Fic: Fate Intervenes 15/16 [PotC fandom, Sparrabeth, PG-13]
Title: Fate Intervenes 15/16
by GylzGirl
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Sparrabeth. Spoilers for DMC.
Other headers attached to chapter one.
Author's Notes: I apologize for the long cliffhanger. Real Life interrupted.
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CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Departure
During Jack Sparrow's many and varied adventures in this world and those at World's End, he'd experienced a wide range of pain. He had, in no particular order, been: shot, stabbed, strangled, flogged, branded and tattooed. There'd been occurrences of sunburns, windburns, rope burns, splinters, cuts and scrapes. He'd strained muscles and broken bones, dangled by his neck at the end of a rough rope, swallowed enough seawater to form his own bay, and been eaten alive by a mythological being. In between all of these things, Jack had even developed a disturbing propensity for being slapped hard in the face. But for all these afflictions, the sensation of hot lava being poured inside his person was definitely and without a doubt the most recent.
Eyes forced open by the rush of fiery pain lancing into his side, Jack screamed and sat up, instantly regretting the action and the additional agony it brought him. Scanning the room, he found Gibbs looking at him, concerned. Suddenly, a soothing aroma met Jack's nostrils and he sniffed. Gibbs smiled and held up a bottle of rum.
"Sorry, Jack. Just sterilizing the wound."
Yelping, he wrenched the bottle away from his misguided first mate. "What a terrible bloody waste." Touching the bottle to his lips, Jack tipped it back until the familiar warmth poured down his throat and into his insides in the proper fashion. A shiver caused either by being naked from the waist up in a cold room or a chill setting in from his injury, passed through him. To stave off the effects of either circumstance, he took another good swig from the bottle, before clutching it to his bosom so Gibbs wouldn't try to frivolously waste another drop of precious rum.
"Roll to your side a bit, Jack. I'll get ye laced up."
Wincing, Jack did as he was bidden. He turned his face into the pillow as Gibbs' fingers closed the gash in his side and the needle pierced his skin. He squeezed his eyes shut at the sensation of thread sliding through his already damaged skin and bit his lip as Gibbs gave a little tug to pull the first stitch tight. Quickly, Jack gulped down another drink from the bottle. He didn't make another sound until he heard the snip of scissors indicating Gibbs' was finished.
Blinking open his eyes, Jack sat up gingerly. He watched as Gibbs tossed the needle and scissors back into a small box. It seemed to be a lady's sewing kit. When the lid was closed, he noticed that the top was embroidered with vines and flowers and two letters; E and S.
Jack gasped and stood, one hand quickly grabbing his side against the pain. He swayed a bit as he got to his feet and Gibbs put a hand on his shoulder to steady him.
"Easy now, Jack."
"Elizabeth. Where is she?"
Gibbs opened his mouth to answer when a bloodcurdling female scream filled the silence. Jack's eyes widened. He dropped the bottle of rum and it shattered, unnoticed, on the floor. He shoved Gibbs to the side and ran, as best he could, to the door. He opened it and strode to the Governor's room.
When he entered, Jack saw Cotton holding a fireplace poker near the bed. Elizabeth lay unconscious atop the covers. Not affording his crewman another glance, Jack made his way to the bed. He winced as he sat and took Elizabeth's hand.
Elizabeth's skin was pale and clammy. Above the neckline of her dress, an angry red patch of melted skin was visible where there had once been an open bullet wound. Jack's long fingers brushed his wife's cheek. "I understand, Mr. Cotton," he said without ever taking his eyes from her face. "Now if you don't mind terribly, you'll want to be getting the hell away from her." He heard Cotton's footsteps retreat and the door shut. Jack swallowed.
"Wake up, Lizzie. C'mon girl. Don't you think about going away on me. Open those eyes." There was no change. Jack took her shoulders and shook her gently. "Please? Elizabeth? Please?"
Jack brought the back of his hand up and wiped away the sweat that had formed on his forehead. He made a concerted effort to ignore the burn in his lungs and the painful throbbing of his side. That dash to Elizabeth's aid had been far too much exertion on his wounded body. Carefully, he felt his injury and sighed with relief that the stitches had held tight through his little jog.
Suddenly very tired, Jack toed off his boots and used his foot to push them beside the bed. Then he slowly turned and scooted so that his back now lay against the headboard. Jack heard the door open again as he gingerly pulled Elizabeth's back to his chest, trying not to disturb either her wound or his. Her head lolled back over his shoulder, turning her face to rest against his cheek.
"Jack?" Gibbs said.
"Will she live?" Jack quietly asked.
"We hope so, Jack. I'll… I'll leave you two be." Gibbs walked away and shut the door behind him.
Holding her a little tighter, Jack kissed her cheek. He bent his forehead against hers and began to cry.
******
The sound of someone moving around the room startled Jack awake. His eyes snapped open and quickly scrutinized his surroundings.
Gibbs smiled down at him as he set Jack's knife on the bedside table. "Sorry Jack. I know how ye hate to sleep without something to be defending yourself with nearby."
Looking over, Jack found Elizabeth unmoved, still sleeping upon him. He took a deep breath and eased himself back against the headboard. Jack brought his hand up to brush her hair away from her face. "How long did I sleep?"
"Couple of hours."
Jack felt Elizabeth's forehead. Her skin was warm but not feverish. "Elizabeth?"
"No change."
"Why won't she wake up?"
"Only the grace of God she weren't killed, Jack. She needs rest."
Nodding, he slid his hand down to touch her face. Gibbs cleared his throat. Jack finally looked at him. "Something else t'say?"
"Jack, we have to think about getting out of here. When the bride and groom don't show up at the fort in time for the wedding... well... inquiries will be made. More'n likely uniformed inquiries. Best we make a speedy departure before…"
"If you're askin' me to jostle Elizabeth around and move her to a drafty ship when she's hurt…"
"It's not going to do her much good to revive just in time to see her husband hanged for piracy."
"I'll not risk her."
"You're riskin' the whole crew."
"Take them," Jack shouted. His eyes flared. "Take the crew. Take the Pearl. We'll make our own way out."
"Jack?" Gibbs' mouth gaped.
Expression softening, Jack quietly said, "It's only a ship, Mate." He turned his attentions to Elizabeth once more.
Gibbs rubbed his chin. "Aye. But she's your ship, Jack. An' every time folks forget that, it bodes ill for all." Jack smiled at him. "I'll tell the lads to rummage the basement for supplies. That'll occupy them some. I'll check back in an hour."
"Gibbs?"
His First Mate stopped. "Aye?"
"Will ye bring me a clean gown for Elizabeth?"
Gibbs nodded. "Aye, Jack."
Easing Elizabeth off of him, Jack rested her against the pillows and stood carefully. He crossed the room and placed a clean cloth in the washbasin on the bureau. As it began to absorb the water, he went to the closet. He selected a shirt amongst those hanging and put it on; somewhat hoping it had once been owned by Governor Swann and not Gabriel Chase. A knock came upon the door. Jack answered it and took the plain white chemise from Gibbs' hands. He locked the door and moved back towards the bed.
Jack laid the fresh gown on the side of the bed he'd vacated moments before. He moved to the other side and retrieved his knife from the bedside table, preparing to remove Elizabeth's blood-stained garments from her body.
"Did ye hear Gibbs before, Love? Stayin' here nappin' is becoming slightly more than impractical. Getting down right dangerous." Jack cut through the already loosened laces of Elizabeth's bodice. "All you've got to do is open your eyes and I'll take ye back to the Pearl. You needn't even walk, Lizzie. I'll carry ye the whole way." Jack turned and suddenly clutched his side. He smiled. "Well, perhaps I'll have Gibbs carry ye." He moved his arm again and winced at the pain. "Carry me as well if this keeps up," he muttered. "I know you'd sleep better in our cabin. Just open your eyes, Lizzie girl. I'm not movin' you a step until I know you're all right."
There was no change. Jack sighed and slipped the blade under the collar of Elizabeth's dress. Making sure to pull the fabric away from her skin, he sliced down the sleeve until it fell away from her arm. He repeated his actions on the other sleeve. Carefully, Jack detached the material from her skin where it had become stuck by the drying blood. Gently, he peeled the front of Elizabeth's dress down to her waist, cutting the sides to help it along.
Placing a hand under her neck, Jack pulled her to him, leaning her against his chest as he tugged the dress down the back of her. Once more laying her against the pillows, he cut the side of the dress the rest of the way down, tugging it off and out from under her.
Throwing the ruined material in the corner, Jack gazed down upon his sleeping bride. Her creamy skin now appeared far too white because of lost blood and smears of rust providing unnecessary contrast. Elizabeth's normally rose pink nipples had paled so as to be hardly any darker than the rest of her skin; and there between them lay his ring on a leather cord, rising and falling with each precious breath she took.
Slicing through the leather with his knife, Jack threw the cord across the room and replaced the ring on his finger. Reaching up into his hair, he loosed his dreadlocks and searched out a particular braid. When he found where Elizabeth's wedding ring was tethered, he cut it from amongst the other trinkets. It was no longer the proper place for that ring because it belonged back on Elizabeth's finger. Every charm he wore represented some memory, some story, a small tangible artifact from places he'd once been and people he'd once known; his past. Jack slipped the ring once more onto his wife's hand. She was his charm, his remembrance of happier times, and his hope for happiness to come.
Jack ran a finger lightly across the top of her breast, just skirting the reddened edge of the recently cauterized skin above. "Here we are, locked in a room alone together. You're all naked and lovely and there seems naught we can do about it. That doesn't seem right at all now does it, eh? Liz? Please?" He lovingly stroked her cheek. There wasn't as much as a flicker of her eyelashes.
Standing slowly, Jack crossed to the bureau and retrieved the washbasin. He brought it to rest on the bedside table, placed a hand in the water and removed the cloth. Ringing it out, he sat beside Elizabeth once again. Gently, he began to cleanse the dried blood from her body.
"Alas, my love, ye do me wrong,
To cast me off discourteously.
For I have loved you for so long,
Delighting in your company," Jack sang barely above a whisper.
"Greensleeves was all my joy
Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves was my heart of gold,
And who but my Lady Greensleeves."
Still, Elizabeth slept. Jack took a deep breath. "I can't imagine why ye like me singing so. Mum sang in taverns for a bit of extra coin. She was the one in the family with talent in that regard." He tossed the washcloth into the basin and took her chemise from the other side of the bed. Jack slipped it over her head and oh-so-carefully put her arms through the sleeves. Leaning her towards him again, he tugged the gown down behind her. He lifted her hips just enough to pull the garment down over her legs.
Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door. "Jack! Lord sakes, Jack, there be a squad of soldiers from the fort approaching!"
"Bugger," Jack swore under his breath. He bent over and kissed Elizabeth's lips then pulled the bedclothes over and tucked her in. He slipped into his boots and went to the door. When Jack opened it, he found Joshamee Gibbs in an agitated state.
Jack put his hands on Gibbs' shoulders and pulled him into the bedroom. "Stay with Elizabeth," Jack's tone was deadly serious.
Gibbs nodded. "If they make it up the stairs, we'll be long gone by then."
"Good man," Jack said, patting him on the arm. He turned away but was stopped by Gibbs' hand on his bicep. The older man proffered Jack's pistol. The Captain smiled as he took it. "Lock the door behind me."
Jack heard the bolt slide into place behind him. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself against any pain to come. He would not show that weakness in front of the enemy. Equally, he would not show that weakness in front of any but a handful of his most trusted crew. The Captain descended the stairs into chaos. His crewmen were milling about, some taking up weapons and positions in the windows, some making for the back of the house, their arms brimming with loot.
Standing on the last step, Jack placed his fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly. "Oy! Everyone's attention here! Toot sweet!" Begrudgingly, the men began to gather. "Now then, I'll be going out front to negotiate with the pride of the King's Navy out there. Keep an eye on the proceedings. If they clap me in irons, retreat to the ship and await Mr. Gibb's orders. There is to be no gunplay. I've an injured lady upstairs. Anyone what endangers her will be settling up with Captain Jack and I have to warn ye, Mates. I'm not having the all-around greatest day."
Several heads nodded and the crew began to spread out. Jack strode to the front door, opened it, and slammed it behind him as he walked through. The squad of guards had stopped at the main gate to the house. One lone uniformed man made his way up the path to the house. Jack patted the handle of the pistol he'd tucked into his belt. "Well these are better odds than I was expecting," he said quietly as he began to walk toward the soldier.
As the man got closer, Jack smiled in recognition. "Groves isn't it?"
The soldier stopped and squinted. "Captain Jack Sparrow?"
Jack half bowed. "None other. How's the Navy been treating you, Lieutenant?"
"Commodore."
"Eh?"
"It's Commodore Groves now, actually."
"Ah." Jack smiled insincerely.
"I'll come straight to it, Captain Sparrow. Is Gabriel Chase dead?"
Jack's sense of self-preservation instructed him to concoct a lie to save himself. However, he was far too happy the man was dead to not share the glorious news. "Dead as ye can get. Killed him meself." He inwardly berated his honesty, not to mention the smug smile he couldn't seem to wipe from his face. At least he'd had the presence of mind to absolve Elizabeth of Chase's murder even if he'd put the noose around his own neck in the same breath.
Groves' eyes met Jack's. "Did he harm Miss Elizabeth before he… departed?"
Jack considered this. A strange question to ask if one didn't know Chase for the monster he was. He relaxed a little. "He bloody shot her, Mate."
"Oh God. Did he kill her?"
"She's alive. She hasn't woken up yet but she lives."
A flash of emotion flared in the younger man's eyes. It was quickly suppressed by years of Navy training but it had not gone unnoticed by Jack. "I found the ship to send Elizabeth away for Will after the infection set into his wound and he was unable to leave the foundry," Groves said with a note of apology in his voice.
"Then, I suspect, ye must also have sent his missive across the waves to deliver me to her rescue."
Groves nodded. "It wasn't all I should have done but by the time I found out what was truly going on, Norrington and the Governor were dead and I feared Chase using his influence to ruin me should he think I betrayed him. I hope one day you and Miss Swann can forgive my cowardice."
"You did what you could for her when she needed it most, Mate. And it's Mrs. Sparrow, if you don't mind."
"Mrs. Sparrow?" Groves smiled. "Then it seems Will was correct. You're the one who has come through for her most of all. You did for her what no one else could. On behalf of three men now gone, but whom I knew well, I thank you in their stead."
Jack simply nodded.
"And now I am in a position to do for Mrs. Sparrow in a way I was unable to before," Groves said. "I can buy you perhaps a week to stay and rest. After that, I fear you'll need to leave before you're discovered."
Beaming a gold-toothed smile, Jack said, "You're a diamond, Mate."
"You've done Port Royal a service keeping her safe. Consider it the command of the Royal Navy that you continue to do so." Groves turned to leave but then stopped and looked back at Jack. "You're still the best pirate I've ever seen."
When Groves passed through the gates and lead his men away, Jack Sparrow took a deep breath. His hand moved almost instinctively over his injury. "Well that was lucky, even for me." He turned and reentered the mansion. As he shut the door behind him, the eyes of all his men were upon him.
"Seems the Royal Navy liked Gabriel Chase about as well as anyone. We've got a pass this time, lads. So no looting or ruckus-raising in the town. Let's all be good little gents until we're clear of this proper Navy port, savvy? Remember, Tortuga will always be there so long as you've not been hung before you can get back to it."
The crew went about their business as Jack ascended the stairs. "Gibbs?" Jack called out. The bedroom door opened and the older man stepped through holding a pistol. When he saw Jack wincing with each step, he tucked his weapon in his belt and came to his Captain's side.
"All clear?" Gibbs asked, gripping Jack's arm to assist him up the stairs.
"Clear as the night sky," Jack smiled. "Commodore Groves has given us a week's respite before we needs must skedaddle."
Gibbs' mouth hung open. "Commodore Groves? That kid's a Commodore?"
"Apparently."
Gibbs shook his head. "I'm getting too old."
At the bedroom door, Jack patted him on the back. "See to the Pearl being stocked. And make sure that the Talon is stripped bare. That ship will still burn in the harbor before we leave port but there's no sense in any valuables going down with her."
"And the Ophelia?"
Jack shrugged. "Take anything shiny but leave her fixtures intact. We'll have the Commodore send word to anyone in La Vega who might be missing her."
"And what of the late Mr. Chase?"
Stroking his chin, Jack considered this a moment. "Me first instinct is to chuck him into the sea and let all manner of creatures make a meal of him but I'll not have any unforeseen oceanic enchantment resurrecting that man." Jack put his hand on Gibbs' shoulder. "Build a bonfire. Throw Chase on it. And may the flames speed his departure to Hell."
"Aye, Captain," Gibbs said smiling as he moved away to organize the men.
Jack entered the bedroom and closed the door behind him. He walked to the bed and slowly sat beside his wife. He scooped one of her hands up into his own and kissed it.
Elizabeth blinked open her eyes and smiled at him. "Who was that downstairs?"
Jack gasped. He reached out and pulled her to him, careful not to hurt her or himself in his enthusiasm. "I've been a living skeleton, eaten by a Kraken, and stewed in the netherworld for months and I've never been so scared in all me life as when you wouldn't wake up." He pulled back to look at her. He knew he was grinning like a fool; he just couldn't manage to care.
"I'm sorry, Jack. I was so weak. I heard you talking to me and I really tried to open my eyes but I was just so exhausted." She smiled tiredly. "Besides, I had to be sure you really missed me."
Touching her face, Jack said, "When ye get a little stronger, I'm going to show you just how much I missed you. 'Til then, this will have to do." He leaned Elizabeth back on the pillows and kissed her gently until she fell back asleep.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Scars
Lyrics from "Greensleeves", a traditional song.
Previously:
CHAPTER ONE: The Proposal
CHAPTER TWO: A Clean Start
CHAPTER THREE: Vows
CHAPTER FOUR: Marr-i-age
CHAPTER FIVE: Honeymoon
CHAPTER SIX: Dark Horizon
CHAPTER SEVEN: Pirates
CHAPTER EIGHT: What Happens in La Vega, Stays in La Vega
CHAPTER NINE: Rude Awakening
CHAPTER TEN: Deja Vu
CHAPTER ELEVEN: Letting Go
CHAPTER TWELVE: An All-Consuming Fire
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: The Talon's Reach
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Slain
Following Chapter:
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Scars
Crossposted to sparrabeth, pirates_bride and deppfanfiction
by GylzGirl
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Sparrabeth. Spoilers for DMC.
Other headers attached to chapter one.
Author's Notes: I apologize for the long cliffhanger. Real Life interrupted.
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CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Departure
During Jack Sparrow's many and varied adventures in this world and those at World's End, he'd experienced a wide range of pain. He had, in no particular order, been: shot, stabbed, strangled, flogged, branded and tattooed. There'd been occurrences of sunburns, windburns, rope burns, splinters, cuts and scrapes. He'd strained muscles and broken bones, dangled by his neck at the end of a rough rope, swallowed enough seawater to form his own bay, and been eaten alive by a mythological being. In between all of these things, Jack had even developed a disturbing propensity for being slapped hard in the face. But for all these afflictions, the sensation of hot lava being poured inside his person was definitely and without a doubt the most recent.
Eyes forced open by the rush of fiery pain lancing into his side, Jack screamed and sat up, instantly regretting the action and the additional agony it brought him. Scanning the room, he found Gibbs looking at him, concerned. Suddenly, a soothing aroma met Jack's nostrils and he sniffed. Gibbs smiled and held up a bottle of rum.
"Sorry, Jack. Just sterilizing the wound."
Yelping, he wrenched the bottle away from his misguided first mate. "What a terrible bloody waste." Touching the bottle to his lips, Jack tipped it back until the familiar warmth poured down his throat and into his insides in the proper fashion. A shiver caused either by being naked from the waist up in a cold room or a chill setting in from his injury, passed through him. To stave off the effects of either circumstance, he took another good swig from the bottle, before clutching it to his bosom so Gibbs wouldn't try to frivolously waste another drop of precious rum.
"Roll to your side a bit, Jack. I'll get ye laced up."
Wincing, Jack did as he was bidden. He turned his face into the pillow as Gibbs' fingers closed the gash in his side and the needle pierced his skin. He squeezed his eyes shut at the sensation of thread sliding through his already damaged skin and bit his lip as Gibbs gave a little tug to pull the first stitch tight. Quickly, Jack gulped down another drink from the bottle. He didn't make another sound until he heard the snip of scissors indicating Gibbs' was finished.
Blinking open his eyes, Jack sat up gingerly. He watched as Gibbs tossed the needle and scissors back into a small box. It seemed to be a lady's sewing kit. When the lid was closed, he noticed that the top was embroidered with vines and flowers and two letters; E and S.
Jack gasped and stood, one hand quickly grabbing his side against the pain. He swayed a bit as he got to his feet and Gibbs put a hand on his shoulder to steady him.
"Easy now, Jack."
"Elizabeth. Where is she?"
Gibbs opened his mouth to answer when a bloodcurdling female scream filled the silence. Jack's eyes widened. He dropped the bottle of rum and it shattered, unnoticed, on the floor. He shoved Gibbs to the side and ran, as best he could, to the door. He opened it and strode to the Governor's room.
When he entered, Jack saw Cotton holding a fireplace poker near the bed. Elizabeth lay unconscious atop the covers. Not affording his crewman another glance, Jack made his way to the bed. He winced as he sat and took Elizabeth's hand.
Elizabeth's skin was pale and clammy. Above the neckline of her dress, an angry red patch of melted skin was visible where there had once been an open bullet wound. Jack's long fingers brushed his wife's cheek. "I understand, Mr. Cotton," he said without ever taking his eyes from her face. "Now if you don't mind terribly, you'll want to be getting the hell away from her." He heard Cotton's footsteps retreat and the door shut. Jack swallowed.
"Wake up, Lizzie. C'mon girl. Don't you think about going away on me. Open those eyes." There was no change. Jack took her shoulders and shook her gently. "Please? Elizabeth? Please?"
Jack brought the back of his hand up and wiped away the sweat that had formed on his forehead. He made a concerted effort to ignore the burn in his lungs and the painful throbbing of his side. That dash to Elizabeth's aid had been far too much exertion on his wounded body. Carefully, he felt his injury and sighed with relief that the stitches had held tight through his little jog.
Suddenly very tired, Jack toed off his boots and used his foot to push them beside the bed. Then he slowly turned and scooted so that his back now lay against the headboard. Jack heard the door open again as he gingerly pulled Elizabeth's back to his chest, trying not to disturb either her wound or his. Her head lolled back over his shoulder, turning her face to rest against his cheek.
"Jack?" Gibbs said.
"Will she live?" Jack quietly asked.
"We hope so, Jack. I'll… I'll leave you two be." Gibbs walked away and shut the door behind him.
Holding her a little tighter, Jack kissed her cheek. He bent his forehead against hers and began to cry.
******
The sound of someone moving around the room startled Jack awake. His eyes snapped open and quickly scrutinized his surroundings.
Gibbs smiled down at him as he set Jack's knife on the bedside table. "Sorry Jack. I know how ye hate to sleep without something to be defending yourself with nearby."
Looking over, Jack found Elizabeth unmoved, still sleeping upon him. He took a deep breath and eased himself back against the headboard. Jack brought his hand up to brush her hair away from her face. "How long did I sleep?"
"Couple of hours."
Jack felt Elizabeth's forehead. Her skin was warm but not feverish. "Elizabeth?"
"No change."
"Why won't she wake up?"
"Only the grace of God she weren't killed, Jack. She needs rest."
Nodding, he slid his hand down to touch her face. Gibbs cleared his throat. Jack finally looked at him. "Something else t'say?"
"Jack, we have to think about getting out of here. When the bride and groom don't show up at the fort in time for the wedding... well... inquiries will be made. More'n likely uniformed inquiries. Best we make a speedy departure before…"
"If you're askin' me to jostle Elizabeth around and move her to a drafty ship when she's hurt…"
"It's not going to do her much good to revive just in time to see her husband hanged for piracy."
"I'll not risk her."
"You're riskin' the whole crew."
"Take them," Jack shouted. His eyes flared. "Take the crew. Take the Pearl. We'll make our own way out."
"Jack?" Gibbs' mouth gaped.
Expression softening, Jack quietly said, "It's only a ship, Mate." He turned his attentions to Elizabeth once more.
Gibbs rubbed his chin. "Aye. But she's your ship, Jack. An' every time folks forget that, it bodes ill for all." Jack smiled at him. "I'll tell the lads to rummage the basement for supplies. That'll occupy them some. I'll check back in an hour."
"Gibbs?"
His First Mate stopped. "Aye?"
"Will ye bring me a clean gown for Elizabeth?"
Gibbs nodded. "Aye, Jack."
Easing Elizabeth off of him, Jack rested her against the pillows and stood carefully. He crossed the room and placed a clean cloth in the washbasin on the bureau. As it began to absorb the water, he went to the closet. He selected a shirt amongst those hanging and put it on; somewhat hoping it had once been owned by Governor Swann and not Gabriel Chase. A knock came upon the door. Jack answered it and took the plain white chemise from Gibbs' hands. He locked the door and moved back towards the bed.
Jack laid the fresh gown on the side of the bed he'd vacated moments before. He moved to the other side and retrieved his knife from the bedside table, preparing to remove Elizabeth's blood-stained garments from her body.
"Did ye hear Gibbs before, Love? Stayin' here nappin' is becoming slightly more than impractical. Getting down right dangerous." Jack cut through the already loosened laces of Elizabeth's bodice. "All you've got to do is open your eyes and I'll take ye back to the Pearl. You needn't even walk, Lizzie. I'll carry ye the whole way." Jack turned and suddenly clutched his side. He smiled. "Well, perhaps I'll have Gibbs carry ye." He moved his arm again and winced at the pain. "Carry me as well if this keeps up," he muttered. "I know you'd sleep better in our cabin. Just open your eyes, Lizzie girl. I'm not movin' you a step until I know you're all right."
There was no change. Jack sighed and slipped the blade under the collar of Elizabeth's dress. Making sure to pull the fabric away from her skin, he sliced down the sleeve until it fell away from her arm. He repeated his actions on the other sleeve. Carefully, Jack detached the material from her skin where it had become stuck by the drying blood. Gently, he peeled the front of Elizabeth's dress down to her waist, cutting the sides to help it along.
Placing a hand under her neck, Jack pulled her to him, leaning her against his chest as he tugged the dress down the back of her. Once more laying her against the pillows, he cut the side of the dress the rest of the way down, tugging it off and out from under her.
Throwing the ruined material in the corner, Jack gazed down upon his sleeping bride. Her creamy skin now appeared far too white because of lost blood and smears of rust providing unnecessary contrast. Elizabeth's normally rose pink nipples had paled so as to be hardly any darker than the rest of her skin; and there between them lay his ring on a leather cord, rising and falling with each precious breath she took.
Slicing through the leather with his knife, Jack threw the cord across the room and replaced the ring on his finger. Reaching up into his hair, he loosed his dreadlocks and searched out a particular braid. When he found where Elizabeth's wedding ring was tethered, he cut it from amongst the other trinkets. It was no longer the proper place for that ring because it belonged back on Elizabeth's finger. Every charm he wore represented some memory, some story, a small tangible artifact from places he'd once been and people he'd once known; his past. Jack slipped the ring once more onto his wife's hand. She was his charm, his remembrance of happier times, and his hope for happiness to come.
Jack ran a finger lightly across the top of her breast, just skirting the reddened edge of the recently cauterized skin above. "Here we are, locked in a room alone together. You're all naked and lovely and there seems naught we can do about it. That doesn't seem right at all now does it, eh? Liz? Please?" He lovingly stroked her cheek. There wasn't as much as a flicker of her eyelashes.
Standing slowly, Jack crossed to the bureau and retrieved the washbasin. He brought it to rest on the bedside table, placed a hand in the water and removed the cloth. Ringing it out, he sat beside Elizabeth once again. Gently, he began to cleanse the dried blood from her body.
"Alas, my love, ye do me wrong,
To cast me off discourteously.
For I have loved you for so long,
Delighting in your company," Jack sang barely above a whisper.
"Greensleeves was all my joy
Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves was my heart of gold,
And who but my Lady Greensleeves."
Still, Elizabeth slept. Jack took a deep breath. "I can't imagine why ye like me singing so. Mum sang in taverns for a bit of extra coin. She was the one in the family with talent in that regard." He tossed the washcloth into the basin and took her chemise from the other side of the bed. Jack slipped it over her head and oh-so-carefully put her arms through the sleeves. Leaning her towards him again, he tugged the gown down behind her. He lifted her hips just enough to pull the garment down over her legs.
Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door. "Jack! Lord sakes, Jack, there be a squad of soldiers from the fort approaching!"
"Bugger," Jack swore under his breath. He bent over and kissed Elizabeth's lips then pulled the bedclothes over and tucked her in. He slipped into his boots and went to the door. When Jack opened it, he found Joshamee Gibbs in an agitated state.
Jack put his hands on Gibbs' shoulders and pulled him into the bedroom. "Stay with Elizabeth," Jack's tone was deadly serious.
Gibbs nodded. "If they make it up the stairs, we'll be long gone by then."
"Good man," Jack said, patting him on the arm. He turned away but was stopped by Gibbs' hand on his bicep. The older man proffered Jack's pistol. The Captain smiled as he took it. "Lock the door behind me."
Jack heard the bolt slide into place behind him. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself against any pain to come. He would not show that weakness in front of the enemy. Equally, he would not show that weakness in front of any but a handful of his most trusted crew. The Captain descended the stairs into chaos. His crewmen were milling about, some taking up weapons and positions in the windows, some making for the back of the house, their arms brimming with loot.
Standing on the last step, Jack placed his fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly. "Oy! Everyone's attention here! Toot sweet!" Begrudgingly, the men began to gather. "Now then, I'll be going out front to negotiate with the pride of the King's Navy out there. Keep an eye on the proceedings. If they clap me in irons, retreat to the ship and await Mr. Gibb's orders. There is to be no gunplay. I've an injured lady upstairs. Anyone what endangers her will be settling up with Captain Jack and I have to warn ye, Mates. I'm not having the all-around greatest day."
Several heads nodded and the crew began to spread out. Jack strode to the front door, opened it, and slammed it behind him as he walked through. The squad of guards had stopped at the main gate to the house. One lone uniformed man made his way up the path to the house. Jack patted the handle of the pistol he'd tucked into his belt. "Well these are better odds than I was expecting," he said quietly as he began to walk toward the soldier.
As the man got closer, Jack smiled in recognition. "Groves isn't it?"
The soldier stopped and squinted. "Captain Jack Sparrow?"
Jack half bowed. "None other. How's the Navy been treating you, Lieutenant?"
"Commodore."
"Eh?"
"It's Commodore Groves now, actually."
"Ah." Jack smiled insincerely.
"I'll come straight to it, Captain Sparrow. Is Gabriel Chase dead?"
Jack's sense of self-preservation instructed him to concoct a lie to save himself. However, he was far too happy the man was dead to not share the glorious news. "Dead as ye can get. Killed him meself." He inwardly berated his honesty, not to mention the smug smile he couldn't seem to wipe from his face. At least he'd had the presence of mind to absolve Elizabeth of Chase's murder even if he'd put the noose around his own neck in the same breath.
Groves' eyes met Jack's. "Did he harm Miss Elizabeth before he… departed?"
Jack considered this. A strange question to ask if one didn't know Chase for the monster he was. He relaxed a little. "He bloody shot her, Mate."
"Oh God. Did he kill her?"
"She's alive. She hasn't woken up yet but she lives."
A flash of emotion flared in the younger man's eyes. It was quickly suppressed by years of Navy training but it had not gone unnoticed by Jack. "I found the ship to send Elizabeth away for Will after the infection set into his wound and he was unable to leave the foundry," Groves said with a note of apology in his voice.
"Then, I suspect, ye must also have sent his missive across the waves to deliver me to her rescue."
Groves nodded. "It wasn't all I should have done but by the time I found out what was truly going on, Norrington and the Governor were dead and I feared Chase using his influence to ruin me should he think I betrayed him. I hope one day you and Miss Swann can forgive my cowardice."
"You did what you could for her when she needed it most, Mate. And it's Mrs. Sparrow, if you don't mind."
"Mrs. Sparrow?" Groves smiled. "Then it seems Will was correct. You're the one who has come through for her most of all. You did for her what no one else could. On behalf of three men now gone, but whom I knew well, I thank you in their stead."
Jack simply nodded.
"And now I am in a position to do for Mrs. Sparrow in a way I was unable to before," Groves said. "I can buy you perhaps a week to stay and rest. After that, I fear you'll need to leave before you're discovered."
Beaming a gold-toothed smile, Jack said, "You're a diamond, Mate."
"You've done Port Royal a service keeping her safe. Consider it the command of the Royal Navy that you continue to do so." Groves turned to leave but then stopped and looked back at Jack. "You're still the best pirate I've ever seen."
When Groves passed through the gates and lead his men away, Jack Sparrow took a deep breath. His hand moved almost instinctively over his injury. "Well that was lucky, even for me." He turned and reentered the mansion. As he shut the door behind him, the eyes of all his men were upon him.
"Seems the Royal Navy liked Gabriel Chase about as well as anyone. We've got a pass this time, lads. So no looting or ruckus-raising in the town. Let's all be good little gents until we're clear of this proper Navy port, savvy? Remember, Tortuga will always be there so long as you've not been hung before you can get back to it."
The crew went about their business as Jack ascended the stairs. "Gibbs?" Jack called out. The bedroom door opened and the older man stepped through holding a pistol. When he saw Jack wincing with each step, he tucked his weapon in his belt and came to his Captain's side.
"All clear?" Gibbs asked, gripping Jack's arm to assist him up the stairs.
"Clear as the night sky," Jack smiled. "Commodore Groves has given us a week's respite before we needs must skedaddle."
Gibbs' mouth hung open. "Commodore Groves? That kid's a Commodore?"
"Apparently."
Gibbs shook his head. "I'm getting too old."
At the bedroom door, Jack patted him on the back. "See to the Pearl being stocked. And make sure that the Talon is stripped bare. That ship will still burn in the harbor before we leave port but there's no sense in any valuables going down with her."
"And the Ophelia?"
Jack shrugged. "Take anything shiny but leave her fixtures intact. We'll have the Commodore send word to anyone in La Vega who might be missing her."
"And what of the late Mr. Chase?"
Stroking his chin, Jack considered this a moment. "Me first instinct is to chuck him into the sea and let all manner of creatures make a meal of him but I'll not have any unforeseen oceanic enchantment resurrecting that man." Jack put his hand on Gibbs' shoulder. "Build a bonfire. Throw Chase on it. And may the flames speed his departure to Hell."
"Aye, Captain," Gibbs said smiling as he moved away to organize the men.
Jack entered the bedroom and closed the door behind him. He walked to the bed and slowly sat beside his wife. He scooped one of her hands up into his own and kissed it.
Elizabeth blinked open her eyes and smiled at him. "Who was that downstairs?"
Jack gasped. He reached out and pulled her to him, careful not to hurt her or himself in his enthusiasm. "I've been a living skeleton, eaten by a Kraken, and stewed in the netherworld for months and I've never been so scared in all me life as when you wouldn't wake up." He pulled back to look at her. He knew he was grinning like a fool; he just couldn't manage to care.
"I'm sorry, Jack. I was so weak. I heard you talking to me and I really tried to open my eyes but I was just so exhausted." She smiled tiredly. "Besides, I had to be sure you really missed me."
Touching her face, Jack said, "When ye get a little stronger, I'm going to show you just how much I missed you. 'Til then, this will have to do." He leaned Elizabeth back on the pillows and kissed her gently until she fell back asleep.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Scars
Lyrics from "Greensleeves", a traditional song.
Previously:
CHAPTER ONE: The Proposal
CHAPTER TWO: A Clean Start
CHAPTER THREE: Vows
CHAPTER FOUR: Marr-i-age
CHAPTER FIVE: Honeymoon
CHAPTER SIX: Dark Horizon
CHAPTER SEVEN: Pirates
CHAPTER EIGHT: What Happens in La Vega, Stays in La Vega
CHAPTER NINE: Rude Awakening
CHAPTER TEN: Deja Vu
CHAPTER ELEVEN: Letting Go
CHAPTER TWELVE: An All-Consuming Fire
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: The Talon's Reach
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Slain
Following Chapter:
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Scars
Crossposted to sparrabeth, pirates_bride and deppfanfiction