PIRATES, CHOCOLAT AND ROCK 'N' ROLL

After the band left the stage, Elyse slowly made her way through the crowd. Flashing her press badge, security allowed her backstage to where the party was just getting started. Will immediately spotted her and rushed over to greet her.



"My apologies, Ms. Newton" He smiled, shaking her hand. "I hope you'll forgive me."



"Mr. Turner, at last you have returned to me. The crisis turned out to be a little more involved than you thought, eh?" Elyse graciously smiled back. "Don't worry, no harm done." I got a little bonus pre-show performance out of the deal. she thought.



"Before the party gets too wound up, let's finish our business from this afternoon, shall we? I'm most anxious to get the guidelines out of the way so that you and I will be free to go on about our work." Will suggested.



"Well....if you insist." Elyse responded with a smile but her eyes were scanning the room for Jack Sparrow. She wasn't conscious of it, of course. That wouldn't be appropriate behavior for a seasoned professional such as herself. Even though she really wanted to tell Will that she'd rather wait until the morning to get the details, she thought it best to try to stay on his good side.



They quickly found a table and got to work going over the details. It was all she could do to maintain her concentration especially when the boisterous voice of Jack Sparrow was within listening distance. He was surrounded by people and telling funny stories. This was another of his favorite past times.



On the far side of the room, Roux was also scanning the room for the pretty lady from the front row without appearing too conspicuous. He was a patient man. He knew he would find her eventually. He could feel it.



Dr. Gonzo had found his Donna and they had started making the rounds. Since he had stopped drinking, it was usually better for them to make a brief appearance and then go out on their own. No need to tempt fate...



Elyse and Will finally completed their business and were ready to celebrate. While Will went to fetch beverages for them, Elyse made a quick visit to the ladies' room. She was to meet Will back by the bar and he would begin to introduce her to everyone. Elyse did a fast freshen up and returned to the party. As she entered the room she found that she was enveloped by Jack's entourage or the "harem" as he liked to call them. In every city they played, there were groupies. Some followed the band around the country, some were local. Some were there just for the party and some were there for after the party. Most of them Jack had known for years, but once in awhile Mr. Gibbs, the head roadie would surprise Jack with someone new he may have met.



"Well, well, well, who might we have here, Mr. Gibbs?" Elyse was startled by Jack; he looked deeply into her eyes and took her hand to his lips. Elyse, who had interviewed everyone from the President of the United States to Prince William, with no problem at all, was now quite star struck. She opened her mouth to speak but the words were nowhere to be found.



"I'm enchanted, my lady." Jack gave an exaggerated bow, knowing perfectly well Elyse's condition of speechlessness. He then turned to Mr. Gibbs. "She's a fine addition to the harem, mate. Well done!" Mr. Gibbs glanced sideways in Jack's direction wearing a look of bewilderment.



"Mr. Sparrow, I am not part of your...um... "harem", Elyse said with mock indignity. "I'm Elyse Newton, Rolling Stone Magazine." She flashed her press pass into his view. "I'm here to do an extensive piece on Black Pearl."



"Ohhhh, well...now that is a bit different, isn't it?" Jack purred. "My deepest apologies, Ms. Newton" Jack's eyes twinkled with amusement.



"It's quite all right." Elyse attempted to maintain her professional demeanor.



"Perhaps we can talk later about your...piece." Jack winked and smiled seductively at her as he walked away.



"You are a quite the wit, Mr. Sparrow." Elyse attempted to sound stoic although she could feel another blush coming on as she turned away. Looking down attempting to catch her breath, she suddenly became aware that someone was staring at her. She looked up and saw Will coming toward her with two glasses of well-chilled chardonnay. Taking a huge gulp, she closed her eyes and breathed deeply, attempting to gain her composure.



Elyse opened her eyes and was greeted by Roux's gentle, alluring, chocolate brown eyes from the other side of the room. He lifted his glass and gave her a little smile. She returned the gesture to him with the smile of an angel, he thought. Their gaze was interrupted by Jack going up to speak to Roux.



"Hey Roux-man, Come join us! Hell of a show tonight wasn't it?" Jack often attempted to lure Roux from his loner position.



"Yes, I thought it went well. Roux ignored Jack's invitation. "Hey, who was the strawberry blonde you were talking to over by the bar?" Roux had seen the interaction between Elyse and Jack. He had also taken note of Jack's effect on her. Damn Jack.



"That would be Elyse Newton. She's the journalist from Rolling Stone who is doing the big story. Beautiful isn't she? Eyes like the Caribbean mate...I swear." Jack's expression displayed deep appreciation.



"She's ok, I guess." Roux didn't know why, but he was not about to tell Jack he was attracted to the Rolling Stone reporter.



"Mate, she's way more than ok, you'll see. She's going to be spending a few weeks with us, you know." Jack paused, putting a finger up to his chin. “I’m having a thought here...I'm thinking it might be fun to have a little fling with a certain strawberry blonde."



It was taking everything Roux had not to lose his temper. "What about the harem? Won't they be disappointed?"



"My dear friend, have you forgotten who you are speaking to? I'm Captain Jack Sparrow.... Jack looked as if it was the most preposterous thing he had ever heard.



"Oh yes, how could I forget?" Roux's tone was icy.



"You're welcome to share the harem tonight if you want, Roux. It would be good for you to get back in the saddle again." Jack smiled at his friend. He wished that Roux would loosen up a little and try to enjoy life.



An expression of distaste appeared upon Roux's face. "Jack, you know I don't go for that kind of thing. Look, I'm going back to the hotel...I'll see you later." Roux grabbed a full bottle of Cabernet and headed out the door to find the limo.



"Suit yourself, but you don't know what you're missin' man" Jack shrugged his shoulders. He didn't know what Roux could be so pissed about. Jack quickly dismissed the unpleasant thoughts. It was time to get a plan. It wasn't often that he had a real challenge in the seduction department. This was going to be fun. He knew that Elyse found him attractive, but the tricky part was going to be getting past that "professional" exterior. Jack tipped his glass to finish his drink. He was up for the challenge.



"Damn Jack!" Roux didn't bother getting a glass for his wine. Why the hell did Jack think he was entitled to every woman who came along? He knew he had himself to blame for not speaking up. Jack cared enough for Roux that if he had known about Roux's attraction for Elyse, he would have backed off. Roux's temper began to calm and he made a conscious decision not to give up. Who knows? Maybe Elyse would turn him down. Not likely. Roux thought. Roux had the sinking feeling that Elyse was in for an emotional ride that might just break her heart and he had an even deeper sinking feeling that his own heart may be at risk. It would be difficult but he would keep the hope that he would eventually have his chance with Elyse. Roux always tried to live his life according to the advice of his heart. For the first time in a very long time, Roux was up for the challenge of truly following his heart.