"The Black Pearl is hidden sir. We have 'er far away from the docks where Barbossa's men be."
"As is ideal Gibbs, but quick question." Jack tosses back his soaking hair. "Was there not another dock we could port in, instead waiting on a small little spot of land that Barbossa would not undoubtedly cross?" Irritation was clear in his voice and face. The Captain pulls off his boots emptying out the water that had flooded into them.
"Oh." Gibbs face falls into one of thought as he realizes his rash choice. "Uh, yes Cap'n. There may have been."
"Then we turn back, and dock at port again."
"Yes Cap'n."
"And Mr. Gibbs."
The first mate pauses in his steps. The door was so close he could still leave, but Jack may see that as how Gibbs had already had the men move the ship before he was on.
"If you ever try to take my ship again without me on it, then we will have a case of mutiny on our hands." Jack warns as he fixes his clothes.
"Aye Cap'n."
"Good. Now have the men take the ship to the other side of the port."
"Jack I thought ye said another dock."
"Just make sure the pearl is out of sight of Barbossa and his men.
Once the men were done docking the ship Jack made well on his promise. He was on a completely different side of London now. Or so it seemed to him. The streets all appear the same to his eyes, and he recalls little memories here and there of the rare occasions Jack found his time enjoyable in this city full of prunes. Tortuga was much more fun, and a lot more exciting. Ah Janet's arms, warmer then all of the priests of London's fury.
Eventually he does find his way back to Margaret's home. The moon hangs high in the sky above and a fresh bottle of rum keeps his right hand warm. He knew it was her home because the infamous sight of Hector Barbossa's shape he saw leaving it. Shadows cover the man's face but Jack knew that hat and the peg leg, anywhere. If Margaret was suppose to be going into labor anytime now, why would dear ole' soon to be pop leave her side? Surely he would not be so careless as to leave her and the babe defenseless. Many a men would love to take advantage of having a captain's child as leverage. Jack turns his head as he thinks many a women would too.
Curiosity getting the better of him, Jack follows suit. Not without quickly stepping by Margaret's door and listening in for a moment. Silence answers his noisiness as he spots Hector turning a corner. Of course Jack follows the more interesting choice. A chance to see where his former first mate would risk sneaking off to could provide him with much leverage if he were to share it with Margaret. Ah trouble in paradise there will be. Jackie's favorite kind.
Jack follows always a few feet behind Hector as the main travels from back alley to back alley. This city already felt as a maze, now even Hector was making it so. Jack feared he had lost him once or twice, but in the end he always found the man again. Just like always, Hector was terrible at losing a tail. Even on the seas the man was easy to spot, but hard fought.
When Hector Barbossa stops at a small building, squished between two others Jack feels his skin crawl. At the very top of the building was a cross. Beneath it a sign that read, Small town's Orphanage. What was he doing here? No one but a pirate, a drunk, or a thief would be awake this late at night. Barbossa was two of those three but he would never be in a place like this for them. He would be back at the docks trying to take Jack's precious Black Pearl again.
The other captain's face was now visible from the faint light above the home. Barbossa bends down and carefully places a small bundle on the ground. A gift? Reaching into his jacket the man pulls out another object. Jack's eyes could see the unique binding from his spot of hiding. A book, and an uncommon one at that. Barbossa rests the book on top of the other bundle, opening it up as he does so. While Barbossa is distracted by his actions, Jack moves closer to the orphanage. Basically jumping from one alley's opening to another while attempting to stay in the dark.
When Barbossa is done he stands and adjusts his coat. He raps his knuckles against the wooden door, a loud hollow sounds resonates from the action. The older man must have heard the sounds of steps from within, or perhaps a voice out of Jack's range for the pirate carefully steps down from the steps and without a look back he is gone.
Jack waits to make sure Barbossa is really gone before he stumbles over to the orphanage's door. As Jack leaves the alley he trips over a barrel. The noise echoes throughout the night air and Jack is quick to hide behind it. Waiting a few moments to see if anyone else would come by. When no one did, Jack finishes making his way. He sets his rum down before picking up the book he notes that it was opened up to the inside of the cover. In it was a name written, Carina Smyth. Smyth, like Margaret. Looking down at the bundle that was underneath the book Jack realizes what must have happened.
Margaret was dead, and beneath him was her daughter. Carina Smyth. Barbossa would not have been able to leave the child here if the woman was alive, but Jack felt the need to confirm his fears. With deft hands Jack carefully lifts the delicate child. Going back the way he came, trying his best not to be lost, Jack travels. When he arrives at Margaret's house it is still pitch black and silent. Looking around, Jack opens the door. It was not locked, and Barbossa was nowhere in sight.
Making his way through the home he had just been in not more than ten hours ago, Jack uses his one hand to feel his way through. From the back room, Margaret's room comes a small light that Jack chooses to focus his eyes upon. When he is before the open doorway, Jack knocks on the wall before looking inside. On the bed was Margaret, silent, eyes closed, her chest unmoving. The only facts he could see from a single candle burning. Only her body, and all the blood on the bed.
It must have been a difficult process for dear Margaret, but at least now she could rest. Without a word Jack stumbles from the house, holding the child closer to his chest. Jack was surprised she was not crying out, and when he checks on the babe he notes that she is sleeping. Resting his hat on top of her Jack makes his way slowly back to the Black Pearl where Gibbs was waiting on him.
"Cap'n. News have spread that Barbossa has gone."
"Yes, he has." Jack confirms knowing his former first mate would not have wished to stay. "We should be going to, and Gibbs meet me in my quarters."
"Aye Cap'n." Jack opens his Cabin's door. Gibbs, close on his heels, closes it behind them.
"Lock it." Jack orders.
"Done sir."
"Good, and I'll need one more thing from you Mr. Gibbs."
"What be that, Jack?" Gibbs asks raising a brow.
Slowly Jack removes his hat from over poor Carina. Jack falls into his seat, throws his feet up onto the table, and places his hat back onto his head. Gibbs' eyes grow wide at the sight. Immediately the man begins to stutter.
"J-j-jack! What is that?"
"Carina Smyth. Daughter of Margaret Smyth and one Barbossa." Jack explains to his bewildered friend. "Margaret died. Hector left her. I took her." Jack explains simply. "And now I need you to find stuff for her to eat."
"W-what? Me Captain?"
"Yes you Mr. Gibbs. Before we set sail." Jack finishes rocking the babe. When Gibbs does not leave Jack's patience grows tried. "Now Gibbs."
"Aye, aye sir." Gibbs agrees, fleeing from the Captain's quarters.