You watch Barbossa pour the rum into his revolting mouth, those freakish teeth mildly disturbing you.

You almost shudder, but catch yourself just in time.

"Do you care for some, lass?"

His sickly sweet voice makes you want to hurl on his stolen shoes.

"Sure," you answer in the same sugary tone. "But please, place it in a glass. I do not drink straight from the bottle."

That was a lie. You actually had never tasted it.

He pulls out another bottle. "You will have to."

As he hands it to you, the realization that you cannot take it from him dawns upon his ugly face. "I'm not going to unbind you, if that is what you desire."

You nod. "I know. But, please, don't let that stop you from partaking in your own rum-pleasure."

He takes a swig from his own rum, then holds your up to your lips. You hide your reluctance and swallow the minutest sip.

The liquid burns your throat.

How the heck do people enjoy drinking this? You fight to keep it down.

Footsteps.

Both you and Barbossa turn to see who approaches.

You smile hopefully, knowing it could be a rescue.

You're right. It's Jack.

Relief slams through your system. You have never been so happy to see your love in all the month and a half since you've known him.

"Barbossa, why do you have my wife?"

"I want the Pearl back, Sparrow. Give it to me, or I kill your 'precious' wench." Barbossa growls at Jack, daring him to defy him.

"The Pearl," Jack mutters. "Only a pirate would trade a man's wife for a ship." And yet, he loved being a pirate. He just refrained from being that kind of pirate.

You send a pleading glance at Jack, begging with your eyes for him to help you.

He doesn't see you, but you know he'll help you anyway.

He is your husband.

"Barbossa, what if I told you I could get you a ship better than the Black Pearl?"

"You and I are both well aware that the Pearl is the most magnificent ship in these waters. Don't lie to me."

Jack carefully chose his next words. "These waters? Yes, maybe. But what about the waters that are not these waters? Oh, my apologies. You don't want to hear about it."

Barbossa furrowed his brow. "Why else would you tell me, if not to arouse my curiosity? Tell me all you know. . ." -you saw the nearly invisible motion of his hand dropping to his pistol- ". . .I'll shoot your wife, take back me ship, and shoot you as well, stripping you left of what little honor you possess."

"Can't you do anything besides kill me, you repetitive slug?" you yell. You're ignored.

Jack motioned for Barbossa to come a little closer. "There is a captain just off of the coast of Italy, for the time being, anyway, and his ship can sail faster, has more cannons, and destroy more than any other ship in the world."

The emphasis on those words was not lost on Barbossa.

"If I were you, I'd go get it."

Barbossa began to get a bit suspicious. "Why are you merely telling me about this prize instead of fetching it yourself?"

"I'm sure you are familiar with the feeling a pirate gets when he sees the ship that is meant for him and him alone?"

A nod from Barbossa and Jack continues.

"Well, mate, then you will understand why I myself can not go for that ship. I have seen it, and I have not felt what I know you will feel, regardless of the fact it makes the Pearl look like a floating pile of twigs. I realize you are thinking this captain cannot possibly know for certain that his ship beats the one hanging in the balance. Am I right?"

Barbossa's interest grew.

"You have every right to imagine that to be the case. But, I assure you, it is not."

Barbossa was now bored. According to him, Jack was taking way to long to reach the point.

He drew his pistol and swiftly pointed it at you. "Get to the point, or I shoot the lady."

"Hey! Shoot on someone your own size!!!" Once again, you are ignored. You really hate this man.

"Rest assured that I would. You just happen to be the only victim here at the moment."

"UGH!!!!"

There was a click. Jack had drawn his pistol, and it was aimed at Barbossa's heart.

"You shoot her, I shoot you. It's a lose/lose situation, Hector."

You giggle. "Hector."

Barbossa is about to retort when the sound of a third pistol clicking echoes across the landscape.

Jack and Barbossa glance at the other's hand.

There are only two pistols, one per pirate.

Jack grins. He knows.

It's your pistol.

You had been able to wriggle out of the ropes. Sure, your wrists were a little bloody, but it was a small price to pay. Your legs were still bound with a half a dozen ropes, though, so you still could not walk.

"If you shoot me, I fire this, and you get shot. I wouldn't think it wise to take the chance."

He laughs in a very strange way, and holsters his pistol. "The only reason I'm not shooting your stupid wench is because I want that ship."

He presses his sword to Jack's chest. "Tell me who captains the ship."

"Captain Edwards." Jack laughs silently."I wish you the very best mate."

You know why Jack is laughing.

He can see you, but Barbossa can't.

You have managed to stand up, and, while holding your gun like club, you are slowly shuffleing your tied feet up to Barbossa in order to knock him out.

His big ugly head is in sight. You bring the pistol down on top of that immense, empty head.

His big, ugly body crumples to the ground in a big, ugly heap.

Some big, ugly pirate.

"Ha!" you laugh. "That's what you get, you kidnapping jerk!!!"

Jack presses you tightly to his chest, then bends down, his lips on yours. The sensation melts your body. Wether it was from the strong kiss or just now realizing how much danger you were in, (or both), you collapse into the muscular arms that embrace you.

Jack lays you down for a moment to untie your legs, then scoops you up to carry you back to the Pearl.

"I doubt he'll remember much when he wakes up, excluding the description of the ship and it's captain." Jack laughs, grinning mischievously. "And all who attempt to take Ed's ship are shot on the spot."

"Is it real?"

"Of course. Do you really think I'd make that up?"

Then, the killing part registers in your mind. "Why didn't you just shoot him instead of sending him to get shot?"

Jack shrugged, which was difficult since he still held you, the heat from his chest warming you in the almost-cold night air.

"I didn't need another death caused by me. Besides, I merely told Barbossa to go. He chose to. So do you see it?"

"See what?"

"The man will kill himself!!"

You just laugh.