Mwa ha! You know, I am having entirely too much fun with this story!


And in case any of you were wondering (and I'm sure you weren't, but whatever) I'm listening to this mix that has this huge variety of everything from Disney songs to Evanescence, so if the mood of the story suddenly swings from a "Pirate's Life for Me" mood to a "Tourniquet" one, then you'll know why!


Seductive Gypsy: Awww....thankies!


Sugaricing: No spelling mistakes? Well, seeing as I am an English major......and really, Jack is the major motivation for actually working on this story!


Lyssa2: Well, that does make me feel better...you mean that some other poor girl writing a story like this might get flamed? Oh, dear. And really, I think the whole I want you/No I don't thing is essential for the story. Otherwise, it's just not as...dramatic. But really, I am amazing flattered that this story could have earned such a distinction from you. Thank you forever and a day!


Completeopposites: I'm happy that it makes you laugh! Thank you!


Elderberry: Weepy good-bye scene? I am having way too much fun with this story to ever leave!


Lady Riddle: Actually, I think she wishes she weren't in that dress - only because it really is quite uncomfortable. But I'm glad you didn't hate it. More chappies on their way!


Andi Horton: I should say so! Great minds are brilliant, as are we! And meh, who cares about school? I mean, despite the fact that it is insanely expensive, and hard, and will result in future jobs....meh. Love the new chapter, Andi! Keep it up!


Jehsahka: Glad you like it!


Brem Nakada: I even rendered you speechless?! Wowsers!



Now c'mon, folks.....125.....not very far away, now!


And just in case this hasn't been made clear enough in the some fourteen proceeding chapters.....I. Do. Not. Own. The. Bloody. Pirates. Happy?



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I was not happy. To say the least. I was also feeling rather bitter towards Elizabeth, what with her being rescued and Jack and Christine being left behind. Yeah, so I knew Jack was going to be fine - as Christine had not been in the movie, there was no such assurances for her. I rolled my eyes when she groaned, "Not more pirates," and hauled myself over the railing and headed straight for the quarter-deck, and AnaMaria, who stood at the wheel.


"Welcome aboard, Miss Elizabeth." Gibbs smiled, making her stop, and stare at him.


"Mr. Gibbs...?"


And then, as Will climbed aboard, Gibbs directed his attention to the male 'hero'. "Hey, boy! Where be Jack?"


"Jack?" Elizabeth's eyes widened, her eyes turning from Gibbs to Will. "Jack Sparrow?!"


"Captain Jack Sparrow," I said sharply, maybe a little sharper than was needed. "Will left him. He fell behind."


Gibbs sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. "Keep to the code."


"Then you're just going to leave him?!" I demanded, not even noticing as Will led Elizabeth away. "Leave Christine and Jack behind?"


Gibbs scowled at me. "We have to keep to the code."


"Fine." I turned away, storming towards the captain's quarters. "Fine! Keep to your bloody code then!"


As I slammed the door behind me, I heard AnaMaria shouting, "Weigh anchors! Hoist the sails! Make quickly, now!"



***



"How in the blazes did you get off that island?!"


Christine stood, still shivering, arm still held in the crushing grip of Barbossa's thin hand. Her hand was beginning to tingle from the blood being cut off, but she doubted that that was the reason for her slightly swimming head. The man standing there, surrounded by angry pirates, dark eyes twinkling mischievously...I'd never told her that there was anyone that sexy in this movie!


The pirate in question grinned. "When you marooned me on that godforsaken spit of land, you forgot one very important thing, mate. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow."


"Ah, well. I won't be making that mistake again." Barbossa waved a hand in the air. "Gents, you all remember Captain Jack Sparrow?" He turned away. "Kill him."


Christine's eyes widened as weapons from all over the cave spun to point themselves at the captain, and just as Barbossa began to pull her forward, off the treasure mound, Jack's voice cut over the silence of just-before shooting. "The girl's blood didn't work, did it?"


Barbossa's grip on Christine's arm tightened. "Hold your fire!"


Around the cave, disappointed pirates lowered their guns.


"You know whose blood we need?"


Jack nodded once. "I know whose blood ye need."



***



Christine was immensely pleased to have her arm out of the old pirate captain's death grip. Instead, she sat in a chair in the corner of Barbossa's cabin, back on the Black Pearl, carefully shifting the sleeve of her dress to see if she had bruised.


Jack and Barbossa were also in the cabin, and at that moment, Barbossa laughed at something Jack said. "So you expect to leave me standing on some beach, with nothing but a name, and your word it's the one I need, and watch you sail away, on my ship."


"No." Jack grinned, plucking an apple out of the bowl on the table. "I expect to leave you standing on some beach, with absolutely no name at all, watching me sail away on my ship, and then I'll shout the name back to you. Savvy?"


"But that still leaves us the problem of me standing on some beach with naught but a name, and your word that it's the one I need."


"Of the two of us, I am the only one who hasn't committed mutiny, therefore my word is the one we'll be trusting. Although, I suppose I should be thanking you, because in fact, if you hadn't betrayed me and left me to die, I would have an equal share in that curse, same as you." Jack calmly bit into the apple. "Funny ol' world, inn't?" Grinning, he offered the other the apple.


The door suddenly swung open, the sunlight blocked by the massive form of Bo'Sun. "Captain, we're coming up on the Interceptor."


Grinning, Barbossa headed topside, with a slightly less cocky Jack and a desperate-to-get-away Christine following.


Jack suddenly dashed ahead of the captain, and grabbed a rope, swinging himself around so that he effectively blocked the other man's view of the other ship. "I'm having a thought here, Barbossa. What say we run up a flag of truce? I scurry over to the Interceptor, and I negotiate the return of your medallion, aye? What say you to that?"


Barbossa smiled like one would to a little child. "Now you see, Jack , that's exactly the attitude that lost you the Pearl . People are easy to search when they're dead." Turning to Bo'Sun, he ordered, "Lock him in the brig." And lazily, he tossed Jack's apple over his shoulder.


Spotting Christine, the captain's hand found it's way to it's usual position gripping her arm, and as she winced, he hissed, "Now, Miss Swann...or is it Turner, perhaps, after all? I do believe you'll make a nice bargaining chip up here, so you'll just be staying put."


Warily, she looked out over the water at the other ship. Heather, you'd better have a bloody good explanation for me when all this is done.



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Mwa ha! C'mon, now, only a few more until 125! You can do it! Just a little clickity-clicking!