Once again I must apologize for not posting when promised. I've just taken another job in addition to the one I already have and went away to Vermont for a confrence this weekend. The next chapter is in the works, the story and characters are starting to do what they want. I have honestly lost control of them. That being said, chapter nine will be up far sooner than eight was. Enjoy this chapter and review.
Disclaimer: Sadly I am lacking the zany company of Jack Sparrow, still. However, I do own Meredith, Sally, and Decare which is pronounced Decker.
Warning: The following chapter will have some situational...things that will come up along with language. Subsequent chapters will follow suit, therefore I may have to change the rating.
VIII: A Rude Awakening
My left arm was trapped; under Jack. I had been trying to extricate my arm for the past twenty minutes or so, to no avail. Despite my failed efforts to get out of bed, I couldn't say that I was all together displeased. It had afforded me time to study Jack as he slept. I briefly wondered if I should show him the miniature or if that would only serve to inflate his already massive ego. After brief silent debate, I figured it would be best to keep it tucked away, for the time being. He was handsome though, as I had noted before. More so than Robert had been. Robert had been cute in a boyish way, but Jack was a man and no hot-blooded woman could mistake him for less than such. I suppose my mother was right in a way, I could only go up with men.
Fiancé number one: Robert Blake, photographer. Fiancé number two: Jack Sparrow, pirate. ' Somehow I doubt this is what mother had in mind' I thought wryly glancing at Jack.
Oh god! I was on my second fiancé, never mind that our relationship would be a complete farce, but at twenty-four I was already on my second fiancé and had yet to walk down the aisle. Would I ever be a Mrs. So-and-So, or would I always be a bridesmaid and never the bride? I was in bed with a man, the first time I had ever spent the night in someone else's bed and he didn't even like me. I made him laugh, I'd seen that first hand. I had irritated him to no end in the past twenty-four hours and was sure to continue with the same pattern. But he didn't even find me attractive. He said it himself while discussing his absurd plan. He'd never marry me. Would anyone?
'Stop it. You didn't start blubbering when the plane crashed, nor did you when this didn't turn out to be just a really twisted dream, and you will not begin to now just because you feel unwanted.' I blinked my eyes back into focus, to stare once again at Jack. Okay. Not conducive. I rolled onto my back, arm still pinned. ' Maybe, maybe if I moved very slowly, ah, gently now, I could get my arm out. Easy does it, a little more. AH!'
Jack rolled over, throwing his arm across me with his hand effectively, or perhaps conviently,settling on my chest. 'Breath. Count to ten.' I tried to calm myself and push the strange feeling that I had washing over me out of my brain. Pleasant as this new sensation was, I had to focus. I'd ponder this later. ' One, two,' I gave up and decided to try another tactic.
" Jack, Jack wake up." I whispered. I tried moving my arm.
" Mmm,'orerumluv, sur'meh" Came the muddled response as he only snuggled closer and squeezed my breast. I bit my lip to keep from howling in frustration and tried breathing again.
" Jack," I hissed trying to maneuver to face him, " Jack, if you're not asleep so help me god. This isn't funny Jack. Jack get up, get up. Move you, you idiot! Jack!"
" Mmmh" Jack opened a bleary eye.
" Good morning Jack."
" AHH!" " GAH" We yelled in unison as we pulled away from each other and rolled on to the floor, landing with two resounding thumps.
" Ow." I rubbed my elbow that banged into the bed-frame.
" Did you have to do that?" Jack demanded, popping up from where he landed.
" Do what?" I yelled back from my seat on the floor. Pushing my hair out of my face, I glared at him, waiting for his response.
" You know bloody well what. You were just staring, like Pintel. It was creepy."
" Well you were on my arm."
" Was not."
" Were too."
" Not."
" Too, and you cuddle."
" I cud…what? I don't."
" You heard me. You cuddle," I said tightly, " and you tried to cop a feel."
With this new information, Jack put a hand to his chin and cocked his head to look at her. " Funny, I don't remember that luv."
" Jack Sparrow." My hand made a quick sweep on the floor and came into contact with one of my shoes. A BCBG shoe was launched across the bed, narrowly missing Jack.
" Right then, I'll be going." Jack darted from the room.
" Bastard." I muttered, picking myself up off the floor and moving to the wash basin, trying not to think of Jack and the little thrill I felt when he, uh, never mind. I wasn't going to think about it.
I changed into a cotton skirt, a Caribbean blue, by Chanel and paired it with my long white button down and another oversized belt. The final touch was a pair of brown ankle boots from Prada. I put my hair into a French-braid and after glancing into Jack's hand mirror, I decided I looked decent. Not that I dressed up for Jack or anything. After indulging in my vanity, I left the cabin in somewhat better form than when I had woken. I made my way to the deck, squinting in the sunlight.
I was on the hunt. Sally was nowhere to be found, and I needed food. If I had paused for a moment, I would have seen the ocean, pristine save a tiny black spot on the horizon but , I was on a mission: Find the galley, find Sally, eat and be happy. I wandered, the galley remained elusive and I grew increasingly grumpy.
' This ship needs vending machines' I thought, starting with particular intensity at a spot in front of one of the masts; trying to will one into existence. At that moment, Mr. Gibbs and, oh what's-his-name, the short one…Marty walked by. They were speaking of none other than the captain.
" I fink da Cap't's been actin' a bit strange," Mr. Gibbs looked down at Marty, "…er." Gibbs nodded in ascent.
" Aye, 's'all due to the woman bein' aboard. They do funny things ter yeh lad. The Cap't 'sbeen out of sorts since she came along. I say, 'tis ba"
" Bad luck to have a woman aboard, yes Mr. Gibbs, we know. And you'll see the truth of that statement if you don't tell me where to find Mr. Sally." I announced stepping from behind an astoundingly tall pile of rope surrounding the mast.
Mr. Gibbs didn't know what to do and I could barely suppress a smirk. " Er, right. This way Missy." He strode off and I followed practically bursting into giggles when I heard Marty mumbling about women.
I followed Mr. Gibbs to the galley. I really would have remembered where to find it had I not been so busy drooling over Jack's, assets. I thanked Gibbs as I re-gained my bearings and promptly banged into someone else. Evidently I was never one for much runway work.
" I'm so sorry." I exclaimed, looking up at a striking man. He brushed shaggy blond locks from his face as he grinned down at me.
" No'all. Yer such a lovely lady, I wouldn't mind bumpin; yeh again." said he with a suggestive wink.
" Decare!" Sally came up from behind me, " Yeh'll leave the lass alone. She's de Cap't's fee-ahn-say. Ye hear me lad?" Decare's grin quickly turned to a scowl directed at both Sally and I before storming to the deck.
" Sally, what was the matter, we were just talking."
" He was makin' eyes at yeh lassie."
" That doesn't mean anything, he seems sweet."
Sally snorted. " Sweet as the English."
" Sally, really."
" He needs ter get off this boat like the rest o' the lads. Bonnie thing like yeh wouldn't know 'bout that."
" What's wrong with him?"
" Bah, 'snothing chokin' the chicken won't cure lassie. Now, where're me pans?"
I wrinkled my nose in disgust as Sally began to look around. " Sally," I admonished. He didn't even bother to turn around when he gave me his response.
" I'm jes tellin' the truth. Now do yeh want breakfast or not?"
I clapped my hands in delight, instantly forgetting about Decare. " Sally that would be wonderful."
" Alright then, help me find me blasted pans so I can cook something."