CHAPTER 17: Did You Enjoy The Show?
Elizabeth and Will sat in the parlor talking quietly. "You didn't see her eyes, Elizabeth," Will told her, "They were so blank."
Elizabeth squeezed his hand. "Katherine will be all right. Jack would do anything for her."
"Apparently not 'anything'."
Elizabeth and Will turned to see Jack standing in the doorway. His dark eyes were weary and haunted. Will stood crossing the room to lay a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Are you all right, Jack?" he asked concerned.
"I'm fine, whelp," Jack sighed but didn't resist when Will guided him into the room and pushed him down into one of the chairs.
"What's wrong?" Elizabeth demanded dismayed at the pain that filled Jack's dark eyes.
"Katherine and I had a bit of an argument," Jack shrugged, "She asked for something that I couldn't give her."
Will frowned, "And what was that?"
Jack leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. "Katherine wanted me to tell her about my past. Before I met the two of you."
Will and Elizabeth shared a knowing look. Both of them suspected that certain periods of Jack's life had been less than pleasant. Elizabeth had seen his scars while marooned on the island and now Will had seen them while Jack had been ill. Both also suspected that Barbossa had tortured Jack before marooning him on that despicable little island the first time.
Jack opened his eyes and stared beseechingly at Elizabeth, "I couldn't tell her, Lizzy," he murmured, "Not because I don't trust her. No. I just don't want to remember some of it myself."
"Where is she now?" Will asked uneasy at the thought of Katherine being alone after she had been so upset earlier.
Jack shook his head. "Don't know, mate. I walked off. I shouldn't have left her but I just couldn't tell her."
Will laid a hand on Jack's shoulder. "I'll go talk to her."
Jack looked up gratefully, "Thanks, mate." Will smiled tightly and then set off in search of Katherine.
Elizabeth took Jack's hand and squeezed it. "Did you tell her why you couldn't talk about it?"
"No," Jack replied bitterly, "I just told her that she didn't need to know and stormed off like a bloody fool."
"Jack," Elizabeth began, choosing her words carefully, "Will and I have long suspected that Barbossa treated you very cruelly before you were marooned. You had nightmares about him while you were ill. Has it occurred to you that you don't need to face your demons alone?"
"You don't understand, Elizabeth," Jack said looking her in the eye, "If I face my demons I'll be the madman that everyone already thinks I am. It's taken me a long time to put them in their cages and I'm scared to death of what will happen if I let them out." Jack fought the urge to leave the room rather than continue this conversation. It had been so long since Jack had confided in anyone. No, he told himself, this was Elizabeth and he owed both her and Will his life. He could trust them.
Unaware of his internal struggle Elizabeth shook her head, "I saw your face after you shot Barbossa, Jack. It gave you closure but it didn't make it any better did it? You weren't happy that he was dead. It didn't make any of your suffering worth it. It just let you know that it was over." Elizabeth smiled gently at her friend. "I think that if you look in your heart that you'll find that you need to talk to someone about what happened. You'll never be truly free of your ghosts until you do."
It was Jack's turn to grin. "When did you become so wise, Miss Swann?"
Elizabeth grinned back, "I think it started about the time that a certain pirate used me to escape from the Royal Navy."
Will decided to try the bedroom that Katherine shared with Jack first and if she wasn't there he'd look elsewhere. Much to Will's relief Katherine was indeed in her room. She sat on the bed holding Jack's tri- cornered hat in her small hands. Will was grateful to discover that while Katherine seemed very angry she was not crying.
"It's not as if I asked him to make me Captain of his bloody ship,' she complained without looking up.
Will grinned and walked across the room and sat down next to her. Relief washed through him. Her anger he could deal with. The blacksmith put an arm around her. "Jack plays things close to the vest," Will said remembering the words Gibbs had said to him, "It was a hard learned lesson."
"But I'm not Barbossa!" she cried in frustration, "I'd never betray him."
Will sighed, "It's not you that Jack's afraid of. It's himself."
Katherine looked up startled by his words and absently brushed a few tendrils of hair from her face. "Why? What do you mean?"
Will looked into her eyes, "Jack's memories aren't all pleasant ones. I believe that Barbossa tortured Jack before he was marooned."
Katherine's eyes widened, "I didn't think they were gentle but . . . torture?"
Will nodded, "I was there when Jack got his revenge. Jack was frozen for a moment and I've never seen so much pain in someone's eyes." Will shook his head, "Jack may have defeated Barbossa but he's still has his demons. He probably always will."
"Has Jack said anything to you?" Katherine demanded her eyes never leaving Will's.
"No," Will sighed, "Jack will speak of it with no one. Not even Anamaria or Gibbs."
Katherine nodded and bit her lip, "I can't believe that I didn't realize . . . I should have known. Especially when he had those nightmares . . . and his scars. I-I was so focused on keeping him alive that I didn't think."
Katherine stood still holding Jack's hat. She turned to face Will. "I just wanted to know him better."
Will reached out and took her hand. "Give him time, Katherine. He loves you. He'll come to you when he's ready." Will stood and offered his arm, "Come on, dinner will be ready soon."
Katherine smiled and took his arm allowing him to guide her from the room. Katherine and Will found the others already at the table. Governor Swann sat at the head of the table and Elizabeth sat at the opposite end. Jack sat on her left. Will led Katherine to the seat next to Jack and held out the seat to her. Katherine glared at him but faced with Will's teasing grin she nervously took her seat.
As the maids brought the food in the Governor cleared his throat. "Tell me, Captain, how long do you think it will be before you can return to your ship?"
Jack suppressed a roll of his eyes. "As a matter of fact, dear Governor, I've already sent word to the Pearl and as soon as my ship arrives we'll be on our way." Out of the corner of his eye Jack saw Katherine turn to him in surprise. He hadn't gotten around to telling her just yet.
"I see," Swann turned his gaze on Katherine, "Miss Darcy, I wish you would reconsider. A pirate ship is no place for a young lady."
Katherine glanced at Jack and reached over to take his callous hand. "My choice is made, sir, and my place is with Jack."
The governor sighed and then smiled at Jack. "It appears that I am defeated. I can only trust that you'll take good care of her."
Jack gave the Governor a solemn look, totally uncharacteristic of him, "I give ye my word. I will protect her with my life."
The Governor blinked in surprise, "I am relieved to hear that, Captain."
Dinner was served and the remainder of the conversation was polite. Jack managed to charm the Governor with a few exaggerated tales of his exploits. After dinner they moved to the parlor where Jack talked Swann into bringing out several of his best bottles of wine. Several hours later the Governor was quite drunk and Will had led a tipsy Elizabeth out into the garden for some fresh air. Katherine sat by Jack's side her body made comfortably numb by the wine and listened contentedly as Jack regaled the Governor with one of the many version of his escape from the island.
At long last Swann excused himself and staggered from the room. Katherine shifted nervously as she realized that for the first time since their argument she and Jack were alone. Katherine sensed Jack's gaze and taking a deep breath she turned to face him. Though just moments ago Jack's words had been slurred now he showed no signs of drunkenness. His eyes met hers imploringly.
"Jack," she began only to be silenced by his finger over her lips.
"Hush," he said, "Let me say what I need to say."
Katherine nodded and Jack took a moment to gather his thoughts. Jack took her hand and began to speak softly. "I'm sorry, Katie," he said quietly, "I shouldn't have gotten so angry with you. You have every right to the answers you wanted," Jack closed his eyes for a moment then opened them again. "When Barbossa took my ship, he took a lot more than that. I was beaten but that wasn't the worst of it. That bastard Barbossa raped me before my former crew. I was forced to warm his bed bloody for a week before they left me on that damned island."
"Dear God," Katherine whispered staring up at Jack in horror. Katherine reached out brushed Jack's hair back from his face, "I'm so sorry, Jack."
Jack smiled for her benefit, "I'm better now than I was. Elizabeth was right. It helps to talk about it. We have all the time in the world to talk about these things. No need to do it all at once."
"Of course, Jack," Katherine agreed hastily, "I'm so sorry, Jack. I shouldn't have pushed-"
"Ssshh. You have nothing to be sorry for. I have my ship back and Barbossa has paid for what he did." Jack forced another grin. "Things were rough for a while even after I escaped from the island the first time. But, I survived. Besides twasn't all bad. I have a lot of grand tales to tell you."
Jack reached out pulling her out of her chair and into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her holding her small body to his tightly. Katherine smiled contentedly snuggling into his warmth. "Jack?" she asked looking up at him.
"Hmm?"
"Once we're back on the ship . . . where are we going?"
Jack shrugged, "I don't know. It doesn't really matter." He grinned, "We go wherever we want to go. A ship's not just a keel and hull and a deck and sails. That's what a ship needs. But what a ship is... what the Black Pearl really is... is freedom."
Still holding Katherine in his arms Jack stood before lowering her carefully to her feet. Jack took her hand and led her from the Parlor. Katherine was confused when instead of taking her back to their room Jack led her to the garden. Katherine sighed in pleasure as her eyes ran over the moonlit beauty of the garden. She and Jack walked in silence for several moments before Jack stopped abruptly and turned to face her. Katherine's heart skipped a beat when Jack dropped to one knee before her. With wide eyes she watched as Jack brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them gently. "Katherine Darcy, there are two things in this world that I love more than my own life. My ship . . . and now you. I love you more than anything. You've given me so much and now I want to give you something back. Even though the name of a pirate isn't much I want you to take mine."
Katherine gasped as Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out a diamond ring. Jack slipped it on her finger and smiled to see that it was a perfect fit, "Katherine, will you marry me?"
"Oh, Jack!" she cried smiling through tears of joy, "Yes! Yes, I'll marry you!"
Jack laughed and stood wrapping his arms around her and spun in a circle lifting her off her feet. Her happy laughter echoed through the garden on silenced when Jack claimed her lips in a scorching kiss. The pirate captain had never been happier.
Elizabeth gave will a confused look when he tugged her down to the ground sharply placing a finger to his lips. In response to her confusion her merely pointed Elizabeth's confused look turned to a bright smile when looking in the direction Will indicated spied Jack and Katherine standing together in the moonlight. Her eyes widened when Jack dropped to one knee. "Will! Jack's proposing!"
"Sssh!" Will hushed her grinning. Though they were too far away to hear the words he spoke the outcome was all too clear when Katherine gave her answer loud enough for them to hear it. Their friends' laughter floated across the grass to their ears and Will and Elizabeth shared a happy smile. They were so lost in each other's eyes that they both jumped at the sound of Jack's voice mere feet away.
"Did you enjoy the show, mate?" Jack chuckled grinning down at the other betrothed couple.
"Congratulations!" Elizabeth cried jumping to her feet and hugging Jack.
Jack smiled slightly embarrassed but returned the hug. "Thank ye, Elizabeth."
When Jack released her Will shook his hand while Elizabeth shared an embrace with Katherine. "Oh, Elizabeth," Katherine laughed, "I'm so happy!"
"Have you two set a date?" Elizabeth demanded in her excitement.
Jack shook his head, "Not as yet." He turned to Katherine, "We could do it tomorrow if you wish."
Katherine thought about it then shook her head, "No, it's only right that we wait for your crew. They deserve to be here."
"Why don't you have the wedding on board the ship?" Elizabeth suggested, "We could decorate it and it would be so lovely!"
Jack hesitated not sure he wanted flowers all over his ship but when he looked over at Katherine and saw how much she liked the idea he nodded. Katherine deserved a real wedding. "I'd much appreciate it if you would help Katherine with the arrangements. Cost is not an object." Jack grinned, "If I'm going to spend some of my fortune I can't think of a better thing to spend it on."
Katherine smiled at Elizabeth, "Elizabeth, would you do me the honor of being my Maid of Honor?"
"I'd love to!" Elizabeth laughed squeezing Katherine's hand.
Jack chuckled then raised an eyebrow and turned to Will, "Well, William, what do you say? Will ya be my best man?"
Will shook his friend's hand again. "My pleasure."
Shortly after the two couples parted heading to bed for the night but as Katherine snuggled contentedly into Jack's arms little did she know that this was only the calm before the storm.
*AUTHOR'S NOTE
There ya go guys! Erin, you're lucky I don't usually post so close together. Anyway, R/R.
Elizabeth and Will sat in the parlor talking quietly. "You didn't see her eyes, Elizabeth," Will told her, "They were so blank."
Elizabeth squeezed his hand. "Katherine will be all right. Jack would do anything for her."
"Apparently not 'anything'."
Elizabeth and Will turned to see Jack standing in the doorway. His dark eyes were weary and haunted. Will stood crossing the room to lay a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Are you all right, Jack?" he asked concerned.
"I'm fine, whelp," Jack sighed but didn't resist when Will guided him into the room and pushed him down into one of the chairs.
"What's wrong?" Elizabeth demanded dismayed at the pain that filled Jack's dark eyes.
"Katherine and I had a bit of an argument," Jack shrugged, "She asked for something that I couldn't give her."
Will frowned, "And what was that?"
Jack leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. "Katherine wanted me to tell her about my past. Before I met the two of you."
Will and Elizabeth shared a knowing look. Both of them suspected that certain periods of Jack's life had been less than pleasant. Elizabeth had seen his scars while marooned on the island and now Will had seen them while Jack had been ill. Both also suspected that Barbossa had tortured Jack before marooning him on that despicable little island the first time.
Jack opened his eyes and stared beseechingly at Elizabeth, "I couldn't tell her, Lizzy," he murmured, "Not because I don't trust her. No. I just don't want to remember some of it myself."
"Where is she now?" Will asked uneasy at the thought of Katherine being alone after she had been so upset earlier.
Jack shook his head. "Don't know, mate. I walked off. I shouldn't have left her but I just couldn't tell her."
Will laid a hand on Jack's shoulder. "I'll go talk to her."
Jack looked up gratefully, "Thanks, mate." Will smiled tightly and then set off in search of Katherine.
Elizabeth took Jack's hand and squeezed it. "Did you tell her why you couldn't talk about it?"
"No," Jack replied bitterly, "I just told her that she didn't need to know and stormed off like a bloody fool."
"Jack," Elizabeth began, choosing her words carefully, "Will and I have long suspected that Barbossa treated you very cruelly before you were marooned. You had nightmares about him while you were ill. Has it occurred to you that you don't need to face your demons alone?"
"You don't understand, Elizabeth," Jack said looking her in the eye, "If I face my demons I'll be the madman that everyone already thinks I am. It's taken me a long time to put them in their cages and I'm scared to death of what will happen if I let them out." Jack fought the urge to leave the room rather than continue this conversation. It had been so long since Jack had confided in anyone. No, he told himself, this was Elizabeth and he owed both her and Will his life. He could trust them.
Unaware of his internal struggle Elizabeth shook her head, "I saw your face after you shot Barbossa, Jack. It gave you closure but it didn't make it any better did it? You weren't happy that he was dead. It didn't make any of your suffering worth it. It just let you know that it was over." Elizabeth smiled gently at her friend. "I think that if you look in your heart that you'll find that you need to talk to someone about what happened. You'll never be truly free of your ghosts until you do."
It was Jack's turn to grin. "When did you become so wise, Miss Swann?"
Elizabeth grinned back, "I think it started about the time that a certain pirate used me to escape from the Royal Navy."
Will decided to try the bedroom that Katherine shared with Jack first and if she wasn't there he'd look elsewhere. Much to Will's relief Katherine was indeed in her room. She sat on the bed holding Jack's tri- cornered hat in her small hands. Will was grateful to discover that while Katherine seemed very angry she was not crying.
"It's not as if I asked him to make me Captain of his bloody ship,' she complained without looking up.
Will grinned and walked across the room and sat down next to her. Relief washed through him. Her anger he could deal with. The blacksmith put an arm around her. "Jack plays things close to the vest," Will said remembering the words Gibbs had said to him, "It was a hard learned lesson."
"But I'm not Barbossa!" she cried in frustration, "I'd never betray him."
Will sighed, "It's not you that Jack's afraid of. It's himself."
Katherine looked up startled by his words and absently brushed a few tendrils of hair from her face. "Why? What do you mean?"
Will looked into her eyes, "Jack's memories aren't all pleasant ones. I believe that Barbossa tortured Jack before he was marooned."
Katherine's eyes widened, "I didn't think they were gentle but . . . torture?"
Will nodded, "I was there when Jack got his revenge. Jack was frozen for a moment and I've never seen so much pain in someone's eyes." Will shook his head, "Jack may have defeated Barbossa but he's still has his demons. He probably always will."
"Has Jack said anything to you?" Katherine demanded her eyes never leaving Will's.
"No," Will sighed, "Jack will speak of it with no one. Not even Anamaria or Gibbs."
Katherine nodded and bit her lip, "I can't believe that I didn't realize . . . I should have known. Especially when he had those nightmares . . . and his scars. I-I was so focused on keeping him alive that I didn't think."
Katherine stood still holding Jack's hat. She turned to face Will. "I just wanted to know him better."
Will reached out and took her hand. "Give him time, Katherine. He loves you. He'll come to you when he's ready." Will stood and offered his arm, "Come on, dinner will be ready soon."
Katherine smiled and took his arm allowing him to guide her from the room. Katherine and Will found the others already at the table. Governor Swann sat at the head of the table and Elizabeth sat at the opposite end. Jack sat on her left. Will led Katherine to the seat next to Jack and held out the seat to her. Katherine glared at him but faced with Will's teasing grin she nervously took her seat.
As the maids brought the food in the Governor cleared his throat. "Tell me, Captain, how long do you think it will be before you can return to your ship?"
Jack suppressed a roll of his eyes. "As a matter of fact, dear Governor, I've already sent word to the Pearl and as soon as my ship arrives we'll be on our way." Out of the corner of his eye Jack saw Katherine turn to him in surprise. He hadn't gotten around to telling her just yet.
"I see," Swann turned his gaze on Katherine, "Miss Darcy, I wish you would reconsider. A pirate ship is no place for a young lady."
Katherine glanced at Jack and reached over to take his callous hand. "My choice is made, sir, and my place is with Jack."
The governor sighed and then smiled at Jack. "It appears that I am defeated. I can only trust that you'll take good care of her."
Jack gave the Governor a solemn look, totally uncharacteristic of him, "I give ye my word. I will protect her with my life."
The Governor blinked in surprise, "I am relieved to hear that, Captain."
Dinner was served and the remainder of the conversation was polite. Jack managed to charm the Governor with a few exaggerated tales of his exploits. After dinner they moved to the parlor where Jack talked Swann into bringing out several of his best bottles of wine. Several hours later the Governor was quite drunk and Will had led a tipsy Elizabeth out into the garden for some fresh air. Katherine sat by Jack's side her body made comfortably numb by the wine and listened contentedly as Jack regaled the Governor with one of the many version of his escape from the island.
At long last Swann excused himself and staggered from the room. Katherine shifted nervously as she realized that for the first time since their argument she and Jack were alone. Katherine sensed Jack's gaze and taking a deep breath she turned to face him. Though just moments ago Jack's words had been slurred now he showed no signs of drunkenness. His eyes met hers imploringly.
"Jack," she began only to be silenced by his finger over her lips.
"Hush," he said, "Let me say what I need to say."
Katherine nodded and Jack took a moment to gather his thoughts. Jack took her hand and began to speak softly. "I'm sorry, Katie," he said quietly, "I shouldn't have gotten so angry with you. You have every right to the answers you wanted," Jack closed his eyes for a moment then opened them again. "When Barbossa took my ship, he took a lot more than that. I was beaten but that wasn't the worst of it. That bastard Barbossa raped me before my former crew. I was forced to warm his bed bloody for a week before they left me on that damned island."
"Dear God," Katherine whispered staring up at Jack in horror. Katherine reached out brushed Jack's hair back from his face, "I'm so sorry, Jack."
Jack smiled for her benefit, "I'm better now than I was. Elizabeth was right. It helps to talk about it. We have all the time in the world to talk about these things. No need to do it all at once."
"Of course, Jack," Katherine agreed hastily, "I'm so sorry, Jack. I shouldn't have pushed-"
"Ssshh. You have nothing to be sorry for. I have my ship back and Barbossa has paid for what he did." Jack forced another grin. "Things were rough for a while even after I escaped from the island the first time. But, I survived. Besides twasn't all bad. I have a lot of grand tales to tell you."
Jack reached out pulling her out of her chair and into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her holding her small body to his tightly. Katherine smiled contentedly snuggling into his warmth. "Jack?" she asked looking up at him.
"Hmm?"
"Once we're back on the ship . . . where are we going?"
Jack shrugged, "I don't know. It doesn't really matter." He grinned, "We go wherever we want to go. A ship's not just a keel and hull and a deck and sails. That's what a ship needs. But what a ship is... what the Black Pearl really is... is freedom."
Still holding Katherine in his arms Jack stood before lowering her carefully to her feet. Jack took her hand and led her from the Parlor. Katherine was confused when instead of taking her back to their room Jack led her to the garden. Katherine sighed in pleasure as her eyes ran over the moonlit beauty of the garden. She and Jack walked in silence for several moments before Jack stopped abruptly and turned to face her. Katherine's heart skipped a beat when Jack dropped to one knee before her. With wide eyes she watched as Jack brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them gently. "Katherine Darcy, there are two things in this world that I love more than my own life. My ship . . . and now you. I love you more than anything. You've given me so much and now I want to give you something back. Even though the name of a pirate isn't much I want you to take mine."
Katherine gasped as Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out a diamond ring. Jack slipped it on her finger and smiled to see that it was a perfect fit, "Katherine, will you marry me?"
"Oh, Jack!" she cried smiling through tears of joy, "Yes! Yes, I'll marry you!"
Jack laughed and stood wrapping his arms around her and spun in a circle lifting her off her feet. Her happy laughter echoed through the garden on silenced when Jack claimed her lips in a scorching kiss. The pirate captain had never been happier.
Elizabeth gave will a confused look when he tugged her down to the ground sharply placing a finger to his lips. In response to her confusion her merely pointed Elizabeth's confused look turned to a bright smile when looking in the direction Will indicated spied Jack and Katherine standing together in the moonlight. Her eyes widened when Jack dropped to one knee. "Will! Jack's proposing!"
"Sssh!" Will hushed her grinning. Though they were too far away to hear the words he spoke the outcome was all too clear when Katherine gave her answer loud enough for them to hear it. Their friends' laughter floated across the grass to their ears and Will and Elizabeth shared a happy smile. They were so lost in each other's eyes that they both jumped at the sound of Jack's voice mere feet away.
"Did you enjoy the show, mate?" Jack chuckled grinning down at the other betrothed couple.
"Congratulations!" Elizabeth cried jumping to her feet and hugging Jack.
Jack smiled slightly embarrassed but returned the hug. "Thank ye, Elizabeth."
When Jack released her Will shook his hand while Elizabeth shared an embrace with Katherine. "Oh, Elizabeth," Katherine laughed, "I'm so happy!"
"Have you two set a date?" Elizabeth demanded in her excitement.
Jack shook his head, "Not as yet." He turned to Katherine, "We could do it tomorrow if you wish."
Katherine thought about it then shook her head, "No, it's only right that we wait for your crew. They deserve to be here."
"Why don't you have the wedding on board the ship?" Elizabeth suggested, "We could decorate it and it would be so lovely!"
Jack hesitated not sure he wanted flowers all over his ship but when he looked over at Katherine and saw how much she liked the idea he nodded. Katherine deserved a real wedding. "I'd much appreciate it if you would help Katherine with the arrangements. Cost is not an object." Jack grinned, "If I'm going to spend some of my fortune I can't think of a better thing to spend it on."
Katherine smiled at Elizabeth, "Elizabeth, would you do me the honor of being my Maid of Honor?"
"I'd love to!" Elizabeth laughed squeezing Katherine's hand.
Jack chuckled then raised an eyebrow and turned to Will, "Well, William, what do you say? Will ya be my best man?"
Will shook his friend's hand again. "My pleasure."
Shortly after the two couples parted heading to bed for the night but as Katherine snuggled contentedly into Jack's arms little did she know that this was only the calm before the storm.
*AUTHOR'S NOTE
There ya go guys! Erin, you're lucky I don't usually post so close together. Anyway, R/R.