Pirates Of The Caribbean Fan Fiction ❯ Lost in Translation (Pirates of the Caribbean) ❯ A Vision ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter Seven:

A Vision

 

 

Confusion and darkness engulfed Kaitlyn and it took her only seconds to realize that she was in the water. She began kicking frantically trying to get to the surface but her hands were bound, keeping her from succeeding. There was no logical thought in her. She had no idea how or why she was in the water, the only thing she was conscious of was the burning in her lungs as she began taking in gulps of water rather than air.

 

All sense of time and direction were gone as she began to twist and turn in a frantic attempt to save herself. She again took in a mouthful of water as her body instinctually tried to draw air into her lungs. Suddenly, her mind blurred and her she felt herself slip into unconsciousness. What seemed like an instant later her eyes flew open as her lungs filled urgently with air. Above her she could see Jack and several of the crew looking down at her in shock.

 

As soon as the image of the crew appeared, her eyes again flew open, waking her from the most vivid dream she had ever experienced. Just like in the dream, she breathed in, desperately wanting air. She sat up quickly and looked around the cabin, realizing she must have dozed off, and then calmed herself though she was still breathing like someone that had been without oxygen for too long. After a moment she realized that she had been having a nightmare and her heavy breathing was from struggling. It was apparent from the state of the bed. Nearly trembling she sat there for a moment until she finally rationalized that, though extremely intense, it had only been a dream.

 

She wandered back out onto the deck once she regained her composure and found that the crew had returned and were about to set sail. The sun was getting lower in the sky and the lazy atmosphere seemed to be wearing off on everyone. No one seemed extremely concerned about hurrying anywhere, though it wasn't too surprising really. Navassa Island was a dangerous area for sailing, at least for anyone other than buccaneers. It was one of the few places where they wouldn't need to worry much about the Navy bothering them.

 

She looked around, feeling a bit awkward. No matter what she wore she really didn't fit in with these people. Not that she didn't like them, when she did get to speak with the different crewmen she usually found them much nicer than she would have ever expected pirates to be. Finally, she decided to walk over towards Ana Maria who had just finished giving a few men some orders. Kaitlyn smiled a little when the crewmen went off to do what she had told them.

 

“That's the way it should be,” she commented jokingly causing Ana Maria to turn and look at her oddly.

 

“The way what should be?” She asked.

 

“They didn't argue or refuse to do what you told them,” she said then motioned towards one of the crewmen. Ana Maria looked over then nodded.

 

“Been here longer than they `ave,” she replied, going back to winding up the rope she had been working with.

 

“That doesn't always guarantee they'll take orders from a woman,” Kaitlyn said. She might not be a pirate, but she knew how things worked. Most men didn't take kindly to women giving orders, no matter what their station in life. Ana Maria stopped and looked at Kaitlyn, a little unsure as to why she was here and not completely sure how to carry on a conversation with someone like her.

 

“That's why I sail with Captain Sparrow,” she said then glanced up at the helm. “He treats me like part of the crew, not just a woman. He knows I can sail and let's me do my job.”

 

It wasn't easy for a woman like Ana Maria to get ahead in a man's world. Most pirates, including the captains, didn't want women on the crew and when they did, it was expected that she be a personal whore as well. It was true that she had her issues with Jack, but when it came down to it, he respected her abilities. He knew she was a good sailor and an asset to him to have on the crew.

 

“He does seem...nice,” Kaitlyn offered then sighed, “I suppose I should apologize to him.”

 

“Apologize?” Ana Maria asked, again working on the rope though half listening. Kaitlyn nodded, feeling a bit childish about her behavior.

 

“I sort of threw a few sapodillas at him when I found out we trekked clear across the island for rum,” she gave a sheepish grin. “And I may have referred to him as Captain Jackass.” Ana Maria stopped what she was doing and just stared at her blankly before starting to laugh.

“Captain Jackass? Have to be rememberin' that one,” she said then finished tethering the rope. “Here,” she said and held it out. Kaitlyn just stood there looking at it and then took it unsure what to do.

 

“Gotta be willing to work if you wanna be on a ship,” Ana Maria told her and picked up another rope and quickly started doing the same to it. Kaitlyn just nodded, not really minding as long as she was told what to do.

 

“C'mon,” Ana Maria said as she gathered a few things and headed below deck. Kaitlyn gazed around at the brig and store room while Ana Maria was putting things away then put the rope she had been given in with the others. When they got back up to the deck, Ana Maria looked up at the helm and smirked.

 

“I got more chores to do, I'll leave you to your apologies,” she said then walked off chuckling a bit to herself, wishing she had seen Jack's reaction to what had happened.

 

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Kaitlyn cautiously made her way up to the helm and then stood staring, slightly taken aback by the sight of Pepe resting contentedly on Jack's shoulder.

 

“It seems you've made a new friend,” she finally said, finding their sudden bond rather amusing. Jack looked over at her then flicked a glance at the monkey.

 

“He's a good man,” he said. Kaitlyn laughed a bit, of course Jack liked him now, Pepe had tried to help him retrieve his rum.

 

“He's a monkey,” she stated.

 

“Doesn't mean he's not a good man, love,” he said and grinned at her. “Did you come here to debate the candor and integrity of different species, or is it simply because ya find me so charming?”

 

“Well, as charming as you are,” she said with a smirk, “I came to apologize to you.” Jack flicked a glance at her then focused on the horizon again. He'd had men shoot at him before and not offer apologies; they weren't something a pirate heard often.

 

“Would that be fer peltin' me with fruit or callin' me names?” he asked, not really upset about either. It was kinda funny to see her lose her composure finally.

 

“Both...actually,” she said apologetically. Jack looked over at her and then nodded out towards the deck where the crew was.

 

“The rum wasn't the only reason fer stoppin', lass. The crew needs to set foot on solid ground every now and then,” he said, being somewhat serious for a change. Since the mutiny Jack was always cautious with his crew, doing what he could to keep them happy. Kaitlyn nodded, thinking back to her dream as soon as he mentioned the words `solid ground'. Jack glanced over at her when she went silent and saw a troubled look etched on her face.

 

“You alright, love?” He asked, not sure if she was even listening.

 

“What? Oh, yes, I'm fine,” she replied then gave a sigh. “It's silly, really. I dozed off in the cabin while we were waiting for the crew to return and I had a dream.” Jack smirked a little.

 

“Not a pleasant one I take it.”

 

“Quite the opposite,” she said. “I was drowning. It wasn't like most dreams; it felt like I was there, as though it were a memory and not just a dream. My lungs even burned when I woke.” She paused and then continued when he didn't say anything. “My hands were bound and after everything went dark, I woke on the ship. You and the crew were standing over me looking stunned...then I woke in the cabin and realized it was all just a dream.”

 

Jack looked at her again but stayed silent for a minute, contemplating what she said. She seemed so disturbed by the dream he had to wonder just how real it had been. He could probably count on one hand the number of dreams he remembered and none were as detailed as hers. Then he brushed it off and grinned at her.

 

“Just so happens, I've got a cure for bad dreams,” he said then spun around and dug into a crate, producing both bottles of rum they'd taken from the island.

 

“Care to join me for a drink?” He asked then glanced at Pepe. “None for you I'm afraid, mate...too young.” Kaitlyn started to shake her head then stopped herself. After her having a vision of her own death, she didn't see the harm in having a couple of drinks; he was right about it being a cure of sorts. Hopefully, it would help her sleep soundly.

 

“Maybe just a little...” she said then followed him down onto the deck after he called Ana Maria up to take the helm.

 

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Jack took another swig of rum and leaned back keeping his eyes on Kaitlyn's. Seeing her trying to clear her head, blinking back her confusion, was funny to him, especially since he had a good amount of rum in his own system now. He was used to women that could hold their liquor...he didn't know too many people that couldn't.

 

“Think you've had enough for tonight, love,” he said. She closed her eyes for a moment and mustered up the best indignant looks she could.

 

“You may be the captain, but you can't tell me what to do,” she replied almost childishly.

“Oh really, how's that, lass? I could just drop ya off at the next port we come to,” he said.

 

“You wouldn't do that, Mr. Sparrow,” she said in a taunting voice.

 

“Really now,” he said with a grin then leaned towards her, “and why's that?” He asked.

 

“Because you agreed to take me to Port Summers and you're a man of your word,” she stated matter-of-factly.

 

“Just a pirate, lass,” he said.

 

“That doesn't mean you're not a man of your word, Captain Sparrow,” she said then smiled sleepily. Jack smiled a little himself, hearing her call him that.

 

“Just call me Jack, love,” he said while watching her do her best to keep her eyes open now. “Best be gettin' some sleep, `for ya pass out on the deck.” She nodded a little and stood, but had to close her eyes when everything around her began to spin. She sat back down carefully and glanced at him.

 

“Maybe in a minute,” she said. Jack stood up and moved both of the rum bottles aside.

 

“I'll help ya to the cabin, lass,” he said and offered her his hand. As funny as it would be to watch her try to walk, he didn't want her to hurt herself. She looked at his hand then up at him before reaching her own hand out and tentatively standing, still feeling the world swimming around her.

 

“Never had rum before?” he asked almost incredulously. She wavered a bit; sitting down had been quite different than standing up, it would take her a minute to get used to the light feeling in her limbs.

 

“Hmmm? Oh...I've had wine on occasion, and cocktails but no, never rum,” she said while concentrating on keeping her balance, being none too successful. Jack put his arm behind her quickly to keep her upright.

 

“Probably for the best,” he said once she was steadied again. She began taking uncertain steps towards the cabin, leaning on him a bit just to keep her self balanced.

 

“The ship is moving a bit more than usual,” she said honestly. Jack grinned a little at the confusion in her voice.

 

“That'd be the rum, love,” he said while opening the cabin door for her then helping her inside.

“Been busy,” he said while giving a stunned look around his cabin. Everything was stacked and organized, not at all like he had left it. Even empty liquor bottles were stacked to the side and not strewn about all over the place and her dress and corset where both hanging on a hook he usually used for his own hat and effects. She didn't reply but instead nearly tripped over Pepe when he rushed passed them and onto the bed. Jack grabbed her and steadied her again, helping her sit on the bed, before she ended up on the floor.

 

“Get some sleep, lass," he said and headed towards the door.

 

"Wait," she said and waited for him to turn back towards her. "Thank you. I know I can be difficult at times and...well...thank you."

 

He was a bit surprised to hear her say that, though imagined it was mostly due to the rum. Honestly he found that he liked having her around, at least most of the time. He didn't have many people around that were willing to joke with him so openly, especially women. In his time he'd only come across a few types of women and she didn't fall into any of the categories.

 

There were tough women, pirates like Ana Maria. He'd let Ana Maria sail under his command any day. She was good at what she did, though she had hardened herself to the life of a pirate, she had to if she wanted to survive. Then there were the whores, wenches and strumpets; nothing more than women to share a few drinks and a bed with. Few carried on much for conversation, just did their jobs. He'd had the privilege of knowing Elizabeth Swann briefly, lass was nice enough, defended his life on more than one occasion. But deep down she was still a rich lass and always would be.

 

Kaitlyn kept him guessing. She was a rich lass too, but didn't seem to mind fraternizing with him and the crew. Even when Miss Swann had defended him, it had been out of obligation to what she felt was right. He had saved her life and Will's, so she saw it as wrong for him to be hanged. Other than when she had been drinking, she never seemed to care much for him, couldn't really blame her for that though. Lass's like her and Kaitlyn didn't offer themselves to pirates for a reason. They were a better class than that, wanted nice things and the kind of money scallywags like him would never have.

 

“No need to thank me, love, I like a good challenge,” he said then headed out the door. No curse in the world could even come close to the challenge of figuring out a woman.

 

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