We didn't ask Jack why he'd been looking at us. We were both afraid of the answer. I wasn't ready to have the hope I'd built up shattered. Will was silent. He was in a mood, it was really bothering him; not knowing Jack's motives. I told myself that we were just being paranoid and absolutely everything was fine. I think Jack may have noticed Will's mood, for he was quiet too. He didn't stay long in the tavern. I thought he might want us to spend the whole night there, but after he and Gibbs had finished they're drinks we left almost straight away.
"Where's Gibbs?" I asked as we came in sight of the Interceptor.
"Gone to find us a crew," Jack replied, "We should be ready to sail by tomorrow morning."
"That's good," I smiled. "Isn't it Will?"
I tried to bring him into the conversation, but the only reply was the band of a door. Will had disappeared somewhere below deck leaving Jack and I alone on the deck. I wasn't sure how I felt about that.
"Am I detecting a little hostility between me and William?" Jack asked.
"Erm… I'm sure it's nothing personal," I lied. "He's just a bit… preoccupied at the moment."
Jack laughed at me, "You are the worst liar I know."
"Well, I'm sure you know very many." I was surprised by my own boldness. I think he was too, but he laughed.
"True, love, true," he smiled.
"I appreciate what you're doing for us, Jack." I said. He raised his eyebrows.
"Do you now?"
"Yes. You could have stabbed us in the back a thousand times by now, but you haven't you've stuck to your word."
"Did you not expect me to?" he asked. I said nothing, hoping the darkness would cover my blush. He gave a soft chuckle, "didn't expect you to. Like brother, like sister."
That annoyed me a little. What did he know about me and James?
"What's that supposed to mean?" I snapped.
"You made up your mind up about me before you knew me, just like your brother," his tone was light, but I could hear disgust bubbling below the surface.
"Hypocrite!" I shouted. "That's exactly what you've just done!"
"Well, I know you're type."
"What do you mean 'my type'?" I glared at him, but he didn't back down.
"I mean that you are nothing but a snooty little rich kid that has everything handed to her on a silver platter by doting parents." Jack's words stung and I said nothing, I couldn't risk talking. I was too angry. He saw he had struck a nerve, "Oh sorry(!) Did I offend you precious mummy and daddy?"
"My parents are dead."
Those few quite words seemed louder than any of the times I'd shouted. They rang out across the deck. I watched the mocking smirk on Jack's smug face fade. I turned away. I knew what would come next. The sympathetic looks and words of comfort I got from everyone. As if they knew what James and I were going through. As if they knew how much we'd lost.
"I'm sorry, love."
"Yeah." I nodded and began to walk away. He caught up with me.
"My mum's dead too," he told me. Maybe he did understand a little of what it was like then.
"Really?"
"Yeah, my dad keeps her head on a piece of string."
He said it as if it was nothing unusual. I burst out laughing and all the tension was gone as he laughed along with me.
"I suppose it kind of sweet," I said after recovering from the original shock of the statement. He frowned at me.
"You're a bit odd, love."
I blushed again, "Sorry."
"Didn't say it was a bad thing," he winked at me, "'odd' can be good."
He gave me a one-armed hug before he left for him cabin. He was an alright person deep down, annoying, but tolerable.
A/N... That was a bit of a poinless chapter, but the next one's quite long so it would have been megalong if I'd put it in there. Thanks for reading it though!
~LittleVampirateXX~