A/N: Ok, first of all, I'm sorry this chapter has taken a little while to materialise. There are various reasons for this, the biggest being that I have been and will continue to be extremely busy. But also, as I'm sure most of you are aware, ff. net has been down for at least two days so I could not post this chapter even when it was complete (which was slightly irritating). Hopefully the website will be stable for quite a while now. It also means that my review alerts have stopped coming through again so if I haven't replied to your review I am truly sorry.

The other reason this chapter took a while to post is that it has a lot of stuff in it. :). I wanted to add a lot in this chapter, I just hope I did it successfully. Judge for yourself.

Happy reading!


Chapter 8 – Loving a pirate

Sylvia was not even consciously aware of putting one foot in front of the other. If someone had told her she was flying she would have believed them without question. And to think, she had had doubts! They seemed so trivial now, so terribly unimportant, the only important thing now was that Jack stopped walking soon and started to kiss her again. This he did after leading Sylvia to a secluded lagoon that she could not remember having visited before although she barely had time to look around before Jack started to kiss her again and she was lost to his desire. Why hadn't she done this before?! He tasted magical; Sylvia could not get enough of him. They kissed for what seemed like hours, making up for lost time. When they finally finished Sylvia lay with her head on Jack's chest. She held one of his hands, her fingers entwined carefully with his own.

"Jack?"

"Mmm?" asked Jack a strange tension in his voice that Sylvia did not notice.

"Is it alright if we keep this a secret?

"Probably best luv," replied Jack. Sylvia closed her eyes. For now she didn't want to think about the practicalities, she didn't want to think about the future at all. The present was all she was interested in because right now she was in paradise. She did not know it but Jack was torn between two very opposite courses of action as they lay on the sand together. On the one hand was his almost crippling desire to do what he had brought Sylvia here to do, for he could admit freely to himself that if he had only wanted to kiss Sylvia they could have quite easily stayed where they were. But as Jack had kissed Sylvia and felt her become more and more at ease with him another feeling had kicked in, and this one he was most unfamiliar with. Some niggling feeling in the back of his mind had told him to wait, at first he had ignored it but it had grown stronger and stronger until he had actually had to pull away from Sylvia to get it to shut up. He could still see Sylvia's shocked face too clearly, and that had been after just one kiss. He knew he could not afford to scare her like that again, and nor did he want to, which was the reason why Sylvia lay on top of Jack right now instead of the other way around. The concept of waiting until marriage was unthinkable, in fact it didn't even cross Jack's mind, marriage was not a concept he had ever thought about much. He wasn't entirely sure how long he would have to wait but quite frankly, every second was quite long enough. Sylvia, however, let out a happy sigh indicating that she, at least, was utterly content to let things stay the way they were.

Sylvia did not want to move, not even when she began to shiver slightly. Jack seemed reluctant too but he did not want Sylvia getting cold when it could so easily be prevented. He started to move but Sylvia leaned over and kissed him.

"Ye should go back," he said between kisses.

"Yes," said Sylvia and very reluctantly she stopped kissing him.

"Tomorrow?" asked Jack.

"Nothing could keep me away."

Sylvia couldn't sleep that night. It was as if she had left a part of herself with Jack and needed to go back and get it. She could feel his lips on hers and she ran her tongue over her lips to taste them. When she thought it must be a reasonable time to get up she saw with dismay that the sky was blanketed in thick cloud. Unable to bear spending the day aboard the Conqueror Sylvia ran from her room and tore off towards the beach. She felt the rain begin to fall just as she recognised the person coming towards her.

"Jack!" Jack removed his jacket and threw it over Sylvia just as the rain began to pour down. Sylvia grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him under the coat too. Their lips met and they kissed passionately hidden from view with the rain beating down around them.

"I want to spend the day with you," said Sylvia innocently.

"If ye come with me to the Pearl ye won't be able t' get back t' yer ship tonight, the storm's going t' get violent," said Jack. He was giving her the chance to reconsider but Sylvia was deaf to his efforts.

"Suits me fine," she said.

Sylvia was lying on Jack's bed watching him as he lit candles and hung up his wet coat. The rain was now falling in sheets and the wind howling menacingly. Sylvia could not have been more glad to be inside, with Jack. Jack had his back to her, he remained that way for a short while before slowly turning round. Sylvia watched him, something fluttered in the region of her stomach. Jack saw her eyes sparkling in the candlelight.

"I have t' ask ye something," said Jack and he looked very uncomfortable. Sylvia felt a sudden thrill of fear.

"Ask what?" she said with difficulty. Jack took a deep breath before answering.

"I just want to be making sure ye know what yer doing luv," he said steadily, "I gotta be sure this is what ye want." Sylvia looked confused.

"I don't know what you mean Jack," she said fretfully. Jack looked at her hard and Sylvia saw that for the first time there was a tiny hint of fear in his dark eyes. He opened his mouth to speak but shut it again and then began to pace the floor apparently searching for the right words.

"I really like ye luv," he said at length, "I really do but I want to make sure yer happy before anythin'…er…happens. I don' want…" He stopped, looking lost. Sylvia sat up.

"I won't run away again," said Sylvia earnestly, "I know this is what I want now."

Jack looked at her for a long moment.

"I just want ye to be sure," he said at length.

"I am sure," said Sylvia without the slightest trace of doubt. Jack's gun and sword were laid down on a chair and Jack joined Sylvia on the bed. He began to roll up her shirt and then he kissed her stomach. His beard tickled her and she laughed out loud. Jack climbed on top of her and kissed her neck and her chin, her nose, her cheeks, her eyelids. Sylvia guided him back to her lips telling him without words that the time had come.

"Jack?" She kissed him.

"Mmm?" He kissed her.

"Don't ever let me go."

Jack was still on top of Sylvia but now there was sweat running down his face. He was looking down at Sylvia as she opened her eyes. She had never felt anything like this before. She rose, her chest arching upwards and then her eyes closed again as her head fell back. Jack closed his eyes too as Sylvia clung to him panting for breath. They were one with each other as the storm continued to rage outside.

Jack had collapsed beside Sylvia who was now dozing. He had one arm draped over her. Sylvia lay still, only half conscious, she felt like she was in the middle of a dream. She closed her eyes and opened them again but Jack was still lying beside her fast asleep. Sylvia could feel a fine film of perspiration clinging to her skin, a reminder of what they had just done together. She had never felt pleasure like it; it had been so intense that in the deepest throws Sylvia had believed she might pass out. Now she felt like she was floating in a warm ocean without a care in the world. She took hold of Jack's hand and held it securely in hers. This was definitely what she wanted.

Jack woke sometime later. Sylvia was dozing to the sound of the steady rain outside. He kissed her cheek softly. She stirred and opened her eyes.

"I didn't mean t' wake you luv," said Jack quietly.

"I don't think I was really sleeping," said Sylvia, "Or is this all a dream?"

"No luv," said Jack with a smile, "It's better than a dream." Sylvia pulled him even closer to her and began to kiss him again. These kisses were less urgent and much more relaxed. The enormous tension that had been building inside both of them had been released at last. Although they were both exhausted something inside meant they couldn't stop kissing each other.

"I won't," said Jack as if replying to a question which had just been asked.

"Won't what?" asked Sylvia breathlessly.

"Ever let you go, luv," replied Jack.

It was around five in the morning. Sylvia woke abruptly to the screaming of the wind as it tore over the ship. She sat upright which in turn woke Jack.

"Somethin' wrong?" he asked sleepily reluctantly cracking one eye open to look at her.

"The storm's really fierce," said Sylvia nervously as the wind continued to howl ominously.

"It'll blow itself out soon," said Jack confidently as he sat up too. He put his arm around her. "Don't worry luv, we're safe 'ere."

"My father will be worrying about me," said Sylvia as she brought her knees up so she could rest her arms on them. It was the first time she had even thought about her father since running to meet Jack in the rain; this was enough to make her feel more than a little guilty.

"I daresay that be the case," said Jack who did not sound overly concerned.

"I hope he's not too worried," said Sylvia. She wondered what he would do if he knew what had happened tonight, deciding to think about that was too horrible she pushed that thought to the back of her mind. Jack thought for a moment and then asked, "Do you wish ye were with him?"

"Not one bit because then I wouldn't be right here with you," replied Sylvia honestly who was feeling a little shy for the first time since she had arrived which seemed awfully strange to her. Jack smiled, yawned and then lay back against the pillows. Sylvia joined him, no longer afraid of the weather outside. With Jack's arm around her she felt totally safe. They fell asleep together as they were and as they slept the wind and rain began to die down.

"How many partners have you had Jack?" asked Sylvia casually. Jack was making her breakfast in the huge galley. He was looking even more unkempt than usual which was saying something. Due to his somewhat exuberant cooking method he was only half listening to Sylvia.

"Sorry?" he asked once he realised Sylvia was waiting for some sort of answer.

"How many partners have you had?" Sylvia repeated evenly.

"Partners?" Jack asked uncertainly.

"You know," said Sylvia as she ran her finger over a knot in the wood bench she was seated on, "Lovers." Jack went back to his cooking deliberately stalling for time.

"Why'd ye ask?" he questioned evasively.

"I'm interested," said Sylvia now looking directly at him.

"Are ye?" asked Jack. Sylvia shook her head; this was going round in circles.

"Just answer the question Jack."

"I've had a few," was the vague reply.

"A few?" questioned Sylvia pressing for more detail.

"Aye," said Jack, "Ye know how it is."

"No actually I don't," said Sylvia rather stiffly, "You're my one and only so please enlighten me."

"Ah," said Jack awkwardly, he should have known that, "Hm…" He served up breakfast and then sat down opposite Sylvia. Neither of them touched their food.

"Well luv," said Jack, "Ye got t' understand, sleeping wit' a woman to a pirate is like…"

"Don't patronise me Jack," said Sylvia shrewdly, "Why didn't you just say it was in the twenties?"

"Twenties?" Jack asked mildly with an innocent look in his eyes. Sylvia's eyes flashed dangerously.

"What I meant t' say was I've never wanted anyone as much as you," said Jack quickly. He added a trademark smile to sweeten the deal and to his amazement it actually worked.

"Do you mean that?" Sylvia asked shyly.

"Aye," said Jack with measurable relief. He reached across the table and took hold of Sylvia's hand.

"And are pirates loyal to their lovers?" Sylvia asked as she entwined her fingers around Jack's. Jack did not answer straight away.

"Are they Jack?" asked Sylvia the playful tone gone from her voice. Jack looked up at Sylvia. She was so innocent, so naïve.

"Things are not always as simple as black and white, good and bad, luv," he said.

"Jack?"

"What?"

"I don't feel like eating."

"Neither do I." Jack stood up, lifted Sylvia off her seat and carried her back into the bedroom.

Lord Ryecroft was upon Sylvia the moment she returned. He noticed there was something different about her but fortunately he could not put his finger on quite what it was.

"I've been so worried about you," he said, "You ran out of here without so much as a word."

"You knew I would be fine," said Sylvia as she almost skipped across the deck, "You don't need to worry about me."

"Were you with Captain Sparrow?" A pleasurable shiver ran through Sylvia at the sound of his name.

"Yes," she said almost daring her father to say something.

"That's ok then," said Lord Ryecroft and to Sylvia's surprise he asked no questions at all. She proceeded to her rooms feeling lucky to have escaped a thorough grilling. The key turned in the lock and she placed it carefully on her dresser. Locking herself in guaranteed peace and quiet from her maids, she did not want them all fussing around her, not now. She removed her shirt and trousers and sat down on her bed in just her underclothes. Slowly she touched her skin. She did not feel like the same person she had been the day before. She stood up and looked at herself in the mirror and saw a different version of herself looking back at her, a better version. She sighed. She was too happy to remember that all happiness comes with a price.

Jack and Sylvia made love every day that week. Sylvia was certain Jack was the most perfect male specimen in the world; from his bronzed skin to those rich dark eyes. Jack was completely relaxed with her, confident and self assured but at the same time gentle and understanding. With him Sylvia found herself feeling beautiful and special and free. He did not tell her what to do, he listened to her and he made her feel safe. In Jack's arms Sylvia felt confident and above all, she felt loved. It was like tasting the forbidden fruit and finding it was better than you had ever imagined.

"This is how I always dreamed it would be," said Sylvia one evening. She was wrapped in Jack's coat. They were on the beach, hidden from view, and it was getting dark. Jack grinned, his gold teeth glinting.

"Ye dreamed you would fall in love with a pirate captain and conduct a secret love affair right under yer father's nose?" he asked sceptically.

"Well, no," said Sylvia feeling a little embarrassed. She couldn't quite seem to put her feelings into words.

"Oh, you know what I mean," she said at last.

"Aye luv," said Jack, "I know exactly what you mean." He kissed her and she sighed happily before snuggling closer to him. They sat listening to the gentle waves.

"Don't ever let me go Jack," whispered Sylvia.

"I won't luv," said Jack but Sylvia wasn't entirely sure he meant it.

It wasn't only Lord Ryecroft who noticed the difference in Sylvia; the whole crew were talking about it. Rumours flew of course but no one had proof until one beautiful clear evening when George saw something he really was not meant to see. Everyone was pleased to see Sylvia so happy, everyone that is except George. It wasn't that he did not like to see Sylvia smiling, far from it. It was just that his suspicions ran deeper than everyone else's, deeper even that Lord Ryecroft's. He did not trust the pirate and he never would. The thought of him corrupting Sylvia was enough to make his blood boil. She was out with him and George wanted to find them but he did not know where to look so he wandered aimlessly along the beach. It had been nothing but a nightmare since they had docked here and he was determined to wake up from it sooner rather than later. He barely noticed where his feet were taking him until he heard voices. He stopped and listened carefully. There were people speaking on the other side of the rock he was facing, he edged around it very slowly listening all the time. The sounds of a fire crackling reached his ears.

"Have you ever seen a more perfect sunset?"

"Aye."

"Oh."

"But this be a pretty one, I'll give ye that."

"You're such a tease."

George rounded the rock and saw them at once. Sylvia and Jack, their faces lit by the glow of the fire. George felt himself begin to tremble and was about to step into their view when he saw something that made his blood run cold. Sylvia had just leaned over and…oh god…she was kissing him. George immediately saw red, he did not even see Sylvia any more, all he could focus on was Jack and how badly he wanted to hurt him. Jack's arms were around Sylvia when George's first shot hit the rock behind them. Instinctively Jack covered Sylvia with his body. Sylvia clung to his shirt without any idea of what was going on. More shots rang out; Sylvia could see sparks as the bullets hit the rock. Suddenly Jack gave a small cry of pain and he collapsed on top of Sylvia. Sylvia couldn't breathe with Jack's weight pressing down on her lungs. She was immediately panicked for a million different reasons. She couldn't breathe, Jack had collapsed, Jack wasn't moving, the shots were still firing…Jack wasn't moving! Unexpectedly Jack was rolled off her and Sylvia found herself looking into George's face. She tried to speak but she still didn't have any air in her lungs. George looked away from her, bent down and removed Jack's gun and sword.

"What have you done?" Sylvia finally managed to gasp as she tried to sit up. She looked over to Jack and tried to reach him but George got in the way. She fought against him as she saw blood spreading on Jack's white shirt.

"You shot him! You shot him!" she screamed her voice becoming hysterical with panic. George held her away from Jack until she began to cry and lost her energy. All her muscles seemed to give up at once and she hung limp unable to believe what the last five minutes had just brought.

"I had to shoot him, I saw what he was doing to you," said George for he still refused to believe Sylvia would let herself be touched by a pirate if she could help it but this illusion was shattered as Sylvia began hitting every part of him she could reach. Her muscles had sprung back into action simultaneously at George's deluded words.

"You bastard! You complete and total bastard!" she screamed her fists beating his chest furiously until George grabbed Sylvia's arms to restrain her. Sylvia tried to pull free but George held her with a strong grip which she could not break. She went mad, pulling at him, trying to scratch him with her nails, trying to bite, until George slapped her hard around the face. Sylvia stopped moving and George registered the shocked look on her tear stained face just before something hard hit him on the back of the head. He released Sylvia and put his hand to his skull. When he brought his fingers back to his face he saw blood and as he looked down he saw there was a blood stained rock lying next to him. He turned sharply and saw Jack Sparrow on his knees. He was clearly struggling to remain upright. Attempts to get to his feet failed miserably.

"Ye keep yer hands off her," said Jack warningly but he was hardly in the position to keep George from doing anything. Sylvia on the other hand was not so defenceless.

"George!" she said making George turn back to face her. Sylvia's arm swung round and the rock she had picked up from the ground collided with the side of George's head with a sickening thud. He fell sideways unconscious. Sylvia stood for a second still holding the weapon. Jack swayed on the spot making her realise why she had just done what she had. She dropped the rock she was holding and flew over to Jack all thoughts of George gone from her mind. Jack fell onto her and Sylvia immediately wrapped her arms around him.

"Oh god Jack, what do I do?" she asked desperately. Jack leant against her but didn't answer.

"Oh god," said Sylvia again, "You're going to be ok, aren't you Jack?" Her voice rose to a painful squeak.

"Aye," said Jack in a brave voice which did not completely cover up the pain, "Don't ye be worrying about me." That was a little hard for Sylvia to do considering he was still leaning on her and showed no signs of being able to get up. Sylvia had no idea of the severity of the injury, or even how to check. All she knew was that George had shot him in the back and that the blood was spreading horrifically over Jack's shirt. She clung to him and closed her eyes. When this did not help she kissed Jack over and over again on the cheek as if willing him to get better from love alone.

"Yer gonna have to help me get up luv," said Jack trying not to say or do anything that would cause Sylvia to panic, "I know ye can do that." Sylvia nodded. Jack got to his feet with as much support from Sylvia as she could give. He cursed with words she had never heard before and almost fell to his knees again but Sylvia did not let him. For a moment they stood, Jack breathing fast and Sylvia trembling with the effort of keeping him where he was.

"I need t' get back t' the Pearl luv," said Jack. Sylvia bit back a little whimper. The Black Pearl seemed like it was a million miles away right now. She looked briefly at George quite unable to believe she had knocked him out, then she returned her attention whole heartedly to Jack.

"We can make it," she said without much conviction.

"Course we can luv," said Jack and he limped forwards wincing as he did so. They made painstakingly slow progress. Sylvia had tears running down her face now. It was agony to see Jack struggling like he was. It seemed to take them years before they reached the Pearl, even once they were in its immense shadow they still had a way to go. Sylvia, almost collapsing herself from the exhaustion caused by helping Jack, knew they would have to climb stairs and make their way through the ship before they reached the Captain's cabin. With determination she never knew she possessed she stopped herself from showing any signs of despair.

"Only a little further to go," she said but even as she spoke the words it seemed as if every step got that much harder.

"I can't," said Jack breathlessly and he collapsed onto the deck of his ship.

"Jack!" cried Sylvia, "You have to get up Jack." But Jack was not going to get up. Sylvia looked around wildly as if hoping for some answer to appear beside her. All she saw that was of any use was Jack's coat hanging close by. She grabbed it and covered Jack with it.

"I'm going to get help, ok?" she said trying to sound a lot more positive than she felt, "Will you be alright?" She reached for his hand and he squeezed hers reassuringly.

"Aye luv," he said, his eyes closed, "I'll be ok, I promise." Sylvia kissed his fingers, got up and then sprinted towards the town. She didn't stop running until she reached the Lamb's Heart. She burst into the pub clutching at the stitch in her side. No one so much as looked up as she ran in. She looked around for Gibbs scanning the faces but she couldn't see him anywhere. She span around, he had to be here, he just had to be. Then quite suddenly he loomed out of the masses like an angel. Sylvia ran to him and grabbed the front of his shirt.

"Holy mother of god!" cried Gibbs, "What happened t' ye?" Sylvia's shirt was covered in Jack's blood, she had not even noticed. On top of that she was still clutching at her side and positively panting for breath.

"It's Jack," she said breathlessly, "He's on the Pearl. He's hurt. Oh god. He needs help. He was shot…oh god."

"It's alright missy," said Gibbs, "Ye've done yer bit. I'll be taking it from here." He threw some money on the table and hurried out of the pub with Sylvia following close behind.

"I'm coming with you," she said. Gibbs turned; his normally jovial face was grave.

"Ye've done yer bit missy," he repeated, "Get back t' yer ship where yer safe." Sylvia watched him rush off into the darkness. She found she no longer had the strength to follow him anyway; it seemed everything had happened so quickly. She didn't remember how she got back to the Conqueror but get back she did feeling as numb as if someone had turned off all her senses at once.


A/N: Drawing lines has become a complicated business now on this website...jeez. :)

Right, now for some bad news, I'm only going to get busier as Christmas approaches which means updates may not be as fast as they were before. I shall aim for weekly updates as much as possible, hopefully that will beachievable. I really hope that's ok for everyone.