Disclaimer: I don't own Pirates of the Caribbean.

It was later in the evening as Elizabeth walked with Jack on deck while Rouge was catching up with Will below. Elizabeth looked over at Jack every once in a while as they talked and strolled back and forth across the ship. Jack seemed uneasy. He was pointing his fingers in different directions as he thought to himself between speaking. They were mostly discussing about Rouge. It seemed to really trouble Jack.

"Jack." Elizabeth said quietly, stopping and turning to face the pirate.

"Aye?" he asked, whirling towards her slowly.

"Do you love this girl?" she crossed her arms.

Jack wasn't exactly sure what to say. He thought that if he said the wrong thing he'd get scolded and if he were to say something morally correct, it wouldn't suit him. "Well I have to don't I? That's what a father does after all, right?"

"No, you don't have to…" she shook her head and smiled knowing how foolish Jack was.

"Oh good." He said looking away from her and shrugging his shoulders.

"Jack," she put her hand to the side of his face and turned it to face her. His eyes were relaxed, almost lazy but concentrated on her with his full attention. "You should love her for who she is not because you feel you have to." Jack's eyes wandered for a moment. She went on, "You've been given a rather remarkable thing Jack. Being given a life to take care of other than your own is a very special thing. You should be thankful for it because as a pirate and a complete scoundrel you don't deserve to have a daughter."

"But I haven't had any rum yet, how can I be a scoundrel so soon?" he joked putting his finger in her face as if to make a point.

Elizabeth pulled away and grimaced, "I beg to differ, and your breath seems to be on the contrary." She waved her hand to dismiss the stench of alcohol emitting from Jack's lips.

Jack dropped his arms as Elizabeth backed away. He looked at the floor then sort of wandered to the railing, dropping his arms on the wooden banister. "Elizabeth, you're right. But there's a problem. I've never been given the responsibility to take care of anyone but me oneself. How can I help a girl whom I didn't know for sixteen years claiming to be my daughter?"

Elizabeth came by his side and crossed her arms over the banister beside him. "Will and I will help you and Rouge. It's the least we can do as your friends."

Jack looked over at her with a drunken expression as usual. "Thanks love. Now we'll be one happy family of pirates."

She nodded and smiled. "Aye."

Below deck, Rouge sat on a stool opposite from Will. They were working on the sail together.

"So what exactly are you trying to make out of this?" The girl asked sewing through the black fabric.

"It's sort of like a Jolly Roger. Elizabeth and I have been trying to make an original flag to represent Jack and the Pearl." He tilted his head as if looking at the flag in another perspective. "Somehow, we can never get one that looks good…"

Rouge tilted her head as well, imitating Will. "Aye, it does look a tad…"

"Crooked?" Will suggested a word.

"Close enough I suppose." She titled her head the other way. "What is it exactly?"

"It's supposed to be a skull with pearls running through the sockets."

"It looks like a serpent that ate too much." The girl giggled and Will joined in. "Can I try an other design? I have a better idea."

"Sure." He handed over a new sheet of cloth and white thread. Immediately, she began to work, threading a template then getting into detail within moments. After a while the image became clearer. Will smiled as she worked. "That's amazing!" he commented. Rouge didn't look up but she smiled from her compliment. After the few final touches it was finished. She raised it up for will to see and he applauded her performance at her excellent craftsmanship. "I think Jack will like it, especially since you made it."

"I hope it will help him get a little more comfortable with me." She blushed folding up the newly made flag. But Will stopped her from folding it up entirely.

"Wait," he said, "Why don't you hoist it now?"

Rouge smiled then bundled it up in her arms and ran up the stairs to the deck. Jack turned at the thumping of her boots. He noticed she was carrying a black bundle in her arms.

"Is that the flag Will and Elizabeth were working on?" he asked walking towards her to unravel it.

Will came up after Rouge. "Aye but Rouge really gets the credit it for it. Elizabeth and I tried to get a working design but nothing seemed suitable so she offered to make it herself."

Jack waved his arms in excitement, his eyes wide. "Well go on then! Hoist it! Let get a look see!" As soon as she was given the demand she ran to the helm mast and hooked up her flag to the rope. Once it was secure, she fastened it then hoisted it with a smile.

The flag flapped in the wind and Jack smiled at the sight. On the black material was a sparrow like his tattoo with a string of pearls hanging from its beak. Jack looked up at Rouge who stood at the helm beaming down at him. He smiled and applauded her.

"Well done girl! I suppose you are good for something." He cheered. He turned to Elizabeth and whispered in her ear, "Did you ever do that for your dear ol' daddy?"

Elizabeth couldn't help but look over and smile at him. She leaned in towards him and whispered back, "I don't think she would've made that unless she loved you Jack."

Jack's smile faded but an expression of admiration was still clear on his dark face.

Gibbs came up from behind Jack with a dropped jaw. "My what a fine job Will and Elizabeth did on that flag!" he remarked.

"It wasn't Will or Elizabeth, mate." Jack said over his shoulder to his first mate with a smile, "It was my daughter."

Gibbs smiled proudly then patted Jack on the back. "I'll bet you're proud of her, aye?"

Once again, Jack's smile faded. He seemed to look past Gibbs as if staring off into space. "I hardly know her though…" He said quietly.

"Sir?" Gibbs didn't hear what Jack had said.

Jack shook his head with a dismissing thought going through his mind. "Never mind."

Gibbs nodded slightly then seemed to remember something. "Ah yes sir, I was curious as to where young Miss Sparrow will be retiring to for the night?"

"What?" Jack looked at Gibbs as if looking for a false statement.

"Sir, we have no available hammocks and Elizabeth sleeps with Will in the opposite quarters of your cabin. To be honest, even if we did have any available hammocks, as much as I trust our crew, even under my watch I don't think it would be safe for her to sleep wit the men under the deck."

"What are you suggesting?" Jack leaned in more closely.

"That she sleep with you in your cabin."

"I've only one bed, Gibbs."

"Aye sir but she's your daughter."

"She could sleep outside."

"Jack!"

"Fine then she could sleep on the floor in my cabin."

"Jack that's no way to show respect towards a young woman, especially your own daughter!"

Jack shook his head, "forget about her being my daughter for a moment, savvy?"

"Its still not right to have her sleep on the floor."

"I suppose it's naturally not in my nature to show respect to any woman, mate."

"Jack…" Gibbs gave Jack a disappointed glare. Jack lifted his hands below his chin and squinted his eyes.

"Mate, that isn't right…" Jack complained. Elizabeth went beside Gibbs and made the same look. Jack groaned, "Not you too! Its not polite to listen into conversation, love."

Will joined in the glare, followed by Rouge. Jack felt suddenly surrounded by disappointed stares. He widened his eyes in surprise then looked at Gibbs with an angry stare, pointing his finger right in his face. "I blame this on you mate!"

Gibbs smiled, "Thank you for your reconsideration captain."