Chapter 3
Authors Note: Thank you to everyone who reviewed!! Im in my computer class so more detailed thanks will come, promise, and my comments to everything everyone's said too... cross my heart. Dont forget tonight on the History channel, Alexander the Great special 8! Cant wait to see it!
Jack woke sitting bolt upright in bed trying to remember why the person in his dream seemed so familiar. He hadnt been part of the Pearl's crew, Jack was certain of that, and he couldnt place him at Tortuga either. So then- the image of a man sitting huddled in a street gutter rose to his memory, a tattered and formerly blood-stained bandanna had been tied into a strip that went around his eyes.
He was covered in grime and he held out a cup with only a few pennies in the bottom. Jack didnt know why that memory should manifest itself now but in his dream the cup had held two eyes and the rag was removed to show cavernous empty eye-cavities. Jack forced back the shudder of revulsion vowing that he'd never give life the opportunity to throw him in those circumstances.
The full consequences were a burden that threatened to tear him apart. Not only wouldnt he be able to sail the Pearl, but he wouldnt belong on any other boat or ship again. His heart lurched painfully at the thought. He'd have to stay onland, and what profession did he qualify for?
The only thing he could think of was a stable-hand, he couldnt get a job at a tavern not even as a bar-keep because he wouldnt know if men were robbing him- blind.
Jack rammed his fist into the wall satisfying himself with the shock of pain that reverberated up his arm. Sitting up he thought he heard the doors open, but surely none of the crew would be so daft as to do so when he'd specifically told them not too.
"Do not do this, Jack Sparrow." someone had pinned him to the bed, through his fog-filled mind he definately felt the soft contours of a woman. A very irate woman who didnt seem to notice that her stomach muscles were digging into a vulnerable place on his body that he would much rather she avoid.
"'m not doing anything, love." he objected before she would think of smacking him.
"You were. I called your name twice and I didnt get an answer. Don't shut me out, understand?"
"Never, you know me better'n that, Ana."
"No, I used to know you." she sat up but Jack no longer felt any pain, he wasnt feeling much of anything at the moment.
"What the blazes does that mean?" Jack demanded though he might be temoporarily out of commission he was nevertheless Captain and he detested being spoken to as a cabin boy.
"Its been three days, Cap'n since your men've last seen you." Ana said logically, she had long since given up placating him. She knew the only way to help restore his morale and confidence in himself was to make him angry enough to seek solace outside Captain's quarters.
"I have my reasons." he replied shortly though he made no motion to push her away.
"Not very good ones." she got up but stood just to the side so he would be able to feel her presence, "I think your hiding from them."
"Do you now." Jack too got up falling directly into her trap, "And when, might I ask, have I ever hidden something from the crew?"
"Have you told Gibbs, the poor man was worried sick with you barricaded up in here with only me to bring you food and drink." she watched in satisfaction as Jack strapped on his compass, pistol, and cutlass unconsciously.
"I havent, and I trust what I tell you under confidence stays that way." Jack aimed a glare her way, or at least what he hoped was in her direction.
"But of course, Captain." Ana scoffed, "...when you acted like one."
"And you are one of the crew, isnt the crew supposed to take orders? Do what they're told? Broke no arguement to the man in charge?!"
"On a Navy ship mayhap!" Ana overlooked the insult seeing as she was doing quite a lot of that herself. "Taking orders, 'aye aye, sir' 'if that be your wish, Commodore' 's that what y'want, Sparrow? Us bowin' and scrapin' t'ye're orders at t'drop o'a hat?"
"Your accent, love." Jack grinned despite the full-fledged arguement brewing, "Always shows itself when you're upset o'er something."
He paused lifting a finger to his beard and tipping his head to the side in an unmistakable Jack-like maneuver,
"What be you thinkin,' Jack?" Ana was always suspicious of that look, it either meant he was planning to go after new treasure or looking for some adventure bound to dangerous tides.
"That there's a Captain front of the Jack Sparrow you've mentioned now twice without proper address of respect."
"So our Captain's back?" Ana went behind him and placed his hat firmly on his head, she wrapped her arms around his throat so that her arms dangled towards the opening in his white shirt.
"'e never left, lass." Jack turned and swiftly backed her up against the wall, "Want me t'prove it to you?"
"Maybe later." she said despite the temptation he broked looking so confident and back in charge, "First a trip to the doctor."
"Beg pardon?" Jack looked so suddenly confused and dismayed that Ana had to hold her breath to evade off the oncoming laughter, "A doctor? What the bloody hell for, Nolan was here and gone, he said that I was fine and wouldnt need to seek any offboard help."
"Nolan doesnt know about your affliction, does he." Ana pointed out rather logically, "And Singapore is well known for their medical advancements, as you well know. Now is it a trip to see them, or do I have to bring them back here to see you? A doctor onboard the Pearl in fine sight of anyone who were to walk past..."
"Y'drive a hard bargain, love." Jack still did not look happy at the thought of seeing a doctor, any doctor no matter how interesting the prospect may be. "But 'tis Singapore after all, eh? And I can perhaps buy something for what you promised later."
"Sooner we're there, sooner we're back, mate." Ana grinned as she opened the cabin's doors, "Off we go, Captain." And as they left a special thanks to whichever muse leant her the willpower and strength to get Jack to do what she almost hadnt the courage to do.
Frowning from the shadows neither Jack nor Ana noticed the blood-red cape twining from the side of a building. Darkness covered his expression, yet none who passed could look long at the malevolent hatred burning in his blue eyes.
He watched the pirate captain and his woman as they made their way through the crowd. Though he downed whatever liquor remained in his golden ornate tankard he didnt let the pair escape his scrutiny. Jack Sparrow would get what's coming to him, he'd bide his time for as long as he needed.
The streets were too busy, and like any town Jack happened to visit, people stopped and took notice. If he were to enact his revenge now there would be a gaggle of spectators ready to stop him. That wouldnt do, no, that wouldnt do at all.
He hated being so predictable, but his attack would have to wait until more than just the sides of buildings and alleyways were darkened. He'd have to wait until nightfall, bodies always turned up come morning and no one took notice of them. This would be no different, he had plenty of experience with hiding evidence.
The cape with black velvet coating the inside stayed tucked resoutely around his slim body even as the wind howled its warning. Tracking prey, that's what he had to do, never let them out of his sight and he'd have them cornered when the time was right. Like two rabbits for a stew, and he was an expert marksman when it came to hunting...