Chapter: The Way to India
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- Port Royal -Commodore Norrington did not like being out of control. He liked to know exactly what was occurring at every moment and he especially liked to know his surroundings.
He didn't like surprises.
Perhaps this was why he insisted on returning to Port Royal to gather provisions instead of stocking up at a more convenient port that would most likely be infested with pirates and the like. Or maybe he just wanted to see his wife. He did love Sophia.
And so the beautiful Dauntless sailed into Port Royal on one bright Sunday amidst a growing throng of people wishing to welcome its crew. Norrington stepped off the gangplank and onto the docks of his town, his eyes searching for her amongst the crowd. He didn't see her.
Two lieutenants who trotted briskly up to him jolted Norrington from his thoughtful state. They saluted before the man on the right spoke. "Sir, I'm afraid we have some bad news. You're wife. . ." He hesitated.
Norrington tensed, the pale blue of his eyes searching the man's face frantically. "What's happened?" He questioned, his voice anxious.
"She's gone missing, sir."
"Gone missing?" His voice was panicked.
"Yes," the man said, looking acutely uncomfortable in a situation in which his commodore would be so affected by the news he brought. "She disappeared several weeks ago. She was last known to have contact with William Turner on the day of Elizabeth Turner's funeral."
Within five minutes, Norrington and a host of military men were at Will's door, rapping rapidly on the polished wood until the confused young man answered the door with baby Elizabeth in his arms. The commodore wasted no time with frivolities. "Where is my wife, Mr. Turner?"
Will stood still for several moments, simply too shocked by the sudden appearance of a horde of men at his door, before slowly voicing his confusion. "I don't know, I'm afraid. Has she gone off somewhere?"
Norrington fixed the young man with a cold stare, stepping into the house and brushing past Will as he did so. "May we come in?" he asked rhetorically. As the group of red-clad men followed their commodore inside, Norrington suddenly noticed that there was no brilliantly smiling face and warm welcomes from a former Miss Swann. He thought briefly back to the news the two lieutenants had brought him. ". . . on the day of Elizabeth's funeral." The realization hit him like a sledgehammer bearing a sharp point of pain, and he turned to Will who was meekly rocking the fussy child within his arms. A nameless maid came and took the baby from her father. Norrington was thankful to have the young man's full attention.
"I'm terribly sorry about your wife, Mr. Turner. . . Elizabeth was a wonderful woman," Norrington offered quietly.
Will looked up briefly, surprised by the commodore's sudden change of tone, but nonetheless nodded. "Yes, she was."
The men in the room were immersed in an uncomfortable silence before Norrington regained his businesslike tone. "Did Sophia give you any indication that she knew she would be disappearing?"
Will shook his head. "Not at all. She was very good to me after Elizabeth died, but wasn't acting any differently than normal," he explained, before pausing as if to consider a hazy memory.
"Yes, Mr. Turner?" Norrington questioned hastily.
Gazing at the group of men uncertainly, Will spoke in a quiet and hesitant manner. "Perhaps there was one thing. . . Several days before Elizabeth's funeral I had. . ." Will faltered, his eyes widening slightly as he realized his misstep. ". . .a visitor while your wife was here. She acted strangely and had a flash of temper. I've never seen her behave as she did then."
Norrington tried to imagine his wife having a "flash of temper," and was utterly unsuccessful after several tries. "I see. Who was the visitor, then?" he asked.
At this, Will crossed his arms over his chest and gazed coolly at the group of men. "I'm afraid I can't tell you that," he stated firmly.
Norrington flashed the boy an icy smile. "You do realize that withholding information from a member of the king's navy is a crime, do you not, Mr. Turner?" He paused, allowing the sobering effect of his words echo about the room. "Now, I'm going to ask you one last time. Who was your 'visitor'?"
Will lifted his chin. "I've already told you that I will not say. All you need to know is that he is a good man."
For some reason, this sparked something in Norrington's memory. It was many years ago, but he could still remember the day of the beginning of his humiliation.
"He's a pirate!"
"And a good man."
Clarity dawned in Norrington's eyes, and in response Will fidgeted uncomfortably, realizing that he must have said too much.
"Sparrow," the commodore hissed, "it must be." Jumping into action, Norrington moved quickly to from the house and into the bright sunlight outside, ignoring Will's protesting sputters.
The events that must have occurred were slowly unraveling in Norrington's mind. Sparrow must have come, seen Sophia, and kidnapped her again after the funeral, probably hoping for a fine ransom. This would explain Sophia's rare lapse of temper, for who wouldn't be irked if their kidnapper had emerged again after four years?
Norrington's eyes narrowed into fiery slits. He would hunt Sparrow down.
The pirate was going to die by his hand.
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- Aboard the Black Pearl -Five days or so after the retreat of Jack's fever, the stubborn captain was up and about once more, despite Sophia's protests. Thus, Jack was standing at the helm on the morning that Sophia had had enough of the uncertainty of the voyage so far.
Sophia strode purposefully to stand abreast of the captain, poking him firmly on the shoulder to gain his attention. "Just what are you planning to do with me, Captain? I can't very well roam about this ship until the end of my days, now can I?"
Jack winced slightly. She had poked his right shoulder, and the injury was still a might tender. Ignoring his discomfort, he shot her an easy grin, leaning his shoulder against the wheel to steady it in their conversation. "Ah, now tha' is a bit o' a problem, innit?"
Sophia sighed. "Yes, it is. And what is the great Captain Jack Sparrow going to do about it?"
"Hold on, love, I'm getting t' that," Jack said, his grin widening as Sophia tapped her fingertips against her thigh in impatience. "After we raid Calcutta, I'll take you home, savvy? Jus' think o' this as a new adventure."
"I had enough of those last time, Captain Sparrow," Sophia muttered.
"You know, Sophia, I'd be perfectly comfortable with you callin' me Jack, seein' as we've known each other's company for quite some time now." Jack gazed at her with dark eyes, allowing his form to sway slightly with the movement of the ship in a sort of cocky swagger.
"I think I'll remain true to the old ways, Captain." Sophia paused. "You really should be in bed."
Jack scowled, turning from her and replacing both hands on the wheel of his ship. He had regained much of the movement in his right arm, although it still pained him to move it in sharp motions. "Why's tha'? So you can keep your eye on me? Honestly, love, I'm startin' t' think you've fallin' 'ead over heels for me." He flitted his eyes sideways to rest upon her face, casting her a look of mock concern.
Sophia turned, intending to simply abandon him and his half-pathetic attempts at flirting without a word, but was stopped by a weather worn hand at her elbow. "I never really 'ad a chance t' thank you, Sophia. . . for wha' you did for me. I. . ." Jack stumbled over the right words, his gaze faltering upon her face.
Sophia waved her hand flutteringly in dismissal, her eyes turning towards the sea. "Don't worry, Captain. Just remember that when I am in need of a favor."
Jack nodded, his smug grin once more compensating his features. "Aye," he bowed mockingly, "I am in your debt, my lady."
"You'd do well to remember that, as well," Sophia reminded him, turning to leave and enduring a swift pat on the rump from Jack as she walked away.
She seriously considered administering the same punishment that the whores in various ports gave him whenever he crossed their paths: a slap across the face.
But she'd already done that.
-
It seemed to Sophia that they were at sea for a year, at least. Each day came and went with sickeningly standard cycles: wake up, some sort of chore, useless banter with Jack, and sleep. Jack claimed that they had only been traveling for about two months, but Sophia didn't believe him.
It was driving Sophia insane.
Whenever she had the chance, Sophia remained in her cabin. She had scrubbed and furnished the tiny room until it shone like new, and she was quite proud of it. But this day, a month and one week from their departure from Port Royal exactly, Sophia burst from her cabin in the dusky hours of the morning and marched directly towards Jack, who stood at the helm of the Pearl, quiet and detached.
"How much longer can it possibly be, Captain? We've been at sea for –"
Sophia froze.
Land. She could see land
They were not far from the shore. Sophia could quite easily make out small, brown children playing on the shore, their mothers balancing woven pots on their heads.
Jack glanced at the now silent woman at his side, amusement dancing within the dark caverns of his eyes. It had been a long time at sea, and even he would admit to being gladdened by this sight of land. Sophia was staring at the brown strip of shore, mouth slightly agape in her shock. A genuine smile playing at Jack's lips, he turned to address her. "Welcome t' th' gold coast, love. I suppose you never thought you'd see Africa, eh?"
Sophia only shook her head. For once, she could think of nothing to say.
-
"Please?"
"No."
Sophia paused, for several moments allowing Jack to believe that she had finally given up and resigned to her fate, but soon started up again with as much fervor as before. "Please!"
"For th' last bloody time, woman, absolutely not!"
"I have been stuck on this blasted ship for months, Captain! Will you not let me come ashore for even a minute? I wish to feel something besides the swaying of a ship beneath my feet," she pleaded, her eyes plastered on Jack as he tightened the ropes and performed other captainly duties.
Now that they had docked at a miniscule port that seemed to have no name and Sophia had actually smelled the scent of baking earth beneath the hot sun, her urge to walk and be on land again had been almost overwhelming. She did not wish to hear the crashing of the sea or smell its distinct salty spray anymore.
Jack straightened to his full height and glared down his nose at the determined woman, his arms crossing casually over his chest. His tallness infuriated Sophia, for she was left to stand with the top of her head just passing his shoulder, and even then it was not by much.
Jack was rather enjoying Sophia's rare lapse of poise. She stood still as she awaited his reply, hands on her hips and cheeks flushed in the dry heat of the African coast. Of course, as it would be hell tramping about a ship for a month or so in a proper dress, she had borrowed Anamaria's less than ladylike style of clothing, and Jack was enjoying a very unobstructed view down her shirt at that moment.
Sophia gasped as she noticed the destination of Jack's gaze, and clapped a hand to her bosom, thoroughly scandalized. "If you were of a somewhat brighter nature you would have discovered by now that I am not one of your bloody conquests, Captain. Do not think that you can disrespect me in such a manner and get away with it!"
Jack cracked a grin at that, lifting his right arm, as his injury had healed almost completely by that time, to brush a finger down the length of her face, pushing one of the black curls of hair from her cheek. Sophia flinched. "I never said I expected t' get 'way with it, did I?" Jack leaned in close to her, his lips nearly touching Sophia's ear. "You can punish me tonight, love."
Sophia drew quickly away, pressing a hand to Jack's sternum and pushing with enough force to cause him to step back. "You, Jack Sparrow, are disgraceful and. . . and. . . I hate you." Sophia winced at the childishness of her insult, but stood steadfast anyway.
"No you don't, darlin'." The reply came too quickly and smartly for her liking.
"Yes, I do!" Sophia turned from him, and, seeing as the crew had already begun to unload onto the rickety-looking dock of this African port, hurried down the ramp and onto steady ground. Sophia was surprised to find herself swaying precariously as she set foot on the dock, and would have fallen right onto her bottom if a pair of strong arms, Jack's arms, had not caught her.
Sophia pushed away from Jack, who still held her tight around the waist as he righted her balance. "What are you –"
"You've got sea-legs, love," Jack explained, his arms finally releasing her. To her disgust, she had to place a hand on his shoulder in order not to fall down again as they began walking back to the ship. Wait, back to the ship. . . ?
"No! Ja-ack! Please let me stay! I only want to walk around for a time," Sophia said, slightly shocked at the whiny quality to her voice. And she'd forgotten to call him Captain.
Jack stopped, heaving a great sigh, but as he turned Sophia could see in his eyes that she had won. Bloody woman. He hated being manipulated. "Fine. But only for a wee bit, savvy?"
"Savvy." Sophia smiled, really smiled, for the first time in weeks, and Jack found himself staring, his eyes smoky against the bronze of his skin, amazed at how the contours of her face changed so drastically. She absolutely shone. Oblivious to Jack's predicament, Sophia turned and began walking towards the small cluster of buildings. It took him several moments before he could gather his composure enough to follow her.
"And Jack? I. . . I don't really hate you."
-
Jack took one look inside the sole and noisy tavern of the tiny port and shook his head, beads chinking against the sides of his face, and returned into the sunlight, taking Sophia firmly by the shoulders to lead her away from the dilapidated building. "You can't go in there, love."
Sophia stood her ground. The brief euphoria of being on land once more dissipated as a dominating presence in Jack's temperament spurred her annoyance. "Why ever not, Captain?" She questioned, her gaze meeting his steadily.
She swore she saw Jack roll his eyes.
"Because, lass, there is not a wench t' be seen inside tha' tavern. This means tha' none o' those men 'ave seen a pretty thing like you for months, an' I'm sure once they've got you in their sights they won't be nearly as courteous as me crew," Jack explained, slightly monotone. The captain looked weary, Sophia noticed, but his eyes were as bright as ever, gleaming within their eerie darkness. Sophia shivered.
"Don't be ridiculous." Sophia broke away from Jack's hold on her shoulder, striding briskly towards the door and swinging it open roughly on its hinges. "I'm sure –" Sophia froze, her wide eyes taking in the various occupants of the bar. It seemed to Sophia that every pair of eyes swiveled to land upon her body, in many more inappropriate places than not. Rough seamen, unlawful scallywags, grimy cabin boys. . . All turned to gaze at her lecherously. Sophia found herself trembling helplessly as their leering gazes slid with obvious sluggishness down her body, lingering on her breasts, waist, thighs, hips.
Bloody 'ell. Jack cursed, at both Sophia and himself for allowing her to be so foolish. Quick as the attack of a cutlass, he grasped Sophia by the elbow and jerked her out of each greedy man's gaze. And then they were running, Jack dragging Sophia, who was silent in her shock.
Finally, Sophia regained the use of her voice, and dug her heels into the dirt of the road, jolting them both to a stop. "What the bloody hell is the hurry, Jack? It's not as if they're chasing us now," she said, loudly so that the captain would have no choice but to hear her.
Jack turned to her with the jerky movements that Sophia was beginning to associate with anger when it came to this man, his eyes flashing as he took her by the shoulders once again and shook slightly. Sophia's eyes widened, the bleak grayness of her irises standing out harshly against her pale skin. Jack opened his mouth as if intending to speak, but instead let out a grunt of annoyance and then they were off and running again.
The two had nearly made it back to the Pearl when Sophia felt herself being wrenched from her path. She yelped shrilly in surprise but the sound was muffled as a meaty hand closed over her lips.
Nevertheless, Jack heard her, sliding to a stop and whirling about to face a band of five or so men, Sophia struggling helplessly in the encasement of the largest man's arms. Jack took in the situation silently, his eyes growing increasingly dark and stormy with the anger that slid seductively through his muscles. The man had Sophia in a tight hold around the waist, his hands exploring her body in such a way that caused Jack's blood to boil. The helpless woman was staring at Jack through panicked eyes that gazed at him over the top of a large hand covering her mouth.
Sophia watched as Jack stood silent, his mouth set in a grim line and his body tense and ready with anticipation. She could see the muscles in his jaw clench and unclench, again and again. Her focus was distracted as the man behind her squeezed her breast painfully, and she bit her lip to keep from crying out. She felt as if she was going to throw up.
Looking at Jack once more, anger welled in her chest as the captain did nothing but watch the situation that played out before him. He can't just leave me here!
She wouldn't let this happen to her again.
She was scared, her knees shaky and face white. She remembered, even after all these years, what rape was like. The intrusion, the disgust, the violation she felt.
The man was whispering foul images into her ear, his breath disgustingly sticky over her neck. His friends were laughing nervously in response to Jack's utter stillness.
Without notice, Jack whipped out the sword that was strapped securely to his hip, and as quick as lightening had the tip of it positioned at the fat gullet of the man that held Sophia. She could see its gleaming edge shimmer just over her head.
Gone was the usual playfulness that Jack's voice held when he encountered such situations as these. His eyes were cold and flecked with ire. "You'd do well t' let th' lady go, mate."
The man let out a dry laugh. "Lessee. . . don' think I want to. She's such a pretty one, she is, an' us boys 'aven't seen a strumpet like 'er for an age," he croaked as his hands traveled lower then they should, his sausage fingers grasping clumsily at her inner thigh. Sophia gasped.
Jack couldn't help but allow his mouth to quirk slightly as Sophia stomped down hard on the man's foot, much as she had done the night Jack had kidnapped her for the first time, save for now she was wearing heavy boots instead of slippers. Her captor let out a howl, releasing her and hopping about on one foot. In any other situation it would have been comical.
Jack took the opportunity to draw his sword from the man's neck and punch him full on the face. A sickening crunch sounded through the air and the man fell to the dusty road, dead to the world with blood streaming from his nose.
The other men grew silent, and Sophia stared in horror at the unconscious man. Jack didn't blink, and pointed the long blade of his sword at the remainder of the group. "Now, unless you men want t' end up like your friend, 'ere, I suggest you run along, savvy?" Jack hissed through his teeth, his brow furrowed as he scrutinized the men.
Sophia let her eyes wander to the captain. He really was a frightening sight, she noted disconnectedly. Jack stood with his feet wide apart, his eyes black with fury and dreadlocks in disarray. Sophia could see the lean muscles of his frame tense as he flicked the edge of the sword once more at the men, motioning for them to leave.
They turned and ran.
Jack sighed, sheathing his sword and stalking over to where Sophia stood mutely. Lifting her chin, he gazed earnestly into her eyes, noting the fear that hid within their steely depths. Dropping his hand to her shoulder, he stroked the skin at her neck with a rough thumb comfortingly. Sophia suppressed a shutter at the unfamiliar touch and the flutter it sent through her gut.
"You alrigh', love?" Jack asked quietly, the anger portrayed upon his face slowly receding. Sophia nodded slightly, still silent, and Jack hummed a faint murmur of recognition in his throat. He took Sophia gently by the arm and led her back to the Pearl.
Back to safety.
-
A/N: I'm so sorry this took so long, you guys! I'm just swamped with a load of useless crap right now. Chapters should start coming more frequently now, though.
Okay, I think the subject of reviews might need to be addressed, although I feel so terrible doing it.
So one day I wake up and there's like sixty review notices in my inbox, all of which I am fairly sure come from the same anonymous reviewer, seeing as all the names and reviews are very similar. If this isn't the case I'm sorry and it's not like I'm complaining or anything (in fact, I'm glad you like my little story so much) but next time one or two reviews will suffice instead of sixty. But I appreciate it very much anyway! (Haha, nice contradicting myself. Erk. . . I hope that doesn't sound to bad or unreasonable. Eee. . .)
For those who are asking about romance between Jack and Sophia: I'm terribly sorry if anyone was hoping for hot sweaty sex or love right off the bat, but you guys are just gonna have to wait and see (or read, as the case may be)! I've decided that Jack, while he would certainly consider having his way with Sophia within a second, would be infinitely less likely to fall in love so quickly, if at all. HOWEVER, this fic is rated "action adventure/romance" for a reason.
Next chapter? Haha, not gonna tell you. I'm so mean.
