The Map

Usual Disclaimer as always.


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Jack sat with his booted feet resting on the desk, his ankles crossed. He was lazily lining up the rim of the bottle of rum in his hand with the toe of his boot. The movement of the ship as she rolled through the waves made it no easy feat either. One eye squinted shut as he moved his head steadily from side to side, looking for all the world as if he were bored rigid. But he was far from bored and only a certain amount of his attention was actually on the bottle. He was more taken with thinking about the newest editions to his ship.
Lady Clarence Davenport reminded him strongly of the wealthy ‘to-do’s’ that seemed to gravitate round Port Royal, the set that he was sure Elizabeth Turner nee Swann came from; except Elizabeth was nothing like the spoilt, highly pitched ‘squealing like a stuck pig’ woman who was currently cooking his food for him. Elizabeth was more softly spoken, although he knew from experience it could reach heights that had him diving for cover. She was also slightly spoilt but nothing that he couldn’t ignore, and nothing Will couldn’t deal with. No, Elizabeth had shown courage, determination and bravery. And she’d been crafty, oh yes she was crafty he thought, as he remembered the stash of rum that had been burned much to his horror. It had taken him weeks to get over that, even now he still dreamed about it sometimes, waking in a cold sweat. But Lady Clarence, on the other hand, didn’t look as if she were half the woman Elizabeth was. Although he was fairly certain there was some equally stuck up gentleman willing to pay handsomely to receive his little dove back again. And that was all that really mattered to him. He knew that it was going to be a long seven days if she continued to whine and stick her nose in the air. He might even curtail his s ans and get them back to Port quicker than he originally intended. She was confident in her husband paying for her return and it gave her a sense of security. He wouldn’t harm her or allow anyone else to. It would lower their chances of her being ransomed as well as the fact he just wasn’t that type of pirate, but it didn’t mean he’d put up with her constant whine indefinitely. He failed to see the point in wilfully harming innocents, but he wouldn’t stop her from being put to work, and he had to admit to developing a morbid desire to watch her swab some decks. And after all they couldays ays gag her.
His thoughts turned to his other ‘guest’; Nell Montilice. No, Sister Nell Montilice, he corrected himself with a grin and a quick swig of rum before going back to idly lining it up with his boot.
He found Nell insipid, too subservient, and too quiet. He knew that she was terrified of them and well she had a right to be; after all they were pirates and she wasn’t to know that their code of conduct was different from some of the other pirates that roamed these waters. He also guessed that nine years of a convent would make a person unable to defend themselves… it reminded him of the time he’d impersonated a Cleric of the Church in an attempt to help himself to some valuables. He smiled fondly as he reminisced; now that had been fun! Not only had he made away with the gold from the church, he’d managed to swindle his way into three damsels bedrooms before being almost caught. His thoughts meandered in a circle as he remembered each lady and his experiences with them. The last lady he had bedded had been a nun. It had surprised him at first that she had succumbed to him so easily, but then he had figured at the time, that years of celibacy would make any woman take up an offer, let alone one so hard to resist: himself. But it had been more of a surprise to discover that he hadn’t been the first to charter unknown areas of the lady. In fact, he grinned as he remembered, it had surprised him enough to stop in the act and stare down at her. She’d laughed and told him that the some of the monks were, to coin a phrase “no monks”. That thought brought him full circle to Nell, he briefly wondered if she’d been intimate with a monk, but then dismissed the thought from his mind. He highly doubted it. She fairly screamed uptight; so he doubted greatly whether anyone had even kissed her. He briefly played with the idea of being the one to introduce her to said pleasures before dropping her off at Port Royal. But he dismissed that notion as well, they were still seven days from Port Royal and he had a feeling she was so far repressed that it would take him seven days to get her to let him kiss her let alone try anything else. And if he was anything; he wasn’t a rapist. It may even be his only redeeming feature; he grinned wolfishly and took another longer gulp of rum.
She wasn’t actually his type anyway, he thought and then laughed aloud; who was he kidding, he didn’t actually have a type, as long as it was female and not too expensive. And anyway, after several bottles of rum one woman looked just like another and sure felt the same. Nell wasn’t bad looking either, to be sure she wasn’t a raving beauty like her ladyship, but she sure looked finer than some of the women he’d met in his life. At least her voice didn’t grate like some. In fact, now he thought about it, he quite liked her soft spoken voice.
He wondered if she’d slap him if he tried to kiss her, part of him hoped that she would at least show some back bone; but another part of him doubted it greatly.
She was far too afraid he’d cast her to the sharks. Which he supposed was a fair assumption for her to make, he was after all a pirate. And a bloody good one if he did say so himself.
He picked up his hat with his free hand and slapped it down onto his head. Yes, indeed, he was the best pirate on the seas. He tilted his head back arrogantly and the chair toppled over backwards sending him sprawling to the floor. He stayed there looking up at the ceiling, not quite knowing how he had ended up there. The bottle of rum clu clutched carefully to his chest; he got to his feet unsteadily and righted his chair before sitting down once again, feet firmly back on the table.
His thoughts once turned more to Nell. She had said her guardian was Sir James Beaumont and that he still lived. He had wondered briefly if there had been two Beaumont’s like she had suggested but he doubted it greatly. It was unlikely that there would be two men named the same, especially one as arrogant as the Sir James Beaumont he had known. Which meant one of two things: that either Nell was lying or she was slightly mad, or that he wasn’t dead as everyone thought. He frowned realising that was in fact three things. He shrugged, that was beside the point. The point being… he took a swig of rum not certain what the point was at all.
A knocking at his door broke his thoughts and he shouted out to come in.
The door opened and the object of his earlier thoughts stood there holding a tray.
“Ah food!” he swept his legs down with a flourish and patted the table for Nell to set the tray down.
She made her way over and he was aware how well she had her sea-legs. He frowned, sea-legs like that was something that took awhile to come.
“How long where you aboard the Rose.”
She didn’t look up from where she set his bowl down into the indentation that was made for it on the table.
“Five weeks.” She replied quietly and turned to leave. Well she could be a quick learner he mused silently.
“Sir down luv.” He took the spoon that lay in the bowl and stared down at the food.
“What is this?” he asked wincing slightly as he looked at the stew, come liquid…something.
“Er…” Nell turned and bit her lip “Fish Stew?” she supplied doubtfully.
“Is that an eye looking at me?” he asked incredulously as he prodded the dark depths of the murky looking stew.
Nell blushed and shrugged coming to look down at his bowl.
“Yes, it does look like one.” She said and stood back hastily “It must have… popped out while I was stirring it.” She added quickly.
He closed his eyes and put his spoon hastily back into the bowl before taking a healthy swig of rum.
“I’m thinking that my need for sustenance isn’t quite as great as I had first thought.” He mused and turned away from the bowl pulling another face as he took one last quick glance at the bobbing eye.
“It might have helped my appetite if you’d removed the head and tail of said fish before cooking…” he stopped as a sudden thought caused his face to screw up in disgust. “I’m ruminating here upon a terrible thought. I take it the insides of the fish remain… inside, don’t they?” he looked up at her with a look of complete horror.
Nell bit her lip and shrugged at him helplessly.
“Sit down luv, you make me dizzy swaying that way.” He waved his ringed fingers at the chair opposite him.
Nell thought it wise not to mention that it was him that it was his head that was swaying from side to side slightly, setting his beads in motion.
Another bang on the door made him look up and call out again.
Hock opened the door as Nell sat in the spare chair, trying hard not to keep looking at the bowl or the Captain.
“Crew are close to mutiny Capt’n. They absolutely refuse to eat the grub sir and I can’t help but agree. Seems the fish went in whole Capt’n.”
“Something I have just discovered to my stomach’s complete and utter ruin. Mister Hock, dispose of … this and the rest of it.” He indicated his own bowl “And make us something slightly more edible.” he shot Nell a disarming grin before looking back at Hock, who came over and grimaced at the bowl before taking it and disappearing back out the door, shutting it behind him.
“I’ve never cooked before.” Nell said weakly in her defence “We had a set of nuns who cared for meals and even then I don’t think much cooking is required in preparing bread, cheese and fruit.”
He snorted and nodded at her, waving aside her excuse.
“I was remiss in not providing you with someone to show you what to do.” He said airily “What are you intending to do once we arrive at Port Royal?” he asked her quickly, his hands dancing with his words. He saw that he had disarmed her with his sudden change of subject and it pleased him.
“I.. don’t…” she stopped and folded her hands in her lap her eyes on his boots.
He slid his head to one side and regarded her closely, his thoughts wandering again. She wasn’t that bad really, her hair was coming loose around her face and it curled in the heat slightly, her form was average for a woman half starved for most of her life. She was shorted than he was, by a good few inches and he was sure that living in a convent may have stunted her growth somewhat. She certainly didn’t resemble Beaumont who was tall and thin with the dark colouring of a Cornishman. Nell was fairer with reddish blondish hair and pale skin. She could do with staying in the sun for a bit, get rid of the pallor. Might even tease a few freckles out and goodness knew how he was partial to freckles. Real ones mind, not the painted ones that some of the women he’d been acquainted with had. With a flick of his wrist he brought his mind back to the present.
“Are you related by blood to Beaumont?” he asked quickly and once again saw her eyes widen in surprise.
“No.” she said before she even thought about it.
“So how did you end up with the good guardian?”
“My parents were killed when I was seven and I was sent to England. I think he knew my parents, but I don’t really know. ”
Jack digested this information and frowned deeper, now he was confused.
“Wait a minute.” He held out one hand and wiggled his fingers at her “You mean to say that you weren’t born in England?”
“No.” she said and stopped.
olleolled his eyes impatiently, she may be easy on the eye but she wasn’t easy to get talking.
“So where were you born?” he inquired his face was as expressive as he spoke.
She looked up at him as if he should already know; but he didn’t which was why he was asking her, so he circled his hands and shrugged his shoulders hurrying her along.
“Port Royal.” She said as if that explained everything, but of course, to him it didn’t explain anything.
“Let me get this straight. You were born in Port Royal, your parents were killed and you were sent to Beaumont in England and then you’ve decided to return to Port Royal.”
“Yes and no.”
“Which part is yes, and which no?” he asked getting slightly frustrated.
“I wasn’t sent to Beaumont, he came for me and picked me up, so to speak, he knew the Captain of the boat very well.”
Jack had heard all he needed to know; e wae was one Beaumont and it was her guardian. And, more importantly he wasn’t dead.
“Now, that’s interesting.” He said and leant back in his chair his eyes going to the bottle of rum.
Another knock on the door brought Hock back into the room, looking extremely harassed and angry.
“Capt’n, boat been spotted off port side and that woman” he said the word as if it left a bad taste in his mouth “‘as climbed the side ropes and refuses to get down again.” He cursed loudly making Nell blush.
Jack rolled his eyes tempted to let her stay there. He stood up and mockingly bowed to Nell and motioned to the door.
“This way miss.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Nell stared up at where Lady Clarence was clinging to the thick ropes waving and shouting at the other boat which was so far away she wouldn’t be seen even by spyglass yet.
“I think she’s quite mad.” She whispered quite forgetting who was stood swaying beside her.
“I concur.” Came the slightly slurred voice and Jack cupped his hands round his mouth to shout up at her.
“What are you thinking you will accomplish? You’d do best to come down!” he yelled and took a step backwards.
Lady Clarence stopped waving at the other ship and looked down at them.
“They can not see you on account of being too far!” he shouted, amusement clear in his voice. “And when we do get close enough for them to see you, they’ll fire at you taking you for a pirates wench!”
“You lie!” she shouted down
“Madam, you’re sailing on the Black Pearl, every boat on the sea knows her and fears her, soon as they realise they’ll turn tail and try to outrun us. Even if you were royalty or stripped naked they wouldn’t try and rescue you.” He shouted confidently.
Nell stared at him as he let his hands lower to shoulder height, he circled his wrists in a “Well what can I do?” motion and turned away to look up at the Crow’s Nest.
“What is she Jimmy?” he hollered up.
A lad peered over the edge of the crows nest and hollered back down.
“She’s flying a merchant flag Capt’n.”
Jack grinned happily and turned to where Hock was beside him.
“Ready her up Mister Hock; we have a ship to pillage.” He turned away and began to cross the deck.
Nell looked up at where Lady Clarence was still clinging to the sails. Gibbs began to turn the ship and the movement caused Lady Clarence to loose her hold on the ropes, she slid downwards, screaming in fear, her feet got caught and she ended hanging sideways gripping tightly with her hands. Her dress slid over her head completely covering her, leaving her showing her pantaloons and stockings.
The crew began to laugh raucously and point at her making some very rude remarks.
Nell’s hands flew to her cheeks as she watched.
“She’ll fall and kill herself.” She cried out “Do something.” Jack looked back and then up at Lady Clarence.
“What would you have me do?” He said shrugging; he inclined his head to one side and grinned. “Quite a pretty pair of pins on her, shame she got them all covered up that way.”
“You can’t let her hang there!” Nell felt her blood begin to boil as she took a step towards him. “Get someone to climb up and bring her down!”
“I’m inclined to disagreth yth you luv. First law of piracy and indeed life; take responsibility for your own actions.” He quirked his eyebrows at her and smiled.
Nell narrowed her eyes at him and stuck her hands on her hips; she couldn’t in all good conscience let the woman stay there.
“She’ll die!” she shot out at him “If she falls to the deck or the sea, she’ll die!”
He looked down at her and she saw a cunning gleam in his eyes.
“You seem to hold the fair lady in high esteem, if you care so much you may by all means and by my leave, climb up there and bring her down yourself.” He stated and turned around to cross to the wheel, taking it from Gibbs. He motioned Gibbs to him and said something to him softly; Gibbs nodded and went down to where the crew were gathered. Nell watched him as she thought he was going to climb the ropes and get her down, but he merely stopped to speak to a few men.
Lady Clarence was still screaming and trying in vain to right herself; Nell could see her hands clutching at the ropes.
Shooting once last hate filled glance at Jack she turned and walked determinedly to the start of the ropes. If they weren’t going to help her then she would. She looked down at her habit and lifted it up at the front till she could tie a knot in it. Her legs were bared to just above her knees and Nell felt as if she were suddenly completely naked but at least now she wouldn’t get her feet caught in the folds of her hem. She looked up at where Lady Clarence was still gripping the rope frantically. Taking what little courage she seemed to possess she started to climb steadily.
She could hear the pirates below her making rude remarks and comments about her legs which they seemed to appreciate and she even heard one or two saying what they’d like to do to her while she was up on the rigging. Blushing not only with exertion she kept going till she was level with Lady’s Clarence’s head.
Nell was clinging with both hands, lying against the ropes. She could see the sea churning below her and the deck filled with most of the crew who were looking up from what they were doing. She knew that if she lost her hold or if she slipped it would mean certain death. Fear coursed through her and she directed it at Lady Clarence.
“What the hell do you think you’re playing at!” she shouted at the woman, not caring that they could hear her on the deck below.
“Get me down, get me down!” wailed the sobbing woman. Nell climbed up higher till she was level with her waist.
“I can’t do much except hold onto the ropes. You’ll have to grip hold of me and pull yourself up.”
“What?” Lady Clarence spoke through a muffle of skirts.
“For the love of God!” Nell wrapped one hand around the ropes and praying with all her might she reached down slightly and gripped hold of the woman around her waist and tried to tug her up.
The wind was beginning to pick up, making the rigging sway.
“I’m going to die!” came a petrified wail from below Nell.
“If you don’t start to help yourself I’ll kill you!” Nell promised through gritted teeth.
She heard a shout below her and looked down feeling sick as the deck swayed and the sea churned.
“Get ‘er to pull ‘erself up!” came a shout and Nell realised it came from one of the pirates called Soames.
“I’m bloody well trying to!” she screamed down at him. Lady Clarence suddenly realised that if she didn’t start to help out she’d be there forever more. She gripped Nell’s hand and pulled.
Nell cried out in pain as Lady Clarence’s full weight was put on her arm, she felt her hold on the rigging loosen and fear cold and clammy curled around her chest.
The rigging began to move alarmingly and Nell looked down in fright, but the pirate named Soames was climbing up to them. He drew level with Lady Clarence’s head and putting his hands on her shoulders he shoved her upwards.
She groaned loudly as the blood that had rushed to her head started to seep back. It made her dizzy and she gripped the rope fiercely with her eyes shut.
“Please help me Mister Soames.” Nell called to him “She’s going to pass out.”
He looked upwards and grinned at her before moving to gather the lady around the waist, Lady Clarence just groaned and gripped onto him.
“We’ve ‘ad ourselves a nice little view from below.” He laughed “Tis our way of saying thank you miss.” He winked at her and began to climb down with one hand on the rope and one arm around Lady Clarence. Mortified at his words she watched as he seemed to climb down like a Monkey. Taking a deep breath she began to climb down herself, much slower and far less sure on her feet. She looked out over the water towards the ship that they were gaining on. She had to stop for a minute her arms were aching, her breathing was laboured and the fear of falling was still strong.
She took a cautionary glance down and saw she was still a long way to go. She could see Soames taking the now passed out Lady Clarence to the cabins, she could see the other pirates starting to go about their jobs. Hock and Gibbs stood side by side watching her as she looked down at them.
Her eyes travelled the deck till she saw Jack, he was still at the wheel and seemed to be intent on watching the ship as they gained on it. Her hatred of him fuelled and she promised herself that if, no when, she made it down to the ground safely she’d give him a piece of her mind. She didn’t care what he’d do to her because of it, it might even be worth her while just too really let fly at him. She could feel her temper rising, it wasn’t something she lost often and certainly something she had learnt to control the hard way.
She looked back out over towards the ship as she began to climb down again. It was similar to the Black Pearl but smaller and obviously not Black. They were gaining on it fast now and she could make out the sails and the shape of the Crow’s nest, although she couldn’t see anyone in it.
A gasp left her mouth as her foot missed the rope and she lost her hold. She slid downwards fast, the gasp turning into a full blooded scream of horror as she realised she was falling. Her fingers clutched at the rigging and she gripped stopping her fall, pain shot through her abused shoulder joints at the sudden jarring of her stop. She whimpered and fought to get a hold with her feet, anxious to take the weight from her arms.
An arm settled around her waist and she was held up; the pressure taken from her arms. She whimpered again but this time in relief.
“Thank you, thank you.” She gasped and turned to see who was holding her. Hock had his face inches from hers as he peered at her.
“Nearly went there didn’t ya lassie?” he laughed his long blonde hair wiped about his face with the breeze. He had a nasty scar that ran the length of one cheek, from the corner of his eye to the corner of his mouth. But even so it didn’t detract from the strong lines of his face, he was in fact, quite handsome. His eyes were so blue they rivalled the sky and they were sparkling at her in humour now. But Nell wouldn’t have cared had it been the devil himself climbing to rescue her.
She drew a deep breath and nodded at him, she bit her lip as a few tears escaped her eyes at the pain in her arms and the relief of being saved.
“Naw, don’t do that.” He brought his arm around her tighter and shifted her till her weight was on him and not her arms or her feet. “Don’t cry lass, let go of the ropes and we’ll bein’ goin’ down.”
“I’m not crying.” She said and turned her face away from him to press her cheek against his rather dirty sleeve. “The wind is stinging my eyes.” She said, but her voice wavered slightly.
“Come on then lass, one foot at a time.” He said gruffly and Nell felt herself going down slowly, aware that although he had told her one foot after the other, it was him that was practically carrying her down.
When her feet hit the deck she had never felt so thankful in all her life. Completely unable to stop herself her knees buckled and she sank to her knees, her arms resting on the deck as she took in great lungfuls of air.
She looked up at where Hock was standing with his hands on his hips, his face amused as he looked down at her.
“Thank you so very much.” She breathed.
“Aye, well just don’t go cooking any more grub for me and that’ll be thanks enough.” He laughed and turning walked away as Nell let her head fall forwards once again.
A shadow fell over her and a pair of leather boots came into her view. She looked up, her eyes travelling over the familiar black britches and over the tatters of cloth that were tied around his waist, the leather belt holding his pistol and sword strapped over the tattered sash, his shirt was half open revealing a smooth tanned chest. She looked right up at Jack’s unsmiling face. He was watching her, swaying slightly with the boat’s motion. His hands placed on his hips, hat perched on his head, his hair complete with beads and charms falling forward and swaying slightly with the motion of the waves and the breeze which had picked up. It crossed her mind briefly that he was the only person she knew that could be looking down at someone with their head still thrown back slightly, giving the air of looking down his nose in arrogance.
Nell scrambled to her feet just remembering to untie the knot in her habit. She glared at him and rubbed at where her arms were aching. Her anger came back full force as her fear abated.
“You…. Heathen you!” she hissed at him “You’re nothing but a slimly heathen pirate that has absolutely no morals or regard for other humans!” she got even angrier when he just smiled at her in a slightly inebriated way.
“And it would seem you have more grit that I first thought.” He replied calmly and coming forward slung his arm around her shoulders “Stupid as well, definitely stupid, but brave.” He carried on and began to walk forward taking her with him.
Nell who had expected any reaction but the one he was giving her just fell into step with him her mouth open slightly.
When they stopped by the wheel, her senses returned.
“Hold on, I just insulted you and you’re going to take it?” she demanded turning under his arm trying to slid away, but he tightened his grip on her shoulder holding her in place.
“You were insulting me?” he mocked her “I didn’t hear anything that weren’t true, although come to think of it, I don’t think I’m slimy, smelly maybe but not slimy.” He grinned at her and leaned his face in close till his nose was almost touching hers.
“You’re insufferable.” She hissed trying to lean back away from him, but his arm stopped her from pulling away. “You were going to let her stay up there! What kind of man are you?” she demanded hotly, but to her anger he merely grinned at her completely unruffled by her words. He brought his head back and let his eyes wander over her face, it was red from exertion and anger and her eyes had lost some of the dullness and were sparkling in anger at him. It made for quite a nice change.
“I’m the Pirate kind.” He said happily “Fair put my lads to shame you did, although you beat them to it.”
“What do you mean?” she demanded.
“Gibbs was just getting Soames to go up and retrieve said woman when you decided to do the heroic deed instead.” He withdrew his arm from around her shoulders and drew out a spyglass from his pocket as if the subject were now closed.
Nell gaped at him and folded her arms across her chest, narrowing her eyes at him.
“You took your time about it.” She accused him. “And you could have told me!”
“And spoil the fun of watching you?” He replied bringing the spyglass to his eye to look out over the sea. “To be certain she was in no real danger and it may just teach her a lesson.”
“No real danger….” She hissed “She could have fallen to her death.” She fumed, furious with him now, furious at his casual attitude and nonchalant behaviour.
“Soames would have got to her in time.” He shrugged and waved his hand airily.
“Look through this and tell me what you see.” He said and thrust a spyglass at her.
She looked at it as if he were mad, which she firmly believed he actually was.
“Take it.” He repeated and pressed the end into her hand.
She took it and opening it out held it up and looked out over the sea. What madness possessed him now?
“I meant the other ship.” He said dryly and taking her shoulders he turned her round bodily till she was facing the right way. Her eyes were immediately caught by a school of dolphins that were playing in the water around the prow of the ship. She loved Dolphins, they always seemed so free, every chance she had on the “Rose” she’d spent right at the front of the boat, looking down at the dolphins that would race the boat.
“Oh Lat tat that!” she cried out and stepped forward, standing on his foot in the process. She ignored his cry of pain and concentrated on the Dolphins. He pulled his foot from under hers with a muffled oath. Her earlier anger washed away with the natural grace of the creatures.
“There must be at least…. One two three…oh it so hard to count them.” She cried in delight.
“What? Soldiers?” demanded Jack grabbing the spyglass from her to put it to his own eye.
Nell huffed at hnd snd snatched it right back again quite forgetting who he was.
“No, not soldiers. Dolphins!” she said and tried to raise the spyglass to her eye again.
“Bloody hell woman!” he cried out and snatched it back from her “I wasn’t asking you to look at the bloody dolphins. I was in fact asking you to look at the ship.” He waved the spyglass around indignantly.
Nell frowned at him, folding her arms again. He held it back to her mockingly and half bowed.
“If you would be so good as to keep your mind off the dolphins take a look at the ship and tell me what you see.” He rolled his eyes at her.
Nell took the spyglass with every intention of hitting him over the head with it but his next words stopped her before she could even raise it.
“Tell me if you recognise it from when you boarded the Rose.”
She stared at him and then raised the spyglass to her eye and squinted her other eye shut. She found the front of the boat first and then followed it up and onto where she could clearly see the main deck. She followed the mast up and saw the flags.
“I can’t see the name of it.” She said quietly still squinting through the eyeglass. “And I don’t know the flags at all.”
“Just a merchant ship.” He said and leaned against the railings beside her “Sure you didn’t see that one before.”
“I honestly don’t know.” She said truthfully and lowered the glass to look sideways at him “all these ships look the same.” She said quietly “Except for yours of course.”
“Look up at our flag luv.” He said and indicated the mast with his hand, his eyes still on her face.
She looked up and could just see the Black Pirate Flag fluttering high above them. It had a design of a sparrow flying over the waves with the skull and crossbones to one side. It was obviously the Black Pearl’s own Jolly Roger. She knew that each Pirate ship had its own design flag.
“So?” she frowned back at him not understanding what he was raving about now.
“That ship is coming towards us.” He said and waited. He rolled his eyes again and straightened up to lean towards her slightly “We’re flying the pirate flag and a merchant ship is coming towards us.” He waved his hand in circling motion as to help her understand, his head moving up and down in time to his wrists
The penny dropped in Nell’s mind and her mouth formed an ‘O’.
He nodded satisfied she’d got the implication of it.
“So you think… You mean… It must be one of Lord Davenports.” she said and couldn’t help the smile of relief that crossed her face.
“Fraid not.” He shook his head and took his hat off to scratch the top of his head. His beads clinked together as he scratched, then he slapped his hat back on his head and fingered the braid hanging from his chin. “See Port Royal is in that direction.” He pointed behind her “And that ship is coming from that direction.” He pointed behind him.
“Maybe someone picked up the survivors in the boats.” She said hopefully but she knew she was grasping at straws.
He shook his head and his beads clinked together once more. Her eyes were drawn to the rather large charm that hung from the end of a line of coloured beads before she looked back at his dark eyes.
“If they were picked up by a ship, which is possible, they wouldn’t come after us. They’d keep going to Port Royal.” He pointed back the way they had come.
“Maybe they haven’t seen us yet.” She said hopefully and heard Gibbs snort from behind her. She turned to glare at him but he avoided her eyes and kept his face straight.
She shrugged and raised the spyglass to her eye again. She trained it on the ship and squinted trying to make out individuals.
“Now then.” Jack clapped his hands together and leaned forward again “The question that has been on my mind and I am now about to put to you, is this: Did you help yourself to something a little more expensive than the poor box before you decided to leave the convent?” he asked her his voice slurring the words as was his way.
Nell gasped and lowered the spyglass to glare at him again.
“Certainly not!” she said outraged “How dare you?”
“Well, let’s face it lass, you had it in you to take that. And why else would a merchant ship coming from the direction you’ve just travelled on head straight towards us.”
Nell frowned, something didn’t add up.
“Hold on.” She said and began to tap the spyglass against her chin “Earlier you said we were heading to Port Royal and that they would head for Port Royal. You just turned the ship around to head towards that Merchant Ship so she must have been going in the direction of Port Royal in the first place so they aren’t out of course.”
Jack frowned and looked as if he was digesting her words slowly. He grinned as he worked out heaninaning and let his hands wave in circles.
“No, you don’t get my drift.” He indicated the other ship with a wave of his hand “We weren’t going in the direction of Port Royal and neither is that ship.”
“But yoid yid you were going to Port Royal.” She said confused.
“Well we are, more or less.” He allowed “Just not straight away. We were actually travelling in a circle when Jimmy up there spied the ship.”
“In a circle?” she demanded incredulously. “What purpose does sailing in a circle serve?”
He smiled at her showing his gold teeth.
“We were waiting for something like that!” he announced and then frowned “Except we weren’t expecting her to sail towards us so.”
It clicked in Nell’s mind and she slapped the spyglass into his chest pushing him backwards slightly.
“You mean we were going to sail around in a circle, while you waited for a ship to plu, wh, when we could have been sailing back to Port Royal and we could have got off this boat quicker?” she cried out.
He clutched the spyglass and looked down at it worriedly.
“Watch the spyglass luv, these don’t come cheap y’know.” He said sounding wounded.
She cursed the spyglass and he looked up at her in delight.
“You really weren’t cut out to be a nun, were you?” he laughed and then the smile faded instantly “Which brings us back to why someone would want to follow you.”
“No one has.” She hissed “Perhaps that ship thinks it can blow you out of the water and I really hope it does. Just to see that smirk wiped from your face as this lovely ship sinks to the bottom of the sea would bring me eternal happiness.” She smiled nastily at him, her hands on her hips now.
“Another Elizabeth!” Jack shuddered and pulled a face before taking a step closer to her. “I suppose you don’t like rum either do you?” he inquired before shaking his head as if to clear it of something.
“We’re getting off subject here.” He said vaguely “Fact remains; that there ship is coming towards us, now I don’t think they desire to be plundered and pillaged by a ship full of pirates, especially not by the Pearl, which therefore leads me to believe that they think we have something they want. Which by sheer force of logic makes me think it’s you they be wanting.”
“Logic?” she shook her head certain there wasn’t an ounce of logic in him.
“How do you know that it’s not Lady Clarence they are wanting to retrieve?” she demanded
“Why would another ship follow her from England which this one obviously has.” He pointed out casually shrugging his shoulders.
“But who and why?” she cried out, a trickle of fear edged into her mind.
“Well I was rather hoping you’d tell me that before theyivedived and we found out the hard way.”
Nell blinked; totally at a loss as to what to say to him. She reached forward and snatched the spyglass back from him. He let it go, watching her as she held it to her eye once more and squinted at the rapidly approaching ship.
“And you are certain that your guardian isn’t dead.” He said quietly, no hint of drunkenness to be found in his voice or his face.
Nell lowered the glass and looked at him; the trickle of fear turned into a wave.
“Yes I am.” She said quietly “But he wouldn’t follow me, he has no love for me at all.” She tried to convince herself as well as him.
“He put you in the convent didn’t he?” he asked his hand dancing gracefully.
Nell nodded at him.
“Did you want to go? I mean was it your desire to be a nun?”
Nell snorted and turned away to stare at the ship that was getting close enough to see clearly without the spyglass.
“No.” she said quietly and turned to hand him back the spyglass without looking at him. He took it and slid it into his pocket.
“I begged him not to put me in there. I found it very hard to adjust to convent life. I didn’t want to be there, but he made it quite clear there was no place for me anywhere else. He had raved and ranted about not being able to marry me off like he had originally intended doing, so he told me that I had a choice, choose the convent or starve to death on the streets… or worse.” Her voice lowered and she didn’t have to explain what was worse. She was certain that of all people he would know what happened to women on the streets.
“So he held no love for you.” Jack said his voice conversational “So why keep visiting you then?”
Nell shrugged and raised her eyes to look into his. His eyes were so dark they seemed to shimmer but she could read no emotions there.
“He only came once a year. He would never speak to me; he would just take a good look at me and go again.”
Gibbs cleared his throat, to get Jack’s attention.
“Capt’n, me sister is a nun and a Carmelite like the miss ‘ere.”
Jack actually took a step backwards as he looked at Gibbs.
“You have a nun in your family Mister Gibbs?” Jack looked at him in utter surprise.
Gibbs shrugged looking uncomfortable.
“Aye, the black sheep of the family I guess you could say.” He said it almost apologetically and Nell knew that it wasn’t himself that was the black sheep but the sister; she winced at his strange thinking.
“See thing is Capt’n. Carmelite nuns once they go into the convent never see their family again, one of the reasons Charlotte choose that order.” He sighed “Wasn’t so much the fact she wanted to be a nun, more as she couldn’t bear the thought of seeing me dad again.” He sighed again “Not that I blame ‘er mind, tis the reason I sailed.”
Jack stared at him and then nodded.
“Thank you Mister Gibbs.” Jack swivelled his eyes to her without moving his head. “So why would the good Guardian be visiting you when it breaks the code of the convent?” He asked softly failing to mention that he suspected Beaumont had to part with a lot of money for them to bend the rules, which also told him that for some reason Beaumont needed to know Nell was there for himself.
Nell shrugged and shifted slightly on her feet, she didn’t like the look on his face, it was calculating and cunning.
And then, almost as if he’d read her thoughts, the look was gone replaced by a cheerful grin.
“Why couldn’t he marry you off?” he asked her suddenly. “Fine looking lass like yourself?”
Nell sighed, she was tempted to tell him to mind his own business but she wasn’t sure she’d get away with it and that other ship was getting closer and closer.
“Soon after arriving in England I fell from a horse and damaged my back and my stomach, the surgeon had to visit me every week for seven months, it was incredibly painful and left me unable to bear children and horrid scars on my back, I have never seen them, being that they are on my back and I can’t…” she stopped realising she was rambling much like he did. She prayed whatever madness possessed him wasn’t catching.
“You haven’t answered the question.” He said inclining his head to one side.
Nell rubbed her forehead with her fingers, she had a headache coming.
“I just told you. I have scars on my back.” She shrugged
“Scarring on your back wouldn’t stop a marriage. If you were to have an arranged marriage, all Beaumont had to do was keep quiet till it were too late. And let’s face it, a few scars wouldn’t make much difference to a man who loved you and it wouldn’t make much difference to one that was just interested in bedding you, seeing as you’d be on your back anyway, if you get my drift.” He arched an eyebrow at her. Her face flushed as she did indeed get his drift.
“Captain!” a voice hollered from above and Nell looked up to see the lad in the Crows Nest leaning over “Navy off the starboard bow sir!” he hollered and Jack jumped around her quickly the spyglass coming out of his pocket.
“Three of them.” He exclaimed squinting through the spyglass “Mister Gibbs, turn us around and make for Tortuga at all speed.” He put the glass back into his pocket.
“Aye Captain!” Gibbs reacted instantly and swung the wheel round to the left taking them hard to port.
Nell slid across the deck unaware of the sudden listing of the ship, her arms flailed helplessly. Jack reached out and grabbing a handful of her habit dragged her back, stopping her from slamming into the railings. She twisted in his arms and gripped his forearms tightly. He held her tightly not letting her fall, his legs apart to brace himself from the roll of the ship. She got her feet and lifted her head, just as the ship began to right itself. It caught her off guard again and she slid the other way, loosing her balance. She slammed into him and he was sent backwards into the railings. His hands let go of her habit and he slid them around her back holding tightly to her. Her cheek was pressed into his chest and she was suddenly aware of his bare skin. She could hear his heart beating beneath his chest and the warmth of his skin pressed to her cheek. Her hands went round his waist automatically, gripping hold of him to stop her fall. She could hear him chuckling and she flushed at his proximity.
Thnd cnd caught the sails and the ship began to plough forwards on its new course. Nell sighed with relief as the deck evened out and she could stand pulling herself away from him. He chuckled and let her go, his black eyes mocking her.
“Running away Captain Sparrow?” she snapped at him, pushing a hand down her habit to straighten it.
He frowned at her and shook his head.
“There’s no shame in running away from a situation that seems untenable, as you would well know yourself.” She flushed at his words and he mockingly dipped his head to her before carrying on “However, what we are doing here is more like a strategic retreat. You see a man has to know what he can and can’t do. And while I may be the best Pirate on the waters and I certainly have the best ship and crew even I don’t think highly of the chances against three of her majesty’s fleet and a merchant vessel to boot.” He flourished his arms widely.
Jimmy hollered once more from the Crow’s Nest
“Merchant ship still on course for Port Royal.” He hollered down. “Navy is continuing on course, no move to follow us.”
Jack nodded satisfied and opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say anything a highly pitched voice could be heard coming from the deck below.
“I want to see the Captain. NOW!”
Nell couldn’t help the groan that left her lips as she saw Lady Clarence bearing forth towards them, her skirts lifted slightly to make it easier for her to pick her way across the deck.
She spotted Jack and headed straight for him.
“You sir!” she cried out “I heard the boy shout about seeing Navy ships. I demanded that you take me to them straight away.”
Nell closed her eyes; she couldn’t believe how stupid Lady Clarence was. Did she honestly think that the prospect of collecting on her return would be enough reason for them to not throw her overboard if she made a nuisance of herself? Didn’t she know who they were? They were pirates for goodness sake! They wouldn’t think twice about throwing them both overboard.
Jack rolled his eyes and turned to face the rapidly approaching Lady Clarence, his fists stuck on his hips, his boots spread apart.
“Well? Turn this boat around!” she demanded coming to stand beside Nell who was rapidly loosing her own patience with the woman.
Nell turned to her and spoke quietly, her voice heavy with restrained anger.
“Look Lady Clarence, I really don’t think we’re in any position to tell them what to do.”
Lady Clarence’s face softened slightly when she saw Nell and she turned to her taking her hands into her own.
“I won’t forget how you saved me up there. I will make sure that my husband protects you as well.”
Nell half smiled at her realising that in Lady Clarence’s eyes she had just shown extraordinary kindness.
“I thank you.” She said quietly.
Lady Clarence nodded and turned to Jack.
“Now, why aren’t you turning this boat around? My husband will make sure you are hanged for this.”
“I am rapidly thinking that said husband would probably pay me for your demise if you are as shrewish with him as you are here.” Jack spoke precisely, no hint of a slur in his voice.
“How dare you!” she cried out horrified.
“Did no one ever tell you that silence is golden and in that fact alone your silence would be payment enough?” he demanded, his hands making their usual circular gestures although he was being far from humorous. “In fact at this particular moment in time, the thought of silencing that mouth of yours is all the gold we need from you, savvy?” he leaned forward at the hips as he spoke, his head ducking slightly but his eyes remaining fixed on her.
“And don’t say I wouldn’t dare because I would. In fact if you don’t disappear from my sight and get yourself back in your cabin I might just dare.” He grinned and he looked extremely dangerous. “And while we’re on the subject you would do well, and indeed us if it puts a stop to your endless whining, to consider your fate had any other pirate ship had opportune to stumble over the “Rose” before we did.” He looked sideways at Nell quickly before turning his black gaze on Lady Clarence again a sly smile crossed his face.
“Mister Gibbs would you be so good to give an account of what may have befallen this good lady had she been found by say Captain Daws of the True Spirit, or perhaps if Captain Grims of the Pitiless had found her?”
Nell looked at Gibbs quickly who made a contemplative face first.
“Well… chances be she’d be dead by now.” He said slowly “That’d be after the Capt’n and ‘is crew ‘ad made themselves acquainted with ‘er like.” He shook his head but his face remained impassive.
Lady Clarence had gone very quiet and very white as she listened to Gibbs, her eyes dark in her face.
“Especially with a beauty like yourself.” Jackd qud quietly “Be lucky that we found you first and please…” he placed his palms together in a begging style “Keep that pretty mouth of yours shut.”
He stepped back from her his arms sweeping wide as he half bowed to her.
“You lie.” Came the slightly wavy voice of Lady Clarence.
Nell huffed her breath out in annoyance at the woman.
“He’s not.” She said firmly “Where do you think the flag gets it name from?” She demanded and coloured up instantly.
Jack looked at her quickly, his eyes widening slightly.
“Now how would you know that?” he mused quietly, his dark eyes watching her closely.
“I don’t understand.” Lady Clarence said and frowned at Nell.
Jack turned on his heel and leaned towards Nell, his eyes narrowing as he studied her face. Nell backed away from him wishing to goodness she’d kept her mouth shut. She grabbed hold of Lady Clarence arm and tugged at her to leave with her. Lady Clarence didn’t need much persuading and they both began to back away.
“I haven’t finished with you yet.” He pointed at Nell and his manner changed abruptly. He put his hands together in a pleading manner and then he straightened to bring his arms out wide “We have an unfinished conversation.”
Lady Clarence tugged away from Nell and scurried down the steps without a backward glance. Nell watched her hurry off and decided that was the last time she’d help her out, deserting her without a backwards glance.
“Now then… where were we?” Jack tapped his fingers against his chin as he stared off into space.
“You were going to let me go when we got to Tortuga.” She said helpfully, well it didn’t hurt to try she thought.
He grinned at her and clapped his hands together in delight.
“Nice try. Didn’t work mind you, but a nice try all the same. Oh that was it! How would you, a fair lady and no doubt innocent nun know about one of the meanings behind the Jolly Rodger?”
Nell caught a glance at Gibbs looking at her in interest, one hand on the wheel.
Nell coloured up again and shrugging looked out over the water.
Jack looked at Gibbs and circled his hands in the air.
“Strange indeed don’t you think Mister Gibbs, most people only know it comes from the French Joli Rouge.” He shrugged at him and turned his head back to Nell who was as scarlet as their Red Flag of battle.
“My guardian informed me of its… other… meaning when we travelled to England.” She said and began to shift from foot to foot in embarrassment coloured with a little fear. She was fairly certain that Captain Jack Sparrow was as honourable as a pirate could be. If his intent was to live up to the origin of the flag’s name she was certain he’d have done it by now. But that initial fear still coloured her mind. Her guardian had in fact done more than just tell her about the flag’s, he had told her a lot more than that and some of the stories she’d heard from him had almost made her physically sick. Pirates were no laughing matter and being caught by a ship full of them was no laughing matter either.
“What did he tell you about it?” he asked curiously, his dark eyes widening even further.
Nell bit her lip and found herself circling one hand as she tried to find the right words.
“He told me that it was the markings that a captain put into his log when a crew member was killed, the skull and crossbones of the body.” She shrugged “and he told me what happened to females that were found on ships they plundered. Hence the word R… Ro…” she circled her wrist again in a ‘you know what I mean’ gesture.
“'rogered at the rail'” came Mister Gibbs slow drawl “ by one and all and then cast to the sharks. Aye that’s about the whole of it.”
Nell paled and pressed herself backwards against the railings.
Jack shot Gibbs an irritated look.
“Thank you Mister Gibbs, we could have well done without the visualisation that last remark brought us.” He drawled. Gibbs shrugged and tipped his fingers to his forehead at Nell mockingly.
“Beggin’ yer pardon missy. Terribly sorry like, to soil yer pretty ears.” He said the tone in his voice telling her he was far from sorry about it.
Jack glared at Gibbs and then cast Nell a curious look.
“Well you know that you are safe from that particular fate aboard this ship don’t you.” He said and took in her white face and big eyes “No, obvious you don’t.” he added half to himself and stopped pacing to stand directly in front of her. He caught her chin in his fingers and lifted her face, making her meet his eyes.
“On my ship, we follow the Code, not necessarily the Pirate Code, which is more like guidelines anyway..” he shot Gibbs a grin over his shoulder before turning back to look at Nell. “but we definitely follow my code which aren’t guidelines but rules. And they are far superior anyway.” He didn’t blink, his head thrown back slightly so he could look down his nose at her, he cleared his throat and recited without taka bra breath;
“If at any time any member of this crew meets with a member of the opposite sex, be it on land or sea and that man offers to meddle with her, without her Consent, he shall suffer present Death.”
Jack frowned and looked skyward briefly, as if he were checking he had it right and then he looked back at her smiling cheerfully, her chin still between his fingers.
“That, of course, applies to same sex as well.” He brought his face close to hers and she could smell the rum upon his breath. She frowned at him in confusion wondering what that last statement was about. She actually believed him when he had recited his code, she could see that he meant it and she was slightly relieved by it.
“Which is obviously something your Guardian didn’t inform you of I see…” he said and let go of her to pace back and forth again, arms outstretched and wrists circling.
“Just believe me when I say no harm shall before you on this ship. But I can’t help but think what strange things your dearly departed guardian was teaching your good self.” He mused and turned to stare at her briefly before pacing once more.
“He’s not dear and he’s certainly not departed.” She said quietly
“Are you certain he’s not dead?” he asked in a rapid change of subject and then ploughed on without waiting for a reply “You see, the rumours of his death have been wildly circulated round these parts, considering he was a Privateer, it was greeted with quite considerable joy and now you’re here telling me that he’s very alive and well and that leaves me somewhat confused.” He inclined his head to one side. He spoke so quickly that Nell had trouble keeping up, but one word jumped out at her.
“Privateer?” she asked, her head spinning from his constant movement, his quick change of subject and the fact she was now very, very tired.
“Aye, it’s where the good King gives a little scrap of parchment to a sea Captain, usually a Pirate, and he can carry on doing what he does best under his protection; except he doesn’t attack merchant ships, oh no! He turns on his own and attacks pirate ships…oh and the Spanish, but that’s neither here nor there as we all attack them.” He finished with a flourish.
“I do know what a Privateer is.” She said sharply “But I can assure you Sir James Beaumont is no Privateer. He is a Courtier and apart from the crossing to England he had never been on a ship.”
“And pray tell me,” he clasped his hands together again “How do you know this if you only see him once a year and then you don’t actually talk to him?” he grinned and waved his hands to get her to answer him.
Nell blushed and fidgeted on her feet slightly. He had a point, damn him.
“Well, I can remember clearly crossing from England. He was fine while the sea was calm but when we hit rough weather he was as sick as a dog the entire time and stayed in his cabin. I went to see him once and when I knocked on the door his valet came out and told me that he did not sail well in rough weather and that he in fact did not like to sail full stop and I wasn’t to disturb him again.” She stated
Jack looked at her and nodded in understanding at her before dismissing her words with a wave of his hand.
“In other words you don’t know anything of the sort. Sir James Beaumont the Privateer and Sir James Beaumont the guardian are one and the same thing. Now is there a little mystery as to why he’s circulated rumours of his own demise when it’s clearly not true I wonder?” he looked at at Gibbs a wicked smirk on his face “And what was he doing in his cabin with his valet when it was rough I wonder?” Nell saw Gibbs smirk back at Jack and she was certain that they had just communicated something that went right over the top of her head. She also got the feeling that she was glad it went over her head.
“Why would it concern you anyway?” she demanded suddenly. She was tired, hot and her headache was increasing. In the space of five hours she’d been kidnapped, stolen aboard a pirate ship, scared for her life. She’d been made to handle fish, climb a rigging almost falling in the process and now she was getting the Spanish Inquisition from the strangest man she’d ever met.
“Grubs’ ready Capt’n.” came a voice from below them “Yer plate be in yer cabin.”
Jack looked down at Hock and grinned happily.
He started to sway towards the steps, his arm going around her shoulders once more to lead her down.
Nell pulled away from him and he merely shrugged at her.
“Just trying to be friendly.” He smiled and motioned for her to go ahead of him.
Nell cast him a scornful look and made her way to his cabin. The moment she went in she could smell the food and it made her stomach rumble.
She clasped her hand to her stomach. Her last meal had been dinner last night aboard the “Rose”. It seemed longer ago than yesterday when she had sat down to her plate in her cabin. So many hours ago and a complete lifetime ago in circumstances. Tears filled her eyes as a wave of self-pity flowed over her, but she couldn’t let it show. She dashed her eyes quickly and stood just inside the door.
“Sit down luv, sit down!” he crossed to plop down on the chair behind the plate. He picked up his fork and spoon and began to eat, watching from the corner of his eyes as she sat down and resolutely tried not to watch his plate. He knew she was hungry, he just wondered how far she’d try and go before hunger overcome pride. She certainly intrigued him, one minute she was as cowed as a kicked dog, and the next she was proud and stiff backed. He wondered what her happy medium was and once again toyed with the idea of finding out.
Nell could feel her mouth watering and her stomach groaned again in protest. She slapped a hand over her stomach and shifted in the chair.
“Right, so where were we?” he said with his mouth full “Why am I concerned at the state of your guardian, be he dead or alive.” he took out a bottle of rum and uncorked it with his teeth and took a deep swig.
“See, a Privateer concerns a pirate because by sheer definition of the name Privateer, they are enemies.” He broke a chunk of bread of his roll and dipped it in to the stew.
Nell closed her eyes, she was no stranger to going without meals, but she had never been made to sit and watch others eat while she fasted.
She tried to recite mentally one of the prayers that went with fasting, but the words didn’t seem to come to her mind, only the thought of food, so she tried praying to Mary for strength but she didn’t seem to be listening. She was suddenly aware he was poking her arm with his fork.
She opened her eyes and stared at him.
“I was just asking you if you were hungry?” he inquired innocently. “I take it you were praying for strength?” his black eyes wide with innocence, but she could see the mockery at the back of his eyes.
Nell clenched her fists and nodded her head jerkily at him.
“Yes.” She said finally after struggling with herself. She wanted to shake her head and say no, that she wouldn’t eat anything he gave her anyway, but her stomach had other ideas.
“Yes, you were praying for strength, or yes you are hungry, or indeed yes to being both hungry and praying for strength.” He questioned her, his words running together slightly in that odd way he had.
She glared at him, her back went straighter and she lifted her chin.
“Yes, I am hungry and yes, I was praying for strength.” She said resentfully. He was obviously going to make her crawl for some food, but she’d be damned if she did that.
He looked at the pride shinning in her eyes and knew then that he had underestimated her; she wasn’t as insipid as he first thought. She just needed prodding in the right direction and he decided he was the one to do the prodding. A dirty smirk crossed his face at the thought of the prodding he’d like to do.
He dipped the bread into his stew and held it out to her.
Nell looked at it, aware she would have to reach over for it.
Closing her eyes briefly she reached out and took it with a sigh.
“Thank you.” She whispered and began to eat it. Her eyes closed and she relaxed a bit as she ate the chunk slowly.
He dipped another chunk of bread into the stew and held it out to her. She took that and ate it quicker her eyes met his and she coloured up. He merely smirked at her, sat back in his chair and pushed the whole plate towards her.
She took it with a mumbled thanks, quickly crossed herself and placed it into the indentation on her side of the table. She didn’t think twice about picking up his spoon and fork and using them to eat the stew, she was just glad to be able to eat something.
“Now then, once again where were we?” he mused “Ah yes, the good Privateer. So we can safely say he’s alive and well. Now why would he invent his own death?”
“Maybe he didn’t.” Nell pointed out between mouthfuls so intent on eating, that half of her forgot where she was and who she was talking to. “Maybe someone else got the wrong end of the stick and the whole thing was exaggerated.” She took the last piece of bread and soaked up the gravy before popping it into her mouth. She looked up and saw him watching her with a strange gleam in his eyes. She coloured up slightly and ducked her head beginning to chew.
“Well you would have a valid point except for one thing.” He stated and taking the hat from his head set it on the desk. “I saw his ship go down and I can tell you there were no survivors.” He said and scratched the top of his head.
Nell fiddled with the fork on her plate a frown between her eyes.
“Maybe he wasn’t on it.” She volunteered.
“Obviously he wasn’t.” he said as if it were a simple truth that everyone should realise. “But that doesn’t answer why he would send his ship and crew out without him.”
Nell shrugged again and looked at him, she could almost see the wheels turning in his mind and she was struck again by the enigma that sat in front of her. He acted the drunken fop and she was certain that it was just that; an act.
“I don’t see why you’re so concerned about it all.” She said quietly her eyes becoming heavy with fatigue.
He grinned and kicked back the chair onto its back legs and then he brought his booted feet up onto the table narrowly missing the plate and the other assortment of papers, charts and books that littered his table..
Nell was full and as she sat there, exhaustion began to creep over her. She kept her eyes on his hands as he waved them around as he talked on about something that she just frankly didn’t hear. It was rather hypnotic watching his hands, they were tanned a deep brown and looked dirty, but they were long and graceful and the movements they made along with his precise slightly breathy voice had her eyes closing as sleep crept over her.
Her head nodded forward and she came awake with a start. She leant her elbow on the table, rested her chin in her hand and promptly fell asleep again.
“Well, would you look at that!” Jack said and stood up “You think the lass would have the grace to stay awake and listen to me.” He shook his head and crossed to pick her up. Her head lolled to the side and he chuckled as he laid her down on his bed. He moved back from her and shook his head again before collecting his hat and plate and leaving the room.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A/N: Thanks to everyone who has left reviews. It made me happy.
Thanks Cait, Morwenna Caddy, Cami, from adultfanfiction. You made my day!
And also thanks to Dulcinea, Kumikco, KrissXed, bearries, Hellyn, Black Rapture, Niyuluna and Just Me for leaving lovely reviews on FF.net.
You made me feel good!

Things will pick up a bit later; I just hate rushing into things, ie, having him fall for her instantly.
A couple of things: Let me know if he’s out of character speech wise or indeed any other way. I know that a lot of stories picture him as drunk most of the time, but in the actual film, the only time you saw him drinking was on the beach and in the hold of the Black Pearl. Yes he likes his rum, obviously, but I think the drunken slur and exaggerated walk is a part of his masterful plan to hoodwink the casual observer. I think this was proved from the very first interaction with the two slightly dimmer than normal soldiers at the boat. However having said that I think he’s also highly eccentric. The way I see it, he’s a bit of an opportunist as well that would find a challenge hard to resist if it interested him enough.

Anyway, thank you and have a great day wherever you are.