Disclaimer: Only Helen is mine.
AN: After seeing AWE's I have the POTC bug and had to write some thing. I hope you like this.
Set ten years before Curse of the Black Pearl
The Warmth of a Woman's Flesh
Chapter 1: Curiosity
Helen stood on the beach as she watched the beautiful Caribbean sun set illuminate the whole sky. It was nights like these when she knew she was blessed to live in such a place.
When she had first moved to the Caribbean from London, she had hated it. But over time she had indeed learned to love it. More so now that she had learnt of another kind of love.
The love a woman had for a man and vice versa.
Turning to see her love come towards her she had a smile on her face.
"You Hector, are late." She said to him.
A smirk appeared on his face. She was the only one who addressed him by his first name now days. And that made her stand out to him. She was in so many ways to him unique.
The mere feelings she had for him were unique too.
"I am so sorry. I was getting some rum." He said his husky voice laced with charm and wit.
"Well that's ok then." She said as he showed her the bottles he had got, one for each of them.
Sitting down on the white sandy she looked out over the sea. She thought it looked incredible.
It was she thought that her biggest feared looked so appealing at times.
Hector sat by her side and looked at her. Most women were odd, he would admit that but his Helen was beyond odd. He would never understand her fear of the sea. For him sailing was as natural as breathing or eating. But for Helen it was a terrifying thought.
He remembered how when she had revealed that she was scared of the sea to him, he had laughed at her. He wished he had not. She didn't seem to open to him as freely as she had once before now. Not any more…
Wrapping his arm round her, he eased her head on to his shoulder, wanting to hold her close. To him that really was the life: rum in one hand and his girl in the other.
She sighed deeply was they relaxed.
"Don't go tomorrow, stay in Tortuga just for a little longer. Stay with me." She said to him passionately. He shook his head.
"The captain says we have to be off and I am his first mate. I have to go Helen." He said to her seriously.
He looked down on her face and looked at her.
By most she was not considered beautiful but to him she was perfect.
She was a short women, just over five foot, and was slim. Her cheeks had roses in, and her chocolate brown eyes were really rather dull. They did not sparkle, except when she saw him. Her hair was brown and shoulder length.
The dresses she wore were stained from her work as a bar maid, and she relied on Hector to bring her news clothes when he could afford the, bringing them as gifts when he returned from sea to her. It worried her some times how much she did rely on him.
They had been together on and off for the past two years.
She was a spirited young woman, still only twenty two and did not give in him easily.
Maybe that was why he returned to her. Because she was a bit alike a challenge to him. But he never tired of her and her teasing ways, as well as her unpredictable mood swings.
At times you could be mistaken for thinking that Hector and Helen hated each other, but once they were past the argument, the making up came. And then there was at those moment no denying there love for each other.
"And what of me?" she said.
"You know Helen. You are to wait for me if you will lady. Unless you can come aboard. If you would come with me…"
"You know I will never do that," she said to him.
"Not even if it meant we could be together? Not just once in a blue moon but for always?" he asked her.
"No." she said to him quietly, feeling angry with herself. She felt like she was letting him down. She didn't want to do that.
"Why are you so scared? What about the sea frightens you?" Maybe if he could cure her of her fears…
"The fact you can never predict what it is going to do next. The fact you can't tame it. The fact it has no master. The sea bows to no one." she said to him. He let out brief laugh. "That's funny," he commented.
Feeling rather offended for a single moment she sat up and looked at him. "Where prey tell is the humour in that, my love?"
"They are the three qualities I would list if someone asked me why I feel for you." He told her with the greatest sincerity.
"Well. I guess I can forgive you then." She said to him laying herself back down in to his arms relaxing once again.
Gently she kissed his cheek, working her way round coyly to his mouth.
"Then the least you can do is stay with me tonight." She said to him. There had been a time when she had been young when she had decided she only wanted to consummate her relationship when they were wed but with the sort of society she live dink, and with little hopes of Hector asking her to be Mrs Barbossa she had soon given in to his charms and let him have his way with her.
"Very well." He said to him smiling.
"Good." She said before putting her head back on to his chest and shutting her eyes. Even if she did have to wait at the times months in between visits from him they were always worth it.
"Helen, can I ask you some thing?" he said.
"You just did."
"Why? There must be some thing else. I mean yer had to sail over here to get to Tortuga in the first place?" said Hector. "You have sailed before. So what's changed?" he asked.
"I don't know. I don't think I have the courage I did when I sailed here all those years ago. You know I didn't enjoy it. I was as sick as a dog most of the time I was at sea. No. I love land. It is safe and reliable." She said.
"Like me?" he questioned.
"Hardly." She said to him as she started laughing.
"So how would yer describe me?"
"Easily. I can do it in one word; pirate." She said as she tried to put an end to the conversation by kissing him again.
"And you have feelings for this pirate?" he asked.
"Aye, Captain."
"I am no captain." He sighed.
"You're mine."
His eyes at that moment betrayed her. Being there with him at the sun set, she couldn't help but let him know completely how she felt. Pride for a single moment no longer mattered to her.
"I love you." She said to him gently.
"And I you my sweet." Said Hector.
Putting the half drunk bottle of rum to the side, he wrapped both her arms round her, and kissed her with the deep passion he felt for her. Thoughts of the next day went out of her head and she let her herself get lost with in his heart which she knew only she could get in to. Tomorrow would wait, Jack would wait. The world would just have to wait.
-
Helen woke the next day with an instant feeling of dread in her stomach. Hector had got up already; she could hear him in the living room. He was going to sea today.
Dressing quickly, she put her hair up in a scruffy bun before going out to see him.
He had a nervous smile on his lips as she came towards him.
Before in the past when he had gone to leave her she had reacted in many different ways to convince him to stay with her. It had been worse when she had simply broke down and begun to cry for him. That morning though she has accepted the fact he was going quietly and she sighed as she kissed him good morning.
"Do you have time for breakfast before you go?" she asked.
"Is that an offer?" he questioned.
"Would I have said it if it wasn't?" she asked playfully going over to the stove to put some hot water on to boil.
"Eggs and sausage ok?" she asked and he nodded. That would be nice, he thought to himself.
She was disappointed how quickly it cooked. It seemed a shorter time than usual, and the quicker breakfast was over, the quicker he left.
Slowly they ate together, Helen more prodding at her food, more nervous about their up coming good bye than she was hungry.
It wasn't long till the two of them were going down to the port hand in hand, and then they were at the Black Pearl.
Helen felt her heart sink. She didn't want him to leave her. She always had such fun when they were together. He made her smile. He made her laugh. He made her want to be better. For him.
Turning to face each other for the last time of the visit they got lost in each others eyes. Helen wished she could turn back time to the night before. It had been so perfect. The perfect way to say good bye.
"Don't be long," she whispered so only he could hear. "And come home to me soon."
"I will darling. I will."
Then he was gone.
She didn't know why she stood there watching the Black Pearl till it was out of the dock, till she could not see it at all. It only added to her hurt.
But it felt like she couldn't go till he had completely gone. If she could still see the ship then there was a chance he might come back. But when it was gone she knew he wouldn't.
How often did she go through the process. Her life seemed to be one big circle. But she loved him so much she couldn't break away.
And so she went home she got in to her work clothes, and went up to the bar to do her shift, where she spent the night in a trance thinking of all the good times with Hector and the bad as well.
-
Hector put the rum bottle to his lips and downed it.
He was sitting on the upper deck of the Pearl also thinking of the night before when he had been inn Helens arms. He was thinking if there good and bad times and he just like her was wondering how long they were going to go on like this. They were in a far from perfect romance.
After all she was a young women and she had her needs. They did not include waiting half her life for him to be ready to love her.
But she was not his true love. His true love was the sea. He was a pirate. The sea was quite simply where he belonged, and he would never leave it for a women.
Not even his Helen. So he promised himself that night that he was going to enjoy every moment he got with Helen. He would kiss her when she asked him to kiss her. He would savour every touch of her cool flesh, and he would embed every good memory they made in to his heart. But never would he give himself to her. There was some things that were just not possible. He being happy on land forever in her arms he didn't think was possible.
Maybe it was but he wasn't sure he was willing to find out. Some times though when he was lonely thought. There were so many what if's when it came to them...
If only she wasn't scared of the water then there would be no trouble for them. He liked the idea of the two of them being together at sea. One day he could get his own ship and it'd be run by Captain Barbossa and his wife and first mate, Helen Barbossa.
As he saw Jack coming over to him he shook the thoughts of her out of his head or tried to. Some times he felt as if she plagued him, whether he was with him or not.
"I trust you were with yer bonny lass last night?!" his captain said to him.
"I was." He said to him.
"And you have still not convinced her to come abroad our ship here mate?" he asked.
"No."
"Then maybe you need to find yourself a new girl then mate… think about it. Me and Ana Maria…. because she is not so 'scared' as your lass put it we can be together all the time… every night… savvy?"
"I understand yer sir, but no." he said to him.
One day they were going to be over, him and his Helen. But as long as he could keep her he would. He remembered before he had met her. Whores they were ten a penny.
But they didn't give him the same feeling that Helen did. Didn't make him feel as good.
And Helen. Well she was some one he could care for in return. And some one who truly loved him. It was a stupid thing to crave, he thought to himself…Love.
But there was a lot to be said for the love of a good woman, for the touch of her warm flesh.
And well if he was honest it was some one for him to love. He did. Truly he loved her.
"Well maybe yer come to yer senses." Said Jack to him Ana came on to the deck. She had dark seductive eyes that were always so bright.
He hoped so, thought Hector to himself.
"Jack!" she said to him. "I need a bit of help with some thing, below deck. Could you come and help me."
"And what would you need me for, do tell deariee." He said to her as he got up and walked over to her.
"I do not think that poor Barbossa should have to listen to It." she said to him smirking. "Come down stairs." she said to him putting her arms up and wrapping them about his neck, and his went round her waist. There faces were inches away from touching.
"Barbossa, mind the ship."
"Aye captain."
Taking another swig of rum he sat back as night drew close about the Pearl and then he decided just to sit there and wait for morning to come.
-
Helen was getting nervous. Over four weeks had passed since she had last had a course. She and Hector had been together a week after her last one.
Could she be with child?
Part of her hoped so. Part of her wanted to be having his child so desperately. After being with him for two years. Two years of such love between them. Could this be just what they needed?
Maybe if he had a baby then he would stay to be with them both. That was the fantasy for her.
However there was the other side of her that was so against her having this child, if she was indeed having one.
When he was there she did not wish to share her lover. When h was there he wanted him to be focused on her.
If they had a child then they were going to… well it was going to change them for ever. She had never wanted a thing between them to change.
But then again nothing in the world was for ever. Not even love…
If she had his baby then maybe the loneliness would stay away. She would have some one to tend for. And she would always have a part of him with her.
Maybe then her stupid little house would become a real home. Some where Hector might consider living, maybe?
She didn't know why she tried to convince her self he was going to stay with her one day. He was a pirate. He always had been. She knew she wasn't going to change that. She wasn't so naive.
How many other stupid little sluts were there out on the seas waiting for him to return to them she wondered. He was a pirate; she couldn't be the only one she thought to herself angrily (even though in her heart or hearts she knew she was).
She wished he would betray her some days. It'd make leaving him easier, or it would if that was what she wanted to do.
The fact was she didn't know what she wanted, or who. The only thing she did know was she wanted to be loved. By Hector Barbossa if possible. She wanted them to be for keeps.
And if she had a child then she would be.
Five weeks passed. She didn't bleed. She was with child.
It was one day with in that fifth week since she had first starting suspecting she was having a baby, that the Black Pearl at long last returned to the port of Tortuga and as Hector got off the boat he was greeted by her running down the dock towards him. She threw herself in to his arms and kissed him.
"Well of I had this welcome all the time maybe I would come back more often." He said to her between kisses. The other crew mates were now wolf whistling towards them as he picked her up and carried her off the dock.
"I think I have some really huge news for you." She said to him. "In fact I know I do."
"Well come on lets go back to the house and you can tell me," he suggested, grabbing her hand.
"No I want every thing to be perfect when I tell you. I am going to get some dinner on and then you can come after you have had a drink with the others." She said to him, her eyes dancing about his face with excitement.
Now he was here she could really imagine being a mum and in that moment it was what she wanted, more than any thing else in the world.
"Just the one or two though, I don't want you getting drunk." She said to him. He had to remember every moment of the up coming night.
"Ok then." He kissed her and she nodded, turned round and run off to prepare herself.
He shrugged, and along with the rest of the crew went to the tavern.
-
Jack Sparrow was curious.
He had met Helen before that moment when she had run down to see his first mate, but what did she want to say to him that night, Jack wondered.
Some thing in Jack had stirred. He wasn't even sure what it was. But he wanted to know what was going on.
So after Barbossa had had his two drinks that his lover had permitted him, he went to the bar and go it him a third.
"Go on mate, that was a hard voyage ye' deserve it!" he said to him.
It wasn't long the crew saw till the first mate of the black Pearl was too drunk to go any where.
"Take Barbossa back to then pearl Gibbs." He said to his friend. "I think one of us should go down to Miss Helen and tell her what has happened." He said with a smirk that Gibbs understood.
Jack walked down to the house on the edge of the town where Helen lived.
The door was open when he got there, and he walked straight in.
"Hector, sit down!" he heard Helens happy voice say to him. "I thought you would have been back a bit sooner but no matter now. I have such a wonderful surprise for you." She said to who she thought was Hector.
Jack watched as the happy young woman came through to where he was standing. She had dolled her self up for his first mate. She had a scarlet dress on and her hair had been put up in a bun this time neatly.
"Captain." She said confused as she saw her lovers superior and not her lover himself. "Is every thing ok? Where's Hector?" she asked.
"He won't be coming!" Jack told her.
"What." Her disappointment and disbelief came out in that practically silence word. Her face fell.
"He has had as little to much liquor for his own good, and now can not come down here to see you."
"Well that's ok," she sighed. "He can come tomorrow?" she said already planning to give him hell for standing her up. .
"Regrettably not. Said pirate is only in port for night savvy? We have to be moving on tomorrow." He nodded.
Not caring that she had a guest Helen turned her back on Jack went through to the kitchen and begun to weep. How on earth could he do this to her? On the night she was going to tell him he was going to be a father!
Every time he made her cry she said it was for the last time. But it never was.
It was the in the depth of her despair she felt a hand in her shoulder. She turned to see the face of Jack. He was there for her.
Since he had entered she had not looked at him properly till then, her thoughts were o preoccupied with her lover.
"I am sorry captain." She said to him, embarrassed by her foolish tears.
"No, its ok," he said to her gently.
"I told him not to get drunk. He knew what tonight meant to me." She said to him.
"Why don't we go for a walk?" Jack suggested.
"Yes," nodded Helen that did sound like a good idea.
Jack was determined to find out more about the lass that night. He just didn't understand her. How could any one fear the sea? His curiosity drove his actions that night.
Going down to the beach together it was harder for Helen than she had thought it would be as she was remembering that night when she had been there with Hector. That was the night they had conceived their child.
Her hand rested lightly on her stomach.
She had hope for them still. So that night hadn't worked out the way she had planned it. There were going to be others.
"You feel better?" he asked.
She nodded. She loved this beach and the way the wind run through her hair at night. The breeze that surrounded her was so cool.
"I do." She said to him.
"Then come, sit with me a while Miss Helen." He said to her.
"If I must sir." She said as she sat at his side.
"You know," he said to her. "If you really want to see me first mate, you can come aboard the Pearl tomorrow."
"no." she said to him quickly. "I have a job to go to. Work here to do. But thank you for the offer." She said to him.
"And there is no other reason you will not come." He asked making his motive obvious.
"I see you have been talking to my love!" She said to him.
"Yes. He misses you when he is away," Jack told her.
"As I miss him." She told Jack. "I just can't go there Jack, not to sea." She said to him.
"Why ever not?" he asked.
"My father. He drowned at sea." She said to him. It was odd she thought to herself. She had never told Hector that and yet when she had been talking to Jack it had just come out.
"And you think if you go that's what will happen to you." He asked.
"I don't know what I think. I hate the thought Hector being out there. But it is like it is in his blood. I don't want to share my Fathers fate. If Hector does then it is his choice I am not going to guilt him in to staying with me. I want no mans pity." She said to him.
"I don't think any would dare to offer it." he said.
As they lay on the beach Jack begun to see just a little bit of the reason that Hector had gone for her. She really was a little fire cracker, he thought to himself.
There was a new understanding between the two of them.
Jack would never understand what he did next or why he did it. He swept down and grazed his lips against hers.
"Jack… what are you doing?" she whispered.
"Kissing you Helen…."