Pirates Of The Caribbean: Not all treasure is gold and silver
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the rights to The Pirates of the Caribbean however any characters I do create are my own so no stealing!
Rated: R!! (Due to scenes of a sexual nature, violence and language)
Note: to see note, see previous chapters (1 and 2)
Chapter 12:
Jack didn't want to believe what he was hearing from Elizabeth and Will. It seemed that his supposed wife would rather spend time with the Commodore than with him, even though they weren't exactly talking to each other he had hoped that when they set sail they would be able to talk. But now all his plans were useless and Jack was yet again in a foul mood.
The Black Pearl and the Commodore's ship had set sail little over an hour ago and Jack had spent most of the time sulking at the helm or complaining to himself. Elizabeth had tried to cheer him up by casually beginning to hum the song she had taught to him while they were stranded on the desert island. Jack had begun to sing along but then caught sight of Elizabeth and Commodore Norrington stood at the helm chatting away.
From what he could tell generally the decision had been made to leave Jack well alone while he was sulking. Especially when he had threatened to march one of the crew off of the plank.
~*~
"And so with my skill and excellent teaching by my master of swords I managed to unarm him and win the tournament."
The governor and Alexandra clapped along with a few soldiers after hearing Commodore Norrington's tale. Alexandra wasn't sure whether to believe everything that he had said especially since his story had changed slightly at one point. Of course her father had been enthralled by the entire story and had spent most of the time urging the Commodore on like a child.
Trying not to show her boredom too much Alexandra began to explore the ship, wandering along the deck and taking in every little detail. The Commodore's ship, the Elegance, pristine and perfect to every little detail. The wood was smooth and polished and the ropes neatly coiled and piled away. The floor glinted in the sunlight and the ships hull reflected the seawater clearly in its painted surface. The Black Pearl was not like this, thought reasonable clean and fairly tidy its surfaces were worn and weathered by the years and travelling, its deck were chipped by the boots that had passed over it many times. The paint peeled in some places and in others had gone completely. Though the Elegance held all the class of a typical British Navy Ship the Black Pearl had charm and personality that made you fall in love with it.
Making her way down below deck Alexandra wandered her way through the two levels looking into every room that door was unlocked, sometimes meeting a crewmember or soldier on the way. She eventually reached a beautiful oak door that had elaborate carvings in it. Pushing the doors Alexandra opened it slightly and entered the room, it was lavishly decorated. The window had a small balcony and a window seat to one corner as well. There were heavy deep blue velvet drapes that hung on either side of the window. On the walls were various paintings of people and scenes, one she recognised to be of London.
There was a beautiful four-poster bed in front of her, which was covered, in a beautifully decorated blanket. Walking slowly round the room Alexandra took in every detail and aspect of the vast room.
"I am glad you like it."
Alexandra spun round gasping and scared by the voice that had come from behind her. She looked up at her father who was stood in the doorway watching his youngest daughter, his lips pulled into a soft smile.
"Father you scared me."
The Governor laughed and walked over to the window, he opened one of the doors and stepped out onto the balcony. Alexandra sat on the window seat and stared up into the blue sky.
"Commodore Norrington tells me that you two had been discussing about what would have happened had you and Mr Sparrow not been wed."
"Captain…Captain Jack Sparrow father."
"Yes Captain Sparrow."
Alexandra shrugged it off giving up trying to correct her father and resumed her intent study of the room. She felt her father walk back into the room and sit beside her.
"This ship was originally intended to be a wedding ship, this was to be the husband and wife's room. That is why it is decorated and furnished in the finest of all materials and items."
"Why wont it be used for a marriage now father?"
The Governor smiled and patted his daughters leg lightly he chuckled somewhat and slowly stood.
"As the woman intended to be the bride is now wed."
Alexandra sat there puzzled at first but the realisation eventually sunk in, the intended bride and wife to be was meant to be her…and the supposed husband and groom was meant to be…the Commodore. Alexandra felt her face flush with embarrassment as she heard her father laugh.
"Not to worry Alexandra, you and Captain Jack Sparrow can use it."
"How do you mean?"
Alexandra didn't like the way this conversation was going and felt that things were going to get even worse than she had hoped.
"Well when we return to Port Royal you and jack may hold a formal ceremony of your marriage for the public of port Royal. That way you may invite al of your friends and family and I can see my youngest be married as well."
Alexandra tried to smile for her father's sake but could feel her heart breaking. Jack would never agree to that…it would be too cruel to even suggest such an idea to him.
~*~
It was nearing nightfall and the ships were preparing to weigh anchor. Jack had not spoken a word to anyone unless I was absolutely necessary. Alexandra had spent most of the time speaking with her father asking about why he had left her behind and other questions that played on her mind. She felt that she needed to tell her father everything that had her worried and so he told him everything from the little mishap last night in the Commodore's cabin to the argument with her sister earlier on that day.
The Governor had listened to his daughter and not interrupted her as she spilled out her heart. He hadn't been there for all those years before so he now intended to make up to her the years they had lost. After she had finished he sat there in silence for a while pondering over the matters. Alexandra watched him worried that he would criticise her for her childishness but instead he did the one thing she never expected. Her father hugged her.
The feel of her father hugging her made Alexandra finally break down into tears and she sobbed on his shoulder letting out all her pent up emotion. They sat together him gently rocking his daughter like a baby trying to sooth away her fears. Eventually Alexandra calmed down and looked up at her father, they smiled at each other and she hurriedly wiped away the remnants of her tears.
" You must go back over to the Black Pearl tonight and talk with him. Tell him everything you have told me and explain what happened. If he truly loves you he will see that you are telling the truth and you can get over this entire matter."
"Thank you father."
~*~
Jack watched the gangplank be placed between the two shipped and watched Alexandra cautiously walk across it. He didn't offer his hand or even offer to help her step down, instead his penetrating black gaze rested on her constantly. Alexandra felt nervous but her angry still boiled beneath the surface. He had no right to look at her in that way, it was as if he was accusing her of being unfaithful but she hadn't!
Brushing past him she made her way towards the helm forgetting what her father had just said. But Jack quickly reached out gripping her arm tightly and stopping her from walking away any further. Alexandra yelped and turned to glare at him trying to pry his hand off of her arm, it was beginning to hurt and she didn't like the way he looked so angry.
"Jack! You are hurting me!"
Jack didn't say anything but she felt his grip loosen and his thumb lightly brush over the area her had previously been gripping. They stayed looking at each other for a few moments emotions flashing through their eyes. When Jack finally spoke his voice was low and emotionless.
"We be needing to talk…love"
He almost spat out the word love and Alexandra visably flinched lowering her gaze to the floor. She had never heard him speak to her in such a way before and it hurt. She brushed the thoughts away and nodded looking him dead in the eye.
"I believe we do Captain Sparrow."
~*~
Jack and Alexandra were seated in the each in one of the large chairs around the large table. Jack had been shifting through the fruit in the bowl and eventually picked an apple taking a bite from it. Whenever he ate apples he remember Barbossa and how he had been cursed. He smiled looking about him quickly pleased that the Black Pearl was his as it should be.
"Why didn't you let me explain Jack?"
Jack looked at Alexandra, having heard her voice so tight with tension and anger. His intense black eyes resumed their gaze, making her feel like she was being swallowed whole. She fidgeted feeling rather small and worthless now and wishing that she could get back all the courage and strength she had felt after speaking with her father.
Gaining back a little more of her courage Alexandra looked back up at him, she watched Jack get up and walk around the room leaning eventually by the window. His tone was low and accusing.
"What did you expect me to do? Stop and wait for you to tell me some story. I didn't want to wait for lies…"
Alexandra got up not enjoying the fact she had to turn to talk to him, walked over to the window and stood before him. She pushed him by the shoulder so that they were face to face. Her voiced was strained from where she was trying not to yell at him and make more of a scene.
"Nothing happened! Do you not trust me Jack? I had a little too much to drink tripped up and fell into the chair. I was stuck and the Commodore was trying to help me up...there was nothing else to it."
"Well when I walked in it didn't look anything like that."
Alexandra stared at him and raised her hand about to swiftly slap him, but Jack had clearly anticipated her move and grabbed her wrist just before her palm connected with his cheek.
"I don't deserve no slap…pet"
She huffed and struggled against his hold, after she had continued this for a while she gave in and turned her face away to look out of the window. She was frustrated and angry, hurt and alone. She hated him for making her feel this way but loved him because he was at least talking to her. She felt rough hands rest on her shoulders and squeeze lightly, she pretended not to react or notice but his touch was making her feel weak at the knees. She managed to barely whisper out something.
"Don't call me pet."
Jack lowered her wrist and slowly let go. He didn't know what to say…he had been hurt seeing her in the Commodore's arms but not hurt enough to want to turn her away. He knew there was no point in arguing though he knew that if they continued this way they would. He sat on the windowsill arms crossed and gaze settled on a rum bottle lying on the floor.
Alexandra opened her mouth to speak but couldn't find the words at first she was worried he would accuse her of lying but she couldn't to Jack. There was no way out of this she just had to tell the truth. Closing her eyes she sighed and began to explain.
"I…tried to come and find you straight after. I wanted to explain but when I couldn't find you I waited in your cabin. I waited for almost two hours and you never came, so I cried myself to sleep. It hurt me so much that in the morning when Elizabeth told me where you were I wanted you to suffer more."
Jack, having listened to what she had to say and waited until he believed she had said all that she wanted moved from his position on the windowsill. He stood before her keeping enough space that allowed their bodies not to touch, but felt the warmth of one another.
Alexandra breathed in a deep breathe of his heady cent, a mixture of sea, rum and life. Neither of them moved, Jack spoke up, his voice was low and husky accented by his slightly drunken slur.
"Why did you stay on the Commodore's ship?"
Alexandra moved away from Jack not wanting him to distract her like he was. As much as she loved the fact that he was so close she needed to sort this out. Before she told him the news her father had said.
"Because I wanted to make you jealous and I needed to ask the Commodore a few things?"
Jack raised his eyebrow and watched her step away from him.
"And what did you be asking, love?"
Alexandra paused debating whether to tell him the truth or lie. If she lied then it might cause more problems and end up making matters worse in the long run, but if she told him he might take it badly and blame her. Looking at Jack and seeing how his eyes betrayed him once again, his body posture said that he couldn't have cared less and showed little interest in what was said…but his eyes held another story and mixture of emotions. His eyes said that he wanted to know…know that she was still going to be his.
"Jack…nothing will come of what the Commodore told me…but he mentioned that had you and I not been married. Well…my father had agreed partially that I would court and marry Commodore Norrington."
Alexandra waited for Jack to throw a tantrum and yell…but instead he nodded calmly.
"But since you be married to me, there is no way that Commodore can marry you?"
"Well there is no way that I know of Jack…why?"
Jack smiled lifting one of his rum bottles from the table behind Alexandra and inspecting how much was left in it. She watched him and smiled as he looked at her ignoring the bottle for a moment.
"Just wanted to make sure all was savvy."
Alexandra nodded and watched Jack as he pulled the cork from the bottle in one fluid motion and took a rather large mouthful. She could see that it was his way of saying everything was sorted for now between them. It was then that Alexandra remembered that there was something else she had to tell him before they arrived back at Port Royal.
"Jack…my father and I were speaking earlier and you see he mentioned our marriage."
Jack was too busy searching for another bottle of rum and so only replied with a non too committal 'mhmm'. Alexandra waited till he had found another bottle and was removing its cork.
"Well the ship the Commodore is in is actually a wedding ship and when we arrive back in Port Royal my father plans to hold another wedding for you and I so that our marriage can be more public and official in his eyes."
Jack choked on his mouthful of rum and inhaled it, rather than swallow it. He coughed and spluttered for a bit while Alexandra poured him a glass of water and whacked him on the back. He eventually began to calm down and waved a hand at Alexandra so that she would stop hitting his back quite so hard.
Alexandra watched him as he regained his composure and finally looked at her. She realised that perhaps she should have told him to sit down before telling him this but there was little time for formalities and pleasantries.
"Married! Again?!"
"Yes Jack my father wants us to be married again before the public of Port Royal so that I can invite all my friends and he can see his youngest daughter be married…with his consent."
Jack sat down and took a long drink from the rum bottle, which he now grasped rather tightly. Alexandra knelt by his chair worried at how badly Jack had reacted. She knew he would probably be a bit shocked but not this much.
"Who else knows?"
"Just you me and my father."
~*~
Will sat on the steps leading up to the helm, everyone had eaten and were now carrying out their own plans. Since there were two ships together there was a little less worry for security and so many of the men had been able to play cards and gamble. Will had decided to decline the offer of playing yet another gambling game with the mixture of Black Pearl crew and soldiers, instead he had decided to come and star gaze for a while.
Elizabeth had gone over to the Commodore's ship to use the washing facilities, which were more…pleasant than the Black Pearls. Not that the Black Pearl was unclean or anything but just the thought of having to stand in fairly cold water did not appeal to Elizabeth.
Will had seen Jack and Alexandra retreating off into the cabin and was pleased to see that the pair had finally decided to discuss what was going on. He hadn't heard any shouting or the smash of broken glass so as far as he could tell all was going well between the two.
As much as he loved life out of the open waves he still missed the enjoyment of working occasionally in the Blacksmiths, creating a new sword, teaching Elizabeth to fight and learning to handle a new blade himself. He was just worried about how Jack would take life as a married man on shore. What would become of the Black Pearl and her crew?
Even thought these were problems that did concern him, at the moment there was little he could do to help. Until things had been set in motion at Port Royal all he could do was wait and watch, as well as calm Elizabeth down every time she decided that her sister and Jack were going through another problem, which she needed to sort out.
Taking once last long look at the stars Will stood, he sighed wistfully and began to go below deck humming a tune to himself and wondering what his father, Bootstrap Bill, would think of him if he were alive to see what a man he had hopefully become.
~*~
Thank you again! Another one up hope you enjoy!! Until next time bye! Xx
I first of all want to say to Dana-Black that your comment was useful but sometimes you got to understand that characters don't act the way you expect. If you saw the person you loved in another person's arms I think most people would bolt without waiting for an explanation (I know I certainly would). Okay so maybe you feel it isn't exactly in Jack's character to do that but hey this isn't a story that is sticking exactly to your storylines.
Apart from that I want to thank Lexy who emailed me to say what she thought of my story! Thank you very much it really helped boost my ego for the day!