A/N: Sorry for the bad procrastination... i'm getting into a bit of a writers block, im not exactly sure what I want to say and... well, you all know what I mean. ;] anyways, here's my best attempt at a chapter.

Chapter 17: Apologies Accepted

"This is so childish," Juliet complained to Anamaria while they both moved around in the riggings. "We haven't spoken in five days. It's immature. He really should have apologized to me by now." Anamaria just shook her head, amazed at the stupidity of those two. She knew Juliet was growing tired of not speaking to Jack. Jack was tired of this too. They had been avoiding each other for five days, giving each party plenty of time to contemplate what the other had said. Juliet slept on the floor in the corner of the captain's room, as far away as possible from Jack, who would slam the door open every night when he had handed off the wheel, purposely waking Juliet up. In the mornings, Juliet would make sure she was up earlier than Jack, and start singing incredibly loudly as she waltzed past his bed towards the bathroom. Occasionally, if he didn't wake up, she'd bend right over to his ear and scream, enjoying the panicked expression that spread across his face as he sprung up. They both were tired of this behavior, however, neither wanted to be the one who apologized first. Later in the afternoon, Anamaria stood by Jack at the wheel, hoping to knock a little sense into him.

"This is not good. Not good! We haven't spoken in five days. I can't concentrate, and I'm not even enjoying the rum. Something must be done about this, Ana, she should have apologized to me by now." Jack turned to look at Anamaria, who was standing beside him at the wheel. Again, she shook her head, but this time she felt the need to speak up.

"Jack, yer both being childish and silly. Earlier, Juliet said just about the exact thing that ye did now, except she wants you to apologize to her. You've obviously both thought about what the other has said, you've given each other long enough. Nothing is going to get done if one of ye doesn't apologize very soon, we aren't far from that island now! We only have a few more days, and it's my understanding that there is some serious planning that needs to take place before then. If you two aren't speaking, that can't happen, and it puts Jacquelyn in grave danger. Jack," Anamaria hissed. "Go apologize to 'er. NOW. She's over there."

Anamaria waved her hand toward the front of the ship and shoved Jack away from the wheel. He gave her a pleading look, but she shook her head and planted her hands on the wheel. "Now." Jack sighed, defeated, and start to saunter over to Juliet.

She was standing near the front of the ship, leaning over the rail and staring into the troubled waters of the ocean. She couldn't see very far down, but her gaze pierced the cloudy surface and let her see the movement beneath the water. It kind of reminded her of the way Jack would look at her sometimes. He would stare into her deep blue eyes and right into her troubled heart, but never all the way in, just as Juliet couldn't see all the way to the bottom of the sea. That was what she loved about him. But, no-- that couldn't be right. She didn't love him anymore! She hadn't loved him in seven years... No, no, she definitely could not love him. She was very angry with him, how could you be in love when you were that angry? And he certainly didn't love her. Not a chance...

Suddenly, Jack's reflection appeared in the water besides Juliet's. It took her a second to notice, but when she did, it surprised her so much that she yelped and jumped back from the rail, landing on her bottom. Jack couldn't contain his laughter very well, but offered her a hand to get up. She glared at him and got up on her own, then made to walk away from him, but he reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her back to the railing next to him. They both were silent for a moment, then Juliet quietly spoke.

"Did you think about it?"

"I have," said Jack softly. He turned to look at her, but she kept her eyes locked on the waves, not wanting to make eye contact with him yet, for fear of what might happen if they looked at each other too long. Jack was quiet, turning his head back to the waves as well. Juliet sighed and glanced at Jack's reflection, only to find it watching hers. "I'm sorry, Jules." Juliet's head popped up, as she turned to Jack. She must have been mistaken, he couldn't possibly be apologizing to her.

"What did you say?" she murmured a bit skeptically. Jack stared straight into her eyes, just the way she had been thinking about only moments ago. An almost undetectable shiver racked her body as he stepped closer to her.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible above the crashing of the waves against the sides of the ship. Juliet was stunned.

"I... I'm..." she stammered and stumbled over her words. "I'm sorry too, Jack..." She sighed sadly, and continued. "This was all... it was immature and childish and-" Jack was steadily getting closer to Juliet, one of his arms now encircled around her waist, and she was getting nervous. "And I... well, I think we-" Jack was now fully pressed up against her, one hand resting on the small of her back and the other at her side. She knew he was enjoying the effect he had on her, and she sighed defeatedly. "Well, I'm sorry."

Before she could move away, Jack's lips had swooped down upon hers, capturing them and sending another shiver through her entire body. The entire crew stopped what they were doing and began whistling and cheering, obviously glad Jack and Juliet's little spat was over for the moment. Juliet slowly pulled away and leaned her forehead against Jack's, oblivious to the applause and stares that surrounded them, and stared into his eyes longingly. Longing for what, she wasn't sure, but for something, anything. Just to feel the same way she used to feel when she was with him, like she was completely safe, and there was no one in the world who could make her happier. Slowly, those feelings did seem to be returning.

"All is forgiven, love," Jack said gently, so only she could hear him. "But there are still things we need to talk about..." He took her hand and led her off to his quarters, earning countless raised eyebrows from the crew.

Once inside, the pair sat down on Jack's bed, happy to get away from the outside world for a bit. Jack tossed the covers over himself and pulled Juliet in next to him, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and leaning back against the head of the bed. He intertwined his fingers in her hair as she curled up against him, kissing him lightly on the cheek. They hadn't been in this position for quite a while, and Jack felt a familiar feeling fill him, though he couldn't put his finger on what it was. That was what he loved about Juliet, the way she could make him feel. But, no!-- that couldn't be right. He didn't love her. He hadn't loved her in seven years! And besides, Jack Sparrow doesn't love. A pirate doesn't need to love. Most certainly not. There was not a chance that he loved her...

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"We have two options for our attempt to rescue Jackie," Jack said with a bottle of rum in one hand, and Juliet in the other. It was now almost midnight, and they were still in bed, but they hadn't fallen asleep. "Either way, it's a matter of leverage and waiting for the opportune moment. One, we could go onto the island and find them as soon as we arrive, just the two of us, and offer to give the location of the treasure in exchange for Jackie's safe return. Or, we could attempt a different kind of bargain. What say we come into port there as inconspicuously as possible, we find their location after nightfall, so as not to be seen, and assess the situation a bit. Next night, we take our whole crew with us and ambush 'em, attempt to retrieve Jacquelyn and also keep the treasure for ourselves. And, if that goes wrong, we still have a something to bargain with, because even if Conway knows we have the maps, he's no idea how to use them. What say you to that? It works no matter what, love."

Juliet was a bit unsure of this, but didn't feel like starting another argument, so she nodded in agreement. They were both quiet then, probably contemplating how they definitely did not love each other, and soon drifted off into dreams that proved them wrong.

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A/N: Yay! Finally finished. Please reviewww =)

Dawnie-7: Thanks so much for all your reviews! You just about doubled the number I had. I'd love to hear more about that movie script, sounds good, b/c I like the concept obviously. What a sneaky devil jack is, I agree, but so sweet too. Very cunning, that fellow. And another kiss this chapter! I can't overdo things because my dad likes to read this, but perhaps I can get around that eventually. Wish me luck ;] Hope you enjoyed!