A/N: Is it possible?? Have I done it????? I've hit the big 5-0! *Gasp * Amazing! *is all teary-eyed * I'd like to thank my wonderful reviewers, and Johnny Depp for playing Jack Sparrow, who is, in fact, my lust object. Now, on to the next chapter! WooHOO! I write this chapter with the (much appreciated) help of labrat47, aka Suzanne. Thank you, dahling!
Victoria stared, wide-eyed, as Jack suddenly bolted out of the tavern.
"What was that about?" she thought, staring after him. She suddenly realized that she was wearing his clothes, and that he was going back to the inn. Any minute he'd walk in and realize that she, and his coat, was gone. She stumbled out, brushing off a few wenches who accosted her on the way to the door.
Once stepping outside into the sunshine again, she sprinted down the road, hoping to beat Jack to the room. Stopping at a well, she pulled up some water and cleaned herself up, rubbing the kohl off her eyes and taking her hair down. Arriving at the inn, she darted past the lady at the front, ignoring her yells of "Wait! You need to pay!" Bursting into the room, she found Jack already there, searching the room frantically. Victoria leaned against the doorway, hoping that he hadn't seen her. But, standing up from looking under the bed, she realized that he had.
"Where the bloody hell have you been-" Jack began, but stopped short when he noticed her wearing his coat. Her hair was damp from the well water, as it hung past her shoulders. The coat was dotted with wet spots. She stood there, with her mouth gaping wide.
"Uh…" she said nervously, taking off the coat and balling it up nervously. He looked at her, puzzled. Victoria could barely hear his almost inaudible mutters of "Mr. Reming…" Suddenly, comprehension dawned on his face.
"You…you're…" he said, pointing at her. She nodded, a wave of anger rushing over her.
"Gone to meet Crystal, you womanizing bastard?" she cried, throwing the jacket at him. He flinched, not saying a word.
"Eh…calm down, love, please?" he pleaded, shoving the coat behind him onto the bed.
"Well…I went to The Faithful Bride to…uh, end it with her. She thought that it would work out between us forever," Jack said nervously, shielding his face from a potential slap.
Victoria made to slap him, but his last words halted her. She stopped in mid-slap, her mouth gaping wide.
"You-you…what?
"Nothing lasts forever when you're with me, love," Jack said, grinning. His hand was still up, protecting his face. Though Victoria was mad at him, a horrible weight settled in her stomach. She felt as though she was going to have a heart attack. Her bottom lip quivered.
Wait! Why am I so upset about this? I already knew how Jack was with women! I should have known this! And I don't even like him! Or do I?
"Well, don't you find it funny that every time you go to a pub, I get attacked? What if that happened again, eh? I bet you'd never forgive yourself. No, wait, I'm sorry this is CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow we're talking about. You never care about anyone. And if you do, it's never long-term," she snapped, crossing her arms.
But I do care, Jack thought. What was that! Did I just say that I care?
Suddenly, Jack's face turned from a confused look to a concerned look.
"I'm sorry for leaving you alone, love. I should have been here to make sure you were alright."
"I don't need your help," Victoria said, storming out, leaving Jack alone in the room.
%%Jack's POV%%
Jack sat on the bed, kneading his forehead with his knuckles.
"Bloody 'ell, I'll never win with her," he said to himself. Suddenly, a couple came in.
"Excuse me, but you are not allowed in here. This is OUR room," the woman said, pointing him to the door. Jack quickly left, passing the woman at the front.
"Why, hello Mr. Smith. I trust your wife is doing well?" she said cheerfully from her desk, doing needlework. Jack cringed as he slowly turned around. She gestured to an empty chair beside her. He reluctantly sat.
"Actually I don't think so. She left. A while back." The woman gasped, dropping her embroidery.
"Don't let her get away. You don't want some man to get her again, do you? A woman is a very precious thing," she said matter-of-factly, picking up her needle. Jack snorted, slumping in his seat.
"How would you know," he muttered.
"Excuse me, but I had a husband as well. A while before we got married, we had a tiny fight. It seemed big then, but it's nothing now. I left him, heading to The Faithful Bride. I was defenseless, and it took him an hour to realize that if I was gone, he'd be shattered, just like I would be with him. Even though I pretended that I didn't like him. That was a special night, it was," she said serenely, picking at a knot in her thread. "He proposed to me that night." The woman sighed, dropping her needle on the floor. "I miss him dearly. I wish that I had spent more time with him before he died." She inhaled deeply, swallowing back tears. Jack was sure that she didn't even notice he was there. So, very quietly, he edged out of the inn.
As he stepped out into the moonlight, a thought struck him.
Victoria is gone. She's out there, with no one to save her from a mangy dog like that man. What if- In his mind, he pictured a dead carcass lying in the middle of the street, surrounded by blood. He heard voices pounding in his ears.
She's dead! Dead! Screaming in his ears. Jack covered his ears in a panicky motion.
"Bloody voices! I get it! I'll go find her!" he yelled, making people on the streets stare at him. And with that, he strode off, searching wildly for the girl he loved-Wait! LOVE? I do NOT love her! Jack thought frantically, his brows furrowed in frustration. She's a temperamental, impulsive, spoiled little wench! he thought furiously. But she is a fiery little strumpet, you have to give 'er that. As he turned the corner to the Faithful Bride, he imagined once again the rotting carcass of the girl he loved-no, liked. Yes, I definitely like her. How could I not? She's a smart lil' lass, independent-nothing could break her spirit, helpful in a tight spot, Jack mused, sauntering down the street. And amusing, even if she didn't mean to be. She's such a sweet lass too, a man could really learn to talk to the girl. Not to mention absolutely beautiful…He stopped in front a couple making out, and caught himself wishing that it were him and Victoria.
All, right, bloody 'ell, I'll admit it. I love her, he thought, throwing his hands up in defeat. But only a little..