There'll be no livin' with her after this

Chapter 26-Thoughts and apples

Disclaimer: No, I don't own POTC…

Johnny'shumiliatedgrape: Dirty? Now, it's your story that's dirty. LOL It's always fun to put sexiness in, eh? Anyway, this is PG-13…Will's that kind of person, really, you know? Your Johnny references are awesome. I've put some in here and there.

CaptainAnna: I know how you feel. I get really bloody annoyed when anyone uses my quote…So, my apologies. :)

"Captain? Which way are we goin'?"

Jade turned away, and stood up, hearing the voice.

"I'll be up in a tic", Jack responded. He walked to the doorway, and glanced at the lass.

Jade merely looked back at him, and they were silent. This moment passed, and Jack gave a nod, and departed.

Over the next several days, Jade didn't see much of Jack. He was continually at the wheel, not letting anyone steer but himself.

Mademoiselle Rochet had started to concern over him, because she hadn't seen him sleep. During these several days, she mused to herself.

On such an occasion, she wondered how Belle had gotten along back in Port Royal. Port Royal-what had been her home for those years. Hmm.

'Am I nervous to go back?' she wondered to herself. She wasn't sure what to think. She

thought about thinking about it.

She looked out of the sunlight-streamed window, watching as the waves gently bumped against the sides of the ship. She made to stand up, pulling her blue scarf closer about her, but faltered, feeling dizzy.

She put her hand on the chair, easing back down. "Sea-legs still." She drew her hand across her forehead momentarily.

She then methodically decided that she would not spend an eternally extended visit at Port Royal.

Just long enough to get whatever needed to be cleared up with her companion, including spending time with her…and just long enough to keep Jack away before he could do anything disastrous. She decided this lastly with an amusement flecking in her eyes.

'He'll probably be the one leading the way, ne moi.'

She thought back again on how Belle did not know of their relationship. She put these thoughts aside, however, when she heard the door.

"Oui?"

"Ah, Miss Rochet", said a familiar voice.

"Mr. Sparrow" She noticed that he looked slightly haphazard; a rum flask was in his hand. But still, alert; anticipation in his eyes.

"How are ye farin', love?" he asked smoothly, as he sat flopped down in the chair across from her.

"I should ask you, Captain."

A sparkle of acknowledgment shown in Jack's eyes as he heard the familiar title.

"Well, miss, I'd be steering this bit of freedom…"

"Oui, Jack. You've been navigating non-stop."

Jack's head buzzed from the effect of all the rum he had been drinking. While she said this, he noticed how accentuated her French accent was.

"Aye…" he murmured slowly.

Jade looked at him inquisitively.

He noticed. "Jade, did I ever mention how green yer eyes be?"

She stood up, taking a breath, and walked to him. "Jack, you're drunk. And tired, I expect."

"An' what have you been drinkin'?" He narrowed his eyes, and fiddled with one of his rings.

While he was not noticing, she confiscated the rum, holding it up, as if to mock him.

"Tea, a drink with jam and bread, if you must know, you rogue", she teased.

He looked at her in shock. He reached for the rum, but she stepped back, and put it to her lips, and took a sip.

"Oh, Jack!" she uttered, putting the flask on the table. "How can you drink that? It's…it's not rum…"

"I'tis, love" he said. "With more than one shot…"

"Oh, god. Jack…"

But he had already fallen asleep.

Jade bit her lip, and went to him. She touched his shoulder, and he awoke with a jerk.

"What—"

"Go ahead and sleep in the bed."

He suddenly grinned slyly. "Thought ye didn't trust Captain Jack."

Jade shook her head. "Aller."

He moved his tongue over his teeth, keeping their gaze, and fell down onto the mattress, with a worn out sigh. He looked at her expectantly.

"Quoi?"

"Won't the lass join me?"

She looked through his inviting eyes, and knew she missed not seeing or chatting with the pirate for the past several days.

"S'endormir." She murmured, yet, and left, letting the door click behind her.

"Good afternoon, love" Will gathered her in his arms and kissed her.

"Good afternoon to you too", she said.

He responded with another few kisses, each one more passionate; tempting her.

"Mmm...You're so beautiful."

Elizabeth started to pout, but a smile still played on her lips.

"Just imagine me when I'm all big..." she said, bringing her hands out.

"Oh yes", Will muttered, suddenly remembering that she was in fact, pregnant. He glanced over her, and seeing her healing rib cage, he remembered. Concern for her began to fill him.

"Are you doing okay?" he said gently.

"Yes", she said. "But I must admit I'm becoming tired as the days go by." She looked at him. "And it's the strangest thing."

"What?"

"Of late, I've had a craving for green apples."

Will sat up. "Green apples? Not...red or yellow...just green?"

"Yes! And you know, I've always disliked them. And my 'fear', if you would, of them, grew after that horrible Captain Barbossa experience."

"Oh."

"So, I find it odd, don't you?"

"Well, yes..." He thoughtfully put his hand to his chin.

"You alright?"

He smiled. "I'll get used to your cravings soon. I'll order up some green apples."

She sat up next to him. "Oh, Will, you don't have to go through all that trouble."

"Of course I do!" he exclaimed, as he gently pushed her back down.

She kissed him, then let out a surprised gasp when he started tickling her.

"Will!"

"What brings ye, lass?"

"Mr. Gibbs" she smiled. She and the old sea-dog had become well-acquainted during their journeys, and she was comfortable conversing with him. "I'm just out for a walk. Is the wind factor still right?"

"Aye, i'tis. Quite good bloody weather fer this time o' year, actually." He scratched his head. "

'Scuse me lass, but, do ye happen ter know where be Jack?"

"Oh", she said, with a slight roll of her eyes. "He's sleeping it off."

"Ah", Gibbs said knowing. Then he looked at her with a glint in his eye. "Didn't tell ye any stories bout sea turtles, now, did he?"

"Sea turtles?"

He chuckled. "Never you mind."

She laughed. "Well, he might not have told me bout sea turtles, but he was quite..."

"Blatant?"

"That's a word to describe it."

"Well, you know the Captain. I s'pose I'll jus' keep to the Code. Cause I'll have to get someone ter steer the bloody ship."

"No one's steering?" Jade exclaimed in alarm.

"Not at the moment. But don't fret...I should go and check on that", he said, and turned to leave.

She sighed, and walked to the side of the ship, placing her hands on the rail, letting the wind blow her curls about her face. It was nearing sunset. She gazed at the sky; an array of pinks and lavender and ginger. The colors of the wind reminded her of Jack, somehow. Something about them...she just couldn't put her finger on it. Perhaps the way they were freely blowing? Perhaps their vividness of color? Perhaps the coolness of the air on her face. Perhaps the essence of Captain Jack was in her mind...Perhaps she was own her way to her room, and perhaps she opened the door a bit, and saw that the Captain was asleep. Perhaps thoughts went through her head. Perhaps she was fidgety over the ending of the trip in a little over two weeks. Perhaps that was it. Perhaps she was missing something, and perhaps she felt a part of the puzzle wasn't quite there. Perhaps she should go...and stop perhaps-ing.

'...there's dancing dinner rolls...snoopy dances... a great bear...dance with me. No...It's just a dog...just...she...rum. No, I can't...I desire it...no, I mustn't. She...arr...taste...do not

think about it. Ye've already done it twice...what's the matter with doin' it again?

Because ye've got morals...Ye know...'

"God bloody damnit! I can't take it! And this bloody 3-shot of alcohol rum's not bloody helpin' me sleep!...Actually I am...but that's not the bloody point!"

He sat there, absently fingering his pistol, before drifting asleep for the rest of the night.

'Eat a whole bushel of apples...Bushel of apples...And the apples, one of those next...a whole bushel...Apples...green apples!'

"Ah!" Elizabeth screamed, bolting straight up, sweat covering her face, and out of breath.

"Elizabeth, what happened!" Will said worriedly, as he turned on the light.

He saw her shaking, and embraced her. She buried her head in his shoulder.

"What happened?" he said softly after a moment.

"It was the dream...apples."

"What dream?

"The...the dream, and I hear his voice...and it's taunting me...because I ate the green apples."

Will looked at Elizabeth in incredulity. "Elizabeth, calm down, love. I think everything's just getting to you."

She looked up at him. "No, Will, it was him. He was taunting me."

"Who?"

"Captain Barbossa."

"Darling" He held her close. "All that's over. You shouldn't be worried by these...nightmares."

She laughed a bit. "It is silly, isn't it? It's just...I remember his voice when he said he wanted 'a whole bushel of apples' and it just...got to me. And especially earlier when I was eating them."

"It's alright, love. I know what a cruel character he was. But he's dead now. Remember, Jack killed him. And they were quit of the curse."

"Yes", Elizabeth said appreciatively. She sighed, and rested against him, feeling protected.

"Ready to go back to sleep now?" he said as he gently kissed her.

She nodded. As Will turned the light back out, and she laid down next to him, she looked over at the table; at the bowl of green apples. She shuddered, shaking the feeling off, and nestled close to her husband.

ne moi: not me

Aller: Go

S'endormir: Go to sleep