In honor of the tenth anniversary of Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl...

~ Ten Years ~

One

Relief, then rum-fueled fury, then grief, and back again. Repeatedly.

He'd been too sure of his charm, his ability to persuade. And he'd badly underestimated Hector.

But that was all right, he thought, carefully polishing the barrel of his pistol. Hector would soon know how badly he'd underestimated old Jack.

o-o-o

Two

The Black Pearl was gone.

There'd been rumors of violence, of mayhem, for months. Jack hadn't known what to make of them. Not his Pearl! Had the old man been right about the curse?

But the rumors had faded, then stopped.

Searching was futile. Jack felt it in his bones.

o-o-o

Three

Revenge would come, but meanwhile sustenance must be had, and navigation kept him in coin and at sea. South to the Horn, then across the ill-named Pacific. In Singapore he found the means and will to rest a time and, in place of the ivory lost to scurvy, acquired gold.

o-o-o

Four

Sao Feng was a ruthless bastard, and Jack knew better than to poach on his turf. Not that it made any difference in the end. Lian and Park, precocious lasses that they were, knew what they wanted, and how to get it, too.

So much for Jack's sojourn in Singapore.

o-o-o

Five

After weeks of perfect sailing, they rounded the Cape of Storms and headed up the coast of Africa. A month in the doldrums, a fortnight in the Bay of Biscay, then Corsairs had them. Sold to a vizier with rather peculiar tastes, Jack found the gentleman's lady easier to manage.

o-o-o

Six

England was at war with Spain, but Jack had an ear for the language and throve under the tutelage of Sister Angelica, denizen of the convent where he'd taken refuge. She was fiery, beautiful, and a generous soul, and it seemed only fair that he reciprocate - in a manner of speaking.

o-o-o

Seven

Strange how the Caribbean felt like home, and how comfortable the amenities of Tortuga. He'd coin in his pocket this go-round, enough for a grand night of debauchery. Yet the usual lasses seemed garish after catching sight of a newcomer in their midst, a shy English rose named Molly Hatter.

o-o-o

Eight

The Black Pearl was back from God knew where, but she was sly as an otter and slippery as an eel. The ascendant Scourge of Piracy, Captain Norrington R.N., was led a merry dance in pursuit, and Jack a merrier, trying to catch the one and avoid the other.

o-o-o

Nine

He'd almost forgotten Anamaria, it'd been so long, and she'd so thoroughly left behind the small, skinny girl he'd known back then. If his friend, her father, had still been alive... but he'd been gone these many years.

Needs must when the devil drives.

And besides, she had a boat!

o-o-o

Ten

"I know those guns!"

Jack's heart leapt: The Pearl here, now, as well as the lovely Elizabeth and her piece of Aztec Gold.

No manner of luck. Ha! Why, except for the minor inconvenience of the gaol, and that recalcitrant canine, it was all coming together exactly as he'd planned!

~.~