1Chapter 2: Redemption of Jack Sparrow

Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean nor any of it's characters.

Sariah looked up with fondness at the now-recovered Jack Sparrow hanging perilously from one of the masts, even as they crested a sand dune. She squealed in excitement as they suddenly plunged downward, then ran to the rail to catch a glimpse of the clearest blue she ever saw. Tears came to her eyes. The sea!

Jack took her arm and grinned at her as he helped her into a boat. "Steady there, love. There are a few people upon that yonder shore, and I would like very much to make their acquaintance."

She laughed and kicked her legs against the seat a little as they landed with a splash in the waved. "Oh, it's wonderful to be on the sea again!" She looked toward land, then frowned. "Jack, will they like me?"

"Like you?" He chortled a little at the question. "Of course, they'll have to like you! You're, well, just about nigh un-not-likable."

She laughed, pulling harder on her oar. "Aye captain! Thank you!"

They pulled up to land, and Jack stormed out of the little boat toward the group of people on the shore. One, an older man, shouted, "a sight for sore eyes!" as he approached the captain. Jack, however, was not as thrilled.

"Mr. Gibbs?" he shouted, his face displeased.

"Aye captain!" The old salt saluted cheerfully.

Jack smirked at him. "I thought so. I expect you'll be able to account for your actions then?"

Gibbs simply looked confused. "Sir?"

Jack smiled humorlessly. When it came to his ship he was all business. "There has been a perpetual and virulent lack of discipline upon my vessel. Why? Why is that sir?" He roared the last line, furious.

Sariah ran up as Gibbs answered. "Sir, you're- you're in Davy Jones' locker captain."

Jack looked confused as Sariah said hello to Gibbs. He nodded, seeming to be a very agreeable man. Jack seemed to recover and looked Gibbs in the eye, smiling. "I know that. I know where I am." He shook a reproving finger at Gibbs and me as we stood there, perplexed. "And don't think I don't!"

"Jack Sparrow!" A gravely, slurred voice came from nearby.

Jack looked up, then allowed his face to become wreathed in a grin. "Ah, Hector! It's been too long. Hasn't it?" He stopped in front of the man, smiling and obviously overjoyed.

Sariah followed him, looking at the man in confusion. Another of Jack's friends? If all these people were his friends he must be a popular man. "Aye!" Hector replied. "Isla de Muerta, remember? You shot me." The last three words seemed as if they had been dropped on top of Jack, hard and cold.

Jack thought for a moment, then laughed a little. "No I didn't!" He gave him an, "of course not!" look before moving on, Sariah still following. "Tia Dalma, out and about, eh? You add an agreeable sense of the macabre to any delirium."

The last word took Sariah by surprise. Delirium? She opened her mouth to say something to Jack, but a dark haired lad beat her to it. "He thinks we're a hallucination."

Jack glared at him a moment, then approached him. "William, tell me something. Have you come because you need my help saving a certain distressing damsel, or rather, damsel in distress? Either one." He grinned at the lad.

"No," he replied calmly.

"Then you wouldn't be here, would you?" Jack grinned in triumph. "So you can't be here. Q.E.D., you're not really here!"

"Jack?" A stick of a girl with no female characteristics besides a pretty face and long hair stepped forward. "This is real, we're here."

Jack grimaced at the sight of her, then turned, once again, nearly running Sariah over. He smiled politely. "Could you please not pretend to be my flaming shadow, love?" He pushed her aside and rushed to Gibbs, leaning close to him. "The locker you say?"

Elizabeth stormed forward, knocking shoulders with Sariah as she shouted, "we've come to rescue you!"

"We're not the ones needing rescuing," Sariah said curtly to her, pulling herself away. She felt bony and weak to the touch.

Jack beamed at her. "Good work, me girl. As for you!" He strode toward Elizabeth. "That is very kind of you, but seeing as though I have a ship and you don't, as my lovely assistant has so wonderfully pointed out, you're the ones in need of rescuing, and I'm not sure as I'm in the mood." He smirked at Elizabeth, then took Sariah's arm.

Hector smirked back at them. "I see my ship." He pointed at the Pearl. "Right there."

Before Jack could say a word Sariah had lashed out, "oh, really? I can't see it. It must be a tiny little thing, hiding out behind the Pearl!"

Jack simply grinned at her again, then beamed at everyone else, obviously proud of her. They merely rolled their eyes before swarming him.

"Jack!" Will was the first. "Cutler Becket has the heart of Davy Jones. He controls the Flying Dutchman."

Elizabeth was next. "He's taking over the seas!" She made a face at Sariah, tearing her away from Jack and thrusting her into the other pirates' possession.

"The song had already been sung." Tia Dalma was next. "The Brethren Court has been called."

Jack looked overwhelmed. "Leave you people alone for just a minute and look what's happened, everything's gone to pot!" He scrambled away, breaking free of the close circle.

"Aye Jack! The world needs you back something fierce." Gibbs nodded at his captain, then glanced at Sariah. She was standing in the midst of the Chinese pirates, looking extremely uncomfortable. Will piped up again, "and you need a crew!"

Jack had stopped and turned around, now looking at all of them with a reproving look on his handsome face. "Why should I sail with any of you? Four of you have tried to kill me in the past. One of you succeeded." He pointed smugly at Elizabeth.

Sariah jerked free of the Chinese pirates and ran to Jack, glaring at Elizabeth. Oh, she had hated her on first sight. Now-

Jack put an arm about her and pulled her close, smiling down at her. "You're automatically coming, love. I reckon you'll be right here until the end." He looked back up. Everyone was staring at Elizabeth, open mouthed. "Oh! She's not told you." He gripped Sariah more firmly, obvious not willing to give up the only person he trusted. "You'll have loads to talk about while I'm here." He nodded at Sariah and they walked toward the lot, looking them over. He stopped at Tia Dalma. "As for you . . ." he went to her.

"Now." She smiled and simpered at him, seductive creature she was. Sariah looked at the sand beneath her feet. "Don't tell me you didn't enjoy it at the time."

Jack smiled and almost seemed to laugh, tilting his head back with his inner enjoyment. "Fair enough. Alright, you're in." He kept grinning at her as he moved down the row. "Don't need you. You scare me." He passed by Raggetti. "Gibbs you can come. Marty. Mm . . ." He spotted Cotton. "Cotton! Cotton's parrot I'm a little iffy, but at least I'll have someone to talk to." He nodded, pleased and continued forward, stopping in front of the Chinese pirates. "Who are you?"

"Tia Huang," said he. He motioned at the crown behind him. "These are my men."

Jack looked skeptical. "Where do your allegiances lie?"

"With the highest bidder."

Jack smiled. "I have a boat."

Tia Huang nodded. "That makes you the highest bidder."

Jack nodded, smiling. "Good man!" He turned around, beckoning Sariah to him. Once she was secure under his arm again he pulled out his compass. "Weigh anchor, all hands. Prepare to make sail." He flipped the compass open, letting him and Sariah look at it, but it simply spun.

"Jack."

Jack and Sariah looked at Hector. He grinned, the rejected ones smirking at them. Hector was stroking a wooden set of charts. "Which way you going, Jack?" The monkey screamed, obviously enjoying itself.

Jack grimaced, but nodded curtly and led Sariah back to the ship.