So! I've gotten my 50 reviews, and you'll get you're eighth chapter! Yay!

Anywho, we left off with Jack being caught by Norrington, Marie is found, and blahbaddy blahbaddy blah blah blah . . . And then Marie fainted!

Now, onto chapter #8! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA*chokecoughhackwheezediediedie*HAHAHAHAHAHA!!

A/N—The real reason I haven't been updating is because I've got the flu. It's disgusting, really. That's why the *chokecoughhackwheezediediedie* thing is up there. *Sob* I DON'T LIKE BEING BLOODY SICK! And we all know that PotC belongs to Disney. Unfortunately. *Jack Sparrow Fan Club behind her goes 'We love you, Jack! Yeah!*

But, now, onto the chapter.

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I felt hardwood floor beneath me, and I felt the slow rocking of a ship. ~Where in Gods name is I? ~ I thought, lying there for a few moments, and then running a check on myself.

My head ached, as did . . . Well, to put it all into proportion, my whole bloody self hurt like hell.

I didn't want to open my eyes, partly because I was lazy, and partly because I could hear someone coming towards me. I groaned, just to let them know I was awake, and then sat up. I opened my eyes a slight bit, and only saw the dim outline of a person standing just out of the sun's reach. I widened my eyes, and looked around cautiously, remembering everything that had taken place before I got here. . . .Wherever here was.

It looked like the dim hull of a ship, which it probably was. The smell was horrible, and I wrinkled my nose at it, trying to not let it get to me, even though it did. 'Bloody awful place this is.' I muttered, pushing myself up so that I was kneeling and facing the person now standing next to the cell I was in.

'So, you're awake, are you?' he said, and I took note of his almost perfect English accent. I say almost perfect, because his accent had a hint of something else, another accent which I couldn't place. I glared at the shadow, and spat 'Where the hell am I, you bastard?!?', finding the outline of the man. He chuckled, and said calmly 'Currently, you are in a cell in the hull of The Hunter, a British Naval ship under the command of Commodore Norrington.'

I cursed so loudly, the man seemed a bit taken aback, and I stood with difficulty, as my head still swam after passing out. ~What does Norrington gain from taking me back? A promotion? A reward? I told mum where I was going . . . Oh, God! What about Jack? ~ I thought, feeling suddenly ill at the thought of Jack getting killed. ~Wait a minute . . . I've only just met him! Why should I worry about him being safe? ~ I thought again, but that didn't help. The man rushed forward, and held an arm through the bars, saying with a worried tone 'Here, miss. Take my hand, and I'll help you up.' I looked at him for a second, and took his hand, steadying myself and mumbling 'Thank ye verra much, sir.'

His face was worn, and he looked to be around his 40's at the least. A small blue hat was perched atop his round face, giving him a jaunty look about him. He was round, especially around the stomach, and reminded me of Father Christmas in a vague sort of way. My heart twisted a bit as I thought back to mum, who had told me of Father Christmas when I was 3. Ah, the memories.

The man grinned, a warm smile, and said with a kind tone 'You must be starving. I'll get you something for you, miss! I won't be more than a minute.' I nodded, for even though I was in an enemy ship, I was starving. The man waddled away, whistling a jumpy tune as he disappeared around a corner. 'Now, to find a way out of here. . .' I said to myself softly, looking about me for some type of wire, or a pin to use as a lock pick. I had learned how to pick a lock as a child, from a street urchin that I came across while playing with my friends. It came in handy, as I was a 'curious little blighter', as my father always said.

Finding nothing, I sat down in the furthest corner of my cell, glaring at the door that led to the upper decks. ~Norrington is probably cheerful, the bastard. ~ I thought bitterly, tapping my fingers against my knees as I thought of what to do. The man suddenly turned up again, carrying a small platter with a small bun and a mug of water on it, evidently for me. He set the tray down on a barrel, close to the bars, within my reach. I stood, gazing at the food with hunger, and the pains of hunger clawed at my stomach. I slowly reached for the small bun, and snatched it off of the tray, pulling it close to myself as I retreated back to my corner.

I ate the bun quickly, never taking my eyes off of the chubby little man who sat in a chair, and watched me eat. 'So, miss! What were you doing on that pirate ship? 'Tis no place for a young lady.' He said, and I stuffed the rest of the bun in my mouth, swallowing it only after a few chews. I glowered at him from where I sat, and said icily 'I ran away to be a pirate, of my own free will. That Norrington bastard has no right to take me back!', tucking my knees underneath my chin and silently cursing Norrington. Again.

To my surprise, instead of getting cross with me, the man just chuckled! I uncurled myself, and sat cross-legged, narrowing my eyes at him, and asking 'What's so funny? I mean it! That Norrington fellow is doing more wrong than I have! He's just trying to get Jack and me into trouble. . . .' The man wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, and said with a smile 'You misunderstand me, miss! I'm only laughing because what you say is true! Norrington is a bloated idiot, and only takes what he can to make himself look good.'

At this, I actually smiled, and stood up, holding out my hand to shake his. 'I do believe,' I said, smiling warmly at him, 'That I have just found a new friend.' I dropped my hand to my side, and said politely 'My name is Marie. Marie Kemp. And who might you be?' Well, the man's jaw dropped like a sack of rocks when he heard my name, and then he began to splutter 'Kemp?! Was your father Edward Kemp?' I nodded, backing away from the bars and thinking with alarm ~Bloody hell, what've I done now?~

The man stood up, and turned around in a circle on the spot, and when he turned back to face me, he was smiling. 'God bless you, child! I am George Bloate, and your father was a shipmate of mine back when he was still in the Navy! Oh, I never thought I'd see the day that I would meet one of his own! God bless you, child!' I was thunderstruck. ~My father was in the Navy? When did he quit out and become a pirate? ~ I thought, and sat down on the floor, saying 'Well, isn't that a treat. My father, in the Navy? I just thought he was a pirate since he learned to walk!'

George shook his head, smiling still, and was about to say something when we heard footsteps descending into the hold. George waved at me to go back into my corner, and turned around just in time to see Norrington come through the doorway. I had practically thrown myself into my corner, and sat there with my head resting on my knees, and thinking ~Good God, what does he want? ~ Norrington stopped right at the door to my cell, and waved a finger at George, obviously telling him to open the door. George nodded, and fumbled with the keys before fitting the right one into the keyhole.

~Bloody hell, what's he up to now? ~ I thought, and pretended to sulk in my corner as Norrington walked into my cell. 'What do you want, bastard?' I said, lifting my head to glare at Norrington, who stood by the door, hands behind his back. Norrington scowled at me, and said with a hint of boredom 'Since you are now a captive, I suggest that you try to be as silent as possible, Miss . . . .?' He paused, obviously waiting for me to give him my last name, which I (obviously) wasn't going to give him. I clenched my jaw, and stared straight ahead of me, saying 'Why the bloody hell should I tell you my name? You're nothing by a cheat and a lia-'

That's as far as I got. Norrington pulled out his sword, and held it to my throat, keeping me still. 'Never,' he hissed dangerously, 'EVER call me a cheat or a liar. I am a man of rank!' I pushed his sword away, and mumbled something that he didn't hear. Norrington narrowed his eyes at me, and he asked with authority 'What did you say?'

I stood up, brushing the bits of invisible dirt off of my pants, and turned to Norrington, saying with a hint of a smile 'I said, yes, you are pretty rank.' That tore it. Norrington closed the gap between us, and slapped me hard across the face. My head snapped to the side, and my jaw dropped open as I pressed my left hand to my cheek, the burning sting setting in to remind me of how hard I had been struck. Norrington called for guards, and two came down, one carrying chains.

As I knelt down on the floor, still holding my hand up to my left cheek, I saw the guards enter and Norrington barked at them 'Get her in chains, and bring her up to main deck.' I hardly put up a fight as I had the chains locked around my wrists, and I saw George give me a sorrowful look, as if saying 'I'm sorry.' I nodded to him as I was half dragged up the stairs, and winced as the sun caught my eyes as soon as I got up on deck. Some of the hands (A/N the crew) stared at me, and I glared back in anger, thinking sarcastically ~They look as if they've never seen a woman in chains before~

I was thrown up another stairwell to the helm, and was made to stand up. Norrington strode up the stairs as if he hadn't done a thing wrong, saying 'I've brought you up here, Miss, so that you can see a final glimpse of the sea before you're hung for treason.'

I swear, if I could've moved my hands, I would've strangled him. But, seeing as I was in irons, I spat at his feet instead. Norrington almost roared with rage, and moved to strike me again, when a man called down from the crows nest 'Commodore, Sir! Sails on the horizon! The Jolly Roger!'

I whirled around, and ran as best I could to the scuppers, and peered out behind the ship. There, catching fast, was the Black Pearl. 'Jack!' I whispered, and turned back around to say to Norrington with a smirk 'You are dead, Norrington! May God have mercy on your soul, for I won't!' This time, instead of him striking me, Norrington waved a hand at me, and I looked to my right just in time to see the guard beside me bring a club down on my head, knocking me out. Before I sunk to my knees, I whispered 'Bastard!'

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So, there we are!

I'm really sorry for not updating in so long. I only asked for 50 reviews because I was sick, and needed some extra time to actually stumble out of bed, make it to the computer, and type up this chapter. I'd especially like to thank Maze (from the Fanfiction Flamers Force), because she's been a real help to me in the making of this fanfic! As she's put in her recent review, we are on GOOD TERMS! And, I want to congratulate my friend, Servant of the Servant King, for becoming an author! WOOT!

Oh, and a special thanks to Ronnie, who pointed out my *ahem* mistakes in chapters 2 and 3. To everyone else, THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!!!!!! I LOVE GETTING REVIEWS! And if anyone has any idea for a muse, could you help me out? I'm in the market, as it were.

Thanks again!

Take what ye can, give nothin' back!

~8@ Marie the Black Rose @8~