Author's Note: I just watched Edward Scissorhands, Once upon a time in Mexico and Pirates- it's been a long day.  But…why can't Jack Sparrow be more…sensitive or more of a jerk?  Couldn't there be a balance between Jack, Sands and Edward?  But then maybe we wouldn't love Jack like we do.  But he'd sure be a heck of a lot easier to write!  So do bear with me while I write him being…sensitive.

          Oh yea- sorry this took so long…it was a really hard chapter to write…yea… OH!!!  There's a reference to a deleted scene in here- and also a little…addition to the lists of things Jack as done- so bare with me, okay?

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Last Time:

          ***"Why Julie, has your hair grown since I saw you last?"

        She turned and saw Tommy.

        *** Then the man gently touched her skin.  "Give mes your hand." He said, his breath somewhat invading her space.  She winced at the smell.  She carefully and hesitantly held out her hand and he kissed the palm of it. 

        Her other hand immediately went to her mouth.  He looked up at her and smiled, and then grabbed her hand with his and shook it vigorously.  Then without a word her left her side and said, "Well if yous wish mes gone…" and left.

        *** Between you and Jack

        He kicked over Will and he fell on his knees in front of Tommy's gun while Will lay on his side, seeing what he was doing.  "You want me killed, do it now."

_____________

        Ella waited nervously outside her niece's door as the man inside held the information that would make her jump for joy or make her cry uncontrollably.  She had called him two days ago and since then she hadn't been able to go in, now was the last day he would be here.  She heard Stephan and Stephanie giggling downstairs, no doubt playing with Natalie. 

        The door opened and she saw through the slit, Elizabeth laying in her bed, eyes closed.  She looked at the doctor with hopeful eyes.  The man must've been in his sixties, short, a little chubby, white hair and glasses.  The typical doctor.  "Mr. Jones?" she asked.

        "Your niece…as far as I can tell- did catch this from someone in the town.  No doubt a very poor person who can't afford me…this is the first case this month, Ella."

        She nodded, "Is she going to be alright?"

        His face took on a drooped place, "By next week I'm sure she'll have chronic bronchitis…get ready for the worst, Ella.  I've bled her as far as I could without killing her that way…but with her emotional state- it's not helping Ella.  She'll get worse before she gets better…but by then it might be too late to get better."

        Ella had a hand over her mouth, trying to contain the wave of fear that washed over her almost immediately.  She nodded and he said he'd show himself out.  She took a minute to control her tears that were threatening to come down at any minute and then walked into Elizabeth's room.

        She walked to the bed, hearing her breathe through her mouth, she knew Elizabeth was asleep.  Oh Will, come home soon. Ella silently prayed, the tears coming at full force, I don't know if she's going to make it…

****

        Why did he do it? That was the question that kept going over and over in Will's mind as they kept running, hearing gunshots and Tommy yelling behind them.  Unfortunately, Will didn't have time to think about this- there were more important things to consider and ask.

        "Why are we running?"

        "I'm more concerned 'bout my neck- that alright with you?"

        Will shrugged as he pulled him behind a tree and then went behind another tree.  "You think you can do that fine throwing trick again?"

        "Why?" He yelled over the shot that Jack shot at Tommy who had hidden behind something. 

        "Because you might have to use it!"

        "Ah!"

        But when Jack shot his last shot and waited for Tommy to return one, nothing came.  Jack looked at Will and they both shrugged.  He motioned for Will to stay put and then walked out to the road.  Not seeing any sign of Tommy, he paused, wondering if this was just a way to draw him out to kill him. He tapped his fingers nervously on his leg as nothing came.

        He stepped gingerly and went forward, not ready to believe that he actually shot this man.  When he finally got to the abandoned building that Tommy was hiding behind, Will paused as Jack drew out his sword and made a few swift moves.  He walked forward and heard faintly, "…I never want to see you again.  I never want to hear your name uttered on the winds of gossip.  I never want to know that you lived through this." 

        When Will reached where Jack was standing, he saw Tommy lying on the ground, his leg bleeding and Jack made two cuts on his cheeks.  I have a feeling those will be life-long scars, Will thought to himself.  "Now get out of here you coward- and thank your lucky stars that you're not dead."  Tommy scowled but got up and huddled off, now doubt to the get medical attention to his leg.

        Will stayed, watching him go as Jack wiped his sword off and sheathed it and then walked off.  "Will!" He called, not looking back.  Will turned but stayed put, "Why didn't you kill him?"

        Jack turned, "You telling me that was an unwise choice?"

        Will paused, noticing the line.  He had rebuked Jack for not shooting him in Port Royal- and Jack had said the same thing.  "He would've killed you."

        Jack looked down and then turned back around and started walking.  Will ran after him and started walking with him, still waiting for the answer.  Jack sighed, "He was a part of my crew Will.  He betrayed me.  And normally I wouldn't regret killing him like I killed Barbossa- but I couldn't.  Somehow I didn't think I would be betrayed again."

        "All the more to kill him!"

        Jack shook his head, "No!  Tommy had my trust when he stepped on the ship.  I can't bear to see another person I truly trusted die before my eyes.  Maybe if I had ten years to build up my loathing and my hatred, then maybe I would kill him- but not now."

        Will nodded, somewhat understanding- but never completely.  But how could he?  He had never had a crew, never had a dozen people needing his direction or his dependence.  He had never needed a dozen people's trust either.  The only thing he could relate this to was Elizabeth.  But that's one person.  He never thought one person out of a dozen could matter so much…Now I know.

        Will looked ahead; they had to find Ana, to help her.

****

        Julie paced back and forth, chewing on her index finger nail and questions swirling around in her head, mainly, was everyone okay?

        She had come to the Pearl, just as Ana Maria had instructed and told Gibbs that she needed help and gave a rough description on where they would be.  Now it was half and hour later and nothing.  Not a big explosion or a boat back or anything.  She could've killed herself.

        What about Peter?  I know they're going to kill him.  And Jack!  And Will! 

        Stop worrying.  They'll be fine.

          But Peter!

        I will be here.

        She paused and stopped pacing.  She remembered the piece of paper in her pocket.  Or was it in her pocket? 

        It doesn't matter.  You don't care about him.

          She paused, didn't she though?

        Focus on something meaningful Julie! Focus!  Peter!

        I will be here.

          Peter.

        I will be here.

          I think I lost this battle.

****

        Jack and Will caught up with Gibbs and the rest of the crew just as they were about to charge.  They were in the middle of a forest of palm trees and cocoanuts, and they could hear the digging and yelling from where they stood.

        "I don't care what you have to do- I want these people injured so that they will have to stay here for a long time." Jack started to say, seeing Ana hidden behind a tree making gestures at him, "I'm not in the mood for killing people and if they do come after us in a year- then fine- we can blow their ship to see Old Hob, but until then, just knock them out, injure them, whatever.  Get the treasure and let's go."

        The crew interrupted them when they were digging, but they seemed perfectly prepared for such an attack.  While the fight ensued, Jack kept an eye on his father who was being guarded by a crewman, that is, until Ana shot him in the chest.  Jack rolled his eyes, well even if I told her not to kill anyone- she might do it anyway.

        Fifteen minutes later, some of his crew was wounded, but still able to go on and the crew of the Barracuda was all on the ground either unconscious or dead.  Jack sighed, a smile finding its way onto his mouth.  He sheathed his sword and turned around, to be met with another sword. He followed it to his owner only to find the person who he thought he got rid of.  "Tommy." He said simply.  He wondered if his crew had seen him yet, "Are you aware you are vastly out numbered, mate?"

        "Don't call me mate."

        "Oh, why not?" He said sarcastically.

        "Because even though I may be out numbered, if I killed you before they killed me- at least I'd die happy."

        "You?  Kill me?"

        Tommy frowned, "That's what got to me, Captain.  You think your invincible- but if I do this," he snapped his sword and cut his shoulder and Jack winced.  Tommy quickly moved the sword back to its spot and slowly started walking toward Jack, with Jack moving back.  "You bleed.  Yer not invincible no matter what you think…"

        "Why would it matter to you?"

        Tommy sneered, "Yer Captain Jack Sparrow, you vanished from under the eyes of seven agents of the East India Company. You sacked Nassau Port without even firing a shot.  You impersonated an officer of the Spanish Royal Navy and you impersonated a cleric of the Church of England  You escaped the noose at Port Royal and you murdered the Italian who ran the biggest trading company on this side of the plant- for unknown reasons of course.  For someone to actually kill you would make into the history books for generations!"

        Jack swallowed, thinking he knew where this was heading.  "We all know I'm too young to die…"

        "Younger than most, Captain."

        "You know…being the most famous Captain is highly over-rated…you try for awhile and tell me what you think."

        "Oh I am.  I will take your title, your ship and your wench."

        Jack narrowed his eyes.  So taking his life was a little freaky- but his ship and Jules?  I don't think so.  Jack stepped into the blade and said, "You want them?  Come and claim them." He said, mimicking Tommy's own saying.

        Tommy's eyes practically lit with fire as he jabbed the sword into Jack as hard as he could.  Too bad he missed and hit his arm.  Jack screamed, either in pain or in anger, and drew his own sword and started fighting with him. 

        "I wasn't goin' to kill you, but you couldn't keep that.  Now I have no choice mate."

        Tommy stumbled rather badly and Jack looked down, seeing his leg still bleeding.  "Well then we're even.  Your arm, my leg, and both our lives."

        "Yer wrong mate- only yer life."  They parried for a while until Jack knocked Tommy's sword out of his hands and then Tommy started using his fists.  Jack didn't though, he dropped his sword but kept ducking and moving, making a hit once an awhile, never using much energy.  Tommy did though, he used all his energy swinging at Jack but never hitting him, until he stopped.  Jack picked up his sword and turned to Tommy who was panting.

        "Ready to give up mate?"

        Tommy didn't say anything but wavered and then finally fell right into Jack's sword.  Jack paused, his mouth wide open, a little shocked.  He killed him without meaning to.  Or did I call him?  He gently lifted the sword and Tommy slid off, and hit the ground with a 'thud'.  Jack bent down and put his ear next to Tommy's mouth, "He's not breathing." He said mostly to himself.

        He got up and sighed.  That's regrettable.  "Start diggin' mates, we've got treasure to pillage."  He sighed one more time and walked over to his father. 

        "Junior!"

        "Dad, its Jack."

        His dad seemed to ignore the comment as Peter drew him into a hug.  Jack, for one split-second, was content in his arms but then snapped back to reality.  "Dad," He said drawing away, "Are you okay?"

        Peter nodded, "Come here and let me fix your arm."

        "Dad I'm fine."

        "Jack," he said giving his son a stern look.

        Jack sighed and gave in, sitting down on the ground as his dad got some sticks and cloth to create some sort of a brace.  "Dad, I Robert's can give me a sling or something."

        "Good because that's what you need."

        Jack sighed grimly, thinking if anything else could be more humiliating.  "Captain?" Gibbs asked, standing in front of him while Peter rolled down his sleeve.  Jack looked up, "There's something you might want to see…"

        Jack stood up and followed him to where they were digging, finding a whole skull body blocking a large hole. 

        "We uh, were digging and then the dirt just fell through…this didn't."

        Jack nodded and bent down, looking into the hole, "There's gold down there.  I can see it.  Move the body."

        "Captain," Gibbs said and handed him a folded piece of paper, "It was in the ribs."  Jack took it and looked at it.  It was addressed in thick, sloppy letters, To the Captain.  Jack looked at Gibbs once more and then opened it.

        Congrats.  The man you see lying before you is the a man who died to save me.  I buried him here myself before I too was killed.  I'm sure you're wondering if I knew what was coming.  I didn't.  I'm just assuming if you're reading this- I was killed.

          The treasure now lying before you  is mine- take good care of it, and although it may sound strange as I too am a pirate- do something useful with it instead of wasting it at the first whore island you come to.  But since you've come this far and found it…just be happy and remember the code.

                                                                             Black Beard

                                                                                                a.k.a Edward Teach

        Jack smirked, "Alright boys!  Head in!"

****

        Julie watched as a crew started paddling away on little boats from the dock that were obviously not theirs.  In their possession was a whole lot of gold and silver, as far as she could tell.  Please let that be my crew.

        You don't have a crew.

          Oh keep quiet.

        She paced the deck a million times before they actually started boarding.  Sure enough, it was the Pearl's crew, with shirt full and pants full of treasure.  Anywhere they could store it, they put it.  Then up came trunks that Julie didn't recognize at all, she figured they came from the where the treasure was stored.  Then, finally, came Peter, Will and Jack.

        Julie ran to Peter, throwing her arms around his neck, "I'm so glad you're okay!" She said over and over.  Peter laughed a little.     

        "Yes, but dear, I am worn out and haven't had a nap in a long time- and since Jack has agreed to lend me his bed- I'm going to take it."  He said and left to Jack's cabin.

        Julie turned, biting her lip, "Hi." She said to Jack.  He was smiling at her while the crew had gone below to sort the treasure.  She hadn't noticed that Will had left, but he wasn't on deck.  They were the only ones. 

        "Hi." He answered back.

        She bit her lip harder and then going against her better judgment, ran into his arms, open or not.  She felt his arms circle her almost immediately.  She sighed and listened to his heart beat while she heard, "Are you okay?"

        She shook her head slightly and then pulled away and looked at him, "Jack I'm thirty seven years old and I get scared from being in a room with a bunch of pirates."

        He paused as tears filled her eyes, "Did they…abuse you…sexually?"

        She paused and then shook her head, "Not really."

        Jack eyed her, "Julie, tell me the truth."

        She shook her head again, "No…not really."

        He nodded and she went back into his embrace.  He rubbed her back, trying comfort her somehow.  Everything going through his head just made him want to kill Tommy more.  He got what he deserved, he thought. 

        "Happy birthday, Jules." He said quietly.

****

I can't believe I did that.  I told myself that I wasn't going to set myself up for hurt, and here I make the firs move.  You need to keep your distance!

        Julie sighed, as she scolded herself on her behavior with Jack earlier that evening.  The crew had left the town of Union City after half an hour of their return and Julie and Jack hadn't talked about anything more since their…embrace. 

        She now stood at the bow of the ship and watched the water, not feeling at the top of the world as she thought she should.  Jack was taking her, Peter and Will back to St. Thomas and she was feeling horrible about that.  This whole trip she hadn't done anything but break up the marriage.  Now he was leaving again.

        Now just because he's leaving you again doesn't mean you have to go into a self-pity hole…just because…  She sighed and remembered the day he father left.  She was so young when her aunt and uncle came for a visit and then they told her that her father left.

        Like mom dying wasn't bad enough.  She leaned against the rail and wished that this whole thing could've been different.  That she never came here and never met Jack on the island.  She hadn't thought about him in the longest time anyways!  But Jack always shows up when you don't want him to.

        Or when you need him to.

          Changing sides on me?

        Maybe.

          She sighed again and thought that she would just let life takes it's course…since her input, complaining or arguing hadn't changed it in the past.

****

"She's wonderful Jack."

"What?" he asked, not sure he knew what his father was talking about.

        "Julie."

        Jack sighed and finished tying the rope by the side of the ship.  He went and sat by his father, on the stairs, who was watching Julie carefully from where she stood on the ship, looking out onto the setting sun reflecting off the ocean.  "Dad…" Jack started, not sure how to say what he was thinking.

        "Jack, you remember your mother, don't you?"

        "Of course dad."

        "Well I'm not sure if I ever told you how we met.  I was a…lieutenant and she was a well known through the town because of her family name.  Kathy was beautiful.  But anyway, I wasn't watching where I was…marching and I knocked her into a huge mud puddle.  Needless to say it wasn't love at first sight- we were both very young too.  She hated me for the longest time…but sooner or later she warmed up to me."

        Jack watched as his father's eyes glazed over, thinking about his dead wife.  "Why are you tellin' me this?"

        He snapped his head, "Because I miss Kathy more than ever.  When she passed away…just do something for me son, will you?"

        "Sure dad," Jack said, sighing.

        "Find someone you love and hold on to her for the rest of your life."

        Jack stared at his father for a minute and then looked at Julie- she was looking at him but quickly looked away when Jack caught her gaze.  He looked back at his dad, "Dad- I've already been married once…"

        "Just because you've been married doesn't mean it was a mistake."

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Author Thanks:

          Seaspray: Great name!  New Reviewer!  *author throws confetti and hands you a stuffed Jack Sparrow doll*  Thanks for the review mate.  I know, Jack caring about something is amazing- I did love that chapter though…the last part.

          PED-Sarah: I'm glad I can use you…but I missed a review from you last chappie!

          Emma436: Hey!  I love that line in LOTR!  It kinda gave me chills watching it…not writing it though.  I'm kinda making fun of the line there though. Heh…um thanks for the enthusiastic review as always.  What do you mean is Julie okay?  Like a good guy?  Teach me!  *author claps for the enthusiasm of the reviewer and hands her a stuffed Jack Sparrow Doll*

          Piper8188: Your love?  LOL!  Will is cute…yes, I'm glad you liked the chapter because I did too. *smiles*