Fic: "Contradictions 5: Admit" (Part 5)
Jun. 1st, 2011 08:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
veronica_richThis is a continuation of a POTC fic. See Part 1 for disclaimers, etc.
“The one calling himself Lloyd got away before we could get back to where the girls had left him.” Jack watched the constable take notes, uncomfortable telling so much to the authorities. Should they actually catch the man – and Jack didn’t think it would happen; Lloyd himself might not be very bright, but he was likely either already back under the protection of his employer or dead at the same man’s hands for his incompetence – “Jackson MacLeary’s” identity would be compromised. Still, Esther and Joe didn’t know about Jack Sparrow, and he had no desire to enlighten them.
“And you say he was tied?”
“In irons, actually,” Elizabeth put in. “After we disabled him, Isabella grabbed his keys and we freed ourselves from our irons, then I put mine on him.”
“You left him lying in the corridor, correct? Near the entrance?”
“We did.”
Constable Budan glanced back up between Jack and Elizabeth; he’d already questioned the other two captives, who were being treated in one of the Martense home’s bedrooms by the family physician. “I’m still not clear on the connection between you two ...” he prompted.
Jack sighed. This was the tricky part. “As I said, my business takes me around the world, especially the West Indies and His Majesty’s provinces there. I know Miss Swann because I have transacted business with her father, the governor of Jamaica, a handful of times. Mr. Turner is a business associate of mine, who also happens to be a childhood friend of Miss Swann.”
Here, Elizabeth took up the thread. “I was told I was taken in order to get Will – Mr. Turner – to cooperate, so our captors could have leverage on Mr. MacLeary.” She hesitated a bit as she conjured up the correct surname. “And Isabella, for the same reason – ransom.”
“So they wanted your money.”
Jack shrugged and nodded a bit. “I am a man of some means, sir. My father left me a respectable inheritance.” He knew damn well it wasn’t the reason, but it neatly fit the story they were feeding the cops.
“How did you find them in that warehouse?”
“I was delivered a ransom note.”
The constable’s eyebrows perked. “Note? Where?”
“I no longer have it.” Jack affected his most regretful expression. “It upset me so; I crumpled it and threw it on the street when I stormed out of the hotel.”
“I see.” Clearly the man didn’t. “What did it say?”
“Told me where to meet them, and to come alone – you can see why I didn’t report it to the authorities,” he smoothly explained. “I didn’t want anyone hurt. They were going to negotiate, said. And, then ... well, things just went from there. I’m not a man who suffers what’s mine being taken well, Constable.”
“Yes ... it would appear so.” Jack wondered if the man was swallowing any of this, truly, but had no intention of changing his story; once he was gone, the danger would hopefully leave Ivy alone and follow him. And Will, his conscience reminded him. “Thank you, both. You’ll excuse me; I need to speak with Mr. Turner once more before I take my leave.”
Elizabeth nodded and steered him to find the mistress of the house, while Jack took the opportunity to escape into the small garden out the side veranda doors. He stalked around a bit in dawn’s light as he pondered again who might have a vendetta and the means to chase him inland and around the eastern part of a continent. Well, who doesn’t want me gone? he mused, finally dropping into one side of a bench. And how the hell do I keep Will out of it? I can leave Ivy here – and maybe David, with her – but Will wouldn’t stay.
Nor would you want him to, the back, other part of his mind pointed out.
He didn’t acknowledge her when she sat beside him a few minutes later, but he didn’t need to. She remained silent. “I don’t suppose he’d stay, even if I ordered him to.” He growled back in his throat, frustrated. “Why is somethin’ that is supposed to be th’ greatest comfort in the world, so ... painful, instead?” he drew out slowly, seeking the correct words.
“Love’s a hard thing, Jack.” Elizabeth shifted. “I’m not sure it’s really supposed to be easy. I was always taught that something dear comes with a price proportionate to its value.” She chuckled. “I always thought Father said that to get me to stop pestering him for new hats when I was little, but he said it at other times, too.” She sighed. “So is he worth it to you?”
“Hmm? Eh?” Jack blinked and looked over at her. “Let’s have it.”
“What?”
“This is th’ part where you tell me your intentions to win him back. Not like you lost him in th’ first place.” He kept his gaze on her, level and a touch cold; Jack was used to having things pulled away, but he never enjoyed it.
She surprised him. “I’m not saying any such thing. I’m sure that’s Will’s decision. You know as well as I how angry he gets when he thinks someone’s trying to make his mind up for him.” She squinted at Jack. “Didn’t we already have this conversation some time ago?”
“Aye.” The pirate turned his attention once again to the street beyond the small yard, with its early-morning carriages and foot traffic muffled only slightly by the trees planted along the iron fence.
“And still, you haven’t answered me.”
Jack lowered his gaze to the flagstones leading a narrow path toward Esther’s flowerbeds. He recalled how she’d filled their flat with potted flowers and wispy plants, how she’d warn him to keep his black thumb away from her projects on an almost-daily basis, but in a playful tone.
Their gardening abilities aside, there was never really much that had ever tied or held them together – still wasn’t, save for Isabella. Even for his daughter’s sake, Jack wasn’t sure he could have remained married to Esther these many years. He and Will had much more in common than had he and any other person – even the lad’s father – and Jack reflected not for the first time that perhaps Hector Barbossa had actually given him a gift of immeasurable value, depriving him of his ship and marooning him to die. Oddly, he’d found more reasons to live since, than he’d ever had before then.
“He’s worth it,” he finally said, almost so quietly as not to be heard even by his own ears.
“You mean that? You’d do anything for him?”
Jack’s long sigh turned into a rumbling chuckle deep in his chest as he rubbed at his chin. “If you’re askin’ if I’d cheerfully brave th’ bowels of hell for th’ lad ... well, why not? I’m sure it’ll get to that point somewhere along th’ way; this isn’t the safest life he could’ve chosen, as you’ve been gracious enough to point out t’ both him an’ me many a time.”
Again, she surprised him. “I don’t like it.” Well, that wasn’t the surprise, but then she continued, sotto voce. “If he has to be with someone besides me, though, I can think of a lot worse than you.”
“Oh, you’re too kind. Really,” Jack drawled sarcastically.
“You’ll watch out for him, I know. You’ll keep him as safe as you can without smothering him.” The implied tone was that she wouldn’t be able to resist as much, herself. “Will’s always told me he never expected to live beyond that day we plucked him out of the ocean, so he’s fairly grateful for each new day he does have.”
“I’m not gon’ let him get killed, if that’s what you’re gettin’ at,” Jack noised, looking over at Elizabeth again. “I look out for th’ whole crew that way; I’ve told ye this before.”
“When the time comes,” she sallied forth, “I believe you’ll make him happy. As I’ve told you before, he wouldn’t be with you unless he saw something you offer that’s worth pursuing. And I think it’s more than the ship.”
“My wit an’ sparklin’ personality?” He grinned, showing gold canines. “I do have both, ye know.” She regarded him dryly. “The boy likes girls, lassie. Nothin’ much can be done to change that.”
“What about you?” she pointed out. “Esther and all that – and now Will?”
“I’m a bit more flexible about such things, I’ve learned in me old age. But I’m diff’rent.” He rubbed his hands together, resting his forearms on his knees. “To be blunt, I’m not sure I ever really loved Esther. Marriage o’ convenience, really.”
“Aren’t most of them?”
“Aye, you would know,” Jack agreed. “Th’ main difference is the good Commodore does seem t’ foster warm feelings for ye, whereas neither Esther nor I deluded ourselves about the nature of our union. We were companions, nothin’ more.”
“We’ll see.” Off Jack’s furrowed brow, Elizabeth added, “We’ll see where his preferences lie. Somebody’s bound to be surprised, either way; I’m wagering it’ll-“ Off her pause, Jack looked up to spot Isabella several yards away, watching the two of them talk. She didn’t appear to be eavesdropping, and Jack knew they’d been talking softly enough not to be heard. “I think you’ve a visitor,” Elizabeth noted, getting to her feet and smoothing her skirt. The gesture made Jack chuckle, since it was already torn and stained in a few places; she only threw him a droll glance and flounced off past the girl.
He and Ivy regarded one another silently for a time, before Jack told her, “No need t’ stand all th’ way over there. Come an’ sit; you’ve obviously things on your mind.”
Ivy approached, but stopped two feet away, still appraising him. “Who are you?”
“I’m your father.” That clearly wasn’t the answer she sought, by the frown she gave him. “Let’s just say I’m a merchant seaman with a bit o’ style, who plays a bit loose with international trade agreements.”
“A pirate?”
He couldn’t tell anything by the neutrality in her voice. “Navy’d prob’ly call it that.” With a sigh, he unfastened his right cuff and slid it up just enough to show her the puckered “P” scar near his wrist. “As would the East India Trading Comp’ny.”
She’d obviously spied a wing tip. “What’s that?” she pointed, leaning forward a bit.
Scooting to his left, Jack made room by that arm; she took the hint and sat, brow furrowed as she watched his arm like a little hawk. Pushing the sleeve up a bit more, he revealed the bird in flight tattooed into his skin. “I’ve seen this sketch in the journals!” Ivy exclaimed. She prodded his arm lightly with a fingertip and looked up. “You are Jack Sparrow, aren’t you?” He nodded. “And your ship – the Black Pearl?”
“How do ye know all this?” Jack kept his voice normal, without the proper accent he affected for these trips.
She pressed for more. “Did you really chase cursed pirates who couldn’t die? And break the curse for-“ Her eyes widened; she was practically thrumming with excitement by this point. “And that’s Will Turner with you – his father was the one who betrayed the mutineers, and he helped you! David’s not really his brother, is he?”
“Shh,” Jack warned her, gesturing for her to lower her voice. “Again, how d’ you learn this stuff?”
“I read, Father.” She paused, then giggled briefly at that before smothering her mouth with her hand. “Does that mean my name’s really Isabella Sparrow?”
“No, it means my name really is MacLeary. Savvy?” Jack drew his brows together as he leaned in to secure the confidence. “Remember what I said earlier, not tellin’ your mother?” Ivy nodded. “Or Joe?” She nodded again, quizzically. “Neither of them know anything about Captain Sparrow, and I’d prefer it remain that way. I wouldn’t’ve told you, ‘cept for you learnin’ about it on your own.”
She looked hurt, as only a child treated like a child can. “I’m good at keeping secrets,” she reassured him. “Really! I can tell you one I know about someone else to prove it ... except it’s a secret ... and I can’t.” She frowned over the circular logic. “But I can keep one.”
“I trust you.” He had no choice, after all. “It’d be far better for ye if you forgot everythin’ about this, but I s’pose that’s askin’ a bit much of just about anyone.”
She watched him in perfect concentration for a moment, blinking a couple of times as she apparently thought something over. “I’ve read articles about you,” she finally told him. “The things you’ve done, that the King says you’ve done.” He said nothing. “I never have read that you’re accused of murder or ... you know, the bad things they say pirates sometimes to do women.” She dropped her voice near the end, nearly at a hush, her face coloring. “Is that true?”
“That I’ve never done those things?” Jack nodded. “Aye – I mean, it’s true. I haven’t.” He didn’t mention he had killed in self-defense a time or three. “I never hurt anyone intentionally. I’m not sure how to explain it to ye, an’ I’ll be honest when I say I think you’ll understand a lot better when you’re grown up more. I hope ye do, anyway.”
“A pirate,” she mused aloud. “My father, the pirate captain.” Her small hand still rested on his bird tattoo, absently patting it as though stroking real feathers. “Is there anything else I ought to know so I can keep it a secret?”
Jack thought it might be too soon to tell her about her Caribbean half-sister; plus, to be honest, he needed to be sure he could trust her with one secret at a time. “Not right now,” he deflected. “Wait a bit, ‘til you’re older; I promise I’ll tell ye more. Jus’ trust me for now, eh?”
“I’d like to see the Black Pearl someday.”
He noted the light in her eyes and couldn’t help a grin – apparently, the MacLeary genes didn’t discriminate on the basis of sex. “When you’re older, I promise I’ll bring ye t’ see her.” He felt the tickle in the back of his mind from the ship – Pearl had “questioned” him since winning her back about the other, newer girls in his life, and Jack wondered if she felt threatened somehow. Easy – I’m not giving up any of you three.
“I’ve read a lot about it. The ship, I mean.” Ivy spoke earnestly. “A warship, right? With black sails and sweeps?”
Impressed, Jack nodded. “What else d’ ye know about ships?”
They talked for a good half-hour longer, until Esther called for her to take a bath and eat. Jack bade her farewell, promising to come by that evening or the next day, after she’d had time to sleep and recover from the doctor’s poking and prodding. Surprising him, she hugged his neck before running off. “Good morning ... Captain,” she chuckled, kissing his cheek as she pulled away.
He decided that might even sound better than “Da” after all.
*****
“Are we leaving David here with Joe and Esther when we put out toward Pearl?” Will asked over breakfast and tea a couple of hours later.
“What makes ye ask that?”
Will paused buttering his biscuit, raising skeptical eyes to Jack. “Being perceptive, for one. I saw the way you were watching David back there; I also heard what those bastards said back at the warehouse. They work for someone, and one of them got away. They’re not going to just forget about you.”
“I highly doubt it.” Jack took a healthy swig of his tea, to the apparent amusement of Will. “What?”
The smith shook his head, chuckling. “It’s not a bottle, Jack.”
“Aye, and it’s not fine port, either, else I wouldn’ be usin’ th’ bag thrice.” He set down his cup. “What would you suggest we do with Davey, then?”
“Oh, I don’t disagree with you. I don’t think we need to put him in danger. Unnecessary danger, I mean,” Will added. “I know a cabin boy’s life isn’t necessarily safe, but if there’s someone out there deliberately after you ...” He let the thought linger.
“You sure you wan’ head back out there too?” Jack took another drink of tea as Will regarded him, first with confusion, then with annoyance. “Just askin’.”
“Well, don’t. You make it sound like I need my mum to twist her skirts in my hands and hide behind,” the smith snapped.
“Never let it be said I’m not th’ pirate captain who cares, mate.” Jack winked; Will scowled, then relaxed his expression by degrees. “Was a fair question, but we’ll not speak of it anymore. Good?”
Will twisted his lips and parted them in apparent answer, but then closed his mouth again, keeping his thoughts to himself – at least on that. “Who do you think it is?”
“Lad, if I had to guess who might have a big enough grudge against me or me crew t’ try doin’ me harm, we’d both be sittin’ here ‘til we’re old men needin’ nursemaids.” He rubbed at his chin. “I must admit, though, I dispatched most o’ those with th’ help of that curse and our good friend the Commodore’s noose.”
“Are you certain?”
“They all hanged, Will. Th’ ones who survived the battle. An’ I did qualify it by saying ‘most’ of those.”
“I meant, could someone have a grudge on their behalf?” Will waited for an answer before sighing. “Some of those men had families, Jack – children, wives, brothers, lovers. Someone might want to do you harm for what we did to them.”
It irritated the hell out of Jack that he hadn’t considered that very thing. It also raised a niggle in the back of his mind – something he couldn’t name or put a finger upon at moment, but would likely eat at his brain until he figured it out, perhaps not for weeks yet.. “You make a point,” he conceded in a mutter. “Doesn’t help th’ story’s spread everywhere ‘bout the Isla. Ivy’s even heard about it.” He proceeded to offer a brief sketch of that morning’s conversation with his daughter.
The corner of Will’s mouth twitched in response as Jack finished his story. “Sounds like someone has a case of hero worship,” he observed.
“You know,” Jack frowned, “not at all sure I approve of her bein’ that enthralled by me bein’ a pirate.”
“You thought it was just fine for David.”
“He’s not my little girl. Concerned as I am for his safety, he’s led a dif’rent life than Ivy.” He rubbed at his lower lip. “Could have a similar one now, though ...”
“An education, a home – good things for a boy his age,” Will agreed.
“Aye, and a mother an’ father who cares about his welfare.” As soon as the words were out, he glanced to Will, who merely nodded agreement, expression betraying no emotion regarding his own orphaned upbringing. “And I’ve plenty of money t’ contribute to his care.”
Will brushed crumbs from his fingers. “Sounds like you’ve made your choice.”
Jack nodded. “I’ll see about passage on th’ morrow; we’ll leave a couple days out. Sooner we’re gone, sooner whoever’s got this grudge’ll leave them alone an’ tip their hand to us.” Again, the feeling that brushed the back of his mind, that he was forgetting something important – it had nothing to do with either of the children and everything to do with someone he knew ...
“We should make sure people know we’re departing, too,” Will pointed out. “The hotel, shopkeepers we’ve dealt with here regularly, and such. However this person, whoever it is, found out about your whereabouts had to hear of it through someone like that, since we didn’t exactly plan this sojourn.”
“Was just thinkin’ that very thing.” That decided it for him; Jack lightly slapped his hands on the table, a surge of energy taking him. “Come ‘long, then; let’s not wait.” He knew if he couldn’t sit still or sleep for a few hours, Will would likely balk at being ordered to do it. “We’ll see what we can get done today right around this neighborhood – don’t want ye strainin’ your bandages – and have a talk with Esther an’ Joe in th’ morning."
On to the last part ...
“The one calling himself Lloyd got away before we could get back to where the girls had left him.” Jack watched the constable take notes, uncomfortable telling so much to the authorities. Should they actually catch the man – and Jack didn’t think it would happen; Lloyd himself might not be very bright, but he was likely either already back under the protection of his employer or dead at the same man’s hands for his incompetence – “Jackson MacLeary’s” identity would be compromised. Still, Esther and Joe didn’t know about Jack Sparrow, and he had no desire to enlighten them.
“And you say he was tied?”
“In irons, actually,” Elizabeth put in. “After we disabled him, Isabella grabbed his keys and we freed ourselves from our irons, then I put mine on him.”
“You left him lying in the corridor, correct? Near the entrance?”
“We did.”
Constable Budan glanced back up between Jack and Elizabeth; he’d already questioned the other two captives, who were being treated in one of the Martense home’s bedrooms by the family physician. “I’m still not clear on the connection between you two ...” he prompted.
Jack sighed. This was the tricky part. “As I said, my business takes me around the world, especially the West Indies and His Majesty’s provinces there. I know Miss Swann because I have transacted business with her father, the governor of Jamaica, a handful of times. Mr. Turner is a business associate of mine, who also happens to be a childhood friend of Miss Swann.”
Here, Elizabeth took up the thread. “I was told I was taken in order to get Will – Mr. Turner – to cooperate, so our captors could have leverage on Mr. MacLeary.” She hesitated a bit as she conjured up the correct surname. “And Isabella, for the same reason – ransom.”
“So they wanted your money.”
Jack shrugged and nodded a bit. “I am a man of some means, sir. My father left me a respectable inheritance.” He knew damn well it wasn’t the reason, but it neatly fit the story they were feeding the cops.
“How did you find them in that warehouse?”
“I was delivered a ransom note.”
The constable’s eyebrows perked. “Note? Where?”
“I no longer have it.” Jack affected his most regretful expression. “It upset me so; I crumpled it and threw it on the street when I stormed out of the hotel.”
“I see.” Clearly the man didn’t. “What did it say?”
“Told me where to meet them, and to come alone – you can see why I didn’t report it to the authorities,” he smoothly explained. “I didn’t want anyone hurt. They were going to negotiate, said. And, then ... well, things just went from there. I’m not a man who suffers what’s mine being taken well, Constable.”
“Yes ... it would appear so.” Jack wondered if the man was swallowing any of this, truly, but had no intention of changing his story; once he was gone, the danger would hopefully leave Ivy alone and follow him. And Will, his conscience reminded him. “Thank you, both. You’ll excuse me; I need to speak with Mr. Turner once more before I take my leave.”
Elizabeth nodded and steered him to find the mistress of the house, while Jack took the opportunity to escape into the small garden out the side veranda doors. He stalked around a bit in dawn’s light as he pondered again who might have a vendetta and the means to chase him inland and around the eastern part of a continent. Well, who doesn’t want me gone? he mused, finally dropping into one side of a bench. And how the hell do I keep Will out of it? I can leave Ivy here – and maybe David, with her – but Will wouldn’t stay.
Nor would you want him to, the back, other part of his mind pointed out.
He didn’t acknowledge her when she sat beside him a few minutes later, but he didn’t need to. She remained silent. “I don’t suppose he’d stay, even if I ordered him to.” He growled back in his throat, frustrated. “Why is somethin’ that is supposed to be th’ greatest comfort in the world, so ... painful, instead?” he drew out slowly, seeking the correct words.
“Love’s a hard thing, Jack.” Elizabeth shifted. “I’m not sure it’s really supposed to be easy. I was always taught that something dear comes with a price proportionate to its value.” She chuckled. “I always thought Father said that to get me to stop pestering him for new hats when I was little, but he said it at other times, too.” She sighed. “So is he worth it to you?”
“Hmm? Eh?” Jack blinked and looked over at her. “Let’s have it.”
“What?”
“This is th’ part where you tell me your intentions to win him back. Not like you lost him in th’ first place.” He kept his gaze on her, level and a touch cold; Jack was used to having things pulled away, but he never enjoyed it.
She surprised him. “I’m not saying any such thing. I’m sure that’s Will’s decision. You know as well as I how angry he gets when he thinks someone’s trying to make his mind up for him.” She squinted at Jack. “Didn’t we already have this conversation some time ago?”
“Aye.” The pirate turned his attention once again to the street beyond the small yard, with its early-morning carriages and foot traffic muffled only slightly by the trees planted along the iron fence.
“And still, you haven’t answered me.”
Jack lowered his gaze to the flagstones leading a narrow path toward Esther’s flowerbeds. He recalled how she’d filled their flat with potted flowers and wispy plants, how she’d warn him to keep his black thumb away from her projects on an almost-daily basis, but in a playful tone.
Their gardening abilities aside, there was never really much that had ever tied or held them together – still wasn’t, save for Isabella. Even for his daughter’s sake, Jack wasn’t sure he could have remained married to Esther these many years. He and Will had much more in common than had he and any other person – even the lad’s father – and Jack reflected not for the first time that perhaps Hector Barbossa had actually given him a gift of immeasurable value, depriving him of his ship and marooning him to die. Oddly, he’d found more reasons to live since, than he’d ever had before then.
“He’s worth it,” he finally said, almost so quietly as not to be heard even by his own ears.
“You mean that? You’d do anything for him?”
Jack’s long sigh turned into a rumbling chuckle deep in his chest as he rubbed at his chin. “If you’re askin’ if I’d cheerfully brave th’ bowels of hell for th’ lad ... well, why not? I’m sure it’ll get to that point somewhere along th’ way; this isn’t the safest life he could’ve chosen, as you’ve been gracious enough to point out t’ both him an’ me many a time.”
Again, she surprised him. “I don’t like it.” Well, that wasn’t the surprise, but then she continued, sotto voce. “If he has to be with someone besides me, though, I can think of a lot worse than you.”
“Oh, you’re too kind. Really,” Jack drawled sarcastically.
“You’ll watch out for him, I know. You’ll keep him as safe as you can without smothering him.” The implied tone was that she wouldn’t be able to resist as much, herself. “Will’s always told me he never expected to live beyond that day we plucked him out of the ocean, so he’s fairly grateful for each new day he does have.”
“I’m not gon’ let him get killed, if that’s what you’re gettin’ at,” Jack noised, looking over at Elizabeth again. “I look out for th’ whole crew that way; I’ve told ye this before.”
“When the time comes,” she sallied forth, “I believe you’ll make him happy. As I’ve told you before, he wouldn’t be with you unless he saw something you offer that’s worth pursuing. And I think it’s more than the ship.”
“My wit an’ sparklin’ personality?” He grinned, showing gold canines. “I do have both, ye know.” She regarded him dryly. “The boy likes girls, lassie. Nothin’ much can be done to change that.”
“What about you?” she pointed out. “Esther and all that – and now Will?”
“I’m a bit more flexible about such things, I’ve learned in me old age. But I’m diff’rent.” He rubbed his hands together, resting his forearms on his knees. “To be blunt, I’m not sure I ever really loved Esther. Marriage o’ convenience, really.”
“Aren’t most of them?”
“Aye, you would know,” Jack agreed. “Th’ main difference is the good Commodore does seem t’ foster warm feelings for ye, whereas neither Esther nor I deluded ourselves about the nature of our union. We were companions, nothin’ more.”
“We’ll see.” Off Jack’s furrowed brow, Elizabeth added, “We’ll see where his preferences lie. Somebody’s bound to be surprised, either way; I’m wagering it’ll-“ Off her pause, Jack looked up to spot Isabella several yards away, watching the two of them talk. She didn’t appear to be eavesdropping, and Jack knew they’d been talking softly enough not to be heard. “I think you’ve a visitor,” Elizabeth noted, getting to her feet and smoothing her skirt. The gesture made Jack chuckle, since it was already torn and stained in a few places; she only threw him a droll glance and flounced off past the girl.
He and Ivy regarded one another silently for a time, before Jack told her, “No need t’ stand all th’ way over there. Come an’ sit; you’ve obviously things on your mind.”
Ivy approached, but stopped two feet away, still appraising him. “Who are you?”
“I’m your father.” That clearly wasn’t the answer she sought, by the frown she gave him. “Let’s just say I’m a merchant seaman with a bit o’ style, who plays a bit loose with international trade agreements.”
“A pirate?”
He couldn’t tell anything by the neutrality in her voice. “Navy’d prob’ly call it that.” With a sigh, he unfastened his right cuff and slid it up just enough to show her the puckered “P” scar near his wrist. “As would the East India Trading Comp’ny.”
She’d obviously spied a wing tip. “What’s that?” she pointed, leaning forward a bit.
Scooting to his left, Jack made room by that arm; she took the hint and sat, brow furrowed as she watched his arm like a little hawk. Pushing the sleeve up a bit more, he revealed the bird in flight tattooed into his skin. “I’ve seen this sketch in the journals!” Ivy exclaimed. She prodded his arm lightly with a fingertip and looked up. “You are Jack Sparrow, aren’t you?” He nodded. “And your ship – the Black Pearl?”
“How do ye know all this?” Jack kept his voice normal, without the proper accent he affected for these trips.
She pressed for more. “Did you really chase cursed pirates who couldn’t die? And break the curse for-“ Her eyes widened; she was practically thrumming with excitement by this point. “And that’s Will Turner with you – his father was the one who betrayed the mutineers, and he helped you! David’s not really his brother, is he?”
“Shh,” Jack warned her, gesturing for her to lower her voice. “Again, how d’ you learn this stuff?”
“I read, Father.” She paused, then giggled briefly at that before smothering her mouth with her hand. “Does that mean my name’s really Isabella Sparrow?”
“No, it means my name really is MacLeary. Savvy?” Jack drew his brows together as he leaned in to secure the confidence. “Remember what I said earlier, not tellin’ your mother?” Ivy nodded. “Or Joe?” She nodded again, quizzically. “Neither of them know anything about Captain Sparrow, and I’d prefer it remain that way. I wouldn’t’ve told you, ‘cept for you learnin’ about it on your own.”
She looked hurt, as only a child treated like a child can. “I’m good at keeping secrets,” she reassured him. “Really! I can tell you one I know about someone else to prove it ... except it’s a secret ... and I can’t.” She frowned over the circular logic. “But I can keep one.”
“I trust you.” He had no choice, after all. “It’d be far better for ye if you forgot everythin’ about this, but I s’pose that’s askin’ a bit much of just about anyone.”
She watched him in perfect concentration for a moment, blinking a couple of times as she apparently thought something over. “I’ve read articles about you,” she finally told him. “The things you’ve done, that the King says you’ve done.” He said nothing. “I never have read that you’re accused of murder or ... you know, the bad things they say pirates sometimes to do women.” She dropped her voice near the end, nearly at a hush, her face coloring. “Is that true?”
“That I’ve never done those things?” Jack nodded. “Aye – I mean, it’s true. I haven’t.” He didn’t mention he had killed in self-defense a time or three. “I never hurt anyone intentionally. I’m not sure how to explain it to ye, an’ I’ll be honest when I say I think you’ll understand a lot better when you’re grown up more. I hope ye do, anyway.”
“A pirate,” she mused aloud. “My father, the pirate captain.” Her small hand still rested on his bird tattoo, absently patting it as though stroking real feathers. “Is there anything else I ought to know so I can keep it a secret?”
Jack thought it might be too soon to tell her about her Caribbean half-sister; plus, to be honest, he needed to be sure he could trust her with one secret at a time. “Not right now,” he deflected. “Wait a bit, ‘til you’re older; I promise I’ll tell ye more. Jus’ trust me for now, eh?”
“I’d like to see the Black Pearl someday.”
He noted the light in her eyes and couldn’t help a grin – apparently, the MacLeary genes didn’t discriminate on the basis of sex. “When you’re older, I promise I’ll bring ye t’ see her.” He felt the tickle in the back of his mind from the ship – Pearl had “questioned” him since winning her back about the other, newer girls in his life, and Jack wondered if she felt threatened somehow. Easy – I’m not giving up any of you three.
“I’ve read a lot about it. The ship, I mean.” Ivy spoke earnestly. “A warship, right? With black sails and sweeps?”
Impressed, Jack nodded. “What else d’ ye know about ships?”
They talked for a good half-hour longer, until Esther called for her to take a bath and eat. Jack bade her farewell, promising to come by that evening or the next day, after she’d had time to sleep and recover from the doctor’s poking and prodding. Surprising him, she hugged his neck before running off. “Good morning ... Captain,” she chuckled, kissing his cheek as she pulled away.
He decided that might even sound better than “Da” after all.
*****
“Are we leaving David here with Joe and Esther when we put out toward Pearl?” Will asked over breakfast and tea a couple of hours later.
“What makes ye ask that?”
Will paused buttering his biscuit, raising skeptical eyes to Jack. “Being perceptive, for one. I saw the way you were watching David back there; I also heard what those bastards said back at the warehouse. They work for someone, and one of them got away. They’re not going to just forget about you.”
“I highly doubt it.” Jack took a healthy swig of his tea, to the apparent amusement of Will. “What?”
The smith shook his head, chuckling. “It’s not a bottle, Jack.”
“Aye, and it’s not fine port, either, else I wouldn’ be usin’ th’ bag thrice.” He set down his cup. “What would you suggest we do with Davey, then?”
“Oh, I don’t disagree with you. I don’t think we need to put him in danger. Unnecessary danger, I mean,” Will added. “I know a cabin boy’s life isn’t necessarily safe, but if there’s someone out there deliberately after you ...” He let the thought linger.
“You sure you wan’ head back out there too?” Jack took another drink of tea as Will regarded him, first with confusion, then with annoyance. “Just askin’.”
“Well, don’t. You make it sound like I need my mum to twist her skirts in my hands and hide behind,” the smith snapped.
“Never let it be said I’m not th’ pirate captain who cares, mate.” Jack winked; Will scowled, then relaxed his expression by degrees. “Was a fair question, but we’ll not speak of it anymore. Good?”
Will twisted his lips and parted them in apparent answer, but then closed his mouth again, keeping his thoughts to himself – at least on that. “Who do you think it is?”
“Lad, if I had to guess who might have a big enough grudge against me or me crew t’ try doin’ me harm, we’d both be sittin’ here ‘til we’re old men needin’ nursemaids.” He rubbed at his chin. “I must admit, though, I dispatched most o’ those with th’ help of that curse and our good friend the Commodore’s noose.”
“Are you certain?”
“They all hanged, Will. Th’ ones who survived the battle. An’ I did qualify it by saying ‘most’ of those.”
“I meant, could someone have a grudge on their behalf?” Will waited for an answer before sighing. “Some of those men had families, Jack – children, wives, brothers, lovers. Someone might want to do you harm for what we did to them.”
It irritated the hell out of Jack that he hadn’t considered that very thing. It also raised a niggle in the back of his mind – something he couldn’t name or put a finger upon at moment, but would likely eat at his brain until he figured it out, perhaps not for weeks yet.. “You make a point,” he conceded in a mutter. “Doesn’t help th’ story’s spread everywhere ‘bout the Isla. Ivy’s even heard about it.” He proceeded to offer a brief sketch of that morning’s conversation with his daughter.
The corner of Will’s mouth twitched in response as Jack finished his story. “Sounds like someone has a case of hero worship,” he observed.
“You know,” Jack frowned, “not at all sure I approve of her bein’ that enthralled by me bein’ a pirate.”
“You thought it was just fine for David.”
“He’s not my little girl. Concerned as I am for his safety, he’s led a dif’rent life than Ivy.” He rubbed at his lower lip. “Could have a similar one now, though ...”
“An education, a home – good things for a boy his age,” Will agreed.
“Aye, and a mother an’ father who cares about his welfare.” As soon as the words were out, he glanced to Will, who merely nodded agreement, expression betraying no emotion regarding his own orphaned upbringing. “And I’ve plenty of money t’ contribute to his care.”
Will brushed crumbs from his fingers. “Sounds like you’ve made your choice.”
Jack nodded. “I’ll see about passage on th’ morrow; we’ll leave a couple days out. Sooner we’re gone, sooner whoever’s got this grudge’ll leave them alone an’ tip their hand to us.” Again, the feeling that brushed the back of his mind, that he was forgetting something important – it had nothing to do with either of the children and everything to do with someone he knew ...
“We should make sure people know we’re departing, too,” Will pointed out. “The hotel, shopkeepers we’ve dealt with here regularly, and such. However this person, whoever it is, found out about your whereabouts had to hear of it through someone like that, since we didn’t exactly plan this sojourn.”
“Was just thinkin’ that very thing.” That decided it for him; Jack lightly slapped his hands on the table, a surge of energy taking him. “Come ‘long, then; let’s not wait.” He knew if he couldn’t sit still or sleep for a few hours, Will would likely balk at being ordered to do it. “We’ll see what we can get done today right around this neighborhood – don’t want ye strainin’ your bandages – and have a talk with Esther an’ Joe in th’ morning."
On to the last part ...
