Disclaimer: I own my OCs, and sadly, that is all.
A Sparrow's Shadow on the Sea
Bring It On
"Gibbs!" Jack shouted, hurrying onto the deck of the Pearl, with me in tow.
"Aye, Cap'n!" Gibbs voice hollered from somewhere on the deck. He emerged from behind a barrel, looking slightly disheveled.
"Have all the supplies been delivered and stowed below?" Jack asked him urgently.
"Aye, Cap'n, they have," the first mate responded.
"And have all the men returned from town?" Jack questioned.
"I believe they have," Gibbs answered.
"Excellent! We sail with the tide, Gibbs. Head for that bay on the other side of the island. We'll ride out the storm there," Jack said in a rush, as he pulled me along toward the cabin.
Gibbs eyed Jack peculiarly, then turned his attention to me. "Cap'n seems a bit flustered, Miss," Gibbs commented.
"My fault, Gibbs," I called, as Jack pulled me toward the cabin, "I'll take care of it!"
"See that we're not disturbed, Gibbs!" Jack shouted over his shoulder.
We entered the cabin, and I heard Jack closing and locking the doors. I turned to face him. He was leaning against the doors, panting from his rush to get back. I watched his tan chest rise and fall within his worn linen shirt. He took off his coat, and tossed it onto a chair. He methodically removed his weapons and affects, placing them on the table. His graceful hands unfastened his sash, loosened it, and allowed it to fall to the floor. He slipped out of his vest, tossing it to the same chair as his coat.
I looked up at him. He had been watching me as he disrobed. A hint of a smirk twitched at the corners of his lips, but then he suddenly became quite serious.
"It's not nice to keep secrets, luv," he growled dangerously, "Particularly those of such a sensitive and beguiling nature." He stared me down with narrowed eyes, and I could feel my breath catch in my chest. I could never be anywhere near this man, without my senses coming completely undone.
I strolled toward him, slowly, as I spoke, "Now, Jack, if I shared all my secrets with you," I reached up to trail my fingers softly along his cheek and jaw, "I would have no tricks left to keep you from becoming bored in the future." I smiled innocently.
"Never gonna happen, luv," he replied huskily.
I turned to get him the bottle of rum left on the table, but he grabbed my arm, pulling me back to him.
"So, about that little secret that you whispered to me at the Bride," he began, holding me firmly by both my upper arms, "…that very intriguing, wicked, and depraved secret…Exactly when were you planning to unveil this hidden talent of yours?"
I reached out, grabbed a hold of his shirt, and pulled it free from his breeches, slipping my hands underneath to slide them slowly over his chest. "I was just waiting for one of those opportune moments you seem to be so fond of," I teased.
I felt his hands on the sides of my waist now, sliding around to my lower back. He embraced me abruptly, pulling me against his body, claiming my mouth with his own, urgently and demandingly.
"In case you're unaware, my love, this would be it," he said in a low voice, his lips and moustache brushing teasingly against my lips as he spoke.
I let my fingertips drift softly over the warm skin of his chest and abdomen. I could feel his muscles tense and quiver, ever so slightly, under my gentle touch. "You're sure, Jack," I taunted him. "You don't want to take a little time to enjoy the anticipation?"
A ragged breath escaped his lips, as he watched me with those dark eyes. Jack reached up to grasp my wrists, removing my hands from inside his shirt. He stepped away from me, toward the bed. He pulled his shirt over his head, dropping it to the floor, then turned to face me.
"As you can see quite clearly, darlin', I am decidedly sure," he said pointedly, reaching his hand out, beckoning me to arouse him further.
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"One day, my love, you will surely be the death of me," Jack exclaimed breathlessly, his fingers still tightly gripping the bed covers on which he lay, as he recovered from the pleasurable ministrations I had given him.
I smiled at him, as I remembered that I had first learned this skill with a mouthful of braces. "I seriously doubt that, Jack," I told him, "You've put yourself in far more precarious and dangerous situations than you would ever encounter in my care, and still managed to survive quite nicely."
"After this, I have to wonder what other fascinating tricks you have tucked away, to be unveiled at other such opportune moments," he mentioned.
"In time, darlin', I'm sure you'll discover each and every one of them," I said, smirking, "In fact, I should probably start to devise some new ones."
He opened his eyes slightly to look at me. "How is it, luv, that you can be so pure of heart, yet so depraved of mind and body?"
"I could say that same thing to you, Jack," I replied, with a smile.
He moved, lightning quick, to pin me down on the bed, grinning triumphantly. His smile softly faded as he gazed into my eyes. He smoothed his hand over my hair, then claimed my lips in a slow and lingering kiss.
"Of all the crimes and wickedness I've committed," he said, locking eyes with me, "I have to wonder what one kind deed is so sharply silhouetted, that it would warrant me to deserve you, Eve?"
"You did save my life," I answered, "I would surely have died a gruesome death, had you not…"
Jack interrupted by placing his finger to my lips. "You have a way of conjuring up the most horrifying images, luv," he mentioned. "And I'd rather not imagine the fate that would've befallen you that day, had I not been present."
"Nor would I," I told him, remembering the calm, determined expression he'd had as he leveled his pistol in my direction, killing that shark with cold precision.
Jack watched me curiously, then changed the subject quickly. "Well then, what am I to do with you, since I now have you captive and immobilized in my bed," he teased, smirking.
I looked into his darkened eyes, shining with mischief. With a convincingly apprehensive expression, I began, "Captain, please, I am but an innocent girl, held captive by pirates. I beg you, do not ravish me mercilessly, bespoiling my virtue so that no respectable man would have me!" I half expected him to burst out laughing at my melodramatic acting.
Instead, a leering grin spread across his lips as he looked at me. And I loved it so when the light caught his gold teeth, making them shine. He truly was magnificently handsome!
"Eve…darlin', you know how much I love when you play along with me," he drawled seductively, "You can be such fun…when you put your mind to it!"
I smirked at him briefly, then continued, "Please, Captain, do not corrupt me with your wicked pirate ways! A fortune in gold can be yours, if you'll leave my blessed virtue intact!"
He grinned even more wickedly. "What an intriguing dilemma you present, luv," he commented, caressing my cheek.
"Jack!" I exclaimed in mock disbelief, "You're scheming to think of a way to have both!"
"Aye, darlin'," he said, "A greedy pirate's what I am!"
"Predictable is more likely," I teased.
"Careful, Eve, I may make you regret that accusation," he growled. "I too have amassed some little tricks during my travels. Perhaps it's time for me to return your favor?"
"Have you now?" I remarked, smirking, "Well then, bring it on!"
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I woke to the oddest sensation, like someone was rocking the bed. It was a soothing feeling. I stretched and reached for Jack, but found I had the bed to myself. I sighed and lingered, enjoying the warmth of the covers and the relaxing movement of the Pearl as it sailed. A sudden gust of wind whistled through the rigging, causing the ship to lurch. The storm!
Sleepily, I raised my head and glance around the cabin. Jack was at the table, busy with his maps and charts. I watched him. He was so focused and studious. His gaze shifted to look at me.
"Ah, my indulgently hedonistic tigress has finally chosen to abandon her dreams and return to me," he announced, smirking. "And how are you feeling, my beauteous wench?"
I smiled, "Like the luckiest girl in the entire world!"
He grinned handsomely, obviously quite pleased with himself. He stood and approached me, his swaying gait perfectly compensating for the ship's rocking. The movement of his body was elegant, graceful…a sailor dancing to the melody of the sea.
He sat at the edge of the bed, reaching out to smooth my tousled hair. "I'd imagine you're famished, after the night's exertions," he mentioned, smirking.
I nodded, smiling.
"Well then, don't move. Gibbs should be just about done preparing the breakfast I requested for you. Be right back, luv."
I watched him leave, then lay back on the pillow, a ridiculous smile on my face. "Oh my God, the man is amazing!" I said aloud. And for a brief moment, I wished I had a girlfriend here, to gush to. I sighed and hugged my pillow, squealing childishly into it.
The doors opened and Jack entered. "We're just turning into the bay, and not a moment too soon. Looks as if we may be in for quite a ride!" I looked up at him as he stood at the edge of the bed. I sat up and he put a tray on my lap. There were several thick slices of…No! It couldn't possibly be! But, it was! Banana bread! And they were still warm! And a mug of hot tea! I stared at Jack, wide-eyed.
"Now, I want you to eat every morsel, luv. I'll not have you forcing me to endure Ruby's chastising," he told me.
"Gibbs made this?" I asked in disbelief.
"Aye, darlin', at my request," he answered. A look of worry fleeted across his face, "You do like it…don't you?"
"Yes! I love it!" I answered quickly, "Thank you."
"Oh good!" he said, smiling, as he sat next to me.
"You spoil me, Jack," I told him as I ate.
He smiled. "I indulge you, luv, there's a difference," he remarked.
The sound of wind gusting through the sails interrupted. I remembered a comment that Ruby had mentioned.
"Jack, why did Ruby say you are a child of the sea?" I asked.
"I was born on my father's ship, in the middle of a typhoon," he explained, "You recall that my mum sailed with him for a time, before settling in Tortuga."
"A typhoon!" I said, trying to imagine what that must've been like. "I sure hope we have calm seas when our little one decides to arrive!"
"No worries, Eve," Jack said smiling, "Whatever happens, I'll always be here to protect you from any danger."
The Pearl creaked and lurched as it was buffeted by another gust of wind.
Jack regarded me with a look of untamed excitement in his dark eyes. "So, you ready to face that tempest with me, luv?" he asked heartily.
"Aye, darlin'," I said as I smiled excitedly, "Just need to dress."
"I'll see you on deck then," he said as he left the cabin.
Quickly, I finished my breakfast and got up to dress. I could hear Jack's voice overhead, shouting orders to the crew, as I combed through my tangled hair, then braided it neatly. And I remembered the captain of our chartered sail boat shouting to batten down the hatches, prior to being overtaken by the squall that brought me here. A lifetime ago, it seemed. I thought of the work, traffic, and hectic lifestyle that had typified my modern life. Pulling on my boots and coat, I smiled, thinking how I didn't miss any of it at all.
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A/N: Aw, the calm before the storm! Hope you enjoyed! Many thanks to all those who read and reviewed! Gibbs made extra banana bread for you all, at Jack's request!