A/N

I've got lovely reviews from you guys! Danke schön :P

And now my dear lettori:

Relax, read and review chappie number quattro xD

Verdandi took slow and lightly steps towards the sleeping lass. When she was just in front of her she rammed her eyes over her body. Elizabeth was sleeping on her back with her hands on her chest and they were clutching the exact object Verdandi was looking for… She felt her lips draw back into a small smirk. This was going to be way too easy.

She slowly reached her hand towards the compass and just as she got a grip around it Lizzie's hands held it in a stronger grip while she murmured something incoherent.

Now, that was just great. Verdandi sighed and blew a lock from her face only for it to fall back in front of her eyes again. She looked around and her eyes spotted a small book. She took it with her other hand, and as she slowly dragged the compass out she also tried to make Elizabeth grip the book instead. Old trick, but successful 89 % of the times.

After a lot of cursing under her breath she finally had the blasted compass in her hand. She let a triumphant smile shortly show on her face before she grew serious once again.

She slowly made it outside, always making sure that everyone continued with their snoring before she could approach the railing. While she was doing that she also opened the compass and saw how the needle spun around like crazy. It continued to spin and switch its directions, sometimes even stopping only to begin its spinning again.

She frowned. Why didn't it stop? Maybe the stupid thing was broken…

"Looks like you're the one who doesn't know what you want, luv", a smug voice said directly behind her.

Verdandi flinched and turned around with wide eyes. Jack was standing right behind her with a knowing glint in his eye. His hands were behind his back and he was casually looking around, as if he usually just went around the ship at nights. Well…maybe he did. But Verdandi did see his eyes glance on the compass frequently.

Verdandi didn't breathe. Everything was quiet and still, all she could do was to stare him in the eyes. Then, as fast as she could, she turned towards the railing again and moved to throw the bloody box in the ocean. But Jack was faster. He knew that she was going to get it at some point. It had been only a matter of time. So he had been prepared when he quickly grabbed her arm and yanked her backwards, making her drop it.

Verdandi elbowed him in the gut and stomped him hard on the foot.

"Oohhff..."

She got her arm free and bent down to get that little fucking thing. She quickly got up again and drew her arm back…getting ready to throw it - again. But yet again Jack was quicker as he stepped behind her and sneaked his arm around her neck, pressing her towards his chest while squeezing just enough to make her uncomfortable and making her breathing her first priority.

She quickly dropped the compass and put her hands on his arm, trying to make his grip on her a bit lighter. But his arm didn't budge, so she subconsciously pressed her head further against his chest. Jack grinned and put his lips on her temple while whispering;

"Sch, sch, sch, sch… Now, I don't want to go harsh on you, luv, you know that. But if you don't stop I won't have a choice, now will I?"

"Ugh…" was all she could get out. Jack still had the decency to actually feel a little bad about that. But what was he going to do? Let her throw the compass away? Uh…no.

Verdandi closed her eyes and tried to take a deep breath but found it impossible. She had completely forgotten the strength Jack had; this was a nice way to remind her, wasn't it? Jack noticed her struggles and hurried the talking so that he could release her quicker.

"If I let you go, will you behave?" He asked.

"Mhmm…"

"Don't touch the compass, darlin'. I need it."

Verdandi was getting desperate for air and Jack sensed it, so he loosened the grip around her. But he didn't let go of his arm around her (still holding her to his chest), he just let it slide down from her neck.

Verdandi took a deep breath and it took a while before she could breathe normally. "Was that really…necessary?" She hissed out. This wasn't the first time he had taken a stranglehold on her…since it pretty much was the only most effective move that could hold her down.

"Absolutely, darlin'. And you know that as well as I do", Jack smirked and gave her cheek a small kiss before he let her go to reach for the compass.

Verdandi frowned angrily and rapidly kicked him in the shin, making him gasp and lose his footing as he landed on his bottom to massage his leg. Verdandi snatched the compass from him and tried as fast as she could get to the railing. But as soon as she got her hopes up she felt a hand on her foot and she fell headfirst on the deck, making the compass to roll several metres from her.

Dammit!

Jack straddled her and stopped her from moving before he chuckled. "Oh sweetheart. You are just too amusing!"

"Get off of me!" She spat and wriggled under his weight…which wasn't that successful. She just wasted energy and she knew this, so she stopped and rested her head upon the deck that she had so carefully cleaned.

"Once upon a time you would say 'please, get on me!'" Jack mocked, still not moving. "But seriously, honey. You need to learn how to obey orders."

"You are crushing my ribs", she snapped and once again tried to get loose.

Jack sighed and shook his head. He spotted the box and quickly got off her and took the compass in his hands. He turned towards her and smiled at her while he dangled the compass in front of him. Verdandi growled from the floor, still not moving.

"I bet you're just sooo happy right now", she muttered.

"Come on luv, you didn't think I would let you throw it into the blue did you?" He raised his eyebrows.

"That thing is as problematic as the witch that gave it to you."

"Ah, so you figured it out."

"You bet I did", she scowled at him. "Why do you still have contact with her?"

Jack shrugged. "She's nice to me. Better yet; she has nice things to offer for a decent prize. Besides, why would I have anything against her?"

Verdandi snarled and got up before she dusted herself off and crossed her arms. Jack threw her a smirk.

"Still jealous of her, luv?"

"I'm not the jealous type."

"Yet you've showed signs of jealousy at least two times now. And I certainly remember before how you used to get all red in your face…"

"Oh shut it!" She narrowed her eyes and turned away from him. Her eyes looked at the stars that were reflecting in the ocean as she leaned against the railing and sighed.

Jack also sighed and leaned his head a bit backwards and just looked at her profile. He couldn't help to feel sorry for her. To see how she had changed since the last time they met…it was a bit shocking. He had never expected that from her.

He walked towards her and stood only a meter from her. They stood like that for a while and no one made a sound. Finally Jack cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

"Sorry if I hurt you, darlin'."

"Don't mention it. You did what you had to."

"Pissed for not succeeding?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

"Why?"

Verdandi hesitated and scratched her scar. Jack noticed it and cocked his head. Of course it had to do something with that special person.

"You think you're failing him", he answered for her and looked at her for confirmation at his statement.

Verdandi gave him a dangerous look. "Don't go there, Jack. You're assuming things…"

"Oh, really? So you're not in love with him?" He raised an eyebrow.

"No. I'm not in love with him!" She hissed back at his arrogant face.

Jack noticed her choice of words. "But you do love him."

Verdandi scowled. She sincerely didn't know it herself. She had never been able to explain her feelings towards that man, and she couldn't do that now either. Honestly, she couldn't even understand it herself. But she had been with him for what would seem an eternity and she had attached to him. She wasn't able to help it and she had always felt a certain loyalty to him. When he was happy, she was happy. When he was angry, she was angry. When he was upset, she was upset.

And then there was the day he was really upset… She flinched at the memory and closed her eyes.

"It's complicated", she whispered. "You wouldn't understand, and I don't expect you to. Actually, what I do expect from you is to stay out of it. Just…ignore it."

Jack slightly nodded, wondering what was going on in her mind.

"So…how are you planning on seducing the little princess?" Verdandi looked seriously at him, but he could see a small twinkle of teasing and her voice was a bit mocking.

Jack accepted her try to change the subject and smirked. "It won't work either way… She's engaged to that William Turner we've been talking about. Besides, she's way too haughty for my taste."

Verdandi raised her eyebrows. "First of all; you don't have a taste. You'll bed anything on legs. Second of all; since when do you care about personality? And since when have you cared if someone's engaged or not?"

"That's a lot of questions luv", Jack replied, still his body language indicated that he wasn't going to answer them. Verdandi shook her head when he drunkenly moved closer to her and put an arm around her.

"You haven't changed a bit."

"I'll take that as a compliment…" He smirked.

Verdandi shook his arm off of her shoulder and walked away. "G'night."

"Leaving so soon?" Jack asked and Verdandi rolled her eyes. He had the nerve pretend he was disappointed.

"G'night!" she repeated and on the way down to her hammock she fetched a bottle of rum. She really had missed her dear old friend. It felt weird not to have a drink for so long…

You failed.

I know.

What now?

We'll see…

Verdandi had never been one to plan for the future. She had always lived in the present and only had had a hint about what she was going to do. The plans always came afterwards, so now she just had to sit and wait to see how things were going to display ….

oOoOoOo

Verdandi mopped the deck, mostly with her eyes closed. She had a hangover from the night before and it wasn't pleasant at all. Luckily everyone was still leaving her alone. Even Jack. He had other important things to do, such as trying to seduce a certain little lass who was sitting on the stairs.

And could you guess who that was?

Verdandi really tried not to roll her eyes, she really did, but she couldn't help herself! It was like a reflex. She just wanted to gag when she saw them together, even if she couldn't understand why. The girl was nice (cough cough), it was Jack's behavior that was bothering her, really. Did he have to throw himself on every girl on two legs?

Not that that's any of mine business. 'Cause it's not.

She couldn't help to glance every few minutes at them, and she saw how Jack opened a bottle of rum and handed it over to the Princess who was looking rather upset.

"You know..." he cleared his throat, "Lizzie, I am Captain of a ship and being captain of a ship I could, in fact, perform a marriage right here." He paused and moved closer to her. "Right on this deck." Closer. "Right… now."

Ugh!

Why won't you marry me? She mockingly mimicked his voice in her head and made a face. Apparently she wasn't the only one he said those words to. What a pig! And she had actually blushed at those words! That thought made her blush even more out of embarrassment.

Elizabeth's reaction was different from what hers had been. The Princess looked disgusted at the only thought as she handed him the bottle and moved away from him. "No thank you…"

"Why not? We are very much alike you and I. I and you... us", he said as he followed her.

Yeah right… Except for getting good looking genes, Verdandi couldn't see it.

Are you starting to deny things, Verdandi?

"Except for a sense of honor and decency and a moral center. And personal hygiene", Elizabeth retorted.

"Trifles. You will come over to my side, I know it", Jack said confidently.

"You seem very certain."

Way too certain, lassie. As if you could be a pirate…HA! Verdandi's thought actually calmed her down a bit.

"One word, love: curiosity." He moved closer to her. "You long for freedom. You long to do what you want to do because you want it." He got closer to her. "To act on selfish impulse. You want to see what it's like. One day... you won't be able to resist."

Verdandi nearly threw her hands out in frustration. What the hell? The girl surely had everything! As Verdandi had understood it, the girl was a governor's daughter. She didn't have to go asleep hungry, or worry for the night's dangers or if she was going to get killed the very next day… She had money, clothes, shelter, guards, food every single fucking day! To throw it away like that… Verdandi averted her eyes and shook her head. Some people were just stupid.

"Why doesn't your compass work?" Elizabeth suddenly asked out of nowhere. Verdandi looked up again.

Yeah Jack, why doesn't your stupid compass work?

"Uhm…my compass works just fine!" He defended.

"Because you and I are alike. And there will come a moment when you have a chance to show it. To do the right thing."

Uh…what now?

Verdandi suddenly realized that she had at some point stopped mopping. She quickly started to continue with her chore (which actually was pretty stupid, since the deck was nearly impossible to get really clean).

"I love those moments. I like to wave at them as they pass by", he said lightly.

"You'll have the chance to do something... something courageous. And when you, you'll discover something. That you're a good man." Elizabeth had during her little speech gotten disgustingly closer to him.

What the hell is she blabbering about?

If you could describe Verdandi's face-expression right now, it would be "?".

"All evidence to the contrary."

Verdandi couldn't agree more.

Elizabeth only laughed." No, I have faith in you. You want to know why?"

"Yes", Jack and Verdandi both answered. This made Jack and Elizabeth to turn around and meet Verdandi's gaze, which made her realize her slip.

"Uhm…" She was given an amusing look from Jack before he turned around, still waiting for the answer. And as quickly as that she was forgotten. Verdandi didn't know if that was good or bad.

"Do tell, dearie."

Yes. Do tell.

Elizabeth leaned now closer in at each sentence. "Curiosity. You're going to want it - a chance to be admired - and gain the rewards that follow. You won't be able to resist. You're going to want to know what it tastes like."

"I do want to know what it tastes like", Jack said floatingly.

"You already know what it tastes like, asshole…" Verdandi muttered under her breath. Luckily none of them heard them.

Jack caressed Elizabeth's cheek.

"But seeing as you're a good man, I know that you'd never put me in a position that would compromise my honor."

Okay. I'm going to puke now. Someone fetch me a can!

Jack leaned even closer to her and Verdandi made a face as she saw him raising his hand to stroke Elizabeth's hair. But then he suddenly went pale and turned around quickly. She noticed him gazing and hiding his palm from them and she frowned.

"I'm proud of you, Jack", Lizzie went on and Verdandi just wanted her to shut up.

"LAND-HO!"

Thank you Lord!

Jack raced to the rails and looked down at the water. "I need my jar of dirt!" He said to himself and ran away.

Verdandi didn't quite understand his last statement and neither did she care. Her focus was on Elizabeth now and she raised her eyebrow at her. Lizzie met her gaze and quickly looked away, apparently trying to hide the blush she had on her face.

"T-t-t-t", Verdandi slowly smacked her tongue while she shook her head. "What would your dear William say about your seducing attempts, huh?" Verdandi let an evil smile show itself and it only grew even wider when she saw the horrified face Elizabeth pulled. "I had no idea that the engaging commitments meant nothing nowadays. I'm telling you lassie, that where I'm from that was not the way you treat your fiancé. Well…actually it depends on how much of an asshole he is."

"It wasn't…" But Elizabeth never had the time to finish her sentence.

"But then, maybe your dear William is a damn ugly and ol' douchebag who likes to hit women", Verdandi stopped and inspected her. "Nah…doesn't seem likely." And the mopping started again.

"Don't you dare…"

"Ah-ah-ah!" Verdandi cocked her head. "It's not nice to threat people! Didn't your papá tell you that?"

You hypocrite.

"It's not what you think…" Elizabeth desperately tried to defend herself but Verdandi only smiled a wicked smile which made Elizabeth close her mouth.

"If you say so", Verdandi said in a sing-song voice while she moved to leave the mop and can on its place. Hopefully this was the wrong island.

Get prepared for disappointments.

A/N

Don't be so stubborn this time ;) lol

Lots of baci e abbracci /JoJo