A New Life, A New Love

Chapter Seventeen: The Truth


Jack and Rachel saw Will and Elizabeth to the gangplank leading to the Interceptor II. “We’ll be
around t’see you when we can, mate,” Jack said as he shook Will’s hand. “Let’s let Norry settle
in a bit first, shall we?”

Elizabeth smiled at the nickname. She’d never heard anyone call him ‘Norry’ before. “And
you’ll fill us in on everything when you come?” she asked.

“To be sure, luv,” Jack replied.

“It was a pleasure meeting you,” Rachel told them. “I didn’t know Jack had such genteel
friends.”

“That would be a long story, Miss Finch,” Will replied.

“Perhaps we’ll tell it to you when you visit,” Elizabeth added.

“I’d like that,” Rachel replied. “Until then, have a safe voyage.”

As they ed aed across the gangplank, Jack gave the orders to make ready to sail. The mooring
lines between the two ships were dropped and they all heaved a sigh of relief as the Interceptor II
slowly moved away from them.

“You were wonderful, luv,” Jack said as he turned toward Rachel.

“How did you know I was listening?” Rachel asked.

“I knew ye wouldn’t be sitting there twiddling yer thumbs, darlin’. Not my little spitfire.”

“Your little spitfire, huh?” Rachel’s eyes began to sparkle as she turned on him. “Your little
tigress.” Her voice began to raise. “Was what you said to Will and Elizabeth the truth, Jack?”

Jack was surprised at her sudden attack. “Which part, luv? I said several things as I recall.”

“You really don’t know, do you?” Her eyes widened.

“Fraid not, darlin’. I was just makin’ things up as I went along.”

“Making things up, were you?” she shouted. She turned and ran to the cabin slamming the door
behind her and turning the lock.

Jack turned to the crew just in time for his cheek to intercept the palm of Annamaria’s hand.

“What was that for?̶e ase asked her.

“Jack Sparrow, are ye a complete cad or a complete idiot?” she retorted.

“I’d like t’think neither,” he replied.

“Then why is Rachel sitting in yer cabin cryin’ her eyes out?”

“That’s what I’d like t’know,” he roared. “Last night it was ‘I love you, Jack’! Now she’s
walkin’ out on me and yer slappin’ me! And no one seems t’want t’tell me what I’ve done
wrong!”

Rachel wrenched the door open. “What you’ve done wrong?” she shrilled. “Last night I gave
the most important part of myself to you! Since then I’ve heard, oh, yes, ‘You mean a lot to me’,
and ‘didn’t know I was in love with her, then’. And now you say you were just making things up
as you went along. What else have you been making up, Jack Sparrow?”

“Rachel, ye know I wasn’t making that part up, luv.”

“No, she doesn’t, Captain,” Annamaria hissed. “Ye haven’t told her anything of the sort!”

“Is that it, Rachel?” he asked with a tinge of wonder in his voice. “I’ve never been good at that
sort of thing. Pillow talk is one thing, but feelin’s, now. They’re scary. I thought you knew how
I felt. But, if you need t’hear it, I’ll tell you. I love you, Rachel Finch. I’ve never said that to
another woman, but I’m sayin’ it t’you, now. I love you.”

A cheer sounded from the crew as Rachel threw herself into Jack’s arms. Jack just held her for a
moment, then settled her into the crook of his arm as he turned to face his crew.

“What are you lookin’ at, ye scabrous dogs? Back t’work with ye! We’ve got a ship t’sail if I be
not mistaken.”

The crew fell apart, each man going back to his task with a smile on his face.

“Jack,” Rachel whispered. “I’m sorry I snapped at you like that.”

“Nonsense, luv,” he replied. “I should have come right out and told you last night. Can you
forgive me, my love?”

“I suppose so,” she said. “Under one condition, that is.”

“Anything, darlin’.”

“Get me out of this corset. It’s killing me.”

He smiled mischievously. “I thought you’d never ask.”