The Teardrop Of Immortality

Chapter 3


Jack leaned a bit closer and when Erik’s hand got in his way he tersely slapped it away, making him release the mermaid’s hair in the process.
Erik glared at him and crossed his arms over his chest as Jack examined the tattoo, causing the mermaid to tense and nervously wiggle her tail. Jack’s dark eyes moved over the teardrop tattoo on her chest and he bit his lower lip in thought.
“This does seem familiar…” he murmured and raised his hand as if to touch it but the mermaid immediately covered herself and glared at him, her blue eyes blazing with fire.
Jack laughed and pulled slightly back, “I see. I can look but don’t touch.” He smirked and she scowled at him.
Erik groaned, “This is no time to amuse yourself with this…thing.” He waved his hand at the mermaid who looked up at him murderously. Erik stared back at her and Jack pursed his lips as he watched the exchange.
“So, I take it you had no luck.” Jack said smugly, trying to take the attention off the blonde beauty in the tub.
It worked.
“I did catch one. It seems like I speared her too much and she died.” Erik smirked and watched with satisfaction as the mermaid’s eyes widened and her throat bobbed.
“You are so unlucky, mate. Now if you leave we can get on our way.” Jack waved his hands towards the door and Erik frowned.
“You don’t assume that I will leave her with you, do you?” he quirked an eyebrow and Jack blinked.
“I beg your pardon?” he looked at him in incredulity.
“You heard me, Sparrow.”
“This…” Jack paused and gazed at the mermaid who stared at him, “…Lass, is my protection. Are you really naive as to think that I’d let her go?”
“She’s leverage then?” Erik asked and Jack scowled.
“Call it whatever you want. I ain’t giving her to you.” At Jack’s words a loud splash resonated in the room and both his and Erik’s clothes were suddenly soaked in water.
Erik glared angrily at the mermaid who stared back at him with narrowed eyes while Jack only blinked rapidly, trying to clear his eyes from the droplets.
“Thanks, love. I needed that.” He smirked at her as he wiped his face with his shirt sleeve.
The mermaid looked at him as if he was insane and angrily slapped her golden tail in the water again.
Jack smirked.
Erik watched with a scowl, “You’re daft.” He informed Jack who only grinned.
“I’ve been called worse.” He shrugged the insult off and then proceeded to walk to the door.
“Now, I’d love to rest. So…Shoo.” He held the door open for Erik who turned and walked back to the tub.
He gazed at the mermaid who looked back at him defiantly and sneered, “You will help us, you hear?” he said in a low voice. When she ignored him he thrust a hand in her hair again and tugged hard. She cried out and grasped his wrist tightly.
“Don’t ever ignore me again. I will find out what that means.” He jabbed a hand at her chest above the tattoo and she forcefully pushed him away, scratching his hand in the process. He fell a few steps backwards and glared at her while clutching his bleeding hand.
“You little…” he breathed as he lurched forward and slapped her.
Her head fell to the side and connected with the edge of the tub. She quickly looked up at him and spat at his face. He growled and made to raise his hand again but he found Jack’s fingers firmly clasped around his wrist. Erik turned to glare at him.
Jack’s eyes were narrowed, “You really have no idea how to bargain, have you?” he murmured quietly as he shot a glance at the mermaid who had a hand on her cheek and was glaring daggers at Erik.
Jack pulled the other man away and towards the door without releasing him.
“Let go.” Erik muttered and Jack did so.
“First lesson.” Jack raised a single finger, “Never harm your means to survival. Those means are her in this instance.” He motioned his head towards the tub, “Second, never act on emotion.” Jack lowered his voice before he added, “And third, never piss of a mermaid…or a woman in general. Savvy?” he smirked and Erik scoffed.
“She should learn some manners.”
“She’s a wild creature and last time I checked your dear family didn’t have any manners.” Jack said with his hands on his hips.
Erik stared at him hard before he turned to go, “Just make sure she doesn’t escape.” He called tersely as he walked away with jerky movements.
Jack stuck his tongue out at his retreating back and then slammed the door shut.

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Gibbs placed the bucket of clean water next to Jack’s desk and shot a look at the mermaid who stood still in the tub while gazing at the water emptily.
“Cap’n?” Gibbs hissed and Jack looked up.
“Aye?” he muttered as he grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it off.
“Why isn’t she trying to escape?” he asked and Jack looked at her.
“Because she ain’t got anywhere to go, Do you, love?” he called and she turned her blonde head to look at him. Jack locked eyes with her and frowned at her gaze.
“I heard it’s painful.” Gibbs said and Jack turned to him when the mermaid broke their eye contact.
“Eh?”
“The change. You know when they are out of water.” Gibbs said quietly.
“Oh, that. I suppose so. Place a man outside my cabin. You never know.” He said lowly and Gibbs nodded before he walked away.
Jack grabbed the bucket and walked over to his bed. He sat down and pulled the water close to him, his back on the mermaid who didn’t make a sound.
He dipped a cloth in the water and brought it up to clean his chest and arms from the sea water. He felt eyes on his back and looked over his shoulder. Surely enough she was watching him. He smirked.
“This is your fault, you know. You splashed me.” He said but she didn’t speak, “Does your cheek hurt?” he asked but again he received no answer as he brushed the soaked cloth over his neck. He looked back at her again and found her looking at his back. He craned his neck and looked at his tattooed skin.
“It’s in Latin.” He said as he rubbed at his shoulder with the wet rag, “Can you read?” he asked her as he threw the cloth in the bucket and stood up. He grabbed a dry shirt and walked over to her. She recoiled but her eyes were curious.
He grinned at that and turned his back so she could see the sentences better, “Seems like we do have something in common.” He told her as he turned back around and crouched next to her. He motioned to her own tattoo and she looked down as if confused. She shook her head and he frowned.
“What’s that?” he cocked his head to the side but she didn’t speak only blinked up at him.
Jack sighed, “You’re not much of a talker, are you?” he said dryly and she looked away.
He stood up and pulled his shirt over his head before he crossed his arms over his chest, “You do realize that you have to talk soon, right? We need your help…Your cooperation.” At that she scowled and pursed her lips, “Not everyone is going to be as nice as I am.” He informed her and she looked up at him through her thick eyelashes.
“Very well then.” He muttered before he grabbed the screen and drew it forward, concealing her from his view. He lingered there but when she didn’t make a sound he groaned inwardly and walked to his bunk. He collapsed onto it and shut his eyes.
His dreams were filled with gold and blue colors that night.


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“I demand to see the creature.” Erik Teach walked up the stairs towards Jack.
Jack gazed at him lazily as he turned the helm lightly to port, “Creature?? Oh you mean the Siren.” He grinned.
“Siren?” Erik’s expression soured.
“Aye. She ain’t telling me her name and I need to call her something, Creature and thing, might a bit offensive.” He said and Erik rolled his eyes.
“Why would you care?” he snapped and Jack pursed his lips.
“I’d like to remain in her good graces. So far no one scratched me or spat at me.” He smirked and Erik’s cheeks flushed with angry humiliation.
“So, she hasn’t talked.” He stated and Jack shrugged.
“Nope…She did found my naked back interesting though. That led me into showing her the rest of my tattoos.” He smiled innocently and Erik’s eyes narrowed into slits.
“Disgusting.” His lip curled but Jack knew jealousy when he saw it. The mermaid interested him.
“Matter of opinion.” Jack waved his words away with a bejeweled hand.
“So, since you haven’t managed to make her speak, then I shall go.” Erik said as he turned to go.
“Hold it right there, lad. This is my ship. You can’t come and go as you please.” Jack said firmly and Erik turned to look at him from over his shoulder.
“I need to look after my investment, Captain.” He smirked and then walked away, leaving Jack fuming.
“Bloody hell.” He muttered as his eyes followed the younger man until he was out of his line of vision.

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An ear piercing scream made Gibbs freeze. Jack hopped down from the rail with his apple half eaten in his hand, a piece still in his mouth as he chewed.
“What was that?” Gibbs asked and Jack’s eyes widened when more cries were heard.
“That little bugger!” he hissed as he threw the apple in the sea and climbed down the stairs quickly. He stormed towards his cabin and pushed the door open. His eyes narrowed in fury.
“You idiot!” he hissed as he pushed a stunned Erik out of the way and looked down at the thrashing mermaid. Water was splashed all around her writhing form and she was shaking and whimpering as her body lay helpless against the hard floor of the Pearl. Her tail was slapping madly against the floor and her entire body was convulsing in pain as lack of water made it impossible for her to remain calm.
Her ethereal face was twisted in agony and she had her arms wrapped around her middle. Her eyes were screwed tightly shut and her wet hair clung to her face and neck.
“What’s happening to her?” Erik spoke up and Jack turned his dark eyes on him.
“What’s happening? Why the hell did you pull her from the water?” Jack asked as he walked over and looked down at the mermaid.
“I…I…It was an accident.” Erik stammered still in shock at the sight.
Jack reached out and touched her and she cried out again, “Shh, lass. We’ll get you back in.” he murmured as he grasped her arms and tried to lift her. She resisted pathetically in his arms and he groaned.
“Help me, will you?” he hissed at Erik who quickly complied and grasped her left arm.
“What’s wrong with her?” he asked as she flinched at his touch.
Jack looked at him with irritated derision, “She’s transforming. If she stays out of the water long enough she will be like us.” He said as they carefully rearranged her inside the water again.
“What? I thought that was a myth.” He said as he let go of her.
She immediately curled against the tub and released a tremulous sigh of relief.
“Not a myth. What is a myth is that it’s painless. You see that now, don’t you?” Jack gazed at him and he nodded his head.
Jack snorted.
“Get out.” He muttered and Erik’s eyes lit up.
“How long does it take for her to transform?” he asked and the mermaid gazed up at him with wide eyes before her striking blue gaze shifted to Jack who looked at her briefly.
“A while…A day or so. Why?” he answered cautiously and Erik grinned.
“We can use it against her. So, she’ll talk.”
Jack covered his face with his hands, “Get out. Now.” He muttered and Erik chuckled smugly before he stepped back.
“I’ll be back.” He called in a sing song voice and Jack grimaced in distaste.
“Mutt.” He muttered as soon as the door was slammed shut.
He turned his gaze at the tub and sighed, “You’re a stubborn one, aren’t you?” he said with a hint of amusement and she looked up at him. The tremors had left her body and she was completely still now.
Jack approached her and placed his hands on the tub, “Will you tell me about the tattoo? Will you explain why it seems so awfully familiar?” he asked her and she swallowed thickly and slowly shook her head.
Jack sighed, “What’s your name? Will you tell me that?”
She remained unresponsive and he growled, “Will you ever talk?” he snapped and she blinked, “You know, that man, he won’t hesitate to have you tortured. He’s ain’t going to let you go. Do you understand? Being here is the best thing that can happen to you. Is that clear? Personally, I am only interested in the treasure of Oak Island. But he…He wants more. If you talk to me you will save yourself. If you don’t…” he trailed off as she raised her eyes and looked at him deeply. He was momentarily dazed so he shook his head and continued, “If you don’t, I won’t be able to help you. Savvy?” he cleared his throat and stepped back.
The mermaid looked away and gently touched her now un-twitching tail. Jack watched as she checked herself for injuries and after a moment he sighed.
“Are you hungry?” he asked and the question made her look up at him, really look at him.
Her eyes scanned his face for possible deception and then she slowly nodded.
Jack grinned, “Bread? Know what that is or do you just eat raw fish?” he asked and her nose twitched in disgust before she quickly shook her head.
He laughed and headed over to his desk. He looked at the tray of his unfinished supper and grabbed two slices of bread. He brought them back to her and handed them over.
She took the offered bread tentatively and slowly sniffed it before she took a small bite. Jack snorted in amusement and she quickly looked up at him. He raised his hands up in surrender and watched as she bit into the bread and chewed slowly.
Satisfied he stepped back and walked to his desk and sat down. He grabbed another slice of bread and bit into as he watched her eat.

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A day later…

Jack stirred as a hand shook him firmly, “What…?” he mumbled sleepily as he turned onto his back and slowly opened his eyes. Gibbs’ face greeted him.
“What is it?” He demanded as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.
“The mermaid, Captain.” Gibbs’ voice was anxious.
Jack sat up quickly, “What about her?” he looked at the other side of the cabin where the tub was located and he found it empty, “Where is she, Gibbs?” he threw the covers and grabbed for his breeches.
“Teach took her.” Gibbs replied as Jack pulled the breeches up his hips and fastened them.
“Took her? What do you mean took her? Why didn’t you wake me up?” Jack hissed as he grabbed his shirt and slipped it on.
“I tried but he threatened me. Put a sword under my nose and told me not to make a sound.” Gibbs looked away and Jack cursed as he leaned down to put on his boots.
“When did that happen?” Jack asked in a low voice.
“Just a few minutes ago.” Gibbs answered and Jack grabbed his pistol from his nightstand and headed for the door, “Cap’n?”
“It’s time for a little talk.” Jack said as he pulled the door open, “No one takes what’s mine without my permission.” He said darkly before he walked out, slamming the door behind him.
Gibbs could only stare with wide eyed shock.

End of chapter 3

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Xxx Lina :)