Fic: 'The Moral Advantage: After the Storm' (J/E - PG)

[dwgm]

It's the first day of Christmas, and the blackpearlsails Twelve Days of Christmas Fic/Fanart Celebration is underway! We have pirates signed up for each of the Twelve Days, and I can't wait to see what everyone has in store for us!

What with one thing (sweet grandson, just turned two) and another (working clear up to the 21st this year) I have just a small gift for you today, another bit of my Jack/Elizabeth story, The Moral Advantage, using a recent blackpearlsails drabble prompt, pragmatic. The scene will be continued soon, too -- yay for Winter Break!



~ After the Storm ~

...hours later, when the Pearl was peacefully riding the swells of the aftermath and the rays of sunset peeked from under the clouds to gild the sea, Jack returned to the cabin to find her in his bed, blinking sleepily from amongst the many pillows.

“I’m afraid I could get used to this,” she murmured with a smile.

“So could I,” he agreed, and was rather astonished at how very true it was.

* * *

Jack was all for that Romance of the Seas business, and he had, on occasion, been known to admit to feelings for his beloved Pearl -- even to wax poetic on the subject. But he’d learned betimes that a pragmatical outlook was as essential to a successful pirate captain as his sword and hat. To be suspected of being “soft” was just asking for trouble.

Fate had given him three things that had always worked against him: empathy, a good memory, and a lamentably inconvenient conscience. Yet drink, denial, and determination had successfully counteracted these traits on most occasions, and for the rest... well, he’d done what he’d had to do.

Particularly when it came to Elizabeth Swann.

He stood there now, wet to the skin and probably making a puddle on the floor, staring at her in his bed... In. His. Bed.... and torn between longing to touch her... more than touch... more like devour her, top to toes, body and spirit both... make her his... make her...

And yet he was afraid, too. Afraid of moving too quickly. Of ruining their fragile accord.

Nothing at all pragmatical about it, which probably meant it was a bad idea. Best not...

And then, she lifted her hand, beckoning.



To be continued...

Comments

[pearlseed.livejournal.com]

tried three times to say good story==all erased! More later. Merry Christmas and more later.

Okay...4th time...liking this very muchly. Couldn't get to the one I had polished so we got alternate from me, turned out okay I suppose. I love you story becos there will be more and it's tasty! Quite a spicy bit actually...(yes I read between the lines and frequently triple space lol). I like this shy unsure Jack, someway or the other it's very endearing, makes me want to drop my guard and hug his neck. It must be those Hershey kisses eyes of his...just puddles me up...

I like Elisabeth concerned for her mortal soul and marriage. Dawned on me upon reading this...it's a magical world thing being the ferryman, so it stands to reason there is a much stricter meaning for faithful (as in gotta show up every 10, not every day for 10 faithful). I like it very much when the relationship is the three together. I know others have specific pairings, for me it's the three...

Fate had given him three things that had always worked against him: empathy, a good memory, and a lamentably inconvenient conscience. Yet drink, denial, and determination had successfully counteracted these traits on most occasions, and for the rest... well, he’d done what he’d had to do.
Best overall description for Jack's disability...on most occasions...I both laughed and cried over this one. My Jack through and through saddled with that horror of conscience and memory! Damn~! See, laughing and crying cos it's true. Oddly sexy, Lord, I am getting weird--er. Love it Happy New Year and more...

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you liked this snippet, which definitely needs to be continued -- and hopefully soonish, we're still off for a few more days. I hope you had a great Christmas and New Year's celebration. Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed this, and that little description in particular.

[torn-eledhwen.livejournal.com]

Very tantalising snippet - looking forward to more!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! There will be more, and hopefully soonish. I hope you had a lovely bunch of holiday fun! Happy New Year!!

[florencia7.livejournal.com]

"Fate had given him three things that had always worked against him: empathy, a good memory, and a lamentably inconvenient conscience. Yet drink, denial, and determination had successfully counteracted these traits on most occasions, and for the rest... well, he’d done what he’d had to do." - I just had to quote this because I'm in love with this sentence. It's so beautiful & insightful ♥

Wonderful fic! I'm so happy that there will be more! :D

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your kind comments, and also for the Gingerbread Man virtual gift! What a lovely holiday surprise! I do hope your Christmas and New Year celebrations were completely satisfying in every way. *Big Hugs*

[jennifer weston (from livejournal.com)]

What florencia7 said.

The Twelve Days are off to a great start! I can only hope my own contribution will be up to par.

[pearlseed.livejournal.com]

My two cents worth cos I am patently nosey...You could rephrase the phone book, darlin' piratista and would be maximum enjoyment from eating crackers in bed! (ref. old hippie volume, Mason Williams Reading Matter--clever and funny). I'm thinkin' off the top of my dazed head...what about we all send in our faves from this year and past. There are some stories that just had these 24 karat platinum phrases...(ones that just make your teeth hurt, in that good way) cos they are so very fine!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I am so very much looking forward to your contribution! I love this fest, it's so nice and laid back, just good times for all. Thank you so much for your kind comments. I hope your holidays have been wonderful this year!

[phoenix-9664.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful start to the twelve days! I just loved this--and, of course, wanted it to continue!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

It will surely be continued -- hopefully soon! Thank you very much for your comments. I hope your holidays were perfect, and that 2013 will be full of nice surprises for you!

[aletheiafelinea.livejournal.com]

Great opening for the First Day! :)

Fate had given him three things that had always worked against him: empathy, a good memory, and a lamentably inconvenient conscience. Yet drink, denial, and determination had successfully counteracted these traits on most occasions, and for the rest... well, he’d done what he’d had to do.
Really loved this.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Wow, LJ is doing some strange stuff today, so I will just say many thanks for reading and commenting!

[corrielle.livejournal.com]

What a fun snippet! I'm reminded of the "I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" quote... seems to fit Jack's situation here. What WILL he do?

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for reading and commenting! The holidays have been so hectic I can't remember if I commented on your wonderful Groves/Elizabeth story, but if I haven't it will be soon, I just loved it. But I always enjoy your work, you are such a good writer.

I'm hoping I'll get a chance to continue this soonish -- yay for Winter Break!

Happy New Year, my friend.

[whensheflies.livejournal.com]

Ah! Just a perfect little tease right here, but wonderfully written nonetheless. Decisions, decisions Jack. Can't wait to see where this is headed. ♥

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! It should be continued fairly soon. ;)