Hello again! Another fast update for you!

A huge thank you to my great reviewers: justanothergaarafangurl, CrystalDarkness-331, Emma, xActDanceWritex, Midnight LeAnn, callieandjack, addyis, GREENGYPSY, howlongmustiwait, Jess, Snuffles-Sweetie, Jacky, Crystalyna du Starrvan, x Eliza-Jane x and bmdrose! Thank you all for your wonderful words.

Replies to unsigned reviewers:

Emma: Glad to know that you are hooked with this story! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing once again, love! :)

Howlongmustiwait: Thank you for the review, hon! Glad you enjoyed the chapter! :)

Jess: I know what you mean. We all want Jack to love us but he can't. (Basically because he's not real, but who cares, eh? We can always dream!) Thank you for reading and reviewing! :)

Jacky: Hi, love! Glad to you enjoyed the chappie! Thank you for your support! :)

Bmdrose: Thank you for the review! Reviews really encourage me to write! Thank you for your support! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean, or Jack! I wish I did though…

Chapter 25

Jack looked from his cards to Alicia with a smirk. It was her turn to play. She was staring at the cards with a frown and when she felt Jack's gaze on her she looked at him and rolled her eyes at the smug expression on his face.

"Okay…you won three times but you don't have to be so full of your self, Captain." She said and he chuckled.

"Oh…somebody is angry because of me amazing talent in cards." He said as she placed a card on the table and he smirked. He chose a card and looked for her reaction. She grimaced and bit her lip while he took a look around the tavern.

"You were just lucky…it doesn't mean that you are better. You obviously cheat all the time." She said and he looked at her offended.

"Me? Cheat? Slander and calumny! You are mean. Just face the fact that I'm good at it." He said with his chin high, making her shake her head and glare at him.

"Really? You are good at it?" she said as she concentrated in the cards in her hand.

"I could show in what else I'm good at but I think you'd slap me." He said with a lopsided grin and she blushed.

"Jack! At your cards!" she said in a high pitched voice and he stared at her as she picked a card. He looked at it and his mouth curled up into a devilish grin.

"I think I won! Again!" he said as he laid his last card on the table and she threw her hands in the air.

"You cheated! This can't be possible!" she muttered and he leaned back on his chair.

"Yes, it can. So, what do I get?" he whispered with hopeful eyes and she looked around the crowded tavern.

"What do you want, Jack? I have nothing to give you." She said defeated and he smiled.

"I think you do. How about a kiss?" he said, leaning closer to her but her eyes widened.

"Not here!" she yelped and he chuckled.

"All right. Upstairs then." He said and she nodded. He sat back and smiled at her as he waved for the barmaid. She came towards them after a while and Jack spoke.

"Another rum,luv. Oh , and some more wine for me lass." He said and the woman nodded, smirking at him before walking away. Alicia looked at him and then at the woman before sighing.

"Are you trying to get me drunk, Jack?" she asked and he looked at her.

"No…not really. Why?" he asked with a grin as music started playing.

"This is my fourth glass." She stated, cheeks flushed.

"You think I want to make you drunk so I can have me wicked way with you?" he asked teasingly and her eyes widened, looking at him with suspicion and…fear.

"What?" she asked in a hushed voice and Jack's smirk left his face, realizing what he had just said.

"No! I'm just kidding! I'm not trying…to do that…not unless you want me too…" he said with hand gestures as the barmaid returned with their drinks. Alicia looked at him and nodded. He smiled nervously at her and gave a few coins to the woman who stared at him.

"Before I forget, Captain. Scarlet sends her regards." The woman said, pointing to a table at the far corner of the tavern before walking away. Alicia looked at the direction the barmaid was pointing and she saw a woman with curly red hair sitting there, smirking towards their direction.

Alicia's eyes narrowed and she looked at Jack who was looking at the red head with a smirk that fell of his face when he saw Alicia's glare. He cleared his throat and smiled at her.

"Just …a friend…" he mumbled, drinking from his newly filled mug, his eyes darting towards Scarlet, begging her not to come close to them with his eyes.

"A very good friend I suppose." Alicia mumbled finishing her wine in one gulp causing Jack to choke on his rum and stare at her with wide, surprised eyes. Alicia leaned back on her seat, glaring at him for like the hundredth time that evening.

"Anymore friends I should be expecting tonight, Captain Sparrow?" she asked, the wine making her bolder and he looked at her dumbfounded for the second time that night.

"Probably the entire island…" he muttered to himself and she narrowed her eyes at him.

His wish didn't come true and Scarlet was already making her way towards them with a grin on her face. Jack's eyes widened when he saw her and he quickly stood up, pulling Alicia with him.

"What are you doing?" she asked as she was dragged towards the counter.

Jack smiled at the woman in charge for the rooms while Alicia looked at him shocked.

"Can I have a room, Emma?" he said with a charming grin that the girl returned.

"Of course, Captain." She said with a giggle as she turned to find a key for them.

"You know her name too? Is there a woman that you don't know?" Alicia asked while he looked at Scarlet who was approaching them but the crowd of people was slowing her down.

"Aye, the queen of England." He mumbled as he took the key from the girl and flashed her a quick smile.

"Room twelve, Captain." She said with a smile.

"Thanks, luv." He said to Emma who giggled as he pulled Alicia with him towards the stairs. He hastily walked up the stairs and found the room. He let go of Alicia's arm and placed the key in the lock but he had a bit of trouble opening it. He stopped when he heard Scarlet's voice from down the corridor.

"Jack, long time no see." She said as she approached them, looking at Alicia with distaste.

"Scarlet, fancy seeing you here." He said without looking up, cursing at the lock for not helping.

"Who is the wench?" she asked and Jack winced, he really didn't need this, not tonight.

"I have to inform you, miss that I am no wench." Alicia said with narrowed eyes and Jack smiled to himself.

"This is Alicia. She's with me." He said and Scarlet wrinkled her nose.

"Oh…Anyways, I don't care. I think you owe me something, Jack." She said with a smile and Jack looked at her with a grimace.

"I do? I don't remember taking money from you." He said and the redhead chuckled.

"Yes, you do. I hid you that night remember? The last time you were here? When you came to me all whining? Slightly drunk? Muttering things about a girl?" she said and Jack's mouth formed an 'o', making Alicia sigh in frustration.

"You were in trouble again?" she asked him, hands on her hips. Jack looked at her sweetly and smiled sheepishly.

"Aye, he was. Some officers were here while he was in me bed. We heard the noise the minute that…" she started but Jack cut her off.

"I think she can guess the rest of that sentence!" he yelped quickly and Alicia bit her tongue in order not to scream. She huffed and took the key from Jack's ringed hand and easily unlocked the door, walking inside the room and slamming the door in Jack's face that had opened his mouth to speak. He blinked rapidly while Scarlet was fighting back her laughter at the girl's reaction.

"Had that coming, Sparrow. Now, the money you owe me." She said, opening her palm and looking at him expectantly. Jack stopped staring at the closed door and turned to look at her.

He sighed and reached in his pocket for the money. He handed them to her and she grinned.

"Thank you, dear…You know if she's still mad in a few hours I could always help with the problem you obviously have." She stated, seeing the need in Jack's eyes for the girl. He turned to look at her and smiled bitterly.

"Can't do me any good I'm afraid, luv." He stated and she cocked her head to the side.

"Oh…Captain Sparrow's in love." She said softly and he licked his lips that had gone dry before offering her a small smile. She winked and turned around to leave before stopping again.

"You know…women appreciate honesty. Keep that in mind." She said before walking away from him, leaving him staring at his feet. He sighed and placed his face in his hands before placing his hand on the doorknob. He turned it and walked in. He squinted his eyes since it was dark and he heard cursing coming from the far corner of the room.

"Ali?" he asked and she yelped.

"Oh! You scared me…I can't find a candle." She said and he smiled in the dark. He walked over the familiar room, since he'd been there before and found a candle.

"Here." He said picking up the matches and lighted it. The room was illuminated and he was able to see her. She straightened her dress and sat down at the double bed, looking up at him.

"Done with your friend?" she asked and he cleared his throat.

"I just gave her the money I owed her, Ali. Nothing else." He said softly and she snorted.

"Of course…I'm here. You can't do anything." She whispered and he growled.

"If I wanted to do anything with her I wouldn't have asked for your opinion." He snapped and she stared at him.

"I know that. I don't trust you anyway, Jack. I don't trust anyone." She whispered as she took off her shoes angrily and lied down on the bed, looking at the ceiling.

He mentally slapped himself for saying those words.

Idiot.His inner voice yelled at him as he watched her. He took off his coat and placed his sword and pistol on the table before approaching the bed. He sat next to her and she flinched slightly. He placed his hand on her arm and stroked it gently.

"You can trust me, Alicia. I would never hurt you." He whispered, his eyes trying to lock with hers but she wasn't looking his way.

"I know. I'm sorry. You can do whatever you want. It's not my place." She said with a sigh. He placed his hand under her chin and turned her face towards him. He leaned close to her and brushed his lips against hers. Her eyes flattered close and she returned the kiss. He pressed closer to her with a moan and moved his hands under her back, pulling her up to his chest, his breathing heavier by each passing second. She moved her hands in his dark hair and tugged gently at it, causing him to smile into the kiss. He moved away, gasping for breath, staring at her.

"No woman can make me feel like this, luv. Don't fool yourself thinking that they can satisfy me now." He whispered before kissing her again fiercely, her eyes widening in surprise at his words. He pushed her further onto the bed, his hands moving to her hips, his mouth opening to kiss her hungrily. His hands moved lower while her own slid inside his shirt, stroking his tanned skin lightly, causing him to shiver. His hands grabbed fistfuls of her dress and started pushing it up her legs, revealing her skin. At that moment her eyes snapped open and fear overcame her. She tore her mouth away, causing him to open his eyes confused. His mouth sought hers again but she turned her head away, grabbing his hands, preventing them from pulling the dress any higher.

"Ali? Did I do something wrong?" he whispered hoarsely and she looked at his hands that were still clutching the material of her dress. He looked down and realization downed on him. He let go and stroked her hair gently.

"I'm sorry…I forgot. Maybe later, eh?" he whispered hopefully and she nodded. He plopped down next to her and she stood up.

"I'll…I'll just take off the dress…it's too heavy." She whispered and he nodded with a smile.

When she came back she found him asleep on the bed. She smiled and lied down next to him. Feeling her warmth he snuggled closer to her body and hugged her to him.

She was sure she wasn't going to sleep that night. Not at all.

End of chapter 25

Author's note: Thank you for reading! Poor Alicia, huh? Don't worry though; things will get better in the next chapter.

Please review! Reviews are love and they make me update faster! :)