***Author's Note***

Just have a few quick words.

First of all, thank you everyone for your reviews, they're much appreciated!

Secondly, there are several new characters in this chapter so just to clarify again:

***I do not own any of the characters in this story except for Amanda, Emily, and Matt. The other characters are property of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean. If I add any more original characters within the course of this fic, I'll let you know. ***

Ok, with that said, on to chapter 10!

Chapter 10: Back On Board the Pearl

The sun gradually peeks over the horizon as morning approaches. The radiant pinks and purples of sunrise are absolutely breathtaking. It has been so long since I've last been at sea that I have almost forgotten how peaceful it can be.

We've been out at sea for four hours and things have run smoothly thus far. Amanda has yet to wake from her slumber and I fear what might happen when she does.

Jack stands proudly at the helm, staring into the horizon, a broad grin spread clear across his face. It is wonderful to see Jack as captain of the Pearl. I have heard many stories about Captain Jack Sparrow and his crew aboard the Pearl before Barbossa led the mutiny against him. In a strange way, I feel privileged to see Jack in charge once more, to see what I knew only to be a legend, become reality.

The Black Pearl is the only thing that I have ever seen Jack show any passion for. I wonder about his past and if he ever loved someone or if anyone ever loved him. I know for a fact that Jack would never want any pity, especially from me but I wonder if his ways will ever change. I wonder if he'll ever get married or have children. Can Jack truly be happy living the way that he does?

The sun continues to rise and the remainder of the crew eventually congregates on deck. The men are exactly the way I remember them; none have seemed to change much. Mr. Gibbs is the first to address me.

"Well, if it isn't young Will Turner! Haven't seen ye since tha' mess with Barbossa, eh?"

"Yes, Mr. Gibbs, it has been quite a while. How are you?" He looks around at the crew, the ship, and his Captain before responding.

"I haven't been better, lad. Since Jack got the Pearl back it's only been smooth sailing, I tell ye. He be an amazin' Capn', Jack, aye he is."

He pauses and then looks at me closely, concern in his eyes. "But, I suppose it be me who should ask how you been. I s'pose I should warn ye, we all know about Ms. Elizabeth an' I must say, I am sorry."

Anamaria has come to stand juxtaposed to Mr. Gibbs, a kind smile brightening her features. I smile back awkwardly.

"Thank you Mr. Gibbs. I do appreciate your concern but it's been close to five years since Elizabeth's death. I am doing just fine."

I provide a reassuring smile and he pats me on the back. "Tha's be good, tha' be real good ter hear. Well, I got ter get a few chores done so I'll be talkin' ter ye later, aye?"

"Of course, I look forward to it," I answer politely. Mr. Gibbs nods and then leaves to tend to his duties. Anamaria however, remains before me, eyeing me from head to toe.

I raise my eyebrows questionably feeling slightly uncomfortable as she carefully inspects me.

"Is there something wrong?"

Her eyes meet my own. " Mr. Turner, you've become a very attractive man. Don't you dare distract me from my duties." Her tone is completely strait-laced and I stare dumbfounded as she heads below deck.

"Nice to see you again, too Anamaria," I whisper to myself. I notice that Jack glares at me for a brief moment from across the deck and I silently wonder what I've done to deserve it. The Captain then refocuses on his compass, paying no heed to the fact that it fails to point northward.

I stand and watch the hustle and bustle of the crew, questioning them from time to time if I might be of any help. Every one of them turns down my offer.

**********************************************************

The day has been passing by slowly and the afternoon sun beats down upon me. Anamaria emerges from below the deck, Amanda skipping after her.

"Amanda!" I shout happily, thrilled that she doesn't seem to be upset about leaving Port Royal.

"Amanda be careful! Don't run, it's slippery up here!" I call to her as she runs in my direction across the deck. I hear a few of the crew members snigger as I scold my daughter and I become slightly embarrassed.

Amanda does not appear to hear me and so she continues to race over to… Jack, who jumps in surprise, when she places a tiny hand upon his arm.

Jealousy hits me like a tub of cold water. It's rare for me to feel envious of Jack but in this case it cannot be helped. Amanda came up on deck with absolutely no knowledge of my presence but seems to show plenty of attention towards the pirate captain.

Anamaria releases a stiff chuckle.

"Well it looks as though Captain Jack Sparrow for the first time in his life, is receiving positive attention from a female." She chuckles again and looks up at me. "I don't think he knows what to do."

Although I do find her comment amusing, I do not laugh, or even smile. I watch as my daughter interacts with Jack, now tugging happily at the sleeve of his coat. Jack is clearly annoyed however, he doesn't object to the attention.

I grow even more worried as Amanda laughs and smiles. She seems happier with Jack than she has been in a long time, with me. I start to wonder if I have done something wrong in raising her. Is what Emily said true? Am I really too strict?

My worry must be evident because Anamaria cocks her head, grabs my arm, and turns me to face her. Her grip on my arm is surprisingly strong and I can just about feel my arm go numb.

"What's the matter, Turner?" She questions even though she appears as though she could care less.

"Beside the fact that you are hurting me?" I say almost pleadingly.

"Oh! Sorry about that." She releases my arm. "Now, seriously, what's wrong?" she asks again.

Rubbing my arm to relieve it of the pain, I gesture my head in the general vicinity of Amanda and Jack. Anamaria she rolls her eyes, frustrated.

"Turner, c'mon," she says. "You know that Jack has no idea how to treat a lady." I notice she shoots Jack a nasty look. "Your daughter will realize that you are the real gentleman soon enough." With those last words, she stocks off to the ship's rudder and disappears amidst a throng of working men.

My mind begins to formulate ideas about what might be happening between Anamaria and Jack. She sounded cold just now, talking about her captain. Even though it may be true that Jack is no gentleman, why did she bring it up just now? And why did Jack shoot me a dirty look after I talked with Anamaria earlier?

I decide to stop wondering about such things, it's none of my business. In fact, I would rather not know why Anamaria has such hostile feelings for Jack.

My daughter continues to playfully pester Jack who looks as though he may explode at any moment. Jealousy begins to rage within me once again and I try to seek comfort in Anamaria's words.

Comfort however, does not come. Amanda wraps her arms around Jack and hugs him. Jack in response, pushes her away lightly, laughing nervously. He gazes around himself, almost frantically, searching for help. He spots me almost immediately and then leans down to speak to my daughter.

I can't hear what he says to her but Amanda looks at me after he has spoken. She stares at me for a while, shakes her head, and then wraps her arms again around the pirate's legs. Jack looks at me awkwardly and mouths 'help me.'

My anger has taken the best of me, so instead of choosing to pry my daughter away from Jack, I turn and head for the ship's hull. Just as I approach the steps leading below deck, Mr. Cotton and another, very small sailor (whose name I can't recall), come clambering up.

Mr. Cotton's parrot is wildly calling out 'stowaway, stowaway!' and the other sailor pulls someone up onto the deck.

"Captain!" says the short sailor. "This kid has managed to sneak on board!"

I recognize the 'kid' right away as does Amanda whose eyes light up at the sight him. Jack stares at the young boy appearing to contemplate what to do about this problem. He looks slightly baffled by the boy's presence, most likely wondering how we have managed to allow a boy onto the ship.

Matt shakes with fear and he looks terrified. I approach him cautiously, not wishing to spook him any further. I put my hand gently on his shoulder and everyone becomes silent as the grave. It is almost as if they are expecting something terrible to happen.

The young boy looks up at me with a hint of comfort in his eyes when he recognizes who I am. Then Amanda toddles over to Matt and me and greets Matt with a big hug. A chorus of 'awws' breaks the pirate's silence and then they all go back to their work.

The children laugh together thrilled to be reunited but Jack and I throw one another nervous glances. Jack gestures for me to come and talk with him and I obey but first make a request for the kids; that they stay where they are and do not get into any mischief.

Their answers are exactly what I believed they would be; Matt shyly looks up at me and says "Yes, Mr. Turner" and Amanda ignores me, continuing her interrogation on how Matt was able to sneak onto the ship.

Unwillingly, leaving the two on their own, I go to talk with Jack. As soon as I near him, he addresses me.

"It seems we have ourselves yet another problem, eh?" Jack says obviously.

"What are we going to do, Jack? We cannot take Matt with us, this journey is too dangerous and his mother has to be worried sick--"

"I cannot turn this ship 'round if that's what you are expecting me to do, mate. It was danger enough for me to journey back into Port Royal for you and I won't risk being caught again, savvy?"

I am not certain how I want to answer Jack. My heart and my head are once again disagreeing with one another. My head tells me that I need to save my daughter, my daughter is my first priority. The boy chose to sneak onto the ship, so why should he now not stay?

However, my heart says that by keeping Matt aboard the Pearl I may only be leading him to his death. He doesn't belong here, he should not have to be put through this, and his mother, she will be heart broken if her son does not return to her. Hurting Emily is the last thing that I want to do.

But Jack has done a lot for me, it would be unfair to make him sail us back to Port Royal…

I lower my head, tears of confusion filling my eyes, and Jack turns away from me, remaining silent.

"Will, everything will work out in the end," he turns towards me again and I force myself to look at him, although doubtfully. He picks up on my insecurity and smiles, "hey, have I ever given you reason not to trust me?"

I grin through ceasing tears. "I am not so sure you want me to answer that."

He chuckles softly and becomes quiet. "Everything will work out in the end," he repeats. "It always does."

But what I see in Jack's eyes in the last moment before he turns back to the helm is not hope but the complete opposite. Overcome with hopelessness myself, I walk drowsily to the rail of the ship and stare sorrowfully down at the blue waters of the Caribbean. I hear my daughter laugh gleefully from somewhere behind me still unaware of the danger she is in.

******************************************************

The sun sinks slowly now beyond the horizon and the array of colors across the sky are as glamorous as they were at sunrise. An entire day has passed on the Black Pearl although it has felt much longer.

Matt is now sailing with us as result of his sneaking onto the ship. I asked him a few questions about why he would do such a thing. He told me that after his mother had gone to bed last night, he followed Jack and me to the Pearl. He saw that we had Amanda with us and he wanted to say good-bye to her.

When he saw she was sleeping he had planned to say his farewells in the morning so he slept on the ship not realizing that it would set sail sometime in the night. As soon as he realized that pirates occupied the ship, he hid in the ship's hold and remained there until Mr. Cotton's parrot discovered him this afternoon.

He had just wanted to say good-bye. Now he sails on a pirate ship miles away from his home not realizing even half the trouble that he has gotten himself into.

It seems strange to feel more vulnerable now than I did back in Port Royal. In Port Royal, when I received the news that Barbossa is coming for Amanda, it only seemed like a dream. That I could have stayed where I was and defended her.

Now sailing here on the Black Pearl, I feel as though I myself am handing her over to the enemy.