Chapter 32
"Drowning Sorrows"

I slowly made my way over to Jack's rum cabinet, hoping he kept at least a few bottles stashed away. Also, hoping they were not smashed in tiny pieces all over. I felt queasy and needed something to forget that my ship was at the mercy of the depths of the sea.

'Good 'ol Jack, leaving a few bottles stashed.' I thought as I grabbed one in each hand. I made my way over to the small table, which had shifted to the other end of the cabin. To lazy to move it back, I picked up a chair that had fallen over and sat it up straight. Sitting on it, I uncorked the bottle. I took a generous swig, downing almost half the bottle. I set my feet on the table and closed my eyes, I felt as if my life was over. I had nothing left my life, everything, it was gone. I took another drink, feeling the warm liquor fill my stomach. I sat with my back to the door, thinking about what had been lost.

I closed my eyes as a tear escaped my eyes and trailed down my cheek. Why was I being punished? Why was everything I had ever known gone? Another tear escaped, as my whole world continued to crash down. I eyed the rum bottle, downing another swig. I felt the affects of the liquor I just downed almost immediately. I was starting to feel a little better. I leaned the chair back on two legs. I heard the door open with a creak. I knew it was Jack, he had never learned to knock. I didn't expect him to knock on the door of his own cabin. I didn't turn around I didn't want him to see me in this state. My arm came up and wiped away the tears that had escaped, leaving the trails on my face. I put the bottle to my lips, taking another drink.

"Bloody 'ell this place is a mess." Jack commented as he walked around the table, pulling the other chair to the table.

My eyes stayed fixed on the rum bottle I held in my hand, resting it on my leg. We sat in silence for what seemed to be an eternity. Neither of us knew what to say, or how to say it.

"I see ye 'ave found the rum." Jack commented, eyeing the bottle in my hand and the one on the table. I watched his hand come up out of the corner of my eye, as he took it for himself.

"Can I ask ye something?" I asked, not taking my eyes off of the bottle

"Of course, luv."

"Ye ever feel like yer lost in the world? Like ye 'ave been sucked into a black hole and yer screaming and desperately trying to get out. But, ye only find no one is paying attention?" I asked, my eyes trailing up to meet his questioning gaze.

"What do ye mean, luv?" Jack asked

"Never mind." I said quickly, realizing I was about to pour my heart out. I couldn't show a weakness in front of Captain Jack Sparrow, I would probably never live it down.

"Are ye sure?" he questioned

"Aye, I am sure." I nodded.

I took another long, slow drink. Closing my eyes as the burning sensation filled my entire being. Now beginning to feel tipsy, I felt much better. I eyed Jack as he sat there staring across the table at me. I began to feel uncomfortable, shifting slightly in my seat. What did he want to do have a staring contest?

"What?" I questioned finally

"Nothing, juss thinking."

"About what?" I asked, raising a brow

"What we shall do with the prisoners."

"We?" I questioned

"Aye, yer as much captain of The Pearl as I am." He stated with a half smile "Ye shall remain a Captain of sorts, as I will. We will juss remain on the same ship."

"Are yes sure? I don't want to over step my boundaries, this is yer ship." He nodded. I smiled slowly.

"Thank ye, But, to the crew I will be their.. Second captain.. To everyone else who we see ye remain sole possessor of The Pearl, it's only rightful that it remains that way."

"Aye, sounds like an idea." He smirked. "I come up with the best ideas."

I chuckled slightly at his cockiness.

"Never a dull moment wit ye, Gullible."

"Do ye still have to call me gullible? I was anticipating ye would have gotten over that by now."

A small smile came to my lips. "I will never get sick of it, I have caught ye how many times now? Where ye have only gotten me what once?"

"What can I say? I can't help but be memorized by the woman before me. Can't blame me fer trying." He gave a charming smile, his eyes meeting mine.

"Yer relentless."

"Aye, I know this."

"How can ye be so sure of yerself all the time?" I questioned

"It's not all that 'ard, all it takes is a little practice."

"I'm sure ye have had plenty of that." I smirked

"What's that supposed to mean?" he questioned

"Whatever ye take it for."

There was a soft knock at the door, I eyed Jack, hearing whoever was at the door knock again.

"Aren't ye goin to get that?" I questioned, becoming annoyed with the growing pounding on the door.

"It's yer cabin too." He smirked

"COME IN!" I yelled, sick of the bounding.

Gibbs entered the cabin, a beam of sunlight shining through the door.

"Excuse me, Captain.... Jack.." he trailed off. "I need to speak wit ye, in private."

"Aye, in private." Jack repeated, coming to his feet. "I shall return, luv. Don't miss me to soon."

I rolled my eyes as he walked past me, the door closing behind them. I took another drink of rum, emptying the bottle.

'Crap.' I thought to myself. 'I don't feel like getting up'

A smirk came to my lips as I let my chair down; grabbing the bottle that Jack left which was half full. I leaned back on the chair, becoming lost in the many thoughts that ran through my head. From the loss of my ship to how Jack was being so sweet.

'I wonder what he wants.' I thought. 'I think that's more than obvious.'

I heard the door open once again, I didn't wish to question Jack as to what Gibbs had wanted. From the effects of the liquor, I really didn't give a crap. Jack stood behind me; I wondered what he was doing. I hung my head backward, over the top of the chair. Looking at him from an upside down view. The upside down view making the blood rush to my head I began to feel dizzy, losing my balance I felt backward with a thud, my arms flying about around me. I looked up at Jack from the floor; he quickly looked down at me from the piece of parchment he held in his hands. I heard him snicker as he looked down at me.

I smiled slightly. "I meant to do that."

"No ye didn't." he grinned

"Did to." I said stubbornly. "Now help me up."

"Ask nice."

I eyed him. "Why should I do such a thing? I am a pirate I don't ask nicely, I demand!"

"Because I said so." He grinned.

"Well, if yer going to be that difficult I'll just remain her on the floor, its quiet comfortable." I watched Jack shove the parchment in his pocket.

He walked slowly toward me, kneeling down next to me. "How much rum have ye drank, luv?"

"Umm.." I thought about it, I couldn't remember. "1 bottle." I said holding up two fingers with a smirk. "And what ever ye left in here..." I trailed off, holding the bottle up for him to see.

Jack shook his head, eyeing me. "So what yer trying to say is yer drunk?"

"No, I'm not drunk.. I'm only.. Slightly buzzed." I grinned at my choice of words.

A chuckle escaped Jack's lips as he stepped over and held out his hand.

"What do ye want?" I asked

"Take me hand so I can help ye up."

"Oh! I fergot, sorry." I laughed, taking his hand.

Jack pulled me up. I stood unsteadily on my feet as I looked at him.

"Yer a very good looking man." I blurted out without thinking first.

His eyes went wide at my statement, but quickly subsided as a smirk came to his lips. "Thank ye, I get that often."

"Mmm I bet ye do." I said, a smirk of my own coming to my lips, as I looked him over. "Ye will have to excuse me, dear captain, my mind 'as seemed to slip in the gutter."

Jack laughed whole-heartedly at my statement; my eyes went up in wonder, until I realized what I had said. My right hand came and clasped hard around my mouth, my green eyes wide with embarrassment.

I tried hard not to laugh at myself for that statement. That was the last thing I would have said.... well had I been sober. My eyes looked around frantically, trying to find any way to break the tension I began to feel.

"No worries, luv." He grinned. "'appens to me too when I drink to much rum also."

I gave a nervous chuckle as he continued to laugh at my embarrassed expression. I bit my lower lip in thought, how did that just slip out?

"Aye, it happens to ye even when yer sober, I'd suspect."

He stopped laughing at me and eyed me. "Yea so?" he said sheepishly.

I rolled my eyes, shoving the rum bottled I had in my hand into his chest. "'ere drink up."

"Oh, don't mind if I do." He grinned, his fingers snaking around the bottle one by one. Drinking a very generous amount.

"So, what would ye say to us 'avin us some fun?" I questioned with a playful smile. My eyes lighting up as I pushed the loose locks of auburn hair from my face.

"What kind of fun would that be?" he inquired

"Lets juss say, ye...me.. And that lovely bed in the corner." The playful smile still on my lips as I gave him a suggestive look.

"Well this is a change, usually I'm suggesting to ye." He smiled wildly, looking me from hair to toes. "I can get used to this."

I laughed slightly, "we'll I'm sure ye were getting around to it, I juss beat ye to the punch. And as I see it..." I trailed off, stepping closer to him, my fingers running over the material of his shirt. "Wit Ana Maria locked in the brig, there shall be no interruptions."

He nodded, setting the bottle of rum on the table. "Aye, no interruptions."