"So, ye try ta mutiny against the Captain, eh?" a man with a rough voice hissed.

"How did you know it was me?" Jack countered, wincing a bit as the man applied more pressure to his neck. He let out a sharp laugh.

"Do ye think I'm stupid, boy? The moment I walked out me cabin, I saw all eyes go ta ye."

"Maybe it's because I'm so good looking?" Jack offered and felt the pressure from his neck release. He straightened up and faced the black haired man. He had a long and black scraggly beard with a short black ponytail. Pieces of fuse inserted into his beard were on fire, illuminating his worn and tan face. He wore a rusty old hat that sat squat on his head.

"Who are ye?"

"Captain Jack Sparrow."

The man raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Captain Jack Sparrow? A 'Captain' who currently resides on me ship?"

"Aye," Jack grinned, nodding. "It's a bit complicated."

"Tryin' ta steal me ship, are ye?" he hissed and put his pistol to Jack's forehead.

"No, of course not! I was just checking whether or not this really was Blackbeard's ship-and it clearly is."

"Of course 'tis me ship!" he snarled. "Why wouldn't it be?"

"Seeing as how none of us have actually seen you outside your cabin, we all assumed that this wasn't really Queen Anne's Revenge. So we just wanted to see if it was."

"By holdin' a mutiny?"

"How else? Of course a Captain of your caliber would immediately put a stop to it," Jack said, carefully choosing his words.

He paused and put his pistol back by his side. "All right-ye got away this time, Sparrow. But if ye put one more dirty foot outta line…"

"I wouldn't even think of it," Jack smiled innocently. Blackbeard narrowed his eyes but raised his chin slightly.

"So, what brings ye aboard me ship? Surely if ye be a Captain ye wouldn't be on me ship-ye'd be on yer own."

"It's quite a long story. You see-"

A bullet shot into the side of the ship. They quickly turned to see Gwen pushing Groves away-he appeared to be the one that had caused her to miss aim. Johnny was shouting at Groves and a few of the crew members were glancing around at the other ship. Pintel and Ragetti pointed at Jack, gasping and laughing. Cotton's parrot squawked.

"What the bloody hell is goin' on 'ere?" Blackbeard demanded. "Why is ye shootin' at me ship, lass?" he shouted over to her, threateningly waving his pistol at her.

"SPARROW!" was her answer. Blackbeard raised an eyebrow and looked at Jack beside him. He gave him a sheepish grin and leaned over the railing, returning his attention to Gwen.

"You hold grudges for too long, love!"

"I'm gonna kill ye!"

"A friend of yers?" Blackbeard asked Jack amusedly.

"I wouldn't exactly call her a friend."

"Either way…this might just work out," he said and scratched his beard thoughtfully. Jack furrowed his eyebrows slightly, wondering what he had meant by that. Without another word, Blackbeard raised his sword and sharply jerked his arm to the right.

Ropes lashed out from every direction on Burning Dawn. Up from the rigging, from the sides of the ship where they were tied on, or ones that were just hanging around. They wrapped around legs and lifted each and every person into the air. A few shouts echoed throughout the ship as men tried to outrun the ropes but were unsuccessful, getting wound up in the end.

"Beautiful ship," Blackbeard said, scratching his beard. "It'd be a wonderful addition ta me collection." He gestured to the quartermaster, who bowed his head and left.

"Get these damn ropes off of us!" Gwen shouted angrily, uselessly struggling against the ropes that held her upside down, wrapped around her ankles. Blackbeard chuckled and shook his head as he took the empty bottle from the quartermaster.

"Sorry lass, but I've taken an interest in yer ship. A might beauty it be."

"I know my ship's a beauty and ye ain't takin' it, ye bloody bastard!" she shouted back. Blackbeard raised his eyebrows.

"You dare speak to the mighty Blackbeard in such a tone?"

"'Course I do," she snapped, concealing the surprise she felt from figuring out that he was Blackbeard. "Ye don't scare me."

"Hmm. Really?" he asked innocently and raised his sword, moving it up. She let out a shriek as more ropes wound around her, tightening to the point where they left red marks. Jack's eyebrows crinkled as he looked up at her. "I'll give ya one thing, lass-yer a brave one. But too bad we'll not be seeing each other again," he said, not sounding sad at all.

"And that are because I'm gonna kill you the moment I get down these bloody ropes."

He smirked. "Ye ain't gettin' down those ropes, lassie. Instead, ye and yer ship will be spendin' time in here," he said and raised the glass bottle. Both Jack and Gwen's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as they looked at it. "Quartermaster, start the chant."

The zombie quartermaster raised his arms and started a loud chant.

"Wait!"

Everyone turned to stare at Jack. He glanced around himself, his contorted face smoothing into a smile.

"Something wrong, Sparrow?" Blackbeard asked with a raised eyebrow. Jack raised his index finger.

"Well, I think that the most approachable way to the situation would simply be to leave 'em alone," he said and gestured to Gwen's crew. "What have they done to bother us?"

A couple of 'aye's' recited throughout Burning Dawn.

"What have they done to us? They've interrupted my punishment on ye," he said, smiling his black teeth at him. Jack opened and closed his mouth, eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"And that's a bad thing?"

"Coward!" Gwen shouted and they quickly looked at her, arm and sword swinging around.

"What'd ye call me?" Blackbeard shouted back, leaning over the railing, eyebrows knotted.

"I called ye a bloody coward! Makin' me own ship attack me 'cause ye can't take me on yerself? Yer a COWARD!"

"I don't 'ave time ta take on a silly lass like yerself-I'd beat ye quickly and it would simply be a waste of me time."

"HAH! Ye beat me? I think not."

Jack bit the bottom of his lip and shook his head. Blackbeard didn't respond for a moment, eyes locked on Gwen's, before he started to laugh.

"Ye got some guts, girl! Who are ye?"

"Gwen...Sparrow."

Many things happened at once: Jack stumbled back, Blackbeard gaped, murmurs went across the ships, and Groves started a "WHAT?" but Johnny swung into him like a wrecking ball, cutting him off.

Blackbeard looked at Jack, who quickly smoothed out his shocked expression. "Ye 'ad a sister?"

"I'm 'is wife, ya maron!" she shouted at him. "And 'e's me good-fer-nothin' husband."

"Good for nothing?" he said, feigning hurt. "Darling, you know that I've been trying everything to protect you lately. Why if I hadn't-"

"If ye hadn't been a moron, this wouldn't 'ave 'appened! Now get me down these ropes!"

Jack sighed quietly and turned to face Blackbeard. "Could you kindly let my wife down?"

He didn't respond, looking thoughtful. A wide grin snaked across his face a moment later. "This is workin' out even better than I thought; I didn't expect her ta be yer wife!" he mused. "I'll offer an exchange: yer wife's life fer the directions ta the Fountain of Youth."

"The Fountain of Youth? What makes you think that I have the directions to go there?" Jack asked innocently and Blackbeard chuckled.

"There've been rumors, Sparrow," he smirked, "rumors that ye be goin' ta the Fountain of Youth."

"Not all rumors are true."

"Ye 'ave a point there, but if this one ain't true…ye might as well kiss yer wife goodbye."

"…What?"

"Ye 'eard me. Either ye gimme the directions ta the Fountain or," he gestured to Gwen, "yer lovely wife will be visitin' the gallows."

Jack's eyes widened and he looked at Gwen then back at Blackbeard, back and forth. "But…I haven't got the directions."

He sighed and shook his head. "Such a shame." He turned to Gwen. "Goodbye, Mrs. Sparrow."

A rope wound around her neck and she let out a struggled shriek as it grew tighter. She thrashed around uselessly and Jack's eyes widened even further. He took a step forth, glancing over at Blackbeard quickly.

"The map, Sparrow."

"STOP IT!" Groves shouted as the rope around Gwen's neck tightened even further. She let out a sound that was a mix between choking and gurgling.

"I'M GONNA BLOODY KILL YE!" Johnny shouted as he struggled against his bounds. Blackbeard laughed and raised his sword. The color in Gwen's face started to drain, her breathing coming to a halt-

"All right!" Jack shouted, jumping. "I'll give you the directions."

Blackbeard smirked and sheathed his sword. Gwen gasped loudly as the rope unwound from her and she let her head fall to the side, breathing raggedly.

"There's a good boy," he said and outstretched his hand. "The map."

Jack's face contorted and as he opened his mouth to speak he was interrupted by Groves, who shouted "We have the map!"

"Ah, I see," Blackbeard said as he glanced over to the ship. "Entrustin' yer wife ta the directions, eh? Very smart."

"I think you can let them down now," Jack responded, glancing over at the Gwen and her crew.

"Hmm? Oh, yes, I forgot," he said and unsheathed his sword again, raising it. The ropes released the crew, setting them back down on the floorboards. Groves rushed over to Gwen and steadied her, worriedly asking her if she was alright. Johnny walked over to the railing and looked over at Blackbeard threateningly.

"Now…the charts," he said, smirking slightly at the intimidating face Johnny wore. He narrowed his gray eyes at him before turning around and walking off to retrieve said charts. Meanwhile Ragetti, Pintel, Marty, and Cotton waved excitedly at Jack, who raised his eyebrows but smirked.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Groves asked Gwen for the umpteenth time.

"If ye ask me one more time, I'm gonna chop yer head off," she sneered, shutting him up. He couldn't help the worried expression as he eyed the red marks on her neck. He was sure she had marks on her arms and legs; they weren't visible because of her trousers and coat.

And then he suddenly remembered something. "So you're apparently married to Jack Sparrow?" he hissed quietly, leaning in toward her.

"I'll explain it ta ye later," she whispered back, turning to face him, nose gently brushing against his. She took the charts from Johnny as he made her way over to him. She walked forth, pushing Groves away when he followed. He frowned but stayed back. She made it over to the railing and looked over, eyes glinting mysteriously.

"The charts," she said shortly, raising them. Blackbeard smirked.

"Bring 'em over 'ere, lass."

"Not yet," she mused, smirking slightly as she lowered them back to her side. Blackbeard's eyebrows crinkled and Jack cocked his head. "I'd like ta propose a trade."

"A trade?" Blackbeard said with narrowed eyes. "What kind o' trade?"

"One that involves me handin' ye the charts in exchange fer us joinin' ye on the adventure."

"The deal," he hissed, "was to release ye in exchange fer the charts. Nothin' else!"

"Oh? Then I suppose I'll just keep these!" she grinned and tucked them in her oversized coat pocket. Jack frowned, recognizing the jacket.

"Tell yer wife ta be rational!" Blackbeard snapped, turning to face Jack. He looked at him and shrugged.

"I wouldn't mess with her, mate. She's quite the feisty one."

He narrowed his eyes at him before looking back at Gwen. "I ain't makin' no negotiations-either ye hand me the charts right now or yer goin' ta Davy Jones' locker."

She smirked widely and shoved the charts into the hands of a nearby Pintel. "I wasn't plannin' on visitin' Davy Jones just yet. I'll take a chance and 'ave a battle wif ya instead, 'ow's that sound?"

"I be the feared Blackbeard," he laughed. "One of the best swordsmen of the sea! Ye think ye can beat me in a battle?"

"Ye be the once feared Blackbeard. Ye ain't feared no more."

His eyes narrowed. "What makes ye say that?"

"Ain't it obvious? Basically everythin'," she said simply. "Ye might've been feared many years ago, but now yer just a washed up old man that spends 'is days drinkin' rum. Hell, ye've even sunken into a level lower than a donkey's dung."

"ENOUGH!" he roared, unsheathing his sword. "Ye want a fight, lass? Ye just earned yerself one!"

Grabbing onto a rope and pushing Jack out of the way, he jumped onto the railing and swung over to her ship. His large black boots landed with a thud and he raised his bearded chin, eyes locking on Gwen's.

She walked toward him, eyebrows furrowed, hand clenched around her sword tightly. They stopped a few feet from one another, hands still at their sides, twitching, waiting. Many men held their breath, watching intensely. Groves gulped nervously and Johnny let out a loud cheer for his Captain. Most importantly, Jack was staring at them with wide eyes.

A long silence filled the air.

It was broken when Blackbeard made the first move, sword slicing through the quiet and tense air. It was welcomed by another sword, making a loud clang echo. He swung toward her abdomen but she jumped back and ducked his next attack. Standing back up, she swung her sword toward his head but he blocked it, swiping her sword away. She took a few steps to the left and slashed toward his leg but he dodged it.

"Oi, 'ow 'bout we go and greet Captain Jack?" Pintel asked Ragetti with a grin after watching a few swings from the two Captains.

"Good idea! Maybe 'e should come aboard our ship and travel ta the Fountain wif us!"

The two dashed off to the railing and started hand signals at their former Captain, who looked at them and raised an eyebrow.

"Shouldn't we do something?" Groves hissed at Johnny as they watched Gwen slash toward Blackbeard.

"This be their battle; we ought not ta mess wif it," the blond replied, arms folded across his chest.

"But it's not fair!"

"'Tis completely fair! One Captain against another."

"But she's a woman!" he said, aghast.

He raised an eyebrow and looked down at Groves. "Aye and she bested ye in a battle, didn't she?" he huffed and Groves nodded. "Then ye best not be talkin' 'bout 'ow women aren't as tough as men."

"They aren't, though."

"Navy," he said with a roll of his eyes. "Yer all bloody brainwashed by today's society, I tell ye."

"It's a simple fact that women aren't as strong as men," Groves stated but Johnny shook his head.

"Nay, that ain't true. Captain Gwen are a woman and she be stronger than ye."

Groves pursed his lips. "But she's a pirate."

"And a woman."

"Combined it makes..."

"One o' the most powerful things on Earth," Johnny grinned and Groves smiled slightly.

"I'll need to start rethinking my ideas on women."

"Maybe this is why ye can't bed one," he grinned and Groves rolled his eyes.

"Will you please stop?"

"Aw, is the li'l Navy boy embarrassed?" he teased, snickering. "No worries, I'm sure a woman will someday make love ta ye. Probably only once ye get out of 'em stockings and wear some real trousers." He paused thoughtfully, scrutinizing him. "Ye know, without yer wig own and with a change of an outfit, ye'd pass as a pirate. Well, ye'd only look like one. Ye ain't ever goin' ta be a real pirate," he scoffed.

"It's a good thing you think that. I think I'm better off in the Navy." Yet a small part of him disagreed.

"I think so too. 'Tis much easier fer weakling's like ye and yer wig buddies."

"Excuse me?" he said and raised an eyebrow. "Being in the Navy is not easy."

He snorted loudly. "Hah! 'Tis the easiest thing ever! The only hard part would be to wear those womanly stockings all day without suffocating."

"Womanly stockings?" Groves said with wide eyes, looking down at his own white stockings. "These are not womanly stockings! They are stockings designed specifically for men!"

"I don't think men should wear stockings at all," Johnny said with a disgusted crinkle of his nose.

"How inappropriate would it be if I had this much of my legs showing?"

"It'd look much better than wearing what women wear underneath their dresses. Damn, I've always wondered 'ow they survive wif 'em corsets on."

"Women wear different stockings from us!" Groves huffed, trying to regain his dignity. Johnny let a smirk snake across his face.

"'Ave ye actually seen a woman's stockings, Navy boy? 'Ave ye ever stripped a woman of 'er clothing and actually seen 'er stockings?"

His face turned pink. "No."

"Then ye 'ave no idea whether or not yer stockings really do look like theirs," Johnny concluded with a grin. "And people call me stupid."

Groves didn't respond and instead returned his attention to the battle. The two Captains were still going at it, blades hitting each other every few seconds. Jack, who had apparently gotten on the deck as Groves and Johnny were chatting (more like arguing), walked along beside Gwen and Blackbeard.

"I see no need for you two to be fighting!" Jack said as he watched sparks fly from the swords as they collided. The two ignored him, continuing to swing at each other and dodge attacks. "Why fight when you can negotiate?"

"Why negotiate when ye can fight?" Gwen laughed, jumping an attack. Blackbeard echoed her laughter, blocking her next attack.

"At least ye got some sense, lass!"

"Not enough sense to realize that both of you will die from this battle," Jack said, still trying to talk them out of it.

"The only one dyin' 'is 'im!" Gwen shouted as she took a quick step forth and aimed for Blackbeard's stomach. He quickly blocked the attack and jumped back, grabbing Jack and pulling him close. He placed his sword a few inches away from Jack's neck.

He grinned maliciously at Gwen. "The map, lass, or yer husband be leavin' this world."

Jack mouthed 'give him the map'. She ignored him, looking at Blackbeard. "Do ye really think I care?"

Both men raised their eyebrows. "Yer married; I would've thought ye cared."

"Hah!" Gwen scoffed. "All this man 'as done during the years of our marriage was ta use me! Aye, that's all 'e did! All 'e-all ye-" She looked at Jack "-Every wanted was me money and me ship!"

"That's not true at all, love!" Jack said sweetly. "I've cared 'bout ye for many years and treated ye like a queen-"

"Hell no ye 'aven't! Ye just wanted me ship 'cause ye don't got one yerself!"

"What?" he exclaimed, trying to fake a smile despite his agitation. "I had a ship, love; it simply was sunk by some low life vermin."

"Why did 'e 'ave it in the first place it if were yer ship, then, hmm? Everyone knows that a ship is under the Captain's command."

"He stole it from me!" Jack said crossly. "It wasn't my fault the-my ship sank!" he said, hastily stopping himself from saying 'the Pearl'.

"It wouldn't 'ave sunk if it were under yer commands. Then again, it probably would've, knowin' what a bloody idiot ye are."

"Oh, and you're so much better than me? Your crew didn't even like you-they weren't hesitant at all ta start a mutiny!"

"YE SON OF A-"

"That's enough!" Blackbeard interrupted loudly, silencing the two, though Gwen continued to glare at the smirking Jack. "Now, if ye really don't care too much 'bout yer husband, then I guess I'll just kill 'im now," he said and quickly moved his sword closer to cut Jack's neck-

"STOP!"

He smirked and stopped the sword from advancing any closer. "Aye, lass?"

She paused, breathing heavily and looking at Jack's scared face. "Ye need 'im-and me."

His eyes narrowed. "Fer what? I don't need no babies runnin' 'round this ship."

Both Gwen and Jack, despite the circumstances, snickered.

"Ta get ta the Fountain, of course."

Blackbeard pushed Jack away and took steps forth, up to Gwen. "And why be that?"

"The Fountain will not open without people who know 'ow ta get in. And do ye know 'ow ta get in?" she asked and he paused, pondering what to say.

"Do ye?" he retorted.

"Aye."

"What is it?" he leered, getting closer to her.

"If I just told ye, I wouldn't be standing 'ere, would I?" she smirked and he returned the smirk, leaning away. He chuckled a bit.

"Smart girl. Alright, ye can come along wif us ta the Fountain. Ye and yer crew stay on yer ship. We both sail together. I still need 'em charts, though."

"Of course," she smiled and glanced over her shoulder. "Oi, who'd I give 'em charts ta?"

"I got 'em," Pintel said as he scurried forth and handed them to her. Jack gave him a lopsided smile and he grinned in return before taking a few steps back.

"The charts," Gwen said as she handed them to Blackbeard, who took them greedily. He quickly unrolled them and scanned them quickly. He rolled them back up, seeming content.

"All right. Now, why don't ye go and give yer husband a kiss, eh? Ye two might as well start gettin' along-we've got a long trip ahead o' us."

Jack grinned and turned face Gwen expectantly. She rolled her eyes and shoved him.

"I'd rather kiss a fish."

Blackbeard laughed, shaking his head. "Tough luck, mate," he said to Jack before jumping on the railing. He grabbed a rope and swung back over to his ship. Jack glanced over at him before leaning in toward Gwen.

"Are you sure you don't want a kiss, darling?"

"Never been more sure," she snapped. He chuckled and leaned away.

"You'll come over to my side. I just know it."

"Not even when I die, Sparrow. Not even when I die."

He smirked. "I like meself a feisty woman, ye know that?" he said and winked. She rolled her eyes.

"And I like meself a man who ain't ye."

He frowned, feigning hurt. "But you're my wife!" he said scandalously. She couldn't stop the giggle that escaped her lips.

"Ah, yes. I almost forgot."

"How could you forget, after all our years of dedication?"

She laughed and pretended to ponder, putting a finger to her chin. "I guess ye just didn't pleasure me enough."

Jack gasped. "Impossible!"

"I've seen and felt much more than what ye gave me."

"We'll see about that, won't we?" he asked, smirking slyly. She rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small giggle as she pushed him away.

"Go away."

Jack bowed, lowering his hat. "Of course, Gwennie dear," he purred as he straightened back up and she scowled.

"Ye call me that one more time, I'm gonna make sure that ye'll never be able ta create children."

"And our dreams of having children?"

"Are gone."

"Such a shame."

"Come on now, Sparrow! Yer stayin' on me ship-I gotta keep me eyes on ye." Blackbeard shouted from his ship. "Wish yer wife goodnight!"

"Goodnight, love," he winked and grabbed a rope, swinging over to the other ship. Gwen groaned, putting a hand up to her face.

"What have I gotten meself into?"

It's about time I brought Jack back into the story. (Haha, Jack and back...they rhyme.) Onward, to the Fountain of Youth!

But we've still got quite a few chapters 'till we get there...so in the meantime, sit back, relax, and review!