Lady of the Sea

Ch 38

Marina sat on the edge of her bunk, her boots and socks discarded, as she slowly unwound the bandages from her legs. The wounds were looking better, but were still healing.

As she worked to clean and dress her injuries, the weight of the impending battle and the unresolved tensions with Jack lingered in her mind. The silence of her quarters was a stark contrast to the bustling activity outside, offering her a brief respite before the storm of conflict.

The quiet of her quarters was abruptly interrupted by the creak of one of the round windows, causing her to spin around with a mix of trepidation and surprise.

It was Jack who clambered through the window, landing with his characteristic swagger. Marina's initial shock gave way to a mix of confusion and slight embarrassment, given her state of undress.

"What are you doing here, Jack?" she asked, trying to keep her tone steady despite the awkwardness.

Jack's eyes twinkled with a blend of mischief and something softer as he approached her. "Thought I'd drop by and deliver something you seem to have a knack for losing," he said, reaching into his coat and pulling out her dagger, holding it out to her with a small, knowing smile.

Marina's face flushed slightly as she looked down at her exposed legs and then back up at Jack, who had noticed her state. She felt a wave of self-consciousness but quickly focused on the dagger. "Thank you," she said, reaching out to take it. She wasn't sure she really wanted it anymore.

Jack's grin widened. "You've got a way of losing this thing, don't you? It's like it's an excuse for me to come check in on you." His tone was light-hearted, but there was an undercurrent of genuine concern in his voice.

Before Marina could protest, Jack picked up a wet cloth from a nearby table and sat down next to her to gently clean the wounds on her legs. His movements were careful and surprisingly tender, as if he was actuely aware of her discomfort and pain.

Marina watched him in silence, the initial shock of his intrusion fading into a sense of calm. "You don't have to do this," she said quietly, though the softness in her voice betrayed her gratitude.

Jack glanced up at her, his expression serious but with a hint of the usual charm. "Well, I reckon it's the least I can do."

As he worked, Jack's touch was gentle but efficient, and Marina found herself feeling both comforted and oddly vulnerable. Marina watched in silence as Jack continued to tend to her wounds. Each touch of his hands on her thighs sent a wave of unexpected warmth through her, causing her heart to race and a flutter of butterflies to stir in her chest. The sensation was both soothing and disconcerting, as though each gentle brush against her skin was stirring something she hadn't anticipated.

Marina spoke, her voice soft and hesitant. "Jack, I've been meaning to apologize for what I said that time on the ship. I was out of line, and I regret the things I threw at you. I know I've been... difficult, but I didn't mean to hurt you."

Jack's gaze softened slightly, though he kept his focus on his task. "Well, reckon we both said things we didn't mean. Water under the bridge, eh?"

Marina nodded, feeling a mix of relief and unease. "Yeah, maybe. I just needed you to know I'm sorry for what I said."

Jack gave a small, understanding nod. "Accepted. Let's leave the past behind us, shall we? We've got enough trouble to deal with right now."

Marina managed a faint smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. She knew they had a long way to go, but at least they had taken a step toward mending things.

Without fully realizing what she was doing, Marina's hand moved instinctively to Jack's hair. Her fingers brushed through his dreadlocks, a gesture that felt both foreign and oddly comforting. She had always been intrigued by them, fascinated by the texture and the way they framed his face.