Jack was encased in his room, lounging across his bed. Without realizing it, he'd been there for hours - reading of all things. Not many knew of his reading ability. He felt as though, as a proper pirate, he should be properly ashamed of it. But he couldn't help it. His father had insisted he get some form of an education growing up, and he'd been unable to escape books ever since.

There was a knock at his door, and without thinking Jack shoved the book under his pillow. "Yes?"

William opened the door slightly. "Jack? There's a girl here to see you." Something in William's eyes looked concerned. "I…" He stopped, not sure how much he was allowed to say.

Jack's eyebrows rose slightly. He had his suspicions that William was a bit of prude. "For god's sake, let her in William. Don't leave the poor girl alone."

"But Jack-"

He was cut off as Isabella flew into the room, flinging herself at Jack as though he'd been away for months and months, in a war. She landed square on top of him, causing Jack's head to snap back and hit the headboard painfully. With pouting lips, Isabella turned to William, still standing in the doorway. "Privacy?" It was an order, not a request.

Before Jack had time to gather himself sufficiently enough to protest, William had gone. Instead he turned to Isabella, who had sprawled herself beside him, fingers playing on his chest. "What in the name of…" He took a deep breath. "What are you doing here?"

Isabella shrugged, uncaring. "I thought I would visit you." Her fingers were playing with the frayed strings that were meant to hold his shirt closed.

Jack pulled away, rising from the bed and moving to the beautiful mahogany desk across the room. He pulled out the cushioned chair and sat on it, resting his head in his arms. "Unbelievable," he muttered.

Annoyed, Isabella sat up, looking at him over the headboard. "Are you tired of me already? Would you prefer me to wander home and tell my father?"

Jack looked up sharply, annoyed as well. "I would prefer you to stop acting like a simpering little rich girl, because I know you are better than that."

Isabella glared at him, as though daring him to prove it. Then, gradually, her expression softened. She rose from the bed and knelt before Jack. "Jack, my father has no reason not to trust me. Who from around here would possibly be bothered to tell him of my comings and goings. And even if they did, it would be my word against their's… I've had lots of practice feigning ignorance."

Jack looked at her almost hopefully. "Nobody suspects?"

For a fleeting moment Isabella thought of her brother, Emilio. Then she pushed him out of her mind. "Nobody."

Jack still wasn't entirely convinced. "Yes, but what if…"

Isabella reached up, pulling him toward her, and kissed him.

"As you wish," he agreed, without control.

L'AMOUR

He wasn't sure how much later it was when he heard Isabella awaken, rush around the room, and leave. He was awake, although he had pretended not to be, instead listening to the rustle of the fabrics of her dress. Even after she had gone, he didn't move. He had the horrible feeling that he was in too deep to get out.

Jack was so absorbed in his thoughts that he never heard the knock at his door, nor did he hear it quietly creep open. William stood in the doorway for a moment before speaking quietly. "What are you doing?"

Jack was so startled that he didn't even have the chance to pretend he was sleeping. Instead he tried for his usual Sparrow charm. "Lounging, of course. Are captains not allowed that luxury?"

William gave him a Look. Jack briefly wondered if William had experience with the Look, because he was awfully good at it. "Jack, what are you doing with that girl?"

Although he knew that William was right, Jack immediately became defensive. He sat up on the bed. "Well William, when a man and woman meet…"

William gave him a dirty look. "I meant what are you doing with her? Jack, she's money."

"I know!" Jack threw up his arms in exasperation and flopped backward onto the bed. "I'm mad."

Unable to help himself, William grinned. He moved to sit beside Jack on the bed. "Of course you're mad. That' s who you are. The mad Captain Jack Sparrow."

Jack sat up, glaring at him. "I should throw you overboard."

William continued grinning. "Only if you could catch me."

Ah, so William had a mischievous streak… this could be used to Jack's advantage… But not now. "Stupid beautiful, irresistible women," he muttered to himself.

William sighed sympathetically. "If you'd like, I can keep her away. I'll tell her your busy."

Jack looked skeptical. "Doing what, exactly?"

William shrugged. "Captain-y things. That sounds quite important."

Jack's mouth twitched slightly. "I wish you all the luck in the world with that one. That girl is as wild as all get out. You won't be able to keep her off for long."

William shrugged again. "We could get drunk."

He was answered with a sly grin from Jack. "Now you're speaking sensibly."

L'AMOUR

It wasn't a long time before Jack was very, very very, very very very, very, very very drunk. He stared at William as though seeing him for the first time. "You know mate," he slurred. "You be my best mate. Mate."

William laughed. "Jack, you've barely known me for a week."

"It doesn't matter!" Jack roared, swinging his mug and sloshing some of the drink. "I've got a good feeling about you. And my good feelings are always right. I've got the seventh sense."

"The seventh sense?"

"Aye! Or p'haps it's the sixteenth. Yes, I believe that's the one I've got."

William laughed. "Well, I certainly hope you find a cure for it."

"Why thank you, lad. But 'tis nothing to laugh about. Why, just the other day I met with the sexth since. Actually, he quite frightened me. But d'you know what he gave me?"

"What's that?" William asked, not truly paying attention.

"Jack scratched his head. "I've quite forgotten. Ah well, more rum! Drinks all around!"

"Of course," William agreed. "I'll get right on that."