Chapter Five

Jack swung open the door to Haven's Gates and let out a sharp laugh at the sight that awaited him. Lorelei was drinking her rum directly from the bottle, her leg hiked up on the chair beside her as she railed at the top of her lungs about suffering the company of prudes and dandies. "Lorelei love, ye decided to punish 'im by drinking every man in the room under the table in the first three minutes you are here? Smarter to pace yerself darling. Ye know what happened th' las time ye got so carried away."

Lorelei scowled and broke her tirade long enough to change its direction and start in on Jack himself. "Who asked ye Sparrow? Curse ye for telling Da about him."

"Curse me? Ah love, sticks and stones, but ye know ye would want him to know his son was alive." Jack pulled up a seat and nodded to the bartender to bring him a bottle as well. He took a long pull from the bottle before setting it down and smirking at her. "Why, If I didn't know ye better, I'd think ye'd developed a soft spot fer the boy."

Lorelei almost choked on her gulp of rum, she brought the bottle down and wiped her mouth on her sleeve. "Ever say that again Sparrow and I'll cut out yer tongue." Her voice was even and serious. How dare the man insinuate that she would ever feel like that about a man who had scorned her twice.

"I insinuated nothing darling. I said I knew ye better then that. There be no way that my fiery Irish pirate lass would be fallin' for the likes of Will Turner. I must say however I am quite intrigued as to what e's done ta put ye in such a fine mood."

Lorelei shrugged, that was something she did not want to get into with Jack. For a start who knew when Jack's odd sense of honour would kick in. He might feel the urge to harm the boy if he knew what he'd done. Lorelei felt a grim sort of satisfaction at the thought of Jack clobbering Bill's son. "He kissed me a time or two."

Jack stifled a laugh and raised an eyebrow instead. "'E kissed ye? That be all? I'd've thought ye would enjoy a kiss or two from a nice lookin' boy like that. Ye were never backward about bein forward before darling, and I know the ladies find 'im quite pretty."

Lorelei shot a dagger look at Jack. "Tha problem was not on me part. It was on his. He pushed me away after each one. He made it very clear that I be just some dirty little pirate who he was too good for the likes o'."

Jack raised another eyebrow and bit the inside of his lip. So that was the bee in her bonnet. "Aye. Now it all makes more sense. He be a prude, and you took it personally. Right ye are too love. No use wastin' such a lovely woman on a man that doesn't give inta impulse, but then, ye never was one ta suffer fools or gentlemen." Jack raised his bottle and took another long pull, not surprised at all when she didn't respond; trying to figure out if she should be insulted or complimented. "One thing though love... seems he treated you the same way he did 'is lady by saying no, I reckon that means 'e doesn't quite look down on ye as much as ye think. If 'e did, 'e'd not of turned ye away and taken yer body as a strumpet with no regrets."

Lorelei snorted, used to Jack's turn of phrase and subtle digs. "He may be all that Jack, but I know fer a fact he be hating me. He made that clear." She tossed her head. "Where be the Pearl? I didnae see her as we were entering tha harbour."

"She be on 'er way ta Tartuga. Anna Maria be captainin' 'er. I wanted ta be here ta welcome ye home."

"Ye trusted pirates with the very ship it took ye ten years ta reclaim?" Lorelei took a steady pull on her bottle, her eyes scanning the room for potentials.

"Aye. They proved themselves when they came back fer me. And if I'm wrong, I'll find 'em, and they know it." Jack laughed merrily and leaned back in his chair lazily. "Ye'll not find anyone half as pretty as Will here darling."

Lorelei picked up a nut from the bowl in the centre of the table and threw it at Jack. "I not be looking for a Will. If pretty means prudish then I don't be wanting that. He probably be a eunuch anyways."

Jack's lips twitched and he reached lazily for the bottle from the table again. "Now don't be tellin me yer that out of character that ye didn't even manage ta find that out."

"Shut yer mouth Sparrow. Don't ye have someone else ye can bother?" She snapped grumpily, clearly not in the mood for his brand of teasing.

Jack grinned unrepentantly at her and winked. "Nae. I have just been waitin' fer the chance to bother ye some more. And don't be underestimatin' Will Ruby. He be a good kid, and a fine fighter. His heart is good, ev'n if he were raised a bit stiff. Ye'd be surprised how quick his pirate blood turns on when there's need."

Lorelei sculled the rest of her bottle." Then if I ever be in a fight I'll be sure to call on him." Her tone indicated that the last thing she would ever do was ask Will Turner for anything. "When the Peal comes back, and ye be sailing out again can I come with ye?"

"Come with me? Ye have yer own ship lass. So it be bad enough ye be willin ta tuck tail 'n run? Never thought I'd see the day." Jack shook his head and set his hat on the table with a flourish of solemnity. "Yer father will be right disappointed. He's spoken of naught else fer the whole time ye've been gone but havin his two children finally together as one happy family."

"The Maiden belongs to Bill; I can't just be sailing off in her." Lorelei shrugged. "I not be turning tail and running. Before I stayed here fer Bill. Adventure calls ta me Jack and now that Will be here I can indulge in the stirring."

"I'll not say no ta ye Ruby, but I think ye be wrong te leave so soon. William will be sad ta see ye go. But he got the Maiden fer YOU Ruby, so I'm thinkin ye can just explain it ta him and he'll be givin' ye leave fer yer adventurin'."

Lorelei twisted the lacing of her shirt around her fingers. "But I don't be wanting to go alone."

Jack nodded and reached out to grasp her hand. They had finally reached the true issue. "So now we get to the heart of it. Ye DO feel that young Will Turner has taken yer place don't you?"

"Threes a crowd Jack. Especially with Will's feelins towards me."

"Ruby love, Bill's heart is mor'n big enough fer both of his children. As fer William, even if he DID feel that way fer ye, which I KNOW he doesn't, you are still part of the family whether you wish it or not. Bill took ye as his own, no turnin back on that one and no less a tie than blood itself."

Ruby slammed her bottle down on the table hard. "I wish people be stopping telling me that Bill loves me and that Will doesn't feel the way I think. I KNOW Bill loves me. And I think I be the only one who was there in that cabin on the times Will rejected me so I believe I know what he feels fer me. I also be knowing that Bill and Will have ten years to catch up on and they need to do that in private."

Jack leaned back in his chair and just smiled. She would do whatever she wanted to, and would not listen to anyone, but then that was his Ruby. He'd not really expected anything less. "Obviously ye know the way of it and I be out of line, so I will just shut me mouth and ye can do whatever ye deem best as ye no doubt will anyway. As fer sailin' with me, ye know ye are always welcome, and ye know I'd be thankful fer the company as well."

Ruby grinned, thanking him for understanding with her eyes. "I stole ye a present at Port Royal." She was determined to change the subject away from matters personal to her.

Jack's eyes twinkled at that thought. "Stole a present fer me? I am touched."

Lorelei motioned to the bar keep to bring some more rum. "Yes a nice big hat. It screamed yer name when I saw it."

Jack tossed his head back and laughed at that, at the same time shaking his head at the barkeep halfway to the table. "Ye are a gem Ruby." He laughed raucously at his little pun and then finally got himself under control at the glare she was giving him. "What? I promised yer father that I'd be havin' ya there fer dinner. I canna break me word. He'll be sore enough at me fer agreein' ta let ye sail with me."

"Since when have ye done things because people wanted ye to?" Lorelei snapped. "I don't feel like going to Bill's place. Tryin ta eat while someone makes a judgement be stomach turning."

Jack chuckled, hardly turned off by her bad temper. "I care what Bill thinks and ye know it, and I like Will as well. And fer someone that is so angry at him makin' judgements, ye sure are makin' a lot of em yerself."

"I don't have ta take this Jack." She rose from the table, tears in her eyes which she rapidly blinked away. Even Jack saw things from only Will's point of view. So she'd lost her only real friend as well. She slipped through the rowdy pirates towards the stairs, and the room she'd booked.

Jack followed her and seized her arm pulling her up the rest of the stairs and into her room where he pulled her into his arms. "Forgive me Ruby. Ye know me penchant fer stickin' me foot in me mouth. It's obvious ye be hurtin', so tell Uncle Jack about it."

" I don't feel like talking bout it. Every time I do I just get told how wrong I am ta be feelin it. "Lorelei pulled away, the first time in her life she'd ever withdrawn from Jack Sparrow.

"I swear to ye Ruby, I will do nothing but listen. I'm sorry I hurt ye darlin' It wasn't my intent."

"What's there ta say. I've said it." She threw herself face down on the bed, "I've been told I be wrong so I'll just say nothing."

Jack bit his tongue. It was worse than he thought if she was truly upset about thinking Will looked down on her. He knew she was wrong though, but he'd not say it again. Not now anyway. He eased down beside her and stroked her back reassuringly. Sometimes he forgot just how young she still was. She was so mature for her age, and had seen more than her share, but she was still only eighteen after all. "I'm sorry Ruby love. I didn't realise ye were hurtin' so bad. I take it you found out just how lonely bein' a captain can be?"

Ruby nodded, her face buried into the moth eaten pillow. Somehow she'd never pictured Jack being lonely. He never showed sadness. He's risked everything to regain the status of Captain. Jack lay down beside her and pulled her into his arms. "The freedom is a beautiful thing Ruby, but I always warned you everything comes with a price."

She nodded again, indeed he had. She'd expected a price, but for someone who'd never really had anyone she'd not realised that the price was loneliness, she'd always lived with it but she hadn't expected the intensity of it.

"Ye've always tried to go it alone, but ye've forgotten, you aren't alone Ruby. William and me, we love ye and we'll always be here ta return to. All these years, that's what's kept me goin ye know. That I had the two of ye. I was foolish enough as a boy to think I would be okay alone, but then I realised what I'd been missing now ye are under me skin completely. I have mor'n enough treasure now ta settle. It's why I'm in no hurry ta leave Haven. I will never leave the sea, she's me mistress and always will be, but a family was something I didn't ever dream I'd have, and I can't bear to let it go now."

"Ye always had tha Pearl to anchor ye. I've got nothing." Ruby murmured into the pillow.

"I spent the last ten years without the Pearl love, twas YOU that anchored me, then and now. I got the Pearl back, but I realised fast that she wasn't what she once was ta me."

"Ye risked everythin for her."

"I risked everything to avenge yer parents' love, and ta free Bill."

Lorelei stiffened, she knew Jack well enough to know that was part of the reason, but not all of it. He loved the Pearl more then anything and as kind as his words were, she knew him well enough to know that he was saying them to make her feel better, in reality though they were making her worse." "Maybe ye should go back ta Bill's place now."

"I'm not leavin ya darlin' Savvy? And I not be sayin' I didn't want the Pearl back too, and I love 'er don't doubt it, but when I saved that shot fer Barbossa, that was fer yer ma."

Lorelei winced as the screams that haunted her dreams invaded her mind. "What not fer the mutiny?"

"Do ye really think that ranks anywhere near on par with what he did to ye Ruby? I saw the look in yer eyes, the reflection of the flames in yer eyes and I hear the screams of both of ye ever time I close me eyes. I have me boat back, but Barbossa will ne'er kill another soul nor leave another child an orphan that be what was worth riskin' me life."

Lorelei had never in her entire existence heard Jack Sparrow sound so serious, the man usually played the fool so that you couldn't second guess his motives, his moods or his plans. And she had never even tried. She squeezed his hand tightly in thanks, but she was still unable to put away the ghost of her mother. She shifted till she rested her head on Jack's chest and let the steady strokes of his hands on her hair sooth her. Jack held her and wondered briefly if he'd made the wrong choice so long ago, just as he'd wondered it from time to time all the years that William was grieving his family. He knew he'd never have made a good husband and a worse father, but he still sometimes couldn't help but wish. He bit the inside of his cheek and made his decision. "If ye really don't want ta go tonight, I will stay here with ye. William'll just have ta forgive me."

" I really don't want ta go." Ruby muttered against his chest.

"Then we'll stay here." Jack kissed her forehead and pulled her closer. This would be the closest he'd ever come to family, and that was right fine with him.

"Thank Ye Jack." Lorelei kissed his cheek. She owed this man her life, and through him she'd come to know her parents. He'd taken time out to tell her stories of them, holding her enthralled as a child. She'd always understood why Jack hadn't taken her in; revenge is not the best emotion to instil in a child. He'd been dead set on achieving his.

"When ye go back tomorrow, I'll be with ye. Now, sleep darlin', ye look right tired."

"Ye know I never sleep Jack." Ruby closed her eyes. "Never, and I didn't have a moment to relax on the Maiden."

"Ye need ta try love. Ye always seem ta sleep better when yer not alone. I'll not leave ye tonight."

Lorelei's mouth turned bitterly. "Having Bill Turner's son around made no difference. In fact I dreamed more vividly than ever of me ma burning."

"I'm sorry Ruby. I would've gone fer him meself if I could have, ye know that."

Ruby shook her head. "No, we ran inta ya friend Norrington. It be part o' the reason Mr Turner be so pissed at me.

"Norrington? But why be he pissed at you fer that?"

"Cause I played up to Norrington. He thinks me a tart fer that, plus I made Norrington believe we were just taken passengers. I gave hints that we were takin Turner to find someone special. Norrington assumed he meant his fiancée."

Jack's brow furrowed and he shook his head. He still couldn't understand what all had happened with Elizabeth, though he had to admit that he'd never felt she loved Will the way he loved her. "I'll say naught about him thinkin' you a tart because I'll not risk yer anger, but I know ye well enough ta know that ye made SURE Norrington thought he was after Elizabeth. Ye made 'im look a fool and stepped on his pride lass. Norrington will go back and spread it far and wide in order to take the attention off her having left him first."

Lorelei stiffened. "It were the life o' me crew at stake. I make nae apologies and I'd do it again too." She pulled out of his arms, the second time that night, and the second time in her life. Her eyes were blazing. No matter which way she turned someone would find Will Turner superior to her. If that was the way they wanted it, they could keep their precious Mr Turner. She sprang to her feet and picked up her bag which she'd not unpacked earlier. It looked like she would forever call the Maiden home. "I be thinking this Norrington had more honour then that. He was genuinely sorry fer Mr Turner."

She slung the bag over her shoulder and headed for the door, keeping a tight grip on the emptiness that invaded her. She truly had lost everything tonight. Jack rolled his eyes and took a deep breath.

"RUBY! Get back here. I have a right to speak the truth. I was simply tellin' ya. He be a man Ruby, and ye wounded his pride. That be the truth, I ne'er said it was the wrong thing ta do. I'd a done it too."

She paused with her hand on the door handle, and cast a dead look back at Jack. "I cannae compete with his perfectness. Since ye been back here ye've been going on and on about Will Turner. How he be like Bootstrap. The reality is that he be not. Yet accordin ta the both of ye he be perfect. I wounded his pride, well what about me own? I have pride too." She clenched her fist tightly. "I could see the revulsion in his eyes even as he began ta make love ta me. But then it got ta much for him and he threw me outta me own bed. So keep tolling his virtues Jack Sparrow. I'll leave ye to it." She walked out of the room, telling herself over and over that she would not cry.

Jack rushed out and pulled her forcibly back into the room, tossing her unceremoniously on the bed. "I have not once said he was perfect. And I have not said once that you were not. All I said was that that explained a lot. Ye can be mad at me if ye want, but just like yer father, I have room in me heart fer BOTH of ye. Will is a good man, but if ye be determined ta think the worst of him then I will not say another word about him in your presence, I wouldn't dare try ta make ye understand him again. But I do NOT deserve ta have ye throwin' yer tantrum and actin' like I don't care about you. Ye know better well enough when ye aren't drunk and hurt and takin' out yer anger on the very people that are tryin' ta be there for ye."

Lorelei curled up against her pillows. "Just go will ye?" He didn't understand how she felt. He didn't want to give her what she needed right now so he might as well leave her in peace.

"No! I told ye I would stay and I will stay. Truth be told I don't want ta be alone either."

"I think ye've said everything ye can." Lorelei's voice was wooden, all emotion leeched from it by the emptiness. No matter what he said from this point he'd made it clear about who he favoured. "On second thoughts, I think it be best if I didnae sail with ye."

"Damn ye ye stubborn woman. Ye will never find yer peace until you quit findin' reasons to push people away. Ye have had everythin ye needed fer years, but ye just can't accept it can ye? Yer mother's death is not yer fault Ruby, and ye are gonna have ta stop punishin' yerself one day."

Lorelei clenched her fists into the covers of the bed. "This is nae about me mother."

"Yes it is. Ye cannot accept anyone's love cause ye think ye don't deserve it. Just cause I may not agree with ye about every little thing doesn't mean that I don't love ye. It also doesn't give ye the right ta act like I've betrayed ye. I ought ta be able ta see someone else's point of view without ye treatin me a traitor."

She brought her hands up to cover her face. "Go away Jack." Ruby sobbed quietly, tearlessly into her hands. His words tore her apart.

"I'm not goin anywhere darlin'. Ye've been stuck with me a good many years, and ye'll be stuck with me a fair few more. Ye're gonna have ta deal with unpleasant things soon enough. Ye're long past due. Barbossa is dead; now it's time ta let it go."

She curled into herself tightly. "I've dealt with em; I deal with em every stinkin night. Don't tell me what I have to deal with Jack. Just go away, go to me Da."

Jack sat on the bed and held her gaze with his own. "I told ye I'll not be goin' nowhere. And ye dwell on them' ye haven't dealt with em and let em go." He sighed and reached out to smooth back her hair. He still wasn't quite sure how they'd ended up here. He'd just wanted to be there for her, and in the past he'd always been able to be open with her. She just couldn't bear to talk about Will. Apparently the lad was under her skin further than even he'd suspected. "I did not mean to start a row with ye. I'm worried about ye. Ye just aven't been yerself of late."

She flinched away from his touch. "I be fine."

Jack pulled her up into his embrace and held her tightly against her protests, sighing when she finally relaxed a bit in his arms. "No ye aren't. Ye forget how well I know ye. Since ye found out Barbossa was dead, it's been like ye've been haunted even worse. I just want ta help ye Ruby. That's all."

Ruby remained stiffened against Jack. If she knew what was wrong she'd not be so uptight. If she'd known why the dreams had intensified she'd not be so scared. It was easier to blame everything on Will Turner then to face what all these nightmares meant. She had no clue as to why she'd looked for comfort in Will, maybe it was because of Jack's words, that Will was a younger version of Bill, yet so very different in the responses he elicited in her. She'd wanted the younger man; his rejection had burned so keenly because she didn't reach out to people often. He'd ensured that she'd never reach again.

Jack placed a finger under her chin and lifted her eyes to his. "I'm here Ruby, always. I can't force ye ta talk, or maybe ye can't yet, but when the time comes, I'll be here."

Ruby swallowed and nodded. Her voice emerged hoarse as she admitted some of what drove her. "I always imagined I'd follow in me parent's footsteps ye know. I knew of yer bullet but I'd hoped I'd get in first."

Jack nodded and closed his eyes for a brief moment. "Aye, I understand. I'm sorry ye couldn't be there Ruby, and yet I'm thankful cause ye are safe."

"I never thought past gettin me revenge on that black hearted bastard. I be angry with ye Jack fer takin it from me." Ruby looked at him dead in the eyes." And I know I should nae be."

Jack smiled softly at her. "I don't blame ye love. I'll be honest with ye, I hadn't really expected to be the one to face him, not once Bill had commissioned the Maiden, but it just happened that way."

Lorelei raised an eyebrow. "Why was that? Bill can't be sailing and he forbid me to go after Barbossa in tha Maiden."

"I still figured ye'd end up unlucky enough ta run across 'em. I'd looked fer ten years with no luck, figured that was why. Guess there was another reason than that."

"Didn't ye want me facing him?"

"Like I said, I wanted ye ta have the chance ta make him pay fer yer pain, but I can't stand the thought of losin' ye, so I'm selfishly thankful that ye didn't."

Ruby relaxed suddenly against him, the anger at her loss draining from her swiftly. Her mind acknowledged the love that Jack extended her. He didn't grant that gift to many. Yet she couldn't bring herself to admit, to herself or to Jack the other myriad reasons for her anger. She preferred to believe that the knowledge behind the intensifying dreams lay out of her reach. She was fighting the urge to look closer at her own heart. If she ignored it, maybe it would sail away with Will Turner when he left to return to Port Royal.

"Sleep Ruby child. I'll guard yer dreams and slay yer demons till ye wake."

Lorelei sighed and shook her head. "I be to worked up to sleep. Let's go and get some more rum."

Jack heaved a dramatic sigh and then grinned. "Ye are stubborn as an ox woman. Come on then. If that be what it takes ta make ye sleep, then we'll get ye drunk."

"It mightn't be that to make me sleep." She wagged her finger at him. "Don't be crampin me style now Jack Sparrow."

She rose and adjusted her clothing which had gotten twisted in all her anguishing. A wicked grin spilt her face at the thought of what was to come. She bounded out of the room and towards the bar, motioning for 2 bottles of rum. She handed one to Jack. Time grew blurry as she emptied bottle after bottle, a few hands of poker had her relaxing. Jack pretended to match her drink for drink, but he swallowed very little rum in truth. Ruby was in one of those moods, and Jack didn't like it. He shot a warning glance at a newcomer to Haven that seemed to have decided he'd take advantage of her inebriation, and smiled to himself as the man quickly changed his plans. Now that was more like it. At least the name Jack Sparrow still seemed to mean something to someone, Ruby wasn't listening to a word he said, that was certain. She seemed determined to get into a year's worth of trouble all in one night.