Chapter 4 – The Hotel California

Elizabeth was annoyed, if the word annoyed was appropriate for her situation. Jack had given her a new identity but for some reason couldn't find the means to give her another set of clothes. The only other one going with them was Gibbs, he was the backup and Jack's 'uncle'.

Standing outside the cab watching as suitcases were put on a trolley she twirled her hair. Then she put her hands down in disgust. Jack told her that she was to get her hair done and colored eye covers since there was no need for contacts.

"Come on Jack. Hurry up." She said and watched as he turned to face her.

"I'm not the one who spent all day wallowing around because I'm too spoiled to sit in my pajamas a few more hours." He said and went back to loading the trolley.

"I am not spoiled."

Jack smiled and finished. "Okay, time to go."

"Finally." Elizabeth said under her breath and Jack took her hand in his. "Now darling, no need to be all upset."

She pulled her hand away from his roughly, she would play the game with him, the sooner he trusted her the sooner she would get away.

Jack handed the tickets to the stewardess and Jack, Elizabeth, and Gibbs got on the plane that was heading to Sacramento.

"I thought you told me we were going to San Francisco?" Elizabeth asked as she took her seat, she was happy that it was by the window but not so happy when she found out Jack was sitting next to her, Gibbs was sitting in the back row with his lap top computer.

"We are, we just have to make a few stops. I have some people to see."

Elizabeth scooted closer to the wall of the plane and Jack pulled out her ID card. "Your name is Elizabeth. The only difference is that you have black hair, green eyes, and are my wife."

"Why the hell would I want to be your wife?"

"I didn't ask if you wanted to be. It doesn't matter, but lets just say there are some people who I can't meet unless I'm married. I'm going to let you decide how and when we got married. Okay?"

Elizabeth was fuming. "No it's not okay. Who are these people that you just have to be married to meet and why me?"

"Well, darling, for your information before you joined us it was going to be Anamaria. Since I can only take two other people with me I decided it would be best if you came with me. Gibbs always comes."

Elizabeth shook her head and looked out the window. "What nonsence."

"Look, all you have to do is hold my hand a little and smile at me, is that so hard?"

She shifted and pulled the airplane blanket out from under her seat. "I guess not. Just don't get so comfortable, I won't be making your dinner and getting into your bed."

Jack put on a face of mock shock. "Darling I would never even bring up making me dinner."

Elizabeth glared at him. "Don't even think about it."

He smiled and put an arm around her shoulders bringing her closer to him. "Now Elizabeth, you should really start acting like a good little wife." He said and put his lips on her neck.

She pulled away and resisted the urge to smack his face. "From what I gather from you Mr. Sparrow, I don't want some sexual disease and I want to make it clear that I'm not some common whore that you think you can just pick up. They do have those in Sacramento do they not?"

"They have them everywhere." He said and put headphones on. They didn't speak the rest of the flight.

"Okay Gibbs, here is your card; Elizabeth." He said and handed her a credit card, "use it however you want. When I'm out you can either have Gibbs go with you to wherever you want to go, within reason, or you can order something. Don't worry, it only has a two-thousand dollar limit. Gibbs your is five."

Even though Jack was talking to her it was as if he was looking right through her. Not that it bothered her, but she couldn't help but think that maybe she had offended him somehow.

"Can we go to the hotel first, I'm rather tired." Elizabeth asked and Jack looked her over.

"Alright, we will head out tomorrow, I'll have some clothes brought for you Elizabeth." He said not looking at her.

"Thank you." She said and the two of them got into a cab, Gibbs would follow later.

Jack took out his cell phone and turned it on, he called Anamaria to let her know they made it and not to call him at that number anymore. He then destroyed the phone and took out a new one. Elizabeth had the feeling the cab driver had been paid off in advance.

"Will you be gone all day or something?" She asked when an uncomfortable silence started to ring in her ears.

"Maybe, tomorrow night you will be coming with me to a very important party however. Get a nice dress before then."

"You only gave me two thousand dollars." She said and looked at her visa.

Jack sighed and shook his head. "I should have thought so. You women spend too much money."

"Well if you want me to go to Sears and pick out a dress that's fine."

"No. Go somewhere nice, you are the wife of a rich man."

Elizabeth raised her eye brows. "Really? And what is it that my husband does?"

Jack continued to look out the window as he fingered an American Express. "He's in the stock market, that I actually know something about. I'm not like those stupid criminals who say they're a doctor and have no idea what to do for a broken bone, then they get caught when they meet a real doctor."

"I take it that that's happened before." She said then paused, "To someone you know."

"I learn from other people's mistakes."

Elizabeth nodded and Jack handed her the other credit card.

"What's the limit?"

Jack gave her a sideways look. "I will turn myself in if you max it out."

"There is no limit is there?"

Jack smiled a little. "I have a few friends. Some in very high places."

"Did you kidnap their daughters too?"

"No of course not, the people we are going to meet tonight don't have children and don't want any. They are high up and above law also, they have money. Just don't say anything stupid and please just go along with what they say and tell you. A lot of them has done some pretty stupid stuff. I know a few of the women have had abortions too. Just let them do what they do. Okay?'

Elizabeth sighed and looked at the hotel as it came into view. "Whatever you say Jack."

"Good."

The inside of the hotel was majestic and Elizabeth realized with much annoyance that she was still in her pajamas. No one noticed however and they were shown to their rooms right away.

"You know Jack, I've been thinking."

"Oh no, it's the end of the world."

"Shut up. I've actually been thinking of a lot of things, one; I like Andrew Charlton better than you, two; coming to California had nothing to do with taking me far away from New York and having a good chase. This was all planed before hand."

"One, I'm glad you liked him, two; your absolutely right, I have been planning this trip for a very long time and if you screw it up there will be consequences."

Elizabeth sighed and opened the dresser and closet. They had clothes already in them.

"I called before hand and told them what I thought your size was, sorry if they don't fit right."

She wasn't really paying any attention. "Thank you." She said and pulled out a nightgown and a robe from the closet, a lot of the clothes looked like they were took out of a Victoria Secret's catalog.

"I have a feeling you were expecting Anamaria to come with you. Is she your girlfriend or something?"

Jack made a look of disgust. "No. She's my cousin."

"Oh." Elizabeth said and started to laugh. "She was going to pretend to be your wife?"

Jack shrugged. "Like I said love, just holding hands a little and smiling, even my cousin could do that."

Elizabeth nodded and went to take a shower. Before she shut the bathroom door she heard Jack's voice call out.

"I'll be back at seven. Be ready."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

After her shower Elizabeth got into bed and took a five hour nap before she felt two strong hands shaking her shoulders. "Wake up darling, it's six-thirty you have about ten minutes to look your best."

Elizabeth shot out of bed and started to look through the closet of clothes, she didn't mean to sleep so long. She was going to go and get a nice dress, but one of these will have to do.

When she heard laughing behind her she turned around. Jack was laughing at her.

"What's so funny. I'll just put on a pair of jeans if you don't shut it!"

Jack looked at her and opened his own drawers, looking for pajamas. It was really eleven at night and he took off his shirt.

Elizabeth glanced at his tone body and inhaled, closing her eyes. 'He's not attractive'. She thought to herself but then her stupid side said; 'Sure he isn't.'

"May I ask what is funny about any of this? I'm confused."

"Well it doesn't take much now does it?"

Elizabeth crossed her arms. Jack was still without a shirt of any kind when he got into bed. "Relax, the party isn't until tomorrow."

"I thought you said, wait, what are you doing? Out of bed!"

"Darling I am paying for this room."

"With money you stole!"

Jack looked annoyed. "So! It's hard work being a criminal, you would be surprised."

"Where am I supposed to sleep?"

Jack snuggled down in the bed. "You can sleep here love, I don't bite."

"That's not what I'm worried about." She said and Jack looked at her, a cocky grin on his face.

"You thought it love, not me."

Elizabeth gave up and made up a bed on the couch before going into the bedroom and pushing Jack out of the bed and smiling to herself at the stream of curses that came from his mouth. Needless to say he got the hint.

TBC