Author's Note: So I'm really sorry about such a long wait for this next chapter but I've been extremly busy. I know, I know, that's everyone's excuse but it's true. I've had track practice, tests, projects, road test (which I passed by the way), etc. etc. Please, please, please, pretty please review. If you do, I'll read your stories. I promise. Once I find time, but I'll get to it. Oh, and by the way, this part of the story is a wee bit mature. Okay, very. So, if you don't like reading this kind of stuff, please don't. Warning off.
Jack: Why's it so mature?
Aoife: Because you and Keelin decide to have a bit of...fun. Yeah, fun.
Jack: (Raises eyebrow and smirks) Like what we did last---?
Aoife: Jack! Hush! Please read!
Chapter Sixteen --- There's A First Time For Everything
I was shaken awake late the next morning by Will, who look thoroughly exhausted. "What happened?" I asked through a yawn.
"The bullet has been removed but she's still unconscious. She has a slight fever that's starting to go back down and Jack's with her right now. Pickering thinks that she won't need her leg amputated but he's going to keep an eye on her until we get to Port Royal," he said, sitting besides me.
"Thanks, Will," I said, throwing my arms around his neck. I looked into his bloodshot eyes and asked, "Did you sleep at all last night?" He shook his head and I moved over in the bed to make room for him. He lay down next to me and draped an arm over my hips. "Catch some sleep," I whispered, kissing him softly on the lips. He nodded and closed his eyes. I watched as his breathing slowed as he fell into a deep sleep.
I wiggled out of Will's grip, trying not to disturb him and headed through the adjourning door on the other side of the room. I glanced toward the bed to find Keelin lying on the bed, her leg bound tightly and clean sheets on the bed. She was dressed in a beautiful nightgown instead of her pirate clothes. I figured that it was Elizabeth's and she had helped them when the surgery was finished. Next to her, Jack lay sound asleep, his arm wrapped protectively around her waist.
I slipped out the door and headed upstairs onto the deck. I made my way to the stern of the ship and watched the water pass underneath my feet. A soothing breeze swept my hair off of my shoulders and out behind me. I took in a deep breath and felt the tension began to seep out of my body. I closed my eyes and felt the sun hit my face, warming me from the outside in.
A while later, a voice from behind me interupted my peace and asked, "Do you mind if I join you?"
I turned around to find Elizabeth watching me with a small smile on her face. "Of course not," I replied, patting the railing.
She stepped forward and joined me. "How's Keelin?" she asked, turning her gaze to the ocean.
"Will told me that the bullet was removed and she has a slight fever that is almost down," I replied. I noticed the slight wince that crossed over her face at mention of Will. "Miss Swann, I'm so sorry about everything, including Will. This must be disastrous for you, all of this," I said sympathetically.
"Please," she replied. "It's Elizabeth and I'm not upset, trust me. I'm just getting over the fact that things don't always go how we want them to in life." She turned her gaze to me and I saw then how truly beautiful she was, with her honey colored hair blowing softly behind her and her large doe eyes watching intently every movement. No man could ever not want her. "We can always be friends," she added. "Besides, I see the way that he looks at you." She flashed me a dazzling grin and I felt a blush creep up my neck to my face.
I grinned back and replied, "Well, I saw the way that the commodore looks at you."
She blushed furiously and then changed the subject. We talked for awhile like old friends, gossiping over men, parties and the latest fashions from London. While on this subject, she glanced down at my tattered clothes that had once belonged to Will and said, "Come, let's get you changed into something clean." She led me to her cabin, where her fatehr had brought some dresses for her to wear on her return. She handed me a couple of petticoats, a corset and a dress. I went behind a dressing screen and undressed. She gave me instructions on what to put on in what order. I followed her directions and she assited me with the corset. I stepped into the gown and she buttoned it up in the back for me.
She brought me to a full-length mirror to examine myself. "Oh, it's beautiful!" I gasped. The gown was a royal blue and matched my eyes. The neck was cut into a square and was modestly low cut. The skirt fanned out generously and I felt like a princess just to wear it.
"It'll knock the socks off of Mister Turner," she giggled. She grabbed my hand and pulled me back to the rooms that Keelin, the boys and I had been given. She knocked loudly on my door and we heard a faint 'what' from Will. Elizabeth threw open the door before dashing away. I stood in the doorway and glanced shyly in at Will.
He was lying in bed but when he looked at me, he sat straight up. "Edana," he breathed. "Y-y…. you look stunning."
I blushed and gave a slight curtsy. "Thank you, dear William," I replied, laughing. "You are too kind."
He left the bed and was in front of me before I knew it. "Who dressed you like this?" he whispered, pulling me into the room, shutting the door.
"Elizabeth," I replied matter-of-factly.
"I knew it," he said, a smile on his face. He leaned in and kissed me softly. I sighed contently and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me.
"Well, I'm glad that you approve," I said against his lips. He kissed me again, when a knock from Keelin's room interrupted us.
"What?" Will nearly growled in anger at being interrupted.
Jack poked his head through, his tired eyes glancing around for us. "Keelin's awake. She's lookin' fer ye, Ed."
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(Keelin's POV)
"Ow," I moaned loudly. I slowly opened my eyes and dark spots flashed quickly before them and then disappeared. "Ow, my head!"
"Keelin?" a deep voice rumbled from next to me. I gently turned to find Jack lying next to me, his arm draped protectively over my waist, watching me with half open eyes.
"What happened?" I asked, slightly groggy.
"Barbossa shot ye and ye were knocked unconscious. We decided the safest thing would be ta bring ye ta The Dauntless ta get 'elp from a doctor. Richard Pickerin' fixed ye up quite nicely an' got the bullet out cleanly. An' now, 'ere we are," he replied, playing with my hair as he talked.
"Where are we heading?" I asked softly.
"Ta Port Royal," he replied quietly, his dark eyes glancing away from me.
"But Jack, they'll hang us!"
"Shhh," he whispered glancing back at me. "Ye won't 'ang."
"How do you know?" I demanded. "Norrington insists that I've been involved in acts of piracy before!"
"Norrington an' I made a deal," Jack replied. "I 'ang an' ye start a new life as a true lady in Port Royal. Ye'll stay wit Elizabeth an' the guv'ner. They'll take ye care of ye when I'm…I'm…" Gone hung in the air, neither of us willing to say the word. He rolled me onto my back and kneeled over me. "Get some sleep," he ordered, before kissing my lips lightly. He made to leave the bed when I put a hand up to stop him.
"Jack," I said as he glanced at me, worry creeping into his eyes. "There's something I need to tell you."
"Ye can tell me anythin'," he laughed slightly.
"Jack, I'm trying to be serious!" I protested. His smile remained but he stopped laughing and paid attention. "W-when I was shot, I was thinking of how I might die…and m-my last thought before I blacked out, was…of you," I stammered nervously.
Jack grinned cockily and replied, "So it is that ye 'ave feelin's fer me."
"Fine," I snapped, crossing my arms over my chest. "If that's how you're going to act."
"Aww, Keelin. I was just jokin' wit ye," he groaned, cupping my chin in his hand. He gazed intently into my eyes and added softly, "If it makes ye feel any betta, I've found meself thinkin' of ye a lot too."
"Are you lying?" I demanded softly. "Because liars are to be punished."
"This I ain't lyin' 'bout but I'd be lyin' if I called ye ugly when ye're angry," he grinned.
"I suppose that deserves a punishment," I replied coyly. I pulled his face to mine and kissed him passionately. I threw my arms around his neck and he lay on top of me, his hands running through my hair and down my curvy figure to my hips. He grabbed my hips and yanked me tight to him. I gasped and he took the opportunity to explore my mouth with his tongue. I held onto him, my nails digging into his back.
When he pulled away a few moments later, I whimpered slightly. "God, Jack," I breathed heavily.
He smirked and said, "Ye want me ta send Miss Edana in?"
I nodded eagerly and he climbed off of the bed. Jamming his hat onto his head, he swaggered across the room and went through a door on the other side. He knocked and then poked his head through. I could hear faint voices through the cabin wall and then a yelp. Edana charged through the door, Will and Jack right behind her. She threw herself at me on the bed, enveloping me in a hug. "Keelin! You're all right! I was so scared! You could've died! What was I going to do?"
"Edana, you're going to actually kill her if you don't leave her alone," Will joked. Eddie glared at him but released me slowly. She sat up and turned towards me.
"So, how was your birthday?" Ed asked sarcastically.
"I'm nineteen, aren't I?" I asked softly. "Some birthday, eh?"
"I'll be right back," Jack said loudly before swaying out the door.
I raised an eyebrow and joked, "Has he been drinking?"
"Why?" Will asked.
"Do you need a reason?" Eddie countered with a grin.
Will shrugged and I added nonchalantly, "He basically told me that he loves me."
"He did?" Ed cried ecstatically.
"Yeah, but ya know, Jack and his women," I jokingly with a shrug.
"Keelin!" Will sort of snapped. I glanced at him, startled. "Are you serious? Jack's absolutely head over heels for you and if you're just going to let him slip through your fingers, I pity the man who marries you!"
I stared at him, my mouth wide open. "I-I think I love him too but what happens when we go back home? We live centuries away from here! A long distant relationship like this? Ha! It can't work!" I cried.
The door swung open and Jack swayed back in, whistling cheerfully. The tension in the little room was dangerously high and he stopped whistling and glanced about. "What's wrong?" he asked cautiously.
"Nothing," I snapped, glaring at Will. Silence hung heavily in the air above our heads.
"So, where'd you go?" Edana broke the awkward silence a few moments later.
"A surprise fer me lady fer 'er birthday," he smiled tensly. "Would ye two mind excusin' us?"
"Come on, Will," Ed said, grabbing his hand. "Let's go grab some dinner."
The second they were out of the room, with the door closed behind them, Jack asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, Jack," I snapped, furious that Will was right. But I knew what I said was true. This couldn't work out.
He came up to the bed, sat down next to me and cupped my face in his hands. "Don't lie ta me, because liars are punished," he threatened jokingly.
"Jack, I don't want you to die! I don't want to leave you! I don't want this to not work!" I cried. I fell into his arms and sobbed quietly.
"Hush," he whispered, rubbing my back. "Everythin' will work out."
"Jack, if you escape, you better take me with you," I demanded, looking up at him.
He wiped the tears from my cheeks and whispered, "I'll try."
"But what if I go back?"
"I thought of this when I was gone. An old friend of mine knows some spells and stuff," he said. "It might be able that it can work ta our advantage. Then ye can stay 'ere wit me."
"Really Jack?" I asked, excitedly. "Edana too?"
"Of course!" he replied. Things were starting to look up. "If I escape…"
"You will," I promised, remembering the end of the movie. "After all, you're Captain Jack Sparrow."
"Of course I am," he replied slyly. "Ye wanna know yer surprise?"
"Duh," I replied. He jumped off the bed and was out of the door before I could say anything. I shrugged and searched for my pirate clothes to put back on. I looked everywhere but they were nowhere to be found. Instead, I found a beautiful green silk gown hanging in the small wardrobe.
"Isn't it gorgeous?" a voice from behind me asked.
I spun around to find Jack standing in the doorway, his arms hiding something behind his back. "Tis," I replied.
"It was Elizabeth's. 'Er father brought it onboard for when she returned from the hands of pirates. She told me that she bought it when she was visitin' Ireland. She wants ye ta 'ave it. Said it never would look as nice on 'er as it would on an Irish girl," he explained.
"It's too beautiful to wear…"
"Nonsense! It'll look perfect on ye. Oh, an' wit this too," Jack replied. He reached into his pocked and pulled out the emerald choker from the caves. He place it around my neck and the small heart shaped emerald lay against the base of my throat. "Go on, go get changed," he pushed me towards a dressing screen.
"Jack, you can be such a pain," I said, pulling the nightgown over my head.
"A pain? Ye think of me as so low?" Came his fake rejected reply.
"Aye," I replied. "Sometimes worse."
"What could be worse, pray tell?"
"A pirate," I replied, pulling on a shift and two petticoats.
"Aye, but pirates can be romantic sometimes," he protested. I heard him moving things around as I shrugged into the corset. I tied it tightly and stepped into the gown.
"Depends on the pirate," I finally replied, pulling my arms into the medieval styled sleeves and buttoned the front of the gown. I adjusted the low cut gown, fixing it so it would be low for Jack yet at a comfortable level for me.
"What if 'is name is Cap'n Jack Sparrow?"
I stepped out from behind the screen and replied, "In that case, that is a definite yes." Gazing at the scene before me, I couldn't help but smile. While I had been changing, Jack had lit some candles and put food on the desk. He offered me the wooden seat and then sat across from me on the bed.
"What do ye think?" he gazed at me intently, his eyes drifting up and down my body several times.
"Jack, this is perfect," I breathed. He put some food on my plate and pushed it towards me. I looked down and saw pasta with sauce drizzled over it.
"Eat up," he chuckled at me, staring at the food. I nodded and dug into my favorite food gratefully. I chewed it slowly, absorbing the perfect taste. My mother's food wasn't even this good. Jack poured some wine into two wine glasses. I sipped some delicately and then took another bite of the pasta. Nothing better than wine and pasta, I thought to myself.
We didn't speak while we ate but afterwards I said quietly," Thank you Jack."
"Yer welcome, mise amharach seamair," he replied, smiling softly.
"What's that mean?" I questioned.
"Me lucky clover," he replied. I blushed as he came over to where I sat. He offered his hand to me and I slipped my hand in his. "May I 'ave this dance?" Jack asked softly, pulling me to my feet.
"Of course," I replied. He wrapped an arm delicately around my waist and held my right hand in his. He pulled me into him and held me close. I rested my head on his chest as he hummed a soothing melody. He rested his cheek on my head and we moved slowly together to his humming.
I didn't want to leave the comfort of his arms. I closed my eyes and realized that I was truly in love with Jack. I realized how much I cared for him, how much I would miss him, if I left, how much I had changed. I had gone from a fan-crazed teenage girl to a very much in love young female pirate in just a matter of a few days. Dear Lord, I loved him too much to ever think about going home now. It wasn't possible, I just couldn't leave and I would do anything in my power to stay. I sniffed and felt a tear slid down my cheek.
"What's wrong, seamair?" Jack rumbled softly from above me. He pulled back to see my face. Seeing the single tear, he wiped it from my cheek. "What'd I do wrong?" he asked fearfully.
"Nothing," I replied, shaking my head. I smiled at him and added, "I love you. I know I do. Just, don't leave me Jack."
He looked slightly surprised before replying. "I won't. I love ye too, seamair." He picked me up in his arms and placed me on the bed. He kneeled over me and pressed his lips to mine softly. "'Ow 'bout some dessert?" he asked slyly.
"What kind?" I raised an eyebrow.
"There be some chocolate cake on its way soon," Jack grinned, catching my drift.
"Where'd you get all of this?" I asked.
"Elizabeth."
"So I see. She knows what I like and how to make you look good, eh?" I replied.
"Aye, that she does." A knock on the door interrupted us form our conversation. Jack leapt out of his chair and was at the door before I could move. He opened the door and there stood Elizabeth, grinning like a fool, a cake in her arms. Jack took it from her, whispered something in her ear, she nodded, blushing and then left. He shut the door, locked it securely, and brought the small cake over to the desk.
"That looks delicious," I eyed the cake hungrily.
I reached to cut a slice but Jack grabbed my wrist and stopped me. "Not yet," he said, a small smirk on his face. "We're gonna play a little game."
"What kind of game?" I asked intrigued.
"A fun one," Jack replied. "I ask ye a question and ye give me a truthful answer. If I think that yer answer be satisfactory, then ye get ta eat a bite of the cake. Then ye get ta ask me a question an' we go back an' forth. Savvy?"
"Savvy," I replied, struggling to keep my face straight and serious.
"First question. What's yer middle name?"
"You suck, ya know," I growled lightly.
"What is it? An' I want the truth!" Jack laughed.
"Fine. It's Mairead," I replied.
"That's beautiful," Jack said seriously. "What's it mean?"
"Ironically, it means pearl."
"It's a sign!" he cried. "Keelin Mairead Burke. How very Irish," he commented dryly. He picked up a bite size amount of the cake and held it to my lips. "Open up."
I obeyed and he fed me the piece. It was delicious, a vanilla cake with extra chocolate frosting. I swallowed and said, "My turn. How'd you become a pirate?"
Jack sighed and replied heavily, "I was only nineteen when I was misled into the Navy."
"Mislead?"
"Aye. I wanted ta sail as a merchant. This man, Cutler Beckett, told me that I could but I'd 'ave ta sail under the rules of the Navy. It was an opportunity for me ta get out an' see the world. I couldn't resist such a moment. I agreed and found meself in the middle of tradin' slaves. It wasn't right an' they were so cruelly punished just fer bein' a different skin color. I decided that I should 'elp 'em. I never brought 'em ta the Caribbean ta the post I was assigned to. I brought 'em ta Africa where they 'ad a betta chance of survivin'.
"But unfortunately, Beckett found out an' 'ad me branded as a pirate. He sunk me ship, once named The Wicked Wench. I didn't get 'er back fer awhile but I enlisted the 'elp of this man, who raised 'er from the depth fer me. I renamed 'er---"
"The Black Pearl," I interrupted.
"Aye. An' ye know the rest," he explained softly, staring intently in the cake.
"Take a bite," I whispered, seeing the haunted look in his eyes. He raised his eyes to look at me and I could almost feel the pain that flashed quickly in them. I raised the piece of cake to his lips and he opened for it, taking the chocolate delight between his teeth. He chewed and swallowed before speaking again.
"My turn. What's the future like?" Jack asked eagerly.
I laughed before replying. "It's full of machines that do humans work, pollution, ozone depletion, littering in our oceans. People are lazy and obesity's becoming a huge problem. Wars are constantly being fought. People are dying from that and AIDS, suicide, accidents and drug overdoses."
Jack raised an eyebrow and said, "That's all?"
I shook my head. "There's a whole lot of shit that we have to deal with. But, can I have my bite now?"
He brought his fingers to my lips and I took the cake but not before licking the frosting from his fingers. I pulled away and he whispered huskily, "Yer playin' the dangerous side of this game."
"I know," I replied, leaning back in towards him. He grabbed my chin and kissed me hard. His fingers trailed up and down my cheek before he wrapped them into my hair. He pulled me down on top of him on the bed and I pushed the cake away from us and the edge of the desk. Jack's tongue flicked desperately at my lips, begging to be let in. I allowed him access and he deepened the kiss, exploring my mouth. His fingers left my hair and traveled down my neck and breasts where the buttons started on my gown. He slowly unbuttoned the gown and pushed it off of my body. It slid off the bed to the floor in a pool of green silk.
"So many layers," Jack grumbled jokingly. He untied the laces of my corset and pushed the petticoats off of my slender waist. They tumbled after the dress to the floor.
"You're turn," I joked, indicating his own clothes. He nodded, slid out from under me and removed his shirt, belts, boots and hat. He lay back down on top of me, pinning me in between him and the bed before attacking my mouth again with kisses. My fingers played with the waistband of his trousers teasingly before I decided to push them down completely. He kicked them off and lifted my shift over my head.
We were both naked and I blushed at the very thought. I had yet to look at him but I could feel his warm, well-built body pressing against mine lovingly. My finger traced over his well-defined chest and abs lightly, as though I was memorizing his skin. He pressed his lips down my throat before biting the dip in between my collarbones. Rough hands traced up and down my soft skin, sending a thrilling shiver through my bones. Jack cupped a hand around my breast and I gasped softly. He smirked and lowered his mouth down, kissing my breasts. His tongue flicked around my nipple tenderly and I groaned lightly.
His mouth changed directions and headed further down my firm stomach. He'd kiss then bite, kiss then bite, repeating until he reached a curly mass of hair. He cupped me and stroked soothingly, occasionally slipping a finger or two in. A strange feeling started in my stomach and began to spread through my entire body. I felt warmth and desire as it began to grow rapidly. I sighed Jack's name and dug my fingers into his hair, wanting him. He removed his fingers from me and moved his hands to my hips, grasping them firmly. "Are ye ready fer this, Keelin?" he asked softly, gazing at me intently, his dark eyes almost black with desire.
I nodded and replied, "Jack, I love you. I wouldn't let you see me like this, be this near to me unless I did."
Jack smiled and warned, "It's goin' ta 'urt yer first time."
"There's a first time for everything," I retorted.
He chuckled and kissed me passionately. I don't really remember in detail what happened because all I could focus on was the pain. When he first broke through my virgin wall, I could think about was how my mother was right and how it hurt like hell. I would've given anything for the pain to stop but I had been promised pleasure at the end, and pleasure I was going to receive. I do remember moaning Jack's name several times and he took that as a sign to please me even more. He'd go harder and faster, thrusting, as the aching pleasure built up even stronger this time. I remember kissing him forcefully, feeling the need to do something while he was working so hard to let me feel my pleasure. When I knew I couldn't fight the aching desire in my belly, I told him just that.
"'Old on a bit longer, love," he whispered in my ear.
"I can't! Please Jack!" I moaned loudly, my nails raking over his back. "Please!"
"Alright," he replied. "Now." I felt my body release as Jack's did and I shook violently as the pleasure seeped through my body, filling every little space of me. Whatever I had been missing before, it was filled now. Jack had filled me with love and passion, hope and want, and I wouldn't, couldn't leave him now. Not after this. Jack fell on top of me, panting heavily and I felt weak as a kitten. He pulled out of me and I winced a little. He grabbed me in his arms and held me against his slick body. "'Ow was that?" he asked, catching his breath.
"Not bad," I replied, teasingly. "For a pirate."
Jack pretended to be hurt. "Now, I own ye Keelin. Ye can neva leave me, no matta what anyone says. My love fer ye will always bring ye back ta me," he promised.
"Why would I leave?" I countered. "I have you."
"Until tomorrow."
"You'll escape and then take me with you, away from being a proper lady, away to be your pirate queen," I said, waving my arms around for dramatic effect.
He smiled at me and said, "Let's get some sleep before then, my pirate queen."
I nodded and closed my eyes. I quickly drifted off to sleep into a world full of dreams about Jack and The Black Pearl.