Welcome to part 1 of our Christmas Special! "Christmas Special" being code for: I-am-suffering-writer's-block-and-so-to-make-up-for-the-several-lengthy-weeks-ahead-when-I-will-not-be-posting-anything
-I've-decided-to-post-two-chapters! Also, in the spirit of the Season…it's getting to me! So, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, cool kwanza, cooler chet and "a solemn, dignified Ramadan". Yes, I know Ramadan was a month ago (my friend was fasting) but nonetheless…

Jack Gets Told

'I dunno what you're thinking, but I'm not taking these back to the Settlement.'

Tara felt her blood boil, but for family's sake, she bit back her angry retort and spoke in a calmer voice. 'I'm just trying to help you clean up this mess.'

Jack didn't seem to recognise that this as a calm tone and snapped back, 'There's nothing to clean up! There's no mess!'

'Don't you get it?' Tara said, softening her tone again as her father was still in a weak state. 'It's supposed to be summer, look at the weather! Time is running slow! A normal compass doesn't even point North anymore! This isn't meant to be happening!'

'I don't need some skinny, little brat, telling me what is or is not meant to be!'

Tara stared at him, taken aback. Is that what he thinks of me after everything that's happened? 'Fine!' She turned on her heel and walked out of the room, biting her lower lip in anger.

Jack watched her leave and fell back in a nearby chair, nursing his temples.

'Don't you think that was a little harsh?' muttered Bill, not accustomed to such scenes.

Liz propped herself up on the table and patted Jack's back. He looked up at her curiously.

'When did you start giving me sympathy?' he asked staring at her.

Liz sighed. 'When I finally realised that you were really…sort of like…my Uncle…' She gave a dramatic little shudder.

Will let out a soft 'Hmph!' of laughter and slid into a chair across the table.

'I don't understand, Jack,' muttered Bill, shaking his head in confusion, 'you've everything. You have your own ship, known and awed all around the world. You've got a crew somewhere that was willing to risk everything to help you. You've got a crew out there who admire you and will listen to every word you'll say. You've got a beautiful daughter who loves you to pieces. And you've got us…'

'Who also love you to pieces,' Liz finished, absentmindedly as she was busily studying the beads in Jack's hair.

Jack made a face, obviously not accustomed to such an expression of affection. 'Pardon?' he asked, pulling his hair from her grasp.

Liz rolled her eyes. 'Oh, don't pretend you have not noticed…' she said briskly, glancing at Will who seem to have already broken a rib or two from trying not to laugh.

Jack looked nothing short of horrified. 'I'm now…to go…have…' Without correcting himself, he stood and strode out of the room as Tara had done.

'Bye Uncle Jack!' Liz grinned at the remaining occupants. The three burst out laughing.

xXx

Tara lay on the bed in the tiny room she'd claimed as her own on her last visit. She was happy to see that no one had been inside (which would half accounted for the centimetre of dust) as she'd left her weapons cache beneath the bed and it hadn't been tampered with. Elizabeth had placed her bag in the corner earlier that day, but she hadn't unpacked anything in case her visit would be a short one.

As she lay staring at the ceiling and blaming herself for Jack's outburst, something suddenly hit her.

Wait a sec, she thought, when did I provoke him to do anything like that!

It wasn't her fault he had unresolved issues…

She blinked as a loud knock came from the door. She didn't need to be a genius to work out who this was… A moment later, the door opened and she heard her father walk in. There was silence as he shut it again.

'Hey, luv.'

She said nothing, wondering whether or not to snap at him.

The mattress sank slightly as he sat down on it. 'You're mad, right?'

Gee, ya think?

'Yeah, well you don't have to say anything. So, just listen-,'

Suddenly Tara sat up and glared at him. 'Actually, you know what? No. I think it's about time you listened.'

Jack stared at her in surprise.

Tara ignored this and continued. 'I am so sick and tired of these mood swings you've got going! It's like one minute you're great and we're fine and the next, you're changed into some sort of…of…' she faltered, unable to find the right words. Then she said, 'I may not know much about him, it's almost like you're changed into Barbossa…'

Jack's mouth fell open. 'I don't-,'

'I'm not finished!' Tara snapped. 'I don't know whether or not you want me here, that's your problem and you have to deal with it, coz I'm not doing it for you anymore. But I am going to the Settlement whether or not you get me there and I am finding the crew whether or not you help!'

She stopped and waited for him to reply. Several seconds passed and suddenly, Tara felt a growing sense of dread.

He's gonna kick me off for sure now…

Jack stared at her, astonished. 'Why're you always the one who leaves me lost for words…?' he asked after several more seconds.

Tara rolled her eyes. 'These people, who attacked you here, they will not stop searching for you. Not until the keys are back together. If they do find you, then it will be a repeat of what's already happened.' She glanced at his shirt where the bandages covering his chest were still visible. 'I found you at the Helm when the Pearl sailed into the Port.'

Jack was suddenly very taken aback. No one had told him that.

'I saw you at your weakest, and I thought you were dead,' Tara said, softer now, avoiding his gaze for the first time, 'I don't want to see that again, so whatever your issues are,' she looked him in the eye again, 'deal with it.'

xXx

The small crew lazed leisurely on deck, having not heard from the Captain since he'd gone below deck ten minutes earlier. Julian didn't care where they were told to go next. The fact that he was on this ship was good enough and he was happy enough. But their rest was up as Captain Sparrow returned to the decks. He looked around at them all for a split second, as though sizing them up, then:

'Prepare to sail!'

Bill, Will and Liz came out of the Captain's Quarters a moment later, as Jack was already making his way to the Helm.

'Where are we going?' Liz asked.

Jack hesitated before replying. 'It seems we're paying a visit to the Temple.'

Don we now our gay apparel, fa la la la la, la la la la!