For the passed four days, I have been trying and trying to finish writing this chapter! It's finally here, thank God. My family is dealing with a lot of issues right now and the passed two days have been rough. This is the first night I wasn't too tired to keep writing!

The actress I picture as Kate is Mackenzie Porter, with light auburn hair. And if they find her dad, he is portrayed in my mind by actor Paul Blackthorne. If you've watched him as Captain Lance on Arrow, then you know why he makes the perfect cop.

Don't worry, Guest, about a scene with Kate nearly drowning. I have one in mind, just not yet. I know, kill the suspense for everyone else, sorry!

Please, oh, please leave reviews on this chapter! It contains a major spoiler that I really hope you did not see coming! And I would love to hear your reactions! Plus, it sets the tone for the next chapter, which isn't going to be pleasant. So, you've been warned.

Jack set sail along the British coastline, out of London. No one in the city seemed to act conspicuously toward us, so we felt that our cover had worked. But while there, we'd acquired some mouth-watering delicacies that were as rare to the Black Pearl gang as gold is to a beggar on the street. Of course, the crew had in mind to steal the food, but Will, Elizabeth, Anamaria, and I had purchased the decent food. As the Pearl floated along, we wasted no time digging into the crescents. They were simply scrumptious! Especially compared to the slim pickings we'd been living on for weeks.

"Might I ask where you got this?" I asked Jack suspiciously when I scanned the map.

"An old acquaintance, as it were." Jack grinned. "He didn't seem to mind."

"Do I dare ask how?" I narrowed my eyes.

"Ask me no questions, I tell you no lies, dearie." Jack said innocently. He leaned back in his chair with his legs crossed on the table.

"The blessing of deniability." I sighed. Jack nodded eagerly. Elizabeth, Will, and Gibbs entered Jack's lounge where we had the map splayed out in front of us.

"Jack, you do realize that this map is practically thirteen years old, if not longer?" Elizabeth suggested.

"I did notice, love. And that's why we must treat it with the utmost respect." Jack said.

"But Briggs must have moved on to greener pastures since then." Will added.

"Ah. One thing you all should learn, about successful business men." Jack said cockily, springing from his seat and prancing around the room. "No matter how many setbacks, they never kill the one golden goose that will surely always produce the desired gold."

"Indeed, Jack. Where are you going with this?" Elizabeth asked.

"One word, luv: Plymouth." Jack replied smugly.

"Plymouth?" We all gaped.

"Plymouth." Jack nodded in approval.

"But, Jack, if Briggs was setting up store there, surely the Royal Navy would've shut it down when he was ordered to leave England." Gibbs said.

"That was many years ago." Jack said. "And Briggs was smart enough not to show his face in London again. But as for the coastal ports on the other edge of the map, hundreds of miles from London, I daresay, he would've held onto one of them, no matter who got in his way."

"Jack, there are no marks on the map to indicate that he ever traded the slaves at Plymouth." Will argued. "Everywhere else, yes. But not Plymouth. It isn't even circled or shown along the trade routes."

"Exactly, William." Jack smirked, feeling very proud of himself that the rest of us were not quite catching onto his reasoning. His gloating was annoying.

"I see your lips moving, Jack. But you're not saying anything." Elizabeth shook her head, crossing her arms. "Would you please explain yourself so that we can follow your rambling?"

"Please! Enlighten us." I begged. I was feeling stupid for not being able to see his point.

"I happen to know that bloody old Briggs kept a secret reservoir of a trading post ten miles west of Plymouth years ago. And seeing as he did not elaborate this prize for the whole world to see-namely, on the map-, something tells me he was holding onto it." Jack explained.

"In case the rest of his trade was ever thwarted." Will said.

"Aye, now you're beginning to see it!" Jack exclaimed.

"But I don't understand." I spoke up.

"No?"

"Well, not everything. So, he well hid one port that he knew the authorities would not suspect him of. But two things are still puzzling me."

"Go on."

"When and how did you know so much about it, Jack? About that one? I'm sure Briggs wasn't the type to just blurt out the skeletons in his closet to just anyone."

"Mmm...that would depend on the skeletons." Jack said thoughtfully. "Actually, the man liked to brag about his success. He enjoyed rubbing it in the noses of the officers. As to how I came to know about this certain piece of information, dearie...I was in prison at the time when the Marquis was threatening Captain Summers and m-err, the key witness to stay out of his bloody business. Being locked up in a cell, ye get to hear things that people never intended you to hear. But yur only a bunch of wastrels rotting away in jail, so what are ye goin' to do about it?"

"Nothing." Will muttered.

"So, to Plymouth then, Jack?" Gibbs inquired.

"Ehh, actually a bit further than that." Jack corrected him. We all shuffled out except for Elizabeth. "Forget something, luv?" Jack asked.

"Jack, it was very decent of you to help Kate like this." Elizabeth said softly.

"You sound surprised." Jack feigned shock.

"Just that I've grown accustomed to you agreeing to lend a willing hand, on the basis that there's something in it for you in return. But as for this venture, I have not seen it. What is it?"

"Got my reasons, luv." Jack shrugged.

"Captain Summers owe you something, from years ago?" Elizabeth asked suspiciously.

"Possible." Jack said casually.

"Or could it be that for once, you've chosen to listen to your conscience rather than silence it?"

"I have the distinctive feeling that you are interrogating me." Jack remarked.

"Curious." Elizabeth corrected him. Jack looked as if he wanted to share the truth with her, but instead returned to the infallible facade.

"This entire voyage was not my idea, if you recall." He rolled his eyes. "Someone has to make sure it is done right, and I gotta look after my ship. Wouldn't do to let someone else commandeer her, now would it? They don't know her. Nobody knows the Black Pearl, as well as I do. She'd be lost without me." Jack said dramatically.

"Inseparable, that remains to be seen." Elizabeth slightly grinned. She knew Jack loved his ship as he loved few people, but the way he'd changed the subject spoke volumes to her that he didn't want his reputation to be blotted by his unusual devotion to Kate's family.

"Besides," Jack spoke in a lighter tone, "you were just looking for another good excuse to leave your boring, frivolous little island and come back to see me, now didn't you?" He teased flirtatiously.

"Oh, don't be ridiculous, Jack." Elizabeth frowned, trying to ignore him.

"Ahh! So, you have missed me." Jack smirked. Elizabeth pursed her lips tightly and marched away with a huff.

"Between you and Will always making ludicrous assumptions, it's a wonder how anyone can have any private life on this ship!" She snapped as she vacated the room. Jack silently congratulated himself for having hit a nerve and making her speechless. How he loved watching her go into feisty mode. It never grew old for him.

Two days later, we'd reached Plymouth, but sailed passed there farther down the coast. There we reached a remote coastal town that wasn't even mentioned on the map. It wasn't half as large as Plymouth itself, but it seemed to serve its purpose as a town. So as not to attract the attention of the local law enforcement, Elizabeth and I covered our pirate garb underneath the new dresses we'd purchased in London. That way, we would appear as ordinary citizens, but would be ready for action if danger struck.

"Ye all wait here, while I go pay me respects to our bloody, unsuspecting host." Jack told us.

"It would be rather conspicuous, Jack, for a traveling ship to land port and not see what the land has to offer." Will said, indicating that we should mingle casually among the residents. Jack shrugged.

"Do as you please then." He sighed. "But keep a sharp eye for the signal!" Jack, as usual, had a plan to blackmail Ralph Briggs into telling us exactly where and what he'd done with Father. I could only pray that it worked!

"Aye, aye, sir!" Gibbs shouted. Jack began to trot down the gangplank as I eagerly followed him.

"Jack! Wait! Am I not going with you?" I asked with disappointment. Briggs was a personal enemy, and I wanted to confront him face to face for the horrible things he'd done. Jack's shoulders sagged.

"Not this time, luv." He shook his head grimly.

"Why?" I persisted. "He's the one who did away with my father!" Jack puffed irritably and turned to look at me.

"Listen, Katie darlin', you're just gonna have to trust me on this one." Jack said without a hint of humor. That was unsettling.

"Can I?" I gulped dejectedly.

"It appears you don't have much choice in the matter." Jack muttered hurtfully.

"I'm sorry." I said earnestly, hoping he'd believe me.

"Briggs just seeing you at this point, would put all of us at risk." Jack explained. My face fell in dismay as his words hit me like a sudden dash of cold water.

"Am I really that much of a burden, to you?" I could feel tears beginning to well up. I just wanted to save my dad, but it seemed that the closer we came to accomplishing that goal, the less Jack wanted me involved. And my mere appearance, my name, could mean life or death for all those around me! I still didn't entirely understand that part. I knew already that many people, especially in the social circles, did not welcome our family name of Summers. They might even snub us. But why would they want to kill us, over a matter that did not work out in Father's favor?

"Never, luv." Jack offered quietly. "But this bloody business is grislier than even you know already. And I must deal with it the best way I know how. Briggs be one rotten egg."

"I still don't understand." I said lowly.

"You will...someday. But I've no time to explain now. Now go with Elizabeth, and try to look like you're having a good time." Jack gave a coercing smile. "You just leave this to old Jack. Savvy?" I sighed.

"All right, Jack. But you're going to have to tell me eventually, everything." I told him as I began to walk away.

"When the opportune moment comes." He said, and we all went our separate ways.

Jack hitched a ride on the baker's wagon, making a delivery to a fine, stately house that sat like a momentum on a hill two miles away from the docks. It was made of brick, with French doors, many windows, and seven outer buildings. It looked so fancy and clean, compared to the provincial village it looked down upon each day. There were guards along the dirt road, leading up to the mansion, and they were also posted at the front gate. The guards glared at Jack with their weapons. "Halt! Who goes there?!" One of them bellowed.

"It's a just me, Sirs, making a delivery." The baker said timidly.

"I didn't mean you.' The watchman rolled his eyes. He was focusing his spear on Jack who shrank back, waving his hands back and forth. "You there! The governor isn't expecting no visitors."

"Governor?" Jack cringed. What meathead had the deprivation to make a miscreant like Briggs governor? "Well, then he is in for a surprise, mateys." Jack smiled widely. "You can tell him it's an old friend, waiting to see him after all these years."

"Name, if you please." Another guard demanded. Jack grimaced. He reached into his coat and tossed out two purses of coins.

"What would ye say to a little compensation, and we forget the name? Savvy?" Jack suggested. The men greedily feasted their eyes on the money he'd dumped on them.

"All clear. You may enter, sirs." The older one waved them off dismissively.

"Good man!" Jack bowed gratefully. As they approached the large structure, Jack noticed that it was overrun with only the most beautiful plants and blossoms, and once he just strolled inside the front door, his eyes popped widely at the lavish furnishings and flawless decor around him. Whether his nemesis was legally governor or not, he sure was livin' it up to that degree! Jack sat down on the velvet cushions. They were nice and soft, not like the countless wooden chairs and barrels his crew sat on aboard the Pearl. He wandered about, flicking the pottery, frowning at his appearance in the silver vases, and snatching up food from the various tables that adorned the walls through every suite.

He was munching on a banana when the butler, a weathered, hunched over man with silver hair, walked into the hall and instantly dropped his tray of cheri. "Here now! Who are you?!" The older man gasped in fright and backed away as if he was afraid Jack would bite him!

"Easy there now, mate." Jack smiled. "I've come to see the man in charge, about a man who once was in charge, now conveniently thrown to the dust, thus bringing me and my proposal back to the man who is in charge. Savvy?"

"The master is not expecting any guests. Not today." The butler shook his head, still petrified.

"Ahh. Then you...y good man...tell 'im...ack...row...sen...gards...' Jack mumbled as he gobbled down the banana, and tossed the peeling onto the beautifully scrubbed wooden floor.

"Good heavens! Sir, the...the..." The butler shrieked like a lady when she sees a mouse. "That...you must remove it!" Jack decided to tease the already high-strung fellow.

"What for? It doesn't bite, I promise you." He smiled.

"If you'll just step this way, Sir." The shaken butler beckoned Jack, and led him to the Great Hall. "I'll tell the master you're here." He gulped and tiptoed up a beautiful staircase, as if a ghost were after him.

Jack shook his head, and nonchalantly placing his hands on his belt, took a look around. His eyes fell on a massive portrait that swallowed the center of the middle wall. Jack trotted over and gazed at it. A rigid, young, tall man with dark hair, handsome features, and a fancy green uniform donned the canvas. His dark eyes were peeled forward, and his face emotionless. Jack grimaced. "We have our man." He said with satisfaction as he recognized the younger and deadlier Ralph Briggs. "Not much of one for art appreciation, are you, mate?" Jack teased the man in the painting. "Well, let's see how you like this!" He stepped back and spat at the painting's face. "Ehh. That didn't go where I wanted it to." Jack grumbled with contempt. "You're supposed to be over here." He told his spit, pointing right on Briggs' painted nose. "Let me try again."

"You'd better have a good reason for coming into my home, uninvited, and most dishonorable at this unearthly hour, you d- peasant!" A hostile voice bellowed down at Jack as its owner descended the staircase with deliberate, authoritative, disgruntled footsteps. Jack straightened up and watched the master of the house approach him. Indeed, it was the same figure in the painting, but with a few wrinkle lines at the eyes, a white powdered wig, and a more sour expression. Jack frowned at him and cringed. Oh, he recognized the man, even after thirteen years, and suddenly the memories of that terrible time rushed vividly back into his mind. And, Briggs was carrying a large bullwhip in his hands.

"Briggs! Long time no see!" Jack greeted 'merrily'. "Been a long time, mate. How long...err...ah! Thirteen years I believe it's been. Yes, that would be about right, now wouldn't it? Aye. Looks like you haven't done right bad for yourself, eh?"

"Who the h- are you?!" Briggs demanded. "And be respectable enough to honor your governor."

"I'm not from around here. So the way I sees it, there isn't a governor for me to pay homage to." Jack smiled. Briggs smacked him across the face, hard. Jack had to blink away the dizziness for a moment. Mmm...almost as effective as Anamaria. She won't be happy to hear that! But she'll be glad to hear hers is still the more effective of the two.

"Speak to me again like that, you impudent dimwit, and I'll have you punished within an inch of your miserable life." Briggs hissed, clenching his whip.

"I'm rather looking forward to that." Jack shrugged, rubbing his sore face. "If you're lucky, maybe I will not escape like last time."

Briggs squinted. "As I said before, who the h- are you? No one respectable, that is clear enough."

"I have very little respect for high-riding verminous inspectors with little to no regard for their fellow man." Jack said, with a little more firmness in his voice. Briggs thrashed his whip on the marble floor, the stinging sound of it echoing through the air.

"Who are you?" Briggs snarled, stepping closer.

"Who am I? Why, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow!" He feigned hurt and amusement. "Don't tell me that a brilliant fellow such as yourself has forgotten about me." Briggs' steamy face heated a couple notches up.

"D-...Jack Sparrow. A scumbag, a pirate, and a filthy menace to society." Briggs leered in disgust.

"As one menace to another, it's Captain Jack Sparrow."

"You're lucky you got away. I am not one to be trifled with, you bloody maggot. What are you doing here?"

"Came to have a look around. I was just in the neighborhood. Done all right for yurself, haven't ye? These floors, beautiful furniture. Lovely rugs. Spanish, aren't they?"

"Turkish." Briggs held his nose in the air. He was appalled that Jack was in his house, but it did stroke his ego to show off his elaborate aggregations.

"Oh." Jack nodded. "And just how many heads of profit did it cost you?" Jack asked with a pasted smile, but his voice was clear with contempt.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Briggs rolled his shoulders, and put his hands behind his back casually. Jack did eye that he was still holding the whip. "What the h- did you come for, Jack Sparrow? The last time I saw your miserable face, you were running away into the night, like the weak coward that you are. I haven't forgotten that night. Have you?"

Jack chuckled mirthlessly. "And you shall always remember it, my friend, as the night you almost exported Captain Jack Sparrow." Jack smirked.

"And look at you now, a worthless scoundrel. Look at me, compared to you! I've made something of myself. I went out and did something that will make the world a better place. A more profitable place, if you will. You're in my house, Sparrow. I can still have a hold on you, and on your dirty fate. You entered my house without permission. You've insulted me. Do you have any idea what I am capable of?" The younger man taunted him.

"Most unpleasantly, I've seen firsthand the shrewd, effective ways you have managed to hide from the Royal Navy, and sweep your unthinkable methods under the rug while you dance around on the graves of other men." At this point, Jack sidled up closely to him.

"Do tell me, mate, how does one send another man-namely, his own father -to be sold into slavery, like a fine horse to be bartered for? Eh?" Jack asked slowly, curiosity in his voice tinged with indignation. Briggs stiffened stubbornly. "To prove a point? For a few fleeting moments of a hollow victory to one's fragile ego? Pray do enlighten me! I am most curious to understand that one!" Jack pasted an eager grin, when inside, he was just waiting for the right moment to give this crooked fellow a taste of his own medicine! Oh, please do provoke me! Please try, he thought to himself.

"Do not broach that subject, you piece of c-." Briggs warned Jack. "Could be very unhealthy. Get me?"

"Merely a question, mate." Jack replied calmly, though he kept watching the fingers coiling the whip.

"Summers is nothing to me. Just another figure on a ledger."

"So...Summers, is it?" Jack taunted him. "And pray tell, just where did he end up? Was your threat for a 'fate worse than death' carried out to the letter as you'd hoped? Your partners in crime must have paid a pretty price for an able-bodied man like Summers."

"What's it to you?" Briggs curled his lip. "He was a nothing. Never made anything of himself, 'cept a pathetic, law-abiding citizen. There is no accomplishment in that. Saving lives, putting wrong to right. Tis all a great waste of a brilliant mind to sell out one's soul for humanity. Being a horrid pirate, I wouldn't expect you to understand that. He was no better than you. Building an empire, Sparrow, is what will change the world. Not looking after the feeble and poor."

"If your mother could see you now." Jack shook his head. Briggs threw the whip where the tip met Jack's toes. Jack halted and gazed down at his foot with wide eyes.

"She should've been proud of me!" Briggs seethed. "While Summers was off 'saving the world' from dark deeds, I was out showing my manliness. Met some fellows who showed me how to be a real man. The old woman should've congratulated me. But, no! She said my friends were a bunch of 'troubled, misled youths'. Whined at me not to mingle with them. She was weak, just like her husband. She left me!"

"As I recall, you didn't give a d- at all about her at the time...till she vanished." Jack casually, indignantly reminded him.

"Yes. And if I'd caught up to her, I'd have sent her with her husband to a literal hell on earth where they both belonged!"

To heck with this guy's rank. Jack frowned heavily at him. "Mind how you speak of the dead, boy." He said in a warning tone.

"Do you dare speak to me that way, you piece of scum?!" Briggs glowered dangerously. "Do not think I will not take this whip to your horrid carcass!"

"Oh, I don't think you will." Jack said smugly.

"No, I know I will!"

"Go on then." Jack teased. "I am sure your men do whatever you say. But what about the villagers? This is the biggest, finest, most imperious house for miles around. They look to you for leadership, no?"

Briggs liked the sound of that: leadership. "Aye." He nodded.

"How would it look to them if their so-called 'leader' flogged a visitor, a stranger, because of a minor difference of opinion?"

"I'm the governor! I can do whatever I want."

"Ha. I'd like to know just how that came to be! Did you bribe the town leaders, with the promise to make the them a monopoly on England's map? Very clever. Easy money, easy power, eh?"

"I'm getting rather fatigued of this conversation, Sparrow. What do you want?"

"Nothing much. Just information and I'll be on me merry way. Just which rubbish pile did you dump poor old Summers in?"

"He's dead, you dimwit. Or at least by now I pray he wishes he was! Why in the h- would you go looking for him now? You're more dense than even I declared!" Briggs chuckled smugly.

"Just one thing belonging to me that I forgot to lift off his person before you so swiftly up and shipped him off to who knows where. Even a dying man owes me a favor, I'll not let his about-to-meet-his-Maker-condition prevent me from taking what's rightfully mine. That being the case, you seem to me to be just the man who appears to relish in that type of circumstance." Jack said with a knowing grin.

"You know me better, Sparrow. I just love to watch a ne'er-do-well such as yourself squeeze the heart and soul out of sentimental old fools." Briggs sneered.

"Ahh, I thought you might." Jack 'agreed'. "Just picture this: your old man, withered, weak, his ribs a hollow haven for his sagging scraps he calls clothes. And whippings, countless whippings having ripped apart his back for thirteen years. Starved nearly to death, thirsty for just one speck of human kindness and mercy yet finds none. Imagine, a scurvy, no good pirate such as meself, stumbling upon him and taking the last remaining bit of any sentimental wealth he has, which he as clung to all this time to keep his fragmented interest in life itself. No negotiations, no offers, just taken! And your father, the disgraced captain of the guard, on his knees, begging and pleading to no avail." Jack explained dramatically with his hand on Briggs' shoulder.

Briggs sighed in sheer delight at that thought. It raised a widely cruel smile on his hardened, greedy features. "You know how to put a glow in a man's day, Sparrow." Briggs said smoothly.

"It's what I do." Jack played along. "We pirates have an old saying: take what you can, give nothing back!"

"I do like the sound of that!"

"And should you be so obliged to give me the whereabouts as I desire, I shall be more than happy to give the loser your regards."

"And so you shall." Briggs turned to face the pirate, smiling widely.

"So, do we have an accord?" Jack offered.

"Aye." Briggs squinted, firmly gripping Jack's hand. "Wilson! Harbourd!" Briggs bellowed, startling Jack who tried to retrieve his hand. Two armed men in uniforms entered the hall.

"You sent for us, Sir?" Wilson bowed.

"Fetch some irons at once!" Briggs ordered. "I've mastered the capture of a prowler." Harbourd retreated to obey the order.

"I, uh, thought we had an accord." Jack grunted sheepishly.

"Oh, we did. I tell you where I sent Summers...just before you join him in the after life!" Briggs smirked. Jack bit his lip.

"Parley?" He asked feebly.

"D- parley. You could be my own mother, and I wouldn't grant it to her, not if she came begging on bended knee! How I'd love to see that." Harbourd returned and Jack's arms where shackled together.

"By the way, Sir. There appears to be a ship at the port." Wilson addressed Briggs. "And it seems it has brought us new passengers to look over."

"Any alluring prospects?" Briggs licked his lips.

"Two. Very fair they be." Wilson nodded.

"Bring them along!" Briggs declared eagerly. Then he looked at a forlorn Jack, gloating. "You see, Sparrow, I wasn't just boasting when I said I've made something of myself. I happen to be quite the lady's man." He rubbed his hands together.

"My congratulations." Jack muttered. "Perhaps you'll have better luck than meself. Whenever I greet the ones from before, I end up with a sore face."

"Your loss." Briggs shrugged.

"Aye. Clearly." Jack said in a resigned tone. He hoped the crew were in place and on the alert in case this had happened. He hoped that Elizabeth would be her usual feisty self and give this blackguard something to remember her by. As for Kate, she was much too young for Briggs to be too friendly with, and what an ironic thought that was when Jack pictured it!

Briggs took his own handkerchief and stuffed it as a gag inside Jack's mouth. Jack whined and groaned, shaking his head as the two guards each took an arm of his. "I'll tend to you later, Sparrow. I want to see you suffer for your cowardice from that night." He pulled out his whip for intimidating emphasis. Jack's beady eyes bulged. "When I'm through with you, then I will show the world what is left of the notorious Captain Jack Sparrow. Savvy?" Jack gulped hard.

"By the way, when you meet my father in the great mysterious beyond, you must insist that he tell you about his adventures in Bermuda." Briggs whispered to Jack.

Bermuda! Jack thought. So the compass is not broken!

"Get rid of him." Briggs spat on Jack's face. Jack grimaced. "Would love to stay and reminisce about old times, you stupid pirate, but I wouldn't wish to alarm the lovely ladies." Briggs grinned evilly as he strode to greet his guests. Jack struggled against his two captors. He kicked them both in the shins and scampered for the French doors in the drawing room he spotted across the hall. But before he could bash himself through the glass, he was snatched by the two blokes.

How'd they catch me so fast? D-! He thought. Then he heard voices from a couple rooms down. Familiar voices! Will, Elizabeth, and Kate...no! Not Kate! She was the last person on earth who should be in this house! Jack prayed she'd leave with all possible speed. It wasn't safe, for any of them now, especially her!

"Welcome, dear ladies!" Briggs smiled broadly. The first thing Will and Elizabeth noticed about him, was the bullwhip he carried on his hip. Will protectively gripped her hand. Kate stared up at the guy with a bewildered, unhappy countenance. Could this be him? Was this the man who'd caused the painful breaking up of her family? "Governor Briggs, at your service." Briggs bowed. Kate swallowed hard. It was him! She started shaking without realizing it. Elizabeth barely curtsied and Will glared at the man but attempted a polite smile.

"Governor. It is very good of you to shower us with this kind of hospitality." Elizabeth said suspiciously.

"The pleasure is all mine." Briggs told her flirtatiously. He wasted no time in grabbing her hand to kiss it, but she quickly pulled it back, pretending she needed to fan herself in relief from the heat. "What be your names, my dears? They be fair as you are?"

"Elizabeth Swann, daughter of Governor Weatherby Swann of Jamaica." Elizabeth answered quickly.

"Tis a lovely name, every bit as easy on the mouth as you are on the eyes." Briggs squinted at her. Will's face was growing hotter by the moment. "Would you care to take a stroll with me through the gardens, Miss Swann?"

Will opened his mouth to protest, but Elizabeth quickly shook her head and smiled, "Thank you, but my wonderful escort shall be more than efficient." She glanced at Will out of the corner of her eyes.

"Oh." Briggs muttered, as if he only now realized that Will was also in the room. Then his eyes turned to Kate. "You look troubled, Miss." He said 'sympathetically'. Kate was panting.

"It's...rather hot." She managed to say. Half of her wanted to run and never come back. But the other half of her wanted to lash out irrationally to this jerk who'd punished her father unjustly. The lashing out part sounded much more satisfying, but presently even that delight felt difficult when she could barely stand being in the same room with him!

"A brisk stroll will put you to rights, on a sturdy, manly arm." Briggs offered much too quickly and much too politely for their comfort. Will clenched his sword handle under his coat.

"Oh, no please. I couldn't..." Kate tried to protest, taking a step back from him. His presence made her feel queasy.

"Now, now, no need to be bashful, sweetheart." Briggs said smoothly.

"I believe Miss Kate should return to the ship." Will said firmly.

"I would like that!" Kate agreed heartily. But then Briggs clutched her arm and put it on his and began to walk away with her! She tried to wriggle from his grip, but his hands were much stronger than hers. "Come with me and I shall make you forget all your troubles."

"I..." Kate tried to speak. She glanced back to Will and Elizabeth for help.

'We'll get you away from him!" Elizabeth promised under her breath. As Briggs whisked Kate away out of sight, Elizabeth looked at Will. "We have to do something!"

"And so we shall!" Will declared. "I say this calls for an impeccable distraction!"

As Jack was dragged away through the mansion, he heard Briggs' horrid voice somewhere nearby. Jack caught a mere glimpse of the man through a door opening as he himself was hauled away to wherever the guards were taking him. Standing next to him, leaning on his arm, was… "Bloody h-!" Jack growled in a muffled voice through his gag. This was not good! Granted, Kate looked as if she abhorred the man's gesture, but that paled in insignificance to the fact that she was even in this place!

Jack eyed the smug man warily as he stepped into the hall with the girl. Jack didn't like this scenario at all. He knew there was going to be trouble!

Cliffhanger, much? Reviews, please!