Disclaimer: Disney owns POTC, I own my OCs.

A Sparrow's Shadow on the Sea

Souvenirs

Once back in the cabin of the Pearl, Jack sat me in a chair by the table. He then went to get the ship's medical supplies.

Alone and safe, I was finally able to burst into tears. It had always been my tendency to remain clear and level-headed during any type of crisis, only to completely lose my composure once that crisis had been averted. And this time was no different.

Jack entered the cabin and, seeing me sobbing, dumped the medical supplies on the table. He came to kneel in front of me.

I looked up at him tearfully. "I've never been so scared in my entire life! I had to totally rely on myself because I knew no one else could help me. And all around, people were bleeding and dying! And that man was going to kill me! He would've enjoyed it too, the wretched bastard! And I was so busy fighting him, and trying to protect myself, that I wasn't able to keep track of you and I feared you were dead. And I got hurt! And I killed two people!" I blubbered on and on, as Jack held me, allowing me to release all my hysteria.

When my tears began to subside, I became aware that Jack was shaking. I pulled back to look at him. His face was red and he had tears on his cheeks. My anxiety quickly turned to rage, as I realized had had been trying in vain to stifle his laughter.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" I screamed, slapping at his chest and arms. "Are you insane? I've just been through a traumatizing event, and you have the audacity to laugh?!"

"Eve, stop it," he said trying to stifle his chuckling and fend off my hands.

I was furious! I balled my hand up into a fist and hit him on the arm as hard as I could.

"Ow! Now, that hurt, luv," he said as he grabbed for my wrists and held them tightly. I struggled as hard as I could against his hold, finally exhausting myself.

"Are you planning to hit me anymore?" Jack asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"No," I replied sulkily.

"Can I release you then and not fear for my own life?" he asked teasingly.

"For the moment," I told him angrily.

"I'm so sorry, luv, I really am. But you're such a woman of contrasts," he said, tipping my head up to look at him. "You fought on that ship with as much skill and bravery as any of the men, Eve. You looked like a bloody valkyrie! Totally focused, precise in all your movements. And with a determination in your eyes that was nearly frightening to behold," he continued, as he dried my tears and smoothed my hair. "Your quick thinking saved my life too, darlin', and I'm forever grateful to you for that." He paused, as a smirk twitched at the corners of his lips. "And then I come in here to find you in a pool of tears, lamenting the deaths of a couple of men who would've killed you in a heartbeat, or done far worse things to you, and never would've lost a night's sleep over it."

"I did what I had to, Jack," I said sensibly, as I began to see the absurdity of it all.

"You did indeed, luv," he replied, smiling, "And I'm proud to be able to call you my wife, as well as a member of my crew."

I smiled at him. "I'm just happy you didn't get hurt," I said quietly.

"But you did," he said, "Now, let's have a look at your arm." He gently lifted my shirt over my head, carefully pulling the sleeves off my arms. He grabbed a blanket out of a chest and wrapped it around me, leaving my left arm exposed. "Don't want you to catch cold," he mentioned, although I had to wonder if it was also to keep himself from being distracted by my toplessness.

He dipped some gauze into a bowl of warm water, using it to wipe the dried blood away. I had a three inch cut across my upper arm.

"You're lucky, it's not deep and we won't need to stitch it," he said as he continued to clean around it.

The mere mention of stitches made me feel queasy.

"We are going to have to clean it thoroughly, though, to make sure it doesn't become infected," he said as he regarded me with a worried and apprehensive expression, "And it's gonna hurt like hell, luv."

"I know, Jack," I replied, trying to bravely conceal my dread, "Just do it and get it over with."

He continued to gently clean the blood around it. Then, he got up and walked to his cabinet for the rum. He uncorked it, and asked, "Ready, Eve?"

I knew I shouldn't, but what harm could one sip do. I needed to settle my nerves and I hoped that it would help dull the pain. I reached for the bottle and took a big swallow. "Yes, now I'm ready," I answered, as I gripped the chair tightly with my right hand.

Jack poured the rum over the wound. I gasped. It felt like he had lit my entire arm on fire! And I began mutter a slew of expletives under my breath, as if chanting. I couldn't watch what he was doing. My eyes welled up with tears, and I turned the other way. Getting wounded in the first place didn't hurt nearly as much as this. Next time Jack tells me to stay on the Pearl, I'm doing it, I vowed silently.

"Please forgive me, luv, I'm so sorry," he said with a pained expression, "I know how much it hurts, but it has to be done."

I gritted my teeth and tried not to cry, wishing hopelessly that I could drink enough to become numb to the pain.

Jack was being as gently as possible, and had finished, then bandaged the wound surprisingly quickly. "Are you alright, Eve?" he asked with concern.

I nodded vigorously, as the tears spilled onto my cheeks, still facing away from Jack. I'd tried so hard to be brave. I really didn't want him to see me crying again. Jack handed me a clean shirt, which I dutifully put on.

"Come to bed, luv," he said, holding out his hand to me, "You should try to rest."

I lay down on the bed, with Jack beside me. "Thank you," I said as I gazed at him, "For taking care of me."

"You did the same for me," he mentioned, smiling, "once upon a time, luv." He held me close, stroking my hair, as if I were a little girl who'd skinned her knee.

"Do you think I'll have a scar?" I asked, my voice sounding tiny and fragile.

"You may, darlin'," he replied, gently tracing the scar on my forearm that I'd had for years.

"Good," I said resolutely, "Then I can look at it when I'm frightened and remember I'm capable of protecting myself."

Jack laughed softly at my comment. "I never would've expected you to be happy about having a scar! You never fail to surprise me, my dear."

"Scars are tangible evidence of a life that's been lived," I told him, "I'd rather have hundreds of scars than live my life languishing on a settee in a parlour, entertaining boring, stuffy people I couldn't give a damn about!"

Jack laughed heartily. "Now that's something I could never imagine you doing," he remarked.

I sat up to look at him. "I'll have you know that I'm quite capable of behaving like a proper lady, Jack Sparrow," I retorted, "I simply choose not to!"

He smirked. "And I'm certain you could convincingly maintain that charade…for a time," he teased, "But we both know that those opinions of yours would only remain contained for so long, before you would be compelled to unleash them on some poor, unsuspecting, tea-sipping patrician!"

I couldn't resist laughing with Jack, in spite of my offense at him being right. "I guess it's a good thing that you don't frighten that easily then. Huh, Jack?" I teased.

His smirk softened into a smile, "Aye, but from time to time, you frighten me plenty, luv," he commented.

As I looked at him, I noticed his face was still spattered with blood from the fight. I got up and went to the table.

"Where are you going? You're supposed to be resting," he admonished.

I returned with a fresh piece of gauze, dampened with water. Sitting next to him, I began to clean the blood from his face.

"I'm too restless, Jack, and you're a mess," I said as I carefully avoided smearing his kohl, while removing the blood spots.

Jack sat motionless, watching me with his dark fathomless eyes. I stopped wiping away the blood and was staring back at him, completely distracted from my task. He reached up to gently brush his fingers over my cheek, before saying, "Our child will be the luckiest child in the entire world, to have you for a mum."

I held his gaze for a moment, before I felt a smile begin on my lips.

Jack's eyes suddenly widened and he bolted from the bed, to go and rifle through the pockets of his coat.

"What are you doing?" I asked as I watched him curiously.

"Opportune moment, luv, you'll see," he muttered, "Aha!" He returned to the bed, sitting next to me. And, grasping my hands, he placed a folded black piece of cloth in them. "For you, my love," he said.

I carefully unfolded the cloth, revealing a beautiful pair of earrings. Each was made up of a gold disc, with a bright turquoise blue topaz set in the middle. Several chains dangled from the bottom edge of the disc, each having a dark blue bead of lapis at the end. They were very similar to the silver charm that Jack wore in his hair.

"They're beautiful, Jack! Thank you!" I gushed, as I flung my arms around him and kissed him. My practical nature intervened at that moment. "But, aren't they a bit extravagant?"

"Nonsense, Eve," Jack responded with a dismissive gesture, "Nothing's too extravagant for the wife of Captain Jack Sparrow!" His eyes always widened dramatically, as he referred to himself in the third person.

A timely knock on the doors interrupted. As Jack opened the doors, Gibbs entered the cabin. "How're ye doin', Miss Eve?" he asked with a concerned look.

"Jack did a wonderful job of patching me up, Gibbs," I replied, "And thankfully, no stitches required."

"Aye, 'tis a relief," Gibbs said, "Mind ye best be vigilant 'bout watchin' for infection, though." He held out my sword. "Found this on the deck. I believe it belongs to ye, lass."

"I'd forgotten all about it! Thank you," I said to him, as I noticed with much relief that he'd cleaned the blood from the blade.

"Gibbs, have the dead been ministered to and the cargo transferred?" Jack inquired.

"Aye, Cap'n, but there be an item ye should have a look at," he said somewhat mysteriously.

"Is there some significance regarding said item?" Jack asked.

"Aye, some significance indeed, Cap'n," Gibbs answered, "A trunkful of pieces of eight!"

"Well, that is of some significance!" Jack exclaimed happily.

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A/N: Wahoo! Eve's not too badly injured, and they're all rich! Not a bad day of plundering! Tons o'thanks to everyone who read and reviewed! And a piece of eight to you all! Hope you enjoyed the chapter!