Comfort Fic for Jen

[dwgm]

This is for my dear jenthegypsy, who needs cheering. hereswith sent her a Scruffy Scot, hendercats sent her a caged Sawyer (who was promptly released of course), and I'm sending Captain Jack Sparrow and Molly Hatter, whom she's been requesting for ages.

Molly, yet another OFC for Jack, appeared first in her very own drabble , then as a bit player in The Elusive Norrington , and was last seen in Someone Waits . This one, which is also a reply to the current drabble challenge at Black Pearl Sails (Theme: "Stiff") is set during CotBP. Many thanks to my dear hereswith for editing this.

~ A Bit of a Stick ~

 

 

Molly Hatter had just put the finishing touches on her latest creation when there was a rap at the door of her shop.  It was long past sunset, but she'd know the sound of that knock anywhere, and with a cry of joy on her lips she ran to let him in.

"Jack!"

"Molly!" Jack grinned ivory and gold, his eyes a-sparkle with obvious delight. He held out his arms and she melted into his embrace.

"You left so sudden," she said against the shoulder of his coat. "I wondered what'd happened."

"Important business, love. But look here." Jack released her and turned to show her a young man standing just out of the light.

"Oh! You should have said something, Jack," Molly said, blushing to think that a stranger had been witness to their warm greeting.

"I am saying something."

"Before!"

"Before my hug and kiss? Not likely. Anyway, 'twas all perfectly genteel. Completely innocent, as even a green lad could see." He lowered his voice to add, "And there's few greener'n this one, give you my word," but the young man had good ears for he frowned darkly. Jack paid no heed, and continued the introduction. "Molly, this is William Turner, son of an old friend of mine. Will, this is Mistress Hatter of Hatter's Hattery, Headgear for the Discerning Gentleman -- of which I am one."

Molly bobbed a curtsey. "I'm pleased to meet you, sir."

Will Turner's expression softened as he bowed. "The honor is mine, Mistress Hatter," he said, very polite.

He was a handsome thing, and his voice most pleasant. Not to compare with Jack, of course. But then, no one she'd ever seen did! She smiled. "Won't you and Jack come in?"

As they did so, Jack said, "We'll do more than that, if you'll have it. Us, I mean. Here. Tonight.”

"To stay?" Molly frowned. Jack was always welcome, of course, but to have the young man there, too...

But Jack said, " Aye, Will can have the loft. I'll be fine anywhere. We're leaving in the morning. I've acquired a ship."

Acquired! "Jack!" Molly exclaimed. "It's not Anamaria's? It went missing last week and she's fit to be tied! She said… I was afraid perhaps..."

"No, no, not Ana's," Jack said, quickly. "Gone missing, eh? Hard luck, that. No, this is one I... we... borrowed from some naval gentlemen of our acquaintance. Nice little brig. Gibbs is finding me a crew, though Will and I sailed her here from Port Royal, just the two of us."

"Only the two of you!" Molly smiled at Will. "Not green at all then, Mr. Turner. That's quite a feat, even with Jack in command."

Will unbent a little. "I did have a lot to learn. I'd not sailed since the passage from England, when I was a boy."

"All the more remarkable," said Molly.

"The lad's about done in, love," said Jack. "Not used to sailing, and all that fresh air and sun. Why don't you show him up to the loft so he can get some sleep? I'll tell you the rest of it when you come back down."

Will seemed in agreement with this plan, and Molly led him toward the stairs. But as they passed the end of the counter, the young man's eye lit on Molly's newest work. "Did you make this?" he exclaimed.

"I did, indeed," said Molly, with perhaps pardonable pride. It was a big felt hat with a curled brim, an ornate buckle adorning the wide band, and some wonderfully fluffy ostrich feathers Jack had brought her. "The style's a bit dated, but it's one I love."

"I've always wanted a hat like that," Will said, with a faraway look.

*

Molly, having seen Mr. Turner disposed comfortably, descended the stairs once more. Jack had wandered into the back rooms, putting a kettle on in preparation for rum toddies -- it was raining now, and the night was cool.

"I'm very glad you mended the roof last time you were here!" Molly smiled.

"Couldn't have Will sleeping in the rain, could we?"

"No, we couldn't. Even if we didn't know of his existence two weeks ago!"

Jack chuckled. "Ah, but I knew something was in the wind. Wait 'til I tell you, love: the Black Pearl is back in these waters."

"Your ship!"

"My ship."  Jack came to her and pulled her into his arms. "I've seen her, Molly, and she'll be mine again. You may lay on that!"

There was something dark and very determined in his voice and eyes, and Molly was a little taken aback. "She was in Port Royal, then? Is that where you saw her? What happened?"

"What happened?" he repeated, and suddenly grinned. "Lots. Too much. I saved a lass from drowning -- the governor's daughter, no less. That started the whole thing."

"You're a hero! Was she... pretty?"

Jack nodded. "She was. Very. But she's Will's. Or Norrington's-- he's the navy chap. Hard to tell at this point."

"Mr. Turner and the governor's daughter?" Molly considered this. "He is very stiff and formal. Perhaps he would make her a good match."

"Stiff and formal," Jack scoffed. "He's got a blasted stick up 'is arse."

"Jack!" Molly said reprovingly.

"Well, he does."

"He's young, that's all."

"I was never that young."  Molly laughed, and, thus encouraged, Jack went on. "Here: let's make the rum toddies and hie to bed. I'll tell you all about it."

"Just anywhere?"

"Eh?"

"You said you'd be fine sleeping just anywhere."

"So I did. But let me clarify: anywhere so long as it's a great soft bed with clean white sheets and hand sewn quilts."

"Well, there's only one of those in this house, and that's my bed."

"I know, love. That's the best part."


~.~

Comments

[tiggothy.livejournal.com]

*grin* The last line is so very Jack :-) (as you well know already ;-)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

So happy to've made you smile. We can all use a little piratey fluff sometimes. :D

[artaxastra.livejournal.com]

*g* He's a scoundrel, but how could one say no?

Lovely Jack!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

He's a scoundrel, but how could one say no?

Indeed!

Your stories have given me so much pleasure that if I can return the favor even a little it makes me very happy. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.

[artaxastra.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! *blushes* I really appreciate that coming from you!

[choose2live.livejournal.com]

Will's hat! *claps hands in delight*

What a fun little story... very nice Jack... and I like Molly, I'll have to check out her prior fic appearances and learn more about her. :-)

I wish Jen a quick healing for her back!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Molly's a fun character, and the Molly/Jack universe is quite unrelated to any of the other stuff I write. I'm very happy you liked this one -- I was up so late writing it that I was bleary-eyed and feeling completely muddled. Couldn't tell if it was really "working" or not, you know?

Yes, everyone must send healing vibes to Jen.

Thanks for reading and commenting!

[choose2live.livejournal.com]

I was up so late writing it that I was bleary-eyed and feeling completely muddled.

I know exactly what you mean; sometimes I'm writing until I'm typing nonsense, and I get up in the morning and laugh at myself. No evidence of that here, however! It's just fun. :-)

[cymbeline.livejournal.com]

This is absolutely adorable!!!! Love the bits about Will and the hat (is it the one he obtains later?) and the sleeping arrangements.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

That's the very hat! As you might imagine, there's a possible sequel to this. I'm very happy you enjoyed the story. Thanks so much for letting me know!

[farnathia.livejournal.com]

Such a nice and lovely story! And I send lots of healing vibes too, of course!!!
I like Molly a lot, thanks for that character!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy you came by to read. Molly's a fun OFC, a little different from my usual ones. Glad you liked her, and the story. Thanks for letting me know.

[layah.livejournal.com]

This was really cute, and fun to read. I enjoyed it!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Fluff is nice to read sometimes. Good for a Wednesday. Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for commenting!

[kahva.livejournal.com]

{Bounces around happily} Will's hat, Will's hat, Will's hat! :) And once again, so very Jack. :)

Very cute, love it! :) Btw, please feel free to share this and anything you do over at the Library, hint hint hint. ;)

Good job! :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks! So happy you enjoyed it. I'll post it over on Library tonight, then.

[jenthegypsy.livejournal.com]

You wrote comfort fic for me! *glomps you* And Molly Hatter fic, at that. ;-) It's an old song, but I just have to sing it - I adore her, and the way she fits in with Jack. Even though you don't write her often, you never lose sight of her; it always delights me to read Jack/Molly fic.

And you have included links to the other tales of Molly, so that others can get to know her too. Must admit that I took time between reading new Molly to read old Molly. The Elusive Norrington still is, and always will be, one of my very favorite PotC fics - and the first I ever read, if I recall.

I enjoyed this reconnection no end, from Will sighting his future "Nice hat," to Jack handily dodging Molly's inquiry about Ana's missing boat - (well, honestly, the boat he and Will arrived in wasn't Ana's little boat...technically accurate, though not altogether to the letter of the law, our Jack.) Also love the references to Jack having fixed the roof - he visits her so regularly that his presence is evident even when he is away, he has made himself a part of her life!


I love pirate fluff - especially when it is for me! You and your fic have made great strides in fixing me, along with the well-wishes from all and sundry, not to mention that dual massage from the Scruffy Scot and Sawyer uncaged.... Hmmmmm. Yesssssssss!

Thank you, my dear, from the bottom of my heart for your healing thoughts and for this wonderful tale of Molly, Jack and that young bit-of-a-stick, Will. Huge hugs and cheers on you, mate!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

enjoyed this reconnection no end, from Will sighting his future "Nice hat," to Jack handily dodging Molly's inquiry about Ana's missing boat - (well, honestly, the boat he and Will arrived in wasn't Ana's little boat...technically accurate, though not altogether to the letter of the law, our Jack.)

I am quite thrilled that you caught that. Jack's a slippery customer, but I think Molly expects that, to a certain extent.

So happy you enjoyed revisiting Molly & Jack, and are feeling somewhat better besides! I had a lot of fun with them -- maybe it won't be so long before I write a little more J/M.

*hugs you back*

[outinthestorm.livejournal.com]

Ah! The hat!

Very lovely piece of pirate fluff!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks! So happy you enjoyed it!

[ballincollig.livejournal.com]

So now we finally know where Will came across that erm...rather enthusiastic hat of his. And how adorable that he's "always" wanted one just like it! Hee! *pats Will gently on the head*

It's great to see Jack playing the lad with the girls of Tortuga--at least he's found one who doesn't owe him a smack! And Molly is fantastic...I'd love to see her again...*toddles off to read her other cameos*

A bright, fun end to a tiring, taxing day; thank you m'dear!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

A bright, fun end to a tiring, taxing day

So happy that I was able to supply some bright fun for you. ;)

at least he's found one who doesn't owe him a smack!

I expect the other girls are jealous of Molly.

Thanks so much for reading and commenting.

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

How dear of you to write medicinal fic for jenthegypsy!

Before my hug and kiss? Not likely.
Hee! That's Jack, making sure he doesn't miss out.

but the young man had good ears for he frowned darkly
Ooooh, I see a repeat of the scowl he gave an hour or so earlier in the Faithful Bride!

Mistress Hatter of Hatter's Hattery, Headgear for the Discerning Gentleman
Please pardon piercing *squeee* for pretty alliteration. *g*

Adore the exchange about Ana's ship!

a big felt hat with a curled brim, an ornate buckle adorning the wide band, and some wonderfully fluffy ostrich feathers Jack had brought her
Hat! Hathathat!!!

Conversation with Molly about happenings in Port Royal is delightful. Whole fic is really – completely full of wonderful bits to *bounce* about! *saves*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I don't think it ever occurred to me that Molly could have made that "nice hat" before I started writing this, but it makes so much sense! I may have to write another story, the one where Will comes to Tortuga to acquire the hat and aid in preventing a certain hanging.

I'm so happy you liked this enough to save it. Many thanks for the detailed comments -- they are very much appreciated.

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

I may have to write another story, the one where Will comes to Tortuga to acquire the hat and aid in preventing a certain hanging.
Oh yes! Pretty please? *makes big eyes at you*

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

Lovely and fluffy - just like the ostrich plumes.

I love Jack being innocent and (barely) truthful: 'No, no, not Ana's," Jack said, quickly. "Gone missing, eh? Hard luck, that.' So Jack!

More hat stories, please!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Jack always tells the truth, when possible. So much easier to remember when one has been drinking rum.

Glad you enjoyed the fluff -- and yes, maybe one more hat story...