Jack watched Aletté's slender form climb the stairs up to the deck. Everything about this girl seemed too fragile to touch; her fine, straight blonde hair, her piercing turquoise-blue eyes, her high cheekbones and tall, petite build. But contrary to what her appearance might lead one to believe, she was a strong, feisty, and not to be trifled with. Her wits were razor sharp, with a tongue to match, as Jack had learned from experience.
"Do you join ladies for air past midnight often?" Aletté inquired, somewhat sarcastically.
He smiled. "Only when the occasion permits it, luv." Aletté felt his arm drape around her shoulder.
"Good Captain Sparrow!" She scolded indignantly. "You have three women on this ship who adore you already, do you really need a forth?"
He raised his hands innocently. "I had no such intentions on me mind, luv."
She laughed. "Of course you didn't… Captain?"
"Aye?"
"Has Morgan moved out of your room, then?"
"Indeed." He grunted.
She frowned. "Why is that, then?"
He sighed. "When I understand Morgan, I'll tell you. Savvy?"
She nodded. "This conversation isn't quite as bad as I thought it would be."
"How's that, luv?"
"Well," She paused. "Considering the last thing you've said to me was 'stupid bastard whore'."
He placed his fingertips together, laughing. "My apologies, luv. It only seemed fitting, seeing as how you had insulted me, and you hailing from Singapore of all places."
"What are you implying, Captain?" She stood upright, holding herself so that she was several inches above Jack. He noticed this, somewhat irritated. So he had never stood the tallest, did she really have to rub it in?
He smiled casually. "Nothing at all, Aletté, darling."
Aletté gritted her teeth but said no more. She turned and climbed back down the stairs to her room.
"What happened?"
Aletté jumped at Amber's sudden question. "Huh?"
"Wha-at ha-pened?" She repeated slowly.
Meryl stirred in her bunk and glanced up at the pair of them. "What's going on?" She stifled a yawn.
"Aletté's been out with Jack." She said, a touch of jealousy lacing her voice.
Meryl frowned. "What did you do?"
Aletté looked dumbstruck. "I didn't do anything! Honestly!"
"Alright then," Amber said. "Let me rephrase that; what did he did?"
"He…" Aletté stammered. "Well, he put his arm around me but that's it!" She stared at their sceptical faces. "I swear!"
Meryl pushed her quilt back and climbed out of bed, sighing. "Blast damn Jack. Bloody idiot…"
Aletté frowned. "Meryl, why are you soaking wet?" Amber turned from Aletté to Meryl accusingly.
The latter sighed. "It's… nothing. It's just… nothing."
"Tell!" Aletté prompted with a smile. "What did Jack do with you then, aye?"
Meryl stared at her hands. "He saved my life. I fell overboard and I cant swim." She paused, thinking about how good his breath had tasted on her lips. Wondering if, perhaps, it wasn't too much of a sin for her to enjoy it.
Aletté smiled wryly. "Ah, I see what's going on now. Meryl meets Jack on a ship-"
"I didn't meet him here." She interrupted sharply. "We met a year ago in Tortuga."
"Tortuga?" She raised her eyebrows. "I hesitate to ask. Was it him who hired you, or did you go looking for clients?" She giggled.
Meryl sighed. "Jack paid me to travel with him, but not for said services, aye?" She paused. "It's a long story."
Amber grinned devilishly. "We have all night, Meryl. What has he done with you then, aye?"
"Nothing." Meryl snapped. "His lips have never touched mine." Pause. "Well, actually, I suppose in truth, they have, but not… not a kiss."
Amber sighed, laying back on her bed. "Can he ever kiss, that Jack Sparrow! I remember… well… I remember a long time ago he-"
"Can we not?" Meryl interrupted.
Aletté cocked one eyebrow. "Why so touchy? I thought you cared nothing for our dear Captain."
"I don't." She said flatly. "I just don't want to speak of him right now."
"Why ever not?" She badgered.
"I just…" Meryl sank into her cot. "I just want to sleep now. Goodnight!" She buried her face in her pillow, trembling as she thought of Jack. She licked her lips. His taste was so…
Don't do it, she warned herself. Don't admit that you care a thing for him. She squeezed her eyes shut and forced sleep upon her aching muscles.
