Three Favors

By: Kimmie-Sama

The Storm

Like curtains shading the light from the sun, Elizabeth's hair acted like drapes that blocked the candlelight from the sides of the bed. Jack for once felt really awed by a woman, her exquisite beauty was something you never really found except once in a lifetime. For all the hard luck Jack Sparrow had to live with, he had a wonderfully breathtaking lady sitting on top of him in the cabin of his most beloved ship. The world was now complete.

"Jack Sparrow, you are by far the worst influence on a lady." Her words toyed with him, bordered on the line of playful and stern. The warm glow of the firelight passed through the golden tresses that hung on the sides of her head, making her tan skin brighten.

As her head lowered closer to his awaiting lips, Jack smirked in a slight way. "If I recall correctly love, you were the one who pushed me down on me bed."

"Hush, that's not the point." The sound of her light laughter sounded to him like the ringing of bells. Hands snaked around his vest coat and shirt, trailing softly over his chest. Fire is what her fingers felt like, it burned a path down to over his heart and paused on the scars that resided there. He ignored the look over her face of pity, it made him a little uneasy.

Shifting his weight he took her in his arms, changing so his body leaned on his left leg and hovered over her smaller form. She was still clothed in that annoying sailors outfit and more then anything he wanted to tear it off her body. One hand ran over the soft waves of her hair, while the other began to set out on getting her unclothed. Elizabeth seemed so at ease with it all, so relaxed.

Perhaps a bit too relaxed.

Jack paused as he came to the last button on her vest, eyes locked on hers. "'lizabeth. Tell me to stop or I won't." It was bold but true. After so long on lusting after her, his moment was here... and he didn't want to give it up for anything.

Wonderful fluttering eyes stared right back at him. She didn't respond with words, instead there was a hand placed on his neck, guiding him back to her bewitching lips. They touched with his own, her taste making Jack forget all trouble she had caused him in the past few days. The headache, the sleepless nights and the constant doubt of her intentions were trivial and a lifetime away.

When the click of the metal was heard, Jack froze. Pulling his head back just inches from hers, he saw the same set of eyes just a minute before. Yet this time they held something else. Guilt. It was the kraken all over again, only this time he wasn't sure why. "Lizzie." He spoke in a hushed whisper.

Eyes glared as Elizabeth pulled her hand away from his wrist. There where he had been touching her locks, was a shackle tightened. It looked alarmingly like the one he had before... how did that get into his cabin? The moment it took him to realize what she had done she shifted from underneath him. With a jerk of his wrist the end of the lock held tight against the mast.

When did the mast get next to his bed?

Elizabeth stood in front of him, how he stood and when was still confusing him. "Pirate." Words came without knowing he was going to speak. What happened to the beautiful moment that seemed now miles away? This all seemed so familiar. Like a memory.

'That's because it is Jackie.'

"Bugger." Feeling physically ill, Jack leaned back on the mast. The woman still stood just a few feet away. "Lets pretend this didn't happen and get back to the bed, shall we..? My dreams can't be this cruel." No words came from her as Jack felt himself slump down. With his left hand still attached to the mast, he sat there with a hand in the air as if he was a puppet. Rolling his head back and looking up at Elizabeth, he felt for once he was defeated. What would eventually kill Jack Sparrow for good would be a woman, wouldn't it?

But what a woman to die over. As he felt the wind shift and the pearl creak under the pressure of the beastie below, Jack stared up at Elizabeth. It was time she left already. If this was a memory it was almost time for his show of heroic bravery and venture cutlass drawn into the mouth of the beast. Elizabeth should have been far away now.

Yet there she entrancingly stood, looking more and more alarmed then remorseful. Maybe she didn't want to leave him here a second time. "Better run off love."

Her mouth opened to give out a yell. "Jack!!"

--

"Jack!!"

The mix of her voice and the loud crack of thunder made the captain jump from his slumber. A pain came across his face as he fell from the position on his chair he had and collided with the hard wooden surface of the floor. Muttering certain words of a questionable nature Jack raised himself only to find it much harder then it should be. The ship was being tossed, almost literally in the roaring sea outside.

Dawning on him that they were in the middle of a squall Jack took a good look to the doorway of his cabin. Elizabeth was there, her body drenched with a mix of rain and sea water. Behind her he saw the flashing of lightning and felt the aftershock of the thunder. Finding his sea legs quickly he rushed to her, pushing one hand past her to rest on the frame. "When did it come?"

"Just now!" Knowing his reasoning, Elizabeth turned to look outwards at the sky. "Came from no where, the sky deepened then this!"

"Get below deck and make rounds! Everything needs to be tied into place!"

"Aye!"

Below deck was dangerous in a storm, but he trusted her to be aware of the situation. Before she turned away from him, he could see the look of worry across her face but not for her own sake. It made him feel a little more at ease with her, knowing that his Lizzie deep down did care for him. First things were first, the storm so abrupt could only mean disaster if not handled properly.

Gibbs was being the ever loyal boatswain and first mate, taking the helm and barking out orders in Jack's stead. Sometimes Jack wondered if the older pirate would have preferred to stay in the Navy instead of taking on the daunting task of Jack's right hand. At least then he wouldn't have had to face off sea monsters and cursed men.

Without a word Jack took the helm for himself as he took a eye out on the roaring seas. The waves were so massive he couldn't make out the horizon but he held his vision as he turned the wheel to the port side. It was where the clearest of sky and a simmer of the sun was and the only beacon out of this turmoil. "Gibbs be on the lookout for spouts!"

"Aye Cap'n!" It would be the most likely outcome of the sea right now, the waves the Pearl could handle. After facing off the Dutchman in a maelstrom this should be effortless but Jack felt a certain uneasiness with this storm. All he could do was pull hard on the wheel and hope for the best.

Rain came crashing down mixed with a hard wall from a crest of a wave. It threw Jack off balance enough to shift the wheel. As the wave from the port side now came down on the ship instead of the planned notion of flowing over it; Jack saw the sailors on deck being covered with the salty waters. At this point if he was not careful the Pearl could capsize and be lost. Not liking the idea of seeing this ship drift to the sea bed below again Jack did his best to hold tight at the helm.

Yells were heard but Jack could not understand them fully. One was Gibbs, like always giving orders like the good man he was. Others were mixed crew members, one sticking out like a sore thumb. His Elizabeth was back on deck, holding her own in the fierce storm. Not being careless by worrying about her, Jack ignored the calls of her voice.

They seemed to rage on for hours, the sky in the distance becoming darker then night. Sun had set this day and yet the storm still raged on, making Jack realize that they had now been delayed almost half a days lead. His arms ached from the strain on the rudder and wheel, holding them both in place. If they didn't come out of this storm soon then he feared the Pearl might not last.

His worse fear was recognized with the howling winds started to grow above them all. With the flashes of lightning giving him enough light to see what was growing in the clouds above, Jack held his breath. A spout of cloud swirled around and pointed downwards like the devil's finger. With the sudden grasp of where it was going to land Jack turned the ship the opposite direction. Gibb's voice was heard, screaming the warning to Jack.

It crashed into the sea next to the Pearl, the sea tornado with a force capable of splitting the ship in two. It may have missed this time, but the force of the strong winds made the sails buckle and break the gaffs. Rope unraveled and was taken up into the swirling vortex that was just far enough from the ship to keep some kind of hope. Lightning made it flash as its deadly dance continued and inched closer and closer to the hull.

The wheel strained hard against his grip and Jack had to use his entire body weight to keep it in one spot and feared that he would lose it soon. With the spout coming near and the winds howling the way they were, Jack could almost see the afterlife beckoning him closer.

A loud crash of breaking wood came from behind him and in the fury of the draught debris flew around his body. Turning his body, the last thing Jack saw was the blackened sky and the mizzen coming down.

--

Jack Sparrow was dead. At least, he thought so. There was no possible way to live through that whole storm unless a miracle happened and that was never the case with him. He made his own luck, usually with some help from the naive persons he would come across in his travels. The mizzen mast had fallen on him, crushed his body and he died at sea... just not the way he wanted the stories to be.

Maybe in respect for the Captain, if Gibbs made it out, he would give a grand story of bravery or supernatural occurrences that lead to the great Captain Jack Sparrow's demise. Gibbs would be the perfect man to give the tale and would most likely get a few free rounds of rum while he spoke so highly of the late Captain. All the while with a small glistening tear in the old sea dog's eye. Aye, what a mate.

'If you are dead, how are you imagining your death?'

'Better yet, how are we all still here, Jackie?'

"Because you lot are my own personal hell, that's why." His own mouth moved. Or was he dreaming? A sudden weight in his hand made Jack stir from his sitting position. For some reason he was on a sandy beach, small and noticeably familiar. "Another memory aye?" The weight in his hand was a bottle of rum, half empty.

No Elizabeth was here though. It must have been before he met her, when he was alone here on this hump of a island. In the distance he swore he could see the darkening spot of the Pearl and his heart suddenly felt very broken. Was the Pearl at the bottom of the sea once again? Or did it last long enough to at least let the crew get to safety?

What of Elizabeth?

Rum tasted like water. It was a nightmare. Jack flung himself back on the white sands, his eyes wide as he looked up at the lightest of blue skies. "If o' Jack is not dead, then why does this feel like hell?" No one responded to him as he wanted really. The voices that came to him were his own but they also seemed like tricks of his warped brain. Most of the time they made him more irritable then comforted.

Drifting to sleep was nice with the hot sun coming down on his skin. But as he slowly was pulled into the seemingly peaceful slumber a sudden wave of pain took him. Trying to wake didn't help, it seemed to make it worse. The once warm sun was pressed down hot like a iron spike that had been shoved into fiery coals. Each breath made the pain increase but he learned quickly if he stayed still and took in the air slowly, it dimmed the pain.

Candles were around him now, not the beach. It was his cabin. The ship rocked just the slightest so he knew he was still at sea. The wind came into his room, no doubt a few of the windows had been destroyed in the battle against the storm. It looked like Jack Sparrow had lived yet another day. A silent prayer went out to whatever God fancied him enough to let him survive as Jack pushed back the pain in his chest to sit up from the bed.

Ribs were broken, bruises and some cuts but Jack felt in one piece. He did a quick double take when he felt the bandages around his chest, they were recent. In his mind he saw a golden haired woman kneeling over his unconscious form undressing him with tear stained cheeks. His own imagination of the sentimental moment made his lips curve upwards, but it came crashing down when he thought that maybe Elizabeth was even worse off then himself.

Finding his shirt was easy enough, it was tossed on the bed with him. It took him a few painful seconds to pull the familiar fabric over his battered body, but now that he was clothed Jack found his footing and started out of his cabin.

The sun made him blink, his eyes needed a moment to adjust. "Cap'n!" The voice made him feel a bit more at ease, Gibbs at least survived the storm.

"Gibbs, how long did ye let me sleep for?" Opened and looking ahead, Jacks own eyes caught the worried ones of Joshamee. The other man had walked up next to the captain, blocking a bit of the view of the deck from Jack.

Gibbs looked a little worried at Jack's stagger as the boat moved, the captain was still not up to his fullest. "About three days now, we did what we could to wake you but you wouldn't budge, Cap'n."

Had it really been that long? The time in his dream made it feel like just minutes passed. "Seeing how we are not standing in sea water my guess is that me ship is in working order then?"

"To a point.. Jack we were stranded without much hope with the mizzen snapped like a twig. If he hadn't showed.." Trailing off, Gibbs stole a glance away from Jack's face.

"He?" Jack slowed in speech. "And who are you referring to with... 'he'?"

A look of apprehension made Jack feel exasperated. Even before Gibbs spoke Jack could read the answer in the man's face as he looked back towards him. "Barbossa."

Rushing past the other man, Jack finally got a chance to see his ship. None of the sails were opened to catch the winds, yet the boat still moved. Most of the debris had been cleaned up but turning back to look at where the mizzen mast should be standing tall, Jack saw its huge frame collapsed on the port side of the ship. It was still hanging on in just the slightest, the wood broken that seemed like daggers pointed upwards.

The wheel was covered and broken as well, the very spot he had been standing at was caved in the dark wood. Gibbs was beside him in moments, giving the area a look around as well. "More then just that, Jack. The Pearl needs a good re haul to make up for the damaged caused." Jack felt disheartened, but at least the ship wasn't sinking into the abyss.

Heading now to the bow of the ship, Jack saw the thick ropes that were tied to the two remaining masts, as well as the different parts that made up the front. Not to far in the distance, with the long ropes connecting to it, was the ship from only a few days ago. "What does he want in repayment for his so gallant act of compassion then?"

"If he is wanting something in return, he did not mention it."

Jack turned towards the other man. "Such a charitable parasite now isn't he? I say we can repair the damages ourselves. Mister Gibbs, cut off the ropes and be hasty with it."

"But," Gibbs retorted looking downright perplexed. "Cap'n, the crew... some are on his ship."

"Then that's their misfortunes not mine." Jack pushed past the man once more, he needed to get back to his cabin and find his compass. If his hunch was correct then maybe...

"Miss Elizabeth included, Jack."

A flash of the kiss a few days back filled his mind. He now stood in the doorway of his cabin, where the event had taken place. After a long lustful minute being able to hold her and push the boundaries of her apprehensive pride, Elizabeth had pulled back and left him right here. Long hair danced goodbye as he watched her rush off as if the kiss never happened. It caused him quite a bit of irritation and pain, which he had drowned in rum.

Never did solve the problem, but it made him have some rather terrific dreams, until the part of the shackle that is. "Again, not my problem. If the lass wanted to find some better company then by all means she can have it."

A voice of a parrot interrupted both Jack's and Gibb's thoughts. "Braak! Land ho!"

--

"No need for thanks, Jack."

"Who said anything about a thanks?"

It was annoying to be shorter then a man you loathed. It meant that first, you could never really push him down with your words and slander, he would always stand just tall enough to keep you at bay. And two, Jack really, really hated that hat.

Dressed in his best, Jack felt better after half a day of sitting on the stairs of his Pearl, staring off at the oncoming land. The compass' red arrow kept pointing true towards the marshes of green and that as well made him feel better. His mind was not construed against finding the Fountain or wanting Elizabeth.

But this was not what he had wanted. Hector Barbossa stood on the deck of his Pearl, looking like a man who was ready to hunt. The shores in which they docked was a small town, the docks not long or wide enough to harbor the galleons that the two captains owned. Judging by the buildings it was a French colony, but there was no doubt that they had finally reached the main land.

Barbossa had been kind enough to take a longboat back to the anchored Pearl, to collect Jack and his first mate. It made Jack constantly on edge, why his ex-first mate was being so hospitable to him. No doubt it was for some purpose but what that was, Jack had no idea. Even that little devil monkey had some sort of dastardly plan.

"Let us get down to it then." Hector took a step back, making a motion to the ladder and the boat below. "On shore we can find the proper tools to fix the mast, then ye and I have some... business to take care of."

"Aha!" Jack raised a finger as he dared not move to close to the edge of his ship yet. "You do have a motive, just as I thought. Seeing how I did not really ask for the help mate, you gave it on your own and therefore, I owe you nothing!"

Jack was fully surprised to see the fellow captain look unnerved by the banter. "It not be the business of helpin' yeh this time. I have more important issues to be descussin' with yeh and mind me Jack Sparrow, ye will listen."

Looking and feeling defeated, Jack motioned for Gibbs to climb down. As Barbossa stood there his eyes fixed on him, Jack then motioned for him to get off. Rolling his eyes the older man followed shortly behind Gibbs. Walking to the edge, Jack looked down at the longboat.

A lady sat aboard, looking back at him.

'Bah! See, ye can never get away from her.'

'What do ye suppose when on with her and Barbossa then?'

'...oh! A peanut.'

"Low and behold, the bonny lass." Whispering to himself, Jack turned heal to climb down. His eyes avoided hers as he settled himself down on the boat, the pain in his chest still making the movements a little harsh for him. Two of Barbossa's crew started to row, Jack recognizing them with an annoyed glance. They were bickering about the pace of each other's row, the tall lanky one with the eye patch saying the short bald one was going to slow.

"You can't rush in these choppy waters, now slow down!"

"No rushin' just rowin' you need to quick the pace!"

"Both of yeh just row or yeh will be findin' yerself wearin' the hempen halter* before the day is out!" Hector seemed just as annoyed as Jack at this point, how the Captain dealt with those two was still a riddle to him. The two quieted down but that was probably not for the best, because now the boat rowed in a silence that was only hampered by the oars hitting the surface of the dark waters.

With the silence came the need to glance at her, glad to see Elizabeth was not looking in his direction. He took her in with a moment, watching her as she stared off at the open seas. Knowing exactly what she was thinking, Jack shrugged and looked away. It didn't matter if she was thinking of her husband, after all she loved him. And Jack Sparrow only had one love, that would never change.

"How ya feelin' Cap'n?"

Gibbs made it sound like Jack was a incapacitated man. Jack shot him a glare, his mind glad to be focused again on something besides Elizabeth. "Bloody fantastic mate, ready for a few rounds of rum and even more unabashed wenches."

The two rowing were the only ones who snickered and Gibbs kept his mouth shut afterwards. Knowing when Jack was in a foul mood it was best just to leave the man alone and be done with it. Jack was glad he picked up on the tone in his voice and looked back to the woman, expecting her face to be still looking off at the sunset with hope of a flash of green.

Instead she was giving the most deathly of glares at his person.

A chill ran up his spine as Jack Sparrow looked off at the lands ahead. This trip would be very interesting.

*hempen halter is a term for the hangman's noose.

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