A/N- A big thank you again to all those who have reviewed so far! I have noticed that a few people have been asking about this story in relation to the movie and I thought that I had better answer now instead of later. In the next five chapters you can exepct the events from the movie appearing and although I am going to change a few things, I am hoping it will work out. Although I will obviously state at the beginning of the chapter if I am going to make any massive changes. Anyway, I hope this has helped! I don't want to spoil anything but exciting times lay ahead. Enjoy this chapter dear readers!

Chapter 18

Constance sighed for the hundredth time and stared at her reflection in her quarters. Who was she even kidding, she had never even kissed a man before this day and now she was attempting to seduce one. She began to doubt her plan and allowed herself to fall on her bed in a defeated heap.

She somehow thought that Captain Salazar had most likely had many women attempt to seduce him before and a young innocent girl like herself would be quickly caught out. She covered her face with her hands and resisted the urge to cry again. She really didn't want to give up but as the hours went on and the closer towards land they sailed she was losing hope. Her eyes flickered to the dagger and she moved her hands from her face and gently ran her finger over the smooth surface. She could almost see her reflection through it and began to play with it aimlessly. It was so beautiful yet dangerous and if she was poetically inclined she would have compared it to the Captain himself.

Not knowing quite what to do, Constance slowly began to resign herself to the idea that she would be arriving in England within the month. It was a depressing thought but she didn't look like she had any other choice. Just as she felt tears prick her eyes again, a sudden knock on the door gathered her attention.

Opening the door hesitantly, Magda stood looking at her. He was not smiling as usual and before she could speak he pushed her back into the room.

"The Captain has ordered you to dine with him one last time before we part". He said looking down. Wiping her eyes quickly she was taken back by his words.

"Really?" She asked wondering if she had misheard him.

"Yes really. I don't know what has happened but the Captain is… not his normal self. He is overly angry and I happened to be on the receiving end. Before I am to take you to him, I wanted to ask a question". She nodded her head for him to continue and found his straight expression oddly off putting as he was normally so happy.

"Do you love him?" He asked abruptly. Constance felt her eyes widen and knew exactly who Magda was referring to. She didn't quite know if love was what she felt but it was definitely something of the sort. She had never been in love before and was taken back at Magda's question.

"What does love mean?"

"Would you do anything to be with him? Would you fight for him? And most importantly could you live without him?" The questions were loud in her ears and the more she thought about them the easier it became to answer them. She would do a lot for him and she would most definitely fight for him. Regarding living without him she just couldn't bear to imagine it. Her expression seemed to answer Magda's questions and he gently hander her his handkerchief to wipe the tears that had begun to fall.

"I won't lie to you Constance. I do like you but… I respect you. The Captain has taken to you and I would find it hard to argue that he didn't care for you. The other officers think the same and have noticed a slight difference with him. As he is our Captain we want him to be happy, not only because it makes our lives easier but… He is not that bad of a man. Now come with me and fight for him". She gasped as he offered her his hand and she took it instantly, allowing him to pull her up. She may have been uneasy around him when she first met him but after his kind words she felt as though she was talking to an old friend. Glad that someone supported her, she allowed Magda to escort her to the Captain's cabin and like their last trip, he stopped her as the doors were in sight.

"Our Captain may be a hard man but he would not intentionally be unkind to you. Just remember that Constance". And with that he gently took her hand and kissed it before walking away. She felt a bit sorry for the officer as he had admitted he liked her but she was grateful that he did not pursue her like her gentleman at home. At least Magda knew when a girl was not interested in him. With a deep breath, she opened the door and was about to walk back out again when she forgot to knock, when the voice of Captain Salazar came from behind her.

"Just go in". He said as he held the door for her and she made her way for the last time to the dining room. Unlike the other times she had dined with the Captain, the food was already served and there were a few candles more scattered around the table. He pulled out her seat and she whispered a small thank you and waited for him to sit. They sat in silence for a while and she began to fidget with her hands only to stop when his much larger gloveless hand made contact with her own.

"You have always intrigued me" He started. "And since you have been on the Silent Mary I have barely slept. I have found myself often distracted by you. Or be it, by thoughts of you. Your desire to live life to its fullest is almost inspiring to say the least and I would be lying to deny that I… appreciate your charms". He paused and Constance sensed a 'but' coming. She interrupted him before he could speak however.

"Armando, why don't we be straight with one another. Do you care for me?" She asked abruptly and the Captain moved his hand from hers almost immediately. She felt herself grimace and wondered if her brashness was too much.

"Si, but as I have said, this is not going to work. I am bound to ridding the sea of the infection which has plagued it for years. You, are also bound to your family however much you dislike it. I cannot allow this to continue for it will only cause more heartbreak for you".

Constance felt like throwing her plate at him as he began to eat slowly and she stared at the soup which was to her right. She was happy to some extent that he cared but his obsession with pirates was becoming an issue. Very carefully she placed her hand under the table and ran it across his leg and nearly laughed despite the serious situation when he swallowed his soup the wrong way. He spluttered for a few minutes and she had to look away to stop herself from giggling. Even now when she was in an awful situation she still found things amusing. Trying to act innocent, she picked up her spoon to take a mouthful of soup when the Captain's hand grabbed hers in mid-air.

"What on earth were you doing?" He asked her, his voice laced with confusion and embarrassment. She gave him wide-eyed look hoping she looked innocent. He narrowed his eyes at her when she failed to reply and she was really tempted to do it again but his hand tightened around her hand as though he had read her mind.

"You are playing a dangerous game Constance". He warned and she managed to keep her composure.

"And do you enjoy dangerous games Captain?" She asked using his title. He let go of her hand and she watched as he clenched his fist and carried on eating. She didn't quite know where she was going with all this but decided to carry on.

"Have you ever seen a pirate with a wooden leg then?" She asked out of the blue. That seemed to have been enough to rile up the tetchy Captain as seconds later he had dropped his spoon and pulled her out of her seat. For a moment, she thought he was going to tell her to get out and was about to apologise and promise she would act her age when she found herself being pushed into his private rooms. Well she certainly hadn't expected this. Especially since she had only been joking about the pirate question. She was about to ask him what he was doing when he spoke.

"You are the most infuriating, stubborn" He stopped and kissed her deeply. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to enjoy the moment. "Attractive" He gasped as he kissed he again. "Amazing" He said between kisses. "Woman I have ever met". He finished and she gave a squeal when he threw her on the bed. Now Constance may have been innocent but she was not completely naïve. Wondering if she had gotten into a situation which was too much for her she was about to stop him when he crawled on top of her and stared at her, panting. His body pinned her own body down and she felt warmth pool in her stomach.

"I will not deflower you tonight so you can take that alarmed look off your face. Now, listen to me. I can't let you stay on this ship with me" He started and she pouted and went to speak. He managed to silence her with another kiss before speaking again. "But, you are right. I do care for you. When I have managed to clear the seas, I will come back for you. But you must promise that you will stay safe and wait for me. And I give you my word that once these waters are safe I shall return to get you".

Constance couldn't help but feel sad that she would have to be parted from him but compared to their last discussion, she was right in thinking that this was a better idea.

"How long will you be?" She asked quietly, hoping that he would not say years.

"I should be able to get rid of the infestation in around seven months".

"You are going to be able to do that in such a short amount of time?" She asked surprised by his words. Considering the size of the seas she was not expecting such a short amount of time, although she was not unhappy about it.

"I am efficient at my job. When we reach land in a few hours I will be given some information concerning the location of pirates. I am certain that my job will be completed soon". He went to kiss her once more but this time she placed her hand on his lips stopping him and he gave her a perplexed look.

"How many have you killed Armando?"

"Too many to count. But do not think of that for it is my soul and not yours. Although, they are not human so I have never found any ethical dilemmas". He replied, slightly muffled by her hand. She nodded and although she disagreed with him, she took her hand away and tried to push that from her mind. She supposed that once they were back together she would be able to have some discussions of a more philosophical nature. For now, she wanted to make the most of being with him and allowed herself to be pulled against his warm body.

After they explored one another's bodies and had created memories she would never forget, Constance had her bare leg wrapped around his own trouser clad legs. Her head was resting on his chest and she was listening to his heart beat deeply. It was a calming sound and she couldn't help but snuggle further against him. They didn't sleep, but instead spent the last few hours together talking. They spoke of home and how he had learnt English from an early age. He spoke of how he had actually taught his crew English as well and she asked if he would be able to teach her Spanish sometime. The more they spoke, the more they enjoyed one another's company and she wished that this moment would never end. She had asked him what had changed his mind about being with her and he took a while until he replied.

"I am not one to be controlled so easily by fate". Was his rely and for the time she was content with just that. But just as she was drifting off to sleep however, as she was tired from all the talking, she heard Armando whisper something to her.

"And yes, I have seen a pirate with a wooden leg. He wasn't that impressive". She snorted and felt him chuckle as well. Perhaps her life was not to be so bad after all.