Originally, Jack had argued against leaving the cave before going after the treasure, but then Benjamin pointed out that at least one of them had to go back to take word of the raid to the others. Jack had only frowned in response and insisted that of course he had known that and had even counted on it.

When they reached the Dauntless, they were greeted by a very anxious Lieutenant Gillette, who immediately ordered that the Commodore be taken below to be seen by the ship's doctor. Norrington protested only long enough to give Gillette a report of the previous evening's events and brief instructions about the raid that was to take place. Gillette frowned when he heard that the men would be assisted in the raid by the members of Jack's pirate crew, but didn't protest.

"If I may," Jack interjected, giving Gillette reason to frown again. "I would like to point out that, seeing as I, by nature of my past occupational experiences, do have a bit of knowledge about how these things ought to go, and I would even venture so far as to say that my expertise in this sort of matter may even surpass that what is held by the fine men of the Royal Navy."

"What are you trying to say?" Gillette demanded.

"Just this," Jack replied, holding up his hands in a placating gesture. "I am a pirate, and that is undeniable fact. And so, by nature of being a pirate, I have a bit of experience with raiding guarded locations in the endeavor of recovering the guarded thing. Therefore, I humbly suggest -"

"Brevity, Sparrow," Norrington said. He was leaning heavily on Groves' shoulder, and felt like he might actually pass out.

"Allow me to direct your efforts." Jack displayed his most charming grin and pointed enthusiastically to himself.

"No."

"But - "

"You've done quite enough already."

"If you would only - "

"Sparrow..." Norrington warned.

The Commodore's haggard appearance made him look very much like someone not to be trifled with, and Jack raised his hands in submission, taking a step backwards. "Or not," he conceded, then glanced over at Gillette, who was glaring at him. Jack looked back to Norrington. "I'll be taking orders from him, then?" he asked skeptically, pointing a thumb at Gillette.

"You'll take orders from any member of my crew. Is that understood?"

Jack grinned innocently. "Certainly."

Groves and Benjamin took Norrington below, and Gillette walked away to prepare the men for the raid, though not before throwing another glare at Jack.

"Seemed a bit out-of-sorts, didn't he?" Jack commented, once the lieutenant had gone.

"Who did?" Laura asked, thinking that the description could easily be applied to more than one person.

"Your Uncle Norrington. He's usually a bit more cheerful, eh?"

Laura sighed. "Uncle Jack..."

"In any case, I think it best not to upset him any more today, for your sake as much as his own, wouldn't you say?" Jack gave Laura a pointed look.

Laura frowned. "I haven't done anything. You're the one who's made him angry just now."

"Says who?" Jack countered, frowning in return. "For all you know, it could've been that half-wit lieutenant of his what's got him all in a huff."

"Or it could be that he's got a bullet in his leg and you were arguing with him," Laura shot back, with just a touch of sarcasm.

"He hasn't got a bullet in his leg," Jack said indignantly. "Thanks to me, love, remember?"

Laura rolled her eyes. "I wish the two of you wouldn't fight, okay? When you've been pestering him he's short with me. It's not fair."

"Oh, I think it's perfectly fair, my dear, seeing as every contrary thing you do is automatically blamed on me. Just a natural bit of give-and-take."

They frowned at each other for a moment, then Jack flashed a grin, hoping to win himself back into Laura's good graces. She stubbornly looked away, glaring off across the ship at nothing in particular.

Jack sighed in defeat. "I propose a truce."

Laura raised her eyebrows at him. "A truce."

"A bargain, or agreement, if you will. I swear I will do everything in my power to keep your fine Uncle Commodore happy, and in return I ask only that you do the same. Savvy?" He extended his hand and waited anxiously for the girl's reaction.

Laura sighed and accepted the pirate's deal. "Agreed," she muttered.

"Can't have him fuming at the both of us, now, can we? Where would we be then, eh?" Jack grinned. "And now, I'd best be taking some instructions over to my own crew concerning this little crusade of ours."

Benjamin returned shortly and found Laura. She was standing at the rail of the Dauntless, alternately watching the orderly preparations of the Commodore's men and the haphazard frenzy of the pirates, but she turned and smiled at Benjamin when he approached.

"How's my uncle?" she asked.

Benjamin shrugged noncommittally. "He's certainly not feeling well. That bullet wound is hurting him quite a bit. But the doctor's with him now, and I'm sure he'll be all right."

Laura nodded, then chewed the inside of her lip and let her gaze drift absently back towards the island.

Benjamin stepped up beside her. "Laura, the Commodore will be fine. He'll be walking again before you know it."

"Oh, I know," Laura assured him. "It's not that. I just..." She sighed. "My father was murdered for this treasure. And the man who killed him spent a year looking for me so he could steal it. Uncle Jack was gone three years after he set off to look for it. Until now, my father's treasure has been just a distant thought, never anything real. And now it's so close." She looked up and found Benjamin looking at her strangely. "What?" she asked.

"You're brave, Laura," he said.

"I'm what?"

"Both your parents were killed, and then you made your own way to Port Royal, all alone, to find an uncle you'd never met and to live with him. You were nearly killed yourself, and yet you're still here, searching after the treasure that led to your father's murder." Benjamin spoke with admiration, and just a touch of incredulity. "And you disobeyed a direct order from Commodore Norrington. Clearly you're either very brave, or very mad."

"Both," Laura said. She grinned, and looked very much like a Sparrow as she did. "After all, my other uncle is a pirate."

"A fine combination," Benjamin replied.

He was standing very close, still looking at her in that strange way. "What is it?" Laura asked again.

"I think I'd like to kiss you, Laura."

"I think I'd like that, too."

So he did, taking her hands in both of his and pulling her closer. Laura closed her eyes and kissed him back, feeling that his hands were very warm and much larger and stronger than hers, and thinking that her own must be very safe while he held them.

"Mister Hayes."

Benjamin and Laura spun around to face a very surprised Lieutenant Gillette.

"Lieutenant," Benjamin responded.

Gillette frowned at Benjamin for a moment, then looked over at Laura. She dropped her eyes to the deck under the lieutenant's gaze.

"Sir?" Benjamin prompted.

Gillette regained his composure, and turned to Benjamin again. "We'll be wanting all the help we can get," Gillette said. "Since you've seen the island, you'll be coming with us."

"Yes, sir."

"Report to the hold and you'll be issued some weapons. Then find Lieutenant Groves. You'll be under his command."

"Yes, sir," Benjamin said again.

Gillette started to leave, but hesitated and turned back. "As soon as all this treasure hunt business is cleared up, I think the Commodore might like to have a conversation with you, Mister Hayes." He threw a glance at Laura, adding, "And you as well, Miss."

Huzzah, another update! It's been about a week, I know. I hope you weren't getting too impatient. Anyway, leave a review and let me know what you thought. :) Your feedback is always appreciated!