Aaaand I'm back. I came across some of my old fanfiction and, realising that this series of drabbles has been almost ten years (!) in the making, decided to edit and post what remains. It's been interesting, looking back at what I wrote so long ago...

This one is based on the prompt Friendly Persuasion and was originally posted on 24/5/07, before At World's End was released, but is set after his return from a (slightly different) underworld.

None of it's mine (and I don't even have a boat.)

This time, she will be adamant.

"No!"
"Please?"
And if he thinks he will persuade her, with his soft cajoling voice and his eyes fixed so appealingly on hers…
"No! You know what happened the last time you stole my boat!"
"Borrowed. Ah, but this time I am asking permission."

He is behind her now, his voice very close to her ear.
"I don't care! I do not trust you, Jack Sparrow, an' this boat, she is all I got."
"A point of questionable validity—" He steps back hastily as she whirls to face him, eyes snapping.
"You call me a liar?"

Jack's hands are gesturing before him, foolish placatory motions that make her smile despite herself.
"Of course not! Simply…suggesting…that a lady of such considerable wit and charm—not to mention strength—as yourself must always be considered the possessor of many more assets than a mere boat."
He smiles, head tilted to one side like a slightly tipsy parakeet.
"Savvy?"

"You could talk yourself out of hell itself, Jack," she grumbles.
"Indeed. It really is amazing how amenable the Queen of the Dead is to a little flattery," he agrees cheerfully, before taking a hurried glance down and then up. "Not that every word of it wasn't the truth, Persephone, love," he adds, then returns his full—and disconcertingly charming—attention to Ana Maria.
"What do you say, love?" he wheedles. "Just for a couple of days, one trip of almost negligible proportions, no danger involved whatsoever."
"Just like there was no danger whatsoever in Port Royal, where you sank my boat?" she retorts, turning her back on him to hide her amusement.
"Doomed before ever we got within sight or sniff of the docks, my dear. An interesting tale and one that I must tell you; after I return, of course."
"We not yet decided that you going anywhere, Captain Sparrow!"

She can feel his gaze on her, knows it by the way the back of her neck tingles at his nearness.
"Well," he remarks thoughtfully, "if you are so concerned about the welfare of your vessel, she is considerably larger than your previous…tub—as you may have noticed. Plenty of room for two, should you wish to come along and take care of…the boat."
His voice is very low now, his breath close enough to stir the wisps of hair at her ear.

"Would I not get bored on this little, safe journey of yours?" she asks nonchalantly, refusing to react to the pressure of his arm encircling her waist or to the warmth of his lips at her throat.
"Oh, I imagine I could keep an able pirate such as yourself well occupied for a day or two," he replies, as coolly as though his fingers were not boldly cupping her breast and his thumb engaged in idly caressing it.
"I have no plans for a day or two," she concedes, almost without a catch in her breath. "I suppose I could come—to make sure you have been looking after my property."

Ana turns, running one hand down his chest, lips curving upward.
"Excellent decision," Jack murmurs, before his mouth comes down to meet hers.

Next time, she will be adamant.