Chapter 10

The Morning After

(Jackie's View)

As I slowly began to drift into consciousness, I feel oddly comfortable. I snuggled closer to the warmth I felt, when an arm reached around my waist and pulled me tight against a warm body. My eyes flew open, and I went deathly still. Then soft snores reached my ears, and I relaxed. I recognized those snores.

'But how did I end up in a bed with Will?'

I closed my eyes again and tried to remember what happened the night before. I vaguely remember matching Will drink for drink. I tried to concentrate harder and fuzzily another memory surfaced. I remembered my father telling us we needed to sleep it off, and then pushing us into a room. I tried even harder, but the headache was not allowing anything else to come to the surface, but I felt that there was something just on the edge trying to come through, but it was no use.

"Uhhh, my head."

I kept my eyes closed, thinking I could put off having to face Will after last night. I couldn't just keep pretending to sleep though and silently scolded myself.

'You're a Sparrow, Jackie, not a coward.'

With one last mental push, I opened my eyes. Upon opening my eyes I found a pair of dark chocolate eyes staring into mine.

"Um, Good Morning Will."

Will leaned towards me and kissed me on the forehead. "Good morning to you."

I knew that if I stayed in the bed any longer, I would embarrass myself and tell him everything. I had to get out of here very quick. I practically leapt from the bed. I turned away from the bed and started straightening my clothes, put my sword and daggers on, slipped my boots on and ran my fingers through my head. I started towards the door, and stopped.

Facing the door, I spoke, "I will meet you downstairs, when you're ready, don't forget we are going to get a crew today." Then I hurried out the door and shut it behind me before he had a chance to respond.

(Will's View)

Jackie left so quick, I didn't even get a chance to process the fact that she was leaving. Then suddenly it dawned on me.

'She doesn't remember last night!'

I thought back thinking of everything that was said.

Flashback

Jack pushed us into one of the tavern rooms. He looked at both of us and then gave me a very stern look. He stepped towards me and lowered his voice so only I could here.

"Tell her how you feel, you owe it to her." He started to walk away and stepped back towards me, "And remember that shes me daughter and do NOT do anything that I will have to kill you for!"

With that Jack exited the room and closed the door behind him.

I tuned and looked at Jackie and she started giggling. I tried to walk towards her and found that I could no longer walk straight. I sat on the bed and removed my boots and weapons. As I looked up I saw Jackie doing the same. I made my way up to the pillows on the bed and laid my head on one of them. A minute later Jackie did the same and was facing towards me. We just looked at each other for a few minutes, I took a deep breath and steadied my nerves.

"Jackie, I need to tell you something, while I have the nerve,.." I didn't get any further though before Jackie interrupted.

"Liquid courage, me rum is," Jackie snickered.

"No Jackie, seriously.."

"Kay, Will, serus…serisly…seriously," Jackie tried to hold a straight face but it only lasted about 10 seconds. Then she erupted into laughter.

After a minute or two, Jackie realized she was laughing alone. She somberly turned towards me and placed her hand on my arm. "I'm sorry, Will, please, I want to hear."

I looked at Jackie and took a deep breath and then continued.

"I wanted you to know that you do not have to pretend around me, I know that you have no intention on returning to Port Royal when this is over."

Jack opened her mouth looking as though she wanted to deny it, but then closed her mouth again. She lowered her head breaking the eye contact that we had.

I cleared my throat and continued, "Therefore, I will not be returning to Port Royal either."

Jackie's head snapped back up, once again meeting my eyes.

"What do you mean?" She spoke very softly, with a breaking sound to her voice.

"I mean that I choose to stay with you, no matter what you are doing or should I say who you are."

"What about Elizabeth?" Her voice was far from steady.

"What about her?" At this point, I was confused.

"Well, I thought you would want to stay with her."

"What, Why, where did you get that idea?"

"Umm, well , you love her don't you?"

"Well, yes of course," Jackie's eyes filled with tears, and it dawned on me what she thought. I quickly added to the comment, "As a sister or close friend, but that is all, and we can always visit her."

I watched as emotions moved through Jackie's face like flickers of light; relief, shock, confusion, and hope. I spoke to her again but could tell that she did not hear me.

"JACKIE, anyone home?"

"What, I'm sorry, Will, what did you say?" Jackie shook her head a little.

I lifted an eyebrow at her and then hesitantly repeated myself in a soft tone.

"I was telling you that it is you that I'm in love with, and only you that I want to be with."

This time Jackie's eyes filled with tears, which started spilling down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry, I would never want to upset you…"

Jackie put her hand to my mouth and shook her head and then leaned in and gave me a soft kiss. She leaned back into the embrace, and I lay there basking in the emotions the one kiss stirred in me. Jackie moved a little.

"I love you too, Will." This was the last thing I heard before I fell asleep.