INTO THE CARIBBEAN
CHAPTER FIVE – Commandeer…A Nautical Term
The entire night went by too fast for Alex. She had a dreamless sleep that only seemed to last for a few minutes, and she was the least bit comfortable. Cold and damp, the jail cell reeked of a smell like something had died. But she had gotten used to it all. That's how many times she had been in that place, but even though she had woken up numerous times in the clammy cells, this morning she almost forgot where she was. She remembered quickly when she saw a blurry vision of Jack Sparrow on his knees at the door of the cell, muttering to himself and fiddling with the lock.
"What in the world are you doing?" Alex groggily mumbled as she sat up.
"What does it look like I'm doing." Jack shortly replied with a grunt. He was trying to pick the lock with the bone…how ironic.
"What happened to the 'I'll be out of here by morning because they're going to let me walk right out' attitude, hmm?" Alex smirked.
"I didn't exactly say it like that," Jack grunted. "And it appears that the entire British navy has disappeared on us, so I'll have to get me out of here myself." And with that, he continued to pick the lock…with the bone.
After a few minutes of watching him do this with no success, Alex rolled her eyes. "Here, let me try it." She suggested as she stood beside him.
"No, I've almost got it."
"No, you don't. Let me try." She grabbed his hand and tried to wrestle it away, but he slapped it back.
"No!"
"Sparrow!"
"Get away from me, woman!"
Alex was about to tackle him to the ground when they both heard the sound of footsteps coming from the stairwell. Instantly, they both sprang back away from the lock like it had burned them. Jack had lain down in the middle of the straw and Alex had sat in the shadowed corner ledge, both acting like they hadn't done anything and were just sleeping. Well, one of them was acting. Alex was curious to see who it was, and also hopeful that it was a guard to let her out. She took a peak, and saw the last person she would have expected. Will.
"You, Sparrow." Will addressed.
Jack lifted his head. "Aye?"
"You are familiar with the ship, the Black Pearl?"
"I've heard of it." He rested his head back onto the dirty stone floor.
"Where does it make berth?"
"Where does it make berth?" Jack repeated, lifting his head up once again. "Have you not heard the stories?" When Will shook his head, indicating that he did not, Jack rested his head once more, seemingly bored, and idly placed his right hand into the air, almost like he was composing his sentence. "Captain Barbossa, and his crew of miscreants, sail from dreaded Isla de Murrieta. It is an island that cannot be found except," He looked at Will with a golden grin, "by those who already know where it is."
"The ship is real enough." Will realized through wide and anxious eyes. "Therefore its anchorage must be a real place! Where is it?"
"Why ask me?" Jack asked as he began to lazily examine and pick his dirty fingernails.
Will remained silent for a moment. "Because you're a pirate." He quietly admitted.
"And you want to turn pirate yourself, is that it?" Jack looked up with a hopeful eye.
Pushing against the bars, Will narrowed his eyes. "Never." He loathingly answered. With a shrug, Jack rested again and resumed the task of examining his dirty fingernails. "They took Miss Swann." Will finally admitted reluctantly.
What? Alex almost wanted to scream as her eyes grew wide. They took Elizabeth? The pirates? That was worse than what Jack did to her! Much, much worse.
"Ah, so it is you've found a girl!" Jack exclaimed, pushing himself up to rest on his forearms. Embarrassed, Will looked away and Alex felt her throat shut tight at the words that seemed so true. "I see. Well, if you're intending to brave all hasten to her rescue and so win fair lady's heart, you're gonna have to do it alone, mate. I see no profit in it for me." Jack explained right when Alex's throat cleared, followed by her loud unintentional coughing. Will looked at her, finally realizing that she was there, and looked at her with widened eyes.
"Alex! Have you been here all night? Are you alright?" He asked in concern.
"Yeah," Alex coughed. "I've been better. Is Elizabeth okay? What happened?"
"I don't know, Alex, I don't know. They took her." He said, shaking his head as he gripped the iron bar until his knuckles turned white. Jack looked from the young lad to the lass, making the connection that they knew each other, and made a loud intentional cough of his own to remind them that he was still there.
Will snapped back to his senses and into the terrible reality. "I can get you out of here." He told Jack.
"How's that? The key's run off." Jack smirked.
"I helped build these cells. These are half pint barrel hinges." Turning around, he grabbed the table behind him and pulled it up towards him. "With the right leverage, and the proper application of strength, the door will lift free." He explained.
Jack bit the inside of his cheek as he observed the blacksmith. "What's your name?" He asked curiously.
"Will Turner." Will hesitantly said.
"Would be short for William, I imagine." Jack pointed out, sitting up straightly. "Good storm name. No doubt named for your father, aye?" He eyed him with a grin, revealing some golden teeth.
"Yes." Will slowly said through narrowed and quizzical brown eyes.
Jack was silent for a moment, making Alex wonder what his mind was up to. "Well Mr. Turner, I've changed me mind." Jack stated as he stood. "If you could spring me from this cell I swear on pain of death, I shall take you to the Black Pearl, and your bonny lass. Do we have an accord?" He stuck his hand through the cell door.
"Agreed." Will said, taking his hand and firmly shaking it.
"Agreed! Get me out." Alex coughed loudly. "Get us out."
Will nodded. He stuck the legs of the table underneath the cell and with one swift move of strength, lifted the door up and out. "Hurry, someone would have heard that." He warned as Alex and Jack hurried out of the cell that wasn't going to be missed.
"Not without my affects!" Jack exclaimed, brushing behind Alex to retrieve them.
"Hey, how come you never do that for me?" Alex asked teasingly, and Will let out a soft chuckle before taking her aside, grasping her shoulders with his hands and staring deeply into her eyes.
"Alex, are you really okay? This pirate…he didn't…"
"No, Will, he didn't do anything. I'm fine, trust me." Alex reassured him.
"Not the right time," Jack cut in, earning a confused look from Will and a glare from Alex. "To talk. You can continue your conversation another time." He shrugged on his coat and placed the hat on top of its rightful place. "Right now I need you to lead me to the nearest ship possible."
Somehow, they managed to sneak out of the fort and back towards the private dock. The water splashed around her boots while Alex followed closely behind Will as they were led by Jack underneath the bridge, where hours ago Jack fled across while dodging bullets. Suddenly, they stopped, and before Alex could stop too she had accidentally bumped into Will, who in turn bumped into Jack. The pirate gave Will a warning and suspicious eye as Will shrugged, and then glanced at Alex.
"Sorry?" She offered.
Will turned back towards Jack. "We're going to steal a ship?" He asked, and Alex looked towards the Dauntless which was anchored near the cliffs, the ship that Jack had his eye on. "That ship?"
"Commandeer." Jack corrected. "We're going to commandeer that ship." He explained, pointing a ringed finger towards the Interceptor. "Nautical term."
Alex smirked. "Wow, he knows big words."
Jack ignored her comment and turned to Will. "One question about your business boy. There's no use going. This girl – how far are you willing to go to save her?"
"I'd die for her!" Will exclaimed. Alex felt her heart drop at his answer and frowned a little before making the mistake of making eye contact with Jack. The sudden connection suddenly made her feel very uncomfortable. She quickly cut off the stare and looked down at her reflection in the rippling water.
"Oh, good." Jack answered Will. "No worries then." He turned and faced the dock.
"So…" Alex started when she regained her composure, her mischievous smirk returning. "What's the plan, mates?"
Jack turned around to face her with a sly grin. "We're going to go for a swim."
"Can we go now?" Alex groaned.
"Shh!"
"But my legs are killing me!"
"Silence, woman!"
Alex snorted, glaring at Jack's back. They had been waiting for who knows how long underneath one of the smaller long boats on the shore, one of many which were left unguarded. The plan was to hide underneath one until Jack gave the signal, and then together – she, Jack, and Will – would quickly walk into the water and along the sandy bottom, taking the boat with them.
It seemed crazy and nearly impossible, but Jack sounded so positive and sure about his plan that Alex couldn't help but also believe it would work.
But nothing happened yet, only the cramping pain in Alex's bent legs. She couldn't move, lest she give away their position. Her personal space had been invaded. She could smell the rum, sweat, and masculine scent from Jack without even trying, and for the past ten minutes, her view consisted of his behind, and she could only imagine what Will's view was…
"Can we please go? I'm sure it's clear already!"
Jack irritably sighed, and looked over his shoulder at her. "Look, you're not helping me by talking and possibly attracting unwanted attention." He harshly whispered. "If you want to go ahead and get caught, be my guest, just do it far away from me, savvy?"
"Oh, I'll savvy you, you–"
"Alex, please…" Will interfered from behind. She backed off, but not before glaring daggers at the back of Jack's head.
"Fine." She began with a huff. "But if–"
"Quiet!" Jack quickly shushed her, cocking his head to the side. Alex obeyed, forgetting her irritation towards Jack and listened. She heard a troop of footsteps jog past them, and then…silence.
"Alright," Jack started, adjusting his posture and grasping the inside of the boat. "On my signal, head straight and hurry. And don't make a sound." He finished, glancing over his shoulder at Alex to get his point across. She glared in return.
"Now!"
With a grunt, they all lifted the boat and quickly scurried towards the water. They continued until their legs were fully extended underneath them; their hands tightly grasping the boat so it wouldn't flip and rise to the top. Soon, they were on the very bottom, walking slowly yet steadily underneath the Navy's nose.
The crisp, clear water rose to her chest, pausing at the top of her shoulders. She was thankful for the dark shirt she wore, with sleeves rolled back to her elbows and the tie at her neckline loose. If it had been white or a dirty cream, then she might as well have been shirtless, with the exception of the black cloth she always wore tightly bound around her breast.
They continued in silence to not waste any air they had trapped with them. But soon, the silence became too much for Alex to bear, and she spoke the first thought on her mind.
"This is either madness or brilliant." She said, watching as a small school of fish swiftly darted away from her feet.
"It's remarkable how often those traits coincide." Jack stated, turning his head slightly over revealing the side of his tanned face; the reflection of rippling water playing against his features.
"Just like you, eh, Alex?" Will chuckled from behind her. "Madly brilliant or brilliantly mad."
Alex blushed at his comment, thankful that she was in front of Will but behind Jack. She rarely blushed, if ever at all.
"Darn right that's me." Alex laughed, covering up her embarrassment. Thankfully, they continued quietly, until Alex stepped over a lobster's trap and spoke up to warn Will.
"Will, watch out for the—"
But she was too late, for Will had already thrust his foot into the center of the wooden crate, trapping his boot inside. He made a disgusted sound and tried to shake it off, but failed. Alex laughed heartily.
"Alright," Jack started, halting their underwater hike. Adjusting his secure hold on the sides of the boat, he turned entirely around to face them. "On my count, we're going to let go and swim for the surface." He eyed the lobster trap around Will's foot amusedly. "Take that with you, Mister Turner…we may need it, savvy?"
Will stared at him incredulously, but nodded nonetheless.
"So we're just going to swim…up?" Alex asked doubtfully.
"Aye, that's the plan." Jack grinned. "You can swim, right?"
"Of course I can!" Alex proudly stated, puffing her chest out.
"Alright then!" Jack excitedly smiled. "On my count…"
I can do this, easy. Alex reassured herself.
"One…"
It's only from the bottom of the Caribbean floor…
"Two…"
Oh, God, what am I thinking?
"Three!"
All at once, they inhaled a large breath of air, and immediately Will and Jack let go. Alex's strength alone couldn't keep the boat underwater, and it soon shot out of her hands and past Will and Jack, who already kicked off the sandy bottom and began swimming towards the surface.
Quickly, Alex pushed with all her might from the firm ground and began swimming with all her strength. Now, she was never one to panic, especially when it came down to swimming. She was an excellent swimmer, no doubt about that, but either she didn't inhale enough air or began swimming with a lousy start, because now she began to feel uneasy about the entire situation. She could see Jack and Will far above her, swimming for the surface where the sun shined down towards them, and she swam as hard as she could to catch up.
Soon, her lungs began to burn, and her arms and legs began to tire. Humiliated, she thought of how her father and his father before him were probably shaking their heads shamefully at her. She was about to make her last prayers when she felt an arm slip around her waist and firmly hold her, pulling her up to the surface.
When her head breached the water's surface, she gasped loudly, filling her lungs with much needed air. The arm remained around her waist, holding her so she could rest. Then a voice chuckled.
"You alright, lass?" Jack grinned.
Alex coughed, grinning sheepishly. "Yeah, I'm fine…I just had a bad start." He chuckled unbelievingly.
"You looked like a bird trying to fly underwater." He smirked, amusement dancing in his eyes. She glared at him.
"I was going to thank you, but I changed my mind."
"Ah, you're very welcome, my bonny damsel in distress." Jack winked, and began swimming towards Will, who already began heading towards the Dauntless. As she began to follow them, her strength returning as she stroked evenly through the water, she wondered why it was Jack who had noticed her struggle, and not Will. She frowned.
He was ahead of me…he didn't know. She finally reasoned, her frown disappearing as a sarcastic smirk returned.
"Well, what now, genius?" Alex mocked, looking up at the Dauntless.
Jack wiggled his eyebrows slyly in reply.
Using the boat and rope from the lobster's trap, they silently climbed up the back of the Dauntless. When Jack peaked over the side and motioned it was clear, Alex and Will followed him over the banister and onto the empty quarter deck; water dripped from their bodies creating small puddles.
"They're down there." Alex whispered, motioning towards the main deck where she heard patrolling footsteps and men talking.
Jack nodded, and pulled out his pistol from his red and white striped waistband. "You have a sword, aye, lad?" He asked, addressing Will.
"Well, I am a blacksmith…" He replied, unsheathing his sword from his belt.
"And you?" Jack turned to Alex with a raised brow.
"I left what you would call, my 'affects', at home." She answered, angry at herself for leaving behind her prized sword, one that Will had given to her on her eighteen birthday.
Jack sighed and unsheathed his own sword. "Here, take this then." He flipped the sword in his hand so he held the blade and the handle was outstretched towards her. She took it willingly. "But be extra careful with it, savvy?"
Alex rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, savvy."
Jack grinned. Without another word, he strode confidently with pace across the quarter deck before descending down the small staircase, Alex and Will jumping down onto the deck behind him.
"Everyone stay calm, we are taking over this ship!" He announced loudly, his hands waving around in the air, catching the marine's alarmed attention.
"Aye, avast!" Will added from behind, pointing the tip of his sword menacingly at the redcoats. With wide eyes, both Jack and Alex turned to stare at Will, who shrugged sheepishly. One man, who Alex remembered as Lieutenant Gillette, laughed haughtily at them.
"This ship cannot be crewed by two men, and a woman." He explained smugly, laughing again at seeing Alex. "You'll never make it out of the bay."
"Son…" Jack started, a smug grin playing at his lips as he pulled back the hammer of his flintlock pistol. "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. Savvy?"
Gillette gulped, his nose twitching fearfully as he stared down the barrel of the pistol.
"Drop your weapons!" Alex shouted, pleased with herself when she saw the men oblige to her order.
"Now, I believe if you and your men took a dip, which I strongly advise, you'll find a boat waiting for you." Jack explained with a grin.
"You won't get away with this, Sparrow. Neither will you." He narrowed his eyes at Will and Alex. "Commodore Norrington will find you."
"Well, tell the dear Commodore that I wish him luck, aye? And that's Captain Sparrow to you. Now, if you please…" He motioned towards the railing, his pistol still threateningly close to the men's Lieutenant.
After Alex and Will made sure every last marine went overboard, they collected the weapons and swords and store them down below in the hull. By the time they were back on the sunny deck, Alex noticed the Interceptor begin to approach them from behind. A rush of excitement and adrenaline flashed through her veins, something she had not felt for a long while. The idea of adventure fueled her; the wind of freedom kept her thriving.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Will dash up towards the helm where Jack stood admirably, his pistol resting on his shoulder. The beads in his goatee slightly moved with the cooling breeze, along with the many other trinkets in his long dark hair. His pool of chocolate brown eyes gazed out towards the horizon; the sun kissed his tanned skin. Outside of the graying jail cell and out underneath the Caribbean sun, the pirate captain looked more intriguing to Alex than he did before.
"Here they come." Will announced with Alex close behind, both looking over Jack's shoulder at the approaching vessel. Jack turned, and slowly a grin crept onto his face, the gold teeth shining in the sun.
Swiftly, the Interceptor halted beside the still Dauntless, her men throwing hooks and ropes to connect the two. Soldiers swung over the water and jogged across the makeshift bridge they created with wooden boards, their firearms and swords ready at hand.
"Search every cabin, every hold, down to the bilges!" Commodore Norrington shouted, and his men quickly moved to obey the order. The Dauntless was a large ship for three people to hide in, but they would be caught. Oh yes, Norrington thought, they would be caught, and he wouldn't let Jack Sparrow escape again.
He hurried up the stairs towards the helm, but paused. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his beloved ship, the Interceptor, begin to move. His eyes widened in realization.
"Sailors, back to the Interceptor! Now!" He shouted, watching angrily as Jack controlled the helm of the opposite ship. One of his men swung on one of the many ropes in attempt to recover the vessel, but missed; the Interceptor and its three passengers were out of their reach.
Alex smirked at the expression on Norrington's face. They had again snuck out right from underneath their noses and were now sailing away with their own ship.
"Thank you, Commodore, for getting us ready to make way! We would have had a hard time with it by ourselves!" Jack called out while waving his leather hat at them, his voice rough and slightly slurred. When the Navy fired a round of gunshots at them, Jack ducked, and Will grabbed Alex's arm and pulled her down with him, hiding behind a few barrels.
When the gunshots ceased, Alex cracked her eyes open to see Will hovering protectively over her, and even though she felt a shiver run up her spine from the feeling of his body pressed so intimately against hers, she felt her lungs burn from lack of air even more.
"Will…can't…breathe!" Alex gasped, pushing her hands against Will's firm chest.
"Oops, sorry!" He apologized, standing to his feet and pulling Alex up. As he brushed the dust off his breeches, Alex glanced back at the Dauntless, sitting like a duck in the water. She chuckled.
"You think they figured out what Jack did to the helm?" She asked amusedly.
"No doubt about it, but I don't think they're enjoying it as much as you." He laughed uneasily, and with a small tang of guilt. "I never thought I'd ever do something like that in my entire life."
"You'd be surprised at what you'd do for the sake of another." Alex stated knowingly.
"True. And if this is what it will cost to get Elizabeth back, then so be it."
Alex nodded in understanding, her gaze slightly lowering to her breeches and boots. She picked her head up when she felt his hand on her shoulder.
"Thank you, Alex. For being here with me, for Elizabeth." He said sincerely.
"I'm always here for you." Alex replied, smiling kindly up at him. He smiled in return, and with a last squeeze of her shoulder, he brushed past her and out of sight.
Alex released a breath she didn't realize she was holding, and placed her hand on her shoulder where Will's once was. Softly, she sighed.
"I'm always here for you, Will..." She repeated, her voice barely a whisper.
…but can you see me?
A/N: Thanks to everyone who have reviewed! Honestly,reading people's comments and encouragement is what keeps me writing this story...love to you all! Muah!
Now, what sucks is that when I opened the file for this story, half of it was gone! Suck much? Yes...but I gathered what I could from memory and finished it. Hopefully it isn't too different... want to hear what sucks even more? Chapter 6 also went missing too from my folder! I have no idea where it went...crafty little bugger...Jack is probably hiding it from me, using it as ransom for rum. I wouldn't be surprised, haha...so, hopefully I can remember what happened in chapter 6...but just in case I cant, for those who have already read it from before, can you guys let me know what you remember from it? I would very much apprieciate it.
Well, enough of my pointless rambling...I would like to thank kitotterkat (thanks! I love it too!) Terriah (thanks, and sorry for the confusion) doctress (thanks very much, it's nice to hear that) obliviongates (I'm glad you finally found this! Thanks for the comment about Alex, at first I didn't think anyone would like her, but it's glad to know someone does! I actually like her, the hellcat) BlackGoldSiverTiger (Hehe, I did update! And I adore Jack Sparrow too, more than anyone will ever know) Mystich (Thanks! I hope you continue to read!) Cayenne Pepper Powder (Hey old friend! Thanks for the encouraging words, I'm glad to see you're still here. I hope you update your stories soon!) and Nessa Telemnar (Thank you! I had my doubts if I had Jack in character, but I'm glad I didn't ruin him and that people like him. It was my number one fear that I wouldn't portray the characters properly!)
You all are so very awe- to the -some.
Hope you guys continue to read and /cough/ review!