What Is & What Will Never Be

Chapter 20

Disclaimer: I do not & cannot own POTC 1, 2, or 3...

Jack Sparrow sighed in relief as he came towards the Saint-Tropez harbor. The seas had not troubled his journey much, though he had encountered a light rain storm which delayed his arrival a few hours.

It was night; the sky just turning black, and the moon bright.

He reached the dock and made port. As usual, after he disembarked the Pearl, he felt a tad strange standing on solid ground, so his walk was unsteady. Not that the rum he'd consumed had helped any. It had kept him going though.

The town was relatively quiet; expect for the few beings that prowled about and the sound of cats meowing in the distance.

He could see the Turner's household from where he stood, and he began the short walk to the lovely chateau.

Jade Rochet dried her damp tresses with a towel as she stepped out from the bath and slipped into her nightgown.

"Jade!"

Jade frowned as she heard Elizabeth call her name. "Yes", she answered, walking to the doorway of her room.

"Dinner is ready if..."

"Oh, no merci, Elizabeth, I believe I'll retire shortly."

There was a pause before Elizabeth replied, "Alright."

Jade sighed as she sat down upon the bed.

'Manger est surestimé' (To eat is overrated) Jade thought despondently. 'Particulièrement à la fois pareil ce.' (Particularly at a time like this)

She rubbed her arms as she felt a chill. As she stood and walked to the other side of the bed to blow out a candle upon the table, her lithe fingers brushed the pillow.

She was not even tired. She'd had trouble sleeping all this week. Visions of Serge and Madame Rochet and Jack would flash before her mind in the darkness. Then she would become uneasy. Her stomach upset her, and she took Aloe Vera to soothe it.

She thought she looked horrible. And when Jack returns, he'll think me wretched as well.

Nonetheless, she blew out all the candles expect one and crawled under the covers, propping her back up against her pillow.

Will sat across from Elizabeth at the dining table. She had just returned from putting Jenevieve to bed.

He took a sip of wine. "She's really not doing any better, is she?" he voiced softly.

"Jade?" Elizabeth looked over at him. "She's...she's heavy-hearted, Will."

"I know", he said. He impulsively touched his wife's hand with his own. "I wonder what happened out there anyway—to Jack."

Elizabeth was about to respond when a sound was heard.

"Ye can stop wondering, mate."

Elizabeth gave a gasp, as did Will as they looked into the face of Captain Jack Sparrow.

"Jack!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she came towards him. "Thank God you're here!"

"Well, hello to you to, luv. Didn' know ye'd be that anxious ter see me." He placed a light kiss on her hand.

"Good voyage, Jack?" Will spoke.

"Not bad", Jack responded as they greeted one another with a pat on the shoulder.

"Jack—Will..." Elizabeth murmured softly.

"To tell truth, I had a bloody hell of time in Tortuga", Jack murmured, memories of Katrina flooding back to him. "But I can tell something 'appened here." He turned to Will, and said firmly, "Ye'd best tell me."

"Oh God...God!" Jack murmured, covering his face with his hands as he paced back and forth.

Will and Elizabeth had carefully explained to Jack the happenings while he had been away for those two weeks.

He sighed and finally sat down, then stood up again. "Where is the goddamn bloody bastard? I'll kill him!" he proclaimed.

"No; Jack", Will interrupted. "He's in prison now, and that's where he'll stay. I made sure of it."

"I'm sorry...so...sorry", Jack murmured.

"Oh, Jack, nothing is anybody's fault", Elizabeth said gently as she came up to him, placing a hand on his arm.

He stepped back. "Where is she?"

Elizabeth glanced back at Will before answering. "In her room. I..."

Elizabeth did not finish, for Jack had already gone at lightning pace down the hallway.

Will came to her side. "Everything will be all right now."

She gently smiled.

Jade leaned her head against the wooden headboard of the bed and sighed. Sleep would not come to her.

She was warm in body under the sheets, but not warm in heart.

She tossed the covers from her and stood, supporting herself as she did so against the footboard, and decided to go the kitchen. Perhaps a hot cup of tea would help her sleep.

She reached the door and stepped out, drawing her robe about her, and as she walked towards the kitchen, she heard voices issuing from the hall. She wondered what Elizabeth and Will could be discussing so fervently, when urgent footsteps towards her made her pause.

She gave a fierce intake of breath as a figure exclaimed,

"Jade! Jesus Christ!"

"Jack", she whispered, unbelieving.

Within less than a second, Jack had her in his arms, speaking words that Jade could not discern, for she was too much in awe. Tears stabbed the corners of her eyes, whose green brilliance dazzled with happiness. She nearly fainted with pleasure were it not for Jack pressing her close to him, his hands upon her waist as he kissed her.

The tears that threatened fell down her cheeks. Jack brushed them away as he broke from the kiss, and he just looked at her for a few moments.

"Damn, Jade, love, I'm so sorry", he murmured.

"Oh, Jack", she responded, her voice quivering as she rested her hands on his chest. "I've just missed you so and...and I'm so happy you're here! I..."

"Sshh", he said gently, taking her in his arms again. "It's all righ', love. We've both suffered enough."

Jade's wet eyes flashed in alarm. "Jack, what happened?"

He shook his head, stroking his moustache. Placing his arm around her, they returned to their quarters.

As they sat upon the bed, Jack kissed her again, more rapturously. Jade melted into the kiss, feeling her heart beating rapidly as she lay down, Jack over her. She poured her heart into the kiss, the kiss tasting of spice and sweetness...and Jack, filled with bliss, and she was surprised when Jack pulled away, leaning on his side.

Jade brought her hand to his face. "Je t'aime tellement. Don't stop."

He smiled, murmuring, "You're so beautiful, love."

She suddenly blushed. Jack moved his hand from her hair to across her waist, and she shuddered at his intimate touch.

"Will an' Liz told me everything", he said softly.

Jade drew her eyes down, tears suddenly threatening to fall again.

"Love..." Jack drew close to her and she lay against him.

"Jack, I was so scared."

"I know, darling." He embraced her, placing kisses on her forehead. "You've nothing to be afraid of now. That blackguard's locked up—an' he'll be so fer the rest of his days. Unless I decide to blow out his heart in the dead of night and feed him to the sharks."

Jade beamed; her first, non-cautious smile in two weeks.

"All right?" Jack brushed his thumb across her cheekbone.

"Oui", she answered, nestling closer to him.

Jack placed a kiss on her neck, filled with passion for her, but she suddenly looked concerned.

"Jack, what happened?"

He sighed. "I'll not burden you with lowdown, piratical business, Jade." His mind was not focused on his words however; he wasmystified with awe at her loveliness. She radiated love and happiness towards him and he was seduced by it.

"Mais—"

Jack cut her off as his mouth covered hers. Jade was dizzied by the intense love she felt for him, and she responded to the kiss, running her hands over his chest, and her robe slipped from her shoulders.

"God, I love you", Jack sensually murmured.

"I don't want to be conned away from you", she breathed, fear in her whisper.

"You shan't", he affirmed, and enveloped her, and her fear vanished.

Je t'aime tellement: I love you so much

Mais: But