There he stood. The man of her dreams, her one true love being held at gunpoint about to be murdered by a cruel, mind-sickening man. Everything was a flash before her eyes. White, red, black. All the colors swishing past before her eyes. A loud sound, it was a gunshot. Her love collapsed and fell to the ground. There stood their enemy holding a smoky pistol. But the man she loved was not dead, nor wounded. He only passed out. Instead she felt a rising pain coming from her abdomen. In an instant she looked down and saw the red. Red blood was pouring from her side like a fountain. But, in turn, the man who shot it had the same shocked expression on his face that she did. After only a few seconds more, he swayed a little before tumbling into the waters below. She looked down at her wound once more before she herself succumbed up to a world of darkness.

With sweat dripping down her temples Gemma lifted her head from her pillow and observed her whereabouts. Now remembering the past day's events, she calmed down. Gemma noticed that Anamaria was nowhere to be found and there was shouting above deck. Not wanting to be late for anything, she quickly got dressed and walked up top.

" Oye! Lass! Get over 'ere!" a man shouted. Gemma walked over to him and introduced herself.

" Well, tis nice to meetcha miss Doyle. Pleasure to have ye aboard. Me name's Gibbs. And this here be Cotton. Bloody devil got his tongue cut out, so don't be expectin any replies. Anyways, Jack asked me to show ya the ropes around here, so if ye could just follow me…."

The rest of the day was spent learning the ropes. All the crewmembers were nice enough to Gemma showing her how to work the riggings and such things. But not once did she see the mysterious captain.

"Gibbs, where's the captain?" she asked out of curiosity.

"He's probably in his cabin drinking some rum. Why do ye ask?"

"Oh, just curious. I don't want to be killed like the cat though."

"Huh?"

"You know, the saying? Curiosity killed the cat? Haven't you ever heard it before?"

"Can't say that I have miss. But if ye are plannin' on seein' Jack, watch out for flyin' objects. He tends to get a little crazy this time of the year."

"And why is that?" Gemma wondered.

"Because, this be the longest period of time we're out on the sea. That means no women. And no women equal a crazy captain. Best of luck to ye."

Gibbs then sauntered off into the galley looking for food while Gemma wondered if she should go and talk to Jack. Deciding it was the best to do so, she strolled over to his doors.

*Knock Knock Knock*

" Who is it?" he asked with an annoyed tone.

"Just me Captain, its Gemma." She replied, slightly worried.

"Oh, come in then."

Gemma opened the grand doors and was amazed at how clean it was compared to last time. No rum bottles lying around, all the maps were in place.

"Is something the matter Captain? I haven't seen you all day, and even though this is only my first, I think it is safe to say that you are always at the helm."

"Honest to drunkness, lass, I don't know whats wrong. But I know something is. I have a feeling, and it aint a good one."

Jack, wondering why on earth he just told this woman that he is feeling a little uneasy, began to marvel at how open he feels with her. Like he could tell her anything and she wouldn't become upset.

"I don't know what to say other than im sure the crew will be prepared for anything that comes our way, so there should be no worries. Also that Gibbs showed me around today, and tomorrow I will start working on whatever your heart desires."

Taking both of what she said into consideration, he became silent for a few moments. Only when Gemma started to walk out of the cabin did he say anything.

"Thanks luv. Ye can take the rest of the day off and do whatever ye wish. Only by yer onsies though. I'm still gonna be in me cabin sortin some things out. But ye can always stay 'ere too if ye like."

"That's ok Captain, I will ask Gibbs if there is anything he needs help with. I never have liked to stay idle for too long."

"Truth be told lass, you're a hard worker and I admire ya for that. Congrats, ye have now crossed the line onto me good side. Best be stayin there too. So, off you go."

Gemma bowed and walked out of the cabin in search of Gibbs. She found him coiling up some extra rope near the mizzenmast.

"Gibbs, where are we headed?"

"Oh, 'ello there. We be headin to Tortuga to stock up on some supplies. Ye mind givin' me a hand?"

"No of course not."

Gemma took on the task of coiling the rope and started to sing a little song she knew ever since she was a little girl.

"I'm a pirate! That I be!

I sail me ship upon the sea!

I stay up late till half past three!

And that's a peg leg below me knee!

Yo Ho, my friends I have a tale

Of treasure, plunder, sea, and sail

My story's bigger than a whale

It gets so deep, ye'll have to bail

I like to fish, I like to fight

I like to stay up half the night

When I say starboard ye go right

Me ma, she says, ye look a fright

And that's all there is to this song

I hope it hasn't been too long

A pirate's life might just be wrong

So grow up nice and big and strong!

I'm a pirate! That I be!

I sail me ship upon the sea!

I stay up late till half past three!

And that's a peg leg below me knee!"

Jack left his cabin wanting to attend to some business at the helm, but as soon as he opened his doors, all he heard was Gemma. He came over to where she was working without a care in the world, and stood there waiting to hear the next verse of the corny song. Just as she finished, he let out a series of chuckles followed by a grin. He stood there amused until she spoke up.

"Yes Captain, may I help you with anything?"

"No me dear, just continue what ye're doin' now. But please, do finish the song. How does it go again?"

"Its an old song my mother taught me when I was little. It's called A Pirates Shanty. Find it entertaining do you?"

"That I do. Mind teachin' me?"

"I suppose. But it will cost ya! A bottle of rum and a smile."

"A smile I can afford, but me rum? Me own private rum? I suppose."

The two of them walked off into his cabin and none of the crew bothered interrupting their happy captain now that he was no longer in a depressing mood.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Yeah, I know I'm being a little slow with the whole plot thing, but its coming. I promise!

Don't murder me yet, just wait a little while longer! But you know the drill, please

review!

~ Jackie