The Teardrop Of Immortality

Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean.

Chapter 12

‘Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does.
Love is a battle, love is a war, love is growing up.’

~Unknown

“How long till Oak Island, Cap’n?” Gibbs asked quietly as he stood, leaning over the map.
Jack looked up at him and then gazed at the map his first mate was focusing on with wide eyes.
“Three days the most. If the wind’s on our side. Why?” he frowned and Gibbs cleared his throat before he turned his head slightly and looked at Nerissa.
Jack followed his line o vision and his lips formed a tiny smile as he gazed at the former mermaid. She was sitting with her back against the pillows. She was nervously tugging the shirt down her legs while keeping the covers up to her mid thighs, trying to cover up. Her lips were pursed into a pout of extreme agitation and Jack sniggered as he waited for it; for the complaint.
Gibbs looked at his captain with a furrowed brow and a questionable expression lingered on his face.
“Jack?”
Jack waved his hand to silence him and he propped his feet up his desk without taking his eyes from Nerissa.
He watched as she glared at her lap and then he started counting.
“One…two...three-…”
“Captain?” she called hesitantly and Jack grinned.
Gibbs rolled his eyes at his captain’s antics.
“Aye?” he replied and she looked over at him with wide eyes.
“I think I ripped your shirt.” She whispered and Jack tried hard to stifle his laughter.
“How did you do such a thing, lass?” he asked as he abruptly stood and stormed towards her. Her already wide eyes turned into the size of saucers at his angry expression.
“I…I-…”
“You think I can afford more ripped shirts??? They already have holes!” he exclaimed with narrowed eyes.
Nerissa gulped, “I don’t know how but I will try and replace it?” it was more a question than a statement and Jack tried hard to keep on his angry expression.
“You shall then!” his eyes widened almost comically and she pursed her lips tightly together.
“How?” she blurted out and Gibbs snorted, grabbing her attention.
“Master Gibbs?” she called and he looked at her.
“Aye, lass?” he smiled.
“Captain Sparrow is rather irked about his shirt…Could I perhaps trade one of yours for a kiss?” she asked innocently and Jack’s eyes widened while Gibbs flushed.
“K-kiss?” Gibbs stuttered and Jack turned to glare at him, all humor forgotten.
“Aye, sure-…”
“There will be no kissing here!” Jack interrupted as he swept his hand in a final, determined way, cutting through the air, “Gibbs, behave, mate! Your eyes are shining like the Pearl’s lamps!” he exclaimed and Nerissa smiled smugly.
“And you,” Jack turned to her while Gibbs’ face fell, “You little sorceress.” He waved his finger at her, “You can play just as slyly.” He murmured and then smirked, “I like you, love!” he exclaimed with finality and Gibbs rolled his eyes.
“Tell us something we don’t know…” he muttered and Jack looked at him.
“What?”
Gibbs looked up sharply, “Nothing!” he said in a squeaky voice and Jack narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
“Hmm.”
“I apologize for the shirt, Captain.” Nerissa’s voice made him look back at her, “Perhaps I could fix it. It’s only a rip at the hem-…”
“Don’t worry about it, Siren. I was only pulling your leg.” He smirked and she flushed, “Perhaps you are finally in need of some breeches, aye? I wouldn’t blame you for wanting them. Especially with my crew lurking about.” He shot an obvious, meaningful glance at Gibbs who straightened and squared his shoulders.
“I ain’t no rapist!” he defended with a frown and Jack rolled his eyes.
“Never said that. Now, go and take the helm from Cotton. I shall be there shortly. Do not let Angelica anywhere near the wheel, you hear?” he warned and Gibbs nodded.
“Aye, sir.”
When he excused himself Jack turned to Nerissa, “Let’s see your legs first though, aye?” he said quietly as he sat on the bed next to her and reached for the covers. Nerissa tensed up as soon as he lowered the blanket and sheet and she grabbed onto the pillow next to her.
She swallowed hard at the sight of her legs. They were starting to get better. The wounds had started healing and the skin was more defined. Her toes were perfectly shaped, at least she thought so, but the serious damage was on her calves and thighs. The wounds there were deeper and she was certain that there would be scars. She didn’t like them. They were so unlike her perfect tail. To her eyes they were ugly, useless. She couldn’t use them as her tail. She had thought that her tail was refined and very helpful but those legs…She could not even stand on those legs. They were weak, feeble. That thought rooted itself deeper into her mind when she noticed how Jack was gazing at them.
In a swift move she pulled her legs from his view and covered them with the covers again.
Jack looked up at her with a look of surprise, “Did I hurt you?” he asked her and she quickly shook her head.
“No.”
“Then why did you do that?” he asked her with amusement.
“You were looking at them oddly.” She whispered and he paused.
“I did?” his eyebrows shot up in surprise at her nod, “Oh. Well, we need to clean them with a bit of alcohol.” He announced as he stood and walked over to his desk. He grabbed the rum that always resided there and then looked around for a cloth.
Nerissa watched him with a frown, “They do not hurt that much anymore…Only when I move and when you put that foul liquid on them.” She murmured and Jack whirled around to stare at her with a gasp.
“Foul?” he whispered as he approached her, “Foul? My rum is foul?” he asked her and she looked around her nervously.
“Well, it stings, Captain.” She admitted in a mere whisper.
“As it should. When it stings it does its job.” He shrugged as he sat down again and reached for the covers again.
Nerissa stiffened again and grasped his groping hand. Jack looked up at her with curiosity.
“I can do it.” She said softly as she took the rum and cloth from his hand. Jack relinquished his hold on the items and looked at her funnily before he abruptly stood and cleared his throat. He walked to his desk and grabbed his hat and compass before he headed for the door.
“Oh and, Siren?” he called as he placed his hand on the door and turned to look at her from over his shoulder.
Nerissa locked eyes with him as he gave her his lopsided grin, “You’ve got a nice pair of legs there. We all have our own scars to hide.” He winked before he opened the door, “Be ready to walk tomorrow. And that’s an order.” He called before he walked out of the cabin and closed the door behind him.
Nerissa stared at the shut door with wide eyes and a small blush on her cheeks.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo


“I request to change sleeping quarters.” Angelica announced as she came to stand in front of Jack.
He looked up from his compass and promptly shut it before he looked at the woman.
“Eh?”
“I need to sleep elsewhere.” Her thick accent was more pronounced so, she was angry for sure.
Jack smirked, “May I ask the reason?” he asked casually and Angelica pursed her lips.
“No.”
“Then I cannot help you. This ain’t an inn, mind you. We don’t have spare rooms for your highness.” He informed her with a scowl as he turned the wheel two degrees to starboard.
Angelica crossed her arms over her chest, “I’d hardly call my request a difficult one to grant me.” She said and Jack groaned.
“Poor Gibbs is sleeping in the galley because of you two.” He snapped.
“Then he can go back to his cabin.” Angelica said and Jack pursed his lips.
“And where would you go? From your expression I can tell that you’re not too keen on sleeping in the galley.” He told her as he eyed her with suspicion.
“I’m a lady.”
“Are you? I must be going blind then ‘cause I see no such quality in you.” He said with a smirk and she gritted her teeth.
“Of course you wouldn’t. A lady wouldn’t do the things I did with you, Jack.” She replied bitingly and Jack’s face fell.
“You are referring to our former acts of…mutually agreed debauchery?” he asked and she huffed angrily.
“I never knew you had such weak memory.” She muttered spitefully.
“There is not one weak bone in me, lass. So, back to our subject at hand; I need an explanation. Why do you want to sleep elsewhere? Oh and just to be clear, I ain’t putting you anywhere near my sleeping quarters.” He brushed imaginary dust from his dark blue vest and she scowled.
“Oh, of course. You already have someone in there.” She turned to gaze at the horizon and Jack smirked.
“You always were a jealous wench.” He informed her with glimmering eyes as he leaned closer, “Anyway, is your dear baby brother giving you a hard time?” he asked her lowly and she turned to gaze at him.
“What do you know? Spit it out.” She snapped.
Jack’s smirk reappeared, “Me? Nothing. Just the fact that he’s been nagging about the Siren, eh, Nerissa. He’s afraid that he won’t get his immortality. Is that so?” he wiggled his eyebrows at her and she blinked calmly.
“He does not trust you. That’s for sure. And we are not sure if your dear mermaid will be of any use to us now.” She told him as she turned to face him fully.
Jack tilted his head to the side, “And you disagree with him?” he asked her dubiously and Angelica took a deep breath.
“I am trying to trust you in this. I am trusting that you will work for our mutual best interest. After a long time, I trust you again even though you have given me no reason to.” She said softly and Jack frowned.
“You haven’t either.” He said and she inhaled sharply, “I saved you, remember? You still hold that grudge against me. You tried to drown me. I ain’t going to forget that.” He shook his head and she averted her eyes, “But I am going to lead you to your destination. And I will be expecting my fair share of the treasure. Savvy?” he leaned back and away from her and Angelica looked up at him before she slowly nodded her head.
“I see. I take it there is no use of reminding you that you have failed me too in the past. But of course, you only remember what’s profitable for you. I hope she knows that.” She whispered as she stepped back.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He almost growled at her and she smirked.
“Don’t you? She has a pair of legs now. Shag her and have it done. You’ll get over it as soon as you’re done with her.” Angelica said casually before she turned to go.
“What makes you think she will open them for me?” he called after her crudely and the woman stopped in her tracks, “That’s right, lass. Not everyone is like you.”
Slowly she turned and looked at him, “All women are fools when it comes to men.” She said quietly before she walked down the stairs and disappeared into the dark.
Jack narrowed his eyes in speculation before he sighed gripped the spokes of the helm tightly in his hands.
“A woman’s blathering…” he murmured but he wasn’t so sure of his statement himself.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo


“Should we give her a walking stick?” Gibbs wondered quietly to himself as he watched Nerissa trying, and failing, to walk next to Jack.
Erik who was standing behind him snorted, “How about he carries her? It’d be more effective.” He said and Gibbs turned to glare at him.
“I wonder how you’d swim with a tail.” He snapped and Erik grimaced, his expression sour and upset.
“Oh, shut it, old man.” He muttered and Gibbs gasped in indignation.
“Old man!? I can man a ship better than you, boy! Don’t you have some business to do?” Gibbs snapped at him angrily.
“Not as amusing as this.” Erik smirked as Nerissa stumbled and Jack held her up by wrapping an arm around her waist.
Gibbs studied the younger man’s face and he saw something odd in his eyes.
“Are you jealous?” he blurted out and at Erik’s shocked expression he snickered, “You are!! Ha!”
“Oh shut up.” Erik snapped before he looked away.
“The cook requested your presence, Teach! You’d better go before I have you swabbing the deck for a month!” Jack’s voice thundered from near the cabin door.
Erik snorted, “You’re not my Captain.”
Jack’s eyes narrowed, “You’re upon my ship. Now, do as you’re told.”
“Erik, just go.” Angelica called from the rigging and her brother looked up at her with a scowl, “Please.” She added and the young man huffed before he turned on his heel and headed for the galley.
Jack sighed and then looked down at Nerissa, “Try again?” he asked with a small grin.
She sighed, “How about another day, Captain? Everyone is making fun of me.” She murmured as she tightened her grip on his tanned forearm. Her fingers brushed against the carved P on his skin and he sucked in a quick breath.
“Who cares what they say? At least you’re trying…Even if you’re just shuffling your feet at the moment…” he murmured and she looked up at him with resignation.
“I told you I cannot.”
He licked his lips and gazed at her bare feet, “Perhaps it’s all because of your tiny toes.” He stated and she looked down at her feet.
“They’re tiny?” she frowned, not catching onto his playful expression.
“Yep. Tiniest toes I’ve ever seen.” She exclaimed and Gibbs chuckled good-naturally.
Jack winked at him and then looked at Nerissa.
“Let’s take your small feet inside then.” He said as he wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her off the deck.
“What-…?”
“It’s quicker this way.” Jack defended as he walked them to the cabin.
Nerissa gazed down at the breeches that covered her legs and frowned.
“People do not realize that my hearing is better than that of humans’…” she said and Jack rubbed the back of his neck once he had placed her on top of his desk.
“Love, it’s in the human nature to judge. Don’t worry about the mutt.” He waved a hand at her in dismissal.
“Mutt?” she tried the word on her tongue with a frown.
Jack looked at her as he reached for his bottle of rum. He reached out and smoothed the frown from her brow with a rough thumb. She flushed and he grinned.
“It means a dog…A puppy to be exact.” He explained as he pulled his hand away and brought the bottle to his lips. He took a log sip while she rubbed the material of the breeches between her fingertips.
“Is it a bad word?” she asked and he frowned in thought.
“In a way…I sure wasn’t making him any compliment.” He laughed, “I just hate the way he whines all the bloody time!” he groaned as he hopped onto the desk next to her and took another sip.
He grimaced and wiggled his behind before he pulled a quill from under him, “I hope you ain’t sitting on my compass.” He looked at her and she frowned.
“What?”
Jack shook his head, “You would have felt that…” he muttered as he took another greedy sip.
“Actually, Captain, I wouldn’t. My…” she flushed, “…buttocks are numb.” She whispered and Jack stopped with the bottle half way to his mouth. His eyes went to her derriere before he reached out and swiftly brought her onto his lap.
His eyes widened when he saw his compass on the desk, just where she had been sitting on a moment before.
“My precious baby!” he exclaimed as he reached for the navigational tool and checked for any damages while Nerissa sat rigidly in his lap.
“Bloody hell, no wonder it’s intact. You’re so light. You need to eat. No wonder you cannot walk yet…What?” he frowned at her flushed face.
“Is it hot in here?” he asked as he put the compass in his pocket and wrapped another arm around her.
“No…”
He frowned and then his eyes widened, “Oh, come on! You said you couldn’t feel anything!” he exclaimed with a laugh as he looked at his lap and more specifically his groin.
“Are you always this crude with girls?” Nerissa asked as he looked down at her with amused eyes and a teasing smirk.
“Always.” He winked.
Nerissa flushed even more than before, “You have no manners, sir.”
“Aye.” He agreed and she chuckled. The vibration of her laughter went straight to his lower belly and he inhaled sharply.
His traitorous eyes went to her smiling mouth but before he could act on the instinctive urge to lean down he heard the bell ringing.
“What the hell?” he muttered as the whole cabin was illuminated by thunder. Nerissa held onto his vest as the ship shook but Jack was already standing with her in his arms.
“Captain! Jack! Jack!” Gibbs’ voice was frantic as he burst into the room.
“What is it, man?” Jack exclaimed as he set Nerissa on her feet but kept his arm around her.
“The weather, Jack! It’s changed. The Pearl’s heading straight for…for…” the older man stuttered.
“Out with it!” Jack snapped impatiently.
“A maelstrom.” Gibbs replied and Jack’s eyes widened.
“What? In these waters?” he pulled Nerissa after him and she stumbled, “Take her, Gibbs!” he snapped angrily and the other man took Nerissa, supporting her.
“Bring her up.”
“But…but…”
“Now!”
“But the furniture’s nailed down on the ground. She’ll be safer here-…”
“Gibbs!” Jack snapped again as he ran up the stairs. Rain started pouring down and it soaked him immediately to the bone as he took over the helm.
Gibbs arrived at the helm and stepped behind with Nerissa who was wide eyed.
“Come on, come on.” Jack hissed as he turned the wheel to port. The Pearl creaked and whined at the abrupt movement and Jack winced.
“Come on, lass.” He murmured as he blinked rapidly and stared at the dark mass of rain and wind that was laid out in front of them.
The Pearl fought against the wind and slowly but surely turned to port.
Jack sighed in relief.
“That’s out of our course!” Gibbs exclaimed as rain and wind rattled the sails.
“Aye.” Jack murmured with a frown as he held the helm steady, firmly enough that his knuckles were white.
“Captain…” Nerissa spoke up as the sky turned dark and everything around them turned cold.
“No…no…it can’t be.” Jack muttered as he looked around them.
Over the loud voices and yelling of the crew whispering could be heard.
Another thunder illuminated the sky and the Pearl lurched to the side. Jack stumbled and it took another lurch of the ship for him to loose his footing. He stumbled backwards and he watched with wide eyes as the helm turned one hundred degrees.
“Gibbs!” he exclaimed and the older man was on his feet in mere seconds. He tried to grab the helm but the wood was slick and the Pearl was refusing to cooperate.
A hand touched Jack’s and he turned his palm over so that Nerissa could hold onto him. He pulled her to him and cradled her head against his chest with the palm of his hand as another high wave sent the Pearl to starboard. Wet tendrils of her blonde hair were clinging to his neck as she pressed herself closer and his wide, alert eyes scanned the sky.
“Bugger me.” He murmured as Gibbs tried in vain to put the ship under his control.
“Gibbs!” Jack yelled as Angelica crawled her way to the helm next to them.
“What’s happening?” she exclaimed but Jack did not have time for her.
“Gibbs, let her go, man! Now!” he barked and his first mate did as he was told. He stepped back and watched as the helm turned to port, pulling them further away from their destination.
Nerissa looked at Jack with wide eyes as a vicious jerk sent them hard against the bulkhead. A lamp from the Pearl fell from its place and smashed near their feet.
With a growl Jack reached for his pocket and pulled out his compass. He opened it while keeping an arm around Nerissa who stared at the turning needle with curious eyes.
It pointed to the east but the ship was heading south and Jack’s eyes widened at the revelation, “Bugger me.” He breathed
“What?” Nerissa asked and Gibbs crawled over to them.
Jack looked up at his first mate and swallowed hard, “It’s leading us up-river.” He whispered and Gibbs froze.
“What?”
“What’s up-river?” Nerissa asked and Jack looked down at her.
“It’s leading us to Calypso, love.” He replied and she blinked rapidly in confusion.
Gibbs gasped and looked up at the still dark sky as an invisible force led the Pearl rapidly away from Oak Island and straight to Tia Dalma’s hut.
Jack’s hold tightened unconsciously on Nerissa. No one noticed how Angelica’s eyes lingered on Jack’s arm around Nerissa’s form.

End of chapter 12

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