Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
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Pirates of the Caribbean 1.5: The Adventures of Captain Jack and Ashlyn
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Chapter 19: Strange and Stranger Still
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"We're going where?"
"Turkey love, pay attention." It had been a week or so since Jack had been shot in the leg.
"Do you know how long that's going to take?" He shrugged,
"About three months."
"What about food?"
"Aren't we lucky to have that magic bag of yours?" Jin chattered from his position on my shoulder, shaking his fist at Jack. He glared at the monkey and Jin stuck his tongue out. I didn't bother stifling my giggle. "I hate that animal,"
"But Jack, "I protested, "He never causes any trouble,"
"Aye, not when your around," he jabbed a finger at me.
"You're just jealous." I sniffed. He stared at me in disbelief,
"Me? Jealous of a monkey." I nodded, "I think the heat's got to ye head love,"
"Yeah and you're the King,"
"Of course I am pet." I rolled my eyes.
"Whatever." I walked down to Anna-Maria's cabin to see her shoving things into a satchel, "Anna-Maria?" She whipped around.
"Oh, Ashlyn, ye startled me."
"Why are you packing?" She averted my eyes,
"I'm planning on getting off at the next port," I froze. Even Jin was still on my shoulder.
"Oh." I said in a small voice, "How come?" She rubbed her eyes and sighed, sitting on the bed. Patting the spot beside her, I sat.
"I don't trust where Jack's going with this. Ever since he got shot in the leg, he's well… He's been stranger then normal." I stayed quiet and pondered on what she had said. Anna-Maria was right. Jack had been getting a little weird. The night he was shot, he tossed and turned in his sleep and woke up beside me in a cold sweat. I had stayed up with him the rest of the night. Stranger still, the next night, without a word, he had kissed me and it had one from there. Our first time together wasn't romantic; I didn't expect it to be. But it seemed I had finally found what I had been looking for.
Aside from all that, Jack kept muttering to himself and checking his compass when he didn't think I was looking. He poured over his maps and several times, I heard him say something about a key.
"So you're leaving." It was more of a statement then a question,
"Aye. I'm leaving."
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When we docked, Anna-Maria left. I watched from the crow's nest as she walked away, never once turning to say goodbye. I leaned against the wood. I felt strange and hollow and I felt reminiscent of when Giselle was shot. I saw Jack and Gibbs get off. I decided to stay in the crow's nest with Poppins and Jin. I talked to Poppins. It started out as idle chatter but soon died down to how I was feeling. Poppins turned out being a good listener and gave me a few, if not fortune cookie like, pieces of advice. We talked for hours and the next time I looked down, Jack was coming back on with not only Gibbs but several other men. I swallowed.
"Great." I muttered, "Just great." A few moments later, Jack joined me.
"We leave tonight."
"To cross the Atlantic," I said dully, "Jack, why won't you tell me what we're looking for?" He considered me for a moment before pulling my head to his shoulder,
"Let's go back to the cabin, eh love?" He sounded weary, "I don't feel like being Captain tonight." I raised my eyebrows but didn't say anything. Scooping up Poppins and Jin, I followed him down the mast. Jack leaned over to relay orders to Gibbs before putting an arm around my shoulder and leading me to the cabin. "When we're out at sea," he began quietly, "Try and distance yourself from the crew Ashlyn." I stared at him,
"Jack, are you alright?" He ignored my question and continued,
"I don't like 'em very much, not as good as Gibbs and Cotton and the others so, try and keep to yourself pet." I couldn't stop staring,
"What, you think they're going to rape me or something?"
"If a man's at sea for a couple months, anything shaped like a woman looks good to him,"
"Oh gee, thanks," I snapped, "I guess that's why you're bringing me along, huh?" Jack gripped my wrist and kissed me,
"Just keep to my cabin." I glared at him before setting Poppins on the chair. Jin scurried to a shelf and ignored us.
"Why do you have to be like that?"
"Like what?" he asked nonchalantly as he removed his coat and belts,
"A jerk!" I exclaimed, "I'm not your property you know!" He grabbed me by the waist and pushed me on the bed,
"Aye, but you're mine you know."
FIN.
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WHEW! It's O-VAH.
Man, after, Jesus, that long, it's done. I'll start on the next one tonight and we'll see from there.
See ya.
The Author