A/N: Hey dudes! I've finally returned to continue this story, very exciting! Many thanks to:
Renajah: I love that you love it so much! I'm updating now, so don't die! Already dead? Kinda creepy… lol.
Amanda: I'm glad you decided to hear Jack out… in the meantime, call him any foul name you like!
Lovely Raven Sparrow: Lol, yes it does sound like that. But there's still hope! Yeah, I think I'd be with Charlotte too. That Jack! It seems we both enjoy your reviews immensely!
CAPTAIN Matey Sparrow: All day? Wow, impressive! Slap me? Oh no! Yeah, I was insecure about it at the beginning. What can I say? It was my first FF story and I was terrified!
Of course I don't hate you for saying that! It's mere fact, he made it more interesting! Well, now you can keep reading!
Oooh, I'm honored! I do think you should read "Unforgiven", I believe that you'll enjoy it! But first, rest your eyes and eat something! It sounds like you're not in the best of shape right now, although I do appreciate you giving up things to read my story. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
lozzz: Ah, so you're one of those people: someone who insults a story anonymously because they're too afraid of anyone knowing who wrote the horrible review. It's a shame that the story angers you (although it makes no sense that it would), but if you don't like it, don't read it! It's the mere action of pressing a button, I think you can handle it. Would you like to know what angers me? People who waste my time by insulting me and my stories. Honestly, I have better things to do than read that crap. And you're also wasting your own time, which makes me wonder about what kind of sad little life you lead. Here's some advice: if a story angers you for some reason, either don't read it or leave a constructive review, don't make yourself new enemies.
CptnJack's BountyHunterGal Thanks for the review! I don't know, he was just being crazy! I know he angers you, but just relax, deep breaths!
smartie-teri: Holy crap! You're back! And you left one hell of a review! I'm not very impressed with your explanation, but I'll let it slide, partly because I'm also bad at going on FF on a regular basis and because you're an awesome reviewer that's stuck by me for like forever.
Well, for starters, I'm glad you liked it. I've told you this a million times, you don't have to defend your suggestions and ideas. More often than not, I like them and use them. Even on the extremely rare occasion that I'm not the biggest fan of an idea, I'll still appreciate it so much because I'll know that you're helping me to make the story better. You know, even FEEL it, huh? Interesting. I do think that you're a bit telepathic sometimes, has anyone ever told you that? I really love these little comments that are in brackets, they're hilarious! Okay, anyways, what you're saying is definitely true, so I will try to find a better balance between the character development and the action. Thanks for bringing it to my attention as I tend to be a bit oblivious to these things.
I do in fact remember that. That wasn't such a good day. I'm really glad you liked that part, though. I also hate it when the author makes a guy come up with some lame excuse to explain the cheating. It drives me crazy when people do that.
Yeah, I figured people would kind of be expecting it, but everyone (except for you… nothing gets past you) was quite shocked and a tad outraged. Alas, that's the way things go. But anyway, I'm very happy that you thought it was eloquent. What a lovely word. I personally was a bit iffy about naming the chapter that, but you have reassured me!
I knew (see? I'm also telepathic) that you were going to comment on that anonymous person. Thank you for backing me up! If you'll scroll slightly up, you will notice that I ripped him or her apart a little bit. I just got really mad, as I'm sure you will notice. But anyways, thanks!
Chapter 21: Older Brother
Charlotte bit her nails as she sat in Sandy's bar. How had she been so stupid? How had she not seen this? Why hadn't she trusted her gut feeling? All questions she couldn't answer. Now she was in this position, with no idea what to do or where to go and with only one friend on the whole island.
Sandy plopped down on the chair in front of her.
"Whew, it's been a long night," Sandy said in a weary but happy voice. The voice of someone who loved what they did. Sandy took in Charlotte's stricken expression. "What's the matter, dove? Where's Jack?"
"Probably off with another whore," Charlotte said monotonously.
"What so you mean?" Sandy asked with a frown, and then it dawned on him. "Oh… so that's where he was."
"Yes, that's where he was," she said. There was a silence.
"Look, dove," Sandy said reassuringly, taking her hand in to his. "It'll be fine. You'll be alright. You and Jack will work it out."
"No, we won't," Charlotte said, shaking her head. "We can't. Not after this."
"Listen, Charlotte," he said, his voice caring, like an older brother's. "I've known Jack a long time and as much as I hate to say it, this is the way he is. No matter how much he loves someone, he just can't control himself sometimes. Especially in a place like this, where the ladies are all over him. I know this isn't what you want to hear, but it's the truth."
"I believe you," said Charlotte. "But what I can't figure out is why I let myself get involved with someone like that."
"Because no one can resist him," said Sandy, cracking a grin. "He's one of those lads you want to hate, but can't help but love. Listen, dove, I'm not lying when I say that I have never seen Jack act and feel so strongly about any other woman. I really do think that besides his stupid mistakes, his heart belongs with you."
The door to the bar slammed open and the sudden rain poured in. Standing in the doorway was none other than Jack Sparrow, looking as if he had just jumped in to the sea. His eyes were dark and serious, his face pulled in to a frown.
"All I'm saying is that I think you should hear him out," said Sandy, patting Charlotte's hand and walking away. Charlotte stayed still and kept her gaze on the table before her. It was dead silence in the bar as Jack's heavy footsteps approached the table. Everyone held their breath as he sat down.
"What do you think you're doing?" Sandy roared to all the other customers in the bar. "They don't want to be stared at! Keep talking, keep drinking! Sing for all I care!"
Everyone laughed and someone actually broke in to song.
"Charlotte," Jack began, his voice strained. "Love, I can't possibly give you an explanation that will make you feel better. All I can give you is the truth."
Charlotte was silent, her eyes still lowered.
"I am a very stupid man sometimes," Jack continued. "Who can't appreciate what he's got. Instead, he gets afraid of what he's got."
"What are you talking about, Jack?" asked Charlotte, finally looking up. His eyes were so dark. Full of emotion.
"I realized something tonight, love" explained Jack. "I realized that I am completely and utterly in love with someone. That I would do anything for her, anything at all. That there isn't a woman in the entire world that can compare to her. That as much as I try to deny it, I will always want to be with her."
Charlotte searched his eyes, looking for any trace of a lie. There was none.
"And when I realized that," Jack continued. "I got afraid and made a huge mistake. I got afraid because Captain Jack Sparrow doesn't fall in love. It's impossible. So I tried to find a way to convince myself that it wasn't true and when a whore made an offer to me, I didn't refuse. I tried to tell myself that it would be just a good with this whore or any other woman. But it wasn't. It was fine, but it wasn't close to what we have because with that whore, I didn't feel anything. Not a thing. And with you… I feel so much."
Charlotte didn't know what to say.
"I am so sorry that I hurt you, love," said Jack. "But I know now just how much I love you and how much I want to be with you."
There was a long silence.
"I can't, Jack," Charlotte said quietly. "You of all people know what it's like to be betrayed and how much trouble I have with trusting people. So I can't be with you. I'll come back to the Pearl and get the treasure with you, but after that, I have to leave."
Charlotte glanced at Jack's face and grimaced slightly. He looked crushed.
"Alright," Jack said eventually in a very quiet voice. "I understand. Let's just go back to the ship."
Charlotte nodded slightly and followed him. They walked through the darkness towards the Pearl to begin what promised to be a very difficult voyage.
A/N: Review please! This chapter is really short (terribly sorry!) and seems weird to me. I hope it was okay. I know that Jack's out of character but I had to do it.