Disclaimer: I still do not own POTC.

Chapter 11: For now

Jack blinked his eyes as the room started to come into focus. How long had he been sleeping? A few hours maybe? Just as he was starting to get up, Elisse walked into the room.

"You've slept the whole day." She stated as she walked over to him.

"Wha'? What time is it?" he was now wide-awake.

"It's in the middle of the afternoon." Jack's eyes widened. He never slept this long, even if he had stayed up the whole night.

Without another word, Jack started to put on his shirt, boots, and effects. Not mentioning his hat. All the while, Elisse had her eyes on him, confused. Why was he in such a hurry? Anamaria was steering the ship so he had nothing to worry about.

Elisse followed him out the door. He was walking in quick, long strides so she also had to quicken her pace to keep up.

"Jack? Are you not going to eat first? You haven't eaten the whole day." She was now walking beside him.

"No need to, luv. I'm not 'ungry--" he stopped mid-sentence as he felt his stomach growl in protest. "On second thought, I be goin' to get sum food righ' now."

"Just go head over to Anamaria and make sure everything is alright, Jack. I'll go get you some food." Elisse knew that there was something important going on that Jack was in a hurry to talk to Anamaria and his first mate, Gibbs.

On the other hand, Jack was thankful that Elisse had offered to fetch some food for him. He had many things to discuss with Gibbs and Anamaria considering this trip. He was having a hard time trying to hide things from the lass that she was supposed to know. No, had the right to know.

She had the right to know their destination – he'd told her that. Well, sort of. She also had the right to know how long the trip will last. She knew that, he told her. But most of all, she had the right to know about the ship they had spotted last night during the storm – a Navy ship – something which he could not find a way to say to her.

"Nice to see yer awake, Cap'n." Anamaria greeted him as he was approaching the helm. Gibbs stood beside her, a grim expression on his face. His usual idiotic grin was wiped from his weather worn face last night when they spotted the ship.

"Ye told the lass yet, Jack?" he asked, his gaze not leaving the horizon.

"No. I jus' can't bring meself to tell 'er." He answered.

"So when will we start changin' course, Cap'n?" Anamaria steered the conversation away from the subject of telling Elisse about the events of last night. She knew it was bothering the Captain.

"Two days from now, Ana. By tha' time, I think we can shake 'em off." Jack Sparrow was deep in thought. Would the Navy still follow them to Port Charles? Would his plan work? For once, the infamous Captain Sparrow was doubtful.

"I think yer plan might jus' work, Cap'n. We make them believe that our destination is really Nassau, an' then make a sharp turn to Port Charles." Gibbs commented.

"I sure 'ope yer right, Gibbs. The whole Navy's out lookin' fer us, we can't take 'em on." Jack was not his usual self that day. His eyes held no humor in them, only dead seriousness. He hadn't flashed his golden smile at Elisse when she walked into his cabin, which he always did every time he saw her if the circumstances had been different - if there wasn't an enemy on their tail.

"Ye alright, Jack?" Gibbs turned to look at his captain. He knew that Jack was worried but he had never seen him like this before. He had never seen Jack show any signs of pressure or stress or worry. The pirate captain was good at hiding his feelings but right now, the look on his face was giving him away. The confident grin that formed on his lips when he was sure his plan was going to work was not there. In short, he was worried of both his ship, which he always is, and the people aboard it – his crew and the lass.

"Aye, Gibbs. Nothin' to worry 'bout. Ol' Jack has got this covered." Jack knew he was lying through his teeth. He did NOT have this covered. He was doubtful that his plan would work, and he didn't know exactly how many Navy ships were after them.

"Hey, Captain! Do you want to eat or not?" Elisse called, a few meters behind him. He turned around and saw her standing there with a plate full of food in hand and a mug in the other.

"Depends on what's in tha' mug, luv." He answered, walking towards her.

"Oh . . . I think it's something you would love to drink . . ." she trailed off as he raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"Is it me rum?" he asked, licking his lips.

"Why don't you just see for yourself?" she answered, a mischievous smile on her lips.

"Alrigh'. Hand it over." Elisse handed him the mug and when the sweet smell of rum reached his nostrils, he immediately took a very large swig. "Nothin' like me wonderful rum."

"Here, Jack. I left you this earlier from lunch." She added, handing him the plate.

"Thank ye, luv." He said, setting the mug down on a nearby barrel and took a bite out of the chicken. "Ye really are a great cook, ye know. Maybe havin' to outrun that Navy ship was worth - "

"Pardon? A Navy ship?" She narrowed her eyes at Jack, who in turn had widened eyes, unbelieving that he just let it slip from his mouth the information he had so much trouble to share with her.

"Uh . . . no . . . I meant a . . ." It was no use. He was never good at hiding things from her. But looking on the bright side, at least it was out. She already found out, so therefore, there was no use in hiding it. "Aye, luv. We spotted 'er last night in the storm."

Elisse's face was unreadable. There were many emotions passing her features but Jack could only make out one. Fear. He knew she did not want to go back home, but he never knew that she was afraid to. He put the chicken back on the plate and sighed, feeling guilty.

"'Ol Jack's sorry, luv. Didn't know 'ow much this affected ye." He said apologetically thinking it was his fault that she was feeling this way.

"No, Jack. It's not your fault. I..." She trailed off, taking both his hands into hers. She couldn't look into his eyes. She was too ashamed too. She was ashamed because of the fact that he was in this trouble because of her. From the very start, he had nothing to do with her and her own problems, but he unhesitatingly risked his own life, not to mention his freedom, to help her. The least she can do is be grateful for everything he has done for her.

"I'm the one who should apologize. You did so many things for me and I never got the chance to repay you. In fact, I was even ungrateful at times. Forgive me, Captain, for the way I treated you. I have been too selfish." Her voice was very soft that Jack strained to hear it. She never dared look up.

For a moment they just stood there, her hands still holding his. They just stood there frozen for a few moments, Jack, who had no idea what to say, and Elisse, who was too ashamed to.

They stood there unmoving until Jack took his hand out of her grasp. He placed it under her chin and tilted her head upwards so he could look into her eyes.

As soon as their eyes met, Jack said, "Ye 'ave nothin' to be sorry 'bout, luv."

And his lips came crashing down on hers.

AN: Well guys . . . should I leave you with another cliffie? Nah!

She saw everything that happened from the helm. She had turned to speak to Jack only to find the lass taking his hands into hers. She grinned. Then they stood there for a moment, not speaking, and then the next, they were kissing. Strange. 'But nothing is 'strange' for Jack.' Anamaria thought.

She was back to steering the ship. She didn't mind doing extra job even if her turn was over unless Jack was spending time with Elisse. She knew the two had a relationship that no one can explain. They were more than just friends, but they were not lovers either. In conclusion, they were caught in the middle. Both were unsure of their feelings, and would never admit to each other how they feel, even to themselves. Denial.

Her eyes widened in surprise as Jack's lips made contact with hers. She did not expect this. Especially not in a time when she felt both guilty and worried. Not to mention scared.

That was her initial reaction until Jack wrapped his arms around her. The next thing she knew was that she didn't care anymore. She didn't care if there was an enemy on their tail, just as long as Jack would continue to kiss her and hold her and make her feel safe.

Slowly, she gave in to his warmth and melted in his embrace. No more worrying for now. No more being scared for now. Certainly no more being ashamed for now.

Because for now, everything that mattered to her was being in the arms of the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow.

AN: There! Dun dun dun dun!!!! Hope you liked it. Sorry for the delay. Really, I do not know what on earth I was typing. But I don't care. I liked it anyway. Anyway, please review. It certainly will be most appreciated.

Ury