CHAPTER EIGHT: HOW THEY GOT MARRIED

"So," a voice behind Sunni said. She turned from her lunch to see the same group who was listening to her story behind her. Anamaria was leading them. "We been really wonderin'. How did ye snag th' infamous Jack Sparrow?"

"Captain. Captain Jack Sparrow," Sunni laughed. Jack was still at the helm and Sunni was to bring him his lunch there when she was done with hers. "I'm not to be rid of you until ye 'ear th' story, eh?"

"That's right," Gibbs nodded.

She smiled and motioned them to sit down. The group joined her around the table. "Well, whenever th' Pearl came back to Port Royal, Jack would visit. One night, I was stayin' at Elizabeth and Will's. It was just after Elizabeth gave birth, and Jack, Will and I stayed up late, drinking and celebrating while the baby and Elizabeth rested. Finally, Will left to take care of Johnny and Elizabeth, and me an' Jack snuck out an' hit the bars. To this day, I have no idea how we got a preacher ta marry us at three o'clock in th' morning while we were so loaded with rum we could barely walk. But it happened. We awoke the next mornin' in th' same bed in some hotel room. I still don't know what 'appened ta those knickers," she said reflectively.

Flashback

Sunni rolled over, throwing a forearm over her eyes, trying not to feel the pounding of the monster headache she had. She moaned in pain because she couldn't block out the sun coming through the window.

Slowly, she became aware of the warm body pressed against her back. With unsteady movements, Sunni turned her sore neck to find a black-haired, bare-chested pirate asleep beside her. She gasped. Not knowing what else to do, she smacked him.

Jack awoke with a loud growl. "Bloody 'ell, woman!" he shouted, grasping his throbbing head. "What th' 'ell did ye do that fer?"

"Jack!" Sunni shouted, scrambling out of the bed, grasping a sheet around her naked body.

He opened one eye and looked at her. Soon, the scene registered in his mind. This was not some hired prostitute from the bar, this was the youngest daughter of the Governor of Port Royal. And she was naked in his bed! He jumped up, "Sunni!"

"What th' 'ell did we do, last night?"

"Fer God's sake, woman, stop screaming!" Jack roared, and clutched his temple. He looked at Sunni, covered only by a sheet and then down at himself, wearing only trousers. "Elizabeth's gonna kill me!"

"Not ta mention Father!" Sunni cried in distress, putting her forehead in her hand.

"And Will! He'll behead me, as well," Jack paced. "Th' price on my head'll skyrocket!"

Sunni fell silent as she watched him pace. A piece of paper on the nightstand caught her eye. Without warning, she began to chuckle. "Jack. . . they can't do a bloody thing," she smiled.

"Sunni, are ye mad? 'Bound by th' law', remember?" Jack exclaimed, repeating her father's words back to her.

"Exactly." Sunni held up a piece of parchment. "What we did is perfectly legal for a 'usband an' wife."

"What!"

"This is a letter from th' minister, congratulatin' us on our marriage, an' sayin' that he'll send the marriage license to th' magistrate first thing in the morning to be notorized. Then he'll file it. An' we'll be sealed. Forever. We're married."

"We're married?"

"Aye."

The two stared at each other in silence.

"We gotta find that preacher."

The newlyweds hastily threw on their clothes, avoiding each other's gaze.

"Bleedin' 'ell," Sunni muttered to herself.

"What?" Jack stopped as he buttoned up his shirt.

Sunni glanced up at him and then back down at the floor. "I can't find me blasted knickers."

Before he could stop himself, Jack let out a chuckle. He leaned down and threw some blankets around in search of her missing undergarments, but found nothing. "Sorry, darlin'. Looks like you'll be goin' without."

End Flashback

Jack was standing in the doorframe of the mess hall, watching as his crewmembers were captivated by his wife. They seemed to accept her pretty well. Jack was relieved of that. He had wondered down a few minutes ago, wondering where his lunch was, when he stumbled onto story time.

"So, why'd ye STAY married?" Anamaria asked, leaning in.

Sunni sighed. "Jack fell fer me charming manner and stunning beauty."

A laugh erupted from behind them and everyone's gaze turned to their Captain in the doorway. "Not bloody likely, luv."

Sunni threw him a Look. "Don't lie, Cap'n Sparrow."

Jack made his way through the crowd and leaned down to whisper in his wife's ear. "I fell fer yer charming and manner and stunnin' beauty long before we got hitched." He kissed her on her nose. Sunni giggled like a young girl. The crew around him let out sarcastic sighs.

"What are ye lookin' at, ye mangy dogs? Back ta work!" Jack commanded.

Once the mess hall cleared out, Jack lifted Sunni onto a bench and began kissing her neck.

"Jack!" Sunni exclaimed and laughed at the same time. "Ye haven't even had yer lunch yet."

"I'm only hungry fer you," he said, nibbling her neck.

"Jack Sparrow, that could have very likely been the worst pick up line I've ever heard."

"All right," Jack sighed. "I guess I'll have to settle with showing you Isla de Muerta instead of showing you my signature moves."

Sunni's eyes lit up. "We're near Isla de Muerta?" she exclaimed, jumping up from the table.

"Don't run," Jack called after her, following her to the deck.