Disclaimer: I own my OCs (Eve, Ruby, and Marguerite), everything else has been begged for, borrowed, or stolen.

A Sparrow's Shadow on the Sea

Temperance

Ever since we returned from shopping in town, Jack had been edgy. I tried to relax on the bed for a bit, but all I ended up doing was watch him. He'd sat at the table with his maps and charts, seemingly unable to concentrate. He left the cabin, saying he was going to check on the supplies he'd ordered Gibbs to procure, only to return in a few minute's time. He was pacing the cabin, mumbling to himself, when I decided enough was enough.

I got up, took out my red dress, and began to strip out of my breeches and shirt. I pulled the dress up and said, "Jack, please help truss me up in this."

He stopped, as if startled, and looked at me, "What? Why?"

I walked over to him and gently touched his cheek. "Because you're looking like you're going to jump out of your own skin," I said softly, smiling at him. "Let's get out of here and go to the Bride. You need to burn off some nervous energy."

"Really, luv, I'm fine," he said to me, as I walked to the cabinet and got out a bottle of rum.

"Have some rum, Jack, you'll feel better," I told him as I uncorked it and handed it to him.

His eyes widened as he spoke, "No thank you, as I said, I'm fine, Eve."

I watched him as I put the bottle on the table. "Then, please, help me with these laces," I said.

He stepped forward, almost timidly, and reached up to take the laces in his hands. And I saw that his hands were trembling. I looked at his face, his skin covered with tiny beads of sweat. I reached for the rum.

"No, luv, please," he said piteously, "I'm trying so hard to be good." In his eyes swirled a mixture of fear, sadness, and anxiety.

His words made my heart wrench with tenderness and admiration for his valiant attempt at sobriety.

"Darlin', you are good, don't put yourself through this," I told him as I wrapped my arms around him and held him tight. "Doing it this way will just make you hideously sick. Much better to cut back, little by little. Wean yourself from the rum gradually, if that's what you want."

"I just feel like I need to be strong…for you…to rely on. And…that I need to try…to be…a good man…and a good…father," he muttered into my shoulder.

I was so touched by his words that I had to fight back tears. I held him tightly, blinking desperately, so the tears wouldn't fall.

"Jack, look at me," I said finally, as I pushed him back. The intense vulnerability I saw in his eyes took my breath away. And I realized how completely he trusted me, to be able to bare his soul like that.

I lightly laid my hands on his cheeks, and said to him gently, "Jack, you are all those things. I never would've fallen in love with you if you weren't. I've always felt I could rely on you. And you've always been a good man. And I know, when it's time, you'll be a wonderful father," I smiled and kissed him tenderly.

"You really think so, Eve," he said quietly.

"Without any doubt," I told him, "But, I also fell in love with a pirate, Jack, and that means I love all those rough edges of yours, all the seemingly imperfect aspects of yourself that you're being so self-conscious about right now." I looked into his eyes intently, "I don't want a saint to love, Jack, I want you."

He smiled hesitantly at me.

"Now, I don't know how many more opportunities there will be for me to fit into this dress in the future, so Jack, kindly lace me up. We'll go to the Bride, you can have a few drinks and relax…and maybe, when we come back, I'll let you seduce me," I teased.

"You'll let me seduce you?" he asked, disbelievingly.

I smirked at him, "Unless you were planning to give that up as well? In which case, I'll be sure to notify the nearest monastery to expect a new member."

I saw the fire return to his eyes. "Wench," he growled at me.

"Yes…Captain?" I answered seductively.

"Oh bloody hell," he cursed, as he reached for the rum, taking a big swig. "And just so you know, luv, you couldn't resist me if you tried!"

"So, will you kindly offer me your assistance with this infernal dress, or will I need to go and solicit a member of your crew to help me?" I taunted him mercilessly.

He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me against him forcefully. He kissed me deeply, urgently. The taste of rum on him so familiar and comforting, yet undeniably tantalizing.

"I love you more than life itself, Eve," he said with intensity, "And I would do anything to make you happy."

I smiled at him, "Then be you, Jack. I love you. You make me happy."

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The Faithful Bride was not as boisterous as was typical. We arrived later than usual, and the raucous festivities of the evening should have been in full swing, but the tavern was occupied by only half the usual assortment of outlaws, miscreants, and whores.

I chose a corner table, as was Jack's favorite vantage point, while he went to get drinks at the bar. The patrons present in the tavern tended to be occupied by card games or conversation, and the well-behaved atmosphere was an eerie sight to behold.

Jack returned with a mug of tea for me and a rum for himself. He surveyed the room and its assemblage of riffraff then, apparently satisfied all was as it should be, began to sip his rum.

"Why do you suppose it's so quiet here tonight?" I asked him quietly.

"Must be the storm," he replied casually.

I looked at him strangely. "What storm, Jack? It was a beautiful day, and the evening is quite nice as well," I mentioned.

"Aye, luv, but when you've been on the sea as long as I have, you'll know the signs. It's coming, I can feel it in my bones," he explained, "Most of the men who frequent this fine establishment know it as well, being sailors of one type or another. Hence, the rather subdued level of ambiance this evening."

I'd always loved storms, the wind and rain felt so exhilarating! But I felt apprehensive upon hearing of a storm coming, having never experienced one on a ship before. At least not a normal storm! I noticed Jack was watching me.

"No worries, Eve. Been through many storms with the Pearl. She's a formidable haven, I assure you. We'll be just fine," he told me comfortingly.

I smiled and replied, "You're an experienced captain, Jack, I trust you…I'm just worried about getting seasick, and not being able to enjoy the storm."

"Enjoy the storm?!" he exclaimed, "Most women…never mind." He caught his assumption, and grinned at me. "So, you like storms, do you?"

I smiled at him, feeling my eyes light up with excitement. "I love them! They used to terrify me as a child, the thunder and lightning. It always made me feel so small and helpless. But I've grown to love the pounding rain, and the fierce winds! A few years back, I went to the beach when an especially strong storm was coming ashore. I just stood out there, all alone on the sand, watching it. I was drenched and freezing by the time I went home, but it was just so incredible to experience!"

He smirked at me, "Ah, you're a girl after my own heart, luv! If you're feeling up to it, you can stay on deck with me. We'll watch it together!" His eyes shone with the same wild excitement I felt. But then, turning serious, he told me, "You must promise, Eve, if it gets dangerous and I tell you to go to the cabin, you will go without argument. I'll not allow you to risk being hurt."

"Jack, I'm not…" I began to respond.

"You…will…go…without…argument," he interrupted, emphasizing each word he spoke, his eyes bored into mine, "Weathering a storm on a ship's not the same as on land, luv. No matter how securely we prepare, yardarms can break, ropes can snap, even the wind can be enough to knock you overboard." He looked at me intensely. "You will promise me, Eve," he warned.

"I promise, Captain," I said begrudgingly.

Jack smiled and touched my cheek, "I won't make you go unless it's truly dangerous, my love, know that."

I smiled at him, my disappointment waning. I knew had to trust his experience, but sometimes it was annoying when he decided to go "Captain" on me.

I finished my tea and headed to the bar for another round for us, only to be joined by Marguerite.

"Eve Sparrow, rumour has it you're with child," she mentioned, adding snidely, "One wonders who the father might be?"

"Stop trying to bait me, Marguerite," I told her, "Jack and I are happy, and you don't threaten me."

"Oh, I don't?" she replied, "Maybe not now. But what about later? When you're too fat to be attractive to him anymore, and too fat to be able to satisfy him? He'll be just like all men. He'll make up some flimsy lie, leave you stuck on his ship, while he comes to spend a little time with me. And I'll still be thin and beautiful, and more than willing to do his bidding," she said, smirking.

I stared at her in disbelief. "What makes you so certain I wouldn't be able to satisfy him simply because I'm pregnant?" I asked her. "You can't possibly be that naïve, Marguerite! Surely you must know, there's more than one way to satisfy that pirate!"

She stared, open-mouthed, at me. "Just as I thought! You're no better than a common whore!"

I smirked at her, "Like yourself? Oh no, Marguerite, I am so very much better than that!"

"Indeed she is!" Jack's voice exclaimed behind me. He dropped a few coins on the bar for our drinks, and taking me by the hand, remarked over his shoulder, "Have a pleasant evening, Marguerite."

Jack was chuckling as we returned to our table. "Now, that's me girl!" he teased, grinning at me, his gold teeth shining brightly.

"It's funny," I said smirking, "I've come to almost enjoy those little encounters with Marguerite."

"I know I do," Jack said, smirking, "And you handle her inflammatory comments like quite the feisty pirate lass, with nary any instruction from me, mind you!" He smiled proudly at me. "So, what was it you girls were chatting about?"

I smirked as I replied, "The variety of ways a woman might be able to satisfy the needs of a pirate."

"Really?" Jack asked, much too intrigued, "By all means, do tell, dearie!"

"It seems poor Marguerite's talents may be a bit limited," I mentioned, smirking at him, "But then, I'm quite certain you would be aware of that."

Jack's eyes widened slightly, and he made an odd choking sound in his throat.

"She seemed to be concerned that I wouldn't be able to satisfy your needs, while I'm heavy with child," I continued matter-of-factly, enjoying Jack's discomfort, "So, I simply reminded her that there is more than one way to satisfy a man."

Jack had regained his composure somewhat, asking, "And that would be?" He took a big sip from his rum.

I leaned close, whispering in his ear discreetly, what I had in mind.

Jack spat the rum from his mouth forcefully, and proceeded to choke and cough, wide-eyed.

"Oh dear, are you alright?" I asked, patting him on the back, "Just breathe, darlin', breathe."

Jack stared at me, trying desperately to regain his composure. "You?" he choked out, then resumed coughing.

I smiled serenely at him, waiting for him to finish coughing and sputtering.

"You know?...cough…You can?...cough…You…WILL?" he persisted in attempting to speak.

I smiled, more smugly now, and waited. As his coughing subsided, I mentioned quietly, "I've been told I'm very good."

Jack stared at me, rubbed his hand over his face, then downed the rest of his rum. "We gotta go, luv, NOW!"

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A/N: Aww…Jack tries to sober up, good thing he's got plenty of time to practice before the baby's born! And with a storm brewing, they're going to be cooped up inside the cabin together for a while. Should get interesting! Thanks so much to everyone who read and reviewed! Hope you enjoyed! Have a great weekend!