I'm all done my exams, (have been for a while, but I was relaxing this whole time LOL..) so I should be updating on schedule now.
Thanks for your patience, everyone.
As a gift for the time you've waited, a 2,507 word chapter filled with fluff and slight drama.
Enjoy. :)

Chapter 31: The Turning Tide III

Jack chose not to tell Katherine of the deceptive copy of her father's will, for it may compromise her safety if she chose to question Crowley about it. He heard the General could be a loose cannon at times, if nudged the wrong way and the very last thing Jack wanted was for the delicate brunette to fall victim to that man.

He felt a gentle movement against his chest. Glancing down, his eyes fell upon Katherine, curled against him with her arm securely wrapped around his torso, her fingers gently kneading the fabric of his vest in an almost caressing-like manner. Thoughts of Crowley completely dispersed from his mind; there were more important things to be focused on at the moment..

"Jack.." She murmured, resting her palm over his abdomen before she apologized meekly and burrowed her face into his chest, "I.. I'm sorry."

Sitting up slightly as he captured her hand in his larger one, raising an eyebrow as he questioned, "'Bout what, love? Ye have nothing to be sorry for."

"I should have said it to you earlier, when you came to find me at the manor.." Katherine sat up as well, gazing at the trees in the distance. The two had decided to spend time some together on a small secluded hill on the outskirts of Greyleah before Katherine would have to return, as to not raise any suspicion from the General. It was difficult enough for Edward to allow her to merely leave the manor without two of his soldiers accompanying her on the carriage ride to the small fishing town.

She held onto his callused hand, caressing the tan skin as she contemplated on how she could express the way she felt for the man before her. She finally spoke, the utmost sincerity in her voice, "… I love you, Jack." Her eyes flickered to his chocolate brown ones before she looked away. There was always something about his stare; the way his eyes penetrated her was unlike anything she had ever endured, "I.. have felt this way for such a long time.. But I simply couldn't.. couldn't bring myself to tell you."

Katherine swore to herself that she would not cry, though the longer that Sparrow didn't reply, she began to feel the tears brimming by the corner of her eyes. It was so difficult to express the exact emotions she held for the suave captain. Perhaps he didn't feel they same way anymore, and realized that he instead wanted an extroverted woman of the sea to spend his time with? Or maybe he lost interest in the milky-skinned young woman because she had not verbalized her affections on the day he had said them to her?

Sparrow sat there, simply absorbing all of what she had said as he gazed out into the distance where the small port was and a handful of men could be seen fishing for what would become the dinner of the evening for their families. She… loved him? There was a throbbing eruption in his chest, and he felt as though he had difficulty for his lungs to expand and retract. It was as if his muscles had all locked up at once and his mind had shut down as soon as the words had fallen from her petal lips. Love.. him?Jack was almost certain he had been imaging things. Maybe he had fallen asleep on the hill, and was dreaming?

After Katherine had not returned his affection for her when he had confessed them that day in her room of Crowley's manor, he didn't want to accept it, but felt like the demure brunette possibly had feelings for the General. There had never been a time in Jack Sparrow's life when women ever truly denied him. Then again, he had spoken the precious three words only once before, to Angelica. Katherine meant the world more than just a quick shag, or someone to rendezvous with to kiss sensually for hours on end, only to cast her off later. Jack wanted her –all of her- to himself, and although he genuinely wouldn't mind at all to kiss her for several hours on end, that was not nearly all of what he desired. He had every intention of keeping her afterwards. Specifically, what he wanted from a relationship with Katherine was unclear, even to his own eyes; all he knew as that he ached to be with the caring woman who had pillaged his thoughts for every single moment since meeting her.

Anxiety and heartbreak began to ebb into her. He wasn't replying.. Could he have..? No… He said just days ago that he loved her, and wanted her to return to the Black Pearl, and for things to go back to how things use to be. Is it possible that he actually changed his mind in such a short time? She couldn't grasp the thought of displaying her ultimate love for him, only to be rejected because she hadn't spoken when he did. Katherine knew she would suffer if he did not answer her. She knew her heart would forever be in a state of torture, and she would be just like the many other women who had told the infamous Jack Sparrow of their emotions for him, only to be denied.

Lord, she couldn't be more of a fool..

His dark brown hues gradually slid to where she closely sat by him, her feminine soft hand still resting against his chest. It wasn't quite as warm as before, maybe she had moved away slightly while he had been thinking. He finally spoke, after what seemed like forever to the young woman whose heart ached.

"..Ye love me?" Jack breathed, his eyes locked with hers.

She chewed slowly on her bottom lip, fiddling with the hem of her beautiful dress bought by Crowley, "Yes, Jack. I do." Oh God, please…"I love you more than anything in this world,"

He had been there for her like no one else has, how could she not have such dear emotions for the man? "I am sorry I didn't say it before… I just.. I-"

In an abrupt movement, Jack swiftly captured her lips with his own, his mouth moving passionately against hers. She could feel the faint stubble from his cheeks tickling her face as they kissed. Breaking from her reverie, her comforting hands came to rest on his upper torso against his heart while Sparrow's ringed hands snaked around her waist to possessively draw her closer to him.

Reluctantly pulling away, he rested his forehead against hers as they both took in heavy amounts of air from their lengthy set of kisses. Finally after catching his breath, Sparrow opened his eyes and gazed at her before whispering huskily, "And I love ye, Ms. White…" He kissed the outer shell of her ear before nuzzling his face into her silky long hair. God.. She always smelt so lovely; he could have stayed like this for ages.

Katherine laughed as he gave two or three quick licks to her cheek like a puppy, before kissing her again possessively. His. She was his. And the young woman couldn't have been happier to know that.

An hour or so passed before the brunette announced that she needed to return to the manor soon, before Crowley sent his goons out to search for her. As much as Jack didn't want to let his beautiful porcelains doll go, he knew that it would be best so that the General wouldn't be aware of their little meeting.

The two now both stood in the town, near an old bookshop; Jack's hands securely resting on her waist while her hands were placed over his shoulders as they stood close. His eyes were on her the entire time as she glanced around on the small street, peering for any navy coats while still in his arms. Jack smiled, she was so gorgeous, even when cautious..

"Katherine."

She glanced up at him, the corner of her lips tugging upwards, "Hm?"

He swooped down for a kiss before he murmured, "I love ye," Jack said, attempting to mask his displeasure at her approaching departure, "don't forget it, darlin'.. Alright?"

Planting a sweet kiss to his stubble-covered cheek, she smiled, "I promise, only if you won't forget that I love you too."

His eyes softened as he grinned handsomely, "I swear on me life.." Before they broke apart, he vowed to her, "I'm comin' back for you love. Before this blasted marriage happens, I'm coming back to takin' ye away from all this mess and yer comin' back onto the Pearl with me and the crew, savvy?"

Her heart soared at his promise. She could hardly wait…

.

After the two had separated, Katherine found herself at the wrought iron gates of the entrance to Greyleah, a prestige carriage waiting for her. The coach, Leopold, was currently feeding one of the beautiful white horses before he spotted her standing there,

"Ah, forgive me miss. I hadn't seen you," He moved his hand away from the horse's mouth, only for the steed to neigh in displeasure, "Are you ready to return to the manor?"

She came forward before gently patting the horse on its muzzle. The large animal nickered at her gesture, moving against her hand as it attempted to get more of a caress from her. She smiled as she replied to the man, "Yes, I'm prepared to return."

"But miss," Leopold briefly took in her appearance, "you haven't bought anything?"

Katherine froze and her hand stopped caressing the loving steed. She averted her sight to the man, "Ah.." She hastily conjured a lie. It wasn't something she particularly enjoyed doing, but she had no other choice if she wanted to keep her rendezvous with Jack a secret, "There wasn't anything which caught my eye in the stores, I'm afraid.."

He nodded before moving to the carriage door and opening it for her, holding a gloved hand out, "Milady?"

Seeing this, she felt as though she was going back in time when she was still with her living mother and father, still in a sheltered life of luxury and wealth. As much as she didn't want to have this man open the door for her and offer his hand, it was fairly difficult to get into a carriage with such a grand and expensive dress on. His assistance was greatly required and appreciated. Not to mention, her schooling of being a proper lady had embedded itself into her mind and actions; it would be rude not to accept his help..

"Thank you, Leopold."

"Of course, miss."

With that, he closed the carriage door behind her before making his way up to the front of the carriage and stepping up onto the platform before sitting down and grabbing hold of the reigns. With a quick whip, the horses began to move into a swift trot down the dirt road to the Crowley Manor.

"Miss Katherine…" She heard from the front of the carriage as they continued down the trail. Her head rose before she replied, "Yes?"

Nothing could be heard from the man for a brief moment; the only sound was the movement of the horses hooves against she dirt and the occasional creak of the finely painted carriage.

"About that man.." Leopold finally spoke, "that one you met on the hill."

Her heart gave a tremor. Oh God… He had seen her with Jack? She didn't know how to respond; it was almost as if she couldn't get her lips to move and produce sound.

After a minute, the coach quietly assured her, "I won't tell a soul, miss…" He continued, "I've heard about you and that man from the maids in the manor. Mr. Crowley must have felt the need to tell all those who work for him of his detest for that man you love. But I understand, miss…"

She felt on the brink of tears. So she wasn't all alone… "..You do?"

"I don't see how any woman could love a man like Mr. Crowley, being the cruel and horrible man he is… And that's why I will keep your visit with the pirate a secret.." His head swiveled to look at her briefly with a smile, "A kind and gentle lady such as yourself, miss Katherine, deserves someone who will care for her in other ways besides simply materially. I believe that pirate is that man for you, milady.."

A droplet fell onto her lap as she balled up a loose fist of her gown in her hands before wiping the faint tears on her cheeks, "Thank you, Leopold… Thank you so much.."

The smile could be heard in his voice as he kept his eyes on the trail ahead, "Not a problem, miss.."

.

Katherine entered the manor as gingerly as humanly possible, though the swishing of her gown and cloak were giving her away as she glided hastily down the recently cleaned main hall. In all honesty, she had no desire whatsoever to encounter Crowley and his snide, undermining tone.

She had nearly made it to her bedroom, however Edward had emerged from around a corner and was abruptly in her pathway to salvation.

"Ah, dearest! That was a rather short visit to town; did you not find anything to your liking?" He inquired, resting his hands against the small of her lower back, caressing her. She prayed for the Lord above to force for the man's horrid hands to be removed from her person.

She cleared her throat quietly before responding, "No, nothing had particularly caught my eye…"

"I see; of course not, my dear." He said with a scoff beneath his breath, "There wouldn't be anything for that pitiful fishing town to offer you anyway."

Truthfully, Katherine hadn't gotten the opportunity to browse around, though she was sure there would have been at least something she would have liked. A trinket or something of the sorts.

Edward continued, "Oh yes; a woman was found snooping around outside the manor." He stared down at her with a piercing gaze, "One of Augustine's women of the Gallant Matron. Lilith, I believe her name was. Do you recall her, my Katherine?"

"Yes.." She murmured, afraid for that woman's life even though herself and the crew she belonged to had caused much trouble for the men of the Black Pearl. Almost afraid to ask, "Where is she now, Edward..?"

The most malevolent smirk she had ever laid eyes on developed over his features, "You can find her in the guard barracks. Hanging."

She recoiled from his hold as she gasped in shock, covering her mouth with her hands, unable to believe his brutality. With that, Edward's eyes lingered on her a second longer before he simply left to his study as she stood there.

That poor woman…

I love you all. Have I told you this lately? Well, I'm tellin' you now. Jack loves ya too by the way. He's locked up in my closet currently..
Reviews would be wonderful. :) FREE JACK. LOL,