Disclaimers- Not mine, but I do get to be in bed with Jack? If its my fic do I own their clothes and stuff?

Warnings- None, this is a very calm chapter Cat does some swearing but that's it.... pretty much.

Thanks to all my reviewers, I luv ye loads. Actual thanks at end but I just thought I'd say it now.

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Last time;

At some point during my cries Jack has pulled a sheet over me I don't remember when that was, I only know that I have one now but didn't have one when I started, once I have calmed down enough I fall into a deep sleep with Jack lying next to me.

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My POV, flashback;

The three of us are in my happy place, its like an old style saloon bar which plays country music (don't ask, it calms me when I'm upset). The music in the back ground is the theme tune to Blazing Saddles (this is my happy tune, again don't ask, I don't know). I've Just had a fight with Neil, a pretty bad one, which he so started.

( A/N - In real life its night time, I've locked myself in the spare room, which has no heating and the bed is hard and lumpy and the cover is thin.. In short I'm freezing my ass off in a Scottish winter, see my happy place is great, one day I'll go there and never come back. Just think, a land of country music and free rum... did I forget to mention the free drink just name yer poison)

"Why? What's the point? Is there any? Why do we bother when it just ends up the same?" I say to no one in particular, I'm in one of those moods, I hate life and living. Cat and Cash just look at me.

"I cry more than I smile, lets face it, it just doesn't work any more" Cat shakes her head as she answers my plea.

"You are such a fucking drama queen, cry more than you smile, fuck sake if you really feel that way then just do as I say, take a knife to him or by god, even to yourself, once you see the blood it'll all be better, I promise. As long as you stop whining"

Cash decides that this'll be a good time for him to speak up, "If you listen to her, you'll be just like her, you don't want that, do you?, your not a drama queen surely, they aren't aware of what they do?"

"If I'm like her, Cash, then I won't feel anything, then it wont hurt so much" "God Linz, will you stop whining your giving me a headache, that's all you do you know, whine.... fucking baby, you used to be fun, you do remember fun, don't you?"

"Don't listen to her princess, you'll be fine, I'll always be here for you I'll never leave you or hang up or call you names or hurt you in any way. (He puts his hand on my shoulder and squeezes it reassuringly) You know my advice on the Neil situation, but its your choice I'll never take that from you, you could do anything and I will never judge you. I love you and right now that's all that matters. We're gonna be okay" he looks into my eyes and smiles at me, his face is full or concern but he's telling me the truth, I may just be okay. I smile back at him.

Cat sniffs and wipes a fake tear from her eye, "And the Oscar goes to... Look, drama queen, leave the son of a bitch, or give me one good crack at him that's all I ask. As for Mr all for one, over there he's talking shit of coarse we're going to judge you, yer being fucking stupid, you go on about how he does this, and that, then you get all upset when he goes and does it. We ARE you and you ARE us, we're one in the same, Savvy? We judge you cause you judge yerself so faggot boy over there can pull his punches if he likes, but not me, you are fucking stupid for staying with him. We are prettier than he is, we don't need him you only stay because ye've fooled yerself into thinking that you are in love.... which doesn't exist. Your old enough now to know it know there's no such thing as love, or happily ever after, nobody is truly happy... Sad but true.

Cash rolls his eyes,
"let me guess there's only one option and it involves death and pain? Right Trina?

"No. that was all, blood, vengeance, its only a temporary fix, there's no such thing as happiness so why look for it the only option is take what you can from everyday life, by yourself. Friends? There's no such thing.. only acquaintances, people you can use, cause guaranteed the moment your back is turned they'll stab it. You can only trust yourself to do right by you, WE'LL do right by you no one else."

Well that made sense, I look towards Cash but he's staying out of it, "I hate it when you start to make sense, it means that I'm really fucked up. But since when have you ever done right by me?"

"When have I ever done wrong by you...(I open my mouth, but she holds up her hand) No don't bother Linz, I've said my piece and you know I'm right.people suck. I'm outta here" with that she leaves the happy place and goes back to where ever she came from.

"She's right, I never thought I'd admit that. I'm glad she's not here to gloat but she's right. People only use you or get you into bother"

Cash clears his throat, "A lot of what she said makes sense. But she left out a lot, cherub for every person that wants to use you there's a least one other that doesn't" He lies... not to hurt me but to protect me.

"I can tell when your lying to me, you know" he smiles.

"Fine the ratios more like 10/1 but there's still good people out there, all you have to do is look really hard and remember that people only use you if you let them. Besides none of those people have me and Cat looking out for them, granted she may be a sandwich short of a picnic at times but when it comes to strategies and logistics she's the best there is. So keep you chin up princess your gonna be just fine and remember I'll never leave you I'll always be there, now go to sleep and in the morning (he stops and seems to change his mind about what he's going to say) ...well lets just get you to sleep and we'll come up game plan tomorrow alright?"

He holds me to keep me warm and support me as I drift off to sleep.

~~End flashback;

He'll never leave me? So where was he now, when I first got rid of Cat and Cash I felt so liberated and free, now I just feel lonely and empty.

I woke up an hour ago and so far I've been going through what happened wrong in my head (apart from the obvious). I've came to the conclusion that Jack was Mr number three (The possibilities of that are just to amazing to consider). That splitting up from Cat and Cash was stupid and that all I've been doing is whining and moaning for years now... God I hate people like me.

My back hurts not badly or anything but I think that the blood has scabbed into Jack shirt which is going to be a bugger getting off (my back not his shirt). Speaking of getting off, I'm lying in bed next to a shirtless Jack Sparrow, who saved my life last night, and who I've just realised has the stamina of ten men, I wonder if Sands is the same, then... if I could only get them together.. for some reason I think that should be a disturbing image but, I get the disturbing image and sandwich myself between it and hey presto bad image gone, good times roll on. Boy, I'm I giddy or what and this time its not my head which is just a dull ache compared to last nights deafening roar.

It's not quite light yet, so I can't see much of the room. I can see enough to tell that its not to dissimilar to the one I was in last night which makes sense, seen as how they are next to each other and all. The room is steadily getting brighter as the sun rises.

The door opens and Sands struts in, his thumbs tucked into his waist band and his cowboy hat high on his head, his face is the picture of smugness, god how I hate his face with his high cheekbones and dark brow eyes... No bad, bad, bad thought... go away.

"What do ya know, would ye believe it the keys fit both doors" He surveys the room with a smile, rocking back on his heels, he smirks faintly when he takes in the picture on Jack and I on the bed.
"I was just next door, and I see that you decided to have a little party after all"

"Well, ah told ye not to go leavin 'er alone mate, pretty little things like 'er get swallowed whole in a place like Tortuga.. Just disappear they do"

Jack had awoken when Sands opened the door and now stood at the foot of the bed in all his shirtless glory, gesturing with his hands almost as if the more he fluttered them the more Sands would understand him, which may be true but it had no effect on Sands he just looked at Jack and his moving hands, his face giving nothing away. Eventually Jack, having appeared to have given up on Sands turns to me.

"How's yer back pet?"
"Fine its kinda itchy though. My arms pretty sore, but its no broken an me 'eds nothing to write home about. Thanks for saving me Jack."

"Oh yes, thanks for saving her Jack (Sands mimics my words but in a sarcastic voice that makes me want to rip his eyes out... Again) What happened anyway?" he feigns curiosity for Jacks sake.

"Nothing happened, some men burst into the room tried to kill me they failed thanks to Jack"

"Wasn't just ordinary men luv, they belonged to Harris , an old acquaintance o' mine, 'e doesn't like me much"

"Why?" Jack just smiles and looks like he's in a faraway place, but then that's how Jack always looks.

"Ah slept wi' is wife... And 'is mother..... also maybe 'is sister. But I'm not too sure on tha' one y'see it could o' been 'is wife again. I was drunk a' the time. Tha's not me point, Harris keeps a good eye on 'is crew 'e always knows what their up too, which means tha' ye'v ruffled somebody's feathers luv"

Does anybody ever keep a bad eye on someone?
"I don't think tha' I've pissed anyone off (I lie, cause I think that Jane looked pretty pissed off... Well just a little) what 'bout tha' pirate from las' night what was his name again... Michael?"

"Aye tha' was Michael, but no it wouldn't 'ave been 'im"

"How can you be so sure?" Sands asks from his position by the door, he's now leaning against the door.

"Because, ye can't keep company wi' both Captain Jack Sparrow AND tha' rat, basterd, weaselling, brandy drinking Harris its not done, an' if it was I'd know 'bout it, an be using it te me own advantage, Savvy?"

"So I take it from that, the two of you really don't get along" Sands says innocently. Brandy drinking? Who drinks Brandy? He must truly be a monster.

"He 'urt me Pearl, ah nearly 'ad the son of a whore (he stops and smirks at the thought of Harris's mother, then his expression sobers up, which for Jack is unheard of) but the basterd got a lucky shot, an the Pearl's main mast took a hit, 'e got away, but not again... never again." Jack's eyes took on a murderous set, and for a moment I pitied Harris, only for a moment, then I tried to move my arm, it hurts like a son of a bitch.

"I suppose tha' he would hurt someone you were friendly with or... you put under your protection even for a second, just to prove that the famous Captain Jack Sparrow can't look after his own, even if said Strumpet (Sands looks at me, so does Jack.....hey! I am not a strumpet) has only met the Captain once and is technically not one of his own"

Jack looks at me thoughtfully, "Aye, tha' sounds about right. (he frowns) Where were ye headed, England right? (I nod) Ye were looking fer a friend aye? (again I nod) Well I can't help ye with the last, but I can take ye te France from there ye'll be able to hop over to England without too much inconvenience to your pretty little self, we'll be going tha' way anyway since we're headed to.... well never mind 'bout tha' but we'll get the two of ye there alright. There's going to be a few stops along the way so tis not going te be the most direct route but it'll be safer than staying 'ere wi' Harris's men looking out for ye, with any luck we may even take a few merchant ships along the way" he's positively beaming at this idea, practically bouncing around the room.

He's not the only one, this is what we want. Jack's letting us on his ship were going to find Buck and I can be sane again, yay me.
"Thanks Jack, but we'll insist on paying ye for the voyage"

Jack laughs,
"Well luv, tha' makes two o' us. I'm a Pirate not some kind of saint. We'll leave at first light tomorrow, which means it'll be best for ye te sleep on the Pearl. Also it gives you a day in Tortuga to cater to yer womanly habits (he gesturers wildly at me, I just look at him what the fuck is he on about) buy things for yerse'll te wear and then I can get me shirt back, not tha' I'd mind ye walking 'bout me ship shirtless however I like te keep me crew under control, Savvy"

I nod emphatically, Sands just stands there looking the picture of cool, the only thing giving him away was the big ass smile on his face.

"Excellent, Well it's last day shore leave for me an me crew so we'll be in the Bells all day once your both sorted, come over and I'll show ye me Pearl. Now I've got to go and find Gibbs and make sure we've got enough supplies and Rum fer the trip. (he walks over to me) It'll be a pleasure to see you again darling (he picks up my hand and kisses it, the perfect gentleman) until tonight" He walks to the door but stops just shy o' Sands.

"And you'll be playing tonight then? Give me a chance to win me gold back?" he inquires with a gentle smile.
"Sure thing Captain, why not" Jack turns to me and tips his hat to me then leaves shutting the door firmly behind him.

"Do you think he knows he's shirtless? And it looks like we don't need your plan after all" I ask Sands.
"Who cares, its the Caribbean and he's Jack Sparrow, if that is the strangest thing that happens to him today then I'll be a mariachi. Good for you hooking the Great Captain Sparrow all by yourself all it took was four ugly pirates and some sort of back wound, which you really should let me look at" he's grinning, which is kind of unnerving.

"You do know that whole mariachi thing made no sense don't you? (he rolls his eyes and shakes his head) Fine, whatever. How was your night, did you find a couple of whores... not that it matters when I was being attacked by those ugly pirates, we've got a bigger problem than that, like who told Harris's men where to find us" he lets out an exasperated sigh.

"You, where to find YOU, not me sweetness, you. They were told where you were, and for your information I didn't find any whores I was baby sitting outside"

"What the fuck are you...how did you know there was four?" Suddenly it all clicked...The enemy of my enemy.

That basterd!

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Authors thanks (? Or whatever)-

Mistress of Destruction- You just make sure that you keep on reviewing. There's is no chance of Cat and Cash (mainly Cat) ever letting me stop she says it's the only outlet she has which is a good thing...trust me, if she ever finds another, not good.

Cap'n Keira Sparrow- A new reviewer... I love new reviewers, drinks all round.

AndromadaStarr- Sands says to tell you that he'll take it standing, sitting, walking, lying down and whichever way you would like. He also says that he's not quite finished in my head yet, I don't ever want to consider the possibilities of that. As for Neil never feel sorry for him... well you can if you want but he deserves it.most of the time.

Phantom- (another new reviewer, yay) I will always keep posting its just as sure as my insane fascination with glitter pens, I write stuff down but become quickly distracted by the shinyness of it all.

Defina- You dragged me out of bed with him, shame on you. I may just have to find me own way back (Teehee) as for Sands I'm going to slap him stupid, an I don't care if he likes it (which I know he will) I am going to enjoy it immensely.

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A/N.-

So there you have it another chapter. The next one should be up sometime next week but be warned I'm reading Fear and loathing in Las Vegas and my head is all kinds of fucked up. Just to let you all know we've got a couple of drunken bar scenes coming up on both camps (or well ships) If anyone has a line or two that they want me to slip in e-mail it to me of review it and I'll try to put it in Just let me know who says it to who.

So there you all go, I'm going to go back to Vegas for more drug fuelled antics. Please review, it's the little box at the corner that says review of something fucked up like that. It only takes a little while to review and it makes my day, so do it please.

Now.

Thanks.