A/N: Sorry for the really bad delay. I was away all week and part of the weekend, too. But- alas! here it is. I have lotr playing, so it may influence me and make this a bit angsty, perhaps not. Perhaps i'll describe how gorgeous people are.. mmm.. elijah's eyes... so BLUE. Merry.. so high. Pippin.. so adorable!! Aragorn... so HOT. Am I alone in my opinion that aragorn is much hotter than legolas? I mean, yes, legolas is very pretty, but Aragorn is sexyyyy. I also think eowyn and aragorn are a better match than him and arwen. Eowyn is cooler. Ok, im incredibly off-topic, this is a potc fic. Well, JACK IS THE HOTTEST ;] all's settled.

Chapter 18: She Loves Me!

Juliet awoke first the next morning, and found herself curled up next to Jack, her head resting on his uncovered left shoulder. Wait... uncovered? She pried back the covers to reveal Jack's shirtless form. His chest rose and fell rhythmically, and Juliet couldn't help but smile at how peaceful he looked. His left arm was draped around her shoulder; his right stretched across his stomach and was wrapped around her waist, holding her close to him and rather snugly. Being with Jack, Juliet felt content. She felt safe, like he was protecting her, even though there was nothing to fear aboard the Black Pearl. In fact, she felt quite like she used to, back when she was in love with him. Not that she was in love with him now...

Juliet decided that she should make a break for it before Jack woke up, to avoid his inevitable tasteless comments. No doubt he would find her eventually and make them then, but why not put that moment off? She propped herself up with her elbows, but as she made to roll to the side of the bed, Jack's grip tightened significantly around her waist, pulling her closer to him again. Juliet sighed loudly and flopped back down next to Jack, turning over to face him. He was obviously still asleep, and had no idea that he was restraining her. His lips fluttered as he exhaled, nestling his head deeper into his pillow.

"Jack," Juliet whispered, absentmindedly brushing some of his hair away from his face. "What am I going to do with you?"

Jack sighed contentedly in his sleep, shifting a bit and moving his arm to Juliet's lower back. Juliet smiled, and looked over Jack's sleeping form fondly before firmly grasping Jack's forearm and freeing herself from him. She hopped out of the bed before he could reach out and grab her again. Deciding it was high time for a change of clothes, Juliet donned a fresh pair of breeches and a loose-fitting red shirt, and unusual find in those days. Red was not associated with mannerly women, but with so-called Ladies of the Night. Juliet, however, couldn't care less what people thought about her, so she laced up the shirt and headed to the door.

As she stood in the doorway, Juliet once-overed Jack again, grinning as she watched him smiling peacefully in his sleep. She sighed.

"How could I not love you?" she pondered aloud, then realized she had said it aloud, then almost had a panic attack, then realized that Jack was asleep and so it didn't really matter that she had said it because he couldn't hear her anyway! Satisfied with this, Juliet stepped out of Jack's room and onto the deck, in search of Anamaria and Gibbs. She wanted to discuss that plan of Jack's with them...

It turns out that Juliet had made the same mistake that Jack had.

The second she shut the door, Jack's eyes popped open and he sat up abruptly in his bed.

"She loves me..."

"So, I got to thinking that we'd approach from the right side of the island, dock out of sight, and Jack and I would assess the situation, go have a little look-see, eh? Next night, we ambush 'em with the help of some of the crew -enough to match their number- and we do whatever it takes for the safe return of Jacquelyn, including giving the location of that treasure if it comes to it."

Anamaria and Gibbs exchanged worried glances as Juliet relayed her plan. It was very good, albeit it was actually Jack's plan, and he wasn't so keen on giving up the treasure. But, if Juliet was relaying it, it was only fair that she could change it to be a bit more to her liking, just as you would in the game of telephone.

Moments later, Jack strutted out onto the deck, now fully clothed, and headed towards the helm. He looked out to the horizon with his small telescope, then closed it and smiled as he motioned for Juliet to join him at the wheel. She sauntered up to the helm happily, eager to hear any news Jack had to offer.

"'Ello, love!" Jack said as he grinned at her. She stood next to him at the wheel and he offered her his telescope. "Take a look, Jules. On the horizon..."

Juliet snapped open the telescope and peered through the lens, gasping audibly as her gaze settled on the distant horizon.

"The island... It's there! It's there, Jack!" She was shouting now, practically jumping up and down with excitement, and obviously drawing attention to herself from the crew. Jack laughed nervously and gently but firmly clasped his hand over her mouth, nodding at the crew to let them know everything was alright and that they should stop staring.

"Jack!" she whispered, her eyes dancing with newfound hope. "We're almost there. We're so close to getting our daughter back..." Juliet's voice drifted off as she considered this, and she looked up to Jack, hoping for him to have the same feeling as she did. He smiled down at her, then looked back to the sea, eyes drifting along the horizon.

A/N: Horrible point to stop, I know. I just wanted to get something posted tonight. I didn't have time to edit as thoroughly as usual, so if there are any mistakes I'll come back and fix them, no worries! So this is it. It's taken me soooo long to get up to this point, way too long if you ask me. Maybe its too drawn out, I dunno, but now im here! Next few chapters should involve the action part of the story!! =) anticipation!

Deynaianbloom: of course it's romantic! It's jack ;-) thanks so much for keeping up with the story!!! 3 and I LOVE your site, fantastic job!!!