Author's Notes:
Hey there, fellow writers and readers! The compliments are absolutely lovely and constructive criticism is always appreciated. (Hands every reviewer a slinky, because slinkies are so neat-o) Just don't use them for evil purposes, okay?
Now let's see...Belle Gilily and the delicious Captain have struck a deal. Jack will let her come aboard the Black Pearl so she can find her real pirate father's ship and have the chance to live out her dream as a pirate. The only problem is is that they don't know where to start! It's kind of like Where's Waldo? except Jack isn't wearing red and white striped clothes with a little ski hat. (gets mental picture and cringes) I hope you enjoy this installment.
I swear on pain of death, I shall take you to the Black Pearl and your bonny lass. Do we have an accord? -CJS
PineAppleLint
"That's all you have to say, Sparrow?" she cried, obviously disgusted, "Then we are in a bigger pickle than I thought if one of the most infamous pirate captains in the Caribbean can only say 'damn' when presented with a problem."
Jack grinned idiotically at her, not saying a word.
"What?" Belle asked, flustered, "Why are you so amused?"
"You said damn, luv. You are already losing your snobbish ways."
"Good, because I am glad to be rid of them. Since you would rather get drunk tonight instead of start on our expedition, I shall take this matter into my own hands," Belle replied, chin high.
"And what do ye suppose we do?"
"Commodore Norrington is a friend of the family. He would surely keep tabs on the pirate ships of the Caribbean."
"Ye ran away from home, luv. Wouldn't he send ye straight back to yer father?"
"If he tries, I won't go without a fight. Lend me your pistol, will you?"
Jack Sparrow shook his head and replied, "Cursin' and wantin' weaponry all in the time span of one minute. Yer impressin' me. I can't pass the chance to see ol' chum Norrington! Plus you can't go all by yer onesies. I'll tag along."
"All right Sparrow. But aren't you wanted dead?"
"As you said, Belle, nothing a pistol can't change." He cocked his hat at her and handed Belle her shawl. "Shall we be goin', lass?"
"Yes, the sooner the better," Belle replied. She then narrowed her eyes and poked him in the nose with her finger, adding, "Oh, and try not to do anything stupid."
The sky rumbled and Belle looked up at the darkness thoughtfully. The gray clouds looked heavy as if they were going to spill over at any moment. Thick, dense fog surrounded them, wrapping around them like a muffling quilt.
"Wonderful weather, isn't it?" Jack teased, trying to make small talk.
"Mmmm..." she murmured, deep in thought.
"Belle, what are you so troubled about?" Jack inquired, his eyebrows raised as she glanced back at him.
"Just wondering if this idea is going to bloody work," Belle muttered, "After all, Commodore is going to be very suspicious as to why I need information on the whereabouts of The Rising Sun. And I would rather you not get clapped into irons the moment you step through the door."
"You care about me welfare, luv," he said, pressing his palms together and bowing dramatically, "I'm touched."
Belle rolled her eyes and began to walk faster. She heard him bumbling behind her, trying to keep up. She glanced back and found him quickening his swaggering step, his hands flailing about.
"It's odd that the guards have not noticed us yet," she said with amusement, "With you walking around like that."
"Like what?"
"Forget it, Sparrow."
"No, what?"
"Well, you tend to look like this," Belle pointed out and did a very good impression of him walking down the cobblestone streets of Port Royal, staggering about like a drunk madman.
He narrowed his eyes and accused, "Are ye pokin' fun at Captain Jack Sparrow?"
She smiled and replied, "Perhaps a little."
"Yer goin' to pay for that, lass," he said, grinning, "No one pokes fun at the likes of Captain Jack Sparrow."
"Well, there's a first time for everything, isn't there?" she asked, eyes twinkling while she began to lead the way once more.
Jack Sparrow took a moment to watch her walk off again. She was a hellcat, he thought, full of retorts and spice, that one. His eyes lingered over her curvy hips and the way her buttocks filled out those breeches.
"Sparrow," Belle called, not bothering to turn around, "If you keep looking where you are looking, I will box your ears!"
Jack smiled. Ah, caught in the act. He was going to have fun getting to know her.
"Hold up, luv!" he said and began running after her, still grinning like crazy. Oh yes, the two of them were going to have quite the adventure. Suddenly he stopped and grabbed a hold of Belle's hand, frowning and scanning the area.
"Sparrow! What's wrong?"
"Hush. I think I hear something." Right at that moment, Belle gasped as a sword was pressed to Jack's throat.
"Well, well ... if it isn't Captain Jack Sparrow," the soldier smirked, and five others surrounded them, forming a circle so they could not escape. They pointed their swords at Belle and Sparrow in warning.
"My name is Belle Gilily, and we were on our way to pay a visit to Commodore Norrington. So I would suggest you put a stop to your rash actions at once!"
They just laughed at her bold words. "Miss," one of them exclaimed, "We know Mister Gilily and why would his daughter be running about with the likes of Sparrow in men's clothing? Are the two of you lovers?"
Jack raised his eyebrows at this remark but didn't say a word, just grinned mischievously.
"We most certainly are not!" she hissed then tried to maintain her calm composure once more. "Please, I do insist you take us to Norrington."
"It's straight to the cells for you two, missy. Anyone conversing with the likes of Sparrow is up to no good."
"This is madness!" Belle cried as one kicked Sparrow so he toppled over and three of them began to chain him.
"Easy on the goods!" he commanded gruffly as they clapped him in irons none too lightly.
"Get off of him!" she yelled and punched her captor in the face, instantly breaking his nose. She grabbed his sword and stared at it for a split second. She had never REALLY dealt with a sword in combat in her entire life. Belle held the sword to one soldier's back and shouted, "Step away from Jack Sparrow or I shall slit his throat. Savvy?" The others glanced up and their eyes widened. The soldier that she was holding hostage actually looked frightened. Jack stood up and brushed off his pants, bowing to Belle slightly.
"Thanks luv."
"No problem, Jack. Boys, it seems here that Jack needs an apology."
There was silence and Jack got out his pistol, aiming it at another soldier. Suddenly a rush of mumbled apologies escaped their lips and Belle and Jack smiled, clearly satisfied. "Now men," Belle continued, "If you would be so kind as to lead us to Commodore Norrington's office."
They marched single file in front of Belle and Sparrow, her sword still at the man's back and Jack's pistol cocked in case one decided to make any sudden movements. They opened the door to his office, and Norrington was there, busy at work at his desk, scribbling on some documents. His white wig almost gleamed in the dim candlelight and he glanced up at them as Jack stormed in, saying, "Hello old friend. How 'ave ye been?"
"Jack Sparrow?" he questioned with a distasteful curl of his lip, "What are you doing here?"
One soldier said frantically, "We were going to lock them up in the cells but they threatened us, Commodore!"
"Them? Who is the other..." His voice faltered when Belle walked through the door, sword still in hand.
"Miss Gilily?" he said, eyes wide, "What in heavens name are you doing?"
"Hello Commodore," she said, nodding her head in his direction, "Please tell these upstanding gentlemen to leave us and never bother with the likes of us again."
"Leave us gentlemen," Norrington ordered, "For now, if you please."
The men grumbled and slammed the door shut behind him. Norrington stood up and walked over to Belle, taking her hand and saying, "Belle, what are you doing in such clothes? Why, with Jack Sparrow..."
"Sparrow is a business acquaintance," she replied coolly, "And since you are such a great friend, we need some information."
"I'm not helping Jack Sparrow," Commodore replied, his eyes cutting to meet Jack's, who grinned, "He has an appointment with the gallows. He deserves to be hanged."
"He is a good man, Commodore," Belle protested.
"Call me James, Belle," he corrected, "We have known each other too long for such talk." He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it softly.
She let out a shaky breath and said, "James, we must discuss the whereabouts of the ship 'The Rising Sun.'" Jack watched them talk with amusement as he sat comfortably on Norrington's desk. Clearly he noticed that Norrington and Belle had had an interesting past together. Thankfully Belle wasn't interested in the stuffy lad. But Norrington's emotions were an entirely different story ...Sparrow was going to have to keep a sharp eye.
"Why the Rising Sun, Belle?"
"It is none of your concern."
"If you expect me to give you information, Belle, then I must know the reason," Norrington said gently.
"Lighten up a bit, Commodore," Jack said with a smile, "It is none of yer damn business."
"Stay out of this Jack."
"Yes Jack, please shut up," Belle ordered through clenched teeth.
"Tell me Belle. We have known each other since we were but children. Surely you could tell me," Norrington coaxed.
She hesitated and suddenly asked, "What is Sparrow's fate?"
"He shall be locked up for the time being," Norrington said, as if he was extremely bored.
"He hasn't done anything wrong!" she retaliated fiercely, "You cannot harm him!"
"Just because the two of you are business acquaintances, so to speak, does not void the fact that he has committed many crimes and deserves to be punished for them."
"Mangy cad," Jack muttered and Norrington glanced up at him, saying angrily, "I beg your pardon?"
"Jack, please!" Belle said, holding up a hand to silence him.
"You must not do this, Commodore," she pleaded.
"And why not?" he asked, frowning down at her, "Surely a bloody pirate cannot mean so much to you."
"He...he..." she sputtered and finally she had an idea. If she lied, she could save Jack's skin but perhaps endanger her own.
"We are married," she lied and stared up at him, emotion flooding her eyes. Belle had always been a very good actress. She turned to Jack, who stared at her openmouthed, but she shot him a look that told him to go along with it.
"WHAT?" Norrington gaped.
"We eloped this very night," she said dramatically, "And I ran away from home. Jack and I have loved each other for so long, and tonight we proved our love."
"What...how could you give yourself to a man like Sparrow?" Norrington asked, still shocked beyond reason.
"Please, you must help us Norrington," she pleaded, "Help us find the Rising Sun. Give us a ship. Jack is wanted dead and I don't want anyone to kill the love of my life."
Jack piped up, "Aye. And this meeting is taking away from our honeymoon time so could you please hurry it up a bit..."
"Jack!" she gasped, appalled. He grinned, loving the reaction he got from her.
"So this is truly what you want out of life, Belle?" he asked bitterly, "To spend the rest of your life with a pirate?"
"I'm sorry Norrington," Belle said softly, touching his cheek, "It can be no other way."
"All right," he sighed, "As a wedding present for you, Belle. I shall help you find your way to the Rising Sun. And I'm not doing this for you, Jack. Mark my words."
"O' course, Commodore. You hate me guts, I can tell," Jack said with a smile still plastered onto his lips.
"Tonight, come nightfall," Norrington said, "I shall help you out of Port Royal."
"Oh thank you, Norrington," she breathed, kissed his cheek, and he blushed to the tips of his wig.
"You two are not made for each other, Belle," Norrington whispered, eyeing Jack, who was looking through Norrington's assorted weapons and knick knacks.
"That's not true, Commodore. In my heart I know I've made the right choice."
"As you wish, Belle. What is said in this office will not leave this office."
Jack called, "Luv, we should find a place to stay until nightfall."
Norrington sighed with disgust and said, "You can stay in my quarters. Don't dirty things up, Sparrow. I'm doing this for Belle."
"You've already established that, mate. Yer a smart man. What man wouldn't pass up a chance to help such a fine lass?" He made his point by letting his eyes linger over Belle's body suggestively and she could feel pure hatred radiate off of Norrington.
"Well," she said quickly, "We must be getting some rest to be freshened up come nightfall. Come on, darling." Jack took Belle's hand and she called over her shoulder, "Thank you again, Norrington! You are such a wonderful friend!" and shut the door once they entered Commodore's quarters.
"You sure move fast, luv," he teased and wrapped his arms around her.
"Shut up," she said angrily, "You would have been hanged tomorrow if I hadn't said anything."
"Much appreciated, luv. Now how about that honeymoon I'm looking forward to?" He ran his hands along her hips seductively. She stepped out of his grasp and whispered fiercely, "You are a bloody pig and..."
"Name calling is getting you no where, Belle. Now which side of the bed do ye want?"
Belle walked up to him and smacked him across the face, growling, "I get the whole bed, Sparrow. You..." she pointed to the floor, "Are going to sleep here. Savvy?"
I hope you liked it! More should be on the way any day now. Now do what you pirates do best and click on that little button down to the left. (Points, using sword) Savvy?
