Misconception

Chapter 18

“Why aren’t you enjoying the festivities?” Jack spoke against her ear and Isabella gasped for she had not heard him coming in.
“I was thinking.” She said shortly and he leaned back.
“Were your thoughts revolving around a particular bed?” he asked with amusement dancing in his eyes.
“Yes! You have to admit that it was most unfortunate for me!” she exclaimed with a pout and he chuckled.
“For you yes. For me? I think I am rather lucky. Gets cold and lonely in me nice, snuggly bunk, which you have refused to lie in for the past two nights. Isn’t your neck stiff already?” he asked and she crossed her arms over her chest with determination.
“It is. But I am not getting into that bunk with you.” She pointed a finger at him.
“Don’t point your finger at your Captain, madam.” He said with mock severity and she scowled, “Come on, love. What do you think I’ll do? Take you while you’re asleep?” he groaned as he twirled his goblet of rum in his hand even as his lips curled rapaciously at the thought.
“Yes!” she replied as she surpassed his expression.
“Well, you’re wrong.” He said indifferently, “I’d prefer you to be awake. I am by no means a selfish man.” He grinned as her cheeks flushed.
“Really?” she asked with a snort of disbelief.
“Aye. Now how about you and I take a stroll around the ship while we listen to Jim’s music?” he offered as he leaned towards her a bit.
“I don’t-…”
“Please?” he cut her off with a raised eyebrow, “We need after all to work on our newfound friendship. Earn trust and all that.” He sniffed and then smiled at her expectantly.
“Fine. You keep that thing away from me though.” She pointed at his rum and he laughed.
“As you wish. Shall we?” he bowed teasingly and she fought the urge to smile as she passed by him and walked out of the door.
Jack shut the door of the cabin behind them and his gaze moved over Isabella’s form as she walked ahead of him. His eyes lingered on her bare shoulders and briefly traveled down to her bottom before he quickly averted his eyes with an inaudible groan. He caught up with her just as she leaned against the railing and looked at her profile with curiosity. She had a delicate nose and her cheeks were plump and rosy in the moonlight. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, indicating that she was upset.
“Are you frowning like this because of the sleeping arrangements or are you concerned that I stare too much?” he spoke lowly but loudly enough for her to hear him clearly. Her head turned quickly towards him and her eyes showed her surprise.
“I…was…How did you know that?” she asked after stuttering.
“Your expressions are easy to read. Besides I think I know when you’re angry or not. Does that count for our friendship?” he asked with a grin and she huffed.
“I never said we’re friends, Jack.” She said as she cleared her throat.
“I want us to be.” He said quickly as he took a sip of his rum.
“Why?” she asked with curiosity as she gazed at his profile while he drank.
“From me experience women are never good friends. I at least have never been able to have a friendship with a woman.” He shrugged and Isabella was intrigued.
“Why is that?”
“Women never trusted me, love.” He said quietly and Isabella sighed.
“They never will if you lie and betray them. Like you did with Joan.” She murmured.
“I don’t think that the problem.” He mused as he turned to face her, “They never understood me nature. You see, they expected too much when I was willing to offer only what I could.”
“That’s a characteristic of our sex. It’s in our nature to expect things from men.” Isabella said softly and he chuckled.
“It’s also in your nature to create problems when there are not. I think your sex, as you said, never really trusts us.”
“You’re wrong. Not all women are the same. Nor are all men. But please don’t tell me that you never met a woman you’d want to be loyal to. No one’s perfect least of all you.” She said as her voice turned from quiet to angry and he smirked.
“Never said I was. It’s just that it’s clear to me that women, you not included obviously, connect lust with love.” He said as he gulped down more rum.
“Thank you for excluding me.” She said crisply and he grinned.
“And by women I do not mean the ladies of Tortuga.” He added and she sighed.
“Right, And your point is?”
“Me point is that I haven’t met a woman who could tie me to her. And I do not mean by her looks. Looks wither and die.” He waved his hand dismissively towards the sea, “I find the sea much more bewitching and I would in no way compromise me freedom and independence for someone who doesn’t even understand who I am.”
“That sounds…logical.” She said and he grinned.
“See? We agree on something.” He reached over and pinched her cheek lightly with his index and middle finger.
“That’s a first. We should record it down.” She murmured as her cheeks flushed from his touch.
“We shall then.” He winked as he offered her his goblet.
“No, thank you.” She pulled her head back in distaste.
“Oh, come on.” He nudged her with his elbow and she sighed.
“Friends don’t pressure each other.” She stated as she looked at his offering hand.
“You just said we weren’t friends.” He grinned at her obvious hesitancy.
“No, but you could persuade me.” She said suddenly with a grin and he frowned.
“In what way, ‘cause you see, me means of persuasion may seem a bit controversial to you.” He said as he leaned close to her face and took hold of her hand. He pushed the goblet of amber liquid into it and wrapped his own fingers around hers.
“How about you find me a mattress to sleep on? That would certainly put you in my good graces.” She said shakily while he stared deep into her grey eyes.
“There’s already a mattress waiting for you in me bunk, love. And it’s a quite nice one. Wouldn’t you trusting me in this be the first step towards our amiable relations?” he murmured huskily and she blinked before she raised the rum to her lips, his hand letting go of hers on the way.
“I guess.” She blurted out quickly and he grinned widely.
“There’s a good, lass.” He said as he leaned back and looked at her as she drank from his goblet. He watched as her lips touched he spot where his lips had been just moments ago and he felt his belly clenching in an all so familiar way. His eyes refused to leave her until she pulled the cup away from her lips and handed it back to him.
“It’s awful.” She said as the liquid burned all the way down her throat.
“It takes a while but you’d get used to it. That’s if you ever plan on drinking again.” He chuckled a she finished the cup and pulled back from the rail.
“Come.” He said as he bowed with a flourish, “Your bed awaits you, madam.” He walked ahead and she could do nothing else but follow him tentatively back inside with wobbly legs that had nothing to do with rum.

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Isabella groaned as something heavy fell over her waist and legs. She stirred and opened one sleepy eye. She looked down and noticed an arm around her and a leg around both her legs. She groaned inwardly. That was the second time she had woken up like that. He really did have a problem staying at his side of the bed. She grabbed hold of his arm and despite its warmth she tried to remove it but it was a dead weight.
“For the love of God, Jack! Aren’t you supposed to be at the helm by now?” she exclaimed and her only response was a moan and something unintelligible.
“You are invading my personal space. Again.” She said as she managed to turn onto her back. She then proceeded to poke him anywhere she could.
“Ow…What the fuck…?” he muttered as he took his arm back and opened his sleepy eyes, “What now? Wasn’t it enough that you threw me off the bed the first time?” he muttered as he covered his eyes with his arm and rubbed his feet together under the covers.
“Haven’t you ever slept with another person? Some people don’t like to be pawed at.” She said as she scooted further away from him.
“On the contrary, Bella love. I sleep with other people all the time. It’s just that they actually like to be pawed at.” He uncovered one eye to smirk at her.
“Disgusting.” She muttered and he chuckled as he playfully bumped his hip against hers.
“Not really. Anyway, I am sorry for offending your sensitivities. I’ll be up now.” He groaned as he stood up while Isabella clutched the covers to her chest.
“You kick you know. In your sleep.” He said as he put on his vest and leaned down to slip on his boots.
“I do not!”
“Oh, yes you do.” He smirked and she scowled.
“Here talks the human python. Where did you get to be so strong anyway?” she muttered petulantly and he grinned widely.
“Glad to know you appreciate me strength, darlin’.” He said as he looked outside the windows, “Looks like there’s a storm coming.” He said quietly as he grabbed his coat and put it on.
“I don’t like storms.” She said with a cringe and he turned to look at her.
“I do. See you later. Hope that neck ain’t bothering you anymore.” He called before he shut the door on his way out.
Isabelle scowled at his retreating back and fell back onto the bed. She stretched and smiled at its softness. She had to give him some credit because he had let her go to bed first and he didn’t lie down himself until late in the night. He hadn’t tried anything funny except his cuddling tendencies which would be welcome if not for his dishonest characteristics and his crude mouth if he were ever to discover that she enjoyed being in his embrace.. She sighed and rolled onto her stomach with her cheek on the pillow. A loud thunder lighted up the entire cabin and she winced.
“It has begun. Damn.” She murmured as she grabbed the pillow and placed it over her head as rain started falling from the angry sky.
The wind picked up and the ship swayed roughly, causing her to et out a small yelp.
She looked up from her nestle and she heard Jack yelling loudly. She only got Gibbs’ name as the ship lurched dangerously to the right and the hit something violently. Isabella sat up on the bed as Jack’s voice cut through the noise of the storm again.
“For fuck’s sake, Gibbs! I told you to stay in deep waters!” he barked and Isabella got up from the bed and slipped on her dress. She made her way towards the door and opened so she could see and hear better.
“I thought it wouldn’t be so strong!” Gibbs yelled right back as crewmen run about the ship almost in a frenzy.
“You’re not here to think! You’re here to obey and when I say stay away from shallow waters you do as I command! Now go and see if the ship’s damaged or not. Pray that she’s not ‘cause you’ll be paying for it!” Jack’s voice was sharp and Isabella had never heard him be so angry.
“Full canvas!” he yelled again as Gibbs walked down the stairs and in a hurry headed below deck.
Ignoring the rain Isabella followed the older man below deck and trailed behind him in silence as he entered the hold.
“Bugger!” he exclaimed as he walked close to the bulkhead and noticed the leak and damaged wood.
“Is it bad?” Isabella asked and Gibbs turned to her.
“You shouldn’t be down here. It is not very bad but it needs to be fixed and soon.” He said as he hauled some sacks over the hole to stop the leak, “We hit some rocks…It’s my fault.” He said quietly and Isabella turned on her heel to walk back upstairs.
“Lass? Where are you going?”
“I’m telling, Jack. He won’t hurt me much. You on the other hand…” she trailed off and Gibbs sighed heavily.
Once she stepped on deck the rain immediately soaked her hair and clothes but she ignored it for the time being.
“Go back down.” Jack said as soon as she stepped onto the top step.
“I will. I am just letting you know that there is a leak down in the hold. Mr. Gibbs said we’ll have to fix it soon.” She said Jack’s eyes closed briefly in anger.
“Since when are you responsible for the repairs, Bella? And where’s me first mate?” he asked as he turned the helm to the left.
“He’s downstairs.” She said and before she had the chance to speak further Jack called loudly for Cotton. Once he was replaced at the helm he passed by her and walked rapidly towards below deck.
“Stay inside.” He called firmly without looking at her and she reluctantly walked back inside the cabin. She changed her clothes and sat in a chair, wondering if another argument had already begun down in the hold.

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It was hours later when she realized that they had docked. She emerged from the cabin as soon as the rain stopped and followed the voices that were coming from below deck.
“I’ll bring over my quartermaster, Jack. He’ll fix it quickly. He’s very good at repairs.” A feminine voice said and Isabella immediately recognized the voice.
Joan.
“We’ll see that I guess. Bring him then.” Jack said with a sigh as Isabella entered the hold. Joan smiled widely at him before she reached over to tug on his braids.
“Oh, come on. Don’t be such a baby. She’s only a ship.” She said and Jack narrowed his eyes at her. Isabella noticed that he didn’t move back from Joan’s touch and it somehow unnerved her.
“Is everything alright?” she asked softly as she came to stand behind Jack who quickly turned to her.
“Ah, love. Yes. Joan here will help get us back to open waters. We’ll just have to stay here until the leakage’s fixed.” He smiled at her and Joan watched the exchange with curious eyes.
“Hello.” Isabella acknowledged her and Joan offered her a small smile in return. Isabella noticed that the smile made her even more beautiful and radiant and something deep inside her ached at the knowledge of it. No wonder Jack kept her around despite their dispute.
“I’ll be back.” Joan said as she passed by Isabella on her way out.
“She was still following us then?” Isabella asked when they were left alone.
“Aye. More like watching over us.” He chuckled as he approached her and looked at her, “Sorry for me temper before. I got really upset.” He said as his eyes took in her disgruntled expression.
“Something wrong?” he asked with a frown as he traced the line between her furrowed brows with his finger.
“No. I…I’ll go and help with the cooking.” She said quickly as she pulled back from his touch and fled the room, leaving him puzzled.

End of chapter 18