Brenda numbly descended the stairs of the large home and walked into the dining room.  By some miracle she went the right way, never tripped and got herself into a chair.  The minute she did she laid her head down on the table, hoping someone would serve her food.

        What kind of place keeps a yappy dog anyways?  She sighed and adjusted the nightshirt and pants she was wearing.  She never woke up this early.  She never had a need to wake up this early.  When she started whimpering, she hoped she would go unnoticed.

        Too late.

        "Geez Sparrow, I didn't think you were that spoiled."  Her head went up in an instant and saw Trevor.  The devil boy.

        "Back off, devil boy."

        She thought he heard him laughing as she lowered her head back down.  He sat down across from her and said, "What do you want to eat, Sparrow?"

        "Why are you still talking?"

        "Because Jacque is standing behind you waiting." 

        Her head came up again and said, "Eggs…and toast…with jam…please."  He nodded and left.  She sighed and scratched her head, messing up her hair even more.  She eyed Trevor who was still sitting across from her, watching her intently.

        "Aren't you supposed to be workin' or somethin' lad?"

        "I only work half days on the weekends…I have a good boss."

        "That's peachy and all- but I'm sure you have better things to do than bother me."

        "Not really."

        She frowned, "I thought you couldn't stand me."

        "Who told you that?"

        "Your attitude at dinner last night."

        He rolled his eyes, "If attitudes told our opinion then I would say you wanted to kill me."

        "Yer not far off."

        "Why are you here?"

        She sneered, why was everyone asking her that?  I'm sure he doesn't want me here…but first it was Norrington and then dad…dad.  "Believe me, not by choice."

        "Has something to do with your dad?"

        She eyed him, "What have you heard?"

        He shrugged and took a bite of an apple he took from the fruit basket.  Jacque came and set a plate in front of her and then left.  She dug in right away, trying to talk during the process.  "You know nothing of why I'm here, and I realize you want me to leave…but too bad."

        "Who ever thought Captain Jack Sparrow would need help from his daughter."

        She looked up, "You want me to kill you boy?"

        "I can tell Captain Briscoe of his presence in Port Royal any day."

        "No…no you can't.  Because Captain Jack Sparrow died a long time ago."

***

        One of the servants in the Turner's home answered the door when Gwyneth got there.  The house was filled with noise yet no one was in sight.  She sighed and waited patiently in the entryway.  When she heard some whistling, she smiled to herself and tilted her head down.  The whistler came into view and she had to keep herself from blushing, "Gwen?  Is that you lu…miss?"

        She looked up, hearing Jack catch himself.  Maybe he was truly 'reforming' himself.  Why else would he dress up like that?  She kept herself from frowning from seeing no change in him.  She wanted Jack back…and she wanted to know why he was gone.

        "Jack!  Hi.  Is Will or Elizabeth around?"  She covered.  Who she really wanted to talk to was him, but she didn't want to admit that.  It isn't proper… she told herself.

        He looked at her and she realized that maybe his look, his hair and his way of talking was gone, but his eyes were here to stay.  "It's so good to see you Gwen."

        She smiled, feeling herself blush.  "It's good to see you too Jack…"

        "You want something to eat?"

        She shook her head but then paused, "I am hungry but I wouldn't want to-"

        "Nonsense!  Their cook is the best!  Come along…" He said walking towards the kitchen.  Gwyneth paused and then followed him.  Their kitchen was large, with a round table in the middle with seven chairs around it, no doubt the breakfast table or the table for things not so formal.  He pulled out a chair for her and she sat down.  He scooted her in and then asked what she wanted. 

        She blinked, he's acting like such a…gentleman!  I think I'm scared… "Uh…some soup…"  He nodded and went into the kitchen.  She sat in silence for a minute and then thought out loud, "Will must be at work…And Elizabeth must be…well who knows where she is.  Maybe with the Governor.  He does like to have tea with her.  I do believe he knew her father.  But they've been doing it for almost ten years…"  She mumbled some more and then out of no where she heard a, "GWENY!"

        She turned and saw Daphne right before she jumped onto her lap.  She caught the little girl right before she slid off.  The girl giggled while Gwyneth thought to herself, Oh man, I'm too old to be doing that…  "Gweny!  You're here!  I knew someone was here!  I was hoping it was daddy, but it's you!"

        Gwyneth smiled at the Turners' littlest child enthusiasm.  "I'm glad to be here too…where are your parents?"

        "Daddy is at the shop- momma is with the Governor…Uncle Jack is supposed to watch us…"

        Gwyneth nodded, "Interesting.  Are your brother and sisters upstairs?"

        She nodded.  "Suzanna is wearing mom's makeup…she looks like a pirate."  Gwyneth smiled, trying to keep down a laugh.  That must be an interesting experience for Will and Elizabeth, as well as the rest of the house.  Gwyneth considering prying more, knowing Daphne would tell her everything, but before she could say another thing, Jack came through the room.

        "Why hello Daphne!" he said putting the bowl of soup, a cloth napkin and a soup in front of Gwyneth. 

        She looked at the floor, "Hi, Uncle Jack." And then quickly hopped down from Gwyneth's lap and walked up the stairs.  Gwyneth watched her go and then looked at him, "She's scared of you."

        "Must be, because every time I try talking to her she looks at the floor and leaves…I don't get it."

        "Maybe her siblings told her some stories…how have they been treating you anyhow?"

        Jack sighed and sat down, while she started to eat, "Sheldon…the eldest?  He's been pretty much ignoring Rick and I…Suzanna has overwhelmed us both…with perfume and questions and her talking and sometimes flirting…the girl needs a grip on her hormones."

        Gwyneth shook her head, "Yes, I do hear this boy at school wants to court her, but Will is firm in the belief she's too young.  Maybe on her next birthday."

        Jack shrugged, "And Cassandra is nice, polite and likes to hear my stories…as does…oh…"

        "Jeffery?" Gwyneth supplied.

        Jack snapped his fingers, "Yes, good.  Jeffery likes to hear my stories as well and both of them sit on my weak, old lap…and then Daphne is well…"

        "Shy."

        He nodded.  He paused before asking, "Where's Brenda?"

        "Oh!  She's back at home…sleeping.  Or was the last time I checked."

        Jack rolled his eyes, "I guess that's my fault- she does sleep in late…she likes steering 'til the wee hours of the mornin' though."  Gwyneth nodded.  "How is…she getting along with your brother's children?"

        She paused, should I tell him of last night's incident?  "Well Trevor, the oldest, is being somewhat rude…Jonathan, the next one, is somewhat fascinated in the raids she's done… but pretty much stick's to his books.  Mark…Mark loves her based on the fact she's a pirate.  I swear he's a boy after Elizabeth's heart.  If he ever meets you…be prepared.  Caitlin and Rebecca don't really talk to her.  Caitlin plays the 'tough girl' role as Rebecca plays the 'clueless' role.  Both pretty much keep out of her way, but everyone but Trevor loves her stories…Jack- she's amazing."

        He paused, looking at her, "Is that a complement on my parenting?"

        Gwyneth nodded, "Of course.  She's beautiful, exuberant…a bit temperamental…but wonderful.  And she absolutely adores my horse."

        "You have a horse?"

        Suddenly Gwyneth felt embarrassed that she had named the horse such a thing.  Maybe he'll be proud… "Yes…Pearl.  And a little puppy, Suzette or Suzie…and tow goldfish, Steve and Jill."

        "Steve and Jill?"

        She nodded, not wanting to tell the story behind that.  He paused, "Any…children?"

        Gwyneth almost choked on her soup.  She swallowed and put the soup down and then finally looked up at him, "Children?"  He nodded, not asking anything more.  "Well uh…no.  I haven't been married so…well no."

        He nodded again, "You haven't been married?"

        "No."

        "Why not?"

        I hold you in my heart.  She paused, her back straightening when those words went through her head.  Not now…not now!  "I guess I didn't exactly ever…find…the right person."

        Jack nodded, acting as if he knew exactly how she felt.  She wanted to change the subject before it went any deeper, so she said, "Do you want to see your daughter?"

        His eyes lit up, "Very much so."

        "Oh…well…what about the children?"

        He paused, but before he could respond they heard the door open and close and Elizabeth whisk through the room.  "Gwyneth dear, how are you?" 

        "Oh, fine thank you, and you?"

        "Fine!  Jack, you're still here!  Is Rick?"

        "Uh…I think he's sleeping."

        "Yes, you two did have a late night.  Well that's fine.  If you want to leave- then that's fine.  I'll be here for the rest of the afternoon…" she paused, as if trying to remember something, "Gwyneth…I saw your sister-in-law in town…she invited us to her house.  She said her son has been bugging her about Jack and all her children want to see mine…so we're coming over for brunch."

        Gwyneth paused, trying to organize that in her head.  Mark wants to meet Jack…but why would Faith voluntarily invite them over, knowing Jack would come. I wonder if she's told Eddie.

***

        Jack decided not to come to Gwyneth's house to see Brenda after all.  Elizabeth had raced around the house for awhile and then finally plopped herself down on the couch across from Jack.  After fifth sigh Elizabeth put down her sampler and stared at the man sitting across from her.  "Jack, if you wanted to go with her, then why are you still here?"

        "Elizabeth, please.  She does not want to be with me."

        "She came over, didn't she?"

        "For you or Will."

        Elizabeth paused, "if it was only for us, she would've left."

        Jack looked at her, narrowing his eyes, "What are you implying?"

        She smiled, "You're a smart man, figure it out."

        It turned out that Jack, apparently wasn't a smart man and spent most of the night obsessing about Gwyneth.  He was laying on the grass in the backyard, hoping none of the kids would come out and bug him.  It's been a long time since I've seen her…I wonder if she still has that stupid letter I wrote her…well she probably didn't think it was stupid- but…it was so long ago.

        I guess I didn't exactly ever…find…the right person.

        Jack sighed, this wasn't exactly helping and he was sure his suit was wrinkled.  He got up and walked towards the door.  When he walked in he saw Rick coming toward him.  "I've been lookin' all over for you!  C'mon, let's get some rum."

        Jack paused, his mouth watering from the mention of rum, "I don't drink."

        "Aye, let's go." He said pulling him towards the front door.  Jack didn't put up much fight as the man servant handed him his jacket and they both went out the door.

***  

        "I thought you said you don't drink…" Rick said after Jack came to the table with two more mugs of rum.  He had had three already.  Jack shrugged and took a swig out of one.  "So..." Rick started, "Back to this 'Gwen' person."  Jack had told him bits and pieces about her, but Rick wanted to know, from Jack current state, if he could make money off this certain situation.

        Jack sighed, "We got attached to each other rather quickly…" he took another drink, "when she left I wrote her a letter…tellin' her stuff.  Boy, was that a mistake."

        "What'd you tell her?"

        Jack waved his hand, "I can't remember."

        "Interestin'…did you say you both got attached to each other?"

        Jack paused, "Uh…I think, why?"

        "And you said the letter was a mistake…"

        He nodded.

        "So you don't feel anything for the lass?"

        Now remember who you're dealin' with…  "Not exactly…why?"

        "What if she still likes you?"

        Jack didn't respond.

        "I know a way we could find out.  And if you still have feelings for her, then of course she'll be more inclined to like you now."

        Jack felt the pang from that comment, but ignored it, "How?"

        "I bet you fifteen pounds she will admit to loving you in three weeks."

        Jack paused, fifteen pounds…FIFTEEN POUNDS!? Three weeks…

        Bet on Gwen's heart?  I thought you were trying to reform! His inner voice argued.

        I thought you wanted me not to.

        This is GWEN!

        Jack looked at Rick and sighed.

***

        "Hey!  Watch your hands lassie!"  Gwyneth rolled her eyes, maybe buying a corset for Brenda was a bad idea, but Gwyneth had told herself that every woman needs supports…and even yearns for it.  That's how she got Brenda back there. 

        The corset had not gone over well; she pretended to faint and threatened the chambermaids to tie the corset at a reasonable tightness. Now she was trying on all the clothes that Gwyneth had brought for her, they were all pants of course, and then some shirts.  Gwyneth knew better than to force Brenda into a skirt. 

        "Well I'm not used to putting pants on ladies, ma'am." One of the chambermaids answered.

        "Hey!  I'm no lady!  Ladies have white skin, large chests that usually look like they're about to eat everything in the room and huge dresses!  I'm no bloody lady!"

        "Brenda!" Gwyneth said, only hearing the complaint.  Brenda stuck her head around the large retractable wall.  "Are you not hearin' her?"

        Gwyneth sighed, "Thank you ladies, I'll be able to take it from here…"  They left quickly, surely happy to. 

She sighed again and walked over to Brenda, "I know how to put my own pants on…" She said covering the bare chest showing due to the corset. 

Gwyneth nodded, "Just come out and show me when you're finished."  Brenda nodded and Gwyneth walked back to the chair she was sitting in with Suzie.  She picked up the small pup and started to pet it again.  It yipped and she heard Brenda growl. 

"That dog woke me up this mornin' Gwen…"

        Gwyneth smiled, "Well then she did what I could not.  You sleep like a rock, Brenda."

        "Eh, it comes in handy when you can hear your father's snoring though the wall."

        "Brenda, why aren't you with your father?"

        "What?"  She said coming out, the pants baggy and the shirt untucked. 

        "Do you like that?" Brenda nodded. "Well…I would think you would want to be with him…"

        "I haven't seen him in sixth months because he took off- then I find out he's been with that rat, Rick?  Then he comes here?  Sorry…I'm not exactly overjoyed to see him.  And anyways, I haven't seen you in fourteen years…"

        Gwyneth paused, "Well he, Rick, and the Turners are coming over for a picnic brunch thing tomorrow afternoon…are you going to be okay?"

        "Oh yea, sure.  It's not like I can't stand being around him or I can't get along with him…I can…kinda.  But yea, no worries mate."

        Gwyneth rolled her eyes, hoping that would be the case for tomorrow.

--------------

Author Thanks:

          OMG!  VICKI TURNER!  I AM SO SORRY I FORGOT TO THANK YOU IN MY LAST CHAPTER!  I'm glad you're reviewing and going to update soon.  And thanks reviewing for ch. 5…the 'good job' thing

          Bitty-Buffy: Omg, you're e*mail to me was cute.  I loved it.  And I take it you like the story so far…

          PED-Sarah: Oh…you don't like it as much…that makes me sad.  If you want to stop reading it, that's okay.  Yea…I kinda did kill Jack…but only Externally!... I'm glad you like Brenda- she thinks her mother died.  She didn't know Beverly was her mom even when she was three…so yea, but she's gunna find out sooner or later. 

          PinkPanther: I'm glad you like it so far.  You like Norry and Bev? Lol.  Me too.  Thanks for the review for Selfish Relations.  And I'm glad you're reviewing.  I missed you.

          Dragonflygirl: lol…thanks…I'm glad you like it so far.

          Dawnie-7: YAY!  I loved writing the flying across the table thing.  It just sound something so many people would do if they were mad, don't you think?

          Emma436: Well I'm glad you're still here…As long as you're not mad at me!  Jack isn't okay…at least not for now- you're right.  But he will be…until next time *smiles*