Disclaimer: Disney owns POTC, I own my OCs.

A Sparrow's Shadow on the Sea

Acquiescence

Jack and I spent the afternoon at the helm. It was always his favorite place to think, and had become mine as well, since that first sailing lesson he had given me. And, to be sure, we both had plenty to think about.

Jack was happily chatting away about the wind direction and angling the sails in the best way to take advantage. I was half listening and half absorbed in my thoughts.

Gibbs climbed the steps to the helm, exclaiming, " 'Tis a right fine day for sailing, eh, Cap'n…Miss!"

"Aye, Gibbs, that it is," Jack replied cheerfully, "Nothing beats a fresh sea breeze and spending time with my two best girls!" Jack slid his arm around me, pulling me close. I smiled at Gibbs.

Gibbs returned my smile, then said to Jack, "Everythin's ready in the cabin, Jack."

"Oh, good! Thank you," Jack replied, as he stepped away from the wheel, allowing Gibbs to take over. "Treat her kindly, Gibbs!"

"Always, Cap'n," he responded.

Jack turned to me, offering his arm, "Shall we, darlin'?"

We left the helm and headed toward the cabin, but Jack stopped me before I could enter. I looked at him questioningly.

He stood close to me and said in a low voice, "Close your eyes, Eve."

I looked at him suspiciously.

He began to smirk, ever so slowly, first the corners of his lips twitching upward, then the mischievous look spreading to the rest of his face. His dark eyes glinted wickedly in the dim light as he spoke, "Don't make me have to blindfold you, luv…"

I smirked back at him, and obediently closed my eyes.

"Ah, I see, being a good girl tonight, are you," he teased.

I laughed softly. "For now," I said, cracking my eyes open slightly to peek at him. He was looking at me, so I quickly snapped them shut again.

"I saw that, luv," he mentioned.

I felt Jack's arms reach around me. Then I heard the doors open. I felt his hands on my shoulders, moving down my arms, to my elbows. He then moved his hands up, and gripped my arms just below my shoulders. I was aware that he had moved closer, and I heard him say softly by my ear, "Trust, my love." I felt him urging me forward, and so I took a step, then another. I kept walking slowly until Jack told me to stop. I heard the sound of furniture move on the wood floor.

"Sit down, Eve," Jack said as he guided me, "Open your eyes."

When I opened my eyes, I saw the table had been set with candles and a lavish feast of roast chicken, potatoes, vegetables, and fruit.

"It's not Sunday," I said to him, smiling.

"You've had a bit of a trying week," he said as he poured me a glass of wine. "Less bad for you than rum," he mentioned as he handed it to me. He walked to take his seat. "And Gibbs seems to be under some impression that you need to eat more nutritious food," he teased, waving his hands dismissively, "Although, I can't possibly imagine why." He smiled warmly as he gazed at me.

"It's very nice," I said, smiling, "Thank you."

We ate in silence, each of us in our own thoughts. I was thankful I didn't feel nauseous, and could enjoy the dinner. Maybe it was just the rum. It would be nice not to be plagued with morning sickness.

"You're fretting, luv," Jack observed, "Out with it."

"Jack, I couldn't agree more with you about the child being born here, on the Pearl, and at sea," I began, "It would be so perfect! But do you really think it's a good idea to raise a child on the ship?"

"Why not?" Jack asked, "It's no more risky or dangerous than any place else."

"Oh no, of course not," I said sarcastically, "Swordfights, pistol shot, and cannon fire aren't risky at all, not to mention the ever-present danger of the wee one falling overboard."

"I encountered everyone of those things growing up, and I emerged unscathed," he pointed out.

I decided to tease him, "But, darlin', you're Captain Jack Sparrow."

He smirked, "True enough, luv, true enough. But, you must remember, we're talking about the offspring of Captain Jack Sparrow," he explained, "Naturally, the child will inherit all sorts of miraculous qualities!" He gestured gracefully to emphasize.

I smiled, "I agree, and all of said miraculous qualities will, no doubt, come from me!'

Jack feigned a horrified expression, saying, "You wound me, my love…" He held his hands over his heart.

"Only a little," I teased, smiling.

Jack was watching me happily. "It's nice to see you smile finally, Eve," he commented.

"And it's nice to see the mischief back in your eyes again, Jack," I told him.

"I'll never lie to you, Eve," Jack said, suddenly serious, "I was a bit panicked at first."

"I still am," I admitted.

"I know, luv," he said comfortingly. "I've never been especially comfortable around children," he mentioned, "Not even when I was a child myself."

"You'll be a good father, Jack," I told him.

He smiled, somewhat uncertainly, then sighed, "I know I should be steadfast, and brave…and that you need to be able to feel you can rely on me, but Eve, all of this scares the bloody hell out of me."

"It does to me too," I replied, "It would've been nice to be able to plan this, for a time much farther in the future." I stood up and began pacing as I spoke, "As it is now, I feel as if I suddenly have a squatter inside of me, as if I've been possessed by some invisible being who's using me for their own selfish needs." I stopped to look at him, "Jack, these aren't exactly loving, maternal feelings…And I feel like a horrible person for having them."

"You're not a horrible person, Eve," he said, "It'll just require some getting used to."

"But I don't want to get used to it, Jack," I confessed, "I want it to go away…So, you see, I am a horrible person." I wrapped my arms around myself and went to stand by the window.

Jack approached and stood behind me, wrapping his arms over mine.

"Are you certain that pennyroyal is truly that dangerous?" I asked.

"Aye, luv, it's not an option," he confirmed.

I sighed. "I guess we have only one option then," I said, defeatedly.

"I always was under the impression that most women wanted to marry and have children," Jack mentioned.

"Jack, you should know by now that I am encumbered by neither the morals nor the traditional conventions of most women of this time," I explained, "I was raised to expect far more out of life than to be just a wife and mother." I turned to look at him, and saw to my surprise, that he was smiling. I touched his cheek and told him, "I want the same things out of life that you do. A life of freedom and adventure…and a little treasure along the way would be nice too. And I want to share all that with you."

Jack smiled at me. "You are so…very…perfect," he said, leaning in to kiss me. "And we'll have all of that, luv. We'll just have a little extra company along the way."

I smiled briefly at him, then asked with some reluctance, "You don't hate me then?"

A look of surprise momentarily fleeted across his face. "Oh God, no! I could never hate you!" He pulled me close and said quietly, "I love you more than I ever dreamed was possible."

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A/N: Poor Eve, still struggling with her feelings, but she's starting to accept that maybe all is not doomed. And Jack, bless his black weasily heart, is being so supportive. Just makes you want to say "Awww." Thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing! You rock my world!