Disclaimer: I don't own Pirates of the Caribbean. (insert shocked silence here)

Last Chapter: When she reached the crow's nest Jessica pulled her knees up to her chest and watched the sun rise over the water. It truly was magnificent.

Chapter 8: Trying Patience

Jessica watched the sun dipping behind the water, accompanied by the most vibrant array of colors she had ever seen. Maybe she would sleep up here tonight. She could give Sparrow back his own bed for a night. Now that I think of it, where did he sleep last night?An image flashed before her of an angelic face sleeping on the floor. Well at least I know that's a dream. Sparrow would never sleep on the floor to give me his bed.

She closed her eyes as the stars began to creep into view. Yes, she would sleep up here tonight.

Jessica awoke to the sound of chattering teeth. She looked around in confusion until she realized that they were her teeth. She was freezing. Her now tattered and dirty dress was useless against the cold. She heard the jingling of beads as a head popped up over the edge of the crow's nest.

"I know ye want to impress me luv, but when I said you would have to work, I didn't mean all night as well."

Jessica glared at the pirate, "Don't flatter yourself, I was merely trying to get away from you. I was succeeding, until now."

Jack smiled, "Then I assume the blue tint of your lips is a simply the latest fashion in London?"

Jessica scowled; she knew she couldn't stay up here much longer. Every minute the cold seemed to increase tenfold. "Fine I'll come down, but only on the condition that the only person I'm warming up is myself."

Jack swept his arms into an exaggerated bow, "Why of course my lady." He turned up the corners of his mustache, climbed back onto the ropes, and offered Jessica his arm.

Without glancing at him she swung herself over the edge… and lost her footing. She let out a scream before Jack grabbed her around the waist and steadied her. "Get your hands off me!" she shrieked. Jack's eyes were sad for a moment. He finished his climb and walked below deck without another word. Jessica bit her lip. As much as she hated the pirate, he hadn't hurt her yet. She had always prided herself on being a fair judge of character. She always looked at things from everyone's perspective. Jessica frowned; she didn't feel fair right now.

Her feeling of unease grew when she looked down at Sparrow's bed. The bed he had given up for her to sleep in. The bed he had probably left to come find her.

She climbed into it and pulled the covers around her. They smelled like Sparrow, a mix of cinnamon, rum and spices. The smell of a man who had seen the world a hundred times over. As Jessica drifted off to sleep for the second time that night, she decided that maybe she would have a little more patiencetomorrow.

Jessica awoke the next morning to sun pouring in through the windows. The sun was well into the sky and Jack had never come to get her! Jessica felt a prick of guilt as she remembered the night before. She attempted to work her curls into a bun at the back of her neck before she returned to her post at the crow's nest.

She opened the door slowly to protect her eyes from the glare. Once they had adjusted, she stepped out and walked to where she could see the quarterdeck. Jack was standing solidly at the helm. He glanced at her when she approached and she told herself to smile apologetically. It didn't happen. She really tried, but she just couldn't smile at him. All she managed was a grimace and fresh shudder. Frustrated, she whirled away and attempted a hasty climb up the ropes.

Jessica felt better when she could look out over the ocean and the breeze blew her curls out of her eyes. Jessica had always been very in control. At home, she had to be strong when her Father couldn't. It was often she who ordered new stock when she noticed they had run low. It was she who chased out the drunks and collected the overdue payments. The idea that she didn't have control over her own facial expressions disturbed her. Although, up there, it was hard to worry too much. Her scraps of dress were a blessing in the warm sun. Jessica giggled at how tan she was going to become.

"What's so funny?"

Jessica heard the familiar jingle of beads as Jack stuck his head over the edge of the crow's nest once again.

A retort flew instantly to Jessica's mouth and she made a rapid attempt to choke back the words.

Jack stared into Jessica's eyes so that their noses were nearly touching, "Does the sight of me make ye that sick?"

Jessica had to fight to keep herself from scuttling back away from him. "No, well, sort of, I mean no. umm" Despite yesterday's resolution, Jessica didn't feel it was impatient of her to scoot herself slowly away from the pirate. "If you'd give me a little more room please." Jessica demanded with a note of anger in her voice.

"Very well," Jack sighed dramatically. With a wave of his arms he had thrown himself over the edge of the nest!

"No!" Jessica screamed, waiting for the sound of his body hitting the deck. She ran to the edge of the nest and found Jack hanging off the other side, smirking.

He popped back over the edge. "Aha! I knew ye didn't want me dead. I think the basis for any friendship is that the two gentlemen concerned don't want the other dead, or in your case gentlewoman."

Jessica let out a shriek of rage. "You… You... I should push you off myself!"

"I know how hard it is for you to keep your hands off me luv, but now is not the time, cook's serving lunch and his help's gone missin' so there's not much to eat." Jack swung himself over the ledge and swaggered all the way down below deck.

Jessica's pouch bounced against her hip as she climbed down the ropes. That infuriating man. Just when I make the decision to be more patient he tries the little I have.

Jessica scowled as she walked below deck. Her hand froze on the handle to the galley door. The pirates will be there, all of them. The room would be crowded with them, all shoved up against her. Jessica shuddered, she couldn't do it

She ran into a nearby storage room and slammed the door behind her. She hated pirates. It was because of pirates that she was trapped on this boat with nowhere to run. It was necause of pirates that her sister was alone and helpless at the inn.

"I hate them!" Jessica yelled, kicking over a pile of crates.

The scream had barely escaped her throat when a hand clamped over her mouth.

Authors Note:

My first cliffie in a while . I just finished exams today so updates should be coming much faster now. We should finally be getting some action in the next few chapters too.

I was really sad to see how few people updated last chapter. I'm hopping it was the long time between updates and that that'll change soon. If you read this chap I'd really like to know what you think. I'm really curious about how you guys feel about Jessica as a character.

Dimonah Tralon-Thanks for understanding, it meant a lot.

Agent Katy-I'm glad you were able to get online again, did the pirates steal your computer? (it happens to the best of us)

Thanks again, you guys saved the story!!