Beauty and the Pirate

Disclaimer:I do not own any of the characters mentioned in this story from the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl". Nor do I own any dialogue that matches up to the dialogue from Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" nor any storyline plots from said movie. I solely own the characters of Isabelle and Marcel Cheney and Gaspard and all additional creative story lines. Hope you enjoy the story and feel free to send a review!

Chapter 15

Getting Soft

"So do we have an understandin', Elizabeth?" Jack asked as he paced in front of her in a secluded part on the top deck of the Pearl.

"Yes, Jack," Elizabeth rolled her eyes, "I'm only to use the money to pay for Isabelle's dresses and accessories."

"And what kind of dresses are you to pick for her?" Jack questioned as he came to a stop in his pacing to look at Elizabeth.

"Dresses of my stature or higher, such as royalty like a princess, not ones made for the common maiden that she is or lower like a whore from Tortuga," Elizabeth answered mockingly, verbatim of what Jack had told her several times in a previous conversation.

"Aye," Jack smiled, "And since you've been so good as follow me instructions, I'll give ye permission to use some of the money to buy yourself a few dresses, too."

"Why thank you, Jack," Elizabeth sighed.

"Well then, I better let ye go get started shoppin' with Isabelle," Jack dismissed, "I'm sure ye ladies will 'ave a wonderful time."

"You've no idea how much we'll be having," Elizabeth smiled wickedly at him before running off to Isabelle.

…..

"You're not joining us, Jack?" Isabelle inquired as Elizabeth tried pulling her towards the dock but abruptly stopped.

"Why? Ye want me to join you ladies?" Jack asked as he walked proudly down the steps from the helm.

"No," Elizabeth immediately stated.

"Well, I'm sure it would be a bore for a gentleman like you," Isabelle said honestly ignoring Elizabeth, "but I thought you would be just as bored on your ship waiting for us so why not enjoy the scenery with us while we're here."

"Jack? Bored on his own ship?" Gibbs appeared at the captain's side laughing holding an apple in his hand, "He'll be fine drinkin' with us until your return, lass."

Isabelle's soft features seemed to instantly transform into one of confusion and intent concentration on Jack.

"What?" Jack asked innocently, "All pirates drink."

"That's right," Isabelle sighed in disappointment as she seemed to have been reminded for the first time in such a long time of Jack's occupation, "You're a pirate and pirates drink."

Hearing this, Jack's facial expression wavered.

"That's nothing new," Elizabeth rolled her eyes and then took up Isabelle's hand again to lead her off the Pearl, "Especially this one with his rum and all."

Not liking Elizabeth's little addition at the end, Jack instantly grabbed the apple out of Gibbs' hand and threw it as hard, fast, and far away out to sea as he possibly could.

…..

"So how's a bit of rum, Jack?" Gibbs asked when Jack, after wanting to be alone for a while, finally joined him, Will and the rest of the crew in the galley.

"No thanks," Jack answered in an annoyed tone as took a seat beside Will, then began mumbling to himself.

"What's wrong, Jack?" Will asked the pirate captain, "It's not like you to turn down a bottle of rum."

"How did I go from bein' a gentleman to a drinkin' pirate so quickly?" Jack mumbled to himself, partly ignoring Will.

"Since when have you ever been a gentleman?" Will questioned Jack's mumbling, "And you've always been a pirate who drinks, a pirate who loves rum… well, except for some reason not right now."

"Well then let me ask ye this," Jack turned to Will roughly, "Is me taken to rum 'cause of who I am or 'cause of what I am?"

"I don't quite understand, Jack," Will replied with a confused look.

"I mean to say," Jack puffed out as he stood up and started parading around the galley, arms flying about in helping him bring about his point, "Do I like drinkin' rum 'cause I like the bloody drink or 'cause I'm a pirate in the Caribbean and that's what pirates in the Caribbean drink!"

"Since when did that ever matter to ye?" Anamaria commented.

"It didn't… it don't," Jack staggered as he took his seat again, "it just occurred to me in thought a bit ago."

"Ah," Gibbs said as he finished his drink, "it's 'cause of what Miss Isabelle said to ye."

"What?" Jack asked in surprise, "Of course not! Don't be so bloody stupid."

At this silence fell among the crew.

"What's wrong with all of ye?" Jack finally broke the silence.

The crew stayed quiet in reply, simply exchanging glances with each other.

"Ye think I'm softenin' up 'cause of her, don't ye?" Jack asked angrily as he stood up yet again. "Well, I'm not! I may have delayed our search for the treasure of Corazon at the moment, but mark me words! Soon as our week long holiday is over in Tortuga we're goin' to find this 'ere treasure one way or another, savvy!"

Upset that none of the crew still hadn't answered him, he angrily stormed out of the galley towards his cabin.

…..

"Will! Jack!" a female voice called from the top deck hours later, "We've returned!"

Not a moment after Elizabeth had announced that she and Isabelle were back on the ship did Jack bolt out of his cabin and began to take the stairs. As he quickly made it halfway up he remembered something important – he was Captain Jack Sparrow, captain of the Black Pearl – and so in turn slowed his pace down quite a bit, appearing on the top deck calm and confident.

"So, where is she?" Jack smoothly asked Elizabeth as she stood by several stacked boxes on a large barrel.

"Over there," Elizabeth replied pointing at Isabelle who was sitting on a large crate, her hands around a book in her lap, her gaze far out at sea.

"Is she alright?" Jack asked worriedly as he studied Isabelle's almost sad features.

"She's fine, Jack," Elizabeth tried to reassure the pirate captain, "She's just very tired from shopping all day."

At this, Jack simply nodded and then made his way over to Isabelle.

…..

"So did we have fun shoppin' today?" Jack smiled as he leaned back against the ship's railing next to Isabelle.

"I'm sorry, what, Jack?" Isabelle finally fell out of her daze, then taking in what she heard understood what he said and answered, "Yes, it was very fun."

"Is somethin' wrong?" Jack asked as a concerned look replaced his smiling features.

"No," Isabelle sighed, "I'm just very tired, that's all."

Jack could tell that there was something more to her than just being tired, but decided not to press the matter.

As his gaze dropped downward a little, his eyes landed on the book she was holding in her lap.

"So did ye finish me book?" Jack asked gesturing to the object she was holding in her lap.

"Yes," she replied finally giving him a brightened smile, "I finally finished it. It was very interesting and enjoyable to read."

"I'm glad ye enjoyed it," Jack's smile returned, "So do ye think ye can navigate by the stars now after readin' that book?"

"Perhaps," Isabelle answered with a hint of mock pride.

Jack laughed lightly at this, "Well, I'll tell ye what, then. Hows 'bout ye go get some rest with a nice long nap. Afterwards ye can join me in the galley for a late dinner, and then we'll practice some of those navigatin' skills ye learned from that book tonight? What say you to that?"

Isabelle excitedly stood up off the crate, "Sounds absolutely wonderful!" She then took off below deck.