The Teardrop Of Immortality

Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean. If I did, I’d get Jack as a Christmas present…


Chapter 13


Jack growled and grabbed the edges of his desk as the Pearl gave another abrupt lurch to port. He reached out and grabbed his bottle of rum, securing it on top of the wooden surface with wide eyes.
“Bugger this! You bloody wench…This is my last bottle!” he groaned out the curses and the Pearl’s sailing smoothed out.
He smirked.
“Thank you.” He said as he pulled his hand away from the bottle and looked at Nerissa who was trying to braid her wet hair.
He snickered as she grimaced and leaned back in his chair to watch her, “Alright there, love?” he asked and she looked up at him briefly before she nodded.
“Yes…Why aren’t you outside?” she asked quietly and he shrugged.
“No reason to get wet again. She’ll lead us where she wants us to go.” He waved a ringed hand around and Nerissa frowned.
“Why do you think that is?” she asked with a small crease between her eyebrows, “Do you think it’s because of me?” Her eyes widened at the thought and he blinked.
“Eh, no idea, lass.” He cocked and eyebrow at her suddenly alarmed expression, “What?”
“What if the sea goddess knows that I plan to help you get the immortal tear?” Nerissa gulped, “That’s a great offence for a mermaid to commit…Helping humans is abhorrent to us.”
Jack watched her fearful expression for a moment before he chuckled, “Love, don’t be ridiculous. Why would Calypso make all this fuss of bringing us to her waters if she wanted to kill us? She could have done that with the maelstrom. But she didn’t, did she? She helped us.” He reasoned and Nerissa looked at him with vivid and alert blue eyes.
“She helped us from something she created.” She pointed out and Jack frowned as well.
“Good point.” He pointed a finger at her and Nerissa sighed.
“I do think sometimes…” she muttered and Jack’s eyes snapped up to her face again.
“Aye. Besides abnormally bewitching, you’re also witty. How surprising!” he mocked in a high pitched tone that resembled Angelica’s voice almost cunningly and Nerissa let out a small giggle.
He smirked at the sound and tilted his head to the side as he stared at her.
Nerissa stopped laughing when she felt his eyes on her and a nervous flush tinged her cheeks with color.
Jack grinned and his eyes darkened minutely but their moment was shattered when a sharp knock came on the door.
He groaned and rolled his eyes, “Aye?”
The cabin door was pushed open by Erik and Angelica followed him closely. Both of them were still drenched to the bone.
“You look terrible.” Jack commented and Erik scowled.
“I demand to know where we are going.” He exclaimed as he ran a hand through his short, soaked hair.
“I think I’ve already explained.” Jack inspected his fingernails with interest as Angelica spoke up.
“Calypso has demanded your presence.” She stated and then her eyes narrowed in thought and suspicion, “But why? That’s what we want to know.”
Jack clicked his tongue in irritation, “Hell if I know! What I do know is that it’d be unreasonable to defy her as you all might have gathered.” He said with a quick grin.
“It’s because of her, isn’t it?” Erik pointed a hand at Nerissa who tensed and looked at Jack in return.
“She has done nothing, she knows nothing. What would she want with her?” Jack shrugged innocently but Angelica scoffed.
“You know something.”
“I do not! I was well on my way in leading you to Oak Island, wasn’t I? I’ve no idea-…”
“You wanted to visit her! We all know it.” Angelica cut him off and he abruptly stood.
“That has nothing to do with either of you. Besides, I was going to our destination. But I am not going to meet my undeserved death by going against her. Savvy?” he said with narrowed eyes.
“Put a question mark next to the word undeserved.” Angelica spat and he placed a hand over his heart.
“You wounded me, dear Angelica.” Jack murmured as he took a few steps towards her.
Nerissa watched them intently albeit a bit warily.
“Correct me if I am wrong but I do recall saving your life a few months ago, no?” he breathed as he leaned close to her face.
The woman’s eyes darkened with fury and she reached up to curl her fist around his shirt. She tugged him closer and gritted her teeth.
“Ange…” Erik murmured but his sister paid him no heed.
“You think that can redeem you?” she hissed quietly so only he could hear, “If she puts us in danger by being the cause Calypso is calling upon us, I will make sure she finds her death quicker than she expects. I think it’d be better for her to take a bullet in the heart than die slowly while expecting a man’s pity, don’t you think?”
Jack smirked and leaned slightly closer, “I always knew you were a heartless bitch.” He breathed in an otherwise seductive voice before he grasped her wrist in his hold and pulled her hand behind her back.
She winced and glared up at him as he tightened his hold and pulled her hand further back, causing her to gasp in pain.
“I am so thrilled you can still feel pain.” He murmured with a smirk, “Don’t ever threaten me again, you hear? I am the reason you’re still breathing.” He hissed and Erik leapt forward and grabbed Angelica’s arm, trying to pull her free.
“What the hell are you doing?” he exclaimed and Jack glared at him briefly before he looked back at Angelica’s shocked and angry face.
“Captain?” Nerissa’s voice for some odd, insane reason snapped him out of it and he released Angelica with a snarl.
She stumbled back and cradled her hand to her chest with wide eyes, “I wonder why you took that as an actual threat to your person?” she narrowed her eyes and Jack frowned.
“What in bloody hell are you on about?” he snapped at her and she smirked.
“I threatened her, not you. Oh, I am sorry, did you take that as a personal offence, Captain?” she purred in a sickly sweet tone and Jack shook his head at her.
“You’re pathetic. Now, get out.” He muttered dismissively and the smugness disappeared from Angelica’s face.
With a curse, she turned and stormed out of the cabin. Erik hesitated for a moment before he followed his sister out of the room.
Jack took a deep calming breath and returned to his desk. He reached for his rum while Nerissa watched him with confusion and something else…Something much deeper.


oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Gibbs winced and tried to keep his hold on Nerissa but when another pain in his back made its presence known he stopped.
“Cap’n! I don’t think I can carry her.” He choked out and Jack stopped walking towards the longboat.
“What a surprise.” He muttered. His eyes perused their other company and when he saw Erik’s grimace he rolled his eyes.
“I ain’t giving her to you anyway, mate.” He told him and the younger man flushed.
“I do-…”
“You do, I do, he does, she does. Yes, yes! We know what an uptight sod you are.” Jack cut him off with agitation, “Come on, love. We’re going for a piggy ride.” He came to stand in front of Gibbs and took hold of Nerissa’s arm. The woman went willingly and curled her arm around his neck as he pulled her to his back. He bent his knees a bit and grabbed hold of her thighs so he could pull her higher up his back.
He groaned a bit and when he had her securely on his back he smirked.
“Well, get moving then!” he snapped and Gibbs proceeded in front of him while Erik and Angelica followed behind him.
“I still don’t understand why she has to come.” Jack muttered as he shot a look at Angelica who simply eyed him with disdain, “I also do wonder how she hasn’t died yet.” He murmured and he turned to look at her just before he started climbing down the steps that led to the boat, “Don’t you ever bite your tongue when you eat?” he grinned at her and she rolled her eyes.
“Charming, Jack. Now get on with it.” She snapped and he shrugged before he hopped over the railing and started climbing the steps to the dingy.
He stepped into the confined space of the boat and placed Nerissa down. Her blue eyes eyed the darker waters that led to Calypso’s home and she shivered for some reason. The lukewarm water seemed dangerous to her experienced eyes but she did not speak as Gibbs started oaring them away from the Pearl.
The trip was accomplished in silence and when they passed through the strange trees and arrived at an alcove Jack spoke up.
“No one’s here…” he murmured, “Odd. Gibbs, get moving.” He ordered and the older man nodded his head.
A few minutes later they arrived at the hut and Jack stood up, “Wait here…I’ll go check.” He said quietly before he jumped onto the small wooden step that served as a dock. He climbed up the small staircase that led to the entrance while the others waited.
When he got back he seemed confused and unsettled, “Eh, no one’s here. The door is wide open though so let’s get in.” he said as he reached out and took hold of Nerissa’s hand.
“Why don’t we leave instead? Since she is not here, we have no reason to be here. Maybe this was all a game.” Erik spoke up as he looked around in the darkness with wide, alert eyes.
Jack looked at him as if he was inane, “Did you hit your head when you were a babe?” he asked him and Erik flushed with anger.
“This is dangerous! Ange, agrees with me.” He pointed a finger at his sister and she groaned.
“I said we ought to go. You three can stay and wait.” She pointed out and Jack narrowed his eyes at her before he placed a hand on his belt. His eyes widened.
“Bugger, my compass.” He hissed and then gazed at her with sarcasm.
“You ain’t so bright either, are you?” he drawled as he started picking up Nerissa, “You think I will leave my ship to you two? Not going to happen.” He groaned as he pulled Nerissa into his arms and glared down at Angelica who childishly crossed her arms over her chest and averted her eyes.
“Gibbs, go back to the ship and wait. If she doesn’t show up in a day, I will return and we can get on our way.” Jack said to Gibbs who frowned.
“We’ll wait here? Me too?” Nerissa spoke up as she stiffened in Jack’s hold and swallowed hard.
“Aye. I need to speak with her anyway. Oak Island is not going anywhere.” He shot a poignant glance at Erik who sighed and grabbed the oars.
“Well come on then, old man! You heard him!” he exclaimed eagerly and Gibbs looked at Jack who nodded at him.
Gibbs sat back down and nodded at Erik who started oaring.
Jack spared them a glance and then turned to head back inside the hut with Nerissa clinging to him for dear life.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo


Nerissa watched as Jack checked his pistol and then placed it securely back in his belt. He shrugged out of his coat and removed his hat before he took a look around the abandoned hut. The few candles had already been lighted up when they had arrived and that was a signal that Calypso had been expecting them.
Nerissa flexed her leg muscles and she managed to pull herself higher on the hay mattress that lay beneath her before she let her eyes peruse the eerily decorated place.
She shivered at the various items that lay scattered around. Jewels, pistols, swords, gem stones and other various things that she could not name were all around the place in an untidy order.
“She always had a taste for luxurious gems.” Jack spoke up with a wide grin as he picked up a silver ring that lay on the table. He weighed it in his hand and smirked as he eyed the ruby that lay in the middle of the intricate design. Coiled around the crimson stone, were several tails that looked like those of mermaids and just under the ruby there was a golden line that shone in the candle light and glimmered brightly. It was as if the golden speck was inside the gem stone.
Jack’s eyes lit up with curiousness and greed as he put it on his finger and looked up. In doing so he missed the small, fleeting glimmer that made the ruby shine like it was on fire.
“What do you think, love? Pretty?” he asked as he sauntered over to her. He held his hand up to her but her expression caused him to falter, “What?” he frowned and she hugged herself.
“Nothing…I just feel…odd being here.” She whispered as she crossed her arms over her stomach, curling her fingers around the material of her baggy shirt as she did so.
Jack lowered his hand before he sat down next to her. He placed the back of his fingers against her cheek and trailed them down her face before he spoke.
“I think you should lie down. It’s getting dark.” He told her as he took hold of her hands and maneuvered her so she could lie down. He plopped down next to her onto his side and propped his head upon his hand as he eyed her. She lay stiff on the bed and she nervously fumbled with a loose thread of her shirt as she looked around.
“I don’t understand the meaning of this…” she whispered and Jack frowned.
“Aye…It is odd…But then again she is odd.” He grimaced, “You think she heard that?” he placed a hand over his mouth and widened his eyes almost comically and she chuckled.
He grinned and lowered his hand from his mouth and trailed it over the tip of her nose instead. She smiled and blinked.
“You’re not a bad man.” She stated and his eyebrows rose high on his forehead.
“Thank you, love… I think.” He muttered and she shook her head.
“They do not like you much. The woman and her brother.” Nerissa said softly as she gazed up at him.
He shrugged and as he did so the trinkets in his hair clanked together, “I assure you the feeling is mutual.” He scoffed.
“The woman does not like you but she loves you.” Her voice was quiet and Jack frowned.
“Angelica does not love anyone. Only herself.” He objected with a wave of his hand.
“But she wants the tear for her brother, no?” Nerissa asked with confusion and Jack’s expression darkened.
“Not so sure about that. The Fountain indeed saved her life but only granted her Blackbeard’s years…Now the teardrop of Atargatis gives proper immortality.” He told her and she nodded.
“You think she wants it for herself? You think she is using him?” Nerissa asked as she caught his hand and brushed a finger over the ruby ring he had just filched.
“Most probably…” he nodded his head and Nerissa swallowed hard before she spoke again.
“Why do you want it? The teardrop? You want to be immortal?” she asked and he laughed.
“Love, you offered to help me get it. Who am I to deny you anything?” he asked as he caught her fingers in his and then entwined them together.
“Yes, but you must have a reason to want that.” She murmured, “Do you fear death?” she asked him quietly and he paused, mulling over the question and the answer he would give.
“I’ve been to death and I’ve returned.” He started hesitantly as he brushed his thumb over her palm, “But I do not fear death exactly.” He shook his head.
Nerissa shifted next to him, “Then what do you fear, Captain?” she whispered and he took a deep breath.
“Going to death alone. I think that’s what every man fears.” He replied hoarsely and then shook his head, “Besides, the immortal Captain Jack Sparrow does sound lovely!” he added in a more cheerful tone but Nerissa seemed perplexed.
“You feel alone, Captain?” she asked and he locked eyes with her.
“Freedom comes with a price, Siren. Remember that. When you were free you were alone, weren’t you?” he told her as he pulled his hand free from hers and leaned forward, placing it on the mattress next to her head.
“I was on my own, yes.” She murmured and he nodded his head as he eyed her face with heavy eyelids.
“Exactly.” He mumbled before he parted his lips and planted a kiss at the corner of her mouth.
She inhaled sharply and her hands went to his vest, clutching at it tightly as his mouth pecked her nose and when she shut her eyes he kissed her closed eyelids too.
“You shouldn’t do that.” She murmured, “It means pain.” She opened her eyes and looked at his confused face, “Kissing someone on the eyes it means pain and separation.” She explained and a slow smirk formed on his perfectly shaped mouth.
“Then I shall kiss you elsewhere, shan’t I?” he breathed before he covered her lips with his own.
His hand went to her hair and he pulled the locks apart from her braid so he could slip his fingers through the strands. His lips pressed harder against hers and before he rolled on top of her, he got rid of his pistol. Without parting from her mouth, he placed it on the mattress next to her and then covered her body with his. Her legs flexed under his weight and she moved them a bit until he fell in between them. A small groan of gratification escaped his throat and Nerissa pressed back against his lips when his tongue lapped at her bottom lip.
He smiled against her mouth and slipped his hands under her back to pull her up to him before he pressed harder against her, his lips and teeth catching her bottom lip and nipping at it until she gasped at the sting.
He let out a quiet groan and soothed the sting of the bite with his tongue but he pulled away when the metallic taste of blood filled his mouth.
He slowly opened his eyes and looked down at her as she panted for breath.
His thumb brushed over the cut on her lip and before he could stop himself he leaned down to press another kiss to it, brushing the wetness of his tongue over it until another kiss blossomed between them.
Nerissa’s hand went to the back of his neck and her nails bit into the sensitive skin, causing him to groan and ground against her hard. His hands from exploring and teasing, turned needy but before either of them could move or take another breath a voice cut them off.
“Jack Sparrow, welcome.” An eerie voice broke the silence around them and Jack broke the kiss, dragging his lips away from Nerissa’s sweet mouth so he could look at the intruder.
A tall, white skinned woman stood at the doorway of the hut and her long blonde hair billowed with the breeze.
“I can see you are already acquainting yourself with my daughter.” The beautiful woman who looked like Nerissa’s twin sister sauntered inside and Jack’s hold on Nerissa tightened out of reflex.
“Who are you?” Jack asked, still breathless from his kiss with the now shivering woman in his arms.
The woman’s black eyes glimmered as she approached them and she cocked her head to the side when she noticed the pirate’s protective arms around Nerissa.
“You don’t know who I am, Jack Sparrow?” she murmured and Nerissa shook her head as she narrowed her eyes to look at the woman better.
“She…” Nerissa started as Jack pulled himself up on his knees, dragging her with him as he did so, “She looks a bit like…my mother.” She whispered and Jack’s face went pale if that was even possible.
“And like you.” He murmured as he eyed the ethereal woman, “You’re not Tia Dalma.” He stated as he made a grab for his pistol and pulled the safety back.
“Am I not, Jack?” the woman murmured right back as he looked at them with fascination, “Then who am I?” she asked as she took a step closer.
Jack stiffened and his hold on Nerissa tightened, “Calypso.” He replied and when she laughed his eyes turned into small slits of agitation.
“Wrong.” The woman shook her head again and took another step closer, “That is one of my many names but I am not Calypso. I never was, Jack.” She whispered as she reached out and trailed her cool hand down his cheek.
He flinched away with a sneer and pressed the pistol against the white material of her dress, just below her stomach, while Nerissa pressed her face against his neck out of sheer anxiety.
“No more games. Who are you?” he snarled and she smiled.
“You know who I am. I am the one you’re searching for.” She told him and he paused. Realization caused his eyes to light up with apprehension.
“Atargatis.” He muttered and the woman smiled.
“At last.” She nodded, “If you want to get what you seek, you will help me save my daughter.” She said as she reached out and stroked Nerissa’s hair. Nerissa flinched and pulled back, pulling herself free from Jack’s embrace in the process.
“You’re not my mother.” She whispered hoarsely and Jack placed his hand on her knee.
“Love.” He warned and Nerissa shut her mouth.
Atargatis looked at Jack and he grimaced, “How can I possibly help your daughter? If she is your daughter that is.”
Atargatis smiled and her impossibly black eyes went to the ruby ring on his finger.
“You already have, Jack Sparrow. You already have.” She said with a serious gleam in her eyes and Jack’s gaze went to the ring on his finger. Nerissa followed his gaze and then she swallowed hard. The ruby was shining and it had taken the color of molten lava; bright and scorching.
“Oh bugger.” He cursed as he raised his furious eyes to the goddess in front of him.
She only smiled serenely and her kind gaze fell on Nerissa’s wide eyed expression.

End of chapter 13