"Take care of the supplies. Be back to the ship at dusk tomorrow or be left." Jack listed off the orders as the crew fled the ship in search of dry and steady land. They may have been pirates and they may have craved the free open waters but two months was a long time without company or a good fresh meal. Besides they had landed in what could only be described as heaven for these men.

There was a wave of 'ayes' and 'captains' around her as she stood at the end of the gang plank, last to disembark. It would be the first land she would walk on since leaving Tortuga, the first new Island she was allowed to explore in almost ten years and she was scared.

"Come on love." Nicolette heard and looked up from the damp planks to see Jack smiling, his hand held out for her to take. The rest of the crew had left in a hurry to find the supplies needed so they find a tavern for the night, leaving them alone.

The second her fingers graced his palm his large hand closed around hers and pulled her to him.

"Welcome to Madagascar." She looked up into Jack's smouldering eyes, lit up by his grin, and then looked down the dock towards the beach. The edge of a town peeked out from a line of tropical trees stretching the entire length of the island and it was practically deserted of people.

The waters were clear, the blue skies were not plagued by a single cloud. It was beautiful.

"Looks a lot like home." She whispered, wrinkling her nose. "Smells a lot better though."

"Oh believe me darling, compared to Tortuga this is paradise. Quite boring though." A hand wrapped itself around her waist as Jack pulled her into his side and they set off walking down the dock together at a slow pace. "Now speaking of smells...what would you like to see first eh?"

"There are options?" Nicolette smirked and looked up at him out the corner of her eye.

"Of course!" He bellowed, squeezing her cinched waist. "There is the taverns...the fresh springs..." Jack never was one to disguise his intentions and she blushed while pretending to ponder.

"Hmmm.'" A finger tip twisted into her chin with mock thought. "I thought you said there was a market..."

"I can assure you love, it is really not at all as exciting as it sounds." They had almost reached the end of the dock when Nicolette started to slow her steps until they stopped completely and she turned into Jack.

"Jack." She pressed her chest flush up against his then, taking his hand in hers, wrapped it tighter around herself. She was looking up at him through her lashes as she pouted her lips and purred. "We have all night..." He looked lost for a second, in a daze, and then a grin broke out on his face as he grinned wildly.

"Oh alright, if you insist." Jack spun her outward again so they could continue walking and made a right at the end of the dock, leading them towards a small dirt path. "Best keep extra close love, pirates and all." She giggled and he squeezed her backside through her thin dress and slapped his chest lightly as a rumble of laughter sounded from him.

His behaviour never stopped and if anything only got worse as they walked deeper into the town, venturing past multiple taverns and brothels. The girl never stopped grinning and by the time They reached the edge of the market, Jack was pausing their movements every minute or so to kiss her.

"Jack." Nicolette scolded, lightly pushing him away for what she hoped was the final time for at least a little while. "Captain Sparrow you promised..." It did not mean she couldn't tease him however, but from the darkness possessed by his pupils, she knew it would be coming back to haunt her later.

"I can remember doing no such thing love." Jack smiled as he stepped forward to tower over her, his fingers gently playing with hers, threatening to let go of them completely. "But since you addressed me so politely..." He said nothing more but gave her hand a gentle tug, bringing her with him as he turned to walk into the streets lined with stalls.

The crowds were heavier than the rest of the town but it was still quiet compared to where she had previously called home.

She wasn't exactly sure why she had chosen the market apart from perhaps it was a familiar setting to her, but she was glad she had. The stalls varied from food and drink to jewels, fancy embroidered cloth and bladed weapons. Just to breathe in the smells of marinated pork and fried seafood was heaven after living off potatoes and lemons for weeks.

"We should get you some proper sailing clothes." Jack spoke after a moment of weaving through a small gathering of locals. "Not that I don't appreciate these dresses, but we best get you something practical savvy?"

Nicolette had been rotating the same three dresses since she left Tortuga. They were simplest ones she had owned, not wanting to bring along anything to heavy or hot. The one she wore at the moment was a simple faded green and grey cotton dress with a thin lace overlay, the sleeves with three quarter length with a small ruffle at the cuff. She still wore the white full length apron tied around her waist out of habit but it helped when she was needed in the galley to peel potatoes for the cook.

"And let me guess, you get to pick all of these new clothes?" She smirked, watching him out the corner of her eyes as she slowed to look over a stall of trinkets.

"It would only be right love, given that I am the Captain." If they could get through a day without his trying to use that to his advantage it was a rare day. Nicolette simply hummed however as she ran her free hand over the gold coins of a red gypsy skirt on display.

While she was distracted Jack took the opportunity to watch the girl, eyes skimming over every small details he very rarely got the chance to appreciate. The natural pout of her lips which always resembled the hint of a smile, the emerald shine of her eyes, the natural curls falling down her back and getting subtly lighter with each day she spect at sea. The constant sun had brought out a splash of freckles on her cheeks which he had never before noticed and her skin was more bronzed and glowing.

He wanted to take her away from here, away from everyone and hide. To be alone with her where no one could eavesdrop or spy on them, so he could be completely vulnerable to her beauty.

Jack came to when she started walking again, pulling him along and out of his trance like state.

"It's so peaceful here..." She smiled and took a quick glance over her shoulder, back down the avenue. No brawls, no shouting, barely even a gunshot. "And beautiful."

"You like it?" Jack asked as their pace became leisurely and Nicolette nodded, chuckling as they passed a group of young children chasing each other. "It's where the old folk come to retire. A haven for outlaws and pirates who no longer have the desire to plunder."

"I didn't think such places existed?"

"We can't go on forever love." He spoke with bitterness. If it killed him he was going to find one way to make forever possible before the day came for him to pass over his ship. "And they're safe here. The land's hidden and known only to pirates."

"I can't imagine a more perfect place to end up." Nic smiled but strayed from him as they passed by another table of trinkets and gold.

"Are you sure love? Based on your obsession with anything shiny I'd say you'd be more than happy in a treasure chest?"

"I wonder where that obsession started..." She smirked, glancing at him over her shoulder and on instinct his gaze dropped to the green ring engraved with a dragon resting on her left middle finger, then to the understated gold chain necklace. For her to have such a love for shiny things, she didn't wear enough of them and she deserved to be dripping in gold and emeralds and rubies.

"Pick one." He stated suddenly, peering over her shoulder at the small selection of rings, bracelets and earrings. His face held only mischief as Nic lightly dropped the broach she was caressing and looked at him, eyes wide and pretty.

"What?" Jack scanned the area for the stall owner and smiled when he saw they were caught up with another customer, happily chatting away.

"Pick something." She considered his words for a second before turning back to the table laid out in front of her, smirking. Her fingers grazed a pair of bangles carved from fine China and painted with lilac, sage and royal red patterns, highlighted with shimmering gold. They were delicate, feminine and beautiful.

As quick as she was drawn to them, Nicolette pushed them away and shook her head.

"No...come on." She continued to smile however as she led him away, oblivious to the way Jack lingered behind her for several seconds. Nicolette didn't notice he hadn't been beside her as his arm wrapped around her waist and he laid a welcomed kiss on her temple.

"What's say we head to those springs now eh love? Wash the past couple months off you?"

"Off me?" Her jaw dropped and her eyes narrowed, her hand beginning to peel the hand clutching the skirts of her dress tighter as a deep warm chuckle came from his throat. "I bathe, unlike someone who waits until it rains..."

"God's showers love. Come on." He turned her causing the skirts of her dress and hair ribbons to flare out. She laughed, they both did, until Jack focused back on the road ahead. Something, or rather someone, was only a few paces down the dirt path they had just travelled down and the idea those eyes had been following them from the dock made his smile dissolve and chest clench.

The hand on Nicolette's waist fell limp before it left her completely but it was only when Jack put space between the two of them that Nicolette noticed where his attention now lay and how cold he had become.

She looked between Jack and the older man who watched them, though his eyes were trained more on Jack than herself, and felt her body sink into itself a little in fear. Both men had matching intimidating glares and dark features and due to the way they stood off against each other, it felt an eternity before one made a move.

"Heard you were in town boy." The voice was husky, low, a lot like Jack's was when she had seen him be threatened back in The Ol' Sailor. "It's been a while." Jack didn't move, not an inch, she wasn't sure he was even breathing for a moment and then he reached out to put a gentle hand on her back.

"Come on love." He took a side step, out of the path of the gentleman, and turned his eyes downward as he went to lead Nic onwards. Jack's tone silently told her not to question or falter, so she didn't, however he did when the man turned with them and called out.

"Jackie..." The young lad almost jolted he stopped so suddenly and Nicolette frowned, trying to get a read off him as she looked up at him and into his glazed over eyes. But before she could ask if he was alright a grin appeared, he stood up straight and turned to the man with outstretched arms.

"Hello dad!"

It was Nicolette's turn to frown though her anxiety decreased greatly at the familiar greeting. What didn't make sense was the duelling stance or awkwardly fake smile Jack continued to fashion even as the stranger gently smiled and chuckled, almost knowingly as if this was a regular scenario.

"Passing through?" He called out to them.

"Aye. Leaving tomorrow." Jack nodded forcefully. Then the man's eyes turned to Nicolette and Jack stiffened, automatically taking a step to his left to stand partially in front of her.

The man smiled wider and he looked between the couple for another few seconds before walking to them with slow, wide steps. Once there was only a yard or two between him and Jack the man spoke again.

"Aren't you going to introduce me?" No. That was his instant thought. But for some reason he couldn't quite work up the back bone to say it. His lips instinctively snarled until he felt the girl shift behind him and, seeing no other way out of it, Jack submitted and stepped out of the way with a downward role of his eyes.

"This..." Nic straightened her posture, hands linking behind her, and her eyes focused on the strange but somewhat familiar man's face. "This is Nicolette Barker...Nicolette this is Captain Teague."

It was Teague's turn to roll his eyes; "Stop with the formalities boy, it's Edward, Miss Barker." His lips turned up into a smile as he studied her, something which made Jack's skin crawl. "This here's me son, lord knows he wouldn't have told you himself."

That explained the similarities, she thought to herself though now she properly looked the similarities seemed to double and then triple.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Captain." Nicolette curtsied, a habit which she had never fully extinguished from when she was a child and taught to bow whenever an elder or stranger was introduced. Jack ended up doing a double take at her, a little jealous he had never received such a grand gesture, his mouth gaping a little.

"Well..." Jack muttered, turning back to his father with hesitation. "Now that we've all been introduced...Nic." He nodded forward, gesturing to Nic to come, but before she had a chance to even pick her foot off the ground, Teague stopped his son.

"Where you staying Jackie?" Nic smirked at the nickname as Jack inwardly groaned. "The Pearl?" After a moment the younger pirate nodded, his head barely moving but thankfully Teague caught it. "Come up and stay with us at the house, would do the family good to see you. Of course you're welcome as well Miss." Nic bowed her head in thanks, smiling, but being careful not to agree as Jack visibly stiffened.

The corner of his lips twitched and he resisted the urge to grab Nicolette's hand and run away. But he knew, no matter how genuine an offer Teague's words were, he wasn't asking; it was an order. Still...he was Captain Jack Sparrow.

"I don't think that would-" The words stuck on his tongue instantly as Jack lifted his gaze from the floor and saw Teague's eyes narrow considerably. "Be a bad idea..." He finished with a ungraceful chuckle.

"Good." The man's sinking frown turned into a smile dramatically quick, adding to the traits which had obviously rubbed up on Jack. "You know where to find us, be at the house in time for dinner." He then turned to Nicolette and tipped the brim of his wide hat, "Miss."

Her eyes followed Teague's path as he finally carried on along the path, strolling as if nothing had happened, whereas Jack failed to move until the footsteps had faded and minutes had passed.

"Right love, now that that is behind us." He suddenly picked himself up, the whole conversation forgotten. The easy smile had returned to his face and Jack's hand rested on the small of her back once more, easing her forward.

"So..." She wasn't sure if she should address what had just happened or how casually she had met his father. However his almost immediate interruption cleared up any confusion.

"Beautiful weather ain't it."

"Jack-"

"The path to those springs are up ahead here-"

"Are you going to-" She cut him off this time with a roll of her eyes.

"No." He snapped, spinning on his heel suddenly as Nicolette stopped and tilted her head at him with a stern look.

"But you told your father-"

"Love..." Jack stopped her, returning to her side with slow long strides. He was smirking, meaning he was trying to charm her into a distraction, which rarely worked anymore these days given she had been subjected to it a dozen times a day.

So she turned it back on him, widening her eyes and looking at him from beneath her lashes, pouting ever so gently but enough to make his eyes drift down to her lips. "Don't look at me like that..." Nic's hand ran slowly up his chest as she quirked a brow inquisitively."You don't...he's...just it wouldn't be a good idea darlin'." His final words came about in a whisper.

"But he's your father."

"That don't mean much in Pirates love." He uttered after a heavy pause, eyes darkening. She knew what that meant; that betrayal and and honour had nothing to do with blood, it was a self made world. Then why did Jack's father seem to have the complete opposite reaction to Jack than he did to his dad? Nicolette guessed it came down to a family feud rather than piracy.

"You're a lot like him..." She tried going about it another way round as she stepped passed Jack and headed down a small clearing in the trees he had gestured to earlier. "And, maybe you should go-"

"I don't think so love." The frown on her face deepened. As she tread over thick roots and tried leaved which had fell from their branches long ago, Nic heard Jack following close behind her, holding back the sagging tropical leaves she had previously pushed through.

"If it's me you're worried about I can go back to the ship."

"No!" He barked and all of a sudden he had turned her by her wrist, pulling her flush against him. "No, darling, it not...if anything you would make it more bearable." Pushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his calloused fingers grazing her chin as they moved down to hold her neck. "But it is their company which would make for a very long night..."

"They are your family." Nicolette raised her brow though she was amused. It was intriguing to hear all of the tales people had to tell of their families. Almost never were they positive and even when she was young, the people with everything still complained about one another greatly. She often wondered what she would think of her mother had she still been around, or her father should they have ever met. "At least visit for a little while."

"I'll think about it, alright love? On one condition..." Jack pulled her in closer using the hand now holding the back of her neck firmly. "I get you all to myself first, savvy?" Her head instinctively tilted back, her chin raised, and her lips parted. They were almost grazing his own when she smiled at him through sunken eyes.

"Savvy...Jackie."

"There'll be none of that young Miss. Not unless you want a flogging..." The gold of his teeth shone wickedly.

"Apologies Captain."

There was no sweeter sound than Nicolette's high pitched whimpers and when they were allowed to be carried by the breeze, filling the coolness of the clearing around them and mixing with the softness of the waterfalls, it led to tremendously superior outcomes.

Her hands were pinned down by her head which was thrown back, pushing into the dirt with each movement Jack made above her. Each time she gasped, he chuckled into her neck between nipping kisses which often drifted down her collarbone, leading to her breasts.

This was the first time he had been allowed to have her on land, the first time he had been comfortable enough to encourage her to express herself and release the noises he forced from her lips. He didn't want the crew getting any ideas with her and so the other times he had kept to the cabin, stayed in the safety of the night and held a hand over her heavenly mouth, shushing her as as she came, breathing fast and hard with her nails digging into his back.

The first time had been a shocking surprise. When he had first searched for her at the bow of his ship and handed over a rum bottle, he thought he would be able to sneak nothing more than a kiss and a quick feel up her skirts as she had allowed him to do once back on dry land. But when they had ended up in his cabin with her dress thrown over his desk and Nicolette kneeling on the bed watching him through doe eyes as he tried to gain enough will power to progress slowly; it had been paradise.

She had been so innocent, still was, however there was an increasing darkness - a mischievousness element starting to creep in behind her eyes. She was no where close to defying him but she no longer tried to hide from him and she openly sighed his name into his ear as she tightened around him, sounding like a sirens call.

Once she stilled and quietened and Jack's hand no longer desperately gripped her hip with a bruising force, he moved to lie next her her; perched on one elbow so he could look down upon her. A picture of satisfaction and exhaustion, her green eyes barely opened past slits as she looked up at him, smiling sleepily.

He was handsome, devilishly so. Dark hair fell just past his shoulders and was slowly developing into dreads as the years past. His skin was a warm amber, complementary to her tanned olive tone, and his eyes, lined with thick kohl, held so much passion...so much heat and mystery and comfort. Nicolette could get lost in them like she got lost in the night sky on a clear night.

He had become a rock of sort, a grounding for her which she clung to as she succumbed to him, trusting him to protect her as she let go and indulged. This had not been her aim when joining the Pearl, of course Jack was Jack but she had never intended for things to go this far. But once at sea, once they were allowed to spend more than just a few short hours together, something had taken over. It had taken over them both, entwining their souls until they couldn't be distracted from one another. In an instant a flirtatious friendship had developed into something neither of them could define.

And it scared her, but it terrified Jack more. Those...stirrings, or whatever they were were like nothing else he had ever felt and he wasn't to big a fan of new things especially when they left him feeling somewhat weakened. So why couldn't he stop? Why could he only think of way to bring her even closer?

"You're so beautiful darling." His words woke her from a daze. A blush instantly sweeping over her already heated cheeks caused him to chuckle as a hand tracing the curve of her breast caused her to shiver. "Every inch of you." A jingle caught her attention and Nicolette's eyes followed Jack's hand as it rose up, hovering over her head with a light flick.

A flash of gold caught a ray of sunlight which had fought its way through the thick jungle and her eyes latched on to the source, tracing the delicately thin band of China through the air as he teased her.

"What...how.."

"See something you like love?" Jack grinned for a second before his face changed into mock confusion and he pouted down at her with a narrowed glare.

"How did you get those?" Nic tried to reach out for his hand but he pulled it away, fooling her a few times before allowing her to take it and turn it to full inspect the treasure. The very same pair of bangles she had seen in the market, the ones she had laid back down mid turned her back on now resided on his wrist, even prettier than she remembered. "Where...you stole them?"

"No!" He was quick to snap but Nic was even quicker to centre her gaze on him, a single brow raised expectantly. "Alright, yes." Jack rolled his eyes with a sigh. "But look, one for yourself and one for me." In time with his words Jack removed one of the bracelets from his wrists and pushed it gently onto her own, kissing her wrist once complete. But her eyes were emotionless as he pulled back and her smile had been replaced with a puckered pout as she chewed on her bottom lip, never taking her eyes off the jewellery. "You don't like them?"

Her head spun toward him, her eyes searching for his before quickly looking away with another blush. "No..I...I like them...very much." Her voice was a mere whisper but she eventually lifted her other hand to play with the new accessory glittering in the light like her eyes. "Thank you Jack."

"More than welcome darlin'." Her eyes looked up to him and she smiled the softest of smiles, still biting her lip but now it held a vulnerability. "Come 'ere." Jack nodded and pulled her into him, moving Nic to straddled his lap as he rolled onto his back with a sigh. "You could make a man never want to leave here Vi."

"Then let's not leave." Her hand drifted over the identical band on his wrist and then trailed up an over his chest, following the curves of his muscles. "You can retire and I can...cook things, pour your rum and what not..." A care free playful giggle followed her words and Jack felt himself chuckling along with her.

"Is that right?"

"Hmm."

"Afraid it would be a little premature for me love. Retirement." Nic responded by taking his chin between her fingers, pursing her lips thoughtfully as she turned his head for inspection.

"Are you sure?" She smirked, laughing when he frowned and slapped her hand away. Catching it in mid air to pull her down to him until her bare breast were deliciously pressed against his chest and her mouth were only inches from him. "Who am I kidding? This is nice but it's nothing compared to the Pearl."

"If it's any consolation love, the Pearl is even more pleasurable in your company."

...

He would never forgive her for this.

How such a deceiving, manipulative, conspiring Wench could disguise herself as such an innocent maiden was lost on him. There she stood in the kitchen peeling potatoes with his aunt as he was left to sit with a full tankard of rum, chitchatting with his father and uncles as they gambled.

Oh alright, maybe things weren't so bad, but that was beyond the point. The point...well the point, Jack thought, was how she had made him agree to it so easily.

"Never thought I'd see the day..." Jack looked away from Nicolette who his attention had unknowingly been on for more than a few minutes, and shifted to Teague. He held a smirk cause Jack to raise his brow in question. "You with a girl." The younger Captain tuned his back to the girl suddenly, sitting straighter but his father simply started to chuckle. "Where did you pick her up?"

He considered his words heavily before he spoke; "Tortuga. Working as a bar maid, she insisted she join the Pearl."

"And you said yes?" Teague's smirk widened but Jack simply avoid his gaze altogether and he placed down a pair of cards to pick up another.

Behind the boy, Teague watched as the girl who had been so quickly swept under the arms of the woman, laughed and sipped on wine between preparing tonight's meal. They had insisted for her to go sit and take her drink with Jack but she had refused until finally given a job.

To say he wasn't the kind of girl he pictures Jack to gravitate too was an understatement, but there his son was, with the puppy dog eyes and smile to go along with her rosey cheeks. "She seems like a nice girl son. Good for you." Good for him? Jack fought off a scoff as he chanced a look at his father and rolled his eyes away. He was fine without her... he was good for her if anything, look what he had made for her, gave to her. And all she had needed to to was exist.

"She's part of me crew is all." Jack muttered but it was too late as a harsh twisting sensation wrapped his guts in a ball.

"Keep telling yourself that Jackie."

The rest of the evening went on very much the same with each of them stealing glances at the other, incorrectly believing it was going unnoticed. Even after night fell and Jack kept along the wide corridors of the Manor House, he was completely under the impression his father and grandmama were chuckling in their beds as his feet tiptoed past their doors and a featherlight knock sounded on the door of the guest room.

He'd held her tighter that night, whether he realised it or not. Pressing her against him with her legs wrapped around his waist and his hands wrapped all the way around her small waist. It felt good to know no enemies were watching him, none of his men were conspiring ideas for the girl. She was his and he was hers until sunrise.

They never thought any more of it, Nicolette certainly didn't until they were preparing to leave the next day at noon. As she tried to get used to the lack of skirts and appreciated the soft pink of her new corset and the shine of the maroon gypsy skirt Jack had presented her with that morning, Teague had found her.

"You care for Jack." There had been no formal greeting and any beating around the bush and she had frowned for a moment before finding her smile.

"Ye-Yes sir." She stuttered, turning and allowing herself to be towards over by the Captain.

He himself looked no age to retire, still young, possibly only in his early fifties. But he held himself as if he carried the worlds knowledge, broad, tall and proud. It was when he spoke of his however, that the pride in his eyes swelled.

"He won't ever say it, sometimes he might not even act it. But as his father I can tell he returns it."

Before she could take a minute to comprehend the words and their meanings, a call came from behind her; "Nikki!" It was Jack, ready to leave.

"Coming!" She called over her shoulder, oblivious to the fact Jack watched the pair with great focus once she turned back. "I hope so Captain." She could find nothing else to say before he nodded and smiled.

"Look after him for me will you? Keep him out of trouble."

For a moment she was taken back and her mouth opened and closed as she tried to find the correct words to say. Her first thought was how was she, a simple bar maid, meant to keep Jack Sparrow out of trouble. But then she thought about whether she would want to keep him out of trouble, all the best stories came from trouble.

But she also felt a pull in that moment to protect Jack and seeing how much his father cared for him, no matter what Jack might think, she wanted to try and look after them both.

"You have my word."

And she did. For a short but heart filled three months, until the day Barbossa took her aside and asked her to betray him worse than anyone else had ever thought to.