I own nothing named in the film and everything not named!
With thanks to ducky, Chelsey, MarzBar, Josette (welcome!), Pendragginink, RosePearl, A Depp Girl, Miss Sophia, Captain-Ammie (welcome!), Mrs Depp, and of course, Hils.
Pen, thank you for the funny reviews and constructive criticism. It really does help when people point things out.
RosePearl, of course I got Rosie the barmaid from you-know-where! ;)
Apologies for the delay in uploading. Every time I tried to log in, I got the server error 503 message!
…
Chapter Twenty-two: 'We'll be callin' ye Commodore before long,'
Jenny looked round as the sounds of rioting from Road Town drifted into the kitchen of her home, where she and her friends were sitting and talking. 'I hope the men are all right,' she worried. 'I hope Jack's all right.'
'I'd stick ter worrin' about th'men, if I were you,' Patience remarked. 'Jack Sparrow is a past master at lookin' after himself.'
'I know,' Jenny sighed. 'But it's my job to worry,' she smiled, shrugging ruefully.
'I'm sure he'll fine fine,' Sive sympathised, frowning as the noise seemed to get louder. 'I think Patience could be right in worryin' about the men more, though.'
'You all right, ladies?' Pete Symmonds enquired as he came into the kitchen in search of food.
'We're fine,' Jenny replied unconvincingly.
'Don't worry,' the big man smiled. 'I've known th'captain do far more dangerous, an' if I might say, stupid, things than this,' he assured her. 'He'll be all right.'
'Well, stupid an' Sparrow go hand in hand,' Patience sniped dryly, winking at her friend.
'It's a good job I know you don't mean it,' Jenny smiled, jumping up from the chair as she heard voices in the hallway. 'Jack?' she called, hurrying from the kitchen.
'Ello, luv,' he grinned, swinging her around as she threw herself into his arms. 'Missed me?'
'I'm just glad you're safe. Where are the others?' she asked, wondering why only Luke had returned with him.
'Roundin' th'crew up. John, I want you, Pete an' Drew back down th'docks. They were Navy,' Jack sighed. 'I want a guard on th'Pearl an' a guard on th'Voyager, which is now my ship.'
'Two ships?' Shay enquired. 'We'll be callin' ye Commodore before long,' he joked.
'Let's go in th'sittin' room an' I'll tell you all what happened.' Jack lead the way into the large sitting room, where Joshamee and Tom were already waiting.
'So I was right,' Jenny murmured. 'What will happen to Farrier? I thought you'd be in town looking for him.'
'He came back to th'ship. I reckon he sussed out what was goin' on. It was just a matter of dispatchin' his watchmen an' takin' him ashore ter Condent. He passes his commendation to ya fer knowin' your ships,' Jack smiled at his wife.
'And I've sent him, and no doubt his crew, to a horrible death,' she shuddered, pulling her shawl about her.
'An' what about th'horrible deaths he's dealt ter pirates, ter th'people of Tortuga, eh?' came Patience's riposte.
'She's right,' Jack reasoned. 'He had ter be stopped before he reached us, savvy?'
'Couldn't you have killed him yourself, a shot to the head?' Jenny implored, tears springing up in her eyes as she tried not to imagine what was happening to the naval captain at that very moment.
'I promised him ter Condent,' Jack shrugged, moving to his wife and putting his arms around her. 'I'm sorry, luv. I know you don't like this sort of business. Why don't ya go ter bed, eh?'
'No,' Jenny snarled, pulling away from him. 'Don't treat me like a child, just because I have feelings.'
'Come on, pet,' Joshamee smiled, taking her by the arm and leading her to the settee. 'I'll fetch you a brandy, hmm?'
'Thank you,' she smiled, feeling angry and embarrassed for creating a scene. 'Go on,' she told Jack.
'I found this,' the captain of the Black Pearl informed those in the room, holding up a letter, which he had retrieved from a pocket inside his coat.
'An' what is that?' Shay enquired. 'Instructions from th'Admiralty?'
'No,' Jack chuckled. 'Although that would have been good as well. It's a letter – a love letter. I'll read it out ter ya.' He cleared his throat dramatically and stood in the middle of the room as he unfolded the damning piece of paper.
'My dearest George,
I am writing to beg you to reconsider your decision that you spoke of the other evening. I am bereft without you and keep thinking of the many happy years we spent together, in spite of the fear of discovery.
Port Royal has no social scene worth its name and I miss your companionship. Your wry humour has seen me through many a dull dinner party. I understand your unease at the closeness of society here, but as you know of old, my servants are discrete and loyal – they would never utter a word to anyone.
I beg you, do not cast aside what we have shared.
Yours,
Elias.'
'They were lovers?' Jenny gasped, staring at Jack in astonishment.
'Aye,' he nodded. 'So it would seem.'
'Article twenty nine,' Joshamee nodded. 'What are you goin' to do with it?'
'What's Article twenty nine?' Finan enquired.
'An order of death as punishment for the un-natural and detestable sin of buggery or sodomy with man or beast,' Luke quoted, knowing the naval articles off by heart.
'Ah,' Fin nodded. 'So…?'
'So I copy this letter an' go an' pay our dear Elias a little visit.'
'Jack!' Jenny shrieked, jumping from the sofa and nearly spilling the brandy that Joshamee had provided for her. 'You can't go to Port Royal!'
'Why not?' Jack shrugged unconcerned. 'Jen, this will finish him,' he reasoned. 'We won't have ter worry about him any more.'
'Can't you send him the copy with a letter, saying that you have the original?' she argued, her eyes beseeching him.
'I could,' Jack nodded. 'But I'm not goin' to…' He put his arms around his wife once more. 'I want him ter know I mean it. I want him ter look in my eyes an' see that I mean it, savvy?'
Jenny sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing further now that he had made his mind up. 'When will you be going?'
'As soon as I've sorted th'crews out for th'two ships. I'll have ter take on more men,' he mused with a grin. 'Two ships… not even Barbossa quite managed that.'
'Does that mean you're not giving it up?' Jenny asked in a small voice, fearful that he would renege on his promise.
'I'll give it up,' Jack assured her, smiling. 'An' sit back rakin' in th'profit of two ships.'
'I'll be willin' to give you a hand on board,' Joshamee offered. 'Just until you've got everything sorted.'
'Thanks, Gibbs,' Jack nodded. 'I'll take you up on that.'
'Guess that means double shifts fer ye an' me on th'boat,' Finan grinned to Scurvy Tom who had been sitting quietly, listening to all that had gone on.
'Aye, he'll do anythin' ter get out of fishin' duties,' Tom chuckled, nodding towards his friend.
'I think I'll retire, if nobody minds,' Jenny apologised to the people in her sitting room. 'You stay,' she told Jack. 'You have a lot to sort out.'
'I'll go an' make sure th'watches are sorted an' be back as quickly as I can, savvy?'
'Yes,' Jenny nodded, kissing his cheek. 'I'll probably be asleep when you return.'
'I'll come with ye,' Shay announced. 'I'll see ye later,' he told Patience. 'Will ye be all right stayin' here tonight?'
'We'll be fine, just make sure ya stay out of trouble, ya hear?'
'Loud an' clear,' the Irishman smiled as he made for the door.
'Kiss Joshua a kiss fer me,' Jack smiled as he joined his friend.
'I will,' Jenny promised. 'Stay out of trouble.'
'Of course,' he called back, laughing. 'I always stay out of trouble.'
'Hmmm,' Jenny murmured to herself. 'Are you sure you all don't mind my going to bed now?' she asked those still remaining in her kitchen. 'Shall I show you to your rooms?'
'Fer gawds sake!' Patience rolled her eyes. 'I think we know our way around th'place by now, with all th'traipsin' up an' down the stairs we've done after th'children.'
'True,' Jenny smiled. 'Goodnight,' she said, as she made her way to the door.
'Night, an' stop yer worrying.'
…
Jack crept carefully across the bedroom floor some three hours later, trying not to wake either his wife or his infant son.
'Jack?' Jenny hissed fearfully in the dark. 'Is that you?'
'Aye, luv,' he whispered. 'Sorry.'
'I haven't really slept,' she admitted. 'I've been listening out for you. Is everything all right?'
'Fine. Most of th'crew managed ter stay reasonably sober, so I've got watches on both ships,' he told her as he undressed in the dark. 'I went ter see Condent afterwards.'
'Is Farrier dead?'
'Aye,' he sighed. 'I don't want you ter blame yourself,' he said as he climbed into the bed beside her.
'I'm not… not really. It's just I can imagine what they did to him before he died.'
'I had a friend once, years ago, who was caught and hanged. Th'only problem was, th'hangman didn't do his job properly an' Frank took all of half an hour ter die. So I'm afraid I don't have much sympathy fer th'likes of Farrier.' Jack wound an arm around his wife and pulled her to him, holding her closely whilst stroking her back absently.
'I just wish you hadn't promised him to Condent,' she whispered. 'At least you would have been compassionate.'
'I had to, Jen. He might not have co-operated an' then we could have lost Farrier.'
'And then we would have had to move again,' Jenny sighed.
'Exactly,' Jack agreed. 'An' we are not doin' that ever again.'
'No,' she shook her head vigorously against his chest. 'We are not!' Jenny groaned as Joshua started to grizzle in the crib made by the ship's carpenter, Josh Browning.
'Bring him in with us,' Jack suggested. 'We can all sleep then, eh?'
'All right,' Jenny agreed, climbing out of bed and finding her way in the dark to the crib on the other side of the hexagonal windows. 'Good job I know the way,' she chuckled, making her way back again with her precious bundle in her arms
'You'll have ter keep a low lamp lit. Don't want ya fallin' over, especially with Joshua in yer arms.'
'I will,' she replied as she placed the infant on to the mattress beside Jack and climbed in carefully.
Jack wrapped an arm around his wife, encompassing their son between them. 'I love you,' he whispered.
'I love you,' Jenny smiled, reaching over and kissing his head. 'Both of you.'
'Aye,'he nodded. 'Both of ya…'
…
Four days later
'Shay!'
Shay Connelly spun around at the sound of someone calling his name, smiling as he recognised Thomas Price from the part of the brotherhood who had sided with Jack, striding along the cobbled street towards him.
'Thomas,' he grinned, waving in welcome. 'What brings ye here?'
'Is it true? About Farrier?' the older man enquired, fidgeting nervously.
'Aye,' Shay nodded, frowning. 'Why, what's up?'
'I need ter see Jack, urgently, like.'
'I see… might I ask what about?'
'Yer can ask, but ya won't get an answer – not here,' Price snapped. 'Where does he live?'
'I'll go an' fetch him an' meet ye in th'Stag,' the Irishman offered, knowing his friend's reluctance for anyone just showing up at the door.
'All right,' his companion sighed heavily. 'I suppose it'll have ter do.'
'See ye in half an hour?'
'Aye – tell him it's urgent.'
…
'What is so important that yer dragged me away from my home an' family?' Jack drawled as he crossed the floor of the tavern with Shay, and sat opposite Thomas Price who was seated in a private booth, a pitcher and two empty mugs waiting for his guests on the table.
'I-I need yer h-help,' Price stuttered, looking about nervously. 'Farrier is dead, isn't he?'
'Aye,' Jack confirmed as he poured himself and Shay an ale. 'I saw his body – or what was left of it, th'night he was killed. Now what's wrong?'
'Promise yer won't tell, like? Th'others. Promise!'
'Which others?' Jack sighed with exasperation, glancing at Shay who shrugged his shoulders.
'Roberts an' Tew. Even Condent. Promise yer won't say anythin' ter them.'
'About what?' Shay asked. 'What sort of trouble are ye in?'
'He took my wife. They came ter our house an' took my wife an' gaoled her,' Price babbled.
'Who took yer wife?' Jack frowned. 'Farrier?'
'Aye,' the older man nodded. 'We live in Tortuga, as yer know. They came an' took her one night when I was at sea.'
'How d'ye know?' Shay wondered. 'An' why?'
'Our neighbour told me when I returned. I found out why when Rebecca Tyler paid me a visit.'
'Aye?' Jack queried. 'Why doesn't that surprise me? She works, or rather worked, for Farrier, didn't she?'
'Y-yes,' Price stammered. 'I was told I had to give her information about the breakaway group an' our activities or Beth'd be hanged as a pirate. Please helpme.'
'What do you want me ter do?'
'Rescue her. Ya broke yer missus from th'fort, yer can do th'same fer my Beth. I'll pay yer well…' he offered desperately.
'Bloody hell,' Jack swore, stroking his beard braids. 'You want me ter break your wife from Port Royal?'
'Yes.'
'Bang goes sneakin' in an' out again,' Shay sighed, for that was what he and Jack had been planning on doing with the letter.
'Ya'll do it?' Price asked hopefully.
'It'll need a bit of workin' out,' Jack mused. 'But we can't let yer wife rot in that rat infested hell-hole. Aye, we'll do it,' he nodded, raising his mug of ale in toast.
'Y-you w-will…?' Price gaped. 'You will?'
'How?' Shay queried.
'Don't know yet,' Jack mused, lost in thought. 'As I say, it'll take a bit of workin' out. But I will need your help,' he told Price.
'Of course, anythin' yer want me ter do, I will.'
'What I do know is, we'll need Voyager manned,' Jack decided.
'We're goin' ter attack Port Royal?' Shay asked, his eyes wide in astonishment.
'No, just make sure Captain Groves an' his men are kept busy at sea. Shay, we sail to San Juan th'day after tomorrow, savvy?'
'Aye, aye, Cap'n,' the younger man deferred. 'I'll go an' let th'crew know.'
'An' I'll let my wife know,' Jack sighed, knowing the honeymoon he had enjoyed with his family was well and truly over.
…
Jack looked at the men he had called into his cabin on the Black Pearl and glanced at Shay, a half smile playing on his lips. He stood and paced the deck, his hands clasped solemnly behind his back.
'As you all know, we now have two ships,' he began. 'An' we're sailin' ter San Juan tomorrow to pick up more crew for Voyager. We have decided,' he said, nodding towards Shay. 'That John, you will be captain of Voyager…'
'What?' the burly man exclaimed, looking at Jack in shock.
'You will, of course, sail under my colours and give me a percentage of yer plunder.'
'A-aye…' he stammered. 'Thank you.'
'Bisi, you will be his quartermaster,' Jack smiled, glad of the day the former slave joined his ship.
'Thank you, Cap'n, suh,' the black man grinned, winking at John.
'That means that Pete, you will be quartermaster of th'Pearl.'
'Bloody hell,' Pete Symmonds muttered under his breath. 'Thanks Cap'n, Shay,' he nodded.
'We'll split th'crew half an' half until we get to San Juan, then hopefully we should both be fully manned,' Jack told his men.
'What will we be doin' afterwards?' Olabisi enquired.
'Sailin' to Port Royal, getting' th'Commodore off our backs an' springin' a woman from gaol.'
'Is that all?' Pete quipped with a grin. 'Who's th'woman?'
'Any more of yer cheek an' I'll demote ya to cabin boy,' Jack warned with an equally wide grin on his face. 'Th'woman is Beth Price, Thomas's missus. Farrier and Beauchamp took her prisoner ter force Price to pass on information about th'brotherhood.'
'Th'bastards!' John spat. 'Who was Price passin' the information on to?'
'Rebecca Tyler,' Shay put in. 'Never did trust her.'
'Me neither,' Jack agreed. 'An' with good reason it seems. Fortunately, with th'brotherhood splittin' up, an' nothin' being decided at th'last meeting with Roberts an' Tew, Thomas didn't have much ter pass on.'
'Thank the gods for that,' Bisi sighed with relief. 'Not that it matters any more. Which men are goin' ter which ship, suh?'
That's somethin' we'll sort out when everyone's on board. Now I suggest ya all go an' collect yer things an' take them to yer relevant quarters.' Jack chuckled to himself as the three men dashed for the door, then looked out at the schooner, Voyager, which was berthed besides the Black Pearl just off the outcrop. He had men working on specific modifications to the ship, which he hoped would make her faster and had intended sailing her to San Juan himself to get a feel for her and see what else might possibly be done. John Williams, he thought, could wait a while longer for his command.
…
