A/N1: Wow. Guys, this has to be one of me favorite chappies in the fic. I have rewritten this thing so many bloody times… Literally, not counting proofreads, this is my bloody fourth or fifth "version", or "rewrite" (all different, whether slightly or not so slightly). I've worked and reworked this chapter so bloody much my head hurts. Please, tell me what y'all think. If there's something that needs fixing, tell me. If ye review… free Fefe Dobson CD's!!! ("Take Me Away" gives me inspiration. :P) Or, if you're not particular to that sort of thing, Evanescence! ("Bring Me to Life, is, well, Leah's song. :D) Thanks mates! I love you all for readings this far!
A/N2: I really tried here on Jack's personality, mates, and think I have it bloody flawless, but if something sticks out at you or is even the tiniest bit off, do NOT hesitate to tell me! I want this to be as realistic as possible! And once again, thanks guys, you all ROCK. Oh, and completely off-topic, a not concerning Leah's hair color. I've referred to her hair as "brown" and "caramel" quite a lot, I know, but that is the color only under fairly dark lighting. If you look at Liz's hair on the island, in the direct glare of the sun, you can see that it's really not that dark with blond thrown in here and there. That's Leah's hair, though a bit darker (i.e., Leah's is about a shade lighter, or perhaps half a shade). Sorry, I just noticed that, and it was bugging me. :P
A/N3: WOOT! 200 REVIEWS!!!! Oh My SPARROW, mates, THANK Y'ALL!!!! I can't believe I've gotten so far in reviews in so few chapters!!!!! Thank y'all! *Gives everyone a bloody DAY in the closet each, and throws a parti with confetti and the soundtrack and the movie and drinks and snacks and a bonfire and WOOOOT* I LOVE YOU ALL! Y'all ROCK, mates!
***Special thanks to Kirie and Pendragon for betaing. I luvvle you guys! *Huggles and gives various trinkets from Jack's hair* No, I didn't steal it, if that's what you mean. Nor did I commandeer. I made copies. :D
***Kudos to Chaos (hehehe… alliteration fun) for pointing out some stuffs 'bout this chappie! I THOUGHT something was off… "Out off of" *Shudders… A lot* I'm obsessed with grammar… And I CAN get Jack's personality! I just hadn't watched the movie in far too long when I wrote this… The leech bit was actually a last minute addition. O.o
Important: (In other words, mates, this chappie has been edited to actually fit Jack pretty bloody well, I do say so meself, but if it's still a bit off, do NOT hesitate to point it out. I don't do the proofreading nearly as well as I should.)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Kindly leave us."
The waves were softly pattering against the hull of the Dauntless, the moon casting an eerie glow on the waters. The deck of the ship was nearly deserted, though there was some activity. At the starboard side of the vessel stood a lone figure, his raven hair-or chaotic mess, depending on your point of view-blowing softly in the breeze. Near him stood two guards, standing proud and erect in their red uniforms. Both had strict orders to watch this man, the one whose dark chocolate eyes were fixed solely on the ocean, either from genuine interest, or simply as a direct result of deep thought. Hence, when the governor's younger daughter came and addressed them with a cold authority all her own, they stirred nervously, exchanging glances.
"I'm sorry, Miss. We can't do that," the taller and prouder of the two replied, not meeting the shorter female's sharp gaze with his own dull brown.
"Why not, might I ask?" she questioned softly, her cool gray-blue eyes moving from one to the other. Though she appeared utterly and completely confident to the two of them, inside, she was a nervous wreck. She resolutely refused to even look at Jack, just in case he decided to, in turn, look her way. She simply… couldn't.
"Because the Commodore ordered us to, ma'am," the shorter of about an inch replied, his voice just a tad bit nasal.
"Listen. I am the governor's daughter, sirs. Leave. Us. Be."
"But, we can't! The Commodore-"
"I do not care what the Commodore has ordered!" Leah said, her voice steadily rising. "Let us-"
"What is going on up here," a voice demanded, oncoming footsteps accompanying.
"Father!" Leah cried out, for once actually glad to be the governor's daughter. "Father, tell these fine men to allow me to speak with Mr. Sparrow here alone, would you? As in, tell them to leave, but only momentarily, mind you."
"Leah Marguerite Swann, absolutely not!" he said sharply, now having reached the group. "Why do you-"
"Father, please!" she implored, getting somewhat desperate now. She herself was not completely certain of exactly why she desired privacy so fiercely, so adamantly, but she knew that she needed it. Why could they all not just obey? "I-I must speak with him regarding certain matters."
"Matters? Speak with him? Leah, he's a pirate. Why-"
"Father, please! I beg of you. For once, do this one thing for me, for your youngest, for your daughter! Please." She could not help glancing over at Jack, who was now watching the proceedings with interest. Oh, she bloody hated him…
Sighing, after a brief hesitation in which he thought the matter over, the Governor of Port Royale nodded to the two guards. The shorter one, who had been shuffling his feet nervously, and the taller one, who had been trying to appear dignified while standing absolutely still, instantly perked up. "You are dismissed. But I want you two back here in ten minutes, do you understand me? Ten minutes, and ten minutes only."
"Father-"
"Leah, you have already had your fun gallivanting about with the man for the past week. I do not want my youngest daughter taken hostage again."
"She went of her own free will," a voice reminded, Jack's voice, naturally, but after a joint glare from both father and daughter, it was largely ignored by all.
"But… Father, ten minutes?"
"Those are my terms, Leah. You should be pleased that I am allowing this madness at all. It's dangerous."
Opening her mouth, Leah was well prepared to protest, but, with considerable effort, shut it, clenching and unclenching her fist once. "Thank you, Father," she said at last, forcing a smile. "This was most… generous of you."
"Yes it was." And then… "Be careful, Leah," her father, the Governor, warned, "And remember, ten minutes." And without further ado, he began to walk away.
"S-sir, Governor!" the tall guard shouted. Him and his buddy here had been standing silently-best not to interfere in the affairs of the rich folk-but now he had no choice but to speak up.
"Yes?" he asked, turning around.
"Well, Governor, the Commodore ordered us to stay here and watch Sparrow, sir, and…"
"And?"
"Well, he told us not to let 'im out of our site, sir," the other finished softly.
Leah gaped at the two men as if they were absolutely the most tiresome, idiotic beings in the whole of creation.
"I will sort it out with the Commodore and make certain to praise your fine work. Now, please leave and be back here at your stations in ten minutes, or my remarks to the Commodore may not be as favorable."
The two dullwits, as Leah now thought of them, exchanged glances and gave each other barely perceptible nods.
"A'right, sir," the taller said, and slowly, the two made went off somewhere below deck.
"Ten minutes, Leah," her father repeated, and left as well, leaving Leah alone with Jack. Still… she could not meet his gaze, nor even look directly at him. Presently, the dirty scuffed boards of the deck seemed to be of particular interest to the 17-year old.
"All that effort for me?" The sound of his voice finally forced the brunette to look up. Casually, he stood facing her, one hand resting on the barrier at the edge of the ship. She didn't really notice it, but he, of course, was taking in her clothing with his eyes. "I see you changed from that bodice and skirts of yours, luv."
Exasperatedly, she glanced down at her new outfit, the exact same thing that her sister was now wearing: a British officer's uniform, consisting of white breeches and a white shirt, boots, and a red coat. It was the only extra clothing aboard that they had. "Why I hadn't noticed," she said satirically.
"Apparently, I have," he countered.
"You would."
"Doubtless." And then, before she could speak, he stepped forward. "Now, Miss Swann-"
"Leah."
"Leah, ya didn't come here just to bicker, else you wouldn't've gone through all that. Not on the best of terms with your father, I see."
"How very intuitive of you," she snapped, and then sighed, walking over next to him and placing her arms on the railing, her eyes fixed on the starry horizon, the sea. "But, you're right; I didn't come here to argue with you, Jack. I came to say… I'm sorry."
"For what, exactly?" he asked, his manner a bit gentler. Besides that, he hadn't exactly been expecting this little minx to apologize… Though it wasn't at all obvious, Jack was actually a tad bit surprised.
"I-I was horribly rude to you before, Jack. I was absolutely horrible to you in Tortuga, and went on about myself that night as if my petty problems held any sort of real importance in the grand scheme of things."
"Leah-"
"No, listen!" Though he was now right beside her, dangerously close, she would not look at him. Still, she continued to stare off at the rippling waters of the sea, watching the clear silvery moon reflect off of its surface. She would have stared at a pile of horse manure, had it been able to distract her from the enigmatic persona beside her. Clearly, this was certainly preferable. "What I am apologizing for in the main, what I'm truly sorry for… is that my bloody father is doing this to you! He could pardon you, somehow. He could do something. Instead…" Something in her throat caught, and she could not continue, turning her face even further to her right so as to keep him from seeing her face. Her eyes were brimming with tears, but she shut them tightly, willing them away. It was simple, mind over matter. She would not break down now. She would not.
Jack watched her pensively, his expression fairly soft. She was apologizing for not only dousing him with rum and the constant bickering-both of which were not entirely her fault, he had to admit-but also for spilling her heart out, something she had obviously needed to do with somebody. And… she was apologizing for her bloody father as well?
"Luv, what exactly are you trying to apologize for? Absolutely none of this is your fault, really. So, what are you trying to do, and why?"
"I-well, because…" and now she did turn, did face him, and was just a little stunned to find his face so very close to hers. Her first instinct was to step back, but she obstinately held her ground. "Because if perhaps I had been kinder… perhaps if, perhaps if my preconceptions of pirates… Oh bloody hell, because he is my father, mon père, and I do not want you dead!"
"Well, I don't particularly want myself dead either, darling, so you're not alone in the matter. But if that be all…"
Crying out softly in frustration, she stepped back, away from the edge of the ship, and away from him. After walking a few paces, she turned, eyeing him fiercely. "Why on Earth must you make this so hard?" she demanded. "You realize that you are bloody impossible, do you not? Here I am, attempting to do the mature thing, and here you are… being you!" Obviously, from his reaction, this wasn't exactly an insult. "Oh… can't you see that I am attempting to…"
"Attempting to do what?" he pressed, taking the necessary steps forwards to, once again, be practically pressed up against her. Leah's heartbeat instantly sped up, and once again, she wanted to run… but didn't.
"I-I don't know…" she whispered, her boldness quickly evanescing. And again, she stepped back, walking back over to the side of the ship. That horizon was really very interesting… "Why did you betray us, Jack?" What was she going on about now? Jack was really beginning to think this girl was maybe a wee bit daft, even more so than he was! Not that he thought he was daft, of course… "I mean, I am well aware that you that you didn't at the very end, that you helped… or something of the sort, but why did you try to trade Will for the Pearl in the first place? If things had worked out differently, would I still be a hostage, and Will dead? So why…" Why did you try to betray me? But that, she did not ask aloud.
"Darling, I went through this with your lovely sister, as well. I was not, nor was I ever, planning on betraying you and Will, nor was I going to give you two up to Barbossa. How would that benefit me, or you, or any of us, in the long run?"
"But-but you said that Will was your leverage, your leverage against Barbossa," she protested, turning to face him.
"And he was, luv. Everyone needs a good bluff when playin' poker, especially when up against 'the man so evil hell itself spat him back out', and Bootstrap's young offspring was the ace in my hand. But none of that really matters now, does it? The Black Pearl is gone, with that fine crew of mine, and I'm on me way to the gallows. All the bargaining in the world won't get my ship, or them, back now."
"Damn pirates… Damn bloody Code," Leah whispered under her breath, but other than that, there was complete silence, complete stillness around them, and only the soft swaying of the deck to accompany the pair of them. True, there was someone at the helm, and two more of Her Majesty's fine soldiers on deck, but they were all a good distance away, and, for all points and purposes, of absolutely no consequence. Truly, literally no consequence. "I-I don't want you dead, Jack. I would get you out of here if I could. I would get the bloody Pearl back… somehow."
"Luv, I would get m'self off this bloody ship if I could. Sadly, I can't. Neither can you. Stop blaming yourself for things that are not at all your fault."
"But you don't deserve to hang on the gallows!" she cried out, fresh tears of desperation standing anew in her gray-blue eyes. Angrily, she wiped them away, her gaze steady as it met his. Then, softer than before, "You deserve the open sea. You deserve your ship! You… you deserve the Black Pearl."
Another-shorter this time-moment of silence came and went, a moment in which the redcoats above deck gradually lost interest in the odd pair, though they still watched them out of the corners of their eyes. Well, they were certainly in for a surprise, if they were paying any attention at all, that is…
While Leah's visage easily betrayed her severe inner turmoil and her great determination, Jack's betrayed almost nothing, though he did appear thoughtful still.
Before she quite knew what was happening, Jack was coming towards her again, and, this time, she did not run. This time, she was up against the edge of the ship, and there was nowhere to run, especially when, before she could react, his arms were trapping her on either side, both on the railing. And the next moment, their lips met.
At first, she was stunned, utterly in shock. This couldn't be happening… could it? Leah couldn't bloody believe it. He was a damn pirate, a scallywag, a rogue, an outlaw, an inconsiderate, psychotic egomaniac, and as for her, well, she was a noblewoman, the governor's daughter. But, she had been planning on running away with him, hadn't she? Planning on going off with him, regardless of the consequences. Planning on escaping the hell her life had become. But… was that the same as this? And, what if someone onboard the ship saw them? What would they do to the pirate for "touching" the governor's daughter? If she knew her father, which she did, he would most likely have him thrown into the hold along with his former, mutinous crew, regardless of what they would do to him. It was a complete miracle, therefore, that they were not noticed.
The age difference, that bothered her least of all. No matter how Leah Swann had dreaded her fate, odds had always been that, for the sake of a good marriage and social connections, she would most likely end up marrying someone twice her age. That was what Elizabeth was doing now, wasn't she? Commodore Norrington was no charming young prince. He was no William Turner. Yet, nonetheless, he was also no Captain Jack Sparrow.
After the first few seconds passed, though, all her doubts melted away, and her eyes gradually shut. Her first kiss, and it was with a doomed pirate aboard the deck of the H.M.S. Dauntless, one of the most powerful British ships in the entirety of the Spanish Main. Anyone who just happened to glance over could clearly see them, even if they were all on opposite ends of the ship and didn't have an exactly clear view.
Hence, this would never work. Never. The two of them, it could never…
Yet, for once, Leah no longer cared. She did not dwell. She did not think. She simply felt. She lived.
This kiss, it began softly, tenderly almost, but it quickly escalated into something more sharp, poignant, passionate, Leah meeting Jack's fervor equally with her own. She was not anywhere close to resisting. This embrace, it sent a rush of emotion through the 17-year old lady. She had never… never been anywhere close to feeling anything even remotely like this before. The fact that his left hand was now on the back of her head, situated on the waves of hair that swept all the way to her mid-back, and was holding her to him while gently massaging her scalp, it only intensified matters, as did his other hand, which was down around her lower back, pressing the rest of her to him.
After moments that literally felt an eternity, urgent footsteps, voices accompanying, could be heard coming up the stairs. The two guards. They were sure they'd stayed below for too long, that they were late. Jack pulled back first, leaving her gasping for air. His forehead pressed up against hers, he grinned, revealing the gold caps of several teeth. Though she hated to admit it, the sight of this sent chills up and down her spine, but now… now was not the time. From the looks of things, they would never have that time, for at that moment, the two men were clearly visible coming up the stairs.
In one fluid motion, he stepped back and walked back over to his original spot, about three feet to her right. He was once again watching the night sea, and she could no longer see his face.
"Goodbye, Miss Swann," he said softly, just as the two men, both a little winded, took their positions. His tone was one of finality that could not be disputed, though not harsh or obvious. It simply… was final. That was all there was to it, and naught that could argue against it.
"Jack?" she whispered quietly, afraid to take so much as one step either backwards or forwards. But he made no reply. Jack would not answer her, and his eyes were fixed on the ocean.
Fin
A/N: Hehehe… I scared y'all, didn't I? Hehehe… Don't worry, though, one more chappie, coming up!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kontara: Nice new name, mate! Mesa like! :D And I don't obsess. I write what comes to me… and then apologize for its length. :P There IS a difference! ;-) ANYWAYZ, glad I've got some interest for me sequel! Though I'm definitely liking the interest for this, as well. :P
Suzzie: Hehehe. Yes, he is very… enjoyable, i'n't 'e? *joins in in the singing* I feel charming… And entrancing! It's alarming how charming I FEEEEEEEEL!!!! *glass shatters* O.O Ooops… and I'm all better, thankfully. Wrist and ankle fine. I even wore those blasted heels again and didn't' fall once! :D Glad ye enjoyed the chappie, too! And, got it. Definitely got it. I LOVE that blooper reel…
spaci: Don't worry, mate! No WAY am I stopping now! And as for the sequel… MUAHAHAHA, I've already started on it. :D
ChildlikeEmpress: Um, yes, sorry for taking so long. Did I mention I hate school? And actually, I had never planned that hug to happen QUITE that way, but it did. O.o I like how it came out. :D I'm glad ye do as well! And, strangely enough, how I first got the idea for this fic: watching Pirates, I just imagined someone going through the treasure with Jack… and hence, Leah Swann was born! :D ANYway, I really hope ya liked what me muse has given me and what me odd odd mind has worked with!
Pendragon: Yes, they could have at least put it on the deleted scenes! *sigh* Ah well. Tell me what you think!
AngelQueen: Hehehe… Gonna have to find that out NEXT chappie, mate. And yes, yes she does love him… and the kiss pretty much "sealed" it. Now, if only bloody Leah wasn't a PONCE and KNEW she loved him. Lol Hey, I created her, I'm allowed to give her dopesmacks! :P So, here's hoping you enjoy this little entirely Jack/Leah chappie!
Jinxd: Yer quite welcome, mate! Glad you liked (on both counts). :D And wow, interesting librarian. O.o Sry about the hovering, though. I know how that is…
venus: Ooooh, I'm glad ya like so much! As I want to be a writer somehow, one day, the fact that I actually have a GOOD writing style is really very, well, for lack of a better term, good! :D And hopefully there was enough "love crap" (hehehe. That's awesome. :D) in this chappie for ye! It WILL be in the sequel, but I'm not giving out anymore than that till next chappie! Till then, ta! And review!
Gwyn: I like soccer. I just don't play it. :P And still, BAH to you and your heels! I'm really happy you're still liking this, too! :D But don't cry! The story WILL continue, I promise! Though, I suppose I can see how this particular chapter would be fairly… depressing, to say the least. And Johnny is only 40, mate. ;-) Woot! Babbling fun! And happy really early sweet 16, then! Lol :P
LadySkywalker: It's fine, mate. Don't worry about it. Leah WAS bloody rude to the man… though he deserved it sometimes. ;-) I'm just really happy that ye were honest to moi, and that you're still reading, mate! REALLY hope you've enjoyed this chappie!
Shanelover: Yes, it's almost over! L Ah well, sequel, so woot!!! And yes, that corset joke was classic… Though it's true. Those things HURT.
aquastar: ROFLOLLAHBHATWBICSH!!!!!!!!!!!!! *CAN'T. STOP. LAUGHING* Yes, young grasshopper, tu es tres amusante. And I gave you a romance fix! And WITH the plot, too! ;-) True, not the happiest of romances, but still… :P I hope you enjoyed!
Riley: Ooooh!!!! Mesa honored beyond believe and proud! Thank ye, mate! I'm bloody OVERJOYED you like it so much!!!! :D *runs around in the confetti* And being insane is FUN, mate! What fun is it if you're not a tad bit daft, eh? So, meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this chappie!
Sarrah: lol Yes, I'm very proud of them, though they still managed to bicker. *shakes head in exasperation and sighs* ANYwayz… yuperz, except for the minute details, I know all about the sequel, mate, and it's started! :D Though you'll have to wait till next chappie for anymore info, mate. Until then… read this chappie and (hopefully ;-) ) enjoy!!!
Chaos: Yes, I constantly forget to track I get so bloody enamored by the movie… *sighs* Well I WILL do it one day! :P But what about his hat…? O.o And I gave ye the standup, mate!!!!! You haves it, precioussss… Though Merry and Pip need to be prodded for messing with Jack's DNA! ;-) And as for "Isla de Muerta", I shouldda been italicizing from the beginning. Since it's in another lang., it gets italicized. Savvy? And I'm very glad you enjoyed, mate! :P Yes, the crown was fun to write…
TriGem: Yeek, sry bout the comp., mate! Try offering it cookies? And woot! Sequel!!! :D I'm glad you liked! And you'll have to wait just ONE more chappie to see that escape, mate. I needed this little bit in to make it make more sense, after all. ;-) :P
Vagrant: *dances for the sequel* ;-) lol Yes, I was ANGRY. Still am. And nice to know SOMEONE reads me rants. I spend time ranting, you know! ;-)
Kioa: Eenterestink choice of random stuffs… ;-)
Melissa: Hehe. I took a wild guess! ;-) Glad I got it right, mate. Thanks for reading after I forced you! Lol
Kirie: ROFL!!!!! Or maybe it just hates you? Glad you liked it all though, mate. I think you got all I was trying to convey. Lol Think, mind you. ;-) Anywayz, hope you liked this chap'! And I make Leah suffer way too much… (even in the sequel… O.o) *munches on her snack, minus the asprin* Not sick or with a headache right now. :P
