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: M! (Due to scenes of a sexual nature, violence and language)
To say it hasn't been a long time since I last updated would be a lie but here it is the next chapter. I can't promise that my updates will be regular but I do hope to bring the story to an end so that I can finally start another without the guilt of knowing I left this one undone.
If you have any suggestions please feel free to tell me and review I love reviews even bad ones as I can sit there and cry as I make voodoo dolls of those hwo hate me!
:)
Thanks and enjoy!
Chapter 26:
It was midmorning and the sun was high in the clear skies above, the winds though not as strong as had been hoped were helping the ship t move along at a steady comfort pace. Yet though the feel around the ship was light the feeling of the crew was far from it.
To say that Jack was calm about the entire situation was certainly far from the truth yet on the outside he kept a cool demure convincing most of the crew that Jack had finally lost it. Normally the pirate they knew would be ranting and raving making threats at all those who were foolish enough to get in his way and once that was generally done he would take the helm and watch over his crew silently brooding over a bottle of rum. Now it wasn't that Jack didn't drink other fine alcoholic beverages…just rum was the easiest to store and could easily be used for bartering as Jack had done so on many a more desperate occasion. It wasn't that Jack was even incoherent when he ranted often that was when he was at his most…intelligent often questioning the entire aspect of life but soon Gibbs would have Jack back to his old ways.
Yet in this case none of the crew quite new how to react…Jack was clearly angrier than any of them could comprehend. Though he managed to maintain the look of disinterest his eyes betrayed him. Beneath their chocolate brown hue was a whirlpool of emotions some fear and upset but anger at this moment over ruled all.
As he made his way out of his cabin towards mast pole the crew felt a moment of pity of Loros, who was currently tied there having received a flogging by Gibbs of 50 lashes which were to be doused in salt and a further 50 to be administered. Gibbs waited there paused in mid step holding the bucket of salt water watching his Captain carefully.
"I was 'bout to giv' 'im 50 more lashin's Captain."
Jack nodded in Gibbs direction yet never took his eyes off of Loros. When he finally stood in front of the man he smiled and pulled of the knife from his boot.
"It ain't just the fact you harmed a lady that gets me so…riled Loros. It's the fact you touched MY wife carrying MY child."
Jack ran the knife across Loros's shoulder before digging the knife in and watching the man wince before him.
"I would do you so much more harm…but then that would leave less for the sharks to enjoy tearing apart. I'm normally a fair man I would say Loros but you pushed it beyond the point. You could have harmed my child."
Though Jack could clearly see the pain which was causing Loros to contort his face into a grimace he still managed to utter a few words.
"A bastard of yours doesn't deserve to live in this world. Shame I didn't take her and then kill her when I had the chance. She must have been easy for you Jack. Such a lithe young woman if I remember…"
Before Loros could finish his sentence Jack had sung his boot into the side of his face. A terrible cracking almost crunching sound echoed round the ship followed by Loros spitting out blood and teeth. Jack lay into him again kicking him the stomach and chest. He didn't stop until he heard a gentle voice cry out in horror.
"JACK NO!"
Jack looked up to see a slightly dishevelled Alexandra stood in the door way of the cabin. He stopped and stepped away from Loros ignoring the thud of his body as it hit the deck and the sputtering gurgling sounds he made.
"I know…I know he hurt me but you shouldn't drop to his level Jack. Anyway I'm sure there must be better ways than covering you shoes in his blood."
Jack smiled noting the attempt she had made at trying to make him smile but Jack knew that the way he had acted in front of her was inappropriate especially as a woman in her delicate condition.
"I'm sorry…we shall be disposing of him soon anyway."
Alexandra nodded and looked over Jack's shoulder at the crew who were stood gawping at the couple. Jack turned to look at them all slowly and sighed.
"Gibbs! I wasn't Loros removed from sight until we reach the edge of the reefs…Smithy clean up the mess and the rest of ya's get back to your jobs!"
The crew soon set about their tasks knowing that from Jack's previous actions he was not in a mood to be messed with.
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Back in the cabin Jack waited until Alexandra had seated herself before beginning to pace the floor before the end of the bed. Alexandra sighed awaiting the onslaught of questions and statements but before anyone was able to comment…the baby kicked. Alexandra let out a sudden squeak of delight and placed her hand back over where the baby had kicked…again the unborn infant moved and Alexandra beamed in delight.
"Jack she kicked!"
"Who kicked?"
"The baby! She kicked."
Jack looked at Alexandra in disbelief and approached her slowly pulling a chair over so he could sit facing her.
"I felt her shift around before now but nothing quite as…violent as this."
As Alexandra felt around her stomach Jack watched on keenly taking in every change of Alexandra's features and expressions. Suddenly something dawned on him.
"SHE? Who said it was going to be a lass?"
"Well I had always hoped for a girl and I was its women's intuition."
Jack scoffed and raised an eyebrow.
"Here let me feel."
He didn't even wait for her to respond before placing his hand over her swollen belly. As he moved his hand in small circular motions Alexandra looked at her husband and closed her eyes enjoying their moment of calm knowing somewhere in her true heart of hearts that they would have to have a serious discussion before too long.
"Where are we headed Jack?"
Jack didn't respond but pressed a finger to her lisp and lightly poked her stomach the baby soon responded with a good kick or two.
"Ow! Don't encourage the child to kick me Jack!"
"Definitely a boy…with a hefty kick like that well it wouldn't surprise me if it were a boy."
Alexandra didn't want to start a petty argument over whether it was a boy or girl at that particular time she just wanted the baby to settle and stop giving her such terrible indigestion.
"As I said before Jack where are we going?"
"Well I was aiming for Tortuga so that we could get you seen over to make sure the infant is fine and well."
Alexandra looked at Jack in slight horror.
"Tortuga the Pirate Island! Full of whores and taverns and drunks and who knows what else…and you want to take me there so that some mad doctor can take a look at me! Somehow Jack I just don't see the logic to your plan."
"Now love Tortuga ain' all bad. Yes there be woman and drinking and brawls."
"OH! Excellent fighting as well! Whatever next."
Jack sighed and continued pretending he hadn't heard what had been said.
"I know a good doctor not a drunk or a whore like you say…she is a good woman and has helped me out more often than not. Anyway she might even be able to find out who the father is."
Alexandra quickly looked away from Jack at that point and placed a protective hand over her bump. Jack realised the awkwardness but although he had enjoyed their moment of peace he still had go know who the true father was to that child. He knew that even if he wasn't the father that he would try to persuade Alexandra to allow him to bring it up as his own but then there would always be the problem that she might want to return with the child and the bastard of a Commodore would find out. Also there was that terrible aspect of trust that Jack just didn't know if he could ever fully place in her again…the only consolation would be if that child was his.
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Two more days passed and their arrival in Tortuga had been playing on the crews mind all the time. Though their love of the sea was great it was good to be back on dry land occasionally.
Alexandra on the other hand was more concerned about her sisters' welfare especially as she was not at home and would be unable to find anything else out until she returned home. She knew that Will would take good care of her but it was still a very difficult time especially after all that they had gone through just to be together.
The majority of the crew had gone ahead and Jack had decided he had a few things to finish up before they would be going ashore…namely rum bottles. As much as he respected Alexandra he could hardly deprive himself of the finer things in life! Anyway they would need some for when the baby was born…a good vintage quality only though!
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The island was certainly busy that day with people going about their business, whatever it may be, often many of the drunk whilst doing so. Jack led Alexandra way from the harbour towards the outskirts, the place seemed to get a little cleaner and less…well seedy as they carried on. Alexandra was rather enjoying their little walk but it soon came to an end when she nearly walked into the back of Jack who was stood outside a reasonably good looking house. A sign hung above the door stating: GOOD DOCTOR WITHIN ALL SERVICES FUFILLED.
Alexandra sighed and hoped that all the services fulfilled were medical only. At that moment the front door opened and a woman with greying hair yet comforting green eyes met them. She was a slight woman who must have been in her early fifties yet her voice sounded a fair bit younger and if you listened carefully you could still hear its youthful teasing tones to it.
"My…Jack I ain't seen you in a while! And who is this young beauty…oh she's far too nice for the likes of you Jack far too posh. She's got good breeding in her blood I can tell!"
Before Alexandra could respond the woman had literally dragged her into the house and was fussing over her.
"Now! Look at you a fair few months along aren't we. Now what stage are you at?"
"Oh I...uh…well I think I'm about five months…but that's working on what the doctor told me!"
Alexandra managed to sputter out her words watching as the elderly lady stopped and studied her closely.
"No no no child I would say you're a month or two from dropping…yes at least 7 months I'd say. Yes the child seems to be sitting comfortably…have you felt fine?"
Alexandra watched in slight shock as the woman ran her hands over her bump and poked and prodded gently. Yet it was her comment that shocked her the most…seven months along…but then that would mean the other doctor was wrong…that would mean that the likelihood of Jack being the father was…well a lot better.
"How sure are you with the dates? Not that I doubt what you say but just…well…my other doctor studied me differently and I well…umm"
The woman smiled and guided Alexandra to a chair before disappearing off into another little room. Alexandra didn't realise till then that Jack had not been in the room throughout that little encounter. She looked around panicked and went to get up but the elderly woman returned with a pot and some herbs.
"Now love don't you fret over that Jack he will be back soon enough and anyway we have plenty to talk about so don't you fret about a thing. Now before I go explaining myself let me introduce myself…I'm Mrs Bleigh…I'm not a registered doctor that I will admit but when you have been delivering babies for a fair bit of your life you tend to pick up a few things. You see my husband was a doctor from London before we moved out here…best you see but then he died five years ago. I learnt all I know from him and his books that I kept. I had six children myself now grown and flown the nest and each as fair as the next. And before you ask love no Jack is not an illegitimate child of mine…I knew his mother she first had Jack. I was no more than fifteen when he was born and he is more like a son to me than anything else. Oh but don't you call me Mrs Bleigh call me Bethany. Now I'm sure that has answered a few of your questions."
Bethany paused for a moment and poured a mug of hot water and stirred in some of the herbs from the little pouch. Alexandra watched Bethany carefully before getting the courage to speak.
"I don't know who the father is…its either Jack or anther man…but then if what you say is true then…well Jack could definitely be the father."
Bethany nodded and sipped her drink pushing a mug of the same mixture towards Alexandra.
"Drink it…it will calm your nerves. Now who do you want the father to be Jack or this other man?"
"…what difference does it make whether I want one or the other its going to be my unfaithfulness that decides."
"Oh no my dear far from it. If you really want that other man to be the father then the babe will be his and my assessment of you would be wrong…but if you truly want Jack to be the father then…trust me."
Alexandra stared at Bethany before closing her eyes and pondering for a moment. As much as the Commodore could offer the baby such as financial stability and a good position in society…Jack could offer the child love and adventure and safety and …everything that Alexandra had longed for as a child herself. Yet both could offer her happiness if she really wanted…it was so difficult.
"Its…"
At that point Jack walked in and interrupted Alexandra. She jumped startled by his entrance nearly spilling her drink. Jack blissfully unaware of what he had disturbed just smiled and walked over to Bethany placing a kiss on her forehead.
"I forgot to bring these from the ship for you. A election of rare roots from the places you asked for."
"Ah Jack you're a good lad see you could have been a doctor if you hadn't been such a disobedient and difficult child! I swear some days I could have just spanked your arse red raw my lad."
Jack rolled his eyes blushing a little at her comment.
"Now be a sweet boy and go put them away in my cupboards…you know here."
Jack didn't argue with Bethany but smiled and did as he was told. The bond that existed between them obviously ran deep and the way that she treated him Jack seemed rather unbothered by. Rather like a mother scolding a child but like she had said Jack was like a son to her. Alexandra went to speak but turned to find Bethany looking at her with a smile on her face.
"Sometimes my dear actions speak louder than words will ever do."
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Well that's all for this chapter. Hope you enjoyed…until the next one!
Buhbye
xx