Author's
Notes: Several chapters are written as "flash backs" and
this will be noted at the beginning of the chapter. If it doesn't say
*Flashback* in the author's notes at the start, it's
in present time (just after the end of the movie). I apologise if ppl find this
story fairly dark but I believe Jack carries a lot of personal demons and that's
what I'm exploring :)
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#1 – Old Friends Re-United
A crescent moon hung low in the sky, its pale light leeching the colour from everything it touched. Beneath it, a lone ship slipped quietly through calm seas; a knife slicing through the rich, dark blue silk of the ocean. Above it, stars shone brightly; a thousand diamonds scattered across the black velvet of the night sky.
"Holdin'
in the rain," A male voice murmured quietly to the darkness, as he looked
up at the sky. His tone was soft, almost loving, as he stood at the helm of
his ship, his hands gently caressing the smooth wood of the ship's wheel.
For ten years he'd been separated from the one thing he cared for most
in the world, the one thing he was willing to risk his life to recapture.
The Black Pearl
After years of torment and pain, listening to increasingly gruesome tales about the exploits of his mutinous first mate Barbossa and the way she'd been used, he finally had her back. She was more than just a ship; she was his wife, his mistress, his one true love, and he'd never let her be taken away from him again. He was finally back where he belonged, free to go where he chose without restriction. He breathed a small, happy sigh and turned his attention back to the dark horizon, knowing exactly where he was heading.
A slight scrapping noise alerted him to the presence of another person on deck, and he remained silent, waiting to see who appeared before him. He hid a smile as Gibbs slowly staggered up the steps towards him, the smell of rum preceding the older man and making Jack suddenly thirsty.
"Thought ya might need a drink Sir," Gibbs told him, his speech slightly slurred.
"Sounds like you've had more than enough for both of us," Jack replied, his tone amused.
"Aye, that I ave Sir, but I figured you'd maybe be needin a little sip bout now."
"Aye, that I do," Jack murmured, gratefully taking the bottle of rum Gibbs offered him. With practised ease, he uncorked the bottle and took a large swig, quickly swallowing the bitter liquid. Jamming the cork back into the bottle, he handed it back to his First Mate, smiling slightly as a gentle warmth began to spread through his body.
"So, you an the Pearl getting re-acquainted then Captain?"
"No need. We know each other far too well."
"Aye, I must say ya do look mighty at home."
"Oh yes, I'm right where I belong," Jack told him, a secretive half smile tugging at his lips.
"Bootstrap's lad, he happened to ask how ya came by that compass..." Gibbs suddenly said. Though he tried to sound casual, his own curiosity was clear.
"Hmmm, did he indeed?" Jack muttered softly, speaking to himself more than the man beside him before he lapsed into a thoughtful silence.
The silence stretched from seconds to minutes as Jack thought about the compass, and the person who had given it to him. Finally, he turned his head slightly and looked at his First Mate.
"Well, I guess it's about time someone knew..."
"Sir?"
"Sit down Gibbs, an I'll tell ya the story of the compass... and the woman who gave it to me," His voice soft, Jack motioned his friend to sit down. "It's a cold night, an we need somethin to wile away the long hours til dawn..."
"Aye, that we do Captain," Gibbs replied, settling himself down on the smooth deck beside Jack and waiting.
Taking another long swig from the bottle of rum, Jack tried to compose his scattered thoughts, trying to decide where to begin.
"May as well
start at the beginnin. It all started when I was First Mate aboard a ship called
the "Intrepid Explorer". She was a fine ship, captained by a man
named James Wolf, a notorious pirate back then. Let's see, it must be
nigh on fifteen year ago now, long before I set eyes on the Pearl..."
As he spoke, Jack's eyes became slightly unfocused and he lost himself
in his memories...