Chapter 10: Significance or Value?

Chrysta looked at him amusedly and Jack scowled at her.

"What do you need Sparrow?" Chrysta said purposely provoking him. Jack glared at her and crossed his arms against his chest.

"I think ye need to tell me a lot of things…witch," he said dangerously, his eyes glinting. Chrysta narrowed her eyes, stepped outside her cabin, and closed the door. She went to lock it and she gasped when he pressed himself against her and roughly turned her around. She went to push him but he snatched her hands in an iron grip. She looked at him with her usual cold demeanor, this time though, he could see a small thrill spark her eyes.

"What?" she asked coldly.

"Don't test me patience," he said warningly as he looked at her lips and then back into her eyes. He smirked suggestively and she looked at him frigidly.

"You do that to me all the time," She accused. Jack's grip softened, he leaned in and softly pressed his cheek to hers and her breathing became shallow. He smirked and knew he was starting to have an erogenous effect on Chrysta.

"Does it bother ye?" He asked huskily

"Yes it does….now please…kiss me," she said throatily. Jack's eyes widened comically and tuned his head to look at her.

"Why?"

"Because I want a repeat of what we did on the beach," she said truthfully.

"There's more to it, isn't there?" he asked softly as he gazed at her.

"Yes," she whispered.

"Tell me," he whispered back.

"Because I feel alive for once, because the contact is intoxicating. I crave the human contact and I need somebody to fill that gap," Chrysta told him truthfully. Jack felt a pang of anger as she said this, she didn't necessarily want him, she just wanted the physical contact.

"So yer only using me," Jack said viciously. He actually felt kind of hurt and it was a small kick to the ego. Chrysta's eyes widened and he let go of her and turned to leave. She swiftly walked up to him and violently turned him around and slapped him. Jack's body jerked to the left and his right cheek seared.

"I did NOT deserve that," he growled.

"You shouldn't be upset if I am supposedly using you. Especially since you are the one who charms women into your bed for your own pleasures all the time," Chrysta said coldly. Jack merely turned around and started to walk away, he actually felt like striking this woman. But he was no women beater, on the contrary he was more of a woman pleaser. He felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned around fiercely.

"I'm sorry Jack," Chrysta said more calmly and sincerely. Jack quirked an eyebrow and simply stared at her, encouraging her to continue talking.

"I shouldn't have done that. Let's just forget what happened, and I mean everything."

"Forget luv? I don't know, I think ye will have to convince me," he said deviously.

"Fine by me," she said with a ghost of smile.

"Really?" he said smirking.

"Really. Now follow me."

Jack was slightly hesitant in following her but he did. She led him to the back of the cabin and past the small clearing, They went into the tropical forest and Jack was quite impressed at the way she was able to navigate quickly through the trees and he was awed by the actual forest. His senses were alert to the sights, sounds, smells, feel and even taste of the scenic forest. There were various types of plants, some of different fruit, flowers, or size and many vines tumbled from the towering trees. The many greens of the forest contrasted beautifully together and created a picture of surreal enigma, especially since there was the aftermath of the storm. The colors were more vibrant and the dew on the leaves and the mist hovering above the ground gave it a dreamlike appeal.

Jack was sure that the forest held mysteries unknown to mankind and protected secrets. There were different sounds, the tranquil rustle of leaves and the consistent drip of rain water that dropped onto the damp ground, plus the consistent chirping of exotic birds.

The smell of wet earth and diverse leaves created a strong fresh scent in the damp air and the humid coolness was invigorating to the senses. Jack could almost taste the forest scents persistently existing in the atmosphere. Chrysta continued leading him through the imaginary path, and Jack could hear a distant soft rumble. As they continued through the forest the rumble sounded closer, and when they stepped out into the clearing Jack was dazed.

Ahead of them was a small glade and then the ground elevated and formed into a series of rock formations, that escalated down as a cliff and coves. Green plants dangled ornamentally with chains of white, red, pink, blue and yellow flowers from the coves. The rock formations in front of them and the forest behind and to the sides of them enclosed a deep greenish-blue lagoon dramatically. The lagoon was quite large and looked deep, the shallow end was a lighter green-blue, whereas the deeper part of the lagoon was a darker green-blue. The colors surrounding them clashed vividly in an unmarred perfection. Two long and thin waterfalls cascaded down in a melodic rumble from the rocky cliff, the whole scene without doubt the epitome of flawlessness.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Chrysta said breathlessly, as she cherished the beauty.

"Very beautiful," he said as he looked at the scene.

Jack then watched Chrysta walk to the lagoon and take of her sodden tunic and throw it on the ground. He licked his lips and admired her body. She wore a knitted black clothe around her breasts and black short tight bloomers that rested alluringly on her pelvis; her navel was exposed. She was thin but well built with a sinewy structure and she had dainty curves, that looked quite delectable to Jack. She grabbed a little pouch and lowered the strap of her dagger to her knee. She then wadded into the water, and Jack nearly growled when goose bumps erupted across her porcelain skin. She then dived in and swam towards the waterfall, into the deeper section of the water.

"This Island has many caves within it, which of course is where the name was derived from," Chrysta said as she treaded water lazily.

"Do these caves hold something of significance?" Jack said as he tried putting pieces of conversations together. Chiefly the conversation, or more like the argument, between Chrysta and Melinda. But let me just warn you, that I know that you know something about this little Island, and I will make sure that your filthy witch hands don't get a hold of it, had been Melinda's words.

"Significant for some, but value for others," Chyrsta said cryptically. Jack looked at her observably as he looked at her. She looked at him with intensity from the deep water, almost daring him to question her. Her naked shoulders showed appealingly above the clear water, her empty silver eyes were emphasized by her surroundings and her smooth skin glistened with water. Chrysta's wet, black hair was pasted onto her head and then tumbled into the water in thick wet strands. Her lips were plump and moist, and droplets of water ran down her cheeks, nose, and shoulders.

Jack took of his shirt and threw it on the ground beside Chrysta's emerald tunic along with his tricorn hat, pistol, and sword. He wadded into the lagoon until he was waist deep, creating small ripples in the crystalline water. The water was cool and the waterfall's mist moistened him, from the heaviness of water he could tell it was fresh water and not salt water. Jack looked once again at his surroundings, and the radiant beauty of the forest and the contrasting intensity of the lagoon made it seem like he was in a dream.

Jack's gaze lingered onto Chrysta as she swam towards him effortlessly, making her look like she was gliding through the water; her hair flowing behind her like liquid ink.

"Do you like it?" she asked him, her voice cool and melodic. He noticed how she seemed to belong in this place so much, she was almost like a nymph of the rainforest and lagoon. He would openly admit that she looked beautiful, and the atmosphere seemed to somewhat warm her wintry demeanor. The vivid colors of nature enhanced her sharp features and she stood out gloriously in the misty surroundings. Jack's eyes widened when he felt Chrysta thread her delicate fingers with his calloused ones and she tugged invitingly. He felt a small jolt of heat run though his body.

The sound of the waterfalls' rumble and the chirping of birds, the humidity and dampness of the forest and lagoon, made the whole thing so unreal…that Jack almost forgot there was a harsh world beyond this. He almost forgot he was a wanted pirate and Chrysta a unwanted sorceress. He almost laughed bitterly at the whole situation, he was wanted by the royal navy and she was unwanted by her village, yet they couldn't be any more alike. He lifted his other hand up from the water and brushed his knuckles across her cheek, and she rose from the water silently. She unwound her fingers from his but then wrapped her arms around his neck and placed her head gently on his shoulder. Jack was shocked but automatically wrapped his arms around her unclothed waist.

"I loved this place because it almost made me forget what I tried to hide from. What I tried to understand and withstand. I felt safe and welcomed, but it is an illusion Jack. The safety isn't really here, but the danger is," Chrysta murmured against him. She tilted her head and kissed him below the ear, on his neck. Her lips pressed against his skin slowly and teasingly and she let her tongue dart out to taste him. He tasted of rainwater and there was a tang of salt to the flavor. She then nuzzled his neck and whispered huskily in his ear.

"You're also…dangerous Jack."

For Chrysta it spoke volumes. He was dangerous to her emotions and for unknown emotions, that she would never want to tumble upon. He was a potential threat to her quest and to her plan. She knew she was treading in deep and dangerous waters…but she couldn't get enough. He was like a demon that seemed to ignite a fire within her, and slowly yet surely she was admitting it. Jack rubbed his fingers against her soft flesh as he concentrated on her words. There was certainly something on this island of great value, and she wasn't the only one after it.

"What's dangerous about this place Chrysta?"

"It hides ancient secrets that can be the end of anybody who knows them."

"What kind of secrets?"

"I prefer to show you."

She ripped herself from him and dived into the water, he dived right after her. They swam through the cool water, rays of sunlight lighting their way. As they approached the waterfalls the water became less clear, from the pressure of water falling. When Chyrsta surfaced for air, Jack did also.

"We are going into a cave, take a deep breath-"

"A cave?"

"Yes… I am guessing you are an okay swimmer Jack?"

"Of course," Jack said pompously.

"Good now follow me and make sure you don't touch anything."

"Why?" Jack asked like a stubborn child.

"Unless you want to somehow bleed to death, be my guest and touch everything you see," Chrysta said as she rolled her eyes. Jack looked somewhat afraid, and he wasn't sure if she was serious or not, but just to be safe he promised himself he wouldn't touch anything.

Chrysta submerged fluidly into the water and dove down, the surface's light, lighting the clear water. She swam towards a large opening behind the waterfall and Jack followed, the opening of the cave was strange and Jack furrowed his brows. There was a sort of metal fence that blocked the way and there were thick large spikes around the opening. Jack's eyes widened when he noticed the spikes seemed to made of solid gold, he went to go touch one and investigate when Chrysta kicked him in the stomach. He glared at her and she shook her head side to side her hair floating around her and meanwhile pointing to the spikes. He got the message but then stubbornly crossed his arms as a few bubbles escaped his lips. He saw her swim to the bottom of the mouth of the cave and grab her little pouch, from inside she retrieved a key. When she put the key in, she swam back up beside Jack. Jack's eyes widened to saucers as he saw the spike's shoot out a certain length out of the wall and then receded back into the rocks, the only sign of the spike's was golden circles around the opening of the cave. While the spikes had pierced through the water at lightning speed and then disappeared, the metal fence had vanished into the rocks. Jack swallowed thickly and looked at Chrysta, who looked at him with an 'I told you so' expression. She then led him into the cave. The air from his lungs was running out, as they rose up to a surface within the cave. When both, Jack and Chrysta, surfaced they gulped in damp air. The cave was circular and vines dangled from the openings in its ceiling, where streams of sunlight pooled through the cave. Chrysta swam to an island at the side of the cave and hoisted herself out of the water by stepping onto stones that rose almost like stairs. Before Jack can do anything, she slipped on one of the rocks and she plunged into the water powerfully with a loud cry.

A/N: I really hope you enjoyed this chapter and I hope that my story intrigues you! As I mentioned before I'm going on vacation just for one week (week coming up) so I won't be updating in a little while.

If you have any suggestions or problems with this story, you are welcomed to tell me (of course in a nice way).

Also thank you to all of those who review my story, I appreciate it so much. It makes me want to put that extra effort for my considerate reviewers because it really does make me feel better when I know you are reading my story and especially when you are enjoying it. :)

Tell me what you think about this chapter...in other words "Review Please!" :D

-Ana