Bittersweet | Cutler Beckett

Nine

Aqualung

It felt like the world had vanished for Jade. She just stared out through the air as she heard Davy Jones' confident steps walking up behind her. It could not be true, he had made it up. It was the only logical explanation. It was a lie, it was was Jones's did. Telling lies and making people feel helpless. He was cruel. Jade tried to remind herself of that. Yet she couldn't believe it.

"You're lying", she told him with wide eyes as she turned around. But Jones's just smiled at her, an cruel smile.

He shook his head, while a grin spread across his lips. "You're the daughter of a witch and a monster, whether you like it or not"

The captain of the Flying Dutchman turned around and faced Beckett, who wore a thoughtful expression. "Were there something else?" he sneered in his harsh voice. When he got no response he rushed out of the room.

Jade stood unmoving, she heard how Beckett's steps got closer to her. She saw him in the corners of her eyes. She wasn't sure but she thought she heard him say something. He took a hold of her shoulders, but she was unreachable. "Miss Lockhart?", Beckett said once more, this time Jade could hear him. "Jade?" He tried. Their eyes found each other.

"It cannot be true," she gasped, while she felt her hand covering her mouth. "It cannot"

"It wouldn't be a surprise with Jones's telling lies to upset people", he began, doing his best to calm her down.

"But why would he lie about this?", she asked, seeking for answers in his face.

"Lets just consider it for a moment," Beckett began as sat down on the chair. "You should be in about the right age. It would explain why Jones' didn't kill you when Jack offered you as one of the souls he required. Even a man as Jones perhaps wouldn't kill his own kin."

"So you're saying my father is a monster?"

"Then we would have one thing in common" Beckett replied. Jade let her eyes remain on him for some time, but she knew better than to ask.

________________________________

The Endeavour was flying through the blue green waves, Jade's hair flew around her face as she stood on the deck.

"It's an beautiful day, despite all", the familiar thick voice of James Norrington was heard from behind her. She nodded for an answer. "It is"

She cast him a quick glare. "Seems you managed to reclaim your formal titles, without my help"

"You consider yourself responsible of that matter?" Norrington asked her.

"Wasn't it my fault you lost them in the first place?", she asked. "when you couldn't find me and bring me back to Beckett?"

"I believe it was. But here we are, I'm a Admiral of the British navy and you-", the admiral seemed unsure what title he should call her by. "brought back to Lord Beckett.", he said instead. Norrington looked down. "It must be hard for you", he continued.

Jade turned around so she stood face to face with him. "What must be hard for me?"

The question seemed difficult for Norrington to answer. "You must have heard, Miss, the things they say about you onboard. Lord Beckett is clearly concerned"

"What things?"

Norrington sighed and looked around, he leaned in forward. This time his voice was lower. "That you're a witch, that you have enchanted Lord Beckett not to kill you despite what you are. Other say-", he silenced.