Hey guys, here's the next chapter. I know someone was wondering how Barbossa knew about Jack and Gin: No one noticed them dock on the other side of the island (though I did mention Gibbs saying they were still coming), and Barbossa managed to watch them for a while. His original plan had been simply attacking-I probably should have worked that into the story, sorry). And I know it's outta character for Jack to give up the Pearl, but while I had him be himself at the beginning of the story, he's changed some since then after falling in love. And part of it is like when Gin found him outside that night staring out at the ocean, it's just showing other facets of him that are a little deeper. Okay, hoped that helped ;) . On with the story! (since I know most of you skip these little author's notes anyway, lol) Oh, and thanks to the ppl who inquired about my grandfather (and of course all the reviewers). He's fine, already at home :)

Chapter 15

"Settled then," Barbossa readily accepted Jack's hand, then turned round on his heel toward the woods. "Gents!" he yelled. "Let's push off!" He swung around again to face Jack. "And ye see how easy it is to settle these matters with out blood shed?"

Jack glared at him as the cursed old crew emerged from the trees and headed for the section of the beach where The Black Pearl sat.

"Our agreement?" Will prompted, noticing that Bo'sun had begun to walk for the Pearl as well, dragging Gin along with him.

"O' course. I'm a man o' my word." Barbossa nodded at Gin's captor and he obediently released her, keeping a pistol aimed at her head, most likely so none of Jack's crew would attempt to attack. She looked cautious, almost afraid to step away from the Gullah for fear he would shoot her.

"M'lady," Barbossa lifted his hat from his head and held it in his palm, giving her a deep bow, "pleasure doin' business with ye." He stepped aside, clearing her path and she ran quickly to Jack whose arms immediately enfolded her in relief.

By the time anyone looked back up, both Barbossa and Bo'sun had already boarded the Pearl. No time to shoot futile bullets, no time to fight. The anchor and sails had already been lifted by the crewmembers who had made it up on deck first during the trade, and Ragetti, not exactly the man Jack would have chosen for the job, was already utilizing the rudder chain.

"That's the third time I've had to watch that man sail away with my ship," Jack muttered. Gin buried her face in the front of his tunic.

"It could be worse," Will pointed out. Jack, Elizabeth, and Gin all turned to give him quizzical expressions. "We could be marooned." He gestured toward the Avenger.

Jack gave a silent nod, looking back to where The Black Pearl was growing miniscule in its distance. The only measure of solace was the feel of Gin's arms wrapped around his neck. He sighed and hugged her closer, suddenly realizing how close he had come to losing her.

"Should we not be heading to Port Royal then, Cap'n?" Gibbs questioned, his and Anamaria's eyes focused on the disappearing ship as well.

Jack was silent for a few more moments, perhaps mourning to a certain extent as far as Will could tell. And then: "Aye. Port Royal. Gotta get Mr. Turner, Lizzie, and Ginny home don't we?" Gin's arms tightened around him at this comment and he realized he was going to lose her no matter what he did.

* * * * *

It had been another two days.

Will had gladly turned over his 'captain' position of the much smaller Avenger to Jack, quietly admitting to him that he had no idea what the hell he was doing.

As far as Gin, she had resigned herself to sharing a cabin with Elizabeth, keeping both Jack and Will decent. Though Jack had a hard time believing Will could be anything but. The closest she had come to even speaking with him was when he had awoken the day before to find her lying in his arms and he had deducted that she must have crawled in there the previous night. He had let her sleep and had come up on deck and by the time she had followed him, neither had mentioned it.

Now he got the feeling each was avoiding the other to make the whole situation, and the impending separation all the easier.

And now Port Royal, and said separation were mere hours away. And he was standing there steering and leaving her to her own devices in her cabin. What was wrong with him?

Before he could even decide whether or not to head down for a visit, she emerged on deck, though Elizabethless, which seemed to disappoint Will. The young man glanced at her, then up at Jack, and before either of them could give him a pointed look, he cleared his throat and started back through the door that Gin had stepped through, heading below deck.

Gin watched him go, then ascended to the steering platform, which resulted in several moments of awkward silence between herself and the captain.

"The authorities will be glad to see you and Miss Swann safe," he began, mainly to break the tension. It only succeeded in making it worse.

"Jack-" she cut herself off, and she seemed to collect her thoughts. "I…I want to stay here," she admitted. "I want to stay with you."

He stared at her.

"Do you enjoy making this harder?" he snapped suddenly, startling her. "First it's how you have to get back to London to marry your precious Lieutenant. And today it's 'I wanna stay with you'? Make up yer mind, woman!"

She took a moment, then appeared to gain her bearings. "Fine!" she yelled back. "If you want me to go, then I will!" She turned abruptly and started for the steps.

"Wait, hold it," he reached over and grabbed her hand, pulling her back to him. She let him turn her around and she lifted her hand to wipe a tear from her face. "That's not what I meant, love." He pulled her into his arms and sighed into her hair. "I would love ye to stay here, you know that."

"There's a 'but' coming, isn't there?" she prompted, her voice muffled by his shoulder.

He pulled back a little and cupped her face in his hand, stroking her cheek fondly with his thumb. "But you were right before. I can't ask you to stay out here. It wouldn't be fair to anyone, least of all you. A pirate's life is not one for a lady."

"It's better than becoming the wife of some stuffed-shirt naval officer," she insisted.

Sighing, he pulled her face closer, beginning a slow, passionate kiss, probably the most shaking one yet. Ending it was pure hell. The knowledge that it was probably the last time his lips would even touch hers made him long for her with a physical ache. She didn't help the situation when she followed his mouth when he pulled back, obviously not wanting it to end either.

"I love you." he breathed for the second time since their journey had begun. "So much." He stared at her, thinking of the emotions she had stirred up that he hadn't truly felt since his parents were killed as a child. "Thank you for that."

Though he wasn't sure if she understood, she did seem to comprehend that the comment needed nothing said in reply on her part.

An almost deafening shot rang out, echoing across the waves and throughout the Avenger from the deck to the keel, interrupting their moment.

Jack lifted his gaze to the sea all around them and Gin pulled back some to do the same.

"What was that?" she asked, looking around the ship in all directions until her eyes fell where Jack's had been since hearing the blast. Directly in front of them, where they had come from she didn't know, stood two other ships, sailing quickly for theirs.

Jack studied them, noticing the English design and the several red coats that could be seen bustling around on both decks.

"Navy," he said, barely audible.

Gin glanced at him, then turned back to the approaching ships. "Why are they firing?"

"Royal Naval procedure," he elucidated, his eyes still on them as well. "First we get a white flag. If we don't respond to that, we get a warning shot. And then we're given about five minutes to stow our cannons before they start blasting with theirs." He scratched his head, as though confused. "We must've missed the flag."

"But this is their ship!" she exclaimed, obviously growing desperate at the thought of an attack. "Surely they wouldn't open fire on it!"

"It's their stolen ship, love," he reminded her. "And whoever is on it is obviously the one who took it. And to keep it from pillaging the seven seas, they will destroy it."

"What's happening?" Will demanded, coming up behind them, Elizabeth in tow. From the small crowd that had grown on the lower deck, it was evident that the entire crew had heard the gun shot.

"Shouldn't we run up the white flag?" Gin asked, glancing between Jack and the crew.

"I've never surrendered before," Jack told her, still watching the Navy ships. "There isn't even a white flag on the Pearl."

"But there's one on this ship," she stated. Jack still appeared reluctant. "Jack, there are more of them than there are of us and this ship is far less formidable than yours. If they start firing, we all die."

He hesitated, then turned and nodded at Gibbs to retrieve the white flag from below deck.

* * * * *

Cookies for anyone who can guess what happens next!!!!! Heehee!!!