Jack woke up with the sun as beams of light filtered through the blinds into the living room. He untangled himself from Elizabeth's embrace and got up from the couch. She shifted slightly and turned onto her side. Jack took the blanket and covered her before planting a soft kiss to her cheek. "Don't get up." He whispered as she opened her eyes.

"Are you leaving?" She asked confused and fearful. He knelt down next to the couch.

"No. I'm going to make breakfast and get the cooler packed."

"The cooler?" She questioned, still confused.

"We're going out on the fucking boat, remember?" He smiled.

She chuckled. "Right. I forgot. Do you want help?" She said through a yawn.

"No. Sleep. I can handle it." He gave her a quick kiss on the lips and went toward the kitchen.

"Make french toast" She called from the couch before falling back asleep almost immediately.

Jack went into the freezer, pulled out the coffee and rummaged through the cabinets looking for filters for the coffee maker. Unable to find them right away he went into the refrigerator and pulled out the eggs, bacon, bread and milk. He grabbed a frying pan out from the cupboard, making a small bit of racket and he recoiled at the noise. He didn't want to wake up the whole house just yet.

Eggs beaten, pan warming, bacon sizzling, he was ready to start dredging the bread, but desperately wanted a cup of coffee. He continued rummaging again, going through nearly every cabinet in the kitchen. "Where are the fucking filters?" He mumbled to himself and closed the pantry door to find Rey standing there, holding out the filters to him.

"Oh. Thanks." He said taking them from her.

"You're still here." She observed quietly sitting on one of the barstools next to the island.

"Is that okay?" he asked as he walked back toward the stove, checking in on the bacon.

Rey shrugged.

"Do you drink coffee?" he offered.

"Sometimes." She said simply.

"Would you like some today?" He asked with a smile.

"Sure."

"Ok great." He said feeling a little nervous all of a sudden and turned toward the coffee pot.

Rey peered into the living room, seeing her mother draped in the blanket fast asleep on the couch. She turned her attention back toward Jack who had turned back around and started dipping slices of bread into the egg mixture.

"French toast?" She asked out loud. Mom hates french toast, She thought. "We never get to have french toast."

"Your mother's request."

Maybe she hated it because it reminded her of him. So many aspects of her life were starting to make sense over the past twenty-four hours just by Jack's mere presence. Her mother behaved so differently around him. Not so careful as she was with her father. But he wasn't my father, was he?

"I know who you are." She said blankly, finally working up the courage to admit it.

"I had a feeling."

"She didn't tell you either."

"What makes you say that?"

"You don't seem like the abandoning type, and I could tell by the way you were studying me, it was like you were looking for answers hidden somewhere in my face."

"How long did it take you to figure it out?"

"Not long. She looks at me with the same sad smile she's been giving you since you got here. A guilty smile."

"She did what she thought was best. Don't be too hard on her."

"I know. Will was a good father to me, but after James was born, I knew something was different. I just didn't know what it was." She stared intensely at the counter top trying to hold back tears. "I wish she would have just told me." She sniffed.

"You and me both." He said handing a mug of coffee to her. She took a small sip and set the cup down on the island. "Wanna give me a hand?" He asked her.

"Sure, what can I do?" She asked, getting up from her seat. "Think you can handle the french toast while I make sandwiches?"

"Sandwiches and french toast for breakfast?"

"The sandwiches are for the boat."

"We're going sailing?" She asked eagerly.

"Not without sandwiches and I can't do everything myself."

"I'll make the sandwiches. I've never made french toast before."

"Then you'll learn, and I can die knowing that I've taught you at least one thing." He joked.

"Alright." She said unsure.

He did a demonstration with the first piece of bread, showing her step by step what to do. Once she was sure about what she was doing, he left her on her own and started making sandwiches.

"I think the bacon is done." Rey said from over her pan. "Do you want me to put it on a plate?"

"Please." He said as he packed the sandwiches away.

"I smell bacon." James said from the hallway, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"You smell correctly." Jack answered.

"You're still here!" James exclaimed excitedly. "Does that mean we're going out on the boat?" He asked climbing onto the barstool.

"Yeah, goober. Be helpful and go get the cooler out of the garage." Rey said, turning to him

"Ok, ok. Jeez. I just got up." James said climbing back off of the chair and heading toward the garage.

"Alright. French toast is done. Bacon is done. Where are we with the sandwiches?" Rey asked.

"Done."

"Now we eat?"

"Yes. Grab some plates. I'll grab the orange juice and glasses."

"Here's the cooler." James presented proudly.

"Fantastic. I have one more job for you." He said to James.

"What is it?" James asked dreading having to do another chore.

"Go and wake up your mom. She's on the couch." He instructed in a conspiratorial whisper.

He watched James run over to the couch and climb on top of Elizabeth's sleeping form. He tapped her on the nose. "Wake up sleepy head. Jack and Rey made breakfast." James said sweetly. Elizabeth stretched her arms over her head, extending her entire body, and clutched her boy to her chest. "Can't I sleep a little while longer?" She asked her son.

"Nope. We're going sailing!" James said pushing himself up and poking her in the face like he always did when he was trying to get her to do something.

"Alright, Alright. I'm up." Elizabeth said sitting up. "Lead the way."

James grabbed her hand and dragged her to the kitchen table where Jack and Rey had everything set. Jack had a chair pulled out for her. "Breakfast is served, madam."

"Thank you kindly." She said with the nod of her head as she pushed her chair in. "Everything smells so good. Compliments to the chef." She said to Jack.

"Don't look at me. I just made the sandwiches." He said holding his hands up.

Elizabeth turned to Rey who took the seat next to her mother. "You made all of this?"

"I only made the french toast. Jack showed me how." She said with a small smile.

Elizabeth grabbed Rey's hand and gave it a squeeze, hoping to say silently in that moment 'thank you for being so understanding' or 'I'm sorry I kept you from each other'. What surprised her was how hard, Rey had squeezed back. Acceptance or sadness she wasn't sure, but when Rey leaned onto her shoulder, she knew they'd come to some kind of understanding. Elizabeth brought her free hand to Rey's cheek, holding her, and gave her a kiss on the top of her head.

"I brought in the cooler!" James exclaimed from his seat, breaking the silence.

"And we are eternally grateful, kid." Jack added.

"Well, I can't wait to dig into this." Elizabeth said with a real smile. The first real smile she'd been able to show in a long time. The four enjoyed the rest of breakfast, packed up the car, and drove down to the harbor to set sail on the fucking boat.

—-

The S.V. Rachel was docked in the last slip in the marina. She was just as Jack remembered. Stunning against the rising sun, elegant in every way, she was the fruit of his labors. Blood, sweat, tears and hard earned money went into restoring her. The only one capable of taking care of her the way he wanted was Elizabeth, so he gave it to her when he left. He'd hoped she'd take it as his promise to return, but apparently neither of them were very good at reading in between the lines. They were kids, she liked to keep reminding him.

"Is it possible she looks even better than I remember?" He said standing before the ship in awe.

"I should hope so. I put in a few thousand dollars to have her deck refinished and the sails repaired." Elizabeth muttered as she stepped onto the boat with an arm full of towels.

"See? You were the best person to take care of her." Jack said following behind her carrying the cooler.

Elizabeth, Jack and Rey readied the boat for their departure. Jack untied her from the slip and pushed the boat before jumping in the moving vessel. The main sail billowed in the wind as they headed out for open water. Elizabeth stood behind the wheel, steering the boat out of the harbor. Rey adjusted the tack line so the wind wouldn't blow them back toward the shore while Jack explained to James what she was doing and why it was important.

"Can I steer?" James asked.

"First you learn about adjusting the sails, then you can steer." Jack said sternly, but not unfriendly.

"Ok."

"Do we know where we're sailing to? Or are just going to meander about aimlessly?" Elizabeth asked from the wheel.

"Keep her sailing northeast for the next few kilometers and tie off the wheel. I'll take us the rest of the way when the time comes."

Elizabeth looked down her nose at Jack in suspicion. Jack turned to James and quizzed him on what he would have to do to keep the ship sailing in their current direction. He answered correctly and Jack encouraged him, telling him he could very well be steering the boat by the end of the day. Needless to say, it made James want to learn as much as he could. So Jack spent the first hour or so teaching him what the different lines and beams were for. Rey sat at the bow of the boat staring out at the ocean ahead of her, letting the wind blow her hair back. Every once and awhile she would turn and watch Jack with her younger brother and smile at how excited he was.

Elizabeth tied off the wheel and went to sit next to her daughter, throwing her arm around Rey's shoulder and hugging her closer. "Can you ever forgive me?" She whispered.

"I suppose I can't blame your for being young and stupid." Rey said sarcastically.

"Very funny."

"I still don't understand why you didn't tell him. He's a good guy." Rey said turning toward her mother.

"Like him, do you?"

"He's all right." She said in jest. "Do you love him still?"

Elizabeth opened her mouth in astonishment at her daughter's blunt question "I don't know." She said turning away, staring at the two boys messing with the sails.

"Yes, you do. You can't mourn Dad forever, you know?"

"It's only been a couple of months."

"Haven't you guys missed out on enough time as it is?" Rey said standing up.

"You are too smart for your own good." Elizabeth smiled.

"I know." Rey turned back toward Jack and James. "Hey! You're doing that wrong!" she yelled at them, waving her arms in the air.

Elizabeth watched the three of them. Rey was arguing with Jack over correct technique while James laughed watching the two tug at the boom. Jack admitted that while standard sailing technique would prove her reasoning correct, his custom design of the sails rendered the technique useless. To which Rey replied that Elizabeth changed the sail design because eliminating the need to perform that particular technique was stupid.

"She did what?!" He stormed over to where Elizabeth was sitting. "I left her in your care, and you disfigured her?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes "It didn't make sense to have a feature that only you and I knew how to maneuver. I wasn't the only one taking the boat out on dives."

"It's unimaginable, unforgivable really. She must be punished." Jack turned to Rey and James, "Crew! What say you?" he barked at them.

"Make her walk the plank!" Rey yelled in her best pirate impression.

"Yeah!" James agreed exuberantly.

"Stay away from me" Elizabeth said to Jack as he moved toward her.

"Lizzie, Lizzie, what the Captain says goes."

"As the Captain of this vessel, I say come one step closer, and I'll punch you in the stomach."

"Feisty. Alright, you win this round, but you will pay. Mark my words."

"Consider them marked." She said teasing.

"Time to adjust our course anyway." Jack said heading to the wheel, calling out to James to adjust the sail. With Rey's assistance, James completed the task perfectly. "Alright, come up here, kid." Jack called to him. James practically skipped his way toward Jack. "You've earned your spot. She's all yours."

"Really?" He asked with that wide eyed innocence that reminded him of Will.

"Take the wheel." James took Jack's spot behind the helm while Jack gave him instructions. "You're a natural, Jimmy." Jack complimented him and stepped toward the stern to give the boy his space while still keeping an eye on him.

"You just made his year." Rey said coming to stand next to him.

Jack smiled at her. "Yours too?"

"Gettin' there. You know this boat was my second home growing up. Mom would say I was happier sailing than doing anything else. I didn't know how much more meaningful those memories would become now that I know the truth."

"I named her for your namesake." Fitting, he thought, that both of his first creations shared the same name.

"Grandma Rachel. I know." Rey laughed to herself. "She really was my grandmother."

"Yeah she was."

"I miss her." Rey whispered.

"Me too." Jack paused. "Would it be all right if I gave you something?"

"Sure."

Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out a small brass compass. "My dad gave this to me for my thirteenth birthday. It's never left my side since. It's been everywhere I've been. I want you to have it." He said handing it to her.

"I can't take this." She said holding it her hands, focusing on it intently.

"Yes, you can. Maybe it will help you find where you want to go in life? Maybe it will lead you to your next great adventure? Either way, it's yours now."

"Thank you." She said softly and without warning flung herself into Jack's arms, squeezing her arms around his middle.

Jack was taken aback momentarily, not expecting such an emotional reaction, but wrapped his arms around her, holding her to him, a hand resting on the back of her head. Elizabeth looked on in concern about to stand up when her movements caught Jack's attention. He gave her a hand signal indicating that everything was fine and eyed her toward James who was still steering the boat unsupervised. Rey finally let him go and wiped the tears from her face. "Thank you for this" She said softly, clutching the compass tightly. "Year officially made." She choked on a sob that didn't quite make it through.

Jack lifted her chin with his finger. "Hey, this doesn't need to be sad thing."

"How can it not be a sad thing? I'm just getting to know you, and you're gonna have to leave again."

"Who said I was leaving?" He asked her. Rey beamed and hugged him once more. "On the boom with you, we're here." He said to her eyeing the cape. She let him go and ran toward the bow.

"Really, Jack?" Elizabeth turned to him from behind the wheel.

"What? I thought it would be nice to commemorate the maiden voyage." He said slipping passed her toward the bow to drop the anchor. "Alright, bring her about." He called to Rey.

Once they had anchored and tied off the necessary sails, Jack approached Elizabeth. "Now, if memory serves me, you've yet to serve your punishment."

"Jack, don't you dare." She said backing away from him.

"Come on, Lizzie. Fair is fair." He said pushing her further and further toward the edge.

"Really, Jack. Don't you think you're being a little bit ridiculous?" She asked as he had her precariously perched on the edge of the boat.

"You both are." Rey said, before giving Jack a shove sending them both into the water.

Jack and Elizabeth surfaced laughing and sputtering. "Punishments will be doled out to all." Jack exclaimed, pushing Elizabeth's head beneath the water before climbing back onto the deck, sopping wet head to toe. "Your next." He said pointing to Rey who shrieked as he chased after her. Throwing her over his shoulder, he tossed her over the edge of the boat into the water.

"Me next!" James giggled. Jack picked the boy up and chucked him high in the air and James landed with smack into the water.

Jack removed his soaked shirt and jumped in after them. When he surfaced all three of them were waiting to splash him. "Mutiny!" He cried as they all tackled him. He ducked beneath the surface and swam away from them. "You're all in serious trouble." He scolded jokingly.

"Get him!" Elizabeth yelled and the three of them swam after Jack who grabbed James holding him like a shield.

"You wouldn't harm an innocent child, would you?"

Mother and daughter looked at each other and sent a torrential downpour of ocean water upon the two boys.

"This is your fault." Jack sputtered to James when the girls finally ceased.

"Not mine." James laughed wildly.

"You know who is really ticklish?" Jack asked James.

"Who?" James asked with a wide smile.

"He is!" Elizabeth yelled, pointing to Jack, and the three attacked him again.

"Traitor!" Jack screeched at James while trying to contain his laughter. "Okay what do I have to do to get you to stop this?" he asked laughing uncontrollably.

"Say I'm the captain." Elizabeth demanded.

"Are you kidding?"

"Say I'm the captain." She repeated.

"Ok. Ok. You win. You're the captain."

"Let him go, kids. We're done here." She said triumphantly.

"You're cruel." He whispered to her. "Are we ready to do some fishing or did you all want to pummel me some more?" He asked catching his breath.

"Fishing!" James answered first.

"Last one to the boat has to bait the hooks?" Rey lay the wager on the table.

They all looked at each other and started swimming furiously toward the boat. Jack grabbed Elizabeth's ankle and pulled her back so he could swim passed her. She in turn did the same. The two ended up battling beneath the water all the way toward the hull of the boat. He grabbed for the edge of the boat and she pulled him back down, pinning his back against the hull. She stared at him, eyes smoldering. Out of breath he smiled at her and she captured his lips desperately.

"This is familiar" He said breaking the kiss.

"As if you didn't bring us here for this very reason." She whispered against his lips.

"I had hoped." He grinned wickedly.

"Shut up." She said kissing him again.

"Ahem. Down there. We have hooks that need baiting." Rey called from above. "And young children with insatiable curiosity who may begin wondering what happened to the adults we came here with."

Elizabeth smiled against his mouth. "Go up there first. I'll bait the hooks. I'll just be a minute."

Jack made a move to climb on deck, but stopped. "I might need a minute myself." He grinned at her.

"Honestly. What are you, fourteen?"

"It's been fifteen years and you still drive me crazy. I can't help that."

"Try."

"I'm trying, but you gotta stop looking at me like that."

"Okay. I'm gonna take a few laps around the boat. I'll see you up there." She pressed a quick kiss to his mouth and swam off.

"Not helping." He called after her.

—

They fished for a few hours. James caught the biggest fish of the day, but Rey brought in the biggest bounty. They shared stories, laughed and just generally enjoyed being on the ocean together.

The sun had started to set, so Jack and Elizabeth had deemed it time to go. They were met by a few boos and other resistant remarks, but Jack insisted and promised ice cream on the way back to the house and that he would cook up a good ol' fashioned fish fry when they got home.

After reaching an agreement, they were underway again.

Jack helped them get the boat heading in the right direction. "Do you think you kids, can get us back in one piece?" He asked them.

"Please." Rey scoffed.

"Alright, take her away." He said leaving the helm to her and walking toward Elizabeth. She was wrapped in a blanket leaning up against the railing and Jack settled down beside her and took the blanket from her. He wrapped them both in it, and pulled her into him. She rested her head against his chest and fell asleep as he ran his hand along her back, her head tucked safely beneath his chin. He eventually shut his eyes and drifted off to sleep as well.

"They like each other don't they?" James asked coming to join Rey at the wheel.

"That right there, Jimmy, that's love." Rey said back to him.

"How do you know?"

"Because only two idiots in love would leave a fifteen and seven year old in charge of a thirty foot boat while they slept"

"Oh." He answered not fully comprehending the explanation.