Esmeralda took a sip from her vodka tonic at the bar at Club Agrabah. She had just finished rehearsal with Phillip. He was mingling about the club. She was planning on meeting her friends when they finished up at Jasmine's store to celebrate her newest endeavor. It had been a long and lonely week without being able to see Jack so she was looking forward to having some fun with her friends tonight.

She took the first sip and turned away from the bar to look at the crowd.

She noticed movement from the door.

Jack and Will were walking in with Sinbad. He walked in so confidently. Like he owned the place. It took her all the willpower she could muster not to run into his arms that moment. But she had to be careful. She didn't want to possibly endanger him. She was trying so hard to stick to the plan they'd agreed upon in the earliest hours of the morning before he left her apartment.

She felt his fingers graze across her skin as she lie next to him, barely awake.

"I have to be going now, luv," she heard his husky voice whisper.

Her eyes fluttered open. She didn't know how long she had been dozing. They had been making love the majority of the night, making each second last. She rolled over to face him. Unsure of what to say, her emerald eyes looked into his chocolate ones, silently begging him to stay, knowing he couldn't. Laying on her side, she rested her head on her hand, supporting herself by her elbow. With her other hand she reached out to touch his face. His beard tingling her palm. His eyes never left hers.

"When will I see you again?" she whispered.

"I'm not sure, luv."

Just as she was about to kiss him, his phone dinged.

"Maybe it's Aurora," she teased as she reached over on the nightstand next to her side of the bed and handed him his phone.

Jack rolled his eyes as he looked at the message on his phone.

She saw his eyes grow wide.

"Well this is very interesting."

"Is everything okay, Jack?"

He sighed.

"It seems I am to be sailing off again, luv."

She pouted, knowing that extended the length of time before she would be able to be with him again.

"And from this message from Phoebus, it seems Frollo's plan is more sinister than we first imagined."

"What does it say?"

"See for yourself."

She took the phone from him and read Phoebus' message about Frollo's disgusting suggestion that dancing was not the only way she earned an income.

"Norrington agreed to this? How dare they!"

Her cheeks grew red with anger.

"This man is truly sick."

He grunted.

"Now will you listen to ole Jack when he tells you to take things seriously?"

He took the phone from her and put it in his pocket.

"Okay, so you were actually telling the truth this time."

"I do that quite a lot actually, yet people are still surprised."

She smiled.

"When do you sail?"

"Within the next two weeks, I presume."

She put her hand to the nape of his neck and pulled him in for a soft, delicate kiss, savoring the taste of him.

"Promise me you'll be careful, Esme," he whispered, putting his forehead to hers.

Her heart leapt at his words of care. It may not have been the words she wanted to hear but it was a lot for someone like Jack.

"I will, Jack. I'm too mad to be scared."

"That's a good girl," he said before kissing her deeply.

Reluctantly, he separated from her and got out of bed, making his way toward the window.

"Jack," she called after him.

He turned around to look at her, the dark blue of the moonlight behind him. She got out of bed to run into his arms one last time, knowing she would never get tired of his arms wrapped around her naked frame. She clung to him.

"Be safe, Captain," she whispered in his ear.

"Oh, Esme. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. Frollo can't touch me."

She smiled.

"That's my job," she whispered as her hands roamed his body, yearning to be one with him again.

His callused hand grabbed hers. He brought it to his lips.

"Until we meet again, my dear Esme."

He kissed her hand and climbed out the window. She watched him from her vantage point as he climbed down the vines to the ground. She watched him walk back toward Walt Street, disappearing into the darkness, hoping she would see him sooner than later.

And that had been almost a week ago.

She'd spent the majority of the week tossing and turning, missing him. But she didn't want to give Frollo the satisfaction of being right and possibly endangering both herself and Jack.

"Something troubling you, sis?" She heard Angelica's voice ask.

She turned to see Angelica with Aladdin, Meg, Jasmine and Flynn behind her. She put her feelings for Jack aside and decided to focus on the moment at hand – celebrating Jasmine's boutique.

"What? Oh. Nothing."

"Come on, Es. We all know the situation," Flynn added.

Esmeralda rolled her eyes, intent on avoiding the subject.

"How was the set up today?"

Jasmine's eyes grew wide.

"Well everything except the mannequins are pretty much set up. But I started to get nervous that I didn't have enough different models in my clothes so guess what?"

Esmeralda shook her head.

"Flynn is going to get Anya to model for me. Isn't that great?" Jasmine answered, wrapping her arms around one of Flynn's and looking at him as if he discovered gold.

Esmeralda was taken aback and gave a look to her sister and Meg, who were equally as amused by this pair's sudden change of temperature. It wasn't two long ago that Jasmine was busying herself in the toxicity of Clopin to avoid Flynn's amorous advances.

Meg pointed to Flynn and Jasmine.

"That right there, is what we've been dealing with all day," Meg whispered to Esmeralda, hoping that Flynn and Jasmine were too involved in each other to hear but not really caring if they did or not.

"I don't get it. Isn't it good that they're friendlier now and we can all hang out in peace?" Aladdin asked.

"Babe, there's friendly and then there's Flynn and Jasmine," Angelica added, getting a laugh out of Meg and Esmeralda.

This one, Flynn heard.

"You guys need to chill. We are just friends."

Before anyone could respond, Will approached the group.

"I hope I'm not interrupting something," Will said, laughingly.

"Yes. You are and thank you for doing so," Flynn responded.

"Oh. Well then. You're welcome, I guess. I just wanted to let you and Al know about our meeting with Cassim today."

"Did my dad agree to be Esmeralda's bodyguard?" Aladdin asked.

"Esmeralda's what? I don't need a bodyguard!" Esmeralda protested.

Angelica put her hand on her sister's shoulder.

"Come on, Es. Frollo is a dangerous man. I asked Aladdin to consider this."

Esmeralda rolled her eyes.

"Yeah right. This has Jack written all over it."

"Either way, he did agree to be Esmeralda's and Rolfe's security for as long as Jack is in port," Will announced.

Esmeralda rolled her eyes again and sipped her vodka tonic.

"So I guess that means you'll be spending more time with me and Al!" Flynn sarcastically commented with a smile and a wink.

With that, she downed her drink, tossing the straw on the bar.

"Yo, Hakim! Hit me," she asked the Club's bartender to fill her up again.

The group laughed at her predicament.

"Not to worry, Esmeralda. This will all be over by next week."

She smiled at Will's statement knowing that he knew Jack better than anyone and probably had to deal with the other end of this separation.

"I appreciate it," she responded as Hakim served her another vodka tonic.

"My friends need some libations as well," she said as the group gave off their drink orders to Hakim.

Will took a sip of his beer.

"Will!"

He turned around to come face to face with a clearly distressed Anya.

His easy going demeanor changed to concern. Seeing her face, he immediately felt protective.

"Anya. It's good to see you. What's wrong?"

Surprising herself and him, she wrapped her arms around him and gave him a hug. It was all he could do not to let her go.

"It's so good to see you," she said, pulling back.

"What happened?"

Anya shook her head, unsure of where to start.

"I just saw Adam's anger directed at me for the first time. I don't know how much longer I can stay in that house, Will."

He frowned, hating that she was in this situation.

"I wish there was more I could do. There's always an open couch at my place," he responded, smiling.

"I appreciate that. But with the election getting closer, Derek and Rolfe think it would be best if I stay as close to Adam as possible."

Will nodded. He hated to admit it stung a bit when she mentioned Rolfe.

"That's understandable. But still. I'm sorry I haven't been as available to you as I should be. As your friend."

She smiled.

"Thanks, Will. I know you're busy with Jane and all. And really, John Rolfe has been pretty supportive. I just can't wait for the election to be over and done with."

It stung even more when she mentioned how supportive Rolfe was. He took a long sip of his beer.

"You and me both. Let's get you a drink," he said.

Just as he was taking Anya up to the bar, Meg was receiving her vodka cranberry. Esmeralda had snagged a table and the others were following her there. But before she could make her way over, Sinbad sidled up next to her at the bar.

"Hey, Meg. How's it going?"

Taken aback, especially after his coldness the last time they had seen each other, Meg took a sip and nodded attempting to match his energy and be friendly.

"Hey. It's going pretty good. How are you?"

Smiling mischievously, he got closer.

"Not bad. It's been a little lonely since that whole Aurora debacle."

Meg awkwardly nodded, not sure where he was taking this conversation.

"Yeah. Sorry to hear about that."

He shrugged his shoulders.

"It is what it is, I guess. You riding solo tonight?"

"No. Hercules should be here soon. He's meeting with his parents about something."

Sinbad rolled his eyes as if to suggest he didn't believe her.

"What?"

"Are you sure that's where he is, Meg?"

Meg furrowed her brow.

"What exactly are you suggesting?"

"Nothing. Just that I saw him with someone else this afternoon and that's where he could be right now."

Meg's jaw dropped, completely shocked at what he had just said.

"What do you mean you saw him with someone else?" Meg asked, confused.

"Yeah. I'd like to know the answer too."

Hercules appeared behind Sinbad, having just arrived to the Club and not liking the body language he saw from Sinbad. He came upon them just in time to hear his little confession. Meg saw how deep blue Hercules' eyes were with anger.

"Don't deny your little meet up with that brunette I saw you with at the Waterhole today, Herc," Sinbad said, cockily with a mocking tone pronouncing Hercules' nickname.

Hercules stood between Sinbad and Meg.

"What you saw, Sinbad, was me giving directions to someone who was lost, nothing more."

"Sure it was."

Meg saw the veins in Hercules' neck throbbing. He was mad now.

"You wanna say that again?"

Sinbad stood toe to toe with Hercules.

"Sure. It. Was."

That was the last straw for Hercules. He grabbed Sinbad's shirt and started grunting, shoving him up against the bar. Sinbad made a fist with every intention of putting it to Hercules face when he felt a strong, greasy hand stop him from doing so.

"There will be no fighting tonight, boys," Razoul the head of Club Agrabah's security announced with a posse of bouncers coming to separate the two.

"I'm afraid I have to ask you both to evacuate the premises," he added.

Razoul grabbed Sinbad and drug him outside while Fazal, the deputy security guard, grabbed Hercules and drug him outside. Meg immediately put her unfinished drink on the bar and ran over to her friends' table.

"What was that all about?" Flynn asked, curiously.

"Sinbad tried to say that Hercules was cheating on me."

Jasmine's and Esmeralda's eyes grew wide.

"Oh. My. God. He didn't," Jasmine said.

"Yeah. I'll catch you guys later. I'm going to see what this is all about."

Then she headed for the door.

Outside, the street was empty. She didn't see Sinbad or Hercules. She panicked, thinking they were in the alley fighting.

"Meg, over here."

She turned to see an unscathed Hercules waiting for her in the alley. She ran to him.

"What the hell was that?" she asked.

"Sinbad wants to start trouble for us. That's what that was."

He took her delicate hand in his and squeezed it.

"You have to know, I would never ever hurt you like that, Meg," he said looking deep into her violet eyes.

She smiled and gave him a reassuring kiss.

"Hercules, I know that. Luckily, Dr. Thatch is helping me with the triggers. I know what you and I have is real and you wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that."

"Good. I'm glad," he responded, his anger subsiding.

He extended an arm.

"Care to join me back at my place for a drink and a movie?"

She took his arm and they began to make the stroll from Walt Street back to his townhouse.

"I would love to."

"I can't believe he would try to break us up like that."

"Aurora must've really wounded his ego for him to stoop that low," Meg responded.

"All I did was give Vanessa some directions to Powerline Skate Park. I just shook her hand. We barely talked."

At the mention of that name, Meg's curiosity grew.

"Vanessa? That was her name?"

Hercules nodded as they turned the corner onto Notre Dame Terrace.

"She said she was new in town and she wanted to make sure she was on the right path."

"This is going to sound really stupid, but did she look Greek at all?"

Hercules shrugged.

"I don't know. Why?"

"I think you met my half-sister."

Back at Club Agrabah, Will was finally getting the chance to talk to Anya after the scene with Hercules and Sinbad when John Rolfe walked in and made a bee line for Anya.

"Anya, what a pleasure to see you here!"

Anya smiled giddily. Will took notice of her reaction.

"John, I didn't expect to see you at Club Agrabah."

"Well, you know. I have to mingle with people every now and then. Shows I'm human and not just a political figure," he responded, laughing.

Will felt as if he were a fly on the wall. He didn't like it.

"Care to dance?" John asked.

"Oh. Sure. I'd love to. Will, would you hold my drink?" she replied, handing Will her drink.

Will watched Rolfe escort Anya to the dance floor as he walked over to the table his friends had snagged. He felt utterly dejected.

The entire scene did not go unnoticed by Esmeralda. She had appreciated Will's consideration earlier and felt bad that he was getting pushed out by Rolfe. She leaned over to her sister.

"Hey, you feel like having some fun tonight?" Esmeralda asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I think we all can agree that we are Team Will in this scenario," she said cocking her head toward the dance floor where Anya was getting close to Rolfe.

Angelica looked toward that direction and then toward a disappointed Will.

"Oh. I see what you're saying. I'm in. Let's do it," Angelica responded, excited to be devious for the night.

Esmeralda led Angelica to the dance floor. Together they expertly tag teamed Rolfe so he became separated from Anya. Will smiled, knowing what they had done for him.

"It's good to see them working as a team again," Jasmine commented.

"Haha. Look at Jack's face!" Aladdin exclaimed having seen Jack from across the room getting green with envy as he watched Esmeralda toy with Rolfe.

The group had a good laugh.

Having been edged out of the dance floor, Anya awkwardly made her way back to Will and the others.

"Enjoying yourself?" Will asked, handing her back her drink.

Anya took a sip and smiled.

"It's better than the alternative."

Will took a sip of his beer as well. Having gotten her alone again, he didn't want to waste anymore time. With some liquid courage, he took Anya's hand and led her away from the crowd toward the quiet hallway by the bathrooms. He didn't want to lose another chance to get to talk to her.

"Sorry to lead you away. It just seems we are always getting interrupted."

Anya smiled.

"No. It's fine. I'm glad you did, actually."

He was surprised.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I feel like we haven't seen each other a lot since you got back."

"I'm sorry for that. I told you that you could always call me and I meant it. I haven't been the most attentive friend, have I?"

She put her hand on Will's chest.

"Will, it's not just you. It's me too. I mean..."

"What?"

"I feel horrible how we left things before your last trip."

"You do?"

"Yes. I know I have no right to tell you this, since you're with Jane now. But I shouldn't have been so dismissive with you. I feel like it changed things between us. And I don't want that."

"I feel it too."

"You do? I thought you liked Jane."

"I'm enjoying my time with Jane, yes. But if I'm being honest, Anya, I still think about you and I feel guilty for crossing a line before I left."

"But Will, I..."

He continued before she had a chance to finish.

"Anya, I never meant to cross a line. But I won't lie, seeing you dancing with Rolfe tonight, knowing you've been spending a lot of time with him. Even though I've been spending time with someone else, it stings a bit knowing you are moving on. And that I'm not there for you like I have been before."

"Will...I...I..."

She couldn't find the words. But she had had enough to drink to know what the perfect response could be. Without another thought she leaned forward and kissed him on the mouth. At first he was taken aback, but then he sunk into it. With pent up vigor, she pinned him against the wall and continued exploring his mouth with her lips.

A/N: I checked the Wiki. Hakim, Razoul and Fazal are the names of the Royal Guards at the Palace in Agrabah! Ha! This is the last chapter I've mapped out for now so it will be awhile before I'm back with a new chapter but stay tuned! Season 2 isn't over yet! Thank you for reading! Please Follow/Favorite :) xoxo JTD.