Disclaimer: I already said I don't own him, damn it! You don't need to remind me! I mean, can't a girl dream? sobs What a cruel, cruel world…

A/N: Sorry for the delay, everyone. As some know, I was in Europe for the past two weeks, and just recently returned. I am working on chapter seven, but if I do not get more of a response to my story, then I will have to stop writing and return to Quizilla.

Ye be warned!

Chapter 6 – Now to add some fuel to the fire, just a bit'

'What to do?' Thought Will Turner as he headed to the Crew's Quarters. He did not have the least idea of what to do, considering he had never really planned for such things to happen. It wasn't his fault, he convinced himself, that this situation presented itself, for how was he to know? Striding quietly across the room as to not wake the sleeping seamen, Will settled in his own hammock at last. When he had one in the struggle to center himself, Will sighed in a mixture of both contentedness and discomfort, two opposing forces claiming him. Thinking positively, Jack had assured him a more comfortable bunk once they had time to move the stores from the extra room into the hold. As for the matter occupying his mind, Will groaned. He set in his mind that things would fix themselves, and, though he did not believe it, fell into a silent fit of sleep.

Shifting her gaze from the sea to the late-night sky, Emma was filled with wonder. The sky was a starless void, the thin gray clouds slowly covering the moon accompanied by the ocean's gentle waves lapping against the Black Pearl's hull casting an eerie atmosphere that made her shiver. Lost in awe, she startled as a warm arm snaked around her waist.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Jack whispered in her ear from behind. He was dangerously close, so close that she could feel the heat of his breath as he spoke, sending chills all throughout her body. Despite this, Emma swallowed hard and turned to face him with new determination, to inquire upon his actions. She would not allow herself to be frisked by any man that easily, no matter how good looking or talented he might be. Opening her mouth to speak, Emma did not get the time of day, and she began to notice that Jack liked to intervene a lot.

"I thought you looked cold and all, so I wanted to offer you my coat," he explained holding up a defensive hand. "After all, we wouldn't want you catching a cold on your first night at sea."

"No, we wouldn't"

Indeed Jack had removed his coat and had slung it over his right arm. Emma smiled and accepted the extra warmth he had offered her.

'I could also think of other ways to warm 'er up.' Jack grinned slightly at the thought of wrestling her, although it was in vain.

Slinking on the weathered brown coat, Emma noticed for the first time the extent of Jack's tan as the wind swept her a brief glance of his exposed chest beneath his billowy shirt. Suddenly aware that she had been starring, and thinking of Jack in the most unrespectable manner, Emma pried her eyes away. Turning to hide her redness, she returned to where the three had previously been sitting, and took up her seat. Thankfully, Jack had not seen her measuring him. He was far too involved with his own thoughts that seemed to speak to him from the horizon.

'I wish I knew what he was thinking.' Emma glanced at Jack's rigid back. 'Well, then again…maybe not.'

'Okay, just breathe, Jack…you'll be fine.' Glancing down at his pants again, Jack's head quickly shot up to look at the sea, his hands tightening silently around his beloved ship's guardrails. Exhaling slowly through his nose, Jack closed his eyes and counted to fifty before looking down again…nothing.

'Deep breaths, Jack, deep breaths! Give it time and ye can have her willingly,' Jack mouthed to himself. He was strongly trying to fight his urge to take Emma right there.

'On the bloody decks!'

'No!' Hismind said it would definitely not be a good idea.

When at last he managed to control his excitement, Jack drew another breath and turned to engage the source of his problem with conversation.

"Wonderful night, eh love?" Mentally he kicked himself for saying such stupidities. Wonderful night? He was Captain Jack Sparrow, for Christ's sake!

Emma's only response to his query was a deep, drawn out sigh. Jack had truthfully expected to coax a more positive response from her, but at least it proved she was still listening.

"What's the problem?"

The concern in his voice sounded much more sincere than he had meant it to. Yes, he was known to be a good actor at any time, but truth be told, he was concerned. This new development was of course a mystery to him. Since when did Jack Sparrow worry about something if it was not for his personal gain? Though showing concern, even false concern, would personally benefit him by possibly getting her in his bed, it was not what had inspired the tone of his voice. True, he did look out for friends from time to time, but with Emma, it was different. With the lass that stood before him, he had a rush through his body that was not only sexual, but that made him care for any affliction she might receive. He suddenly wanted to heal her hurts, make right anything that had been done wrong to her. For a moment it occurred to Jack that he was being selfless, this coming from a man who's favorite motto was, 'Take what ye can, give nothing back!' Something was just not right in the world, he concluded, and he needed a mug of rum, fast.

"Hmm?" she hummed as if she had missed his question.

'Is she even listening!' Jack exclaimed inwardly. It was as if every cell of his being strived for her attention, and the mere notion that she might not be listening was exasperating.

'Pull yourself together, man! Yer letting her get a bloody hold of ye!'

"Oh, I'm sorry," Emma said shaking her head, "I was just thinking of what happened earlier." Casting her look down, Emma could not figure why she felt so shy around Jack Sparrow.

"I mean," she continued, "Will has been acting quite strangely since he came on board." Emma's hazel gaze lifted to meet Jack's powerful one, her face a mask of confusion.

"I know exactly what you mean, love!" Jack replied with dramatic flare. "I come to help cheer the whelp, invite him aboard me ship, and the first thing he does is jump on my case! Not very grateful, I'd say."

"Jack, this is serious!" Emma admonished. "He is not like this. Sure he can act irrationally from time to time, but the Will Turner I know is never like this!"

"Alright, alright, I know," Jack held his hands up in self-defense. "But don't worry about it. I'm sure the lad's just nervous to be back at sea and away from his beloved Elizabeth." To further express his point, Jack clasped his hands at his chest and flitted his eyes.

Emma could not help but stifle a laugh at his impersonation of the feminine. The stereotypical brute.

"Besides," Jack leaned casually against the railing, "ye know how grubby that Norrington can be…" Seeing the grimace on Emma's face, he quickly apologized, remembering the events that brought the voluptuous lady on his Black Pearl.

"Well, I certainly hope you're right, Jack." Somehow, Jack's reassuring statement did not sound so credible to Emma, though his attempts to comfort her did make her feel a bit better. Pushing the matter out of her mind, she allowed a new realization to strike her.

"I'm tired," her words came muffled through a wide yawn.

"Off to bed it is with you, then!" Jack ordered.

'If only it were off to bed ye, too,' he thought sadly. Maybe if he could get past that, whatever he was feeling would dissipate.

Far too tired to argue with hi, despite his patronizing tone, Emma allowed Jack to lead her to the sleeping chambers. It was upon reaching the last door in the corridor that Emma noticed Jack was still with her, and clearly had no intention of leaving.

"Erm…"

"It's my room, love, remember?"

"Oh, yes! B-but that wasn't what I was going to ask!" Emma stuttered stubbornly.

For Jack, her answer was quick – too quick. So, she was not going to further object him sleeping in the room with her. Interesting…

"Really? What, pray tell, were you going to inquire, then?" Jack asked with a bemused smile, his arms lazily crossed mockingly over his chest. Carefully he studied her with his head tilted to the side.

Thousands of answers ran through Emma's mind as she desperately searched for a valid response.

"Do…Do you have anything I can wear to sleep?"

It was true. Emma had left her bedclothes and all other worldly possessions in Port Royal. For a moment longer, Jack studied her. Then, leaning forward he opened the door to his cabin and slipped past Emma. Watching from the doorway, Emma saw Jack light a lamp at his desk, and then saunter to his armoire, shaking his head.

'What the hell am I thinking! Can't I just mak'er sleep in the bloody dress? Then again, it probably wouldn't be too comfortable,' Jack reasoned. 'Besides, she'd mention it at some point, an' I'd suffer all the same.' Pulling a clean shirt from the top drawer, Jack tossed it to Emma.

"It's all I've got. Should be more comfortable than yer petticoats, I'll bet," he sighed. She was sleeping in his bed wearing not but a shirt, and yet he could not have her. 'Yet' he repeated, standing before her expectantly waiting for her to change.

"Turn around." Shirt in hand, Emma's voice was unquavering and authoritative. It was not a plea, nor a request, but an order. She was ordering him, and for some reason Jack liked it.

"Do I really have to?" Jack whined childishly. When Emma did not respond, Jack spoke again.

"No 'Please?' No 'Thank you Jack, you're so king, so gracious, so handsome'?"

Emma's eyes narrowed into two small slits, an image of Jack's agitation.

"Alright, alright, I get the message!" Jack turned around. It was probably better that way, he decided, because if he did see her change he might truly go mad.

Slipping on the shirt, Emma tied the strands at the top of the v-neck. The shirt's length reached about her knee, which made her feel naked, but she guessed that her petticoats would be worse of an option. She only hoped that Jack would not find her too interesting a specimen.

"Perfect," she muttered under her breath. Taking it as a sign that she had finished, Jack sat on the edge of the bed where her removed his boots and effects. His shirt soon followed, and when he was stripped to his breeches, he lay dawn on the right side of the bed, taking a large swig of rum from the bottle of the bedside table.

Starring blankly at Jack, Emma felt her face growing hot, the blood pumping furiously in her veins, and she quickly averted her eyes from his tan, chiseled chest. It was true that she had quite a wild past with the boys of her old town, and her reputation of being an excellent kisser preceded her, but Captain Jack Sparrow was no boy – he was a full-fledged man. Never before in her life had she seen that much of a man, and she clenched her teeth with the fear she would swoon.

"W-where am I supposed to sleep?"

Jack smirked, patting the bed next to him. Emma was evidently flushed. So the little hellcat had never seen much of a man before? It made no difference to him; on the contrary, it made things even more interesting, and he became more determined to bed her.

"…D-do you have any extra pillows?" Emma stuttered once more. Her tongue felt numb. She had no control over it, and no matter how hard she tried, she could not keep her senses stable.

"Nope, none. But," Jack said lifting his index finger, "I'll get ye some when we make port tomorrow, I promise." Solemnly he placed a hand over his heart. "Now be a doll an' blow out the lamp, eh."

Compliant with her orders, Emma turned off the light at Jack's desk and with difficulty made her way to the opposite side of the bed from which Jack sat. After hesitantly sitting on the edge, Emma found herself lying down on the bed. How exactly it was that she got there, she could not be sure, but she did know that through the dark her face was still as bright as a tomato.

Jack grinned through the dark, holding back a chuckle. He was making her nervous, and that was not necessarily a bad thing. If she truly had no interest in him, she would just get in bed and sleep without a fuss.

"You stay on your side, and I stay on mine…understood?" Emma's words sounded sleepy, yet uncertain.

"Got it…" Jack mumbled. His breathing gradually became slow and even as sleep took him.

Closing her eyes, Emma found it difficult to stay awake, lulled by the steady rocking of the Black Pearl and Jack's steady breathing. Soon she fell in a dreamless sleep filled with nothing but the aroma of the sea, and something else she could not put her finger on. Was that…rum? Ah, how long it had been since she had tasted the fine beverage. Savoring the scent, she moaned contentedly.

Certain that Emma was fully sound asleep, Jack opened his eyes and smiled. He was sure that Emma hadn't seen as much of a man as he had exposed to her that night, her rapid glances and deep blush only confirming his assumptions. Yes, he was positive. No matter how impractical she was for a woman, all signs said he was right, and he was determined to be her first.

"Now to fuel the fire, just a bit…" Turning on his side, Jack lifted his arm and laid it gently to rest on Emma's side. Slowly, he crept his hand to her back, his satisfaction heightened when she moaned and snuggled closer to him in her unconscious state. Maybe this would not be as hard as he thought. He gave it a week. But could he really wait that long?

'Good things come to those who wait, after all.'

And Emma was indeed a very good thing…

Smiling contentedly, Emma became aware of a warm sensation. It reminded her much of her childhood, when she would lie in the arms of her father on Christmas mornings and discuss the night's events. Opening her eyes, Emma was met with warm, tanned flesh. Clamping her eyes shut, she opened them again, and they grew wide. She was right. There were arms around her, and they were none other's than Captain Jack Sparrow.

Startled, Emma let out a quick, high-pitched scream that sent Jack jumping for his pistol, and her toppling to the floor with an ungraceful thud. When she looked up panting, she saw that for a minute, Jack was frantically looking around the room with his loaded pistol. Some of the Pearl's crew had told her stories that made her believe Jack may be standing on the cliff of insanity. Hopefully, she had not pushed him off the edge.

Coming to his senses, Jack snapped. He was definately not a morning person.

"What the bloody hell was that for!"

"We made an arrangement last night and you broke it, you mangy cad!" Emma yelled back in anger. "You agreed to sleep on your side, and -"

"I know what the accord was, darling, I'm not stupid!"

"Really? Some would beg to differ," she stated bluntly, rolling her eyes in the process.

"Well, Miss Whibley, if you were so offended and embarrassed –"

"I was not embarrassed!"

"Fine then! Offended! Why didn't you just shove me off in your sleep, since that is obviously your specialty." Jack's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Well?" he asked irately when she did not respond. She wouldn't look at him. Walking to where she now stood, Jack pulled her chin with his hand so that she was forced to.

"I know your type of woman, Emma," Jack said, his tone dangerously low. "Blame me all you want. You can't resist me forever."

"I'm not resisting anything," she said coolly.

"Hmm? Then tell me why you got so worked up over a hold if it was innocent?"

Emma clenched her jaw and swallowed hard, looking solidly into his eyes. If she felt at all like trembling, she would not show it. Once more, Jack studied her face with his eyes, then dropped his hand and turned to reach for his boots.

Jack was right, and Emma knew it. One cannot control what they do in sleep, and yet she was blaming him. Crossing her arms, she turned from him and huffed. She hated admitting defeat.

"I'm sorry, Captain…I overreacted." She had lost a battle she could never have one to begin with, and she loathed herself for being stupid.

Jack's demeanor immediately changed. Oh, how he loved always being right!

"It's alright. There's been a lot of overreacting lately, so I'll allow this one to slip," Jack shrugged on his coat and opening the doorway, where he stopped. "I've got to go manage the crew, love, but it's still early. You should get more sleep. In about two hours we should be docking, so I'll get you up a while, savvy?"

Emma nodded dumbly, shocked at Jack's change of mood. He was almost worse than a woman!

"Sleep tight," Jack winked before stepping out and closing the door behind him. His grin gave Emma goose bumps

Once he was gone, Emma rubbed her sore bum and sat on the bed.

"What a strange person…"

'It doesn't excuse the fact that he was right,' a voice in her head said.

"True," Emma sighed, "And he's so…nice about it!"

'And he always knows what to say. He's so…"

"Whoa! Hold it, are you saying…?" Emma exclaimed in alarm. There was no way she could even think that her and Jack would…could… It was unfathomable! It was down right silly!

'Well you admitted he was nice about it, and that he is funny,' her conscience argued. 'Plus! You cannot deny the man is extremely attractive.'

"But – But he's Will's friend!"

'So are you. What's your point?'

"Not to mention he's a pirate and a rogue!"

'And when has that stopped you before?'

"This is ridiculous! The man infuriates me! There is no possible way that I like Jack!"

No one responded.

"Oh, no," Emma whined in agony. Smothering her face with a pillow, she tried to suppress the incessant smile on her face. "I like him…" The groan came as a blur, muffled by feathers and cloth. So entwined in her own thoughts, Emma failed to hear the knock on the cabin door.

"Rise and shine! It's a beautiful morning to be working on the riggin', and here you are, sleeping away!" With his usual rolling gait, Jack waltzed to the small room's porthole and swung it open, letting in a fresh ocean breeze.

Rudely awakened, William Turner rolled out of bed, disgruntled and rubbing his eyes.

"Why did you wake me up, Jack?" Will pulled on his shirt that was spread on the edge of his hammock. He had awakened when the other members of the crew got up for the morning's work, but had dismissed as a dream and went back to sleep.

Clicking his tongue, jack waged his finger. "Shame, shame! And here I thought you were becoming an able bodied sailor," he sighed while shaking his head. "I'll be expectin' ye up on deck in a few minutes, so go get yerself something to eat." Turning back to the small circular window, Jack spoke more casually. "Our feminine friend is still in the cabin. She'll be coming to port with us."

Inhaling deeply, Jack turned back to face Will and smiled. "Ah, Tortuga. It's been too long since I've restocked my rum closet!" Jack's eyes gleamed like gold at the thought, giving him the image of a small child at Christmas time.

Will chuckled slightly as he pulled on his shoes, but immediately his smile fell.

"Jack, are you sure it's a good idea to take her into Tortuga?"

"Why not? The lady came to see other parts of the world, didn't she?"

"Well, yes but...Jack, about Emma…about last night…"

"I know," Jack cut in. "But let me ask you this, Will; when have I ever given you a reason not to trust me?"

Will contemplated on answering that question. He was not too sure if he should mention their first encounter, but did not have the time to make the decision before Jack continued.

"Trust me, I have the best intentions. After all, ye said it last night, mate – she's not just any other gel. I've noticed that." Jack tapped his finger on his forehead, and then made his way to the door.

"Well, I'm off!" he bellowed.

Will watched after Jack as he walked down the hall. Maybe it was time he went to visit Emma.

Kneeling, Emma was awkwardly bent over with her forehead touching the mattress. She felt so stupid! How could she let this happen to her? Yes, she decided, it was everything. Everything about him intrigued her, even the dangerous tone of his voice when he was angry made her tingle.

"What a man," she muttered into the pillow. Just the thought of him was making her hot.

Suddenly, the door to the cabin flew open. Startled, Emma sat up and hugged the pillow to her chest, then let out a sigh of relief.

"Oh, Will, it's just you!"

"Who did you think I was, Jack?" Will asked jokingly as he stepped in and closed the door.

Emma's face drained of color. "n-no. No!" she stuttered and laughed. "I was just thinking of something and you startled me, is all. Did you need something?"

"I just wanted to check if you needed anything. Are you sure that you are fine?" He eyed her curiously. Something was not right with Emma.

"Yes, of course!" she assured him

Still unconvinced, Will studied her closely. "Is that Jack's shirt you're wearing?" Will frowned. Emma's legs were under the covers, but he imagined that the shirt did not cover much of them. 'If Jack's trying anything with her, I swear I'll -"

"Hmm? Oh, yes!" Emma looked down at her makeshift nightgown. "I didn't have anything to wear and didn't want to wrinkle my dress, so he let me use this."

Questioning the silly smile on Emma's face, Will shifted his gaze to the empty side of the bed where there was still the imprint of a head on the pillow.

"And he slept here!"

"Of course, Will. It's his bed, and he's Captain Jack Sparrow, after all – I wouldn't expect anything less from him." Laughing, Emma shook her head. "Don't worry, Jack didn't do anything" 'Anything I mind, anyway…'she dearly hoped he would not see past her lie. Will had always looked after her like a protective older brother – which she admired – but sometimes she found it was better for him not to know about certain things than to put up with his endless ranting.

Closing his eyes, Will passed a weary hand through his hair, and sighed. He knew it was now or never, and he braced himself for what he was about to say.

"Look, Emma, we need to talk."

'Oh no, not another lecture…' Emma was about to protest, but as if on cue, someone decided to intervene.

"Emma, pet, it's time to get up! We're docking in half an hour!" Jack barged through the door. "OH, William! Did ye need something?

"Yes, actually." Will tried to control his annoyance. "I needed to talk to –"

"Half an hour!" Emma cut him off. "Out! Both of you, out! I need to get dressed!" Gathering the tangled bed sheet, she wrapped it around her waist and awkwardly shoved them towards the door.

"Are you sure, love? I really think I should stay and inspect," Jack argued cheekily.

"You do that, Jack Sparrow, and I'll flog you with your own bottle of rum!" Emma took pleasure when Jack's eyes widened at the threat. She might like him, but that did not mean she would let him have his way.

After the men had left, Emma bathed quickly and dressed in her own gown. Upon reaching the deck, she observed that they were already docked.

"Ah, Emma! Let's go!" Jack called out hurriedly.

"Where are we?" she asked, puzzled as he grabbed her by the forearm.

Jack Smiled slyly.

"Welcome to Tortuga, love!"