The Map

Warning: This hasn’t been checked at all. Which means it’ll be rife with mistakes, spelling errors and other grammatical monstrosities. Apologies ahead of time.

OH and it’s still not mine… *sobs*

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Norrington knew they were no longer sailing without needing to hear the order to drop anchor. The motion of the boat beneath his cramped, sore limbs told him they were either harboured in a dock somewhere or anchored at sea. He was inclined to think they were anchored at sea for the rocking of the boat was more pronounced than when anchored behind a harbour wall.
The darkness of the cabin was alleviated by the lantern above their heads, swinging gently with the rocking motion of the boat. He had no idea what time it was, but he could hazard a guess it was after midnight and prob wel well in to the witching hour.
Bryant was sleeping at an awkward angle to his side, his head at such an angle that Norrington knew he’d be sore when he woke up. Norrington could feel the muscles in his own neck protesting from the angle of his arms behind his back so he knew Bryant would be much worse.
He leaned over and nudged Bryant with his shoulder. Bryant jerked awake, his eyes cloudy with fatigue.
“Sir?” he looked around him and awareness entered his eyes as the pain in his neck registered. He rotated his neck painfully wincing at the cracking noise it made.
“He has put to anchor.” Norrington could hear the pressing frustration in his voice.
“La Romana?” asked Bryant instantly more alert as he sat straighter, trying to ease the ache in his own shoulders.
“I have no idea.” Norrington admitted tersely “But we do know one thing: Boyden will not keep his word as to the safety of the men or, indeed, us. I am just surprised he had kept us alive this long. What are you thoughts on this Bryant?”
Bryant puffed out his breath; it wasn’t unusual for Norrington to listen to his commanding officers opinions and ideas. In fact Norrington made a habit of finding out what made his closest officers tick. It made him a better leader and Bryant had to admit that Norrington was, by far, the best Commodore he’d ever served under.
“He must have reason to keep us alive. I don’t think he does anything unless it is calculated. I also have the feeling that we were not given their correct names.” He said slowly.
“Agreed.” Norrington nodded. His narrowed eyes fixed on the ends of his now dusty and scuffed boots.
“I just wonder what Sparrow has done in particular to anger Boyden.” He mused.
“What besides just existing you mean?” Bryant said dryly, bringing a wry smile to Norrington’s lips.
“Do you believe this story of a ward?” he asked Bryant, aware of the other man as he shifted slightly bringing his knees up, his feet apart.
“I am not certain. If a ward does indeed exist I am completely at a loss as to why Sparrow would kidnap her. Ransom?” Bryant shook his head at his own supposition “No. Why kidnap her from her guardian to ransom her back again later. Sparrow wouldn’t risk a foolhardy venture like that; for he surely knows Boyden could enlist the entire naval fleet to give chase and what good would that do him?”
“Unless Sparrow realised that Boyden was unlikely to entreat the navy for help. But I still can’t imagine that this ward even exists. No; I believe that Sparrow stole something from the Heron’s Reach alright. But something so incredibly valuable that Boyden wants it back at all costs.” Norrington stared off into space as he thought deeply.
“We don’t know the whole truth about Boyden and Austin’s real identity and I have a feeling that when we do a lot of other questions will be answered as well.” Bryant added quietly.
“Which begs the questions did Sparrow know who they were before or after he boarded the Heron’s Reach?”
“I find it hard to believe he did board the Heron’s Reach sir.” Bryant said slowly “It isn’t Sparrow’s style to leave a crippled boat with a full complement of men mostly unharmed aboard.”
“Agreed.” Norrington said slowly as he struggled to find meaning in the mess “But then Sparrow is nothing if he isn’t unpredictable. Having said that though it doesn’t figure that Sparrow would overpower Boyden’s men, take what he wanted and then leave knowing that the ship would be able to make repairs and make haste after her. Especially if Sparrow knew exactly who Boyden really is.” Norrington sighed, wishing he could bring his fingers to pinch the bridge of his nose.
“This brings us to several conclusions. One; Boyden is lying about who attacked him and used the Pearl to get us to bring him aboard or two; Sparrow doesn’t know who Boyden is at all and thinks he’s stolen from a regular Merchant ship, one which he feels is no threat to him.” Bryant shook his head; they were going round in circles and getting no closer to the truth.
“The whole thing just doesn’t make sense; there are too many holes for either conclusion to work. How did Sparrow know what Boyden was carrying? Was he just pot lucky? If he was just lucky, why on earth leave a ship that has every capability of recovering itself and making chase?”
“Unless…” Bryant stopped and frowned deeply at his boots.
“Unless…” prompted Norrington.
“Unless Sparrow hasped ped himself to something that belongs to Boyden but he didn’t take it from the Heron’s Reach. Maybe he’s attacked another ship that belongs to Boyden.”
“Two ships travelling together?” asked Norrington, disbelief in his voice “If there were two ships, Sparrow would have more of a fight on his hands…. And where’s the other ship now?”
“Point.” Bryant conceded “Maybe we could just ask him.” His lips twisted bitterly.
Norrington opened his mouth to reply when the door was suddenly opened and both men looked up as Beaumont and D’Mornay came in silently.
Norrington titled his head back at looked at them with one eyebrow raised in arrogant authority.
“I expect you’ve come to the conclusion that we have dropped anchor.” Beaumont crossed to Norrington’s desk and sat down, propping his booted feet up on to the table, more in a show of insolent disrespect that comfort.
Norrington’s eyes narrowed along with his lips as he watched the two men closely.
“We are presently just around the coast from La Romana. A scout has just returned telling us that Jack Sparrow and his ship are docked in the harbour. May I congratulate you on an excellent ship? Fastest I’ve ever sailed upon.” Beaumont grinned at him, his cold eyes appraising as he looked from Bryant to Norrington.
“They don’t look too comfortable. Untie them Tristan.”
Norrington heard the true name of the man that came forward and roughly pulled him forward to cut his bonds, but it meant nothing to him without a surname to attach to it.
His hands finally released, he rubbed at his aching and bloody wrists where the rope had been tied too tightly.
“This is on the understanding that you do everything we say when we say it without argument or I won’t bother tying you up again, I’ll just cut your hands off. Do we have an understanding?” Beaumont looked at them both lazily as he drew a dagger from his boot and began to clean his already immaculate fingernails with it.
Norrington nodded sharply as D’Mornay cut Bryant’s bonds.
“I’m sorry Norrington, didn’t quite catch that. Let’s try again. Now; nice and loudly… ‘Yes Captain.’” Beaumont was playing with him, trying to see how far he could push the Commodore. But Norrington was a very patient man; he had to be to give chase to Sparrow for so many years with nothing but the bitter taste of failure to show for it.
“Yes, Captain.” He replied smoothly, but his voice dripped mockery “I take it you’re now running the ‘Pirate’s Flag’ instead of the Royal Standard?” he looked up at D’Mornay. But he merely smirked down at them and moved to stand beside the desk, idly flic the the dagger in his hands.
Beaumont looked thoughtful for a minute and then frowned.
“Now for one second I actually considered what a good idea that would be. But then I realised only an imbe woe would really consider that. Your precious flag is untouched Norry.” He grinned slyly “It’ll have to be for when we wrap your body in it and send you to the bottom of the Ocean.”
Norrington showed only the slightest indignation at the shortening of his name and he showed absolutely no reaction to the obvious threat.
“Now then. Here’s what I propose, bearing in my mind there is no room for refusal.” Beaumont swept his feet from the desk and stood up to pace the room, hands behind his back.
Norrington’s hand clenched in his lap, he would certainly enjoy watching this man swing from the end of the rope. It was fast becoming an obsession that surpassed even his desire to see Sparrow swinging.

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Jack wasn’t drunk but he wasn’t quite sober either. He managed to put one foot in front of the other with his usual finesse but he just couldn’t quite make a straight line as he made his way back onto the Pearl in the dark.
“You’re drunk!” came an accusing voice from in front of him.
He stopped and peered into the gloomy darkness of his corridor, arms going wide as he recognised the voice all to well.
“Elizabeth, my darling. And how are you this fine night?” he grinned as she came towards him with her hands on her hips. Her eyes were narrowed and her face set and determined.
Jack’s face became mock bashful as he half bowed to her, watching for her hands carefully.
“Elizabeth; my own true love, please, be easy on a poor man such as myself. I have a lot to think about and the ‘fine drink’ helps the process along” He brought his hands together in a mock pleading gesture, his black eyes doleful as he inclined his head to one side.
“Where have you put her Jack?” Elizabeth ignored his words as she glared at him.
Jack opened his eyes wide and looked around him in mock misunderstanding.
“Who? The Pearl? You’re standing on her for sure, have you been sipping at Will’s rum again?” He stepped back smartly as he spoke, hands coming up to ward off any advancing blows but Elizabeth didn’t move to slap him.
“You know who I mean Jack!” she snapped “Where is Lady Clarence? I heard how Mister Hock threw her over his shoulder and marched her out of the Inn. What a simply dreadful way to treat a lady, even if she is a little annoying at times!”
Jack’s eyes went wide with horror as he looked at her.
“Hock? My mister Hock?” he knew he was pushing her but he always enjoyed seeing Elizabeth wher fer feathers were ruffled. She became quite a sight to behold, although he had to admit he preferred it more when she was annoyed at someone other than himself.
“Yes, your mister Hock! He picked her up as if she was just mere chattel.” She huffed.
Jack tapped his fingers on his chin and narrowed his eyes.
“After giving it some thought I find lf clf coming to the conclusion that Mister Hock aught to be knighted for services rendered to the public of La Romana by removing the rather annoying presence of her ladyship.” Jack announced smartly.
A snigger told them both that the guards, Timms and Dwent could hear every word that was being said and were quite obviously enjoying the eavesdropping they were doing.
Jack used it to his advantage and grinned widely at her, gold teeth glinting in the light cast from the moon and the lanterns.
“Don’t you agree men?” he asked sweeping his arms out wide to the two men who sat in the shadows.
“Aye Capt’n.” came the murmured response.
“Jack! You can’t have her treated like that. You’ve got to bring her safely back to Port Royal before we go any further with this chart.” Elizabeth glared in the general direction of the men before turning her attention back to Jack.
“Well, now there you see I have to disagree with you. We can’t afford to loose any more time nec necessary or Beaumont will be catching us up. It won’t take him long to make repairs and then he’ll be after us. So…” he looked directly at her “While it pains me to have her remain aboard I see no other alternative. I cannot, in all good faith, leave her here unattended.” He spoke quietly seeing Will coming up the corridor behind her listening to what they were saying.
“Why not? The Governor would take care of her surely.” Elizabeth’s face was determined and Jack recognised the set of her lips. He winced visibly; he didn’t envy Will at all. No, Elizabeth was not his type, too accustomed to getting her own way.
“Aye that he would. But not in the way you would hope and I’ll not sully your delicate ears in details, but it does suffice to say the Governor of this island is not respectable like your good father luv.”
“She’s safer on board Elizabeth.” Will came up behind her silently and caught her hand in his “Let’s get some sleep. Things always seem worse at night. Lady Clarence is fine, I’ve just seen Hock in the galley and he left her safely in her room.”
Elizabeth sighed in impatience her shoulders slumping, true tiredness showing around her eyes.
“It’s just such a mess Will. We lost the Ardent; Jack’s taken Lord Henry’s wife hostage. Lord Henry, Will. What’s he going to say? What’s he going to do for goodness sake?” She brought her free hand up in a gesture of despair.
Jack turned interested eyes on her and fingered his moustache.
“And what is the good man like?” he asked lazily.
“Well, he’s certainly not good!” Will replied “He’s the most obnoxious man alive. Not even Elizabeth’s father can find a good word for the man.”
“They seem most suited then.” Jack laughed “I bid you goodnight. I have certain things to attend to.” He smirked at them and swayed towards his cabin, almost walking into the doorway before he made it down the corridor.
He stopped at his door and tried to open it, but it wouldn’t move.
He frowned and tried to shove it open and then he remembered. With a wide grin he unlocked the door and went it, taking the key with him. He shut the door and looked around the room. Nell was curled into a ball in the centre of this bed, fast asleep. She was still dressed and all the lanterns were still lit.
He moved toward the bed and stopped swaying slightly as he looked down at her.
Her face was half buried in his pillow, her hands tucked underneath the pillow.
He stepped away from her and swiftly divested himself of his coat, hat, sword, pistol and the sash that was tied around him waist.
When he was stood in just his shirt and britches he crossed back to her and bent forwards. He slid the pistol under the pillow and then he slid one hand under her hip and the other under her shoulder; he lifted her slightly and then pushed her across till she was pressed closer to the cabin wall.
He smirked down at her as she slept on. He’d never come across anyone who slept as deeply as she did. He swiftly doused all the lanterns except the one that hung above the bed. He sat on the edge of the bed pulling his boots off and letting them drop on the floor.
He swung his legs up and onto the bed reaching down to pull the covers over them. He lay back and turned to face her. Every so often the moon would come out from behind the clouds and shine into the room casting a silvery glow over them both.
He propped himself onto his elbow and reached out with one finger, drawing it slowly down her cheek. She didn’t move, didn’t grumble or make the slightest indication that she felt the touch. He drew his finger underneath her nose and with a feather soft touch tickled her top lip and nose. She twitched and brought a hand out to wipe under her nose but she didn’t wake up.
He waited till she settled again and then he drew his finger down her nose again.
She grumbled this time and turned over till she was facing away from him.
He drew the covers down slightly till they rested over her hips. He carefully and quietly drew her shirt away from her back and lifted it up slightly so he could see the map on her back.
He could see the words written around the map, compass points that meant nothing to the direction of the picture etched onto her back in blue.
He followed the lines with his eyes, willing himself to see something that he had missed telling him where the treasure could be found. But he saw nothing different and it frustrated him. His eyes slid lower to the indentation of her lower back. She had a small purplish birthmark slightly to the right of her spine. He slid quietly down the bed and bringing his face close to her back he let his lips graze the birthmark, her skin warm beneath his lips.
He could smell the slightly musky smell of sweat mixed with the salty smell of the sea but there was no overpowering smell of perfume, or powder or other men. She smelled innocent, untouched and it made him ache.
He let his tongue gently taste her skin, his fingers moving slowly over her back and across her hip, smoothing gently across her stomach, fingers edging into the waist band of her britches.
Nell groaned and shifted slightly, making him back away from her sharply, almost falling off the bed in the process. He drew himself back up the bed, letting her shirt cover her again. His tongue tingled with the taste of salt. He rolled onto his back and groaned low in his throat. He shouldn’t have done that for more reasons than he cared to admit. He shouldn’t have tempted himself with something he knew he couldn’t have just yet. And somewhere deep in the dim recesses of his long forgotten conscience he knew he shouldn’t have touched her while she was asleep and unaware.
He reached up and dimmed the lantern above him, and settled back down. Feeling uncomfortable he closed his eyes and tried to will himself to sleep.
Nell shifted beside him again, scooting backwards across the bed till her back was pressed tightly to his side.
“Jack.” She murmured his name followed by a tiny snore.
Jack lifted his head in surprise, his eyes going wide at the subconscious calling of his name. He looked down at her sleeping form and a smug smile crossed his face. He turned on his side carefully, bringing his arm gently over her waist. He closed his eyes still smiling.
She’d murmured his name. He was breaking down her defences, getting closer to his ultimate goal. He would just have to make sure that he wasn’t still here when she woke up. He pressed his nose into her hair and sniffed, the tones of coconut still lingering in her hair, making him smile as he relaxed against her and let sleep take him.

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Nell opened her eyes and stared into the darkness. Her body clock couldn’t get used to sleeping through the night, after years of waking four times a night to pray. It seemed as if she had to be truly exhausted to sleep through the night.
She sighed, relishing the thought that she no longer had to get out of bed and prostrate herself. It was almost worth waking up to feel the bliss of not having to get up.
A smile crept over her lips as she snuggled into the pillow more and closed her eyes again.
A snore, sudden and loud had her eyes flying open wide to stare into the darkness. She turned sharply, aware someone was beside her, peering into the darkness trying to see who she lay beside. Her eyes, growing accustomed to the dim light of the room, was able to make out the long braided, beaded hair of Jack Sparrow.
“Not again.” She mumbled placing her hand over her mouth as it sank in that once again she’d fallen asleep in his bed and he’d just got in with her rather than wake her up. Obnoxious man!
She sat up; realising the only way off the bed was to climb over him. She moved to kneel beside him, careful not to make too much motion or noise. Leaning over him she could smell the rum on his breath making her think he had passed out with too much drink inside of him. Sighing she brought her leg up and over him, her bare foot finding the floor, balancing carefully, not touching him she braced her hands on the bed and pushed herself sideways to give her enough momentum to bring her other leg over. A strong grip caught her wrist and cold metal was pressed into her temple. She heard the sound of a trigger being cocked and fear rippled through her as she realised he’d brought his pistol to her head.
“Jack! It’s me Nell!” she cried out and loosing her balance ended up straddling his hips, her hands automatically stopping her fall by pressing into his chest.
“I know it’s you Nell.” He spoke clearly, no hint of the drink he’d consumed earlier “What I’m not knowing is what you’re doing.”
“I was… I was getting out… I…” Nell could feel the pistol still held to her head “Jack you have your pistol to my head.” she could hear the wounded sound in her voice and it made her cringe.
“Instinctive luv.” He replied casually and brought the pistol away. He let go of her wrist and reaching up brought the lantern to full glow, casting an orange light over her face.
Nell realised she was sitting on him and blushing fire red she clambered off him quickly. She backed away quickly, tripped on her own feet and landed on her behind.
“Now we’re even I think.” He remarked cheerfully “Now get yourself up and back in here, you were keeping me warm.” He patted the bed beside him and then slid the pistol back underneath the pillow.
“Have you no morals at all… you should wake me up not get in beside me.” She snapped at him struggling to her feet as he sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed to rest his arms on his legs.
“I think I should point out to you that it’s my bed Nell darlin’. A man has every right to get into his own bed do you not think. And as for waking you… I’m of a mind that a cannon let off beside your head wouldn’t wake you. I would think you were dead.” He frowned “Were it not for the fact that you were still breathing of course not to mention snoring.”
“Jack!” she whined his name and glared at him. “It’s your fault! You locked me in here. What was I supposed to do? And I do not snore!”
He arched an eyebrow at her and rubbed his hands over his eyes before grinning at her. It was nice to know that the convent hadn’t bashed all semblance of feminine pride from her.
“It’s several hours till when we set sail and yes, you do snore.” He said and stifled a yawn “I’m tired and I intend to get a few more hours of kip before we sail.” He swung his legs back up onto the bed and lay back down.
“You’re welcome to leave or you’re welcome to stay.” He spoke casually as he lay there. “Although you might have trouble navigating the deck in the dark and of course you may come across a few of my more drunken sailors that may or may not recognise you.” He made a show of yawning and threw one arm over his eyes, his other hand resting on his stomach.
Nell glared at him and turning headed for the door.
“I really hate you.” She said to him as she reached out for the door handle.
“You told me that once before and I wasn’t really bothered then either.” Came a lazy drawl slightly muffled by his arm.
Nell made an exasperated noise in her throat and wrenched the door open. The corridor was black as ink as she stepped out. Hesitating only slightly she slammed the door behind her. Anger at his treatment of her putting courage into her. She made her way down the corridor arms stretched to touch each wall; she stepped out onto the deck and stopped to listen.
She could see nothing in the darkness; the moon had long since hidden itself behind clouds that threatened bad weather. Peering into the darkness she could hear the sounds of laughter and shouting coming from the docks. The lights from the harbour doing little to help her see across the deck, uneasiness washed over her. She could just about make out the shape of the hatch and holding her breath she made her way gingerly across the deck.
“Careful as you go missie.” Came a gruff voice and Nell’s heart leapt into her throat. She gasped, her hand going to her throat as her heartbeat increased seeming to hammer in her chest.
Hock stepped around her holding a lantern in his hand. He moved towards the hatch that lead down into the quarters where her room was next to the galley.
Her heart still throbbing painfully in her chest she moved forwards following him as he made his way across the deck. As she moved forward it struck her that he must have seen her coming out of Jack’s cabin and it thereby followed that he would automatically jump to conclusions. A blush spread over her face he held the lantern up high enough for her to make her way down the steps that led below.
“Is Lady Clarence…” Nell ground to a halt unsure of how to ask him without angering him.
“Is she still alive? Did I do us all a favour and kill ‘er?” he laughed and she could hear the mockery in her voice. “Nay lass. I quelled the urge to throw ‘er overboard and threw ‘er into ‘er cabin instead.” Nell coloured up and carried on down the steps stopping when she entered the dark galley.
He came down the steps after her and without looking at her headed down the tiny passage that led to the two small rooms, which had been storage rooms till Jack moved them down here.
She opened her door and went inside crossing to the lantern on the small crate doubling as a table.
He waited by the door till she had her own lantern lit and then he moved away.
She went back to the door and leant out.
“Mister Hock?” she called his name, not really knowing what she was going to say to him.
He stopped and looked back at her, the light from the lantern making his face seem almost demonic with the scar cast into sharp relief.
Nell looked at him quietly for several seconds and then opened her mouth.
“Thank you for seeing me safely here.”
“You were in no danger lass, for for tripping over yer own feet.” He grinned and it added to the devilish effect.
“I… fell asleep.” She said and groaned even as the words tumbled from her mouth.
“In Jack’s cabin… I… he…”
Hock watched her in quiet amusement as she struggled to save face with him.
“Ye be having no need to tell me anything miss. Tis none of my business what ye and the Capt’n get up to.”
Nell coloured and shook her head violently coming forward a bit more.
“NO! We didn’t get up to anything!” she frowned at him “I mean I fell asleep and then woke up and nothing happened.”
Hock sighed and turned to face her fully.
“Miss, It don’t concern me. I know yer mighty concerned with ‘ow appearances are, but I learnt a long time ago that nothing is ever as it seems. You’re a good girl Miss, even I can see that, there’s no need to be getting yerself into a tiz over it. I won’t be cackling like an old wife in the morning either, if it’s that that bothers yer. Ye ‘ave me word.” He inclined his head and turned to walk away, not looking back.
Nell was glad that at least he wouldn’t be tattling to the crew that he saw her coming out of the Captain’s cabin in the early hours of the morning.
She went in and shut the door behind her. It wasn’t lost on her that she accepted his word and believed him. It was quite a turnaround for her; to go from hating and mistrusting pirates to living aboard a pirate vessel in safety. She wasn’t stupid enough to think that all pirates were this trustful and she knew without doubt that had it been any other ship than the ‘Black Pearl’ that had attacked the ‘Rose’, her fate would have been a very different one indeed. No indeed, her fate would have been probably sealed by now… the map on her back wouldn’t have saved her from a more ruthless man.
She suddenly remembered what she had found on the chart. She hadn’t said anything to Jack.
She got up and crossed to the door and then stopped. Why should she go running back to him? Let him find it for himself.
But then the longer it took Jack to figure things out, the closer her guardian would get.
Taking the lantern with her she opened the door and made her way back up onto the deck and across to Jack’s cabin. She was a lot more confident now she had the light, and completely missing seeing Hock watching her with a sly grin on his face.
She stopped at his door and hesitated. Should she knock or should she just go in.
She thought that he would probably be asleep now, so if she knocked he wouldn’t hear her anyway. Decision made; she opened the door slowly and went in, holding the lantern up to see better.
Jack, for all appearances, was fast asleep on his side facing her. She inched forward, peering at him, trying to work out how she was going to wake him up without him drawing his pistol and shooting her.
Black eyes opened and stared straight at her.
“Changed your mind about sleeping with me?” he grinned and his teeth flashed at her.
Nell taken by surprise jumped slightly before glaring at him.
“Certainly not!” She informed him, icily realising that he must have been awake already.
“Well, if it’s not my remarkably attractive body that brings you back here it must be my exceptionally intelligent mind.” He was mocking her and it riled her easily.
“I wasn’t aware you possessed either, but sorry to deflate your remarkably inflated ego it wasn’t you that brought me here in the first place.” She stuck her tongue out at him before she even knew she was going to do it.
“Am I vexing you Nell luv?” he asked her delightedly, amused at her childish reaction.
“You’re breathing aren’t you?” she returned sharply. She crossed to the table while he sat up and watched her with an amused look on his face. No signs of sleep anywhere on his face or in his eyes.
She set the lantern down and heard him move to bring the glow of his own lantern up higher as she searched through his table. But the map she wanted wasn’t there.
She looked around her and saw that it lay partially under the bureau from where she had thrown it earlier.
“I was going to tell you when you came and unlocked me.” She glared at him as she crossed to the table “But you didn’t wake me up.” Another glare “and then when I did wake up it went right out of my mind.”
“Finally admitting you’re out of your mind Nell?” he asked getting up to sway across to the table.
“Well if I am, I’m in good company aren’t I?” she snapped back at him.
Jack stopped beside her and slapped his hands together.
“Oh that sharp tongue of yours.” He slurred mockingly “Gets me all hot under the collar.”
“You don’t have a collar.” She pointed out and pointed down at whshe’she’d scribbled on the back. “Does this mean anything to you? Does it help? More to the point will it get me away from you and this ship quicker?”
He tutted at her in mock disappointment and opened his mouth to say something, but his eyes were caught by the writing at the bottom of the chart.
“You can read can’t you?” demanded Nell suddenly, pulling the chart down to see his face better “I mean… I assumed you can because you seemed to be able to read the names of the islands…”
Jack cut her off by taking the chart from her hands and throwing it onto the table.
“Jack what…”
He caught her waist in his hands and laughing picked her up; taken by surprise her hands went to his shoulders as he lifted her high and stared up at her with a wide grin on his face.
“You may be no saint, but you’re my angel Nell.” He declared and lowering her back to the floor gave her a smacking kiss on her lips before he swept her back into his arms and began to dance her around the room.
Nell’s breath left her body as he whirled her round and rounds his arms around her waist.
“Jack!” she shouted his name and he stopped grinning down at her as she clung to him, trying to get her breath back.
“Jack… what are you doing?” she demanded finally, when he made no move of letting her go.
“Celebrating your discovery. You may have destroyed the back of my only copy of the English Coastline but I’ll forgive you, seeing as you’ve worked out the nam the the island we need to find the treasure.”
The smile left his face as he stared down at her confused face.
“Does it mean anything to you then, ‘Enter the Altars’?” she asked him, her hands pressed against his shirt.
He didn’t reply as he studied her nose, a slow smile spread over his face. His head descended and he kissed the end of her nose gently before he let her go and stood back from her.
“Enter the Altars is code.” He replied “Well a sort of code to be sure.” His hands began to dance in their own unique way “At the base of the Windward Islands is a tiny group of islands that are nigh on inaccessible. One of the Islands is called The Isle of Benedictus. It’s nickname is the Isle of Altars. And that island is where we are going.”
“Benedictus?” Nell blinked at him “It has a monastery there?”
Jack grinned and shook his head, the beads clicking as they hit each other.
“No luv. Tale has it that about a hundred years ago a group of monks was going to build a monastery on one of these islands and Benedictus was chosen. Eighty monks set out and only five returned. The island claimed the lives of the other seventy five.”
“How?” asked Nell, not certain she wanted to know.
Jack looked at her for several seconds and shrugged gracefully, his hands stilled in an upturned gesture at his sides.
“The five that returned were mad, made mad by trying to escape the island. They told tales of what they had seen, ghosts and the like, but no one knows whether they were made mad by what they saw or if indeed they spoke of these things because they were mad.”
“Ghosts. In other words you want me to believe the island is guarded by ghosts.” She snorted at him, her arms folding across her chest as she stared at him in disbelief.
“I didn’t say that.” He returned and his hands began their dance once more “I don’t know what drove them mad, I don’t even know if the tales are any more than just tales but I do know that many have died trying to get through the rocks that guard the island. The rocks are submerged beneath the water and almost impossible toigatigate through. The islands are still uninhabited because of this. No ship strays too close because of the pull of the currents there. Tis well guarded by nature.”
“And you think that my guardian hid his treasure there.” Nell narrowed her eyes at him “But you said it was impossible to navigate.”
“I said it was ‘almost impossible’.” He corrected her smugly.
“So you think my guardian found a way onto the island, hid the treasure, made a map and got back off the island safely. When eighty monks were unable to?”
“Seventy-five.” He corrected with a wave of his fingers “And no I don’t think it, I know it. Beaumont, your guardian, was virtually impossible to capture, not even when several pirates banded together, and now thanks indeed to you, we know he was impossible to capture. He was a good pirate and apparently a better sailor. Where better a place to hide your treasure than somewhere no one can get to, let alone want to go to.” His head bobbed about as he spoke, his face as mobile as his hands.
Nell sighed and rubbed her eyes.
“Why couldn’t he hide it somewhere nice and easy, like a cave somewhere, or under a tree or something.” She moaned.
He chuckled as he slung his arm around her shoulders and turned her back to his bed.
“We’ve at least a fortnights of solid sailing ahead of us.” He said casually as he drew her to the bed.
“Two weeks?” she cried out “It will take us two weeks to get there?”
“If we’ve the wind at our backs.” He agreed “Tis the other end of the Windward Islands and here we are off Puerto Rico.” He smiled and indicated the bed with his hand.
“Sleep here tonight.” He stated casually.
“I am not sleeping here with you Jack!” Nell said outraged at his suggestion.
“Well, I feel the need to point out to you that it wouldn’t be the first time you’d slept with me, to be sure in the purely literal sense of the words. But as much as the thought of hearing you snoring in my ear all night fills me with anticipation I find that the crew needs to be found and brought aboard before first light. So being the gentleman that I am, I am offering, nay insisting that you sleep here while I go and retrieve said crew.”
Nell struggled to keep up with his meaning behind all the superfluous words.
“Gentleman?” she snorted and sat down on the edge of his bed. “I doubt….”
“Yes, yes I can spell it Nell darlin’ but I fear I don’t have the time to indulge your little obsession with words being spelt out to you. Therefore I have to insist that you remain here and to make certain of that...” he grinned as he tied the sash around his waist. He bent and took the pistol from beneath the pillow and taking his sword, coat and hat he crossed to the door.
“Don’t lock me in!” Nell cried out as his meaning became apparent as he opened the door.
He looked back at her and grinned evilly at her.
“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t.” he inquired slipping into his coat and placing his hat on his head. He looked every inch the pirate as his hair hung around his face and his black eyes glinted in the lantern light.
“I won’t try to escape.” She said softly.
“And I should believe you?” he asked quietly and lifted one eyebrow at her, his eyes shining.
Nell glared at him, hating him more in that moment than she had ever hated him. She found herself speaking before she even thought.
“Before I met you I used to think I was an honest god fearing person. I used to think that my word was good and that I was a decent individual. But that there had to be something in me that wasn’t as good as I thought it was. I couldn’t stay in the convent, couldn’t live that way and I wasn’t sure why, wasn’t sure what it was about me that wasn’t right. So I left.” Her own eyes went wide as she heard her words but she carried on regardless “And then I met you and found out what my guardian had done to me. I lost my faith in God and people overnight, and I was right where I had been before I left the convent, except that I had exchanged my convent cell for a pirate ship and the rules and regulations for endless water and… you. I’m no better off now than I was then but at least now I know why I couldn’t stay there. And I can tell you this much: I have no idea how good my word is, or my promise. I don’t know whether I’ll break your accord again. And I don’t know whether you should ever believe anything I say. I’m not god-fearing and I’m not honest and I’m no better than you and the rest of your crew. Elizabeth made me realise that people only help others when it helps themselves and I’ve learnt that I’m no different and I suppose I should thank you all for making that perfectly clear, I guess I’ve finally grown up. So go ahead, lock me in here. I would if I were you.” Nell turned away from him and slumped down on the bed.
“And here everyone was thinking it was me that was given to dramatics.” He muttered before closing the door again and turning to look at her.
“I can tell you one thing from that nice little tirade missie. You’ve a long way to go before you grow up.” He said carefully pronouncing his words “You don’t know yourself yet, so don’t presume to know anyone else, least of all Elizabeth or my crew, just because you have a crisis of conscience.”
She looked up at him as he leant against the door.
“Everything isn’t always black and white and that’s the first lesson of life that you have yet to learn.” He stated and his hands danced in circles “Everyone has a point that they are not willing to cross, everyone. You’ve yet to find yours that’s all.”
“No, you’re wrong!” she stated and stood up “Everything is black and white. There is no grey!” she shook her head “You made an accord with me that if you find the treasure and we get out alive that you’ll give me some.”
“When luv, when, but yes and I will keep to that.” He nodded his head at her, his eyes watchful as he looked at her.
“But I know that treasure is stolen.” She pointed out at him “I know that if I accept that gold from you then I’m taking stolen goods knowingly.”
“You took the poor box with no qualms.” He pointed out “and you lied to me, badly maybe, but to be sure, you lied.”
“Exactly!” she announced and her hands went to her hips as she stared at him.
Jack laughed and stepping away from the door sauntered towards her, a gleam in his eyes that made Nell blink.
“So you’ve discovered shinghing about yourself at last.” He slurred as he stepped forward stopping just in front of her. “Something that I have to point out has been clear to everyone except yourself.”
“What?” she blinked in confusion.
“You’re human Nell, just like the rest of us.” He grinned “You’re just the same as we are, and it hurts doesn’t it? To discover that your no saint, that you’re infallible, that you’re not quite so divinely perfect as you thought you were.” He laughed and lifting his head stared down his nose at her.
“You’ve been brought up by nuns Nell, what did you expect to find when you stepped outside your convent walls? I don’t think you even thought that far ahead did you? Well the world is full of grey and to be certain it’s the grey things that keep people alive. You may not have had much of a life in that convent but you were certain of several things that you took for granted, food, a roof over your head and the knowledge that you’d wake each day knowing you’d be fed again. I’m not saying that your life wasn’t hard in there, it must have been. But what I am saying is that people in the real world can’t go to sleep each night knowing that they will be able to eat the following day, knowing that the roof will always be over their head. They don’t have the luxury of a conscience. To be certain, out here a conscience can get you killed. And you, Nell luv, have to learn that you traded most of your conscience for freedom. If you wish to stay alive you have to ignore the twinges your conscience will give you when you take something that doesn’t belong to you. Either that or your fingers are going to wear those beads of yours out.”
“Does your conscience bother you?” she asked in a very small voice.
Jack laughed and mockingly bowed to her as he stepped away from her.
“We were talking about you luv, not me. I wasn’t born with a conscience.” He stepped forward again and stroked his finger down her cheek
“Living in grey won’t make you a bad person Nell. It’ll just make you human.” he grinned and spinning on his heels turned and left the room.
Nell heard the door shut behind him as he went out but she didn’t hear him lock it.
Slumping forwards she frowned down at the floor. His words had given her a lot to think about.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Nell woke suddenly; something had woken her with a start. She had heard a scream and knew it immediately to be Lady Clarence.
Nell rushed to the door and stopped as she heard more shouting and then pistol shots.
The door was flung open and she fell backwards as Lady Clarence came tumbling in with Hock behind her.
His face was grim and his sword was drawn in one hand and his pistol was drawn in the other.
“Get to the windows.” He barked and Lady Clarence lost no time in obeying him.
Nell was confused and still sleep addled.
“Nell come on!” Lady Clarence hissed “The Navy are here.”
Nell stared at Lady Clarence as Hock shut the door and threw the bolt across at the top.
“The Navy?” repeated Nell stupidly and grunted when Hock gripped her arm and almost flung her across the room towards the windows.
“I thought…” Nell looked at Lady Clarence and understanding slipped into place.
“You don’t want to go back to him do you?” she watched Lady Clarence as the woman flung the windows open and climbed onto the seats.
“Does the offer you made to me still stand?” she asked Nell.
“COME ON!” ground out Hock who was beginning to get really irate at Nell.
“Yes it does.” Nell replied ignoring him.
“Then: no, I don’t intend on going back to him. He can get one of his whores to play wife.” She said and held out her hand to Nell.
Nell grinned at her and taking it stepped up onto the seat.
“Thank the Lord!” growled Hock “Couldn’t you women chose a better time to get all pally. Now out that window before I throw you out.” He commanded and Nell scrambled out of the window after Lady Clarence.
“De ja vue.” Lady Clarence groaned as they perched on the tiny balcony.
“With one exception.” Hock stuck his head out of the window “This time you jump.”
Nell realised his intentions the moment he said it.
“NO!” she cried out and clung to the open window frame “I can’t swim!” true terror flowed through her veins.
“Miss Nell!”
She heard a hushed voice call out from below. Looking over the edge and down she saw a small rowing boat with Soames and Jimmy sitting inside of.
“You won’t need to. Just jump into the water and Soames will haul you out.” Hock said to her “Now go!”
Nell shook her head, visions of sharks waiting with their mouths open and swallowing her whole filled her head.
“No. I can’t. I can’t do it!” she wailed at him.
Lady Clarence reached out and gripped her hand.
“We’ll jump together.” She said and her voice was shrill with fear. “We’ll go together. Don’t let go of my hand.”
Hock looked at her and grinned before reaching forward. Nell watched as the man gripped a handful of Lady Clarence hair and tugged her backwards slightly. Lady Clarence gave a shriek that was cut off by his mouth closing over hers.
Nell watched in muted horror and fascination as Hock kissed Lady Clarence thoroughly. Lady Clarence struggled for only a few seconds before Nell felt her hand twitch in her grasp and she kissed him back.
Hock released her and she stared at him in shock.
“What was that for?” she husked and Nell looked at Hock, waiting herself to hear his reply.
“Just felt like it.” He laughed and kissed her again, less aggressively making Lady Clarence go limp. “Now jump!” he instructed them and before Nell could even make sense of what she’d seen and heard he was pushing them off the balcony.
Nell didn’t even have time to scream before she was hitting cold, dark water.
She could feel Lady’s Clarence hand wrenched away from hers as the cold water sucked her down. Terror, pure and simple filled every pore. She began to struggle, her mouth filling with water as she fought.
She felt hands grasp her arms and she was tugged upwards until she broke water, gasping for much needed air. She was hauled into the boat by Soames and then he turned and she saw Lady Clarence being hauled up into the boat as well.
A blanket was handed to her and Nell saw Jimmy grinning at her.
Nell spat the water out of her mouth as her stomach rebelled against the salter ter she’d swallowed.
She leant over the edge retching the water back up; vaguely aware Lady Clarence was doing the same thing on the other side of the rowing boat.
“Where are we going?” she asked Soames as she finally sat up straight and looked back at where the Pearl was anchored. She could see the Naval ship just behind it.
“Back to Port.” He said as he rowed strongly through the choppy water.
“What about everyone else? What about…” Nell stopped as she realised that the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach was due to her being worried about Jack.
Soames didn’t give her much chance to think of her feelings.
“They’ll be fine. When Norrington catches sight of Miss Elizabeth and Will on board he’ll not run the risk of opening fire on the Pearl.”
“What will happen to us now?” asked Lady Clarence beginning to shiver inside her blanket.
“We get you ashore and hide you till the Jack persuades Norrington to fish elsewhere. Then we’ll come and get you back again, you’ll be perfectly safe.”
A thought suddenly occurred to Nell and it made her stomach roll with dread.
“He will come and get us again won’t he?” she heard herself whispering “He won’t leave us behind?”
Soames looked at her sharply and a sly smirk crossed his face before he shook his head. The false dawn was making it dangerous for them to row to shore and he wanted to get them there before anyone from the Relentless spotted them.
“Nay lass, he’ll fetch you back. Both of you.”
“SSH!” Jimmy raised his fingers to his lips as they neared the docks. Soames rowed them into shallow water and then indicated them to get out of the boat.
Nell jumped overboard and let out a gasp as the water was deeper than she first thought. It came to below her armpits and the draw of the water on the turn swept her off her feet.
Jimmy was quick to grip her arms to stop her from being sucked outwards. He brought his hand under her chin and drew her forwards till the water was at her waist.
She clung to the lad, coughing and spluttering up more water.
“I take it you still can’t swim.” Came a deep amused voice from the water’s edge, hidden amongst the wooden uprights of the peer above them.
Nell froze as recognition swept through her as Beaumont stepped out from behind the wooden upright, pointing two loaded and cocked pistols at them.
“Step from the water slowly Helen.” He said coldly. Another figure came forward as Soames made to draw his own pistol. Nell didn’t recognise this man as he dragged Lady Clarence from the water by her hair. A knife appeared in his hand and Nell watched in horror as he held it under Lady Clarence’s throat.
“Come, come Nell.” Beaumont grinned “You don’t want her death on your hands do you?”
“Stay where you are.” Soames instructed her, his hands held high as Jimmy gripped her upper arms still.
Nell shook her head pulling away from Jimmy.
“Let her go.” Nell’s voice quivered with fear, she could feel her knees shaking as her heartbeat raced out of control.
“Helen.” Beaumont’s voice dropped a few octaves and Nell heard the cold hard edge and stepped forward.
Jimmy moved to pull her backwards and Beaumont fired one of his pistols. Jimmy screamed in pain and the force of the shot hitting him sent him flying backwards. Soames let out a roar of anger and Beaumont fired his other pistol at the older Pirate. Nell watched in horror as Soames fell backwards, the blood seeping from his chest.
“Two deaths on your hands. Up to you if you wish to make it three Helen.” Beaumont said calmly as he stood and wedging one pistol under his armpit he loaded the other pistol.
Lady Clarence had gone very quiet as Nell stood in absolute horror. She pushed her way through the water towards where Jimmy lay half in and half out of the water, on his back, his eyes closed. Blood covered every part of his other body as Nell dropped to her knees, tears streaming from her face.
“Jimmy. Jimmy.” She leaned over him but she couldn’t tell if he was breathing or not.
“Come on Helen. Times wasting and I have no intention of staying here for long.” Beaumont’s lazy drawl not hiding the venom in him.
Nell’s glazed eyes travelled over Jimmy’s slim body, trying to see some movement of life. A glinting at his waist had her fingers moving forwards to draw the dagger from his waist and up her sleeve. He coughed once and Nell realised with a strangled sob that he was still alive. Nell looked across at where Soames lay on his face, head beneath the water. She could see no signs of life from him.
“Nell.” A sob from behind her brought her to her feet as she turned to face her guardian.
“Let her go.” Nell voice shook “Let her go and you’ll have no trouble from me.”
Beaumont raised a dark eyebrow at her and laughed sardonically.
“You won’t give us any trouble whatever we do Helen dear.”
He turned to the other man and nodded his head.
The man shoved Lady Clarence roughly to her knees and punched her hard in the jaw. Lady Clarence slumped, unconscious at his feet.
Nell gasped and stepped forward but the man had already crossed to grip her by the hair. He pulled her forwards to Beaumont and pushed her to her knees in front of him.
“Why did you have to force my hand Helen?” Beaumont asked her quietly and shook his head.
“Knock her out Drew.” He said and Nell had no time to think before she felt stars exploding behind her eyes as it felt as if her head was being knocked off. She cried out as darkness claimed her.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A/N: Well, this hasn’t been beta-read or checked or anything.
I’m moving at the weekend and this was the last chance I had to update for another week and I really didn’t want to leave it any longer.

Apologies for the slight cliff-hanger. I don’t usually do this as I’m not keen on them myself, but it was unavoidable if I was going to get this chapter up before the cobwebs overcame it!

I hope that you all enjoyed this…. However… please let me know if Jack is okay. He’s hard to write and while I’m having fun writing this, I would like to try and keep him in character, even if it’s just a little.

Gylzgirl: Thank you for reviewing. When Jack finally gets going, Nell won’t know what’s hit her. Hope you enjoy this one.

Sue: Thank you! I’m glad you like Nell, I just hope you continue to like this. And thanks for hoping the move going smoothly, I hope it does too! *sobs* so many boxes and so little time.

Cami: Thank you! I just hope this cheers you up too.

Hellyn: We’re moving this weekend and from tonight I’ll be offline till Monday. Stress Ahead! Thanks for your reviews and I hope you like this one too. Beaumont was nasty in this one, but then he’s a nasty piece of work. Tristan isn’t much better, but Beaumont is definitely the leader. And I agree with you totally about them falling into bed would be no fun. Besides the way I waffle it’ll be ages before they finally get there and then if you wish to read it, you’ll have to tootle over to Adultfanficiton and read that chapter there as I won’t put it up here as I like my stories to be PG13 here. Too many innocent eyes on this site, although they probably go over there as well, but at least it has some warnings and can be screened out.
Enough waffling! Thank you for your review and I hope you like this one too.

Calendar: Thank you! You make me smile… and want to write more immediately.

Niyuluna: *blushes* Thank you. If only you were right…. Hope you like this one too.

Ashes Kittyhawk: Wow! There is more than one 3 o’clock to a day? I’d forgotten. Now my little girl sleeps through the night bliss is mine again! Hope you didn’t suffer the following day! Thank you for reviewing, especially as you read it so late. Hope you like this one too.

Twilight Whisper: Nell doesn’t know exactly what part she’ll play in the whole thing, she thinks it’s just the map… have I said too much? Probably not considering my plots are usually as transparent as glass! Hope you like this one. Thanks for reviewing. You made me smile.

Eradwyn:: Referring to what you wrote in your review… it made me smile as nostalgic memories of my youth came back to me. My brother’s best mate used to use that expression although in England the expression is “Don’t get your knickers in a twist.” But it’s such a great line, or else it’s “keep your hair on.” Which I also love… that and “oopsadaisy” which I say all the time now I have a toddle in the house…. Better than a three year old coming out with something rude! Waffling again! I hope you like this chapter and thanks for reviewing.

Lan: Sorry. I shall try and update before four weeks, but One Time Thing needs updating and Snape and Odile jus twon;t play at the moment. I’ve written the next chapter three times now and deleted each one as it doesn’t go how I want it too… oh well… Jack seems to have stolen what little imagination I have. Hope you like this and I promise I shall try to update quicker…..

Pirate: I always thought that I was in a minority because I am sooooo old! But I was surprised to read somewhere that people of all ages read and write fanfiction. I’ll probably be writing when I’m ninety and Star Trek is on it’s millionth movie!!
I don’t’ know whether Jack has been in love before or not. He’s such a shady character and I have to admit that a more camp pirate I have never seen. But then I’m a firm believer in there being one special person for everyone, no matter who you are there’s someone out there who’s just right for you. But then I always have been a sappy git. You surprised me at the length of it. Just goes to show what my husband has always told me, I waffle and waffle and waffle and never get to the point. Or as my dad used to say “You can talk the hind leg of a donkey!” but then it’s my dad I inherit it from.

Eva: I used to go to school with a girl called Eva. Tiny little thing with the mosrgeorgeous red hair and a really nice person to boot… okay so you didn’t need to know that, but every time I see your name I remember her. Thanks for reviewing and making me smile. I hope you like this one too.

Lititaliandragon: I will review your story, I promise. I just haven’t had time yet, but I will once I’m moved and all settled in to my new house… oh getting excited! Anyway… Thank you for your reviews. And I promise I will go there, I’ve got it book marked ready I just haven’t had time to really sit and read it properly. But I will. Scouts Honour.

Braveheart: Thank you. You made me smile and happy. And I’m glad you like Norrington. I really liked him in the movie and felt a bit sorry for him as he was Jack’s scapegoat really, which was a shame.
I have read Authurian and a le Cle Celtic Mythology now you mention it, and I’m very interested in Arthur.
But funnily enough it’s just coincident. I live very close to the Cornish border, not far from Tintagel and Dozmary Pool, not to mention other great places, like the Jamaica Inn and Cotehele which is the basis for Beaumont’s estate on the River Tamar. (Dozmary Pool is where Excaliber is supposed to have been returned to the lady of the lake.) I have always been interested in Lyonese (sp?) as well, and just love the entire county of Cornwall. There are some places that just leave an impact and although my heart (and family) will always be in the highlands of Scotland, Cornwall runs a very close second. As for Nell’s name being Helen. Again just coincidence, but I like your idea much better! Nell was a nickname given to Helens (according to the great Georgette Heyer anyway! Nell’s name comes from one of the characters in her books, The Tollgate. Although she is nothing like the Nell in that book! I just liked the name and if you can read her dialogue (I have trouble sometimes), a good book to read.) Anyway, after that horrendously long waffle; I just hope you enjoy this chapter too.

KrissXed: Thank you for reviewing! I hope you like Norrington in this one too. I was a bit worried that I’d made him too subservient to Beaumont, but I really think he’ll sit it out rather than sacrifice his entire crew. Another hard character to write as the movie showed him in two very different lights… the hard nosed military man and the idiot playing to Elizabeth’s swooning fit… or as it just nerves… hum…. I personally like him and were I to choose between Will Turner and Norrington, I’d choose Norrington every time. Not that I don’t like Will, I just thought he was too… boyish and being a grown *coughs* woman, I’d be cradle snatching anyway… he looks young, give him ten years and I’ll …. Be in my dotage… oh god! Goes off sobbing about a lost youth and where the hell did the nineties go!

Sophie: Thank you! You made me smile and dance happily! What a lovely thing to say. I just hope you continue to like it…

Milly: Thank you! I’m glad you like it and I hope you continue to like it. As for jack being angry… did you mean on the Island? If so he was angry with Daniels and a little angry with himself for not preventing it, not that he realises that yet. But if you meant when he was talking to her in the cabin then I didn’t mean for him to come across as angry. If you meant on the dock after he caught her up, he wasn’t angry with her by reminding her, he was pointing out that she should know better than walk out onto a dark street alone, especially with her past experience. Hope that helps and I’m sorry I didn’t make it clearer. I hope you like this one though.

Daelyan Sandheaver: WoW! You’re close, but not quite! Actually you’re very close; I hope that hasn’t ruined it for you. I’m glad you enjoyed it though. I hope you continue to enjoy it.
Lady Clarence is in her early twenties and I’ve done it again it would seem. I am a bad writer! Hock wasn’t in the film. I have kept Gibbs who I think you’re thinking of, and he is Jack’s first mate, but Hock is more his first mate’s first mate. He’s second in line to the Captaindom (if that’s possible) and he’s all my own work… evil laugh!
And yes, as you’ve probably realised after this chapter, he does like her, well he likes her beauty… but is that all there is too it? Don’t ask me…. I’m not telling.
OH and DVD! Word has it (ie play.com) that Region 2 has an easter egg on it. Roll on 1st December!

Next time I update I’ll be in my nice new house. (anyone sensing a little over the top excitement here?) I’m off now to pack more stuff… I have always been a horder and I’ve still got things from when I was little, but I had no idea the amount of things I’ve collected over the years. I need a mansion never mind a house!

Well, I hope you all enjoy this and thank you for reading this far and staying awake!

Have a great weekend wherever you are.