The Teardrop Of Immortality

Brief note, I have a new POTC story in the works so if you want to find out more and read a sneak peek, go to my FB or Livejournal!!! It’s going to be called The Cruelest Of Lies. :D

Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean…If I did I’d be rich and not a struggling student…:o(

Chapter 6


Jack was absentmindedly stroking his beard as his gaze was firmly set on Nerissa. The mermaid was quiet as ever, of course, except for the usual sound of her tail gently slapping the water. Her eyes were lowered and she was idly twirling a lock of her golden hair around her fingers, her hands close to her chest as she sat there in silence.
Jack sighed and looked down at his charts before he grabbed his compass. He opened it and placed it gently on the desk, watching as the needle started turning madly before it settled south. He smirked and leaned back in his chair, propping his feet up on the desk before he reached for the half empty bottle of rum.
He uncorked it and took a generous sip before he let his eyes peruse the cabin. He grimaced.
“Bugger.” He muttered as he eyed the various dirty clothes and empty bottles that were scattered all around his cabin.
“You say that a lot, Captain.” Nerissa spoke up and Jack’s eyebrows almost disappeared under his bandana. She rarely spoke, let alone to him.
He cleared his throat and smirked, “Aye.”
She raised her blue eyes and started at him curiously, “What does it mean that word…? Bugger?” she asked and he stared at her as if she was mad before he burst out laughing,
Nerissa jumped at the loud, sudden sound and gazed at him with confusion, her pretty face scrunched up.
“Did I say something wrong?” she asked as she turned her body towards him, curious at the sight and sound of his amusement.
“No, love. It’s just…” he chuckled and shook his head, “You don’t know what bugger is?” he cocked his head to the side and regarded her with amusement.
“No.” she slowly shook her head and he pursed his lips, trying to suppress his laughter.
“Well, bugger is…Bugger means…Shit…or…fuck or…”
“Captain Sparrow!” she covered her face with her hands and he stared at her, a smirk on his lips.
“I take it you know what shit is then.” He stated as he took another swing of rum.
“Yes!” her response was muffled.
“Good.” He chuckled as he still stared at her.
Nerissa moved her hands away and looked at him, biting her lip, “You curse a lot.” She clarified plainly.
“I’m a sailor, love.” He laughed and then looked at her curiously, “How do you know those other words?” he asked with a cocked eyebrow.
Nerissa flushed, “The sea is full of sailors.” She shrugged, “I sometimes listen to their conversations as they pass by…I liked to travel a bit away from Whitecap.” She shrugged and Jack leaned forward.
“Is that so?” he murmured and she nodded, “And how is your relationship with the rest of your kind?” he asked curiously.
Nerissa paused and looked away, “Mostly good.” She replied and then looked up at him, “They usually leave me to my own. I don’t bother them and they don’t bother me.”
Jack frowned, “That seems a bit glum to me.” He muttered and she blinked.
“Glum?” she questioned with her head tilted to the side.
“Aye.” Jack stood up, corked the bottle and then started picking up his dirty clothes, “Seems to me that you are a rather lonely lass.” He looked up at her and smirked, “Where are your…parents, if I may ask?” he asked as he picked up a pair of breeches and grimaced.
“Um…” Nerissa gazed at him as she moved and then she gasped, “Oh!” she exclaimed as she leaned over the side of the tub and reached down.
Jack turned to her and was greeted with her back and behind as she stood there, leaning over the tub.
“Love?” his eyes zeroed on the pale patch of skin of her lower back and he licked his lips, “What are you doing?” he asked and he only removed his gaze from her back when she settled down and lifted something up towards him.
“Your, um…whatever that is.” She flushed as she reached her hand out towards him.
Jack stepped forward and grabbed his breeches from her hand with a lopsided grin.
“Did they hit you?” he asked and she looked up at him, shivering as their fingers brushed together.
“The….ah…”
“Breeches? They are called breeches.” He said with his mouth still turned upwards.
“Yes, they did. I was asleep.” She said as she quickly pulled her hand away as if burned.
Jack almost pouted when she pulled her hand away but he hid it by leaning down to grab another shirt.
“Sorry about that, lass. I was probably in a haste.” He said as he walked over to a chest and opened the lid. He unceremoniously dumped the clothes in and closed it shut.
Nerissa frowned at that and spoke timidly, “Won’t you wash those?” she asked and he looked at as if insane.
“Me? Nah! I’ll have one of the crew do it.” He waved a hand dismissively as he moved around his cabin, “So what about your parents? If you had any of course.” He flashed her a grin and she scowled.
“Of course I had!” she snapped and he raised his hands up in surrender.
“Just sayin’, love. Well?” he looked at her expectantly.
“Why should I tell you? I don’t know anything about you.” She told him as she crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back against the tub.
Jack’s eyes narrowed and he abandoned the bottles on his desk before he approached her.
“Well, what would you like to know?” he asked her as he came to stand in front of the tub.
Nerissa turned towards him, interested now, “Do you have a family?” she asked and he smirked.
“That is what you’d like to know?”
“Yes.” She blinked.
“I do…Well, kind of…I have a father.” He shrugged and grimaced.
“Oh…A mother?”
“She’s dead.”
“Is your father…like you?”
“Like me what?” Jack chuckled.
“A thief.”
Jack’s face fell, “Hold it, hold it there, love.” He raised a ringed finger, “I am not-…” he stopped short and gasped before he leaned down and grasped his leg, “Ow.” He winced as he rubbed.
He looked up at her when the sharp pain subsided and carried on, “I ain’t a thief. I am a pirate. There’s a difference.”
“What difference?” Nerissa asked and he paused.
“Eh, thieves do not travel in ships.” He smirked and she gazed at him unimpressed.
“So the only difference between a thief and you is a ship, Captain?” she asked bluntly and Jack groaned.
“How is it that you can stroke my ego and offend me at the same time? In the same sentence actually!” he exclaimed, raising his hands up.
“Offend you?”
“Aye, you call me a thief but at the same time you use my title.” He waved his hand at her funnily.
“I am sorry.”
“Next time keep the title, leave out the thief part, savvy?” he went to stand and grimaced as his leg throbbed in pain again.
“Savvy?” Nerissa frowned and he paused.
“Aye. It means…Got it?” he told her and then proceeded to walk away.
“Oh…What’s wrong with your leg?” she asked curiously while splashing her tail gently in the water.
“I’ve no idea, love.” He muttered before he grabbed his compass and headed for the door.
“When am I going to swim again?” she called and he answered without turning to look back at her.
“Soon.” His answer was choked as he walked.
“I didn’t tell you about my parents.” She said but he was already out of the door.
Nerissa’s shoulders slumped and she leaned back against the tub, staring idly at the water.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

“Are you sure you’re leading us correctly?” Erik’s voice yelled from The Revenge and Jack rolled his eyes before he rubbed his temple.
“Aye.” He yelled back as he grabbed the helm with both hands.
“Is she talking?” Erik called again and Jack groaned as the younger man’s loud voice rang in his ears, making his headache even worse.
“What was she supposed to say?” Jack yelled back as he slowly started losing his patience.
“About the artifact, the tattoo-…”
“No, she hasn’t said a thing!” Jack cut him off as he turned to look at him, “Did it ever occur to you that perhaps there was nothing for her to say? That the immortality was just a myth and all that is there is the treasure? I got to say, that works for me anyway.”
Erik frowned, “I don’t believe that. Maybe I should talk to her again-…”
“What is the lass supposed to know?” Jack asked almost angrily as he turned his gaze on Teach, “We just caught her by accident. She’s a creature of the sea. She knows nothing about our world.”
Erik’s frown left his face only to be replaced by a smirk, “Are you sure she knows nothing of our world?” he asked and Jack had the very peculiar urge to wipe that salacious grin off his youthful face.
“Positive. Gibbs!” Jack hollered and his first mate looked up.
“Aye, Cap’n?” the older man wiped his hands on his breeches as he approached.
“Come take the helm.” Jack called as he glared at Erik who stood next to the Revenge’s helm, looking smug.
“Ignore him, Jack.” Gibbs whispered as he took the helm.
Jack grabbed his hat and headed for the stairs, “I am trying, mate. I am trying.” He muttered, “Is there any of that medicine for the headaches left?” he called and Gibbs winced.
“Afraid not, Cap’n. I used the last a few weeks ago.”
“Once we make port, get some.” Jack said as he rubbed at his hot forehead.
“Aye.”


oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Once he was in his cabin, Jack headed straight for the bunk. He kicked his boots off and plopped down on the bed. He grabbed his pillow and pushed it over his head in an attempt to soothe his headache.
“Bloody hell, I was fine this morning!” he muttered, his words muffled by the pillow.
As he sat there in silence, his ears caught a melodious humming and he lifted his pillow slightly, trying to listen better.
“Oh that’s nice.” He muttered with a small smirk as he turned his had towards the tub.
A splash was heard and then Nerissa’s musical voice spoke up, “Something wrong?” she questioned and Jack raised his head to look at her properly. Surprisingly enough her voice was not bothering his eardrums like Erik’s voice did.
“What are you humming?” he asked as he turned onto his side, facing her.
Nerissa placed her arms over the edge of the tub and leaned her head against them, “Just a tune my mother sang to me when I was little.”
Jack smiled, “Nice.” And then he covered his head with the pillow again.
“Is there something wrong?”
“My head.”
“Oh. I think I can help.” She said and Jack’s eyes widened as he once again lifted the pillow and gazed at her. Her eyes seemed to sparkle like blue diamonds with tiny green flecks in them.
“You?” his voice was dubious.
Nerissa frowned, “Yes.” She shifted in the tub and flapped her tail a bit.
Jack sat up and abandoned the pillow before he jumped down from the bed and crawled towards her a little dazed, “Love, is there…What…What color are your eyes?” he asked her with a frown and Nerissa flushed while placing a hand on her cheek.
“My…my eyes?” she asked and he nodded.
“Aye.” He placed a hand on the tub and squinted, “Do they change colors?”
Nerissa blinked, “No…I don’t know. I’ve never seen myself…Well, my eyes that is. Is there something wrong with them?” she asked and said eyes widened.
Jack grinned, “Aside from the fact that they are distracting? No.” he shook his head and Nerissa locked eyes with him.
“Are you always this…” she fought to find the proper word and when she did Jack grinned, “Charming?”
“Oh, yes. Always, love.” His lopsided grin widened and Nerissa shook her head.
“About your head…” she trailed off as she reached out with her hands.
Jack slid closer, his eyes glimmering as she placed her fingers on his temples. Her touch was cool and a bit wet, just what his hot skin needed and he closed his eyes as she put a little pressure on his temples.
As she massaged his temples the tension gradually left him and he gave a contented groan.
Nerissa paused momentarily and he opened his eyes in question, “Keep going. It works. Can you do magic then?” he asked teasingly and she flushed.
“Magic? Mermaids cannot do magic. I just know that it helps.”
Jack smirked as he leaned a bit closer so she could reach him without having to stretch too much. Not that it bothered him. The movements she made to reach him gave him a good sight of her chest.
“But you are not a regular mermaid, are you?” he murmured and Nerissa paused.
“If I were, I would have attacked you already.” She said as she resumed massaging his temples. Her pale hands were a deep contrast to his tanned skin.
“Why can’t you?” he asked her curiously.
Nerissa put some more pressure to his skin before she took her hands back and placed them on her lap.
“Because my father was human.” She replied and Jack’s eyes widened. He closed his eyes and shook his head.
“Human, you say?” he blinked, “A man?”
“Yes, what else?” Nerissa said as she hugged her abdomen and leaned back.
“Your mother lived in the sea or not, love?” he asked and Nerissa bit her lip.
“She did…but she had spent some time on land as well.” She replied and Jack scratched his beard.
“So why are you in mermaid form?” he asked with confusion.
Nerissa took a deep breath, “My mother conceived me while her transformation was still incomplete. She was in human form but the fortnight was not over.”
“Oh.” Jack grinned dirtily and Nerissa frowned when he spoke again, “Couldn’t wait, you father, aye?”
“My father died before the two weeks were over, Captain. I never knew him.” She replied and Jack’s face fell.
“Oh, sorry, love.” He muttered uncomfortably.
“That is why I am different.” Nerissa mumbled and Jack gazed at her before he reached over and fingered a lock of her golden hair.
“It’s good to be different, Nerissa. Trust me.” He grinned before he took his hand away and stood, “Thank you for the ah, massage.” He winked before he headed for the door barefoot.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Jack lowered his spyglass and turned to Gibbs, “There’s sweet water in this island, Master Gibbs. Lower anchor and get us some, aye?” he handed the spyglass to the older man and headed for the cabin.
“Cap’n?” Gibbs frowned, “Where are you off to?”
Jack turned and grinned while splaying his arms out, “Got to get my Siren for a swim, aye?” he winked and Gibbs sighed.
“Oh, aye.” He smiled dreamily before he headed off to fetch the crew.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

“This is ridiculous.” Erik commented as he stood on the Revenge’s deck, staring down at Jack and Nerissa.
Jack looked up and when he was sure Nerissa wasn’t looking he mouthed, “Jealous?”
Erik scowled, “Right!”
He stomped away and Jack turned his attention to Nerissa who was gently swaying a few feet away. Jack grinned and with the grip he had on the rope connecting him with her he slowly brought himself closer. Her tail splashed near his face and he chuckled. She turned at the sound and looked at him. She splashed her tail again and the water soaked his hair. He shut his eyes and when he opened them again she was nowhere to be seen.
His eyes scanned the dark waters and he smirked when he saw the shadow of her golden hair underneath. He reached out and grasped a lock of her hair and she came up with a gasp.
“Ow!”
He released her immediately and grinned.
“Can’t fool me, lass.” He smirked as he swam backwards a bit. His hair moved away from his chest and Nerissa’s eyes settled on it.
“What is that mark?” she asked quietly and Jack looked down.
He grimaced, “Blackbeard. He did it. Thank God it’s a design and not just a cut, aye?”
“Blackbeard?”
Jack saw her shiver at the mention of the pirate’s name, “Aye.”
“I have heard of him…He hates mermaids.” She whispered and Jack shook his head.
“He hated everyone. In past tense. He’s dead, love.”
“Oh. That is unfortunate for him.” She noted and Jack laughed loudly, startling her.
“Indeed.” He said while still chuckling.
Nerissa pulled away a bit and he made to follow her before he groaned out loud.
“Ow!” he gasped as he felt an invisible force pulling his leg downwards. He used his hands, trying to stay afloat but his leg throbbed in pain again, a force pulling him underwater.
“What in hell-…” the rest of his words were lost as his head disappeared under the waves.
Nerissa turned and looked back with a frown, “Captain?” she asked quietly. Bubbles alerted her of his presence a few feet away and she dove below the surface in search for him. The rope around her had become loose, allowing her to move more freely and as she moved forward she saw him struggling against invisible forces. His entire body was tense and he was flailing his arms about, trying to resurface. His legs were not cooperating and they were unmoving while the rest of his body was fighting for air.
Nerissa reached him and she grasped his arm, roughly pulling him towards her. His body moved and she wrapped an arm around his waist before she kicked hard with her tail, propelling them upwards.
Jack gasped for air as soon as they resurfaced and he coughed, spitting sea water out his mouth.
“Are you alright? What happened?” Nerissa asked as Jack heaved for air, his eyes wild and looking around for the source of his almost death.
“There was no one there, was it?” he asked, still breathing heavily and Nerissa let go of his waist and grasped his hand instead before looking around too.
“No, Captain.”
“Jack, love. It’s Jack.” He said, still gasping for air.
Nerissa looked flustered.
“Captain! Everything alright?” on of the crewmen hollered down at them and Jack looked up.
“Aye! Throw a rope.” Jack called back, wanting to get out of the water as soon as possible.
“Aye, sir!”
“Come on.” Jack pulled on Nerissa’s hand and she swam close to him, “You could’ve left.” He stated and she blinked.
“And let you die?” she asked slowly, confusion on her face.
Jack grinned, “You fancy me, don’t you?” he asked and she flushed before she burst into laughter. He joined her, momentarily forgetting the scary incident.
“So sweet, Jack. But then again, we all know your soft spot for the ladies. For all kinds of ladies.” A female voice spoke up and Jack froze while Nerissa frowned.
They both looked up and Angelica smiled from the Revenge’s rail, “Hello, Jack.” She called with her head cocked to the side. In her hand she held Jack’s miniature form.
“Bugger.” Jack hissed, his hand tightening almost painfully hard around Nerissa’s hand.
Angelica corked and eyebrow and Jack gulped, “Hello, Angelica.” He muttered while Nerissa watched with increasing confusion.

End of chapter 6

Author’s note: Thank you for reading. Please review before you go! It’s inspiring to hear from you!!
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Xxx Lina :)