A/N I do not own anything.
Thank you to my faithful reviewers! I appreciate your support! I'm afraid this may be one of the last chapters unless I get a burst of inspirations soon, so bear with me please!
Here you go, Emily… I know I promised five chapters, but you might have to live with four.
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After Anamaria was pretty much healed to the lengths of his abilities, Jack went back up on deck and watched his crew run around on the rigging, doing various tasks in order to keep the ship running.
Gibbs stood at the helm, but Anne stood next to it, and she was holding a map and pointing to something. Gibbs looked up and noticed Jack, and he said something to Anne. She looked up, and their eyes met.
Anne turned her gaze back to Gibbs and said something, handing him the map, and then she walked over to Jack.
"How is she?"
"Asleep." Jack replied, watching her reaction.
"That's not what I mean."
"Well, she needs to get to a doctor soon."
Anne nodded to show she understood.
"Jack, there's something I need to talk to you about…"
"Well, darling, I'm always here for talking." He grinned, and she smiled back.
"Well, I intend on leaving soon. I was planning on using the treasure to get myself a new ship, one to call my own."
Jack nodded.
"But maybe I should sty, because this whole thing with Anamaria is my fault, I mean, if I hadn't done that, then maybe…"
"Listen, you did it because it needed to be done. Because of you, we're all significantly richer, love. You should be celebrating."
Anne looked slightly irritated now. "There's more to life than treasure."
"Aye, but think about it; money is power. The richer you are, the higher you are in society, and the more your opinion counts."
"That doesn't apply to pirates." She said, a touch of venom lining her voice.
"Aye, but still…"
"Would you quit talking out of your arse? Money doesn't matter!"
Jack smiled slightly. "Aye, but it does. Without all that treasure in there, you won't have your ship. So you have to admit, money counts."
Anne looked furious, because she knew he was right, but wasn't about to admit it. "You've… changed the subject." She pointed out. "We were talking about whether or not I should leave."
Jack was quiet for a moment. "When will you be leaving?"
"As soon as Ana is treated."
Jack grinned. "We still have one more night before we dock, love. Time for a little roll in the hay, if you fancy." Anne grinned and shook her head.
"You never give up?"
"Never."
"Well, that's fascinating. Allow me to swoon over word you say and movement you make. I have fallen madly I love with you." He eyes showed amusement as she said this, in an obvious sarcastic tone.
"No need to be harsh. Plenty of women would love to take me up on that offer."
"Mmmm… plenty of women are fluff brained idiots."
Jack grinned slightly, but his eyes took on a more serious look.
"In that case, I'll ask you to stay. I need someone on this ship to keep me away from all those fluff brained idiots."
Anne smiled. "If you really can't tell the difference between a fluff brained idiot and a crazy hellcat, then I suggest you get some serious help."
Jack shrugged. "That's why I'm asking."
Anne lowered her gaze. "Actually, I guess I'd kind of like to stay a bit longer… keep away from all that responsibility so soon, you know?"
"Would you like some rum, then?" Jack said, holding up a bottle and grinning like a demented monkey. "Loosen up a bit?"
Anne shook her head and gave him a sort of half-grin. "Do you never learn?" She took the bottle from him and finished it, slowly but every last drop. Jack frowned as she handed the bottle back.
"Thought you said you didn't like rum."
"You were challenging me."
"Not challenging you to finish my rum! You didn't have to drink it all!"
"You told me to loosen up! Besides, you offered, and also, it's gone now, so what are you going to do about it?" She had averted her gaze while saying all of this, and now she turned her attention back to him, and laughed out loud. He was holding the rim of the bottle up to his lips, and licking the insides, desperately trying to get whatever else he could out of the bottle.
"You laugh, Red, but rum is the only thing that's always going to stay by my side." Jack told her seriously.
"What about the Pearl? And the Ocean? And Freedom? And Money? And Responsibility? Forgotten all of those, Jack?" Anne said seriously.
He grinned. "Okay, those too. But Rum is the friendliest of all of those."
"Whatever." Anne muttered.
"Captain!" Gibbs called from the wheel.
"Which one?" Anne and Jack called simultaneously.
"Whichever one of you will happen to care that there's a large storm on the horizon!"