Disclaimer: Disney owns Pirates of the Caribbean, but I own this story :)
Chapter 8- Machinations
Paris tore down the stairs as fast as she could, her hair flying madly behind her. Knocking as she opened the door to the Crew's Quarters, she began helping the crew out of bed, their drunken state making things quite difficult. When the last pirate had stumbled out of the room, Paris made her way to Jacks cabin.
In the corridor, she spotted Pierre waiting for her outside his door. "Ye should stay down 'ere," he told her, "It's no' safe up on deck."
Paris nodded, "Jack told me to stay in his room."
Pierre looked disgusted at the mention of his Captain's name, but said nothing as he headed towards the surface. Paris took a seat on Jack's bed, and at last anxiety settled into the pit of her stomach. The muffled sounds of heavy footfalls and the clash of swords could be heard coming from the deck.
She hated the thought that she was shut away from the chaos and wished she could help in some way. Standing up, Paris began to pace back and forth, running her fingers through her hair, the bangles on her hand clinking together. Something hit the door making her whirl around. Breathing hard, Paris said, "Jack...?"
When no reply came, she began scanning the room trying to find something, anything she could use as a weapon. The door burst open as Paris grabbed hold of a steel candelabrum onthe desk. Two men stormed inside, their yellow eyes falling on Paris. "What do we 'ave 'ere?" one of the pirates growled, his scarred hand running over the flat of his sword.
Holding up the candle stand like a shield, her eyes darted between the two. Wicked smiles crept across their faces as they exchanged glances. A shadow fell across the open doorway and Paris stared past the two men, to where Pierre now stood. "Leave her," he commanded.
As the two pirates lowered their weapons and retreated from the room, Pierre entered, closing the door quietly behind him. The determined way he moved and the blank look in his eyes triggered Paris' suspicion. 'Why did those men listen to him?'
"Let me take that from you," Pierre said before strolling over and slipping the candelabra gently from Paris' fingers andplaced it back on Jack's desk out of reach. Paris didn't resist and hoped Pierre would explain himself.
"I wanted to thankyou," he began, his voice chillingly cold and those blue eyes that usually sparkled with life were now expressionless, "You made things a lot easier for me."
His voice was void of all warmth, and she noted that he had lost his pirate accent. "What are you talking about?" Paris asked uneasily. "Pierre, you're scaring me."
His laugh, humourless, sent a shiver down her spine as he answered, "You told me the direction that pathetic Captain would be heading back in Tortuga. Oh, but you wouldn't remember would you?" Pierre continued, looking her up and down with disgust, "You had too much to drink that night thanks to Sparrow."
Panic began to rise as Paris heard his cold words. 'Pierre has sent this ship to cut them off!' Over the fear, anger set in that he had insulted his Captain. "Don't speak of Jack like that," Paris returned sharply, furious at being taken in so easily.
"Sparrow is a desperate fool, Paris," he spat, "He calls himself a Captain and he's oblivious to plots against him."
Paris stared at Pierre in anguish. This was not the man she thought she knew so much about. "What about me?" she asked, her voice shaking in resentment and dread.
"You were a good tool to get to him," he shrugged, as though making a comment on the weather. Paris couldn't pretend those words didn't hurt. Taking a step closer he went on, "Much like now."
Paris hardly had time to recoil as his hand sprang forward, grabbing her neck roughly. She struggled for breath as he forced her back towards Jack's bed. Thrashing her arms and legs did nothing as he pushed her down onto the covers and sat on top of her. She squirmed, she fought, but his weight on her body and the hand around her throat made the attempts futile.
As he ran a hand up her leg lifting her emerald skirts higher, he sneered down at her, "I wonder how Jack would feel knowing I had my way with his wench in his own bed?"
Gasping for breath as his fingers trailed along her inner thigh, Paris began digging her nails into the hand squeezing her throat. Suddenly, the point of a sword appeared under Pierre's chin. "I wouldn't be doing that if I were you," a voice came from behind him.
Her gaze drifted to Jack who looked livid at what Pierre was trying to do to her. Pierre froze, but did not move his hand from around her neck. "Jack, what a shame. I was just about to get started," he drawled sarcastically clenching her throat harder.
Paris was wheezing hard. After the gallows, she never thought she would ever have to experience such a feeling again. "It would be wise, mate, if ye would remove yer hands from the young lady and step away," Jack growled, his eyes flashing something she had never seen before.
Much to Paris' relief, Pierre's weight shifted off of her, and she breathed in the air she always took for granted. Sitting up, Paris pushed her skirts back down, covering her legs. Seconds later, three men, unfamiliar to her, raced into the room. One of them raised a pistol at Jack. "It's too late Sparrow," Pierre stated with an arrogant smirk, "Men, take the Captain and his whore aboard The Atticus. Tie the crew and leave them here."
Sitting with their backs to the wall in the brig, Jack and Paris sat in silence. The room below deck was quite dark despite the moonlight streaming in through a small window behind them. At last, Paris broke the awkward stillness saying quietly, "I'm sorry Jack. You were right about Pierre."
" 'S alright, love," Jack replied, brushing her apology aside.
"I should have listened to you," she continued, determined to press the subject. "What do I know of piracy? Nothing!" Paris shook her head in disgust.
The beads in Jack's black hair jingled as he turned his head to look at her. His deep, kohl-lined eyes seemed to read her thoughts all too well. "Paris, Pierre's a ba-..." Jack paused as though he feared the word he was about to use would offend her.
"Bastard," Paris supplied, "You can say it."
Jack grinned and gestured wildly with his hands as he explained, "Love, I should've picked 'im out for what he was."
"You did," she argued back, "I was too stupid to see it." Pausing briefly, Paris added thoughtfully with a sideways glance at Jack, "I never liked him that much anyway."
Jack raised an eyebrow and began curling his moustache. "Oh, really?" he asked, his chocolate eyes alive with a mischievous twinkle. He slipped a not so subtle arm around Paris' shoulders as she laughed. Hitting the back of her hand playfully against his chest, they both started when they heard a door open and the sound of footsteps approaching.
Pierre emerged from the shadows carrying a smug look. "The Captain will be down for you soon," he told Jack with a sneer.
"I'm sure it will be a pleasure," Jack returned flashing him a wry smile.
Pierre rolled his eyes before resting them on Paris. "Ready to keep me company?" he asked as he began unlocking the brig.
Both Paris and Jack scurried to their feet at his words. Backing up against the wall, Paris tried feebly to blend in with her surroundings. Jack took a step to his right, blocking her from view and held up a hand in front of Pierre. "This is about me debt to ye Captain, savvy?"
"That's between you and him then," Pierre replied, "What I want with the wench shouldn't matter to you."
"Actually-" Jack began, before a fist came across his face, instantly silencing him.
As Jack fell unconcious to the ground, Paris reacted instinctively, hitting Pierre directly in the nose. His hands came up to shield his bloody face while he shouted obscenities at her. "No!" Paris yelled over the top of him, dropping to her knees beside Jack. "He never hurt you!"
Pierre's arms grabbed her, pulling Paris up and away from the pirate Captain. "Come on, girl!" he said roughly, pushing her out of the cell and locking it once more whilst trying to contain the bleeding from his nose.
As Paris passed the brig, her eyes stayed on Jack's crumpled form while he came to, his dark eyes still groggy, just managed to meet hers before they ascended the steps and he fell out of sight.
Author's Note: Hehehe, so that cleared up that then. Pierre was/is evil! Hoped you liked; there was a bit more action this time :) And thanks for reviewing guys! You all make me laugh!
LegolasLvr71- Lol! Thanks so much for reviewing, you made me laugh so much :) And hopefully now Pierre is out of the way she will see just what a "really hot and sexy" pirate he is, hehehe :)
Smithy- Yep, I did know that :) I'd originally heard the name Paris for a female though, but now I recognise it as name that can be for either gender :) I'm glad you like it!
Queen.Bowie.Jack.Sparrow.Lover- Hehe, well, your suspicions were right ;) and Lol! Yes, Paris' poor brain, what's wrong with it I wonder:) Thankyou so much for reviewing!
The Future Mrs. Jack Sparrow- Lol! Yes, go Jack! Down with Pierre! Hehehe, I'm so glad you liked it and thanks for reviewing:)
Spirit of the Sky- Now that you've put it like that, I guess it is a bit like a soap opera isn't it? Hehehe :) Thanks so much for reviewing!