Chancing Fate - Jack Sparrow x OC

Part 1 - Chapter 4

Few clouds were scattered across the sky as Caroline, Will, and Jack made their way across the sea. Each person had found their own way to pass the time as they settled into the day. Jack stood at the wheel, shifting his attention between the sea, his compass, and occasionally the other two. Will, on the other hand, was constantly moving about. She had spotted him going in and out of the lower deck multiple times, and it was only after the first few that she realized he was probably gathering supplies and other items that may be of use to them. It only reminded Caroline of her earlier feelings of being useless.

Prior to this moment though, Caroline couldn't pull herself away from her spot at the bow. A steady breeze ruffled her hair as she listened to the ocean, waves breaking as the ship cut through them and swayed over the water. Salt clung faintly to the air around her, cool against her skin beneath the warmth of the afternoon sun. It was an amazing feeling, especially after she had truly adjusted to the constant rocking beneath her feet. At first every shift had left her stomach uneasy, but now she found herself moving with it more instinctively. She had still been young the last time she had been out at sea, when her father had moved her to Port Royal with little warning.

Growing up around ships, she had a vague familiarity with the basics. After all, sailing was one of the few interests that she had been allowed to look into when younger, along with swordplay. That was a lifetime ago, back when she could actually say she had a family. Before every conversation in their household had begun feeling strained and careful. Either way, she had learned some bits and pieces about controlling a ship. She could rattle off names of certain objects, tell someone what they did or controlled, but that was about it. And knowing names wasn't exactly helpful. Hopefully she would be able to pick up a few things with a little instruction, and then she might feel like she had a purpose on this trip.

Because that was the problem, wasn't it? Will had skills. Jack had experience. She had simply refused to stay behind.

Caroline finally found the will to move as she shifted from her previous position and stretched her stiff muscles, cringing as she immediately regretted raising her arms. Her shoulders still burned from the climb aboard the Dauntless earlier, the ache worsening every time she moved too quickly. She only had two options, and considering Will was trained as a blacksmith and not a sailor, she figured he wouldn't be the best one to go to for instruction. With sore shoulders and one hand attempting to rub the abused muscle, she slowly made her way toward Jack's position.

As she stepped closer to him, she let her hand fall back to her side, rolling her shoulders back instead to ease the ache. In the mid-day sun, it was easier to take in everything about him. From all the moments in passing or moments spent running, she hadn't taken much time to truly note all the details he seemed to have sewn into his appearance, quite literally in some instances. With such a mismatched collection of beads in his hair, the well-worn jacket, and every other article of clothing she could catch sight of, he seemed like he would have quite a story. Rings decorated nearly every finger, fabric had been repaired in places by hand, and even his boots looked unevenly worn from years of use.

He looked far less like the monsters described in Port Royal stories and far more like someone who had survived by refusing to break.

Lost in thought, she failed to notice her pause as she stared at him until she realized he was much closer and staring back with a grin that might just plausibly send her jumping overboard.

"Well, Miss Palmer, finally decided to grace us with your presence?"

Rolling her eyes to hide her embarrassment, she shot back, "Of course, Captain. I can't stay there forever. I'm not here just to look pretty."

"Well, it wouldn't be the worst use of you," he continued with a wolfish grin as he raked his eyes over her figure.

Following his eyes, she quickly crossed her arms over her chest. Heat immediately crawled up her neck beneath the directness of it. No man in Port Royal would have dared say something so openly to her face.