- Chapter 5: Joshamee Gibbs -
"Who's got my back now?
When all we have left is deceptive"
- Who's got my back, Creed -
The Misty Lady dropped anchor in Rockfort's harbor at sundown. The sleepy fishing village itself wasn't an immediate danger to the pirate crew but its close proximity to the nearby fort at Kingston was potentially hazardous and they would be on their way under the cover of darkness before the sun rose in the morning. Under orders to keep their heads low and presence quiet, the crew entered the town eager for a hot meal, a cold drink, and affable conversation with the local folk.
Jack had a bigger reason to risk the stop for the night in Rockfort. Joshamee Gibbs had settled there after the Battle of the Maelstrom, retiring from piracy to become a fisherman. Even though Gibbs had been absent from the pirate world for a few years, Jack hoped his old first mate had not surrendered his buccaneer past completely and would be willing to lend a much-needed hand in his undertaking. He was a man Jack could count on when he needed him.
It didn't take more than to buy a round for the locals at the pub for Jack to learn where Gibbs lived. He had offered them Hector as a trade but, to his dismay, the folk were more interested in refilling their mugs than taking in the scraggly dog. Leaving the crew in Denning's and Snodgrass's diligent keep at the pub, Jack and Hector strolled down a quiet street until drawing up on the last house on the right.
It was a humble house. Smoke rose and curled gently from the stone chimney. A worn pair of fisherman's boots lay toppled beside the front door. The porch that spread across the entire front was furnished with two weathered chairs; the perfect place for a man to sit and entertain a guest with hours of old sea yarns. The perfect home for Gibbs.
Confident this was the home of Gibbs, Jack gave Hector a nod and bounded across the porch. He pounded loudly on the front door and grinned uncontrollably. When the latch began to turn, the excitement of seeing his old first mate and friend, the loyal and dependable Gibbs, doubled.
"Gibbs!" He exclaimed merrily as the door was pulled open, eager to greet the man with a firm hand shake and slap on the back.
"Yes?"
Instead, Jack was greeted on the porch by a young woman with a pleasant smile on her face. Jack's face and hand fell simultaneously as his brow furrowed with puzzlement.
"Gibbs?" He asked the woman, obviously confused.
"Yes," She repeated.
Jack backed off the porch wondering if he was at the wrong house. He looked up and down the street, turning in a full circle as he did, but could see no lamp lights beyond this residence. Unless the men at the pub gave him the wrong address, perhaps feeling insulted when Jack tried to pass Hector off on to them, this had to be Gibbs'. The town consisted of only one street. There was no way he could have followed the directions wrong. He turned a skeptical eye on the woman wondering if she was a bit touched. Even Hector cocked his head curiously at the woman as if wondering the same thing.
"Would you like to come in for dinner?" the woman offered warmly, motioning inside.
"Do you make habit of inviting strangers into your home and feeding them?"
"Of course not. You are no stranger to me." She said simply, again motioning inside.
"Do you know me?" He asked suspiciously while stepping back up on the porch.
She nodded, still smiling. "You're Captain Jack Sparrow."
Even more confused, he squinted and studied her face intently, trying to figure out how this woman could possibly know him when he had no recognition of her. "Have I threatened you before?"
A short giggle escaped from her lips. "No, sir."
His stomach tightened. "Tortuga?" he asked with a wince.
Her smile faltered briefly, as she became appalled, suddenly aware that his question insinuated she was a Tortugan strumpet, but returned quickly and become brighter than it was before. "No, sir. We have never met before."
It was then that Jack heard a muffled but familiar chuckle from inside the house. He stepped sideways and looked past the woman to find Joshamee Gibbs holding a hand over his mouth in a failed attempt to cover up his rising amusement. Realizing he had been discovered, Gibbs and the woman broke down into full out open mouthed laughter.
Jack's confused and frustrated eyes twitched between Gibbs and the woman as he waited for one of them to give him some form of clarification.
"Jack, let me have the pleasure to introduce Estrella," Gibbs said, as he stepped out the door and wrapped his arm around her waist, "also known as Mrs. Gibbs."
"Pleased to meet you, Captain Sparrow!" She said, extending her hand and waiting for Jack to shake it.
Jack could not hide the stunned expression that swept over his face and stood dumbfounded for several seconds while he absorbed the news. He flashed Gibbs a genuine smile to congratulate him on both his marriage and his successfully played gag before sweeping up Estrella's fingers and kissing the back of her hand. "Pleasure is all mine, Madame Gibbs."
"Truly sorry, Cap'n, but couldn't resist meself. Saw ya comin' from down the street and put Essie 'ere up to it," Gibbs explained, still laughing as he spoke. He stepped forward and joined his former captain in a firm handshake.
"I must commend you on the impeccable set-up and execution," Jack said, referring to the gag with a crooked smirk.
Gibbs grew visibly uncomfortable. Even pleasantness in Estrella's smile had been replaced with sympathy. It took Jack a second to replay his last words he had spoken to realized the cause of their discomfort. ...set-up and execution.
"Condolences Jack," Gibbs said, having a hard time looking his former captain in the face as he did.
A long moment passed. Jack rocked forward on his heels and, in an attempt to lighten the moment, replied quietly, "I was waiting for you to tell me not to wallow in me grief."
Gibbs attempted to smile at the goodhearted joke, but could not. Hector whined at Jack's thigh as if telling his new master the joke was of poor taste.
"Dinner is getting cold. I would be honored if you would join us, Captain Sparrow," Estrella offered again.
"I would be delighted, Madam Gibbs."
-/-
They settled into telling stories that overflowed from dinner to drinks on the front porch: Jack and Gibbs with rum, Estrella a cup of warm tea. Jack and Gibbs enchanted Estrella with stories of their many adventures and, in turn, Estrella updated Jack on how she once worked in the governor's mansion in Port Royal for Elizabeth Turner's father and that it was Elizabeth who had introduced her to Gibbs.
"Should have sent the troublesome lass adrift when she crossed on the Dauntless," Jack quipped harmlessly about the absent Elizabeth to Gibbs.
"I 'ave thought that afterwards, and if I known then just how much trouble she'd put us through, I definitely would'ave seriously considered doin' just that.""Oh, you two are horrible! There is no way that Elizabeth is as b-bad as you c-c-claim... " Estrella did her best to defend her friend and admonish the two pirates, but couldn't stop her own giggling. She knew full well from growing up alongside Elizabeth in Port Royal, that she was, in fact, a fair source of trouble.
"Well," Estrella said when her giggling passed. "I'm sure you gentlemen have some catchin' up to do and I will let ya be. Have dishes to tend to anyway." She pecked Gibbs on the cheek and retired into the house.
"Leave you alone for a mere while and ya run off and put yerself in danger," Jack promptly harassed Gibbs about being married as soon as Estrella was out of earshot.
Gibbs expected no less from Jack and responded quickly. "Seeing I didn't have you putting me in the face of danger and almost certain death, I had to go out and find it on me own."
They shared a laugh and then a different air washed over the porch changing the atmosphere from companionable to strained as an uncomfortable silence settled.
"She must be half your age," Jack complemented after a moment, trying to lighten the awkwardness.
"What can I say," Gibbs said sweeping his arms outward, "the girl knows class when she sees it."
Another short laugh and they fell silent again.
"Sorry to have missed the wedding," Jack said, trying to sound nonchalant, but failing.
"I'll apologize right off for ye not gettin' an invitation, but it happened quite quick, she and I," Gibbs said honestly, knowing that his captain was put off about not being there even if he would not admit as much.
"And after Catherine, I knew best not to wait and miss the chance," Gibbs said after a moment. He rested in his chair with a contented smile on his face and arms crossed casually across his mid-section.
Jack never knew Catherine personally. She was part of Gibbs' life before they had met, back when his first mate was newly employed with the Navy. They were young sweethearts and Gibbs had decided to marry the girl when he had saved enough to afford to support her with a comfortable life. He set out with the Navy to earn the money but quickly realized that it would take a few years to save up any sizable sum from the meager wages. One tour turned into another, and then into yet another. After being gone for two years, he returned to marry Catherine. It was then that her father informed the young Gibbs that Catherine had died from fever during the previous winter. At a loss, Gibbs returned to the Navy a broken-hearted drunk and was soon after dishonorably discharged.
Reflecting on that now, Jack thought to himself that perhaps, just as with piracy, when it came to love, it was best to take what you could and to give nothing back. He could not fault his friend for marrying his new sweetheart before risking loosing her forever.
"You do seem different... erm... sober?" Jack said ,with a smirk and a tilt of his head towards the house, implying that Estrella had done some good for his friend.
Gibbs' eyes twinkled with a silent chuckle and then turned dim. "Ye've changed too, Jack," he said quietly.
Jack had no doubt that his long time friend could sense his despondence, no matter what show of happiness he put on.
"It's confounding how the actions of others can so rapidly change your own perspectives." Jack sighed and stared out into the night. "Change. Progress. There's less in this world. Less freedom. Less great men. But not all this change is negative." He turned back to his friend and added pleasantly, "Jus' look at you, mate, happily married. One less bach'lor trolling the docks."
Gibbs smiled lightly. "There is somethin' to be said about having someone to grow old with and not fearing dyin' alone."
"There's only sure one way to parry the fear of dying alone and that, my friend, is to never die at all."
"Still chasin' the Pearl and the Fountain of Youth?" Gibbs asked, without any amount of surprise in his tone.
"Aye. She's currently anchored near the Chesapeake," Jack answered, motioning northward with his glass. "Barbossa's been occupied with chasin' old Fountain tales. Going as far as to trade with the local Indians of the region for what knowledge they have. As it be that he is without the Navigational Charts, all that he is searching for is rumor and hearsay. But don't fret for him. He's made it profitable by taking a Company ship here and there."
Gibbs had been nodding to himself as Jack talked, taking in all the facts, and realized that some of the things Jack knew could only be if he was on the Pearl or had a someone on the inside. "Compass tellin' ya where the Pearl is, no doubt, but how ya getting the rest of yer information?"
"Lil' bird tells me," Jack answered cryptically.
"Ah, Cotton. Good man."
"Most importantly, the only man I'm certain won't talk if ever caught."
Gibbs chuckled, "there be that, too."
"Cotton's been very useful in keeping me informed, but there is one thing that he's not brought to light."
Gibbs raised a brow in question.
"As Barbossa cruises the oceans in my ship, he has also been looking into the matter of the Keeper's murder."
"Not surprisin'. He may feel obligated bein' a fellow Lord."
"Aye. It's the same for the other Lords as well. Be it a feeling of obligation or just mad as hell, they all want the same end; to find the bastard who killed the Keeper. They can want it all they want, but it is my obligation to pursue and carry out." Jack said, his determined voice heavy with burden.
Jack shifted in his chair and brought the focus back on to Barbossa. "He is expecting something big. In fact, he's preparing for it. He added six more guns to the Pearl. I need to know what it is he knows that I don't know."
Gibbs could hear the derision in Jack's words. "Barbossa deserves yer respect. He's earned it many times over... in his own way."
Jack flinched. "If you've forgotten, he left me on an island to die."
"You shot him. Then he pulled yer arse back from the Locker. Like I said, it be by his own way. I'm saying a man who works the Code as Barbossa would be a handy ally in this venture. Don't underestimate him."
Jack thought it over and agreed, but with a sneer. He couldn't bring himself to praise Barbossa's help out loud, no matter how much he appreciated it. Just thinking of doing that gave him a dirty feeling.
"Suppose I should take all the help I can get," he muttered under his breath, and then gave Gibbs a meaningful look.
Gibbs heaved a heavy breath as he held his head in his hands. "You didn't come to Rockfort to talk of the Pearl." He turned his head to face Jack. "I'd be the first to say it was an injustice. A right coward be a man who'd stoop to shoot another in his back. By the devils own hand, may he piss fire every time he squats to take a leak." Gibbs hands fell limp in his lap. "As soon as I saw yeh walkin' down the street, I knew why ye be here, Jack. I am figurin' you expect something from me that may be more than I can offer." He paused and glanced back into his house, "things have changed since the Maelstrom."
"Happened years ago, yet some days it feels like just yesterday that the Brethen'd gathered for the Fourth Court, Calypso was freed, Young Master Turner became the successor of the deceased Davey Jones, the Armada turned tail and retreated from the pirate fleet..." Jack brought his mug to the edge of his lips, "and Barbossa stole the Pearl... again," he slipped in virulently before taking a long, slow drink.
When he lowered his glass, he found Gibbs slinked down in his chair and looking sheepish.
"But you're right," Jack continued pensively, running his fingers across his brow, "a lot has changed since then."
"Yer not just talking about us and Essie, are ya?" Gibbs asked, already knowing Jack was referring to Teague.
Jack's face twitched and he set his empty mug down on the porch floor. "You're the most trustworthy first mate I ever had," he said seriously.
"History would say I be the only trustworthy first mate ye ever had."
Jack's lip curled to a half smirk. "True."
His smirk remained but he continued with a serious tone. "Someone believing, accepting, and acknowledging that something is truth, does not necessarily make that someone trustworthy. By actions, a man proves himself. Your actions never strayed from loyal or steadfast."
"Alright, Jack, since yeh've laid it on so thick, tell me what y'know so far. Mind you, no promises." Gibbs said, conceding to at the least hear the plan as he pulled out the familiar, worn flask from his pocket.
With comforting nostalgia, Jack watched his first mate take a quick drink from the flask. He met Gibbs' eyes and stated his goal with all the certainty of a long proven fact. "One of our brother pirates went to New Shipwreck and shot the Keeper in the back. I going to find him and kill him and anyone else who was involved." The coldness in Jack's tone sent a chill up Gibbs' spine."Just how do you plan to weed out the killers?" He asked.
"By using the code," Jack answered, as if it was the most logical thing in the world.
Gibbs blinked, confused.
"An alarming amount of questions were being asked about the whereabouts of the Codex when the murder happened and I'd wager the Black Pearl that two are connected. So, I'm giving the ones who were doing the asking an answer of just where it's going to be saying, 'If ye want it, come and get it... and get what's coming to you.'"
Gibbs' eyes went wide. "The Codex is not to leave Shipwreck! If it ever fell into lawful hands, it could implicate a lot of men out there."
"Implicate present and past pirates," Jack said with somber eyes and hard concern set on Gibbs' face.
He'd not seen the big picture until Jack laid it before him. There were names in the Codex, not of every man who had ever pledged the pirate oath, but of any who had contributed to the writings inside; such as members of the Brethren court, many of the Pirate Lords, captains, and other influential pirates. With the proper amount of digging and stretching of the facts, the Law could use the Codex to convict not only those men but also all those found to be associated with them. Jack's main objective may have been to find the Keeper's murderer, but if he was successful, Jack would not only avenge his father, he'd also keep safe the identities of all the men who ever sailed under the black flag. Gibbs threw his head back and emptied the flask down his throat.
Knowing Gibbs' distress, Jack set a strong hand on his shoulder and said firmly, "Don't worry. The Codex is safe. To take it from the man who holds it would consist of prying it from his cold, dead fingers. He is most reliable, trust me."
Not convinced, Gibbs cut into his former captain. "It's still takin' a big risk. Considerin' what be at stake, it be reckless to use the Codex as you are."
Jack raised a defensive hand. "We know what lengths they were willing to go to get the Codex," he said, referring to the murder of Teague, "Men who are willing to take such a risk are desperate. Desperation typically coincides with urgency. Urgency with recklessness. Playing upon their recklessness and urgency, I am dangling the Codex like carrot from a string, waiting for their desperation to draw them into the open... where I will be waiting."
Gibbs listened intently to Jack's plot but couldn't help but wonder how his former Captain remained so calm and confident that the Codex would remain safe if so many were after it.
"It's ironic..." Gibbs, thinking aloud, began.
"How the piece of literature which we pirates base the continuance of our way of life on could be life threatening," Jack finished for him.
Gibbs nodded and said solemnly, "Teague already died fer it."
Hector whimpered at the mention of his old master's name. Jack called the dog to him with a pat on his knee and comforted him with a scratch behind the ear.
"He'd find it funny, you know," Jack said, as much to Hector as to Gibbs.
"Funny?" Gibbs scoffed, rocking forward his chair. "He'd find it funny we could all be hanged over a blasted book!"
"He had a twisted sense about him. Ye do remember that this be the same man who wrote in his own articles that 'the ship's dog is to be treated as an able member of the crew..."
"... And anyone found treating him like a dog shall face the wrath of the captain," Gibbs finished; a smirk crossed his face when Hector's tail thumped against the porch floor. He'd heard of Teague's amendment, but considered it a pirate's inside joke.
"And God have mercy on their soul," Jack concluded flatly, causing Gibbs to come undone and laugh.
"Wot?" Jack asked with exaggerated surprise. "He had it added to the Codex."
Gibbs laughed louder and had to look away from his former captain as tears formed in his eyes.
Jack placed a hand over his heart and said as seriously as he could considering the absurdity of the moment, "Mate, I assure you, it's there. Saw him add it with me own eyes."
Gibbs laughter began to recede as he stared at Jack, still trying to determine if it was true. "Fond memories of a fine man."
"Augustine thought so. Spoke highly of the man for our whole meeting," Jack said, grinning as he remembered Samuel's tale of the card game that ended with him in debt with Teague.
"Augustine's a decent enough fellow," Gibbs commented evenly, then snorted, "the other partner, Johannes, never fails to be a bloody prick."
"Prick's a bit harsh, don't ya think?"
"Sailed with him once when I was still a green horned sea-pup and have run into the miserable blighter a few times afterwards. Slow to pay due shares but quick with the Cat's tail. Seen him leave lashes on a man that resembled the laces on a lady's corset. To sum it up, he be the type that would kick a puppy for the jollies he'd get from it. So, no. Bloody prick be quite accurate."
"Bloody prick as he is, I hope I can impede upon you to mask that attitude long enough to speak to him in my stead?"
There it was, the request for help. The color drained from Gibbs' face.
Jack saw Gibbs' tense response. Despite his conscience imploring him not to press the issue, he continued.
"There's a man I need to see in the Colonies, South Carolina actually, which sends me farther north than I intended."
"South Carolina?"
"Charleston," Jack clarified. "Information received from Saint Samuel and Father Seamus McNamara lends me suspicion that the Navy may have had some immediate involvement. The good Father has directed me to a Trade delegate who can provide more information on the commanding officer who -"
"What would McNamara be doin' with the Company?" Gibbs interrupted. He was surprised to hear the priest had a contact within the Company when he knew of the detest he harbored for the organization.
"That he was reluctant to share."
"He be robbin' Peter to feed Paul?"
"Perhaps," Jack shrugged. "I'll find that out in Charleston, along with the location of this Commodore Greitzer."
Gibbs' eyes narrowed in concentration.
"Know the name?" Jack asked.
"Can't be certain. There's been such an increase of naval presence in these waters, it's hard to keep track of 'em all," Gibbs grumbled, scratching his chin as he thought.
"A Virgil Baines, perchance?"
"Two-bit smuggler," Gibbs mumbled distractedly as he still pondered the name of the Commodore and the extent of naval involvement.
Jack ran his tongue over his lips. "Mate, I'm running out of time," he began, trying not to sound pleading. "I've arranged for someone to tarry movement of the Codex in the event I was to become delayed, it won't be enough if I sail on to Charleston, to St. John, and then to meet a rendezvous in New Shipwreck before intercepting the Codex in Montserrat. I need to learn more of this commodore and I need to speak with Johannes at his plantation in St. John. I cannot do both. I wish not to impose upon you to leave your new life... your new wife, to uproot from it all and chance this, but I am short on options. Antigua be a shorter and safer trip for you to make than the occupied Charleston harbor."
Jack stared down at his fidgeting hands, unable to look at Gibbs. "I wouldn't be askin, if..." he said so quietly, Gibbs barely heard it.
Gibbs' stomach rolled with confliction. He wanted to help Jack, but he couldn't bear to leave Estrella now. He had to make a difficult choice. "I-I don't know, Jack. I fear that ye may be askin' for more than I can give," Gibbs said with a choked voice.
"There be nothing that would ever come between you and me," Jack said flatly, looking at his first mate with honesty in his eyes as he began to come to the conclusion that Gibbs was unable to help him. It must have been apparent to Gibbs as a guilty and apologetic look settled firmly on his face.
Jack stood and took the few steps forward to lean against a porch post. "Josh," he began quietly, keeping his eyes fixed on the floor boards. "I won't have ya set out on a path of danger. It be of me own impulsive foolishness. Recklessness. I know you have more than yerself to consider now."
"It's not foolishness!"
Estrella's voice from the doorway startled both men. Jack nearly stumbled off the edge of the porch and Gibbs jumped to his feet.
"Lives depend on this. Our lives. I won't have you gone from our future because of your past."
Estrella came to stand directly in front of her husband and placed her hands against his cheeks tenderly. "Besides, you were going the moment he got here," she said with a soft smile.
Gibbs set his hands on her waist. "But, Essie-"
She put a finger to his lips. "Go. On one condition," Estrella said, and looked beyond her husband to Jack. "You promise he will come home to me breathing."
He gave her his word. "I promise, on the pain of death, to return him alive."