Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own anything related to Pirates of the Caribbean. Well, except a Jack Sparrow poster, but that's pretty much it. Only original creations (characters, places, etc) are mine.
AN: Okay, I'm going to admit that, surprisingly (or not), this story is almost over. I'd give it two more chapters, and then that'll be it. No worries, though, because I've got another Pirates story (as well as a Phantom one) brewing in the back of my head, so keep a sharp eye out for one of those later! In the meantime, thanks for reading, and please don't forget to review!
Chapter 23: Much Needed Advice and Interference:
As his father led him to his private study, Jack felt his nerves begin to take over. He began having flashbacks to his childhood, and images immediately began filling his head. He began remembering the times he'd been caught playing pranks on his father's crewmen, or the night when he'd wooed too many of the local wenches and had to have a good 'talking-to' from his parents.
Even as he sat down in front of his father's desk, his feet warming in front of the small iron stove, Jack began to feel as though he were going to get a sound lecture from his father. In the back of his head, Jack silently wished that his Mum were here to soften whatever blows –either verbal or physical- his father might dish out.
"Now, Jackie," his father said, taking a seat across from him, "Am I going to be right when I guess that you're here because of the charming young lady sleeping a few hallways over?"
Teague knew he was right, so Jack didn't need to say anything on the matter. He must have also seen something in Jack's face that gave the whole thing away, too –his father had always been skilled at reading people.
Sighing, Jack wished he had a flask or a bottle of rum to drink from. Then, just like magic, there was a full bottle being offered to him. Bless his dad for knowing when rum was called for!
After a few deep pulls from the glass bottle, Jack let the alcohol spread through his body, warming him from his belly and giving him just a tiny bit more courage to talk about his problem. His father, of course, sipped his own rum and waited for Jack to gather his thoughts. It took some time, but then, his dad was a patient man when it counted.
"Aye, you're right," Jack admitted. "It's Evie."
Teague chuckled. "That's what I thought," he said, sitting back in his chair. "Good girl, that one. Sweet, thoughtful, and pretty, not to mention she looks like a girl who isn't afraid of hard work. Your mum would love her." Then he sat forward. "But the question is, do you love her, or are you going to ruin this whole thing by doing something foolish and breaking her heart?"
Jack would have felt insulted if the words hadn't been true. His reputation with women was well-known, and although most women knew what they were getting into when it came to dealing with him, Jack had been known to (sometimes unwittingly) break a few hearts. In this case, however…
"Evie's different," Jack insisted, taking another long pull from his bottle. "I thought it would be easy to win her over, but it's proving nay impossible to do."
He explained Evie's confusion over his actions, how she didn't understand or know his true motives or feelings, and how he, Captain Jack Sparrow, had no idea how to convince his lady-love that he genuinely had feelings for her.
Once the whole story was out, Teague sat back in his chair and shook his head, the ornaments in his hair chiming softly as his hair swung gently back and forth.
"You always did know how to make a mess of things, Jackie," he chided his son. "Then again, love is a complicated thing that pirates rarely find, though I did manage to notice a few lasses amongst your crewmen."
Jack smiled. "Aye, a few of the lads ended up getting married a week ago, and one of them is expecting to be a father soon. Evie is a matchmaker, after all, and she managed to find a wife for Gibbs, of all people!"
His father could only blink at him. "Joshamee Gibbs?" he drawled, clearly wanting to be sure he heard right. "You're pulling my chain, boy! That man swore he would always stay a confirmed bachelor."
"Aye, but that's before he met a sassy little Spanish girl named Rosa," Jack said, grinning. "Fell head-over-heels in love, he did. She's a wonder with herbs, and doesn't mind a man who indulges in drink, so things turned out alright all around."
Teague gave a whistle, clearly impressed. "That girl of yours must work miracles, then. You'd better snatch her up before some other scallywag does."
Jack sighed again. "That's the problem, remember? She doesn't know what to make of me, and I've no idea how to make her see how I feel!"
Across from him, his father shook his head. "You've certainly dug yourself in deep with this one, boy," he muttered in his rough voice. "Still, I see your point. A pity your Mum isn't here; she'd tell you exactly how to handle yourself in this situation. Since I'm the only one you've got, though, I'll see what I can come up with and let you know, aye?"
That was probably the best he could get at this point. Swallowing another few mouthfuls of rum, Jack nodded. "Aye," he said in agreement. "Well, I'm going to go get some rest."
"You do that," his father agreed. "Tomorrow, you join me for lunch, and we'll see what can be done."
Nodding, Jack headed off to bed, one hand clutching his rum bottle as he went to finish it off in his own quarters. No doubt it would provide a decent night's sleep, at least.
Watching his son walk off, Teague shook his head. For all that Jack was a brilliant pirate, with a reputation to rival his father's, he just wasn't that keen when it came to women.
Sighing, he sat back in his chair and considered his options. "Lily, my dove, I wish you were here to help me with this," he muttered, thinking fondly of his wife. "By the time I write you a note for a few suggestions, and get your reply, Jack and his bonny lass will have made a mess of everything, and we'll never get those grandchildren you've always wanted."
Drat that boy and his bumbling ways with women! Well, Teague had a feeling that he knew how to fix all this; he just had to get a bit more information, and wait for the opportune moment to come. After that, things would fall into place. For him, they always did.
I woke to a comfortable bed, a beautiful room, and the sun shining outside my large window. I hadn't noticed it last night, but I actually had a balcony outside the bay windows!
Yawning, I stretched and slowly climbed out of the bed. I was tempted to try on one of the gowns Captain Teague had told me of, but was unsure as to what my day would hold, so I decided to wear my usual shirt, breeches and boots from the night before. I'd only just picked up my clothes when there was a knock on the door.
"Miss Evie?" called a rough, older voice. "Captain Teague would like you to join him for breakfast in an hour. He'd like you to wear something from the trunk or wardrobe."
I was surprised, but managed to stammer my reply, saying I would be happy to eat with the captain. Once the man had stomped off, I rushed to find a proper dress to wear, nearly taking the doors off of the wardrobe in my haste and panic. Oh, there were so many to choose from, and even though some of them were out of style, I was still overwhelmed by the rich materials they were made of. They resembled the dresses that Jack had provided for me –all were made of thin cotton, silk, satin, or velvet, and most were trimmed with lace or ribbons.
Deciding that I would rather be comfortable than elegant and fashionable, I chose a simple green dress made of cotton, with cream silk trimming –it was light and easy to move about in, as well as comfortable. I liked it very much, and miraculously found a pair of leather slippers that fit fairly well.
After putting my hair up into a neat, tight bun and waving a bit of ribbon around and through it, I was ready. Taking a deep breath, I opened my door and stepped out, only to be greeted by an elderly man with long white whiskers, spectacles, and a kindly smile on his wrinkled face. He was slightly bent at the shoulders, likely from years of hard work, and his clothes were slightly worn, but he seemed like a decent fellow.
"Follow me, miss?" he said, gesturing for me to do so.
Lucky for me, it wasn't far to our destination. There, my escort opened a door and motioned me inside with a bow. Anxiously fiddling with the skirt of my dress, I stepped into the room and nearly swallowed my tongue out of sheer nerves. While Jack was a good man, I wasn't sure what his father was like. He was rather intimidating, standing there with a look in his eyes that said that he could see right through me, and if I went against him, I'd regret it. And I was going to have breakfast with him.
"Good morning, Miss Evie," he said, touching the brim of his hat. "I'm glad you could make it. Please sit down."
He motioned towards a small table with two place settings, and a covered plate at each place. To my surprise, Captain Teague actually pulled out my chair for me, and made sure I was comfortable before taking his own. When we were both seated, an older man appeared, removed the covers from the plates, and vanished, leaving us to our meal.
It looked wonderful, which I hadn't expected in a pirate city. The eggs were perfectly cooked, with a light, frothy lemon sauce over them, and the sausage was expertly seasoned. There was also a small tray of toast, two flavors of jam, and fresh fruit. There was also tea for myself, and rum for the Captain.
We ate in relative silence, with my host occasionally asking if my room was alright, if I enjoyed the food, and whether I had enough gowns to my liking. He was very kind, and I began to gradually lose my nervousness around him.
When we finished and the dishes cleared, Captain Teague invited me to sit in a comfortable chair before a small stove. I accepted a cup of freshly brewed tea and sat across from him, the two of us facing one another as we sipped our respective drinks. After a moment of quiet, he spoke.
"So, Miss Evie," he said, taking a small sip from his rum glass, "Jack tells me you're a matchmaker."
I flushed. "Yes, sir," I timidly replied, my nervousness creeping back.
I nearly jumped when he chuckled. "Oh, no need to be so formal with me" he said. "You can call me Teague. But if 'sir' makes you feel better, you may do that, if you like."
It truly would, and when I said so, he allowed me to do it. With that out of the way, he continued our talk. "So if you're a matchmaker, does that mean you know how to read people very well?" Captain Teague asked, tilting his head to the side.
"Well, in a way it does. Most of the time, however, it's mostly my getting to know the people I'm making matches for, with a bit of luck sprinkled in," I replied, sipping my tea.
He nodded. "But you're a handsome young thing. Why don't you try making a match for yourself? I'm sure that you know what kind of man you're looking for, don't you?"
I blushed at his straightforwardness. "Well, yes, I do know the sort of man I want," I told him. He waved for me to continue on that thought. "I'd like someone who is kind, for one. Not someone who is weak and desperate to please me, of course, but a person who has a good heart and truly cares about others."
Captain Teague was nodding. "What else? Do you want someone handsome and rich? Most women want that sort of thing in a husband."
I couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, good looks can only go so far for so long. Good-looking will do fine, and as for rich, I'd rather not have a pompous, fat idiot as a husband. Honestly, I'd like someone who understands hard work and isn't afraid of it. I couldn't abide a lazy man."
He chuckled and took a sip of rum. "All very admirable qualities, and a sign of good taste. But what is the most important thing you're looking for?"
I thought about it. "I want someone who loves me, for who I am and not just because they want an agreeable wife." I smirked. "He should also be able to make me laugh. I like men who have a sense of humor."
"Aye, that's the truth, lass!" Captain Teague laughed and held his glass up to 'cheers' with mine. "You seem like the kind of girl who loves to live life and laugh at it once in a while. Good for you!"
When our cups were drained, I was free to return to my rooms, as Captain Teague had some business to attend to. There I found a small stack of my clothing waiting for me, along with the whalebone handled knives that Anna-Maria had given me so long ago. There was also a sword lying atop the clothes, but since I didn't consider myself very proficient in swordplay yet, I decided to leave it on a nearby chair. On a side table lay a stack of scented soap bars, a beautiful hairbrush made of honey-colored wood, my combs, and my perfume.
"Goodness," I muttered, walking over to pick up a pair of shirt and breeches.
"Aye, you have me to thank for all this," joked a female voice from the doorway.
Whirling around, I grinned. "Anna-Maria!" I cried, dashing over to hug her. "You helped with this?"
She nodded. "I saw some of Captain Teague's old codgers head for the Pearl and thought I'd head them off, rather than let them pick up the wrong things from your cabin. The clothes they might have gotten right, but not your weapons, or the perfume. The soap is something Rosa bought here in Shipwreck, and Penny found the hairbrush for you at a market stall. The sword is something I thought you might want to openly carry, seeing as we're in a pirate town and all."
I hugged her again. "Thank you so much. I'm going to change out of this dress and the two of us can go explore the town together."
A few minutes later, we were on our way, our weapons out in the open and within easy reach as we headed deep into Shipwreck.
Reclining back in his seat, Teague swirled his rum around in its bottle and lost himself in thought. So Evie had an idea of what kind of man she wanted –that was interesting. Teague, however, knew that Jack was the perfect fit for her, and vice versa. That was a good sign, because he genuinely liked the girl, and could picture her as a partner for his son, as well as a daughter-in-law for himself and for Lily.
'Poor fools are just too blind to see it,' he thought, shaking his head.
Why did he have to have a son with so little sense when it came to women? And here he was without Lily to help fix this whole mess!
'No worries,' he silently told himself. 'Things will work out for the best, sooner or later.'
Still, it couldn't be fast enough for him, not when his son's happiness was on the line. Patience, however, was key in this kind of situation, and in all his years of sailing, he had learned patience.
Well, to a certain extent, anyway…
"Anna, I'm famished," I whined, tugging on my friend's arm. "We've been walking for hours, and if I don't eat, drink and rest, you're going to have to carry me back to my room, and I know you don't want that!"
She sighed, but nodded in agreement. "Alright, let's eat something. We're almost back to your room anyway; it's just down that hallway and to the left, so I don't suppose it would do no harm."
We found a stall selling freshly cooked seafood, and Anna and I shared a steamed crab and a bowl of clams cooked in broth, with bread and melted butter to accompany. After we'd finished and cleaned up, I found a stall selling cups of fruit juice, and purchased one for myself while Anna bought a bottle of rum (which, unsurprisingly, was being sold or traded for all over the island).
Full and refreshed, Anna and I turned towards the hallway leading up to Captain Teague's wing. We were barely a foot in the hall when a male voice called out to us.
"You don't want to head up there, ladies," it warned, causing us to turn around.
Now here was a handsome fellow. He was tall, with shining black hair, deeply tanned skin, piercing blue eyes, and a shining smile. Clad in a simple white shirt, brown breeches, a brown sash around a slim waist, and black boots, he was a sight to wring any female's heart. So, of course, Anna-Maria was suspicious of him, as she probably always was with any man who tried to keep her from doing something.
"And why shouldn't we?" she retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. "What business is it of yours, anyway?"
He grinned even wider. "Sassy," he said, tucking his thumbs into his sash. "What's your name, if I might ask?"
She bristled. "None of your business. If you're looking for fun, go find it elsewhere." Anna proceeded to toss her hair arrogantly over her shoulder, giving him the signal that it would be a bad idea to try and stop us.
The man shrugged. "I just want to be sure you know what you're getting into, that's all. That wing there belongs to Captain Teague, the Keeper of the Code, and he won't tolerate strangers exploring the area that belongs to him and his family. The last man who tried ended up losing a leg from the pistol shot he took to it."
It was a horrible story, and one that I would have been afraid of if it hadn't been for one thing. "That's alright," I said, smiling at him, "We're crewmembers on his son's ship."
"You work on the Black Pearl, for Captain Sparrow?" he asked, blue eyes wide with astonishment. "Then it's no wonder you aren't worried about getting discovered up there!"
He gave Anna an even closer look. "I don't suppose the Captain is hiring, is he? I've been dying to get off this rock for years, but ships rarely pass by, looking for crewmembers. Most of the sailors and their captains are looking for a place to settle down, not keep sailing, so I'm always left here, waiting to get away. "
I felt a pang of sympathy for him. "I'll see if I can talk to Jack –I mean, Captain Sparrow," I corrected myself. "I'm sorry; but I didn't get your name."
The stranger smiled. "Nor I, yours," he said, holding out his hand to shake. "I'm Adam Marshall. Pleased to meet you, miss."
"I'm Evie," I said, introducing myself, "And this is Anna-Maria, or Anna, for short."
Anna didn't take his hand –instead, she scowled at him even more and took my arm. "Come on, Evie," she said, pulling me back towards my room. "I'd better get you back before the Captain misses you and decides to send a search party!"
"It was nice to meet you, Mr. Marshall," I said as my friend dragged me away.
"Call me Adam," he called before we vanished around a corner.
Before we'd gone more than ten feet, Anna began complaining under her breath. "I can't believe you said you would talk to the Captain about him!" she hissed. "What were you thinking?"
I rolled my eyes. "Really, Anna, it was the least I could do! He did try to keep us from going into Captain Teague's living area –if we weren't the Captain's guests, it would have been a thoughtful gesture. Besides, he seemed like a rather nice man."
"Pirate, Evie," she lectured me as we stopped in front of my room. "Remember, the men here are pirates, or the sons or grandsons of pirates, so you have to keep your mind sharp when dealing with them. That means you're going to have to not mention this to the Captain, and just forget that you'd made that promise to him."
"That's not going to happen, Anna," I firmly told her. "I'll mention it to Jack, of course, but whether or not he decides to carry it further is up to him. Now, are you going to stop being so silly and come inside?"
"Silly?" she cried, then realized that I was teasing her. "Oh, you…you…"
Giggling, I smiled and gave her a hug. "You're absolutely wonderful to tease, Anna," I said, pulling away. "Go back to your quarters, and don't give any of this another thought, alright?"
Sighing, she shook her head. "Alright, but I'll be back to check on you before dinnertime. If you aren't dining with either of the Captains, you're mine to torture for the night."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," I replied, chuckling as I let myself into my room, a plan brewing in the back of my mind.
AN: Review?