A/N: Ahh . . . Finally another chapter, I'm due for one, do you not think? I love this one, It preludes to a lot in the story, which I've only just come up with the plot recently. Do you think me wicked? Lol, sorry, I had to quote my new 2nd favorite Depp movie, "Sleepy Hollow" . There is a line in this chpter that is also a line that Constable Crane utters, if you know it, tell me in your reviews! Well I've babbled too long. Enjoy the chapter!
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"Savvy?" – speaking
*Savvy?* – thinking
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"Elizabeth, how do you feel about Will?" Roxanne asked, once settled in the bed.
Elizabeth stared at Roxanne for a moment, contemplating the question,
"Well, I love Will with all of my heart."
Elizabeth stared off at nothing in particular, smiling happily.
"Yes, I know that . . . but, when . . . how did you know you cared about him?" Roxanne laid back against the pillows, and sighed quietly.
"Well, I suppose I always knew, but when Will saved me from Barbossa . . . it's hard to deny your feelings when someone risks their own life, just to save yours," Elizabeth sat down at the bottom of the bed, seeing Roxanne's eyebrows furrow in deep thought, "Why do you ask?"
Roxanne turned her head to meet Elizabeth's questioning eyes, and she stuttered a bit around the words, "Oh, well . . .I-I'm just wondering if I . . . if I'll ever have what you and Will have."
*Please don't inquire anymore than that Elizabeth . . .*
Elizabeth stared at her for a moment, before standing up from the bed. She straightened the wrinkles out of her dress and stepped to the door. She reached her arm out for the doorknob, but stopped and turned back to Roxanne, "Sometimes they're a little rough around the edges . . . but when you find a good man, keep a firm grasp on him, and don't let go until you know he's yours."
Elizabeth smiled and opened the door, slipping out quietly, leaving Roxanne's mind racing.
*What did she mean by that? Is Elizabeth trying to insinuate something? If she means to think that I have . . .*
Roxanne's mind began to slow as the fog of sleep overcame her thoughts. She yawned softly and pulled the covers up to her chin, and let the pleasant feeling of the pillow touch her head, lulling her into a deep sleep.
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Elizabeth listened against the door, and hearing nothing, she smiled and turned, stepping down the stairs. Her boots touched the wood paneled floors, and she turned to the living room. Jack was lying back in the chair, his feet resting quite comfortably on her table, and his hat tipped over his head. Elizabeth scowled at his boots scuffing her table. She tiptoed over to the sofa, where Will was lying, his eyes closed, and a small smile lay delicately across his face. She kneeled down to him, and placed her lips on his. His eyes fluttered, and he smiled when he saw his beloved so close to him, "Mmmm . . . and what is the reason for such a lovely awakening?"
"No reason in particular, you just looked so handsome lying here, I could hardly help myself." She smiled and trailed one hand along his cheek.
Jack shifted in his seat and grunted sleepily, "Can ye take yer sickenin' love gushes elsewhere? All this excitement 'as got me needin' me rest, an I canne do tha' wit' ye jabberin' on."
Elizabeth looked over at Jack and shook her head, whispering, "What she sees . . ."
Will turned his head, "Hmm? Did you say something Elizabeth?"
She stood up and took Will's hand, a sly glint in her eyes, "I do believe Mr. Sparrow to be right, we should go else where and let him rest."
Will raised an eyebrow at her tone, and quickly rose from the sofa, taking her into his arms. He kissed her softly on the cheek, before leading her up the stairs. Jack grumbled, "Finally, I can be getting' some rest."
He stretched a bit, and then slumped down in the chair.
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Roxanne shot upright in the bed, gasping for air, "Gah!"
She shook her head, and then blinked several times, her mind trying to wrap around the dream she just woke from.
*God! What was I dreaming? All of that moaning, so many bright colors . . . and that smell! . . .*
"Not that it wasn't pleasant." Roxanne smiled to herself for a moment, before casting aside the covers, "I believe I'm fit enough for another day."
She rotated her arm a few times, and satisfied that the pain had subsided mostly, she stood. Roxanne turned to the vanity she neglected to notice the night before. She stepped over to it, seeing a small tray and basin.
*Elizabeth must have brought these up whilst I was sleeping. I must remember to thank her.*
She sat down at the vanity and picked up a small cloth and dipped it in the basin, and wringing it from all excess water. Roxanne stripped off her shirt and set it down on the bed. She then went about washing herself of the night sweat she had accumulated. She then picked up a small towel and dried herself, before buttoning up the shirt once more. Roxanne then noticed a small, delicate brush laid out on the tray. She picked it up and fingered the engravings, "~E.S.~. Must have been Elizabeth's at a time."
She pulled off her scarf, and let her waves fall down her back. Roxanne then went through the tiring task of brushing through her dreaded locks. Though they were so painful to her to wash, brush, and dry, nothing in the world would make her cut them down. She stroked her hair.
*Just like mother's, that's what father would always say . . .*
Roxanne's eyes bulged and she brought a hand to her mouth, gasping, "Oh! Father!"
She pulled her scarf back over her head, and hurriedly pulled her boots on. Roxanne stood brusquely, grabbed her waist sash, and tied it quickly around her waist. She stepped quickly to the door, almost not nearly having enough time to grab her coat and hat. She slipped them on half-way down the staircase, and had her hand on the doorknob, when she felt a hand on her shoulder, "And where ye be goin' luv?"
She turned abruptly to face a grinning Jack. He put his hands on his hips in mock anxiousness. She had to laugh at the way he stood, "I am going home. I scarcely remembered my father. He will be worried about his wits for me. I've never even told him where Will lives. He'll be livid."
"Well then luv, I'll be seein' ye then." Jack lent down and kissed her hand in much the same manner he did when they met.
His lips touching her soft flesh sent a soft chill up her arm. The feeling caused her to jerk her hand back from him. He straightened himself up and raised an eyebrow at her action. She stared into his eyes for a moment, before her nostrils flared at the familiar scent about him. Her eyes widened and, instinctively, she blushed furiously, for which she silently cursed herself.
*Dear god, what has become of me? I am not some fluttering butterfly of a governess . . .*
Roxanne turned her head and placed her hand on the doorknob, "I-I must go now. Good day Mr. Sparrow."
She pulled the door open and nearly took her first step, when Jack's hand came in contact with the doorframe, blocking her way. Her eyes screamed of nervousness as his face came slowly towards her own. He slid his head beside hers; she could feel the heat of his breath on her neck.
"Call me Jack . . . luv." He breathed with a torn restlessness, before pulling back with a quick wink.
Jack pulled his arm away. Roxanne swallowed her nervous gasp, and feeling a familiar heat rising from her neck, she dashed quickly out the door. She could swear that she still felt his eyes on her, but when she dared look back, the door was closed.
"Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!" Roxanne hissed, catching the attention on a group of people, who chose to stare at her, "What are you looking at? Bugger off!"
She cast aside her jacket on one side, and the hilt of her cutlass gleamed in the sunlight, dispersing the group quite hastily. Roxanne smiled at that, her thought's of the moments before, forgotten, now replaced by her anxious fear of having to deal with her father.
*Damn! Father is going to be so angry with me! He should be at the shop by now.*
Roxanne started running brusquely towards her father's shop. She came to the door, and started to open it. Something blocked it from opening more than a few inches.
"Father? Are you there? The door won't open any more!" Roxanne pushed on the door heavily, managing to give enough space for her to get through.
She slipped into the shop, and was horrified at the sight. Everything was in an array. Shelves torn over, as was the one that blocked the door. Everything was broken, and the cash register was open and empty.
"Father? Are you here? Please father! Answer me!" Roxanne screamed boldly, trying to walk through the mess.
She stepped towards the counter, and found a nightmarish, and nauseating surprise for her, "FATHER!"
She crumbled to her knees next to her father's body, a thin pool of blood pouring out around him, a small dagger stabbed into his chest. A note clung to the blade, and it took all of her strength to grab it, and to save herself from retching. She read over the words quickly, and nearly dropped it:
NEXT TIME, WE'LL BE AFTER MORE THAN JUST YOUR MONEY!
A small "P" was drawn at the bottom in her father's blood. Roxanne clutched at the paper and stood quickly, maneuvering to the door. She closed the door tightly, and tried to look as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
*The last thing I need is to attract attention . . . god, where am I to go now? I surely cannot go home . . .*
Her only other option dawned on her quickly, and she fought to fight back the tears as she ran back from where she had just came. As she made it up the steps, she banged against the door, the emotional pain overcame her, and she slumped to the ground, in a fit of tears.