Chapter 21

Jack looked at her , a little miffed. "It's a chart that supposedly leads you to the fountain of youth."

Moonie looked at him for a moment then began to laugh, "You can't be serious," she said.

Jack looked at her laughing at him. "I am serious. Haven't ye ever looked for treasure before love?"

Moonie laughed a little longer, "Jack I come from about three hundred years in the future... there is NO fountain of youth, give Barbossa the damn chart, chase treasure that exists," she said.

Jack leaned back in his chair. "Perhaps in your time it has already been found," he said. "I'll be damned if I'm going to give that man the chart. He's taken enough from me in the past." he said a little more harshly than he meant.

Moonie shook her head, "No Jack it's not been found and will never be found because there is no such thing... and if you think I'm going to go off on some wild goose chase after shadows and myth when I should be getting home well that's insane," she told him. She looked at him suspiciously, "Is that you're plan? Make me follow this stupid dream that will never come to pass instead of helping me get home? Well perhaps I'd be better off going on my own," she told him.

Jack looked at her. "Ye want to go home? Fine, I'll get ye home Moonie." He snapped. "You're the one who dreamed of pirates and treasure and adventure. Ye told me so yerself." He quickly refilled his glass and drank down the contents. "I love you Moonie. There are ye happy! I've never said that to anyone in my life," he growled. "But if home is where ye want to go, then I'll get ye there." He said and stood up.

Moonie stood but instead of chasing him she ran in the other direction sobbing. When he stepped out of the shadows and caught her in his arms she didn't have any fight in her.

"Why are ye running lass?" Barbossa asked her.

Moonie looked into his cold blue eyes, "Why do you care," she sobbed.

"I'm not as horrible as Jack makes out," he said. "Ye look like ye could use a drink."

Moonie nodded, "Yes, I could," she said.

Barbossa held out his arm to her. "Come then," he said. She took his arm and he led her to a tavern called the Cock-n-Bull. He led her to a table and sat down across from her. "So tell me missy, what did Jack do that has got ye all upset?"

Jack watched her run into the darkness. It must be love. How else could a woman make him so bloody frustrated. He tossed some coins on the table and went in search of her.

Moonie shook her head, "It's nothing you would want to hear," she told him.

"Oh?" Barbossa asked. He poured her a glass of rum. Perhaps her tongue would be a bit looser if he plied her with liquor. "I'm all ears missy."

Moonie shook her head, "I love him but it seems everything I do is wrong."

Barbossa noticed her glass was already empty and he refilled it quickly. "Does he know ye love him?" he asked.

Moonie blushed, "I doubt he's that dull brained," she said. She put her head in her hands, "I just want to go home," she sobbed.

Barbossa smirked. "This is Jack we're talkin' about missy," he said. "I don't think he's ever been in love before," he said, continuing to smirk. "Did Jack tell you he'd get ye home?"

Jack checked the Wicked Wench but she wasn't there. He made his way to the other taverns but didn't find her. He glanced down another street where there was but one tavern. He hoped she hadn't gone there.

Moonie shrugged, "Yes but he's no idea how to get me there," she said. She sniffed and downed her drink. "Nobody can get me home," she said helplessly.

Barbossa refilled her glass once again. "I can." He said with a wicked smile.

Jack walked through the doors and saw two familiar faces sitting towards the back. He scowled and moved towards them.

Moonie laughed cynically, "Who are you the Wizard of Oz," she said. "You don't even know from where I've come," she pointed out.

Barbossa leaned forward. "Ye aren't from this time," he said. He heard her gasp. "I'd tell ye more, but we're about to have company."

"Moonie, come love, it's time to go back to the Pearl." Jack said as he stood behind her, glaring at Barbossa.

Moonie didn't look at him, "I'm not going back to the Pearl so go chase after yer stupid fountain of youth ... then maybe you'll be happy," she hissed. She downed her drink, "Come Hector we can finish our talk aboard yer ship," she said.

"Wife," Jack hissed. "It's time to go back to the Pearl. Ye've had enough to drink for one night." he said and before she could react, he picked her up and lifted her over his shoulder. When she began to struggle, he gave her a good smack on her behind.

Barbossa stood and smirked. "Ye best be goin' with yer husband missy." He nodded at her. Oh yes, she'd help him.

Moonie had never been so insulted she managed to get the knife from her sleeve, "Put me down or I swear I will cut you Jack Sparrow," she screamed as he carried her out the door.

Jack already sensing she'd reach for her knife, grabbed it out of her hand and stuffed it into his coat pocket. "Now love, ye really must settle down," he said and smiled widely at the cheers and jeers from the occupants of the tavern. When they were outside he set her down and held her by the arms. "Don't ever go running off like that again," he said in all seriousness. "Do you know what could've happened to you?" he asked her.

Moonie shook her head, "I don't care... I don't care you don't care, nobody cares... so just shut the fuck up. I am never getting home, so what does it matter," she was screaming and sobbing hysterically.

Jack pulled her into his arms tightly. "I care love," he said softly. "More than you realize. I promise I'll get you home love," he said softly. "There is a place that I know of that has magical powers. A place that Tia Dalma told me of. She said that if ye believe in something enough, it will happen there."

Moonie struggled free, "Don't touch me, don't try to tell me you love me because you don't... nothing I say or do is right! I might as well stay here and be a whore until I die, I'm never getting home, you're just making up a bunch of mumbo jumbo, all you care about is fucking me," she shouted at him. She had her hands balled into fists. She picked up her skirts, "I'm not going to listen to your bull shit anymore. I can't believe I ever thought someone could love me, really love me just the way I am, I'm damaged goods, all men want from me is a fuck and a smile, but god forbid I want something real," she began walking away cursing and fuming as she stormed away not having a clue about where she was going nor caring.

Jack ran after her and forced her to look at him. "Do I not feel real to you Moonie?" he asked angrily. "Damaged goods my ass love. We all have a past. We may or may not like what happened in our past, but there is always a chance to make anew. Nobody's life is perfect," he said. "Right now I'm the best chance you got love. Not Barbossa. No matter what he said to you. And yes, I do bloody well love you. And it scares me. Scares me to death. And if ye think all I want from you is a fuck and a smile, then I guess ye don't really want to know the real me at all!"

Moonie sobbed into his chest, "You won't let me in, you keep things from me, and when you told me you loved me it was out of anger, I keep trying but you keep shutting me out," she said. She clung to him helplessly. "Help me," she begged.

Jack held her tightly. "Aye love, I'll help you," he said softly kissing her now falling hair. "I'm sorry I was so angry. But Moonie," he said taking her face in his hands. "I do love you. I'm scared too, but I do love you."

"Then give Barbossa the charts, get him out of our lives please," she begged.

Jack looked deep into her eyes. "Let's talk about that tomorrow," he said and kissed her trembling lips. "Come, let us return to the Pearl. I imagine ye are tired."

Moonie knew in his heart of hearts that Jack would not agree to give the charts to Barbossa. She lowered her head knowingly. "Do with me as you wish," she murmured. Tears rolled freely down her cheeks unchecked as she looked up at him, "I'm no more then a willing slave it seems anyway," she whispered. She would never make him understand how she felt, they were from two different worlds.

Jack looked at her and sighed heavily. He wondered if things would ever be right between them. He took her hand and together they walked back to the docks. "Do ye think I'd like your time?" he asked.

Moonie shook her head, "No," she said simply.

"Why's that?" he asked. Not loosening his hold on her hand.

Moonie didn't answer for a moment, "You just wouldn't," she said.

Jack remained silent as they boarded the Pearl. When they reached his cabin, he lit candles. "Would ye like me to help you out of your dress?" he asked. This unspoken silence was killing him. But at the same time, he knew she would argue with him about the blasted chart.

Moonie looked at him, "As I was, do with me as you wish... I'm nothing more then a prisoner here," she told him.

Jack looked at her. "You aren't a prisoner here Moonie," he said. "And you certainly aren't my prisoner. Better that I found you on that beach than some other pirate," he said. "If I truly wanted to do what I wished with you, we wouldn't be here right now. We'd be sailing at this very moment. Give me some credit why don't you?" he growled.

Moonie looked at him, "Not a prisoner? Am I here of my own free will? And I never told you to come back to Tortuga, it was YOUR decision do not take me for a fool," she hissed back. "And I never asked for your help, YOU took it upon yourself to interfere," she pointed out. "I am a prisoner I've no idea how or why I am here," she said and burst into tears. "Stop trying to make this about you, it is me who am lost," she sobbed.

Jack looked at her angrily. "I know you're bloody lost. I don't know exactly how or why ye arrived here either. Maybe there is a reason. A reason neither of us has figured out yet." He said trying to control his temper. He turned towards the door. "If you want to stay in Tortuga, I'll make sure ye have money to do so. Or I will help you to get home. You can believe me if ye want or not Moonie. The choice is yours," he said and left the cabin. Shutting the door softly behind him.

He went to the deck of his ship and sat down on some crates. He rubbed his temples. His head hurt. He would take her to the island that Tia Dalma had told him about and perhaps the portal was still there.

Moonie waited for a moment then went on deck, she found him sitting on a crate lost in thought. She moved passed him and stood by the rail. She didn't want to be alone. "You won't give them up will you," she said looking up at the stars.

"What's that?" Jack asked watching her.

Moonie shook her head, "I would think you might worry about me stealing them and taking them and taking my chances with Barbossa," she said turning to face him.

"You can certainly try love," Jack said sarcastically. "You don't even know where they are."

Moonie crossed her arms, "Wanna bet," she asked.