Chapter 42

"Pang was attacked by a shark, how he survived is anybody's guess, anyway, he's missing an arm," Jack told her. "But whatever you do DON'T mention it, he starts telling that damn story and it takes a damn gallon of drink to shut him up," he quipped. He chuckled, "Story gets longer and more damn weird every time he tells it too."

Madeline couldn't help but giggle. "Reminds me of someone I know." She licked the juice from her fingers as it ran down her hand.

Jack frowned, "What story have I ever repeated and embellished more every time I told it," he asked.

Madeline began to laugh. "Oh Jack. You love to tell stories. You like to add a lot of flair to them." she said smiling at him.

: "Just to make them more entertaining to whoever I'm telling it too, not to make it sound as if I'm some sort of super human," Jack grumbled.

Madeline let one of her legs drop down to the floor. "Jack. I love listening to your stories. You know that. I was only teasing." she said quietly. "I'm sorry if I upset you."

"I'm not upset," Jack said as he ate his orange. "Maddy can I ask ye something," he asked unable to look at her.

Madeline watched him as he ate. Noticing that he wasn't looking at her. "Aye Jack."

"I feel I've changed ye love, when I... the last night at Will and Elizabeth's place. I think ye see me differently," Jack stammered not sure how to say what was on his mind.

Madeline hugged her knees and looked at the man she loved. "Perhaps ye have Jack. Not that it's a bad thing." She moved to kneel next to him as he sat in his chair. "Jack, please don't beat yourself up for what happened. I don't see you differently. I see you as the man I love and the man determined to find his son at all costs." She laid her head on his leg. "Ye did what ye felt ye needed to do Jack."

"Aye this is true but it doesn't make it right... I think yer going to look at JJ and decide that I'm not the kind of man ye want raising yer son. By the way what does JJ stand for," Jack asked curiously.

Madeline looked up at him. "I wouldn't want anyone but you raising our son Jack." She smiled at him. "Jack Sparrow Junior. He's you in every way Jack."

Jack stood up and went over to a basin of water and washed off the juice from his hands. He was very quiet for a long moment, "I think it's time we went to sleep," he said his voice barely audible.

Madeline watched him. She slowly stood and removed a folded blanket from the bed. She walked towards a small bunk on the other side of the room. "Jack."

"Aye," he muttered without looking at her.

"What else is on your mind?" she asked quietly as she lay down spreading the blanket over her. "Talk to me, please."

Jack sighed, "Don't know if I'm ready to be a father, don't feel like I have what it takes," he said. He laid on his bed fully dressed. He closed his eyes, "And," he let his voice trail off.

Madeline watched him. "And?"

"Nothing Maddy, I shouldn't even be thinking this way," he muttered. "Good night love," he sighed.

Madeline got up and walked over to the bed. She kneeled next to it and took Jack's hand in hers. "Ye have nothing to worry about Captain Jack Sparrow. Ye are going to be a wonderful father to JJ. Better than you think." She stood back up. "Goodnight my pirate love." she said quietly.

Jack held onto her hand, "Stay with me," he whispered. Damn it, he cursed himself but he needed her, didn't want to admit it, felt weak doing it.

Madeline looked at their entwined hands. Her eyes drifted to Jack's. They were closed. "Let me grab the blanket." she stumbled on her words.

"Got plenty of them right here, Maddy if ye don't want to just say so," Jack whispered releasing her. He rolled over on his side. She had every right to feel contempt for him, to be afraid and repulsed by the thought of his touching her. He had no right to be angry but he was... he didn't ever think she would reject him. But that was before, now he had done something so vulgar that it made him repulsed to think about it.

Madeline watched as he turned away from her. She knew what he was thinking. She could see it in his face. She walked over to the other side of the bed and crawled in. She scooted her body so that her back curled into his body. She took a hold of his hand and kissed it tenderly. "I love you Jack Sparrow." she said in a whisper.

Jack held her close to him, "I love ye too," he whispered. He at first feared he'd be unable to control his urge to make love to her, but she felt so good just curled up to him and his arms around her he felt unusually satisfied. "We'll find him, I promise," he whispered in her ear before closing his eyes and drifting to sleep.

Madeline awoke in the middle of the night. She could hear the waves slapping alongside the ship. As she readjusted herself in bed, she felt Jack's arms tighten around her. She smiled. She had ended up facing him during the night. She placed her hand on his beating heart and leaned up and kissed his lips. "Mine forever." she whispered and drifted off to sleep once again.

Jack woke suddenly to the sun shining into the room, "Damn it," he growled and quickly got up. "Maddy, get up, it's morning," he shouted as he dashed from his cabin and headed on deck. He'd not wanted to sleep in as he was planning on taking over for Cotton.

Madeline barely heard Jack's words. She sat up groggily as she heard the door slam in the cabin. She looked and saw sunlight flooding the room. She pulled off her nightgown and hurried to dress. She piled her hair up and under her hat. She strapped on her sword and headed towards the deck of the Pearl. She saw Jack standing at the wheel. Spyglass in hand. "Good morning Captain." she said quietly standing behind him.

"Would have been better had I not overslept. Go up to the crow's nest and watch for me, in a couple of hours we'll get breakfast," Jack grumbled. He was such a beast in the mornings... he needed coffee, no rum, he needed a good stiff drink he thought. He'd sent Cotton, Gibbs and the midget to bed. He told them to take as long a nap as they felt they needed since he'd not relieved them as he should have.

Madeline held her giggles in check as he barked out his orders. "Aye Captain." she said as she turned to do her duty. She quickly turned back. "Do ye have an extra glass Captain? Since mine blew into a million pieces with my ship, I find myself without one."

Jack handed her the one he held, "Here take mine, and quit smirking at me," he growled.

Madeline took it. "Can't help myself Captain Sparrow." she said with a smirk.

"Bloody female," he muttered as she walked away. He smiled to himself, remembering how she'd felt in his arms the night before.

Madeline made her way up to the crow's nest and took her watch. She scanned the horizon for any ships. She didn't see any, but she kept a sharp eye. She glanced down and saw Jack watching her. He quickly looked away. Madeline looked back at the water. She said another prayer for her son and for her and Jack as well. They needed to find him soon for there was no telling what Louis would do to him.