Of Maids and Swords

Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean or any of its characters (unfortunately) but I do own any original characters/places.

A/N: Thank you soooo much to those of you who reviewed. And I apologise I am a bit late with chapter but I hope you'll forgive me. Right then another chapter….. you know the drill please R&R I really want to know what you guys think. Anyhow on with the chapter……………..

Chapter 12: On the Pearl

"Jack…" Dani mumbled beneath his kisses, she wasn't sure how they arrived there but she was lying on the bed with Jack on top of her.

"Mmm."

"Jack… I … Jack … please…"

Jack stopped; the plea in her voice made him stop – with a great deal of effort her pushed himself away from her and looked down at her.

"Jack I…" She tried again but couldn't look at him.

Jack sighed, "It's alright luv we don't have to do anything." He told her, meaning every word as he rolled off her and lay next to her on the bed.

"Thank you… I'm sorry." She whispered quietly but she just couldn't bring herself to do what he wanted – and she felt so bad for it but she just couldn't, nor could she explain why she couldn't.

"Now luv don't go apologising for the way ye are or who ye are – that I won't have that. I like ye the way ye are savvy."

She smiled briefly, before snuggling up close to him – Jack looked down in surprise as her head rested on his shoulder, he certainly hadn't expected that not after her saying no and all.

"Sweet dreams luv." He whispered but she was already asleep and asleep in his arms.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Jack watched her as she lay asleep in his arms; the morning sunlight dancing across her face. He smiled to himself; who would believe that he Captain Jack Sparrow had a beautiful woman in his bed and he was content to merely hold her. Of course he hoped that they would do more than that but… it was her decision and he wouldn't force her no matter how much he wanted her – and he did want her. Feeling himself becoming aroused just thinking about it… her… he decided to move onto safer thoughts.

"Captain." The call came through the doors. Jack's brow creased in confusion, waiting to enter was even rarer than knocking on his ship, then he remembered that he had locked the doors the night before when he thought that they would… he shook his head. Looking down at the sleeping angel in his arms he tried to slide out of the bed without her noticing.

"What the blazes do ye want now Gibbs?" Jack demanded as he unlocked the doors to his first mate; hearing movement from the bed knowing that she was awake.

"Err… ye didn't give us a heading captain."

Jack looked at him in annoyance before wavering his arms around as if trying to conjure up a place to go, "Tortuga." He said finally. "Anything else?"

"Err no captain that be all." Gibbs mumbled quickly.

"Good." Jack shut the door in his face.

"What was that about?" Dani asked sleepily, propping herself up on her elbows.

"Nothing Gibbs jest wanted a heading."

"Oh."

"Not curious as to where that might be luv?" Jack teased.

She smiled at him, "oh do tell captain."

"Be nice."

"Argh." Was all the reply he got as she flopped back down on the bed.

"I must say luv that looks mighty inviting to me."

Dani jumped at that, looking over at him concernedly as he lounged against the doors, before realising he was just teasing her.

"I think that sounds like a good reason to get out of bed then, doesn't it." She teased back.

"Ah you wound me luv." Jack told her clutching his chest.

"Hmm." Dani murmured, looking down at her dress which was now all creased and rumpled, well I suppose that's what I get for sleeping in it she thought to herself anyway its hardly fitting for a pirate ship.

"Jack…"

"Yes Dani." Jack walked over to her, his eyes glinting with mischief as he wrapped his arms around her pulling her close to his body.

"I wondering…"

"Oh good so was I." Jack replied, inching his face closer to hers.

"Jack that's not…" Was all she managed to say before the rest of her reply was silenced by his lips on hers. Jack gradually guided her back to the bed not breaking the kiss until Dani put her hands on his chest, pushing him away from her slightly.

"Jack I thought you said..." She said hesitantly

Jack sighed, "Well ye can't blame a man for trying." Dani grinned and shook her head.

"So then luv if ye weren't wondering what I was wondering what were ye wondering I wonder?" He asked

Dani blinked, trying to get past all those 'wonderings' before answering. "Oh I was just wondering if you had any clothes I could borrow – which are more suitable than this dress."

"What's wrong with the dress luv? I think it suits ye luv, especially now." Dani looked at him in confusion before realising that the bodice had slipped down, revealing more cleavage than one might have considered decent.

"Jack!" She exclaimed, pushing him away as she tried to pull it back up.

"What luv?" He asked innocently but his grin belied the innocence of his tone.

He laughed in response to her scowl, "Pirate!"

"Anyway – back to the point. A dress his hardly suitable for a ship." Dani stated.

"Suppose not." He conceded.

"I'll take a look but I ain't promising anything savvy?"

"Savvy." She replied with a grin as Jack began sifting through trunks.

After a lot of rummaging, mumbling and cursing Jack presented Dani with a clean white shirt and a pair of old breeches.

"Sorry luv, but any of me newer ones wouldn't fit ye at all." He apologised for the breeches.

"That's all right." Dani replied, surprised that he had found any that were anywhere near her size. She wasn't exactly tiny but definitely smaller than Jack.

"Well luv ye gonna try 'em on?" He asked grinning madly at her.

"…" She opened her mouth to demand he left the cabin so she change in privacy but remembered that beneath this dress she had corset… very difficult to get out of by oneself. Biting her lip she decided to ask him. Jack watched her indecision with anticipation; he would have given a lot to know what was going through her head.

"Err Jack… could you help me out of this dress and corset please." She closed her eyes briefly knowing exactly how that sounded to a pirate.

Jack beamed at her, "Dani I've been trying to do jest that since we got ere." He teased, walking towards her.

"Jack…" She began to warn.

"Jest turn around luv." Jack instructed cutting off her warning.

Obediently she turned away from him and immediately felt his hands deftly begin to untie the laces to her dress. Jack had a permanent grin on his face as he performed the task, that was until she jumped when he placed his hands on her shoulders to slide the dress off.

"Ye gotta learn to trust me Dani – I wouldn't hurt ye fer the world… savvy." He whispered in her ear before placing a kiss on her neck, sliding the dress down her body; all Dani could do was nod.

Jack chuckled at her response, as if that was proof that he did have some effect on her, before unlacing the corset.

Dani let out a sigh as Jack pulled the corset away from her body, leaving her standing in nought but her shift – it felt good to be free of the damn thing Dani decided.

"I must say luv, this is definitely a good look for you." Dani whirled around to see Jack eyeing her carefully – taking in every curve.

"Jack!"

"What?" He grinned.

"Out!" She demanded pointing to the door.

"All right, I'm going… unless ye need anymore assistance?" Dani glared at him. "I'm gone, I'm gone." He called hastily, shutting the doors behind him, although he didn't go far – Dani could hear his voice talking to someone though she couldn't quite hear what he was saying. Looking at the clothes in her hands she decided to change before Jack waltzed back in and caught her wearing even less.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Commodore Norrington stood restlessly on the quarterdeck of the Dauntless, staring out across the ocean; an ocean devoid of sails, black or otherwise.

"Commodore?" Captain Groves asked hesitantly.

"Captain Groves."

"What course sir?" They had not long left the harbour of Port Royale, and with no information as to the whereabouts of the Black Pearl selecting the heading was very much a hit and miss affair.

"West Captain." Norrington ordered, sounding a good deal more confident than he felt; the fate of Miss Kenston lay in his ability to track the Black Pearl and he hadn't the first idea where to go – that thought plagued him like no other.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

After Jack had found a belt and cut the trousers down, Dani looked reasonably presentable.

"Ah a proper pirate lass." Jack teased. Dani just laughed, the shirt although big seemed to fit her quite well and at least covered her enough for her liking and perhaps a little too much for Jack's liking.

"Are you not going to show me around?" Dani asked attempting to divert Jack's attention for her and knowing full well that Jack liked nothing better than to show off his pride and joy. She also couldn't wait to get out of the cabin: it was nice enough but nothing could compete with the sea breeze pulling at my hair - Dani stopped and shook her head. Mentally shrugging she followed Jack out onto the deck and immediately knew that no matter where that thought had sprung from it was right.

Most of the crew that were on deck looked up, all curious to know who this lass was especially as their captain seemed content to have risked his ship for her. Dani smiled nervously – she definitely didn't like all these eyes on her, watching her. That was one good thing about being a maid… you were practically invisible – she thought to herself. It was then that she saw one of the older members of the crew staring at her, eyes wide with disbelief – right then she would have given anything to be invisible. The man opened and closed his mouth several times as if to say something but couldn't quite manage it. This finally caught Jack's attention.

"Brock!" Jack called but when he received no answer he began walking towards him bringing Dani with him, for he still had his arm wrapped possessively around her waist.

"Brock!"

"Ye were dead." Brock stated in disbelief when he eventually found his voice, still staring at Dani. A look that made Dani feel cold all over, she involuntarily shuddered.

XOXO

Small cliffie there – hehehe. Anyhow if you want to know the rest you'll have to review… please!

Blueraven33