Proffitable Affairs

Chapter 12


Gibbs stepped next to Jack, waiting expectantly for him to let go of the helm since he had been called to take over. Jack hadn’t moved from his position though. He seemed lost in space even when Gibbs cleared his throat and coughed loudly.
“Eh, Captain?” he asked hesitantly but all he received was a blink.
“Captain!” he yelled at last and Jack jumped next to him.
“What? Why are you yelling, mate?” Jack asked as he finally returned to earth and turned to look at his first mate with confusion.
“I am here to take the helm.” Gibbs stated the obvious at Jack’s confused expression, “You called me five minutes ago, remember?” he continued and Jack’s eyes widened briefly.
“Oh, aye. Go ahead.” Jack said at last as he stepped back for Gibbs to take his place.
”Something’s ailing you?” Gibbs asked once he had his hands on the helm.
“I am not sure. I can’t seem to concentrate.” Jack murmured as he looked around the ship.
“Why? What are you thinking about? Singapore?”
“No-…I mean yes! That’s it. That’s what I am thinking about.” Jack quickly corrected himself and smiled briefly.
“Perhaps we should postpone the trip there? I mean you said that there’s something going on with the map.” Gibbs said thoughtfully, but Jack shook his head.
“No, we are going there no matter what. Perhaps we could get information about the map there.” He said as he looked hesitantly at the stairs that led to the deck.
“You know who we might meet there, don’t you?” Gibbs said in a quiet voice and Jack turned to him sharply.
“If you think I care if we do meet Mrs. Turner, you’re mistaken.” Jack stated firmly and Gibbs looked at him in disbelief.
“You sure?” he asked and Jack grinned.
“’Course. In fact I got me own damsel in distress, don’t I?” he informed him and his eyes shone at the mention of Mary.
“Do you? No offence, Captain but the lass’s miserable here. She barely talks with anyone.” Gibbs said worriedly.
“She talks to you. It’s more than enough trust me.” Jack said as he turned to leave.
“No. it’s not.” Gibbs called but Jack remained silent as he made his way towards the cabin.

oOoOoOoOoOo

When Jack entered the cabin his ears were met with quite sobs. He searched the room for the source and his eyes widened when he found Mary leaning over the chamber pot, holding her stomach. He shut the door and took tentative steps towards her.
“Love?” he called quietly as he made his way over to her. He paused in his footsteps when he saw her tangled hair and tear streaked face. His hands twitched at his sides, wanting to reach for her, but he didn’t know what to do.
“Mary?” he decided to use her name this time and she looked at him at last. Her eyes widened at the sight of him standing next to her and she looked away. Jack watched as she wiped her lips with a handkerchief and leaned slightly back from the chamber pot.
“What happened?” he asked once he realized that she didn’t plan to speak on her own.
“I got sick again.” She whispered as tears kept rolling down her cheeks.
“I can see that.” He commented quietly, “Why are you crying?” he asked as he decided to take more steps towards her. At his question another sob escaped her throat, but she stubbornly shook her head. Ha stared at her for a long time as she sat there, kneeling on the floor before he squatted down next to her and placed a hand gently at the back of her head. Mary flinched at the unexpected gesture, but didn’t move back. Encouraged by her response, he threaded his fingers through her tangled hair and rubbed her scalp with the tips of his fingers. The action seemed to relax her because she spoke.
“I don’t like staying here all day. I hate it.” She whispered and Jack paused briefly in his ministrations.
“How’s the fever this evening?” he asked as he carried on.
“I-I think it’s better.” She said as she hiccupped and blew her nose, feeling quite pathetic all of a sudden. She didn’t want him to see her like this.
“Then it’ll be safe to leave the cabin for some air. It’s quite nice outside.” He said as he took the handkerchief from her hand and wiped at her clammy cheek.
“If I leave the cabin I’ll get nauseous again.” She said miserably as she hid her face in her hands.
Jack finished wiping her cheek and handed the handkerchief back to her.
“You don’t know that.” He reasoned as he withdrew his hand from her hair and used it to push back her hair so he could see her properly. His finger moved forward and stroked her cheek while she flinched in surprise.
What are you doing? His inner voice asked him and he frowned.
I don’t know. He answered mechanically as he used the back of his fingers to stroke her cheek.
Mary looked at him and he used the opportunity to fully cup her cheek in his hand.
“Something good happened?” she asked and he frowned as he looked at her.
“Why?”
“You are being nice.” She stated and he chuckled.
“Yes, it has been known to happen sometimes. Don’t get too used to it.” He joked as he pulled his hand back from her face and gazed at her.
“I won’t.” she replied as she sniffled again and swallowed hard.
“Come with me outside?” he asked as he stood up, breaking the uncomfortable moment.
“You don’t want me with you.” It was a statement.
“What gave you that idea?” he asked wide eyed and she blinked.
“But…but you rarely came down here while I was sick.” She said softly and he cleared his throat.
“That doesn’t mean that I don’t want you out of the cabin.” He said seriously as he offered her his hand.
“Come on.” He said as he waited patiently for her to take his hand.
Mary looked at the offered hand and slowly took it. She managed not to wobble as she straightened.
“Go wash your face, you’re a mess.” He chided gently and she nodded quickly, a flush on her cheeks. Jack watched her as she moved over to the water basin and smirked at her un-lady like walk towards it. He watched as she combed her hair and pulled it over her shoulder to braid it.
“Leave it!” he spoke the words without meaning to, but she obliged, much to his surprise, and moved her hands away from her hair. She smoothed down her dress and walked over to him slowly.
“First heading; the galley. I’m starving.” He said as he opened the door, motioning for her to follow him. She did and the cool breeze hit Mary’s face. She breathed in deeply and a small smile reached her face, a smile that didn’t go unnoticed by Jack who grinned to himself.
Once they were in the galley Jack started looking around for apples. Once he located them, he took one for himself and grabbed one for Mary too. He turned to her and threw it towards her. Thankfully she caught it and it saved her from another embarrassment.
“Are you going to sit?” She heard Jack ask and she looked over at him. He had situated himself in one of the chairs with his feet propped up on the wooden table. She nodded and took the seat next to him, all the while watching as he bit into the apple and started chewing.
“Can I have a knife?” she asked quietly and he paused chewing to look at her.
“What for?” he asked and she bit her lip.
“For the apple.”
“What do you need the knife for? Use your teeth. I am no gentleman to stand on ceremony.” He said and she looked at the fruit hesitantly before she took a bite.
“There you go.” He smirked as he carried on eating.
“Where are we going?” she asked once they had finished eating.
“Singapore.” He said as he licked his fingers from the apple juice.
“Oh…To do what?” she questioned again and he turned to look at her.
“To try and figure out that map of yours.”
“But you said that the map is slowly forming itself.”
“I did.”
“Then why-…”
“You ask a lot of questions.” He told her slightly amused and she closed her mouth.
“Let’s call it an entertainment trip, love.” He said and she blinked.
“Entertainment?”
“Aye. You said you’ve never been away from your island. You might as well benefit from it.” He said as he inspected his fingernails.
“Don’t tell me that you’re doing it for me.” She said in disbelief.
“Would it be so surprising if I was?” he asked as his dark eyes focused on her with intensity.
“Yes.”
“Why? Do you think so little of yourself?” he asked with narrowed eyes.
“I do.”
“Why, kitten?” he asked as he put his feet down and leaned towards her
“Now you ask a lot of questions.” She said shakily and he snorted.
“You got me there, love. Are you going to answer?” he asked and she shrugged.
“Well, I wouldn’t expect you to do anything for me since you’ve threatened to kill me.”
Jack’s smile faded and he didn’t speak for a while.
“I admit that wasn’t very nice of me.” He started as he leaned forward and grabbed hold of her chair. Mary gasped when he pulled the chair impossibly close to his and placed his hands on either arm of the seat.
“But you have to admit that we did have a few nice moments together. Back on our wedding night.” He breathed as he bit his lip and leaned closer to her shocked face.
“Jack, you’re terribly confusing.” She murmured as she looked at him perplexed.
“Admit it.” He hissed suddenly and she jumped slightly in her seat.
“Admit what?” she asked shakily.
“That you liked it when I was touching you.” He said as his hands went to her knees.
“I…don’t remember.” She stuttered and his lips twitched with mirth again.
“Perhaps I should remind you?” he offered as his right hand started trailing down her leg.
“No!” she exclaimed and he raised his eyebrows at her.
“No?”
“You didn’t even kiss me! How am I supposed to remember how I felt?” she asked and he blinked.
“Would you…have liked it if I had kissed you?” he asked slowly, not sure how they had started this conversation.
“I…wouldn’t know.” She replied as she looked away. Jack studied her profile and licked his bottom lip before he turned her face towards him again.
“Has no one kissed you before? I won’t judge.” He promised with a grin when he saw anger in her eyes.
“Do I look like I have been kissed?” she asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.
“No.” he answered bluntly.
“Oh…Is it that obvious?” she asked and he nodded.
“That’s great.” She muttered and he surprised her when he placed a finger against her lips. She looked at him as he started closing the distance between them and her breath hitched. Jack’s finger went to the corner of her mouth as he got closer and soon she felt the brush of his rough, but warm lips against hers. Her eyes drifted closed, but before his mouth had the chance to make full contact with hers two crewmen decided to enter the galley. They were talking and laughing but the stopped when they saw their Captain.
Jack flew back from her and stood up. Mary’s eyes widened at the loss and she looked up just in time to see Jack walking out of the galley in silence.
“Jack-…”
“Take a walk. It’ll do you good.” He called just before he disappeared from her sight, leaving her breathless and embarrassed.
What was that? She asked as she quietly made her way out of the galley, touching her lips as she went.

End of chapter 12