Usual disclaimers... nevermind!

Last chapter for today...

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Chapter 36 - Tortuga

Bessie avoided Jack for most of the following day, still shocked by Jack's actions. She would occasionally glance at him, worrying over what he had done the day before. Joshamee Gibbs noticed her gaze and walked close to her. "What is the matter Bessie?" he asked quietly. "You've been staring at Jack all day?"

"He scares me," she admitted, looking the gruff old pirate in the eye. She felt safe with him, knowing that her mother had known him reassured her. "What kind of man does what he did yesterday?"

"One that loves you and would do anything to protect you," Joshamee assured her.

"I find that hard to believe," she retorted.

"So did I to begin with," he chuckled. "But you can believe it." He put his hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. "Trust him Bessie, he's a good man really..."

"Except where treasure is concerned," she replied quietly. "And that is all I am to him... a way to my father's treasure."

"You misjudge him Bessie," Joshamee shook his head sadly.

Bessie snorted derisively. "I think not," she said, bending down to pick up Daffodil who was weaving around her feet again, demanding attention. "Excuse me Mister Gibbs."

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It was dusk when the Black Pearl sailed into the rocky harbour of Tortuga, the town's lights twinkling, beckoning those onboard to come and sample its delights. Jack could see that the crew were eager to go ashore and so was he. He walked into his cabin to find Bessie eating a small dinner alone. She looked up on seeing him enter. "Mister Gibbs said you would be eating ashore," she said, "and that I was to stay within the cabin..."

"It would be safer for you," Jack admitted. "There are men out there that would make Hughes look like a saint..." He sat down next to her. "I wish yer'd trust me Bessie," he said quietly.

"I can't," she replied. "You scare me..."

Jack leaned closer, stroking her cheek, her innocence showing in the honesty of her words. Sometimes he forgot how young she truly was. "I want yer t' trust me, t' be m' woman again..." She shook her head and Jack sighed heavily, rising slowly. "I won't be back 'til late... p'raps not until th' morning. I bring yer some more food an' water from th' galley an' I'll lock yer in." He rose, kissing her gently on the cheek. "Don't worry, yer'll be safe."

He left, locking the door behind him. He was not taking any chances whatsoever this close to Tortuga and was leaving double the usual watch onboard. Once he was sure that Bessie would have enough food and drink, he locked her in again. "You coming Captain?" Henry Holt shouted, holding the last ships boat that was going ashore.

"Of course I am!" Jack grinned, climbing over the side and scrambling down to the bobbing boat. The men rowed eagerly and Jack soon found his feet leading him towards the Faithful Bride, his favoured tavern. Soon the rum was flowing and he found himself pleasantly drunk, a rum in one hand and a whore in the other.

"Where've you been Jack?" Giselle pouted. "I missed you..." She ran her nails across his chest, stopping to lick her fingers suggestively. She frowned, noting his distraction. "Jack?" she whispered, running her hand towards his groin, smiling when she felt him respond.

Jack groaned, staggering to rise. Taking Giselle by the arm he led her outside. He knew where she lived - no quick fumbles in an alley for Captain Jack Sparrow. He needed a woman, he needed Bessie... but she did not want him and Giselle did. Well, his money at least he drunkenly acknowledged, slamming down several shillings on a table. She smiled, coming to him and slowly undressing him before stripping off herself and leading him to her bed.

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She looked up at him, a frown marring her pretty face. "Who is she Jack?" she demanded angrily. "Who is Bessie?"

"Eh?" he puzzled, trying to focus on her.

"Who is Bessie? You cried out her name!" She pouted. "You've never cried the name of another before!"

"Bessie?" he mumbled, suddenly sitting upright. "Bessie... Bessie!" He staggered out of the bed, reaching for his clothes.

"Jack Sparrow!" Giselle screeched. "Where do you think you are going?"

"Back..." he muttered, pulling his clothes on as he wobbled alarmingly.

"Jack Sparrow! Don't you dare go!" she protested, watching in dismay as he weaved towards the door. He placed a number of shillings next to his earlier payment.

"Have a night off," he slurred, closing the door behind him and making his way towards the docks. Eventually he managed to find one of the ships boats from the Black Pearl and made his way haphazardly back to the ship. He clambered aboard without serious mishap and, on his second attempt, managed to unlock the door. He staggered into his cabin, remembering to lock the door behind him.

"Bessie?" he called. "Bessie?" He stumbled into his side cabin to find her in his bunk, snuggled beneath the blankets and naked except for the jewellery. "Bessie... I need yer!" A single candle was safely placed within a storm lantern, Daffodil asleep beside her. She still was frightened of the dark when she was alone.

Sleepily she sat up, rubbing her eyes. "You're drunk!" she accused, able to smell the rum on his breath from across the other side of the cabin.

He peeled off his shirt, sitting next to her on the bunk. "I need yer Bessie, please!" His boots hit the floor - two heavy thuds that woke Daffodil with a start. She mewed at him in protest.

Bessie gasped, noticing the scratches on his back. "You come to me having been with another woman!" She backed away from him, her disgust clear on her face.

"But she was just a whore," Jack protested. "I only went t' Giselle as yer rebuff me..."

"You've some nerve!" she argued, holding the blanket to her.

"Not nerve... need." He looked at her miserably. "Please Bessie, even if yer won't trust me, just be m' woman again... I need yer..." He evicted Daffodil and lay down beside her, leaning across and kissing her, his tongue demanding she open her lips. Gradually they parted, his tongue in her mouth with an urgency that made her gasp. Her body arched against him. "See," he mumbled, "yer need me too if only yer'd admit it..."

"I... hate... you..." she stuttered between kisses.

"An' I luv yer, if only yer'd believe me!" He kissed her again, his hands caressing her body until she groaned with a need that matched his. "Bessie..." He guided her hands to his trousers. "Please..."

Bessie swallowed audibly, nervously admitting to herself that he was right. She did want him, but she did not trust him. She knew he would only use her until her father's treasure was found, his honey words tempting her to repeat the pleasure they had shared before. Cursing herself she reached for his laces.

Jack shuddered as she slowly undid his trousers, sliding them from his hips. "Oh Bessie," he groaned, pulling her to him and burying his face in her long hair, nuzzling her neck. "I luv yer..."

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Is he forgiven yet?

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