A shout out to all my awesome reviewers of the last chapter! Lyricalyrics, Alexis96, BeatlesChick, Eccentricity97, xxxxninaxxxx, Rwy'n-Y-Blaidd-Drwg, and zare. downey. okumara! You guys are more awesome than awesome. :)

Since updates are going to be a little less frequent, this chapter's almost twice as long as usual as a bit of a treat for you all!

Chapter 21: A New Enemy

The next couple of days weren't as terrible as Lauren had expected them to be. While some of the crew treated her considerably differently, the friendships that she had already created with most of the men didn't change.

Except for the prick of a captain who she still avoided.

All the same, Jack kept true to his word and she remained on the ship. Her punishment for deceiving and blatantly lying to the entire crew was to scrub the deck and shine it for the entire week, which was easier said than done considering the dirty pirates continued to muck through a spot she had just cleaned and the seagulls kept pooping.

Lauren dunked her brush into the bucket of sudsy water and began to scrub at a particularly stubborn stain. She didn't question what it was; she didn't want to know. Her back was killing her and she had spent the entire morning working on the deck. She leaned back on her toes and sighed, wiping the sweat from her brow. Daniel smiled sympathetically to her from across the ship and she gave him a small smile in return. She could see Jack surveying her work from the helm and he seemed pleased. She deserved a break, then.

She left the bucket and brush where they were and headed down to the galley. Tubbs wasn't there to pester her, she found with relief.

She'd had had more rum in the past week than she had in her entire life, so she left the bottles where they were and headed instead towards the barrel of water. She scooped herself a drink and gulped it down. She refilled her cup and lifted it to her lips when she heard approaching footsteps.

She turned to find a crewmember that she wasn't too familiar with enter the galley; she heard the others call him "Gunner," but why he had earned that name, she wasn't sure. He was tall and dark-haired, with a bushy beard and a gold earring in his right ear. She gave a brief nod to him and he nodded back. He curiously looked around the empty galley. He grabbed a bottle of rum and moved next to her, far closer than she thought appropriate. She took a small step back towards the water barrel. He cleared his throat as she began to fill her cup back up with water. "Ye know, some of us aren't as happy as the rest that ye are still here." His voice sounded like gravel.

His comment didn't affect her. She had heard similar, though slightly less rude, remarks over the past few days and reminded herself that their opinions didn't really matter. "Well that's not your decision to make. I've received my due punishment."

He roughly turned her to face him and her cup of water slipped from her hands. It clattered against the floor loudly. There were only a few inches of space between them. She almost scolded him for breaking numerous formalities when she was reminded that he was indeed a pirate, not a gentleman of high society. "You can step away from me." She said firmly.

Gunner didn't move, only gave a sickening smile. "I don't think you understand."

"I don't think you do either." She replied testily. She reached for the sword at her side but groped at empty space. She had taken it off earlier because it had gotten in the way of her cleaning the deck. Dread filled inside of her.

"Cleaning the deck isn't the punishment that ye deserve." He drawled, leaning closer towards her. She quickly stepped behind the water barrel, letting it separate them. He narrowed his eyes and easily knocked it aside, water sloshing out and all over the galley. Before she could move again, he gave her a shove. She stumbled and he caught the edge of her sleeve as she fell, ripping part of her shirt open. She gasped and tried to cover herself, thankful that she still wrapped her upper chest from habit.

He yanked her back to her feet and slid a hand onto her waist. She gave a shout and lashed out with her hand, striking him across the face. This only aggravated him further and he captured both of her flailing arms in his large hand, pinning them above her head to the wall. She struggled against him, but to no avail. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "If you stop struggling, ye might enjoy it."

She spat in his face in response. His face contorted angrily and he wiped her saliva off with the back of his hand.

"That wasn't wise." He raised his hand back and struck her across the face. Lauren gave a cry of pain. The numerous rings he wore on his hand cut angrily against her skin. She brought her knee up and hit him in the groin. He momentarily released her hands as hunched forward in pain.

"No, that wasn't." A new, husky voice said. Lauren looked up to see Jack grab Gunner's shoulder and turn the big man to face him. He punched him square in the jaw and Gunner staggered back a few feet, clutching his face in pain. But he wasn't going down without a fight. He lunged for the captain and Jack easily sidestepped him. As Gunner staggered past, Jack kicked him to the floor.

Lauren grabbed the nearest thing to her that she could find: the water ladle.

Gunner fell to the floor on his back and groaned. Jack leaned down and punched him again, this time in the nose. The sickening crunch ensured that he broke it. Blood flowed out of Gunner's nose and he moaned, his hands cupped around his nose. Jack took out his pistol, and with the butt of it, knocked Gunner unconscious.

When Jack was sure that he wouldn't be moving anytime soon, he turned to face Lauren. His features softened as he saw her determinedly holding the water ladle. "An' what were ye going to do with that?" He asked softly, trying not to smile.

She looked down at the ladle in her hand and her shoulders dropped. "Poke his eye out?" She said quietly.

He slowly approached her. "Are ye alright?"

She nodded stiffly. "I'm fine. He just surprised me. I was doing fine."

"I can see that you had the situation under control." He took the ladle from her hand and tossed it aside. "Are ye hurt?"

She shook her head no, even though her face stung where he had hit her.

He then noticed the tear up the side of her shirt that revealed part of her midsection. She tugged it to the side, trying to cover herself. Jack diverted his eyes after a moment and began to unbutton his shirt.

"What are you doing?"

He took off his shirt and handed it to her. "Put it on."

Lauren stood, struck-dumb in front of the bare-chested pirate. She quickly looked away and took the shirt, sliding her arms into it and deftly buttoning the front up. "Thank you," she said quietly, surprised by his kindness.

He ignored her thanks, focused on the reddening part of her face. "I thought you said ye were okay."

"I am," she said confused. Jack reached out and touched the swollen, bleeding cut. Lauren flinched and took a step back.

"That needs to be treated." He said.

Lauren's eyes were drawn to his chest again. She blinked and looked away, unsure where it was safe to look.

He pulled out a chair for her and she took a seat. Jack went to the storage, pulled out a bottle of alcohol, and found a clean cloth. He returned to the table with them both and pulled a chair across from her. He leaned forward and gently tilted her head so he could see the mark across her cheek. The skin was cut in the middle, but besides the swelling and the redness, it didn't look serious.

"Will I live?" She asked with the smallest hint of humor.

Jack gave a chuckle and dabbed the cloth with a bit of alcohol. "Looks like it." He gently pressed the cloth against her cheek and she flinched away.

"It stings!" She protested.

Jack tried not to roll his eyes. "It's alcohol. What did ye expect?"

She didn't reply but allowed him to clean the cut, her eyes squeezed shut and her jaw clenched. Jack thought she was just being overdramatic; that or she really didn't have any tolerance for pain. She would pass out from a gun wound!

"That should help." He finished, tossing the cloth back onto a counter.

"Thank you." She said quietly, looking down at her folded hands. "Not just for this, but for…" She gazed over at Gunner's unconscious body.

Jack understood her meaning. "I told ye I wouldn't be able to guarantee your safety…"

"I understand."

"…but I'll do the best I can." He finished.

Lauren looked up at him, purposefully trying to not stare at his bare chest.

"We'll move ye to have your own private quarters. An' ye've got to work on your defense skills. But perhaps another day, eh?"

Lauren smiled. "Thank you. I'm sorry I've been such a nuisance."

Jack shrugged. "I'm sorry about your fiancé."

Lauren wasn't sure what he meant by that statement. Was he sorry that Gerard died? Or was he sorry that he thought he was a jerk who left her behind? She didn't have time to ask him what he meant as he began to drag Gunner out of the galley. "What are you doing to do with him?"

"We'll find a nice island that he can call home. Population of one," He smirked.

"Oh. Why?"

Jack actually paused and looked up at her as if she were stupid. "Not only did he defy my orders, but he tried to attack me – though was quite unsuccessful – but he tried to rape ye. Any one of those would warrant the punishment he's due to receive. But for now, we'll take 'im to the brig."

He continued to drag him and then paused. "Have ye seen the brig?" Lauren shook her head and he motioned for her to join him.

Lauren followed him to the brig, where Jack unceremoniously dropped Gunner in a heap in one of the cells. He pulled out a ring of keys and locked the cell shut. Lauren looked around in distaste. "What a miserable place," she said. Water sloshed along the floors as the ship swayed and there was an unidentifiable stench that hung in the air.

"That's the point," Jack said. "Now let's find ye a room." He led her up out of the brig and along a familiar passage. Lauren was painfully aware the entire time that Jack was still not wearing a shirt.

He opened the door to a room and stepped inside. She followed and she realized this was the same space that she and Daniel had practiced her swordplay in. The trunks and chests were still pushed against the walls.

"Dunno that we have any spare mattresses… but ye can sling your hammock in here and at least be away from the others."

After another glance at his chest, she cleared her throat. "Don't you want to… you know…put another shirt on?" She asked, feeling her face grow red.

Jack looked confused, as if he had forgotten he had given her his shirt and then smirked, realizing that he was making her uncomfortable. "Sure, love."

Lauren coughed, unsure as to why he had just addressed her as such. He left the room and after a moment, she followed. "I'll return your shirt as soon as I've found a new one."

Jack waved his hand. "Keep it. You need it more than I do."

"Thank you," she replied, again touched by his kindness.

"Back to my duties." He said with a small nod as they emerged on the top deck. He entered inside his cabin and returned moments later with a fresh shirt. He resumed his position at the helm.

"There you are," Daniel greeted. He tilted his head as he examined her shirt. "Are you wearing Jack's shirt?"

"Yes… my shirt ripped in an indecent way and he offered me his until I acquire a new one. It was embarrassing to say the least." She didn't know why she didn't confide in him at that moment, but the lie came forth so easily. He looked as if he didn't fully believe her, but it satisfied him enough to not ask any more questions.

He raised his eyebrows. "Well, you're getting along much better than you were."

Lauren nodded slowly. She figured things would be slightly different now.

"You're face…" He trailed off concernedly when he noticed her cut.

Lauren turned the other way so he couldn't see it and waved away his hand. "I fell, ripped my shirt and cut my cheek. Like I said, embarrassing."

Daniel didn't look like he quite believed her, but said no more about the topic. "I've got the next shift in the crow's nest. Want to join me?"

Lauren agreed and together they climbed to the top. As they both sat down Lauren couldn't get out of her head the idea that Jack thought Gerard was selfish for leaving her behind. She voiced what Jack had said to Daniel and asked what he thought. "Was Gerard truly being selfish for joining the navy and leaving me?"

"I think you're asking the wrong guy." He said. "I hate the government, Lauren. So I can't view the situation unbiasedly. I would do everything in my power not to go, which I am. Becoming a pirate, I did just that."

"Hmm," she said, somewhat absentmindedly. She knew that Gerard loved her with all of his heart, and that is all she needed to know. It was enough to know that the man she loves, loves her in return.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x

That night, as the crew sat in the dining hall, Gunner's absence was noted. Crewmembers asked each other if they knew his whereabouts and each gave a shake of their head. Jack was asked and he casually answered with, "In the brig."

A hushed silence fell over the room. Jack continued to butter his roll, acting as if he didn't notice the lack of noise.

"What for?" Someone asked.

Jack set down his roll and his eyes connected with Lauren's just for a moment before they moved on. She sucked in her breath and looked down at her plate. This was going to be embarrassing. She almost stood to exit the room just so she didn't have to face their reactions, but Jack was already speaking. It was too late.

"Numerous reasons. The bloody scum attacked me. But the most offensive crime is he's been stealin' from the rum and water supply." He licked a buttery thumb.

The crew murmured and Lauren left out a sign of relief. She mouthed the words thank you to Jack and he tipped his bottle of rum to her.

"That's unusual for a crewmember to attack the captain." Daniel commented.

"Strange, indeed." She murmured, taking a small sip of the rum. It didn't burn so much now when she drank it; she was growing accustomed to the taste. She wasn't necessarily sure that she liked it, but it was in abundance. She looked at the food spread out on the long table and pushed away her plate. She wasn't particularly hungry. She was also ever-conscious that she was wearing Jack's shirt. It smelled of sweat and salt and the sun, and in a weird way she kind of liked it. It brought her to the time that Gerard had spent the afternoon with her at the shore. It was one of very few times he was able to spend the majority of the day with her…and it also was the one that meant the most.

She learned her head against his arm, closing her eyes and relishing the fact that he was here with her. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. He twisted his neck to kiss her forehead and she smiled. She almost fell asleep there, just enjoying his company but he gently woke her.

"Lauren," he whispered. "It's drawing late."

The sun was indeed sinking near the horizon line, coloring the sky and waters different shades of orange and red. Gerard helped her to her feet and she brushed the sand from her dress, her eyes still on the ocean. "Have you seen anything more beautiful?" She breathed.

Gerard took her hand in his. "Yes, I have."

She looked at him questioningly, to find him gazing directly at her. She blushed and averted her gaze when she realized his meaning. They walked together along the shoreline letting the waves wash over their feet and ankles. "Lauren, I love you," he said, the words tumbling out of his mouth. She stopped where she was and he turned to face her, taking both of her hands in his. "You are unlike any other woman I've met. The more time we've spent together, the more dear to me you become." Here he paused, giving her hands a gentle squeeze. "I've looked for someone like you to spend the rest of my life with and I only hope that I am the man you are looking for."

Lauren's eyes widened. "Are you asking…"

"I have your father's blessing…will you marry me?"

Lauren's entire face lit up. "Yes!" She exclaimed. Gerard pulled out a small ring from his pocket and slipped it onto her ring finger. He then put his hand behind her head and pulled her in for a kiss.

"Bugger, ye've gone again."

Lauren was jolted out of her memory, Jack gazing at her cautiously as he took a drink from his rum bottle.

"What?" She asked, slightly embarrassed to be caught daydreaming. .

"Is this where I question your sanity?" He asked.

"I was simply thinking." She defended.

"Ah, but thinking isn't such a simple task."

Lauren stood to leave. Her and Jack were the only ones still remaining.

She was almost to the door when he spoke again. "Ye were thinkin' 'bout 'im, weren't ya?" He asked.

Lauren stopped. "Yes…" She said cautiously. "Why?"

"I don't understand."

"Understand what?"

"Why? Have ye not accepted that he's dead?" He said bluntly.

"That's none of your business." She snapped. "I loved him and love doesn't simply fade after a month. But how would you know that? In fact, do you feel anything?" As soon as the words left her mouth she regretted them.

Jack stood to his feet. "I'm not the one in love with a self-absorbed jerk. Do you know what love is, or are you just infatuated with the idea of who this guy is?" He brushed past her and left her wondering what had just happened. She didn't know why she had snapped. Since when had she been so quick to anger and impatient?

She gave an impatient sight. She needed to apologize, but that was easier said than done. When she entered her new private quarters, she felt even guiltier about her earlier statement when she found her hammock already strung up. Jack had done more than enough for her today than she could say, and that was how she repaid him? She would apologize the next day when their tempers had cooled.

It was odd to fall asleep without the snores from the surrounding crewmembers, but it was nice to have the familiar silence that she once knew again. The ship rocked her gently to sleep

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.

The next morning, she found Jack at the helm with every intention of apologizing, but before she could speak he was already issuing commands. "Ana Maria has been manning the crow's nest for the past three hours. Go relieve 'er."

"Before—"

"Are you questioning my commands or authority as captain?"

"No, captain," she said dejectedly. Another time, she vowed as she climbed to the top of the crow's nest.

She found Ana Maria there as Jack had said. "Ana Maria," she greeted. "I'm your relief."

"About time," she muttered, standing to her feet.

Lauren frowned. Why was everyone so cranky today?

Ana Maria noticed her look and hesitated. "You know what ye did was gutsy. Find a woman on a pirate ship and most would kill ya. You're lucky Jack's different because you're not only a woman, but you hid that fact. He almost didn't let me aboard. Got a lot o' courage for a prissy lady from higher society. Impressive." She smiled and continued down the ladder.

Lauren hadn't thought about it in that way. And how was Jack different? Yes, he was rather odd with his continuous half-drunken state and his swagger of a walk, but she didn't think that that was what Ana Maria meant. How was Jack different?

She found the answer to her question sooner than she might have thought. She was relieved mid-afternoon by Ben and she continued her search for Jack. He wasn't at the helm so she assumed he must be down in the galley. Her assumption proved correct when she found him discussing something with Tubbs. When she entered the room, however, he took one look at her and began to leave.

"Wait!" She said, but he pushed past her and out of the galley. "Jack!" She called again. When he didn't acknowledge her, she followed him down the passageway. "I wanted to apologize for what I said. I don't know why I said it. You just always bring out the negative things about Gerard and that... well it frankly pisses me off. It just brings out the worst in me."

Jack turned to face her. "If that's your worst, ye'll never be a true pirate."

She grinned. "I really am sorry. I don't know enough about you to make such awful assumption."

Jack frowned. "You don't know me well enough to know that I'm not heartless?" He crossed his arms and continued in a gentle tone. "I love this crew and I love me ship. I'm not a ruthless killer. Pirates as a whole may be considered such, but I use that as a front to cause fear so that I don't have to hurt anyone. I may not have what you consider love with another woman – though I do love women – but that doesn't mean I don't feel."

Lauren looked down in embarrassment. She cleared her throat, "I see." She understood now what Ana Maria meant. Jack was different.

"Apology accepted." He stuck out his hand and Lauren shook it.

Friends again. :)

As always, reviews make my day! Like really, really make my busy, chaotic, sometimes depressing day. I work 30 hours next week and have school, so I think I might go out of my mind. If you have any suggestions, criticisms, or praises, I'd love to hear them!

Stay classy you all,

- Becca