We got out to the Spanish ship, and I balked at the crew. More men than supplies, it was a miracle the ship was even floating with that much flesh on board. Then I realized what was happening. Villanueva didn't want to just fight Jack, he was going to kill him, and make the Pearl one of his fleet. Dear God, how do I get my men out of this one?
We were brought, roughly, to the Captain. He glared us down.
"Sparrow!" he didn't need to say anything else apparently, because at that point more than 20 gun triggers clicked into place, and twice that many swords twanged as they were pulled from scabbards. I gritted my teeth. He wasn't going to wait and exchange words, he wasn't even going to follow pirate protocal. Captain Teak would be hot as a hellcat when he found out the rules had been broken to kill his son. I looked around quickly, taking acount of many different nationalities, the tattoos of multiple gangs, crews even. All loyalties were represented. Hmmm... this crew wasn't Villanueva"s alone, bet they didn't even hold an official allegiance with him...
I took maybe half a moment to decide, and cursed under my breath. If I survived this, I was going to kill Jack. The gunshot made Sparrow jump, and half the men fell into each other, causing fights to break out all over the deck. The man holding me was knocked unconcious, and I walked to the now dead pirate Lord, pulling his piece of eight - the broken neck of a glass bottle, with the cork still plugged inside - from his breast pocket. I was now a pirate Lord.
Later that night...
I sat in an engraved, cushioned chair behind a grand desk in the captains office on the Black Pearl. The men were all celebrating, and I'd given the Harmony over to Charlie for the night. It was time Jack and I talked. All that day, I had shuttled myself from one ship to another. It was strange for me to suddenly have another ship, and I disliked the Centurion greatly. It was dirty and unkempt, overpopulated and honestly? Poorly named. After having over two thirds of the crew swear allegiance to me, I handed the rest to Jack and split the hold's swagger with him. In a round about, irritating way, Jack had made me a Lord, and I knew how to honor friendship. He was thrilled, and the men happy to spread their number over the extra ships; I was still wondering how half of them hadn't died on the voyage here. But now that the busy day was over, and I had time to think, I wish I didn't have so much to think on. Jack had been there beside me all day, even before I'd gifted him so heavily. He was helpful, which was 100 times more than I could say for his brother. Silly manipulator though he was, the elder Sparrow brother had been a captain longer than I, and was more experienced with dealing with new crews; he rarely held onto his for long once we seperated. I could not express how much I appreciated his presence dealing with it all. But now I was wondering, was that the only reason I was glad Jack had been with me all day? Increasingly through out the trials of the afternoon, when things had begun to die down, I was looking to him not just for help, but for company as well. The fool was amusing, and charming too. I had an aching in my heart for a man this night, and I knew how dangerous that was. I couldn't be falling for a Sparrow again, could I?
Finally, after about an hour, Jack came clumping into the room, swinging the door shut behind him, and taking a long drink of the rum in his hand, before he turned and saw me in his chair.
"Pirate Lord Thorn! I didn't see yer there!" he grinned lopsidedly, and I laughed.
"The amount you been drinkin out there, I'm surprised you can see at all." he chuckled, and pushing papers to the floor, seated himself in a chair, kicking his boots up on the desk.
"What is it yer wantin in me office darlin?" he looked attentive enough...I guess this is it then.
"You've got a niece Jack. Thought you ought to know." he sobered instantly, a look of incredulity on his face.
"No! Landon?" he looked disturbed, and I nodded.
"But you don't seem to be gettin on, he's barely said a word about yer! He knows don't he?" he was looking at me intently now, his boots back on the floor.
"Yes, he knows, no we're not getting on. He left, Jack. Before Melody was born. Until you sent him after me, hadn't seen him in over a year." I looked down, trying to get a grip on the tears burning in the back of my throat. No one, not even Charlie knew just how bad that betrayal had been. Charlie didn't know everything I'd given up, everything I'd gone through to be with Landon. No one knew, no one but Jack. Jack, who seemed to be struggling heavily with a decision right now. For the first time I'd ever seen, he was so upset he put his bottle down.
"That bastard left you?! Damn coward! If I'd a known Rose, I'd never'a sent him after you! Woulda left ya right alone I would have. This is just like Landon, too, but how he justified doin that to you after everything... I'm so sorry Rose." He looked at me and I could see how angry he was at his brother, how sorry he really was fer bringing me here. I sighed, and smiled best I could.
"It's alright Jack. I don't care 'bout 'im anymore. And I'm glad you sent fer me, I wouldn't have wanted to lose all this, and anyway," I hesitated a moment, but something inside me pushed me ahead. "I missed ya bad, Jack." he looked a little surprised, but grinned again.
"Course yer were! No woman can stand to be away from ol' Jack!" I laughed, rolling my eyes. I stood, having said my piece, I was ready to leave.
"Rose, wait," I looked back at him, halfway to the door. He had that serious look back from a moment ago, "Don't bother headin back to the Harmony tonight, there's alot of new men over there anyway, I'd feel lots better if yer stayed here." he blushed but smiled foolishly after a second. "You can have me quarters, even." he wiggled his eyebrows up and down. I chuckled, not really wanting to have to get back to my ship anyway. I knew he'd never try anything with me, especially after what I'd just told him. Anyway, he thought of me as a sister, didn't he?
"Alright Jack, I be takin you up on that, me thinks." he nodded, satisfyed, and left. I went down to his cabin, knowing the way by heart. The first year we were 'married' Landon and I had lived on the Pearl. I let myself into the room, feeling almost at home. I went into the small closet in the wall, and found one of my old nightgowns, still hanging where I'd left it. Told him to keep it, case I ever wanted to live a bit on the Pearl again. I smiled at his kindness to listen. I changed slowly, and got into the big, feather bed. I sighed happily, it was good to finally get some rest. A little later I heard Jack come in, and pretended to already have fallen asleep. He undressed and slipped into the covers, down to his underthings.
"I'm sorry Rose, but he'll pay, I promise." I heard him whisper into my hair, and a moment later, his arm slipped around my waist, pulling me close to him. I couldn't help snuggling back into his warmth, and quickly passed into dreams.