The Black Riddle

Ch 11. Think I Had Too Much Rum

The next morning a very confused and very much in pain Captain Sparrow woke from his poison included slumber. ‘Bella’ he immediately thought. His sheets smelled like Bella. He tried to lift his head, but his efforts were only awarded with a shot of pain down his neck. Sighing in frustration he tried his arms. They were sore, especially around the shoulders, but he could move with out being bitten by invisible snakes. While doing his best to keep his neck still he pushed himself up and snatched his bandana from the nightstand. A frown graced his brow; he had not remembered taking that off, he never did. He could also not remember getting undressed at all.

“I think I had too much rum.” He concluded and reached for his trousers hanging on the chair by the bed. Yet again a shot of pain soared through him.

“Ah! Godzackas that hurt!” feeling that he did not deserve more pain he left the shirt be and stepped into his boots.

“And the best cure for hangover is whatever got you hung over” he mumbles and he took a swag of rum.

With one hand on the wall he made his way out onto the deck, and there he was met with the beautiful sight of his Bella at the helm, one hand on the wheel and in the other she held his compass. The peaceful look was traded with one of confusion, then annoyance. She shook the compass and once more the look of confusion crossed her features. He nearly jumped when her grey eyes snapped up and gazed directly into his nearly black ones, then she smiled. She called out for Gibbs and in less that 10 seconds she was down at his side.

“Hey, how are you?

“Fine, but I feel like I’ve been keelhauled underneath the ship.”

“That’s to expect after all that.”

“After all wha’?” he asked still holding the rail for support.

“You were poisoned. Quite a nasty one too. You’ve been out cold for two days” Bella said.

“Oh” he almost smiled, but then he remembered the locker; a desert with only multiple jack’s to keep him company. He wrinkled his nose… His very cute nose Bella thought… and arched a brow at her.

“So why am I not dead?” he wondered.

“That…” Annemarie said as she landed beside them, she had been up in the crow’s nest. “Is because this lass here spent three hours gettin’ that venom out o’ ye. Don’t know how she did it, but she said ye’d be up and barkin’ orders in no time, and here ye are; not barkin’ but definitely up.” She said with a grin. “But I must truly say you look ravishing Capt’n” she added before she scurried off and left an even more confused Jack at the deck with Bella.

“Did Anne, ‘Anne’ just say that I looked ravishing?” Bella just nodded smirked at him.

“You get yourself up at the helm, and I’ll get you a shirt.”

“Shouldn’t ye tell me to get back to bed?” Jack teased.

“Would you listen?”

“If I had company I might.” Bella laughed

“If you’re well enough for that I think you’re ready to take the helm, don’t you say Captain Sparrow?” Jack pouted a little, but Bella had to laugh even more by the way his eyes lit up when she said he was ready for the helm.

“I’ll go up at the helm, you’ll get me a shirt and well keep each other company, savvy?”

“Savvy.” Bella said and gave him a playful salute and a quick kiss.


Jack caught himself with his fingertips caressing his lips were Bella had kissed his moments ago.

‘Get a grip. You’re Captain Jack Sparrow. You don’t get butterflies in your stomach no matter how much you like the lass.’ He chided, but allowed himself to look longingly at the spot were Bella had disappeared from. He gave a heavy sigh and slowly, very slowly, made his way to the helm were Gibbs was situated.

“Lookin’ smashin’ there Capt’n. How ye feelin’?”

“Confused.”

“Eh?”

“Why does everyone keep sayin’ I look…eh, ravishing, I think Anna said. Was it? yeah?” He wondered. “I know I am but my crew usually don’t point it out too often.” He continued. “Or ever. Says it inflates my ego. Explain.” He added while gesturing wildly with the arm he was not using to hold himself steady. Before Gibbs could open his mouth to answer Bella was back with a vial in her hand and a black shirt tossed over her shoulder.

“Hey there.” She said and uncorked the vial and handed it to Jack.

“Your neck” she said and waved a hand. “The pain.” She added when she saw his confused look. Jack ‘aah’ed’ and gulped down the blue vial the promptly grimaced.

“Shit! That taste like old bird shit!” Jack cursed.

“Language.” Bella chided. Gibbs chuckled and raised a pair of hairy brows.

“You aboard a pirate ship darlin’…” Jack scowled at the endearment, but Gibbs just waved him off.

“And he’ll be dining with the King in five days.” At this Jack rolled his eyes.

“That does not answer my original question.”

“…..”

“Why does everyone keep tellin’ me I look good?”

“Ah, well.” Bella began. “That is because I had to extract the venom through your skin. It left quite nasty burns everywhere…” Jack started to check himself over.”…so I had to use a healing balm. It healed the burns, and old scars, sun damage, traces of infections and tattoos…the scars and tattoos are still there, just in better shape. I didn’t know it would do that actually.” She mused and scratched the back of her neck. “Oh, and I untangled your dreadlocks. Quite a shame really, they looked good on you.” Jack’s hand flew to his head at the speed of light.

“Amazing” he mumbled when he saw that he could actually run his fingers through his hair. Bella took hold of a soft, shiny dark lock and ran her fingers through it.

“Yes it is.”

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A/N; there ye go. did you like it? to everyone- i'm only 'changing' jack for a few days, he's not supposed to look like a wig (though that would be very hard to manage anyway- he's too sexy) at all.