Her back had connected with the water's surface, and swallowed her up. Not sure what to do, she allowed her body to sink, watching the sunlight disappear as she fell farther below. She saw the boats come closer and closer, and began to swim underneath them. Please don't let them see me. Swimming past them, she remained under the surface until she couldn't stay down any longer. When she turned back to see the boats searching frantically for her, she knew that she had escaped. Staggering onto the beach, she took off, heading back for the crew. ~~**Damn yeh Will, I'm not leaving yeh behind.**~~

Ashley had found a dead man laying on the ground, and took his sword. She didn't mind using other people's weapons, she always did that. Eventually she found her way back to the pool, and saw that the place was deserted. There were a few scattered bodies, but other than that, there was no one. She found some sets of footprints, and began following them. They separated eventually, and she decided to go with the one with fewer prints.

It got continually harder for Ashley to keep walking, the long swim to and from the Fang had wiped her energy supply out. And the island seemed to get hotter and hotter as time wore on. Eventually, she found a clearing of some sort, and saw a familiar mess of tangled brown hair.

"Will!" Ashley stumbled towards him. Turning, Will looked at the weary and exhausted woman making his way to him.

"Ashley, what are you doing here?" Shaking her head, she grabbed his hand and pulled him upwards.

"C'mon, we got to get back to the Fang. Maybe they haven't left yet." Trying to tug him back in the direction she came in, Will jerked her to a halt and barely managed to sputter,

"What are you talking about Ashley? You're supposed to be dead."

"Does it look like I'm dead? Now shut up and come on!" Will continued staring at her as she began shouting at him.

"Stop staring at me like I have two bloody heads! Where is the rest of the crew!? Why didn't yeh all go back to the ship like I told yeh?"

"You mean they didn't make it back?" Ashley froze.

"What are yeh sayin', Will?"

"They left. I went back to find you, and they all went back to the ship."

"No, they didn't, Jack said that no one came back."

"Then . . ."

"We're not alone." Ashley snarled, pulling him backwards. "There's someone else on this island, and I don't want to be the one to find out who."

"But-"

"Sh." Pressing her finger to his lips, she whispered, "We can talk later, now we have to find somewhere to hide."

Saying this, Ashley tugged Will along until she had retraced her steps back to the pool. When she reached the clearing, she pulled off her anklet and motioned for Will to come into the water. They swam together, back to the place where Ashley had inserted the chain. She did everything the same way she had done before, only this time she held onto Will's hand, and the two were sucked in together.

~~**~~

For a moment, Jack had stood at the edge of the ship, staring down at his hands. He couldn't fathom that Ashley had just let go of him, willfully. That she had fallen back down into the water, and was gone. Staring at the liquid below him, in somewhat of a trance, he had failed to notice Gibbs come up behind him, and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Cap'n?"

"Set sail Gibbs. It's time to set sail."

Gibbs had nodded at that comment, and then walked off, shouting orders again. Jack continued to stare at the sea, and watched the receding boats that were once firing at Ashley. He stared out to the other larger ship, still firing at the island. And something caught in his throat as he watched a tiny speck crawl onto the beach. And when he blinked his eyes, it was gone.

Shaking his head at it all, he turned around to inspect his new ship. Finding the captain's quarters he shut the door, and examined the cramped room. It had a desk and chair, a messily made bed, and a small chest. Opening the chest, Jack found charts, maps, and a few logs, but nothing worth any value to him. Continuing the search, Jack began checking the drawers of the desk. Finding nothing in there as well, Jack ripped the sheets off of the bed, and then laid down upon it. Staring at the ceiling, he drifted back to what Ashley had said.

~~**'I'm not a pirate.'**~~

Her eyes had widened, and they showed horror. She had looked at his brand as if it had just grown an arm, and had slapped her in the face. ~~**What is it with her and pirates? She's well on her way to becoming one.**~~

He sighed. ~~**Stop thinking about it, dammit. Pirate's code. Always keep to the code.**~~

~~**She went back for him.**~~ Growling angrily, he snatched an empty bottle of rum and flung it at the door. ~~**That's why she ain't a pirate.** ~~

~~**But she went back. She didn't sail away. Like a coward.**~~

"I'm not a coward! I kept to the code, that's why I'm alive and with me crew."

~~**And that's why yer without William now isn't it?**~~

"What's that got to do wif me. I've got what I wanted. I've got a ship, an' I've got mos' of me crew."

~~**Yeh'd be dead and rottin' in that bloody brig had it not been fer her.**~~

"Yeah, well take what yeh can and give nothing back."

~~**Yeh didn't want this ship. An' yeh still don't.**~~

"I want the Pearl."

~~**Is that all?**~~

"Yes."

The captain finished his internal/external conversation, and then stood up. He couldn't waste time reminiscing about the past, even if that past was less than twenty minutes ago, Captain Jack Sparrow had a ship to run.

He grabbed a pistol he had found in the desk, and strode out the door, and was met by a blade coming within an inch of his face.

"Hello, Captain. There will be a slight change in course, but don't worry, yeh an' yer crew will be kept comfortable."

~~**~~

Ashley and Will were now sitting in the dark cavern. She had made a small fire in the center, hoping that there was enough oxygen to keep it alight. It was rather cold in the cave, so the two sat opposite each other, very close to the flickering flames. They had both remained quiet, but it was Will who asked the first question.

"What is this place?"

"I don't know." Ashley didn't let her eyes stray from the dancing fire, but Will stared at her, trying to get her to look up.

"Where did you go once you escaped?"

"Back to the Fang."

"And what happened?"

"I was chased by two boats. And managed to get back to the ship. Jack lowered a rope, and helped me climb up. But then when I realized that no one had made it back . . . I let go."

"Well, when Wesset heard you cry out, he went after you, leaving us alone. I think he went mad with the greed and the treasure. We all ran to the ship, but then I stopped, and went back for you."

She merely nodded. And then whispered.

"Go to sleep Mr. Turner. I'll keep watch."

'Mr. Turner.' He preferred when he called her Will. But she was back to her normal state, back to her usual coldness and detached attitude.

"No, I'll stay awake." Trying to stifle a yawn, he leaned back against a rock, and closed his eyes briefly. ~~**I wonder who else is on the island . . . **~~

Soon after, his gentle snoring filled the cave. Ashley found some ripped material lying on the ground. Laying it down, she searched for more, and found a pile of expensive looking dresses. She snorted at the idea of anyone wearing a dress, and then laid those down with the other ripped clothing. Pushing Will onto the pile, she draped one of the torn and weathered dresses on top of him, as if it was a blanket.

She sighed, she was going to be up all night now. Not that she was complaining. She preferred to be awake, because she was not being plagued by horrible nightmares when her lids remained open. Giving an involuntary shudder, she sighed and leaned against on of the walls. But unlike Will, she wouldn't fall asleep.

Ever since she had been old enough to remember, she had been haunted by the most terrifying nightmares anyone could ever imagine. She'd watch herself die over and over again. See herself be raped and murdered. Her mother would be lying in pieces, and she would hold the bloody knife. Fire, water, explosions, ships, houses, everything and anything was put into her dreams. She would wake up, gnawing on her hand until blood spurted out. She would sleepwalk to the edge of the ship, and almost dive off. One night, she had stabbed one of the crew members to death.

It was then, that her mother had locked her in the room with her, watching Ashley every night. And Ashley was afraid to sleep, afraid to kill her mother. And she remained awake, staring at her mother, and her mother staring at her. The two did not leave the cabin until one night, Ashley had collapsed onto the floor, and slept soundly for two days. After that, there were no more dreams, even after the death of her mother.

But then, after Wesset's betrayal, they had came back, in a subtle way. At first she would watch as she was hung, and then the dream continued to watching everyone she had ever known, hung alongside her. She would watch herself die slowly, at the mercy of those she so hated. The dreams escalated, Wesset ravaging her until her whole body was on fire. On the Black Pearl she had awoken many a night to find herself soaked in sweat, and teeth and nail marks on herself.

Shaking again, and not from cold, Ashley turned and watched Will sleep. She promised herself to watch over him, and make sure he was safely delivered to his dear Elizabeth, wherever she might be.

~~**~~

"Can't we talk this over, luv?" Jack Sparrow was looking into the menacing steely grey eyes of another female pirate. There were about twenty more on his new ship. He had been led back to the captain's quarters, and was now sitting across from, what he guessed, was their leader.

Her hair was fiery red, which was a striking contrast to her dull grey eyes. And her frame was slender, but to an extremity. She looked more skeletal than anything, and her gaunt face leered at him.

"I don't think so Mr. Sparrow. Or should I rephrase that, don't you prefer, Captain?" She sneered at that, and then curled her hand, putting it to her lips. Thinking aloud she mused a question aloud.

"What happened to yer fine ship? I hear it sunk to oblivion, but I thought it was a rumor. Guess it's true, then?" Smiling even more, her eyes danced at his misery. But Jack did not show his distress.

"What is it, that you want?"

"Well, I *did* need a ship, but that's been taken care of. Now all I need, is some bait, and I figure yeh'll do rather nicely. As will the crew."

"Oh, are we going on a hunt then?" Jack tried to use his charm, but it was to no avail.

"As a matter of fact," the female responded, her brow furrowing deeply, and smile fading, "yeh could say that. Yes, we are, we're going to hunt two very disgusting, pathetic, mangy, dogs."

"Really? I've always hated dogs. Dirty things they are."

"I'm glad yeh agree." And turning her back on him, she began to walk away. Jack was tied to a chair as he called after her,

"An' jus' where is this hunt takin' place exactly?"

"Wait an' see, Captain Sparrow."

"At least yeh could tell me yer name?"

Smiling all the more, she turned and responded. "Yeh can call me Beatrice, but if yeh did, I'd have to slice yer throat." And with a final turn, she strode out the door.

~~**~~

Will rose to find that Ashley was still wide awake. She was staring at nothing in particular, and the fire was still burning rather brightly. But there was still light in the room, ~~**so there must be an exit somewhere.**~~ Peering up at her, he noticed how exhausted she looked. He saw her face with dark and puffy rings under her eyes. There were cuts and scratches all over her legs and arms. Blood was staining her ripped shirt, and bruises were forming everywhere.

"Morning." She grunted, looking at Will.

"You haven't slept." He stated, concerned.

"It ain't yer business what I do or don't do."

"Well you're quite irritable."

"Shut up, leave me alone." She was acting like a stubborn adolescent. He suddenly realized that perhaps her eyes were puffy for reasons other then sleepiness, and then shook his head. Will had come to learn what eyes looked like after crying, and they were much redder than hers, it was obvious that the culprit was no sleep.

"What's the matter with you?"

"Nuffin. I'm going out. I'll be back in less then an hour." Will watched as the obviously upset woman pushed a rock out of her way, revealing a small pool. Leaping into it, I watched as the remainder of her head and hair disappeared from view. Sighing Will began to wonder what was the matter with her.

Suddenly a light flashed, and ten women appeared at the same entrance as he and Ashley entered. He heard a bang, and then saw nothing more.

~~**~~

Oblivious to the danger Will was in, Ashley strode off into the forest, lost in her train of thoughts. She was irritable because she had fallen asleep for about half an hour, and woke up after a very disturbing dream. It had started off normally, she was seeing horrific memories of her childhood in rapid fire successions until one seemed to freeze. It was as if she had been watching something, and then suddenly, she was a part of the 'something'.

She was in a room that she did not recognize. And she was not alone. There was a bed, and there was something moving under the covers. It moved, and she heard little sighs and moans. Knowing what was going on, she tried to back away, tried to get out, but for some reason she was getting closer and closer. The sheets moved, causing Ashley to jump backwards. She heard a name moaned, muffled by the covers. Stepping closer to the cot, she stretched forth a tentative hand, and pulled back the sheets.

Her eyes connected with her own. She stared back at her own, face, and stumbled backwards. And before she could regain enough composure to see who was on top of her other body, the dream had ended.

Ashley was a virgin. She had never even kissed a man, nor had she ever felt any desire to. She had never kissed a woman either, she had never even hugged another person in her life. Those desires never had entered her mind. Her mother had told her the only reason she would ever need to kiss someone like that, was so she could have a daughter to take over her ship. She knew *how* it was done. When she would walk through a shady port with her crew, and would see a whore and another man, engaged in *that* kind of behavior, she had figured it out. But her? In bed? With someone else? She hadn't like that dream. Not at all. ~~**Besides, it's not like I could actually have a daughter.**~~

Stopping, she realized she had no idea where she was.

~~**I better get back, Will might get worried.**~~ Feeling slightly better that she had been able to collect her thoughts, she headed back to the clearing, hoping that she was heading in the correct direction.

Eventually she found her way back, and noticed that there was someone else at the pool. Thinking that it was Wesset, she grabbed her sword, and prepared to make her way towards the men when she saw Will, tied up and sitting in front of a pirate. A pirate with long red hair.

She gasped, her heart hammering insanely against her chest.

~~**No . . . NO . . . NO! NO! NO!**~~

Her mind was screaming at her. She had to be hallucinating, she just had to be. There was no way that in front of her was . . . was . . .

~~**Yer overreacting, get ahold of yehself.**~~

Trying to keep her composure, she scanned the area, and noticed that Jack was also with the women, tied up as well.

~~**The other ship . . . It got them**~~.

Then she noticed a man tied up beside Jack.

"Wesset." She hissed. ~~**Then they aren't allies.**~~

She watched as the woman began yelling at Will.

~~**~~

"Where is she?"

"I don't know!" The man cried, looking up into her grey eyes.

"Tell me where she went or so help me, I will slice you up slowly, and with great pleasure." Giving a wicked grin, Will kept insisting that he didn't know.

~~**C'mon lad, have yeh learned nothing? Lie. Buy yerself time.**~~

Will continued with his honesty, as the woman called for a sword to be brought forth. Jack couldn't watch, it was too pathetic. Looking into the forest, he suddenly saw something greenish flash out of the plants.

~~**No . . . it can't be.**~~

Peering into the bushes, he saw it again, and below it was a messy mane of brown hair.

~~**Ashley. . .**~~

He watched her as she stared in horror as the woman began to raise her sword, preparing to cut off Will's fingers.

~~**Don't do it . . .don't do it . . . please, don't do anything stupid . . . no . . .NO!**~~

Hanging his head at her stupidity, Jack heard a cry, and then the rustling of plants.

"Don't do it!"

The woman looked up at Ashley, who had ran out of her safe hiding place, and was now in the midst of the female pirates. Quickly they advanced on her, and she made no move to fight them. They dragged her over to where Will was, yanked him away, and threw down Ashley in his place.

"An' who do we have 'ere? Saving yer pirate master? Disgusting." Spitting at Ashley's feet, the red-haired pirate grabbed Ashley's chin, and yanked it upwards.

"Wha's yer name? An' wha's yer business? Answer fast for my patience wears thin."

"Caroline Ashley . . . and I don't know my last name." The elder woman's eyes got dreadfully dark at those words.

"You!"