Okay, well, here is chapter 5. Enjoy it!
Chapter 5: New Acquaintances
A few days later, Jack and Celeste returned from walking around in the city, expecting Gray to come soon. They'd just stepped onto the docks when...
"Sparrow." a woman behind them said. They turned around to see a woman and a man standing there.
"Scream it out to the world, love." Jack said to her. "Me name isn' the most well- respected in the country, savvy?'
"My apologies." the woman said sarcastically. She had long, dark brown, wavy hair and bright green eyes. She was clad, not in a dress, but an attire similar to Celeste's adventure-type outfit. She seemed fairly tough, but she was not masculine-looking. The man standing next to her must've been her brother because they looked fairly alike. He had brown, soft-looking, well-groomed hair that was slightly longer than chin-length, and facial hair similar to Jack's only no braided beard and much more clean-cut.
"Who are you?" Jack asked her.
"Gray. Sierra." she replied. "This is my brother Blake. Jim sent us."
"Oh, good!" Celeste exclaimed. "We've been expecting you!"
"I realize that Jim did not say anything about me," Sierra said, "but I have a bone to pick with Black."
"Oh, it's fine." Celeste replied cheerfully. "We can be fellow bone-pickers." Blake looked interestedly at Celeste, while Sierra looked at her indifferently. Sierra looked back to Jack.
"Well, welcome aboard the Black Pearl, mates." Jack said. He turned to Celeste. "Will you show them to their rooms, love? I 'ave to speak with Gibbs."
"Of course." Celeste replied. Jack went on deck to talk to Gibbs and Celeste led Sierra and Blake to their rooms. She lingered in Sierra's to talk to her.
"So, Sierra, I didn't introduce myself." Celeste said.
"I didn't ask you to." Sierra replied coldly.
"Well, I'm Celeste." she told her. Sierra rolled her eyes at Celeste's naivety. Celeste continued smiling sweetly. "Celeste Wyndham." Sierra, who was unpacking, stopped.
"Wyndham?" Sierra asked. "Not related to Henry Wyndham, are you?"
"Er... yes, his daughter..." Celeste replied uneasily. "Unfortu--"
"I pity you." Sierra stated.
"I pity me, too." Celeste said. "Don't get the idea that I enjoy my lineage." Just then, Blake entered the room, unnoticed. "So, what bone is it that you are wanting to pick with Black?" Sierra looked at her, not catching the meaning. "I mean, what did he do?"
"It's really none of your business." Sierra replied.
"Oh, sorry..." Celeste offered. "I was just wondering..." She picked up an item that Sierra had set on the bed that looked interesting and examined it.
"Don't touch my things!" Sierra commanded. Celeste dropped it back in its spot immediately.
"S-sorry..." Celeste hesitated. "I-I suppose I'll just leave you to your unpacking..." and she left the room. She made her way hurriedly down the hall.
"Miss!" Blake called after her. She stopped and turned around.
"Mr. Gray." Celeste greeted. "Is there something I can do for you?"
"Oh, no." he replied. "I just wanted to speak with you." She now noticed that he had a very gentle voice which she was not really used to any longer since she spent so much time around Jack, whose voice was rougher and more worn. She would've found this quality attractive a few months ago, before she fell in love with Jack. "I don't believe I got your name."
"Oh, excuse me. Celeste Wyndham." she replied.
"Ah, a beautiful name." he said. "It fit's the owner." She blushed. "Er, what was it that you wanted to speak with me about, Mr. Gray?"
"There's no need to be so formal." he told her. "Call me Blake."
"Er, yes." she hesitated.
"I must apologize for my sister." Blake told her. "She has had very bad experiences. We were raised apart, you see. I was raised in an aristocratic society, whilst she... was not. Black, he--"
"I don't think she would appreciate you telling me." Celeste interrupted. "Let her tell me on her own accord."
"That is very thoughtful of you." he told her. "your soul must be as beautiful as you appear." She blushed once more.
Y-you do not need to apologize for her. I understand." she added.
"You intrigue me." he told her, taking her hand. "Tell me more about yourself."
"O-oh..." she hesitated, recovering her hand. "No, I, er... My heart belongs to someone."
"Who?" he asked, looking fairly disappointed.
"To, er... to Captain Sparrow." she replied. "I-I'm sorry, but my heart belongs solely to him. Besides, you have known me for no more than half an hour."
"I should like to change that." he said. "I-I'm sorry..." she stuttered, and hurried off up on deck. Discreetly, Blake followed her. She made her way over to Jack.
"'ey, love." Jack said, putting an arm around her. "Did you show the Grays to their rooms?"
"Yes -- they are very nice people." Celeste told him.
"That's good." he replied. She hugged him. "What's this extra hug for?"
She shrugged. "Because I love you." He smiled and hugged her back.
After finding out from Blake where Black was headed next, they set off to follow him. They sailed to where the river emptied out and then sailed south and west to somewhere between Dover and Brighton.
They docked in the strange city and decided to go out to search for Black. The group was Jack, Celeste, Sierra, Blake, Will, and Elizabeth.
They set out and followed Blake to a small house outside of which he told them to wait. Ten minutes later, he emerged quickly.
"Follow me." he told them. He walked past the house where there was a large empty field and then a forest far off, and pointed into the distance. "Look! It's Black!" There were about ten horses off in the distance all carrying people.
"Where are they going?" Celeste asked.
"I don't know, I'd need more time to find out." Blake replied.
"Fine." Celeste said. "There's one horse here. Jack and I will take it. You all go and get more and follow us there, alright?" Blake nodded and they all followed him back into town. She ran over to a white horse and climbed up onto it. "Come on, hop on."
Jack hesitated. "...I can't get on that thing. It's huge."
"What?!" Celeste asked urgently. "You mean you've never ridden a horse before?"
"Once..." Jack said, "a long time ago. It threw me off an' it 'urt a lot."
"Jack, stop being a baby! Get on!" she ordered. Jack looked conflicted, but reluctantly climbed onto the horse, behind Celeste. "Hold on tight, we're going to go fast." Celeste warned. Jack hesitantly put his arms around Celeste's waist and they took off.
Jack looked terrified as they sped up. "Too fast. Too fast. Too fast." Jack panicked. They rode farther down the field until they came to a fence. "Oh, no, we can't go any farther..."
"Oh, yes, we can." Celeste said and she sped up even more. Jack closed his eyes fearfully as they sped towards the fence, and jumped it.
"I think I jus' 'ad a 'eart attack..." Jack muttered shakily.
Finally, they caught up to the group of horses.
"BLACK, YOU WORTHLESS PIG!!" Celeste screamed. The black horse at the lead stopped and turned. Riding on it was Black. He rode back to them. Just then, Blake and Sierra, and Will and Elizabeth joined them.
"Well, look, if it isn' Sparrow's girl." Black said. "And look who's 'idin' behind 'er -- Sparrow. 'ow nice o' you to visit me." Jack scowled.
"Shove off, scumbag." Celeste growled. "Where's Jocelyn?"
"Oh, yes, that beautiful girl." Black said. "Now, that was a load of fun."
Jack would've cursed up a storm if Celeste hadn't been there. His anger rose and Celeste's heart sunk.
"Where is she?" Jack asked firmly.
"She's at my friend's hideout." Black replied.
"And where is that?" Jack asked.
"I'm certainly not goin' to tell you." Black said. "That girl was fun. An' she certainly 'ad a lot more in front than your girl."
Jack clenched his fists.
"We know that you're headed for your friend's hideout right now." Blake said.
"Is that so?" Black asked. He looked back at his crew. "Take care of them. I 'ave an appointment to make." He turned and rode off into the forest at top speed. His and Jack's crew both got off their horses.
"Get them -- we'll get Black!" Jack told Blake and the others, they nodded.
Celeste snapped the horses reigns and they took off after Black. They dodged between trees and jumped over logs. Finally, they came to the hideout, which was a five story house, and saw Black enter it. They rode to the door, jumped off the horse and tried to open the door -- but it was locked.
They ran around to the side of the house to look for another way in -- and they found it. Only... it was a balcony on the third floor.
"How're we supposed to get up there?" Celeste asked.
"Climb up the terrace." Jack said. Celeste nodded.
They climbed up the terrace (which was no easy feat) until they got to the third floor balcony. The terrace stopped at the same level the balcony began; though, it stuck out far enough that they could reach up and climb onto it. The balcony was lined with a four foot brick wall which Jack climbed over. Celeste climbed up as well, but with difficulty, and heaved herself up onto the wall to where she was sitting on it. Suddenly, the bricks beneath her began to crumble, causing her to fall over backwards and off the wall.
Just as she was about to scream, Jack grabbed her ankle and saved her from falling.
"Oh, my!" Celeste exclaimed breathlessly. "Not comfortable! Not okay! Panicking! Panicking!"
He pulled her up and they ran to the staircase and ran downstairs.
"Jack, where are we going?" she asked, uncertainly.
"No idea." he replied. "Jus' keep your eyes an' ears open for 'im."
Just as they came to the next staircase, five of Black's crew members came running up the stairs, charging at them. Jack and Celeste split up; four of the men went after Jack and only one after Celeste.
"What," Celeste began, talking to the man approaching her -- she unsheathed her swords, "you think because I'm a woman I'm not a threat?" She was very angry at this moment -- what they'd done to Jocelyn... "I'm the biggest threat you'll ever meet." The man raised an eyebrow and Celeste charged at him. He didn't last long. After a few quick swipes, Celeste had dispatched him.
She joined Jack, who was just starting his fight. He'd dodged several men, and was now fighting from behind a pillar. Celeste took out one without a struggle and then distracted another.
Jack backed down the corridor, fencing with two enemies. He came to a suit of armor and stepped behind it to avoid a strike from one of the men -- he then shoved it over on top of the man, pinning him to the floor. The other man put up a pretty good fight. Eventually, Jack picked up the only thing handy: a potted palm, and shoved it in the man's face. Unable to see past the plant, the man's guard fell and Jack slew him.
Celeste caught up with him and they proceeded downstairs, hoping to find Black. Downstairs, they saw a man looking out an open back door. Jack motioned to Celeste to be quiet and he snuck up behind the man. Jack pressed his sword blade to the back of the man's neck and spoke calmly, but angrily.
"Where is Black?" he asked. The man didn't reply. "Where is he?" The man still didn't reply.
"Jack, that won't do any good." Celeste said. She walked up to the man and backed him up (Jack's sword still pressed to his neck) so she could properly threaten him. She took his weapons from him and tossed them aside and told Jack to lower his weapon. "Tell us where Black is." The man glared at her but didn't answer. Celeste raised her eyebrows as if saying, "okay, then," and she punched him hard in the face; he fell to the floor, not expecting the blow. Jack was fairly surprised at her outburst of violence. While the man was on the floor, she put her sword to his neck. "Tell us where he is. I won't hesitate to mortally wound you and leave you here to die. We care about the girl he took from us -- now, tell us where he is."
The man scowled at her, but surrendered the answer. "He's going to a hideout about a mile away in the woods."
"Is it his hideout?" Celeste asked.
"Yes..." the man said.
Celeste sighed. "Probably lying."
Just then, Blake, Sierra, Will, and Elizabeth burst into the room (they'd busted the door down).
"Blake! We've found out that Black is going to a hideout about a mile into the woods!" Celeste exclaimed. "We have to get moving!" Celeste and Jack ran out the front door and got on their horse.
Just then, it thundered.
"Oh, no..." Celeste muttered.
Suddenly, rain started pouring down hard.
"Jack!" Blake yelled. "It's going to storm like mad! We had better go back to the ship! We won't be able to see our hands in front of our faces if we stay out in this!"
"No! We 'ave to save Jocelyn!" Jack protested.
"Jack, Blake is right." Celeste told him. "We could get killed if we go out in this. Why don't we go back to the Pearl and wait out the rain. We can go for Jocelyn later, okay?"
"But--"
"Jack, trust me." Celeste said. "We can't stay out in this." After a moment of arguing, they all went back to the Pearl to wait out the rain.
Jack had gone to his room, feeling a little distressed, without eating dinner or anything. After Celeste had finished eating, she went to his quarters and knocked on his door.
"Come in." Jack called, dispiritedly. Celeste entered the room and shut the door behind her. Jack had been pacing around the room and sat down on his bed, staring out the window.
"Are you alright, Jack?" she asked gently.
"Sure." he replied emptily. She sat down next to him and hugged his arm, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Jack." she told him. "I wish we could go after her now, but if something happens to us, then that completely ruins the chances of Jocelyn being rescued."
Jack sighed. "I jus' 'ate waitin' so much... I 'ope she's alright."
"So do I." Celeste agreed. "Until then, all we can do is pray."
Jack scoffed. "I gave up on prayer a long time ago, darling."
"What? Why?" she asked.
"I prayed for Mum to be okay an' what 'appened? She died a week later." Jack told her. She died a week later." Jack told her. "I prayed for Dad to come back an' did 'e? No."
"Jack, you can't lose faith." Celeste said. "If you don't have faith, you don't have anything at all. You don't know how blessed you are."
"Blessed? 'ow?"
Celeste's brow furrowed. "Jack, you are a very blessed person." she told him. "You're a captain and you love it, you've found true love, you have friends who love you, you have the Pearl... if that isn't blessed, then I don't know what is."
Jack paused. "I've jus' seen too much to 'ave faith in someone up there."
Celeste looked at him as her expression softened. "Well, someone up there has faith in you."
He glanced at her and then looked back out the window, thinking.
A few minutes later, Celeste looked up at Jack. "I promise you we'll find her, Jack." He nodded and she gave him an encouraging little smile. She released his arm and he wrapped it around her; she put her arms around him. She buried her face in his neck, contentment rushing into her. She felt so comfortable with him -- his warmth, his feel, his voice, his touch, his smell... His smell... something she didn't realize until she thought about it. He didn't smell like rum anymore, he smelled like... the Caribbean, really: like the antique wood that held the ship together, like the salt of the sea, a bit like the fresh apples he was usually eating, and always a little like Celeste's perfume since they were always together. She planted a few gentle kisses on his neck and he placed a hand on the back of her head.
"Don' move, love." he told her.
"I won't leave, Jack." she whispered.
"No, really, darling, don' move, you 'ave a spider on your shoulder."
"AAHHHH!!!" she screamed and jumped up, batting at her shoulder. "Get it off! Get it off!"
Jack laughed. "I'm jus' kiddin', love."
"What?!" she cried, pouting. "Here I am being sensitive and comforting you and you decide to completely ruin the moment and--"
"Come 'ere." he said, smiling. She was about to keep ranting about what he'd just done, but his smile charmed her out of it. She sat down on his lap and put her arms around his neck, resting her head on his. He put his arms around her. "You're not too angry for me to kiss you, are you?"
She smiled. "I don't think that's too likely to happen." He smiled and kissed her. "You're not going to ruin the moment again, are you?'
"Well, I don' know." he said, smiling. "Am I ruinin' the moment now?" he asked, placing his hands on her waist.
"I don't think so." she replied with a smile.
"Oh? 'ow 'bout now?" he asked and squeezed her waist, her absolute most ticklish spot.
"Ahh!" she laughed. "Stop it! Don't!" She squirmed around, but couldn't get away from Jack, who was still tickling her. "Ahhh!! Stop!! Ahhh!!" Finally, she was able to get a hold of his wrists. "Don't ever do that again!" She placed her hands on his cheeks and leaned in close to his face. "I swear I'll get you back for that someday. But until then... come here, you shameless scoundrel." He smiled and she kissed him.
"I wish life were this simple, love." he told her a few minutes later, holding her tightly. "I wish I could jus' 'old you in me arms forever an' never 'ave to be aware of anythin' else ever again." She stroked his hair. "But I can't... the world 'as problems... At least I 'ave someone to 'elp me face 'em... I don' want to think about 'ow I'd be doin' righ' now if I were alone... You're the one thing in my life, darling, tha's really worth livin' for."
She smiled. "You're all I've lived for since the day I met you. I don't have anything else."
"Well, you'll always 'ave me, Princess." he said and kissed her.
A few moments later, the door flew open -- it was Sierra.
"Hey, do you know where Jack -- oh..."
Celeste jumped up, away from Jack and smoothed out her clothes nervously.
"E-excuse me." Celeste stuttered, blushing like mad.
"Is that what you guys do on your free time?" Sierra asked, disgusted.
Celeste glanced at Jack and then back to Sierra. "Erm, is-is there something I can help you with?"
"The crew was just wondering how Jack was doing... but... now that I know, I'll just leave... disgusted..." Sierra mumbled and left the room.
"You know," Celeste began, sitting on Jack's lap again, "she isn't very polite."
"Well, you know... pirates." Jack excused.
"I suppose so." Celeste agreed. She put her arms around his neck and held him close. "You alright, Jack?"
"...No..." he replied truthfully. "I can't wait any longer, darling, I 'ave to go after Jos." He pried himself from her.
"Jack, it's still storming!" she cried. "We could get killed!"
"Which is exactly why you're stayin' 'ere." he told her.
She shook her head in disbelief. "No! Jack, just hold on! The storm will stop! Please don't go!" she pleaded.
"I 'ave to, love." he replied.
"Jack, please don't go!" she pleaded, tears welling in her eyes. "Please!!" He began to gather his things and ready himself for battle. "You-you can't go because... you don't... know how to ride a horse!"
"Sierra can take me." he told her.
"NO WAY!" she protested. "I'm not letting her touch you -- I don't trust her!"
"I'm sorry, love, I really am." he told her and walked out, shutting the door behind him. He pulled out a key and locked it.
"JACK!!" she yelled, banging on the door. "OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT THIS MOMENT!! JACK!!!" She wasn't about to let him go out alone -- or worse, with Sierra. She pulled out her pistol and shot the lock off the door. She flung the door open and ran down the hall after Jack, who was already almost at the end of the hallway.
"Jack, stop!!" she yelled; he continued walking down the hallway. She ran up to him and put one of her swords to his neck. "Don't you move!" she ordered, shaking.
His brow furrowed in confusion. "Celeste, what are you--"
"If you're going, I'm coming with you." she stated. He glanced back at her, tears rolling down her face. He sighed and nodded; she sheathed her sword once more.
"You know, we're goin' to 'ave to get that door fixed now." he said. "Thanks a lot."
"Hey, you left me no choice." She followed him up on deck.
Gibbs was fixing the sails when he saw them. "Cap'n! Miss! What are ye doin'? Ye can't go out in this storm!!"
Jack left the ship without offering a sideways glance to Gibbs. Celeste shrugged at Gibbs and followed Jack. They'd left the horses in a stable near the docks and Celeste and Jack ran into it. They hopped onto the white horse they'd ridden earlier and sped off into the woods. Rain soaked them as they determinedly rode through the forest.
They continued riding until they saw something in the distance. It looked like... three men on horses. They stopped and got off their horse and ducked behind a log in the mud. They were sopping wet and the ground was flooded with an inch deep of water. Just then, they heard gunshots. They ducked lower to the ground, attempting to avoid the shots.
"Stay low, darling, don' want to--"
Suddenly, Celeste cried out and fell to the ground. Jack froze. His worst fear had become reality: Celeste had been shot.
Bum bum bum!!! Tune in next time! Same bat time, same bat channel!!