Author's Note 1/18/06: Hello to all my beautiful readers! This chapter has been changed since the first time it was published because there was one part that bugged me so much I needed to change it. Just to warn you, there's an extended love scene (still PG-13, I promise there's no nudity!) but there are some innuendos. I really like it. Enjoy!
When Michelle woke up in the morning, the Black Pearl was already moving. She turned over and saw the sheets were crumpled up next to her. Jack must have come back while she was sleeping and had already woken up. She got out of bed and walked out on to the deck.
It was a beautiful day for sailing; the sky was blue, the temperature was perfect, and there was a strong wind. Michelle couldn't ask for a more perfect morning. She looked up at the helm and saw Jack steering the ship. She walked over to the wheel and stood behind him. "I hope you weren't out too late," Michelle said. Jack turned around and smiled at her.
"Not at all. I got back not long after you, but by then you were out cold."
Michelle laughed. "I need to talk to you Jack. When you can, go down to your cabin." With that, Michelle walked back down and turned in to the room. Jack didn't know whether to be happy or not. The last time she had to talk to him, it hadn't end well. He called Gibbs over and gave the wheel to him. He walked down and stopped in front of the entrance to his room. 'Don't do anything stupid,' he thought to himself. He took a deep breath and opened the door. Immediately, he was met by Michelle's lips on his. She pulled away, leaving Jack standing there in a state of shock. She walked behind him and closed the door. "Come on, Jack," she said, leading him to the bed. They both sat down on the edge. Michelle looked at him and said, "Jack, you did it. You didn't drink any rum while we were gone, just to show me that you truly want to be with me." She kissed him again. When they parted, he asked, "So does this mean I'm forgiven?"
Michelle smiled. "What do you think?" She gave him a light kiss on the lips.
"I'm not sure I get the message. Can you repeat it?" Michelle laughed and kissed him again.
It had been a couple of days since Michelle had been secretly seeing Jack. Neither one of them mentioned what would happen after they reached Tortuga. They would deal with that when the time came. But for now, things were going perfectly.
One night Michelle was lying in bed with Jack when she asked a question that had been troubling her. "Jack?"
"Mhm?" he replied, his eyes closed.
Michelle turned on her side so she was facing him. "Why do you want to be with me so badly?"
"What?" Jack asked, opening his eyes and turning so he was facing her too.
"Why do you want to be with me so badly? I mean, you could be with any woman you want, and yet you pick the one who left you in the middle of the night with no explanation, was incredibly rude to you, and who made you give up something you love for her own selfish reasons."
"Well, it's like this," Jack began. "Every girl I've ever been with, I forget about after no time at all. But I couldn't keep you out of my head for two years. Now, if that's not reason to fight for you, I don't know what is."
"Jack, that's so sweet," Michelle said, kissing him lightly. She snuggled up next to him, and they fell asleep in each other's arms.
Michelle was up on deck letting the cool air blow on her face. She turned around and saw Jack looking at her from the wheel. She couldn't stop thinking about what Jack had said last night. She had left him without warning and didn't see or even contact him in two years, and he still couldn't forget her. It was almost scary to think that she could influence someone that strongly. This got her wondering how much power she truly held over the pirate. A smile crept its way onto her face. She had a plan to see just how strong of a hold she had on him. She leaned up against the side of the ship and shrugged her shoulders so the sleeves dropped down her arms, making the neckline of her dress lower. She raised a hand and started fanning the exposed skin. She stole a glace at Jack and saw him staring at her, his jaw slightly dropped and mouth agape. It took everything in her to not laugh at the look on his face. Now she just had to see how long he took to come over and her question would be answered….
"Luv, you better stop doing that."
Michelle was scared so much that she literally jumped at the sound of Jack's voice. She glanced from the wheel to the man standing next to her. She hadn't even seen him budge an inch. How was it humanly possible for someone to move that quickly and without detection?
During her musings, Michelle hadn't fixed her appearance, much to Jack's delight. He stared down at her, a smug smile on his face, and said, "You know, if you don't stop, I'll just have to take you right here on the deck."
"Oh Jack," she breathed, a hint of scandalization in her voice, and continued fanning herself, but not because she was still acting.
"Don't say my name like that," he warned huskily. But that just fueled her on.
"Jack," she repeated passionately, her lips forming a playful grin as she saw the effect it had on him.
He darted his eyes around the deck to make sure no one was listening. "I'm serious. Stop that right now before I do something incredibly stupid."
It was just too much fun. She wasn't stopping. "Oh Jack Sparrow," she uttered, slightly moaning the first word.
"Come on Michelle. You're driving me crazy."
"Captain Jack," she continued, not heeding his pleas. That, however, was too much for poor Jack to handle. The pirate grabbed her hand and dragged a shocked Michelle across the deck. He pushed opened the door to his cabin and led her in. He turned around to face her and said, "Finally I can stop that wicked tongue of yours and put it to better use."
He closed the gap between them and started kissing her hungrily, letting her feel the effect her taunting had on him. She replied with the same amount of vigor, running her hands over his back, his fingers tangled in her brown locks. Feeling a sea breeze hit her back, Michelle realized that they had left the door open, and without stopping Jack, slowly walked over to the door and closed it shut with her leg.
Jack followed Michelle's lead, but instead of steering them over to the door, he brought her over to his bed. When they reached it, Jack threw Michelle on it and looked down at her with dark chocolate eyes filled with lust. "Now you'll see what happens to naughty women who don't listen to me on my ship."
Michelle quirked one of her eyebrows. "What's the punishment?"
Jack gave her a wolfish smile. "A duel to the death. But don't worry, I'll go easy on you."
"Don't worry, Captain. I can handle anything you give me." Michelle pulled Jack's head down to meet hers, and the battle began. The two crossed tongues with a fury that showed neither would be backing down. Michelle started running her hands down his chest and grabbed onto the bottom of his shirt. Soon, the offending cloth was removed and she was free to roam his well-toned chest. Jack decided to return the favor and started unlacing the front of Michelle's dress.
"Hey Jack, I was just wonder-"
Michelle and Jack both looked up and saw a startled looking Will standing in the doorway. Michelle quickly got out from under Jack and started to relace her dress. Jack followed suit and put his shirt back on. "What do ye want Will?" asked a very irritated Jack.
Will wasn't paying attention, but was staring at Michelle. "Michelle can I talk to you for a second?" Michelle glanced nervously at Jack before nodding and following Will out of the room. She closed the door behind her.
When they were outside, Will leaned against the side of the ship and stared out at the sea, looking at nothing in particular. Michelle stood there for a little bit before saying, "What is it, Will?"
He turned around to face her. "What did you think you were doing?" he asked, trying to keep the anger out of his voice.
His tone filled her with guilt that she tried to hide. "What do you mean?"
"Kissing him! What were you thinking?"
"I… I don't know," Michelle said, sounding defeated.
"How long has this been going on?"
"Ever since Cangrejo."
Will gripped the railing on deck and looked away from Michelle to help control his temper that was threatening to erupt. "How can you do this?" Will asked. "You're supposed to be marrying Robert." He looked back over at her.
"I don't want to talk about this," she mumbled.
"You have to! What about Robert?"
"What about him?" Michelle practically yelled, irritation laced in her words.
"You're supposed to marry him!"
"So?"
"So? Michelle! You're going to marry him. You love him!"
"No I don't! I don't love him!" Michelle crossed her arms over her chest in indignation.
Will looked at her with worry in his eyes. "Don't say that. All this time away has confused you. You're getting cold feet."
"No I'm not. I don't love him. I never have," she replied, calming down a bit.
"Then why are you marring him?"
"Because my heart had been broken. I needed that feeling of being special. And you and Elizabeth begging me to get married didn't help."
A moment of silence passed over them. Will broke it by saying, "Do you love Jack?"
"I don't know. After last time, I don't even want to think about love."
"Does he know about Robert?"
"No, I never told him. And I didn't plan on telling him."
Will walked up to her and gave her a small hug. "We'll be in Port Royal sooner than you know, and Robert will be there. You have to tell Jack about him."
"Do I have to Will?" she asked in a slightly whining voice.
"Yes, and I think you should tell him now."
"Now?"
Will nodded. "The sooner you get it over with, the easier it will be."
Michelle nodded and walked over to the door to Jack's cabin. She looked at Will, hoping he would reconsider, but he motioned for her to enter. Michelle took a deep breath before opening the door. Jack was sitting in a chair with his legs crossed on top of the table, a rum bottle in his hand. When he saw Michelle, he put the rum down and walked over to her. "So, how'd the whelp take it?"
"Huh? Oh, Will? He took it… fine."
"Well that's good. Now, where were we?" Jack started to kiss Michelle, but she pushed him away. "Jack, there's something I need to tell you." Jack could tell by the sound of her voice that what she had to say was not good news. He led her back to the table and sat down with her and said, "What is it?"
She looked in to his chocolate eyes and hated the words she had to say to him. "Jack, I'm engaged."
Jack looked at her confused. "What was that?"
"I'm engaged Jack!" She stood up turned her back to him.
"You mean, to a man?" Jack asked.
"Yes, to a man," Michelle replied.
"And you're going to get married?"
"Well, that's what you do when you're engaged," Michelle said, turning around to face Jack.
"To him."
"Yes Jack, to him."
There was a pause. "How long have you known about it?"
"You know when the pirates came and kidnapped me? That was during my engagement party."
"Do you have a ring?"
"I left it at my house before the party." She sat down again.
"So, you've known about this engagement all this time?"
"Yes."
"And you were not going to tell me and lead me on?"
"Look, I'm really sorry Jack, but-"
Jack held up his hand, stopping her. "I don't want to hear it. Now if you excuse me, I have a ship to attend to." With that, he got up and left the room. As Michelle watched him leave, tears welled up in to her eyes. Will came in once he saw Jack leave and sat down next to Michelle. "How did it go?" he asked.
"Horrible, if you really want to know." She sobbed slightly.
"I knew I shouldn't have gotten Jack to help us. Look, it's led you to get your heart broken by him all over again."
"It's not his fault. He showed that he was capable of being trusted, and I broke that trust."
Will gave her a confused look. "What do you mean, he showed that he could be trusted?"
Michelle told him about the deal they made, and how she wouldn't forgive him unless he gave up drinking for the couple of nights they were in Cangrejo. When she was done, Will looked even more confused. "But I saw Jack drinking when we were over there."
Michelle looked at him questioningly. "I watched him every day. He didn't drink anything."
Will shook his head. "No, I remember. It was our last day in town. Jack and I were talking with Tim and he offered us some drinks. Jack took a glass and downed it in one gulp. Tim kept refilling until Jack was so drunk he couldn't walk without me helping him." Michelle stared at Will, her tears stopping. Jack had lied to her? He hadn't lasted the whole time. She stood up and walked over to the door, not stopping when Will called her name. She walked right up to the helm of the ship where Jack was standing and said, "You lied to me."
Jack kept his eyes in front of him. "Last I checked you lied to me too."
"You drank!" Michelle yelled. "You couldn't even last three days without having a drink. I trusted you, Jack."
"Yeah? Well I trusted you too. You were engaged and didn't tell me."
"Can we please stop talking about that right now? I'm looking at the fact that you lied to me. And besides, you never asked me if I was engaged, so it's not the same."
"And you didn't ask me if I had anything to drink. If I remember correctly, you threw yourself on me."
"Threw myself?" Michelle was mad now. "In your dreams would I ever throw myself at you!"
"Well, we all must be in my imagination."
Michelle yelled out in frustration. "You disgust me, Mister Sparrow." She stormed off.
"That's Captain to you!" he yelled before she slammed the door to her room.
"Will,can you be so kind as to inform Miss Davis that we have reached Tortuga and will be leaving for Port Royal shortly?"
Will rolled his eyes. Ever since the fight Jack and Michelle had the other day, the two had not talked to each other, and when they mentioned the other person, they would say "Miss Davis" or "the Captain". He walked down to Michelle's room and knocked on the door. "Michelle?" he called. "We've reached Tortuga."
He could hear noise coming from inside. Michelle opened the door and walked out. "Why aren't we going straight to Port Royal again?"
They started walking towards the deck. "Because Jack doesn't want the Navy to gun down his ship when he enters port. We'll barter our passage on to a ship heading that way. We should be there soon." The two of them emerged on deck where Jack was waiting for them to come over.
"Good," said Michelle. "Robert must be worried sick about me." She said this loudly so that Jack could hear, but he pretended that he didn't. "I expect Elizabeth's going to be happy when you arrive," Michelle added as they made their way down the plank and on to the dock.
"You've got a real good lass," Jack commented. "I bet she wouldn't lie to you and sleep around with other men. Yep, she's real faithful."
"Well you shouldn't be the one to talk about faithful, Mr. Sparrow," Michelle commented, shooting him a menacing look, which he was all too glad to return.
"You're just the pot calling the kettle black," he replied. Will turned around and stopped them from walking any farther.
"Will you two stop bickering? If you continue this until we get to Port Royal, I will probably shoot myself. Now, if you're going to argue, don't do it in front of me." Will turned around and marched off. Jack held his hands out in front of him. "After you, Miss Davis." Michelle huffed and ran up so she was next to Will. Jack walked up on his other side. The three of them found a ship that would be leaving for Port Royal and negotiated with the captain for a ride. They left the next day, none of them talking to each other.
Hey! I saw Secret Window last weekend, and it was so good! Johnny Depp was really hot (but then again he always is… sigh). If you like scary/suspense movies, go see it now! Well, after you review for my story of course! Ok, now on to the review responses.
TriGemini: I haven't thought about how she has a lot of accidents, but now that I do, she does (well, when she's around Jack that is!). Well, Jack does love his rum (when is he not drunk, I ask you?), even though it wasn't as impressive as she could have made it.
Lauren: We should start brainstorming for the story. I have no ideas, so if you do, email them to me and we can talk about it and stuff.
IceSpikeXBlackRose: Ok, you reviewed to me four times (lol). Yeah, Jack was stupid at the end of False Identity. But I love him anyway! I wanted to have a sequel because it was a two year shift, and I thought that was too much time to skip in one story (even though in the one I'm thinking of it has a thirteen year skip. Ironic how these things happen.) Not drinking rum was so bad for Jack that he ends up drinking when her back is turned. But I'm glad I've given you some ideas, but don't make a Changing Faces story around these lines because that would make me sad (lol). But I do like that my writing is that good.
Brittany Baker: I'm glad you think they should be together, but will they be able to? The suspense!
XPUNKROCKGODDESSX: Well, you should've gotten the alert for this! If you have me on author alert, you'll be alerted about every posting and new story I make, so you should get this unless you take me off your list (which I hope you don't).
Butter Shoes: This would be a reply to you if you had reviewed my story! Just kidding, I know your computer was being a butt wad, so I'll pretend you said that it was a miracle that I posted that week and I should get a cookie. I'll be waiting for the cookie at lunch on Monday (lol).
Well that's it! Thanks to Stina for betaing for me! You're my hero Ferris Bueller! R/R!