Delightful Contempt

Chapter 7:

A/N: Okay I know the last chapter was evil…..and I’m sorry……sorta. ;) It had to be done for the story, but don’t worry Jack will man up and make things right. He does love her! And thank you for the reviews, keep em coming!

She rolled over onto her side facing the door to her tiny cabin. She blinked feeling a stinging sensation behind her closed eyelids. Her eyes hurt. They were red and puffy from hours spent crying over a man that most assuredly did not deserve one ounce of the affection that was wasted on him. But try as she might she just couldn’t find the strength to completely hate him. He consumed her every thought and it was driving her mad. Well madder than she supposed she already was. After all hadn’t she spent a while arguing with hallucinations of herself yesterday afternoon and then again for the majority of last night? It was a curious thing the feelings she felt for him. How was it possible for a person to love someone and yet hate them at the same time? It was maddening and she just wished she could pick one of the conflicting emotions she felt for him and stick with it. Looking over her shoulder at the small porthole window in her cabin she could tell that the sun was high in the sky. Meaning that it was late in the day. Obviously no one had been concerned with her absence from the main deck. She wondered if he would come for her sometime today if she remained holed up in her room.

What difference did it make if he didn’t? Sighing heavily Elizabeth shut her eyes feeling the stinging sensation again. Of course it mattered. She hated to admit it but it hurt to think that he might not even care that she had chosen to remain locked away in her cabin. She wanted…..no needed him to come looking for her. Opening her tired eyes she looked down finally noticing that she was still naked from last night’s tryst with……him. Fresh tears pricked her eyes making her clench her fists tightly. Damn it, not again! Her shoulders shook as a sob escaped her throat and tears streamed down her cheeks in hot little salty rivers. His name fell from her lips in a pitiful sounding whisper.

“Jack!”

On the main deck of the Pearl Jack stood at the railing scowling out to sea. He had been hoping that she was out here by now. It was well past noon and working on evening. Jack had wanted to speak with her privately about what had happened between them last night. He felt awful about the way things had ended between them. Wait…ended? No they hadn’t ended…..they just were left in a regrettably poor state for the time being. Yes that was it. Looking around the deck he spied Gibbs coming out from below decks to take over his watch at the wheel. Jack hurried up onto the wheel deck to join his first mate. Gibbs flashed a broad smile at Jack but then frowned when he noticed Jack didn’t return it.

“Afternoon Captain…..something troubling ye?”

“Is it that obvious Gibbs?”
“Aye. Might it have something t’ do with the lass?”

“It might. Speaking of murdering wenches…..where is she?”

“Still in her cabin I reckon. She hasn’t come out all day.”

“Really?”

“Aye. Jack…..did the two of ye have a fight? If ye don’t mind me asking sir?”

“No no Gibbs it’s fine. Yes we had a minor difference of opinion ye might say.”

“Minor Captain?”

Jack looked up to see Gibbs eyeing him. Flashing a small crooked grin he spoke. “Alright, I suppose it was a bit more than a minor difference of opinion.”

“I figured as much. She didn’t come out for breakfast or lunch. Do ye think she’s……still alive Captain?”

His heart leapt into his throat. He swallowed forcing it back down into his chest before he spoke. “Course she’s still alive, don’t be ridiculous!”

“Apologies Jack, I meant nothing by it. I was jus’ trying t’ help.”

“I know. Are we close t’ port by chance?”

“By my reckoning sir….we’re close t’ Grenada Captain.”

“Grenada eh? Make port quick as ye can savvy?”

“Aye Captain.”

A short while later Gibbs was sailing the Pearl smoothly into a small port town of Grenada. Jack hurried towards the gangplank and turned back to face Gibbs.

“I’ll be gone only a short while, yer in charge mate. If Elizabeth should come out of her room jus’ keep her busy savvy?”

“Aye Jack.”

Jack hurried down the gangplank and onto the rickety little wooden pier of the no name little port town they had docked in. He headed straight for the market. Walking quickly down the narrow and dirty winding streets of the bustling little town his dark eyes scanned his surroundings carefully. Finally he spotted a rickety and run down looking little shack that had all sorts of flowers in pots of water. A crooked smile etched onto his face. That was just what he had come looking for. He made a beeline for the shack. The old native woman smiled at him broadly flashing what little teeth she had in her mouth. He smiled back as he glanced over the flowers.

“You looking for something special?”

“Yes I am. I need something…..extraordinary.”

She smiled again as she turned and began looking through the flowers.

“This woman….she must mean a great deal to you yes?”

“How did….never mind. Yes, she means everything to me.”

Finally the woman turned around holding a large bouquet of exotic looking flowers. They were a vibrant and eye catching orange with thick dark green stems. The scent that was radiating from the blooms was absolutely intoxicating….like Elizabeth. They were perfect.

“They’re perfect…..what are they?”

“They’re orchids…Lycaste orchids.”

“I’ll take them. How much?”

“Ten schilling.”

“Done.”

Jack dug into his pockets and pulled out ten silver coins. Handing them to the old woman he took the orchids in return.

“Ye wouldn’t happen t’ know where I might find a necklace would ye?”

“You want something unique?”

“Aye.”

“Just go a little further to the end of the street. You will find a small jewelry shop. You won’t be disappointed.”

“Thanks.”

She nodded as he went on his way down the street towards the jewelry shop. Coming to the end of the street Jack noticed a small rickety looking wooden shack that looked as if the roof were about to cave in. Shrugging his shoulders he went inside. Seeing a man about his age behind the desk he approached him.


“Hello, what can I do for you sir?”

“I need something special.”

“For your wife?”

Jack smiled before answering. “Yes an’ it has t’ be something unique like her.”

The man turned and began looking through the jewelry case. Finally turning back around he laid a necklace out on a black silk bag. It was a silver chain and fastened onto it was a single large and perfectly shaped black pearl. It was stunning and would look equally stunning hanging from Elizabeth’s slender neck.

“You like?”

“I love it mate…..how much do ye want for it?”

“Twenty schillings?”

“How bout fifteen an’ we call it even?”

The man mulled it over for a moment and then stuck out his hand. Jack shook it quickly.

“We have a deal.”

Jack handed him fifteen silver coins and then took the necklace that the man had placed back into the black silk bag.

“Pleasure doing business with ye mate.”

Jack hurried out of the shop with the necklace and the flowers in hand and headed back to the Pearl. Running up the gangplank Jack made a hasty retreat into his cabin and shut the door. He dug through another chest that he kept in the small closet in his cabin until he found an old vase that was crafted out of pale green glass. Pouring some water from his pitcher next to his basin he placed the orchids into the vase and set it on the table. Placing the black silk bag with the necklace on the table next to the orchids he then decided he needed to take a quick bath. Jack stripped off all his clothes and poured some water into the basin on his desk. He quickly lathered a washcloth with some spicy scented soap. It reminded him of rum almost the way it had a slightly sweet rich scent to it. Scrubbing his bronzed flesh quickly he then rinsed off and grabbed a dry linen to wipe the water from his skin. Heading to the foot of his bed he opened the large trunk and rummaged through it. Finding the pair of black breeches that he rarely ever wore and a fresh linen shirt he pulled them on. Reaching back down into the trunk he pulled out a black overcoat with silver buttons and a pair of equally rarely worn black boots. He wanted to look perfect for Elizabeth. At last he reached down and pulled out a black tricorner hat and placed it atop his head.

Looking into the small mirror on his wall above his desk he grinned at his reflection. Now he looked good if he did say so himself. Jack closed the trunk and walked out onto the main deck. Gibb’s eyes widened when he caught sight of Jack.

“Jack?”

“Aye Gibbs. Has she come out of her cabin?”

“Fraid not sir.”

“Ah I see. Well m’ going t’ tell Noah t’ prepare a dinner of the tilapia that we caught earlier this morning. I’ll send someone t’ take over yer watch momentarily.”

“Aye Captain.”

Gibbs smiled to himself as he watched Jack walk down the steps towards the galley. Jack found Noah in the kitchen of the galley cleaning the fish.

“Noah?”

“Aye Captain?”

“Would ye be so kind as t’ prepare that wonderful soup that ye make with the tilapia?”

“Aye sir.”

“Thank ye.”

Jack hurried back up to the main deck. On the way up the steps to the main deck he spotted Ragetti.

“Ragetti!”

“Aye Captain?”

“Take over at the helm for Gibbs.”

“Yes sir!”

Ragetti turned around and hurried back up on deck and scurried over to relieve Gibbs at the helm. Jack beckoned Gibbs over to the stairs. Gibbs joined Jack over at the stairs that led down into the lower decks of the Pearl.

“Sir?”

“I need ye t’ go an’ fetch Elizabeth for me Gibbs.”

“Now sir?”

“Aye, now.”

“What should I tell her Jack?”

“Jus’ tell her that the Captain demands her presence in his cabin immediately.”

“Yes sir.”

Gibbs headed down the stairs into the lower decks and began walking towards Elizabeth’s small cabin. He knocked on the door and waited for a response. When he got none he knocked again a bit harder.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Gibbs, Miss Elizabeth.”

“Oh….Mr. Gibbs, just a moment.”

Elizabeth hastily pulled on her shirt and breeches before opening the door.

“Yes?”

“The Captain demands yer presence in his cabin Miss Elizabeth.”

“Does he?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, thank you Mr. Gibbs.”

“Jus’ following orders missy, no need t’ thank me.”

With that Gibbs turned and started to head back up to the main deck. He turned around to speak again.

“Uh Miss Elizabeth?”

“Yes?”

“Ye might want t’ wear something nice.”

So Jack wanted her to dress nice. What was he up to? Shaking her head she opened the small trunk at the end of her bed. Digging through what little personal belongings she had she finally found what she was looking for. Elizabeth pulled out the black silk dress that Sao Feng had dressed her in when he had taken her captive aboard his ship believing she was really the goddess Calypso in human form. She laid the dress on her bed and quickly stripped off her clothes. Filling her basin with fresh water she grabbed a washcloth and lathered it with the bar of jasmine scented soap. She scrubbed herself quickly before drying off with the linen that hung on the back of her chair. Elizabeth carefully pulled on the black silk dress. It was soft and fell to her knees exposing her toned claves. The sleeves hung off her shoulders and stopped just below them. The silk material clung to the delicate curves of her petite frame. Elizabeth combed out her tawny hair and decided to just let it hang loosely down her back. Opting to remain barefoot instead of putting her boots back on she left her cabin shutting the door softly behind her. Elizabeth padded through the galley until she came to the stairs leading up to the main deck. Pausing she took a deep breath before she began climbing the steps.

Out on the main deck she saw Gibbs resuming his place at the helm and Ragetti heading in her direction. He stared at her his one good eye wide in shock at her appearance.

“Evening Miss Elizabeth, ye look real nice.”

“Thank you Ragetti.”

He nodded before heading back below deck. Elizabeth walked over to Jack’s cabin and knocked on the door. Jack opened the door and gestured for her to come in. Walking into the cabin she noticed it was filled with flickering candles. Her tea colored eyes shifted to Jack noticing that he wasn’t wearing his usual clothes. He was clad in all black and looked incredibly handsome. Turning her attention back to the room she saw the table was set for two. Two generous bowls of soup sat separated by a basket of breadsticks. A bottle of wine along with two goblets were also on the table. A pleasant flowery scent hit her nose and she looked around for the source of it. She found a large bouquet of beautiful vibrant orange orchids in a vase on Jack’s desk. Next to the vase was a small black silk bag. Jack’s hand on the small of her back snapped her attention back to him.

“Ye look stunning Elizabeth.”

“Thank you Jack, you look very nice too. What’s the occasion?”

“Jus’ wanted t’ make up for what happened last night.”

“Jack-”

“No please Elizabeth, I want ye t’ know how sorry I am for hurting ye. It was never my intention.”

He guided her over to the table and pulled out a chair for her. She sat down allowing him to push her chair in. Her eyes followed him as he sat down across from her.

“You did all this for me Jack?”

“Aye love, it’s all for ye.”

“It’s very sweet.”

“Wine?”

“Please.”

Jack poured wine into both of their goblets before speaking again.

“M’ sorry for the way I behaved last night Elizabeth.”

“No Jack, you don’t have to apologize. I shouldn’t have tried to push you into saying something you don’t want to say.”

“Ye did nothing of the sort love, I jus’ acted like a fool. I should have jus’ told ye what I really feel for ye.”

“Jack-”

“Elizabeth please, let me explain?”

She nodded for him to continue.

“When ye said ye loved me, did ye mean it?”

“Of course I meant it Jack.”

“Darling, I want ye t’ know how much it means t’ me that ye told me how ye feel. An’ there’s something I want ye t’ know as well.”

“Jack what are you trying to say?”

“Jus’ that I’ve come t’ realize that somehow I’ve managed t’ fall completely in love with ye.”

Her mouth dropped open in shock as she tried to make sense of what he had just said to her. Feeling her heart start to speed up and her palms starting to sweat she swallowed thickly.

“Jack…….so help me God you had better not be joking or I’ll kill you….again!”

“M’ serious love.”

“Promise me!”

“Would I lie t’ ye darling?”

“Absolutely! Now promise me Jack!”

“I won’t promise anything love, m’ a pirate.”

“So?”

“So a pirate’s promise isn’t worth squat. But I will give ye me word that m’ telling the truth.”

“Swear to me Jack.”

“Is me word not good enough Izzy?”

“Jack please?”

“Alright.” He rose from his seat and came to stand beside her chair. Kneeling he took her hand and looked up into her eyes as he spoke. “Darling I swear on pain of death that m’ telling the God’s honest truth. I love ye Elizabeth Swann.”

“Oh…..I….oh Jack Sparrow, I love you too!”

Leaning down she placed a hard kiss on his mouth. When they broke apart Jack could see tears glistening in her tea colored eyes.

“Now now, none of that crying stuff.”

“I’m sorry Jack, I’m just so happy.”

“I suppose as long as they’re happy tears then it’s alright. Now let’s eat up before it gets cold. Then I have a little something for ye.”

She smiled broadly at him as she picked up her spoon and began eating the soup. It was thick and creamy with large chunks of potato, carrot, onion and celery and generous pieces of tilapia. Jack watched as she reached for a breadstick and began dipping it into her soup. Yes he was madly in love with this woman and nothing would keep them apart now.

A/N: Another cliff hanger chapter…I know I’m evil! Sorry….kinda…but not to worry things will heat up between Jack and Elizabeth in the next chapter when he gives her the flowers and the necklace. Read and review!