As I promised, here's chapter 4. I like to thank the large amount of people who have added this story to their watch list and favorites. I never thought this would be such a success! Check out my song selection for this story- Andrew Belle- The ladder. I think it fits pretty well. Enjoy!

~Mekana

The ship ported at Isla De Miseria, a pathetic excuse of a colony that used to be a major city for ships traveling between Spain and the Caribbean Islands until it's inhabitants moved to a larger location 32 miles south of here. All that was left of the island were several farming families and a native tribe inland from the port.

Claire released her crew for the day to find supplies and whatever else they fancied before they left for their new destination in Italy. Since Claire was giving up Jack, she was also giving up the bounty at De Muerta and no longer had a reason to travel the distance. There were rumors of treasure in Italy so it seemed as good a location as any. It frustrated her that she was going to throw such an opportunity out the window so easily but she couldn't stand to listen to Jack any longer.

Jack was as argumentative as ever as Claire had two of her crew men drag Jack through the town to the other side of the island, his heels dug into the dirt the entire way. The men wrapped Jack securely to a palm tree with empathetic faces.

"Sorry, Mr. Sparrow. No hard feelings." One of the men apologized.

"Yeah, just Captain's orders."

"Aye, I know mates." Jack sighed. Claire walked forward and crossed her arms.

"Stop with the pity party. You brought this on yourself." She tossed a pistol with a single bullet to Jack's dirty shoes and sighed. " Your ride ends here, Jack. I suppose you know the drill."

"Please, Claire. Will you listen to me? I'm telling you the truth."

"Sparrow, save your breath. Not a single thing you've told me has been true. I may deal with some shit, Sparrow, but I won't deal with being treated like an idiot."

"Well, what about my compass?"

"What about that piece of junk?"

"Well, that's one thing that's real! How would you prove that wrong?"

"That thing? You probably just broke it open and turned the pin to make it lead to you bloody island or something." She turned her back to him.

"Stubborn woman." He muttered.

"I'm done here. Farewell Captain Sparrow."

"Wait! What if I said I could steal your ship before you made it back? You obviously won't believe that."

"What was the, Sparrow?" She stopped from leaving.

"Let's make a bet. If I can get to your ship and out of port before you get there then you'll believe everything I've said."

She laughed, "And what if you lose?"

"Then I'll give you my compass and you can finish your journey to De Muerta."

"Haha, deal, Sparrow." She began to walk away again, "Good luck getting yourself untied from that tree."

Jack smiled as Claire strolled out of sight.

"Don't wish me luck, Love." He slipped a knife from his sleeve that Jim had smuggled from the kitchen for him and placed it against the ropes tied around his wrists, "'Cause you'll need it a lot more than I do."

The ropes were cut and he darted down a path parallel to Claire's. Jack ducked under a tree and exited the jungle back into the town. He could see Claire twenty feet down the path talking with a farmer bartering for some cabbage, "She really thought there was no way I'd beat her." He chuckled.

A farmer leading a carriage passed by. Jack jumped onto the back and sat on top of the crops. The carriage turned onto the path Claire was walking and the farmer whipped the horses reins to speed up the trip.

The carriage galloped passed Claire who turned her head at the sound. "Oh, hello, Clairey!" Jack called with a wide grin. Claire's eyes met his and her mouth dropped before she grit her teeth together and let out a growl, " Great day for a ride down to the harbor. Don't you think? The weather's perfect for sailing the Mermada!" He laughed.

"Jack!" Claire dropped her cabbages and stormed off after him. She sprinted as fast as her legs would carry her but found it difficult to keep up with a horse." In her panicked rush, she spotted a cart and grabbed it. She ran to catch speed and jumped into the basket standing as if it were a skateboard. She teetered on her feet as she struggled to keep balance.

"Hey!" The farmer leading Jack's ride turned back at the sound of Jack laughter, "Get out of there you hooligan! You're ruining my crops!" He gave jack a hard shove and Jack fell out of the crops with a hard thud onto the cobblestone road.

He looked in horror and defeat as Claire's golden- haired blur whizzed by laughing at his expense. She met his gaze with smiling eyes and an even happier grin. "Can't catch me, Sparrow!"

"Oh, I bet I can." He chuckled finding this bet to be a newfound game between the two. He remembered his plan and looked for Jim. The scruff-haired boy was around the corner holding the reins of a beautiful black stallion.

"Think this'll help, Captain?" Jim smiled handing the reins to Jack.

"Thanks, lad." Jack smiled. Jim laced his fingers to create a step for Jack and heaved him on the horse.

"If you take the back alley, it's half the distance of the path Captain Claire's taking. The crew's already prepared to set sail."

"Aye, aye, mate." Jack kicked the horse and took off down the alley. The alley was a clear shot to the port where he could make out the sails rising. "Beautiful," He said and whipped the reins.

Claire turned the corner and jumped off the cart. The landing was rough but once Claire regained her blanace she sprinted to the dock. She came to her ship to have the boarding ramp pulled up from under her feet. She took a step back onto the dock and stared dumbfounded at her crew who were locking her from her own ship. "What? Mates, let me in!"

"Sorry , Captain. You lost the bet."

"No I didn't. I beat him. Where's Jack?"

Jack sauntered out, a wide grin on his face. He was wearing Claire's hat, playing with the blue feathers.

"Hello, Love. Your men are so cooperative! I really feel like I'm captain of the Royalle Mermada."

"Jack! But, you were- How did you-?"

"Ah, you doubted poor Jackie's skills." He sniggered, "Quite a lovely hat this is, by the way." The ship began to move along the dock, "And, I believe the ship is leaving port so I've won our little bet."

"Fine, you've won. Please, let me on, Jack. The deal wasn't that you became captain of my ship."

"Aye, aye, Captain." Jack tossed a rope ladder over the edge and she climbed up. As Claire set onto the dock, a wave smacked the side of the ship and Claire fell onto Jack.

Jack caught her and laughed as they both tumbled to the deck. Claire joined in his laughter and buried her blushed cheeks in his hair.

"I could have beaten you, you know."

"I highly doubt it."

"Well, we'll just have to have a race again. You know, that was the most fun I'd had in years." She said standing up and offering Jack a hand, which he happily took.

"You need to loosen up sometimes. You're as strict as a British colonel."

"right," She paused, "Now, give me my hat," She snatched at her hat but was an inch too short.

"I don't think I will. This really is a beautiful hat."

"It's French, now give it!"

Jack chuckled and placed it on her head. "I rather like your hair. It's a shame you cover it up."

She let out a huff but couldn't help the smile plastered goofily on her lipe. " Christopher, set sail for De Muerta. We have some gold to collect!"

The crew cheered and hurried their work to quicken the trip.

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