Disclaimer: POTC is sadly all Disney's, OCs are mine.
A Sparrow's Shadow on the Sea
Ruby's Inferno
Well, isn't Jack clever? He grew up with Ruby, each of them playfully needling each other and "pushing each other's buttons," as the saying goes. And what does he do? My wily pirate husband manipulates me into showering him with attention and sympathy by feigning distress! What was it he called it? Oh, yes…torment. Just goes to prove, that the males of our species have been nothing but big babies, since they first crawled out of the primordial ooze back at the dawn of time!
Next time my darlin' Jack decides he going to shoot Ruby, I'm going to call his bluff, I thought to myself. And we'll just see how far he gets, waltzing into her cabin, brandishing his pistol loaded with empty threats!
I was lying next to Jack, unable to sleep, pondering the events of the day. He had his back to me and was snoring softly as he slept. I glanced past him to the chair and noticed Captain Bear wasn't there. I smiled, thinking Jack had no doubt hidden the toy away somewhere.
Try as I might, after what must've been a half an hour of attempting to find a comfortable position, I finally surrendered to the grim reality that it was time for my "dead of night" stroll on deck.
I got out of bed, an arduous process that I was anxious to put in my past, and walked barefoot to Jack's velvet chair. It was currently being used for his clothes and "affects." I grabbed his coat and put it on, as I did every night for my walk. It fit me better than my own, more slimly cut coat, and it always reminded me of that very first day, of being pulled from the ocean, and Jack taking his coat off to wrap over me. I pulled Jack's coat tight around me, inhaling the scent of it and feeling warm and protected. I glanced at him with a sentimental smile.
A gasp escaped me at what I saw. There was the notorious Captain Jack Sparrow; feared pirate, scourge of the sea; curled up in his bed without a stitch of clothing, fast asleep and clutching Captain Bear! I've never wished so much for a camera in my entire life! He looked so innocent and vulnerable. I couldn't help lingering for a moment to watch him sleep. I knew if he woke to find me there, gazing at him, he'd be mortified. Reluctantly, I turned to leave the cabin, with an amused smile on my face.
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I padded across the deck quietly. The cool moist breeze smelled of salt and brine, mingling with the scents of aged wood and tar from the Pearl.
Gibbs' soft humming of some sea chantey drifted down from the helm. I looked up and waved to him. He held his flask in one hand, the ship's wheel in the other. He raised his flask in a toast to me before sipping from it and continuing with his song.
Heading for the bow, I paused at the main mast, to look at the spot worn through to the wood from Jack's hand caressing it as he passed. I reached up to lay my own hand on that very spot. And I wondered where our child would choose to mark the Pearl with a similar sign of affection.
I continued to the bow, where I stood, feeling the ship as she lifted and dropped ever so slightly over the gentle waves. The sea was inky black, and the sky above was a rich, dark sapphire blue. Stars shone like diamonds, here and there, and the moon played peek-a-boo in the few thin clouds that drifted in the night sky. I watched the moonlight shimmering on the ocean in the distance, feeling a pang of jealousy that our child would grow up in such a magical place.
"Come back to bed, luv," Jack's hoarse voice whispered in my ear, as he slid his arms around me. I felt his warm body against my back, as he wove his hands inside the coat and underneath my shirt to gently rest them on my belly.
I inhaled the sea air deeply and then sighed in contentment. "It's so beautiful here, Jack," I whispered, "I don't understand those people who think of the sea as a monotonous wasteland."
"Nor do I, Eve," he replied, resting his chin on my shoulder.
We stayed there for a time, gazing at the sea together, before returning to the cabin.
As we settled back into bed, I noticed Captain Bear was, once again, sitting regally in Jack's red velvet chair, surrounded by the rest of his most valued possessions.
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"Mr. Gibbs!" I called as I walked on deck, blinking in the morning sun.
"Aye, lass, be there somethin' ye need?" Gibbs answered as he descended the steps from the quarterdeck.
"As a matter of fact, there is," I replied. As we approached the main mast, I explained, "See those rings embedded in the mast, the ones that hold the rigging? I need four of them. And some rope…and a drill."
He looked at me quizzically, his squinting accentuating the lines around his eyes.
"Can you get those for me and bring them to the cabin, please?" I requested.
He looked at me suspiciously, but responded, "Aye, lass, I'll bring the items ye need to the cabin."
"Thank you," I said. I glanced to the helm to see Jack in his usual place.
"Mornin' darlin'," he called cheerfully.
I smiled and blew him a kiss, then returned to the cabin to wait for Gibbs.
"May I ask what ye be intendin' to do with these?" Gibbs questioned as he entered the cabin.
"I intend to suspend the baby's cradle from the ceiling of the cabin," I explained, "The movement of the ship creates a gentle rocking that will help the baby sleep. I just need to drill some holes and anchor these hooks…"
"Now, ye know I can't let ye do that, Eve," Gibbs interrupted, "Cap'n will tan me hide if he knew I let ye climb up there, an' ye fell an' hurt yerself." He took the hand drill from me and stepped up onto the chair to begin drilling the holes.
I handed Gibbs the first hook, watching as he screwed it tightly into the ceiling. I was reminded of all the times I had helped my father with his carpentry projects, always relegated to the role of assistant and never once allowed to try to use any of the tools. Gibbs began to drill the next hole, as I watched, ready to hand him the next hook.
"What the bloody…Gibbs! Stop drilling holes in my ship!" Jack exclaimed as he entered the cabin, his face bearing an expression of incredulity.
Quickly, I interceded. "Jack, he has to drill a few holes, so he can hang the cradle," I told him, "And, see, he's putting those nice hooks in the holes, so really, it's like the holes aren't even there."
Jack looked at me, then at what Gibbs was doing, then back at me with a puzzled expression.
"As the Pearl sails, her movement will rock the baby in the cradle," I continued, "Wouldn't that be nice? To have the Pearl rock the baby to sleep?" I smiled hopefully.
Jack looked at me skeptically for a moment, then he smiled. "That's a wonderful idea, luv!" he said excitedly, "I'm surprised I didn't think of it myself!"
Gibbs sighed in relief, resuming his drilling and fastening of the hooks, while Jack circled around him, watching with curiosity.
Once the cradle had been suspended securely, Jack pushed at it gingerly, watching it sway gently back and forth. "Excellent work, Gibbs!" he praised, smiling as proudly as if he'd done it himself.
"Aye, Cap'n," Gibbs said with an amused smile, "'Tis a clever idea yer lass had." He picked up the tools and headed for the doors.
"Thank you, Gibbs," I told him as he left.
Jack watched the cradle rock until Gibbs was gone. "I could've done this for you, you know," he said as he looked at me sincerely.
"You were busy at the helm, Jack," I said, thinking quickly. I didn't want to tell him that I didn't think he knew his way around tools, although he must've sensed that was what I was presuming.
"I do know how to do a bit of simple carpentry, Eve, just so you know," he said pointedly, "Who do you suppose installed those storm shutters at Ruby's, and my home?"
"You did that?" I couldn't help asking him.
"Aye, and I was but a whelp at the time," he boasted proudly, "Just because my hands are better suited to pilfering and pick pocketing, doesn't mean they can't do other things as well, luv." He fluttered his fingers gracefully in the air, as he looked at his hands curiously.
I suddenly felt terrible. Jack had wanted to do this for his child, and I never even gave him the chance. "I'm sorry, Jack," I said quietly, "I didn't think…"
"No worries," he replied, gesturing airily with his hand, "But, next time, Eve, ask me. If I can do it, I'd like to. If not, then we can commission one of the crew. Savvy?"
"Yes…I didn't mean to…deprive you of the opportunity…" I said sadly.
"Stop it," he told me, as he wrapped his arms around me, "I've always admired your independence and ingenuity, luv. They're what set you apart from the women of this time. In fact, I'm surprised you didn't insist on climbing up there to install the thing yourself!"
"I tried, but Gibbs wouldn't let me," I admitted. "You really admire that?"
"Aye, Eve. I love that you're with me, not because you need me, but because you want me," he said, beginning to smirk, "A man always wants to feel wanted, luv." His dark eyes sparkled.
I smiled mischievously at him. "I always want you, Jack," I told him brazenly.
He grinned handsomely. "I know," he teased, "I think that's what I love most about you, darlin'." He glanced at my lips before closing the gap between us, to kiss me with slow, deliberate passion.
There was suddenly a furious pounding on the doors to the cabin. Jack rolled his eyes as we broke from the kiss.
"Why is it we can never seem to get a moment's peace on this bloody ship?" he ranted, as he stomped toward the doors. "What is it?" he asked impatiently as he opened the doors.
"There's fire, Cap'n!" Gibbs yelled urgently.
"WHAT?!" shouted Jack, as he ran from the cabin.
I followed as quickly as I could. There was smoke billowing up from the cargo hold. The crew had already formed a bucket brigade, hauling seawater up to extinguish the fire as quickly as they could. No flames were visible, there was simply smoke. Lots of smoke.
Jack pushed past the men, yelling for them to move and flailing his arms wildly, as he descended into the hold.
A moment later, Ruby emerged, coughing and sputtering.
"Where's Jack?" I demanded as I reached her.
"He gone down below, star," she croaked out between coughs.
I hurried to the hold, only to be intercepted by Gibbs.
"Ye can't possibly think ye're goin' down there, lass!" Gibbs shouted at me, "'Tis not safe!"
I shouted a stream of curses at Gibbs as I wriggled past him, to continue on my way after Jack.
Gibbs grabbed my arm, pulling me back. "There's powder kegs in the hold, lass!" he shouted at me.
Instantly, panic flooded through me, turning to rage as I faced Gibbs. Jack was down there, and I was being held captive on deck by his first mate! I grabbed the pistol from Gibbs' belt, pointing it at him. "Let me go," I stated, calmly and resolutely, as I cocked the pistol.
Gibbs immediately dropped his hand from my arm, stepping back from me. He looked positively terrified.
Uncocking the pistol and dropping it to the deck, I turned and rushed into the hold. I had to find Jack! If the powder kegs blew, it wouldn't matter where any of us were. No place on the Pearl would be safe.
The smoke was thick and choking. Men pushed past me with buckets, splashing seawater on me as they rushed by. I called for Jack, but between the smoke choking me and the noise of them men shouting, my voice was lost in the chaos. I continued to inch my way down the passage, trying to stay out of the way as much as possible. The smoke burned my eyes and they started to tear, further obscuring my limited vision. I was still trying to call for Jack, but my voice was croaky and didn't carry.
I was suddenly grabbed at the shoulders, fingers digging into my flesh painfully. Jack's face became visible through the smoke just inches in front of me.
"Eve! Are you crazy? Get the hell out of here!" he yelled at me, as he turned me around and began to push me toward the hatch.
My feet felt like lead and it seemed as if we weren't even moving. It was so hot and so smoky. But I had found Jack, so most of my panic had gone. My eyes and throat burned as if they were on fire. It was hot and stifling. Jack was right behind me, helping me to move forward. It seemed excruciatingly slow. I could see the light from the hatch ahead. The smoke was thick, but the light made it appear more white than dark. It looked almost like fog. I suddenly felt so weak! I tried to keep going, but felt overcome by dizziness and I slumped back against Jack. I felt his strong arms around me. I had found Jack, everything would be alright, but then...everything went dark.
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A/N: I tried and tried to think of some really funny altercation between Jack and Ruby, and I came up blank every time! Then, this little plot twist manifested itself while I was writing, so I decided to go with it since I'd come up with nothing better. And yes, it's another cliffhanger! Boo, hiss! Thanks so much to everyone for reading and for your kind reviews! Next update on friday!