Usual disclaimers but I'm trying to figure a way around it!

Thanks to Chelsey, Katrina, Killer K, evileyedpirategrrl, Sectorlutter, darigan sparrow, wamy, Mrs Sparrow, Nicky, SummerRain, Insolitus, Mayhem El Diablo, Firbereth, Xcoolcomic, beatlechiksteph, Nicoletta Sparrow and finally special thanks to Hilary for editing.

I hivered and hovered whether to put a section with Jack in, but Hilary said it read fine and most of the dialogue between them both explains it pretty well really.

A long chapter and I'll stop waffling now…

…

Chapter twenty five: 'For an intelligent man Jack Sparrow, you can be bloody thick sometimes.'

Jenny settled into a routine of rising early, going down to the market and buying some food then taking it to the quayside to eat, looking at which ships had entered the harbour during the night and eavesdropping on the gossip, her small size and silence rendering her almost invisible to the eyes of the pirates. News of Jack's find was the main topic of conversation and everyone was eagerly awaiting his return to Tortuga. 'Not as much as I am,' she thought darkly. But after almost two weeks there was still no sign of Jack or his ship.

This particular morning seemed no different to the rest and Jenny was about to turn and head back to The Six Bells when she became aware of a commotion aboard the ships anchored in the bay and looked at the entrance to Tortuga harbour. Her heart hammered as the bow of The Black Pearl appeared, sailing gracefully in the harbour amid cheers and whistles from all the pirates present. The anchors splashed down into the water and The Pearl fired a volley by way of greeting. Jenny could make out the figure of Jack standing on the poop deck, firing his pistols into the air.

She melted into the background as the crew from The Black Pearl came ashore, watching as Jack received a hero's welcome and being led into the heart of the town. Jenny followed then ducked into a doorway as he entered The Faithful Bride and pulled a scarf from a pocket, took her hat off and tied it around her left eye as she had seen so many pirates wearing, either because they had lost an eye or to make a very good disguise, then she replaced her hat. Taking a deep breath, Jenny walked through the doors and over to the bar, indicating an ale to the barkeep. She glanced around and spied a small table, fortunately empty and headed for it, surreptitiously watching Jack who was lapping up the attention he was getting from his peers and the whores.

After a couple of hours, Jack and his sycophants moved on and Jenny followed from a discreet distance, waiting outside The Wild Goose Inn for a while before entering. The party were sitting by the doors and calling out at everyone who walked in. Her mouth went dry and her hands clammy as she half-waved and nodded in their direction then got herself a drink and sat out of sight, but not of earshot, of Jack.

After what seemed like forever Jenny could hear him loudly saying his goodbyes and she jumped from her seat, shadowing him from a distance. She quickened her pace as he ducked down an alley and looked around in dismay as she reached the empty passage then broke into a trot as she tried to spot him. She heard a noise behind her but before she had chance to react, she felt a strong hand grip her arm and a cold blade pressed against her throat as he pushed her roughly into the wall.

'Who th'hell are you? Ya've been followin' me since I docked,' Jack growled, his voice heavy with menace. Jenny tried to reach the knife she kept in her belt, but he was too quick and grabbed her hand. 'Ah, ah, no yer don't. Now answer me question, who are ya?' He spun her around so she was facing him and glared at her. He frowned, almost in recognition and whipped off the scarf, bandana and hat in one movement.

'Jenny!' His mouth dropped open.

'Yes Jack, me. Surprised?' Jenny brought her fist up and smashed it into his jaw, sending him reeling. She winced as pain reverberated through her hand.

Jack shook his head to clear the ringing and rubbed his chin, eyeing her warily. 'What are ya doin' here? How'd ya get here?'

'I came over with George Weaver, Will set it up for me. I want answers, you bastard. My father kicked me out but I understood why. He never liked me. But you! Was the whole voyage a pretence? If so Jack, then you're in the wrong business. I'm sure you would do well in the theatre,' Jenny spat, her fist balling then slamming into Jack's groin, sending more pain shooting through her hand.

'Urgh!' Jack doubled up, one hand clutching himself the other leaning on the wall of the alley for support. 'W-what?' he gasped, still breathless. 'What th'hell are you on about Jen? Yer the one who turned on me.' Jack picked his knife off the ground where he had dropped it with her first attack and stowed it back into his boot, gingerly standing upright, still using the wall for support.

'I turned on you?' she screeched. 'When? Before I became ill everything was fine. When I recovered you did not want to know me, Jack,' she screamed at him, pushing her face into his, her face livid with rage.

'I heard ya,' he yelled back. 'You were crying out fer James, wantin' him ter rescue you. From me, I imagine.'

Jenny was shocked into silence and stood staring at Jack for long moments before finding her voice again. 'You stupid bastard! I was having nightmares about my father. James is my brother to whom I've always been closest. When my father announced he was sending me away, I begged James to try and stop him but my father's mind was set. It was not James Norrington I was calling out for. It was James Marston, my brother.'

'Oh...'

'Yes, oh.' Jenny closed her eyes, shaking her head slowly. She opened them again and looked into Jack's eyes, seeing pain and confusion in them even in the dim light of the alley. 'For an intelligent man Jack Sparrow, you can be bloody thick sometimes. Why the hell did you not ask me, hmm? I sent for you time and time again but you never came and I was in no state to go traipsing around the ship trying to find you.'

'I thought ya hated me luv.' He looked at her, realisation dawning on him of the terrible mistake he had made.

'Hated you? I don't hate you, you damnable man, I love you.'

'Yer luv me?'

The incredulity in Jack's voice deflated Jenny's anger like sails in the doldrums and she tried to stoke it up again with little success. 'Yes I love you, though God only knows why,' she whispered, looking down at the ground.

'Jen...?' Jack took a tentative step forward and brushed a strand of hair from Jenny's face then continued stroking along the line of her jaw until he reached her chin, which he lifted so she was facing him. 'Yer luv me,' he smiled, brushing his lips against hers then kissing her until they both felt dizzy from lack of air. 'Where've yer bosoms gone?' he asked, groping her.

Jenny threw back her head and laughed until tears were streaming down her face. 'Oh Jack, if you could see your face. I've bound them so I look more like a man,' Jenny chuckled, her heart contracting at the sheepish grin on Jack's face. 'Although, I can't wait to get the bindings off,' she whispered huskily, her fingers playing with Jack's beard braids.

'What are we waitin' for luv, come on. Where're ya stayin?' Jack led the way out of the alley, both of them on the lookout for trouble but they were largely ignored.

'At The Six Bells.'

'What? That dive? I don't think so Jen. C'mon, we'll go to th'Faithful Bride.'

'I can't Jack, I have to get back to The Six Bells.'

'Why? Ya haven't brought…? Bloody hell Jen, not all of it? D'ya know how risky it is, bringin' that much loot ter Tortuga?' Jack hissed, changing his bearings and hurrying in the direction of the run-down tavern, muttering under his breath.

'What else could I do Jack? I can't go back to Port Royal to collect it and it would have been too risky for Will to keep hold of it anyway. The Six Bells is ideal that not many frequent it, and no-one would suspect what is in the chest.' Jenny stopped outside the inn, and put the bandana and hat back on then pushed her way through the doors, Jack following behind. She nodded at Gertie who was polishing a glass with a dirty rag and looking Jack up and down as he crossed the bar towards the stairs.

'No guests in th'rooms,' she screeched, giving them both a filthy look. Jenny did not say anything in reply, just opened her pouch and slapped two Shillings on the counter before leading the way to her room.

'Yer a quick learner Jenny Wren, well done.' Jack shut the door firmly behind him and grabbed her around the waist, kissing her hungrily whilst tugging at her clothes. 'How'd ya get this bleedin' belt off?' he growled with frustration.

Jenny laughed and batted his hands away, ridding herself of the cumbersome belt. 'Now you know how I feel and I have that blasted sash to contend with as well.' She lifted his shirt over his head, not bothering to fiddle about with the buttons and ran her hands across his chest then down to his stomach, feeling his muscles contract at her touch. Jack did the same with her shirt and looked at the bindings around her body. Then with a crooked grin which glowed gold in the lamplight, started unravelling them.

…

'Why didn't you come to me?' Jenny asked as she lay in his arms, stroking his chest.

'I told ya, I thought ya hated me.' He sighed, trying to find the words to express himself. 'All th'time you were with me there was a naggin' doubt at the back of me mind that… I dunno. That maybe you were just goin' along with being my lover because ya had no other option. That maybe you were afraid of what you thought I might do if ya refused me.'

'Oh Jack…' she sighed, blinking away tears. 'Surely you knew? Nobody can put on an act for that long.'

'You thought I did,' he reminded her, kissing the top of her head. 'In my heart yes, I did know. But that doubt was always there luv, an' when ya screamed that ya hated me and wanted James ter rescue you, it just confirmed the doubt.'

'But it was not you I was referring to!'

'I know that now,' he admitted ruefully. 'I'm sorry luv, I should have cleared it up as soon as you were well again.'

'Oh Jack. Promise me you will never do anything like that again? Promise.'

'I swear on th'Pearl, I will never, ever do anything like that again.'

'Thank you,' she whispered, propping herself up to kiss his lips. 'I'll try not to come down with dysentry again,' she laughed, squealing as he rolled them both over, a wolfish grin on his face.

…

'I won't be too long luv, don't open th'door to anyone but me, savvy?'

'Jack! I've been here nearly two weeks without incident.' Jenny rolled her eyes exasperatedly, pushing him out of the door. 'Go,' she hissed, not wanting anyone in the tavern to hear her speak.

Jack hurried into the deserted main town, looking around to see if he could spot any of his crew that were sober enough to carry the chest back to The Black Pearl but he doubted he would. They never were sober after the first night back in Tortuga; they were never sober any night inTortuga. He stalked the corridors of The Faithful Bride, opening and closing doors amidst squeals of outrage until he finally came upon John Williams, buried to the hilt in a whore.

'When ya've finished, I need ya ter do something,' Jack chuckled mockingly at John's grunt and curse then winced as Giselle's strident voice hit his ears.

'Piss off Sparrer, he's paid me good money.'

'It's not you I want Giselle, it's Johnny boy.'

'Oh I see, I ain't good enough for yer any more, is that it? Aw, bloody 'ell Williams, gentle will ya?' Giselle slapped John's backside then lay back with a bored expression as he spilled his seed into her.

John climbed off the whore and did his breeches up, an embarrassed smile on his face. 'What so urgent Cap'n.'

Jack led him along the corridor, away from prying ears then leaned in to John. 'Jenny's here,' he whispered, grinning at John's shocked expression.

'Eh? Here, in Tortuga?'

'Aye, an' she's brought her chest wi'her.'

'Bleedin' 'ell Jack.'

'Which is why I need you and mebbe Pete ter carry it back to th'Pearl, savvy?'

'Aye, savvy. Last time I saw Pete, he an' Davy were headed fer The Tortuga Arms.'

'Right we'll head there, an' see if we can pick anyone else up on th'way.'

The two men hurried towards the tavern on the other side of town, looking around for any of the crew, and rounding one or two of them up as they went until they finally spotted Davy, throwing up in a doorway.

'Good ter see ya lookin' so well, Davy Phillips,' Jack drawled sardonically, waiting with folded arms until his crewman recovered. 'Where's Pete?'

'Wi'a coupla women,' Davy croaked, clutching his queasy belly.

'Still?'

'Nah, he's out cold an' so are they.' Davy led the way into a small house to a room at the back where Pete was indeed fast asleep, entwined with two women, one dark haired, the other red.

'Seems like you four had fun last night, ya dogs,' Jack grinned and shook Pete Symmonds roughly, getting no response. He sighed, rolling his eyes then bent down to Pete's ear. 'Look out, th'watch are comin,' he yelled, laughing as Pete shot up, upending the unfortunate redhead on the floor.

'Bleedin' 'ell Jack! Don't do that ter me again.' Pete bent and helped the woman off the floor, frowning as she eyed Jack up. 'What's so urgent Cap'n?'

'Jenny's here.'

'Here? In Tortuga?' Davy and Pete exchanged shocked glances.

'Nah, in Cuba.' Jack rolled his eyes sardonically. 'Of course here in Tortuga, an' there's somethin' else which I'll tell yer later,' he smiled sardonically at the whores who were trying to pretend they were not listening in.

'Aye, lemme just get me clothes. Will she be stayin' on board then?'

'Aye Pete, she will,' Jack tried to suppress a smile but failed miserably and grinned sheepishly at his large crewman.

'Ah, so no more morose captain then, eh?' Pete teased, ducking a friendly blow from Jack. 'C'mon Davy get yerself tergether man, we got a damsel in distress ter rescue.' Pete hurriedly pulled on his clothes, chivvying Davy along then with a quick kiss goodbye to the women, they strode from the house and back towards the town, quickening the pace when their captain told them the reason he needed them.

'Cap'n, won't it look suspicious us carryin' a chest t'the docks? Mebbe we should pay someone else ter do it, keepin' an eye on them from a distance, like.' Jack stopped and regarded what John Williams had said then nodded.

'Aye, you're right, Cookie. We'll find us a couple o'waysters an' pay 'em well. Joshamee!' Jack waved at his quartermaster, beckoning him over. 'Got some news that'll make yer day.'

'Oh aye, an' what'll that be then?' Joshamee Gibbs fell into stride beside his captain.

'Yer favourite woman is back wi'us.'

'What? Where is she, how the hell did she get here?'

'She's at The Six Bells. I know, I know, but she's been reasonably safe there fer th'past coupla weeks. George Weaver brought her over, probably recommended th'Six Bells to her as well.'

Gibbs looked around as Jack suddenly disappeared only to see his captain hurrying over to a group of youngsters, his arms flailing wildly around.

'Lad, how'd ya like ter earn a few coins in ya pocket?' Jack sidled up to them, his most charming smile plastered on his face.

'Umm, dunno Captain Sparrow, our gaffer don't like us workin' fer anyone else.'

'Ah lads, lads. I don't see yer gaffer around, who is he anyway?'

'Absolon Valentine.' A couple of the youths chuckled as Jack winced slightly at the name and nudged each other knowingly.

'Ah, Valentine.' Jack stroked his beard braids absently, 'Well I would not want ter get ya in to trouble wi'ya master now, would I?'

'What is it ya want Captain Sparrow?' The tallest of the youths pushed his way to the front of the group and stood before Jack.

'Nothin, lads, nothin' at all. C'mon,' Jack indicated for his crew to follow him and he made his way down the cobbled street, towards the rougher part of town.

'Captain Sparrow!'

Jack stopped and looked at the youths following behind, cursing under his breath. 'What lads? I'm rather busy, savvy?'

'If ya worried that we'll go back to Mr. Valentine wi'whatever ya want us ter do, we won't. Fact is, we're skint and Valentine…? Well, he don't like us fritterin' away our coins, like.'

'So I'll buy yer silence as well as yer service?' Jack scrutinised the young man carefully, looking for any sign of a lie and finding none. 'All right, we want ya ter carry a chest down ter th'docks.'

'That all? Why can't yer men do it or are they all past it now?' The group of youngsters all burst out laughing ignoring the scowls and mutterings from the pirates.

'That's enough lads, unless ya don't want me coins that badly… We have our reasons and they don't concern you, savvy? Now Pete an' John'll be at th'docks by th'boat waitin' for ya an' I'll be following behind wi'the others.' Jack nodded his head towards the docks and John and Mad Pete made their way down the street while the now larger group carried on towards The Six Bells.

…

'Jen? It's me, open th'door.' Jack entered the room quickly and swept her in his arms kissing her hungrily. 'I got some o'the crew together but we're goin' ter get some lads ter carry th'chest so as not to bring attention to ourselves. Ya got everythin' ready?' He looked her up and down, pleased to see her wearing a close fitting, short sleeved, sage green dress.

'Yes, I can't wait to get back.' Jenny picked up a bag containing her personal effects and opened the door, surprised to see so many people crowding the corridor. 'Oh Gertie's going to like this,' Jenny chuckled then found herself in a bear hug as Joshamee Gibbs embraced her, a huge grin splitting his face.

'Right lads, there's th'trunk. Ya think ya can manage it?' Jack smiled sarcastically at the youths then watched as they lifted the chest with ease and carried it down the narrow staircase.

'What the 'ell is goin' on 'ere? Who the 'ell are you?' Gertie screeched pulling a tatty shawl around her ample frame and glaring at the woman within the group.

'I'm the mute that's been staying in your dive for the past two weeks and paying you well for it too. Goodbye.' Jenny stuck her nose in the air and swanned from of the tavern on Jack's arm, giggling as she caught his eye.

'Off ya jolly well go lads, we'll be followin' behind.' Jack hung back until the group of youths were some hundred yards in front of them then started to follow, chatting nonchalantly to all and sundry but watching out to see if anyone was watching them, or more to the point, watching the boys carrying Jenny's chest. But to his relief they arrived at the docks with no incident and Pete and John had already loaded it into the boat and were rowing back to The Black Pearl by the time the group arrived at the wharf.

'Here ya go lads and remember, I've brought yer silence as well, savvy?' Jack gave the group three gold coins each then helped Jenny into another boat. 'Go on lads, ya don't need ter come aboard. I just wanted ya around in case o'trouble. Shoo!' Jack waved his crewmen away and took up the oars, smiling at Jenny as he rowed them back to his ship. 'D'ya want th'bosuns chair lowered Jen?'

'No, I'll be fine climbing up,' She grabbed hold out a rope ladder hanging from the side of the ship and climbed to the deck, smiling shyly at John and Pete as she realised there was no-one else on board. She bade them goodbye as they climbed down to the boat she and Jack had vacated then looked at Jack who was advancing on her.

'Is it safe leaving the ship largely unattended?' Jenny looked about at the other ships docked in the harbour.

'Aye luv this is Tortuga, we don't attack each other. Well, not all the time anyway. Besides, I've already stashed the treasure at Isla de Muerta. Now...' he snaked his arms around Jenny, pulling her close. 'I seem ter remember sayin' I'd have ya all over th'ship,' he nuzzled Jenny's neck, delighting in the sounds escaping her lips. 'An' there's no crew aboard, so I want ya ter stay here, I'll be right back…' He disappeared down the hatch leaving a bemused Jenny standing on the deck, wondering what he was up to, then returned a minute or so later carrying some blankets, a bottle of wine and two delicate glasses. Jenny took the glasses and bottle off him and followed as he led the way to the stern and lay the blankets down on the deck.

'Jack… it's broad daylight!' Jenny sat uncertainly on the blanket, watching as Jack opened the wine and filled the two glasses with the pale liquid.

'Aye luv, best time o'day ter do something elicit in Tortuga. Everyone's too drunk ter be awake unless they're rudely awoken by their captain,' he grinned, handing a glass to Jenny and raising his in toast. 'I missed ya, Jen,' he whispered gently, looking deep into her eyes, still not quite believing she had tracked him down.

'I missed you, Jack.' Jenny placed her glass out of harms way and took his hand, kissing his palm then tickling it with her tongue. 'Just remember the promise you made me and don't cast me aside like that again.'

'I won't luv, I swear it,' Jack smiled ruefully. 'Ya came back ter me,' he whispered, awestruck at the thought. His long tapered fingers caressed Jenny's face as she continued playing with his palm then he moved his hand to the back of her head and pulled her into a passionate kiss, ending only when they were both breathless.

'Oh Jen,' he murmured, pushing her gently back onto the blankets, shivering as he felt her hands exploring his back through the thin material of his shirt. 'Ya don't know how I missed ya, luv,' he murmured huskily, losing himself to Jenny's sweet embrace once again.

…