Previous Chapter: Jessica looked over at her sleeping cellmate. Now that he wasn't awake she had an opportunity to get a better look at the infamous pirate. His hair was an atrocious mass of braids with beads woven in. His mustache was not that of a gentleman and his clothing was typical of his trade. No, she decided, there wasn't much to him.
Chapter 4 Nobody's WenchJack lay in his cell with his eyes closed. He could feel the girl's eyes on him. He startled her by opening his eyes and meeting her gaze.
Jessica turned away, embarrassed to have been caught staring.
"Ye don't need t' wait till I'm asleep luv. You can adore me anytime."
"I was just marveling at your filthy appearance."
"Yer not lookin' too tidy yourself there lass."
Jessica looked down. Her clothes from the day before were wrinkled and smudged with dirt. The curls which yesterday had been swept up now fell freely around her face. What would Mrs. Bella think about me now? She had to swallow the lump in her throat and turned to glare at the pirate with renewed vigor.
"Rogues like you have no right to compare themselves to people who live in civilized society" she spat.
Jack's expression hardened, "Last time I checked, tavern wenches weren't exactly members of high society."
Jessica's face turned red in anger. "I'm nobody's wench. My father owns the inn. My sister and I work downstairs to help him. We never had too many problems till pirates like you started wandering the town."
Jack was amazed at how the girl could make 'pirate' sound like the dirtiest word she could think of. "An' your sister, what's her name? Does she have the same bleak outlook on gentlemen o' fortunes or is it just you?"
"Don't you worry about my sister."
Jacked laughed at the tensing of the girls shoulders'. "A bit over-protective aren't ye? What the blazes would I be able t' do to her out here?"
Jessica thought desperately for a way to change the conversation, "So does the infamous Jack Sparrow always allow himself to be captured so easily, or was yesterday an exception?"
"It's Captain, and it doesn't matter how many times you've been captured as long as it equals the times you've escaped."
"Well it looks like you're off by one then"
"It certainly doesn't help to have me hands tied behind me back."
"No, I'm sure it doesn't." she smiled sweetly at the pirate who turned away grumbling. Jessica could have hugged herself.
The two captives sat in silence until nightfall when they heard steps approaching. It was the man from this morning, once again bearing bread and water on his tray.
"If it ain't our little beauty. I hope our accommodations be comfortable enough for ye'. Of course, I'm sure there's somethin' I could be doin' to help that." He smiled hungrily and began advancing toward her.
Jessica was scared. If she used her knife, she'd only loose it to the captain, even if she did manage to stab the bastard. It would be better to keep it hidden. What was she going to do? Think Jessica, think! But all she could think about was the gleam in the man's eye, the pistol on his waist, the massive hand reaching for her thigh.
"I wouldn't be doin' that mate" Jack called over from his corner.
"What are you gonna do t' stop me?" the pirate laughed.
"Oh you won't need me to stop you" Jack sighed.
"Why? Haven't you tumbled with her?"
Jack shook his head solemnly. "I fixed me pants in a second once that hussy lifted her skirts. I'm still worried though, they say that's all the contact ye need to catch it."
"Catch what?"
Jack leaned in to whisper, "The splotches"
The pirate's hand dropped immediately. "Ye couldn't catch it from bein' in the same room could ye?"
"Ye never know. You'd best save yourself, I'm already doomed" Jack said sadly. "I'll never be touched by another woman again."
Jessica had never seen a man run so fast.
She turned to glare at Jack. "How dare you. I haven't... I've never... I'm not..." she sputtered blushing.
"Have you not noticed who's no longer in th' room with us. Even if we had killed him, it certainly wouldn't have improved our situation. That's the second time I've saved yer ungrateful hide."
"Second?"
"Aye second. Don't you remember getting' yourself pulled into that alley? I felt it my duty as Captain to be preventin' the abuse of a woman at the hands o' me crew."
"That's interesting, because all I remember is the two of you fighting over me"
"I was rescuing you. I certainly don't need to fight for me women, they come willingly."
"Can't imagine why" Jessica grumbled.
Realizing his victory, Jack didn't respond. He did notice her head however, it looked like it might be getting infected. This girl was more trouble than she was worth. Oh well, if she wasn't going to let him help her, there was nothing he could do. He still had to figure out a way to escape. In the middle of the ocean his choices were slightly limited, but he was Captain Jack Sparrow, he'd think of something.
The next morning, a new pirate brought in the tray of bread and water. The man chuckled to himself as he set down the tray. "Traded me a whole weeks worth of swabbin' the deck. Stupid git."
Jack smiled to himself. When the man left the brig he turned to the girl, who was once again facing the corner asleep. "Yer majesty, breakfast is served" Jessica didn't budge.
Jack grumbled to himself. He had never liked waking up a woman. In fact, he didn't think he ever had. Jack always hated the morning after, and crept away before the sun was up. So it was a bit awkward for him to nudge Jessica awake.
"C'mon, get movin' or ye'll.." Jack voice died off when he saw the girl's face. She's awfully pale. He twisted around so that he could put his arm on her forehead (shouldn't have to) and frowned at the warmth. The girl had caught a fever. No surprise in this moldy excuse for a ship, not like his Pearl. Jack thought wistfully of his ship. Even now, he could almost hear her guns ringing like bells. Wait a second...
Jack jumped up, "I know those guns." Jack listened with glee at the sound of cannon balls ripping through The Devil's Snare. He heard the men's yells and the clank of metal on metal. It killed him to be below while his crew was up there. Jack watched as a body tumbled down and landed at the foot of the steps. It was quickly followed by a handsome young man with brown hair and a bloodstained cutlass.
"Captain!"
"Robert. Good job. Now get me out." Jack commanded, looking like he dearly wanted to sweep up his arms.
Robert obliged, sweeping out his pistol and shooting off the lock. He slashed Jack bonds and handed his captain a sword.
Jack handled the sword with relish. "Good man. Now you see this lass here?"
"Aye"
"I want you to get her aboard the ship and lock her in me cabin."
Robert obeyed but eyed his captain warily. He knew the code, written down by Bartholemew Roberts himself, "No boy or woman to be allowed amongst them. If any man shall be found seducing one of the latter sex and carrying her to sea in disguise, he shall suffer death." What was Jack doing with this woman, especially one so pale? Then he picked her up. She was definitely warm, and how'd she get that gash to her head? He knew that Jack knew what he was doing. He would never put his crew in harms way unnecessarily.
Jack gripped the hilt of his sword and jumped into the fray. It was obvious his men were the better swordsmen.
"Glad t' have ye back Jack!"
"That's Captain Gibbs!"
"Right, sorry Cap'n. Enjoying yourself?" Gibbs called over as Jack tipped another man over the side of the boat.
"Immensely, and yourself?"
"Happy as a babe with a pint"
Jack gave his friend a look before walking over to where the surrendered crewmen had been assembled.
"Here's yer options gentlemen: ye can join the Pearl's crew until the next port and serve under myself, or ye can join this excuse for a ship while we burn it. The choice is yours".
"Jack watched as the men scrambled to join his crew aboard the Pearl. He knew his crew would die before they saw the Pearl burn. Of course, he didn't blame the Snare's crew. He doubted they particularly enjoyed serving under Sharp. Where was that devil anyway?
Jack looked among the dead.
"Did any o' you lot kill Sharp?"
His inquiry was greeted with shaking heads from his crew. Oh well, if he's hiding in the ship, he'll go down when it burns.
"Grab yer plunder men!" A cheer went up from the crew.
Jack breathed in as his feet hit the deck of the Pearl. He pulled Gibbs aside, "Tonight, the men get rum."
"Aye Aye Cap'n" Gibbs' eyes gleamed as he headed off toward the kegs. Jack chuckled as he walked to his cabin. Tonight would be a good night.
He went straight for his personal rum cabinet. Jack uncorked a bottle and smelled that heavenly smell. He reverently placed the bottle to his lips before dropping it in surprise when he heard someone moan.
He spun around and his cutlass was at the throat of a brunette girl lying in his bed. He had completely forgotten the wench from the Snare. As he stared into her pale, livid face, he couldn't help wondering if he should have left her there.
"Would you mind removing your blade from my neck and informing me why I'm in your bed?" she growled.
Jack removed his sword with just a bit of hesitation.
"I've saved your life once again Miss..."
"Tanner"
"Does the lady have a first name?"
"None that you need to know about"
"You do realize that a few words from me would leave you swimming with the sharks?"
"I've been living with one for a couple days now. Swimming can't be much worse."
Jack was amazed at the way the girls' hatred never wavered. He felt admiration mixing with his anger. If she was going to be like this, he certainly wasn't going to bother himself with her.
Jack spotted Robert as he was locking his cabin door.
"That lass in me cabin has quite a cut on 'er head. Would you be knowin' how t' fix that sort of thing?"
"Aye Captain Sparrow"
"Good, here's th' key to me cabin. Bring it straight back when you're done. Though to be honest, I don't think she'll let ye get past the door."
Jack headed off to the quarterdeck to man his ship again. He found Anamaria, who was not eager to let the wheel go.
"Do ye not want to celebrate with the crew?" she asked hopefully.
"There'll be time for that later. For now I'd like to get this ship back on course."
Grumbling, Ana Maria relented her hold on the ship's wheel.
For the next hour Jack thought about nothing other then the feel of his ship under his hands. When he closed his eyes, it was like he could hear her breathing. Their two hearts beat together in a beautiful rhythm.
"Finished Captain"
Jack jumped and waved his hands wildly in the air. "Ye startled me there mate"
"Sorry, just wanted to give you back your key." Roberts said, handing the Captain back his key.
"It took you an hour to give up? You're more stubborn than I thought" Jack chuckled.
"I didn't give up, I finished."
Jack's jaw dropped. "How in hell's name did you get that woman to allow you to clean her head. Did you tie her down?" Jack asked hopefully.
"Nothing of the sort Cap'n. She just sat there while I cleaned it. Exceptin' the occasional wince, she didn't cry or anything like that."
Jack now realized he was lying. "Look Robert, I understand if you couldn't do it. She's one hell of a stubborn woman, there's no shame in it."
Robert sighed, "I don't understand what you're talking about Captain. I walked into your cabin and told her I was here to take care of her head wound. She took one look at me, told me I wasn't a pirate, and let me fix her head. I figured she might be feverish so I wasn't going to argue with her."
"All right then. Give me the key and you go get your share of the rum."
He had talked to the girl a minute before Robert did. She certainly hadn't been hallucinating. Why had she let Robert dress her wound. She wouldn't even look at me in the brig on Sharp's boat. What was that wench's problem?
"Ana Maria," he barked, "Take the helm, I'm going for rum"
Yes, that thing about women coming on board really was part of the pirates' code written by Roberts. Wonderful stuff, research.
I realize that my chapters have been kinda short. apologetic smile I promise I'm working on making them longer.
I would once again like to thank my wonderful reviewers. You are my sunshine!
Xkuroxshinobix- now 4 chappies! Okay, not that big an improvement, but it's a start.
Nosilla- I never thought of it as a scary fic hehe, but I'm glad you did.
JessieRose- You're so sweet. I hope you review this chapter as well ï
YueMichiruNaraqisawaMiko– Wow! That's a mouthful. Pulls Jack out of story to distract mob of fan girls There, now you are safe to review (but hurry, they'll figure out he's two-dimensional sooner or later).
Casablancas- Thanks to your review I felt brave enough for another couple chapters of tension. Thanks!
MereAngel- It wasn't exactly soon but it was longer.
XxXthesicknessXxX- interesting name hehe. I hope I would act like she did if I was in Jessica's position. Succumbing to his good looks that early might be a little embarrassing. Not that that would stop me...
Lucy- If there's any tickling it'll have to wait until after Jack can walk within a 3 foot radius of her without being glared to death
Clueless Patty- As you wish.