Chapter 1:

The door began to rattle as the men outside put more force on it. I heard the sound of shattering glass. My father pushed my mother and me back into the bedroom, he kissed me on the forehead and handed me a sword. "Just in case love," he winked at me and closed the doors. Tears began to stream down my face as I heard the sound of the door began to break down. The clanging noise of swords echoed through out the house, until a loud thud came, and silence spread. I heard footsteps getting closer to the room, and my heart began to beat faster.

The handle on the door began to turn, and I raised my sword. If I were to die, I new that I would fight just like my father, I thought as a single tear rolled down my face. The door swung open and a group of men appeared. I hesitated for only a second and then attacked. They weren't even aware that I was there until it was too late. I fought off the last one and began to run towards the front door when I was hit from behind. My sword flew out of my hand as my body slammed into the ground. I could hear my attacker approach and I dragged myself to arms reach of my sword. He was upon me now, I could feel it, and with a swift movement of my body, I rolled over and cut the man across the arm and scrambled to my feet. He looked at the blood streaming from his arm to then to me. I would never forget his face, how death just seemed to seep out of his eyes. A sly smile spread across his face as he looked back at me.

My heart felt as if it was lodged in my throat, and I felt as though I couldn't breathe. He began to make his way toward me. I had nowhere to run; I had to fight. I held out my sword and moved toward him taking the first shot. He blocked it with ease. I felt weak and knew that I wouldn't be able to fight much longer. I kept up with him, blocking everything he tried, but as I tried to circle him, I misplaced a step and he cut me across the stomach. I stood in shock as the blood began to soak through my gown. My hand slowly let go of my sword and I began to feel light headed and crumbled to the ground. I heard him approach and tried to pull myself away but it was no use. He grabbed me, threw me over his shoulder, and brought me to the bedroom.  Then, he threw me onto the bed. My eyes wandered across the room and I saw my mother still hovering in the corner. I tried to mouth to her to run but the man caught my gaze and looked behind him.

"Well, look at this; it seems we've got us a distraction." He began to move toward her taking out his knife. He smiled and looked back at me saying, "No need to worry, I will be there in a minute, lass." He grabbed her by the hair, she screamed, and then he slit her neck and let go, letting her body fall to the ground as the blood ran from her neck. He tossed the knife to the ground and began to move toward me again, "Now it is time to reward myself, that's Captain Pierre to you lass." I tried to scream but nothing came out, my body felt numb as he began to kiss me, while his hands explored my body. He stroked my face with his hand and I spit at him, he laughed then and whispered into my ear, "Feisty little thing, aint ya? Always say the feistier the better. I'm going to enjoy this." He ripped off my nightgown, and began to remove his clothes. I was helpless and he was too strong. He began to touch me again, I fought back tears, I wouldn't let him see me cry. He kissed me on the lips, and his hands began to run up my thigh, and then…

"NOOOOOOO," I screamed as I sat up. My hand instantly reached for the dagger under my pillow and I examined the room, holding it out in front of me. "He is not here," I told myself, "It is only a dream, only a dream."  It is the only dream I have been capable of having for the past four years of my life. It is the only thing that I ever think about. I took a deep breath and relaxed a little, and then went to the window and opened it letting the sea breeze blow onto my face. I moved back to the bed and got dressed before leaving my room.

I headed towards the steps and made my way down. I could already see Billy behind the contour. He smiled at me as I reached the last step. "Aye Jocelyn, couldn't defeat sleep?" he asked.

            I shook my head and looked down, trying not to let him see the sadness in my eyes, "You either?"

            He winked at me and said, "Afraid if I sleep too long I might not wake."

I laughed at this, and began to open the windows to the pub, allowing the air to flow freely inside. I opened the door, and looked up and down the street, "Looks like it will be a slow day," I mentioned to Bill as I slid behind the contour and picked up my book.

            "Aye, the change in the wind appears to have people spooked, but don't worry child, they will be out by tonight."

I smiled at him, I felt at ease around him. He was the only male that I thought I would ever be able to trust. He had been a friend of my fathers, thought I rarely saw him as a child. Billy had been the first to tend to me, after the attacks. He had nursed me back to health and allowed me to remain here and help him out in the pub.

"Well, I am goin' to the back, to the books. If you be needin' me just holler."

            "Ok Bill, I am just going to be here reading."

Bill nodded and walked to the back room. He knew that one day I would leave him.  He knew that if I were to truly be happy, I would have to defeat the one man who left me in this despondent state. He had noticed that I had been reading ships books recently.  He thought to himself that it wouldn't be long before I would leave him. He knew that I went back to her father's shop and practiced with the swords, but I thought he didn't know. He secretly prayed that I would let the past die, but he realized that man had taken my  life away and I needed revenge. Ah well, he thought to himself, there tis nothing I can do.

            As dusk began to fall, the regular crowd began to dribble in. They weren't that rowdy of a crowd. There was the occasional dispute over some one cheating at cards, but usually they were very mild, which allowed me to read my book without much interruption.

~

"Aye, 'ere we're Gibbs, told ya I would find it."    

"Aye, 'er"Aye that you did Cap."

            As Jack entered the pub, his eyes fell upon the woman behind the counter. She must not be a day over 20, he thought to himself, only a few years younger than him. He noticed that I had my hair pulled up, and that my head rested on my hand as I read my book. He saw that I was wearing a dark red dress that looked a little too big for her, revealing more of my chest then I would probably like, but, he found it to his liking. He grinned at Gibbs and approached me. He extended his hand out slowly and caressed my cheek.

            "Looks like we might be having a good night after all, Gibbs."

At that exact moment, I slid my hand into my boot, grabbed my dagger, jumped over the counter, and pointed it at the man. He seemed surprised by my action and stumbled backwards.

            "What do you think you are doing SIR," I screamed at him.

            "You are just so pretty I couldn't resist love, no harm no foul, right?"

            "Well I will have you know Sir," I spat back at him, "that I am not here for your pleasure or amusement, and I am not some dog that wishes to be pet, so it would do you well, sir, if you kept your hands to yourself."

            The people in the bar were watching the unfolding events as my voice grew louder. Once they realized what had happened, they just snickered and went back to their card games, something that Jack found rather amusing.

            Jack kept his eyes locked on mine and he kept walking backwards, as a grin spread across his face revealing his gold teeth.  Smirking, he said "Looks like we got a feisty one 'ere Gibbs."

            Before Gibbs had time to respond, I shoved the man into the wall and placed my dagger at his neck. "I suggest SIR, that you choose your next words very wisely, for they may be your last."

            Jack was astonished at what had just happened.  Jack realized that he had pushed me a tad bit too far. He met my eyes again and noticed that they had become a very dark green with a spark of yellow in them. They were intently fixed on him, and he doubted that they were admiring him.

            "Look luv, I meant no harm to ya, just a little fun that's all." He heisted for a minute and then continued. "I 'ave just come 'ere for a drink and company with an old friend if he is still works 'ere that is."

            I watched him questionably. "I should have just cut out his tongue while I had the chance," I thought to myself. "But, if he truly is a friend of Billy's then I shouldn't touch him."

            "BILL," I yelled, still keeping my dagger at his neck. "BILL, looks like you have got yourself a visitor."

            As Bill came scuffling out of the back and into the pub, I noticed the man's eyes widen and a smile come across his face as Bill dragged closer to us.

            "Child," Bill said to me "there is no need to keep this man at knife point. It's okay; Jack here is an old friend of mine. Now do us a favor and go get some rum." He winked at me and I reluctantly withdrew my dagger from Jack's neck and began to walk back towards the contour.

            "Fiesty little thing, aint she," Jack said to Bill, thrilled to see him.

            "Do us a favor Jack and don't try it," Bill said nodding his head in my direction. "She's lost one too many things in her short life, it's already hard enough for her."

            Jack only grinned keeping his eyes focused in my direction the whole time.

            "Now, come out with it," Bill said to Jack as they sat down at the nearest table, "What reason've you come 'ere, my boy?"

            Jack looked him and said, "Well, me and Gibbs 'ere be needin' some extra men for a thing, and I was wonderin' if you could help us out."

            Bill looked at him curiously. "Jack, it might 'elp if you fill us in on the thing."

            "Aye, but first we be needin' some rum. Where is the rum?"

"If he wants the bloody rum so much, why doesn't he get it himself," I thought to myself. I grabbed some glasses and walked over to the table, placing the bottle of rum and glasses on the table.

            "There you go Bill, just call if you need me," I said not allowing myself to look at Jack. The last thing I wanted to do was be near him any longer than I had to.

            "Aye," Jack said to me as I turned to leave. He stood up and took off his hat and extended his hand saying, "I don't believe that we've formally meet, luv. I am Captain Jack Sparrow, and this 'ere is my first mate Gibbs, and you are?"

            Is this guy for real; what is he playing at? I turned to him and my eyes locked upon him. "I figured out that much. But as far as being formally introduced goes sir, I believe that meeting my dagger should suffice." With that, I turned around and walked back to the contour.

            "I think she likes me Gents!"

            Bill shook his head and spoke seriously to Jack, "I'll tell you again, 'ere aint no way you winnin' that one over, let it go. So my dear boy, lets get down to business. What is the thing you be needin' a crew for?"

            "Ah yes, the crew. You see dear Bill, I figured the best place to get a crew for what I'm planning to do is in a place which holds much anger towards the 'thing'."

            "Jack!! What in the bloody hell is going through you mind boy? There is no way you could beat him, not even if ya got the navy."

            "You see Bill that is where you are wrong, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow mate, and he's got something of mine, and I intend to get back."

            "Yeah," Gibbs added, "Captain Pierre aint getting away this time, Cap's got a plan, we just be needin' a crew."

            I had opened my book and was staring at it intensely, but couldn't concentrate enough to read it.  My mind kept going over the events with Jack.  I mean who does he think he is coming in here and touching me, I thought, and then the nerve of him to try and be friends, I never heard of such a thing! As I glanced over in the direction of Jack's table, my eyes met his.  I quickly looked back down at my book, but I could still feel him staring at me.  I felt as though he was undressing me, not just physically, but mentally. Well, at least then he would know how I despised him. There were shouts from a table near Jack's for some beer, so I got up to replenish their mugs.

            When I passed Jack's table, I overheard Gibbs mentioning Captain Pierre and needing a crew, and I froze. My heart began to beat faster and his face flashed into my mind. I felt a shiver run up my spine and let go of the beers and watched as they crashed to the floor. Everything seemed to be in slow motion, I looked around and could see everyone looking at me, then I felt a tug on my shoulder and looked behind me.

            "Child, are you ok?" Bill said with a worried expression on his face.

            I snapped back into reality and realized what had happened "What do you mean," I smiled back at him, "I just lost my grip is all, I'm ok, don't worry."

            "Child, you look as though you have seen a ghost, 're ya sure you're fine."

            "Yeah, don't you worry, just a mind lapse, that's all."  I wished that was all it was. I bent down and began to collect the pieces of broken glass in a napkin.

            "'Ere let me help you with that, luv."  Jack said to me as he bent down and began to pick up some of the glass.

            "Thank you sir," I said as I looked into his eyes, those eyes which could get someone lost. "But I can do it, it is after my job after all."

Jack smiled at me but continued to help. I could feel him watching my every movement, as I watched his.

            Jack saw a tattered rag tied around the girls left wrist. As she folded the napkin with the glass in it, he noticed that it began to slip, and underneath it appeared to be some a burn.  "Interesting, very interesting," Jack thought.

            "Well, thank you again sir for your help, I do appreciate it."

            "Aint nothing luv." Jack said as he walked with her to the contour, where she grabbed more beers. "And luv, you aint be needin' to be callin' me sir, it's Captain Jack Sparrow, but you can call me Jack."

            I looked at him, confused by what he wanted.  I grabbed the beers and headed back to the table, Jack following close behind me. I placed the beers down on the table and turned around, nearly running into Jack.

            "Captain Sparrow, what is that you want? I said thank you for helping, so if you would please excuse me, I have got things to do…"

            Jack looked at her; he could feel that she was uncomfortable with him, which made him feel in control of things again. "What happened to you back there?"

            I looked at him, trying to think of something to say. He obiously didn't believe what I old Bill, so what? I must have hesitated a minute too long because he began to speak.

            "Look luv 'ere all friends here, no reason to keep secrets, right?"

            "Mister, I mean Captain Sparrow, it seems that you're under some kind of impression that we are friends because you helped me clean up a mess, but we aren't. I don't have friends and I would like it to stay that way, so if you don't mind." I edged around him.

            "Captain Pierre," Jack whispered into my ear as I passed.

This time, I felt enraged at the mention of his name. How dare he, how dare he stick his nose where it didn't belong. I turned around and faced him; a grin crept across his face. He must think he was smart, I thought to myself.  Well, if he thinks he's going to get something out of me, he's got another thing coming. I tried my best not to slap the man right then and there.  I breathed out and said, "I am not sure what I am supposed to say to that. I mean, if you're asking if I overheard you and Gibbs talking about needing a crew, and something about a pirate named Captain Pierre, then yes, I did. But if you are asking if that name means something to me, then the answer is no."

             "She's good," Jack thought to himself.  I was quite the liar.  He wondered how long I had been telling that lie, but he knew he wasn't the first to hear it.  He smiled and nodded, "I see, well then luv it appears that there's nothin' else to be said, unless you have something..." He glanced down at my wrist and then back at my face.

            I stood there in shock for a moment.  I grabbed my wrist with my other hand in an effort to hide it. "He couldn't know, could he?  No one knows about that, not even Bill.  I have to change the subject, bring it back to needing a crew," I thought.

"So, Captain Sparrow, you and your first mate here," I said nodding to Gibbs, "are in search of a crew, I hear." I smiled at him hoping he would drop it.

            "Sorry miss but no ladies are allowed on board, they're  bad luck. Bad luck I tell ya, we just got rid of one and we aint needin' anymore."

            "Well Gibbs, I wasn't thinkin' about me, but of…er….a boy that I know who always wanted to be a pirate."

            "I thought that you didn't 'ave any friends, luv?" Jack said to me.

            "I never said he was my friend did I, I said I knew him, so what do you say?"

            "Sounds fine to me Cap, we need all the men we can find." Gibbs said, looking at Jack for reassurance.

             "What is she doing, Jack thought to himself? And who was this boy, if there even was one."  He continued to stare at me; I was something he could spend the rest of his life staring at.  "Always want what you can't have, don't ya," he thought to himself.

"Well, luv Gibbs here is right.  Have him by the docks by dawn tomorrow. And you are more than welcome to come to if you be feelin' the need to send the Captain off in fashion."

            I could feel my face getting hot.  "Why am I blushing. I mean, I don't even find this man attractive, well maybe a little, no, no I don't."  I turned to Jack, looked him up and down and said, "Goodnight Mr. Gibbs, it was nice to meet you, and you," I briefly glanced at Jack.

"Luv, are you going to finally give me your name? I know that you are dying to. Or even better, are you and I going to be meeting up later tonight to send me out in fashion a little earlier? What so you say, luv?" His grin grew wider and he stepped closer to me.

            The heat that had just disappeared from my face came back in an instant. "How dare he presume such a thing?  Him and me together, in his dreams, and mine!  No, not in mine! What is wrong with me?  I need sleep, that's all. I stepped back from him and said, "The only company that you'll be getting tonight Captain Sparrow will be in your dreams, GOODNIGHT!"