What Is & What Will Never Be
Chapter 11
Disclaimer: I do not & cannot obtain ownership of POTC 1, 2, or 3...
Jack strode out onto the docks, and into the lowering sun. He was actually quite agitated for a number of reasons.
He finally allowed himself to understand the multiple concerns of William Turner, but in regard to most of Will's worries, Jack thought them frivolous and unnecessary precautions. Of course Norrington wasn't going to come back! Like a dog, with it tail between its legs...please!
But then again, Jack had to remind himself, Will had no idea of that "incident" between him and Norrington during the proximity of Jenevieve's birth. Jack smirked to himself, thinking about how close Norrington was to being dead by his gunshot. Jack would never be able to forgive the Commodore for anything.
He walked out to the middle of the pier, restively expecting Gibbs to appear, and within moments, that is what occurred.
"Jack!" he called as he, running, approached him.
"What is the meaning o' this, eh?" Jack questioned him.
"We've been offered a proposition, Cap'n."
"Proposition?"
"Aye—a money-makin' proposition ter be certain..."
"And why must I be involved in it? Pintel an' Ragetti can surely handle it by themselves...Well, I'm not so confident about Ragetti, but..."
Gibbs was about to explain, but said instead, "Jack, I think we should speak o' this over a pint o' rum. Just like ol' times, eh?"
Jack rolled his eyes. "Well, it must be important, then."
Jack and Gibbs found a secluded bar just a short way from the docks, and Jack ordered up two flagons of rum.
After taking a swig as they seated themselves at a table in the corner, Jack spoke.
"Now, what's the story? An' it better be worth it."
Gibbs shrugged, giving a long sigh. "The crew's pretty keen on this one, Cap'n. And we need yer negotiation skills ter make the deal."
Jack was a bit exasperated, but couldn't help feeling pleased with himself—he was brilliant at negotiating and getting exactly what he wanted.
"What's the urgency?"
Gibbs looked around him, and then leaned in closer to Jack, making sure no one else would hear.
"Well, rumor has it that the Captain o' the Bounty..."
Jack recognized the name—one of his great rival ships.
"Is takin' a visit to Tortuga, fer want of drink 'n food, 'n mostly, pleasurable comp'ny. Now, he an' his mutinous crew 'ave been said to 'ave struck a gold mine in the White Sea, an' Lieutenant Bligh is havin' it up fer the takin'...provided he gets somethin' just as valuable in return. So..." Gibbs drawled. "What d'ye say, Cap'n?"
Jack Sparrow hated to admit it to himself, but the temptation to hit the high seas was growing quite great. And he would finally have a chance to face up to one of the great seafarers.
He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Well, 'tis an opportunity, I confess."
Gibbs nodded eagerly.
"But the White Sea..."
"Oh, come now, Captain! 'Tis a once in a lifetime opportunity we 'ave here!" Gibbs exclaimed, banging his mug on the table.
"What about the bloody responsibilities I 'ave here, Gibbs, ye idiot?"
"Captain..." Gibbs murmured, in a subdued apologetic way.
"What would Bootstrap's son think o' me? Wait—don't answer that. Typical Captain Jack Sparrow..." He looked back at Gibbs, who didn't respond.
"Is there somethin' yer not tellin' me?" Jack questioned. "Yer not keepin' things from me, are ye?" Jack looked at him accusingly, taking another drink.
"No, Cap'n! S'just such a chance...We haven't come across this since the treasure of the Isle de Muerta, Cap'n", Gibbs finished in a low voice.
Jack gave a long sigh. "I'll think it over, an' you can give the crew my answer at dawn tomorrow."
Gibbs nodded.
"Tortuga?"
"Aye", Gibbs answered.
"How did ye get here?"
Gibbs smirked. "Filched a small ship easy off a drunken loony."
"Ah" Jack gave a small bow. "That's the way to do it."
"Learned from the best."
"Alrigh'—I'll meet ye at the docks when the sun comes up, savvy?"
Gibbs tipped his hat to him. "Savvy."
Jack let Gibbs depart, while he lingered for a few moments, finishing off his rum.
This was all quite tempting; even though he was sure Gibbs hadn't filled him in on all the details. He'd just have to go and see for himself...
Jack quietly let himself into the house. He jumped as the clock loudly chimed, announcing that it was 8:00 pm. He gave a low whistle. Perhaps he'd lingered in that bar a tad too long...
The house was very silent. Candles were lighted in the living room, but other than that, the house was dim and becoming still darker as the night wore on. To Jack, of course, it was still in the early hours in the evening.
He walked down the long hallway; the only sound, his boots softly clunking with each step. He reached the door of his room, which was slightly ajar, and was about to come in, when he paused at the doorway. Jade's back was to him.
Two candles were lighted on the bedside table, which made half the room light, and the other half overcast with shadow. Jade was by the bed, folding some garments. Her curls of hair were twisted up by pins; some ringlets had fallen loose and cascaded prettily down her back. She wore a thin crème blouse, with fringes of lace on the hem, the sleeves going just over her shoulders, and a flowing, silk, azure skirt. This was topped-off with a black belt, which was settled upon Jade's nearly non-existing hips. With a smirk, Jack noticed that the belt was his.
Jack crept silently up to her, before placing his hands on her waist and whispering in her ear, "Suits ye marvelously, love."
Jade gasped in surprise, dropping the shirt she had been folding on the floor. She was about to turn around, when Jack kissed her bare neck.
"I was wondering when you'd get back", she murmured, then turned to face him.
"Apologies, madame."
"Well what took so long?" Jade questioned. "What's happened?"
"I'll tell ye after I do somethin'..."
"Jack..."
But she could say nothing more, for Jack kissed her gratifyingly.
After a few moments, he broke from the kiss, sighing, "'T'was long overdue."
Jade smiled and sat down on the edge of the bed, pulling Jack down with her.
"You owe me an explanation."
"Certainly", he replied. "Well...I'm off on a business venture on the morrow, and I'll be back before ye'll even know I was gone", he said quickly.
"You're leaving?" she exclaimed, her eyes flecked with worry.
"Aye. You know how Pintel an' Ragetti get...and I am Captain Jack Sparrow, after all", he replied, a hint of pride in his deep brown eyes.
"Oui", she answered. "Toutefois, what about Monsieur Turner et Elizabeth...?"
"Oh, I'm sure they'll be ruddy well peachy without me buggering them."
Jade frowned a bit.
"It's fine", Jack reassured. "They're getting along perfectly without me around, and" he caught the look in Jade's eye. "Yes, I am informing ol' Will about my departure. He shan't be too upset over it—it is a lovely transaction, and Miss Swann is perfectly safe, now that" he leaned in closer to Jade, and whispered, "We've thoroughly (though not as thoroughly as I would have liked) disposed of Sir Pompous."
Jade slowly nodded. "Well, you've all planned this out."
"Most definitely." He stroked his mustache thoughtfully. "You alright?"
"Mmm-hmm", she said, pressing her lips together. She felt his eyes on her, and after a moment, looked at him. "What are you doing?"
"Memorizing your beauty."
"Oh Jack", she sighed, leaning against him as he wrapped his arm around her, and they lay down on the bed. "How long will you be gone?"
"'Bout 3 weeks."
"That long? I'll miss you far too much, you know", she whispered despondently. She sat up. "Peut-être...Oui! I'll come with you, Jack."
"No, no, no, no, no..." he affirmed, pulling her back down beside him. "S'far too dangerous fer a lass such as yerself to get mixed up in the business that's goes on in Tortuga."
"Come on, Jack!"
"'Tis true! I tell you—it's strictly business an' pleasure on tha' spit of land, an' both trades are risky", he continued warningly.
"And pure pirates, et de la sorte, are the ones that can manage, then?"
"That's the ticket, love! You're really catchin' on now, ye see?"
She frowned, and sighed. Jack leaned over her. "Per'aps this will hold you over until I return", he roguishly suggested as he kissed her passionately, causing her to gasp as he slipped his hands under her blouse.
Toutefois: However
Peut-être: Maybe
et de la sorte: and of the sort
Okay...my eyes are like going out on me, so I'll give you chapter 12 tomorrow. I took so long to write this chapt. because I didn't get the scenario right, and I had to watch Pirates a couple of times for inspiration. Well, tah, and good night.