FANFIC: THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY - CHAPTER 5 part 2
Author: mamazano
Title: THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY
Rating: R (definitely R)
Pairings: None specifically
Disclaimer: Disney owns some, history the rest. Just having fun.
Summary: The burning question for Jack Sparrow…is the girl in his dreams the girl of his dreams…or something more sinister?
A/N: This is a story of mystery and intrigue, set against the true historical age of pirates. Real people, places and events from history interwoven with the fictional world of Pirates of the Caribbean. An AU set somewhere after CotBP.
Again, a special thanks to compassrose7577 for her diligent beta-reading and nautical knowledge.
Through a Glass Darkly
Chapter 5 - Renewed Acquaintances (Part 2 of 2)
As the sun sank slowly into the sea, the shoreline of New Providence’s harbor was dotted with cooking fires. Gibbs stood alone at the edge of the bay, staring at the Black Pearl where she listed sadly at anchor, the slight offshore breeze fluttering the tattered remains of her sails. The last golden rays of the sun reflecting off her stern windows gave the lonely ship a bit of warmth. Melancholia crept up and settled on Gibbs’ shoulders, as he recalled the many adventures he’d shared with the Captain of the Pearl.
“Aye, by all that is great and good, them was the days, a fair wind, a quick eye an’ no favour. Aye, them was the days,” he mused, feeling as careworn as the Pearl.
The rest of the Pearl’s crew had disappeared among the crews that were scattered along the shore, renewing old acquaintances and striking up new ones. A pirate’s life it were, and they all knew the Code: Thems that fell behind, were left behind. But, it still didn’t feel right to have Jack gone.
Gibbs gave the now calm seas beyond the bar another look.
“The world needs ye back something awful, Jack,” he murmured in heartfelt sentiment. “If ‘n yer out there and can hear, I’ll be watching o’er the Pearl for ye.”
Turning to go Gibbs found Frank Davies waiting, leaning against a tree, smoking his pipe with a thoughtful expression on his face.
“Thought I’d find ye here,” Davies said, tapping the ash out of his pipe and stowing it in his coat pocket. “Got me a proposition for ye, Josh…if ye’ll hear me out.”
Gibbs fell in beside his friend as they weaved their way through the beaches’ many camps, arriving to where the Davies’ crew had settled for the night. Around the various campfires, the men amused themselves by telling stories, each trying to outdo the other with a wilder version. Several of them began to play a lilting jig on their beat up instruments - squeeze box, fiddle, mandolin - giving the gathering a festive air. The stars began to come out, as the sun slipped beneath the waves, leaving only a pink tinge to reflect off the scattered clouds. A pleasant breeze blew in from offshore, cooling the sultry air.
The appetizing aroma of bouillabaisse drifted down the beach luring in men from the other camps, offering their own ingredients to the mix as they settled around the fire. Once darkness fell, the men were joined by an assortment of women who didn’t bother with the pretense of hiding their purpose, which was to give favor to the eager men-for a price. Several pairs disappeared into the darkness, their hunger more carnal in nature. The others amused themselves with indiscreet fondling and ribald stories.
Davies shuffled off, soon to return with a bottle of rum in each hand. He handed one to Gibbs then flopped down in the sand, his back resting against a fallen tree. Gibbs made himself comfortable as well, and took a long swallow of rum, wiping his mouth on his sleeve as he held up the bottle to the night.
“To Jack Sparrow, where’re ye be. Good luck t’ye and a fair wind, says I.”
Davies took a solemn drink too, then set the bottle down in the sand. “How you so sure that ol’ Jack didn’t wash up on a beach o’er there in Florida?”
Gibbs sat up straighter and blinked. “It were stormin’ awful fierce. T’wouldn’t be possible for a man to survive them seas, mark my words.”
Davies chuckled. “Ah, but many did. Word is o’er a thousand of them damn Spaniards crawled onto the beaches all long the coast. What’s to say one of them crawlers weren’t Sparrow?”
Gibbs sighed. “If I were thinkin’ there be a chance the Cap’n were alive, I’d be the first to be looking for ‘em.”
Davies smiled triumphantly. “Exactly!”
He stood up and began to pace around a bit, pondering something before turning to Gibbs.
“That be my proposition to ye. I’m thinking of takin’ the Tess out on the morning tide, with just a short crew. She’s fast and low, ought t’ be able to slip, in close like, for a look ‘round.”
Gibbs eyes grew round with the anticipation. Then he slumped. “Fool’s errand, Frank,” he said in resignation. “There be a hundred miles of coast, not to mention the reefs. Bound to be some Spanish warship about as well, guarding the salvage operations.”
“Aye, I know that,” Davies agreed eagerly. “And plenty of hiding places for a sloop as well. If Jack be alive, he’ll be needin’ a friendly face ‘bout now. And ye’ll have a fair share of any treasure we might be salvagin’ as we search. What say you?”
Gibbs’ decision was a brief one; the need to do something had been gnawing at his innards for weeks. He held out his hand and said with enthusiasm. “Aye, Cap’n Davies. We have an accord.”
-----
Jack spent most of the day fretting. The girl still hadn’t said a word. True enough, once she was sure he wasn’t going to harm her, she’d settled back down onto the sand, huddled with arms around her knees, staring off at the sea.
Frustrated, his trust in her not coming any easier, he covered his nervousness with chatter.
“Are you always so taciturn? Don’t believe I’ve ever met me a woman who could hold her tongue. My considerable experience, with the female creature, is that one of such persuasion will prattle on about anything. Seems they just like hearing the sound of their own voices, jaws flapping incessantly. Why, I once knew a woman that went on for over an hour expounding on the subject of thread! A more un-fascinating subject I have yet to find. And buttons! Another favorite. Though, I suppose you wouldn’t be going on about buttons, since you haven’t a stitch, to stitch one onto. Speaking of which, we need to be finding you something else to be wearing other than ol’ Jack’s coat, what with this heat and humidity.”
He tipped his head, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. “‘Course, you could just wear what I found you in, ‘tis not like I haven’t already been acquainted with your parts. And those are some mighty fine female parts you have. Makes me male parts perk right up, if you get my drift. Only the cockerel’s a bit sore, after last night’s tumble.”
He paused, gingerly adjusting those very parts, and considered the situation more philosophically.
“Seems we’ve gotten it a bit backwards. I usually pride meself on getting to know a lass first-at least her name, anyway…mostly…sometimes…” His voice trailed as he drifted off, lost in thought for a moment.
Shaking his head to clear it, Jack added more cheerfully, “Anyways, seein’s how the ice has been broken-most definitely broken and with considerable verve I might add - giving a name would seem a simple, reasonable thing.”
He gave her an expectant look, but she only averted her eyes from his.
“Leaving me here in a bit of a soliloquy, aren’t you? Taking this dark, mysterious type a bit far, I’d say.”
After several more minutes of silence, punctuated only by the sound of the waves lapping gently on the sands and the palms rustling in the breeze, he tried again.
“Bloody hell! I’m beginning to tire of me own voice. Feel free to jump in here, anytime!”
He paced a circle around her in the sand, waiting for her to respond. Finally, losing his patience, he whirled around. “Are you even understanding a word I say?” he exclaimed loudly, waving his arms in emphasis. “There’s a great serpent just over there waiting to devour you!” He slumped when she only drew back, startled by his volume. "Ah, I thought not. Hmm, certainly puts charm and persuasion under a bit of duress.”
Suddenly, he had an idea and squatted down next to her.
“Datiao,” he said, reassuring.
Startled the girl’s eyes lit up, transforming her into a radiant beauty.
“Taiuaitiao?” he went on, encouraged, smiling.
He stood up and held out his hand. “Guarico.”
She hesitated, but then stood and allowed him to lead her back to the campsite.
“Well, this is encouraging. Finally found me a language she knows, and I’m about to run out of knowing much more meself. Don’t suppose she’d warm to me asking how much for a tot of rum or a tumble, but it’s a start.”
He settled her next to the fire and set about preparing some fish he’d snared earlier, still making futile attempts at conversation. Perhaps a bite to eat might help her warm up to him, though that hadn’t seemed a problem the night before. Warm! Bloody hell, she’d been on fire, lusting after him. Now he could barely get her to smile.
He turned to find her watching him curiously. Offering an encouraging smile, one of those he had known to always work, he squatted down next to her.
“Well now, I just can’t keep referring to you as “you”. If you won’t share your name, then I’ll just have to name you meself.”
“But what? Colibri? Bijirita? Bajacu' ?”
The girl was smiling now, her eyes dancing with amusement. Encouraged, Jack scrounged for more words he had learned so many years ago.
“Batata!” The girl giggled silently and shook her head.
“No?” Jack cocked his head in an engaging gesture, not exactly sure what he’d just said, but thankful she found it humorous, at least.
"Boniata…Hutia, no… Mime?”
The girl smiled. Relaxing finally, she shook her head playfully, her black hair swirling around her shoulders, mesmerizing him with her movements. His mind wandered back to the night before, a great discomfort growing, in more ways than one.
Clearing his throat, he looked away and took a couple of deep breaths. She was beginning to trust him, finally. Didn’t want to blow it by doing something daft.
He removed the fish from the fire and held it out to her with an encouraging nod.
“Kai?”
She nodded and took the offering, nibbling at first but then eagerly devouring as if she were starved. Well, it was a start at least.
----
Later that evening Jack sat with his back propped against a tree, watching through the flames of their small campfire as the girl slept, feeling a remote sense of satisfaction.
She had smiled! He had actually been able to make her smile…several times.
“God knows why it had been so bloody difficult,” he grumbled to himself. “Never had to work so hard in me life, just for a bit of a smile…just for some sort of verification of me own existence, if nothing else. Near talked meself as raw as me goods, just trying to get some sort of response. She kept staring, like I wasn’t there, didn’t exist…”
A motion caught his eye and he looked up as several versions of himself stepped into the perimeter of the firelight.
He frowned, watching them warily as they neared, seating themselves comfortably around the fire. “Where did you come from?” he demanded.
We’ve been right here all along, Jackie.
You’re never alone, you know that.
Thought you could use some help.
Jack’s eyes darted around the fire, as the last emerged from the shadows. “There’s usually more of you. Where are the rest?”
The nearest one shrugged. We figured this was as many as you could manage just now. You look tired, lad.
“Haven’t been sleeping real well, lately,” he reluctantly admitted. “Truth be told, wake up feeling worse than when I laid me head down.”
Because of her?
“Yes…no…maybe…” Jack rubbed his face in his hands. “Difficult to say.”
How do you know she’s even here?
Jack peeked dubiously between his fingers. “Because I’ve bloody well been talking a blue-streak to her all day. I fed her fish…”
She doesn’t exist.
How did she get here? Can’t possibly be real.
“She’s real all right! Just look at…” He hesitated, looking down at his crotch then quickly dismissed the idea. “Well, take me word for it. I’ve living proof she exists.”
If you’re so sure, then why doesn’t she speak?
“She can’t…or won’t…or some such something,” Jack explained with a dismissive wave.
You look bloody awful.
“I feel bloody awful.”
Must be the sun…and the heat…
Never bothered you before. You’re slipping.
Just like before Remember?
“That’s all behind me,” Jack countered firmly, clutching a fist. “Right as rain, I am.”
She’s not real. She couldn’t have possibly just washed up on the beach.
Are you even sure you washed up on the beach?
Did that storm really happen?
“You all seem to have all the bloody answers, you tell me!”
Sleep, Jackie, you need it.
He peered blearily at the girl’s sleeping form, distorted and wavering through the flames, making her whole being seem eerily elusive, appearing and disappearing before his very eyes.
“Can’t sleep,” he murmured, his eyelids growing heavier. “Have to watch…”
Watch what?
“Guard me life, or rather more precious than me life.” His brows furrowed as he struggled with his thoughts. “Wake up a eunuch, I could, one more night like that last.”
She was here…with you?
Now, she’s gone…never here…
She wants you…now she doesn’t…
Yes, no.
On, off.
Here, there.
Up is down…down is up…
Jack’s eyes closed in spite of his efforts and he slept.