Misconception

Chapter 7

Isabella breathed deeply through her nose as Gibbs unlocked the cell door and looked at her sympathetically.
“The Captain thinks you’d appreciate a bath, lass.” He said as he motioned for her to follow him. Isabella blinked in surprise and elation.
“A bath? Upon this ship?” she asked before she could stop herself but Gibbs merely laughed.
“Aye, a bath. A privilege reserved only to the Captain. Be sure to thank him later.” He said and Isabella glared at him.
“Oh, yes. I will indeed show him my gratefulness.” She said bitterly as she followed him through the hold towards the stairs that led to the upper deck.
“Hush or he’ll hear.” Gibbs scolded and she closed her mouth as they climbed up some stairs.
“Have we docked?” she asked suddenly. The ship was very quiet and the obnoxious swaying had stopped.
“Aye. Tortuga.” Gibbs said as he headed towards a door. Isabella visibly flinched and stiffened at his words but thankfully he didn’t see her expression. She clenched her fists and breathed deeply before she spoke.
“Your Captain is ashore I take it then.” She stated, already knowing what the infamous captain was up to. It was Tortuga after all.
“You are right. You’ll have the cabin to yourself for a while…I think.” He murmured the last word but Isabella was too busy staring at the tub in the centre of the cabin to notice.
“There’s a towel there and a bar of soap inside. Enjoy.” The older man said kindly before he walked out of the cabin, leaving her alone.
She walked over to the tub and looked down. She put her hand in the water and sighed. It was warm. She moved her hands to the tie of her robe and started removing her clothes while looking around the cabin, taking in every detail. It was a little dusty but it was not as untidy as she remembered it from her last visit. Her eyes went to the bunk at the far side of the room and she was surprised to notice the dark red covers that covered the mattress. She blinked and removed her eyes from it, not even wanting to think what things had happened upon that bed.
When her lest piece of clothing was off she lifted her foot and submerged into the water. She sat down and she was thankful that the water reached her chest. She felt around in the tub and found the bar of soap. It smelled strangely of vanilla and she frowned before she shrugged. With swiftness she started washing herself, always mindful of the unlocked cabin door.

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It was sometime later that she woke up with a start. Her eyes flew open and she realized that she had fallen asleep in the water which had started getting cold. She rolled her eyes at her own stupidity and reached down next to the tub for her discarded robe. She pulled it up and rose from the tub with her back to the door. She had barely covered herself with it when she heard someone move behind her. A long nightdress appeared before her eyes and she followed the hand that was clasping it. Her eyes widened in alarm when she noticed the familiar ringed hand.
“Wear this.” A familiar smooth voice said and she gulped. She promptly turned around and stared at Jack who was staring at her with intense eyes. Her eyes went to the garment he held and then back to his eyes.
“How long have you been in here?” she asked as calmly as possible.
“Long enough for you to be alarmed but not enough to be embarrassed.” He said slowly as his eyes swept over her form once.
“That is not-…”
“It’s not me fault you fell asleep in the tub in my cabin. Now unless you want to parade around here naked or dirty I suggest you take the clothes I’m offering you.” He cut her off and she snatched the nightdress from his hand. He smirked as she did so but didn’t step back.
“I am sure you can put it on in the brig. I need me cabin back.” He said as he turned from her and walked to the door. He pulled it open and motioned for someone to walk in.
Isabella watched with confused eyes as a young, brunette woman entered the room and smiled at Jack who winked at her in response. He turned to Isabella and he raised an eyebrow.
“Still here, love? Maybe you wish to join us?” he asked with a grin as he removed his coat and Isabella snapped out of her daze.
“You are vile.” She stated as she pushed back her dripping hair and made to walk past him. He caught her arm tightly before she had the chance to do so and narrowed his eyes at her.
“No thank you for me gift?” he asked and Isabella watched out of the corner of her eye as the woman headed towards the bunk she had previously been admiring, oblivious of them.
“Thank you.” She said through gritted teeth as she pulled her arm from his grip and walked out, closing the door behind her. Only when she stepped outside did she realize that she was barefoot.
“Eh, lass?” Gibbs spoke up while pointing at her bare feet.
“I forgot my slippers inside.” She sighed as she looked up at him, trying to hide the turmoil raging inside her.
“Eh, I can get them…”
“No. Don’t intrude. I’ll get them back later.” She said quickly as she tightened her grip on the light beige nightdress in her hand.
“Alright…Come along.” Gibbs said but Isabella was confused when he led her into another cabin.
“Um…where are we going?” she asked and Gibbs smiled.
“You can change in here. I’ll take you to the galley later so you can eat.” He said and Isabella smiled genuinely for a change.
“Thank you…Since he went into trouble to find me clean clothes why didn’t he give me a proper dress?” she asked and Gibbs shifted uncomfortably.
“Eh, I found that in one of the chests. Didn’t find any dresses. Only silk things like the one you were already wearing.” He said and Isabella closed her eyes wearily.
“I am not Charlotte, Mr. Gibbs. My name is Isabella. I am the maid.” She said desperately and he bit his lip.
“How can you prove it, lass?” he asked softly.
“I can’t! But why would I lie since it is going to be proven soon? John Stevenson is not going to pay a single coin for me because I am not his daughter!” she said helplessly.
“We’ll find out soon then.” Gibbs said and Isabella stared at him.
“Do you believe me?” she asked and he sighed.
“I do, lass, but it does not matter. You seem quite a nice lady but you’re not doing anything to tame Jack.” He said and she scowled.
“Like what? He is vile and rude.” She said as she looked at the dress in her hand.
“Well, he’s got quite a similar impression for you too.” Gibbs said and she looked at him, gaping like a fish.
“Sorry?”
“He says you’re spoiled and a tart. His words not mine!” Gibbs added quickly as he raised his hands up in surrender.
“I am not spoiled! I am anything but spoiled! I-…” she cut herself off before she could continue.
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t care.” She said at last and Gibbs sighed.
“I leave you to dress then.” He said as he walked out of the cabin, leaving her alone.

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As she was walking back from the galley she realized that she could have tried to escape but she would have been unsuccessful since the ship was guarded. She had seen the men by the gangplank. And where could she go anyway? Back to Tortuga? No bloody way.
Once she had eaten Gibbs told her to stay in his cabin for a while to rest on his bunk. The mattress, even if a little hard, felt divine under her body and she drifted off into a light sleep.
She was woken later by a hand on her shoulder.
“Come on, lass. I have to take you back.” Gibbs said quietly and she sat up groggily.
“I’m up.” She murmured as she followed him outside.
“Wait here. Hey, Steve! Get back to your station and wake up!” he yelled as he walked over to the man who was almost asleep against the rail. She had the urge to laugh but it was smothered when a hand closed around her wrist and pulled her backwards. She looked back and she immediately pulled her hand free. Jack was leaning against his door only in his breeches and with his shirt open while holding onto her slippers.
“Lost these?” he asked quietly, his voice husky probably from sleep. Isabella forced her eyes away from his tattooed skin and she tried not to stare at the scratches on his upper chest. A strange sense of revulsion bubbled up in her throat and she swallowed in order to get the bitter taste out of her mouth.
“Yes, I did.” She said as she reached forward in order to take them from his hand. He pulled them out of her reach and clasped her around the waist instead. She gasped as she collided with his chest while he smirked.
“Are you drunk again?” she asked as she wiggled in his grip.
“Again?” he asked with a raised eyebrow and she gulped.
“You usually reek of alcohol.” She stated and he pulled her tighter to him and took a step back inside his cabin. Isabella’s eyes went to the half naked, slumbering woman on the bed and she pushed him back, almost causing him to loose his footing. She snatched the slippers from his hand and stepped back outside. She slipped them on while he stared at her with a grin.
“Usually because today I am not.” He said as if she hadn’t just almost knocked him off his feet.
“That’s a novelty then.” She said as she looked towards Gibbs who was still arguing with the crewman. Fingers clasped her wrist again and tugged her forward again. His eyes drank her in before he took a deep breath.
“The silk. It suits you.” He murmured and she shuddered as his warm breath hit her cool cheek. He chuckled when she tried to push him back and playfully nudged her cheek with his nose, taking in her scent in the process. He stiffened a bit as he inhaled her and then he abruptly released her and took a step back.
Isabella looked at him a little confused but he only looked at her a moment longer before he shut the door in her face.
“Come on, lass!” Gibbs broke her out of her reverie and she mutely followed him back to the brig with a deep frown on her face.

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Isabella was unceremoniously pushed into the Captain’s cabin by the same man who had kidnapped her that night. He was the same man she had seen that night at the tavern with James. She glared at him as she rubbed her arm while Jack clicked his tongue at his crewman.
“Who said you were to bring her to me?” he asked the man as he rose from his chair and approached Isabella. He looked at her arm briefly before he glared at the man.
“Gibbs.” The man gruffly replied and Jack gently pushed her towards the table.
“Well you’re dismissed from the obligation, Grog. Now get out.” Jack snapped and the man rolled his eyes but obeyed. Once the door was closed Jack turned to Isabella who was awkwardly standing next to the table.
“What’s this?” she asked pointing at the food on the table.
“Dinner. You’re to join me.” He grinned as he plopped down on his chair and took a sip from a goblet. Isabella blinked but didn’t move.
“Well? Are you going to sit, Charlotte?” he asked and she stiffened even more.
“I am not Charlotte. My name is-…”
“Sit.” He cut her off and she glared at him. She gingerly sat down and he waved at her to continue.
“How many times must I tell you that you have the wrong person? I am not Charlotte.” She continued as Jack regarded her calmly.
“Wine?” he asked as he raised the bottle and looked at her questionably.
Isabella swallowed and eyed the wine before she nodded. Jack filled a glass for her while gazing at her from time to time. He pushed the glass towards her and she wrapped her fingers around it before she raised it to her mouth. Jack watched the action and took a sip from his own glass.
“So, if you’re not her…Then who are you?” he asked finally and lowered the glass.
“I work there and my name is…” she trailed off, wondering if she should tell him her name or not. She watched as he looked at her expectantly and she decided. He obviously didn’t remember her so what was the worse that could happen, right?
“Isabella.” She finished and he leaned back in his chair.
“Really?” he asked as he reached into his pocket and produced an envelope. Isabella’s eyes fixated on the envelope while he stared at her with a small grin on his face.
“That’s a lovely name, darling, but it is not your name, is it?” he murmured as he leaned forward while tapping the envelope against the fingers of his left hand.
“You are wrong.” Isabella insisted fiercely while shaking her head.
“Am I? Then would you care to explain the reason why John Stevenson has agreed to pay the ransom I require in order to have you back?” Jack asked and Isabella stopped breathing.
“What?” she was breathless as Jack slid the letter towards her and let her read it. Once she was done she was horrified.
“Captain Sparrow.” She started, “Jack, I am not Charlotte. You have to believe me! Why would I claim otherwise if I knew my father was ready to pay the money? This has to be some mistake.” She said and Jack felt a strange tingle at the sound of his name on her lips.
“Mistake?” he asked as he reached for a piece of chicken and popped it into his mouth. He chewed slowly while staring at her and she let the letter drop from her hand.
“Yes. Perhaps there’s something wrong with Charlotte. Perhaps she’s not home…or maybe she…” she trailed of as Jack gazed at her with amusement.
“You’re making fun of me.” She stated angrily and Jack chuckled.
“I am sorry, love, but what you’re saying is absurd.” He said still laughing and Isabella covered her head with her hands in resignation.
“Oh, come on, lass. Don’t be so glum.” He said as he stood up and walked over to her. He pocketed the letter again and reached for a chicken leg. He placed it in her plate and she looked up at him.
“You’ve got no idea, have you?” she whispered as she stared at him and he blinked.
“Come again?” he asked and she shook her head rapidly.
“This is surreal.” She murmured as she ran her hands through her hair. Jack’s eyes followed the movement as his own hand inched forward to finger one of her locks. Isabella froze when she felt his fingers delving deeper into her hair. His fingers briefly massaged her scalp as he leaned down to speak into her ear.
“Just enjoy the adventure, lass. I can’t even imagine what boring life you must lead.” He breathed as he slowly combed his fingers down her hair until he reached the ends.
Her head shot up at that and she looked at him stupidly for a while until she slapped his hand away and looked around her.
“This is ridiculous.” She whispered and he regarded her with a strange gleam in his eye.
“What does it matter who you are really? The point is that once the ransom is paid you’d be as free as a bird.” He waved his hands around and she gaped at him.
“But-…”
“Listen, love, I don’t care if you are the daughter, the maid or the mistress.” He said and she stared, “All I care is the gold. Savvy?” he said mischievously and Isabella was dumbfounded.
“You’re unbelievable.” She said quietly and he grinned.
“Would you like to find just how much?” he asked huskily as he not so subtly traced a finger from her cheek down to her neck. Isabella shuddered, in revulsion or excitement she wasn’t sure, and she stood up abruptly.
“I am not one of your whores, you bastard, so you’d better not treat me as one!” she spat angrily and he narrowed his eyes.
“And I am not one of your servants so do not speak to me as one.” He fired back calmly while his eyes darkened.
“Besides,” he started as he approached her and leaned close, “How do you know they are all whores, darling?” he asked and his breath fell upon her lips.
“I don’t think you could find a willing one free of charge.” She said snidely and he chuckled as he pulled slightly back and looked at her appraisingly.
“No, I guess I wouldn’t if they were all like you. Thank God they’re not.” He remarked back just as rudely before he shoved her not too nicely in her chair and trapped her there with his hands on either side of the seat.
“Now, as long as you wish to have a pleasant journey back home, I’d advise you to speak to me more politely. You wouldn’t want to spend the rest of our trip in the brig now, would you?” he asked and Isabella remained silent.
“Would you?” he repeated more firmly and Isabella shook her head, cautious of the darkness of his gaze.
“Good.” He murmured more pleasantly, “Now eat.” He smirked before he pulled back and patted her cheek gently.
What was with all the touching? She wondered as he took a seat again and watched her intently as she picked up her fork and started eating the chicken in silence.
Jack Sparrow, she realized, could be quite intimidating if he wanted.

End of chapter 7

Xxx Lina :)