Chapter 15
Sail On Silver Girl

Silver awoke with a pair of familiar dark brown eyes gazing down on her. She blinked a couple of times and made out Jack's face, which bore a broad grin. His apparent joy was so contagious that Silver couldn't help herself but to give him a little smile of her own – even though she didn't feel like it at all. Her lips were parched and her head aching. She opened her mouth to say something, but not a sound escaped. Jack looked at her worriedly.

"What is it, love? How are you feeling?"

Silver cleared her dry throat.

"Water…" she managed to croak out. In an instant Jack was back with a glass of the cool, refreshing liquid and helped her set it to her lips. She drank the cup in one gulp and sighed in relief, dropping her head back down on Jack's shoulder. She was so incredibly tired. Jack stroked her shoulder soothingly.

"Gibbs put some ointment on your wrist. It'll heal, but I'm sorry love, I really am. This shouldn't have happened to you. You shouldn't have been marked like this." His voice was bitter. When there was no reply, Jack brought a calloused hand up to her face and was taken back by the heat she emitted.

"Mary mother o'god, that's one hell of a fever you caught!" His voice was thick with worry.

"We…" he gently lifted her head off his shoulder and got up. "..have to get you…" He picked her up, frightened at her feathery-light weight, and placed her quietly on his bed nearby. "…to bed.", Jack finished and propped up some pillows for her comfort. Silver weakly tried to protest but he would have none of it.

"Shhh…shhh.." he cooed softly and swept a strand of sweaty hair from her forehead. "Ye gotta get yerself some rest. Jack'll watch over you." With a small sigh of relief and submission Silver sank back into the pillows and closed her eyes; as she dozed off back into sleep she was trying to comprehend the thought of how different Jack acted. But she was way too tired for analyzing this now. Everything could wait. Now, all she wanted to do was sleep.

Silver slept for three days and two nights straight. Every minute Jack could spare he would sit at her bed, anxiously waiting for her to wake. He had even let Roberts take the helm – a task that usually was only done by himself, the Captain. He ate little and drank a lot, to drown his fear, but in the last day he had noticed with relief that her temperature had gone down. The rest of the crew was slowly getting worried about their Captain, whose eyes were dull and circled with dark shadows from the lack of sleep. On the third night – Jack was almost about to doze off a little – he finally felt her stir. At once he was wide-awake again and cowered over her.

"Silver. Oy, love. Ye awake?" he whispered gently and almost starting dancing from joy when she opened her eyes wearily to look at him.

"Hello Jack." She spoke softly, her voice feeble from the lack of use. She managed a weak grin and stared up into his beautiful eyes. Jack tore himself from her gaze and turned to the bed table, offering Silver a glass of fresh water. She took it gratefully and smiled at him. Then she looked around, noticing she was in the Captain's cabin and that it was dark.

"How long did I sleep?" she asked timidly.

"Almost three days, love." Jack smiled.

"But you…you haven't …I mean have you…" Silver turned red. "…been looking over me this entire time?"

It was Jack's turn to become a bright crimson.

"Aye, I have. And…" he cleared his throat. "Uh…I'm glad you're better. Really." He grinned hesitantly. Silver's intent gaze made him uncomfortable. She brought a hand up to touch his face.

"Thank you, Jack."

"No big deal, love, I mean –"

He was silenced abruptly by Silver's incredibly soft lips pressing gently on his. Jack stared at her in awe when she pulled away and smiled softly at him. The next instant Jack had his arm about her waist, pulling Silver up to meet him in a passionate kiss. Finally he held her like he'd always wanted. Kissed her like he always wanted.

Her arms snaked instantly around his broad shoulders while his rough fingers moved behind her neck to bring her closer. Silvers hands tangled into his dark locks and her lips responded to the gently yet fervent caresses of his. She took in everything that was Jack and got lost in that intoxicating masculine smell of his. She gasped against his lips, needing air to breathe and they allowed themselves a gulp before the duel of their lips continued. But it no longer felt like a duel for victory. Our dance in harmony, Silver corrected herself and almost giggled. She felt as happy as she hadn't in a long time. Her heart was pounding, her spirits were soaring and she felt a daring excitement. Jack broke away at her chuckle, breathing heavily and looking lovingly at Silver.

"What is it, love?"

"Nothing. Nothing, Jack. Kiss me." She begged, a hand on his chest, and Jack obliged, crushing her lips to his. His tongue snaked softly into her mouth, enticing hers to meet him. Silver ran her hands up and down his shoulders, her fingers circling on the small of his back.His shirt had lifted a little and she could feel the invitingly warm skin beneath her fingers. Slowly she slid them underneath the white garment. Meanwhile, Jack had not been idle. At his sweet caresses she couldn't help but moan into his mouth. Only when she felt his fingers making their way under her shirt and up to her breasts did Silver flinch. She had almost forgotten. He shouldn't – couldn't – find out. Not now. She didn't want to ruin this moment. Their moment.

She broke away suddenly, pulling down her dirty-white shirt and glared at him. His eyes only held confusion and she had to look away.

"Love, I'm really sorry – I didn't…" he noticed Silver clutching her shirt frightened to her shoulder, avoiding his eyes, which were now narrowed with suspicion.

"Silver, love? What is it? Why…?"

Silver bit her lip so hard she almost drew blood.

"Did I hurt you? What's wrong with your shoulder? Here, let ol' Jack see…" He attempted to gently pry her fingers off the shirt, but she slapped him away. Jack stared at her in surprise, then furrowed his eyebrows and had her pinned effectively beneath him the next moment.

"Love, I'm not going to hurt you, but will you please let me check…" He stopped when he noticed Silvers eyes looking wide and fearful up to him. Then she lowered her eyes and he felt the tension leave her muscles. Taking that as a 'yes' he pulled down her shirt enough for him to examine her shoulder. Silvers head was turned to the side and her ebony hair covered the grey eyes that were brimmed with tears. She felt a warm finger caress her left shoulder blade. Then his astonished voice broke the silence.

"What is that, love?"


A/N: Not as long, but I wanted to stop here - you know that I love cliffhangers ;-) Plus, school really is killing me right now, since I've decided to do the stupid IB Diploma (I don't know if anyone actually knows about it…but it's hell!!)

But, anyway, wohooo! I passed the 100 mark! Makes me feel muuuch better. Thanks for the wonderful reviews! They were so sweet! Shoutouts to everyone! (please don't get annoyed by the smileys…I'm obsessed with them…) Lady Fae: I tried to hurry with the update (ok ok, could have been faster, I know…) Thank you! Es: taking you by your promise ;-) Here's your update! colecole345: yeah, he's different, isn't he? Even more in this chapter, I suppose…hope you still like it! Mikella: Wow, read it in one day! I feel really honored! Thanks!! Mysterious Lady: Sorry about the four months…wasn't planned like that :-) Glad you don't think it's too fast – I guess I'm just paranoid! Oh, and thanks for the review!! Jyska: Hey, thanks! That was a really sweet review! Hope you didn't get into too much trouble for your missing homework ;-) And I feel really flattered that you read everything in one night – wow! Brittany Baker: Yeah, Jack in love, isn't he cute? Thanks for the review, matey :-) ! Jack'ssparrow: Thanks – and seeeee, you didn't have to wait as long for this one – hope you liked it! Kizume Bass: Ohh, I'm so glad you're back! Missed your reviews ;-) And thanks for pointing out the spelling mistake!

And don't forget - keep those lovely reviews comin'!

Sereture