Sail On Silver Girl
Chapter 17
"No, Jack! I really do not think that this is a good idea."
"But, love, I insist! It's important so that ye know – "
"For the last time Jack: I don't want to! Do you want me to live through this again? How will that benefit me in any way?? I really don't think it appropriate. Or necessary, for that matter!"
Jack and Silver, both fuming, were glaring at each other. Two pairs of eyes lined with tiredness. The whole night they had spent talking, and Silver had been amazed at Jacks degree of understanding of her situation. He had comforted her, and made her laugh, and she had felt so much better. But then he had had this incredibly…stupid idea of returning her to Antigua. To 'confront her past' or something. Why couldn't he just understand she wanted to forget? She didn't want to return to her past, she didn't want to know what had happened to her kingdom. Just Jack mattered to her, and she had thought he felt the same about her…
Jack used her silence to his advantage.
"Love…" he spoke softly, masking the hidden intention of convincing her. "Just for a visit. Please love. Trust me on this one." Silver stared past him outside the bulls-eye and noticed the sun was rising out of the ocean already and the morning dust slowly turned golden. She yawned as she realized how tired she was.
"Alright…do whatever you must, Jack." She mumbled in defeat and turned away with resignation.
"Now I just – " another yawn interrupted her sentence. "- want to sleep."
"The bed's all yours", Jack grinned triumphantly at his victory. His stubbornness always paid off. "Unless ye want me to join, of course…" he added with a wink, but Silver was already out like a light. He watched her sleeping figure longingly and realized he wanted nothing more than for Silver to let him love her. But he understood he had to be patient. Silver was not like any other women he had met. She was special, at least for him. And he would honor and appreciate that…specialness. There was not a man luckier than him.
Silently pulling on his coat and straightening his hat, Jack returned to the deck.
"Antigua, ho!" he mumbled softly, after giving Gibbs order to change course - secretly hoping that he was making the right choice. But he was sure that she had to face her demons, that she had to realize what life she was giving up before she could truly and fully belong to him.
After a long day of catching up on sleep, Silver awoke as the sun began to set and night was beginning to fall – feeling exceptionally refreshed. She pulled on a clean white shirt with billowing sleeves, loose dark pants and a matching vest as well as her black bandana. Jack was nowhere to be seen, but when she left her cabin she heard rum-induced raucous laughter and concluded that Jack must not be far off. Determined to make this evening a pleasant one for a change, she headed towards the galley. The crew must have had the same thought as her, for when she opened the door she was greeted with an atmosphere not very different to those of Tortugan taverns. The mood was intoxicating and contagious and Silver couldn't restrain that Cheshire-cat-smile seeping across her face. Nodding her thanks as someone thrust a bottle of rum into her hand she plopped down on a chair and watched Jack. He was standing grandly on a wooden table, apparently telling one of his great adventures to everyone who did or did not want to listen while several of his crewmen were howling with laughter. He winked at her as he caught her eye and continued with his story, which seemed to become more and more far-fetched and mind-boggling as the number of empty rum bottles littered across the floor increased. Slowly she swayed over to Jack, never losing eye contact and soon Silver was among his audience, oohing and ahhing to the most bizarre but undoubtedly very true absurdities of Jack's life, which he told with so somber a face that it was impossible not to laugh out loud. Silver enjoyed herself for the first time in days and cherished every moment of it.
Suddenly Burton's voice was heard above the drunken chattering.
"Oy! Anyone 'ere up for a game o'cards?"
This was an opportunity Silver couldn't pass up and soon the circle of listeners around Jack cleared to sit around the table and receive their share of cards from Anmaria. Grumbling Jack got down from his grand stage and, uncorking a bottle of rum for his consolation, plopped down on the nearest chair and propped his boots on the table. His eyes didn't leave Silver, who was completely absorbed in the game, joking around with Gibbs. When she suddenly threw her head back and laughed freely out loud, Jack felt as if his chest would burst. Just seeing her made him feel…so much.
Silver was next to deal the cards and shuffled them with expertise. Her grey eyes met Jack's and her eyes shone with excitement as she gave him a genuine smile. She turned back to the game and focused on her cards, discussing the art of bluffing with Anamaria with much enthusiasm. When she had won her third game in a row, Jack –a wistful grin on his face - got up, sashayed over and moved behind her. Suddenly Silver felt his warm hands on the skin of her shoulders and turned around to grin up at him. He smirked back seductively and massaged her neck with his grimy, but oh-so passionate fingers as she arched into his touch.
"Are ye trying to exploit me crew…?" he drawled darkly, eying the growing pile of golden coins, as his fingers drew circles on her skin. Silver chuckled and shrugged her shoulders, aching for more of his expert touch. Tired of losing, Gibbs, Burton and the rest of the crew had already dissembled and started engaging in other activities that were mainly involving drinking and foul puns. Slowly Jack's fingers began to trail down her sides, but before they could reach their destination, Silver spun around with an expression of mock uptightness twinkling in her eyes.
"Captain Sparrow! I don't believe I've had enough rum to allow these kinds of actions!" She was trying her luck with a fancy British accent, but her slurring was clearly proving the opposite of her words. Jack's face scrunched up in confusion at the familiar choice of words before he grinned back. He raised a ringed index finger, and opened his mouth clearly to retort, when he stopped in midair, distracted by Gibbs voice bellowing from the other side of the room.
"Jack! The lad here be wantin' to 'ear the story of them skeletons! Do 'im the favor, will ye?" Gibbs shouted, and gestured to the scrawny looking boy who had been hired shortly before Silver had arrived aboard the Pearl.
"Ahh, splendid choice! It be one of me bravest deeds, aye. Be right there, mate!" Jack yelled back, a proud smile gracing his weathered face.
"Duty calls, love.", he purred roughly and winked at Silver. "Don't worry, I'll be right back…" he said with his enticing drawl and his fingers grazed her collar slyly. Silver chuckled again at his boundless confidence and watched him as he strutted over to the group of eager listeners. Tearing herself away from the hypnotic sight of his swaying hips, Silver grabbed her bottle of rum and slipped outside. As she gazed up at the sky she felt the urgent need to be as close to heaven as possible. Taking the bottle between her teeth she grabbed the rough coils of rope that connected the mast with the sails and it didn't take long before she was up in the crow's-nest, nestling on the tiny bank provided. She took several deep breaths of salty air and smiled into the darkness. Forgotten were the dangers and worries of the last days – for once, Silver felt truly happy, and she wanted to trade her life with no other in the world. She uncorked her bottle and felt the amber liquid burn down her throat and leave a satisfying feeling of warmth in the pit of her stomach. Right in the range of her vision a shooting star traveled across the infinite dark plain and left its glowing path. Though she felt childish, Silver voiced her impossible hope in a silent wish: If only time could stand still and this moment last forever…
She didn't know for how many minutes, hours she had sat up there, but her mind was abruptly shaken from wandering aloft to dance with the stars when the door far beneath her on the deck creaked open. Cautiously peering down (the rum did seem to have an effect on her balance…), Silver saw Jack's figure striding over the deck and halting at the helm where he stopped to gently caress his Pearl. His tri-cornered hat stood out against the night and Silver marveled at his appearance and his obvious admiration for his ship as his coat billowed softly in the breeze. His hands slid so gracefully, so passionately over the wood that Silver couldn't help but admit a deep feeling of desire for the proud Captain. Leaning back she watched Jack stare out to the now almost imperceptible horizon and heard him mumble incoherently, and she felt her heart would break with love. She had to close her eyes at the blissful emotions overwhelming her, but her romantic thoughts were quickly interrupted when she heard a very off-tune humming from below her. Silver choked on her rum at this violation against all harmony and giggled. At once Jack's head shot up, peering confusedly into the darkness to spot the source of noise. When he saw her, his eyebrows raised and he assumed a scolding expression.
"Sneaky, luv, very sneaky. Hidin' up there and not being able to appreciate some good music, are ye? Well, let me teach ye…" Silver had yet to stop laughing and noticed Jack tossing aside his hat and starting to climb the ropes with great agility. Trying to suppress more laughter, she took a large sip of rum, but at that moment Jack's mockingly hurt face appeared at the rim of the crows nest and the rum spurted over the edge as Silver had to hold her stomach from laughter.
"And now ye're also wastin' the rum!" Jack exclaimed with exasperation. "Honestly, luv!" Silver slowly regained her composure and gave Jack a pretty pout. Her sparkling eyes were deceiving her apology though.
"I'm terribly sorry, Captain Sparrow. Wont ever happen again."
Jack Sparrow heaved himself up on the wooden boards.
"I shall hope not, darling…" he grinned and pinned her arms effectively at her sides until her giggling finally subsided as a result to the intense look of his eyes. Suddenly he turned his head away and they sat in silence. Jack's deep voice broke the stillness, and its solemnity made Silver shudder:
"It's what I love about me Pearl. I mean – look at this!" His voice was wistful and he was totally entranced as he spoke.
"That ship, she gives me the freedom I need. Where else could ye have not only such a view, but such a …feelin' of vastness and liberty and completeness. And now she has not only given me freedom, she's also given me you…" His voice was unusually soft, and Silver turned her head in surprise. Jack wasn't looking at her though, but into the dark, his eyes were glazed and pensive. He distractedly moved his bottle of rum to his mouth and took a swig.
"I couldn't live without me freedom…" he mumbled. Overcome with love for him, Silver leaned over and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips, meaning to withdraw, but he deepened it the second her lips met his, his hand snaking around her neck to bring her closer. Silver knew that if she wanted to keep Jack, she needed to grant him the freedom he craved. She wouldn't make any mistake so as to lose him.
Jack's lips tasted of rum and Silver couldn't get enough of him as she felt her own share of alcohol curse through her system.
"Jack…" she breathed between kisses as her hand moved underneath his shirt, but suddenly he withdrew. His slurred, seductive, careless voice was back, the one she knew.
"Love, yer drunk." He stated, his breathing heavy. "It's not like yer not incredibly cute – " He placed a kiss on the corner of her mouth "- charming –" Another kiss. "- and absolutely amazingly attractive when yer drunk…" This time the kiss lasted longer, as if he needed to muster all his strength to withdraw. "…but I be not the scoundrel of a pirate to take advantage of a gal's state…savvy?"
When he saw her eyes burn light gray with anger and frustrated humiliation, he hushed her with another kiss.
"Believe me, luv. Ye'd want to have full awareness of yer senses when yer with Jack Sparrow..." He winked at her and his voice sounded as cocky as always.
Silver couldn't help but grin and nestled into the crook of his arm, holding her bottle before her as she gazed at the amber liquid.
"I suppose I am…jus' a liiiiittle bit intoc – intoxi…drunk…" , she slurred as her head descended onto his shoulder and she felt the warmth and security of Jack's arm around her, breathed in the familiar air of him and heard him chuckle.
The last thought before she fell asleep and her breathing turned even was the feeling of utter satisfaction and happiness that overtook her and guided her into her dreams. And, nestled in Jack Sparrow's arms, she for once felt wholly at peace with herself.
Uhhh, noble Jack. What a shame! ;-)
Looong chappie for me. Not used to it. At ALL. (Working on myself there, seee?) And I must say, I am THRILLED by the reviews! So keep it up, they mean a lot to me! Plus – y'all know the deal. The more reviews, the faster/longer the chapter! (Me hopes…)
Colecole345: Thanks again there mate! Glad you're 'lovin it'!!
KizumeBass: Thanks, I'm really glad you're back and still liking
it! Hopefully no mistakes this time either ;-)
cancat90: Yeah,
well she was sick, but she slept for three days, so she's muuuch
better ;-) Thanks for your review AND for telling me bout the
repetition. It wasn't meant like that …
Lady Fae:
Sorry bout the cliffie! But I didn't put one this time, seeee?
Fayna: Of course I'll finish! Thanks for reviewing!
Mistfox14: Evil? Me? Neeever! :-) Here's the update!
Ilyenakozain: Uhoh, you scared me there for a sec! Viruses?! Better
update quickly then…g
Jyska: nice French there! And yes,
school is horrible! Hope the update was quick enough though…
Katie:
Hey there almost-neighbor! I actually figured out your sentence after
some time! Yay! The spelling's a bit off, but otherwise…;-)
Thanks for your advice!!! I really am not much of a dialogue
person…but I'll try! Tell me what you think!
Kurama13: Really glad you like it!
Thanks for the review!
Lonaargh: Here's what happens next!
Thanks for the review mate, and tell me what you think about this
chapter!
Psychotic kitten: Yay! You're back! Glad
you're still reading this!!! Thanks for reviewing, and tell me what
you think!
Jack's Sparrow: Wow, that's so sweet! A
smile on your face? Yay! Thanks for reviewing!
Jess:
I'm not sure how many more chapters, but maybe like…6? No idea.
Thanks for telling me about that repetition error, I bet it was
confusing! Fixed it now though!
Punkdpirate: Yeah, can't
help the romance ;-) Good that you agree though! Thanks for
reviewing!
Doe eyed dryad: Uhoh, hope your sleeping's back
to normal! Aww, well it's still some chapters till the end, so
don't worry! Thanks for the sweet review!
Well, that was that, and pleeeease keep the reviews coming!
Btw, anyone catch the phrase from Blow? :D
Until next time,
Sereture
