A/N: Yes, I'm aware it has been quite some time since my update. My sincerest apologies, but getting married and buying a house takes up a quite a bit of free time, does it not? Especially when it all happens around the holidays. Anyway, things are back on track and mostly back to normal now so I'm back with another chappy. For all my Jack/Ana fans…it's getting tough, but remember, A/N: Yes, I'm aware it has been quite some time since my update. My sincerest apologies, but getting married and buying a house takes up a quite a bit of free time, does it not? Especially when it all happens around the holidays. Anyway, things are back on track and mostly back to normal now so I'm back with another chappy. For all my Jack/Ana fans…it's getting tough, but remember, you've got to trust me. I promise I'm not going to let you down. I will carry you through the upcoming events in the swiftest and least painful means as possible. And I promise you that our two favorite pirates will be reunited in the end.
Captainme – Trying to prevent the 'mushyness' between Jack and Elizabeth these days. Someday our two lovebird captains will be reunited.
Kungfuchick – Yes, Braden is beginning to wear on the nerves a bit, isn't he?
KSP33 – Indeed, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel! Yea!
LongingforLlangarlia – Anamaria, pregnant? You're the second person to ask that…hmmm…unfortunately, I can't tell you! Mwahaha! But we'll all find out what's wrong with dear Ana soon enough. In the meantime, all the men here are pissing everyone off…seems pretty typical, eh?!
An-angel-in-hell – I guess I should have killed Elizabeth off in the fire too, huh? Would have made things much easier for Ana and Jack, but nowhere near as suspenseful ;o)
Mary – Ah yes, as I sat down to type this chapter I realized there are major changes on the horizon. This is quite possibly the pivotal chapter of the entire story. Things will be different very soon…
Fredsonetrueluv – Yes, I know I seem to disappear for long periods of time these days and I'm sorry my very busy life has kept me away from my most faithful readers. Thanks to everyone for keeping up with the story despite the time I spend away.
Eddie – Yay! I qualify for a true pirate story! And another guess at Ana possibly being pregnant…hmmm…
Johnnycakesdepp – Not looking good at the moment at least, things will be better eventually, I promise.
Gotta Luv Sparramaria – As slow as preferred…I've never heard that before, but it's pretty funny! I'm sorry I've kept you waiting luv…I promise to try and do better if you promise to stick with me through the tough times :o)
Peppy87 – Good to see a new reader. Welcome aboard mate and thanks for the review!
Chapter Forty One
Jack debated on not going back to the inn. Anamaria's hotheaded first mate had irritated him and as he crossed the island back to the noisy taverns and inns, he found himself only growing angrier as his clothes dried. The sailor had no right to address either of them in the manner he had and yet Jack felt it was Anamaria's place to correct him. If she continued to fail at her job, as she had done so far, then he would have to step in and remedy the situation.
Part of Jack did not want to see Elizabeth. A very large part of him wanted to step into the nearest tavern, grab as many mugs of rum as possible and find the first large breasted wench that was halfway decent looking to pull up the stairs with him and enjoy a particularly wild evening. The idea sounded like a very good one to Jack and yet, for reasons unbeknownst to himself, he kept walking towards the inn. A smaller part of him thought that maybe Elizabeth was capable of pulling him out of his anger.
In the end, the smaller part ended up being the stronger and in a manner that was very un-Jack like, he passed by the taverns and made his way up to the room he shared with Elizabeth managing only one rum bottle in hand.
As he opened the door he noticed at once that Elizabeth was waiting for him, in bed. He felt a dull throb in his pants, but took a sip of rum and continued across the room. It was late and the lass was probably just tired.
"Hi," she said.
"Hi," the pirate said, his voice deep in his throat.
"Decide to go for a swim?" she asked, noticing his wet clothes.
Jack began stripping the garments off, setting them out to dry. "It was a long day," he said.
"I see," Elizabeth said, drinking him in with her honey eyes.
"I brought you your sword," he said, resting the blade against the wall.
"Thank you," she welcomed. The thought briefly crossed her mind that it was Will's sword, but she didn't pause to correct him.
"How was your day?" he asked, sitting down on the bed beside her as he pulled off his pants.
She sighed, not meeting his eyes, "Jack, I want to talk about…about what happened last night."
The thought struck him instantly, Wrong decision Sparrow. Should have just stopped in the tavern and begun drinking, found a nice wench to lie down with for the night.
"I spent the day thinking about everything. About Will, about Thomas, about you…about everything," she interrupted his thought process.
"Elizabeth, you don't have to," he started.
"No," she met his eyes, "I want to."
She drew in a deep breath and dropped her eyes from his before continuing, "There is this huge part of me that is missing, that feels empty without them. It is so hard to be here when they are gone," she hesitated, blinking back tears before meeting his eyes again, "but being with you, spending time with you, it makes it easier. Not that you can replace them because you can't, but because it helps to have a friend. Last night…"
"Lizzie, it's ok. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…"
She cut him off, "Was the first time I've felt pleasure in so very long." She reached out and brushed his hand. "And yes, part of me felt guilty," she paused, "but more of me wants to know that pleasure again."
Jack was surprised, but he didn't miss the opportunity to lean forward and kiss her softly.
"Jack, I don't know what I'm asking from you. I'm a complete mess and I have no idea where my life is going. I just know I need you to be here for me, as a friend…and maybe on occasion as something more."
"To show you how to enjoy yourself?" he asked, a small smile touching the corners of his lips.
"To show me how to enjoy myself," she smiled back, accepting another of the pirate's kisses.
The two reclined on the bed together, Jack on top of Elizabeth as he began kissing her ear and lecturing jokingly, "Now the first thing you have to remember is to always…"
Anamaria wasn't exactly sure how Braden had convinced her to come back to the taverns and drink with him, but somehow he had. Was she that desperate for company lately? After all, the sailor might have looked good with no clothes on, but she had learned her lesson last night, hadn't she?
Apparently not.
Quite a few mugs of rum later and they were rushing up the stairs, ripping at one another's clothes, and fumbling with the key to the lock on the door of her room. Anamaria was incredibly horny, but she wasn't sure why she had decided to satisfy her lust with her first mate again. She was usually much more discerning, choosing her bedfellows by the unlikelihood that they would ever meet in person again.
Several hours later she was lying in bed, taking a long drink of rum and wondering yet again how she had ended up here. Braden lay beside her dozing off and on. She woke him suddenly, shaking him hard.
"Get out," she insisted, harshly.
He moaned in his sleep, protesting being woken.
"Get out," she repeated, getting out of bed and standing up as she pulled on her clothes. She was mad at herself for getting involved with him again and she was mad at him just because she wanted someone else to share the blame.
Braden rubbed his eyes wearily and Anamaria tossed his shirt at him.
"Come on, we're done. I don't want you here anymore," she said.
Braden was clearly confused. "Anamaria we just…" he paused. "I'm tired. I just want to sleep. Can't we talk about this in the morning?"
"No, I don't want to talk about it and I don't want you here. Get out," she demanded.
Braden, although unhappy, was awake enough to understand her message. Grumbling under his breath, he gathered his clothes and quickly dressed.
"Be there at dawn tomorrow," she stopped him just before he exited her room.
Braden opened his mouth to respond, but thought better of it and left the room in silence.
To Jack's great surprise and Anamaria's even greater astonishment, Braden showed up early and eager to work the next morning. She had been almost positive that after her little spectacle, he would never show his face again and she had spent a nearly sleepless night pondering over who she might choose as her next first mate.
However, she needn't have worried, as Braden was one of the first men there in the morning. He looked well rested and prepared to work. Even more shocking than his appearance was his reporting directly to Jack for his orders. He had either had a major attitude adjustment overnight or he was so mad at her for the way she had treated him that he would prefer to speak to Jack.
He shot her a sincere smile before he moved to begin his tasks for the day and she decided that maybe her exerting her authority last night was exactly what he had needed. Maybe it had given him the chance to finally see their relationship for what it was and remind him who was in charge. She didn't have long to analyze her thoughts before Jack stepped up in front of her.
"Well, I don't know what you did to him," Jack hesitated, "and I don't want to know, but I'd like to congratulate you on a job well done. You've convinced young Braden to come over to our side."
"Our side?" Anamaria questioned. "I thought he was always on my side. It was your side that took the convincing."
"Of course," Jack smiled sarcastically. "Well, no worries."
"Elizabeth's here today?" Anamaria asked, nodding in the young girl's direction.
"She said she was bored yesterday and she wanted something to do. I figured she might as well come out and help. We could always use another pair of hands," he replied.
"I suppose you can always use another pair of hands…is she quite talented with them then?" Anamaria couldn't stop the smart remark.
A small smile touched Jack's lips as he thought back to the night before. It was ironic that he and Elizabeth had spent most of the night doing nothing but touching, caressing each other gently with their hands. It had been his goal to show her as well as teach her how to show him the simple power of touch. After a few tips from Jack, it turned out that Elizabeth was indeed quite talented with her hands.
"Actually yes, she is," Jack answered.
He could tell from the shocked look briefly crossing her features that she had not expected the direct answer, but she covered her surprise. Had he not known her so well, he might have missed it entirely.
"I assigned Braden to work closely with Muriel. I assume from his Navy training he knows how to handle tools."
"He handles them better than most," she responded quickly, not missing the opportunity of a sexual reference.
"Ahhh," Jack said, raising his eyebrows at her statement. "Yet you seem just as surprised as I am to see him here. Do me a favor and keep your eye on him today just in case he forgets how to use those tools. I don't entirely trust him."
Anamaria started to respond, but Jack was already walking away from her, heading towards Elizabeth. Things had changed so drastically between them that it almost made her wish she had never gotten her own ship…but it didn't.
For a solid month, the crews of The Black Pearl and The Sea Wench worked to repair The Pearl. Braden continued to show up and work hard day after day and he finally came to see he and Anamaria's relationship the same way she did. Elizabeth came to help some days, but other days she preferred to stay in town at the inn. She and Jack continued to grow closer in their time alone together. Some nights they went back to the inn and enjoyed one another's company while other's they went straight to sleep. Either way was fine by Jack as he was so preoccupied thinking about his ship most of the time that he had little time to worry about his own physical needs. Elizabeth was merely glad to have something else to occupy her mind rather than her thoughts of Will and Thomas for once.
At the end of the month's time, Anamaria and Jack met privately in her cabin onboard The Sea Wench to discuss the progress that had been made on The Pearl.
"I really wish we were farther along Jack," Anamaria started. "We've still got a month's worth of work, maybe more depending on the weather."
"I didn't think it would take this long to fix her luv," Jack apologized.
"In our haste, we chose to sail out with a small crew. Not to mention the fact that we stopped in a port town. Our crew would much rather stay in the taverns and drink all day than work in the hot sun," she complained, resting her head in her hands.
"But their gold is starting to run out and some of them are seeing that. They're going to have to go back on the account if they want to earn more."
"Which is why you're seeing more and more of them show up each morning," she added.
"Then maybe the repairs won't take a month's time after all, maybe we'll be finished sooner," he said hopefully.
"I don't want to wait that long," she said bluntly.
Jack smiled, "Well, I don't either, but we don't really have a choice, do we?"
Anamaria sighed. She had known this was going to be hard, but Jack was making it more difficult than it should have been. "The crew of The Sea Wench does," she stated.
Jack's brow furrowed in confusion, "What?"
"Jack, I've been thinking a lot about this over the last month," she started. "When we first talked about sailing to Madagascar, you weren't fond of the idea. I was the one who wanted to sail across the world and I wanted to leave as soon as possible. You were content to stay in the Caribbean."
"There was a time when I too dreamed of world domination and that is why I came with you," Jack argued.
"Only after a lot of persuasion," Anamaria responded. She pushed her chair back and stood, turning to walk the length of the room. "Then we were attacked. The Pearl was heavily damaged. I didn't want to leave you to fix her alone so we stayed and helped." She was pacing the room now. "But I can't stay anymore. I need to go on to Madagascar."
For once in his life, Jack was speechless. Was he dreaming? Was this some kind of cruel joke? He and Anamaria were partners. They'd always sailed together and now she was talking of leaving? When his ship wasn't even capable of making sail?
"We'll be sailing out in two days," she added softly.
"Two days?" he asked, beginning to grow angry. "Are you mad? Leaving your commodore stranded on an island…"
She cut him off, "You're not stranded Jack. You have a good crew and you're in a port town. You're entirely capable of fixing The Pearl and meeting us in the Indian Ocean at a later time. So don't make this out like it's some kind of mutiny because you know it's not," she was at the point of shouting now.
"I don't believe this," Jack said. "What could be so bloody wonderful about Madagascar that you'd be willing to leave your fellow captain behind? What could be so bloody important that you can't wait a month to get there?"
Anamaria shook her head. She was standing at the back of her cabin now, staring out at the ocean through the stained glass window. "I don't have to explain myself to you."
"I know you had a thing for Captain Aquino, but now that you have your hands full with Braden, don't you think that's going to make things a bit awkward between you two?" Jack knew his words were cutting, but he was hurt and it seemed fitting for her feelings to be hurt as well. He was also grasping at straws, searching for a potential explanation that his former first mate, the one person in the entire world that he had finally begun to let himself trust, was leaving him alone in his time of need.
"It has nothing to do with Captain Aquino," she stated, her voice growing louder.
"Or is that why you've been having Braden report to me lately? Planning on letting him stay with The Pearl's crew so you don't have to explain him?"
"Get out!" she shouted, turning on him.
Her outburst took Jack by surprise. He stood, but remained in place.
"Get out!" she screamed again. The tears she had tried so hard to keep inside finally rolling down her cheeks. "Get out!"
Jack wasn't sure how to handle the situation and since it was becoming ever more uncomfortable, he decided to follow her orders and leave. As he made his way down the gangplank, he found himself sifting through the details of their conversation.
She was leaving in two days. No matter how hysterical she had gotten towards the end, she had been firm on that point. He could try, but he was almost positive that he wouldn't get her to change her mind on that. He knew he had been mean, but he wasn't sure why she had started crying. His jabs hadn't been that harsh and he had never intended to bring her to tears. He had very rarely seen Anamaria at a breaking point in the many years he had known her. Even when she had lost her arm, she had stayed much stronger than any man would have, but now she was crying about a mean comment he had made towards her? It didn't make sense to him.
As soon as she was sure Jack was gone, Anamaria laid down in her bed and began to cry. The tears came easily and her body was racked with sobs. What was wrong with her? She was so much stronger than this and yet she couldn't make herself stop. And crying in front of Jack? What could possibly be more humiliating and self-deprecating than allowing some man, Jack none-the-less, to see they had brought tears to her eyes?
The truth of it was that she didn't want to go by herself, but she had no choice. She had to leave for Madagascar as soon as possible. If she didn't, then Jack would find out the terrible secret she had been keeping from him for several months time and if he found out, she was certain he would never want to have anything to do with her ever again. So as much as it hurt to leave now, it was easier than having to lose him forever. At least this way, she truly believed that at some point down the road, the two could come together and be friends and sail together again.
She had put it off as long as possible, but now the two going their separate ways had become inevitable. Her original plan had been to sail for Madagascar alone, but then Jack had agreed to come along and she had begun to develop an alternate plan. Then The Pearl had been damaged and she hadn't needed to come up with a plan at all as it had been set in motion for her. She had taken it as a sign. The two must separate and this was her chance. She would pacify him by agreeing to meet up in the Indian Ocean at a later date, but she would never show up. It would be the easiest way, for both of them. Years from now, when life was simpler again, she would find him. He was Captain Jack Sparrow after all and someone would always know where he was and she would know just who to ask to track him.
She pulled herself up from the bed and wiped the tears from her eyes. She had cried long enough and it was time to be strong again. These rash emotions that had begun to appear would surely get her in trouble if she didn't force herself to control them. Forcing herself in check, she made her way out on deck and down the gangplank into the town.
As Jack passed a tavern on the street, he decided to go in and get something to drink. He was growing angrier by the second and he knew this was not the time he wanted to go back and have to see Elizabeth. She had never seen him when his temper was in full force and he wasn't ready for her to just yet.
The sun had set before he and Anamaria's meeting and the tavern was full of rowdy patrons already drunk despite the early hour of the evening. He sat down at the counter and ordered a mug of rum, rubbing his temples at his now pounding headache.
He felt someone brush up against him and turned to see a young redheaded girl standing behind him.
"Hello sailor," she said, breathing heavily in his ear as she pressed her body against his back.
He might have been more willing to enjoy her company had he not been so angry with Anamaria. A heavy-chested wench placed a mug of rum in front of him and he forced a smile of appreciation before taking a sip and facing the girl. She couldn't have been much older than Elizabeth, but she had lived a much harder life and the stress had taken its toll on her young features.
"Hello luv," he greeted her, attempting to calm his temper by distracting himself.
She was pretty in her own way. He imagined if she had an easier life she might be quite beautiful.
"I haven't seen you around here before," she commented, moving even closer to him. "Captain?" she guessed, judging from the style and cut of his clothes.
She was very good at what she did, which is exactly what led him to believe she had been doing it for quite some time. Most men, less experienced sailors, might be convinced that she was genuinely interested in them. He was sure it would no doubt come as a surprise to some at the end of the night when she asked for her fee in gold doubloons. Jack, however, knew better.
He nodded, responding to her question. "It's been quite a few years since I sailed in these waters. You were probably just a wee lass then," he paused. "Captain Jack Sparrow," he extended his hand, taking her own and kissing the knuckles.
He had intended to be alone tonight, but her green eyes were enchanting and he thought that perhaps it would not be so bad to allow her distract him for a few hours.
"You're Captain Jack Sparrow?" she asked, her mouth dropping open as he kissed her hand.
"The one and only," he tried hard to flash a smile.
The girl struggled for words, "I…I can't believe…there are so many stories about you."
"Only the good ones are true luv," he was impressed that she had heard of him and found that it boosted his ego as well as his mood somewhat.
"If you're Captain Sparrow then The Black Pearl must be docked in the harbor?" she asked excitedly.
Jack took a sip of rum. "Well, not exactly," he sighed. "Complications arose when a fleet of Navy ships attacked us in open water. We had to haul The Pearl up on the beach for repairs."
"When you say attacked us, you're implying your crew or the crew of The Sea Wench as well?"
"You know of The Sea Wench?" Jack asked, even more surprised by her knowledge.
"Of course I've heard of her. She's captained by Anamaria Saldana, one of the most famous female captains of all time," the girl stated.
Jack rolled his eyes. Normally, he would have been excited to hear that someone was familiar with both The Black Pearl and The Sea Wench, but after tonight, The Wench's captain was the last person he wanted to discuss. He couldn't help but briefly think of how proud Anamaria would have been to hear that her name was well known, but he pushed his thoughts of her quickly away.
"Is she now?" he asked sarcastically.
The girl caught his tone and mannerisms and changed the subject back to The Pearl. She was excited enough to meet Jack Sparrow alone and wasn't willing to test her luck by dwelling on a subject that seemed to anger him at the moment.
"Would you take me to see The Pearl?" she asked, hopefully.
"It's all the way on the opposite side of the island, luv," Jack stated, draining his mug of rum and asking for another.
"I don't mind the walk," she said, her voice low in her throat as she batted her eyes at him.
She was hoping he would petition her services and Jack didn't fail to miss the offer.
"It's growing chilly out there," he commented.
She gave him her sexiest smile, "I'll just grab my shawl from upstairs. I'm sure you can keep me warm once we get there."
She stepped away and Jack knew this would be his only time to get away from her, but for whatever reasons he stayed. She was pretty enough and he knew that Elizabeth would be unable to provide the rough sex he would find himself needing release in tonight. She would prove to be quite the vixen in due time, but tonight he wanted an experience woman, one who needed no training and one he wouldn't have to worry about satisfying. As he waited for her, he felt a more masculine presence step up behind him.
"I told you if you didn't learn to appreciate her she was gonna leave you behind some day," a man's voice said over his shoulder.
Jack turned to see a very smug looking Braden standing behind him.
"What did you say?" he asked hotly, anger spreading evenly across his facial features.
"She told you right?" Braden asked, wondering if he had spoken too soon or if Anamaria had changed her mind. "We're sailing out for Madagascar in two days time."
"It was you, wasn't it?" Jack asked, the idea dawning on him. "You talked her into leaving…I ought to…" his hand was on his sword and he was half a beat away from drawing the blade when the young redhead stepped up beside him and touched his shoulder, smiling warmly.
He almost pushed her away, but Braden had already stepped back, almost as if he had never been there to start with and a worried expression was crossing the young girl's face.
"Is everything alright?" she asked.
Jack attempted to shake off the feelings of anger. "Yes, let's go," he said, taking her by the arm. But as they left the tavern, Jack continued to dwell on his thoughts of Braden and he couldn't rid himself of the thought that it had been Braden who had encouraged Anamaria to leave him behind.