What's in a Name?
A/N: Thank you very much for the reviews. I really appreciate them. Ipzy - I swear on pain of death that Jack will start getting nicer.he just had to be mean first so everyone can see how nice he gets in future.kind of having to know what the bad is before appreciating the good, if you know what I mean. But you have my word that he will be better.I promise. Zubachickq4U - Thanks! I try to keep characters real as possible, I think its more fun to read that way. Alex - Bring on the riots should I ever stop writing! But I don't think I will. Reese - Thanks but Mr. Wadle deserves to be punished for the pain and suffering that he has caused me over the endless amounts of "homefun" that I left until the last minute and the countless hours of boredom during lectures.although, if I wasn't so bored in that class, I would have never written this story, that's where I got the idea mostly.soo.but I still don't like him!
Disclaimer: I own only Christina, Colin and the three French men. Can't own Jack Sparrow.Disney won't sell.
Last time:
Sparrow shrugged and shut the door in my face. I listened as the key turned in the lock before I sat down at the desk. I stared at the map of Madagascar.where did Papa leave the treasure? And what exactly was waiting for us there? I knew that it had to be dangerous.that was why he never told us exactly what was the treasure was.
What's in a Name?
Chapter 4: Chatting and Discoveries
Several hours of boredom passed before Sparrow came back. Unlocking the doors, he came waltzing into the cabin, obviously drunk. I watched apprehensively as he pulled off his boots and lay down on the bed.I could escape.maybe.
"And really bad eggs," Sparrow sung under his breath before passing out and snoring loudly.
He hadn't locked the cabin door.or rather had someone else lock us in. So, after taking one gigantic breath, I stood from the windowsill that I had taken refuge in and made my way out the door. Considering that this was my first time outside the cabin, I stared around for a moment before starting off. I was scarcely five feet from the door when someone grabbed my arm.
"Where ya going, miss?" a voice asked me.
I turned and saw the pirate that looked at me a bit nicely the day before. "No where," I stammered.
He looked at me curiously and said, "It may not be wise to venture from the Captain's cabin, miss. Not alone."
"Who are you?" I whispered.
"Colin Lewis, miss, I'm the cook on board," Colin said, he still had a loose grip on my arm, evidently not wanting me to run, again.
"Let me go, please," I pleaded.
"Worth more than me life, miss. Even if you got off the ship, you wouldn't make it far into the port before someone other than myself caught you. And they wouldn't be just a-talkin,' like me, right bouts now, if you catch what I'm saying, miss."
I nodded and said, "Don't call me miss. My name's Christina."
"Well, ye had best be getting back to the Captain, Christina, safer there." I snorted. "Hardly."
Colin frowned slightly and said, "Captain ain't gonna hurt ye, miss. He's a good man."
"Yeah, he is a good man, he just happened to murder my mother and crew and take me away from any vestiges of safety that I had left. But no, he is a good man, let's not forget it. Mr. Colin, if he were a good man, he would have let me continue on to Port Royale unhindered."
Colin looked at me with sympathy etched on his young face. "I heard bouts the deal ye be making with the Captain. He'll see it through. Don't worry, miss, Jack won't go back on it."
Stubbornly, I shook my head and tried to pull out of his grasp.
He wouldn't let me go but rather pushed me gently back into Jack's cabin.
"Please, don't.I don't want to be in here," I begged.
Colin shook his head slightly, shut the door and locked it before walking away.
Now, with nothing to do and no hope of escaping, I sat in the windowsill staring out into nothingness until sleep overtook me.
~*~
Morning came too quickly for me. The sunlight warmed the window and my face as I woke. Stretching cat-like, I stood and gazed around the cabin for the millionth time. Sparrow was still snoring loudly, evidently sleeping off the excess of rum.
I heard voices and footsteps approaching and a key being inserted into the lock. I looked up and saw the French men enter followed by Gibbs and Anamaria. I watched with wary eyes as they entered although they didn't seem to notice.
"Can I help you with something?" I asked from the windowsill.
Anamaria turned and spoke to me for the first time since we had met. "No, just sit there like a good little girl and mind your manners."
I rolled my eyes and said, "Look, Sparrow's dead drunk. You might want to splash some water on him, otherwise, I doubt he's gonna wake."
"Thank ye kindly for that much unneeded advice me. Now, keep quiet," Anamaria hissed.
A moment later, Sparrow had woken and sat up, looking a tad bewildered at the amount of people in his cabin. "Party, eh? I'll get the rum," he muttered.
"We needed to set sail two hours ago, sir. But ye ne'er showed up on deck. Thought ye might be occupied wit her," Anamaria said, gesturing to me. "But apparently not. So, are we to raise anchor?"
"Aye. Let's go," Sparrow said. "The crew all make it back this morn?"
"Aye, sir," Gibbs said. "All of em."
Sparrow nodded and sat up to put on his boots. Once he was ready, he followed the rest out of the cabin, leaving me mercifully alone.
~*~
During my time alone that morning, I poked through the cabin. I was starting to get a little more than curious about this man whom I was forced to share a room with.
After looking through his desk, I found that Sparrow apparently knew more than I thought he did. I paged through the Captain's log and found that, in spite of my first impressions, he had had some form of education, apart from loose women and rum. He also had written extensively about the countries that he had been to, some of the writings were in languages that I did not understand.what more was there to this man that I didn't know.
It also seemed that he was a good leader, I saw on the crew lists that no one had left the crew for some time now and replacements were only brought on after a death. For instance, Colin Lewis, the cook, came on as a replacement for Jebediah, the now dead cook.
Around noon, the cabin door opened and Colin Lewis walked in with a plate of food. "Captain said that ye might be hungry," he said before setting the food down on the desk and sitting down himself a good ways away. "And lonely."
I nodded and said, "Thank you."
"Not a problem miss," Colin replied.
I moved over to the desk and sat down in the chair. As I ate, I watched Colin who was watching me. "How did you come to be here?" I asked. "You don't really act like a pirate."
"I ran away from home, " he said, "Me da was an abusive old blighter and one day he beat me mam to death. I left and never looked back. He had been a-hittin on me for years but I couldn't face him after he killed me mam. Great woman, me mam, loved life and everything about it. Rarely sad, she was. Sept when Da would hit me, it would break her heart. And one day, she tried to stop him and he killed her, just like that.So I left. And low and behold, here I am, the cook for the Black Pearl, getting to regal me tale to beautiful girls."
I blushed slightly.
"Although I daresay that such a beautiful girl be a-wishin for something other than bread and butter right now."
I nodded. "What's going on up there?"
"Negations. Those French be wantin something, I didn't catch what. They were talkin bouts it in the galley and that's why Captain told me to go.do ye know what they want?"
I sighed. "I don't know. I told them all I know. I don't know what else they want," I stared at my lap for a moment. "How old are you, Colin?"
"I'm, oh, about 22 come spring."
"How old is Captain Sparrow?"
"I don't know, miss. Older than me, for sure. I think there round 30- something. Not usually information the crew be privy to. Why do ye ask?"
"Because I don't know anything about him, that's why. I'd like to know something about the man that I have to share a cabin with, if that's okay. I mean, its bad enough that I'm here."
"It can't be that bad, miss, at least ye aren't dead," Colin said reassuringly.
"Yeah, well, now all I am is a tool in your captain's plot and . I don't know what's going to happen to me once that part is done," I said starting to sink back into that familiar pit of desperation that I had been teetering around for the last three days.
"Hey Christina, what about you? Any grand adventures in your life so far?" Colin asked, trying to divert my attention from that pit.
For the next hour or so, we talked and I felt a more at ease.I felt comfortable with Colin, not in a romantic sort of way, but more like a big brother. Finally, he stood and said, "Well, it's been a pleasure chatting with ye, Christina, but I'd best be going. Got to make supper, ye know."
I nodded and said, "Thank you for talking to me, Colin. I appreciate it very much. I would have been very lonely if you hadn't stayed."
Colin smiled and said, "Not a problem. If ye ever get lonely or anything, ye can talk to me.just don't go a-wanderin around the ship at night, okay?"
I nodded and he left, locking the door behind him.
Feeling tired, I got up and lay down on the bed. Snuggling under the covers, I quickly fell asleep.
~*~
Thump!
"Ouch!"
I awoke to hear Jack walk into the cabin. I think he was trying to not wake me up but failed horribly. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. "What's going on?" I asked.
"Oh, you're up, lass?" he asked.
"I am now," I said groggily. I looked around and saw him not too far from me. After taking off his boots, he had kicked the bedpost by mistake and now was hobbling around the cabin, being careful of his toe. "What are you doing?" I asked.
"Getting ready for bed," he said as if stating the obvious.
I scrambled out of bed and said, "Oh."
Jack laughed softly and said, "What are you doing?" in an amused voice.
"Getting off your bed so you can sleep. I was just tired and cold and and your bed looked warm so I climbed in. Sorry," I said in a rush.
"Lie down, love, I ain't gonna hurt ye. I think there's enough room for two people.specially someone of your size."
I shook my head. "I don't trust you," I said warily.
Jack, I knew enough about him that I could call him Jack now, didn't comment.
"And why should I trust you?" I asked. "You haven't given me a good enough reason why I should trust you. If I were to fall asleep, what is stopping you from taking advantage of me?"
Jack met my eyes with his gaze and said, "Not without your consent, love."
I closed my eyes briefly and said, "I don't think that will happen, Captain Sparrow, don't loose any sleep over it."
Jack laughed, it was a pleasant sound.no! Bad thoughts, Christina. You can not like this man! He is a murderer, a pirate, a womanizer, no doubt, you can't trust him! You can't have any feelings for him!
Quickly I scrambled out of bed and made my way away from this.pirate. However, said pirate apparently had other plans. An arm snaked around my waist and pulled me nearer too him. I struggled against him but he was too strong for me to break out of his grasp.
"Lemme go!" I cried, frustrated.
He didn't
"Lemme go!" I cried again.
Still, he didn't.
"Not until you quit this," he murmured.
I stilled and the arm around me lifted. As quickly as I could, I got away from him and into safety in the windowsill, where I watched him cautiously.
"Colin said that ye didn't like me."
I rolled my eyes, "I would have thought that was obvious."
Sparrow continued to meet my gaze. "Someone so young shouldn't be so bitter," he said softly. "Why ye be bitter, Christina?"
I flushed but replied, "I would have thought that was obvious." As he continued to stare at me, I elaborated, "Well, I've seen my mum killed, lost my father and brother and my home, been kidnapped by pirates and now am having this conversation. And besides what do you care?"
For a moment he was silent. "I care."
"Oh, fat lot of help that does me!" I cried almost hysterically. Here I was on the verge of collapse and he tells me that he cares!
Sparrow continued to watch me, as though I were some interesting way to amuse oneself. It was a bit unnerving to top it all off, having someone watching so intently when I wanted in the world was to be left alone.
"I care," he repeated.
I scoffed, "Yeah, you care about one thing and one thing only. The bloody treasure. So just leave me alone, Jack." Still his gaze didn't waver. "What? No lock and key tonight? Think that you have me under control enough to not lock the door?"
When he didn't answer me again, I rolled my eyes and tried to fall asleep in the windowsill.
~*~
That night, I had very fevered dreams.dreams of Mum and Dad, dreams of Timothy fighting pirates, dreams of being captured by pirates, dreams of escape. When I woke, my mind was buzzing with the desire to burn off some of the energy that had been filling me lately. I hadn't been allowed anywhere in the ship except for the few feet that I had gone by myself and being taken up on deck.
The cabin was very quiet except for the scratching of a quill on parchment. I sat up straighter and looked around, seeing Jack bent once more over the desk. "What are you doing?" I asked.
"Plotting our course to Madagascar," he said without looking up.
"Oh. Will it take long to get there?" I asked.
"About a month, maybe more."
"A month?" I cried.
"Aye," still he didn't look up at me.
Then I recalled what I had said the night before.how much of a spoilt brat I had been, how rude I had been. "I'm sorry about last night," I said softly.
Jack looked up and met my eyes, "S'alright lass. Worse things have been said to ol' Jack before."
Feeling guilty, I stood and walked over and stood behind him, "Look, I'm sorry. I know that I can be.a bit loose-tongued bur I am sorry. Savvy?" I asked imitating the word that he had used so often.
Jack looked up at me and smiled slightly. "Listen, love, I know that you're frightened but work with me a little."
I nodded and peeked over his shoulder at the map. "Papa used to say that it was safe to dock on the west side of the Mada.that was what he would call Madagascar.I don't know why. But I remember him saying that.there was something there. Something important," I said pointing to the spot on the map.
Jack nodded and circled that spot on the map.
"Do you think.if it isn't too much to ask, that I could go on deck or at least out of the cabin today?"
"'S not safe."
Frustrated, I sighed. "Of course it's not safe. We're on a bloody pirate ship. I haven't been outside of your bloody cabin since two days ago! Please! What if I were to cook? Then could I go out?"
Jack turned and looked at me. "You can cook?" he asked.
"Yeah, a bit. They taught us how to at school," I answered simply.
Suddenly the ship jolted and I flew right into Jack's shoulder. Wincing slightly, I straightened up and rubbed my nose. He wasn't exactly a good pillow.
Jack nodded and said, "Fine. I'll see if Colin wants any help. Come on," he added as he started towards the door.
I followed close behind him, my eyes taking in everything possible. Every door, every hallway, every crewmember, until we reached the galley. And so it was that I would spend my days in the galley, helping Colin cook, learning what he knew about a ship and trying to adjust to this new way of life. But, my nights were a different story. My nights were restless, under the constant gaze of Captain Jack Sparrow, infamous pirate extraordinare, unable to get a moment of peace.
I didn't really know how I felt about him, to tell the truth. One moment he could be almost kind, the next, he would be trying to get into bed with me.in more ways than one.
The next week and a half passed without much really interesting occurring. Captain Sparrow and I had little scuffles with each other but as long as he was at the helm and I in the galley, we were fine. It was on those rare occasions when either one of us entered into the others domain that we had a problem.
One of those odd occurrences happened to take place on the fifteenth or so day of my capture. After a week and a half of begging, Colin 'escorted me' up onto the deck. I smiled broadly as the sunshine met my face and warmed my body in a way that even the small wooden stove in the galley could not. The light was a bit blinding at first but I soon became accustomed to it. Still smiling, I made my way up to the bow, Colin trailing at my heals. However, once Jack caught notice of me, he handed the helm off to Anamaria and came striding after us.
"Well, it certainly is a surprise to see a fine British lady up on deck. What are ye doing out of the galley Christy?" Jack asked.
I grimaced slightly at the nickname.no one had called me that since I was about twelve. "It's only a surprise to see me because someone who happens to be the captain of this pirate vessel hasn't allowed me to see the light of day in ten bloody days."
Jack smiled slightly. "Didn't want to damage that pale skin of yours, missy. Thought it'd be best for someone of your delicate disposition to remain out of the bright sun," he said sarcastically.
"Bloody hell, if you had given me the chance, I'd be on deck every day," I shot back.
Before Jack could comment, we were hailed by the French vessel and within minutes, the three French men were back on board the Pearl.
"Excusez-moi Capitaine Sparrow. Avez-vous besoin de nos services ? La fille est trop pour que vous gardiez ? Nous voulons son aide en lisant les lettres qu'elle nous a données. Elles ne ont pas du sens pour nous. Nous voudrions beaucoup si vous nous la prêteriez, ainsi nous pouvons obtenir toute l'information dont nous avons besoin d'elle." Tomas asked. (Excuse me Captain Sparrow. Are you in need of our services? The girl is too much for you to guard? We want her help in reading the letters that she gave us. They do not make sense to us. We would like very much if you would loan her to us, so we can get all the information that we need from her.)
I translated quickly for Jack, who upon hearing the message, looked fit to burst. He replied in English which I translated quickly back to French. "Non, je ne veux pas votre aide sanglante. J'ai la fille sous ma commande. Ne combat plus même beaucoup... ma personnalité charmante, je savent. Mais elle est la mienne. Vous ne la prenez pas, savvy." I said for Jack. (No, I don't want your bloody assistance. I have the girl under my control. Doesn't even fight much any more.my charming personality, I know. But she's mine. You aren't taking her, savvy.)
"Vous pas sous capitaine Sparrow de stand. Elle vient avec nous. Nous la récupérerons venir soirée." Tomas said. (You do not understand Captain Sparrow. She is coming with us. We'll have her back come evening.)
"Je n'irai pas!" I cried. (I will not go!)
"Fermez la fille. Faites votre devoir," Tomas ordered. (Shut up girl. Do your duty.)
I translated again the last part of the conversation and listened as Jack said in an angry voice. "You're not taking her. The girl's mine, Potier. Not yours. She comes in useful, if you know what I mean. She isn't going over there. Not alone, in the least." I quickly passed the message along. "Vous ne la prenez pas. La mine de la fille, Potier. Pas vôtre. Elle vient dans utile, si vous savez ce que veux dire je. Elle ne va pas la-bas. Pas seulement, dans les mineurs."
Looking livid, Tomas replied, "Vous ne la prenez pas. La mine de la fille, Potier. Pas vôtre. Elle vient dans utile, si vous savez ce que veux dire je. Elle ne va pas la-bas. Pas seulement, dans les mineurs" (Fine Sparrow. Have one of your crew come with her. But only one. We just need the information. Then she'll be back to serving as your bed-warmer.)
I gritted my teeth as I relayed this message.
Chuckling, Sparrow put an arm around me and pulled me into a passionate kiss.or at least passionate on his end.I was not participating.then he said, "You have no idea mate."
I pulled away from him, disgusted and translated, "Vous n'avez aucun compagnon d'idée."
Jack nodded and pulled me gently a little ways away from them. "Listen, love. Be careful. I'm sending Colin over with you but don't trust them. Don't listen to them if they tell you anything. It will be lies. They're trying to trick you, okay, love? You aren't allowed to believe what they say. I don't give you permission. Do you understand?"
I nodded and said, "Yes, I understand," in a resigned voice.
"Don't trust them. Don't go anywhere without Colin, he'll protect you. I mean it, love," Jack said in a worried voice.
I nodded and followed him back to where Tomas, Jean and Francois stood. Then, gesturing to Colin, we made our way over to the French vessel, La Femme.
A/N: Okay, how was it? Jack any nicer? I think so. He gets even nicer in the next chapter.trust me. Please review! I'd be much obliged if you'd drop me a review. Thanks! ~CrazyCanoeingGIT
A/N: Thank you very much for the reviews. I really appreciate them. Ipzy - I swear on pain of death that Jack will start getting nicer.he just had to be mean first so everyone can see how nice he gets in future.kind of having to know what the bad is before appreciating the good, if you know what I mean. But you have my word that he will be better.I promise. Zubachickq4U - Thanks! I try to keep characters real as possible, I think its more fun to read that way. Alex - Bring on the riots should I ever stop writing! But I don't think I will. Reese - Thanks but Mr. Wadle deserves to be punished for the pain and suffering that he has caused me over the endless amounts of "homefun" that I left until the last minute and the countless hours of boredom during lectures.although, if I wasn't so bored in that class, I would have never written this story, that's where I got the idea mostly.soo.but I still don't like him!
Disclaimer: I own only Christina, Colin and the three French men. Can't own Jack Sparrow.Disney won't sell.
Last time:
Sparrow shrugged and shut the door in my face. I listened as the key turned in the lock before I sat down at the desk. I stared at the map of Madagascar.where did Papa leave the treasure? And what exactly was waiting for us there? I knew that it had to be dangerous.that was why he never told us exactly what was the treasure was.
What's in a Name?
Chapter 4: Chatting and Discoveries
Several hours of boredom passed before Sparrow came back. Unlocking the doors, he came waltzing into the cabin, obviously drunk. I watched apprehensively as he pulled off his boots and lay down on the bed.I could escape.maybe.
"And really bad eggs," Sparrow sung under his breath before passing out and snoring loudly.
He hadn't locked the cabin door.or rather had someone else lock us in. So, after taking one gigantic breath, I stood from the windowsill that I had taken refuge in and made my way out the door. Considering that this was my first time outside the cabin, I stared around for a moment before starting off. I was scarcely five feet from the door when someone grabbed my arm.
"Where ya going, miss?" a voice asked me.
I turned and saw the pirate that looked at me a bit nicely the day before. "No where," I stammered.
He looked at me curiously and said, "It may not be wise to venture from the Captain's cabin, miss. Not alone."
"Who are you?" I whispered.
"Colin Lewis, miss, I'm the cook on board," Colin said, he still had a loose grip on my arm, evidently not wanting me to run, again.
"Let me go, please," I pleaded.
"Worth more than me life, miss. Even if you got off the ship, you wouldn't make it far into the port before someone other than myself caught you. And they wouldn't be just a-talkin,' like me, right bouts now, if you catch what I'm saying, miss."
I nodded and said, "Don't call me miss. My name's Christina."
"Well, ye had best be getting back to the Captain, Christina, safer there." I snorted. "Hardly."
Colin frowned slightly and said, "Captain ain't gonna hurt ye, miss. He's a good man."
"Yeah, he is a good man, he just happened to murder my mother and crew and take me away from any vestiges of safety that I had left. But no, he is a good man, let's not forget it. Mr. Colin, if he were a good man, he would have let me continue on to Port Royale unhindered."
Colin looked at me with sympathy etched on his young face. "I heard bouts the deal ye be making with the Captain. He'll see it through. Don't worry, miss, Jack won't go back on it."
Stubbornly, I shook my head and tried to pull out of his grasp.
He wouldn't let me go but rather pushed me gently back into Jack's cabin.
"Please, don't.I don't want to be in here," I begged.
Colin shook his head slightly, shut the door and locked it before walking away.
Now, with nothing to do and no hope of escaping, I sat in the windowsill staring out into nothingness until sleep overtook me.
~*~
Morning came too quickly for me. The sunlight warmed the window and my face as I woke. Stretching cat-like, I stood and gazed around the cabin for the millionth time. Sparrow was still snoring loudly, evidently sleeping off the excess of rum.
I heard voices and footsteps approaching and a key being inserted into the lock. I looked up and saw the French men enter followed by Gibbs and Anamaria. I watched with wary eyes as they entered although they didn't seem to notice.
"Can I help you with something?" I asked from the windowsill.
Anamaria turned and spoke to me for the first time since we had met. "No, just sit there like a good little girl and mind your manners."
I rolled my eyes and said, "Look, Sparrow's dead drunk. You might want to splash some water on him, otherwise, I doubt he's gonna wake."
"Thank ye kindly for that much unneeded advice me. Now, keep quiet," Anamaria hissed.
A moment later, Sparrow had woken and sat up, looking a tad bewildered at the amount of people in his cabin. "Party, eh? I'll get the rum," he muttered.
"We needed to set sail two hours ago, sir. But ye ne'er showed up on deck. Thought ye might be occupied wit her," Anamaria said, gesturing to me. "But apparently not. So, are we to raise anchor?"
"Aye. Let's go," Sparrow said. "The crew all make it back this morn?"
"Aye, sir," Gibbs said. "All of em."
Sparrow nodded and sat up to put on his boots. Once he was ready, he followed the rest out of the cabin, leaving me mercifully alone.
~*~
During my time alone that morning, I poked through the cabin. I was starting to get a little more than curious about this man whom I was forced to share a room with.
After looking through his desk, I found that Sparrow apparently knew more than I thought he did. I paged through the Captain's log and found that, in spite of my first impressions, he had had some form of education, apart from loose women and rum. He also had written extensively about the countries that he had been to, some of the writings were in languages that I did not understand.what more was there to this man that I didn't know.
It also seemed that he was a good leader, I saw on the crew lists that no one had left the crew for some time now and replacements were only brought on after a death. For instance, Colin Lewis, the cook, came on as a replacement for Jebediah, the now dead cook.
Around noon, the cabin door opened and Colin Lewis walked in with a plate of food. "Captain said that ye might be hungry," he said before setting the food down on the desk and sitting down himself a good ways away. "And lonely."
I nodded and said, "Thank you."
"Not a problem miss," Colin replied.
I moved over to the desk and sat down in the chair. As I ate, I watched Colin who was watching me. "How did you come to be here?" I asked. "You don't really act like a pirate."
"I ran away from home, " he said, "Me da was an abusive old blighter and one day he beat me mam to death. I left and never looked back. He had been a-hittin on me for years but I couldn't face him after he killed me mam. Great woman, me mam, loved life and everything about it. Rarely sad, she was. Sept when Da would hit me, it would break her heart. And one day, she tried to stop him and he killed her, just like that.So I left. And low and behold, here I am, the cook for the Black Pearl, getting to regal me tale to beautiful girls."
I blushed slightly.
"Although I daresay that such a beautiful girl be a-wishin for something other than bread and butter right now."
I nodded. "What's going on up there?"
"Negations. Those French be wantin something, I didn't catch what. They were talkin bouts it in the galley and that's why Captain told me to go.do ye know what they want?"
I sighed. "I don't know. I told them all I know. I don't know what else they want," I stared at my lap for a moment. "How old are you, Colin?"
"I'm, oh, about 22 come spring."
"How old is Captain Sparrow?"
"I don't know, miss. Older than me, for sure. I think there round 30- something. Not usually information the crew be privy to. Why do ye ask?"
"Because I don't know anything about him, that's why. I'd like to know something about the man that I have to share a cabin with, if that's okay. I mean, its bad enough that I'm here."
"It can't be that bad, miss, at least ye aren't dead," Colin said reassuringly.
"Yeah, well, now all I am is a tool in your captain's plot and . I don't know what's going to happen to me once that part is done," I said starting to sink back into that familiar pit of desperation that I had been teetering around for the last three days.
"Hey Christina, what about you? Any grand adventures in your life so far?" Colin asked, trying to divert my attention from that pit.
For the next hour or so, we talked and I felt a more at ease.I felt comfortable with Colin, not in a romantic sort of way, but more like a big brother. Finally, he stood and said, "Well, it's been a pleasure chatting with ye, Christina, but I'd best be going. Got to make supper, ye know."
I nodded and said, "Thank you for talking to me, Colin. I appreciate it very much. I would have been very lonely if you hadn't stayed."
Colin smiled and said, "Not a problem. If ye ever get lonely or anything, ye can talk to me.just don't go a-wanderin around the ship at night, okay?"
I nodded and he left, locking the door behind him.
Feeling tired, I got up and lay down on the bed. Snuggling under the covers, I quickly fell asleep.
~*~
Thump!
"Ouch!"
I awoke to hear Jack walk into the cabin. I think he was trying to not wake me up but failed horribly. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. "What's going on?" I asked.
"Oh, you're up, lass?" he asked.
"I am now," I said groggily. I looked around and saw him not too far from me. After taking off his boots, he had kicked the bedpost by mistake and now was hobbling around the cabin, being careful of his toe. "What are you doing?" I asked.
"Getting ready for bed," he said as if stating the obvious.
I scrambled out of bed and said, "Oh."
Jack laughed softly and said, "What are you doing?" in an amused voice.
"Getting off your bed so you can sleep. I was just tired and cold and and your bed looked warm so I climbed in. Sorry," I said in a rush.
"Lie down, love, I ain't gonna hurt ye. I think there's enough room for two people.specially someone of your size."
I shook my head. "I don't trust you," I said warily.
Jack, I knew enough about him that I could call him Jack now, didn't comment.
"And why should I trust you?" I asked. "You haven't given me a good enough reason why I should trust you. If I were to fall asleep, what is stopping you from taking advantage of me?"
Jack met my eyes with his gaze and said, "Not without your consent, love."
I closed my eyes briefly and said, "I don't think that will happen, Captain Sparrow, don't loose any sleep over it."
Jack laughed, it was a pleasant sound.no! Bad thoughts, Christina. You can not like this man! He is a murderer, a pirate, a womanizer, no doubt, you can't trust him! You can't have any feelings for him!
Quickly I scrambled out of bed and made my way away from this.pirate. However, said pirate apparently had other plans. An arm snaked around my waist and pulled me nearer too him. I struggled against him but he was too strong for me to break out of his grasp.
"Lemme go!" I cried, frustrated.
He didn't
"Lemme go!" I cried again.
Still, he didn't.
"Not until you quit this," he murmured.
I stilled and the arm around me lifted. As quickly as I could, I got away from him and into safety in the windowsill, where I watched him cautiously.
"Colin said that ye didn't like me."
I rolled my eyes, "I would have thought that was obvious."
Sparrow continued to meet my gaze. "Someone so young shouldn't be so bitter," he said softly. "Why ye be bitter, Christina?"
I flushed but replied, "I would have thought that was obvious." As he continued to stare at me, I elaborated, "Well, I've seen my mum killed, lost my father and brother and my home, been kidnapped by pirates and now am having this conversation. And besides what do you care?"
For a moment he was silent. "I care."
"Oh, fat lot of help that does me!" I cried almost hysterically. Here I was on the verge of collapse and he tells me that he cares!
Sparrow continued to watch me, as though I were some interesting way to amuse oneself. It was a bit unnerving to top it all off, having someone watching so intently when I wanted in the world was to be left alone.
"I care," he repeated.
I scoffed, "Yeah, you care about one thing and one thing only. The bloody treasure. So just leave me alone, Jack." Still his gaze didn't waver. "What? No lock and key tonight? Think that you have me under control enough to not lock the door?"
When he didn't answer me again, I rolled my eyes and tried to fall asleep in the windowsill.
~*~
That night, I had very fevered dreams.dreams of Mum and Dad, dreams of Timothy fighting pirates, dreams of being captured by pirates, dreams of escape. When I woke, my mind was buzzing with the desire to burn off some of the energy that had been filling me lately. I hadn't been allowed anywhere in the ship except for the few feet that I had gone by myself and being taken up on deck.
The cabin was very quiet except for the scratching of a quill on parchment. I sat up straighter and looked around, seeing Jack bent once more over the desk. "What are you doing?" I asked.
"Plotting our course to Madagascar," he said without looking up.
"Oh. Will it take long to get there?" I asked.
"About a month, maybe more."
"A month?" I cried.
"Aye," still he didn't look up at me.
Then I recalled what I had said the night before.how much of a spoilt brat I had been, how rude I had been. "I'm sorry about last night," I said softly.
Jack looked up and met my eyes, "S'alright lass. Worse things have been said to ol' Jack before."
Feeling guilty, I stood and walked over and stood behind him, "Look, I'm sorry. I know that I can be.a bit loose-tongued bur I am sorry. Savvy?" I asked imitating the word that he had used so often.
Jack looked up at me and smiled slightly. "Listen, love, I know that you're frightened but work with me a little."
I nodded and peeked over his shoulder at the map. "Papa used to say that it was safe to dock on the west side of the Mada.that was what he would call Madagascar.I don't know why. But I remember him saying that.there was something there. Something important," I said pointing to the spot on the map.
Jack nodded and circled that spot on the map.
"Do you think.if it isn't too much to ask, that I could go on deck or at least out of the cabin today?"
"'S not safe."
Frustrated, I sighed. "Of course it's not safe. We're on a bloody pirate ship. I haven't been outside of your bloody cabin since two days ago! Please! What if I were to cook? Then could I go out?"
Jack turned and looked at me. "You can cook?" he asked.
"Yeah, a bit. They taught us how to at school," I answered simply.
Suddenly the ship jolted and I flew right into Jack's shoulder. Wincing slightly, I straightened up and rubbed my nose. He wasn't exactly a good pillow.
Jack nodded and said, "Fine. I'll see if Colin wants any help. Come on," he added as he started towards the door.
I followed close behind him, my eyes taking in everything possible. Every door, every hallway, every crewmember, until we reached the galley. And so it was that I would spend my days in the galley, helping Colin cook, learning what he knew about a ship and trying to adjust to this new way of life. But, my nights were a different story. My nights were restless, under the constant gaze of Captain Jack Sparrow, infamous pirate extraordinare, unable to get a moment of peace.
I didn't really know how I felt about him, to tell the truth. One moment he could be almost kind, the next, he would be trying to get into bed with me.in more ways than one.
The next week and a half passed without much really interesting occurring. Captain Sparrow and I had little scuffles with each other but as long as he was at the helm and I in the galley, we were fine. It was on those rare occasions when either one of us entered into the others domain that we had a problem.
One of those odd occurrences happened to take place on the fifteenth or so day of my capture. After a week and a half of begging, Colin 'escorted me' up onto the deck. I smiled broadly as the sunshine met my face and warmed my body in a way that even the small wooden stove in the galley could not. The light was a bit blinding at first but I soon became accustomed to it. Still smiling, I made my way up to the bow, Colin trailing at my heals. However, once Jack caught notice of me, he handed the helm off to Anamaria and came striding after us.
"Well, it certainly is a surprise to see a fine British lady up on deck. What are ye doing out of the galley Christy?" Jack asked.
I grimaced slightly at the nickname.no one had called me that since I was about twelve. "It's only a surprise to see me because someone who happens to be the captain of this pirate vessel hasn't allowed me to see the light of day in ten bloody days."
Jack smiled slightly. "Didn't want to damage that pale skin of yours, missy. Thought it'd be best for someone of your delicate disposition to remain out of the bright sun," he said sarcastically.
"Bloody hell, if you had given me the chance, I'd be on deck every day," I shot back.
Before Jack could comment, we were hailed by the French vessel and within minutes, the three French men were back on board the Pearl.
"Excusez-moi Capitaine Sparrow. Avez-vous besoin de nos services ? La fille est trop pour que vous gardiez ? Nous voulons son aide en lisant les lettres qu'elle nous a données. Elles ne ont pas du sens pour nous. Nous voudrions beaucoup si vous nous la prêteriez, ainsi nous pouvons obtenir toute l'information dont nous avons besoin d'elle." Tomas asked. (Excuse me Captain Sparrow. Are you in need of our services? The girl is too much for you to guard? We want her help in reading the letters that she gave us. They do not make sense to us. We would like very much if you would loan her to us, so we can get all the information that we need from her.)
I translated quickly for Jack, who upon hearing the message, looked fit to burst. He replied in English which I translated quickly back to French. "Non, je ne veux pas votre aide sanglante. J'ai la fille sous ma commande. Ne combat plus même beaucoup... ma personnalité charmante, je savent. Mais elle est la mienne. Vous ne la prenez pas, savvy." I said for Jack. (No, I don't want your bloody assistance. I have the girl under my control. Doesn't even fight much any more.my charming personality, I know. But she's mine. You aren't taking her, savvy.)
"Vous pas sous capitaine Sparrow de stand. Elle vient avec nous. Nous la récupérerons venir soirée." Tomas said. (You do not understand Captain Sparrow. She is coming with us. We'll have her back come evening.)
"Je n'irai pas!" I cried. (I will not go!)
"Fermez la fille. Faites votre devoir," Tomas ordered. (Shut up girl. Do your duty.)
I translated again the last part of the conversation and listened as Jack said in an angry voice. "You're not taking her. The girl's mine, Potier. Not yours. She comes in useful, if you know what I mean. She isn't going over there. Not alone, in the least." I quickly passed the message along. "Vous ne la prenez pas. La mine de la fille, Potier. Pas vôtre. Elle vient dans utile, si vous savez ce que veux dire je. Elle ne va pas la-bas. Pas seulement, dans les mineurs."
Looking livid, Tomas replied, "Vous ne la prenez pas. La mine de la fille, Potier. Pas vôtre. Elle vient dans utile, si vous savez ce que veux dire je. Elle ne va pas la-bas. Pas seulement, dans les mineurs" (Fine Sparrow. Have one of your crew come with her. But only one. We just need the information. Then she'll be back to serving as your bed-warmer.)
I gritted my teeth as I relayed this message.
Chuckling, Sparrow put an arm around me and pulled me into a passionate kiss.or at least passionate on his end.I was not participating.then he said, "You have no idea mate."
I pulled away from him, disgusted and translated, "Vous n'avez aucun compagnon d'idée."
Jack nodded and pulled me gently a little ways away from them. "Listen, love. Be careful. I'm sending Colin over with you but don't trust them. Don't listen to them if they tell you anything. It will be lies. They're trying to trick you, okay, love? You aren't allowed to believe what they say. I don't give you permission. Do you understand?"
I nodded and said, "Yes, I understand," in a resigned voice.
"Don't trust them. Don't go anywhere without Colin, he'll protect you. I mean it, love," Jack said in a worried voice.
I nodded and followed him back to where Tomas, Jean and Francois stood. Then, gesturing to Colin, we made our way over to the French vessel, La Femme.
A/N: Okay, how was it? Jack any nicer? I think so. He gets even nicer in the next chapter.trust me. Please review! I'd be much obliged if you'd drop me a review. Thanks! ~CrazyCanoeingGIT