"We will deal with that later." Ann said quickly and moved around the fallen man to pick up his dagger. She only glanced at the handle before she turned the blade on Mr. Bright. "You." She said in a hard tone. "Put those irons on him."

Mr. Bright hesitated until Sebastian repeated the order, pointing his own blade at the man. "Now."

He must have thought it prudent to do as ordered because he put the irons on his comrade.

"Go lock him in the brig." Ann told Sebastian. "We'll deal with him in a moment."

"But . . ." Sebastian started to protest.

"We will be fine. This scoundrel is in irons and unconscious."

Sebastian scowled but did as she said. "You. Out."

When they were gone Ann finally looked at her friend. Joan was staring at her in awe and surprise. "What?"

"I've never seen you so . . . assertive."

"The situation was getting out of hand. Someone had to step in. Obviously they required a . . . woman's touch." A smile curved her lips.

Joan smiled back and they both laughed.

"Come, help me sit him up. I fear he will have a mighty headache when he wakes."

The women propped the stranger against the chest they had been hiding behind. His head was bent forward, his chin on his chest. His blonde hair seemed to glow in the sunlight that was streaming through the window. Joan caught her breath.

Straightening, Ann turned to her. "Go tell Sebastian to take charge of the ship."

Joan's eyes narrowed. "And what are you going to do?"

Ann glanced at the unconscious man. "Pray, Joan. Don't question me. Just go stall your brother."

It was clear to Ann that Joan wanted to question her further, but she nodded, deciding to let Ann have her way. For now. "And just how should I do that?"

Ann shrugged. "You're creative. Think of something." Ann's eyes lit up. "Go try to do something and distract him. Tell him he has to have help running this ship and you want to learn."

Joan considered that for a moment and nodded in agreement. "Fine. I'm off to cause trouble. But," she added in a serious tone, "you will have no more than an hour. Then I am coming back and I'm sure my brother will be right behind me."

Ann nodded. That was fair.

With one last glance at the man's golden head Joan left the cabin, leaving Ann alone with him.

"Joan! What are you doing?"

Well that got his attention. Joan hid her smile as she gripped the wheel as she stood at the helm. Below her she knew that Ann was questioning the man who had held her captive but she tried to concentrate on keeping Sebastian occupied.

Joan turned at his yell, her expression one of pure innocence. "I'm steering."

"You're going to run us into rocks." Sebastian grumbled.

Brilliant. "Then teach me how to sail."

Sebastian shot her a look full of suspicion.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying right here at the helm and I'll hold this big wheel . . . thing. And if I run us into rocks because you're so besotted with Ann that you can't leave her side for a few moments then it's all your fault and you'll have to explain it to your beloved."

Her brother actually growled at her. Joan had never heard that kind of sound come from him. She was impressed . . . and a little intimidated. However, determined to stay at her post and give Ann those minutes she asked for.

"Now." Joan smiled at her brother. "Which side is starboard?"

Sebastian ran his hand over his face. "God help us all."

Well, she wasn't going to get any answers with him unconscious. Ann put her hands on her hips and glared down at the unconscious man. Sighing, she kneeled down in front of him and tipped his head so his face was level with hers. Then, she pulled back her free arm and gave him a hard smack across the cheek. She felt a jolt of satisfaction when he was jarred awake. Good. And that's for holding Joan at knife point.

He was staring at her now, anger in his eyes. Ann hid the shiver of fear that coursed through her from that gaze. She had to stand her ground. Answers were needed and he was the one who was going to give them.

"I take it, you're the lovely that hit me on the 'ead."

Ann felt no shame or remorse for the act. "I am. You were causing a ruckus."

"A ruckus?" He looked at her as if she were daft.

"Yes. I have questions, you see, and if you're fighting with Sebastian I'm not going to get them."

His eyes narrowed. "It would be much easier if you unchain me. Then we can talk all you like."

Ann snorted. "As if I am going to trust a pirate."

"Pirate? No, sweet. I am not a pirate."

"You stole this ship—The Black Pearl. Pirates steal ships."

He chuckled. "Oh, Lovely, you've got a lot to learn about pirates."

Ann arched a brow, a haughty expression on her face. "And I suppose you are the one to teach me?"

His striking blue gaze raked her bode from head to toe. "I'm willin'. If you are."

Ann was silent a moment, digesting that comment. Then she shook her head. Now was not the time to be turned by such fantasies. She tilted her head to the side, giving him the same bold inspection that he had given her. He was not un-handsome. In fact, he was quite good looking in that rugged sort of way. He was not clean shaven and his hair was tousled. But he did have the most striking blue eyes.

"What is your name?"

"What's your's?" he countered.

"I am Lady Ann Corlette." She answered.

"Nicholas Sparrow. But you can call me darling." He gave her a roughish smile.

Sparrow? Her hand went to her locket, and she suddenly remembered his dagger. Ann held it out to him. "Where did you get this?"

His eyes narrowed. "What concern is it of yours little one?"

Her eyes narrowed, ignoring the question. "Where?" she demanded.

"It was given to me by my mother. It belonged to my father. Why do you ask?"

But Ann wasn't listening. Her mind had turned back to the small inscription in her locket.

But when Sparrows three aplenty.

Nick Sparrow.

Jack Sparrow.

So who was the third Sparrow? Ann took her time to study him. She set the dagger down, out of his reach, and kneeled before him. Then, slowly, without taking her eyes from his, she removed her locket from her breast. Opening it carefully she held it up to him so he could read the inscription.

"Does this mean anything to you?"

He shook his head.

Ann's heart sank. But she was not a woman to give up. She closed the locket, but before she returned it to her neck she showed him the engraving on the front. "Are you sure?" she demanded. "Because this is the same carving as the one on your dagger. Tell me you recognize it."

Nick's blue eyes widened slightly. "No, I don't recognize it. Where did you get that?"

"My mother." She answered honestly. "She told me of it before she died. I believe it is a gift from my Father." Ann caught her breath as the implication hit her. No! Surely it cannot be! But she saw that same realization in Nick's eyes as he looked at her.

But when Sparrows three aplenty.

Dear heaven she was a Sparrow!

She stared at Nick with wide dark eyes. "You are . . . you are . . ."

"Your brother it would seem."

Ann quickly pushed to her feet and stepped away from him, a fist to her mouth. Her brother? And according to the inscription there was another Sparrow. There were three of them.

She turned sharply to look at Nick. "And the third?"

A self-deprecating smile came to his lips. "Now that would be the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow."

Sebastian had had enough of Joan and her lessons. Why it hadn't dawned on him sooner he didn't know. He chided himself for not seeing it for what it was. A ploy. After teaching her six times how to tie a knot it had dawned on him. Joan was never so exceedingly slow to learn something. She was stalling. But why?

Ann.

He realized that he hadn't seen her for almost an hour now. He'd been too busy keeping Joan from sinking them that he had forgotten about leaving her in the Captain's Quarters with the pirate.

Cursing fluently he glared at his sister and stalked toward the cabin.

Joan's eyes went wide as she realized that her brother had figured out her plan. She, too, cursing she ran after him. "Wait! Show me just one more time!"

Sebastian stopped and glared at her. "I am so furious with you right now I could tie a knot in you! Did you two stop to think about how dangerous it is to be alone with that man?!"

Joan winced. "I didn't wish to leave her, honestly, Sebastian. But Ann has her reasons . . . ."

"Damn her reasons! I will not have her taking her life in her own hands that way! If we were home I would lock you in your room for a week!"

"Sebastian, he's chained . . . ."

But her brother just turned and headed towards the cabin again, leaving Joan to run after him. He threw open the door toe cabin and stepped inside. His eyes landed on Ann who was kneeling before the man and fury threatened to take hold.

They turned to look at him when he entered and upon seeing Sebastian rage Ann quickly stood and stepped away from the other man. "Sebastian . . ."

He held up his hand. "Cease!"

Ann felt quiet in surprise.

Sebastian closed his eyes and counted to ten. And when he still had not calmed he counted to twenty. Then thirty. It was not until he reached fifty that he was able to speak without yelling.

"What." He managed through gritted teeth. "Is. Going. On. Here?"

"We were just chatting," Nick drawled.

Sebastian glared at him but turned his gaze to her. "Ann?"

"We were speaking . . . of of..." She hedged.

"What's his name?"

"Nick." The man answered. "Nick Sparrow. I would shake your hand mate, but I seem to be a bit indisposed at the moment." He rattled the chains as if to prove his statement.

Behind him, Joan gasped. "Sparrow?"

Now Sebastian was confused. What did the man's name have to do with anything?

Joan moved in front of him, her fascinated gaze on Nick. "As in Jack Sparrow?"

"His brother." Ann said softly.

Joan gasped again. "Brother?! Ann you mean . . . ."

She nodded. "Yes."

Joan looked at Nick. "You're her . . . ?"

He smiled up at her. "It would seem so, love."

This time Joan frowned. "Do not call me 'love.'"

"Whatever you say, sweet."

"What the hell is going on here?" Sebastian demanded, cutting into their talk.

All three of them exchanged looks, but no one answered.

"Ann, I will have answers now."

She sighed softly. "I have just learned, Sebastian that Nick . . ."

"Excuse me." Nick cut in. "I realize that this is a poignant moment an' all, but I do have a rather important question."

Three pairs of eyes looked at him.

"Who is sailing this ship?"

Sebastian cursed, remembering the empty helm.

"I tied the wheel off to the stern so we won't be going in circles for the moment," Joan said proudly, but only received a scowl from Sebastian for her cleverness."Because I'm a sea-fearin' man and I know one man can't run this ship by himself. As good as your knots might be love," he grazed Ann again with his sweet gaze. You're going to need help mate."

Sebastian glared at him.

"He's right." Ann said. "We need his help."

"You can't be seriously considering this." Sebastian cut in.

"He is a pirate." Joan added. "And we should unlock his friend . . . did we catch his name?"

"Mr. Bright." Nick supplied.

"Yes, Mr. Bright. We should release him. Three men are better than just one. Besides, what do we know about sailing?"

Sebastian glared at her. "A lot more than you knew an hour ago."

Joan had the grace to blush. "That was Ann's idea."

"Do not take me down with you."

"Why not? The journey would not be fun alone."

"Because a true friend would take the wrap." Ann returned.

"Ha. You would do the same if you were in my position now."

An impish grin crossed Ann's features. "True. But this is not about me in your position and what I would do if I was there. This is about you in your position and you should not take me down with you. Be the better person."

Joan grinned back. "Ha."

Nick looked at Sebastian, a befuddled expression on his face. "Are they always like this?"

"Constantly. There are no two pair like them."

The girls narrowed their eyes on Sebastian. "Hmph."

"We are getting off of the subject." Nick reminded them. "Someone needs to be out there running this ship, and I for one think it should be me."

"We are not untying you." Sebastian countered with a frown.

"Sebastian," Ann tried to cut in.

"An' who gave you leave to run things? You?" Nick through back.

"I was captain of one of my own ships." Sebastian returned. "I can run this ship as well as anyone."

"You need me."

"I have yet to determine that."

"You do. One man and two women to run this ship? The Pearl? And ye can't turn back now with the Royal fleet due back in. And a Captn' you may be, but you don' know these waters mate. I do." Nick smiled.

"And three men will out maneuver a ship of fifty or more?"

"It's better than having the women face battle? Or are you not a gentleman?"

"Nick," Joan started.

Sebastian growled. Again. "I can protect the women."

Nick snorted. "I don't see 'ow."

Sebastian opened his mouth to counter but Ann's shout cut him off. "Enough! We are untying him."

"Ann." Sebastian tried to argue. "We don't even know him!"

Ann bit her lip. "Sebastian. He's my brother."