied. "What is Sparrow's real name?" Roger looked uncomfortable and played with his beard. "I have to write a letter to his family." He glanced at the door to his cabin, "As you probably heard while listening to the conversation we were having." Roger smirked.
"Johnson, sir. Jack Johnson." Joshua let these words sink in. It was Meredith's son then; the blood of his love ran through that child's veins...along with his own. He tried to picture Rosa now, and only came up with her mother's face. Roger placed a hand on his arm and brought his attention back to the matter at hand. "Don't tell the kid I told you." Roger said quietly. "I don't want him to know I told, I want his to trust me see." Joshua nodded.
"Thank you Roger, you may go." He retreated back to his cabin and shut the door, locking it with a heavy bolt. Going to his desk, he found a quill, a blank piece of parchment and a bottle of ink and slowly began writing a notice of death for his son.
When he had finished with the mournful letter, the sun had fallen and night had begun.
**
To my reviwers:
Alteng: I'm sorry about ur dentst? Did you like him/her. The goffer thing made me laugh, Kirsten stared at me. I'm not looking forward to my wisdom teeth, my brother has to get his pulled soon and I keep bugging him but it wioll come around and bite me in the ass, I know it. I love Jack and Lily to much to do many bad things to them...and Rosa...we'll just wait and see. I had that idea about Robert sending Jack away but the plot would have been so different and Lily to...he wouldn't have been with his mom or anything so...And don't worry, Rosa will come back...some day.
DragonHunter 200: I love gurl power, and a strong woman. It's just not rare anymore but uplifting, I'm a real woman's activist type. I never had a step mother but I have sister-in-laws that sometimes piss me off and treat me like that so, (brothers are way older then me, about twenty years) so...sorry I'm going slow, hope this is fast enough.
Holliday1081: Lily is a hopless ro,mantic alright, the necklace brings it out. I loved the beads and wanted sentimental value, awe. Sorry this answer is short but I really have to go, the bell is going to ring soon.
And to all: pleas hold on and I love you, keep reading and reviewing!
Chapter four- Sparrow, Jack Sparrow
The next day after Robert had left for the fort. A few slaves had provided him with some worn cloths and a pair of boots after he paid them and Mary herself had tied a sash around his waist was he carefully placed the map and beads. His father had left a pistol and a few shots in his drawer which Jack had took. He had decided he might need it later.
Rosa looked him up and down in the entrance hall, her sad eyes moving from the worn leather boots to the long pants tucked into them, scrutinizing the black sash and billowing white shirt. She allowed herself to smile.
"You look like a sailor, bordering on a pirate Jack." She whispered. Jack frowned and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her. He was a pirate; she just didn't know that.
"I'm going to make a name for myself Rosa, I swear." Rosa pulled away.
"I don't want you to get hurt." Tears ran down her cheeks and she pulled her back to her. She wished he'd cry to, he knew, so she knew that he was in pain leaving her to but he didn't. Jack couldn't, pirates didn't cry. After a minute, he cleared his throat, noticing Mary standing in the doorway watching them.
"Your step mother is in town, she'll be back soon." She announced. "You may want to go now." She smiled, as she looked him up and down. He had known her his whole life; this was his life, the house, the town, and the plantation! It over whelmed him, he was leaving. Mary walked over and handed him an apple, which he tucked into his sash with the map. "Look at you, goodbye Mr. Johnson. Safe journey." Jack wouldn't let the old women get away with just a goodbye. Cocking his head to one side to let Mary know what he wanted, Jack held his arms wide and she laughed. Quickly they embraced. "Get going now." She said, wiping tears from her face. Jack looked back at his sister who stood near the door. She wasn't going to the dock with him this time; this was his feat, to do on his own.
"I will see you again." He said. Rosa nodded but she didn't look convinced. Jack nodded and walked to the door, hand on the handle. A strong urge to stay overwhelmed him but he pushed it away. Destiny awaited him outside this door; he had to meet it. With another quick glance at his sister, he flung open the door and walked swiftly down the steps. The faster he walked, the quicker he'd get to the dock and the sooner he'd be gone.
The door closed behind him as he got to the bottom of the steps, Mary most likely. He was half way down the garden path thinking about Rosa and realizing he'd never see her again when her voice called to him and he turned to see her running, her hands gripping a cloth bundle.
"Jack! Here." She said breathlessly, handing him the bundle. It was a book with a worn cover and spotted yellow pages covered in a gray cloth. "It's a book, it was mother's. Read it, whenever you miss me and think of me when you do, please. I've read it, it's really good." Rosa turned then and walked away, Jack didn't stop her. If they said goodbye one more time he might loose his resolve and stay there.
The town seemed to be feeling the way he was as he made his way through it, beads clinking and glistening in the sun. He decided he really didn't need to change his walk or talk until he hit the docks so he nodded to the familiar people and said hi to a few girls. People stared at him, Jack Johnson, a noble boy, walking through town dressed so strangely. He ignored them; it was his life now. As he made his way across the beach he clumsily wove a few of the beads in his hair and placed a bandana low over his forehead.
The dock was unusually deserted; no body paid any attention to him as he swiftly made his way to the dock where Roger stood. "Jackie!" Roger called coming forward. He stopped abruptly when he saw Jack's appearance. "What the hell 'appened to you boy?"
Jack smiled. "What do ye mean?" He had now adopted his swagger as he looked towards the Catherine. Roger shook his head, a smile on his face.
"Oh, the cap'ns gona love ye kid." Jack winked and carefully stepped into the rowboat. Roger, how ever didn't follow him, he was faced toward the beach. Jack followed his gaze and saw Lily standing there, brown hair blowing about her beautiful face along with her black lace dress.
"That your girl mate?" Roger asked. Jack continued to watch Lily and nodded. That was the same dress she wore the day of Meredith's funeral. "Wow, a catch all right." Jack ignored him and eyed Lily as she made her way slowly and carefully across the dock, a box in her hand. Roger leaned down and said, "I'll leave for a minute." Then loud enough for Lily to hear, "Keep your eyes in your head Jackie my boy, we gotta go soon, eh?" He moved away and Lily stood there, looking down at Jack.
"Going so soon Jack Johnson?" She asked quietly, looking him up and down with a cocked eyebrow. "You look like a pirate." Jack shook his head and got out of the boat, sitting on the dock with his legs hanging over the edge. Lily sat next to him and they stayed like that in silence before she handed him the box. "A gift." He opened it and pulled out a necklace. There was a rock, kind of like the one Lily wore, attached to the silver chain.
"It's a..."
"Bird. A Sparrow, actually. It represents freedom Jack, what you search for. I hope it brings you what you seek." Jack smiled at her lopsidedly.
"Lily, you didn't have..."
"Find what you search for quickly Jack, and come home...to me...and your sister." He looked down at the necklace and then reached over, grabbed her face and kissed her. Roger cut them off.
"Sorry lad." He said from above them as Jack squinted up at the man angrily. "Their wavin' the flag, we gotta go."
As he turned to go, Lily grabbed his hand and he spun to face her. Suddenly the whole ocean seemed black and foreboding. Maybe he shouldn't leave. "If you don't come back...I'll hunt your body down and...and..." She grinned and tapped his face lightly the she ran her smooth palm over his cheek, leaned close and kissed him passionately before stepping back, blushing.
Jack nodded, grinning, squeezed Lily's hand and then made his way back into the boat. Roger placed a hand under Lily's elbow, helped her up and then got into the rowboat himself. Jack kept his eyes on Lily the whole trip until he reached the Catherine and was hauled onboard.
Scary, was the first word that popped into Jack's head when he stepped aboard the Catherine. A crowd built quickly around him and inquiring eyes roved his weird choice of clothing and style. One man, probably in his twenties turned his head slightly to talk to the man beside him and Jack's stomach learched when he realized this man was missing an ear. On the pretext of scratching his own, Jack's eyes moved to the man's companion. Deep scars pitted the man's once handsome face. His black hair was a mass of knots and his left had had three fingers.
Most of the men around him, Jack noticed, were missing body parts like eyes and one man half his nose. Jack desperately hopped that wasn't the norm around here. The crowd parted to let them pass as Roger led him across the deck and knocked on the captain's quarters.
"Come in." Came a voice from inside, the voice of Joshua 'Mad Hawk' Delore, "It's open." Joshua looked different from the last time Jack had seen him, on the dock about to years before. There was a scar running deep down his left cheek and he looked older almost drawn as though in loosing Meredith he lost a piece of himself. He darkened as he looked at Jack. "What is this? Another new crew member? I thought that Turner kid would be the last!" His eyes roved over Jack and he raised an eyebrow. "Kid's hardly old enough to leave his mommy let alone come on a ship with adults, I have no time for this, take him away."
Roger placed a hand on Jack's shoulder and addressed the captain. "Cap'n, by all do respect sir, ye don' wanna be lettin' the young man go jus' yet." Joshua turned around enquiringly.
"Oh, Roger do you forget your place?" The captain asked. Jack could tell under the calm exterior there was a very angry man.
"Sir, this is a good strong kid and since we los' Pete, I really strongly think we be needen' Jack." Joshua stopped and looked again at Jack. He knows who I am! Jack suddenly thought! Joshua's eyes moved from the young man in front of him to a mirror in the corner and back again.
"What's your name kid?" He asked suspiciously. Jack had to think fast, how much had his mother told Joshua? Well, he already knew Jack's first name; he just needed a last name. His fingers touched the necklace Lily had given him and it popped into his head.
"Sparrow, Jack Sparrow. My name is Jack Sparrow." He stuttered. He could tell the captain was still suspicious but he played along with it.
"Alright, Sparrow. Do I know any of your relatives? A mother or father perhaps?" Jack shook his head and grinned to add effect. Joshua turned to the table and, with his back to Jack and Roger, said, "Put him with Turner, Roger, see that he's comfortable." Roger smiled at Jack and they left the captain's cabin for the crew quarters.
"I have one question, Jackie." Roger said as they made their way through the hall to the crew quarters, "Why'd ye change yer name? Wouldn it be better if the cap'n knows who ye'ar?" Jack shook his head.
"No, I really want to make a name for myself." Roger nodded in understanding and led him past beds and cots to a corner where there was only a bunk. He pointed to the top one.
"That's yers." He announced. Looking around, he said, "It's a little more private then the others, yer only mate is a kid little older then you named Bill Turner. Get used to it, Jackie, ye won' be seein' it much round here. Lota stuff'll happen'."
Jack jumped on the top bunk, testing the bed for comfort as Roger moved back to the deck. The feel of the swaying ship beneath him felt weird but, he had been on ships before, he'd get used to it. The bed wasn't that comfortable at all, more like a rock. That he'd have to get used to also.
"Jack Sparrow." He said under his breath, "My name is Jack Sparrow." He'd have to remember that. He pulled the book and apple from his sash, just remembering they were there. Placing the apple in the middle of the bed, Jack opened the book and a note fell out.
The note was from his sister. Jack; come home soon, please. I miss you already and you're just down stairs getting ready to leave. I love you, be safe. –Rosa, your loving sister.
Jack placed the letter back inside and closed the book again, running a hand along the cover. A voice startled him and he looked around to see a brown haired young man, around his age, standing in the doorway watching him. "Hmm?"
"I said, 'you must be Jack Sparrow, the nebie right?' You just didn't hear me." Jack set the book down and jumped from the bunk, landing hard on the floor. Finding his balance, he stood and walked over to the other.
"Sparrow." He held out a hand and they shook.
"Turner. William Turner but everyone just calls me Bill." Bill looked him up and down. "Are you crazy?" Jack smiled.
"Maybe a little." He answered. Bill laughed.
"Well, you'd have to be to work on this boat. I hear this is our last time stopping here for a while. Old Mad Hawk stopped here every month for practically his whole life, finally moving one, more picking grounds really." Jack raised an eyebrow inquiringly. This kid was really strange. Then again, said a voice in his head, he thinks you are to. There was something about this Bill Turner Jack just liked though.
Bill leaned against the doorframe and looked Jack up and down again. Jack mimicked his movement and leaned against the frame opposite bringing a laugh from Turner's lips. It was a welcome sound, his smile traveling to his eyes. "You're a queer kid, Sparrow." He said. "How old are you?"
"Sixteen." Jack replied. Bill shook his head and Jack looked at his confused. "What?"
Bill clucked his tongue. "Yer pretty young." He said. Jack straightened and crossed his arms over his chest. "Well, stick with me, you'll be fine. Come on, we're leavin' and you gotta swab the deck."
He motioned for Jack to follow him and they made their way to the deck. Most of the men ignored him as they went around preparing to move the Catherine from the harbor to the endless ocean. Some of the men were grumbling about the Caribbean. Caribbean? Jamaica! His eyes moved to the port town and a sudden fear clenched his heart. This was it, he was going.
Unthinking he moved to the railing with some of the other crewmembers and watched as they pulled away from the docks, his home falling away behind him slowly. Tears welled in his eyes but he pushed them roughly away, there was no way he'd do that in front of pirates.
Roger came up beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know how yer feelin' Jackie, but don let yer feelins get in the way of yer duties." He handed him a mop and bucket and pointed to the deck. Jack sighed, took one last look at the town and began his work, the captain watching from the wheel.
**
The next few weeks were rough, Jack, although liking the feeling of the ship beneath his feet, missed Rosa and Lily. Every night he had dreams about them and even occasionally found himself swabbing the dock, having a conversation with one of them in his mind.
Captain Delore had noticed to and called Jack to his cabin one night after Roger had taught him how to properly tie the rigging cables.
"Sit Sparrow." He said calmly, indicating a chair positioned at a table strewn with maps and a compass. He moved to a cabinet and took out two glasses and a bottle of some dark liquid. Setting one glass in front of Jack and then himself, he sat across the table and poured the drink into each glass. "Rum, you'll learn to love it."
Jack sniffed his glass and frowned. Taking a sip he almost choked as it burned his throat, it was absolutely disgusting, he'd never learn to love this! It was a crime it was even popular. Joshua laughed at the look on the boy's face and swigged back his own, pouring himself more.
"I have other things to discuss with you besides rum." He said simply. Jack set down the rum and wiped the back of his hand over his mouth. "Your home sick, no doubt about that. What is it that troubles you, do you miss your family?"
"Yes, sir." Jack said. There was no point lying, it was probably obvious. Joshua nodded thoughtfully and Jack saw his eyes flick to the mirror again.
"Well, Sparrow, you're going to have to let it go. I know it's difficult." He clasped his hands and leaned on the table. "Some of the crew found it was easier to fake your death." Jack was confused and let it show on his face. "They missed their family, didn't want them always watching the dock and worrying when they didn't hear from them because, face it, there is really not a lot of time to write. Someone would write to their families and say they'd been killed in an accident on board. The family would no longer worry, no longer stress about you, we would make a compensation bonus to them, set them for life. Really," He sat back in his chair again, "They'd make more from your death then they would from your life."
Jack tried to take this all in. He knew it was a stress on the girls, not knowing if he was all right, worrying constantly. He also knew that he'd disappoint them every time he didn't make it into dock. But, killing himself off in their eyes? He couldn't even imagine it. Joshua seemed to realize what was happening in Jack's head because he said, "I know it's a difficult discision." He poured more rum into Jack's glass. Jack stared at the amber liquid, not really seeing it. He had told Rosa that he was out to make a name for himself, he just hadn't told her he was going to be a pirate. If word got out who he really was by some chance, what would happen to her? She was going to marry a royal navyman. He'd never see her anyway, maybe he should sever the tie right now.
"All right, I'll do it." He said quietly. Joshua nodded and pulled a piece of paper towards himself. Jack took this as his sign to leave and stood. When he reached the door, Joshua asked, "How do you want to go? Heroic deed, accident?" Jack's heart clenched, he couldn't believe this was happening, he was killing himself off. He couldn't face the captain so he said to the door, "You pick." And left.
**
Joshua watched the boy go. Jack Sparrow, if that was his real name, looked a lot like how Joshua had pictured his own son from what Meredith had described. He stood once the boy had made it to the deck and followed his footsteps to the door. There he ran into Roger who had been obviously standing at the door listening. He made himself look busy when Joshua noticed him.
"Roger, please I need to know," Joshua said quietly, watching Jack and Bill Turner at the far end of the ship. Even at this distance, he could see Bill's bootstraps untied. "What is Sparrow's real name?" Roger looked uncomfortable and played with his beard. "I have to write a letter to his family." He glanced at the door to his cabin, "As you probably heard while listening to the conversation we were having." Roger smirked.
"Johnson, sir. Jack Johnson." Joshua let these words sink in. It was Meredith's son then; the blood of his love ran through that child's veins...along with his own. He tried to picture Rosa now, and only came up with her mother's face. Roger placed a hand on his arm and brought his attention back to the matter at hand. "Don't tell the kid I told you." Roger said quietly. "I don't want him to know I told, I want his to trust me see." Joshua nodded.
"Thank you Roger, you may go." He retreated back to his cabin and shut the door, locking it with a heavy bolt. Going to his desk, he found a quill, a blank piece of parchment and a bottle of ink and slowly began writing a notice of death for his son.
When he had finished with the mournful letter, the sun had fallen and night had begun.
**
To my reviwers:
Alteng: I'm sorry about ur dentst? Did you like him/her. The goffer thing made me laugh, Kirsten stared at me. I'm not looking forward to my wisdom teeth, my brother has to get his pulled soon and I keep bugging him but it wioll come around and bite me in the ass, I know it. I love Jack and Lily to much to do many bad things to them...and Rosa...we'll just wait and see. I had that idea about Robert sending Jack away but the plot would have been so different and Lily to...he wouldn't have been with his mom or anything so...And don't worry, Rosa will come back...some day.
DragonHunter 200: I love gurl power, and a strong woman. It's just not rare anymore but uplifting, I'm a real woman's activist type. I never had a step mother but I have sister-in-laws that sometimes piss me off and treat me like that so, (brothers are way older then me, about twenty years) so...sorry I'm going slow, hope this is fast enough.
Holliday1081: Lily is a hopless ro,mantic alright, the necklace brings it out. I loved the beads and wanted sentimental value, awe. Sorry this answer is short but I really have to go, the bell is going to ring soon.
And to all: pleas hold on and I love you, keep reading and reviewing!