A big merci to Alenor Peredhel for the idea for this chapter.

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A week after Alyssa's 'kidnapping' they stopped in Saint Jacobs. She was more than happy to get off the ship. It had been a year and a half since she had been on one, and again they made her queasy.

Jack led the crew off the ship, giving his usual speech on how they had to lie low and be back on time.

"Everyone understand?" There was a chorus of 'Ayes' before everyone scattered. A few stayed to help Jack gather supplies.

The group walked through the little town, Jack keeping a close eye on Alyssa. They went around, buying rum and food. Mostly rum. The other men carried the barrels and boxes back to the Pearl, leaving Jack and Alyssa alone.

He led her into the closest tavern and ordered them both rums.

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Six drinks for Jack and one for Alyssa later, they still sat there. Alyssa restrained from drinking more for two reasons: first, who knows what would happen if she got drunk, and second, she had a plan.

At first Jack had commented on her lack of drink, but now he was to drunk to even notice her. Perfect.

"Jack I'm tired. I'm gonna' go back to the Pearl and go to sleep." She managed to fake a yawn. He frowned at her.

"I'll come with you." He got up, but fell back onto the bench.

"It's okay Jack, I won't leave. I promise." She said sweetly as she put her finger on his chest. His lips curled up into a smile.

"I knew you'd come around." He slurred back, waving his hands towards the door. "You go get some sleep." She smiled and walked out the door.

Once outside, she noted her options. To her left were the docks, to the right, more houses. She turned to the docks.

Back at the Pearl, she found a sack, and filled it with the things from her trunk, a little food and a sword.

She crept of the ship and headed deeper into the town, taking the back streets just to be safe.

There was a forest just beyond the border of the town. She'd hide out there for a day or so, then come out and catch the next ship to leave. Where it was going didn't matter, as long as it was away, where Jack would never find her.

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Jack sat in the tavern, drinking to the success of winning back Alyssa. Gibbs came in and sat beside him, a worried look on his face.

"Cap'n? Did you by ay chance notice that Miss Alyssa left?" Jack took another swig of rum.

"Aye. She said she was tired."

"Well she's not sleeping now." Jack looked at the older man questioningly.

"What?" Gibbs swallowed hard.

"Well, um…"

"Out with it man!"

"She was headed away from the docks. And she had a bag." Jack's eyes widened.

"What!" He stood and stormed out of the tavern. Alyssa was nowhere to be seen. Where would she have gone? He spotted the forest. She could get lost in there. But then again, that's what she wanted.

Jack strode towards the forest. There was a crash from an alleyway beside him. He drew his sword and slowly approached the end. There was more noise as the culprit tried to get away.

"Dammit!" It was Alyssa. He sauntered over to the end of the alleyway, where she was trying to get her pant leg off a nail. It had torn right through the fabric, attaching a box to her foot.

"Thought you could fool me hmm?" She glared up at him and drew her sword.

"Get back." She hissed once she cut her leg loose. Jack drew his own sword.

Their weapons clashed, the rings of steel echoing in the alley. For a while, Alyssa was winning.

"I must say darlin' I thought you would be rather rusty." He said as she parried his swing.

"I can thank my job for that."

"What is this job?" Jack groaned in exasperation. Alyssa tripped on her own foot and fell back against a wall. Jack saw the opportunity and pulled out his gun. She stared up at him in surprise.

"You're coming back to the ship now." She crossed her arms across her chest and gave him a smug look.

"No"

"Yes."

"You and I both know that you aren't going to use that gun, so why don't you put it away?"

"Actually, I would use it."

"Oh really? Then why don't you? At least I'll be able to get away from you." Jack thought a moment, then put the weapon away.

"I wouldn't want to mess up that pretty face of yours." The comment made Alyssa roll her eyes. "And since you aren't going to be getting away from me anytime soon, I suggest you grab that bag of yours and get going." She did so grudgingly; there was no point arguing now.

He led her through the streets and back to the docks.

Once back on the Pearl, Alyssa grabbed her pillows and blankets to go outside.

"Nuh uh, you're sleeping in here until we leave."

"There is no way in hell I am going to sleep in here with you."

"Yes you are." He turned and locked the door, slipping the key his pocket.

"You did not just lock that door!"

"As a matter of fact, yes I did, so get comfy." She glared at him for a moment, then turned to make a bed on the floor, muttering to herself.

"Stupid damn captain….thinks he's all that….stupid…"

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That's it for chapter 5. I hope you enjoyed it.