A/N: Thank you for your kind support! I have been writing Jackelica now for 8 years?! Isn't that crazy? I think they will always be my greatest OTP. I feel grateful that we are a bit of a community sharing stories of them, together. :-)

Married

Chapter VII

Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You

Snowflakes flutter in the air, move long any breeze and lay as a beautiful thick cover over the garden. The hedge surrounding the house looks like coming from a fairytale and Angelica can barely remember last time she lived in a winterland. Often the warming Caribbean sun gave her the right opposite of cold and chilly weather, so was the climate in Spain. Naturally the very few times she had encountered this fascinating phenomenon was during trips with Jack, when he had brought her to places far from her many homes.

It is sort of marvelous though. Deeply she breathes and feels peaceful when looking out the grand window. A last time perhaps that she will experience snow. It is not like she will stay in London. As soon as they have done what they are supposed to do, accomplishing this signature on a contract for Governor Milton's sake; she will be free and immediately return home. Never ever set foot anywhere around England, northern parts of the world and most importantly; stay very far away from Jack.

It is a cozy feeling and a fireplace sparkles behind her. A maid is adjusting her dress for the evening and Angelica feels a bit anxious. According to Hans, it is an important event and even she realizes it. There will be many people there and she will have to cooperate with Jack to be able to navigate themselves best way they can. From her position, she can hear Frances begin to whimper. Before hell breaks lose, she decides to head her direction. In the hallway she meets the nursemaid.

"Oh, would you mind?" Angelica wonders.

The nursemaid is already on her way into Frances' room. "Of course not. My pleasure, Lady Teague."

As she disappears into the room, Angelica stands in the hallway. It is better that this nursemaid cares for this child, Frances, rather than Angelica doing it. She was never meant for motherhood and she will only ruin the life of this baby-girl. She prefers to keep her firm distance from her. Not be around her, never risk getting even the slightest attached.

She sees Jack standing across the hallway, outside their so-called bedroom. He watches her but reveals no expression. It does make her uncomfortable. Often she finds it easy to read his mind. He is an expert in fooling her, as much she can admit. However she tends to be able to figure him out, sometimes letting him win her over to whatever his occasion. But now she cannot figure out how his mind goes at all. They had barely spoken since the market square, only letting Hans inform them stuff during their secretive meetings. At least he was back in the bedroom, but sleeping on a couch now. Hans managed to get one inside discreetly. Also selling in, in front of the staff that it was needed for her and Jack to sit down while taking on their shoes.

Sleeping next to Angelica is something Jack wants to avoid as long as possible. And he bets she feels the same way, or else her peering at him tells otherwise.

Does she hate him?

Jack watches her. Why does she awaken such strong emotions in him? And why does he care?

Hans wants him to kiss her on New Year's Eve. Tonight in other words.

He will not tell her of Hans command. Instead giving her a surprise for this, perhaps earning a slap from her. But it will be worth it. He will kiss her alright. Bloody damn alright. He will kiss her like she has never been kissed before. He will sweep her off her feet, showing her who the best man out there is. Him or that Arnold, Adam, Armando, whatever his name was. He will make her beg for him, almost as to her kneeling down for him.

And then.

Then he will crush her.

He must be smiling to her, but devilishly, as she eyes him musingly. She definitely tries to read him and submerges when she cannot. But Jack's smile remains. She moved on.

She dared moving on.

She had him, Captain Jack Sparrow, lingered around her finger for years, since the very first moment they met.

And now she just had moved on.

But the worst part is, Jack does not even know if maybe he is the one to blame for this. What if he was the stupid one letting go? What if he did the mistake, letting her slip through his fingers and now was lost in love with this other man?

Is she in love with him? Does she love him?

Jack swallows.

Aye.

The cat got too close to fire.

Hours later when he meets her again, he is standing in the entrance room. He tries to hang out with Franny-girl, but all she makes is gurgling sounds as she tries to communicate with him. When he holds out his hand for her, she grabs his finger and smiles widely. For being such a miniature of a person, she certainly has a big impact, which he tries to neglect the best he can. The nursemaid is holding the girl and Jack tries to keep Frances at a safe distance. In between he plays with her by teasing her with a tiny doll. Apparently it is overly hilarious as it causes her to smile widely, flashing the few teeth she has gotten. The nursemaid bounces the girl and in between tries to catch an eye from Jack.

"Who is that, Frances?" the nursemaid asks and points to Jack. "It's your father, Frances. Daddy, Frances."

"Ye take care of her well," Jack compliments.

She winks."Of course, I work for you."

He pauses for a moment and Frances takes this opportunity to steal the toy from his hands, only to at once begin to bite on it.

Suddenly Angelica walks down the stairs and approaches the trio. For a brief second Jack wonders of why her so sudden pause, but she seems to reconsider as she does join them.

"Cariña," she caresses Frances lovingly. She may not be a true mother, but the others must think so. When she looks to Jack, she motions to the front door. "Come on."

She just escapes outside as fast as she can, leaving Jack behind to excuse himself. He had still not dropped her the information about the kiss. And he would remain silent about it. He would tease her tonight, make her fall and make her crash.

Is he a terrible man for doing this?

Should he tell her? Warn her?

Again he is reminded that she probably thinks of someone else. When they had been together, and alone, she had brought up the topic of... little ones before. Many times in fact. Hinting. It always gave him a fright. But now? Now she seems to be distancing herself.

It is probably this stupid Armando man's fault. What has he done so greatly to sweep Angelica off her feet? What has he that Jack has not? What makes him the better choice?

Suddenly Jack feels his inner rage build again.

Oh no. He will not tell her. He will play her and may she hurt for this.

The carriage is outside and Jack hurries to her side, gently placing his hand on her lower back. She is just about to jerk, jump at his touch when he leans sideways to her.

"Wifey," he hisses and she remembers what they are doing. She plasters a smile on her face.

He helps her up to the carriage and inside. When he closes the door behind him, he surprises her by plopping down beside her. In a way he had preferred sitting in front of her. But that would mean looking straight at her and that he would like to avoid.

She eyes him carefully, at once aware that he is up to something. It is like she can smell it. She notices him examining every inch of her, particularly with a gaze stuck somewhere he has not accessed for years. If her goose bumps come by nervousness or by the fact her husband is checking her out is a question she decides to not answer.

"I look like a fool," she comments.

For someone usually dressed in pants, boots and comfier, mostly practical clothes, wearing overloads of fabrics and less so at parts where she would actually like to cover, is not a favorable action she enjoys.

"Ye look like a million golden coins, darlin'."

Angelica's eyebrow quirks. "When did ye start drinking today?"

The question is actually sincere.

Oh, no, Angelica. She is not starting another banter with him. Not now when he is supposed to charm his ways through her invisible yet rigid bubble.

"I mean it, love."

She snorts. "I think your cocktails hours began a little early this morning."

When she notices his continuous literally hungry stare, she moves her hand to softly grab his face by a hold under his chin, forcing his eyes up to hers. "I'm here, Jack."

Wooing Angelica, never easy but always exciting. His vision falls onto her lips. In a few hours, actually quite many, he will feel those. He will have his brush against those, he will taste them, lick them, tease them, devour them.

"You're wearing the diamond," he simply comments as if to excuse his staring. That he in fact was observing the necklace rather than what she believed, and perhaps what he actually did. He looks away from her to miss her look of not believing a word that comes out of his mouth. When he sees her in the corner of his eyes, he notices that she appears nervous. By how she fidgets and looks around. Awaiting her, she eventually speaks.

"Are we doing this tonight?" she wonder aloud.

She knows of the kiss?

"Come again?"

"We will do our job, sí? No trying to kill one another?"

Jack grins wryly and nods once.

Oh, dearest Angelica. She does not have a bloody clue.

He will make her fall so hard.

He opens his mouth to reply but shuts as the carriage stops. The servant opens it and Jack goes out of it. He notices guests of the night's celebration watching him intriguingly. When he turns to Angelica with an outreached hand, he winks reassuringly to her. Gently she places her hand in his and lets him play the gentleman, assisting her down.

"People are looking at us, Jack," she lets out only for him to hear.

"Because of me," Jack announces. Angelica is just about to warn him of his grand ego when he spills. "Being married to the most lovely wife."

She wants to look puzzled, slightly amazed at the act he can keep up with. But she in fact reckons it so truthful and in a genuine tone that she ends up blushing, turning her face almost shyly away from him.

Now this is bad for her. Her not knowing whether it is the act or true Jack speaking. Whatever it is, it works. And Jack cannot feel more confident.

The house of Montgomery. It is an estate that is well deserved of its reputation. Many nosy guests are eying the Teagues closely. A man greets them and shakes Jack's hand, kisses Angelica's and introduces himself as the owner of the the property. Monty Montgomery. What a name. It triggers Jack to open his mouth, a bit of desire to remark it, but he knows he cannot do that right now.

Instead he introduces himself and Angelica.

"Is it true that you have come all the way from Caribbean?" Monty is eager to hear.

And this is the topic of the first hours. Everyone eager to present themselves, wonder and hear about the foreign seas. About the properties Jack owns, and how Angelica is related to the Spanish crown. The lies are grave and bad, but Angelica and Jack have both really studied their journals closely. Specifically when they have not been on speaking terms anyhow lately. And as Angelica had avoided the baby-girl, primarly handing her over to the nursemaid who in any other case knows how to care for a child better than Angelica, she got a lot of free time to read the papers about her own new identity. Whenever she did feel guilty of it, she only got proof of her need of growing further firmer on keeping the girl at a distance.

Hans would later in the evening check her for the answers and she did get it right. At points when Jack also attended the room, she would though throw a remark that was closer to the real truth rather than the lie. However twisted in a bad way for Jack, like commenting his brainless ways of captaining a ship, or making business. Whatever to cause a reaction from him. She did earn a few eyes here and there but he actually managed to stay silent. Which surprised her.

He must have really been mad at her.

For real.

Among the guests he does act like a husband and does get a few imaginations of how a life with him could have been like. Thoughts of how their path would have looked like, adjoined. He is in fact acting all... lovely. How he tenderly watches over her, gently guides her around and proudly introduces her.

It is first when he for the first time announces:

"Lord Jack Teague and my wife, Lady Angelica," that her head had jerked his way. Barely she noticed when her hand was kissed or by whom. To hear him utter the w-word, introduce her as his wife was... hot? Something her younger version only imagined before. It was never a reality and she sort of fought the ideas away whenever they appeared.

She had to swallow and force the thoughts back. No, it was not hot. It was a nightmare. Sí? Having that title to Jack.

Her mind thinks something. That it is bad. That she wants to throw up by hearing that title on herself.

But then there is this warm sensation inwardly, inside, that is drawn to him even more for each time he mentions the w-word.

One thing she knows for sure. She hates it.

Whether it is because of getting called his wife, or the fact she suspects it has a physical effect on her - she non mistakenly hates it.

Finally at last, they are introduced to the ones they came for.

The Teagues are guided through a long hallway to a smaller ballroom. There is this lounge area with baroque furniture. Coaches looking like having been delivered straight from a palace and coffee tables a gift from the king of England. Jack firstly notices the wagon containing rum, but Angelica nudges him carefully to stay focused on the people hanging around the lounge area.

"Lord and Lady Teague," Monty speaks. "I wanted to introduce you to my closest cousin; Baron Rothley."

Baron Rothley, an immensely powerful man. He appears to be around Jack's age and he wears a confident aura that screams of his authority. His expression is bitter and he seems somewhat bored. When Jack arrives, he looks interested of this new face, but nothing more than that.

"Peter," Monty says as the three approach the group of people. Baron Rothley peers at Monty, clearly not fancying the way his cousin addresses him. "This is the lord and his lady, the Teagues, from Caribbean."

Baron Rothley eyes them closely, particularly Angelica.

Jack notices at once and steps in front of her as if to make himself more visible. The last thing he needs is a baron hot on his wife.

The baron stands up and approaches Jack while trying to get a glimpse of Angelica. He stretches out his hand.

"Baron Peter Rothley, the third."

Is it possible for a man to appear less interested?

Jack smiles carefully. "Lord Jack Teague, the fourth."

"The fourth?" Baron Rothley repeats, musing on the word. He is about to open his mouth when Angelica steps up beside Jack, snapping the baron's attention at once. How he looks at her reveals his enchantment and Jack would have shown his disapproval if he would not be so bloody infernal in need of getting approved by this man.

Whether she is false or true, Jack cannot tell, but she blushes and lets the baron grab her hand to kiss it. He can almost claim her sharing a flirtatious look with the baron.

"And who are you, Lady Teague?" he wonders.

She draws in her breath and glances to Jack quickly before responding. "Angelica."

"Angelica," Baron Rothley slowly repeats. He looks at her intensely and the grin he wears is not near a sweet one at all. "Welcome to my cousin's home."

She smiles to him and Jack almost rolls his eyes. Now, how is things going to turn out if this barons falls head over heels for his wife? Maybe Hans idea of kissing her would not be fitting after all. If he pisses of Mr Rothley, who knows how hated Jack would be?

He knew he never should have signed that contract. It can probably have been the worst move he ever have done in his lifetime.

"Peter!"

The four turn to a younger woman approaching them.

"Monty," she goes on when she sees Monty there. She looks between Jack and Angelica and smiles warmly. "Who are you, if I may ask?"

The diamond on her finger is fast caught by Angelica's eye. It is grandiose and something tells her she is married to the baron himself.

"Lord and Lady Teague, this is my wife - Anna."

Ah, she was right.

The woman is beaming as she is introduced, smiling broadly as if she just had won on the local lottery.

"How lovely to meet you. There have been so many rumors of the two of you."

By Angelica's rigid smile, Anna goes on.

"Of course only good ones," she says and touches Angelica's arm assuringly. "However I must confess I was beyond curious. It isn't often we get visitors all the way from… sort of America. Isn't it, Peter?"

Rothley nods in agreement. He then chuckles and for the first time Jack notices a lighter side of this man.

"Do not scare the guests away, Anna."

"My apologies, my darling."

"No," Angelica shakes her head and now she is the one who assuringly touches Anna's arm. Jack finds it almost comedically how the ladies act alike. "Don't. We are just happy to be here. Aren't we, Jack?"

Jack nods too in agreement, now realizing he is just like Rothley himself.

"Well," Rothley announces and gestures to the now empty lounge area. "Why don't we sit down," and he shoots Monty a warning glare that causes his cousin to leave. "Lord Teague you say?" Rothley suddenly smiles. "I've heard you own many properties in the Caribbean."

After scanning the area discreetly, as if someone may be able to announce his lies, he explains. "Ay- Yes! Many, many ones," and he tries to recall what is written in his journals. "I own Grenada and St Lucia."

"Oh, you do?" Rothley is impressed and must stop tracks to investigate Jack. "You are an island owner, as well?"

"I am," Jack declares and silences when he notices Angelica and Anna further ahead. They have plopped down in the couch area, already laughing and into a conversation. A servant runs around and tries to serve them champagne in the meantime.

He is impressed. Angelica is way better than he expected her to be. Or is he really?

Impressed he is, but she has always been a great master to anything she decides to set her mind upon. She achieves anything.

"Looks like they are becoming friends," Rothley smiles.

Jack swallows. So this is going well, aye? The Rothleys have definitely taken an interest of them.

Rothley snatches his fingers and causes another servant to hurry over to them, almost bending over when offering the tray with glasses of champagne.

"No thank you," Jack speaks politely. "I prefer rum."

Rothley appears almost as if he is ashamed. "Of course, rum?" he looks back to the servant. "Rum it is! Quickly!"

And Jack would be thankful for rum. To pour it all down while sitting in the lounge area with this Rothley. Strange how it even helps him to remember what to say, what words to recall and how to formate anything into something impressive while never giving a touch of who he really is. He will need a good night's sleep after this evening.

And Angelica is enjoying herself in Anna's company. Whenever he looks over to the ladies they seem to be all over whatever topic, laughing and the servant is almost sweaty by all champagne he must serve them. For a brief moment Jack reconsiders if he does want to do this to her anymore.

When he sees her smile widely, he reflects it. Unconsciously. He is not at all aware of his foolish grin that just simply spreads across his lips when seeing her genuine happiness.

Gone in trance he eventually realizes he has missed the last minutes Rothley-man has spoken. Although in drunken state, Rothley does not notice of Jack's absent mind. It is first when he waves and gestures for Anna and Angelica to join them that Jack awakens from his state. Nervously he fidgets when Angelica catches him looking.

When Anna sits down closely to Rothley and lets him kiss her neck, Jack realizes the drunken state of the Rothleys. At first, Jack sort of expects Angelica to sit down in one of the other couches, but she surprised him by ending up in his lap, an arm around his shoulder as she nudges herself into his side comfortably.

Jack swallows but like a reflex, just pulls her tighter to his side. Only to make things appear natural, of course.

"We must join the party in the ballroom soon, we've been here for too long," Anna giggles.

Rothley is entertained. "No why I am perfectly fine here, encountering our new Londoners. They are way more interesting than the imbeciles inside."

Anna pouts. "But my sister is in there."

"My point exactly."

She hits his arm but ends up laughing, Rothley soon joining.

"Doesn't he remind me of someone," Angelica whispers only for Jack to hear, meeting his gaze.

Who?

Him, Jack?

Rothley reminds Angelica of Jack? In what way? That he was wealthy, powerful and possibly can do whatever he likes whenever he likes? Aye, that would be a fine compliment.

But something is telling him that it is not that particular part that reminds her of him. In between being a fun sort to actually hang out with, Jack felt the jerk side of this man.

Or...

Speaking of jerks… Not that he knows this is a jerk. But who is not jerk to steal Angelica from him? She has never been his to begin with, but even so.

Armando.

Jack's eyes darken again.

He watches Angelica closely, how she hugs him tightly while keep being overwhelmed. Being surrounded by so many people all the time is a handful. For someone watching them, they must appear like a true couple. And again, he is back at the start. Where everything hurts. Angelica bloody Teach that apparently is in love with this other man. And who was he to wrap her around his finger like this, from Jack? What had he done so greatly that Angelica would not budge for Jack?

Who is this man?

Why does she not let go?

Why does she not come to Jack?

Fully?

He swallows the irritation.

Nah, he will kiss her.

Oh, bloody he will kiss her.

And she will feel precisely what he feels like right now.

She will feel his every emotion.

To go from profound… love, straight into pure hatred.

Aye, she will feel it.

He will make sure of it.

Yet it feels immensely empty when she stands. Anna and Rothley urging Jack and Angelica to join them inside the grand ballroom. Strolling beside Angelica, Jack has her a bit closer to his side than he tends to - as a husband. The time away from her he has spent ignoring her definitely shows off now. He truly misses her by his side.

Gently he guides her forward to this ballroom. None of them has probably ever faced that many well-dressed people. Not even that many people in general. And none of them had most certainly stood inside such a grandiose ballroom. At least not as guests.

"I never knew you'd be such a good husband," she suddenly speaks, again only for Jack to hear.

What is that?

A compliment?

He tries to look around. Is this an act?

He cannot tell.

Because he was only the one who heard her.

Was she being sincere?

She stands in front of him to adjust his tie, softly and fragilely as if she perhaps could break it. He draws in his breath and hopes she does not notice how it hitched by her touch. He bites his tongue and avoids her gaze to look around the room. Many guests sneak a glance in their way, some obviously so as they keep staring.

Ah, so this was an act?

"A gentleman. Knew you had it somewhere in there," she whispers.

It is her eyes that reveal it. No, it be no act. He was the only one who heard that too.

He meets her eye and can tell by her look, eyes and particularly mouth not far from his. And she keeps adjusting his tie.

May she never get it right…

She teasingly smiles and Jack immediately reflects it.

"Aye?"

She tilts her head.

"I mean - yes?" Again he takes a quick glance around to make sure no one heard him.

Nobody did and he is back looking into her entrancing eyes.

Did Armando get to be this close to her?

Does he get to be physical with her?

Does she like being around him?

Does she love him?

Has she no feelings for him anymore?

Is she only playing with him?

She is toying him?

Is she just using Jack, and truly wants Armando in the end? Is that what she wants? Doing sincerely anything to save Armando? Would she choose him over Jack?

Screw not hurting her.

He will hurt her, aye.

Oh, he will hurt her.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven!"

More people joins the sudden countdown and Angelica spins around to see the lad on a pedestal changing a piece of paper with a number, every second that passes.

The Rothleys excitedly joins and shouts the numbers. Angelica herself is smiling widely.

"Six, five, four!"

Like a chorus. And she turns back around to Jack, at once holding his intense eye while others shout:

"Three, two!"

Come on.

"One!"

And everybody cheers. Rejoicing and throwing things, glasses, anything - everywhere. Confetti is thrown by what sounds like an explosion and most share hugs and kisses.

Jack's eyes fall on her lips - again. They are parted slightly and her whole chest almost pops out by her throbbing breathing.

If he only had not known precisely how she looks underneath. How well she feels against him, lightening every single part in him with her movements. Bringing him over edges he did not know of. Pulling his soul literally out of his body with each muffled moan she let slip. How a mere eye from her can be enough to silence him for good. How her very touch makes him freeze.

How she does everything to him. How she is everything.

How she could devour his everything and make him shake inside, melting into her like a magnet that finds it impossible to go. Her delight touch that awakens such strong emotions in him that brings him inside her bubble. A bubble he never wants to leave.

She does that to him.

Always.

And all the wants...

All he wants... Jack swallows. Is to... To have her.

When her vision tears from his eyes to land on his lips, he cannot take it anymore and throws his very own glass over his shoulder.

For what was supposed to be a light and tender new year's eve kiss, Jack ends up eating her up and she responds as the hungry lioness she is.

And now suddenly he wishes they would not be in a crowded ballroom filled with guests he needed to impress. He wished to pull her along him down the hallway, press her against a wall and have her.

Oh, his dearest Angelica. What does she do to him?

Everything.

Her scent, oh my… driving him insane.

He cannot get enough of her.

Ever.

He wants her. He needs her.

Her teasingly kissing only winds him up further. And he soon realizes he is the one who will end up begging. Having her against him causes him to almost lose it. He is about to go insane. She is too alluring for him to handle.

"Angelica, please..," he whispers.

She draws him closer and lovingly pulls her hands through his hair as she moves to his ear, letting it come out as a clear whisper.

"You didn't think I knew what you were about to do, Cariño?"

Still breathing heavily, he freezes.

What?

What the actual..?

She pulls back and holds a hand out to distance them, completely cold.

He must look like a questioning mark at first. But then he realizes.

She just fooled him?

Worse.

She did precisely what he had planned on doing with her.

"Ye..," he fumes but shuts, realizing he cannot explode in front of the others.

Calmly, she smirks, well aware of how she won round one.

He had definitely underestimated her.

That wench.

That witch.

That…

"Game on, Jack."

A/N: Like it/Hate it? (And yes Anelah, regarding your review; even if I am "the writer" - I agree! ;-) )

By the way, I have always said "Jackelica," but of course noticed that some say "Sparrangelica". What do you prefer? Nobody uses like, "Jangelica." That could be a shipping name too, right?

Joking, Jangelica would be too fun! Think I'll stick to Jackelica. Well, see you guys in next chapter :-) Feel free to contact me in reviews/PMs etc.