Chapter 11: An Eye Toward the Future

Stocks were dangerously low, not that it mattered to anyone but her at the time. She broke many biscuits until she found a couple that weren't infested with weevils, and she took them back to the cabin where Barbossa had some apples in bowl on the table. She gave up trying to eat the hard biscuits and broke part of one up into crumbs. Taking a bite of the apple, she pressed the exposed pulp to the crumbs and ate the rest of the apple this way. It wasn't grand, but she found it tasty enough.

The afternoon was beginning to wane when they reached the island. Barbossa had been right about it not being much, she thought, as she examined the sandy outcropping with its sparse patches of trees. The three captives were released from the mast, but Jack and Will had their hands bound. They didn't feel the need to tie up Elizabeth, as they didn't see her having any success in putting up a fight. The Pearl dropped anchor a small stretch from the shore and a plank was run out. Alice didn't agree with what they were doing, but she stood beside Barbossa as Elizabeth was pushed forward and onto the plank. The men surrounded her with their cutlasses drawn, and she hitched up her skirt, walking to the edge as Barbossa laughed.

"Barbossa, you lying bastard!" Will called out and Alice turned to face him. He had fought his way forward and was now being restrained by several men. "You swore she'd go free!" Barbossa snapped his attention to Will, anger colouring his face.

"Don't dare impugn me honour, boy," he growled at Will. "I agreed she'd go free, but it was you who failed to specify when or where," he finished with a chuckle, and the rest of the crew laughed with him as Will was gagged. Alice and Barbossa both returned to facing Elizabeth. "Though it does seem a shame to lose something so fine, don't it lads?" Elizabeth turned around and looked at him, and Alice scrunched her brows, both girls wondering where he was going with this. "So I'll be having that dress back before you go," he grinned in amusement, holding his hand out, and several men cackled. Alice sighed, wondering why he was taking such great pains to humiliate the girl. Elizabeth glared at him before quickly removing the dress. The crew whistled and jeered, and she threw the dress at Barbossa.

"Goes with your black heart," she said, standing there in just her shift, glaring at him. He pressed the bundle lightly against his face as he turned to face the crew.

"Ooh, it's still warm," he said facetiously, and then tossed the dress to one of his men before turning to watch her. Elizabeth glared at Alice, and then turned back around and looked at the water below.

"Off ye go!" one of the men yelled to her as they waved their cutlasses.

"Come on!" Pintel yelled. Elizabeth turned her head and looked at Will, but the bo'sun had enough of waiting.

"Too long!" ye yelled and stomped the plank, the vibration knocking Elizabeth off the end. Alice gasped and looked over the side. Elizabeth surfaced and began to swim for the shore, and Alice found herself sighing in relief that the girl could actually swim. She turned around in time to see Koehler and Twigg pushing Jack forward. He had been laughing along with the crew, but now his face fell. He stopped short of the plank and turned around.

"I really rather hoped we were past all this," he pleaded lightly to Barbossa and smiled hopefully. Barbossa patted Jack's shoulder and put his arm around him.

"Jack… Jack! Did ya not notice? That be the same little island we had made you governor of on our last little trip," he crooned and Jack glanced at the island and back to him. Alice wondered how he had managed to escape last time, observing the vast expanse of open seas surrounding it.

"I did notice," Jack said with worry in his eyes.

"Perhaps ye'll be able to conjure up another miraculous escape," Barbossa said seriously, but then his face cracked into a smirk. "But I doubt it," he added and drew his blade. "Off ye go," he growled and Jack backed onto the plank, his eyes fixed on Barbossa's sword. He looked up at the captain, and mentioned his pistol with the one shot. Barbossa put away his sword, and had Jack's pistol brought forward. Alice saw that it was bundled with his sword as Jack tried to negotiate for a second pistol for Elizabeth. "It'll be one pistol, as before, an' you can be the gentleman an' shoot the lady, an' starve to death yerself," he said angrily and threw the bundle overboard. Jack turned and immediately dove off the plank after it. "Make for Isla de Muerta! And take Turner to the brig," Barbossa called out and the crew broke up, sheathing their swords and taking to their positions as Will was led away by several men.

Alice watched the water as Jack surfaced, awkwardly swimming for the shore with his hands still bound. Barbossa watched her for a moment before placing a hand on the small of her back, drawing her eyes to his. "Don't let it get it to ye, Alice," he said softly, and she sighed. "Come," he said and led her belowdecks as Pintel and Ragetti lit the ship's lanterns in preparation for the coming dusk.

They waited for the men to clear out before he gave her further instruction with the sword. Her muscles were still aching from the previous practice, but she now had the much lighter rapier, for which she was quite grateful. It had been a long day, though, and Alice grew tired quite quickly. As her yawns became more frequent, Barbossa suggested she head to bed.

Alice walked into the cabin and immediately ate a few bites of the remaining bread, washing it down with a few sips of water. She made her way to the bed, stretching as she walked, and decided to get a bit more comfortable than usual. Removing her coat, she sat down on the edge of the mattress and removed her boots and socks, her feet reveling in being freed from their constraints. Next she removed her vest, followed by her breeches. She remained in the oversized white shirt and crawled under the covers, shivering lightly. The cabin door creaked open and she sat up, looking toward it. She was surprised to see that Barbossa had entered, and he turned to smile at her before slowly walking over.

"Mind if I join ye?" he asked softly. Alice looked at him slightly puzzled, but nodded her head and smiled. He walked in and removed his various belts and holsters before draping his coat over the back of a nearby chair. He sat down and removed his boots before settling comfortably beside Alice, but above of the blankets. He rested on his side, gazing at her. "I just… I wanted to watch you sleep," he said, the nervousness in his voice something new to her. She nodded in understanding and got comfortable on her side, facing him.

"Captain Barbossa?" she asked.

"Hector," he responded, and Alice scrunched her face in confusion.

"Hrmmm?" Barbossa chuckled softly.

"Ye may call me Hector," he said. "'Tis my name," he added with another chuckle.

"Hector," she tried out the name with a smile. "Thank you, Hector."

"What for?"

"Teaching me how to use a sword."

"Any pirate worth his salt should know the basics, at least," he grinned and her smile grew. She curled closer to him and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and sighing pleasurably, trying to forget what had happened to Elizabeth for now. She felt at home in that moment, and a calmness she had long since forgotten washed over her. She slept soundly that night dreaming about the man beside her.

Alice awoke feeling completely rejuvenated. She stretched and yawned before sitting up suddenly, realizing the space beside was vacant. A soft laugh drew her attention to the large table. Barbossa sat there, charts laid out around him, and he watched her with a grin. She crawled out of bed before immediately realizing how little she was wearing. Barbossa eyed her with approval and she blushed.

"Been a long time since I've spent the night with a woman, let alone one so fine," he winked and she giggled softly, walking over to him. Her thoughts were suddenly quite heavy, and she bit her lip as she approached the table, leaning against it. He could see that something was amiss, and cocked his head, his face serious. She was afraid to ask, but she felt now was the time to do so.

"Hector… What will become of me? After the curse is lifted?" she asked quietly, her head down, but her eyes on his. He took a deep breath and leaned back, holding her gaze.

"What would ye like to do?" he asked, and the question surprised her. "D'ye really want to spend yer life at sea, braving the dangers of man and beast and the ocean herself? Being a pirate be a dangerous choice, though it's not always without its rewards. Could ye honestly handle what a life of this sort entails?" His face was one of serious concern, and she mulled it over for a time. Her gaze drifted off, lost in thought.

In her short time aboard the Pearl, she had seen many things, including the reality of battle, the threat of starvation, the price of greed, and the marooning of at least one relatively innocent person. The dangers present were great, but the wonder and excitement of adventure, and her devotion to sea, captured her intently. Then there was Barbossa. He was a harsh man, and ruthless, but he was not without emotion or care. He watched her as she pondered these and many other things. She finally shook from her thoughts and looked at him. She knew it was a very dangerous risk, becoming an actual pirate, but it was what she had always wanted, with this man being an added bonus to it all.

"I lost many things, Hector, including the life I once had" she started softly. One of his hands was resting on one of the arms of the chair, and she placed one of hers over it. "But I've found so much more, including that which I had long considered lost. This is my new life, and I could imagine nothing else I would want more," she finished with a soft smile and he watched her a moment before smiling back. He placed his other hand on top of hers.

"Then I can only hope to make it the best one for ye," he said quietly and her smile grew. He released her hand and stood, closing the distance between them. He lifted his fingers to stroke her cheek as he gazed down into her eyes. "And I may yet make a honest woman of ye," he said with a grin and she stared at him for a moment before the realization of what he meant hit her. Her eyes widened and she gasped excitedly, but the sudden opening of the cabin door interrupted the moment, both of them snapping their gazes to it.

"Our heading, Captain," the bo'sun said before eyeing Alice with a smirk.

"Jes' a moment," Barbossa said and turned back to Alice as the man exited just as swiftly as he entered. "Ye best be getting dressed, missy," he smiled and then made his way out of the cabin.

Alice stood there for a moment unmoving. Had the captain seriously just said he might marry her? Her heart was racing, and she didn't know how to react. On the one hand, she found she never wanted to be away from him. On the other, was she being stupid? After all, she had only really just met the man days before. Was she sure that this wasn't just a reaction to his attentions? She worried that she wasn't entirely sure as she walked over to the bed and began to dress. It was slow going as her thoughts consumed her. She picked up her satchel and pulled out the device, opening it. The light was still out and she observed the burn that marred it. She was finally accepting the fact that she was most likely stuck here. What would life be like married to a pirate captain? She closed the box and replaced it. If he was serious, then she had made her decision.

She stopped at the table and snatched another apple. "Here's to a new life," she toasted herself and began to eat, once again dipping each bite in biscuit crumbs. She drank a small measure of water, followed by a larger measure of wine, and headed out of the cabin. The afternoon sun shone brightly overhead, the wispy clouds not thick enough to lessen its intensity. Alice walked past the capstan and looked up to see Barbossa grinning at the helm, his stern face unable to hide his happiness. She smiled as she watched him for a moment longer before finding Ragetti. She wanted to practice with the swords some more, but the captain was busy, and she figured Ragetti would enjoy the interlude. She found him near the bow, and they went up to the forecastle to practice. She was surprised to find that he was more skilled than she would have expected, but he attributed that to Barbossa having taught him.

"He's a master swordsman, Barbossa," he told her. "One of the most feared in all of the seas! You're lucky to be learnin' from 'im," Ragetti smiled, and she could tell he was quite fond of the captain.

"He's a good man, too," Pintel chimed in as he climbed up the stairs with a mop and bucket. "Gave Ragetti that wooden eye, there, even."

"Before the curse," Ragetti added.

"Keeps 'is brains from leakin' out," Pintel joked and Ragetti chuckled. Alice smiled and giggled. She had grown quite fond of the pair, especially since Pintel had finally loosened up around her. "I hate to be breakin' this up, but we've got work to do," he said somewhat apologetically to Alice.

"It's fine," she nodded with a smile.

"I expect we'll be arrivin' before terribly long, anyway," Ragetti added and took the mop and bucket from Pintel. Alice followed them down the stairs and headed for the sterncastle. She smiled softly at Barbossa as she climbed the stairs and stood beside him looking out.

"Alice," he said and she looked over to see he had taken one hand off the helm and was holding it out to her. She walked over and he took her hand, placing it on the wheel. He did the same with the other, but kept his hands on top of hers. "'Tis about time ye began to learn how to steer a ship," he said in her ear and she didn't have to look at him to know he was smiling. She was amazed at how much effort was needed to turn it even a little, and considered Barbossa's strength. She had always thought it was something anyone could do but, then again, her only bases for comparison were movies. They stayed there for some time, his body pressed against hers as they steered the ship together, him occasionally removing his hands momentarily to allow her to get a real feel for the process. The call from the crow's nest as Isla de Muerta was sighted gave her déjà vu, and Barbossa once again had another crewmember take over the wheel. He silently took her hand and led her back to the cabin.

"I don't take a particular joy in sighting that infernal island anymore," he said with a small smirk as they walked over to the table. "Even now, when the time is upon us to put an end to this misery." He walked over to the chair he had sat in when they took dinner that first night, and turned to Alice, placing his hands on her arms. His gaze was deeper than usual as he looked at her. "It's been ten long years since I've been able to enjoy the company of a woman," he whispered, his hands moving up to her hair. "I long to feel the pleasures of something so simple even as a single touch. That time is coming, Alice, and your pleasures are the ones I be wanting," he said, his gaze full of lust. "Will ye do something fer me?" Alice could feel her breath quickening as she listened to him, her heart racing. "Would ye lay here," he gestured toward the table with a nod of his head, "and pleasure yerself for me?" Alice's eyes were wide, but even she couldn't deny the lust she knew he could see in them. She nodded with a wanton smirk and Barbossa slowly sat down in the chair.

He watched as she slowly undressed, dropping her clothes in a pile at her feet. She had always been a bit shy, but her strong desire helped her to overcome that. Having completely divested herself, she turned and crawled onto the table, rolling onto her back. She ran her hands slowly from her knees up her body, stopping to squeeze her breasts, rolling her hardening nipples between her thumbs and middle fingers. Barbossa's breath was becoming ragged as he watched her intently, barely even daring to blink. As her hands slid back down, she sat up, planting her feet on the edge of the table before him as she spread her legs, exposing herself. He gasped softly and she placed one hand behind her for balance, the other snaking between her legs to further open herself up to him. She slid two fingers down from her clit to dip them into the heavy lubrication of her vaginal juices before sliding them back up, her fingers now sliding slickly over her skin. She rubbed her clit in small circles, hissing and moaning softly as Barbossa stared transfixed, his own soft moans unconsciously escaping. She was able to feed off of his reactions, and her movements came faster as she included her thumb to squeeze her swollen nub. Her moans became louder, which he responded to, and soon the pair were both making quite a racket. She could feel the pressure building up and her moans mingled with gasps as she worked faster. She was so close to the edge and her eyes had closed as her head rolled back. She bit her lip and pressed harder, furiously trying to reach her goal. With a gasp she opened her eyes and locked onto his gaze, and she cried out as her body twitched and jerked in climactic ecstasy. Her motions stilled quickly after that and she reached down to slide two fingers inside of her, pulling them out slowly. They left a sticky trail as she raised them to her lips, suckling them clean as she held his gaze.

Barbossa's face was filled with longing and unbridled lust. She stayed there for a moment, catching her breath, and he stood slowly, placing his hands on either side of her on the table.

"Honest woman or not, ye had better never stop behaving like a doxy," he grinned before laughing, and Alice joined him. The cabin door swung open once more and Barbossa glared at whoever entered. Alice had jumped slightly, but just looked over her shoulder to see who it was. Mallot stood there staring at her, his eyes and mouth both wide open. Barbossa rolled his eyes. "What is it?" he growled and the man shook out of his shock.

"We're dropping anchor, captain," he said and Barbossa slowly stood up straight. He nodded at the man who quickly shut the door as he slipped out, and offered Alice his hand.

"The time has come," he smiled and he helped her off the table. He waited for her as she dressed quickly, and the two made their way out of the cabin. "Wait here," he said as he slipped belowdecks with the bo'sun and Mallot to retrieve Will. Alice immediately headed over to the boats to help prepare them for departure. They returned shortly with Will, Pintel and Ragetti. Alice climbed into a boat with them, grabbing a torch from Koehler before he helped lower them into the water, and they rowed into the cave once more. Barbossa stood behind Alice this time; his hand rested on her shoulder, as the monkey perched on his.