Ok, here's number thirteen (unlucky for me, at least.) Also, is anyone else having trouble uploading and editing chapters?

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Chapter Thirteen - Lions

Elizabeth didn't like it down here. It was dark, and stuffy. She couldn't see a thing down here. She could hear the faint sound of Jack's breathing, and the splashing of the waves, and the almost ethereal creaks of the ship.

As her eyes grew accustomed to the gloom, she could make out bars of cages or cells. There was another, darker shape, huddled in a corner.

"Jack?"

Elizabeth called out, almost afraid of her own voice as it broke the silence. There was a shuffling sound.

"Aye."

Elizabeth rushed over to the now standing form behind a set of criss-cross bars.

"I'm so sorry Jack, I didn't even try an stop Will sending you down here!"

Jack shrugged. Even in the dark Elizabeth could see, or at least imagine his famous smile.

"No, don't worry your bonny head over it. Will can be a pretty determined lad, I'll give him that."

There was yet another fudgey silence until Jack said;

"So, you discussed the wedding yet then?"

Elizabeth looked surprised. At least she thought she did, there was no mirror down here. Jack couldn't see her anyway, so it was a pretty useless exercise.

"No. What wedding?"

Jack's heart skipped a beat. It kept doing that. Whenever Elizabeth spoke, or laughed, his heart skipped. If he weren't careful, it'd skip so much it wouldn't beat at all.

"Yours and Will's."

There was another pause. Jack felt split right down the middle. One half of him knew that Elizabeth ought to marry Will. But the other half kept haunting him with the memory of her skin against his own, her soft voice whispering his name. Jack gulped. He wasn't used to feeling all mushy over a girl.

Elizabeth bit her lip. It was her natural reaction but it made Jack's heart melt. His face softened, and he found himself wishing that he could cradle her face in his hands once more.

"Jack, I don't think there will be a wedding."

"Shame. No drinks for me an' the crew."

Elizabeth smiled gently. Jack's already melted heart started to bubble up into his throat.

Elizabeth stepped closer to the bars, and twined her fingers through them. Jack's face was so close. His eyes were drawing her in again. Elizabeth wrenched her eyes from his, and walked across to the opposite wall. A set of keys hung on a nail. Elizabeth lifted it from its place, and began trying keys in the cell lock.

One fitted. With shivering hands, Elizabeth opened the cell door. She felt like she was letting a lion out of its cage. The lion pounced.

Ana-Maria tossed and turned. She couldn't sleep, so she swung her legs out of bed, and sat, staring at nothing for several seconds. Yawning expansively, she rubbed sleep from her eyes.

Elizabeth felt Jack's arms encircle her body. His lips met hers with a rush, as she wrapped her arms round his neck. She felt his tongue glide along her lips, and she allowed herself a smile. Jack's lips left hers to curl into a suggestive grin. Elizabeth eased her fingers onto his neck, allowing the feel of guilt and mis-behaviour wash over her.

Jack's skin tingled as her fingers touched his neck. He savoured the feeling as he leant in to kiss her once more. He tangled his fingers into her soft light brown hair, and wrapped his other arm tighter about her waist. It was good being a pirate. Take what you can. Give nothing back.

Ana struggled upright and wandered through the inner quarters of the ship to the outside deck. She saw Will leaning back against a canon, and from his mere posture he seemed deflated.

Ana strode over to him, and looked down at his recumbent form. She kicked him lightly.

"What?"

"Why are ye mopin' about?"

Will stared straight ahead, belligerently. Ana flumped down beside him. Punching him lightly on the arm, Ana tried guessing the problem, although she knew.

"Is the problem Elizabeth?"

"Yes."

"Ahh."

"And no. The main problem is your Captain."

Ana laughed heartily.

"I'll bet he is."

Will glared at his joyful companion.

"Elizabeth is my fiancé!"

"Have ye asked her then?"

"Asked her what?"

"To marry ye."

"No."

Ana stood up and stretched.

"Seems to me she's fair game."

Will very nearly muttered something profane, but stopped himself just in time.

Ana smiled, and walked off down toward the brig.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to tell your so-called fiancé about all this mopin'."

Will was standing up and barring her way in seconds. Ana continued to smile. She raised her knee suddenly, and carried on smiling as Will crumpled into a heap on the deck.

Elizabeth felt her shoulder blades against the wooden wall behind her. She leaned her head back as Jack's lips brushed her shoulder, one rough hand pulling down the shoulder of her dress to expose more of her delicate skin. As he lifted his head, she caught his lips with hers, gently pulling at his bottom lip.

Once again, Elizabeth's eyes were hypnotised by the soft brown orbs opposite. Their faces drew closer until their noses were almost touching. Suddenly, Jack leaned closer, his lips pulling Elizabeth into a long, passionate kiss.

It was as Jack slowly realised that he was dangerously close to falling in love for real, that his little sister walked in.