Apologies for taking so long with this one, I've actually had it written for a while just not got round to publishing it :L Sorry about that!
Thank you to all reviewers, please check out my other fic "Stand By You" :)
Enjoy, R&R xxx

S is for… Stirrings

As Jack noticed the Spanish beauty, his Spanish beauty, walk up to the deck, he couldn't help but smile. Just her presence made everything seem brighter and he couldn't imagine losing her again. But deep down, he knew that he was at risk of losing her. He could tell she was growing irritated and unhappy by his refusal to say the three words she wanted to hear. She had already told him several times, so why was it he still couldn't bring himself to say them back? And why was he still trying to fool himself that they were still only stirrings?

The thing was, underneath all his male bravado, Jack was scared. He had seen people suffer heartbreak and he didn't want to let himself fall the way they had. He had seen people have the one they loved used against them as leverage. He didn't want to let someone get that close to him. But he knew it was too late for that. He cared for Angelica more than anything else, and he knew he would do absolutely anything to protect her. He would even risk his beloved Pearl for her, and that was saying something considering all he had been through to get the ship and keep it. But he knew he would give her up in a moment to save Angelica. Taking a deep breath, Jack called Cotton to take the wheel and headed down to where he knew Gibbs was likely to be.

"Mister Gibbs?"
"Aye, Cap'n?"
"How do I tell Angelica?"
"Tell her what, Cap'n?" Jack looked pointedly at his first mate, who opened his eyes wide and nodded as realisation dawned on him. "Ahh, you finally summoned up the courage to tell her."
"Aye. I have to admit, I've known they've been more than stirrings for a while now." Jack nodded.
"You and everyone else." Gibbs laughed, turning into a cough as the captain frowned at him. "Well, Jack, I'd say you just tell her straight."
"Oh so I just waltz up to her and tell her?"
"You gotta say it with actions as well." There was silent as both men racked their brains for a solution, and finally Gibbs grinned. "Tell you what, how about a candlelit dinner in your cabin tonight?" Jack nodded, slowly.
"What about the food?"
"You leave that to me. I'll get the cook to prepare something for the captains as well as for the crew and then I'll take it to your cabin for you. You can set it up how you like and then I'll let Miss Angelica know you wish to dine with her alone." Jack nodded, then turned to go but paused as he started to walk away.
"Thank you, Gibbs." He said, and then left.

"Here's the food, Cap'n." Gibbs said, knocking on the cabin door. Jack opened it quickly and took the plates from his first mate.
"Thank you. Now, send her up." Jack closed the door behind him and lay the plates on the table. A single candle was placed in the centre alongside a bottle of wine. A glass stood by each plate. A few moments passed, and then there was another knock at the door. The person did not wait for a response, however, and walked in, her beauty making Jack freeze for a moment before he regained his composure.
"Gibbs said you requested I dine with you." Angelica smiled, and then caught sight of the table. "I was not expecting all of this. What is this, Jack?"
"Dinner, of course."
"Why the whole display?"
"Because…" Jack started, finding it hard to get the words out. He had never uttered them before, but he knew he had to and he knew this was the opportune moment. "Because I love you." He finally said.
"What?" Angelica was shocked. Had those words really just come out of Jack's mouth?
"I love you, Angelica." The words came easier this time, as if an invisible barrier had been broken. Angelica stared at him for a few seconds, silent. Then she made her way over to Jack, reached her hands up and wrapped them around his neck and gently pulled his head down to hers where she met his lips with her own. Jack's own hands moved instinctively to Angelica's waist, pulling her close as they kissed. Eventually they parted, and Angelica's eyes met his.
"I love you too, Jack." She said softly, and he grinned before dipping his head once more, the food forgotten.