What Is & What Will Never Be

Chapter 19

Disclaimer: I do not & cannot obtain ownership of POTC 1, 2, or 3...

A/N: I know you're all ready to kill me for not posting for over a month (cringe)

But finally—with a bit of a break from school work & an explosion of romantic thoughts, here it is—

Jack set sail early the following morning. No matter how hard he attempted to place his mind at rest, sleep would not come to him.

However, at 5:00 that morning, just as the sun was creeping into the sky, he downed a flask of rum and undocked.

The liquor should keep him going for a while.

All night Jack had been restless—in mind and body. Thoughts of Katrina, and Tortuga, and the crew, and Port Royale, and France, and of Jade swirled through his mind. Mostly thoughts about Jade.

He was slightly surprised at himself for experiencing the overwhelming need to have her near—her scolding, though gentle words, her comforts and caresses, her dazzling eyes, and her coquettish smile...

Yes, he admitted to himself, he was definitely lusting for her—he loved her.

One Week Later—

"Jade dear, Will and I are just going out for a walk and we're taking Jenevieve. Would you care to join us?" Elizabeth Turner called through Jade's bedroom door on a lovely Saturday morning.

"No thank you, Elizabeth. I...I'll just stay in today", Jade replied.

Elizabeth sighed, about to respond, but decided against it. Jade hadn't even left her room since the day she was frightened so—when Serge Múscat (if that was even his real name) had essentially, tried to abduct her.

Poor Jade, Elizabeth thought. Even with Serge in jail, and no sign of Madame Rochet, and the assurance of her safety, Jade was still fearful.

Elizabeth prayed for the fast and safe return of Captain Jack Sparrow. She saw each day, the heartache in Jade's countenance. When Ms. Rochet would step out of her room, she would glide towards the window, pushing the curtains aside as she looked out despondently.

"Jade, you've not heard from your mother...?"

Elizabeth had asked one day, filled with concern.

"Oh, no Elizabeth", she said firmly, her eyes gazing straight ahead. "I prefer it better that way."

Elizabeth had not known how to respond to these words. Jade still contained much anger towards her mother, and much suppressed feelings over her affliction. She blamed herself; her diaphaneity, she felt she had no backbone—and she blamed her mother.

Over this past week, at night, when Elizabeth would walk past the bedrooms, she would pause by Jade's, wondering if she should knock and go in, or let her be, lest she disturbed her.

For 2 nights in a row, Elizabeth thought she heard her crying.

The first time, it was nearly midnight. Without knocking, she rushed into the room, finding Jade sitting with her back to the door, her thick curls of hair falling freely down her back, her thin body trembling. One candle was burning.

"Jade", Elizabeth called ever so softly to her.

Jade turned with a gasp, rapidly brushing tears away.

"Dear, what happened? What's wrong?" Elizabeth asked gently as she sat next to Jade, putting an arm around her.

Jade was wordless for a few moments before she explained.

It was a horrid nightmare—Serge Múscat had stormed into the room, grabbing her by the wrists, and shouting that now Jade was really his. He pulled out a pistol from his coat pocket, showing it to Jade, and exclaiming that this was the gun he had used to kill Jack Sparrow.

Elizabeth was disturbed that Jade would have such a frightening dream, and comforted her, making sure she was alright before she departed her for the rest of the night.

On the 2nd night, Jade had not been crying, though as Elizabeth spoke to her, she was not herself. Jade insisted that she was alright, but Elizabeth knew that the dream had greatly distressed her—even though it was only a dream.

Mrs. Turner spoke to her husband about it at night as they readied themselves for bed. Of late, Will was having longer work-days, and not coming home until after sunset, and sometimes later.

"That incident was traumatic for her, dear."

"Oh Will, do you think she'll be alright?"

"In due time she will be. But the only thing that I believe will really cure her is—"

"Jack."

Elizabeth was disappointed that Jade had declined her first suggestion of an outing, and she knew the sooner Jack returned the better.

She thought of Will. Would she act and feel in the same way if she were in this situation? Of course she would. Just days away from him, and the fear of not being with him had given her such torment.

She revealed this to Will, who took her hands and kissed her.

Jenevieve was a darling baby, who was constantly coddled by her parents. Elizabeth already had plans for her—clothes, schooling, and the way she would be raised.

Will fretted over her as well—she was his heart. The Turners talked about Jenevieve with Jade, and let Jade pass time with the sweet girl, which seemed to work to take Jade's mind off of things.

Jade adored Jenevieve, and was absolutely thrilled to be considered her aunt.

By the end of the week, Ms. Swann was relieved to see Jade healing. So the next day, that Saturday morning, she had asked if Jade desired to go out. She was disappointed that Jade declined again.

In Port Royal, Jamaica things were going on as usual. Will Turner's blacksmith shop, which was still owned by Mr. Brown, was run by a young man by the name of Nicholas Spellsworth, who happened to be the nephew of James Norrington. He was a bright lad, but acquired some of the pretentious traits of his uncle. He one day, like James, desired to partake in the military.

Norrington was quite proud of the boy, and his wife had taken a fondness to him as well.

Belle Berneray was much happier in her marriage than she had been one year ago.

She had been through such anguish, wondering if her husband really did love her, or if he was having an affair.

But James proved his love for her, and was always true, and Belle found it in her heart to forgive him.

Belle had indeed been quite wrapped up in her marriage and her duties in Port Royal as the Commodore's wife that she had not spoken to her dear friend, Jade, in quite some time.

It was difficult now, though, for Jade resided across the sea, and throughout the months that had passed, the two friends had grown apart.

It did not help matters that whenever Belle spoke of Jade to her husband, he grew irritable. The reason being, Ms. Rochet was linked to the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow whom James still held a hatred for.

Belle did not bring up the subject very often, for it usually resulted in James becoming cross, and acting as if he desired to order his military squad to scourge the seas until they found Jack, and then arrest the pirate, and hang him for all the inexcusable crimes he had committed.

"Well, James, he really mustn't be all that bad if Jade is so taken with him", Belle said with a smile.

"Perhaps your friend should choose her dalliances more carefully", James answered. "One morning she'll wake up stripped of everything—her innocence, her heart—just another abused soul added to Mr. Sparrow's collection."

This remark sent Belle into a fury.

How dare he speak of my darling friend, whom I think of as my sister in such a way!

The matter was ultimately dropped, and had not been spoken of since, though Belle made a mental note to write a note to Jade very soon.

Next chapt will be up on the morrow!