Hey everyone… sorry this took so long! This was one of my favorite parts to write, for some reason… so I couldn't post until I got it exactly the way I wanted. My perfectionist soul is the one to blame in this instance (stupid soul!)… :) Anyways, enjoy! I'm off to write for Purgatory… until next time, neighbors!
He heard the voices outside his door. And he knew whose they were. Jack warred with himself on whether or not he should go out there. It was Gibbs and Anamaria. On a normal day, there would have been no hesitation to go cause his two shipmates some grief. But this… this was not a normal day. With a sigh, the pirate sat back in the chair and placed his booted feet up on the desk that sat facing away from the door to his quarters. Jack stared at the bottle of rum that still sat untouched in front of him. There was nothing more in this world, at this precise moment, he wanted to do other than to pick up that bottle and drink himself into a numb stupor. But he couldn't. He needed his brains about him. Ana's mystery needed figuring…
Another weary sigh escaped him as he set all four of the chair's legs to the floor and stood up to pace. The relief and unexplainable joy at knowing Ana was safe had tempered all the worry earlier in the day, but not now. Not when he was alone with his thoughts. And the fact that all thoughts – morose and happy alike – seemed centered around one dark-haired subject all but denigrated his seemingly lecherous nature. It was a bit daunting to him that his infamous and perpetual lousehood was in jeopardy because he couldn't think of anything save Ana's well-being and tearing the bastards who had harmed her limb from misbegotten limb. It was a strange emotion that seemed to consume him from time to time. And it had certainly reared its head when he'd seen Ana's dark form crumpled on the deck of the Intrepid. There were no words to describe the way he'd felt as he'd come across his closest friends caring for the unconscious woman. Jack let out another heavy sigh as he stopped pacing and stared at the door.
Ana didn't want to see him… and he wished he knew why. He could understand that she felt overwhelmed, but the fear he'd seen in her eyes told him something else. With a frustrated growl, Jack snatched the rum bottle from the table and quickly downed a third of its contents. Knowing full well that he wasn't going to get any restful sleep, he gripped the bottle harder and pulled open his cabin door. The only solution to his situation was a few hours in the balmy nighttime air. As he stepped out onto the quiet deck, Jack immediately felt the presence of the person causing his restlessness. Turning, he looked to the Intrepid to see Anamaria looking out off the aft of the ship to where the moonlight hit the waves crashing against the Puerto Rican coastline. For a moment, Jack was content to watch her from where he stood. But his typical, not-so-still nature wouldn't let him stand for more than a minute or so. Swishing the alcohol in the bottle he carried, Jack carefully swaggered his way over from the Pearl to the other ship and made his way silently up the stairs towards the helm. As he got closer, the woman shifted her position, but she did not turn.
"Am I to be a prisoner here?" she asked, knowing that he was behind her without looking. Jack, taken slightly aback, looked behind him to see if she was addressing someone else. When he turned back around, she was facing him, arms crossed and an expectant look on her face as her dark eyes locked on his.
"Well, luv… this isn't my ship… so I can't say as to whether or not ye be a prisoner, now can I? But seeing that you've been able to scurry about between ships without so much as a slap on the hand, I can only assume that you're not being held against your will…" Jack said with a slight bow to her. Ana was silent as her eyes scoured the Intrepid's deck.
"I've heard stories about the Black Pearl…" she said suddenly. Jack's face held none of the surprise he felt at her admission to him.
"Really? I like stories," he said. Her eyes narrowed as they came up to meet his.
"Horrible, terrible stories…" she finished. Jack cleared his throat as his gaze strayed from hers.
"Not everything's as horrible and terrible as it sounds, luv," he said gruffly. Ana gave him a humorless smirk.
"Then they're true then?" she asked. Jack took a swig from his rum, thinking over his answer.
"Aye… they're probably true… but the sturdy wood of that fine ship weren't always under me feet, savvy?" he asked.
"What are you talking about?" Ana inquired impatiently. If the stories about the ship and this captain were true, then she wanted nothing more to do with either of them. The pirate let out a beleaguered breath.
"On any other day, I'd say ye know the answer to that since ye were a part in it… but bein' as it's today, then I'll tell ye. The Black Pearl was stolen from me by an act of unwarranted mutiny some ten years ago. Me bein' a slight bit green in the whole captaining bit, I gave it up without much of a fight. And to as unsavory a character you'd ever have the pleasure of discovering, no less. In the ten-some years I trailed after my beauteous lady, the mutinous bastard of a former first-mate sent the Pearl on a trail of blood and carnage, striking fear into those who had the misfortune of being in their path," Jack said, pausing to take another drink of rum.
"So, ye weren't the captain then?" Ana asked, a disbelieving look on her face. Jack shook his head, the beads woven into his hair swaying with the movement.
"No, luv. The captain at that juncture would have gone by the name Barbossa," he told her. The name seemed familiar to her in some way, but she couldn't place a face to the name. An eerie chill seemed to pass over her when she'd tried the name out on her own tongue a few times.
"So… what happened then?" she asked, swiftly becoming engrossed in the tale of this intriguing man. Jack let out a laugh.
"Wanting to know your part in it, aye?" he asked. Ana couldn't help but give him a smile.
"I am curious, aye," she answered in the same jesting tone. Jack took the last swig of his rum and promptly threw the bottle overboard.
"Well that, luv, is a tale left for next time. You've had a day of it… we'll finish this talk some other time. And it'll be an even keel of story swapping, savvy?" he told her. Ana shrugged.
"What could I possibly tell you that would be half as interesting as what you've just told me?" she asked. Jack's eyes darkened at the thought of her regaling to him what haunted him at night.
"Interesting may not be the word you're searching for…" Jack mumbled slightly. "But I'll tell ye what ye want, if ye tell me what I want. Savvy?" The pirate held his tanned hand out for the woman to shake. Ana eyed it carefully before she took it and shook it heartily.
"We have an accord," she said almost primly, causing Jack to grin.
"Aye, an accord," he agreed. Then, with a small nod, Ana turned.
"G'night Captain," she told him.
"I could say the same," Jack fired back. He was rewarded with a grin thrown back to him. After a moment, there was a clearing of a throat behind him as he watched Ana's slim form depart to her temporary quarters. Jack didn't turn, but addressed the man.
"Yes, Commodore?" he inquired. Norrington stepped next to the pirate. The usually impeccable man was less so when Jack took a survey of him. The wig was gone, leaving behind roughly-handled, mussed, dark brown locks. The flawless dress coat of his uniform was gone and the loose white cotton of his shirt billowed in the breeze, hanging haphazardly from the Commodore's tall frame. Hiding the surprise he felt at seeing the man in such a state, Jack turned to look out at the ocean.
"Sparrow… there are things we should probably discuss…" Norrington said in a voice that was distinctly different from his 'official' voice. Jack nodded, the beads on his chin braids clacking slightly.
"Aye, there most assuredly are, Commodore," he noted. Norrington cleared his throat again as he stepped to the railing.
"Damien Deverill has been a plague on my existence since the unfortunate day his brother and I happened to enlist together," the man said, his autocratic voice spitting out the name. Jack smirked as he leaned an elbow on the railing and faced the man.
"Oh, I take it there's a tale for the telling here, then. It's certainly been a night for 'em," the pirate said lightly. Norrington let out a breath.
"The Deverill's are old money passed down generation to generation. Lord Deverill bought his favored oldest son an officer's position in the King's Navy when he came of age. My parents were middle class… my father was a banker. We were well enough off where I could pass into my father's business without concern. But I, like a typical teenaged boy, rebelled against my parents' near-to-cruel wishes of stature and wealth and enlisted with the Navy. At that time, I was unfortunate enough to come across Lord Deverill's younger son, Gideon. We were both placed on the ship Damien was on. Time passed and, due to my hard work, I soon moved up the ranks. I became captain of the Dauntless at the same time Damien became captain of the Conqueror… now named the Zephyr…." The commodore paused, taking a deeper breath. Jack's ears were heavy on the conversation, but he feigned disinterest as he examined his ragged fingernails.
"Lovely story, really… it is. But what's its significance to the situation?" he asked, straightening. Norrington didn't say anything at first as he seemed enraptured in the waves that lapped up against the Pearl's hull.
"Damien Deverill was involved in trade. And it didn't involve mere dry goods," Norrington said. Jacks shrugged.
"A captain in the Royal Navy bartering goods for his own profit… not the first time it's happened, mate. Hate to break it to your fine, upstanding self…" Jack said, a small grin coming over his face. Norrington's face remained serious.
"For years after his promotion Deverill became entrenched in the trade of slave labor. I came across this a couple of times in our dealings with each other. I'd brought it to my superior's attention numerous times, but nothing was done. Lord Deverill paid off his son's continuance. Since then, I'd heard rumors that Deverill had gone pirate…" the Commodore said. Jack raised a brow at the term.
"A pirate under the royal flag… again, mate, not the first time it's happened," he commented. Norrington gave a simple nod.
"I'm aware of that Sparrow," he said. "Yet pirate isn't exactly the correct term for the man. It's true he raided and plundered. But it was done for a business dealing with a Frenchman. The raiding and plundering were all done to Spanish settlements along Caribbean waters. All towns were stripped of their wealth… and their population." Jack frowned.
"All killed?" he asked. Norrington shook his head.
"No. All taken. This Frenchman has a fleet sailing under him, and it has been rumored that each ship carried near a hundred prisoners awaiting their execution. But not before each and every one of them suffered excruciating torture at the hands of a madman," the Commodore concluded. Jack looked thoughtful.
"The Frenchman?" he asked. Norrington nodded.
"Correct. But it has also been said that Deverill is being bred to take over the operation… whether it be the operation as whole, or the operation of something else… say 'acquisition', we do not know. But from what I've seen of Deverill, he is quite capable of a lot of things. There's no saying as to what he could do… or what he's done," Norrington said. "Deverill renounced the Navy because it didn't give him the power he was after nor did it slake his bloodthirsty nature. And he also knew I'd reported him. His brother, who was under my command, deserted to follow him. And now, Deverill hunts me for revenge because I was given what he wanted… and because I know too much about whom he is and what he's capable of." Jack nodded, but remained silent. Finally, something clicked.
"You're telling me this because you feel responsible…" the pirate said. Now, the late hour conversation and the Commodore's unusual state of undress made sense. Norrington was silent and looked to be contemplating saying anything more. With a sigh, he continued.
"Do I feel responsible that you – and Anamaria – have become a pawn in Damien's game? Yes. Do I feel that I need to be responsible for bringing the bloody bastard to justice? Yes. And to be totally forthcoming, it is why I let you go back in Port Royal. Governor Swann's daughter was priority one. Before the unfortunate events with the Black Pearl, I was after the Zephyr. You were lucky enough to have ridden in on Elizabeth's coattails. Any other time I would have pressed the matter of your… hanging, as it were… and most likely pursued you. But once Elizabeth was safe, my priority went back to the Zephyr. You're a pirate, Sparrow… for which I have notable dislike. But you are also a man… you have conscience, you have moral fiber – albeit slightly distorted. Damien Deverill is a cold-hearted, unfeeling monster out for blood," the military man said, his eyes locked somewhere out at sea. Jack smirked.
"Are you sayin' that I, a bloody, theivin' pirate, have more morals and character than a man deemed captain by the stodgy Royal Navy? A man of seeming impeccable standards?" he asked. Norrington confirmed by staying silent. "Well… I don't know if I'm offended or complimented…" This time Norrington rolled his eyes.
"Sparrow, how you are still alive with a wit such as yours continues to confound me," he said. Jack gave the man a full-out grin.
"Bein' that you are a more achieved sort of company than I usually encounter, it could simply be explained that most do not understand me person's so said wit," the pirate quipped.
"Yes, it could be that," Norrington said dryly before falling silent again. Jack caught the Commodore's subtle change in mood. It went from objective storytelling to nostalgic recollecting. And from the looks of the military man's face, the memories were far from pleasant.
"Well… that look means one thing. There was a girl, wasn't there mate?" Jack asked in sudden understanding, recognizing the look that had oft crossed his good friend Will's face. Norrington's eyes snapped up to the pirate's, but he was quiet as he observed the man next to him.
"Have you ever been in love, Captain Sparrow?" he asked harshly, but softly. Jack shrugged his shoulders and leaned back against the rail.
"Not with anything save me ship," he admitted. Norrington smiled humorlessly.
"It only fits that you have managed to escape its clutches so far… but there will come a day, Sparrow, when you will have to choose. Your ship… or the woman you love. It can never be both, no matter how much you think you can make it so. It was my naiveté and my faithfulness to a lifeless hull that cost Adalia her life…" Jack's eyebrow went up at the name.
"Adalia… that has a Spanish ring to it… I'm sensing there's a not-so-pretty addendum to this tale," the pirate noted, wishing he had more of his favored drink to dull the melancholy that was sure to come. Norrington leaned his elbows on the rail, fatigue playing more the part than relaxation. It was strange to see such a straight-shouldered man bend in such a manner.
"She was a governess in my sister's household. We met by chance just after I'd enlisted. We fell in love. I was to do my duty for the Crown, come back and take over my father's business. Then she and I would marry. At least, that is what we had planned. My parents had decided otherwise. Adalia was below our station… not significantly so, since my parents were in their own trade. But my parents wished me to marry an heiress… naturally," Norrington revealed. Jack wished, for the thousandth time, that he had some rum… but this time for the good Commodore.
"And let me guess what happens next… The good Lieutenant Norrington returns home after he's given leave of duty… only to find that his fair lady has run off?" the pirate ventured. Norrington gave him a wry smile.
"Fair to exact, I'd say, minus a few telling details. I'd returned home, ready for civilian life and marriage… but my parents informed me that Adalia had run off with the steward of my brother-in-law's estate. It was a long, detailed, almost irrefutable tale they'd spun and I had almost believed it. But they had not counted on my sweet, honest sister telling me the truth. My parents had sold Adalia… A few weeks after I'd left port, they searched out Deverill's backer and given word of the lovely Spanish lass working in my sister's household. I heard not a word of her since. I can only hope, pray, that she passed on long ago rather than still be alive and a captive of monsters…" Norrington finished on an unsettled breath, standing straight. There were no words Jack could find. He'd been a part of torture… on the receiving end of it, no less. One didn't have a mere 'brush' with the East Indian Trading Company and not escape unscathed. It was those brutal moments alone that gave Jack a distaste for any such methods of battle. And it made his mouth sour completely to think of such actions taken on a woman… or a child. Jack could only find it in his heart to hope along side the good Commodore.
"Sorry, mate," was all the words the pirate could form. Norrington straightened his shoulders and looked to Jack.
"I did not mean for an expression of pity or apology… I told you thus to explain why there is more than mere bad blood between Deverill and myself. There is more than a history there. And to have you and your friends drawn into a years-long battle of vengeance and hatred by coincidence only makes the responsibility that much more harder to bear. If I could tell you to set your sails away from all of this and you all be safe, I would. But now, your name has been involved, and your friends as well. There's no escaping this now. You will all be hunted…" the man said. Jack thought about this for a second as he studied the black waters below. Then, he grinned and clapped a hand to the military man's shoulder.
"Never let it be said, mate, that the life of Captain Jack Sparrow wasn't full of adventure," the pirate said. "After all this, we should be square. Your fight wasn't with Barbossa… but ye were there all the same. Me fight wasn't with Deverill… but I'm in it all the same – in more ways than one, savvy?" Norrington looked quickly to his room that was now occupied by a dark-haired hellion and then back to the pirate in front of him, whose eyes had also wandered in that direction.
"Savvy…" Norrington said finally. Jack grinned, giving the Commodore a glimmering view of his dental work.
"All right, then… no more talk of responsibility. It's a very frightening word…" the pirate said, waving his hands around slightly, before dramatically turning and swaggering back to his beloved Pearl.
Whew… hard work, this… Anyway, me likey Jack and Norrington angst for some reason… I think that's why I really enjoyed writing this part! And since I've written it, my mind has now been wandering onto a Norry/Adalia back story… what do you think? Of course, I have to finish this first… and the dozens of other crap I'm working on. I must break the habit of starting things before other things are finished. It's driving me INSANE! Not that I'm NOT insane or anything, right? :)
Author's gratitude…( thought it wasn't coming, didn't you!)
Cal… Oh, your reviews are balm to my weary, scribing soul… I'm glad you enjoyed your vacation, and I hate to break it to you, but most vacations DO need vacations to recover from them… :P Traveling is weary work! I really hope you like this next part… I know you won't disappoint in letting me know what you think! :P
J.L. Dexter… Oh, yes, twas short… I'm sorry for that… I really pounded that last one out for some reason. Sometimes, things are so smooth and flowing. Other times, it's grueling work being a writer. That last one almost drove me insane! But your well wishes keep me from going crazy. Thanks for the reassurance on the chappy. I needed it!
Flare Conlon… New reviewer! Yay! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
Amber Myst… Another new reviewer! Here was the update, as you requested! :) I'll try to be quicker… but that's not a promise… sorry! :P
Hollaiuar… Good to see you reviewing again! Hope you liked this last part!
Wyte-tygre… Thanks for the review… and the molasses thing? Is that good or bad? I couldn't tell from what you said. If it's bad, I'll try to change it. But the plot's also building… once things get going, it'll go quick. Plus, I just love angst, desperation and anticipation. I liiiiiive for it… well, sometimes… :P And you're right – Gibbs is so teddy-bear lovable… ;)
ShanniC… Without a shadow of a doubt, that was one of my most favorite reviews! Thanks for the encouragement and trust me when I say that I'm spitting 'em out as fast as I possibly can. Sometimes my brain works with me, sometimes it doesn't… :)