A/N Quick update? Hope you like this chapter. I won't say anything, I don't want to give it away, but thanks to everyone who read and reviewed my last chapter!

Chapter Thirty One

We arrived at Tortuga in record time. Jack refused to allow Mubbs to slow down his passage, and they arranged to meet two days later in the harbour. I could tell by Jack's icy tones that he almost regretted not sinking the 'Fantasma' when he had the chance. It was a slow, cumbersome ship that could not stand up to the speed and strength of the mighty Pearl. It had already become a hindrance to him, and the loss of the crew on the Pearl slowed down the passage as it was.

Jack seemed far more content now that we were headed back to Tortuga; it meant more rum, more food, and probably more girls. To him, it was probably the next best thing to home.

For the first night since Annamaria's death, sorry I mean her murder, he came to me in the night. Perhaps for his own enjoyment, or to comfort me, I am not sure, but at last I felt things were getting back to normal.

However, every time I went down the ladder to the hold, I shivered with the cold, and could hear her ghostly voice as she cried out my name. I could image her icy hands stretching out and caressing my face. So as often as I could, I avoided that part of the ship.

We docked a little away from the harbour, and the rowing boat was brought out to take us ashore. Several of the crew were staying behind with the ship, but Jack, Gibbs, about eight others, and myself entered the rowing boats.

Jack did his fair share as we were taken ashore. The men then seemed to drift off one by one to their familiar haunts, I saw Gibbs heading to one of the less disputable pubs, and other men entering brothels and whorehouses. But I cannot judge them, after months and months deprived of women, who am I to grudge them their pleasure? My mother would have been appalled of course, and I can laugh at what she would say to the company I now grace.

Jack took hold of my hand and led me inside. The noise hurt my ears as he guided me through the drunken brawls, arm wrestling men, and the flirtatious women, to a vacant table. He swept the empty glasses on to the floor, and grinned as they smashed. Then, in true gentlemanly fashion, he held out the chair for me to sit on. I couldn't help but catch on to his flamboyant mood, and besides, away from the Black Pearl I had nothing to fear.

Jack noticed my change in mood, and seemed all the more affectionate.

"It's damn noisy in 'ere, innit?" He said, swigging his rum.

I laughed. "Well, it is a pub."

"That's no excuse." He made to get up, but I grabbed his hand.

"Don't start anything, Jack." I said, gently shaking my head.

"What do you take me for?!" He asked, with a look of feigned surprise.

I laughed, it was noise unused in my throat. But as the silence fell upon us once more, I felt the weight of the last few days settle once more on my weighted shoulders.

"Are you going to be holding interviews then?" I asked, suddenly.

He looked at me in shock. "What for?" He slurred.

"For the new captain, I thought, because Mubbs wasn't really up to scratch, I thought. . ." I began rather awkwardly.

"No need, love, I've already got my mind set on who's got the job."

"Who?" I asked.

He smiled. "Ah, now that would be tellin'."

"Well, surely you can tell me." I wheedled.

But he shook his head, and refused to say another word on the matter.

"We'll have to find some more crew members, since bout half o' 'em are now on the 'Fantasma'." He told me.

"And someone to replace Annmari…" I didn't even realise what I had said, until I said it. I stopped mid way through her name, and gasped in shock, turning away from the table.

He reached for my hand with a smile. "You can say 'er name you know."

"I know, it's just I thought we could forget all that tonight. Get back to the old days." I explained, with an apologetic smile.

"I don't dwell in the past, Dora."

"I know." I said, for the second time that night.

"Annamaria was a great sailor, and an even greater woman." He told me.

Something bubbled inside me. "And you'd know all about that, wouldn't you?" I demanded.

He looked at me in surprise. "What are you talking about?"

I laughed. "I'm not stupid, Jack. No matter how long you and Annamaria sat laughing at me."

He stared at me, unable to form a reply, and from his expression I could not judge how he read the situation. Whether he was amused that I knew of his sordid affair, or whether he was hurt that I had thrown it in his face after Annamaria's rather untimely death.

"I'm gonna get another drink." He said, getting up, and strutting over to the bar.

I chided myself, and sighed deeply, closing my eyes, and trying desperately to stop the tears which were already pricking in my eyes. It would do myself no favours by shouting at Jack, I could not change him, and if I did, he would not be the man I had fallen in love with. I would just have to accept him as he was. But surely, I had felt the exact same way about Roberto? I had thought I could change him…

About ten minutes later, he was approached by an old friend, and asked to join a game of poker.

"Course. Bout time I won my money back off you, Lockley."

Lockley was a crude looking fellow, with the appearance of easy morals, and a rather lapse outlook on life. His teeth had disintegrated in his mouth, and his skin was black with dirt. A yellow mop hung other his rather skeletal face, and he gave the idea of a dying man trying to cling on to life. He was the sort of man my mother would have deemed 'not fit to look at'.

As Jack got up, I grabbed his arm.

"Jack?" I asked, desperately.

"Care to join us?" He inquired, in his sickening tone.

I shook my head, annoyed. "No, but I thought we we're going to spend the night together."

He wormed his arm free. "I won't be long."

"A fool and his money are soon parted." I said, nastily.

He stared at me in surprise as I got up and brushed past him. "I'll be in my room, asleep." I said, as I walked towards the stairs.

"Yeah, I'll be up later."

"Do whatever you like, I'm passed caring." I said, as I stomped up the wooden steps.

I threw my self down on the bed in annoyance. I really thought Jack and I was going to talk, but all he wanted to do was get drunk, and gamble. I laughed softly to myself, typical Jack.

It must have been gone three by the time the door squeaked open, and the light form the secluded hallway burst into my room. I was awoken by the creaky steps, as Jack walked across the room in his drunken state. Naturally, closing the door had been on the bottom of his 'to do' list. I pushed myself up, and rubbed my eyes groggily. For the first time in weeks, I had fallen to sleep without worrying about an unearthly visit, without thinking about the shadow of Annamaria clouding my life. For the first time in weeks I had fallen into a dreamless doze.

"You awake?" He asked, with a slight hiccup.

"No." I replied, annoyed.

"Good, I haven't woken you then." He said, collapsing down onto the bed.

"Win?" I asked, in an icy tone.

He didn't reply.

"I take it you lost then. What did you bet this time? The Pearl? All the stores? Hey, why not even go crazy and bet a night with me?" I demanded, angrily. I was seething with anger, how dare he leave me for a night of gambling, then wake me up in his selfish, drunken repose.

"Would you be game for that?" He said, his eyebrows raising slightly.

I swung my arm out and hit him. "Jack!" I screeched.

"You know, Annamaria never use to act like this. She be just as pissed as I was, an' she'd ne'er mind what time I got back." Jack complained. I could smell the alcohol on his breath, and despised him for it.

"Yes, Annamaria was wonderful!" I cried, sarcastically. "I'm sorry you've been deprived of someone you love so much." I said, shaking my head.

He didn't catch my drift, or rather the alcohol wouldn't let him. He seemed to think I was being serious.

"An' she used to gamble wit' me too. Ol' Lockley was really offended that you didn't wanna play. He couldn't believe it when I told 'im about Annamaria."

"Oh yes, poor, poor Annamaria. Everyone's grieving for her, everyone's missing her. But do you know, Jack, what really bugs me?"

"What's that?" He asked, studying his nails.

"I killed Annamaria to get more attention from you, but I lost it all the more, because you couldn't stop grieving for the stupid cow."

He looked up at me with an expression such as I had never seen before grace his face. It was one of disbelief, shock, and hatred all rolled into one, intermingled with the glaze of drunkenness.

I began laughing, insanely. It felt so good to have everything in the open, it didn't matter what happened next, I just felt so light-headed after releasing that weighty secret which had been holding me down for weeks. And as we sat there, I couldn't give a thought to 'what now?'.

"I killed her, Jack. And I've never, ever, regretted anything less in my entire life." I said, each word slowly and with such relish. His face remained blank as his mind registered this new information.

"Say something."

A/N so what do you think? Her secret is finally out…