New Beginnings: Chapter 16

Sailing to England was making Jack's crew nervous. Some had never been to England. And when they told them they were going to see the king, everyone panicked. The younger sailors were bouncing off the walls. And it was driving the others crazy.

Jack loved it. The open water and Dani were his favorite things in his life. He didn't mind at all that the younglings were hyper. That's the way he liked things.

Elizabeth started to venture out of her cabin after Dani had made her some warm clothes. Every night, the crew would sit around and tell stories and sip their rum. Elizabeth was glad she wasn't feeling so left out anymore. She felt at ease with this group of people, but she didn't know why. She was born into a very high class, but was most comfortable sitting with a bunch of rowdy pirates.

On this particular night, Will watched his bride-to-be sit back and talk to Dani. She looked so happy. He couldn't control the smile that crept across his lips. And he didn't realize that his father had sat down beside him.

"Will…"

"Oh, yes, father?"

"So, you're going to be a dad yourself?"

"Yes," Will said, still relishing in the concept.

"My only advice to you is to be around. Don't be like me. My only regret in life is that I chose pirating over you and your mother."

"Did you ever love her?"

"Of course. And I didn't want to leave her, but she didn't want to come with me. I had no choice. Jack was leaving and I am a pirate, down to my core."

"But that is the difference between you and I. I don't plan on leaving my family behind for pirating."

"And I wish you the best, son," Bootstrap said before patting his son on the back. He had grown into a great man. And he had Will's mother and Jack Sparrow to thank for it.

Bootstrap smiled at the young man sitting in front of him and nodded a good night.

Jack hadn't said anything to Dani in hours and it was starting to get a little awkward. Every time she could catch his eye, he made an excuse and found a new spot to sit and drink his rum. She had chased him around the deck and they ended up towards the back of the ship.

She watched him for a second as he stared silently into the ocean.

Jack looked back at her for a second and then went back to the water.

"Jack, this 'strange' routine is getting old. Explain yourself now or get over it, Captain."

"It isn't quite that simple, Dani."

"Try me," she said, drawing her cutlass.

"I have and I thought you rather enjoyed it," he answered, mimicking her move.

The circled each other, round and round the deck. Dani slashed at him and almost sliced his shirt. He jumped back in time and countered with a swipe to her knees that she hopped over. They fought back and forth and Dani backed him into a literal corner. He had nowhere to go and Dani's cutlass was at his throat.

"Jack…will you marry me?" She asked.

"What?" Jack shouted in disbelief and moved the cutlass with two fingers.

"Will. You. Marry. Me?" She said dropping her weapon to the deck and slowly motioning with her hands.

Jack's face was a mixture of excitement and disappointment all wrapped into one strange look.

"What now?" Dani asked.

"I just wanted to be the one to ask. I've been working on it for months," he whined.

"Jack Sparrow was nervous?" He moved away from her. "You didn't answer my question!"

"I should think the answer was obvious, love. Of course, but if anyone asks, I asked you."

"Jack Sparrow, you are such a liar. Do you really think no one heard what was going on back here?"

Jack didn't say anything but turned his smirk back on.

She wrapped her arms around Jack's neck and kissed him hard on the lips. Jack ended up pinned against the mizzenmast. His coat was on the ground and he started to undo her belts.

Her legs wrapped around his waist and he carried her to their cabin.

It was dawn when Dani woke up. She sat up and surveyed the room. No Jack, was the first thing she noticed. Then she saw the rest of the room. Her clothes, maps and some of the bed linens were on the floor. Last night was a very good night.

Dani was just pulling on her boots when she heard a shout from the deck. Land was in sight. England. She was home.

She rushed to the deck and found everyone looking at the thick line of the land on the horizon. Dani stood next to Jack at the railing and he put his arm around her shoulders. Both were grinning like mad. Elizabeth was the first to notice.

"So what are you two smiling about?" She asked with her hands on her hips.

"I don't know what you mean, love," Jack tried to answer slyly.

He tried to turn back to the water, but Elizabeth caught his shirt.

"Jack Sparrow…"

"Do you want to tell them or shall I?" Jack asked Dani.

"We're going to get married," Dani announced.

The crew was as excited as they could be; they knew it has been a long time coming. Elizabeth, on the other hand, was overjoyed. She threw her arms around Dani and hugged her.

"So it was romantic?" Elizabeth asked as she pulled her away from the group.

"Was what romantic?"

"When he proposed?"

"Oh, I suppose it some strange interpretation it would be considered romantic."

"What did he do?"

"He didn't do anything. I did."

"You did?" Elizabeth sounded disappointed.

"Why are you disappointed? Because I'm not good enough to ask for Jack's hand in marriage?"

"No! Of course that's not it. It's just that the man is supposed to do it."

"I really don't think it matters."

"Jack is probably really angry, deep down."

'Jack's emotions don't to that far. If her were angry, he'd be throwing things at this point." Elizabeth looked at her, not believing what she was saying. "It's true, Elizabeth. If he had a problem, he'd say so." They glanced back over at the man who was shaking hands with Will and Norrington. "There is nothing wrong with that man or his emotions."

"I hope you're right, Dani."

"What's that supposed to mean, Lizzie?" Dani asked. She was getting annoyed and she was going to annoy Elizabeth right back.

"I'm just saying that in the time I have spent getting to know Jack, he seems to hide the really important things. Like emotions. And he hasn't been all that trustworthy when it comes to sticking around."

"He came back when the Kraken was taking down the Pearl, didn't he? Just in time for you to chain him to it. Right?"

"It just bothers me that he hadn't done anything about this sooner."

"It's none of your damn business what he or I do. So leave it alone," Dani told her before walking back to the men. They each gave her a kiss on the cheek and Jack put his arm around Dani's shoulders once again.

"Next stop: England," Jack proudly announced.

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A/N: There was the chapter. Thanks to all of my reviewers, xRubyDustx in particular because she always has words of encouragement. Merci beaucoup. Night all.

thomthom

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