Unforgivable

*Waves* First of all - a million apologies for (yet again) making you wait so long for an update! This story is not and won't be abandoned I promise; it's just that time is a real problem for me right now, and I'm such a fussy bugger I could go on editing until the cows come home (and often do!). Anyway, there are 2 new chapters for you to make up for the wait. And both are dedicated to TogetherAtLast who made a totally gorgeous and brilliant trailer for my fic - I only found it recently; if you haven't seen it please check it out cos it's amazing!! http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo4vV4qvulA

Here you go then; hope you enjoy it!!!


“Ja-aack?”

The tangled heap of braids in front of Elizabeth’s nose twitched irritably, and their owner gave a sleepy grunt.

“Come on, Jack – I know you’re awake.”

“No m’not. Nor likely t’be fer several years yet.”

“Oh really?” She slid a hand down the lean curve of his belly, exploring. “Well what’s this then? All evidence to the contrary, Captain Sparrow!”

“Not all,” he groaned, wriggling away. “Not any, in fact. M’all swived out.”

Elizabeth wriggled after him.

“Did I just hear you right? You’re turning me DOWN?”

“I’m deferrin’ yer offer til a future occasion when resumption of such pleasurable but exhausting activity’s not likely t’cause me demise.”

“That’s it; I’m fetching Gibbs. You’re obviously delirious.”

“If ye like, but he’ll not be much use. He’s even older than he looks, darlin’ –ye’d kill the poor bugger.”

The slap she aimed at his backside missed by a hairsbreadth as he rolled neatly off the edge of the bunk.

When she leaned down for another attempt he scurried away on all fours, beads and trinkets clattering cheerfully against the wooden boards, and skidded to a halt in front of the chamber pot.

“Just as I suspected” he commented a minute or so later, settling back on his heels with a satisfied groan. “Me corpus cavenosum is no more.”

“Your corpus what? Stop teasing me Jack, and come back to bed!”

“Not teasin’ luv. Only thing m’fit fer doing there is sleepin’; anythin’ more’ll finish me off. A fine an’ fitting finish I’ll grant you, but still…”

“You’ve never refused me before.”

All the playfulness had gone from her tone, and Jack sighed heavily as he rose to his feet.

“Not refusin’ ye now, Elizabeth. Just…delayin’ me acceptance fer a while. Let it – me, that is - lie fer a while, eh?”

There was no reply, and he studiously avoided her gaze as he prowled the cabin in search of something to wear. He’d barely had time to close the door before she’d pounced last night, and his clothing had been discarded with little regard for where it landed.

Retrieving his shirt from behind a stack of neatly rolled charts, he shrugged his way into it and shook the wild, wayward locks out of his eyes.

“Can ye see me scarf, darlin’? The lads won’t thank me if I steer us into a reef on account o’the fact that I can’t bloody see it.”

“No,” came the tight-lipped reply, and he turned towards her with another sigh.

“Wish ye wouldn’t sulk, Elizabeth.”

“And I wish you would leave me in peace!”

“A minute ago I were being berated fer doin’ just that. If you’re intent on being annoyed wiv me fer no reason dearie, then the least ye can do is make yer mind up which unreasonable reason is the cause of yer unjustified an’ wholly undeserved contempt.”

“Are you still here? Perhaps if I close my eyes and pretend you’re not, you’ll do the decent thing and DISAPPEAR!”

There was a brief pause, then she felt the mattress dip as he sank down beside her.

“Not til’ ye tell me what’s vexing you this time. C’mon; out wiv it.”

She glared at him mutinously, fingers clenched tight on the edge of the blanket.

“I don’t like getting fat!”

Jack only just stopped himself from rolling his eyes.

“Buggerin’ hell, Lizzie; how many times must I say it? First off yer not, not yet.” He paused, glancing down. “Well maybe a little, but yer s’posed t’be, savvy? Unavoidable result of yer happy condition.”

“I know that,” she snapped, “But I don’t have to like it! And more to the point-” Her voice faltered, then dropped to little more than a whisper. “Nor do you. I –I wouldn’t like it, if I were you.”

“So despite th’fact that feedin’ me to a sea-beastie didn’t put me off, ye think a few extra curves’ll send me runnin’ from yer bed? Talk sense, woman!”

“I’m just trying to be practical,” she mumbled, looking away. “Trying to prepare myself for when this wretched body of mine grows so bloated and misshapen that you can’t bring yourself to-OUCH!”
Jack tightened his grip on her shoulders, his expression furious.

“How bloody DARE ye say such wicked, heinous things? This wretched body – an’ the infuriatin’, stubborn an’ plain RIDICULOUS young wench who owns it – happens t’be the greatest treasure I ever laid me thievin’ hands on, an’ I don’t care what bloody shape it is!”

“But –”

“Ye’ve t’stop this nonsense right now, d’ye hear me? I’ll have no more of it! One more word on th’subject an’ I’ll – I’ll lock ye in the bloody brig til the child’s born!”

“Jack –”

“No! Not another word! Cease, desist and shut up! Of course ye’re gonna get bloody fat; ye’re carryin’ me bloody son!”

“Jack, PLEASE, you’re hurting me!”

“And whatsmore, I – oh. Sorry.” He loosened his grip and leant back, still scowling. “Ye’d best start beggin’ forgiveness for spoutin’ such blithering nonsense right now, else I swear I’ll-”

“I know. I’m sorry. I love you too.” Her smile was tentative and not terribly convincing, and he pounced once more, his mouth hot and fierce against hers. When he felt her relax against him he drew back and shook his head reprovingly.

“Ye’ve bloody ruined me fer anyone else; ye surely know that by now? Inconsiderate wench! Even if ye’d two wooden legs an’ a face like Hector’s monkey, I’d still be blind to th’rest.”

“What if I were toothless and bald,” she sniffed, “with a missing eye and only one arm?”

“Well I’d have t’think twice about lettin’ ye tend th’top mast, but aye, I’d still want ye, even then.” There was a brief, expectant pause. “Your turn, darlin’. I’ll get ye started if ye like; Jack, me precious an’ adored almost-husband, even if ye’re struck down wiv some unimaginable misfortune resultin’ in the loss of yer exceptional charm an’ good looks…”

“…I’ll still not leave you. Not even your exceptional vanity will drive me away.”

Jack laughed, and sent a silent prayer of thanks to whichever saint protected the poor, much-maligned companions of irrational, unpredictable mothers-to-be. These irrational outbursts of hers came less often now, thank lord – for they tested both his patience and his conciliatory skills to the limit.

“Seems we’ve an accord, then.” He ran one finger lightly along the curve of her cheek, his dark eyes full of tenderness. “An I’ve a crew t’bawl at. Don’t s’pose ye recall which way me breeches got flung?”

Elizabeth responded with a grimace, one hand flying to her swollen belly, and his own innards seemed suddenly full of lead.
.
“What, what is it? Where’s it hurt?”

“I – it doesn’t; I’m fine.”

“Like hell ye are! What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, really! It’s just…strange, that’s all. It’s happened before, but that was the strongest yet - took me by surprise.”

He drew in a deep, steadying breath.

“Elizabeth. What the bloody hell ye’re talkin’ about? Ye just scared me t’death!”

“Again, I’m sorry.” Her smile was contrite. “It’s hard to describe. Like – like butterfly wings, perhaps. Or tiny bubbles bursting under my skin. Except just then it was much stronger; almost as though–”

“-Someone was stretchin’ his legs,” Jack finished for her, his eyes dancing with sudden excitement. “It’s our little lad, darlin’ – seems he’s finally big enough t’make his presence!”

Elizabeth gawped at him.

“Really? You mean all this time what I thought was poor digestion was really him- er, her, I mean?”

He nodded, and they beamed at each other in proud delight for a moment before Jack slid down the mattress to rest his cheek against the taut curve of her belly.

“Nice t’meet ye, son,” he whispered reverently. “Welcome to the Caribbean.”


The proud parents spent the next half-hour encouraging further discourse with their unborn infant, by means of gentle prods and pokes. Jack was enchanted by every response relayed to him by an equally fascinated Elizabeth, and all thoughts of the duties awaiting him on deck were soon forgotten. Finally though, her belly emitted a loud, gurgling sound which made him jump back in alarm.

“Bloody hell ye precocious young imp, yer not meant t’be givin’ me cheek yet!”

Elizabeth smirked.

“She’s just reminding you that her poor, starving mother is in need of breakfast. And telling you not to forget to empty the chamber pot, of course.”

“Must be a lass if she’s that bossy,” he grumbled, tugging at his shirt. “An’ I s’pose she expects me t’do it half-naked, too? Could at least have told her mum t’find me breeches first.”

“I’ll look for them whilst you’re gone,” she promised, sitting up. “Now don’t be too long, will you?”


But, when he elbowed his way back into the cabin some ten minutes later with a loaded wooden platter precariously balanced on one arm, the empty chamber pot dangling from one finger and a flagon of ale clutched tightly in his other hand, the only clothes in evidence were the ones Elizabeth now wore.

“See ye managed t’find YOUR breeches then,” he sniffed, unburdening himself. “And mine would be…?”


“Around,” she murmured distractedly, not looking up. “I did find your hat, though – and this.”

She held up the small, rather dog-eared book she was engrossed in, and Jack’s frown was replaced by a gold-flecked grin.

“Bloody hell! Thought I’d lost that months ago – where’d ye find it?”

“Behind that big trunk. Perhaps, if you tidied up occasionally…”

Dismissing this notion with a wave of his hand, he narrowed his eyes in mock disapproval.

“That’s not generally considered the most volacious of volumes fer a young lady’s eyes, missy. Best hand it over now – don’t want yer innocence corrupted, now do we?”

“My innocence was forfeit long ago,” she responded mildly, “And you were entirely responsible for its demise. Besides, I HAVE seen a book like this before. It belonged to an acquaintance of my father’s; I discovered it beneath some papers in his desk drawer when we were visiting one day.”

“Snooping, eh? That’s my girl! Surprised yer poor dear papa didn’t ship ye off to the nearest nunnery t’cure ye of such brazen habits, though.”

“He never knew. I may have been a little naive back then, but I wasn’t stupid.”


“No, I doubt ye were ever that. Just crafty, quick an’ too sharp fer yer own good – a born bloody pirate. Keep it then; but as Captain I’m entitled to me share of yer spoils. Ye’ll have t’read it aloud. Whilst either one or both of us is naked; the latter option bein’ me preferred one.”

“What, and risk your death by exhaustion? Do you think it wise to take such a risk?”

“Never been famed fer me sense of caution, luv.” Smirking, he fumbled briefly beneath the hem of his shirt – then gave a rueful shrug. “Nor me sense of timing, it seems. What say we sate another appetite fer now, an’ leave that one aside ‘til later?”

“All talk and no action,” she teased, pushing the book into his outstretched hand. “I can get up by myself, you know. And I’ll cede to your poor, overworked libido – for the moment. What’s for breakfast?”


As they ate, however, Jack noted with some amusement that her gaze wandered frequently to the book, now lying open beside her plate. Setting down his empty mug, his own meal finished, he slid the book deftly out of her reach.

“I was reading that!”

“S’impolite t’read when yer meant t’be eatin’, luv,” he grinned, unabashed. “Save it fer later, eh? Take it back t’bed wiv you after m’gone; it’ll keep ye entertained fer hours. It did me.”

“Oh, so that’s where you learnt it all? Rather spoils your reputation as a renowned reprobate and expert seducer, Jack.”

His expression faltered somewhere between pride and indignance and she laughed, reaching across the desk to give his cheek an affectionate pat.

“There’s things I’ve done would scorch the page if they were ever scribed in ink,” he protested indignantly.

“Really? Do tell!”

“Well, I – there was that time I – no, tis too early in th’day t’tell ye that one. S’probably best saved fer me deathbed, in fact. Same could be said fer most of them, truth be told.”

“Surely not! There must be something-”

“Drink yer ale an’ stop bein’ impertinent, else I’ll give ye that spankin’ yer dad should’ve given ye.”

“I’d like to see you try! What about your first – ah, encounter then? With a woman, I mean. Surely that can’t be too shocking! You could tell me that one.”

“Depends what ye call shocking. Nearly got me killed.”

“Naturally, being you. Please, Jack?”

“I should be out on deck-”

“Not without your breeches. Do you really think it seemly for the Pearl’s Captain to stand at the helm, baring all his hidden glories every time the wind blows?”

“If ye’d helped look fer me breeches instead of readin’ that bloody book-”

“I’ll help you find them later, I promise.” Her gaze slid away, her cheeks reddening suspiciously, and Jack narrowed his eyes.

“Elizabeth-”

“Oh come on, Jack; you love telling stories! Humour me; I’m in a very delicate condition, remember. Now are you going to come quietly, or must I drag you by the hair?”

“Subdolous wench,” he muttered, clambering to his feet. “Come on then – but ye’d best remember MY delicate state. Savvy?

“Always, my love,” Elizabeth grinned, tugging him towards the bunk. “Your virtue is safe with me, I swear…”