I have tried to make it clearer where a new..piece of the chapter begins, but everything I do just disappears. Can't make a line, can't make a star. So, I have made the first letter in every new piece bold. I hope that it helps a little...Hope you like it.
"So with the Pearl back I suppose you'll be leaving soon?" Will turned around and looked at Jack. Jack was giving the sword Will had given him nearly a week ago a bit too much attention, but Will understood. The shop wasn't exactly a place with happy memories for Jack. Will put his hammer down, pulled up a chair and sat down.
"What?" Jack finally looked at Will. "Why are ye staring at me lad?"
"I asked you a question Jack. The Pearl has been here for nearly two days."
"If ye want to be rid of me jus' say so lad."
"No Jack. I'm glad you're still here. But why?" Jack didn't answer; instead he started inspecting his sword again.
"Could it be so that Jack Sparrow has found a reason to stay in port for a long period, maybe forever?"
"The Pearl had some damage when those bloody idiots brought 'er back alright? She needs a couple of days in port and then she'll be as good as new."
"And how about you then, how many days do you need? Jack?" Jack didn't answer.
"Oh come on. Just tell her."
"Tell who what?" Jack looked at Will. Will noticed how Jacks gaze went shifting and smiled, he had been right after all. Will leaned forward and looked his old friend in the eyes.
"Tell Angela you love her." Jacks reaction was immediate; he stood up and then took several steps backwards.
"What? Ye are crazy lad. I don'… Really." Will crossed his arms over his chest.
"Don' look at me like tha' lad!" Jack turned around and started muttering to himself, Will heard words like moron, dunno, eunuch and crazy. Will sighed, stood up and walked over to Jack.
"I'm sorry Jack, I guess I went to far." Jack could hear that Will didn't mean his apology, instead Will was very close to burst out laughing.
"Lad, I'm warning ye, don't!"
"I was just trying to help Jack. Wasn't you who told me about the opportune moments?" Jack sat down again; Will pulled his chair next to Jacks. "The Pearl is here, the crew is here, you are fine, but still you won't leave. Don't blame it on the Pearl, the work on her should be finished. You are waiting for something, what?" Jack looked at the floor.
"Me leg!" Jack said suddenly. "Me leg is still very bad. Can't go to sea with a bad leg eh?"
"Your leg? Sure Jack." Will stood up again, turned around and started closing up the shop. It was late and Elizabeth was waiting at home.
"Don' ye dare judge me lad. She's better off without me… Not that ye're right!"
"I know Jack. Just don't wait too long, it's not worth losing the one thing you really want just because you're afraid."
"I'm not afraid lad. And I 'ave the one thing I want. I've got me ship." Jack sighed.
"I don' like to be on this end of the conversation savvy? I used to give ye advises. When did tha' change?"
"I think it changed when I had to hold you down because you were crying and screaming in your sleep."
"Oh…Probably…Let's ne'er mention tha' again eh?"
"Don't worry about it Jack." Will cleared his throat and stood up.
"Uh…Jack, there is one thing I've been wondering. How did they capture you…you know, in here." Jack looked up at Will. A cold feeling in his chest, Jack looked at his hands were the ropes had been cutting deep into his skin. You could still see the marks. Jack had still a bandage around his right wrist where his bone had broken during the torture.
"I'm sorry."
"'s alright lad. I came here to find you. I got a message from of the redcoats that ye needed me."
"From who?"
"A redcoat, one of Norringtons bloody men. I figure they paid him to say tha' you were in trouble and needed to see me. So I came here and then I can't remember a bloody thing until I open me eyes and I'm tied up over there." He nodded over to the ceiling beam Will knew that Jacks ropes had been tied around and forced him to stand up no matter what they did.
Jack stared at his hands again, remembered the torture. He let his left hand touch the left side of his chest were they had branded him with one of Wills sword. It didn't hurt anymore; it was just a scar now.
Just another scar and another horrible memory.
The same thing went for the wound on his leg, it would be a scar soon, a scar and nothing more.
"I thought I was gonna die lad. And I longed fer it. Jus' wanted them to stop hitting me with those red hot swords and just kill me with them instead. Then she came…when I was longing fer death the most she came." Will stood still and looked at the older man. He had been cleaning a table while Jack had been thinking back at that horrible day, but now he froze. To hear Jack talk like that. First about death, so cold. And then as he mentioned Angela…his voice changed. Will recognised it, hadn't his voice changed every time he mentioned Elizabeth before? During that time when he'd just been watching her, longing for her on a distance.
"She shouldn't 'ave been forced to come…" Jacks voice was suddenly harsh.
"She wasn't forced Jack…she came because…" Wait a minute, why had she come?
"She felt it…She felt tha' something was wrong."
"Is that what she told you?"
"No, she hasn't said anything, but I know. She felt it and came… And got hurt fer trying to save me, again…" Jack's head fell into his hands. Will walked over to him.
"But you saved her Jack…you shot Squalor. He was going to kill her. You have no reason to feel any guilt. But one of Norringtons men you said? Then we have to tell him! That man must be punished! Why would he do that?"
Jack looked up at the young boy, no, the young man. There was honesty in his voice. He wasn't stupid, and he had been through a lot. He had every right to hate Jack, but instead he was Jacks best friend. Suddenly Jack felt very proud.
"Ye've finally become a man then Will. A good man. Bootstrap would 'ave been proud." Will smiled and then looked away, Jack didn't say anything, he understood. Jack stood up, gave Will a hard pat on his shoulder. Will turned around and suddenly Jack stood face to face with a sharp blade.
"What do you say Jack? One more, for old times sake?" Jack smiled.
"I'll teach ye something lad, ye should be careful when ye cross blades with a pirate." Jack pulled up his sword too, the two men stood there for a few seconds with blades crossed before Jack made the first move. Will parried.
"And Jack, no cheating."
"Pirate." Jack simply replied with a mischief grin on his face before attacking Will again.
Jack stood outside the Governors mansion. It had been three days since he had talked to Angela. She had come running to house and into his room. Then she had told him that she had seen the Pearl, it had returned. Jack had left the mansion that night; he wanted to sleep in his own cabin on his ship. He had been escorted to the ship by none other than Commodore Norrington. Jack knew how the Commodore felt about him, but after all that they had been through, did he really need to seem so happy to get rid of him? He had nearly been running to the Black Pearl, looking very eager.
Jack sighed, not like it mattered if the Commodore hated him, they were never going to be able to be friends anyway.
Gibbs and the others had already started working. Jack felt that familiar feeling in his stomach when he saw her like that. His beloved Pearl with damages in her hull and sails. She wasn't so damaged but to Jack…even the slightest tear in one of the sails made him angry.
Jack suddenly remembered something even more strangely, earlier in the harbour with James. Anamaria had been carrying a few planks, lost her balance and dropped several of them, James had immediately been there, he picked them up and carried them for her. Jack knew that he was a gentleman, but still? Anamaria had just shrugged her shoulders and then followed Norrington, carrying the two planks she had left in her hands. Jack stood still and watched them. Anamaria showed Norrington where to drop the planks, he did and then he came back. Jack saw that he was a bit dirty on his chin, but decided not to tell him about that, he looked funny Jack thought.
"Not even a thank you." Norrington sighed.
"Pirate." Jack replied and shrugged his shoulders. He turned around and noticed how Anamaria was watching them. She smiled and turned away.
I had no idea she fancied me tha' much, Jack thought and felt very pleased. He looked at Norrington who were looking at Anamaria too. He suddenly noticed that Jack was looking and looked in another direction.
"Well, as much as I appreciate yer company Commodore I 'ave a ship to take care of." Norrington had looked at Anamaria one last time before disappearing.
Jack shrugged his shoulders and turned his attention back to the door. He had been standing there for a while now. What was the big problem? All he had to do was knock on the door and ask for Angela. No problems at all… He would just talk to her and tell her… Tell her what exactly? Jack had no idea. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. It took a few seconds but then the door was opened, but instead of the servant Jack had expected stood Commodore James Norrington in the doorway, looking almost more pompous than ever. Jack made an attempt to step inside but Norrington blocked his way.
"I am here to see Angela."
"Yes I know. I'm sorry Sparrow but I can't let you inside, Governors orders." Jack sighed and made another attempt to get inside.
"I just wanna talk to her alright?"
"No Sparrow." Then James seemed to come to think about something. He stepped aside. "With me." Jack followed him inside, but kept his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Miss Angela is busy at the moment, see for yourself." Norrington showed Jack into a small room. There, in a room next to it were Angela, the Governor and that Jones-boy sitting. Angela was sitting next to the boy, very close to him, too close. She was so beautiful in a silver grey dress and her hair tied back. Jack was just about to call her name when Norrington grabbed his arm and led him away from the doorway.
"You see, she is happy. She is adapting, building a future. But you are holding her back. Step aside Jack and give her a chance. Can't you see that she is better of without you?" Jack clutched his hands together; James seemed to notice that, he backed away a little and then said in a much kinder tone.
"I know Jack, I did it too, remember? I stepped away from Elizabeth so that she could be happy. Do that too Jack. Let Angela have the life that she deserves. Leave her alone from now on. You can't make her happy. Let go." Jack didn't answer; instead he turned around and stormed out from the house.
"Hello baby. I'm so sorry, I know, it's been several days." Angela caressed Sparrows big black muzzle. "They won't let me come and see you anymore, apparently it isn't proper. And I have to obey; I've put myself into an awful mess Sparrow. So I can't see you, I can't dress comfortable or see…"
"Hello darling."
"Jack!" Angela turned around when she heard his voice. It was overwhelming to see him; he stood on the shadow but stepped forward into the light. He was wearing his hat and coat and his sword on his belt, looking more like a pirate than he had done in several weeks. Angela took a few steps backwards; she stopped when she felt the wall against her back. Jack stepped forward.
"What are you doing? You can't be here." Jack walked even closer.
"No one 'as forbidden me to be in the stable."
"Oh, you really think that anyone would believe that you came for the horses…What are you doing?" Jack stood right in front of her with his hands against the wall, one on each side of her head.
"Jus' wanna talk love." Angela tried to sound strong and secure.
"We have nothing to say to each other."
"Oh really?" Jack leaned forward, Angela looked into his eyes as if she was hypnotized. She knew what he was going to do and a part of her wanted it so badly, but she turned her head away. Jack whispered in her ear:
"Ye've been feeling it too, I know ye 'ave. Come see me tonight, in the harbour." Angela looked at him again; they were standing so close they possible could without their lips touching. Of course she had felt it. The energy between them. A fire burning in her heart every time they were close. Angela took a shivering breath and then she spoke.
"No Jack…we can't do this. There are other people involved, other feelings…" Jack hesitated, but then his hands fell down and he placed them on her waist. He looked at her and murmured:"I think I'm falling in…"
"Don't!" Angela pushed him away.
"You can't do this to me! You have to stop!" Angela felt that she was close to crying, the words she had longed to hear, in possibly the worst time ever.
"So what Jack, you were going to tell me that since you will be leaving soon you'd want to have a nice memory of me? A night together before you disappear forever? Forget it, you aint getting anything from me." Angela tried to leave the stable but Jack grabbed her.
"Let me go!"
"No, ye'll listen to me."
"Why? Why should I?"
"Angela, I…"
"No, stop it." Jack let her go and Angela backed away.
"I don't wanna hear it Jack. I can't…" Angela pressed her hand against her forehead, fighting to keep her tears away.
"I can't do this Jack, it's too late. Like I said, there are other people involved."
"Tha' lad?"
"He has a name, it's Stephen, and yes. Stephen is involved."
"Ye love him?" The question startled Angela, she just looked at Jack.
"I asked if ye love him."
"I can't see why that concerns you." Angelas hands were shivering but Jack didn't seem to noticed that, he were focused on her eyes and nothing more.
"It does concern me."
"Well it shouldn't." Angela walked pass him, Jack took a deep breath and then shouted.
"He's gonna ask ye to marry him!" Angela froze.
"And then what? Ye'll get married, move into a little house, 'ave a bunch of kids. And ye'll ne'er be able to be yerself again. Ye will trapped, living yer life in a prison, longing fer freedom. Ye can't live like that love. Ye don' belong in a cage."
"You don't know anything…" Jack started to walk close to her again.
"Yes I do love. 'Cause ye and I are the same. Ye're jus' like me."
Angela backed away.
"I am nothing like you Jack! I am not a criminal!"
"Sticks and stones love. I know, ye need freedom, like bird tha' can't be caged."
"Don't Jack. I…I don't need to discuss this with you." Angelas voice shivered.
"Angela…"
"No Jack, just stop it!" Angela started walking, but stopped by the door. "I think you should leave Jack. Now."
"Fine, I'll leave. But we're not finished. Come to the Pearl…."
"No…I think you should leave Port Royal, immediately." Angela looked down at the floor. Jack said nothing, he just looked at her.
"Why even stay Jack? There is nothing for you here! Will is married Jack. Despite your little adventures Will is not his father. He is not Bootstrap, and he never will be. And I am moving on, why can't you? Why stay in a place where you're not wanted?" Angela opened the stable door. "There is nothing for you gain here. And besides, it's Governor Swanns birthday, he is having a banquet so I couldn't come and see you even if I wanted to! " Angela started walking, as fast as she could without running, with tears burning in her eyes.
"Ye don't love him! I know tha'!" Angela stopped and turned around.
"You know? You, who never loved anyone except for yourself!"
"Ye are wrong; I have had very strong feelings…fer a long time…"
"You love a ship Jack! Don't you dare compare that with me! What do you even know about love?" She turned around and started running. Jack took a few step forward, then he saw it. It was lying on the ground, the necklace he had given her, Jack picked it up and looked after Angela. She was too far away to here the words Jack whispered after her.
"A lot more than ye know…"
Angela was lying on her bed crying. She had made a mistake, she knew that, but it was too late now. She had made her choice; Jack had to be out of her life forever, no matter how much it hurt. Even if Jack really was in love with her would it never work, he is pirate!
She didn't want to end up like Wills mother. Waiting endlessly for her husband to come home, never knowing where he is, who he's with, if he is alive…
Mrs Sparrow…Angela giggled when she thought of that, like there ever would be a Mrs Sparrow. As if Jack ever would settle down and get married.
No…he would never be hers, she had to let go of that dream.
She sat up and wiped away her tears, any minute now one of the maids would knock on her door and then help her get dressed for the evening. Angela sighed, she hated this, but it was the Governors birthday, she had to dress up in the dress he had given her, she had to be downstairs with all the boring people and smile, for Weatherby's sake. Angela stood up but as soon as she had done that she felt a cold blade in her chest. Angela gasped and fell forward, unable to breathe. She heard an evil laughter inside her head and voices calling.
Begging her to come…
Angelas fingers were digging deep into her palm, she bit her teeth together so she wouldn't scream as the pain in her chest got worse.
She would not surrender, not to the pain, not to the voices calling her. Everything was dark and cold around her. Suddenly, as always, it stopped.
Angela had rolled into a ball on the floor; she opened her eyes and started to relax her body. Her palms were bleeding since her nails had been digging into them. Angela took a few slow shivering breaths and then stood up on two very trembling legs. She sat down on the bed while feeling how the sudden cold started to disappear and suddenly she remembered Barbossas words about a month earlier.
They didn't really have a choice, ye can't say no when the curse calls.
"I will not surrender, I will never return to Isla the Muerta." But Angela wondered how much longer she would be able to stand these attacks…
"There miss, you look lovely." Angela looked into the mirror, Estrella; one of the maids had just finished with her hair. It was tied back with a beautiful flower shaped hairclip. Angela touched on of the thick ringlets that fell down on her shoulder. Then she looked down at her right wrist. A thick golden bracelet. Stephen had given it to her a few hours earlier. He said it reminded him of her. Angela sighed, if he truly knew her he would know that that bracelet was not her, it was too gaudy. Suddenly Estrella screamed, Angela looked at the reflection in her mirror and saw someone standing by an open window. Angela quickly stood up and turned around.
"What are you doing here?"
This will only take a minute love, ye can make a fuss about it but tha' will only be a waste of time since I aint leaving until ye hear what I 'ave to say. Or, ye can listen to me and then I'll be off. What say ye to that?"
Angela looked from Jack to Estrella and then back at Jack again.
"Fine. Estrella, leave us. It's ok. Here," Angela picked up a pearl necklace Governor Swann had given her a few days earlier, "take this, it's a gift. But listen, if you tell anyone that Jack is here I'll tell the Governor you stole it. Is that clear?" The maid nodded frightened.
"Good. Now leave us. And remember, not a word." Estrella curtsied and then left the room in a hurry. Angela followed her and then locked the door, then she turned around and looked at Jack, who was still standing by the window.
"Ye look beautiful Angela." Angela couldn't help but smile; there was an honesty in his voice that made Angela warm inside, his words sounded so true.
"Really? I feel like a cake." She walked over to the big mirror next to her wardrobe. The dress she was wearing was in light pink with small silver flowers stitched on the bodice, the dress had long sleeves with laces at the end, which irritated Angela extremely. She had changed the white ribbon around her brand to a light pink silk ribbon, to match her dress. The skirt was wide and ungainly; Angela had no idea how she was even going to be able to walk down the stairs. Angela sighed when she saw her reflection in the mirror.
"And I look like one too."
"Nah, jus' beautiful." Jack took a few steps forward; Angela turned around and crossed her hands over her chest.
"What are you doing here Jack? Have you forgotten about earlier?" Angela felt ashamed of some of the things she had said earlier. Jack walked up to her, Angela could feel the scent of dirt, sweat and alcohol from his clothes.
"I haven't forgotten. I actually came here to tell ye that ye're right love."
"What?" Angela could hear the seriousness in his voice and suddenly it felt like a cold hand had clasped her heart.
"Ye're right, there's nothing fer me hear, no reason to stay." He looked away, then he sighed and said with a low voice.
"Some fancy party eh?"
"Yes…"
"'a tha lad invited?"
"Of course." Jack looked at her, Angela nearly blushed, it felt as if could se through her clothes and skin, all the way into her soul. Suddenly his eyes started to wander down, the corset had given her on hell of a cleavage. Angela noticed and started to flare up.
"They're called breasts Jack. And I am sure that you are not too unfamiliar with such. Every woman has a pare."
"Not necessarily," Jack replied with a grin. But then his face got serious again and he continued: "I've heard people talk today." He looked Angela straight into the eyes again, Angela shivered.
"He's gonna ask ye to marry him."
"I know." Angela whispered.
"And what will your answer be?"
"I don't know…" Jack placed his hand on her arm, but Angela backed away.
"You were saying? You said something about me being right." She clutched her fists together; she already knew what was coming.
"I said that ye were right, there is no reason fer me to stay here. I was waiting fer something…but me crew is eager to leave and why wait fer something ye can't 'ave anyways? So I'm leaving. The Black Pearl set sail tonight."
"So this is it then?" Angelas voice was shivering and she could feel tears burning in her eyes.
"This is goodbye?" Angela looked down, but Jack gently placed his hand beneath her chin and forced her to face him.
"Doesn't 'ave to be."
"Jack…"
"Come with me. We'll disappear tonight."
"Jack…" But Jack interrupted her again.
"Anywhere ye want to go, we'll go! Anything ye want I'll give ye. I'll show you the world love."
"Jack, no…I can't." Angela wasn't able to hold her tears back any longer.
"This…us, can never be. You belong on the Pearl, and my place is here. I've learned that now. This is where I belong." Jack just shrugged his shoulders and looked down at the floor.
"I'm sorry…"
"Don't worry about it love." He sighed and then picked up something from his pocket.
"Ye dropped something earlier." He held out his hand holding the silver necklace.
"Oh Jack…" Jack walked up behind Angela, she didn't stop him, he put the necklace on her, she let him.
"Keep it, so ye remember me." Angela started laughing while wiping away her tears.
"I couldn't forget you even if I tried Jack." Jack grinned a bit embarrassed. Angela just remembered something.
"I actually have something for you too…I've had it for a while now but there's never been a good time to give it to you. She walked over to the small table next to her bed, opened the small drawer and picked something up.
"All those trinkets you have in your hair…I've figured they're memories of things and/or places. So…I made this a long while ago, so you could remember me. I just haven't had a good time to give it to you." She held out her hand and Jack could se that she had a small trinket made out of pearls in it.
"May I?" Jack nodded. Now Angela walked up behind Jack and carefully braded it in to his hair. The other trinkets were on its place, Angela figured that Anamaria had given Jack a hand.
"There."
"Thanks love." Jack gently stroked her cheek; Angela raised her hand and placed it above Jacks while closing her eyes.
Tell him! Tell him how you feel! Tell him…
"Uh…Jack?"
A knock on the door interrupted them; Angela stepped quickly away from Jack. Had Estrella told someone?
"Angela, are you ready dear?" Stephen! Jack looked at the door, Angela whispered panicked: "Oh no. He can't find you here."
"Angela, are you alright?"
"Yes, just give me a minute." Angela pressed her hands against her forehead while whispering: damn, damn, damn, damn. Jack said nothing, he just stared at Angela. Then Angela grabbed Jacks hand and dragged him with her to the window.
"Climb down the window, don't let anyone see you."
"Angela…" Jack pulled her closer. Angela looked at the door and then at Jack again.
"I really am sorry Jack." Stephen knocked on the door again.
"Angela, what are you doing in there?" Angela moaned, and then looked at Jack.
"Go, now!" Angela hurried over to the door, she looked back at Jack one last time before she wiped the tears off her face and then opened the door, just enough for her to leave the room without giving Stephen a chance to see Jack. As soon as she was out she quickly shut the door. Jack stood next to the open window and looked at the closed door. But the door didn't stop Jack from hearing Stephens voice from the other side.
"Angela darling, you look perfect!"
Jack quickly started to climb down the window; he had to get away before he lost control and killed that Stephen Jones…
First of all, this uploading documents thing doesn't work really, so I'm terrible sorry if it is hard to read my chapters.
Secondly, I am reaching the end of this fic, two chapters left now I think. But if you like it I hope you are glad to hear that there is another sequel coming up.
And thirdly - I want reviews (A)