~31~

                                    

                                          
True to Teague's words, the pirate lords started arriving in Shipwreck Cove one after the other. 
                          
As the crew of the Black Pearl prepared to unload, a sickening feeling of dread stole over Jack Sparrow as he gathered up Sera's weapons with the high, albeit skeptical, hope that she was waiting for him inside the ramshackle city. He had hardly been able to sleep the entire voyage because he was so preoccupied with her situation.
                          
So many questions and scenarios had played through his mind. What if she had gone into labor while she was on the Endeavor? What would Beckett do to her then? What would he do to the baby?
                          
The thought made him queasy. Best to think on the bright side, Jackie. Sera's probably waitin' on you outside the Hall with that beautifully terrifying scowl on her face and her arms crossed over her plump little bosom. He grinned. Well, they haven't been so little since she's been preggers. Wonder if that'll be permanent?
                          
His grin never faultered as he tied her sword to his belt and tucked her guns in the back of pants. Either way, I'll be glad to see her no matter what condition her bosom's in. Might even be meetin' my son...
                          
º º º 
                          
Sera stood outside the "brilliantly" named Pirate Hall where the pirate lords and their crews were gathering for the fourth ever meeting of the Brethren Court. She had lost track of how long she had been standing there, craning her neck and standing on her tiptoes in search of Jack, but just when she was beginning to think he had weasled his way out of it all, she spied him and his crew approaching from afar.
                          
He swaggered in front of them with his head held back and his thumbs hooked in his belt loops with a steely look on his face. However, that look was quickly replaced with annoyance when Hector walked past him and prompted him to pick up speed so he could be in front once more. Sera rolled her eyes but inside, her heart was bursting with joy. Even the baby seemed to share her excitement. 
                          
But she wasn't about to let him notice it, not until she had sorted out the whole Endeavor fiasco...
                          
"Sera, darling!" Jack's face lit up when he saw her. "Please know that I am--"
                          
She slapped him in the face.
                          
Wincing, he massaged his stinging cheek. "I assumed that would be your initial response. Hear me out, dearie. Beckett told me that you had been escorted back to the Pearl."
                          
"And you believed him?" 
                          
"I would never have left the ship had I known that you, both of you," He motioned toward her entire body. "Were on it an' that's the God's honest truth, love. Stick a needle in me eye, cross me heart and hope to--Well, you know the rest. Now," He squared his shoulders. "Are we settled?" 
                          
Sera chewed the inside of her jaw, glaring at him through narrowed eyes. Without warning, she slapped him again.
                          
"Oi!" He cradled his cheek and recoiled away from her. "That one was unwarranted! I just expla--"
                          
She grabbed ahold of his face and planted a long, fervent kiss on his lips. Barbossa raised his eyebrows and looked away. "Don't reckon it'd be decent t' consummate yer apology out in the open like that. Don't reckon we've the time fer it either..." 
                          
"You forgive me, then?" Jack asked breathlessly as they pulled apart. "Because that felt very forgivin'."
                          
She sighed and gave him a gentle peck on the cheek where she had slapped him. "I can't stay mad at you, Jack, no matter how much I want to."
                          
He smirked and leaned in for another kiss, but Barbossa grabbed his shoulder. "There'll be time for yer li'le sentiments later. Right now, we've a meetin' to attend."