Last Chapter: After a glance inside he was surprised to find the light caught by shards of crystal scattered on the floor. Jack kneeled down to investigate one of the larger pieces. In it's cracked features he could make out the head of a hummingbird. What caught his eye though, was what was sticking out of it. Jack peered closer, "I'll be damned."
Chapter 11: Swords and DaggersThe raucous shouts had done nothing for the constant ache in Jessica's head. The pain had become overwhelming and her eyes blurred as she scrubbed the remainder of the gruel from the wooden bowls. She closed her eyes against the light and put a cool, wet hand to her temple in an effort to sooth the pain.
The pounding in her head was so loud, it drowned out the sound of the door opening slowly behind her. Consequently, she gave a startled jump at the sound of Jack's voice behind her.
"I imagine that must be hurtin' something awful luv."
Jessica fumed. I'm scrubbing my hands raw on the dishes of his crew and he has the gaul to come in here and mock my pain. She turned to around to give him a piece of her mind, but the words died on her lips at the sympathetic look in his eyes.
He nodded towards the side of her face, "We should've iced it last night. Tis a wonder it hasn't swollen more."
Jessica tried to shake her head dismissively but winced at the effort. "I'm fine. The pain will be gone in an hour I'm sure." She pointedly (though slowly) turned and began to continue scrubbing the bowl in her hand.
Jack removed the bowl just as pointedly and waggled his finger at her. "What kind of job would ye do if ye can't even open your eyes. Some poor unsuspecting crewmen would get a spoonful of the green growth with his gruel."
Jessica raised an eyebrow, "I doubt that would deter them."
Jack shrugged, "Probably not, but I'll ensure that it's you who gets the fuzzy green bowl."
Jessica threw down her rag, "Fine, what service do you find fit for me?"
Jack smiled and pulled her against him in one sweeping motion. In a low voice he murmured, "What kind of services are you offerin' luv?"
Jessica shrieked in indignation and pushed herself away from the pirate. The action was too much for her head however, and she was sent stumbling back from the spots in her eyes.
Jack put out an arm to steady her, "Don't go getting' too excited now Jessica."
"Miss Tanner," Jessica bit out through gritted teeth, "And if you touch me again, you'll find yourself with no fingers to run through that tangle of a beard."
Jack barked out a laugh, "Do ye want to make it to me cabin alive, or do ye not?"
Jessica grumbled but allowed him to slip a supportive arm around her waist. He led her slowly up the steps and through the door to his cabin. Jessica felt her chest tighten as he leaned in to set her on the bed. It seemed to her that he was taking an eternity to do it. Finally, he released her and she let out the breath she hadn't known she'd been holding. Why am I so nervous? He was only helping me, he hasn't done anything but help me.
As he walked out the door Jack called over his shoulder, "I'll find something for that pumpkin of a face you're wearing."
Jessica furiously twisted the sheets in her hands in an attempt to keep her anger in check. Not a minute ago she had been feeling guilty for being nervous about him being so close when he was only trying to help her. She understood now that her guilt was wasted on him.
Jack sighed to himself. He honestly hadn't meant to let that last bit slip out. But he had been so annoyed at the way her muscles had tensed in dislike when he had set her back on the bed. Her barely audible sigh of relief had sounded loud and clear to him. He had never done so much for one woman or had one woman hate him so long. He understood now that his efforts were wasted on her.
He returned a few minutes later with a cool bucket of water and a relatively clean rag. He found Jessica staring at the opposite wall, seemingly lost in thought. Jack realized that the cool rag might not be enough, but he couldn't see how bad the swollen side of her face was with her staring off into space.
He cleared his throat, "Oy, Lass!"
She replied without moving her eyes, "Yes."
Jack grumbled and moved to stand directly in front of her. "I'll be needin' to-"
His words were cut off as she was suddenly seized by a coughing fit which sent her curls cascading over her face. By the time it had passed she was facing the opposite direction.
Jack sighed, if he could just ensure that the cloth was adequate he could be on his way. Not being a very subtle man, he grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her forcibly toward him. Jessica's eyes widened in surprise before her hand flew up to tug her hair back over her face.
The annoyance in Jack's eyes was quickly replaced with understanding. She was trying to hide her face. Jack would have laughed out loud but for the thought that it was probably his own words that caused her to avoid his gaze. Instead he released her shoulders and handed her the wet rag. She took it silently and met his gaze only when she had pressed it's cool, rough surface against her aching face.
Jack tucked her hair back behind her ear. "You're the first woman I've met who managed to look more beautiful after a tangle with lesser men."
Jessica averted her eyes from his steady gaze. In the softest voice he had ever heard her use she murmured, "I believe I need my rest now Captain."
So Jack headed back outside to the setting Caribbean sun to reclaim the quarterdeck from Anamaria.
After a good deal of grumbling on Anamaria's part, Jack was once again running his hands over the smooth wood of the helm. Jack gazed out thoughtfully over the water as he puzzled over his most recent interaction with the mysterious maiden in his cabin. His mouth had taken him by surprise for the second time that day with that bit about her beauty. He hadn't even realized the thought was in his head until the words had tumbled out. He would dismiss it as his normal smooth talking if he hadn't realized the truth in his words. For some reason she truly seemed more beautiful now than before. Although a very observant man, he couldn't even put his finger on exactly what had changed about her.
Intriguing as her newfound beauty was, it was only one of the many mysteries that seemed to be plaguing him recently. Jack removed the piece of crystal from his pocket and investigated it in the fading light. He had originally gone into the galley to question her about it, but the opportune moment had never arisen. Jack restored the crystal to it's previous place in his jacket. Perhaps tomorrow.
Early the next morning Jessica smiled into her pillow. She was twirling around the room with Mrs. Bella, her little feet never touching the floor. The familiar ache began in her chest as she slowly became aware of her dark surroundings and the wet pillow beneath her cheek. Wet? Jessica frowned and moved her hand up to her face. Her forehead knotted in confusion as her hand came in contact with the damp cloth that separated her cheek from the pillow.
As the dreamy haze cleared from her mind she remembered the rag the Captain had been so insistent in applying to her face, which had thankfully ceased throbbing. Her damp cheek became considerably warmer when she remembered the pirate's final words to her.
Never before had anyone called her beautiful. She had her share of suitors at home, but her responsibilities at the inn didn't allow her such distractions. Her heartbroken father had unintentionally caused her to grow up considerably faster than the other girls. The ones that spent countless hours in town whispering behind their hand about the newest arrivals in His Majesty's Navy.
She couldn't help wondering at God's cruel sense of humor that the first man to call her beautiful was a filthy pirate. Yet another item to add to the list of injustices that made up the past few weeks. Jessica gazed out of the thick glass of the window to the rising sun outside. She fondly remembered the last place she had enjoyed the sight of the sun dipped into the ocean. Tangled in the confines of the blanket, she craved that sense of freedom and escape that she had found in the crow's nest.
The next time Jack saw Jessica she was climbing up to the crow's nest with a determined face and desperate eyes. He tied down the wheel and set off after her. It seemed that the opportune moment had arrived.
Her back settled against the sea-worn wood, Jessica closed her eyes and raised her face to the suns first warming rays. Up here she would be able to sort through the torrent of mixed thoughts she had acquired over the last week. She could almost forget that she was trapped on a ship with only a pilfering pirate crew for company. Honestly, it was hard to feel trapped when she could lift her hand and brush the tips of her fingers against the clouds.
A jovial voice cut into her peaceful thoughts, "Don't think that ye can hide from your galley duties up here. Anamaria would chase you up the mizzenmast if she had to."
Her eyes were already narrowed when she opened them to a pair of chocolate brown orbs.
Jack grinned at her, his face a mask of innocence, "Are ye not going to bid me good morning luv'?"
Jessica scowled, but her voice was without spite, "I could not do so in good conscience, seeing as how the morning's status has altered so."
Jack gasped in mock shock, "What could ruin my lady's day when the sun shines so brightly? I shall hunt down the offender. Have no fear fair maiden." His regal pose was not affected by her withering gaze. On the contrary, he drew his cutlass with a flourish and pulled her against him with his free arm. With a suggestive smile he assured her, "If this sword doesn't suffice, I'm sure there's another I could draw."
Instead of pushing away, Jessica merely raised an eyebrow. "I don't think your dagger would be much help in this particular instance."
Jack's chest visibly deflated and he seemed so dismayed that Jessica could not help bursting into laughter. His countenance brightened instantly at her outburst and his hand lowered from her shoulder to her waist.
She flashed him a look of warning, "Don't test your luck Mr. Sparrow."
Jack removed his arm but admonished her, "Captain Sparrow, luv', Captain."
She just rolled her eyes, "Did your visit have any actual purpose Captain?"
"Aside from the opportunity to bask in the radiance that is yourself?"
Jessica replied with a curt nod but looked as though she was trying to refrain from laughing again.
"As a matter of fact Miss," Jack retrieved the crystal shard from his pocket, "Does this mean anything to you." The laughter died instantly from Jessica's face.
Author's note:
Hehe, two cliffhangers for the price of one. I love it! I also love all of my new reviewers. You guys rock my POTC socks. I really really hope all you guys let me know how you think I did on this chapter too.
Dimonah Tralon: I bet you loved the ending. evil grin I promise on pain of death that you will find out what Jack saw in the next chapter. As for Jack's behavior at the end of last chapter, he was being annoying so that Jessica could be frustrated with him and thus comfortable. He's really a nice guy, in a crazy-swaying-outlaw-pirate kind of way.
Alexandra J. Malfoy: (love your name) I hope you found this chapter just as brill as the last. (That's soo my new word)
Koalainglasses: lol CAPS LOCK, I'm impressed.
Toxic beetle: Wicked is good. Sharp dying is also good. Jack is explicit content
Forensic Photographer: I'm always really nervous about keeping Jack in character and I'm relieved to hear that you think it's okay so far. He's so much fun to write, sometimes I think that I'm not really doing anything, he's taken on a life of his own.
Taylorflair: I'm so glad you like my "stprru"
Jousting Elf with a Sabre: ducks cheese puffs I did it again! Honestly, sometimes I wonder how I sleep at night.