Chapter 4

Six years earlier in England.

Seventeen year old Calandria Morgan sat in her friend, Keira Chamberlain's study. It was winter break and instead of spending the time back with Kea's family, Ria had taken Keira's invitation and gone to her London townhouse for the time.

It was a few days after the New Year and Keira had had to run out to get a last minute ingredient for supper despite the fact that there was a blizzard outside. Leaning back in the large leather chair she was occupying, Ria looked to the snow falling outside the large study window.

A little melancholy she closed the book in her lap and went to stand at the window. Looking outside she gazed at the couples that walked hand in hand down the street, happy to be spending time together.

Ria didn't have any blood relations anymore, they'd died in a fire long ago, and neither did she have a significant other. Sometimes it seemed as though she was just extra baggage that people put up with because they felt sorry for her. Though Kea's family was like a surrogate one for her now, for they had taken her in and she loved them dearly.

Shrugging it off she continued to watch the wind make small tornados out of the snow as it blew around the house, and at the little kiddies throwing snow balls at each other. Something caught her eye on the street and she realized it was Keira coming back from shopping. But she'd come with another person, or man to be precise. She watched as the forms came into focus more.

The man was dressed in black trousers, a white cotton shirt, black vest, and a dark warm wool winter coat. A blue plaid scarf was tied around his neck and leather gloves on his hand to protect them from the chill. To top it all off he was wearing a black top hat and matching colored shiny shoes. Keira's arm was tucked in his as he led her up the front steps and into the entryway.

Ria could hear their talk and laughter from her place by the window. The study door then opened and Keira and the guest walked in.

"Ria! Look what I came across while shopping! Jack Sparrow, an old friend of mine. Ria, meet Jack Sparrow, Jack this is one of my school friends, Calandria Morgan." Keira gestured as she made the introductions.

Turning from the window, Ria went to the man named Jack and held out her hand in greeting, "Hello, Mr. Sparrow. It's nice to meet you."

Jack took her outstretched hand in his and kissed it lightly, "The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Morgan." He looked at her and when he held her gaze something seemed to spark between them.

Keira noticed the short, pregnant silence with an arched eyebrow; she happened to be quite good at match making. Without the two noticing, she quietly slipped from the study and closed the doors. It would be interesting to see what became of the new acquaintance.

"Oh call me, Ria, please. Ms. Morgan is more for when I'm a spinster."

Jack chuckled at the comment, "Then you must call me Jack, Ria."

Ria smiled, "Would you like to sit down, Jack? I was just reading a book when you two came in." She gestured to a love seat in front of the warm fireplace.

"Of course. What book were you reading?" Jack asked as he took a seat next to her. With both of them seated the love seat, there was not much room left, so they sat shoulder to shoulder.

"It was about pirates. I find them fascinating." Ria said with enthusiasm. Her face lighting up as she smiled, making Jack think she was very beautiful.

"You know, those pirates aren't always what they seem," He warned, grinning.

"That is true, but I would love to meet one someday."

Jack just smiled at the comment and put his hand on Ria's. She looked at him a bit confused but then got the idea when he began to caress it.

"Jack.... We don't even know each other really," She breathed, he was looking at her with a heated look in his dark chocolate eyes.

"Aye, we don't, but I have a feeling we will soon, Ria."

After that day Jack began calling upon Ria pretty much everyday. They went to the park, plays, balls, and took meals together. The two were inseparable for three months and by that time people were beginning to think another wedding was in the near future.

Even Ria, who loved him greatly, was expecting the same thing. But she was gravely disappointed when Jack left suddenly without telling her goodbye.

That fateful day she received a letter from him saying he had urgent business in the Caribbean and didn't know when or if he would be back. Though he did leave a ring, a single silver band with a black pearl on it, that Ria still wore to this day.

She never expected to see Jack ever again, after all he'd broken her heart and it had never fully healed. When he had been gone for three years Ria had had enough of England, so Kea and she headed off to the Caribbean with their own ships and the dreams of being infamous pirates.

But on one of their voyages during that time, three years after Jack left, they ended up in Singapore. Happening upon a local bar they stopped to pick up news and drink. Ria was feeling a bit sad at the time, it was three years to the day her and Jack had met.

Taking a seat at a table she sat back, propped her booted feet on it and took a drink of her rum. Suddenly a familiar shape caught her eye and she spit the rum out in surprise. It couldn't be, could it? She thought with eyes wide.

But it was none other than Jack Sparrow. Though he looked totally different now from when they'd been in England; he looked exactly how he does nowadays (though she didn't know he'd look the same three years later, but while remembering she realized it was true). If it hadn't been for his eyes she would not have recognized him.

Jack happened to look at her right before she'd spit her rum out. His eyes widened in great surprise and he methodically made his way across the bar to her, the woman he loved- still, after all these years.

"Ria, luv...."Jack whispered in shock as he reached her. To him she looked even more beautiful; now garbed in pirate gear consisting of dark sea pants, worn boots, a billowy off white shirt, a large jacket like his, a midnight blue bandana encircling her pretty head, and her hair, still caramel in color, running down her back in silky waves.

His gaze continued to take all of her in and then it suddenly stopped when he noticed the ring he'd given her still on her left forefinger. He looked at her in surprise, his eyes caught hers questioningly.

"Yes, hello again, Jack. Long time no see." Ria said bitterly. She began to rise, not wanting to break down in front of him due to the hidden emotions that were surfacing once again. Biting back the sobs that rose in her throat she pushed past him and ran out the bar's back door and into the cool alley air. Luckily no one was occupying the area so she was free to cry her heart out.

A few minutes later her sobs quieted to just sniffles and she took deep breathes to calm herself back down. Without her knowing, Jack followed her outside and had quietly watched her cry. Not sure if she'd let him hold her he restrained from reaching out. But the urge to do so took over and he reached for her. She jumped at the contact, not realizing he had followed, and turned to face him, spinning slightly out of his reach.

"Why? Why the hell did you leave me that way, you bastard? You knew how much I loved you!"

"Because, it was the only way I could leave without asking ye to come with me. And it would have been too dangerous for you. I would never have forgiven me onesies if something had happened to you. I did love you- still love you to much to do that," Jack tried to explain, his normally unreadable face contorted with pain.

"That's the only reason? To keep me safe from pirates? Bloody hell, Jack! I am a bleeding pirate now! You left me hanging, it was embarrassing to hear everyone talking about how sorry they felt for me," Ria exclaimed in exasperation, throwing her hands in the air.

Then she sobered when she realized another thing he said. She stepped closer so that she was a half foot away and whispered while looking into his eyes, "You still love me?"

Silently Jack nodded a 'yes', to which Ria jumped into his arms and kissed him hard on the lips. "I never stopped loving you either, Jack, and I never will." It seemed as if she'd forgiven him too easily but she was totally in love with him still and was willing to give him a second chance. It would have hurt her way more if she just walked away.

With a grunt of satisfaction Jack tucked her in his arms and kissed her long and hard. When they separated they were both breathless.

"I missed doing that," Jack murmured, setting his forehead on hers. He took in the unique smell that was Ria: a combination of lilac soap and her womanly scent. It was an aphrodisiac for him, as was the salt and musky smell of him to her.

"But luv, it would make me happier if you wore me ring on another finger," Jack said as he took it off her forefinger and placed it on her ring finger. She smiled lovingly up at him.

"I missed doing that too, and I was waiting for YOU to place that ring on that particular finger. Though you know you hurt me real badly? But I'm willing to forgive you this one time. But promise me that if we are to be apart again then we will depart on good terms. Promise me?" Ria asked, watching his eyes now with rapture.

"Aye, that we will, luv. I, Captain Jack Sparrow, promise never to leave me luv without her knowing again," Jack promised, his hand raised in effect.

"Thank you, Jack," Ria thanked him with another kiss on the mouth; knowing that no matter how much she wanted to be with him always, they would be apart whether they liked it or not.

"That's Captain Jack Sparrow to you me darling," Jack corrected, a ringed finger raised to help make his point.

Ria grinned, trying to smother a laugh, "Aye that it is, and it's Captain Ria Morgan to you."

Jack just gave a loud laugh and pulled her into another heart stopping kiss.

True to that saying, five weeks later Ria and Jack were split apart once more. Jack had business with a mutinous first mate, and Ria and Kea planned on starting over as true ladies somewhere. But not before they plundered a few more ships.

But the night before had been a special moment in her and Jack's relationship. She had given him her innocence in love. Little did she know that nine months later she would have a part of Jack to keep with her always when a son was born to her she named him Jeremy.

With a final wave to Jack, Ria, standing on shore, watched until she could not see him anymore.

Ria shivered at the memories, they were always hard to think about. But at least she and Jack had left on good terms, though she'd never told him about their son. Jeremy had helped her get through the hard times when she wished Jack was with her and so had Kea, her best friend.

And Jack hadn't seen Jeremy that morning when he'd docked the Pearl in their bay because Jeremy was being watched by the Turners while she and Kea had helped the town. Hopefully, she'd get the guts to tell Jack about his son in the near future.

Until then she had to prepare for the luncheon at the Turner's that was drawing near. If she didn't hurry she'd be late and that wouldn't be good.

Hurrying back inside she called to her maid, Sally, to help her get out of her dress and bath. Thirty minutes later she was slipping into her midnight blue dress when a knock came on the door telling her the carriage was out front ready to depart. Checking herself in the mirror she left to get Kea and leave.

TBC