Disclaimer. Still not mine.

Warning – Mild smut in this chapter. Starts properly in Chapter six!

Petal Of A Rose

Chapter Five – A Celebration

The Pearl was back out at sea. They had docked in Cuba for three days; one was taken up entirely by loading the cargo of rum and cigars, the rest to give the crew some down time. Everyone had spent their free time on shore drinking, whoring and generally having a good time. Everyone, that is, except Jack. He didn't leave his cabin the entire time they were docked. Elizabeth wondered if he was trying to drink all the new cargo by himself in the least time possible. It was a relief to finally set sail. Gibbs was the only person allowed into Jack's cabin and, he told Elizabeth later, he had never seen Jack so drunk. It was obvious that he was both worried and puzzled by this behaviour.

Whilst on land, the crew had been secretly planning a surprise party. It was Gibbs' 50th Birthday and they had arranged a bit of a celebration. Everyone who played an instrument had agreed to provide music for singing and dancing, the cook had arranged plenty of fresh supplies to eat and had even baked a cake. The hold was full of rum. What more could they need? Pintel and Ragetti had braved the Captain and he had agreed to keep Gibbs occupied in the hold by asking him to do an inventory to allow the crew to get ready.

Jack decided that he wouldn't hold a grudge. Since it was Gibbs' night, he wouldn't spoil it by sniping at 'Lizzie. However much she deserved it! And maybe, just maybe, he felt a little guilty, especially after he came up from the hold to see how hard she had worked to make the ship festive.

He would have helped if someone had bothered to wake him up. Neither he, nor the crew would have taken the trouble to tie bows to the mast and the rigging. They wouldn't have come up with the candles in holders on the decks. He'd forgive her for driving him to distraction – and the rum bottles littering his cabin – and let bygones be bygones. He turned around smartly and almost knocked her over.

"Ye did a grand job here, missy." It was, Jack thought, a suitable white flag. She shot him a carefully bland look over her shoulder. "It look's great." He continued, wishing he'd kept his mouth shut in the first place. It looked like it was going to be a very long night!

She assembled the rest of the crew and they waited for Gibbs to appear. "Surprise!" They all chorused as he reached the deck. Gibbs was childishly pleased, and delighted with the hip flask they had bought him while in Cuba.

Now everyone was eating, drinking and enjoying themselves. Even the helmsman was steering the ship while holding a plate and a bottle of rum. Elizabeth was danced off her feet. Being the only woman on board she was in great demand for dancing.

She hated the fact that she couldn't stay mad at Jack. Aloof, maybe. The deck was crowded, so much so that it wasn't difficult to stay aloof from one man.

In any case, there wasn't time to think about it. There were toasts to be drunk, food to be eaten, and dances to be danced.

Not that jack asked her to dance.

"Grand party!" Gibbs shouted in her ear.

"It is." She managed to work up a smile for him, as he awkwardly led her around the deck, trying desperately not to tread on her feet.

'Look at her!' Jack thought darkly, scowling. 'Flirting with everyone. Typical woman!'

It was after two before the party broke. Now only Jack, Elizabeth and a couple of crew members remained. The rest had staggered to their bunks or passed out where they sat. It looked as though an invading army had suddenly upped stakes and moved on to another battle.

Tattered bows hung everywhere. Some enterprising soul had built a pyramid out of empty rum bottles. The tables, which had been loaded with food, had been thoroughly decimated and all that was left of the cooks cake was crumbs and a few smears of icing.

Leaning against the rail, Jack took his own survey and grinned. "Looks like everybody had a good time."

"I'll say!" Gibbs was still dancing as they took him to his bed, and my ears are still ringing from all the sea shanty's.

"Ye belted out a few y'self." Jack reminded her.

"Parties do that to me. Wasn't it wonderful to see Gibbs' face when we gave him his gift?"

"Twas a wonderful idea, luv."

Rolling her shoulders, Elizabeth took another look around. "I vote we leave this mess and tackle it in the morning."

"'m with you!" More than willing to turn his back on the destruction, Jack took her hand and drew her into the shadows.

"Abandon ship!" He whispered.

"You didn't dance with me tonight, Jack."

"Didn't I?" He knew very well that he hadn't and why.

"No." She leant into him. "You don't want to hurt my feelings do you, Jack?"

"No, but –"

But she was already slipping her arms around him. He laid his hand on the small of her back and led her into the dance. He swore that he could hear music.

His movements were smooth and surprisingly stylish. Always had been, she remembered, as she rested her head on his shoulder.

She fit so well, he thought. Always had, he remembered, as he drew her closer. But she'd never smelled like this before, and he couldn't remember her hair teasing him into brushing his lips over it.

They were now alone, their movements mimicking the remembered music. It tempted him now to rub his lips over her temple, nibble lightly at her ear.

Catching himself, he swung her out into a slow spin, making her laugh. Her eyes were glowing as she turned back into his arms.

She followed his every move as if she had been born into his embrace. In a move as graceful as the dance, she lifted her head.

And his mouth was waiting.

He simply slid into her. Into the kiss, the warmth, the simplicity of it. Her arms came up, encircled his neck, her fingers skimming up and threading into his hair.

He thought that he could absorb her and she would let him. Her skin, her scent, her wonderfully generous mouth.

As the kiss deepened, lengthened, he imagined how perfectly simple it would be to pick her up and carry her to his cabin. To his bed.

The clarity of the vision was enough to have him pulling her back. "'Lizzie –"

"No, don't talk." Her eyes were clouded, dreamily. "Just kiss me, Jack. Just kiss me!"

Her mouth was on his again, making him long to forget all the reasons it shouldn't be. However confused those reasons were becoming. He put his hands firmly on her shoulders and stepped back.

"We're not doin' this!"

"Why?"

"Yer on dangerous ground here." He warned her. "Now get down to yer bunk. Tis late."

"I want to stay here with you!" Her voice was calm – even if her pulse rate wasn't. "I want to go with you to bed!"

The knot in his stomach tightened like a noose. "I said get to yer bunk. Tis late. Savvy?"

Her experience might be limited, but she knew enough not to push him.

"Fine! We'll play it your way! But you don't know what you're missing!"

Afraid he did, he dragged a hand through his hair. "Where'd ye learn this stuff?"

"I pick it up as I go along!" She said over her shoulder as she walked to the steps. "Coming? Come with me. Stay with me."

He wanted to touch her, just once more. He was suddenly so weary, so horribly tired. Giving in, he rested his brow against hers. "Ye don't know me, luv – only think ye do. Now, go to yer bed."

"Jack –"

To silence her, he gripped her shoulders and brought his mouth down hard on hers. When she could breathe again, she would have staggered, but his hands steadied her as he pushed her gently toward the steps.

He took a look round; making sure that there was no danger to her and then waited until she reached the bottom rung.

On the way to his cabin, he detoured to the rum store.

Well…isn't Jack vexed! Next instalment is ready to go! Review please – they are so important to me! I need to know if I'm going along the right lines with this!

Warning – Smut alert for the next chapter!!!