Chapter 2

"Who's the Real Eunuch?"

"I never would have pictured you as a father, Jack," Elizabeth said, passing a basket of rolls to the pirate. Surprisingly, she didn't seem to mind that Will had offered their home as a place to stay at all. She warmed to Jess right away as well. "However, you seem to get along famously with your son."

Jack chuckled. "Well, after he got over wanting to kill me, we were mates." He took a bite of his roll. "You cook well, lass."

Elizabeth smiled. "Thank you, Jack. It's very hard to believe that you're the same man who was so…" She bit her lower lip. "Fatherhood has changed you – for the better, I might add."

Jack forced a frown. "Think I've gone soft, 'Lizabeth?"

"Of course not, Captain." She chewed a piece of chicken, then asked, "Will said that you're here simply for a visit?"

Jess shook his head. "Dad wants me t' find a girl."

"Jess," Jack said sharply. "When in the presence of a lady…"

Will looked confused, then laughed. "Jack, I don't seem to recall you having much luck with women. I mean, in under twenty four hours I saw you get slapped by three…"

"No need to stroll down that road, eunuch. After all, I certainly wouldn't have a son if I didn't…"

Elizabeth blushed at the topic. "Jack!"

"Slapped, eh, Dad?" Jess laughed.

"Listen, boy, yer dad here could go to any tavern in this town an'…"

"Jack!" Elizabeth once again interjected. "Does your son really need to hear this?"

"I can't have him thinkin' that his own father's a bloody eunuch…"

"Ah, so you're the real eunuch!" Will joked. "No wonder you're fixated on calling me one all the time."

Jack furrowed his brows. "All right, we're taking care o' this tonight. Elizabeth, I need t' borrow your husband for a…witness."

Elizabeth shook her head. "I don't care what you do, as long as I don't have to listen to you talk about your…" She looked at Will. "Do keep them out of trouble."

Will smiled. "I promise." He kissed his wife's cheek and ran a gentle hand over her swollen stomach before leading Jack and Jess out of the dining room. Will called from the doorway, "I'll take care of everything in here, you relax."

Jack heard this and whispered, "Bloody eunuch…"