Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original POTC characters…otherwise I would be making a real book or movie…not fan fiction. I hold all rights to my original characters.
Chapter 6
We had finally gotten completely ready, socks & shoes on. I grabbed the keys as we headed out the door, locking it. Jack followed me down the boardwalk to the garage. I could just feel the outdated question hanging in the air, about to emerge from his mouth.
"Is this your stable? How many horses do you have?" I smiled at his quirky questions and sweet demeanor. I was really starting to like him…All right, fine. Major understatement there.
"It's a stable of sorts…but I don't have any horses," I replied nonchalantly. I just couldn't wait to see his funny, cute and confused reaction. I swung open the door and announced, "This is a car. It could be called a horse-less carriage if you like, but car is shorter."
He looked upon it with distrust and disdain. "Are you saying this…this contraption will take us to this place you wish to eat at? How does it work?" Of course…typical guy, wanting to know the technical stuff of a car. And I, being a stereotypical girl in this respect, had no bloody idea how it worked. Other than of course, turn the key, it turns on. Push the pedal, it goes…etc. "Yes, this car will take us to La Dolce Vita. To make it go, I just have to start it up with---"
"Never shall a lady do filthy work! It is suited for animals only!" Oh boy…he thinks I'm going to drag it or something… "Jack, you don't quite understand. I don't start it up by means of manual labour, unless you count turning a key hard work."
"What do you unlock to make it run by itself? Is it a chest of faeries or a soul of a cursed witch? I thought such things only existed in faerie tales…"
Sigh. "No, Jack. I don't quite know how to explain how it works…Actually, I have no idea how it does work. However, it's definitely not magic, just…transference of energy." There I go, being the science geek I am. I don't think they had even discovered electrons and such back then…maybe I should just show him. "Here, get in and I'll just show you, hun."
He headed towards the door I indicated, but soon had that lost puppy look on his face. I gave him a small, but highly amused, smile. I guess he was having trouble finding the handle; I went over and opened the door for him. He gave me another numbing smile and stunned into silence, I showed him the seat belt. He got that look on his face again… Man, it just made me want to kiss all his silly little understanding-the-future troubles away…
I guess I drifted off for two seconds thinking about that, cause he cleared his throat and said, "So what is this thing?" as he pointed to the seat belt.
"Right. About that." I said stupidly, still slightly stunned. I realized I would have to help him put it on…oh boy. With a slight blush on my face, I steadied myself with a hand on the seat over his shoulder. I stretched the seatbelt across his chest, pleased to find him blushing a bit too. As I clicked it into the buckle, my mouth hung wide open in shock. He had reached up and tangled his hands in my hair. He slowly removed most of his hands, but curled a single lock around one finger. This made me stay stock-still; my hair was my weakness, and I had always dreamed of the day a guy would play with it so tenderly…
"Your hair…it fascinates me. There's so much, but it feels so light, like woven sun and moonbeams. It shines like a cutlass in the sun, beautiful but dangerous…" He gave me that dazzling smile again, and from my closer stance I saw he had two gold teeth. When he smiled like that, I just wanted to fall down into his lap, wrap my arms around his neck and pull him down for a deep kiss. However, I managed to pull myself out of my daydreams for a bit of playful teasing.
"Dangerous? How's my hair dangerous?"
"Because I am stunned by it. Anything that distracts me for so long leaves me open to attack." I couldn't argue with his logic. It makes sense…if you're a pirate in a world where everyone wants you dead or kidnapped and such. After a few more seconds of pondering what sort of wild adventures he had had, I realized I was just sort of leaning over him and staring into his eyes with an open mouth.
This daydreaming/removal from reality was getting more frequent…and more annoying. I mean, last time I rushed into something with a guy, Lee happened. And I had already kissed Jack three times the very day I met him…I had to slow this down a bit.
Pulling myself up, I hastily said, "Well, I'll just start up the car and then we can go!" He looked at me oddly, and I think he could tell I was getting a little flustered. I climbed into my seat and strapped myself in. As I turned the key, I felt him reach out to play with my hair again…I closed my eyes to experience it fully…
Then I realized I was about to drive with my eyes closed. Not a good idea in any sense of the concept. (A/N Lookit me, talking like Jack Sr.!) "Listen, Jack. Even though driving the car isn't hard physically, it can be hard to keep my attention on the road. If I get distracted, we could get into a car crash and get really hurt…we could even die. So just…hands off while we're in the car and I'm driving, all right?" He gave me a slight pout that I wanted to kiss away…No, no more thoughts of kissing him. He grinned full on at me as if he could see my internal conflict. I guess that's another thing he got from his father—
cockiness. "Men." I muttered as I backed out of the garage.
I parked in front of La Dolce Vita with a sigh. That had been the longest car ride ever…I'd never been enclosed in such a small space, completely and utterly alone, with a guy I wanted so bad. I had been in a car with Lee, but that had been with other people… And I hadn't been this physically attracted to him when we climbed into the van. Actually, I hadn't ever been this physically attracted to him.
I closed my eyes to calm down and shake all thoughts of Lee out of my head. I was just about to open them when I felt Jack's warm breath on my face. Once again, I froze. I wasn't used to a guy paying so damn much wanted attention to me…He really shook me up. I just sat there with my eyes closed, waiting for him to do something…And he kissed me again. This time I just accepted it…it felt so right when we connected like this. His hand came up and caressed my cheek, and I was surprised at how gentle he could be with his rough hands.
After around a minute of that, he withdrew into his seat and I was left on mine with rather flushed cheeks. I cleared my throat and teased, "I thought I asked you to keep your hands off while we're in the car."
"You said while you were driving…and that wasn't just my hands," he quipped as he jumped out of the car. Luckily, he was on the sidewalk side of the car…I'd have to explain the whole roadkill concept to him. I waited until there were no cars on the road, then got out of the car to join him.
"So, here we are. We finally get to eat!" I could see his inner self having a little confetti party at the very idea, so I decided to rush in there.
As we stepped in, I nearly slapped myself…What a place to go on a first date with a guy I had just met. This restaurant is the most romantic one I know…But also the most delicious.
I peeked around the corner into the kitchen and saw Franco. He's the owner and head chef here, and a close family friend. I heard Jack walk up behind me and I waved to Franco. "Sarah! It's so wonderful to see you! It's been a while, hasn't it?" he said as we hugged and gave the customary friendly European air cheek kiss. "Yeah, it has. Too long…I have a wicked craving for that mushroom tortellini. Franco, this is Jack. Jack, this is Franco. He's the owner of this restaurant." Jack shook hands stiffly with Franco before they both turned to look at me.
"So, finally found a date you could bring to my humble establishment?" Franco said. I blushed and said, "Well, I never got a chance to with Lee, and I haven't seen anyone since then…But Jack's definitely worthy," I replied as I flashed Jack a shy smile. He returned it with a small, quick, closed mouth smile. Something was going on…
"Well Sarah, how about this. I'll make you some salmon with a small salad, and then some of that mushroom tortellini. Sound good to you?"
"Awesome Franco, thanks!"
"Hmmm… let me think where I could sit you. We're rather busy tonight…"
Crap. I had forgotten to phone and make a reservation…and I should have known they would be busy. Crap crap crap….
"How about I put you two in a room?"
Jack had a highly offended look on his face. I think he thought Franco meant a room like his father often took after a night at the pub…Double merde.
"Thanks Franco, that'll be great!" Jack shot me a really weird look. Maybe he thought I was a modern day Tortugan whore…I guess I'd have to explain things once we were all by our twosies.
Franco bustled down the hall, apparently not noticing Jack's almost obscene expression. He sat us in the smallest room, which happened to be the couple's room pretty much…It had oil lamps all around and a replication of Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus". Franco pulled out our chairs for us and lit the oil lamps on the table, then smiled and left.
I was going to speak first, but he beat me to it. "What sort of whore are you?" he hissed quietly—evidently, he didn't want anyone else to hear, which was fine by me.
"What on earth do you mean? I'm not a bloody whore!"
"Of course, that explains why we have a room."
Double sigh. "Jack, it's not a room like your shipmates get with a woman in a pub. This is a high class restaurant and the rooms are simply for people who want a more secluded atmosphere without hearing other people's rather loud chatter."
"Oh…I'm sorry for…for calling you…"
"It's all right. Just…give me a chance to explain if there's something you don't understand—don't just jump to conclusions…please." He mumbled something in reply. "Hun, I can't hear you." He shrugged for a reply…Something else was bugging him.
"What did I do, Jack? I must've done something…You weren't acting anything like this in the car…" His reply was greatly muffled again, and all I made out was, "You…him."
"What?"
He looked up with fire in his eyes and clearly enunciated, "You. Kissed. Him."
"What? Who?"
"That Italian guy. You gave him a hug and two kisses, right in front of me."
This shocked me to no end. With wide eyes I replied, "Hun, if you're thinking that's the same sort of kiss I'd give you…" I struggled for words under his burning stare. "Okay, listen. I kiss you like I kiss someone…I'm deeply interested in. I kiss him like that because he's a close friend of the family…and because he's Italian, and that's a standard European greeting. There…there's not any added meaning to that. And as for it being in front of you…I'd do that in front of anyone, because it has no romantic feelings or anything."
"Do you swear on your honour?"
"Yes. Haven't you encountered that European kiss before?"
"We went to France once…Dad did it to all the whores. I thought it meant…" He trailed off, blushing profusely. I blinked a few times and tried to stifle my giggles…to no avail. He acquired a rather sheepish look and started laughing too.
We chatted for a while before the food came. I thought I should fill him in on some more modern stuff that might have him thinking I was someone improper. I told him about the more skimpy clothing of my day—even though my wardrobe doesn't include belt skirts and such, it would have been dangerous going out in the 1700's in any of my pajamas or tank tops. I also told him about dancing and how it completely mutated from the proper ballroom dances from his time. That led me to music…the variety of styles found in 2007 where much different from Mozart and other classical musicians.
Jack seemed to be very interested in the dancing that was commonly accepted today…that is, accepted by my generation. My parents would be shocked to see how I dance sometimes. I don't think I could accurately describe dancing to him…
"I tell you what, Jack. If you promise to drop all of your ideas about modesty and such from your day…I'll give you a surprise when we get home."
"What is it?"
"It wouldn't be a surprise then, would it?" I asked with a small seductive look.
We had finished our meal and started chatting. When he let his gorgeous laughter free, I couldn't help but drift off and think about which song would be his first introduction to modern music.
Nothing too dirty…so that rules out Candy Shop and Shake That. I'd have to introduce him to the wonderful Sugar (Gimme Some) by Trick Daddy, but I don't think it'd be the best introduction…Still shockingly smutty if you've just walked out of the 18th century.
I decided his first song should be Eight Days a Week by The Beatles. They're my all-time favorite band even though I listen to everything from pop to R&B to rap to punk to classic rock to…you get my drift. The Beatles were mellow and happy…not to mention that almost every song of theirs has to do with love. I thought about dancing to it with him, but that'd be odd. I decided to take him through some rock and blues just listening first, then put on my birthday mix CD that had a bunch of random dance songs on it. That was when I'd give him his surprise.
"Sarah? Sarah…" I looked up to find Jack looking at me with a quizzical quirk affixed to his eyebrows. "Did you hear me at all?" he said with a smirk.
"Umm…" I blushed horribly. I just had to try harder to stay in the same world as Jack.
"Sarah, 'ts all right. I can tell when you've gone off to dreamland. You just look at the ceiling or some other random place with the cutest faint smile playing over your lips."
Man, did he know how to make me blush, and he knew it too. He still had the smug look on his face, as if he had won some sort of prize by stunning me.
"Fine, I'll admit it. I went off to Lalaland. What did you say again?" Now he didn't look so sure of himself. "I wanted to know how our…I mean mine…I mean…would you like desert?" He started to fidget and I blinked blankly at him. He had been about to ask something else, something about us. "I'll order some tiramisu if you want some…bet what's your other question?"
He blushed and squirmed again…I guess I enjoyed making him embarrassed, but I was also raring to know what made him, a bloody pirate, so uncomfortable. He replied very quietly to my question, only saying one word. "Nothing."
"I can read you just as well as you can read me. Just ask the question, all right?
"Well…oh…I just…"
"Ask the damn question."
"Well, when I arrived in your forest I marked where the portal was…sometimes the crewmates found their own way back to the Pearl, and so I think it might be open."
"Cool, it goes both ways?" Crap…I've got to stop saying that. It nearly got me in a rather sticky situation with a friend when he thought I was implying…something. I decided to try again. "I mean, you can go back to your ship?" Wait, that wasn't right either…I didn't want him to go…
"Yes, if it is what you wish." He gazed sorrowfully into my eyes, and I melted. Barely staying composed, I grappled for words. "No!" The rosebushes of my cheeks were in full bloom. "I mean, you don't have to go back yet, I'm not making you. You can stay…you don't have to go if you don't want to…" I stared down at my plate; what a terribly interesting pattern...
"Well then, I guess the crew and me mates will have to do a bit more searching for me then, won't they?"
"Just hope your mum doesn't get too worried…she's the only one I truly like out of that lot." I wasn't about to tell him quite yet that I thought his dad was hot as the layer of hell he was bound for. "But what was your original question?"
"Well…I mean, it's a bit forward, I wouldn't ask it without you knowing I could go home. So…the fact of the matter is… What I mean to say—"
"Jack, you can ask whatever it is you need too. You can't offend me anymore than you have all ready, and I understand that you're from a completely different time period." He took a deep breath said, "Whatofsleepingarangements?"
It took me two minutes to decipher his hurried inquiry. "You mean, do I have somewhere you can sleep?" He nodded, still too embarrassed to speak properly. "Once again, you don't need to be ashamed, it's a completely legit question. As for where you can sleep…hm. Parent's room is off limits, but my brother's bedroom downstairs is free."
"Is your room downstairs as well?"
"Nope, I'm up near the door where we came in."
"Is there anywhere I can sleep where I can see you?" That sounded quite forward, but I told myself to be patient. He wasn't that sort of guy, from what I could tell. "Why do you want to be able to see me?"
"I was once assigned the watch for the Pearl. I was all alone…and I nearly frightened myself to tears. There's just something about you that reminds me of that part of me…the part that creates poetry and stories and sometimes imaginary things so real they frighten you…even though they could never exist." He gave me a shy smile and I gave him one as well. "You're astounding, you know that? No one else would be able to get that out of me, but I scare myself silly when I'm alone in the house at night. Still, just having someone, having you there will make it better."
"Please…Sarah. Just this one thing…"
"Honest, don't worry! You can sleep on the couch upstairs if you need to be near, but I'm fine. I swear."
"Please, just…let me explain. It's not just the imaginary fears I want to protect you from. The portal…if it's still open, other crewmembers could come here. I trust some of them, like Gibbs and Cotton…but most of them are nothing but pirates, lowlifes my father picked up in Tortuga. They'd…I don't want to say, I don't want to think about what they'd do if they came upon someone as beautiful as yourself wearing such…unexpected clothes."
"Oh." That was all I could say…I was stunned by the implications of the portal being open and his compliment. However, after I sat there for a minute, another thing shone through. He wanted to protect me, keep me safe…He cared so much that he was thinking about all the possible things that could happen to me. I was flattered and found my heart beating a little faster with him across the table with that worried expression on his face. I was about to tell him how much his protection meant to me when a familiar jovial voice broke in.
"Sarah, Jack, how was the meal? Would you like something for dessert?"
"It was fantastic, thanks! Hmm…I don't think Jack's had tiramisu before," I glanced at him and he shook his head. "So could we have some please?"
"Of course," he said with a mischievous smile. I grew apprehensive, but knew nothing bad would happen—Franco's a sweet guy, in an older-friend-of-the-family way. Finally Franco returned with the dessert…but instead of two servings like I expected, there was only one rather large piece with 2 forks resting on the plate. Since I thought that was the only thing, I was fine…I'd shared desserts with many people.
I was fine with the dessert…until I saw what was drawn on top of the decadent dessert. It was a curvy heart bearing the message of J+S. I opened my mouth to protest, to say something, but Franco just said, "Enjoy!" and scampered out.
We both just sat there, staring at the cake. His shirt sparkled in the candle light, drawing my gaze upward to his face. He looked up to me and we simply took in each other while time stood still.
"Happy birthday, Sarah."
I couldn't believe it, but I had completely forgotten that it was my…that it was our birthday. He had caused so much excitement…
"Happy birthday, Jack."