Proffitable Affairs

Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean.

Chapter 21

Jack return to the cabin, slamming the door loudly behind him. Mary was still sitting on the bed with her head on her drawn up knees when he came in.
“What is it?” she asked quietly when she saw his stormy face.
“Just…don’t talk for a minute, love.” He said as he started pacing up and down. No matter how many times he repeated it to himself he couldn’t believe that Elizabeth had led the wolf to their door. He knew she was stubborn, but he had never thought that she was that desperate. And how could she possibly know where to find Vilmort? She must have been spying on them for quite some time.
“Something happened?” Mary asked as she sat up straight on the bed and looked at him with confusion.
“Gibbs found out how Vilmort knew how to find us.” Jack said as he came to sit beside her on the bed.
“He did?”
“Elizabeth is with him. She must have been the one to lead him here to us.”
“Elizabeth? You mean the woman from Singapore?” Mary was shocked.
“Aye.”
“The same woman who left you to die?” Mary stated and Jack glared at her.
“The very same.”
“Why would she do that, Jack?”
“Why? Because I refused to help her find the Fountain, that’s why. She and Vilmort followed us here…Why didn’t I suspect she’d do something like that?” He mumbled the last sentence to himself.
Because your thoughts were focused on how to bed your still partly untouched wife, mate. His inner voice said and he sighed.
“But…what does she need the Fountain for? I don’t understand.” Mary placed a warm hand on his arm.
“Because she probably wishes to accompany her husband.” Jack snorted.
“Husband? She’s married?” Mary whispered with wide eyes.
“Aye.”
“Where is her husband then?”
“Her husband is the new Captain of the Flying Dutchman, love. You’ve heard of the ship, I presume?”
Mary only nodded and removed her hand from his arm. He immediately felt cold.
“We have to find a way to get the map and we should leave this place. As soon as possible.”
“But…but how? And the ship is not repaired yet.” Mary was starting to feel scared. Her father had proved that he had no problem shooting her if they didn’t cooperate with him. Imagine what he would do if they left for a second time.
“I’ll bring the craftsman to repair it tonight.” She heard Jack say as he started getting up from the bed. She quickly took hold of his hand to stop him.
“No, Jack. We can’t fool him a second time. You see how he reacted. He’s going to kill us…He’ll kill you.” She whispered and Jack stared at her before he leaned down to brush his thumb over her trembling lower lip.
“Let’s see him try, love.” He breathed hoarsely against her lips before he kissed her deeply and his hand grabbed a fistful of her hair to keep her there. She was too upset to return the kiss, but she did place a hand against his rough cheek as he groaned into the kiss. He pulled back and panted heavily against her lips before he placed a loud kiss on her forehead and stepped back.
“I haven’t forgotten that we’ve left something in the middle.” He winked as he went for his coat and effects, “But later. When I’m back from me little visit to our King.” He became serious again and Mary swallowed hard.
“What are you going to do?” she asked as she saw him checking his pistol.
“Nothing to worry yourself with. Just stay here until I’m back.” He said neutrally before he turned and walked out of the cabin.
“But…” She didn’t have time to speak, for he had already closed the door, a determined expression on his face.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo


Jack and Gibbs were standing hidden behind some crates, watching Vilmort’s ship in silence. Jack huffed and turned to Gibbs.
“Why isn’t he back already? Where did you see her before?” he asked in a harsh whisper.
“I am not sure if he’s still in the tavern. He could be back.” Gibbs answered and Jack bit his lip before he straightened.
“I am going in. You stay here and keep watch.” He muttered and before Gibbs had time to stop him he had flew away.
“Daft man.” Gibbs mumbled as he leaned forward to check if anyone was around.
Jack tiptoed up the gangplank of Vilmort’s ship when a crewmember got into his way.
“Where you think you’re going?” The gruff man blocked his way, his expression gruff and Jack grinned widely.
“I am here to see the mistress of the ship.” He said as he looked around for any signs of Vilmort.
“Mistress?”
“Aye. The one and only Mrs. Turner. I know all about her, mate. Your boss told me everything. How else are we supposed to help each other, aye? Now let me pass.” Jack said with a smirk and the man looked him over once before he foolishly stepped back to make way for him.
“Good lad.” Jack muttered before he continued towards the direction of the Captain’s quarters. He stopped just in front of the door and he could hear footsteps coming from inside. He placed his hand on the doorknob and quickly opened it. He stepped inside and Elizabeth gasped once she saw him from her place at Vilmort’s desk.
“Jack!” she whispered as she sat up from the chair.
“That’s Captain Sparrow for you.” He hissed as he shut the door and slowly approached her.
“What are you doing here? If Vilmort sees you-…” she started.
“I know he’s not here or else you’d be together planning our mutual trip to the Fountain. Any luck yet or hasn’t your sly plan worked so far?” he said gravely, his voice low as he leaned against the desk and glared down at her.
“I had no other choice, Jack. I had to help him since you didn’t agree.” She said quietly and he snarled.
“I have no reason to help you!” he snapped and she sighed.
“That’s why I chose to offer my services to your wife’s father.” She said with a shrug.
“I am sure you gave all your services to him.” He said mockingly and her eyes filled with rage.
“I will not even dignify those words by answering with the way you deserve.”
“Ever the noble lady, dear Elizabeth.”
“Certainly more noble than you and your wife.” She fired back and Jack’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
“You keep your mouth shut about me wife, you hear? Have you any idea what has that man done to her?” he asked as he curled his hands into fists.
“He’s her father what he could possibly have done to her? And since when do you care about any one but yourself?” Elizabeth asked angrily.
Jack’s nostrils flared at her indignant words and he crossed the distance between them. His fingers found the place around her neck as he squeezed and pushed her flat on her back upon the desk.
“So now you think you know me? You don’t know me. As for Vilmort you don’t know a thing about what he has done to Mary. You think he’ll keep his end of the bargain? Me dear Lizzie, you’re gravely mistaken. He doesn’t give a penny for his own daughter and you think that he’ll help you be near your dearest whelp? I knew you were conceited and selfish, but I never took you for a fool.” He spat as he hovered over her, his fingers bruising the white skin of her neck.
“Then why don’t you take what I offer and help me instead?” she asked as she gasped for breath.
Jack’s eyes narrowed at her persistence, “I think we’ve been over this before. I do not want what you offer. What happened? I thought you were ever so mighty about your virtue and now you’re so willing to sleep with a scoundrel like me? I am shocked, your majesty.” He hissed down at her pretty face.
“I’ll do whatever I have to do.” She hissed right back at him and he looked at her speculatively before he released her neck and took a step back.
He turned his back to her and ran a hand over his face.
“You kissed me back then.” He heard her say and he slowly turned to look at her blankly.
“So? You killed me back then.”
“But you kissed me. Why won’t you help me now?” she asked as she walked closer to him and looked at him imploringly.
“I kiss a lot of women, love. That doesn’t mean I have to save their lives when I see no reason to.” He said as took a step back only to have her follow him.
“Does that count for Mary?” she asked quietly.
“That is none of your business.” He snapped tersely.
“You’re very snappish when it comes to her, aren’t you? I wonder why, Jack.” She smirked a little as her hand slid up to play with one of his braids. He slapped her hand away before he slid his hand into her rich blonde hair. He yanked her backwards and she gasped at the pain.
“You’ll be wondering for quite a while. Where is the map you took from me?” he asked lowly as he tightened his grip on her hair.
“I don’t know and if I would I don’t think I’d tell you. This works both ways you know. You don’t help, I won’t help. And you can rot in hell for all I care.” She spat angrily and he smirked.
“So, you haven’t figured it out yet…” he trailed off and she frowned.
“Know what?”
“You may have the map, but I’ve got something else.” He grinned and she blinked.
“Like what? Your damn compass can’t get you there. Obviously.”
“I have the key, love.” He whispered and she shivered when his breath brushed her lips.
“What key?” she asked shakily.
“The person who can make the map work.”
“Are you insane? Are you saying that someone controls the map?” Elizabeth asked deeply confused.
“Ah, ah. That’s me little secret, ain’t it, lass?” he sang as his eyes twinkled mischievously, “Just something to trouble your head with.” He said as he released her hair and stepped back. He made to leave, but paused.
“Tell me at least this; what is the condition of the map at the moment?” he asked with a raised eyebrow and she scowled.
“It’s blank.” She said through gritted teeth and Jack grinned.
“Is it?”
So, it only works when the right person is close…God bless the witches. He thought as he chuckled to himself.
“Oh, and tell your partner that if he keeps strutting around me ship like the last time I won’t be so polite. Even if he’s me dear father–in-law. That goes for you too, Lizzie.” He said as he turned to look at her.
“I shall.” She spat angrily as she massaged her neck which was red.
“Until next time, milady.” He bowed mockingly before he walked out of the cabin with light footsteps.
“Idiots.” Jack muttered as soon as he was out of the cabin, still grinning. They couldn’t do anything without him and Mary. If his racing heart every time Mary was near said anything, then he was sure that once the map was in their possession the Fountain wouldn’t be far away. Magic had its perks, Jack realized with a chuckle as he walked towards the docks where Gibbs was still hiding.
“Mr. Gibbs! We’re going back.” He called and Gibbs poked his head out of his hiding place.
“Got the map?” The older man asked as he followed his captain towards the Pearl.
“No, but no matter. Luck’s on our side, mate.” He said and Gibbs frowned.
“It is?”
“Aye. I want the ship repaired as soon as possible.” He said as they got on the deck.
“Of course. I’ll call the craftsman first thing in the morning if that’s alright.”
“Aye, it’s fine. See you later.” Jack murmured as he headed for this cabin.
Once inside, he saw Mary standing near the window, staring at the sea. When she heard the door closing, she turned towards him.
“Oh, you’re back. How did it go?” she asked anxiously as she looked him over for any wounds.
Jack laughed at her anxiety and raised his hands high in the air.
“I am in perfect condition, love. No worries. I think it’s time for sleep.” He said as he removed his coat and reached for her.
“But…aren’t you going to tell me what happened?”
”What’s happening is that they can’t do anything to us. I slipped a subtle message to Mrs. Turner.” He said as he enveloped her in the circle of his arms.
“What message?” Mary asked hesitantly.
“Let’s just say that I know something they don’t. And no, before you ask, your father wasn’t there.” He said quickly and she sighed in relief.
“So now what?” she asked as her face flushed at his close proximity.
“Now? Now we wait.” He grinned before he leaned down to kiss her, drawing a gasp from her. His tongue repeatedly stroked her upper lip teasingly before he fully deepened the kiss. Her hands came to rest gingerly on his chest as she felt lightheaded from all the attention she was suddenly receiving from him. No one had ever fussed over her before and while she was uncertain of his intentions she couldn’t help but melt like wax in his arms. That was when she understood that she had started falling into a deep trap. She had feelings for Jack and God help her, they were deep.

End of chapter 21