Disclaimer: *sigh* Do I have to repeat this every time? Ditto for the last chapter.

Nutmeg-for-the-sqirrlies: O.O I LOVE YOU! Ehm, ok maybe not. That sounds weird. Let's just settle with a good ol' SQUEE!!! I'm so glad you like it. ^^ But that was cruel of Will to take your pebble!

Me: *gives Will a dark look*

Will: What? *innocent smile*

Me: Give Erin back her pebble!

Will: *hugs it to him* No! Mine! BACK YE FIEND FROM HELL!!!

Me: Er...

Will: *cackles madly and starts muttering* My pebble. My own. My love. My precsioussssss...

Me: O.O Bad pebble! BAD!

Pebble: *cries and runs away*

Will: No! Pebble! Don't leave me! *cries*

As you can see, the Bad Pebble has caused much trauma and heartache. It's a good thing Will stole it or you would have been reduced to a rubber chicken by now. Will's so heroic! *sigh* By the way, thanks for reviewing my other stories! ^^

Elie31: Thanks! ^^

Unrefined: Well, lovely of you to say that. ^^ Oh, I'm clever...

Bitten by the kitten: Thank you!

Piratelf: Bad news. No Sam/Jack bonding in this chapter. There was going to be but it was too long so it's going in the next chapter. It's coming someday...over the rainboooow! Skies aaare bluuuueee! *cough twitch* Sorry about that. *ahem* Anyhoo, you've corrupted my innocence and given me ideas...*evil grin*

Me: Oh Willypoo! Could you come here for a moment?

Will: *is still sulky about the Bad Pebble incident* What?

Me: *grabs him and pulls him into a closet*

Muahaha! Oh I'm pure evil!    

Chapter 6: Round 1

We hastened to the harbor and halted under a bridge, scoping out the ships.

Will looked at one of them wide-eyed. "We're going to steal a ship."

I rolled my eyes. No duh.

He looked at the ship that was closest to the shore. "That ship?" It was currently being made ready to get under way and was being loaded with supplies.

"Commandeer." Jack corrected. "Nautical term. We're goin' to commandeer that ship." He pointed to a bigger fancier ship that was floating farther out in the bay. "One question 'bout yo' business, boy, or there's no use goin'. This girl—'ow far are you willing to go to save 'er?"

"I'd die for her!" Will declared fiercely.

I snorted rather loudly but cleverly disguised it as a cough. Somehow I don't think they were convinced.

"Oh good." Jack said comically, giving me a look before turning back around. "No worries then."

I snickered quietly to myself as we crept along the shore. When the coast was clear, we all hid underneath one of the many row boats lying upside down on the ground.

"What are we doing?" I whispered.

From somewhere in front of me in the blackness, Jack whispered back. "We're going to walk along the bottom o' the bay to th' Dauntless."

"What?! We'll drown!"

"Ssh! No we won't. Now come on."

Grumbling under my breath, I complied and we all squatted and waddled along the beach and into the water. Amazingly, no one saw us and even more amazingly we sank to the bottom of the bay. I groaned and winced as my ears started throbbing unmercifully from the pressure as we walked along the bottom, defying all laws of physics.

Apparently, Will agreed with me because he announced a moment later, "This is either madness or brilliance."

Up in front, Jack drawled back, "It's remarkable 'how often those two traits coincide."

I nodded in agreement and squeaked as I almost tripped over a lobster trap.

"Watch out for the trap, Will!"

There was a loud crunch and a sigh from behind me. "Too late."

I chuckled for a bit and the rest of our little swim time met with no more hindrances. Finally reaching the Dauntless, we abandoned the little boat and swam up to the surface. I sighed with relief as the pressure left my ears. Turning to the others I gaped. They were starting to climb up the ship's side on a rope and leaving me behind!

"Er, hullo there! I'm still here!"

Jack, who was higher up than Will, looked down at me in confusion. "What're you hangin' around there for? Come on, luv'! Time's a wastin'!"

I glared up at him, my legs tiring from treading water. "What are you talking about? I can't climb a rope, you dolt!"

He rolled his eyes and sighed in exasperation. "Will, go down and get 'er, lad. Ye'll 'ave to carry 'er up."

I glowered as Will snorted and climbed all the way down.

I crossed my arms as best as I could in the water. "I don't know how you're going to do thi-hey!"

I yelped as he swung me over his shoulder without a word. I sniffled and rubbed my nose where it had whacked into his lower back. Damn him and his bony back. I scowled and hung there like a limp fish while Will strained to carry him and me up the rope. I felt like such a burden. He must be deeply regretting his decision to take me along. I set my jaw resolutely. Well, then I guess I'd just have to go out of my way after this to be extra helpful and out of the way at the same time. I frowned again miserably. That is, as soon as he lugged my fat carcass up onto the boat.

After what seemed forever, he reached the top and dumped me unceremoniously onto the wooden floor. I sprang up and stood straight and tall, trying to regain a bit of my dignity. Jack immediately started off but I grabbed his arm and pulled him back. He glared at me and I glared right back.

"Will needs to rest a bit!"

"It's no' fault o' mine that lad's a weaklin'!"

I narrowed my eyes. "Weakling? He was carrying two, count 'em, two people while you, oh Fathead of the high seas, were only carrying your own sorry self!"

Jack scowled and looked to where Will was sitting on the floor, wheezing. He shrugged and smirked, settling back against the rail. I smiled with relief. A couple minutes later when Will's arms were rested, Jack stood up and silently motioned for us to follow him. I exchanged glances with Will and grinned, unsheathing my sword. Striding silently, we descended the stairs from the helm to the main deck.

Swaggering up to the men, Jack shouted, "Everyone stay calm! We are takin' over the ship!"

"Aye! Avast!" Will yelled, pointing his sword at them.

Everyone burst out laughing and against all my attempts, I myself started giggling. Will gave me a look that said, 'Et tu, Brute?' Grinning, I merely shrugged.

The soldier in charge (I couldn't quite recall his name. Gallow, or Flimette, or something) smirked at us.

"This ship cannot be crewed by two men and a woman. You'll never make it out of the bay."

In answer, Jack took out his pistol and pointed it at straight Giblette's face. "Son," he started condescendingly, "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. Savvy?" 

Dripette's sneer instantly disappeared and he swallowed nervously. I simply smirked at him.

Five minutes later found them all in a little boat, rowing towards the shore. I turned to Jack.

"What now?"

"Now, we get this ship ready t' make way! Go an' furl th' quarter deck sails with Will!"

I stared at him blankly.

Sighing, he rolled his eyes. "See those ropes over there?" he pointed to some ropes at the front of the boat and I nodded, "Go tug on 'em and wave 'em about. Nip along, now. Smart like!"

"Aye aye, Cap'n!" I saluted overenthusiastically and tripped over to the ropes. As I was tugging, I snuck peeks at the crows nest and sighed wistfully. I wanted nothing more than to climb up to it and scream, "Land ho!" But of course I couldn't. I had work to do. Turning to the ropes determinately, I jiggled the ropes with renewed vigor.

"Sam!"

I looked up as I heard Will call my name. He was standing at the helm with Jack, beckoning to me with his hand. Dropping the rope, I rubbed my chaffed hands together and trudged up the stairs.

"What is it?"

Jack pointed a finger to where the Interceptor was quickly sailing towards us.

I gasped. "They're going to catch us!"

He simply gave me a sly smile before running off. I scowled and turned to Will. Just as I opened my mouth, he grabbed my hand and pulled me down the stairs. Ducking underneath them, he dragged me with him. I poked his arm with my free hand.

"What are we—"

"Ssh!" he shushed me. I gritted my teeth in frustration. Why did men have to be so damn irritating? Loud voices and pounding greeted my ears and before you could say 'squeakers' Will had dashed from our hiding place, pulling me along with him. As we reached the side of the ship, he grabbed a hanging rope.

"Put your arms around my neck and hold on tight," he whispered in my ear.

Confused, I did so and only had time for one small squeak before he jumped off the side and we swung out over the water. I squeezed my eyes shut and hung on for dear life.

"Sam."

"What?" I squeaked.

"We made it. You can let go now."

I opened one eye and saw that we had indeed made it and were safely on the deck of the Interceptor. Opening the other eye, I saw that I still had my arms wrapped tightly around him and had my face pressed into his neck. Blushing crimson, I untangled myself and stepped back, looking desperately at the floor.

Will gave me a small smile before he walked off with a hatchet in his hand. Now why would he have a hatchet in his hand? Did he keep a secret stockpile of them in his tunic? Maybe I should ask him for a broadsword in case we came upon a huge sea monster. He'd probably have one stashed away in his hat.

Shaking my head, I squeaked (yet again) as the ship lurched forward and I fell with a thump. We were on our way! Hurrah! I grinned jubilantly from my seat on the floor in the middle of the deck. From the helm, Jack shouted to the Dauntless.

"Thank you, Commodore, for getting' us ready t' make way! We would 'ave 'ad a hard time of it by ourselves!"

I chuckled as I stood up. Looking back at the Dauntless, which was sitting in the water like a lame duck, I threw my highly developed dignity and maturity out the window momentarily (what are you coughing for?) and shook my fist in the air, shouting triumphantly.

"Haha! Eat our dust, er, wake!"

That's what it is, right? The ripples left by a ship or swimmer or whatever. It's a wake, right?

Of course it is.

I smiled to myself, quite satisfied. I—wait—Lucy? I scowled. What are you doing here?

What do you mean, 'What are you doing here?' I'm your subconscious, stupid. Where you go, I go!

Oh, er, right-o...I knew that.

Uh huh. Yeah. Sure you did.

Ooh, I could just feel her rolling her eyes. Which she...doesn't have...seeing how she's my mind...

Oh, this is so confusing. Am I going crazy?

No. You're not going crazy. You already are crazy.

Oh how you tickle me with your witty comebacks. Why are you here anyway?

I am here to talk about your love.

My what?

Will, you dumbass.

I was too shocked to retort. Will? My love? Great. Just great. My subconscious was batty. That cannot be a good thing.

I'm not batty. You're just blind.

I am not blind!

Of course you're not. You're just stupid

You know, for a subconscious you've got a lot of nerve!

But I'm right.

NO YOU'RE NOT!! I AM NOT STUPID!!

Don't raise your voice.

I'M NOT EVEN SPEAKING!!!

We're getting off topic here.

Did we have a topic?

She sighed. Yes. WILL.

Aha! You raised your voice!

No. I simply spoke more firmly. And anyway you're just trying to change the topic. Again.

I am not!

Stop being so childish! Why do you always have to act like a spoiled infant?

I stopped at that. Was I childish? Yes, I guess I was. Should I stop? Should I attempt to act more mature? More wiser? More dignified? More like a lady? I contemplated this....

Nah! Being stupid was just too much fun. ^_^

Lucy sighed again in exasperation and I snickered, earning myself a strange look from Will. He was sitting a few feet away from me on a coil of rope, polishing his sword. I sighed as I looked at him. Why was I doing this anyway? Why was I voluntarily helping Squid Girl?

I don't know. You tell me.

Because...uh...

I know why. Her voice carried a triumphant edge to it.

Oh? Well then, Lucy, tell me why.

Oh no. You're going to have to figure that out for yourself.

What?! No way! Come on!

Nope.

Please? Pretty please?

Nuh uh.

Well then, I guess I'll just have to force you to tell me!

And just how are you going to do that?

I grinned evilly, scaring Will a bit I think, and started singing mentally.

Ooooooooohhh!

Phil is so pretty!

So pretty is he!

I like to sing-ee!

Teeheeheehee!

I sang this song four times over before Lucy finally caved.

Alright! Alright! I'll tell you! Just DON'T start singing again!

I smirked and crossed my arms, waiting expectantly. By now Will looked rather frightened.

You see, you're going to help Elizabeth just to get on Will's good side and so that you can be with him on this little adventure of ours and convince him somehow that he's in love with you and not Elizabeth.

Now if that's not a run-on sentence then I don't know what was. However, at the moment I was too shocked to comment. My moth dropped open.

Wha-no! That's not true! I'm doing it out of the kindness of my overgenerous heart!

She snorted. Now you're really being stupid.

I huffed at that but didn't snap back. I knew she was right. But it doesn't mean anything!

I have an idea. We'll go about this slowly. First off I'll make you admit that you are attracted to him physically more than is proper for "just friends".

Ha! You'll never make that happen because it's not true!

Oh come on. Just look at him.

I tentatively cast him a sidelong glance.

Notice his dark tanned skin, muscular and damp from sweat and sea spray. Notice his dark luxuriant locks that are halfway out of his ponytail and spilling about his face.

Her description of Will was leaving me badly shaken. She needed to stop. Now.

Notice the strong line of his jaw, his high cheekbones, that adorable stubble that makes him look so delicious.

Ok! That's far enough!

Notice his lips, so smooth and soft looking. I wonder what they could—

That's it! You asked for it! Squeezing my eyes shut tight, I mentally sang the Phil song as loud as I could. As I sang, I opened my eyes and cautiously gave Will another peek. I sighed silently.

Aha!

I stopped singing at her exclamation and realized with horror that as I had been singing I had inadvertently put "Will" in instead of "Phil" and "snog" instead of "sing". I moaned and slapped my forehead. This time Will jumped up with a start.

"Um, I'm going to...go see what Jack's up to!" and with that, he dashed up the stairs to the helm with the big steering wheel thingymabob. I'm just a simple peasant girl. What would I know of nautical terminology? Nautical terminology. My but big words sound grand!

There you go again. Your mind is constantly fluttering about. Get back to the topic! I won the first round!

I frowned sullenly but didn't bother to deny it. So? Just because I find him to be the most gorgeously beautifully wonderfully handsome—

I get the picture.

...man in the world, doesn't mean that I love him.

But of course you're right.

I blinked owlishly. I am?

Yep. I'll just have to get you to admit the rest tomorrow!

I groaned and flopped down on my back. This was going to be a long trip.

I was practically drooling when I was writing this chapter. Heheh. Naughty, naughty thoughts. Ah, me...