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Chapter 29: Realizing His Place

Dorian crossed the room, his arms crossed over his chest, moving at a casual pace. He took a deep breath. "Now, Mr. Sparrow-or, should I say Mr. Bourderlaire, which is it?"

Jack cringed hearing his false identity being recognized. "It's Captain Jack Sparrow, if you please sir."

Dorian chuckled. "You are no captain. I've seen the way you look at her, Sparrow." He got close to Jack's face. "And do not make the mistake of thinking that a woman of her status could ever possibly end up with a…a…villainous outlaw like you. She's simply going through a phase. She's confused, and as soon as she learns the rules of society she won't ever remember you. Mr. Turner is by far better suited for my daughter."

Jack sighed inwardly. "Yes, I suppose he is," he said smoothly, even though Dorian's words had cut him pretty deeply. And the worst part was that it was the truth. Like it or not, he was a lowly pirate. Camille would have never given up anything if she hadn't met him. And perhaps that was the way it had to be.

But then Dorian began coughing. Jack looked at him, wondering if he should do something. His eyes grew wide as blood began coming out of Dorian's mouth. But Dorian was quick to wipe it away with a handkerchief, leaving a drop or two on the corners of his mouth.

He caught the look in Jack's eyes. "No, she does not know," he answered. "And you're not going to tell her."

"I see. Will you break the news to her that you're dying, then?" Jack asked nonchalantly.

Dorian glared at him. "Camille doesn't need to concern herself with this. As far as she knows I'm regaining my health."

Jack narrowed his eyes. "And I thought that I was a master of deception," he said sharply.

"You stay away from my daughter, Sparrow. She's too good for you, and she will always be out of your league. Now, get out of my house," Dorian said, pulling a chair out and taking a seat. His last coughing fit had really taken a lot out of him.

Jack turned on his heel and went back through the dining room and around to the main hallway. He balled his hands into fists until they were white. That bastard. How could he lie to Camille like that? But now the pressure was on Jack. Should he tell her, or should he keep it to himself to ease Camille's fears?

He flung the front doors open and stepped outside into the bright sunlight, not caring who saw him. It was still fairly early, and there was no one around. The sea was calm, the town was quiet, and except for inside his own mind the scene was rather peaceful. But Jack had realized it; if he kept involving Camille, she would be endangered for the rest of her life. So it was best for him to do what he did: leave without saying goodbye. It was the easiest way to let her unravel from this part of his life.

"Jack?"

Jack gritted his teeth, and slowly turned around. Camille was standing in the doorway, putting her hair up. "Yes?"

"Has it been two days already?" she asked, making her way down the path to where he stood.

He shook his head. "No, but I'm afraid I've got some business to attend to on the Pearl," he lied.

She didn't fall for it. "Whatever my father told you…well, he's only trying to protect me, please realize that."

"I do know that, Camille."

"And I know he's dying," she said in a lower voice.

This surprised Jack very much. "Y-you do?"

She nodded. "Yes, of course I do. It's obvious that he's becoming weaker. And there are blood stains on his handkerchiefs, I've seen them."

"Clever girl."

She nodded. "Yes, it's horribly sad. I'm terrified of losing him, Jack. The man and I have never agreed on a single thing since my mother died, but he's still my father."

"It'll be all right, love. Besides, you have dear William now."

She looked at him oddly. "Well…yes…I suppose so," she said slowly. "So you've been kicked out, eh?"

Jack sighed and nodded. "Aye, lass."

"Well, then. This must be goodbye," she said, half smiling. "When will I see you again, Captain?"

"I don't know, love. It could be a very long time," he said seriously, but Camille got the impression that he was joking. There was a very grave misunderstanding at this point. Jack assumed that Camille meant to stay in Port Celebros, while Camille was planning on returning to the Pearl. "Could you tell Ana Maria that we are leaving whenever she's ready?"

Camille nodded. "Yes, I'll do that."

"Thank you, darling. It's been a pleasure," he said, taking her hand and kissing it.

"What's with the formalities? Are you planning on getting yourself arrested? It's not as if we'll never see each other again," she laughed.

"You sound quite certain of that."

"Jack, are you all right? You're acting as if this is really goodbye. You…you are going to be on the ship when I return, aren't you?"

Jack was dumbfounded. "You're returning to my ship?"

"Yes, did you think I was going to stay here with Will and Annie?" she said skeptically. Then her eyes widened. "Jack," she said, nodding. He turned around, and saw a naval officer and five men scattered below the hillside near the docks.

She pulled on his arm. "Inside, quickly!"

He pulled back. "No, I'll endanger you and everyone else. The ship's my only chance," he explained.

But she pulled even harder. "NO!" she protested. "If Norrington catches one glimpse of you you'll hang, and I'll be damned if I lose two significant men in my life at the same time," she said fast as she dragged him back inside and shut the door. "My father's threats will have to wait to be carried out," she said with finality.

"Camille, it really isn't necessary to do this for-"

"Why not?" she said, cutting him off. "Wouldn't you do the same for me?" she nearly demanded, hoping he would say yes.

"Of course I would!" he insisted.

"Then please stop arguing with me, I'm growing quite tired of it."

"Jack?" Will asked, appearing in the front hall. "Did Mr. Quartermaine actually agree to let you stay?" he said incredulously.

"Not exactly," Jack said lightly.

"He is staying here, and I don't care how many of my father's teeth I have to pull to make it perfectly clear," Camille stated, crossing her arms over her chest.

Will shook his head, smiling. "I see you're not arguing with her this time," he said to Jack.

Jack sighed. "No, mate. I think I've given up on that completely." In his mind, he was too preoccupied with going through the previous conversation. TWO significant men in her life? (The other being her father, he assumed.) And she was returning to the ship? Perhaps she and Will were simply in a disagreement.

"Jack!" Ana Maria exclaimed. She was at the top of the staircase in a pretty blue dress with her hair all done up, and she hardly looked the same. She picked up her skirts and gracefully descended as everyone watched, a little amazed at how perfectly she fit in. "I told Gibbs what was happening, and they say they got it under control. The Pearl already has the white sails, and they're simply goin' to disguise themselves as a merchant trading vessel. There's really no evidence to contradict that, and no one's seen you in days, anyhow, so they can't screw up their alibis."

"Brilliant," Camille said, smiling. "Only now comes the hard part."

"What, entertaining Jack without booze or whores?" Will quipped.

"Watch it, whelp," Jack snapped, whirling around to face him. "You and I both know that the world would be a better place with more areas like Tortuga."

Will rolled his eyes. "Yes, how foolish of me to forget."

"I was going to say that, actually," Camille said, trying to keep a straight face but bursting with laughter at Jack's expression as they headed into the kitchen. "I'm only joking, you know. Honestly, I've never seen you so serious. Is the King's Navy making you a bit on edge this time?" she questioned him.