Silence. They both stood regarding each other in the semi-darkness. Neither said a word.
The man facing her had barely changed at all, Erin mused, though her memory was not what it was. She had trouble remembering anything to do with her past these days, a subject which bemused her frequently.
His dark eyes bore into hers, full of intrigue and confusion, not an expression often worn by that particular pirate. Though due to the circumstances it was granted. She studied his face, finding only a few scars to show the passing of the last ten years.
At least that's how long she thought it was.
Jack blinked slowly, convinced this was some sort of trick. Erin was dead, he knew it. But she was stood right in front of him...
He had been slowly progressing into insanity anyway, perhaps he had lost his mind.
He squinted through the gloom, but her features were unmistakable, although she seemed instantly downcast, although her determination and slight sense of solemnity were instantly recognizable. It was something in the way she held herself... All a facade of course.
The moonlight glanced across her pale skin, and illuminated her intense, heavily-lidded eyes. Clearly being allegedly dead to everyone but herself had taken it's toll. Although slightly stunned, Jack regained his legendary composure immediately, and his lips curled into an uneasy grin. He took another step forward. Their breath mingled in the icy cold air. He saw her obvious uncertainty as she gave him a slight nod in greeting.
He was slightly annoyed now, as childish as it was, what on earth was going on? He hid it well as always. Breaking the silence he muttered, "Sparks? But-", his voice took a rather accusing tone, "You're supposed to be dead...". He realised how ironic it sounded and winced. He was practically echoing what the dim-witted Pintel had said to him whilst on his venture to regain the Pearl.
She looked rather taken aback at his tone, and he instantly regretted it, "So are you." she replied with a wicked smile.
"Ah, you're forgetting, love. I'm-"
"Captain Jack Sparrow", she ended mockingly, still smiling slyly, and rolled her eyes.
He wrinkled his eyebrows and with a change of subject muttered, "You look bloody awful."
That didn't mean she wasn't still surprisingly striking of course. Although admittedly a little undernourished lately, but this was Sparks.. Well, Erin, her surname having more or less ended up as her nickname to most.
It really was better not to go there. He tried not to think about it.
She laughed, and answered with a hint of sarcasm, "Suave Jack, very suave." Erin wasn't offended. And he knew it. She knew he was right, and he knew that too. As per usual.
"But, it's an improvement on the last time I saw you." he continued, with a pang of guilt. She winced, clearly recognising exactly what he was on about.
Some things, nobody forgot.
"I think we have things to discuss." he said matter-of-factly, arms crossed.
Erin eyed him warily before she continued, "Very well"
Slightly perturbed by her unaffected manner, he turned and started off down the street.
Erin didn't move, a little unsure of what she was meant to do. He turned and looked at her.
"You look like you haven't eaten since then either..."
She took that as a chance offering of food, and followed, "But... Jack..."
He laughed, "For once, it's on me, love...", and started walking, grinning again as she caught up and fell into pace beside him.
He took a long sideways glance at her and raised an eyebrow, clearly questioning her bedraggled attire and appearance.
She scowled, "Let's just say I haven't had much luck lately..."
Jack nodded, and carried on walking obviously noticing her growing paranoia. She didn't look that bad did she? Erin thought worriedly, She knew things had been rough lately..
He startled her out of her thoughts and said reassuringly, "You look simply divine, as ever, Erin."
She looked at him sceptically, and seeing no trace of a lie in his face, turned away in an attempt to hide the blush which stole across her cheeks.
"Always thought he was such a charmer…" she muttered under her breath
He elbowed her in the ribs with his elbow lightly, "I heard that."
"Oh, I know", she answered, grinning wolfishly. "If I remember rightly, you considered yourself a real lady's man"
"Did not", he answered defensively.
"Did so"
"Did not"
"Oh, you did so!" she answered.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, my dear. And I would be most gratified if you would shut it for a second, I think we're being followed." he said lowering his voice.
Erin was silent at once, and looked around nervously.
Jack paused, listening for a second, then continued, "No... Onwards to the inn it is then" He turned the corner, and with a slight shrug of self assurance, Erin followed.
"Oh, and Jack…"
"What?"
"Personal hygiene is a much more attractive trait, than having the ability to utter hollow compliments"
"Why is what I said hollow?"
"Because it was you who said it."
"Ah…"
After a brisk walk back through the more, over-populated streets and a few shortcuts later, Erin and Jack were sat in a very far corner of a particularly familiar looking tavern, away from the other fighting, shouting and extremely drunk patrons.
Jack watched Erin wolf down her food, a look of amusement on his face.
She tore into a chunk of bread, glancing at him and noticing his expression she fought through a mouthful of food and , "What?"
"Oh nothing..." he answered with a grin, and sat back with a strange look of contentment on his face, and put his feet up on the table.
Erin stole another glance at him and bolted down the remaining scraps of her meal. She sat up and asked warily, her piercing eyes fixed suspiciously on him, "What do you want?.
He took a swig from his tankard, and reluctantly answered, "Why does everyone always think there's something I want?"
"Because there always is", she quipped. "You know I'm right, Jack"
He regarded her for a second, before grinning wryly, "Well, I suppose you've picked up on the rumours, they travel fast, or so I've heard"
Erin leaned forward, subconsciously lowering her voice, "You mean that little predicament you had with Davy Jones?"
He nodded, "Aye, we-"
"I told you it was a bad idea trading your life for a ship! 'It'll be fine', she said mockingly, cutting across him, "Honestly!" Erin rolled her eyes, recalling the words he had said many years before.
"Well, I was right. I've got me ship back.", he shrugged.
Erin shook her head, "Yes, as long as you're alright!"
She was thinking of the two people who had helped Jack meet his ends, separated, with only one day for every ten years to spend together. Or so she had heard…
There was a pause in which he looked at her ruefully, "Really, Erin. You have too strong a conscience to make a good pirate."
For once he didn't seem to be teasing her.
"Who's fault is that?"
"Hmm… Well, what say you to re-joining the Pearl?", he deftly changed the subject.
She blinked, Erin wasn't expecting that, "Why?"
"Well, in truth I could do with the help…"
"What's all this about? If you expect me to believe our meeting was a coincidence…"
"It was" he answered quickly, "I thought you were dead, which brings me to the question, why aren't you?"
"I have no idea" she answered, honestly.
Jack quirked a quizzical eyebrow.
"I'm serious! Is it really that bad that I'm alive?"
"Of course not…" he drained his tankard and stood, "Come on!"
Jack grabbed her arm and pulled her from her seat.
"Where are we going?" she asked, nonplussed.
"Where do you think!? Come on, it's time you were re-acquainted with an old friend" he said, dragging her off.
"Please tell me you don't still refer to the ship as if it were a person, please…"
