"Not All Treasure is Silver and Gold"
Chapter 9
However, Jack's quick change of heart quickly changed right back. He was once again struggling with the concept of children. They were small, weak, and boring. Jack, being who he was, decided he would rise to the occasion and be a successful father.
He was sitting alone on deck, drinking his rum, for the sixth night in a row. Dani, who he had thought was himself in the female form, had taken to going to bed early. And she had given up drinking rum. When questioned about her decision, he was yelled at.
"I'm nauseous all the time, Jack. I don't need to be hung-over on top of it."
Jack was having second thoughts about this kid thing. Oh, who was he kidding? He was having third, fourth, and fifth thoughts, too and most involved obscenities.
And Dani had seemed to get an attitude with him. He had no idea what her problem was this time.
Jack fell asleep on deck and was greeted by a smiling Dani the next morning. This worried him more than an angry Dani.
"Darling," she practically sang. "Time to wake up. It's a beautiful morning."
"Are you all right?" Jack asked, rubbing his eyes and smearing the kohl more.
"Of course. What ever would be wrong?"
"Danielle, you are worrying me. You have been angry with me every day for two weeks. And now you're all bright and cheerful. It's making me sick."
"Well, fine!" she screamed. "Have it your way!" She stalked back to her cabin.
Mr. Gibbs saw the spat and made his way towards Jack.
"I don't want to invite to interfere in personal dealings, but Jack, why'd you say that to Miss Danielle?"
"It's Mrs. Danielle and I'd rather have her mad at me than to like me. It's more her…natural state."
"Someone should go talk to her."
"Not I, says the pirate," Jack said, trying to drink the last drop of rum from the bottle.
"But Jack, you're her husband. Legally, she's your problem."
"Bugger."
Jack sighed and looked around to the crew. Each person was staring at him, pleading and urging him to go. Was she terrorizing his entire crew, too? Jack thought the open hostility was only for him. Now he was slightly offended that he wasn't the only one she was being mean to.
Oh, well. He walked back to the cabin. He couldn't help but think that he was walking towards his imminent death on the other side of the door.
Jack didn't knock. It was his cabin. Dani was face down on the bed, crying into a pillow.
"Danielle," he started, "what is wrong?"
"Go away."
"No. I shan't. I am going to stand here until you tell me why you've been…crazy…for…ever."
"Great choice of words, Jack," she sniffed. "I'm crazy because I'm pregnant with your child. So next time you blame me for this, turn the pistol around and it aim at yourself. I wouldn't have gotten this way without you Jack."
"You have been so…"
"Emotional? Yes Jack. Pregnancy does that to women."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"I have to tell you something, Danielle," Jack said.
"What is it, Jack?"
"I'm scared."
"What?"
"I can't be a father. I don't know how to do it. I didn't even have younger brothers or sisters to take care of. I think I might be lacking…"
"Compassion? Personal hygiene?"
"Yes, both. But I was going to say that I am lacking the certain abilities to take care of a child. I don't even know how to hold them."
"You'll be fine."
"What if I do it wrong? And besides, children can't even do anything."
"Jack, we'll be fine. I'll teach you and you'll be a great father. Don't worry."
"Can we rethink this kid thing?" Jack asked.
"No, Jack. Not really. What's done is done. And that is definitely done."
Dani decided to stay in the cabin some more, before she went out to apologize to the crew. Jack emerged, bruise free, and the crew was extremely glad; they didn't quite know how it would turn out.
It was a beautiful day, as Dani had said, and an island was on the horizon.
"We are stopping there, no matter what time of day it is when we reach it. I have a feeling about this island."
It was late evening before they reached it and the sun was setting. Preparations were being made and another fight between Jack and Dani was seemingly in the works.
Jack was overseeing the packing of the longboats when Dani emerged, dressed in slacks and one of Jack's old shirts.
"I am going with you."
The crew stopped what they were doing and all turned to look at the couple. This was either going to be really good or really bad.
"Fine. You're with me in this boat. Gibbs, you as well"
Dani looked confused, as did the rest of the crew. Maybe she wanted a fight; things like this usually started them.
"What?" Dani asked.
"Are you deaf? You're with me in this boat, savvy?"
"Savvy."
She climbed down the side of the boat after Jack and he took her hand to help her in. They were going to search the entire island, even if it took all night long.
A/N: Okay, that was chapter 9. Please review. I love reviews so much. Hope this is more like Jack…