Sorry again for not updating in so long! So if anyones still reading, this should be a treat for ya.
The Pearl was anchored just off-shore a jagged rocky island. Morning had dawned bright and clear, with a tint of haze about the cliffs. The crew were a somber lot, staring at the hulking mass with foreboding, fingers clutching crosses, good luck charms, and more than one flask of rum.
Jack was blissfully ignoring them, his boot planted on the rail, breathing in the clear air.
"Captain, you sure you wan' to go in there. Its fierce bad luck,"
Gibbs almost wailed. The rest of the crew murmered agreement. Jack hid a grin under the rim of his hat then turned to face the crew.
"Lads, theres something I 'ave to pick up in there. And if we don't get it, we can't get the treasure. Savvy?"
The men were pale, almost trembling.
Owens spoke up hesitantly, "Only, we heard the treasure in there is cursed. That 'oever takes it is damned."
"True true." Jack murmered, stroking his gotee. "I've seen the cursed men with me own eyes. But," he sighed theatrically, "If you're too spooked to go in we can do without the treasure..."
The men hastily said they wanted to go. Jenkins scowled from the back. "I heard this island is full of treasure, why can't we just take that?"
Jack gave a wry smile, but his eyes were very dark as he looked at Jenkins.
"Do you think I'd leave my treasure there when the pack of mutinous curs are still alive? I'll put it back when each of them are swingin' in the gibbits."
A few crewmen exchanged uneasy glances.
Jack paused for a moment then gave an easy grin.
"Lads, ready the boats."
Bonny's lithe form appeared as the crew moved off. She had her arms crossed over her chest, and her mouth was set in a firm line as she stared him down.
'If that ain't a woman lookin' to cause trouble, I don't know what is,' Jack thought to himself, and adopted an air of maddening obliviousness. He gave her a wide smile and doffed his hat.
"Mornin' luv."
"Don't you luv me!" She snapped.
Jack paused for a moment, as if taken aback, then tilted his head.
"Well Darlin', its a bit soon to say. Maybe if we got to know one another better..."
He winked lasciviously then jumped back as she aimed a kick at his groin.
"You know very well what I am talking about!"
"Actually darlin', most of the time I've no idea."
Her face turned pink and seemed to crumple. She was about to cry!
Jack winced and waved his hands about helplessly.
"Uh Lu- eh Dar- eh-"
She spun on her heel and raced into the cabin.
Bonny Read did not cry. She DID NOT CRY!
And now, on top of everything else, she had mortified herself in front of Jack. She was not one of those women who simpered and fainted at the drop of a hat.
To grow up the way she had, you had to be tough as nails. As tough, or tougher, than any man. She had meant to give Jack a piece of her mind. To give him an earful he wouldn't quickly forget.
She was positive he knew who she was. It all made sense now. Well, mostly. And he hadn't said a word! Instead she had cried at him.
Oh thats a telling off he'll remember. All he had done was look mildly panicked; oh help, theres a woman crying at me!
And the worst thing, the very worst thing, was now she was crying for a whole new reason.
Jack had turned out to be just as insensitive as she had always thought. Just another man out for the strumpets. Sometimes she thought she had glimpsed another side...but no. And like some fool girl was upset because real life hadn't turned out the way she had imagined it.
Suddenly the door swung open and knocked her onto the floor, making her squeek in suprise.
Jack knelt down and helped her sit up. He said nothing, just looked to see what was wrong.
"You-," Bonny swallowed, her voice was embarassingly unsteady. "You knew all the time and never said anything! You just- I remembered. Last night. About how my Father- and."
She stopped. She couldn't think of anything else to say that wouldn't imply that she was hurt most of all by Jack not telling her.
He didn't say anything for a long time, then said in a suprisingly gentle voice, "I didn't think you'd want to remember. Life on a pirate ship? Its not exactly a reputable childhood, savvy?"
"Neither is thievery."
Jacks mouth quirked at the corner but his eyes were not amused.
"That wasn't meant to happen. We left you with a family, with a large amount of gold. They were supposed to raise you as one of their own.
"Bit of a suprise to see you in the Kings Head. I thought for a while you had become a strumpet, I was ready to run through whoever had started you on that path."
"Bit of a close call. Thats the reason I stole the gold before I was caught. Fresh start," she added bitterly.
Jacks eyes flashed, but he didn't comment.
"So what was all this about then? Why say you'll look for the treasure when you knew it was a fake?"
He glanced away for a moment, almost guiltily, then back.
Bonny felt a jolt when his eyes met hers. He slid his hand along her cheek, his thumb tracing tingling circles.
"I saw you. Savvy?"
And then he kissed her.
Breath mingling, her heart racing, Bonny forgot everything exept Jacks words as he pulled her to him. He traced delicate kisses along her collarbone and along her neck. And soon after that, she forgot everything.
Tee hee. Hope ya enjoyed. More soon, but is all as it seems?