Disclaimer: Captain Jack Sparrow, the Black Pearl and her crew, none of them are mine. Much as I might like for the captain to be mine, he's not, and I'll return him to those who do own him in much the same shape I borrowed him in.

Author's Note: Isabella Raven, the Nevermore, her crew, and the other members of the Raven family are mine. So is the song 'Captain of the Nevermore' that Isabella sings, and the verses of poetry that begin each chapter. Oh, and please send reviews to my e-mail: captainisabellaraven@yahoo.com. Thanks!

Thank you, everyone, for the reviews! Oh, someone asked about the little bits of poetry at the beginnings of the chapters. They give little hints about future plot developments, and about Isabella herself.

Oh, and sorry this chapter is so short. I am having a small problem with writer's block. But with the time break I can put between chapters, I should be able to get past the block, and get more to you soon... within a couple of weeks tops.

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To Find a Dying Soul

On the black ship Nevermore
Is a raven with white feathers
Hidden among the black

Behind the raven's diamond eyes
Lies a hidden truth that burns
And melts away the mask

~~~

As the sun set, giving way to a moonless night, Conner pulled on the oars, rowing away from the shore, the first of a small fleet of boats making its way to the Nevermore, the second mate his only companion in the boat. Both prayed they'd find the mortal pirate who'd been fool enough to take up the captain's invitation to be aboard the ship during daylight still alive, and in one piece. It'd be verra difficult tae explain tae his crew why he came back in a snuff box. Conner promised he'd go to services on Sundays if the pirate was still alive. He'd even go to confession and let the priest hear every last one of his sins if Sparrow was in one piece. Of course, I say nothin' about gettin' baptized, because that wife of mine is insistent that happen anyway. Bloody woman.

"Conner, Andrew!" Isabella's sharp bark summoned them to her cabin as they climbed over the rail, and they stared as they entered her private sanctum, and saw Sparrow sprawled on the floor, as if he'd been rolled there, and a smirk on Isabella's face. The reason for the smirk was obvious... if they looked around the room. Jack's sword resided with the rest of her collection, now holding the place where her own used to rest and the pistol was in the top of a chest full of assorted other weapons she'd removed from the ships she'd plundered. His boots and hat were hanging outside the window, though Conner was sure she'd bring them in if the pirate tried climbing her ship to fetch them, and the rings that had once adorned Jack's fingers were in the small chest Isabella was locking. "Take that an' wake it up befer ye be dumpin' it o'er thae side o' me ship. I'd rather nae explain ter thae Pearl an' 'er crew tha' 'e drowned because 'e was unconscious when 'e 'it thae water."

Conner shook his head, wondering what had happened. "Captain?"

"He be a fool enough ter ha' made trouble on me ship, an' now I be takin' what I be wantin' fer ter pay fer tha' trouble. Now I want 'im off o' me ship!"

~~~

Jack woke up with a start, finding himself soaked to the skin, on the deck of a ship with two unfamiliar faces looking down at him.

"He awake?"

"Think so." The men vanished a moment, and before Jack could say or do anything, he was seized by his ankles and shoulders, and heaved over the side, to hit the waters of the Caribbean with a resounding splash. Surfacing, he glared up at the grinning faces that lined the rail of the Nevermore, among them, Isabella.

"Ye best be movin' Cap'n Jack, iffen ye donnae want ter be turned inter shark bait." Isabella's eyes were hard and cold, her expression one of anger, and she turned away before he could respond, calling orders to her crew to prepare to sail.

Jack frowned, noting his boots and hat swinging off the stern of the ship, and began swimming towards them, until the whine of bullet passing near his ear made him pause.

"Cap'n told ye tae get back tae yer own ship. Or I turn you into a small meal for the local sharks."

Jack grumbled as he made his way back to the Pearl, ignoring the stares of his own crew as he climbed on board, bereft of everything except most of his clothes. She even took my boots! Wonder why she stopped there, and didn't have me stripped of everything... unless she was the one taking everything... Jack smiled at the thought, waving off Gibbs' questioning look, and Anamaria's raised eyebrow.

"Follow the Nevermore." He didn't bother to explain himself, simply leaping up to the wheel, a slight grin on his face as he fixed his sights on the Nevermore. You forgot one thing, luv. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow.

~~~

Isabella ignored the ship following them, knowing she could loose him in the fog that would rise with the morning. One thin' I do be likin' about me fate. I be knowin' thae weather befer any mortal be knowin'. She rested her hands lightly on the wheel, patiently waiting for the sun rise, and the fog that would come with it, would stay with them to Port Royal. There I be lettin' go o' Conner, an' from there I be goin' ter Tertuga once more. An' iffen ye manage ter follow me all tha' way, Cap'n Jack, yer more persistent than is healthy.

She closed her eyes briefly, wondering if maybe it wasn't time to let it all go... Donnae be daft, woman. Ye'll get free o' this, ye will. An' make thae devil himself rue thae day he made a deal wit' ye.