Ring and Goddess post AWE fic parts 11-15
Apr. 23rd, 2008 08:40 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
soleilpirateTitle: Ring and Goddess
Author: Soleil Compeau
Fandom: Pirates of the Caribbean
Pairing: Jack/Other
Spoilers: Set after AWE, a sequel to Life After Loss. It's helpful to have read the first one to better understand Sarah's character and the subsequent events of this story.
Rating: NC17 overall
Disclaimer: These stunt doubles have just reenacted what takes place after the final cut. No profit or wages are being made. I do this out of deep love for the characters.
Summary: Jack and Sarah have settled down into a life of frequent voyages, tending a home, and raising children. But their idyllic life is threatened by an evil man bent on destroying them. Can they call on supernatural forces to save their family and help their friends?
Chapter Eleven - Goddess Enraged
She woke sometime in the night to Jack's hand tracing the outline of her face. He held a single candle, and was looking at her as if trying to memorize her every feature. His mouth was pursed in sadness, his eyes held grief, and an enormous relief.
"Are you going to tell me what happened?" she asked quietly. He sighed but did not turn away. "I would like to know."
He wound a lock of her wavy hair around his finger and remained quiet. She waited. He was not answering her not because he was refusing to answer her, but because he was searching for a way to begin. At last, he began to talk.
"Elizabeth was ecstatic to be sailing for Will again. She jabbered on so much she nearly drove me out of me mind, in fact. But we found him more quickly this time than the last, so she started talking his ear off instead. The happy family, reunited. But the Master of the Sea kept being called to duty. There were deaths at sea he had to tend to, he couldn't just ignore them."
Jack scrubbed a hand over his face. "We kept pace with him for awhile. Followed him across the sea. After awhile, I was more than ready to choose some other pursuit, but Elizabeth got very shrill with me. Insisted that we keep tracking him. So I obliged her. It wasn't until I saw the island that I realized." He stopped.
"Realized what Jack? What island?"
"The same damn island what we found the dead Kraken on, after we escaped the Locker." He drew a deep breath. "The deaths at sea were a lure. Calypso was leading us to her island."
"Her island?" Sarah was more than a little confused. She'd heard some stories from Gibbs about rescuing Jack from Death itself, sailing to get him out of the Locker. Elizabeth had added a few comments of her own perspective, but Sarah didn't have a really clear picture of the whole story.
"Calypso, Goddess of the Sea, daughter of Atlas. She was bound in human form, and I knew her as Tia Dalma. Back when she didn't quite know who she was."
"I know who Calypso is. I know she supposedly lives on an island near the Land of the Dead. I just don't know what island you are referring to. Where you found the dead Kraken?"
"Yes." Jack stopped and thought for a few minutes. "She went back to it and reclaimed her island after Barbossa freed her and she took Davy Jones into the maelstrom. She was angry that Will had another woman. She expected him to be her new consort."
She decided to stop asking for clarification and just listen. Jack told stories well. She settled closer against him and looked at his mouth, having learned long ago that Jack Sparrow expressed his every emotion with it.
"She appeared on the island as soon as we spotted it. Just stood on the black sands waiting calmly. Ah, but she was far from calm wasn't she? We sailed closer, and then Elizabeth spotted her. I tried to turn the ship aside, Lizzie was aboard the Dutchman, it was time for me to go."
Jack shuddered. "She turned the water to mud, so we couldn't sail away. Then she started walking towards us. Will saw her do it, and his whole body just...clenched. They locked eyes, and Calypso, sort of, flew through the air to the ship. Never, never have I seen her so angry.
"There was a battle, of course. She won. It took the men four hours to realize that. She threw down hail, lightning, blew the wind till the sails were near torn to shreds. And she turned the seas to mud."
That was the most horrible part for Jack, she realized. The very water that carried his marvelous ship of freedom, turned against him to entrap him.
He went on, "Finally Calypso got Will's attention. She threw little Will overboard, and turned Elizabeth into a second ship's figurehead."
Sarah gasped in horror, hand flying to cover her mouth. He grimly and doggedly continued the tale. "Will went deathly quiet. Everything went quiet. They faced off. Calypso had the most satisfied smirk I've ever seen on a woman's face. They went into the captain's cabin, leaving all the rest of us to cool our heels.
"The sounds what came from that cabin...I'll ne'er forget Sarah." His arms tightened around her, and he paused to push his face into her neck once again. "Screams of rage and furious anger, of pain, once I swear I heard them coupling in bed. And over it all the most bizarre sound, impossible to describe, for three days they did this. Three days, three months, I don't even know. All I know is that it finally all went quiet and they came back on deck. Too late for some of the crew what had run mad from that sound. She just smiled like a satisfied cat on a fisherman's boat, and Will was completely calm. And grim.
"She left the ship, Elizabeth was restored to life, and Calypso reappeared with little Will clutched in her arms. Lizzie grabbed him from her, screaming curses what made me crew blush to hear. And Calypso pulled a little green vial from somewhere and forced it into the boy's mouth. He choked, coughed, and opened his eyes.
"She looked at me then, and frowned. Gods, I wish I'd sailed away when I'd had the chance! She flicked her fingers at me, and left the ship. Just as she did, the seas were restored, we could make sail once again. She cast us back to the Caribbean. Tortuga was just visible in the distance."
"My God. My God!" was all she could manage to say. "Poor Elizabeth! How awful! Oh Jack!"
"Aye," he said quietly. "What keeps me awake nights is wondering just what kind of agreement was struck between Will and that witch. For a parley it was, clear as day. I don't know if I can stand to think of it anymore."
"What happened to your crew?"
"I left most of them in Tortuga. Sailed with a skeleton crew here, with the men who've found women to love in the Keys. I don't know what became of the Turner family, they were still aboard the Dutchman when Calypso did whatever she did to send the Pearl back here."
"I have to go to her!" Sarah rose in alarm, thinking of her best friend all alone suffering the trauma of such an experience. Jack caught her hand and pulled her back into the bed.
"You can do that Sarah, but not tonight. Tonight I need you," he whispered. He held her, and kissed her the same way he had the first night they ever made love. First on the forehead, both cheeks, then her lips, so softly. "You're the light of my life Sarah." He kissed her lips again, harder now. "Your touch heals all my pain."
Deeply moved, Sarah encircled his neck with her arms. "You're the one who saved my wretched life, Jack. The one who set free my wild heart."
It was days before he smiled. Joshua returned from his errand to reveal that the Turner home was still dark. He listened to the sketch of the tale Jack had to offer, and suggested that the Dutchman had been allowed to sail away in a more normal fashion, thus taking far longer to return than the Pearl had.
The captain acquainted himself with his daughter. Mary had a sunny and friendly manner, always laughing and giggling. He was extremely tender towards her, her dimples could coax a loving look from him every time. It was her hugs and kisses that made him smile for the first time. Teague was a more serious boy, tall and slender at age six. He followed Jack everywhere as if afraid to let him out of his sight.
Jack told his children stories every night of his various seagoing adventures. Teague would close his eyes and listen more to the sound of Jack's voice. Mary would hang on to every word, struggling to stay awake, large eyes blinking more and more until they finally closed. He noticed Teague still had the hat he'd bought him in France. He slept with it next to his pillow.
Perhaps a week later, Elizabeth came to the house. She walked almost aimlessly, holding her son by the hand. Joshua saw her in the distance and led her the rest of the way. Sarah hurried to her side. Elizabeth's eyes were so lost and despairing, Sarah's heart turned cold.
She knelt down to speak to the scared little boy at her side. "Willy," she smiled as reassuringly as she could at him. "You've had a bad scare just lately, I know. Why don't you go play with Teague for awhile? It'll make you feel better. And I'll take care of your mummy, make her feel better too. All right?"
The little boy nodded. He had tear streaks on his face but he managed a small smile. He darted off, and Sarah rose up and enveloped Elizabeth in her arms. For the first time she seemed to become aware of Sarah. Her arms went around the dark haired woman and clung tightly. Her eyes had been dry up until this point, now the healing tears came.
Sarah simply held her and patted her. She felt Jack's warm body behind her. When the sobs trailed off a bit, Sarah knew the thing that was hurting her, knew the right question to ask, "What's the deal Will made with Calypso?"
"I don't know!" keened Elizabeth. "Will wouldn't tell me! He said it would only upset me to know!"
"Haven't we been through enough? How much more must we have to bear? Is it not enough that we cannot be together as man and wife, is it not enough that he is bound to that ship?" Elizabeth stopped abruptly, staring at the man who had saved Will's life. She was coming uncomfortably close to blaming him for her loneliness.
"Jack!" She wrenched free of Sarah and went to him. "Do you know? Tell me! What kind of agreement did he make with her!" She began beating her fists on his chest in desperation. "I remember nothing of my imprisonment, it was as if I blinked and everything changed. It was Will who told me how she enchanted me. WHAT WAS THE DEAL THEY MADE?!"
"I don't know Lizzie!" he cried back, taking her shoulders and giving her a little shake. "All I know is that they reached an accord. But if they did, you are safe from her. She released you and restored your child. You are safe from her whatever it is they agreed upon!"
Elizabeth collapsed against him in relief. Jack clutched her for a moment, then his face twisted and he pushed her away, gently though. Sarah rushed forward and held her. It struck her hard that Jack could not give her comfort because he had once nearly loved her, and she had once killed him. Was there forgiveness for that? she wondered. There was still a caring between them but it was forever tainted by what had come before.
"And what is it she did to you Jack?" Elizabeth finally asked in a small voice. "I saw her gesture towards you."
Sarah started. Jack had told her that part of the story and in the horror of all the rest she'd not caught it. She stared at him wide eyed as he shook his head bleakly. "I've no idea."
Chapter Twelve - Tidbits
Elizabeth and Willy stayed with them for two weeks. Will had nightmares until Sarah bedded him down with Teague, then he was fine. They were not aware of Elizabeth's nightmares until the third night when she woke screaming and fighting her blankets.
Sarah tried to calm her for several minutes, to no avail. "She just wants to be held!" she exclaimed to Jack. "It's such terrible loneliness!"
"Bring her in with us then Sarah," was his quiet response.
They laid her between them and she quieted. Cradled between their warm living bodies she was comforted. Sometime in the night Sarah stirred, woke and saw Jack also awake. His arm was tight around Elizabeth, her back pressed snugly to him. His other hand was pressed to his brow as if his head hurt, and his mouth was pursed.
Sarah thought once more of the history between them, and wondered if this had been such a good idea after all. Then Jack was aware of her small movement, and looked at her. A sweet loving smile smoothed his face, and he reached his hand to lace his fingers with her. She knew then that it was all right. They slept again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Bear down again Esther. I can see the head!" Sarah eased and stretched the skin to ease the newborn's head as it descended. Esther panted, caught her breath, strained hard. Joshua held her as she leaned against his back, watching Sarah avidly as she worked.
The wail of a baby drawing it's first breath came moments later. "You've a beautiful daughter Esther! Congratulations Joshua!" Sarah beamed happily at them as she swaddled the child in blankets and laid her on Esther's stomach.
"What will you call her?"
"Her name is Rebecca Joy!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The well dressed officer of the Royal Navy watched in satisfaction as carpentry on the ship continued. She was beautiful, nearly identical to the Dauntless. Fitting, considering his identical appearance to the man he would dedicate this ship, this quest, to. Fists closed at his sides, tight, tighter, until his nails pierced the skin of his palm. Blood began to drip from his fists and he almost absently took a handkerchief and wiped his hands clean. His gentle smile never faded, and his lips whispered the same words over and over again. "The Avenger. The Avenger."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Jack, you've got to taste this!"
He looked with great amusement at his wife who was bouncing with energy this morning. She was nearly vibrating with eagerness. In her hand extended to him was a mugful of some steaming black liquid. "It's called 'coffee.'" I just had a shipment come in."
He took the mug from her, noting the two empty cups. Clearly she'd been sampling the wares before offering some to him. He sipped cautiously, and made a face. "Not sure I care for it, love."
"Hmmm," she considered this for a moment. Her face brightened. "Put some rum in it!"
Adding a generous dollop, he tasted it again. "Better!"
"Daddy!" "Uncle Jack!" Two boisterous boys, one dark, the other bright as the sun, came charging into the kitchen, and crashed into his legs. He was hard pressed to keep his balance. "Play with us!" they chorused in unison.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She was suffering dizzy spells, vomiting, strange episodes of utter exhaustion. Fearfully, she sent a message to Sarah, asking her to come. Two days later Sarah returned from Elizabeth Turner's home and pulled Jack aside.
"Well? What manner of illness is eating away at the inestimable Mrs. Turner?" His flippant words belied his concern.
"Nothing that about seven months won't cure. She's caught pregnant Jack." Sarah's face was somber.
His eyes widened. She went on. "Must have happened on the way home. Or perhaps before, you said they were together before you all arrived at the island."
"But I wonder, is it really Will who planted the baby in her?"
Her eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He uttered one word. "Calypso."
"Never say that in front of her!"
"What does she say about her condition?"
"She's thrilled. And scared. The same thought that occured to you, occured to her as well."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The captain of the Sarah's Swann brought her news and samples of a wild tart fruit that was now beginning to be cultivated. It was tropical fruit, called an orange, and it grew best in warm locations around the Caribbean. Sarah arranged to have many saplings planted in the half acre she owned. She'd tasted them before, it was hoped that cultivation would make them larger, juicier, and even sweeter.
Jack teased her and called her a plantation owner, she swatted him, tickled his ribs, and he changed his mind and called her pirate. With great dignity she informed him that she was a smuggler, thank you very much.
Chapter Thirteen - Tortuga
"Take me with you Jack," she whispered to him in the dark of the night. "Take us all, I don't want to be parted from you yet!"
"Hmmm," he murmured thoughtfully. "The children as well?"
"We've sailed with you before, well not Mary, not yet. But you spent a fair bit of your childhood aboard a pirate ship. Why shouldn't they?"
He lay quiet next to her for a moment. "I have to pick up me crew in Tortuga, that is, those that are willing to sail again. Might get some new men, at that."
Something in his voice made her suspect that he was stalling, hedging his answer to her. "So? They have women there, surely? Not just men waiting to crew pirate ships? I won't be so out of place," she teased with a lilt in her voice.
She was getting uncomfortably close to the truth. He squirmed. "Tis not a place for a lady Sarah."
Indignantly, "Since when am I a lady!" Silence. "Jack, you love Tortuga. I've heard you speak so fondly of it! I would like to see it as well. Why are you so reluctant to bring me there?"
"It's a wild place Sarah. And...you may learn things about me, that you don't like."
She talked him into it, and they set out. Jack worried a bit, but mentally shrugged and figured he could deal with any sticky situations the way he always did. He would talk his way out of trouble. The children were having a wonderful time, reminding him greatly of his own childhood.
"Teague! Want Teague!" Mary said crossly, looking and pointing up into the rigging, where low down her brother had rigged a hammock out of his favorite blanket. At two she was quite a precocious child already, and very strong willed.
The boy in question poked his head out of the hammock. "Give her to me, Mama. I'll look after her."
Sarah looked at the distance from the hammock to the deck, calculating the possible risk. Meanwhile, Jack caught up Mary and kissed her cheek soundly. "Hear that, my darling Caribbean princess? Your brother is letting you in his hideout." Jack winked at his son as he lifted Mary over his head to where Teague reached for her.
"Land ho!" came the shout. Tortuga was near. Jack tensed.
They prepared to go ashore. Sarah was talking to Marty while Jack waited for her near the rail. "Make sure you keep them safe!" she said firmly.
"Don't worry, Miss Sarah. We'll have fun." The children adored "Uncle Marty." He was an adult but he was the same size as Teague.
They walked arm in arm, Jack carrying a silver tipped cane that she'd seen on the Pearl but that he'd never used. He glanced frequently at her face as she stared all about taking it all in.
She was so fascinated by the sights that she could hardly attend to where she was walking. Jack guided her firmly. Sarah's eyes frequently went wide, but she didn't startle at what he thought she might. For instance, the bawdy women openly showing their charms drew an indulgent smile, but the frequent gunfire did disturb her.
Off in the distance, Jack spotted a volatile situation approaching. His heart sank. Giselle was hurrying towards them.
"Who's *this*?" she demanded as soon as she was in earshot. She looked Sarah insultingly up and down. Sarah bridled.
"Giselle! Uh, lovely to see you! This is Sarah." He braced himself. "Me wife."
The blond's eyes went huge and she stared at Jack. She started to laugh, then saw that he was serious. "What!? Your WIFE!?"
"I'm sorry darling. I meant to tell you but I didn't know how." He reached to touch her cheek but she jerked back.
"You're bloody married?!" she said with astonishment. "You. Jack Sparrow. Married." Then her eyes narrowed dangerously and her hand was flying through the air to slap him hard.
Sarah grabbed her wrist, eyes snapping with anger. "Don't you touch him again! He may deserve it, but I'll not have you be the one dealing it out!" Giselle sneered at Sarah and pulled her hand away.
Jack rubbed his cheek and looked at Giselle. "I will always have a great affection for you Giselle. You know that. It won't change."
She looked at him wordlessly, blue eyes filling with tears. Jack wished she would slap him again rather than look at him like that. Giselle turned to the woman standing next to him. "Congratulations...Sarah is it? Keep a sharp eye on that one."
Without a backwards glance Giselle turned and walked away, past the Lusty Bride and out of sight. Sarah rounded on Jack.
"I think I've seen enough of Tortuga for tonight. You can conduct your business with your crew by yourself, I'm sure!" With that, she stalked off, back towards the docks.
Damn, damn, damn. He considered following her, if only for her protection, but thought better of it. He knew she had a pistol strapped to her thigh under her voluminous skirt, and possibly other weapons as well. Besides, if she found out he was following her, she might hurt him.
He and Gibbs collected their crew and returned to the Black Pearl. Sarah was civil to him, but coldly so. Any other person might not have noticed, but Jack felt it keenly. Gibbs also noticed, and pulled the Captain aside to ask him what was wrong.
"One of me tarts," he explained, watching her lead the children to their quarters to bed them down.
Gibbs grimaced. "I don't envy you lad."
Later, Jack searched for her and learned she had climbed to the crow's nest. He ascended, cautiously peeked in. Her back was to him.
"Not going to slap me are you?"
"Won't promise." She raised a rum bottle and drank.
He took the chance and climbed in. An empty rum cask rolled at her feet. "Are you drunk Sarah?"
"I told you, didn't I, that I didn't want to know about your temptations? Instead, you rubbed my face in it, you did!"
"You wanted to come with me to Tortuga, love."
She snorted and did not answer. Nor did she look at him. Jack sighed, and began. "Giselle was a bride for auction when I met her. Perhaps you've heard that pirates will sometimes kidnap women, and sell them to other pirates?"
She turned her head and threw him a startled, frightened look. Yes, such stories were familiar to her. It was exactly what she feared when Barbossa took her.
Jack nodded, seeing her recognition. "I bought Giselle in order to free her. She's always considered herself mine, though I did make it clear to her that she could do whatever she liked."
Cautiously, he sidled closer, until he could see her profile. She allowed it. "Yes, Giselle and I have seen each other often. Yes, I've taken my ease with her, and another named Scarlett, a working girl in Tortuga. But YOU are the one I married."
She snapped, "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I promised I would share me secrets with you."
Impatiently she swigged more rum. "Took you long enough to get to this one."
He spread his hands in a gesture of complete surrender. "Whatever you want to know, ask. I'll tell you anything. I'll answer all your questions. But my life's been long and varied, it may be a long night."
Finally she turned and looked at him straight on. The corners of his mouth were turned down and his eyes held fear. It was very clear to her that he was making himself completely vulnerable to her, a thing he did to only a few rare people due to the betrayals he'd suffered. She could not hold her anger for him in the face of that.
Sarah scrubbed her face. As she'd told him a long time ago, she'd married him knowing exactly who and what he was. "Jack, I think you broke that woman's heart tonight."
He heard the changed tone in her voice. "I've broken hearts before, more's the pity."
"What's to stop you breaking mine then?" She said this mostly in fun, so Jack's reaction amazed her.
He dropped to his knees before her, looking completely flabbergasted. "Sarah, how can you not know? You OWN me!"
"Oh, don't be absurd Jack! You can't be owned by anyone!" Sarah was badly flustered. Own Jack? It went deeply against her grain, and his. Why would he say such a thing? "You sail when you choose to, return when you feel like it. And I let you go cheerfully every time!"
"Ahh love, that's exactly why you own me." his whisper was intense. "You've captured Captain Jack Sparrow, and you love him enough to set him free." His beautiful dark melting eyes had never compelled her so deeply.
"What is it about you Sarah?" he asked musingly, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear. "You always smile so lovingly when I come to you. You never complain when I go. You never scold me to wipe my boots on the mats outside, or complain that I drink too much, or ask me if I'll ever stop pirating and settle down."
"Is that what you wish of me?" Sarah's eyebrow rose in disbelief. "Because I'll not give it!"
Golden teeth flashed at her as he half smiled. "Nay. I'm just pondering the oh so attractive mystery of my bit o'Sarah."
"Perhaps, sometimes a woman is born with the heart of a man? Strong and wild, and wanton, to master her own fate?"
"Aye, perhaps," he pulled her close to him, knowing the danger of her anger was past. "I'm just so very glad tis I who's won ye. Gladder yet tis not the *body* of a man ye possess!"
They sailed away under the moon, while in Tortuga a well dressed man spoke to a sailor who hadn't bathed in at least a fortnight. The sailor hefted a flagon of ale, and the well dressed man grabbed his wrist, stopping him. "So...any news on Jack Sparrow, I trust you'll remember me? And tell me of him?" His grin was meant to be engaging, the sailor recoiled. "I am so longing to meet the man behind the legend."
Chapter Fourteen - Happy Travels
It was perhaps the most idyllic voyage they had yet taken together. As pirates, the crew was almost lazy. Thanks to the fortunes they'd had over the past few years, particularly El Dorado, they had enough swag to retire. Of course, being pirates, they would eventually have such an itch for more adventure that Jack would have to come up with another treasure. In the meantime, they simply went to any beautiful island they wished, and caroused.
Little Teague was delighted for the chance to spend more time with his father. He followed Jack wherever he went on the ship, wearing his treasured hat cocked just like Jack's, and doing his best to swagger like him as well. He even picked up a few of Jack's turns of phrases, most notably 'mate' and 'savvy.'
They were perhaps a week out of Tortuga when their son rebelled against sleeping in the little bed set up in the captain's cabin for himself and his sister. "I want to rig a hammock on deck, mama."
Sarah gazed at his solemn little face, thinking that at not even seven he was young to start growing away from her already. Was it the pirate blood that ran through his veins? "Are you sure you won't be frightened my dear?"
"Yes mama. I want to be with the men." His chin lifted in a gesture that she recognized as being much like hers when she was facing off against an opponent.
Cotton stepped up and his bird squawked, "Little man!" Sarah nodded. "Yes, he is getting big, isn't he? I know you'll look after him, thank you Mr. Cotton. Yes Teague, you may sleep on deck tonight."
"Good night son." Jack saluted his boy, causing a huge grin of pride and love to split his face as he trotted after Cotton, his favorite blanket clutched in his hands.
Captain Jack grinned a great deal more than he ever used to. He took enormous pleasure in watching his wife and children on the various beaches they landed on, swimming like fishes in the surf, and turning brown like berries. It didn't surprise him to learn that on her mother's side Sarah's grandmother was a gypsy and her grandfather a Spanish lord.
They discovered a grove of mango trees at the next place they landed. The Sparrow children were soon sticky and smeared with juice and pulp. "Look at you, you wretches!" Sarah exclaimed with a fond smile, though she tried to sound stern.
The children giggled as Jack stepped up to her and teasingly wiped a smear of mango from the corner of her mouth and then wagged that finger at her. Together, they led the children to a more secluded area of the beach, and stripped them to wash them in the clean dazzling water. Jack tossed Teague into the deeper water repeatedly, and Teague would crow and swim right back for more.
Later, they fell asleep in the shade on a large blanket, while Jack and Sarah cuddled nearby on another one. Her swimming gown had dried on her body, and she lay flat while Jack loomed over her, devouring her mouth hungrily. She tasted of mangoes, and the limes she'd been eating with the crew aboard ship.
Sarah rolled on her side, away from him, confusing him momentarily with her body language before she pushed her bottom enticingly into his groin. "Ahhh! You want me to toss yer skirts up, do you, naughty wench?"
She gave no answer as he ran his hand down her side to her hip, but she pressed against him again, exciting him. A quick glance over her shoulder and he saw her smouldering eyes. He ran his hand over her curves again, this time playing his fingers over her breasts and feeling the nipples rise to his touch.
They'd gotten a bit fuller from nursing two children. Bearing them had widened her hips just a tad, thickened her waist a little. There was more of her tush and thighs for him to grab. Dancing and horseback riding had kept her finely muscled and supple despite the extra flesh. Her face still looked girlish, the same woman he'd taken from that island. Jack found her the most enticingly sexy woman he'd ever seen.
He pulled her skirt up and quickly opened his breeches. Glancing around quickly and perking his ears for any sign of his crew, Jack satisfied himself that they were undisturbed, and molded his body to hers. Raising her gown higher, he cupped her lush cheek in his palm for a moment, then slid his long fingers down farther.
She immediately lifted her leg to give him more room. Jack hissed as he felt the slick heat awaiting him. "So wet, luv. Do ye want me?" he murmured against her ear, nipping the small lobe.
Sarah moaned agreement. He slid a bit down her body to position himself at her entrance, and drove slowly forward, feeling that hot squeeze surround him. They rocked together, bodies spooned. It quickly became much more heated and Jack laid a hand on her hip, anchoring her while he thrust harder. He could see her moving her hand between her legs and softly moaned. Her shuddery moan and the wild jerking of her hips cued his climax, spilling hot inside her with an exclamation muffled into the top of her head.
Later, aboard the Pearl once again, Jack and Gibbs watched her as she chatted with Cotton who was manning the helm. Yes, somehow or other Sarah had picked up the knack of understanding the frequent, oft random squawks of his bird. And she did it with such gentleness, always looking at Cotton instead of the bird. He always looked happy when she was near, no doubt the man had little chance for conversation since his tongue was cut out.
They voyaged long, uncaring of time or tide. Teague's birthday came closer. Jack ordered a small merchant ship plundered, this was the only act of piracy they engaged in throughout the trip. Jack found a small dagger, with a mother of pearl handle, and pocketed it. He later gave it to his boy on his birthday.
He stayed only a bit longer once they returned home. He wanted to "look round and find another treasure that wants finding." He kissed her tenderly, scooped up Teague and Mary one more time, and sauntered jauntily off.
Chapter Fifteen - The Trap is Baited
A knock came at the door. "Yes milord?" Joshua used his best impenetrable manservant's voice.
"I seek the lady of the house. Is she available?"
"And whom shall I say is calling?"
"Commodore Beckett."
Sarah swished into the sitting room a few minutes later, oozing charm. "Commodore, what an honor to have you in my home. Esther, set us some tea, will you dear? What may I do for you?"
"Fine boy and girl you have, ma'am. I watched them playing in the yard for a bit before I knocked." The Commodore watched her eyes shift to his face as she poured him a cup of tea. "The boy has dark hair like yours, but his face...he must take after his father?"
Sarah's eyebrow rose slightly. "And of what interest are my children to such as you, sir?"
"Only that it must be difficult to raise children all alone."
Her chin lifted proudly. "My husband is at sea."
"I see. Does he return home frequently? I would so love to meet the legendary Jack Sparrow."
Sarah put a lump of sugar into her cup and stirred. He noticed that her hand was trembling minutely. "I'm sorry, I don't know that name."
"Ah, I see. The pirate who kidnapped you several years ago, from your home with your uncle?"
She waved a hand dismissively. "Oh him. Yes. I try to put the experience behind me."
The Commodore leaned forward. "I'm sure it must have been an ordeal. But I'm impressed by your bravery in keeping the child and raising him. That does explain the boy, to be sure." He leaned back again, and sipped the tea. "But your daughter has the very same look."
She swallowed hard and set her cup down smartly. "Stop playing games and state your business with me."
He selected a crumpet from the tray and bit into it. "Did he return to you? Break into your home and ravish you? How dreadfully upsetting, truly horrible! Why, if he can do it once, who knows when he will return and do it again!"
Sarah stood up and paced to the window. She stared out at Teague and Sarah playing, swallowing fearfully. A commodore in her home asking questions about Jack boded absolutely no good at all.
He went on, "I can assure you that he will bother you no more, milady. We caught Jack Sparrow, and executed him this morning."
She turned around and stared at him. The world tipped out of balance. Jack, dead? No, it was impossible! Her mind scurried to find a way out of what this man had just stated. "You executed a pirate this morning? Hangings are public events, how is it that I know nothing of what you speak!"
"Shall I prove it to you?" he said softly. "Shall I show you the body of the man who fathered both your young ones?"
Sarah answered angrily. "If you executed a criminal in the town I live in, I'd like to have known of it!" She waited a beat, then demanded, "You must show me the body!"
"Certainly, milady. If you feel you're up to such a thing." His voice was pure silk and undercurrents of evil.
He showed her to a little room in the fort, flung open the door and she swept through it. There on a slab of marble lay a body with long black hair, red bandanna, sea worn clothes. She gasped all the air out of her lungs, and staggered forward, unbelieving. "No! God, no!"
Her hands covered her face, and she stumbled, nearly falling. Shock and horror suffused her. She crept forward, barely able to stand, and reached with trembling hands to touch his blue boots.
A sob broke through, and she moved closer to cradle the cold, lifeless body in her arms. His head lay at an impossible, skewed angle on his shoulder. His neck had snapped instantly, giving him a quick death. Her eyes were blinded by scalding tears. She couldn't breathe. A horrible weight crushed her chest.
"Jaaack!" she wailed desperately, finally able to empty her lungs. Her hands curled into his clothes, her tears raining down on him. She stroked his chest pathetically, feeling the crisp hairs under her fingers.
Crisp hairs. Sarah frowned through her tears. Jack's chest was smooth. She pulled his shirt open farther. No bullet scars. Gasping now in surprise and not grief, she slowly forced herself to look at his face. No beard braids. And the scar that marred his beard on the right side, was not there. Clearly, great care had been taken to replicate the trinkets and beads he wore in his hair, but the colors were wrong. Come to think of it, Jack wore brown boots, not blue!
Whirling in fury, she advanced on the Commodore who lounged in the doorway. "This man is not Jack Sparrow!"
"No, but you thought he was. And you wept over him. How touching." He lunged forward and grabbed her arm tightly. "You *are* his wife. Don't bother to deny it anymore."
Sarah swallowed hard and said nothing at all. He dragged her from the room and had the soldiers outside chain her wrists. "I'm placing you under house arrest. You are not to leave under any circumstances. Jack will come back, and his precious little wifey will be home waiting for him! You'll have quite a reunion. A short one, I fear."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Joshua and Esther were startled when Sarah suddenly burst into the house. Tersely she explained what had happened while she ran around, packing up their clothes. "This Commodore is insane. 'House arrest' ha! Someone who conspires with pirates is put in prison, tried, and hung. He has some kind of plan or trap in mind. You must get away!"
"Take Harold. You can ride double on him with Rebecca between you." She pressed gold coins into Joshua's hands. "Buy passage on the first ship to Tortuga. It's the most likely place you'll find Jack. He must be warned! He must stay away!"
Joshua stared at her in astonishment. Sarah pushed some bread and a jug of milk into a pouch for Esther and the baby girl. "You should warn Elizabeth too. If they know of my connection to Jack, they may know of hers as well. Go! Quickly!" She hugged them both, then watched them run to the stable to saddle the Morgan stallion.
Sarah paced back and forth anxiously, mind whirling. She tried to remember all that she knew of this Commodore. He had fairly recently been promoted to the position. Sarah paid little attention to political matters. All she could recall was that his family had been under some kind of scandal, and his brother had been killed in some disgraceful way.
He intended to trap Jack, that was clear. How long must she wait, before either Jack returned or the Commodore became tired of this game and had her hung? She could not abide either choice. Her death lay at the end of each road. Decision made, she sprang into action.
She packed a clean change of clothes for herself and each child, then quickly explained to them as much as she dared. They were young, especially Mary at just barely three. How could they really grasp this? But they followed her lead confidently. She saddled Penny and Blaze. Teague was quite a good horseman, as good as he was a sailor. He would ride Blaze.
"Hold on to the pommel now, like a good girl. Don't let go!" She told Mary, then swung up in the saddle behind her daughter. They set out, cantering quickly along the edge of the forest. For quite a bit Sarah had hope that they might actually escape. Then she heard the footsteps pacing them.
Sarah took them deeper into the woods. Teague was keeping up very well. But she began to see flashes of something ahead and next to them, shadowed by trees. The afternoon sun was in her eyes, but she was almost certain she saw two mounted officers. Desperately she urged Penny faster.
The faithful mare sped fast and hard, leaping easily over fallen logs, dodging trees almost without guidance. Teague directed Blaze in a weaving pattern just behind her, veering from her left to her right, and back again. Yet the horse behind them kept pace. In fact, it was closer.
Rarely had she ever whipped Penny. But now she did, once, and the golden horse responded with a terrific burst of speed. Behind her, Teague yelled. Sarah glanced back and saw that the following horse was now right next to him, being ridden by none other than the Commodore. She jerked back on the reins and Penny obligingly whirled.
Sarah charged the man with bloodlust in her face, just as he reached out a gloved hand and caught Blaze's bridle. Behind her, the other shadowing horses caught up, and she had a soldier on either side of her. They too, took hold of her mount's bridle. Penny tried to rear, front hooves lashing. Sarah clung to Mary, and tried to draw her pistol. It was bravado only. With her children's safety at stake, she would not fire.
The Commodore drew close, and his eyes were menacing. "I told you not to leave your house under any circumstance!" He addressed the soldiers next. "Take them to my house." To Sarah he asked. "Will I need to use the irons again?" She numbly shook her head no.
Sarah sat with her hands folded in her lap. Once at his house, Commodore Beckett had put irons around her wrists and sat her down at a table set with a tea set far more ornate than hers. She had no idea where her children had been taken. A cup of tea sat cooling before her. The Commodore stood near the door, speaking with the captain of the Sarah's Swann.
The man nodded, glanced dubiously at her, then nodded again. She could see him in the window reflection. When he left and the door shut with the Commodore still inside, she at last found the courage and strength to pick up her teacup and drink. It rattled in the saucer.
"I thought you might like to know that I've just dispatched your ship with a message for Captain Sparrow. Between that message and your manservant, he ought to be arriving shortly."
"What makes you think he will come? Jack does as he pleases, no one can compel him." Sarah did not care any longer that she sounded miserable and weepy.
He sat down opposite her and looked puzzled as she sipped some more. In fact she was gulping it, finding herself increasingly thirsty. "Surely he will come to his own wife's rescue?"
Sarah chose to avoid that question. In fact, she deary hoped that Jack would NOT come to her rescue, it would extend his life greatly. "What do you intend to do with my son and daughter?"
Commodore Beckett poured himself a brandy and watched her finish her tea. He poured more for her and and began to explain. "I once had a brother named Cutler. He was humiliated by Jack Sparrow's miraculous escape after being branded a pirate, but he worked himself slowly and steadily up to Lordship. He was later killed by Jack in a battle with the Pirate Lords."
He took a sip of his drink, savoring the taste, then carried on. "Though my brother was married, he pursued Sparrow with such vengeance that he had nothing left for anyone else. He never sired any children, and I think in part it's because he...felt something...for the pirate." His face clenched angrily, and a brilliant flash lit his eyes. He gulped the last of the alcohol and threw the glass against the wall, shattering it.
Sarah jumped at the sudden violent display. Even so, she felt strangely calm. "That does not answer my question!"
"I intend to raise them as my own, Sarah Sparrow," he told her calmly. "Your children for the ones my brother never had. Fitting, don't you think? After all, such children deserve something better than outlaw parents, do they not?" And he smiled coldly.
She stared at him in horror. Her head was beginning to swim, and she knew it had nothing to do with the things he had just told her. "What have you done to me?" she ispered.
The Commodore lifted a bottle of laudanum and calmly showed it to her as the swirling darkness rose up and surrounded her.
Chapters 16 - 20
Author: Soleil Compeau
Fandom: Pirates of the Caribbean
Pairing: Jack/Other
Spoilers: Set after AWE, a sequel to Life After Loss. It's helpful to have read the first one to better understand Sarah's character and the subsequent events of this story.
Rating: NC17 overall
Disclaimer: These stunt doubles have just reenacted what takes place after the final cut. No profit or wages are being made. I do this out of deep love for the characters.
Summary: Jack and Sarah have settled down into a life of frequent voyages, tending a home, and raising children. But their idyllic life is threatened by an evil man bent on destroying them. Can they call on supernatural forces to save their family and help their friends?
Chapter Eleven - Goddess Enraged
She woke sometime in the night to Jack's hand tracing the outline of her face. He held a single candle, and was looking at her as if trying to memorize her every feature. His mouth was pursed in sadness, his eyes held grief, and an enormous relief.
"Are you going to tell me what happened?" she asked quietly. He sighed but did not turn away. "I would like to know."
He wound a lock of her wavy hair around his finger and remained quiet. She waited. He was not answering her not because he was refusing to answer her, but because he was searching for a way to begin. At last, he began to talk.
"Elizabeth was ecstatic to be sailing for Will again. She jabbered on so much she nearly drove me out of me mind, in fact. But we found him more quickly this time than the last, so she started talking his ear off instead. The happy family, reunited. But the Master of the Sea kept being called to duty. There were deaths at sea he had to tend to, he couldn't just ignore them."
Jack scrubbed a hand over his face. "We kept pace with him for awhile. Followed him across the sea. After awhile, I was more than ready to choose some other pursuit, but Elizabeth got very shrill with me. Insisted that we keep tracking him. So I obliged her. It wasn't until I saw the island that I realized." He stopped.
"Realized what Jack? What island?"
"The same damn island what we found the dead Kraken on, after we escaped the Locker." He drew a deep breath. "The deaths at sea were a lure. Calypso was leading us to her island."
"Her island?" Sarah was more than a little confused. She'd heard some stories from Gibbs about rescuing Jack from Death itself, sailing to get him out of the Locker. Elizabeth had added a few comments of her own perspective, but Sarah didn't have a really clear picture of the whole story.
"Calypso, Goddess of the Sea, daughter of Atlas. She was bound in human form, and I knew her as Tia Dalma. Back when she didn't quite know who she was."
"I know who Calypso is. I know she supposedly lives on an island near the Land of the Dead. I just don't know what island you are referring to. Where you found the dead Kraken?"
"Yes." Jack stopped and thought for a few minutes. "She went back to it and reclaimed her island after Barbossa freed her and she took Davy Jones into the maelstrom. She was angry that Will had another woman. She expected him to be her new consort."
She decided to stop asking for clarification and just listen. Jack told stories well. She settled closer against him and looked at his mouth, having learned long ago that Jack Sparrow expressed his every emotion with it.
"She appeared on the island as soon as we spotted it. Just stood on the black sands waiting calmly. Ah, but she was far from calm wasn't she? We sailed closer, and then Elizabeth spotted her. I tried to turn the ship aside, Lizzie was aboard the Dutchman, it was time for me to go."
Jack shuddered. "She turned the water to mud, so we couldn't sail away. Then she started walking towards us. Will saw her do it, and his whole body just...clenched. They locked eyes, and Calypso, sort of, flew through the air to the ship. Never, never have I seen her so angry.
"There was a battle, of course. She won. It took the men four hours to realize that. She threw down hail, lightning, blew the wind till the sails were near torn to shreds. And she turned the seas to mud."
That was the most horrible part for Jack, she realized. The very water that carried his marvelous ship of freedom, turned against him to entrap him.
He went on, "Finally Calypso got Will's attention. She threw little Will overboard, and turned Elizabeth into a second ship's figurehead."
Sarah gasped in horror, hand flying to cover her mouth. He grimly and doggedly continued the tale. "Will went deathly quiet. Everything went quiet. They faced off. Calypso had the most satisfied smirk I've ever seen on a woman's face. They went into the captain's cabin, leaving all the rest of us to cool our heels.
"The sounds what came from that cabin...I'll ne'er forget Sarah." His arms tightened around her, and he paused to push his face into her neck once again. "Screams of rage and furious anger, of pain, once I swear I heard them coupling in bed. And over it all the most bizarre sound, impossible to describe, for three days they did this. Three days, three months, I don't even know. All I know is that it finally all went quiet and they came back on deck. Too late for some of the crew what had run mad from that sound. She just smiled like a satisfied cat on a fisherman's boat, and Will was completely calm. And grim.
"She left the ship, Elizabeth was restored to life, and Calypso reappeared with little Will clutched in her arms. Lizzie grabbed him from her, screaming curses what made me crew blush to hear. And Calypso pulled a little green vial from somewhere and forced it into the boy's mouth. He choked, coughed, and opened his eyes.
"She looked at me then, and frowned. Gods, I wish I'd sailed away when I'd had the chance! She flicked her fingers at me, and left the ship. Just as she did, the seas were restored, we could make sail once again. She cast us back to the Caribbean. Tortuga was just visible in the distance."
"My God. My God!" was all she could manage to say. "Poor Elizabeth! How awful! Oh Jack!"
"Aye," he said quietly. "What keeps me awake nights is wondering just what kind of agreement was struck between Will and that witch. For a parley it was, clear as day. I don't know if I can stand to think of it anymore."
"What happened to your crew?"
"I left most of them in Tortuga. Sailed with a skeleton crew here, with the men who've found women to love in the Keys. I don't know what became of the Turner family, they were still aboard the Dutchman when Calypso did whatever she did to send the Pearl back here."
"I have to go to her!" Sarah rose in alarm, thinking of her best friend all alone suffering the trauma of such an experience. Jack caught her hand and pulled her back into the bed.
"You can do that Sarah, but not tonight. Tonight I need you," he whispered. He held her, and kissed her the same way he had the first night they ever made love. First on the forehead, both cheeks, then her lips, so softly. "You're the light of my life Sarah." He kissed her lips again, harder now. "Your touch heals all my pain."
Deeply moved, Sarah encircled his neck with her arms. "You're the one who saved my wretched life, Jack. The one who set free my wild heart."
It was days before he smiled. Joshua returned from his errand to reveal that the Turner home was still dark. He listened to the sketch of the tale Jack had to offer, and suggested that the Dutchman had been allowed to sail away in a more normal fashion, thus taking far longer to return than the Pearl had.
The captain acquainted himself with his daughter. Mary had a sunny and friendly manner, always laughing and giggling. He was extremely tender towards her, her dimples could coax a loving look from him every time. It was her hugs and kisses that made him smile for the first time. Teague was a more serious boy, tall and slender at age six. He followed Jack everywhere as if afraid to let him out of his sight.
Jack told his children stories every night of his various seagoing adventures. Teague would close his eyes and listen more to the sound of Jack's voice. Mary would hang on to every word, struggling to stay awake, large eyes blinking more and more until they finally closed. He noticed Teague still had the hat he'd bought him in France. He slept with it next to his pillow.
Perhaps a week later, Elizabeth came to the house. She walked almost aimlessly, holding her son by the hand. Joshua saw her in the distance and led her the rest of the way. Sarah hurried to her side. Elizabeth's eyes were so lost and despairing, Sarah's heart turned cold.
She knelt down to speak to the scared little boy at her side. "Willy," she smiled as reassuringly as she could at him. "You've had a bad scare just lately, I know. Why don't you go play with Teague for awhile? It'll make you feel better. And I'll take care of your mummy, make her feel better too. All right?"
The little boy nodded. He had tear streaks on his face but he managed a small smile. He darted off, and Sarah rose up and enveloped Elizabeth in her arms. For the first time she seemed to become aware of Sarah. Her arms went around the dark haired woman and clung tightly. Her eyes had been dry up until this point, now the healing tears came.
Sarah simply held her and patted her. She felt Jack's warm body behind her. When the sobs trailed off a bit, Sarah knew the thing that was hurting her, knew the right question to ask, "What's the deal Will made with Calypso?"
"I don't know!" keened Elizabeth. "Will wouldn't tell me! He said it would only upset me to know!"
"Haven't we been through enough? How much more must we have to bear? Is it not enough that we cannot be together as man and wife, is it not enough that he is bound to that ship?" Elizabeth stopped abruptly, staring at the man who had saved Will's life. She was coming uncomfortably close to blaming him for her loneliness.
"Jack!" She wrenched free of Sarah and went to him. "Do you know? Tell me! What kind of agreement did he make with her!" She began beating her fists on his chest in desperation. "I remember nothing of my imprisonment, it was as if I blinked and everything changed. It was Will who told me how she enchanted me. WHAT WAS THE DEAL THEY MADE?!"
"I don't know Lizzie!" he cried back, taking her shoulders and giving her a little shake. "All I know is that they reached an accord. But if they did, you are safe from her. She released you and restored your child. You are safe from her whatever it is they agreed upon!"
Elizabeth collapsed against him in relief. Jack clutched her for a moment, then his face twisted and he pushed her away, gently though. Sarah rushed forward and held her. It struck her hard that Jack could not give her comfort because he had once nearly loved her, and she had once killed him. Was there forgiveness for that? she wondered. There was still a caring between them but it was forever tainted by what had come before.
"And what is it she did to you Jack?" Elizabeth finally asked in a small voice. "I saw her gesture towards you."
Sarah started. Jack had told her that part of the story and in the horror of all the rest she'd not caught it. She stared at him wide eyed as he shook his head bleakly. "I've no idea."
Chapter Twelve - Tidbits
Elizabeth and Willy stayed with them for two weeks. Will had nightmares until Sarah bedded him down with Teague, then he was fine. They were not aware of Elizabeth's nightmares until the third night when she woke screaming and fighting her blankets.
Sarah tried to calm her for several minutes, to no avail. "She just wants to be held!" she exclaimed to Jack. "It's such terrible loneliness!"
"Bring her in with us then Sarah," was his quiet response.
They laid her between them and she quieted. Cradled between their warm living bodies she was comforted. Sometime in the night Sarah stirred, woke and saw Jack also awake. His arm was tight around Elizabeth, her back pressed snugly to him. His other hand was pressed to his brow as if his head hurt, and his mouth was pursed.
Sarah thought once more of the history between them, and wondered if this had been such a good idea after all. Then Jack was aware of her small movement, and looked at her. A sweet loving smile smoothed his face, and he reached his hand to lace his fingers with her. She knew then that it was all right. They slept again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Bear down again Esther. I can see the head!" Sarah eased and stretched the skin to ease the newborn's head as it descended. Esther panted, caught her breath, strained hard. Joshua held her as she leaned against his back, watching Sarah avidly as she worked.
The wail of a baby drawing it's first breath came moments later. "You've a beautiful daughter Esther! Congratulations Joshua!" Sarah beamed happily at them as she swaddled the child in blankets and laid her on Esther's stomach.
"What will you call her?"
"Her name is Rebecca Joy!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The well dressed officer of the Royal Navy watched in satisfaction as carpentry on the ship continued. She was beautiful, nearly identical to the Dauntless. Fitting, considering his identical appearance to the man he would dedicate this ship, this quest, to. Fists closed at his sides, tight, tighter, until his nails pierced the skin of his palm. Blood began to drip from his fists and he almost absently took a handkerchief and wiped his hands clean. His gentle smile never faded, and his lips whispered the same words over and over again. "The Avenger. The Avenger."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Jack, you've got to taste this!"
He looked with great amusement at his wife who was bouncing with energy this morning. She was nearly vibrating with eagerness. In her hand extended to him was a mugful of some steaming black liquid. "It's called 'coffee.'" I just had a shipment come in."
He took the mug from her, noting the two empty cups. Clearly she'd been sampling the wares before offering some to him. He sipped cautiously, and made a face. "Not sure I care for it, love."
"Hmmm," she considered this for a moment. Her face brightened. "Put some rum in it!"
Adding a generous dollop, he tasted it again. "Better!"
"Daddy!" "Uncle Jack!" Two boisterous boys, one dark, the other bright as the sun, came charging into the kitchen, and crashed into his legs. He was hard pressed to keep his balance. "Play with us!" they chorused in unison.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She was suffering dizzy spells, vomiting, strange episodes of utter exhaustion. Fearfully, she sent a message to Sarah, asking her to come. Two days later Sarah returned from Elizabeth Turner's home and pulled Jack aside.
"Well? What manner of illness is eating away at the inestimable Mrs. Turner?" His flippant words belied his concern.
"Nothing that about seven months won't cure. She's caught pregnant Jack." Sarah's face was somber.
His eyes widened. She went on. "Must have happened on the way home. Or perhaps before, you said they were together before you all arrived at the island."
"But I wonder, is it really Will who planted the baby in her?"
Her eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He uttered one word. "Calypso."
"Never say that in front of her!"
"What does she say about her condition?"
"She's thrilled. And scared. The same thought that occured to you, occured to her as well."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The captain of the Sarah's Swann brought her news and samples of a wild tart fruit that was now beginning to be cultivated. It was tropical fruit, called an orange, and it grew best in warm locations around the Caribbean. Sarah arranged to have many saplings planted in the half acre she owned. She'd tasted them before, it was hoped that cultivation would make them larger, juicier, and even sweeter.
Jack teased her and called her a plantation owner, she swatted him, tickled his ribs, and he changed his mind and called her pirate. With great dignity she informed him that she was a smuggler, thank you very much.
Chapter Thirteen - Tortuga
"Take me with you Jack," she whispered to him in the dark of the night. "Take us all, I don't want to be parted from you yet!"
"Hmmm," he murmured thoughtfully. "The children as well?"
"We've sailed with you before, well not Mary, not yet. But you spent a fair bit of your childhood aboard a pirate ship. Why shouldn't they?"
He lay quiet next to her for a moment. "I have to pick up me crew in Tortuga, that is, those that are willing to sail again. Might get some new men, at that."
Something in his voice made her suspect that he was stalling, hedging his answer to her. "So? They have women there, surely? Not just men waiting to crew pirate ships? I won't be so out of place," she teased with a lilt in her voice.
She was getting uncomfortably close to the truth. He squirmed. "Tis not a place for a lady Sarah."
Indignantly, "Since when am I a lady!" Silence. "Jack, you love Tortuga. I've heard you speak so fondly of it! I would like to see it as well. Why are you so reluctant to bring me there?"
"It's a wild place Sarah. And...you may learn things about me, that you don't like."
She talked him into it, and they set out. Jack worried a bit, but mentally shrugged and figured he could deal with any sticky situations the way he always did. He would talk his way out of trouble. The children were having a wonderful time, reminding him greatly of his own childhood.
"Teague! Want Teague!" Mary said crossly, looking and pointing up into the rigging, where low down her brother had rigged a hammock out of his favorite blanket. At two she was quite a precocious child already, and very strong willed.
The boy in question poked his head out of the hammock. "Give her to me, Mama. I'll look after her."
Sarah looked at the distance from the hammock to the deck, calculating the possible risk. Meanwhile, Jack caught up Mary and kissed her cheek soundly. "Hear that, my darling Caribbean princess? Your brother is letting you in his hideout." Jack winked at his son as he lifted Mary over his head to where Teague reached for her.
"Land ho!" came the shout. Tortuga was near. Jack tensed.
They prepared to go ashore. Sarah was talking to Marty while Jack waited for her near the rail. "Make sure you keep them safe!" she said firmly.
"Don't worry, Miss Sarah. We'll have fun." The children adored "Uncle Marty." He was an adult but he was the same size as Teague.
They walked arm in arm, Jack carrying a silver tipped cane that she'd seen on the Pearl but that he'd never used. He glanced frequently at her face as she stared all about taking it all in.
She was so fascinated by the sights that she could hardly attend to where she was walking. Jack guided her firmly. Sarah's eyes frequently went wide, but she didn't startle at what he thought she might. For instance, the bawdy women openly showing their charms drew an indulgent smile, but the frequent gunfire did disturb her.
Off in the distance, Jack spotted a volatile situation approaching. His heart sank. Giselle was hurrying towards them.
"Who's *this*?" she demanded as soon as she was in earshot. She looked Sarah insultingly up and down. Sarah bridled.
"Giselle! Uh, lovely to see you! This is Sarah." He braced himself. "Me wife."
The blond's eyes went huge and she stared at Jack. She started to laugh, then saw that he was serious. "What!? Your WIFE!?"
"I'm sorry darling. I meant to tell you but I didn't know how." He reached to touch her cheek but she jerked back.
"You're bloody married?!" she said with astonishment. "You. Jack Sparrow. Married." Then her eyes narrowed dangerously and her hand was flying through the air to slap him hard.
Sarah grabbed her wrist, eyes snapping with anger. "Don't you touch him again! He may deserve it, but I'll not have you be the one dealing it out!" Giselle sneered at Sarah and pulled her hand away.
Jack rubbed his cheek and looked at Giselle. "I will always have a great affection for you Giselle. You know that. It won't change."
She looked at him wordlessly, blue eyes filling with tears. Jack wished she would slap him again rather than look at him like that. Giselle turned to the woman standing next to him. "Congratulations...Sarah is it? Keep a sharp eye on that one."
Without a backwards glance Giselle turned and walked away, past the Lusty Bride and out of sight. Sarah rounded on Jack.
"I think I've seen enough of Tortuga for tonight. You can conduct your business with your crew by yourself, I'm sure!" With that, she stalked off, back towards the docks.
Damn, damn, damn. He considered following her, if only for her protection, but thought better of it. He knew she had a pistol strapped to her thigh under her voluminous skirt, and possibly other weapons as well. Besides, if she found out he was following her, she might hurt him.
He and Gibbs collected their crew and returned to the Black Pearl. Sarah was civil to him, but coldly so. Any other person might not have noticed, but Jack felt it keenly. Gibbs also noticed, and pulled the Captain aside to ask him what was wrong.
"One of me tarts," he explained, watching her lead the children to their quarters to bed them down.
Gibbs grimaced. "I don't envy you lad."
Later, Jack searched for her and learned she had climbed to the crow's nest. He ascended, cautiously peeked in. Her back was to him.
"Not going to slap me are you?"
"Won't promise." She raised a rum bottle and drank.
He took the chance and climbed in. An empty rum cask rolled at her feet. "Are you drunk Sarah?"
"I told you, didn't I, that I didn't want to know about your temptations? Instead, you rubbed my face in it, you did!"
"You wanted to come with me to Tortuga, love."
She snorted and did not answer. Nor did she look at him. Jack sighed, and began. "Giselle was a bride for auction when I met her. Perhaps you've heard that pirates will sometimes kidnap women, and sell them to other pirates?"
She turned her head and threw him a startled, frightened look. Yes, such stories were familiar to her. It was exactly what she feared when Barbossa took her.
Jack nodded, seeing her recognition. "I bought Giselle in order to free her. She's always considered herself mine, though I did make it clear to her that she could do whatever she liked."
Cautiously, he sidled closer, until he could see her profile. She allowed it. "Yes, Giselle and I have seen each other often. Yes, I've taken my ease with her, and another named Scarlett, a working girl in Tortuga. But YOU are the one I married."
She snapped, "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I promised I would share me secrets with you."
Impatiently she swigged more rum. "Took you long enough to get to this one."
He spread his hands in a gesture of complete surrender. "Whatever you want to know, ask. I'll tell you anything. I'll answer all your questions. But my life's been long and varied, it may be a long night."
Finally she turned and looked at him straight on. The corners of his mouth were turned down and his eyes held fear. It was very clear to her that he was making himself completely vulnerable to her, a thing he did to only a few rare people due to the betrayals he'd suffered. She could not hold her anger for him in the face of that.
Sarah scrubbed her face. As she'd told him a long time ago, she'd married him knowing exactly who and what he was. "Jack, I think you broke that woman's heart tonight."
He heard the changed tone in her voice. "I've broken hearts before, more's the pity."
"What's to stop you breaking mine then?" She said this mostly in fun, so Jack's reaction amazed her.
He dropped to his knees before her, looking completely flabbergasted. "Sarah, how can you not know? You OWN me!"
"Oh, don't be absurd Jack! You can't be owned by anyone!" Sarah was badly flustered. Own Jack? It went deeply against her grain, and his. Why would he say such a thing? "You sail when you choose to, return when you feel like it. And I let you go cheerfully every time!"
"Ahh love, that's exactly why you own me." his whisper was intense. "You've captured Captain Jack Sparrow, and you love him enough to set him free." His beautiful dark melting eyes had never compelled her so deeply.
"What is it about you Sarah?" he asked musingly, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear. "You always smile so lovingly when I come to you. You never complain when I go. You never scold me to wipe my boots on the mats outside, or complain that I drink too much, or ask me if I'll ever stop pirating and settle down."
"Is that what you wish of me?" Sarah's eyebrow rose in disbelief. "Because I'll not give it!"
Golden teeth flashed at her as he half smiled. "Nay. I'm just pondering the oh so attractive mystery of my bit o'Sarah."
"Perhaps, sometimes a woman is born with the heart of a man? Strong and wild, and wanton, to master her own fate?"
"Aye, perhaps," he pulled her close to him, knowing the danger of her anger was past. "I'm just so very glad tis I who's won ye. Gladder yet tis not the *body* of a man ye possess!"
They sailed away under the moon, while in Tortuga a well dressed man spoke to a sailor who hadn't bathed in at least a fortnight. The sailor hefted a flagon of ale, and the well dressed man grabbed his wrist, stopping him. "So...any news on Jack Sparrow, I trust you'll remember me? And tell me of him?" His grin was meant to be engaging, the sailor recoiled. "I am so longing to meet the man behind the legend."
Chapter Fourteen - Happy Travels
It was perhaps the most idyllic voyage they had yet taken together. As pirates, the crew was almost lazy. Thanks to the fortunes they'd had over the past few years, particularly El Dorado, they had enough swag to retire. Of course, being pirates, they would eventually have such an itch for more adventure that Jack would have to come up with another treasure. In the meantime, they simply went to any beautiful island they wished, and caroused.
Little Teague was delighted for the chance to spend more time with his father. He followed Jack wherever he went on the ship, wearing his treasured hat cocked just like Jack's, and doing his best to swagger like him as well. He even picked up a few of Jack's turns of phrases, most notably 'mate' and 'savvy.'
They were perhaps a week out of Tortuga when their son rebelled against sleeping in the little bed set up in the captain's cabin for himself and his sister. "I want to rig a hammock on deck, mama."
Sarah gazed at his solemn little face, thinking that at not even seven he was young to start growing away from her already. Was it the pirate blood that ran through his veins? "Are you sure you won't be frightened my dear?"
"Yes mama. I want to be with the men." His chin lifted in a gesture that she recognized as being much like hers when she was facing off against an opponent.
Cotton stepped up and his bird squawked, "Little man!" Sarah nodded. "Yes, he is getting big, isn't he? I know you'll look after him, thank you Mr. Cotton. Yes Teague, you may sleep on deck tonight."
"Good night son." Jack saluted his boy, causing a huge grin of pride and love to split his face as he trotted after Cotton, his favorite blanket clutched in his hands.
Captain Jack grinned a great deal more than he ever used to. He took enormous pleasure in watching his wife and children on the various beaches they landed on, swimming like fishes in the surf, and turning brown like berries. It didn't surprise him to learn that on her mother's side Sarah's grandmother was a gypsy and her grandfather a Spanish lord.
They discovered a grove of mango trees at the next place they landed. The Sparrow children were soon sticky and smeared with juice and pulp. "Look at you, you wretches!" Sarah exclaimed with a fond smile, though she tried to sound stern.
The children giggled as Jack stepped up to her and teasingly wiped a smear of mango from the corner of her mouth and then wagged that finger at her. Together, they led the children to a more secluded area of the beach, and stripped them to wash them in the clean dazzling water. Jack tossed Teague into the deeper water repeatedly, and Teague would crow and swim right back for more.
Later, they fell asleep in the shade on a large blanket, while Jack and Sarah cuddled nearby on another one. Her swimming gown had dried on her body, and she lay flat while Jack loomed over her, devouring her mouth hungrily. She tasted of mangoes, and the limes she'd been eating with the crew aboard ship.
Sarah rolled on her side, away from him, confusing him momentarily with her body language before she pushed her bottom enticingly into his groin. "Ahhh! You want me to toss yer skirts up, do you, naughty wench?"
She gave no answer as he ran his hand down her side to her hip, but she pressed against him again, exciting him. A quick glance over her shoulder and he saw her smouldering eyes. He ran his hand over her curves again, this time playing his fingers over her breasts and feeling the nipples rise to his touch.
They'd gotten a bit fuller from nursing two children. Bearing them had widened her hips just a tad, thickened her waist a little. There was more of her tush and thighs for him to grab. Dancing and horseback riding had kept her finely muscled and supple despite the extra flesh. Her face still looked girlish, the same woman he'd taken from that island. Jack found her the most enticingly sexy woman he'd ever seen.
He pulled her skirt up and quickly opened his breeches. Glancing around quickly and perking his ears for any sign of his crew, Jack satisfied himself that they were undisturbed, and molded his body to hers. Raising her gown higher, he cupped her lush cheek in his palm for a moment, then slid his long fingers down farther.
She immediately lifted her leg to give him more room. Jack hissed as he felt the slick heat awaiting him. "So wet, luv. Do ye want me?" he murmured against her ear, nipping the small lobe.
Sarah moaned agreement. He slid a bit down her body to position himself at her entrance, and drove slowly forward, feeling that hot squeeze surround him. They rocked together, bodies spooned. It quickly became much more heated and Jack laid a hand on her hip, anchoring her while he thrust harder. He could see her moving her hand between her legs and softly moaned. Her shuddery moan and the wild jerking of her hips cued his climax, spilling hot inside her with an exclamation muffled into the top of her head.
Later, aboard the Pearl once again, Jack and Gibbs watched her as she chatted with Cotton who was manning the helm. Yes, somehow or other Sarah had picked up the knack of understanding the frequent, oft random squawks of his bird. And she did it with such gentleness, always looking at Cotton instead of the bird. He always looked happy when she was near, no doubt the man had little chance for conversation since his tongue was cut out.
They voyaged long, uncaring of time or tide. Teague's birthday came closer. Jack ordered a small merchant ship plundered, this was the only act of piracy they engaged in throughout the trip. Jack found a small dagger, with a mother of pearl handle, and pocketed it. He later gave it to his boy on his birthday.
He stayed only a bit longer once they returned home. He wanted to "look round and find another treasure that wants finding." He kissed her tenderly, scooped up Teague and Mary one more time, and sauntered jauntily off.
Chapter Fifteen - The Trap is Baited
A knock came at the door. "Yes milord?" Joshua used his best impenetrable manservant's voice.
"I seek the lady of the house. Is she available?"
"And whom shall I say is calling?"
"Commodore Beckett."
Sarah swished into the sitting room a few minutes later, oozing charm. "Commodore, what an honor to have you in my home. Esther, set us some tea, will you dear? What may I do for you?"
"Fine boy and girl you have, ma'am. I watched them playing in the yard for a bit before I knocked." The Commodore watched her eyes shift to his face as she poured him a cup of tea. "The boy has dark hair like yours, but his face...he must take after his father?"
Sarah's eyebrow rose slightly. "And of what interest are my children to such as you, sir?"
"Only that it must be difficult to raise children all alone."
Her chin lifted proudly. "My husband is at sea."
"I see. Does he return home frequently? I would so love to meet the legendary Jack Sparrow."
Sarah put a lump of sugar into her cup and stirred. He noticed that her hand was trembling minutely. "I'm sorry, I don't know that name."
"Ah, I see. The pirate who kidnapped you several years ago, from your home with your uncle?"
She waved a hand dismissively. "Oh him. Yes. I try to put the experience behind me."
The Commodore leaned forward. "I'm sure it must have been an ordeal. But I'm impressed by your bravery in keeping the child and raising him. That does explain the boy, to be sure." He leaned back again, and sipped the tea. "But your daughter has the very same look."
She swallowed hard and set her cup down smartly. "Stop playing games and state your business with me."
He selected a crumpet from the tray and bit into it. "Did he return to you? Break into your home and ravish you? How dreadfully upsetting, truly horrible! Why, if he can do it once, who knows when he will return and do it again!"
Sarah stood up and paced to the window. She stared out at Teague and Sarah playing, swallowing fearfully. A commodore in her home asking questions about Jack boded absolutely no good at all.
He went on, "I can assure you that he will bother you no more, milady. We caught Jack Sparrow, and executed him this morning."
She turned around and stared at him. The world tipped out of balance. Jack, dead? No, it was impossible! Her mind scurried to find a way out of what this man had just stated. "You executed a pirate this morning? Hangings are public events, how is it that I know nothing of what you speak!"
"Shall I prove it to you?" he said softly. "Shall I show you the body of the man who fathered both your young ones?"
Sarah answered angrily. "If you executed a criminal in the town I live in, I'd like to have known of it!" She waited a beat, then demanded, "You must show me the body!"
"Certainly, milady. If you feel you're up to such a thing." His voice was pure silk and undercurrents of evil.
He showed her to a little room in the fort, flung open the door and she swept through it. There on a slab of marble lay a body with long black hair, red bandanna, sea worn clothes. She gasped all the air out of her lungs, and staggered forward, unbelieving. "No! God, no!"
Her hands covered her face, and she stumbled, nearly falling. Shock and horror suffused her. She crept forward, barely able to stand, and reached with trembling hands to touch his blue boots.
A sob broke through, and she moved closer to cradle the cold, lifeless body in her arms. His head lay at an impossible, skewed angle on his shoulder. His neck had snapped instantly, giving him a quick death. Her eyes were blinded by scalding tears. She couldn't breathe. A horrible weight crushed her chest.
"Jaaack!" she wailed desperately, finally able to empty her lungs. Her hands curled into his clothes, her tears raining down on him. She stroked his chest pathetically, feeling the crisp hairs under her fingers.
Crisp hairs. Sarah frowned through her tears. Jack's chest was smooth. She pulled his shirt open farther. No bullet scars. Gasping now in surprise and not grief, she slowly forced herself to look at his face. No beard braids. And the scar that marred his beard on the right side, was not there. Clearly, great care had been taken to replicate the trinkets and beads he wore in his hair, but the colors were wrong. Come to think of it, Jack wore brown boots, not blue!
Whirling in fury, she advanced on the Commodore who lounged in the doorway. "This man is not Jack Sparrow!"
"No, but you thought he was. And you wept over him. How touching." He lunged forward and grabbed her arm tightly. "You *are* his wife. Don't bother to deny it anymore."
Sarah swallowed hard and said nothing at all. He dragged her from the room and had the soldiers outside chain her wrists. "I'm placing you under house arrest. You are not to leave under any circumstances. Jack will come back, and his precious little wifey will be home waiting for him! You'll have quite a reunion. A short one, I fear."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Joshua and Esther were startled when Sarah suddenly burst into the house. Tersely she explained what had happened while she ran around, packing up their clothes. "This Commodore is insane. 'House arrest' ha! Someone who conspires with pirates is put in prison, tried, and hung. He has some kind of plan or trap in mind. You must get away!"
"Take Harold. You can ride double on him with Rebecca between you." She pressed gold coins into Joshua's hands. "Buy passage on the first ship to Tortuga. It's the most likely place you'll find Jack. He must be warned! He must stay away!"
Joshua stared at her in astonishment. Sarah pushed some bread and a jug of milk into a pouch for Esther and the baby girl. "You should warn Elizabeth too. If they know of my connection to Jack, they may know of hers as well. Go! Quickly!" She hugged them both, then watched them run to the stable to saddle the Morgan stallion.
Sarah paced back and forth anxiously, mind whirling. She tried to remember all that she knew of this Commodore. He had fairly recently been promoted to the position. Sarah paid little attention to political matters. All she could recall was that his family had been under some kind of scandal, and his brother had been killed in some disgraceful way.
He intended to trap Jack, that was clear. How long must she wait, before either Jack returned or the Commodore became tired of this game and had her hung? She could not abide either choice. Her death lay at the end of each road. Decision made, she sprang into action.
She packed a clean change of clothes for herself and each child, then quickly explained to them as much as she dared. They were young, especially Mary at just barely three. How could they really grasp this? But they followed her lead confidently. She saddled Penny and Blaze. Teague was quite a good horseman, as good as he was a sailor. He would ride Blaze.
"Hold on to the pommel now, like a good girl. Don't let go!" She told Mary, then swung up in the saddle behind her daughter. They set out, cantering quickly along the edge of the forest. For quite a bit Sarah had hope that they might actually escape. Then she heard the footsteps pacing them.
Sarah took them deeper into the woods. Teague was keeping up very well. But she began to see flashes of something ahead and next to them, shadowed by trees. The afternoon sun was in her eyes, but she was almost certain she saw two mounted officers. Desperately she urged Penny faster.
The faithful mare sped fast and hard, leaping easily over fallen logs, dodging trees almost without guidance. Teague directed Blaze in a weaving pattern just behind her, veering from her left to her right, and back again. Yet the horse behind them kept pace. In fact, it was closer.
Rarely had she ever whipped Penny. But now she did, once, and the golden horse responded with a terrific burst of speed. Behind her, Teague yelled. Sarah glanced back and saw that the following horse was now right next to him, being ridden by none other than the Commodore. She jerked back on the reins and Penny obligingly whirled.
Sarah charged the man with bloodlust in her face, just as he reached out a gloved hand and caught Blaze's bridle. Behind her, the other shadowing horses caught up, and she had a soldier on either side of her. They too, took hold of her mount's bridle. Penny tried to rear, front hooves lashing. Sarah clung to Mary, and tried to draw her pistol. It was bravado only. With her children's safety at stake, she would not fire.
The Commodore drew close, and his eyes were menacing. "I told you not to leave your house under any circumstance!" He addressed the soldiers next. "Take them to my house." To Sarah he asked. "Will I need to use the irons again?" She numbly shook her head no.
Sarah sat with her hands folded in her lap. Once at his house, Commodore Beckett had put irons around her wrists and sat her down at a table set with a tea set far more ornate than hers. She had no idea where her children had been taken. A cup of tea sat cooling before her. The Commodore stood near the door, speaking with the captain of the Sarah's Swann.
The man nodded, glanced dubiously at her, then nodded again. She could see him in the window reflection. When he left and the door shut with the Commodore still inside, she at last found the courage and strength to pick up her teacup and drink. It rattled in the saucer.
"I thought you might like to know that I've just dispatched your ship with a message for Captain Sparrow. Between that message and your manservant, he ought to be arriving shortly."
"What makes you think he will come? Jack does as he pleases, no one can compel him." Sarah did not care any longer that she sounded miserable and weepy.
He sat down opposite her and looked puzzled as she sipped some more. In fact she was gulping it, finding herself increasingly thirsty. "Surely he will come to his own wife's rescue?"
Sarah chose to avoid that question. In fact, she deary hoped that Jack would NOT come to her rescue, it would extend his life greatly. "What do you intend to do with my son and daughter?"
Commodore Beckett poured himself a brandy and watched her finish her tea. He poured more for her and and began to explain. "I once had a brother named Cutler. He was humiliated by Jack Sparrow's miraculous escape after being branded a pirate, but he worked himself slowly and steadily up to Lordship. He was later killed by Jack in a battle with the Pirate Lords."
He took a sip of his drink, savoring the taste, then carried on. "Though my brother was married, he pursued Sparrow with such vengeance that he had nothing left for anyone else. He never sired any children, and I think in part it's because he...felt something...for the pirate." His face clenched angrily, and a brilliant flash lit his eyes. He gulped the last of the alcohol and threw the glass against the wall, shattering it.
Sarah jumped at the sudden violent display. Even so, she felt strangely calm. "That does not answer my question!"
"I intend to raise them as my own, Sarah Sparrow," he told her calmly. "Your children for the ones my brother never had. Fitting, don't you think? After all, such children deserve something better than outlaw parents, do they not?" And he smiled coldly.
She stared at him in horror. Her head was beginning to swim, and she knew it had nothing to do with the things he had just told her. "What have you done to me?" she ispered.
The Commodore lifted a bottle of laudanum and calmly showed it to her as the swirling darkness rose up and surrounded her.
Chapters 16 - 20
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Date: 2008-04-24 05:38 pm (UTC)You got some duplication in this section - looks to be a chapter repeating, but other than that excellent.
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Date: 2008-04-24 08:24 pm (UTC)