A Turn of Events
If the other tavern girls
thought they had something to talk about when Jack followed Aiden home the
night before, it didn't even compare to what they must have thought when the
bartender and captain left together that evening. After waiting patiently in his seat with a
mug of rum, having been granted special permission by Aiden to remain inside
after closing, Jack now 'escorted' her home despite knowing she did not need
his protection. Making conversation, he
asked her about her time she had mentioned spending on a ship, and Aiden
obligingly provided details concerning her former life.
"Last night ye mentioned a ship", Jack inquired. "Called it 'a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, and a damnable fast menace for the lit'l brigantine that she was', if me memory serves."
"Quite impressive", Aiden remarked with raised eyebrows and a grin. "And for the record, yer memory does serve ye. She was called the Divine Siren, sailed on her practically all me life."
"The Divine Siren? I've heard o' her. Made her reputation by appearing to be a merchant ship then attacking before her prey knew what was happening. Well suited name for such a trick", he commented thoughtfully. "Come to think of it. I seem to recall her being in the charge of a certain Cap'n Moran. Wasn't you was it?"
Aiden looked at him reproachfully. "Come now Jack, a woman captain?
"I supposed anything's possible", he defended himself.
"Doubtful. Cap'n Moran was me father. Took me aboard with him when I was 'bout five, I think it was. After me mum died giving birth to what would 'ave been me younger brother. We lived in England at the time and he was a privateer for the crown, til they died and he decided to head ova 'ere. "
"So what happened?"
"Sacked by the navy a coupla years ago. Most o' the crew was killed, but ye know those noble navy boys, they'd neva dream of hurting a woman, especially when there's so many other useful purposes for havin one aboard", she finished wryly.
"They didn't", Jack asked, slightly horrified at the thought.
"No", she confirmed proudly. "After the first couple came out with their manhood kicked in, the rest abandoned the cause."
"Impressive", Jack mimicked her earlier remark.
"Well 'ere we are", Aiden announced changing the subject as they arrived in front of her house. "Ye coming in or what?"
"Do I 'ave to sleep on the couch again", he asked with a cocked smile.
"Don't know where else ye would", she shot back with a shrug.
"Good thing it was quite comfortable then", he replied as he followed her inside the house.
Inside, Jack relieved himself of his jacket, hat, and weapons and made himself comfortable on the couch as Aiden dumped off some things in the kitchen. Reappearing again several minutes later, she settled in at the opposite end of the sofa handing him a warm mug of delightfully spiked cider.
"So this is it then", Jack began after a short silence, an odd tone to his voice.
"What do ye mean?"
"Yer life? I mean, don't get me wrong, ye've a lovely house and command more respect than any woman I've met, but surely this can't be all. Going to work, coming home, the same thing everyday…" he trailed off slightly, not wanting to offend her.
In response Aiden shrugged, she was not easily offended. "It's the same for everyone is it not? With the exception of nobility and pirates. Ye've got to work if ye want to survive, and I'd rather this than living on the streets or being a prostitute. Not that I'm knockin' it mind you. I've a lot o' respect for what those women will put themselves through just to provide for themselves and their families. Besides, I've no room to criticize, I'm no blushin virgin meself as it were."
"Go on", Jack urged, again his characteristic grin crawling onto his face.
"Men", Aiden muttered as she rolled her eyes and took another sip of her drink. "Anyway", she began anew after drinking. "I do get Sundays off as the tavern ain't open. And I don't plan on spending the rest o' me life like this. It's just a temporary solution until I get meself together again and find some fine captain to seduce, knock off, and steal a ship from", she ended with a deadly smile.
"So that's why ye've been so nice to me then", Jack laughed.
For a second she only looked at him out of the corner of her eye. Then, setting her mug on the coffee table she crawled across the couch, closing the gap between she and Jack. Leaning up to him, until there was barely inches left separating their faces, she spoke in a low, almost inaudible tone. "I'd hardly call that seducing luv."
Staring into those almost unnatural gray eyes, Jack felt his Adam's apple move in his throat as he gulped and struggled to think of something witty and characteristic to say. Silently he cursed himself. He was Captain Jack Sparrow after all. He was the one who put women in this situation, not the other way around. Not that he really had any objections, he decided the more he thought about it. It might just take some getting used to being on the receiving end of things. Blinking hard, he realized that seconds were slowly beginning to add up as he failed to respond to her comment, and he again turned his attention back to coming up with something to say.
"Then perhaps ye'd like to give me an example of what ye would call seducing", he suggested in his best innocent voice.
"Wouldn't you like to know", she asked casually as she flopped back into her seat on the other side of the couch and took up her mug again.
"Ye know you 'ave an awful habit o' leavin a man hangin", Jack remarked after the slight shock of rejection had worn off.
"Best way to do business", Aiden replied with a grin. "Always leave em wantin more."
"Which me dear, brings me to my earlier point. Is business all ye eva think about?"
A look over the rim of her mug led Jack to continue, attempting to explain and justify what he was getting at while still getting an answer.
"What I mean to say is, have ye considered finding yerself a man?"
At his inquiry, Aiden nearly choked on her sip which resulted in her sputtering it back into her mug.
"Findin meself a man? Ye know, I'm beginning to wonder just how much you hold true to such ridiculous upper class notions, that a woman needs to run out and find a man to provide for her. Honestly Jack, does it look like I need a man", she finished, extending her arms in reference to all of the lavish surroundings that filled the room.
"That's not how I meant it", he corrected quickly. "It's obvious that ye don't need someone to provide for you. I just meant someone maybe for company's sake."
"What kinda company?" Again, her tone deepening as she leaned forward ever so slightly.
"Some pleasurable company perhaps", he answer. This time rising to the challenge as he leaned in to meet her.
Silence, but this time Jack was ready for it. Before Aiden even had a chance to supply a cagey response, he snaked one hand behind her neck and pulled her to him in a deep, passionate kiss. She had been expecting it, hell, she had encouraged it, and after a single tentative moment, she returned his kiss with equal fervor. Slowly, their two bodies slid closer together and Jack's freehand found its way to Aiden's waist while hers became buried in his mass of unruly hair.
As their tongues clashed against one another, Jack's hands slowly began to traverse upwards under the baggy shirt that Aiden had untied when she had first gotten home. Whether it was the sensation of his calloused hands on her smooth stomach, or he had crossed some unclear line Jack couldn't be sure, but the moment he attempted to take their little escapade forward, Aiden ended it with a soft kiss before pulling away and standing up.
Leaving him sitting there in confusion, she scooped up their empty mugs and dumped them off in the kitchen. "Night luv. See you in the mornin", she said to him as she began the ascent up the stairs to her bedroom.
"Night", Jack called after her some minutes later, still quite unsure what had just happened.
Outside his range of vision, Aiden smiled wickedly to herself. It was a game, and she played it well. It was almost too easy.
The next morning Aiden awoke at her usual late hour and lay in bed mulling over the previous night's events. She suspected that if Jack was still downstairs, he'd most likely be beside himself having wondered over her behavior the night before. Oh well, she thought to herself. He was hooked now, and she'd let him sweat it out a little bit before delivering what it was he was hoping for.
Following every day's routine, she crawled out of bed, and got herself half presentable looking before clambering down the stairs for something to eat. Just like the morning before, she found Jack already awake, only today he had already made his way to the kitchen and appeared to be fixing breakfast himself.
"Good morning lover", she greeted him, sliding her half-clad body up next to him and delivering a kiss that would have made one wonder if they had been a happy couple for years.
Getting them both something to drink, she seated herself at the table just as Jack served up their meal.
"So, what's the occasion", she asked him.
"Well I've already examined everything in the house, so I figured I try something different this mornin."
"Ah I see. Very thoughtful. Although I must inform you that ye haven't examined quite everything in the house. Ye still haven't seen the bedroom. But", she continued without waiting for a response. "It's a good thing really cause I was really rather late yesterday after our lovely morning chat."
"And am I to assume ye'll not be allowing me to join ye again today?"
Aiden looked thoughtful for a moment. "No, ye can come if ye want", she decided at last. "But it's boring mind you, so don't say I didn't warn ye."
"Well, don't worry about that because I'm actually not coming. I've got to make sure the crew are getting done what I told em to."
"Oh, getting ready to leave so soon", she asked, seemingly unconcerned.
"Ah, I see ye've grown quite attached to the dashing captain. Not that I blame ye. But don't worry, I'm not planning on leavin just yet. Still 'ave some unfinished business to take care of."
Aiden picked up on his insinuation right away. "So you'll still be 'ere Sunday then? It's my day off ye know", she reminded him with a wink.
"Then I guess I will be", Jack assured her.
They finished their breakfast making light conversation about nothing in particular until Aiden announced that it was time to go. Gathering her things, she got herself the rest of the way ready to go out, and hustled them both toward the front door. Stepping out into the warm Caribbean air, she locked the front door and turned to find Jack watching her intently.
"What?"
Grabbing her by the arms, he commenced in kissing her even better than the night before. Something Aiden didn't think was possible.
"Knock it off", she eventually scolded with laughter, punching him in the arm harder than he had been ready for. "I'll 'ave all the neighbors nosin about after a show like this."
***
The rest of the day passed much as the one before it. Aiden did her shopping down at the market and then headed for The Dark Horse, making sure to arrive at her usual time. Getting the bar ready to open, she indulged the curiosity of her fellow barmaids, feeding them allusive details that may or may not have been true. The evening also passed just as the night before. Jack came in with his crew, then seated himself at the bar when they left. Thankfully, the anxiety that had gripped her then night before had subsided, and she was perfectly comfortable with the situation that had enveloped her, leading her to settle back into her usual, albeit somewhat cocky confidence.
Deciding that Thursday was as good a day as any to close a little bit early, Aiden took the liberty of doing so. Some of the regulars became quite a bit disgruntled over this fact, but were quick to quiet down when she threw a few threats in their direction. Shortly thereafter she found herself back at home enjoying the familiar scene of sitting on the couch talking to Jack. There had been no further intimacy shared between them since that morning, save for the noticeably obvious affection they had for one another that was apparent to everyone in the tavern.
As had become the custom, Aiden got up to go to bed not long after they had arrived home. Making her way up the stairs she stopped halfway and looked out over the railing at Jack.
"Ye coming", she asked as though it was abnormal for him not to follow.
Without a word, he quickly sprung from the couch and sprinted up the staircase behind her.
