Proffitable Affairs

Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean.

Chapter 25


As soon as Jack stepped out of the cabin a sword found its way just under his chin. His eyes widened and Mary gasped behind him, her hand flying to her mouth in shock.
“Father!” she gasped and Jack wondered if it was concern in her voice. For him? Interesting.
“About time you graced us with your presence, Sparrow. Didn’t know my daughter was that capable of catching your interest.” Vilmort hissed with venom and Jack raised an eyebrow. He placed his fingers against the blade and pushed it away.
“You’re on me ship, mate. As far as I remember, we’re in this together.” Jack said neutrally and he rolled his eyes when the blade reappeared in front of his face.
“Precisely, Captain.” Vilmort answered with narrowed eyes, “So, it’d be in your best interest not to keep things from me. Right, dear daughter?” He asked while turning his cold eyes to Mary who was standing behind Jack.
“I-…I have no idea what you mean, Father. What’s this all about?” Mary asked tremulously.
“Yes, what is this all about?” Jack asked as he sidestepped Vilmort’s sword, effectively placing his body next to Mary’s.
“Is there something you aren’t telling me about the map?” Vilmort hissed and Jack’s eyebrows disappeared under his bandana.
“Us? Hiding? Now, why would we do that? I don’t know about the rest of you, but I do want to find the Fountain.” He grinned and Mary rolled her eyes.
“Then you’d do well to tell me what is the matter with it.” Vilmort said as he stepped closer and pressed the tip of his sword on Jack’s chest.
“Not like that, I won’t.” Jack laughed as he once again slapped the blade away.
“Will you stop this? This is ridiculous.” Mary stepped between them when she saw that her father ready to put the sword back on Jack’s neck.
“Me thoughts exactly.” Jack said from his place behind Mary’s back.
“That’s very brave of you, Sparrow. Hiding behind a woman’s skirt. Your wife’s skirt to be exact.” Vilmort smirked and that did for Jack. He stepped forward and his eyes glared daggers at the older man.
“You better watch your tongue with me, Dad. I’d have no trouble throwing you overboard with me own hands.” Jack’s voice had changed drastically.
“Then you’d better explain quickly. Why doesn’t the chart work?”
“Because you have it.” Jack answered simply.
“I beg your pardon?” Vilmort was confused.
“I am so glad your wife was smarter than you.” Jack said with a gleeful smile and Mary wanted to bang her head against the rail.
“Your point, Sparrow?” Vilmort hissed angrily.
“Let’s just say that without me, I mean, us,” Jack spread his hands wide and motioned to him and Mary, “it is as likely for you to find the Fountain as it is for Gibbs to meet the King of England.” Jack finished and Gibbs frowned.
“No offence, mate.” Jack quickly apologized to his first mate who only sighed and shook his head.
“What?” Vilmort sputtered.
“The map needs to stay with Mary, mate. Otherwise it’s useless.” Jack said as he leaned closer and winked, “Have I mentioned that I absolutely love your deceased wife?” He wriggled his eyebrows and Mary fought hard to hide her smile.
“Explain.” Vilmort said as he put his sword away.
“I think I can.” A female voice came from behind him and Jack rolled his eyes as Elizabeth landed on the deck with a thud, her hair getting in front of her face as she moved.
Mary cringed at the sight of the woman, for she felt quite inferior while in the same place with her.
“You can?” Jack asked with a frown as Elizabeth made her way over.
“The map shows itself while you two are close. Intimately.” Elizabeth specified and Mary felt her face heating up.
“What?” Vilmort turned his shocked eyes to Mary who flinched at all the sudden attention.
“I…Why are you all looking at me?” she flushed even more deeply and Jack huffed.
“Yes, why are you looking at her?” He noticed everyone on deck was staring at her, “She happens to be me wife.” He said with an arrogant sniff.
“But it’s not only that, is it?” Elizabeth asked with her eyes on Jack, “It doesn’t work if it’s just…shallow.” she finished delicately and Mary would have laughed.
What was she talking about? Like Jack could ever love her.
“I suppose…not.” Jack said quietly and Mary’s head shot up to look at him, but he wasn’t looking at her.
“Ridiculous.” Vilmort commented and the dismissal stung Mary.
“True.” Elizabeth countered and Jack smirked. Old Mrs. Turner was too smart for her own good. Smart enough to make him look like a foolish schoolboy.
I do not love her! He thought as he glanced at Mary who was fidgeting adorably behind him.
Don’t look at her! She’s brainwashing you! He scolded as he turned his gaze away.
“Nonsense! He could never love her!” Vilmort snapped and Jack tensed.
“No one asked you, if I’m correct. Now, if you’d be so kind, I need the map back so we can get on with this.” Jack muttered impatiently and Mary wondered what his words meant.
“I will hand you the map, but I need proof you’re telling the truth. So, I suggest you put your…charm to good use, Mr. Sparrow and then show it to me.” Vilmort said as he removed the map from his coat pocket and threw it at Jack’s chest who caught is easily with one ringed hand.
“I beg your pardon?” Mary sputtered, shocked at the request. Her father wanted to know when she and Jack would…Impossible.
“Done.” Jack grinned and Mary gasped, offended. They were talking about her as if she wasn’t right there with them.
“I’ll be waiting then.” Vilmort said as he turned and walked away.
Elizabeth hesitated before she nodded at Jack and followed the older man to his ship.
“Back to your stations, the lot of you!” Jack barked as he nodded at Gibbs and then turned to face Mary…only to find her gone.
“Mary?” he called as he entered the cabin. She wasn’t there. He placed the map inside his drawer and walked out. He headed for the galley where he found her choosing an apple, her lips a thin line upon her face.
“Love?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you alright? Your face is all scrunched up.” He stated with a funny expression upon his face and she paused.
“Well, let me see, my father finds me unimportant and unworthy enough not to be loved by anyone, let alone him, my personal life was just discussed publicly and I am stuck upon a ship that obviously hates me for it never stops making me nauseous!” she finished and he blinked.
“That’s quite a lot indeed.” He commented lightly, not knowing how to respond.
“Thank you, Jack.” She smiled sarcastically.
“You’re welcome.” He grinned, but his face fell when she glared at him and left the galley with a groan.
“Love, your apple!” he called, but she only walked faster in her effort to get away from him, her robe billowing behind her.
“She’s upset.” He confirmed as he stood there confused. Women were unpredictable indeed.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo


A few days later…

Jack yawned loudly and Gibbs patted him on the back.
“I’ll take over. Have some rest.” He said and Jack willingly stepped back.
“Thanks, mate.”
“So…the map’s working at last?”
“Hmm…a bit. At least, I know where to head for a while.” Jack commented with a frown.
“And how’s…the lass?” Gibbs asked lightly.
“She’s…distant… And that is not good.”
“Hmm…still mad about the incident with her father?”
“She’s not mad. She’s hurt, which is worse.” Jack mumbled as he thought over the last few days. She hadn’t let him much near her. He had managed to steal a couple of kisses, but other than that their nice night trysts were long forgotten. He didn’t know what it was, but he felt as if she was trying to keep her distance which was really frustrating because he needed the closeness with her.
“Oh, that’s worse indeed. Anyway, you should get going.” Gibbs said and Jack nodded glumly.
“Right. Be careful.”
“I know. We’re on dangerous waters here. Have you ever heard of what creatures-…”
“Night, Gibbs.” Jack cut him off quickly, not in the mood to listen to his stories at the moment.
“Night…” Gibbs muttered dejectedly.
When Jack entered his quarters the room was dark. He removed his boots by leaning against the door and tiptoed to the bed. He pulled off his coat, vest and shirt and slipped under the covers only to find his side occupied by Mary. He paused. His hand touched her back and he could feel the silk of her nightdress under his fingertips. He rubbed her back in circles before he managed to roll her a bit until she was resting to her side. He slid an arm around her waist and purred gleefully as he molded his body against hers. One hand trailed up her back to entangle itself in her locks and he felt her leaning more into him, her head going into the crook of his neck. Jack’s breath hitched and he held her a little tighter in the dark. She sleepily nuzzled her face against his skin and he smiled in the darkness as he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
Neither saw the small sparkle of light that brightened the cabin for a few seconds before it went out. The light had come from his desk.

End of chapter 25