Title: Crossing Blades

Chapter 7.

~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~

A few days later, the Black Pearl made its way to Tortuga. Jack wouldn't let Gwen o explore Tortuga unless himself or Derrick accompanied her. Therefore she spent most of her time in a tavern with men far past drunk.

It was nice to be in Tortuga because there was a lot of news from the war between England and the Colonists. Gwen had heard a quite interesting one in which she voiced to Derrick.

"Did you hear the news of that man who, I think, surrendered his ship to us?" she asked excitedly.

"I heard," he said dryly. His face was down so she couldn't see what emotions were on his face.

"Well, that's good news, isn't it?"

"You could say that… if it wasn't your own father," Derrick turned his whole body away.

"How could it be your father? Unless you're a-he's a…" Gwen gasped.

"I know. I-I grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. But I know my father didn't do it. He's dead, and branded a traitor. And I know who killed him, DeGuardinue. Now with my father branded a traitor, I know I won't be able to sleep without a pistol under my pillow. I'm going to find DeGuardinue, and he'll be sorry," Derrick hissed before he walked away.

Gwen felt a hand on her shoulder.

"He says he wants to leave the Pearl once we find a ship needing a crew," Jack said behind Gwen.

"You knew he was a-" Gwen's eyes widened as she turned to face him.

"Aye, I knew. There isn't anything wrong with that, is there? I'm a pirate; we don't care where our crew is from, as long as they do an equal share of work and don't betray their captain," he explained.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she protested.

"Why would I need to tell you? It's none of your business anyway."

"Fine, if you won't answer that than tell me where my parents are," Gwen demanded. Jack was silent for a moment.

"I don't know. I took you out of Port Royal because I heard there was going to be an attack. Once I heard you tell me that your parents weren't in Port Royal I knew to get you out of there as soon as possible," Jack explained.

"How did you know of the attack before you came to Port Royal?" Gwen shifted.

"I didn't. I was going to Port Royal for a little visit to your parents. I obviously was caught and put in a cell to be hanged the next day. There, I heard other pirates discussing the attack that was scheduled.

"Then you came along and propped me out of the cell. Then you told me your parents weren't in Port Royal. Without them, you weren't safe. So I brought you onto the Pearl. With some difficulties," he added.

"Why was there going to be an attack on Port Royal?" Gwen asked suspiciously.

"That too, I don't know. I don't think it was for any particular reason," he admitted.

"How can you not know?" Gwen asked.

"It's possible," Jack notified her. He jerked a thumb towards his cabin. "Go to my cabin to get some rest. Derrick won't be in the best of all moods."

Gwen nodded and walked towards Jack's cabin but paused. "Jack?"

"Mm hmm?" he mumbled.

"Please talk to him for me," she asked of him.

"I will, love, don't worry."

The next morning, Gwen awoke with an arm around her waist. She moaned and pressed herself against the wall next to Jack's bed.

"Jack? How could you?" she moaned. He kept his eyes closed but he was obviously awake.

"I didn't do anything," he yawned. "You were asleep in my bed so I crawled in aside you."

"Well, that's obviously something," she made him aware of. She crawled over him and stepped out of bed.

"You're right, but come on, it's barely even morning," he pulled her back into the bed.

"I'm not tired," she lied covering a yawn.

"Yes you are and you know it," he said. He pulled her into his arms. "Now lie here in Ol' Jack's arms."

"Why do I feel safe in your arms?" she asked when Jack put his chin atop her head.

"I have that effect on women," he muttered.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sorry I haven't updated in sooooo long. I have a question: Should I make it a Gwen loves Derrick, or Gwen loves Jack?

Thanks!