A.N.: I own nothing

Chapter VIII

I climbed up to the upper deck, my footsteps soft, my hands stretched wide in front of me, groping in the dark like a blind old woman.

"Good God" I gasped, looking up; the skies were filled with stars, the moon peeking from its cotton clouds.

My eyes had finally adjusted to the darkness, landing on the long stretching figure who occasionally turned the wheel left and right.

"Fair evening eh lass?"

The sudden voice made me jump.

Regaining my posture I replied, "Yes- yes it is fair"

"I suppose with all that snoring- ye had a good sleep" Jack flicked his compass open.

"You were in my room?" I dared not to believe

"I didn't have to be there to hear that ruckus"

I glared at him, "But Captain- you were in my room"

With a grin he rumbled, "Couldn't resist"

"I suppose a lady taking a nap in her room doesn't quite mean anything to you?"

Jack shrugged squinting at the black horizon

"All I want is privacy" I mumbled angrily, "and respect"

The widening grin of his didn't help.

But the sudden feeling of familiarity overwhelmed me.

"Richard- when will you learn to be a gentleman and knock before entering a lady's room?" I exasperatedly spoke

Why was he smiling so widely?

My cheeks flushed angrily, amused was he?

"My dear sister, when will you learn that I am a gentleman but did not have to knock on your door" he laughed.

Yes.

I missed him.

A wistful sigh broke from my chapped lips.

Staring hopelessly at the glittering sky I silently prayed for Richard's safety.

A warm feeling of reassurance drew a small relieved smile from my lips.

An image of my father rose from my head.

Father! I spat in anger. Always critical, harsh, cold, discouraging- and he believed me as a murderer.

If it not had been Richard…

"A good man your brother"

Again I lightly jumped at the pirate's soft voice. "What?"

"Always thinking of your brother- eh love?"

"How-"

"I can read lips" Jack lazily turned the wheel east.

"I-I- why do you say that?" I glared

I swore, the man was always there at the wrong time. Annoying as a man could be.

"Fought till death- the fellow" Jack finally turned to look at me.

I stared at the cold waves, "He isn't dead, Jack"

"It's probable- not impossible, lass"

"That's a great way to comfort-" I snapped loudly, "He's not dead. He can't be. He's too good to die"

Jack fully turned to face me, his elbows resting on the unstable wheel.

"I'm being honest with ye lass. Ye can do either two things" He held up two fingers, "One- accept that he died honorably or two- deny the truth and live searching fruitlessly-"

"He's not dead!" I heatedly shrilled, my voice growing by the second "If he's dead- if he's dead- God! You should have been the one hung at the gallows"

He winced, "Harsh lass-"

I spun around, my fury slowly burying itself. "He's alive"

Jack muttered something incoherently.

"I heard we're going to Port Royal" I stated in a monotone voice

"Aye"

If I was mistaken, he actually sounded joyous at this fact.

"How?"

"What do ye mean? We're on the Pearl lass- nothing's going to stop us"

"The Navy drifts along those shores-it will never work"

"Ye forget- I'm Captain Jack Sparrow"

"Is that supposed to mean anything?" I was exasperated.

The mad glint in his eyes brightened, "It means that we" he turned back to his wheel, "won't be late"

"Late? Late for what?"

A confused glance at me he suddenly cried, "Right- right must have slipped my head- ahh, well lass."

I stared at him

"There's a very nice couple inhabiting those lovely shores of Port Royal. Very nice. Apparently I've decided to drop by their little wedding party thing-"

"We're going to a wedding?" outraged I shook a finger at him, "You want to risk your own worthless life to go to a bloody wedding?"

"Nay- we won't be risking too much. Don't worry lass- the Navy's ships can't shoot their little cannons at us. The Pearl's too fast"

"I feel very reassured Captain Sparrow" my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Jack suddenly broke into a soft song- "Yo ho Yo ho a pirates life fer-"

Impossible.

The man was impossible.

"Then- then what about me?" I sputtered

His back still facing me, "Aye- and ye lass…ye lass…." He spun around, his hair wildly flinging.

Studying carefully, he slowly exclaimed, "Now…what to do with ye love…"

"Forget me asking"

"Nonono- I have a grand plan" Jack madly motioned, "Ye can live with the Turners"

"Turners?"

"Aye- housemaid- eh a cook- a nanny-"

My eyes narrowed, obviously he seemed delighted- "I will not live to serve anyone mister Sparrow- I was not made to cook or sew or whatever for some Turners!"

Still ignoring me, he whistled louder, happily navigating the ship-

"Jack!"

My god- was he deaf?

Hesitantly, my eyes strayed to his sword-

"Ah ha!"

"W-What are ye doin'? Wait love- what did we say about being too hasty? Eh- wait-" he stopped and looked at my wide smile and the slashing sword in my hand.

"You're not going to do anything…stupid eh love?"

"Perhaps"

His dark eyes widened, "Ye know lass- yer quicker than I thought"

"Well there are lots of things you don't know about me Captain" I waved the heavy sword threateningly at retreating pirate.

 Suddenly his shoulders dropped, his gold teeth were visible, "Honestly lass- that was brilliant- so eh…what do ye want?"

I thought for a minute, "Go back to the island"

"Island?"

"That godforsaken island!"

"Ahhh- that island"

"Well?"

"I'm sorry but that can't happen-"

I raised the sword.

Quite heavy.

"Eh…."

A quick movement- Sparrow stumbled forward, and knocked me on my feet.

I tumbled backwards in surprise and dropped the bloody blade.

A triumphant flash flickered Jack's dark features, the sun's orange glare appeared behind him just then.

The ship rocked dangerously.

The merciless waves were pounding the sides of the ship.

I lost my footing, and a scream ripped from my throat.

Surprised, I tumbled backwards, diving head first into the churning waters below.

Jack gazed at the small splash below the hull.

"Bloody save her….or…not?" with a tremendous sigh, he shrugged and plunged in after her.

"Bloody let go of me!" I flailed my arms splashing the waves of water crashing above my head.

The bloody pirate let go of my arms reluctantly, "Have it yer way lass"

Oh bloody hell-

I sank underneath the blankets of salt water, gagged by its suffocating fluid, and I struggled more wildly.

My eyes stung as I glared up, bubbles rising from my mouth.

I was going to die.

Shit

My lungs were filled by the water, damn damn damn damn damn…

I forgot…I couldn't swim.

As I pulled my heavy arms upward, realizing the little strength I had left.

I'm drowning….

Soon the noise silenced, my vision was failing…

It was so dark-

A strong grip on my shoulders-

And suddenly light- I gasped- no I couldn't- I couldn't breathe- I could feel the water pouring out from my lips and nose.

I choked.

"I'm sorry lass- but it seems me lady cannot swim" whispered a voice in my ear.

Unable to respond I heaved in precious air, and gagged silently at the salt still in my mouth.

The waves still splashed around us, dangerously, I could hear again. The sound of waves and of-of…what was that blasted noise?

Again I could feel myself sinking, I desperately clung on to the last thing I wanted to cling on.

"Aye- yer a bit of a weight Miss Sullivan" growled the pirate, "And a wee bit of trouble"

"What" I managed to gasp.

"I swear on my bloody death that I shan't see ye ever again" the pirate swore softly slowly pulling me.

What on earth was that bloody noise?

I looked up- a mighty chorus of birds flew above us-

"Shouldn't we get back on the ship?" I shouted carefully making sure my chin was above the water.

The ship.

I turned my head.

Where was the blasted ship?

Just on the horizon- I could make out the Black Pearl-

I-

"Come- kick yer legs- give Captain Sparrow a bit of help here, eh?" the pirate growled, a flicker of frustration lit his face.

Instead I pushed away from him, "The Pearl- it's over there! Wait! Aren't you going there-"

"Too late love, the wind has already blown- the Pearl's still on the move" he cursed, and then bitterly continued, "The anchor's not down- the crew is still in deep slumber-"

"But"

But Jack was still whispering a whole trail of curses and unfamiliar words.

Suddenly I was in a loss for words- the Pearl was still going, soon would be disappearing into those horizons- and no one to do a thing about it.

"STOP!" I hollered to the vanishing ship, "WAIT!"

From the corner of my eye I could see Jack wince at my voice, "Scream all ye want love, by the time they notice us gone- they'll be at Port Royal."

I felt cold and limp from the mighty ocean.

"Cmon lass-" Jack pulled onto me, "I see a small refuge up ahead- ahhh, me favorite refuge- a few more kicks and we'll be on shore of- " he gasped for breath, "Tortuga"

Tortu- what?

I opened my mouth to speak, instead a full wave of water sprayed.

I sputtered and blinked quickly.

Still stubborn, I bit my pride and obediently kicked the ocean's waves.

Bloody pirate.

Again, again! Jack tugged harder on the luggage behind him and treaded through the mighty oceans…

Not far- not far-

He stole a look behind him and continued.

No….it wasn't worth it…nothing was worth it to save this girl.

With another fierce pull he swam silently.

Almost there-

Strange.

How quiet.

Jack looked again at the struggling girl and almost smiled.

The girl remained silent, her blue eyes still fuming, the stubborn pout, but she kicked on without a sound.

So this was what it took to silence the girl, he mused, not bad. Never thought I would appreciate silence.

Yes…we were almost there….

Yes not that good- but it'll get better. Sorry it took awhile for me to update- I was on vacation to Alaska…

Really beautiful up there- anyway the next chapter is coming up soon so stay on your toes.

-Sing