Disclaimer: I don't own Pirates, yada yada yada, Will and Elizabeth are their own, as is Norrington, etc. etc… All OC's are strictly MINE, MY OWN, MY PRECIOUSSSSSSS, etc. etc… And I have Jack in my closet, bought him fair and square but I suspect that I shall be lettin' 'im out every once in a while if he behaves, savvy?
Summary: *Sequel to "A Glimmer of Light"* Four years have passed, and Leah and Jack have two kids, John and Claire. When these two are kidnapped, Leah and Jack are swept into the secrets of Jack's past. For you see, some treasures even a pirate should never seek...
A/N1: It's finally here, mates! The sequel! XD *Crowd goes wild* Now, before we go any further, I must say this: firstly, this is a SEQUEL. In other words, though you will get the gist of what's happening and most likely enjoy it, you won't have the full story and will not know how Leah and Jack met/got together/etc….. BUT, there will be many flashbacks in this fic. The four years that have passed cannot remain an empty hole in their lives, eh? For those of you who don't like that kinda stuffs, I'll put a warning up at the start of every chappie with one, but if it's vital to the fic, I'll tell ye. Also, the flashbacks will clue you in on some info by which you might not NEED to read the first one, though it is strongly recommended/appreciated. ;-) So, with that in mind… ENJOY!!!
A/N2: And before I go any further THIS TIME, I would like to thank my dear muse Fred, for without her, this would not be at all possible. (Please don't ask me what her full name is… she'd get VERY upset with me if I gave that out. -_-). Yes, my dear muse… who gives me inspiration at 11 pm on a school night right when mon pere needs the pc… And for that, I thank you, Fred! -_-
Fred: *glares in warning*
Me: ……Hush.
Fred: *more warning glare*
Me: *feels inspiration waning*…. YES, I LOVE YOU FRED! NOPE, YOU HAVE THE BEST TIMING! *inspiration comes back*………………… I hate you…
Fred: You love me. XD
Me: -_-
***Special thanks to Kirie, Pendragon, and Kizume for betaing!
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It was a calm day on the Caribbean. No, make that a beautiful, almost perfect, day. A clear blue sky with just enough clouds to keep the main glare of the sun at bay, a good breeze just right for a ship. On board a particularly small boat, just off the coast of Port Royale, were two people taking full advantage of the fine conditions. There was a female, a 5'4" brunette with her hair up in a messy bun, two tiny braids with interwoven lace coming off of the right side of her head, three beads at the ends of each, one braid on the opposite side. Her loose white long-sleeved cotton shirt and faded woven verdant breeches appeared comfortable, and the belt she kept tight about her waist really served two purposes: holding her "effects" as Jack would so eloquently put it, such as sword and pistol, and simultaneously making sure that her shirt did not accidentally fly up. A 5'10" male stood before her, his hair… unique to say the least. Utterly black, it went just past his shoulders, though there were various implements in place to somehow keep it from getting in his way. Dreadlocks galore, minute braids, and even strands completely coated by beads and trinkets. A red bandanna kept some of it at bay, but the hair that came out from over the top of it in the back was woven into a braid with some of the hair underneath, all tied tightly together with a cord. Strands of raven hair that could somehow easily get into his face were also either tucked back underneath his bandanna, or interwoven or braided with those further back… for the most part at least. In his own blue breeches, loose white cotton shirt with the low neckline, thin vest, and three-cornered hat, it was a shock he wasn't dying of heatstroke in the long coat he wore. His compass, sword, and pistol all safe in their respective places, he was taking a close look at the port they were fast approaching through one thickly kohled eye. They had been due back in Port Royale three days ago, and there was no doubt that a certain Mr. And Mrs. Turner were awaiting their arrival anxiously, wondering if anything had happened to them. You would expect the spirits of these two pirates, for pirates they were, to be as high as spirits can possibly be without actually leaving the body, wouldn't you? For some strange reason, though, their spirits were plummeting… and fast.
"Jack," Leah asked, a tremor in her voice. "Jack, what do you see?" Something was just not right… He had been looking at Port Royale through that spyglass of his for far too long now… at least far too long by her standards. As he was facing away from her, she couldn't see his face, but if she could have, the expression on his finely sculpted, sun bleached, bearded, and mustached face would not have helped matters much, either.
The two of them had left their two children, 2-year-old John and 3-year-old Claire (technically not Leah's, but still loved by her as her own), with Elizabeth and Will Turner, a couple with a toddler of their own: Thomas. So, all in all, Leah really didn't want to hear that something was wrong.
Slowly, Jack lowered the spyglass. "Something's wrong, luv."
"What?!"
"Come on, let's steer this boat in," he said, putting the spyglass away and moving past her, over to the mast. Instinctively, Leah grabbed his arm, him turning to face her with his heavily kohled eyes in response.
"But, Jack, if something's wrong…"
"Darling, we've already been spotted. And even if we hadn't been, it would be near impossible to sneak into the port at which stands Fort Charles undetected. There's no back way in."
"Jack… what's happened? What did you see?"
"The place it utterly locked up, Leah. The dear Commodore's ships are patrolling the harbor right now, and if there's been an attack, the best way to learn about it would be to get caught. On that ship." With his right hand, Jack made a pointing motion to the large vessel clearly visible against the horizon.
~*~*~*~
And, soon enough, Captain Jack Sparrow was, once again, a prisoner aboard an English ship from Port Royale, though this time, it was the Defender, not the Dauntless, and this time, Leah Sparrow was a prisoner right along with him. News of their marriage had, well, spread, as had her reputation. Leah now had a little legend of her own now, something about a "kiss of death" that actually was, for the most part, absolutely true, and the fact that she was coupled with the infamous Jack Sparrow only made it that much more… juicy as a gossip topic, to put it mildly. Really, it was her own fault that she was so bloody well known now, but she could not say she regretted it, even if it must have caused severe public ignominy for her father. He had publicly disowned her in an attempt to save face and in "anger" over her decision, after all, though that "anger" had soon faded, leaving a small trace of disappointment-but also happiness over the fact that his daughter was truly content for once in her life-in its wake.
But, as Leah stood on the deck of the Defender, she began to wonder… were they prisoners?
"Mr. Sparrow, Miss Swann," Gillette said stiffly, greeting both Jack and Leah in turn. Apparently, he refused to acknowledge the fact that the Governor's daughter had married… a pirate. Jack Sparrow at that. Interesting.
"Gillette," Leah said, nodding. She felt a tad bit guilty for not remembering just what rank he was, and consequently having left it out… But, in the main, she really could not have cared any less.
"Wonderful seeing you again, mate," was Jack's idea of a pleasant "hello".
Gillette gave Jack a "look", to put it mildly, but overall, really just ignored his remark. Facing Leah only, he spoke. "We've been awaiting your arrival."
The brunette-though her hair was so bleached by the sun now that it appeared to be either a spectacularly light shade of brown with blond highlights throughout, or simply dirty blond-cocked an eyebrow at this. "You have?"
"Yes."
"And why would that be?" Jack questioned. He was actually a tad bit surprised that the both of them weren't being put in irons. Well… him, at least.
"The Commodore wants you to brought in as soon as possible. You're wanted at the Governor's home, no matter how much I may disagree with it."
"But… why?" demanded Leah, completely disregarding that second comment.
"You'd have to ask the Commodore, Miss. I couldn't say."
"And why not?"
"Because I've been ordered not to. Besides, you will be informed soon enough."
"I'm sure we will," Jack agreed.
"Bloody hell…" Leah muttered under her breath as Gillette walked away, shouting orders.
~*~*~*~
Not very long after, Leah and Jack Sparrow found themselves in the governor's mansion, and in the parlor, of all places. This was certainly a room… that Leah never wanted to see again, having attended far too many "pleasant gatherings" within its walls, and Jack… well, he had never been in it before. The fine painting of a beautiful nature scene on the far wall, a chandelier on the ceiling, and large glass windows through which sunlight streamed certainly added something of grandeur to the place. Instinctively, Jack began making plans on how best to swipe that painting, those golden candlesticks he'd seen on the way in…
Nonetheless, regardless of Jack's… tendencies, the room was perfect, just private and large enough to fit in the necessary persons for these particular… circumstances without problem, not that Leah or Jack knew what those circumstances were, of course.
"Elizabeth," Leah let out happily, moving forward with a smile, her troubles temporarily forgotten as she saw her sister again. On a plush couch to the right sat Elizabeth and Will, right next to each other and holding hands. The female Turner seemed to be a bit worse for the wear, and Will seemed to be trying hard to be strong for his beloved wife. In the background stood two sets of guards, and off to the left were the Commodore and, naturally, Leah's father, the Governor, apparently deep in conversation with said military man. The moment Leah and Jack entered the room, escorted by four more redcoats, a hush fell on the room, and all eyes were trained on them.
"Leah," Elizabeth smiled, getting up immediately and moving forward to greet her sister. Behind her, Will stood, but did not move from that spot. The two met some five paces from the door, grasping each other by the arms as they exchanged a silent hello with their eyes, Elizabeth's brown and Leah's gray-green. But… Leah could easily tell something was wrong, just by Elizabeth's expression, a sort of bittersweet smile… not to mention Gillette's warm reception. "Liz… what's wrong?"
"Leah…"
Commodore James Norrington found this to be the perfect opportunity to speak himself. "Sparrow, Miss Swann," he said in greeting, stepping forward with his hands held together rigidly behind his back. For the love of hell, was no one willing to acknowledge her marriage? True, she hadn't exactly had her father's consent, nor did he know of it at the time… but now, it was a well-known fact, and a Priest had done it… in a Church… There had been witnesses.
"That would be Mrs. Sparrow, mate," Jack corrected, standing slightly behind Leah and off to her left. Leah didn't know whether to hug him, kiss him, or smack him, though a smile did creep to her lips.
"Yes," Norrington smiled mirthlessly.
"That will not be brought up in this household," Governor Swann stated matter-of-factly, facing his daughter as well. Leah simply rolled her eyes, said nothing. He would never be able to accept it. But at the moment, she didn't feel like arguing the point. There was obviously something far more urgent afoot.
"All right, obviously, something of import has happened, else me an' me lovely wife would be on our way to the gallows by now, eh?" Jack said at last, pointing out the obvious. Really, if it took him this long to ascertain just what had happened, there would be no time to do anything about it. The fact that there was no possible way that the Governor would let his own daughter be hung was largely ignored by all following that little statement.
"Two days ago, Port Royale was attacked," the Commodore said matter-of-factly.
"Attacked…" Leah echoed, her hands slowly falling away from her sister and to her sides. Three days ago, that was when Leah and Jack had been due back. They had been due back before the attack. If anything had happened… Leah could never forgive herself.
Elizabeth turned slightly to face Norrington as he spoke, Will coming up beside her.
"Yes, and in great force. We were only able to repel them… after it was too late."
"Too late?" Leah gulped, but the Commodore went on.
"We…were wondering if either of you had heard of it before. Witnesses call her the Beaten Bride." Inwardly, Leah cringed at the name, as would any even remotely civilized person, but outwardly, no sign of her disgust showed. It wouldn't. Too etched already was worry on her mien.
Gradually, all eyes turned to Jack, who had apparently been staring off into some far-off space before him, deep in thought.
"Jack…" Leah said softly, calling the man back to reality.
"Hmmm? Ah, never heard of it, mate," Jack informed Norrington. After eying him suspiciously for a moment, Leah turned her smoky gray eyes back to the Commodore, but it was not him who spoke next. It was Will.
"They… were after something, Jack, Leah. And they found what they were seeking."
"What… what were they after?" Leah breathed, knowing in her heart exactly what this "something" was, but refusing to admit it. Then, before anyone could reply, she turned to her sister, the beads clacking together with the speed of her head careening about. "Elizabeth… where are John and Claire? Where are my children?" They could all hear the panic sneaking into her voice. Her flesh, having barely tanned in the sun, was blanched well past its natural pale coloring by now, and there was a bitter, nauseous feeling in the back of her throat.
After a few tense, awkward moments of silence had passed, Leah could feel a comforting hand on her shoulder, a hand obviously belonging to none other than Captain Jack Sparrow, and although it did give her some comfort… it was nowhere near enough. Her children… The children of her and Jack…
Governor Swann very hesitantly began to speak. "Leah, I'm sorry. I'm afraid they…"
"They took John and Claire, Leah," Elizabeth finished softly.
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A/N: And that, ladies and gent's, is the first chappie of this here fic. Review and tell me what y'all think, eh? Special individual replies will go down here for all of ye KIND KIND WONDERFUL REVIEWERS! And now, for a limited time only… JACK T-SHIRTS FROM HOT TOPIC FOR ALL REVIEWERS! XD
