Hello my loyal FanFic-Fans :) Did you miss me? I've read over this story and I cant believe how poorly it was written so I may just go back and replace them all with my new style of writing (which has been much improved). But for now, here is...

Chapter Ten

Previously on This Love:

Madeline stood between Dottie and Victor in a row, in the dining room, as the family ate their lobster bisque. She struggled to keep her back straight and look forward. Her eyes drifted to the windows. Though it was dark, she could see the beach from where she stood. She could see the moon hitting the water beautifully. And she could see-

"Jack?"

Mrs. Covington's eyes made their way to Madeline's nervous face and smiled, obviously amused. Her smile turned warm as she addressed her new maid, "Are you alright, Madeline?"

Madeline nodded quickly, and pursed her lips. She tried to keep her eyes off of the window, where Jack stood with a comical grin, waving like a child to get her attention. As if she hadn't seen him. Wasn't she supposed to be mad at ol' Jack? Why had seeing his face made her cheeks so warm? She silently cursed herself for being so silly over a boy. Er- rather a man. Obviously he was a man, what with his strong arms (easily capable of lifting her off of her feet), his large calloused hands, and his -noticeably manly- chest, which she had seen a few times when it was hot on the ship and he decided to discard his shirt.

"No." Madeline said quietly, meriting a look from Victor that said to shut her mouth. Seeing it, she lost her nerve and stammered her explanation, "I-I have forgotten something, it's very important. Would you- or rather .. Could you- Possibly... If it isn't any trouble-"

Her master's wife laughed and motioned to the door, "Please, dear girl, take your leave if you must. We do not mind. What difference does our dinner have if our maid does not watch us?" She smiled her eyes twinkled with kindness. "Take all the time you need, Garrett will be at the front door to welcome you when you return."

Madeline nervously nodded and thanked her before scurrying out of the room. She couldn't help but smile as she sprinted through the hall, into the lobby. She had only been gone for a few weeks but she had been far from her life of the sea, from her father, and from Jack. She ran to the large front doors and opened them. And right in front of her, as if he were about to enter, stood the captain of the Black Pearl. She quickly composed herself and smiled tightly in his direction, hoping not to show him her desperate state. "Hello Jack." she took a deep breath, "What are you doing here? Did you not understand, from my running away, that I-"

"You're father was bloody worried about ya, Mad." He said, there was a look in his eyes that she couldn't name. "What're you doing 'ere? Do you know who these people are? This isn't a place for you to be sticking your nose into, they may seem all manners but they were dangerous-"

"Pirates." she said boredly. "I am quite aware of the fact. Why is it so important to you that I am safe? You never seemed to care for my safety before." Despite her delight in seeing Jack, Madeline felt her earlier irritation with him rising. Her excitement, hidden by a facade of lacking empathy, had morphed into exasperation. Before he could respond to her earlier comment she cut him off, "No, you never did. But now, what with my worrisome father, you find some sort of duty in keeping me from harms way." His mouth opened again to protest, his expression was wounded. "Don't bother explaining yourself Jack, I've gotten you all figured-" He interrupted her, but not with words. He had hurriedly brought his hands to her waist and held her to him as he fiercely kissed her. His dried lips, chapped with the wind that Tia Dalma had brought the sea, felt soft. One of his hands trailed up her back and stopped at the back of her head, cradling her.

Madeline's stomach fluttered and she brought herself closer to him, but all too soon, Jack moved away. "I was bloody worried about ya." He looked pained to say it and she understood why. Jack had an image, as old as the saying is. An image of never caring for anyone but himself, The Black Pearl and the sea. Which made the five words that much more surprising and meaningful.

"There ye are!" Came an old voice from behind them, Jack hastily dropped his hands. "How are ye'? Ye'r not hurt are ye'?" Mr. Gibbs appeared and hugged Madeline, "If somethin' happened to ye' I don't be knowin' what I'd -"

"Father!" She laughed, "I'm fine."

"She's obviously in good health, Mr. Gibbs." Jack spoke up, putting a teasing arm around Madeline's shoulder, shaking her a little. "Now, I believe it's time to get back to the Pearl." He stated, putting a bit of praise in his voice when he addressed his beloved ship. Madeline shook her head. Causing Jack to move away and look at her, a bit of hurt sprinkled his expression. "What'ya mean no? We need to move! Mao Rung Nu will be looking for us soon and we need to gather the ships for battle."

"I'll not leave with you, Jack." She sighed, "I have other priorities now, you may fight Mao on your own. I am perfectly safe here. I'm comfortable, I have a job, and I'm..." she trailed off, unable to truthfully say that she is happy. But she felt an obligation to Lucas, and she intended to keep her promises. "Go without me, I'll be fine." She gave a look to Mr. Gibbs, "Don't worry about me."

"And you're sure that you wanna stay, mate?" Jack asked, obviously a little wounded that after the kiss, she wouldn't come with him. He pursed his lips and turned to Joshamee, "Let's be off then." And with that, he began walking away, carrying his right hand man in tow. His normal swagger left him, he walked with less confidence and his head wasn't held so high.

Madeline watched them leave for a moment before walking back into the house. It was quiet, the family was obviously still eating. With a five course meal, they would be another hour or two. But she did not wish to return to the dinner table, only to watch them take dainty sips of soup and hearty bites of ham. So, she went to her room. Where she would sit for a total of five minutes, before a very angry Matilda would stomp into her room.

"Do not think for one moment that I approve of your outburst during supper, Miss Madeline." She stated through gritting teeth. "You are only lucky that we have such forgiving masters. What would have happened had you been with any other family?" She exclaimed, "You would have been thrown out on the streets with nothing but your dress and bonnet! You must learn your place!"

"My place..." Madeline repeated, looking thoughtfully out the window.

"Yes! Your place!" Matilda sighed and calmed down a bit, "Good to know you were listening."

"Listening... Yeah..." Madeline got up from her bed and went to the drawer, sifting through her uniforms until she found the dagger that she had hidden there. She put it in her pocket and smiled at Matilda, who was frowning in confusion and distaste, "Thank you, Matilda. Can I call you 'Matt'?" This received a no from Matilda but Madeline didn't let that ruin her mood. "Goodbye Matt!" She ran from the room and saw Victor and Dottie still standing at attention in the dining room. She waved to them and they smiled back. One last look around the front hall and a nod towards Garret was all Madeline needed before running out of the house and toward port. Where she prayed that The Black Pearl still sat.

Madeline had, in fact, learned her place: The Sea.

Oh, what a corny last sentence, but ya know what? I dont care! I'm the writer and I can do whatever I feels like! Anyways, please give me some feedback, it's much appreciated.

Till Next Time (Chapter Eleven)

Hayley