Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers! You guys are absolutely wonderful: Syrena Swift, Vivagrl, XxJellyxX, Rwy'n-Y-Blaidd-Drwg, lightwolfheart, tahitiankisses, and The Last Clan!

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And the continuation of the previous chapter...

Chapter 19: The Elephant in the Room

Jack's ears picked up the slight sound of crunching leaves again. He narrowed his eyes. Who this time? His head craned to peer through the bush at the newcomer, and he almost lost his balance when he recognized Kate. He thought that Garner had told her to stay put on the beach!

Naturally though, she had to be involved.

If he didn't need to be quiet, Jack would have smacked his head against the nearest tree repeatedly; but since that was not possible, he simply imagined it happening in his mind.

Suddenly, Adger and Webber were moving. They stepped out from the clearing and Jack feared that they had spotted Kate. Jack fingered the hilt of his sword.

A few yards away, Kate feared the same thing, freezing in the awkward position that she was in.

But Adger and Webber did not walk in her direction. They walked straight forward, entering the tavern through the back door and disappearing from sight.

Kate and Jack both immediately stepped out from their hiding spots and whirled furiously towards each other. They both began arguing at the same time:

"You always have to be involved in everything! Garner told you to stay at the beach—"

"How could you! For a moment you had me going! I really thought that you were on our side—"

Jack put his hand over her mouth to keep her quiet. "We don't have the time right now to argue. We can save this for later. As for now, you can run off back to the beach. You're only going to be in the way."

Kate wrenched his hand away from her mouth. "No! I can't trust you! You're just going to go inside and help Clarke! You were just there—working with them!" She pointed to the spot that Jack had previously occupied.

"Fine! I don't have time for this! You get hurt—not my problem!" Jack replied furiously. He didn't necessarily mean it, but at that moment he didn't have time to deal with her feelings.

Jack's words stung Kate more than she would have thought they could of. She just stared for a moment, watching as he flung open the back door of the tavern. Realizing she didn't have time for her wounded feelings, she hurried after him inside.

There was a loud ruckus coming from the front, and Jack ran past the barmaids and cooks that were busy behind the counter. He looked wildly around, trying to see through all the smoke and darkness, but he realized too late that there was no need for his help anyways. Kate stopped at his side and they both watched as Bolton and Garner managed to handcuff Adger, Webber, and most importantly Clarke.

"I don't think it'd be good for you to be seen." Jack whispered to Kate. He jerked his head at the back door, indicating she should leave.

"The same can be said for yourself." She replied bitterly.

Jack didn't say anything but turned on his heel and exited the tavern the same way he had entered.

Kate glanced back at Garner and their eyes met. She quickly started to back out of the tavern, afraid Bolton would see her, but Garner held up his hand and mouthed one word to her: stay.

So she did. She sat down at a nearby table, waiting for Bolton and Garner to finish. It was a few more minutes before more guards came and hauled away the victims. Garner stopped Commodore Bolton for a moment before he left to follow them. He started to lead him towards the table where Kate was seated.

"You know the source, the person whom I said tipped me that Clarke was going to meet Adger and Webber here?"

Bolton simply nodded. "Yes—who was it? Port Veridian and the British government will be ever thankful to them for ridding the seas of not only two more pirates, but for under covering the subterfuges of Mr. Clarke."

Garner turned to Kate. "It was Miss Katherine."

Bolton jumped, not have noticing Kate sitting there before. For a few moments, the commodore just stared between Kate and Garner. Finally, he just shook his head. "Well, Miss Katherine, I thank you." The words came out sounding strange, odd, as if he were saying them through clenched teeth.

Kate's eyes widened. She had done no such thing of telling Garner of the supposedly secret meeting. She had even hardly anything to do with the plan. She realized though, what Garner was doing. He was trying to get Bolton to pardon her, remove the warrant hanging over her head. He was trying to save her and let her return to her old life.

Bolton pursed his lips, in thought. "Miss Katherine, I do not know if our government will forgive you for meddling with pirates…" He trailed off. "But, I will write and see what can be done for you." He added. "You will be welcome to stay in Port Veridian until I have a reply."

"Thank you, Commodore," was all Kate was able to say in reply. Kate could perhaps go back to living a normal life. It would not be the same, though; no, she was changed. But she could go back to the life she had been missing.

But had she been truly missing it?

Bolton said a few more parting words to Garner and left the tavern. Garner stayed and interrupted Kate's thoughts. "I know that you may not want to stay," he started. "But, you are welcome to stay at my house until you have things thought out." He offered.

Kate smiled and stood to her feet. "Thank you, Garner."

"Let's go find Jack." Garner couldn't stop grinning. He was almost giddy that they had finally captured Clarke. Kate frowned though, at the mention of the captain of theBlack Pearl. Apparently Garner did not know of Jack's association with the other pirates. While Garner may be gleeful, Jack sure wouldn't be, and Kate's mood was ever souring.

Kate followed him anyways out into small clearing behind the tavern. Jack was leaning against the trunk of a tree, his arms crossed and his eyes looking up to the starry sky.

"Jack! Well done!" Garner's smile spread across his face and he came towards the other pirate, enveloping him in a hug. Jack was surprised at first, and awkwardly patted Garner's back in return.

"Aye, you too, mate." Garner released Jack and he turned to Kate. He spread his arms out. "What? I don't get a hug from you?"

Kate's eyes narrowed. Before, when she was hiding in the clearing watching Jack with Adger and Webber, her anger was simmering. Now, she felt like she was going to explode. "You have no reason to even speak to either me or Garner." Kate said in a low voice, trying to keep control of her emotions.

Jack's eyebrow cocked. "And why not? Not good enough to talk to a Navy captain or to a woman cause I'm a pirate?" He couldn't help but taunt her. He was just as tired of Kate's accusations.

"You're nothing but a treacherous liar! You murderer! You think you're better than them but you're not! You're nothing but dirt compared to them!" By now, Kate had lost all control over her emotions. All the pent up anger she had stored for the pirate captain was letting loose. "After I saved your sorry neck! I should've told Bolton that you killed Willows! –should've told everyone what I knew!" Kate's eyes were welling up now, why unbeknownst to even herself. "But I didn't! Why the hell didn't I?"

Jack just stood there, his face strained and pained as she continued. Garner just stared, his mouth hanging open.

"And you were working with Clarke! And Adger and Webber! He was trying to kill me! To kill Garner! They were trying to kill you! After Garner helped you escape!" Kate was hysterical now, each word stabbing through the silence of the night. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"The plan went wrong Kate!" Jack finally burst out, yelling back at her. "Clarke —"

"No! I don't want to hear your excuses! Because they're all lies!"

"Will you just shut up for one second and I could explain thi—"

"How dare you even say these things in front of Garner!" Kate drowned out his voice.

"Kate, calm down. Listen to hi—" Garner began, his voice soft.

"He's convinced you too, has he? Well you haven't fooled me Captain Sparrow." She exaggerated his name in a sarcastic manner.

Jack's fists were clenching at his side. His eyes were closed, and for the first time, there was silence, except for Kate's heavy breathing.

"And to think I even cared for you." Kate's voice was no longer frantic and wild, but soft and apologetic.

At this, Jack's eyes opened, and with two swift strides towards her, he cupped his hands around her face and kissed her.

Kate was taken by such surprise as his warm lips pressed against hers that she merely stood there for a moment. It was absolutely perfect, blissful even. She started to lean into the kiss and then froze, trying to compose her thoughts. She put her hands against his chest and shoved him away. "You think you can just kiss me and everything will turn out alright?" She had a hand poised over her lips.

Jack took a step back and tried not to grin. "Well… it works in stories…"

"Well this isn't some story!" Kate just stared at him. He stared back. Garner shifted his feet awkwardly off to the side.

"At least it shut you up." Jack commented finally.

"Maybe we should just go back to my house and discuss these things in a civil manner." Garner interjected quickly, his words directed at Kate. She crossed her arms in defense, but nonetheless, she followed him and Jack back to his house.

To Garner and Jack's surprise, Kate listened to their side of the story. Jack mostly explained, but Garner would occasionally chip in to give him some extra credibility. Kate was wary at first, but slowly, she began to realize that she was in the wrong; Jack really was working with them the entire time.

After their discussion, Kate asked if it would be alright to make some hot chocolate. Garner gave her free reign of the kitchen, and declared that he was going to head off to bed. He bid his goodnights, and retired to his room.

Kate left Jack in the dining room and explored Garner's kitchen. She rummaged through the cabinets, trying to find the ingredients that she needed. She opened one cabinet, looking behind a stack of cans to see if there was anything she needed. No luck.

"Can I help with anything?" Jack asked, entering the kitchen.

"Sure," Kate smiled softly, grateful for the help. The animosity she felt for him had disappeared and she was left feeling extremely embarrassed of how she had acted towards him. She wasn't sure how things stood between them now.

She left him to find all of the ingredients while she took out a pot and started to melt the chocolate. Jack dropped all of the ingredients onto the counter next to her. Kate instructed him on what to do, guiding him through how much and of which ingredient. She giggled when he accidentally dropped half of the sugar bag into the pot.

"There can never be too much sugar!" He grinned, his laughter filling the room.

Kate giggled, trying to scoop some of the sugar back out. "Oh yes there can!"

They took turns stirring the mixture, little talk being exchanged between them.

"Think Garner has any marshmallows?" Jack asked, curiously glancing around the kitchen.

"A moshwallow?" Kate asked, confused. "What's that?"

Jack chuckled. "A marshmallow. A type of sugary, blob type… thing. The French can be credited for its creation."

A quizzical look remained on Kate's face, but she didn't question him any further. The farthest she had ever traveled was on the Black Pearl and she knew he had seen much more of the world than she had.

She pulled out two mugs from a cabinet while Jack continued to look for the things called marshmallows and started to pour the steaming drink into the mugs. She set them on the island and they both took a seat. Jack lifted his mug to hers, and after a small little clink of their cups, they took a drink.

It was quiet for a moment. It was odd for Kate to not be bursting out in anger at the pirate captain before her, and odd for Jack to not be yelled at. Yet, it was a comfortable silence for the both of them.

"I suppose I owe you an apology," Kate started.

Jack didn't reply but his eyes were trained on her.

"I guess…" She had difficulty finding the right words. "I guess my mind sort of went off on its own after that night that I returned to the crew. That night I kissed you." She figured if she was going to do the apology right, she needed to be as direct and honest as possible.

"I think I kind of scared myself. I dunno. In the back of my mind, I wasn't sure that I really belonged on board the Pearl. I've definitely made new companions and it changed my life; it's different, and I liked it. But I don't know that it's right for me."

"So after that," she continued, waving her hand, "I was scared you were going to kick me off the ship or something because of the kiss, so I just bolted; I left before you could kick me off; I left before I could face your rejection… And then I saw you with Clarke in Port Augustine and I was just livid. I mean after what happened with Garner saving our sorry selves. I just couldn't believe you would turn on him."

She paused. "You have to realize from my point of view, it really looked like you were working with Clarke. Garner tried to convince me otherwise, but I really, I just was so wary. I feel like Garner's an older brother to me, and you…. I don't even know about you anymore." She released a small sigh. "I was sort of hurt, I suppose, and with that I turned angry. I was scared Garner was going to get in the crossfire somehow and get hurt."

"I made assumptions and didn't trust you." She stopped, took a drink of her hot chocolate and met his eyes. "I'm sorry for that, Jack."

Jack simply nodded. "Apology accepted."

Kate let out a small sigh of relief at his words and he gave a small smile. Yet, it faded as quickly as it had come.

"Can you answer a question for me, Kate?"

Kate tilted her head. "Of course."

All signs of the joking and easy-going pirate captain had disappeared. His face was serious. "Do you have feelings for Garner?"

Kate happened to be taking a drink of her hot chocolate the moment he had asked the question and she immediately choked, accidentally sloshing the drink all over herself. She coughed and dropped the mug on the table, quickly standing.

Jack had fetched a towel and handed it to her with a small grin. She continued to cough as she began to wipe herself off with the towel.

"Are you alright?" He asked, genuinely concerned.

Kate nodded and fixed herself a glass of water. After a drink, the coughing ceased and she looked up at him embarrassedly. "Sorry," she muttered.

He waited patiently for her to sit back down at the table.

"No." She said forcefully. Jack was taken aback by her tone, and after noticing his reaction, she softened her voice. "No, I don't have any feelings for Garner. I told you before; I look at him like an older brother. We may have…" She cleared her throat, "…met in the past, but there is nothing there. If he has any feelings at all for me, then I feel awful because I don't feel anything in return for him. He's a respectable man, but not the one I'm looking for."

Kate thought that Jack's eyes lit up at her words, but she couldn't tell if it was just a trick of the light. "Why do you ask?"

"Something Garner said to me," he lied smoothly.

This answer suited Kate and the subject was pressed no further.

"And how are you feeling, Kate?" Jack asked, his eyes ever so steady. They were focused on a small cut above her right eye. He wanted to reach out to her and touch it, but he refrained.

Kate shrugged, becoming very self-conscious in the matter of moments. "I'm alright. My shoulder aches and I've a few bruises."

Jack dropped her gaze. "I guess it's my turn to apologize for that. You know I never meant to hurt you."

Kate gave a small smile. "It's fine."

"No, it's not." Jack said rather vehemently. He sighed, and looked back up at Kate. "I'm sorry how you were handled on the ship. Clarke seems to think that beating women is the best way to get them to comply." His voice turned bitter. "It took everything in me to not just run him through on that ship. I had hoped that drugging you, putting you under, would keep you from his attention and it would ease your pain, at least a little."

Kate's expression softened and she reached out, taking Jack's hand. "Thank you. Then, I wasn't so thankful for you drugging me, but now, as funny as it sounds, I am."

Jack smiled, looking down at their touching hands. Kate, noticing this, embarrassedly withdrew hers.

"When I returned to Veridian," Kate began, tilting her head. "Garner knew your plans with Clarke. How did he know all of that?" She asked.

Jack smirked. "Ah, after we escaped, you know the day before you stormed off my ship in a huff," he grinned to let her knew that he was joking. "I told you to go on with Gibbs and Nate. I stayed behind and left Captain Garner a slip of paper with a bit of a riddle on it. It was a meeting place, where we could correspond. Leaving all of our plans on that piece of paper would've been detrimental if it had been found." He explained.

Kate nodded, it made sense.

"You know," she said after a couple of minutes of silence between the two, "I'm glad I'm not mad at you anymore."

Jack smiled, showing that he was glad, too.

The next few hours afterwards passed quickly and they talked lightly into the night, catching up on what Kate had missed on the Pearl and other topics; yet, they both avoided the topic that was on both of their minds. They came close multiple times of discussing their feelings towards each other, but every time, they avoided the topic like the plague. The elephant was in the room, sitting right in between them, yet they both failed to acknowledge it or bring it up; they were content to enjoy their simple chatter and leave the complicated matters for later.

Don't forget about the poll on my profile. I'd love to hear your opinion on what I should write next! There is only one chapter left of this story... :/

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-Becca