Rather short, but hope you enjoy ;) :

Chapter 8

"Excuse me," Gin said, attempting to step past him. Again, she was thwarted as he moved in front of her.

"Now, now, there's no hurry." He grinned and she could smell the alcohol on his breath. She cringed and took an instinctive step back, glancing around to see if Jack was anywhere nearby. The crowd had milled into the space between them when she stepped into the middle of the tavern. She could no longer see him.

"Let me pass." She meant it as a command but it came out as more of a plea. He chuckled at this futile statement, reaching for her arm. When she struggled, it seemed to only make him laugh harder.

"Let me go!" she yelled at him, desperately trying to tug herself out of his grasp. He pulled her closer in response and leaned toward her face to press his lips roughly against hers.

Suddenly he stumbled against her, eyes widening. His weight was too great for her smaller frame to support and she backed up, letting his knees buckle, and on them, he wobbled for a moment. Gin stepped back even further when she saw the trickle of blood dribble out of his mouth, and she placed a hand over her mouth in an attempt to keep down the bile rising in her throat.

He collapsed completely then, falling, face first, onto the dusty floor. It was only then that Gin saw the dagger protruding from his lower back from a well-aimed, fatal stab.

She lifted her gaze to find Jack standing where the galoot had been, staring down at the body in disgust. When he finally looked up at her, she expected anger for not staying within his realm of vision. Instead, all she saw was genuine concern.

"You alright?" he asked her gently. She nodded mutely and was infinitely shocked to feel his arms wrap around her in a strong, protective embrace. Without really thinking she slipped her arms around his waist and welcomed the hug, resting her head on his chest and feeling safe for the first time since her trip from England.

After a few minutes of simply standing there like that, Jack finally pulled back a little, just enough to be able to see her face. He absently pushed a stray strand of dark hair behind her ear and she watched his face slowly drift closer until his lips brushed lightly against hers.

"Jack!"

Gin jerked away, frightened at the sound of Will Turner's voice, but Jack didn't move, simply grinning at her. "We seem to keep getting interrupted, don't we, love?" Giving him a small smile, she nodded silently again.

"Jack," Will called again, approaching them. "Listen we could use your-" He stopped dead when he caught site of Gin and pulled Elizabeth to a halt as well, "help."

"Gin!" Elizabeth exclaimed, stepping forward to embrace her in relief. "We thought you were still back in Port Royal, all alone, maybe even dead, and why are you with Jack?" she babbled, her eyes finally falling on the familiar pirate at her friend's side.

"Doin' you a favor, as it were," Jack answered for her. "saved you a lot o' worry for the trip back, didn't we?"

"Wait, wait," Will waved his hands for silence. "why did you bring her here?" he asked. His expression hardened as he stared at his old friend. "You didn't take her hostage, did you?"

"O' course not," Jack assured him defensively. "I brought her here 'cause I knew you'd come 'ere and she said she knew ye." He glanced at Elizabeth who still had one arm around Gin's shoulders. "And obviously the lass was tellin' the truth."

"Well…thank you," Elizabeth said, still a little surprised that a pirate, even Jack, would help out a girl such as Virginia Harold.

"Cap'n!" Gibbs voice shouted from the doorway as he made his way over to them. They all turned to him. "Will, Elizabeth, heard we might be seein' ye 'ere," He nodded to them each in turn. "Jack, the crew's ready to shove off," he informed him.

"Right." Jack nodded absently. He glanced over at Gin to find her already staring at him. "So…we should probably go then. People to see. Ports to pillage." He looked to Elizabeth. "I s'pose you'll be sendin' her home then?" Elizabeth nodded her confirmation. Jack nodded as well.

"Actually," Will began, glancing curiously back and forth between Jack and Gin. "We sort of…commandeered a ship on our way here," He grinned at Jack. "We could probably use the extra protection of the most infamous ship in the Caribbean on our way home. Interested?"

"Commandeered a ship, eh?" Jack laughed, throwing an arm around Will's shoulders. "I knew there was hope for you, boy."

"Wait, he's coming with us?" Elizabeth insisted.

"Sure, why not?" Jack's grin mirrored Will's. "Not much better to do." He winked at Gin. "You'll be ridin' on the Pearl then?" he asked her. She nodded at him and Elizabeth began to lead her back toward the doors. Jack started to follow, but was stopped by Will seizing his arm.

"Jack," he said, watching the girls exit. "Is there something going on between you and Gin?"

"Goin' on?" Jack echoed with false skepticism. "Hell, I just don't wanna lose my best dishwasher!"

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Oooo, SO close!!! Heehee, sorry guys, you know I love to torture you all! lol