PED-Sarah-Why, thank you! And I know, I feel awful about updating so late all the time, but my schedule's been really busy lately with 7 million tests and essays and projects and what not. I'll try to be quicker, promise!

LadyKaGoMe409-Thanks! Don't worry, I'm a sucker for the lovey-dovey stuff too, but it's gonna be a LONG time until that kicks in. The action will start soon...I think? Thanks again!

SuzzieQue-YAY! More rum!! Thanks a lot, and LOL, I could just picture you laughing in class for no reason. That happened to me in Spanish when I got bored and started thinking about my foot, for some unknown reason, and then started laughing really hard...ok, just ignore me, I got bored that day...

AbbieNormal182-Yeah, I thought it was about time the poor Turner's beat the Sparrow's, even if it was because she cheated. Thanks for the awesome review!

Disclaimer: I don't own POTC...ok, that's not true, I own it on DVD now, but you know what I mean!

Chapter 4-Complete and Utter Misery

Walking down the flight of stairs, Pearl looked from side to side; making sure any Sparrow wasn't within her eyesight. She snuck quietly down the stairs and began to walk to the dining room for her breakfast, but was interrupted shortly.
"Good Morning to ye, me fair lady," Jack Jr. exclaimed, walking up to Pearl with a smirk on his face. "How was yer sleep last night, pray tell?"
Pearl, however, did not break the simplest of smiles. Her face remained sinister and angry, as she crossed her arms across her chest and tapped her foot. "Not well, seeing as I got in trouble yesterday! You can thank yourself for that, as well." She turned to leave, but he grabbed her by the shoulder.
"Wait a minute, there lass." He looked at her with confused eyes and his smile suddenly turned to a concerned frown. "Is there a problem between us?"
"I don't see why it matters to you, Mr. Sparrow." Taken aback by the formal use of his name, his mouth dropped open, but he quickly regained his disposition.
"Of course it matters, Miss Turner! I hoped we could become friends. Ye know, talk about things, maybe swordfight a little, exchange facts about our lives?"
Pearl sighed. "I have to cool off before I even consider speaking to you in a kind manner. So, if you'll excuse me, I'm quite hungry." ~*~*~*~
"Pearl, you're quiet this morning. Anything wrong?" Will asked his daughter, who was looking down at her bowl of disgusting oatmeal. She felt awful inside, so why not eat something awful? Sure she told Jack earlier that she was hungry, but she was only searching for excuses not to talk to him.
"Why don't you ask Jack?" She muttered quietly, talking more to herself than anyone else.
"What was that dear?"
"Nothing, I'm fine, don't mind me."
"Alright then, darling, if you insist..." Will told her, but sounded unsure with his words. He was concerned about his daughter and wanted to help, but if she didn't want to talk, he wouldn't force her.
"So, where are the Sparrow's?" Pearl asked, hoping maybe they felt out of place and left earlier than expected.
"At the armory. They wanted to pick up some supplies."
"Are you sure they'll pay you?"
Both parents looked at Pearl, shocked at what she had just said.
"Pearl! The Sparrow's would never steal from us! Plus, I let them have what they needed. They've been our friends for some time now."
Stabbing her meal, Pearl grunted in agony. How were these people ever going to leave?
~*~*~*~
As Pearl sat down in a chair, reading a book (most likely her first book that wasn't about pirates), the door creaked open and in walked her favorite people. She rolled her eyes and laid them back down to the back, right back where she left off.
"'Ello, love!" Jack Jr. exclaimed to her. Pearl ignored him just like she had that very morning. "I picked up two new swords and thought maybe we could fight again! Ye put up one heck of a fight last time."
"Yes, right before I was yelled at for ruining my dress. And I hope you intend on paying my father for his hard work."
Jack stared at her for a while, thinking maybe she was joking about the last part, but no smile came to her face. Pay? Jack thought back, and couldn't remember a time when he paid for anything.
"Of...course I'll pay him? I mean, why shouldn't I? He is my father's best friend."
Pearl snapped her head up at him with a glare on her face that could kill. "That better not be sarcasm I'm hearing."
"Sarcasm, Miss Turner? Why would I be sarcastic? I mean well and I truly intend to pay the man for his duties." With a bow he left the room. Pearl looked down at her book and wanted to dearly concentrate, but it wouldn't happen. She felt badly about how she treated him and wanted to apologize, but not now. It was far too soon. She was to wait for the opportune moment. (A/N: Tee hee...)
~*~*~*~
"So, do you and Jack get along?" Elizabeth asked her daughter. They were doing the samplers again and there was an awkward silence, so Elizabeth decided to say something.
Pearl sighed. How would she ever answer this one?
"I don't know...he's nice and all, but he did get me in trouble, and for that I'm mad at him."
Elizabeth dropped her work and stared at her daughter.
"Pearl...it's true that both of you got in trouble, but it wasn't entirely his fault. You both engaged in the fight, therefore, you both got in trouble."
"I suppose...but I just wanted to swordfight! Why can't I swordfight if he can? I'm just as good as him, maybe better!"
"Dear, you're a woman. Women don't fight men, they only cook and clean for them."
Pearl's jaw dropped open at her mother's last vicious remark. She dropped her sampler to the floor and quickly stood up.
"I am NOT going to be some lazy man's slave!" With that, she stormed off, with anger in her eyes and betrayal in her heart. Was Jack's story true? Was that her mother who was kidnapped by pirates, thrown off a ship, forced to live on a barren island for a day, and went back to help the man the loved, even going as far as killing some men, fighting them, and wearing men's attire?
Clenching her fists, she walked through the house, but not before running into Jack Jr. once again.
With concern in his eyes, he asked if anything was wrong. Pearl tried to decide whether or not she should tell him, but thought of something better.
A smile, the first one in ages, came to her lips.
"Let us have a go. Come on, another sword fight. And this time, no one ignores the rules of engagement. A truly fair battle."
Jack looked at her, absolutely stunned. "Excuse me? Is this the same lady who wanted to kill me this morning for the last fight we got in? What's in your head that changed yer mind so easily?"
Pearl's smile grew larger. "I'm going to prove that any woman can fight any man in sword fight...and win."
Jack drew his head back and laughed out loud. He looked down upon her again. "You beat me? I'm a pirate, miss, and you're practically royalty. What makes ye think ye have what it takes?"
"The fact that I beat you last time."

"That's not true! Ye cheated! If I had seen that comin', I would have cornered you just as easily, with my sword at your neck."
Pearl smirked, crossing her arms. "How would you like to prove that point?"
Jack went to open his mouth, but a thought came to mind.
"Does yer mother know of this? I don't want to get in trouble again."
Pearl wanted to protest, but knew he was right.
"Just a moment." She ran off to another room, where her father sat with Jack Sr., discussing a few things.
She whispered into her fathers ear, but he impatiently sighed. "Pearl, why?"
"Please, father!" She hissed. "I need to prove a point!"
He sighed again and looked into the face of the daughter he so loved. "Fine, but be careful!"
"And keep mother out of there! I don't want to get in trouble again!"
"Absolutely." With that, he kissed his daughters cheek and waved her off, turning to Jack again.
"What was that all about, mate?"
"My daughter wants to fight your son again in a sword fight, this time using rules of engagement to see who can win."
Jack laughed. "Well, it's obvious who the winner will be."
Will looked at him curiously. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"My son will easily beat your daughter, especially since she IS the daughter of a eunuch."
Will went to protest, but thought about what Jack just said. "Jack? If I was a eunuch, I wouldn't HAVE a daughter."
Jack went to argue, but Will was absolutely right. For once in his life, Jack didn't have a comeback.
~*~*~*~
"Did ye ask her?" Jack Jr. asked Pearl.
"No, I asked my father, he said he'll let me and that he'll keep my mother out of the situation. Now, let's go! It's about time I show you who's the better swordsperson."
They walked into the sword room and started preparing for the fight to prove that Pearl could just as easily beat him in any battle.

A/N: I'm sorry about the eunuch line to any Will lover's out there! I just love that line and had to put something about it in here. PLUS, you should be thanking me because I proved *fictionally proved* that he ISN'T a eunuch! So there! Woo! That...doesn't really do anything for me, since I'm a complete Jack and Johnny fan, but oh well, I helped Will fan girls across the world! Woo!