Here's the next one…

New Beginnings: Chapter 14

In the month that Dani hadn't seen her, Elizabeth's stomach had begun to grow. She was positively glowing, but probably had already but on ten to fifteen pounds and was very noticeable on her normally thin frame. But as happy as she was to see her, Dani didn't think it was such a good idea that Elizabeth sail with them. In fact, sailing seemed like an awful idea to Dani.

Beckett had scared her out of herself. She was nervous all the time. Jack watched her fidget. He'd approach her and she'd tense up. Dani was only a shadow of herself.

Norrington and Jack shared the responsibilities as captain, even though 'share' was not a word in Jack's vocabulary. However, it was Norrington's ship and Jack had to respect that. So Jack spent a lot of time trying to get re-acquainted with his love. But she wanted no part. She shied away from all of his touches. It was almost like she had reverted back to the way she was when she first joined the crew of the Black Pearl.

"I know you," Jack stated.

"Of course you do," she answered back.

"So you won't let me touch you because…?"

"Because I just spent the last five weeks…thirty-five days…being touched without warning or want. He forced me to do things, Jack. Things I once enjoyed, that I will again, but not now."

And Jack said something totally uncharacteristic of himself, "I'm sorry."

"I know."

Jack was going to rip that man limb from limb. He was going to put his head on a stake and leave it for the whole world to mock. That man violated his…his…Dani. He was working up to ask her his question again, but was stopped in his tracks. Jack kissed her cheek and left her alone in their cabin. The question could wait.

Two weeks passed and all they saw was water. There was an occasional iceberg, but mostly just water. The air was cold and the ship was cold. Elizabeth spent all of her time in her shared cabin and everyone took turns entertaining her. Dani knitted to pass the time, but was starting to feel restless. Something was not right and she couldn't put her finger on it. And she couldn't tell Jack because he would just laugh it off.

The three men, Norrington, Jack, and Will, had gathered on the deck of the ship on this particular evening. There was an awkward silence. Norrington was deceived by both women on this ship and lost out to these…pirates. But there was also a strange camaraderie that they shared. James looked back and forth at the men…they weren't just pirates. They were each good men. Norrington was pleased that they would share his company after all he had hassled them in their lives. They all stood in their silence and watched the horizon get closer and yet farther away.

Dani was taking care of Elizabeth. She was only two months pregnant but was having all the problems. Her feet were swollen and she was sick every morning. It was hard for Dani to think it, but she was jealous.

Elizabeth used to dislike Dani and her pushiness. She was forced into doing a lot of the pirating things because of Dani and Jack. But Dani was her best friend now. She was a slightly older, wiser sister. She knew something about everything because she had experienced everything. She wondered what Dani's parents would say if they knew about her and her life…and Jack. She laughed silently about what her parents would say about Jack.

"Dani?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes?"

"When was the last time you spoke to your parents?"

"About a year ago."

"Do you have any brothers and sisters?"

"One of each. I was the youngest."

"Do your parents know about Jack?"

"Of course not! They sent me away when I was fifteen to marry a man whom I didn't know or love."

"What! Why?"

"Because, unlike your family, my family was and still is very poor. My parents couldn't provide for all of us so they married me off."

"That seems unfair. Especially to do that to the youngest."

"The others were already married, my sister was pregnant."

"What happened to your husband?" Elizabeth asking as she realized there must be one.

"I killed him. He used to hurt me very badly, every day. And he killed my unborn child. I killed him. Eye for an eye, I say."

Elizabeth sat in stunned silence. She couldn't be making it up.

"How old were you?"

"Sixteen."

"You were married, pregnant, and widowed by the time you were sixteen?"

"Yes. My husband, and I use that term loosely, was abusive and I took care of myself. I disguised myself as a boy and found the first ship that was going to Tortuga and haven't been back to that home since."

"But, wouldn't you be wanted for murder?"

"He was an older man. No one really paid any attention to his death. Most of the people around town didn't like him either. He was a nasty sort."

"I would imagine."

"Dani…"

"I don't really want to answer any more questions tonight, savvy?"

"Yes. Good night, Dani."

"G'night, Elizabeth," Dani said before exiting the cabin.

Dani stood outside the cabin for a second. Beckett knew what she did to that man so many years ago. How did he know?

She walked up the short flight of stairs and saw the three men passing the rum bottle around and heard Jack telling them a story. Norrington was just expressing his disbelief when Dani snatched the bottle out of Jack's hand and took a large swig, subsequently emptying the bottle.

"Something wrong, love?" Jack slurred as she sat next to him on an over-turned crate.

"Beckett knew what happened with my husband."

"Husband?" the drunk Norrington and Will shouted.

"Shush!" Dani yelled, turning her head to see who was on deck.

"What do you mean 'husband'?"

"I was married once, it is a long story, shortened: he's dead and I did it."

"And…?"

"Every one just assumed it was natural causes…except Beckett, who wasn't in Port Chelsea that I know of. How would he find out?"

"Beckett has spies everywhere. How do you think he found me on Tortuga right before I joined Jack's crew?" Norrington asked. "And besides, the king will have him hanged. His daughter died because of him."

"Yes…but…" Dani didn't know what exactly she wanted to say. "I need more rum," she said as she slipped away to the hold.

Will sat in disbelief. "She was married?"

"Yes," Jack answered him. "I don't see why everyone is so shocked by that revelation."

"You're telling me that you weren't even a little bothered when she told you?"

"Well…" Jack thought. "I need more rum, too."

Jack followed Dani down to the hold and scared the hell out of her in the process. He tapped her shoulder after silently walking down the steps and she shrieked right in his face.

"What in the bloody hell did you do that for?"

"You scared the absolute shit out of me! Don't go following women into dark holds on a ship, savvy?"

"Why did you run from Port Chelsea when your husband died if everyone thought it was natural causes?"

"Oh, you finally picked up on that one?" Dani asked, not realizing how insulting the comment was. Jack's smile faded and became that of a stern captain.

"Give me your information and I won't toss you overboard."

"I left Port Chelsea because in my late-husband's will, it stated that I marry his brother when he passed away. I was running from another unwanted marriage. I would have been that man's third wife."

"So he didn't really need you like I do?" Jack asked, forgetting the insult from earlier and pulling her closer. The dark hold was looking more inviting every second.

Jack and Dani didn't return with the rum for almost an hour. Apparently, Dani had overcome her fear of men again. Even in the pale moonlight, Will and Norrington could see their flushed faces and the hair that was dampened down at Dani's forehead, even though she tried to hide it with her bandana.

"Was everything all right down in the hold?" Will teased, he wasn't ignorant to how they felt about each other.

"Oh, yes. Fine, indeed. Sorry took it took us so long…with the rum," he added quickly. "Can't rush finding the good stuff down there," Jack answered. Dani started to giggle uncontrollably and took a swig of rum.

"I think you've had enough," Norrington said as he took the bottle from her and laughed at the situation himself. 'Time to break with the traditional decorum now that I'm not an officer of the Navy any more,' he thought to himself as he took a long drink from the bottle.

The alcohol halted all of Dani's thoughts and her head pleasantly buzzed. She didn't think that she'd had that much, but her head swam and told her that she had. She was so glad things had worked out so far and for the first time, she had hope for the future. Dani smiled at the men and bid Will and Norrington a good night. She sashayed all the way across the deck, leaving Jack's head swinging back and forth with each movement of her hips.

"Night, mates!" Jack yelled as he took off after Dani. Tonight was a good night.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: Please read and review! Thanks to everyone who keeps faithfully reviewing, you have no idea how much it means to me to have people to write for. I greatly appreciate it!