Howdy! (Lol.) Okay, so this is the fourth chapter . . . I need some feedback. After reading this chapter . . . do you think Alex has forgiven Jack too quickly? Trust me, things aren't going to be perfect and peachy after this, but still . . . judging by this chapter and all.
Cornishxxxpixie- I am so happy you reviewed. I checked my emails literally hours after I uploaded (okay, so it was 18 hours). I was afraid no one would remember me! Yes, boys. There are some new kids at school, so I was staring . . . Lol. On with the story.
Chapter four: Tears of Revenge
Jack led Alex away from the crowd, and embraced her warmly, not letting her go for a long time. She breathed in his wonderful scent and closed her eyes, content being in his strong arms that held her in such a gentle, loving embrace. 'I'm not gonna disappear on yeh 'gain, love,' he murmured in her ear, smiling to himself when the salty wind picked up her hair, tickling his nose and his cheeks. Her fingers drifted back and forth over the exposed skin on his shoulder.
'I know,' she whispered.
'This is the closest we've been since then,' he stated, and she nodded. He rubbed her back gently, wanting to kiss her, but also wanting to save such an action for when she was free of her fears. 'Yeh're hidin' somethin' from me, love. Somethin' more t' why yeh want Hurston dead.'
'What he did isn't enough?' she asked, but her tone wasn't scornful. She hesitated, sighing softly. 'I want to be with you again, Jack. But I'm scared. The wood creaks at night at Liz's, and I jump awake. You sneak up on me accidentally and I lose it. I feel like . . . if I knew he's dead, I can be normal again.'
'Yeh never should've gone through that,' he muttered angrily, but calmed down when she shifted uncomfortably from his tone. 'I love yeh, Alex. I'm never gonna 'urt yeh.'
She smiled softly and whispered, 'I know you won't, Captain Jack Sparrow.' He grinned lopsidedly and she pulled away, holding his hand for a brief moment before she was out of his reach. 'I'm tired. I'll see you in the morning?'
'O' course,' he stated. 'Yeh can sleep in me room, darlin'. I promise not t' startle yeh.'
'You don't mind?' she asked.
''Course not. Sweet dreams,' he murmured, and then disappeared into the shadows, on his way to the helm. She smiled and entered his cabin, lighting a candle before she closed the door. Empty rum bottles were scattered everywhere, and maps lay marked and discarded on the desk. After placing the candle on the bedside table, she pulled off her boots, climbed into the bed and inhaled deeply.
'Lord, I love you, Jack,' she whispered to the shadows, and then blew out the candle. Darkness engulfed her and she drifted to sleep.
'You hurt her and I swear I'll kill you,' Carolyn hissed, startling Jack out of his giddy haze. He stood at the helm, arms draped lazily over the wheel, his eyes dancing with joy. His grin faltered and he furrowed his brows at the young woman who had come to stand before him.
'Yeh mean Alex? I'm not gonna 'urt her,' he stated.
'Really? Where were you while she was suffering, hmm?' A flicker of anger lit in Jack's stomach.
'I searched fer her best I could. I'm not a miracle worker – I'm a pirate,' he snapped. Something in Carolyn's demeanor changed.
'She loves you, Sparrow. She used to talk about you in her sleep. I showed compassion towards you not long ago because of that, but the moment you take a step too far I'll be ready to pounce.'
'I can see why Alex likes you,' Jack muttered. 'You're fiery – not quite as fiery as her – but fiery all the same.' Carolyn's eyes narrowed.
'You don't know her anymore. I can see the change in her. Don't you dare lead her on and then decide you don't love her anymore.' Jack began to lose his patience, and took a dangerous step towards Carolyn.
'If yeh – '
'What's going on?' Alex asked, arms crossed over her chest. Carolyn shrugged and quickly walked away, easily hiding her anger, but left a fuming Jack behind to deal with Alex. 'Jack . . .?'
'I'm not sure I like 'er anymore,' Jack muttered, clenching the spokes on the wheel out of his anger.
'I wouldn't be here without her, Jack. Tell me what was going on,' she requested quietly. He sighed heavily.
'I thought yeh said yeh were goin' t' bed.'
'I couldn't sleep. Don't dodge the question, Jack Sparrow. What was going on?' she repeated sternly, standing in front of him on the other side of the wheel, sliding her hands over his. His gaze fell to their hands, and he rubbed her fingers with his thumbs.
'She was lookin' out fer yeh, that's all. She suggested yeh'd changed t' the point where I'd fall outta love with yeh 'n I got angry,' he muttered. Alex sighed softly.
'I have changed,' she stated, 'but I don't think I've changed all that much. I have a few more quirks than I did before . . . but I don't believe it's anything you can't handle, savvy?' He met her gaze and grinned, and she smiled, walking around the wheel to rest against him. Despite the chill, ocean breeze, he was warm, and when he wrapped an arm around her waist, her head resting on his shoulder, she was content.
'Savvy. I am, of course, Cap'n Jack Sparrow,' he reminded her, but his smile fell. 'Is it 'ard fer yeh bein' this close t' me?'
'No,' she said. 'I thought it might be, but I feel safe with you. I don't really understand it. I used to hear whores, and just regular woman, talk about rape. They said it was hard to be with anyone afterwards, but it's . . . . Not. At least, it's not hard to be with you.'
'Do yeh . . . still love me?'
'Yes,' she breathed, not needing to look at him to confirm it. She felt him smile. 'I never stopped loving you, Jack.'
'I wanna tell yeh what 'appened, exactly as it 'appened.'
'You don't need to prove to me you didn't have anything to do with what Hurston did, Jack.'
'I feel like I do,' he confessed. 'I feel . . . guilty 'bout it.'
'I can tell,' she smiled, meeting his gaze. 'Tell me, if you wish.'
There was a large crash outside their room, causing Jack to stir and slowly wake, placing a gentle kiss on Alex's cheek. She shifted in her sleep, but did not wake. He pulled the blankets closer to her, covering her to the shoulder, and laid a hand on her hip. Gentle rays of sun filtered in through the grimy window. Jack found himself staring at the shadows growing in the room when he stomach growled. Realizing he hadn't had dinner the night before, and neither had Alex, he carefully pulled away from her loving embrace and tucked the blankets even closer to her, hoping she would not wake before he returned. Just in case, he wrote her a quick note.
Thought I would spoil you. Be back soon with a surprise.
By 'surprise,' of course, he meant breakfast. He quickly dressed, stomach growling the entire time, and exited the room, heading down to the pub. They served some meals – not many, but some – and he bought the best for them both. A shiver ran down his spine, like someone was watching him. He sat down on a stool at the bar, waiting for the food, and let his hand fall to his belt, realizing too late he didn't have his pistol. He looked around. A young man with unkempt, ginger hair looked away, a pistol lying inches from his fingers on the table before him. Furrowing his eyes in thought, Jack believed he recognized him . . . But after nearly five minutes, his efforts proved fruitless. The man stood, stuffed his pistol in his belt, and left the tavern.
Not ten minutes after the man's exit, he ran back into the tavern, looking fearful. His eyes fell on Jack. 'Jack Sparrow, sir?'
'Cap'n Jack Sparrow, if yeh please,' Jack drawled, helping himself to a rum while he waited.
'Yar ship, the Black Pearl, s'under attack!'
Jack jumped to his feet, gulped down one last drink of rum, and followed the man to the docks. Nothing stirred. Drunks were asleep around the edges of the buildings, and a few whores were meandering out of private rooms where they had done their sexual duties. Confused, Jack didn't realize the man was standing behind him, out of his sight. Gibbs was nearby, supervising the restocking of the ship.
'Who's attacking?' Jack growled in irritation.
'Me.'
Jack spun around, and found the ginger haired man had a pistol to his head. His thoughts of escape were confused, and instead lay with Alex. What trouble had he just put her in? What if she walked out of the tavern just now, looking for him? Would she be shot?
'Listen, Sparrow,' the man spat, but Jack interrupted him.
'What's yer name, boy?'
'Ya don't recognize me? It's Robert Hurston! Where've yeh hidden my beauty?'
'She's not yers,' Jack snarled, forgetting about the pistol.
'She was mine 'fore she was yars, old man,' Hurston growled. Jack spit on the man, and then tried to grab for the gun during Hurston's distraction, but instead he heard a loud crack. Pain filled his shoulder, making it hard for him to breath. Hurston stood grinning at him stupidly as Jack sank to the ground, his hand pressed to his bleeding shoulder. The younger man aimed the gun again, this time at Jack's heart.
Another shot rang out. 'Get away from him, filth!' It was Gibbs. Jack furrowed his brows, trying to clear his vision, but all that returned was further darkness . . .
Alex had stepped back, leaning against the wheel to watch Jack as he spoke. Jack trailed off, looking ashamed. 'I . . . I looked all over fer yeh when I was well enough,' he muttered. 'I guess I didn't know Tortuga as well as I thought I did.'
'Don't worry 'bout it.' She ran her fingertips over the coarse hairs on his jaw line and offered him a small smile. 'What you told me is all I need.'
'How'd Hurston explain it t' yeh? Why'd yeh get so angry with me?' he asked, and she smiled bitterly.
'I'm sorry about that, by the way. Well . . . he never really explained it. He just said you were gone, and I was his now.' Jack shushed her gently, and she realized she had begun to tremble. His lips grazed her neck, and his arms wrapped around her waist, bringing her closer. Her breath hitched in her throat, but she tried to continue speaking. 'I-I guess I was scared, is all.' His fingers trailed lightly over her back, and she met his gaze. His lips were parted slightly, and she bit her lip.
'Don't worry 'bout me, love. I can contain meself,' he stated, grinning boyishly, and she smiled.
'Okay,' she grinned. Her eyes gained a mischievous twinkle. 'I want some rum.'
'Rum?' He smiled. 'I can fix that. Ana, the helm!' Anamaria walked up, and Alex embraced her yet again. Ana smiled and hugged the blonde back, quirking an eyebrow at Jack. He quickly explained, 'The lady wants some rum.'
'Oh, of course,' Ana grinned. 'Keep an eye on 'im, Alex.'
Alex laughed. 'You know I will.' Jack smiled and led her to his cabin, locking the door behind him.
'Afraid Carolyn'll kill you for being in here alone with me?' Alex asked. Jack glanced at the door thoughtfully.
'Slightly.'
Alex laughed, and stifled a yawn. 'Where's the rum?'
''Ow long 'as it been since yeh 'ad a drink?' he asked, pulling out a two drinks, silently deciding he'd stay sober tonight, not daring to risk what he might think of doing drunk. She thought it over.
'Awhile.'
'Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho,' he murmured, handing her a bottle. She smiled and sat down on the bed, lazily uncorking it. He sat down beside her, only pretending to drink.
Jack watched as the drunken Alex slept quietly, her head resting on his chest. She had been surprisingly quiet drunk, but had a tormented look to her eye, like memories were coursing through her head. After the second bottle, she had succumbed to sleep, and he had offered her whatever comfort he gave her by sleeping close to him. He too had slept for awhile, but now it was morning, though he would not leave her. Not to wake up and find herself alone. Not again.
She shifted, rubbing her eyes. Slowly realizing she was close to someone, she tensed and looked up to see who it was, relaxing when she saw Jack. He ran his fingers through her hair.
'It's alrigh', love. It's only yer ole Jack,' he murmured, and she pressed her hand to her head.
''Only?' And Jack, you're not old,' she smiled. 'Dammit, my head hurts.'
'It's the rum, love.'
'No, really?' she asked sarcastically, and smiled. Her smiled slowly faded when she looked at the door.
'What's wrong, darlin'?' Jack asked softly, and she shrugged.
'None of this makes sense. I mean . . . Carolyn's really close to me now . . . but I just feel like getting rid of her. I don't really want to . . .'
'Maybe yeh're tryin' t' make things go back to how they used t' be?' he suggested, and she nodded.
'Probably.' He placed a hand on her shoulder when he saw her eyes cloud with tears. 'I was so scared.'
'Yeh don't 'ave t' be now. I'm not gonna let anythin' 'appen t' yeh,' he promised, and she smiled softly and kissed his cheek.
'Thank you.' He shrugged and stood, opening the window. The sunlight hit the bed and Alex groaned, burying her face in the pillow. He chuckled lightly and closed the window once more.
'Sorry, love.'
'Not gonna let anything happen to me my ass,' she growled, voice muffled by the pillow. 'First thing you do is open the damn window. My head nearly split open!'
Jack laughed once more and sat down again, laying a hand on the small of her back. 'Yeh gonna be well 'nough t' take on Tortuga? I'm guessin' it'll only be a few more hours 'til we're there, love.'
'Damn.' She carefully removed her head from the pillow, rubbed her eyes, and sneezed. Jack fell into another round of laughter. 'Laugh all you want, Jack. I'll just throw up on you when I get the urge.' He continued to laugh, but held up his hands in surrender. She crossed her arms over her chest. 'Damn right I'll be well enough for Tortuga! I'm not completely weak.'
''S not what I meant, darlin',' he murmured, running the tip of his thumb over her lips. She kissed his searching finger and grasped his wrist gently, pressing his hand to her cheek.
'I love you,' she whispered, and he sat up, wrapping his arms around her firmly, his lips pressing in quick, tender kisses to her cheek and her neck, and lastly on the corner of her mouth.
'I love yeh, t',' he breathed, meeting her gaze meaningfully.
I am so, so sorry! I thought I had uploaded this earlier! Again, I'm so sorry!
Okay, chapter's over. Groan, right? Please review! Hugs to all of my readers/reviewers! You're all so awesome!
Alyssa
