PIRATES, CHOCOLAT AND ROCK 'N' ROLL

“Now Elyse, it’s time for your part of the deal.” Jack couldn’t wait.



Elyse smiled coyly “I don’t suppose I could get away with saying I don’t have any?”



“No, you couldn’t, my dear, because that would be a lie! Now, out with it!” Jack replied with mock authority.



Elyse paused, taking a very deep breath… “To be honest, there are several things I fantasize about.”



“Well then, start with number 1!” Jack said excitedly.



“When I was married, I always wanted my husband and I to do a role play where we pretend that we’re strangers in a bar and he picks me up and we go to a hotel. I would look different, dress differently, wear a wig or something to make him feel as if he’s with another woman, and that part would be a surprise."



“Ooooh, how delicious!" Jack’s face lit up “So why didn’t you ever do the role play fantasy?”



Elyse looked wistful. “My husband wasn’t into that kind of thing. He thought it was silly.”



“Well, he’s silly for not indulging such a lovely wife. You’re well rid of the blighter. What else is there Elyse? I know there’s more, darling.” Jack narrowed his eyes at her.



“I’m going to tell you. Don’t worry." Elyse looked away trying not to giggle or blush.



The truth was that deep down inside, Elyse wanted to tell someone her fantasies. It had been so very long ago since anyone had asked her about what would please her. She even had fantasies from when she was much younger that still flickered inside of her in the hope of one day being fulfilled.



“I’ve always wanted to make love to a man with a foreign accent. Don’t you laugh, Jack!” Elyse glared at him.



A little snicker escaped him “Will a British accent do or did you have some other preference?”



“French” she said boldly “I would like a man who speaks French to me, but I do like other accents too.”



“French, it's always French with women. What is up with that?” Jack mumbled to himself before looking back up at Elyse. “What else?”



Elyse was so excited. She felt like she was sitting on Santa’s knee with her Christmas list. "I want to go skinny dipping in some exotic location and I want to be made love to under the stars on the hood of a beautiful, shiny Jaguar!” Elyse squealed like a little girl.



Oh hell, why does she have to be so fucking adorable? Jack thought as he discreetly reached down to adjust his awakened cock.



“Hmmm..That’s one I’ve never heard before. Tell me, darling, do you own a beautiful, shiny Jaguar?”



Elyse shook her head “No, not yet. It’s my dream car. I plan to own one some day!”



“How very clever, a fantasy within a fantasy.” Jack grinned with amusement. “Well…is that it?”



Elyse cleared her throat and her expression turned suddenly serious.

“No. Jack. There is one more. This one has been the most elusive and of course with that being said, it would also stand to reason that it's the one I've wanted most."



“And what would be the thing you want most, luv?" Jack's voice again was low and husky.



Elyse suddenly looked up at the ceiling and shook her head. “No, I've changed my mind. I can’t say it. Let's just end it with the Jaguar.”



Jack was about to come over the table “What? Sure you can say it! We made a deal, Elyse. You can't do that! What can it possibly be? Sex with another woman? Sex with two men? What? Elyse, when it comes to sex, darling, I assure you that I cannot be shocked!”



Elyse took a deep, deep breath and looked Jack straight in the eyes. “Okay, since I was 16 years old, I’ve- “she hesitated.



“Out with it, Out with it!” Jack’s voice boomed.



“I’ve wanted to sleep with a singer.” Elyse grew suddenly quiet.



Jack sat back in the booth and looked up at the ceiling. “Oh! A singer is it? And pray tell, what teeny bopper singer might that have been? Let’s see, who would have been the hot, young stud on all the magazine covers at that time?”



“You. You, Jack were the hot, young stud. It was you.” There. She had done it. It was all out now.



Jack was shocked by her admission. He would have never guessed that this cool, confident Rolling Stone reporter had been nursing a crush on him for all these years. Ordinarily he would have made a joke or a lewd comment about something like that. Something stopped him this time. He knew that the words had come from deep within her heart.



“Well damn! That was a surprise. He lowered his eyes and then slowly looking up at her he said “You’re just full of surprises, Elyse.”

Chapter 12 –Roux to the Rescue



Elyse could have handled it much better if Jack had made a joke out of it, but now, the way he seemed to be looking right into her soul was so unexpected. She felt so exposed, it frightened her.



“Please excuse me.” Elyse rushed to the Ladies’ Room where she began to cry. Why Elyse, oh why didn’t you hold on to your resolve? Suddenly hard, violent sobs overtook her. She felt the emotion of the past six months raging through her desperate for release. She had been so strong but now it was all coming out.



There was a knock on the door. Elyse didn’t respond. The door opened and there stood Roux. Roux held her and let her cry.



“It’s okay Elyse. It will be all right.” Roux’s voice had a calming effect on her.



Eventually the tears stopped. She was slowly starting to think clearly again. “Thank you Roux. You must think I am a total basket case.”



“Elyse, I understand more than you think. Joe told me about what happened in Washington. He asked me to look out for you.”



Elyse was stunned. “How do you know Joe?”



“A few years back, he wrote a favorable review for a movie soundtrack that I had done. I asked him to dinner to show my appreciation and we just hit it off. We’ve been friends ever since." Roux smiled gently. “He cares deeply for you, Elyse. You’ve got a good friend in Joe.”



“I am going to KILL, Joe!” Elyse was angry.



“Don’t worry. No one else knows and no one is going to know. The only reason he told me is because he was worried about you.” Roux put his hand on her shoulder, stroking it softly.



Elyse put her head in her hands. “It seems that I can’t work. Where is my focus, my resolve, my work ethic? I am so utterly confused.”



Roux lifted her face and looked into her eyes. “It’s all there, it hasn’t left you. I know it's difficult to believe since we only just met but I felt a connection with you last night when we were talking. Ever since Joe told me about you, I've been anxious for us to meet. I know I could never fill his shoes but I hope that you'll consider me someone you can trust. I want you to feel free to tell me anything. I am here and I will be here for you."



Elyse smiled up to Roux with teary eyes. "I felt a connection with you too but I had no idea you knew anything about me."



Roux's tone grew deeper. "Please understand...this is not about Black Pearl or Rolling Stone. This is about you and me. No pressure, no expectations or hidden agendas, just friends.”



Elyse couldn't believe his sincerity and kindness. "I would be honored to call you my friend. Thank you.”



“Now, if I may offer some friendly advice. It seems to me that you are running around trying so hard to be what you think everyone expects you to be. Why do you give a damn about what these people think? Be true to yourself, Elyse. Do what makes you happy. You know how to be a journalist...be the one you know how to be. Don't worry about pleasing everyone. You're going to be fine. And you also know how to be a woman....be that woman you are meant to be."



Elyse nodded slowly, taking heed to his words. "Then, you overheard my conversation with Jack?"



Roux's eyes narrowed into a sneaky grin. "I promised Joe, I'd look out for you. That goes with the territory. Yes, I overheard. I was eavesdropping. It was terrible of me, but I'm a man of my word."



"How embarrassing. I had to know!" Elyse could feel her face become flush.



Roux shook his head and smiled. "I just hope you realize what you're getting yourself into with Jack."



"I'm not getting myself into anything with Jack. That was the end of it. He held up his end of the deal and I held up mine. That's that." Elyse pulled away indignantly.



"You don't honestly believe that Jack is going to leave it at that do you? You can't be that bloody naive! Well I know Jack Sparrow so well, I can predict exactly what he is going to do."



Elyse looked back at Roux, now feeling even more exposed. She knew all too well what she was setting herself up for even though she told herself that things would go no further. This was a common head game that she played on herself all the time. This game of hers more often than not, landed her into some pretty tough spots.



"You're right. I'm not that naive. I do expect that Jack will pursue me and that's exactly what I want. Am I terrible? Am I the most unprofessional journalist you've ever seen? Do you think that I can't keep the job separate? I assure you that I can."



"It doesn't matter what I think. I have complete faith in your abilities as I'm sure your employer does or they would have never granted you this assignment. All I'm saying, Elyse, is that if you feel the need to sleep with Jack then sleep with Jack. Get it out of your system. Do what makes you happy. But just don't lie to yourself. Jack can be loads of fun, I'm sure but just don't expect any more than that from him."



Elyse wasn't sure how to feel. On the one hand she felt a little insulted by the way Roux was speaking to her but on the other hand, she knew that his words were heart-felt and that every one was true. What he said to her wasn't out of malice. It was out of concern for her well-being.



"I appreciate your concern, Roux, but you need not worry. I'm going to be just fine. Jack or no Jack."



"Ok, Elyse. Just remember that I'm here if you need to talk, cry, scream or anything. I care about you." Beautiful Roux. His smile was so easy. “Okay. I’m done lecturing you.”



Elyse was amazed by Roux's insight. It all seemed so clear when he explained things. He really does seem to care. She thought to herself. She gave Roux a long, lingering hug. With Roux's arms wrapped snuggly around her, she felt completely safe from the world. Elyse was a trusting person but she found it quite remarkable how easy and comfortable it felt being with Roux. The only conclusion she could come to was that it had to be their connection with Joe.



As Roux held her, he attempted to maintain a posture of strength and support but in reality, he felt as if he was going to melt right into Elyse. At that moment more than anything he wanted to kiss her passionately and take her away from everything. He wanted to tell her that no matter what she needed, he would find a way to get it for her. Roux held her as long as he could, stroking her hair as she rested her head upon his chest. Roux couldn't help but feel that Elyse's attraction to Jack was only a temporary obstacle. He felt certain that once Elyse saw how disposable women seemed to be with Jack, her infatuation would quickly fade. Then Roux would be there to save the day. He would just have to show some restraint and most of all, patience.



Together they walked back to the bus where the others were waiting. Roux began to mentally prepare himself for having to endure the sight of Jack and Elyse together....exchanging lustful glances and stolen kisses, not to mention the exchanges that were sure to be going on behind the scenes. Ordinarily, he would never be interested in a woman who was interested in Jack, but his heart assured him that she was someone special who could help him finally help him heal his pain.