Look – I've written a total of six stories (plus one in the pipeline) about the man – please can I have him? I didn't think so…

Thank you for your reviews – they are appreciated as always. I have a favour to ask, if anyone could spare the time, I could do with a beta reader. Email me if you'd like to do it – thanks, Ani!

Chapter Five

Celia walked wearily down the street after finally finishing work at the mansion sometime after midnight. She had had to run the gauntlet all night with Jack Sparrow, smiling at him through gritted teeth as he made doe eyes at her and made some comment or other each time she had entered the room, much to her employer's amusement.

"Either you put a lot of faith in God, or you are extremely naïve."

"Oh! Oh, my goodness, Captain Sparrow – you frightened me half to death!" Celia exclaimed as she peered at the shadowy figure standing at the entrance of an alleyway.

"I can't believe yer walking home alone, again," he said, stepping into the moonlit street.

"Well how else am I to go home?" she shrugged. "I can look after myself, anyway."

"Yeah? An' just what will you do if someone decides ter accost you? Hit them with yer rosary beads?" Jack took a step towards her and grabbed both wrists, holding them firmly as she struggled. "What if I were a heartless bastard an' wanted my wicked way with you," he murmured, his lips brushing her ear as he pushed her into the alley. "How are you goin' to fight me off, eh?"

"Let me go!" Celia cried. "You have no right to do this. Help!" she called, hopelessly, her heart pounding.

"Don't know why you're callin' fer help," Jack purred, pressing himself against her as he guided her against a wall. "There are precious few in this town who'd help you…"

"P-please?" she begged, gasping as he suddenly released her. "You… you…" Her hand shot out before she had chance to think and slapped him hard across the face.

"Now what was that for?" Jack enquired as he rubbed his cheek gingerly. "I was merely pointin' out what could happen if a less reputable pirate decided to force himself on you. I told you, I don't hurt women."

"And I am supposed to believe a word you say?" Celia snapped, pushing past him and back onto the street, hurrying down it angrily.

Jack caught up, moving in front of her and blocking her way. "I don't lie, either. Well… not much," he smiled. "Just th'odd little white lie every now an' then."

"A lie is a lie," Celia retorted, trying to move past him and glaring at him as he continued to block her.

"Aren't we Miss prim an' proper?" he teased. "Did they teach yer to be like that at convent or have yer always been uptight?"

"I am not uptight!" she shouted, shoving Jack in the chest. "Why can you not leave me alone?"

"Because you intrigue me," Jack said by way of explanation. "An' I have a terrible curiosity."

"It's a good job you are not a cat then," Celia sniped.

"Afraid I might eat you, little mouse?"

"You are the most annoying, incorrigible man I have ever known!" she spluttered indignantly.

"An' just how many men have yer known?" Jack enquired, his voice dropping an octave or two as he advanced on her once more.

"I am… was a novice, for goodness sake! How many men do you think I have known?"

"All depends what you joined th'convent for, doesn't it?"

"Captain Sparrow," Celia sighed resignedly. "I have been up since before six o'clock this morning and it is now past midnight, as you know. I can barely stand on my feet and you are bothering me. Please leave me alone."

"Answer my question an' I shall see you to yer door safely."

"And if I don't?"

"Then I shall continue ter bother you until dawn," he grinned.

"My fiancée jilted me a month before we were due to be wed," she sighed, looking downcast. "I felt as if I couldn't face the world, so I didn't – I joined the convent soon after."

"Ah," Jack winced. "Sorry, luv. I didn't realise…" He lifted her chin until she was looking into his eyes. "More fool him, that's all I can say," he smiled gently.

"Thank you," Celia whispered, shivering at his closeness in spite herself. "Can I please go home now?"

"Of course, come on." Jack offered her his arm, stifling surprise as she slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow, and they walked in silence down the street towards the docks.

"What is that noise?" she wondered aloud as she heard a distant creaking. "I hear it most nights and mornings."

"That'll be th'harbour chain, luv. A heavy chain is stretched across th'harbour entrance ter stop ships comin' in – or goin' out, as th'case may be."

"I see," she nodded. "I believe they have one in Portsmouth harbour, don't they?"

"I don't know," Jack chuckled. "I have no intention of ever sailin' into Portsmouth harbour."

"Why not?"

"Th'Admiralty would erect th'gallows before th'Pearl's anchors reached th'sea bed."

"Oh…"

"Aye – oh. Here we are," he announced as they arrived at the rickety house. "It sounds as though someone has company…" Jack pressed his ear to the door, his grin broadening as he heard moans and groans coming from within.

"That is all I need," Celia sighed, feeling close to tears, she was so tired.

"You can sleep in my bunk," Jack offered. "It's comfy…"

"No! How many times must I tell you, I am not that sort."

"An' how many times must I tell you – neither am I. I'll kip in a hammock."

"Pardon?" Celia asked, her eyes agog. "I-I couldn't possibly…"

"You need ter sleep an' I doubt very much you'd have any with that racket goin' on," he reasoned with an even smile on his face, his hands spread wide in a concilatory gesture.

"But…" she paused, trying to think of a logical excuse to turn down the pirate's offer. "I would be late for work."

"Do you know what time we rise on board? I bet we'd be up an' workin' long before you."

"I need to attend my toilet. I can't go to work dirty."

"So I'll have my cook heat you some water an' you can wash."

"It wouldn't be appropriate," Celia said desperately, fast running out of arguments.

"This is Tortuga, luv. Nothin' is appropriate."

"Thank you, but I must decline your kind offer, Captain. Even if you did sleep in a hammock, people would still assume… well, you know what they would assume."

"Aye, that you finally came to yer senses and realised what an irresistable devil I am," Jack grinned. "I tell you what," he said, guiding her away from the house. "I know for a fact that my master gunner is ashore tonight with his wife – you can have his cabin, eh?"

Celia floundered, her mind racing to try and think up a plausible excuse, but before she could, she found herself at the quayside and looking at a small ship's boat, moored to a bollard.

"Come on, luv. I'll help you down," Jack offered, climbing down to the boat and reaching up for her.

"This isn't a good idea," Celia murmured worriedly, but climbed down anyway.

"You need sleep," the pirate reminded her. "Otherwise what state will you be in for work tomorrow?"

"I do need to rest," she admitted, trying unsucessfully to stifle a yawn as she climbed down the ladders to the boat, tentatively accepting Jack's hand into the boat and onto the bench, snatching her hand away as he brushed his lips across her fingers. "Any more of that nonsense and I will climb back up!"

"No you won't," Jack chuckled as he sat quickly and took up the oars, rowing towards his ship in the middle of the harbour.

"You will keep your word?" Celia enquired.

"I will keep my word," Jack promised. 'More's the pity,' he thought. 'Good job I'm a patient man…'

"What is the name of your ship?"

"Th'Black Pearl," he boasted proudly. "Fastest ship in th'Caribbean."

"I have heard other pirates talk of it," Celia nodded.

"Her," Jack chided gently. "All ship's are she's."

"Are they? I didn't know that."

"See, I've improved yer education already!"

"You're very interested in education, aren't you, Captain?" Celias mused, watching him inquisitively.

"Th'second… no, th'third best thing in th'world."

"What are the first and second then?" she enquired, her curiousity piqued.

"Th'first is sailin' th'Pearl," Jack announced. "Th'second'd make yer blush!"

"Oh…" Celia replied, reddening and being grateful that he could not see the fact that he had embarrased her.

"Captain approaching," Jack called as he neared the ship.

"Eh? Yer rowin' yerself, Cap'n?" John Orchard called down.

"Myself an' a guest, yer cheeky bastard!" Jack retorted, throwing the mooring line up to the deck. "Rig th'bosun's chair."

"Aye, Cap'n," the crewman deferred, knowing better than to push his luck any further.

"I-I can climb," Celia offered nervously.

"You're a lady an' will be treated as such."

"And yet you think nothing of swearing in front of me?" she rebuked.

"You've probably heard worse since you arrived here," Jack shrugged, reaching up to catch the chair as it was lowered. "Come on." He helped her in to the chair then indicated for the crew to heave it upwards, climbing alongside as it rose. "You all right?" he chuckled as she closed her eyes tightly and clung to the ropes.

"J-just f-fine and dandy," Celia gasped, biting her lip. "Am I near the top yet?"

"Do I have a kiss if I say yes?" Jack teased.

"No."

"Then, no, you've still got about ten feet ter go," he laughed as she reached the deck rail and was swung over it by John Orchard and Matthias Swain.

"I thought it might be you," Swain chuckled, nudging his friend knowingly.

"She's here as my guest," Jack growled as he climbed on to the deck, "an' she will be given her due respect, savvy?"

"Sorry, Cap'n, Miss," the two men apologised.

"She's sleepin' in Frazer's cabin, so arrange fer it to be cleaned up," their captain ordered.

"But Frazer's in his cabin. Had an' argument wi'his wife, drank too much booze an' is sleepin' it off."

"He's what?" Jack exploded, making a mental note to punish Frazer for being drunk the night before they sail. "Gibbs?"

"Aye, Mister Gibbs is sleepin' like a babe."

"I'll go back to shore," Celia offered, guessing what may be coming.

"No you won't – who knows how long Giselle will be… busy."

"How do you know it was Giselle?" Celia asked, looking at Jack with a frown. "It could just as easily have been Aggie."

"I recognised her moans," Jack laughed, winking salaciously at the outraged young woman. "You can sleep in my bunk – I'll be sleepin' in a hammock," he announced, loud enough for those on deck to hear and understand his message.

"But…" she spluttered.

"No," Jack said firmly, shaking his head and grabbing her hand, leading her towards the master cabin with a swaying gait.

"But… it wouldn't be…"

"Appropriate," Jack finished for her with a grin. "Welcome to th'Black Pearl." He pushed open the doors with a flourish, waving her in.

Celia stepped cautiously inside his cabin, peering around in the gloom. "This really isn't a good idea…" She blinked as Jack lit a lantern, illuminating the cabin and making shadows bounce off the carved wood panelling.

"Do you want some food?"

"No, I'm fine," she smiled weakly, wishing she had been more assertive in her refusal to come aboard.

"My bunk's in th'side cabin," Jack told her, nodding his head towards a doorway as he uncorked a bottle. "Feel free ter kip down whenever yer want – although I might suggest yer go soon or I'll be carryin' yer ter bed," he winked.

"W-why?" Celia spluttered, backing away from him.

"You look fit ter drop. I'm amazed you can still stand."

"Oh… I see. Y-yes, I think I will go now, if you don't mind. Goodnight, Captain."

"Night Celia, luv. Sleep well."

Celia took a lantern, which Jack offered her, and hurried to the side cabin, pulling the heavy velvet drapes across the doorway and took a deep breath in an effort to calm her racing heart. She leaned against the bunk and eased her boots off, wriggling her stockinged toes before turning and looking at the bunk, which was far larger than in previous ships she had been on, gulping as an image of the pirate captain asleep in it flitted through her mind. 'Stop it!' she chided, hesitantly undoing the laces down the front of her dress, then shrugging it off and laying it over a chair in the corner of the cabin. Celia approached the top of the bunk with trepidation, reaching a timid hand out to pull the bedcovers back. 'You are being silly,' she scolded herself. 'It's not going to jump up and bite you.' She grabbed the coverlets and yanked them back firmly before climbing onto the bunk and settling down, closing her eyes with grim determination.

'What's that smell?' Celia wondered, turning her head to one side and sniffing, still with her eyes closed. 'It's him!' Her eyes shot back open and she looked around in panic, breathing a sigh of relief when she found the side cabin still empty apart from herself. Celia rolled over and closed her eyes again, trying to ignore the tangy, slightly musky smell of her would be rescuer. 'Oh, this is not going to work. I'll never sleep and my reputation will be ruined for nothing,' she lamented. 'But why is he doing this? Why should he care whether I sleep or not, unless… unless he plans to steal in during the night and rape me!' She lay in the bunk, determined to stay awake in case he did what she feared, but all too soon, her eyes grew heavier and hotter until they drooped shut.

"Fer gawds sake!" Jack cursed, looking daggers towards the side bunk as he heard Celia moan and mutter in her sleep. "Some of us are tryin' ter kip here," he growled, leaning over the side of the hammock in an effort to grab a bottle of rum just out of reach, and crying out as the hammock turned and spilled him onto the cabin deck.

"What's that?" came Celia's worried voice from within the side cabin.

"Only me," Jack hissed, snatching the bottle, then hurling it across the cabin as he reaslised it was empty.

"Well do you mind keep the noise down, I'm trying to sleep," she sniped crossly.

"You're tryin' ter sleep?" Jack echoed, his eyebrows in danger of disappearing beneath his bandana, which he had forgotten to take off. "Well, pardon me, Miss Hammond. I have had barely five minutes of sleep, what with your mutterin' an' tossin' an' turnin'."

"I have not been tossing and turning, and I most certainly have not been muttering," she grumbled.

"How th'hell do you know, you were asleep – unlike me."

"Well you have certainly ensured I am asleep no longer! Just what are you doing in there?" she asked suspiciously.

"Tryin' ter have a drink," Jack sniped, crawling across the floor as he spied another bottle under the table. He picked it up, a triumphant grin on his face as he found it was half full.

"Really, Captain?" Celia enquired, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "It sounded to me as if you were dancing with cannonballs strapped to your feet."

"I'll strap bloody cannonballs to your feet in a minute," Jack muttered, shooting a dark look towards the side cabin.

"What did you say?" came her icy voice.

"Nothin', luv," Jack replied sweetly as he popped the cork from the neck of the bottle and tipped most of the contents down his throat. "Nothin' at all," he grinned, wiping his lips on his shirt sleeve.

"Well, if you would be so kind as to keep the noise down?"

"Likewise..."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."