Here's another delayed chapter for all of you. Thank you to all of my reviewers, readers and followers!

Review Reply to Cabbage_Merchant: Thank you for your comments, I'm glad you liked Jack in that chapter! I wasn't appreciating Giselle much either.

It must be nearing an hour that I've been lying here. My thoughts won't allow me sleep, rendering the motive behind keeping my eyes closed pointless. Only out of comfort do I not open my heavy lids. This silent place I've brought myself to is almost as good as sleep, except I can think. The thoughts that swirl around my head unpleasantly will not leave me be and I find I'm growing tired of it. But I don't want to move. There is a silence around me that I don't want to break. Although not as peaceful as I had hoped, being alone here is what I want.

The image of Giselle trotting off in my questionably appropriate blue dress continues to aggravate me until it's playing in a loop in my tired mind. Her smug smile teases me endlessly. Why can't she leave my thoughts? The picture of her exposed shoulder makes her seem so vulnerable and I smirk in my head. I don't wish her ill, but I cannot wish her well either. Jack's comforting arms covering that bare shoulder of hers drives me mad all over again, but I still don't move. Her bare skin hugged tightly to his chest as she cries her salty tears on him makes me shudder in thought. And I realize the one simple yet overly complicated word that would explain all of my feelings towards her... envy.

Envy?

Once the word spells itself across the dark stretch of the inside of my eyelids, I know it's true. And I don't like it. In fact, I hate it. No matter how many times I say to myself it can't be possible, the word comes back, rewriting itself on my brain every time I erase it until I have to snap my eyes open to rid myself of it.

The bright light from my one small window forces me to blink and I pull in a shuddery breath.

Jack. I need to find Jack.

Why do I need to find Jack?

Rather than come up with a reason that I will only deny or find useless, I stand quickly. The blood rushes from my head and I grab the bed frame to stop myself from blacking out. Slowly my vision clears and I carefully let go of the old wood. I walk the few steps to the door and grasp the cool latch in my hand before swinging the door inwards.

The ship is mostly silent, with a few shuffling feet above me telling me it isn't deserted. Trying to clear the last bits of fog from my head, I take the steps slowly. The sun hits me hard in the face and once again I find myself blinking uncomfortably.

I spot Ragetti sitting with one leg on either side of the rail, a brown leather book in his hand. He squints at the writing and I almost laugh at the way his recently acquired glass eye shifts around while the other scans in a sense of order over the words. Taking a look around, I see he's the only one on deck.

"Ragetti!" I call. He jumps and fumbles to catch the book before looking up at me with a comically startled expression on his face. "Do you know where Jack is? I have to apologize to him. I mean speak with him," I correct myself quickly, cursing silently. Oh, so that's why I need to talk to him. Sorry does sound like a good idea at this point come to think of it.

"Captain went out. Just Pintel, Marty, Cotton's parrot and I left behind. They should be back by morning if I'm correct." I walk towards him and lean up against the rail with my back to the water.

"Morning?" I repeat, confused.

"Uh, aye. Morning is when they usually get back from uh... their errands."

Oh. That. I bite my lip to keep from saying anything out of place and look around the nearly empty ship. A sick feeling in my stomach creeps in and I cross my arms over it, trying to drive it out.

"And why are you stuck behind?" I ask casually.

"Oh. It's all good fun... but someone's got to stay behind and I always seem to be the one to be left here. I would love to get out every once in a while but Captain's orders," he shrugs nonchalantly.

"I'm sure if you asked Jack he'd let you—"

"No! No, I'm fine watching the ship," he yelps.

"Are you afraid of women, master Ragetti?" I smirk. The idea makes me really want to smile, but I don't for his sake.

"Na, who would be afraid of women?" he chuckles nervously.

"I'm sure none of them would hurt you. Well, these ones may give you a slap. The other men seem to think it's worth it in the end though," I tack on bitterly.

Ragetti frowns as he mulls it over. "And why are you still on board Miss Turner?"

"Please, Elizabeth. Whichever you prefer to use, go ahead. I'm getting tired of Miss." And even sicker of Turner. Immediate guilt follows the thought, but at least I didn't voice it.

"Elizabeth then. Why are you still here?"

"What else is there to do?"

"When we had Anamaria with us she went out like the rest of the crew. Brought back a good penny to her name..."

"Alright alright, stop it there please."

"Are you afraid of women, Elizabeth?" he asks, a shy smile of his own on his face.

"No, of course not," I reply too quickly. I snap my mouth shut.

Maybe I am afraid of women. I sigh quietly.

"Is something the matter Miss Swann?" Ragetti asks with concern in his voice.

"Yes, I'm fine. I just need to speak to Jack." I say, looking at the loading ramp darkly. Swann almost goes unnoticed.

"He should be in a good mood. He was when he left a while ago. Some ship sailed away and he was suddenly all cheery. Strangest Captain I've ever had."

"Best Captain you've ever had," I add. I turn to look out at the horizon. A ship sailed away and made Jack happy? I look to the left and lean over the rail, trying to see over and around two ships that had separated us from The Enigma. It's not longer there. I sigh in relief this time. A different part of me sinks into the wood under my feet, wallowing miserably in disappointment. I tell that part to shut up and let it be.

"Aye, that may be true," Ragetti nods. The book he's holding catches the corner of my eye.

"What's this?" I ask curiously, reaching to turn the book over. I laugh. "Romeo and Juliet?"

"I'm trying to improve my literary skills!" he defends himself.

I chuckle. "Don't worry, that's one of my favourites."

"Could you tell me the ending? It's taking me a bloody long while to get there."

"Nope, you'll just have to read it. As you said, it's to improve your literary skills. I can't very well take that opportunity away from you, now can I?" I smile before pushing away from the railing. I'm feeling a little hungry and I want to see if I can snag a cracker or two from the chef.

Ragetti huffs behind me and I hear the book being cracked open again. I grin to myself as I walk away.

"Oi, you there!" Ragetti suddenly yells from behind me and I snap my head around to the only moving object in my sight. Dread is cold in my chest as I watch the man sauntering towards me, long brown hair disgustingly familiar. His face is even more recognizable, a devilish grin plastered on. The feeling of hot hands on my waist returns and I back away. The breath of rum on the back of my neck comes back in the next moment and I turn back for the stairs, trying to shake off smart words that replay in my mind, whispered warm in my ear.

"Why you being so difficult sweetheart?" he calls out and the words make me flinch like the first time I ever heard them. I grab the rope guard that runs along the stairs just as a hand wraps around my arm and jerks me back around. The rope burns my hand as I'm forced to let go of it and I turn to look up into steel gray eyes. I gasp as he pulls me forward, crushing me to his chest. "Follow nicely and we won't have any need for trouble," he hisses and his stale breath hits me so hard I gag. He either doesn't notice or doesn't care as he turns and drags me towards the ramp.

"Hold it!" Ragetti shouts and running footsteps come to gather at our exit. The parrot squawks and flies in to clumsily miss Marty's shoulder and hit the deck before gathering itself and shaking its feathers out with another squawk.

"Move or I shoot the girl!" The man orders while moving to my side and pressing the cold barrel of a gun to my neck. It's an action that I've seen way too many times, but apparently it's effective because the men grudgingly step aside.

I'm jerked forward but don't fight, knowing I can't win this. I allow the man to tow me off the Pearl before I look back over my shoulder to see the three men watching with eyes wide in shock and confusion. They have no idea what they are supposed to do now. I don't have one either.

After being tugged around what seems like every corner of Tortuga, we show up somewhere near the far end of the island from where the Pearl is, at another shore line. This one is sandy with a cracking boardwalk crossing it and many piers protruding into the water. Ships crowd the area, more than I've seen in port before.

I have a fear that I will be dragged onto a ship and sailed away but before we hit the sand, the man pulls me sideways into another street where he stops us both. The street is completely deserted, the small market area we are in completely closed for the night. The sun is setting over the water, casting the sky into a pink reflection of every wave and I worry that I will never be able to find my way back if I do escape.

"Why are we here?" I ask nervously.

"Somebody owes me something," the man says as he lets go of my arm and turns to face me. I rub the spot where I'm sure there will be a bruise tomorrow and try not to grimace when my fingers touch sore muscle.

"And what do you need me for? Take from the man who owes you and leave me out of it, please.

"Ah, and I would let you go. Thing is sweetheart, it's you who owes me," he says with a smirk, backing away a step so that he can look at me fully.

"I don't owe you anything."

"Yes. I paid you but got nothing in return. That's downright dishonest. So now I want what's mine."

"You can have your money back," I sigh in relief. This is it?

"No sweets, I want what I paid for." He smiles, a threatening look that leaves no room for negotiation.

"You dragged me all this way so you could have your way with me?" I ask in disbelief.

"I paid." He takes a step towards me, his smile disappearing and turning into something darker. It's a look that tells me he means harm. I freeze a second too long before trying to turn and run. Warm hands clasp around both of my arms and pull me back. The impact of my back against his chest leaves me out of breath for several seconds and I can hardly fight him away. This is when I realize he's hardly trying anyways. Before I can fully develop the rest of the thought, a voice breaks it.

"Let her go."

I snap my head around. One of the people I'm least expecting to see is standing a few feet off, pistol raised to point at my captor's back. But his ship left I think to myself, wondering how Dorian could have gotten here.

The hands release me, but I notice they weren't all that tight to begin with. I spin away and stumble towards Dorian. He reaches out a hand to me and takes my arm. I'm still out of breath when I'm pushed behind him. I look over his shoulder to the man who had taken me.

"Dorian! Fancy seeing you in this part of town. Come to rescue the damsel in distress I see." He steps towards us threateningly. "Bit of a different act, no?"

"Finn," Dorian's voice is warning, telling him to back off. He cocks the gun.

Finn holds up his hands in front of him defensively. "Alright I'm going. But you owe me a girl Long... and you Elizabeth. You owe me too. Dorian can't always be there. And he won't be," he grimaces and touches the gun at his hip, before letting his hand fall away again in second thought.

His words make me shudder and I wrap my arms around myself against the growing cold. Wait, when did I tell this man my name? But he's already walking away, cursing under his breath. I'm relieved when he's near the end of the street.

The shot that comes next makes me jump and cover my ears. I check Dorian's gun to see the end smoking slightly as he lowers it. I then follow his line of sight to Finn who is hunched over on the ground, unmoving. Shock won't allow me to move. I hadn't been expecting Dorian to fire when the man turned away.

"What was that for?" I whisper in fear.

"He almost got away with you Elizabeth. I wouldn't pity him much if I were you," he says and when I look to his face, it's straight and unemotional. Why do men always have to look like that when they save me? Can none of them just smile and let me thank them?

"But he was already leaving," I say, exasperated.

"He would have come back. And I wouldn't want you getting hurt around here." Finally, he smiles. I remember suddenly why I'm not supposed to like this man.

"I thought you'd left, your ship set sail this morning. Why are you still here?"

"Ah that. I was forgetting something."

"Thank you then Captain. I really must be going though. The Pearl leaves tomorrow morning and I'd like to get back before Jack does."

"Why don't you come aboard my ship and I can take you back by water. It's much faster from here."

"No, I should just go now," I nod, trying to convince him with the simple motion. Now that the obvious threat is taken out of the picture, the one standing before me giving a seemingly nice gesture is forefront in mind.

"Nonsense, I will not have you wandering these streets at night. It's far too dangerous. It would then feel I saved you for nothing." He smiles again.

"I know what you do," I whisper, suddenly finding an interest in his scruffy black boots.

Dorian faces me full on now. "And what be that Miss Elizabeth?"

"The women. The ones you sell off. I know all about it."

Dorian raises a hand to his head and rubs his eye. "Those women are there by choice. Far too desperate to go anywhere but where I take them. They thank me for what I do for them and I swear to you now that none of them are there against their will."

"I don't believe it. Why would they want that?"

"They have nowhere else to go. I give them homes, food. Some of them are married off."

"Married? As in paid for by their husbands with no choice in the matter?"

"They go happily."

"There was not a single smile aboard that ship when I was there."

"They don't appreciate visitors."

"Would that be because they fear them?" I ask, anger already in my voice. It comes too easily to me these days.

"No. They are treated kindly by all of my men. They haven't had happy lives, Elizabeth. Do you expect them to be cheery now?"

"If they know where they are going, then yes. Where are they going?"

Dorian sighs and shakes his head. "I told you, Ireland."

"England, actually."

"I said England was my next stop. But we go to Ireland as well." He meets my eyes. "There is a thing called trust in this world that not all people possess. But now I give you my word. You can choose to trust that or you can't."

I hesitate. His explanation makes perfect sense. But Jack's also made some sense. And when Jack lies, it usually has no sense in it at all. Usually. But, if Dorian had taken them against their will why would he allow them up on deck? Another character pops into my head.

"There was a girl, Giselle. Yellow hair. Do you know her?"

"Aye. She came running aboard one night in a ripped dress and pouring tears. She said she wanted a ride to another port and that wherever we were going next she would be fine with. So, I let her stay. I must say though, her antics were wearing a bit on us all. The next night, she went running off saying she wanted no part in this. Said she would find another ship. Amazing actress, she had the whole distressed facade going to get us to let her on board. As soon as it worked, she stopped. I don't really know why she left."

Giselle had come running to us in the manner he described. But it seems odd that she would want to leave Tortuga. I don't know if I should believe him or not, but the way he's looking at me says it's alright. I don't like Giselle much anyways, and I can see her doing something like that for her own benefit. I have a feeling it's true she came from his ship. If she did, it means he really does let them go when they want.

"Fine, I'm sorry. Thank you for helping me," I say with a half hearted smile.

"Come then. You'll be home in no time," he says gently and smiles, taking me under his arm.

The sun has completely disappeared and when we pass what is now just a shadow of a dead man, I shiver. From what I can tell it was a clean kill, with no visible blood. Dorian's a good shot.

As we pass by, Dorian throws a fistful of coin over the body. When I look at him in confusion, he answers my unspoken question with a steady voice. "To pay off your debt." He smiles in amusement and pulls me around the corner.

"I didn't owe him that much."

He shrugs.

Do you trust him? Or is Elizabeth getting herself into a lot of trouble?

I know ffnet is being strange lately but I can still read the reviews you send, even if they don't show up for everyone to see. So please review, it makes my day!

The next chapter is almost finished so it shouldn't be too long before that is up.