Sun

Author's Note: I was watching Pirates of the Caribbean Dos last night, and when I happened to look at the screen it was the opening credit when it says "Dead Man's Chest" over the waves. I started thinking of this fan fiction I read about the part of the first movie when Jack and Lizzie had to walk the plank, and started making up an OC version. I changed it to a Tia Dalma/Jack Sparrow pairing in the end, though. It's basically a "What if Tia wasn't Calypso, and how would she meet Jack and become involved" fic. So, after that long-winded explanation, ENJOY!

Nobody would ever know. Nobody would ever wonder 'what happened to that shipman's daughter?' Nobody would remember my name, what I had learned... all because I had overheard an important piratical conversation.

My lungs started to burn as the water pressure around me mounted and the blue turned to black. I flicked my eyes open for one last view of my world, of my grave, watching a stream of bubbles rise around me. I could see a glittering expanse above me: the sun... I missed its warmth already. The sun was extinguished. A silhouette was blocking my view as the last of my oxygen escaped from my lungs. It swam to me, rapping it's arms firmly around my waist as it's hands fumbled, trying to grab hold of me so it could help me swim to safety. A large bubble blossomed from it's mouth as it moved to the side, allowing the sun to illuminate it's face.

Pirate! my head seemed to scream to me. Get away, away I say! He was a pirate from the ship that had captured my father's. Dreadlocks framed the man's rather handsome face as his kohl-lined, fathomless eyes searched my face, widening in panic. I have seen his face in a book once upon a time in England... oh, my, I can't remember his name... oh, Lord! It's Jack Sparrow! I clutched to the pirate's shirt as I saw the color leaving my skin. Darkness.

Sand is warm. Sand can be hot if the sun shines. The sun is staring at me. So is that man.

He was leaning toward me. I still cannot breathe! His lips taste of rum, and sea salt... rum. He is breathing into me. He's puling away, looking as panicked as he was in the water. I let out a sputtering cough, turning on my side to spit out seawater. Mmm.. My lips still taste of his... The sand is warm... Darkness.

I felt my eyes flick open once more. It was a thick Caribbean night, stuffy, but calm. A warm fire was crackling behind me merrily. Turning to look at the flame, I met the face of Jack Sparrow, not but a couple inches away and staring at me. Gasping, I tried to move away swiftly, but he grabbed my wrist firmly, tightening his grip until I winced in pain.

"Wench! Why were you so idiotic" he clenched his eyes closed, breathing deeply, then continued, "as to spy on a pirate ship? Do you want death?"

"No."

"Oh, really? Then why did you listen in on my crewmates as during negotiations?"

"I don't know. Curiosity?"

He smiled roguishly, sitting up and pulling me with him. "I think I could get to like you, Tia."

I smiled alluringly, adding honey to my voice. "So you want to know me?"

Author's Note: This is also set before he was Captain.

Fun Fact: Real pirates didn't have time for ceremonies like "walking the plank". They just dropped them into the sea.