Chapter 6: Jack's Women and Ship

Jack Sparrow. Having an outburst? On me? That's not him. I'm sure. I must've really have hit a raw nerve. Hard. He can't be that sensitive. No way. What did I do wrong? Bloody moody. But Jack doesn't seem the moody type. I didn't hurt his integrity or his pride did I? He just got upset. Pirates don't get upset! I feel anger rise in me again.

"Its just a bloody ship you stupid pirate!! Why are you confusing me!?" I shout at the door, completely frustrated. "And... Yes! So, say I asked a question about Will, so what, Jack?" I raise the mug in my hand and am about to throw it across the room when, all of a sudden, the door opens. For one fleeting moment I fear that its Jack and he's heard what I said - but its Gibbs. He looks at my raised arm and I'm sure he can tell just exactly what I was about to do.

"Did I come at a bad time, miss?" He asks cautiously, eyeing the mug.

"Crystal, and no, you didn't come at a bad time." I almost yell it at him, just able to control my anger.

He steps in cautiously, sitting on the chair Jack was in a few moments ago. I put the mug down.

"You, erm, alright?"

He's got to be kidding. He can see the anger in my eyes, I'm sure.

"I jus', um, passed Jack," He pauses, looking at me. "Barged past me, he did." He pauses again, this time for longer. "Does that only when he's mad..." I glare at him. "And... I guessed he came from here." He waits for me to say something.

I heave a heavy sigh. I shouldn't be taking this out on Gibbs. It's not his fault. He was telling me about Jack moments ago. He trusted me. Should I tell him? He might tell Jack. Good if he does. I probably should tell him because if I don't I'm going to explode.

"He did come from here." I look down.

"What happened?"

I tell him. He's a good listener. I'm glad he said, "what happened" and not "What did you say to make him mad?" or "What did Jack do?" He trusted me enough to tell me about Jack earlier so shouldn't I repay that trust? We seem to get on well.

"And then he yelled 'She's not plain she's beautiful and I like black sails.' Whatever. So what if I thought the ship was plain? It's my opinion. And so what if I asked about Will? I can can't I? I mean-" I stop as I see Gibbs smiling.

"What're you smiling at?"

"I know Jack Sparrow."

"I know you do."

"And I know what he means when he asks questions like that."

I switch. He's got my full attention. "And?"

"Jealous."

"Jealous?" I sort of thought that once, but he can't be that jealous. "Are you sure?"

"Jack has never had competition with women."

"What?!" What?

"And Will is competition. Or so he thinks."

I'm getting even more confused than I was before. Or do I suddenly understand? Either way, I'm hitting a different note.

"How, h-how, how... what?" I'm still confused.

"I've seen women fall at his feet - literally." Gibbs adds, with raised eyebrows. "They're all very attracted to him. And down at Tortuga-"

"Where?"

"Tortuga. Place quite, erm, different from here, he's quite fought for."

My brain tries to register this information. Women love Jack. Hmmm. I can see why. He must be irresistible there or something... God, I hope we don't go there.

"What's that got to do with me?"

"Well, you're a woman aren't ye? But, you seem quite different from the rest..."

"How do you mean?"

"Well you made Jack Sparrow storm out of his cabin for one!"

I laugh. True. So, he's jealous of Will. Let me confirm.

"So, he's jealous of me asking about Will because Will is competition, seeing as he's always there and I'm always talking about him...? Well, actually I don't always talk about him. And Jack has never had competition because women always fall at his feet, right?"

"Correct."

"And I'm not falling at his feet." Yet.

"Which also makes you different from Jack's usual women."

"I think I've got it... What about this defence obsession with this ship?"

"Well, Jack's always been very defensive about the Pearl 'cause he went through a hell of a lot to get it. He was always Captain of this ship. Him and his crew sailed in search for a treasure. Jack's best friend was part of the crew; they got on so well. Until one day they both had an argument. Even I don't know about what, but Jack's friend turned against him and got the crew to create a mutiny against Jack. They marooned Jack on an island. Jack vowed his revenge and escaped the island catching up with his friend. What Jack didn't tell his friend was that there were two different maps and so his friend followed the wrong one and ended up leading everyone into a cave on an island. Jack knew where they were headed, so earlier he littered the place with gunpowder and-"
Gibbs makes a blowing up motion with his hands. I gasp.

"He didn't!"

"He did."

"But that was his best friend!"

"And a traitor."

I can't believe it.

"So Jack had to manoeuvre the ship by himself until he got himself a crew." Gibbs smiles. "Us."

"So, how recent is this?"

"Very. That's why he's glad he has the ship."

"So, who do you think is in the wrong, me or him?"

"I don't think it was a case of 'wrong' or 'right'. You both annoyed each other. And you're very fiery, lass."

"No I'm not!" I say in indignation.

"See?" He smiles.

"Plus, you had a bad hangover and he'd been arguing with Will this very morning... Don't tell him I told you that!" Gibbs adds in, realising what he said.

"Not a word." I smile, knowing more.

"But, I'll warn you, lass, Jack is not a pirate to cross. He has rules and if I were you don't get on his bad side 'cause he can turn nasty. Seriously." He adds, "In fact you might want to tell Will not to double cross him, either."

"I will, if he listens."

Gibbs stands up and goes to the door.

"By the way, careful what you say about this ship. You know why now don't you?"

"Yes, I do."

Gibbs opens the door and is just about to step out but I just have to say-

"Gibbs?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks."

Gibbs smiles at me and leaves.

Now. Let me look for Jack.