I suppose it's been a lil while since my last disclaimer so here's another one for all you lovely ladies, and any gentleman reading this.

I do not own pirates of the Caribbean. Gods how I wish I did, but I don't. I don't own the Black Pearl, nor do I own Jack, they sadly belong to Disney. Although I think I would do better if I owned them, at least in my twisted little head. ANYWAY... I do own Saihrena, Rakasha, Gabriella, and all the others you don't recognize, so no thievery! Okay, enjoy...

Chapter 6

Family Matters

Saihrena stared at the palace before her. They had landed in Oporto, and once there Jack had declared that he would personally take her to Chaves, the city where her brother lived. It took two weeks of travel by carriage for them to reach her brother's small palace, but they were here. Jack had wanted to go straight to the palace, but Saihrena had scoffed at this idea, making him take her to an inn where she could bathe and change into something more suitable for meeting her brother. She was stunning; her dark hair was braided up and twisted around her head. She wore a black gown that reached just below her ankles, and showed most of her cleavage. The dress laced in the front, to Jack's disappointment, so she could lace it herself. Rakasha had stayed on the Pearl, claiming in her state she could not endure the ride. Saihrena knew better though, she had wanted to spend time alone with Jack's new helmsman. He was recently picked up while they were in Spain, and Saihrena had her doubts that her friend would stay with her. She was losing the three closest people in her life. The driver of their carriage was speaking to the guards in front of the palace gates, and she waited for them to speak with her.

"Open the door," one of the guards barked, and at her nod Jack pushed the door open. Saihrena looked at the guard with distant, disdainful look. He nodded to his companion to come over before he began his questioning. "What is it you want with his Majesty?" The guard was obviously speaking to Jack, but since Jack could not speak Portuguese he just stared between Saihrena and the guard.

"I am his sister, this man is delivering me to him," she answered, nodding her head in Jack's direction.

"His majesty does not have a sister," the guard sneered.

"Of course he does," she said disparagingly. The guard watched her carefully, obviously assessing her sincerity.

"I will take you to see his Majesty," the guard decided finally, and shut the door. She could feel the carriage move as he jumped on the side and yelled something to the driver.

"What was that all about luv?" Jack whispered, his lips grazing her ear.

"He didn't believe me."

"Why not?"

"He said that his Majesty didn't have a sister. Something is going on Jack, I just wish I knew what," she mumbled. She felt the carriage slow down and come to a stop. They had reached the palace at last. Her heart beat excitedly as Jack jumped out, leaving her to manage by herself. She gracefully stepped down, and took the guards offered hand when the man realized Jack would not help her down. She scowled at Jack and his amused grin.

"Follow me," the guard said. Saihrena looked up, the palace was beautiful. It had about twelve steps that led up to a grand entrance. The stone was a deep grey, it was a very imposing structure. They entered through the large door and followed the guard through the maze of the palace. As she walked she was reminded of the last time she had followed a guard through a palace, her chest tightened with fear as her thoughts wandered to her time with the Sultan.

"Ye a'right?" Jack whispered, seeing the look on her face. She nodded, smiling slightly for him.

"Wait here," the guard said as they stopped in an antechamber. Uncomfortable looking chairs were strewn about the small room. Saihrena smiled at the guard and took a seat, her earlier estimation proving to be true as she did so.

"Thank you," she mumbled, and motioned for Jack to sit and wait. The guard nodded and left them.

"So 'ere we are, all by our onesies, what would ye like te do princess?" Jack smirked, sitting next to her.

"I would like to wait for my brother Jack," she told him scathingly.

"These chairs are damn uncomfortable, what do ye say we move this to the floor?" He asked, making her chuckle.

"Wouldn't that be a sight for them to walk in on us? Lying on the floor together? While that might be rather funny I would rather retain my dignity."

"Aw luv, ye hurt ol' Jacks feelins, are ye sayin that bein caught with me would ruin yer reputation?"

"Aye, that's exactly what I'm saying Jack," Jacks face fell into a frown as she said this, making her laugh.

"And here I though ye liked me," he mumbled, turning away from her and watching the door.

"I do Jack, and that is why I don't want to get you killed. Who knows what would happen if my brother found us in such a compromising position, he might think you tried to steal my virtue."

His eyes lit up as he turned away from the door, "so ye do like me?" Saihrena laughed at his obvious attempt at ignoring the rest of what she had said.

"Believe what you wish Captain, but I do believe we have company." Jack turned back to the door and smiled grandly. Saihrena stood and motioned for Jack to get to his feet. He did so lazily, and stretched as he stood. The guard from earlier walked into the room.

"His Majesty has a moment to speak with you, if you would follow me I will take you to him."

They quickly trailed him through the maze of hallways. As they walked Saihrena felt a hand come to rest on her bum and looked over at Jack. He was grinning mad. She quickly smacked his hand away and stepped away from him. He pursued her and placed his hand on her rear yet again. She grumbled quietly and this time pushed him away from her. He just smirked back at her and kept his distance. She knew he was planning something when the smirk didn't leave his face. She scowled at him and shook her head silently, trying to convey without words that he needed to act more gentlemanly, hoping he understood, and hoping he would. The smirk didn't leave his face. They came to a stop in front of a small door, not what she was expecting.

"I will announce your presence, M'lady?" He paused, waiting for her, and she realized she hadn't given him her name yet.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Saihrena and this is Jack-"

"Smith," Jack cut her off, and she smiled slightly, having forgotten he was a wanted pirate. The guard simply nodded and entered the small door. He left it open behind him and she could hear him announce their presence. The guard stepped aside and she entered, her eyes were wide as she took in her surroundings. It was a study, or library, she couldn't decide which. The room was a mess, there were no book shelves, but books were scattered everywhere, they were littered on every flat surface. The floor boasted most of them, but they were stacked on chairs and tables too. The first thing that came to her mind was how John would never have stood for such clutter. The second thought that burst into her head was that the man standing in front of her, wearing a crown was not her brother. She stopped mid-step and stared. Jack, not realizing that she had stopped, smacked into her, making her fall.

"Bloody woman," she heard him curse as the floor rushed up to meet her. Before she could hit however a pair of arms flew into her vision and grabbed a hold of her. She looked up to see the man wearing her brother's crown.

"Are you alright?" He asked in English as he stood her up. She nodded, not trusting her voice at the moment. The man was very tall, over six feet. He had long blonde hair that cascaded down his shoulders and bright green eyes that gazed into her own. He was incredibly handsome; he wore tight fitting pants and only a vest, no shirt underneath showing off his muscular chest.

"So you are the woman claiming to be my sister," the man stated more than asked.

"N-no, not your sister," she stuttered perplexed. "Who are you?" The man in front of her laughed at her confusion.

"I am King Morgead of Portugal my lady."

"B-but, my brother, what happened to him?" She whispered, watching the man in front of her, Jacks presence forgotten for the moment.

"Who is your brother?"

"John Senire'."

"You are Saihrena Senire'?" He asked in bewilderment. She nodded slightly. "I see, where have you been? Your brother was worried sick, we all thought you dead," the man, Morgead, ranted pacing the floor in front of her.

"Please, where is my brother?" she asked, breaking him out of his outburst. He stopped and stared at her for a moment, his eyes going wide.

"Princess Saihrena, I regretfully inform you that your brother," he paused as if not sure how to continue. "Your brother died at sea, he sent his armada searching the seas for you and his ship was attacked. He didn't make it back, I am sorry." Saihrena's eyes filled with tears that began to fall heedlessly down her cheeks.

"No, he can't be dead," she whispered, her eyes willing the man in front of her to be lying. "Please, he can't be dead." Her legs gave out beneath her, and she felt arms wrap around her. She turned to see Jack supporting her, and buried her face in his chest.

"There, there luv," he said, stroking her hair. She could feel Jack was uncomfortable, but she couldn't stop the sobs that were raking her body. She stayed there for what seemed like hours, crying into Jack's chest before she was in control enough to pull away. A handkerchief was thrust into her hand and she smiled slightly in thanks to Morgead. She slowly wiped her eyes, allowing Jack to support some of her weight as she did so.

"Please sit down," Morgead said, pushing a pile of books off of a chair. She nodded and Jack walked her over and sat her down. Morgeads eyes watched him as he held Saihrena's hand, trying to comfort her wordlessly. "I do not believe we have met yet," Morgead said. Jack looked up at the man and smirked.

"Me names Jack S-Smith," Jack stuttered, having forgotten his pseudo name.

"And how exactly did you two meet?" Morgead asked, his eyes flashing with an emotion Saihrena couldn't name.

"He rescued me and brought me here," Saihrena said, her tears having finally abated.

"Princess, where have you been all this time?"

"Well, that is a very long story your Highness."

"I see. Well you two must stay here, I insist. I have some things that I must attend to, but we shall have dinner tonight and talk about everything. Fredrick will show you to your rooms. Until this evening," Morgead said, taking her hand and kissing it.

"Thank you your Highness," she said. He nodded to Jack, who was trying hard not to glare at Morgead as he kissed Saihrena's hand. He nodded back and watched until he had left the room.

"Ye gonna be okay luv?" Jack asked, helping her to stand.

"I-I'm not sure yet," she whispered and followed the guard that had led them earlier, now known as Fredrick, out of the room. "Only time will tell."

I'm so happy, I have 18 reviews, thank you all so much! Rachel Sparrow, to answer your question as to why he was in such a hurry to get her out of the room, I was kind of going for Jack understanding that she wasn't ready. I wanted him to be a tad bit sensitive to her needs, though I tried to show that he was upset by her leaving. I hope that answered your question, if anybody else has any questions, besides what's going to happen next? Feel free to ask and I will answer them to the best of my ability. Thank you all for the awesome reviews, you sure know how to make an author feel loved! Hope you enjoyed this chapter, have the next one up asap! Keep reviewing.