What Is & What Will Never Be
Chapter 26
Disclaimer: Do not, cannot obtain ownership of POTC...
Weeks slipped by. It was less cold now, though snow still covered the ground. As the middle of January approached, so did some unexpected visitors...
Jade sighed as she closed the door behind her, and walked through the hall, carrying a bag filled with her belongings.
"Oh, Jade dear, we'll miss you so much! You've spent so much time with us!"
Elizabeth intercepted her as she reached the living room, giving her an embrace.
"Oh, we'll miss you too", Jade replied. She and Captain Jack Sparrow were leaving today—to take on the seven seas once again.
"You are welcome to stay, you know", Elizabeth attempt to persuade her.
"Oh, you're so kind", Jade responded. "But, it's time. "It's time for Jack."
Elizabeth sighed, then smiled and nodded.
"Where is that scoundrel?" Will exclaimed as he entered, standing by Elizabeth and placing a kiss on her cheek.
"Perhaps he's so anxious to get going that he's left sans moi", Jade laughed.
She recalled Jack's excitement earlier that morning—his eagerness to be one with the sea again.
"Da da da da da da da da da da da...and really bad eggs..." Jack hummed to himself as he polished the Black Pearl's wheel.
He stood back and admired the shiny wood, satisfied.
He suddenly heard a sound, likened to the sound of footsteps.
He peered around the corner.
"Jade? Ready already, love? Well, I was goin' to..."
"Mm-hmmm"
Jack frowned. "Who's on me ship?" he voiced.
"It's me, Jack."
Jack spun around, looking past the fiery-red hair and into the sea-blue eyes of the voice.
"What the hell are ye doing here, Scarlett?" he asked, almost spitefully. "Tortuga's a long way. I already told ye I don't want yer services."
Jack turned away from the wench, but just as he did so, she moved towards him.
"Look at me", she ordered.
"Scarlett..."
She slapped him hard across the face.
"Jesus Christ, woman! Wha' the bloody hell..." Jack began rubbing, his face gingerly.
"I'm not so desperate as to come all the way here to beg fer yer bleedin' services, ye pig!" she exclaimed angrily.
"Then why did ye come?" Jack murmured, still rubbing the side of his face.
She cleared her throat, brushing a strand of hair back. "I wanted to let you know...that the little episode...between you and Katrina Boswell...involving the Turners...has been kept safe. At least up till now."
"What do you mean, 'up till now'", Jack whispered, taking hold of her arm.
"There's been talk—what do you expect?" Scarlett replied, wresting her arm back.
"God...why are we even discussing this!" Jack exclaimed.
"So you want your precious little Turners to find out the truth?" Her eyes flashed.
"Fine with me! Thanks fer wastin' my bloody time!"
She furiously turned away, but Jack stopped her.
"Scarlett, wait."
"What?" she breathed exasperatedly.
"Ye didn't waste yer time—thanks fer tellin' me."
"Yer welcome", she answered a bit more calmly.
"I...have to get goin', but—walk with me. What have people been sayin'?"
Scarlett sighed. "Very well. How far a walk?"
"Just up the hill", Jack motioned as he led her off the ship.
"Alright", Scarlett consented. "Then I'll have to be off."
They were silent for a moment. As Scarlett followed Jack away from the docks, she began again.
"They know you were involved in Katrina's death. And they know she was a relative of the Turners."
"How do they know that?"
"Jasper", Scarlett replied, rolling her eyes. "The bartender. Apparently he was the only one Katrina talked to in her last weeks."
Jack cleared his throat.
"He uh...well I shouldn't tell you this."
"What?" Jack asked. By now they were only a few feet from the Turner household.
"No, no", Scarlett shook her head. "That's all you need to know."
"You tell me", Jack ordered, ferocity in his voice.
Scarlett sighed, trying to think of a lie, but couldn't. "He's been tellin' people about how Katrina wanted revenge against her cousin...and to have her cousin's husband to herself", she said slowly.
"Damnit!" Jack exclaimed. "What else!"
"That's all, I swear it!" Scarlett assured, stepping away from him. "Now look Jack—I've really got to go..."
She looked scared for a moment, pulling her cloak tighter against her.
"Are you—"
"Jack!" she exclaimed. "I wasn't supposed to warn ye in the first place. Now please!"
"Well that's odd", Jade murmured as she looked out the window.
"What's that?" Will asked, coming up beside her.
"There's Jack, but...who's that woman?"
Will looked out to see Jack, speaking to a red-headed woman, his hand on her arm.
"Oh, God Jack, what are you doing?" he mumbled.
"Will", Jade turned to him. "Who is she?"
"Um", he cleared his throat. "No one."
'Damn Jack, you can't do this to her, you can't...'
"Oh, come now, who—"
"Miss Rochet, it's nothing to worry about", Will cut in, a little too quickly.
Jade frowned. "I'll be back."
"Jade..." Will attempted to stop her, but she drew her cloak about her and went outside.
"I just hope this doesn't blow up in your face, Jack", Scarlett said.
Jack looked at her.
"Goodbye", she said.
"Jack?"
He turned. "Jade", he breathed, letting that breath out that had become caught in his throat.
"Goodbye", Scarlett said again, turning away.
"Have we met?" Jade asked, coming to stand near both of them.
"This is...an acquaintance of mine", Jack answered. "Scarlett..."
"Nice to meet you", Scarlett hurriedly greeted. "I must be going."
Without any word, she started off down the hill, disappearing into the crowd of the marketplace.
"What was she doing here?" Jade asked.
"Ye must be cold", Jack said, taking her arm. "I'll help ye get yer things..."
"Jack, you're avoiding my question."
"Avoiding...? No, she...just a friendly hello is all, love..."
"Jack, stop", Jade exclaimed. "Don't lie to me. Between you and Will...Mon dieu! The way you're acting just because of this woman! What's going on?"
Jack cleared his throat. He hated to lie to her. He'd been keeping so many things from her already. And it was all because of the Katrina Boswell scandal. He could tell how much it hurt her to feel lied to. He could see the distress in her eyes. It made him uncomfortable.
"Jack, Jade", Elizabeth opened the door. "Perhaps you should come inside. Say a proper goodbye maybe?"
Their eyes were still locked.
"You alright?" Elizabeth asked.
"Uh, fine", Jack answered as he made his way inside, Jade following.
"No, everything is not bon", Jade said as Elizabeth closed the door behind them.
"Jade, love" Jack placed a hand on her shoulder. "Please..."
"No, Jack—I'm tired of this!"
"What's going on?" Elizabeth asked softly.
"Elizabeth."
Elizabeth cautiously went over to the other side of the room to where Will had called her.
He took her into the kitchen.
"Jade saw him with a Tortuga acquaintance", he whispered in her ear.
"Tired of what?" Jack asked gently.
She placed a hand to her forehead. "Secrets. You don't tell me things, Jack. While I..." she broke off."
"Jade..."
"I...I want to know what's going on. Je me sens comme si je suis toujours dans l'obscurité."
"Jade", I only want to protect you."
"Your mysterious trip to Tortuga—you won't speak of it. This...woman. Jack..."
She paused, a shocked look coming across her face.
"Are you...?"
"What?"
"Are you betraying me? Seeing..." a sob formed in her throat. "Another lover?"
"Oh, my God, Jade! No!" Jack exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace her.
He was cursing himself. Damn, how could it lead to this...damn it, damn it, damn it! Ye bloody, ignorant...
"Jade, you know I would never! Never, never..." He brushed a tear away from her cheek.
"Then..." she breathed in. "Quoi?"
Jack led her to the couch, setting her down, and seated himself next to her. He knew that this day would eventually come.
"Will, you don't seriously believe that Jack would...would cheat on Jade?"
"Elizabeth", Will said calmly. "No, I'm not saying that, but..."
"Shh" she silenced him and quietly went to the kitchen door.
"They're speaking", she whispered.
"Liz..." Will protested.
"Shh", she insisted, eager to hear what Jack was saying. "They're talking about...about Katrina Boswell, my cousin", she whispered in surprise.
"Mmm", Will murmured with the same feeling.
"Yes, Tortuga...Father said she went there..."
Will noticed her eyes grow wide. "Liz..."
She clasped her hand over her mouth, attempting to stifle a scream.
"Oh, God", Jade murmured. "How...how could she do this? She must stay away—she..."
"How could you?" Elizabeth broke into the room. Her eyes were red and tears fell down her cheeks.
"Jack—you bastard! How could you keep this?" she screamed. "Our marriage is in danger again!" she sobbed.
"Elizabeth!" Will rushed to her. She sobbed into his chest; clinging to him as if it were the last time she was to see him.
Will glared daggers at Jack as he held her.
"My own cousin!" Elizabeth looked at Jack again
"Everyone, calm yerselves!" Jack exclaimed loudly, as he rose.
"How can we Jack, when you—" Will started angrily.
"Silence!" Jack yelled.
"Katrina Boswell is dead! Bloody dead, ye got tha'?" he exclaimed.
Jade gasped. "Jack, you didn't..."
"She shot 'erself", he said more quietly. "In the end...she couldn't handle it. Couldn't handle...losing."
Elizabeth looked at Jack in confusion. "Is this...true?" she whispered, drying her eyes.
Jack breathed out, feeling as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "Can't you tell an honest man from a dishonest one?"
"Oh..."
Elizabeth suddenly flew into his arms. "Thank you, Jack." She stepped back, brushing her eyes again. "I'm so sorry."
"It's alright", he smiled weakly. "I'm sorry too." He placed his arm around Jade's waist.
"Will?" he asked. He looked purely shocked.
"Jack, I..." he started. He clapped Jack on the shoulder. "You did right by you by not telling us. I don't blame you." He drew Elizabeth to his side, placing a kiss on her forehead. "Now we know that we really are safe. Even though what happened was...unbelievable and tragic."
"I'm glad ye know now. It's been a burden."
"It was good of you, Jack", Elizabeth replied. Another tear rolled down her cheek. "And now you're leaving."
"Ah, luv—s'not forever. You two need some time. Real married couple. Safe from harm", Jack said with a smile.
Elizabeth returned the smile. "We'll miss you." She gave Jack and Jade another embrace.
"Safe voyage", Will said. "Captain Sparrow, you're a good man. Miss Rochet, thank you."
"Oh, you must say goodbye to Jenevieve", Elizabeth said. She darted into the nursery, and returned with the young child in her arms.
"Bye luv. Don't give yer mum too much trouble", Jack murmured.
"Au revoir, sweet", Jade murmured, placing a kiss on her forehead.
Jack gave Will a last embrace.
"Well this is it", he said. "We'll be back soon—don't fret.
"Be sure that you are!" Elizabeth called.
The Turner family waved to them as they left.
"You alright?" Jack asked Jade gently as he stopped.
"Oui", she nodded.
"Come here", he said, and pulled her in an embrace.
"I'm sorry", he murmured into her hair.
"It's okay", she sobbed.
Jack lifted her chin and kissed her.
"I'm sorry too", she whispered.
"Oh, no", Jack murmured, brushing her tears away, and kissed her again.
"Je t'aime", she smiled.
"Ready?" He took her hand.
"Yes. I am", she answered.
The two walked together into the setting sun...
Their souls were free as the wind as they set sail for a life upon the seas, filled with adventure...
Over the next few months, life in Port Royale continued in the same way that it had always been. The Governor continued to run things, and he finally got a chance to take a leave of absence to visit his daughter, granddaughter, and son-in-law.
As it turned out, Belle Norrington actually was not pregnant. Doctor Hollingsworth had diagnosed the condition just because of his anger towards her—because of their affair. He was certain that he could make her believe that the child was his, which would cause her to divorce the Commodore, and marry him instead. His plan horribly backfired.
This ruthless scheme was heard about by everyone in Port Royale. Since then, Doctor Hollingsworth has not been seen in or around Port Royale. Belle had only caught a winter sickness. Because of this episode, the love between Belle and James grew stronger, and they realized that they did want a baby. Belle became stable in her marriage. She had learned her lesson.
As time continued to go by, Jack Sparrow and Jade Rochet sailed through the seas. Their relationship had lasted. However different they were; however many arguments they became entangled in, they continued to love each other.
Every year they paid a visit to the Turners, amazed at the growth of little Jenevieve...and at the growth of Elizabeth's belly. She would give birth to twins.
And life went on the way it should—what it was, and never that way it shouldn't be.
Fin
sans moi: without me
Je me sens comme si je suis toujours dans l'obscurité: I feel as if I'm always in the darkness
Hurray—it's finished. I won't be writing a third installment, though I may write little ficlets.
Everyone—watch the Golden Globe awards! 8:00 pm, Jan 16th. Go Johnny!