Disclaimer: I don't own POTC. And yes, I am going to change the character of Jack just a little in this one. Sorry! I think you'll still enjoy it, though.

Chapter 31: Breaking Character

Until further notice, Jack was going to stay at an inn on the very outskirts of Port Celebros. It wasn't a fancy inn, which relieved him very much. He was still very confused about what to do, and spent most of his time drinking and pondering over everything that had taken place the past few years.

It had been almost four days, and he hadn't gotten any word from any member of the Quartermaine household or his crew. Tonight he was hearing some very familiar music in the tavern part of the inn. It reminded him of the guitar tunes that Camille would play on the ship. They had the same fast pace to them.

He had been wandering about that entire day, shocking many of the bartenders and prostitutes by ignoring them completely. Jack felt some sort of emptiness welling up inside him, and for once it wasn't hunger. He had no idea what it was, and certainly wasn't about to see any crazy doctor about his unusual condition.

So he sat, alone in his designated corner with his boots on the table and his three cornered hat tilted over his face somewhat. The noise all blended together as the captain once again proceeded to drift off into his thoughts. They were broken up by the sound of a mug being placed on his table. He lifted his hat, with the intention of reprimanding whoever had disturbed him.

But when he looked up, he was greeted by the loveliest pair of green eyes he knew. And that's when he finally figured out what the overwhelming solitude was in his soul. And forgetting all his cool and debonair lack of enthusiasm, a warm smile spread across his face. "Hello, Camille."

"Evenin', Jack," she said casually as she set another mug down on the table and took a seat across from him. "Patrick told me you haven't been drinking lately, so I thought I'd bring you some rum to snap you out of it. Are you sure you're all right? You've been acting awfully strange lately."

He glanced at the rum, and then looked back at the beautiful woman. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be looking after dear father?"

"He seems to be getting most of his strength back, and I'm quite relieved," she said. "And we haven't heard from you in days, so I thought I'd drop by and see how you're doing."

"Great God, could that be little Quartermaine!" a slightly intoxicated voice shouted behind her. She turned around, seeing two middle-age men. One had a mug and one had a violin.

"Hello, Henry. Good evening, Thomas," she said, smiling.

"Camille, it seems like it's been centuries! Come have a song with us," the man named Thomas beckoned.

"In a moment, can't you see that I'm with someone?" she said, waving them off. "I'll be along, I promise. One song."

"One song, we're holdin' ye to it!" Henry shouted as they made their way back across the bar.

Jack lifted one of his eyebrows. "Adoring public?"

Camille chuckled. "I used to come to this inn frequently to…well, get away."

"Ah, so this sneaking off with strange men and music is a habit of yours, eh?" Jack said playfully.

She laughed. "You could say that. We used to call this place Little Ireland, because many of the Irish sailors would and still do come here. And most of them don't know who my father is, which is a lot of fun because I get to pretend for awhile."

Jack was quite intent on listening to this story, and took small sips from his mug as he gave all of his attention to her reminiscing, putting in a comment here or there. A few minutes later, the two of them could hear her name being called.

She sighed, then laughed as she heard the song they began playing. "Do you recognize this one, Jack? It's always been one of my favorites," she said, getting up. "Do you dance?"

He looked up at her, again lifting one of his eyebrows. He had to maintain some sort of reputation, even though he was dying to spend more time with her this evening. "Are you daft, Camille? Captain Jack Sparrow does not dance."

"That's too bad, really. Well I can't promise I'll be back; I sort of get carried away once I start," she said as she made her way toward the instruments. And she did get carried away, forgetting the time and everything. She danced with others in that inn for several songs, almost forgetting that Jack was sitting in the corner.

She took a break, sitting at the bar and resting her feet. She looked in the corner where the lonely captain had been sitting, but he was gone. Getting her second wind, she got up again and began dancing. She felt like she could go on for hours, even though there were only a few songs left and it was getting late.

All of a sudden she saw Jack standing in the crowd among the few people who were not dancing. Without thinking, she grabbed the captain and pulled him out into the middle of the floor where they were both surrounded by people.

He looked at her, like he was going to ask her what the hell she thought she was doing, but she placed his hands on her. "It's easy," she shouted over the music. "Just try not to step on my feet," she said as they began moving. And as much as Jack hated to admit it, he turned out to be a fast learner and a very talented dancer.

Camille was enjoying this very much. She liked this so much more than she did dancing with Will, because she knew that there was no guilt about flirting shamelessly with Jack Sparrow. She could see that he was having a wonderful time, and before they knew it the last song was over.

They stood there, out of breath among the crowded tavern. Jack was still holding her, and a group of others brushed past them, causing them to draw a little nearer to each other. Jack didn't think he could ever remember a time where he wanted an unobtainable woman so badly. And then she went and made it so much worse.

She leaned in closer, until she was inches away from his face. "Just do it, Jack," she urged. So he did. And it was AMAZING! It was nothing like the gentle kiss she'd given him the last time in Port Celebros, or even the one on the Pearl. He held her firmly, not wanting to let her go and fighting the temptation to explore her body in public.

She moaned slightly, grabbing at his dreadlocks. She had been wanting this for what seemed like ages now, and she bit his lip ever so gently. He reached up and caressed her chin, moving the loose hair away from her face. He slid his tongue slowly between her lips, wondering if he would be slapped for this or not. She replied only by pulling on his hair, while her other hand clasped his side.

"Camille!"