Disclaimer: Disney is all-powerful and owns all, OC is mine.

By the Hand of Jack Sparrow

A Reluctant Knight in Shining Armour

I smiled weakly at the captain. I looked around at the crew. They were burly and unkempt, but surprisingly all of them seemed to have kind eyes.

The captain had climbed out of the rowboat and offered his hand to help me out. "Captain Jack Sparrow, at your service, m'lady." I put my hand in his and started to stand up, but my legs gave out. Quick as a flash, Captain Jack lunged to support me, his arm around my waist, lifting me out of the rowboat.

I was pressed up against him as he held me. "Can you stand?" he asked quietly. I tried to answer, but I couldn't. I just looked into his eyes. And everything else faded away…His eyes…so dark, so enveloping. I felt very, very safe and yet uneasy, in an almost primal way. And I was unable to look away…

"Mother Mary, Cap'n, she's as white as a sheet," the older man from the rowboat exclaimed.

"Yes, well…Gibbs, please escort m'lady to my cabin. Find her some dry clothes and see that she gets some rest," Captain Jack ordered.

"Aye, Cap'n," Gibbs replied. "C'mon Miss, 'tis not far," he said to me, looping his arm around my waist to support me.

As we walked, I turned to look over my shoulder at the Captain. He was standing by the railing, gazing out at the ocean.

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Bloody hell! I'm a pirate! How is it that I keep finding myself in the position of rescuing these damsels in distress? It all started so long ago, when that blasted Elizabeth fell into the ocean. I had to rescue her, and the whelp, several more times over the years. At least she could be entertaining, up until…

This one was as different from Elizabeth as night was from day. But would she toy with my affections as mercilessly as Elizabeth had? And, in the end, would she betray me as well? Perhaps Gibbs was right. Time will tell…

Yes, she seems very different indeed. Those long, muscular legs. The sleek, glossy, dark hair. The sprinkling of freckles across her nose and cheekbones. Oh, how I do love freckles! And those eyes…blue-green like the sea. Oh, to drown in the gaze of those eyes…

Bugger, bugger, bugger! Don't do this to yourself, mate. Just keep away from her. Drop her in the nearest safe port with a few coins for her to make her way home. And forget you ever laid eyes on the wretched damsel.

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"Here we are. The clothes are the Cap'n's, but they oughtta fit ye just fine," Gibbs said, handing me a pair of brown linen breeches, a beige linen shirt, and a pair of brown leather boots.

"Thank you." I whispered. "Would you have any water? I'm very thirsty."

"Aye, Miss. I'll fetch ye some food and water," he hastily replied. "How long were ye out there, all flotsam and jetsam?"

I thought for a moment. "I really don't know."

Gibbs regarded me with sympathy. "You're lucky we found ye, an' just in time too. From the looks of it, that vile beastie was plannin' to have ye for breakfast."

"Oh, god," I whispered, suddenly feeling weak and nauseous.

Quickly Gibbs continued, "Well, ne'er ye mind 'bout that, lass. Ye get these dry clothes on and I'll be right back with some food and water for ye…Ye be safe now." He smiled and left the cabin.

I stripped out of my wet clothes and put on the linen breeches and shirt. They were a little too big. I tied the shirt around my waist. The pants clung to my damp body. I draped the Captain's coat over a chair to dry.

The cabin was spacious, for a ship. The rear wall had three arched casement windows above a length of cabinets. There were gold velvet cushions on top of the cabinet for seating. The center window was open, letting in the sea breeze. In each corner, flanking the windows, was an ornately carved wooden cabinet.

To the left was a large rectangular wooden table, covered in maps. Two chairs were placed by the table. On top of the maps, there was an hour glass, inkwell and quill, some navigational instruments, and several glass bottles. A lantern hung from the ceiling above the table, gently swaying with the movement of the ship.

Beyond the table, under another set of three arched windows, was yet another row of cabinets. Scattered haphazardly over the top of these cabinets were candlesticks, small wooden chests, books, a globe and still more maps.

To the right, there was a four poster bed. Each column went from floor to ceiling. There was a burgundy velvet coverlet on the bed and two white linen pillows. Next to the bed was a wooden chair. At the foot of the bed, sat a large wooden chest.

And on the floor, gently rolling back and forth, was an empty glass bottle. I watched it, curiously, for several moments, before picking it up and placing it on the table.

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Jack turned to see Gibbs heading toward his cabin with a tray of food and water. "Thank you, Gibbs, I'll take that." Gibbs acquiesced, handing the tray to his captain.

"Cap'n, the lass be a bit outta sorts 'bout the shark and all," Gibbs informed Jack. "Nearly fell into a swoon at the mention of it."

"Thank you, Gibbs…Good to know," Jack responded.