A/N: Well, well, I'm back! Ahhh I love writing this story I really do but my damn schedule gets in the way a lot. I'm writing this with a full intention of finishing it, and from now on I'll try to update more often.

Oh! And I forgot to add that during this chapter we are going to be visiting Mr. Sparrow! Oh joy! ( It takes place during the same time as last chapter.

Disclaimer: Not mine!

I Swear I Tried to Care

Chapter 2: Don't let the rum slip.

It was a cold and commonly savage night in Tortuga, bright with fires and alive with befuddled laughter. There was a myriad of activity throughout the town, and the bars were full.

Captain Jack Sparrow could be found in a looming alley corner holding a bottle of strong rum in one hand while pressing his body closely to a picturesque and pleasing wench.

She had silky black locks that fell onto her smooth shoulders and pale skin with rouge tinted cheeks giving off the impression of a bonny doll. Her eyes were entrancing, of the deepest green laced with honey, and her exquisite red lips puckered up all the too often. She let those lips curl up into a slight smirk before wrapping her arms around Jack Sparrow's neck and bringing his head forcefully down to hers in a rough and needy kiss.

Jack kissed her back in return, hungrily. His tongue grazed her bottom lip briefly and he let his lips brush against hers, and their lips stroked eachother's with an equal amount of force. He slid his arms around her small waist all the while keeping a tight grip on his beloved bottle of rum. He pushed her against a wall, compounding their bodies even closer, if possible, than before.

At this, the bonny lass let out a slight moan of pleasure.

"Well Captain, it is true then. You seem to quite master the art of coaxing." She said, her tone feigning innocence.

Jack took a swig of his rich, well-tasting rum and raised his eyebrows at her, letting the liquid pleasantly burn down his throat. He put his mouth dangerously close to her ear.

"What's your name, love?" He whispered. Her response was not what he expected.

She took a deep breath. "Annie Vane Flint, proud heir to the Flint manor. I come from a very wealthy bloodline, you know--- I already own many riches some can only dream of, I mean at such a fresh young age as meself, you can only imagine the number of jealous girls---"

Jack cut her off by putting a finger to her lips. Just my luck, he thought. Who would have that that a lovely little strumpet like her could come off as such a nuisance so easily!

He kept his finger on her lips, quieting her. "Look, lass, first of all, I simply asked your name, not your bloody rank or family history. And secondly, the only way I would be slightly interested in your beneficial personage would be if I were seeking a nice lineage to pillage and plunder to my own heart's desire, savvy?"

Jack paused for a moment to look at the shocked expression on her face and then reveled a grin. "Now, seeing as we have that covered.where were we, darling?"

SMACK. Oh, good. Just what he was anticipating. With a puzzled look on his face, Jack put his hand against his cheek and rubbed the lingering pain that Annie's slap had left. He most certainly DID NOT deserve that.

"I must say, Annabelle, you certainly slap a bit rougher than I expected. Being such a sweet thing as yourself." Jack replied mannerly.

Annie huffed, obviously offended. "My name is NOT Annabelle! And shame on you Jack Sparrow, just.just.shame on you!" She was in such fury that she was lost for words.

Jack clapped his hands together and nodded his head. "Well then, it was nice meeting you Miss---Plint, is it? But I'm afraid that's my queue."

He started to trot away but stopped and swiftly turned around and walked back to her. He swished his bottle of rum in front of her and said," Drink up, love. Hopefully it'll let loose all your bitterness for quite a while, although I wouldn't count on it."

He put the bottle in her hand, hoping she took it as a benediction. Annie Vane Flint stood perplexed and rooted to the spot as Jack receded.

He swaggered back to the tavern where he would most likely find a member of his crew. It really was a pity to have such a pleasing night slip away from his grasp, but he couldn't help being utterly turned off. He was tired of wooing those common mindless wenches.

The groping and kissing and tickling and touching was all be quite fun until they opened their mouths, where he would have to find someway to shut them up, and by the time he had managed to do exactly that, the aforementioned wenches would either be extremely offended somehow (for reasons unknown to him) or they would quiet down for a minute or two before yet again letting idiotic words spill from their mouths. Apart from not knowing when to keep there mouths shut, they were seemingly brainless. They all lacked something he desperately wanted, and he couldn't quite place what it was, what they were all missing and what he longed for.

It wasn't something he pondered too much on. Besides, his gorgeous and majestic rum would keep him company that night.

His rum.

Not good! He had given it to that no-good, scabrous, gaudy little minx. His bloody integrity had gotten in the way. He was too damn honorable for his own good.

That vixen! She had probably already drank it all to herself, something someone as greedy as her would do. A pretty thing, though she was.

Jack reached the tavern and stepped inside, not bothering to notice the chaos encircling him. He picked out a dark head from the crowd, and headed toward it. Someone bumped into him but he merely brushed the man aside.

He reached his destination, "Anamaria! What a surprise! Silly me, thinking you were down there with the Pearl, perhaps.polishing the captain's headquarters?"

She handed him a pint. "So I figure we're heading to Port Royall tomorrow morning?"

He puckered his lips and frowned a bit, in confusion. Ah yes, the letter he had sent Will.

"Aye! Tomorrow it is, then." He assured her. "And thank you for the rum, I'm much obliged!"

"Tell me, Captain, How do you figure the Royal Navy will welcome our arrival ashore?" She replied, her tone becoming stiff.

"Anamaria love, I assure you everything will be just fine. You and the rest of the crew can scurry around and show yourselves wherever you please. I am the one they want, and I know how to keep a low profile. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, savvy?"

She pursed her lips and squinted her eyes at him. "Listen you daft scallywag, if you get us into any trouble at all."

"Now now, little missy. Have I ever done anything to make you not trust me-- - ACTUALLY you best not answer that. But bear with me this once, it'll be 3 days - 5 at the most, what say you?"

Anamaria was quite the edge tool when it came to glares. "You are the captain. Suit yourself, I'm heading back down to the Pearl." She quickly turned and was on her way out.

Jack couldn't help but grin. "I knew you'd warm up to me!"

Tomorrow was going to be a long day..

Soon Jack Sparrow would be graced with the company of William Turner and fair Elizabeth Swann.

.He hoped they were in a hospitable mood.

Again, I apologize for the delay, and thank you for everyone who reviewed last time. I really appreciate it. The story starts to kick in more so during the next chapter.

Please review, feedback is my fuel.