I'm sorry to those of you who are not enjoying where this story is going, but as Erin so wonderfully pointed out, to thyne own self be true. Which means this story is going off in a rather odd direction.
Review replies are at the end of the chapter.
***
Amber sat cross-legged on her bunk, her back against the wall, trying to bite off the cold with her quilt. Morgan sat opposite her in much the same predicament.
"So where be Jack?" Amber asked, breaking the determined silence that hung in the air like frost.
"Fencing." Morgan replied nonchalantly. "Him and that Meryl cant seem to tire of it." She paused. "I wonder hoe Aletté's doing?
"She'll be fine." Amber reassured her friend. "She's got a job and a home- with Will, may I add. And in a respectable port to boot. For poor Aletté I cant think of anything better."
Morgan sighed. "Yes I suppose that's a good thing." There was a thoughtful pause. "I think I'll go find Jack."
Amber moaned, more at the thought of Jack having Morgan than being deserted by her friend. "Don't leave me on my own. I need someone to talk to."
She sighed. "Fine. I'll stay." Morgan inwardly cursed Ambers big puppy-eyes. They reminded her of a little child, though Amber was seventeen but she was still the youngest girl on the ship. "But only because you're just too adorable."
Amber laughed.
Meryl pushed through the door to her cabin, trying in vain to make the neckline of her dress lie flat on her chest.
"What's wrong with you?" She jumped, startled that Morgan and Amber were there, and slightly embarrassed at them seeing her so loosely attired.
"Oh nothing." She said nervously. "Just… blasted dress."
Amber smiled understandingly, but Morgan raised her eyebrows. "Why is your dress loose? I thought you were fencing with Jack?"
Meryl giggled nervously, searching for an excuse to cover her tracks. "Have you ever tried to fence in a dress?" She smiled hopefully, painfully aware that Morgan wasn't buying her excuse.
The latter rose, surveying Meryl suspiciously. "I'm going to find Jack." She left the room quickly, somewhere between a walk and a run.
Inside the dining room, Jack re-tied his belt. He smiled to himself, pleased to reaffirm his strong belief that as Captain Jack Sparrow he could have anyone he wanted.
Even Meryl, if he tried hard enough.
The door burst open just as he re-sheathed his sword. Out of the corner of his eye he spied the newcomer, thinking for a moment that it was Meryl. He quickly realised, though, that it was Morgan, and she looked none too happy.
He smiled at her, pacing towards her to cradle her face in his hands. "Morgan, luv!" She pulled away from his affectionate grasp.
"What've you been doing?" She demanded. "You and Meryl?"
He frowned. It was times like this all his experience in the lying department came in handy. "Crossing blades, darling. Why do you ask?"
She sighed. "Are you quite sure that's all you've been doing?" He nodded. "Just duelling?" He nodded again. "For three hours, you've just been duelling?"
He wrapped his arms around her tenderly. "Morgan, luv, honestly. Have I ever given you any reason not to trust me?"
She smiled reluctantly. "Well, not recently." They kissed. "I'm sorry." She paused. "Jack, would you teach me swordplay?"
He laughed. "You seem so keen on shooting your enemies, luv. What use would you have for that, aye?"
She giggled and kissed him again, enjoying the warmth of his arms. Arms that had guided her over rough times and hard days. And all with love.
The door swung open again, and this time Meryl entered. She had expected to find Morgan ready to kill a half-dressed Jack. Instead she found the two in a fond embrace, gazing at each other like dewy-eyed newlyweds.
She felt her recently-racked body surge with jealousy, knowing that as much as she could have Jacks lust, she could never have his love. That belonged to Morgan. He loved Morgan, anyone could see that.
Wait, she thought suddenly, why do I even care? I don't want anyone to love me. I don't need love. What a silly thought that was. Just jealousy talking. Stupid, really, just like Cain and Able. Just stupid. I may have given into lust for Jack, but not love. Never love. Don't need love. Don't want it, don't need it.
"Is something wrong, Madame?" Morgan asked, interrupting her thoughts with a refined, elegant tone of voice. Meryl jumped, startled at being addressed by anyone at all. She realised she'd been staring.
"No…" She began, then another wave of jealousy washed over her, making her head spin. "Yes. Yes, something is wrong. I feel… dizzy." She turned and called over her shoulder. "I'm taking leave, Captain. I'm going to bed."
***
Review Replies:
Mayya-
I think Meryl must be my favourite character. The thing is, you can like both points of view and side with one character over another. Guilt doesn't have to be a factor. Glad you like it and thanks for reviewing.
FencingBabe7-
Well, this has been up for a while. It's not that astounding. I'm sorry if the Will thing jerked you around a bit, but I think it did well to show his kind heart. Sweet, sweet William… *sighs* I'm sorry if you didn't like it, but you cant please everyone, right?
Meryl doesn't like commitment but she's just playing hard-to-get with Jack. She likes to taunt him. And by self-control it means that for someone as loose as Meryl, she can hold off for quite a while. Please don't fame me!
Erin Richards-
Good thing you don't mind because its getting pretty weird. Sorry I cant give you a longer reply but my bitch of an older sister is being an ass and kicking me off the computer. But I will give you a really long reply next chapter. So sorry! Thanks for the long reviews! You are the best!
