A/N: Wow, 401 hits. Thanks for that guys. Now just IMAGINE if everyone had REVIEWED after reading...just kidding. I know it's tedious. It's quite enough that you've actually read, and I thank you for that. And a big thanks to those of you who have reviewed. I enjoy your feedback. So, here we go.

Chapter 5

I lay in bed that night, remembering the sensation of his lips against mine. It had been everything I remembered, yet so much more. I had wanted him so badly that it frightened me. What would he do to me if I let him? He could destroy me all over again and never realize he was doing it. To him, it was slaking his lust. Not even, what with the curse upon him. It was more like habit. To me, it was the man I loved, returned to me after a long absence. I rolled over, troubled. Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea, staying on the ship with Jack. I knew I loved him, but that's why it was so dangerous. I couldn't let myself get hurt again, for Brianna's sake. Sighing, I drifted off into an uneasy sleep.

Brianna had been spending a lot of time with Leah. I was concerned at first, but she was happy, and she really admired Leah. It saddened me a bit; that I could never be the one she looked up to. I wanted that to change, though. I suppose I just didn't know where to start. I was on the starboard side of the ship, leaning against the railing when I heard Jack's first mate, Mr.Gibbs, call to Jack.

"Captain! We're comin' up on Landrene Island!" I saw Jack take the wheel again, staring into the horizon, as Gibbs left him alone. I cautiously approached him.

"Hello, Jack." I noticed his muscles tighten a bit, but his gaze remained glued to the horizon. I figured the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow wasn't very accustomed to being rejected by women. Reluctantly, I admitted to myself that he had been right; I had wanted him as much as he wanted me. Probably more. But in a different way. That wasn't love, though, and it wouldn't have meant anything to him. Not only because of the curse, but because we didn't want the same things, which became painfully obvious when he left me so easily those years ago. Jack would never fall in love. He couldn't. He had his own obligations, just as I had mine; he couldn't risk being tied down. "Jack, I just wanted to say I really am sorry about—"

"There's no reason to apologize."

"But I think there is. You've been nothing but kind to me since I got here…well, aside from that first night…but that was different. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I am grateful for what you've done for Brianna and myself. You saved our lives." He turned to face me.

"Why are you really sill here?" he asked, obviously impatient. He always could see right through me. Truth be told, I wasn't sure what I was expecting.

"I don't know. No. That's not entirely true. I want to tell you—" I trailed off.

"Tell me…what?" His gaze was curious.

"I haven't been honest with you Jack. Not completely." I wrung my hands nervously, unable to meet his eyes. He came closer, lifting my face to look into my eyes.

"Claire…what is it?" He was worried now. My heart sped up fiercely, and I lost control of my breathing as tears clung to my eyelids, threatening to fall.

"Jack, it's…you're…" He was clinging to my every word. I wanted to tell him everything so badly.

"I hope we're not interrupting…" Leah approached with Brianna, hand in hand. My eyes were still glued to Jack's. Slowly, he turned back towards the wheel, leaving me breathing heavily, trying to control my emotions.

"Brianna…" I sputtered. Maybe it was a sign; this hadn't been the opportune moment.

"I'm sorry…I just figured Brianna wanted to see you, since it's been a while…" Leah explained, smiling reproachfully.

"Oh…no, it's fine. Are you alright, Brianna?" The young child nodded, still clinging to Leah.

"Well, the reason I really came to talk to you is that I'm afraid I must go see some old friends once we dock in Landrene Island, so I won't be able to watch Brianna," she explained.

"Oh, that's fine. I'll take her," I told Leah.

"No! I want to say with Leah!" Brianna clung more tightly to Leah's hand. I bit my lip, fighting to hold back the stubborn tears. Leah glanced at me for a moment.

"I think it's best if you stay with your mother on the island, Brianna. I'll come find you later and we can do something then, okay?" I nodded.

"That'll be fine," I murmured quietly, planting a fabricated smile on my face. "I'll come find you before bed and tuck you in, okay Brianna?"

"That's okay, Leah can do it," she told me, smiling at the blond woman. I nodded, and they left. I lowered my head and finally let the tears fall. After a rather awkward pause, I felt a comforting hand on my shoulder. I turned around, and Jack wrapped his arms around my dejected form. I embraced him tightly, burying my face in his shoulder.

"Don't cry, love. I'm never any good with this kind of thing," he murmured, as I felt him shift uncomfortably. I smiled despite my tears, and he rubbed my back soothingly.

"I'm sorry Jack, I really am." He pulled away gently, one arm still around my waist, his other hand resting gently on the side of my face, wiping my tears away.

"Don't be sorry. Just…don't do it." He pleaded. I smiled.

"I've just been a really terrible mother to her. I can't blame her for looking to someone else." Yet I didn't understand. I was in complete anguish that my own daughter wanted nothing to do with me.

"Stop doing tha' to yourself, what good will it do? Now obviously I don't know about these…situations. But beating yourself up about it's not going to do anyone any good, eh?" I nodded. Not the most eloquent reassurance, but the mere fact that he cared enough to try made me smile slightly. He looked into my eyes, and after a brief silence, he changed the subject quickly. "We'll be in Landrene Island in no more than an hour. I want you and Brianna to stay with me, alrigh'? Too dangerous to have it any other way." I nodded understandingly before I realized I was still in Jack's arms. What worried me more was the fact that even after I realized this, I made no attempt to remove myself from his presence. Noticing how flustered I suddenly became, he grinned and took a step back, bowing clumsily. I laughed nervously, eyes locked on the ground. I left him at the wheel. "See ye soon, love." I nodded.

"Aye, Captain."

I splashed some cool water over my face, dressing quickly. Jack had advised me to wear one of his shirts and a pair of breeches. Apparently Landrene Island wasn't entirely safe, as he had put it. Probably worse than Tortuga. I was about to ask him why he liked Landrene Island and Tortuga so much if they weren't safe…before I realized that the answer was in the question. He loved being kept on his toes; the excitement…among other things I thought bitterly. There was a quiet knock on my cabin door. "Come in," I called. Leah opened the door slowly, a rather sympathetic smile on her face. I smiled pleasantly.

"Are you alright after…earlier? I'm really sorry, I—" I held up a hand, signaling for her to stop.

"Don't worry about it. I don't know what I expected. I haven't been a very good mother to Brianna lately." I paused for a moment, realizing that "lately" wasn't quite accurate. I had never really been the kind of mother Brianna deserved. I pushed the thought out of my mind. "And yes, I'm fine. I truly appreciate everything you've done to help me out," I told her in all honestly. She smiled.

"It hasn't been a problem at all. I'm going to bring Brianna over in a minute. I just wanted to talk to you first. I'll need you to take Brianna for a few hours, but I'll come get her later and we can do something."

"Well, you've done so much, and she is my responsibility. I can just keep her the whole night."

"No!" Leah answered quickly. I cocked an eyebrow at her, surprised at the urgency of her response. "No, no. That won't be necessary. I did promise her, after all. Besides, that'll give you some time with--" she trailed off. "Never mind." I glared at her.

"I know what you're thinking. And no, I am not falling for Ja—Captain Sparrow. You know the situation. It's in the past," I insisted, not sure whether I was trying to convince Leah or myself. She nodded, visibly unconvinced.

"What ever you say. All right, I'll go help Brianna get ready. I'll be back soon." I smiled, and she left. I sighed heavily, sitting on my cot, letting my hair out of its braid. While trying to figure out just where I went wrong with Brianna, my thoughts were interrupted by another knock.

"Come on in, Leah," I called. The door opened slightly.

"I'm not Leah, but can I still come in?" I smiled. "I'll take that as a yes." Jack stepped in, standing in front of where I was seated. Under his arm was bundled a black hooded cloak of a light material. I assumed Jack planned to use it as cover once it got dark so people wouldn't notice the fact that he had spontaneously turned into a skeleton. The only thing more unpredictable than the drunks of Landrene Island were drunks scared out of their wits by a walking, talking, decaying corpse…not that I could exactly speak from experience on that matter. Just call it intuition. After a moment of uneasy silence, Jack broke it. "What are ye thinking?" I looked up a him, expressionless, then forced a smile on my face.

"Nothing important," I told him.

"You're a bad liar, love," he told me. I laughed slightly.

"Ah yes, exactly what you want. More of my problems." He looked at me seriously.

"Is this about earlier?" I nodded. "Love, we've been through this. You've done a better job with the lass than anyone else could have in your position. Enough of this, really. "Ave a little fun t'night, alrigh'?" He held out a hand to me, and I grasped it. He pulled me swiftly to my feet, probably a little too swiftly. My weight came down on my injured ankle that was still in somewhat of a weakened state, and I fell forward. He seized me around the waist to help me regain my balance. I laughed, slightly embarrassed. "I'm the one who's supposedly drunk more often than not, and look who can't keep their balance," he teased. This just caused me to laugh harder. We finally stopped laughing, as I once again made the realization that I was back in Jack's arms. I glanced up to his eyes, seeing that they were full of both amusement and suggestion. I froze, excited and terrified at the same time. He leaned forward slightly, almost as a question. As usual, my heart kicked in before my head. I just wanted him so badly. I leaned forward to meet him. Closing my eyes, I felt his breath on my lips. His lips had barely contacted mine when there was a knock at the door. We froze. "Ignore it," he pleaded against my lips.

"It's Brianna," I whispered. He sighed, his forehead resting on mine, as he stepped away. "Come in," I called unsteadily. Leah stepped in, Brianna grasping her hand. Leah smiled warmly, while Brianna remained expressionless. A tense silence filled the air. Brianna stared at her feet, I smiled comfortingly, and Jack rocked back and forth on his feet, glancing around the room.

"Well…let's get a move on then, eh?" Jack slurred suddenly. Without hesitation, I headed for the door, grasping Brianna's hand as we opened the door. She, also without hesitation, pulled it away from me, then rushed ahead. I sighed heavily.

"Coming?" I asked Leah.

"No, you go ahead, I've got a few things to take care of before I meet with my friends. I'll come get Brianna later tonight." I nodded, and glanced at Jack. I noticed that he was studying Leah carefully, his face suddenly adorned by an indescribable expression. Shaking his head upon noticing me watching him, he smiled slightly, then headed for the docks.

"Jus' give her time, love," Jack whispered in my ear, sending a shivery feeling all along my spine. Brianna was already off the ship. I turned away ruefully, but Jack grasped my wrist, pulling me back to him. He grasped my shoulders, then paused in thought. He then placed a light peck on my lips. Though I believe it was meant to be friendly and reassuring, he could never kiss me as anything besides a lover. I smiled warmly, and Jack placed his hand on the small of my back, leading me off the ship. He stopped for a moment and produced a pistol, placing it into my hand. "Hold onto this, eh love?" I nodded, slightly nervous at the thought that I might need a pistol for protection tonight. Brianna was waiting somberly on the dock. Jack stared at her intently for a moment, then lowered himself to her level.

"Brianna, I know you're upset, but ye need t'stay close to us while we're here. S'very important. Could be dangerous. Savvy?" Brianna nodded, and off we went.