I do not own potc, it saddens me more every time I have to say that.

A big thanks to untouchable 1400 and again to you moulin rouge pirate for you reveiws for the last chapter, yes i know she does have a crush but i dont think she realises yet! May be in this chapter. I hope you like it.

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The weeks had rolled by, Cassandra had barley noticed them pass her. She stared now at the girl in the mirror. Her skin had been kissed by the sun and her tight chestnut curls pulled back into a long braid, her eyes danced with excitement at the reflection, grabbing her boots she hauled them on and almost skipped up onto the deck.

Mr Gibbs glanced up from his rope tying as she stood beside him, her eyes hungrily searching the sea.

"What's put you in such a fine mood lass?" he asked shielding his eyes from the sun. Cassandra breathed deep the sea's salty aroma and smiled at the horizon.

"It's another day Mr Gibbs," she chirped grinning down at the older man. He stood slowly and followed her gaze out to the horizon.

"Nothing around us but water and freedom, I couldn't ask for more." she continued, her eye's glistening with the joy of being on this ship she had become so fond of. Mr Gibbs glanced at her.

"Your beginning to sound like Jack," he turned to move onto the next rope, "It's what it does to you lass, the sea that is," he bent down to tie off the next rope and Cassandra smiled.

"Aye," her eyes wandered over the deck and rested on Jack. He stood by the helm lost in his own thoughts, his lips moving as he murmured his pirate tunes. There friendship had been somewhat rocky, they would argue over little things and yet the argument was as quick to disappear as a change in the subject or a flick of Jacks wrist. Cassandra had never truly opened herself to the captain in fear of where it would leave her emotions, there was always something about him she could not place. Grinning now she sauntered towards him, his eyes caught her and he watched her suspiciously climbing the stairs to the helm.

"Morning Jack," she smiled wickedly and sidled up beside him. He grunted still watching her from his narrowed eyes.

"I believe we had an accord," she shifted a little closer to the wheel, "I did beat your cards last night." she met his gaze and raised her eyebrows expectantly. Jack's cheek twitched and he nodded solemnly.

"Aye we had an accord," he muttered stepping away from the wheel and finding a crate to perch himself on. Cassandra leapt forward crying out with joy, she grasped a hold of the wheel and turned to Jack who had propped his legs up on a crate and settled his hat over his eyes ready for a doze.

"Jack!" she hissed, he peered out from beneath the rim of his hat. Cassandra tapped her head meaningfully, "You promised!" The captain sighed taking of his hat and taking a look to the heavens for perhaps an answer.

"A deal is a deal." he admitted throwing her the hat and settling himself back down. "Keep us pointing west luv,"

"Captain!" she corrected, her stare meeting the horizon. Jack rolled his eyes and watched as she fumbled with the compass, it had been a long time since there had been a female at the wheel of his ship. A smile crept across his lips as he closed his eyes again.

Mr Gibbs rushed up the stairs.

"Sail ho," he said nodding at the waters behind them, Jack didn't so much as open his eyes,

"Capt'n?" Mr Gibbs went to rouse the pirate. Jack nodded in Cassandra's direction. Sighing Mr Gibbs turned to her,

"Sails on the horizon miss." he mumbled. Cassandra merely stared at him oblivious of what to do, she turned to Jack.

"Jack what do we do?" the captain shrugged a small smile gracing his lips. Cassandra let out an annoyed snort and pulled off the leather hat throwing at Jack. He eyed her smugly and finally stood.

"It looks like a merchant ship," he said peering threw the eyeglass Mr Gibbs had presented to him. "We're only a day from port, probably just taking the same course," he handed the eyeglass back to the older man and replaced his hat. Cassandra's heart sank to the bottom of her chest.

"Keep a weather eye on it anyhow mate," he finished as Mr Gibbs nodded and left the helm, Cassandra stepped forward twisting her long braid in her fingers.

"Is that Port Reece we're a day from?" she inquired chewing her bottom lip. Jack looked down at her.

"Aye, you'll be glad to hear." he turned to face the deck below him, "Gibbs! Where are you sneaken off to man? Come and take this wheel."

Cassandra followed the captain into his cabin and sat down at his desk watching him all the while.

"What?" he asked finally pulling from his drawer a aged map.

"Do I have to get off?"

"Off what?"

"The ship," he looked up sharply almost shocked at her words. Studying her for a moment he looked back down at the map.

"Aye." Cassandra stared at him defiantly.

"Why?" Jack's head snapped up and he sighed irritation growing on his face.

"Well because, you raged and fumed at me for the better part of a month about getting off this bloody ship."

"That was before…"

"Before what?" he stood his hands groping at the air as he questioned her. Cassandra knew the captain better than he thought she did and she knew now that even as he looked angrily at her his eyes were that of sorrow.

"I like it here, I like being on the ship, with the men, with you," she added cautiously watching his reaction. There was none Jack only sighed.

"And what of all the looting and fighting when it comes? Are you going to enjoy that as well?"

It was Cassandra's turn to sigh. She watched him rub his face and sit back down at his chair. Standing Cassandra glared at him anger finally overcoming her.

"It was your idea to have me on this ship!"

"With no intention of keeping you on it!" Jack shot back not even looking up at her.

"What harm am I to anybody Jack?" her tone softened slightly and she studied him hunched over his map.

"Me." Cassandra stared at him not fully understanding. "I'm not changing my mind savvy?" he continued softly. Cassandra turned and left tears flooding her cheeks, Mr Gibbs called to her but she ignored him desperately seeking the solitude of her cabin.

Jack sighed as she left, the girl tormented him no end. Mr Gibbs swung his head round the door.

"Everything ok capt'n?" Jack only nodded, "I seen the lass rush out in a state is all," he stepped into the cabin and closed the door.

"Aye, wanted to stay on the ship." Jack leaned back in the chair and fished about in his desk drawer for his rum. Mr Gibbs raised his bushy eyebrows.

"And?"

"And what?" Jack snapped, "I believe it was yourself Mr Gibbs that told me it was bad luck to bring a woman on board." Mr Gibbs shrugged and took out his own flask.

"Aye sir, didn't stop you bringing one aboard before,"

"And look what happened to her." Jack took a mouthful of rum and glanced up at his first mate. "It's trouble mate,"

"Trouble for who exactly Jack? The girl helps in the kitchen, scrubs the decks with the rest of us louts, she's not trouble for us." Jack was beginning to feel deeply irritated by the older man. He hated to think it but it was because he was right.

"What of when she's bored with the sea and the freedom and wants her fancy frocks and maids back? I don't want to be burdened with a home sick female on this ship." Mr Gibbs snorted surprising Jack, he wagged a finger at the captain angry for the first time Jack can remember, at him.

"Jack Sparrow I've known you too long to see you frightened of a lass," Jack stared at the first mate as if he'd gone mad.

"Frightened?"

"Aye frightened! It may not be the lass herself but what she brings." he turned to leave,

"Did you ever stop to think Jack that perhaps it isn't the ship and the sea and the freedom that drives the young lass but yourself that intrigues her to stay?" Mr Gibbs left on that note leaving Jack standing still in shock at Mr Gibbs's outburst.

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Port Reece came all too soon for Cassandra, she'd changed into her dress and scrunched her curls back into their little spirals even braved herself to put on some make up. Her reflection disgusted her. Sighing she made her way onto the deck as the ship crawled slowly up next to a pier. Crowds had begun to gather at the pirate ship as some of the crew leapt off to begin bringing in supplies. Cassandra stood her head held high as guards began to filter into the dock fearing a battle. She said nothing as Jack ambled up beside her.

"Port Reece," he introduced her swinging his hand over the docks, Cassandra caught it and pulled herself close to the captain.

"You are going to die a lonely man if you push away every female that looks your way," she snapped and Jack pulled away looking startled, a grin spread across his face.

"Generally I don't push them away, otherwise I'd be a deprived man at that," his smile fell off his lips when he caught Cassandra's cold stare, he sighed and lifted a small dagger to the side of her head. He caught the single curl in his hand and tucked it into his sash. Cassandra didn't flinch but stared hard into his eyes looking desperately for and answer. Jack glanced about the port and turned to her.

"Look luv, this is affecting the both of us, so lets not make it too difficult savvy?" he put his hand on the small of her back and tried to guide her towards the plank.

"Yes Jack and it would appear that I'm the only one doing anything about it!" Cassandra cried exasperated that Jack was so stubborn. He rolled his eyes and tipped his head back looking to the heaven for some help. None came and he looked at Cassandra alone.

"Listen, take this," he pulled from around his neck a gold medallion and handed it to her. "I'll be havin' that back someday savvy?" Cassandra stared at him doubtfully, Jack put both hands on her shoulder and looked down at her as if he were speaking to a child.

"Despite what you and Mr Gibbs over there may think, I'm not a fool nor do I intend to be one in the future," he raised a hand as if it would make it easier for him to explain. "Treasure is no good to me if I cant keep it safe." Cassandra met his eyes with a hard stare.

"Nor is it any good to you if you let it go." she turned quickly and left him standing, his hand dropping to his side in defeat.

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Well? Please reveiw and let me know what you think i'll try and get the next chapter with you in a couple of days! thanks for reading! XX