10. An invitation for dinner

"All hands on deck! Hoist the sails!"

Jack woke up with a start, not knowing where he was for a moment. Then he remembered that he was on a lonely island, so these commands seemed a little senseless to him- but who dared to shout orders at Captain Jack Sparrow anyway? He lifted his head. The sun was shining, a light breeze rustled in the leafs of the trees above him, and Rowan stirred in her sleep, cuddling closer to him. Her hair spread around her face like a veil of red wine, flowing down her shoulders to her round and firm breasts; breasts that were made to fit into his hands perfectly. He nuzzled her neck and thought that it was a wonderful morning.

"Scabby dogs! All hands on deck!"

Damned, it hadn't been a dream- or everything else had been a dream and now he was cast back to reality, realizing that they weren't alone on this island. Someone was watching them. His hand reached out for a weapon, any weapon. Then his fingers touched the hilt of his sword and he strengthened his grip around it while he jumped to his feet.

"What's going on?" Rowan grumbled sleepily.

"Land ahoy!" someone shouted, although shouted wasn't exactly the right word as it was more a screeching that came from the branches of the trees above them. Jack gazed up and saw blue and yellow feathers shimmering in the sunlight when Cotton's parrot fluttered cheerfully from tree to tree. Then he looked to the sea. His heart leapt at the sight of black sails offshore- the Black Pearl was there. But as much as his heart leapt at the sight of her he wasn't so sure if he really wanted to be rescued from the island since there wasn't any need for a rescue. After all, this morning had started off promisingly…

"Land ahoy!"

Jack wished he could roast the bloody parrot for breakfast and threw a stone at him, of course it missed. Parrot flapped with his wings, screeching curses. But even if he had hit that blue-yellow feathered creature there was no denying that a longboat was already approaching the shore for his rescue. He saw Gibbs, Cotton and four other men in it, and dressed quickly since it would have been rather unsuitable to meet them stark naked. Then he walked to the beach.

Rowan watched him amused. It was incredibly how he changed with every step he took, becoming more and more the infamous Captain Sparrow, the master of big gestures, the poser and boaster. To her he had revealed his real face, the part of himself he kept well hidden behind the legends, but he left that part behind now.

"Jack!" Gibbs shouted, relieved to see his captain alive. He would have never have spoken it out loud, but he hadn't liked Jack's plan at all. It was daft to hide amongst foes who would love to see him at the gallows only to save a woman, a red haired witch. Also he hadn't liked the thought of Jack being on a godforsaken island once again since he already had to bear it too often. Yet he had been given an order and he had obeyed. "I'm glad you're alive."

"Well, ye haven't expected anything else, have ye? After all, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow."

"Never doubted that, Jack. I'm sure you also managed to save the wi… er, woman, I wanted to say."

"Aye, of course Captain Sparrow has managed to save the red-haired witch, Mr. Gibbs." Rowan said cheerfully when she finally joined them. Ignoring Gibbs's confused look she climbed into the longboat and avoided Jack's questioning glance as much as being close to him. "Let's go. I just can't wait to get aboard the famous Black Pearl."

"What are ye waiting for, ye scabby dogs? Weigh the bloody anchors and hoist the sails! We're heading for Tortuga!" Jack was well aware that the whole crew was watching him- and Rowan- with a certain curiosity. So he barked commands to get them working instead of thinking; but anyway, it was too obvious even if Rowan tried to keep her distance and to stay in the background.

He watched his men scurry to set the sails before he addressed Mr. Gibbs. "Show Captain Scarlett the way to my cabin and then I need you at the helm, savvy?"

"Aye, captain!"

It is frightful bad luck having one woman aboard but two are even worse, Gibbs thought when he lead Scarlett to Jack's cabin and passed Anamaria, who didn't look very pleased with the situation at all; there was trouble in the air. The last thing he needed now were two shrewish women quarrelling over the captain's affection although the Captain himself might have liked that.

"You wait here." he said, opening the cabin door for Rowan. The way he closed it after she had entered the room sounded as if he would have rather locked her in the brig, but she had already known that he wouldn't welcome her with open arms, so be it. She wasn't here to make friends with Gibbs.

Her eyes roamed through the room and she was a bit surprised that the cabin wasn't what she had expected it to be, at least it was less messy. And it was big, that was for sure. As big as a captain's cabin should be if he wanted to represent himself. There were windows on three sides, giving view of the sea from nearly every angle, and the light that flowed in brightened up the dark furniture that was decorated with beautiful carvings. Cupboards or shelves were hidden behind carved wood to give away nothing personal except for some very few, selected pieces of loot- a silvern chandelier here, there a precious mirror, and a large oriental-styled carpet on the floor. Persia, 11th century, she guessed. But dominating the room was a big, round table of the same dark wood as everything else was, and on it was only a flat bowl with green apples. The bed, broad and luxurious covered with black silken sheets and pillows, was in a corner of the room one couldn't see when walking in the cabin. Nevertheless it looked quite comfortable and inviting…

"D'ye like it, Rowan?"

She hadn't noticed that Jack had entered the cabin, therefore she winced when she his arms came around her waist and started to shiver, feeling vulnerable, an easy prey. He stood behind her, his hands unbuttoning her shirt to cup her breasts, squeezing them gently.

"You're a lecherous, insatiable pirate." she moaned.

"Aye. Welcome aboard the Black Pearl, luv." Finally she was where he had always wanted her to be from the very first moment he had met her, but now it wasn't only for fun. If he had ever missed something in his life, even aboard of his beloved Pearl, it was her, and he felt incredibly happy being with his two true loves now. He turned her around to kiss her thoroughly. Passion took over control and they stumbled, bumping against the table.

"Shouldn't we try it in bed for a change." Rowan yelped but at the same moment she begged him not to stop… at least it wasn't sandy here…

They didn't hear the knocking at the door- or maybe there just was none- nevertheless Gibbs came rushing in, followed by Anamaria.

"Captain! There's a problem- oh!" Gibbs noticed at once that it wasn't an opportune moment to disturb them and he would have discreetly closed the door if the matter hadn't been less serious. But spotting the sails of three ships approaching the Pearl from different directions was something he considered rather serious. Also he hadn't expected to see Rowan Scarlett laying half naked on this captain's table. A skinny lass she was, not so soft and curvaceous as he preferred a woman to be.

"Take yer bloody eyes off my woman, mate." Jack snapped while Rowan sat up with a start, hastily knotting the ends of her shirt beneath her bare breasts. "Ye can tell me what ye have to say without staring at her."

Rowan rolled her eyes and it was only then, that she caught sight of Anamaria. For an instant she wished Anamaria would just storm in and slap Jack like she usually did, but instead the woman gazed at her with icy-cold eyes, making her remember the true meaning of hatred. Oh shit, I better do not turn my back on her and sleep with a pistol under my pillow as long as I'm here, she thought, never being more aware that she really wasn't welcome aboard the Pearl. Jack certainly hadn't chosen the best way to make her popular with the crew. And that daft fool didn't even notice. Too full of himself he'd just boasted as if she was his favourite possession.

"Beg your pardon, Captain, never wanted to seem rude, but…" He told Jack about the three ships the watch in the crow's nest had reported.

"What colours do they fly?"

"British- at least two of them. The third one was still too far away."

"Well, all hands clear for action, I'd say. Load the cannons, mate!" Jack seemed to be eager to prove the Pearl's qualities, nevertheless he looked insistently to Rowan after Gibbs and Anamaria had left the cabin, his hands performing a weird dance of begging, urging and persuading all at the same time. "Do me a favour, aye? Please don't do anything stupid. I wanna know ye're safe."

"Fine. Then I need weapons."

He sighed, obviously that wasn't the answer he had expected. He would have liked to keep her out of trouble, but he saw in her storm-clouded eyes that he better not try. She put her arms on her hips and gazed at him with same insistent look he'd given her.

"Oh no. It'll never work that way between us, luv. Ye're not gonna pamper me. Gimme a sword 'n a pair of pistols and then I know I'm safe. That's the way I am, so either ye accept it or ye better forget me soon."

Jack didn't answer but shrugged and opened the door of a cupboard hidden behind the richly carved walls, revealing something like his personal arsenal. There were some pistols, yet mainly swords, cutlasses, daggers- blades of an excellent quality.

"Gosh!" Rowan was impressed. She took out a sword, weighing it in her hand- it was perfectly balanced. "Where did you get all these from?"

"Well, I guess the whelp wanted to know I was safe. Just take what you like."

Jack watched fascinated how her eyes began to sparkle as if she was a child who had been given a nice toy for Christmas- only that she wasn't into dolls but blades. And she wasn't modest either. She could have just chosen one sword and a pair of pistols yet obviously she felt much better after she had also stuffed a dagger in her boots and a bit more here and there, smiling her fallen angel's smile when she finally looked at him.

"Let's go 'n look for trouble."

Rowan wished she hadn't said that since they didn't have to look for trouble, they really were in trouble. One ship was approaching them diagonally on the larboard quarter; it was a manoeuvrable brig called Challenger. She had about fourteen cannons and two flexible ones, falcons, at the bows. These small cannons were firing occasionally but they didn't do more harm than causing a stir in the water behind the stern, and they were only used to push the Pearl further towards the second ship which lay in wait to block their way. That one was a bigger vessel, a galleon. That one was the Dauntless, the flagship of the Royal Navy, and it was Commodore Norrington who was in command of its almost a hundred cannons.

"Bloody hell, how did that bastard escape the little firework we made of the Phantom?" Rowan cursed, putting down the telescope.

"Guess he couldn't wait to bring that compass to bloody Ratbone and if that little creep really is a mighty magician like you said then he was pretty pissed being cheated, I'd say." Jack replied with a grim smile before he gave orders to brace back.

Any other man- or captain- she knew would have done exactly the opposite, would have ordered to brace the sails, to catch as much wind as possible, trying to break out and escape to the starboard side, but not Jack. Some might call him daft yet he wasn't, no, not at all. She understood his plan immediately and maybe even better than the crew; they grumbled in confusion but then they obeyed. The yards were turned and the wind was taken off the sails, the black canvas slapped languidly against the masts now like broken wings. The Pearl lost speed and nearly came to a stop.

That was something the attackers hadn't expected at all. Probably they had thought the pirates would be so stupid to heave on, yet that would have been a really stupid thing to do. It was all a matter of the right angle. By heaving on the Black Pearl would have been sandwiched between the cannons of both the Challenger and the Dauntless; she would have been an easy prey for them. Also there was no way at all in escaping to the starboard side since the area here was famous for shallows and dangerous reefs, and the Pearl had too much draft. But the unexpected slowdown shuffled the cards anew, because now the Challenger passed by and might have been in a good position to shoot a broadside on the Pearl- if the Royal Navy would have been prepared for it. Luckily they weren't, although the few cannons of the Challenger weren't really a challenge to the powers of the Pearl. On Jack's command her cannons thundered and after that, the brig was far less manoeuvrable than before. Wood splintered with a loud crash when the main mast broke, tearing down most of the rigging. Chaos spread aboard the Challenger. Only a few men kept calm to reload the cannons, but their shots were aimed poorly so there wasn't much damage done to the Pearl. Nevertheless, no cheering came up amongst the pirates since the Dauntless was still laying in wait for them, giving some warning shots that fortunately just sprayed up the water. So their situation hadn't improved much and there was still the third ship to be considered, a speck on the horizon when spotted first; now it had come closer and everybody could see that it flew British colours as well. Yet it wasn't a Royal Navy's vessel.

The three-master was as dark as the Black Pearl but of a slighter shape and definitely not looking like a warship. One might assume that its sails were black, but Rowan knew that they were actually the colour of dried blood, a red so dark it almost seemed black. Her face brightened up at the sight because it was her Jewel Star. She elbowed Jack to get his attention and pointed with her head towards the approaching ship.

"What d'ye say? I'm gonna annoy bloody Norrington a bit with that cute li'le cannons ye 've at the bow until the Jewel's close enough to give them a fiery welcome, while ye prepare for a quick change of direction to open crossfire at the opportune moment?"

Jack knew a good plan when he was told and that one was perhaps as good as any he himself might have made up. His lips brushed hers. "I'd say take care, luv."

Smirking she hurried to the bow and looked around for someone to help her with the falcon there. As she had already expected none was volunteering. Then she heard the fluttering of wings and Parrot sat down on the barrel of the cannon, screeching: "Wind in yer sails! Wind in yer sails! All hands on deck! Scabby dogs!"

As a result Mr. Cotton appeared at her side, proving with a wide grin that at least he was willing to help her.

"Ah, now I'm glad that Jack didn't roast Parrot for breakfast." Also she was glad that Cotton couldn't reply to that since he apparently didn't know how to deal with her humour. He just looked at her in bewilderment while Rowan aligned the cannon.

The current had driven the Pearl closer to the Dauntless meanwhile so there was a realistic chance to score a hit. Alas, there was also the chance to get hit although the Pearl still provided a small target, approaching the Royal Navy's flagship at that angle.

Rowan aimed at the mizzen mast and the shot went off. She missed her aim a little yet the result was much the same. She had wanted the main-yard to come down and crash on bloody Norrington's head but it only brushed him slightly. Nevertheless he lost his hat, wig, and a good deal of dignity. Even from that distance she could see his face turn purple with anger and she almost felt his black eyes staring at her; it was scary. Yet, it had been her intention to gain his attention and to prove the Pearl's crew that she wasn't a just bed-time sweetie for Captain Jack Sparrow. She had succeeded in both. Now, none aboard the Dauntless paid attention to the approaching Jewel that had already changed colours; she flew the Jolly Roger now and her gun ports were open to give the Dauntless an unexpected broadside. At the same time the pirates braced the sails again, manoeuvring the Pearl to set the Dauntless under bombardment from all sides.

When Commodore Norrington finally noticed that he'd been cheated he ordered the immediate destruction of the Jewel- only that the Jewel had long passed the Dauntless. Chaos spread; soldiers scurried hither and thither, none of them really knowing what to do first or next, and maybe even Norrington himself didn't know what he wanted in his blind rage. Well, he certainly wanted all pirates dead and both of their ships sent to Davy Jones' locker but it rather looked as if both ships would manage to escape justice. The Jewel had just changed tack by wearing, ready to give the Dauntless another broadside, while the Pearl tried to sneak past the bow and towards the open sea. Too soon both ships were out of reach of the Royal Navy's cannons, leaving Norrington behind cursing as bluntly as the pirates he hated. He could have sworn that they were all laughing at him.

Actually the pirates really laughed, they laughed because they have kept their lives and their freedom. Then Jack manoeuvred the Pearl alongside the Jewel to thank Marris who was in command of her at the moment.

Rowan didn't consider the consequences of her actions; she saw her ship, her crew, the friends she had missed, so she took a rope and crossed the distance swinging through the air. She landed next to Marris, flinging her arms around his neck to hug him dearly. She didn't see Jack's face turn pale while he watched her with the bitter knowledge that she had just left him.

"Damned, ye really know how to startle us, Rowan. Don't ye ever dare doing something that stupid again." That was how Marris welcomed her home, yet it was a warm-hearted welcome and her whole crew seemed to be happy that she was back aboard the Jewel Star.

"Well, it was never my intention to be away from you scallywags for so long. Actually I only wanted to explore a wreck and return with the loot, but that's a long story. Now, tell me, how did you find me?"

Marris started talking about a horse that returned to its stable without its rider and how shocked Santiago had been, guessing that something must have happened to her. He had then moved heaven and earth to find her- and maybe even hell, how Marris cheekily assumed…

"I bet he'd swung a pendulum above a nautical chart to find out yer whereabouts- you know how weird he can be sometimes- because suddenly he told me to look for ye at the Seal Cays, so here I am…"

Marris kept on talking but Rowan didn't really listen to him anymore. Her gaze roamed across the sea to the Black Pearl, to Jack Sparrow, and suddenly she realized what she'd just done. She had left him without an explanation, without a word, without a good-bye kiss. Yet it had never been her intention to leave him that way, not after all that had transpired between them on the island. Suddenly her heart began to ache and she missed him immensely.

"Jack." she whispered and something long forgotten stirred deep within her. Then she heard Marris saying something about returning to Tortuga as fast as possible and she could just stop him from giving orders to brace the sails. "No!" she yelled, since the distance to the Pearl had already increased. "Reef the sails! Reef the main sails!"

Marris frowned. "But Santiago told me to…"

"I don't give a shit anymore on what Santiago wants. We're not gonna leave the Pearl behind, savvy?"

He was a bit bewildered first but then he noticed the way the wind was blowing and smiled cheerfully. "Ah, Jack. I really should've thought 'bout that. After all, ye've been all alone on a lonely island with him… tell me about it."

"You're much too nosey." She sighed, looking to the Pearl again.

"D'ye want me to take ye back to dear Jack?"

The idea was tempting nevertheless Rowan hesitated, feeling torn. Yes, she would have liked to say, but instead she shook her head. There were still Anamaria's icy cold looks and Mr. Gibbs' unfriendly manners to be considered and therefore she couldn't return to the Pearl, pretending everything was all right; it just wasn't. There, she would never know if someone might stab her in the back so she would have to sleep with a pistol under her pillow and be alert all the time. Not a very romantic thought.

"D'ye think ye can send a message to the Black Pearl?" she suddenly asked Marris.

"Saying what?" he smirked conspiratorial, letting her know that he was always ready for mischief.

"An invitation for dinner perhaps?"

If possible, he grinned even broader. "A romantic candlelight dinner? Your wish is my command, Captain."

"Is it really a good idea?" All at once Rowan was unsure, somehow she didn't like the words romantic candlelight dinner. What would the crew think? They had come to save her from a danger she'd never been in, instead she had enjoyed the few days on that island with Jack, and if she invites him for dinner now, they all would know. It had taken her so long to gain everybody's respect, she couldn't afford to lose it just for one more night with Jack.

"Ye worry too much. The crew's happy when ye're happy, and it's really time for ye to be happy again." Marris informed her unceremoniously, reading her thoughts like an open book. He grabbed her arm and dragged her down the companions way to her cabin. "Once again, tell me what happened."

Rowan sat down on the table and started with the day she had discovered the wreck of the Gavina, the day she had found out about Escobar's death as well as Santiago's unusually long life. Then she got up again, rearranging some pillows on her bed while she continued telling her story, how she had fallen into Norrington's hands, what the Commodore wanted from Jack, and how they had blasted the Phantom. The whole time she scurried through her cabin doing useless things before she vanished behind a paravent. Marris saw her clothes drop to the floor and heard the splashing of water.

"… and then we reached that island." Her head appeared from behind the paravent, giving him her sweetest smile. "Please, could you be so kind and bring me more water? I really have to wash my hair."

"It's not fair to stop when it's getting interesting." he mumbled and hurried to do what she'd asked because he didn't want to miss that part. And although she only told him a few minor details after she finally stepped from behind the paravent to have a glass of wine, her eyes couldn't hide that she had a really good time on that island. He grinned knowingly. "So, it's serious."

"No." Rowan lied, rummaging about in a chest with clothes. But she wasn't a very good liar; at least she couldn't conceal the truth from Marris.

"Ye can't fool me, dear, I know ye better than anyone else. No matter what ye say, yer eyes can't keep a secret."

"Well, even if I love him it still doesn't make any sense. I mean, look at me! I've just washed my hair- if we had a tub aboard I would have even taken a bath- and now I don't know what to wear. I'm acting ridiculous. I'm acting like a foolish girl facing her first date. Why? For Jack, I'm only one of many. He'll forget me soon enough 'cause there's no future for this love anyway. He won't give up his Pearl, I won't yield the Jewel, that's it. Damned, I'm a pirate, I won't change my ways. And I'm not vain, but I really don't have anything to wear for tonight."

Marris stared at her amused and couldn't help but bust out into laugher. "Gosh! Ye're mad and ye're in love- what a combination! Ye're absolutely mad 'bout Jack and ye're surely not only one of many for him 'cause he loves ye too; I know it. I dunno if Santiago will like that but I think that's great since it's really time for you to relearn love."

"Ye're sure?" Her voice sounded uncertain and she looked very vulnerable as she stood there naked beside to a chest with clothes, still not having anything to wear. Then she sighed and shrugged, forcing away unpleasant memories from long ago. After all, Jack wasn't like Tyagraja… Deep in his heart Jack was honest, without any evil, and although he was too full of himself sometimes, he has definitely never been when we made love. "Well, if ye're so sure 'bout that ye better help me since I really dunno what to wear."

"I wonder if that matters 'cause he's gonna undress ye anyway." Marris chuckled before he got serious again. "By the way what d'ye want Rashid to serve?""

"It doesn't matter since I'm gonna be the dinner." she grinned.

-

He knew everyone was staring stared at him though they tried to do it as unobtrusive as possible. After he'd passed them by to go down the companions way they would start jesting and he couldn't even blame them. There had been so many ambiguous jokes aboard his own ship ever since he got her message, so it wouldn't be much different here; yet there was a difference. Her first mate welcomed him as a friend instead of an intruder, not like his first mate had welcomed her.

"Captain Scarlett is already awaiting you, Captain Sparrow." Marris said open-minded and with a knowing smile.

Jack took his time to eye the pirate up and down. If he had believed in fairy-tales he would have thought him to be an elf. Of course Marris had no pointed ears but his face was much to pretty for a man and his hair was too pale, it almost had the colour of moonlight. But then again he would have make a rather unusual elf with his backcombed mass of hair, several silvern earrings and jingling rings on his arms; also he had a very unelvish tattoo of a nude Asian girl on his left upper arm.

"Are ye ready?" Marris asked slightly amused, reminding Jack that he was in fact staring at him. "Before ye can ask- the tattoo's from Shanghai, and I'm from a strange country far in the north called Finland, and my real name's unpronounceable for anyone outside Finland so everybody simply calls me Marris, savvy?" They had reached the door to Rowan's cabin by now and Marris opened it with an inviting gesture. "Have fun."

Jack entered the cabin and was stunned. Well, he had been invited for dinner so he shouldn't be surprised that the table was set for two, and because it was already dark outside there were of course candles burning. And Rowan, she just looked incredible tonight. She wore a green sari that matched her emerald eyes and her red-wine hair hung loose to the middle of her back.

So they're gonna have a candlelight dinner. Now that was something he never had before since that was never needed for a quick lay, also it would have been very unsuitable for a pirate. But now he liked the idea because Rowan was much more to him than just a good lay and although the though of a close relationship was somehow scary, it was no longer unthinkable.

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