The Map

A/N: Usual disclaimer – own nothing, least of all Jack.

Thanks to AniSparrow for her continued help in making this readable, any remaining mistakes are mine as it’s changed again since coming back from her! I just keep messing…

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Nell could feel a hand on her shoulder but she had no desire to wake up - she was warm and feeling deliciously languid; her eyes popped open when she suddenly realised why she was feeling so comfortable. She looked up and saw Jack leaning over her with a wicked grin on his face.

“You’re showing enough leg there, lass, to tempt me back under the covers with you,” he slurred, winking at her and reaching forward to draw one finger from her ankle bone up to where the covers were bunched around her upper thigh.

Nell caught his fingers before they could do any damage to her; a shy grin playing around her lips. “And will you allow yourself to be tempted?” she asked him, the heat in her cheeks rising at her boldness with him.

“Ah, an enticing prospect indeed,” he sighed and tugged his fingers free to step back from her. “To be sure, we don’t have the time now lass…” he hesitated, his eyebrows arching when she sat up pulling the sheet around her and stretching. “Nell, that’s not helping!” He groaned and pulled on the braids of his chin as his eyes took in every inch of her as she stretched out the kinks of sleep. Shaking himself slightly, he scooped up her clothes and deposited them beside her on the bunk.

“You do not regret last night in the cold light of day, taking into account what was discussed beforehand?” asked Jack quietly, watching her face closely for the feelings he knew her words would not give away. “And before you run off with doubts on my feelings of regret, I can assure you, there are none; and to be sure, there never will be.”

Nell looked up at him in surprise. “No, I don’t regret loving… oh,” she stopped and ran a hand down her face. “You’re referring to the long lost brother I never knew I had.” Her voice was slightly resentful as the memories of what he had told her came back.

Jack didn’t say anything, he just looked down at her, watching as she struggled into the clothes and her boots before standing up to face him.

“What?” she asked him, mirroring his stance when she put her hands on her hips.

“I’m trying to work out whether you resent your brother or the thought of what having a brother means,” he mused quietly, lifting one hand to circle his wrist gracefully.

“Resent?” Nell frowned at his hand and then turned away from him to cross to the sideboard. She picked up the hairbrush that lay there and began to work the tangles out of her hair, her thoughts racing over what he had just said. She stopped and faced him again, lifting the hair brush to point at him.

“If I’m honest,” she admitted slowly. “If I’m really honest, I do resent him. Which is completely strange…” she stopped again and looked down at the brush in her hand. “I don’t remember him…” she frowned. “And yet…”

“Go on,” Jack prompted softly.

“We don’t have the time,” she said firmly and straightened, giving her hair one last vicious brushing before throwing the brush down and winding her hair into a braid.

“Aye, we do,” Jack disagreed. “We can talk as we walk.” He waited till she looked up at him and then winked at her. “While I’m excellent at talking, I do even better at listening,” he said in an exaggerated air designed to make her laugh; and it worked.

“You certainly know how to talk!” she giggled, and stuck her hands back on her hips, her humour passing as her thoughts went back to her brother. “I don’t remember anything before Beaumont taking me… well… I have hazy memories, but nothing that I can really focus on. My first real memories are of the crossing to England; if I had a brother, surely I would remember leaving him.” Her gaze became unfocused as she spoke. “I hated the convent so much I used to pretend that there had been a big mistake, and that my family came for me, taking me back home. Sometimes I’d imagine it was a brother who came looking for me, that he’d spent his life trying to find me… and that one day he’d arrive and take me away.” She looked away colouring up at her admission.

Jack stepped forward and reaching out tucked an escaping strand of hair behind her ear; he caught her chin and turned her to look at him. “Perhaps your dreams were based in reality; mayhap underneath the fear your mind knew you had a brother but your memory of him was buried beneath dread and anguish.”

“I don’t want to see him,” Nell said firmly. “I don’t want to meet him.”

“You don’t have to,” he said no hint of a slur in his voice. “There’s no need for rushing into any decisions yet.” He slipped his hand from her chin under her ear to capture her throat gently, his thumb stroking the delicate skin of her jaw.

“But eventually you think I’ll want to meet him,” Nell said leaning into his touch, her eyes half shutting.

“I think you’ll want answers,” Jack replied and stepped closer to her, his other hand sliding around her waist to clutch at the small of her back. “But you don’t have to fear them, Nell, it won’t change you and it won’t change us.” He closed the gap between them, his lips finding hers, kissing her softly with only a hint of passion.

Nell sighed against him as he pulled her head down onto his shoulder. “I never thought this would happen,” he muttered quietly.

“What?” Nell lifted her head to look up at him. “Never thought what would happen?”

He lifted his head slightly, looking down his nose at her. “We’ll be late, and I’ve to step in on young Will before we leave.”

His words brought back Will’s condition to Nell and guilt filled her as she realised she’d given no thought to anyone but herself.

“How is Will today? I haven’t seen him or Elizabeth since coming aboard; will I be able to visit them soon?” Nell asked.

“I have no idea; which is why I’ll be stepping in to see him,” he said with a chuckle. “I expect you’ll see them both soon enough though. We will be employing the services of a doctor whilst ashore, although I have the utmost confidence in Benjamin’s abilities, it will do us well to acquire some supplies of the medical variety before leaving here.” Jack was musing to himself now as he shepherded her towards the door.

“Will we be here long?”

“No, on account of what we have below deck and in the hold.” He shook his head. “Which brings me neatly to a very important detail – while we are ashore do not mention where we have been, what we have seen, or indeed anything at all of the last three weeks or so.”

“Is Aruba like Tortuga then?” she asked him nodding at his orders.

“Aruba is not as lively or as entertaining as Tortuga,” he mused “but nevertheless ‘tis definitely worth visiting and it is a pirate haven, so don’t leave my side or Hock’s while we’re ashore.” He opened the door and waited for her to go through.

“The Commodore said it was a pirate haven,” she said as she passed him. “I have the feeling they’re not happy about being here but they didn’t say as much; although they did said they’d not be able to leave the Pearl.”

“When did you talk to them?” Jack asked as he stopped outside his cabin where Will and Elizabeth were.

Nell stopped beside him. “They escorted Lady Clarence back last night and were good enough to stay for awhile…” she faded out and frowned, until that moment, the dream of the monks hadn’t crossed her mind. “They really are very kind,” she muttered. “They would have stayed all night.”

“Well, I for one am bloody glad they didn’t,” Jack slurred and then stopped. “And why would they have stayed all night? Who asked them to stay and why did they not?”

“What? Oh, no one asked them, I think they realised I was… uneasy; but Lady Clarence knew Hock was coming for her and kicked them out.” She looked at Jack. “Where is Lady Clarence? Is she not coming with us?”

“She kicked them out?” Jack grinned and then shook his head. “No, she’ll not be coming with us, on account that I’ll not be able to explain away why I have a fancy lady like that aboard; she’ll be the target of every man under eighty wanting to have a go at her.”

“You let her leave at La Romana,” Nell pointed out.

“La Romana is not as dangerous,” he explained softly. “And considering what’s aboard the Pearl now, I’d rather not tempt trouble by taking a beauty like her ashore.”

Nell frowned, slightly stung by his words, although she knew it was silly and although she knew it was also childish, she couldn’t stop herself. “However I, on the other hand, won’t cause you any problems because I would never pass for either a lady or beautiful.”

“Now that’s silly, isn’t it?” he smirked at her. “If it were anyone else, I’d say they were fishing for compliments; but you’re not as sure of yourself as that, are you?” He rolled his eyes at her. “You’re my woman, Nell, that’s why you’ll cause no problem. They’ll know better than to challenge me over you; having said that, you are a beauty and you are a lady, so don’t invite trouble by doing something stupid like leaving my side. With no protection you’ll be a sitting duck to any bugger wanting you - a pretty little sitting duck at that, so stay with me or Hock at all times, savvy?”

She regarded his black eyes and nodded. “I understand,” she said softly.

“Good, now wait for me on deck.” He indicated with his head for her to go on. Nell grinned at him and went out into the bright early morning sunshine.

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Jack crossed to the windows and opened a few of them before turning back to where Elizabeth was sleeping beside the bed, stretched forwards on the sheets and leaning on her folded arms. Dark shadows lined her face, the same shadows that Jack could still see in Nell’s face; he wondered if they would ever leave them.

“She’s asleep,” Will spoke softly from where he lay propped against the pillows; his face was still ashen, his eyes slightly sunken.

“Aye,” Jack spoke quietly and crossed to stand on the other side of the bed looking down at him. “We’re at Aruba now; we’ll take on supplies here and I’ll have the doc look at your arm.” Jack tugged on the braids from his chin. “How are you fairing?”

“Better.” Will looked up at his friend, “although I’m not stupid, Jack.”

“That’s your opinion, lad, but I’ll humour you…” Jack wasn’t smiling as he spoke but his eyes glittered.

Will winced as he laughed. “Damn you, Jack!” He lifted his good arm and pointed at the bandages, his face serious again. “I won’t be wielding a sword again, will I?”

“I’m no doctor, Will, I can’t…”

“I’ll not wield a sword, will I?” Will demanded, still mindful of waking Elizabeth.

“It’s doubtful.” Jack sank down onto the chair beside the bed. “But stranger things have happened as well you should know.”

“How am I going to protect her?” Will looked at his still sleeping wife. “How am I going to…?” he stopped, his head sinking back onto the pillows in defeat.

“You’ll not be without money or protection,” Jack said firmly. “You know that.”

“I’ll not take charity!” Will hissed and winced again as the pain cut through him. “I won’t be dependant on you or her father!”

“Just as well I’m not talking about dependency or charity then isn’t it!” Jack spoke coldly. “You lost your ship, your strength and now it seems as if your wits have deserted you too.”

“How would you feel?” Will turned his head to stare at him in anger. “What if it were you in this bed, Jack?”

“I’d be moaning just like you are - well, no, that’s not completely true due to the fact I would be out cold from having drunk myself into oblivion.” Jack shook his head, beads swinging around his face. “Beaumont blew your ship up, killed half your crew, took your woman and almost your arm. There’s enough of the treasure he stole in my hold to see you and every bugger on this ship right.”

“Charity,” Will spat and looked away again.

“Payment!” Elizabeth lifted her head and glared at her husband. Sleep still showed in her eyes, but her strength showed clearer. “A fair share.”

“Charity,” Will disagreed, his strength was fast waning as he fought them both.

“Charity is a gift for the needy,” Jack began, one hand dancing as he spoke. “And you are neither needy or in need of a gift. I know you have built a fine reputation crafting your swords, and I know you live well due to selling said swords. You’re not needy, Will, a bloody pain in the arse, but not needy.”

“How can it be payment?” Will sighed.

“Beaumont is responsible for everything that has happened to you,” Jack said with a flick of one hand. “I’m a rich man, of this you are aware; that treasure was never about needing for me. I’ll admit at the start there was definite greed involved; there always is with a man like myself, but somewhere it changed, somewhere between searching for you amongst the sharks, praying to anything that would listen that I’d find you first.” He circled his hands in time with his words, his face set and as serious as his tone of voice. “And watching him send Nell into the sea with a flick of the knife.” His face took on a stony expression as he regarded Will closely; Jack cleared his throat unwilling to admit in words just how affected he’d been.

“Going after that treasure caused your current state of affairs, and if I were a more upstanding member of society, if I possessed the morals of, say Norrington, then I’d be assuaging my guilt by giving you charity as you put it.” Jack stood up and moved away from the bed into the main cabin area, he faced them with his hands on his hips and his head tilted back to glare at them down his nose. “But I’m not moral and I give nothing for society, and as such, charity and guilt don’t exist in my world. If you won’t take your rightful share of the treasure – just as every other man on this ship will, including, I might add, Lady Clarence, Nell and the Commodore, then perhaps your wife will take it, even if I have to make her sign the bloody Articles; anything just to shut your self-pitying whining up!” Jack lifted his chin, glaring at the shocked look on Will’s face.

“It’s not self-pity, Jack!” Will’s voice rose in anger, two hot spots of colour on his otherwise white face. “I can’t take it from you. I won’t take it from you!”

“Your father suffered on my account – I refuse to be held accountable for his bloody son too!” Jack turned and left the room quickly, slamming the door behind him.

Jack stopped and ran a hand down his face; he was slightly shocked by the force of the anger that had caught him. He’d known all along that Will would be stubbornly proud, but when he had actually been faced with the situation, it had been enough to make his blood boil. Jack knew all about pride, but he also knew that Will had more to think of than just himself; and if truth be told, he was more than a little hurt to think that Will would consider anything Jack did for him as charity, or to assuage his own guilt. He heard the door open behind him and he stepped forward intent of walking away, but Elizabeth’s anxious voice made him halt and look back over his shoulder at her.

“Jack… he doesn’t mean to hurt you,” she said softly. “No one is to blame for this and yet both of you are feeling guilty and helpless.”

“I’m going to bring the doctor from the village to see his wounds,” he said, his slurred voice giving nothing away.

“Jack, please… Will doesn’t mean to throw it back in your face.”

“There’s no throwing to be done, luv.” Jack turned to her. “He’ll have the same as everyone else; in fact, according to the Articles, he’s entitled to more than anyone else on account of his injuries.”

“We’re not crew,” Elizabeth pointed out, annoyed with the stubbornness of both men.

“No,” Jack shook his head. “You are my friends.” He shrugged and walked away from her, this time ignoring her when she called to him again.

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Nell saw the mask fall into place on Jack’s face the moment he stepped out onto the deck; it made her wonder what had transpired in the cabin with Will and Elizabeth. She knew better than to question him now, but she would certainly ask him later.

Jack spoke quickly to the crew before giving permission to go ashore; everyone knew exactly what had to be done before they could spend any time in pursuit of local pleasures. Nell watched as he dismissed them and then turned to the few guards who would remain on watch. She was waiting beside the gangplank when Hock came towards her with a dagger in his hands.

“Here you go, Nell.” Hock held the dagger out to her.

“I don’t seem to have a very good way with daggers; I tend to lose them,” she said not taking the dagger from him.

“We’ve plenty more,” he laughed and knelt on one knee to slide the dagger down her boot carefully. He looked up at her and winked. “Tis best to have one, but stay close to us and you’ll not need it.”

“Pass ‘er over when you’ve finished with ‘er, ‘ock, and I’ll give ‘er one she won’t forget!” Graves laughed as he went past; Hock growled and was on his feet instantly, his hand shooting out to grab him round the throat. “Didn’t you learn your lesson last time? You’ll not disrespect the young Miss!” Hock hissed into his face.

Nell was surprised at the speed Hock moved at and also surprised at how he had reacted to the crude words of the sailor. She looked at Graves and recognised him as being one of the pirates who had thrown the water over her; he hadn’t come onto the island with them and Nell hadn’t seen him for a while. He looked at her now and Nell felt uncomfortable at the shifty look in his eyes.

“Apologise now!” Hock barked in a cold voice that booked no argument as Second Mate.

Graves made a choking noise that sounded like ‘sorry, Miss’; but Hock merely shook him like a mangy dog.

“Is there a problem, gentlemen?” came Jack’s calm voice as he swayed over, apparently unruffled at seeing his Second Mate holding a crew member round the throat in a death grip.

Hock let Graves go, watching with cold eyes as he spluttered, his hand going to his bruised throat. “Graves’ forgetting his manners, again,” Hock said to Jack, making the other man glare in anger at him.

“I meant no ‘arm!” he spluttered but Jack merely raised his eyebrows at him. “I really am sorry, Miss.”

“Last chance; if you say anything again that I don’t like, you’ll be treading water a long way from shore,” Hock said coldly and pushed him down the gangplank with considerable force. He fell sprawling, almost tipping into the water, before he got up and ran the rest of the way onto the dock. Nell bit her lip and looked at Hock as he joined them.

“Wasn’t that a bit harsh?” she asked quietly.

“What did he say?” asked Jack when Hock merely raised his eyebrows at Nell.

“Offered to give her one, Capt’n, one she wouldn’t forget,” Hock spoke coldly.

Jack’s eyebrows drew together as he stared after the retreating figure of Graves. “Next time, tell me a bit sooner and he’ll have a bullet in his skull!” he muttered.

Nell gasped, staring at him. “It was a joke, a bad one maybe, but just a jest surely!”

“And have you forgotten what happens when jokes go too far? What about Daniels on the island? Was he joking too?” Hock asked her quietly.

“No, but that was different,” she stammered.

“Maybe; but it was still badly done and disrespectful to you.” Jack touched Hock’s arm and indicated for him to go on ahead. “The crew know you’re my woman, Nell. Word spreads quickly amongst them and even if he didn’t know he still knows that I will not tolerate disrespect of women - any woman, especially you?” he shook his head and gripped her upper arm. “If it’s not dealt with immediately then today it’s suggestive remarks, tomorrow…?” He let the sentence hang knowing she could well fill in the rest herself.

“What did happen to Daniels?” she asked him, knowing that he was right.

“I wondered if you’d ever ask,” he mused and drew her down the gangplank to the wooden structure that served as a dock for the various ships and boats tied up. “He had Moses Law, one stroke less of forty and then he was left on the island. From what Norrington told me, Beaumont picked him up, took as much information as he could from him and then shot him.”

“So, now two men have died because of me,” she muttered uncomfortable with the knowledge.

“What is it with martyrdom today? Is everyone going to insist on having bleeding hearts and tortured souls?” his voice was irritated and it made Nell stop to look at him. “You are not responsible for something someone else does; they make their own choices, just like you make yours and I make mine! Daniels chose to attack you, knowing full well the consequences if he were caught. And…” he stopped, frowning at her. “Who else are you carrying on your well defined conscience there?”

Nell glared at him and folded her arms. “Because of me, Decker jumped into the river… you have to admit that if I hadn’t made a mistake about the monks he wouldn’t have…” she stopped, paling slightly at the memory of what had happened to Decker.

Jack sighed and placed one hand on his hip, and the other he touched her shoulder gently before letting it dance with his words. “Pushed him did we? Suggest it to him?”

“No, but he felt he had to prove me wrong,” Nell said slowly. “Sometimes we have to take responsibility, Jack; admit that the things we do and say affect others.”

“Decker was three sheets to the wind, Nell,” he said exasperation beginning to creep into his voice. “He’d have done something stupid at some point, he saw…” he stopped short reaching out to grip her shoulders tightly. “If anyone is to blame for the events of these last few weeks it’s Beaumont. He’s the conniving bastard that set us all up, so blame him if you must blame anyone. And as for Daniels and Graves, accuse them, not yourself - you didn’t do or say anything that gave them the right.” He took a deep breath and rolled his eyes at her.

“Beaumont and De Mornay have a lot to answer for,” she said to him and then flashed him a quick grin. “Although if it weren’t for them, I’d never have met you I suppose.”

“There, see,” Jack stepped back from her, holding out one arm to her. “Everything has a silver lining to it, or in my case gold, Nell, pure gold.”

“You wish!” she giggled as they went down the plank to where Hock was waiting for them.

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The three of them quickly made short work of organising the supplies needed for the next few weeks aboard the Pearl. Nell found it fascinating to watch Jack at work when it came to agreeing a price on things; he had the ability to appear like a drunken idiot while very cleverly outdoing the merchants on every level. As a result he would come away from each proposition making the merchant feel as if he’d won, while in fact, Jack had got exactly what he wanted, for how much he wanted to pay.

They had just left the last retailer when Nell turned to Jack and grinned at him.

“You invented conniving, didn’t you?” she said.

“Why, thank you, Nell,” Jack grinned at her, showing his gold teeth. “I don’t think you’ve ever said anything as nice as that before. What say you, Mister Hock?”

“I think she has you pegged, Capt’n,” he laughed.

“What is that smell?” Nell asked and came to a complete standstill, her face lifted as she sniffed deeply. “It’s divine!”

“It’s freshly baked bread,” Jack laughed. “And I’m a complete bastard, aren’t I?”

“Well, yes, but why this time?” Nell asked him dryly.

“You haven’t eaten yet, have you?” He was already pulling her towards the source of the smell. Nell didn’t answer as she suddenly spotted a cart that was holding, bread rolls, pastries and other sorts of bakery items that she wasn’t even sure what they were. Her mouth watered and her eyes grew large as she looked at them.

Jack bought several rolls and gave her a bag with them in. He’d eaten earlier with Hock, but they still managed to put away four rolls between them as they wandered through the stalls. Nell was licking the last crumbs from her fingers when they stopped in front of a small old cottage. The door was in need of repairing at the base and the sign above the door was in a language Nell didn’t recognise.

“Feel better now, lass?” Hock asked her when he heard her sigh of contentment. She looked up at him and grinned.

“Oh completely, thank you,” she said. “And it was so good not to have to share the roll.”

Jack raised an eyebrow at her as he knocked on the door. “And who do you usually share your bread with?”

“The weevils!” she grinned making them snort with laughter. The door was opened by a middle-aged man with a tired and pale looking face. He said something in a language that Nell had never heard before.

“English?” Jack asked him hopefully.

“Ah yes!” he smiled at them, showing no obvious feelings towards the fact he had pirates on his doorstep. “You need assistance?” He had noted the cuts and bruises that they all sported but his attention was on Nell’s face.

“Yes, but it’s not for us,” Jack started but the doctor was already reaching forward to Nell. He drew her inside with Jack and Hock close behind, exchanging glances.

“Is there any aching? They look fresh still; have you noticed any difference in your vision?” He had moved further into the dimly lit room, patting around at his pockets, frowning as he questioned Nell. She looked at Jack in surprise, but didn’t have time to do or say anything as the man gave a cry of exultation and drew out a pair of gold rimmed spectacles.

“Wonderful things,” he slipped them. “Can’t find them more often than not, but definitely worth it when I can!” he announced and Nell managed to hide a snigger well. “Right then, I’m Doctor John Moore, formerly of England now of… well here!” he slapped his hands together.

“How much do you charge?” Jack asked not stopping him when he drew close to Nell and peered at her face.

“Charge?” the man looked surprised for a moment. “Oh, well, we can sort that out later. In fact, I’ve been known to accept a drink at the Book and Bell in payment,” he smiled vaguely. “Or some produce, whatever you can spare…” he looked at Nell and drew close to her, peering at the cut above her eye. “Just last week I was given some chickens for delivering twins,” he raised his hand and touched the bruised skin of her cheek making her pull back automatically. “I kept one and ate the other,” he said to Jack behind him and then turned back to Nell.

“I hope you’re referring to the chickens and not the twins!” Nell said, partly jesting as the doctor looked at her blankly for a moment and then chuckled as the penny dropped.

“Oh yes, yes of course! There’s no midwife here, you understand,” he said to her quietly. “Now have you noticed any doubling in your vision? Haziness or blurring? How about headaches?”

“No, nothing, it doesn’t bother me at all.” Nell shook her head at him. “It’s not me that needs attention, though.”

“Is your face the only bruising you have?” he cast her a stern glance over the top of his glasses.

“Yes,” she shook her head. “I… er… fell over.” She frowned at her own weak lie but he merely waved his finger at her.

“On this island, you learn very quickly not to ask questions, just to treat people. Of course, should you wish to tell me more…” He shrugged stepping forwards and with long clever fingers gripped her arm and drew her to a chair. He sat her down and with expert fingers examined her face, head and neck.

“Bruising,” he announced. “Very close to your eye, but I’m fairly certain that no lasting damage has occurred. These cuts are clean and there’s no infection…” he looked at Jack and Hock, his eyes noting the bruises that decorated both men.

“You look worse,” he motioned for them to step forward but Jack shook his head.

“Our ship’s doctor has seen to us; it’s a second opinion on a crew mate we need.”

“Of course,” the doctor looked around for the bag that carried his equipment and medicines. “Then let’s be going, shall we?”

“Are we all going back to the Pearl?” asked Nell. She was hoping that Jack would let her remain ashore and explore the small fishing village; her desire showed clearly on her face making Jack chuckle.

“Nay, lass, Mister Hock here will escort you to the market.”

They left the small cottage and Nell was glad to be out into morning sunshine again.

“I’ll find you,” Jack spoke to Nell before looking at Hock; an unspoken message went between the two men. “Stay beside Mister Hock, Nell.”

“I will,” Nell replied quietly and watched as Jack and the doctor went back towards the docks. She looked up at Hock and grinned at him. “What’s at the market?”

“Let’s find out shall we?” he laughed and offering his arm to her, led her in the opposite direction of Jack.

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“Is everyone here Dutch?” Nell asked sometime later as they were walking through the market. It was full of all sorts of stalls of clothes, trinkets, vegetables, fish and meat. Nell had never seen such an assortment of items and food and she drank in the sights with glee; it was blocking out the shadows of the last couple of days and Nell found herself more and more relaxed as Hock patiently let her examine everything that took her fancy, which was practically every stall.

“No, there is a lot of Dutch, but there’s some Spanish and there’s the natives as well,” Hock replied, watching her examining a shell that had been polished and then carved with intricate patterns. The stall holder was speaking rapidly in Dutch to them and while Hock only had a smattering of Dutch, he knew she was trying to bargain for a price. Nell couldn’t understand a word being spoken, but she was content to merely look at everything.

Hock lifted a shell necklace that had caught his eye. “It’s not as fine as a diamond necklace is it?” he said letting the tiny, pink shells drift through his fingers as he studied it.

Nell looked at the necklace before looking up into his face. “Diamonds are cold stones,” she replied. “Those will be priceless to her.” She knew he was thinking about Lady Clarence and comparing the simple shell necklace to the jewels her husband had bought her.

“Hardly priceless,” he snorted looking down at her.

“It’s not how much something costs that makes it priceless,” she replied and took the shells from his hand to look at them closely. “It’s who gives it to you and why they gave it to you that makes it priceless.” She handed it back to him and grinned when he winked at her and stuck his other hand into his pocket to find the money for it.

Nell heard him talking brokenly to the woman, who now it appeared they were going to buy from her, suddenly remembered she could speak a little English after all. Nell turned to look out over the market place, drinking in the sun and the friendly cheerful noises of the villagers going about their daily business. She scanned the area, looking for signs of Jack return, but there was nothing yet so she wandered down the stall further, mindful not to move too far from Hock.

Nell wasn’t ready for the sound of monks chanting and it brought her head up so fast her neck cracked. She turned wildly, her heart beat sped up so quickly that she could feel it hammering against her chest; she looked towards Hock, but he gave no indication he could hear anything as he bartered with the woman over the necklace. She strained her ears for the faint sounds but could hear nothing now, except the noises of the market; frowning she looked around her.

“Miserly old hag,” Hock muttered as he joined her. “She fair fleeced me for this bloody trinket.” He stuffed the necklace into his pocket and opened his mouth to grumble again when he caught sight of Nell’s pale face.

“What’s up, lass?” he asked her quietly, touching her elbow with his fingers gently. She looked up at him and shook her head, dismissing the sounds as fantasy on her part; there was no sign or sound of them now.

“Tired,” she smiled. “Did you buy it?”

“Aye,” he grinned at her. “She better worship the ground I walk on for the price I paid for it!”

“Will she stay with you on the Pearl?” she asked him as he led her further inland towards the other end of the market.

“Nay,” he shook his head and frowned. “I’m not sure how it’ll work out yet; her husband will not take kindly to being cuckolded.”

Nell nodded her eyes on the ground at her feet; her heart beat had returned to normal but there was an edge of unease in her mind, an edge that had taken her feeling of security away. She had momentarily forgotten what had happened over the last few days; the new sights and sounds of Aruba had washed them away, but the chanting that had slipped into Nell’s mind had brought it all tumbling back to her.

“There’s the tavern the doc mentioned,” Hock pointed out making Nell look up at the ramshackle building that was dark and uninviting. A sign hanging over the door announced it was called the “Book and Bell” and the drawing underneath told her why it was named such.

“There’s a church here?” she asked in surprise looking at the crude drawing of a Church and a Bible.

“Most probably,” Hock answered. “Considering the Dutch are mostly Catholic, it would make sense they’d installed a priest somewhere to absolve them from sinning with the pirates!” He looked down lifting his eyebrows at her. “Why? Fancy a confession? I’m sure the Capt’n’ll not mind.”

“It’s too late for that!” Nell snorted but he had planted an idea in her mind. She hadn’t confessed since the island; oh she’d prayed, prayed like she’d never prayed in her life, but confession? Then she remembered what she’d done last night with Jack and realised that confession was, indeed, too late. “How can I make Restitution for things I intend on doing again?” she asked him quietly.

“Well, that’s why I never bother,” he replied frankly. “Beside life at sea doesn’t give much time for anything except surviving.”

Nell looked up at him, reaching out to touch the scar that ran down the length of his face. “But I have the feeling that you’d not give up this life even if you were a rich man.”

“Who says I’m not a rich man?” he laughed down at her.

“You can’t tell me either you or Jack are rich; look at you both and I mean no disrespect.”

“None taken,” he chuckled. “But you really must learn not to judge someone on the way they appear. I don’t know a man as rich as Jack - he holds the bearings to the Isla De Muerta; anything he pillages from other ships is a drop compared to what lies in those caves.”

Nell’s smile faltered slightly as she thought over what he said. “I understood, well, I mean I thought the Navy had taken all the gold from there when they captured…” She stopped and frowned at him. “I thought… Elizabeth …”

“Only Jack knows those bearings; although he navigated the Navy there he kept the bearings to himself. The treasure still remains there…” He lifted one eyebrow. “And I think I’ve just made a mistake telling you that; I thought you knew. Nell, what are you thinking?” Hock frowned when she didn’t reply. “Don’t forgot that we’re pirates, Nell, and for Jack it’s more than survival, it is who he is; every thread of him is a pirate. I wasn’t with him when he lost the Pearl, and I wasn’t with him when he searched for her, or found her again; but I do know it took him ten years and he never stopped once in those ten years. The Pearl and sailing is his blood, Nell, it’s his entire life and that’s not going to change no matter how much he accumulates; didn’t you realise that?” Hock watched as he face closed down and she smiled brightly at him.

“I know what you both are,” she stated quietly.

“The church, for what it’s worth, is behind you. I’ll wait outside for you.” Nell stepped away from him, turning as she went. She wasn’t sure what she felt about what he had told her; but one thing she did know was that she was angry. She walked blindly into the dark sanctuary of the church and taking the first pew knelt, crossing herself without even knowing what she was doing.

She did remember he was a pirate, everyone assumed she forgot that, but she didn’t. She knew all too well what he was and that had never been a problem for her, and it never would be. She couldn’t fault him for trying to go onto the island; after all no one really knew what was there and Beaumont had not been forthcoming, but after it became apparent, instead of concentrating on trying to leave he had gone onwards, searching for the treasure. But was she really being fair to him? After all, they couldn’t leave using the bay they had come in on and the path they had taken had led them to the correct bay… but only because the monks had left their memories with them.

Nell buried her head in her hands, her fingers clutching in her hair as thoughts raced through her mind. Her initial anger against Jack had faded; he’d done what he had deemed best; he’d followed the path that Beaumont had taken, assuming that it would lead them to where they had left the island. Jack had led them blindly, especially as Beaumont had been reticent and often times completely unwilling to give them any help until it was too late. Nell put herself in his place and knew she wouldn’t have got them over the quicksand, let alone through the rest of the island. They’d all pulled together as a team and in that fact, they had all contributed to leaving the island, but it had been Jack that had kept them together. And when Beaumont and De Mornay had taken her, Nell had known that Jack would get to her in time; just like she knew she could rely on him again. He might not get it right every time but it wouldn’t be for want of trying. A hand on her shoulder sent her skittering to the right with a strangled gasp of fear.

“I didn’t mean to startle you, I’m sorry.” The priest that was standing beside her drew back slightly, concern on his young face.

“I…” Nell took a deep breath; she was getting more skittish with every pacing moment, as this rate she’d be scared of her own shadow soon. She shook herself mentally for being so silly and smiled at him. “No, I’m sorry, I was…”

“Praying,” he nodded. “It was wrong of me to interrupt, but you looked…” he stopped, not wanting to offend the young woman who was clearly dressed as a man.

Nell flushed slightly, praying had been furthest from her mind, but she didn’t want to admit that to him. “I just needed to clear my head, Father,” she said quietly.

“Of course, the church is always open; our Lord is always listening.” He sat in the pew in front of her and leaned over the back to look at her. “You are not from here.”

“We were sheltering from a storm,” she replied, avoiding his eyes. She had never felt uncomfortable with a priest before, but now she was unsettled.

“You are most welcome here,” he said quietly. “Will you stay for the services this afternoon?”

I don’t think so,” she replied. “I’m with friends, I only came in to…” she stopped not really sure herself why she had come in.

“Pray,” he supplied for her as he stood up. “And I am interrupting you, would you like me to pray for you?”

Nell looked up at him and nodded before she even thought about it. He came round to stand in front of her and Nell was surprised when he got down on his knees in front of her; he took his beads and reached out to take her hands in his, the beads clutched between their hands. He bowed his head and began praying in a quiet whisper; it was in Latin but Nell could understand it well enough to realise that he had adapted it from the standard prayers to fit whoever he was praying over. He finished praying and she looked up at him, but his head was still bowed; she whispered amen and tried to slip her hands free from his but she couldn’t break his hold.

“Father?” Fear replaced the peace his prayer had brought her. She inched backwards on her knees but he would not loosen his grip.

“You want absolution, don’t you?” he muttered, his face downcast as he stared at their joined hands. “You want to be told that everything is all right; that things will be just fine. But they won’t be, will they, Nell? You could have saved their souls, but you betrayed them,” his voice was cold as ice. He looked up at her; his eyes were intense and filled with hatred. “You damned them, just as you damned yourself.”

Nell was terrified now, sweat dripped down her back, the hold he had on her hands was bone crushing. She struggled backwards, but he tugged her towards him, his face showing nothing but hatred.

“You shall suffer, Nell,” he promised her. “You shall suffer the fires of hell for your betrayal.” He let go of her hands suddenly and she fell backwards with a cry. She knocked her head on the stone floor of the aisle, momentarily stunning her as the pain radiated through her head.

“Are you all right?” Nell scrambled backwards as the priest’s face came into view as he leaned over her. The hatred was gone from his face and his eyes only reflected concern. “What happened?”

“You…” Nell shook her head. “You told me I was damned.”

“I was praying for you,” he frowned in puzzlement at her odd behaviour. “I made no mention of damnation; what troubles you? You have been hit…” he reached out to touch the bruising across her cheek but stopped when she scrambled back further from him. “I will not harm you; I can offer you sanctuary from whatever frightens you. Have you escaped from someone? Does someone mean you any harm?”

Nell shook her head and gripping the wooden seats struggled to her feet, he made no move to help her, staying on his knees as he stared at her.

“I’m not going mad!” she said firmly. “I heard you, you gripped my hands, wouldn’t let them go and you spoke about damming the monks!”

“What monks?” he demanded still on his knees. “There are no monks on Aruba!”

“I heard you!” she countered firmly although her knees were shaking. “Please just let me go!” She watched warily as he got to his feet and backed out into the aisle; she waited till he was far enough back before she made a bolt for the door. She could hear him calling after her but she didn’t stop or look back as she raced out into the sunshine, intent of getting away from him.

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A/N: Well, I’m sorry there was a wait and I hope it was worth it. Thanks for your reviews, comments and emails. They make me think more and inspire the next chapter more often than not.

Take care of yourselves and have a great weekend.