Disclaimer: As usual, I do not own PotC or have any affiliation with it whatsoever.

Chapter 1: Taken

At age seventeen, Violetta Staton was like any other Port Royal girl of that age. She was young, pretty, and a very proper young lady. Her manners were impeccable and she was always polite. Fredrick Baines, her intended, was also like any other young gentleman of the time. He was well bred and well mannered, and there was no question that he could take care of Violetta. The parents of Violetta Staton were good people. Her mother Clair repaired garments; her father Johnathan was a skilled carpenter. There was always plenty of money in the Staton household. Tomorrow was Violetta's eighteenth birthday and she was to have the final alterations done on her wedding dress. Violetta couldn't wait to try the lovely white dress on. The day after her eighteenth birthday was the day that she was to become Mrs. Fredrick Baines, and she couldn't be happier. Even today the Staton house was in an uproar, everyone trying to get the final wedding arrangements in order. Those who searched for Violetta could not find her anywhere near the house. It turned out the Violetta had gone down to the beach with her friend Amelia. The two had been friends since Violetta had moved to Port Royal from England. They loved the beach and feeling the sand between their toes. Fredrick did not approve of their outings to the beach, fearing pirates, but he allowed Violetta anything she wanted. He only made her promise that she would never go alone. She had only been down to the beach alone when Amelia was ill and she took Amelia her favorite sea shell to help her feel better. On this day, the two ladies were calmer; they walked along the shore, watching the waves move in and back out.

"You're so lucky, Violetta. You're almost eighteen and your wedding is right after your birthday!"

"Amelia, I must admit that I am a bit nervous. My life is going to change so much in two days. Sometimes I wish we were young again."

"Don't say such things! You're going to have a wonderful, comfortable life with Fredrick! You'll be so well taken care of… I still haven't found anyone who will be able to take such good care of me."

"I'm not marrying him for his money. I'm marrying him because I love. Find someone you love, Amelia. You'll be much happier."

"You're a good role model for me, Violetta. I should probably marry someone I love rather than someone who only has a lot of money."

Violetta smiled and hugged her friend.

"Yes, Amelia, that's right. Are you coming with us for my dress fitting tomorrow?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world!"

Amelia and Violetta picked up a few pretty shells and left the beach arm in arm. It was late in the afternoon when they arrived back at the Staton house. Violetta's mother met them at the door.

"I had begun to think that you ladies were staying at the beach all evening. Go upstairs and get changed for dinner."

The girls nodded and hurried up to Violetta's room. Amelia was being allowed to stay the night with the Statons that night, but only because Mrs. Staton considered Amelia to be a second daughter. A few minutes later, the two young women gracefully descended the staircase. Fredrick offered his arm to his fiancée; Amelia took Henry's arm. Henry was Violetta's well-to-do, unmarried older brother who had always fancied Amelia in secret. It was too bad that Amelia had declared that she wouldn't touch him with a twenty foot pole. The family gathered around the table and enjoyed the hot meal in front of them. Every member of the household was tired from the day's work.

"Fredrick, will you be attending the hanging tomorrow?"

"What hanging, Father?" Violetta asked curiously.

"Tomorrow morning one of the captured pirates is going to be hung, dearest."

"What is his name?"

"Jack Sparrow is his name. So, Fredrick, will you be attending?"

"Of course I am, Mr. Staton."

"Good, Son, we can make the trip together then."

When dinner was finished, Violetta and her mother cleared the table against the maid's wishes. As a compromise, they agreed that she would wash the dishes. Amelia tugged Violetta up the stairs and into her room. Amelia pulled a folded piece of paper from her bodice and handed it to Violetta. Violetta was confused, but unfolded the paper anyway. It was a wanted poster with a drawing of Jack Sparrow etched into it. Violetta was unable to take her eyes off of the drawing.

"He's handsome, isn't he?" Amelia asked, grinning.

"Oh, Amelia, he's absolutely dashing!"

"I knew you would think so! I wish we could meet him before the hanging. Oh, but he's notorious for improbable escapes, so maybe he'll get away again."

"Amelia, I have a mind to think you fancy him."

"It just seems to be a shame to waste such good looks on the gallows."

"I suppose you're right. We'll be able to have fun tomorrow because Fredrick won't be there to tell us it makes him uncomfortable."

"Let's go to sleep, Violetta. The sooner we do, the sooner it'll be tomorrow."

"You're right. Goodnight, Amelia."

"Goodnight, Violetta."

That night, Jack Sparrow escaped the prison that held him. None of the guards knew how, but they were determined to recapture him. Amelia and Violetta awoke the next morning to find Mr. Staton in a rage.

"That bloody pirate escaped! They finally had him where they wanted him and they let him get away!"

Violetta and Amelia smiled at each other, making sure no one else saw, and carried on about their business. After breakfast was eaten and the dishes cleared away, the girls changed their attire and walked to town with Mrs. Staton. The small dress shop owned by Miss Lucy Patton had barely opened when the three ladies filed in.

"Good morning, Mrs. Staton. It's so good to see you again."

"Good morning, Miss Patton. This is my daughter Violetta and her friend Amelia. We are here for Violetta's final dress fitting for her wedding tomorrow."

"Of course! Mr. Baines certainly is a lucky man. I will go fetch the dress now."

"Thank you, Miss Patton."

Lucy came back with the dress quickly and led Violetta to the back to help her into the dress. After she was finished, Violetta was allowed back into the front of the shop where her mother and best friend began to fawn over her and tell her how beautiful she looked.

The group did not know this, but they were being watched. Jack Sparrow eyed Violetta from a nearby alleyway. He found himself intrigued by her for some unknown reason. He planned to follow them back to their place of residence and return there later that night to take what he wanted.

As the three women left the shop, the two best friends were all smiles.

"Now girls," Mrs. Staton said, "when we arrive home I need you tow to run upstairs quickly and change clothes. I know Violetta wants to go down to the beach with you for a bit, Amelia, so I am allowing her to go. Violetta, I am also going to allow you to keep this dress in the chest in your room."

"Thank you so much, Mother!"

"You're welcome, dear."

Amelia was happy, but had a slight feeling of dread. She felt as if someone was watching them. She looked around discreetly, but saw no one watching. The feeling in Amelia's gut was unsettling, but she decided to ignore it. Back at the Staton house, the girls put away the dress, changed, and hurried down to the shore. They ran and splashed in the surf. It was Violetta's birthday and the day before her wedding, they were going to have some real fun. Once again, Amelia got the feeling that someone was watching. Amelia looked over at her friend and found her holding a scarf-like object.

"What have you got there?"

"It looks like a scarf someone lost."

"A woman?"

"Men around here don't wear such decorative scarves."

"Interesting… Leave it, Violetta, and let's go home. It'll be time for dinner soon."

Violetta agreed and they headed back to Violetta's home. Dinner was filled with talk of the pirate's escape and the upcoming nuptials. Mr. Staton brought up the appearance of a strange ship with black sails floating just offshore. He connected the appearance of the ship with Jack Sparrow's mysterious escape. After dinner, Violetta and Amelia said goodnight to the family and went up to Violetta's room. They found the room full of gifts. There were jewels, beautiful dresses, magnificently decorated pins for her hair, and many other things. Amelia helped her friend into an emerald dress that was the same color as Violetta's eyes. The dress was a deep emerald green with gold decorations sewed into it. The two admired it in the floor length mirror by the window for a while. Violetta noticed a small emerald ring on the window sill that had not been there before. She picked it up and ducked her head out the window.

"What is it, Violetta?"

"I just found this ring on the sill. I was wondering if there was someone outside who could have put it there."

"It's very pretty! Does it fit?"

Violetta slipped it onto her finger with no problem.

"It's a perfect fit!" she exclaimed, putting her head back out the window.

"Thank you, whoever you are." She whispered.

Violetta left the room and went to the kitchen for a glass of water. Everyone had long since gone to bed and all was dark. She lit a candle and carried it with her for light. She reached the kitchen without incident. Violetta took a glass out of the cupboard and filled it with cool water. The floorboards creaked as if someone was walking on them, but she payed the sound no mind.

"Liked my gift did you, love? You look quite beautiful in that dress."

Violetta froze and almost dropped the glass she was holding.

"Who are you and what do you want?" she asked, refusing to turn around.

"What do I want? The girl I saw earlier in the dress shop. Who am I?" Captain Jack Sparrow."

She tried to make a run for the door, but he caught her in a bruising grip.

"You'll not be goin' back to your little friend tonight, love. My ship is just offshore, and that's where you'll be going. If you scream or try to run from me again, I can and will shoot you. Do you understand?"

Violetta nodded in silence and did as he told her. He commanded that she bring him paper and a quill, and she did so. He composed a letter saying that he had taken her and had no intention of returning her to them. He left the letter on the dining room table and forced Violetta out the door. As far as he was concerned, she would never see her lover again and would be as unhappy as he was. As they reached his ship, the crew gathered around her and stared at her, a hungry look on their faces. A man called Gibbs was called forward and ordered to take her to the brig. Jack roughly shoved her toward Gibbs and retreated into his cabin; he slammed the door behind him. Violetta enjoyed the gentle way Gibbs handled her. After he had locked her in the brig he began to speak to her.

"I'm sorry about this, lass. The captain has been in a terrible mood these past months. He lost a girl he cared for and it's affecting him greatly. What's your name?"

"Violetta Staton, Sir. What's yours?"

"Joshamee Gibbs, m' lady. Pleased to meet you, Miss Violetta."

"Pleased to meet you as well, Mr. Gibbs. Do you think I'll be able to see my family again?"

"'Tis doubtful, lass. Once ye've been taken by Jack Sparrow ye be taken for good, I'm afraid. I'm sorry…"

Gibbs felt terrible, but he left her. If the captain found him comforting her he would be very angry.

Violetta dropped to her knees and began sobbing. She was terrified and worried about her fate. Her fragile heart began to break at the thought of never seeing her family again.