Disclaimer: Don't own it, won't ever own, haven't got a notion to either!

Journey To The Past

By: J.L. Dexter
Rating: PG-13 for violence, language and sexual reference.
Summary: Jack's decided to take a break from raiding for a while, but the port he's docking in hold's more story than expected as Anamaria's past catches up with her and Jack. A letter from Port Royal arrives requesting Jack's presence and find out who is taking that long walk down the aisle.

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"Never mind Jack, I guess I was hoping for too much."

Jack blinked as he felt Anamaria extract herself from his arms and walk away. "What?"

Ana didn't answer as she pushed past him. The presence of Jack's fingers gripping her arm stopped her as she stared at the floor.

"What are ye talkin' about?" Jack questioned.

Untangling her arm from his grip, she lifted her head. "Nothin'- its nothin."

"Well it obviously is something," Jack exclaimed. "There for a while we were doin' good, there were no problems, now out o' the blue you're sayin' its over? Surely there's a good explanation for this."

Ana glowered at him. "O' course there is, but I shouldn't have to explain anythin' to ye, Jack. Ye should be able to see the problem."

"I'm afraid I have selective vision Ana cause I'm failin' to see the problem."

Sighing Ana crossed her arms and said, "You're ashamed of me, Jack. You're afraid of the crew seein' us together. Ye worry they'll whisper and stare and gossip, but since when have ye cared about what others think of you?"

Jack searched her face, hoping to see the signs of a joke and found nothing but sadness and sincerity. He reached for her, his hands trembling, afraid she'd avoid him out of fear and anger. However, Ana didn't resist as she clung to him with her fists clutching his shirt tightly.

"You're right, I do worry about the gossip 'cause ye can't be too sure of what people talk about these days, Ana, but I'm not ashamed of ye," Jack told her gently, one hand running through her hair with the other resting on the small of her back. "An' don't think for one minute that I am or will ever be."

Jack watched her reaction with amusement. "Dishonorable and guilty of a lot, but I'm not ashamed of any thing," he added reassuringly.

A small smile graced Ana's lips as she struggled to agree with the pirate captain. After some time, she nodded and dropped her head against his chest. "Jack-?"

"Aye?"

"I'm sorry," Ana whispered, a hint of teasing in her tone.

Jack dipped his head to look at her. "For what?"

Ana absently twisted a strand of his hair around her finger, her body propped up by his. "For joinin' your crew, for bein' bad luck, for havin' these feelin's for ye and-" she paused and glanced up a twinkle in her dark eyes. "For this."

Her hand left his hair and came to rest on his crown as she pulled his head down to meet hers with his hands traveling downward, stopping on her hips as he drew her closer. Jack's lips parted hers briefly as he breathed, "If that's all you're sorry for, then I'm sorry you're sorry."

"No more hidin'?" Ana asked scrupulously.

Jack stopped his venture to gaze into her eyes. "Aye Anamaria. No more hidin'," he answered softly, his lips returning to hers.

"Ye know they might maroon ya if they find out about us," Ana said teasingly through a kiss.

"As long as they maroon me with ye and a bottle o' rum, they can dress me up, paint me pink and call me Jackie."

Ana laughed at the response as she stared up at Jack who smiled back. "Ye know, your whole face lights up when ye smile like that. I think I like it," Jack murmured into her neck.

His fingers caressed her clothed skin as he moved his hand up her side and under the arm she had around his neck where it finally stopped overlaying her wrist. Jack gingerly took a step forward and to his surprise Ana moved with him, neither of them paying much attention until they came to a sudden stop.

Ana, backed into a wall, pulled back as Jack's hands moved steadily underneath her shirt. To her, the closeness of Jack and his hands was a bit discomforting but- this is what I want, isn't it? she asked herself, the feeling of need and want surging through her veins.

For so long all Ana could think about was being with Jack like this, but this wasn't the way. True to her word, it was what she wanted, but this- this just didn't feel right. She could feel his hands on her, his every touch full of lust. Ana silently cursed herself for what she was about to do, but if Jack truly cared, he would understand.

Ana didn't want his lust; she wanted his passion.

Jack trailed kisses down her neck as his fingers worked nimbly with her shirt, a growl of frustration rising deep in his throat. Damn buttons. His efforts were finally rewarded as he began to make progress. When he reached for the last button, something stopped him.

He lifted his chin to find himself gazing into Anamaria's eyes, her face drawn in regret. She instinctively reached out and dragged her hand across his cheek, his smooth skin waking her senses. His eyes narrowed in curiosity at her hesitation- at her dissolve.

Jack saw her swallow and couldn't fight the urge to kiss the skin that rippled under the movement of her Adam's apple. A short gasp caught in Ana's throat as she felt Jack's hand- currently still under her shirt- rest gently under her ribcage as his other fumbled with the remaining button of her shirt.

This has gone far enough, Ana thought. She could feel the burning desire well inside her stomach compelling her to embrace the moment, but the last thing she wanted to do was end up in trouble for her own inability to stop herself.

Kissing Jack gently, Ana placed a hand on his chest and pushed him away. His hands slid from their positions and dropped to her arms. With a questioning look, Jack took a step closing the distance between them. Ana held her hand up stopping him.

"Jack, don't," she pleaded softly.

Confusion passed over the pirate captain's face causing Anamaria to smirk. I don't get it, Jack told himself. One minute she's biting my head off for not being with her and the next she's stopping me because I am with her. I'll never understand women.

"Ana."

"Hush, Jack," she placed a finger on his lips silencing him. "Now just isn't the right time," Ana whispered while turning away, her back facing him as she re-buttoned her shirt.

She expected a protest; an argument of some kind, but one never came and instead of hearing a verbal complaint, she felt his hands grip her shoulders. Ana's fingers paused as Jack kissed the side of her neck, a scowl rising on her face.

He just can't take a hint, can he? Ana mused. She anticipated that he would start his advances again, and she agreed with her accusation as she felt his hands travel to her chest, his fingers swiftly skimming her blouse buttons.

Ana was about to turn and slap him when she realized something. Jack wasn't unbuttoning her shirt- he was re-buttoning it. She frowned as his hands gradually dropped to her sides.

Jack tenderly kissed the top of her head and without another word, turned and left the cabin.

Ana spun around sensing she was alone and cocked her head to one side as she muttered, "Now I wonder what that was all about!"

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A/N: Yes, another short chapter I know. But hey, just as I promised, things got better and they certainly heated up. And they won't cool down anytime soon, I promise! (This chapter, a short dedication to Jackfan2, who is insistent about Jack and Ana kissing/moments/romance! So, here ya go, hope this suffices.)

Review Thanks:

Jackfan2- Yes, yes! A review from you- but then again, you always review my stuff and frankly, I think you're crazy for doing so, but THANKS anyway! Luv ya!