Pairings: JS/OC, WT/ES
Overview: The Infamous Captain Jack Sparrow has had interesting acquaintances and activities in the past. This story is of a chain of many events that have gone awry, and come back to haunt him.
Disclaimer: All that is mine is Payton and the plot.
A/N: Thanks for those who gave me help with all my grammatical errors.
To CaptainESavvy, I'm glad Payton strikes the interest of the readers, that makes my life easier when it comes to an O/C.
To Rising Sunrise, yes, you receive another cookie. - gives said cookie to you- However, perhaps if you could give a bit more… explicitness when it comes to wanting to see more description when they talk, as I'm not entire sure I understand what you're asking for.
As a side note, I KNOW WHERE THIS IS HEADED! There will be a follow-up story after this one is completed, however, I do not know how I'm getting there. My accursed muse is giving me snippets and teasers. Bloody stupid thing. Regardless, I will continue on as I can.
There will be French in this chapter, but fairly basic stuff as I'm not trying hard. I shall be providing a rough translation for the phrases used, but it shouldn't be that hard to follow.
In addition, this chapter was HELLISH to write out! My muse, though definitely helpful and supportive, would not come down from it's airy perch to give me much assistance with this piece. -grumbles-
To the next chapter!
Chapter Four: Just A Shame
Where we see more flashbacks, Payton is distressed, and Jack enjoys his rum some more.
A murky fog was spreading its tendrils across the land, coming in from the sea.
"Come luv, let's go into my cabin. We can talk in privacy there, savvy?"
Payton looked at the pirate apprehensively, eyes narrowed. The gaze asked what he was up to, but she did as he asked of her despite her suspicions. Before Jack entered the cabin, Mr. Gibbs pulled him aside.
"Capt'n, we're all set for settin' sail by dawn tomorrow. All the supplies are aboard."
"Aye, that be best. Have the crew here at dawn and we shall set sail."
"Aye Capt'n, but what of the girl?"
"Now, Mister Gibbs, don't ye worry over her, savvy?"
"Aye Capt'n, but, women be bad luck aboard at sea. Ye know –"
"Yes Mister Gibbs, I know. T'would be worse luck if she were ta be left here." Jack turned, and walked into his cabin to see Payton sitting on his bed, staring at him intently. There were candles lit in lanterns, letting out a warm glow through the room, but the air was chilly around the girl.
"And what exactly was that about Captain?"
"Ah, a bit o' this an' that luv, nothin' fer ye ta be worried over." He pulled his hat off, and dropped it on the table, followed by draping his coat on his chair.
"Oh aye? I'd doubt that entirely Captain Sparrow."
He grinned, and she became angry, mistaking his mirth for ridicule. However, Jack was in truth pleased that she was falling back into the pattern of speak she acquired after first boarding the Pearl. Payton stood up, causing Jack to loose the humour from his form.
"Listen here Sparrow, if you simply brought me here to amuse you, for you to mock and jeer at, then I must inform you that you'd be sorely mistaken to believe I'd stay!"
He held his hands up appealingly. "Payton, luv, calm yerself. I mean you no disrespect. I was merely thinking back ta when I taught ye how to fight."
Payton returned slowly to her previous position, her eyes no longer harsh, a slight smile gracing her face.
"Yes, that was interesting, wasn't it?" She was staring off into the middle distance, causing Jack to smile again.
Phew, that was close.
The problem with memories was that they were always so very close to the surface. The things that she never wanted to remember, the happiness she felt on the Pearl, the acceptance she felt. It was odd, and awkward at first. Hard to get used to. She had pushed it out of her mind when she decided to hold a grudge against the captain of the Black Pearl.
However, the longer she spent with him, the less annoyed she became with him.
Though he did have a knack for getting on her nerves.
Especially when he tried to lie to her. She knew he was up to something with his first mate. She knew that there was something going on which she couldn't place her finger on, but she had learned from experience it would be better to remain wary of the pirate captain.
"Y'know luv…" His silken voice jolted her out of her wandering thoughts. "My offer still stands, if ye be interested."
"Sparrow, I told you no a million times. Why can't you understand that?"
"Mmmm, let's just say I'm difficult to persuade." The smirk playing on his lips was more than aggravating to Payton.
She tensed as he moved closer, lithe like a wild cat, stalking its prey.
"Sparrow, get out."
He stepped back, for the moment shocked. "Ye be kickin' me out of me own cabin? Ye've only been back aboard fer what, less than an hour?"
Payton sighed and closed her eyes, pinching the ridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. "I'm not in the mood for your insults Jack."
"Whoa, whoa luv, slow down. Whatever makes ye think I'm insultin' ye?"
She jumped as his voice appeared behind her, she didn't even hear him, and he was just by her ear. She opened her eyes and turned to look at him.
"Jack… leave it be."
"Oh, and why might I be doing something foolish like that?"
"Oh, I don't know, you're Captain Jack Sparrow? Like I care."
"Right y'are, I am Captain Jack Sparrow, but that's no reason to stop pestering ye. In fact, tis more reason to continue if ye be askin' me."
"I wasn't asking you, you priggish fop. Just, leave me be." Payton was becoming cross that this insufferable male would not let her be – regardless of that fact that she was not only inhabiting his room, but aboard his ship and could leave if she really wanted at any time.
"Priggish fop? I daresay that be a new one luv. Who 'ave ye been talkin' ta?"
"Is it really any of your business who I speak with?" By now she was facing him, their bodies less than a foot apart. The tension was thick in the air, her glare harsh and unforgiving, his eyes full of mirth which only annoyed her more.
"Ye know what yer problem is luv? Ye take things too seriously, too literally. Ye need to calm down, de-stress every now an' then luv. T'will do you good, aye. Listen ta the sea sometime, works wonders I've heard." His usual off kilter smile resided on his lips, causing her more annoyance, and him more mirth.
"And do you know what your problem is? You haven't changed on wit, you loud mouthed overbearing, chauvinistic prat!"
"Oh, luv, that one cuts deep." He smirked at her, showing no concern over her comments whatsoever.
"Go jump in the sea." She grumbled towards him, turning away to face the wall somewhat childishly.
"Alright, if that what ye be wantin' luv." He was almost laughing at her, she could tell, even if she wasn't looking at him.
"I hope you drown." She muttered, glaring daggers at the wall, as if she wanted to destroy the innocent wall in order to deal with her irrational rage.
Jack in the meantime was having a lot of fun. It wasn't every day that he got to talk with a companion like Payton.
Even if most of the conversation was insults. She was loosing badly too. Very unlike her. Then again, she was probably still annoyed that he had left her in Tortuga.
"Listen, luv, as much as I'd love to converse with ye, I'd be thinking that ye'd be wanting some sleep, aye?"
She sighed, looking at him. "Aye, I suppose that would be wise. Where am I to sleep?"
"Here luv."
"I think not Sparrow. I know what your like."
"Come now luv, what 'ave I done to make ye so suspicious of me?"
She raised an eyebrow as if to say, 'Are you an idiot?'
"Take a wild guess Jack."
"Well, there ain't any other options asides from here luv. I'd doubt ye'd want to bunk with the crew, and Anamaria doesn't share 'er room. Tis either here, or on deck."
"Then I'll be taking the deck, won't I Sparrow?" Payton stood to leave, and Jack nearly instantly barred her path.
"Now, luv, be reasonable for a moment 'ere. Don't be doin' things ta be spiting me when it'd be yerself who'd get in trouble fer it."
"Move Sparrow." She attempted to push him out of her way, but he caught her hands and held them to him.
"Listen ta me luv, it gets cold out there. Ye wouldn't be wanting to freeze, and the crew would think tis a mite odd fer ye ta be out there, aye? In any case, ye can have me bed."
She looked at him suspiciously. "And you wouldn't be trying anything?"
"Nay luv, ye wound me!"
She gave him an old-fashioned look, slightly hindered by the fact she didn't have spectacles to look over at him. "I trust you just about as far as I can throw ye Sparrow. I'd suggest that ye'd be wantin' to remember that."
"Aye luv, savvy. But ye can 'ave me be, alright?"
"And ye'll be sleeping on the floor, aye?"
He suavely wrap an arm around her shoulders. "Nay luv, wouldn't want ye ta be gettin' lonely in the night, aye?"
He didn't expect the sharp elbow he received to the ribs, which caused him to let go of her.
"Or I could be takin' the floor, aye luv."
She smirked at him, eliciting a childish look when she turned away from him to sit on the bed.
"Alright Sparrow, I'll stay here for the night. I'll talk to you more in the marrow, as I am exhausted."
He responded with an non-committal grunt which proved his thoughts were currently occupied elsewhere.
Payton shrugged, and pulled off her boots, and reached behind her to untie the stays which held her corset closed. She pulled that off over her head, and set it down beside her boots. "If you could blow out a candle or two Sparrow, I'd appreciate it."
"Aye luv." He responded quietly, and watched as she quickly was lulled to sleep by the rhythm of the boat rocking on the water, as if she didn't feel the strength of the gaze he lay on her.
He had blown out one of the candles, just as she had asked him to. Had it been anyone else, he doubted that he would've complied. He felt odd, awkward, and bizarrely at peace as he watched her sleeping in his bed from his chair at his desk, his lips pursed into a thin line. There was no humour about him in any way, he was thoughtful and dark, brooding.
She seemed so foreign to him, but he had known her for some time now. It was odd to see her back on the Pearl. He thought it might take more effort than this – he thought that she was gone for good. He had wanted it that way, he had tried to make sure of it. He was Captain Jack Sparrow, infamous pirate lord of the Caribbean, with a woman in every port, not with a woman on his ship.
But like the treacherous Barbosa had felt after stealing the cursed Aztec gold, no woman could sate him, no pleasurable company was pleasurable. Food didn't taste as good, and rum… he couldn't even drink rum.
It was wrong. All wrong.
But she was back.
Which was odd. The way he treated her… it would do him better not to dwell on it, but he knew that at some point it would come up again.
It was one of those things, and he knew with a sinking sensation in his stomach that she would most definitely be less than pleased at his trickery.
But it was too late to go back now.
In fact, it was too late to go back when he had agreed to ship her to Jamaica for Calico Jack. Even though he wasn't going to really ship her there – but she didn't know that. In fact, at that point he doubted that she cared. He couldn't read her very well then. She just seemed… scared, and alone.
He couldn't even remember why he was in London that day. He nearly never ventured that far north. He wasn't after her – didn't even know of her.
It was almost pure chance.
Jack rubbed his chin thoughtfully, almost wanting to get up and pace, nervous energy running through him. He massaged his temple, closing his eyes and sighing softly, mindful of the female occupying his bed.
It was early morning when the men had come aboard the ship, all dressed in a fancy and foppish fashion. Jack had mistrusted them on site, but had smiled cordially at them, thinking perhaps they had money which they would soon be parted from.
What he heard from them was most surprising, even for a pirate.
They had a given him a proposition – take some 'cargo' to Jamaica for their friend who went by the title 'Calico Jack'. Jack Sparrow had heard of him of course, another pirate within the Caribbean, but no one of particular note. More interested in giving other pirates up to the Navy to keep they Navy away from his rather interesting activities.
Jack had made a note some time ago to keep his path clear from the rather unscrupulous Calico Jack, but providence seemed to want to throw him into the other pirates direction.
"What sort of cargo be it?"
"Calico Jack's property, won in a bet."
"Property? Do I have to make special arrangements or summat?"
"Just to make sure there is food enough for her. Bread and water seems to suit her well, she doesn't complain much, thank God."
"A female?"
"Yes Captain, we figured a pirate of your calibre would have no trifle with transporting one slip of girl across the ocean. We are willing to pay a hefty sum for the transport, half now, and half when you get the girl to Calico."
"How much is hefty?"
"One thousand gold crowns."
"One thousand? For movin' a lass across the ocean? What's so special about her?"
"Calico Jack was very specific that he did not want her touched by anyone, and, in addition, he wanted to make sure that the authorities would be in no way informed of this activity."
At least someone is aware of how illegal this is. No one seems ta have morals for it though.
"Let me see the girl, and then I shall decide."
"Certainly Captain." The first man turned to one of the four private guards that had came with the party. "Gabriel. Samuel. Allez-y. Pris la fille."
"Oui mon seigneur."
Jack had enough basic French to understand that the foppish gentry had asked two guards to retrieve the girl, from wherever they had stowed her.
They had brought her aboard, he watched her eyes blink from the bright sun. They had bound her hands with a rough cord, there were red marks around her wrists where it had chaffed. She was so thin and gaunt, unnaturally so. Jack had a suspicion that they had had the girl for a while. Her thin dress, possibly once a creamy yellow (or a blue… or purple, Jack couldn't quite be certain) was now stained grey, with holes and tears in it. Her lank and greasy hair lay around her face which showed no spark, no fire.
No life.
"That be the lass?"
"Yes Captain. As you can see, she'll be no problem in the least." The two guards who had been holding her up by her arms threw her forward onto the deck. It took a lot of self-control for Jack not to catch her before she hit the deck. She looked exhausted, and pitiful. She weakly pushed herself up, and sat on the deck, her legs curled up under the limited coverage of the dress. She wouldn't look up, and he swore that her body was shaking. Most of the crew had been bringing cargo aboard, however, Anamaria and Mr. Gibbs had moved to their captain's side as soon as the girl had been brought aboard.
"So, do we have an agreement?"
Jack looked from the gentry, who was holding out his hand to Jack, to the dishevelled girl on his deck.
"Just a moment, how many others have you asked? Why such the high payment if she won't be causin' no trouble?"
"I don't think that is really a concern Captain Sparrow, after all –"
"How many?"
"A full score or more."
Jack raised his eyebrows sceptically. "So why should I take you up on this here expedition? Tis out of my way."
"And we will compensate handsomely for this." The man pulled out a red drawstring purse.
"Here, that's half the money. Take the girl, and get her to Jamaica. Not too much to ask, is it?"
"If it is indeed not too much to ask, then answer me this, why did a score or more of ships turn ye down when ye did the askin'? Was it perhaps because the one who did the askin' mistake the ones who were ta be acceptin' ta accept whatsoever the one who did the askin' pleased for them ta accept?"
"Listen, Sparrow, if you are not interested, then give the money back, and we'll take the girl elsewhere."
"I jus' want ta know why you're all up in a panic about this little girl."
"That's enough Sparrow. Give the money back, and we will be going."
An nearly inaudible whimper was heard from the girl as the two guards came for her. Jack could see bruises on her pale arms in the form of fingerprints.
"Hold on, hold on. I'll take her. I jus' want double the money."
"Double! Are you mad?"
"Do you really have any other choice?"
The man sighed, knowing that Captain Sparrow was right. "Alright Captain, here's double the money. You will receive the other half of the money upon her safe arrival in Jamaica. Do we have an agreement?" The man stretched out his palm for Jack to shake.
Jack took the hand, and shook it firmly. "Aye, we have an accord. Will the lass be requiring any other things, does she have an personal affects?"
"No. She's fine as she is."
"Savvy. Well, we can cast off as early as tonight."
"The sooner the better. Smooth sailing Captain Sparrow, a pleasure doing business with you."
"Aye that it was." Jack smirked as they left the ship. "Alright lads, prepare to make sail for Jamaica."
"Captain, don't be saying that you're seriously considering giving her to that pirate as nothing more than a slave?" Anamaria knelt near the girl, she hadn't moved since the party she had come with had left.
"Ana, don't fret. I'm not heartless. No one can own another person. But she ain't getting a free ride. Clean her up, and help her get settled in, an' find out what she can do ta help 'round here."
"Aye Captain."
He hadn't moved in hours. Not sleeping, lost in thought he was staring at her, drinking a bottle of rum slowly. He savoured the taste, the way it felt as it ran down his throat, the burning sensation that came with his favourite liquor. He looked out the window, and saw the subtle like of the approaching dawn.
Standing up, he stretched out stiff muscles. Putting on his coat and hat, he headed to the door, and, taking on last look at the sleeping girl, he closed the door quietly.
Please review! I have cookies and/or a small parade for those who do!
I do hope the length of this chapter makes up for the fact that it took me a while to post it though.