SayDee27: I'm glad you like it! Sorry I didn't mention you in chapter 7!

Jeyke: You are like my only reviewer any more! Except for SayDee up there...Oh well, with as many stories as there are on PotC, it's very understandable. Jack's so hot when he's arguing...Jack's just plain hot. Heehee. Blackmail is mean, and don't forget it!

Chapter 8

Over the weeks that it took to get to Tortuga Melia began to show her pregnancy. She hated the suggestive comments and rude stares that she received, and dreaded docking in the pirate town, full knowing that the comments would only increase.

She worked hard at whatever Jack would let her , throwing herself into it as comfort. She spent her evenings staring out to sea, wondering what would've happened if Jonathan hadn't been killed, if she had made it to England to live with her aunt until he could save enough for them to live on a seaside villa like they'd planned. It was only then that resentment for her baby hit hard. Jack often spent those times with her, listening to her reminisce about her Jonathan and how wonderful he was. To how she didn't want her baby, not right then, and he comforted her with encouraging words of comfort.

"Jack, when are we getting to Tortuga?"

"I'd say either tomorrow or da next day."

She nodded, a mixture of fear and relief in her eyes.

"That's good."

"Aye." His eyes drifted over her face. She quickly looked out to sea to keep herself from getting lost in them.

"What will we do once we get there?"

"We'll go to Treva's. Her boarding house is probably the safest place in Tortuga."

"That's really comforting."

"I'm sorry Melia. Honest I am. I wish I could take ye to someplace civilized, but..."

"Don't worry, Jack. It's better that you stay out of prison."

"Aye."

Melia fixed her gaze on the horizon line, willing herself not to look at him. To save herself from the enchanting spell of his eyes.

"Jack, what are you going to do for seven months in Tortuga?"

She finally decided that she could look at him. His face was shocked.

"You t'ought I was going to stay on dere fer so long?"

"Well, yes. Actually I did. You mean...?"

Jack mentally slapped himself for not making himself clear earlier. She had thought he'd stay on in Tortuga for so long. Oy, this wasn't going to be pretty.

"I was tinking more along da lines of jest you staying dere."

"By myself?!"

"Yes...?"

He prepared himself for an explosion.

"Me? All alone? In Tortuga? Me, alone? In-in...Tortuga? All by myself? In Tortuga?"

"Uh-huh."

She stared at him for the longest time, her eyes piercing clear through to the core of his being. Hurt drifted over her face like a veil.

"Oh."

She slowly turned away from him and went to the cabin. Not letting him see the tears in her eyes.

It took everything in him not to go to her and comfort her. If he did, he was going to see her tears, the tears made her eyes so large and luminous, he felt like he was staring into her soul, invading her heart. It was so hard. He wanted to hold her again, like he had that one night, but he felt unworthy. Unworthy of her love, of her trust, of her faith in him. She was from a completely different world than his. A world of riches, of pretty things, adoring men, and steadfast friends. His world was that of stealing riches, of stark simplicity, bar wenches, and untrustworthy acquaintances. They led completely different lives. She wasn't meant for someone as crude as he was. She was made to be one the arm for a man that could give her everything and anything. And even if he was worthy, he was forever indebted to her. His father had killed hers. He could never, ever expect her to forget that. Even if she could. he couldn't. And that was why he couldn't go to her. He couldn't let himself fall in love with her.