THE BACHELOR
Uploaded: July 2020
A/N: We've reached the last chapter in this little addition to my stories. After this I may take a little "break" from writing here. Knowing myself I will probably upload one shots or so, as I find it impossible to refrain myself from writing Jack+Angelica for too long.
If you want, I so very much appreciate your words. As I tend to say, I always want to grow as a writer, and fast forward a few years I want to deliver much more than I do right now. So it helps me tons to hear what works and what does not. (One flaw I do know I have is definitely my typos, a result of me 'over-editing').
Regardless, I feel happy that you've reached this chapter. Most of all I hope this story gave you something; whether that be a pleasant moment when you've read this, felt something or maybe even learned something - I don't know - but I just hope my stories add something to the J+A section and most of all; to you. :-)
- And dear! I was supposed to write a "little" story. Not crashing the 100k words! Oh, well!
I hope you like this chapter and liked this story in total!
THANKS! /Best Regards, Val
THE BACHELOR
The Only Way For Destiny
CHAPTER XIX
Her feet are heavy into the ground. It is as if she cannot catch his offer.
His upright words sting in her meanwhile his very own magnetism holds her imprisoned to persist. While they have found themselves engulfed in each company too many times lately, this comes to be fairly different. Despite his expression giving away a seeking response of confession, he somehow displays calmness in his depth. Indicating a purity of a sharp bubble she never quite managed to pop no matter how she so tries to penetrate his defensive outer aura. Probably it goes the other way around just as much.
Although now she has. With her exposed reflection, she obviously gives evidence of the very same feeling of detriment.
Question is if there can be any winner in this silent risky gamble they have played, or if there can only be losers? Is it possible this never allows any of them to just be the winner while the other's faith delivers the simplicity of a harsh full-blooded punch? Or is it inevitable that the two of them are in it together whether that be a victory or loss?
What is even a victory in this, and what damns a loss?
Apart from what her previous desires clamoring she cannot look at him in any other way but with profound quizzicalness.
He will let her go? That is what he tells her. That Captain Jack Sparrow will at last let her go.
By mistrust she has to peek over her shoulder to see the thundery weather create a stormy sea. Such an image is not quite alluring, yet it signifies freedom.
That is what he is implying. How she is free to go. Or so he claims.
In bewilderment she turns around, fully, to face this view of her so-called key to utter liberty. Can it really be that this man now freely lets her go? Without him trying to stop her, once more.
According to her agreement with Gibbs and Scrum, she has already gained the hundred sacks of coins. So on she can survive and live off well a few months before things get uncomfortable. Perhaps even a year. If she uses her mind analytically, she can probably invest it to some sort of a stream as well, handing her a steady amount of money for her future. Her knowledge of what trading ships dissolve wealth and which do not lay cut deep in her. Thereof, there has to be this security in never having any particular reason to ever meet paths with this man ever again. She will never be in need of it. Not as long as she has money under her feet to keep her free from prisons, men of the law alongside all traps she may have fallen into.
He is pure danger to her. A man is not supposed to rule her heart like that. Owning it fully and being so careless with it. She gives away way too much power by letting someone like Jack handle it. And once again she fears more than her dear life it slips right back into his hands.
Such an adding amount of gold will be her rescue to a small part. Although that offering chest by tomorrow allows a much grander scale of assurance. Neglecting the fact of her torness to the precise moment.
Jack is suddenly nearing her. Briefly her immediate reaction is to defend herself from his presence. Seeing what just happened inside, she definitely does not trust herself around him. She may as well just throw her heart to him regarding how easy he has had her surrendering lately. But when he shimmies out of his coat and gently hangs it around her, her bewilderment only digs deeper. If only his eyes did not wrest her very inner out of her like this, things would have been much easier. That way she could still stamp him an useless jerk, heartless scumbag that deserves nothing.
Instead this scumbag acts like a gentleman.
"Don't want to be catch'n a cold, eh."
As if she now notices for the first time, she is indeed immensely cold. The air is unwelcoming and it is definitely a climate to excuse one's preference of keeping oneself indoors.
Closely he remains near her. Sort of trying to work out what she will do, she can tell. This proposal has been easy to follow for so long, yet for the time when he so puts it out forward, she finds herself resistant. Hesitant is quite an exaggeration, because she knows what she will do. However it startles her that she not so easily just lounges to the beach as she had expected of herself. At least in the ways she believed she would have.
Perhaps it is the... awful grieving truth that this will be the last of him that she will see which befogs her.
Is this truly the very last she shall see of Jack?
That would probably feel odd. Finally putting a closure to their endless encounters that should not perhaps exist to begin with. Yet fate stubbornly forces them together again and again. Can this be for real a last time?
In denial she still admits to sense that disapproving gut feeling.
By having caught gazes into the other one, he probably tries to read her as much as she aims to read him.
Is this goodbye?
Is this farewell?
To give her an answer to a question she never uttered out loud, he leans down and tenderly kisses her cheek. The sweet touch of his lips makes her take a deep breath and for the smallest moment lean into him. Just to save the benefit of his loving manner.
Quite in anguish she then backs a step. Her whole inner is aching by pain of this. She is absolutely torn to pieces. A part of her just wants to throw herself towards the harbor and catch a tinier longboat, whatever she so can lay her hands upon, to get out of here. To pop this bubble and return to her old life. Never in a lifetime look back, forcefully push away all memories of this and forget all about it. Forget all about him and what may had been.
But there is this tugging feeling of resistance. A slap of turmoil that holds her back.
The other part clearly wants something else. A deep want which she is not sure she really approves of. Earnestly she is positively certain about it. Rationally she knows what she is in for and what decision will benefit her most in all of this.
She has known since the start and particularly along the journey - what she has to do. No matter the stakes and no matter what would pop up along the journey. But boy, this is way harder than she ever imagined it would be. For this very annoying reason.
Jack.
Hence she had sworn not to do this. To even debate and consider what she truly wants. Quite she still refuses to let her mind do this, consider an option which intentionally is not an option at all. Therefore she stands still and speaks nothing when Jack at last begins to head back to the villa.
This is his goodbye to her. A silent one to let her leave in the ways she wants. The emptiness growing within her with each step he takes cannot be covered by her trying optimistic cheering anymore. Everything feels dull right at the moment he turns his back on her.
Whatever wrenching slap hits her in the gut, she works to keep the shattering emotion in control. She will not do this. Collapse in her torn state by the cause of a man. By Jack infernal Sparrow, who has ruined her life on so many occasions. He does not deserve her thinking twice about such a thing.
Unconsciously she hugs his coat tighter to her body as if it comforts her.
"You will let me go?" she calls doubtingly in need of confirmation. "Just like that."
She refuses to believe she did this just to make him pause his departure from her.
By his haltering steps he also appears to consider this for a moment before he spins around.
"Just like that," he repeats but a hint of a secrecy flashes by. So on she understands that may not completely be the case after all. Seeing how he nevertheless refrains from giving away any traces of information about the matter, she eventually takes a deep breath. Quite anything to just prolong this goodbye.
"Need to bring my items from the villa and collect my bargain."
Silently he agrees with her. With a gesture he lets her know he will walk behind her as she will make her way back to the villa. Just in the flicker of a moment once she passes him, there is this vigorous shift in the air that makes her believe he is about to snatch her into a nearby hedge and pull her into a deep kiss. However he does not, and this event becomes nothing but a passage of glances and discreet gulping as if resistance fights to keep them away from the other one.
When she at last ends up walking ahead of him, he with care joins her steps behind with that watchful protective eye. Or perhaps this is simply an excuse for him to be able to check her out how much he so desires, but she will never really know.
For some stupid reason this walk takes longer than it should. For an occasion like this with pouring rain, one can underline the common sense in hurrying steps to get inside. But according to them it appears as if time cannot go faster before they reenter the estate's interiors.
Carefully when Angelica takes a first step onto the stair, she pauses and turns slightly to face Jack below her.
"There's a catch in all of this, isn't it?" she wonders. Having Jack letting her go without a fight is not just happening. Moreover, perhaps it can be an understatement to call it 'without-a-fight,' seeing they have done frankly nothing but bickering since they crossed paths this time. Perhaps a twist describes it better. Because the man has an ability in always making sure things end in the ways he prefers. Very often that results in unfavorable things happening for her. Unless he is on terms with her, that is to say.
Something in him sets his true mind and she just knows by her intuition he has got something up his sleeve. If Jack wants something, for real, whatever that may be, he surely manages to get it. By some sort of infernal reason, he settles for only what he desires and never accepts anything less. Not that she claims to be that particular desirable wish, but if he has worked so hard on keeping her around; obviously to piss her off, then why would he give her up like this?
In his gesture he guides her to continue her way upstairs. "Why don't ye pack yer things and I'll carry it for ye to the ship, aye?"
Why is he being this friendly with her? Acting so... sincere, with so much care and truly... appearing genuine with her for once?
With his attention falling to land on her lips, she reacts by wincingly taking another step upwards the stair as if she by doing so escapes him. That repelling act is not of unwillingness, but rather a firmness in not risking giving in to his desirable aura. Distantly she reaches for the railing to stabilize her passage up to her room. Along a heart popping out of her chest, her nerves do not either help her state of mind. She is damned to have this man having her crumble in his hands by the simplest look. Whilst others may so begrudgingly depict that of the purity of a destined fondness.
No matter what, she is one of those not fancying how uncontrollably she falls in his presence.
Why is she acting this way? Supposedly she is happy that she is leaving. No, she is even delighted! This is exactly what she has been waiting for. Jack letting her go, once and for all. Additionally she gets money. This is precisely what she asked for.
Damnit she needs to stop being this affected by his pure manipulation. There can be nothing but it, hidden behind those eyes. Yes, he does nothing but manipulate her, play her and toy her around. As if she is some fun part of a game.
Or so she likes to pretend, unless she would be ready to face yet another truth she dares not thinking of. It is easier to convince herself this is the case and the only case.
Harshly she lounges for her wardrobe. By throwing it open with such force, she at first understands her rush of emotions once it audibly hits the wall beside it.
Another time she would have calmed down and gathered herself by now. But not this time. She cannot risk beginning to analyze her mind, her emotions nor behavior. She cannot afford thinking twice about this decision. All she can do is getting out of there before things get the best out of her. So on she pushes her clothes into her bags and is fast to reopen her door to head out of it.
Whenever a thought of him, that damn pirate, pops up in her mind she neatly removes it. Decidedly she makes her way down to the entrance room and struggles with her packing to the door standing ajar in where she can glimpse a lit fireplace.
Inside is Jack. Drying his clothes by the sparkling fireplace. As he uses the couch for his wet clothes, he tosses all pillows away, mostly to land by the fireplace like a laid out additional soft carpet. She made it just in time to see him bring a dry shirt above his head and work himself into it. The small flash of his skin brings her to halter. For being this keen on just directing him to join her march towards the ship, now she suddenly finds herself unable to regard him.
Unbeknown of how carefully she sets her bags down inside the room, she is altogether hidden in the darkness of the shadows.
There is an urge within her to move and let him know him know that she is there. But she refrains from it. Somehow she is paralyzed to this. And why, for the love of God, is she still standing there, unmovable? Why does she just inspect him as if he is some fine decoration set as art?
Unaware of her own conduct, she keeps on staring at him whilst being frozen to her spot. Seeing him moving around without knowledge of her presence is rather peaceful. There is a calm harmony to the atmosphere. The burning fireplace probably adding to it. Also, the fact is that she finds anything but checking him out utterly irresistable.
Perhaps she has not even understood what has happened until he at last utters.
"Tell me for how long ye'll be spyin' on me before letting me know, aye."
Ugh, that man always knows.
Taken aback by his ability of awareness, she ends up taking a step out to appear fully.
Puzzled that he knew of her presence, she at last understands. "The fragrance..?"
He gives her no such trace of confirmation, but rather instead focuses on adjusting the firewood with a stick to not get burned himself. It is probably first by now once catching the sight of the burning fire that she understands how much she is freezing. Coldness of the rain soaks Jack's coat she is wrapped in. Nevertheless it assisted her partly more compared to not wearing it.
"Always gives ye away," he eventually affirms.
When he at last gives her the benefit of his eye, he suddenly beams to the sight of her. "Still wearing my coat I see."
She does. In her rush of packing her clothes she has not even bothered gripping that she stills strolls with this heavy one atop her shoulders. Possessively she hugs it to enclose the thick fabrics around her. Absolutely no urge in handing it back. By Jack's approaches he consequently manages having her removing herself from the doorway, one which he closes.
For just the briefest moment she achieves defensive ideas of what he is up to when he quickly reaffirms.
"Must wait for Gibbs bringing that agreement of yours, aye?" he regards her money-deal and approaches her further to gently tug his coat. Silently he asks of her to take it off. Obediently she lets him. All the while remaining in the spot of being up-close to this man's magnetic presence. Not that it matters anymore. She will leave. And this man will no longer have any chance into working his ways into her heart. Their play has ended. Now all she needs to do is to survive a mere last part of an evening to make it out unharmed. Untouched by his most adamant ways of engrave himself within her.
"Good," is all she lets out.
It seems reasonable that Jack has made Gibbs fetching her bargain of their deal. Although unless she had focused so much on avoiding a possible ambushing kiss, she would have noticed his false tone and understood he never even had crossed paths with Gibbs that late evening.
With a second inspective glance he notices her still dressed in soaking wet clothes. Something he disapproves of in a caring sort of way. Under an eye upon he gives her that causes her to swallow and avoid his so questioning face. This man is not supposed to care for her. Supposedly he loves nothing but pissing her off, because he hates her. And she supposedly hates him.
"Don't ye need to get changed, eh..?" he frowns.
With this cold rain it cannot take long for her to catch that cold. Something she would prefer to avoid on her passage home. Being sick aboard a ship has never really been of her preference.
Nevertheless she never manages retorting anything before he goes on.
"Or perhaps be it not necessary..," He is focusing on his coat that he hangs over an armchair near the fireplace, but Angelica can detect that hint of cocky smugness in him as he said this.
Soon he is by her side to help her out of the dress. In fact she does let him finger on it, but with a very wary eye.
Merrily he suggests. "Bring on something easy to take off, aye? Like that red shefoon-"
"Chiffon," she corrects.
"That I used to gladly be tearing off ye."
He is such a flirt and so charming with that apparent smirk and glimpse of mischief glittering in his eye. No matter how much she feels those infernal shivers, she firmly tells herself it is nothing but due the coldness.
Trying to avoid this part of road, she clears her throat. "Threw that one away years ago."
Persistently Jack sticks to the conversation and considerably has no urge to leave it.
Sufficiently to have her admitting him entrance to the closeness of her presence. Without her protective defense, he is allowed by her to brush his hands along any body parts of hers that he so dares touching. For a sneakiness in knocking her walls down, clearly he starts with a gentle and affectionate rub on her wrist with his thumb.
"The ship in the harbor be far from the villa," he speaks with his attention traveling from her hand to her eyes. Somehow his caressing motion has reached its way to her cleavage. A daring spot where she in other cases never ever permits anybody access. With his intense eyes locking hers, she is sure her mouth falls slightly open as her lips separate. Teasing her with his fingers annoys her awfully much, but she still finds herself absolutely numb to his so sensual touch. Specifically when he so bluntly finishes. "So on ye can be as loud as ye desire, aye."
Ugh, no. She likes to believe this only makes her feel disgusted, but truthfully she only wishes him to go on.
Softness of a furniture makes her aware that he has guided her back against the wall of a couch, upon her bum hits against. For a smooth man he is. If she claims his seductive look along his not too honorable words do not work herself up, she would be heavily lying. She would probably not even manage to fool herself with that statement.
In protection of herself, she chuckles at his suggestion of madness. "Fancy that."
"Aye." He only smirks in agreement. "Fancy that."
Vision falls to her lips again and she can only pray that she does not scream of hunger in the ways he does. Unbearable enough to stand against him and she refuses having him thinking he can lean in to have that moment of intimacy with her.
With her breath hitching as he brings the fabrics slightly and teasingly down at her cleavage, she finds herself unable to resist pulling herself closer to him. Like a pure physical reaction. It disappoints her, but her body rules her mind completely. It is an inward battle to not beg him to lean down to her. A damned battle she is decisive to win.
Evidently he has been hot on her all evening. Wherefore she has endeavored not falling for his little trickery attempts. Not can she risk losing for this by now.
With her hands willingly moving aside to rest along the top of this couch at her sides, he takes this welcoming gesture to only approach her further and she inwardly sighs. Somewhere in deep hope she will not give in.
In belief he has won her over, his smirk is by now beaming to her. It is such a provocative sight. Yet it only fires her up further. Her heartbeat is already quicker... and... and why in hell is his scent this alluring? Why is his intense gaze this addicting? Why does she keep glancing to his lips… as if she wants him to just throw himself on her already?
"How long do ye think ye'll last, eh?"
Not that she would like to imagine this, no. She would not like to imagine the ways he fills her and brings her to new depths. She does not want to imagine him ravaging her in the most pleasurable ways that only he can. She does not want to fantasize about how deeply he kisses her and what profound enjoyment he can give her.
No, claro, she would not like to even think of this most satisfying fantasy of them wrapping up weeks of teasing around.
Although the truth is... she would not last for long. Not long at all. And he knows that. For how well this idiot of a man knows her he can probably smell her tenderness in want of this.
Unsteadily she is desperate for a deep breath to calm down, but it unfortunately does not go unnoticed by Jack. His smugness is awful. He definitely reads her too well for her own good.
She tries to regain some dignity. "You think you'd find out?"
Taking the challenge on, he is quite provoked by her obstinacy.
Slowly he moves to stand in between her legs and she needs to force all desirable images of them not wearing anything away. If she only had not been this bodily hungry for him, she never would have allowed him. To make things worse; he is slowly grinding against her. And it is in the most teasing way he has his ability in letting her know what she fights against.
She has to bite her bottom lip in order to hold back a moan. Instantly he forms a grin and leans down awfully close to her lips.
"Ah, still pretendin' ye don't want to jump me bones I see."
He so needs to shut up but he only goes on. "When will ye stop pretendin', love?"
In her struggle she tilts her head slightly back while she tries to not close her eyes in pleasure. This man does not need to know she never wants him to stop. His manhood is driving her up the wall and she works with her inner to not surrender to his temptation. But dear Lord Almighty that is hard… the feeling of his hips slowly rocking against hers is not something to take lightly.
It comes out of her in a way of defending herself. In a way to hopefully scare him away from her before it would be too late. Therefore, she finds herself pushing it out while meeting his gaze with the firmest determination.
"When will you stop pretending you ever moved on?"
Assumedly he tries to keep his upper hand by smiling rigidly, but Angelica can catch the sudden fear in him. Any trace of revelation of the word love gets this man jumping over a railing let alone.
His amazement is enough to make her fully stand and direct his stunned expression with an expectancy to be met with an answer.
In defiance he backs away from her, and she follows.
"Ye be such an evil temptress, Miss Malon. Mark my words."
Oh, to hit her hard he speaks her maiden name he used to call her back in the days.
She smiles but his probable tryout of hitting her with past loving memories they used to share is definitely a success. To the times of when he used to call her Miss Malon, a time when he always looked out for her, cared for her, kissed her… was most likely gravely enamored with her. Their romance embarking, the innocence, the purity. The passion.
The love.
Whereas he surely aimed to knock her off track, she bites the emotions back and remains in his presence. For a moment her focus is to regain her breathing to a normal level and regather herself. Neither of them can be unaware of the fact that she has to get out of there as soon as possible or things will get out of hand. Jack for that very reason working feverishly to throw every obstacle her way to make her stay.
So on he displays his revealing intention of keeping her here, to avoid the departure as she steps towards the door and gets blocked by his sudden sword.
"So much for letting me leave," she comments displeased. However her heart must be racy. If she does not leave soon, things really are at risk to go downhill, in the worst ways possible. For the smallest of moments she truly tries to read him, to achieve an answer to what he thinks the best outcome out of this would be. If they indulge in each other and she stays, he will still lose her. She is firm on that matter.
Thereof her quizzical expression. "What makes you believe I wouldn't choose the chest rather than you by tomorrow?"
As if on cue, he removes his sword but only to bring himself closer to her face. "What makes ye believe, love, that I'd ever pick you?"
Ah, he now claims he does not even consider choosing her to win this stupid little game? Although he can pretend all he wants, she catches his little act. Or so she thinks. Firstly she aims to snap at his irrational ways of acting but in the last second, she manages to in the following moment work his aura.
Which would probably be her downfall in all of this. The last nail in the coffin.
Assuming she would have seen all of what would be coming, she would have called their quits by then.
If she had known she just should have left right then and there - without a word, things would have been just fine with her. Perhaps a bit torn, but still - fine. Inner intuition screams her to do so. To just run out of there, give him a warning glare to not ever try her again and for all she cares; even letting her carry her own stuff to that infernal boat in order to just simply get out of there.
Her mistake is not doing that. Not without that last little retort to set things straight. As if she needs to put out this balance between them and knock him back. There are just too much into it. So much hatred, passion and… dare she claim love, still? Such strong emotions that she almost wishes to knock all air out of this scumbag. Once and for all.
Decades of encounters, passionated brief moments alongside those longer journeys they have shared. And now this provocative damned idiot dares throwing out a questioning remark to her about not being certain it is her who would be picked? Like he has kept her along just to play with and never really aimed for to choose by the end even so. How sickening can a man possibly be?
Yes, her downfall is not catching his playful act. That he knows her like the back of his hand enough to play her right into the direction of digging her own trap. Unfortunately for her, Captain Damn Sparrow can read her like an open book, knows what buttons to push and how to evoke strongest emotions of provocation in her. And meanwhile she is going downhill, he just plays along and enjoys her ride to losing to him.
She really should have just clenched her jaw and let him end their history with that dispute. Stubbornness running in her veins and not being able to see his inductive trap are what eventually will bring her down to the floor - literally. Unfortunately she finds herself too blind, completely sightless, in her own determination to make this scumbag crumble.
All she desires is to set a harsh punctuation to all of this. Really, as innocent as it sounds. Perhaps just with a little punch at him. It would be a bonus.
Overly sure she will manage this unharmed and be able to leave afterwards, she is just aiming to put him to place. Letting him understand who has had the upper hand in all of this all along. Simply she refuses to let this jerk come out of this in victory and not for a loss.
If anybody deserves a bit of dignity here, it must be only fair to hand it all to her.
In irritation she spits. "Claiming you're not certain you'd pick me, even after all this time?"
Somewhere in the back of her mind, even she must understand that he is yet again playing her to gain something himself. But the truth is that it annoys her too much at the moment for her to not see that as clearly as she should have.
Because he just keeps his gloating face filled with smugness and loves teasing her. "Anything wrong with keeping my options open, eh?"
His options open? Is he insane?
"You've been in the palm of my hand since I first encountered you."
"That ye'd be fond to believe."
Again when she harshly places herself in front of him as if to intimidate him, she should have understood that the mischievous hint flickering in his look wants her to go on. That while he is struggling to not break out grinning widely to her, it is not because he enjoys making her mad for real - but that she is blindly walking straight into the pitfall he unfolds for her.
"Then what about all the condenado confessions you just made?" She demands and never notices that he is the one discreetly guiding her to have him against the wall.
"'Bout me not picken' ye, darling? What can an infamous captain like me say - had no idea ye'd get this offended the legendary man ye yearn for be not tied."
Oh dear?! OH DEAR. He annoys her so goddamnit much. My dear.
"The man I yearn for?" She chokes on her words and never in her rush of loathe takes a note of how he is enjoying the sight of her harshly forcing him fully against this wall. "My dear, Sparrow, if anyone around here is keen on anybody, is it you trying your ways with me."
And he goes on.
"Sweetness, ye've been all over me since ye first saw me."
"Excuse me? You're the one I can barely touch without you falling head over heels into my hand."
Jack snickers.
"Or perhaps, delusional lass, ye can keep trying to convince yerself it be not the other way 'round."
By now she is standing way too close to him. Obediently he keeps his hands away while she somehow subconsciously has worked herself to cage him by this nearby wall. Worst part of all, is probably that in her fury and raging state of mind, she never grasps what she is doing. Nor how Jack is the one leading her the ways he wants her to. In her anger, she never really realizes either how he takes the opportunity by bringing his hands to caress her waist when he finds the situation offering it.
By wearing that precise smug face, overly sure of himself, he makes her go mad by anger - too much for her to be able to notice anything else.
"You're the one trying to bed me and I'm the one holding back!" She battles for her dignity and he plays with his.
"Nah, love. You be the one aiming to bed me and I be the gentleman to give in."
"You keep saying that, Sparrow," she cannot hold her irritation back any longer and begins to push herself bodily against him to let him feel the softness of her chest. For the briefest moment he closes his eyes but soon fights them back open. "But truth is you couldn't walk after you saw me that night in the moonlight."
When he keeps grinning down to her, she never understands it is because he is winning her over, rather than aiming to genuinely piss her off.
"Ah, but what about all the times ye've tried to have me kiss ye, aye? The evident following act of that, ye know ye'd be the one not being able to walk, eh."
For all she cares she prays her cheeks that sting by hotness do not reveal her inner blush. Abilities in being this blunt seems to never settle in her. It always brings her to a slight shock, a quick questioning if he really just said that. Which of course always will be answered by the very same word - yes. Yes, he did indeed just say that.
"You can't be around me without wanting me. You'd never be able to even touch me and hold back," she stubbornly points out as if such admittance would allow her some greater gracious dignity. For what it is worth, Jack is not about to give it to her anyhow.
"Try me," he challenges and tries to not keep his inner beaming face too evident once he understands she never sees him through.
Untamable monstrous conniving thief. That is what this man is. Overly manipulative tongue, adding to it.
Feeding this fire further, graver and only profoundly deeper; she grabs his hand to guide it towards her bum as if to make a point.
Instantly she feels his physical reaction of this poking desperately against her but he only swallows that hitching breath as if he is not bothered at all by the allowance of fondling her.
"Admit it, Jack, how you're always the first one to cave in."
"Dream on, sweetness," he chuckles and has his breath hitched once more when her hands begin to teasingly unclasp his belt. He even shudders in his state and she can detect his quickening breathing. "Ye've been the one begging me to finish this overly long foreplay. Ye be pleading for me and I, the always gentleman," his description of himself causes her to want to snarl angrily at him. "'Course lets the lady have her way, savvy?"
What a bastard to even consider that she may believe in this crap. What does he take her for? A forlorn idiot like himself? He has been on her ever since the start and she is the one ruling him wrapped around her finger. Definitely not the other way around. For the love of God, he even claimed such moments ago? Why this sudden change of hearts? What is up with this man? He never makes sense.
Before she leaves, she will have him admitting this. Apologizing to her for everything. For these idiotic statements of and to her, and to all other damage he has done. Even if he claims that so be for her own sake.
And she will show him that HE is the one wrapped around her finger once and for all - before she leaves. That man shall not walk out of this with that upper hand. SHE will!
Sneakily her hands move inside his pants but she never touches anything, for a tease she is. Intently and daringly she holds his gaze locked while she refuses brushing over his extremely wanting manhood.
By the time when his mouth begins to separate in his desirable inward battle and his hands firmly grop her bottom, she understands how she as well works hard in the back of her mind to not surrender the probable shared want. All she wants is his final declaration. She wants him to just crumble in front of her and then she will leave. The moments before she never really did manage this, but now she will. She will succeed pushing him to his limits and back away to leave. And he will break.
She can do this, she knows she can.
Sensually she licks her lips.
"Then why are you shaking so much, mi amor?"
His grin twitches as he senses her playful seductive mood. It looks as if he is about to explode as worked up as he is. A clear debate going on within him, when he wincingly pushes his back into the wall as if to escape her very teasing caress that denies him the benefit of her touch. Only to the next meet her eyes pleadingly as if he wants nothing more than to just surrender. The look in his eyes is almost painful as if he is utterly helpless to her physical contact.
Truth is that this is such a hot sight that she inwardly craves his desperate fondling to go on. The pleasure of having his feverish hold on her bum brings chills down her spine. His physical admittance of revelation of his longing for her makes her nothing but further worked up as well. Frankly she has been all evening. Probably all day, all week or why not confess she has been peckish ever since she first saw him?
But it does not matter. She shall only make him implode and then leave him. Follow her true calling.
Thus she goes on closer but stops just merely by his jewels. His bottom trembles and he shakily clears his throat. With a look screaming for her to just stroke him, she cannot deny finding the idea nothing but tempting.
"Merely groggy.., eh," he tries but she goes on.
"Oh, Jack," she lovingly in her warm tone speaks. "So turned on I'm almost worried you're having a seizure."
Weakly he tries to reflect her grin and avoid his excessive twitching. Soon giving up the attempt, she finds his response once he instead swallows his groan and squeezes her bottom. Pleadingly he leans down partly, the expression begging her to just touch him already.
"Alright," he stutters. "I'd do anything..," he swallows his groan again and finds it troublesome to talk straight. "For a night with you."
Look at that. She is flattered. Nevertheless his words adding to his evident want for her feed her burning fire for him even more. Something she likes not to put her mind to. Although - she fights just as hard as him to just push it back.
"You'd do anything?" she smirks.
His eyes distantly drift close until he manages to reopen them and nod once. Although his hungry stare for her remains as her hands teases him, closer and closer.
And his panting, his shuddering, his twitching, his desperateness and his weakness for her only increase. It is so hot for her to see. How his body explodes for her touch. Just what she wanted to witness, nevertheless the overly intense sight drives her up the wall as well. Which definitely was not included in her quick plan. Somehow she must have neglected the knowledge of precisely how hot this would appear once being in the middle of the act. And all she can disobediently think of is releasing this bull. An inner struggle she on and on wrests to win.
"Bloody hell, Angelica," he at last gasps and gulps his inner whimpers and physical shivers by her touches. He can barely hold himself. "If you don't stop, love, I'm gonna do ye senselessly over that couch. Mark my words."
But she does not stop. She cannot. He is so hot he is driving her mad. She wants to go on and she wants to just taste him. She earns it and she deserves it. It is justified for her to claim his lips before she leaves and get everything out of this tease once she after this leaves him behind for good.
So on she tip toes to aim for his waiting lips when she sees that shift in his eyes. For knowing this man the major part of her life, she knows that look too well. And it is as if it clicks for her in just that precise moment, when it is too late.
And she understrands.
That he had wanted her to touch him, to be provoked by him, to engage in this intimate tease and be quite trapped in his grip as he holds onto her bum. He has wanted her to want to piss him off, tease him this gravely and end this infernal foreplay with a kiss that she would not be able to afterwards back away from. He has wanted her to get worked up herself by having her engage in this game of touching.
Just in time she manages bringing herself away from him and break that coming kiss. He had wanted her to be this provoked to end up kissing him. Obviously because he knows that once he lands his lips on hers, she will be the one desperately pulling and begging for him to take her.
He is unbelievable, how she seemingly must always be on her guard.
Still in belief she has won this by avoiding that kiss; during the shortest moment she smiles incredulously to him and backs away. She is about to retort to him and accuse him of his mischievous plans, rant a bit of Spanish curses and glorify herself for seeing through him. Call herself the winner of this and still - walk away.
But witnessing nothing but a man with the look of firmest determination in him, her gloating face of victory falls into an expression of concern and warning.
In her hopeless backing she only manages the spitting words.
"You stay away from me."
And he smirks with his hungry look.
"Only when we're finished, aye."
She aims for a leap to the door. To leave and get the heck out of there. In her desperateness of backing away from him, her disorientation brings her to stumble on the pillows laid on the floor. And instead of leaving, she falls headlong down. Seeing this damned opportunity, he ushers to her fall and hovers over her to capture her before she has a chance of getting away. She is trapped to the floor by the weight of his body pushing her down and she understands that from now on she is screwed.
By the word of it.
Demandingly he keeps her down while she struggles to get away. He is so turned on he is shaky.
The worst part is, that admittedly - so is she.
"Jack! I swear if you-!"
But it is too late. He has had enough of her teases. Somewhere deep down, so has she.
As if it could not have happened any faster, he brings their lips to at last mold together. To at last release all tension and to finally feel the resulting hotness of what unwillingly have built up.
For a start she fights in her struggle to escape this. But demandingly he clenches his hands decidedly around her wrists to push them down into the pillows at each side of her. He is making sure she is not going anywhere this time.
Damn this was not what she wanted. But definitely what she needed. God, his lips make her go insane. The taste of his lips, his kissing… she wants more. She needs more. Her whole body is trembling in her insane want for this man. She craves him so badly.
In deep yearning she deepens the kiss and does not even care that her moans escaping by pure satisfaction reveal her true and genuine want for him. It is to no use anymore to even try to deny that she does not want him to just bend her over already. With one hand he manages to hold her wrist together above her head while the other push at the fabrics around her chest.
Still she tries to pretend, to angrily sigh at him as if it helps her case to the better.
"I hate you…"
Frantically he pulls the cleavage parts of her dress down and she finds the touch of his hand unbearable.
"Ah, tell me that when we're done, my darling."
His manhood is pushing against her and she finds herself willingly spreading her legs to access him closer to her. Her inner craves this man, all of him.
When he at last feels her relax into the feverish make-out, keen on making up for years without this withheld kiss; her hands' forceful struggle softens and he dares loosening his grip around them.
Possessively she immediately moves her hands to the back of his head. Pressing him more against her with her hooked legs around his waist probably lets him being aware of how profoundly the effect has gotten to her.
She can literally feel pain by the strong desire her core has for him. She wants him so badly her inner is physically paining her. It stings within her and the aching feeling is so bad she has probably never kissed him this hungrily before.
For by God, she is hungry for Jack.
Those kissable lips. His tongue. The taste of him… He is driving her absolutely crazy. And she loves it.
Intensely he is grinding against her all the while his hand works her dress up her legs. And she keeps on matching his movements with equal pushing and longing while literally eating him up.
For how long has she held herself back from just jumping onto him? - Whatever the answer is, it has got to be - for too long. She has waited for too long. His kissable lips that teased for her to silence them for so long and now she cannot hold herself anymore. The desire is so strong. Of wanting all of him and that now.
They probably need this just as much. Like a prize they both have worked so hard to achieve. They deserve it. A night together and pump this immensely tension away from their bodies, their minds and more importantly; their hearts.
Just a night. A long one, feverish one. A deeply passioned one where they just let their bodies, souls and hearts melt together.
Pantingly, Jack admits.
"Darling, I won't make it to the ship."
Truth is… And she immediately moves her hands to fully remove his belt. "Neither will I." And she re-claims his lips.
Everything feels just… right. Awfully right. She wants to claim it feels bad, horrible and utterly dreadful. But truth be told, nothing has ever felt this fulfilling. Every part of her hungers for this man and she wants to have it no other way.
For that reason once Scrum's voice interrupts them, neither of them really cares.
"Capt'n! Oh… I see… Finally! But oh, dear… Capt'n, uh… need to 'ave a word with ye, aye… my apologies."
The mate is standing in the doorway, somewhat trying to cover his vision from the sight of the two that never stops eating each other up.
"Capt'n!" He tries to gain Jack's attention. "CAPT'N!"
When Jack reluctantly has to break free from Angelica's deep kiss, the both of them turn heads to Scrum with highest annoyance. "WHAT?!"
"I uh… mark my words when I say this be the last thing I want to interrupt," he speaks and loses Jack's interest as Angelica pulls him back down to her. She refuses having Scrum intervening in their private moment. Hopefully he can take a hint and Jack willingly joins her manners. "But uh… recalling how ye told us that we only be allowed to disrupt in case of emergency, as of the house being on fire."
Basically Jack and Angelica act as if they are not watched, and Scrum uncomfortably squirms on the spot. Going from not wanting to disturb them nor wanting to not follow his accord with his captain.
"Capt'n..?"
But Jack is way too lost in the make out with Angelica to give any trace of attention to Scrum. And Angelica has absolutely no intention of letting her lover slip her out of her hands now when she has gotten him.
They are way too involved in the heated make out to notice anything else. He is still pressing himself against her and she only urges to feel more. In their deep kissing it appears as if nothing can break them apart when Scrum at last exclaims.
"CAPT'N!"
Hesitatingly Jack breaks free again and looks up to Scrum with a dizzy look. His hands are holding Angelica's thighs for him to gain closer access to her. If clothes had not blocked them, they had definitely been engaging in a way more intimate act. By disapproval Angelica whimpers and tries to glimpse the damned mate who aims to unwillingly destroy their moment like this. Her chest throbs by the high pulse and she feels almost lightheaded by how strongly she needs Jack to finish her off.
Somewhere Jack must detect this, because he refuses to leave their indecent position on the floor.
"In a minute, aye," he directs Scrum before turning his eyes back down to Angelica laying below him, ready to return to her when they are interrupted again.
"Capt'n Jack! The rooms upstairs be on fire!" Scrum is serious.
Huffing, Angelica sees Scrum upside-down from her position once looking his way by tilting her head backwards. He has never been more of an annoying figure for her.
"We only need one minute!" she is desperate for Jack to not leave. They will not last for long anyhow. He cannot work her up like this and then just leave her? No way. She needs him. Now.
"Believe me, Miss Teach," Scrum's tone of severity remains. "If I so had ten seconds to spare ye, I'd give it to ye."
Understanding that Jack begins to get convinced by his mate, Angelica tries to force him down to her but he holds back with an expression displaying his inner battle to not follow her wish.
No, no, no, no! He is not getting up!
But yes. He is getting up… on his legs.
Ugh… she hates Scrum!
She pants heavily as if she has run miles in sand.
Gently Jack reaches his hand for her and assists her as well back onto her legs. Dear they are weak, wobbly and utterly unstable. Seeing her affected state, Jack ends up behind her to lovingly place his hands on her hips to stabilize her. Giving himself more points to acts of kindness, he even tilts her backwards to rest against his torso while a hand sneaks around her upper body to hold her against him in this hug from behind. She closes her eyes by his maneuver and tries to save as much of it before he smells her hair, her neck, plants a kiss there and then lets go.
"You've got to teach him about timing," she mutters.
"I'll be back, love," he throws over his shoulder and leaves the room with Scrum. After a sigh slips her lips, she can hear Gibbs's excited muffled voice through the walls. Clearly there is tumult upstairs regarding that fire, something she and Jack must have been deaf to due their very own bubble.
"Ye found Capt'n, I see!" Gibbs shouts.
"Aye, 'e was eating the lady up."
"Miss Teach?"
"Aye!"
"Ye idiot?! They were finally kissing and you broke them apart?!"
"Eh… aye…?"
"Let me 'ear ye clearer, SCRUM! YOU, YOU. Broke. Them. APART?"
"Now when ye put it that way… eh,.. but house's on fire… eh?"
She cannot hear the rest due a loud sound coming from a furniture probably breaking somewhere. Worriedly she eyes the ceiling and questions her anxious lumpy feeling. Quickly she opens her bag of clothes and brings out a dry one to get this soaking wet dress off her body. Now preferring her typical pirate attire, she does not care how Jack may find her in it. Again she frowns as she looks up to the ceiling. Is he alright?
Facing yet another disappointment within her, she understands it being nothing but worry for Jack. Consequently she ends up in the doorway with a worrisome look. She sees Jack returning downstairs in tow of a couple of servants that probably assisted in extinguishing the fire. After exchanging words between them, he eventually meets her searching gaze.
Just as he is about to head back to her, Hilda rushes downstairs and into Jack.
"Oh, Jack! My dear Jack," she bursts out and throws her arms around him. "It was awful! Thank you for saving all of us."
The sight stops Angelica from leaving the doorway and she remains lingering in it. Of course, Hilda. Everything that has happened lately, particularly that evening has somehow eliminated all ideas of Hilda still being there with them. As if Angelica has been in her very own bubble with Jack.
Given no opportunity to retort, Hilda holds on tighter. "My darling, you saved us all!"
A fire began in the middle of the night, of all nights but one upon the particular one where Angelica for once had let her guard down for Jack. When they were about to… she swallows. Thus it would not surprise her at all if Hilda would be the one behind this. And by the look of how tightly she embraces Jack and ushers compliments to him, she understands her womanly intuitions probably cannot be too off track.
Apologetically, Jack looks over Hilda's shoulder to Angelica that still leans in the doorway. By the time Jack has got Hilda off him, Gibbs and Scrum with a couple of servants join. By then Angelica also makes her way forward and settles to simply hand Scrum a glare for interrupting them. He tries to smile sheepishly for an apology. However Gibbs noticing this nudges Scrum harshly in irritation for disturbing them - but that Angelica neglects.
"What happened?" she wonders.
Hilda turns to Angelica and glares to her. "A fire began upstairs. Thankfully Jack saved me. I have no idea what I would have done without him."
Ah, clearly someone loves to bring Jack's ego up to heaven's sky. Goddamnit it annoys her.
Tenderly she moves her fingers along his beard but being under Angelica's eye, Jack uncomfortably yet gently tries to wince himself out of this.
"How did this fire begin?" Angelica musingly speaks, hinting to Hilda to just lay it out there. The lady though pretends as if the question is not directed to her, and a servant misinterpreting the womanly silent questioning - decides to answer right at once.
"It seems a candlelight has burned down and reached a nearby wall, Miss," he politely explains.
Understanding she will not get a confession from this sneaky lady, the eye this woman gives Angelica tells it all though. Yes, she is responsible for this.
And by the ways her hand snakes around Jack, it is obvious she wants to make territory of Jack. Quite frankly… it annoys her only more. Not that she has a right to think so… or does she? But it does regardless annoys her.
Meanwhile a few servants alongside Gibbs, Scrum and Jack discuss following actions of this with Hilda trying to slip in suggestions in between, Gibbs seems to be the one glancing more than once to Angelica.
Constantly she catches his glimpses and she knows that he is working on something. Which reveals much later when they all have agreed for safety reasons to sleep on first floor, squeezing together in the staff of the house's private quarters.
With the whole pack examining the rooms, Jack and Angelica with discreet glances exchanged, the both of them keeps hinting to share room. However Hilda is pushing the matter to share room with Jack. Working against her, Gibbs firmly suggests.
"No, it'd be better if I, Jack and Angelica share that three bedded room, aye." With probably all understanding Gibbs would not stay in that room at all. Without it even having the need of being said out loud. Only oblivious to that idea must be Hilda, completely blind to understand that anyone but her can be the apple of Captain Jack Sparrow's eye.
Quickly a servant disagrees. "Utterly inappropriate to have a lady sharing a bedroom with this bachelor without a chaperone!"
"I be a chaperone, aye," Gibbs chirps but the head servant keeps shaking his head.
"Our master would never approve of such indecency going on in his villa," he scandalously points out.
Disappointedly, his sentence is final and all have to accept his confirmation. Meaning that as he decides;
"Captain Jack Sparrow may choose whatever bedroom he so wishes to have, meanwhile Master Gobbs -."
"Gibbs!" Gibbs harshly corrects, adding to the already irritation this man separates the pair he so has worked to matchmake.
"Gibbs and Scrum to share room while the ladies, Miss Hilda and Miss Angelica..,"
"It's Lady Hilda," Hilda also corrects in irritation.
"Lady Hilda - share a room. Perfect, don't you agree?"
Nobody agrees but by grasping they can do nothing but to nod, they end up doing just that, handing him a nod. And the head servant is settled with that and also misses Jack catching Angelica's traveling gaze. Silently he gestures for her to meet him outside, but she simply gestures back to the crazy servant keeping everything in proper order.
His gestures grow less discreet and so does hers, until the servant notices their quiet bickering and clears his throat. Only to make the both of them jump by jolt.
"Ahem..," the head servant checks them out. "Perhaps we need a chaperone guarding the hallway, just to make sure we get no disgraceful reputation of this place."
Is he being serious? Angelica chokes on her own spit. Her accent rolls all over her tongue and it always gets worse the greater her irritation grows.
"I think it's a bit too late for that," she states. "Have you seen what has been going on in this villa lately?"
The head servant dislikes her forward message and clenches his jaw, although remains in posture. "Naturally, Miss Angelica. For a mistake to let the reigns too loose. Thereof making up for the better part and chaperoning the hallways tonight."
Of ALL nights, there has to be a guarding chaperone tonight?! The one and only night where she really is in for seducing Jack, which she for that part has almost quite managed. The one and single night where she believes she would pretty much do anything to have herself locked in a room with him. Pretty much anything would do. She just craves him, if so for a mere moment.
Why does this happen to her?
"Sounds very stupid," Jack agrees with her and Gibbs nods.
Only Hilda sighs, clearly thinking it is better she can have Angelica under her watch and make sure she does not try to win Jack over. Even if that is a most unlikely thing to happen, according to her. Nevertheless Hilda seems more than keen to make sure she settles the spot by tomorrow's ceremony.
"Jack, dear, I suppose the servant is right," she defeatedly speaks. Angelica has to roll her eyes. "Besides, once we're married, we no longer need a chaperone," and again her finger is sliding up his buttons.
By leaning up to Jack and kissing his cheek goodnight, she tries to set her stamp on Jack. Although this time, Angelica does not give in.
She too, begins to lean towards him to plant a kiss on his cheek. But as if on cue, he matches her and starts leaning in as well. As if they subconsciously aim for a full-blown kiss. It is so obvious that they are about to kiss and unable to prevent it, that the head servant again snorts to the sight to force them aware that they certainly have witnesses.
Once again having one interfering their coming kiss, Angelica closes her separated lips and takes a step backwards.
Perhaps she is too lightheaded at the moment. Or so she must be. Because all she manages to Jack is a mere 'Goodnight' before she has been guided towards a servant's bedroom consisting of two single beds. A maid is making them suitable for Lady Hilda and Angelica herself. But it by the time when Angelica settles in bed and hears Hilda's annoyed heavier breathing, that she begins to question herself.
What in hell is she even doing here? She was free to go, was she not?
So why in the damned world, is she accepting this night to be shared with Hilda? Was she not going to leave? Jack offered her for God's sake. Why is she still here? Why did she not leave?
And more importantly, why does she not just leave now? Anything can be better than sharing a bedroom with Hilda?
Does she dare thinking she is still here, lingering to remain, by a deep hidden hope he may pick her? Or is she just vulgarly expecting to not leave until she has experienced that longing last time with him?
God.., she is still here because of him. Because he has yet again managed working himself into engraving himself within her.
In frustration she must pull the pillow above her head and squeeze it into her groan. Because the reason is one she cannot deny and it upsets her for to how much power she lets him have. Even unwillingly, as for now. He truly did let her go, she can tell. No one is to blame but her. Easily she could have just left, but she never did. She let herself be fooled, seduced and…
Her pillow snatches from her face and before she manages to yelp, thinking Hilda is going to strangle her in this ambush - she has Jack's hand covering her mouth.
Darkness of the room does not reveal his figure or his presence. But it lays all in the rough hand she knows too well. Or the scent of him. The touch.
Painfully silently, she lets him assist her out of the room into the hallway. In utter silence, he has the door closed.
"What are you doing?" she wonders. "There's a chaperone around that-."
He silences her by his finger at her lips, gesturing her to keep quiet. In a most gentle manner, he grabs her hand to guide her down the hallway. The fluttery feeling within her that awakens brings her to obediently let him direct her. Like a lovesick puppy. Which she may as well be. But that goes for him as well.
Wherever he is taking her, this moment reminds her of the days at the convent before she escaped. How she and Jack would sneak around. Her inner battle of considering pros and cons of staying or if she should join him. The answer would be awfully easy for her to make. It was definitely her heart ruling by that time. Seeing how things are right now, she wonders if things can ever change. Because it is definitely not her mind controlling her by this time either.
"Come, love, he's behind a corner," and that must mean the corner Jack chooses to round is the other one. The safe one. Gently yet eagerly she is assisted into a dark hallway where they barely can see each other. And it takes about a second before she again meets lips with Jack.
Maybe it is weakness for him that brings her to her actions. It can be inculpated by the forcible magnetic attraction or by the evident hunger lingering in both of them.
Regardless it nevertheless matters no more than there is a tomorrow.
Because before she understands what she has done, she has forcefully snatched his collar to bring him down. Close to with so much intensity meet his lips with her deepest urging longing. Every piece of her is drawn to this man and her whole body just demands more. More warmth, tighter closeness. Anything from this man.
Tasting his lips makes her mind fade as it is. Adding his scent to her senses simply brings her to pure bliss. Utterly lost in making out with him, her core picks up from before and only wants more. More of him, more of Jack.
She almost notes it as beyond unfair, how a man in these horrendous, yet wonderful, ways can take charge of her. Because she wants nothing else but to feel more of him. Him being the most enticing figure she has even come by. Addictive piece she so strongly tries to keep attached to her heart, fearful of letting it go and frightened to acknowledge.
The kiss makes her go absolutely crazy and she probably moans into it, silently pushing away any suggestions of this not being a good idea. Wherefore this feels too good for her to ever let go. Her hands are not controlled as they possessively keep his head to hers in her desperateness of his touch, the taste of his lips and his bodily warmth.
There is not a moment in her entire lifetime that she would trade for this. She cannot deny that and it is overly apparent for her now.
Kissing Jack. For everything it is, everything it was and everything it ever will be.
So... this was the last thing she promised herself she would do, sí? Was this not the very last thing she ever would do, not even if her own life depended on it?
Thus, why in heaven's name is she eating up Jack as if there is not a tomorrow?
But she is unable to stop. She only wants more.
Lovingly she holds his head to hers while she tries not to get too lost in this. However his lips brings everything to flip in her. That feeling of want is already burning from their endless teasing and all she wants is… yes, to get him out of her system. For all she cares, she needs it.
Seeing how worked up she already is, she definitely does not need his hands feeling her up. In any case he does and it brings her knees to weaken by her strong longing. Silently she must have slipped out a frustrated sigh because shortly after she feels him stop kissing her to just smile against her lips.
"Someone's ardent, eh."
An agreeing moan escapes her before she reclaims his lips and pulls him back in her embrace. Everything feels just... right. Terrifyingly right.
"Very much," she manages letting out in their steamy make out. Not being able to resist him even the slightest anymore, she lets him being aware of her intentions. "Where's your room?"
"Can't, Angelica," Jack murmurs against her lips but in between words sloppily sucks on them. "The chaperon-y be inspecting my room every other round stroll he takes."
Immediately she breaks their kiss as if it would be possible to see his expression in the pitch dark hallway. Nevertheless disappointment screams of her.
"What?" she hisses.
No way she will have to return to sleep this hot.
Before Jack has a chance to go on, she refuses accepting this. Possessively she snatches his collar to bring him down to her. With her gesture of backing against the wall and have him pressing himself against her, she indicates her suggestion of doing it against it.
"Here?" Jack surprisedly asks. She cannot see it due the darkness, but is certain he is beaming to have her have this desperate need of him.
Again she moans her agreement as she captures his lips again. God, they drive her nuts. His presence is pure magnet and she wonders how she possibly could have stayed away from him for so long? Why had she not used all this time, all those possible nights to make up for lost time together? Why had she been this stubborn to just knock him down when they more comfortably could have used those hours together?
Her whole body feels tender by weakness of Jack. Highly impossible to have enough of him, her deep kisses make him aware of precisely how much she requires this. Astonishingly he tears himself reluctantly from her kiss but remains teasingly close her lips.
"Ye won't be able to be that quiet, aye," he murmurs. "Head servant'll hear us."
"Then cover my mouth."
Yes, now she definitely detects a bit of a grin on that cocky face. Just as he is about to reply, they can hear the muffled sound of Gibbs's and Scrum's banter inside their nearby bedroom.
"Now what're 'bout to do with them?" Gibbs is upset. Scrum is mumbling an incoherent apology but is cut off by Gibbs's sudden question. "Now what was that, like The Pearl or like The Revenge?"
"Uh..," Scrum seems to consider for a moment or two. "Most likely The Pearl, I s'ppose. Were all over each other, I'll tell ye that."
"Uff! And they didn't try to kill each other?" Gibbs is angry. "Not even a lil' bit?"
"Quite right the opposite definition of it."
"Ah, Scrum! What've ye done, mate!"
Without thinking twice and without a word being said, it is as if a silent agreement has passed between Jack and Angelica. Within two seconds they plunge inside the mates's bedroom.
Gibbs's and Scrum's eyes look as if they are about to pop by shock, but Jack wastes no time and directs them outside with a shooing distant hand not busy fondling Angelica.
"Get out."
And the two mates almost stumble in their hurry. Wasting no time whatsoever, Angelica is devouring him before the mates even manages getting out through the door. Thereupon having them witnessing the start of this session. Noting neither Jack nor Angelica will have opportunity to close the door, Gibbs cheekily leans back in to pull it closed behind them.
A half second later Angelica is lifted into the air and quickly brought down in a bed, Jack immediately bringing himself on top. Roughly they tear at their clothes to just get done with this already. Never without breaking their wet kissing.
Finally.
Harshly Jack pushes away any obstacles like pillows, sheets or anything that seemingly block his passage to wildly have her. Graciously in her desperateness, she also carelessly tears his shirt open and only uses its fabrics in her hold to have him close down on her.
"We have to be quick," Jack manages, regarding the servant checking in on his room.
"Don't worry about that," Angelica answers and has his grin twitching.
No surprise neither of them will last for long. Understanding they will not have time for a passioned long night, they find it sufficient enough with parts of clothing still on. His torn shirt hanging loosely open and Angelica working to get his pants down to his ankles. It will do. They do not need much. They just need something. They need it. But only from, with, each other.
Just as he has managed her dress up her waist, they halter their intense actions upon the angry voice outside.
"What are the two of you doing out here?"
It is the chaperone's angry tone.
Sheepishly, Scrum and Gibbs try to save the situation.
"Ah, needed some air!" Gibbs chirps.
"Then why are you standing inside in darkness of a narrow hallway?" the chaperone demands.
"Well..," Scrum struggles with his words. "We... eh... better air here..?"
A second later the door pushes open and the chaperone stands there proud-stomached and views the inappropriate sight of the pair entangled in bed.
Hopelessly Angelica sighs in defeat upon the realization she will not finish off her longing for Jack as it seems.
"Just like in the convent," she mutters.
Jack has already covered her back with the skirt of her gown and he is himself pulling his pants back together.
"Our reputation be already broken," he works to convince the chaperone but he only shakes his head.
"Not under this roof."
Sitting up and joining Jack in this, Angelica still sees her chance. "We do as we like, Jack. Let's go to that ship."
The chaperone blocks the passage and annoyedly eyes them.
"Miss Teach will return to Lady Hilda and spend the night there. Our master of this villa will be highly disappointed if he ever finds out anything like this has occurred. It is my duty to make sure it does not go on."
Decidedly, he gestures for Angelica to pass him through the doorway. Reluctantly she stands and looks over her shoulder to Jack. Giving away that she will follow this chaperone to her shared bedroom, Jack reads her eyes and stands quickly. Without an audible word he leans down and plants a kiss on her cheek. It lasts for longer than a friendly one which reveals their true intentions. Specifically as she finds herself unable to refrain from closing her eyes by satisfaction of his touch.
"Now then!" The servant ushers her. "Come on, Miss Teach."
When she opens her eyes again, she keeps her gaze locked under his stare. Eyeing him under her long lashes as if she silently flirts with him. In gesture she tilts her head to invite yet another kiss but the chaperone has had enough and physically pulls her away from Jack.
Once she is out in the hallway, she throws the chaperone a death glare. A woman scorned. A woman worked up. A woman denied. Not a woman to irritate further.
"Do you have any idea that I am a pirate?" she demands in her irritation.
"No, and frankly, the master may not be too happy of that information."
Still fed up with how he destroys between her and Jack, she goes on shooting. "And that I am the daughter of Blackbeard."
By then the chaperone smiles. "Oh, and I am The King of England."
Carefully he opens the door leading inside the bedroom Hilda is in. Gently but firmly, he guides Angelica inside and makes sure she sits down in bed. He places the candlelight he holds on the bedside table and straightens his back. Hilda, awakened from the voices outside, keeps looking between the chaperone and Angelica in a tryout of understanding what is going on.
"Now I suggest you stay here, Miss," the chaperone directs her. "I propose you avoid even considering to leave this room. I'll have servants standing just outside this door. Never making the same mistake twice. Our master cannot approve of anything but a proper reputation of this villa."
Stubbornly she refuses to respond anything polite to him. Anything at all, actually. She stays silent until he leaves and closes the door behind him.
"So..," Lady Hilda snarls. "You had your ways with my dear Jack I see."
She has to roll her eyes by the bothersome lady. "He isn't yours, Hilda. He'll break your heart if you begin to live by that."
It is actually true. Despite him tearing apart her very own heart, she has crossed paths with too many women claiming similar stories. Or noticed it without it having the need of being said out loud. Perhaps she is stupid to think she is different to him..? Maybe he does keep his option open, as he claimed? Or did he do it just in the act to make sure she got provoked? Will she ever know?
"Speaking by own experience," Lady Hilda states as she inspects Angelica thoroughly. Uncomfortably Angelica squirms on her spot in her bed and frowns to Hilda that goes on. In a tryout of ignoring Hilda's voice, she adjusts herself in bed to lay down and pretend she has no interest to hear the lady out. "Thinking the delusional ideas of catching him by your what..? - Irresistible magnetism?" Hilda smiles. "That man can only be tamed by a true lady."
Angelica only sighs. Maybe she is right, maybe she is not. It annoys her that she actually does not know. All she understands is how easily she herself falls back for this man. And that she finds it uncontrollable. It is inevitable whenever she rencounters him.
"Oh, we will see who he picks by tomorrow's ceremony," Hilda smiles and begins to resettle in bed to put punctuation to this conversation. However with her last words, she certainly hits Angelica harder than she probably would understand. "And you will see how a man like him never can have the decency of respect for a woman like you."
Numbly Angelica hugs her pillow harder to her body. Slowly she turns in the mattress to face the other way and not let Hilda detect her expression. The last statement surely stings in her. Usually Hilda's words are nonsense that can be brushed away. However these particular ones somehow succeed to really hit her on a deeper level.
What if it is true?
What if that somehow can be the reason he so often has behaved as if she was a rag doll that deserved being tossed around, as she often puts it?
But then again, why has he kept following her and looking out for her if that would be the case? Because whether she likes to think of it, or not, he really has looked out for her in some ways. He has saved her on many occasions. If he wished her harm, not would he do all of those things, right..?
Can he really care?
Is it even possible for him to love her? Ever?
Her frown grows graver and she feels as if something inside her aches. The puzzling question and inner debate if what Hilda means can be true or if her inner intuition may speak of something utterly different.
Will this man ever think of her as a compatible partner to live with? One he will enjoy his time with, one he wants to be with?
More questions are none she interprets as she soon after falls asleep with Hilda blowing out that candlelight.
Nothing wrong with the bed or softness of the mattress. It is by noon when she wakes up and meanwhile this means she has slept a full night's sleep, it still feels as if she never fell asleep at all. A headache threatens and she is desperate for a glass of water. Everything feels odd and uncomfortable. She just wants to get out of there, a sickening feeling within her. Probably this is a result of all nightmares of the night, thoughts and imaginations she prefers never thinking about.
Her mood is not even the slightest cheerful as she only sees this coming event with agony. However in her silence, having Hilda still sleeping - she brings herself out of the bedroom as soon as she is properly dressed. Now again, opting for her typical outfit used aboard ships. Honestly she prefers it. It is much easier to move around and work properly in it compared to wearing a dress.
Thankfully enough, not many people are awake, that including Gibbs and Scrum. It means her moment of an early afternoon tea can be enjoyed just by herself in utter silence. And her thinking.
Is it not strange how she was so sure of herself as to what she opted for when she first arrived at this villa? Now with everything turned upside down, she finds herself in the very same confusion so many times has caused her pure bewilderment.
Perhaps though this will not be a choice of hers at all. There is a chance Hilda is right, and Jack may pick her. If not, Angelica will nevertheless face the possibility of what Hilda claimed. Maybe that is the reason why he always treated her as such.
Again she pauses with her cup of tea by her lips. Her mind once over again drifts to the images of Jack saving her butt. Nothing makes sense. Why cannot he be easy to read? Like an open book. Quite how he reads her all the time. She is supposedly one of those predicting his thoughts, maneuvers and ideas, still so, she is equally puzzled now as she was when she entered this house.
Although maybe if he did make sense she would not find him this irresistible? Something about his form of being absolutely untamable is... hot? Adding to the fact how he in between lets his guard down to make her aware of the apparent state of mind of being completely wrapped around her finger.
When Gibbs shows up, he surely wants to exchange a few words with her. Nosily speculate if something managed happening still or what in the world goes on. If he so likes to matchmake the two, he surely is running out of time. Even if things may have occurred as he wished for.
He never quite manages as Angelica joins his side but soon after is among working staff of the house. And such a conversation may not find itself too appropriate for this occasion after all. Her and Hilda are led outside to the porch, shadowed by a ceiling. Jack is already there, together with Scrum. A few servants attend this too, adjusting whereabouts.
Whereas sunny climate heats her, it is only an excuse for her heavily struggle of breath by inner despair. For all this time she has wanted to bring this man down and crush him to his bones. Hurt him enough to never ever be able to again smile, to never be able to look and never ever daring to love again. Strongest desire has been to break him sufficiently to have him not daring looking positively at life once more. She wanted him down, quite frankly all the way to hell itself.
But now everything seems so different. She has no urge at all to bring him down. At least not in the manners she beforehand had predicted. Having him picking her, falling for her and her being able to stand there and just punch all air out of him. It was the most motivating idea she had.
Suddenly this plan of hers appears not too tempting at all. Things have changed, at the same time they never really did. It has always been the same. Her love guided towards him and him ripping her heart out to stomp on it, consequently having her mad at him only for him to sell himself right back into her heart. And it starts all over again. Question is of what would break this circle?
For all she cares she wishes him to pick Hilda. It would make things so much easier. If he does, she would never have to select him or the chest. She would not have to come face to face with her inner will nor her outer one. She would not risk having to make a decision that may disappoint her. No matter what that choice would be. Him or the chest.
She is not ready to make such a decision. Because her heart and her mind definitely choose differently. If he chooses Hilda, she never has to make a choice.
She came here for the money, and the Angelica working at the pub weeks ago would be immensely disappointed by the awareness of knowing she actually considers picking Jack above a fortune of money. It is not fair how he has twisted her. This cannot be justified. It simply is not right.
He needs to choose Hilda. By then she will be right, that he never really cared for her. That he just enjoyed playing with her and that she never really will mean anything to him. He is just a master in manipulating her into thinking such. Mastery thief is what he is. A thief that as the cliche speaks truly did steal her heart. Unfortunately he happens to be the man less interested in keeping it intact and she frequently allows him. Which is all her fault. Now she refuses to face this situation again.
So on he cannot pick her. She is too fearful she will not be able to hold back and pick him. And if she does, she help her God if she again finds herself heartbroken once his interest in her disappears. Because it must... right?
But he has been looking out for her for years..? Since forever, quite as much.
If he picks Hilda, it may hurt her. It may even break her. But it will be for the better cause for both of them. She will move on and perhaps for a final time around come to grips of admitting to herself that he never really wanted her. Perhaps he as well, loses interest in toying her around. And he will let her be. Letting her completely and fully moving on with her life.
Yes, he has got to elect Hilda for a 'suitable' partner. Or what he so likes to call it.
Therefore as Gibbs begins the announcement, she prays for her dear life Hilda will be the winner.
"Ladies, we have reached the finale of a little setup me and the crew of The Black Pearl chose to host," he smiles almost sadly to both Lady Hilda and Angelica. "And the two of ye be the fortunate ladies to be last. A runner up and one who wins the entitlement of being the chosen one by our beloved Captain Jack Sparrow. The legendary infamous captain."
Angelica gulps and squirms on her spot. She glances to Hilda that as well appears nervous. But for a whole other reason. One of them wants to be picked, the other one does not.
Silently she begs him to not choose her. If she so chooses Jack as result of this, she will be immensely disappointed with herself. Dear God how she will let herself down. If she knew by all her heart she would go for the chest, she would have loved to be picked. Hence, only a week ago she knew she wanted to bring him down and this was her deepest wish. To be the last chosen one.
Further ahead he stands, leaning by the grand chest the elected one gets to eventually choose. Either him or it.
"So on," Gibbs goes on. "We let our captain claim his choice."
All turn heads to Jack that stands straight. With his gaze penetrating Angelica's, she can feel her whole inner flipping nervously.
Why does he look at her? Look at Hilda. Look at her for God's sake!
Do not pick Angelica for the love of God. Of all damage he has done in her life - he can let her go graciously and by picking Hilda.
Pick Hilda.
Choose Hilda.
Choose Hilda, choose Hilda, choose Hilda, choose -."
"Miss Malon."
For a moment it is as if all stand frozen to their postures. Nobody able to move and nobody really comprehending the words he easily let slip as if he spoke them every second of every day.
There is a comfortable silence hanging in the air. Jack's confident harmony directed to Angelica holds as a quiet reaction to this by simply keeping anyone but themselves away from their shared peace.
Angelica.
Sharply she pulls in her breath which would have been heard by all others in this utter silence; if not Lady Hilda had begun her disapproving rant.
"That's preposterous? Jack, dear, you can't choose a woman like that?"
Giving her a weak apologizing eye, Jack soon suggests. "Have a lad in Tortuga caring for my former ladies. Gibbs can give ye his address?"
Scandalously, Hilda gasps. "That's how you treat me?!" she shockingly bursts out. "I have never heard of such low admiration! How can you attend to me like this?" she demands.
Seeing the coming exclaims, Scrum is fast to join her side and try to direct her away.
Even if Angelica may not approve of this woman, she surely feels partly pity for her.
"Best wishes JACK SPARROW with your wench!" the lady hollers just before rounding the villa's corner with Scrum throwing them apologetic looks.
This little outbreak sets Angelica's nervous mind aside. It is first by the time the lady's angry shoutings of disapproval gets more muffled, that Angelica turns her attention back to Jack and understands what she faces.
This is not what she wanted.
Uncomfortable, she avoids his penetrating gaze. "You should have picked her."
"No, I should not," Jack speaks.
His vision has already been seeking hers and once she looks his way, he catches her. Observingly he inspects her behavior. Intuitively he tries to read her, trying to predict her, her emotions and what she wants in all of this.
It cannot be easy, considering she barely knows her own name by now. What does she want? Well, as much is clear. But she needs to make the right choice. And what is the right pick for her? Will she try to avoid a heartbreak in the future by taking the slamming feeling right now? Or will she with optimism choose by heart and risking falling harder in a possible harsh punch later on?
Will she follow her intuition and risk getting teared apart once more? Or will she determined follow what she decided to do all those weeks ago?
Recalling her conversation with Gibbs before she signed the deal of joining this little game, she swallows. Back then she had no idea he did all of these things. Moreover, she refused admitting him the acceptance of what he did at The Fountain. Blaming him for every wrongdoing in her life. It is wrong of her.
'I will never forgive him.' She had handed Gibbs. 'I hate Jack Sparrow. He's a monster.'
Is that true? Is that still true? Is this how she sees Jack Sparrow now? The man who keeps looking at her as if she is the most tender and fragile loving creature. Quite frankly as if she is the most precious jewel there is.
She shakes her head slowly in surrender. She gives up. If one had revealed to her these would be her words by now, she never would have dared signing those papers back then. They would seem so off, so far away from what she lived by back then. Now they appear natural to her tongue as nothing but warmth streams inside of her.
"I was wrong," she eventually admits.
As she lets the words out, it feels as if a big bubble of air pops within her. As if her filled lungs finally exhale and all tension softens within her. Any trace of anger washes away and she feels nothing but calmness. Such an odd inner response, really. But that is how she feels.
Jack beams to her, disbelieving she is confessing not being always-right. Obediently he stays silent to fully hear her out as she firmly goes on her confession.
"You're not a monster."
There is a possibility she speaks the words more to herself than to let him know this is what she feels. Maybe she is the one who needs to hear this, more than him.
Because he is not a monster. He may try to pretend all he wants. But he is not. He is a good man, below all that surface of jerkiness.
He has looked out for her. He has saved her. And his actions always speak louder than his words.
He keeps on looking intently to her. Perhaps partly afraid too of what she will do.
Now she takes a deep breath and searchingly lets her gaze be caught under his.
Her following words almost causes her to inwardly flip. A questioning sensation if she really dares saying them out loud. If it is right or if she will let herself down completely. Those are words she never ever believed she would say. Thus she carefully sets them free. As if she is afraid of them, yet understands its importance. Because they are highly important, but also so very scary.
"Thank you," she at last speaks. "Thank you for saving me."
The silence is almost painful, yet comfortably peaceful. At last she said it. To a final she understands. Furthermore, she is thankful for real. A genuine appreciation that he did what he did. She would not have been here if it had not been for him. That goes not only for The Fountain, but for all occasions.
He did it for her.
And for that she shall be nothing but thankful for.
"I've got ye, love."
A simple stare that never breaks. They stay silent for long. They are holding each other's gaze and seem not to grip that Gibbs is standing in their presence in eager wait for her to pick Jack. But the two of them is just living in the present moment, capturing it for what it is.
If he had not interrupted them, certainly they would have gone on just finding this comfortable peace in each other's eyes.
"So, Miss Angelica," he urges. "Have your pick."
When she hesitatingly breaks her gaze from Jack to land it on Gibbs, the men probably understand her decision in the precise moment she makes it as well.
It is not a choice by her heart but by her stubbornness in not giving in to temptation. It is a pride to the woman she was weeks ago, before all of this happened. While her inner screams for Jack's presence, his warmth and his most deeply loving embrace, she remembers the woman she was not long ago. The firmness in dignify her, set her values straight and make her proud.
Just as she speaks it out loud, it feels wrong. But nevertheless necessary.
"I choose the chest," she confirms. Somewhere in deep hope her voice is as steady as she fights it to be.
The peaceful shift in the air turns almost painful. Tension is sharp and it is as if someone can cut it with a knife. However Jack never appears any part of broken as Angelica days ago would have believed. Possibly this can be a result of their mending friendship after all.
He smiles to her as if he is amused.
"You know as much as I do, love, we're gonna end up back together."
Blushing by his prediction, she avoids his knowing gaze to look at anything but meeting his eye. Instead she looks to Gibbs that is absolutely anxious as to what this will lead to.
"Are ye certain, Miss?" he cannot believe it.
"I am."
"B-b-b-ut ye got... Jack? I mean... yesterday... I-I thought..?" confusion displays all over him, but Jack seems to accept this much better than his first mate.
"Load the ships, Gibbs. Have that sailor guide her home, savvy?"
Further confused, he frowns to Jack. He really cannot grasp a thing and strongly disapproves of this. He mutters his 'aye' as he heads back to the villa to carry Angelica's stuff. Once he is inside, she dares looking back to Jack.
Is he angry with her? Upset? Disappointed? She cannot really tell at all. He seems as his usual self. Confident in the moment and almost as if he is enjoying it.
A servant has the chest open and begins to load it with sacks. "Something about the hundred sacks of coins, Miss."
She smiles quite sadly to the sight but still agrees. "Yes, you may put it all inside the chest with gold. It will be easier to move around when collected together."
For yet another time, she detects a hint of mischief in Jack's eye in the corner of her eyes. Something she should have taken a note on and understood would not be for her benefit. Although thinking things are over for good now, her mistake is dismissing that hint yet again.
With a nod Jack gestures towards the harbor and she comfortably joins his side as they begin to walk.
Servants already run back and forth to load The Black Pearl for its embark. The same with the tinier yet proper vessel Angelica will be transported on.
"Ye be a wealthy woman now," Jack smirks.
Shrugging, she agrees. "I suppose. Enough to not have to do anything for years."
Jack smiles. "Don't end up in trouble, will ye?"
"The same goes for you."
He winks playfully to her.
Slowing up their pace once reaching the end of the pier, ships anchored on each side, it seems as if reasons are deeply searched for to delay this coming departure.
Unwillingly she fights on her steps, only to stop her tracks to turn back to Jack. The man who means so much to her, on so many levels. A man that has cut himself deep into her in ways she never imaged. Let alone she never would have wanted it any other way.
Nevertheless this can only mean one thing. Her departure is a punctuation to their chapter. Somewhat torn to the matter, she inwardly finds herself struggling to this more than she would have preferred.
"So..," she lingers. "This is farewell."
Confident as ever, Jack disagrees. "No, a mere goodbye."
Meanwhile he is as delusional as ever, in her eyes, she must beam at his overly cockiness. He never gives up, does he? Maybe that is one of the reasons she keeps come upon herself to fall right back for his attractiveness. This is one of those attributes.
"You think so?"
"I know so," Jack corrects.
She chuckles at his smugness and shakes her head amused. But she stops when he reaches his hand out to tenderly touch her cheek. Sweetly she melts into his hand and closes her eyes.
"We'll see about that."
"Promise me," Jack begins. "That in any case ye find it necessary to seek me up, you will come to The Pearl and then ye won't leave."
She opens her eyes and her eyebrow quirks. "Why would I ever need that?"
Avoiding her question, Jack only graves for her confirmation. "Any case, any case, darling."
She muffles her chuckle. "Sure. If I get any reason to return to you, I promise I will. And I promise I will stay."
"Good, remember that, aye?"
"Mhm," she amusedly murmurs. "Is there anything else you want me to promise you, now once you've handed me a smaller fortune?"
A wide smile breaks across his face. As if he is the winner in all of this. "Aye, if ye insist," he is smug. "So on," Jack goes on. "When ye return to The Pearl, we shall make up for precisely any moment we particularly missed last night, savvy?"
Entertained by his firmness in having her, she by now smiles charmingly to him. She cannot deny it is not a hard promise to make.
"How come?" she plays back.
"Swear to me, darling," Jack beams and reaches out his hand as if he is bargaining a deal with her. Quite frankly - he is. "That if ye find any reason to reencounter my beloved Pearl, ye come back and we..," with his gesturing nod up towards his quarters on The Pearl, he reveals as to what he refers to. She aims to roll her eyes, but instead she ends up blushing. Her tryout of pretending her disapproval only screams of pure agreement. Still she accepts his hand and sets this deal.
When his fingers move to below her chin, his beaming smile soon reflects in her.
Softly she clasps her hand over his and takes a step closer to him. "If I get a reason to meet you once again, I promise we can do whatever you so like," she is willing to let him have what he wants, and he appears happy enough.
"You dare?"
"Regardless, Sparrow, you know as much as I do, I've got no reason to ever return."
"But what if ye suddenly do, aye?"
She snickers. "I know I never will," she is so sure of herself. "I wouldn't be afraid of making such a promise."
Jack grins sneakily. "Promising to let me... ravish ye once ye return?"
"How much you ever like," she pledges and flirtatiously winks to him. It is not like she would have anything against it. Seeing how she still feels the effects of last night. Of the last days, weeks - God - years?
"Aye. This be the longest foreplay, love, that we've ever endured, eh."
She swallows her amused agreement. That may be.
"Did I win this, Jack Sparrow?" she teasingly smirks to him.
He matches her expression with an additional smile, also sure of himself. "Ye may believe so. But soon ye'll understand that I won this, aye. Specifically with your adding promise."
Her smile remains as she never thinks he truly has got something up his sleeve.
By hearing a sailor's shouting upon the ship that will bring Angelica away, Jack quickly leans down to meet her cheek. Instantly it brings her eyes to close. Immediately she moves her hands to the back of his head and enjoys the feeling of his lips against the skin of her cheek.
It is hard to let go and if he had not eventually pulled away, she would have stayed in this embrace forever.
"Miss?" a sailor shouts from aboard the ship and she reluctantly begins to move her legs towards it. With a painful frown she keeps throwing glances over her shoulder, witnessing Jack to at first stand as frozen on the same spot on the pier. As she boards the ship though, he too makes his way as last man aboard his beloved Pearl.
In a silent goodbye, a farewell? - he salutes her and she feels everything twist in her. Everything feels wrong, everything. But it is the right choice for her and she needs to stick by it. She had to do this. She had to say goodbye and she had to make sure she does not cross paths with him again. Even if that little promise of an accord they made is more than tempting. She will not have a reason to ever meet him again.
And maybe, believing in fate; that is precisely what this is all about. Fate having its own ways of directing her life.
She supposes - that she finally is free. And that she never will cross paths with him again. That she won this, exactly in the ways which suited her. And only her.
When The Pearl begins to grow smaller, she catches Jack fishing up a binocular to look in her direction. And she probably stares at the ship until it becomes a dot on the horizon. The same, going for Jack.
When he lowers it, he takes a deep sigh. Angelica is no more in sight.
The Black Pearl, his most precious ship, suddenly feels more empty than it did before he disembarked it due the cause of the bachelor game.
"Ye damn fool!" Gibbs stands somewhere behind him and cannot hold it any longer. "Ye HAD her in your arms, and ye still let her slip!"
Jack turns to his red-faced first mate. Considering options for a moment, he concludes eventually for a truthful confession.
"Had her make a promise for me, eh."
"A promise," Gibbs repeats in his mutter. "She be not 'round now anyhow, aye?"
"I'd never let her go if I didn't know she'll be back."
Both Gibbs and Scrum fold their arms, brows furrowed and quite match the skeptical posture.
"And why would Miss Teach ever return to ye, Capt'n? She has the all the gold in those chests now. That lady ain't comin' for ye."
"Oh, she will, aye," Jack is cockily certain. He grins almost scornfully. "Mark my words. And when she does, she won't leave."
Still disbelieving this, Gibbs shakes his head. "Why would she ever try to return to ye? She won this!"
"She didn't," Jack snickers. "I promised her the chests, she promised me to return if she has reasons to - and stay, but I..."
And he fumbles up a metallic item bringing Gibbs's and Scrum's jaw down, as he finishes.
"Never promised her the key."
The key unlocking the chests Angelica sails away with displays in Jack's hold. Showing it off to Gibbs and Scrum.
"How..?" Gibbs wonders and Jack only smirks.
He moves his gloating gaze to horizon, viewing the ship Angelica sails on. Now which seems to have stopped its pace.
"Because she always forgets the key, aye."
THE END