Disclaimer: I don't own POTC.
Chapter 34: A Side of the Captain Rarely Seen
Jack had not gone to bed in a good mood. In fact, he had not really gone to bed at all. He was laying, wide awake. He had been lying there for hours, trying to fall asleep. Three days ago he had gotten a letter that Camille's father had died, and had been meeting with Ana Maria in secret. And he was not only worried about Camille, but also with whether she would now decide to stay in Port Celebros or not. He reprimanded himself at first for thinking that, and also for kissing her the other night when he shouldn't have.
Then he began second guessing himself. What did he possibly have to feel guilty about? Dorian was a heartless, lying bastard. And Jack, well he had simply kissed a lovely woman. There was no shame to it. It wasn't like she had refused, or even mentioned her relationship with William to him. But from what Ana Maria told him, all his suspicions about the two of them were right.
Then he froze. Was there someone at his door? He sat up, listening for a moment. All was silent, but he thought he saw a small shadow underneath his door. And he could distinctly hear someone sniffling. He got up, his bare feet hitting the ground stealthily. (he was shirtless, by the by).
Ready to get his sword if needed, he reached forward and opened the door. There she was, the very woman he could not get his mind off, shivering and sniffling right on the other side of his door. She looked horribly distraught, and although she was soaked he could tell by the little ringlets around her eyes that she had been crying. "Camille!" he exclaimed. "What's the matter?"
She avoided his eyes, stepping inside as he shut the door behind her. "I'm so sorry Jack, I didn't mean to wake you. I-I shouldn't have come," she stuttered.
"Nonsense love, I was having trouble sleeping anyhow," he said, trying to get her to look at him. But she wouldn't look at his face. He was very concerned now, and took one of the blankets off his bed and wrapped it around her. When he did this, he had his arms around her and she broke down and began crying.
He didn't know what exactly to do. No one had ever actually cried in his arms like this before, and he grimaced at the tear running down his chest and stomach, tickling his bronzed skin. He didn't ask why she was crying, but held her even tighter as she began shuddering. "Sh, it's all right, Camille," he said soothingly.
"Jack, I don't know what to do!" she cried. Then she sobbed again, pushing herself away from him and wiping her eyes. "I'm so sorry, you don't even have your shirt on yet and I come bursting in like this upset little schoolgirl," she wept.
"Oh come now, I have you shame and you know that," he said casually, reaching for his shirt and fitting in over his head. "Have a seat," he said, motioning to the bed.
She sniffed, calming down a bit. "I don't want to get your bed soaked."
He took her by the arm, leading her to sit by him on the bed. She gave in, plopping herself down next to him, and then putting her head in her hands. "I just don't know what I'm going to do without him, Jack."
He made sure to choose his words carefully. "Well, I'd imagine that you'll do just fine. You're not exactly a weak person, Camille darling."
"Jack, what…I don't…why am I such a terrible person?" she exploded, standing back up.
He looked at her, raising his eyebrow. "Beg pardon?"
"All he wanted was for me to marry a wealthy man, and I couldn't even do that! I've gone and worried my father to death," she said, biting her nails and shaking even more.
"Darling, sit down," Jack said firmly. She obeyed him, and he held her shoulders to try and stop her from shaking. "Did you want to marry a wealthy man?"
She shook her head. "No, not really."
"Than why do you feel so bad about it?"
"Jack!" she exclaimed, beginning to cry again hysterically. "Jack, he's dead!"
"I know that love, but what does your feeling guilty about it have to do with anything? That's not going to change things," he said in his gentlest voice. And this seemed to do it. She calmed right down and stopped shaking, but still looked so tiny. Her arms were still crossed, hugging herself. He stood up and got his coat, taking off the wet blanket and throwing it in the corner. He replaced it with his coat, and could tell that it was more comforting to her than the blanket.
She put her hand through her hair and finally looked at him. "Jack, I can't say that I've ever been more confused in my life," she admitted. "And I'm so-"
He put his finger to her lips and shook his head. "Please don't apologize. You're tired, you need rest darling."
"No." She shook her head. "No, I have to get back. They don't know I'm gone…"
"Calm down. You're not leaving until the rain stops, and that's final. I'll wake you in the morning, I promise," he said, buttoning up his shirt. "I don't need sleep, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow," he said, guessing what her next question would be.
Camille found herself entirely too worn out to argue. She laid her head on the pillow, with the intention of sleeping for only a few minutes. But she fell into a peaceful sleep.