Only a Ricci...
The fire... the pirates... my mother...
The treasure...
My eyes shot open, my brain moving much too fast for my body. That's why my mother died I thought They were after us... and the treasure. That's why Mama and Papa always locked the doors... Why didnt they tell me? I shook those thoughts from my head and sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I looked out my cabin door, noticing that it was awfully quiet for such a late hour.
Then I remembered Tortuga. Of course the crew was probably passed out all over the town still. I chuckled and entered my cabin once again, grabbing the sack that the Captain and I used and dumping it onto my bed. Swiftly, I pulled out a pair of black pants, a white shirt, and a black vest. Casting a quick glance around as if I thought my father would pop out at me at any moment, I pulled off my nightgown and pulled on the garments, admiring how comfortable they felt.
Hesitating before doing so, I turned and looked in the mirror... it didn't look too bad. I noted how the clothing complimented my curves and hid, what I thought were, my flaws. Pulling on my new boots, I opened my door again and walked out into the fresh air, letting it play with my hair. With some difficulty I strapped my belt around my middle, pushing the sword into its sheath and my father's pistol, fully loaded. Finally I tucked my father's dagger into my belt as well and sat on a barrel of powder that sat by the mast, gazing out into the water, one leg bent as my arm rested on it, the other hanging off swinging slowly.
- - - - - - - JACK'S POV - - - - - - -
As Captain Jack Sparrow made his way back to the Black Pearl he couldnt help but let his mind wander to Christina. The early sun beat down on his head as he thought about the night before. After dropping Christina off he had gone straight to a bar, where he drank and had a night of pleasurable company. But when he thought about that night a curious feeling would come over him. Another faceless woman... a common whore who only did it because she had to. She didnt love him... love... Jack frowned wondering why now, of all times, he started caring about such a silly word. What was there to Christina that no ordinary woman had anyway?
He answered his own question as he pictured her smiling face in his mind. She was beautiful, witty, bright, comfortable to talk to, and willing for adventure. Something else Jack liked... no not liked... he fought with himself... alright, found curious about the girl was that she had a spark to her, pride raged inside her like a flame that threatened to erupt if impugned or tested... not many women had that... but she was humble enough not to be snobbish or full of herself... she certainly was curious. Jack thought about the joy and peacefulness that had filled her face when she sung... and when she played the violin, and smiled before entering a special shoppe.
- - - - - END JACK'S POV - - - - - - -
Gibbs was the first one to arrive back at the ship, clutching one side of his head from something he called a hangover has he grumbled past and retreated into the crew's quarters.
Not a moment after Gibbs came Joe, strapping his belt on tighter. He stalled at the sight of her. "Christina..." he mumbled, trying to find the right words, "It suits you." I smiled.
"Really? Thank you!" Joe nodded and followed Gibbs into the crew's quarters.
Ten minutes went by and nobody else came up the gangplank but Ana Maria, who looked me over before walking off mumbling something like "much better" and "not bad". I grinned and leaned my head against the mast, closing my eyes and letting the sun tan my face further.
- - - - - - - JACK'S POV - - - - - - -
Jack stepped up the gangplank to find Christina, leaning her head back against the mast, one leg up, one hanging, and her elbow on the former... she certainly was beautiful... and as the pants and vest clung to her body he couldnt help but look (not that he would want to help it)... she looked as piraty as she had hoped... but...
"It's missing something luv."
- - - - - - - END JACK'S POV- - - - - - -
My eyes shot open at the sound of a voice and I looked up, grasping the knife on my leg but relaxed when I saw that it was only Jack. He was standing before me, wearing a smirk as his eyes traveled my body. I waved my hand in front of his face, a sardonic look on my face.
"My eyes are up here Jack." I told him. Jack's smirk widened.
"Yes they are, luv, and no matter how pleasant they are to look at, I'm lookin' down there." He replied and I crossed my arms over my chest. Jack frowned at the loss of his view and looked up at my face.
"No you're not." I said and Jack smiled. It was then that I noticed that Jack had something behind his back. "What's my outfit missing? What's that?" I asked, trying to see but Jack backed up, wagging his finger in my face.
"Ask me no questions, Christy, and I'll tell you no lies." I rolled my eyes and jumped down off the barrel as Jack walked away and into his cabin, whatever he was hiding still hidden in front of him. Frowning, I pulled out my new sword off my belt and swung it a couple of times. I knew the basics, but nothing more. Jack came back out of his cabin and smiled when he saw me gracefully turning yet swing my sword not so. I twisted again, only to lock swords with Jack.
My eyes widened in surprise and I took my sword down and took a step back. Jack smirked again and gestured to my sword.
"Ye need lessons..." he said. I laughed.
"I've had four." I countered, laughter echoing through my words, "One reluctant one from Will and three from an old sailor in a pub. He was a frequent visitor and taught me the basics of working a sword."
"Well, four lessons isnt gonna cut it if yer gonna be a pirate luv." I smiled and pointed my sword at him. The Captain smiled and adjusted my hand slightly, sending a confusing shiver up my arm.
Jack and I fought for a good ten to twenty minutes before I fell back, the sword knocked from my hand. I laughed, ignoring the sweat that trickled down my hairline.
"I could have beaten you." I said matter-of-factly, "My hair was in the way." Jack raised his eyebrows.
"Alright then..." he said and reached into his pocket, pulling out a crimson bandana, "Which reminds me, what's missing; I got you this." I took it, a smile on my face and let Jack help me put it on, holding back my hair. I reached back and braided my long black hair, tying a string at the end. A few curls hung on each side of my face and Jack backed away, admiring his work.
"Still think you can beat me luv?" he asked and I hesitated before nodding.
By the time Jack had beaten me again the entire crew was back. I picked myself back off the ground, pushing my sword back into its sheath and sticking my tongue out at Jack Sparrow, who smirked and put his own sword away before bowing and jumping up to the helm.
"Get ready to make sail after ye eat!" Jack called out as the crew filed into the kitchen, eating the meal that I had prepared at an earlier hour. I walked up to the Captain, threw him an apple, and laughed as he nearly dropped it.
"Thank ye luv." Jack said.
"What can I do Captain? The meals for the day are stored in the icebox. I am not needed in the kitchen." I asked and Jack put a finger to the corner of his mouth.
"Well..." he said, "The deck hasnt been scrubbed in a long while. You can do that and, like you wanted, secure the rigging when it needs it." I nodded and turned around before halting in my tracks.
"What about Smith, Cap-Jack?" I asked. Jack looked around as the crew left the galley and began securing ropes and setting loose the sails.
"He'll be set adrift back to Tortuga when we get out a bit." Jack said and I nodded, satisfied. I was paying to take this voyage, as well as working, and I was going to make sure it was safe.
"Thank you." I said and crossed to the broom cupboard, pulling out a bucket and a scrub brush. Quickly, I made my way to the side of the ship and dropped the bucket into the water before pulling it back up by a rope. I wasnt sure if I was supposed to use salt water but I dared not ask. I was going to do this job fast, perfectly, and without help so that I could do something else. Scrubbing was something I had always let the maids do.
Getting down on my hands and knees, I furiously scrubbed the deck, not caring that my pants were soaked from the water that I scrubbed the filthy deck with.
A thump interrupted me and I looked up from my work to see Smith being taken out of the brig. He glared at me with more hatred than I could ever feel... I glared back.
Smith was put in an extra rowboat and lowered down into the water. I leaned against the side of the ship, away from Henry Smith, who was slowly making his way back to Tortuga...
Why did Jack let him go? A though struck me... any other pirate, and many men for that matter, would have just warned him not to do it again and kept a better eye on him.
"None of us liked Smith much." Ana Maria's voice yanked me from my thoughts, "'Bout a year ago he brought the governor of Port Marco's daugher onto this ship and had his way with her. Sent half of Marcos's Navy after us. The Captain wasnt very happy with him." I wrinkled my nose.
"What a horrible man!" I exclaimed. Ana Maria just shrugged.
"He could'a killed her." She said and I looked down, silently agreeing.
"What's yer name again?" Ana Maria asked.
"Ricci, Christina Ricci."
"Christina." Ana Maria mumbled, trying it out on her tongue, "Not a bad name."
"Thank you," I replied strangely, "Yours isn't either..." there was an awkward pause... "Perhaps you and I could get to know each other better..." I said and Ana Maria seemed to be pulled from thoughts.
"Yeah." She said heartily, "Maybe you're not as much of a prissy perfect lady as I thought." I laughed.
"Guess you'll find out." And with a last nod, Ana Maria walked off, leaving me back to my own thoughts and work.
I ran the brush over the wood, as if trying to rid my confusion from my mind as it strayed to the Captain once again...
He was handsome, even with his dirty dreadlocks and lack of personal hygiene... he was still handsome. Constantly I had felt myself becoming lost in his chocolate brown eyes, not really sure why... I looked back up at the helm, where Jack stood and frowned as my heart skipped a beat... it's not love... I thought... not love.
"Captain!" Bill's voice echoed from above and I looked up from my spot on the barrel, leaning on the mast in the same fashion as before, looking over my finished work and allowing my aching arms and blistering hands to wind down. Bill was up in the crows nest, pointing hurriedly behind us.
"An approaching ship, Captain!" Gibbs and I rushed to the stern of the Black Pearl, as Jack turned around quickly.
"What colors is she flying Gibbs?" Jack asked and Gibbs squinted to see the tiny flag on the ship, approaching rapidly. But my younger eyes spotted the symbol first.
"It's the Jolly Roger!" I called to Jack and he nodded, turning back to the wheel. Gibbs was at the helm in a second and looked at Jack.
"What do we do Cap'n?" he asked. Jack shrugged.
"Shes no threat to us at the moment Master Gibbs." Jack replied leisurely.
"And if she does try to attack us?" I asked worriedly. Jack smirked at me.
"The wind is on our side. We can get away if we try hard enough." Jack paused, "But be ready. We dont know how skilled they are." I nodded and returned to my spot by the mast, closing my eyes only to breathe in the salty air and stand up again at a pirates call.
"Lass!" Sam called and I rushed over to him to find that he has a tight grip on a rope, which held a sail of place. The sail had come loose in the wind.
"Yes?" I asked, pulling my shirt straighter.
"Hold onto this will ye?" he asked me and I nodded, grabbing hold of the thick rope. I pulled back on it, Sam supporting it only until I had my footing.
"Ready?" I braced myself and Sam let go.
The weight that I found surprised me and I faltered only for a moment. My brow furrowed in effort and concentration. I held the sail in place while Sam tied the others down, fighting the wind and the enormous sail. My arms felt as if they were on fire, sweat leaking slightly from my bandana and into my eyes.
Finally, after what seemed like hours yet I knew it was only minutes, Sam came back and tied the rope that I had down. I sighed and stepped back a couple steps, my arms screaming in relief. Sam nodded, a grin on his face.
"Thank ye... maybe I was wrong about you." He said.
"Youre welcome." I smiled faintly but tensed slightly when I noticed that the pirate ship was passing us. I pulled out my fathers pistol, and watched as they came upon our starboard side.
Jack and the Captain of the other ship, who had short, bright blonde hair, tied back, nodded to each other before the Black Pearl passed her, a smirk on Jacks face, and continuing off. I sighed and put my pistol back into my belt.
Quickly realizing that the sun was setting, I rushed to the ice box below deck, pushing away the goat that was tied to a pole, and pulled out the meal that I had prepared in a large pot. I went back up to the galley, lighting the fire stove and heating up the meals before putting them on the table just as the pirates sat down. Smiling slightly I took my place next to Jack and only nodded, mumbling "Thank you" when I was complimented on my cooking, my mind wandering off to other places and times.
I left the table after saying a hurried goodnight to the crew and entered my cabin, looking in the mirror. I had gone from "princess" to pirate... I laughed. What would my father say?
BANG ! the ship lurched and sent me tumbling off my small bed and onto the hardwood floor. Groaning slightly, I stood up, only to be knocked against the wall as another tremendous BANG rocked the Black Pearl.
"STOP BLOWING HOLES IN MY SHIP!" Jacks voice rang out and a bustle came from outside my door as the crew ran above deck. Sighing quickly, I pulled my pants on, not noticing my nightgown hung over them. I grabbed my belt and hurriedly strapped it around my hips. Then, pulling on my boots, I ran out the cabin door.
The sight that awaited me caused me to hesitate in fear. A gasp escaped my lips.
The ship that had come by us earlier that day stood, anchored in the water next to the Black Pearl, its white sails, patched here and there shone in the moonlight and the white letters on the side of the ship said "THE MERMAID". All across the deck of the Black Pearl stood pirates, the sounds of yelling, gunshots, and swords clashes ringing in my ears.
To my relief, as I did a short head count, everyone was still alive and even a few of the opposing crew lay dead, blood running onto the deck... yet to my horror I saw Jack, in concentrated combat with a skilled swordsman... as the Captain of the Mermaid advanced behind him. Jack Sparrow was going to die.
The opposing Captain raised his pistol and aimed for Jacks back. Just as he cocked his gun I rushed out of my hiding place.
"JACK, MOVE!" I nearly screamed and shoved the Captain of the Black Pearl off to the side and out of his battle just as the pistol fired with a BANG! A searing pain went through my stomach on the far let side and my eyes widened. The Captain smirked at me and turned to kill Jack with another cock of the pistol and a strange feeling swept over me as I lunged at him, bringing my sword across his neck in a single swipe. A gurgle came from his throat and warm blood rushed onto my hands. My vision quickly faded as my blood ran down my nightgown which I still had on over my pants and onto the deck. Blackness took me as I fell to the ground, right into someones arms.
- - - - - - - JACKS POV - - - - - - -
The Captain of the Black Pearl caught Christina Ricci as she fell to the ground, causing blood to run heavily onto the sleeve of his shirt. The opposing crew noticed their Captain to be dead and fled back to the Mermaid like dogs running with their rails between their legs, leaving a cheering crew behind them.
Jack, meanwhile, had gathered Christina in his arms and picked her up bridal style.
"Clean up the bodies!" Jack called to the crew, some of them nurturing wounds, others wiping their swords onto their pants, "And get me some rum!" Glenn rushed into the kitchen before coming out with two bottles of rum, running after Jack as he carried Christina into his cabin.
Quickly and wordlessly, Jack swiped all the papers and rum bottles off the desk, nearly shattering the bottles on the wooden floor. Glenn, without needing been told, tucked a pillow under Christinas head, her breath coming in short rasps and her stomach bleeding heavily. Jack then, lied her down on the table and pulled up her nightgown.
Still silently, Jack poured rum onto Christinas side, earning a painful groan and twist from her. Glenn left the room after nodding to the Captain, going to help the crew throw the dead bodies overboard and clean up the blood off the deck.
Jack, still in the meanwhile, had taken out his dagger. Hesitating a bit, he put his hand on her bare stomach and touched the dagger to her skin.
"This is gonna hurt luv." Jack said, though he knew she couldnt hear him, and dug the dagger into her side, fishing out the bullet. Christinas eyebrows furrowed in her unconscious state and she cried out, twisting as Jack held her stomach down with one of his elbows, his eyebrows still furrowed in concentration.
Finally, the blood covered bullet fell to the ground with a slight thump and Jack tore a strip from his shirt, wrapping the wound tightly, stopping the blood flow. Her face was white and she was hot to the touch with fever and loss of blood. Then, he pulled off her nightgown, taking full advantage of the situation with his eyes and pants, pulling one of his shirts over her head, finally lying her down on his bed and pulling the covers over her as she shivered.
As Jack pulled a chair up next to her bed he looked into the womans sleeping, yet unpeaceful face, and felt a powerful need to be there with her... to protect her... to make her happy... she saved my life he thought but deep inside he knew that wasnt why he was feeling these things... it wasnt debt... he sighed... it was something else...
- - - - - - - END JACK'S POV - - - - - - -