A dark cloud settled over the Black Pearl, making the crew edgy and the Captain even edgier. Not a real dark cloud, (that would be spooky), but rather Ana Maria masquerading as a dark cloud, and that was far worse.
The fact that Jack lived seemed to be a matter of much consternation to his first mate. Not that he blamed her exactly… it was a heartless, down right mean, and well, bad thing to do. Those were Elizabeth's words. Well, not exactly, the girl possessed a talent to swear as colourfully and creatively as any of his crew. The fact that he had trouble thinking of her doing so troubled him.
Nonetheless, she was right, and he deserved every dirty look Ana Maria tossed in his direction. He estimated they'd reach Port Royal by nightfall, and from the position of the sun that left him only five hours to convince Ana Maria not to leave. He stared at her from his perch on the gunwale.
"Why don't you just tell her you're sorry?"
Jack narrowed his eyes at Elizabeth, a look he intended to be threatening, but she laughed at the hollow threat. "You think that'll work?"
"Not in a million years." She replied just as airily. "But I think you've got a chance if you're sincere. Even if she doesn't accept your apology, she still deserves it."
He drained the rum in his hand, and bent to pick up another. He'd been like this since leaving the bay, rum drained one after another, and Elizabeth knew it had partly to be due to numbing some of the pain in his side. She didn't see how anyone missed seeing that Jack was obviously still in pain, or maybe they did see it and that explained why no one approached him.
They only dared to approach Ana Maria, and only reluctantly.
"Jack, you have to do something." Elizabeth insisted. She was quickly losing patience with him, and just because she and Will stayed by his side after everything he did, didn't mean they forgave him yet.
"Right." He agreed. He stood up, swayed with the rocking of the ship, and headed directly towards his prey. "Ana."
Ana ignored him.
Not one to admit defeat so easily, Jack stepped closer. "Ana. We have to talk."
This time, she walked past him and directly into his cabin. He followed her and closed the door.
"There's nothing you can say that I want to hear." She stood beside his desk with her arms folded across her chest.
He walked around the small space to place himself as close to her as possible. If there was nothing he could say, then possibly he could do something. He reached out and ran the tips of his fingers along her hair.
She closed her eyes. "No."
He trailed his hand down her neck, and wrapped it around the bare skin at the top of her back. She didn't pull away. They stood face to face. He said nothing, and she didn't open her eyes. Slowly, and carefully, he leaned even closer and touched his lips to a spot by her ear. He could feel her heart beat quicken as she moulded herself against his body.
With her eyes still closed, she wrapped a hand around his shoulder. She felt him flinch slightly as she moved against him, guiding him up onto the table. He didn't resist, and if he felt any further discomfort from his injury, she didn't notice. The moments passed like a dream. The feeling of Jack's fingers exploring her skin drove out all other thoughts. She wanted him, she intended to have him, and she would.
Time rolled. For the both of them, the moment became everything, and it no longer mattered that another life existed outside the cabin. It no longer mattered that Port Royal was only hours away, it didn't matter what happened the day before, or a week before, or a year before. Now they were together, and the now became everything.
At some point after the act, they moved from the table and onto his bunk where Ana Maria curled into his side. Neither of them spoke, both afraid to break whatever spell they weaved. Nevertheless, the life continuing outside the door refused to be ignored, and Port Royal drew closer with each breath. Ana disentangled herself from Jacks arms pulled her clothes back on. She wouldn't look at him; she didn't want to be reminded of all the reasons she should stay.
The reasons to leave were what she needed to focus on now.
"We have some boat shopping to do." Jack pushed himself up into a sitting position and watched her get ready to leave.
"No we don't."
"I promised you a boat, I will get you a boat." He insisted and hopped to his feet. On came the britches, but he didn't bother with the shirt. He picked up the rum instead and took a long drink before waving it through the air to emphasize his next sentence. "I'm thinking something, sleek. Something," He waved his other wrist in circles with the effort to find the correct wording. "Something spicy."
"There is nothing you can give me that I will accept."
He stopped and aside from taking another drink, he didn't move.
"You don't get it do you?" She asked. "The words I confessed to you when I thought your were dying, I meant them. But you don't care who you step on to get your way, do you Jack? I don't even think you do it intentionally. You're a pirate Jack, through and through. You've spent too long pirating and you don't know any other way, but it's not my way."
He didn't stop her when she walked out. He didn't stop her from collecting her possessions or counting out her portion of treasure in the hold. He drank. He sat at the table in his cabin staring blindly at a nautical map listing trade routes and other interesting bits of information, and drank as much rum as he could find.
Once they were within rowing distance of Port Royal (but still hidden enough to avoid any unnecessary confrontations with the Navy), Jack came out of his cabin to say goodbye. There was surprisingly little else to say. In the past few days he managed to piss off and alienate just about everyone he claimed as a friend, and he knew it would be a long time coming to rebuild the trust he threw away. If ever.
Jack stood on the deck of the Pearl as they boarded the long boat that would take them to shore. He stayed and watched as the little boat moved further and further away until it rounded the coast and disappeared from view. This was it. He played the game one too many times, and this time he lost.
Authors note: This was another short chapter because Nine and Ten were supposed to be just one chapter, but the powers that be wouldn't let me work it that way. Thanks to everyone who stuck with me and read till the end.
What did you think? What chapter did you like the best or the least? What was out of character, what would you improve? Enquiring minds want to know!
Thanks to the reviewers: Vorbis, Karen1, FallenAngel26, Tuesday, Hollowambitions, Kingleby, Cal (I've loved your long reviews, they really make my day), Midnights Shadow, Blood Raven1, and TrappedandAnnoyed. Thanks to everyone who reviews and lets me know how my writing is doing and everything along those lines. And to Jackfan2, my beta-reader.