Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters except Albert, the cook is my personal assistant and bodyguard, so should anyone decide to sue me, just remember who'll you'll have to go through to get to me. Thanks and remember, have a nice day.

Five Months From Now

A/N: Because it's come to my attention that I have failed to state which month goes with what chapter, I've decided to add that this time. Every time I meant to add it, I'd forget, so I am terribly sorry.

Month Eight

Jack stood at the helm, his hands lazily resting on the polished wood before him. He spared a glance to the sails before pulling a compass from his pocket. Checking his bearings, he snapped it closed and tucked it away before adjusting the Pearl's course slightly.

The sound of approaching steps drew his gaze upward to see Gibbs standing there, an amused scowl on his face. The old quartermaster gave the captain a warm smile before coming to stand beside him, a flask in his hand.

"Gibbs, lovely day for sailing isn't it?"

The old sailor glanced at him with a nod. "Aye sir, lovely day indeed."

Jack chuckled as he turned his attention back to the sails, his dark eyes traveling over the bustling deck. Several crewmembers stood about tying down sections of the rigging, others swabbing the deck or untangling the ropes. His gaze continued forward, spotting young Miles standing with his father, both securing a length of rigging.

He shook his head at the pair as the younger of the two laughed at something before allowing his thoughts to rest on a figure at the bow of the boat. Right where I thought she'd be, he mused. She's like clockwork that one.

Gibbs followed his gaze before smiling himself. Anamaria, like everyday before this, was casually standing at the bow of the ship, her tenderly swollen body using the railing for support. The quartermaster snorted drawing Jack's attention and he looked up with a shrug.

"There's somethin' ye want to say," Jack accused. "So ye might as well spit it out, man."

Gibbs shook his head, a grin forming on his face. "I'm not gonna say a word," he supplied with a gesture of imitating that his lips were sealed.

"You've done applied it ye bloody blighter," Jack mocked. "Just get it over with so I don't have to wait to lecture ye."

The older man let out a hearty laugh as he clamped a hand on Jack's shoulder. "A'right lad, ye convinced me," he explained. With a grubby finger he pointed in Ana's direction, a twinkle of mirth in his eyes. "Well, Ana, she be a pirate and a damn good one. But ye see, Ana has this problem," he paused and looked over at Jack.

"I'm listenin'," the captain replied, his eyes briefly turning to the man next to him.

Gibbs nodded and continued, "She's restless, Jack. Now, we both know that she doesn't belong on a ship like this, like that," he prattled. "But, we also know she won't be leav'n 'cause her place is beside ye and we all know that your place is 'ere with your ship."

"What are ye tryin' to get at old man?"

The old quartermaster sighed. "Jack, t'aint right to do this to Ana; it's torture."

Jack pursed his lips together. "Gibbs, do ye think I made a mistake?"

Gibbs' expression fell and he glared at the captain. "Now listen' lad, I know ye made a lot o' mistakes in your lifetime, but," he paused and pointed a stubby digit in Ana's direction. "She ain't one o' 'em. You've done right by 'er and that's all that matters."

At the look from Jack he added, "All I'm sayin' is Jack, is that she's restless. Ye don't want her to be on the ship, but she won't leave ye and ye won't be leav'n your boat. Sometimes ye have to sacrifice your wants for your needs. Think about it," he suggested as he turned and shuffled back across the deck.

Jack watched him for several moments before shifting his eyes to the figure at the bow. With a heavy sigh, he once again adjusted the Pearl's course before he called Cotton over and turned the helm to him as he sauntered to the front of his ship.

---

Ana stood motionless allowing the slight wave of nausea to pass before taking a deep breath of the salt air. Another smell lingered on the wind and she turned to see Jack standing behind her, a sad smile on his face.

Without a word, he sidled up beside her and wrapped his arms around her, his hands linking with hers. He rested his chin atop her head and he pulled her to him, his dark eyes momentarily closing.

"Jack?"

He opened his eyes as he felt her turn in his arms, her face tilted up to gaze at him. "What is it?"

With a gentle embrace he murmured, "Nothing."

Ana frowned but remained silent as she rested her forehead against his chest, her fingers bunching in the loose fabric of his shirt. After several moments of silence she said, "You adjusted course not too long ago, why?"

She felt Jack tense as he answered, "We're goin' back to Port Royal."

Ana stepped from his embrace and glared up at him. "What? Why?" A sudden realization came over her as she moved away, her hand clutching the railing tightly. "You plan on dumping me there, aren't you?"

Jack's head whipped around with a hurt expression on his tanned features. "What? No," he protested. He reached for her only to have her step further back. "Ana, please, hear me out."

"No, Jack. I'm not letting you just dump me off somewhere so you can forget about me," she threatened, her voice rising.

He cringed at her tone, his hands gesturing gently for her to calm down. "Settle down, Ana. Getting over-excited isn't good for ye."

"Isn't good for me?" Ana asked sarcastically. "I'll tell you what isn't good for me. You leaving me standing on some dock with bluebloods while you're off gallivanting out here! That isn't good for me," she exclaimed as she delivered a swift slap to his face.

Jack rolled his eyes as he rubbed his raw cheek. "Now see, that right there was uncalled for."

"Was it?"

The pirate captain shifted his gaze. "Aye woman, it was."

Ana stopped short. Jack had never referred to her as just woman before, and this argument wasn't half as rough as some of them had been. She quickly dropped her head to avoid his staring, her hands balled into fists.

Jack sighed. "Ana, look I'm sorry, but sometimes, ye get me so flustered I can't think or get a word in edgewise. Ye always assume I'm plottin' against ye, but ye know what, I'm not. I don't plan on just dumpin' ye on some dock," he told her in a hushed tone.

"I plan on dumpin' ye on some dock within walkin' distance of the Turner's," he added for good measure. Her head shot up, a fierce glare boring into his eyes. "With myself."

Ana's brow wrinkled in confusion. "Excuse me?"

Jack leaned against the railing and drew Ana close, his arm resting comfortably on her shoulders. "I wasn't goin' to leave ye alone in Port Royal, Ana. That didn't work the first time I tried it."

Ana had to grin at the memory. With a nod she allowed him to go on. "So I figured we'd shimmy on over to Will's and stay with them for a spell. Just until the twerp can-" he trailed off at Ana's expression, an innocent smile appearing on his face.

---

As Jack eased the Pearl into the harbor, he noticed two figures standing on the dock waiting, one said person holding a considerably smaller one in their arms. With a grin, he braced himself as the ship jolted slightly as she made port, the deck beneath his feet groaning with the effort.

Releasing the helm to Gibbs to finish, Jack stuck his head into his cabin. "Ana, hurry up or we'll miss the welcome wagon."

The dark skinned woman soon appeared with an annoyed scowl on her face and pushed past him. "The only welcome wagon you'll be getting is the short ride to the gallows," she teased.

Jack bobbed his head in consideration as he followed the waddling woman to the gangplank.

"Oh Ana! Look at you!" Elizabeth greeted cheerfully, holding the woman at arms-length to look at her. Ana slightly blushed at the comment murmuring her thanks, her arms dropping back to her sides.

"William," Jack crowed. "Lookin' handsome as usual. Still keepin' the ladies fair in susp-" he let his sentence roll to a stop at the glares he received from both women, his grimy finger tapping his chin.

Elizabeth shook her head and hugged him. "Oh Jack, it's so good to see you again," she stated. "So soon."

"So what brings you back to Port Royal, Jack?" Will shifted the girl in his arms waking her from her nap, her bright eyes lighting up as she spotted Jack. She held her arms out in his direction, a pleading look on her face as she giggled, "Up."

Giving the child a once over, Jack chuckled before allowing her to clutch tightly to his neck in a crushing hug. "You're getting to be such a big girl," he chirped, the small girl laughing as he tickled her.

"You're not in trouble again, are you Jack?" Elizabeth finally asked teasingly as she led them from the dock.

Jack look bemused as he hefted the girl to one arm, his other on Ana's back as they walked along, "Of course not, Elizabeth! What would give you an idea like that?"

Ana snorted silently as Will turned to face the captain, a skeptical expression plastered all over his face. "Where else do you go when you're in trouble and in need of help?"

The pirate captain paused for a moment. "Good point."

Will laughed as he looked at his friend giving him a nod. "Okay, so what does bring you to our humble little town?"

"Hormones," the pirate muttered.

Ana flicked him on the arm as she retorted, "Hey, I resent that."

"Yeah, well you resemble it too," Jack grumbled back.

Will and Elizabeth exchanged glances, both of them chuckling. "I see," the young blacksmith finally replied taking his daughter back from Jack. "You're both welcome to stay as long as you need to."

Ana stopped and stared at her feet. "I don't wish to be an inconvenience to anyone."

Elizabeth smiled at her. "Oh you won't be, Ana. Besides," she assured. "It'll be wonderful to have the company, not to mention another baby around the house."

"Another baby?" Jack questioned, the surprise in his tone. He looked at Ana suspiciously and she just shrugged.

Will shook his head, "Yes, another baby. Didn't you know Jack, Elizabeth is expecting in another seven months."

"Wonderful!" the pirate exclaimed. "I love babies-"

"Don't even say it," Ana warned. "These kids don't need to grow up under your influence of drinking."

Jack grinned taking her arm as they continued to follow Will and Elizabeth. "Aye, but unfortunately you're stuck with me."

"Don't remind me," Ana chuckled, linking her arm with Jack's. She looked back as the ship and the dock gradually begin to disappear, a worried frown settling on her lips. Turning back to gaze at the couple before her, she thought, Maybe it won't be so bad after all.

A/N: Well, I'm sure you are all very excited and know what's about to come, but just to be sure that you do in-fact, not know what's to come, I've added a bit of a twist here at the end. And I'm going to hope and pray that not only does it keep you on the edge of your seat, but that you like it as well.

If not or if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

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Stories:

For Our Lost Time

Salt Spray

Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again