***Author's Note*** It's been a long time since I last wrote, I know. I just want to apologize for lack of updates, I just haven't had the time to sit down and write. But I got a sort of wake up call a few days ago from Sugar, (thank you) and I realize how much I miss writing my fic. So, I have a new chapter up that I hope you'll like and I honestly will try to update more often. Thanks! J

~ Amaries

Chapter 7: Vital Information

The room is silent side from the flames popping and crackling in the fireplace. I sit, inanimate at the dining table, watching wearily the shadows dancing merrily upon the walls.

I hold a teacup in my hand and nervously trace its engraved patterns with my thumb. The man opposite me eyes me curiously and I can tell that he waits for me to speak.

It isn't until after his feint cough reaches my ears that I finally ask the question that has long been lingering in my mind.

"Why have you returned to Port Royal, Jack?"

My eyes lift to meet his and his lips curl to form a smile.

"What is it, mate? Not pleased to have me around once again?"

He chuckles to himself softly, removes his feet from their resting on the table, and stands. I roll my eyes, hardly feeling the mood to play his ridiculous game.

"I've no time for games Jack. Now, why have you come back?"

"No time for games, eh?" He retorts. "Well pardon me now, dearest William but where is it that you must go that enables me the time needed to play me "game?"

He smiles broadly, apparently proud of his knowledge that I truly have no where else to go and likewise, nothing to do.

I suppress the urge to vigorously assail the bloody pirate before me by taking a long swig of tea, burning my tongue in the process.

I set my cup upon the table again, after emptying it and stand, glaring nastily at Jack. He looks somewhat offended by my expression but I don't acknowledge it. Instead, I make leave through the door leading into the kitchen, muttering softly, "I'm going to make some more tea."

I don't feel guilty at all for leaving Jack to his lonesome. He can be such a difficult man and this is definitely one of those times. I beat my head against the kitchen counter several times before regaining enough patience to attempt once again to obtain word from Jack.

I push the door open slowly and peek curiously into the room. The fire in the mantle is dying down but remains aglow. The room has become much darker and somehow more quiet than it had been mere minutes ago.

The blackness of the room makes it slightly difficult to pinpoint Jack. I find him standing in a corner beside the mantle piece, his grubby fingers gliding lightly across the base of a wooden picture frame.

His eyes appear to be fixed on the lovely photograph above the fireplace of a young man, woman and their infant daughter, held in her mother's arms.

The man in the portrait looks so young and proud; his sparkling eyes match his handsome smile. His left hand lies gently upon his wife's shoulder. He stands next to her as she sits upright and prim in a simple wooden armchair.

She is absolutely beautiful. Her deep brown eyes shine brilliantly and her pearly white smile presents an aura of absolute radiance. The woman's hair hangs loose around her face, highlighting her pleasantly rosy cheeks; the baby rests perfectly in her arms, smiling just as joyfully as her mother does.

A tear slides slowly down my cheek.

"I'm so sorry, Will." Jack speaks softly, turning to face me. I wipe my eyes, embarrassed to show tears in Jack's presence. However, my look of despair is fast replaced by one of bewilderment.

"You know about Elizabeth." I say knowingly and he nods in response.

"How?"

Jack moves closer to me and rests his hand on my shoulder. He shakes his head sadly and answers.

"News of death travels, mate. It takes so damn long, though. I would have arrived here sooner had I a' known."

I raise my eyebrows in slight surprise, and then wait patiently for him to continue even though I feel I know where this conversation may lead.

"I figure it be time to stop playin' games, savvy?"

I nod and still wait for more.

"As soon as I heard about your loss mate, I knew I'd best come and see ye."

I don't quite know what it is but I feel the blood begin to rush to my face. Jack, however, continues.

"And now that ye've got yerself a lass of yer own, it must be hard."

I decide that I've had enough but instead of keeping a level of control, the final string holding my nerves snaps.

"What do you know about my struggles?" I shout, pulling away from him. Jack's eyes widen with shock, his mouth open slightly. "You DON'T know, Jack! You have no idea what it's like so don't you EVER pity ME! You know absolutely nothing about responsibility, commitment, or sacrifice! You just--"

"Sacrifice!" Jack interjects, "I know a great deal about sacrifice! Now I don't rightly know if you have knowledge of the following incident or not DEAR William, so listen, SAVVY?"

Jack tromps over to me, creating even more of a racket and pushes a sharp finger into my chest, threateningly.

"When I was stuck on me accursed island, the SECOND time, your dead BONNIE LASS blew up all me rum! That rum supply was the largest I had ever held possession of and it was all BLOWN UP! Now THAT is sacrifice!"

Jack proclaims his story, all the while jabbing his finger into my chest. Offended by all he had to say, I glare into his face spitefully.

"Dead Bonnie Lass," I reiterate. Jack looks at me regretfully, and closes his eyes for a moment, meditating on what he just said. "Well, Jack, " my voice cracks, "I'm so sorry that my Dead Bonnie Lass was responsible for your great loss."

With that I turn and exit the dining room, Jack hot on my heels.

I approach the staircase in the next room, followed still by Jack who fires one apology after another.

"Get out of here now, Jack." I warn.

His response, however is not one I want to hear.

"No," he says, "I'm not leavin', there be something I need ter tell ye."

"You have said quite enough, thanks Jack." I answer coldly, now reaching the top of the staircase.

Jack continues to follow and says, "Will, Barbossa is back, he wants revenge, he's coming for yer daughter."

Jack's words slightly disturb me but I refuse to listen to him. After Jack's mentioning Amanda, I realize that she may have been awoken by our screams. I decide to go and check on her.

"Get out of my house, Jack!" I finally yell, swinging Amanda's bedroom door wide.

My heart immediately stops beating.

Her bed stands empty, the sheets strewn across the floor, and the window stands open wide, a cold chill devouring the room.