Again, sorry, this is a stupid chapter, but I needed it to set up the next big event. Sorry. Ok, well, not much to say…

Here we go, on with the bad chapter. *winces*

***

Emmaleanna stirred uneasily, trying to find sleep. She hated it when Liam stayed out later than her. He would sit on deck with the men of the crew on clear nights, drinking, laughing and gambling. Every man went out. Even Will, when he was aboard. Even Liam, now.

And always, there was Jack. She wasn't sure if blackmail was enough to restrain her brother from rash action. Liam was likewise just as hot-headed.

The cabin door creaked open and Liam entered. Emmaleanna propped herself up on her elbows and smiled at him as he strode towards her. Liam smiled back at her with dewy-eyes. "Good evening, my darling wife."

She climbed out of bed and kissed him. "Good evening, my husband." They laughed together at the falseness of their greetings.

Emmaleanna helped him out of his jacket. He paused and brushed her coarse brown hair from her face. "I love you, Emm."

They kissed again, for longer. She brought his hands to the clasp of her dress. Suddenly the stairway creaked, and then the door. The couple turned to see Jack standing there, the light of the passageway reducing him to little more than a silhouette. In his hand he held Liam's hat.

"Liam, you left your hat on deck." He paused. "Emm, I need to talk to you."

"Emmaleanna!" She corrected sharply, stressing each syllable with an equal weight. She slipped out into the hall, poking her head back in through the doorway. "Liam, I'll be right back, I swear!" Jack clicked the door shut just as she turned towards her brother and rounded on him. "What in hell do you think you're doing interrupting Liam and I on our wedding night?"

"I'm terribly sorry, Emmaleanna." He said softly, and she could tell by his tone that for once he was serious. "Look… its Morgan. She's so distant with me, I- what did you tell her?"

Emmaleanna looked taken aback. "I didn't tell her anything, Jack. I swear on mother's grave I didn't!"

He sighed. "Right. My apologies. I'm just jumping to conclusions again." He turned to go. "Oh, by the way, tell Liam I says nice hat."

She smiled after him, then re-entered the room. Liam had lit the oil lamp and it cast a warm glow around the room.

"What was that about?" He asked passively.

"Oh nothing." She shrugged. "Jack says nice hat."

He smiled. "I always liked his better."

"Oh Liam!" She laughed as he drew her close to him again. He undid the clasp to her dress, kissing her neck gently. Emmaleanna sighed and closed her eyes, wondering silently how she had ever lived without him.

***

The sun was high on the horizon three days later when Jack was called up on deck. The crew was gathered reverently around Liam, who was gazing, apparently concentrating hard at whatever he was looking at. Jack looked concerned. "What's going on?"

"It's my ship- my men." Liam said slowly. "They've come to redeem their captain."

"Took long enough." Jack muttered. "Right then, I suppose you'll be leaving then, aye?"

Liam looked at Jack strangely. "That's up to Emmaleanna, really. She was the one who suggested we come with you in the first place." He shuddered none-too-discretely.

Jack suddenly had a thought. "Wait- aren't they going to attack us? They did before, right? They'll listen to you, wont they? No, wait, they're navy-"

"Jack!" Liam cut off his paranoid ramblings. "This isn't my Navy ship- these are the privateers."

"Privateers?" Jack was intrigued. "Now we're talking! Why Liam, I doubted you had it in you! Privateers!" He clapped his brother-in-law on the back affectionately. Meryl, who was watching with the rest of the crew, felt as if she might keel over laughing at any moment. "Well wave the bloody devils over, see if they have any rum!"

Liam frowned. "Rum?"

"Son," Jack said chidingly, "a fleet never truly bonds until they've gotten themselves bloody drunk together. Now out with the rum barrels, flag down the ship!"

His orders were carried out, and the crews meshed relatively well, pooling their alcoholic resources and enjoying much drunken merrymaking and crossing of the gangplank. Nobody noticed the storm clouds gathering overhead…

***

Review Replies:

Erin Richards-

Yeah, I thought Morgan and Meryl got a little catty, but that's just me. There is a very funny scene between Morgan and Jack coming up soon, be weary.

justjess22-

Well, its Jack. Things are bound to go awry.

Depprulz -

Let me know when you put your story up, I'd love to read and review. I hope you're not discouraged, because I'm sure your story will be awesome.