"Not All Treasure is Silver and Gold"
Chapter 21
This wedding was going to happen. Dani got Elizabeth a drink and calmed her angry nerves; she could be mad at Will later. (And probably would be.)
It did turn out to be a pleasant ceremony. As soon as Elizabeth saw that this was all actually going to happen, tears started to stream down her face.
Jack was glad that the priest hurried through most of the ceremony. These situations made him itchy. He couldn't sit still this long. Jack was the sort of man who needed to move. Jack looked over at Dani. She was tending to Jack, Marie, and Rosemary.
Then an awful thought plagued his mind. What if Dani wanted another child? Jack didn't think he could handle that. The room was suddenly smaller. He had to get out.
And so he did.
He bolted out of his seat so fast, Dan blinked and he was gone.
The ceremony was beautiful and Elizabeth looked overjoyed. The reception was to follow immediately, but Danielle made her apologies and went to find Jack.
Jack had run straight to The Adventurer and locked himself in his cabin. Dani knew that was where he went, so her search was short.
Danielle banged on the door in the exact place and it opened easily for her. Jack was slightly started but didn't bother to look up from the old map on his table.
"What the hell was that?" Dani asked.
"I had to get out of there. You know me, Danielle. I can't be sitting that long."
"I know. You get itchy. But Jack…you couldn't have sat still for fifteen more minutes?"
"No. I had to get away," he answered her.
"Why?" she asked.
He needed a lie. He couldn't tell her the real reason.
"I had to see my map," he muttered.
"Your map? What was so important about the map at the precise moment?"
Yes, why did he need to see the map at the precise moment.
"It's a fake. I realized something as I was sitting there. I remembered something from when I was younger about the map and it isn't there on this one," he said, pointing to the parchment. "My own father," the word tasted like sand in his mouth, "gave me a fake map."
"So you're more like your father that you'd hoped."
"Take that back," he spat.
"Fine," she said, throwing her hands up, "I take it back." She started to pace. "So what are you going to do?"
"You have to promise not to hit me," Jack said.
"Can't make that promise, Jack. Now tell me!" Dani told him.
"Would you still love me if I told you I was leaving on Saturday?"
"What?" she hissed, instantly tensing up.
"Its…just…" he paused to duck from her jabs and punches. "A…trip…to…Tortuga!" He said as he pinned her to the cabin wall as he got the upper hand.
"You promised me you'd never leave me on land."
"Pirate," he smiled and let her get one swift kick to the shin before he let her go.
She drew his sword from behind him and moved to face him again.
"Explain yourself," she ordered him.
"You never answered my question," Jack rounded on her.
"What question?" she hissed.
"Will you still love me if I leave on Saturday?"
"That's a stupid question, Jack. Of course I would still love you."
"It's just going to be a couple of weeks. A quick trip to Tortuga to steal the real map from my…father," he stuck out his tongue. "Then return to you."
"Just a quick trip?" she thought aloud.
"Yes, just a quick one…then you can do with me what you wish, milady."
"When are you leaving?" she sighed.
"In four days, hopefully."
"You're sure you're coming back as soon as possible?" she asked.
"Yes. Don't you trust me?"
"No."
"Fair enough," he laughed.
"Jack Sparrow," she started.
"It's Captain, love," he answered.
"Believe me, I know. Why can't I go?" she asked.
"Because I want you to be safe here, away from my mother."
"Good point. As angry as I am with you out of not including me, I understand and I'm trying to respect your decision because your mother is clearly crazy."
"Yes," he said, not paying attention anymore.
"Jack…"
"Hm?"
"Pay attention. We have to go back to the reception."
"What for?"
"I heard they have rum."
"Let's go, come on. Before it's all gone," he pulled on her arm and dragged her from the ship. Free rum was Jack's favorite.