The second he stepped foot into the large tavern hall, Jack felt like he was stepping back into a dream. He hadn't been here in a long time, primarily because there was simply no good reason too. The Ol' Sailor was a bit too far out from the docks for his liking and the rum was more expensive.

The first time he had stumbled in was because he wanted a rare quiet night after a fishy ordeal he had just survived through, and he was trying to come to terms with his new fate. He hadn't wanted a woman or a fight, just drink a some sturdy ground for an hour. That was the evening he met Nicolette Barker. She served his a rum, noticed his conflicting emotion as they crossed his face one by one over and over again and asked him what his story was.

After that night his visits to that tavern were plainly for reasons surrounding her, he had been adamant to 'woo' her on each occasion and each time she backed away from his company he became more in need of it. Then he got her and then she moved on, and after all of the drama with the Mutiny, what was the point in coming back to watch a different girl in a similar dress pour his rum and hold nor the slightest bit of fascination for his stories. He didn't want to be reminded of a mutinous wench, nor had he wanted to sit and expect her presence for an entire night.

Now on this evening, Jack Sparrow had not decided to venture back to said tavern to try and find said strumpet…no. He simply fancied a change of scenery while his crew went to their usual watering hole.

"Rum…" Jack grunted as he planted himself right at the bar, barely lifting an eye to the nearby barmaid.

"Looking for someone Captain?" He winced, not really feeling in the mood for battling with old friends, however something about this deep voice rose intrigue. For it wasn't that of a sailors, but a woman's.

He looked up and towards the plumpish woman paying him the unwanted attention. She was older, a bit rounded and red in the face but he still recognised the attractive young woman she had once been. "Imelda." She was smiling at him, but it didn't quite reach her eyes and Jack forced a welcoming grin, ignoring her question with a complete understanding to what she was referring to. Her, the woman. "Been a long time."

The woman considered this statement with a raised brow. "Aye, that it has. Doubt you remember the last words I spoke to you."

Jack opened his mouth a couple of times, bobbing like a fish before answering. "I believe it had something to do with me choking on a certain part of myself as you beat the living day lights out my eyes should I hurt your wee lass…yes?" Jack's eyes rolled almost to the back of his head as he recalled that lovely day Imelda had held him up against the wall of her bar and threatened his manhood. Was as pretty as a dream. Then his eyes grew dark and serious and he fixed the woman with a look as a tanker was placed in front of him. "She's called in then?"

"Told me all about your last little adventure. Got to say, I almost feel like I owe you thanks for bringing her back. But she did seem quite bitter Jack, how come you left her here?"

"I-" A baffled looked crossed his face although he had been arguing with himself whether that was true or not for the past month. "I did not. She-" Imelda fixed him with a stern look that was sure to make his shut it before he condemned himself to previously referenced beating. "Is she here or not?" He huffed.

Imelda sighed, finally allowing her shoulders to drop and relaxing from the battle like stance she had taken with Jack. "Not tonight I'm afraid, haven't seen her in at least a week."

"A week eh?" Jack muttered, taking a sip and allowed a pause. He had to be subtle, for the sakes of his pride. So after a slow count to then, he asked as if simply curious, "Where's she staying?"

Imelda saw right through him, had since the day he walked in and watched his get all smitten with her best lass. He acted bold, but even back then when he were nowt but a young lad Imelda could see it. Seemed as though her girl still held whatever it was over him too.

"Can't say. She was staying here for a little while. Think it reminded her a bit too much of the past however." She took a moment to glance around at the walls around them, unchanged and ageing and then nodded her head towards the back of the hall, near the kitchens. "I know she moved to a place with young Felicia over there. But after that didn't work out for her I'm not sure where she went."

Jack chuckled into his drink, shaking his head at the news. "Still causing trouble eh?" He asked the woman with a glint in his eye knowing there was nothing innocent to Nicolette 'not working out'.

"She is still the best at it when I comes to my girls it seems." Imelda said amongst a deep sigh. "And one hell of a drinker now, I guess I have you to thank for that?"

Jack's smirk grew as his grip tightened around his rum. "Don't know what you mean love."

The woman shook her head and appeared to begin busying herself behind the bar but something was not sitting right with Jack. Nicolette, as much as she would like to deny it, was very much a creature of habit. Once she found her routine she stuck to it, whether it be at sea or on land. She liked a bit of excitement but when it came down to where to rest her head or get a meal she didn't roam…

"Is it normal for her?" Jack asked suddenly and Imelda looked to him curiously, her brow creased. "Not to come by here for that long?"

For the first time during their meeting, Imelda's face fell and she fought to rid the look of sadness from her eyes.

"It's…she ain't my daughter Jack and she has a small life here. Can't expect her to sit in a brothel all day and night." Jack knew the woman cared for Nicolette as if she were her own daughter, God she practically was her adoptive carer and had been since the girl was still a child. Not having seen her, not even haven't heard from her in over a decade had obviously left a wound, and now she was back but not for good, it had reopened said wound. "I'll let her know you were here when I see her."

"You have any idea of where she might be?"

There was a long pause during which Imelda argued silently with herself. When she had last saw the child, she had promised to not tell Jack anything of her if he came by looking for her. The girl was hurt, stubborn and stupid enough to block out her heart, but Imelda also knew that deep down Nicolette would want to see him. Then again, Nicolette's life had got one hell of a lot messier since the likes of Jack Sparrow got involved.

With a deep sigh, she turned to Jack and learn on the bar. "I know nothing for sure but a few nights ago there were a couple of sailors in here talking about how one lost some money to a girl in the Faithful Bride."

"Nic, gambling? I don't think so." Jack scoffed and downed a good half of his rum.

"They described her to one of my girls, told her this girl had an eye that spoke beauty and another which spoke evil." She fixed Jack with a pointed look as he lowered his mug to watch her, half way between a smile and a frown. "Now, how many lasses do we know who fit that description?"

"The Faithful you say?" The whole atmosphere seemed to change then, as if every candle in the place had been lit and there was suddenly Music in the air. Jack was grinning, in a way he hadn't for many weeks.

He didn't wait look to down his rum and gather his things. He barely uttered a goodbye to a highly amused Imelda before she called after him, stopping Jack in his tracks before he could flee the hall. "Captain Sparrow." The swung around on his heel to find her smirking. "Next time I won't be so nice." He smirked and tipped his hat to her, bowing before leaving the tavern with a bit of an extra spring in his step.

….

The rest of the evening passed much calmer than Jack had wished for. For starters, upon reaching the Faithful Bride he had been met with the sight of his crew drinking themselves half way to the grave and no sign of the girl. He even completed a quick little walk around the entire plan of the building but wherever there was a table with a game in play, there was no girl to be found.

As he had retired to a night of getting drunk with his crew, Jack let go of the original motive for the short restock docking in the pirate port. The Isles De Muerta had gone askew and the crew needed a little pick up anyway but really, well…he was sick of his compass getting in the way and if getting Nicolette would fix that then so be it.

With his fourth rum, things were starting to get a little easier actually and along with his rational thoughts, went his worry of where the poor little damsel might be.

"Captain Sparrow?" A small voice, so small he almost thought it was his mind playing tricks at first, whispered. "Captain Sparrow?" This time, it was louder and though it wasn't forceful it had some boot behind it. When he turned, Jack was delighted to find a very petite young woman stood just off to his left, wearing a pretty emerald dress and a black shall over her shoulders.

She looked very appealing, especially as her face was fresh and not drawn upon like most of the other women who had approached him that night.

He smirked, sitting up straight and neatening his moustache. "Depends who's asking love. If it's you, then that is most certainly moi." With a level of grace unsuspected from a man with his level of intoxication, Jack pushed his chair out and grandly gestured to his empty lap. "Care for a seat?"

The girls mouth dropped open and she tried to give the most genuine smile she could. "Oh…no…sorry Captain." Jack's face fell and the girl knew then that if she was going to keep his attention she had to act quick. "My names Evelyn. I only just heard your ship had made port here and I thought I should tell you of Nicolette…Barker?"

Of course, Jack thought, the minute he was about to have some real fun and the woman decides to name drop herself.

He acted uncaring, turning away from the girl and back to his drink with a flick of his wrist. "Tell me what? What about her?" From what she had heard this was not the reaction she had suspected.

"Well…" She started, grimacing as one of the crew belched loudly and ale dripped from their chin down onto their breeches. When she turned back to Jack he had a matching expression of disgust. "She's sick Captain." She allowed a minute for the news to settle in as his demeanour appeared to have changed quite suddenly however when he didn't reply, she went on. "At the moment quite-"

"Where?" Suddenly the rum was pushed away and Jack stood from his chair.

"Sorry?" The girl chirped, taken a back by the sudden action and the speed at which he was not movie compared to his previous nonchalance.

Jack threw a pouch of gold on to the table, create a wave of rejoice throughout the crew before he pulled on his coat and turned back to the girl. "Where is she?"

"Oh, she's at my fathers home, it's a short walk from here near the fishing docks." Jack nodded, eyeing the girl for any sense of danger. You could trust none on this island and her father could be anyone who knew he was here. But she didn't look the type, she seemed confident in herself but shy around him…though he couldn't be sure. If what she was saying was true however, he didn't want to risk turning her away.

"Can you take me to her?"

"Of course Captain, I can…" But Jack had already started leading the way out of the tavern and onto the busy street of Tortuga in the early morning. "Follow me." She uttered before hurrying after him, her heavy skirts gathered in her hands.

She caught up with him outside the bar, where he had apparently come to a stand still at realising he didn't know where to go and needed her to lead the way.

"This way." Evelyn smiled before walking off at a brisk pace towards the shore. Jack kept up with her easily but it wasn't until a minute or so into their journey that he spoke.

"You said Nicolette is sick?"

Evelyn's words seemed to catch in her thoughts and she coughed before nodding, though the gesture was small and would have been missed had Jack not been staring at her.

"Yes, quite badly at the moment." His brow furrowed and she took a breath, deciding whether or not to go on just yet. She did not know this man but she had heard thing, from numerous people, but the impression she got off him from her friend were quite different to those as the women she met on the streets. She didn't want to worry the man, nor did she want to over dramatise reality. But when she saw him watching her with such intensity she had to explain. "When I found her a week ago, with the state she was in I brought her straight to my father. He was a doctor before he retired to keep a small store. She's been staying with me since we met at the Faithful Bride. Didn't have the money for somewhere to stay, I assumed she didn't have enough for a doctor either."

She stopped talking as they rounded into a small alley and Evelyn stopped outside the second gate, quickly lifting the cast iron latch and opening the gate for them to step through. Once it was closed behind them, she closed the latch and slid the deadbolt shut to lock out any other intruders before leading Jack to a wooden set of stairs leading to a second floor door.

"What do you mean, found her? Her sickness was sudden?" Jack asked, begin to raise his guard as they neared the door. The girl told a good tale, a believable one, but she could just as well have been told to make up such a thing.

"She…I do not exactly know what happened. I found her in the back alley the street over from my home. She must have tried to get there but…" Evelyn paused as she pulled a small key out from her between her breasts and slid it into the doors small lock. "My father believes she was set upon, most likely by thieves." The lock snapped open and with a long, rusty creak the door was pushed open with the girl leading the way.

The room was dark, but she used him in in order for her to be able to lock the door behind them. Miss Evelyn was obviously a very cautious lass but it did nothing to suppress Jack's lingering suspicions. As she moved further into the house, Jack waited by the door until she lit a small candle and gestured for him to come.

He followed, granted about six foot behind the girl, through a narrow passage until the came to a closed door almost at the end of it. It was eerily silent, not a sound could be heard even from the busy streets just outside. It was as still as the grave. "In here." Yet another key was produced from somewhere on Evelyn's person and Jack raised his brow at the realisation that Nicolette was for some reason locked inside a room.

The door opened and Evelyn allowed him to enter first, and had it not been for what laid in the room Jack wouldn't have expected to be jumped.

All suspicion however, every single drop, vanished when he laid eyes on the small figure laying limp on the small cot in the middle of the room, against the back wall.

"She's been out for days, though she wakes up for a minute or two every once in a while." Evelyn explained, entering behind Jack but staying by his side as he stilled just inside of the door way, eyes fixed on the bed. "We treated her injuries, but she caught a fever the very next day."

Jack took one very hesitant step forward, but it took a long moment for the other foot to continue on after it and another couple of minutes for him to finally reach her beside.

Nicolette's face was bruised black and blue, so much so the scars she had were near invisible. Her jaw was swollen and there were at least half a dozen cuts over her face alone, he dare not look under the covers. Her head was laid to the side, facing him and her hands rested peacefully by her sides. Jack could barely see the rise and fall of her shallow breaths beneath the sheet, if he didn't know better he'd think she were dead.

He had seen her like this a handful of times, but he had always been there as it happened or straight after. Jack had always been the one to treat her wounds, dig out the bullets and stitch her back up. Jack had been the one to hold her down as gentle as he could as the doctor poured alcohol into her tore eyelid and stitched up her cheek. Jack had been the one to soothe the burns Beckett had branded her with after he basically handed her over to the Navy on a platter.

The guilt from her getting hurt by something of his doing was always hard on him in the past but knowing someone else had done this enraged him.

"Who?" It came out as a growl, deep and animalistic and his eyes never left Nicolette.

"I don't know." Evelyn stuttered. "Like I said I can't be sure what happened, but someone seems to have done this. It wasn't an accident."

"How long er…" Jack paused and cleared his throat before he crouched down as quietly as he could and brushed a stray piece of her from Nicolette's barely recognisable face. "Do you…is she going to be alright?"

"I…can't say. I'm sorry." Evelyn watched as Jack's hand drifted from her friends face, delicately trailing to her hand where he wrapped it up within his own, planting a kiss on her cold knuckles. "She's still very sick, and with her body trying to recover from her injuries…it all depends on if she gets over the fever."

Jack's grip on Nic's hand tightened as he released a breath he hadn't realised he had been holding.

Evelyn began to feel a little uncomfortable intruding on what was obviously a private moment. As she cleared her through, Jack glanced at her.

"Can I get you anything Captain? Something to eat."

"Nah, though a chair would be good?" He asked, letting go of Nicolette gently and standing only to remove his coat. "You don't mind if I stay for a bit do you?"

She smiled. "Not at all. I'll get that chair for you."

The girl left and Jack stood still only a foot away from Nicolette's bedside, looking down on her. After a moment a soft smile appeared across his face and he smiled sadly, moving forward to once again take her hand.

"What is it with you and driving me half way to crazy hmm?" But of curse there was no answer, no witty remark or venomous bite back at him, just silence as she remained unconscious. "You're gonna be just fine luv."