Elle felt like her heart had stopped. She'd been discovered. Her first thought was that West had broken his promise, and she looked over at him, but he looked just as shocked and frightened as she felt, and she knew he wasn't responsible. She immediately felt guilty for suspecting him.

"Fowler," Turner repeated. "Please come with me."

Elle started to follow him, hesitantly, her mind racing. What was she going to tell the captain? She couldn't lie, the truth was only too obvious. And once Captain Sparrow knew she was a woman, what would he do to her? Shoot her? Throw her overboard? She knew she wouldn't get off without some kind of punishment.

Elle was trembling as Turner and Norrington led her to the captain's door. Norrington knocked on the door, and Elle felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned, and saw West standing there. She hadn't noticed him following her.

"We're in this together," West said quietly.

"Why?" Elle asked. "It's not your fault I'm a girl. I don't want you to get in trouble." But secretly, Elle was glad for his presence.

The door opened, and Captain Sparrow poked his head out. "Who's there?" he asked.

"It's us, Jack," Turner said. "We need to have a word with you."

Captain Sparrow opened the door and let the four of them into his office. He sat down behind his desk and propped his feet up on it. "Have a seat," he offered, though there were no other chairs in the room.

"Captain Sparrow," Norrington said, ignoring the Captain's offer. "I would like to speak to you about a certain matter that was brought to my attention. It concerns a member of your crew, a certain individual who calls himself Johnny Fowler."

"What about 'im?" Jack asked.

"I have reason to believe that he is not who he says he is. Or more appropriately, what he says he is."

Jack frowned. "You're not making any sense, mate."

Turner stepped in. "Jack, when we stepped into the cabin Johnny Fowler shares with Sam West, we found the two of them kissing."

Jack swung his feet off the desk and stared at Elle. "Eunich?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at Turner.

Norrington rolled his eyes. "Captain Sparrow," he said. "Johnny Fowler is a woman."

Elle stiffened with apprehension, and West gave her hand a comforting squeeze.

Jack frowned and walked over to Elle. He walked in a slow circle around her, looking her up and down. He glanced back at Norrington. "A woman, you say?"

"That is what I believe, sir," Norrington said.

Jack looked Elle straight in the eye. Elle held his gaze.

"Is this true?" the captain asked quietly.

The calm seriousness in his voice frightened Elle more than if he had shouted. But she fought down the rising panic, taking comfort from West's hand in hers. Elle gave a steady nod. "Yes," she answered, reaching up and removing the hat she wore to hide her face, and then letting her hair down so it fell around her shoulders. "It's true."

Elle heard a sharp intake of breath. The captain took a step backwards, still gazing intently into Elle's eyes. She tried to read his expression. He was frowning, but he didn't look angry, or even upset. He simply appreared to be deep in thought.

Elle glanced over at Norrington and Turner. Norrington looked slightly triumphant, and seemed to be watching the captain for his next move. Turner was wide-eyed, and was also watching the captain closely.

West squeezed her hand again, and Elle looked over at him. He was gazing down at her as if he had just seen her for the first time. In a way, he had.

Wes gazed down at Elle as he realized he had never seen her face this clearly before. She had always been hidden beneath that ridiculous hat, or else in their small, dark cabin where her features were hidden beneath shadows.

She was pretty, Wes realized, with some alarm. Very pretty.

Her eyes were a deep brown, young, but at the same time, old and world-weary. They were bright and sparkled, but only from the shine of unshed tears. They were deep and rich, but only from hiding years of painful memories. They were like shining armor, keeping out things that would tear open old wounds, but keeping her existing pain from bursting out and flowing uncontrollably.

Her young face seemed to have aged prematurely from many difficult months filled with lies, worry, and hiding. She was a child trapped in the cares of someone twice her age. Wes gazed down into her face with admiration and wonder. How did she do it? She acted so strong and confident, though Wes could tell she was afraid.

Wes wanted to protect her. He wasn't sure he knew how, but someway, he was going to make sure that nothing happened to her. She didn't deserve to be punished. She was still a child, bearing pain and trying to survive. Only the cruelest of men would blame her for that.

Wes looked over at Captain Sparrow, who seemed to be thinking hard. He was frowning, staring hard at Elle. Wes only hoped that the captain's controversial concept of fairness would extend mercy to Elle.

"A woman, eh?" Jack finally said. "I never would've guessed it, mate. You're as good a pirate as I've ever seen. And trust me, I've seen many a good pirate in my day."

"Thank you, sir," Elle said.

"Just tell me one thing, mate. Why didn't you just tell us you was a woman?"

Elle looked at the ground. "I don't know. I was afraid, I guess. I didn't know how you would feel about me if you knew I was a woman."

There was another long pause.

"Will, Mr.Norrington, I would like to speak to you both," the captain finally said. "Mr.West, you and the lady may wait outside."

Elle nodded and headed for the door. Wes waited until she had gone, and then he looked to the captain. "Captain Sparrow," he said. "Please don't hurt her. I know she deceived you, but she didn't mean any harm, she's only trying to survive. And she's young. She doesn't deserve to be punished."

Jack gazed at Wes for a moment. "There will be no harming of anyone," he said. "You have my word."

Wes glanced over at Norrington, whose expression was, as usual, impassive and unreadable. Wes turned and stepped out of the cabin, hearing the door close and lock behind him.

Elle was standing just off to the side, looking scared. Wes put his arms around her. "It'll be okay," he said. "The captain's a good man. He won't hurt you."

Wes and Elle waited outside for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, the door opened, and Norrington stepped out, followed by Turner.

"The captain has come to a decision," Norrington announced.

Elle looked up at the two men nervously, expecting news of a harsh punishment.

"You will be staying on as a fully operational member of the crew," was all Norrington said. "You're a hard worker, and we couldn't afford to lose you. Woman or not, we need you."

Without thinking, Elle threw her arms around him. She couldn't believe it. They weren't going to kill her. She was safe. For now.

"There is still the matter of your punishment," Norrington said. "So if you will kindly release me, I will instruct you in the proper way to clean the privvy."

Sheepishly, Elle released Norrington, and followed him below deck. She didn't even mind the fact that she would be cleaning the ship's privvy. All she could think about was the fact that she was still a member of the crew. Elle went straight to work with a smile on her face.

Chicaga, thanks again for your reviews! They're very uplifting!