The sun started to rise as Jack quietly sneaked out of the room, taking a lingering glance at Christie. Somehow, he couldn't stop thinking about her and admitted to himself that he fancied her. Leaving the house, he walked along the shore of the island, a couple hundred feet away from it.
Squinting his eyes, he spotted the Pearl coming into view. He stood there for an hour before hearing someone approaching him.
"Jack." A gentle voice whispered quietly. Jack looked over his shoulder to find Christie still in her sleeping gown. The slight breeze blew her hair, strands caressing her face; her thin gown billowing against her slender body.
"Awake, are we?" Jack smirked at her façade.
"Yes… are you going to leave once the Pearl arrives?" she asked with a hint of question glimmering in her eye.
"Two days from now, we depart." Jack stated staring back out to sea.
"Oh… Well, I wanted to thank you again for being a true gentleman." Christie nodded her head.
"No problem."
Christie walked right next to Jack, scanning the ocean, admiring it also. After a few minutes, she rested her head on his shoulder, her hands clutching his upper arm. "Do you believe in true love?" Christie asked hoping she didn't look suspicious.
"Nope." Jack responded. "Do ye?"
"I don't know. Life is tremendously complicated." Christie sighed. She stood there in relaxation silently smiling to herself; Jack smiling also. She wished that moment would last forever but something nearby was unsettling noise making her look around.
Jack smirked but also heard the noise. He sensed someone was watching them, which puzzled him.
Christie let go of Jack, anxious to find out what it was. She went closer to the sound, Jack following behind.
Jack walked faster, trying to get in the lead but still wasn't.
Christie stopped right at a rattling bush and pulled the branches away to see what was inside.
"Aw…." Christie smiled at what was in the bush.
"Wha'?" Jack asked in confusion.
She used her hands and pulled out a little animal curled up in a ball. "Isn't it adorable?" Christie snuggled the puppy close to her. The puppy had white fur, mud mixed in it, and had black spots.
"Yep." Jack said to impress her but really didn't agree. He didn't like animals a lot; especially Barbossa's monkey Jack… Jealousy arose again; she is giving too much attention to the darn pup Jack thought angrily.
"I'll find a home for you." Christie patted the pup. "Of course, you'll need a bath. You're filthy."
"Does tha' include me? Ye called me filthy." Jack quirkily replied.
"Sorry Jack but you're not a puppy." Christie snorted in laughter and carried the puppy to the Turner's house, Jack sulking behind. "C'mon Jack! Stop being such a cry-baby."
"I'm not!" Jack pouted crossing his arms.
"Then help me wash this pup?" Christie begged with eyes that pleaded him.
"Fine." Jack sighed in defeat.
"I promise you, you will learn to love puppies." Christie squealed and opened the door to the house.
"Christie!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "What is a puppy doing in here?"
"I found this puppy and I wanted to wash it. It doesn't have a owner." Christie explained. "Maybe you could help?"
"Oh… Okay. I'll fetch a bucket of water and some rags." Elizabeth nodded. "Take the puppy out back."
"Jack. Help Elizabeth get some water." Christie ordered and went to the backyard of the house.
Setting the puppy down gingerly, she examined the puppy. "Now what were you doing out there?" Christie asked looking at the puppy. The puppy just tilted his head to one side, one ear sticking up. She giggled in response and rubbed the back of the puppy. "You are just too adorable."
Jack walked up behind Christie, begrudging the dog. Putting the pail down next to Christie, he waited for her to clean the puppy.
Elizabeth soon arrived with another bucket of water and rags to clean the pup.
"Thank you Elizabeth for helping." Christie gratefully said.
"Your welcome." Elizabeth smiled watching the pup.
Christie poured water over the pup, but he gave no reaction. Smiling, she rubbed the cloth on the pup, scrubbing off the mud and dirt. Once the puppy was clean, Christie scooped him up and planted a kiss on his nose.
"Will you allow him inside the house?" Christie pleaded.
"Well… alright." Elizabeth sighed defeated.
"We have to make a name for him." Christie excitedly squealed.
"NO! Don't name him Jack!" Jack blurted out. "I mean…."
Elizabeth face burst with laughter causing Christie to laugh in reaction.
"I think I'll name him Scruffles." Christie giggled as Scruffles licked her face.
Jack crossed his arm and stood there angry.
"Just make sure your puppy doesn't dirty the house." Elizabeth said and went back inside the house.
Christie set the wriggling puppy down and watched it run in circles chasing its tail. "I'll be right back." Christie told Scruffles. Scruffles barked in response and sat there patiently. "Jack. Watch over Scruffles, will you? I have to find some food for him and I don't want him to dirty inside the house."
"Alright." Jack fake smiled and nodded his head.
"I knew you'd love him!" Christie squealed joyfully and hugged Jack before running inside the house.
Jack stood there staring at the dog spitefully. Scruffles growled and barked viciously at Jack's face. Jack stuck his tongue out teasing him. "HA!" Jack laughed at the dog.
"Grr…" Scruffles growled.
"She likes me better." Jack shot back.
"Arph!" Scruffles barked in disagreement.
"Bloody mangy cur." Jack sighed crossing his arms. "Ye just are jealous."
Scruffles just ignored him and turned around not facing Jack.
"Fine! Bloody mutt!" Jack shouted and turned around facing the opposite direction of the puppy.
Christie came back to find Scruffles scratching at Jack's feet. "Aw… He likes you." Christie smiled not knowing what exactly happened.
"As well as he bloody hates me." Jack mumbled to himself so only he heard.
"Here you go Scruffles." Christie held a bone in her hand and let go when Scruffles took it out of her hand.
"I'll just go see wha' tha whelp is up to." Jack flashed a grin trying to escape the torture.
"Be back soon." Christie said as Jack sauntered off. "How about you and I go to the market?" she picked up Scruffles and headed for town.
Jack muttered to himself angrily. "Isn't he adorable?" Jack grumbled under his breath. "He bloody 'ell isn't!"
"What?" William asked looking at Jack with skepticism.
"Nothing, whelp." Jack replied.
"Jack… you should tell someone else your problems. It sure would help you feel better." William said hoping that Jack would say something.
"No." Jack stomped his feet childishly.
"Your loss then," Will said and started to walk off.
"Wait!" Jack shouted. "Christie finds a bloody mutt and it's stealing all my attention!"
Will bit his tongue to stop himself from laughing. He turned around to see an angry Jack Sparrow. "Calm down, Jack."
"Don't ye tell me ta calm down. Hmph!" Jack huffed.
"Do you fancy her?" William asked.
"Eh…" Jack started and hesitated.
"Be truthful Jack or I'm not going to help."
"Fine! I fancy her! Ye happy!" Jack admitted grouchily.
"Very." Will answered amused. "Don't worry. The puppy isn't going to do anything."
"No! Tha' mutt is evil!" Jack retorted.
"Whatever." Will responded. "I think I'll help Elizabeth pack up."
"Wait… yer leaving?" Jack asked suspiciously.
"Yes. Elizabeth's father decided to get Elizabeth and me a new house that is closer in town. We still own this house, we just aren't going to live here." Will explained. "I forgot to mention that to you and Christie."
"Eh… " Jack replied uninterested.
"Then it is going to be a guest house. You and Christie can stay here when you visit." Will said.
"Aye." Jack's face lit up thinking just him and Christie alone in the house.
"I'll just go help now." Will said and walked off leaving Jack to ponder on his thoughts.
Christie walked around the markets, clutching her puppy to her chest.
"Erm." Someone cleared his throat behind her. Christie cursed silently and turned around to face James who she didn't feel in the mood to see.
"Hello." Christie put on a fake smile.
"Good Morning." James nodded his head and stared at the puppy in her hand.
"By the way, this is Scruffles." Christie said as the puppy looked at Norrington with distaste.
"Ah… I see." Norrington answered unenthusiastically.
"I decided to take care of him." Christie continued hoping the topic wouldn't lead to marriage.
"I hate to bother you… but about the-," James started.
"The marriage…" Christie interrupted. "Sorry James, but I don't feel that it is right for me to marry you now. I know I am a little straight forward but I have to speak my mind."
"Ah…" James said as his eyes welled up with tears. "Well at least I tried…" he walked away.
"Wait!" Christie said cursing herself mentally for being so kind as James turned around. "I'm sorry! Please don't take it so hard, James. I just can't right now. I'm departing in a few days."
"Yes…I can't hold you any longer than your time." James smiled sadly making Christie feel sympathy for him.
"I… I barely knew you. Maybe I would marry you if I had the chance." Christie lied hoping to cheer him up.
"Of course. I just want you to know I'll always be waiting for you if you change your mind." James sniffed. "Good-bye, Christie." He sulked away slowly.
"Good-bye." Christie replied. Hearing a whimper, she looked down at her puppy. "I'm sorry for forgetting about you." Christie apologized and patted the dog. She leisurely walked back to the Turner's house.
"I wish I could tell someone how I feel." Christie said aloud.
"Arph!" Scruffles barked in response.
"Aha! I'll tell you." Christie smiled at her puppy. "Let's see. How to start? Well… the truth is… I've taken a huge fancy to Jack."
Scruffles looked at Christie with interest waiting for her to continue.
"And… I just can't get him off my mind. I want to tell him I love him but then I would possibly scare him away. Jack isn't that kind of man is he? He's more like a man who prefers whores all around… If only he knew how much he affects me… His face… charm… silly but caring attitude…." Christie sighed dreamily. "My heart melts ever time I see him… I never thought I would love him. I mean I hated him when I met him. He killed my crew and destroyed my ship. But now… I don't see to regret that. He stole my heart ever since he showed he cared. I know I'm mumbling but I feel that… I'm in love with this man."
Scruffles barked in agreement as Christie let him down. "I better find Elizabeth." Christie said and walked inside of the house. "Elizabeth!" Christie shouted.
"Right here!" Elizabeth sighed as she placed a heavy box on the ground.
"What's with the boxes?" Christie asked.
"Will and I are moving. Father bought us a house closer in town. He prefers if we lived closer. Now this house is going to be our guesthouse. You and Jack can live here for the last few days you are here." Elizabeth hurriedly answered.
"Um… Could I talk to you in private when you're done. It's extremely important." Christie urgently said.
"Of course. Just give me one minute to put this box outside and we'll have a chat in the study room." Elizabeth said.
"Here, I'll help." Christie offered and helped carry the box outside. They both headed to the study room and Elizabeth shut the door quietly.
"So… what is it?" Elizabeth asked.
"I… think I love Jack." Christie spasmodically blurted.
"What!" Elizabeth exclaimed almost choking on her saliva.
"Hush!" Christie whispered. "I realized I love him. I can't stop thinking about him… He is constantly on my mind everyday and it won't stop bothering me. I want to tell him how I feel but then I don't know what to do! What if he doesn't love me? What if he would flee?"
"STOP!" Elizabeth interrupted her ramblings. "Why don't you tell him? It's worth a try."
"But… I don't want to get rejected." Christie whined.
"Jack, I believe already fancied you a long time ago." Elizabeth said encouraging Christie.
"He does still?" Christie asked excitedly.
"Of course!" Elizabeth said halfway truthfully and halfway untruthfully.
"Thank you!" Christie hugged Elizabeth before running out of the room.
Jack strolled around the garden to find Scruffles pawing at his heels. "Shoo." Jack said waving his hands to leave. The puppy ignored his request and kept pawing at him. "Ugh." Jack groaned inwardly. Scowling, he tried to ignore the puppy but he didn't go away. "Stop!" Jack shouted causing the puppy to stick its tail between its legs and whimper.
He then continued on his way to find the puppy again following him. "What?" Jack nonchalantly said.
Scruffles barked and wagged his tail before scratching at the ground.
"Fine…" Jack sighed wishing Scruffles would leave him alone. Picking up a stick, he threw it and watched Scruffles chase after it and bring it back. Jack grinned as a plan grew in his mind. This time he tossed the stick farther out and took it as his chance to run. He ran inside the house to see Scruffles stop right next to him. "Go away." Jack begged as Scruffles sat there. Jack took a step away to have Scruffles copy him. Each time Jack would go farther, Scruffles would come closer. "Bloody mutt." Jack grumbled and walked around the house having a trailing puppy follow him.
"Jack!" Christie exclaimed becoming taut and nervous. "I uh…" she stammered.
"Yes?" Jack responded.
"I wanted to say that I… I lost Scruffles!" Christie lied and wore a fake smile. "There you are!" Christie pushed Jack aside and picked up Scruffles. "Bye." Christie said all too quickly and hurriedly scampered out of the room.
Jack scowled angrily and slowly started to walk to his room but turned around to go bother Christie and get rid of her mutt.
Christie grumbled irately at herself for acting so stupid in front of Jack. She walked around in circles around the house until she turned the corner bumping into Jack. "Sorry." Christie muttered.
"Ah! Just tha person I was looking for." Jack exclaimed cheerfully.
"Really?" Christie asked pretending to be surprised.
"Yep." Jack smirked. "Now the proposition is… ye are going ta become part of me crew." Jack said thinking quickly.
"What!" Christie shouted. "But…"
"Now there is no choice, luv." Jack grinned. "I get what I want, whenever I want, and where I want it."
"You can't just order me around! This is outrageous!" Christie stomped her feet.
"Pirate." Jack sneered at her.
"Bloody pirate!" Christie hissed in response.
"And ye can't bring tha' bloody fur ball of yers." Jack added keeping his grin.
"You mean Scruffles?" Christie said as her jaw dropped.
"Yep." Jack smirked.
"No! I will not leave him behind! And I will not leave this piece of land until Scruffles will be able to come along." Christie furiously glared at him.
"Nope. Rules of me ship. Even if I'll hav' ta drag ye ta me ship, I will." Jack replied. "Besides, the whelp and Elizabeth can take care of yer mutt."
"But…" Christie frowned in disappointment.
Jack took the puppy out of her arm and walked away to find Elizabeth.
"NOOO!" Christie screamed and chased after Jack.
"ELIZABETH!" Jack shouted above Christie's screaming.
"Yes?" Elizabeth answered finding Jack.
"Christie wants ye ta keep this… this thing." Jack grinned and handed the puppy over.
"No!" Christie shrieked and pulled the puppy out of Elizabeth's hands. "Jack won't allow me to bring Scruffles aboard the Pearl."
"It's alright Christie. Will and I will take good care of Scruffles." Elizabeth nodded and gently took Scruffles away from Christie.
"Yep." Jack smirked happily knowing everything was following his plan.
"Will and I are going to the new house so this is our last seconds in here. Most of our items have been taken over there. I hope you enjoy your stay here. I'll see you both later." Elizabeth said and walked outside to the carriage with Scruffles.
Christie watched miserably as the carriage drove away with her puppy. She faced Jack to see him smiling cockily.
"This is all your fault!" Christie huffed furiously.
"Rules of me ship." Jack smirked and mentally congratulated himself that his plan worked. "Now, it's just ye and me." Jack teased and slung his arm over her shoulders.
"Ugh! You are insufferable!" Christie shrugged his arm off her and walked upstairs.
"I know. 'Cause I'm Captain Jack Sparrow." Jack laughed and chased after her.
"For your information Captain Jack Sparrow," Christie said exaggerating his name. "One… I will not be ordered around by the likes of you. Two as I stated before I do not follow anyone's orders except my own. Three… because…"
"Too bad, luv." Jack waved his hand airily. "Ye are going ta work on me ship whether ye like it or not."
"I will not!" Christie said walking into her room and tried to shut the door on Jack but Jack stuck his foot in the way.
"Now, luv, it isn't tha' bad." Jack pushed the door open and walked in and blocked the door. "Besides, ye get ta spend more time with ol' Jack."
"Oh yes. I bet I get plenty of time to spend with you." Christie replied sarcastically. But it's not enough Christie thought to herself.
"Not enough?" Jack questioned, grinning mentally.
"Uh… I… um… well…." Christie stammered and wondered how he heard her thoughts or did she say it aloud. She turned around hoping he didn't see her face flush with embarrassment.
Jack stood next to her and put his arm over her shoulders. "Well! I bet we can get ta know each other a little better, don't ye think?" Jack suggested cheerfully.
"No thank you." Christie replied shrugging his arm off her.
"C'mon. Ye can't resist me charms." Jack mocked.
"Who says I can't?" Christie answered.
"Me." Jack smiled before pushing her against the wall attacking her lips feverishly with hunger.
Christie's arm flew around his neck, moaning into his mouth, allowing his tongue to slip into her mouth.
Jack pulled away and smirked at her. "As I was saying, ye can't resist me charms." Jack chuckled as her arms slid off him.
"Will you ever stop being annoying?" Christie sighed.
"Hmm… Nope!" Jack replied.
"Fine!" Christie huffed and tried to escape the room but Jack didn't allow it. "Please move?"
"No can do." Jack said knowing he was getting on her nerves.
"What do you want?" Christie asked.
"Ye have ta agree to tha terms." Jack smiled before pulling out a piece of paper with writing on it.
"Why?" Christie pleaded.
"Ye are going to become a crewmember so ye must read and agree ta tha terms." Jack replied.
"Fine!" Christie cried out in exasperation. Snagging the paper angrily, she put it on the desk and grabbed an ink quill. Dipping it in the inkpot, she signed her name to make Jack be quiet. "You happy now?"
"Yep." Jack chuckled and took the paper away before she could read any of it.
"Hey! I'm supposed to read that!" Christie shouted.
"Not if ye signed it already." Jack laughed and walked out the door.
"No!" Christie glared at him with anger.
"Too bad." Jack smiled and opened the door, walking downstairs with Christie following him.
"Please Jack." Christie whined and grabbed Jack's arm.
Jack looked into her brown eyes that pleaded him. "Nope." Jack said although he didn't feel like saying no. He then walked outside to have her follow him.
"Jack." Christie said and thought it was the right time to say how she felt.
Please leave a review! And I'll post the next chapter soon as possible! Luv ya if ya do!
-CaptainESavvy