The night was filled with tension. Tension between Brianna and I, tension between Jack and I (a very different kind of tension), and even tension between Jack and Brianna, as Jack was not even vaguely aware of how to act around children. We found ourselves in a typical tavern, Jack trying hard not to act like typical Jack in said typical tavern, fighting off the seductive glances of a variety of bar wenches. I smiled slightly in spite of myself. In a weird sort of way, it was touching. I'm sure it had much more to do with Brianna's presence than mine, but his effort was endearing nonetheless. Brianna slurped at a bowl of soup Jack had ordered for her, never once meeting my glances. Jack looked around the room awkwardly.

"So Jack," I began. Jack whipped his head around to face me. "Why don't you tell Brianna about some of your adventures. I'm sure she'd love to hear about the exciting life of a pirate captain." I hoped my voice didn't come across as desperate as I felt. He smiled comfortingly at me. "Isn't that right, Brianna?" Brianna shrugged, but she stared at Jack, and I knew her well enough to know that she was curious.

"I s'pose that could be arranged," he smiled. Brianna smiled slightly at Jack, continuing to ignore me. Jack launched into one of his stories that was probably more than half-fabricated, but Brianna was riveted nonetheless.

"And then what happened?" she asked excitedly, positioned on the very edge of her chair.

"And then they made me their chief," he concluded with a dramatic wave of his hand. Brianna's eyes were wide. She was fascinated by Jack. I had to admit that she was not alone in this. I smiled.

"Wasn't that a wonderful story, Brianna?" I asked the child. The excitement of Jack's story had done nothing to calm Brianna's anger towards me. She shot me an icy stare and then went back to her soup. At this point, I was so frustrated and confused by the child's attitude towards me that I finally snapped.

"Brianna, what in the world do you want from me? I cannot figure out what I've done to you that is so terrible. Worked myself nearly to death to provide for you? Comforted you when you had nightmares? Nearly given my life to protect you? What more do you want?" I almost screamed. Brianna's scowling eyes filled with tears.

"I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU SO MUCH!" and she jumped up from the table and began running, and she ran straight into Leah.

"Is everything okay here?" Leah asked us cautiously.

"Just…just take her. She's clearly where she wants to be, so just…take her." I told Leah in a quivering voice as I struggled to hold back tears.

"Don't ever leave me again Leah," the child begged. Jack's glance went from me, to Leah and Brianna, back to me, then back to Leah and Brianna, all in the course of about five seconds. Had I not been so distraught, I would've felt bad for putting him in another horribly awkward situation. Leah sighed heavily, then leaned her face to my ear and whispered,

"I'll take her back to the ship. Don't worry, we'll get this sorted out." I had my face buried in my hands.

"Sure," is all I could manage to say. I heard them leave, Brianna chattering away to Leah. Jack shifted anxiously in his seat. I placed my head on the table. A few moments later, I heard the sound of a mug being pushed towards me across the table. I raised my head and saw Jack had procured me some rum. I considered this for a moment; what good would it do? I could get drunk to the point of forgetting my own name, and Brianna would still not love me. Yes, clearly not drinking would be the smart choice. So naturally, I picked up the mug and downed the majority of it in one swig. Jack's eyes widened, slightly impressed.

"Tha's my girl," he smiled. I smiled reluctantly. I couldn't tear myself away from his eyes until he suddenly noticed the nearly faded light outside. He quickly produced the cloak and deftly fastened it around himself and pulled the hood up.

"This makes conversation somewhat difficult," I said, moving my head to try and see his face.

"Sorry love. But I think seeing me face in it's current state might kill the conversation 'fore it started," he joked. He snapped at a bar wench to get her attention, pointing at my now empty mug to call for a refill. That would be gone quicker than the first, the third one quicker than the second, and so on until I was unable to properly stand up for myself. Jack and I talked for several hours about anything and everything. He had me laughing so hard that I thought I would surely die from lack of air. I suppose the ridiculous quantities of rum probably contributed, but I found myself not caring. In fact, not caring seemed to be the theme of the night.

"I…don't care. If she doesn't care about me, I mean. Brianna, I mean," I told Jack, the alcohol clearly serving its purpose. Jack shook his head slightly. "What?" I asked angrily.

"I don' believe you," he stated simply.

"Are you calling me a liar?" Jack just smiled. "Well, are you?"

"Yes."

"Oh…" I considered this. "You're right."

"I know. S'why I said it."

"Yes. I suppose that makes sense," I admitted. I wavered slightly in my chair. Jack jumped slightly out of his in an effort to keep me from tumbling onto the filthy floor. I laughed heartily. "I'm fine!" I laughed, regaining my balance.

"Love, what say we get ye back to the ship, eh?" Jack suggested. I shrugged. "Excellent." Jack rose and came to my side, lifting me gently to my feet. "Lean on me as much as ye need," he offered.

"You're so sweet, Jack. Thank you, thank you so much," I gushed, throwing my arms sloppily around his neck.

"S'alright, not at all," he grinned, pulling me along.

The walk back to the ship was quite amusing. To me, anyway. There was a great deal of stumbling, even more laughing…and a shameless amount of flirtation. It was raining slightly, so Jack had removed his cloak, as he was now protected from the moonlight by the ominous-looking clouds. Finally we got back to the ship.

"D'ye want me to take ye to your cabin?" Jack asked.

"No," I replied, and Jack grinned hopefully at me. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"I have to check on Brianna…my daughter?" He nodded, slightly disappointed. We headed towards Leah's cabin.

"There's a note on her door,' I observed aloud, slurring almost as obviously as Jack. Jack and I approached it, opening the yellowing piece of parchment.

Claire-

We're back, but Brianna was really exhausted, so I set up an extra cot in my cabin for her. Hope that's all right. She seems to be doing better. We had a long talk. We'll see you in the morning.

Leah

I sighed, as I'd been doing a lot lately. Jack saw my expression and thrust the bottle of rum he was carrying into my hand. I laughed, taking a heavy swig. I held out the bottle to return to him. He grabbed my hand over the bottle and pulled me in closely. We were within inches of each other. I could smell the rum, but I wasn't sure if it was Jack's breath or mine.

"Ye know, she's right, darlin'. She'll come around." Somehow, I just wasn't convinced. He grinned at me. Suddenly, overcome by desire…and probably a little by rum…I placed my arms around his neck and pressed my lips against his without skipping a beat. I knew it was the worst choice I could've made…at least I would've, had I not been, for all practical purposes, intoxicated. I just wanted him so badly. As his hands clasped my back, I had reason to believe he felt a similar emotion. I felt his tongue flick across my lips, as though asking permission. I permissed. Is that a word? I thought to myself. I couldn't be sure at the time. (It wasn't). My mind was more than a little fuzzy. I melted into his arms, completely lost in this moment of passion. Suddenly, I felt him stiffen, caressing my shoulders with his hands as he slowly separated us. He had the look of a man who was about to regret what he was going to say.

"Love…just how drunk are ye?" he mumbled. I couldn't even imagine how much strength that must have taken, knowing Jack. He is a good man I thought to myself. Here I am, more than a little drunk. Finally, here's the man who has scarred me, possibly for life, the unknowing father of my daughter, the object of all my romantic affection, and he's worried about taking advantage of me. Damn him.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I met his hypnotic stare.

"Would you think less of me if I said I really didn't care?" He paused in thought, then flashed me his little half-smile.

"Not so much, no," and he pressed his lips hungrily against mine. We stumbled across the deck until we were at the door to his cabin, neither of us willing to part even for a moment. He opened the door with a swift kick, and closed it in the same manner. We fell back onto his bed where, removing our clothes hastily, I gave into my desires.