A.N.: Dearest dolls, thank you so so much for reviews ! I appreciate them, and I'm so glad you like this fic. Tell me which one fic of my in-progress you'd like to see, because I have yet two days being at home, before I leave to school and its duties ;-) I love to make your wishes :3 ZiZi hugs and ZiZi kisses xoxo


,,That's what he told you ?'' Marry looked at Jenny in near shock.

,,Aye, it got me…it was so sweet, and I just…I don't know. He's been acting sentimental last past two weeks, and…I don't know this side of his,'' Jenny sighed, looking in her chalice of wine, sitting opposite Marry, while she was looking in the map.

,,And you don't like it ? He's paying attention to you, he's acting sweet, and as I can hear, even passionate when it comes, so where's the problem ?''

,,I don't know. Sure, I like his talks, and I can't complain about sex, since we're at it every single night, but…I don't know, it's worse, when I know-I'm maybe truly falling in love, but he will be gone as soon as he leaves this ship, I'm sure of that,'' Jenny bite her lower lip, admitting aloud her thoughts in last past two weeks.

,,Be calm about that, because we're not gonna get in Tortuga for following two weeks, so you have yet time, to clear your mind about it. And now tell me…do you feel anything ? I mean-do you feel, you may be white swelling ?'' Marry shifted in her chair, grinning widely, and looking hopefully at her aunt.

Jenny smirked loudly ,,Unfortunately not.''

,,And are you letting him to-''

,,-Each and every time ! I don't know, maybe I'm just too old, or not in the good time of month, even though that part of month is behind me….I really don't know what the hell is wrong with me,'' Jenny sighed helplessly, looking at her hands in her lap, and then inside her chalice, before she took a great gulp of wine.

,,Jen –you're not old ! And there certainly nothing wrong with you,'' Marry shook with her head.

,,Then why it doesn't work ?'' Jenny whimpered loud, looking in girl's eyes.

,,Probably it just needs time, and many…many tries…even maybe keener tries,'' Marry nodded, but after spotting how Jenny was desperate, she stood up walking to her, and sitting in her lap, cupping both her cheeks to force brunette look in her eyes.

,,Jack is not that fervent, to let me scrub his-''

,,-I have an idea…'' Marry giggled, silencing Jenny by hand on her mouth. ,,Listen, I need to get out of him, where came up the rumor, about him having the Black Pearl, so I will call him in my cabin tonight anyway. We'll drink, have laughs, and I try to get him drunk enough, he will be willing !''

,,Aye willing maybe, but how will I get him to me bed then, if he won't be able to-''

,,-You'll stay here, that's simple. And if you wish, I can help you to get him on his own back,'' Marry giggled, looking how Jenny tried to see any bad thing in this plan, but she could see none.

,,Alright, we can try it. And now stop talking about me, and tell me about you…how do you feel ?'' brunette looked hopingly up at her, at least one of them is fortunate enough.

,,Like I could eat up entire ship. That is really not me, and look !'' Marry rolled up slightly the lower hem of her shirt, showing slight stretch marks. ,,Is that normal ?''

,,Sure it is…your belly will grow plenty, it has to be prepared, these are just marks of what shall happen to your body-''

,,-Jesus, can that be any worse ?'' Marry sighed sadly.

,,It can,'' Jenny nodded. ,,You will have to stay in bed, you'll be much more tired, and at the end if you won't feel enough on it, you can name captain Flora again, after all Teresa did that, because she was ill, and exhausted,'' Jenny slowly explained, but Marry shook her head.

,,But you said I won't end up like her !''

,,Because you won't , I won't let you to !'' Jenny hugged her tightly, nodding as Marry sniffed.

,,Then I'm staying captain as long as I breathe ! And I won't let white swelling to spoil it for me. I need some action, oh-how I miss to…do something ! I need some robbery or something which would make me feel useful,'' Marry moaned to Jenny's shoulder, looking up at brunette, and Jenny sighed, petting girl on her hair.

,,I'm sure, there will be something on horizon, sooner or later,'' she nodded smiling as Mariana smiled finally too and wiped away those few tears that escaped her.

But once Jenny finished her sentence, a loud shout echoed through the entire ship ,,Ship on starboard !''

,,Well that was quick,'' Marry laughed, jumping off grinning Jenny, who quickly chased her to catch her only by door of her cabin.

,,Remember, be careful on yourself,'' brunette reminded before Marry smiled.

,,Jen, I'm in first month of white swelling-''

,,-That's the most dangerous one,'' first mate uttered, sighing with closed eyes, before she dared to open them. ,,I do not want to compare you with me, but remember –I've lost it in third week…''

,,I won't,'' Marry nodded, smiling at her aunt, to sooth her, before they both walked out of her cabin, as they heart alike shouting once more.

,,Alright, let us look, whose ship it is,'' Marry nodded, rushing to stern to have the best position to look from, when Betsy gave her telescope. A smile spreading on her features, when she spotted English flag, because she had enough of Spain for the moment.

,,Captain ?'' she heard Flora asking slowly.

,,It's British vessel…merchant vessel...girls we are lucky today,'' Marry put her telescope to Jenny, to pass it, as she already walked to main deck. ,,Alright boys, do ya want to have some fun ?''

,,Captain ?'' Alejandro asked, for any orders or information.

,,Merchant vessel, full of supplies, gun powder, and very luckily I spotted two men carrying some crate, so if I'm not wrong and this little one sails to Caribbean as we do, we just found a golden vein,'' Marry smiled at the mate.

,,Captain are ya sure ya want to attack ?'' Miguel suddenly appeared behind Mariana, and she slowly turned to him.

,,Aye, ya know –since yer white swellin' if ya want to-''

,,-Are you doubting me fellas ?'' she cracked her brow as she looked over her crew men since on deck appeared more and more of them.

,,No captain !'' they answered at once.

,,Good then, hoist the colors !'' Mariana smiled, as men did, after her words. ,,And prepare for fight ! We shall not give any quarters !''

,,ARRR !'' they cheered, as Jenny laughed, since Marry was once again herself, and full of joy after knowing there is something she might finally claim.

,,Hard to starboard. Haul the halyard ! And scandalize the lateens, wind is in our favor,'' Mariana was grinning, as fellas started doing what they were ordered and obviously with the same joy.

,,What's happening ?'' Jack quickly asked, since he just came from below the deck.

,,Ready on the guns, we'll plunder,'' Mariana smiled, showing the vessel over board.

,,Aye, seems like a merchant vessel,'' Jack uttered.

,,It is, first we'll get on board, and after we get enough, we'll sink them,'' Marry grinned wider.

,,Wise, without mercy, simple, easy to remember, I love you !'' Jack spread his arms wide, but Mariana walked around him commanding her mates, to move faster, and Jack stood there without her proper notice, with spread arms.

,,Full canvas, dogs !'' young captain yelled across the ship, walking straight to the bowsprit.

Jenny only laughed harder, as Jack looked at her, and when he took those two steps to her with spread arms still and smiled, she grinned naughtily and avoided him as well only softly uttering while walking around ,,Not now.''

,,Bugger !''

,,Move yer arses you filthy rats !'' Mariana tried to fasten them as they approached to vessel, and men on board already start picking their strength to self-defense. ,,Ready the hooks !'' Mariana commanded even her aunts, and they started moving with Jack.

And when they were close enough, Mariana yelled ,,On board !''

Fellas with ungodly roar start throwing hooks to the vessel, and few moments several of them were on the board of the merchant vessel ,and started chasing its sailors. There were even few shots from guns as sailors tried to not succumb, but once they started escaping from ship, it was clear-

,,-Ship is ours !'' Mariana announced, when she jumped on the main deck of merchant vessel.

She stepped to nearest sailor, who was in tight grip of Scrum.

,,Where's your captain ?''

The man managed only to tremblingly point at the upper door of some cabin, and Mariana walked to it, ordering ,,Search the ship, and take the most you can,'' to the rest of free-handed mates.

Grappling the handle of cabin door, it was locked, but Marry only grinned, shaking with her head. She took one step backwards, pulling out her pistol and shooting lock straight away. Kicking into wooden door, slamming it open, she walked in, gun still in her hand.

She spotted man on her right, who held in his hand some lamp, ready to hit her, but she pointed her pistol at him and with deadly calm uttered ,,I wouldn't do that if I was you…''

He slowly put the lamp down, and thickly swallowed ,,Spanish Devils-''

,,-At your service…oy actually your ship at my service,'' Marry laughed, walking across the cabin. She glanced briefly in map which was on the table. ,,Oh- I's sorry, you probably won't make it to the…Oyster Bay.''

Suddenly she heard a loud shot from the deck, and she only smiled, as probably one of the sailors tried to do something stupid, well he paid.

She, still keeping captain under her control with her pistol, walked to the quite big chest by window, and opened it ,,Well, well, well, what do we have here…you were trading nice pieces of fabric. Where did you get these ?'' she smiled at pile of wonderful women's gowns, and few shawls and also shirts which looked like they've been made of silk.

,,London has its bounds with Oyster Bay-''

,,-Not from now on, Lobster-''

,,-A-a-no Lobster, I'm privateer,'' man corrected her, and he didn't seemed to be afraid as he was before a while.

,,Shiver me timbers, what can be worse than a merchant under British control…a pirate under British control ! How did you come to be sponsored by king George ?'' Mariana smirked, shaking with her head more. But her pistol aimed firmly.

,,Mutiny, then years of low life in Oyster Bay, and because of that –and eternal love to sea, I end up here….I hate it-''

,,-You're not going to convince me,'' Marry uttered through his story.

,,At least I tried it….take a look in wardrobe, there are few better pieces,'' he nodded, still standing by doors, his hands lifted up in self-defense.

,,Why should I believe you now ?'' she smiled, pressing her free palm against his map. Their eyes suddenly twitched to opened door, as another scream a loud shot pierced the near quiet.

,,Because I have nothing else left ?''

,,Gotcha,'' she nodded and kicked open the wardrobe, where were hanging two gowns, one completely golden, and the other one completely white.

,,Wedding dresses, silk, mostly cotton underskirt, no linen, you can shot that for nice…I could say £70 per pound-''

,,-Blimey ! I take them !'' Marry grinned, taking both dresses, folding them non-orderly and putting them in chest, closing it, she brought two fingers to her mouth and whistled loudly.

In few seconds there were two men from her crew, and she only smiled and twice patted at the chest. ,,Careful on that one, gowns in it are good cost,'' she winked as both men took the chest with nice chuckle and carried it away.

Walking slowly to the man captain, she smiled and gently touched his chest with her pistol ,,You…will stay right here.''

,,Can't you take me with you ?''

,,I don't think, why shall I need you, privateer-''

,,-I tried it,'' he laughed, and let her walk out.

She spotted, how her men were carrying chests from below the deck, and the rest was taking an eye on sailors. But when she wanted to say something, captain ran from the cabin, and held small dagger by her neck. At the moment Jenny, Betsy and Flora spotted that, they gasped.

Marry only chuckled, uttering half voice ,,I knew I cannot trust you…''

,,You know, being pirate is an old habit-''

,,-Habit is a second nature,'' Marry agreed.

,,You will give everything back, or I'll kill her,'' he announced to Marry's crew, but she shook her head, as much as the dagger by her neck allowed her.

,,Don't take his threats, and finish it here !''

,,Confident young Devil, do you think I can't do what I said ?'' he whispered to her ear, pressing dagger firmer to her neck, that she could feel how the blade licked over her pulsing vein.

Her crew men already finished transporting their booty, and everyone start slowly getting back on ship.

When Jack wasn't moving, Jenny kicked him in his ass, and made him move to crawl by the rope to the Force of Freedom.

,,She knows, what she's doing,'' Jenny hissed to his ear, when he wanted to ask or protest against it.

Marry smiled, taking breath ,,Well, for a pirate you're strong and confident, but for threatening you obviously chose a wrong Devil…''

She gripped his arm in her both hands-still holding the pistol-and lifted her leg, it hit his nutmegs, he squirmed in pain, and in such small moment of inattention she wrenched from his threatening grip, and jumped forward, as all her crew was already on board of Force of Freedom. Sailors, ran at her, but she by almost dancing steps ran to stern while yelling ,,Ready on the guns !''

Jenny pushed at Jack, and Gibbs, forcing them and the rest to gun deck below.

Marry on her way turned at the right moment, when man captain rushed behind her, but she aimed at him her pistol, and smiled ,,So sorry love…but you loss this fight already-''and she fired at nearest end of long tack line, grappling at the flying rope, and it tugged her entire body up to the sail, which just spread wide, and she landed on her feet right next to crow's nest.

,,Ready ?'' she looked at her crew on her own ship, before screaming ,,FIRE !''

Betsy leaned by stairs to the orlop screaming to gun deck ,,FIRE !''

And loud shots swished through the air, piercing the larboard of the vessel, and making entire vessel lurch. Marry only hardly kept herself upward, but she held the rope tightly in her hands after hiding her pistol by her belt, and with great run-up and loud yell she jumped, letting the rope carry her over the bigger gap between her ship and the merchant vessel, landing on her feet in the middle of forecastle.

Pushing the rope overboard, to not let anybody from vessel jump to her ship, and watching with great satisfactory, how the vessel start breaking into pieces, until their gun powder lit in big explosion in the middle of the sea, thankfully her ship was already further in its way, and the wave which followed after explosion only pushed them forward.

,,ARRRRR !'' men stormed with cheers, as Marry smiled, and danced herself to main deck, where Jenny with Flora and few mates were, until the rest of crew came from below deck.

,,Goodness your neck,'' Flora quickly jumped to Mariana, who was smiling as never, and blonde quickly trailed the slight bloodied track on the side of girl's neck.

,,It's just a scratch, I could end worse,'' Mariana admitted, but never regretted, as she watched how they were backing far away from the burning ruins of something which used to be vessel.

,,You're daft, just like Jack,'' Betsy nearly scolded, shaking with her head laughingly ,,You could get hurt really badly, and remember that now you're-''

,,Mariana ?'' Jack called, while rushing upstairs on the main deck, but when he spotted her, it seemed like he just relieved.

,,Aye…father,'' she giggled, spreading now her arms wide.

Jack smiled wide, and clapped his hands loudly ,,Bravo, I'd take my hat off if I had some !'' and he tipped his head down humbly, because he realized he probably lost it somewhere the very first day he met Mariana, on their way to castle.

But his former-first mate surprised him, and Gibbs who just walked from below decks gave him his hat, uttering words ,,Max found it on his way, when he was walking across Cádiz, to pub "Cap's daughter" where we were hiding.''

,,Aye, thanks Max, dear mate,'' Jack smiled at young man who just walked form below deck. He had piercing blue eyes, and dark brown hair.

Jack put his hat on, so he could take it off on a mark of real amazement by Mariana's well made loot.

,,Thanks dad, actually I wish to talk to you, shall you come into my cabin this evening ?'' Marry didn't hesitate, and asked Jack right away, looking in Jenny's eyes, as brunette stood somewhere behind him.

,,Aye, true I will,'' Jack nodded, when she already turned to two men.

,,Francesco ? Ehm-Max, right ? Would ya two take this one-'' she put her palm on the chest with gowns ,,-into my cabin ?''

,,Aye,'' they nodded quickly, both taking each end of the chest, and carrying it upstairs, following young cap.


,,Pss,'' Jack hissed slightly on his mate Gibbs, who was just coming from upstairs, to orlop, heading to crew's quarters. ,,Pss,'' he hissed again, and only then Gibbs stopped drinking from bottle, and turned to him, spotting Jack by table in corner, by a candle.

,,Aye, Jack, what is it ?'' Gibbs smiled walking to him, and after Jack showed him to sit beside him, Gibbs willingly sat down.

Outside was already dark for some couple of minutes, and Mariana yet didn't called for him, but Jack was far worried about something else, and he wanted to share his thoughts with his long life friend.

,,So, ol' Jackie, what is your plan ?'' Gibbs smiled, nudging Jack's elbow with his.

,,What plan ?'' Jack gave him confused look.

,,Isn't it why ya called me ? I thought ya already have plan, how to get Black Pearl out, and where shall we head right after Tortuga…or is there something completely new yer plannin' ?''

,,No…no, and no,'' Jack waved slightly with his hand and shook his head.

,,Then ?'' Gibbs frowned, looking at Jack long with interest.

,,By the way, aye ya can already gimme Black Pearl back, since we're out of Spain,'' Jack stretched his hand to Gibbs, and he nodded, looking over his shoulder, and after assuring himself, they're not being watched or eavesdropped, he reached below his shirt, and pulled out bottle with Black Pearl, giving it to Jack, who hid it beneath his shirt and vest, putting his belt securely across it.

,,Now listen, once I got Pearl out, we'll be free, but for that I likely need some witch, therefore I need some payment, so I was plannin' to get some. I heard , they will open a new bank in Saint Martin,'' Jack waved with his brows, and Gibbs grinned at that.

,,Aye, this is good ol' Jack as I know him. Alright, so…shall we ask, if yer young Devil would drop us on her way from Tortuga, or ?''

,,I shall ask her tonight, it would be generous from her though, so don't bother now about Pearl…..and now….I have far more worse trouble,'' Jack sighed, looking at the candle on the table.

,,Aye ?''

,,Remember, how I once told you, about my…stirrings ?'' Jack asked, looking hopefully at Gibbs, if he may understand.

,,Aye, with Angelica,'' Gibbs nodded, before Jack silenced, and Gibbs only smiled wide. ,,Aaa-so it's still about her-''

,,-Not at all…if I may use her as an example ?'' Jack looked inquiringly at Gibbs, who nodded. ,,Then the stirrings are now far more dreadful, and it's following me day and night…''

,,Are you sure it's not scabies ?'' Gibbs asked for sure.

,,No ! I'm sure as sure one can be, that this stirrings are not scabies….'' Jack shook with his head.

,,Feelings then ?'' Gibbs pressed firmly, looking at Jack, and waiting for the answer.

Jack couldn't make his answer audible, so he only nodded, and Gibbs willingly gave him bottle to drink. After drinking properly, Jack gave him the bottle back, and took a breath.

,,Gibbs, I'm afraid, I love her, and there is nothing I can do about it,'' Jack sighed finally out, what he had on mind all the time long. ,,When I spotted her, when I started talking to her after those eighteen years, when I was gone, I just-''

,,-Wait, yer not talking about Mariana I hope !'' Gibbs widened his eyes.

,,Oy yer mad ?! She's my daughter ! And my daughter is no wench !'' Jack nearly shouted, hitting Gibbs into his arm, making him grunt.

,,Fine then…well, she's beautiful tis true, and obviously experienced enough,'' Gibbs laughed throatily after all.

But when Jack threw at him dangerous glare he stopped and rather drank from his rum again.

,,When it's my daughter, doesn't mean one of my mates will make eyes on her,'' Jack stated, but Gibbs only laughed.¨

,,I think she's clever enough, when she was without father until now, that she would let you talk into her love life like that, and that she will decide on her own with whom she shall quiff-ouch !'' he hissed as he yearned another hit from Jack to the exact spot as before. ,,Alright, alright Jack, then who is that happy one ?''

,,Well obviously not Sparrow, but one of the Delgados,'' Jack nodded.

,,There is five of them-''

,,-Four,'' Jack corrected lowly.

,,Four ?''

,,Aye….Teresa died while giving birth to Mariana…'' Jack sighed even more sadly.

,,And you not only weren't there, but ya didn't even took care of littl' Marry, oh that's even far more low, than when ya left Angelica on that island-''

,,Gibbs, damn, I didn't know !''

,,That's the only thing, which excuses you,'' Gibbs chuckled, admitting.

,,I'm trying to fix it now….lowly, but trying. And about Angelica….she was maybe damsel, but never had made me feel so much dear Gibbs,'' Jack looked deeply in his mate's eyes, searching there for any hint of compassion, finding it in his smile.

,,Well, she has to be something then…and which one is it then, will ya tell me finally ? I hope it's not –that…that-''

,,-Not Ursula, for merciful God !'' Jack breathed with wide eyes, as Gibbs breathed in relief.

,,Then which one ?''

,,Think Gibbs…she has brown eyes like chocolate, curves she could hand out, beautiful rosy lips, and shiny brown tresses. She walks graciously and kills with single look, she smells like tobacco and rum, and when she speaks –it really shivers your timbers,'' Jack winked at the end of his description, waiting, watching Gibbs think, before a wide smile and glance of realization glisten in his eyes.

,,Juanita…aye she is a wonderful sea flower, no wonder you feel something-''

,,No-no-no, nothing only something, dear Mister Gibbs. I feel so good with her, than I can see the silver lining around my grey cloud of misfortunes, and I want it to stay like that…forever.''

,,Like she'd been that horizon you yet never claimed ?'' Gibbs cracked one brow asking.

,,Aye,'' Jack nodded, looking how Gibbs smiled. ,,What ?'' Jack uttered slowly, when Gibbs once again drank from bottle, and only then she looked deeply at Jack and asked fairly.

,,And does she know, that you love her ?''

,,I haven't told her yet, I wasn't sure until now what it is,'' Jack pursed his lips thinking. ,,Shall I tell her ?''

,,Don't be fool. If ya didn't like Angelica enough, and now ya feel really something, and are you sure of it, then don't let such good girl to slip through yer fingers…because this won't happen to you every day, and –I'm sorry to tell- but your real horizon is somehow too far….'' Gibbs tapped at Jack's back, before shakily standing up, and drinking from bottle, before he put it on table, to let Jack finish it, and he slowly left.

,,Wait ! How shall I tell her then ?''

,,That's upon you Jackie,'' Gibbs uttered from behind the corner, aiming to his bed.

Jack took the bottle, and finished it, at the moment Alejandro came to orlop, looking around and spotting Jack in dim light of the burning out candle, he smiled walking to him, and uttering ,,Mariana wishes you to come in her cabin.''

,,Thanks mate,'' Jack nodded, standing up with smile, and leaving bottle with his worries by that small table, walking straight towards stair to main deck, and then right to Mariana.