What Is & What Will Never Be

Chapter 21

Disclaimer: I do not & cannot obtain ownership of POTC 1, 2, or 3...

Hurray for romance at Christmastime! I would have updated two days ago, but my comp wasn't working.

Jade suddenly awoke, her eyes fluttering open. The room was dark and shadowy, and the sheets, wrapped about her, as silken and brilliant as a sapphire, were cool against her warm skin.

She sighed in contentment at the reality that Jack had returned, and that she was free from any harm. Memories of...what was that despicable man's name? and of her mother's tricks were fading away. She had no idea where Mde Rochet was, and was rather indifferent. She couldn't see how things could be better between them.

As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she averted her glance to the window, and sat up, gasping, surprised at what she saw. No wonder there was a draft! Filled with excitement, she made a move to rise, but a touch stopped her.

"Jade", a desirable voice murmured.

"Oh, Jack", she whispered. Shivers crept down her spine as she felt lips upon the bare skin of her neck. Jack eased his hands across her shoulders and spoke softly into her ear,

"Ye alright?"

"Mmm." She turned around and kissed him, sighing as he swept his hands through her tousled curls.

"Je suis trop heureux que vous êtes proche moi encore", she said softly, resting her head against his chest. (I'm so happy that you're near me again)

He gave her an irresistible debonair gaze, lifting her chin with his hand so that their eyes met.

"I feel the same way, ma chère amor."

She gasped as he pulled her down amidst the sheets and kissed her rapturously, smiling against her mouth as he teased her with gentle movements.

"By God, I've missed you", Jack sighed when he broke from the kiss.

"I've missed you too", Jade murmured. A tear wetted her eyelash.

"I know", Jack replied, brushing his thumb over her cheekbone. "I'm sorry."

"You've nothing to be sorry about." She pushed herself up, leaning against a pillow, and drew her knees to her chest as she gazed concernedly at her lover. "You never said what happened in Tortuga."

He cocked an eyebrow. "I told you, love, s'nothing for you to worry over."

She frowned. "I don't believe you."

"Good."

She gave a look of slight surprise.

Jack smiled. "Never trust a pirate."

She gave a disapproving look, and said, "Oui, oui, je me rappelle." She stood, gathering her negligee. "So are you being dishonest with me as well?"

He took hold of her arm, causing her to utter an exclamation of surprise as she fell back down on the bed.

He moved close to her. "Now, ye've got it all wrong, lass."

"Have I?"

"Mm-hmm", he murmured, making the robe slip from her shoulder as he placed a kiss there.

"I", he resumed. "Am always honest."

She recovered her shoulder, tying the sash to her robe, and gave Jack a small kiss before standing again, and moving towards the window, beckoning Jack to join her.

"What is it?" he asked.

Her heart was beating so rapidly. She could barely contain herself as she looked at him, standing in the moonlight, his features so ravishing...

Before she could speak, he reached for her hand and drew her close. She melted into him, feeling his breath upon her hair.

"I love you."

Their lips met, remaining in a lingering kiss.

"Alright", he whispered.

"Oh, now I...I don't know what I was excited about", she laughed, but turned away quickly to brush the happy tears from her cheeks.

"Oh, oui—look!" She placed her hand on the window, her fingertips leaving an imprint on the frosty glass. "It's snowing." She smiled. "I'd forgotten how beautiful the winter is in France."

"Aye, i'tis." He suddenly took her hand. "Come on."

"Jack, what--?"

He made his way towards the door, handing Jade her cloak and scarf, and dressing himself in the process.

She covered her mouth with her hand, stifling a giggle. "Where are we going at this hour?"

"Mustn't we get the first taste of snow, love?" He fastened his coat.

"Now?"

"Oui", he answered. "Before Will an' Liz beat us to it."

Before she had a chance to protest, Jack opened the door, and pulled her along as he went quietly through the hallway, jumping in surprise at the chime of the clock, which read five o'clock. They crept out the back door.

Jack brought Jade close to him as they stepped out into the brisk early morning air.

"Warm enough?" he asked, rubbing her arms.

"Yes", she laughed. "Oh, c'est trop beau!" she exclaimed.

She touched a waxy-white glutinous, ice-covered berry on the branch of a tree. She shivered a bit, and placed her hands in her pockets to warm them.

"Well, what do ye know", Jack said.

Jade looked towards him.

"Mistletoe."

A blush covered her cheeks as Jade smiled. "It is indeed."

Jack walked towards her, and reached up, plucking one berry from the leaf.

"You know, it is au gui l'An neuf." She smiled. "So we should follow the French tradition. But, since you've already taken a berry..."

He stifled her with a brush of his lips across her bouche.

She smiled at him. "There's another berry."

"Now you're catching on", Jack grinned, as she returned the kiss.

Jade sighed blissfully as they walked back into the house. The snow had ceased to fall, and now the whole town was covered in white. The sun was just rising.

"Ah, there you two are. You alright?"

Will Turner stood before them.

"Will, mate! Mornin'. Question is: what are you up to?"

"I'm off to work, Jack. I'll be able to come home earlier for the first day of Noël."

"Oh, oui, the first day is always so lovely", Jade said.

"Ms. Rochet." Will turned to her. "How are you?"

He and Elizabeth had been worried about the both of them all night—for a while during the two weeks of Jack's absence, Elizabeth had wondered if Jade would return to herself again. Seeing the Captain there, looking as smug and high-spirited as usual, and the Frenchwoman looking radiant, Will's fears were eased.

"Much better", she answered. "Do you and Elizabeth know any Christmas songs?"

He smiled coolly. "I'm afraid we don't."

"Per'aps you can teach us some Chantons Noé, love", Jack hinted.

"Oh, only if you would care to—"

"Indeed, if you would", Will entreated.

She looked to both of them. "Then, certainly. I'm sure I have a number of ajets."

Jack took her hand and smiled at her.

"Well, I should be off", Will saluted. "Have a wonderful Christmas morning, and would you let Elizabeth know I'll be home this afternoon?"

"Aye mate." Jack clapped him on the shoulder.

"Au revoir!" They called their farewells as Will left them.

Jade sighed as she dropped into a chair before the fire 2 hours later. She pleated her periwinkle-blue skirts around her, and moved over a tad so that Jack could sit next to her.

Elizabeth sat on the couch across from them, smiling as she rocked beautiful Jenevieve in her arms.

"This is her first Christmas!" she murmured excitedly, giving her baby a gentle kiss.

"It's such a special and perfect day", Jade smiled back at her.

"Oh!" Elizabeth cooed as Jenevieve yawned. "She's getting sleepy. Well, she'll be all rested for her Daddy when he gets home."

She rose and said, "I'm going to tuck her in her crib; I'll be right back."

"Can Uncle Jack give you a kiss goodnight?"

Elizabeth laughed, knowing Jack loved every minute of this. As soon as Jack's moustache brushed Jenevieve's cheek, her eyes opened.

"Oh, Jack, you've wakened her!"

"Oh, it's my fault is it?" Jack said, looking slightly hurt. "I think it was yer mum, not Uncle Jack", he whispered.

Jenevieve brought her hands up. "Jack!"

Jack, Elizabeth, and Jade gasped at the same time.

"Oh how precious!" Jade exclaimed, embracing both Elizabeth and Jenevieve.

Elizabeth was speechless, but Jack was just in shock.

"She...she said my name! My name, Liz!"

"I..." Elizabeth paused. "You're a blessed pirate." She hugged Jenevieve to her, who had fallen asleep again.

"Just wait till I tell ol' Will..."

"I heard that", Elizabeth said over her shoulder as she left with a rustle of her maroon skirts, to tuck in Jenevieve.

"What do ye think o' that, eh?" Jack murmured, a satisfied look on his face.

Jade wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

"Mmm, good answer."

"Merry Christmas", Jade laughed.

"Merry Christmas."

ma chère amor: my dear love

Oui, oui, je me rappelle: Yes, yes, I remember

c'est trop beau: it's so beautiful

au gui l'An neuf: Mistletoe of the New Year

bouche: mouth

ajets: French weather proverbs/songs

In France, the 12 days of xmas are from Christmas to the Epiphany(celebrated on Jan. 6)