Unwanted Realizations

Chapter Two

Two days later James felt his resolve weaken and for reasons even he couldn't fathom he found himself in front of the mirror again. It was the same as before and he found himself feeling the pull to his left. This time though instead of facing the ocean he was facing a door. Puzzled as he expected to see the same thing he turned around only to see Sparrow sitting on a window seat reading a book. Walking over he stood right in front of him and as it was before Sparrow never noticed his presence. A moment later he heard a door opening and he turned to see his copy walk out of a room looking mussed. James looked at his duplicate in puzzlement until he realized that his copy wasn't even properly dressed. As he walked passed James the white garment was clearly identified as a nightgown.

James just looked at this other version of himself wondering why he was in Sparrow’s quarter’s sleeping. Was the pirate letting him stay in his room for some reason. The internal thoughts were halted though when Sparrow addressed his duplicate. “Jamie luv, It’s about time you woke up. I was startin’ to think I was goin’ to have to find 'some' way of wakin’ you.” James tilted his head to the side in confusion at that comment. It sounded wrong he just wasn't sure why. “Jack it’s only nine in the morning. I would hardly call that sleeping too long.”

Jack just gave a grin as his copy went over to the table and grabbed a green apple. Sparrow watched his mussed up version for a moment as he took a bite of the fruit before continuing. “I thought all of you Navy types were always up at the crack of dawn. I would half suspec’ that a court marital would be in order for oversleepin’.” The duplicate of James just gave a grin as he finished chewing his bite of apple and started to walk slowly back toward Sparrow. It wasn't until he was directly in front of the pirate that he started to speak. “Considering the workout I had last night I think a little respite was in order. Even the Navy feels it’s officers deserve a good rest after strenuous activity.” James looked at his copy as if he’d grown too heads.

He was still trying to put together just what this conversation meant when he saw Sparrow’s arm slide around his duplicate’s waist. James’s mouth dropped open in shock and he started to speak forgetting for the moment that they couldn't hear him. “Jack Sparrow you scoundrel! Get your hands off of me…him…off my person this instant! Do so know, or I swear the next time we meet face to face…” The rant though was stopped there as James was rudely, although unintentionally, cut off by Sparrow. “Jamie, come sit with me?” His copy just smiled and took another bite of his apple.

Then in one fluid movement he sat down between Sparrow’s legs on the window seat. He leaned back against the other man and continued to eat his apple. Sparrow lifted his book and started to read again, letting one arm wrap around his double’s chest, the fingers gently stroking his side. James froze at this, feeling his face heat at the intimate picture. He had never thought of Sparrow as anything other then a threat and competition. Someone to be tracked down and dragged back to Port Royale in shackles. He couldn't deny that Sparrow was a good man, but that didn't mean that he would never perform another act of piracy. James just intended to catch him before he could cause any more trouble.

Seeing him now though confused his thoughts. This had to be some sort of trick. Maybe Sparrow himself was somehow behind this. He wouldn't put it past the scoundrel. James started to look around the cabin. Thinking that maybe he could find someway to prove that Sparrow was behind this little mind game. If the pirate thought that James would be tricked he had another thing coming. Sure the details were impressive.

The duplicate almost looked just like him. James wondered how much Sparrow had to pay the man to pull this off. As James passed Sparrow’s desk he suddenly felt his swirling thoughts come to a halt. The calendar on his desk showed a date that was over a year from now. James spun around to look back at the two on the window seat. Just as his eyes settled on them Sparrow leaned down and gently buried his nose in the copy’s hair. James watched silently as the dark eyes closed slowly and the pirate inhaled deeply. Almost as though he was trying to imprint the duplicate’s scent to memory.

James couldn't take anymore and he turned around abruptly trying to find his way back. He didn't have to search at all as he felt a pull to his left and he was suddenly back in the cave. This time his reflection was one of anger and confusion. Storming out of the cave he tried to tell himself never to return, but for some reason doubted that he would be able to stay away.


TBC..