Disclaimer: Jack, Ana, and Norrington, aren't mine. Darn.

A/N: Well, I hadn't planned on getting this sequel up so soon. I really thought it would take longer to get my ideas together, but I sat down in front of the computer and this chapter just tumbled out! So, here it is.

This sequel is set a little over a year after my first story "A Beginning" (in my timeline, that would put it about 7 years before the movie) and I'm not sure it will make much sense if you don't read that one first. So consider yourself warned.

Chapter One:

"You want to go where?" Prescott's mouth was hanging open and he could not force it to return to its normal position.

"Tortuga."

He stood, dumbfounded, as his little sister rushed back and forth from her wardrobe to a large trunk She was packing. Tortuga? Of course, why not? It's not like the most dangerous people in the Caribbean flock to that very spot. Annie would be perfectly safe among the murderers, thieves, and pirates that . . . ah. So, that was it. Pirates.

"Annie," he started, "it's a big ocean. What makes you think he'll be there?"

She stopped her fevered activity and her brown eyes met his. "I have no idea who you're talking about."

Sure, she didn't. It had been over a year since Jack Sparrow had been in Kingston. While the pirate had made his life rather difficult, he had somehow managed to capture his sister's heart, though she refused to admit to that last part. When, the pirate had left, Prescott had been sure that he would return. Something about the way, Sparrow continually risked his life for Annie, made him believe that the pirate actually cared for her. But as far as he knew, Sparrow had not set foot in Kingston. Annie had received letters, and packages containing jewelry, fabrics, exotic perfumes, and other trinkets from far off locales. However, gifts would not satisfy his sister, apparently, she had to see Jack Sparrow again, and traveling to Tortuga was the means to achieving that end.

"Annie."

"Yes?"

He sighed. "Why now?"

"What?" Annie once again halted her actions.

"Why go after Sparrow now?"

She shook her head, "I can't put anthing past you. Can I?"

"No," Prescott said, crossing his arms. "You didn't answer my question."

Annie rolled her eyes. "It's almost the 11th," she said matter of factly.

Prescott furrowed his brow. Almost the 11th? What was August 11th and what in the world did the date have to do with this impromptu trip? "Of course," he said, "but by that logic, it is also almost the 10th."

"You're not going to let this alone are you?"

"Not until you explain yourself, no."

"August 11th is Jack's birthday."

Prescott raised an eyebrow. "Good. Excellent. We'll draft a letter and send him warm wishes and our regards."

"No. I'm going to Tortuga. It'll be a surprise."

"It certainly will."

"I'm going."

"You're not."

"Prescott."

"How 'bout we go over to the book store or that new shop with all of those things from the orient? We can send him a gift." Prescott knew he was grasping at straws. Annie clearly had her mind made up, and if he had not have dropped in for a visit this morning, she may have left without even telling him. Clever girl, she probably knew he would disapprove, and why shouldn't he? Tortuga was a robbers den.

Truth be told, he was not particularly concerned about the danger of the town. Ever since Don Cornado had tried to kill her, Annie had been interested in learning how to defend herself. Prescott had taught her the basics of swordplay as well as the principles of a fist fight. He had no doubt that she practiced in her spare time and was most likely capable of holding her own. What most worried Prescott was that he had misjudged Jack Sparrow. He remembered discovering Annie and the pirate in a cabin in the woods. Marines and Spanish soldiers stood outside waiting to haul Sparrow back to prison. He remembered crossing the room to speak to Annie, but Sparrow stepped in front of him. The pirate was protecting Annie from her own brother. In that instant, Prescott found himself respecting Jack Sparrow. He had decided to help the pirate escape in that moment, because he saw something trustworthy in Captain Jack's eyes. But now, after so much time had passed, Prescott found himself wondering if Sparrow had entranced girls like Annie all over the Caribbean. Who knows, the man could even have a wife and a family tucked away on some island, unlikely, but not outside of the realm of possibility.

The last thing Prescott wanted was to watch Annie leave for Tortuga hopeful and optimistic only to return with a broken heart. He remembered when her husband, Chris, had died. She spent all of her time just waiting for him to reappear from around every corner. Prescott had to admit that he had done the same thing himself, once or twice. When a man was lost at sea, there was always the hope that he had somehow survived. However, if Chris had survived, surely he would have come back to his wife. So, it was Prescott's sad duty, to tell his little sister that the man she loved would never be coming back. He did not know if he could bear to see that emptiness in her eyes again.

???????

Ana felt Prescott watching her, scrutinizing her. She knew he did not want her to go to Tortuga to find Jack. She had planned on packing her bags and being on a ship before he even knew that she was gone. Not that she wanted to sneak behind his back, but that certainly would be easier than arguing with him. He was her big brother, and he was only trying to protect her. There was no way he would let her just sail away bound for one of the most disreputable ports in the Caribbean, especially since he did not know if Jack would even be there waiting for her.

Maybe, he did not want her to find Jack. Ana had noticed his attitude towards the pirate change over the past few months. When Jack had first sailed away, Prescott said that he would come back. He almost seemed like he wanted her to see Jack again. But recently he had begun to slip back into his former views of the pirate. Ana smiled sadly, her brother did not realize that Jack had been back to see her.

Flashback

"Miss," Sarah interrupted hesitantly, "there's someone at the door to see you."

"I already have company," Ana answered, gesturing to her brother, his new wife, Bridget, and James Norrington.

"Yes, Mum, but . . ."

"But what?"

"It's a priest. I couldn't send him away."

Ana rolled her eyes. The Christmas season always brought clergymen to her door, asking for donations. She did not usually mind, but it was Christmas Eve, and she had already given to both of the churches in Kingston. "Alright, show him to the study. Excuse me, this will only take a moment."

When Ana entered the study, she did not see any evidence of a man of God. Instead, she saw Jack Sparrow sitting on the desk talking to Sarah. Clearing her throat loudly, her maid's head snapped up. "Sarah, he doesn't look like a priest to me."

"I know, Miss," Sarah hurried across the room to stand by Ana. "It's Mr. Smith!"

"I know who it is."

"Isn't it exciting!"

"Very," Ana replied, her eyes captured by the sight of the intrepid pirate. "That will be all, Sarah."

Ana crossed the room. She saw a long brown robe slung over the back of one of the chairs and wondered how often Jack used that disguise. There were more beads in his hair than she remembered, but everything else about the pirate was exactly as she dreamed it would be. He wore a light brown shirt, darker brown trousers, and a white and red sash tied around his waist. As Sarah would always say, he really was very handsome. "You know, my maid thinks we're having an affair."

A smile appeared on Jack's face and he arched one eyebrow. "Hate to make her a liar, luv."

"What are you doing here?" Ana asked, ignoring the mischief in the pirate's eyes.

"Got somethin' for ye," Jack said producing a small box, "tis Christmas, after all."

Ana took the box and removed the lid to reveal a necklace. The chain was silver, holding an oval, amber colored pendant. She turned the tiny jewel over in her hands. She had never seen anything like it.

"It's called a tiger eye. When the shopkeeper told me the name, couldn't help but think of you," Jack said, gesturing for her to turn around so he could put it on for her. Ana closed her eyes as the pirate's fingers brushed against the back of her neck.

"You mean you actually bought it?"

The pirate chuckled softly, "yes, but don't worry, I stole the money that paid for it."

The necklace was fastened around her neck, but she hadn't turned around. Jack's hands were resting on her shoulders, and she really did not want to break the contact. She nearly jumped out of her skin, when he leaned forward, his hair brushing against her cheek, and whispered in her ear.

"Like it, luv?"

"It's beautiful, Jack."

"Like I said, couldn't help but think of you when I saw it."

"Merry Christmas, Anamaria."

End Flashback

"Annie?" Prescott noticed that his sister seemed to be lost in her own thoughts.

"Oh, sorry. What were you saying."

"I said, you can go, if you must, but I'm going with you."

"Prescott! I cannot bring the Royal Navy to Tortuga."

"That isn't what I meant. I said, I'm going with you."

His sister smiled, "what will Bridget think of that?"

He pursed his lips. His wife would hate the thought of him leaving so soon. He had just returned from a three month voyage to the colonies. She would beg him to stay, then, she would probably cry. "Bridget won't mind at all," he said.

"No?"

"No."

Annie shrugged. "You could always bring her along. T'would be a nice vacation for the two of you."

He shot his sister a glare. "I'm going to go get my things. Do not leave without me."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

TBC

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