I hate disclaimers but alas I'm poor and can't afford what the Mouse would sue me for, so…

Thanks to Chelsey, Xcoolcomic, CaptnJackRocksMyWorld, CaribbeanMama and welcome back to Summery-ice and SummerRain. Special thanks must go to wamy, who over the course of the week-end read and reviewed the whole story - cheers! Thanks also to Hilary and Lin for editing and have a good holiday Linnie!

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Chapter twenty one: 'Ah, so yer alive then?'

'Port ho!'

Jenny had waited patiently for the sight of Fortaleza to appear. She had not gone ashore at Montevideo as they had only stopped for long enough to re-supply the ship and then there had been a tropical storm whilst they were there, so now she was more than ready to set foot on land. Jack had even promised that they would stay for a couple of days. She was itching to go below and change into a dress but she still had another hour of her watch to go, so she leaned against the rail and watched as the harbour grew nearer.

'Jonas, go an' relieve Jenny from th'nest,' Jack ordered. He had been looking forward to the sight of her in a dress he had been hoarding for long enough to wait any more.

'Aye, aye, Cap'n.' Jonas Lowe climbed the rigging quickly, grinning at Jenny as he appeared over the side. 'Cap'n says I'm ter relieve ya.'

'Oh, right. Thanks Jonas,' She flashed him a grateful smile and climbed down the rope, wanting to go the proper way down rather than use the lubber's hole.

Jack watched with his heart in his mouth as she slowly made her way down to the deck then strode over to her, a grin splitting his face. 'Well done luv, I'm proud o'ya. C'mon, let's get ya dressed.'

'Are you meeting up with Mendez again?' Jenny disappeared down the hatch and along the corridor to their cabin, Jack not far behind her.

'Nah, don't worry Jen. No whores on me lap this time, I promise. Here, I thought ya'd look good in this.'

Jenny gasped at the russet coloured silk dress with a cream underskirt and cream lace trimming the bodice and cuffs. 'Jack, it's beautiful! I don't remember seeing this before.'

'I've been savin it for ya, an' I thought… well after last time we were here, ya might like ter wear it. No rowing in th'bloody thing though.'

'Well, you behave Jack Sparrow and I will not need to row myself back to the ship, shall I?'

Jenny shed her work clothes quickly, batting away Jack's supposed helping hands then undid the laces of the bodice before slipping into the dress, allowing Jack to pull the laces tight. She glared at him with mock severity as he leered at her breasts spilling over the top of the bodice. She fetched her gold and pearl pendant and fastened it around her neck as she watched Jack getting changed into close fitting black breeches and a crisp white linen shirt which was a size too big, just as he liked. He did a couple of buttons up so it flapped loosely, giving brief glimpses of the scars and tattoos that lined his body. He offered his arm to Jenny, who went barefoot while they left the cabin, opting to carry her shoes as they made their way back onto the deck. She curtsied and twirled at the whistles that accompanied her progress, then waited patiently as the boson's chair was rigged for her so she did not have to attempt to climb down the side of the ship in her dress. She sat back in the boat feeling like a grand lady as Jack rowed them ashore then took his hand as he helped her from the boat and slipped on her shoes.

'Are we going to the same inn as last time?' Jenny prayed they were not, but was unsurprised when Jack nodded. 'I see…'

'I told ya Jen, no whores. Can't promise too much on th'business side though, depends who's there, savvy? Ya have ter make the most of each opportune moment. Oi missy, you takin' th'piss?' Jack glared at Jenny as he caught her mimicking his words then laughed as she gave him a winsome smile and batted her lashes. 'Ah, here we are.' He led the way into the inn, his eyes scanning the room in an instant, making sure there was no trouble, before walking across to the bar and ordering drinks for them both, keeping Jenny at his side the entire time.

She glanced uneasily around her as she wondered whether the man she had flirted with would be there, knowing there might be trouble if he was. She followed Jack to an alcove, smiling apologetically at the previous occupants as they scurried away to make room for them, then took a sip from the goblet in front of her, being surprised to taste wine.

'Thought ya might like a change from rum or ale, luv.'

'Mmm yes, it's lovely.' She sat back and started to relax, but her enjoyment was tempered as she spotted Rodrigo Mendez enter the tavern. 'Damn,' she thought to herself, casting a warning glance at Jack.

'Jack! Jenny!' Mendez crossed the room, arms outstretched and a broad smile of his face. 'Did you have a successful trip?'

'Aye Rodrigo, very successful. In fact, we might be able to do a little business,' Jack ignored the heavy sigh coming from his companion and leaned forward, glancing about to make sure no-one was listening in. 'There's stuff in th'hoard that I won't be able ter shift in th'Caribbee but will go down a treat here. Do'ya want ter have a look-see?'

'Jack… Jack. You really have to ask? Of course I'd like a look.' Mendez snapped his fingers as a serving wench passed by and indicated for some more drinks. 'We'll have a drink first then look, si?'

'Nah, we'll take a look tomorrow, I'll be kinda busy tonight, savvy?' he grinned in the direction of Jenny who gave a sardonic smile back.

'Ah yes, I see. I do see indeed. No favours from the Madame then?' Mendez laughed raucously then took a large gulp of his drink as the barmaid placed it on the table.

By the time Jack and Mendez had finished swapping stories, Jenny's head was pounding from too much of the potent wine and she was having trouble keeping her eyes open. She looked blearily at Jack as he helped her to her feet and staggered across the room to the stairs, almost tripping up as she climbed them. She followed Jack into a room then sat on the bed as he used the chamber pot, feeling her eyes getting heavier until the world went black.

…

The room spun, making Jenny think she was back on The Pearl then the pain started in her head and built to a crescendo of pounding that battled for dominance with the queasy feeling in her stomach. She scrambled off the bed and dived for the urine filled chamber pot and heaved, not caring that the contents splashed out on to the floor.

'Ah, so yer alive then?' Jack sat up and watched as she bent over the pot, clutching her stomach.

'Sod off, Jack,' she growled, before heaving again.

'I'd have thought ya'd learned ter handle yer drink while on board th'ship,' he chuckled, climbing off the bed and stretching like a cat.

'Ha bloody ha!' Jenny straightened gingerly then realised she was dressed only in her slip. 'I hope you did not… while I was incapacitated.'

'Of course I didn't. Where's th'fun in that? C'mon, let's get somethin' ter eat, then meet up wi'Mendez and take him to th'ship.' He helped Jenny back into the dress then dressed himself and led the way down to the kitchen of the tavern where food was being served to the patrons.

'I'm not sure I can manage anything.' Jenny eyed the food apprehensively, before chancing a hunk of bread, some cheese and water from the pitcher on the table. She dutifully followed Jack out of the tavern and down the lane to the docks where she saw Rodrigo Mendez already waiting for them.

'Rodrigo! Yer haven't been waitin' long, have ya?' Jack clapped his friend on the back, beaming broadly.

'No, no Jack. I've been watching the world go by. It's surprising what you can find out just by watching. Jenny, you are still as lovely in the day time.' Mendez took her hand and kissed it, his dark eyes leering at her.

She withdrew her hand from Mendez's grasp and gave it to Jack as he helped her into the boat then sat at the bow where there was less room for Mendez to sit and smiled inwardly as he sat at the stern, looking slightly disappointed. She clutched her stomach as the boat rocked when Jack took up the oars and wondered if she would make it back to the ship without disgracing herself.

Jenny climbed into the bosun's chair with some help from Jack and left him to show Mendez around, while she went to the cabin, stripped out of the silk dress and lay down on the bunk, relieved that her stomach seemed to have settled down.

…

'Jen…. Jenny.'

'Hmm? Oh Jack, I must have dozed off. Is Mendez still here?'

'Nah, he's gone to arrange transport and payment fer some o'the statues and suchlike. Come on missy, get yerself decent, we're goin' ashore again.'

'Oh, must we?' Jenny heaved herself upright and off the bunk. 'Where are we going? Not the tavern again?'

'I thought we'd have a walk around town, get some personal supplies in then come back to th'ship. There's only a skeleton watch on tonight,' Jack's eyes danced mischievously at the thought.

'Just don't expect me to drink anything.'

'I don't luv. In fact, I'm hidin' th'booze from ya. Don't want ya passin' out on me again.'

She pulled a face at him, then rummaged through the closet in the side cabin for her short sleeved cream dress and soft leather ankle boots and quickly dressed, hopping across the cabin as she pulled the boots on. 'All right Captain Sparrow, I'm all yours.'

'I know yer are Jenny,' he whispered huskily.

'Later Jack, behave yourself.' She pushed him away and hurried from the cabin, shrieking as he ran after her.

…

The heat was stifling and was making Jenny feel steadily worse. She could not imagine that the wine would have affected her so badly, but her head was still pounding and her stomach pitching like a ship. What made it worse was that Jack was taking his time walking about the markets and shops of the town, oblivious to her discomfort. She made for the shade of a tree and sat beneath it while he bartered with a trader selling breeches made of animal skin, coming away with at least four pairs that she could see.

'Come on yer lazy madam,' he grinned, helping her up from the ground. 'Just a couple more things an' we'll head back fer th'ship, eh? Whereabouts shall I have yer tonight?' He winked broadly at his lover and shifted the breeches to his left arm so he could wind his right one around her waist.

'Somewhere comfortable please,' she smiled, hoping that she would feel better soon. She did not want to refuse him again.

'So that rules out lashin' yer t'the bowsprit then?'

'Damn bloody right it does Jack!' She was not sure whether he was joking or not.

'An' I suppose over a cannon doesn't appeal…?'

'Jack Sparrow…' she warned, stopping and looking at him, a stern expression on her face.

'The hell?'

Jenny burst out laughing at his teasing and swiped a playful fist at him.

'How 'bout th'nest? Can be quite comfy up there, eh?'

'And have the crew and heaven knows who else listening in?'

'Gawd, yer a spoilsport woman,' he grumbled, pulling a face at her. 'I suppose it'll have ter be th'cabin again.'

'I'm sure we can think of a way to spice things up a little,' she smiled winsomely.

'Aye, I'm sure we can,' Jack grinned, starting on his way once more, his arm still around Jenny's waist. 'I'm sure we can…'

…