Jack knew that this was going to end one way or another. There was no doubt about that. Jack tried not to worry, but he knew that since with each second his time would be creeping ever nearer, he had to stop and face it somehow. To make matters worse, they suddenly found themselves stuck in the Horse Latitudes(1), where a ship could hardly move due to lack of wind.

Jack suggested that they row their way into a wind, which the crew had been doing for the past day or so, working in shifts. Those that weren't busy rowing (such as Will and Elizabeth, who were granted freedom from the task) usually ended up discussing Jack's birth plan, sometimes against their will. One such conversation triggered rather strange suggestions, as well as ones that Jack had heard before.

"So far, all we've thought of are hoping it goes the 'traditional way' and cutting the child out of me...and to be honest, I don't like either one." Jack began, sitting at the table and biting into an apple. "Does anyone have a suggestion as to what we could possibly do?" Gibbs timidly raised his hand.

"Well...we could let you drink a whole bunch of rum and try the second option...you wouldn't feel the pain until you woke up..." he suggested.

"But I don't want to feel the pain. That's the problem." Jack said. Elizabeth looked a little annoyed.

"Women have been tolerating the pain for several years, Jack, you could earn yourself a lot of respect by reciprocating!" she grumbled. Jack cast a glance at her.

"It's not what nature wants of me, luv..." Jack explained, wanting nothing more than to reach a suitable conclusion. He took a bite of his apple at another hunger pang.

"Explain your condition, then, Jack." Elizabeth said slyly. Jack rolled his eyes and sighed.

"I told you, I drank that potion and now I'm in this state! It's not my fault...or, at least, not entirely..." Jack said, getting back to his apple. "Any suggestions?" he asked again. Will raised his hand.

"If nature didn't give you the means, what if we did?" he suggested. Jack looked confused and disturbed.

"I don't wanna become a eunuch like yourself, if that's what you mean." Jack said defensively.

"That's not what I mean at all...Just...what if..."

"I have a suggestion." Miranda said. "And since I'm basically the one that got Jack into this mess, I'm the one with the strongest obligation to get him out of it.

"And your suggestion is?" Jack prompted.

"Let it work itself out." Miranda said calmly. Everyone turned to her, confused.

"Miranda, might I remind you, I'm not built for that..." Jack said with a hint of irritation.

"The tonic you drank will take care of everything...it's smooth sailing..." Miranda explained. Jack sighed.

"Ironically, we're stuck in the Horse Latitudes..." he said.

Jack couldn't sleep. This was seriously annoying. True, they had finally gotten hold of a strong wind, but Jack knew they were still so far from land, and Jack wanted nothing more than to settle down on a reliable, steady surface when his time came. He tried to roll over but couldn't, and groaned in defeat and discomfort. Then he felt a kick. He was getting used to this, and it didn't surprise him anymore, but he was beginning to find it annoying. Jack sighed deeply and stared at the ceiling.

"Two more months..." he thought aloud.

(1) The Horse Latitudes are a group of "patches" on the surface of the world where global winds are practically absent. They got their name from the fact that, since there is no wind, ships that end up in these places will usually be stranded in the middle of the ocean; one such notable ship (and crew) got stuck in this place for quite a while and eventually ran out of food for their horses, leading them to throw the animals overboard.