I don't own potc or any of the characters sigh

Thank you again to my reviewers, Untouchable 1400 you were quick off the mark last night! I only just uploaded it and I got your review, thank you! This is actually the second time a wrote this, I got half way through and my computer shut down, my own fault for not saving it as I went.

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Cassandra watched in complete misery as the Black Pearl sailed for the horizon, she was dimly aware of the towns people gossiping and looking at her. Blinking back a tear she looked down at the medallion, a scull, two ruby eyes glaring at her, she turned it over in her fingers to inspect the small engraved sparrow on the other side.

"Miss?" An elderly gentleman approached her, "Miss are you alright?" he put a hand on her shoulder and Cassandra sighed. "Have you a home I can take you to?"

She raised her head in time to see the pirate ship slip out of sight at the edge of the water line, it wrenched her heart with it.

"No sir, I don't have a home here or anywhere for that matter." she offered him a smile and turned to leave. The gentleman stopped her his warm green eyes filled with worry.

"Were you kidnapped? Should I send out my fleet?" again Cassandra smiled.

"No sir they meant no harm." she turned again to leave and again she was stopped.

"This matter is troubling me," he said sighing lightly, "Perhaps it is best if you come back to my manor for the moment."

Lord Joseph Maurus was a kind and honest man, he listened patiently to Cassandra's story nodding and laughing when it was appropriate to do so, he comforted her when she cried and calmed her when she got angry. He gave her a room and a maid and in time he gave her a place in his elderly heart as the daughter he never had. Cassandra listened to the old mans stories, his three sons controlled the fleet and soldiers, he spoke of them with pride his eyes would fill with love at the mention of their names. His wife had passed away some years ago leaving the Lord alone in his huge manor but not for long. He had laughed gleefully at the announcement that his eldest son and his wife were expecting twins, the Lord had since busied himself preparing nurseries for when they visited. Cassandra's fondness for him only grew as he talked endlessly at his unborn grand children.

Sitting now at the supper table she watched him rush in clutching a teddy bear.

"Sorry I'm late dear. Was out at the market," he held up the little teddy proudly. "Where were you all morning, I tried to find you." the Lord sat down and picked up his fork.

"I went out for a walk," she said shrugging slightly. Joseph sighed,

"At the docks again?" Cassandra nodded, it wasn't uncommon for her to sit and gaze out to the sea for hours at a time, in the beginning Joseph would sometimes come with her, comforting her when she cried at the empty waters. Joseph sighed.

"Cassandra, you cant give up on him but please don't pine for him either, you will waste away your young years by that sea." Cassandra nodded, she knew that he was right.

"Forgive me Joseph for being such a fool," she laughed suddenly.

"It has been over a year," he continued reaching over the table to take her hand, Cassandra sighed deeply and looked at the old man.

"I know." Leaning back in his chair Joseph smiled warmly at her.

"You know I look upon you like a daughter and if you ever wished to go back to the sea I would like to think that it is here you would return to?" Cassandra squeezed his hand.

"Joseph, you know how I feel about this place about you. I-" Her moment was cut short by a butler running in,

"Pirates sir! Heading for the Port!" he gasped, Cassandra was already gone running hard down the hall towards the main door. Joseph turned to the young butler standing slowly,

"The sails lad, what colour are they?"

"Black sir, pirates for sure. Shall I inform the Commodore?" Joseph smiled sadly and shook his head.

"The only thing they are here to steal is young Cassandra's heart, get my carriage ready and have one of the maids pack a bag for Cassandra."

Cassandra ran towards the dock, handfuls of her dress clutched in her shaking hands, her heart pounded in her chest as she caught sight of the black sails gliding into the docks. Jack stood at the portside searching the crowds, Cassandra pushed her way forward as the plank was lowered and Jack stepped off. He caught sight of her and a wicked grin spread across his face. Cassandra thundered up the pier as his arms opened to her.

"Its been too long Jack!" she gasped holding him tight. He eyed the approaching carriage with interest as he set her back down on the wooden pier. Cassandra stared at him her eyes glowing with warmth, she noticed her chestnut curl braided tightly into his hair and her heart nearly split with joy. Jack stepped back his eyes narrowing as the Lord approached. Cassandra turned and took the old mans arm.

"Jack this is Joseph, he's been looking after me," she gushed. Joseph extended his hand and Jack eyed it with suspicion before hesitantly shaking it.

"Welcome to Port Reece. May I inquire if your stay will be a long one?" Jack's cheek twitched and he shook his head.

"Just getting supplies and collecting some of my belongings as it were," he threw Cassandra quick smile. Joseph nodded and turned to his head guard.

"Fill this boat with the finest supplies," he ordered the confused guard. Jack lifted a finger,

"I was going to pay of course,"

"Of course you were son," Joseph smiled, "instead you can promise me that you'll look after Cassandra," Jack glanced nervously about him, still waiting for something bad to happen,

"Aye," Joseph nodded and turned to ask his other guard to fetch Cassandra's bag.

"you packed me a bag?" the Lord turned to Jack,

"I didn't think for one minute that you would leave here without Cassandra aboard you boat for a second time." Jack swayed forward a little and raised his finger,

"Ship," Joseph only smiled and turned to Cassandra hugging her tightly.

"This is not a goodbye Cassandra," he stated kissing her cheek. He turned and offered Jack his hand once more,

"Mr Sparrow," Jack winced.

"Captain, Captain Sparrow," he caught Cassandra's disapproving stare and lowered his eyes.

"And you Governor Maurus," he shook Joseph's hand.

"Lord Maurus," he corrected, Jack clasped his hands in front of him and bowed slightly,

"My apologies sir," Jack looked clearly uncomfortable and it caused Cassandra to laugh out loud. It would seem that he wasn't used to being welcomed into Port's such as Reece. Cassandra took her bag and began to walk onto the ship, Jack followed her quickly eager to get back onto his own ground. The ship was full and as it began to pull away Cassandra waved at Joseph blowing a kiss over the growing distance between them. Jack sidled up beside her.

"Not a bit old for you luv," he said wrinkling his nose, Cassandra elbowed his ribs, it was such a joy to hear his voice again, that incessant slurring and heavy accent. She turned to him.

"Why did you come back?" Jack shrugged giving her a side ways glance,

"Needed supplies, been in British waters we were passing by heading back into the Caribbean." Cassandra frowned disappointed.

"Oh supplies," she muttered, Jack caught her disappointment and shrugged,

"And you," he offered her a quick smile, "of course," Cassandra wasn't convinced. She had wanted Jack to come and get her because he wanted her to be on the ship,

"I missed you," she said her voice lacking any enthusiasm, she was testing him, Jack eyed her swaying as he usually did but said nothing. Cassandra pursed her lips, she hadn't expected the sod to admit it back to her but she was disappointed never the less.

"I see you didn't manage to acquire any emotions on you travels," she said sharply heading off towards her cabin.

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Supper had been a joy, Cassandra felt so happy to be among the rowdy pirates again. Mr Gibbs had been in his element telling stories of their travels. The brig was bursting with British riches and the crew were ecstatic at being back in their own waters, the mood could not have been any higher.

Belly full and a bottle of rum in her hand Cassandra made her way over to Jack's cabin. He glanced up as she entered.

"You missed supper," she sat the bottle of rum down on the desk and collapse into a chair.

"I see you brought me it," Jack smiled as he reached over and lifted her bottle. He took a swig and looked at her, "What do you want?" Cassandra took the bottle off him scowling.

"I just came in to talk to you," Jack raised an eyebrow and lifted his own bottle from his drawer. Cassandra sighed annoyed,

"Conversation not so hot in your blood either is it," she stood to leave, Jack studied her for a moment.

"Your father is after you," he said finally "Found out you were in Port Reece, Put a high bounty on your head for your safe return. His fleet are heading there right now. That's why I came to get you," Cassandra snorted,

"I don't need you to save me, Joseph would have been able to protect me."

"I didn't know you become so well acquainted did I?" he wrinkled his nose, "Might have been some one there that would have shot you in for the money."

"So you're a bloody hero!" she snapped, annoyed that he had felt the need to save her, annoyed that he hadn't come to get her because he wanted her on the ship. Jack looked almost bored with her anger and he stood to take off his boots, belt and sash,

"I could have just left you, he'd have caught you in no time," Cassandra didn't need Jack to explain this to her, True Joseph would have fought to protect her but Cassandra knew she would have handed herself in long before her father would have a chance to attack Port Reece.

"Why didn't you just tell me," Cassandra said her anger beginning to subside. Jack eyed her wearily unbuttoning his shirt.

"I don't need you to save me." he imitated pulling it off and throwing it loosely over the back of his chair. "Would you have got on the ship if I'd said anything?" Cassandra shrugged knowing he was right, her stubbornness would have left her in Port Reece.

"Why did you feel the need to save me," she asked catching his eye. Jack bent over to pull off his trousers, his cheek twitched and he thought better of it.

"I don't know Cassandra, perhaps I feel I owe you something," he answered with distaste in his voice. Cassandra opened her mouth to make another point but changed her mind when she seen the growing irritation on his face.

"Where did you get those?" she asked instead nodding at two bullet scars on his chest. Jack's face twisted into a grim smile.

"That would have been Governor Callis himself." he cocked his head to the side waiting for a reaction.

"My father shot you?"

"Aye luv, twice in fact," Cassandra stood and stepped closer, she reached out to touch the scars but Jack's hand shot up and grabbed her wrist.

"These scars run deeper that you think luv," he said softly letting go of her wrist.

"How?" she ran her lightest touch over the two dark patches of skin. Jack sighed.

"It was seven years ago, do you not remember? Seven of my crew hung at the hands of your father," Cassandra sighed, she did remember.

She had stood next to her father for each hanging, her father always made her do so, the seventh day she had watched as a young woman was hauled onto the gallows, she searched the crowd.

"Who is she looking for father?"

"The devil himself," her father had answered back, his tiny eyes scanning the crowds. The floor fell away under the girls feet, she was sobbing and screaming out a name before the noose tightened round her neck. Cassandra had turned away but her father a grabbed her young shoulders and forced her to look.

"This is what happens to people who choose piracy as their course." he had snapped as the girls struggles subsided and she hung still. Gunshots suddenly rang out and a commotion down below in the court, Cassandra's minder had grabbed her and pulled her back out of harms reach.

"The girl Jack, who was she?" Cassandra looked up at the captain, he studied her for a moment pondering on wither to tell. His eyes fell to the floor.

"That would have been Anamarie," he said quietly. Cassandra understood at last, Anger welled up inside her she tried to control her sudden urge to comfort the pirate. Jack straightened.

"I was too late, by only seconds I was too late," he shrugged. Cassandra let her fingers brush against the scars again.

"It is my father who deserves to be hung," she said bitterly pulling her hand away. Jack grunted and grabbed her wrist pushing her hand back on his chest.

"He'll pay his price, savvy?" he flashed her a gold smile. Cassandra smiled solemnly feeling the pirate tense under her touch. It pained him greatly to have a woman feel for him the way he assumed Cassandra did. It would certainly explain her moods. Anamarie had died feeling that way, she had died waiting for him to save her, it was a burden to him, one that he could never imagine happening again. He eyed Cassandra his eyes confused as she stared sadly at his scars. Fate and irony it would seem was swinging him in the way of another fall. This woman he had used so blindly to gain revenge on Callis was now his own weakness and he was damn sure Callis wouldn't hesitate to use her the same way he himself had done. Jack hooked a finger under her chin and tilted her head back, he stared into her eyes willing himself to feel nothing. Her eyes told only sorrow and guilt at sharing her fathers name. Jack's shoulders sagged in defeat. He couldn't push his feelings away any longer, this girl had been eating him up inside for too long now and he wanted nothing more that to protect her from her father instead of his own feelings.

Cassandra was shocked to the core when Jack kissed her, she tried weakly to push him away but he only pulled her tighter to him, she could have cried for the emotion that she sensed in his kiss. She gave in fighting her thoughts, it was after what she had wanted. Her body sank closer to him and in the dim light Jack and Cassandra both accepted what it was they each fought against.

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Cassandra wasn't sure what had woke her so abruptly. She Glanced at Jack, he was still asleep his arm thrown protectively over her. She sighed contented and snuggled further into the pirates chest, her eyes only closed for a second when the cabin door was kicked roughly open. Jack had already grasped his pistle and aimed it as the two soldiers and Jonathon Callis marched in.

"Ahh its yourself, Governor." he chirped un cocking the pistle and swinging his legs over the side of the bed. Cassandra stared horrified at her father pulling the blanket tightly round her naked body. Callis's lip curled into a sneer as he stared at her.

"She's not in her cabin sir." a soldier called from the other side of the door.

"No," her father spat, "She's in here." Jack pulled on his trousers as Cuttle slithered in. Jack's eyes flashed with anger.

"I'm guessing this is your doing mate," he asked the dark skinned pirate. Cuttle raised a heavy money pouch and grinned.

"Get him out of here," Callis growled and two of his guards grabbed at Jack's arms hauling him from the room. "Well well, my daughter, a pirates whore."

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I'm really sorry if this chapter appears rushed, Re writing it was really annoying. Anyway i hope you guys like it, i think Jack finally seen sense! Please reveiw! XX