Author's Note: Over 100 reviews!!!!! THANK YOU ALL FOR SUPPORTING MY
STORY! even if some of you may not review. But, seriously, I really
appreciate all the reviews from everyone, such a boost! I hope you all
enjoy this chapter! Make sure you check out the note at the bottom AFTER
you read the chapter.
Disclaimer: I own Christy and Colin and everyone else not in PoTC. Could only dream of owning Jack...guess I have to settle for the DVD and the soundtrack, huh.
Author Thanks:
Piper8188 - Thanks! Enjoy!
PepaMynt - I left you speechless? Yippee for me! Enjoy!
Captain Aunna Borgonia - Sorry bout making you cry, although, I guess that says a good thing about my story! Yep, I did the poem myself. I've been writing since I was little, but the response on fictionpress.net isn't very rewarding...not as many people read that stuff as they do this. Thanks! Enjoy!
Anuknusan - I'm glad that you like it! I hope you enjoy this chappie!
jane - Thanks, mate! Enjoy!
WhiPpeD CrEaM 0 - Thanks! Yep, the poem was all me! *grins* As for Jack and Christy kissing *wink wink* enjoy this chappie *wink wink* *hint hint* Enjoy!
TriGemini - Thanks! Yeah, Christina does have a lot of pain on the inside, but think about it, anyone who's been through all that would...I think it would be natural to blame yourself when all of that happens around you...even when its not your fault. Enjoy this chapter!
Cagalli - Thanks! I'm honoured that my story is one of your favourites! *blushes madly* Hope you enjoy this chapter!
movielvr - Thanks for your review! Don't worry about it being short, I like all the review I get, so no worries. Enjoy this chappie!
Jinxd n cursed - Happiness coming soon, in this chapter to be exact. Enjoy!
Zubachickqt4u - Thanks! The poem was all me! My original speciality, actually. I'll think about posting it on FictionPress.net...I have a pen name there too...if it's still active. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Last Time:
I leaned back against the window and closed my eyes, breathing easily and fell asleep.
~*~
What's in a Name?
Chapter 16: Healing
I woke after a time and saw Jack watching me. I smiled faintly and stood, stretching. "Did you know, that that is the first time in a couple days that I have slept, for any amount of time, without some manner of injury aiding me to sleep?"
"Have a bit o' therapy, there, love?" Jack asked kindly.
"You could say so, I suppose. It just was one of those ideas that waltzed into my head...and I couldn't let it escape...again. I have been itching to write for a while, I just didn't recognize the need until just now. I think that...I don't know...it just felt right to write," I said, trying to explain.
"Ahh, the wonderful vocabulary of a budding author," Jack joked.
I grinned slightly. "You explain it, then." When nothing came, I said, thoroughly enjoying myself, "Hmmph, I thought so."
Jack walked over to the window casually and stared out at the ocean for a minute. When I wasn't expecting it, he snatched the paper from my hands and read it.
I stood, frustrated, and tried to grab it out of his hands, but he held it just above my reach. 'Blast my shortness,' I thought. As I was struggling to get at the parchment, the lemur scampered over to my shoulder and once again found a home there.
Jack read the poem, keeping it high over his head, and then looked down at me. "I'm no judge of poetry, love, but that is bloody good."
I smiled slightly. "I always would write at school. When I was homesick or just bored. It was a way for me to express myself. But when I got home, I scarcely had time for it, with Mum being sick and all. And I had no will to write after Papa and Timothy died...I guess that that was just a blocked poem in my head or something because it felt like someone was whispering it into my ear."
"Well, whatever it was, it was good. Now come on. We need to let Ana rest," Jack said before placing a hand at the small of my back and propelling me forward.
The crew was assembled, looking somber as I felt. Whispers of conversations floated over to me, but no one really spoke much. As Jack and I approached, they took their hats off their heads and those who had been talking, quieted. As Jack moved to the front of the group, I in turn, went to Colin.
Jack stood near the rail and removed his tri-corner hat and began to speak, "A great loss we have suffered on the Black Pearl. Today we are here to lay Anamaria to rest. She was a good woman, a strong fighter, a good friend, a hard slapper, and a superb pirate. But here we are mourning a death that came too soon," Jack said quietly. He turned his gaze on me. "None could have prevented this death and we must also bring to light the efforts that were taken to preserve Anamaria...to save her. Christy tried as hard as any one person could to save Ana, even though Ana, herself, knew the time had come to say good-bye. So, for the rest of your days, remember Ana, as a friend, as a crewmate, as a person and as the great pirate she was. May you rest in peace, Anamaria," Jack finished before motioning for two of the crew to lift the hammock sewn around Ana into the sea.
I heard the splash from a distant world. Tears rolled down my face freely as I listened to the crew recount memories of Ana. Memories of my father and brother's funerals came back to me and I whispered, "Yea though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and staff they comfort me..." I trailed off. The crew was dispersing and I felt warm hands on my shoulders. I looked up and saw Jack staring at me. "'Tis a verse they read at funerals..."
Jack grinned slightly, "I know, love. I may be a pirate, but I have been to a proper funeral, ye know."
I nodded.
"Well, the crew will be getting drunk now, I'll take ye to me cabin," Jack said quietly, leading me away from the few remaining crew members.
I allowed him to steer me into the cabin and listened as he poured me a glass of rum. I took it without question and drank silently.
Jack sat on the bed beside me, studying me. "Ye know, no one blames ye for what happened. None of the crew thought it could have been avoided. Ye couldn't have known."
I nodded weakly. "But that doesn't help how I feel inside, Jack," I whispered.
"Not much will, until you stop blaming yerself for things ye can't control," Jack said wisely.
"Its easy for you to say," I muttered.
With a gentle hand, Jack brought my gaze up to his. "Let me tell ye a story, Christy. When I was about as young ye, I was captain of this ship. I was only about nineteen or twenty and had gotten this ship as a sole piece o' inheritance from me dad. So, I picked up a crew in Tortuga. Me dad 'ad always told me stories about the treasure of Isla de Meurta, and I wanted to go after it. So, I gets me crew. Good men, I thought. I was so confident that this would be a noble crew that when me first mate, Barbossa, comes up to me, and says everything's equal, I don't have a problem with giving up the bearings. My best mate aboard warned me not ta trust Barbossa but I didn't listen. So I says to him, 'William, yer a good mate, but I think I can handle me own crew. 'Ave a bit o' faith, mate.' William looked at me and said, all sad like, 'I hope your right, Cap'n.' Unfortunately for me, I soon was found to be wrong. Me crew mutinied against me and left me on an island. But I got off that island an' two years ago, killed Barbossa, with the help of William's son, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann...well, Turner now. For ten years, I carried around guilt and hate and all manner o' negative emotions, feeling that it was me own fault that they mutinied. But, now, I realize that ye can't control other people, ye just have to hope they make the right decisions and trust in the best," Jack said sombrely.
I gazed into his brown depths. He sounded so hurt.
"I trust you, Jack," I whispered.
Jack smiled slightly.
Feeling a deep rush of feelings inside of me, I scooted closer to him. Leaning in, I kissed him. I felt Jack's arms go around me and pull me closer as my own arms fluttered around him. Jack's kisses strayed from my mouth to along my jaw, planting little hurried kisses up to my ears. My chest felt like it was bursting...not with grief, but with love and I knew that this time, I wouldn't deny how I felt. Our actions were controlled by some outside force and this time I decided to give in to that force. I knew that this time was the right time. So when I found myself lying on the bed, I didn't fear what would happen. I stared up, met Jack's eyes and nodded.
Jack stared down at me for a moment and asked, "Are ye sure about this, love?"
I pushed myself up by my elbows and kissed Jack lightly. I nodded again and whispered, "I love you, Jack."
And that was basically the last thing said for quite a while. ***See note at bottom***
~*~
The next morning, I woke up early, all alone in the bed.
Quickly, I got up and dressed. Picking up my discarded boots, I realized that I had never taken out the items that my father left for me. I pulled them out and placed them under my pillow on the bed before striding over to the door. I left the cabin and found Jack staring off at the horizon, Mr. Gibbs steering the ship. I walked up behind him as silently as possible, my bare feet softly slapping the wood as I went.
"How are ye feeling, love?" Jack asked.
I stood beside him and stared out at the horizon. The sun had not yet risen but it would soon. "Couldn't be better," I said softly, though truth be told, I was sore but I didn't want him to think that he had hurt me. I gazed out into the ocean, shivering slightly from the pre-dawn chill.
Jack put his hand at the small of my back and drew me close.
Then it happened.
The previously dulled sky was lit on fire with orange light. I gasped. Colours mixed and swayed as the sun came charging in to meet the new day in full glory and absolute beauty. "It's beautiful," I whispered in awe.
"Isn't it?" Jack asked.
I knew that whatever it was in that sunrise that made it so beautiful, that Jack could see it to.
I felt like we were the only two people on earth at the moment...in spite of the fact that Mr. Gibbs wasn't too far away. But the world felt like it was isolated around us and that whatever happened in the future, we would always have that sunrise...our own personal show of nature...to remember.
I leaned my head in and rested it on Jack's shoulder. "Is the sunrise always like that?" I asked quietly.
"Yes, love. The same but different at every new horizon," Jack murmured in my ear.
I stood silently, thinking that I would, deep down, like nothing more than to see the different horizons. That I would like nothing more than to travel around with this man that I knew now that I loved and never again worry about the troubles of modern society.
Jack seemed to know what I was thinking. "Do you want to see them?"
I looked up at Jack. "The horizon?"
He nodded.
Smiling broadly, I playfully hit him in the chest and said, "I would like nothing more than to see them."
Jack smiled and leaned down to kiss me. We stood there for some time, enthralled in each other's presence, not knowing anything but the sunrise and the other. It was probably ages before we broke apart but it felt like mere seconds...and when we did, I felt... different...not in a way that I wholely understood or could even explain in minor detail...but the change was there.
~*~
And so it was that I stayed on the Black Pearl. I sunk into a wave of familiarity. I came to recognize my place onboard the Pearl, as kitchen help, medical, and also, Jack's current love interest. The crew became comfortable around me and I around them. Things were different without Ana. I deeply missed my mentor and friend and had a void inside of me, a void that she should have filled. Even though half the time I knew Ana, I was afraid of her, I missed her terribly. Her loss had changed me...as had all the other losses that I'd experienced in my life...
Thinking back, I realized that I was a far cry from the girl that I used to be. Not that I had ever been particularly spoilt but I had always had a bit of a snobbish streak in me. And now...now I had learned to judge based on actions and character of a person...not the name or reputation that proceeded them.
For some reason, Jack allowed me to keep the lemur...despite his frequent curses at it. I think that he just wanted to humour me...give me more cause to love him. Which, I found to be rather odd, because I already did love him. The lemur I named Chaton (shat-own)...which means kitten in French but I just thought it sounded good. And it proved to fit because Chaton caused a great deal of mischief - she destroyed one of Jack's maps...which I spent time later recopying...she broke a bottle of rum and frequently latched onto the beads in Jack's hair...but they were shiny so they attracted her attention.
The Pearl set sails for the island that Jack had called Hawaii. I had been fascinated with it ever since Jack had told me about it. But it took some work on my part to convince Jack to take me there...but after two days of begging and whining I found my advantage and seized it when it finally came around.
I woke up early that morning. Earlier than Jack, which was a surprise...he seemed to always be up before the sunrise. He was shirtless this morning. And as I lay in bed, I traced the tattoos on his chest with one of my fingers. He had a couple. I had always been particularly fascinated with the one of a sparrow in flight on his arm. I had never really fancied tattoos...found them to be barbaric...but Jack pulled them off quite well. I continued to stare at him for a while before I got bored.
Instead of playing the good girl and leaving him to sleep, I decided to be very malicious.
I reached over and started running my finger along the bridge of Jack's nose. It was a struggle not to laugh aloud as he scrunched his nose and jerked awake. Quickly, I shut my eyes and pretended to be asleep and Jack pounced on me and dug skilled fingers into the extremely ticklish spot between my ribs. I tried...oh, how I tried to keep the laughter from spilling out...but I failed...miserably. Laughing in childish delight, I fought to get away, kicking and hitting at Jack. What started out as a 'harmless tickle' ended up a full wrestling match. I fell off the bed, pulling Jack with me. Still, he tickled. Finally, I ended up pinned to the ground. Jack held my arms above my head with one skilled hand as he continued to tickle me mirthlessly with the other.
"Jack!" I wheezed. "Stop...it...now..." However, my arguments were not at all persuasive because I couldn't stop laughing. Squirming around on the floor, I somehow managed to bring one leg around and knock Jack off of me.
He rolled to the ground, laughing his own deep laugh. "Now where'd ye learn that little trick, darling?"
I pushed myself up on one elbow and smiled brightly. "That's my secret," I chirped.
Jack laughed. "Love, ye 'ave to be the most secretive woman I've ever met."
Brushing my hair out of my face, I asked, "Well, what do you want to know about me, Captain Sparrow?"
"Everything, love."
I laughed slightly. "Alright, then. How about we make an accord, savvy? I tell you whatever you want to know about me and you take us to Hawaii. Savvy?"
Jack grinned devilishly, "Anything?"
I smiled back winningly. "Anything."
Jack started to nod but then said, "Sorry, sweetheart. Ye need a better argument than that to get what ye want."
I nodded slightly, not yet defeated, and stood up. Brushing my long hair, I watched Jack intently. His gaze didn't waver from mine. "Please?"
Jack grinned but shook his head.
I batted my eyelashes and said, "Oh, Captain Sparrow, you are absolutely the most divine man that I have ever seen. You are a god among insects, a hero among the crippled. Any woman would die to be where I am and I am so unworthy of your attentions," I added flatteringly.
Jack simply smiled up at me and said, "Keep trying, darling."
I rolled my eyes to the ceiling and pushed out my chest as much as possible. "Captain. If you take me to Hawaii, I will owe you sooo much. I would be eternally in your debt. And I would do whatever you want in order to try and satiate that debt."
"Now, while that is a wonderful mental image for me, I think I'll have to pass. I can get remarks like that from any strumpet for much less the cost," Jack remarked, staring up at my chest.
I growled under my breath, knelt down beside him and whispered in his ear before pulling back.
"You wouldn't?!" he whispered.
I grinned mischievously, "Are you quite sure about that, Captain Sparrow?"
Jack studied me then pulled me closer, to stare intently into my eyes. I didn't blink or look away instead I met his eyes with a fiery stubbornness blazing until he finally gave up. "Fine, darling, ye win," he muttered, sounding sour.
I smiled beautifully. "Oh, come on now, Jack, don't be a sore loser," I chided before standing up.
"Its not nice to threaten to take away such things, Christy," Jack said as I walked around the cabin, trying to find something to tie my hair back with.
"Well, it's not nice to deny... oh, what was it you called me...a 'fine British lady', I believe...yes, well it wouldn't be nice to deny me what I wanted either...especially if it had consequences that affected you, as well," I said flirtatiously.
Jack just shook his head and stood to put on his shirt. Then quick as you please, he extended an arm and pulled me into him. I didn't struggle long...instead, I just leaned my head against his chest and listened to his heart beat slow and steady. Jack himself, had put his arms around my stomach and was admiring the flatness of it...for, my stomach had always been flat...even without the aid of a corset.
"Lemme go, Jack. The day is being wasted," I murmured after a while.
"Let it waste then. I've got all the time in the world," he replied, his chin resting lightly on my head.
I sighed. As comfortable as I felt, I didn't want to waste the day. I wanted to be able to do something...what precisely, I didn't know, but I had too much pent-up energy to stay in the cabin much longer. But neither did I want to go...
So, instead of doing our respective duties, we spent the day and most of the night talking. We talked about everything possible to talk about.
Of all the conversations we breached...all the inner walls we tore down, it took ages for us to get to the deep questions. At first, we talked about trivial things...birthdays, toys, friends of ours as children, but later on...we crossed into uncharted lands.
It had to be past midnight. I was lying on the bed, in Jack's arms, trying to keep warm. There had been a silence between us for a while now and it was rather uncomfortable.
"What happened after your father and brother died?" Jack asked. "Because the stories ye told me made ye seem like a very happy...devilish....child, not the quiet, scared, girl that I met three months ago. What happened to change it?"
"When they died...when Father and Timothy died...I didn't know what to do. My mother spent most of her time weeping about them but I couldn't cry too much. I cried a bit but the tears just wouldn't flow. So instead, they flowed over my heart...creating a tearstained wall around it...to keep me safe. I came to realize that to open yourself up to someone...to care deeply for them...is setting yourself up for failure. I had always spent a great deal of time with my father when I was home. And he knew the most about me...of my family, at least...and when he died...I just felt empty. Like he had torn my heart away from me when he drowned...And so, I made a decision that if I remained unemotional...unattached...then no one could get hurt. Then I couldn't get hurt," I said slowly.
Jack tightened his grip around me...holding me closer to his heart. "Don't fear love, Christy. This life is too short to do that," Jack said.
I tipped my head back so I could see him and said, "I don't. Not any more, at least."
We were quiet after that and sometime I fell asleep. I woke late...and Jack and I continued to talk for quite a while thereafter.
"When's your birthday, Jack?" I asked.
"Why do ye ask, love?" Jack asked evasively.
"I was just wondering, is all. How old are you?" I persisted.
"It doesn't matter," Jack replied.
I laughed. "You do realize that usually it is women who are secretive about their age. Not men...definitely not pirates."
"That, love, is a generalization. Pirates are very secretive about their ages."
I sighed. "Jack, you're not old...at least you don't act it...you act like a small child, most of the time."
Jack laughed and squeezed me as...punishment. "Well, love my age is just something that you'll have to find out on your own. Because I'm not saying," Jack said playfully.
I growled under my breath in frustration. The man was so annoying when he wanted to be. "Fine...if that's the case," I said haughtily. "Then I won't divulge when my birthday is."
"Sorry, love. But that doesn't work. Because you told me that earlier. Bad luck, isn't it?" Jack answered, clearly trying to frustrate me.
I snorted 'If he was going to play that charade...then so could I'. "Yeah, a bit. But you know what's worse...you being in this bed all alone for a couple days."
Jack gasped slightly. "That's not very nice, Christy."
I turned my head and grinned evily at him. "Bad luck, huh?" I slipped through Jack's arms gently, flashed a final smile and left to go down to the galley.
~*~
**** Okay, here's the note that I mentioned earlier **** There is actually more to that little scene earlier (the sex scene) BUT I didn't want to change the rating of my story for one scene. SO, I have an alternative for you. If you want the scene, email me at NslUffda@aol.com. Then you can read the extended version of the Jack and Christy sex scene that I wrote with the help of my best mate WeasleyGirl - you hear that Wes, I'm giving you credit! - So, if you want it, let me know and I'll send it to you, savvy?
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Reviews are always appreciated! I'll try and post again soon.
Check out Pirates of the Caribbean: The Aftermath. Its a really good story and is very under-appreciated! It needs some love, people!
~CrazyCanoeingGIT
Disclaimer: I own Christy and Colin and everyone else not in PoTC. Could only dream of owning Jack...guess I have to settle for the DVD and the soundtrack, huh.
Author Thanks:
Piper8188 - Thanks! Enjoy!
PepaMynt - I left you speechless? Yippee for me! Enjoy!
Captain Aunna Borgonia - Sorry bout making you cry, although, I guess that says a good thing about my story! Yep, I did the poem myself. I've been writing since I was little, but the response on fictionpress.net isn't very rewarding...not as many people read that stuff as they do this. Thanks! Enjoy!
Anuknusan - I'm glad that you like it! I hope you enjoy this chappie!
jane - Thanks, mate! Enjoy!
WhiPpeD CrEaM 0 - Thanks! Yep, the poem was all me! *grins* As for Jack and Christy kissing *wink wink* enjoy this chappie *wink wink* *hint hint* Enjoy!
TriGemini - Thanks! Yeah, Christina does have a lot of pain on the inside, but think about it, anyone who's been through all that would...I think it would be natural to blame yourself when all of that happens around you...even when its not your fault. Enjoy this chapter!
Cagalli - Thanks! I'm honoured that my story is one of your favourites! *blushes madly* Hope you enjoy this chapter!
movielvr - Thanks for your review! Don't worry about it being short, I like all the review I get, so no worries. Enjoy this chappie!
Jinxd n cursed - Happiness coming soon, in this chapter to be exact. Enjoy!
Zubachickqt4u - Thanks! The poem was all me! My original speciality, actually. I'll think about posting it on FictionPress.net...I have a pen name there too...if it's still active. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Last Time:
I leaned back against the window and closed my eyes, breathing easily and fell asleep.
~*~
What's in a Name?
Chapter 16: Healing
I woke after a time and saw Jack watching me. I smiled faintly and stood, stretching. "Did you know, that that is the first time in a couple days that I have slept, for any amount of time, without some manner of injury aiding me to sleep?"
"Have a bit o' therapy, there, love?" Jack asked kindly.
"You could say so, I suppose. It just was one of those ideas that waltzed into my head...and I couldn't let it escape...again. I have been itching to write for a while, I just didn't recognize the need until just now. I think that...I don't know...it just felt right to write," I said, trying to explain.
"Ahh, the wonderful vocabulary of a budding author," Jack joked.
I grinned slightly. "You explain it, then." When nothing came, I said, thoroughly enjoying myself, "Hmmph, I thought so."
Jack walked over to the window casually and stared out at the ocean for a minute. When I wasn't expecting it, he snatched the paper from my hands and read it.
I stood, frustrated, and tried to grab it out of his hands, but he held it just above my reach. 'Blast my shortness,' I thought. As I was struggling to get at the parchment, the lemur scampered over to my shoulder and once again found a home there.
Jack read the poem, keeping it high over his head, and then looked down at me. "I'm no judge of poetry, love, but that is bloody good."
I smiled slightly. "I always would write at school. When I was homesick or just bored. It was a way for me to express myself. But when I got home, I scarcely had time for it, with Mum being sick and all. And I had no will to write after Papa and Timothy died...I guess that that was just a blocked poem in my head or something because it felt like someone was whispering it into my ear."
"Well, whatever it was, it was good. Now come on. We need to let Ana rest," Jack said before placing a hand at the small of my back and propelling me forward.
The crew was assembled, looking somber as I felt. Whispers of conversations floated over to me, but no one really spoke much. As Jack and I approached, they took their hats off their heads and those who had been talking, quieted. As Jack moved to the front of the group, I in turn, went to Colin.
Jack stood near the rail and removed his tri-corner hat and began to speak, "A great loss we have suffered on the Black Pearl. Today we are here to lay Anamaria to rest. She was a good woman, a strong fighter, a good friend, a hard slapper, and a superb pirate. But here we are mourning a death that came too soon," Jack said quietly. He turned his gaze on me. "None could have prevented this death and we must also bring to light the efforts that were taken to preserve Anamaria...to save her. Christy tried as hard as any one person could to save Ana, even though Ana, herself, knew the time had come to say good-bye. So, for the rest of your days, remember Ana, as a friend, as a crewmate, as a person and as the great pirate she was. May you rest in peace, Anamaria," Jack finished before motioning for two of the crew to lift the hammock sewn around Ana into the sea.
I heard the splash from a distant world. Tears rolled down my face freely as I listened to the crew recount memories of Ana. Memories of my father and brother's funerals came back to me and I whispered, "Yea though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and staff they comfort me..." I trailed off. The crew was dispersing and I felt warm hands on my shoulders. I looked up and saw Jack staring at me. "'Tis a verse they read at funerals..."
Jack grinned slightly, "I know, love. I may be a pirate, but I have been to a proper funeral, ye know."
I nodded.
"Well, the crew will be getting drunk now, I'll take ye to me cabin," Jack said quietly, leading me away from the few remaining crew members.
I allowed him to steer me into the cabin and listened as he poured me a glass of rum. I took it without question and drank silently.
Jack sat on the bed beside me, studying me. "Ye know, no one blames ye for what happened. None of the crew thought it could have been avoided. Ye couldn't have known."
I nodded weakly. "But that doesn't help how I feel inside, Jack," I whispered.
"Not much will, until you stop blaming yerself for things ye can't control," Jack said wisely.
"Its easy for you to say," I muttered.
With a gentle hand, Jack brought my gaze up to his. "Let me tell ye a story, Christy. When I was about as young ye, I was captain of this ship. I was only about nineteen or twenty and had gotten this ship as a sole piece o' inheritance from me dad. So, I picked up a crew in Tortuga. Me dad 'ad always told me stories about the treasure of Isla de Meurta, and I wanted to go after it. So, I gets me crew. Good men, I thought. I was so confident that this would be a noble crew that when me first mate, Barbossa, comes up to me, and says everything's equal, I don't have a problem with giving up the bearings. My best mate aboard warned me not ta trust Barbossa but I didn't listen. So I says to him, 'William, yer a good mate, but I think I can handle me own crew. 'Ave a bit o' faith, mate.' William looked at me and said, all sad like, 'I hope your right, Cap'n.' Unfortunately for me, I soon was found to be wrong. Me crew mutinied against me and left me on an island. But I got off that island an' two years ago, killed Barbossa, with the help of William's son, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann...well, Turner now. For ten years, I carried around guilt and hate and all manner o' negative emotions, feeling that it was me own fault that they mutinied. But, now, I realize that ye can't control other people, ye just have to hope they make the right decisions and trust in the best," Jack said sombrely.
I gazed into his brown depths. He sounded so hurt.
"I trust you, Jack," I whispered.
Jack smiled slightly.
Feeling a deep rush of feelings inside of me, I scooted closer to him. Leaning in, I kissed him. I felt Jack's arms go around me and pull me closer as my own arms fluttered around him. Jack's kisses strayed from my mouth to along my jaw, planting little hurried kisses up to my ears. My chest felt like it was bursting...not with grief, but with love and I knew that this time, I wouldn't deny how I felt. Our actions were controlled by some outside force and this time I decided to give in to that force. I knew that this time was the right time. So when I found myself lying on the bed, I didn't fear what would happen. I stared up, met Jack's eyes and nodded.
Jack stared down at me for a moment and asked, "Are ye sure about this, love?"
I pushed myself up by my elbows and kissed Jack lightly. I nodded again and whispered, "I love you, Jack."
And that was basically the last thing said for quite a while. ***See note at bottom***
~*~
The next morning, I woke up early, all alone in the bed.
Quickly, I got up and dressed. Picking up my discarded boots, I realized that I had never taken out the items that my father left for me. I pulled them out and placed them under my pillow on the bed before striding over to the door. I left the cabin and found Jack staring off at the horizon, Mr. Gibbs steering the ship. I walked up behind him as silently as possible, my bare feet softly slapping the wood as I went.
"How are ye feeling, love?" Jack asked.
I stood beside him and stared out at the horizon. The sun had not yet risen but it would soon. "Couldn't be better," I said softly, though truth be told, I was sore but I didn't want him to think that he had hurt me. I gazed out into the ocean, shivering slightly from the pre-dawn chill.
Jack put his hand at the small of my back and drew me close.
Then it happened.
The previously dulled sky was lit on fire with orange light. I gasped. Colours mixed and swayed as the sun came charging in to meet the new day in full glory and absolute beauty. "It's beautiful," I whispered in awe.
"Isn't it?" Jack asked.
I knew that whatever it was in that sunrise that made it so beautiful, that Jack could see it to.
I felt like we were the only two people on earth at the moment...in spite of the fact that Mr. Gibbs wasn't too far away. But the world felt like it was isolated around us and that whatever happened in the future, we would always have that sunrise...our own personal show of nature...to remember.
I leaned my head in and rested it on Jack's shoulder. "Is the sunrise always like that?" I asked quietly.
"Yes, love. The same but different at every new horizon," Jack murmured in my ear.
I stood silently, thinking that I would, deep down, like nothing more than to see the different horizons. That I would like nothing more than to travel around with this man that I knew now that I loved and never again worry about the troubles of modern society.
Jack seemed to know what I was thinking. "Do you want to see them?"
I looked up at Jack. "The horizon?"
He nodded.
Smiling broadly, I playfully hit him in the chest and said, "I would like nothing more than to see them."
Jack smiled and leaned down to kiss me. We stood there for some time, enthralled in each other's presence, not knowing anything but the sunrise and the other. It was probably ages before we broke apart but it felt like mere seconds...and when we did, I felt... different...not in a way that I wholely understood or could even explain in minor detail...but the change was there.
~*~
And so it was that I stayed on the Black Pearl. I sunk into a wave of familiarity. I came to recognize my place onboard the Pearl, as kitchen help, medical, and also, Jack's current love interest. The crew became comfortable around me and I around them. Things were different without Ana. I deeply missed my mentor and friend and had a void inside of me, a void that she should have filled. Even though half the time I knew Ana, I was afraid of her, I missed her terribly. Her loss had changed me...as had all the other losses that I'd experienced in my life...
Thinking back, I realized that I was a far cry from the girl that I used to be. Not that I had ever been particularly spoilt but I had always had a bit of a snobbish streak in me. And now...now I had learned to judge based on actions and character of a person...not the name or reputation that proceeded them.
For some reason, Jack allowed me to keep the lemur...despite his frequent curses at it. I think that he just wanted to humour me...give me more cause to love him. Which, I found to be rather odd, because I already did love him. The lemur I named Chaton (shat-own)...which means kitten in French but I just thought it sounded good. And it proved to fit because Chaton caused a great deal of mischief - she destroyed one of Jack's maps...which I spent time later recopying...she broke a bottle of rum and frequently latched onto the beads in Jack's hair...but they were shiny so they attracted her attention.
The Pearl set sails for the island that Jack had called Hawaii. I had been fascinated with it ever since Jack had told me about it. But it took some work on my part to convince Jack to take me there...but after two days of begging and whining I found my advantage and seized it when it finally came around.
I woke up early that morning. Earlier than Jack, which was a surprise...he seemed to always be up before the sunrise. He was shirtless this morning. And as I lay in bed, I traced the tattoos on his chest with one of my fingers. He had a couple. I had always been particularly fascinated with the one of a sparrow in flight on his arm. I had never really fancied tattoos...found them to be barbaric...but Jack pulled them off quite well. I continued to stare at him for a while before I got bored.
Instead of playing the good girl and leaving him to sleep, I decided to be very malicious.
I reached over and started running my finger along the bridge of Jack's nose. It was a struggle not to laugh aloud as he scrunched his nose and jerked awake. Quickly, I shut my eyes and pretended to be asleep and Jack pounced on me and dug skilled fingers into the extremely ticklish spot between my ribs. I tried...oh, how I tried to keep the laughter from spilling out...but I failed...miserably. Laughing in childish delight, I fought to get away, kicking and hitting at Jack. What started out as a 'harmless tickle' ended up a full wrestling match. I fell off the bed, pulling Jack with me. Still, he tickled. Finally, I ended up pinned to the ground. Jack held my arms above my head with one skilled hand as he continued to tickle me mirthlessly with the other.
"Jack!" I wheezed. "Stop...it...now..." However, my arguments were not at all persuasive because I couldn't stop laughing. Squirming around on the floor, I somehow managed to bring one leg around and knock Jack off of me.
He rolled to the ground, laughing his own deep laugh. "Now where'd ye learn that little trick, darling?"
I pushed myself up on one elbow and smiled brightly. "That's my secret," I chirped.
Jack laughed. "Love, ye 'ave to be the most secretive woman I've ever met."
Brushing my hair out of my face, I asked, "Well, what do you want to know about me, Captain Sparrow?"
"Everything, love."
I laughed slightly. "Alright, then. How about we make an accord, savvy? I tell you whatever you want to know about me and you take us to Hawaii. Savvy?"
Jack grinned devilishly, "Anything?"
I smiled back winningly. "Anything."
Jack started to nod but then said, "Sorry, sweetheart. Ye need a better argument than that to get what ye want."
I nodded slightly, not yet defeated, and stood up. Brushing my long hair, I watched Jack intently. His gaze didn't waver from mine. "Please?"
Jack grinned but shook his head.
I batted my eyelashes and said, "Oh, Captain Sparrow, you are absolutely the most divine man that I have ever seen. You are a god among insects, a hero among the crippled. Any woman would die to be where I am and I am so unworthy of your attentions," I added flatteringly.
Jack simply smiled up at me and said, "Keep trying, darling."
I rolled my eyes to the ceiling and pushed out my chest as much as possible. "Captain. If you take me to Hawaii, I will owe you sooo much. I would be eternally in your debt. And I would do whatever you want in order to try and satiate that debt."
"Now, while that is a wonderful mental image for me, I think I'll have to pass. I can get remarks like that from any strumpet for much less the cost," Jack remarked, staring up at my chest.
I growled under my breath, knelt down beside him and whispered in his ear before pulling back.
"You wouldn't?!" he whispered.
I grinned mischievously, "Are you quite sure about that, Captain Sparrow?"
Jack studied me then pulled me closer, to stare intently into my eyes. I didn't blink or look away instead I met his eyes with a fiery stubbornness blazing until he finally gave up. "Fine, darling, ye win," he muttered, sounding sour.
I smiled beautifully. "Oh, come on now, Jack, don't be a sore loser," I chided before standing up.
"Its not nice to threaten to take away such things, Christy," Jack said as I walked around the cabin, trying to find something to tie my hair back with.
"Well, it's not nice to deny... oh, what was it you called me...a 'fine British lady', I believe...yes, well it wouldn't be nice to deny me what I wanted either...especially if it had consequences that affected you, as well," I said flirtatiously.
Jack just shook his head and stood to put on his shirt. Then quick as you please, he extended an arm and pulled me into him. I didn't struggle long...instead, I just leaned my head against his chest and listened to his heart beat slow and steady. Jack himself, had put his arms around my stomach and was admiring the flatness of it...for, my stomach had always been flat...even without the aid of a corset.
"Lemme go, Jack. The day is being wasted," I murmured after a while.
"Let it waste then. I've got all the time in the world," he replied, his chin resting lightly on my head.
I sighed. As comfortable as I felt, I didn't want to waste the day. I wanted to be able to do something...what precisely, I didn't know, but I had too much pent-up energy to stay in the cabin much longer. But neither did I want to go...
So, instead of doing our respective duties, we spent the day and most of the night talking. We talked about everything possible to talk about.
Of all the conversations we breached...all the inner walls we tore down, it took ages for us to get to the deep questions. At first, we talked about trivial things...birthdays, toys, friends of ours as children, but later on...we crossed into uncharted lands.
It had to be past midnight. I was lying on the bed, in Jack's arms, trying to keep warm. There had been a silence between us for a while now and it was rather uncomfortable.
"What happened after your father and brother died?" Jack asked. "Because the stories ye told me made ye seem like a very happy...devilish....child, not the quiet, scared, girl that I met three months ago. What happened to change it?"
"When they died...when Father and Timothy died...I didn't know what to do. My mother spent most of her time weeping about them but I couldn't cry too much. I cried a bit but the tears just wouldn't flow. So instead, they flowed over my heart...creating a tearstained wall around it...to keep me safe. I came to realize that to open yourself up to someone...to care deeply for them...is setting yourself up for failure. I had always spent a great deal of time with my father when I was home. And he knew the most about me...of my family, at least...and when he died...I just felt empty. Like he had torn my heart away from me when he drowned...And so, I made a decision that if I remained unemotional...unattached...then no one could get hurt. Then I couldn't get hurt," I said slowly.
Jack tightened his grip around me...holding me closer to his heart. "Don't fear love, Christy. This life is too short to do that," Jack said.
I tipped my head back so I could see him and said, "I don't. Not any more, at least."
We were quiet after that and sometime I fell asleep. I woke late...and Jack and I continued to talk for quite a while thereafter.
"When's your birthday, Jack?" I asked.
"Why do ye ask, love?" Jack asked evasively.
"I was just wondering, is all. How old are you?" I persisted.
"It doesn't matter," Jack replied.
I laughed. "You do realize that usually it is women who are secretive about their age. Not men...definitely not pirates."
"That, love, is a generalization. Pirates are very secretive about their ages."
I sighed. "Jack, you're not old...at least you don't act it...you act like a small child, most of the time."
Jack laughed and squeezed me as...punishment. "Well, love my age is just something that you'll have to find out on your own. Because I'm not saying," Jack said playfully.
I growled under my breath in frustration. The man was so annoying when he wanted to be. "Fine...if that's the case," I said haughtily. "Then I won't divulge when my birthday is."
"Sorry, love. But that doesn't work. Because you told me that earlier. Bad luck, isn't it?" Jack answered, clearly trying to frustrate me.
I snorted 'If he was going to play that charade...then so could I'. "Yeah, a bit. But you know what's worse...you being in this bed all alone for a couple days."
Jack gasped slightly. "That's not very nice, Christy."
I turned my head and grinned evily at him. "Bad luck, huh?" I slipped through Jack's arms gently, flashed a final smile and left to go down to the galley.
~*~
**** Okay, here's the note that I mentioned earlier **** There is actually more to that little scene earlier (the sex scene) BUT I didn't want to change the rating of my story for one scene. SO, I have an alternative for you. If you want the scene, email me at NslUffda@aol.com. Then you can read the extended version of the Jack and Christy sex scene that I wrote with the help of my best mate WeasleyGirl - you hear that Wes, I'm giving you credit! - So, if you want it, let me know and I'll send it to you, savvy?
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Reviews are always appreciated! I'll try and post again soon.
Check out Pirates of the Caribbean: The Aftermath. Its a really good story and is very under-appreciated! It needs some love, people!
~CrazyCanoeingGIT