Disclaimer: I do not own PotC nor any of its wonderful characters...obviously...I would be way too busy to write this if I did ;-)

A/N: Well I must admit, I never planned on writing a sequel fanfic to PotC. Some of you might have read the prequel that I posted on the old Johnny Depp board...I thought that approach would be good because it was something different. You don't have to read it for this to make sense, but if you would like to, here's its current link 14312. There are so many sequels already floating around out there that it's a hard world to compete in especially when you have fanfics like Magnum Opus. But alas, Jack would not leave me alone until I put this story down on paper. So...here is my sequel. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

It's rated R for violence and sex. I'll go ahead and warn you now that there will be character death later on (No, I can't tell you who...that would spoil all of my fun) so don't get too attached to anyone. I think I've gotten a good bit ahead with my writing so I should be able to post updates pretty often, but we'll see how that goes along the way. My vision for this story is pretty lengthy at the moment so please, please, please REVIEW and let me know what you think. Good, bad, and ugly...I can handle it all.

And now...on with the show!

Chapter One

Jack raised his hand to knock on Anamaria's door and then lowered it. He stood there staring blankly at the door and almost decided to walk away before quickly raising his fist and rapping sharply, breaking the silence existing only in his mind.

"Just a minute," her voice came back. Anamaria wondered who would be knocking at this hour and then realized that it must be Jack. He was the only one who would be bold enough and he also knew that she had just gotten done with her work for the night.

Anamaria was the only crewmember of The Black Pearl to have her own quarters. Other than Jack, of course. She liked it that way, but knew she was extremely lucky that he had been kind enough to give it to her.

She pulled back on the shirt she had only just removed and stepped across the room to unlatch the door. Sure enough, there stood Jack. He looked more worn than he had on deck only minutes before. He would never let on to anyone, but Anamaria knew the last few days had been hard on him.

Now, he was back on his ship. Back in control. And although he needed rest, she knew he would be a long time getting it. She had yet to speak to him alone since earlier that morning when he had gotten The Pearl back. She had been wondering what she would say when given the chance.

"Captain Sparrow," she nodded, backing away from the door to allow him to gain entrance. The time had come.

Jack stepped into the small cabin and pushed the door shut behind him.

"Good evening, Anamaria," he began, stepping closer to her.

"Good evening, Captain," she returned properly.

"I 'aven't gotten the chance to speak with you privately."

Anamaria nodded, remaining silent. There were so many things she wanted to say to him, to yell at him, but this was not the time. She was a member of his crew for now, his first mate, and she would not put herself or her captain in danger by arguing with him while aboard The Pearl.

"I know I still owe you a ship," Jack said, stepping closer once again.

Anamaria raised her eyes to meet his, "Yes, you've sunk two of mine now, I believe."

A slight smile played across his lips.

"It's alright Captain Sparrow. For now, I will be a member of your crew. When the time comes, I trust you will remember your promise to me."

Jack's voice came in a low whisper, "I will." He took one final step closer to her and she could now smell the rum on his breath. As he brought his hands up to gesture, her body trembled involuntarily and she all of a sudden found herself wishing she could feel his touch again. "I am sorry, Ana," he said. He leaned closer to her and she felt her body growing warm. Jack's nose brushed hers and she tilted her head to receive his kiss, but he only nuzzled her. Tilting her head the opposite way, she again felt only warm breath on her lips. He was taunting her, again tilting his head to the other side. She opened her eyes only to find two dark orbs staring back at her. The sexual tension was building between them, but Anamaria resisted pushing him against the wall as she had done the first night they met.

Jack was going to kiss her this time and he wetted his lips with his tongue in anticipation. He leaned in to kiss her, watching her chocolate eyes close...

"Captain!" Mr. Gibbs shouted.

Jack and Anamaria found themselves jumping apart from each other, both feeling their faces flush. Without saying a word, Jack quickly exited her cabin.

Mr. Gibbs was standing just outside the door. He gave Jack a strange look upon seeing him coming out of the girl's quarters, but only addressed the situation at hand.

"Captain Sparrow, there's a ship ahead in the distance sir. We should be able to catch her in about two or three hours if we want."

"Aye Gibbs," Jack replied. "Run up the Dutch flag for now. I'm going to lie down for a bit."

Mr. Gibbs' eyes flashed to Anamaria's cabin.

"By meself," Jack said, his voice rising slightly. "Wake me when she's in range."

Jack turned and began walking to his quarters. Gibbs followed him quietly. As he got to his door he faced the man and sighed.

"Be careful, Jack," he said, just above a whisper, "if the crew gets the wrong idea about you and Anamaria..."

"Yes Gibbs. Wake me when she's in range." Jack went in his cabin and shut the door, not giving Gibbs a chance to say anything else.

Jack crossed the large room and sat his hat on the table. He slowly pulled off his coat, thinking about what had just happened with Anamaria. He knew Gibbs was right, but he didn't want to hear about it. He would have to remind himself to be careful around her on the ship. That shouldn't be too hard; he didn't know what had come over him in her cabin.

Hanging his coat from the back of one of the chairs around the table, he looked around the room that he had once been so familiar with. Barbossa had left it the same for the most part. The dark mahogany furniture had been well maintained and amazingly arranged almost exactly the same as Jack had left it. He paced to the large desk scattered with maps and measuring equipment. He fingered the beautiful blue quill pen that had been left lying across the documents and noticed a rough sketch of what he recognized as the Isla de Muerta.

Jack picked up the sketch, glancing over it quickly. He recognized the writing as Barbossa's and wondered why the deceased pirate would have been anxious to document a place that he already knew how to get to. Only then did Jack see the date scripted on the bottom corner of the map. It had been drawn ten years ago. It occurred to Jack that it must have been what Barbossa had drawn out at the time of the mutiny as a reminder of Jack's description. He could have finished the sketch upon his initial voyage to the island. Jack held the sketch to the flame of the nearest candle and watched it lick at the parchment. There would be no need for anyone else to find directions to his treasure island. Within minutes, only ashes remained.

Jack made his way to the cabinet beside his bed where he had stored his liquor. Apparently, Barbossa had preferred tequila, seeing that there was no rum to be found. Jack cursed under his breath and slammed the cabinet shut, making a mental note to pick up a few bottles in Tortuga.

Jack looked the room over one last time before moving to sit on the bed. He had always loved the dark look of the wood coupled with the shadows provided by the candlelight in the evenings. He was glad to see the dark blue Oriental rug he had picked up in India still in its place. It had been a rare find and he chuckled to himself, recalling the short, round, angry man who owned the shop he had stolen it from. Barbossa had even helped him carry it out. It had been too large for him to manage by himself. Barbossa had always liked the rug and Jack assumed that was why he had left it here.

The purple cloth covering the windows would definitely have to go. Where in the world had he found that? Jack wondered. And the large oil canvas portrait of Barbossa's wife had to come down right now. Jack shuddered just looking at the ugly woman's picture. Shrugging his shoulders he remembered always thinking that Barbossa had bad taste in women. Jack pulled the large portrait off the wall. Looking at it even closer, Jack was forced to turn his head. He glanced around the room for a place to store it, but found none. He quickly made his way up to the deck and hastily tossed the portrait overboard.

Clapping his hands together as if to dust them off, he commented to himself, "Now, maybe I will be able to get some rest."

Jack went back to his quarters much more satisfied with his surroundings. He sat down on his bed and began to take off his boots. It was so nice to be back in his room. Setting his boots to the side, he laid down on top of the sheets. He rested his right hand on his forehead and stared at the ceiling. Soon his eyes closed involuntarily and Jack drifted off to sleep.

Jack felt as if he had just fallen asleep when Mr. Gibbs awakened him. The older man was pounding on Jack's door and he groaned out loud as he thought about having to get up. Rubbing his eyes, he attempted to shake off the sleep that he felt still calling his name.

"I'll be on deck in just a moment, Gibbs," Jack called.

He was relieved when the loud banging stopped and Gibbs replied, "Aye Captain."

He slowly sat up and then reached down to put his boots back on. He wished that he had told Gibbs to stay out of range of the ship, but knew that it was too late now. The crew would already be excited and making arrangements. Plus he knew that they needed the gold or they would have no reason to go to Tortuga at all.

Jack crossed the room to pull on his coat and gather his hat. After smearing some more kohl under his eyes, he made his way up on deck. Gibbs had done an excellent job; the merchant ship was only a couple thousand meters away.

Jack peered through his telescope to get a better view of the ship they were going to overtake. It was a small Spanish merchant ship with only six guns. It would be no match for The Pearl and Jack doubted its captain would even put up a fight. He grinned to himself, happy to be back in charge of his own ship.

The crew had been roused and were all on deck making ready for the confrontation. Jack hoped to pick up some more sailors in Tortuga. For a ship the size of The Pearl he could use a crew almost four times as large as the one he had now. But Jack had no worries; he had complete faith in his current crew at the moment and had no doubt that it would be easy to find more to sail with him later on.

As The Pearl closed in on the smaller ship, Jack took his place at the helm. He ordered the crew to run up the Jolly Roger and fire a warning shot from the cannon. He could now make out the bold gold letters inscribed on the stern that identified her as La Majestuoso.

Captain Toro had already been having problems with his crew the night before and when he saw the pirate ship drawing ever closer, he cursed under his breath. When the warning shot was fired he commanded his crew to drop anchor. He knew they had no hopes winning a battle against the much larger ship and crew. He hoped the pirates would possibly let them live if he turned over the gold they were carrying back to Spain. While it wasn't a large amount, it was something they could bargain with.

Jack smiled when he saw La Majestuoso drop anchor. This was going to be easier than he had thought.

Two hours later The Pearl's crew had loaded all of the gold and treasure from La Majestuoso into their own holds. At the last minute Jack had told Captain Toro that he would let his crew and their ship continue on their way unharmed if he would surrender three crewmembers to The Pearl. Until that point, Jack had kept the poor captain sweating bullets as to his fate. Losing three crewmembers would be difficult because it would only leave six men on board La Majestuoso, but Captain Toro believed they could manage.

Jack first asked for volunteers and two of the men stepped forward. Apparently they were more than willing to give up their respectable careers as seamen to live the more profitable life of a pirate. The third man Jack chose. Captain Toro thanked him for sparing his life and Jack tipped his hat as the two ships weighed anchor.

When things were back in order and the three new crewmembers had signed the Pirate's Articles, Jack put Anamaria in command. He informed the crew that he was retiring once again to his cabin and should not be disturbed unless there was an emergency. Jack was exhausted, but would never let the crew see that side of him. It could be considered a weakness and Jack was never weak. However, as he gave the last of his orders to Anamaria she caught a brief look in his eyes that revealed his state. Had she not known better, she might have been concerned about him, but this was Captain Jack Sparrow and he was capable of taking care of himself.

She settled for a simple, "Get some rest Captain," in the end.

Jack gave her a small smile and squeezed her shoulder before stepping away from the helm.

"Hoist the sails!" Anamaria shouted