AWAKENINGS
DISCLAIMERS: Mr. Mouse and his whole crew own all the characters in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
This is my take on the resurrection of Jack Sparrow in the third Pirates of the Caribbean film. Also, I am a Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swann shipper fan; ye be warned.
This chapter is a bit more serious. I, also, wanted to complicate Elizabeth's life, if only a wee bit.
Chapter 3 : Talking It All In
Elizabeth impatiently waited on the top deck of the Black Pearl, bracing her forearms against the railing of the ship, staring out into the calm blue waters. Occasionally, a dolphin could be seen leaping high into the air, twirling and spinning, before making a big splash back into the water.
So carefree and spirited.
She was close enough to Jack's cabin, to hear the sounds of movement and indistinguishable murmuring, as Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Cotton made Jack more comfortable, while he continued to sleep.
Sleeping, not dead.
After everyone recovered from the revelation that Captain Sparrow was truly alive, Mr. Gibbs called for Mr. Cotton, and then began to usher everyone out. Elizabeth, being a stubborn soul, at first refused to go. She tried to argue with Mr. Gibbs; but he was determined.
"There be some things that good lass, such as yeself, shouldn't be a viewing. " He grumbled, "Seeing the Captain as naked as the day he was born be one o' them."
Elizabeth made a rude nasal sound, but Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Cotton each took one of her arms and physically escorted her to the door.
Mr. Cotton, being a silent fellow, said nothing, however, as she heard the door close and the and the lock firmly click into place, she heard Mr. Cotton's parrot repeat several times, "Avert ye eyes, avert ye eyes…"
I wonder what roasted parrot tastes like.
Prior to her unwilling exit of Jack's cabin, Will had slipped out without saying a word to her.
He was currently climbing the rigging and sails.
I think he needs time to think, but so do I. What shall the future hold?
Sighing, Elizabeth shook her head and continued to wait until Jack was safe for her to view. To preserve her modesty, in all her maidenly innocence.
Muttering under her breath, "I'm the only female on a ship full of men. All pirates, except Will. My modesty was compromised long ago."
Even Will has gone about without a shirt. Although I have never seen a man fully unclothed. I've heard married ladies speak, and I've lived on an island where the men far out number the women, I know some things, enough to rouse my curiosity.
She tried to picture an unclothed Will, but she couldn't. Every time she pictured him, another face would supplant it. Instead, her thoughts drifted to a dark haired, dark eyed Captain, with gold flashing in his smile.
"Why, Ms. Swann", Barbossa said as he approached her, leaning his hip against the railing, arms folded, "what wicked thoughts be in yer head, to bring such a smile to yer lips?"
Elizabeth refused to look at him, instead she focused her eyes on the horizon and quipped, "I have no idea what you mean."
This brought a smile to his face, and he released a bark of laughter. "Oh Ms. Swann, tis a shame I made ye walk the plank." He leaned in closer to her, "I should have kept ye. Ye do bring warmth to this pirate's black heart. We could 'ave had so much sporting fun."
Elizabeth pulled away, standing up straight, with a look of distaste on her face.
"Never, Captain Barbossa. Never, never, never!"
He laughed some more, not moving from his casual position. "Oh, but the young Missy would think differently if it be Jackie boy before ye."
"You and Jack are two different people." She responded. "He is a good man. You are black hearted through and through."
"Aye, ye be right about it." He nodded in agreement. "But let us not forget yer sin, right Missy."
"I don't know what you mean." Elizabeth said, as she turned to leave. But Barbossa grabbed her arm, although he did not pull her back or hurt her.
"Aye, I know it. Let us say, a little voodoo priestess told me."
Only Tia Dalma new the truth. I needed to tell someone what I had done, although I believe that she already knew.
Elizabeth pulled her arm free and turned to look him in the eyes. "What did she say?"
"Ah, now the Missy be curious as a cat. " He scratched his chin, looking her up and down.
"Only that the one that sent Jack to his death would need be the one to awaken him. O'course I be thinking that be Captain Jones, but, well, it seems it be ye. "
She clenched her hands into tight fists, but he continued, "Shame the devil and tell tha truth."
"Alright, it was I." She began. "I did the only thing I could, given the situation we were all in. I tricked him and chained him to the mast."
I will not cry. I will not cry in front of this man.
Barbossa laughed, "Aye, ye be a true pirate, with a heart as black as mine."
"No, no it is not." She turned to look out at the sea again. "I have regretted that decision from the moment I did it. I have wished every second since then, that I had done everything differently."
She felt her throat tighten. "I have wished that I had stayed with him, to the very end. I just wasn't brave enough."
"I be thinken' that ye be braver than ye know. Damn, but I wished I kept ye."
What a distasteful thought that is.
"Brave, how so?" Elizabeth questioned, curious.
"Well, most young lassie, such as yerself, would have fainted dead away." Barbossa explained. "Brave, to do what needed to be done, despite how despicable it is. Tis the sign of a true pirate's heart."
He placed an arm over her shoulder. "However, just a bit o' warning, our fair voodoo lady said that until the truth o' Jack's demise be fully revealed, the old powers will not take fully."
"What?" she pulled free.
"Oh, didn't Tia Dalma tell ye; until ye tell all the truth, that it was no an act of bravery on Jack's part, but an act o' betrayal on your part, Jack's time be limited."
Elizabeth froze, as Barbossa said over his shoulder, walking away. "Ta think, I'll no be the most hated on this ship, once ye tell yer story."
Elizabeth stood there, not moving, barely breathing.
They'll all hate me; even Will. Mr. Gibbs and Cotton; Ragetti and Pintel. All but Barbossa. He will enjoy seeing me brought low.
Before her thoughts could continue, the door to Jack's cabin unlocked and opened. Out came Mr. Gibbs, followed by Mr. Cotton and Mr. Cotton's parrot.
"Well, the Captain is all right and proper for ye, Miss Swann." Mr. Gibb's addressed her, giving her a courtly bow and motioning her towards the cabin.
I can't bear to think of the hate I will see in his eyes, once I reveal the truth. But I must do so, for Jack's sake. But not this moment. But soon, very soon.
"Thank you," she curtsied, "Mr. Gibbs, and you also Mr. Cotton. "
"Take yer time." He replied. "We, meaning all of us, will be busy making the Pearl ready and fit to sail. She'll be pretty as can be, when we're finished."
Giving them a smile, she turned towards the cabin and walked through the door, shutting it behind her. She quickly approached the bed.
Beneath the blankets, Jack slumbered, his shoulders and chest bare. She could see the scars from a long ago fire on his arm, the scars left by being shot near his shoulders, and the ever present "P" burned into his wrist by the East India Company, or more rightly so, by Lord Beckett.
That man is still after us, as well as The Flying Dutchman and her Captain.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, so as not to disturb Jack, she reached out and traced the scars that were exposed. Gently running her fingers up and down the skin. Feeling the slick, raised flesh caused by the injuries.
"Here ye be, Lizzie love, molestin' me body again."
Catching her breath she quickly looked up and saw those dark eyes, so full of life, looking at her.
"You and me, girl, 'ave a score ta settle." Jack took her hand in one of his. "I fully intend to make ye pay for leaving me to such a terribly, malodorous, and very slimy fate."
He cupped the back of her head in his right hand pulling her down, until they were nose to nose.
"I heard ye, if ye didn't know. " He said. "Every single word, curse and cry. Pra'hps a prayer or two." He paused a second, for effect. "Most importantly, I heard an admission, a very heartfelt, truth revealed."
"Did you now Captain Sparrow?" She replied, staring straight into his eyes.
"Aye that I did. But I'll only warn ye once love, never threaten me hat or Pearl again, or a good spankin' ye be getten."
Before she realized it, not knowing which of them initiated it, their lips touched, first briefly, hesitantly, unsure and then it deepened, becoming passionate and wild.
Jack pulled Elizabeth into a powerful embrace, rolling her beneath him, only the blankets and her clothes separating them.
After a few minutes, they pulled apart, staring at each other.
I've never felt this with Will. His kisses were always chaste and gentle.
"Well, Lizzie love, it appears we have an accord, an accord that can only be between a male and female that are interested in exploring the possibility of much more interesting things that can only be discovered between a male and a female, during said accord."
This could be the closest that he can come to saying I love you. Is it enough?
"Jack, I accept such an accord."
She lifted herself up, just enough to offer her hand to Jack, who accepted it and shook it firmly.
"Agreed." He said, flashing his trade mark smile..
"Agreed." Elizabeth responded, smiling too.
He might not be able to say it, but it shines in his eyes. It can be enough.
"I wonder if anyone had thought to ask my opinion on such an accord, since Ms. Swann and I also, I thought, had an accord."
The occupants on the bed both turned their heads towards the voice. Both saw Will Turner standing by the door. His arms crossed and no emotion showing on his face.
"Will." Elizabeth said, pushing herself off the bed, but not moving from it, holding Jack's hand in hers.
Jack, laying back on the bed, looked over at Will, and in his typical, nonchalant voice said, "Rum anyone?"
To Be Continued…