A/N: Sorry I had to delete chapter 22 and 21 because I didn't really like them that much and also I had no clue what to write for the next chapter. Therefore these two chapters are going to be changed and I should have chapter 22 up soon.

Chapter 21:

Ryan had on huge smile as she said this. "That's wonderful may I escort you back to your house?"

Natalie smiled as well. "Yes, you may…"

Natalie linked arms with him as they made their way out of the market and back to the Swann house. Once at the front door Mr. Cunningham lightly kissed her good bye before she entered the house. As she shut the door behind her Elizabeth came down the stairs.

"What was that about?" She asked curiously.

"What was what about?" Natalie replied back a bit confused by her sister's reaction.

Elizabeth sighed and said, "What were you doing with Mr. Cunningham?"

Natalie frowned at her. "What can he not walk me back the house?"

"And kiss you good-bye?"

Natalie was rendered speechless for a moment. "Okay, so it maybe possible he likes me."

"Maybe…?" Elizabeth questioned.

"Okay so maybe he does like me, but I don't see why it's seems to be a problem." She responded innocently.

"Has it never occurred to you that possibly Jack is not over you?" Elizabeth questioned.

"He never acts like that though; he is usually all over Jaclyn." Natalie argued back.

"I know; it was just a thought…" Elizabeth said as she shrugged.

Natalie went to her room and sat on the window sill reading a book. The story she was so intrigued by was much like her own. A woman who was very much in love with a rich, noble handsome man was left broken hearted. Her lover chose to be with a richer woman because the main character was a poor young woman. Thus leaving the brokenhearted girl by herself alone. In the end of the novel the brokenhearted girl decided to kill her lover, which of course Natalie could never do.

By now it was dusk and Natalie was more confused then ever on what to do about her predicament. She decided to do something she would never dream of doing. Natalie changed into pants, a white, baggy shirt and boots. Natalie also tied her hair up and stuck it under a hat thus looking like a young boy. Quietly she snuck out of the house so as not to be spotted by any of the maids.

Once away from the house Natalie headed toward a nearby tavern. It was the dirtiest and smelliest place she had ever been in. Drunken men were stumbling out of the tavern and going inside it. Small fights would break out over spilt rum and the tavern reminded Natalie of Tortuga except not as worse. Natalie quickly ordered a rum just as a fight was being started near her and she found a table at the back of the tavern. Natalie stared into her mug of rum for a few moments contemplating whether she was going to drink it. Finally she downed the whole mug; it burned her throat as she drank it, but it was her only comfort as of right now.

Natalie watched the different arguments going on around the tavern, but most of them were over the something's either spilt rum or a harlot. It was then Natalie noticed Jack walk into the tavern and she pulled her hat further down to hide her face from him, but made sure she could still see. She watched as he bought a mug of rum from the bar and about three harlots quickly went over to him all of them were giggling obviously flattered by his presence.

Natalie rolled her eyes. Always the womanizer…

Jack had obviously flattered them because from where Natalie sat she could tell they were all blushing and he wore a mischievous smirk on his face. This made Natalie's stomach churn inside her and made her wonder if he always did this when she wasn't around. Then as if Jack knew what Natalie was thinking he looked in her direction and Natalie pulled her hat down a bit lower, which covered her eyes from him. It was unfortunately too late Jack had already begun to walk over to Natalie's table.

"You seem familiar to me, do I know you?" He asked curiously. Natalie didn't answer she just shook her head praying Jack would walk away.

Jack pulled the hat off Natalie's head and was shocked. "Love, what are you doing here?" A voice asked and Natalie looked up to see Jack.

"How did you know I was here?" Natalie asked curiously as Jack his own mug of rum on the table and sat across from her.

"I didn't…I mistakenly found you obviously. What are you doing here this isn't the place for you?" Jack asked sounding concerned.

"I know I just…wanted to get away…go somewhere different…I have so much on my mind…" She said watching two drunken men beat each other for a harlot, whom was standing nearby watching.

"What's on your mind that would make you come to a place like this?" He asked questioningly.

"I told Mr. Cunningham that I had feelings for him, but I'm not so sure I do." She looked at the empty mug that was in front of her as she spoke.

Jack's face fell when she said this. "Oh…"

It was silent for a moment then Natalie spoke. "Do you do that when I'm not around?"

Jack frowned and asked, "Do what love?"

"Flirt with the harlots in the tavern's you go to…" Natalie said waiting for answer.

Jack didn't know what to say, he didn't want to lie to her. "Yes, but nothing else love I promise."

Natalie nodded and just looked down at her hands that were sitting in her lap. "Come on I'll take you home, love." Jack said suddenly

Natalie followed Jack out of the tavern and away from all the drunken men. When some drunken men noticed Natalie they whistled and shouted things at her, but Jack glared at them and Natalie ignored them. About half way to the house Natalie stopped him. "Jack wait…"

He stopped and turned to face her. "When you said you didn't love me on the Black Pearl was that true?" She asked curiously.

Jack thought hard about it for a moment. "At that moment I did, but when you were in danger I realized I still loved you."

"What about now? Do you still love me now?" She asked quietly.

Jack looked at her sympathetically. "I have always loved you even more so when I wasn't around to protect you from anything."

Tears formed in her eyes, but Natalie refused to let them fall. "What about Jaclyn?"

"I thought I loved her especially when you weren't around Jaclyn was the only company I had and I made myself believe I loved her. When I said I didn't love you I immediately hated myself afterwards…" Jack explained.

Natalie smiled. "Can we fix this?" She asked hopefully.

Jack smirked. "We already started…"

"What about Jaclyn and Cunningham?"

"Don't worry I'll think of a plan, love." Jack replied.