Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize, including, but not limited to, PotC, Johnny Depp, Jack, Elizabeth, the Black Pearl, the island, the sea, yadda yadda. . . I do, however, own Epsilon, Ronan, Giselle, and Aurnen.

To Dawnie-7: Thank you! And I think the next chapter will be mostly about Ronan, so I guess I'll see what happens.

To CJ-Cj: Thanks! And, yeah, she is isn't she? Hopefully she'll be gone soon. . .

To Christine: Hmm. . .Well, it showed up for me, so I don't know what happened. If you still can't get it to show up, just e-mail me and I'll send it to you.

To Ainariel-Helyanwe: I know the feeling. I'm always brain-dead.

To Trinity144: Awww, I sorry I confuse you! From now on, I'm gonna try to let the story go where it pleases and pretty much keep my mouth shut.

To salutations: I'm very flattered! You made my day! Thank you!

To Quietly Making Noise: I know, I know. EVIL!!! And I am thinking about it, but now I think I may just let it take care of itself.

To Copperstring: I'm so glad you like it!

To Jessica: Yay! Thank you! And you were the reason this entire chapter is about only Jack and Epsilon. Ronan will have the next one.

To dizzy izzy: This story is getting pretty big, isn't it? And I love your reviews! If you want the NC-17 chappie, just e-mail me at the address on my profile thing and I'll send it to you.

To missjensparrow: You make me so happy! Thank you! And thanks for your deep insight. I certainly appreciate it.

To duckmasta2020: I updated! Yay for me!

To all my reviewers: Latelatelatelatelate. . . sigh Well, as far as the Ronan thing goes, I don't really have anything definite planned, so I will let him do as he's done so far. . .whatever he wants. Now, let's get cracking on that chapter. . .

When Ana had finished, she took her leave. The crew would be spending the night ashore. All there was to do now was wait.

And so Jack sat, waiting for Epsilon to wake up. He touched her hand softly and wondered at the coldness of it. He then wondered if it was a good idea to give an unconscious person rum, soon deciding against it.

There came a creak from the nearly closed door, and Aurnen padded inside the cabin. The cat jumped upon the bed and nudged Epsilon's face gently, but still she did not wake. Aurnen then curled up beside her and fell asleep, leaving Jack once more alone with his thoughts. Seeing as how Jack's mind was now no longer distracted, he began to wonder once more.

Jack wondered about himself. He wondered about Epsilon. Jack wondered about himself and Epsilon in the same thought. How was it that this sea urchin had affected him so? Jack couldn't ever remember caring about someone so much. Before Epsilon had risen from the sea, all Jack had cared about was his Pearl. But now. . . Now he wasn't so sure.

Then Epsilon's eyelids fluttered slightly, and Jack felt his heart mimic the tiny movement, the action thoroughly startling the pirate. But when Epsilon made no other movement, Jack continued his musing. She certainly was beautiful, he admitted to himself. And she was so. . .free. So full of grace. And joy. Or at least, she had been getting to that last one.

Jack smiled slightly. He had been having more and more new and unexplainable thoughts as of late. Well, he thought, brushing his fingers over the still girl's face, maybe not so unexplainable.

The captain remained that way for the better part of an hour. Just thinking and lightly stroking the dolphin girl's hair. At last he rose and relocated himself to the cabin door, falling asleep leaning against it so that he would know if someone attempted to enter.

Jack's rest did not last long, however, and no more than an hour after the pirate had dozed off Epsilon sat bolt upright in bed with a shriek. Jack awoke immediately and rushed over, finding the girl to be shaking and breathing hard. He attempted to soothe her with a hand on her shoulder, but Epsilon screamed again and lashed out at him.

he cried, trying to cut through Epsilon's confused mind. Then Epsilon looked about wildly, eyes finally settling upon Jack. The young woman stiffened and averted her eyes, trembling from fear, confusion, pain, cold, and exhaustion. Jack approached her slowly, unsure of how to best handle the situation, and whispered her name once more when he finally reached the bed.

Epsilon dissolved into tears. She hurt everywhere. There was an all-too-familiar fire burning between her legs. She felt dirty and ashamed that Jack had witnessed the night's events. And now he knew. . . He knew. . .

The pirate captain reached out and enfolded the sobbing girl in his arms, as it was the best action he could think of. Shh, Sil. Ye're alright now. Don't cry. But Epsilon only wept harder, and Jack found her next in his lap, unsure if he had put her there or if she had done it of her own accord. But he nevertheless continued in his attempts to calm her. Epsilon stilled a little at his touch, and her loud sobs began to dwindle. When they at last stopped, Jack looked down at her,

It's alright, luv.

But when Epsilon returned his gaze, Jack saw that she was most definitely not alright. Her eyes were empty. Flat. Blank. Devoid of everything. Jack's heart twisted again, and he held her abused body closer to him as though trying to completely surround her.

An after shock of Epsilon's earlier episode coursed through her, and she shuddered.

Ye should try an' sleep now, luv, Jack murmured. Ye need t' rest.

Epsilon's voice responded so softly that Jack was forced to strain in order to hear it. Don't leave me.

Never, luv, he whispered back, wondering again what on earth had come over him.

Taimat: That was sweet! Don't you think?

Jack: I feel oddly. . .fluffy. . . WHY DO I FEEL FLUFFY!?!?

Taimat: Erm, well, I just kinda wrote it like that, I guess.

Jack: sigh Fanfiction authors. . .

Taimat: Is this a derogatory comment coming on?

Jack: glare Ye'd better make Ronan fluffy too. S not fair, otherwise.

Taimat: Uhh. . . Well, you're the muse. So I guess that's up to you. Get cracking, Fluffy!

Jack: ME NAME IS NOT FLUFFY!!

Taimat: Umm. . .Please review?