Right, you ready for another chapter, I'm not promising anything...!
Thanks to everyone who reviewed!! Just want to say that I don't know much - if anything - about saving people from drowning, so if you ever find yourself needing to save someone, then it would be a bit - wait I take that back, extremely - dangerous to do the same thing as Fen...
Hope you enjoy it!

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Chapter 13 : The cercle of life - Sea eats Jack eats chicken eats seeds...

Jack pulled on, tugging on his muscles even though they were screaming from pain and weariness. He couldn't listen to them. There was as much to swim back as there was to keep going, so he chose the latter without hesitating. It's all in the breathing: in, out, in, out, in- He took in a gulp of salty water, by mistake and coughed and spluttered it all around him, sinking down into the sea. He yanked himself up. There was no way he was going to drown, not when the Pearl was not by his side. He started swimming again.

All he wanted to do was to collapse onto his bed and feel his ship rocking to the rythm of the sea. Paradise. Rum. Wait, rum? Oh yeah, paradise means rum. His thoughts were getting more and more delirous by the minute. Hardly suprising after three hours of swimming. Wasn't as young as he used to be. Pull yourself together, Jack. You need to get to the Pearl. All in all, he was rather lucky there was barely any wind, otherwise his dear ship would have faded away into the distance as fast as the sandy beach he had left. He frowned and then realised it wasn't a wise thing to do in water, so he frowned mentally instead. Maybe trying to swim after his ship hadn't been the wisest thing to do. Maybe it hadn't been a wise thing full stop. Maybe he wasn't a wise person, even. Maybe- Shut up! He screamed mentally. He'd never doubted his judgement before, so there was no reason start just because some girl, no, what did he say, some boy had sailed off with his ship. Why had he just called Fen a girl? He had thought he was one, before, but after an um, unpleasant situation, he'd changed his mind, hadn't he? Bloody hell, he was going mad. He gritted his teeth and forced himself forwards.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fen stood on her ship, humming. It was her ship now, you see. For the plain reason that its Captain had obviously abandoned it. So Fen had to take it in, give it a bit of its past glory. You couldn't just let such a fantastically amazing ship as this rot to pieces on a sandy beach now, could you?

At first, it was true that she had taken, what shall we call it, possession of the ship to make Jack curse her day and night. But now all thoughts of him were far back in her mind. The only reason she even remembered his name was because it was practically engraved on the ship.

She sighed, happily. And a pirates life for me... Suddenly something caught her eye. It came from behind her and she only half saw it, as she was absent-mindedly scanning the ocean. She turned around, narrowing her eyes. Yes... Some of the waves were wrong, they shouldn't be- God damn it. Her jaw practically swung open. No, it can't be. It, it, it, it just cannot be... It was in the distance. Tiny, ever si tiny. So tiny, in fact, her eyes could be playing tricks on her. But if they are then they're bloody good tricks. She stared.

And stared. And stared. And stared and stared. How on earth had he managed to swim for this long over the bloody ocean? He doesn't think he's going to get his bloody ship back, does he? She paused to think. Blast it, I think he does.

Then a pang of guilt hit her. She swallowed. He was her Captain and he did have maybe a slight little right to his ship. Blast her blooming upbringing. How in heaven's name could a pirate bring a child up with such a strict bloody sense of what's right? It was enough to make the balance of the world go wrong. She took an extremely deep breath - she needed all the oxygen her lungs could get - and left the helm to walk over to the anchor. She paused, undecided, then in one swift motion hoisted the anchor up - swaying a bit because she'd not realised it was so heavy - pushed it overboard and clouted herself as hard as she could around the head. She swayed even more, seeing stars. She blinked, swallowed, repeated the process and ended up feeling just about alright. Slightly dizzy, but just about alright.

*-*-*-**-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Jack was sagging under the water by now, he was so tired. He'd faint to be dragged down to Davy Jones' locker if he didn't reach some kind of dry, or at least stable, land. And in the middle of an great expanse of ocean like this, the chances of actually finding that sort of island or floating log are approximately... nil. He'd need a miracle. He looked up, one last time at the Pearl. His soul was bound to that ship, if he died, he'd just have to come back to haunt it, and Fen of course. The bloody wench. He didn't have time to waste on idle complaints, just this single glance was costing him all hell.

Wait, he thought suddenly at the sight in front of him, doesn't look like miracles are all that hard to come by, these days. It was a funy thought, it's true, but he didn't have the energy to think about how his words came out.

The Pearl had stopped, like a horse suddenly reined in. He was going to make it. Another 300 hundred metres, a bit more maybe and he'd... be... there... He went as fast as he could towards the Pearl, forcing his muscles to obey. They did, the first stroke, but the second had only half the strength and the third not even that. There was no fourth. He was engulfed by the water and the barely existant waves. His last thought was of the Pearl, sailing in all her wonderful glory, riding the waves out into the horizon, without him at her helm...

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Fen saw him fall down. Not directly, but she realised it as soon as there was stillness in the water. The waves had taken their natural rythm back, the cercle of life continued. Jack had eaten a chicken who had eaten a bowl of grains and now he, in his turn, would be eaten by the ocean. There was no more to it. At least he'd died happy, that was all she could want for anyone, even him.

Died happy? Are you going mad, Fen? He's just lost his bloody ship, of course he didn't die happy, and as for the cercle of life, it's an amazing proof of you thinking for once, but it isn't exactly appropriate at the moment. Now, why can't you do anything right? And why, on earth, did you come up with such stupid ideas? You should have stayed on that flipping island, where you belonged. You-

She was jolted out of her thoughts as she felt her legs racing towards the edge of the ship. It wasn't her that was making them do it. All she knew was something willed them take a life of their own. And then to take a wild jump into water. She didn't think to complain about that, the thing was, what was she doing jumping off a ship into the middle of the ocean, when all around her was nothing but sea?

Then the answer hit her. She was going to save him. She was going to save her Captain, save Jack. She was going to save the Almighty - ahem - Jack Sparrow. The thought zoomed through her, warming her from head to tail. She felt a new energy come to her and cleared the distance in two seconds flat.

Only problem was, he wasn't there anymore. Course he isn't there, he sank under the water. She dived down, sure that there was about as much chance of her finding him - much more of her finding him alive - as there was of her finding the mythical needle in a haystack. What's amazing is that she was right. But after a couple of seconds, she saw his hat almost floating before her eyes, and seconds after that, she saw his limp body. Talk of miracles. This wasn't just a miracle, it was, well, something else, unnatural, not possible, a dream maybe? She pinched herself to see. She woke up with a jolt. Not from any dream though. She just woke up from her daydreaming thoughts - which insisted on staying with her - to feel him in her arms, and her kicking with everything she had up towards the light. Thank heavens for her reflexes, which is what they had to be, because otherwise he'd be dead and eaten.

She broke the surface and gasped, scoffing oxygen into her lungs. His weight pulled her back under for a split second before she burst up again, fighting for all she was worth. It took her about ten minutes to cover the same distance she had swam to him, and it was one of the first times in her life she had no thoughts swirling in her mind. She didn't think at all, until she had reached the Pearls shadow and then she couldn't help but think. How, of all hows, was she supposed to get back on deck? She could probably, climb up there by herself, but with this heavy lump? No, she'd not manage it.

An idea crept into her mind. If she could only untie that rope around her waist (A/N this is the moment you all scoff in disbelief) then she could keep him on the surface until she'd reached the deck. She did exactly that. Tied him around the waist - wincing slightly when her hands came into contact with his cold skin - and climbed up the side of the Pearl, slipping and sliding on the grimy wood.

She collapsed onto the deck, wheezing and thankful to be alive. She yanked on the rope burning her hands as it slipped down. She turned around and put all her strength into it, gritting and grinding her teeth from the effort. Jack- Sparrow- should- lose- some-, she grunted, weight. She pulled one last time and he plopped - literally - onto the deck.

She rushed over to him and stared down at his unconscious face. She reached out and trailed her fingers down his slimy cheek. He was going to die now, wasn't he? Typical, just typical. The first chance she'd had to save someone's life and now he was going to die on her. She leant down and placed her hand in front of his mouth. Nothing. Nothing at all.

She gritted her teeeth again and pushed down on his chest in a sudden heavy whoosh. A little water trickled out of his mouth. She blocked his nose, made a couple of disgusted faces and placed her lips as lightly as she could on his. She breathed out and drew back as fast as possible, spitting all over the place. Ugh, disgusting. I hope doesn't open his eyes else I'll never live this down. She pushed on his chest again and he spluttered more water out. She gave him a long look over. Couldn't he just wake up now? Then at least she wouldn't have to touch his - ugh - lips again. Looks like he isn't going to... She blocked his nose for the second time and this time boshed her mouth against his in the effort to get it over and done with as fast as possible, breathed out and before she could pull herself away, got a mouthful of salty water.

Just what I needed. Jack coughed loudly in front of her, wretching water and saliva over his neck and clothes. His eyes flickered open and caught hers. She watched him apprehensively. Go on, Jack, you can do it, you can make it, don't die on me, please don't. She bit her lip. Please.

Did you just... he started hoarsely before coughing again. Did you just kiss me? She gaped at him. Well, that wasn't exactly what she had been expecting. She had been thinking more along the lines of I'm going to kill you', you bloody whelp' or even a thank-you, though that would have been too much to even dream of, but that? Next time she would cut his tongue out. Of course I didn't kiss you. What do you take me for? And why on earth would I want to touch your cold, slimy lips. They're more like a fish's than a human's. Jack looked liked he was going to protest, but as he opened his mouth, his eyes closed and his head lulled to one side.

His tongue slipped through his slightly parted mouth and a trickle of drool slid out. Yuck, disgusting pirate. Fen watched his chest rise and fall. He was soaked and his clothes clung to him, though that didn't give her any pleasant thoughts. Now I'm going to have to do something. She looked around, more for advice - which there was no-one to give her - than for anything else. Hmmm, well, in the event of pirates passing out on the deck of their ship when no-one else is around, you should sit and wait calmly for a pig to fly by. She affirmed aloud, making herself start laughing crazily. She clutched her sides, gasping for breath. And that wasn't even funny.

When she had calmed down slightly, she stared at his face. He was so calm like that, half-snoring with his moustache rippling, almost sweet. Almost, not quite. Her hand whipped out, crashed against his cheek and then returned to her side. His cheek reddened and he was thrust aside, but he slept like a baby. Well, I should be happy it's sleep and not unconsciousness, I suppose.

She hauled him over her shoulder and marched over to her cabin. Stick him in here, she thought, then I suppose I'll have to be ready for a fight when he wakes up to see me at the helm of his beloved ship after having stolen said ship. Yup, there was defintiely going to be a fight. But she didn't plan on losing.

She lay him out on the bed, his dreadlocks slopping wetness all around him. Those ragtails are going to take forever to dry, she mumbled. As were his clothes, she noticed. But unless she was prepared to undress him - which she wasn't - he was going to stay that way.

Some part of her conscience stopped her as she made to walk out the door, He'll catch a cold. He'll get ill and die, all because you're being picky. All because you won't help him. And it'll be your fault. She grimaced. Stupid conscience. Jack definitely wouldn't go out of his way, would he? He did though, Fen. As much as you wish he hadn't, he did. He offered you a place on his ship and he carried you when you knocked yourself out. She'd worked out approximately what had happened.

She sighed and turned around. Walking over to him, she cast an eye over his sleeping form. Crikey, she wasn't really going to change him, was she? The question answered itself as she lifted his shoulders up and peeled his shirt off. It was plastered to him by all the water and grime. There done, she layed him down gently, not wanting to disturb his sleep - or more of not wanting him to wake half-naked to find her in front of him. She shivered. Ugh, this gets more and more embarassing by the minute.

After a quick rummaging in his wardrobe she found a clean shirt and quickly threaded it onto him. His trousers needed taking off as well, but that he could do himself when he woke. She definitely wasn't prepared to attempt it. She did take his boots off, however, and put him under the cover, making sure his head was on a pillow.

He'd have to be happy with what she'd managed to do. And if he wasn't, well, it didn't matter to her. She stood up and walked to the door. But as her hand touched the cool handle, she shot a glance over her shoulder. All was well, she could leave now. But she didn't. She felt something go through her that shouldn't be there, that couldn't be there. And on the spur of the moment she tiptoed back to him.

She breathed in, not daring to do anything but stare at him. Then she reached down and trailed a finger down his cheek again. She leant nearer to his quiet form, she could feel the warmth radiating off him - so much for him catching a cold. She slipped her free hand to her side and the other one left Jack's face to finger his chest.

She clenched her hand into a ball at her side. She could feel nothing, she couldn't even think straight. But she just had to do this. This one thing.

She raised the dagger to meet her fingers on his chest. His heartbeat was strong and calm, unlike hers. She pushed down on his skin, just above his heart. That's it Fen, just a little bit more...

Then she snapped ot her senses. She'd just blooming saved his life! Why did she want to kill him? She screamed for all she was worth, trying to rid herself of madness.

Jack woke up, blinking furiously. He looked around, decided there was no danger and asked sleepily, You alright, lad? Not even waiting for an answer, he promptly fell back asleep. Fen fell to her knees and dropped her head on his stomach. The dagger fell to the ground. I'm sorry, she whispered, I am so very sorry. She took a deep breath, getting a whiff of salt and rum. Jack didn't say anything or even wake from his slumber. Which was a good thing for her. After a minute she stood back up straight.

She looked at him. I think you're driving me as crazy as you are. She turned, without a word, and went outside, closing the door softly behind her. It was still day. It would be for another 6 hours at least. Thank heavens. She walked to the helm and looked in front of her, out to sea as it was. Where was she going exactly? She felt her lips twitching, she had no idea. Jack would be in for surprises when he woke! She set course for straight ahead, which could be just about anywhere. Was this a pirate's life, or was it just a madman's - or woman's - life?

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

I'm really pleased with this chapter! It wasn't to short, for once! Please tell me if you liked it or not, that way I can change things!! Hope you enjoyed it, PLEASE review! (Oh, and Happy Easter!!)

DaydreamBeliever14 : well, you could try living in every port, but, erm, you'll have to be on the move a lot. As you say, though, it is an idea *coughs meaningly*. I agree with you! Down with school and - especially - homework!!

kristhegreat : Thank-you for your review, it made me feel really good!! Hope you didn't get into trouble...

SparrowsFreedom : Thanks! Hope you enjoyed this chapter !

Eccentric Banshee : Wahoo, new reviewer! Glad you think Fen isn't a Mary-Sue! If she starts becoming one, then flame with all your might!

Arche de Katze : Another new reviewer!! Thanks for reading me little fic, hope you enjoyed this chapter too!

Living4CaptainJackSparrow : pleased you think it's funny! I didn't mean it to be, but if it makes you enjoy it, then what does it matter? Yeah, I'll ask around about Kohl, as well...