Disclaimer: Blah, blah, Disney, blah, blah. You know the routine.
A Sparrow's Shadow on the Sea
The Way to a Man's Heart
"Jack, stop!" I shouted, hurrying after him, "Jack!" I reached to grab his arm as he neared the entrance to the cargo hold that housed Ruby's cabin.
He whirled around to face me, anger burning in his eyes. "What you're doing is unwise, luv," he said in a very controlled voice.
"Oh? Is it?" I asked, out of breath. I mirrored his glare. "Well, backatcha, luv!" I retorted, my hand on my hip.
He looked about to explode. Lightning quick, he grabbed me hard by my upper arm, pulling me toward the cabin. "Do not flaunt your fearlessness of me in front of my crew," he growled through clenched teeth.
"I wouldn't have to if you didn't insist on flaunting your poor judgment in front of them!" I shot back.
Jack flung open the doors to the cabin, dragging me inside, then kicking the doors shut behind us.
He placed his pistol on the table. "I do not have poor judgment, Eve;" Jack said angrily, "My judgment has saved my life and the lives of my crew countless times. In fact, my judgment has even saved your life once or twice!"
"Well, if it wasn't poor judgment, Jack," I responded, "Then what would you call that display of yours out there?"
He sighed, exasperatedly, heading for the rum. "I'll admit, that was maybe a bit overly dramatic," he conceded, pausing to gulp a long pull of rum, "But, I can't help it luv! She has the most infuriating way of provoking me! You know she did that on purpose!"
"Yes, I know, and you should know not to let her get to you," I told him.
"Easy for you to say, Eve," he replied more calmly, "She doesn't try to torment you, the way she does me."
"She torments you because you react. Maybe you should try ignoring her," I suggested, "If it's no longer fun for her, she may stop."
Jack thought for a moment. "You may be right about that, luv," he admitted.
"Of course, it'll probably get worse, before it gets better, you know," I warned him.
"What do you mean?" he asked hesitantly.
"When you start to ignore her, no doubt she'll try even harder to get a rise out of you," I explained, "You're going to have to be persistent, Jack."
He pondered what I'd said. Slowly, a mischievous smirk spread over his face. "How 'bout I have her chained in the Brig, instead, luv? Savvy?" he asked, hopefully.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
As planned, the Pearl sailed out of Tortuga's harbour on the late afternoon tide. Ruby had not emerged from her cabin since she boarded, apparently busy with unpacking her things and settling in.
Jack was at the wheel, guiding his beloved ship toward the freedom the open sea held so temptingly, just beyond the horizon. As he so often did while sailing, Jack gazed dreamily ahead, at nothing, and yet everything. I loved to watch him at the helm, so romantically enthralled with the limitless possibilities the open sea offered. I understood now that, when men first sought their fortunes at sea, they usually did so to escape a much worse fate on land. But, I often wondered at which point, some men would choose to forever embrace the cruel lessons the sea would offer them, while others learned that life on land was not nearly as unbearable as they thought. I often wondered about Jack. Did he choose a life at sea to escape, or because he sought some indefinable essence he could not satisfy on land? Was it really freedom that he craved, or just the unending pursuit of freedom?
I laughed softly at my speculative musings as I lay in my hammock on deck, watching Jack. And what of myself? What had I escaped by sailing on the Black Pearl? And what, if anything, had I sought? These answers eluded me. I only knew what I had found. Complete happiness.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I left my hammock to join Jack at the helm. "You look as if you're in better spirits now," I commented as I approached him.
He smiled at me, extending his arm, beckoning me to stand by his side. "Nothing makes me happier than heading out to sea with me two best girls," he said as he wrapped his arm around me.
The blazing orange sun, setting into the sea, cast a fleetingly brilliant glow over the Pearl and her Captain. I gazed at Jack, his handsome features and dark passionate eyes, bathed in the vibrant colour of the sunset. At that moment, he wasn't merely a man; he looked every bit the mythical and legendary pirate Captain. And I drank in his image, searing it into my memory.
"You're staring, luv," he mentioned with a smirk. "And, really, who can blame you? I am Captain Jack Sparrow, after all," he teased.
"Yes, you are," I said, smiling indulgently at him.
"And, once again today, the moment is lost," Jack muttered, as he glanced past me.
I turned to see Ruby climbing the steps to the quarterdeck. She was smiling as she approached us.
"Jah bless! Look at di two of ya! Di picture of happiness!" she exclaimed.
"I trust you've equipped your cabin with all the comforts of home, Ruby?" Jack asked.
"Humph! Mi no can turn a closet inta a castle," Ruby replied, "But, it a far sight betta den di last time mi sail."
"I have no doubts about that," Jack said somberly, more than painfully aware of the conditions slaves were subjected to. "Well, what do you think of the Pearl? Is she not the most beautiful ship you ever set eyes on?" Jack asked, abruptly changing to a more pleasant subject.
Ruby appraisingly took in the view from the quarterdeck. "Mi no expect dis," she said very sincerely, "Ya ship possess a formidable presence, Jack."
He smiled, obviously pleased that Ruby was impressed. "You weren't expecting some dainty, little schooner, were you?" he asked jokingly.
Ruby ignored him, in favour of watching the crew on deck, busily tending the sails.
"Like most of the female persuasion, Ruby, the Black Pearl derives her beauty from her strength," Jack declared, grinning proudly.
I couldn't help rolling my eyes at Jack's transparent attempt at flattery.
"Jack…Ya could charm di sparkle from a diamond, if ya put ya mind ta it," Ruby said sweetly.
At that moment, a most enticing aroma wafted by the helm.
"What on earth is that?!" Jack asked, his eyes wide.
"It is said, dat di way ta a man's heart is t'rough di belly," Ruby told us, "So, in di spirit of makin' happy hearts wit happy bellies, mi cook di suppa for ya and di crew."
Jack and I stared at Ruby in surprise and disbelief.
"Ya come now! Di jerk chicken is best hot," she said, as she turned to leave.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ruby was in the galley, happily ladling out jerk chicken and stewed vegetables from a very large cauldron to the crew men.
"Maybe it won't be so bad, Jack," I commented.
"She's merely lulling everyone into a false sense of security," he replied, unconvinced, "Her true colours will show themselves soon enough."
"Well, at least she's making an effort to start out on the right foot," I said.
Instead of going to the cabin, Jack and I decided to eat on deck with the crew. It was a warm and pleasant evening, and I suspected Jack wanted to keep a watchful eye, in case any unanticipated conflict arose. The atmosphere on the ship was decidedly conflict-free, however. A more jovial, almost party-like mood seemed to prevail, as the crew enjoyed the dinner.
Jack and I both looked up at the sound of Ruby's throaty laugh from across the deck. Gibbs was sitting next to her.
"Would you look at that!" I said in amazement, as we watched them.
Gibbs was speaking to her and Ruby laughed again, then suddenly looked slightly self-conscious.
"Oh my god, Jack! Is he flirting with her?!" I exclaimed.
A glance at Jack confirmed my suspicions. He watched Gibbs and Ruby with an aghast expression, full of distaste and horror.
"And now, I've sadly lost my appetite," Jack remarked, plunking his nearly empty plate onto the deck. "No good can possibly come from this," he muttered, "No, only ruin and devastation."
"They're probably just getting to know each other," I suggested, "She is going to be sailing with all of us for a while. Introductions aren't unreasonable."
"No, no! No 'getting to know!'" Jack said, vigorously gesturing with his hands as if he were erasing a blackboard, "The meddlesome woman should be banished to her cabin for the duration of her stay!" He looked very apprehensive.
"You can't do that, Jack," I told him, "And she had a point. You invited her to join us."
"A most grievous error," he replied, as he watched them with morbid fascination, as if he were witnessing a particularly gruesome car accident. The kind where one wants to look away, but simply can't.
"Jack, maybe you're just over-reacting…again." I mentioned.
He stared at me, opening his mouth as if to speak, but unable to find the words.
"Well, you do tend to over-react a bit when it concerns Ruby," I continued, "Maybe it would be best to just ignore this, as we discussed earlier?"
"Aye, maybe…" Jack said distractedly, preoccupied with his own thoughts.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jack was not in the cabin when I woke up. I washed, dressed, and ate some of the breakfast that had been left on the table. I didn't have much of an appetite and I had a wretched case of heartburn from Ruby's deliciously spicy dinner the night before. I sat at the table, rubbing my hands over my huge belly. A knock on the doors interrupted, and I called for whoever it was to come in. It was too much of an effort to get up right now.
"Mornin', star," Ruby said brightly as she entered, "How ya feelin'?"
"Like a beached whale," I told her honestly.
"Let's have a look at ya," she said, helping me to stand. She lifted my shirt and smoothed her hands over my belly. As had become usual, the baby moved in response to being touched.
"Ya got a feisty one in dere!" Ruby said, smiling, "Won't be long before ya lighten."
"Lighten?" I repeated, unfamiliar with the term.
"A few week before di birt' di babe will drop," she explained, "Ta git inta di position for di birt'. Ya breat'in will git easier, an' ya won't feel so much like ya gonna burst."
"Ruby, I wanted to talk to you about the pain," I began, "I'm very afraid of the pain. What can we do to control it?"
She looked at me sympathetically. "First times are always frightenin', star," she said, "Mi got di medicine ta help wit di pain, but is betta if ya no need dem. Ya need ta control di pain ya-self. Ya got ta learn dis, star. Ruby show ya how."
Ruby and I spent most of the day in the cabin, practicing breathing techniques and a form of guided visualization intended to induce a hypnotic state. The theory was that, in this trance-like state, the pain would still be present, but my perception of it would become dulled.
"Is betta for di babe, ta use no medicine," Ruby explained, "Di medicine dulls di mind, an' it can make ya see t'ings dat no dere."
Hallucinations, I thought. I remembered how my mother had reacted to her pain drugs, and I wanted no part of that. But, I had doubts about this hypnosis technique actually working.
"Ya must practice, star, ev'ry day, ta git ready," Ruby advised, "Di mind is strong, but ya heart must trust. If ya doubt, di mind can no stop di pain for ya."
"I understand," I replied, remembering what I had told Jack. Fear and doubt cripple. I guess it was time to take my own advice.
Jack! I'd been so busy with Ruby that I'd forgotten about Jack. I hadn't seen him all day!
"Ruby, where is Jack?" I asked her; concerned that he hadn't visited the cabin at all.
"Mi tell Jack ta stay away, dat we be doin' wo-man t'ings in here," she said with a smirk, "He make a funny face, den scurry away!" She started to laugh.
As I imagined the face he made, I began to laugh with her. "Ruby, please, don't torment him too much," I requested.
Ruby smiled. "Ya love ya man much, star," she told me, "But ya will know di truth. Dat Jack, he like ta put on di big show 'bout Ruby's teasin'. Git all huffy-puffy 'bout it! But, mi no tease him no more, den Jack Sparrow be sad!" She looked at me earnestly. "Ya no see it? Jack know, di teasin' come from love. We growed up toget'er, star. He like a brot'er ta mi."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A/N: Hypnosis has been used with varying degrees of effectiveness to control the pain of labour and childbirth. Just depends on how hypnotized one can get, I guess. And yes, I know, Ruby's been on good behaviour for this chapter! But, remember what Jack said about her true colours! There's more fun yet to be had! Huge hugs and thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing! Hope you enjoy!