For Love or Money
Summary: The 'Pirates' are out to make millions, and England has the best opportunities. Unless, of course someone gets in the way. Modern Fic. JE.
Author's Note: In this story I thought of Jack like Johnny's character in Chocolat. Rating will go up in later chapters.
More JE is good!
Chapter 1 – New York, New York
The streets of New York were abnormally quiet as the pirates walked pass stores and apartment buildings. The Yankees were at home against the Cleveland Indians and a very high-sophisticated party was taking place in Central Park.
The Pirates was a gang lead by Jack Sparrow, also named 'the Captain'. They were never caught, had no police record, and were broadening their business routs across the ocean to countries like England, Scotland, and Ireland. Right now was the best time for expansion.
The party in the park was for the police chief of New York who just came from England. All of the stuffy, tea drinking, important Englishman were there with their families. Jack was supposed to arrive at the party to congratulate James Norrington on his promotion then his crew would start a diversion and while the place cleared out he was going to hand over the 'goods' to the Englishman in the white suite and black top hat. The Captain could already see the man and they exchanged nods. Jack wasn't a hard man to miss either, and all of the women had noticed him.
The Captain was of average height, shoulder length brown hair which was pulled back in a ponytail for the night. His eyes were dark and his arms muscular under the sleeves of his very expensive Italian suite. When he smiled the women would stare, his teeth were perfectly aligned and his lips were desirable. The small amount of facial hair he had complemented him and made the man very debonair.
Standing just outside the park, Jack went over everything in his mind. 'Get aquatinted with the important people, don't look suspicious, and remember your purpose.' Breathing out heavily Jack Sparrow, or rather, Mark Charlton headed for the party.
"Okay you idiots remember, thirty minutes." Anamaria said and the crew went to check the wires and perimeter.
The Pirates didn't kill unless necessary and that had only happened once. But they had never used this extreme for a couple million before; blowing up a building was extreme. It was abandoned of course, but it was still very hazardous and Jack didn't want any mistakes.
Elizabeth Swann was standing under a tree with her personal assistant Debora, when a man caught her eye. He was standing outside the park, across the street then took a deep breath before crossing it and heading in her direction.
"Debora, who is that man?"
The older woman looked in the direction of the stranger.
"I don't know dear. Perhaps he is here to steal your young heart away." She said and saw Elizabeth continue to stare in his direction. "Not bad on the eyes is he?"
Elizabeth seemed to be shaken out of her daze and she looked sheepishly around. "Oh, he's alright, but my Will has my heart." She said and stole another look at the strange man.
"Elizabeth, darling how are you this evening?"
Looking to her side Elizabeth saw her father and smiled.
"I'm just fine." She said and took notice that the man was getting closer to her location. He was shaking hands and making small talk with the business men.
"Are you sure darling? You're not cold? It is a chilly night."
"I'm perfectly content."
Debora was paying no attention to the girl or her father but rather the driver for the Swanns. His name was Michael and she was secretly in love with him. When Elizabeth's father left she was quick to say something.
"Making puppy dog eyes at Michael are you?"
Debora jumped slightly and laughed when she saw Elizabeth there. "Oh my dear, you startled me."
"Well maybe if your mind was here and not caught up in some fantasy you would be more observant of your surroundings." She said then felt a presence behind her.
"Very well put."
The two women looked toward the man they were transfixed by earlier. He seemed to catch on to their hesitancy and he smiled.
"Forgive me for not introducing myself." He said and bowed slightly. "My name is Mark Charlton."
"Elizabeth Swann." She said and turned to the woman next to her. "This is Debora."
The man, now named Mark, took Elizabeth's hand in his and raised it to his lips. "Miss Swann." He said and kissed it. Elizabeth's stomach turned over and she found herself being even more curious of this man than she was before she even knew his name.
"It's a pleasure Mr. Charlton." She said her English accent rich.
He smiled at her then turned to Debora and did the same thing to her.
When they finished their introductions, Mark looked up to the sky. "It's a very clear night. This is rare but a perfect time for a party like this."
Elizabeth followed his gaze and agreed. "It's beautiful."
Mark nodded. "Very. Well, I hate to cut this lovely meeting short Miss Swann, Debora, but I must go greet my business partner. Excuse me."
The two women stared after him when he left. Debora was the first to speak.
"He is a nice man. A rich American." She said and looked to Elizabeth. The younger woman caught on immediately.
"Yes, well, aren't they all"
Mark, after meeting the lovely Elizabeth Swann and Debora found his way to his business partner. "Mr. Watson."
The man turned around and shook his hand. "Mr. Charlton, how are you this evening?"
"I'm very will thank you."
The two men continued to make small talk before enough people had cleared away.
"So you have the stuff?" Watson asked nervously.
"Of course, you will follow me after the diversion happens and I will give you what you requested. As long as you have my money of course."
Watson nodded. "I do."
"Good."
The Englishman was shifting uncomfortably. Jack, or rather, Mark, caught on to his nervous reaction and grinned to himself. "Mr. Watson, there is no need to worry. I am a professional."
The other man nodded and Mark started to walk away to talk to other people, all the while Elizabeth was watching with narrowed eyes.
"What is Mr. Charlton doing talking to that slime? What did he say he did again?"
"Who, Mr. Charlton or Mr. Slime?" Debora asked jokingly. Elizabeth smiled.
"Mr. Charlton. I know what Mr. Slime does."
"He didn't say exactly. I know he said he was going to meet his business partner."
"Yes I heard him. I hope George isn't his 'business partner'."
Debora shook her head. "I'm sure Mr. Charlton is not crooked Miss Swann.'
Elizabeth nodded then almost fell over from the blast of an explosion. Mark looked toward the building which was on fire and crumbling.
"They're early." He said to himself looking at his watch. "Three minutes off."
TBC
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