Disclaimer - I don't own POTC, any characters, plots, events, settings, etc. from it. It belongs to Disney.

Nicole watched in horror as Jen fell. As Jen disappeared under a wave, Nicole turned and saw Jack nearby.

"Jack! Jen fell in! She fell in the water!" She screamed, close to hysterics. She leaned over cautiously to see if she could see Jen, but she couldn't. Jack appeared next to her.

"Sorry luv, I'm not falling for it again. I don't need a swim today." Nicole clasped her hands in front of her.

"Please Jack, she fell in! We were looking at the dolphins and she fell and I can't see her!" Nicole shrieked, trying once more to see Jen. Jack sighed and looked over. What struck him was the single hand sticking up out of the water. Cursing silently, he shed his jacket and hat and dove into the water.

Jen felt herself sinking. Panic set in, and she struggled. There was nothing to hold on to, nothing to kick off of or use to get above the surface with. She kicked her feet, thrashing her arms against the pull of the water. It was loud underwater, so loud. Bubbles streamed out of her mouth as she screamed an endless scream that was slightly muffled by the water. The roar and beating of the waves the ship gave off was forcing her down farther. Her lungs felt like they were collapsing, she couldn't draw breath. The light of the sun glimmered above her and she struggled to reach it but couldn't. Suddenly there was another loud crash. Jen felt a strong force pulling her up. Finally her head broke the surface and she gasped, trying to breath. She was slipping down, weighed down heavily by the dress.

"Get rid of that dress!" Jack commanded. Jen couldn't respond, she was still trying to take in air. Instead, she merely shook her head no.

"If you don't, they won't be able to pull us up and we'll drown! Or if you prefer, I can leave you here!" Jack snapped. Jen's fingers fumbled uselessly, trying to get off the dress. Jack's fingers brushed hers aside and deftly removed the dress. Jack grabbed a rope dangling off the Pearl and they began to raise up. Jen, still coughing out sea water, gagging as it burned her throat, reached down and grabbed the dress. They began to lower.

"Forget the dress!" Jack growled, yanking it out of her grip. The two spilled onto the deck of the Pearl. Jen dropped to her knees, hacking up the water. Nicole dropped down beside her, wrapping her in a hug.

"God, I was so worried! Jen, you idiot, why did you do that?" Nicole snapped, now angry once the shock was gone. Jen, breathing heavily had an answer.

"I didn't try! It's not like I jumped!" She snarled. Jack grabbed Jen's wrist and pulled her up. Embarrassed by her outfit again, Jen crossed her arms over her chest. Jack studied Jen for a minute.

"Gibbs, how far till the next island?" He asked.

"We'll reach one around noon Captain." Gibbs answered. Jack nodded, wiping his dripping face with his one hand and putting his hat on with the other.

"Good. We make port there." Jack ordered, walking away. Jen hurried after him.

"Mr. Sparrow! Mr. Sparrow!" She called insistently. He turned, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, luv, what needs my attention now? Ya know, you have a definite attraction to falling in the water and getting into sticky situations with me." Jack commented.

"What am I to wear?" Jen asked, ignoring his previous comment.

"Pardon?"

"You got rid of my dress. Now what brilliant idea do you have?" She asked. Jack grinned.

"Unless you prefer nothing, my suggestion is the item of clothing you have on." Still grinning, he turned away. Jen sighed angrily, shooting daggers at his retreating back.

"I despise that man." She grumbled under her breath. Yet as the day wore on, she kept recalling how warm and safe it felt lying in his arms, and how comforted she felt when he pulled her up from the waves.

The Black Pearl put into harbor just when Gibbs said it would. Jack grabbed Jen's arm.

"C'mon luv. We have something to do." Anna Maria noticed them leaving.

"Jack, where are ya going?" She asked. Jack turned.

"Taking care of business. We'll be back when we're back." Jack answered. Jack pulled Jen down the gangplank and into the bustle of the town. The town was much like Port Royal, although it was smaller. Jack took her through the town, and then to a small weather-beaten path that led through trees.

"You have a habit of taking me on small paths." Jen said wryly. Jack grinned.

"Let's just hope you don't run into a tree and make me carry you again" Jen flushed with embarrassment at that memory.

"Where are we going?" Jen asked. Jack didn't answer. The path ended at a creek.

"Did you need a drink?" Jen asked. Jack laughed.

"No, but you looked dry." With that, he picked her up and tossed her in. She screamed as she hit the water and sank. He was trying to kill her! This was the end. Jen let herself sink, not knowing how to get back to the surface. Suddenly, she hit something hard. Hope surged through her and she stood. The creek was only a few feet deep. Jack laughed and waded in to where she stood.

"You're going to learn how to swim." He informed her. Her jaw dropped.

"I can't learn how to swim! There's no need, and besides, women in Port Royal..it's not dignified!" Jen protested. Jack looked stubborn.

"My ship, my rules. Besides, we don't need a repeat of today in the next week or so you'll be with us." Jen accepted this with a sullen silence.

"All right." Jack started, rubbing his hands together and glancing thoughtfully at the water. "First, ya have to float."

"Float." Jen looked at him in disbelief.

"Aye. Now all ya have to do is lie on your back and relax. The water'll hold you up." Jack told her. Jen glanced nervously at the water.

"No it won't. Not when I can't lean on it and I can put my hand through it!" Jen argued.

"Don't make me dunk you!" Jack threatened. Jen glared, but gingerly lay back in the water. For a minute she lay on the surface, then her ears ducked below the surface. Alarmed, Jen sat up and sank. Jack grabbed her arm and pulled her up.

"Try it again." Jen complied. This time, Jack kept his hands under her back, keeping her afloat. He let go and Jen remained there. For two more hours, they stayed in the creek, Jack teaching Jen how to tread water and swim (like free style.kind of.without your head underwater..) Finally, Jack noticed Jen shivering.

"You cold? All right luv, come on back to the ship." They headed to the ship. It was dark by the time they got back. As they headed up the gangplank, Jack switched subjects.

"So, did you enjoy the festivities last night?" He asked with a grin.

"Oh yes, drunken pirates is my idea of a good time." Jen remarked sarcastically.

"Really? Mine too!" Jack replied with all seriousness. Jen laughed.

"What's so funny?" He asked, startled.

"Oh, nothing."

"Well, was the rum good?" He asked.

"I don't think I'll ever get accustomed to rum. It has the most repulsive taste I've ever had the misfortune of trying." Jen replied with a sour look. Jack looked hurt. He stopped walking.

"Tonight, we're going to work on refining this 'taste' of yours, savvy? It'll be drinks all around for the two of us." He told her.

"As you wish, Captain." She was secretly thrilled at how much time she was spending with him. Suddenly, she realized what she had just thought. 'No! He's a pirate. My parents would disown me!' She reminded herself. Jack took over the helm . Most of the crew was asleep, Gibbs was somewhere on deck, as was Mr. Cotton and the parrot. Jack motioned for Jen to sit next to him on the ground. He handed her a bottle of rum. She looked at it with distaste.

"Just take a sip. Stop worrying!" Jack instructed sternly. Jen opened the bottle and took a careful sip. She winced at the sharp, bitter taste. Jack rolled his eyes, chugging down a large amount.

"Keep going. You'll never get accustomed if you just take one sip." He ordered. Jen took another sip. Another grimace. Again, Jack ordered her to take another sip. This continued for quite some time. Finally, Jack's bottle was nearly empty, and Jen's was a little under half full. Jen was now laughing at everything Jack said and was swaying even as she sat cross legged on the ground. Jack was grinning. He hadn't gone under the full effects of the rum. It would take a lot more rum for that to happen.

"Jen." Hearing her name, Jen looked up. Jack was looking at her seriously. His face was coming closer and closer. Excited and dizzy, Jen moved in a little closer to him. And all of a sudden, their lips met.

SORRY IF THIS HAS ALL BEEN GOING A LITTLE FAST OR HAS TOO MUCH ACTION OR SOMETHING! REVIEW IF YOU'VE GOT ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO SAY! WHAT DOES THIS KISS MEAN? IS IT REAL.OR THE OUTCOME OF TOO MUCH RUM?