Jack places a hand on yours and electricity seems to run up and down your arm but you hardly notice. The nervousness begins to gather in a ball in the pit of your stomach.

"Well, it's really 'Lizabeth's place ter ask but she wants ter know if ye'll be her maid o' honour," he says. You plaster on a smile for him.

"Sure" you say not-so-enthusiastically. Jack smiles anyways.

"I'll tell 'er then," he says and heads out. You just couldn't say no. The knot in your stomach unravels itself and you sigh. You sink onto the bed, and get wrapped up in your thoughts. The high seas sure have become boring. Yeah, being rich was great, but what use is it when you're surrounded by water?

"Oh, luv, I forgot ta mention, I bought a house," Jack pops in and leaves again, without seeing your reaction.

You stare at the doorway.

Was he drunk?

A house? Where? When? The more you think, the more excited you become. A house! Somewhere to settle and build a life. Hopefully, with Jack.

Maybe you'd been deluding yourself the whole time. Jack's a pirate, lover of the high seas, and the Black Pearl. What was so enticing about making a life with you and a house on the land? A pirate, you remind yourself, how many pirates had you heard of settling to have kids? Kids? Why were you suddenly thinking of having kids with Jack? You shake your head.

"You should have more confidence in yourself, Mrs. Callahan said you were beautiful, would a woman like that lie?" you mutter to yourself, quietly thinking you sound like a lunatic. You get up and begin to pace around, staring at the floorboards beneath you.

"One, two, three, four, and five…" you say and twirl round.

"Er, lass?"

You spin to see Gibbs.

"Yes?" you answer. He takes off his hat and bows.

"I wanted ta properly thank ya for the ring, I 'onestly love it, and congratulations," he says, twisting the new gold ring on his pinky.

"Well, your welcome Mr. Gibbs," you say and curtsey back "Congratulations for what?"

"For getting engaged."

:::::

You choke and stumble back onto the bed.

"Engaged? I'm not engaged, who would I get engaged to?" you mutter incoherently. Gibbs has rushed to your side and holds your arm.

"Well, Jack, o' course…oh no. I haven't done it, he hasn't asked you?" Gibbs breathes out a few curse words and says "Pardon me French, m'lady, but he must've asked you?"

"No" you say feebly as he feels your forehead and checks to see if his pulse is still normal. The ship suddenly shakes and a wine glass shatters on the floor.

"Oh no" you murmur and bend down to pick up the glass shards when the ships shifts uncomfortably again. A piece slips out of your hand and scraps your fingers. Two drops of blood splatter against the floor silently and you lick the blood leaking off your finger. Gibbs helps you up again and runs out onto the deck. You rush behind him, stumbling with the waves, and notice how dark it is. A huge crash resounds behind you. Right now, you really wish Jack wasn't the captain, you worry he has to be up here in this weather steering the ship…

"Jack!" you scream as a flash of lightning hits very close to the ship. You see Jack yell to the man next to him to take the wheel, as he rushes down to you. Gibbs continues up the steps to help the man steer. They pull the wheel against the ships direction when it begins to pour heavily.

SPLATTER! KERPOW!

You shake as Jack reaches you, clothes thoroughly soaked already.

"What are ye doin' out her, luv?" he yells over the thunder and lightning, taking you into his arms, and slowly helping you towards his cabin.

"I had to see if you were okay! You have to steer the ship, don't you?" you yell back as he pulls you closer to the cabin.

"I have to, it's me ship, luv, I have to protect me crew," he shouts. You dig your heels into the hard wood boards.

"Then I'm staying with you!"

"Ye can't! Ye'll be safe in me cabin!"

"I won't! I'm not safe unless I'm with you Jack!"

He looks at you. And in the pounding wind, rain, lightning and chaos, you see his eyes staring at you with acceptance and understanding.

"All right!" he shouts again. Jack and you both double back, Jack swearing slightly as you slip up once, but manages to catch you. After that, he clings a little harder.

He grasps the wheel from the man, who turns out to be Will, and you hold on to the railing. Will looks at you and then to Jack. He dismiss' any assumptions and focus' on the task at hand. You jump out of the way of the next wave to smash against the boat when your heel slips on the water and you fall, sliding a little ways down. You see Jack jump to action and feel his arms wrap around you, pulling you up protectively. You glance back to see Will steering again. Jack helps you towards the railing.

"I've been meaning to ask you something luv," Jack yells and places your arms around his waist while he holds onto the railing.

"Oh yes? And that would be what, would I like a drink of water?" you sputter. Jack laughs and you can feel his heart beat. You laugh too. "Elizabeth is sitting in her nice, warm little cabin, and I'm up here getting soaked to death, because I need to be with the man I love!" you yell. You smile and kiss Jack. He smiles broadly.

"No, I been meaning ta ask if ye'd marry me," he bellows loudly. Will laughs over the wind. You stare at him for a second.

"Of course!" you reach up and hug Jack. He hugs you, letting go of the railing and brings you back to his cabin.

:::::

"(You)! Wake up! It's the day before my wedding! We must get your dress!" Elizabeth yells at you and Jack. Jack snaps awake with an "Eh?" and you glare at Elizabeth slightly. Here you were, enjoying Jack's arms, his legs wrapped around yours, and Elizabeth just up and decides to ruin this perfect moment? The first word that comes to your mind: Sabotage. And then marriage. You're getting married!

But sabotage first.

:::::