Disclaimer: POTC belongs to Disney and not me. However, after that abomination called AWE, I think that I should be considered as in loco parentis for the characters.

AN: Just a word of warning, this story is completely AU after AWE. Also, the story focuses mostly on original characters with canon characters in supporting roles.

Millicent stood half hidden behind the draperies watching the dancing rather than participating in the festivities, for tonight she had no heart for engaging in light banter and flirtation. Taking several deep fortifying breaths, she prepared herself for what was an unpleasant duty. Apologizing was never fun and apologizing to a rival who had bested her was even less so. Yet, the insistent voice of her conscience decreed that apologize she must. Squaring her shoulders, she took a step forward intending to intercept the couple before they left the room. If she was going to eat humble pie, it was best to devour the slice all at once and this way she could discharge two obligations at the same time.

Before she could take another step, a large hand covered her mouth and she felt an arm wrap around her waist and lift her from her feet. Unceremoniously, she was hauled from her hiding spot and out through the French doors. It took a moment, but self preservation kicked in and she began to struggle against her captor. Her efforts only netted her a tighter embrace and a deep throated chuckle from her kidnapper.

Millicent began to panic as she realized that this unknown man was carrying her further and further away from the party and any hope of rescue. Wildly, she began kicking and was pleased when she heard a hiss of pain.

"Stop that, you little witch. Just calm down. Believe me; your virtue is safe with me."

Ducking behind a row of hedges, the man set her back on her feet but keep her pinned against him with her mouth securely covered. "If I let go, do you promise not to scream or run away?"

Mutely she shook her head yes, thinking that the man was not only a criminal but a stupid one at that. Of course, she would scream and run, given an opportunity.

The moment she felt his hands lift; Millicent started to flee. Before she took more than three steps, her arm was caught and she was once again yanked against him with her mouth covered by his palm. However, this time she was turned towards him and could identify who was daring to manhandle her in such a fashion. It was that big blonde giant of man, Bertrand Sparrow. Her anger increased as she realized who her imprisoner was. Since arriving in Port Royal a week ago, he had been vocal in his low opinion of her. Now he was insulting enough to treat her in such a manner. Her eyes flashed fire at him.

Bertie found himself amused at her indignation. The little firebrand had put up more of a struggle than he'd anticipated. He had pegged her as the daintily fainting type. Still, it did not really matter, for he had managed to drag her out of there before she spread more of her poison. He owed Jack a great deal and there was no way that he was going to let a little harpy like Millicent Witherspoon mar Jack and Val's happiness. And if protecting Jack required a bit of sacrifice on his part, then so be it. "I am going to give you another chance Miss Witherspoon and remove my hand, but if you abuse my trust, you will regret it. Understand?"

It thoroughly galled Millicent to have to acquiesce to this arrogant idiot's demands, but rationally she knew that challenging him at this moment was a fool's game. He was bigger and stronger and there was no doubt that she would be the loser in any sort of direct confrontation. Resentfully, she nodded her agreement to his unspoken demand that she refrain from yelling and was rewarded when his hand lifted. Furiously, she ordered, "Let go of me, you blackguard."

For the first time during their encounter, Bertie registered how very intimately she was pressed against him. However, he was loathe to release her lest she leave before hearing him out. "Do you give me your word that you will not flee?"

"Yes," Millicent hissed at him.

Amused once again by her ire, Bertrand made a deliberate show of slowly releasing her from his embrace. Immediately, she took a few steps back to widen the distance between them, but true to her word she did not try to escape. They stood silently assessing each other.

After a few tension filled moments, Millicent demanded, "Well?"

"Well what?'"

"You will kindly explain why you felt it necessary to abduct me from the party and treat me in such a deplorable manner. If your explanation is good enough, I just may, and I emphasize may, decide to forgo pressing charges against you."

"Princess, for a young woman who finds herself in a deserted area of the garden with a man twice her size, you certainly demonstrate a foolhardy confidence in trying to order me about."

Bristling at his sarcastic endearment and raising her chin in a challenging manner, Millicent informed him, "There is nothing foolhardy about my actions. You are the one who is a fool. Do you even begin to understand the power that my father wields in this town? Why, I could have you locked up in a moment."

"Evidently he does not possess enough influence to buy you a husband." The sudden sparkle of unshed tears in her eyes caused Bertie to feel ashamed of his harsh words. True, she was a spoiled little brat but he did not fancy himself as an unkind man, no matter how deserved the unkindness. For a moment, he found himself staring at her lovely face. She really was extraordinarily beautiful, in a "touch me not" porcelain doll sort of way. From everything that Jack had disclosed, she also had about as much warmth and passion as a doll. What a pity that such exquisitely beautiful packaging should encase a cold mercenary little heart. This thought caused him to surmise that the tears were most likely contrived in an attempt to manipulate him. All traces of sympathy fled.

"You are the most ill mannered man it has ever been my misfortune to meet. Now, I insist that you reveal your motives for abducting me and forcing your company upon me. You have treated me contemptibly since our first meeting and I want an explanation!"

With exaggerated politeness, Bertie replied, "Why my dear Miss Witherspoon, I should think that an explanation is hardly necessary. But since you insist, I shall be only too happy to oblige. You see, I find you to be the very worst sort of young woman. The sort who thinks the world revolves around her and her wishes. The sort who has no regard for the feelings of others. In short, you are an obnoxiously self centered chit who is in desperate need of a good set down."

Sheer will power prevented Millicent from bursting into tears at this brutal assessment of her character. She would not give this beast the satisfaction of making her cry. He knew nothing about her and her life, and yet he felt that he had the right to sit in judgment on her. Worse yet was the unpalatable truth that some of his words were accurate. For the past few weeks, she had spent a great deal of time in self contemplation and had not found many happy insights into her own soul. It was this very thing that had prompted her to decide to apologize to Valentine and Jack; an apology that had been forestalled by this man. Slowly, anger at Bertrand Sparrow's high handedness trickled past the hurt and Millicent recloaked herself in a haughty demeanor. Forcing a tinkling little laugh out, she inquired, "Now that you have delivered your opinion of me, am I free to go? I should hate to inflict myself upon you any longer and my disappearance is certain to soon be noted. Although I may not be your cup of tea, I do believe that there are several youngmen eagerly awaiting my return."

Bertrand noticed her verbal jab and was disquieted to realize that it pricked. "Let them wait. You'll no doubt recompense them for their troubles with a fluttering of your eyelashes and a simpering grin. You are not leaving here until you give me your word that you will no longer interfere with Jack and Valentine's happiness."

"Fine," Millicent readily agreed, for that had been her own decision several days ago.

Bertie narrowed his eyes and tried to figure out why she had so easily submitted to his order. There had to be a catch. Women like her were always up to some sort of devious plotting. He decided to be more specific, "You will not approach or otherwise interact with Valentine or Jack, unless in a public setting. And then, you will be the model of graciousness and kindness, understand? There will be no more threats and jealous tantrums, or you will answer to me."

Millicent felt her temper dangerously rise at his dictates. How dare he believe that he had the right to speak to her in such a fashion? Yet, it would serve no purpose to rail at him, for his hide was thicker than a rhinoceros's. More importantly, she had every intention of following the last two terms of his demands, but only because she wanted to, not because he ordered it. It was just the part about not approaching Valentine that she would not accept. Still, Bertrand Sparrow did not need to know about her plans. Crossing her fingers behind her back and plastering a smile on her face, she serenely assured him, "I will not approach or bother your cousin and his wife. Satisfied? Am I free to leave now?"

Suspiciously, his gaze raked her face but he could find nothing to belie her words. "Good. I am glad that we understand each other. Now you may run along to your little coterie of besotted admirers. More's the pity for them."

Millicent merely smiled at his insulting words. She was already developing a protective armor where this man was concerned. In as coquettish a voice as she could muster, she queried, "Am I allowed to give you a piece of advice, Mr. Sparrow?"

"By all means, Miss Witherspoon, I await with bated breath your sage words of wisdom."

Having surreptitiously gathered her skirts in her hands, Millicent paused a moment before yelling, "Mind your own damn bloody business!" Then she swiftly delivered a sharp kick to his shin and whirled around to run towards the safety of the house. As she ran, she noted with great satisfaction his grunt of surprise and pain.

As he watched her flee, Bertie considered giving chase but then thought better of it. Most likely, that course of action would end up in an extremely undignified tussle in front of witnesses. It was not that he minded the gossip, but he did not want the attendant responsibilities that would arise. The very last thing that he wanted was to be trapped into offering marriage because he had compromised Miss Witherspoon's reputation. No, he had taken enough of a risk in that direction already, any more would be reckless. He hobbled over to a stone bench and rubbed his aching limb. A grudging admiration for her feistiness surfaced and with a shiver of foreboding he thought, "Perhaps I have bitten off more than I can chew?"