Proffitable Affairs

Chapter 7


Gibbs watched with sympathetic eyes as Mary leaned over the rail, taking deep breaths to stop the feeling of nausea that had taken over her entire body since the Pearl had set sail. He heard her muttering to herself before she placed a hand over her mouth. Feeling compelled to go to her he walked away from the ropes and approached her. Mary saw him coming closer and tried to straighten her posture but failed miserably. She caught herself with one hand on the rail and looked at Gibbs.
“Alright, lass?” he asked as he placed a hand on her elbow to steady her.
“Wonderful, Mr. Gibbs.” She breathed as she placed her free hand on her stomach.
“You don’t seem well.” Gibbs stated and she pushed back her hair.
“Goodness me! I thought that it wasn’t that obvious.” she tried to joke and the older man chuckled.
“Perhaps it’d be better if you went inside.” He advised and she shook her head quickly.
“I can’t stand the moving furniture anymore. It’s worse inside.” She said quietly and feeling eyes on her back she turned her head slightly. Her eyes locked with Jack’s but he was the first to look away, transferring his attention back to the helm.
“yes, there is a bit of a wind.” Gibbs commented and Mary’s eyes widened.
“A bit? A bit? Oh, my God…Does that mean that it could get worse?” she asked as she placed both of her hands protectively around her stomach.
“Aye. See that cloud over there? There’s a storm coming.” He said and she almost whimpered.
“That’s good to know…Thank you, sir. Oh, you wouldn’t perhaps know where we’re going, would you?” she asked and Gibbs smiled.
“Tortuga, lass. We need supplies for the journey.” He said before he turned and walked back to his work.
Mary’s eyes widened at his words. Tortuga? That was a ghastly island. Fool of criminals, drunks and women of dubious morals.
They’re pirates, you fool. She scolded her own self before she turned and leaned against the railing again.
She hadn’t realized for how long she had been standing there so when someone placed their hand on her lower back she jumped and yelped in surprise. Jack’s deep chuckle vibrated through the air and she clamed down.
“You look like a petrified mouse, love.” He commented and she wriggled her nose at the comment.
“Why thank you for the compliment.” She said quietly but he could sense that she was still angry with him for not keeping his promise to her father. Why she thought like that, he didn’t know.
“I only meant that you look nervous-…”
“I know what you mean, Captain.” She cut him off while keeping her eyes away from his.
“Captain? I thought it was Jack.” Jack said silkily as he leaned closer to her ear, his arm on her lower back snaking around her body so it rested on the rail, keeping her trapped in the circle of his arms.
“Fist names are used by friends, Captain. I don’t think we are friends.” She said, trying to keep her voice steady. She was still a bit shaken from their intimate moment two days before.
Jack frowned and pulled slightly back before he leaned forward again, this time placing his chin to rest on her shoulder.
“You happen to be me wife, love. Friendship can’t exist in a marriage, can it?” he asked and she turned to look at him.
“I think you’re wrong but that’s not the reason I said that we’re not friends.” She said as another wave of nausea started creeping up on her.
“Oh? Then why?” he asked amused and she took a deep breath.
“Friends care for each other.” She stated and he frowned.
“That’s true but who ever said that I don’t care for you?” he asked as he slowly turned her around to face him.
“You can’t possibly care about me! You don’t know me.” She said in frustration and he smirked.
“When you whine like that you remind me of a kitten.” He commented lightly and she paused.
“What? What’s that got anything to do with our conversation?” she asked as a blush formed on her cheeks.
“Nothing, I just thought it’d be useful to point that out.” He shrugged as he lifted one hand from the rail to push back a rebellious lock of hair.
“I never knew that I sound so whiny.” She murmured embarrassed and he grinned.
“Well, you do. I would think that would be an appropriate pet name for you.” He said more to himself than to her.
“What? K-kitten?” she asked nervously and he nodded.
“Aye.” He confirmed and she barely had time to turn away and empty the contents of her stomach into the deep ocean.
“If it’d bothered you that much I wouldn’t have repeated it.” He said with a grimace of disgust that he tried to conceal with a nervous smile.
“N-no…it’s nausea…the sea.” She gasped as she recovered.
“Right, perhaps some rum will do you good.” He said as he placed his hand to the back of her neck and gently but firmly pushed her towards the cabin.
“Rum? I can’t drink alcohol.” She said quickly as she felt a shiver running up and down her spine at the feeling of his warm fingertips stroking her neck just below her hairline.
”Of course, you can! Anyone can drink!” he said brightly as he opened the cabin door and ushered her inside, “besides, it’ll wash that foul taste out of your mouth.” He said as he sat her down in front of his desk and uncorked the closest bottle of rum for her. He handed it to her and she looked at it before she took a small, tentative sip. Her eyes watered at the sting it left in her throat but at least her mouth was rinsed effectively. She took a deep breath while he watched her curiously, his traitorous eyes focusing on her ample chest once again.
“Nice, eh? Handed over.” He said as his eyes looked away from her heaving chest.
I got to stop doing that… He thought as he took the bottle from her and took a long gulp. Mary relaxed back in the chair and when he offered her the bottle back she didn’t refuse. Jack watched as she took a braver sip and almost chuckled when it was too much for her. A few drops of the liquid ran down her chin and his eyes followed its path to her neck and then her cleavage.
Bloody hell! I need a woman. Right, that’s the first thing to do once we dock. He shook his head and sat down on the desk as he took the bottle back.
“So, you’ve ever been at Tortuga, lass?” he asked after a while.
“No. I told you that I haven’t been anywhere.” Mary said with a small pout.
“Now, don’t get all pouty on me. I don’t intend to take you to Tortuga.” Jack said firmly and she looked up at him.
“Why not? I need steady ground under my feet. I’ll die in here.” She said miserably and he chuckled.
“You won’t die, love. The nausea will pass in a couple of days.” He said gently as he rolled the bottle between his hands.
“You don’t know that.”
“I do know that.” He corrected and she sighed.
“But…but-…”
“No buts. It’s not a place for someone like you.” He said and she felt quite offended.
“That’s a bit discriminating.” She stated and he laughed.
“You think?”
“Yes, what exactly do you mean?” she asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.
“I mean that Tortuga is not a place for a woman like you.” He said slowly and she frowned.
“What place would be for a woman like me? London?” she asked with a raised eyebrow and he shrugged.
“Positively.” He confirmed and she sighed.
“Well, I haven’t been there either so I don’t think I could make out the difference, Captain.” She muttered sadly.
“Jack.” He corrected her again and she looked up at him.
“May I ask you something?” she whispered and he nodded.
“You may ask me anything.” He said as he raised the bottle to his lips and took another sip.
“Why didn’t you finish what you started the other day?” she asked and he froze with the bottle still attached to his lips. He slowly removed the bottle and swallowed.
“You need to elaborate, love ‘cause I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.” He said hoarsely. The last thing he needed was to be reminded of how callously he had taken her innocence that day without even making it comfortable for her. Hell, he hadn’t even completed the deed and now she was asking about it.
“The day of the marriage. Why didn’t you finish what you started in your bed?” Mary asked hesitantly. She needed to know if it was from pity or disgust for her.
“Why? Would you have liked me to?” he turned the tables with an easy grin and she visibly flinched.
“If it was in my hands I would not be here at all, Jack, let alone in your bed.” She stated and he was startled by her blunt response. Surely he wasn’t that unwanted, was he?
“Ah, so, we’re settled then. I only did what I had to do to open the chest, love. Anything further than that would be…pointless.” He finished with a shrug and he saw her looking away from him, as if expecting his answer. Now, what he said was not entirely true but she didn’t need to know that. After all he had tried to make it pleasurable for her.
“Thank you for answering me. I think I’ll go to sleep now.” She muttered as she stood up, nausea momentarily forgotten, and headed for the bed.
“It’s early.” He commented as he started feeling bad for his careless response. Obviously the girl didn’t need to be reminded that she was overlooked by her own family and now by him. Not that he meant what he had just said. If she’d been more willing and comfortable he’d be more than happy to finish what he had started that night. She wasn’t as plain as she thought she was. Those curves had a lot of potential.
“Vomiting all day can be exhausting.” She said as she took her nightdress in hand and went to the side cabin to change.
“But you haven’t eaten.” He tried to reason as he stood from the desk and approached the bed once she had returned.
“I’m not hungry.” She said quietly as she lied down on the bed and turned her back to him.
“Love…” he sighed as he rubbed his temples.
“Oh and please stop kicking me in your sleep. I have bruises all over my legs.” She said as she subconsciously rubbed her leg.
Jack smirked at that and walked over to her side of the bed, deciding that it was time to lighten the mood a bit. He kneeled next to the bed and reached for the covers. Her eyes widened.
“What-…”
“Relax, kitten. I only wish to kiss them better.” He chided and she gasped.
“Kiss them better? And don’t call me that!” she cried and he chuckled.
“And why not?” he asked teasingly as his hand ventured for her leg only to have her swat his hands away.
“Because it sounds so inappropriate!” she said as she managed to retain her modesty by holding the covered close to her chest. Jack gave up and leaned down to kiss her forehead instead.
“Your loss.” He whispered and she frowned.
“I thought you weren’t interested in me. Isn’t that what you said?” she asked when he pulled back and stood up.
“Got to sleep.” He said, ignoring her comment.
Mary looked as he walked back to his desk and lay down on the pillow before she closed her eyes.

**************************************
Three days later, Tortuga

“And what am I supposed to do here alone?” Mary asked as she followed Jack out on deck.
“Relax.” He said casually and she sighed.
“All I’ve been doing is relaxing.” She said as she longed to go with him.
“Then cook something for me tonight.” He said as he turned to look at her while adjusting his hat to his head.
“Cook?” she asked curiously and he nodded as lightly pinched her warm cheek.
“Aye. I’ll try it when I come back later. Ask Cotton for anything you need. He’ll know where to find it.” He said with a wink before he turned to walk away.
“Ah, do you need something from the town?” he asked as he looked at her over hi shoulder.
“No…nothing.” She said and with a last nod he walked away.
Hours later, Mary was sitting in the galley eating an apple when Gibbs walked in.
“Evening, lass.” He greeted as he sniffed the air.
“Evening? It’s night.” She commented and he chuckled.
“Is that food that I smell?” he asked and Mary nodded.
“I made some stew. Your captain asked me to cook.” She said and Gibbs frowned.
“Jack? Jack won’t be here till morning, lass.” He said as he helped himself to a bowl of stew.
“Why? Is he busy?” she asked curiously and Gibbs chuckled as he took a spoon.
“Oh, very busy indeed. Saw him groping the tavern girl a few minutes earlier. I can only wonder what he’ll be doing right now.” He said as he sat down and looked at Mary, only then noticing her expression.
“I see.” She whispered as he placed the half eaten apple on the table and blinked.
“Eh…I suppose you didn’t need to know that, lass.” Gibbs said quickly realizing his mistake.
“No, that’s alright, Mr. Gibbs. I am glad you told me. If you hadn’t, I’d probably stay here all night waiting for him to appear.” Mary said as she took a deep breath and tried a small smile towards him.
Gibbs smiled back and looked at her gently.
“Well? Are you going to try it or not?” she asked and he nodded. After the first spoonful his eyes were already wide.
“Mother’s love! This is good.” He praised and she smiled.
“Really? I was usually alone in the house so I had time to practice my cooking skills.” She said quietly.
“I think I’ll enjoy this out on deck. Care to join me?” he asked and she shook her head.
“I think I’ll go to sleep. Goodnight.” She said as they both stood up and walked out of the galley.
Mary went to sleep alone that night and she realized with mortification that she rather missed Jack’s obnoxious kicks on her legs.

End of chapter 7

Author’s note: Thank you for reading. I hope you liked it.