A/N: Crap. School has begun. So, as feared, updates may become a bit less frequent. But, two chapters posted in as many weeks should help, aye? I was thinking that it might seem like Jack had a surprising lack of emotion upon seeing his daughter for the first time. BUT, I did it on purpose.

QUICK CHARACTER STUDY TO SHOW YOU WHY ): Jack doesn't like to display his emotions for everyone to see, you can tell it makes him uncomfortable. Sure, one-on-one he can comfort people and let them do the same for him, but he doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve. For example, when he regains the Pearl at the end of the movie, everyone is standing around smiling, and he starts looking around and sends them to work, basically. So, naturally, he would wait until he was in private with Juliet and Jacquelyn to explain to Jacquelyn who he was, etc. So I hope that makes sense. On with the chapter. )

Chapter 20: Common Experiences

Jack brought up the rear of the group, his pistol still behind Nathan, though he was starting to understand that he wasn't going to need to use it. Nathan seemed very eager to get away from his father, and Jack intended to find out why. Or, on second thought, he could have Juliet find out for him. Either would do.

They were quickly reaching the edge of the forest, and beams of moonlight shot through the trees. The crew was leading the way, followed by Juliet, who had a tight grip on Jacquelyn, then Nathan, who hurried along uncomfortably, and lastly, Jack, who strided along leisurely behind everyone.

Moments later, they came out of the forest and stumbled onto the sand. The Black Pearl sat waiting for them, docked just offshore. Two rowboats were sitting at the edge of the water. Jack split the group into two sections, with himself, Nathan, Juliet, and Jacquelyn, who had fallen asleep in her mother's arms before she could question the strange man who accompanied them. They headed towards the ship in the first boat, with the rest of the crew clambering into the second.

By the time they reached the Pearl and climbed aboard, it was about midnight. Juliet was exhausted, Jacquelyn was completely knocked out, and Nathan was stumbling and loosing his footing a bit. Jack remained quite awake, but decided to accomodate to the rest of his companions.

"Jules," Jack said softly, tuning towards her and gently running his fingers through Jacquelyn's hair. "Why don't you take her into my room, I'll be in in a few minutes." He smiled lovingly at the sleeping child, and Juliet mused over the fact that she had never seen him look that way at anyone before, not even her. She grinned and turned on her heel, heading towards the door to his cabin. Then she turned back again, coming up behind Jack.

"Um, Jack?" Juliet called. He turned around quickly, and raised his eyebrows, wondering what she wanted. She gestured for him to come closer, and he stepped up right in front of her. She leaned to his ear and whispered, "What about Nathan?"

When she brought her face back in front of Jack, he saw a look on her face that seemed to be battling between distrust and pity, and pity seemed to be winning. Jack wondered what Juliet knew that he didn't, because he didn't really think they had much reason to pity Nathan. However, standing on the middle of the deck with the majority of the crew around was definitely not the opportune moment to ask.

"No worries, love," Jack spoke quietly as he placed a hand on her arm reassuringly. "I'll get him set." Juliet still looked worried, and Jack realized she wouldn't leave the deck until she saw that Nathan was safe for the night.

"Nathan, over here," Jack yelled over the noise of the crew as he waved Nathan over to them. Nathan hadn't said a word since boarding the Pearl, and he seemed to be wandering around in an awe-induced trance. He seemed to come back to the real world, however, as he walked over to Jack and Juliet. "I suppose you want a place to sleep, eh? There's an empty room down toward the bow on the starboard side, you'll find it. Now don't go jumpin' over the edge of the ship in the middle of the night, savvy? Just stay there unless ye need something. If ye do, go to Gibbs, he'll be at the wheel. Do we have an accord?" Jack asked, offering his hand to Nathan. Nathan took it firmly in his own, "Agreed."

"Agreed! Off you go, then!" Jack said merrily as he pointed Nathan towards the empty room. "Satisfied?" he asked jokingly as he turned back to Juliet, only to find her already opening the door to his room. "Guess so..."

After getting the crew set for the night, Jack headed back to his room, opening the door quietly and stepping lightly inside, so as not to wake Jacquelyn. Juliet had layed her down on the bed while she set up a bed and blankets for her on the floor.

"'Ello, love," said Jack quietly as he shut the door behind him.

Juliet looked up and smiled, "Hi, Jack." She finished setting up the small bed for Jacquelyn, and she got up to move her to it. Juliet gently slipped her arms under Jacquelyn's shoulders and knees, and carefully set her down, covering her protectively with blankets. She looked up only to find Jack gazing intently at Jacquelyn's peaceful face.

"See a resemblance?" Juliet whispered. Jack nodded, seemingly at a loss for words. "Just wait until the morning! Then you'll really be able to see her. She's so much like you, Jack, she even has your eyes." Juliet looked up; glancing at the eyes she was speaking of. "It's funny, Jack. Even all those years without you, I felt like I always had a part of you with me, through Jacquelyn. When I looked into her eyes, I could see a part of you looking back at me..." A solitary tear rolled down her cheek as she reached out and stroked Jacquelyn's hair. "I've missed you so much, Jack..."

Very quickly, Jack's hands found hers as he led her to his bed. They climbed in, just relaxing underneath the covers. Jack put his arm around Juliet, and leaned back sighing, seeing that she was obviously overwhelmed with having her daughter back in her care, and having him around at the same time. Jack tipped her face towards his, staring intently into her eyes, and wiping her tears away.

"I missed you, too, love," Jack whispered, barely audibly. He slowly closed the space that was left between them, kissing her softly at first, then they both seemed to completely let out their pent up feelings for each other, leaving no empty space between them. When he broke the kiss, he found Juliet's eyes still closed, as though she was savoring every moment of it. She finally opened her eyes and smiled, giving Jack a chance to ask the question he desperately needed an answer to.

"Jules, I have to ask, why are you so concerned about Nathan? The lad's not done much to help ye..." Juliet smiled warily to herself then looked back to Jack.

"Let's just say we have some experiences in common, Jack," she said mournfully. "We'll talk about it in the morning, okay? I'm exhausted." With that she closed her eyes, and laid her head on his shoulder, deciding for him that this was okay. Jack soon followed suit, resting his head on hers, and falling into dreams about the woman dreaming next to him.

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A/N: This chapter really isn't very good. And it's uber short. And it doesn't really have a point. Next chapter should get more fun in. My deepest apologies, mates. For my two lovely reviewers, i'll send you guys Jack's bathing suit calendars. hehh. Anyway, I've got just about no time to write during the week, and my weekends are busy. But don't worry, the story WILL get done. I refuse to go more than two weeks without updating, unless I have more work than usual. I bid you adieu! Please review if you read!

Dawnie-7: Don't we all? You'll like Nathan even more soon, really sorry I haven't been clear yet. Maybe you can guess, I'm not sure... But I know what I'm doing, not to worry ;). And I'm really glad you liked my other one! It'll take me forever to update, but its okay. Hope your fingers have regained their flexibility, lol.

Deyna Ian Bloom: Yay! More stories! What bad words? Lol. And I choose to not comment on that question of marriage. You'll have to wait and see. ;) An incentive to keep reading, lol.