Title - A Test Of Time. (Sequel to Faded Memories)
Chapter title - It's the Dutchman
Author - Billiebumface
Disclaimer - I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean. Tora Black, the plot and any characters not recognized from the films are entirely mine.
-C.8-
"Man overb-" The cry of panic cut short as Tora's dinghy neared Chevalle's ship. When she was close enough she looked up to one of the curious crew members.
"Is this Captain Chevalle's ship?"
"Aye, hold on lad!"
Tora smiled to herself when they bought her disguise and threw down a rope ladder. She hoisted herself up and climbed aboard.
"Thanks mates. Where can I find the captain, I have an urgent message for him."
"Follow me." Said a tall brunette man. Tora followed him below deck where he stopped to knock on a door.
"Cap'n there's someone 'ere with a message for you."
"Oui, oui come in."
The brunette opened the door and gestured for Tora to go in before leaving.
"Bonjour." Smiled Louis casually leaning on his desk. "What is the message boy?"
"Not a message as such, I just know something you don't. I thought you ought to know." Tora was amazed at how well everything was going but then she remembered two key things. One, not everything goes tits up all the time and two, she learned the art of deception from the best. Jack.
"What might that be?" Asked Chevalle in his thick French accent turning his back on her.
"Tora Black's back."
"I know that. She was at Shipwreck cove last year when the king was chosen."
"Oh...so, you know she's aboard the Pearl then?"
"Oui. Just another obstacle in the way of me and the heart."
"Will Turner's heart?" Louis nodded. "You can't have that I'm afraid." Tora pulled a dagger from her sleeve and lunged forward, grabbing a fistful of Louis' hair. She yanked his head back and slid the blade across his throat. As the warm crimson poured down her arm, Louis gripped his neck staring up, wide eyes at who he thought was an innocent male messenger. Tora shoved his to wards his desk, removed her hat and her glasses and stared at the choking Captain.
"Tora Black, serving revenge the best way. At your service." She bowed as Louis gasped once more and collapsed lifelessly to the floor.
She pushed his desk up to the door and hopped up to the window to watch the horizon.
"Come on Turner." She sighed glancing down at her hands. On her index finger on her right hand was the ruby ring Jack had brought her as a belated birthday present in Tortuga before they went after the fountain of youth.
*Jack rolled over and picked up his jacket and pulled out the red velvet pouch. He rolled back and placed it in Tora's hand. With a frown Tora sat up, followed by Jack and pulled the pouch open, tipping the contents into the palm of her hand. She stared open mouthed at the silver ring with the blood red ruby.
"What's this for?"
"I never did get you a birthday present." He stated pointing to her necklace. He took the ring and slipped it onto the index finger of her right hand and kissed it. He lay back down, pulling Tora with him to lean on his chest.
"Jack?"
"Mmm?"
"I-I love you." She admitted. Jack smiled, feeling perfectly at ease.
"I love you too, darlin'."*
Tora smiled at the memory, sighing when she wondered where everything had gone wrong.
"IT'S THE DUTCHMAN!" At the shouts from above deck Tora leant to look out of the window and indeed the familiar form of the Flying Dutchman was on the horizon. Tora pulled her sword, readying herself incase any of the crew managed to open the door.
As expected, a few seconds later, there was a thunder of someone banging repeatedly on the door. It jolted and they managed to open the door enough to get an arm through.
"Cap'n what's happening?" Came a voice as the arm flailed around uselessly. Tora glanced at the Dutchman which seemed to be taking it;s time getting to her. There was a loud crash and the click of a pistol behind her. Tora turned back from the window and saw the brunette that had brought her down to the cabin.
"Let's no do anythin' drastic." She took a step back, fully aware of the fact she only had a sword which is not much of a match for a bullet.
"You killed my Captain, I kill you." He lifted the pistol higher and Tora squoze her eyes shut. She heard a shot but felt no pain. When she heard a thud she snapped her eyes open and saw Jack aiming a pistol at her, a look of venom in his eyes. Tora dropped her sword and squoze her eyes shut again. In her mind she could see the last time Jack aimed at her at Shipwreck cove.
"Not again. Not again. Not again." Tora started murmuring to herself trying to block out the memories. "No, no, no..."
"Tora open your eyes."
"No, I can't go back to the locker. I can't." Tora sunk to the floor as fresh salty tears started to pour down her porcelain cheeks.
"T, you won't go back there, I wouldn't have it. Your not dead love. C'mon open your eyes."
Tora felt a strong pair of arms wrap around her shaking form and she allowed herself to open her eyes. When she saw Jack's shoulder directly in front of her face she peered over him and saw the brunette crew member lying face down in the doorway, blood oozing from his head.
"You saved me...again." Tora let out a giggle, choked with a sob as she buried her face in the crook of Jack's neck.
"And I'd do it over and over if needs be." Jack mumbled resting his chin on her head.
"I thought you hated me."
"No. Truth is I thought I was protecting you."
Tora pulled her head back to look him in the eye.
"From?"
Jack pointed at Louis with a shrug.
"Jack? Tora?"
The pair turned and saw a bandanna clad Will Turner.
"Will! Shut the door."
With a frown Will obliged and closed the door.
"We have something important to tell you." Smiled Jack helping Tora to her feet.
"Are you telling me you killed two innocent men just to get me here?"
"They weren't innocent."
"Look, Will. Chevalle and alot of others are after your heart which puts your little family in danger. But we found out how to restore your heart to you and get you off the Dutchman and back in a blacksmiths." Explained Tora.
"How?"
Jack and Tora told Will about Baba Fantauzzo and everything that had happened thus far, not mentioning the parts about their arguing and Will's familiar megawatt grin appeared on his face. "Well, who's going to replace me then?"