Disclaimer: Seeing as, this disclaimer thing has gotten way out of hand, I, the insane author of this 'fan'-fiction will allow you, the reader to improvise. So without further ado I present the new and improved method of crediting disclaimers. At the beep… please fill in the blank with your favorite disclaimer (so that I won't have to fill it in for ye.) BEEP (fill in the blank with your disclaimer now.)_______

The Joy of the Hunt

By: Dragon Demon

Rating: PG-13 for violence, brief language and sensuality.

Summary: Set in motion after Jack's escape from Port Royal, the crew of the Black Pearl pay a visit to Tortuga where Jack repossess a valuable trinket he left behind. In doing so, he has unleashed a chain of events that will lead him on a wild goose chase for treasure, love and survival

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The sun was just beginning to set when a swift knock sounded on the cabin door. Gibbs stuck his head inside to see Jack sitting at his desk staring at a paper in his hands. "Cap'n, we're comin' up to port within the hour."

Jack never looked up as he answered, "Thank you Gibbs. Make sure all hands are ready to make dock."

"Aye, cap'n." Gibbs replied as he turned to leave. Just before the door closed Jack called out, "Oh and Gibbs.."

Gibbs poked his head back inside and looked at him. "Tell Anamaria to dock a ways out from port. I don't want to give our arrival away, savvy?"

Gibbs furrowed his brow at this but agreed all the same. He stole a last glance at his captain and vaguely wondered what could possibly be on the paper that held the man's attention. Shrugging, he went about his business and began to prepare the crew and ship for docking.

---

Anamaria gave a final tug on the rigging as they lowered a sail to be repaired. It had a slight rip in it from a storm they had come through during the journey. As she began to remove the sail from the spars, she felt something brush against her shoulder.

Not looking back she asked, "What do ye want?"

"Aww, come now, love, is that any way to greet your favorite Captain?"

Anamaria smirked. "It wouldn't be, if ye were me favorite Captain. But you're not."

There was a sigh with a hint of fake disappointment as the person spoke again. "Ye wound me, Anamaria. You've been avoiding me all day long. Why?"

Anamaria continued to unhook the sail and fold it all but neatly in her arms. "Probably 'cause ye have been drunk and passed out in your cabin all day, Jack."

Jack looked perplexed but smiled all the more. "Then that would explain that bloody bump on me head." He absently rubbed a spot on his forehead as he spoke.

Anamaria sighed. "Ye are a class act, Jack Sparrow."

Jack frowned and leaned forward to whisper in her ear, "That's Captain to you, love."

Shooting him a glare she retorted, "You'll be anythin' but a Captain, if ye don't get your hand off my ass."

Jack leisurely removed his hand from where it had been resting just below her waist. "Touchy tonight, aren't we?"

Anamaria spun around and held back the urge to slap the man with full force. "You're despicable. Now if you'll excuse me, I have things to do." She removed his arm from around her shoulders and pushed past him.

"Stop right there." Jack yelled after her in what he hoped was an intimidating tone. Anamaria knew her rights and her place on the ship, and she knew she had gotten away with a lot more than she should have, but she also knew better than to cross the Captain.

Jack tilted his head surprised to see the woman stop. Stuttering he said, "I- I was hopin' you'd accompany me into town."

"Hoping?" Anamaria echoed. "Since when does the all mighty Jack Sparrow hope?"

Jack rolled his eyes as he began to get frustrated. "Think what you want, love, but I'm only askin' 'cause I might need you to slip in and get me treasure back." He paused and grinned. "You'd make a great scapegoat."

Anamaria's eyes glowed with fury. "Well you will just have to find yourself another scapegoat, 'cause I'm not doin' it." She once again headed for her quarters below deck to fix the sail when Jack grabbed her arm.

"You will go and that's an order- from your Captain. Savvy?"

Yanking her arm from his grip she seethed, "Fine."

Jack's anger faded as he smiled and exclaimed, "Oh good! Then we best be goin' or we're gonna miss all the fun." He gently took her arm this time and led her towards a nearby boat. Letting her go, he started to lower the boat to the waters below, humming as he went.

Anamaria scowled at him. Allowing her better half to win, she set the sail down and began to help lower the boat. Jack looked over at her and smiled. "Finally decided to help, eh?"

"I'm only helpin' 'cause I want to get this over with, you mangy sea dog. The sooner we get that trinket back, the sooner we can be on our way."

A chuckle rewarded her as Jack stated, "Right, right. And then everythin' will be jolly good, eh, love?"

Anamaria pulled on a rope and muttered, "Whatever," as the boat landed on the water with a resounding smack.

Jack gave her a lopsided grin and quickly disappeared over the edge of the ship and to the small boat below.

---

"Exactly where are we goin'?" Anamaria asked as she walked beside Jack through the town. She assumed they were some where in the market place, seeing as most of the surrounding buildings were small merchant shops. Every now and then, a large shop would be outlandishly on the edge of the inner shops, as if to be kept from view of the people walking through the streets.

There wasn't a single window aglow with candlelight as they passed through and Anamaria shuddered from the cold vibes the place gave off. This place is like a ghost town, she told herself as they continued their journey.

"Why, we are goin' to the Governor's mansion, o' course!" Jack implied while gesturing.

Anamaria rolled her eyes. "I know that! But where is it?"

Jack placed a hand on her arm causing her to stop. He pointed to a small drive leading off the main road, and Anamaria could see numerous carriages lined along the lane. A large mansion met the drive at the end, and she could see that every window was lit with a soft yellow glow. Music, voices and laughter wafted through the air to her ears and she could tell they were having a high turn and fancy to do.

"There." Jack told her with a nod of his head.

Lost in thought, Anamaria studied the building. It was large and like most other manors, it was a pristine white with columns and brick accents. To her, it was the loveliest place she had ever seen, but given the chance, she didn't think she'd want to be the one to live there. A rich noble's life was what it was, and that just wasn't a life she'd want to bear. Unable to goof off, always having to be the role model to the town's people. And no freedom. At least on the Black Pearl, she had her freedom to be herself.

"… and then we'll make our get away. They'll ne'er know what hit 'em." Jack rambled. He looked at Anamaria and frowned. Tapping her shoulder, she jumped and turned to face him as he asked, "Did ye hear anythin' I said?"

"What? I- uh, no." she fumbled. "Sorry."

Jack shrugged and once again began to state his plan to her. "… and then we'll make our get away. They'll ne'er know what hit 'em." Anamaria nodded. "But do ye really think we can pull it off?"

The man gazed at her in disbelief. "Love, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. I can pull anything off. Now come on, let's get a move on." He said as he hurriedly led her down the lane to the large estate.

Anamaria raised an eyebrow as they passed a sign on the way in. Laughing she said, "Sunny Dale? Who would name their place Sunny Dale?"

They stopped in front of a large oak tree and Jack replied, "Now is not the time to jest, love. Up ye go."

Anamaria's laughter died as she looked between Jack and the tree. His hands were knitted together as a step hold as he waited for her to climb up. "Ye want me to go up there?" she pointed from herself to the tree.

He nodded. "How else do ye suppose we're gonna get inside? Knock?"

"Ugh! You're unbelievable, Jack Sparrow!" she exclaimed as she placed her foot in his hands. Grabbing hold of the nearest branch, she lifted herself up with the help of Jack all the while muttering, "First he expects me to forgive 'im for sinking me boat. Now he wants me to climb a tree like some loco cat."

Jack soon followed and rested in the crook of a branch near the tree trunk. Anamaria glowered at him. "You're daft, Jack. Ye know that?"

"Heard it all before, love." He answered with a grin. He spotted a window and pointed saying, "There. That's where we need to get."

Anamaria did a double take as her eyes rested upon the window. "Are ye mad? We can't get across that from here! It's too far!"

Bobbing his head around in annoyance, Jack asked her, "Do ye ever try to even succeed in somethin'?"

"Do ye ever shut-up?" she snapped back. Making her way towards the window, she looked down. "If we some how survive this, Jack, I'm goin' to kill ye."

"Would ye just climb?" he pestered as he gave her a slight push.

Anamaria slapped his hand away as she continued to make her way through the branches. She finally came to a stop, mere feet from the window. Jack came up beside her and said, "Well, that don't look so bad, now does it?"

"What do ye mean it doesn't look so bad? That's at least a four foot jump from here, ye idiot!" Anamaria yelled.

Jack clasped a hand over her mouth. "Keep it down. We don't want to give ourselves away, now do we?"

Prying his hand from her face, Anamaria slid out on the branch as far as she could go. Taking a deep breath, she leapt for the window, her hands coming in contact with the sill and her fingers gripping down to hold herself up. Pulling herself up, she eventually managed to climb through the window. Once inside, she leaned back out and extended her hand towards Jack who graciously accepted it and made his way from the branch to the house.

Anamaria gripped the sill as she held onto Jack's arm and heaved him through the window. Jack tumbled forward causing Anamaria to trip and fall as Jack landed on top of her. Catching his breath, Jack retrieved his hat from the floor and placed it on his head.

"Get off of me!" Anamaria demanded as Jack looked around.

He glanced down at her with a sly grin. "I don't know about you, love, but I'm quite comfy where I am, thank you."

Struggling, Anamaria freed an arm and brought it up to place a well deserved slap upon Jack when something from the corner of her eye caught her attention. Jack, oblivious to this, joked, "Calm down, Anamaria. It's not like anyone has to kno-" he trailed off as a blade came to rest on his neck.

Looking up, he saw a young woman frowning at him, a sword in her hand. Jack held up his hands and slowly rose to his feet, freeing the once pinned Anamaria who followed suit.

"Who are you and what are you doing in my father's house?"

Jack stepped forward but stopped as the tip of the blade dug into his skin. "I asked you a question, now answer it." She told him as she held her ground.

"The name's Captain Jack Sparrow, love, now who might ye be?"

The girl dropped her blade and allowed it to rest by her side. "Jack Sparrow?" she asked as Jack implied, "Captain!"

She ignored him and looked thoughtfully at the wall. "The Jack Sparrow who sailed the Black Pearl?"

Jack took off his hat and gave a slight bow. "Aye, that would be me, love." He regarded the girl with a grin and asked, "You look familiar, have I threatened you before?"

Anamaria rolled her eyes and elbowed the man in the ribs. "Jack, stop goofing off."

"To be honest, yes you have." The girl answered. She walked across the room and placed the sword back in its scabbard. "It was several years ago, though. Back before you were betrayed by your crew and left for dead on that forsaken island."

"How do ye know about that?" Jack asked in a low voice.

The girl stared at him. "I know all sorts of things about you, Jack Sparrow." She opened a cabinet and set the sheathed sword inside as she continued, "I know about you, your ship, how you got off that island- by the way, does everyone honestly believe that you roped two sea turtles together using hair from your back to escape?"

Anamaria glared at her Captain and quipped, "No, but he would like to think everyone does."

The girl laughed as she turned back to face them. "Well then, it seems that not much has changed about him, now has it?"

Jack looked shocked. "Why don't ye tell me who ye are and how ye know all about me."

Leaning against a wall, the girl said, "My name is Vera. My father is the Governor of Port Antonio."

Jack's eyes opened wide as he raised a hand. "Well I'll be! Vera Garrison! Hardly didn't recognize ye now that ye have gone and grown up!"

Anamaria walked around the room looking at the numerous pictures on the walls. She stopped in front of a large painting of a ship and smiled. Looks like the Black Pearl, she thought demurely.

Behind her she could hear Jack raving about how wonderful Vera looks since he last saw her. Frowning she continued to pace around studying all the items on the walls and shelves. I guess Jack and Vera had a thing back then, she told herself sadly.

"…. Don't be silly, Jack! I've had lots of suitors- in fact, I was just married two years ago." Anamaria paused at this and listened with earnest.

"Well who is the lucky bloke? I feel awful sorry for him!" Jack teased.

Vera shot him a look. "His name is Thomas. He was the Lieutenant of Port Antonio's guard before he was injured in a boat accident last May."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Jack said sadly. Looking up, he caught Anamaria's gaze and nodded. Placing an arm around Vera's shoulders he said, "Vera, love, perhaps ye can help me with something."

"Like what?"

"Well see it's like this…" Jack started as he told his story.

"And you think my father has it?" Vera asked after listening to Jack's tale.

Jack nodded. "It's what I'm told."

Vera sighed. "He did make a trip to Tortuga, some years ago. He was en route to a colony down that way when he made the stop over. If I remember correctly, he had come home with something he said was valuable. But he refused to let me see it."

"Do ye know where it is now?" Anamaria questioned from her spot on the other side of the room.

"No. But if he still has it, it would be in his library some where." Vera suggested.

Jack scratched his chin. "Is there a chance ye could slip in and find it?"

Vera shook her head. "I wouldn't be able to." She looked between Jack and Anamaria. "But you might."

This caught Jack's attention. 'How so?"

Vera smiled and began to tell him of a plan that might work. Jack nodded and grinned, "That might work."

Anamaria remained silent, unhappy of what she was hearing. When Jack looked over at her she said indignantly, "No, I'm not doin' it."

"Come on now, Anamaria. It's not like it's goin' to kill ye." Jack stated.

"And it might be your only chance," Vera added. "It won't be for long, just a couple of hours at the most."

"I don't care! I'm not doin' it." Anamaria told them as she turned away. "I don't like the idea. And I'm not goin' to be a part of it."

Jack swaggered up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Anamaria, please. Vera's right, this is our only chance. Think of it, the sooner you agree to help, the sooner we can be on our way. Won't you reconsider? Do it for me, Anamaria, please."

Anamaria tilted her head and looked at him. "Jack, ye know I'd do anythin' for ye cause you are my captain. But this is out of the question." With that said, she turned from Jack and headed back to the window.

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Author's Corner: Whoo… another day, another chapter. I wonder what the plan could be? Why is Anamaria so reluctant to do it? Do people even read these author notes?

Ok, so chapter 6 is up. Not much as to the plot, but we are getting there. The next chapter will reveal a lot more, I promise. It also promises a rendezvous with Will and Elizabeth. (yay!) And if you are wondering about the small attitude problem(s) between Jack and Anamaria, well let's just say love is blind. And ignorant.

Also, I'm sure most of you are wondering why Anamaria is acting childish about climbing the tree when she climbs the rigging all the time. (shrugs) Trees and riggings are different, I suppose. Besides, it's not every day you have some one telling you to climb a tree when you could just as easily use the door, eh?

Any way, this A/N is going to be short, because I haven't much information to display for the insight of this chapter. Mainly because I hope it's somewhat self-explanatory. Savvy? If not, then feel free to email me and ask.

Ok, now onward to the next chapter! Dun dun dun….

Review Thanks- (To my two faithful reviewers!)

Cal- (laughs) Pointing out the obvious is a must for us. We enjoy it, whether we are the author or the reviewer. The realization might not be as soon as you'd like, but it'll be there. For bettering of the chapter's to make them juicy. (hint hint) Thanks so much!

Jackfan2- Most definitely! They might hook up, but I some times get the feeling he isn't a one-woman man. Jack and monogamy- don't go hand in hand. But we can change that. I'm glad you enjoyed the duel. It wasn't as real as I hoped it would be, but I was aiming for a surprise in Jack's sense. Mainly, that he did underestimate her because he never really has gotten to know her. Again, I thank you for the review, it makes it all worth while.

-Dragon Demon