Chapter 16 - Waking Up Together
Jack walked into the galley expecting to see Louise, however the crew were there, as was the dinner, just not the cook. He took a seat next to Gibbs who was telling another of his old superstitious stories, as far as Jack heard this one seemed to be about a mystery island ruled by a ancient evil. Jack smiled at Gibbs ability to spin a yarn, he had anyone within earshot enthralled. Ana slammed her food down opposite Jack grabbing his attention.
"I take it ye haven't spoken to Louise" she asked with a bitter tone. Well he now knew she had spoken to her.
"Nope, 'aven't seen 'er all day, not my fault"
She sighed and was moments away from burying her head in her hands from frustration, "of course you haven't seen her. She's upset and hurting and then you go and make it worse".
Jack tried to not seem interested, "hows that then?".
"You really are a idiot, yesterday, accusing her of something so stupid it's..."
"Why's it so stupid?" he cut in. He wanted to know why it was so idiotic to think there was something going on between Louise and Danny, they were close.
Her hand twitched on the table as if it was seconds away from hitting him, "because oh great captain it's obvious she likes ye, Danny is just 'er friend, thats it".
Jack just made a little "oh" sound before hanging his head not so much in shame but regret.
"Now Jack I suggest ye go tell Louise 'ow you feel", he looked at Ana like she was mad. Not only was he not entirely sure what to say, which was a first for him, but could he let that guard down? Ever since the mutiny he had played his cards close to his chest, and even before that he had never said 'the' words to a woman.
"I can't", he admitted to Ana.
"Why not? You know as well as I do you feel for 'er and she won't wait forever", there was truth in her words. Louise was different from the other women in his life, she had a certain something about her as well as being annoying as hell, a combination Jack had found addictive. Danny came and sat next to Ana without missing a beat of their conversation.
"She's on deck" he said with a knowing look.
Jack nodded, downed the rest of his drink and with a bit of dutch courage he sauntered his way out of the galley.
Ana turned to Danny, "how is she?"
Danny smiled into his dinner, "oh she hates him", he looked up at Ana's quizzical face, "but they do need to talk".
Jack walked out onto the peaceful deck, the night was cloudy but there were bursts of moonlight breaking through, bouncing off the wood giving it a glow. Louise sat at the edge of the ship with her legs hanging through the railings, allowing them to restrict her like bars. She hummed a slow tune that followed the breeze through the night and across the water. He watched her sitting there, finding peace with the sea and he remember how everything was new for her, she had probably never been on a ship before the pearl and she definitely hadn't sailed with pirates. His mind wandered back to his first time at sea and that feeling of freedom and wanting to never look back. Jack walked over to her, his footsteps echoing loudly as he did. He sat next to her his back to the railings so he could see her face. She looked at him for the first time that day and her face filled with confusion, her mind was wondering why she had missed him. She hadn't realised till she sat here looking into his eyes and despite the anger she felt towards him she smiled momentarily, the same sad smile she had when talking to Danny. He placed two fingers under her chin and lifted her face slightly so he could fully admire it.
"Louise luv, I'm sorry", he didn't break their eye contact, he wanted her to know he meant it.
"For what? Do you even know why I'm angry?" she wasn't snapping, she just wanted to know.
He wrung his hands while he spoke, "I shouldn't 'ave reacted 'ow I did. I was...I was just jealous".
She looked back into the night, she hadn't expected him to so freely tell her. She allowed her self to take it in, he was jealous which meant he cared. This couldn't help but cheer her up.
She turned back to him and leaned in closer kissing him, the kiss was slow and soft as their lips met but instantly became deeper. Louise pulled back and Jack followed her slightly, she giggled under her breath.
"I take it I'm forgiven" he said with the look of a cat who got the cream. Louise brought her body back through the railings, onto the deck and came to rest her head on Jack's shoulder, she sighed content and continued to look out to sea. Jack looked at the top of her head unsure of what was going through her mind but he found the position comfortable, relaxing, he placed a arm around her silently pulling her closer.
A little while later she spoke, "I'm sorry too Jack", she looked up at him. "I could talk to Danny but I shouldn't have avoided you all day, then again you were an arse". She felt him chuckle as the sound reverberated through his chest.
"Aye I was", he said making her grin widely. He had appologised and agreed that he was a arse, it was almost a new man, but then as if he had read her thoughts he pinched her rear, confirming that in fact he'll always be Jack Sparrow. And as she sat up hitting him playfully before grinning like a town fool and kissing him again, she knew she wouldn't want him any other way.
Jack opened his eyes at the knocking on his cabin door and as his eyes adjusted to the morning light he looked down at Louise lying in his arms. She was curled into his bare chest smiling peacefully, she looked so happy just laying there while he watched her sleeping. She was still in her trousers and shirt which as she put it, 'reminds you who's in charge'. Though nothing had happened that night the fact that she had forgiven him was enough to make Jack smile. He stared angrily at the door, the knocking was now more insistent and he still had to get Louise off him without waking her. Thankfully she seemed to be a heavy sleeper as he rolled her onto the other side of the bed and the only noise she made was "so nice", which made him curious as to what she was thinking about. He staggered to the door and opened it to see Gibbs looking unusually cheerful.
"Seems all them women aren't bad luck captain, we should be at Nevis by sunset", Jack laughed both at the idea of Louise and Ana being bad luck and at their early arrival.
"Good, I want Cotton at the helm today, I've got other things to take care of", Gibbs nodded and walked off. Jack looked over at the bed as he shut the door and surprisingly Louise sat wide awake smiling at him.
"What's these other things then?", she asked sweetly as he purposefully strode to the bed and spread himself out next to her.
"Just got some things to discuss with Abrey".
She trailed a finger over his chest as she spoke, "well if that's everything I guess I'll go and make a start on breakfast", she made as if to get off the bed but he grabbed her wrist and lead her back.
"I didn't say that was everything" he smirked flashing a few gold teeth before locking her lips in a passionate kiss.
She pouted as they broke apart but jumped up before he could grab her again, "now now captain I can't deny the crew their breakfast can I?".
"They'll live" he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively which made her laugh, as she skipped out of his cabin.
"You should come and eat too you know", she winked and closed the door after her. His head slumped back against the pillow and he grinned at the ceiling, breakfast didn't sound that bad.
"Someone's in a better mood", Ana commented about Louise who hadn't gotten angry when Marty had knocked his breakfast flying over half the galley floor.
"Oh yeah? I wonder why?" she joked.
Ana raised a eyebrow at her, "I wonder if this has anything to do with a certain captain?" she mused aloud.
"It might but I guess you just never know", Louise was slowly sipping the tea she now regularly drunk in the mornings, at home she had always found it wakes her up.
"Well you do", they both laughed and continued to talk over their meal until Jack strode in, he looked around at the very few men in the galley.
"You left me for this?" he asked feigning hurt. He sat down next to Louise and began eating occasionally looking in her direction.
"Next time I'll stay with you but then you have to tell everyone why they're not being fed", Ana watched the exchange, they were definitely at ease with each other.
She rose, not that either of them looked up, "I'll leave ye to it, see ye later Louise" she added before making a quick exit. She noticed even when they were happy they were poking fun at each other, Louise seemed to take great pleasure in annoying Jack sometimes. He left eventually after Louise had pointed out that he had important pirate business to take care of, to which he replied with something arrogant about being the captain and being able to do whatever he wants. She hadn't really listened as she was clearing up the aftermath of breakfast but as soon as he had said about being captain she retorted, claiming that her hat was bigger than his, she knew it wasn't but it seemed to make him worried. Louise returned to her cabin soon after and felt lost, after everything that had happened recently she had always had something on her mind even if it was simply getting better. It was almost strange to have this tranquility and she found herself desperately trying to find something to do with herself. She left her room and got halfway down the corridor when she bumped into Abrey.
"Oh sorry", Louise was sure she had been looking where she was going.
"No harm, how are you after this last week then, tis been eventful eh?", he wasted no time and the question threw her slightly.
She smiled nervously at him, "fine thanks, all better I'd say", she made to get past him but as she did she heard him continue the conversation.
"Tis good ye are so friendly with Sparrow then"
She stopped dead, "what?".
He looked at her like he was making general chit chat, "well Sparrow looked after ye right?".
She tried not to show her anger at his intrusion but Louise could easily get riled up, "anything between me and Jack is none of your business", she growled.
"Aye, I didn't mean anything by it", he nodded understanding but she still turned and left with a huff. Abrey watched her go, Jack was a sore spot for her and after their behavior over breakfast it seemed his suspicions about them were correct. He continued to let his mind wander as he made his way to Jacks cabin.
"Sparrow?" Abrey asked as he knocked.
"Come in", Jack replied. As Abrey walked in he saw Jack sitting at his desk looking over some charts, "what can I do ye for Sparrow?".
"I'll be needing that map of yours, again", Abrey nodded and took out the aging map.
Handing it over to Jack he said, "take as long as ye need, but I'll be coming to shore at Nevis".
He watched Abrey leaving with a glare, "wouldn't expect anything less".
Louise wandered the ship for a while and muttered under her breath as she did. Other than Jacks whistle stop tour when she first arrived she had only ever really been in-between the deck, her cabin and the galley. Predictably after wandering around to her hearts content she found herself back on deck. The day was bright and admiring the picturesque view, that included a small mass of land in the distance, her Abrey related frustrations seemed to melt away. She looked around for Jack but couldn't see him so assumed he was in his cabin. Swaying in with an air cool she watched him carefully studying some papers on his desk.
He looked up and his face broke into a sly grin, "Louise darling" he proclaimed.
"Missed me?" she asked as she closed the door.
He held his hand to his chest, making some grand gesture "more then ye know".
She sat cross legged on the end of the bed, "so captain what's got you so busy?".
"Just running a ship luv, I'll be going to shore this evening", he ran his eyes over the map in front of him again and he didn't notice Louise come over to the desk until her hands covered over the paper.
He looked up at her to see a wicked glint in her eyes, "I know, I'm coming with you".
--Authors Notes--
Wow. Thank you guys, really. I love all of my reviewers, I didn't expect so many and I'm really pleased that you are still with me on the story. This chapter felt really weird to write, Jack and Louise are always arguing so to have a chapter where they didn't was...weird. Anyway hope you like it, and I can't wait for them to get to Nevis and find the treasure, it'll be good, I hope. Please let me know if you liked the chapter. I'm sorry if I didn't get back to everybody who reviewed, but it's my birthday this week and I've been busy busy busy hence the slower update. Thanks again everyone.