Title: Love's Blood
Author: Kali T'hara
Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance
Rating: R
Summery: Set after the movie…Jack finds a woman…but she not what she seems…and her friendship with Will jeopardizes his relationship with Elizabeth (boo-hoo)…how will things turn out? J/OC, W/E (beginning) maybe some of W/OC too. Vampire fic! (yeah!)
Disclaimer: Disney owns 'em…damn that mouse…I own Kira, but I wouldn't mind owning Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom…grrrrr…
*Special thanks to the people who sent in reviews (you know who you are)! You guys inspire me to keep writing!*
CH 3…
Damn, this place is noisy, Jack thought to himself as he sat in a dimly lit tavern. This was normally his favorite place to drink the night away while on Tortuga, but he just wasn't in the mood. Both of his hands were folded firmly around his bottle of rum. On the tabletop, his hat sat, along with his sword. He kept his gaze down, away from the other drunken inhabitants. He didn't want to draw any attention to himself. He didn't feel like having to use his sword tonight…and he really didn't feel like getting slapped by the many women he knew. Women… his mind began to float back the lass at the docks. Stop Jack! He thought, shaking his head and rubbing his eyes. He began to take another healthy swing of rum, but stopped when he felt cold metal on his neck. With a quick glance downwards, he saw the blade of a sword beneath his chin.
"Honestly, mate! That's no way to greet a friend!" Jack exclaimed, while shoving the sword blade away from his throat.
"Can't get anything past you, huh Jack?" Will asked, sitting down opposite him, followed by Elizabeth.
"Try all yer want! But don't forget…I'm the famous Captain Ja – "
"Jack Sparrow" Elizabeth interrupted, "Yes, we all know your name, Jack,"
"I was jus' seein' if yer were payin' attention to yer captain, luv," Jack explained, offering the bottle of rum to Will. He took it, swallowed a mouthful; and then passed it to Elizabeth, who also drank some before setting it back on the table.
Jack stretched his arms out, and then leaned forward with his elbows on the table's edge. He was beginning to feel more comfortable, having Will and Elizabeth with him. They soon began to share their stories of their first day in Tortuga. Every once in a while, Jack would add his two cents with an extravagant hand gesture. He'd tell them of some of his stories from this port in the past. Before long, they were all laughing and having a great time.
Jack eyes would sporadically flick towards any movement in the noisy tavern, frequent passersby, the occasional swaggering drunk, or the many wenches that called Tortuga their home. Jack knew practically all of them…some he'd rather not. But everyone wanted a piece of the great Captain Jack. He smiled to himself from his last thought, but that grin soon melted from his face with a random turn of his head. Green eyes… were all he could think.
The female pirate from the docks was in the tavern also. She sat near the back, to the opposite side from Jack and his friends. Jack quickly shook his head, hoping his eyes were deceiving his mind.
Will studied his face, "You all right? Jack?" he turned his head off towards the direction in which Jack was starring. He saw nothing that was catching his captain's attention.
"Um…I think…" Jack stuttered, trying to find words while his mind traveled to the far side of the tavern, "might've had too much rum…eyes playing tricks…"
Elizabeth also turned her head, "Oh…I see the captain's dilemma," she said with a raised eyebrow, "I believe he's found some interest in a local," she finished.
Will finally saw the girl as well, "Really Jack?" he asked, turning back towards his friend, "Why don't you ask her to come sit with us and have a drink?"
"No, that's okay," he answered in a monotone voice. Jack couldn't even move if he wanted to. For some reason, just one look at her made his body immobile. His eyes stayed on her as if glued to her face. His mind began to drift away with her out of the tavern. All that time, Will had been talking to him, but Jack never heard a word of it.
"Jack?" Will asked yet again, this time more loudly.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and kicked Jack's shin from beneath the table. Jack jumped and made a face at her, "What?" he asked innocently.
"I've been trying to get your attention here, mate," Will explained.
"Oh…uh sorry," he said back with an unfocused smile.
"Would you like me to introduce her to you?" Will asked.
Jack gave her a confused look, "Who?"
"Seriously now Jack. How stupid do you think we are?" Elizabeth asked.
"Honestly luv, I don't know wh—"
"That pirate from the docks the other day," Will voiced, "We saw how you look at her…and we see how you look at her now as well. Don't deny it, mate,"
Jack sighed, "Sorry…I guess no other female's ever caught me eye like that before," he looked at his friends, saw their understanding faces, and continued speaking, feeling more at ease, "It's her eyes. I can't seem to take my gaze from them. She just draws me into her somehow. I can't explain it," he shrugged.
Will studied his friend, taking in all the minor details. The way Jack's eyes darted around and stayed lowered, his restless hands picking at his dirty nails, and especially how his usually slurred, drunken speech sounded strangely sober. He smiled as he watched his captain slowly fall in love with a stranger.