Ha! I'm on a roll tonite. I'll probably get two chapters up tonite, but if not then I'll post this in the morning. School's out for the summer now, so I'll have plenty of time to keep updating—that is as long as those reviews keep rollin' in, of course! Now, on with the story!
"What makes you say that, luv?" Jack asked, completely serious. His trademark smirk was gone, even from his eyes. He seemed to know the depth of her words.
"Not everything always works out on its own, Jack. I can't explain. I'm sorry. Sometimes things just don't work out for the best." Kendra refused to meet his gaze.
"Why do ye say tha'?" His voice was almost a whisper.
She shook her head. "I can't explain." Unless I want you to hate me, she finished in her mind.
Vaguely, she realized his hands were still on the back of her neck, and very deliberately she took his hands away. But she didn't let go of him, and he didn't seem too keen on moving away. And they just sat there for a while like that in silence, their hands grazing.
When she realized what she was doing, she took a breath slightly and said, "Jack, I—."
She started to pull her hands away, but he didn't let go. "Shh, Kendra." He raised a hand and brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers. "It's awright. Yer too tense is all."
With good bloody reason, Sparrow. One, you're a pirate. Two, I'm supposed to rat you out to be hanged as soon as bloody possible. What the hell am I doing
But even though her mind screamed at her not to, she felt herself giving in to his tenderness, felt her body slack and lean against his, felt her head relax on his shoulder softly, and felt his fingertips graze her neck. She watched her arm encircle his stomach, and felt the tears caress her cheeks on their descent to Jack's shoulder.
"What is it?" He asked when he noticed she was crying.
She shook her head, and when he tried lifting her face so he could look at her, she turned her face against his neck and refused to let him see her. She didn't know what she might say if she looked into his eyes. She might let her secret slip, that she was a freelance agent for a Naval officer. And she didn't want to hurt Jack. She didn't want to tell him that she was hired to betray him. She couldn't tell him, and she couldn't betray him, but she also couldn't run from the British navy for the rest of her life.
What if I can run with Jack? No. She shook the thought from her head. That would never work, especially if he ever found out you were working for them. He'd probably maroon you on an island and leave you to die or something. Kendra didn't want to hurt him.
"Kendra, please talk to me." He pleaded.
"I can't, Jack. I'm sorry, but I can't." She finally raised her head to look up at him, her eyes red and rimmed with unshed tears, her cheeks stained with salty moisture.
He nodded and wrapped his arms around her, just comforting her. He didn't even understand what was going on, and yet he still comforted her and tried to soothe her. How can I let someone this gentle be hanged, pirate or no? He whispered into her ear, "It's awright, luv. Not sure I understand wha's wrong, but everything will be fine. I promise."
How can you make promises when you really have no idea of the outcome? Kendra wanted desperately to believe him; she just couldn't bring herself false hope in case she was disappointed.
I have to tell him. I have to tell him everything. She looked up at him, losing herself in his dark eyes. I can't do it. I can't bear to see how he'll look at me and what he will do if I tell him.
Instead, she tried forcing her thoughts away for just a few moments. She wanted to as Jack said: to stop worrying so much. So, she focused on what was in front of her. Jack Sparrow. She focused on his eyes and how they seemed to fill her vision, making her drown in darkness. When she barely felt his mouth against hers, she pulled back.
"Jack…" She muttered, shaking her head desperately. "We can't—."
"Yes, we can." With those words, his lips descended down onto hers.
His mouth on hers was like electricity shocking her every nerve. His lips were sweet and sensitive, knowing exactly how to move to make her swoon at his touch. He tasted sweet and warm, and when he placed a hand on her waist it was surreal to her. She barely knew what she was doing, except that she was responding to his soft touch.
There wasn't a rough bone in Jack's body. Every movement he made, every touch she felt, was soothing and comforting and gentle, silently confiding to her that he would never harm her.
Gently cupping his cheeks in her hands, she pulled away, her expression torn between sadness and longing. "Jack, I can't do this. I can't."
He nodded, but his eyes were questioning.
"I'm sorry, Jack. I want to, I just can't."
"What's stopping you, if it's something you want?" He asked softly, his eyes unlike she'd ever seen them. They were raw with emotion.
She shook her head. "I can't say, not yet."
Reluctantly, he nodded. She bit her lip to hold back tears and put her forehead on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Jack." She whispered.
He tilted her face up to see his. "Don't worry, luv. I understand…awright, no I don't. But I won't push a lady into somethin' she don't wanna do, savvy?" Seeing her lack of belief, he hugged her carefully, avoiding applying pressure on his wound. "It's awright, Kender."
She smiled. She had no idea where he got that nickname from, but it just sounded special coming from his mouth.
"I should probably go, Jack. I need to go check and see how Anna Maria and Mr. Gibbs are handling your ship."
"Ye put them in charge?" He asked, pulling away from her to inspect her face.
She nodded. "I could tell you trust them, and they seem like good pirates and good sailors to me, so I told them to run the ship together until you're back on your feet."
"Aye. Ye did a fine job pickin' me first mates. Honestly, I never thought I'd be hurt bad enough not to be able to run the ship all by me onesies." He shook his head. "And you? Are ye workin' on me ship too?"
"Of course, Jack." Kendra said and stood up, backing toward the door as she spoke. "My job is to take care of you. Your crew wants their captain back."
She turned to go, but Jack called her back with, "Oh, Kender?"
"Hm?"
"That's Captain Jack, luv."
Kendra just smiled and walked out of the room. And that was when she had to stop herself. What just happened in that room? I can't believe I kissed him.
Okay, now don't you guyz forget to review! It's what keeps me writing!
