Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean, although if I was a pirate, I would steal the rights to the movie...
Ragetti: Stealing is wrong! It says so in the divine providence!
MidnightDreamer1988: Yes, but it's not so much as stealing as removing a temptation from the world...
Anyways, I'm finally back! I had 4 in class exams, one take home exam, and one presentation, and then right after that, my graduation ceremony! I'm officially a college alumnus, even though I'm staying for one more year to finish a master's of arts in biochemistry. However, my euphoria is short-lived, because now I have to take the MCATs in a week. I took a quick break to write up this chapter though, because I just had the sudden urge!
Also, as soon as MCATs are over, I'll be posting my webpage with my original stories on it!
But enough about me! Onwards we go the story!
Come To Join Me Crew Lad?
Chapter Two: In Which Elizabeth States Her Purpose To Jack Sparrow
Elizabeth remained in her frozen state, uncertain of what her next course of action should be. After all, Pintel and Ragetti had just informed her that Jack had been on the ship, exactly where she and James had been bickering a few minutes ago, during which James had addressed her as "Elizabeth" rather than "Edward", the man she was supposed to be in Jack's eyes. Had Jack managed to see through her weak disguise and discover that she was indeed Elizabeth Swann?
She knew she must seem like an idiot, frozen in spot as her mind frantically worked in overdrive to determine what a suitable answer to Jack's question could be. She certainly didn't want to play the role of the ship's fool by keeping silent for so long (Pintel and Ragetti were adequate for the job, and she did not intend to join their ranks), but what exactly could she say? She had no way of gauging which response would be best unless she knew whether Jack knew the truth about her, or was still fooled by her disguise.
"You're not deaf, are you lad? I believe I just asked you a question, and questions are typically followed by answers. So why is it that you are looking for me?" repeated Jack, a hint of impatience lacing his voice.
Elizabeth's pounding heart slowly began to cease its rapid beat as relief washed over her. Jack clearly thought she was still Edward Smith if his "lad" was any indication. However, that didn't solve the problem of how she was to ask about Will's whereabouts as her alias. How could sailor Edward Smith in Tortuga know a blacksmith in Port Royal, let alone a blacksmith who had started out as a mere apprentice and had just recently been recognized for his superior work?
Elizabeth's mind suddenly came to a screeching halt. Will had started out as a blacksmith's apprentice…so why couldn't Edward be Will's apprentice? That way, Edward would be acquainted with both Will and herself! It was an ingenious plan!
Elizabeth whirled around, coming face to face with Jack, desperately trying to calm her nerves as she stared Jack in the eyes.
"I'm looking for William Turner," she replied firmly, thankful that at least one thing she had said today was not a lie. "I was told that he aboard the Black Pearl, but I have yet to see him among your crew."
"And why would a fine lad like you be looking for William?" asked Jack curiously. "William seems to be a grown man, doesn't need someone trailing behind him…unless…"
Jack stepped up closer to Elizabeth, as if to intimidate her, and despite her body wanting to back away from him, she remained rooted in spot, attempting to be unaffected by his extremely close presence. He gazed deeply into her eyes, his face perfectly serious, and Elizabeth shook slightly. Had Jack actually seen straight through her disguise?
"Are you wishing to rescue William so that he will abandon his fiancée and become your lover?"
Elizabeth's eyes widened in shock at Jack's scandalous idea until she noticed the glint of humor that shone in his black eyes, and her eyes immediately drew together, full of fire and fury as she took a couple of deep breaths, trying to placate her temper. Good god, Jack was always infuriating! In addition, it didn't help that his telltale smirk was starting to surface on his face, giving her the strongest urge to punch him and wipe that smug smile off his face.
"No, my tastes lie in women, not in men," replied Elizabeth in a clipped voice, lying through her teeth. "I am his apprentice from Port Royal, and I am well acquainted with both him and his fiancée Miss Swann.
"A blacksmith's apprentice!" echoed Jack with a small laugh. "Do tell me, are you like your teacher? Do you also make and practice with swords three hours a day because you are in love with a girl and are incapable of wooing said strumpet?"
"No, but that's far from the subject!" exclaimed Elizabeth with a hint of annoyance, suddenly realizing exactly what William had meant about Jack being rather infuriating. As a woman, she had been on the end of Jack's flirtations, but men were probably the source of his jokes, and for the first time, she was thankful that she had been a woman when she had met Jack, for if this was how he normally talked to men, she would have gone crazy. "I need to find the whereabouts of William Turner! What does that have to do with my preferences or attachment to anyone of the opposite gender?"
"Nothing at all mate" replied Jack with a grin. "However, I am curious as to why you are so intent on finding dear William. Surely you have learned enough to start your own trade, so why the need to find your beloved teacher?"
Elizabeth felt a sting of disappointment rise within her. The way Jack was going about, it was as if Will had never informed him that she was in the gallows, patiently awaiting Will's return. Had Will never mentioned to Jack that she was in danger of the same fate Jack had almost been through – death by hanging? Or was this just another one of Jack's insensible plots and games?
Jack's grin grew wider as he saw a twinge of disappointment flicker in Elizabeth's eyes. He knew exactly why she was so intent on finding William, and he knew exactly why the whelp had arrived on his ship (after all, his first words had been "Elizabeth is in danger" when Jack was finally reunited with the Pearl after the unpleasant Pelegostos incident). He was just having fun toying with her, seeing that his meeting her was the most fun he was having after the unpleasant black spot incident with Bootstrap and Jones. However, as he watched Elizabeth's every emotion, it suddenly dawned upon him that she was starting to think that the whelp had not informed him of the gravity of the situation.
Well, if she thought of her dear William that way, then all the better for him…
"Captain Sparrow…do you really not know what has happened in Port Royal?" asked Elizabeth softly, her eyes softly pleading, hopeful that he indeed knew and was simply toying with her. Jack felt guilt tug his conscience slightly.
But only slightly. He was, after all, first and foremost a pirate.
"No mate, not at all…the whelp simply arrived on my ship and informed me that he required my compass. Didn't give me any reasons as to why my compass was needed," answered Jack with a nonchalant shrug, his eyes glinting with traces of humor, both surprise and amused by the fact that Elizabeth was trusting him so blindly. His guilt surfaced again, but he pushed it away hurriedly and returned to his conversation with Elizabeth. "Care to elaborate on his abrupt arrival aboard the Pearl?"
"Captain Sparrow," Elizabeth trailed off and glanced away, and for a moment, Jack wondered whether her ruse would drop in the face of her depression. However, when her gaze returned to his, there was no sign of tears, although her facial muscles were a bit tense, and he grinned slightly. Elizabeth was a strong woman indeed, the kind that was more valuable than any treasure on the planet.
The kind of woman that did not belong to whelps, so therefore, Jack was doing a rather honorable thing really, freeing her from William's clutches.
"Miss Swann is in the gallows currently," continued Elizabeth, clenching her teeth slightly. "She is bound to hang for assisting you in your escape. Mister Turner was supposed to fetch your compass to barter for her freedom."
"Was he now?" answered Jack in mock surprise. "Never made any mention that Lizzie's freedom was at stake!" He grinned as he saw Elizabeth raise an eyebrow slightly upon hearing his nickname for her, but continued speaking as if he had not been paying attention to her facial features. "However, I am terribly sorry to inform you that William has been press-ganged into Davy Jones' crew during his short stay on the Pearl."
"Davy Jones?" Elizabeth repeated incredulously. "Are you telling me the truth Captain Sparrow?"
Jack's grin grew wider. It wasn't everyday that Elizabeth called him 'Captain'. Most of the times, she referred to him as 'Jack' or 'pirate', but to hear her call him 'Captain' (even in her somewhat poorly disguised voice) was…enthralling really. "Yes mate, I am quite sure," replied Jack, widening his eyes slightly to feign innocence. "I was there meself, as it were. Tried to stop Jones, even tried to mention your teacher's fiancé to sway Jones, but sadly, he could not be persuaded."
"So that's it?" muttered Elizabeth, her eyes starting to burn with fury. "You're going to sail away and abandon your friend when he needs you the most?"
"Of course not, and that's where you come in mate!" exclaimed Jack with a triumphant grin, reaching to his side and yanking his compass off the string before yanking Elizabeth's hand up and pressing the compass into her hand. "You see, out there be an island, Isla Cruces, and on the island, there be a chest."
"A chest that contains the still-beating heart of Davy Jones!" cried out Pintel from behind them with a laugh as he and Ragetti passed by, carrying a large chest of supplies. Ragetti imitated the beating of a heart with both sound and his fist clenching and unclenching, causing Elizabeth to wrinkle her nose in annoyance at their display.
"Yes, yes, thank you for the wonderful demonstration," muttered Jack impatiently, brushing them away and turning his gaze to Elizabeth once again. "As I was saying, that chest contains the heart of Davy Jones, and the one that controls the heart, controls Jones, and if we can control Jones-"
"Then we can save Will!" replied Elizabeth excitedly. Jack's eyes glinted with humor as he noted that Elizabeth had forgotten to address Will as 'Mister Turner', but now was not the time to expose her.
After all, he hadn't even had any fun with her ruse yet, and she had been putting so much effort into it, so he might as well entertain her for some time.
"Exactly!" answered Jack with a smile. Elizabeth began to smile too, but it suddenly faded.
"How are we going to find this chest?" inquired Elizabeth curiously. "I hardly think Davy Jones is fool enough to place his chest on an island whose bearings are known by all."
"Of course not!" agreed Jack, his hand digging into his vest to withdraw his trusty compass. "You see this compass? This compass is special."
"Special having the meaning of broken," muttered James sarcastically, abruptly joining the conversation. "Please don't tell me you're willing to believe this fool Smith."
"What are you still doing here?" asked Jack in annoyance, wondering exactly how many people were going to interrupt his conversation with Elizabeth, and also curious as to why a man whom had just tried to kill him was standing at the dock without aiming a pistol at him.
"You hired me," reminded James with a sneer. "I can't help it if your standards are lax."
"You smell funny!" retorted Jack, not to be outdone.
"Enough," interrupted Elizabeth quickly. "You were saying Captain Sparrow?"
"Ah yes," said Jack, returning his gaze to Elizabeth. "As I was saying before the smelly Commodore interrupted-"
"Former commodore thanks to you," snapped James angrily. "Thank you ever so much for reminding me."
"You know, as a new crew member, I can make you walk the plank," retorted an extremely irritated Jack. He quickly turned to Elizabeth to resume the conversation. "It's true that this compass does not point north. Instead, it points to the thing that the bearer of the compass desires the most."
"Oh please!" scoffed James, pushing himself away from the railing. "Smith, do tell me you don't believe this trash!"
"I have a suggestion," replied Jack smoothly, starting to get extremely tired of James' interventions. "Why don't you go off to the ship and help load cargo? I believed the belligerent homunculus and his one-eyed friend would be thrilled to reunite with you."
"We already reunited," answered James in a clipped voice.
"Do some more reuniting!" exclaimed Jack, pushing James towards the dock before returning to Elizabeth, who was still holding the compass, a dubious expression on her face.
"So what is it you want the most lad?" asked Jack in an ominous tone.
"I want to find Mister William Turner," Elizabeth replied firmly.
Jack squinted his eyes slightly. "Mate, are you sure you're only interested in women? Because you seem to have an unhealthy obsession with your teacher, even if you are an apprentice."
Jack's amusement only increased as he watched Elizabeth's eyes narrow and her teeth clench. "I am perfectly normal. I want Mister Turner to return for the sake of Miss Swann. I visited her in the gallows and she wishes for Mister Turner to come to Port Royal safe and sound so that he may rescue her."
"How much has your dear Miss Swann told you about her past encounters with pirates?" asked Jack abruptly.
Elizabeth's eyes clouded slightly with confusion at this abrupt turn in the conversation. "She's told me all about her past encounters, about Barbossa and his cursed crew, the Isla de Muerta, and the Aztec gold. But why the sudden question?"
"Because you said that she wishes for her dear William to return to Port Royal to rescue her," replied Jack with a grin. "However, even an outsider like you must have gleaned from the adventures one very important fact."
"What's that?"
"That while dear William rescued her once, during her escape from the Isla de Muerta, I rescued her three times – when she was drowning in Port Royal due to a tightly-laced corset, when I boarded the Black Pearl and prevented someone from attacking her from behind, and when Barbossa was about to shoot her on the Isla de Muerta. My three rescues to the whelp's one rescue," Jack pointed out evenly, holding up his fingers to indicate the difference. "And guess what? Her fiancé is once again in danger, and she is in the gallows. By rescuing her fiancé and giving him my compass, I will be, once again, indirectly rescuing her. That makes it four to one."
"I see your point." Jack's grin grew wider as he noted exactly how cold and short the response was; he knew very well that he had hit a nerve in Elizabeth. "But exactly why are you telling me this?"
"Oh, something to relay to Lizzie once the adventure ends," replied Jack offhandedly with a smirk. "But back to our original task. You wish to find William so that he can rescue Lizzie and live in wedded bliss. However, seeing as the whelp is currently on Jones' crew, your desire should be to find the chest of Davy Jones."
"To save Mister Turner!" corrected Elizabeth.
"By finding the chest of Davy Jones," completed Jack, trying to reassure her that rescuing the whelp was still the motive force for finding the chest. He quickly opened the compass and ducked, not wishing to influence it with his proximity. Elizabeth stared at the compass intently for a few seconds and her eyes widened ever so slightly, which Jack took as a sign of the compass needle finally halting. He slowly rose from his position and once he was eye level with the compass, noted the direction in which the needle was firmly and unmistakably pointing.
"Mister Gibbs!" Jack called out quickly.
"Cap'n!" answered Gibbs, coming towards the pair quickly. Jack turned to Gibbs with a grin.
"We have our heading," replied Jack triumphantly, pointing in the direction the needle of the compass was currently pointing. Gibbs broke out into a grin.
"Finally!" declared Gibbs, rushing off to the deck to give orders to the crew. "Cast off those lines, weigh anchor, and prow that canvas!"
Jack gave Elizabeth a quick grin. "Welcome to the crew lad…or shall we say Smithy? I like the sound of that."
Elizabeth shot him a withering glance that only made him grin wider as he sauntered off onto his ship, thinking of all the fun he could have with an Elizabeth in disguise.
And so, after about fifteen pages of writing, the story finally departs from Tortuga...
Oh, I'm going to have so much fun with this...but of course, I need your feedback! Please review!