Sail on Silver Girl

Chapter 21

Only after a minute of silence did Sylvia dare to lift her eyes from their intense study of the intricately patterned floorboards beneath them to look at Jonathan. His fists were clenched and his eyes stared blankly out of the curtained window into nowhere. She winced internally as she realized that Jonathan still meant and had kept true to their promise of years ago. But she couldn't make herself love him. Not after she had found Captain Jack Sparrow.

She tentatively moved closer to him and her mouth went dry. Silver desperately tried to think of something to say – anything – that would not endanger their friendship. After all, Jonathan was her only connection to home and her most cherished childhood comrade.

She could feel him flinching under her touch as she held his shoulder.

"Johnny", she spoke affectionately, addressing him like she did when they were younger. At this familiar former epithet for him though, his features turned rigid and pained.

"You must understand, Jonathan. Please, do not blame me – "

With a sudden movement Jonathan interrupted her and swept her hand off his shoulder and got up, desperately trying to hide the pain evident in his eyes. Without another word he made his way over to the mahogany door, the heels of his polished boots echoing ominously in the hall. Then, he was gone, the heavy door crashing into its frame leaving behind an uncomfortable silence and a shocked and hopeless young woman.


She estimated to have paced the hall for hours now, contemplating how to confront Jonathan. She bit her lip as she thought of his earlier behavior, fearing to anger him again. She did not want to lose him – but she would not give up Jack for the sake of their friendship either. She had to think of something. Finally Silver felt she couldn't take it any longer. Wringing her hands, she gathered her skirts in a bunch, cursing the inconvenience of such a garment, and walked out of the hall in search for Jonathan. She had barely closed the door behind her when she noticed a shadow in the adjoining bedroom. She pushed the door opened further and noticed him sitting slumped on the bed with his back to her. She swallowed hard and moved into the room, the sound of her step causing Jonathan to whirl around. Resigned, he was about to turn back when Silver grabbed his wrist.

"Jonathan!" she said sternly. "We have to talk. Quit walking away from me." Seeing his stubbornly resistant expression as his eyes locked with hers Silver realized that this was not going to be easy.

Half an hour and a couple of sherries later, Silver felt a little more relaxed.

"…so please don't blame me Jonathan. It is not my fault. It just – it…it hit me and I can think of no other. I belong with Jack", she concluded pleadingly and prayed that he would understand. Her mouth was dry from talking this much and she took a sip of her sherry, awaiting his reply. She had told him all; how she'd ended up in Tortuga, met Jack and everything in between. Hopefully he would understand the special connection between her and Jack. And hopefully he would not give up their friendship because of it.

Jonathan's eyes still expressed his disappointment, but his expression had softened considerably. He squeezed her slight hand and gave her a weak, reassuring smile.

"Of course I understand," he spoke softly. "How could I not? I just wish this would have turned out different. And to think – defeated by a dirty pirate…", he added sulkily.

Here Silver had to intercept.

"Jack Sparrow is not a dirty pirate! He is not like the others." She watched the expensive sherry slush as she twirled the stem of her glass between her fingers and gathered all her courage:

"I want you to meet him..."

Jonathan's expression was shocked and disgusted. He let go off her hand and turned away.

"…Right now."


"That pirate?" Jonathan objected as he hastened behind Silver down the streets. She had not given up and he had reluctantly been forced to follow her. The ocean had drowned the sun long ago and he did not dare letting her go by herself at this hour.

"I don't think that is a good idea. Besides, it is dark already. Let us wait till morning, at least", he almost pleaded. Meeting the man to whom Silver had given her heart did not tempt him in the least at the moment. Impatiently and without verbal response Silver locked arms with him and resolutely directed him to the harbor. She was eager to see Jack and just the thought of him made her smile despite the shocking news of her father's death and Jonathan's revelation. She didn't know how she would have pulled this through without knowing that Jack was with her. Always with her. That was what he had promised, wasn't it?

"You'll get along fine", she reassured him, too impatient to be with Jack again to realize the pain she caused Jonathan, who felt disgusted and empty just thinking about this man, let alone meeting him. "He really is a great man…" Unconsciously Silver slowed her steps and her eyes became dreamy. Jonathan clenched his fists at his sides. Why did she play with his feelings like this!

"…and a pirate!", he hissed with irritation. Silver shot him an angry glare, but softened into an apologetic smile and took his hand.

"I'm sorry, John. I just…" She paused. "I thought you two might actually get along well. I so wished for eat. At least try, will you? Do this for me…Please?"

Silver smiled innocently up to her friend. There was a moment of silence. Then a sigh.

"Oh…alright!"

Silver grinned like a little girl. She knew it: her "you-cannot-deny-me-that-single-wish look" along with the big puppy-eyes always got her what she wanted in the end.

"This way, young man…" Silver giggled and flourished into a grand bow indicating the direction of the harbor. Jonathan grimaced. What had he gotten himself into? Then again, he thought sarcastically, this night seemed to be filled with firsts. The first time he had confessed his love, the first time his heart had been broken…the first time he would have to meet a pirate. But if Sylvia wished it so, there was no place for self-pity or sarcasm. He would do anything to make her happy, and that man she fell head-over-heels for better treat her properly. It was his duty to make sure she would be in the right hands…


Silver was almost bouncing down the streets. Her love for Jack seemed to consume any anger or grief she should have felt. Returning to Antigua had been a wise decision after all – and she had Jack to thank for that.

Finally she felt light, as if she could put everything behind her and start all over. With Jack. She had come to accept her past, and she did not want to forget it or lock it away as before. Simply not minding would do the trick. From now on, everything would be better. Fortune seemed to have finally ended up picking her, and things could only go uphill.

Although her smile was contagious to the extreme, Jonathan couldn't bring himself to return it. He grimaced sourly as the Black Pearl came into sight and did not heed Silver's attempts to make him go any faster.

The wooden planks creaked beneath their feet as Silver hurried to Jack's cabin. She would tell him how much she loved him. No more hiding, no more pretending. Their behavior seemed so childish to her now, and she couldn't wait to talk to the man she loved. Jonathan and him would get along, she was certain. It was hard not to get along with her best friend. She smiled gently at Jonathan as she thought of him, and moved to rub his arm as she saw his pained expression.

Before she could say a word though, the door to their left was opened and out came a (very) drunk Jack. His eyes seemed unfocused and he blinked a couple of times before he could make out the blurry shape of Silver holding onto that phony wig.

Silver's expression was no less shocked at the sight of Jack in this dreadful state, and it was impossible to describe the utter look of disgust and contempt on Jonathan's face.

Several painful moments of the staring between the three passed before the silence was broken, though not necessarily for the better…


A/N: Hello me dears, and, first off, thanks for the reviews of course! Although, I don't feel very motivated – I want at least 10 reviews before the next chapter is up! Ha! I know I'm mean, but school's horrible right now and I crave some reviews! Alrighty;-) Please don't kill me! I hope you liked this chapter – let's see how Jack will respond. Doesn't look too good now, does it?

Until next time – and don't forget those reviews, aye?

Sereture

Btw, happy belated Valentine's day! Hope y'all got cards/flowers/rum bottles from Johnny Depp, like I did! ;-) Heheheee…

I wish…