Author's Note: Still updating. Meh, they're only exams really! Erm, yeah, keep reviewing so I don't feel too guilty about my poor exams.

Thanks also to twadrummer, who also skipped revising to talk to me on MSN. :P

Chapter Fifteen: Jack

Down, down, down. The stairs seemed to go on forever, and Lainey felt forever safe in Jack's arms as he carried her down to the brig, silent, caring.

They stopped a few steps from the corner where the staircase turned into the brig, and Jack sat down, placing Lainey lightly on a chipped, cold step. For a moment, they were both silent, looking at each other like they had never seen each other before.

"Yer alright?" Jack asked. Those chocolate eyes, the safety and warmth she had dreamed of... she stared into them, hardly aware of replying at all.

"Thanks to you." Her fingers closed automatically over his hot hand, feeling the rough skin there.

He smiled, revealing those golden teeth. "Wha'd yer expect, luv? I'm Captain Jack Sparrow." Then the smile became more gentle, more sincere. "Though I note your new use of my first name."

"Jack." Lainey said it without thinking.

"Aye, tha's the one," he said, eyes twinkling.

She felt her cheeks grow warm. She had hardly noticed this 'new use' herself. "Yes, well... it just feels right..." She paused, realising her next words were quite true. "It feels like I've known you forever, even though it's only been a few days."

"Yer've known me since yer were eight," Jack said suddenly, seriously.

She blinked. "But- how?"

He opened his mouth, then closed it. "Now is not the time for that, Carmen." His hand under her fingers turned over, so they were clasped together. Lainey felt her arm tingle in a way that was strange to her, not an unpleasant feeling but a new one.

"I knew you'd come," she said softly.

Jack smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. Does tha' mean yer trust me?"

She nodded, and his eyes glowed. For a moment they just looked at each other, then suddenly he pressed a gentle, brief kiss to her forehead. It made her face grow hot again, and she felt her forehead burn even after he had moved back. Now she was just confused.

"Edward Poelle," Jack said suddenly, surprising her by his next choice of conversation. "Who is he exactly to you?"

Lainey raised and lowered a shoulder. "A brother, sort of? He's just always been there for as long as I can remember."

Jack nodded, apparently satisfied with this answer. He was looking deeply into Lainey's eyes, his own kohl-outlined ones bright and caring. His head jerked forward a little-

"Lainey?" Edward's voice called. "Lainey?"

"Oh, God, Edward," Lainey gasped, standing up. "I forgot all about him!" She hurried down the rest of the stairs and round into the brig, glad Edward's sharp eyes had not seen her and Jack just then. He was still tied to the post, but he was smiling in relief.

"Lainey- you're alright!"

"I told yer she would be," Jack said behind Lainey, as he walked around to Edward's post, leaning down behind it. Edward looked briefly confused, but then he was lifting his hands to his face, now free. "Look after her," Jack said, nodding at him.

Jack headed for the steps, his hand briefly touching Lainey's as he passed. As he disappeared, Lainey went over to Edward and sat down beside him. "Hello," she said, smiling.

"You alright?" Edward asked, concerned.

"Fine." She placed her head naturally on his shoulder. "There was an intruder-"

"- Yes, I heard you screaming for Sparrow-" She noticed the acid in these words.

"- but Jack came and killed him."

"I gathered," Edward said, and still there was that funny tone to his voice. Lainey looked up at him, eyes dark with wonder. Edward blinked and looked away. "It's just- Lainey, I don't trust Jack Sparrow. Do you?"

Lainey had told Jack she did, but sitting with Edward she wasn't sure of her own mind. She shrugged. "He's not too bad," she said carefully.

Edward scoffed. "I'd never have believed it of you, Lainey."

Lainey thought she knew where this was going. She scooted back from him. "Believed what, exactly?"

"You! You've got it bad... for Jack Sparrow!" Edward's eyes were aflame.

"Got it bad? Are you crazy! The man just saved my life. I owe it to him to be polite, that's all." She rested back against Edward, her cheeks burning just a little. Was that all?

Next chapter preview... Will's honeyed words, soft as cotton, cooled Jack's temper, and he fell still in his friend's grip. Will sighed in relief behind him. Jack gently shook him off, shaking his head, then looked back at Tobias, who was looking at Jack with hatred etched in every line of his sun-weathered face.

"You think you're so wonderful," he said quietly, sneering. "Well you aren't. You are a dried up, lost pirate. Lost to that girl! You've lost your head over her!"

Jack managed to keep his cool, even managed a golden smile. "What I am is not important, lad. It's who I am that matters, and I am Captain Jack Sparrow."