Chapter 2

Jack suddenly remembered he was forgetting something. "Charity, I have an old friend I owe a drink, possibly more than one, can we get him?"

"Of course." Charity was excited to meet this person, she knew if Jack liked them, she'd like them as well. So they stepped into a run down old shop. There was no one in sight, Charity was sure they'd turn and leave when Jack called out harshly.

"Kidd!"

An older man with sandy gray hair popped up from behind the counter. "Jack you ol' scoundrel! What brings you back here?" He smiled wiping his hands on a heavily soiled cloth.

"I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone and buy two pirates some well earned drinks!" He flashed a smirking smile as Kidd slapped him hard on the back. "How are you Commodore?"

"I'll be better when I find out who this lovely lass is." The short man grasped Charity's hand and brought it to his wind chapped lips for an exaggerated kiss. She quickly pulled it away and smiled gracefully.

"There'll be no need for that." Jack could tell she was uncomfortable so he quickly changed the topic.

"This fair maiden is the fearsome Captain Charity Roberts!" She curtsied playfully and shook Kidd's hand, he smiled apologetically.

"The Captain Roberts? I thought that was a man?" Kidd's crows feet wrinkled as he chuckled hard. "No, my dear. It's a pleasure I assure you." Charity nodded and stood quietly as the men exchange quick jabber about where they'd been.

After a brief moment Jack sighed heavily and questioned, "Is it just me or do our mouths long for drinks?" The others nodded and they went on their way to the bar.

Upon entering Jack stopped Charity quickly. "I have to discuss a few things with the ol' salt in private, I'll come for you in a moment." He gave a pleading smile.

A bit angered, but accepting Charity crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. "Don't have to tell me twice." She huffed and nodded for him to go.

"Thank you, I'm sorry love." He took off around the corner to meet Kidd, who was waiting jollily with a drink already waiting for Jack. "It's been awhile ol' friend." He smiled and clinked glasses with Kidd.

"It sure has. How'd you meet this one? She's quite a find!" Kidd looked past Jack for a glance at Charity. Jack grabbed his shoulder and forced Kidd's wandering eye to look at him.

"Don't talk like that, she's different. I really respect her and I've only known her for thirty-six hours. She's smart, this one. Had I not met her on good terms I would've had to watch my back." Jack knew what he was saying was true, he really did respect her.

"Where did you meet her then?" Kidd felt badly about what he said, he'd never seen Jack react like that, especially when it came to women.

"Prison, she sprung us from the cell. She's crafty, the kind of crafty only a woman can be. I'm thinking of asking her to be my partner, we could sail together, we'd be the most famous pirates in the entire ocean!" Jack began to raise his glass again when he heard a loud crash and some screams coming from the other room. Kidd and Jack jumped up to see what was the problem.

When they reached the other room Jack came to see Charity kneeling on a man's chest with a dagger to his throat. The obviously drunken man had all but peed himself with fright.

"How dare you touch me like that you bastard!" Charity yelled as she inched the dagger closer to his face. Jack hurried to her and put his hands on her shoulders.

"Come on love, I don't think you want to do this." He said gently.

"No, I want to teach this bloody wretch what happens when you mess with me."

"I said I'd come for you and I'm here now, let's go." Jack urged her with a slight tug.

Reluctantly Charity's shoulders slouched and she stood up, not before giving the man a quick kick in the crotch. "Why didn't you let me kill him?" She sighed as she sat down at the bar.

"Sometimes you gotta stick up for one of your own. I'd be lying if I said I never made a drunken pass at a girl." Jack explained as he ordered her a drink. "When there's a lass as beautiful as you in the room, your better judgment is nowhere to be found." He smirked and handed her the rum. "I am quite impressed though."

Charity blushed and took a long swig from the drink. "Thank you."

Kidd smiled at the pair and stood up silently to leave.

"Where do you think your going?" Jack questioned, turning around to face him.

"Unlike you lucky kids, I have a job to do in the morning, I'm calling it a night." Kidd gave them a shy salute and walked home.

After a few more drinks Jack and Charity stumbled laughingly back to the boat where they sat down on the deck and looked up at the stars. "There's one thing I'll never grow tired of." Jack slurred. "Those beautiful stars." Charity laughed at his comment, but nodded with agreement.

"Jack?" Charity said seriously.

"Yes love?"

"I absolutely adore you." She said foolishly.

"Who doesn't?" Jack replied.

"Jack, I'm trying to be serious here and all you can do is crack jokes." She huffed in drunken anger. "I've really never met anyone like you, at least I can't remember if I have."

"Thank you, I think. I adore you too."

"How can I stay mad at you, you little pirate?" She pinched his cheek and laughed loudly. Jack batted her hand away, smiling. "I'm tired, goodnight Jack." She laid back and was quickly asleep.

"I have to carry this now? Maybe tomorrow." Jack laid down as well and fell asleep with the rocking of the waves.