[an1: Note, when the flashback scene comes, the italicized phrases are Dozell's narration.]
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 6: A Pirate's Life…
Laughter broke out from a group across the tavern, drawing curious glances from everyone outside the small crowd.
"I'm serious, that's what happened!"
"Sure boy, git on wit' ya! Tell yer sob story somewhere else!"
"Aye, git outta 'ere!"
A young man with dark hair was tossed roughly away from the table and staggered before he reclaimed his footing. Sharply pushing his short-cropped hair away from his gray eyes, he then ran his hands over his shirtsleeves, showing the remnants of some gentlemanly traits.
"Jack,"
Jack turned a curious glance across the table to Gibbs.
"'e looks just like yah."
Jack snorted slightly and shook his head, the beads and other trinkets clinking against one another. "Nah,"
"Jack's right…much too clean."
Ana's comment sent laughter all around the table; even Jack joined in with nods and a golden smile of agreement. Eventually the laughter died out.
"But really Jack he does look like you," Chelsea put in finally.
Jack looked over his shoulder, casually eyeing the stranger up. "Nay…a'right, I'll admit, there are some resemblances."
"I daresay there are more than some resemblances." Mark smiled over his mug. Mischief played across his eyes, but beneath it was an unmatched seriousness. "Hey!"
The stranger looked over at Mark with guarded curiosity. "Yes?"
"Come join us," Mark invited, motioning toward a vacant chair on Jack's right.
Slowly, as though considering the wisdom in joining, the young man stepped over to the table, feeling the eyes of all in the room at his back. Once he sank into the chair, the stress of all present disappeared.
"Miss," Mark signaled a barmaid, "a drink fer our new friend, eh?"
Jack regarded the young man out of the corner of his eye and lifted his mug to his lips. It was obvious the boy had some formal training and he showed signs of a decent upbringing. True enough; the stranger was almost a carbon copy of Jack. Dark hair, high cheekbones, a slender form. Everything was identical, save for one feature: his eyes. They were the gray of the sea just before a storm and seemed to boil with the same power and rage.
A light but commanding squeeze on his left shoulder drew a mumble of question from him and he turned to face Ana. "Mmph?"
"You'd like t' hear Dozell's tale, right Jack? Ye've always been one fer stories."
Jack shrugged and her hand slipped from his shoulder. "Why not?" He took a deep drink from his mug, emptying it. "Go ahead, mate."
The barmaid returned and placed a full mug before Dozell, some of the amber liquid sloshing over the rim and onto the table. Watching the liquid foam on the tabletop made Jack's stomach churn as the visions of the wine returned.
"Very well." Dozell took a sip of his drink before he began. "It all started when my late master heard of an ancient Egyptian treasure…"
--FLASHBACK--
We were all sitting around the boss's office, tending to differing forms of paperwork and the like. A knock sounded on the door.
"Dozell, would you get that please?" the leader asked casually, his eyes glued to an old text on the table before him.
Dozell stood and stretched stiff muscles before opening the door.
There was not a soul to be seen outside, just a neatly wrapped package sitting on the doorstep. Curiously, I picked it up and closed the door once more.
"Package for you, sir," Dozell called.
The master looked up finally and when his eyes landed on the package in Dozell's arms, they lit with an inexplicable joy. "It's here!"
He stood and was in front of me in two long strides, tearing the wrapping off like a child at Christmas.
--END FLASHBACK--
"Neither Sam—my companion—or I know what was so great about that leather box he uncovered, and we may never know."
"Well, by process of elimination, one would venture that the package pertained to this Egyptian treasure you spoke of." Chelsea watched carefully to measure Dozell's reaction.
"Yes, yes, of course it was, but just exactly what was in it will remain a mystery."
"Lad, d'you know th' way t' this treasure?" Jack asked, finally tuning fully into the conversation.
"Yes…" Dozell's reply was slow, signaling there was more to it than that. "However, I would not advise anyone to it. Great danger lies across the ocean."
Jack grinned, his gold teeth reflecting the candlelight. "Pirates."
"No, sir, I realize that pirates live danger every day; however this is a force not to be trifled with."
Jack waved his hand slowly in the air, a gesture which could be to get the boy to the point or amuse himself.
"The treasure…it's so grand that it is cursed."
Jack's hands landed soundly on the tabletop, causing everyone to jump. "Tha' settles it. We're not goin'."
"But Jack, ye've said yerself tha' curses are just bloody superstitions-"
"I'm wit' Jack; no curses."
Ana was struck speechless. She watched blankly as Jack rose from his seat, stretched, then looked over at Dozell.
"Thank ye fer th' tale mate, but we must be gettin' back t' my lady."
Dozell's brow rose at Jack's rather…blunt statement. Surely even pirates knew better than to discuss certain topics in public. "Your…lady?"
"Aye, me ship."
That explained a lot. "So, I'm assuming you will not hear my tale out?"
"Sorry mate, but e'er since th' incident wit' th' Aztec gold, I've learned t' tread carefully where curses are concerned, savvy?"
"Aztec gold," Dozell muttered to himself, searching his memory. He looked up at Jack, his gray eyes sharp with recognition. "You're Captain Jack Sparrow, correct?"
"In th' flesh."
"That's impossible; you were hung just a few weeks ago-"
"Yes, yes, I know th' story. I lived it, savvy?"
"Very well, if you do not wish to discuss further, I shall also take my leave."
"Where're ye stayin'?" Jack inquired casually.
"Actually, I just got into Port. I was thinking of trying to find a decent inn-"
"Say no more lad. Come wit' us," Gibbs intoned immediately, then blushed slightly at Jack's challenging glare. "Tha' is, if th' cap'n agrees?"
Jack smiled, content with the show of respect. "An excellent idea, Mr. Gibbs. Dozell, yer're with us." Jack nodded at Chelsea and Mark. "I trust ye have somewhere t' stay?"
"No need to worry about us, Captain Sparrow," Mark assured. "Although, one question."
"Shoot."
"When do you set sail and to where are you bound?"
Jack's eyebrow lifted at the seeming randomness of the inquiry, but he answered as casually as ever. "We leave when we git back t' th' ship. As fer where we're headin', that's up t' th' sea as it were. Why?"
"You wouldn't mind doing me a favor, would you?"
"Wha' did you have in mind?" Jack knew he would say yes to almost anything Mark asked of him, but he had a feeling he would regret it.
"Will you take Chelsea and the dogs with you?"
Jack did a double-take as the words sunk in. "Beg pardon?"
"Take Chelsea and the dogs with you. They won't be safe here for the remainder of our scheduled stay. Just drop them off in Providence at your earliest convenience." Mark noted the reluctant expression on Jack's face. "Please, I ask you as a friend."
Jack took his time turning the request over and over in his mind, scrutinizing it from every angle. He had a feeling he'd regret this, but he didn't know why. "A'right," Jack sighed. "But no funny business." This he directed to the dogs as he shook a finger at them.
"Uncle," Chelsea whispered, drawing him off into a private conversation. "I know you didn't give Jack your true motive, but tell me: why send us with pirates?"
Mark smiled shamelessly. "You know me too well, Chelsea. You have the sea in your veins-"
Chelsea opened her mouth to argue but was cut off before she could utter anything.
"Don't try to deny it, I've seen the way you regard the ocean; you can't help it. Go with Captain Sparrow and enjoy yourself."
Chelsea returned the smile before engulfing Mark in a tight hug. "Thanks Uncle."
"Just stay out of trouble."
- - - - -
"Will, what's wrong?"
"Hmm?" Will turned to his wife, who came to stand beside him.
"You haven't stared out at the bay like this for a long time. Something must be on your mind. What is it?"
"Oh, it's nothing Elizabeth. Just reminiscing on when we first met Jack-" Will stopped abruptly as a knowing grin spread across Elizabeth's face. "What?"
"You're thinking you did the wrong thing, aren't you?"
"No…wait. What are you talking about?"
"Will, relax. Ana and Gibbs are perfectly capable of springing Jack without your help. They're probably leaving the Pearl's hidden port as we speak with Jack at the helm."
Unconvinced despite his spouse's comforting hands on his shoulders, Will turned his attention back to the sparkling waters of the bay and the dying sun sinking below the horizon.
Notes to reviewers:
pendragginink: Well, by my count, Ana has had to spring Jack…uh…I lost count. And I suppose I do tend to get Jack into a bit of trouble, but that's okay…he's Captain Jack Sparrow and can always get out of it, right? If you think he's starting to get in trouble now, just wait. I can't say anything. Time will tell. NO MORE PUNS!! I BEG OF YOU!!! PLEASE…NOOOO!!! -throws chapter- See?! There's the chapter!!!
JackFan2: I can see Jack liking the slaps…actually, I'd imagine he probably does (the pain excepted, lol). CALM DOWN…no cursed voice returns…yet. And, those little moments between Jack and Ana were just fer you and all the J/A shippies!! I knew you'd like it. As far as 'very soon' goes, I'm trying for most every Wednesday, like you taught me. LOL.
Lykosdracos: Can't forget the effects, although when I wrote the chapter I knew something was missing…so, I went back in and added the effects part and threw in the later J/A parts! Whoo!
[a/n2: Thank you to all who review, it really makes my day! ;) And soon, very soon, there'll be more action. Pirate's Promise.]