400 words for this next bit of Jack!plans, referencing the 'Service' theme, with thanks, again, to
hereswith for beta reading!
1. Tortuga
2. Happiness
3. Festive
4. Last Minute
5. Calm
6. Truth
7. Bargain
8. Spook
9. Down
10. Wounds
11. Moon
12. Monsters
13. Beauty
14. Name
15. History
16. Service
~ An Execrable Business, continued...
The look on Nell’s face at these words was priceless. “You’d do that for me?” she squeaked. Jack observed that she was strongly tempted to throw her arms about him, and though she resisted for modesty’s sake, it was a good sign, boding well for things to come.
There were some trifling details to work out, of course.
Some of the crew wouldn’t like him bringing a lass aboard, or even a “cabin boy” if her disguise was preserved for the present, though Jack didn’t really think that would fadge for long. And Barbossa would harp about Jack being “soft”, as per usual.
But there were others who’d be pleased, even ecstatic.
Bootstrap, in particular. He’d been making noises about leaving of late, leaving the Pearl and signing on with another ship to take him “home” to see Mary and little Will – who wasn’t so little now, come to think of it, wasn’t he Anamaria’s age, or thereabouts? Well, Jack couldn’t have it. He needed Bill, needed his sword arm, his sailing skill, his (mostly) level head. His loyalty. His friendship. Of course, Bill would no doubt view with disapprobation a prospective liaison between Nell and Jack. But that could be got around.
And there were plenty of others who’d been waxing nostalgic for Merrie Olde England, quite forgetting the notoriously horrid weather (though they’d arrive in summer if they left now, thank God fasting) and more important, the various, and often very dire reasons they’d abandoned that “blessed plot” in the first place.
And what better time could there be? They’d been out pirating an unconscionably long time this last voyage and the Pearl had been stuffed to the scuppers with swag when they’d arrived in Tortuga. Much of it was sold off, now, and they’d had a distribution of shares just the previous morning. The lads were presently scattered all over the town, busy as spendthrift bees– he had been himself, before he’d run across Nell last night – and in a few days they wouldn’t have a groat left if they went on like that. Why, they’d thank him for it, in the end!
And Nell, too, would no doubt be suitably grateful to her benefactor.
“Charity shall cover the multitude of sins,” quoted Jack, “and the good Lord knows I’ve multitudes and to spare. You’ll be doing me a favor, darlin’. You have my word on it.”
TBC…
1. Tortuga
2. Happiness
3. Festive
4. Last Minute
5. Calm
6. Truth
7. Bargain
8. Spook
9. Down
10. Wounds
11. Moon
12. Monsters
13. Beauty
14. Name
15. History
16. Service
~ An Execrable Business, continued...
The look on Nell’s face at these words was priceless. “You’d do that for me?” she squeaked. Jack observed that she was strongly tempted to throw her arms about him, and though she resisted for modesty’s sake, it was a good sign, boding well for things to come.
There were some trifling details to work out, of course.
Some of the crew wouldn’t like him bringing a lass aboard, or even a “cabin boy” if her disguise was preserved for the present, though Jack didn’t really think that would fadge for long. And Barbossa would harp about Jack being “soft”, as per usual.
But there were others who’d be pleased, even ecstatic.
Bootstrap, in particular. He’d been making noises about leaving of late, leaving the Pearl and signing on with another ship to take him “home” to see Mary and little Will – who wasn’t so little now, come to think of it, wasn’t he Anamaria’s age, or thereabouts? Well, Jack couldn’t have it. He needed Bill, needed his sword arm, his sailing skill, his (mostly) level head. His loyalty. His friendship. Of course, Bill would no doubt view with disapprobation a prospective liaison between Nell and Jack. But that could be got around.
And there were plenty of others who’d been waxing nostalgic for Merrie Olde England, quite forgetting the notoriously horrid weather (though they’d arrive in summer if they left now, thank God fasting) and more important, the various, and often very dire reasons they’d abandoned that “blessed plot” in the first place.
And what better time could there be? They’d been out pirating an unconscionably long time this last voyage and the Pearl had been stuffed to the scuppers with swag when they’d arrived in Tortuga. Much of it was sold off, now, and they’d had a distribution of shares just the previous morning. The lads were presently scattered all over the town, busy as spendthrift bees– he had been himself, before he’d run across Nell last night – and in a few days they wouldn’t have a groat left if they went on like that. Why, they’d thank him for it, in the end!
And Nell, too, would no doubt be suitably grateful to her benefactor.
“Charity shall cover the multitude of sins,” quoted Jack, “and the good Lord knows I’ve multitudes and to spare. You’ll be doing me a favor, darlin’. You have my word on it.”
TBC…
no subject
Date: 2009-01-25 04:52 pm (UTC)Well, Jack couldn’t have it. He needed Bill, needed his sword arm, his sailing skill, his (mostly) level head. His loyalty. His friendship.
This is a great little look into Jack and Bill's early relationship. I don't think I've read too many fics that includes Jack's feelings about loosing him. So this was very refreshing.
You’ll be doing me a favor, darlin’.
Of course! I just hope he believe that himself. Jack seems to know how to plan everything so that everyone else is doing him a favor ;)
Eager to see what happens next, as always :)
no subject
Date: 2009-01-25 04:56 pm (UTC)True enough, and of course he's very adaptable to circumstances, which helps. Always thinking, is Jack, which works most of the time. *g*
So happy you enjoyed this installment! Thank you for commenting!!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-25 05:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-26 02:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-25 06:08 pm (UTC)Still enjoying every word, and eager for more. :)
no subject
Date: 2009-01-26 02:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-25 06:35 pm (UTC)Wonderful as always ♥
no subject
Date: 2009-01-26 02:13 pm (UTC)I wonder if that's possible? Although, it apparently is, considering canon.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-25 10:33 pm (UTC)Wicked Jack--What's in it for him indeed! Here's hoping Nell figures out the right questions to ask. Jack can tell someone to jump in a lake and make them long for the swim, so....
"He needed Bill, ...His loyalty. His friendship. Of course, Bill would no doubt view with disapprobation a prospective liaison between Nell and Jack. But that could be got around." Now there will be a dressing down to burn Jack's ears off! His work is cut out for him to justify to Bill.
"Why, they’d thank him for it, in the end!
And Nell, too, would no doubt be suitably grateful to her benefactor."
I'm stunned at how much of an optimist Jack can be, even for Jack!
Feels like we're just nearing the top of the first big rollercoaster drop, I'm excited. Thanks
no subject
Date: 2009-01-26 02:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-26 12:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-26 02:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-26 01:01 pm (UTC)I like little Anamaria very much too. Are we going to see little Will?
no subject
Date: 2009-01-26 02:23 pm (UTC)Could be. It would certainly be easy enough to fit in a glimpse. *g*
Thank you for reading and commenting --I'm so glad you're enjoying it!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-26 02:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-26 02:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-27 12:15 am (UTC)And I love how you brought Bill into the story! This is no longer a series of drabbles - it's a true JOURNEY - and a very addictive journey at that.
I love every word! :)
no subject
Date: 2009-02-25 04:07 am (UTC)No!! Well, always my luck.
Lots o' good nauticalness. Always gives me a tingle when Jack gets all salty.
no subject
Date: 2009-02-26 02:29 pm (UTC)