Commandeering Commodore
Chapter 56
Jack nudged the Commodore with the toe of his boot a few times, "Ya awake there James?" Not getting so much as a twitch from the man he nudged a bit harder, "Commodore? You awake?" again nudging a bit harder, "You are still among the livin aren't ya?
James groaned, opened his eyes a bit, shut them immediately as the glaring sunlight hit them and groaned again. He shoved Jack's boot out of his side, rolled over to face the opposite way, and said in an extremely peeved tone, "Does it really appear to you that I wish to be amongst either group you have named? Leave me alone and go find someone who would actually care to hear your vexing and obnoxious prattle."
Jack smiled and said cheerily, "Breakfast is ready Commodore, just thought you might like ta know."
"The only thing I am interested in knowing at the moment is that you have left my vicinity and I might be allowed to sleep off this hang over …..or die. Either option is welcome at the present time." James said in a decidedly uncheery tone.
Jack continued to smile as he swayed off and joined Elizabeth and Josette by the fire where they were preparing breakfast.
"He's not coming over here is he?" Josette said apprehensively, having seen Jack over by the Commodore.
Jack picked up an apple, cast a glance back over his shoulder at James as he took a bite and said, "Doesn't appear he's goin much of anywhere for the time bein."
"Good." Josette said with relief.
"Josette, why would you say such a thing, the Commodore happens to be a very fine man." Elizabeth said a little shocked.
"But Captain Sparrow said……" Josette started and was interrupted as Jack got a guilty look on his face, choked a bit on the bite of apple in his mouth, fluttered his hands about pointing willy nilly and saying hurriedly, "I think I hear Mr. Gibbs calling me. Better go see what he wants."
Elizabeth grabbed him by the arm, putting his escape to a halt, and as she looked at him accusingly said, "Just what did Captain Sparrow say Josette?"
Jack stood there looking very distressed and giving Josette all kinds of pleading looks, bringing his hands together out a bit in front of his chest, hoping she would not say what he knew she was going to say. As Josette opened her mouth to answer Elizabeth Jack started to speak in his 'all right you caught me but I refuse to admit it voice as he fluttered his fingers about in front of him, "Triffles Lizzie, wasn't amountin ta a pence what was said between the young missy and I. No need ta be troublin yerself over it."
Elizabeth gave Jack an accusing look and said, "If you don't mind Jack I think I'll have Josette tell me what you said. I'm sure I will get the truth that way."
Jack shot Elizabeth a pouty look and then a puppy dog look at Josette as she started to speak pointing over towards James, "He told me that man was a stuffy British Commodore who ….." Josette paused for a moment as she watched Jack's pleadingly expressional face, "Who…who….I'm French Madame Turner, I just don't care for stuffy British Commodores." Josette finished lamely as Jack let out the breath he was holding and gave her a smile, a nod, and a silently mouthed "Good girl".
Elizabeth looked back and forth between the two, "I know I didn't get the truth out of either one of you yet, but I will." She gave Jack a bit of a threatening look as she let go of his sleeve and went back to fixing breakfast saying, "We have things to do Josette, and we have a hungry crew to feed."
Jack didn't waste any time making his escape, heading towards his Pearl mumbling bugger,bugger,bugger to himself as he went, knowing that it was only a matter of time before Elizabeth knew exactly what had been said, and dealt with him in an unpleasant manner he would rather not dwell on at the moment. As he came around the other side of the Pearl he found Teague standing there leaning up against her.
"Oye there! What are ya doin with me ship?" Jack said, his annoyance clear in his voice, his arms flopping about wildly as he half swayed-half ran over to where Teague was.
"Just doin a bit of conversin with the fair lady Jackie." Teague answered with a grin as he patted the Pearl's side.
"Yer not allowed ta converse with me boat….er ship. I'm the only one suppose ta be doin that." Jack said poutily, "And quit pattin her, she don't like it a bit."
"Seems ta me she likes it just fine." Teague replied grinning and continuing on with his patting.
"No she don't!" Jack said, although he did give the Pearl a bit of a look as he said it. He moved over very close to where Teague was and began patting the Pearl very near where Teague was patting. "Don't worry Pearl, I won't let him get any more holes blown in ya." Jack said sticking his tongue out at Teague, who simply grinned a bit wider in return.
"She's told me a few interestin things here Jackie." Teague said.
"No she didn't." Jack said with a scowl.
"No actually she did. Seems the Commodore as well as Mrs. Turner be in possession of certain things of interest." Teague replied as he watched Jack's face.
"Don't have the slightest idea what yer talking bout mate." Jack responded unconvincingly.
"Oh but I'm sure ya do Jackie." Teague said slyly.
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"So Josette, I would appreciate the truth now if you don't mind." Elizabeth said as they were cleaning up the breakfast mess.
"It was nothing Madame Turner, please don't make me tell you." Before Elizabeth could respond Josette went on, "Just a tale I was told as a child when I had misbehaved, and as I had the opportunity to talk to some real pirates, ones who seemed friendly, my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to ask, nothing more than that Madame Turner." Josette said as she kept busy helping Elizabeth. She didn't see the thoughtful look that came over Elizabeth's face as she spoke. She didn't realize she had said too much to a certain someone who had been fascinated with pirates almost her whole life, and knew all the tales oft told about them. Just from what little the girl had said, and knowing Jack Sparrow as she did, Elizabeth could almost surmise what the gist of conversation had been, and why Josette would prefer James not to have joined them for breakfast.
"What did Captain Sparrow tell you Josette." Elizabeth said kindly as she took Josette by the arm and gently turned her so she was facing her.
"I'm embarrassed to tell you Madame." Josette said as she cast her eyes down towards her feet.
Elizabeth looked over Josette's shoulder and said with a bit of humor, "Josette I really think you should tell me so we can get this all straightened out in the next few minutes. Otherwise I'm afraid you are going to be in for a bit of a shock."
"I really don't want to talk about it Madame." Josette said after a rather long pause, still looking down at her feet.
"Very well Josette, suit yourself." Elizabeth replied. She turned Josette around to face the person who was stumbling towards them and called out cheerily, "Ah Commodore, how about some breakfast?"
To Be Continued
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