Disclaimer: No, unfortunately I do not own POtC. Nor do I own any of the characters that you recognize. They all belong to Disney.
AN: Before I forget, I must thank Mystery GYRL for the name of the tavern. I must also thank my sister for giving me the image of the sign for the tavern, without her I would never have figured it out! I also need to thank her for the name of the tavern owner.
Light Among Shadows
Chapter 5: Tortuga
The semi-dark streets of Tortuga danced with shadows and drunken people. Prostitutes hovered in doorways of buildings, offering their wares to willing men. Anneliese stared around her, gazing up at the buildings and people. Amazement lit her face and dark eyes. "This so rocks!" she said.
Jack looked back at her, confusion written on his face. Her hair was being blown about by the slight wind, causing the strands to fly about her face. He looked over at Will and Elizabeth, his eyebrows raised. Elizabeth merely shrugged, raising her hands helplessly, telling him she had even less of an idea what the girl was talking about than he did.
A shadow stirred to their left, and Anneliese twirled around, her hand going to the hilt of her borrowed sword that Will had given her before they had departed the Pearl. Jack laughed at her, closing his eyes for a moment.
"It was a cat, love. Hardly necessary for a sword," he said through gasps of laughter.
Anneliese punched him on the arm, her face screwing up in annoyance. "I'm a little jumpy, you boob," she replied.
Will and Elizabeth smiled at each other. "At least they are not fighting," Elizabeth whispered.
"Nor are they arguing," Will replied quietly.
"Ah!" Jack cried from in front of them. "Here we are! Right through here, if you please!"
Anneliese stared up at him, one eyebrow raised slightly. She looked up at the tall, wooden building, her curiosity rising to a higher level. "What is this place?" she asked.
Jack smiled, placing his arm around her shoulders. Anneliese looked at his arm and then back up at him, a disgusted look crossing her face. Jack ignored her.
"This, love, is the greatest tavern an' inn in all o' Tortuga!"
"And which one would that be, Jack?" Will asked, his thoughts turning to The Faithful Bride, the tavern they had first visited upon arriving in Tortuga.
"The Sweet Pig Tavern," Jack replied, gesturing to the swinging sign hanging above their heads. The large wooden sign bore the head of a pig, winking down at them. Anneliese shook her head.
"I think we should go in, Jack," Will said, his eyes scanning the dark shadows. He felt uncomfortable here, especially with two women. Even though he knew Elizabeth was quite capable of protecting herself, she had proven that at the Isla de Muerta, he still felt ill at ease having women with him in Tortuga. Especially a young woman like Anneliese.
Jack looked around him. They were drawing extremely unwanted attention from a group of men to his left, a group of men that made the willies crawl up his spine. For some reason, he felt as if the men paid no attention to him or Will and Elizabeth, they seemed to be paying attention only to Anneliese. Jack's arm tightened slightly around her shoulders possessively, pulling her towards him unconsciously.
Anneliese looked at his arm slowly and then back up at Jack's face, her eyes narrowed. Jack started to walk across the wide, dirty street, making his way up to the tavern door, dragging Anneliese along with him. He pushed open the doors, ambushing their ears with silence. Anneliese looked around the large, semi-empty room, her eyes taking in the vacant chairs and lonely tables. This was so not how a tavern was supposed to look. At least not taverns that she had read about.
Jack walked up to a tall counter, his arm still wrapped around her shoulders. "We need some service!" he yelled, slamming his fist down on the counter.
A crash sounded behind a closed door, followed by a stream of curses that Anneliese was sure she had never heard before. "All right a'ready! Hold yer damn horses!" a feminine voice yelled from behind the door. "I'll get ta ye in a minnit!"
"Take yer time, lass," Jack called back. "We've got all night!"
Another crash came from behind the closed door and then the door burst open, revealing a tall, middle-aged woman. She jumped over the counter, throwing her arms around his neck. Jack let go of Anneliese's shoulders, wrapping his own arms around the woman's ample waist, swinging her around quickly.
The woman pushed herself away as soon as he let her go, looking him up and down. "Jack Sparra'! Been too long, love! How've ya been?"
"Makin' me earnins' as always," he replied. "An' you?"
"Same as always hun," she said, a smile growing on her face. "Business as normal." She gazed over Jack's shoulder, taking in his three companions. "An' who're these fine lookin' people?"
Jack turned around, a gold smile plastered on his face. "Will and Elizabeth Turner, and Anneliese Abrams," he said, pointing to each of them in turn. "Everyone please meet Mrs. Melecent Foyes, owner and operator of this fine establishment."
Will nodded silently, a small smile crossing his face. Elizabeth nodded as well, her hand entwined in Will's. Anneliese smiled widely at the Melecent, her eyes looking her over.
Melecent's straight, blonde hair was streaked with grey, her green eyes creased with small wrinkles at the edges. She had broad shoulders clothed in a tight blue shirt, fitted with a black skirt hiding her long legs. Anneliese could see the muscles beneath the sleeves of her shirt, showing that she was quite capable of taking care of herself if anything should happen in her tavern. She wore a thin, black ribbon around her neck, tied loosely in a bow.
"This is too cool," Anneliese said quietly.
Melecent reached out slowly, running her fingers through Anneliese's hair, her fingers picking out the small braids. Her fingers trailed down her cheek, grasping her chin slightly. Melecent turned Anneliese's head from side to side, studying her face intently. She leaned down, staring hard into Anneliese's grey eyes.
"New lover, Jack?" she asked when she was finished with her examination. "Seems a little younger than yer last ones.
Anneliese recoiled, her lip curling up. "No!" she and Jack cried together.
Melecent's eyes widened, her hands hovering around her shoulders in a complacent gesture. "Jus' a question. You two seemed a lit'le familiar when ya first walked in. Normally when ya have yer arm around a girl's shoulder, it means yer. . ."
Jack's hand covered Melecent's mouth quickly, stopping her from saying anything she was about to say. He grinned at her. "No need ta say anymore, love, we all know what happens."
"I don't," Anneliese piped up, her eyebrows raised, a sarcastic smile lighting up her face.
Jack glared over at her, his dark eyes glinting. He turned back to Melecent, slowly taking his hand away from her mouth. "We need some rooms, love. Three if ya 'ave 'em."
Melecent gave Jack a knowing smile and then ducked behind the counter, reaching out and grabbing three keys and tossing them to him. "Yer normal room, Jack, saved fer you as always an' the two rooms next to yers. I'm sure ye can show yer friends upstairs?"
Jack nodded turning away from her and walking away from the bar. Will and Elizabeth followed him slowly, smiling once again at Melecent. Anneliese stayed behind for a moment staring up into Melecent's green eyes. "So, you'd say you know Sparrow well enough? What exactly does he . . .?"
Jack was at her side before she could finish her question. "Come along now, Miss Abrams, I'll show ya to yer room," he said, grabbing hold of her upper arm and dragging her behind him. Anneliese stumbled behind him, barely able to keep up with his long strides. He pulled her up a set of stairs, stopping in front of a wooden door.
He pressed a key into her palm, staring directly into her eyes. "'Ere's yer key, lass. Make sure ya keep it on ya at all times and that ya keep yer room locked."
"This place doesn't seem so dangerous, Captain Sparrow," Anneliese replied. "And besides, I don't have anything for someone to steal."
Jack looked her up and down and then wrapped his hands around her around the waist, squeezing lightly. He backed away when she swatted at his hands, successfully protecting his fingers. "Ya may not have anything material ta steal love, but any drunken man would attempt ta take somethin' . . . shall we say . . . physical."
Anneliese stared at him, confused, her head cocked to one side slightly. Jack smiled in return and ducked into his room, shutting the door behind him. She continued to stare at his door for a few moments more, blinking her eyes in puzzlement. A blush crossed her cheeks as the realization set in, her eyes widening. He couldn't possibly mean . . . that . . . could he?
Anneliese shrugged, sighing. She didn't think she would ever be able to figure that man out. He would go through stages, at first irritating and then pissing her off. Last of all, he seemed to watch out for her, but he couldn't really be doing that, could he?
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A sudden pounding on her door pulled Anneliese from her deep sleep, her eyes clenching shut tighter. She pushed herself out of the bed, scratching her chest and yawning. She padded over to the door, pushing her hair out of her eyes. "What do you want?" she said, opening the door quickly.
Jack stood in the doorway, his hand raised slightly as if he were getting ready to knock on the door again. He grinned as he took in her disheveled appearance, looking her up and down. "Nice hair love," he said.
"Yer one to talk," Anneliese muttered, her eyes narrowing. "What do you want?"
"We're goin' downstairs ta eat, lass, jus' wondered if ya wanted ta join us."
Anneliese gazed up at him and then out into the hallway. She shrugged slowly. "I don't see why not," she replied.
Jack grinned again, flashing his gold teeth. He looped an arm around her shoulders again and pulled her out of the room. Anneliese's hand found the doorknob and pulled the door shut behind them, allowing Jack to pull her along with him.
The moment they reached the stairs, she recoiled, the sound of dozens of people partying below them. Her brows furrowed, confusion written on her face. Jack laughed. "You didn't think that this tavern stayed open as slow as it was earlier today, did you? This is one of the most popular places in Tortuga love."
Anneliese walked down the stairs next to him, her wide eyes taking in the rowdy scene in front of her. Men and women ran around the bar, their laughter echoing loudly in her ears. Women danced on the stage at the front of the tavern, their bright dresses swinging about their feet.
Jack weaved through the crowd, his arm still around her shoulders until they reached a small table. Will and Elizabeth waited there, leaning together slightly to speak quietly. They parted when Jack sat down, pushing Anneliese down in a seat next to him. Melecent appeared moments later, a smile lighting up her small, round face. "What'll it be mates?" she asked, raising her voice over the raucous noise.
Jack gazed up at her, grinning. "Two mugs o' rum fer me an' the whelp an' two mugs o' water fer the lady an' the kid."
Melecent slapped him on the shoulder, grinning and then turned away from them, making her way through the crowded room.
"The 'kid'?" Anneliese asked. "I am not a kid."
Jack merely laughed, his eyes scanning the room around them.
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Will and Elizabeth had left hours ago, deciding to turn in for the night. Jack had left a few minutes ago, telling her to stay where she was and not move. He constantly told her that Tortuga was not a place for children-which is when she promptly hit him-and then walked away, making his rounds in the tavern, greeting familiar faces.
Anneliese shook her head slowly as she watched him laugh and tell stories with fellow pirates. A sudden thumping next to her caused her to look to her left. She scooted her chair over slightly, trying to get away from the drunken man that had just plopped down next to her. He leered at her, his eyes glazed over with the drink.
"'Ello wench," he slurred. Anneliese ignored him, turning her attention back to the people around her. "C'mon wench, come a lit'le closer," he continued, pulling her closer to him.
Anneliese slid to the edge of her seat opposite him, attempting to stay as far away from him as possible. His arm slid around her waist, pulling her back towards him. "Yer a fit lit'le wench ain't ya?" he muttered into her ear. She recoiled from him, the smell of the rum overpowering her senses and making her dizzy. "C'mon, wench, have some fun."
"Ugh, get off of me," she growled, pushing against him as hard as she could. The man just laughed at her, holding her closer. Anneliese gazed around the table, searching for something she could use to fend him off. Her eyes scanned the room around her as well, finding Jack sitting across the room from her. He would never be able to hear her if she called out to him. Her eyes landed on the half-empty mug of rum that Will had left when he had gone to bed. If she could reach it, she should be able to get him away from her.
Anneliese stretched her arm, being hampered by the large brute trying to kiss her and touch her. Her fingertips touched the handle of the mug and she scrambled to wrap her fingers around it. The man grabbed her chin roughly, turning her face to his and pressing his chapped lips violently to hers. Anneliese's eyes widened and she struggled to push him away with one hand.
Grunting, she slammed her foot down on his. The man grunted in pain, pulling away from her slightly. Finally able to grab the mug, she threw the contents of it into his face, the liquid running into his eyes. The man yelled in pain, one hand going to his face, the other reaching blindly for her.
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"And then they made me their chief," Jack finished, taking another sip of the rum. Laughter echoed in the tavern at his story and he laughed along with them. A sudden yell from across the room drew his attention away from the men around him. His eyes caught sight of a large man jumping to his feet, a small girl attached to his hand.
"Anneliese," he muttered, climbing to his feet and making his way quickly across the room. The man's large hand rose slightly, and then began to lower quickly. Jack grabbed the man's arm before he could strike her. "That's enough o' that," he said, pulling the man's arm down.
Anger raged in the man's eyes as he swung his other fist at him. Jack ducked the punch and then returned with a punch of his own, the punch landing squarely on the man's jaw. The man stopped for a moment, a dazed look on his face, and then slumped down in a chair, unconscious.
Jack turned to Anneliese, his brow furrowed. "Ye alright love?"
Anneliese stared down at the unconscious man and then back up at Jack. "I think I need to get some air," she replied.
Jack nodded, looking around the room and then grabbed her by the arm and began to lead her to the door. The moment she exited the tavern, Anneliese hurried to the end of the building and leaned her back against the edge of the wall near an alley, closing her eyes and taking in deep gulps of air. Jack stared at her, making sure she wasn't going to hyperventilate. A shiver ran down his spine again, causing him to look around the darkened street. The hooded men hovered in a corner near them, staring intently at Anneliese, their faces expressionless.
"I think we should get back inside, lass," Jack whispered, turning back to Anneliese.
Anneliese nodded, opening her eyes to look up at him. Before they could turn to go back into the tavern, a hand reached out of the shadows and grabbed her arm, pulling her into the alleyway behind them. Jack followed behind her, his hand straying near his sword hilt.
A fist connected with his jaw, sending him reeling backwards, falling on his back. The man who had punched him placed his foot heavily on Jack's chest, keeping him from getting up to help her. He could see two men hovering around Anneliese, one of them holding her arms tightly behind her back. The other man tugged at her shirt attempting to pull her shirt off of her shoulder. "Get off of me!" she yelled, struggling against them. "Let me go!"
The man tugged her shirt down, the laces loosening and untying. His hand reached for her shoulder, turning her slightly into the dim light. He leaned into her more, positioning himself directly in front of her.
"She bears the mark," he said. "Take her. She is the one."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Anneliese yelled. "Dammit! Let go of me!"
Anneliese lifted her leg, kneeing the man in the groin and then jerked her head backwards, slamming her head into the man behind hers face. The man pinning Jack down turned his attention away from his opponent, looking at the scene behind him. Taking this as an advantage, Jack grabbed hold of the man's foot, twisting his ankle around. He heard a crack as the man's ankle broke, causing the man the fall backward.
Jack jumped to his feet, going to Anneliese's side as she kicked the man in front of her in the stomach. She looked up at him as he grabbed her arm. "Come on love, we need ta leave."
She nodded, allowing him to pull her out of the alleyway. "You alright love?"
Anneliese nodded, entering the tavern when he opened the door. Melecent, standing just to the side of the door, looked up as they entered, taking in their disheveled appearance, a knowing smile crossing her face. "Had a lit'le fun, did we?" she asked, reaching over and pulling Anneliese's shirt back up on her shoulder.
Jack dropped Anneliese's arm as if it were on fire. "Not even close, love," he answered, making his way past her and heading towards the staircase, Anneliese following behind him. "Not even close."
Melecent stared after them, her head cocked to one side. Her eyes followed Anneliese as she climbed the stairs to her room. There was something familiar about that girl, something that she couldn't put her finger on.
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Next: Chapter 6: Identity Crisis.
Dawnie-7: I liked that line. It seemed to fit perfectly in with the story. But, it'll get better. They won't always argue! I promise! And I'm very sorry, but I honestly cannot say anything about her parents. Everything will be revealed in later chapters.
Liath: Thanks very much! I tried to make it as realistic as possible! Sometimes I don't quite achieve it though . . . probably because I don't live in reality, but I do visit often.
NazgulGirl: I like mystery. It's fun. Really, really fun. . .