~Author's note~

Sorry, but despite what all my reviewers are asking, I will not be telling you what happens to Nia, yet. The reasons why are simple, 1) What happens to her comes much later in the story. 2) They have just started dating, (and sleeping with each other) so what happens to her will have a better impact on the readers (and characters) if I wait to tell you. And 3) More important events have not happened yet, like how he actually becomes a pirate, and how he gets his own fleet and ship. So if you really, really want to know what happens to her, you have to stay tuned for a while, but I PROMISE that what happens to her will knock your socks off, and will be well worth the wait.

~Alyssium~

Ch4: Can You Marry a Pirate?

Jack sat in his bed, looking out into the sea through the porthole in his room. At twenty-one, his features were that of a well defined sailor. Anyone who didn't know him would say that he was content, but anyone who did know him would say that he was bored. He had lived 11 years of his life on a ship, and had yet to join in the pirating adventures. He was antsy for action.

He looked up when Nia enter into their now shared room. After a year with her, he was still amazed at how beautiful she looked.

"What are you starin' at?" she asked

"You," was his reply as he pulled her closer. Her lips met his with full force.

"Father wants to see us," she said, pulling away.

"About what?" Jack answered.

"I 'ave no idea."

Jeremiah Black watched Nia and Jack was up the deck towards him, hand in hand. He smiled to himself, those two are perfect for each other.

As the couple came upon him, Jeremiah said,

"Well, I know you two 'ave no clue as to why I asked you 'ere."

"No we don't," replied Nia.

"I 'ave asked you two 'ere because you are now of age."

"Of age for what?" asked Jack.

"Of age to become one of us." Jeremiah replied.

"You mean-"

"Yes, a pirate."

At this, Nia and Jack were both shocked, they had never really considered it before.

"Well, we 'ave to think 'bout this," Nia replied as she dragged Jack away.

"Take your time," replied her father, him and the rest of the crew disembarked the ship.

Nia led Jack towards their room, and shut the door.

"Pirates!" Nia exclaimed,

"Pirates!"

"I know," Jack said, running a hand through his hair,

"But, we do live on a pirate's ship, love."

"Yeah, but can we become them?" she asked, her hand waving at the door.

"What do you want?" Jack asked her.

"I don't know, I 'ave lived my whole life around pirates, and I 'ave always 'ad a sense for adventure, but…"

"You don't know if you really want to be one of them," Jack finished.

"Yeah."

"Well, I know what I want to do," said Jack.

"What?" Nia asked, pacing the room.

"I'm doing it," he replied, noticing how she stopped pacing.

"You're-"

"Yes, Nia, I'm going to be a pirate. I can't explain why I want to except if I tell you about my real father. You see he was a government official and loved church. He never had anytime for me, unless he was beating or yelling at me. I guess I want to become a pirate so I don't end up like him." Jack explained.

"I think I understand," Nia said,

"But I don't want you out there all by yourself…"

"Then become a pirate with me! Together we can help each other!"

"But-"

"But nothing, Nia, I love you, and you love me, if we can be together what's the problem?"

"I guess I always wanted to 'ave a traditional 'ome-"

"Nia, you were born the daughter of a pirate, you will never have a traditional home." Jack interrupted her.

"I-I just need to think," she said as she walked out of the room, leaving Jack all to himself.

How could she not want to be with him? He wondered.

Maybe she just wants to have a traditional home, with a husband and kids… another voice told him.

He paced the room a bit before, settling down on the bed. Slowly he fell into a deep slumber.

Jack walked up the steps of the church, with a song in his heart. He was getting married. Married to the one person that he loved the most, Nia.

He saw her and Jeremiah walk down the isle to meet him. She was gorgeous, he noted, as she took her place beside him.

"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today…" The priest started.

When it came time to say "I do", Jack felt himself swell with pride and confidence.

Jack's dream was interrupted when he hit his hand against the bulkhead in his room. He shot up like a bullet.

Is that what I want? That question and more flooded his mind, Do I really want to marry her? And almost as soon as the questions appeared, his head was able to answer them: Yes I do.

Nia saw Jack emerge from their bedroom. She was about ready to apologize when he walked straight past her and off the ship. Fine then, jack ass, she thought as she went about her duties.

No more than twenty minutes later, Jack reappeared on the ship.

"Nia," he said softly.

'I don't want-"

"Please come here," he interrupted, and she complied when she heard the tone in his voice. He had never used it with her before. She could tell that he was both extremely happy and nervous. Why? her mind screamed.

"What is it?" she asked, and she gasped when he got down on one knee.

"Nia, we have been together for a year, the best year of my life. And I must confess, I have loved you since I first met you, right outside your house. Now I haven't changed my mind about becoming a pirate. I know you would probably marry me, but can you, will you marry a pirate?" he asked, the anticipation from his voice seeping into her heart.

Slowly, she put her hand in his and asked,

"Is there a ring?"

"Yes," he laughed as he showed it to her. It was the most beautiful thing in the world, with an emerald as bright as her eyes.

"I love you Jack, and I think- no, I know- that I can and will marry you." She said as she kissed him. Never had any kiss been filled with so much compassion and love for each other.

"Ahh, the day I proposed to Nia was wonderful, mate. It was the start of a whole new life for both of us. If I had only known what was to come of it, mate, I might have changed it all…"