A/N: Hello, people. Here, I present you the newest chapter of our tale. Hope you enjoy it.

I have a question for you all; did any of you know that what Jack said at the end of the last chapter is true? Jack Sparrow was really under the employment of the East India Trading Company before he turned pirate. I did not make that up. I was just wondering how many of you knew that is all.

Anyway, I want to thank: xxAngelStormXx, Vampiregirl1811, DreamingsAReprieve, My Beautiful Ending, Trinideanfan, ForeverACharmedOne, Carlypso, AdaYuki, Sithlord8665, Hectorspirategirl, CrissYami, LilCharsRninNme'Ead, Howlongmustiwait, Lori, seekAriddle, Hannah-Hurricane, 88dragon06, Bystandereader, Nicicole and Happyme2.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean. Isn't it obvious by now?

Chapter 37

"Wait a minute." Mary said after she had recovered from her shock. Jack wasn't looking at her.

"Please repeat that." She said quietly as she leaned against the helm for support.

"You know what you heard, love. There is no reason for me to repeat it." He said with a small sigh as he started chewing on his bottom lip.

"You mean…you were actually employed by…the court? You weren't always a pirate?" she asked dumbfounded.

"Surprising, is it not? To hear that I was not always a scallywag." He said with a smirk but she could hear the bitter undertone in his voice.

"It would be a lie to say that it is not." She admitted truthfully as she gazed at him.

"I guess it would be." He said with a shrug.

"So…what exactly happened? You must have told me this for a reason." She said curiously and he grimaced.

"Sadly you are right." He murmured before he took a deep breath.

"How old were you back then?" she asked and he smirked.

"Twenty. Well twenty when I decided I didn't want to do it anymore. I was eighteen when I started. I was the youngest captain ever employed." He said with pride but he faltered.

"Alright, so, what happened?"

"Me father was a pirate. I knew that. He left me mum and me and he came back when I was around ten years old. I didn't exactly welcomed him with open arms." He started, "Neither did me mother but she loved the stupid git. It took him two years to convince her to leave our house for Tortuga. I wasn't that happy so…I ran away." He shrugged and she gasped.

"Run away? Where did you go?" she asked wide eyed.

"I never got onto the ship for Tortuga. I stayed behind and no one noticed I was gone, I guess." He said as he gazed at the sea.

"Where was your house? I mean the one you lived with your mother." Mary questioned and he blinked as if taken by surprise by the question.

"Cuba. I strayed there until I was sixteen."

"Alone?" Mary questioned as she looked at his profile.

"Aye. I worked at the docks until I had earned enough money to go to England. I was lucky enough to find work aboard a merchant ship. The captain was quite fond of me and just before he died he named me captain."

"How…how did he die?" Mary asked and he turned to look at her.

"Pirates attacked the ship and he was shot. The crew didn't like it at all but they had great respect for their captain and they finally came to terms with the fact that a boy half their age was in command. So…that time the Company was hiring privateers to work for them. We were supposed to transfer all sorts of cargo to any port they assigned us to go. It was pretty alright at first. Clothes, food, wine, ammunition were some of the goods we had to deliver. And the pay was good. Better than good actually." He paused and looked at his hands upon the helm.

"I was returning from the inn one morning. We were supposed to leave at dawn but I had no idea what I needed to deliver. I was with a couple of crewmen when we arrived at the ship and saw all the people. I can still hear the screams of the women. They were all tied together and they were leading them below deck when I stepped aboard. I was shocked when I realized that the cargo was actually them. I asked for an explanation and the only one I received was that they were slaves that needed to be transported to the Caribbean. They had been captured a few months ago and they wanted to get rid of them by selling them to wealthy families at the colonies. I had been shocked to do anything else than stare at the women and children that were being heaved aboard my ship. When I had finally found my voice I stated that I wouldn't do it and that they should find someone else. The Company official laughed at my face and told me that I would be discharged from my position if I did that. I didn't want that so I… accepted." Jack stopped talking and turned to look at Mary who was gazing at him with astonishment.

"But…?" she pressed on and he grinned.

"Well, I always had a problem following orders." He shrugged, "In the middle of the journey I changed course and headed for the Mediterranean instead. I let them free in Italy and never returned to England. But of course they found out and chased me. I made a mistake and they managed to catch me." He took one hand from the helm and rolled up the sleeve of his right arm. He extended said hand to her and showed her the mark.

"I was branded as a pirate the next day. So, you see, I thought that since everybody considered me a pirate, why I shouldn't become one. I escaped prison and managed to find a ship. The rest…you know." He finished as her fingers brushed over the P on his hand. He shuddered and took his hand away.

"So, that's why you are so upset about the woman and the child." Mary finally understood and he nodded.

"I just…can't imagine meself without me freedom. It makes me sick to even think of it." He frowned angrily.

"Seeing that reminded me of those days and it made me realize that it is still happening out there." He murmured as he gripped the helm tightly until his knuckles were white.

Mary stared at him for a long time in silence before she stepped closer to him and placed herself in the circle of his arms. He looked down at her and his face softened as her fingers brushed against his rough cheek.

"You're a good man, Jack." She whispered and his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Last time someone told me that she finished me off by letting me know that she still didn't trust me."

"Was that she a woman I know by any chance? Elizabeth?" she asked with a raised eyebrow and he blinked.

"How did you…?"

"The bond, remember?"

"So, what? You can read me thoughts now?" he asked and she chuckled.

"No, not really. I just feel some things you feel. When they are strong enough to make their presence known.

"Bugger." He smirked and she chuckled again as she leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. He turned his head just in time and her lips got his mouth instead. He stepped forward and pressed her hard against the helm as he pushed his lips firmly against hers. Her hands slid up his chest to his neck and she pulled him even closer as they kissed.

"Thank you." She whispered as he pulled back for air.

"What for?" he asked hoarsely.

"For telling me. For letting me know you a little more." She said as she rested her forehead against his shoulder.

Jack swallowed the pang of guilt and wrapped one arm around her, bringing her closer to his chest.

Don't thank me, love. I am still a liar. I still haven't told you that I remember everything. And I'll probably never will.

"We have a problem though." Mary said as she pulled slightly away.

"What a surprise." He said derisively.

"We don't have anything for the baby. She's hungry and we don't have anything to feed her."

Jack sighed, "I guess we'll have to make a stop then. She can't stay here." He said as he looked down at her, "You know that, don't you?" he asked when she bit her lip.

"Yes, I know. But where are going to give her?"

"We'll think of something." He assured her.

"I do need to give her something to eat though. She won't survive if don't."

"Soup." He stated and she frowned.

"Soup? Jack, she's a baby."

"Exactly. Boil some fish and make her a soup. He can't chew but she can drink." He reminded her and she lightened up.

"You're right! I'll go right away." She said as she pecked his lips and hurried down the stairs with renewed determination.

When Jack entered the galley later that night he found Mary sitting in one of the chairs with the child in her arms. The baby girl was happily gurgling down whatever Mary had made her while she was rhythmically wiggling her tiny feet. Elizabeth was sitting next to them with a small smile on her face.

The image brought a grin on Jack's face but he quickly suppressed it.

"Sorry to interrupt your girl time." He commented as he stepped into the galley and started searching for some fruit.

"It worked." Mary said as soon as she noticed him. He looked at her and winked.

"Told you, love." He said as he twirled an orange between his hands. He sat down across from them and started peeling the fruit. He felt eyes on him and looked up. Elizabeth was gazing at him peculiarly.

"What?" he almost sneered at her and she scowled at him in return. Knowing that she knew his secret always made him be defensive in her presence.

"So, this was your idea?" Elizabeth asked and Jack nodded while chewing on a piece of orange.

"I am known for me remarkable wit after all." He said and Elizabeth rolled her eyes while Mary snorted.

"Very charming, love." He commented and he just grinned at her when she glared up at him.

"Be careful of what you say because I'll make her poop on you like she peed on Elizabeth." Mary threatened and Jack burst out laughing while pointing at Elizabeth.

"Good one! At least the lass has some intuition. Well done, lassie!" he carried on chuckling while Elizabeth scoffed at him.

"Very funny, Jack. Always the charmer." She muttered as Mary straightened in her chair and pulled the mug away from the baby's lips.

"I aim to please, me dear." Jack shot back as they glared at each other.

"What's with you two? I mean besides the usual." Mary asked and Jack looked at her.

"Nothing. Apparently Mrs. Turner can't take a joke." He said with narrowed eyes.

"Maybe your jokes are tasteless, Captain." Elizabeth shot back and Mary looked between the two of them.

"Okay, stop it." Mary said as she stood up and walked towards Jack. She placed the almost asleep baby in his arms and stepped back.

Jack's eyes widened and he stilled as Mary turned to Elizabeth.

"Come. I'll give you one of my nightdresses if yours isn't dry yet." She said and Elizabeth nodded as she stood up to follow her.

"Oi! You forgot this!" Jack called as he held awkwardly onto the child.

"No, I didn't. I'll be right back." Mary said with a small smile before she led a smirking Elizabeth out of the galley.

"Wench." He said while glaring at Elizabeth's back. At that moment the baby chose to let out a small whine as she snuggled further into Jack's arms.

"No offence, love." He muttered quickly as he stood as still as a statue, waiting for Mary to come back and remove the tiny moving thing from his stiff arms.

End of chapter 37

Author's note: Thank you for reading, darlings. Hope you liked it. The details from Jack's story are mine but the fact that remains is that he really was under the command of the Company.

Please review and tell me what you think.

Xxx Lina :)