Return of the Sparrow

Alanna blinked. Despite what she had just been through, she gaped at the ship that now floated in front of her. The men aboard barked instructions to one another and soon a series of ropes were being thrown over the railing. Seizing the opportunity, the crew hastily grabbed a hold of them and was hauled aboard. Alanna herself was one of the last to see the tarnished deck they were now calling home. It was exactly as she pictured, the black paint pealing away to reveal patches of ivory wood. A group of men came forward to greet her, all of them familiar. Mr. Gibbs, the ship's first mate grinned at her, displaying a set of rotten teeth.

"Welcome aboard, miss," he said with as much charm as he could muster. "I'm Mr. Gibbs, or as most people call me, just Gibbs. We saw what happened and were more than willing to come to your aid."

Seeing this as an act of diplomacy, she responded politely. "Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Gibbs, but I shall like to address the captain."
A rough voice spoke above the crew before Gibbs could answer. "I suppose you'd be wanting to speak to me, then?"

Alanna spun to see a man at the helm, sauntering down the stairs with some manner of authority. Truly, the face of Jack Sparrow was not to be forgotten. Above sturdy black boots and leggings, a white shirt covered his torso, the opening displaying quite a few black hairs. Upon his callused and dirty fingers sat his unique collection of rings. A slender blade sat in its scabbard, hanging royally from his waist. Finally, below the signature dreadlocks and captain's hat, a pair of curious brown eyes stared back at her, a cocky grin spreading across his face.

"Jack Sparrow," Alanna murmured with a sigh. He was everything she thought him to be…and more. He was, without a doubt, a very revolting character. Still, considering their circumstances, she was going to have to talk to him civilly. He revulsion of him increased, however, when he came closer. The alcohol on his breath was unmistakable.

"How can I be of service, Ms… ?"

"Livingston," Alanna said curtly. "And I only wanted to see if my assumptions were correct."

He chuckled softly. "And what have you found out?"

Desperate to keep her emotions under control, she took a sharp breath. "Only that everything Will Turner has told me about you is true."

The grin he supplied her with made her feel uneasy. As for Jack, everything was starting to come together. The awkward exchange between Will and himself now held more meaning. He was over Elizabeth, that part was clear in the way he neglected to mention her name. If Will were to bring up this new interest, it would only mean hearing more ridicule from him. Sure enough, he had found another, and by the looks of things, he went after the same type. Still, he had to admit there was a slight difference between Elizabeth and this new girl Will had found himself infatuated with.

As he continued to stare, Alanna shifted anxiously from foot to foot. He looked as though he were comparing two breeds of horses rather than addressing a human being. Just like…

"Well, Ms. Livingston," he said, ripping her from her dark thoughts. "I hope my dear friend has done me justice. It would be a shame if his description was inaccurate."

He smirked at her, and she grimaced in return.

"So," he continued. "How is it that Will is not among you this evening? Unfortunate mis-hap, perhaps?"

Arthur, who stood behind Alanna, was quickly loosing his patience. He never liked Jack, and was struggling to maintain his composure. He was famous for beating around the bush, and he could take it no longer.

"He's been captured!" he said desperately, striding forward. "We were ambushed and Erebus took the Dutchman. If it weren't for Alanna, we'd all be dead by now. He's been your loyal friend all these years, and you're going to just sit on your high-horse and leave him to his fate!?"

Jack rounded on him, his face harder than it was a moment ago. Alanna quickly put herself between them.

"Arthur, please. We won't get him back just by arguing about it." She turned towards Jack, her eyes pleading. "Please, Jack," she said earnestly. "I know there's at least a shred of honor left in you. I've heard what you've done in the past and I'm sure you can do it again. Do…do we have an accord?" She outstretched her hand, praying he would take that step and join them.

Jack stepped back, taking in the determined faces of his friend's crew. Each of them had a fire burning within their eyes, a fire he hardly saw within his own crew, save for Gibbs. Still, as sorry as he felt for them, there was no reason for him to endanger himself or his men. Besides, they were under his command, seeing as his ship rescued them. It was totally up to him whether to go on this foolhardy, perhaps even dangerous expedition. Jack was no fool. He knew full well what Erebus and his men were capable of, having seen it himself. Too many ships had been lost to the Raven, and he wasn't about to become one of them.

He was about to refuse their proposal when a thought struck him. All throughout the years, it had been him who had owed Will. Whether being sprung from jail, to needing his blood to lift Cortez's curse, he always seemed to be indebted to the young pirate. But now the tables seemed to have turned. This time, Will needed rescuing. This time, Will's crew were on his deck, begging him to assist them. For the first time, the fate of someone else was placed into his hands.

This could actually work for me he thought. If we succeed, Will might end up owing me next time. His mind made up, he turned back to Alanna, who was still eyeing him warily.

"It seems you're right, Ms. Livingston," she said, taking her outstretched hand. "I've been thinking only of myself for far too long. Mr. Gibbs?"

Gibbs rushed to respond. "Aye, cap'n?"

"We're setting a new course. Take Mr. Cotton and expand the living quarters to accommodate our new guests."

Only now did Alanna notice a burly old man standing on the other side of her, a yellow and blue parrot perched on his shoulder. It continued to squawk merrily as Cotton followed Gibbs into the hull. As the crew floated away from the group, Alanna addressed Jack once more.

"Thank you, Jack," she said as he turned his back. "I figured you weren't totally heartless."

Jack couldn't help but grin. "All in a day's work, love. There are only a few good men left in this world, and I'm lucky to be one of them."

Alanna rolled her eyes, but said nothing for fear of changing his mind. She was about to turn to Arthur when Jack rounded on her again, getting rather close this time.

"By the way," he murmured. "If we're going to have any hope of catching up to them and rescue your knight-in-shining-armor, we're going to need a heading."

She sighed. They at least had that to go off of, unless Erebus decided to change his course. But he would have no reason to, considering he thought them to be dead.

"South," she replied. "He'll be keeping the same course since he believes we're no longer a threat."

Jack smiled charmingly. "Excellent," he said ushering her toward his cabin. "We'll have a look at the maps to assert where he's headed."

Before she made another step, he added, "Oh and just so you know, you have nothing to worry about. Elizabeth has nothing on you. You're far more attractive than she is, I must say."

This time, Alanna scoffed openly as she passed him.

"You're despicable."

Jack smiled to himself, as if recalling some wonderful memory.

"This should be interesting," he mused to himself, and followed her into the candle-lit cabin.