𝔸 ℙ𝕚𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕤 𝕃𝕚𝕗𝕖 𝔽𝕠𝕣 𝕄𝕖

Chapter 34- Ups and Downs

Surprisingly Barbossa had been correct in his assumption of where the Spanish would make their camp. The three of us crouched on a rocky ledge and peered down at the shapes of large striped tents and balls of flickering lights which I assumed were from various lamps and fires that seemed to be dotted around the camp.

"Jack, Celeste!" A familiar voice cried in a whispered tone.

"Mr Gibbs!" I greeted him with a smile happy to see he was all in one piece not really thanks to me nor Jack. The older man sandwiched himself between us as Jack began to speak.

"Gibbs, I was just on me way to break you out of jail."

I rolled my eyes at Jack and Gibbs didn't look as if he believed Jack in the slightest and gave a "hmm" that could only be translated as 'sure you were'.

A turn of emotions came across Jacks features.

"You stole my map." Jack flicked his nose. Gibbs turned to me as if wanting assistance but I looked at him with laughter in my blue eyes.

"You did steal the map Gibbs," I said trying to stop myself from laughing.

"So what is the play here Jack, throwing in with Barbossa?" Gibbs questioned.

"There's a certain...damsel," he replied as we reached through the maze of bamboo. I looked at Jack quizzically though he didn't see it in the darkness that was pierced by the pale glow of the moon above us.

"Rescuing a damsel?"

"Aye. A bit strange isn't it given that he has a wife," I pointed out mildly glaring at Jack. It was moreover the choice of words than anything else. Angelica wasn't particularly bad and I didn't see why she deserved to be tangled up in all the mess she was. Besides saving her may mean Jack and I get to the fountain after all.

"Yes I know Luv-" he grabbed my hand"- but it also happens that I have caused said lady some manner of harm years ago," Jack seemed to be reluctant to say any more until prompted by Gibbs.

"Out with it."

"Gibbs, this is the woman from Seville," he said.

"Ah you pretended to love her, then you left her and broke her heart," Gibbs summarised.

When put that way it made Jack seem even worse. It made me think about how and why he had decided to marry me.

"Worse. I may have had, briefly mind you...stirrings?"

I let go of Jacks hand and looked at him with my head cocked sideways in confusion causing some of my hair to fall across my face.

"Stirrings?" I questioned.

"Stirrings."

"What like feelings?" This time it was Gibbs who asked.

"No not quite feelings more like....alright feelings," he finally admitted.

"And you left her still. Ooh, that's low."

"Aye, it is Gibbs. Wonder how long it'll take till he does it to me?" I walked off.

I had always put a large degree of separation between Angelica and myself but now for some reason, I felt as if that had melted away in the fact that Jack had actually had feelings for her. I supposed that what it was really. No other past flings of Jack's had ever particularly bothered me because I knew there had been no real sort of feelings involved, this one was different.

I headed up to join Barbossa not really wanting any more of that conversation. I heard the rushed footfalls of Jack behind me but ignored them completely. Why did he marry me but ditch Angelica so horribly?