AN: ah yes. Another chapter for another story. You know, it seems to take me forever to think up new ideas for some things. Like how I'm going to end this one. I know exactly how to end it, but I have no idea how to get there. I don't want to drag this story out, cuz then it'll get too boring, but I don't want to make it too short, cuz then there'll seem like there's some stuff unsaid. But, I'll figure it out some how. Enjoy!
Ashes to Ashes
Chapter 13: Lost Hope?Jack sat silently in his cabin, his chair leaning back on two legs, his feet propped up on his desk. Maps covered his desk, maps charting the courses he'd taken, the courses he planned to take, and the courses that he thought Templeton was bound to take. He just wasn't sure. Hence the reason he now found himself staring up at the ceiling, a bottle of rum held tightly in his hand.
He took a swig of the rum, emptying half of the bottle in one gulp. He scratched his head slightly as thoughts slowly became blurred. Without warning, Jack felt a force push against his feet. The chair tipped over completely and he fell, a form of flailing limbs.
Jack and the chair hit the floor with a crash, Jack flipping backwards out of the chair, smashing into the wall behind him. He pushed his hair out of his eyes as he heard someone walk up beside him.
"Bloody whelp! Wha' th' 'ell do ye think yer doin'?" he slurred.
Will shook his head slowly, staring down at his fallen friend. "I could ask you the same question. Shouldn't you be figuring out how to find Ashleigh?"
"S'wha' 'm doin'," Jack replied, attempting to stand up.
Will's eyebrows rose slightly. "By getting drunk Jack? I do not think that even you can think best while intoxicated. Jack, Elizabeth will never forgive you if something else happens to her friend. Neither would Captain O'Shannon, I imagine."
Jack sighed. "'M not ino. . . into. . . intox. . ."
"Intoxicated?" Will offered.
Jack scowled at him. "Aye. I've had some rum, lad, but not enough to stop me from figurin' out what ta do."
"That's why you didn't even hear me enter your cabin? Nor did you see me before I knocked you over. No, Jack, the rum hasn't affected you at all," Will answered sarcastically.
"I don' need ye jumpin' down me throat whelp," Jack said angrily. "I 'ave AnaMaria fer that. Now, if ye'll kindly leave me to me business. . ."
Will sighed, shaking his head as he watched Jack straighten his chair. "As you wish Jack," he replied, heading toward the cabin door. Before he exited the room, Will turned around, "We will find her Jack. We just need you at your best. You can't help Ashleigh when you are drunk. Think about that Jack. If you can," he said, closing the door behind him.
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"I still do not see why my daughter was not taken off of that pirate ship."
"I have explained this to you before, sir. . ." Norrington started, until a knock sounded on the door. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, squinting his eyes. "Come in."
The door opened slowly, revealing a young man that Norrington didn't recognize.
"Commodore Norrington," the man said, nodding slightly. "Lord O'Shannon."
"Ah, good, Eric, thank you for joining us. Commodore, I'm sure you remember my companion, Eric Summers?"
Norrington nodded. "Good day, Mr. Summers. Please, have a seat. By all means, join us," he added dryly.
"Young Mr. Summers here," Robert began, "has personal interests tied to my family."
"Does he?" Norrington replied, feigning interest.
"Oh yes. He has agreed to marry my daughter. So you see, I have a much greater need to find her now."
Norrington's eyes narrowed. Was this man for real? "So if you had not found a husband for your daughter you would not have searched for her?" he asked incredulously.
Robert's gaze shot to Norrington's, shock and anger radiating through his eyes. "I beg your pardon?"
Norrington didn't answer, merely stared unflinchingly at Robert. Before he could reply, a hurried knock was pounded on the thick door. Norrington sighed again. "Come in," he called.
Gillette opened the door quickly, a smirk lighting his face. "Black sails on the horizon, sir."
"Thank you Lieutenant. Lower anchor. Ready the guns should we need them."
"Yes sir," Gillette replied, and then turned on his heel to give the other men orders.
"Black sails, Commodore?"
Norrington stood up, straightening his uniform jacket. "Black sails, Lord O'Shannon, signifies the Black Pearl. A pirate ship under the command of Captain Jack Sparrow."
"Then why are we slowing down and not attacking them? It is your responsibility to hunt these scoundrels down and arrest them. Or kill them, whichever comes first."
"That ship, sir, is the same ship that your son and daughter are on."
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Will found Jack once again poring over several maps. This time, however, he seemed stone cold sober. Surprisingly, a mug sat half full on the cluttered desk. Will's eyebrows rose slightly, shocked. "Jack?"
"Its water, whelp."
Will shook his head. "No Jack. There are sails approaching. British colors."
Jack didn't look up from the map he was studying. "Ah. I assume that would be Norrington coming to retrieve his men, and his two citizens that were kidnapped by pirates."
"Norrington? Jack you honestly don't believe that we'll leave before we find Ashleigh, do you? Especially not Elizabeth. She would fight anybody who tried to make her do otherwise, and you know that."
Jack sighed, rubbing his eyes. "I know, Will. I'm not an idiot. Norrington will be expecting both O'Shannon's I would assume, and the bloody moron they call a Lieutenant. What a shock it'll be when I can only give 'im one of them."
"Then what are you going to do?"
"Bargain, as per usual. I'm sure Norrington'll understand," he paused. "Unless he decides to attack me before hearing my explanation."
"Which would be what Jack?"
"The plain and simple truth," Jack said, finally drawing his attention away from the maps and meeting Will's gaze with tired eyes.
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Ashleigh was jarred awake by water being thrown onto her. She gasped, bolting up to a sitting position. Cruel laughter rang out above her. She turned her gaze to the man standing in front of her.
"Did ye enjoy yer nap, lass?" Markson sneered.
"Quite well, thank you," Ashleigh replied.
"Brought ya lunch, wench. Savor it. It may be yer last."
"I'm not afraid of you," she replied. "I've met men worse than you."
"Such as who? Surely ya don't mean yer dear Sparrow?"
"Captain Sparrow is twice the man you are. You are a murderer and a brute," Ashleigh said, standing up and walking cautiously toward the bars. She reached out her hand slightly, making sure that she stayed far enough away so that he couldn't reach her.
Markson laughed again. "Ah ah wench. Ye'll have ta reach fer it."
"I am not going to play your game."
"Then yer not gonna eat."
Ashleigh stared up into his dark eyes. Markson's eyes bore more cruelty in them than anyone she had ever seen. Her father included. Hesitantly, she reached out further, her hand open to receiver the plate of food.
With another laugh, Markson grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him, smashing her into the bars again. He looked down at her exposed skin. Skin newly tanned and freshly calloused.
"New to this life, ain't ya wench?" he asked. When Ashleigh remained silent, Markson squeezed her wrist. "Don't think I don't remember ya. I do. Yer the stupid lass from Port Royal all those months ago. I'd hoped ya stayed smart an' stayed outta this."
"Not when my friends were in danger," Ashleigh gritted out, doing her best to pull away from him.
"Ye shoulda wench. Yer life woulda been so much easier," he whispered, leaning in close. "Cuz ya see, the cap'n 'as plans fer ya. An' the cap'n always gets what she wants."
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A knock sounded on his closed door. Michael opened it slowly, staring down into the wide eyes of Elizabeth.
"May I help you, Miss Swann?" he asked quietly.
Elizabeth looked him up and down, sadness and worry entering her gaze. For the last few days, Michael had stayed in the small cabin Jack had given him, wallowing in his own misery at the loss of his sister. He was unshaven, his black hair loose and matted around his face. His clothes were wrinkled and un-tucked. She had never before seen a military man so disheveled. Even in the battle two years ago, the marines somehow managed to stay clean and properly dressed.
"I was sent to find you, Captain O'Shannon. There is a Navy ship coming alongside us. Jack, Captain Sparrow, requests you to be on the deck when they board."
"You can tell Captain Sparrow that he can get out of his own mess by himself."
"He believes Commodore Norrington is on the other ship. He believes it is your ship."
Michael sighed, running his hand through his hair. "I will be up momentarily. Thank you, Miss Swann."
"I'm sorry, Michael," Elizabeth said softly. "We will find her. Jack will find her. I promise you."
"Sparrow has done enough," Michael replied harshly, closing the door before she could say more.
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"Good day again, Commodore," Jack said jovially, his head cocked to one side. "I can only assume what you have come for."
"You are late, Sparrow. You were to have met us several days ago. I should arrest you."
Jack laughed. "You always say that, Commodore. The impact of those words is slowly diminishing."
"Perhaps you should pay more attention this time, pirate," a deep voice said behind Norrington.
Jack leaned over slightly, gazing around Norrington's shoulder. The man was tall, finely dressed, a white wig lying neatly atop his head. The man walked across the plank slowly, walking as if he owned the world. Jack rolled his eyes. He had enough pompous idiots on his ship at the moment, he didn't need another.
Before Jack could say anything, a voice spoke up behind him. "Good afternoon father."
Jack whirled around, his eyes scanning the deck for who could have spoken. Michael stood on the deck, his uniform straightened and his hair once again tied at the base of his throat. Jack turned back to the older man, his eyes narrowed.
"Oh hell."
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AN: Chapter 14: Family Relations. What will Jack do now that he has to face Ashleigh's father? How will her father take the news? Will they come to make another agreement? Or will he merely have Jack arrested immediately?
Dawnie-7: Who wouldn't have faith in our beloved Captain? But, we'll see what he does. Obviously, he is trying to figure out where Templeton's going, but will he ever find her? Just kidding. I wouldn't do that to you guys. Or would I?
NazgulGirl: Thank you very much!
DaydreamBeliever14: I had to read your review several times. It read like an evil math problem. Unfortunately, I can't tell you exactly what's going to happen cuz that wouldn't be right.
PineAppleLint: I'm glad you think so. I really didn't see Jack giving up so easily either. But, I like to make people think about what could happen. It's my specialty.