Disclaimer: Don't own anything except original characters. All material (c) to respective owners. I write these for fun and make no profit. They're just random plot bunnies that live within my strange mind.


Chapter 7: Double Trouble

Jack studied me for about ten minutes or so after the others left, his breathing the only sound in the cabin before lowering his hand from his chin and standing walking over sitting down beside me again taking my once injured hand studying it carefully. He knew something was up with that potion Tia Dalma had used and was studying the skin closely for a long while before his eyes met mine. "Am I in trouble with him now?" I wondered watching as he studied the palm and then allowed a very small smile to cross his face apparently sensing I was concerned with what he was thinking. "He knows something…I'm missing something I can tell." I thought watching as he stood walking over to his desk without a word and started sorting through the things he had gotten from Tia Dalma. "Oh you bloody pirate." I thought growing slightly annoyed with the silent treatment and the knowing smirk on his face before I stood walking over and sitting directly in front of him blocking his sorting and work with the map and documents he had received from Tia Dalma.

"Spit it out Jack…I know that smirk all too well." I warned noting his eyes met mine as he stood there crossing his arms slightly watching my expression for a long while. "I hate when you're right too." I grumbled as an after thought crossing my own arms waiting for a response.

"Tia Dalma did get to ye." Jack stated considerably amused by this aspect before he thoughtfully tilted his head and placed a hand gently playing with my hair around my shoulders. "Ye hid the fact ye are a good witch, thing is I had my suspicions in Ransoms place…ye weren't exactly comfortable there love. I'm not angry…I think I see your point of view all too well actually, it hurts when people hurt ye." He stated lifting me from his path and sitting down to further investigate what he found before noticing the necklace around my neck and quirking his brow. "What's that?"

"Tia Dalma gave it too me after a rather irritating test…she's lucky I didn't introduce her to my fist." I grumbled toying with the pendant thoughtfully before Jack stood again and gently placed his finger under the pendent studying it closely his breath warm on my neck.

"What did she tell ye?" Jack questioned allowing the necklace to fall back into place staying within inches of me and studying my face closely, which made me only a little nervous.

"About?" I questioned nervously as I recognized the slight dark look had returned to his eyes, but it wasn't menacing it was more concerned.

"Don't play dumb Brandi…yer nervous." Jack whispered softly before kissing me very softly and waiting for a response.

"She told me basically how I trusted you with my life and that's why I was healed. She also said I was stupid for trusting you so blindly and I basically told her off……oh." I muttered startled I had admitted the conversation Tia Dalma and I had, had to Jack so easily. "That was stupid…you've probably made sure he runs off with someone other then you now." I thought sighing startled to see a curious look between amused and surprised on his face.

"Interesting." Jack stated his voice sounding bemused before he tilted his head in thought. "That's good to know someone has faith in me." He said before turning to the maps and documentation on his desk. "She is right though love…blind faith in a pirate is bad…especially me." He murmured sounding so casual I found myself frowning before I stood ready to head out on deck and talk with Elizabeth.

"You know what Jack…I don't care if you think it's bad and she thinks it's stupid. Love is blind…in my case only so far, but I do trust you and that is what's important." I murmured walking from the cabin and making my way to the crows' nest, which had quickly become my favorite spot to hideout on the ship.

I sat there for what seemed like hours allowing the wind to caress my face and my hair to flow wildly about thankful to be on the open water even after all that had happened. I hoped my small lecture had made my point clear to Jack and understood exactly what Tia Dalma meant in that very moment, which was Jack did not trust himself anymore then anyone around him. I didn't care as long as I knew I trusted and cared for him it was all that would matter, I glanced out across the water watching dolphins in the distance and stood to observe the few crew that were still taking care of duties on deck noticing a figure climbing up to join me. "Too dark to see now." I thought shrugging as I stepped back figuring it would more then likely be Elizabeth glancing over startled to see thin hands that belonged to Anna-Maria instead. Anna-Maria smiled and sat down beside me in the crows nest watching the stars and telling me various stories she learned when she was young about them, I knew some of the legends but it was more relaxing when someone else talked about them. "What are you up to Anna?" I wondered seeing her pause in her stories and sigh realizing I was studying her curiously.

"Wha did tha witch wan with ye?" Anna-Maria questioned curiously before I quirked my brow realizing she was probably as concerned about what I had discussed as Elizabeth had been, she was just much more forward about it.

"She basically gave me the same lecture about Jack you and Elizabeth have…problem is we already know it goes in one ear and out the other." I said with a giggle seeing her roll her eyes before nodding and glancing down the side of the crows nest. "Elizabeth and you can discuss that…I'm going to go back to the cabin and try and coax Jack out of hiding." I said making my way down and motioning for Elizabeth to go up and talk with Anna-Maria before walking quickly across the deck and colliding to my surprise with a very startled Taylor. "Sorry Taylor." I said softly staring up from my spot on the deck where I crashed not so gracefully.

"It be alrigh lass." Taylor murmured offering me a hand up, which I accepted. Taylor was tall and on the husky side, with dark brown neatly combed hair and glittering pale violet blue colored eyes almost the color of twilight. He had been unusual and had struck me as kind under all his hard core actions and talk when Jack had first started his interviews for crewmembers, but he had managed to impress Jack with his strong qualities and I found myself looking up to him as a older brother to an extent. His white shirt was currently yellowed and stained with age and his brown pants were full of several patches, but he never complained which was a first in my experience on the ship. "Ye look troubled."

"I'm fine Taylor…just worried that Jack will do something stupid before too long." I said softly seeing him nod before returning to work and sighing as I headed to Jacks cabin. "Where are you?" I asked walking into an empty cabin and sighing seeing the desk was a scattered mess of maps, translations, documents, books, and whatever else Tia Dalma had given him. "Probably buried under that mess he calls a desk." I thought stepping into the room and picking up an empty rum bottle. "Rum storage." I said shaking my head as I exited the cabin and went directly to the rum storage where I found Jack going through searching for the rum that suited him and sighing. "You and your bloody rum…it's not hard to find you when it's gone…know that?" I questioned softly.

"Aye." Jack stated with a grin before removing a cork in the bottle he found satisfying and taking a quick drink. "What do you want love?" he questioned my lecture not overly far from his mind at that point.

"To get you out of that stuffy cabin." I muttered walking over and grasping his arm without hesitation leading him up on deck and observing his curious look seeing most of the crew had started random card games across the deck and some were playing music lazily getting ready to turn in for the night. "It's late…you've been hiding out for quite a while Jack." I said watching as he sat down with me leaning against the railing watching the motion around him thoughtfully apparently thinking very hard. "Something is bothering him." I thought curiously before leaning on his shoulder knowing I would find out in good time, or so I hoped.

I leaned against Jack for a good hour observing his thoughtful expression for a long time before becoming aware of the wind picking up slightly and glancing skyward. "Storm may be coming in." I noted seeing Jacks attention was far away in thought land and clearly not even close to coming back to focus on that around him. Finally Jack stirred briefly feeling the wind brush at his face and glanced down seeing I had dozed off on his shoulder. "Blind faith in me…stupid to have faith or trust in a pirate especially me." He thought brushing his hand through my hair as I snuggled tighter against him and ignored the urge to stir. Jack gazed down for a very long time seeing Gibbs was studying them from his post at the helm and noticed Jack was by far more then uncomfortable and down right troubled. Jack sighed faintly and carefully maneuvered himself from under my head and placed his coat on the deck watching as I settled down to sleep before he carefully stood making little to no noise and walked over to Gibbs.

--At the Helm--

"Jack ye alrigh?" Questioned Gibbs aware of the odd look on Jacks face before staring carefully observing the sleeping form of Brandi on the deck.

"No." Jack murmured carefully before leaning on the railing and studying her sleeping form for a minute. "Why the hell would anyone put faith in me…I'm not trust worthy nor a good man…no matter what Elizabeth once said. She told me that Tia Dalma gave her that pendent because she trusted me with her life……I told her that kind of faith was wrong. Gibbs I'm not the type to stay true to anyone, why does she put up with me knowing this?" he asked clearly confused by the future girl sleeping across from them and her unusual accepting behavior of everything around her.

"Maybe it be time someone put blin faith in ye Jack." Gibbs stated sounding very fatherly more so then usual to say the least. "Ye been a fool for a long time Jack…she jus take ye for wha ye are and tha be good enough."

"Ye aren't a whole lot of help mate." Jack muttered narrowing his eyes at Gibbs who shrugged in response. "She understands freedom……she is very…

"Unique and ye be lucky she be a blind fool." Anna-Maria stated interjecting on the conversation and ignoring the dark look she received from Jack. "She woul have to be to stand the likes of ye Jack." She muttered sighing softly and walking over to study Brandi more closely seeing a faint wisp of hair cross her face and gently moved it aside aware of an annoyed Jack behind her. "Ye be very lucky Jack." She said softly standing and crossing her arms expecting a lecture from Jack.

"Maybe." Jack stated aware that he was getting too involved with feelings, which was something he greatly disliked more then those around him realized. "Back to work." He murmured as Anna-Maria snorted in response but did as she was told.

--Back to Original POV--

"Sunlight." I groaned softly sitting up with a startled groan feeling my back crack and becoming aware that Jack and I had spent another night on the deck only this time the both of us were soaked. "It rained and we slept through it Jack." I murmured softly watching as he stirred and glanced around shaking out his hair and laughing as I felt the splatters of continued rain on our heads. "Correction still is raining." I said smiling loving the feel of the rain falling on my head and the slight fog it left around the ship.

"At least it isn't a dangerous storm…I'm sure ye and Elizabeth have had your fill of those." Jack said softly as I nodded and glanced around seeing a very drenched and annoyed looking Anna-Maria was at the helm and clearly not happy about being on duty. "Go dry off woman…send Gibbs out after a while." He stated as Anna-Maria nodded rushing below deck. "Ye are almost as crazy as I am love." He stated still confused about everything around him, but not as much as before.

"Good….it means you're rubbing off on me." I stated wrapping my arm around him enjoying the light sounds of soft rain falling around us and the fresh sea air smell. "Ship." I murmured pointing to a shadow through the fog that was currently concealing the Black Pearl from any opposing pirate or naval fleet ships.

"Go get the crew in case love." Jack answered staring out at the ship carefully before I nodded running carefully across the deck.

"Hello!" I cried sliding down the stairs and cursing avidly before making my way rapidly down to the galley where I found every member of the crew either talking or eating their morning meal. I called out that Jack needed help and there may be issues on deck, then promptly slid out of the way of the stampede of excited crewmen apparently thankful for the distraction. Elizabeth, Will, and Anna-Maria were the last to file out and I followed them up on deck noting men scattering around getting ready for trouble, but it was deathly silent and Jack had ordered it that way. I made my way back up to the helm next to Jack and was surprised when he handed me the spyglass and nodded for me to look, which I did without hesitation only to groan irritably. "The Talon Whisper and one called…Wave Razor." I noted handing the spyglass to Gibbs who had joined us and smiling faintly at his startled reaction before he rapidly vanished silently giving orders to crewmen and having them pass them around. I was hoping that for the time being Jack wouldn't decide to engage in a fight, especially after the Tortuga incident but I could tell he was itching to do so even if we were out numbered by two ships.

"Jack…it's not a good idea to attack them." I whispered softly placing my hand on his arm seeing his glance briefly turn from dangerous to slightly annoyed.

"I know love…times like this that annoying git might be useful." Jack murmured making me stifle a laugh at his blunt explanation about how useful Norrington could be occasionally. "Problem is he might stand in me way of getting that…

"Hush." Snapped Anna-Maria as I smiled clamping my hand over Jacks mouth in case he decided to protest, I stifled a giggle seeing the sour look in Jacks face but ignored him observing the ships in the distance as they slowly become a distant memory before I allowed Jack to have access of his verbal movements again. "Ye need a better plan then outrigh attack em Jack." She stated seeing Jack scowl irritably at her before giving a curt nod.

"Bloody woman." Jack murmured watching as she disappeared across the deck to continue our stealthy departure from our enemies. "She does make sense though…I need a bit of help to deal with two ships." He murmured sounding as though he would be in one of his more unpleasant then usual moods and making me sigh miserably moving my hand through my soaked hair and glancing skyward. "Maybe we need to re-involve our good friend the Commodore." He said smirking at the idea.

"Good friend my ass." I thought giving Jack a pointedly annoyed look which he ignored before calling over a very confused looking Cotton and disappearing below deck. A few minutes later he returned giving coordinates to Cotton and then again vanished below deck with the excuse of furthering his research on the puzzle map and our first stop of the journey. "I know those coordinates too well…we're going to Port Royal again." I thought groaning softly before slowly walking across the still wet deck and eyeing the crows nest in thought aware that climbing while it was wet and I was wet was a bad idea to say the least. "I think I'll go change and bug Elizabeth." I thought walking slowly toward Jacks cabin and entering observing as he moved around several papers watching as I changed and left making my way to Elizabeth and Wills cabin carefully avoiding crewmen who were sorting through items below deck that still needed to be put away. I paused outside the door seeing Elizabeth was leaning against it as though expecting me and sighed softly before nodding and entering the cabin.

"Will went up on deck…I noticed the change in direction and got my suspicions." Elizabeth said observing as I sat on the floor and stretched out in my usual position when annoyed. "Why are we returning to Port Royal again?" she questioned watching me sit up before grumbling and laying back down smacking my head slightly.

"Ow." I grumbled before sighing again. "He's going to have James join us in this adventure…at least I'm assuming that. Even Jack can't deal with two ships and I get the feeling James will not want to witness the final battle between those two." I stated feeling the necklace around my neck slide with the pendent I had been wearing for what seemed forever from my own time. "Tia Dalma said this would help when the time was right…again though she was very cryptic about its usage." I stated seeing Elizabeth kneel down beside me and study the pendent more closely a frown of annoyance on her face. "I didn't like her either…so don't give me that evil look." I muttered glancing up as the door opened and Will walked in soaked and looking very annoyed. "He's all wet again." I said laughing at the snort I received in retort for the comment.

"You point out the obvious frequently Brandi." Muttered Will resorting to shaking out his hair and striping off his soaked coat. "What is Jack up to this time?" he questioned aware I was more then likely complaining about our current coarse due to my position on the floor, which always meant I was annoyed and confrontational.

"We're going to Port Royal." I stated sounding sarcastic watching Will pause at this and turn to see if I was serious or not. "He's resorting to drag James into this again…I don't think James will like the outcome though." I stated dryly knowing full well Jack would probably make sure Grisham was left to him to finish off which worried and annoyed me at the same time.

"You got that right." Will muttered seeing Elizabeth was biting her lip lost in thought concentrating on the floorboards. "Elizabeth?"

"I was just thinking…maybe we could lock him up in the jailhouse again and let James finish the job." Elizabeth stated sounding slightly happy at the notion before observing my dark look. "Alright bad idea…still this is getting very old." She stated sourly before I nodded in agreement.

"Grisham is going to die and Jack plans on being the executioner." I stated sitting up as the knowledge sunk in fully and clasping my face in my hands groaning softly. "I'm dating the judge, jury, and executioner…I really don't like this." I thought shooing away Elizabeth's hand which had been lightly placed on my shoulder. "I'm good." I stated standing and turning exiting the cabin knowing they would probably be discussing things most of the night.

I technically had nowhere to really run and hide to think so I made my way back to Jacks cabin surprised to find him in the middle of the floor surrounded by so many documents, books, notes, and the map stuck in the center I started laughing at the image. "You look ridiculous Jack Sparrow." I thought shutting the door and leaning against it observing his annoyed expression before he glanced up wondering what was so amusing. Jack paused before the questioned escaped his lips and glanced around himself realizing exactly what was amusing and allowing a smirk to cross his face before quirking his brow at me. "Yes?" I thought stepping carefully across the floor and sitting down opposite him glancing over the papers and spotting several words I didn't like on them. "Dangerous, death, strange traps, odd occurrences, deadly, and several other words that do not appeal in any sense to me at all." I gave him a dirty look pointing at a few of the words for my point watching as he shrugged clasping my hand and literally dragged me across the mess in the room making more of a mess in the process.

"Ye knew this would be dangerous love…yet ye like the thrill of adventure." Jack stated as I glanced up at him aware of his arms resting around my waist his smirk present and amused by my annoyed pout.

"Again I can't win or argue with that." I stated sighing glaring at him as his fingers slid lightly across my waist. "This is becoming a very bad habit of yours Jack." I grumbled as he chuckled in response and claimed my lips with his own.

"JACK SHIP COMING UP FAST!" called Will knocking hard against the cabin to make his point before both of us heard rapid movement across deck above.

"Shit." I stated standing and following Jack rapidly out into the still pouring rain only to see a ship heading straight for the Pearl and running to aid the crew while Jack rushed to the helm taking charge of the situation.

Elizabeth and I managed to stay on our feet for once and helped tie down everything on deck and get the sails ready to avoid ship in the distance, through all the commotion on deck I ducked below movement and around crewmen running to the side to get a better look at the ship which to me seemed a bit out of place looking as though I had double vision staring at it. "Holy shit…it's the Talon Whisper and Wave Razor." I thought gulping and scrambling my way across the deck aware that Jack was heading into a battle without realizing two ships were involved. I ducked and slide avoiding everyone finally making it to the helm, but Jack was nowhere present at the moment. "Damn it." I thought whirling and nearly colliding with Anna-Maria who had taken charge of the helm seeing my frantic run and pointing to where Jack had just managed to get a sputtering Elizabeth back on deck, for the first time I noticed the storm was getting ugly and safety lines would need to be issued. I ran carefully down across the deck managing to skid right into him as he opened his arms ready to break my fall.

"Nice catch….problem." I stated seeing Jack was turning his attention to give more orders and return to the helm. "Both ships are coming up on us, the Wave Razor is hidden behind the Talon Whisper…I thought I was seeing double at first, Grisham is gunning for you Jack." I warned as he nodded grabbing a safety line and handing it to me before making his way rapidly to the helm ordering a rapid turn away from the ship to outrun the danger we clearly were hastily finding ourselves into.

The ship was rocking violently by the time I got the line tied around me and I started to assist where I could. I lost count of how many mouthfuls of sea water I spit out and how many times I slid in helping where I could, but soon I noticed things were calming on the attack front and increasing for the storm we had managed to land ourselves in the middle of. "Elizabeth." I thought watching as she spit out another mouth full of water cursing violently at the storm probably wishing we were both in the cabin like usual. "Hang on a minute…Jack didn't throw me into the cabin with Elizabeth." I realized suddenly feeling curious at this aspect before sputtering out another mouth full of water paying better attention to what I was supposed to be doing instead of thinking about where I normally would be present during a storm. Finally the storm started to settle around us enough so that I could make my way safely across deck without worrying about being tossed overboard, I ducked under crewman regaining their footing and work loads after the storm had settled only to find myself sprawled across the deck and glancing up at Will who was amused by this sudden incident. I glanced over beside me aware of whom I had slid into and giggled faintly at the annoyed look Elizabeth had present on her face before we were both helped to our feet by Will.

"Sorry." I stated softly turning my attention to Jack seeing he was talking at the helm with Gibbs and appeared to be getting ready to leave him and Anna-Maria to look after everyone. "Jack!" I called watching him look up a very interesting bemused expression on his face before he smirked glancing me over. "What is so bloody amusing…I was nearly drowned out here." I thought staring down at my shirt and clothing realizing I was a soaked see-through mess and quickly crossing my arms across my chest I glared at him menacingly. "Funny." I grumbled still wondering why I hadn't been marched below deck as usual. "This was entertaining…did you plan on watching me drink seawater?" I asked watching as he paused in front of me chuckling at my annoyance clearly seeing I was by far not amused in the least little bit.

"Ye handled yerself well…I figured you've been on the water long enough to survive a storm…been nearly two years now love." Jack pointed out as I glanced up at him and thought about it for a moment wrinkling my face in annoyance. "What?"

"I still don't have sea legs…I went crash again." I grumbled wringing out my soaked shirt and hair glaring up at him as his eyes traveled down away from my face and focused elsewhere. "Jack!" I snapped crossing my arms again noting his eyes snap to mine a clearly amused smirk on his face. "Pirate."

"Aye…that I always will be." Jack stated sounding all too proud and cocky for his own good. "Care to go dry off?" he questioned as I glanced around the busy deck and shook my head rolling my eyes.

"I know what you mean Jack." I muttered sighing and admitting defeat yet again, besides wet and wind did not mix.

I had to admit Jack had the right idea when we finally made it to the cabin and got dry. I found myself comfortably warm against his body staring around the cabin drowsily, but was aware something was still on his mind and decided against bothering him. "I've completely perplexed him as he has me." I thought shivering slightly and snuggling further in the covers hoping I didn't catch a cold in all the rain and commotion earlier. I watched the light go out in the cabin and smiled faintly as Jack wrapped me in a tight embrace his lips finding mine in the dark easily. The next morning I peaked out from under the covers and saw Jack was studying me as he had once long ago and smiled lightly seeing only a thin smile cross his face which made me a bit concerned at the moment.

"Jack?" I questioned seeing an all too familiar serious expression on his face and dreading what was coming feeling a cold chill settle over my body.

"Ye know what I am, what I stand for, and how I work……why do ye stay with me, why don't you find someone that deserves you. I'm not what you need or deserve, I'm a scoundrel even if I do love ye." Jack stated sounding slightly lost in thought before observing my annoyed look.

"Do I have to repeat myself all over again…stubborn pirate." I grumbled seeing his eyes widen at the remark before a very faint smirk took at the corner of his mouth. "You have the world and women dropping at your feet…I admit that I may be here no matter what you do, but I am not repeating that over and over to help your ego." I thought before sticking out my tongue at him. "Tia Dalma was right……you are a stubborn pirate." I grumbled placing the blanket over my head in response to the early morning serious conversation attempting to end it.

"I know…ye be no better love." Jack stated lifting the blanket away and chuckling at my scowl. "I guess I'll just have to face that yer nearly as daft as I am." He stated observing as I climb up and met those brown intense eyes with my own allowing a small smile on my face.

"So you think I am……but I'm as sane as anyone else on this ship and mean what I say…you are stuck with me as long as you'll have me Jack Sparrow." I said watching a smirk broaden across his face. "And any wench who threatens you with sharp objects had better have good health insurance, or else." I stated laughing as he pulled me into a long kiss clearly amused by my own choice of craziness. "I'll just have to learn to share." I thought knowing it would probably be a very hard job, but I was too stubborn to give up on Jack to be honest.

Knock, Knock

"Are you two decent?" called Elizabeth from the other side of the door distracting our less then innocent thoughts again.

"By whose standards?" I called out hearing Jack laugh at me before pulling the blankets around the both of us.

"I had to ask." Muttered Elizabeth loudly from the other side of the door. "Straight answer please." She called tapping the door idly in her annoyance.

"Yes we be decent." Jack called as I gave him a shocked look startled when he planted his hand across my mouth to stop me from commenting. I grabbed the blankets making sure I was covered and giggled watching Jack's eyes twinkle with mischief.

"Good…Will come on." Elizabeth stated the door half opened before the couple both came into the room shutting the door and turned to face us. "JACK YOU SAID YOU WERE DECENT!" she yelled as Will turned scarlet as the sun and quickly turned his back aware of Elizabeth doing the same.

"We are……again though by our standards not yours." Jack stated clearly enjoying the embarrassment he was causing the couple removing his hand from my mouth as I pulled the blankets up to my face muffling my highly amused laughter. "What did ye want?" he questioned his face frozen in an amused and somewhat pretend innocent expression.

"I swear you two are both hell spawn." Elizabeth muttered huffing irritably before turning to face us followed by Will who couldn't meet our eyes and just stared intensely at the floor his face still scarlet as was Elizabeth's, but her fury had won over her embarrassment for the moment.

"Hey, I resent that…his idea not mine." I quipped laughing again as Elizabeth narrowed her eyes suspiciously at me and then noted Jack pretend to act innocent. "I should say resemble that." I whispered giggling at the broadening smirk on Jacks face.

"Oh fine." Elizabeth snorted irritably. "We're not far away from Port Royal…which means dresses, and Jack will have to behave himself while we discuss whatever he has in mind with James." She stated noting my amusement fade at the mention of dresses. "I assume we'll be there tomorrow evening which will give you plenty of time to choose an attractive dress Brandi." She said before turning and pulling Will out of the cabin with her.

"I am not happy." I grumbled watching Jack smirk down at me before glancing over at an all too familiar chest full of dresses and such. "It's all your fault." I muttered making it clear he was in trouble for another brilliant plan, which did not work out to my liking or anyone else's at the moment. "She will eventually find a way to make you wear a suite…I may help her."

"Ye wouldn't dare." Jack stated chuckling at my 'think so' look before making his way from bed to dress and go back to working with the documents still scattered around the floor in a mess. "Ye want to help?" he asked as I sighed snuggling in the bed and giving him an aggravated look before stretching and grasping one of the books.

"I suppose." I muttered absently looking through the book and watching Jack pull the map closer to study and sort through the information he had piled around him. "This is not worth the effort." I murmured squinting at the tiny print in the book and wrinkling my nose in agitation. I stretched across the floor grasping my bag and reached in pulling out my glasses. "I hate this…I don't have to use these unless the prints too tiny." I thought putting the pale blue framed glasses on my nose and glancing over the book the print coming into better focus.

"When did ye wear those?" Jack questioned as I glanced up from the book and shrugged.

"Only if the print is too tiny…just have an astigmatism. Don't ask me to explain, I don't even know how to explain." I stated absently flipping the pages and sneezing feeling slightly cold. I grabbed my shirt slipping it on and glanced over the book carefully watching Jack observe me for a moment before returning his attention to the materials around him.

--Above Deck--

"Do you honestly think Jack will cooperate with James and get his way in all of this?" Elizabeth asked quirking her brows in disbelief at Gibbs, Anna-Maria and Will who were all currently discussing the danger they were in and the return they were about to make to Port Royal.

"Jack be very persuasive lass." Gibbs stated as Anna-Maria nodded before pausing and giving him an odd look, watching him shrug drinking from his rum.

"I know that." Muttered Elizabeth crossing her arms and giving Will a look that clearly meant he was to share his thoughts.

"Problem is…sometimes too persuasive. Norrington is not going to let Jack have his way, especially with all of us on board and in the middle of this….if anything happened to Elizabeth the Governor would have his head and Jacks as well." Will pointed out seeing Gibbs sputter slightly at the last part of his speech choking on his rum.

"I don't think he would be too happy if Brandi were killed either." Elizabeth pointed out wrinkling her face in an annoyed pout realizing she would have to do something about the mess she had put Brandi and Norrington in. "That would be my fault." She stated absently before shaking her head and motioning the conversation foreword.

"Ye all have a point…I don think Grisham and friend will be givin Jack or thee Commodore a choice though." Anna-Maria stated observing as Port Royal started to come in the distance and grumbling her own opinions under her breath.

--Jacks Cabin--

"Find anything of use in that book?" Jack questioned softly from beside me making me jump and nearly clock myself in the face with the open book.

"No." I said glaring at him and adjusting my glasses on my nose before turning another page and sneezing for what seemed the hundredth time. "I think I caught a cold thanks to the rain." I murmured sitting up and putting the book aside moving my glasses off my face and rubbing my slightly dry eyes. "How about you…find something?" I asked watching as he moved his hands skillfully among the mess and managed to find a few beat up papers.

"I found a few translations, warnings about the main traps around the globe…but there's still a lot more to worry about." Jack muttered watching as I placed my glasses back on and took the book in hand pointing to several diagrams I had discovered. "What are these?" he questioned softly.

"Runes…ones I can actually translate……as soon as my eyes stop burning." I grumbled watching as he took the book from my grasp marking the page and placed it among the rest of the mess. "What are you doing?" I questioned watching as he took my glasses folding them into their case and offered me his hand.

"We're taking a break and getting ye out for some air. You don't look so good love." Jack said softly as I nodded sneezing again standing to finish dressing. I then slid into my coat and allowed Jack to wrap his arm around me leaning into him as we exited the cabin.

We made our way up on the still slick deck and then to the front of the Pearl where Jack and I watched Port Royal coming into view and both snorted in annoyance. I turned to glance at Jack and started to giggle at the annoyed look on his face before I sneezed again and cursed out every word I could think of. My head was stuffy, my eyes were burning and I was going to have to play a good proper girl for more then likely a couple days or more. "Elizabeth, Will, Anna and Gibbs are all talking." I noted poking Jack and pointing at them in the distance. I could see Jacks amused look before he pulled me tighter and shrugged realizing they were trying to figure out what he was planning.

"Are you going to fill us in on what's going through that mind of yours?" I asked softly staring up at Jack who was studying the area around us in thought. "Or is it another opportune moment issue?"

"I'll keep it to myself until the opportune moment scenario." Jack said allowing a chuckle before observing my frustrated look. "Ye know I won't let Grisham touch ye love…right?" he questioned curiously as I observed him for a long while again trying to sort out the mysteries of Captain Jack Sparrow and failing.

"I know that…you come after me before." I said truthfully before glancing over seeing the conversation had ended among the others and they were scattering back to their duties except for Elizabeth who was quietly observing us from her spot against the railing. "You're not thinking of dumping Elizabeth and Me in Port Royal and going off after them are you Jack?" I asked glaring irritably at the coming closer port before looking back up at the blank expression on Jacks face. "I wouldn't recommend it…I will kick your ass with Elizabeth's help." I grumbled softly watching as he flinched slightly at the thought making me smile faintly.

"Fine…but ye both may be under heavy guard if I have anything to say about it, even maybe stuck on the Dauntless for a bit…savvy?" Jack questioned watching my expression turn sour at the conditions and glaring up at him in response.

"Does that mean I can kill Gillette if need be?" I questioned watching as a smirk crossed his face instead of responding to my question right away. "Good…then I won't have to throw Norrington overboard for overusing the word 'Indeed' and being annoying toward you." I said allowing the faintest of grins on my face frowning as someone poked me from behind and both of us turned. "No." I whined miserably watching a delighted grin cross Elizabeth's face seeing she could annoy me in turn for helping Jack with Tia Dalma.

"Yes…now hurry it up." Elizabeth stated crossing her arms and nodding before she disappeared toward Jacks cabin to what I assumed was to choose a dress for me.

"Can we throw her overboard and leave her this time?" I asked allowing my whine to etch into my voice even though I despised it.

"Will might have a word or two to say about that love." Jack pointed out before removing his arm and motioning me to follow after her. "I promise it won't be for long…unless the good commodore gives me an issue or two." He said watching as I cursed crossing my arms and started my way sulkily to the cabin rolling my eyes in annoyance at his smart ass wave.

~There were times I could kill Jack and this was one of them, but I thought carefully about the fact that two pirate ships were out to literally blow him and the Pearl out of the water and quickly forgave him. I made my way slowly to the cabin and opened it ducking as a dress nearly collided with me and glared at an amused looking Elizabeth who glanced around the cabin her face an expression of 'what on earth' which made me start promptly laughing. I was startled when she collected the dress and everything needed and literally grabbed my coat collar yanking me down the hall to the room she shared with Will where she slammed the door rather violently. I then found myself again in the familiar dreaded corset and layers of stuffy clothing lacking the concept of air before a brightly red stained velvet dress was shoved over my head. The sleeves were of a silky material and fell loosely around my wrists, suddenly I felt a sharp yank and gasped feeling my air further being denied to my body. "I hate this century." I thought trying to take a breath and failing miserably. I found myself promptly escorted to a chair where my hair became a neat pile on my head followed by the proper makeup and hair accessories before Elizabeth was finally satisfied. I assisted Elizabeth in a flowered patterned pale lavender dress and also piled her hair properly on her head with constructive criticism from her, which meant a lot of nagging and finally found myself standing using the wall for support trying to find a steady way of getting air into my body before passing out.

"That is a bit tighter then you're used to." Elizabeth stated watching as I narrowed my eyes in response feeling like I was going to fall to the floor any minute. "I may have gotten a bit carried away…it was your fault that we…well partially your fault we had to see Tia Dalma." She murmured walking over and loosening things slightly allowing a better air supply then previous, but still not enough by my standards.

"And you accused Jack and I of being hell spawn." I muttered taking the matching red fan and trying to get some air into my lungs before stepping slowly out of the cabin and following her up to the deck.

"Elizabeth…ye trying to kill me girl?" Jack questioned glancing at me and noting I was trying to breathe while fanning the air rapidly into my lungs.

"Oh she's fine Jack…just give her a minute, I made it a bit tight earlier and she's making up for lack of air." Elizabeth snapped noting my dark look before I thought about slapping her and decided against it.

"I'll be fine……eventually." I muttered crossly before glancing at the ever closer Port Royal and noticing for the first time the Dauntless was nowhere moored in sight. "Uh…the Dauntless isn't home Jack." I pointed out softly watching as he tilted his head a slight frustrated look on his face.

"We'll find out where they are when we get to the manor." Stated Elizabeth trying to sound reassuring and failing miserably.

"Yeah…and if I read Jack right, we won't be there for too long waiting." I thought sighing miserably wondering if getting in the gown had been a serious waste of time. Jack didn't say a word he just went to the helm and acted as casual as possible, Elizabeth noticed I was observing him a thoughtful expression on my face but I said nothing that had crossed my mind and allowed the wind and sea to calm me. Will was quickly discussing certain tricks with a sword showing examples to those who were listening while the others seemed to go about their usual duties. The ship had grown oddly silent almost as though Jacks tension reflect those around him, which in most cases the ship changed with his mood and not the other way around. "Yick…I don't feel so hot." I thought glaring at the relentless sun and fanning myself wondering why Elizabeth had insisted on choosing a dark colored velvet dress of all things in the Caribbean on a hot day. For what seemed like a long time I stood there watching as we come closer and closer and the light started fading into late afternoon and finally night was starting to threaten once we came within docking range. Silently as a pirate ship could be we were soon docked in Port Royal and Jack had given necessary orders to the crew before Elizabeth and Will lead the way stealthily through the streets toward the governors' mansion.

"Isn't this familiar?" Jack stated softly as we paused outside the gates watching Elizabeth and Will discussing their story they would tell her father while waiting for entrance into the grounds.

"Yeah…but which time?" I asked in retort giggling faintly as the faintest of smirks crossed his face both of us finally catching up with Will and Elizabeth who had practically charged across the path to the mansion leaving the both of us startled and rushing after them.

"No running in dresses that give little air supply you crazy woman." I thought finally making it to the porch with the others and taking a second to attempt the ability to breathe. We were lead into the mansion without and word and escorted to the familiar foyer where I found myself sitting on one of the couches lazily leaning on Jack finally managing to gain enough air to focus around us. The familiar crème and red decorated room was an odd tint of orange and somewhat dark due to the only source of light belonging to the fire but it relaxed me somewhat and I could see Jack wasn't lost in his familiar dark thoughts for the moment. "Where is Elizabeth's father hiding?" I wondered waiting for Elizabeth to return where she would more then likely find a snoozing couple if her and Will didn't hurry up their search. After what seemed like several more minutes I started to doze feeling Jack lean on my head also dozing, both of us were somewhat hypnotized by the fire and soon both of us were asleep.

--Entryway--

"Father…where on earth where you hiding, we've been all over the place trying to…oh you just got in." Elizabeth stated softly watching as a servant walked past carrying her fathers coat and hat. "What's going on?" she questioned knowing the surprise reunion would have to wait if she read her fathers expression properly.

"It's wonderful to see you both again." Governor Swann stated softly before sighing and placing his hand wearily against his forehead. "Where is Brandi and Jack?" he questioned quirking his brows noting the missing couple.

"In the foyer." Will stated pointing in the direction behind them before walking over to the doorway to investigate the couple. "Apparently sleeping." He stated seeing a small smile on Elizabeth's face before her attention returned to her father.

"Thank goodness." Murmured Governor Swann before motioning the couple to follow him into his office on the other side of the room, where he paused outside the door and glanced back and forth. "Commodore Norrington set sail several days ago to intercept a pirate ship and will be returning shortly. He failed in capturing the ship and the Dauntless was badly damaged in the process, they would have sank and been lost if it hadn't been for another naval ship in the area coming to their aid. Two pirate ships attacked them without a moments notice pulling some kind of trick, which I wasn't informed off. The Dauntless will be coming for repairs…in short it may be a while before either of you or they can speak with Commodore Norrington." He stated turning to enter into his office and leaving Elizabeth and Will standing in silence staring at one another.

"The Talon Whisper and Razor Wave." Elizabeth stated dryly before crossing her arms and cursing pointedly. "Let's go wake the happy couple and see what we can come up with after telling…well relaying the information we've learned to them." She said grasping Will's hand and quickly walking toward the foyer half dragging and reluctant Will, who could already see this was a bad idea in more ways then just one.

--In the Foyer--

"Elizabeth is on a mission." I thought starting awake at the sound of rapidly clicking heels and noticing Jack jerk awake startled by my sudden movement. I motioned to the sound and saw a very defined curious look on Jacks face before he stretched and sat up glancing at the entryway. "Elizabeth looks severely angry and Will looks terrified, this is not good news." I noted stretching and shifting comfortably into Jacks arm watching the couple enter and both pause in front of us before sitting on a mirroring love seat. We both listened as Elizabeth explained what she had learned and then saw Will lean back hands resting at his sides seeing Jack was mulling over the situation carefully, which meant I was waiting for the bomb to drop so to speak.

"It appears the good Commodore got himself into another fine mess." Jack murmured after a somewhat long silence in the room, before placing his hand thoughtfully against his chin.

"Correction we got the good Commodore into a fine mess." Elizabeth stated dryly before noting my frown and returning it with a glare. "After all it was our fault he got mixed up with Grisham to begin with." She thought crossing her arms and waiting for a smart retort to come from my direction.

"Actually he was after them before we got them into this spot of trouble so to speak." I stated pointing out something that for once Elizabeth couldn't argue with. "If the Dauntless is going to come in for repairs…we'll be here for a bit." I grumbled seeing Jack allow a small smirk before nodding seeing my scowl deepen at the thought of dresses and another long stay in Port Royal.

"He pulled that trick ye spotted from the ship earlier." Jack said resting his arm around my shoulders and observing the confused couple across from us. "When we were on the ship and Grisham was coming at us…she pointed out they were doing a mirror move, one ship coming up behind the other." He explained seeing the confusion clear before hearing a defined groan of irritation.

"Jack Sparrow…I could kill you for this mess." Elizabeth hissed irritably before leaning onto Will's shoulder and glaring at him with piercing eyes. "You too." She stated pointing at me before grumbling again.

"Why me?" I questioned giving her an evil look before yawning and again sneezing. "I need a bed." I muttered standing and starting my way across the foyer hearing shuffling behind me and watching an arm wrap slowly around my shoulders.

I walked into the room and quickly striped the annoying dress making myself comfortable in the layers of blankets watching as Jack stood there observing me with a thoughtful look before he sat on the edge and placed a hand against my cheek. "Yeah…I think I caught something." I thought wryly before shifting away and tucking myself under the blankets giggling at the annoyed sound I received for the motion. I then was aware of arms wrapping around me and smiled before allowing myself to sleep. The next morning I heard muffled shuffling around the room and opened my eyes cautiously expecting bright light, but noticed I still had the covers over my head and Jacks arm around my waist. I finally pried the blankets off bracing for bright light, which quickly invaded my eyes and saw Elizabeth was quietly shifting through my trunk and tossing dresses out trying to smooth out the wrinkled mess they had become. Jack rolled over releasing his hold on my waist and tucked a pillow over his head to drown out the disturbance, before returning to sleep. "Lazy pirate." I thought with a smile before sitting up and watching Elizabeth grumble while trying to smooth out a pale rose colored dress, which had been my least favorite of her purchases due to the fact it was a shade of pink and she had snuck it under my nose. I smiled evilly before grabbing one of the several pillows on the bed and tossed it rather roughly across the room smacking her in the back of the head.

"Hey!" Elizabeth snapped startled before she whirled her pale yellow dress swishing in the process before her eyes narrowed settling on my maniacal grin. "Oh…good morning to you too." She said rolling her eyes before allowing a brief smile and pulling up a pale sky blue dress observing it for a moment before giving me an annoyed look. "You really need to stop abusing these dresses…they're delicate materials and don't take kindly to wrinkles." She stated before placing it across the bed scowling at Jacks form as he shifted further under the pillows snorting in irritation.

"I don't take kindly to dresses…oh and they abuse me with their presence thank you." I muttered sticking out my tongue at the scowl I received before seeing a smile appear in Elizabeth's eyes and heard her start to giggle at the wrinkled look on my face. "I suppose I need to dress and play a good girl?" I questioned taking a chance and poking the form beside me ducking on impact from a pillow swung in my direction. "He's dangerous…it would be wise to let him sleep." I stated giving Elizabeth a wide eyed look before standing and allowing her to assist me in the blue dress grudgingly. "Air!" I yelped tripping forward as she tried to pull the corset tighter making it too tight in the process.

"Bloody hell…hold still already." Elizabeth grumbled before adjusting the dress and smiling faintly watching as I turned giving her a sour look. "Hair." She murmured softly motioning for me to march over to the dressing table.

"Down…I don't want it up in a fancy up do." I stated seeing her give me a 'oh really' look before sighing and nodding. "Thanks Liz. I'll see if I can get the violent pirate out of bed." I stated walking over and giggling slightly as a thought come into my head. "Liz…a little help." I muttered watching her confused expression before she nodded seeing I was up to something evil.

Elizabeth joined my side and glanced at the snoring figure before us watching as I gently grasped Jacks sticking out leg and then motioned for her to grab his currently exposed arm. "One, two, and three." I thought nodding in conformation as both of us roughly pulled Jack from the bed hearing a muffled grunt and both laughing as he sat up suddenly a rather confused and evil look on his face.

"Bloody hell!" Jack snapped aware of the laughter around him and glancing up at me and Elizabeth who both suddenly stopped and tried to keep straight innocent faces. "Ye two…I will get ye both for that." He grumbled but before he could carry out the threat Elizabeth dropped his fresh clothing over his head and the both of us rushed from the room pausing in the hall to continue laughing.

I paused in my laughter seeing Elizabeth's smile fade at the sight of a very frustrated looking Will. Both of us exchanged a nervous look before I nodded watching her head off to discuss whatever was troubling him. I decided it would be in my best interest to wait for Jack, even if he did try and attempt a form of revenge. I waited for a short twenty minutes before Jack exited the room and literally tripped over my foot that was currently in his path, I giggled slightly catching him and watched him give me a slightly amused look before pulling me into his arms and kissing me softly. "I didn't like the look on Will's face." I thought relaying what I had witnessed to Jack quickly before he placed his arm around my waist and the both of us made our way to the stairs both pausing at the sight in the entryway. Norrington was talking with Governor Swann and the others relaying his tale of the two ships that attacked the Dauntless and announcing the casualties he would have to send out papers to families for. His appearance was haggard compared to his usual neat and proper attire and his white wig had seen better days, his uniform was torn and covered in dirt, black powder, and Gillette looked a lot worse off with several cuts along his now exposed arms and around his face. "They look like hell." I noted thoughtfully before stepping away from Jack and making my way down the stairs almost in a trance like state seeing them briefly turn their attention to me before Norrington continued his encounter, Jack slowly followed behind me and for once noticed Gillette didn't have an evil look for either of us.

"It was a massacre sir." Norrington stated finishing his speech which I had missed all of, but from what I gathered in that little bit of time, they were all lucky to still be breathing. "Gillette…please take the men and get them rested, I will personally deliver the notices to the families of the deceased men as soon as I get myself more presentable." He murmured softly watching as Gillette quickly left the manor.

"I am pleased you made it back to us Commodore. It would be an honor if you could join us tonight at dinner." Governor Swann stated noticing that no one objected to his offer which actually had startled him a great deal.

"Thank you…I will try to do so sir, but I am not sure how long this business will take." Norrington stated softly before nodding politely. "I can't leave the grieving families to wonder for too long." He stated noticing I was studying him intently before I lowered my eyes and allowed a brief smile. "Good afternoon." He stated before exiting the mansion hastily.

"This is terrible." Elizabeth whispered softly before we all retired to the foyer leaving Governor Swann with several matters to concern himself with at the moment. "All those men…gone and their families to suffer for it all." She murmured her voice cracking slightly as I watched quietly from the doorway standing next to Jack seeing her sit down and turn into Will's embrace.

"This is not somewhere I want to be or witness." Jack thought observing my concerned look before I remembered just how well he liked emotional situations like the current one taking place. I motioned for Jack to shoo and walked into the room seeing Will glance up before he gently moved Elizabeth from his arms and pointed at me standing there observing her worriedly. "There goes Will." I noted watching as he stood and quietly exited the room still looking concerned for his emotional wreck of a wife at the moment. I sat down and allowed Elizabeth to use my shoulder to blubber on for a while before she paused sniffling and allowed a rough sounding giggle seeing my dress was slightly damp and I had a slightly curious expression on my face. "I soaked her pretty dress." Elizabeth thought giving into her urge to grumble at herself before pulling out a dainty lacey hanky from her pocket of her dress and blowing her nose.

"I'm sorry Brandi." Elizabeth apologized softly before rubbing her eyes and noting mine were slightly watery as well. "Oh dear…now I've gotten you upset." She muttered pulling out an extra hanky and handing it too me.

"No you didn't…what Norrington and you stated about the future grieving families hit home." I murmured softly before drying my tears and glancing down intently at the floor in thought. "He looked like hell…I get a feeling he may be more than willing to let Jack have his revenge after what I saw of him and Gillette." I said softly.

Elizabeth sat there a moment with a stunned look on her face, before her face fell into one of great thought forgetting I was currently in the room. I then watched as she stood rather suddenly reaching down and grabbing my arm hoisting me to my feet and exiting into the entryway seeing a servant and ordering for a carriage to be immediately brought around front, then I saw her tell both Jack and Will she was going into town and dragging me along before she exited the house dragging me rather quickly toward the awaiting carriage and leaving two very confused men in her wake. "Elizabeth is on a mission again…this can not be a good thing." I noted before finding myself inside of a carriage fanning the air into my lungs and staring at her intently while bumping along the pathway into town. I watched the scenery as it moved by becoming all to aware that we were now passing several familiar streets heading toward another rich area of Port Royal making me curious to this adventure I poked at Elizabeth seeing her snap her attention to me so rapidly I flinched hearing her neck crack and seeing her eyes widen in surprise at the pain.

"Ow." Elizabeth hissed rubbing her neck and glancing up at me with an evil look before noting my confused look and sighing briefly. "We're going to James's house…I want to help him if he will let me. You come along because I hate facing him alone now." She said watching as I suddenly clicked the fan closed and gave her a dangerous glare. "I thought just maybe we could assist in easing the grieving widows and children, men even one of James's caliber doesn't know how to deal with emotional stress…overly well." She pointed out watching my face soften at this statement.

"Oh fine…Will deals rather well." I pointed out after a moments pause seeing Elizabeth allow a whisper of a smile and nod before both of us glanced up at the suddenly stopped carriage exchanging curious looks. "I take it we stopped too soon?" I questioned watching as Elizabeth nodded, suddenly I got a very bad feeling something was going on and stopped Elizabeth from exiting the carriage right away. "Something is wrong with this picture." I thought glancing carefully out the window and seeing no sign of any trouble at least right within eye range.

"What is it?" Elizabeth whispered curiously observing as I shrugged before hesitantly peeking out her side and noticing a slight movement, but not being able to identify it.

"I think we're in a shit load of trouble." I whispered softly curious to how far we were from Norrington's house before she gave me a very concerned look. "I think James brought visitors to Port Royal without knowing it." I whispered in answer seeing her eyes narrow already getting an idea what was running through my mind. "How far is it from here to James's house?" I whispered softly again before she glanced around the area of buildings and trees carefully.