[a/n1: Apologies to those who were confused by that part towards the beginning. There was supposed to be a scene separator there, but apparently FF.Net ate it…grr. I'm hoping it is fixed now…]
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl or any of the characters included in the package. I do like to play with them and often end up giving them back worse for the wear. (Especially Captain Jack Sparrow!) ;
CLAIMER: I do, however, own the plot of this story and all my OC therein. Some stay around, some don't. That's life, ne?
Part 2: Him That Falls Behind…
"Land ho!" The shout from the crow's nest drew Ana up to the main deck, squinting against the first rays of morning sun. Looking up to the quarterdeck, she saw Jack standing behind the helm, his stance saying more than words could: he had been up there all night. Mentally tallying the hours he had spent at the wheel raised a red flag as it totaled more than half a day without a respite.
With an aggravated sigh, Ana stormed towards the quarterdeck stairs, intent on giving their daft captain a lecture on the importance of a little thing called sleep.
"We're comin' up on Port Royal, cap'n!" The watch called down as Jack nodded his comprehension. The yell made Ana do a double take, spinning on her heel to glare at the mass of quickly growing land on the horizon.
"Jack!" Ana shrieked, her voice laced with anger as she turned back and completed her journey to the helm.
"Aye?"
"Port Royal?!"
"Tha' is where we're headed, luv," Jack answered slowly, his shoulders slumped with torpor.
"You do realize this may be your daftest idea t' date?"
"Luv," Jack began, his eyes showing his fatigue, "this is my decision an' don't worry…I know what 'm doin'."
Ana's eyes narrowed but, knowing Jack's short temper when he was lacking sleep, she decided not to challenge him further. "Ye best be right, cap'n."
"I'm always right, luv. Dontcha trust me?" Jack winked, a playful gleam adorning his kohl-rimmed eyes.
Ana couldn't help but smile. "I trust ya Jack." Then, another thought came to mind. "How're you feelin'?"
Jack's grin faded. "'m fine."
"Ye sure? Really, ya shoulda gotten some sleep-"
"Ana," Jack began, his voice gentle, "I know yer're still wary o'er that little…incident three weeks ago, and wit' good reason, but s'okay."
Ana placed a hand lightly on his arm and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "I know Jack."
- - - - -
Ana turned the small lime over in her hand, examining it for quality and freshness. "How much did ya say fer these?"
The shopkeeper leaned over the stand, narrowing his eyes to get a better view of the fruit in Ana's hand. "I'd say-"
Ana staggered forward suddenly as something plummeted into her back. Tossing the lime to the shopkeeper, she wheeled around, ready to give the interloper a piece of her mind. She was very much surprised to find Jack standing behind her, breathing heavily and glancing over his shoulder.
"Jack, what're you doin'? Why'd ye hit me?"
"I didn' mean to, luv, but I was kinda tryin' t' get away from-" Jack stopped short as a bullet whizzed past, just missing his shoulder.
"Sparrow, stop. You are hereby under arrest!"
Ana looked from Jack, to the red coated guard behind them and back to Jack again. "What'd ye do this time?!"
"Long story luv, c'mon." Jack grabbed Ana's arm without waiting for a response and led her quickly towards an alley. Several sets of footsteps resounding behind them indicated that the red coats had decided to give chase.
Jack dragged Ana through a maze of alleyways, rarely pausing to consider their location. Much to their chagrin, not only did the navy men keep up, they soon found themselves staring blankly at a solid brick wall. Ana's hand snaked down her leg and found the hilt of the knife hidden in her boot. Straightening once more, she palmed the dagger in preparation to throw it.
"I don' think tha's gonna help, Ana."
"You got a better idea?"
"Drop the knife," a guard said as the small squad closed off the alley's only exit.
"An' what would you gentlemen want with the likes o' us?" Jack questioned with a lopsided grin, taking one swaggering step forward, only to be met with raised rifles.
"Oh, I think you know very well what we're here for, Jack Sparrow."
"Captain Jack Sparrow, if you please sirs."
"You are under arrest, as is your companion." The guard nodded in Ana's direction, indicating her as the accomplice.
"Now sir, tha's not necessary…she's not me companion," Jack stepped behind Ana and removed the dagger from her hand in an imperceptible motion. "Nah, she's more like me hostage." The dagger suddenly found a place at Ana's neck, pressing lightly against her flesh.
Ana took in a sharp breath of anger or surprise, one couldn't tell. With a feral snarl and a half-hearted attempt to glare over her shoulder at Jack, a curse or two escaped her lips. Jack's free hand slipped over Ana's mouth, cutting off the tail end of the curses.
"Now's not a good time, luv," he purred in her ear, willing her to catch the hint. Using Ana's body to shield his actions, Jack's free hand left her arm and surreptitiously pulled the pistol from his belt. After cocking the pistol, he nearly threw Ana behind him and leveled the gun at the leading red coat. A grin twisted up the side of his mouth as shock became apparent on the face of the young commander.
"You don't have a chance, Sparrow. Drop the pistol."
"Ye ferget mate, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, savvy?" He pulled the trigger and didn't wait to see if the shot had hit home. He grabbed Ana's arm once more and shoved his way through the crowd of soldiers.
Jack released Ana's arm and the two bolted down the streets of Port Royal. Jack fell behind a few paces, still tired from the long night at the helm. Buildings streamed by as they threaded their way through the midmorning crowds. Jack stopped suddenly and let out a low whistle, drawing Ana back with the sound. She paced over to him, still panting from the run.
"Wha' now?"
"In there." Jack trotted across the lane and up a small set of steps. When he tried the door, it proved itself locked, so he shouldered it. Ana followed Jack as he burst into the poorly lit building.
"A bakery? Really Jack."
"S'the best I could come up wit' at th' time, luv." He quickly shoved the door shut and seconds later the thuds of the red coats running past reached their ears. Both pirates let out a sigh of relief.
"Sorry 'bout tha', mate," Jack said to the baker, who was staring at the pirates with his jaw hanging open. "Don' suppose ye have a back door…"
The three flinched in surprise at the sudden banging on the door.
"Come in!"
Jack and Ana glared at the baker for inviting in the bringers of their doom. Looking frantically for another exit, Jack's eyes fell on a small panel set in the ceiling.
"Ey, mate,"
"Um, yes sir?"
"Was thi' place a stable 'fore?"
"Yes, but how did you-"
"Ana," Jack called, cutting the baker off.
"What?"
Jack pointed a ring laden finger at the small trap door. "C'mon, I'll give ya a boost."
Ana joined him and allowed his arms to circle her waist, lifting her off the ground. She stretched her fingers upward, groping for the small ring of steel to open the hatch.
"Ya know brevity is best in these circumstances…"
"'m tryin'!" Ana growled, straining to reach the hoop. "Jus' a little mo—got it!" She wrapped her fingers through the loop and tugged down a few times. With a groan, the wooden flap fell, narrowly avoiding Ana's head. Stretching again, she grasped the edges of the upper level and started dragging herself through the opening.
The front shop door flew open with a crash, drawing a squeak from Ana as her grip loosened and she started slipping back through the opening. Jack reached up and grabbed her foot, pushing her back up enough so she was able to pull herself all the way up. He then spun, drawing his cutlass in the same motion and waited as red-clad guards filled the small room.
Ana's hand appeared though the small hole, followed by her voice. "Jack, c'mon, I'll pull ya up!"
Jack ignored the offer as if it had never existed and instead fell into a guard stance as the soldiers surrounded him, cutting off his exits. "Ana, jus' git out."
The whisper reached Ana and she hesitantly pulled the trap door closed, guilt tugging at her heart.
"Give up Sparrow, you're badly out-numbered."
"Sorry mate, but givin' up's never been my style." Jack's golden grin only added to the fire of the commander's short temper.
"Very well."
The guards created a crescent around the pirate, using the wall of the bakery to keep him trapped. Jack's sword rose further until it was chest height, prepared for the eminent attack. Three of the guards handed off their rifles to their comrades and stepped forward, slender swords drawn and gleaming in the minimal light. The remaining guards raised their muskets, the muzzles trained on the pirate.
The small group of navy moved as one, attacking and retreating together. Jack did his best to ward off the attacks, but his exhaustion was fast taking its toll, hazing his movements. One blade slipped through his defenses, landing a large slash across his right upper arm. The pirate hissed in pain and used his left hand to cover the wound.
Taking a step back to increase the distance between himself and the red coats, Jack found the retreat cut short by the rough wooden wall of the shop. Silently cursing his luck, he turned his attention back to the fight at hand. Something was different about the half circle of red clad guards…yes, something was wrong…
Before Jack could think anymore on the topic, a weight came down on his head and the world faded to black.
Ana crouched beside the trap door, listening intently to the sounds from below. She heard the sounds of the fight and knew the outcome, but forced herself to stay harbored in the stuffy converted hay mow. Panic rose in her chest, nearly strangling her, fearing for Jack's health and safety. The concerned doubled as she heard the group of red coats leave, most likely with Jack in tow. She fought her instincts and waited a good fifteen minutes to give the soldiers time to clear the area and make her escape from the unventilated room.
[a/n2: Here I will take the time to thank reviewers, as really, this would be pointless without the support of everyone who reads and gives me feedback.
bittersweet46: I'm glad I gotcha hooked, even without our beloved captain in the first chapter. ;) And I didn't really intend for it to seem like The Mummy…in fact, I've never seen the movie myself. LOL. Thanks for reviewing.
meowface: Yeppers, the sequel! And here's your update!
jackfan2: I'm with Sam too, but you know, some people just never learn… And yes, I see this chapter HAS sparked some (okay, a LOT) of questions. All of which will be answered at some point. XD So, having troubles picking a favorite, eh? LOL. No worries, I'll keep it going…and hey, amazing news: I actually have a PLOT LINE!! Woo-hoo! That means no getting lost!
For the rest of you reading, please review. Every bit of input I get makes the output so worthwhile.]