4

"She should not tire herself." Liz said, putting a wet cloth on Ria's forehead. Jack stroked her black hair,

"She's always tires herself luvie," he said with a smile,

"Well, you should stop her Jack. It's not good for her, and…" Liz bit her lip, do any of them know? Ria stirred and reached under her pillow for her knife with her eyes closed. She sat up holding her knife out like a drunk, she seemed alert, but was still dreamy. Liz pushed her back down again onto the soft pillows, "Rest Ria, you must rest." Liz said frowning. Will knocked on the door, "Come in Will," Will shut the door behind him and tiptoed next to Jack.

"Is she alright? I didn't get a chance to even strike her Jack! I swear!" he pleaded. Jack shook his head and gestured with his hands as he spoke,

"She's fine, just tired, and she'll be bloody moody when she wakes up properly." Jack reassured his friend, patting him on the shoulder. Will sighed,

"Is that normal?" he asked cautiously, "Though she is one very well trained swordswoman." Will whispered.

"I heard that," Ria said smiling at the two vaguely, putting her knife back under her pillow. Liz frowned,

"Alright boys, you can leave, she needs rest." And she ushered the them out of the room.

~

Ria opened her eyes, blinking many times to get the blurry figures clear. She sat up and found herself in a large room, in a large bed, next to a large window. She was in a white under dress, make that, a clean white under dress. She reached automatically under her pillow for her knife, but it wasn't there. Her throbbing head was giving her grief, she spotted Jack's coat on a chair she wrapped it around herself and opened the door. She made her way into a large white room with hanging curtains, everything was awfully clean, much like her own home, when she had one. Liz walked in and spotted Ria staring out the window, she frowned, "You should be resting," she told her, Ria turned around quickly and saw Liz frowning with her arms crossed. "It's not good for you to be tiring yourself out now, it's not healthy for-"

"For what? And where's my knife?" Ria asked wandering out of the room, Liz scurried after her,

"For the child! And Jack has your precious knife." Ria stopped,

"I don't have a child Liz." She said softly. Liz raised an eye brow,

"Oh yes you-"

"No! I am NOT with child." She insisted loudly, denying everything to Liz, and to herself. Liz sighed and shook her head,

"Yes you are, and you had better take care of yourself." Liz told her, taking off her own coat and wrapping it over Ria's shoulders.

"Where's Jack?" She asked anxiously,

"Will's showing him his latest work,"

"You mustn't tell him." Ria said sternly,

"Why?" Liz asked,

"Because, if Jack knew he would wrap me up in cotton wool!" Ria said with fear, "I don't like to be treated so!" Liz laughed,

"My, you ARE odd." She said and pushed Ria into bed. "Now rest, alright, I wont tell Jack. But Will surely would!" she said shutting the door quickly. Ria groaned with frustration. I hate being stuck. She thought to herself crossly.

~

Will pulled out one of his latest work, it was sleeker than any sword Jack had seen before. Will smiled when he spotted Jack staring at the beauty in awe, "Lovely, lovely piece Will." He said,

"It is one of my best." He said putting it down. He picked up another, out of a lined box. "This, is a true beauty." He said handing it to Jack. Jack held it as if it were a king's crown.

"Is this an ordered one Will?" Jack asked, eyes still on the fine sword in his hands. Will shook his head,

"Do you want it Jack? It will perfect any man's skills in swordsmanship I swear. I'll give it to you, as a gift." Jack put it in its box carefully as a father would for his new born in a cot. Will smiled, wrapped it up, and handed it to Jack who didn't take it,

"No, no, I'm not worthy of such a fine sword." He said modestly. Will grinned,

"I thought I'd never hear the great Captain Jack Sparrow say such a thing." He said, and still offered the box to Jack.

"Women change men Will," Jack said smiling happily.

"Women aye." Will said, Jack's eyes sparkled,

"Though I meself is not worthy, but…" he tapped the box, "I migh' know some one who is."

"Jack, have you lost your mind? Give your Ria this, and she will be unstoppable, she is already unstoppable!"

"Now, now boy, calm down. She beat ye once and ye says she unstoppable?" Jack laughed patting a panicked William on the shoulder. Elizabeth came into the forge room and gave Will a kiss. Jack smiled,

"It would never have worked out between ye and I, Elizabeth." Jack shook his head jokingly, and began to walk out of the room.

"Jack." Liz called after him. Jack turned swaying, hat in his hand.

"Yeh luv?" Jack replied. Liz smiled, and whispered into Will's ear, Jack raised an eye brow. Will stepped forward smiling and put a hand on Jack's shoulder,

"Jack, congratulations!" Will said shaking his hand enthusiastically. Jack frowned suspiciously,

"Uh huh… thank ye. Why?" Will looked back to Liz, who nodded quickly. Will smiled,

"You're a father to be!" Will announced, Jack dropped his hat, absolute shock written on his face.

~