Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, just the plots. I don't own the ship(s) just the breezes that move 'em. I hereby state that I am just borrowing such said objects until I feel at such time that I should return them. -_-;;

The Book of Sparrow

Act One- Of Sissy's and Wenches

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The Black Pearl cut across the mirrored waters of the Caribbean, the small waves created by the vessel lapping against the hull. The sails danced in the wind as they glided forth, the large pirate ship bound for where ever the breeze took her.

It was a life on the ocean, the Black Pearl. Her walls represented sanctuary; her decks stability; her sails freedom. It was what everyone wanted. What everyone dreamed of- wished of, thought of. And it was all that some people needed. The fresh air, the sea spray and smell of the salt water; the caressing wind in your hair, or the treasure or even… a gull pooping on your face!

Jack cursed loudly as a glob of bird poop landed on his sun kissed face, his sleeved arm reaching to wipe it away. He could do with the caressing wind, the cool air, the sea spray, the mist or treasure. Heck, even seasickness! But the bird poop was where he drew the line.

Chorused laughter rang in his ears as he spun around sharply, glowering at his crew that dared to laugh. The whole crew snapped to attention and quieted down, all save for one person….

Anamaria laughed so hard it felt as if her sides would burst open! Surely it was a crime for one to laugh so jovially as she- but with an opportune moment such as this, how could she not? She was still laughing even when the rest of the crew stopped.

Men! She thought, Cowards the lot o' them. Look at them, standing there like statues, too scared that big bad Jack, Captain of a Thousand Laughs is going to hurt them. Sissy's!

Superstition had it that a woman onboard a ship brought bad luck. Gibbs made sure to take his sweet time in spelling this out to the captain every chance he got and each time Jack batted him away.

Ana knew Jack was not so crazy as to make her leave the crew; she was the soul of his ship and he needed her. Or maybe it was just because he was scared of her. Some Captain, she pondered sourly.

And he owed her, big time. He stole her boat to which he sank to the bottom of the sea, the false promise of buying her a new one sparing him some time. Or so he thought. Ana was just waiting for the opportune moment.

Mutiny? No, Ana may be a pirate, but to mutiny was beyond ethic, even for her. He put her through so much hell, just to get a rise out of her and he usually succeeded; at least until she dealt him a good one that kept his ears ringing for several days. She saved his skin once, she'd do it again- mutinying was just not a part of the plan.

So she stayed and she waited, waited for the right moment to spring her trap in catching Jack and twisting his arm just enough to get satisfying results. And from the looks of it, she would not have to wait much longer.

The crew; another story entirely. Afraid of her, the lot of them were! They whispered and snickered behind her back when they thought she wasn't looking, but she knew. They called her wench, wretch, and on occasion the term virago was used. She heard the rumors and the lies- she just smiled. So long as they didn't try to challenge her, she'd be ok; she'd win the fight. Captain Jack Sparrow was on the verge of being broken and Anamaria was just the one to do it.

She might be just a wench, or a hellcat or even viraginous, but Ana was in control and no one dared to cross her. And if she chose to laugh, then so be it- she was going to and not anything anyone said or did was going to stop her. Oh no…

She leaned against the helm for support as she chuckled, the tears coming to her eyes. Her sides hurt and her lungs tightened; it was just too much for a woman to take.

The feeling of another presence accompanied by the heavy falls of booted feet caused her to stand up straight, her face snapping to attention as she wiped the tears caused by her laughing from her eyes. She tried so hard to stare at the man before her with alertness and respect, at least all the respect this one person deserved. Mustering a neutral face she greeted, "Captain."

Jack Sparrow, Captain and Infatuated Airhead of the Black Pearl stood staunch, his deep brown eyes (with the hint of a slimy white coloring matted in his eyebrow and lashes) stared at her, the smooth wood of the helm separating the two.

"You laughin' at me?"

Ana smirked as she cocked her head to one side, a hand upon her hip. "Does it look like I am laughing at you, Sparrow?" she asked, an angry streak upon her face as she challenged him.

Raising a hand to defend himself, he paused, his finger in mid-air as he responded, "I'm terribly sorry. I must have mistaken the sound of the waves for your laughing," he stammered. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be in my cabin cry- uh, I mean, resting, if anyone needs me."

With that, the mortified and putrid smelling captain, turned on his heel, his head held high as he vanished from sight, the heavy oak doors of his cabin hiding him from the laughing crew.

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A/N: Ok, just a quick note saying that this THIS! Entire story-arc will not be one big story. Nope, every chapter posted from here on out, is solely a one shot that stands on its own. Each one shot makes up a collection of short tales that are thereby dated, stamped and stapled into 'The Book of Sparrow.'

Also now hinting- If anyone has a certain request pertaining to a story they'd like to see in action, drop me a note in either email or review and I'll see what I can do about putting your ideas into the book.

-J