CHAPTER 16: Stubborn Man
Jack lay on his side looking down at Katherine as she slept fitfully in his arms. It had hurt him to see how much she truly suffered. She had born so much when he'd been injured. Katherine Darcy was the most unselfish person Jack had ever met.
Jack looked up at the sound of footsteps in time to see Will enter the room smiling. "I wondered where you'd disappeared to."
Jack made a shushing motion with his hand gesturing with his head towards the sleeping woman. "Keep it down, mate. You'll wake her."
Will's brow furrowed in confusion at the worried look in Jack's eyes. "Is something wrong?"
Jack sighed, "Nothin' that wasn't wrong already."
Will tilted his head, "What do you mean?"
"It's caught up to her. Her father's death I mean." Jack shook his head, "I don't know how she's managed this long. Aside from when she first woke up she really hasn't grieved. It was only a matter of time."
Will could see how worried Jack was though he tried his best not to show it. "Katherine is a strong woman, Jack," Will grinned, "She may have been raised a lady, but, I think she just might be a pirate at heart."
Jack looked up at his friend, "I sent word to the Pearl today," he said, "It's time that I returned to her. I think that it's best for Katherine."
Will was sorry to hear that his friend would leave them soon, "How long until they get here?"
Jack shrugged, "A week. Maybe less. Depends on how far away they are. They won't be too far but just far enough to stay away from the Navy ships."
"What of our earlier conversation?" Will wondered, "The question you wanted to ask?"
"It will be done before we leave Port Royal." Jack shook his head, "I had a mind to do it today but now it seems that this is not the opportune moment."
Their conversation was interrupted when Katherine stirred in Jack's arms and her eyes fluttered open. She looked up at Jack for a moment confused and then her eyes became dim as her memory returned. Slowly, she turned her head to find Will standing only a few feet from the bed. "Hello, Will," she said softly.
"Katherine," he returned uncomfortably. Katherine's eyes had frightened him. The light had faded from her usually sparkling eyes and all that could be seen in them was anguish.
Katherine sat up her movements stiff. "What time is it?"
"It's almost four o'clock," Will answered noticing that Jack was studying the girl with growing alarm. Will could understand why. Her skin was pale and every so often she let out a little shudder. "I know you were going to join us downstairs tonight, Jack, but if Katherine isn't feeling well I can have your meals brought up."
"Thanks, mate, but we'll be down," Jack said firmly.
Will nodded and began backing from the room. "Dinner will be served at six o'clock."
Jack nodded his understanding and watched as Will quickly left the room. Couldn't blame him really. The way that Katherine stared blankly at the opposite wall was quite unnerving. Katherine had been so strong when Jack had needed her and he'd be damned if he let her break now.
Katherine looked up at Jack her eyes sad. "I don't feel like eating tonight."
"Sorry, luv," Jack replied, "But you're going to eat and you'll be doing it downstairs."
Katherine pulled away angrily. "I'm not a child, Jack. Don't tell me what to do."
Jack frowned; hurt, if not a bit glad to see some fire in her eyes even if it was directed at him. "I only want what's best for ye, Katie," he said softly, "You need to eat and the last thing you need is to be alone."
Jack was right and she knew it. Katherine took his hand and brought it to her lips. "I'm sorry," she whispered, "I shouldn't have snapped at you. I guess everything is finally sinking in. And the Governor-"she broke off not wanting to make Jack angry at their well meaning and generous host.
"What about him?" Jack demanded. When she didn't answer Jack took her chin in his hand, "Answer my question, Katie. What has Governor Swann said?"
"Nothing really," Katie shrugged, "He just keeps harping on how I am a lady and what my father intended and did not intend for me."
Jack swallowed the temptation to strangle their host. The man meant well in his own overly stuffy aristocratic way but Katherine did not need to be reminded of what she had lost. Jack was suddenly afraid. What if Katherine agreed with Swann? "H-how do you feel about it?" he asked hesitantly.
Katherine stared at him confused before understanding passed over her features. She took his face in her hands. "To hell with being a lady. It's you I love and you that I want to be with. Nothing will change that." Her eyes flashed momentarily.
Jack was encouraged by the spark in her eyes and leaned forward to kiss her tenderly. "I love you too," he whispered against her lips, "I don't know what I'd do if I lost ye." Jack pulled back and climbed from the bed tugging Katherine along with him. His eyes flashed mischievously. "Come on, luv, Let's go admire Governor Swann's lovely home."
Katherine shook a finger at him. "Jack! You promised!"
Jack grinned roguishly, "That I did. Pity. But that doesn't mean that I can't look." Jack intended to keep Katherine distracted and if he had to ruffles Swann's feathers a bit to do so . . . well then so be it.
Katherine managed an affectionate smiled and allowed Jack to pull her up. She smoothed her hair and soothed the wrinkles from her skirt.
Jack held her hand as they walked through the halls of the mansion. Jack stopped often to admire a rare vase or expensive painting. Katherine was impressed that Jack could identify most of the paintings and give a reasonable guess as to when they were painted. A thought occurred to her and Katherine chuckled.
"What?" Jack grinned at the sound of her laughter.
Katherine smirked. "I just realized that you must be in pirate hell. All these valuable objects and you can't do anything about it."
The smile faded from Jack's face. "That's not nice, luv."
"Oh, Jack,' Katherine did her best to look contrite, "I'm sorry, Jack. I was just teasing. But you must admit it is rather funny."
Jack pouted, "No, it is most certainly not."
Katherine stepped into his arms laying her head on his shoulder. "Yes, it is."
Jack sighed and looked down at her. "Not fair."
Katherine looked up at him. "Pirate," she smirked, "Or Pirate-to-be at least."
"You little minx," Jack growled tickling her ribs.
Katherine giggled and darted away. Reaching out she took Jack's hand. This is why she loved him. No matter how bad things seemed this eccentric pirate could make her laugh. "My father would have liked you." She repeated longingly.
Jack squeezed her hand and resumed their walk down the hall. After a few quiet moments Katherine glanced up at Jack before fixing her eyes back on the floor. She had been longing to ask this question since she had met him and Katherine could wait no longer. "When will you tell me about your past, Jack?" she asked quietly.
Jack stopped and closed his eyes. "My past doesn't matter." Jack replied opening his eyes and moving on down the hall.
Katherine stopped and pulled her hand away. "Why won't you tell me? Don't you trust me?"
Jack sighed and turned to face her. "You know everything you need to know."
Katherine crossed her arms. "I know how you met Will and Elizabeth and how you got your ship back. They told me while you slept. I know nothing about you before Barbossa marooned you or what you did for the ten years that Barbossa had your ship."
"What does it matter?" Jack demanded irritably, "What do you need to know the rest for?"
Because I want to know you, Jack," she cried, "I've seen your scars. I want to know how you got them because they're a part of you!" Katherine looked at him pleadingly, "I want to know how you've become the man you are. The man I love."
Jack closed his eyes for a moment a pained expression on his face. When he opened them again he shook his head. "I can't. I'm sorry." Without another word Jack turned and hurried down the hall.
Katherine watched him go before turning and storming off in the other direction. "Stubborn man!" she growled as she rushed through the halls trying to find her way back to her room.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out I've been a bit busy. I'll try to get the next one up soon. I want to thank everyone for all the reviews I got for the last couple of chapters. I really appreciate knowing that you guys like what I'm doing. Please keep it up it helps me to know if I need to change something or add something. It's getting down to the end here folks. There's only twenty more pages to go which isn't more than a few more chapters. The chapters should be longer but we'll see. Well enjoy and as always your reviews are appreciated.
Jack lay on his side looking down at Katherine as she slept fitfully in his arms. It had hurt him to see how much she truly suffered. She had born so much when he'd been injured. Katherine Darcy was the most unselfish person Jack had ever met.
Jack looked up at the sound of footsteps in time to see Will enter the room smiling. "I wondered where you'd disappeared to."
Jack made a shushing motion with his hand gesturing with his head towards the sleeping woman. "Keep it down, mate. You'll wake her."
Will's brow furrowed in confusion at the worried look in Jack's eyes. "Is something wrong?"
Jack sighed, "Nothin' that wasn't wrong already."
Will tilted his head, "What do you mean?"
"It's caught up to her. Her father's death I mean." Jack shook his head, "I don't know how she's managed this long. Aside from when she first woke up she really hasn't grieved. It was only a matter of time."
Will could see how worried Jack was though he tried his best not to show it. "Katherine is a strong woman, Jack," Will grinned, "She may have been raised a lady, but, I think she just might be a pirate at heart."
Jack looked up at his friend, "I sent word to the Pearl today," he said, "It's time that I returned to her. I think that it's best for Katherine."
Will was sorry to hear that his friend would leave them soon, "How long until they get here?"
Jack shrugged, "A week. Maybe less. Depends on how far away they are. They won't be too far but just far enough to stay away from the Navy ships."
"What of our earlier conversation?" Will wondered, "The question you wanted to ask?"
"It will be done before we leave Port Royal." Jack shook his head, "I had a mind to do it today but now it seems that this is not the opportune moment."
Their conversation was interrupted when Katherine stirred in Jack's arms and her eyes fluttered open. She looked up at Jack for a moment confused and then her eyes became dim as her memory returned. Slowly, she turned her head to find Will standing only a few feet from the bed. "Hello, Will," she said softly.
"Katherine," he returned uncomfortably. Katherine's eyes had frightened him. The light had faded from her usually sparkling eyes and all that could be seen in them was anguish.
Katherine sat up her movements stiff. "What time is it?"
"It's almost four o'clock," Will answered noticing that Jack was studying the girl with growing alarm. Will could understand why. Her skin was pale and every so often she let out a little shudder. "I know you were going to join us downstairs tonight, Jack, but if Katherine isn't feeling well I can have your meals brought up."
"Thanks, mate, but we'll be down," Jack said firmly.
Will nodded and began backing from the room. "Dinner will be served at six o'clock."
Jack nodded his understanding and watched as Will quickly left the room. Couldn't blame him really. The way that Katherine stared blankly at the opposite wall was quite unnerving. Katherine had been so strong when Jack had needed her and he'd be damned if he let her break now.
Katherine looked up at Jack her eyes sad. "I don't feel like eating tonight."
"Sorry, luv," Jack replied, "But you're going to eat and you'll be doing it downstairs."
Katherine pulled away angrily. "I'm not a child, Jack. Don't tell me what to do."
Jack frowned; hurt, if not a bit glad to see some fire in her eyes even if it was directed at him. "I only want what's best for ye, Katie," he said softly, "You need to eat and the last thing you need is to be alone."
Jack was right and she knew it. Katherine took his hand and brought it to her lips. "I'm sorry," she whispered, "I shouldn't have snapped at you. I guess everything is finally sinking in. And the Governor-"she broke off not wanting to make Jack angry at their well meaning and generous host.
"What about him?" Jack demanded. When she didn't answer Jack took her chin in his hand, "Answer my question, Katie. What has Governor Swann said?"
"Nothing really," Katie shrugged, "He just keeps harping on how I am a lady and what my father intended and did not intend for me."
Jack swallowed the temptation to strangle their host. The man meant well in his own overly stuffy aristocratic way but Katherine did not need to be reminded of what she had lost. Jack was suddenly afraid. What if Katherine agreed with Swann? "H-how do you feel about it?" he asked hesitantly.
Katherine stared at him confused before understanding passed over her features. She took his face in her hands. "To hell with being a lady. It's you I love and you that I want to be with. Nothing will change that." Her eyes flashed momentarily.
Jack was encouraged by the spark in her eyes and leaned forward to kiss her tenderly. "I love you too," he whispered against her lips, "I don't know what I'd do if I lost ye." Jack pulled back and climbed from the bed tugging Katherine along with him. His eyes flashed mischievously. "Come on, luv, Let's go admire Governor Swann's lovely home."
Katherine shook a finger at him. "Jack! You promised!"
Jack grinned roguishly, "That I did. Pity. But that doesn't mean that I can't look." Jack intended to keep Katherine distracted and if he had to ruffles Swann's feathers a bit to do so . . . well then so be it.
Katherine managed an affectionate smiled and allowed Jack to pull her up. She smoothed her hair and soothed the wrinkles from her skirt.
Jack held her hand as they walked through the halls of the mansion. Jack stopped often to admire a rare vase or expensive painting. Katherine was impressed that Jack could identify most of the paintings and give a reasonable guess as to when they were painted. A thought occurred to her and Katherine chuckled.
"What?" Jack grinned at the sound of her laughter.
Katherine smirked. "I just realized that you must be in pirate hell. All these valuable objects and you can't do anything about it."
The smile faded from Jack's face. "That's not nice, luv."
"Oh, Jack,' Katherine did her best to look contrite, "I'm sorry, Jack. I was just teasing. But you must admit it is rather funny."
Jack pouted, "No, it is most certainly not."
Katherine stepped into his arms laying her head on his shoulder. "Yes, it is."
Jack sighed and looked down at her. "Not fair."
Katherine looked up at him. "Pirate," she smirked, "Or Pirate-to-be at least."
"You little minx," Jack growled tickling her ribs.
Katherine giggled and darted away. Reaching out she took Jack's hand. This is why she loved him. No matter how bad things seemed this eccentric pirate could make her laugh. "My father would have liked you." She repeated longingly.
Jack squeezed her hand and resumed their walk down the hall. After a few quiet moments Katherine glanced up at Jack before fixing her eyes back on the floor. She had been longing to ask this question since she had met him and Katherine could wait no longer. "When will you tell me about your past, Jack?" she asked quietly.
Jack stopped and closed his eyes. "My past doesn't matter." Jack replied opening his eyes and moving on down the hall.
Katherine stopped and pulled her hand away. "Why won't you tell me? Don't you trust me?"
Jack sighed and turned to face her. "You know everything you need to know."
Katherine crossed her arms. "I know how you met Will and Elizabeth and how you got your ship back. They told me while you slept. I know nothing about you before Barbossa marooned you or what you did for the ten years that Barbossa had your ship."
"What does it matter?" Jack demanded irritably, "What do you need to know the rest for?"
Because I want to know you, Jack," she cried, "I've seen your scars. I want to know how you got them because they're a part of you!" Katherine looked at him pleadingly, "I want to know how you've become the man you are. The man I love."
Jack closed his eyes for a moment a pained expression on his face. When he opened them again he shook his head. "I can't. I'm sorry." Without another word Jack turned and hurried down the hall.
Katherine watched him go before turning and storming off in the other direction. "Stubborn man!" she growled as she rushed through the halls trying to find her way back to her room.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out I've been a bit busy. I'll try to get the next one up soon. I want to thank everyone for all the reviews I got for the last couple of chapters. I really appreciate knowing that you guys like what I'm doing. Please keep it up it helps me to know if I need to change something or add something. It's getting down to the end here folks. There's only twenty more pages to go which isn't more than a few more chapters. The chapters should be longer but we'll see. Well enjoy and as always your reviews are appreciated.