Jack's palm remained unmoving on the swell, as if frozen in place. His eyes were wide, bottom lip presenting a slight quiver as he tried to summon words and somehow process this sudden news. It was impossible. Well, not impossible, considering the amount of times they had lain together, and the evidence was right there under his hand and inside James. He would never have guessed that James was a carrier, and judging by the navy man's reaction to his arrival, he had not either. No wonder James had looked the way he did. Had Jack been in his place… No, no, no need to follow that train of thought. And to think, it had only been one time that Jack had given instead of receiving, but that one time had been enough to create…

...a child. A tiny babe that was half him and half James, half pirate and half navy. Jack wanted to be afraid, wanted to feel the need to flee that he had always had whenever someone had wanted to tie him down, but it was nowhere to be found. His heart was happy. Why? This changed everything, creating a turning point in this exchange that he and James had been enjoying so selfishly. A choice had to be made tonight, and that choice would change things forever between them.

Jack forced himself to slowly peel away his hand from the taut skin, returning it to his side, though his gaze was still fixed on James' middle. The warmth under his palm must have messed with his brain, rummaged through his thoughts, for this need to be a part of this new development could have no other explanation.

Jack Sparrow was not someone fit to be a father. He was selfish, his own needs always before someone else's. He was also a restless soul, unable to be happy unless he was aboard his Pearl and sailing towards the horizon. The most logical thing to do would be to run away from this problem, ignore it and continue with his life and leave James to deal with the squawking infant if he decided to keep it, but Jack could not fool himself. He could barely stand a few weeks without seeing the Commodore. Would he be able to step out of this permanently? No, it was unthinkable, a completely invalid option. The pirate still couldn't understand why it was, but it was so.

"Jack?"

Gaze lifted to meet worried green eyes. Jack had been silent for a few long minutes, and James had not been able to stand it any longer.

"Say something. Anything." James pleaded. Both of his hands went to his stomach now, in a motion that was so gentle and caring that Jack knew without needing to ask what James had decided to do with the babe. He had not expected any less from him, to tell the truth.

"Please." James insisted

Jack mock sneered in response. "Tis rather improper to offer cake to your guest while it's still in the oven, Jim. I thought you were more well versed in your manners."

James rolled his eyes and swatted the pirate's arm while he chuckled proudly at his own joke, but Jack had gotten what he wanted, for the corners of James' mouth had curled into a smile, even if just for a moment, and when his face resettled into his previously worried expression, it was not as deep even if still present.

"Something serious, you fool. This is a serious matter."

"I know, Jamie, I know…" It was dreadfully serious, and Jack wanted nothing more than for it to disappear and- No, that was not what he wanted, which was another thing he didn't understand. There was a lot happening in his mind and heart tonight, and Jack could barely keep up. "Is it… y'know…?" He gestured towards himself, unable to voice the words that would make it all the more real. He knew the answer already, although unsaid it was almost a fact that they only seeked out each other for comfort and needs of the flesh.

"Yes… it's yours." James replied, also having trouble saying it out loud, and Jack was somewhat glad that he was not the only one struggling to accept this. "I… I only just realized that it was there this evening."

"Ah." Jack could only nod stupidly in response, unsure of what else to say.

"I can't stay here, Jack."

Jack nodded again.

"If I do, they'll hang me as soon as word gets out, and believe me, it will."

Another nod, and Jack's brow lowered, as if in thought. James, who could no longer bear the small distance between them, reached out with a hesitant hand. His fingertips brushed along Jack's cheek before settling there. Gazes locked, and for a brief second James thought he saw the hint of a smile in the corner of the pirate's lips. Jack's own hand rose to hold on to James', leaning into the touch.

"We're in a right fix, ain't we Jamie?" Jack said, and relief washed over James, for he knew that with those simple words Jack was telling him that he would not abandon him, that whatever outcome came of this, he would not be alone to face it. He eagerly pressed their lips together, and relished in the taste of rum that always lingered there.

"That we are." James said once he had pulled away, his forehead against the pirate's. They stayed like this for a long moment, enjoying the sound of each other's breathing and the closeness, now that the initial tension was over. It was rare for them, to act with such affection, but the dilemma that had been placed upon them had left them seeking comfort instead of pleasure. It was different, and not unwelcome at all.

"Come to the Pearl." Jack said suddenly, breaking the silence and looking intently into the navy man's eyes.

"I-I'm sorry?" James was not entirely sure he had heard him right.

"You heard me, luv, come to the Pearl." Jack repeated his words, slower. James could hardly believe his ears. "At least until you have to… you know…" Jack made a rounded motion around his own stomach, followed by a gesture that indicated said stomach apparently exploding. James elected to ignore that last motion for his own sanity.

"Have you gone mad, Jack? I doubt your crew would take kindly to my presence on board. Especially while bloody pregnant."

"What other choices do you have, Jamie? Go with the Turners? Hide in Tortuga? The Navy are a persistent lot, you should know best of all considering how you've chased me around. They'll find you and won't even give you a chance t' explain yourself." James grimaced, unable to deny that truth. "But come with me, James, to me Pearl, and they'll never find you."

Jack had a point there, and James found he could not argue with him, mouth open as he struggled for words.

"Besides, you could have your way with me whenever you pleased, Commodore. 'S all benefits, if you ask me." Jack purred, earning another swat to the arm and an exasperated smile.

"You are the devil himself, is what you are." James reprimanded, though he still leaned in for another kiss. But Jack was right. As his pregnancy progressed he would become more and more vulnerable, and thus easier to find as his trail would become more difficult to erase. To seek refuge among pirates, it was truly a point of no return. He would never be able to come back to Port Royal, to return to his position as Commodore. It was frightening, how quickly one's life could steer towards a different path, but what was even more frightening was how willing James found himself to go along with it. All for a child he had yet to meet.

"A pirate ship is not exactly what I had in mind. But… for now. I think it would be best. At least until it's born." James said, accepting the offer, much to Jack's surprise and glee.

"Good! Hurry up and dress yourself then!" Jack declared and with a flourish of his hands he picked up the discarded shirt, shook a few creases out and returned it to its owner.

"Wh- now?!"

"'Course, now! Or do you want to wait 'til they're at the door with a noose special for you?"

"...No. No, of course not, but I… I must prepare… I…" James' gaze travelled wildy around his room, already picking out what was needed and what wasn't. This was all happening so fast. If someone had told him all of this during breakfast that very morning, he would have laughed in their face.

Jack seemed to read his mind and rushed off to do the packing for him, but not before forcing the shirt over James' head, urging him to dress himself. James let out a heavy sigh, but complied. He shoved his arms into the sleeves and pulled the shirt down over his belly, smoothing the fabric over the small swell. They would need to find some bigger clothes for him soon, as his belly would only grow bigger by the day, but that was a problem for later.

He followed Jack around, adding things to his pack that he would need that the pirate had overlooked. He passed by his wig, and almost reached out for it before realizing that he would not need it, so he let it be.

Jack was busy rummaging through his bottles of rum and brandy, as he had quickly come to the conclusion that James would not be needing them anytime soon. The navy men let him be, shaking his head with a smile, and while he waited for him to be done sorting through the bottles, he pulled out some parchment and wrote a letter to both the Turners and Governor Swann. James did not want to simply vanish without a trace, he wanted them to know that he was safe and well. As well as he could be, at least.

He gave them no clue as to where he was going or with who, only thanked them for everything they had done for him over the years and his best wishes towards the newly wedded Turners. He would see them again soon, but it was impossible to say when that would be. Once he had finished, he left both letters on his writing desk, where they would be easily found.

"All done over there, mate?" Jack approached him, James' pack on one shoulder and another one filled with clinking bottles on the other.

"That I am." James looked around the room one last time, before grabbing a coat and a hat. He also picked up Jack's hat from where the pirate had left it, and placed it on the man's head.

"Ta." He said with a wicked grin.

"And just what are you so pleased about, Sparrow." James returned the grin, fingers curling around one of Jack's many dreadlocks.

"Never thought I'd see the day you turned pirate, Commodore."

James huffed in mock indignation. "Today has been a day full of surprises, so what's one more?" He pulled a little on the dreadlock, pulling Jack towards himself so he could hungrily devour the man's lips.

The next morning, when the staff of Norrington estate entered to perform their morning duties, they were surprised to see no Commodore in the Commodore's quarters. The only clue as to where he had gone was a single letter on his desk, which was promptly handed over to the Turners as indicated on the letter.

Will was at a loss.

Elizabeth simply smiled.