Hello everyone :) Time for the next chapter, and thank you to everyone who takes the time to review! Also, if anyone has any suggestions then feel free to relay them.

To Sparrangelica: In this chapter, Jack and Angelica have a small conversation, but please keep in mind that this will not be a JackxAngelica fic. Nevertheless, thank you for your review. :)

To Amber: Of course I intend on finishing this story, and i'm so pleased that you like it so far! :) I take the labourous time needed to word everything as best as possible; that way the reader can vividly see what I have imagined for this story. ;) And yes, Jack and Katherine are quite the reserved pair, but drama always seems to find its way inside. Thank you for your review!

To Cheshire: I know. We all feel that way for Jack sometimes ;) I hope you enjoy the update, and thank you for reviewing. :)

Chapter 25: Oasis I

"Miss Katherine..?" A voice called from her bedroom door, which was painted a prestige elegant white with shimmering gold metallic to accentuate the woodwork, "How are you fairing thus far?"

It had been a week and a quarter since she had last seen Jack Sparrow. She had returned to her previous life of evening balls and afternoon tea with the fellow elegant noteworthy women of London, which left her griping for her sailing life; though she thoroughly appreciated the endless amount of time given to bathe in the steamy warmth of clean water and the plush comfort of a finely crafted bed covered in eloquent fabrics.

Katherine had not received any word from Elizabeth, but the woman of Port Royal was well aware of the change in circumstances.

"Miss Katherine?" Was heard by the solid wood door again. Jolting from her reverie, the brunette hastily moved across the room to answer the door

"Ah, yes! Coming!"

Standing there was a tender elder man in a fine midnight blue coat and slacks. He smiled genially upon seeing her in her new attire, "You are one of divinity, miss."

Katherine raised a timid hand to her cheeks which flushed in red, "Thank you, Leopold. You're too kind.."

"Nonsense, milady. Does the gown fit you well? Shall I call in the maids to assist you?"

She couldn't help but laugh quietly as she gazed at herself in the porcelain decorated floor mirror, "The gown fits just fine; the maids won't be required. Umm.. However.."

His head tilted slightly in question, "Yes?"

"Would there happen to be any water left inside the kettle from the kitchen?" The young woman averted her gaze to him, observing as he stood there rigidly like a statue build from stone before her. She insisted that he did not need to be so firm around her, though he declined her invite; claiming to enjoy being proper in the presence of a lady.

When he smiled knowingly, several wrinkles lining his old face were accentuated, "Yes, there is. Shall I bring you a cup of chamomile green tea, miss?"

"If you wouldn't mind, Leopold.." She felt ashamed to be asking the elderly man to fetch things for her when she was perfectly capable to get them herself.

The kind butler bowed politely before leaving her to the solitude of her bedchamber.

Katherine seated herself on the white stool which sat before the vanity and began to run a recently bought comb through her long brown ringlets. The creamy-white dress she was currently donning was a gift given to her by Edward upon their arrival in England.

While she was distracted with the objective of settling into her new accommodations in his lavishly grand home settled off in the countryside, Crowley remained in town with two of his henchmen to accompany him in a search for the finest and most radiant gown he could find. He would not spare any expense for his beloved bride-to-be.

In approximately two weeks, an extravagant ball would be held in their honour; a congratulatory celebration to commemorate Katherine's return to civilization.

"Dearest?"

Her gaze flickered to the doorway where Edward stood with his arms folded across his broad chest, a smile on his lips, "You look exquisite. Do you like my gift?"

Setting the comb down, she stood and brushed out the creases in the long puffed gown, "You should not have done this for me, Edward.. Though, I am appreciative for your generosity."

Uncrossing his arms, he took a step toward her and raised a hand to tenderly caress the delicate skin of her shoulder with his knuckles, "You're verywelcome, my Katherine.."

"I am curious.. Why did you choose cream?" She inquired, referring to the color.

A chuckle echoed from his chest, "I knew the tone would look divine on you, and I was correct in my assumption. You're absolutely heavenly, my love."

Love..? She mused, Jack constantly knew me to be his 'love'.. Her eyes descended to the solid cherry oak paneled floors in thought.

…I wonder what he is doing at this very moment..?

.

Currently, Sparrow sat in his cabin with Angelica seated at the table with him. A tall bottle of rum lazily rested in his hand as he slouched in the chair, his feet propped up on the table.

"Jack," the dark-haired woman muttered harshly in her thick accent, "You are as stupid and as ugly as a mule; not to mention that you are drunk from your mind. Just sleep already, you buffoon."

His eyes slimmed angrily toward her as he spoke with some difficulty, "No, not until ye tell me jus' what the ell' you were doin' aboard Crowley's ship.."

The expression on her face quickly fell at this relentless questioning, "And I've told you that it doesn't matter.."

"And I've told ye it does!" He slammed the bottle on the table, knocking various items onto the floor from the impact, "Have you been workin' with im'? Huh!"

She scowled, biting back, "Of course not, cabron; I was gagged and tied by him and his filthy crew! If what happened mattered, then I would tell you!"

"No you wouldn't; I can read ye like a book, Angelica, and ye wouldn' tell me even if yer life was dependant on it."

Angelica averted her line of sight from him, "You are an idiot."

"Ye aren't all that great yourself, dearie." He sniped before downing more rum. Gulp after gulp, after gulp. He wanted to ingest enough to forget Katherine, if only for a little while..

He had thought about her constantly since the day she left; from the moment he woke in the morning and until the second he went to bed. Hell, even in his dreams she was there. Speaking to him, holding him..

Katherine was under his skin, and there was no denying that..

"You will kill yourself if you drink like that." She commented, crossing her arms stubbornly beneath her breasts; still refusing to look at him.

Being belonged to the male species, Jack couldn't have helped but to ogle at the plump of cleavage from her breasts. The sight brought him back to their romantic days; the endless hours they spent together, and adventures they faced. No, they had never made love, but they partook in… other activities.

"What are you looking at?"

Sparrow hastily averted his gaze to the opposite side of the room, "Nothin'."

Sighing, the Spaniard questioned, "Do you truly want to know why I was aboard his ship..?"

"Yes. Tell me, Angelica." He said sternly, staring at her.

Leaning back in the seat, she provided, "Edward paid one of my father's crewmen for anonymous information about thatwoman-"

"Katherine," He murmured soberly, "'er name is Katherine."

She ignored him, "Apparently, one of the deckhands had been at Tortuga some time ago before joining my father's leagues, and he had seen you both together." Glancing at her nails, she continued, "However, my father had told him that those aboard Queen Anne's Revenge do not associate with navy jackets, or any of the like; and therefore no information was given to Crowley.."

"I suppose Crummy didn't like tha' at all, did he?"

"No, he didn't.. Crowley said that if the deckhand didn't provided the knowledge that he had paid for, then I would be abducted in it's place until the desired knowledge was given.."

This only made Jack hate the dauntless General even more. He frowned visibly as he leant forward on the round table, "And he didkidnap ye, aye?"

"My father let him!" The woman exploded in hurt and resentment, "My father let that man take me away! What am I? What do I mean to him?"

He couldn't tell if it was the rum making him act in such a way, or if it was of his own choice, but he felt the compulsion to embrace the Spanish woman. And so, he did.

She sneered into his shoulder, her Latin voice muffled slightly, "What are you doing, Jack."

"Huggin' ye."

"Why?"

"…"

Gradually, her arms wrapped around him to return the embrace and she smiled.

Things were going exactly as planned.

JACK IS SICK! :( Review to send him some medicine. ;) LOL