Fic: 'Paternity'

[dwgm]

Three is such a nice number.

Once again blatantly appropriating artaxastra's post-AWE universe as delineated in her Outlaws and Inlaws series, here's the third Jack-centric gap-filler, the first two being Not Working and Going Home, respectively. Many thanks to hereswith, who no sooner walked in the door from her vacation than I was nagging her to beta read. I also blushingly offer this as a reply to last week's drabble challenge at Black Pearl Sails, since there is a 'Pot' in it. *G*



~ Paternity ~


His father had come out to meet him.

"Well, look what the tide's washed in," Teague observed from on high, as Jack shipped the oars and the dinghy drifted against the pilings.

There being nothing for it, Jack clambered to the bow and tossed the painter. Teague caught and secured it, handily. It was only a few steps up a short ladder, but Jack had rarely felt so done in, and staggered a bit in gaining the worn boards of the dock.

Teague noticed, of course. "Damnation, you look like death warmed over!"

Jack refused to be baited. "That's what Will said, more or less. Your powers of perception are as perspicuitous as ever. Got any rum?"

Teague narrowed his eyes, and Jack winced (inwardly). But his father only said in a wry tone, "Maybe some breakfast first?" and led the way.

It was a long time since Jack had trod the path to the kitchen nearest Teague's quarters, but it was still familiar to him. Before the battle with the EITC he'd stayed on the Pearl, mostly, when he wasn't in the Court. His soul itched as they moved through the warren of narrow passages, steps and ladders, though some of the recollections were all right. There'd been a time when he'd belonged here, when he'd been one of the many lads who swarmed, pack-like, over Shipwreck City, learning every nook and cranny 'til he could walk it blind, the lot of them subject only to the very loose restraints that prevailed in this bizarre and secure nest for pirates. He and his father had settled there, after Jack's mother had been killed. Teague had been a changed man, and had wanted nothing more to do with sailing. Unfortunately, his son had been of another mind, even young as he was. Which had led to certain incidents...

Not liking the course of his thoughts, Jack tacked away from those particular waters. Instead, he asked Teague, "Is our illustrious King in residence? I've messages for her."

"From Turner?" His father shot a look over his shoulder.

"Aye."

Teague stopped and turned to face Jack. "Is the Pearl gone?"

Gone. Oh. That gone. "For the moment. She's still extant, to my knowledge." His father raised a brow. Jack sighed. "Hector... borrowed her."

"Again?" Jack said nothing, and Teague shrugged. "You'll get her back. Come and eat."

Well, that had gone better than expected. Jack followed his father up a narrow companionway and they rounded the corner to the kitchen.

There were fresh loaves of bread, and a pot of fish chowder. Jack hadn't realized how hungry he was until he picked up his spoon and had to make an effort to stop his hand shaking at the scent of the soup wafting from the bowl.

Teague just sat, cleaning his nails with the point of his wicked-looking knife, while Jack ate steadily. When he was halfway through, he forced himself to slow up. "It's good. Annie's?"

Teague quirked a smile. "Her daughter's. It's been a long time, son. Life goes on."

"Rosie?" Jack shook his head, remembering Annie's gangly, grubby little girl trailing after the boys in the most annoying way imaginable, alternating between whining and foolhardy intrepidity. "I suppose she's changed some."

"You might say." Teague chuckled.

"But Anne... don't tell me--"

"She's well, but getting on, like most of us. Rosie takes care of her, as well as those little lads of hers--"

But news of Rosie's lads was destined to wait, for there was a sound of footsteps and Teague fell silent. They both turned as the curtain over the door was pushed aside.

The phrase large with child came immediately to mind, quickly followed by: There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion.

And she was staring at him with a mixture of joy and horror that seemed an exact reflection of his own feelings on the matter.

“Elizabeth…”


~ .~

Comments

[yoiebear.livejournal.com]

Ohhh!! I can't wait to read more.

[erinya.livejournal.com]

Very cool! This is almost in remix territory, which is fascinating--I like getting Jack's point of view, and it's always interesting to see him and Teague interact. And I like the way Teague has a better sense of time passing than Jack does, and Shipwreck Cove "making his soul itch."

[penknife.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm really enjoying these.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That's a relief. I can't seem to resist. *G*

[artaxastra.livejournal.com]

This is wonderful! I love this hive mind we're having! I can just see Teague, and his lines are perfect. And Jack, so done in. You have absolutely captured the sense of awkwardness with parents, even when you're well and truly grown up.

*love!*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

This is almost in remix territory

It is, I guess. Can't seem to resist playing around with this, in my own small way. The dynamics are fascinating.

Teague is an amazingly compelling character, considering how little he's on screen in AWE. It kills me remembering how terrified we were that KR would make a mull of it, and here we can't get enough of him, now. *G* As Jack says, it's a funny ol' world.

I'm very happy you're enjoying these, and I do thank you for taking time to read and comment -- I know how busy you are. I hope you will be able to find a little time for us, even after you've started school.

*hugs*

Good luck with the move!

[breathless-dawn.livejournal.com]

Ooh yay another one! I can't wait for the next bit. ;)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

You have absolutely captured the sense of awkwardness with parents, even when you're well and truly grown up.

I had a great relationship with mine, but there were times... and then I know lots of people who don't have such smooth sailing. (There we go with the nautical metaphors again.) It's a tricky thing, transitioning from childhood to adulthood in ones parents' eyes. In one sense, you are always their baby.

Teague is way too much fun to write. What is it about Keith Richards? You should have seen us going nuts for him at the Red Carpet event at Disneyland, and he was having a blast, you could tell. I'm so glad his part turned out so well -- we were all biting our nails over it for a long time.

The "hive mind" is such fun. Thank you, again, for being such an inspiring writer. I'm happy you enjoyed this!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

LOL! Glad you're enjoying these!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I'm so very glad you're enjoying these. Thank you for being so quick to read and comment. I appreciate it so much!

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

His soul itched as they moved through the warren of narrow passages
Fabulous!!! What a marvelous concept.

Of course this is wonderful, and the ending - !!! - I love the way you have them looking at each other. And if it weren't for your little finished symbol being so clearly there, I would be shaking the laptop trying to make more story fall out. Uh, there will be more, yes?

That said, please don't be annoyed with me when I say your picture of littleboy!Jack running around Shipwreck City makes me quite sad - yes, it is completely in keeping with canon, but I so hate to give up my notions of his early years. *is, however, delighted that you can still write here*

[yoiebear.livejournal.com]

I will always comment. Now, the quick to read part was pure luck!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

if it weren't for your little finished symbol being so clearly there, I would be shaking the laptop trying to make more story fall out. Uh, there will be more, yes?

You have read this, haven't you? There will be more, probably, but I'm writing the bits artaxastra didn't.

I understand and sympathize with your sadness about littboy!Jack. It isn't a bed of roses, this backstory.

[ditte3.livejournal.com]

Oh write more please.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

LOL! I just might. Thanks for reading and commenting.

[torn-eledhwen.livejournal.com]

Another great little ficlet. Excellent work. And congrats on the username!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you x 3! Very happy you enjoyed the story.

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

Wow!
I feel like quoting EVERYTHING. Love the awkwardness with Teague and the not-as-bad-as-expectedness, if you see what I mean. It seems spot on to me that there's little or no bond, but Teague's no monster either: that would be too simple.
And the shock of time passing.
And of Elizabeth's appearance - beautiful use of quotes there. So Jack!
Soddit. Am going to have to throw random quotes at you after all.

His soul itched as they moved through the warren of narrow passages

"Again?" Jack said nothing, and Teague shrugged. "You'll get her back. Come and eat."
Well, that had gone better than expected.

Jack hadn't realized how hungry he was until he picked up his spoon and had to make an effort to stop his hand shaking at the scent of the soup wafting from the bowl.

Annie's?"
Teague quirked a smile. "Her daughter's. It's been a long time, son. Life goes on."

The phrase large with child came immediately to mind, quickly followed by: There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion.

And she was staring at him with a mixture of joy and horror that seemed an exact reflection of his own feelings on the matter.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, what a lovely, detailed review to wake up to! Thank you so much for taking the time to do that. And coming from you this means a lot -- you are one of those authors that inspire a severe inferiority complex in me. Your work is amazing, the sort of stuff I like to read over and over, the perfect balance of comedy and drama, spot on characterizations, etc etc. Too delicious.

And of course, anyone who loves the Impverse is the right kind of people, in my book. *G*

Teague's no monster either: that would be too simple

Right. Just that short scene in the movie and we get so much of their relationship. What a great addition to PotC canon is Teague.

Thank you again!

[captaintish]

I love, love, love this! Jack is perfectly in character, and his relationship with his father is so fascinating. We got only a glimpse of it in the movie -- thank goodness for fanfiction!

Just here in this short little story, there are so many openings for MORE stories -- like Jack's childhood. Running around Shipwreck Cove -- I can just picture that. And little Rosie -- I bet Jack had a way with the ladies even at age 8 -- except then he probably teased and pulled pigtails! :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Just here in this short little story, there are so many openings for MORE stories

Too true -- I keep thinking of more bits to write. I don't want to step on artaxastra's toes, though. She's written quite a lot of backstory, and may have more in mind.

I'm glad you liked Jack in this, and thought him in character. And you're right, thank goodness for fanfiction!

Thank you for the feedback. It's very much appreciated, as always!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Jack and Teague are so interesting. One of the best things about AWE, certainly. I'm so glad you enjoyed this!

[lady-di75.livejournal.com]

There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion.

And she was staring at him with a mixture of joy and horror that seemed an exact reflection of his own feelings on the matter.

Ahh!!! I love it!!! SO perfect -- I can't wait to read more.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the feedback. So very happy you liked it! It's certainly a pleasure to write in this universe.

[captaintish]

Oh, go ahead, write them! I'm sure artaxastra wouldn't mind -- she's not writing canon! We all have our own ideas of what happens Post-AWE, even if these ideas tend to coincide quite a bit. That's fanfiction for you!

Speaking of fics, I see you have a new one up, which I will have to read, but not tonight -- tomorrow, when I'm more awake!

[tanith75.livejournal.com]

"Hector ... borrowed her." Nice :)

And I love Jack's immediate thoughts upon seeing Lizzie.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

So embarrassing, losing the Pearl again. But all things happen for a reason. *G* Very happy you enjoyed this! Thank you for letting me know.

[artaxastra.livejournal.com]

I just reread this again! So much fun! You do a wonderful Teague, as I said before!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for letting me know this holds up to a second reading! (And speaking of rereading, I had no wireless internet access while I was gone on vacation, but I did use my computer to reread some of your American Revolution. Such a great story!)

[artaxastra.livejournal.com]

Thank you! You are so sweet!