A/N: Hello, my dear readers! How are you all? The new chapter's here and it's a long one. Hope you like it.
I want to thank my wonderful reviewers: TinkerbellxO, sullsinger, Nelle07, 88dragon06, Chryseilas, SoriBlack, Shealey the Just, Midnight LeAnn, deadgummiegirl, DiaDeLosMuertos, Labyrinth Fan 23, MissSparrow101, Lori, AdaYuki, BleedinLuva1123, StarH95. Why Fireflies Flash, anonymous and Terriah.
Review replies to:
Lori: Hello, dear! How are you? Did you have a good time during the summer? Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I am glad you liked it.
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Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean.
Chapter 52
Ladders were dangerous things. That Mary knew. What she didn't know was that she had fear of heights. It only became clear to her when she was high up in a ladder trying to clean the windows of the house while Margaret was polishing the door.
"Oh, dear Jesus…" Mary whispered as she scrubbed the dirt from the windows, trying not to look down. Her knuckles were white around the ladder and she held on for dear life, praying to God that she wouldn't slip.
"Is everything alright, Miss?" the soft male voice broke through Mary's ears like a voice sent from God.
"Um…as a matter of fact everything is not alright, Alex." She stated as she dared to look down at him. He smiled up at her and chuckled lightly before he offered her a hand. His gray-blue eyes sparkled as he looked up at her in a way that made her blush.
"If you're so afraid of heights why did you climb up there?" he asked curiously as he patiently waited for her to take his hand.
"I wanted to help…" she trailed off.
And forget a certain dreadlocked rogue. Her inner voice reminded her and she sighed inwardly.
"I've never seen that before." He commented as Mary finally took hold of his hand and heaved herself away from the ladder.
"Oh?"
"Ladies of your standing…do not do housework." He smiled again and she found herself smiling back at him.
"Well-…Oh!" she gasped as she felt a pinch of pain in her abdomen. The pain slowly spread through her whole body like a wave before it left altogether. Her eyes widened for she knew that pain.
"The bond…" she whispered and Alex looked at her with confusion.
"Excuse me? Miss?" he shook her hand a little and she looked up at him.
"I am sorry…I need to wash my face." She said as she took her hand back and hurried into the house.
"But…" Alexander started disappointedly before he sighed, "Never mind." He whispered before he turned back to his work.
Aboard the Black Pearl
It turned out that the closer to Mary they got the worse Jack's pain became. By the time they had arrived at Port au Prince, he was feverish and writhing on the bed of his cabin.
"How are we going to find her at this hour?" Gibbs asked Elizabeth as they sat just outside Jack's cabin.
"You know where her house is, right?" at his nod she smiled, "Then we'll go there and bring her here."
"She won't agree." Gibbs shook his head.
"Of course she will. She cares for him. Do you really think that she going to let him suffer like this?"
"Yes, if she realizes the reason behind his pain." Gibbs state and she sighed.
"We can't tell her that." Elizabeth stated firmly.
"We'll lie to her again? If she finds out she'll never trust him."
"If she finds out she'll never agree to help him." Elizabeth snapped and the older man groaned.
"You are right…but we have to tell her some of it."
"Oh, come on, Mr. Gibbs, do you really think that she doesn't know Jack's wenching tendencies? She knows him. So, let's bloody go!" she hissed.
"Gibbs?" Jack's hoarse voice came from the cabin and they both walked inside.
"Aye, Captain?" Gibbs asked hesitantly.
"What were you two whispering out there and why is the ship not moving?" he asked as he stared at them.
"Eh…nothing." Gibbs lied quickly.
"Why are we docked?" Jack asked again as he tried to sit up.
"Because we've arrived." Elizabeth stated and Gibbs elbowed her lightly.
"Arrived where?" Jack asked suspiciously. He had given strict orders. They weren't supposed to go to Mary. He had forbidden it.
"Haiti!" Gibbs exclaimed and Jack narrowed his eyes.
"Haiti."
"Aye!"
"You're not lying to me, are you, Gibbs?" Jack asked tiredly.
"No." Gibbs winced as he said it but Elizabeth nodded encouragingly at him.
"I feel like…" Jack started.
"Hell?" Elizabeth offered and Jack nodded.
"We'll go into town to get some supplies. We won't be long." She lied and so dazed Jack was that he didn't even notice that it was in the middle of the night. Obviously too late for the shops to be open.
"Whatever…" Jack mumbled as he turned into his side and succumbed into a light slumber.
Mary couldn't sleep. She had been tossing and turning in her sheets for hours until she decided to stop trying to fall asleep. So as she was sitting propped up against her pillows her thoughts traveled back to what had happened in the morning. That pain wasn't insignificant and she knew it. It had to do with Jack.
Why do you care? He doesn't deserve it, remember? She thought but she couldn't ignore the fact that something might have happened to him. She was worried and the thought of him being in pain hurt her as well. Immensely so.
Stifling a sigh she looked towards her open window and screamed.
"Shh, miss Mary! It's only me and Miss Elizabeth!" Gibbs exclaimed and Mary placed a hand over her heart.
"My God. You scared me. What are you doing here?" she asked as Elizabeth made her appearance next to Gibbs.
"We came to talk to you." Elizabeth said quietly as Mary stood up.
"What happened?" she asked with a frown and Gibbs fidgeted nervously.
"Is Jack here as well?" Mary asked.
"He is on the ship. He kind of doesn't know we're here." Elizabeth said and Mary blinked.
"He doesn't know you've come to see me?"
"He doesn't know we're in Port au Prince at all."
"What? How is that even possible, Elizabeth?" Mary asked confused.
"He is kind of…unwell." Elizabeth said.
"Delirious is more fitting than unwell." Gibbs said and Mary's eyes widened.
"Why? What happened?" she asked.
"I think the bond is affecting him combined with the fact of you being away."
"But…I don't understand. Has he been like that the entire time?" Mary asked them.
"No…the last few days." Gibbs said hesitantly.
"Then something happened. What did he do?" Mary sighed.
"Nothing!" Elizabeth said too quickly and Mary narrowed her eyes.
"Elizabeth." She warned and the other woman sighed.
"Alright…I guess it'd be better if I told you the truth. We were in Tortuga when it happened. He…he was…Well, we were in a tavern…and we were sitting while he…Well, let's just say that whatever he did hurt him terribly because it didn't sit too well with the bond." Elizabeth finished meekly.
Mary stared at her before she closed her eyes and looked away.
"He was with someone else, wasn't he?" she asked quietly and Elizabeth nodded.
"Yes, but he was drunk and…I know he might deserve it but it's pathetic to watch him being like that for so long."
"Aye, the lad's real bad, lass." Gibbs said quietly and Mary turned towards them again.
"And what do you want me to do?" she asked in a restrained voice.
"Come back to the ship with us for a little while. Perhaps if you are close to him he'll be better." Elizabeth said pleadingly.
"You know I can't stay. It'll be harder for me if I see him again." Mary whispered.
"I know but perhaps…perhaps you'll be able to sort things out."
Mary battled with herself for a few minutes before she came to the conclusion that nothing could get any worse.
"Fine…but I have to be back tomorrow morning." She said reluctantly and Elizabeth nodded enthusiastically.
"Alright. That's fine." She said and Gibbs almost sagged in relief.
"I'll…I'll just get dressed." Mary said as she disappeared into the bathroom.
The ship was dark and quiet as the three of them climbed up the gangplank and stepped onto the deck. The sails rustling as the wind blew was the only sound that reached their ears as they made their way towards Jack's cabin.
"Okay, inside you go." Elizabeth said and Mary looked at her wide-eyed.
"What? Alone?" she almost squeaked.
"Yes, alone. He'll probably curse at us when he finds out what we did." Gibbs said quietly as he fidgeted uncomfortably.
"But…on my own?" Mary squeaked again.
"He doesn't bite." Elizabeth said amused and Mary swallowed hard.
"Says you." She mumbled before she took a deep breath and walked inside the cabin, closing the door behind her.
Once she was inside the stale smell of rum and the sea assaulted her nostrils. She looked around the cabin and realized that it was a mess. Scattered maps, clothes and rum bottles were thrown carelessly over the floor and furniture. The window was open and it rattled as the wind blew. Her wide eyes landed on the bed but it was empty. The two pillows were lying on the floor and the sheets were rumpled. She shifted her gaze slightly to the right and then she spotted him. He was sitting on the floor with a blanket covering him while he slowly drank from a bottle. His eyes were closed but she could tell that he knew that someone had entered because he had a slight smirk on his tired face.
"What do you want, Elizabeth? Haven't I told you I'm-…" he trailed off in a thick voice when he opened his eyes and finally saw who had disturbed his solitude.
Mary locked eyes with him but she had to look away from the intensity that was his gaze. She turned her back on him and buried her face in her hands while taking deep breaths. She heard shuffling behind her and after a while she felt his presence behind her along with his labored breathing.
"Well, well…Look who we have here. Finally decided to grace us with your presence, Mrs. Sparrow? How very kind of you to visit me humble abode." She could hear the sarcasm in his voice but she could also realize that he had a trouble staying upright.
"Did me ever loyal first mate and me dear King decided to bring you here to put a stop on me suffering? How very thoughtful of them." He continued as he got even closer to her so that his breath hit her neck.
"How very generous of you to give into their pleads. Those lying, deceitful, foul-…"
"Don't talk like that!" she finally snapped as she turned around to face him, "They care about you that's why they came to me!" she said as she watched his face.
"And what about you? Did they tell you about pathetic old me? Hmm? Is that why you've come? To feed me your pity?" he seethed angrily as he took hold of the edge of the desk for support. Her closeness was killing him.
"I don't think you deserve anything else from me but no, that's not the reason." She said and his eyes flashed dangerously.
"Get out. Now. And don't come back. I don't need you." He hissed as he turned his back on her and leaned fully on the desk for support.
Mary watched him as he breathed heavily and her heart hurt at his dismissive words.
"Jack." She whispered as she got closer to him. He tensed when he heard her approaching but didn't speak. Encouraged by his lack of response she got even closer and put a hand on his lower back. His skin burned even through the fabric of his shirt and she gasped.
"Jesus." She whispered as she placed her other hand on his arm. He shuddered at her touch and his body leaned slightly towards her in response.
"Don't. I'm fine." He rasped as she stepped in front of him and cupped his face in her hands. His eyes immediately found hers but he tried to move his face away from her grasp.
"What have you done again?" she asked with a barely noticeable smile and he smirked weakly.
"Old habits. Hard to break, love." He whispered and she bit her lip at the endearment.
"I knew that. That's why I couldn't trust you." She said quietly and something in his eyes changed at her words. His eyes flickered down to her mouth and he found himself leaning closer to it. His hands left the desk and found her arms which he gripped tightly. She flinched a bit at the action but he tugged at her arms and shook his head.
"You came. You decided to come here, didn't you?" he asked hoarsely as he slid a hand up her back to grip the back of her neck. His other arm snaked around her waist and using it as leverage he pulled her closer. At her nod his eyes darkened and glittered in the darkness of the cabin.
"Then you must face the consequences." He murmured just before his lips crushed down onto hers,
Mary jumped at the force of his kiss and turned her head to the side while trying to put some distance between them.
"I am not here for that!" she hissed as she tried to escape his grasping hands.
"Are you not? But this is what I need." He murmured as he rubbed his body against hers, the contact alleviating some of his ache almost immediately.
"Jack-…" she gasped when she felt his hard body pressing against hers in a way that was so familiar.
"No, this is what I need. We are linked together, aren't we? We are bonded." He said as his rum scented breathed washed over her lips and made her shudder, "And since we are bonded this makes you my mate, isn't that correct?" he asked as he trailed a path of openmouthed kisses from her jaw to cheek. He paused at her temple and with a sigh he kissed her there too. She trembled as his arms tightened around her and pulled her closer to him. His mouth left the side of her face and he glanced down at her for a moment before he brushed his lips again with his own. Her hands were still on his chest but they no longer put any resistance as he deepened the kiss and slid his tongue into her mouth to taste her. He moaned into the kiss and his hands found her fingers that were wrapped around his already wrinkled shirt. He unclenched them and pulled her hands around his neck.
Mary complied with his silent request and tightened her arms around him, causing him to hum in satisfaction. His hands snaked around her waist and held on tightly as he refused to end the kiss. His nose bumped against hers as he changed the angle of the kiss and she smiled into the kiss while he groaned. The kiss became desperate as his hands started running up and down her back and she could feel the stubble from his moustache and beard rubbing against her mouth as he started walking her backwards.
"Jack, stop." She managed to gasp when she succeeded in breaking the kiss, "You're trembling." She whispered as she squeezed his shoulders. He groaned and pressed his lips to the side of her neck as she reached up a hand to his burning cheek.
"You should lie down." She gasped as he parted his lips and started sucking and nibbling at her neck.
"I'm fine now." He mumbled deliriously against her skin, "You're here." He murmured as his hands found her hips and squeezed. Mary's hands found his face again and she forced his head up to face her.
"Jack, you are feverish. Let's get you into bed." She said and he blinked before he slowly grinned.
"Me thoughts exactly, darling. Let's get into bed." He murmured as he let her guide him towards the bed. He sat down onto it and before she had the chance to cover him with the bedcovers he pulled her onto his lap and locked his arms around her. He brought her with him down on the mattress and looked at her with heavy eyelids.
"Did you miss me?" he asked huskily as he traced her lips with a ringed finger.
Mary was confused at his attitude. Why was he…so nice? Was it the connection or something more?
"I…" she trailed off, not knowing how to respond. Was she supposed to tell the truth? That she had missed him; and immensely so.
She didn't have to answer though because she felt Jack shifting underneath her and felt his hands on her legs, bunching the material of her dress up towards her thighs.
"It doesn't matter, love. It's alright if you didn't." he whispered hoarsely as he slid a hand between their bodies and touched her intimately. Mary gasped and her hands flew to Jack's chest to steady herself.
"Jack!" she said quietly as his own hand went to the fastenings of his breeches while he kept caressing her with the other.
"Shh."
"I did!" she gasped as he slipped his fingers inside of her and stroked her gently, "I did, Jack." She whispered and he froze momentarily before he resumed his ministrations with more fervor.
"Prove it." He hissed and his voice was laced with disbelief and uncertainty.
Mary's eyes went to his mouth and she swallowed hard before she leaned down to kiss him gently. His mouth opened and melted like wax beneath her kiss and he groaned deeply when she left his mouth to kiss down his neck. His body stiffened and he moaned loudly as she nibbled lightly on his skin.
"Will you rest now?" she breathed into his ear.
"No." he said before he changed their positions so he was the one on top. He slid down her body and kissed her belly through her clothing before he came to rest between her parted legs. Mary watched with wide eyes as he tugged at her undergarments until they were off. He eyed her hungrily before he leaned forward and closed his mouth over her center. Her hips arched off the bed as he kissed and licked and he pushed her down onto the mattress with a firm hand. He brought a leg over his shoulder and held it there while caressing it with his calloused fingers. Mary's leg clumped down reflexively onto his shoulder and he groaned as the action brought him even closer to his target. One of her hands found the pillow by her head and she clutched it tightly while the other searched his hand. He saw her attempt and his hand left her leg to entwine with her own. He wrapped his long fingers around hers and she squeezed them tightly as his mouth intensified its ministrations upon her flesh.
"Jack." Her breathy voice made him look up at her and he grinned as he pulled back and replaced his mouth with his fingers before he slid up her body so he could kiss her. She kissed him back eagerly and he moaned when he felt her tongue brushing his lower lip. He parted his mouth and groaned harshly when she deepened the kiss by slipping her tongue into his mouth. Her legs found their way around his hips and he slid his free hand between them to push his breeches aside. She gasped against his moving lips and he broke the kiss to grunt as her skin came in contact with his burning flesh.
"Is this okay, love?" he asked huskily against her lips as he rubbed himself against her and nuzzled her.
"Yes!" she gasped as she entwined one hand in his dark hair and pulled him even closer. His feverish skin pressed against her own and she almost frowned with worry. She made to speak but he was quicker.
"Will you try something with me, love?" he asked breathily into her ear as he caressed her hips lovingly. Her eyes opened and locked with his at that and she bit her lip, drawing his attention to her lips.
How did they end up there? One minute they were at each others throats and the next they were entangled in his bed sheets. Their encounters and general relationship was more than just unconventional.
"Um…" she realized he was still waiting for her reply with wide but hopeful eyes. His dark chocolate brown eyes were focused on her and he seemed vulnerable for the first time since she had met him. Was she really affecting him that much? The thought made her flush with embarrassment and her tongue felt like sandpaper in her mouth as she tried to form words.
She was shocked when she heard him laugh as he gazed down at her.
"You're so bloody adorable, kitten." He grinned as he trembled slightly above her. She could feel his body pressing and rubbing against hers and she could tell by his tense muscles that he was still in pain despite their closeness.
"Why?" she managed to ask as he slid one hand down between their bodies to touch her again.
"You didn't answer me question." He insisted as she arched into his touch.
"Do I even have to?" she gasped and he groaned in appreciation before he pulled back from her and sat with his back against the headboard.
"Come here then." He said as he grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head. He threw it carelessly onto the floor and patted his lap invitingly.
"A-arent you cold?" she asked and he cocked his head to the side, his eyes still glittering with unimaginable intensity.
"You'll warm me soon enough. Now, come here." He repeated his command and she found herself edging closer to him. When she was close enough he reached over and slid his fingers in her long hair before he tugged her closer to him with a slight smirk. His free hand pushed his breeches down his legs as far as they could go and then joined his other hand in her hair. He kissed her again and pushed the fabric of her skirt up and around her thighs before he maneuvered her onto his lap.
"No, like this." He murmured as he turned her around so her back was pressed up against his chest. He helped her straddle him and then pulled her closer with a hand around her waist.
"There." He breathed against her ear as his hands found her hips and squeezed them briefly before they slid up her torso towards her chest. He found the lacings of her dress there and loosened them until he could slide his hand inside and cup her breast in his more then warm palm. She inhaled deeply through her nose and leaned back into his arms as he touched her.
"That's a good girl." He said, his voice gruff but intimate at the same time. His free hand rested on top of her thigh for a while before it went to her hip. He squirmed beneath her, effectively raising her up with the help of his clever hand while he positioned himself at her entrance. Realizing his intentions, Mary gasped and squirmed on top of him as he slid further down the bed to gain access.
"Up you go." He murmured into her ear as his tongue teased the skin of her neck. With a small maneuver he was able to thrust up into her. She gasped and her hand fell down to his thigh and clutched it tightly as he stilled and groaned. His hands settled on her hips and with his help she rose and fell on his lap as he met her thrust for thrust. Mary whimpered as he moved into her and he moaned in response to her tortured sound. After a while she found a rhythm and he was able to roam his hands over her body as he wanted as they moved together.
"That's it, love." He groaned as he opened his mouth against her neck and sucked her skin in earnest, "That's it. It feels so good, love." He moaned against her skin as he bucked under her and clutched her more tightly to him.
Mary groaned softly and leaned further into him as his hand found her breast again and brushed over it tenderly at first and then with more intensity as his thrusts quickened and his breath came out in rough pants that sent chills up and down her spine. His legs shifted and he widened hers to get more leverage to move. The hand that wasn't kneading the tender flesh of her breast found her jaw and he turned her face towards him so he could envelop her lips in a deep passionate kiss that took her by surprise. His tongue thrust into her mouth in the same rhythm as his hips and Mary felt herself being held tighter than before as if he was afraid she'd disappear from his grasp. His grip bordered on pain but the sensation of him thrusting inside her was enough to overcome the slight discomfort of his bruising hold.
"Feels good, darlin'?" he asked as he broke the kiss and stared at her with heavy eyes. At her nod he grinned and stroked her lower lip with his thumb slowly. His eyes closed shut as the wonderful sensation of her body connecting with his overtook him and she whimpered again, causing him to open his eyes.
"I want to turn around." She murmured as she gazed into his eyes. His eyes widened and he cupped her cheek before he nodded. She turned herself over and readjusted their position so she was facing him. He groaned as he re-established their connection and leaned up to kiss her lips again as he started thrusting in earnest. Mary's hands cupped his face as they kissed and she could feel the tension leaving his body as pleasure rushed through his veins. She trailed one hand down to his chest just above his heart and she could feel it pounding under her palm. He moaned with each thrust and she could feel him getting closer to the edge. He plunged a hand into her hair again and pressed her closer to his lips until their teeth collided almost painfully. He took her lower lip between his teeth and bit down onto it as he felt her tightening around him. It took a few more thrusts for him to fall over the edge and when he did he pressed her to his heart and breathed deeply through his nose as he held her.
Mary's face was pressed into his chest as they tried to calm their breathing and she raised a hand to his cheek. He leaned into the soft touch and groaned happily as he nuzzled her hand.
"Feeling better?" she asked as she delivered a kiss to his sweaty chest.
"Much." He murmured as he ran a hand up and down her back.
They remained entwined there in silence as Jack stared at her like she had fallen from heaven.
"What?" she asked as she blushed under his heated gaze.
"Hmm?' he murmured as he stroked the hair away from her face.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked as she looked up at him from beneath her eyelashes.
"Like what?" he asked huskily as he caressed her hair and back.
"Like…" she trailed off, not knowing how to describe his gaze.
"Like you're something I want to eat?" he asked with a raised eyebrow and she reddened even more.
"I…I guess." She almost squeaked.
"Because I do." He said as he brushed his fingertips over her lips, blatantly expressing his fascination with her rosy mouth.
"Oh." At her exclamation he chuckled and stroked down her neck slowly before he reached over to entwine his fingers with hers.
He was ready to kiss her again when Gibbs' sudden yell caused both of them to freeze.
"Redcoats!" his first mate cried as he stormed into the cabin. Jack's eyes widened at his sudden entrance and he curled his arms and legs around Mary in a futile attempt to shield her from prying eyes.
"Bloody hell, mate!" he barked as Mary tried to fix her dress. Jack tugged at the sheet and covered her with it by throwing it over her head.
"Redcoats! Redcoats are coming! We have to go! They'll board the ship! We have to-…Oh, no!" Gibbs said as he watched the Royal Navy men stepping onto the deck.
"Run!" he exclaimed before he turned and ran out of the cabin. Jack pulled Mary out of the bed and grabbed for his clothes.
"How did they know?" Mary asked as she finally fixed her dress and looked as Jack fought to close his breeches.
"No idea! Me coat! Get me coat!" he commanded and she searched for the missing garment until she found it. He snatched it from her hand and pulled it over his shoulders before he tucked his sword and pistol to his belt.
"Me shirt!" he hissed in frustration but Mary already had it in her hands.
"Just hold it." He said before he grabbed her arm and led her to the windows of the cabin. He threw one window open and curled one possessive arm around her waist.
"Hold on." He said and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"What are you-…"
"I can't let them catch you. Therefore, I have to come with you." He said as he swung one leg over the ledge of the window and brought her with him.
"What about the ship?
"Gibbs'll take care of it." He muttered as he looked down at the sea.
"But I can't swim." She cried and he looked at her briefly.
"Trifles." He shrugged right before he let go and delved with her into the sea, ignoring her high pitched yelp of surprise and fear.
End of chapter 52
Author's note: Hope you liked their reunion and the intimacy! XD
Please review before you go! The more reviews I get the sooner I'll update! XD
Xxx Lina :)
