Author's Notes: This chapter is written as a *Flashback*
OK, I know I said I was not going to update for a bit, but I can't get this story out of my head. But first I just want to say... Woo-Hoo! 20 reviews! Most I've ever had on one story LOL
Mistress of Destruction – yes, I do want reviews. They encourage me to keep going. Thank you very much for your reviews, and I am really sorry about the last cliff hanger. I promise, this chapter will stop at a good place. Yes, Jack's character is a little different, but the rouge we know will emerge soon, I promise :-)
Thank you to my other reviewers too, it all helps the muses swing their hammers at my head to keep me going LOL Oh yeah, this is going to be a short one. Sorry.
Jack:
Oi, Norrington, I think she's losing it mate!
Norrington: What do you mean, *losing* it? I thought she had
already lost it!
Me: Do you two mind?
Jack & Norrington: Not really, no
Me: Look, if you two don't be quiet, I'll kill
off Ash so Jack doesn't get his girl... and I won't write the sequel
to this story either, and you know what that means, right Norrington?
Norrington: Indeed!
Jack: Just write already, will ye?
************************
#8 – Parley
Jack Sparrow, First Mate of the Intrepid Explorer, was feeling something he had never felt before, and it was threatening to overwhelm him. He was terrified. As he hurried through the streets of Tortuga, keeping close to his Captain, all he could think about was how stupid Ash had been. And how scared he was for her safety. "What the bloody hell was she thinkin?" he thought savagely. Didn't she know how dangerous a place like Tortuga was, especially for a woman? No, of course she didn't. She was a lady, kept sheltered from places such as this. That fact didn't ease his fear though, nor lessen his anger. He was pulled from his thoughts as the man beside him stopped abruptly, his attention fixed on something Jack couldn't see. Following his Captain's gaze into the dimly lit alley beside them, his breath caught in his throat at the sight which greeted him. Matthew Anson, the Explorer's stocky cook, was knelt beside a small body; Scarlet, and another man Jack didn't recognise, stood beside him. The body appeared to be that of a young boy, certainly the clothing it wore was male. Only the bright red sash around the waist told Jack who it was, laying in the mud.
Ashanae.
"Stay here," Wolf ordered, his tone brooking no argument. Jack could only look on in horror as the older man entered the alley and knelt beside Matthew. Each second felt like a lifetime as he waited, powerless to change the events which fate had set in motion. Was she injured, but alive? Who had done this to her? And when? What had her attacker done to her? Was she dead? Had they raped and tortured her? Had she died, alone and in pain, screaming for someone to help her? The questions raced through his mind as he waited, each more painful than the last. Forcing back his tears, he looked again at the still form, laying crumpled and broken in the semi-darkness, beside his Captain. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but the look on wolf's face, as he turned to look at Jack, made the younger man's heart sink.
She was dead.
Head bowed with grief, Jack didn't see Wolf approach him, carrying Ashanae's limp form; nor did he hear his friend say his name. It was only when the Captain repeated himself that Jack heard him and looked up. Wolf's expression was grave as he handed her body to the young pirate.
"Come on, we have t' get her back t' the ship." He looked down at his First Mate, seeing the grief on his face, and reached out to squeeze the younger man's shoulder gently. "She's alive, Jack. Barely. We have t' get her back t' the ship, if we want to give her any chance to survive."
"She's not dead?" Jack breathed, looking down at the badly beaten, blood covered young woman in his arms.
"No, she's alive. But if we don't get her back t' the ship, now, she won't stay that way for long!"
"Aye Cap'n!" Cradling Ash in his arms, Jack hurried back to the ship with Wolf and Anson; praying to any Gods who might have been listening... let her live.
Stifling a yawn, Jack Sparrow stretched carefully, trying not to disturb the young woman sleeping beside him. For three days and nights, he had stayed by her side and refused to sleep; fearful that if he left her, even for a moment, the Reaper would steal her away in his absence. By the fourth day, Wolf had had to have him forcibly removed and persuaded to rest; he'd stressed to Matthew not to hurt the lad when he knocked him out. Wolf had then watched over the girl, during Jack's absence. He had even hidden his amusement at his First Mate's blatant insubordination when, upon his return, the lad had verbally torn strips off his captain for such an underhand manoeuvre. An apology to the older man had followed a few hours later, when Jack realised the necessity of his friend's actions. Two days later, she had regained consciousness for a few moments, long enough to whisper the word "Parley" before slipping into a natural sleep. Jack had spent the entire night pondering what the repercussions of that single word might prove to be. A knock on the door made him sit up, and he moved slowly off the bed to answer it.
"Is she awake yet?" Wolf asked, looming in the doorway.
"No, but her breathin be more steady t'day. I think she's gonna be ok." A smile pulled at his lips as he spoke, and his friend smiled in return.
"Are you two going to stand there muttering all day?" A disgruntled voice behind them asked. Both men looked over at the bed and saw Ash looking at them. Her face was still swollen and bruised, but her eyes were clear and alert.
"Begging yer pardon miss," Wolf replied, bowing slightly before stepping into the room. The look she shot him clearly said she didn't believe he was sincere in his apology, but she said nothing about it.
"So ye are awake then, minx?" Jack laughed, coming to sit beside her.
"Aye, I am. And I'm glad you are both here. I'm sure Jack has told you what I said last night, Captain?"
"Aye, he has."
"Good."
"So tell me, what is it that ye want?" The Captain was not one for small talk; at least not where parley was concerned.
"I want to request asylum," she stated. Seeing the vaguely confused looks on the faces of both men, she simplified her request. "I want to stay here, on the Explorer. I am requesting to join your crew, Captain."
"Really?" He did nothing to hide the amusement in his voice, but hid his surprise from both of them completely.
"Yes!" she confirmed emphatically.
"Well, we'll have to wait and see..." he replied, a secretive smile on his lips...
*******
Before anyone starts shouting, this is not really a cliff hanger, as such.
Ash is safe, she's with Jack and has made her request. You can all probably
guess what the answer will be, but tune in next time to find out *wicked grin*
Just a thought for everyone, as I disappear into my study books... the reason I wrote Norrington in this early is this... on the dockside, Jack says "Commodore Norrington, my effects please." But I couldn't recall anyone saying his name. So I watched it again; Elizabeth only calls him Commodore, and no-one else refers to him by his name. So, if they'd never met before, how did Jack know his name was Norrington???
Jack:
Cos I'm Captain Jack Sparrow!
Me: *sigh* Whatever!