Author's Note:

           
I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you to everyone who had reviewed so far.  Your comments really mean a lot to me and I love that you love what I've written so far.  I really hope you enjoy what's to come, even if you have moments of doubt.  And, just because I have to try and do a little advertising, if you get bored waiting for updates, feel free to check out my other stories or some of my favorites because those are really great as well.  Anyway, thanks again for all your support.

~Angie

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The Truth of the Matter


            For a moment Jack was slightly stunned at seeing tears in her eyes, but then he reminded himself of how good of an actress she had been all week, shook her off of him, and resumed his attempts to leave.  This time however, overcome with sobs, Aiden did not try and stop him.  Slumping against one of the large posts that held up the pier, she watched his retreating figure until it disappeared into the dark night.  She did not move from her spot until long past midnight when the growing chill of the night tore her from the silent requiem she was feeling for both her own life and her time with Jack.  How had it come to this, she wondered.  In a matter of days her routine and sensible existence had turned completely upside down and she couldn't quite decide exactly how she felt about it all. 

            Shaking her head, she pushed these thoughts from her mind and started the lonely walk home.  As the wind whipped across the harbor, bringing with it the cool spray of the waters, Aiden remembered Jack's comforting presence on the walk down and silently longed for it again.  She had been so stupid tonight, that she knew, and now she wished for same way to fix the mistakes she had made.  With a heavy huff of frustration, she doubled her pace and hurried home where she immediately threw herself into her bed, which still held Jack's intoxicating scent, and cried herself to sleep. 

            The next morning she awoke late and immediately the awful feeling that had inhabited her stomach the night before came crawling back.  She considered skipping out on work claiming she was sick, but knew of course that it wouldn't work out.  Besides, maybe having something to do would keep her mind off of how awful she was feeling.  Dragging herself downstairs, still clad in the clothes she had on from the night before, Aiden made her way into the kitchen where she grabbed some bread and the biggest bottle of rum in the house.  Throwing herself dejectedly onto the couch, she uncorked the bottle and began to down its contents while staring sullenly out the front window. 

            An hour passed, and still Aiden made know move to get herself ready for the day and head to the market like usual.  Finally, after another half an hour of nothing but sitting in painful silence, Aiden returned the half empty bottle to the kitchen and returned to the living room on her way upstairs.  As her foot touched the first step a knock on the front door stopped her in her tracks.  Oh great, she thought to herself, having been expecting Nikolai all morning.  With an irritated sigh she turned to the door and pulled it open just enough to reveal Jack standing on the front stoop. 

            She stared at him in disbelief for a minute, unable to comprehend why he was there, until he spoke jarring her into motion.

            "Ye gonna let me in or what", he asked, his voice dripping with disdain.

            "Of course", she answered quietly and nodded, pulling the door open far enough for him to enter.  "What are ye doin 'ere", she asked several minutes later when he failed to continue speaking.

            "Apparently to hear some explanation of yers", he answered disinterested as he helped himself to her earlier discarded bottle of rum and took up his usual seat on the couch. 

            "Right", she acknowledged then sat down as well, avoiding his gaze and trying to decide what she wanted to say. 

            "Well", Jack prodded angrily when she didn't begin right away.

            "Well, umm.  It's like this Jack.  I was supposed to set ye up, as ye've already seen.  I knew ye were coming even before ye arrived 'ere in Port au Prince, and it was my task to befriend ye, get ye to trust me, then hand ye ova to Nikolai…"

            "Who apparently is a Barbossa."

            "Yes, Nikolai is the late Cap'n Barbossa's son", she confirmed slowly.  "And, as ye can imagine, he's not too entirely thrilled with you.  So, like I said, I was to do my part and then he planned to take his revenge for killin his father."

            "And what does all this make you?  His wench", Jack asked so snidely that it made Aiden cringe and lower her eyes in shame. 

            Not expecting such a subdued reaction Jack immediately felt a pang of remorse, but only a pang.  "How'd that come about", he continued, a little less harsh.

            With a reluctant sigh Aiden supposed she ought to tell him the truth, the whole truth.  After all it was the least he deserved since she had almost gotten him killed.

            "Ye remember me father's ship I told ye about the other night?"

            "Yeah, the Divine Siren, I remember it", he answered, unsure where this was going to end up.

            "Well, after the navy sacked us and did me the pleasure of keeping me aboard the HMS Valiance with em, their ship was attacked by a pirate vessel called the Red Death.  The Red Death is Nikolai's ship, and when he and his crew came aboard the Valiance they killed everyone and found me in the room I was staying in.  Apparently the fact that I wasn't in a dress and was locked in irons down in the brig was sign enough that I wasn't no proper lady.  Anyway, a few o' the crew attempted to make use of me and naturally I couldn't allow that so they went crawling back to their dear captain to let em know there was a situation on board.  Nikolai had me brought to him and seemed impressed to discover who exactly I was.  Took me aboard the Red Death with him after that, and eventually set me up 'ere."  She paused, wringing her hands, clearly in turmoil at the memories.

            "Ye see Jack, I owe Nikolai everything, my very life.  If he hadn't attacked that ship I'ave ended up a true prostitute o' the British crown then thrown in a cell to rot for the rest o' me short life.  He saved me from that.  Took me aboard, set me up 'ere with this beautiful house, the tavern,  and made something out o' me.  He runs this town ye know, which means I run this town…" she trailed off, unsure of whether she should go on or if she had already said too much.

            For several minutes Jack said nothing.  He sat there turning over everything he had just said in his mind.  Though he was still infuriated with her actions last night, he could not help but see her point.

            "If what you say is true", he began at last.  "Then why'd ye keep me from him last night."

            Another sigh, heavier, how she so wanted to avoid this question. 

            "When Nikolai first told me what he wanted me to do, ye were just a name Jack.  Someone who I'd never met and despite what the stories might say, all I'd eva been told was that ye killed his father.  I didn't know all the details about the Pearl, so in my mind he had every right to seek his vengeance.  Then ye get 'ere, and I got to know ye, and ye weren't just some name with no face.  You may think it was all just an act, everything that went on this week, but whether ye believe me or not I swear to ye it wasn't.  And when it came down to it, I just couldn't betray ye like that.  And besides, I've had enough o' Nikolai and this entrapment.  I might owe him me life, but I'ma pirate, not some man's wench", she emphasized the word bitterly.  "Anyway Jack, there ye 'ave it.  For what it's worth, I'm sorry bout all this, whether ye choose to believe it or not.  Either way, ye really ought to get out o' Port au Prince as soon as ye can.  No use endangerin yerself or yer crew if ye don't 'ave to."

            "And what bout you", he asked after she had finished.

            "What about me?"

            "Won't he be angry when ye fail to deliver?"

            "Won't be nothin I can't handle.  Nikolai might think he's God, but he's no different than any other man.  He'll be angry and life'll be hell for awhile, but I'm his girl and he'll get over it eventually", Aiden finished, a look of worry flashing across her face.

            Jack saw this, and after hearing her motivations and explanation, he refused to allow her to face certain wrath that was bound to befall her.

            "Ye'll come with me", he suggested as a resolution.  "I can drop ye off in another town somewhere."

            "There's nowhere ye could take me that he wouldn't find me.  Besides, this might not be heaven, but at least I've got something 'ere.  And I'm not about to give that up just to go start at the bottom somewhere else.  I might not be a classy lady, but I've no desire to take on what those women are forced to endure."

            Jack opened his mouth to argue, not at all convinced by her arguments, but before he could say a word there was a loud knock on the door and someone outside attempted to open it.  Hearing the noise Aiden's eyes widened in horror, jumping from her seat she pulled Jack about and dragged him from the couch. 

            "What's going on", he asked in confusion as the person outside banged louder and called for Aiden to open the door.

            "It's Nikolai", she whispered in response, and shoved him toward a small closet under the staircase.  "Quick, hide in 'ere and don't make a sound", she advised closing him in and giving him no chance to protest. 

            Hurrying to the door, she did one last check to be sure none of Jack's belongings were hanging around before unlocking the door and opening it allowing Nikolai to step inside.        

            "My God woman, what took ye so long", he asked lightheartedly, pretending to scold her as he closed the door behind him. 

            "Sorry luv", she answered with forced affection.  "I'm not feelin so hot today and I was upstairs still in bed", she feigned, putting a hand to her hand.

            From where he watched from the closet door which remained opened just enough for him to see into the living, Jack had to admit Aiden was an excellent actress.  Which made him wonder again if she had fabricated her entire story just to get herself back into his good graces.  His suspicions were soon forgotten however when Nikolai bent down to kiss her and she could not completely hide a look of disgust when his eyes were closed. 

            "Ye want anything to drink", she asked him after reluctantly returning his affection.

            "Rum'll be fine", he answered taking a seat as she started toward the kitchen.

            She returned momentarily handing him a bottle and sitting down as well. 

            "I take it yer 'ere about last night", Aiden began while he was in mid-sip.

            "Now darling", Nikolai chided setting down the bottle.  "Does a man really need a reason to visit the love o' his life", he asked innocently.

            She shot him a skeptical look in response. 

            "Though I wouldn't mind knowing what happened", he continued.

            "I thought so", she stated unsurprised, but regained from going any further.

            "Well", Nikolai urged in light of her silence.

            "I'm sorry luv, didn't mean to let ye down, but Sparrow was not very cooperative last night", she lied.  "I managed to convince to take a walk with me, but when we passed that ship o' his he just couldn't keep from showin it off.  Made me come aboard with him and everything.  By the time I'd seen the entire thing it was long past 10:00 and I knew ye wouldn't 'ave waited that long.  I'm sorry darling", she repeated in her sweetest voice, with large innocent eyes, running a hand up the back of his head.

            This was apparently a soft spot of Nikolai's because her touch sent his shoulders up, and his eyes closed as he chuckled softly. 

            "Don't do that", he swatted playfully at her hand.  "And don't ye be worryin yerself about disappointing me.  I knew something must 'ave kept ye cause ye'd neva let me down", he said confidently, cupping her chin in his hand.  "I'm not at all surprised at Sparrow considering that giant ego of his."

            In response, Aiden gave him a forced smile.

            "Now, that just means we need to plan for another meeting between Cap'n Sparrow and meself, which o' course will be a little more difficult considering ye've got the tavern the next few days.  How long's he 'ere for anyway?"

            "Til Friday I think", she lied.  "But honestly Nikolai, I don't see why ye need me.  Can't ye just nab him one night after he leaves the tavern all liquored up", she suggested thoughtfully.

            "No, too easy.  I want him to hurt in the worst possible way, and that most definitely involves a beautiful woman", he answered caressing her cheek gently.  "I'll think on it tonight and let ye know tomorrow", he continued standing up.  "In the meantime, ye just keep Sparrow interested.  Hell, if we're lucky ye might even be able to convince him to stay til Sunday."

            "I doubt that."

            "I don't", he shot back seriously.  Yer a talented woman Aiden, ye put those skills to good use and who knows what ye might accomplish", he finished with a grin, pulling her to him in a deep kiss before heading for the door.  "Remember", he added as he stepped outside.  "keep him interested.  By whatever means necessary."

            She nodded and with that Nikolai closed the door and was gone.  Letting out a huge sigh of relief, Aiden ran to the door to relock it as Jack stepped out of the closet.  Neither one entirely sure what to say, they both just stared at each other in silence until Aiden finally spoke up. 

            "Ye've got to out o' 'ere Jack, leave tomorrow if ye can.  I won't be able lie my way out of things twice with him getting suspicious", she advised. 

            He nodded, and again they stood in silence.

            "I've got to go to work", Aiden broke up the awkwardness again as she started for the stairs.  "I'll see ya", was the last thing she said before ascending upstairs and leaving to let himself out.