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

A Sparrow's Shadow on the Sea

The Last to Know

Our journey from New Providence had been remarkably peaceful. We'd had perfect weather for sailing and had made good time. Jack and the crew were disappointed that we hadn't crossed paths with any merchant ships, heavily laden with cargo or riches, however. It was hoped that we'd be able to have one last little skirmish before Ruby joined us. I, on the other hand, wasn't disappointed at all. The late stages of pregnancy had made me much too clumsy and incapable of participating in any swordplay. The thought of being shut up in the cabin while the crew plundered a ship would've surely driven me mad with frustration.

I was actually quite happy for a bit of peace and quiet. Lately, I'd been feeling extremely fatigued. I wasn't sleeping well because I could never quite seem to get comfortable. I'd hung a hammock on deck and was able to nap in the afternoon sun, which helped immensely.

Currently, I was lying in this hammock, lazily rocking with the ship's movement. I could see Jack at the helm, and I was lost in my own thoughts. Strange that I didn't feel the slightest bit of panic regarding the upcoming birth. It just wasn't normal for me to be feeling this relaxed. I dreaded pain and suffering, and yet for some odd reason, I felt no anxiety. On the contrary, I was consumed with a serene, sort of "earth mother" feeling. Hokey as it was, I felt at one with the so-called circle of life. Must be hormones, I thought dismissively.

The "land ho" call rang out. We would be docking in Tortuga soon. Ruby would be joining us soon. And for the remaining weeks, chaos would become more and more prevalent on the Pearl, until it finally reached its crescendo with the baby's birth.

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The docks of Tortuga were characterized by their usual hustle and bustle. As Gibbs extended the plank from the ship, I noticed a man on a wagon, loaded full of wooden boxes and travel trunks. He disembarked from the wagon and approached Gibbs on the dock. I was able to eavesdrop on their conversation easily from where I stood on deck.

"This the Black Pearl?" the man asked Gibbs.

"Who wants to know?" Gibbs asked, regarding the man with suspicion.

"Name's Daggett, sir," the man replied, "Miss Ruby hired me to transport her things." Upon closer inspection, it seemed the man was really more of a boy. He was tall and lanky, with scruffy blonde hair and clear blue eyes.

Gibbs appraised the man, then responded, "Aye, this be the Pearl. Are those all of her things?"

"Aye, sir," Daggett answered, "She told me to assure you she brought only the necessities. Shall I begin to load them on the ship, sir?"

Gibbs appeared indecisive. I turned to see Jack sauntering across the deck. He winked flirtatiously as he passed me, heading down the plank to join Gibbs and Daggett on the dock.

"What's all this?" Jack asked Gibbs, eying the wagonload of boxes and trunks curiously.

"Cap'n, Mr. Daggett here's been hired to transport Ruby's necessities," Gibbs explained.

"Necessities?!" Jack shouted, "The woman has a wagonload of necessities?!"

"Aye, so it would seem, Cap'n," Gibbs replied.

Jack looked curiously at Gibbs, then Daggett, then the wagon. He shook his head, muttering, "Bloody hell, it's starting already!" He turned from them, walking up the plank toward the deck.

"Cap'n, should we load all this onto the Pearl?" Gibbs questioned.

Jack didn't even turn around. "Yes, yes, load it onto the Pearl," he muttered, waving his hands dismissively.

Jack paused to look at me, narrowing his eyes in displeasure. "As you've been known to so eloquently say, luv," he told me, "This is going to suck!" He sauntered past me to the cabin, slamming the doors shut.

You may be right about that, I thought, as I hurriedly waddled after him to the cabin.

As I entered, I saw Jack sitting by the table, rum in hand and a sulking look on his face.

"We've barely finished mooring the ship, and she's already causing trouble!" Jack said in annoyance, plunking the bottle down on the table with a thud.

I walked behind him and began to massage his shoulders. "It's probably her midwifery supplies, Jack," I said, trying to soothe his temper. "Potions and medicines. She is going to be with us for several weeks."

"And they'll be the longest weeks of my life," he complained stubbornly. A soft moan escaped from him as my hands released the tension in his neck and shoulders. "Bugger! I can't stay angry when you make me feel so good, luv," he said exasperatedly.

I smiled, sliding my hands down inside his shirt and over his chest. "I can make you feel even better, you know," I suggested seductively. I circled around to sit on his lap.

"I do know," he said softly, lulled by his desire.

I trailed a single fingertip over his cheek, then leaned close to teasingly brush my lips against his before kissing him.

"And would you like me to do that?" I asked him tauntingly.

"Yes," he whispered.

I smiled at him as I went to lock the doors.

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"Gibbs!" Jack shouted as he exited the cabin.

"Aye, Cap'n," the first mate replied as he approached.

"Have Ruby's things been taken to the guest cabin?" Jack asked him pleasantly.

"Aye," Gibbs answered, looking past Jack to me.

"The Pearl has a guest cabin?" I asked, surprised.

Jack leaned toward me, replying, "Part of the cargo hold was hastily converted, luv." He then turned to Gibbs. "Any sign of Ruby?"

"Not yet, Cap'n," Gibbs answered apprehensively.

"Wonderful!" Jack said exuberantly, "Gibbs, tell the crew men not on watch, they're free to go partake of the diversions this wondrous town has to offer!" He gestured grandly toward the filthy and decrepit dockside establishments.

"Aye, Cap'n," Gibbs responded. As Jack wandered away to make certain all was in order on deck, Gibbs commented to me, "Cap'n seems to be in a much improved mood, lass. I'm sure the crew would want me to be thankin' ye, on their behalf, for yer influence in such matters."

I smirked at him. "It was truly my pleasure, Mr. Gibbs," I told him saucily. And I smiled in satisfaction, observing the pink glow that coloured the man's cheeks.

"Eve, what makes you smile so wickedly, luv?" Jack asked as he sashayed across the deck toward me, "You look like the proverbial cat that ate the canary." He smirked devilishly, as he slid his arms around my waist. "Or Sparrow, as it were," he whispered as he kissed my neck.

"What are our plans for this evening, Jack?" I asked him, ignoring his innuendo, "Are we off to the Bride as usual?"

He pulled away, frowning indecisively, as he touched his finger to his lips. "The Bride," he mumbled, "Why go to the Bride? There's plenty of rum here!" His eyes suddenly widened with excitement. "In fact, we could sit on deck and look at the stars together, just you and me," he suggested, "Did that before, once upon a time, luv. You remember?"

"I'll never forget that night, Jack!" I said smiling, "You told me you loved me for the first time."

"I know," he replied, "I can honestly say, I've never been more terrified in my entire life, Eve."

I stared at him. "Captain Jack Sparrow? Terrified?" I teased dramatically with a smirk.

"Aye, luv, it was a shocking experience for me as well," he said, draping his arm around me.

I was unable to tell if he was joking around, or not.

"You know I'd never said that to a woman before," he continued, "A pirate gambles with his life as if it was nothing…" He waved his hand casually in the air. "But, to gamble with his heart…" He trailed off, looking at me with an apprehensive smile.

"I love you, Jack," I said quietly, resting my head on his shoulder.

"And I love you, Eve," he whispered, kissing the top of my head.

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After a restless night of trying to sleep comfortably, I woke to the sound of voices outside the cabin. I had taken to sleeping in my clothes, since I often wandered the deck at night when I couldn't sleep. Jack came bursting through the doors as I was trying to sit up.

"Morning, luv!" he said brightly, as he put a tray on the table. "Brought you breakfast. We have a busy day ahead." He came over to help me get out of bed. "Gibbs is getting a warm bath ready for you."

"What?" I asked sleepily, trying to get my bearings at being greeted with such enthusiasm.

"I thought you'd want to look your best," he said, "For the surprise."

"What surprise?" I questioned as he guided me to the table. He'd brought me tea and toast with marmalade. My stomach rumbled with hunger.

As I ate, the porcelain tub in the corner of the cabin was being filled with buckets of steaming water brought in by the crew. Jack had left, but occasionally I'd hear his voice carried on the breeze from on deck. I wondered what this surprise was that Jack had mentioned so mysteriously.

After breakfast, I slipped into the tub and it was heaven! My aching back finally relaxed as I soaked. I washed my hair and body, listening to the activity on deck. It sounded unusually busy. I could hear Jack giving orders and the crew bustling about. I quickly dried myself and wrapped a blanket around me, settling in Jack's chair to finish sipping my tea.

Jack returned just then. "Come, come, luv, quit dawdling," he said as he flung open the armoire and pulled out my teal dress. "You should wear this," he informed me, as he draped it on the bed. He then proceeded to flit about the cabin, tidying up. As I watched him, I silently thanked god there was no Starbucks around.

"Jack, what's going on?" I asked insistently as I went to dress.

He grinned broadly at me. "You look beautiful, Eve," he told me as he walked over to help with lacing up the dress.

"You didn't answer me," I persisted impatiently.

"It's…a…surprise," he replied, leaning close to my ear as he tightened the laces, "And you smell wonderful!" He inhaled deeply as he nuzzled my neck.

I gasped as I felt my skin tingle with goosebumps. Jack's low and throaty chuckle made them intensify.

After he'd laced up my dress, he went to get my comb. "Hold still, darlin'," he told me, as he gently combed through the tangles. "Wear it loose today…for me," he suggested.

There was a knock on the doors. "Aye!" Jack responded loudly.

Gibbs opened the doors and poked his head in. "Ye look lovely today, lass," he said to me with a smile. He turned to look at Jack. "Just got word from Pedrosa, Cap'n. Ev'rythin's goin' accordin' to plan."

"Excellent news, Gibbs!" Jack exclaimed, beaming. He glanced at me. "And as soon as M'lady gets her boots on, I think we'll be leaving," Jack suggested, with a huge grin.

"Who's Pedrosa?" I asked, picking up my boots and going to sit on the edge of the bed, "And what plan? And where are we going, Jack?"

Jack kneeled in front of me to help me with my boots. He looked up at me, mischief glinting wickedly in his eyes. "A bit slow to catch on today, aren't you, luv?" he teased, "It's a surprise!"

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A/N: Well, what would Friday be without a good cliffhanger?! Haha! Small plot twist coming up before Ruby joins them! Nothing bad, I promise! Hugs and thanks to all who read and reviewed! I love you guys!