Captain Jack strolled across the deck of the Pearl towards the stairs leading under the deck. It was late, around 2 AM or so in the morning and Jack didn't think anyone would be up at this hour of the morning. He slowly creeped down the stairs and past all the drooping hammocks to where there were many slots that held bottles of rum. Grinning, he pulled out one at a time, checking to see which one he was in the mood for. Finally he settled for lighter rum and gently pulled it out of its slot so that fell right into his dirty palm.

He easily pulled the cork out, easily done from experience, and held the rim to his lips. He tipped his head back to let the liquor slide down his throat and turned around. He was so startled that he choked and some of the precious rum fell wastefully on the floor. He eyed the rum in a disgusted manner and then back at what had startled him. "Why are you here?"

Elizabeth had her arms crossed disappointedly. "Well, I do reside here for the time being." Jack nodded knowingly but retorted, "But why are you here?" Elizabeth made a cocky grin. "That's exactly my question for you, Captain." Jack grinned and looked around at all the rum as if the answer was obvious. "Well, me being who I am definitely entitles me to be myself and thus being who I am in myself as all, gives me the right to be myself by drinking, like I would, rum."

Elizabeth slowly pondered what he had said as he grinned and held up the rum to his mouth again. Elizabeth quickly jerked out an arm and shoved the bottle away from his lips, wasting more of his precious rum. Jack again choked on the little that had made it to his throat and said, "What was that for?" Elizabeth smiled. "Just as you need to be yourself as you would, I need to be myself as I would, and being myself as I would always be, it is my right to, like I would, keep you from being drunk all the time, like you would always do."

Jack grinned; he had hoped she wouldn't be as smart this time of morning. He always had admired her spunk and spirit, but it could definitely get annoying at times. They quietly stood looking at each other; both knowing what was going to happen next, although Jack was rather regretting it. Elizabeth forward and said, "I know you love me. But you're going to have to prove it." Jack smiled knowingly. "Well then, love, what must I do?" Elizabeth mischievously eyed all of the rum bottles in their slots, nice and secure. Jack frowned as he followed her gaze. Elizabeth turned back towards him. "You have to give up rum. For a week should be long enough." She grinned as Jack's frown widened. "For a whole week? I can barely go a day without beloved rum!" Elizabeth nodded, "I know. But this will definitely prove to me if you are telling the truth. You always said that you told the truth a lot, yet people are always surprised. Surprise me." Having said thus, Elizabeth gently allowed Jack a small kiss before turning and walking back up the stairs.

Jack stood there, trying to decide if he should grin or if he should frown. He always enjoyed a good kiss, but no rum? He solemnly looked at all the bottles of rum and then the one he still grasped in his hand. Carefully glancing around he took one last sip of the rum, wishing he had chosen one of the heavier ones. He took a long sip before letting the rum slip through his fingers and break against the flooring. He quietly said, "Don't worry…we'll be together again soon." And he eagerly walked towards where Elizabeth had gone.