Disclaimer: POTC is Disney's, OCs are mine.

A Sparrow's Shadow on the Sea

Pursuit of the Reaper

At sunset we sailed out of the bay and away from the island of Nevis. It had been a busy day of loading the ship with fresh supplies. After thanking Kate and Seamus for their generous hospitality and promising to return to show off the baby, we said our goodbyes. As Jack guided the Pearl out toward the open sea, I stood on the quarterdeck, watching the island retreat into the distance. Although I felt happy to be home, I would miss our friends very much.

The Pearl sailed peacefully through the night, her happy creaking echoing through the hull. I had retired to the cabin and was lying in bed, awake but lost in my thoughts, when Jack entered. Quickly shedding his "affects" and his clothes, he crawled into bed next to me, draping his arm and leg over me.

"Where are we headed, Jack?" I asked. We hadn't spoken much since getting under way. I'd busied myself in the cabin, storing away the baby's things, allowing him time to once again enjoy captaining his beloved ship.

"New Providence. We'll be traversing all the common trade routes along the way," he answered, nuzzling into my hair, "Should encounter quite a few ships eager to be relieved of their cargo." He moved his hand over my belly, spreading his fingers wide, as he moulded himself against my back with a contented sigh.

I smiled and said softly, "This is perfect, Jack," feeling equally content. I hadn't realized how intensely I'd missed sailing on the Pearl.

"Aye, luv…perfect," he mumbled, with another sigh.

The warmth of his body enveloped me and was beginning to lull me to sleep finally.

"Whoa! What the…?" Jack yelped, suddenly springing back to the edge of the bed. He stared at me, his eyes wide with shock and amazement.

I laughed softly at the look on his face. "Well, I'm glad you finally felt that!" I said, "That was your child, Jack Sparrow!"

"Not sure I am," he said reluctantly as he looked at me with skepticism, "Is that…normal?" He pointed his long finger rather vaguely toward my belly.

I held out my hand to him. "It's perfectly normal," I assured him, "Come here, Jack."

He hesitated, with a disconcerted expression, as his gaze shifted between my belly and my face. "I may need rum," he muttered.

"You don't need rum. Just come here," I replied coaxingly, "Come on…"

He crept back into bed, lying stiffly on his back with his arms at his sides.

I arched an eyebrow as I watched him. "Comfy?" I asked, unable to conceal the sarcasm in my voice.

"Aye," he said, glancing quickly at me, "Goodnight, luv."

I sighed and shook my head. "Goodnight, Jack." I turned to lie on my side, facing away from him, staring at the cabin windows silhouetted in the darkness. Blasted insomnia, I thought, feeling wide awake again. And blasted skittish pirate too.

After a while, as I lay waiting for sleep, I was aware of movement. Jack's movement. He was slowly, cautiously, inching his way closer to me. Finally having resumed his position next to me, I felt his hand gingerly creep over my belly, ready to retreat at the slightest provocation. I smiled, covering his hand with mine.

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Jack quickly overcame his initial shock at feeling the baby kick and had spent the past couple of days strutting around the ship, proud as a peacock, grinning happily. When I teased him, calling him "Daddy" in the privacy of the cabin, he would still grimace dramatically. The look in his eyes, however, gave away his immense pleasure and pride. And whenever we were close, his hand would inevitably find it's way to rest on my belly. No longer startled by the baby's movements, Jack would just arrogantly smirk when he felt them.

He was doing just that as I turned to look at him. I was at the helm steering the Pearl, as Jack stood behind me, making certain we stayed on course. It was a bright, sunny morning…a wonderful day for sailing!

"Mr. Cotton! Reign in the halyards on the jib!" Jack suddenly shouted.

The wind had shifted direction slightly and the triangular sails were beginning to flap wildly in the breeze. I always marveled at the extreme sensitivity of the ship. I could immediately feel that the movement of the Pearl was no longer as smooth as she sliced her way forward through the azure sea. It was almost like driving a car with a deflating tire.

Jack reached forward to adjust the wheel slightly and I heard the "fwoomp" of the sails catching the wind again. The shimmying I'd felt abruptly ceased and we sailed smoothly yet again.

A call from the crow's nest interrupted the tranquil morning. "A ship on the horizon!"

We looked up to see Marty pointing behind us. Turning to look toward the stern, we saw a ship far off in the distance, trailing us.

Jack pulled out his spyglass for a better look. He watched for several minutes in silence, then snapped the spyglass shut and returned it to his pocket.

Gibbs approached, looking at Jack expectantly. "Orders, Cap'n?"

"We hold our course," Jack answered decisively.

"Aye, Cap'n," Gibbs said obediently, but his watchfulness made me feel slightly apprehensive.

If we didn't turn to pursue the ship, then it must be pursuing us, I reasoned. I looked at Jack. The wheels were clearly turning in his head. He was planning his strategy.

"Who is it, Jack?" I questioned, trying to ignore the gut feeling I had that Jack's uncharacteristic behaviour was not a good sign.

He was watching through the spyglass again. Snapping it shut, he glanced at me then Gibbs. "Unwelcome company," he said flatly.

"Let's see if we can't coax a bit more speed out of her, Gibbs," he added.

"Why are we running, Jack?" I asked, not certain I wanted to hear his answer.

"Not running, luv, just an evasive maneuver," he said distractedly, "I'll take over from here."

I stepped away from the wheel, watching him. Clearly preoccupied with his thoughts, his expression was unmistakably grim. And I began to feel consumed by a creeping sense of dread. I jumped, startled by the sound of his voice.

"Get those topgallants up! We go full sail!" He shouted. Jack turned the wheel, angling the Pearl to take the most advantage of the wind. "Steady the staysails and control that bloody jib!"

There was a distinct edge to Jack's voice that I would've recognized immediately in anyone else's voice. Fear. He reined it in and controlled it, but it was there nevertheless.

"Are they closing?" he asked, urgently.

"What?" I said, jolted from my thoughts.

Jack quickly dug around in his pocket, then waved the spyglass at me. "Are they closing, Eve?"

I grabbed it quickly, extending it to its full length, and looked.

"Come, come, luv, it's not a trick question! Yes or no?" he demanded, snapping his fingers impatiently.

"Yes," I told him.

"Bugger!" he snarled.

I looked back at the ship. It was still very far away, but definitely catching up. "It's not flying any flags," I mentioned.

"Not yet," Jack replied, watching the sails.

"You know who it is," I stated.

"Aye," he said, "Remember that little run in I had at the Bride? Well, one of the men I killed happened to be that captain's brother."

Gibbs approached us, his expression bleak. "Cap'n, that ship…'tis the Reaper."

"Yes, it is, Gibbs, thank you," Jack replied casually, but then his control gave way. "Is it not possible to coax any more speed out of these bloody sails?!" he shouted in frustration.

I looked at Gibbs. He was clearly worried. Pulling me aside, he told me discreetly, "The Reaper gives no quarter, lass, ever. Their cap'n enjoys torturin' an' killin' all on board. An' he's got a score to settle with Jack."

I glanced back at the ship and, predictably, it was closer. "We're going to have to fight. Why hasn't Jack given orders to load the guns?" I asked Gibbs frantically.

"It's done, lass. Everything's ready. No need for him to give the order," Gibbs answered, "When we're bein' pursued, we get ready." He glanced at Jack, then at me. "We best be getting' Jack's weapons for him, an' ye should arm yerself as well, Eve."

I tired to focus on what needed to be done, in order to suppress the terror I was beginning to feel.

Gibbs and I went to the cabin. I grabbed a pistol and stuck it down the back of my breeches, and strapped on my sword. My dagger was already tucked into my boot, just as a normal part of getting dressed. Gibbs grabbed Jack's "affects."

Once we returned to the helm, Gibbs took the wheel while I helped Jack with his vest, coat, and weapons. Jack was watching the ship through his spyglass. He closed it, and put it in his pocket, watching me.

"No matter what happens, Eve, you must fight to the death to protect yourself and our child," he began, with a distant look in his eyes, "Better to die fighting than to slowly suffer and die at their hands."

I glanced at him as I helped him with his coat, silently willing him to shut up. I was having enough trouble trying to stifle my fear, I didn't want to hear that.

He reached up, holding my head between his hands, forcing me to look at him. I wanted to cry. I wanted desperately for that other ship, the Reaper, to just go away. Where is that damn Kraken when you need it, I thought. I wished frantically for it to come and swallow up that ship.

"Eve, look at me," Jack said, his tone gravely serious, "We don't have much time. We both knew this might happen one day. It's the risk one takes being a pirate. I want you to go to the cabin and lock yourself in."

"No, Jack, please…" I began to protest, feeling my eyes well with tears.

"Listen to me!" he yelled, then tried to calmly continue, "Don't come out until I come get you. No matter what you hear. You must stay there. Stay alert and stay focused. Be ready to defend yourself if you need to."

I nodded as he spoke.

"If I don't make it, I want you to go back to Nevis. Seamus and Kate will make certain you and the baby are taken care of," he told me finally, "And always remember that I love you. Know that."

"I love you, Jack," I said, as tears spilled onto my cheeks.

Jack pulled me close and we held each other tightly. We kissed only once, passionately and desperately.

The sound of cannon fire echoed off the hull of the Pearl.

Jack abruptly pushed me away. "Go! Now!" he growled angrily.

I turned and dashed down the steps as quickly as I could, then rushed to the cabin. I locked the doors and went to sit on the bed. And I waited. The cannons never fired again. It was a warning shot, intended to intimidate and to convey clearly they meant business. I reasoned they were probably planning to take the Pearl, after killing all onboard. It was eerily quiet. I wondered if they'd flown the joli rouge yet.

I suddenly heard a barrage of musket shots, but was unable to tell if they were ours or theirs. Probably both. There was the thud of grappling hooks hitting the deck, and I could feel the Pearl lurch ever so slightly as the two ships were pulled close to one another. The Reaper must've pulled alongside from the stern, thus never giving the Pearl an opportunity to fire the cannons.

When the metallic clang of swords clashing rang through the air, I knew the battle had begun. I sat perfectly still, my hands cradling my belly, holding my breath. As the shouts of men began to be replaced by their anguished screams, all I wanted to do was bury my head under one of the pillows. But I couldn't. I didn't dare move. I didn't dare breathe. I just listened. I listened to every bloodcurdling scream, completely riveted, to try to make sure it didn't sound like Jack.

The fighting was still going on deck, when I heard men's voices outside the doors to the cabin. I rose from the bed, to stand in the middle of the room, directly opposite the doors. I reached behind me to grab my pistol, ready for what may happen next.

I stared at the doors, waiting. When the handles finally jiggled, I knew my time had come…to fight and possibly die.

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A/N: Thought it might be time for one of those evil cliffhangers, since it's been a while! Haha! My sincerest thanks to all who read and reviewed! Hope you enjoyed the chapter. I'll get the next chapter up just as soon as I finish it, I promise!