Author's Note:
Wow, we're at chapter nine already! Thanks to everyone for their nice reviews! Little Miss Sparrow, Hell is Freezing Over, and A Real Life Fallen Angel. Also thanks to my excellent beta enigmagirl2727! Anyway this chapter is pretty short and not all that exciting. I promise next chapter will be long and, (hopefully), exciting.
Chapter #9
After Elizabeth left Jackalyn opened the letter she read the letter quickly. In the letter Jack waxed on poetically about making up for past mistakes and regrets that he wanted to settle. All in all Jacky was impressed by the lows Jack would stoop to talk to her. It made her feel bad for him.
Before she could think too much about the letter, however, another knock at the door interrupted her. This time she opened the door cautiously in case it was Jack or one of his friends. This time though it was Commodore Norrington who stood at her front door.
"Good afternoon, Miss Wolf," he greeted her with a small bow.
This time when he reached for one of her hands Jackalyn offered him her uninjured hand. He brushed it with a small kiss. Jackalyn opened the door wider and motioned Commodore Norrington into the house.
"Actually Miss Wolf," Norrington said with a smile, "I was wondering if you would like to go on a picnic. Do you think that would be all right?"
"That sounds like fun," Jackalyn grinned.
-- --
"And what did she say about the letter?" Jack was asking Elizabeth.
"I already told you Jack," Elizabeth said repressing a sigh, "Jacky didn't actually read the letter while I was there. She was quite insistent that I leave her house and not bother her again."
"Elizabeth were you mean to my daughter?" Jack didn't so much ask as demand in a furious voice.
"I wasn't mean to her," Elizabeth was no longer able to repress the sigh, "she was just worried that I would tell someone what her name was."
"So you threatened my daughter?"
"Jack!"
-- --
The sun was already setting when Norrington brought Jackalyn back to her house. They were walking arm in arm still talking amiably.
"Well," Commodore Norrington said as they reached her front door, "I suppose I'll see you tomorrow Miss Wolf."
"Please, call me Jackalyn," she said laughing.
"Only if you call me James," he said grinning back.
"It's a deal, James."
"Until tomorrow then, Jackalyn."
-- --
At exactly midnight Jacky walked into the bar where she had planned to meet Anna Maria. The woman had followed Jacky's instructions exactly. It was with pride that Jacky sat down across form the pirate.
"Give me the money you owe me," she said coldly, "I'm in a hurry."
"It's right here," Anna Maria said pleasantly giving the thief a sack full of gold, "now do you have my map?" Without a word Jacky handed Anna Maria the tattered treasure map. Then she stood up and walked out of the bar.
Anna Maria thought, 'she's going to meet Jack', as she took another gulp of ale from the tankard in front of her.
-- --
"What took you so long?" Mr. Gibbs snapped at the two pirates as they came on board. They were carrying bags full of supplies that Mr. Gibbs had sent them to get hours ago.
"But-" one of them tried to say.
"I don't want excuses you slack jawed half brains," the short but formidable man yelled, "give me a good reason why I shouldn't have both of you walk the plank."
"Captain Randy is here," the second of the two pirates burst out.
"Are you sure?" Mr. Gibbs asked in a hushed, serious voice.
"Not only is he here," the first man spoke up, "but he's planning on attacking this town in order to take the treasure map."
"The same one we're after," the second pirate added, "he'll attack the town, take the map, and then burn this whole place to the ground."
"Any idea when they're coming?" Mr. Gibbs asked. The two pirates exchanged nervous glances.
"At sunrise," the second said simply.