Oh my dear reviewers! How I love each and every one of you! Alright, first. AJ Sparrow, seriously, I love that you love my story. It makes me feel so great! Tk421beth, you know that I love you. Seriously, holy cow. I can't believe my story made you cry! Lol, that makes me feel cool too! I have the power, mwhahaha! Lol.. oh, I crack myself up. Believe me this story is FAR from over. I love writing it. I was having the worst day and you guys totally brightened it! THANKS! And I heart coffee, I don't know why your reviews keep getting like, cut off. It's stupid, but if you really want to, email me: I would really appreciate your input. Anyone lol. Thanks guys here's your next chapter.
The Sparrows came out of their cabin late the next day, both wearing regular clothes and their weapon belts as usual. They looked different though. They just seemed to glow wherever they went, whatever mood they were in. They glowed. Isabelle wore her hair down today instead of a regular sailors plait down her back and Jack still sauntered drunkenly. Jack wore his gold band on his left hand and had taken off all his other rings on that hand. Elizabeth and Will smiled, thinking they would be the most fun now that they were married.
The day continued as usual, courses were set for the Amazon and duties were to be done. They had decided to stay in Catalina for a one more day and leave with the tide that night. The crew had willingly agreed to this and they were on their merry way. They had been gone since early morning and Jack, Isabelle, Will, and Elizabeth were the only four on deck. Elizabeth and Isabelle were dressed in their chains and they both looked beautifully dangerous. Jack and Isabelle lingered around each other, laughing and joking like they were best friends and not a married couple.
"Jack! Elle!" Will shouted from the gangplank. Jack looked up from Isabelle's eyes and narrowed his own at Will, just barely making out where his friend was.
"Aye!" Jack and Isabelle shouted in unison.
"We're going into town for a bit!" Elizabeth shouted. "Be good Isabelle Elaina!" Elizabeth shouted overher shoulder as she and Will made their way into town. Jack looked from Elizabeth to Isabelle and Isabelle's eyes widened in innocence.
"Isabelle Elaina is it?" Jack teased.
"I dunno what she's on about, Jack," Isabelle lied gracefully. She hated her middle name for years and years.
"Right, darlin' and my hair is platinum blonde," he said and Isabelle couldn't help but smile.
The crew gathered drunkenly on deck later that night along with an unwanted companion. Isabelle and Jack stood at the helm, fighting about the better course to take to the isles and Jack was slowly giving into her idea. She reasoned with him, both her back and his back facing the horizon, away from the crew.
"Why d'ye say that, love?" Jack asked, twisting the braids hanging from his chin between his fingers in thought.
"Because it's obviously easier, Jack!" she said, exasperated.
"Maybe I want it te be harder," Jack said teasingly. Isabelle smacked him playfully in the back of the head and he smiled.
"Jack, if we're to go that way…" Isabelle suddenly stopped and Jack looked back at her. His eyes widened as he saw a strange man with scars running down the length of his face, holding a knife to Isabelle's throat. Jack stepped forward, trying to get to his wife but stopped as she squealed her protest. The cool blade of the knife was pressed against her neck and she tried not to move.
"Who are you?" Jack demanded, all traces of his slur gone. The man smiled and kissed the side of Isabelle's face. She went ridged but she wouldn't give him the pleasure of watching her squirm. Jack took a step closer and the man pressed harder against Isabelle's throat.
"Jack!" she whispered hoarsely. Jack stopped, his eyes filled with rage and nervousness. Elizabeth and Will caught first sight and beckoned for the rest of the crew.
"What do you want, mate," Jack spat, narrowing his eyes.
"I believe you have it, Sparrow," the man holding Isabelle said. Jack grew more and more infuriated with his lack of details.
"What!" Jack bellowed. The man stayed calm with his response.
"Ah, ah, ah, Sparrow. You wouldn't want this pretty lass of yours to lose her head over the matter," he said sweetly and kissed Isabelle again. This time she visibly grimace. Jack saw his crew advancing on the man just as the man turned around the face them. He turned back around to face Jack. "Tell 'em to back off," he said calmly. Jack didn't comply at first, but he looked nervously toward Isabelle. The attacker grabbed one of Isabelle's wrists and squeezed, causing Isabelle to yelp in sudden pain. "Sparrow…" the man began, looking menacingly toward the captain. Jack nodded toward them and they stopped their advance. Jack saw the distinctive scar on his left hand and knew him for who he was. Felix. Crew member of The Prowler. Captained by the most ruthless man Jack had ever had the displeasure of meeting. Captain Lucent Stealth.
"What is it that you want," Jack said angrily, through his teeth. His head whirled. There was nothing he could do for Isabelle and that put him in the most difficult situation of his life. Isabelle felt the blade at her throat and the hand tightly gripping her wrist She knew he would break it. There was no doubt in her mind.
"The map," the man said. Jack eyes widened.
"What map," he said, trying not to sound patronizing.
"The one that leads to the Amazon. Where the bloody treasure is, Sparrow! Hand it over or she dies," he said, his voice raising with every word. Jack looked to Isabelle and nodded. He reached into his vest and pulled out Isabelle's carefully detailed map. Isabelle inwardly cursed Jack for giving up so easily. She tried to say something but the man squeezed her wrist even harder and she winced visibly in pain. It was almost unbearable, but still, she wouldn't cry out. Once Jack had handed the map over, the man smiled with pride. "Thank ye, Sparrow. Now, if you'll excuse us."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'll be takin' yer lass with me. Seems the Captain wanted some…company fer the long journey." Jack's eyes blazed with anger and fear and Isabelle decided that wasn't going to happen. It just wasn't an option. But she'd take Jack's advice and wait for the opportune moment. The man took her other hand with his hand and held them tightly while he shoved the map into his breeches. Then he quickly replaced the knife at Isabelle's throat. If she could only get Jack's attention.
She could feel her own blood dripping slowly from the cut the man was making and she pleaded for Jack to look up. Finally, after what seemed like forever he looked from the man to her and she winked. Jack was surprised but he remained nonchalant.
"Married I see, Sparrow?" the man asked. When Jack didn't answer he continued. "To her?" he said, motioning Isabelle toward him then bringing her back. "Captain'll get a kick outa that one," he said. Isabelle had had enough. Screw the opportune moment. She brought her free hand down and punched the man hard in his manhood. She pulled her neck away from the dagger. Jack heard Isabelle's wrist snap and he cringed at the sickening noise before he attacked the bastard. Jack punched his with all the power he could muster., and all his built up anger, square in the face. The man dropped his dagger and plummeted backward off the ship. Jack didn't wait to see if the man resurfaced, he ran to Isabelle and scooped her up in his arms, holding her protectively as he kneeled on the deck.
Will and Elizabeth, although squirming to be with Jack and Isabelle, started to bark orders to the crew. They scurried around the deck nervously, but efficiently, and soon the Black Pearl was sea worthy. She cut through the smooth waters and everyone watched Catalina harbor disappear from view, along with the little head bobbing above the water. Will and Elizabeth made their way toward Jack who was still holding Isabelle in his arms as she calmed down. Jack looked up at them with such hurt in his eyes that Will and Elizabeth stopped abruptly. There was such pain behind those dark brown eyes that Will and Elizabeth could only kneel next to him and sit with him until it passed.
Jack carried the now sleeping Isabelle into their cabin with Will and Liz trailing not far behind. He laid her sleeping body on the bed and pulled the covers over her after removing her boots and weapon belt. He sat down in a chair and cradled his head in his hands, completely covering his face. Elizabeth walked over to him and gently touched his arm. "I couldn't do anything, Lizzy," Jack said. Elizabeth's eyes welled up with tears and Will looked away, not wanting to think about having Elizabeth in that situation. "There was nothing I could do," he said, not removing his head from his hands.
"Jack it's not your fault," she said soothingly, trying to make her voice sound stronger than it was. He looked up and she was startled at the look behind his eyes. He looked like a scared child. Like the scared little boy he used to be so many years ago. Surprisingly, Jack pulled Elizabeth into a tight hug and she cradled him back and forth, her maternal instincts kicking in. Will came up and started to clean Isabelle's raw neck. Will turned to Jack. Jack looked up at him and raised his eyebrows.
"You need to set her wrist. You know how," Will said apologetically. "And you know very well you won't let anyone else do it." Jack's jaw dropped and he immediately looked standoffish. "What?"
"I can't set my own wife's wrist." Will looked at him.
"I'll be right here, Jack." Will decided that he never wanted to see Jack to vulnerable and so uncertain of himself again. It was disheartening and awful to see their captain that way. Jack looked at Will as if he was wearing a sign around his neck with an answer written on it. Will looked at the sleeping form of Isabelle and then back to Jack.
"Mate, I can't…"
"Jack, you have to," Elizabeth said. "You can, pirate. You can do it. You've set mine, you can set hers," she said and Jack still looked at her with his mouth agape. Will started to wake her and Elizabeth got some bandages and a rum from Jack's cabinet. She walked up to Isabelle who was now fully awake. "This might get painful," Elizabeth said apologetically. Isabelle nodded and took a few swigs of her favorite drink. She pulled Jack down with her good hand and kissed him.
"Thank you, love," she said and her hand dropped from his face and she lay ready. Jack smiled down on her as she sued his pet name for her and really, anyone else. He had rubbed off on her after all. Jack looked at her tiny black and blue wrist with compassion. He leaned down and kissed it.
"I'm so sorry, Isabelle," he said softly so only she could hear. He took a gentle hold on her wrist and she looked away right before he quickly and with experienced talent, yanked the bones back into place. She moaned and Elizabeth moaned and Will handed Jack the bandages. Jack quickly wrapped it in place tightly. Elizabeth placed her hands on Jack's shoulders to try and comfort him and Jack smiled sadly. She would be alright.
Jack stood at the helm of his ship, sad but happy. He could had lost her today. But he didn't. God was truly smiling down on him. He was so thankful. He captained his great ship into the course he and Isabelle had argued about hours before. Of course, he had steered them into her course, but that was beside the point. He sighed, wondering if he should go after the treasure just so he could find Stealth and kill him for what he did, or just so he could kill Felix. Either way, he would consult with Isabelle.
He let Gibbs take over three hours later when his head was clear and his homicidal rage had passed. He walked slowly and quietly into the cabin and shut the doors behind him. Isabelle was still on the bed, so Jack just removed his weapons, boots, hat, and shirt before climbing in next to her. He wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes. "Are we still on course?" she asked, causing Jack to jump ten feet in the air. Isabelle laughed and Jack grinned at her.
"Aye, love," he said then looked at Isabelle. The moonlight illuminated her soft features and gave her smile a glowing feature. "Why?" he asked suddenly. He felt her shrug against his chest.
"Because I wana kill the bastard who did this and I know very well that they are on their way to the Amazon as we speak. So is there anything you want to tell me about the man or perhaps any spare maps you may have so conveniently made just incase something unexpected like this happens, Jack Sparrow?" Isabelle asked, not pausing for a breath. Jack eyed her suspiciously.
How come ye think I know?" he asked innocently.
"Because you know everyone," she said smartly and Jack nodded knowingly.
"Aye." Isabelle waited for some kind of explanation.
"Who was it?" she said. Jack's head snapped her way and he smiled. She must've been pretty angry to demand instead of work Jack for it.
"Felix, the accomplice. Captain Lucent Stealth, the man behind the mask," Jack said and Isabelle smiled, satisfied. Jack continued. "As for the spare map. Yes, I did make another one, but ye will have te make all those special little marks yer so good at all over again," Jack said and Isabelle rolled her eyes and smiled, nodding. Isabelle waited once more. "The Prowler. Jesus, are ye happy woman!" Jack said in mock exasperation. Isabelle smiled and leaned up to kiss him, careful of her raw neck. Jack smiled. "Well, if this is the thanks I get, then anythin' else ye wanna know, love?" he asked and Isabelle laughed. "We'll set a straight course in the mornin', you as captain fer the day, Elle." Isabelle's eyes grew wide and she kissed him once more. "Mind her hand though," he said gently and she nodded. Jack felt her soft black hair rub against his chest and smiled. "Some honeymoon," he said sarcastically. Isabelle sighed.
"We don't need a honeymoon. I don't. I have you everyday," Isabelle teased and Jack laughed into her hair. He wrapped his arms around her once more and she snuggled in as close as she could get. All she wanted was to feel safe and protected in his strong arms. And there she stayed, all night. In the arms of Jack Sparrow.
Phew! Alright, I hope you lovvvve it. Lol COMMENT I LOVE THEM! Here's ya'll's quote.
The world has changed. Much of what it once was is gone, for none now live who remember it.
-Desperado
