Author's Note: do-do-doo!  Before Monday too!  I'm excited.  This one's a POV feast, switching from person to person.  Next chapter should be a bit more linear.  Author's thanks at the end.

A/N 2:  There really was supposed to be more of this, but then I read the latest installment of Estelwolfe's latest fic (the name escapes me at the moment), and I lost pretty much all motivation to do anything other than breathe until she updates again.  Ugh!  The place where she stopped!  I could kill her . . . except not.  You all understand.  I'll see what I can do about writing more this week, but I'm not kidding about the state she left me in.  If you want to complain, feel free to write her. (She's SOOOO good.  I wish she would read my stuff, but she's so busy.  Useless hopes.  *sigh*)

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Last Chapter:

"Anyway, sometimes love feels like you've been wrapped in a blanket of the softest wool, but more often, at least for me and I suspect it might be this way for you, love is getting so fed up with someone that you're willing to leave them in whatever mess they're in – that you want to forget all about them – but you can't."

   "And that's why you're going after Uncle Jack?  Because he annoys you and makes you mad?"

   Winn nodded.  "Yes.  I suppose you can look at it that way.  But no matter how much it feels like an inconvenience, it's one I've forgotten how to live without, and I don't want to remember."

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Winn stood on the deck of the Kingfisher, staring at the horizon as the sun started to set.  In the distance, the faintest suggestion of land was making itself known to the human eye.  Navassa Island, and beyond that the bigger island of Haiti.  Somewhere on that small bit of land, her husband was waiting.  She knew that the chances of a pleasant reunion between them were extremely low.  Not only because of the situation wrapping them tighter and tighter in its clutches, but because he was going to be furious that she had shown up at all.  Jack wasn't the most overbearing man she knew, but once he had made a decision – especially one concerning her safety – he expected to be obeyed without question.  That's the captain in him, I suppose.  And now she was blatantly and deliberately crossing that order in what might be the worst way that she could; walking into a tense and dangerous situation while depending on nothing more than their combined intellect to get them out. 

   "Stupid, stupid, stupid.  How many times have I asked you to wait for the opportune moment, Winnie?  And yet here you are, risking life, limb, and my sanity without a care in the world.  Do I need to start tying you hand and foot to the bed to keep you out of trouble?"  She knew he was going to say something like that to her when he found she had come after him.  It wouldn't be the first time; she had heard several different versions of this complaint over the years.  But this may be the first time I've ever wholeheartedly agreed with him.  I'd like nothing more than to wait for him to come home to me, to sit in a chair day after day and make a slaughter of a pair of baby booties.  She looked down at herself, ensuring that her slightly swollen stomach was hidden by her loose garments.  It's hard enough being pregnant without having to run all over the face of creation in search of misplaced husbands.

   She continued standing in the bows as the sun finished descending.  When the last sliver of molten light was gone, she heard Ry call out for the sea anchor to be dropped for the night.  This time tomorrow, she'd know just what was wanted from her.  Despite the . . . reassurances . . . in the letter, Winn doubted that all that was wanted from her was a recounting of an event that had happened over a decade ago.  She knew that if she didn't expect a reckoning of some sort, then she was a fool.  Sending up a brief prayer, she thought, Just keep Jack and my baby safe, that's all I ask.  Keep them safe until I can hold them both in my arms at the same time.

Anamaria took some pity on the woman standing by her solitary self at the nose of the ship.  It wasn't unusual to find her here, but she was usually there with Jack beside her.  Not that they ever held hands or indulged in other married behaviors, but it was rare to find her alone as she examined the upcoming horizon.  Even her faithful mutt had deserted her at this time, having been tempted below decks by the cook.  The dog had been causing havoc with some of the men who had been trying to fit in some sword practice at Ry's direction.

   While her family may have been surprised at Winn's determination to rescue her husband on her own, Anamaria had been unsurprised.  The woman had been surprised when she had offered to come this way with her captain's wife.  She would have preferred to go back to Wright Cape with Gibbs, but she had thought that perhaps it might comfort Winn to have the company of someone who knew her husband nearly as well as she did herself.  So here she was on a ship, condoning an act that she knew Jack would have sooner blasted from the Pearl's cannon than go along with.  But what could be done?  As much as she liked the other woman, as much as she had come to respect her, she saw her point.  This was a situation that had Winn as its cause, and Winn was the only one who could lay it to rest.  The rest of the family might fear for her safety, and with good reason, but Anamaria was able to look at things through the pragmatic eyes of a pirate; yes it was a dangerous situation, but it was something for which Winn was willing to take responsibility.  And it wasn't as if she would be there alone.  She'd have Jack there, and in the two weeks that he'd been cooped up, she'd guess that he had a plan.

   Winn shuffled her feet restlessly as the twilight deepened, causing the small island on the horizon to be come invisible to her.  Perhaps she needs someone to talk to.  With that thought, Anamaria approached her.

   Winn, hearing someone come up behind her, threw a quick glance over her shoulder.  Seeing it was the female pirate, she turned back to her surveillance of the sea.  "We'll be there tomorrow around mid-day or so, if the wind sticks with us.  I told Ry we should just sail all night, but he's unfamiliar with these waters and didn't want to risk it." 

   Anamaria nodded, but didn't say anything, waiting for Winn to say what was on her mind.  She didn't have to wait long.  "I don't know if I ever told you this, or if Jack ever told you, but one of the reasons I ran after marrying Jack was that I thought he thought more highly of his ship than he did of me.  And then the first thing I ask after discovering that Jack had been taken by a man who wants repayment for the life of his son is 'How's the Pearl?'"  She shook her head.  "I knew that Jack would want to know when I saw him next.  And perhaps I still think that I have to contend with his ship for his affections at times, and therefore refuse to feel jealousy for a hunk of wood."

   For several moments Anamaria was quiet before answering, "Jack's a son of the sea, landlubber.  The Pearl has been his home for more years than he wishes to count; he knows nothing else and wishes to know nothing else."  She paused briefly before continuing, "But I'm thinking that it's good that he has a bit of land to keep him stable.  After all, a ship can't take anchor if there's no earth for it to plant in."

   Both women were silent after that confession, neither willing to dwell on it aloud, although Winn took the words to heart.  It was possibly the nicest thing anyone had ever said to her.  She felt that the admission deserved one in return.  "Do you think it will upset him to learn that the island where he's found harbor is about to become part of a chain?"  She looked at Anamaria in time to see the question and then the understanding in the other woman's eyes.  "Do you still think I'm doing the smart thing?"

   "I don't think there is a smart thing anymore.  Just a right thing."

   "And you think I'm doing that."

   Anamaria was silent for several moments before slowly answering, "I think that I have no standards by which to judge your actions by, and that right and wrong will have to be decided between you, Jack, and God."

   Winn nodded and turned her face back out to the sea.  "Jack's going to be furious."

   "Aye, but at least he will also be duly motivated to get you both out safely."

   "Mmm.  That's what I was hoping too."

Hopefully, by this time tomorrow I will either be able to sleep or I'll no longer need to sleep.  Winn had just spent another sleepless night, tossing, turning, and pacing the floor of her cabin.  At one point in the night she had wondered if she had ever had trouble sleeping before she met Jack.  She didn't think she had.  Sleepless nights had been introduced to her only after she had met Jack, and had become common when she was not with him.  She sincerely hoped that her mind had not reached the point where she was so tired that her mind would start making glaring mistakes – errors could not be afforded at this point in the game.  Not now that she was alone.

   Alone? she asked herself.  Poppycock.  I've got Pige, big fierce guard dog that she is.  Said dog was racing down the beach in pursuit of seagulls, barking and spraying water in all directions.  Walking across several sand dunes to a log that had been washed above the summer tideline, Winn had a seat, glad to be off her feet.

   However, it would be nice if I had some human company, she thought, although I suppose that that will be coming along shortly.  Perhaps as soon as the Kingfisher is out of sight.  This was the riskiest part of the plan as far as she and everyone else was concerned.  She was following the instructions in the letter, letting herself be stranded on an island alone as she waited for the men who had her husband.  It was at this point that she would be her most vulnerable.  She could be picked off by men with firearms without ever seeing who shot at her.  Pistols weren't the most reliable long range weapon, but rifles did much better.  But she had faith that whoever wanted her wanted to make her squirm before acting out.

   I just wish that this wig wasn't necessary.  It's hot and it makes my scalp itch.  But without it, Gandolfi would see a stranger, not the pirate that had killed his son.  Although with a sword strapped at her side, pistol and dagger hanging at her hip, and unusual get up, she probably wouldn't be mistaken for a proper citizen either.  Especially on an uninhabited island. 

   As the sun rose in the sky, Winn thought, I really hope that he thinks I'm overweight – pregnancy would be too much of an advantage for him.  She wouldn't admit it, but she was scared.  If anything happened to this child . . . she had already lost three children.  She'd already failed too many times, she couldn't afford to fail this time.  She couldn't fail the child or Jack.  Not this time.  Not again.

   And so the hours since dawn passed away as she was lost in thought.  It was midmorning before Winn saw the ship on the horizon.  For a moment she thought it was the Kingfisher coming back, that Ry had changed his mind about letting her handle this mess on her own.  But as she watched it come close enough for her eyes to make out details, she realized her mistake.  This ship couldn't come close to comparing to her brother's ship.  It was bulky, built to carry large quantities of cargo, not for speed.  It lay low in the water, instead of looking as if it skimmed along the water's surface.  It was a merchant vessel . . . an since it was here, it must be the one she was waiting for.  She was the only person on this uninhabited island interested  in trading for anything.

   As she watched the ship come closer, as she watched the distance-shrunken figures of men lower a lifeboat she realized that this was it.  This was her last chance to change her mind.  Her last chance to ensure the safety of herself and her child.  Jack wouldn't blame her for running and hiding – he'd be the first to applaud her for it.  For doing as he told her to without argument for once.  But while she'd most likely be able to live out her life in safety, she'd also probably end up living it out in solitude and definitely with a guilt-ridden conscious.  No.  No running.  Not again.  No running except to Jack.  Let him be angry with me as long as he understands that I couldn't have done anything else.  That I wouldn't be able to live if I turned away from him, even if doing so would have kept me safe.  Even if it's what he'd rather have me do.  He'd never leave me for his own safety – I refuse to do the same.  Decision made, she stood up, called Pige to her, and slowly walked to the water's edge.  Standing patiently as the tide curled and swirled around the toes of her boots, Winn composed her face, tucked away her emotions as best she could, and set her doubts aside.  If she were to get through this intact, she was going to need to be the ice princess she had once prided herself on being.  She was going to need to fully be someone who had been dying a slow death for four years.

   Jack was going to kill her.

It hurt to walk.  He was fairly certain that he had managed to break a toe while kicking the wall in frustration – a bad habit he'd picked up from Winnie.  How he'd managed to actually do that much damage through his sea-boots was beyond him.  Perhaps the leather was wearing thin.  He'd take a look at that when he had the time to spare.  Right now he was too busy pacing and praying that Winn had had the sense to stay at Swallow's Rest where she would be safe from Gandolfi.  Jack wasn't sure what the merchant wanted, but it was nothing good, and nothing normal.  The man was dangerously unpredictable and it wasn't because he was dishonest.  No . . . the man was unpredictable because something – either losing his son or something since then – had snapped the man's wit.  He was crazy.  Not blatantly so, but just enough to make him a serious danger.  If only he could be certain . . . .

   He'd be so bold as to hope that Winn had actually listened to him for once, but not even he could work up the audacity to believe that.  No.  His lovely, stubborn, headstrong, pigheaded, fearful Winnie was more than likely running headlong into danger without any consideration at all.

   That's not fair.  She's consulted with her heart, and has more that likely decided that it's a fair trade to bargain with her life if it gets you off what she considers her hook.

   Yes, but I want her safe! 

   And she wants you to be safe.  -Pace, pace, pace, turn-

   It's not the same.  I'm an experienced pirate.  I can take care of myself.

   She loves you.  -Pace, pace, door.  Pace, pace, pace, turn-

   And I love her.  That's why I want her to stay out of this.  His inner voice was silent.  -Pace, pace, pace, porthole.  Glance out-

   Over the past week or so that Jack had been cooped up in this cabin, he'd lost track of where they were.  The island just visible from the small window didn't help him get his bearings.  There was no sign of civilization, but that wasn't unexpected – there where hundreds of uninhabited islands in the Caribbean.  True, most of them weren't this big . . . but there were enough that were to make any identification impossible.  By the Pearl's masthead, he hated being useless.

   As he stood and looked out the porthole, he heard raised voices coming from the deck.  He understood enough Italian to piece together the orders to man and lower a lifeboat.  What was going on?  Switching to another porthole (his cabin, while it might be considered spacious and it did have two portholes, it was still a cage) he looked out, able to see a different part of the beach.

   Oh, for all the gods above, tell me that's an isolation-induced mirage.  Even as he desperately hoped that his mind was playing tricks on him, he knew that what he was seeing was no illusion.  The diminutive figure on the beach could have been anyone – it was the dog standing at the person's side that was unmistakable.

   At least she had enough sense not to come alone.  This thought covered a rampaging wave of fear and helpless anger.  There on the beach, standing within reach of the tide, was the one person in his life who had managed to slip past the self-confident portrayal of a capable sea captain and embrace the man who was occasionally full of doubts.  Despite his best efforts to keep her sheltered, the only person Jack had fully trusted since he'd lost the Pearl to Barbossa was risking hurt for him.

   Isn't that her choice?  You act as if she'd some piece of fragile glass, good for nothing but looking pretty and holding what you're willing to put into her.  What kind of life is spent while wrapped in layers of sheltering wool?  Aren't you the one who says, "Those who don't take risks merely exist in this life.  It's the risk takers that live it,"?  The lifeboat was getting closer to the shore and the woman waiting there.

   But it hurts when she gets hurt.  I hurt for her.  He wanted nothing more than to be able to appear on the shore to defend his wife.

   There you go underestimating her again.  Some would think that even you could learn from past mistakes.  You've had the teaching of her for four years.  You asked her to trust you – can you trust her?

   But if she's injured, or dies . . . .

   Yes?

   I would hurt.  The admission came out in a small voice.

   And she wouldn't hurt if it were you who were dead?  You don't think that your death would destroy her just as much as hers would destroy you?  Especially if she had a chance to save you and did nothing?

   Jack had to admit that he had a point.  He hated that.  Inside he knew that part of Winn's determination to stay by his side was her memories of losing others that she had loved.  Not fear that I will leave her, but that circumstances will make me leave her.  As he had this epiphany, the boat had reached the beach, Winn was restraining Pige with one hand, and the sun had risen to almost midday.  The time for introspection was over.  He needed a plan.  Soon.

Gandolfi watched from the deck of his ship as Navassa Island came into sight.  They were approaching the one beach on the isle wide enough to hold a landing party.  His plan was coming so close to fruition.  Soon, if the cold-hearted witch held any value for the life of the man she'd been compromising, he'd be able to move on to the next phase of his plan.  Once he had her and the man, then he could show her exactly what sort of pain she had caused when she had killed his son.

   He wasn't expecting her to be there already.  Indeed, he hoped that she wasn't.  He wanted some time to place some men around the beach before she arrived.  That way if she tried to do the same, he could have his men kill whoever was with her.  He'd tolerate no meddling with his plans.

   Because of that inflexibility, Gandolfi nearly lost his temper when his captain pointed out the lone figure on the beach.  Even before he had raised a telescope to his eye, he had known who it was.  The sun glinted off of golden hair and played along the edge of a gun barrel; the wind played with the wide legs of a pair of pants.  Morgan.  Either she had something up her sleeves or she was more eager than he had expected to be reunited with her lover.  The familiar hate welled up inside him, waiting for an outlet.  Soon, he told himself.  Soon.

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Author's Thanks:

KawaiiRyu

ao_hoshi

Mooney – OMg!  I'm soooooo sorry!  I honestly didn't mean to skip over you!  You know I love hearing from you all!  Glad to hear you're going to start a PotC fic of your own.  Let me know when it's up.

TaraRose

Alej – thanks for the site.  I might end up using it later, but probably not for Jack.  I don't know, it just seemed to me that in the movie he had relatively good grammar and such, but had a bit of an accent that affected some his words but not all.  And I try to write him that way.  *shrug*

bobo3

lilitaliandragon – I think my friend is half Italian, half German . . . but it might be half American.  (How vague is that?)  : )  But I'm pretty sure it's German.

jigglykat

BeBe

jackfan2

SuzzieQue

pirate-miss

Ariandir

Khamul

Clover the Sea-Beast

VagrantCandy – so good to be hearing from you again!

Eledhwen

Siremaik

Fox [The Red Queen] – new reviewer!  Yeah!  You rock my computer screen!  : )

scratchycat