Disclaimer: I don't own any original POTC characters.

A/N: (we're picking up with Jack explaining everything to Juliet.) I realized it could have been confusing when I said they were first going to Tortuga, since they had already been there. Over the night Gibbs and Anamaria weighed anchor and brought the ship out for the night. They have to go back because they hadn't had time to get supplies the night before.

Chapter 16: Explanations Lead to Complications

"Roll up your sleeve." Juliet looked puzzled, however she did as she was asked, rolling her sleeve up to her elbow. She raised her eyebrows expectantly, nodding at Jack and trying to prompt him to speak. He looked around the room, at everything but her, still trying to avoid the topic. When he noticed she wasn't giving up, he sighed and put his chin in his palms, thinking over how he should explain this.

"Do you remember the night that we got these, Jules?" Jack asked, pointing to the identical scars on their wrists. Juliet nodded, absentmindedly tracing it over with her finger before looking back up to Jack. "Well... there was a reason... other than the one I told you... for making them. But I did mean the one I told you, too!" he assured her, smiling nervously. She looked at him with an expression that was dripping with distrust. "Me other reason... may have a little something to do with why we're wanted on this island. You see, there's quite a large treasure hidden there, but it's impossible to find, except if you have the map that tells its exact location. My father showed the map to me, and I gave it to you. I gave it to us, really, in the form of these scars. Now, nobody knows about them except me, and now you, and... well, Conway. He knows that I have one, however he doesn't know that you do, and he really shouldn't learn it. That way, we have something to negotiate the safe return of Jacquelyn with. Savvy?" Jack smiled, pleased with himself for putting all that information together so well. Juliet however, did not look quite as happy.

She slowly stood up from her seat, her eyes completely set on Jack. Slowly, she stalked forward, her eyes blazing in the light. She looked like she wanted to kill him, ruthlessly murder him and then display the body for all to see, to be an example of how people should not be. "You filthy, lying, greedy WRETCH!" Juliet shouted as she raised her hand to hit him. She flung it through the air with such force that it actually whistled, but Jack clamped his hand around her wrist before she could touch him.

"I really don't think I would have deserved that, love. I know that it might seem like I did it for selfish reasons, but it was going to be for both of us. It could have-"

"YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT YOUR GODDAMN TREASURE, JACK! There are more important things happening here than me and you! My daughter's life is at stake, and you're thinking about not telling Conway where the treasure is?! Ohhh, well you're wrong Captain Sparrow!! VERY WRONG! Conway's getting whatever he wants and we're getting OUR daughter back! She's yours too, this is just as much your responsibility as it is mine, not to mention the fact that your treasure obsession is the cause of all this!! You are a pathetic excuse for a father and a man if all you can think about is how you're going to keep your treasure when your child's life is on the line. You should think about that."

With that, Juliet swept out of the room and stomped onto the deck, pushing her way through the crew members that had gathered outside Jack's door, obviously listening to her screaming. Jack sat very still in his room, his head in his hands, sighing into his palms. Obviously his explanation hadn't gone over as well as he thought it would, and he was sure he'd be paying for it with the silent treatment from Juliet, or worse, her being polite to him. He would much rather have her screaming at him constantly than completely ignoring him, or treating him stiffly. However, Jack was sure she would do everything in her power to make him think about what she said to him.

................

The Pearl had briefly re-docked in Tortuga to pick up supplies, as Jack put it, among other typical things, such as rum and strumpets. Now, they had been back out in the ocean for two and a half days, and Juliet had not spoken to Jack since she yelled at him in his cabin. Jack had made multiple attempts to apologize, but by now he had given up. He wasn't upset anymore, oh, no- he was furious.

Jack came to the conclusion that Juliet had treated him entirely disrespectfully, and was fuming over the fact that she hadn't apologized to him. She had accused him of being greedy, which he most certainly was not. He had wanted to share the treasure with her. And, Jack added silently, convincing himself, Juliet had not deduced that as long as Conway didn't know who had the second map, Jack had something to bargain with. Yet no one would have that if Juliet went ahead and told Conway the moment they stepped onto that island. However, Jack noted his brilliance, Jules does not know how the two maps fit together, and therefore, her information is completely worthless. Jack smiled smugly to himself. This was a win-win situation-- there was no way he could lose.

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A/N: Another chappie.. I saw Bourne Supremacy last night and it may have given me an idea for a secret window fic.. not sure yet tho.. still not sure about a second potc story, though its in the works.. okie dokie.. new chap asap =)

DeynaIanBloom: I LOVE YOU. Lol, thank you sooo much for putting me as story of the month!! Please, do let me know when you make your site, i'd looove to see it. You can just email me if you want, or write it in a review! You're the best reviewer ever =D