The Teardrop Of Immortality

Chapter 2


Jack grimaced as he opened his compass and looked at it. He growled and slammed it shut before he shook it wildly, making Cotton go wide eyed next to him. After a few more shakes he stopped, closed his eyes, took a deep breath and then reopened it.
He smirked and turned the helm to port.
“Finally.” He muttered as he closed the compass and pocketed it. He braced both hands on the wheel and looked down at the deck. Gibbs was gazing up at him expectantly and Jack waved.
“Got my heading, Master Gibbs. No need to look at me like that.” He called as he waved at Cotton who stepped closer, “Keep her steady. Be back in a while.” He said as he clapped the old man on the back and glared at the parrot that was resting on the man’s shoulder, “Your bird’s hungry, mate.” He commented before he walked away swiftly.
He climbed down the stairs and Gibbs met him halfway.
“Cap’n.”
“The ship’s like a grave, Gibbs.” Jack muttered as he looked around at the silent men.
“Aye.” Gibbs nodded as he gazed around as well, “The men are fearful. I told you.”
“Alright.” Jack scowled, “Time to make an announcement then.”
He cleared his throat and loudly clapped his hands, “Gentlemen! Your attention!” he barked loudly with his hands on his hips.
The crew stopped and looked at him.
“Good lads.” Jack smirked, “Now then, I realize that most of you are…reluctant to lead us to our destination but I have to say this.” He raised a single finger and looked at them, “I give you my word that once we’re close to Whitecap Bay we shall lower anchor and remain far away while our…” at that he scowled, “Partner goes about his business. We have no reason to meddle with mermaids and their vicious fangs. Savvy?” he looked around and the men nodded.
“Good. I have no intention of leading us to our much early deaths so, rest assured. Now step lively aye? The sooner we arrive the sooner we can leave. Now snap to it!” he shooed them away with his hands and they did as they were told albeit a bit hesitantly.
Gibbs looked at Jack, “Unless we are far away from dangerous waters they ain’t going to calm down.”
“Aye. Can’t do anything more right now, Gibbs.” Jack walked to the railing and looked behind the Pearl.
The Queen Anne’s Revenge was following them. He could even see Erik Teach’s hat feather as he stood by the helm. He rolled his eyes.
“Smug little bastard.” He muttered as Gibbs looked at the ship as well.
“You think he’s better than his father?” Gibbs’ voice was low and Jack turned serious eyes on him.
“Did you forget, Gibbs? Like father like son.” Jack told him as he pulled back and gazed at the horizon. His eyes darkened.
“We’re getting closer.” He looked up and frowned. Dark clouds were darkening the sky. Even the wind had picked up, propelling the Pearl faster towards Whitecap
“Seems like weather’s on our side … Much eager to send us to the snake pit…” he trailed off and Gibbs turned wide, superstitious eyes towards the clouds. He spat inside his shirt three times and turned in a circle before he ran after Jack who was already in the process of walking back to the helm.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Jack watched with slightly narrowed eyes as Erik Teach walked towards him. Heavy drops of rain were falling onto the Pearl’s deck and the wind rattled the sails as they stood just a few breaths away from Whitecap Bay.
“So this is where you stop?” Erik asked as he looked at Jack with a small smirk, “Too afraid to approach?”
“Just looking out to come out of this with all my limbs intact. You go ahead though. I shall be waiting here.” Jack waved his hands around as soaked strands of his dark hair clang to his cheeks and neck. His hat was long discarded and his bandana was soaked along with the rest of his clothes.
“What are your men doing?” Teach motioned to the few crew men who were throwing nets in the waters.
“When mermaids gather all the fish are scared away. Since the lovely ladies will be focused on you,” Jack smirked while Erik scowled, “All the fish will come towards us. Might as well do something while we wait. You’re welcome to dinner.” He grinned and then added, “If you come out alive of course.” He winked and Teach’s expression soured.
“Very well. Good luck…at fishing.” Erik told him and then turned to walk back to the Revenge.
“You too, mate!” Jack called after him as he snorted and turned to Gibbs, “Douse the lamps. Keep quiet.” He told him before he turned and walked into his cabin, leaving the door ajar.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

“What in the name of-…Oh Bugger.” Jack stopped short when he joined Gibbs, Cotton and the rest of the crew on deck.
Far away from them, at Whitecap where the storm was still raging, the dark sky was illuminated by fire and screams.
Jack winced and looked at Gibbs, “Should we go?” Gibbs asked and Jack pursed his lips as he stared at the glimmering flames.
“No.”
“The storm stopped here but look there.” One man pointed out and Jack licked his lips.
“That is what I was talking about…I knew I should have stolen his bloody map...” he grumbled and Gibbs blinked at him.
“But we need the mermaid.”
“No, he needs the mermaid. I need the treasure.” Jack smirked.
“But the mermaid is the one who is going to unlock the treasure.” Gibbs frowned.
The smile left Jack’s face.
“Bugger.” He muttered as he rolled his eyes and walked away from the railing, “I forgot about that.” He mumbled.
Suddenly there was a sudden splash and Jack turned to look at his left, “Oi! What was that?” he asked and a smiling Marty appeared.
“Fishes happened, Cap’n!” he exclaimed and Jack sighed.
“I don’t even like fish.” He muttered and Gibbs shrugged.
“Looks like we’ll be eating them for a week though.” He said and Jack grimaced in distaste as the men hauled up their nets.
Gibbs suddenly froze and grabbed Jack’s sleeve.
“What?” Jack asked as he tried to ignore the noises and loud yelling that were coming from the Bay.
“Jack.” Gibbs said and Jack looked at the nets. He stilled.
The crew gathered around the pile of nets and stared hard before they started backing away.
“Marty,” Jack started as he tugged his sleeve free from the still frozen Gibbs and moved forward, “Why is that fish on my ship?” he asked as he studied the long tail.
“Cap’n?” Blackie the cook spoke up while Jack’s eyes moved up the long tail, “That’s not a fish.” His voice was quiet and Jack scoffed before his eyes settled on tangled blonde hair. His eyes widened when he realized that the blonde hair was covering a pair of feminine breasts.
“Mother’s love.” Gibbs breathed but he didn’t move.
Jack did and even leaned down to look at their catch better, “Would you look at that.” He smirked as he leaned down and fingered a lock of hair, “A bloody mermaid.” He breathed as his eyes took in the creature hungrily.
At his small touch the mermaid’s tail twitched and her whole body started wiggling under the net. Jack jumped back and looked at the mermaid’s neck. The net was nastily twisted around her pale throat, making it impossible for her to breathe.
“She’s choking. Cut her loose!” he ordered but none of the men moved. They were too scared to even breathe.
Jack groaned, “Bloody hell, you morons!” he exclaimed as he leaned down and pulled out his knife. He kneeled next to her but when he tried to reach for her neck the creature stiffened and tried to wiggle away.
“Stand still.” He muttered as he reached forward again. She didn’t follow his command.
“I know you can understand me! Stand still!” he snapped and she froze.
He wrapped his tanned fingers around her hair and he pulled it away from her neck just as rain started pouring down again. The mermaid seemed to calm as soon as droplets of water fell upon her form and it made it easier for Jack to cut her loose. He pulled the net away from her throat and she gasped for breath, her long matted hair moving with her breaths as it covered her face.
Jack moved back and gazed at her as she panted for breath with her hands spread out onto the deck. Curious to see her face he reached over.
“Jack.” Gibbs’ voice was a warning but Jack shushed him and continued. He pushed the golden locks away from her face and he saw her peering up at him with vivid blue eyes.
Her gaze startled him. It was so translucent.
Jack blinked to clear his vision from the rain and cocked his head to the side as suddenly the mermaid averted her eyes and pushed back until her body hit the railing. The net twisted painfully around her tail and she whimpered.
“Gibbs.” Jack spoke without taking his eyes off the creature.
“A-aye?”
“My tub. Now.” He ordered and his first mate gaped at him.
“Sir?”
“The tub, Master Gibbs.” Jack reluctantly pulled his gaze from the mermaid who was staring at him and gazed at Gibbs, “Bring it up, fill it with water and then place the lass in it. Savvy?” he told him as if speaking to a child.
“Lass?” Marty spoke up and Jack glared at him, “Sorry, Cap’n.”
Gibbs walked hurriedly away, careful not to stumble as he walked on the wet deck and Jack turned his eyes on the mermaid.
“Got a name, love?” he asked as he reached for her tail, trying to twist it free from the net. She thrashed it out of his reach and he actually chuckled as he raised his hands up in surrender.
“I am just trying to help.” He told her and when she stilled he reached for her tail again. As he untangled it from its prison he noticed the blue flecks mixing with the golden color that was her tail. He smirked.
When he was done she twisted her body, trying to crawl back but she had nowhere to go. She was cornered between the rail and Jack who seemed as cool as a cucumber sitting there.
“Ah…” he started as his eyes fell onto her heaving chest, “You better cover up, lass. Family jewels and all are exposed. She hissed at him and he grinned as she brought her hair over her chest and both of her arms.
“I knew you could understand me. Can you speak?” he asked her with his head tilted to the side. When she remained silent he sighed and wiped the rain from his face before he stood up.
“How are we…” Gibbs started as he arrived with a couple of other men.
“One grab her tail the others her back.” Jack said as he crossed his arms over his chest and watched as his men tried to lift the thrashing mermaid up from the Pearl’s deck.
She whimpered when they grabbed her roughly from the arms and Jack stepped in.
“Oi. I’ll do it.” He pushed the two me away and grabbed her under her arms. He groaned as he and Gibbs lifted her up and carried her into his cabin. The mermaid’s eyes stayed on Jack’s hands as they carried her and she only wiggled to free herself a couple of times before they placed her inside the water filled tub.
She immediately curled against the side of the tub and hugged her abdomen while slightly twitching her tail through the water.
Gibbs wiped his hands on his breeches and Jack rolled his eyes at him, “You ain’t exactly clean, mate.” He told him and Gibbs actually flushed.
“How do you think she got caught?” Gibbs cleared his throat and Jack turned to look at the unearthly creature currently sitting in his porcelain tub. His very much stolen tub.
“Probably got scared of all the mayhem and swam away from her familiar waters.” Jack murmured as he leaned over the tub and gazed at the mermaid, “Am I right, love?” he smirked but the smirk left his face when she remained as silent as the grave.
“Yes, you are a smart one, aren’t you?” he murmured and she blinked up at him, her nose wrinkling at his words, “You left your sisters to save yourself…but ended up in our nets…” Jack brushed his lips with his fingertip before he grinned, “I like you.” He announced and the mermaid looked away, her blue orbs hidden by her thick eyelashes.
“What about Teach?” Gibbs asked and Jack focused his attention on his first mate.
“He’ll come running and whining soon.” Jack said dryly as he walked away from the tub and the mermaid.
“Until then?” Gibbs asked and Jack plopped down in his chair.
“We wait.” He smirked as he placed his feet up on his desk and turned his gaze on the mermaid who was acquainting herself with his tub.
She moved from side to side, constantly changing positions before she let her fingers brush over the cold porcelain.
Jack’s mouth twisted in amusement and Gibbs looked at him worriedly.
“Cap’n.” he whispered and Jack hummed without taking his eyes off of the creature.
“Don’t lose your head over her.” Gibbs murmured and Jack laughed loudly, startling the mermaid who looked up with wide eyes.
“Fair warning, Master Gibbs but look at her.” He cocked his head to the side, “She has all the colors of the sea.” He said as he studied her, “And what sailor isn’t drawn to the sea?” he winked at Gibbs who groaned and shook his head.
Jack ignored him and proceeded to stare at his newfound gem.

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Jack was calmly sitting on his desk munching on an apple when Erik Teach walked in. His clothes were drenched in rain and sweat and his face was covered in cuts and a single purplish bruise.
“Where is she?” he said breathlessly as his wide blue eyes searched Jack’s cabin.
Jack smirked, “Evening to you too, mate.” He said as he slowly stood up and licked his finger from the apple juice, “I see you’re back intact.” He commented and Erik sneered at him.
“Don’t play games, Sparrow.”
“Oh, spoilsport.” Jack grumbled before he moved around his desk.
Erik watched with excited eyes as Jack walked towards the screen separating his cabin. Tanned fingers wrapped around said screen and he pulled it to the side, revealing the tub.
Erik approached and his eyes glazed over at the sight of the blonde creature.
Jack watched with satisfaction and a little bit of depredation as Blackbeard’s son openly ogled at the mermaid; the one he had caught.
He took another bite from the apple as Teach moved around the tub in a circle, his eyes perusing the mermaid’s face and lower body.
Jack gazed at him with narrowed eyes. He didn’t like the look he was giving her.
“Now,” he started as he leaned against the tub, causing the mermaid to startle, “Since I caught her, don’t you think I deserve eighty five percent?” he question but Erik was not looking at him.
Jack rolled his eyes.
“Fine. Seventy five?” he proposed and then scoffed, “What in bloody hell are you staring at her for?” he exploded and Erik looked up at him before he leaned down and grabbed the mermaid’s hair roughly. She cried out as he pulled her locks away from her chest.
“Look.” He pointed at the mermaid’s chest just above her right breast while she tried to cover herself with her arm.
Jack’s gaze followed Erik’s finger and he paused.
“A tattoo.” He murmured and then gazed at the mermaid with narrowed eyes, “Why would you have a tattoo?” he wondered but she only stared right back at him with wide eyes.


End of chapter 2

Author’s note: Thank you for reading! So, here is our mermaid. As you can see she is mostly harmless…:D Please tell me your thoughts! I write for your feedback so, give me some love, people!
Next chapter to come after my exam on Tuesday…Wish me luck on that!
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Also, anyone interested in drawing Nerissa please let me know. One person has already volunteered but if anyone else wants to draw her as well they are welcome to do so!
Until next time!!

Xxx Lina :)