2- captured
"Turn that bloody light off." An annoyed growl came from the pile of pillows on the bed, some fiery stands of red hair tossed and turned before hiding deeply under the sheets again.
"It's the sun shining in your cabin, Captain, and I'm afraid that I can't stop it doing so." a mocking voice answered.
There was a disturbing rattle when Santiago put a tray with a pot of tea and a mug next to her bed, forcing Rowan to open an eye. She tried to rise her head a little but the world seemed quite dizzy this morning, letting her moan.
"Good Lord, what have you been doing last night?"
"Meetin' a queer bird called Sparrow 'n had a few mugs o' rum with 'im."
"Ah." Santiago nodded his head in comprehension before mumbling to himself. "So I should be glad to see my little girl alone in her own bed ..."
"If ye want to refer to his mistaken believing that he's the most irresistible guy who ever walked this earth I can assure you that I've found it quite easy to resist. Told him to have a bath before even starting to think of pawing me with his dirty fingers again... Besides, I hate it when you call me my little girl- we both know that I'm not."
The Spaniard ignored her last comment, concentrating on something else she'd said. "So he did try to paw you, aye? No wonder- I've told you that he's a ne'er-do-well, remember? He's just taking advantage of any situation and I can only repeat myself that I'm glad you're save aboard your own ship, as the Black Pearl's left Tortuga with ebb tide."
"Santiago, I'm not an innocent virgin anymore so please don't wince at the thought of someone touching me. It's up to me to decide whether I want it or not. I'll never be the trophy in someone's collection, as I'd rather prefer collecting my own trophies, savvy?" she hissed, had a sip of tea and cuddled back to bed again, recalling last night. There had been an episode she didn't liked at all, one that actually worried her.
"Shouldn't walk home alone, luv." he had said when she was just leaving. "Tortuga's much too dangerous at night."
She had laughed at him, but allowed him to accompany her to the docks, amused of the fact that no one of her crew had ever considered it being too dangerous for her to walk Tortuga by night. They had left a long time ago, doing things men usually do after a long voyage, knowing her perfectly safe as they exactly knew how she could handle her weapons. After all, she was Captain Rowan Scarlett.
It was cold outside, colder than Caribbean nights usually are. It had rained and there was fog creeping up to the hills like ghostly fingers without contours, but they ignored this at first as it was difficult enough for two drunks to walk slippery wet alleys of cobblestones down to the harbour. It ended up in a stumbling, sliding, gasping for hold and giggling mess with Jack trying to take advantage of the situation and kiss her. At that instant she nearly wanted it too but it was only a brief moment soon gone by. Get a grip on yourself, Rowan. She gently pushed him away when she realised the somehow spooky atmosphere. The wafting fog patches had grown heavier, absorbing sounds to distant echoes. Tortuga had become almost quiet. Yet she'd thought she'd heard the sound of footsteps following them and stopping when they've stopped.
When they went on it was like they've suddenly became sober again and their cheerful giggles died in a wary mood, both keeping their ears open. They didn't talk about it- would the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow ever mention hearing footsteps in a town crowded with lawless scallywags and miscreants?- but they both remained in cautious suspense until they've reached to docks where Jack made a final stupid attempt to lay her.
"Wouldn't ye fancy coming aboard the Pearl, Captain Scarlett? She's the fastest 'n prettiest ship in the Caribbean, you know, and you surely won't miss the chance that I'll show ye 'round, aye?" Youbloody prattler just intent to show me yer cabin- d' ye think I'm too foolish to get it? she thought annoyed when all of a sudden she heard these footsteps again, this time much closer than ever before.
"Sounds irresistible, cutie." she said, faking to embrace him but only in need of his shoulder to lean on, as she whirled around on one foot, kicking the other strongly into something... solid. She heard a wailing howl and within seconds she was armed with a sword in one hand and a pistol in the other, facing their follower who had whiningly crumbled down next to Jack's feet, actually even kissing the hem of his coat.
"Captain, please. Good Captain. Don't let her harm poor Ratbone. Please sire. Ratbone's done no wrong, just looking for Captain, good Captain."
"Stop!" Jack waggled his arms dramatically to stop her from any additional attacks, asking her to lower her weapons because poor little Ratbone was scared to death, while he himself seemed to be rather flabbergasted because he hadn't expected her to be so outright vigorous.
"You know this... creature?" she gasped, looking down at the hunchbacked bootlicking being crawling next to Jacks feet, a hypocrite worming his way into Jacks confidence. And the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow was flattered by his worship that he apparently suffered from a lack of brains. Couldn't he see that this worship was as fake as everything about Ratbone? It sent a shiver down her spine when he told her that this little freak was actually part of his crew.
"Come, good Captain. Set Sails, my dear Captain. Don't waste time with red-haired evil witch. Remember ships. Fine ships, pretty ships, they not wait for you, Captain. Come..."
Jack silenced him with a gesture before flashing her a cheeky grin, glancing invitingly from her to the Black Pearl and back again. She just shook her head.
"So I'm off, Captain Scarlett. Have to go 'n pay me debts, still owin' Anamaria a suitable ship. But don't worry, luv, I'll take a bath and then I'll be back, promised. So gimme a couple of days and don't leave Tortuga, savvy?"
Don't go, she wanted to shout but he might have gotten that wrong and that's why she remained silent. After all, it was only misgivings, a vague sense that there's something fishy about Ratbones manners. Nothing she could explain. He's so unobtrusive in some way, dressed in grey rags that nearly melted with the fog, so mice-faced and you should pity him for being a mentally retarded hunchback- but maybe that's just it what had troubled her right from the start. No one could ever be as unobtrusive as this creature. She should have warned Jack but then again he would have misinterpreted that, thinking she worried about him, cared for him, fell for him...so she just said goodbye and left...
...left him with an uneasy feeling that still hadn't disappeared by now, though the sun was shining into her cabin to chase away all kinds of shadows.
"So nothing has changed." Santiago claimed after hearing her story. He sighed. "Jack's still an ill-fated fascination with scum that'll only get him in trouble but he refuses to learn anything from it. If something happens to him it's his own entire fault- never yours, Rowan. You're never to blame so don't worry about..."
"Ye tell me not to worry when it's obvious that yer hiding something from me? Bloody hell, why don't ye tell me what you've got to do with Captain Jack Sparrow as you apparently seem to know him quite well? Why do you detest him that much?"
"Well, you've met him."
"Come on, he might be a womanizer, a boaster, and a clown. He might be full of himself, never know when to stop but you just have to draw the reins and he falls right off. All in all he's not that bad, a funny guy to spend a night o' drinkin' with- and he's killed bloody Barbossa. So tell me, what's wrong with you and Sparrow?"
"Not now." he said, sounding like he'd rather meant never at all, then leaving the cabin.
Scarlett sighed. No use to trouble him when he was in one of his mood but she was willing to find out. Maybe Jack would cast some light on that matter when returning to Tortuga as he'd promised. But the days went by without his return and Santiago was as close as a sealed book when it came to that point. Finally she came to the conclusion that the Spaniard might have been right and that Captain Jack Sparrow really was a ne'er-do-well, always showing a golden smile and speaking with silvery tongue but never meaning anything he'd said. Well, that shouldn't have bothered her as much as it actually did. In fact she was incredibly pissed off. She was angry at Santiago for being once more right and angry at Jack for just being himself, but most of all she was angry at herself for believing in his silver-tongued words. For being foolish enough to be nearly taken in by him, when she should have been clever enough to know that he probably had a willing doxie in every harbour of the Caribbean, and she surely didn't be one of them. And though there'd never been a single moment she'd ever wasted a single thought giving in to his charms, she was annoyed that she hadn't been able to make more impression on him- without ever wanting to impress him. So for some reason she felt hurt in her pride.
-
On the fourth day Captain Rowan Scarlett barked commandos to weigh the anchor and set sails. Time-off in Tortuga was over as planned, so there was no use in wasting any more time.
The Jewel Star got going with the tide. It was good to hear the wind filling the flapping sails again, to feel the hull working though the sea and the trembling planks under her bare feet, her hands firmly at the helm. They were just gaining speed and leaving the harbour, when they nearly collided with an incoming vessel.
Scarlett changed the course immediately, turned the helm with full force and her first mate's assistance to starboards side and thus managed to avoid a crash just in time. Nevertheless there was the sound of splintering wood to be heard that made them both curse violently.
"Bloody hell! Have they never learned how to navigate or what are they up to?" she yelled, when her first mate,Marris, called her attention to the black bow that had just torn parts of their rail to pieces. She recognised the figurehead- it was the Black Pearl.
"Sparrow, you damned Bastard! Now, is that your interpretation of a kiss, or what?"
There was a squeaking creak of brushing wood when the two ships scraped past one another, and it was only now when Scarlett realized that the Black Pearl was badly damaged. The mizzen mast was broken off, most sails were torn, flapping useless in the wind, and the rigging was tattered. She was hardly manoeuvrable any more, and the crew seemed desperate enough to make a foolish and miserably planned attempt to board the Jewel.
"All hands on deck!" Scarlett shouted furiously before jumping on the rail to have a closer look. Now where was the bloody Captain of that bunch of scoundrels? She couldn't spot him but she saw that many of his men were wounded. She took a brace and turned to her crew. "Thrust 'em back but don't open fire yet."
"Payin' them a little visit, Captain?" Marris hurried at to her side. "Won't let ye have this fun without me. Let's go!"
They set off to board the Pearl, swung through the air and landed on deck. There where stains of blood sprawled all over, the remains of a battle. Now Scarlett began to feel nervous about still not seeing anything of Jack Sparrow, and though she hated the thought of her worrying about him she couldn't help either. He wasn't aboard the Black Pearl, that she knew from the instant her feet had touched the planks- his absence was somehow... perceptible.
In the meantime her crew had thrust back the opposing one when one member of the Pearl caught sight of Santiago and lowered his weapon in relief.
"Don Miguel! Heaven sent you! Please help us! They've taken Jack- I mean Captain Sparrow- and we need a ship to get to Port Royal and rescue him."
"Well, Mr. Gibbs, when you're in need of help and a ship, why don't you ask for it in a more politely manner?" the Spaniard answered in a mockery tone.
"I'm awfully sorry, Don Miguel, didn't knew it was you to be in command of this ship."
Now, is there anyone in this whole bloody word Santiago didn't know? Scarlett mused when she saw her mentor coming aboard the Black Pearl; shaking hands with the man he had called Mr. Gibbs. She pushed forward not to miss a word they're talking about.
"... 't was one of Jack's plans. We're about to commandeer one of this new Royal Navy's ships Commodore Norrington 's ordered from England as they're on their way to Port Royal. We're supposed to lie in ambush near the Caicos-islands 'n wait for the opportune moment, but instead of us lying in ambush we got caught in a trap as there's a huge galleon waiting for us. 't was all grey from hull to masts 'n sails, at least seven decks at astern 'n about two-hundred canons, I swear. We gave 'em a battle- then all of a sudden Jack fell overboard 'n we couldn't do anything but watch Norringtons men fishing him out to take him to Port Royal 'n to the gallows. We couldn't follow them with a ship that's merely a wreck; we can be lucky that we finally got here, carried by the current. It's a fortune to meet you, Don Miguel."
"What's all this drivellin' 'bout? We need a ship- there's a ship. No need to make a fuss 'bout, Gibbs." a dark-haired woman hissed, hastily holding her cutlass to Santiago's throat. But soon enough she froze, hearing the catch of a pistol that pointed to her head.
"Now, now! I wouldn't do that if I were you."
"Anamaria, please, we could use some help. Think of Jack." Gibbs begged, trying to calm down the tempered woman. Finally she let go of Santiago, turned around and faced Scarlett with a look that excluded they'd ever be friends.
"Well, thanks a lot." Rowan smirked, ignoring the jealous flash in the corner of the other woman's eyes, as she considered herself completely blameless. She hadn't done anything wrong.
While Gibbs started a heated debate with Anamaria, Scarlett used the opportunity to have a few words in private with Santiago.
"Well, I assume that you don't really have the intention to help them and rush to rescue Jack Sparrow from the gallows, aye?" she asked harsher than she wanted to sound.
"First, it's never good to go rushing into things, and secondly, though you might think I despise Jack Sparrow and maybe like to see him rot in some stinking cell, I most certainly don't wish to have him hanged from to the gallows." he informed her sternly before shrugging his shoulders. "But this is not up to me. The Jewel Star is your ship, Captain Scarlett, and you have to decide what you want to do."
She didn't have to think about it. "Change of course! We sail to Port Royal to free a queer bird!"
Gibbs stared at her in bewilderment, not really knowing what she was about.
"So you're going to help us?" he asked Santiago, smiled contentedly when the Spaniard nodded, and then frowned at Scarlett's sight. "But with all respect, Don Miguel, it's really bad luck havin' a woman aboard."
Santiago touched his throat and noticed a few drops of blood on his fingertips. Apparently lost in thoughts he examined them before shooting a glimpse to Anamaria, mumbling "Well, I guess I know what you mean." Then he straightened his shoulders and said with rigid voice. "Mr. Gibbs, if you are really looking for help you should better not offend the person who has offered you a helping hand, as it is Rowan Scarlett who is in command of the Jewel Star. She is the Captain."
Gibbs seemed stunned, and Anamaria was still raving silently when Santiago took Scarlett aside to have a few more personal words with her.
"Now, Rowan, are you really sure about that?" It was a rhetorical question, as he could already see some kind of thrilled thirst for adventure glowing in her eyes. Though this should've been concerning enough, he was just glad, that it was only her thirst for adventure leading her and nothing else, nothing stupidly emotional. He reduced the distance between them, gently pushing a strand of hair out off her face. "Promise me to be careful, will you? Do your best but don't risk your life for someone like Sparrow, as I want to have you back home again safe."
"Does this actually mean you're not coming with me?"
"It does. Isn't that what you've always wanted, Rowan? Doing things on your own without me fathering you? I'd rather take care of the Pearl instead; mending her damages and look after the wounded ones who really need my help. Besides, Jack would hate it to be rescued by me of all people..."
...but please do go and rescue him, his eyes said in contrary to everything else he'd ever said about Jack Sparrow before. Scarlett has never seen him so stirred, so mixed up with hidden emotions. She had believed that he'd hate Jack for some unknown reasons but actually he seemed to worry much more about him than he should have, and that seemed to annoy him the same time like being annoyed of himself for worrying too much. Somehow she could understand him...
She was just about to board to her own ship again when she realized that Gibbs followed her.
"So, what are you up to, mate?"
"I'm coming with ye."
"Why? I've got a crew already and I'm in no need of anyone else. Besides, it's bad luck havin' a woman aboard, aye?"
Gibbs blushed, feeling caught. "Well, I'm sorry 'bout that, Ma'am... um, Captain Scarlett. But you've to lemme come with you. It's that I still owe something to Jack."
She shrugged her shoulders, giving way as well as giving him a sharp look, when she heard Santiago saying, "Don't worry dear, he's coming back to you."
She turned around, wondering why he called a woman who had threatened him with a cutlass only minutes ago dear but it was not Anamaria he was talking to, in fact there was no-one around; he just patted affectionately the dark rail of the Pearl.
Okay, it was really time to go- Santiago's started talking to ships.
-
It wasn't what Gibbs had expected a lady's cabin to be. The floor was covered with old carpets from Persia and the dark wood of the furniture was only lightened a little by a warm golden light that fell in from the stern window decorated with stained glass ornaments. There was a large shelf full of books on one side, some silver-fitted chests on the other, and a table with piles of nautical charts in the middle of the room. The 'treasures' of a pirate's career were spread everywhere in between like being placed by chance, though none of it looked really spectacular at first sight as nothing was flashy enough. Only one who knew could tell that these things collected mainly from Asian countries were rare antiques, like that Buddha statue in the corner next to the bed, guarding it. It could've been a man's cabin except for the bed that was placed underneath the window as it was dressed with lots of Indian pillows, the ones embroidered in silver or gold and these tiny mirrors on. But all in all in was quite comfortable. There weren't neither vases with flowers nor figurines, ruffles and laces, or any other sort of kitsch he'd thought women were usually fond of- and of course Captain Rowan Scarlett wasn't what he'd call a usual woman either.
He eyed her unobtrusive as she bend forward to study one of the most detailed nautical charts of the Caribbean he'd ever seen, pushing casually her hair back from her face. It was only now that he figured out what his captain was about speaking of a red-wine-mane. That it was indeed. And she really had strange eyes, colour changing eyes that made him feel somehow uneasy. If it was bad luck having a woman aboard than it might be three times worth with her. He made a secret sign to avoid evil before explaining once again what's happened at the Caicos.
She listened attentively, concentrating on the map and letting her fingers run over it, considering...
"Well, that'll mean they'd be two days ahead. If you're still sure right about the seize of this grey galleon, I'd say it won't be fast. They might reach Port Royal this evening but we're catching up, gonna be there tomorrow morning."
"That's impossible. Maybe the Pearl 'd manage this distance in this time as she's the fastest ship in the Caribbean but you'd have to make at least fourteen knots..."
"Now, with that fresh wind springing up from astern we probably make even fifteen knots. So there's nothing to worry about, Mr. Gibbs. We'll reach Port Royal with plenty of time left to release Captain Jack Sparrow from jail as the hanging won't be before Sunday."
"Sunday?" He looked at her as if she'd gone mad, didn't believe the Jewel Star to make fifteen knots and just marvelling about everything else. "Why Sunday?"
"'cause executions usually take place Sundays after mass to make people believe that it's Gods will to assassinate a man by another who's getting paid for and with a cheering audience around. Very impressive. Very advantageous for almighty rulers oppressing less advantaged people in order of strict obedience to what they call God-given law."
Gibbs opened his mouth as if wanting to say something but then changed his mind. He wanted this conversation to be over, still feeling very uncomfortable in her presence. It was a good relief for him when she gestured that he was released off duty, hurrying for the door.
"Ah, Mr. Gibbs- one last question..."
He frowned, turning round suspiciously. "Aye, Captain Scarlett?"
"Well, I remember you saying you still own Jack something, just wondering 'bout that."
"Now, um..." he looked uncertain, stepping from one foot to another, "...it was at that time'bout a year ago, when the curse was lifted. I mean... Jack did owe a ship to Anamaria, we had the Pearl, and there was the code to be considered. Anyone who falls behind is left behind..."
"Wait a moment- are you just telling me that you've left Jack behind sailing away on his ship, while the Dauntless was lying offshore the Isla de la Muerta in wait to get hold of every pirate, because there was a code to be considered?"
"Er, um..." He blushed like a little boy given a talking-to, and felt utterly embarrassed.
"Now, with friends like this you really don't need to worry 'bout foes, aye?" she growled disapprovingly.
"But we did come back for him, following the Dauntless to Port Royal, and Jack did escape in the end." he tried to defend himself but failed miserably. Scarlett's eyes turned storm-grey.
"Nothing you could ever be proud about, Mr. Gibbs, as it was young Will Turner who saved Jack Sparrow from the hangman's noose, and not you. Now, how do you sleep at night?" she said with a voice dangerously calm and in total control before getting lost in thought, sighing, "...and I really wonder how Jack does?"
With a loaded pistol under his pillow, never fast asleep, Gibbs thought, looking badly remorseful and crumbling something only he knows in his hands. Then he got courageously, rose his head to gaze at Scarlett.
"Aye, I've made mistakes, that's for sure but that's why I'm here. So how 'bout you, Captain Scarlett? What are you up to? Is there any profit for you sailin' to Port Royal 'n rescuin' Jack?"
"As I'm not the one who've ever left someone in need behind by considering a code instead of loyalty, I think this question is out of place, Mr. Gibbs. I don't seek a profit in rescuing someone from the gallows, the rescue is the profit for me. You can go now." she said stern.
Watching him leave Scarlett crossed her legs on the table and thought about it. She had told him only half of the truth or even less as she'd many reasons for this little trip. First of all was that she really loathed authorities from the bottom of her heart, may it be military, church or crown. Men who set up rules and won't entitle more rights to her than to be obedient and to obey a man expecting her to be like a devoted dog. Wuff! It was always a pleasure breaking these specific laws by stirring up long established social orders. Now, wouldn't it be an even greater pleasure to have the Royal Navy finding out that it was a pirate lady snatching Sparrow out of their hands? That surely was a really good reason. Another point was keeping an unspoken promise to Santiago and to prove him that she could damn well handle things on her own without him around fathering her. And of course the thrill of an adventure.
She rose, searching the pile of charts on her table for a special one and then unfolded a detailed map of Jamaica. Studying it, a plan began to take root, shaped and turned out to be a goody. A nasty flashed up on her face as she thought about how that would agree with Mr. Gibbs, and getting delight in pestering him a little she made her way to the helm. Now he'd see just how fast the Jewel Star can get with her commanding the ship. Showdown-time!
With the hands on the helm and the wind in her hair she finally had to admit that there was still another reason for all of that, and that was Captain Jack Sparrow himself. She'd liked to know what went wrong with him and Santiago plus she might have misjudged him. Being captured by the Royal Navy really was a reason for not coming back to Tortuga like he'd said and this meant that she had no reason being angry at him therefore. Only for getting her to start liking him at least that much that she couldn't stand the thought of him swinging at the gallows without having the chance of another teasing battle-of-words again. To cut it short- one reason certainly was that she liked that bloody scallywag.