Disclaimer: I don't own PotC or anything that has to do with. As if you didn't know that already.
Of a Pirate Who Dared to Love
Chapter One"She's a bonny lass, ain't she?" Jack cocked his head in the direction of a lady who looked like she couldn't be a day older than nineteen. She wore a flattering embroidered brocade frock which revealed her cleavage more than she'd actually intended to. With curly raven tresses framing her face, she was any man's idea of perfect.
Ah, such pain it is to not know what truly lies beneath.
"That, she is, Jack. That, she is," Will agreed, glancing sideways towards the direction of where the lady sat, who was deep in thought. "That's what you say to all of 'em." He gave out a low chuckle.
"Aye, but this one's different," he beckoned for the bartender, who stood idly in a corner. "A drink. For the lady," he indicated the lady in the brocade frock. "And... tell her it's from me." He added, smiling to himself.
The bartender nodded as though he understood, then trod on about towards the stein rack, rolling his eyes and muttering nonsense under his breath.
Will willed himself from snorting.
"Wha'?" Jack demanded.
Will tried to sound impressed. "You amaze me, Jack."
The two watched slyly as the bartender set the drink in front of the lady, then cocked his chin towards Jack to show that it was indeed, from him.
The lady's pale grey eyes lit up and gave Jack an astonished look. She hoisted her drink in a salute.
Jack returned the salute with a lopsided grin.
"Here we go again," Will muttered under his breath as though these kinds of things happen everyday.
With the drink at hand, the lady got up on her feet and sat on the tarnished stool next to Jack. "Thanks. For the drink, I mean."
"It was his pleasure," Will said sarcastically.
Jack nudged him in the ribs. He's jus' jealous 'cause Elizabeth's not 'ere at the moment, tha's all, he thought. He cleared his throat and faced the lady. "Name's Cap'n Jack Sparrow, and this, o'er 'ere's, me mate Will Turner." He patted Will on the back.
Will glowered at him but then extended his hand for the lady to shake when he noticed her looking at him. "Uh, pleased to meet your acquaintance."
She shook it warmly. "Galianni. Sabela Galianni."
Sabela... As enticing as those pale grey eyes of hers, Jack thought, smiling. "What's a bonny lass like you doin' in a place like this, love?"
She twirled a lock of hair around her finger flirtatiously. "Why, wouldn't you like to know."
"Getting stoned, maybe." Will suggested helpfully-- not.
"No..." She took a quaff of her drink, then looked on expectantly at Will and Jack. "So, are you guys attending the masquerade or what?"
"Wha' masquerade?"
She slapped her forehead then wagged a knowing finger at them. "Oh, right. I forgot you guys are... pirates." She said matter-of-factly.
"Tha', we are, love. Tha', we are."
"I'm actually a blacksmith-slash-pirate," Will pointed out.
"Well, it doesn't matter, really," she said, waving him off. "Pirate or not... Are you interested in coming? To the masquerade, I mean."
Jack looked at her with utter mortification. The masquerade? Pirates don't go 'round wastin' their lives goin' to 'em unsavvy masked balls. They pilfer, filch and... sack, he thought. He glanced sideways and found Will grinning about like an idiot. Must've lost his starkies. Tsk, the poor lad.
"Sorry, love," he began, looking for an excuse. "'Tis jus' tha', we've ma-"
Will nudged him in the ribs. "We-We'd love to come,"
Jack looked at him as though he has lost it, when Will gave him an I-know-what-I'm-doing look.
Jack sighed as though he has given up on him already. "Look 'ere, I don-"
Sabela sensed his apprehension. "What if I told you that swiss diamonds are stashed someplace?" her lips curled into a sultry smile. "I don't know... maybe in the household of where the masked ball is going to be held?"
Jack couldn't believe what he has just heard. Swiss diamonds?? "I-"
She cut him off. "If you changed your mind, you know where to find me."
I know where to find the lass? Wha' fresh hell? "Sabela, I-"
It was already too late and nothing can be done. Sabela got up, spun on her heels and walked out of the tavern as though none of it had ever happened. At all.
He turned to Will. "Wha' was tha' all about?"
Will shrugged. He pretended not to know. He hated lying to Jack, but what choice did he have? "Beats me," he took a swig of his rum. I'd love to tell you, Jack. But I... can't.
A/N:What the hell did Will mean by that last line? 'I'd love to but I can't'?? And what's up with his sappy attitude? And who was that enticingly mysterious lass? Will I ever stop asking questions? Do I even want to? All these and more, next chapter! [does the happy dance] Oh and by the way, don't forget to review!
Jack was extremely dashing, wasn't he???
Luv y'all! Mwah!
-kaz
