Sparrow made a deal with the slaves. We would sail them back to the Caribbean and give them save passage to Port Royal in Jamaica, where they hoped to find their families.

There was still, unsurprisingly, uneasiness between the crew and the slaves. But we were now low on men after Harry and Sim's death in Africa and the men lost in battle and the slaves were mostly welcomed now peace had been made and they set about learning the rudimentary tasks of sailing. As I watched their slow progress I wondered that we hadn't sunk long ago, they knew less about shipwork than me!

The real problem was the lack of food. The slaves had squandered most of our stores and now we had nothing but weevil-infested biscuits and rotten salt beef. No doubt the pirates and slaves were used to it, but I was not and I grew tired of squinting over my meal to pick out the foul maggoty weevils. Luckily this did not go on for long, though we were far north, the wind and season was on our side and we were able to make quick progress with a full sail down to the warmer climes of central America.

****

Five mornings after our escape from the brig, I awoke to the smell of palm trees, of warm wind carried over blue water – heavy with salt and the cry of gulls. I had not realised the air I had breathed everyday since my babyhood was so fragrant – but now I dragged open my narrow windows and drank it in like the elixir of life. With it, unfortunately, I drank in the smell of my unclean body, the dirt of the brig still on it these past days. I shut my windows firmly and turned – I was determined to bathe. I marched across the deck, to be met by Anamaria, almost skipping with joy.

"We are but a few hours sail from the Bahamas, Cathy! An' to think, I once thought ne'r to see blue sky again!" She clasped my hands and we danced a jig about the deck, both of us grinning like fool. I rested on a rail – catching my breath and remembering my purpose.

"Ana, you must help me" I began

The crew laughed heartily as I toiled back and forth between the galley and my cabin, first dragging the pewter tub, then carrying endless jugs of water, as the boiled on the galley's spitting fire. But I held my head high, even at their taunts when I asked if any of them had any soap. In reply to their jokes I said;

"I don't know why I ask, it is plain from the smell you have not." Ana, however, slipped me a small bar of goosefat soap as I passed, and though it was gritty with sand I was grateful.

Though the tub was small, the water only lukewarm; despite all my toil and the soap soon crumbled I felt much like the Queen of Sheba. I scrubbed my whole body and my hair until I felt like a lizard who had removed his old skin. Then I stretched back, letting my legs hang over the edge of the tub. As I relaxed I heard the creaking of Sparrow's bed next door.

"Jack Sparrow, you scurvy sea-dog!" I called, joyously using the worst pirate lingo I could muster. "You made me a promise, you, you weevil infested rat! And it is time you fulfilled it."

"Oh bloody hell." I smirked at his annoyed tone and stepped out of my tub, the water almost black with dirt. Scrubbing myself with a coarse sheet, which I then pulled about me I called back.

"You drunkard! Will you back out of our accord?" I stepped into his cabin, grinning as I flicked my wet hair out of my face.

"Look, luv" He continued, then fell off the bed whilst reaching for his coat that hung on a hook beside it "Look, luv – whot you 'ave got to understand is the we – that's you too, as long as yer on me ship – are in a bit of a perdic'ment. Other promises 'ave been made, an' those dark blighters rather 'ave the upper 'and 'ere – bigger weapons an' all." He finally managed to get up, and between tying out various limbs in various parts of the coat before finally achieving a more modest state, he continued. "I'm dunno if yer noticed at any point over the last few weeks." Arm through hole in pocket "but those buggers can be rather fond of violence." Arm out of hole in pocket, ring stuck on button-hole. "And I'd rather 'ave them off me ship soon as I can." Ring flies off, under bed to search for it, he continues – voice muffled "Since you 'ave never suc'essfully locked me in the brig." Ring retrieved. "You" left arm of coat successfully conquered "Can wait till later." Coat on "Savvy?"

My heart sunk somewhat, and I was suddenly aware of the brevity of my attire in front of this rogue.

"Captain Sparrow," I began, pulling my sheet closer to me as Sparrow's eyes roamed about me and he took a step closer "Your personal safety does not interest me, all I want to know..." I was stopped mid-sentence by a callused hand placed sharply over my mouth.

"All you need to know is that I will get you 'ome, Miss. Barbrook." His winked and pulled me close to him, I barely had time to notice that, this close, there was barely any difference in height between us before he leaned forward and kissed me. Firmly but without violence.

I will not pretend that as a girl of seventeen I had never kissed a man before, but this sensation was totally different from that of polite pecks from merchant sailors or eager young members of the Royal Navy. His lips were warm and his moustache felt itchy below my nose. The idea of putting your tongue in anther person's mouth would never have occurred to me, but when he did it seemed natural. And then, how can I explain? My body took over the situation –responding to it a way my mind had not instructed it to. I leaned forward, and opened my mouth wider, and tentatively let my tongue explore his mouth. His breath was slightly sour, but there was also a musky taint to it that seemed to addle my senses. Presently he pulled away from me; I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. They met Sparrow's own intense gaze. We both pulled away hurriedly.

"Sorry love," Sparrow began, unsteadily "I didn't mean..." But I did not let him finish. Lips tingling and cheeks glowing redder than beacons I ran from the room, shutting my own cabin door firmly behind me. Once alone, I felt more normal. The sun was shining through the window. Gritting my teeth I set about washing my dress – which was twice as dirty as me and three times harder to fit into the tub.

Slowly the tingling sensation in my lips left, and my head no longer span. Every time I thought of Sparrow my stomach seemed to turn in my belly and sparks flew behind my eyes. What had this man done to me?

As I took down my dress from the window where I had hung it to dry in the Caribbean sun I felt the thud and drag of the anchor being weighed and I dressed swiftly and made my way to deck, to discover what the orders were.

****

I felt like a new woman on deck – the light breeze lifted my hair and ruffled the still-damp folds of my dress. The crew were standing about in small groups, talking to the slaves in low voices. Their faces were mostly set in grim frowns and I wondered why they were not happier to see Caribbean seas again.

Presently Jack strode out onto the deck – a newly-thick layer of kohl round his eyes. He cast me a brief, searching look which I avoided; cheeks burning. He then addressed the crew. Immediately there was a deadly hush on deck, several of the groups sprang apart, suddenly finding a piece of rigging to repair or a rope to secure.

I noticed Cannonball Jeff's hand wander to the axe he carried at his waist and I felt a shiver go through me, what was afoot here?

Jack seemed not to notice the uneasiness however. His orders were brief and simple – we were to travel to Jamaica under cover of darkness, the power of the English Navy was constantly increasing in Caribbean waters and no pirate could count on safe passage in full daylight. The day was to be spent making any repairs that were possible whist afloat and we were to lift anchor at sunset.