*dances across the screen* Whoot! Am baaaaack!
Well, we don't have 100 reviews yet, Jack.
Jack: *cries*
There, there, it's alright. I'm sure it's just because the mailing list went wonky and wouldn't send.
Jack: Damn Hotmail!
Don't say that too loud, Jack....Microsoft is everywhere....
Ecila: Jack does like trying to protect her, doesn't he? Glad you thought it was funny!
Mistress Natalia: But I like cliff-hangers.....:D Here we go!
HyperCaz: Well, we didn't get 100, but that's okay. It's still good!
ChildlikeEmpress: That's a good point. Just how cranky would Jack be? Glad you like!
Sugaricing: You have your own time machine?! I am very jealous now....:( And I don't know what AnaMaria's last name is. I never asked her. Hmm....
Brem Nakada: roflmao.........:D School is pretty much over now. Only one exam (on the 11th, and it's computers...._) And I'm not getting the DVD yet *ducks for cover* only because I'm waiting until after Christmas. (Just in case. ^_~)
Calex: Yes, Hellcat does seem to need some help....:D Hey.....so it's really you! *huggles* And here I thought I was just missing you....
Sweet A.K.: Jack's insulted that you didn't want another chapter written by him. :D And no puppy-dog-eyes! I can't resist puppy-dog-eyes! Gah! Resistence.....fading.....
Calendar: Jack is sweet, isn't he? I luff him......*huggles*
TriGemini: Tis also my favourite scene! And I totally agree. I think the entire reason Jack keeps acting like that is that he likes getting her ticked off...more energetic or something, I dunno....^_^"
morph: Yay! You like! *huggles*
Thunderfoot: I never even thought of that! It is an awful lot like the Mummy! Of course, it seems a lot of movies like doing that....most girls don't start swearing a blue streak, though.....:D And I just think Jack's being protective. I don't agree with him, but it's a nice sentiment all the same. :D You're all done till March?! Gah....I'm done until January, but then I won't be done until April.....:'(
BubblyFizz03: What....don't you like cliffhangers? :D And it is humourous?! YAY! *huggles* But no phoning Jack, kay? He gets evil ideas when he writes.....O.o
~KKR~: I liked Jack's story too, even if he didn't embellish very much....:D And stop mocking me with the movie.....:'(
VagrantCandy: Glad you like! And I write evil, evil cliffhangers because they're fun, because I'm good at them, and because it keeps you reading!
Lady J. Riddle: Cliffhanger fun! Elfwood is great, but I agree, those tickets drive me nuts....grr. And don't worry, Heather will be back soon!
Andi Horton: Dangerous, isn't it? Good point on housewarming gifts - I suspect someone will have to teach me the use of a knife - no more getting tied to beds, no siree! :D
JackOnTop: I like too. And that certainly is an interesting name! ;)
Lenne Hime: Oooh....but I'm so good at endings like that! Actually, the epilogue was there because I wasn't sure if I was going to write this story or not. So I had to wrap Caribbean Secrets up somehow, and that worked nicely. Of course, the epilogue takes place about 20 years later, and this story takes place immediately where the last chapter of Caribbean Secrets left off, so...yeah. I dunno. And you did get to be 100th reviewer! Congrats!
Usagi-chanchan: Sorry about the long wait, I really need to get my rear in gear with that...._
Jupiter's Light: Glad you like!
Penny Savage: I know, it is so very ironic! She's all like "I can fight for myself!" and what happens? Exactly. Tsk tsk. Hope this chapter was worth the wait!
Let's see? I don't even own the movie yet, what are the chances I actually own the rights to the movie?
***********
There was sharp, whistling hiss as the sword sliced through the air. With clean and deadly accuracy, the blade descended, cutting into flesh, severing muscles and tendons, fragile bones snapping under the force of the swing.
Head severed from neck, body hovering as it had stood a moment before, before falling heavily to the ground, no longer a living entity, but a mass of dead and dying cells. The head itself rolled away, eyes wide and staring, as though to say 'why me', and the sword point gently touched the ground and the spreading pool of blood, silent.
"Well. That was disgusting."
The silence was broken, and the sword wielder turned, straitening bent shoulders, tossing a bemused look at the speaker, who stood a little behind him, face pulled in an expression of disgust.
"Good morning," he said cheerfully, bending smoothly to scoop the body up. "Lovely morning, isn't it?"
"Get that thing away from me," the other grimaced, backing away, nose wrinkled up. "Will, that's disgusting!"
He laughed. "Why, Miss Christine, 'tis only a chicken! Elizabeth would like chicken for dinner!"
Christine winced, turning away from the limp, feathered body. "Good heavens, though, Will. Whatever possessed you to take its head off with a sword?"
Will smiled quite mischievously. "Perhaps you'd like to assist me in plucking Elizabeth's dinner, Christine?"
Christine shuddered. "Thank you, no. I think I'll leave that task to Mama Parker and her brood."
Will laughed again, bending to pick up a rough burlap sack, into which he deposited the chicken. "I doubt Estrella and Sarah would appreciate being called a 'brood'." Tossing the bag lightly over his shoulder, he shot the girl a questioning look. "What brings you outside this morning in any case, Christine?"
Christine frowned, twisting a section of her hair in a curl around her finger. "There's nothing to do."
Will looked vaguely amused. "And so you wander about the farmyard with your hair undone, without a hat, without even a parasol, completely unaccompanied?"
"Yes." She shot the elder an odd look. "Why? Shouldn't I be?"
He just shook his head. "It's not my place to say that you can't act as a common girl if that's what you wish."
"Oh, fine," she sighed, pulling a face. "I'll go indoors, and let Sarah bind me up in a corset, pomade my hair until I may as well be wearing the Commodore's wig, and I shall sit in the drawing room, reading Shakespeare and waiting for an eligible bachelor to arrive and ask for my hand in marriage in an attempt to get at my family money." She sniffed. "And then, of course, have him run off when he discovers that my family is dead, and that they left nothing behind for me. I'm certain I shall be a massive hit among the young men of the town."
Will looked like he was fighting to keep a straight face. "Yes, well, there is that."
Swinging her arms aimlessly beside her, Christine seemed quite content, walking in the warm morning sun, until she looked up, and let out a horrified...squeak. Ducking behind Will, she desperately tried to look like she wasn't there.
"Whatever has gotten into you?" Will asked, turning his head to look at her. "Whatever is the matter?"
She motioned wildly for him to be quiet, but it was too late.
"Christine!" A voice called, sounding far too happy, and Christine winced before stepping out from behind Will.
Desperately, she tried to push her tangled, loose hair into a knot on the back of her head before the Commodore made it over to them. "Morning, Edward," she smiled, trying to hold one hand up to keep her hair up, while having the other free, which he took and kissed lightly.
"Lovely morning, isn't it?" He smiled, then his eyes flicked over to Will, and they hardened, just a little. And it wasn't a hardness, so much as hurt and betrayal - which weren't really aimed at, but triggered by, him - that surfaced. "Morning, Mr. Turner."
"Good morning, Commodore," Will inclined his head, graciously stepping aside. "I'm expected inside, sir. If you'll excuse me..."
Norrington nodded once, and Will beat a hasty retreat.
Left on her own with the Commodore, Christine blushed, still trying to hold her hair into some semblance of a proper hairdo. Realizing that they still stood in the center of the barnyard, where chickens (those not of the newly headless variety) scurried, and servants were still walking about, working, she flushed a little deeper, and stammered, "Perhaps, you might...want to sit in the shade?"
"Excellent idea," he nodded, and led the way around the corner of the house, into the 'back yard', skirting the terrace to settle on a bench under a widely spreading tree. Christine joined him, setting one hand awkwardly in her lap. "Why...may I ask why you're holding your hand to your head?" Norrington asked, frowning slightly.
"Oh!" Immediately self-conscious again, she dropped her hand, blonde curls cascading down around her shoulders. "I didn't set my hair this morning, and..." she trailed off, face red. "I'm sorry. I must sound so ridiculous."
"Not at all," he soothed, leaning forward to set a hand on hers. "You look positively lovely with your hair down."
"Thank you," she blushed even deeper red, glancing away. "So, Edward...what brings you here this early in the morning?"
"The Governor and I had some things to discuss," he said lightly, waving a hand as though it was unimportant. "And yourself? What brings you out and wandering in the sun by yourself?"
Christine fidgeted. "I was...bored," she admitted. "There's only so many times you can read Shakespeare's sonnets. This last month has made me so....restless, and this past week in Port Royal hasn't done anything to help that."
"Yes." Norrington paused a moment, then laid a gentle hand on her forearm. "You will you be leaving Port Royal, then? I imagine you'll be most anxious to be getting back home."
Christine blinked. "I hadn't...planned on it, actually. There's nothing there for me to go back to - my grandfather was lost to the sea, you'll remember? He was the only living family I had - other than my...ah...sister, that is."
Norrington looked rather startled by this admission. "But...will you not be wanting to settle your affairs back home?"
"What is there to settle?" She shrugged, then shot the Commodore a suspicious look. "Why, Edward, may I ask, are you so concerned?"
"Well..." he hesitated a moment, then cleared his throat. "You see, we're going to be heading out to sea, day after next. To hunt down Sparrow, of course, you realize, it's my duty."
Christine sighed, and nodded. "Of course. It'd be your head if you didn't at least give chase."
He nodded, looking pleased that she understood where he was coming from. "Exactly. Now, we have reason to believe that, with your sister aboard, Sparrow and his crew may sail for St. George. That in mind, I have informed the captain of the Dauntless that we, also, will be making way for St. George. Should Sparrow not be there, we may, at the very least, be able to settle your affairs. That is why, miss Christine, I have come to ask if you will accompany us on this voyage."
Christine could only blink. "Come with you? Sailing on the Dauntless, into battle with a notorious pirate?"
"Yes, well, that pirate does have your sister aboard, and is unlikely, therefore, to harm you." He shot her a small smile. "You did say that Port Royal was a bore."
"I did, didn't I?" Christine couldn't help but grin. "When do we set sail?"
************
Meep.
*hides under her desk*