Okay, back on schedule! :)  Enjoy! (though it's rather short again, sorry, but I had to leave a cliffie ;) )

Chapter 13

It had been hours since she had fallen asleep. Hours since they had finished making love. Hours since he should have fallen asleep along with her.

Instead, he was lying there, listening to her slow, even breathing as she lay on top of his chest, slowly trailing a finger up and down her back, reveling the feel of her body on his. Her head was tucked under his chin and she fit so perfectly against him. Every now and then she would shift and mumble in her sleep, nuzzling her face into his neck.

God, he could do this forever. Up until now, women had been little more than a good time to him. Like he had said to Gibbs, any romantic relationship hardly ever lasted more than one night and it was hardly ever with a woman he hadn't paid to spend it with him. He had never understood why Will had been willing to risk all for Elizabeth. Fight for her, kill for her, die for her. And now he was certain that he would walk through fire if Gin had asked him to, give her the moon if she wanted it.

And he would give her up if that was what it took to make her happy.

* * * * *

"They're still comin'," Gibbs commented, helping Gin down from the ramp of the Pearl, setting her down on the sand and glancing nervously from Jack to the anonymous ship. Jack squinted at the vessel, shielding his eyes from the sun with his right hand.

"Like I said," he told him, "we'll handle 'em." He slipped an arm around Gin's waist and pulled her protectively closer to him. Will and Elizabeth came up behind them, staring at the ship as well.

"Who is it?" Will asked. "How long have they been following us?"

"Since yesterday that we've noticed," Jack told him. He turned to the crew, who were still dismounting. "We'll stay here for the night! Everyone make yerselves comfortable." He glanced at the approaching unknown ship. "And keep yer weapons handy."

* * * * *

Gin was lying beside Jack, staring up at the stars when she heard it. Shuffling feet, what sounded like whispers. She lifted her head and glanced in all directions around their small camp, then looked over to her right at her lover, fast asleep.

There was the noise again. Somewhere in the trees just beyond Will and Elizabeth's blanket. A little frightened, she reached over to shake Jack awake.

Just as her hand reached him, she felt a cloth jerked against her mouth and she was pulled back across the sand. Screaming incoherently, her shouts muffled by the gag, she began to struggle, though it didn't do her much good. Whoever had a hold of her was obviously quite a bit stronger than she was and she watched Jack and the rest of the camp grow smaller and smaller until the trees blocked her view.

As far as she could tell, she was being dragged far enough away that her shouts would not wake anyone who might help her. By the time she was turned round and the handkerchief was removed from her mouth, she had been surrounded.

More pirates she noticed first. Most unpleasant ones and certainly none she wished to stay in the company of any longer than was necessary. She opened her mouth to scream, louder this time, only to find a steel blade placed at her throat before she could utter a sound.

"I wouldn't be doin' that if I was you." She looked up from the blade to the man holding it and cringed. Whoever he was, he was older and quite obviously the ringleader of these brigands. A small South American monkey sat on his left shoulder, nibbling on its own fingers.

Gin glanced at the others surrounding her. An African man with terrible dread locks. A pair of unwitting fools to the side, one who kept rubbing an artificial eye. Many others, certainly too many to attempt escape. And behind her, another man, the one who had dragged her there, Gullah by the looks of him, his face embedded with steel beads.

She turned back to the first, the one holding the sword mere inches from her face. His eyes swept over her in interest, and she felt other gazes on her as well. "So, pretty miss," he greeted her, grinning at the sight of her. "What be yer name then?"

"Virginia Harold," she replied, afraid not to answer.

"Aha." He looked her over again, then turned to his men, smiling. "She'll make fine leverage, won't she gentlemen?" They all began chuckling, quietly so as not to be heard. The first one turned back to her. "Welcome Miss Harold," he said. "Me name is Captain Barbossa. I believe we're going to get along just fine."

* * * * *

Oh, c'mon, I had to do it! And I know it's rather cliché, but I'm goin' somewhere with this. It all leads to the sequel!

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