Okay, I have the new chapter here for you! I am so sorry for the delay but there was a problem with logging in! I would have posted this a lot sooner!

I want to thank everyone who is reading this and of course my wonderful reviewers: x Eliza-Jane x, .x, Snuffles-Sweetie, Emma, callieandjack, Jacky, CrystalDarkness-331, xActDanceWritex, Jade Lamourgy, red-eyedgal, Novalea and LovePoisonedHeart! Thank you all!

Replies to unsigned reviewers:

Emma: Thank you so much for your reviews, love! I'm sorry it took me so long to thank you personally for your support! :)

Jacky: Hi, love! Thank you so very much for all the wonderful reviews! I'm very happy you are enjoying my story! I would have updated sooner but there was a problem with the logging in the site. Thank you again! I hope you like the new chapter! :)

Now, on with the chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean!

Chapter 21

Alicia was still asleep wrapped in his coat when Jack woke up in the middle of the nigh from his had fallen asleep on the chair, watching over her. He had taken care of some things on the ship and then had returned to his cabin to rest. They were still docked at Tortuga and the ship was once again quiet. Only Jack, Gibbs and Cotton were aboard the Pearl. It was the first night that Jack had preferred to stay on the ship than go to the island for the night. He always liked to go ashore and have a drink with his crew or have a nice night with one of the ladies he knew there. But not that night. He wanted to stay with Alicia. He wanted to make sure she was okay.

Actually a lot of things were new to the Captain of the Black Pearl that he couldn't understand; that he had never felt before. He looked over to the young woman asleep on his bed and smirked. For instance never had a woman slept on his bed; never. Of course a lot of women had been on his bed but they've never been there for just sleeping. Another thing that was very strange to him was that he had never before had the need to hold someone when he slept. He always thought that he was better alone, with no care in his mind about a woman. But now that had changed. He wanted Alicia close to him and the need was even stronger now, when he wasn't able to hold her like he wanted. No, she was too scared and vulnerable.

Jack gritted his teeth and the smile left his handsome face as he remembered what that man had done to her. He had raped her. Her. The only woman that had ever meant something to him. The only woman that he wanted by his side. The only woman, besides his mother, that had ever showed real affection and care for him, when he needed it. But he had taken care of him. He had put a bullet in his head even if he believed that a much slower and painful death was appropriate for that man.

He eyes looked sharply at Alicia when he heard a soft whimper coming out of her mouth. He almost jumped up from his seat and to her side but he stayed where he was when he saw that she had just turned over and snuggled closer to his coat. He smiled and he was happy when he realized that the next morning his coat would smell like her. The smile faded again when he remembered her breakdown that afternoon. He grimaced as he remembered her words, her fear.

"Don't touch me!"

He closed his eyes tightly and shook his head as her words came back to his mind. She had flinched away from his touch; away from him. He had never thought that his touch would bring such fear into her eyes. Of course he knew that it wasn't him she was seeing but Peter. It wasn't him that she was truly afraid of but him; the man who had hurt her.

He had been so glad that she had let him kiss her that day. He nearly forgot what had happened the moment he felt her respond to his kiss. He knew that it was probably the wrong thing to do but he needed her. Yes, he needed her to kiss him, to hold him close. The moment he saw her lying unconscious on the hard wooden floor of the galley it was like a huge wave had crashed his body and his soul. For the first time in his life he was so scared about loosing someone. It was that moment that he realized that what he felt was more than infatuation, more than just plain lust because of her beauty.

He cursed that man straight to hell for making her weak. He hated that man for stealing the hope and happiness from her eyes. He hated that man for robbing her of her innocence and smile. He loathed that man for causing her to fear him when she was supposed to feel safe near him.

He rubbed his temples and sighed, gritting his teeth as he heard another pained whimper coming form her lips. He looked at her again and saw that her fists were clenched tightly onto the fabric of his coat and her eyes were squeezed tightly shut. His eyes narrowed in confusion and worry as he watched her squirming in the sheets, her mouth forming incomprehensible words. Slowly he stood up and walked over to the bed. He kneeled next to her, trying to understand any of her words but he couldn't. Her crying and moaning gained volume and he was startled by the noises coming from her mouth. His hand reached out and took hold of her smaller one and was surprised to find it cold, even as droplets of sweat were running down her forehead. The moment she felt his touch, she started thrashing around in the bed even more, her head moving from side to side as a pathetic whimper escaped her gasping mouth.

"Alicia…darling…wake up…" he said to her softly, shaking her slightly. The more he touched her the more frantically she moved.

"No…no…no…" was the only word that left her mouth, her hand trying to wiggle its way away from Jack's touch. Jack looked at her with wide eyes and took his hand away for a moment, hoping she would stop but she didn't.

"Please…" she whimpered again and Jack touched her again more firmly.

"Alicia, wake up, luv." He commanded gently as she sobbed again and curled in a ball, her fingers trying to lace with his own, like she was searching for a lifeline to hold on. He squeezed her hand and spoke again.

"Come on, luv…you're scaring me here…" he said as he shook her again. Her eyes snapped open as she felt his other hand on her cheek and she gasped, sitting up on the bed. Her eyes searched the room and finally saw him. He smiled at her but she didn't return his smile. Her eyes welled up with tears and she took her hand away from his.

"What is it, luv…?" he asked her softly.

She shook her head and wiped her tears away with the back of her hand.

"Nothing…just a dream…" she whispered, looking around the room fearfully.

"It didn't sound like a dream, luv…more like a nightmare to me…" he said as he watched her.

"What is it? There is no one in here, you and plain ol'me." He said gently, turning her face towards him.

She swallowed and took a last look around the cabin before settling her gaze on him; her whole body trembled as she stood there. He reached with his fingers and wiped her face dry.

"Alicia…calm down now. You are safe here." He said, looking her in the eyes.

"The ship is so quiet…Why is the Pearl so quiet?" she asked in a choked voice.

"The crew is ashore, it's night. That's why it is so quiet. No reason to be afraid." He said as he smoothed back her hair. She sniffled and looked at her hands as he continued petting her hair. He ran his hands through her locks, enjoying the feel of them as they passed through his calloused fingers.

"You have very long hair, luv…very long…" he whispered with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. She looked at him with her red eyes and she smiled.

"I know…I should probably cut it…" she said but he chuckled and shook his head.

"No way. It's beautiful like this…" he said as he took a lock and rubbed it between his fingers. She looked from his face to her hands that were folded on her lap and neither spoke again for a while.

"What did you dream, Ali?" he whispered and she shook her head.

"Nothing. It was nothing…just a stupid dream…you don't need this…" she said, shaking her head and rocking back and forth lightly.

"I don't need what, luv?" he asked confused.

"This…me…and my problems…and my pathetic behavior!" she said as she looked away from his piercing stare.

"Calm down, Alicia. You are not pathetic and …" he started but she cut him off.

"No…this isn't your problem…you shouldn't be here with me…" she whispered and he cocked his head to the side as he looked at her.

"Where should I be then?" he asked her and she shrugged.

"With the crew…having a good time. Not here and definitely not with me, listening to my crying and watching over me." She said in a barely audible voice.

"There will be many other nights for entertainment. You do not bother me. You never had, never will." He said honestly but she shook her head.

"What am I doing here, Jack?" she whispered and he looked at her thoughtfully.

"You are sitting on me bed." He said and she shook her head.

"No…no. I'm being a burden." She said and he stood up so suddenly that she jumped.

"Okay, listen. If you ever say that again I promise I'll never speak to you again." He said seriously and she looked at him surprised.

"What?" she whispered and he crossed his arms over his chest.

"You, Alicia, are not a burden. You are a member of me crew and quite a good one too." He said and she gave a soft half hearted chuckle.

"No, Jack…I am a burden. I am useless. I can't even be at another man's company! How am I supposed to work among so many men in here? I can't! Wherever I look, I see his face!" she shrieked as she looked away from him.

"Ali…look at me." He ordered gently and she reluctantly returned his gaze.

"Do you see his face on me?" he asked her, hoping she would say no; she did.

"No…but it's different, Jack…" she whispered as she looked adoringly into his chocolate eyes.

"How? Why is it different?" he asked as he kneeled next to her on the bed.

"It's you. I'm not afraid of you…Besides, I think that I …" she started but she stopped before finishing.

"You think what?" he asked her hopefully but she just shook her head.

"Nothing…it's nothing." she whispered, not daring to say the words she desperately wanted him to know. He wouldn't understand. He would probably just laugh.

Jack looked at his ringed hands and bit his lip, remaining quiet for a while. He had hoped she would say something more. He didn't even know what he had wanted her to say. That she liked him? That she cared for him? That she loved him?

Wait a minute…love? He squinted his eyes at the thought and looked at her again. She was fumbling with the sleeves of his coat and her face was set into a frown.

Did he want her to say the words? He watched her more carefully and his eyes went to her full lips and then back up to her still bruised face. He looked at her lips again and smiled.

Oh yes…He definitely wanted her to say the words.

And what then, Jackie? What would happen then? Would you say it back? The only time you would say the forbidden word would be to sweet talk your wenches in your bed… His inner voice said to him and he gritted his teeth.

Shut it! I'm trying to think.

Love doesn't need too much thinking, Jackie…Either you love or don't love. You have to choose.

He looked at the weak girl in front of him and placed his hand on her knee, rubbing it softly.

Maybe I do…

"Jack?" Alicia asked softly and he snapped out of his reverie.

"Yes, luv?" he asked, loving the way his name sounded from her lips.

"I think…" she started but stopped to take a deep breath.

"What?" he asked her encouragingly.

"I think that…that…" she stammered and he squeezed her knee affectionately in response.

"…I think I should stay here in Tortuga." He finished, not looking up at him.

Not what I had in mind…luv. He thought to himself as he stood frozen in place, staring at her in horror and desperation at the mere thought of her leaving him.

End of chapter 21

Author's note: Thank you for reading! Please review and I'll give you a nice hot cup of chocolate with cookies hot from the oven!

You think our dear captain is going to let her go? Tell me your thoughts please!

Again I apologize for the wait but it was not my fault. :)

Edited: 6/2012