Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I own nothing related to Pirates of the Caribbean. That belongs to Jerry Bruckheimer, Disney, and a bunch of other people. Only original characters and plotlines are mine.

AN: Hi! Sorry this is a bit late; real life can be a bit frustrating at times. But here's the chapter, and I hope that everyone enjoys themselves. Thanks for reading, and please review!

Chapter 4: Kidnappings and Deals:

Two days later, Jack did exactly what he promised: he went to visit Miss Evie Watkins on the pretense of looking for a wife among the town's women.

Of course, he did the polite thing of sending a note ahead of time, asking her to meet him at the beach so that they could discuss his matter. Not half an hour later, his messenger returned with Miss Evie's agreement to meet at noon the following day.

They met as scheduled, and Jack did his best to act politely towards her, rather than treat her as he did his usual wenches. This, obviously, wasn't that difficult, considering the pale blue dress she wore was very proper, like any small-town lass's outfit ought to be. She also carried a parasol to keep the sun off rather than wear a hat, which presently dangled from her fingertips by its loose white ribbons.

"So, what did you want to speak of, Mr. Teague?" she asked, looking at him. "If you're going to ask if I've found you a bride yet, you may save your breath; the answer is no."

He grinned. "Please, call me Jack. And nay, my lady, I wasn't going to ask you that –even I know it takes time to find a wife for a sailor such as me. I was merely wondering how you manage to make such stable and appropriate matches between men and women."

It was her turn to grin. "It's just a knack, I suppose. I've always been good at looking deeper into a person's traits and personalities. When someone comes to me in search of a bride or groom, I try my best to get to know them better, and proceed from there to look for a partner for them."

"Really?" Jack drawled. "I don't suppose you'd care to try and know me better, luv?"

He was trying to flirt with her, and when he usually tried to be flirtatious, women tended to respond well. However, her reaction wasn't quite what he expected.

I couldn't help but laugh good-naturedly as I shook my head at him. "No offense, sir, but you won't get anywhere with me using those tactics. Even without knowing you well, I can tell that you are going to be one of the more difficult cases. You dashing, roguish ones always are."

Mr. Teague – or Jack, as he asked me to call him – looked surprised at my reply, but strangely, not upset. He actually took my rejection well, and merely sighed in a moderately sorrowful manner.

"Ah, well, we devilishly good-looking fellows are difficult when it comes to matrimony. So, you've met several men like meself –handsome rogues on the look-out for a wife?"

He had no idea. Over the years, I had helped numerous men of his ilk find wives, and they had to be the most difficult men in the world to find brides for. They were usually handsome, and knew it, which made them incredibly vain, self-centered, flirtatious heartbreakers, all of which were very bad qualities in a man. It also happened that those traits usually led to an unhappy marriage, unless the fellow was paired with the right sort of woman.

Finding suitable mates for those men had been some of the hardest matches I'd ever made in my life. Those men had wanted wives they could walk all over; women who would let them do whatever they wanted and either not care, or welcome their man back home with open arms and happy smiles.

But that wasn't right for neither the men nor their brides. I wanted everyone to be happy, and if I couldn't make a successful match, then I'd been determined to refuse the job and let the man go find a wife on his own.

Thankfully, it hadn't come to that sort of drastic measures. In the end, I had been able to find a wife for each of those scoundrels, though it had taken quite a bit of time and a lot of effort. Those women had been had been made of sterner stuff –they had refused to let their husbands walk all over them, and weren't afraid to give as good as they got, especially when it came to their husband trying to find female attentions elsewhere. Eventually, those same rascals realized that they didn't like seeing or thinking about their wives being with other men, and managed to settle down into married life. I knew that some of the men (those who still lived in Port Thomas, anyway) still flirted outrageously with the women around them, but it never went further than that.

I gave Jack a smirk. "Oh, yes, I've met several men like you, Mr. Teague, and I can promise that even though you might prove a challenge, I happen to like a bit of difficultly in my life. I think I might surprise you with what I can do."

Jack felt himself grinning. She was feisty, he'd give her that, and he always did like women who had spirit. 'She's clever, too. Most matchmakers usually are.'

Evie Watkins was more than that, though –for her to have found wives for men like him meant that she really did know what she was doing, and that she was willing to go far for those who had hired her and her services.

'It also means that she's stubborn, and we all know how stubborn women can act.'

Aye, he certainly knew that well enough! Of course, that also meant that things would at least be interesting while he had her aboard the Pearl.

'Can't abide dull women,' he thought with an inward cringe. He particularly hated it when all they did was chatter at him and giggled in high voices.

But Evie would be different, and Jack could hardly wait to see how she and Anna-Maria got along together. Anna tended to not get on well with anyone, but surely another female would be welcome company aboard a ship full of men?

"So, Miss Evie, tell me about yourself. The matchmaking business can't truly be all you have, can it? There must be other things you do to pass the time."

She sighed, eyes looking down at the sand as she walked. "I'm sorry to say that my work keeps me busy more than I'd like it to, though it does afford me at least a few days of rest between matchmaking requests. I am fond of reading, but am unable to indulge in it often since I have so many other things to do, besides my work. It often makes me wish that I could leave Port Thomas and start over."

She gave him a rather shamed smile. "I don't mean to sound selfish, but it would be nice to have a life that is my own, rather than spend the rest of my days seeing to the happiness of others."

Jack quirked an eyebrow, surprised in spite of himself. That was interesting. Perhaps this was the opportune moment to put his plan into action…

"I'm having a thought here, luv," he said, offering her his arm. "What do you say to a tour of my ship?"

Oh, he was the charming one, and his handsome, eccentric appearance was wearing on my sense of caution.

I had seen and met many good-looking, charismatic men in my life, but they had been the quickest in town to marry –with so many women hanging all over them, it was really no wonder that they rarely came to ask me to make a match for them. Those few who had come to me for aid sometimes had me feeling all flustered around them, almost to the point where I wished it were me they wanted instead of someone else. They never did, of course; they always ended up happily married to whichever lady I paired them with.

Following those first few encounters with handsome men, I quickly learned to put defenses up against their charms, and concentrate on the matters at hand. After all, I was a matchmaker, and it was my job to make others happy, not myself. Now there was a handsome man beside me, offering to give me a tour of his ship. Why shouldn't I accept it?

Smiling, I took his arm. "That sounds wonderful, Mr. Teague. Lead on."

The trek from the beach to the docks was a fairly long one, and by the time they reached the edge of town, Jack was parched. Fortunately, there was tavern nearby, and Jack purchased lemonade for Evie while he indulged in a satisfactory tankard of rum. She was a little surprised at his drink of choice, but said nothing, which was a good sign –he couldn't stand lectures about the 'sins of strong drink.'

Refreshed, he escorted her to the Pearl, and watched in satisfaction as a look of awe and amazement crossed her face.

"Oh, my," she breathed. "It's beautiful!"

"She," Jack corrected. "Ships are always female."

Evie rolled her eyes. "Well, then, she's beautiful."

"My thanks, luv," he said, grinning at her. "Care for a tour?"

"Yes, please," she said eagerly. "I've never been on a ship before."

As they ascended the gangplank, Jack looked for Gibbs. Luckily, his first mate stood nearby, following his Captain's every move out of the corner of his eye. When his eyes caught his first mate's, Jack gave an affirmative nod, the signal for his plan to be put in motion.

Gibbs immediately nodded in understanding and turned towards the crewmen on deck, giving them a discreet sign to begin their work.

I had never been on a ship before, and was rather nervous about the constant movement under my feet. Jack seemed to sense my unease, and pulled me over to the railing, where he offered me a few pieces of candied ginger and told me to eat them.

"Ancient Chinese remedy," he explained as I gazed questionable at him. "Ginger helps settle your stomach when you're at sea, preventing seasickness. It works wonders for regular colds and sickness, too."

As I didn't want to spill my lunch all over the deck, I decided to take his advice and eat the ginger. I had heard of the odd root, and that it came from China, but had never actually sampled it. The taste was unlike anything I'd ever experienced before, and I just couldn't put it into words. Well, maybe one…

"Goodness," I coughed, swallowing the piece in my mouth. I had to force myself to eat the rest.

Jack seemed amused at my reaction, but said nothing about it. "Time for that tour, then. Shall we?"

He led me as far down as we could go, and began the tour there. I was shown where prisoners were kept, the guns, and the storage rooms, as well as where the crewmen slept.

"Just the crewmen, mind," Jack said while pointing out the hammocks. "Anna-Maria's the only female aboard, and has her own cabin elsewhere. She does her fair share of the work, plus a bit more."

I looked at him in surprise. The few sailors I'd met in the past had all claimed that having a woman aboard was bad luck –that was why they didn't want wives to travel with them.

"I didn't notice her," I remarked, feeling more than a little confused.

"Nor would you," Jack replied as we proceeded onto another part of the ship. "She dresses like the men do, wearing breeches, shirts, that sort of thing. If it weren't for certain female attributes on her top decks, you'd think she was a man."

I realized what he was talking about and chuckled. "Oh, I see. Well, I'm glad you're one to go against superstition and allow women aboard."

"It's one of my good traits," he said with a grin. "Now, onwards and upwards?"

Jack then took me to the captain's cabin, where I was immediately shown the charts for where the ship was heading. By then, I realized what my instincts were telling me: that Jack wasn't a mere crewman on this ship, but actually the captain. I doubted that any of the crew would be bold enough to enter the Captain's cabin and be so bold as to shift through his belongings.

After a while, I noticed that the quiet movement of the ship had changed, becoming rougher and more unstable. I asked Jack if there was a normal thing, and he merely shrugged.

"Probably the tide coming in," he said. "It's nothing to worry about."

Since I had no experience with ships, I took his word for it. We then turned our attention back to the charts, and just as I was preparing to ask a question about a marking on the map, the ship dipped sharply, causing me to lose my footing. I didn't fall, but it was still rather alarming.

Glancing out the window, I saw nothing but empty sea, and the sea was moving. The ship had set sail, with me still onboard!

Jack tried not to wince as Evie let out a cry of surprise. Instead, he tried to appear casual about the whole thing by taking a seat at the large table in his quarters and propping his feet up.

"What are you doing?" she demanded, clearly torn between anger and fear. "What's going on?"

He reached for one of his bottles of rum and popped the cork. "We're heading out to sea, that's all."

"That's all?" Evie cried. "I demand that you take me back to Port Thomas at once! Honestly, I cannot believe you're actually kidnapping me!"

"Actually," Jack said, holding up a forefinger in correction, "It's not really kidnapping. After all, I did hire you for your service as a matchmaker, both for me and my crew. And since there can't possibly be enough ladies in your quaint town for all of us, it only makes sense that I take you with us until you've fulfilled your side of the bargain."

She looked dazed. "Take me with you? And where, exactly, are we going? I'm able to work in Port Thomas, where I know everyone, but if you plan on taking me to some foreign land, I can't promise perfect matches."

Jack merely smiled. "I think you underestimate your skills, luv. I've heard of your ability to find matches for travelers passing through, sometimes pairing them with another fellow traveler. On more than one occasion, the bride or groom came from another ship altogether. I believe you'll manage to find brides for me and my men out in the world somewhere."

Now she was positively fuming. "And did you ever think that perhaps people would miss me? How is my sudden disappearance going to be explained?"

"Ah, I've already thought of that," he replied. "I'm more than certain that, since most of your belongings are missing, the citizens of Port Thomas will think that you've decided to take yourself elsewhere to live. They might be surprised and disappointed at first, but they'll recover."

Evie huffed and crossed her arms. "Well, the payment had better stay at what you promised: my weight in gold if I succeed," she threatened, eyes narrowing. "Or else you'll live to regret it."

Jack couldn't help but grin in amusement. "If you manage to find wives for all of us, luv, it'll be worth every penny. But if it'll ease your thoughts, I'll sweeten the deal by dropping you off wherever you want –once you've done your part, of course."

She eyed him carefully. "Anywhere I want? You'll do that?"

"I give you my solemn vow," Jack said, raising his right hand. "I, Captain Jack Sparrow, will pay you your rightful wage and drop you off wherever it is you wish."

He watched in satisfaction as her jaw dropped in shock.

Captain Jack Sparrow.

The name echoed in my head as my jaw dropped to the ground. I was standing in the cabin of one of the most feared pirates in the world, and had been hired to help him in a quest to find him a bride. I was helping a pirate, and if I were caught, would likely be branded one as well.

"As charming as you look with your mouth gaping, it might be best for you to close it," Jack said, clearly amused. I did as he bid. "Now, I've had my men bring your belongings onboard. You'll be staying in a cabin adjoining mine, for the sake of your safety."

I scowled and tried to protest, but stopped at the serious look he gave me. "As trustworthy as my men are, they are still men, and you're one of only two women aboard," Jack warned. "My second mate, Anna-Maria, can take care of herself, and no one with sense would touch her. You, my dear, are a genteel woman with no experience in handling weapons, and will have to be kept safe."

Getting to his feet, my captor looked me straight in the eyes, every inch a Captain. "Therefore, you'll keep to your cabin every evening we're at sea. Nightfall is when the crew breaks out the rum, dice, and cards –after that, they aren't safe to be around if you're female. The men, all of whom you'll be introduced to over time, know that they are not to enter your cabin under any circumstances.

"As for when we're in port, either Anna-Maria, Mr. Gibbs, or I will escort you around town. If you wish to sleep at an inn, Anna-Maria will stay in that room with you. Savvy?"

Well, if he had rules, so did I. Crossing my arms, I stared back at him, all business as well.

"Very well, Captain," I replied, holding my chin up. "But you should also know that I will not permit you to have any women in your cabin while I am staying in the adjoining one."

I leveled a cold gaze at him, effectively silencing any objections. "You're welcome to entertain yourself on land, but as long as I am staying aboard this ship, you are not to have 'evening company' of any kind in your cabin, particularly since I'll likely be able to hear your actions next door."

Things were quiet as Captain Sparrow thought it over, but at last he nodded his agreement. "Alright, as long as I get to keep company somewhere. Now, do we have an accord?"

I eyed the ringed hand he held out, but took it to shake. "We do. Now, if you'll kindly point me in the direction of my cabin, I'd be much obliged."

Jack started to smirk, but did his best to hide it. The girl was a shrewd bargainer; a good sign, even if he'd come out the loser in this case.

It wasn't long before he introduced Evie to her new home. The cabin was rather crowded with her belongings haphazardly thrown into it, but at least she hadn't been one for collecting many possessions. With a little careful organizing, it wouldn't be hard to turn into a comfortable living space.

Before he left her to it, Jack pressed a key into her palm. "To lock yourself in at night," he explained to her puzzled expression. "If someone tries to break in, there's a hidden door that leads to my cabin. See that grayish knothole in the wall? You press it to unlatch it, and come running for me the minute you know you're in danger, savvy?"

He showed her how to access the secret door, and once he was sure she knew how to do it herself, Jack tipped his hat to her and left.

As the door closed behind him, he grinned. This was going to be a very interesting adventure.

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