Dead Man's Chest I Jack Sparrow

Chapter Eleven

      Once they reached the Pearl, the last of the men had boarded, save for one of her least favorite people. James Norrington.

      "I didn't think he would take his hiring seriously." She grumbled, followed by Jack's deep chuckle.

      "Captain Sparrow." Jacqueline scrunched her brows together as a new voice called to Jack, a voice that seemed familiar to her. She stood next to Sparrow as he addressed the person.

      "Come to join my crew, lad? Welcome aboard!" She analyzed the figure. The voice was high-pitched, his body slim, unlike most men. His face was concealed by a hat, yet the clues given to Jacqueline made her realize this was no man. 

      "I'm here to find the man I love." That's when it clicked. She mentally groaned. The woman in front of her was the same woman who had pestered her on an island and somehow gained all of young William's love.

      "I'm deeply flattered, but the only person I've ever loved as much as the sea is standing right next to me." Her lips curled into a warm smile at his words. She brushed off the fervor feeling inside of her core and murmured,

      "Idiot." At the same time, Elizabeth tipped her hat up revealing her face.

      "Meaning William Turner."

      "Elizabeth." Jack leaned towards Gibbs and whispered something Jacqueline couldn't make out. Gibbs ran on board as Jack once again spoke to Elizabeth.

      "Those clothes do not flatter you. Should be in a dress. Although I happen to have no dress in my cabin." Jacqueline scoffed.

      "Jack. I know Will came to find you, where is he?" Tricked into slavery by Jack. She bit her tongue. 

      "Darling, I am truly sorry to tell you this, but through unfortunate circumstances that had nothing to do whatsoever with me, poor Will has been press-ganged into Davy Jones's crew." She rolled her eyes at the terrible lie. Yet Elizabeth didn't seem to pick up on Jack's behavior and instead asked,

      "Davy Jones?"

      "Oh, please. The captain of the Flying Dutchman?" She scowled as Norrington inserted himself in the conversation.

      "You look bloody horrible." She snipped at the same time as Jack inquired,

      "What are you doing here?" Norrington propped up on the railing of the dock as if it held him up all together.

      "You hired me. I can't help if your standards are lax." That's truthful. She crinkled her nose at the ex-Commodore, a scent of alcohol and manure radiating off of him.

      "You smell funny." Jack retorted. How mature.

      "Jack!" Elizabeth directed the two captain's attention back to her. "All I want is to find Will." In that moment, Jacqueline desired to smack Elizabeth for saying the 'w' word, and she watched as Jack's eyes twinkled.

      "Are you certain? Is that really what you want most?" Here we go.

      "Of course." Jacqueline watched the two with amused eyes.

      "Because I would think you'd want to find a way to save Will most."

      "And you'd have a way of doing that?"

      "Well, there is a chest." She inhaled and exhaled deeply, having to remind herself why she was doing this. Save Jack's life. Save Jack's life.

      "Oh, dear." She glowered at Norrington, and he simply huffed. 

      "A chest of unknown size and origin."

      "What contains the still-beating heart of Davy Jones." Pintel interrupted as he passed by. Jack let out a puff of air, and then he continued,

      "And whoever possesses that chest possesses the leverage to command Jones to do whatever it is he or she wants, including saving brave William from his grim fate." Jacqueline picked at her nails, boredom and impatience hovering over her like storm clouds.

      "You don't actually believe him, do you?" Nobody paid heed to Norrington, not even Jacqueline, who had grown annoyed with his presence.

      "How would we find it?" In an instant, Jack had his compass held out in front of him.

      "With this. You see, my compass is...unique."

      "'Unique' having the meaning of 'broken'." At that point, the captain of the Vengeance snapped.

      "For the love of all things good in the world, will you please shut it?" Norrington's frown deepened, and she caught the approving glance Jack sent her way, as well as the contempt one from Elizabeth.

      "True enough, this compass does not point north."

      "Where does it point?" Everleigh twirled a brown strand of hair around her finger, debating if she should stick around or leave the three alone. 

      "It points to the thing you want most in the world." Elizabeth's features softened.

      "Oh, Jack. Are you telling the truth?"

      "Every word." At that point, Jacqueline had finally zoned out. That is, until Jack called for Gibbs, and the man appeared before her.

      "We have our heading." A grin spread across her face, only to vanish as James threw up over the rail and then turned to them. 

      "Miss Swann." Elizabeth boarded the Pearl, leaving Jack and Jacqueline alone with Norrington.

      "Welcome aboard, former Commodore." She pouted slightly, tugging on Jack's arm.

      "Do we have to let him on?" She asked, disgust lacing her tone as Norrington stumbled on deck. Jack grabbed her hand reassuringly.

      "Don't worry about him. I can handle him on my own."

      "If you say so."