Quarter 'till five in the morning-- I really must be mad. And to think that I fully intended to make this chapter longer. HAH. This one is of middling length, thank goodness I managed to find a place to cut it off. Blatant cliff-hanger, so my apologies for that, but as usual it won't be too long before you recieve an update. Try reviewing, it may speed the process. OH, and one more thing: the idea that I am introducing here and carrying out in the next segment is duly credited to Pookie Power 2005. Thanks for the idea, and if any of you have more suggestions or requests for plot twists, I am very open to them. Stretch yawn... GOODNIGHT!
TanzFieber...
The Sparrow tattoo caused quite the uproar, to be sure-- Jack upset because he didn't want her labeled as a pirate; and Kelsea upset because she thought he didn't want her labeled as his daughter. All in all, it was a messy situation, but one that worked itself out eventually the way all other feuds between the two always had. When it came down to it, the girl would miss her father and the pirate would miss his daughter. They cared about each other, whether it was admitted or not, and that was always enough… Until one foggy Caribbean day when all was put to test. In a way Jack was right-- if it weren't for that bloody tattoo these particular complications never would have arisen…
AFORE-MENTIONED FOGGY CARIBBEAN DAY…
"Unnatural fog, this, eh Cap'n?" Duncan stood at the helm of the Black Pearl and glanced over towards the railing where a certain dread-locked pirate stood staring out into the mist.
Jack Sparrow flipped up the collar of his coat against the chilly damp that closed in around his beloved ship. He replied, if only to ward off the encroaching silence. "Aye, mate."
Both men listened to the eerie sound of water lapping against the hull of the Pearl and the creaking of the rudder for a few moments before the captain spoke again. "Well, s'no use tryin' t'see through it, so keep t'this course until we're clear of th'clouds, Savvy?"
"Aye, Sir."
And with that, the captain of the ship took his leave of the foc'sle and strode across the deck towards his cabin. He yawned-- it was late, after all. Stumbling just a bit over a piece of rope, Jack reached the door to his quarters and pushed it open with a relieved sigh.
A lamp still burned dimly, throwing a tall shadow against the wall as he relieved himself of his coat, hat, sword, and other effects. The pirate stretched and yawned once more, noticing finally as he did that there were all manner of charts spread out upon the desk-- Clearly the whelp had gotten bored again.
She had been doing that lately, rifling through his papers on rainy days and pretending that she could read them…Bloody fake. Jack rolled his eyes and a wry grin found it's way to his face. He knew she couldn't make head or tails of the maps and grids, especially since he hadn't gotten around to showing her what to do with them. Still, that didn't stop the girl from pouring over them and playing with the instruments and drawing little-- A chuckle tore its way from the captain's mouth as he noticed a sea-monster doodle in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Yep, the whelp had definitely been 'navigating' again. Speaking of…
Jack, now stripped down to a loose shirt and breeches, turned towards the bed at the sound of a squeaky snore. He blew out the candle, waited for his eyes to adjust a bit, and tread bare-foot over to the bunk.
The teenaged Kelsea Sparrow was growing into a raven-haired spitfire that even her father had to admit was quite the pretty one… but, that being said, sleeping was definitely not her most attractive state. Torso on the bed and one foot in the hammock, mouth open and drooling in the slightest, hair rumpled and snoring lightly…Jack shook his head and set about rearranging his daughter's sprawled out form so that he could have a small area in which to sleep.
"Mmph… C'mon lass, move over jus' a bit--OOF--!" A foot caught him in the gut as she rolled over and continued to snore, slightly louder now. He made a face and tried again, only to find himself barely ducking a swinging fist. The Hell with it, he'd sleep in the bloody hammock!
Stretching one more time before rolling into the last resort sleeping berth, Jack Sparrow readjusted a pillow beneath his head and allowed his mind to mull over everything that he usually pushed aside. Turning slightly, he caught sight of just one of the things that had been plaguing his thoughts lately-- the tattoo on his daughter's forearm.
Illuminated in the moonlight, the pirate did have to marvel at the similarity of said image to the one on his own person. Not only that, but he also had to admit that looking at it made his heart swell with pride that Kelsea wanted to identify herself as a Sparrow by wearing the same tattoo. And yet… there was something that STILL bothered him about it. Something in his gut that told him it would lead to trouble; that it was a harbinger of doom…
"Harbinger of doom? Did ye really just think that?" He mumbled aloud to himself, reaching to the nightstand for his hat. Cripes, he was beginning to sound like Gibbs. 'BAD LUCK T'HAVE A WOMAN ON BOARD-- ESPECIALLY WIV A TATTOO!' Rolling his eyes once more to the ceiling, Jack snorted and dropped the tri-corne over his eyes. Sleep came on swift wings for once, and for that he was grateful.
MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT-ISH…
One minute peace; the very next the quiet Caribbean night was shattered.
WHISTLE. BANG.
The Black Pearl and all of its slumbering inhabitants were shaken by the terrible jolting that could only mean one thing-- cannon fire!
Jack Sparrow himself was pitched from the hammock and landed on top of the occupant of his bunk. Dark-haired head connected with dark-haired head with a meaty thud and stars exploded in front of two pairs of dark eyes.
"OUCH--!" Came the simultaneous groan, and Kelsea Sparrow sat up violently, tangled in bedclothes and pirate captain. "What the--?"
WHISTLE. BANG.
Both captain and girl were thrown from the bed, where they remained entwined on the floor. Flounder. Confusion. Curse. Frankly, it was hard to tell where father ended and daughter began.
"C-cap'n… What's happening?"
Jack staggered to his feet at last, rubbing at his head and looking for the rest of his clothing. "We're bloody under attack, what's it seem like--!" He pulled on his coat and groped for his hat, still trying to adjust to the darkness. . Flounder. Confusion. Curse.
Caught up in the panicky moment, Kelsea too scrambled to her feet and began dressing herself. Pulling on leather boots and grabbing her jacket. Flounder. Confusion. Curse. The two stumbled around without any more conversation, and it wasn't until the girl had started buckling on her sword belt that Jack finally rounded on her harshly.
"Whaddye think yer doin'?"
Kelsea looked at him incredulously, yells of the Pearl's crew ringing in her ears. "Puttin' on me sword, Cap'n!"
The dread-locked pirate took her by the shoulders and sat her none-too-gently on the bed. "Kelsea Sparrow, yer t'stay here an' barricade th'door. That's an order!"
"But Dad--!"
"An ORDER Kelsea, ye hear me?" His dark eyes bored into her own and the vice grip he had on her upper arms was beginning to hurt. Staring back defiantly, the girl was disheartened to realize that there would be no fighting him on this one.
"Aye, Cap'n Sparrow." She said finally, and he gave her one more uncomfortable squeeze and hard glance before nodding, letting go and striding to the door.
BATTLE TIME…
The event of becoming fully engaged with another ship wasn't nearly as common an occurrence as one might think. Sure, they were scurvy cutthroats and the Black Pearl was certainly a pirate ship-- but usually reputation or the element of surprise was enough to ensure bloodless victory. Besides, feared pirate captain he might have been, but every man who personally knew Jack Sparrow knew that he was no heartless murderer. He tried to tell them that he was, but frankly all evidence to the contrary. In fact, many thought that the merciful attitude would inevitably be his downfall. Anyway, the point was, the Pearl was under attack and mayhem broke out in the dark fog.
Jack's grip on his sword was presently precarious-- dampness causing his fingers to slip a bit every time the blade rang against that of an enemy. The men who were doing the attacking were of some nameless other pirate ship, and it didn't really matter which. They were in it for plunder and for the infamy of besting the legendary Black Pearl. Jack gritted his teeth and battled gamely on, shouting orders from time to time.
"LOAD TH'CANNONS! CUT DOWN THOSE GRAPNELS! HOLD 'EM, MEN! SEND EVERY LAS' ONE T'THE LOCKER!"
Things were going as might be expected-- men on both sides falling transfixed by cutlasses-- and the battle seemed ready to swing either way… until a certain fourteen-year-old became curious.
Kelsea Sparrow stood on the bed, trying to see what was happening through the fogged-up porthole. She could hear the shouting and the screams and the cannons and the metallic clashing of weaponry, but could see nothing aside from the occasional flash of light from a gun. Hopping down to the floor, the girl groaned aloud in tense frustration at her plight.
Locked in the bedroom whilst her crewmen fought a vicious battle--? Where was the justice in that?
She paced around the room, listening intently to the sounds of chaos that were only slightly muffled by the door.
She should be out there alongside the men that had become her family… beside her father… fighting for a ship she loved just as dearly as the rest of them. It wasn't fair that she had been forbidden to take part in the action! Well, she would just have to ignore a certain man's orders and take part anyway-- she'd show him that she didn't need to be treated like a child!
Her fighting spirit aroused, Kelsea decided that that was exactly what she would do-- sneak out of the room and join the melee. She buckled on her sword, took a deep breath and crept towards the door. Grunting with the effort, she managed to push the desk-barricade out of the way and after a moment's pause pushed the oaken portal open.
Men danced this way and that, locked in combat to the death. Ducking a stray dagger that came whistling through the air and embedded itself in the wall beside her head, the dark-haired teen tried to locate her father in all of the pandemonium.
"ENOUGH WIV TH'SHOOTING! STOP BLOWIN' HOLES IN MY SHIP!" The familiar indignant cry rang out, and Kelsea whipped her head around towards the source of the noise.
Captain Jack Sparrow was up near the helm and fighting like a tiger. Just as she was about to try to make her way towards him, however, a rough hand clamped down on her shoulder.
"'Ello, what's this?" Kelsea squirmed around and found herself staring up into the scarred face of an enemy pirate. He laughed wickedly as she tried to wriggle free, his fingers digging painfully into her arm. "A pretty liddle wench, eh? Z'at hurt? I could teach ye th'meanin' o' pain, lassie…" He twisted her wrist around so hard that she let out a pained yelp.
"Leggo--!" Panicked at the revelation that he was dragging her forwards, the girl began fighting for what she could only assume was her life. Kicking, punching and biting, she seemed only able to amuse her tormentor.
"Aye, you fight, girl… makes it better!" He began tearing at her clothing, covering her mouth with one hand as she tried to scream for Jack-- giving her the opportunity she needed.
Kelsea bit down savagely on her captor's hand, causing him to yell and release her momentarily. It was all she needed. Instinctively, as soon as her arms were free, the girl drew her sword and barely got it up in time before he lunged at her in crazed anger.
All in all, the first time that Kelsea Sparrow ever killed a man was more of an accident than anything else. He lurched forward, arms out, and tripped-- the momentum of his heavy frame pitching forwards onto the winter-keen blade of her sword was enough to do the rest. The girl staggered backwards, feeling blood spatter her face as the nameless pirate collapsed nearly on top of her, stone dead.
"Mother 'o God…" She whispered, the sounds of battle becoming far away as she gazed in shock at her blood covered hands. He had been going to kill her or God only knew what else… That she knew, but she hadn't meant to kill him--! However, the terrible disbelief didn't last very long because suddenly there was a new issue.
Cold clammy hands wrapped around her throat, choking off the air supply. As she had stood there frozen, another man had taken notice and crept up on her.
"What's a pretty thin' like yew doin' on a pirate ship?" His voice was frighteningly soft, dangerous in it's rasp. Kelsea clawed at his hands, desperate for a breath as panic welled up within her. As she did, he grabbed her already wrist and pulled it closer to his face. "Well well… What've we 'ere, eh? Tattoo th'same as Jack Sparrow's!" Slow thought seemed to creep over the pirate's face, and suddenly he broke into the wickedest grin the girl had ever seen. "Chances be that makes ye important t'the captain… Levrage, as it were! Oi, lassie, yer comin' wiv me!"
Still struggling for breath, the fourteen-year-old girl was no match for the burly arms of her captor that wrapped around her torso and began hauling her towards planks that led to the attacking ship. Kicks getting feebler by the moment, Kelsea fought for her life to no avail. The only thing she could do was scream-- something most likely useless with all of the noise going on between the cannon-fire and sword fighting.
"HELP! SOMEBODY! DADDYYYYY--!" her cries were then cut off as a dirty handkerchief was thrust into her mouth. She choked and spluttered, effectively gagged.
"Stow th'noise, wretch! Ain't nobody comin' t'yer rescue now!" The scarred buccaneer grabbed her by the hair and began dragging the girl across to the other ship.
However, both he and the girl were incorrect in their assumption that her shouting was in vain. Jack Sparrow jerked his head up at the sound of a girl's cries, and his eyes frantically searched for where it had come from. Dancing nimbly to the side as an adversary lunged at him, the captain pushed the man overboard in one quick motion.
Where was Kelsea--? Wasn't she in his quarters--? But he was SURE he had heard her screams…
And then his heart-stopped as he saw it-- a man yanking his young daughter down into the hold of the enemy ship. He could see the pain and fear on her face, the malice in his. It was at that precise moment that Jack Sparrow became filled with a blood-lust and sprang into action.
"KELS--! HANG ON, M'COMIN'!" He grabbed another sword from a fallen pirate and began hacking his way through the roiling masses to reach his captured child. No man was a match for Jack Sparrow at that moment, rage and worry pumped through his veins like fire-- he was a man possessed.
Everything else in the world ceased to matter-- the battle around him, the well-being of his ship, any injuries sustained… his daughter was the only thing of importance. He HAD to get to her… if she was hurt… if she was-- He couldn't even handle the thought. Well, if anything happened to the girl he wouldn't be able to live with himself.
Those thoughts lodged firmly in his mind, Jack reached the railing in an impossibly short span with two blades swinging. Grabbing a rope, and clenching one sword in his teeth and thrusting the other into his sash, the pirate captain swung across the gap and landed on the deck of the other ship.
Meanwhile, Kelsea had managed to stomp down on the scarred man's foot, but all it gained her was a glancing slap across the face.
"Ye liddle brat-- ye'll pay fer that!"
She could feel blood start to trickle from her nose, and closed her eyes tightly as he raised a hand again-- but the blow never fell. Instead, there was a strangled grunt and a thump. Kelsea opened her eyes and found herself looking down at another dying man. Standing at her side, face a frightening mask of cold fury, was Captain Jack Sparrow.
"D-dad… I… Cap'n Sparrow…" She tried timidly, but he didn't answer.
He gazed down at the man he had just dispatched, hands shaking and breath coming in short bursts. Never in his entire life, had Jack been so shaken. Wordlessly, he swept his daughter up into his arms and stalked back over to the Black Pearl.
AFTERMATH…
The battle raged for an hour or so more, and as statistics would predict, the men of the Pearl came out the victors. When the Sparrows had returned to their ship, Jack had unceremoniously shut Kelsea back in the captain's cabin and gone back to fighting. He hadn't said anything to her yet, and frankly she didn't press the issue. It was as a ragged 'huzzah!' rang out that the girl opened the heavy door and peered out.
The sun was peeking over the horizon, and the fog seemed to have finally dissipated. The scene that met the eyes of one young raven-haired girl was bleak in the morning light-- bodies scattered across blood-stained decks and smoke rising lazily from parts of the Pearl that had caught fire. There was not a breath of wind.
Kelsea crept slowly out of the room, her heart sinking as she saw the amount of damage that the ship had taken. There was debris strewn everywhere that she had to consciously step over. None of the crew said anything as she walked past-- all had seen what had happened with the captain and those who hadn't had heard about it. Besides that, they knew something that she didn't yet…
Jack stood up on the foc'sle, sword held loosely at his side, face blank as he stared straight ahead. The girl sidled up beside him and touched his hand. He flinched but didn't take any other notice of her, and suddenly she realized what it was he was looking at--
The helm of the Black Pearl was completely and utterly destroyed. The ship's wheel was smashed to splinters and the rudder chain obviously disabled. Jack's love… his ship… the wood he had run his fingers lovingly over as he steered for the horizon… it was shattered. Kelsea sucked in a breath as Jack reached out and brushed a hand over the shattered dark wood as tenderly as a father caring for his injured daughter. Speaking of which…
"Kelsea Sparrow." his voice came out dangerously soft and she flinched. This was not going to be good.
"Y-yes..?"
And then he rounded on her, the angst apparent in his face. "Satisfied now? I tol' ye t'stay. In. The. Cabin." his words were clipped and broken, she winced. "Ye deliberately disobeyed my orders an' yer lack of judgement caused… well… this!" Jack flapped his hand violently towards the wreckage, anger causing his voice to rise. Wait-- strike anger. He was beyond angry. This was furious. All of the emotions he had been feeling-- worry, fear and anger-- were about to come boiling to a head.
For her part, Kelsea hung her head miserably. He was right, she knew. He had told her to stay inside, and she had gone against his wishes on purpose. He had known that she would be a liability in action. He had known that the tattoo would be like a beacon for enemies. He had known all of this and he had told her… but she hadn't listened. The teen swallowed hard. It was all her bloody fault-- if she hadn't been captured he would have been at the helm and the Pearl would still be intact.
When Jack spoke again, she jumped. "Mutiny."
"Wha--?"
"'Tis an act of mutiny. Ye disobeyed yer captain's orders, girl, an' if ye consider yerself a part o' this crew ye'll take yer punishment."
Kelsea's eyes widened. Had he just said what she thought he said..? Punished--?
"DUNCAN!" Jack roared suddenly, and the man mentioned came running.
"Cap'n!" he threw a salute, afraid of the volatile mood swings of his captain.
"Miss Sparrow has committed a form of mutiny. See to it that it won't happen again."
"Sir..?" Duncan clearly didn't know what he meant.
"Five lashes."
And everybody froze.