The ocean from a distance looks sparkly.
Get it?
No?
LOL. I tried.

PS: So many people wanted their own shirtless Johnny. :) I don't blame them, though, ;)

Chapter 15: On Sparkling Horizons

Katherine stirred a little at the sudden weight change on her bed. She brushed a strand of hair away from her line of sight as she sat upright. Once she saw the hunched figure of Jack on her mattress as he stared desolately at the floor.

"Jack…" She whispered to him, moving closer as she rested a gentle hand against his strong back, "is something wrong?"
A sigh was heard from him as his brown eyes trailed along her arms, neck and face-which held concern and compassion for the captain.

When he gave her no response, she caressed his arm soothingly, "Jack, tell me what is wrong.."

Ringing his hands together like a nervous young boy, he turned to perceive her clearly, "Love," He began, "ye must've had a few dreams in yer life that were baddies, aye?"

"Yes, I have had some before.." She rested her hands in her lap, "is that what is bothering you?"

Sitting straight, he cleared his throat and responded with, "O' course not, darling." He smiled at her, yet she deemed it as a ruse, "Ye think a dream could render me stricken, love? I think not."

Pursing her lips, Katherine glanced away from him for a moment, "It is perfectly acceptable if you are."

They both fell silent. Deciding to gather his will and cast aside all thoughts of him possibly coming off to her as 'lily livered'

He said, "Aye, love. Ye hit the nail right on the head.."

"A bad dream..?"

Kicking off his boots, he continued to eye her, "Not just any bad dream.."

Sensing a slight remainder of reluctance in his tone, she added, "Releasing your pent up emotions will help."

"…I know. That's why I came to you, love. I knew ye would help ol'Jack out with problems such as this.." He bit out quietly.

Katherine smiled at the fact that he knew she would be there for him, however she couldn't help but feel that she would forever be known as the young woman who Jack could confide in. Yes, she appreciated the fact that he knew all his of his deepest secrets would be safe with her, but she wanted more. To forever hold his heart.

She bid thoughts such away and focused on Jack and his welfare with the nightmare he had previously seen.

"Tell me. It will help," Katherine promised him as she handed him her glass of untouched water from the bedside table.

Gratefully, he took it and downed the contents in a single gulp. Refreshed, Jack exhaled, "Thank you, love.."

She smiled, running her hand through the valley between his shoulder blades, "What could the dream have been about to have you so unsettled?"

"It was hellish.." Jack's chocolate brown sight fell upon the flickering flame of the wick, "I was alone with no ship and no crew. No mates; not even me bloody dad. Nothing. And worst of all, love.." His eyes slid across the soft features of her face, memorizing every inch of her, "it was true.."

"True?" She murmured, enveloped, "What was true..?"

Jack chuckled cynically, running a hand over his face exhaustedly, "Love, would ye believe how many times I've been betrayed?" The slowly growing irritation, "How many times I've been abandoned and left for dead?"

Concern consumed her; this was not the Jack she knew. Just how long had he been repressing these emotions?

"Jack.." She began gently, however was interrupted.

"If it suited the crew's fancy," He provided, a sneer visible on his visage, "I'm sure they would betray me as well."

Katherine sighed, compassion in her voice, "Oh Jack.. You don't know that for certain."

"But I do, love…" He murmured desolately.

How could he think this? How was it possible for him to think that no one would be there for him? Jack had a courageous crew and a trustworthy first mate. True, there had been a mutiny upon him some time ago, however that did not mean that his current formation of crewmen would do the same.

"Listen to me," She clasped onto his hands with her own, peering into his eyes from beneath her long lashes, "there are many individuals in your life that would never consider the thought of betraying you. It may take some time and it may be difficult, but you will realize who these people are." The young woman told, "Believe me…"

They were both quiet for a bit as Jack began to caress her hands with his own. The touch of his callused thumbs against her soft milky skin was enough to send her heart fluttering. His eyes slowly trailed up from their conjoined hands to meet with hers.

"Are ye one of those people, Katherine?" He enquired, focused solely on her. Oh, how those chocolatey hues could pierce her.

She smiled radiantly before raising a demure hand to his face, stroking the rough stubble on his cheek, "Yes, I am." She swore, "I will never leave your side, Jack. You have my word,"

His facial features softened at her touch; her words had such an impact on him. Taking hold of the hand on his cheek, he pulled Katherine towards him and they fell against bed. Jack laid a kiss against her forehead and cheek, "Thank you, love.." He muttered sleepily, "thank you."

Jack threw the blankets over them and snaked an arm around her waist before they fell asleep, tenderly curled against one another.

The two rested easily that night; a smile on Katherine's lips and ease across Jack's face.

.

The morning sun of the Caribbean rose and spread its glorious shine across the sea. Streams of light poured into Katherine's cabin, causing her to stir awake. She turned onto her side as she recalled the previous night's events. She was all too happy to have been there for Jack when he needed it most.

Katherine rose her hand to her face, rubbing away the sleep from her eyes. Upon opening them, she was met with the grinning face of Jack Sparrow, eying her in a way that she had only dreamt of.

"Well, 'ello love." He wiggled his eyebrows at her, a charming smile on his lips, "How'd ye fair in sleepin?"

Katherine giggled quietly into the pillow at his antics before meeting his eyes, "Well, and you?"

"Like a babe, darlin." He smirked, brushing away a lock of luster brown hair from her shoulder.

The both sat upright on the bed; the blankets falling away from their awakened forms, "I'm glad to hear it," Katherine smiled before standing from the bed and going behind the folding screen where she usually changed.

Sparrow swallowed tensely, believing that she had gone there to change, only for her to return seconds later still in her chemise. He pouted childishly in disappointment.

"Jack.." The hazel-eyed young woman began, "do you think there may be something more suitable for me to wear aboard the ship?

"Eh? Love, you know with me it's a dress or nothing," He told her, before adding, "and I happen to have no dress in my cabin, if you-"

Her look of desperation was too much, "Jack, please. Whenever I go out onto the deck, I am sweltering in less than a minute!"

The captain gave it a moment's thought before standing from the bed and taking her hand, "Aye, let's see what we can do."

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