Chapter Eight – Aftermath and the Piece of Eight

Without even realizing I was awake, I launched myself across the room, in naught but Jack's coat. My widened eyes darted from one corner of the room to the next wondering why there was so much light. I hadn't seen candlelight since I'd left the Pearl. My heart pounded against my ribs and I backed into a corner, ignoring the pain that shot up my back as it pressed into the wall. I eyed the figure on the bed and began to tremble anew. The tender memories of Jack's comforting embrace flew out the window as the shape on the bed rose and stared at me. I cowered, crunching into a ball between the desk and the wall. Jack eyed me curiously, and with a strange mixture of pity and some unidentifiable emotion that I didn't care to get into.

"Chloe, love, what are you doing in the corner?" I just shivered and stared at him, almost awe-struck. "Chloe, talk to me."

"Where are we?" I blurted, my voice resembling the biggest, toughest bullfrog in the marsh.

"We're in Tortuga." He knelt to my level and smiled reassuringly. I merely burrowed into his coat, still a little on edge as snippets of my nightmare came flashing back to me. "On the Pearl. You don't have to be afraid anymore." My eyes darted to the door as it opened, noisily reminding everyone that it needed some attention from the oil can. Anamaria poked her head through, and I trembled worse. Jack caressed my arm lightly and looked at the female pirate. "Aye Ana?"

"Is she all right?"

"She will be. What is it?"

Ana placed the clothes on the chair by the door and inclined her head. "I just brought the clothes as you requested Captain. Gibbs would like to know what the plan is."

"We sail." He stated rising to grab the clothes before laying them beside my trembling frame. My eyes darted back and forth between the pair, fright giving way to confusion and curiosity. They were too intent on one another to notice but I grabbed for the clothes and quickly changed, pulling the coat around me again.

"To where, Jack?" She asked, crossing her arms over her chest. Jack sighed and looked back at me and I burrowed into the coat.

"It really doesn't matter at this point, but I think Port Royal would be our best bet."

"Port Royal? But that would mean -" He cut her off.

"Yes, I am well aware we would be sailing into the clutches of the Commodore, but I don't think that Renfield would follow us there." I whimpered at the sound of the captain's name and both pirates looked at me again. Embarrassed, I bowed my head. "The closer we are to danger, Ana, the farther we are from harm." Anamaria nodded before casting a pitying look my way, turned on her heel and walked out. Jack turned back and blinked, I could almost hear him wondering where the clothes had gone, although he said nothing. He eyed me and I blushed. Understanding dawned and he came over, settling beside me. "Are you goin' t'stay in the corner all night, love?"

I shook my head and he grinned charmingly, offering his hand. I hesitantly took it and he hauled me to my feet. I rolled my shoulders and winced in pain. They hurt like a bitch, but it was obvious that someone had the foresight to pop both of them back into place. I raised a hand and touched my puffy eye. God, I must look a complete fright. Jack was staring at me and I tried to smile. He approached me slowly, and raised a hand to my cheek. Before I could even flinch, he was caressing the tender skin with feather-light fingertips. "Chloe, I am so sorry." I stiffened, positively mortified. Why on Earth would he need to apologize?

"Don't be," I whispered hurriedly, my eyes on my bare toes. "It wasn't you who did this." His finger hooked under my chin and gently forced it up so that I looked into his eyes. I felt a flash of terror for a long moment but it was wiped away when his lips descended to mine. The kiss was soft, light and everything all at once. My knees buckled, and my hands pressed against his chest, as if undecided as to whether I would push him away or pull him closer. He wrenched away, and my eyes stayed closed, my lips stayed puckered, as though I wasn't ready to leave the solitude and peace he had granted me for those brief moments.

"Chloe, I'm sorry I didn't try harder to get you back, I knew Renfield was horrible to his prisoners, but I never thought that he would . . ."

I put my fingers over his lips and shook my head, trying my best to control my terror that just a mention of his name brought zinging down my spine. I pushed it away, for him - for Jack. "No, Jack. It's okay." The door swung wide at that moment and I leapt back, startled and yelping in terror. Jack swiveled to glare at poor Gibbs, whose hands were in the air like he'd been caught stealing something.

"What is it Gibbs?" He demanded, one arm reaching back to tug me forward.

"Sir, we are safely out of Tortuga and they are not pursuing." He smiled reassuringly at me, cowering at Jack's side, but I didn't return the smile, only buried my face in Jack's shoulder. Jack nodded and thanked Gibbs before the older man left and he turned back to me.

"Chloe, you're all right now." He ran soothing hands through my hair and my shivering abated somewhat. "I know you must be so afraid, but rest assured, you are safe here, with me and my crew. We'll take care of you." He kissed my cheek. "I promise."

The coming months were difficult. Especially when Anamaria actually started being nice to me. Nice, if you can imagine that. I can't, and I bloody experienced it! I had trouble finding my niche among the crew again. They were all too nice, for pirates anyway. They never let me pitch in with the work, they were always trying to help me up or down the stairs, and after two and a half months at see being catered to like a spoiled French poodle I had enough. I sent Zhao above decks, with a large abrasion on his left cheek and a boot mark on his bum to tell the whole crew I would brook no more coddling. I was a member of the crew, as the captain had said, and I wanted my fair share of work. Jack came to see me two minutes later.

"Chloe, you're not strong enough to start working yet."

I glared at him with a portion of my usual spunk. I was still a bit jumpy and hesitant to voice my opinions to the pirate captain for fear of reprisals even though I knew it was ridiculous to even think Jack would do something to me like HE had, but terror is never logical as I have determined. I crossed my arms wincing a little when the movement tugged on my healing scabs. Jack merely raised his brows, as if that one moment of pain proved his point.

He must not have counted on my mulish stubbornness because I was up in the riggings three minutes later, quietly working knots free with my fingers. I could feel his and the entire crew's eyes on my back as I shimmied up the mast. They were obviously in awe of how quickly I was working the knots free. When I had been on the Pearl last, I could barely move, let alone move quickly. Fear had no place aboard Renfield's ship. I had to overcome it or face lashings every time I refused.

With ease, I dropped back on deck and moved on to the next mast. I paused only when I felt a hand on my arm. I looked up and stared at Jack. He frowned at me and then peered up at the riggings. "Very good." He said at length. He motioned for me to go below decks. "You need a nap, you haven't slept well since you came aboard." I opened my mouth to deny his request but his level look had me nodding.

"All right, fine." I conceded after a moment of staring between the two of us. I retreated to his cabin, the only one I'd ever seen, and I wondered briefly if Jack minded me spending the nights with me, instead of being able to bring other women on board. I flushed at the thought. Best leave those lines of pondering for another day. I decided, lying down carefully on the rumpled sheet and pillow of Jack's bed. Within moments, I was asleep.

The room was chilly, so I rubbed my hands over my bare arms, the roughness of my palms, scraping the smooth skin of my biceps. I shivered and stared down at myself. Why was I so cold? I noticed the surrounding slowly. It was my cell. The cell I had called home, or hell, depending on the day, for nearly a month. My eyes refused to adjust to the darkness that enveloped me. Why was I here? Where was Jack? Did he not come for me; was it all a dream? I opened my mouth to call for him, but nothing came out. My vocal cords constricting as I heard the jingle of a sword against a metal studded belt just like the one Renfield was always carting about. I back away from the door swiftly, curling in a ball, hoping to hide myself, and if that was not possible, at the very least, hiding my nakedness from his cold glare. He clucked his tongue as he apparently looked over the bruises and lashes discoloring my back. I no longer felt them. I knew they were there; I was just numb to them now. He chuckled and moved forward, opening the prison gates.

"Poor, poor Chloe." His voice taunted in the darkness, I jumped when his fingers trailed over my hunched back. I cringed away and he lowered himself to a crouch beside me. I tried to scoot away, but his hand clamped on my shoulders, tightening like talons on my tender flesh. I gasped and let him drag me closer. "You look a fright."

"You promised." I murmured through dry, cracking lips. He laughed sharply. "You and I had an accord. Don't touch me. You promised. You promised." I chanted.

"I did, didn't I?" He released me and I scooted away, back pressed into a corner, my knees drawn up tightly against my chest, ignoring the screaming of my muscles at the movement. I glared at him in the darkness, as I felt him studying me. He must have sensed my displeasure because he laughed. "I didn't say I couldn't look, love."

"Don't call me that."

He tutted. "Do we need to call Bart back in here lass?" I shook my head quickly, and moaned when the motion nearly made me sick. He sighed and scooted closer. "If I broke the parley, no one would know lass." He whispered in a sickening tone of desire. I cringed away and started to rise when he pulled me to him, his lips pressing harshly to mine. I backed out of the kiss and struggled.

"Don't."

"Hold still, love."

"Leave me alone!" I struggled against the arms holding me. "Get off of me, you lying bastard! Don't touch me! I'll kill you for touching me!" The hands turned gentle, and shook my shoulders lightly.

"Chloe. Wake up, love."

My eyes opened groggily. I didn't realize what had woken me, but I distinctly remembered hearing Jack's voice in my head. Jack's voice had broken the spell the nightmare had cast around me, and I woke up, not in terror, but because I wanted to. What was going on? Was he here? I peered around in the semi-darkness of Jack's cabin, hoping to see his smiling face. Instead the sparse walls of dark wood stared back at me.

He wasn't here. I frowned. Odd – he was always there when I woke from nightmares. Always. I'd come flying off of the pillow, swinging my fists in the air, and he'd be there, arms ready to enfold me. I sighed and turned my face back into the pillow and breathed deeply. His scent was still there, and I wallowed in it. Wallowed, that is, until I heard voices outside the cabin door. Curious, I climbed off of the mattress to investigate.

"...extremely dangerous." Jack was saying. "But I think we can handle it; after all, this is the Black Pearl." I crept closer hoping to hear the plans. "These are but a blink of the treasure we'll find in the Halls of Jubilation."

"Jack," A pirate that sounded suspiciously like Gibbs cut in. "The Halls of Jubilation are just a myth." Jack shook his head.

"Then why do I have a map to lead us there, Gibbs? What say ye to that?" Gibbs was silent and I frowned. I hadn't ever heard of the Halls of Jubilation. But the way they were discussing it, in soft, excited whispers, I had to wonder just what was waiting in those halls?

"Captain." Now Anamaria interjected her opinion. "Jack, you must have thought about Renfield in all of this..."

"I did." He laughed and I could picture him waving his hands about like a lunatic. I shifted to peer through the small crack between the door and the wall. Indeed he was. It's insane how well I know that man. I thought before hunkering down to listen to the conversation. "That's why I stole the map from him." Both of the other pirates exclaimed in horror.

"Jack, are ye daft?"

"Do you really need to ask that, missy?" Gibbs countered. "Stealing from a pirate who already has it out for you, that is not very wise, Jack, and ye know it."

"The bastard had it coming." Jack grumbled and I felt like he was referring to me and my situation. I flushed. I didn't want to cause more trouble than I already was, with nightmares, and fluctuating mood swings. Jack sighed. "Look mates, are ye pirates or not?"

"We are." They replied instantly.

"Am I yer captain?" He asked, lowering his tone.

"Ye are." They nodded emphatically. I grinned. Their answer left no doubt that they were one-hundred percent behind Jack and his hair-brained schemes. That warmed my heart. I didn't want Jack to ever have to go through another mutiny again. After seeing the extent to which Barbossa's betrayal had hurt him, it was something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy...well maybe not. Renfield was sure welcome to the sensation, in my opinion! But then again...I'm biased. Fucking bastard.

"One final question, mates – have I ever given you reason not to trust me."

"No."

He grinned. "Oh, good." He slapped his palms down on the table, and stared down at the map. "Okay, so, Gibbs, set a course." He handed him the map after a millisecond of hesitation, smiling nervously. Gibbs understood the gesture and clapped him on the shoulder reassuringly before climbing the stairs. Anamaria stayed behind.

"Jack..." He turned to stare at her.

"Aye, lass?"

"He'll be coming after us in earnest now." She whispered, but even I could hear the fear in her voice. "He'll be out for blood after this. We took not only his map, but his current play-thing." I bristled at the term and would have stormed out to give the other female a piece of my mind if Jack had not spoken.

"'Twas my plan." He replied cryptically. "I have to check on Chloe. Go above deck, and wait for me there."

"Captain, you care for her a lot don't you?"

He inclined his head and sighed. "Go above deck." He repeated before coming my way. I drew a breath in sharply and flew back to bed, leaping onto the covers, closing my eyes just as the door opened. I heard his boots on the wood. The bed sank under his weight, and I struggled to keep my eyes closed, and my face relaxed. I felt his hand on my forehead, smoothing back the dark, bed-mussed hair. I sighed at the contact and pressed closer to him. I heard his soft chuckle before his mouth lowered and brushed against my forehead. My eyes fluttered open. "Sleep well?" He asked, peering down at me.

I nodded, my throat was too constricted to say anything. He smiled and I sat up, so that I was sitting, with my legs stretched out, facing him, and he was perched on the side of the bed, his upper body angled towards mine. I dropped my gaze to his lips then back up to his eyes. "Jack...I..." I tried to form a coherent thought, but to my astonishment, Jack just leaned in and kissed me lightly on the lips, silencing my stuttering babble.

"Be quiet a minute will you?" He whispered against my lips. I moaned in answer leaning forward to put more pressure behind the kiss. He leaned backwards, attempting to stretch out but, neither one of us counted on the fact that he was precariously perched on the side of the bed, and this movement made his rear slide off of the sheets and made us both tumble unceremoniously to the floor. I struggled to right myself, but only succeed in tangling our limbs more than they already were as Jack attempted the same feat. We stared at one another before we started to laugh. He rolled us over onto our sides, his hands resting calmly on my waist, and mine were twined around his neck.

"Well, that was graceful." I commented, grinning. I loved laughing. Aboard Renfield's ship I had never laughed, or even smiled. If I had, I would have probably been beaten for it. It felt so good to cut loose and have a good laugh.

"I suppose it was – wasn't it?" He asked, running a callused hand up my arm. "After all, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow." I snorted and he raised an eyebrow at me.

"Usually, you're building yourself up, not tearing yourself down." I commented. He frowned and after a minute started laughing again, hauling me closer to him.

"Indeed." He murmured, and I chuckled. He was getting too good at mimicking Commodore Norrington. It was downright hilarious. I wondered briefly what the Commodore would do if he heard his whiny voice coming out of Jack's mouth. The prospect held considerable amusement for all parties, except for Norrington of course, but what did he matter? Jack eyed me curiously. "What's going on in your head, love?" He whispered, pushing a lock of hair behind my ear.

"Just thinkin'." I replied.

"Well stop." He murmured, sinking in for another soft kiss. "You're thinkin' too loud, I can hear you all the way over here." He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows. I shot him a look.

"'All the way over here'? Please. You're like two inches away from me. I can feel your heart beating." I declared, before his mouth swoops down and captures mine.

"Two inches, oy?" He whispered, scooting closer. "Let's remedy that, shall we?" I nodded, breathless at the look in his eyes and the fit his body made against mine. I shivered delicately and he smirked (A/N: See the blacksmith scene to know what smirk I am talking about *swoons*) before tracing my jaw with a finger. I shiver again, more violently this time and his smile vanishes as quickly as it came. We both looked up when Anamaria barged into the room.

"Jack I need to be talkin' to ye - oh -" She turned around quickly when she saw us in our – erm – plight, and we both smothered a laugh. You'd think she'd never seen such a sight before. I doubted that was the case however, after all, Jack had been the Pearl for a long time, surely she'd seen something more...uh... we'll just say, 'more' - than two people cuddling on the floor. I felt Jack's had drift towards my posterior and my eyebrows raised eyes dark and trained on his. He pinched my ass lightly and I jumped, yipping a little. He laughed and I reached behind me, moving the hand upwards, not off, just upwards. He looked at me with this devilish smile on his face and his hand started travel back down again.

"If you don't want to turn into Captain Hook, I would advise you never to do that again." I warned him in a low voice. His hand paused.

"What is it Ana?" He asked turning his head to look at her, giving me a mouthwatering look at his muscular neck. Thoughts of revenge were boiling in my head. I didn't think of the consequences, or anything other than getting him back for what he'd done to my poor rear end that was hurting like a bitch.

Okay, I'm a creature of impulse. So sue me! I leaned over and licked the tanned skin, using my whole tongue and nipping sharply before pulling back. "Is som- YOW!" He jerked away and stared down at me. My eyes were dark with mischief and he frowned. I smacked my lips and smirked, not quite as effective as the captain's but the result was happy enough, he hauled me closer to him, so that I wondered why I wasn't coming out the other side of him.

"Captain, there's a storm brewing." She said, oblivious, at least partly, of the little game going on behind her. She stared at the wall as though her life depended on it. I thought I could hear her cursing both of us in her mind, and chuckled.

"How bad is it?" He asked

"It looks pretty bad, but if we drop canvas we should be able to ride it out no problem." She crossed her arms behind her back, holding her elbows and shifting from foot to foot. He nodded and sighed.

"All right, I'll be up in a minute."

She jerked. "No, that's all right. The crew can handle it Captain, if you're...um...otherwise engaged." I snorted out a laugh and he bit my earlobe. The snort turned into a muffled moan and Anamaria fairly jumped out of her skin. "I'd better get back up on deck." She replied hurriedly, stalking out of the room shutting the door quickly behind her. I burst out laughing, only stopping when Jack eyed me with frustration.

"What?" I asked innocently. He just rolled his eyes and hauled himself to his feet. My laughter followed him out as he climbed the stairs towards the helm.