Chapter 3

I awoke to the sound of a pistol going off scarily close to my head. I shot up and pressed myself against the wall, feeling about for anything that I could use as a weapon, and finding nothing. For a moment I gazed around my dimly lit surroundings and panicked, not remembering where I was.

"You should be awake by now, miss. I will not tolerate slug-a-beds on MY ship!" Jack Sparrow roared heatedly from the door way, holstering his gun. The door snapped closed behind him, but not before several members of the crew got a good peek at me.

I looked at the bullet imbedded into the wall only two feet above my head, before I stood up and smoothed my skirts, smoldering with fury. Looking into my rude awakening's eyes I hissed, "What was that for?"

Jack took a step towards me. "What was that for, CAPTAIN? Don't you mean?" He asked with voice on edge. I took a step back, eyes widening with surprise. This was a completely different man from the one I had sparred with the night before.

I bit my tongue and swallowed my pert reply, answering, "What was that for, captain?"

He nodded. "That's better. THAT is how you will address me, as a member of this crew. You have had enough sleep by all accounts. It is nearly midday, and we have yet to have even sort out your duties."

He strode curtly over to the table, slapping down a cloth bundle in front of him. I eyed it with distaste. Plain rough woven breeches, button up shirt and a belt.

He caught my gaze as I tore it away from that disgraceful clothing and with a smile told me, "Your uniform, my lady."

I shook my head. "I'm not going to wear that, captain. It is unfit, and looks to be unwashed as well."

He smiled again, closed lipped, and seeming to be enjoying this. "Ah, but you ARE going to wear this. As a member of MY crew, I order you to put it on. And as a member of my crew, you must do as you are told. Punishment is not a thing that I enjoy, but I will do it. I will not have disobedience. Put it on please."

I shook my head. "You're not serious, captain. I cannot wear that…the men…"

"Those men are my crew, as you are. And you shall be treated just like them. They wear similar clothes to these, and so will you. Did you think that you would be treated any differently…perhaps on the account that you share my quarters?" He asked tightly, surveying my form.

He was implying that by sharing his quarters, I was sharing his bed. Or would be. I shot a glare in his general direction and snatched the clothing off of the table.

"No…I do not expect to be treated any differently. But I'll not dress while you watch. And no order that you can issue would convince me to do so." I added as an after thought.

"I wouldn't dream of it." He drawled, twisting a ring on his pointer finger. He didn't change positions though; feet still planted squarely, eyes still locked with mine.

"Are you going to leave, captain Sparrow?" I snapped, raising a brow.

He smiled. "Who said anything about leaving? I believe that you mentioned something about you not wanting me to watch."

"Exactly, and what are you doing now?" I quipped.

He did an about face, so that his eyes were on the door. "I am turning around, as requested. Now dress."

I shook my head, fingering my bodice, still uncertain.

He sighed, a long low whistle and said quietly, "Do as you're told, miss. And have you no worries. I'll not trouble with you. I'll not trouble with any woman who shows fear on my account."

I felt as if he had slapped me. I was momentarily stunned. He had taken his leave of ME. The scallywag…

But I might as well try and please him, considering that he is my captain, I thought grimly, before a spark of a plan took light in my mind…

I dropped my skirts in one quick motion. As they slithered down my legs I studied his frame. A muscle in his neck clenched, and I imagined that he knew well, the sound of clothing hitting the floor. I smirked at his back. So…he wasn't exactly enjoying this.

I also imagined that he wasn't accustomed to having a woman undress in his presence and him NOT being able to bed her. Well, he would just have to learn. As I loosened my bodice I drawled, "I admire your restraint, Captain."

He started to turn and face me, out of instinct I suppose, but caught himself and turned his attention back to the door. "It would not do, to mock me, Ana Maria." He whispered slowly.

I slipped the bodice over my head, and then stepped into my new breeches, securing them with the belt. I was wearing them, and naught else but my corset. I took a step towards him, then another, and another, until I was naught but inches from his back.

My breasts pressed lightly against his back as I put my palms on his shoulders, and felt him flinch. "What are you doing?" he croaked, voice hoarse. I leaned in and blew softly on the nape of his neck. The muscles tightened. I heard the small noise as he ground his teeth together.

"I wasn't mocking you……captain." I whispered, before stepping away. "And you can turn around now." I added with an impish grin.

He did as I had told him, and the look on his face went from smooth indifference to shock within seconds, as he realized that I had not yet put on a shirt over my corset. I smiled, and slipped an arm into the disgrace of a shirt. It was too large for me, I realized as I began to button it up. So I gathered the bottom ends and tied them into a snug knot that rested on my hip. I folded the collar down as the finishing touch.

"How do I look?" I asked seductively.

Jack looked a bit strained for an answer, and well he should be, I thought with a mental smirk. He seemed to clear his head though, for he answered flatly, "You look clothed."

I laughed. He wasn't the only one who could play mind games here. He sat down on a bench near the table. I walked over and leaned against a wall, as far away from him as I could get without seeming to try. And raising an eyebrow, I waited for him to speak. He seemed to be waiting for the same thing…

"Well?" I drawled.

"Are you going to come here, and sit?" He asked, implying that he would like me to do so.

"Is that an order, captain?" I asked sardonically.

He clenched a muscle in his jaw. "No, it is not." So, he wanted me to do it on my own will then?

"I believe that I am fine where I am."

His nostrils flared in annoyance. "Why do you have to be so cursed stubborn?" He snapped.

Instead of taking his bait I replied, "That is quite a temper, Captain Sparrow. Seems to be, in my opinion, the temper of someone who is used to getting his own way…"

He started to say something and stopped, licking his lips as he studied my face. "You were a servant, weren't you?" He asked quizzically.

My eyes narrowed and I felt my lips purse slightly. I forced myself to relax. I raised an eyebrow and shrugged.

"That's not an answer. Please, answer the question."

I clenched my teeth. "Yes, I was a servant."

"Ahh…I thought so. That would explain it. How much older was he than you?" He drawled, leaning an elbow on the table.

I closed my eyes and tried to count, the anger and shame a searing pain in my side.I got to three before he started to chuckle. And that was it. I strode forward and slapped him across the face, hard, hisface turned to the side.

The laughter died in his throat.

"Don't you ever say anything like that to me again, CAPTAIN. Do you understand? Not ever. I'll not take that kind of talk from any man."

His eyes were dark and stormy as he gazed up at me before he stood up, and suddenly my nose was level with the hollow of his throat. I raised an arm to defend myself from the blow I knew was coming. His hand encircled my wrist tightly, wrenching my arm slowly out of its protective position until it was flat at my side. My heart was racing.

He leaned in to speak directly into my ear, and his braids swung forwards to brush against my cheek. I would have stepped back, stepped away from him… but he still had hold of my wrist.

"I understand completely." He whispered dangerously. And I couldn't force myself to meet his eyes. I studied the floor. He dropped my arm as if it burned him.

"Now follow me, we are going above deck and I'll see if we can't find some use for you." He snapped, as he turned and strode to the door.

I followed him, that sick, clenching feeling of dread settling back into the pit of my stomach. It seemed to be preparing for a long stay.

OOO

Told you another update would come soon.

PLK