Chapter Twenty: Forever and Ever

Jack woke with a pounding headache and a warm body next to him that shouldn't have been there. He really hadn't meant to do anything other than drink last night. He really didn't want to hurt Cordelia again either. She meant a lot to him and he could tell he meant a lot to her as well.

He was just about to wake the woman beside him and tell her to leave when she groaned and rolled over in her sleep. Jack froze. It wasn't a whore. It was Cordelia.

"Bloody hell," he whispered.

Cordelia opened her eyes. Jack's widened.

"Good morning," she said sleepily.

"That was you?" he asked, almost petrified.

"What?"

"Last night, that was you and not some whore?"

"Yeah."

"Oh God. I'm so terribly sorry about whatever we did. I was real drunk and you said your name was Juliet and you were talking different and...luv I'm real sorry."

"Why?"

"Because we...wait, what?"

"You don't remember but you passed out before we had our clothes off. We didn't do anything."

"We didn't? Good, good. I really do want to respect your wishes you know. Not violate you and keep you safe and all that. I can't say I want you to leave and find a secure life somewhere else but I'll help you do whatever you want to do."

"Jack."

"What?"

"I'm really flattered that you want to help me get wherever it is I could do that but I don't think that's what I really want anymore. These past few days have made me realize that this is where I want to be and you're the one I want to be with. I pretended last night to get you out of that tavern but also to see what you're really like. You're so much more guarded around me. But I love you when you're drunk and I love you when you're passed out and the only thing I need to know is will you have me?"

Jack looked at her. She seemed calm enough but he knew this was hard for her, wearing her heart on her sleeve.

"Of course I'll have you. Forever and ever I'll have you and I'll be yours."

The Black Pearl set sail with the morning tide. Cordelia sat in the galley with Will, avoiding the last minute rush to get things squared away. She was happily chatting to him and he could tell that everything was all right.

"Will? What's wrong, you're awful quiet."

"Hmm. Oh nothing, just trying to think of what to tell Elizabeth."

"Tell her the truth. Odds are she'll understand. Anyway, she sounds like she'd give Jack a run for his money from what he tells me."

"Who'd give me a run for my money?" Jack asked, entering the galley.

"Elizabeth," Will said bleakly.

"Aye, she probably would. She'll probably berate me for pulling you into this life as well. She's just as bad as you really," he said to Cordelia.

"Oh she is, is she? How am I 'bad' then?"

"You're shamelessly in love with a pirate," he replied, kissing her cheek. "And you both know it."

"Tell me something I don't know," Will said.

"Don't worry Will, she'll come around," Cordelia said smiling at Jack. "We always do."

THE END

Author's Note: The sequel, The Malagasy Expedition, is now up. Feedback is still welcome though. Thanks.