Chapter 10 - Signing the Articles
It was with a heavy heart for most of the crew to board the pearl again, for a lot of them you could never have too much of a good thing, and Tortuga was a good thing, a very good thing. But despite the groans Jack knew they were ready to get back out to sea, him more than any of them. He had found Abrey earlier that day, or more correctly Abrey found him, it made Jack suspicious that Abrey seemed to be like a shadow. But Jack didn't have time to think any further on it, he had to introduce Abrey to the crew and set sail for Nevis. The island was covered in plantations and lush forests but according to Abrey's map they would be looking for one of the smaller island caves. Jack had studied the map in great detail and it seemed authentic and at this point he was looking forward to a good old fashioned treasure hunt. It would take over a week to get to the island, which wasn't a problem except he had avoided Louise since their argument and it seemed she was doing the same. He knew he would have to speak to her eventually, especially as he wanted to make her officially a member of the crew, and sign the articles. For now, it could probably wait a day or two, or maybe three.
Louise had already checked with Gibbs that they had properly stocked on food as she hadn't left the ship in days and was now for the first time in a week going to have a full crew to cook for. She had spent the last few days training with Ana, and was actually beginning to enjoy it. At first she had been hopeless, she didn't hold the blade right to get the most force, she couldn't properly parry and it wasn't uncommon for her to fall over her own feet. The only thing she had a natural knack for was bluffing, no matter how badly she was doing she kept a cool persona, her face remained neutral if not grinning cockily and she could put a person off with her sneering confidence. But this was useless if she didn't have the skill to back it up, and that was what Ana kept telling her, especially after one memorable incident where Louise's right foot stumbled over her left and her blade ended up impaled in the floor inches away from her leg.
However after hours of practice Louise was building up skills beyond the basics, she could defend moderately and her footwork was improving but her obvious skill was outmaneuvering her opponent. She could think on her feet and quickly see a way to win at any situation. She wasn't great overall but against most average opponents who would underestimate a woman it was more than likely she could look after herself if not win, there had even been moments when Ana had worried about losing, though not many of them. She felt confident she was getting better each day and she had taken to wearing her sword at her side and more recently her hat. At first it reminded her of home but when jumping about, parrying with Ana it made her feel all the more powerful.
Right now Louise sat in her cabin, the crew were getting ready to sail and she knew her limits, she could cook but sailing wasn't her speciality. And as she got up and looked out of her small window wondering what to do it seemed it had been decided for her.
"Louise?", Danny walked in and saw Louise looking out of the window.
He walked over to her and tapped her shoulder, she slowly turned around, staring into Danny's face. Louise realised he had been watching her and blushed wildly, then wondered why she hadn't heard him knock.
"Didn't mean to scare ye, captain's introducin' someone, so I'm gettin' ye on me way to the deck".
"Oh no it's ok, I guess it's my fault for not hearing you the first time, who's he introducing?".
Danny just shrugged, "something to do with us sailing to Nevis".
Louise laughed as they both left the cabin, "I'm not even going to pretend I know where that is".
As they got on deck the crew were milling about, Jack made himself known and they positioned themselves around him, Louise found somewhere in the back and hoped he hadn't seen her.
"Alright lads", he stopped briefly, "and Ana, we got a guest aboard on our way to Nevis. 'is name is Abrey". A few of them cast a steely glance at Abrey, as if trying to figure him out before they disbursed and returned to the duties.
As they drifted apart Jack saw Louise talking to Danny, she was wearing the same hat she wore when he first met her and she had a sword at her waist. He wondered if she was trying to prove herself and took the chance to break the ice. He strode over, she didn't show any hint of realising he was there but he suspected she was pretending.
She confirmed his suspicions with a sweet smile, "Yes captain?" and although the smile was sweet the tone of her voice was bitter and harsh.
He didn't respond at first, hating the way she spoke, "I wanted to see ye in me cabin".
"Of course captain, that's if Danny will excuse me, we were talking", Jack threw a look at Danny who nodded, obviously uncomfortable with the situation. She nodded at Danny and turned on her heel making her way to Jacks cabin, with Jack trying to keep up, after giving Gibbs the order to leave. Once they got there she allowed him to walk in and he shut the door after she had entered. She stood grounded on the spot waiting for him to talk.
"I wanted ye to sign the ships articles, make ye a proper member of the crew", he walked over to his desk and started rummaging through the drawers.
She still stood rooted but with a raised eyebrow, "really? even if I can't defend myself?" he had taken out a book and began writing her name but he froze at this question, he had hoped she wouldn't bring it up.
"The ship needs a cook, one that knows what they're doin", he finished writing her name and held out a hand motioning for her to come over and sign.
She walked over and signed next to her name, "I guess it does", but she stopped on her way out of the door, "you didn't answer my question but don't worry as a crew-member I won't stay mad the captain for too long".
"I told you when we first met, call me Jack".
"Fine whatever you want, Jack", she slammed the door and left. Jack sighed and looked at the signature, why it bother him that she had said his name with such anger? He felt the pearl beneath him and the encouraged movement of the waves as the ship moved out into the open sea, it soothed his head and he knew where he had to be, the helm.
Louise had since stormed into the galley, aiming to distract herself. She began preparing dinner for the crew, she was peeling potatoes when she heard the the shuffling of feet entering the room. She looked up, not really knowing who to expect and saw herself looking at Abrey. Her first impression was that of a man old before his time, looking for that chance to be useful or alive again.
"Abrey, what can I do you for?", she returned her eyes to the task at hand. He watched her for a moment before answering, trying to decide what it was about her that made her seem out of place.
"Just explorin' the ship lass"
She nodded, "I take it you have seen a galley before?".
He chuckled, "Aye, Miss...?" he trailed off waiting for her to fill in the blank.
"Just call me Louise, everyone else does, well except Gibbs but he still thinks I'm bad luck".
"Louise? Got a last name Louise?" he had taken a seat and was leaning back in his chair.
"Yes, the question is do you have a first name Abrey?", he looked at her, he'd never been spoken to like this by a woman before but then again he had spent many years either in taverns with the whores or at sea.
"I'll trade ye then, me first name is 'enry"
"Well Henry Abrey, my last name is Roberts, happy?".
He sat up in the chair, "Aye Louise Roberts".
She looked over at him, hand on hip, "So Henry, or Abrey whatever you prefer, why exactly are you hanging around while I peel potatoes?"
He stood up, rather slowly, "Abrey and like I said exploring the ship, meetin' the crew, but I guess I'll be off", she returned to her task as he made his way out. She had a unpleasant feeling about him, like he wasn't to be trusted. She tried to concentrate on dinner without the million things on her mind interrupting but she had little success. She was just glad she had started dinner early.
While going about her duties Ana cast a glance over at Jack, standing at the helm concentrating on the endless horizon. He knew he could never reach it, it would always be there, something to aim for, Jack chasing the horizon, and always free to. His expression was steely, it was hard to tell if he was deep in thought or simply concentrating on the sea.
"Something wrong captain, he heard Ana's voice from behind him and wondered how long she had been there.
"No more than usual" his tone was flat and he fully intended to sail into the night being nowhere but the helm.
"So you're not in a mood over Louise?", Ana knew that she was the only one who would dare ask this let alone get away with asking.
"Don't know what you're talking about Ana", she smiled, Jack always was a good liar.
She turned to head below deck, "Course not, but just in case ye are in a mood I thought I'd let you know, she's just as wracked up as you".
Louise stayed silent over dinner even though wasn't Jack there. She stayed silent clearing up the galley after dinner, she stayed silent when the crew were drinking rum, and it was only after she had been drinking for a while and gambling with Gibbs that she spoke at all and that was only because Ana had started her talking.
"You've been quiet", Ana had just joined the game and even if she hadn't been speaking Louise seemed happier than earlier, she was smiling at least, but maybe that was the rum.
"Have I?" she smiled at Gibbs, "Come on man, you can do better than that".
"Aye ye have, wanna tell me why?" Ana followed Gibbs and threw a few more coins on the table.
"Got no idea why, but I do know Gibbs is about to lose a lot of money" she grinned at Gibbs who eyed his cards as if they were about to explode in his hand, then eyed Louise's confident face with the same look, she was sure she heard him mutter about luck. He apparently decided not to risk anymore money and threw his cards down in frustration.
"Well Ana, you gonna fold as well?", Louise knew Ana had a bad hand but surprisingly enough she threw more money into the pile.
"No, I think I can risk it", Louise grinned to herself, Ana just sat back the picture of calm and collected.
"Your choice, but it would have been easier for you to give me your money" she spread a full house out for all to see and Ana shrugged.
"You win again I guess" she laughed and took a large swig of her rum, Louise wondered what was on Ana's mind. There wasn't the usual sarcastic comments, no usual joking and she seemed to know something Louise didn't. She looked suspiciously at Ana but didn't bother asking anything more as someone handed her more rum and Ana seemed to return to normal. At least she hoped she Ana was back to normal.
Abrey had kept a sharp eye on Louise all night, hoping to see something useful but he only became confused about exactly who this woman was. She had been quiet throughout dinner but loosened up after some rum. She had a knack for playing cards and was confident and comfortable with the crew. She had something about her, but as yet he hadn't seen her interact with Jack, and the only time she had spoken to him was in his cabin. She had left angrily and Jack had emerged brooding. He wondered if she was really the key to distracting Jack. He knew of Jacks reputation for rescuing people but Abrey was hoping there would be more to it, something more between them to manipulate. He looked over to her as if begging for a clue.
Thats when Louise, obviously drunk, laughed and said to Ana, "I am gonna teach him a lesson he will never forget".
Ana looked at her through rum glazed eyes, "Who?".
Louise clapped her hand on her friends arm, got up with a big smile and replied, "Jack Sparrow of course".
--Authors Notes--
I didn't really intend for it to get worse between Jack and Louise before it got better, but that's the way it goes. But I do promise it will get better. Thanks to my reviewers and those of you who have the story on alerts and favorites. I am really getting into it now and I'm already writing the next chapter because I can't wait any longer.