A/N: Thanks to my reviewers, you make me feel special. But seriously, don't hesitate to slap me if she turns into a Mary Sue.

QUESTION: Would anyone be interested in beta-reading for me? Cuz I don't have one, and I've noticed that most good authors do. And, from reactions to this story (and others) I think I could be a good writer. *puffs out chest* Thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: *snort* Yeah, right.

****

When Jack woke up the next morning, he was slightly surprised to find himself sprawled across an unfamiliar floor. He slowly sat up, remembering the night before. [So that's why I've got a pounding headache.] He rubbed his eyes, then got up to see who was around. As he took his first step, he found himself stumbling down the steps, making a large racket the whole time.

Jack realized, in retrospect, that it would have been better to look where he stepped first. He cursed the stairs, rubbing his sore head. As he stood up and brushed himself off, Will rushed out of his room wearing only a bed sheet.

"Jack, are you alright? What was that noise?" he asked. Jessica also came out of her room, but she looked far more put-together (having slept in her clothes), if a little more wrinkly. Her hat was clutched in her hand.

She yawned and stretched, looking down at her father. "What happened Jack?" As her arms flew over her head, she noticed Will standing there in his nearly-naked state, and raised a highly amused eyebrow. "Forgetting something, Will?" she teased, before trotting down the stairs in front of her.

Will blushed. "I heard the sound of your father falling down the steps and I was concerned. Excuse me." He swept back into his room, closing the door behind him. Much to his displeasure, the sheet caught in the door and a soft "Oof," could be heard. The pair downstairs snickered as the door opened a crack and the sheet was pulled all the way inside.

"Well, Captain, what do you say to some breakfast?" Jessica asked, putting on her hat. Jack raised an eyebrow.

[Why doesn't she feel terrible? She had almost as much rum as I did.] "Why don't you have a hangover, love? You had almost as much rum as I did."

Jessica smirked. "Oh, I do have a hangover, Jack. My head is killing me. But I used to stay out late and drink a lot at home, and I learned to hide it. Savvy?" Jack gave her a 'what-were-you-doing-drinking-so-young' look, and she shrugged. "Now, how about that breakfast?"

"Alright, love." They made their way to the kitchen and Jessica started searching through the cabinets to find something to cook. "Jack, go see if the milk has come yet, will you?" He did as he was told, striding to the front door. The milkman hadn't yet arrived, and that was exactly what he told her.

"Dammit. Well, I'm going to go to the market." She straightened her clothing, checked to see how much money she had, and made for the door.

"I'll just wait here then." Jack put his feet up on the table, angled his hat to cover his eyes, and fell fast asleep.

*****

Jessica Sparrow reached her destination in a relatively short time. She knew she didn't have enough for all the groceries she needed. Time for a little five-finger discount.

Keeping sure to keep her hat shading her eyes, she made her way into the heart of the town. There were a lot of people around, serving as good cover. She had done this many times before. She paid for a few items, and began her ploy.

She picked up a few eggs and tossed them back and forth between her hands. She slipped one into her pocket, then another. But when she turned around, she saw a man staring at her. He was far enough away to not be able to tell what she was doing, but it was quite obvious that he was looking at her. She pretended not to notice and went on with her little game.

By now, there were 9 eggs resting in her pocket, and not a single one had been noticed as missing. She slipped two more in as she felt a sharp pinch on her behind and a, "Hello poppet," whispered into her ear. Before you could say 'Jack's your father' Jessica had whipped around and punched the man hard in the nose. He grabbed it, letting go of her bottom, and started yelling and cursing.

"Bloody hell, woman!" Everyone that was standing around the two turned to see just who was making this infernal racket.

"Don't you ever touch me again!" She screamed back. As she turned around and stomped off, the man raised his hand and pointed at her.

"EGG STEALER! I saw you! You'b been bocketing dose eggs!" Jessica's face blanched. Had he really seen her? "I bet you're a Birate, doo!" Uh oh. This could be a problem.

She felt her shoulders being grabbed and yanked back forcefully.

"Turn out your pockets," a man said. He was wearing a red coat and white wig. The Royal Navy. She just glared at him.

"Turn out your pockets, woman!" The man sounded more threatening now. When she glared back, he spoke again. "Do you know who I am, little girl?"

"Don't particularly care."

The man swelled up, looking about like he was going to explode. "I am Commodore Norrington. TURN OUT YOUR POCKETS!"

"Commodore? What are you doing down here at the lowly peasant's market? Trying to find people to accuse as criminals?" She had definitely crossed the line here. Norrington turned beet red, and grabbed her by the back of her shirt.

"Guards! Take this thing to prison. NOW!" He roared. A path was cleared as two sentries rushed up, clapped her in irons, and led the girl away. She stuck her tongue out at Norrington as she was dragged along.

****

Elizabeth wrung her hands as Will and Jack sat thinking in the parlor, still looking as though a tornado had passed through it. Will had put on more clothes (sorry ladies) and came down with Elizabeth almost two hours ago, to see Jack asleep in their kitchen and Jessica no where to be found.

"Are you sure she wasn't at the market?" Elizabeth asked, flopping down in the chair. Will sighed.

"Yes, love. I checked 5 times."

Jack, meanwhile, was busy banging his head on the table between taking swigs of rum. "One day. One day and I've already lost my daughter."

Will patted him on the back. "Don't worry Jack. If she's got your instincts she'll be just fine."

Elizabeth's mouth dropped open. "Your instincts....Um, Jack? Is there any chance that Jessica could be in prison right now?" She bit her lip and waited for his reaction.

"I do suppose she could be. But I can't go and look for her. I'd rather not be that close to those jails again."

Will stood up and pushed his chair in. "I'll go then. I'll bail her out if need be." Jack smiled and extended his hand.

"Thanks, mate."

****

Back in jail, Jessica was sitting with her back against the bars, throwing rocks at the wall. She had already gotten in trouble for throwing rocks at the guard, taking away her only form of entertainment. She was also getting heckled by all of the other criminals. Of course, they were quite stupid, and knew nothing of how to talk to a lady.

After experimenting for a while, she discovered that if a rock was thrown from a certain angle, it would ricochet off the wall and land in the cell next to hers. It was quite funny for all watching to see the stupid, petty criminals try and figure out where the rocks came from. She had once even hit a particularly nasty one in the eye.

When she heard a familiar voice talking behind her, she spun around and stood up. "My night in shining armor!" she called, sarcastically.

Will strode over to her cell, followed by a surly guard. "What was she imprisoned for, guard?" He asked, looking at Jessica. She was watching the man with the keys, bouncing on her heels.

"Theft, making fun of the Commodore." Boy, he sure seemed to be taking a long time to get the right key.

"The Commodore needs to get a sense of humor. Come on now, hurry it up!" Jessica said, stepping back. The door slide open and she rushed out. "Thank you, good sir," she said, sweeping off her hat in a bow. Will caught her by the shoulders as she turned to leave.

"Now, Jessica, I will not tolerate this again. If you are ever caught stealing, or testing the Commodore, of all people, or dressing up in this pirate's clothing," he motioned to her breeches, loose shirt, and hat, "You will be fired. Understood?"

Jessica stood there, mouth open, wondering what the hell he was thinking. She shakily nodded before being led out. When they were a respectable distance from the jailhouse, she opened her mouth to speak, but was silenced by Will's finger.

"I had to do that. They wanted to know why I would be bailing you out, they needed a reason."

"Why couldn't Jack come and get me?" She asked, folding her arms across her chest.

Will sighed. "Don't be stupid. A wanted pirate, that has escaped capture at least 3 times, waltzing into a jail? It's suicide."

"Oh. Right. Well, thanks for getting me." She smiled at him and started her way back up to the house.

Will sighed again. "Just like her father," he said, under his breath.

She turned around. "Thank you," Jessica said, winking.

He just rolled his eyes and followed her to his home.

****

There ya go! Chapter 3 for you. I'm sure most of you liked the Will nearly naked thing, I know I did.

Without wax,

Caitlin