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! (Oh how I wish I did sometimes!)
Rated: R!! (Due to scenes of a sexual nature, violence and language)
Well here it one of the chapters that I have been waiting for and I hope you have been to! Thanks to everyone who reviewed!
Chapter 23:
The Black Pearl silently glided through the water towards the British ship, all lights were out and there was hardly a sound on board from the crew. The air was filled with suspense and anticipation of the task in hand as they waited for the ship to be close enough to board and the signal for them to move into action to come.
Jack was stood at the helm his gaze settled on the ship, to those around him, Jack's appearance was a sea of calm but the reality was that inside he was mixed up. A part of him longed to see Alexandra take her in his arms and forgive her yet another part of him accused her of betrayal, of disappointment and losing his trust. Jack wasn't sure how Alexandra or Will would react to his unexpected arrival; he planned to make the entire situation over fairly quickly as he did not want to harm Elizabeth or the un-born child.
The British ship was getting closer and closer and hopefully within a short while they would be near enough so that the British ship could do nothing at all. Jack could see his crew moving around silently…as silent as the grave even…he smiled to himself remembering a comment the Commodore Norrington had made when Jack and Elizabeth had been rescued off of that wretched island.
But the silence brought another memory to mind…that of the mutiny. How everything had seemed so calm and quiet that night that his crew betrayed him and changed to follow the orders of Barbossa. Ever since that day Jack had learned to trust was a very foolish thing. He ad learnt to reply upon himself and very few others from that day on, so to have Jack's faith and trust meant that you had to be someone very special or have some significance in his life.
With the ring, which was originally intended for Alexandra hidden away by Anamaria, Jack had been able to consider and think things over with a little more ease. He had decided what to do with Alexandra depending on her various answers and reasons…but unlike most pirates' death was not one of the answers.
Sighing to himself Jack took one last look around his crew before banishing the thought of Alexandra from his head until she was aboard his ship.
Will lay on the bed on one side, one arm helped him keep his balance whilst the other was lain across Elizabeth's swollen stomach. He had felt the baby kick gently once or twice already and that had renewed hope in him that everything was going to be all right. The doctor had even said that there was a possibility that Elizabeth would awaken before they arrived in England and so now Will had sat there talking to her for over and hour telling her everything that had gone on. Even the tiniest of details had been described in some effort to make Elizabeth respond.
Alexandra had excused herself and was no resting in her room having made the excuse that the baby and her were in need of rest…but Will knew the real reason. Every time that Will lay curled up with Elizabeth Alexandra would make some excuse and leave quickly, all because it reminded her of what she didn't have. Will felt guilty every time but he couldn't be without Elizabeth being close for a whole day. He needed to know that she was there always.
The Captain had reported that they were at least a week away from England seeing as they had made fairly good speed so far with the weather and winds being mainly in their favour. The crew had been supportive of Will often asking after Elizabeth and the child, one had even whittled a little wooden boat in his spare time for the child when it was born. Will had been unsure of what to say when the crewmember had given him this gift but enough had been said when Will had got very close to being emotional.
Kissing Elizabeth gently on the forehead Will lay back and closed his eyes wanting everything to go back to being…normal…the calm that they had just got used to.
Most of the crew aboard the British ship were down below playing cards and relaxing for the evening. The night shift crew were carrying out the tasks fairly laid back often having a quiet joke amongst themselves. Their Captain was a good man and knew that he could rely on his men to get the job done when needed so he didn't mind them being a little more lax in the evenings.
The Captain headed down onto the deck and walked past a group of men playing dice in one corner, they all saluted and waited till he had passed by before continuing with the game. It was then that a crew from the crow's nest went up; running back the Captain stood waiting to hear what was being yelled down.
"Captain!!! Ship to stern…Ship to stern! Its gained speed…no lanterns…its been blacked out Captain!"
The crew of the British ship ran to the stern and watched in shock and horror as the Pearl loomed into sight and saw that she was gaining with them quickly. There was no time to prepare to attack and even if there was the likely hood of the British ship receiving minimal damage to still make it to England was…well minimal.
"Gentlemen to your stations. Prepare to be boarded!"
The Captain looked about and watched as his men moved quickly around the deck yelling between them, beckoning over a young sailor the Captain began to check his pistol.
"Johnson go and enlighten Mr Turner on our current situation. We may be requiring his services so arm him with a pistol and cutlass."
"Yes Captain"
The door of Will and Elizabeth's cabin swung open and hit the wall with a loud and heavy thud. Will jumped up from his position on the bed, rather surprised at the interruption and gazed at Johnson who stood panting in the doorway.
"Sorry to interrupt you Mr Turner but we have a situation up on deck. We seemed to have been snuck up on by another ship. We assume so far it's a pirate ship seeing as it's blacked out all its lanterns…its as if it were a ghost ship! Anyway Captain wanted me to warn you and arm you if you wanted to come up on deck."
Will during this had got off of the bed and pulled on his jacket, turning to face Johnson he nodded.
"Tell the Captain that I will be on deck shortly. I just have to make sure that Elizabeth will be secure in her room along with her maids. I think that I have adequate weapons of my own however."
"Yes Mr Turner."
Waiting until Johnson had left Will knocked on the door adjourning to Alexandra's room.
"Alexandra, are you decent? May I come in?"
The door slowly opened and a sleepy looking Alexandra peered up at Will.
"Sorry I was just falling asleep…what is the matter Will, you look as if you have seen a ghost. Is Elizabeth alright?"
"Elizabeth is fine but we seem to have caught up by a pirate ship. It hasn't been identified as of yet so I am going to go up on deck and help with the rest of the men. I want you to stay with Elizabeth and if anything should happen I'm giving you these to protect yourself."
Will pointed towards the table where a pistol and a small cutlass lay.
"You must only use them in defence if someone tries to get into the room and attack you. I will lock the door and try to get down to you before anyone else does."
Alexandra listened and nodded though everything seemed to happening rather fast. She couldn't defend herself let alone protect her sister…but it seemed that she had no choice in that matter at all.
Will looked at Alexandra who had seemed to get more and more paler as he had told her. After placing a chaste kiss on her cheek Will began to walk to the door.
"Trust me Alexandra…I won't allow anything to happen to either of you but I have to make sure that just incase the worst should happen that both of you will be safe."
Alexandra nodded and smiled weakly watching as Will left her with the sleeping Elizabeth alone in the cabin. She heard the key turn in the lock and listened as Will's heavy footsteps became quieter. Above her up on deck she could hear the men yelling between themselves and running back and forth, their footsteps heavy on the wooden deck.
Closing her eyes Alexandra listened careful as the footsteps began to slow and gradual stop, the voices of the men quietened so until all that could be heard was the creaking of the wood and the lap of the waves against the side of the ship. What would she do if someone did come down and try to get into the room…should she wait by the door and kill them when they enter or wait till they got in and then surprise them. Feelings of fear, nausea and confusion swept over her but a sudden thud broke Alexandra's train of thought.
Opening her eyes Alexandra looked up at the ceiling of the cabin and held her breath. She could hear a murmur of men's voices and the sound of footsteps not running but walking swiftly up on deck…did they belong to the men or the men of the other ship. Gripping onto the bedstead Alexandra tried to calm herself but she began to panic over who it could be.
Could it be the Commodore come to take her back under the command of her father…or perhaps just to claim her as his own. She wouldn't go with him if it was she just couldn't return back to Port Royal and have to face her father and Jack…Jack…it could be the Pearl and Jack. But will had been so sure that nobody could possible catch up with especially as they had the few days advantage over anyone. And there was no ship fast enough to catch them up…but the winds had been in the ships favour…and this ship was fairly laden down as it was taking crates of furniture and other curious items back over to England, s it would make them that little bit slower than usual.
Watching the door careful Alexandra waited for something to happen, people were still moving up on deck and the voices were a little more raised but there seemed to be no sounds of anyone fighting…at all. Turning for a moment Alexandra looked at her sister who lay there looking so peaceful, blissfully unaware or what was taking place.
"Elizabeth…why…I need you…why can't I be as confident as you. I'm scared and I feel all alone…please…please wake up…"
Will watched as his fried approached them, his steps fast and not as unsteady as they usually were. There was no smile upon his face instead there was a look of betrayal and determination and Will knew whom that was directed for. For a moment he felt like a child about to be scolded for breaking something precious…and in many ways that's was true…he had broken the trust that had built up over time between himself and Jack Sparrow.
The young Captain who stood beside Will seemed a little uneasy about the situation, he didn't want his men to attack and then suffer such great losses that they had to return to Port Royal…he would then have to suffer punishment from the Commodore and the Governor for placing his daughters life in danger. Yet it seemed that the infamous Black Pearl's crew did not want to harm anyone…instead they seemed rather instead to be waiting for their Captain to say something.
Will took a deep breath and raised his eyes so to look at Jack and wait for him to say something. But for a few moments there was silence on the British ship. Jack seemed to want to say something to Will but couldn't…so instead he turned to address the Captain.
"I believe you have something of mine…mate."
The young Captain nodded and looked at Will.
"Oh…I do? And what would this be Mister Sparrow?"
Jack's gave moved from the Captains to Will as he spoke.
"That's Captain Jack Sparrow to you...savvy? It be a young woman, not your dear Elizabeth mind you but her sister."
"I am afraid you must be mistaken Captain Sparrow but the Governor never mentioned to me that his youngest daughter Miss Alexandra was to be joining us on this trip…anyway as your wife, if I am correct, I do believe she is meant to be under you watchfully eye at all times."
Will seeing Jack begin to reach for his pistol realised that he had become slightly annoyed by what the young Captain had said. Reaching over Will rested a hand on the young Captains shoulder.
"Captain…please allow me to speak with Captain Sparrow for a moment."
The young Captain glanced between Jack and Will before nodding.
"Fine…as you wish Mr Turner."
Waiting until the young Captain had left, Will turned to face Jack.
"Jack…you can not do this. Alexandra isn't here and you are delaying Elizabeth's course to England."
Jack shook his head and stepped closer to Will.
"Look Will…I have no problem with you mate. I do understand that you were only doin' what was best for your sister in law however…she is mine. I know what went on and I want her back…I want her to tell me that she doesn't want me and that she never loved me."
"What if she does not love you Jack?"
"I will let her go…return her to Port Royal where her father may have a more watchful eye over her. Now Will…you may have pirate blood in you but don't stand in my way…I want to see Alexandra whether you like it or not."
Raising a hand Jack beckoned over Gibbs and Anamaria who both smiled slightly at Will, but covered it quickly so that Jack would not see.
"How will you find her on a ship this large with only Gibbs and Anamaria looking?"
Will hated having to argue with Jack but he knew that if Elizabeth were here he would have a hell of a harder time. Betraying Jack had been very difficult but he knew that Jack understood why.
"Well I had a little bird who told me…so I believe that we an find her pretty quickly…go on Gibbs…Anamaria."
Both hesitated for a moment trying to almost apologise to Will but neither wanted to make Jack suffer anymore…they knew how much he loved that girl and he would do anything for her…even die if he had to. Will watched on hoping that Alexandra would forgive him and that Elizabeth would understand when she awoke.
Anamaria looked in each of the rooms as they made their way along the corridor. Gibbs had gone down into the hold and made sure that the door was bolted and locked so that they could be certain that Alexandra was not hiding there. He had returned a short while ago and they were making their way towards the finer quarters where the Governor and his servants might stay.
Anamaria had the feeling she knew where Alexandra was hiding…and probably knowing Will she would have some form of weapon on her for protection…especially if she was having to look out for both her self and her sister.
There were two finer rooms to check and the servant's room and that was it…as Gibbs opened the door of the first room he managed to knock over a stand with a pile of books on it, there was a heavy thud as the stand fell and the books scattered everywhere.
Sighing Anamaria knew that all chances of being remotely discreet and quick about it were now out the window. Alexandra would have certainly heard that and now would be on guard. Glaring at Gibbs she hit him around the back f the head and muttered away to herself as she made her way towards the servants room and the last room.
Alexandra sat on the bed the pistol laid on the bed beside her and the cutlass lay across her lap, she had been watching to door of the cabin closely and listening to the voices up on deck. She was unable to make out what was being said but from time to time she could tell that some point was being emphasised upon greatly.
Hearing a loud thud she rose from the bed and approached the door now grasping both of her weapons tightly. The pistol only had one shot and she had no clue how to reload it…but as long as she made herself look scary enough that would probably work.
Leaning against the wall near the door Alexandra waited listening to the footsteps, which she hadn't noticed before as they approached. It could be Will with one of the men to tell her that it was all clear. But then why on earth had they knocked over something in one of the other rooms. No it had to be pirates coming to take her away…or kill her.
Alexandra listened as the footsteps stopped outside the cabin door and two voices…one male and one female began to speak. It only dawned on Alexandra as she listened more carefully that she recognised those voices but from where she just couldn't pin point exactly until:
"…Miss Alexandra…It be Gibbs and Anamaria 'ere."
Alexandra stared at the door in disbelief…that is where she recognised those voices from…but that meant…Jack…he was on the ship and he must have found out that she had left. Coughing slightly Alexandra tried to change the sound of her voice.
"I'm sorry…there be no Miss Alexandra here…I'm a servant and maid to Miss Elizabeth."
"We be friends of Elizabeth…may we come an' see her?"
Alexandra became slightly flustered and cried out in her normal voice.
"No you mustn't she is not well!"
Clamping her hands over her mouth Alexandra realised that she had panicked. Looking down at the dropped weapons she went to pick them up but heard the handle of the door begin to turn. Listening Alexandra heard Anamaria mutter something about it being locked and hating to have to wreck something. There was a sudden thud as Gibbs began to kick the door.
Alexandra could see the wood splintering and she let out a squeak and ran to the bed only holding the cutlass.
"I'm armed and I will use it! Don't make me Anamaria I don't want to harm you!!"
Anamaria and Gibbs entered the door and stood in the doorway where the door now swung looking rather beaten from its hinges…but barely.
"Sorry Alexandra but Jack wants to see you…lower your weapon we don't want to harm you either."
Gibbs stepped forward as Alexandra began to lower the weapon. She was too scared mixed up and hurt by the fact that someone had betrayed her and allowed Jack to know that she had gone. But then perhaps it was fairly obvious when she had gone missing that there was really only one place she could have gone to so to get away.
Looking over at Elizabeth Alexandra dropped the weapon to the floor.
"May I please get my gowns and other items from my room."
Gibbs looked at Anamaria unsure whether to allow her to go but Anamaria nodded.
"Of course…but I have to watch incase you try to escape."
Anamaria nodded making her way to the adjoining servants door and into the little room. Both women were silent as Alexandra packed her few items into her bags and placed them on the bed.
"…I…I never meant to hurt him…I just…"
Alexandra was unsure what to say, she felt so confused and upset and really wanted to curl up beneath a blanket and wish it all away but that wasn't going to happen. Waiting until Gibbs had taken the bag she followed him out of the room closely followed by Anamaria.
Alexandra could feel the nerves build up inside her…not only did she have to face the crew of the British naval ship who knew nothing about her but also the rest of the crew of the Pearl…Will and…Jack. Gazing up the steps, which lead up onto the deck Alexandra paused for a moment realising that she was going to have to face Jack…and what she had done.
Feeling a slight pressure on her shoulder Alexandra turned her head to find Anamaria's hand resting on her shoulder. It was very unlike her to show such open feelings but there was an unspoken understanding between the women for the first time. Smiling weakly Alexandra made her way up the stairs onto the deck breathing in the fresh cool salty air.
All the men fell silent as she stood there looking about her voice leaving her completely. She felt like a child confronting a monster in a nightmare, she wished that Elizabeth was here to help her…but no…she was by herself and now was the time to grow up and act, as a mature young woman should do.
Raising her chin Alexandra looked around before making her way towards where Will, the young British Captain and Jack were stood. She could feel hands begin to shake but she soon hid that curtsying politely when she approached the three of them.
She was unsure of what to say and looked to Will for help but before he could say anything Jack stepped forward and roughly pulled Alexandra towards him. Gasping Alexandra tried to fight against her grip but found her struggle was to no avail so she subdued however her eyes held Jack's intense gaze. She saw emotions flickering in his eyes yet there was only one she could pin point…hurt…pain…and she knew she was the cause of that. As suddenly as she was pulled towards him Jack pushed her away her step faltering so she nearly fell over but Will was quick to steady her.
"…That will be all Captain. Thanks for the co-operation now I will leave you and your kind selves to it…Anamaria…Gibbs take our 'guest' on board to her room immediately."
Jack's tone was harsh and uncaring almost as if he was talking about someone who he had found as a stowaway aboard the Pearl. Alexandra nodded a silent thanks to Will and mouthed to him I'll be fine you just worry about Elizabeth...take care of my sister Will.
Will watched, as his sister in law was lead away towards the gangplank between the British ship and the Black Pearl.
"Jack…please…don't be too harsh."
Jack turned to Will and held out his hand that Will took cautiously.
"She's not your problem any more mate. Just you get Elizabeth to jolly old England safely and bring back the babe too."
The pair stood silent for a moment Will accepting that he had done all that he could and Jack understanding why Will had done what he did. The mutual silence said it all between them and as Jack left for the Peal Will knew he would take care of Alexandra however angry he was, he could never harm a woman.
Well there you have it! 12 pages…perhaps a little longer than I anticipated but I felt bad for not posting for while so I hope you enjoy it.
Sorry I did take so long but heh life is a pig!
Let me know if you have thoughts on where this might be going because I'm, very curious!
Thank you to Jack-Sparrow-Lover for pointing out the Commodores real name.
And Rachel Sparrow Alexandra is meant to be 20, sorry if I did make it a little too confusing in that chapter!