Chapter Nineteen

"I have said nothing because there is nothing I can say that would describe how I feel as perfectly as you deserve it."
-Kyle Schmidt

Goodbyes have never been easy for me. I know Jack understands this, which is probably why he ordered the crew to have the Pearl ready to sail early this morning, and to my advantage, giving me no time to dwell.

I apologized to Mercy for our argument the day before, and thankfully, she claimed she had already forgotten about it. It didn't mean anything, anyway.

Emmet gave me one last brotherly hug, lifting me off my feet as always. He made me promise to write as soon as I got home, and I intend on keeping the pact.

"Ye need help with that?"

I jump, realizing now that I've been completely absorbed in my thoughts. "What?"

Jack smiles. "I asked if ye needed me help."

I look down at the loose white shirt I'm wearing. I borrowed it from him this morning, without asking, and am now completing in half unbuttoning it.

"No," I say. "I'm sure I can handle removing bandages on my own."

"All right, but never claim I'm not gentleman enough to ask," the pirate replies, turning back to the maps laid out on his desk.

I chuckle, and begin unwrapping the bandages hugging my waist. I'm not surprised in finding that my wound is no longer to be seen, and my stomach holds no sign of Ivory's sword ever coming in contact of the smooth, scarless skin.

Taking a cloth and dipping it into the washbasin, I then clean away any dirt and grime that the bandages have left behind.

"Which way did ye say it was, love?"

I drop the cloth back in the basin, and pad over to Jack's desk to give him the bearings to my families estate in England. It only takes me a moment to pinpoint the directions, but before I can finish, Jack's attention has been shifted elsewhere.

"Jack,"I say, "Quit it. I can't think when you do that."

But the pirate obviously chooses to ignore me, for his lips continue their assault on my neck. His kisses are soft and innocent at first, barely grazing my nape, but after a moment they grow more aggressive.

"Me clothes look better on ye than they do on me," Jack says in my ear.

I sigh as he moves behind me, those gold and ivory teeth now nipping about my collar. "I could have told you that," I reply breathlessly.

Jack presses me into the desk with his front flush to my back. One hand grasps my hip while the other glides up my stomach, caressing the newly healed skin. Suddenly, he turns me to face him, his eyes dark with lust and desire as his gaze follows his hand. "Amazin'," Jack says, stretching those rough fingers to touch more of my abdomen. "Why can't everyone heal this way?"

"Because they don't do what I do," I conclude, referring to my "calling"of sorts.

Jack lowers to his knees to place a lingering kiss above my navel, and then brushes his cheek along my flesh, causing the scratchy sensation of his beard to send me into a soft, relaxed fit of laughter.

He stands. "I need to give these coordinates to AnaMaria before she takes a wrong turn," the pirate tells me with a sly grin.

It's now that I realize he's been doing this just to get a rise out of me. "Tease," I accuse him with a peeved glare, but simultaneously pull him closer.

He kisses me softly, his tongue just tracing along my lips and teeth, refusing to give me what he knows I want. And just as his hands begin skimming among my sides, he stops his caresses completely.

"The helm calls, love," Jack says, placing his hat back on his head. He then winks, and saunters through the cabin door.

88888

"Don't look so down."

My eyes raise to see Rodney climbing into the sparrows nest beside me. "I'm not down," I argue.

He eyes me closely with those azure irises, and frankly, does not look convinced. "I heard about. . . well, everything," he says. "But I don't think living as you did sounds that bad."

I raise my eyebrows. "I suppose not," I confess.

"Or is it not the rank and fortune that is troubling you?"

"Who's troubled?" I ask. "I'm not troubled."

Rodney smiles. A warm, friendly smile that makes me want to confess all of my deepest, darkest secrets. "Don't lie to me, Andie," he tells me. "I can see it in your eyes."

"All right," I supply. "So, I'm unhappy with the situation. Satisfied?"

"Just tell him you love him." he says.

I instantly go tense. "What?"

"Captain Sparrow," he presents. "Why don't you tell him how you truly feel?"

Frowning, I reply. "What are you talking about, Rodney? I saved Jack's life and he saved mine. That's about it."

"Then why are you sleeping with him?"

"I have needs myself," I reply. "You're a pirate, shouldn't you know about these things? My sleeping with Jack is no different from if you were sleeping with Jaden."

Rodney frowns. "Why would I sleep with Jaden?"

"Why wouldn't you sleep with Jaden?" I press.

He narrows his eyes at me and shakes his head. "Because you and AnaMaria are much more attractive then Jaden is, considering the two of you are women."

"Good point. So my sleeping with Jack is no different from if you were sleeping with me or AnaMaria."

"Not if our relationship was more than physical," Rodney supplies.

"But what if it wasn't more than that?"

"But what if it was?"

I sigh. "Rodney, you're not making this conversation any easier."

"Look," the pirate begins, "I know he's the reason why you don't want to leave. And you know it too."

I sigh deeply and lean back against the side of the sparrows nest, defeated. I'm too tired of hiding it at this point; I've fallen hard for the pirate captain, and the thought of leaving him, the knowing that I'll never see him again. . . it tears me up inside.

"Tell him, Andie," Rodney says. "You may just find he feels the same about you."

"How would you know how he feels?" I snap. "That man keeps everything close to his chest."

Rodney smiles once more. "Pay attention to the little things. Just because he doesn't say what he feels doesn't mean he's devoid of emotion."

"What do you mean?" I question.

"Just pay attention," he says, throwing his legs over the side of the sparrows nest to climb down. "And you'll know what I mean."

88888

I awaken in the night to a musky heat, a slight warm breeze wafting throughout the room. I move onto my stomach, frowning when I feel the sticky perspiration on my naked skin. Something moves the hair away from my face, and I open my hazel eyes to find Jack lying beside me, watching me with a dark, ablaze look in his eyes.

I give him a small, sleepy smile, and curl closer to him, despite the heat. One of the cabin windows are open, allowing beams of soft moonlight to creep in, along with the air to circulating throughout the room, but even during the night, it's not much of a difference.

A press a kiss to Jack's chest, tasting the salt on his skin, before laying back on the pillows. He's still gazing at me with that intense, but tender look, and Rodney's words from earlier today come to the front of my mind. Just pay attention.

My eyes met his for a long moment before they lowered to his mouth, only to see the pirate waver his bottom lip with his teeth. Then suddenly he's kissing me; gently, deeply, with such tenderness and abandonment that I cannot help but release a whimper at the sensation.

The pirate does not do more than curl his fingers around the back of my neck while continuing his kisses. The room is suddenly that much hotter. His mouth presses to my jaw, my neck, my shoulders.

One rough palm trails down my back, causing my spine to arch into his touch. I sigh as his lips travel the path of his hand, and when he reaches the tattooed wings etched deep into my fair skin. His chapped lips brush every line and inky trace as his hands trail up and down my sides, savoring the feel and taste of my skin.

"Beautiful," the pirate murmurs.

Then he presses close to my side, one strong arm wrapped tightly about my waist, while the other resides upon the pillow above my head. He rests his cheek against my shoulder blade, and I comfort with the feeling of his steady breathing and lively heart beat. Moments later, I'm asleep.

Sorry this chapter was so short. Frankly, with the storyline wrapping up it's hard to write as long of chapters. I'm counting on two (maybe three) more before the sequel. I already have the first five chapters of that written, so it won't take long for me to post it.

I was thinking about involving my readers in the sequel. First of all, I was thinking about titling it "Fair: Part II" but now I'm not so sure. Any ideas? Secondly, what kind of things would you guys like to see in the sequel? I have an idea, but I thought I would ask incase any of you had any better ideas.

I love reviews!

Down2MarsGirl: Your telepathic talents are impressive!

LoLoMo: The ending of the last chapter was my favorite part too. Aww, thank you dear! And thanks for being such a wonderful reviewer.

A Depp Girl: I'm excited about the sequel as well!

Terradaina: I guess it's just one of those things where it was different in my head and I didn't write it to my liking. I'm sure you know what I mean. Every writer has that issue.

Lyra Potter: Haha, yes, no worries my dear, Ivory is gone for good. To answer your question about Andie saving Jack, it was the entire mission in general. Thanks for everything, dear.

Dreadlockedpencil: I'm sure every writer has that problem, transferring something so alive in their minds into words. It's a challenge, which is probably why some people don't like to write in general.

Captain-Ammie: I actually thought it was Amy, but I like it just as well. It is very original, and very cute.

Sereture: Of course it's not the end! There should be atleast another chapter. Well, I do love violence if you haven't noticed haha.

Genevra: Haha. Well, how's your winter? Sorry about giving you your own review, but I was pretty touched by your own, so I figured I should give you some lovin' in return! I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter, and I hope you got some sleep. And of course your review wasn't a bad one; no reviews are bad!

Crystal Blue Dry Ice: Glad you enjoyed! And thanks for the positive thoughts.

SuperMonkey289: Hey, I haven't talked to you in a while. How are you doing? Out of school yet? Glad you like the story and the last chapter. And thank you for being, haha.