My first attempt, please be kind. I felt kinda sorry for Jack at the end of "Curse" so this tale was born in my head. More chapters to follow sooon.

This fic begins about six months after "Curse of the Black Pearl". ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -

Stranded - yet again, at least it was a different island this time. To the best of his knowledge this one was located somewhere north of Nassau. It was small, and others were located within distant eyesight. Fortunately there were a few edibles to be found, and some berries that slacked his increasing thirst.

Growling and muttering he kicked at some stones before settling under the shade of a palm. Jack's thoughts drifted back to the events that stranded him here two days ago..

The wind was brisk in the Pearl's sails, the sun brilliant over cerulean waters. He and his crew were headed to Tortuga for some entertainment after a successful month of raiding. Maybe they should have been more alert, maybe it wouldn't have made a difference, either way no one noticed the white sails bearing Her Majesties arms until too late.

Cannon fire resounded as we attempted to maneuver, but the first volley hit straight on and tore into the hull. They had no interest in taking prisoners and the crew fell one by one around him. It soon became apparent that his ship was going down and there was nothing to be done - except to try and save his own hide.

He remembered leaping overboard but everything after that was a blur that ended with him face down in the sand on this island.

A strong breeze brought Jack's thoughts back to the present, and the agonizing reality that the Pearl was lost to him - forever. Maybe this was fate telling him he was destined to die on an island.

"Never! Captain Sparrow does not give in that easily!" he muttered and shook his head.

But what do you really have left to bother fighting for?

"Does it matter? I'll get another ship - a better ship! Just need to get off of this lump of sand first."

And exactly how do you think you can do that? Build a fire?

"It worked before."

And you had rum, lovely rum..

"I'm chatting with myself, lovely. Now I know I've been here too long. " he shook his head and began to look around for some kindling.

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Jessamin sighed as she examined the deck of her ship. This had been a long excursion, six months at sea will do things to people. Especially since she usually allowed her crew frequent excursions to keep their morale up. She felt bad for driving them so hard and made a mental note to make sure all received bonuses when they reached home port.

"Home" Just the thought made her smile. The little island was still about a week away with fair winds, hidden in a cluster of others to the north- east of Marsh Harbor. It was a lush paradise, and more importantly it had a deep enough natural harbor to anchor her pride and joy, the Nightmare.

Jess had yet to encounter a ship she felt rivaled the 'Mare. She was sleek and swift, crafted of resilient woods and stained so dark she appeared as ebony as her sails. Her bow was adorned by the figure of a rampant black pegasus, eyes inset with rubies. Few tales were told of the Nightmare, and Jess preferred to keep it that way, less trouble in her opinion.

Her wandering thoughts snapped back into focus when she felt a light tap on her shoulder.

"Captain, are you still with us?" a deep voice chucked.

She smiled and faced the towering tanned bulk that was her First Mate. Jess was by no means tiny at a solid 5'6" but he was easily over a foot taller.

"That depends entirely on what it is that you want Sefu," she teased "because if it's even remotely unpleasant, or tiring, or causes me delays or well... Anything. I really don't think I'm available."

"Huh, then you probably don't want to know that we've spotted smoke coming from one of the islands in the Berry cluster.. or that there have been various bits of debris floating about. Looks like a ship went down, might be that's a survivor."

"And why should we trouble ourselves..." Inwardly Jess groaned, she knew this was already going to be a lost argument. Sefu knew her, she wouldn't leave someone stranded, but she still felt like being difficult.

"Might bring a possible ransom, or at least another hand. We've been short ever since we lost Jaime and Andros in that storm. Besides there's no fresh water on most of them rocks, that's no pleasant way to go."

After a few moments of no reply Sefu gave her a nudge, she returned it with a glare.

"Okay already" she said in exasperation. "Get us closer and drop a boat, I'm not going to bring the 'Mare anywhere near those shallows."