by Poppets of the Pearl
a.k.a. Cherry-Alanna and LittleBlackStarz
Disclaimer: You know what we own. Adelia. Odessa. The plot. No stealing. And please no flames--be kind. Don't spoil the movie for us. But, Constructive criticism is accepted, with thanks.
~Chapter 9: Great Expectations
A few hours later found the quartet seated in Odessa's family home, sipping harsh, dark wine (known mostly only to the gypsy kind) and chatting loudly with Will's newfound step family. The room they were currently in was large and dim, covered with brightly colored tapestries and rugs. There was a low table in the center completely covered with food; a miniature feast. The entire group sat on rugs, as was custom, at the table and smiled after the wonderful feast.
"Thank you for the remarkable victuals. It was more than I expected," Will stated happily, smiling at Odessa and her grandparents.
"My compliments to the chef," declared Jack, slyly winking at Odessa's grandmother, who blushed in pleasure at the statement.
Will shook his head shortly, smiling at the old woman. "Trust me, after a few days at sea, food of this quantity and quality is next to a miracle. One can tire easily of soup, bread, and old cheese."
"And rum," Adelia murmured underneath her breath.
Both Jack and Will heard her, and at the comment Will's body went rigid with shock and surprise. What exactly happened last night?, he wondered, for the quantity of rum he had drunk clouded his memory.
"Excuse me?" Will questioned her, meeting her eyes directly. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," Adelia chanted, turning back to her plate.
But for once, Will didn't except what he was given from her.
"No, you meant something, Ms. Emerson. What you were actually inquiring?"
Both Jack and Odessa turned to Adelia, waiting for her reply to Will's peculiar questioning.
Adelia hated being put on the spot, especially by little fools such as William Turner. Because Adelia could feel her temper quickly rising and her cheeks growing hot, she stood up. Ignoring Will, she politely turned to Odessa.
"Pardon me for a moment, but I need to escape the suffocation of an ego in this room. I'll be back momentarily." Turning swiftly, she left the large tent.
As she walked by him, Will gazed up at her, glaring. She, on the other hand, didn't dare meet his passionate look for fear of the possibility that she could slap him. For once, she was trying to hold the reigns of her temper, and for reasons oblivious to her.
Once she was gone, Will intended to make conversation with Jack and Odessa, but his mind was full on ponderings, and Adelia. Rising impatiently, he followed the path she had taken.
He found her some distance away from the tent, her arms folded and red hair blowing in the wind. Hearing his footsteps, Adelia turned to face her visitor. Seeing it was Will, she arched one eyebrow curiously.
Forgetting beating around the bush, he asked the wonder that had been on his mind all morning. "Ms. Emerson...Adelia,..did something happen between...us...last night?"
Uncrossing her arms, she studied him intently. "You mean to say you don't remember?" she asked, fighting the hurt that had seemed to form.
"No.....did something happen?" he asked again, confused.
"Oh,..well...You were great," she informed him, smiling with a secret on her lips.
At what she was implying began to register, Will's eyes went wide from amazement. Had he really been so drunk that he had...done that?
"What?"
"Don't worry," she said, poking his playfully in the chest, "I won't tell if you won't. But I'll never forget it." After letting her hand settle on his chest for a moment, she removed it and went to re-enter the tent. Once inside, Adelia chuckled shortly at her own performance.
Will stared after her, not sure what to do. He had never even thought of doing anything to that extreme, especially with someone who seemed to detest him so. Why, even he and Elizabeth had never made love, considering the fact that they were not married. He respected marriage and had planned on staying a virgin til his own marriage.
Yet, the strange part was that he didn't feel any different; he still felt the same, as if a part of him hadn't changed. He didn't know if losing one's 'innocence' would give them a new sensation, but Will imagined that one would at least know something was amiss. Glancing back at the tent, Will came to the conclusion that if anyone could give him a straight answer, it would be Jack.
Upon entering, Will found the pirate captain alone, looking as if in deep thought. Will smiled shortly at the expression on Jack's face. He looked so much in concentration that it almost pained Will to interrupt.
At the tap on his shoulder, Jack's eyes shot up, meeting Will's. He had been in deep thought about his next plans for the lad and Adelia, yet short images of Odessa kept intervening.
"Adelia seemed cheerful, lad," Jack started, "Whatever ye said to the lass certainly worked."
Will sat down beside his friend at that and murmured, "I didn't exactly say anything. She more or less did all the talking."
Jack's eyebrow shot up in confusion, "Explain."
"Jack," Will began, "did Adelia and I...well, did we...um...you know." He motioned with his hands, trying to make Jack understand his concern.
Once the pirate got the message, he let out a loud, sudden chuckle. After Will shushed him, he spoke. "Good Lord, Will, where did ye ever get an idea such as that?"
The younger man's face darken as he replied, "Adelia."
Jack tried to keep his face set straight as he noticed Will's expression; he looked as if he could easily strangle the pirate girl for scaring him so. Jack then remarked, "She sure keeps ye jumping, doesn't she, lad?"
~*~
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