AN: First off, thank you to Xewioso for more encouragement. I never thought writing a story could be so frustrating, but low and behold, it is.

Second, the updates might be a little sketchy from here on out. My school teachers have so kindly given me summer reading that I have unfortunately forgotten about until last minute, so most of my time will be spent trying to catch up. Sorry, but enjoy this chapter, I had a lot of fun writing it.

The two of us ended up spending the rest of the night in the forest. I couldn't understand why Jack had been so insistent on leaving when we did. Couldn't we at least spend the night in a decent bed and leave later?

I didn't bother arguing with him though, mostly because I was too afraid of what he might do. Good man or not, I certainly didn't want to get on the bad side of a pirate. In fact, I just tried to ignore him most of the time; he may have been charming and a heartbreaker for other women, but to me, he was just a plain annoyance.

That night, I stayed up, watching the stars thoughtfully. Back home, there had always been too much light at night to really see them, even if it was a small town. But here, everything was dark and peaceful. The sky was beautiful, twinkling like diamonds and gems.

Sparrow was asleep, resting comfortably on his jacket, which he had waded up into a pillow. A leaf had found it's way next to his mouth that he was blowing unconciously. From here he looked so vulnerable, so innocent. Did everyone look like that when sleeping?

I snorted at my thoughts. Sparrow was not innocent.

Though he was different. He seemed enough like a scallywag to be a real danger to anyone who crossed his path, but at the same time, he certainly wasn't evil. It was an odd mix, one that I still wasn't entirely sure of. But I had gotten myself here, stuck with this fellow, so everything was really my own doing. I would have to grin and bear it, as my father would say.

My father. Other than Ella, whom I had thought to be dead, he was the other person whom I had cried hardest for when I came here. Of course I loved my family, but he was the one I was closet to. Throughout life, he would teach me things, valuable lessons, about how to act, how to treat other people, how to be the best I could be.

I wondered if he would be proud of me now. It was he who had taught me to control my temper when it would flare up. I was not an angry person by nature, but there had been times when younger that I could throw quite a tantrum. Instead, he told me to hide it, and always be polite. I really don't think he needed to teach me; I was secretive by nature, which included emotions.

But his advice had aided me in one thing: Jack Sparrow. There was something about him that made me uneasy, and when I am uneasy, I become annoyed, in which I then become easily angered. I couldn't figure out exactly what it was about him, which frustrated me even more. But as long as I kept my emotions in check, remained aloof and polite, this trip shouldn't be too much of a hassle. I would rescue Ella, come back to Port Royal, and start my new life.

Sighing, I laid down on the ground gingerly. My tail bone was searing with pain, but I ignored it. I had bigger things to worry about, such as how long it was going to take to find Ella, and how long I would be able to stand the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow.

The one night in the forest turned into two days, and I was about to go hysterical. I could see Port Royal, its streets, its stores, its home with clean beds and decent clothes (I was still in my nightdress and chemise), and the worst part being, Jack never gave me a reason as to why we were still here. It was the dusk of the third day that I finally cracked.

Jack was coming back from the town. He had said something about checking the docks, or fort, or some place. I wasn't really paying attention.

"I'm going back tonight," I announced calmly.

Jack stood in front of me, staring blankly. "What was that, luv?"

"Miss Delaney," I corrected automatically. "I said I'm going back. I'm sick and tired of just sitting here, doing nothing, while my friend is in more and more danger."

Jack smirked. "You plan on leaving by yourself? Right now?"

I could feel blood rushing to my face again. "Well, I intend to do something. I suppose I am going to leave right now."

The smirk was still there. Folding my arms, I looked him straight in the eye to prove I was dead serious about my statement. I lasted all of twenty seconds before I dropped my gaze shyly. His stare was too strong and overbearing to hold.

"There are three…how shall I say it…defects in you plan, luv. Excuse me, Miss Delaney," he dragged the last part out dramatically, then put his hand in the air, holding up three fingers. "First, we are on an island, meaning you need a boat to get off, meaning you need to have your own boat and skills to maneuver said boat, neither of which are yours. Secondly, you are alone, and a lass for that matter. For you to attempt to fight a ship full of pirates is reckless and stupid. If you don't lose your life, you will be losing something much more desirable," he let his eyes look over my body, and I glowered hotly at him. Seeing my expression, his smirk grew wider as he continued. "Thirdly, you need to know where you're going. I daresay you have never used a map, or a compass, in your lifetime. You would be lost the minute you lose sight of this shore."

I let out some breath in frustration and raised my head. "You misjudge me, Mr. Sparrow," I started shakily. His eyes were still boring into me mockingly, making me nervous. It didn't help I was never good at arguing anyways, but I still continued. "You may be right that I cannot sail, nor do I have a boat, but I am quite capable of hiring a captain to take me to my destination. And if you think I am fool enough to even think about rescuing Ella by myself, you are gravely mistaken. If I could, I would have the full force of the English navy behind me to save her. However, that is obviously not an option, so I would probably resort to recruiting some soldiers. And for your information, I have read a map and used a compass on backpacking trips, and I imagine it wouldn't be too different out in the ocean."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "What are backpacking trips?"

"Never mind," I mumbled, hitting myself on the forehead. "I'm leaving now."

I began walking toward Port Royal, but a hand grabbed my shoulder and spun me around roughly. "I don't think you can do that, darling."

"And why not?" I challenged weakly.

"You, my dear, made a promise to help me. Running off like this would be breaking that oh-so-important promise. You wouldn't want to go back on your word, now would you?" he said.

I swallowed. I couldn't go back on my word. It was something my father had always taught to me, and I couldn't break the habit now.

And Jack Sparrow knew that.

"No," I answered softly before coming back to where I was. I could hit myself for being so easy to control, so meek. Inside, I was boiling and ready to explode, but once again, I was keeping my emotions in check and doing exactly as was expected of me. It was safer that way anyhow.

"Good girl. I knew I could count on you."

"I'm not a girl, I'm practically twenty two years old," I defended, "so I expect to be treated like an adult, thank you very much."

I saw a glint go into his eye, and quickly regretted what I had said. "I'll make sure to remember that in the future," he murmured softly.

Scowling, I rolled my eyes and turned away, still beet red. I hated being able to blush so easily. "So, Captain, when exactly do you plan on putting Port Royal behind us?"

Jack stood there, imitating someone deep in thought. "This evening seems to be the opportune time. I dare say I might even have a ship."

I blinked, a little surprised. "You mean, like, right now?"

"Unless I am greatly mistaken, it is, in fact, evening time."

"What exactly do you mean by ship?" Jack raised both eyebrows questioningly. "Okay, I didn't mean it quite like that," I corrected. "What I meant to ask was where exactly is this ship?"

"Follow me."

I couldn't help rolling my eyes again in frustration, trying to figure out how I was going to travel with this man. He could be pleasant one minute, then he would say something in a completely egotistical tone, and my patience with him dropped. Too bad I was impatient by nature.

We arrived just outside a small cove, about a mile away from the town. Hidden in the shade was a small sloop. It looked new, and from the way it was sitting in the water, it was well stocked. "Is this the ship you came in?"

Jack looked back at me. "Do you think I would actually be sailing in a sloop? I am not a dingy, clumsy, crude pirate. I am Captain Jack Sparrow. I sail in real ships."

"Looks like a real ship to me," I mumbled under my breath. Then the importance of the statement hit me like a brick wall. "Wait, you stole this?"

"Borrowed without permission is the terminology I prefer."

"I'm not going to sail in a stolen boat!" I cried. "The navy would hunt us down and arrest us!"

"As I recall, you said something about having the full force of the English navy behind you if possible. At least this way, it can become a partial reality."

"Good grief, I was just trying to make a point. I didn't actually mean that!"

Sparrow began to laugh quietly. "No need to get riled up, darling. There was a reason we were staying back for a few days, and that was to send the navy on a wild goose chase while we sat back comfortably. This way, we're clear to go."

"It's Miss Delaney," I corrected again. I hated him calling me pet names.

"Surely there is something shorter I can call you," said Jack. We had arrived at the sloop, and now were boarding. "Miss Delaney is such a mouthful, as is Winifred."

"That would make it seem like we were becoming familiar," I countered icily.

"Luv, we are about to be each other's sole traveling companion for the next month at least. It's about time we became familiar." He turned to me and gave another one of his dazzling smiles.

I looked away, blushing as usual. He may have been a dirty rouge of a pirate, but his smile could about melt someone's heart. "I suppose you could call me Winnie, seeing as I don't like Winifred either."

Jack stuck out his tongue. "That makes you sound like a spoiled rich brat, which, seeing you are a governess, are probably not. How about Wynn?"

I shook my head. "To many people have called me windmill from that nickname. I suppose…you could call me Finn." Finn. That was the name Ella had given to me, because she didn't like Winnie either. She was the only one who ever called me that.

"Finn," he tried. "I like it. It suits you in a way." He smiled again. "Let's go, before the tide leaves."

I hated sailing on the boat when crossing from England, but now, I absolutely loathed it with a fiery passion. Not only was I paranoid about being trapped on a floating hunk of wood (which Jack teased me to no end about), but I was forced to work on the ship.

Jack quickly saw the downside of traveling with a women. I was not as strong as a man, and combine that with my attitude and the fact that I had barely done any physical labor for the past four years, I made a pretty crappy sailor. Of course I didn't just sit around and complain; I did like working outside, and I couldn't stand sitting around doing nothing. I just didn't want to be doing work on a ship.

There were two things I was good at: steering and navigation. This was a surprise to me. Back home, when learning to drive, I was about as dangerous as they come. I could never seem to keep control of the vehicle, and have some very interesting stories to prove it. But seeing as I was useless in the rigging, or whatever it is you're suppose to do with the ropes, Jack begrudgingly allowed me to steer as he handled everything that needed to be done. I suppose he didn't have too much of a choice; it was either sink or let me steer.

The navigation came pretty easily. As said, I had read maps during family backpacking trips, and quickly picked up how to do it with the maps provided now, something that honestly shocked Jack. He quickly saw the advantage of it though, and soon had me mapping our course to a small town named Tortuga. I was not particularly thrilled about visiting this place (Elizabeth had mention it in her stories, and it sounded terrible), but as Jack had reminded me constantly, he was the Captain, and he made the calls. I wasn't liking it one bit, however, I had the sense to keep my mouth shut and take it in stride. I would have much preferred being in charge, but Jack expected to be in charge, a philosophy I did not want to fight.

This of course did not stop me from worrying about Ella, or the type of characters that were going to eventually come to her rescue. Finally, after two weeks of traveling, I brought up the courage to talk to him about my problems.

"Jack," I said, entering his cabin. He was, at the moment, entirely engrossed in reading the maps. After a second, he grunted in acknowledgement and looked up. "I was wondering…I need to talk to you."

"Of course." He sat down in the chair jauntily and began to fiddle with his compass, snapping it open and close. "What brings you to my humble cabin?"

"Well, I was thinking…is there a chance we could go to another port?" I suggested timidly.

"Unfortunately, luv, there are few ports where I am welcome with open arms. I am, after all, a wanted criminal, and Captain Jack Sparrow for that matter." He flashed a golden grin, which I ignored.

"Yes, but," I closed my eyes, trying to figure out how to word my statement. "Listen, I don't want Ella to be rescued by pirates. Who knows what could happen. She could get killed, or…hurt."

Jack clicked his tongue in mock disappointment. "That hurt, darling. After all, I am a pirate. Whatever happened to trusting me?" He stood up regally and sauntered over.

"I trust what Elizabeth said about you. I don't necessarily trust you," I replied softly, uncertainty entering my voice.

Jack stepped closer so as to make a small three inch gap between our faces. In a low voice, he asked, "What's not to trust?"

I blinked a few times, trying to gather my thoughts, which took more force than I thought possible, seeing as my stomach was now proceeding to do multiple back flips at our proximity. "Truth be told, I'd rather be sailing with the Commodore right now," I answered, my voice cracking slightly.

"So you'd sooner trust some navy officer than poor Jack," he shook his head slightly. "Not the wisest choice, I must say."

I frowned slightly as things began to click into place for the first time in two weeks. "The Commodore is chasing Barbossa right now. I never needed to come with you to begin with. You tricked me."

"I did nothing of the sort. I simply insisted that you come along."

I opened my mouth to argue, but closed it again as I realized what he had said was true. I had fallen for…something. I wasn't sure how, but this man had managed to convince me to follow him on some foolhardy adventure to rescue some stupid boat. "I was stressed and tired and not thinking clearly. You took advantage of me!" I finally growled.

He smirked, showing his golden teeth. For a moment, I almost forgot what we were discussing seeing as my heart was quickly melting at the sight of him and his charming smile. We looked at each other for a time before he added, "Well, it's not like you can go back now. We are in the middle of the ocean, on, as you so poetically put it, 'a hunk of floating wood.'"

"Still…" I added softly after a time, but I knew my case was lost.

"Still," Jack copied, "we are going to Tortuga to hire a crew of pirates, who will then proceed to rescue your darling Ella and redeem my ship." He lowered his face closer, so that I could now smell his breath, which was a mix of rum and spice. "Though it may be hard to believe, I always keep my promises," he whispered in a voice barely audible.

I breathed deeply trying to clear my head, but it didn't work. The smell of his breath and the sound of his voice was fogging my mind. Not to mention my insides were nothing more than a bunch of butterflies at this point. Seeing my discomfort, he let out a low chuckle and brought his hand up to graze my jaw.

This snapped me out of the spell, and I quickly backed away from him, grabbed the door handle, and let myself out hurriedly. Rushing down the stairs to below deck I shut the door to the small room I was using and locked it.

When I had flopped myself down on my hammock, I studied my hands. I was visibly shaking. What in the world had happened back there? What had he done to me? Why had I acted like that? I bit my lip, trying to control my squirming insides. Never before had anyone ever made me feel like that. And that Jack, a pirate could have that type of effect on me…I put my arms around me, trying to help myself to stop trembling. The fact that he could control me like that flat out scared the living daylights out of me.

"He's nothing more than an annoying, egotistical, self-center, criminal," I muttered to myself. The reminder helped calm me slightly, and I was able to drift off into a dreamless slumber.