A/N and Disclaimer: I have a dream that one day my computer won't think that it's funny to crash every month. I have a dream that one day parents won't ground me from the computer. I have a dream that one day school won't get in the way of what I want to do. I have a dream that one day I will own Pirates of the Caribbean. You know what...that is a dream.
Oh, sorry for the long delay. I hope there is not another one of those, but it's just a hope. Here's the long awaited chappy. And if you get bored with this one, there are always my other stories that you can check out. I have a humorous one up called The Adventures of Sparrow and Turner...all I have to say is LOL. Here you go!
Chapter 5: The Dream and Task
Alex woke up from a strange dream. It was of a dark deck of a ship. There was a full moon and the ship was sailing for a dark mass in the distance. After seeming to sail for hours, she would end up at the island. When she was on the beach of black sand, she noticed birds flying away. She would take a few steps on the beach and she would be punted back to reality. Alex didn't even bother to ponder about the dream anymore. She had dreamed it so many times before.
It's just a dream I don't understand, Alex thought.
She removed her feet from the desk and noticed that it had become very hot. This coat, she thought. No the wig and hat, too. How on earth do men wear these things all the time? Immediately removing Norrington's old coat and hanging it up, she took the hat off her head and threw it away from her, not caring where it landed.
Ah, but Norry would want his wig back, wouldn't he? She fingered the wig on her head. It's probably cold in the brig. He might need it.
Alex smiled to herself. She always seemed happy causing rich and snobby people discomfort, but she never could keep them in discomfort for long. Standing up, she made her way to the door and pulled it open, letting the late afternoon sun in. Her crew was busy bustling around, some being tutored by her newly added members of her crew. The Siren's Song, she could see, was right ahead of them leading the way to one of her favorite marooning spots.
Some of the crew acknowledged her presence on deck and nodded to her saying, 'Afternoon, Cap'n' or 'How 'r' things?' She passed them all by and made her way below deck, the stairways clear of people and free of noise.
Alex explored each level as she got to it, but just returned to the stairs to go to the brig. When she could not go lower any further, she just stood next to the door, with her hand on it. The commotion on the other side was nothing she had ever heard coming from a brig of a ship.
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"Now sing it with me, Jim!" Jack yelled. "You know the next line!"
Norrington had given up trying to argue with the pirate and joined in singing the song about an hour after Jack started. The tune was catchy and therefore hard to get out of hid head once it was sung over and over again.
"Alright, alright," James said, then sang. "We're rascals and scoundrels, we're villains and knaves, drink up me hearties yo ho!"
Jack continued singing loudly, "We're devils, we're black sheep, we're really bad eggs, drink up me hearties, yo ho!"
Then they both sang together as the door opened, "We're beggars and blighters and ne'er do well cads!!!"
James stopped singing when Alex walked in, but Jack, who's back was to the door, did not see her and continued singing, "Drink up me hearties, yo ho! Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads, drink up-- Commodore! Why aren't ye singin'?!"
He turned a little to see what Norrington was looking at and saw Captain Alex looking at them both with reprove. Norrington was torn between not looking at the woman with a corset on the outside of her clothing, or not looking. Jack was just plain looking impatient that they didn't get to finish the song. He opened his mouth to tell her that, but she began before he could get a word out.
"I'm not quite familiar with that song. Did you come up with it yourself?" Alex looked at them in turn before continuing, "I can't say that I've heard anything like it before. However, I am not here for idle small talk."
"I think you'll be wantin' this back," Alex took off the wig with a swipe of her hand and tossed it to the staring commodore through the bars. She turned to Jack, "Jack I'm going to bring you up to your former cabin, but I don't want any funny business. I'm just not in the mood."
"Why would that be?" Jack wondered.
"I'm about to run an interrogation, Mr. Sparrow, not to powder my wig," She said with a hint of a smile.
Many things crossed Jack's mind as to what she would want to ask him as she unlocked his cell and followed behind him with a pistol in his back.
The sun was setting when they reached the deck. There were not many people on deck and none that Jack recognized, now that their jobs were done.
Jack was pushed inside his old room and heard the doors click shut behind him. he didn't bother to turn around, but walked straight toward his chair behind his desk and sank into it. Now comfortable he turned his attention to the fickle woman, that was glaring at him. She smirked and sat down in the opposite chair on the other side of the desk.
Jack saw how the sunlight through the windows reflected off of her dark red hair that was up behind her head. With the wig on he could not see her hair, but now that the wig was gone, he could see that her hair was a beautiful color.
"Mr. Sparrow," Alex said, watching Jack put his feet on the desk. "I would first like to explain that I would like straight answers from you. Do not avoid my questions..."
Jack remembered that he needed to listen to the woman's bantering, "What was that, love?"
"Do not avoid my questions..." Alex seemed to be shooting daggers, but Jack didn't really notice. Sitting up a little, he figured he could see the light catch her hair better. Her hair seems to reflect her personality, fiery with temper...but she is so fickle sometimes....must be hiding something with that temper of hers, poor lass...
"...And you must explain your answers. Being a pirate means that I don't trust anyone, but me own crew, so I may not trust you with all you say. However, I recommend that you answer honestly," She took out her pistol and set it on her lap. "Understand?"
He nodded. She just needs to let her hair down...relax...how long is your hair, Alex? Is it curly, straight, tangled, well kept...?
Good," Alex leaned forward a bit, Jack could now see her light brown eyes that seemed to glitter with intensity. "I've heard stories about an island that cannot be found except for those who knew where it was before a certain pirate captain stole cursed gold from it. I've also heard that you know where that little isle is. Do you?"
Jack was taken off guard with that question. He was expecting some question like where he hid the Caribbean's most prized rum stash. With this question, though, he would have to word it carefully when he explained or he would not be in the greatest situation. Not saying that his current one was any better.
Jack cleared his throat, "Aye, Captain. I do know where it is, but I do not recommend going there."
"Now, why is that?" Alex leaned forward in interest.
"Milady, I know that there are more horrible curses on that island than one could imagine. I'm not usually the one to go on with luck, but that place is bad luck," Jack said in all seriousness.
Alex nodded and sat back in her chair, "Do you know how to get there?"
Didn't she listen? Jackthought. Bloody women never listen.
Aye, Captain, but that place is cursed! Nothing good can come of it! We can't go there!" Jack told her, hoping she would just abandon the stupid concept.
She glared at him and stood up, "Mr. Sparrow, what I do is my own business."
She shoved her pistol in her belt and slowly walked around the desk, leaning on the arms of the chair that Jack was sitting in, very close to his face, "If I believed there were such things as curses, which I do, I'd be interested to know what kind of curses plague this island."
Jack could see her eyes clearly now.
Such a pretty amber brown. Wait...I can't get distracted.
Jack didn't think he knew all the curses on the island and even if he did he wouldn't tell her. It was just too dangerous.
His silence told all to Alex and she straightened up, "You don't know them, do you?"
"Milady, all that I feel I need to say is that you are going to your death," Jack stood up and looked at her, taking off his hat and bowing slightly, his trinkets in his hair jingling.
Silence. Hmm...I can deal with that.
"Captain, I don't think ye understand. These curses are terrible! A curse that I was part of made me lose living my life. I could feel nothing. I was not alive and so I couldn't die, but I wasn't dead. I made the choice to take upon the curse to get my beloved Pearl back and when I had defeated the man that stole her from me, I lifted the curse by returning my bloody, cursed medallion! Milady, curses are the worst things that could ever happen to anyone. I would not even wish it upon my enemy..."
Jack stopped for a moment. That was a lie. He did wish a curse on his enemy. That's what Barbossa go after he stole the Pearl, but Jack did not want to think of that.
"...Captain, I sacrificed everything to get this ship back," Jack sat back down in his chair and turned away from her. He had said all of what was on his mind and he had given her everything in all honesty. Jack didn't want to look at her, she would just laugh at his moment of weakness.
Alex did not laugh. She had a few silent tears falling down her face. Jack had experience curses firsthand. He had taken upon himself a curse to get a ship that she took away from him. The silence seemed to stretch on.
Alex wiped her tears away and spoke, "Captain..."
Jack looked up. She did not say it with disdain or sarcasm, but she said the title with respect.
I wish to go to the island and explore it. If you take me there, you may have your ship back," Jack's eyes widened in surprise.
Alex held out her hand, "Do we have an accord?"
He hesitated a moment, then stood up, held his hand out and shook hers, nodding, "Agreed."
Her eyes lingered on his dark, but bright eyes surrounded by kohl looking back at her.
Then Alex spoke, "Captain, please sit down. There is something that I must share with you."
He looked questioningly at her, but sat as asked.
"I feel you have been honest with me, so I must be honest with you," Alex told Jack in sincerity. "All that I will say is that my sisters are on that cursed island and I need to save them from the curse that they are under. Thank you for agreeing to help me, even if it was for your beautiful ship."
Jack tried to smile, but it turned out to be more of a grimaced. Her sisters were in danger and all he wanted was his ship. But he did agree to help her.
"Your welcome," he looked at her and she was again standing in the light of the setting sun. Her hair shone and glittered.
Alex turned away from him, "You may go back to the brig with Norrington, to an extra room, or to the helm. Whatever you want to do. It is almost dark and so plotting a point for us to go for tonight might not work to our advantage, but the choice is yours."
Her back was to him and so he could not see her face. Instead he stood and walked across the room to the double doors, "Thank you, Captain. We will get to the island as soon as we can."
He left her, gently closing the doors behind him.
Alex stood there, feeling mixed emotions. She was happy that she could finally save her sisters, but she was also sad that she didn't find Sparrow sooner.
That Sparrow, Alex thought. Hearing so much about him could never tell who he really is.
She sat down behind the desk again, dozing into a fitful sleep.
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"Ah, Mr. Turner!" Governor Swann walked into the parlor and greeted Will. "How are you doing these days? How is the shop getting along?"
"Not bad at all, sir. It has actually improved since Mr. Brown gave me the shop for an early wedding gift," Will smiled proudly.
Governor Swann nodded, "Good, good. I've come to tell you that Elizabet will be down in a moment. I have something to tell you both."
"Yes, sir," Will said, but wondered what the governor actually wanted to say. For the past few days it was all about the wedding that was coming up.
The governor turned toward the parlor's double doors, "Ah, here she is."
Elizabeth walked in. She was wearing an almost floor length dress that was patterned with hummingbirds and flowers. It had a square neck and 3/4 length sleeves. The creme color of the dress made Elizabeth look beautiful.
Not that she isn't beautiful anyway, Will thought.
"Will!" Elizabeth smiled.
They took each others hands and sat on the couch. The Governor sat on a chair opposite a tea table.
"Will, Elizabeth," He said. "I have received some very unhappy news."
Will and Elizabeth both ceased looking at each other and turned to look at Governor Swann.
"What kind of news?" Elizabeth asked.
The Governor looked grim, "Navy men have arrived today on various sized boats, coming immediately here at our household. They informed me that Commodore Norrington has been captured by pirates.
"Not Jack!" Will hoped it wasn't true.
"No," he said. "It wasn't Mr. Sparrow, but a woman's crew who commandeered the Dauntless and now call it The Siren's Song. The navy crew also told me that the pirate captain was also planning to maroon the Commodore, but on a different island then the one that they were put on."
"But father, why are you telling us this?" Elizabeth questioned.
"As you know, Mr. Sparrow escaped only last week. I didn't think he could be too far from here. The Commodore went looking for him only a few days ago, intending to find him and put a top to piracy, but James was captured instead."
Governor Swann waited a moment to let the information sink in.
"I was hoping that you, Will, would take a few of the navy's men and find Captain Sparrow. He would be very useful to us in the finding of Norrington," Governor Swann looked at Will intently.
Will looked from the Governor to Elizabeth and back thinking, I don't really know how a ship works...the navy, wow....but Elizabeth will need to stay, won't she?
"Sir, may I take Elizabeth along? We are both, after all, friends of Jack Sparrow," Will said politely.
The Governor frowned at this, Elizabeth, go gallivanting after pirates again? When will this end?
"I'm not sure if that is the best idea," he said, but as he said it, he thought about it more.
Elizabeth fumed, "Father, I can take care of myself on a ship. Jack taught me how to use a gun and Will taught me how to use a sword... I can protect myself better than some of our Navy!"
Governor Swann didn't not answer his daughter, but turned to Will, "You leave tomorrow."
How'd you like it? Good for a review or two? Do you like the way the story is progressing? How's Jack? Alex? Will? Elizabeth? Just put a word in if you want. And always remember: Reviews make people happy!