Disclaimer: Must I keep saying it! I don't own them, Disney does. So sad.

A/N: Thank you kind reviewers! I'm so happy that so many of you are sticking with me and this story. Your feedback is much appreciated, as always.

Chapter 22:

"I know you're a good man, because I wouldn't have wasted my time on a typical pirate." Ana said. "I would've turned you over to that first Spanish soldier that came to my house."

"Why didn't you?" asked Jack.

"Sí, Señora," Ana spun around and saw Don Antonio coming around the side of the cave, his sword drawn. "Why didn't you?"

Her breath caught in her throat and she feared that her heart would never regain its normal rhythm. Don Antonio was an evil man. Jack had a sword in the cave. If he were alone, the pirate would slay the fire breathing dragon and they could walk into the sunset, happily ever after. However, the Spaniard had apparently realized that he would be much safer if he brought along backup.

Prescott stood beside the devil of la Cerradura, a nasty bruise starting to form on the right side of his face. But, Prescott had let them escape before. Once again, the pirate could kill Cornado and Ana could persuade Prescott to look the other way as Jack sailed out to sea. At this point, Ana might even be able to convince Prescott to do away with Don Antonio himself. However, the Spaniard must have realized this as well.

James Norrington appeared next, holding matching pairs of manacles. He, inadvertently, was the ace up Don Antonio's sleeve. Now, if Jack killed Cornado, James would gladly apprehend him and march the pirate straight back to the town square to be hung. Of course, there is always the chance that Jack would fight Norrington and end up on the winning side. Unfortunately, Cornado would still prevail. Ana could not possibly convince Prescott to ignore the death of a fellow officer, let alone the death of a friend like James. So, even if Jack happened to defeat Norrington, he would be escorted by Prescott to the gallows.

"Annie, what's going on here?" James interrupted Ana's whirling thoughts. "Do you mean to tell me that you had the chance to turn Sparrow in to the authorities and you didn't?"

In a flash of clarity, Ana was beginning to see why Jack tended to avoid direct questions. She was backed into a corner. James had just accused her of throwing her lot in with a pirate, an enemy of the crown. Her friend, James Norrington, had just accused her of treason. Even if she could step outside of this situation, take James aside, and explain her actions, he would not understand. Jack Sparrow would always be a pirate, and her decision to defend a pirate would always be wrong.

"Is that a question or an accusation?" Ana asked. She could feel her blood heating up. Her entire life she had been judged. Her dark skin had been reason enough for people to form opinions of Ana, without giving her a chance to explain herself. She had been Dr. Tarret's "other" child. She had been the "unfortunate girl" that Christ Laffley married. Now, she was the "stupid girl" who had decided to help a pirate. End of story.

James had served under Chris and was Prescott's friend. It seemed like she had known him all of her life. She always thought he would be different. She thought he would hear what she had to say before jumping to conclusions.

"It's a question, of course," James answered, looking a bit flustered.

"Of course," Ana repeated, mocking James' tone. "It's a question that you've already answered. Haven't you?"

James's eyes widened. He had never been on the receiving end of Anamaria's anger.

"How would you like me to answer you, then? Hmm? Would it be easier for you if I just confessed? Then, you could hang both of us."

"Annie," Prescott spoke up for the first time, apparently trying to soothe his sister.

"No, Prescott. I would like to know what James intends to do here. Is ridding the world of the evil pirate so important that you're willing to take me down just to get a pat on the back from Admiral Fornin?"

"I'm afraid you have over simplified the situation, somewhat," Don Cornado interrupted. He stepped closer to Ana, gesturing with the hand not holding his sword. "Capitán Norrington is bound by law to arrest you for what you have done. It is his duty." Cornado emphasized the word "duty," as he continued to step closer to Ana. "Hanging someone who has committed treason is not his decision. It is the law." He once again emphasized the key phrases "treason" and "law."

"That's close enough, mate," Jack stepped between Cornado and Ana.

"Don Cornado is quite right, Annie," Norrington agreed, seemingly relieved that someone was taking his side and apparently ignoring the glares from Jack and her brother. Discretely, Prescott moved so that he was between Jack and Don Antonio.

"James –" Ana started.

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to arrest both of you."

James moved past Don Cornado and handed her brother one of the pairs of irons. Prescott took hold of Jack's arm and Ana thought she heard him whisper something to the pirate. James stood in front of Ana and unlocked the manacles he must have been itching to use.

"Captain Norrington," Prescott said, his tone brusque. "I know you do not intend to shackle my sister.

"She is guilty of treason."

"Is she? Funny, it was always my understanding that one had to be tried and convicted before one was found guilty." Ana saw the fire in her brother's blue eyes.

"She is being charged with treason," James clarified, his voice raising slightly.

"Indeed."

"So, she is to be placed in irons like any other criminal."

"Sort of turns into black and white the situation, don't you think, mate?"

Prescott cleared his throat in an effort to silence Sparrow. "Fancy that, James, the pirate has a point. She has been accused of a crime. That does not make her a criminal." James looked ready to speak up, but Prescott continued. "Secondly, she is a lady. She is to be respected as a lady. You will not put her in irons."

Her brother's words instantly brought Ana's attention to the fact that he had not yet placed Jack in the irons. Her eyes narrowed as they jumped back and forth from Jack's face to Prescott's. Her brother was up to something, and Jack seemed to notice it too.

"Prescott, I resent that. I have always treated your sister with the utmost respect," James was saying.

"Señor, I must object to your giving the lady special privileges merely because she is family."

"Your objection is noted, Don Antonio," Prescott said, his tone condescending. "And James, resent it or resent it not, you will not shackle my sister."

"But –"

"Oh, for heaven's sake, James. She is not a danger to you," Prescott's eyes met Ana's for a split second. He was definitely up to something. "It's not like she's going to pull a gun on you."

A gun? Prescott had just mentioned a gun in exactly the same way he had told her about this cave. He expected her to do something. But what? Prescott did not appear to have a pistol with him. Jack certainly did not. And James . . . James. Ana let her eyes travel down to James' waist. Of course, he would have a gun with him. He was on the trail of pirates. He would want as many weapons as possible. Ana could not believe what her brother was wanting her to do. Did he really expect her to take James' gun?

Ana remembered the feel of the pistol in her hands after she had taken the life of the Spanish soldier. The thought of holding one again sent chills down her back. On top of that, why would James or Don Antonio believe that she knew how to handle a gun? As far as she knew, neither of them realized she had been the one to kill the Spanish guard. But . . . Prescott had still not placed the irons on Jacks wrists. Of course! Jack was a pirate. Cornado and James believed pirates to be the scum of the Earth, completely without moral scruples. He certainly would know how to handle a gun, and he definitely would not be afraid to use it. All she had to do was take the gun from James and hand it off to Jack. She almost smiled when she realized how brilliant her brother was, and how different he was from what she had always believed.

Heart pounding, Ana watched as her hand darted out from her body and jerked the pistol away from James. Before anyone knew what happened the pistol was out of her hands and in the grip of the infamous pirate. With his free hand, Jack grabbed Ana's arm and stepped back, putting more distance between the two sides. He leaned close so that his lips were almost touching her ear, "tables are turning, luv."

Well, not a real cliffy this time, just a kind of tense situation. Please Please don't forget to review! Oh, and does anyone think it's about time that Don Antonio gets what he deserves? If you do, well, stay tuned for the next chapter!