*Disclaimer*: I'm getting really tired of doing this over and over again so just go mentally copy and paste one of the other disclaimers from the other 3 chapters and stick it here, mk? Mk.

Lee awoke feeling only slightly groggy. She tossed and turned in her bed, twisting the covers all around and scattering her pillows everywhere. She stretched once, then curled herself into a ball under her blanket. She stretched again and grunted, finally sitting up and rubbing her eyes. Her hair was a mess, of course. She redid the loose half ponytail and was satisfied. With one last stretch as she stood, Lee walked up the stairs to the deck.

Typical morning.

The sun was up, but still had a ways to go before it reached its place in the east. Jack didn't hear the door to the cabins open. He was surprised to hear Lee's voice behind him.

"Yer up early."

He turned and smiled slightly, nodding. "Never was one for sleepin' in. But I'm not the only one."

Lee smiled. "I'm always the first one up."

A few moments of silence passed before either of them spoke again. When they finally did it was Jack who started the conversation.

"I figured you'd be out with a headache all day, seein' as you were spoutin' off 'bout seagulls 'n such for all the beer you drank."

Lee laughed slightly and shook her head. "Oh no, that was just me. I like to make random statements just to see the look on peoples' faces."

Jack quirked an eyebrow and chuckled. He thought about her seagull comment last night and how he had reacted.

/Well it was funny. Strange, but funny./

The two of them gazed at the sea as the sun just began to settle into the morning sky. Lee put a hand on Jack's shoulder and stepped closer to him. She sighed as a breeze blew gently and carried the wisps of hair around her face to one side.

"This is what I love 'bout bein' a pirate."

Jack looked at her, almost asking a question. Then he realized she was lost in some sort of moment and turned back to face the sunrise.

"I'm free, I have no one to answer to. Everyday I see a new sunrise and I'm reminded that I can do whatever my heart desires. It's a wonderful feelin'."

Jack flattened his brow. /Don't go all gushy on me now, luv. You were actually interestin' , don't ruin it./

He put on a grin and nodded as Lee looked at him.

"Oh yes, er… free. Mhm."

Lee made a gun with her hand, pointed it at Jack's temple and pressed slightly. He laughed and grabbed her wrist, pushing it away but keeping her arm in his grasp. She attempted a playful slap with the other hand but he caught that one as well. Jack raised an eyebrow and smiled at her triumphantly. She tried half-heartedly to pull away but he held her arms tightly. She couldn't help but giggle.

Who says pirates can't flirt.

Her arms went limp and she let her head fall back.

"I give up, you win."

Jack's grin widened. "That I do, and what of my reward for such a victory?"

She lifted her head. "Reward? You think you get prize for keepin' me from movin'?"

"Why not?"

Lee leaned in close, looking straight into his eyes. "You really want a prize?"

Jack gave an exaggerated nod.

Lee blinked slowly. "Well here's your prize /Mr./Sparrow."

The distance between their faces slowly became smaller, and they both closed their eyes and waited for the moment to happen. They were descending into a dream-like state, and just before their lips touched they jerked away as a door was swung open behind them.

Jack released Lee's hands quickly and she jumped away, putting her hands on her head and then dropping them to her sides (/hands on yer head ain't natural darlin', what are ya thinkin'?). Jack folded his arms across his chest and spun around, facing himself away from Lee. They thought it looked like a good cover-up, but Booker had a suspicious expression as he walked through the cabins doorway. Next to drag on deck was the dark woman. Pretty soon the entire crew began to flow from the door, rubbing their eyes and stretching lazily.

"Got 'em up for ya M'lady, they'd probably planned to sleep all day!" Booker said with a smile. He looked strange with a smile, and yet it somehow fit. He was permanently burned into Jack's mind with an angry frown. The dark woman bowed up to Booker with her hands on her hips.

"I was up when you nearly bashed down me bloody door!"

"Lana, you were in the deepest sleep of 'em all, don't be tellin' lies." Booker replied as he grabbed Lana's shoulders and spun her around with a slight shove. Lana tried to conjure up some excuse, but she knew she had lied and been caught so she walked off shaking her head. Lee laughed slightly and walked over to Booker.

"We need to dock at the next port, replenish our supplies since quite a bit went down our throats last night."

Booker nodded and Lee patted his shoulder before walking back to Jack. He reached out a hand to put on her waist, thinking they would resume the previous engagement and forgetting the crew would see. He realized his mistake and withdrew his hand, biting his knuckle and then grinning at Lee. She laughed at his odd actions.

"We're stopping at a port coming up. I'll see to that reward then."

Jack leaned back and nodded once in satisfaction. He was curious as to what his reward would be. He hoped it would be rum. God, what he'd do for some rum right now. If she didn't give him rum he'd go steal his own, damn it.

----------

Lee glanced over her shoulder as she skittered down the dock, giggling as she watched the dock keeper who was thrashing about in the water. He had asked for her name, and naturally it couldn't be given. She wasn't famous, only to drunks with rumors maybe, but stories may wander and it was best to keep your name to yourself if you were a pirate by it. Jack suggested giving him a bribe. Said it worked for him once. Lee gave him a sly grin and said she had other plans for the money. It ended up that just as Lee was beginning to tell the man her name, a plump old man came rushing by (looked like the Devil himself was after him) and gave Lee a harsh shove which she echoed to the dock keeper. Waving his arms he went crashing into the murky water and Lee made her getaway.

Odd, isn't it? How sometimes things just mysteriously work to your advantage. Hm.

It was quite a busy little seaside town, people scampering all along the dock and the streets. Lee's crew found the nearest tavern and couldn't resist. It was a musty place full of scowling men, no different from any other bar Lee had been in. When she walked through the door she got several strange looks and a few delighted ones. She ignored them all and bounded right to the bartender as the crew found themselves a nice little table. Lee slapped her hands on the bar and lifted herself momentarily. The barkeep looked at her curiously.

"What'll ya have, miss?"

"I'll be havin' eleven pints of beer and a… gimme a shot of rum. Oh! And could ya be a sweetheart and bring it over to that table over there?" She pointed to her crew. The bartender stared blankly. "Please?" She bounced on her toes and smiled sweetly. The scruffy man couldn't help but smile back and he nodded with a defeated sigh.

"Thanks, yer too kind." With that she skipped off to the table. The bartender shook his head with a grin. /Chipper little lark, she is. She seemed so satisfied with herself. She probably gives the 'sweet' routine to anyone she wants to persuade./

Lee plopped herself down into one of the rickety chairs around the table. Just as she did, Lana approached and tapped her shoulder.

"Oi, yer in me chair, mate!"

Lee looked around innocently. "Me?" She squeaked.

"Yeees, you."

"Oh, sorry dear but you'll have to find you another chair. I'm quite comfortable where I am."

"There ain't no more chairs and I ain't standin' Lee. Move yerself outta me chair, come one yer gonna break it with your thick self."

Lee patted her /pleasantly sized/ hips as if they had feelings of their own. She poked her lip out and pouted. Lana gave her a shove that threw her out of the chair and sent her tumbling into Jack's lap. The crew roared with laughter and Lana dusted the chair off with a smirk before she sat down. Lee snuggled herself down onto Jack's lap and folded her arms across her chest.

"Alright, you can have yer damn chair. Mine's more comfortable anyway."

As the laughter died down the bartender arrived with the beers, sliding them around the table until everyone had their own. He slid the shot of rum to Lee and she held it up with a smile and a nod. Jack eyes widened as he stared at the tiny glass.

"That better be mine, lass. If not I'll hafta fight ya for it."

A look of surprise lit up Lee's face. "Oh really? Fight me. Oh I don't think I could handle that, oh by all means take it." Jack was only slightly amused by her sarcasm as his concentration was focused on the swallow of rum being put in his hand. Without hesitation he threw it down his throat and set the glass on the table. He looked as though it was the first thing he had drank in days.

"Good?" Lee asked him.

"Aye, very good. I think I'll get more." He tried to stand but Lee didn't move. "Alright, luv, come on. Don't sit between a man and his rum."

Lee still didn't move. Jack heaved himself out of the chair and Lee grabbed his arm before she slid off his lap.

"Let's take a walk."

Jack stared at her blankly. "A walk."

"Yes! A walk. Come on."

"I'll be gettin' me some rum before I go walkin' off places." He tried to escape but she now grabbed him with the other arm and pulled.

"You can have yer rum /after/ we walk. I promise."

Jack looked at her skeptically, but she tugged once again and he followed her out the door reluctantly.

The streets were quite busy. Even the old dark alleyways had people ducking into them trying to find a faster way through the crowd. Lee had never let go of Jack's arm after they left the bar. She seemed to be enjoying herself, and even Jack had a slight grin on his face. They talked and laughed as they strolled down the cobblestone street, sidestepping and weaving through all the busy people. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry and didn't care not one bit if they slammed into you. A few times Jack would have liked to clock one on the head, but he resisted for the sake of Miss Lee. Apparently she had the same idea as a skinny little man shoved her out of his way. She responded with a slap on the back of his head.

Jack had to admit he was having fun. He missed his rum, but was with a woman. A very decent woman. Don't you hate it when your heart is torn two ways? But she had promised him rum when they returned, and that was probably what kept him walking so long.

"Alright now remember, ya promised me rum."

"I know, and you'll get it. Really…" Lee looked at him almost as if she was lying and he grabbed her shoulders.

"I don't like that face, come on now yer not supposed to break promises. 'specially when it comes to a man's rum, it's just awful." Jack looked like a whiney little boy and Lee laughed.

"I'm sorry, I promised you get rum and you'll get it. But right now--"

She stopped mid-sentence and mid stride. Her eyes widened and her arm tightened around his. Jack tried to follow her gaze but only found more random busy people. Lee stepped back and her voice was shaky and quiet.

"Let's go, come on. We need to go."

She had Jack a little worried, he was completely clueless as to why she was acting so strange all the sudden.

"Lee, what is it?"

She shook her head. "Let's just go, Jack, we need to go."

She tried to pull away but he held her arms. "Lee tell me, why do we have to go? What do you see?"

She struggled to break free. "Nothing, just let me go. I need to go, Jack. Let me GO!"

She screamed the last word at him and stared him straight in the eyes. He leaned back in surprise and released one arm, but still held the other. Lee tried to jerk herself free, but it was already too late.

"Natalie? Natalie!" A tall and lanky man with curly brown hair stumbled through the crowd and made his way to Lee.

"Natalie, thank God I finally found you. You need to come--"

"DON'T." She put a hand up to his face to silence him. He pushed it away.

"But Natalie this has gone on long enough, you have to--"

"I said DON'T." She clenched her fists and Jack felt her arm tremble slightly.

"Natalie, your father--"

Lee exploded in a fit of rage. The clenched fist was brought forcefully to the lanky man's nose. She screamed and pressed one arm against Jack's chest to pull her other one free. She tore away and took off at a run. Jack gave the man a stern glance before he started after her. She had stopped running and was now walking quite swiftly. Jack caught up to her and gently grabbed her arm.

"Lee." He said softly. She jerked away and he grabbed her again.

"Lee what was that man talkin' about?

"Nothin'." She didn't look at him, just kept walking.

"Well why was he calling you 'Natalie'?"

"No reason." Her voice was slightly louder that time.

"Oh come on it had to be somethin'" She didn't answer. "Lee." He pulled her arm to stop her and she faced him.

"It's. Nothing." Her voice was low and she glared at him hatefully. She swung her arm away and he released it and watched her stomp off.

"Bloody women. They love ya one minute and wanna bite yer head right off yer neck the next! I'll never understand 'em." Jack shook his head and kicked the dirt as he swung a fist through the air.

"Maybe I'll just go settle down with me rum. Rum always makes everythin' better."

^Notey Poo^: Hewo! Hey, I apologize if things seem to be going a bit slow .O In my mind it was going a lot faster and all the stuff that was happening was just premature. Premature affection, premature romance… just premature everything. But don't worry, there's about to be some major stuff happnin' ^^ I pwomise.