Jack sat in the velvet covered armchair, a pipe on his lips and his feet propped on top of the chestnut table, staring at the sleeping figure laying across his bed. Now that the light of the sun was streaming in threw the shutters, he had a proper view of the young aristocratic girl that he had saved the other night.
She wasn't ugly. Of course she wasn't drop dead gorgeous either. She had long, wavy blonde hair, which was splayed across his pillow as her chest rose in time with her breathing. Her dress was far too large for him to tell anything of her chest or her body, but her face was fair, and she was probably 5'5 or 5'6. Now that Jack was looking at her, she had a unique beauty to her. He shook his head. Just goes to show what months on a ship with no woman but Anna Maria could do to a man.
He breathed out a long puff of smoke, before putting down the pipe and getting up swiftly, crossing to the bed in only three strides. He looked at her frowning. How could she be such a slugabed? He leaned down and placed a hand on her shoulder, shaking her.
'Pet. It's time to wakey wakey.' He said shaking her a bit more firmly. She frowned in her sleep, and he shook her even harder. 'Wakey wakey.' He said a bit louder. Her eyes shot open and suddenly her right hand shot up and smacked his nose hard. 'Argh!' he yelled, stepping away from her, his hands going to his nose, his eyes crossing.
'Oh my god! I am so sorry I - oh its you. Well that's alright then.' She stretched out, apparently amused by Jack's appearance. His gaze fell back on her as she stood up, looking out the window. 'Where are we?' she asked in a soft voice as she crawled over his bed to look out at the vast ocean. 'Where is Port William?'
'At least 3 leagues behind us, love.' He began massaging his nose again. She turned at his words, frowning. He shrugged. 'You're with us now for the long haul.' She bit her lip and looked back out the window. But what about her family? What about Sydney and her maid Renee? Were they safe? Were they dead?
'You mean a month.' She said quietly. 'Before I take a walk?' she turned to look at him. He was looking at her sympathetically and she felt her stomach give a jolt. Perhaps she hadn't cheated death after all.
'I'll do all I can love, ya have my word as a pirate.' He said raising his hand solemnly. She rolled her eyes as she crawled back off the bed.
'And a lot of bloody help that'll be.' She said as she walked past him toward the doors, which led outside. But just as she was reaching for the rustic handles, a coarse dirty hand closed around her wrist and turned her around. She frowned at him. 'What?' He pointed to the table, where a new set of clothing was lying.
'Anna Maria lent them.' He said shortly, before pushing her toward the table and walked out the door. Anya watched him as he left and then looked back down at the clothing on the table and the pair of boots sitting on the chair beside it. She shrugged. Might as well look the part as well.
She changed quickly, and put on the shirt, which hung tightly from the edge of her shoulders. Then over that she placed a no sleeve suede brown dress that fell to a few inches above the knee. It wasn't tight, and it wasn't baggy. It fit her perfectly, giving her comfort. She pulled on the huge boots that came up almost to her knees and then sighed.
She was one step closer to becoming a pirate.
She walked out of Jack's room, the salty breeze cooling her as she placed a hand on the railing of the stairs. Then her eyes fell upon the staring crew, and she felt herself shrink back. When Jack had said the crew would have their way with her, he had been lying. Hadn't he?
Ten pairs of eyes were fixed on her and she felt as though each threw a dagger with it. Especially from the tanned girl standing at the helm. Just as she was about to run back into Jack's quarters, she felt a hand lay on her shoulder and Jack appeared at her side, smiling reassuringly at her, gold teeth glittering in the sun.
'Now then. That's better, eh love?' he said looking her up and down. She felt her cheeks flush but punched him in the arm and side stepped him.
'The name, is Anya. You'd do well to remember it.' She said smirking at him. Actually, in the light of day, though all the filth was a bit repulsive, his appearance as a rogue was not altogether unattractive. He was lean yet muscular and his dark, black eyes held nothing cold, but warmth. He smiled smugly.
'Well I trust you'll remember my name then.' He said taking off his hat, revealing beads in his black dreaded hair, wrapped in a red cloth. She nodded, an eyebrow raised. 'Good.' He said placing his hat jauntily back on his head. 'You'll be screaming it later, I guarantee.' He said coolly before walking away. Anya could only gawk. Who did he think he was? Alright, he was not unfortunate looking, but he was a pirate! And a stupid one at that, Anya concluded as she followed him, resisting the urge to simply give him a sharp slap across the face.
'Ah! Gibbs! May I introduce the lady that was brought on board last evening.' Jack said bowing as Anya passed. She glared at him and came face to face with a round-faced man with graying hair and bushy sideburns, a smile spread across his large face. He leaned toward Jack and tried to whisper to him.
'Tis bad luck to bring a woman aboard. Two women and we're done for.' Jack shook his head at him and Gibbs leaned back, still smiling fakely. Anya smiled back.
'Gibbs, my lady.' He said, taking her hand and planting a small kiss on it, which made Anya want to laugh. This man seemed as daft as Jack and yet he held a sunnier manner. She nodded to him.
'I am Maura Anastasia Penelope Martin. But I am usually just called Anya.' She said placing her hands on her hips. She saw out of the corner of her eye, Jack jerk his head at her and roll his eyes. She clenched her jaw at his action, and Gibbs smile widened.
'Don worry lass, we'll get on like a house on fire, you an me, I can tell.' He said, and Anya felt relieved that now she wouldn't have to spend ALL her time with Jack. 'An you were spirited away by Cap'n Jack here?' he said looking between the two. They both looked at him as if he were mad and then at each other as if repulsed. Then Anya shot Jack a hateful look, her bright green eyes flashing dangerously.
'Kidnapped is more like it.' She said crossing her arms over her chest. Jack snorted.
'No one asked you to come along pet. It woulda suited me dandy if you'd thrown yerself in after the rum.' He said before turning and swaggering toward the helm where Anna Maria was still glaring at Anya. Anya let out an exasperated sound and clenched her hands into fists.
'How can anyone stand that man!?' she said as Gibbs laughed. He then patted her shoulder.
'You'll have tah learn sooner or later poppit.' He said passing her and grabbing a pair of ropes, tightening then around the rail. Anya folded her arms again, and lent against the rail, letting out a heavy sigh.
'What's the point? In a few weeks time, I'll be fish food.' She said looking out at the deep blue sky. Gibbs frowned but continued to work diligently.
'What yah mean lass?' he asked in a gruff voice. She shook her head.
'Captain Gordon. He wants me gone at the end of the month. And Jack agreed.' She said looking at Gibbs with a forced smile, her eyes welling up and shining in the morning light. 'Guess we won't be friends after all.' Gibbs frowned and patter her shoulder with a huge paw of a hand.
'Jack ain't a killer missy. He's a good man. E'll protect yah.' Anya gave a small laugh and looked up at the helm, where Jack had just tripped over a stool. She shook her head.
'How in the world did a man like Jack become a Captain?' she said as Anna Maria tried to hoist him up onto his feet. 'And how did you end up in his services?' Gibbs cracked a huge grin.
'Jus lucky I guess.' He said gruffly, pulling hard on the rough rope. Anya shook her head.
'There's something off about that man.' She said sinking down to lean against the brim, sitting in the curl of some slack ropes. Jack let out a long loud laugh and Anya's eyebrows rose. 'He's daft as a dodo, isn't he?' she said looking up at Gibbs, who chuckled under his breath.
'That he be missy.' He admitted. 'And a fine dodo Captain he be.' Anya sighed and rested her chin on her knees. Wonderful. She was on a ship full of pirates, captained by the lunacy of a half cracked bloke who definitely had a drinking problem and a thing for women, and she was going to die in a month. She sighed. As far as she was concerned, a month seemed like an eternity.
'Well.' Anya broke out of her trance and looked up to see a man standing over her, a colorful bird sitting on his left shoulder. She stood up quickly, holding out her hand to shake. When he didn't take it, she felt very foolish. 'Shiver me timbers. Shiver me timbers.' The parrot croaked. Anya just stared, until Gibbs leaned over her shoulder.
'He wants you to wash the deck.' He said in a hushed voice. Anya turned slightly, but didn't break eye contact with the old sailor.
'What?' she asked, but before Gibbs said anything else, a mop was thrust into her hands and a bucket full of water was dropped at her feet, splashing onto the deck. She stared at it a few moments before dunking the mop in the pale and swept it across the wooden deck.
'This is no free ride love.' Anya turned to see Jack, smiling arrogantly at her. 'Ya be earnin yer keep.' He said crossing his arms, looking at her, obviously bemused. She simply glared back, sweeping the mop over the grotty floor.
'And what would you know about earning your keep?' she spat at him, so angry she felt her grip tighten on the mop handle, leaving splinters in her hands she knew she'd have to extract later. 'You're a pirate. You don't earn anything.' That seemed to deflate Jack a bit but he maintained a smile, though it had faded slightly.
'Be sure an do a good job, right missy?' he said unfolding his arms and placing them in his pockets, extracting a shiny silver coin. 'Maybe if its clean, I'll give you this shiny six pence.' He flipped it up into the air, caught it and walked away chuckling to himself. Anya glowered at him as the mop swished a top the dirty wood.
**************************************************************************** ****
After the entire deck, from bow to stern, had been cleaned, Anya was exhausted. The sun's rays had beat down upon her relentlessly, and she just wanted to sleep. When Gibbs declared her free to stop, she wanted to fall down flat and sleep. Then she remembered she was on the deck of the Pearl and thought it not disease free enough for that just yet.
Most of the crew disappeared down in the kitchen, but Anya remained on deck. She wasn't hungry, and the sun hung low in the sky, making the clouds a pale pink, and the water glittered with the dying light. She sighed.
'Beautiful, ain't it?' Jack said, stepping up next to her and looking out at the ocean. Anya smiled and nodded and looked out at the water again, a pained expression on her face. Jack cast a sidelong glance at her, saw this and quickly looked away. 'Miss your mother, pet?' Anya looked up at him, at the mention of family. He looked at her, and she felt her confidence falter. She bowed her head. 'Sa ll right if ya do.' He said placing his hands on the rail and leaning over.
'What about your mother?' Anya blurted out. She saw Jack smile, still staring out at the sea.
'Haven't had one a those for a long time love.' He said not looking back at her. 'Sorry.' She said softly, feeling her chest become tight from thinking of her family. She gripped the banister hard, the painful feelings of homesickness catching up to her in a huge rush. She sniffled, and Jack's eyes snapped back to her. She looked away, ashamed of her feelings. She let out a small laugh and looked out at the sky, her eyes glassy.
'I don't know why I should miss them.' She confessed. 'After we left England, they didn't really give a damn about me or my brother anyway.' She shook her head sadly. 'So I suppose I haven't had a mother for a long time either.' She looked back at him, sure that he could tell she was on the verge of tears. Jack nodded and let out a long breath, ready to change the subject.
'England. I've seen drawings. It sounds like a damn fine place. My parents came down ere from England too, when I was just a lad. Can't remember a damn thing about it.' He said looking at her, hoping that she would stop from crying. Something about it did him in. She looked so vulnerable and helpless and it was killing him to see her like that. It also scared him. Pirates don't have feelings like those for mangy little girls who followed them home. She nodded.
'It is beautiful. I miss it, almost too much. The food there is so much better, the cities are more complex and cultured, and the markets are spectacular.' She said smiling, wiping her eyes. Jack chuckled and nodded.
'And plenty of fine women to keep a sailor warm at night.' He said nodding. Anya turned to face him with her eyebrows raised.
'Captain! I thought women weren't worth it.' She said crossing her arms over her chest. Jack grinned and leaned back, standing tall and waving his hand carelessly around.
'Women who become attached aren't worth it.' He said with a comical shrug. Anya shook her head.
'Give you a bottle of rum and a house of ill repute and that's all the romance you need, isn't it?' she said with an air of a laugh. Jack shrugged again.
'I'm a simple sailor.' He admitted before placing his hands in his pockets. Anya nodded, then saw that the sun had almost set. Jack followed her gaze and realized what she must have been thinking. Anya looked back, to see a huge smile on his sun kissed face. 'So.' He said looking back at her. 'Ye be sleepin in my quarters again tonight?' She raised her eyebrows again and then smiled.
'Of course.' She said as if that were a stupid question. His smile grew slightly and his fingers danced in the air, ready to slip around her shoulder.
'In me bed?'
'Where else?' she said placing her hands on her large full hips. He threw his hands up.
'Where else indeed.' He said still smiling, moving forward a bit. She nodded.
'And where will you be sleeping?' she asked innocently, looking back at the disappearing sun. Jack's smile disappeared completely.
'What?'
'Well, we can't BOTH sleep in your bed!'
'But - '
'Because you're a gentleman and you'd never think of inconveniencing me!'
'But - '
'So will you be sleeping with the crew? Or perhaps the floor? I scrubbed it extra clean in your quarters just for you.' She smiled impishly, as she placed a hand on his chest. With that she turned and walked toward his quarters, swaying her hips just to rub salt in his wound.
'Bloody women.' He cursed under his breath, as he followed her, just as the sun had sunk down into the sea.
**************************************************************************** ***
After eating quickly in Jack's quarters, Anya changed into one of Jack's shirts, which was much too big for her, slipping off one of her shoulders and ending close to her knees. He grumbled as he fished a moth eaten blanket out of the chest in the corner of the room and sat back in his comfortable chair, laying it over himself. Anya crawled onto his large bed and pulled the white blankets over her, instantly feeling the warmth of the bed. She smiled at him smugly, but somehow, this was not as fulfilling as it should have been. Ever since they're little talk, Jack didn't seem SO bad. He was annoying and conceited. But he did save her life after all.
'Night pet.' He said as he blew out the two remaining candles and settled back into the chair, too tired to care that he wasn't particularly comfortable. Anya lay back on the pillows, but stared up at the ceiling in silence for a few minutes.
'Captain?' she asked softly. She heard him heave a heavy sigh.
'What?' he asked in an almost irritated tone.
'Why do you call me that? Why don't you call me Anya?'
'I don't know. Why don't you call me Jack?'
'Because. Calling someone by their first name insinuates endearment.' She said softly. That was what she had always told herself. And she never planned to endear herself to anyone. And Jack Sparrow was no exception.
'That sounds good. There's yer answer.' He replied gruffly and she saw him shift in the darkness. 'Night pet.' He repeated, a sigh mingled in his voice. Anya lay silent in his bed, looking out the window at the full moon now facing her.
'Goodnight Captain.' She whispered to herself, before rolling over, and falling into a deep sleep.
She wasn't ugly. Of course she wasn't drop dead gorgeous either. She had long, wavy blonde hair, which was splayed across his pillow as her chest rose in time with her breathing. Her dress was far too large for him to tell anything of her chest or her body, but her face was fair, and she was probably 5'5 or 5'6. Now that Jack was looking at her, she had a unique beauty to her. He shook his head. Just goes to show what months on a ship with no woman but Anna Maria could do to a man.
He breathed out a long puff of smoke, before putting down the pipe and getting up swiftly, crossing to the bed in only three strides. He looked at her frowning. How could she be such a slugabed? He leaned down and placed a hand on her shoulder, shaking her.
'Pet. It's time to wakey wakey.' He said shaking her a bit more firmly. She frowned in her sleep, and he shook her even harder. 'Wakey wakey.' He said a bit louder. Her eyes shot open and suddenly her right hand shot up and smacked his nose hard. 'Argh!' he yelled, stepping away from her, his hands going to his nose, his eyes crossing.
'Oh my god! I am so sorry I - oh its you. Well that's alright then.' She stretched out, apparently amused by Jack's appearance. His gaze fell back on her as she stood up, looking out the window. 'Where are we?' she asked in a soft voice as she crawled over his bed to look out at the vast ocean. 'Where is Port William?'
'At least 3 leagues behind us, love.' He began massaging his nose again. She turned at his words, frowning. He shrugged. 'You're with us now for the long haul.' She bit her lip and looked back out the window. But what about her family? What about Sydney and her maid Renee? Were they safe? Were they dead?
'You mean a month.' She said quietly. 'Before I take a walk?' she turned to look at him. He was looking at her sympathetically and she felt her stomach give a jolt. Perhaps she hadn't cheated death after all.
'I'll do all I can love, ya have my word as a pirate.' He said raising his hand solemnly. She rolled her eyes as she crawled back off the bed.
'And a lot of bloody help that'll be.' She said as she walked past him toward the doors, which led outside. But just as she was reaching for the rustic handles, a coarse dirty hand closed around her wrist and turned her around. She frowned at him. 'What?' He pointed to the table, where a new set of clothing was lying.
'Anna Maria lent them.' He said shortly, before pushing her toward the table and walked out the door. Anya watched him as he left and then looked back down at the clothing on the table and the pair of boots sitting on the chair beside it. She shrugged. Might as well look the part as well.
She changed quickly, and put on the shirt, which hung tightly from the edge of her shoulders. Then over that she placed a no sleeve suede brown dress that fell to a few inches above the knee. It wasn't tight, and it wasn't baggy. It fit her perfectly, giving her comfort. She pulled on the huge boots that came up almost to her knees and then sighed.
She was one step closer to becoming a pirate.
She walked out of Jack's room, the salty breeze cooling her as she placed a hand on the railing of the stairs. Then her eyes fell upon the staring crew, and she felt herself shrink back. When Jack had said the crew would have their way with her, he had been lying. Hadn't he?
Ten pairs of eyes were fixed on her and she felt as though each threw a dagger with it. Especially from the tanned girl standing at the helm. Just as she was about to run back into Jack's quarters, she felt a hand lay on her shoulder and Jack appeared at her side, smiling reassuringly at her, gold teeth glittering in the sun.
'Now then. That's better, eh love?' he said looking her up and down. She felt her cheeks flush but punched him in the arm and side stepped him.
'The name, is Anya. You'd do well to remember it.' She said smirking at him. Actually, in the light of day, though all the filth was a bit repulsive, his appearance as a rogue was not altogether unattractive. He was lean yet muscular and his dark, black eyes held nothing cold, but warmth. He smiled smugly.
'Well I trust you'll remember my name then.' He said taking off his hat, revealing beads in his black dreaded hair, wrapped in a red cloth. She nodded, an eyebrow raised. 'Good.' He said placing his hat jauntily back on his head. 'You'll be screaming it later, I guarantee.' He said coolly before walking away. Anya could only gawk. Who did he think he was? Alright, he was not unfortunate looking, but he was a pirate! And a stupid one at that, Anya concluded as she followed him, resisting the urge to simply give him a sharp slap across the face.
'Ah! Gibbs! May I introduce the lady that was brought on board last evening.' Jack said bowing as Anya passed. She glared at him and came face to face with a round-faced man with graying hair and bushy sideburns, a smile spread across his large face. He leaned toward Jack and tried to whisper to him.
'Tis bad luck to bring a woman aboard. Two women and we're done for.' Jack shook his head at him and Gibbs leaned back, still smiling fakely. Anya smiled back.
'Gibbs, my lady.' He said, taking her hand and planting a small kiss on it, which made Anya want to laugh. This man seemed as daft as Jack and yet he held a sunnier manner. She nodded to him.
'I am Maura Anastasia Penelope Martin. But I am usually just called Anya.' She said placing her hands on her hips. She saw out of the corner of her eye, Jack jerk his head at her and roll his eyes. She clenched her jaw at his action, and Gibbs smile widened.
'Don worry lass, we'll get on like a house on fire, you an me, I can tell.' He said, and Anya felt relieved that now she wouldn't have to spend ALL her time with Jack. 'An you were spirited away by Cap'n Jack here?' he said looking between the two. They both looked at him as if he were mad and then at each other as if repulsed. Then Anya shot Jack a hateful look, her bright green eyes flashing dangerously.
'Kidnapped is more like it.' She said crossing her arms over her chest. Jack snorted.
'No one asked you to come along pet. It woulda suited me dandy if you'd thrown yerself in after the rum.' He said before turning and swaggering toward the helm where Anna Maria was still glaring at Anya. Anya let out an exasperated sound and clenched her hands into fists.
'How can anyone stand that man!?' she said as Gibbs laughed. He then patted her shoulder.
'You'll have tah learn sooner or later poppit.' He said passing her and grabbing a pair of ropes, tightening then around the rail. Anya folded her arms again, and lent against the rail, letting out a heavy sigh.
'What's the point? In a few weeks time, I'll be fish food.' She said looking out at the deep blue sky. Gibbs frowned but continued to work diligently.
'What yah mean lass?' he asked in a gruff voice. She shook her head.
'Captain Gordon. He wants me gone at the end of the month. And Jack agreed.' She said looking at Gibbs with a forced smile, her eyes welling up and shining in the morning light. 'Guess we won't be friends after all.' Gibbs frowned and patter her shoulder with a huge paw of a hand.
'Jack ain't a killer missy. He's a good man. E'll protect yah.' Anya gave a small laugh and looked up at the helm, where Jack had just tripped over a stool. She shook her head.
'How in the world did a man like Jack become a Captain?' she said as Anna Maria tried to hoist him up onto his feet. 'And how did you end up in his services?' Gibbs cracked a huge grin.
'Jus lucky I guess.' He said gruffly, pulling hard on the rough rope. Anya shook her head.
'There's something off about that man.' She said sinking down to lean against the brim, sitting in the curl of some slack ropes. Jack let out a long loud laugh and Anya's eyebrows rose. 'He's daft as a dodo, isn't he?' she said looking up at Gibbs, who chuckled under his breath.
'That he be missy.' He admitted. 'And a fine dodo Captain he be.' Anya sighed and rested her chin on her knees. Wonderful. She was on a ship full of pirates, captained by the lunacy of a half cracked bloke who definitely had a drinking problem and a thing for women, and she was going to die in a month. She sighed. As far as she was concerned, a month seemed like an eternity.
'Well.' Anya broke out of her trance and looked up to see a man standing over her, a colorful bird sitting on his left shoulder. She stood up quickly, holding out her hand to shake. When he didn't take it, she felt very foolish. 'Shiver me timbers. Shiver me timbers.' The parrot croaked. Anya just stared, until Gibbs leaned over her shoulder.
'He wants you to wash the deck.' He said in a hushed voice. Anya turned slightly, but didn't break eye contact with the old sailor.
'What?' she asked, but before Gibbs said anything else, a mop was thrust into her hands and a bucket full of water was dropped at her feet, splashing onto the deck. She stared at it a few moments before dunking the mop in the pale and swept it across the wooden deck.
'This is no free ride love.' Anya turned to see Jack, smiling arrogantly at her. 'Ya be earnin yer keep.' He said crossing his arms, looking at her, obviously bemused. She simply glared back, sweeping the mop over the grotty floor.
'And what would you know about earning your keep?' she spat at him, so angry she felt her grip tighten on the mop handle, leaving splinters in her hands she knew she'd have to extract later. 'You're a pirate. You don't earn anything.' That seemed to deflate Jack a bit but he maintained a smile, though it had faded slightly.
'Be sure an do a good job, right missy?' he said unfolding his arms and placing them in his pockets, extracting a shiny silver coin. 'Maybe if its clean, I'll give you this shiny six pence.' He flipped it up into the air, caught it and walked away chuckling to himself. Anya glowered at him as the mop swished a top the dirty wood.
**************************************************************************** ****
After the entire deck, from bow to stern, had been cleaned, Anya was exhausted. The sun's rays had beat down upon her relentlessly, and she just wanted to sleep. When Gibbs declared her free to stop, she wanted to fall down flat and sleep. Then she remembered she was on the deck of the Pearl and thought it not disease free enough for that just yet.
Most of the crew disappeared down in the kitchen, but Anya remained on deck. She wasn't hungry, and the sun hung low in the sky, making the clouds a pale pink, and the water glittered with the dying light. She sighed.
'Beautiful, ain't it?' Jack said, stepping up next to her and looking out at the ocean. Anya smiled and nodded and looked out at the water again, a pained expression on her face. Jack cast a sidelong glance at her, saw this and quickly looked away. 'Miss your mother, pet?' Anya looked up at him, at the mention of family. He looked at her, and she felt her confidence falter. She bowed her head. 'Sa ll right if ya do.' He said placing his hands on the rail and leaning over.
'What about your mother?' Anya blurted out. She saw Jack smile, still staring out at the sea.
'Haven't had one a those for a long time love.' He said not looking back at her. 'Sorry.' She said softly, feeling her chest become tight from thinking of her family. She gripped the banister hard, the painful feelings of homesickness catching up to her in a huge rush. She sniffled, and Jack's eyes snapped back to her. She looked away, ashamed of her feelings. She let out a small laugh and looked out at the sky, her eyes glassy.
'I don't know why I should miss them.' She confessed. 'After we left England, they didn't really give a damn about me or my brother anyway.' She shook her head sadly. 'So I suppose I haven't had a mother for a long time either.' She looked back at him, sure that he could tell she was on the verge of tears. Jack nodded and let out a long breath, ready to change the subject.
'England. I've seen drawings. It sounds like a damn fine place. My parents came down ere from England too, when I was just a lad. Can't remember a damn thing about it.' He said looking at her, hoping that she would stop from crying. Something about it did him in. She looked so vulnerable and helpless and it was killing him to see her like that. It also scared him. Pirates don't have feelings like those for mangy little girls who followed them home. She nodded.
'It is beautiful. I miss it, almost too much. The food there is so much better, the cities are more complex and cultured, and the markets are spectacular.' She said smiling, wiping her eyes. Jack chuckled and nodded.
'And plenty of fine women to keep a sailor warm at night.' He said nodding. Anya turned to face him with her eyebrows raised.
'Captain! I thought women weren't worth it.' She said crossing her arms over her chest. Jack grinned and leaned back, standing tall and waving his hand carelessly around.
'Women who become attached aren't worth it.' He said with a comical shrug. Anya shook her head.
'Give you a bottle of rum and a house of ill repute and that's all the romance you need, isn't it?' she said with an air of a laugh. Jack shrugged again.
'I'm a simple sailor.' He admitted before placing his hands in his pockets. Anya nodded, then saw that the sun had almost set. Jack followed her gaze and realized what she must have been thinking. Anya looked back, to see a huge smile on his sun kissed face. 'So.' He said looking back at her. 'Ye be sleepin in my quarters again tonight?' She raised her eyebrows again and then smiled.
'Of course.' She said as if that were a stupid question. His smile grew slightly and his fingers danced in the air, ready to slip around her shoulder.
'In me bed?'
'Where else?' she said placing her hands on her large full hips. He threw his hands up.
'Where else indeed.' He said still smiling, moving forward a bit. She nodded.
'And where will you be sleeping?' she asked innocently, looking back at the disappearing sun. Jack's smile disappeared completely.
'What?'
'Well, we can't BOTH sleep in your bed!'
'But - '
'Because you're a gentleman and you'd never think of inconveniencing me!'
'But - '
'So will you be sleeping with the crew? Or perhaps the floor? I scrubbed it extra clean in your quarters just for you.' She smiled impishly, as she placed a hand on his chest. With that she turned and walked toward his quarters, swaying her hips just to rub salt in his wound.
'Bloody women.' He cursed under his breath, as he followed her, just as the sun had sunk down into the sea.
**************************************************************************** ***
After eating quickly in Jack's quarters, Anya changed into one of Jack's shirts, which was much too big for her, slipping off one of her shoulders and ending close to her knees. He grumbled as he fished a moth eaten blanket out of the chest in the corner of the room and sat back in his comfortable chair, laying it over himself. Anya crawled onto his large bed and pulled the white blankets over her, instantly feeling the warmth of the bed. She smiled at him smugly, but somehow, this was not as fulfilling as it should have been. Ever since they're little talk, Jack didn't seem SO bad. He was annoying and conceited. But he did save her life after all.
'Night pet.' He said as he blew out the two remaining candles and settled back into the chair, too tired to care that he wasn't particularly comfortable. Anya lay back on the pillows, but stared up at the ceiling in silence for a few minutes.
'Captain?' she asked softly. She heard him heave a heavy sigh.
'What?' he asked in an almost irritated tone.
'Why do you call me that? Why don't you call me Anya?'
'I don't know. Why don't you call me Jack?'
'Because. Calling someone by their first name insinuates endearment.' She said softly. That was what she had always told herself. And she never planned to endear herself to anyone. And Jack Sparrow was no exception.
'That sounds good. There's yer answer.' He replied gruffly and she saw him shift in the darkness. 'Night pet.' He repeated, a sigh mingled in his voice. Anya lay silent in his bed, looking out the window at the full moon now facing her.
'Goodnight Captain.' She whispered to herself, before rolling over, and falling into a deep sleep.