Sail On Silver Girl
Chapter 18
Confused shouts somewhere below her woke Silver from her deep slumber. Drifting out of her pleasant dreams, she opened her eyes for the blink of a second until she closed them again, unconsciously snuggling closer against something temptingly warm and comfortable. Her arm was draped across Jack's stomach and her head had dropped from his broad shoulders to his chest. Jack was mumbling inaudibly into his beard, though his eyes were still closed as he slowly drifted into consciousness. It all felt too restful and...perfectly peaceful for her to get up, and so neither had any intention of ending their nap anytime soon. Suddenly though, as if she remembered something, Silver's eyes flew wide open. With horror she noticed that her right leg was dangling off the tiny space they were crammed to into nothingness. Cursing softly she moved even closer to Jack, seeking safety from the chilling heights. They must truly have had a pair of guardian angels to have survived the night up here!, she thought with gratitude. Taking a deep breath, Silver noticed that her stomach was rather upset – whether it was from the rum (she was horrified to realize that she reeked almost as badly of it as Jack!) or the scary sight of waking up meters above her hammock, she couldn't tell. The salt-scented sea air did help though, and Silver's eye caught Jack's sleeping form lightly snoring beside her. Damn him for looking so roguishly beautiful and yet angelic when he was asleep, Silver thought lovingly. His defined cheekbones, those full, fascinating lips and that adorable goatee of his, which –
"Arrrr! Would ye kindly quit staring, luv! Can't a man get some sleep!"
His outburst caused Silver to blush and lean back hurriedly, as somehow her face had become closer and closer to those seductive lips she had just been contemplating.
Through her abrupt retreat she suddenly found herself hanging over the edge and a silent shriek escaped her lips. But at once she felt Jacks strong arms tighten about her and whisking her back into safety. She felt somewhat guilty but satisfied as she noticed the shocked expression on his face that had replaced the irritation of her staring at him – clearly he had feared for her. Silver's heart jumped and she felt as if she could hug the entire world. He really did care for her, then.
Jack was surprised at the bright smile, which lighted up her whole face and made her silver eyes sparkle, that she gave him.
"Well, good morning, love, I guess it is. Try bein' more careful. I don't fancy fishin' ye outta the sea this early in the morning." Jack said gruffly, yawning to accentuate his point and trying to be cross with her, but the smile tugging at his lips betrayed him. And a lovely morning it was. The sun, brightly rising out of the ocean, adorned the waves with a shimmer almost too brilliant to look at, and each drop of the salty spray that reached Silver and Jack seemed to be a pure diamond, glistening in the light. The sky was painted an even blue, with no cloud to be seen anywhere, and the rippling of the waves swayed gently against the Black Pearl, while a couple of seagulls were circling its mast. Jack was standing behind her as Silver took a deep breath of the fresh morning breeze and closed her eyes in joy. Wanting to share her infinite happiness with him, Silver turned and was about to pull Jack in a spontaneous tight embrace when she narrowed her eyes at a dark strip appearing on the horizon. Jack, watching the change of expression in her face turned too, but his face lit up after he had consulted his spyglass. Silver was looking up at him in confusion – could this be another vessel, a second threat when all seemed well now? Wordlessly he handed her the glass and as her eyes focused she could make out the dark silhouette of a city making a contrast to the glaring sun, with its towers and churches. Not just any city. Silver swallowed hard. It was her port. Her city. Antigua. She wondered what it would be like to see it again. Though she had managed to suppress it successfully, Silver suddenly felt a pang of longing to see home once again. Her eyes seemed to look beyond as she put the glass down, and she couldn't help the fevering ache and excitement she felt at returning. Jack looked down on her eager face and felt a little proud. He knew she had secretly wanted to come back. And this way had other advantages; he would be sure whether she really was serious with her love for him. Whether she would leave her home from him. Only then would he dare to open up to her.
Anamaria had finally spotted the two up in the crows-nest and hollered at them angrily, though a little amusement was laced into her voice:
"Oy, ye two lovebirds!" At this, Silver blushed, and she was amazed at the, though almost imperceptible, crimson shade that Jack turned. "Care to help at all?! We're expecting to reach port in less than an hour!"
Suddenly, Jack lifted up his finger, as if he remembered something.
"Before I forget – there's something I got ye. And I want ye to use it in Antigua. There's no need to rouse suspicion." Silver raised her eyebrow in surprise and watched his enthusiastic smile. Eager as a little child he climbed down the rigging and motioned impatiently for her to follow. He led her, almost dragging her behind him to his cabin and opened the door, letting her hand go as he rummaged about in a drawer.
"Ahhh!" he exclaimed proudly and turned around, a dark green robe draped across his body. The beauty of it was stunning. The neckline, which was low, but more moderate than the dress of a common whore, was lined in black lace, as were the arms and the frills on the bottom. The dress itself was of a mesmerizing green satin that seemed to change shades as Jack turned and twisted with his childish enthusiasm in front of her, pretending to dance with an imaginable lady. He bowed exaggeratedly as he placed the dress in front of her and stroked the cool fabric proudly. Receiving no reply from Silver he sheepishly gazed up at her.
"'Though it'd suit yer eyes…", he shrugged hopefully.
"It's beautiful!" Silver whispered in awe. At once, Jack's eager eyes lit up again. "Aye, it be one beauty, ain't it! I got it in Ambera, shortly before we left. I think this is were it comes in handy. Glad ye like it…Jack's taste has never failed him." Jack smirked.
Carefully Silver examined the fine material and was all too willing to try it on. The princess-side in her seemed to be showing through already. Jack swayed to the door and hollered for Anamaria to help Silver get dressed. Grumbling, Anamaria entered, but as she saw the gorgeous dress even her masculine taste was awed. Quickly she shooed a protesting Jack out of the cabin and locked the door, smiling at Silver.
"Let's get you dressed, shall we?"
Slowly Silver ascended onto the deck, taking care to lift the satin as she walked to prevent possible stains. True, the corset was still as uncomfortable as she remembered, but it felt amazing to be wearing something this exquisite once again. When her eyes were accustomed to the bright sunlight, she saw with surprise that they were almost ready to dock. Already she could make out the harbor and the little streets and alleys leading into the city and to the castle. Something seemed odd though. But Silver was distracted from Jack, who had turned around to greet her.
His eyes were wide and his jaw had fallen, the smart remark dying on his lips. He swallowed hard.
"Ye…ye look…absolutely stunning…" he managed to gasp. Anamaria chuckled. It was one of the rare times she had the pleasure of seeing her eloquent Captain at a loss for words.
Silver really was striking. The green of the dress was a beautiful contrast to her silver-gray eyes that were lined with a thin line of coal. Her dark hair, ridded of the bandana, was falling naturally straight to her back, held back by a thin braid. Thanks to the corset, the dress clung perfectly to her curves and hugged her bosom just tight enough to show the right amount of cleavage. The light shade of rose that Silver had turned at Jack's compliment only embellished the beauty and made her look lively.
Gracefully she stepped towards Jack, who had gotten his voice back and demanded for her hand. Pressing a kiss in an exaggerated gesture to her hand and bowing grandly, Silver giggled and played along, marching up and down the deck with Jack by her side to the appreciative stares of the crew.
With no one paying attention, it was no wonder that the Pearl bumped unguided into port. At once a shriek of horror accompanied by his peculiar flailing arm movements escaped Jack at this unattendance and he immediately jumped to the helm and navigated her safely into the harbor while Silver peered over the railing and into the city. The satisfied smile died on her lips though as she regarded the cozy little streets of her hometown once again. Now she knew what had bothered her. They were completely deserted. Her eyes darted from left to right, but there was not a single person in sight. No bustling merchants, praising their goods. No children running around, playing their games and stealing an apple now and then. Not even the harbormaster was present. Silver stared in horror. What in the blazes had happened here?!
A/N: A savvy Christmas, Fröhliche Weihnachten, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noel and God Jul to you all, especially my dear reviewers! (If you're from any other country, tell me how to say Merry Christmas, savvy? ;-)) Hope you like my little present (and it's not even that short! Weee! :-)) – and be nice and leave me one too cough review cough :D
Wish you all lots of presents…such as our dear Jack wrapped up, just waiting to be unwrapped. Yum. ;-)
Love,
Sereture
