Chapter Six – Renfield Really is an Asshole

The sun was setting on my ninth day in Pirates of the Caribbean. The water was smooth, the sun was beautiful and a slight wind ruffled my hair around my head. I fingered the gold coin gently, eyes trained on the horizon. I had never felt this tranquil, or at peace. It was like someone had drained all the worries and problems out of me and I could just be. There were no honking cars, bad drivers, rap music with too much bass, and all manner of other noise pollution. It was absolutely devoid of noise, save for the occasional shout or the constant lapping of water against the hull.

The silence was kind of unnerving for someone used to never-ending noise and disturbances. There were benefits however. My head swiveled around and my gaze pinned Anamaria to the place she was standing. The quietness of the environment made it easier to know when people were sneaking up behind me. She glared. "Captain wants to see you."

I nodded briefly before shoving myself to my feet, cursing as the movement put pressure on the wound on my shoulder. I wondered why it still hurt so much. After all, it was only a scratch where the ball had grazed the muscle on my upper arm, near my shoulder blade. I hissed and clapped a hand to it, sticking my tongue out at Anamaria when she rolled her eyes and snorted. I could care less if the bitch thought I was being a drama queen. I would have paid money to see how SHE reacted to her first bullet wound. I'd bet my bottom dollar that she hadn't been as stoic about it as I had been. I walked towards the stairs. Stepping up them slowly, my hand rubbing the bandage absently.

Jack was again at the helm, gripping the steering wheel casually, while squinting, as he stared off into the sunset. "You wanted to see me?" I asked quietly, coming to stand beside him. He didn't acknowledge my presence, just adjusted the wheel and sighed. "Captain?"

He turned his head a little and jumped. We were only a few inches apart, and apparently he'd been incredibly distracted as to not notice my approach. "Bloody 'ell, Chloe!" He pressed a hand to his chest. "Don' do that!"

I grinned a little. "Sorry." Though, by my tone, he could tell that I really wasn't. He huffed. "You wanted to see me?" I asked again.

"Aye." He nodded. "I was just going to ask you, how your wound was."

I smiled and glanced down at the dirty rag passing for a bandage. I hadn't been too happy about the lack of hygiene when it came to my wound, but with my constant washing the wound was not getting infected. "It's fine." I stated, looking up and into his eyes. He took a step closer and our bodies brushed.

"I'm glad." He whispered, eyes dropping to stare at my lips. My own were watching him curiously. Just what was going through that pirate head of his? He grinned slightly and I took a small step in retreat.

"Jack . . ." I had the distinct impression he was about to kiss me. My suspicions were confirmed when he grabbed my arm, stopping my backward motion. He tugged me a little closer and our chests bumped. I exhaled nervously. "Captain . . ." My eyes stared into his and I remembered thinking that I could drown in those eyes. His eyebrow quirked and just as his mouth descended to mine, a voice pulled us out of our little universe.

"Cap'n!" Anamaria shouted from the crow's nest. I glared at her. Perfect timing. I thought bitterly, mentally shaking a fist at her. I imagined that I could see her smug smile from where I stood.

"What is it Ana?" He called back.

"Sails, sir!" My eyes widened. Sails? What sails? I shaded my eyes and frowned. I couldn't see a thing.

"Can ye see the colors they be flyin'?" Captain Jack stepped away from me and diverted all his attention to the current problem. I crossed my arms and huffed. What were they talking about? I didn't see a single thing but the never-ending blue that was the Caribbean Sea.

"Pirate colors, they be flyin' the Jolly Roger!" She shouted. His face screwed up into a scowl and he whirled on me. I stepped back at the look in his eyes.

"Go bind yer hair." He grunted.

"What?"

He shoved me and I stumbled. "Go, don't question. Just do it, savvy?" I frowned.

"All right." I went reluctantly down and found a piece of leather, tying my long, dark brown hair into a flat plait. I then began my search for a bandanna. Jack had an extra, blue one, in his desk if I remembered right. I pulled the drawer open and sifted through all the rest of the things, wondering how the room could have gotten in such a state when I'd cleaned it thoroughly not three days ago. I started towards the door, frowning when I heard the sound of boots and shouts above deck. I raced up the stairs, wondering just what was going on.

". . . good to see ye again, Jack." A man chuckled. I frowned who was this whacko? I peered around the corner and stared in fascination. Another ship had pulled up beside the Pearl and apparently the two captains were engaging in a parley. I gripped the dagger I'd kept in my boot since the first plundering incident, tightly in my fist. The last thing I wanted to do was ram the blade into another human being, but judging from the malice coming off of both captains in veritable waves, I knew I might have to.

"Wish I could say the same." Jack replied nonchalantly, though it was obvious how angry he was at the arrogance of the other captatin. "I thought I told ye these were the Pearl's waters?" He hissed, hand reaching for the pistol at his belt. I sucked in my breath. Oh God, Jack, don't do anything bloody stupid! I thought, hand tightening reflexively on the hilt of my dagger. The rest of the crew had similar reactions, as did the opposing captain's. The man took his hat off and stared at it, the green bandanna below it darkened with sweat. I shivered. Yuck. At least Jack never looked sweaty. He was definitely the better looking of the two pirates, and I grinned at the line of my thoughts. We were in the middle of a parley and I was thinking about how good Jack looked when he was slick with the sweat a day's labor could put on his golden brown skin. I covered my mouth with my hand, but a snort slipped out. Both crews and captains heads swung my way and I grinned sheepishly. Jack's eyes widened, and he tried to tell me telepathically to get back below deck. I shrugged and stayed where I was.

"Who're you?" The other captain demanded, striding over and grabbing my arm. I glared at him as he dragged me onto the deck, before tearing my arm from his grasp.

"He's nobody!" Jack muttered hurriedly, eyes on my, silently telling me how much trouble I would be in once this whole incident passed. "Jus' a galley boy I picked up in Tortuga. Been to Tortuga lately, eh?" The other captain rolled his eyes, and glared at me.

"Yer name?"

"I could ask you the same question." I replied haughtily. Jack clapped a hand over his eyes and shook his head. I shrugged. "It's a legitimate question. I don't enjoy being hauled about by strangers." The other pirate eyed me before barking out a laugh.

"Ye sure employ some cheeky crewmen, Sparrow." He chuckled maliciously before grabbing my arm again, pushing his face close to mine. "I don' like that." I grimaced at the stench on his breath. Anything but a good smell, in fact I had to swallow hard to keep from throwing up in his face.

"I don't like arrogant pirate captains grabbing at my person." I retorted heatedly, our eyes warring, oblivious to anything else. Again I wrenched my arm from his iron grip and he growled. He raised his hand and slapped me. I clasped my cheek, eyes flashing with anger. "Oh, you want to play, bastard?" I growled, balling my fist and punching him in the jaw. He staggered and his crew leapt forward, stopping when he raised a hand. His dark blue eyes bored into mine.

"Ye'll pay fer that lad." He growled. Jack grimaced and hurried forward.

"Renfield." He smiled charmingly, waving his arms about. "Don' mind 'im. 'e's jus' still a little drunk is all." He leaned a bit closer whispering in the captain's ear. I thought I caught the word eunuch and I flushed. Did the man never come up with new lines? Renfield eyed me, considering, and I opened my mouth to retort when Jack skewered me with a look. I closed my mouth. He? What the hell was he talking about? I was damn well not a HE!

It was after this angry thought skipped through my brain that I recognized the name of the other pirate, Renfield. Renfield you asshole! I smiled inward as the other captain's name. I was immediately reminded of the late night movie marathons I had with my pals Gina and Hal, both die-hard pirate lovers. In one of these marathons, we watched "Dracula Dead and Loving It", absolutely the funniest movie ever. Renfield happened to be a character. A stupid, bug-eating character, to boot. I cocked my head and studied the other captain. There really were a lot of similarities between them. I wondered idly if he ate bugs.

"Now, Sparrow," He growled. "What were we discussing?" He glared at me one last time. I just raised my brow and crossed my arms sassily. He grunted and went back to his discussion. "Ah, yes. Your bloody Pearl."

Jack growled low in his throat. "Watch what you say, Renfield. You are on my 'bloody' boat." They glared at one another before Renfield continued on as if nothing had happened.

"Now, Jack, I don' want to be rude, but this ship is rather out-dated." I huffed out an insulted breath. How dare he insult this ship? I peered at his ship in disdain. It was obvious the ship was newer, but that's where the similarities ended. Renfield's crew didn't take care of it the way Jack's took care of the Pearl.

"Aye, that may be, but we're still here." Jack retorted, his own anger flashing in his eyes. I grinned. Good, now our captain would whip out his pistol and shoot the bloody bastard in the head. I chuckled at the mental image and again all eyes swung to me.

"Oh bloody hell!" I shouted. "Can't I laugh when something strikes me as funny! Jezebel! Just get this parley over with." I uncrossed my arms and walked over to Jack. "What are you waiting for?" I whispered. He glared at me.

"I'll take yer advice when I ask for it, Chl . . . lad." He growled, eyes wide, trying to tell me to leave it alone. I was too angry to realize this was not the time to be insulting anyone. This bastard slapped me! There was no way I would let him get off "I'm neither askin' for it nor needin' it. Now, please go below decks and finish with your cleaning." I glared at him and he hissed menacingly. "Go."

"No." I replied. "I'm a member of this crew, an' I deserve to be up here just as much as anyone else." Anamaria growled low in her throat. "Oh what now, bitchy bitch?" I asked. "Just shut up or I'm going to kick your ass again. Get me?" Jack looked pseudo-apologetically at Renfield who was looking incredibly bored.

"Go." He growled, getting in my face. I jutted out my chin.

"Jack Sparrow, I'm not leaving so stop asking."

"CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow! Everyone bloody forgets the CAPTAIN!" He growled, grabbing my arm. We stared at one another, and this time, it had nothing to do with romance, and everything to do with hoping the other person would drop dead. "And I'm not asking. I'm orderin' ye, below decks, now!"

"If you like the below decks so much, why don't YOU go down there?"

"Pardon us for a moment, chum." He murmured, grabbing my arm and dragging me away.

"Jack, what are you doing?" I demanded as he hauled me below decks.

"Are you daft, Chloe? Do ye know what Renfield would do to ye if he knew you were a girl?" He shook me. "Not to mention the Pearl, he'd sink this boat without a second thought." His dark eyes bored into mine. "And I will not allow that to happen, do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal." I muttered.

He glanced up the stairs and cursed. Renfield was eyeing us both with confusion. The confusion soon gave way to grim satisfaction and anger. I think he was remembering the punch I'd laid on him. It was extremely embarrassing to get flattened by a female in these times apparently.

"So, the galley boy, is actually a girl?" I hissed. I was by no means a girl. Woman - yes, girl - no. Jack glared at me, as if saying 'Now look what you've done.' "Well, Jacky-boy, this changes our arrangement." Jack stepped away from me, placing himself between our glaring contest. He shook his head.

"How does it? The girl is not worth anything. A troublesome wench, she is. Nothing but trouble since I brought her on board." He made a move towards Renfield. "Let's go up an' 'ave ourselves a drink, savvy?"

"She must have some redeeming qualities, for you to keep her though, eh?" The captain ignored Jack's offer for rum as his gaze raked me up and down. I clenched my fist; I didn't take too kindly to being viewed like a piece of rump roast. Besides that, he called me a whore. And that I absolutely did not stand for.

"Say that to my face, you bug-eating freakazoid." Jack shoved me back and glared at me.

"It would be best if you didn't speak anymore, Chloe." He turned his back on me and grinned at Renfield.

"Wench doesn't know when to shut up." I huffed out a breath, and he glanced at me over his shoulder.

"Screw that! I will not let this stinky, ugly, rude, jackass of a pirate to call me a whore." Renfield's gaze narrowed.

Renfield growled and pulled his pistol on me. I glared at him before resolutely using a side-kick to knock the pistol out of his hand. He bent to retrieve it, a look of pure astonishment on his face.

"I wouldn't be threatenin' her if I were you, Renfield. This girl packs quite a punch, just ask Ana." The other pirate frowned.

I was staring at him smugly, arms crossed over my chest. He glowered at the looks on both Jack's and my faces before stuffing his pistol back in his belt. His arms shot out and captured my shoulders, dirty fingernails digging into my wound. I whimpered in pain before kicking him resolutely in the shin. He grunted and tossed me to his crew.

"Let's go men." He hissed and hobbled after his crew. "Feel lucky Sparrow. Next time, I won't settle for a sharp-tongued wench as payment." Jack chased after us and shouted at Renfield.

"Leave her out of this Renfield. It's between pirates, and she's not." The other captain grinned.

"Then you won't mind me taking her off of your hands then."

He opened his mouth to protest, his mind working double time trying to find a way out of this mess I had landed us all in. There was no way the Pearl would survive a fight. Renfield had insisted on dragging his entire crew along, and there would be a large number of casualties. They couldn't sail the ship with less than they had now, and there weren't any islands near by to patch up any holes a cannon battle would inflict on the Pearl. All in all it looked like they were royally fucked. His eyes shot to mine. I smiled reassuringly at the torn expression on his face. He was obviously having difficulty accepting the current course of events.

"Don't worry about me, Captain. I can handle myself." He shook his head, and tried to come after me, but Renfield drew his pistol, aiming it at Jack who reached for his own quickly. "NO!" I shouted struggling in earnest. "Don't hurt him! Hey, Bug-boy! Leave him alone, and leave the Pearl alone, and I'll go with you." He whirled around to look at me.

"Without a fuss?" He asked curiously.

"No! Chloe don't!" Jack struggled against the hold Gibbs and Anamaria had on his arms. "Trust me lass, you don't want to be doin' that!" I ignored him; my attention focused on the number of pistols being pointed at opposing sides. If I could prevent bloodshed . . .

"Without a fuss." I confirmed. The other pirate grinned.

"Any other terms?"

"Don't harm Jack, the crew, or the Pearl ever. Ever, understand me?" He nodded. "And don't expect me to sleep with you, because . . ." I shuddered. "That's just nasty." He frowned. "Other than that, I think those are my terms." Jack was staring at me like I'd lost my mind. I winked at him and he frowned even deeper his hand tightening on the butt of his gun. He was obviously uncomfortable with being cut out of the whole parley-negotiation thing. Renfield grinned and nodded to me.

"We have an accord." The pirates holding my arms dragged me across the makeshift bridge connecting the two pirate ships. The captain traded a few words with Jack before following. My eyes strained to see him as the crewmen dragged me towards the stairs. I struggled briefly, trying to catch a last glimpse of Jack. The two smelly men holding my arms roughly shoved me down the stairs, one of them cuffing me on the head when I resisted.

"You bloody bastard!" I ripped free of their grip and swung around to punch him. I didn't see, unfortunately, the burly man behind me. He kicked my knees out from under me, and I hit the wood floor with a grunt.

"Fighting back is not suggested, milady." The captain stated. I spat at him, and earned a boot in the ribs. I grunted, rolling into a fetal position. I could barely breathe, and I pressed my forehead in the rough planking. The pirates were cackling. Burly picked me up and dragged me to the prison cell, tossing me unceremoniously inside. I hit the ground with a gasping breath and turned slightly to glare at my captors.

"You'll regret that." I vowed.

"We shall see, m'dear." Renfield chuckled patronizingly. "We shall see."