I apologize for the lateness of this chapter…erm…and I'm getting this out super later so no Author Thanks…. But I appreciate everyone's review!
My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can. -Cary Grant
Jack sighed once again, impatient. Watching James sleeping wasn't terribly exciting. But he had to talk to him about something he might do on Dead Cay. Why don't you just wake him up? He thought to himself. It was a good question, but he didn't have an answer.
His eyes started to wander around the room and they landed on a small, thin, book on the floor next to his trunk. Jack narrowed his eyes and checked James one more time. Still sleeping.
Slowly, he moved towards the book and snatched it up. But when the Commodore began to stir he quickly slipped it into his inside pocket of his coat and waited for him to actually wake up.
When the brown eyes of the Commodore finally did open, he was met with a sight that startled him greatly. Jack frowned at his reaction, "I didn't think I was that bad lookin'…"
James rolled his eyes and stumbled out of bed, "What do you want?"
"Most of the crew is downstairs eatin'…gettin' ready to go explore the town. But before you do such things- we need to have a chat."
James looked at him questioningly but listened. Jack cleared his throat and turned towards James from his spot on Gibbs' cot. "Don't go out there an' act like a fool. Remember who these people are…an' also remember that they won't like people like you stickin' yer nose in their business."
James raised a eyebrow, "Why would you care?"
"It'd be a little strange for me t' go t' the Governor and tell him I got the Commodore killed."
James swallowed, hoping greatly no such thing would happen. "Anything else?"
"Aye," Jack said, getting up, "Share what you find with me…"
"I don't have to do that…this is my investigation after all, Captain."
"Well if you need t' go somewhere else…you'll need t' be tellin' me where and why…"
Norrington frowned and nodded, leaving the cabin. It didn't seem right that he was the Commodore and Jack was still ordering him around.
Sometime during the early afternoon Ana Maria had thought she heard voices. Lots of them. Talking all at once but quietly. But she had dozed off again and when she woke up finally she noticed how deathly quiet it was. She sat up, suddenly remembering her chest and the fact that she had fallen off the ropes.
She rolled her eyes at her own clumsiness and slowly made her way up to a vertical position. The wrapping Roberts had put around her torso was still present. Is breathing supposed t' hurt? She thought to herself as she tried to walk and breathe at the same time. She looked around for Roberts, who she thought would at least be down here, but he was no where to be seen, and judging by the mess the room was in- he hadn't been here in a while.
That must've been what all the noise was about…all the men were eating. She looked around and saw empty bowls of soup every where, with mugs and silverware and tipped over chairs. She hadn't realized what a mess they had made before. Still, why hadn't Roberts cleaned up after them? Or at least told them to put their bowls where they always do? In the large container so he could wash them?
She shook her head and decided to check up on deck. The ship must be docked somewhere. They wouldn't be floating out in the middle of the ocean and the crew be gone. It just wasn't probable. Slowly and painfully making her way up the steps, she reached the deck and saw that they were docked somewhere, and her only guess would be on Dead Cay.
But looking around, she found no one. She sighed and frowned. They all just left me? Great! She thought, a little frustrated about her current situation. Ana looked around the ship once and noticed the Captain's door was opened slightly. He never left it open unless he was inside.
Finding the walking up the stairs had been too painful and the consequences were also painful, she called out meekly, "Jack?" walking towards the cabin as slowly as she could. In a matter of seconds she saw him appear in the doorway and rush to her side, "Yer up! I didn't think you'd be up for another couple of hours…" Jack said, looking her over, seemingly examining her and seeing if she was okay.
"Where is everyone?"
"In town…why are you walkin' around?"
"There's no one down there! And it's not like I was gonna holler for help when I could get up by myself!"
Jack stared at her, truly concerned, "Are you hurting?"
Ana Maria stomped her foot, resisting the urge to smack him across the face. "I fell from the bloody riggin' last night! How well do you think I'm feelin'?"
He winced. Dumb question. "Okay…so what do you want t' do?"
She stared at him, she wasn't really sure. It seemed too painful to go walking around town and she wasn't in the mood for lying flat on her back all alone. But her ribs screamed for her to rest. Within ten minutes the pain had become too much to bear. Ana cringed slightly and wavered. Jack grabbed her elbow to steady her and said, "Well whether you like it or not, you're goin' t' a comfortable bed."
She smirked, "I didn't know I had one around…"
He ignored her comment and helped her to his cabin where a large bed rest. She looked at him- disbelief written all over her face, "What's this?"
"Yer bed for the day…"
She shook her head, "I can't sleep in that."
He smirked, "You can an' you will," he paused, "That's an order."
Ana sighed, "That's nice Jack…but I don't want t' be here while the rest of the crew is out gallivantin' around!"
"They understand! You fell at least fifteen feet! They won't be expectin' you t' go run a mile!"
She looked up at him, both of them still standing in front of the large bed. She didn't want to appear weak and he should've caught the meaning. She was afraid he hadn't though. "Jack…I can't do this. They would expect a man to run a mile…so they'll be expectin' twice as much from me."
Jack frowned, "They consider you just as good as them! Most of them think yer better than them at everything!" He paused, "They also want you t' stay that way…and you won't heal unless you rest."
She looked at him and then looked at the bed in front of her. She sighed and slightly nodded once. She could handle being alone…for one day. And she could handle being weaker than the rest of the crew…for one day.
He helped her up on the bed and then went over to his desk where he originally was and sat down, putting his feet on his deck and picking up a thin book from the desk. Ana Maria stared at him, not believing her eyes. "What are you doin'?"
He looked up, over his book, "Reading…believe it or not, those few years in school did me good."
"Aren't you goin' out?"
Jack shook his head, his beads rattling, "No reason to."
She frowned, "Then why'd we come here?"
He smirked, "Not everywhere we go is 'bout my desires…just most of the places."
Ana stared at him as he returned to his book, not believing that he wasn't at least sightseeing, which he did on every port and town where they stopped. A thought fluttered into her mind that it was for her, but she quickly dismissed it, not wanting to think that.
Gruff looking people roamed the streets of Dead Cay. None of them looked friendly enough to talk to, let alone share who pays them and where they're going. Feeling discouraged, he went into the local bar and sat down on the stool.
"What say you?"
James looked up at the bartender and said, "Who's the best here?"
The man looked at him for a moment and then nodded, understanding. Looking around he said, "Most likely Amethyst Rainey."
Norrington stared at him, "A woman?"
"Hey! You got a problem with women?"
James swallowed quickly, "No…just surprised…where can I find her?"
The bartender pointed behind James and said, "Right there. She the woman with the long blonde hair." James swiveled around and scanned the room and found the only non-prostitute woman with blonde hair that easily reached down to her ribs. Norrington swallowed and got up, walking to her. "Amethyst?" he said, standing in front of the table she was sitting at.
The woman looked up from the dagger she was sharpening and said, "It's Amy…who are you?"
"Nathan Anderson…"
"Sit down Mr. Anderson…" she paused, putting away the weapon, "I'm assumin' you're a payin' customer…"
James offered a weak smile as he sat and said, "I just want to make sure I know what I'm getting into…" he said, playing along. Maybe if she thinks I want to hire her, then I'll get some stuff out of her.
What happens when she asks for a name?
We'll get to that later.
She sighed, leaning back, "I've heard all the questions Mr. Anderson…but go ahead."
"Who exactly hires you? Pirates only?"
Amy frowned, "Well that's new…" she cleared her throat, "Pirates…yes, but also armies. The French, Spanish, English…but mostly pirates." She paused, "And on occasion some military men who want t' get rid of their king…Governor…commanding officer."
"Military men?"
She nodded, "I know what I'm talkin' about Mr. Anderson. My lover, Ted, is over in an England owned island right now…takin' care of business."
James resisted the urge to let his mouth drop. He scratched his chin to keep his mouth closed and then said, "So this island is well known…"
She shrugged, "People here eat well…no one starves."
He nodded, "Anyone can hire you?"
She narrowed her eyes, "Anyone who pays the fee." He nodded and she went on, "Now that I think of it…if you see that bloody Jack Sparrow around…tell him he owes me."
James kept nodding to himself while she talked, trying to figure and sort all this in his head. So anyone could've hired our assassin…which could be her lover… He paused when he heard Jack's name. "What?" he questioned, not knowing what she had just said since he wasn't listening.
"Jack Sparrow! If you find him, tell him he owes me big."
James' eyes widened, "He's hired you?"
She paused, "In a sense."
The first thought that popped into his head was, he lied to me! I asked him if he's ever hired an assassin! And he lied!
Didn't he just say no respectable pirate would do that?
I guess that makes him unrespectable.
"So…" Amy said, breaking through his thoughts. "Anything else?"
He looked up at her, "Who hired your Ted?"
She frowned, "That's confidential buddy. I do want him comin' home sometime soon." A slow smile spread across her face, "Though he did just come home for a day…quite nice of him if you ask me."
Norrington disregarded that last comment, thinking he didn't want to know about this woman's personal life. This was all he was going to get out of her. He looked out the windows, it was getting dark- time to get back to the Pearl He sighed as he thought of something, "So what's your fee?"
She smiled, "Three pounds up front and six afterwards."
His eyes bulged and he started to get up, "I'm sorry…I don't have that much…I thought you were cheap!"
She shrugged, "If you want me to do a sloppy job…" She shrugged again and he took that as a message to leave. But as he left the tavern, a man who was sitting at the table right next to him got up and left the tavern.
Ana Maria dozed off in a matter of minutes and Jack was left alone looking at his 'book'. It was actually Norrington's book; Jack thought it might've been a diary of some sort, and if it was, then he was replace it quickly. There was no need to delve into the Commodore's, most likely boring, thoughts.
After an hour of looking at it, and wondering when Ana was going to wake up from being down in the galley, he finally picked up the book and opened it to the first page. Something he wasn't expecting at all seemed to pop out off the page. It was a smile.
In fact it was just a smile. The black and white picture featured the top lip down to the chin. Nothing more. Jack sighed and focused on the piece of work in front of him. It wasn't a full smile, but a simple grin. It also looked familiar. Jack had seen this grin before. When he looked around the page for some sort of indication of who the smile belonged to, Jack saw at the bottom James had written, 'Elizabeth' and then the date. It was the day that Jack had escaped, the second time. Jack wasn't sure if that meant James drew it on that date or saw it on that day.
He turned the page slowly and saw a mouth that wasn't smiling at all, but it was serious. There was a thin hairline outlining the mouth and Jack could only guess it was Will. The mouth was solemn, but truthful almost. Jack looked around the page and saw the date was the same as before, but it had writing under it, "I should have told you every day from the moment I met you. I love you. –Will Turner". Jack frowned, assuming Will said it to Elizabeth while the Commodore was at close proximity. Bummer.
He looked on the opposite page, hoping find more things other than mouths, but to his dismay he found a mouth smiling, but it looked awfully familiar. Jack paused, looked at the drawing closely and frowned. It was him.
The grin was sloppy, as if put on to make someone mad. There was a date on the bottom, Jack's name without the correct title and a quote underneath like the last, "but you have heard of me". Jack smirked and kept going, not ready to think about what this all meant. Maybe I'm on a hit list of some sort…
The next page was that of a simple smile, one that Jack had seen too many times to remember. He figured it was Ana Maria, but he wasn't sure why Norrington would draw such a thing. But as he looked at the date it was just a couple days ago. And Ana's name was there, along with a little note, "Only around Jack". The pirate frowned. What the blast is that supposed to mean?
He grumbled to himself and lazily looked over on the next page, but the sight almost made him choke on his own spit. It was a full face, wonderfully drawn, as if it was the actual person. The person was Bianca.
Jack dropped his feet from his desk and leaned forward, looking at the picture more closely. Bianca's jet black hair was up, and her wild, unruly curls were flowing around her face. She had five cards in one of her hands- to the side of her face. Her eyes were bright and seemed to be smiling. James had captured her true look, her big hoop earrings that you could only see when her hair was up, her two rings on that hand that she was using to hold the cards and her long eyelashes. Her smile was full, her dimples seemed to pop out at you; James seemed to had drawn this at the moment she smiled. Jack looked down and saw that he hadn't though. He had done it today- must've been when he first woke up.
Jack quickly shut the book and threw it on his desk. He would need to return it before the day was over. James hadn't brought much money with him, so to spend it on a night in a room was foolish when he could just come on aboard and sleep in his cabin- and that's exactly what he did.
He sighed. He hadn't wanted this to happen. James wasn't even a true pirate and besides that, he was only a temporary crewmember! He would be leaving soon! Jack's head sank into his hands as he thought of Bianca wallowing in bed when she found out about Norrington and her sleeping away her pain. He probably felt bad for her because she was like his own daughter. He had taken her in as his own, and he wanted to protect her but…
Maybe you shouldn't have stuck your nose in James' things!
Maybe she doesn't feel for him what he feels for her…
You don't truly believe that, do you?
Jack paused and looked at the sleeping woman in his bed. He could ask Ana Maria for a few helpful hints on Bianca's love life, couldn't he?
You'll be sorry…you don't want to get into this.
Ah…what do you know?
How do I know that Jack didn't hire this guy to kill the Governor? I could've walked into a trap without even noticing…No wonder he wants to know what I find out! Once I get too close, he kills me! Norrington walked slowly back to the docks, ready to confront Jack once he got on the ship.
Not the best idea you've ever had James…
He sighed. He was usually cool and calm about 'hot situations'. He needed to keep his head during this and strike at the right moment. But he right now, he needed to let off some steam. Too bad he couldn't tell Bianca about this. She seemed not level-headed, but just easy going. She would help him through this, if she could.
Lost in his thoughts, James didn't even notice the large man following him.
That was useless. Jack thought as he walked across the deck towards James' cabin. Once Ana Maria had woken up, Jack started asking her questions about who Bianca's latest love interest was. Ana seemed offended and yelled at Jack for even asking. Giving up quickly, Jack went to go put the book away.
He saw a figure walking towards him and hoped it wasn't James. Still, he slowly moved his hand holding the book behind his back. "Ahoy!"
"Captain…" Jack relaxed, recognizing the voice. It was only Roberts.
"Roberts! How was the day?"
"Fine…got some stuff here for Ana Maria's pain…"
Jack nodded, "She's in my cabin."
"Your cabin sir?" Roberts questioned, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Jack rolled his eyes, "Aye. My cabin." He shook his head and walked to James' cabin, hoping Roberts would just drop it and go help the woman.
Opening the door and slipping the book on the floor, Jack felt himself feeling glad he was rid of the book. He sighed and closed the door, deciding to go look around the island. Maybe he could find some interesting things.
As he started to walk down the plank and look around, he saw a figure that looked like James and a man about ten feet behind him, following him. He had a hand resting on a pistol. Jack cursed to himself and tried to get off the dock without being noticed.
James looked up and saw the Pearland sighed. Maybe Bianca would be on board and then he could find some way to talk to her. He sighed again and started towards it, but the feel of cold steel against his neck made him rethink walking forward.
"Turn 'round mate."
James slowly did as he was told and turned to look at a man who was quite dirty, tall and fat. He resisted the urge to sneer. "Yer gettin' too close mate…that mouth of yers..."
James swallowed, "I don't know what you're talkin' about…"
"I think I know exactly what I'm talkin' 'bout mate."
"Aye, but he doesn't understand it when people slur."
James' mouth dropped. Jack had practically appeared out of nowhere, and now he had his pistol touching this man's head. The man seemed unfazed by this, "This is between me an' the kid! It's no concern of yers if he's found dead in the mornin'."
"I'm sorry, but I just can't allow that," Jack said, cocking his gun.
The man didn't move his body one inch. But slowly, his hand moved towards his pocket and he pulled out a silver dagger. Jack's eyes widened and He quickly shot the man just as he was about to stab James in the stomach. As it was, the man was so determined, he ended up slicing Norrington's side. The Commodore cried in shock and pain and stepped back as the fat man fell on his side. Jack quickly stepped over him and asked, "Did he still get you?"
James nodded as he pulled his hand away from his side, to revel blood on his shirt and his hand. Jack cursed under his breath and sighed, "Well…at least I won't be hung on charges on being responsible for the Commodore's death…" he paused, "let's get you to Roberts."