Disclaimer: I don't have permission to use Jack. Wish I did...but I don't.

AN (5/20): Sorry it took me so long to type this up... Tell me if you think this is poetic justice or an example of irony. And if you think its a good end to all of these one shots. And what a jerk he was, if you think that. Heck, just review.

One Night Stands: Number Eight

I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. Of course, everyone has made a lot of mistakes; it is part of what makes us "better" than the Animal Kingdom, right? I can't say that I'm the only one that makes mistakes. The ways humans compensate for mistakes has always fascinated me, on top of it. There are the simpering fools that hide in their homes, avoiding social condemnation, until people forget about their mistakes. That's how they "rectify" them. I find that to be completely ridiculous, putting things off until they disappear into the annuls of time. They never actually disappear, do they? I've been a fool and have done that a few times, yes, but I generally now try to face up to my mistakes. Courage is what makes a man a man, after all, and courage is gained by bucking up to mistakes and facing all of that condemnation...

I really didn't feel like acting as a man as I slowly walked towards that cheerful little cottage that was full of so many bitter and sweet memories. I'd told her that I would see her again yesterday. That didn't happen. After having one or two drinks (maybe it was five or six) in the local tavern, I'd finally gotten enough courage to face that little angel again after she kicked me out of her cottage in a rage the other day. I'd slept that off for a bit (she didn't like it when I had anything to drink) and had worked up the courage again, mostly sober. So, I went to her cottage that evening. Then that horrible Jezebel had seduced me, abused me, and overall been a real witch to me until I'd escaped sometime early that morning. I don't really know how I got away from that woman (because she had injured me quite badly) but I did get away.

After I was supposed to meet the fair maiden in her cottage, sadly. It took me a few more drinks to muster up enough courage to face her after standing her up. But the Pearl was set to leave next week and I hated having loose ends, so to speak. I also wanted to apologize for hurting her feelings so badly. I'm not even sure why she threw me out in the first place, but I've learned not to question the acts of women. It only leads to sleeping somewhere uncomfortable. I did have a sneaking suspicion it was something to do with the fact that I tried moving too fast earlier and she had sensed I was trying to make a "conquest" out of her, in a moment of weakness. I didn't really want this to be a one night stand (unless, of course, she was lacking in a particular area) because something was happening to me. It was weird, disturbing, and disgusting. Whenever I saw her, I showed the common symptoms of falling in love.

Falling in love... it was deplorable and enchanting, enlightening and overwhelming, enjoyable and depressing, and just all around the most glorious-miserable thing I'd ever done in my life. I had quite a reputation with women... how could I be so weak as to fall in love with just one? Yet... I had. And I wanted to yell it to her across the road as I neared her home. Maybe I could win her. A lot of captains and pirates had a wife at some port, constantly waiting for their return. Couldn't I?

I reached her door and knocked three times, in a particular pattern. She slowly opened it and regarded me for a moment as I explained how someone had robbed me yesterday, which was why I was bruised and had ugly welts and cuts all over. It was then that her sympathy kicked in and she invited me inside her suddenly very cheerful little house.

She was wearing the mauve dress I'd bought for her and almost looked like she'd been crying, in the fading light. Maybe she had been worried about me, maybe she'd been reading that book of poetry I'd given her. It didn't matter. It gave me a lot of courage to know she was probably worried about me. She looked like an absolute goddess. The ruby necklace I'd stolen for her was gleaming in the fading light and the candy I'd bought her was on an end table near a red sofa, open. The sweets had been an apology for a rather lack-luster night at a tavern. I don't really know why I thought it was a good idea to take her to eat in a tavern, but it had seemed like a good idea at the time. Another one of my countless mistakes.

She quickly tended to a few of my wounds before asking me if I wanted to stay for supper. No matter that it was quite late... I'd managed to get in! I was on top of the world. My charm still worked, didn't it? Anyway, I'd agreed and then cooked her a meal. If she was going to be my wife that stayed in a port, it didn't matter if I fixed her a meal because I'd only have to do it infrequently.

After sharing a romantic dinner with candlelight, we'd gone into the front room and sat down on the sofa. We talked for a long time. About nothing, really, but it meant a lot to me. Not many people enjoy listening to the truth about me, but she did. And then I'd kissed her, she kissed me back, and I knew that we could go that extra step.

It didn't hit me until I woke up that she'd seemed rather quiet, during all of that talking. And she'd also looked almost like she'd been slapped... but that didn't make any sense. Until I realized that I was alone in her bed. I'd blown it with the woman I thought I loved. She'd used me for who-knows-why and then left. After I got dressed, I realized she was gone for good. She'd taken all of her stuff away. Maybe she'd slept with me to spite me... I don't know. But I'd become the one night stand, eh? Irony. I hate that word.

Jack: Well, I hope the last one was a bit on the scary side… She was insane. But that's okay. She got what she wanted and is probably happy. Thanks for the review an' I'm glad you got your computer back.
Raven-Rain: Elizabeth is the crazy one. I wouldn't be able to resist those dark eyes of his, frankly. They'd be the thing to get me. Maybe Elizabeth is just…umm… too obsessed with Will. Yeah. Or something. Glad you enjoy these one shots so much and I hope you like the ending. Thanks for the review!
AttackingHentaiChibisLoveFluff: Insanity is a way of life, I agree. I'm insane too. Otherwise I wouldn't be writing these sort of insane characters. But I liked your insanity rant and I think that Martini is a good name for a kitty. Thanks for the review!
Raisin: Well, I hope you can see why Jack is being a goober. Imagine, being in love with a woman and yet spending time with other women… Silly. He's a git. But that's okay, he's still hot.
Thanks for the review as always, m'dear. I enjoyed reading it.
Daisy: She did have serious issues, didn't she? That's the lump sum of all of our obsessions with Jack, right there, embodied in dear Number Seven. Thank you for the review. You get a bouquet of flowers, 'cause its Friday.
Exile: Well…I'm glad you like it.:) I hope you enjoyed the rest of the chapters, too. These have been rather fun to write, actually. And thanks for the review. I like knowing when people enjoy reading my work.
CrazyPirateGirl: I updated fast last time because I knew it would be a long wait until this one got up. Just kidding…sometimes I'm more inspired than others. I was rather proud of #7's craziness, frankly. Makes me wonder how insane I really am, if I can write like her. But she did do what she thought was necessary. And now this story is over…
Arien Belthil: Apparently she is one of those people who will self-mutilate themselves to get some, as the slang goes. Don't worry, she didn't do any lasting damage to Jack. And I don't plan on ever having anyone that insane in my stories again. No promises, though. Thanks for the review!
The lady of the shadows: Good luck on your exam scores! I hope you get the highest score! And thank you for the review! And I like using exclamation points today! At least, in your response! Anyway, thanks for the review and I'm glad you liked the insane one!
Mystic Moon Maiden: Well, I'm glad that you liked the insane one, even though she was, well, insane. And she was lonely. Good job on picking that up. Glad you like all my differing characters…I channel them or something. If that's even the word I want. But thanks! Since you were the first one, you get some Tootsie Rolls! Woo!