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Tinkerbellxo

Chapter Thirty-Four

What now?

Jack wasn't sure what he had been expecting when Ibini had announced she would stay on The Pearl. But it certainly was not what he was getting. Which, to clarify, was nothing. That night Ibini barely danced with Jack during the party, no matter how hard he tried to coax her. Then when she caught some of the men moving her things from the room she shared with Elizabeth and Beauclerk to Jack's, under his orders, she stood firmly in the doorway to the captain's quarters to block anyone from making any kind of progress with the task.

So before they gave up the effort, Jack was summoned to try and sort out the problem. And after some serious yelling, most of it in languages Jack could not understand, her items were returned to their rightful place: Ibini's own cabin. In the two weeks since, he hadn't gotten much farther with her.

On the other hand, they had made incredible progress on the Beauclerk front. The name that Beauclerk had given them happened to be of an uncle who lived in Port Royal. They had sent a message for the man on a small privateer vessel and had heard through connections in Tortuga that the ship was already on its return with a new passenger. Elizabeth knew the man socially and she was able to confirm that he was of high standing and very wealthy.

As the explained to Ibini for the hundredth time, "This is going to be the easiest deal I've made in a long time."

The two were sitting down to dinner in his cabin, as they had come to do every night. But tonight she decided to bring up something she had long meant to discuss with him.

"So after we ransom Beauclerk and he is returned to his family, what's next?"

"Next?" he said as he gulped down another mouthful of rum.

"Yes, next. Where are we going? What are we doing?"

"Well, where do you want to go? We can go anywhere we want," he replied with a toothy grin.

"How about my village?" she all but whispered.

He immediately stopped gnawing at the turkey leg in his hand, "and why would we want to go there?"

"You promised to take me there," she replied confidently, although she had to admit she had lost her appetite now with the hard time she knew she was in for.

"But I thought you said you'd stay with me, luv?" he reached out to take her hand.

He had actually been very affectionate with her in a somewhat civil way. If she didn't know any better, she'd swear he was attempting to be chivalrous.

"I haven't been there in over 200 years. I miss my family, my people. I want them to know that I'm all right."

"Well they already know you are alive," he replied cheekily.

She pulled her hand out from under his, "You know as well as I that there are worse things than death."

"Have you rethought your decision to stay with me?"

"No, I haven't."

Of course she wasn't sure she had meant it when she had made the original promise. After all, she was indeed a threat to them. If what Padrón said was true, it wouldn't be long until an old acquaintance would locate her and figure out a way to bring her to him. In leaving Jack, she could be saving them all from death. And though she feared what would happen if she stayed, she knew her heart would break if she left.

Jack looked deep into her eyes, and she knew he was trying to invade her thoughts to find out what she was thinking. So she thought of the first thing that popped into her mind.

And this made the toothy smile return to his face. He rose and stood behind her and she felt his hands rub her aching shoulders. She had been working hard that day, helping to swab the decks and get the ship in shape to welcome Beauclerk's uncle for negotiations. And it felt good to feel some of the tension disappear with his seductive hands.

A moan let loose from her throat and her eyes widened when she felt his hand slip down the front of the white shirt he had purchased for her the day before. She sat forward but he persisted.

"Ibini," he purred, "I saw what was on your mind. I know you were thinking about our night together. We haven't enjoyed those activities since –"

"You forced yourself on me twice," she said as she stood up to face him.

His face gave away his shock.

"I never forced myself on you, Ibini."

"Do you forget when I first returned to The Pearl after leaving?"

"You could have fought me off if you wanted to and you know it. You are a force of your own Ibini. I am only man, only mortal. You, you could have easily struck me down if you didn't want it."

"I didn't want it that way," she replied as she sat back down.

"Then let me make it up to you, hm?" he stepped closer to her and his hand gently brushed her braid from off her shoulder.

"Let me show you how it should be done?" he leaned down and brushed his lips over the patch of skin right where her neck and collar met. Her eyes fluttered shut and for one moment she was telling herself to give in to him. And he knew that too. And he became bolder with that knowledge and let the kisses trail up to her chin where he finally claimed her lips.

But Ibini stood up, causing Jack to fall back from her sudden movement.

"I'm not ready for this yet, Jack," she looked over to see his eyes glazed over with lust, "I said I'd stay. I never said in what capacity that would be."

"So you're saying you don't want to be with me?"

"You ask me that as if we were in some sort of partnership," she laughed bitterly, "you've made it quite clear to the entire Caribbean that Captain Jack Sparrow will never be tied down."

"Who said anything about being tied down? We're on this ship together, you and I, I and you," he started to circle her, "we both have needs," he paused to lean in and inhale her scent, "and we can fulfill those needs together, right here, right now."

"And what happens when you walk into Tortuga? Will those needs you speak of be fulfilled by any tart you come across that's willing to give you 10 minutes in a back alley for a few coins?"

She saw him smirk and then his eyes widened, realizing he had just given himself away.

"Of course not –"

"Of course yes!" she interrupted.

"Darling, the only reason I'd patronize one of those ladies, is if you weren't around," he started to finger a curl that had fallen from behind her ear, "and since you're staying here, there's no reason for me to seek company elsewhere."

"And what if I wanted to seek company elsewhere?"

He laughed, "From whom? Gibbs?"

"What if I found a nice lad who was willing to treat me like a woman should be treated? With respect and loyalty and dignity, and most importantly, fidelity."

"I'd say you'd found Jesus Christ himself because there is no man in the world that has all those qualities."

"I know of one man," she smirked as she walked over to the doors and flung them open.

He followed her, curious, "Who?"

"Him," she pointed out the one man Jack hoped she was not referring to, Beauclerk.

"He's a boy. He's probably a eunuch anyways," Jack said looking down as his fingernails, attempting to look unalarmed at the topic at hand.

"I think I'd like to prove otherwise," she smiled even wider.

That was it for Jack. He took hold of her shoulders, turned her around and led her back into the cabin, kicking the doors closed with his feet.

"Well he's off limits. Can't have relations of any sort with captives."

"Oh really? Wasn't I your captive just a few months ago?"

"That's different."

"Different because I'm a woman?" She squared off.

"Different because I'm captain and you're not."

"Oh, so it's a matter of rank. Well, I think force of nature and immortal tops Captain. Don't you Jack?"

He just squeaked in response. He knew what she was capable of. He saw that look in her eyes. Hell was brewing right beneath the surface and he did not want that side of her to come out to play.

"I thought so," she said as she sat back down to eat.

Jack's eyes went back and forth between her form and the door. What in the world had just happened? And how had she turned the tables on him so quickly? And did that mean she planned on conquering new ground in the form of the spoiled whelp he was hoping to earn an easy sum off of?

He tried to regain his composure before he joined her back at the table. They ate in silence for a few moments before he finally had to speak up.

"So, does this mean you plan on," he paused, "seducing Young Master Beauclerk?"

"I haven't made up my mind yet."

"I see."

Silence reigned once more until he just couldn't take it any longer.

"And what would help you make up your mind? Both ways that is?"

She licked at morsel that had stuck to her lip and he wished to God that he was that piece of food.

"Well, if I knew that you wouldn't go running to the nearest whore house the minute I wasn't around, I might be inclined to leave him alone."

"I see."

"But knowing that you're trying to decide which whore house to visit tonight once I'm tucked away in bed," she gave him a knowing look and he tried to clear his mind from that exact thought, "I'll probably have to entertain myself in ways that are very pirating indeed. After all, I'm living on a pirate ship, with pirates; why not partake in some of the merriment and fun?"

"And does it have to be Beauclerk?"

Her head snapped to look at him straight in the eye, "So you don't mind if I stray, we're just quibbling over who I should share my bed with?"

"I think," he got up from his seat once again and stood directly behind her, his breath hot on her neck, "the only bed you should share is," he leaned in close to her, "mine."

She shuddered visibly and he smirked. He knew the last thing she wanted to do was be with another man. But he was starting to realize that if he didn't change some of his ways, that he would lose her. And though he knew he didn't want that to happen, especially after he had fought so hard to keep her here, he wasn't sure he could make those sacrifices.

After all, Jack Sparrow, a one-woman man? That was more ridiculous than it sounded. But then again, this one woman was not just any woman. She could control the winds and she could rescue those on the brink of death. If he had to choose one woman, those qualities would be pretty hard to beat in a mate.

But a mate for Jack Sparrow? That was laughable. That was – Oh, she was leaving.

"Where are you going?" he asked her and she paused near the doorway.

"To be entertained by a gentleman. I've had enough spending time with a codfish tonight."

And with that, she slammed the doors to the cabin shut. Now he was angry. He walked right over to the doors, ripped them open and shouted, "I am not a codfish!"

Boisterous laughter from his crew filled the deck and Jack turned red with realization. Maybe he should have said that to her in private, he thought. He spotted her, standing next to Beauclerk near the port side of the ship. He expected her to look pleased with herself, but she only looked sad. She shook it off and turned back to the other man and began speaking with him. That's when the smile he loved so much, returned to her face.

I care for you, Ibini. Come to me, he tried to tell her silently. By the way her body stiffened, he could tell she heard him so he asked again.

Come to me, tonight.

I can't, Jack, she replied wordlessly and she turned to look at him from across the ship, I have plans.

"I swear to you that never happens to me" Jack slurred as the young thing in front of him counted the coin he had just given to her.

"Oh I know sir," she replied and she had to keep herself from rolling her eyes.

"I mean really," he said sheepishly, "never have I ever had a problem with this."

"I'm sure that you've just had to pleasure too many women recently," she said patronizingly.

"There is no such thing as too many women," he said as donned his effects. He wanted to get out of there and away from this embarrassment as soon as possible.

"Have a pleasant night darling," she said and he closed the door to the room behind him. That's when he heard her burst out laughing.

And he had to go bragging about being the fearsome Captain Jack Sparrow earlier that night. Now he knew his reputation would be ruined at The Dirty Vixen. Why didn't he just claim to be a nameless sailor like every other cad in the place?

As swiftly as his inebriated state allowed, he descended the stairs into the tavern below the boarding rooms. He didn't want to spend any more time on the island tonight. So he mustered up his last bit of pride and strode out of The Vixen and back to his Pearl.

Ibini had actually had an enjoyable evening keeping company with Beauclerk and Elizabeth. She had just finished her protection ritual near the helm when Jack stumbled back on deck. She didn't have to smell the pungent stench of body odor mixed with cheap perfume to alert her to his arrival. Maybe it was the bond between them that was her first indication, or it could have been smashing of an empty rum bottle against the mast that gave her the heads up. So she quickly gathered her supplies and hid behind a barrel of rum.

"Oy!" Jack yelled and she thought he had caught her.

"Ragamuffin!"

"That's Ragetti, sir," she heard the pirate answer his captain.

"Whatever," Jack replied, "Do you know the worst thing a man can do?"

There was a long pause before Ragetti answered, "Uhhh, waste a good bottle of rum?"

"Well," Jack contemplated, "That too, but no! No, no, no, no."

"Then what cap'n?"

"The worst thing a man can ever do is, well, is fall in love," he slurred and Ibini felt her face grow hot.

"Has the great Jack Sparrow fallen in love?" Ragetti said a bit boldly and the minute he saw Jack's expression change he knew he had asked the wrong question.

"Yes, I am in love," he replied, "with my beloved Pearl."

"Cap'n?"

"A ship's the only woman who won't stomp on your heart. She's the only girl you can count on," he said sadly as he tripped over a pile of rope.

"Come on Cap'n, let's get you to your cabin," Ragetti said and Ibini peered out from her hiding spot to see him leading Jack away.

"Wait, wait! I need to talk to Gibbs."

"I'll go and get him straight away," Ragetti said as he helped Jack into the chair in his cabin and then left to fetch his first mate.

Ibini snuck closer to the cabin and hid amongst the barrels of gunpowder the men had acquired that day.

A few moments later Ragetti returned with Gibbs hot on his trail.

"Ah, Gibbs."

"Yes, Captain?"

"Gibbs, right after we get rid of that little weasel, Beauclerk, we will need to head north."

"Where be our destination, Captain?" Gibbs asked.

"The New World."

Ibini almost gasped with excitement.

"May I ask why we're going there?"

Jack turned to Ragetti to dismiss him with a wave of his hand. It was only when they were alone that he spoke.

"Miss Ibini's homesick. I am going to return her to her people."

"And will she be journeying back with us Captain?"

In an obvious tone he replied, "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, what do you think?"

Thanks so much to my reviewers: Kit-cat99, Fiona1991, linalove, ShaeBae and Rose Red Ladybug. You guys keep me going!