A/N: Hi, dear people! Got another update here for you. Hope you like it.
I want to thank: SoriBlack, Nelle07, TinkerbellxO, 88dragon06, AdaYuki, Tracickles, deadgummiegirl, Midnight LeAnn, LiliAnn Jackson, Zoek80, anonymous, Cayla loves Jack Sparrow, BleedinLuva1123, Sithlord8665, Lori, igottoomanyloves, Why Fireflies Flash, GuardianAngel102310, Cotton Strings, Terriah, Aoi Nami-chan and Chryseilas.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean.
Chapter 53
Jack's arm tightened around Mary's waist as he hoisted her up against his side and pulled her towards the shore. She coughed loudly and grabbed the arm that was holding her upright.
"Jesus, love. You really need to learn to swim." He said breathlessly as he tightened his grip on her and started pulling her away from the shore.
"This really isn't at the top of my list of priorities, Jack!" she said while panting, wincing as her bare feet collided painfully with the beach's rocks. She groaned as she picked up the soaked skirt of her dress, silently cursing its weight.
"It should be. I'm out of breath, woman." He mumbled as he looked down at her wet face. Suddenly a grin made its way onto his lips and she scowled.
"What?" she snapped as her cheeks flushed bright red.
"Oh, nothing important. I just remembered the way you had your thighs clamped tightly around me waist while I was swimming. That is something we have to do again, love." He said huskily before he grabbed her hand and started quickening his pace towards the town.
"Why are we running?" she asked and he scowled.
"We're not running…yet. Besides, it's better to run than to be caught."
"But there are no-…"
"Look to your right." He cut her off quickly. She did and then gasped. Officers.
"Do you think they…saw us?"
"That's why you have to run! Should I carry you on land as well?" he asked as they rounded a corner and then started running.
"Ah, no." she mumbled as she fought to catch up with him, "But you might need to help me up when I collapse because of this damn dress!" she said as she tightly wrapped her fingers around his wet hand.
Jack turned his head back to look at her and smirked.
"Then take it off." He said as he pulled her in a dark alley and reached for the laces of her dress.
"What! No!" she slapped his hands away and he sighed before he reached for his knife. He pulled it out of his right boot and cut the laces in one move.
"It's not like you're naked." He said as he pulled her legs free of the dress and looked at her up and down.
"My shift is wet!" she hissed as she hugged her arms. He sighed and removed his coat. He placed it around her shoulders and looked at her.
"Better?" at her nod he nodded as well and then frowned.
"Where's me shirt?" he asked as he realized he was only in his vest and breeches. Mary's eyes widened and she reddened.
"I…I think…"
"Did you loose me shirt in the sea?" he asked lowly and she bit her lip.
"I think I might." She whispered and he groaned.
"Bloody hell…." He muttered before he grabbed her hand and resumed walking hurriedly, leaving her wet dress on the ground. She looked back at the garment but didn't dare speak. She liked that dress.
"You lost me bloody shirt. For God's sake, woman." He mumbled as they walked through the town.
"I am sorry but I was trying not to drown at the time." She said and he rolled his eyes.
"Yes, I am well aware of that. I have bruises on me hips." He poked his right hip and glanced at her while she blushed.
"I am sorry." She said quietly as Jack's eyes scanned the alley for any officers.
"Well, perhaps you can kiss them better later, aye?" he winked before he pulled her down the alley.
"How do you remember the way to my house?" she asked, ignoring his question and he grinned.
"It's one of the few things I remember while on land." He shrugged just before he narrowed his eyes at a passing man who stared at them with incredulity. He pulled Mary more to his side and quickened his pace.
"Ja-…"
"Don't say me name!" he hissed and she clumped her mouth shut at his words.
After another twenty minute walk they were pushing the gates of her house open. Margaret was behind the door when they arrived at the doorstep and Mary smiled at her.
"Close the door, Marge." She said as soon as Jack was inside. Margaret looked at Jack with wide eyes and tried not to stare, a thing he noticed and smirked.
"Is…is…?"
"Yes, this is Jack and he'll…" Mary turned to look at Jack.
"I'll stay for a while, love. You think you can make some food?" he was elbowed in the side because of that and he looked at Mary with a pout.
"What? I'm bloody starving." He defended and Mary sighed.
"You're obviously feeling better." She commented before she turned to Margaret who was still staring at Jack's lacking attire, "Please bring some food up in my room and prepare a bath for Jack." Mary said before she gripped Jack's wrist and started pulling him up the stairs.
"Bath? I am not taking a bath!" he exclaimed and Margaret had to stifle a giggle as she hurried away.
"Yes, you are. You're covered in seawater." She said as she pulled him in the room and let go of his hand in order to remove his soaked coat from her form. Jack looked around the room with curious eyes and then proceeded looking at her things, starting with the drawers of her closet.
"What happens now?" she asked as she looked at his back, "I mean with the ship and the others."
"I don't know, love. We'll have to wait and see. Gibbs will let us know. No worries. Now, what is this?" he asked with wide eyes as he picked up one of her undergarments and raised it up for inspection. At that moment there was a knock on the door and Margaret with Alex walked in with buckets of water.
Mary blushed bright red and snatched the garment from Jack's hand, placing it back in the drawer.
"Thank you. Alex, how are you?" she asked with a smile which Alex returned.
"I am fine, Miss." He said with a shrug and then his eyes fell on Jack who was staring at him with narrowed eyes.
"I've told you to call me Mary." Mary shook her head as Margaret passed by her to get to the bathroom.
"I'll try…" Alex trailed off, his gray eyes gazing at Jack with curiosity.
"Um…this is Jack. You know, I've told you about my…husband." Mary started as she went to Alex's side to pick up one of the buckets.
"Yes, you have. How do you do, Captain?" Alex asked as Jack took the bucket from Mary's hands and looked at the younger man with dark eyes.
"I am fine…lad." He said and Alex frowned at his tone, "Might I ask what you are in his…household?"
"I'm the gardener. But I help Margie around the house as well, don't I?" he grinned at Margaret who flushed and nodded.
"Hmm." Jack responded before he walked to the bathroom with the water.
"Is everything alright?" Alex asked, touching Mary's arm as she passed by him to get towels.
"Yes, fine. We just had an accident with the…boat." She said quietly with a small smile.
"I figured that." Alex smiled and slowly released her hand. Mary laughed and shrugged.
"Thank you for the water." She said and he shook his head.
"No problem, Mi-…I mean, Mary." He corrected himself and she laughed.
"I'll see you later. I have to wash all this salt from me." She smiled as she stepped back.
"I'd offer to help but you already have someone to help with that." He said with a smirk and a shrug.
"Alex!" she laughed before she turned to the bathroom only to collide with Jack who had a peculiar expression on his face as he glanced from her to Alex and back to her.
"Jack. Come." She said as she gripped his hand in order to steer him towards the tub. He tensed under her touch and his stare remained on Alex's retreating back. Once the bedroom door was closed Jack yanked his hand from her grip and slammed the bathroom door shut, causing Mary to jump.
"What is it?" she asked once she noticed his stormy eyes.
"Thank you for the water, Alex. How are you, Alex? I'll see you later, Alex. Alex, Alex! Who the hell is he? And why is he talking with such liberty to you? Isn't he supposed to be the servant here?" Jack almost growled with clenched fists and Mary gaped at him.
"First of all, I do not have servants. They are employees. And second of all how dare you? You don't have any right to judge me and how my friends act around me! Should I remind you that you were the one who tried to sleep with someone else?" Mary said angrily and Jack grimaced as another low growl escaped his throat.
"Friend? He is your friend? How close of a friend is he?" he asked as he took a few steps towards her.
"He is just a friend, Jack. If I didn't know any better I'd say you were jealous."
"I am not jealous. I simply don't like to share what's mine." He said loud and clear.
"Yours? Since when am I yours? I am not an object, Jack." She seethed as he came to stand in front of her.
"I never said you were, wife." He breathed and her breath hitched.
"Don't call me that."
"It's what you are, love." He murmured as he cupped her cheek and stroked her cheekbone with his thumb.
"Don't play with me." She whispered as she leaned into his touch and smelled the salt on his skin.
"I am not." He breathed as he leaned down to brush his mouth against her soft lips. He inhaled deeply and his tongue darted out to taste her lips.
"Hmm, salty." He murmured before he kissed her deeply, his hands wrapping around her hips in an effort to bring her closer to his body. Her hands tentatively went to his chest and the warmth of her skin caused him to shudder and press closer to her.
"Tell me nothing's happened between you and that…ferret." He murmured between kisses and she suddenly broke away to laugh.
"He is not a ferret, Jack! How on earth did you come up with that?" she asked as her hands went around his neck. He pulled her up towards him and her feet left the floor as he held her in his arms.
"No idea. He just looks like one." He shrugged as he placed small, openmouthed kisses on cheek and jaw.
"You say very mean and ridiculous things when you are angry." She commented as she buried her face in his neck and inhaled his scent. His hands flexed around her and he groaned as she nuzzled his skin.
"Your voice turns all high and squeaky when you're mad." He commented as he licked her neck and then nipped at it, earning a shudder from her.
"It does not!" she said with a small laugh and he felt himself smiling against his will as he held her tightly.
"I like it that you're jealous." She said quietly and he grimaced as he ran his hands up and down her back.
"I am not jealous of lads, love."
"Really? Then after we bathe I think I'll go talk to my friend then." She said as she tried to pull back. He growled and kept her pressed against him before he started leading her towards the tub.
"Shut up and get in." he muttered as he gave her backside a light slap. Her eyes narrowed and she slapped his hand almost teasingly before se tentatively reached down to remove her shift. Jack's eyes moved up and down her body as she undressed and when she was finished he watched as she lowered herself into the warm water. She reached for the bar of soap and she gave a loud yelp when she felt him sliding in behind her. His legs went on either side of her hips and his arms encircled her waist.
"Jack…"
"You said I had to take a bath." He murmured as he leaned forward and rested his chin on her shoulder while he played with a lock of her hair. She sighed and leaned back against his chest while fumbling with the soap in her hands.
"Will you stay here?" she asked and he pressed a kiss on her hair as his hand slid around and stroked her stomach and belly.
"Hmm."
"What if somebody finds out?" she asked as she turned her head so she could listen to his heartbeat.
"Let's hope they won't." he murmured as he placed his chin on top of her head and closed his eyes.
End of chapter 53
Author's note: Thank you for reading. I hope you liked it. Since I have started classes again I think I'll settle for weekly updates. If I have extra time you can expect two updates a week. We'll see…Please review before you go!
Xxx Lina :)
