Oh, dear… looking back at my notes (which are scattered on tiny papers over my desk at work and spill into my working notebook; strange tidbits about advisors to King George and how to value Tahitian black pearls, an odd statement about Google and "Jenkin's Ear", along with 'pearl' translated into four different languages), it seems that my tylenol-with-codeine-and-impending-financial-disaster inspired brain started a second story. That's interesting. That's very interesting.

Now that the root canal is done and the taxes are filed, I better go have a chat with Jack and the rest and see what they've been up to while I was 'away'. Hey, what's this? Ah… it appears someone left a map here, under my chair…

Captain William Turner paused as they walked through the gardens in the velvety darkness. "Now that I think on it, Jack, I promised the crew I'd be back before morning." He shook his head with the hint of a laugh. "I'm not quite used to being the one they answer to, I suppose."

The pirate couldn't help smiling as he pictured his old friend and lookout as the responsible captain of his own ship. "Ah. And I suppose you're docked smack in port, and a shilling lighter, to boot."

"Wouldn't do for himself's ship to settle anywhere else, would it?" William gave a smug little grin. "Good luck with Ana, then. I'll be back with the governor tomorrow."

"Fair enough."

"Jack." A thought struck William and he stopped walking, standing like a statue in the pale moonlight.

"William." The pirate spun to a stop, his elastic wobble a stark contrast as he looked at his old friend.

"Wouldn't it make more sense to come with me, meet her in Port Royal?"

Jack sighed rather overdramatically. "She promised she'd be aboard by midnight."

They looked at each other, and William finally shrugged. "It's certainly worth a try."

"Indeed." Jack looked out toward the sea, a touch of concern furrowing his brow until William spoke again.

"By the way, Jack. Are you ever planning to tell Swann that your crew was one of the main reasons for the 'disrepair' of the guest house?"

Jack grinned quietly as he leapt over the small garden pool, narrowly missing a newly planted primrose. "Don't know if there'll ever be an opportune moment for that, mate."

The two men chuckled as Jack disappeared into the forested hill. His voice drifted back on a soft, vanilla scented breeze. "Until tomorrow, William."

"Tomorrow." William looked up from the forest and stood staring fondly at the moon for several minutes before walking around to the front of the house where his horse was tied. Soon after, at an easy trot, Captain William Turner was on his way back to his ship.

Jack made his way down the hill next to the stream in the dark, moving with his familiar loose confidence. He smiled to himself as he ran the last bit to his dinghy, wondering if he would beat Ana to the ship. The moon made it clear that it was well past midnight, and he strongly doubted his best helmsman would be able to keep her promise.

As it turned out he was first, but only by a hair. Gibbs had just finished directing the crew as they stowed the captain's dinghy when Anamaria's voice rang out in the night. "Throw me a rope, ye old dog, an' be quick about it."

Gibbs grinned broadly over the rail to the shadowed side of the ship. "Ah, now, there's no need to be goin' on like that, Miss Ana. All in good time."

"It's time I don't have! If the captain finds out that I'm late-"

Jack's voice floated down to the water. "Aye. I'm sure he'll have your head."

A muffled curse drifted back up. "Sorry, Jack. I was…"

"I'm sure you were. Bring her up, Mr. Gibbs."

The captain was smiling as a rucksack flew over the rail; frowned a bit confusedly when it was followed by an elegant broad brimmed hat trimmed with silk flowers; and shocked when that was followed by Anamaria herself. As Jack saw her in the light of the moon, his eyes widened. The night watch nearby, when they saw her, erupted with whistling and catcalls.

"The next man who has the burnin' need to say somethin' about what I'm wearin' will feel the back o' my hand, and no mistake." The silence was instantaneous.

Anamaria stood like a vengeful queen in the moonlight, wearing a full gown of gleaming emerald green satin. The skirt was divided in front to show cream and gold brocade beneath, the same fabric that formed gauntlets for the high, puffed sleeves. A low neckline accentuated her slim waist beneath a generous expanse of cleavage, and a small, heart shaped emerald on a gold chain rested prettily on her collarbone. Apart from the look of dangerous fury on her face, she was absolutely stunning.

Gibbs recovered first. "By the saints, Ana. Yer a vision."

She lifted her hand but stopped, shook her head, her lips tight. "Aye, and yer just havin' on with me."

"No, Ana, he's right." Jack picked up her bag and hat, moved closer to her with an appreciative smile. "Quite beautiful."

He wasn't sure if she was angry or not, but she gave him a strange look, took her things from him and fled to her cabin. Jack looked at Gibbs, pointed a long, slender finger gracefully.

"I suppose I should give her a few minutes."

"Aye." Gibbs walked over to check that her dinghy was properly secured, and shook his head. "Ye wouldn't catch me walkin' into her cabin right now for all the gold in China." Jack turned back to frown at him as he walked away, shrugged, and went to check over his ship.

The Black Pearl wasn't resting at anchor, but pacing leisurely back and forth around the eastern coast of Jamaica. Since they were technically 'wanted men' in these waters, the captain preferred to keep them in motion. Between getting the watch report from Gibbs and a scant two hours sleep, Jack didn't actually get to talk to Ana until she came up on deck for the last watch before dawn. He had left word to keep him informed, and managed to drift up to the helm almost magically just moments after she took her station. Gibbs was standing right beside him.

"Mr. Gibbs, take the helm." Anamaria, who had looked somewhat sleepy as she took the wheel, threw him a startled look, abruptly wide awake. "Miss Ana, if you'll come with me, please."

They walked back to his cabin, Jack swaying gently with his ship, Ana striding angrily. As soon as the hatchway closed behind them, she crossed her arms on her chest, radiating indignant fury. "Listen, Captain, if this is about me bein' late last night, I think I had fair reason -"

"Listen, Ana-"

"Besides. If ye wanted me back sooner ye could've sent into town. It's not like you didn't know where I was stayin'-"

"I know, love. I just -"

"Ye'd think that spending months at sea would be enough to earn someone a bit o' time-" Her voice trailed to a harsh running mumble.

"Ana! If you would please shut up for five minutes, if that's at all possible." He lifted his hands defensively in front of him. "The subject I wish to discuss is only related to last night in the most convoluted manner." His statement had the desired confusing effect, and she frowned at him, sitting with a huff when he indicated a chair. Jack paused for a minute, catching his straying thoughts and deciding on the best phrasing. Finally, he shrugged and put it simply. "I'm wondering if you're interested in staying at Port Royal."

Her eyes widened before she settled into a hurt frown. "You know it's not safe, Jack. For me or Ellis."

"Indeed." He softened his expression, hoping she would relax. "But if you could?"

She shook her head, staring defiantly out the windows. "You don't need the answer to that."

Jack nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "How is your dear lieutenant, by the way?"

An unusually sentimental smile passed briefly over her face. "He's - fine."

"And you?" Ana tried to look annoyed, but his expression was far too sincere for her to manage it. "How are you holding up, love?" She sighed.

"I'm alright, Jack." Her hand went to a long silver chain at her neck that had replaced the delicate necklace she was wearing when she came onboard. She absently drew the chain out from under her shirt, her fingers playing over the plain gold band that hung from it. "Course it's hard to leave 'im again."

"Ana-" Jack stopped as she looked up at him, and something about her eyes reminded him of the first time he met her. She was younger then, less experienced, but no less proud. He looked at her for a long while.

"What's in yer head, Jack?"

He blinked once or twice, cleared his throat and stood restlessly, pacing over to his desk. Picking up a quill, he turned it in his hands several times. "Swann's offered me a full pardon."

Ana looked dubious. "An' what do ye have to do for it? Turn us all in?"

He shook his head, walked back over to the table and sat down. "No. I just have to help Bootstrap deliver some gems to Crab Island."

She looked like even the name smelled bad. "There's a hell-hole, and no mistake. The waters are teeming with vermin for miles around."

"Aye. But for a full pardon?" His dark eyes glanced up at her from under drawn brows. "Not a bad trade."

Ana tucked the ring back into her shirt, nodding thoughtfully. "Aye, Jack. Sounds more 'n fair to me, which makes me wonder if you're bein' careful enough." Her expression darkened. "But what of the Pearl, and the crew?"

"She's free as well. Protected by the crown." He dropped the quill on the table and looked her square in the eye, watching her reaction carefully. "As will be the crew." She stared at him, and slouched suddenly back in her chair.

"Yer jokin'."

"No, it's quite serious."

She stared thoughtfully, her eyes glancing around the cabin. "You know I love the sea, Jack. He's navy; he'll still be sailing…"

"Yes, well." He stood again and walked back to the desk, pulling a leather book out of a pigeonhole and paging through it. "According to the log you were acting captain as well as pilot during the fight with Barbossa and Norrington's men… you and Gibbs made sure the Pearl was made seaworthy before you came to help Will save my neck, which should be worth a bonus at least…" He snapped the book shut and looked at her. "I don't see why, with your increased share, there's not enough here to buy that ship you wanted."

"Go on, Jack, there's not enough for the likes of the Interceptor –"

"There is if I put up half."

Ana stared, a strange expression in her eyes. "Ye'd do that? All you promised after she went down was the chance to get enough gold to buy me own ship." She frowned thoughtfully up at him. "You don't owe me more than a chance."

Sparrow grinned, gold glinting in the lamplight. "I owe you that and more, Ana. And with your own ship you could sail cargo or passage whenever you pleased…" He sat and paused a moment, his dark eyes looking almost vulnerable in the dim lamplight. "Of course… you wouldn't be a pirate anymore."

Her laugh was deep and rich in the confines of his cabin. "Aye, Jack. Don't ye think I'd give up bein' an outlaw to be able to live the life of Missus Ellis Groves?"

Captain Jack Sparrow looked from her hopeful face to the deck, nodded his head slowly. Perhaps doing what was right by his crew would be enough this time. He looked up with a slightly artificial smile.

"No, Ana." Jack reached over and put his hand on her knee. "I know how you feel about him. There's an opportunity here, and I don't see why we shouldn't take it." He smiled more genuinely. "Of course, I'll miss having you around..." She put her hand on top of his, and they sat quietly for a moment. Then Jack stood with a decisive swagger, extended his hand with piratical formality. "Are you willing to go one more round, then?"

Ana looked into his eyes, then stood abruptly to shake his hand with the same bravado. "Aye. It's a pleasure sailin' with ye, Cap'n Sparrow."

"Excellent." He saw her eyes soften once more and turned hurriedly back to his desk. "Now, if you would relieve Mr. Gibbs? And bring us up closer to Bridgewater. I believe the Esperance will be meeting us, so keep a weather eye out."

"Aye, Cap'n." She walked to the door and stopped to look back at him. "Thank you, Jack. Fer both of us."

He nodded without looking up as she left, and managed to move things around on his desk for several minutes before leaving the cabin himself, taking the gangway up on deck to the bow of his ship. He spoke in a barely voiced whisper, seeming to taste the words carefully.

"The Black Pearl. Ship of the crown." His hand trailed lightly over the rail. "We'll be answering to a higher power, love."

The faint blue light of dawn was beginning to color the sky, and in the east, an apricot blush was rising over the horizon like a luminous water lily. Captain Jack Sparrow stood remarkably still as he stared out into the dawning of a new day. Pulling off his scarf and unknotting it absently, he let the breeze blow through his tangled hair.

If it wasn't totally inappropriate for such a legendary pirate, one might say he looked sad.