Time and Tide

[Nikki]

I drop the pebble I'm holding immediately, convinced, honest-to-God, that I've gone insane. Now I feel like a mouse, jumping to my feet like I've just sat on something scalding and run into the tavern where Jack's sitting in the company of a few bleach blonde ladies. I ignore it. "Jack!" I'm breathless. "She's out there." Tears spring to my eyes. . ."You swore to me the past was gone. And I think the past is looking for you, Jack." The blonde ladies giggle at me.

[Jacky]

I frown at Rae.. wondering where the hell she came from so suddenly, and moreover, what the hell she's talking about. But then I see her, coming in through the door that Rae stormed through just some earlier. "...Bugger!" I state, my eyes widening. I get up quickly, nearly knocking one of the blondes over. Cassandra walks up to me quickly, and before I can do anything she gives me a hard push, which leaves me tumbling back onto my chair ungracefully.
"Hey!" One of the blondes puts her hands on her hips angrily, "Don't you be a-pushing him, wench!" She shrieks.
Cassandra pulls a gun out of her belt, swiftly and undoubted. Coc.king it in one fluid motion, she puts it against the forehead of the girl who dared to speak. "Shut up and stand back!" She snaps.
"Cassandra.." I start, but the barrel then gets aimed at me instead. I wince and cowards back to sitting position.
"Usted me dijo mentiras! Usted me traicionó!" She yells at him, in rapid Spanish. The scene caught the attention of pretty much anyone in the tavern now, but her flaming gaze never once leaves Jacks. The barrel of her pistol staying aimed flawlessly at his heart.
"...Well I can explain that, obviously." I try doubtfully.

[Nikki]

I feel the familiar tingling in my hands and arms that means I'm hyperventilating. "You listen to my dreams next time, Jack. That is," I c.ock my head at Cassandra. It's easier when I don't look at her. "If you're given a next time."
What better way to say goodbye to the past? I get the feeling that I'm stepping on the tiny glass pieces of my heart as I walk out the door again and sit down in the street, waiting for the gunshot.

[Jacky]

My eyes are fixed on Cassandra's, staring right at her as I doubtfully wonder whether she'll actually go through with. She tried it once: I wouldn't be surprised if this would be the end for me. But then, as some sort of sign of mercy, I see her lip quiver for a split second. I have to diguise a grin. I know her well enough to realize now that I still have a chance. It's about d@mn time for some physocologic game-playing.

"How would it feel, luv?" I wonder out loud, sitting up a little. "To pull tha' trigger now?" My gaze is fixed on hers, intensely.
"Sea reservado." She hisses, her finger trembling on the trigger.
"And to step over your former lovers dead body." I continue undisturbed. I c.ock my head to the side a little, raising an eyebrow. "Hm?"
"I said shut up!"
"Would you do it?" I dare her. "Would you have the guts? I bloody well doubt it. You never did." I tell her shortly.
With a cry of fury she lowers the pistol in her left hand, but with her right she slaps him hard across his cheek. "BLOODY PIRATE!" She cries.

[Nikki]

I smile as I hear her accent screaming at Jack. Almost better than the sound of a gunshot. A quick death would have been merciful. And I decide to step in silently once I've cooled down a bit. I stand there with my arms folded, giving Jack an I-told-you-so grin.

[Jacky]

I don't pay any attention to Rae in the background this time. I turn my gaze back to Cassandra. My cheek burning painfully.. but I manage to conjure a roguish smirk onto my features. "Ah. So it's you then." I say, narrowing my eyes slightly. "Falté su alma. I wondered when you'd come back."
"Don't you give me that nonesense, Jack." She hisses. "I demand my share."

[Nikki]

I watch the exchange closely. . .the tension between the two is so thick I can hardly breathe. "Don't-pass-out-don't-pass-out-don't-pass-out," I mutter to myself in a fury, biting my lip so hard it starts to bleed a little. They're both completely ignoring me, and that's a great thing at the moment. I look at the floor, feeling this is not my place.

[Jacky]

I quirck an eyebrow, "Your share?" I question.
"Of the treasure!" She snaps, "You bloody well know what I'm talking about, Jack!" She rages in desperation. Suddenly she jerks up the hand with the pistol again, aiming between his eyes this time.
I roll my eyes and put a hand over the barrel, pushing it down. Her annoyance towards my nerve is so thick you could cut it. And I must admit I wasn't sure she'd let me do it, but I'm relieved not to find a bullet in my face as the result of my nerve. "Now, luv.."
She jerks at the trigger of the gun, which is still pushed down by Jacks hand.. the bullet pierces the floor an inch from his boot. She glares at him. "Don't be making mistakes this time around.. luv." She says, her voice as cold as ice.

[Nikki]

I can't help it. . .I've been holding myself up with a nearby chair this whole time, and at last I lose consciousness. Thunk. I hope that wasn't my head hitting the floor.

[Jacky]

Two pairs of eyes travel over to Rae, who just collapsed on the ground.
"...Who is she, anyways?" Cassandra asks, just sounding generally annoyed now.
"Just a moment." I excuse myself, and I go over to Rae. I crouch by her side, ignoring Cassandra's annoyed sigh behind me.