Always have, Always Will

Chapter 8: Month Ago

Abby wouldn’t allow her eyes to open, fearing she would see herself in the arms of an enemy. Her entire body was pounding with exhaustion. The man’s strong arms never wavered under her weight. She knew she was not skin and bones like most women of Port Royal, the man had to be getting very tired by now. But his grip never loosened on her, giving her some sense of security.

The man continued jogging until his legs weren’t able to carry the weight anymore. He gently laid her limp body onto the soft ground. She could hear him lay down beside her, breathing heavy. She refused to open her eyes still, she liked the small sense of safety she had at the moment and would do anything to make it last longer. The man’s breathing eventually slowed to normal. She heard him move to stand up. She couldn’t help but jump when she felt his arms encircle her body, picking her back up and continuing to walk to wherever it was he was taking her.

“I know yer awake.” The man slurred. Abby let out a sigh and slowly allowed her eyes to flutter open and see who had taken her. Everything was blurry at first, the bright sunlight shined into her eyes, momentarily blinding her. She shook her head to make the process go faster and tried to refocus on the man. She could see his face was outlined by dark hair but it was all she could make out.

“W-who are you?” She asked in a whisper.

“You don’t recognize me?” The man asked, confusion was clearly evident in his voice. His voice, how did she know it?

“J-j-jack?” She managed to choke out.

“Aye, tis me.” Jack replied. Her eyesight cleared up shortly after that. It was indeed Captain Jack Sparrow of the Black Pearl. She looked around at the forest surrounding them. She couldn’t recognize any of it.

“Where are you taking me?” She asked slowly.

“Somewhere where you will be safe pet. Yer always into some sort of trouble when I see ya.” Jack said. She looked back to his face and took immediate notice of the smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.

“I don’t see what is so funny Mr. Sparrow.” Abby said. Jack stopped walking and looked down at her.

“I think yer doin’ this to get my attention luv. If that’s all you wanted ya just had to ask.” He said with a humorous tone. He didn’t wait for a reply from her, he just continued on walking.

“I can walk Sparrow.” Abby said as she looked to the ground. Her cheeks were crimson colored and continued to grow darker when she noticed how close his left hand was to her breast.

“Course ya can. But ya looked exhausted back there and I thought I would help ya some.” Jack replied.

“Jack I am sure I would be able to walk by now.” She said and started to wriggle in his tight grasp. She stopped all movements when she heard a low moan escape Jack’s mouth. She looked up at him, his eyes were half open and his pace had noticeably slowed down. “Jack?”

“Huh?” He growled in a low voice. Abby shrunk back in his grasp, his new attitude scared her.

“Please Jack let me down.” She whispered.

“Yeah…sorry bout that luv.” He replied. His normal, cheerful attitude had suddenly returned. He set her feet onto the ground, not letting go of her shoulders until he was sure she had her footing under some sort of control.

“Thank you.” Abby mumbled quickly. Jack nodded in reply. He could feel her body stiffen when he placed his hand at her lower back. He looked at her face but didn’t see any fear crossing over it.

Abby could feel his gaze on her. She couldn’t help but fidget under the intensity of it. Jack shook his head and look forward, down the dirt path.

“How is it you are always there when I am in trouble?” Abby asked suddenly. Jack took his time with the reply, thinking of the reason that he didn’t even understand.

“Coincidence?” He supplied. Abby just nodded and looked back to the ground. She had gone through so much this past week that she was starting to not believe in coincidences.

“So where is this safe place at?” Abby asked, not liking the silence that would overcome them every once in a while.

“A secret cove darling. Doubt you have ever seen it.” Jack replied.

“Pry not. I have never walked this far away from the mansion before.” Abby said quietly. Jack looked back at her with a look that said You have got to be kidding. Abby expected a small voice to come to her mind and tease her. But it wasn’t there.

“I wouldn’t expect a woman in your place to do so.” Jack said as he looked ahead.

“And why not?” Abby asked. No one has ever said anything to her about this subject before. And she couldn’t help but let curiosity take its course.

“Tisn’t safe darling.” Jack replied. Abby could tell from the look on his face this conversation was over. When she looked back ahead she took in a sharp breath. Floating just of shore was the legendary, Black Pearl. It was absolutely breathtaking. The wood was so dark it looked almost black as it stood out against the light colors of the sky. The sails looked like they had been patched up but had recently acquired a few new holes and rips. She quickened her pace to keep up with Jack. She could tell he was excited to be back at his ship again. Jack led her to a small rowboat that was pulled up halfway onto the beach. The cove was surrounded by many trees. A secret cove. Abby thought to herself. Jack helped her into the small boat and pushed it out into the waters. The silence was deafening to her. She normally was fine with not talking, but this silence was more awkward. She couldn’t help but play with her fingernails.

“Why so nervous luv?” Jack asked, eyeing her hands. She stopped fidgeting and looked up to Jack.

“It’s not everyday that I get to step onto the decks of the Black Pearl.” Abby replied then continued with her fingernails.

“Heard a lota stories then eh?” Jack asked with a large smirk on his face. Abby snorted but couldn’t help to smile at him.

“Yeah, not all of them seem like they could be true though.” She said. Jack furrowed his brows and looked over at her.

“Everythin’ about my Black Pearl is true dearie.” Jack said.

“Well Jack it’s hard to believe that it used to be crewed by the undead.” Abby said with humor.

“I still have the monkey luv,” Jack said. “I could prove it to ya.” Abby looked over to Jack with confusion. There is no way they could have an undead monkey.

“I’ll believe that when I see it.” Abby replied. Jack just nodded back to her. He picked up the oars and started rowing. The ship wasn’t to far off shore, it would only take about five minutes to row over to it. Abby looked back to it with wide eyes. It seems more than just a coincidence that she was talking about wanting to go on a ship just yesterday. Jack didn’t stop rowing until the tip of the boat hit the side of the Black Pearl. An old man looked over the side of the magnificent ship and took immediate notice of Jack and threw down a rope ladder. Abby looked over to Jack, he just nodded to her silently telling her to climb up. She quickly walked over to the ladder and started climbing up. When she got to the railing of the ship a couple men helped her climb over. Jack followed quickly after her. None of the men said anything to either of them. But the mischievous gleam in their eyes told Abby what they were thinking about. Jack grabbed her arm and led her into what she expected was the captains cabin. The room was dimly lit by only a couple candles. The dark wood made the room seem smaller than what it actually was. A large bed was pushed into the far left corner of the room with a chest at the foot of it. To her right was a desk with papers strewn about everywhere. A bookcase was to the left of the desk. She was surprised to find it was actually filled with books. Abby looked to the floor and for the first time took notice of the empty rum bottles. The floor was absolutely covered with them. When she looked back to the desk she saw a few more bottles. Four bottles were full and were being used to hold down the corners of a map. Abby looked back over to were Jack was. He was looking through a closet that was directly to her left. When he turned back around he had two bottles of what she knew was rum. She almost laughed when he didn’t even offer her any, he just walked over to his desk and sat down, putting his legs up and uncorking a bottle and taking a short swig.

“What do you plan on doing with me?” Abby asked. Jack swished around the rum before taking a longer drink then sat it back onto the desk.

“Dunno darlin’.” Jack replied. “I wasn’t really expectin’ to find ya out there today.” Abby nodded her head in agreement and sat down on the chair opposite of Jack.

“I don’t want to be a burden Jack. If it would be best if I left please tell me.” Abby said quietly. Jack shook his head and put his feet back onto the floor so he could look straight at her.

“It was my choice to bring ya here.” Jack said then took another swig of rum. Abby nodded her head again and looked back to the floor. “Do I scare ya?” Jack asked when he seen her start to fidget again.

“Of course not.” Abby replied without looking up at him.

“Yeah… I can see that.” Jack said sarcastically.

“You haven’t done anything yet that has given me reason to be scared of you.” Abby explained.

“Yet it seems ya think you would die if ya looked at me.” Jack said. Abby’s head shot up immediately. Jack just smirked at her then leaned back into his chair.

“Why are you in Port Royal if the Commodore doesn’t like you?” Abby said, changing the subject to a more comfortable topic.

“There’s a weddin soon and I’m friends with the couple.” Jack replied.

“A wedding?” Abby repeated. She would have heard if anything was going to take place. Isabelle told her all the gossip she could ever want to hear. “Are you sure?” Jack put on what looked to Abby like a thinking face. He stroked his braids while he searched his brain.

“Yeah.” He replied.

“No, you must be mistaken I would know if there was a wedding. Who is the couple?” Abby asked.

“Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann.” Jack replied before taking yet another drink of rum. Abby’s eyebrows shot up. They got married a month ago.

“Have you spoken to them lately?” She asked.

“Hmm… nope.” Jack said. Abby just shook her head at him. It must be the rum. She thought to herself. She waited a few seconds to see if the voice would come, but it still hadn’t.

“Well Jack… they got married at least a month ago.” Abby said quietly. Jack’s own eyebrows went up instantly.

“Are ya sure?” He asked.

“Yes, I was there.” Abby replied. Jack’s thoughtful look came back over his face. Abby couldn’t hide the smile that had been threatening to show ever since the subject had come up.

“How long have you been at port?” Abby asked.

“Long enough… maybe three or four days. Bout time to get back out there.” Jack replied while he looked out the window.

“And you haven’t visited them yet?” Abby asked with surprise.

“No…should I of?” Jack asked.

“Well I’m sure everyone in town has heard that you are at port. Your friends will no doubt be mad that you hadn’t come to visit yet.” Abby said. “Especially Elizabeth.” She mumbled under her breath.

“What was that darlin’?” Jack asked. “Do ya not like her?”

“No, no of course I do. She just treats maids different than how she treats others.” Abby said.

“I’m sure if she can like a pirate she can like a maid.” Jack said and took a swig of rum. The first bottle was now empty so he started on the second one. “Ya no what……… let’s go pay em a visit. You’ll see they are both good people.” Jack practically yelled as he shot up from his chair and headed for the door.

“Wait Jack! I have never actually talked to them in my entire life.” Abby shouted before Jack opened the door.

“Then how do ya know Liz treats ya different?” Jack asked. He looked over his shoulder at her and gave her an expectant look.

“S-she has talked to me… gave me an order is more like it.” Abby replied. “I’m not even her bloody maid.” A smile came to Jack’s face. He didn’t reply to her, he just opened the door and walked out onto the deck. Abby quickly followed him.

“It wont take long will it?” Abby asked when they got into the rowboat.

“Course not Abby.” Jack replied and began to row back to shore.

**** Sorry bout the wait... but in a few more chapters GUESS WHAT HAPPENS!!!!!!!! whooooot :)