Chapter 10
Sea Serpents and Mermaids
The rocky sky jutted down ominously as the men stared overhead. The storm loomed nearby, like a beast waiting to strike. No rain was visible, but they had watched the lightning bolts streaking down almost able to see Zeus hurling them from Mount Olympus.
Gen stepped out on deck and watched the men who stood as if stunned while they gazed at the sky. Xander stomped out after her, running his hands through his dark hair when he saw the black cloak that seemed to have fallen over the horizon.
She spotted Jack across the deck, his back to them while standing at the prow. He wasn't paying any attention to the rest of his crew, only stared out, at what Genevieve wasn't sure. Xander put an hand on her shoulder before she moved to confront him, "don't," he said, "he's only going to snap at you."
"Well that's just fine because I'm in the mood to snap back." She sauntered across the deck, some of her old confidence and a touch of arrogance were coming back.
She leaned out over the railing and was surprised when his eyes didn't follow her movements.
"You working on going into a trance? I'm sure I could steer the ship just fine without you." She smiled and waited for the words to sink in, until she saw a spark in his eye and he finally gave her the courtesy of acknowledging her.
"The day you take control of this ship is the day that I'm singing with the angels." He frowned, confusedly when she snorted loudly before blanking her face.
"What?"
"The angels, I don't think would have you, sweetheart. As a matter of fact I don't think the devil will take you either."
He glared at her and planted both arms on either side of her, caging her in.
"Sparrow, you're crowding me."
He smiled slightly, the amusement in his eyes sparkling. "Not yet."
She rolled her eyes towards the sky and frowned when his face turned to stone, his eyes going black.
"What is it now?"
He was looking over her shoulder. She turned her head to see what he was looking at, but her neck wouldn't turn far enough. "Sparrow, move, you're in the way."
He moved aside, leaving her to turn freely. "This is wrong."
"What's wrong?"
"We must've gone too far, something's wrong."
"I don't know what you're blathering about Sparrow, why don't you cut the cryptic."
"There's not supposed to be an island here."
"You have a flare for being a little over dramatic, that's part of your reputation."
"The one thing I know, love, is the sea. I know it better than the back of me own hand." To demonstrate, he held up his hand, and looking at it, he narrowed his eyes and whispered, "now when did I get that tattoo?"
She chuckled and stared out at the island that was looming up from the waves, whitecaps frothing near the shore as an errant dolphin swam nearby. "Oh yes Sparrow, I'm sure you know the sea, but I don't think an island would just appear out of thin air."
"You'd be surprised," Jack said quietly.
"Oh really?" she challenged. "Next you're going to tell me that you've seen the giant sea serpents and had a wild love affair with a mermaid."
"Well I won't if you don't want me to."
"You're mistaken, you've obviously been nipping on too much of your beloved rum."
He shook his head at her absently, rubbing his hands over his face, and then turned, stalking off to Xander. She watched them speak for a moment, and then Jack called out orders to the men.
The men jumped to life, springing up rigging and making sails whip in the wind.
Genevieve turned around to look at the island again, the lush palm trees against the bright white sand beckoned like an oasis in a desert.
"Sparrow, what are you doing? We have to go back to Port Royal!" She stalked towards him, her color rising.
"We have a little stop to make first," he said.
"No! We have to go back. Take me home!" She stomped like an angry child.
Jack just shook his head, a gleam in his eyes.
"Fine," she said. "You go gallivanting off to some island, but I'll be in my cabin."
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She squealed as he beat on the door again. "Damn it, I said go away and leave me alone."
Outside the door, Jack beat his head against the door once and then frowned as Xander neared.
"What's the matter, that little lady giving you a bit of trouble?"
"Me, no. She's just a delicate little pansy," he groaned and slid a glance at the door.
"Ah," Xander said, knowingly.
"Why don't you just leave her there, she'll live, and she has to come out sometime."
"No, that's not the problem," he said, "she's got my rum in there."
Xander barely stifled a laugh before Jack turned to the door again and beat on it with his fist.
"It's not funny," he growled, "she took it from me cabin. I'm going to kill her."
"Ah," Xander said, "let's throw her in the brig."
"You know, I was trying to be nice to the little lass, but I've already got one woman clucking at me over this whole deal, what do I need with another?"
Xander laughed again, patting Jack on the back. "Don't worry, I have a bottle in my bag, we'll split it."
"Or you could just give it to me."
"We'll split it."
