Disclaimer: Ah HA! By jove, I think I own Pirates of the…nah, just kidding. I don't.
Author's Note: For those of you thinking I have died, I didn't. I went to Pennsylvania (woot AMISH LAND) two weeks ago and now I've been rather sick, so updating has been put off. I KNOW, there is no excuse, my sincerest apologies to you all. Watched PotC again today. That helps take all my sickness and worries away. I think I just rhymed, by jiminy! Sorry, why don't we continue on?
Drink up me 'earties!
PineAppleLint
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The invincible, powerful Jack Sparrow's self control had broken, and now, of course, he was going to make a fool of himself just because Belle wanted to go on a little escapade by her onesies.
"What in hell was she thinkin'?" he seethed, yanking his hat more securely on top of his head, then clenching and unclenching his fists, "When I get me hands on her…" He paused, thoughtfully recollecting on what he just said. It sounded delightfully dirty. Ah, who was he kidding? Here he was, thinking about making another move on her and Belle had just kneed him in the sociables, which were still painfully throbbing much to his discomfort. She wouldn't give him the time of day, he wagered. He'd have to drag her back to the Pearl.
"And I have no problem doing that," Jack said angrily, "I won't let that hoity-toity priss ruin me stay in Tortuga!" Except she hadn't, he thought, Being with her was more enjoyable than I thought. He had partly wished she would have been a thorn in his side during their stay on the island, to make it easier on himself to let her go, but of course she hadn't been. Belle was anything but.
Jack's coat was billowing around his legs as he practically ran down the mucky, dark streets of Tortuga, searching for her. Anamaria said Belle had to return something…but what? The package. Of course! She hadn't bought anything except that parcel in the book shop. Sparrow cursed to himself before running down a shadowed alleyway, ignoring the brawl he passed by, flinching as another whore, one he had never seen before, called out to him in the form of a seductive greeting. Without even a second glance at her, he spotted a lone figure walking slowly twenty yards ahead of him. It was Belle. The new haircut gave her away.
"Belle!" he shouted, running awkwardly in her direction, arms flailing about, "Belle, wait!"
She turned around at the sound of her name and looked oddly surprised, as if she wasn't aware that he would even think of coming after her. The joyful look was quickly replaced with one of malice. She tapped one boot, as if impatient while she waited for him to catch up. He reached her side and placed a hand on her arm while saying breathlessly, "Are ye daft? Do you know how dangerous it is for a beautiful young morsel like yourself to go out alone in Tortuga?"
Belle flinched away from his touch and kept the package securely tucked underneath her right arm. "What are you doing here, Sparrow? I can go wherever I please. You are not the boss of me."
"I am your captain," he pointed out soberly, "So ye are to follow me orders. And I'm here to save ye from doing anything rash."
"I'm just returning this," she argued, glancing at the parcel, "Not selling myself to some horny bloke standing on the street corner."
Jack winced and said, "What was it, Miss Blake? What is so important that ye had to return right away?"
"That's none of your damn business," she snapped, glaring defiantly up at him. Suddenly, Jack snatched the parcel from her.
"Give it back!" she cried, lunging at him. He hopped out of her reach and grinned at her. Jack saw her stare at his pants again, as if she were wondering just how close she would have to get to kick him again.
"Oh no, luv," he said with a shake of his head, "No more threatening me goods. That's just uncalled for. And you'll pay for that." Then he ripped the brown paper off the gift.
"Jack!" she hissed, "You have no right…"
He 'shh'ed her and stared down at the beautiful book in his hands. He ran a finger over the leather cover and careful calligraphy. Opening it, he smiled when his chocolate eyes rested on different, intricate maps from all over the world. Jack instantly fell in love with the detail.
"Let me guess," he said slowly, "This wasn't for you." His eyes met hers, and was surprised when he saw her cheeks flush pink.
"It was a present…for you," she admitted, "But after the events tonight, I didn't know what I was thinking…"
Jack's hope shattered and he closed the book quietly. Holding it out to her, he said seriously, "Then I guess you'll be wantin' this back, aye?"
She froze. Not knowing what to say, she extended her hand and took it from him. Half of her wanted to throw it in the mud, the other half wanted to hand it back to him, to embrace him and say that she wished things had went better. Damn him and his puppy dog look.
Belle sighed and said, "Well, what now, Sparrow?"
He scratched the back of his neck and said emotionlessly, "You better go return your book. I'll wait for you."
Belle suddenly burst. "What is wrong with you?" she asked, rubbing her temple, "One minute you act like you find me a pain in the arse, the next…" she shrugged, trying to find words, "I don't know. I don't want to know. Nothing makes sense around you, Jack Sparrow." Before he could open his mouth and tell her she forgot the 'captain', she added, "And don't even think about correcting me. I am not in the mood."
"Well, ye don't make any sense to me either!" he shot back with a glare.
"How mature of you, Sparrow!" she said with a bitter laugh, "Why don't you go back to your ship and wallow in your own self pity? Because I don't want any part of it."
"That's it…" Jack said with a roar, "We're going. And I don't want a peep from ye on the way back."
"Fine!" she shouted, "I don't want to talk to you anyway!"
"Fine!" he shouted back, narrowing his kohl rimmed eyes at her, and crossed his arms rigidly as he stormed off ahead of her. After a couple of yards, he realized Belle was being too quiet for her own good. Glancing over his shoulder, he froze.
She was gone.
"Holy Christ," he muttered under his breath. But his anger soon diminished when he heard a shriek coming from the nearest alleyway. Jack took off, grabbing his pistol from his belt as he rounded the corner. Belle was surrounded by three men, and she was desperately trying to talk her way out of the situation.
"Come on, gentlemen," she said calmly, holding up her hands, "I am not looking for trouble."
"We're not looking for trouble either," one slurred, rubbing some dirt off of his forehead, "We're lookin' for some pleasurable company."
"There's some girls out there a ways who will willingly give you what you need," she pointed.
"Well, that means we would have to pay," the 'leader' of the pack said with a mock pout, "And here we have ye all to ourselves…so…" he pushed her up against the wall and she screamed.
Jack shouted, "Let her go or I'll shoot!" The men looked up, lust and fury dancing in their dilated eyes.
"And who might you be?" one smirked. When Jack cast a glance towards Belle, the other two pointed their own guns at Jack. Belle whimpered when the one who pushed her against the wall kept her there by clamping a hand around her slender throat.
"I am Cap'n Jack Sparrow," he replied cautiously, "And that woman ye've accosted is mine."
"Jack Sparrow?" the stranger laughed, "Surely not? And why would ye leave your woman alone in Tortuga? Who knows what kind of devil could come and snatch her right out from under yer nose." To prove a point, he ran a palm up her thigh. She was as still as stone, and fear flickered in her eyes. The book of maps was resting in the dirt next to her.
"I do not think she is yours, Mister Sparrow," another said and rested his body against the wall. He was clearly inebriated. Jack noticed this, and fortunately this meant if shots would be fired, Jack would have the advantage. He was quicker, stealthier, and his bullets usually hit their targets with skillful accuracy.
"And why not? Why would I lie about her being a member o' me crew?" Sparrow asked in a frustrated tone.
"You were walking ahead of her, and clearly she belongs to another ship…not yours."
Belle lifted her head and stared at the man with confusion. When the stranger realized she would not talk, he grabbed her by the wrist and jerked her sleeve up so that her horizon scar was showing. "This mark shows that she is property of the Rising Sun crew. So Jack Sparrow, ye are a rotten liar."
"My crew accidentally left me behind in Tortuga," Belle spoke up, "Do you know where they are heading?" Jack glanced at her again. She was a smart girl.
"The last thing I heard was that Captain Hernandez and his crew was heading to Trinidad. Poor lass…it's a shame ye lost your way." He ran a finger down her throat and Jack's expression grew steely as the stranger added, "I'll take care of ye."
"Let her go," Jack ordered, "She is mine for the night, savvy?"
"Who says?" he asked defiantly, tightening his grip on her arm, "Hernandez will not be happy when he hears that another captain has been touching his property."
"I am no one's property," she spat, "And definitely not yours. Captain Sparrow and I have been seeing each other for a while now, and it is none of your concern when or where we meet."
"Well, when me boys and I spotted ye two in the street, looks like ye both were in a tiff." The man let her go and pushed her in Jack's direction. "How about it, poppet? Give 'im a sloppy kiss. Then if it seems like ye weren't jokin', we'll leave ye two lovebirds to your business."
Belle instantly scowled in Jack's direction. Damnation.
"Luv," Sparrow crooned with a serious face, "Let's get going, aye?" She forced a smile to her face and ran into Jack's arms. She went up on her tippy-toes and forced herself to put her lips solidly on his. Thinking she would kiss him for a second and step away, Belle felt Sparrow put an arm around her waist and a hand under her chin, tilting her head for better access of her mouth. She opened her eyes when she felt his tongue slither inside of her mouth, caressing her own. What was he, a goddamn snake? When she broke away, both were gasping as if the air was sucked out of their bodies. The drunken men were laughing and slapping each other on the back.
"I think ye have proved your point, Sparrow," the 'leader' said with a snort, "She'll be worthless to us if she's got you on her mind. Obviously she's intoxicated by you. Sickening, but true. Well, men, we're off!" The other two grunted in response and stumbled along down the street after him.
Once they had disappeared, she raised her hand and smacked Captain Jack Sparrow across the face. The sound ricocheted down the street like a gunshot. His head whipped back and he stood still for a moment. His eyes on her once more, he questioned, "What was that for?"
"What was that for?" Belle said angrily, "You had your tongue in my mouth!"
"What did ye want me to do?" he asked in exasperation, looking like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar, "I was saving you, remember?" He began to follow after her as she stomped off in the direction of the docks.
"You're despicable," she muttered under her breath.
"Pirate," he replied with a shrug.
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Woot! Review please and you'll get a Jack Sparrow pillow. Then you can sleep with him! (heehee) Okay, okay. (hangs head sadly) I know. That was wrong.
