CHAPTER 6

You decide to freshen up, so taking a bath you lay there, day dreaming about all the things that could happen. You so want him to kiss you, take you in his arms and never let you go. You soak for some time and wash your hair and body with a sweet smelling soap, somewhat like honeysuckle and apples. Getting out you put on your favourite dress, one that you only wear on special occasions, but you feel so nervous that you want to look your best. You laugh at yourself inwardly; getting so worked up over Jack Sparrow of all men was really quite silly. Running a comb through your hair you decide to leave it down, and it hangs loosely just over your shoulder blades. Looking at your reflection in the mirror you are pleased with the outcome, and smile as you look at the clock seeing that it’s 10 minutes to five.

‘Only an hour to go!’ you think to yourself. You fidget in anticipation, scurrying around the house trying to tidy things up. You see the small box next to your bed where a gold medallion resides. Picking it up you inspect the medallion carefully. On the front is an engraving of St Christopher, and on the back is just a simple inscription:

'Watching over you.’

You place it back in the box, and place that in the small velvet purse that matches your pretty blue dress. It has a similar floral pattern sewn into it, and the lining is a soft cream, just like part of the bodice of your dress. Glancing at the clock again you see that the hour has finally gone past and you make your way out the door. Walking down the street, your purse clasped tightly in your hand you can‘t help but have a smile fixated upon your face. You reach The Black Pearl exactly at six, and you walk onboard heading towards the helm. Walking past Jack's cabin you see candles lit and a figure inside, so after knocking on the door you step in.

"Hi Jack!" you say brightly and he turns to you with a smile. You look around the room and notice a table laid out with a white cloth and candles, beautiful silver cutlery sitting next to pristine white china plates, which are topped off with cream napkins folded into the shape of a fan.

"Oh, do you have company coming?" you ask, feeling quite crestfallen that you wont be able to stay long.

"Indeed, and she has just arrived." Jack replies, and you quickly go to the door and look out. "There’s no one there..." you say, but realise that it is you he is talking about and blush.

"Silly woman," he says, looking at you with affection. "First though I want you to come with me."

You watch him as he walks out the door and you do the same, following him to the helm where he stands leaning against the side of the ship. Standing next to him you look out and see the sun setting over the ocean, turning the water into beautiful reds and pinks and oranges, rippling, as though the sun is actually sinking into the water. Where the sky meets the ocean it is a brilliant orange, turning into a beautiful red and then into a dusky pink, before reaching up into the night with a cool mauve and eventually a dark navy blue.

"It’s beautiful," you manage to whisper turning your head to Jack. "Yes," he says simply, all the while staring at you. Shivers go down your spine and you feel as though your knees have gone to jelly. "Can we err... go sit down?" you ask all of a sudden feeling faint.

"Of course," he says, taking your hand in his and leading you towards the cabin where he pulls out a chair for you to sit down. You thank him and take the napkin, placing it in your lap. He courteously removes the silver cover from a large plate where a large turkey sits, golden and succulent, garnished with salad leaves and tomato.

"Dig in!" he says sitting down opposite you. You carve off part of the breast and place it on your plate, taking some of the salad as well. You sit eating, chatting idly about this and that, and he talks about many of his adventures and scrapes, one that he is particularly proud of where he impersonated a member of the British clergy. You laugh at his stories, and after eating you both go outside looking at the night sky, millions of stars twinkling, and a bright crescent moon looming in the darkness, causing the ripples on the water to be lit up, making the waves look like they are dancing.

"One more surprise," Jack says, leading you back into the cabin. He opens up his dresser and takes out a neat box. You sit down on the bed and he places the box in your lap and stands next to you. You eagerly open the box, pushing away the soft tissue wrapping, and you gently pick up the object inside. Lifting it out of the box you see that it is the beautiful dress you had admired in the window.

"Jack you didn’t...?" you say turning to him.

"It’s bought and paid for, honestly," he replies with a smile before you can finish the sentence.

"But this must have cost you a fortune!" you exclaim standing up, holding the dress against you. You gaze at it in the mirror, gently swaying from side to side.

"Put it on," he says, pleased at your excited face.

"Jack I can’t accept this..." you say, going to hand it back to him.

"You must!" he replies. "The lady in the shop said that she wouldn’t accept it back in any other condition than it was bought in."

"But I can put it back in the box!"

"No. It’s a present, for you, you have to have it. What use would I have for it, you don’t want to offend me now do you!" you feel too happy to argue, and you motion for Jack to turn away. Slipping off your dress you drape it over a chair, then stepping delicately into the new dress. You pull it up over your body, and fasten the clasps at the back.

"You can turn around now," you say smiling as Jack does so. A wide smile spreads across his face, and you sway, feeling the soft fabric against your skin, and listening to the skirt as it swishes from side to side like a bell.

"You look... amazing," he says softly, making you blush and look to the floor. "Oh! I have something for you as well!" you exclaim looking up again, remembering the medallion still sitting in your purse.

Picking your purse up off the table you walk over to the bed and sit down, patting the space next to you motion for Jack to sit there. He does so and you carefully take the box out, placing it in his hands. He looks at it inquisitively and shakes it, hearing the medallion rattling inside.

"Open it then," you say nudging him in the shoulder. He smiles and opens the box, picking up the medallion. He drapes the chain across his fingers, and holds up the medallion to his face so he can see it more closely. "It’s St Christopher," you say with a smile. ‘The patron saint of travellers. If you wear it, it is said that he will be watching over you and protecting you. I know its silly, but I would like you to have it.’ Jack gently turns the medallion and reads the inscription on the back.

"My father gave it to me when I was little, a year or so before he passed away."

"Don’t you want to keep it then?"

"No, I have my memories. I never go anywhere anyway, I’m no traveller, and I don’t really need it. You may do, you go on so many adventures, you need as much luck as you can get. I remember the first night we met and you said lady luck was on your side, well maybe now lord luck can be too." You blush, feeling a bit silly now. You sounded like a love sick girl, and you stare intensely at your hands.

"Can you put it on please?" Jack asks. You both stand up and you take the medallion off of him, placing it around his neck and doing it up at the back. He turns to face you and you look at it hanging at his chest, setting off the golden tan of his skin. "Thank you," he says, going to kiss you on the forehead. You move your head though so that your lips meet instead. He stares at you surprised at your sudden movement.

"Sorry," you gasp, quite surprised your self. Suddenly he places his hands on your waist, pulling you into him and kissing you passionately. You kiss him deeply and your arms go up around his neck, holding him as close to you as possible. Pulling away he kisses you lightly once again, and then looks deep into your eyes. He brushes your hair off your shoulder gently and kisses the naked skin. You shudder at his touch, but let him kiss your shoulders and neck as he works his way back up to your lips. He slowly runs his hand down your lower back, gently stroking it, he starts to undo the clasps of your dress. You pull away quickly.

"I... I’m sorry," he says breathily. You shake your head and step towards him again.

"I... I want to do this," you say quietly, somewhat shaking at the prospect, so many things going through your mind. You have known the man for a just over a week, and you are doing this?! The way that you feel for him takes over, you can’t place what it is, affection, lust, l....?

"But, I need to take it slow, just let me go at my own pace." He nods, kissing you lightly on the head. You grasp at his belt, undoing it and un-tucking his shirt. You take the material and lift it up over his head, throwing it aside. You place your hands on his bare chest, stroking his smooth skin. You kiss his chest gently, tasting a soft saltiness to his skin. You look deep into his eyes, and he smiles, not saying anything. He kicks off his boots, and you push his trousers to the floor just watching him, his body, as he steps out of them, he smiles at you reassuringly and longingly, and you feel your heart melt.

At this point you feel so nervous that your body is uncontrollably shaking, and he takes you in his arms, kissing you again softly. You let him undo the rest of the clasps on the dress, and you let it slip to the floor. Stepping out of it you slip your shoes off, and you are left standing there in your underwear. Now shortened by the lack of heels you have to stand on the tips of your toes to kiss him. The feeling of his lips against yours seems so comfortable, normal, romantic. You start to move slowly towards the bed, all the while kissing him passionately. You lay down together under the covers, and everything that happens just seems so natural. The way he pushes his hips into yours, the way his skin feels against your body, the way your skin tingles as he kisses you softly.

Later you lie there together, you in his arms, and you stare at the moon outside through the window. Smiling contentedly you drift off to sleep together.

* * * * *

CHAPTER 7

Opening your eyes you are looking straight out the window at a beautiful blue sky. For a moment you can’t remember where you are, but as the room around you comes into focus you see the table laid out for last nights dinner, your clothes on the floor, and Jack... no where to be seen.

You sit up, staring at the empty space next to you in the bed. Getting up you wrap the sheet around your naked form, and walk towards the door to see if he is outside. You step through, welcomed by a cool refreshing breeze, and the gentle warmth of a midday sun. You can’t believe you’ve been asleep so long!

Heading towards the helm you see Jack standing right at the front of the ship. He has his hat and bandana on, and his trousers and boots, but his shirt is still residing in the cabin, and you can’t help smiling at the look of his tanned muscular figure. Walking up to him quietly you nudge him with your shoulder, not wanting to let the sheet go, or you’d be left there standing naked. He jumps startled, and turns with a look of annoyance, but upon seeing you he breaks into a grin.

"Afternoon," he says, softly kissing you on the lips. "I trust you slept well?"

"I did."

"I’m glad," you feel rather awkward standing there in just a sheet making small talk, and start blushing as your realise you are not out at sea, but moored in the port, plain to see by everyone from the land. Jack notices that you are getting embarrassed, and takes your hands so that you open the sheet, steps inside, and then closes the sheet around you both.

"Jack! People could see us!" you exclaim, trying to wriggle out whilst maintaining a grasp on the sheet, but doing so unsuccessfully, you both fall to the deck, where you lay giggling.

"Now no one can see us," he says with a suggestive grin and a soft and sensual kiss on the lips.

"True... but its...too cold."

"You’d soon get warmed up..."

"No Jack... I mean it," you add as he pins you to the floor. He looks at you sulkily, but soon his usual grin can be seen again. Sitting up he ends up taking the sheet with him, but when you yelp he wraps it back around you, taking you in his arms as he does so.

"You’re... amazing," he says softly, kissing you once more, before letting you stand up. He places his hat upon your head, and you smile as it falls over your eyes, as your head seems to be much smaller than his. Lifting it up he kisses you once more, and you walk back to the cabin. You take your dress off of the chair where it is draped, and get dressed, all the while feeling as though you’re in a dream, you don’t want to ever close your eyes again, for fear that you will wake up, finding that none of it has happened. Finally you step outside again. Now fully clothed, you take Jacks shirt with you. He is back where he was before, standing at the front of the ship, looking out to the sea, and you walk up to him again.

"Penny for your thoughts, you’ve been out here for ages!" you say, passing the shirt to him. He turns and smiles, pulling the shirt on over his head, and tucking it loosely into his trousers.

"I was just thinking about going away for a while," he says with a sad smile.

"What for?" You ask, confused as to why his mood has suddenly dropped.

"I need to think..."

"About?"

"Things."

"I haven’t done anything to upset you have I?" you ask, thoroughly bewildered now.

"No, I just... need some time."

"Oh... well, I suppose I had better go." Your bright mood seems to have fallen overboard as you think about not being able to see Jack again for a while. He nods and kisses you on the top of your head gently. You almost wince at this motion, it seems so fatherly, not a kiss you would expect from Jack. You head across the ship, and are about to get off when you realise you haven’t asked when he will be leaving.

"When are you going to go?" you call back.

"Tomorrow," he replies quickly. Your eyes go wide with surprise. You’re sure you’ve done something wrong, why is he being so distant, so strange? You just nod dumbly and walk back down to the walkway, where you head home. Passing the tavern you notice that there are a lot of men scurrying about, and you decide to pop in to see what’s going on.

Walking through the door the same hive of activity greets you, with many men standing on stools fixing the ceiling, and clearing up the floor. Liza is there shouting at people to stop dawdling, and you laugh at the familiarity of it to a Saturday evening. Walking over to Liza you give her a smile and wave, and she puts down the mugs she’s holding and rushes over to you, enveloping you in a big hug. You gasp, Liza has never really been one to show affection or any emotion, and you are quite taken aback by this sudden gesture.

"My God am I glad to see you!" she says finally letting you go. "Look at this place! I finally managed to get McKenzie to fix the place up again, Port Royale has been so dull without it, and I couldn’t find another job anywhere. He finally got his arse into gear this morning and got loads of the regular punters round to fix the place up! It should be finished for tomorrow can you believe it?!"

You have to admit it is quite unexpected. You really did think that McKenzie would let the place rot into the ground, but this quick restoration has furthered your hopes in him. "Do you want to work tomorrow?" Liza asks quickly, and you smile and agree.

"Usual time?" you ask.

"Of course! Oh for Christ’s sake!" Liza hastily waves good-bye and storms off to where several men are trying to fix a beam back in place, but in doing so are knocking several chunks of the roof down again. You smile, and pleased that you will be able to work again you head home, looking forward to a nice hot soak in the bath.

Upon getting there you take off the dress that you had worn to Jacks, completely forgetting about the one he had given you. You idly lay in the bath, trying to think of reasons for Jack's strangeness. Maybe you did something wrong, last night. Maybe he was disgusted by you, your body. Maybe he thought you were too easy, you had after all only known him for a week or so, but surely that was what he usually went for. You had heard tales of him and his women on several occasions after meeting him for the first time.

You then start wondering whether he is already seeing some one, maybe he is actually married in secret, maybe he has a child?! You thoroughly work yourself into a frenzy, and upon this get out of the bath and get dressed, preparing to storm out of the house and confront him. But what would be the point? He would just laugh at you for being so silly. He never said he loved you, the closest he got to that was, ‘you’re amazing’ and that was nothing like I love you.

Why should you care anyway? You knew he was a pirate when you went to his ship, to his bed. You knew that you might have to suffer consequences like this, but at the time you just hadn’t cared. You were so eager to feel wanted for just one night. You were so eager for his kisses, the way he touched you, and you didn’t think twice about the pain and turmoil it would put your mind and heart through. Tears start to well up in your eyes, and you feel as though your heart is broken. Quickly you wipe your eyes, resolutely announcing that you don’t care. You don’t love him, you can’t, not after one night, and with that you get a book and read, wanting to get lost in the fantasy world.

* * * * *

CHAPTER 8

You wake up the next morning, book still in your hand. Getting up you glance at your reflection in the mirror, but look away quickly, disgusted by your tear stained face. You go into the bathroom, and wash your face, all the while thinking that you won’t see Jack again for god knows how long. Looking through your wardrobe though you remember the dress he had given you, and you realise you had left it on the ship.

Putting on a clean dress, this time a faded magnolia colour, you pull a comb through your hair, determined to go round to the Black Pearl looking pretty and attractive, like there is nothing wrong. You will just go there, get the dress, say goodbye and leave. Just the thought of seeing Jack at the moment brings a lump to your throat, but you know that you’re just being silly, and chin held high you walk out the door. You head down the street, not looking at anyone around you, trying to remain high and aloof from the world, for fear that you will break into tears at absolutely anything.

Reaching the ship you see the crew scurrying about, bringing bits of luggage and loot they have collected on their time in Port Royale. Heading towards a dark haired, tanned woman, you ask her where Jack is.

"In his cabin I expect," She says shortly. "Has been in there all night, and most of the morning, came and told us what to do and then buggered off! Why you looking for Jack luv, he stolen sumink?"

You smile sadly at the thought of your own stolen heart, but just shake your head. "We’re...err friends." you manage to say.

"I see. You’re another..." you glare at her harshly, and she takes this as a sign to shut up. She jabs her thumb towards Jack's cabin, and you nod in appreciation although you already know where it is. Walking onto the ship you feel your chest become tight as though you can’t breathe, but you keep going. Walking through the door into his cabin you find him lying on his bed, hat over his face, a bottle of rum clasped in his hand, and the medallion you gave to him clasped in the other.

"Jack?" you whisper softly, but he doesn’t stir. You walk over and sit down next to him on the bed. You watch as his chest rises and falls gently. You sigh and prod him in the ribs, to which he sits up suddenly, dropping the rum on the floor, flinging his hat across the room, and knocking you off the bed. You sit there, just watching him flail about, reminding you somewhat of the first night you met.

Getting up you grab his hat and hand it to him, "Glad to see you’re awake," you say with a smile.

"What time is it?"

"Just gone midday."

"Oh. So what brings you here?"

"Oh. I forgot to take the dress you gave me, and well, I wanted to say good-bye, seeing as you said you were leaving. I take it that’s still happening?"

"Yeh. I got that money for ye..."

"Oh, thanks but I don’t need it now, the tavern is fixed so I will be working there later today!"

"Oh, right." You can’t help but wonder at his complete and utter lack of emotion. He is completely distant, and you can’t help but think that maybe he doesn’t want you anymore, now that he’s had you, there’s nothing left to keep him interested. You glance at the medallion clasped in his hand, and just smile at him, not really knowing what to say. "I took it off, I wanted to err...wash, and I didn’t want to lose it," He stutters, shoving his hand in his pocket.

"Ok, well, I’ll say good-bye then. Find me when you get back, ok?"

"Sure," He stands up and envelops you in a hug, gently kissing you yet again on the head. You can’t restrain from shuddering, you don’t want to feel so, so desperate, but you do. You just want him to kiss you again properly, show acknowledgement for the fact that you had slept together, but instead there is just nothing. You step out of his arms and turn away.

He places his hand softly on your shoulder, but you flinch at his touch. You feel as though you’re not going to be able to hold the tears in if you don’t get away, and you sure as hell don’t want to start blubbering pathetically in front of him.

"What’s wrong?" he whispers, trying to place his hand on your shoulder again, but failing when you step away. Biting your lip you turn to him, smiling as much as you feel possible, in order to mask the sobs that you feel welling up inside of you.

"I’m fine, just a bit tired. I’ll see you around." You hastily walk out the door grabbing the dress, leaving Jack standing there, seemingly dumfounded. You walk quickly past the crew, up the street and through your door, throwing the dress to the floor and yourself onto your bed, sobbing loudly, until you feel as though you can cry no more. With that you just lie there, pondering what to do, and especially why you are getting so worked up over it all, anyone would think you were in love...!

A couple of hours later you sit munching on an apple, reading a book. The book is a beautiful story about a princess locked in a tower by an evil witch, all the while a handsome prince is waiting to rescue her. Looking at the clock you see that it is getting towards the time when you have to leave for work, so you put down the book, and wash your face yet again.

You make your way towards the tavern, pleased that you will finally be able to work, and just forget about Jack for a few hours. Getting there you find the usual people streaming in and out, its packed to the brim, and this adds to the idea that you will be able to work and just forget about everything. An hour passes and you notice the sun is setting. People keep on shouting to be served though, so you decide to miss going and watching the people get off of the ships, and carry on. You hear your name being shouted, and you see Liza coming towards you, carrying several empty mugs.

"There’s a guy outside looking for you, I think it’s that Jack Sparrow." You feel that familiar lump come to your throat as you head out the door, you really had hoped you wouldn’t see him, but maybe he has come to say he’s not leaving after all?! You walk over to the edge of the port where you see Jack’s familiar figure standing.

"Hi," you say quietly.

"Hey."

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to say good-bye, you left in such a hurry..."

"You’re still going then."

"Yeh, but..." Suddenly you hear an almighty crash coming from inside the tavern, and whipping around quickly you see Liza coming out the door, screaming for you to come back in.

"I’ve got to go," you say hurriedly, heading quickly back towards the tavern.

"No, wait!" he cries after you, but your mind is already on what commotion lays in store. "I need to talk to you!"

"I haven’t got time!"

"Well can’t you stop for one minute?"

"You’re a fine one to talk! You’re leaving!" you suddenly feel all the anger and hurt welling up inside you, and you just have to let it out.

"You knew who I was when you met me, I have never lied to you. You knew it all when you got into this relationship..."

"Relationship? You call this a relationship? I mean, if you do you need to steal yourself a dictionary!" He looks at you, a mixture of spite and sorrow across his face. You leave at this point and storm into the tavern where you are confronted by a fight raging across the room, stools being hurtled everywhere, people punching each other shouting and swearing, all the while Liza is stuck in the middle trying to wrestle a stool out of a particularly large mans grasp. You see the other main participant to the fight, and storming over to him, you grab his arm, dragging him out the door.

Looking around you see that Jack has left. Good. You think, still thoroughly annoyed at him. As the guy tries to push past you back into the pub you push him, slamming into the wall.

"Don’t mess with me, ok! I am not in the mood! Just calm down or leave, I don’t care which." He stares at you blankly, before grabbing your wrist hard and pushing you aside.

You glare at him as he looks back into the tavern, but he just calls some guys names and as they come out, they all storm off. The rest of the evening is spent rushing around serving people, and you are glad when the night ends. Finally you walk home, and as soon as you get in the door you head to your bedroom where you collapse, sinking into the inviting softness of the mattress.

Three days pass, and although you look out your window every day, looking for a sight of Jack, you still deny that you have any feelings for him. You work at the tavern in the evenings, and are glad when you have no incidents like the one the other night; in fact no one has seen the guy who started it that you chucked out, so you figure that they have gone off to some other island. You are serving drinks one evening when McKenzie comes up to you, and tells you to take a break. Surprised at this you follow him to a corner where you sit down. McKenzie has never been one to willingly let you take a break, although he isn’t particularly restrictive upon it.

"I’ve, got some news." He says solemnly. You nod, anticipating what he might say. Maybe he was making cut backs and couldn’t afford to hire you, although the way business had been going for the past few nights you would be surprised. ‘Luv, you know that guy you were with the other night.’ You nod, recalling your slanging match with Jack outside the tavern.

"Sorry I shouted and everything..." you start to say, but he just shakes his head, and places his hand upon yours.

"Pet, they found a body, in the water, just off shore." You gasp. Maybe he wasn’t talking about Jack, maybe he was talking about the other guy? "He had this." McKenzie says, producing something gold from his pocket. He passes it to you, and you feel your tears well up in your eyes as you recognize what it is. Turning it over you see the engraving of St Christopher, and looking at the back you see the familiar inscription; Watching over you.

"Sorry luv, he’s dead."

* * * * *

CHAPTER 9

You sit there, just staring at the piece of gold in your hands. Surely it’s a mistake? Surely someone else could have the same medallion, and it was just a coincidence that it had the same inscription? Turning it over in your hands you remember that there was a tiny dent, just above St Christopher’s head. Bringing the medallion as close to your eyes as possible without losing focus, you look intensely, hoping against hope that there will be nothing there. Suddenly you let out an almighty sob, burying your face in your hands. You found it, in exactly the same place. You know the likelihood now is near impossible that someone could have an absolutely identical medallion to the one you gave Jack.

"Can I see the body?" You ask. You want to make sure that it is Jack, because although the hope is small, it is still there that it may be someone else.

"Sorry luv. But they collected the body almost straight away. You wouldn’t have wanted to see it. Skin was all pale and green, eyes bulging..." you stare at him in horror. You can’t imagine Jack’s beautiful face looking so grotesque. His gorgeous tanned skin looking so pale. His dark eyes which you could just make you melt, hard and emotionless, his soft lips, the ones you felt you could kiss until the end of existence, cold and rough.

"Sorry luv..." McKenzie starts to say as you feel sobs starting to pulse through your body. You smile at him weakly, but burst out into tears. You sit there sobbing for what seems like hours, until the tears seem to have run out, and your chest hurts. Looking up you see McKenzie staring intently at you.

"Sorry," you sniffle.

"Look, why don’t you take the rest if the day off, Liza can cope," he replies. You just nod gratefully.

He gets up, patting you on the shoulder, and walks over to the bar where Liza is serving. He seems to be telling her what has happened, and she looks over to you, giving you a sympathetic smile. You try to smile back, but you feel tears welling up again, so you quickly get up and leave, grabbing your purse from behind the bar. You walk out the door and up the street, all the while thinking, questioning, how could this have happened? The man you loved, dead. Why is it now that you can finally admit that you love him, now that he is gone? You feel like screaming it at every person who looks your way... ‘I love him! I love Captain Jack Sparrow!’ but instead you walk home, eyes filled with tears so that you can barely see where you are going.

As you get home you collapse into a comfy chair, sobbing again. The medallion clasped tightly in your hands, you want to hold it so much, the idea being that if you hold it long enough it will bring Jack back. You sit there thinking about the last time you saw him, outside the tavern. He had actually called what you had, a relationship! That must of meant that maybe, maybe he loved you. You remember the last thing you said to him though, and can’t help from sobbing all over again.

"Relationship? You call this a relationship? I mean, if you do you need to steal yourself a dictionary!" You think back to your words, you remember the look on his face as you said them. If only you hadn’t said it, maybe he wouldn’t have looked so hurt. Maybe if you had stopped and talked to him instead of rushing off, he would be alive now. You sit there thinking and crying, and finally find yourself fast asleep dreaming. Yet again you are in the ocean being swept away, and the land is getting smaller and smaller. Jacks ship is there again, and yet again you cry out to him for help.

"You couldn’t make time!" he shouts, and you gasp for air as a wave pushes you under. You can’t breathe, you can’t see anything, all there is the cold chilling water, enveloping you, suffocating you, pulling you under. You awake, perspiration forming on your brow, you must have been moving about a lot in your sleep, because as you open your eyes, you see the room from the floor, where you must have fallen of the chair. You recall the words, "You couldn’t make time."

How uncanny it seemed. You remember you had the same dream before, the first night you stayed with Jack, and you have to try with all your strength not to burst into tears. It was like a premonition, if only you had paid attention and not just dismissed it. Picking yourself up off the floor, you go into the bedroom. Not bothering to get undressed, you lay there, looking at the grey cracked ceiling. You lay there as the first few rays of sunlight creep in through the window, and you lay there as you listen to people scurrying about in the street, preparing for market. All day you lay there, only stopping to go to the bathroom. You have a spot on the ceiling that you fixate your gaze on, and if you stare at it really hard, you can just make out the shape of The Black Pearl.

Four days have passed since you heard the news, and you are still lying on your bed in the same outfit. Realising you have wasted so much time you get up. People have been calling round for you; Liza, McKenzie, some of the other girls from the tavern. You lay there though not wanting to see anyone, just wanting to be enveloped by the darkness that seems to have crept into your life. You walk into the bathroom, and not daring to look at your image in the mirror, you fill up the tub. Getting in you scrub your skin ferociously.

You notice that you have lost weight, you’ve not eaten in the four days, and you feel your stomach is hollow and empty. After washing several times over, you get out of the bath, and put on a clean dress. It is a deep purple, almost black. It looks the way you feel, dark, dead. Pulling your hair back into a bun, you finally look in the mirror that hangs on the wall. You can see that your cheekbones have become much more defined than before, and you eyes look sunken and hollow. You cried so hard in the first couple of days that you could cry no longer, and you just lay in your bed staring at that one spot on the ceiling.

You take a bite out of an apple, it is starting to rot, and you can taste the sweetness, but its edible, and you have nothing else in the house that wouldn’t kill you if your tried to eat it. Taking a deep breath you head out the door. The sunlight seems to burn your eyes and you shade yourself with your arm. You have been in a gloomy room for the past four days though, what did you expect? Walking down the street you head towards the grocery store. You buy a basket of apples, a couple of loaves of bread, and various other bits and pieces.

Walking out the door you look at the port, brightly lit by the midday sun. You daren’t look for The Black Pearl, as you know it will just make you start crying again. It had probably changed hands by now, so that the first mate was captain. They probably would have left already; you didn’t think they would stick around for a funeral service. You had heard from Liza that there had been one, but you hadn’t wanted to go at the time. You almost wish you had now, so you could say good-bye.

‘I can say good-bye tonight.’ you think as you get home and place the shopping on the table. ‘I couldn’t make time before, but now I shall.’ You think, an idea hatching. ‘I will go to the port at sunset, and watch the ships. I will say good-bye.’ Vowing this you spend the rest of the afternoon cleaning up the house. Dust seems to have settled in every available place, and rotting food is gradually starting to smell.

The evening finally arrives, and after freshening yourself up, you walk down to the port, the medallion clasped tightly in your hand. You stand at the harbour edge, gazing at the beautiful colours, the rippling motion of the water. "Good-bye," you whisper, holding the medallion out over the water.

"What're ye doing?!" a voice calls out startling you. You turn around quickly, medallion still clasped in your hand. You recognized the voice, but surely... you see him. He’s standing a few metres away from you, dirty red bandana around his head, a cream shirt hanging off of him, showing his smooth tanned chest...

"Jack!" you cry out. You run at him at full speed, and jumping at him you clasp him in your arms tightly, tears flowing freely down your cheeks. He pushes you away, and looks at your now blotchy face. "What...?" he mutters, before holding you tightly in his arms, as sobs heave through your body.

"You’re... you’re..." you gasp between sobs.

"I’m...?"

"You’re dead," you whisper, looking up into his deep dark eyes. "They found your body, this was with it!" you shake the medallion in front of his face and he pulls backwards to stop himself from getting hit by it.

"Yeh, I can explain the medallion thing, not the being dead thing, but the medallion I can do," he says smiling at you. "You see I..." you cut him off, kissing him softly on the lips.

He pulls away, seemingly surprised, but comes back and kisses you passionately, holding you close to him, his hands on your waist, your arms around his neck. Drawing apart you finally feel as though you can say what you’ve always known you’ve felt.

"I love you." Startled, you stare at him. "What’s the matter?" he says, looking deep into your eyes.

"Say that again," you ask, looking at him. He smiles.

"I said, I love you." He beat you to it.

"I love you too," you whisper, surprised at the frailty of your own voice.

"That’s why I went away," he says. "I knew I was falling in love with you. I couldn’t understand it. I’m Jack Sparrow, I’m a pirate, I don’t fall in love... but I do." He kisses you softly again. "I wanted to tell you before, but you were so angry that I thought I shouldn’t..."

"I’m so sorry," you say dismally. If only you had listened you would never have gone through the torment and torture of the past few days.

"No worries, I’ll live, I’m Captain Jack Sparrow!" And with that he takes you in his arms, passionately kissing you. You draw apart and just look at him. Suddenly he picks you up off your feet, and starts carrying you away.

"What are you doing? Put me down! Where are we going?" you cry, thumping him playfully on the shoulder. He stops walking for a few seconds, just long enough to kiss you and say, "Bed." You look at him, your whole body and heart filled with desire. He carries you along the street and to The Black Pearl. As he steps on you see the woman from before.

"I see you found her then," she says nodding towards you.

"I did. Now, if you wouldn’t mind..." Jack replies quickly, motioning for her to leave. You look at her and smile, its quite amusing really, and very strange being carried all this way.

"But one thing sir..." she starts to say.

"Not now Anamaria. Wait ‘til the morning, heck, the afternoon," he says with a grin towards you. She nods, grinning herself, and walks past off the ship.

Making it to the cabin Jack steps through the doorway, and places you gently on the bed. He leans over you, and you remember the night you made love. He smiles, and brings his face down to yours. You glance from his deep eyes to his soft, tempting lips. He kisses you softly at first, then deeper, more passionately. You place your hand upon his chest, feeling his soft skin. You breathe in the familiar scent of the salty sea air, and a much fainter tinge of rum.

Sliding a hand around your waist he brings you up so that you are sitting there kissing. He undoes the clasps of your dress and pulls it down. You wriggle out of it, and gaze at him, as he looks deep into your eyes. Kissing you again he runs his hand down your side, stopping as he reaches your ribs. He brings his hand away and looks down at your ribs, now clearly defined by the weight loss. "What...? Why...?" he stutters, staring at you, his eyes filled with concern.

"I didn’t eat for a little while..."

"You what?"

"I thought you were dead!"

"You care that much to practically kill yourself!"

"Of course I do!"

"But that’s just stupid..."

"Jack?"

"What?"

"Shut up." And with that you place your lips firmly on his.

* * * * *

CHAPTER 10

You awaken. You are warm and comfortable in bed, the sun peeking in through the window. You feel a hand suddenly rest upon your shoulder, and you turn your head to see the owner of said hand.

"Morning," you whisper softly.

Jack smiles, and kisses you gently on the side of your head, unable to reach your lips from this angle. You turn to face him, and he snakes his hand around your waist, pulling you into him. You kiss him softly on the lips, and as he returns the kiss you find it getting more passionate. You pull away smiling.

"Don’t you think it’s a bit early to be starting all this again?" you ask, looking into his eyes.

"Luv, it’s never too early," he says, licking his lips hungrily. You kiss once more, and proceed in getting out of the bed, comfortable although it is, and getting dressed. You realise that all the time Jack doesn’t take his eyes off of you, so you decide to tease him, putting your clothes on as seductively as possible.

"Woman! I didn’t realise someone could be so enticing putting their clothes on, but my god I want to rip them right off of you!" he leaps out of the bed and grabs you, pulling you into his arms, and kissing you deeply.

"Now really Jack, that isn’t very polite is it?!"

"It’s too early for manners." He replies with a grin.

"Luv, it’s never too early for manners." You say mocking him. You pick up the medallion, which you had placed upon the dresser the previous night. You sit on the edge of the bed and motion for Jack to sit down next to you.

"You didn’t actually get round to telling me what actually happened, how you’re not actually dead." He smiles and takes a deep breath before starting his story.

"The other night, I came to see you and you were having none of it. Well I was a bit pissed off with you for being so huffy. All I wanted was to say I love you, get it out there, just in the chance that you would say the same, then it would stop everything from being so confused, then I wouldn’t have had to go away and sort my head out..."

"I love you too Jack, and I really am sorry..."

"I know, I know, back to the story. Anyway I decided to wait outside for a little while, contemplating whether to go in and get you to listen. I was standing there doing so when I saw you come out, and I was about to go over to you but I saw how angry you were, and then you had this big brute of a man with you, so I hid. I saw you yelling at him, and I saw him push you. No one pushes you, so I waited until you had gone inside and he had left with his buddies. I followed him for a bit, and waited until his mates had gone and he was alone, I mean I’m Jack Sparrow, not invincible. Like I said before, no one pushes you, so I went up to him and confronted him. He got all mouthy and we ended up fighting. We were near the edge of the dock, and I managed to knock him over the head with a bottle of rum. He grabbed at me, and caught hold of the medallion, ripping it off. He staggered backwards and he fell into the water. I was going to jump in and get the medallion back but I heard a load of noise, and it looked like some of them naval guys were heading my way, so I scarpered."

"You left the guy in the water with the medallion."

"Yeah, like I said I’m really sorry, I didn’t want to end up in jail, so I thought I would just stick to my plans and go away."

"And what about the guy?"

"I’m guessing he’s the one they found dead. He probably drowned or something."

"Yeah, they did say they found the body in the water, which I did find confusing seeing as you’re a good swimmer."

"Of course. I’d be dead by now if I weren’t."

"So where did you go?"

"I went to an island, same one as where I got marooned. I sat there for the evening and thought about everything, got drunk, thought some more, and decided to come back. It took three days to get there, and three days to get back, so I was actually only there for a grand total of one. Everything got into perspective though, that’s why I’m here now. And when I got back, I managed to pick this up..." He gets up off the bed and walks over to his dresser, where he picks up a small box.

You feel your whole body start to tingle as he walks over to you and gets down on one knee, opening the box and taking your hand in his. "Marry me," he says simply.

"I... yes!" you exclaim, and he places the ring on your finger. You look at it. It is beautiful platinum, with a small diamond set in the middle, and as you move your hand it glistens, sending sparkling rainbows all over the place. "Jack, are you sure, I never would have thought, you of all people, of all pirates, would ever be married..."

"Nor did I. If you had told me a year, nay, a month ago I’d be down on one knee asking a girl to marry me, I would have laughed, but now, it seems to simple. It seems right."

"Oh Jack!" you exclaim, placing your arms around his, enveloping him in the tightest squeeze you are capable of. "Luv, I can’t breathe," he manages to gasp, and you let go of him, laughing and smiling apologetically. He gets up, and pulls you to your feet, placing his hands around your waist, and his lips firmly on yours. "Mrs Sparrow," you whisper, looking at him lovingly.

"Indeed," he says, kissing you passionately. With that you fall back onto the bed together. "Still too early?" he says, kissing your throat and running his hands along your back. You simply smile and shake your head, and sigh as Jack continues kissing you.

You gaze out at the sun setting, still amazed by the way the colours make the ocean look so beautiful, the waves rippling and sparkling. You feel the cool water lapping at your toes, and you walk away up the beach, the soft sand gentle on your feet. Jack sits under a large palm tree, a bottle of rum in one hand, and the medallion in the other. He is intently staring at it, trying to fix the clasp, which had broken when it had been pulled off. You smile at him, and sit down, taking the rum from his hand and taking a swig. You had never been that fond of the stuff, but after half a week on a desert island with Jack, you had grown accustomed to its taste.

"Done," Jack exclaims, holding the medallion for you to see. You take it from him, and lean towards him, placing the medallion around his neck.

"I’m watching over you," you whisper, kissing him gently.

"And I you," he replies huskily. You lay down, your head resting in his lap, looking up at the sky now filled with stars, peeking through the gaps between the large palm leaves. You watch as the leaves sway gently in the cool breeze.

"I can’t believe we have been married a week," you sigh.

"I know. I can’t believe I am married at all!"

"You are happy though, aren’t you?"

"I’m with you, of course I’m happy. Nothing makes me as happy as this except you, and maybe The Pearl." You nudge him playfully, looking into his eyes longingly, as he brings his head down to yours, softly placing his lips upon your own.

It hadn’t been a large wedding by any means; it couldn’t be with Jack being constantly on the run from the navy. You had a simple ceremony on the beach, just outside the town. One of McKenzie’s friends was a priest, and he had married you after some begging from McKenzie, which in itself was after the long tedious explanation as to who was and wasn’t dead, and as to why you weren’t upset anymore etc.

It had happened though, and you had got on the ship with Jack to go on your honeymoon. It was to be a life long honeymoon though. You had moved all your stuff onto the ship, and sold your home. Finally you were together, and would never be separated. Contented, you continue resting your head in Jack's lap, and you slowly drift off into a dreamless sleep.

THE END

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