Scratched Glass Chapter 7, a pirates of the caribbean fanfic

Scratched Glass

Chapter 7

Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean. Otherwise I would've replaced Vanessa Paradis a looooooong time ago. Lol, j/k! Hope you guys like this chapter!

Karyane was sitting in Jack's spacious quarters, thinking about what next to write in her letter to Thomas, when she jumped at a knock on the door. Almost falling over in the wooden chair, she reached out wildly for the edge of the desk. The person knocked more insistently and Karyane, catching her breath, spoke, "Enter."

In came a disoriented Jack grumbling about women, doors, and manners, his sentences incomplete and his words incoherently strung together with a colorful choice of words. He plopped down on the bed and just stared into Karyane's eyes, who was turned around in her seat and watching him as well. Taken aback, she decided to face the desk instead of Jack, and went back to thinking about what to write.

"What do you have so far?" Jack asked, his voice drifting lazily.

"I'm just… I'm just…" Karyane stuttered.

"Compliment him first. Don't even mention the meeting until you've told him about how wonderful you think he is," Jack advised as he threw himself onto the soft bed and into a laying position.

"Oh," was all that Karyane said, a dejected look on her face. Crumpling the parchment in front of her, she tried being optimistic, even though she was well aware of the fact that she had spent a near hour on the letter.

Taking another long piece of parchment, she dipped her quill in the bottle of ink and wrote Dear Thomas,

/Jack's P.O.V./

I lay down on the soft bed and heard her quill start scratching words across the paper in black ink. At first, I wasn't even aware of it and just lay peacefully on the bed. But then I noticed it. The noise of the quill. That bloody…what was the girl's name again? Oh well, I'd just call her girl for now. That bloody girl sure was making a heck of a lot of noise with that quill. Bloody girl whose name I don't know. Bloody quill. Bloody letter. Bloody Greeneley. Bloody everything.

But pretty soon, even thinking about random things that irritated me, like quills and Greeneley, wasn't enough to block out the scritch-scratch noise. And that's what the damned quill did too.

Scritch, scratch.

I think I'm going to go insane!

Getting up rather difficulty, I headed over to the girl to ask her to stop. "Can you…" but I didn't even get to finish my sentence. That pathetic stick of a human toppled over, chair, letter, quill, and all. So much for the noise.

I peered down at her groaning figure, just watching her for a minute or two. Then I realized that she probably expected me to help her up, so I offered her my hand. This time, unlike the one where she was dangling from a piece of rope off of my ship, she takes my hand. All right, all right, you might argue that she's reluctant about it and still flinches, but not everyone's perfect, right? Only charming men like myself are close. I smile at the thought.

Suddenly, I feel like grinning. Yes, I am charming. And suddenly, I feel much better. "Here, let me help you with the letter," I tell her and snatch it from her hand before she can respond. Just because I'm charming doesn't necessarily mean that I have to be nice all the time.

Dear Thomas,

How are you? I miss you so very much and long to return to you. Often, I cannot sleep at night due to my loneliness. I wish you were here with me. It is at times like these that I truly appreciate a wise and wonderful man like yourself. You are so noble and dignified, always caring. And how can any girl not fall at your feet, when you are so much like a deity. Thomas, my heart aches for you and I wish, even as I write this letter in my cramped cell, that I were in your strong loving arms. Then I would be safe with a dashing knight and you would whisk me away to a castle in the clouds where we would marry and live happily. I find myself wishing every night that I could lay beside someone as handsome as yourself. But no, a girl as ugly and repugnant as myself can only wish for such things. They might never come true.

But I must hurry, since this candle will soon die out. I beg of your help. These dreadful pirates are holding me hostage, as I'm sure is obvious, and have offered me a deal for my safety. I am to meet you at my father's mansion, in Haiti, not Port Royal. There, they want information out of you. What, I do not know. But they want something and they are threatening to kill me, my love.

I hope that I have not made myself a burden upon your shoulders, but I only assume that a man of your graciousness would spare a poor girl's life. That is why I grovel at your feet for aid. And if you are as kind as I think of you, we shall meet in the backyard at my father's mansion in Haiti. And I must warn you not to alert anyone of this meeting or else my throat will be slit immediately. Hopefully, I can depend on your sturdy shoulder and this meeting will be held without bloodshed.

With much love,

Karyane

I look up from the letter into her smiling, expectant face. She looks like a flower when she smiles, I think. Yes, a blooming flower that can easily snare any passerby. Shaking my head, I realize, even me.

"Is Thomas a piece of bread?" I ask lightly, handing her back the letter.

"No. Why?" she asks, a thoughtful and yet confused look appearing on her face.

"I said to compliment him, not butter him. And since you were buttering him, I wondered if he was human or a loaf of bread," I joke, chuckling to myself at my ingenuity. And to my surprise, she laughs. Not a soft and timid laugh or a laugh that she's trying to hide. No, she laughs a bold laugh, confident and sure that she wants to laugh. Hmm, that's odd. I always assumed that a girl of her…what's the word? Sta…sta…status! Yes, that's the word. Status. Who cares if it took me some time to remember it. Just because I'm attractive, doesn't mean that I have to always think of big words.

Where was I? The girl. Or Karyane. At least that's what it says on the paper. Anyway, I assumed that a girl of Karyane's status wouldn't laugh like that. She'd be haughty about it, not open. But alas, women are a fickle thing.

What does fickle mean again? Argh, I keep forgetting.

I watch her as she bends over the letter and starts scritch-scratching away again. Her long black strands fall over her shoulders carelessly, like a ink-colored curtain. A few strands make their way in front of her face and she pushes them back idly. She looks like a goddess when she does that.

Wait. What? A GODESS! I DON'T THINK SHE'S A GODDESS! I must be insane! I must…blimey, I musta've drank too much rum. Yeah, that's it. I laugh at myself. Karyane, a godess? Now that was a funny joke.

But she is pretty.

All right then, pretty. But not a goddess. Slowly, I realize that I'm staring at her and shake my head. "When you're done with that letter, tell me and I'll send it off," I tell her and turn to leave, looking back only once to see that she's watching me hopefully. Yes, I do think that that look is hopeful. I decide to give her an assuring smile before I close the door behind me. Wouldn't want that girl crying at night just because someone handsome like me didn't smile at her.

II—II—II

Thomas had prepared everything for his journey out to sea. Clothing, medicines, the actual ship The Discovery, a crew nearing fifty, and experienced doctors, chefs, builders, and anyone else that he could think of. There were already five other ships looking for Karyane. And Zenakabee too; he almost forgot her.

But nevertheless, he wanted to go out searching for Karyane. Not only would it ease his own conscience, but he would feel like he was actually doing something. And in his mind, anything was better than sitting around like a useless duck.

All there is to it now is for me to set sail tomorrow morning, Thomas thought peacefully as he lay down on the comforting bed and pulled the warm blankets over him. But his peace didn't last very long, for someone started knocking at his door.

Caught off guard and flustered, Thomas fumbled about with lighting the candle on his bedside table and asked who it was. To his surprise, Edward Reule was still up at this hour and roaming the halls. Apparently, Edward had decided to drop by for a quick word since he had assumed that Thomas was still awake.

"Thomas, I've come to talk to you about this…this journey of yours," Edward began as he sat down on a nearby chair and faced Thomas. His face was hard set, his jaws held together in a firm stance, and his usually dull eyes looked ready to pounce on anyone if aggravated. The kidnapping of his two beloved daughters had worried him to no end and turned him into a living electric wire. Lately, he had been snapping at practically everyone, had gotten very little sleep, and was found pacing up and down rooms most of the time. All in all, without his two daughters, Edward was hardly recognizable. And the bags under his eyes and unshaved look did nothing to enhance his features.

"I have just received a note from Mr. Augustus Benoit, one of the men that you settled your previous deal with," here Edward paused and arched his browns at Thomas, silently asking him if he remembered the man. Thomas nodded, it was because of Mr. Benoit and his friends that the ball was held. The ball where Karyane had told him of a pirate. The ball where Karyane disappeared.

"Now Thomas, I don't want you arguing with me. Mr. Benoit needs to see you. It's about putting the deal into action. Not only that, but he wishes to put forth another deal. He will be coming to Haiti in two days time and will stay here for a few weeks. And I want you to stay in Haiti with me and Mr. Benoit and take care of business."

Thomas could feel anger bubbling just below his skin. It was as if thought his whole body had just been lit and the flames were steadily creeping in every direction, consuming him. Here, this man's only children were in grave danger and he was worrying about a deal? What was wrong with him? Was he even human?

"Sir, I refuse to…" but he was cut off by an Edward that looked just as infuriated as Thomas felt.

"No Thomas. I can't let you carry on with this stupidity. Five other ships are out looking for them. I understand that you care about Karyane a lot. But maybe a little too much. Don't think that I'm not sick with worry, but you, you are being ridiculous. Even I, their father, feel confident that with five of the best ships probably created are out searching the entire Caribbean for two very conspicuous girls. Thomas, think of the benefits that all of us will reap from another successful sugarcane deal. It is our staple crop and yet you're willing to throw away those riches for an altogether unnecessary voyage.

So it's the money then? How low…

"No, I simply cannot…" Thomas began, his mind set on refusing any sort of offer.

"Thomas, I have been extremely hospitable," Edward cut in, a crazed look in his eye. "I have given you advice, been a father in many instances and still you deem a voyage more important than I. Thomas, I do not wish to believe so, but it looks that way. And do remember that Karyane is my daughter. If you wish to carry on any sort of relationship with her, then I must deem you important enough." Thomas's mouth hung open, his ears unwilling to believe the words that he had just heard.

"Greeneley, my good boy, have you ever wondered why Karyane…" Edward pretended to think of a suitable word, even though he knew one. He was only toying with Thomas's emotions. "…despises you so? And I'm afraid to say that you have not yet realized that my Karyane is a worldly girl. She expects a large plantation, a luxurious house, beautiful dresses, and utter devotion at the very least. As of current, you can only devote yourself to my daughter. And in my daughter's eyes," Edward emphasized the word 'my'. "That is simply not enough."

"Now think," there was a gleam in Edward's eyes, satisfied with the effect that his words had on Thomas, "of how much more willing and caring Karyane will become once she is positive that you can provide her with such worldly possessions."

The gears in Thomas's mind started working furiously, thinking back to every meeting he had had with Karyane. Was she really like that? No…it couldn't be possible…

But then again…

/Flashback/

"Mr. Greeneley, you are a very charming man, but I…I simply cannot accept your proposal," Karyane said, her brilliant green eyes unblinking.

"Yes, Mr. Greeneley, I am sure that you are a very successful man." She was being sarcastic; it was plain as the nose on her face. She had put it nicely, but altogether, she thought that he was nothing.

Thomas listened in on the conversation as he passed by Adelaide Reule's room. Hearing Karyane's voice, he stopped by the end of the door so that neither mother nor daughter would see him.

"But mother, you don't really expect me to court such a…such a…," Karyane stuttered, anger obvious in her voice. If only he could see her. Adelaide was in his plain sight, but he couldn't see Karyane or her face.\

"Karyane, what is wrong with him!" Adelaide shouted, turning about from her work so fast that her skirts were a blur of white. "You are constantly complaining about why you don't want a marriage with him and yet you give me no viable reason!"

He could tell that Karyane was glaring at her mother and by the sound of her voice, her teeth were clenched tightly, "He's poor." A knife tore through Thomas's heart at the words. "He's worthless. And he means nothing to me mother. You've never once considered what would happen to me if I were to marry him. I would fall into despair." Another knife cut through his heart, this time blood slowly dripping downward.

"I'd rather die than marry him." The words ripped his heart out, threw it viciously on the floor, and gleefully stomped on the now pitiful organ.

Adelaide looked as if though she had been slapped for a mistake that she had committed. In Thomas's head, the words rang out, She agrees with Karyane. They think I'm worthless.

"He…he's young and striving. Soon, he will…soon...he will…he will be successful. Karyane, I," but Adelaide was interrupted mid-sentence.

She hissed, "Don't lie. Don't you dare lie to me. You and I both know of his social status. He's absolutely nothing." That was all that Thomas could bear to hear; with every word, he felt his heart being killed once more. He hurried to the library, feeling as if though a purse filled with heavy bricks had just made contact with every inch of his body.

/Flashback/

So that was it. That was why she didn't like him. Suddenly, he felt ill and yet as unbreakable as a piece of concrete. If Karyane saw a defect in him, then…then he would just have to fix it. Staring resolutely into Edward's eyes, Thomas spoke in a chilling voice that was so unlike the one that he had used just a minute ago. "I'll do it."

Edward nodded and got up, a smile overcoming his face as soon as he exited the room. I knew he would agree.

/Zenakabee's P.O.V./

I hate her. I hate Karyane. I hate her guts. I hate her looks. I hate her ignorance. I hate her personality. I hate everything about her.

These thoughts can't help but replay themselves and occupy all of my time and energy. But alas, they are of no use when Karyane herself doesn't notice the rays of hatred that are constantly emanating from me. She steps into this damned tiny room, a small smile on her face, and an aura of happiness about her. She's been with that…what's his name? Bloody hell, this sea is really affecting me.

Jack! Yes, there we go. Jack. She's been with dear Jack again. You might ask how I know. Because of her smile; the certain smile that's plastered on her face every time she comes back. Karyane, as always is in a state of oblivious. Of course, she doesn't realize her feelings for him. And by the look on her face, trust me when I say that she has feelings for him.

But I have to admit, every time they're together, they look like a jovial pair. Karyane's always laughing, he's always smiling, she's leaning into him ever so slightly, he has a casual arm around either her shoulders and sometimes (as rare as it is) even around her waist, and her hair's whipping around them like silk, almost acting like a shield from the outside world. They look like two exotic birds, flying about on their grand wings. Personally, I don't really like this Jack character, but I can't deny that he has this sort of…sort of roguish charm about him. And that draws Karyane him. She's a wild spirit and so is he. Naturally, they're drawn to each other. But like I said, she doesn't realize it and neither does he.

At times like these, I wish I would just disappear. I can't help but envy her and yet at the same time I want what's best for her. Of course, a girl of my stature doesn't admit that to the step that she's supposedly hated all her life. But I know, that Karyane is better off with Jack. Better off with him than with anyone else. Better off with him than even Thomas. If only fate wasn't so cruel. She's a civilized, city-dwelling girl and he's…he's a pirate. That' all that can be said.

She's falling for him, I know it. And she's falling hard.

A/n: Thanx to: Dawnie-7, butterscotchwarrior, KrazieShadowNinja, and CaptainCrimson for the wonderful reviews!

Be sure to tell me what you think cuz without you guys I'd be utterly and totally lost. 