Before going on with the story, I must address my first reviewers! (I love you all!)

Sweetpeathe1st--Mwahahahaha! Of course there's more, and you'll have to read on to find out if Jack saves her or not...I'm glad you like my style, and hope you continue reading. (By the way, I know you just love my cliffhangers..I've actually written the whole thing but am saving chapters to keep you all in suspense!)

Idril Falastari--Yup, that Norrington needs help.

"This is insane!" yelled a voice from the deck. "She did NOTHING! And you just go and kill her? "Everyone turned their attention to man in the corner. He suddenly ran to the ropes on the side of the ship, and slid down to a small rowboat hanging off the side. He dropped himself down into the boat, and released the ropes, sending him straight into the water.

As the other crewmembers looked on with disdain, snickering with each other, he rowed quickly towards the back of the ship. He jumped out, and remained underneath the glittering shell of water for several minutes. He finally came back up, gasping for air, and pulled down by the weight of Stella's body. He dragged her through the water, and over to the boat. He lifted her up over the side, and lay her on the wooden floor. Carefully, he climbed in, trying not to step on her, and knelt beside her motionless body. "Stella," he murmured. "Stella, please..." He was barely able to form the words, as he was certain it was too late to save her. His hand shaking on her shoulder, he continued his attempts to beg her breathless form back to life. Suddenly, her head jerked up, her eyes opened, and with a series of sputtering coughs, she began to slowly breathe again. "Thank you, God..." he whispered. He helped her to sit up in the boat, leaning her up against the side. "Are you alright love?" he worriedly asked.

"Yes, I think so," she replied, her voice hushed and shaky.

"I'm so glad. I was so afraid that..." his voice trailed off, as if he had let his words get away with him, and he wished very much for a change of subject. "Well, if you're tired, you're welcome to take a nap. I think I know pretty much where we are—that is if the current hasn't taken us too far off the course the Pearl was on. If I'm right, we're quite near civilization, which is very good since we have no food on board this little toy boat of ours. "He managed to smile, but quickly turned to look out at the water.

"Yes, that is good news." she murmured. She sat like stone, her hands resting on either side of the boat as if she was trying to keep her balance. She gazed absent-mindedly over the water, still trying to absorb the morning's events. After a few silent minutes, she slouched on the side of the boat, tired, and soon fell asleep.

Jack turned to look at her, but then again ripped himself away to watch the dreary waves splash onto the sides of the boat. Satisfied that she was alright, he began to row slowly off into the waves. Once sure that she was asleep, he shifted around to face her. Taking off his coat, he placed it over her hunched shoulders. He then reseated himself on the opposite side of the boat, resumed rowing, hoping dearly that he was going in the right direction.

Stella awoke to the gentle splashing of the oars through the water and the quiet brush of the waves against the sides of the boat. Each wave echoes quietly through the ear that was pressed to the wood of the boat, and calmed her spirit. She stretched, finding herself warmly wrapped in Jack's coat. She smiled, realizing his obvious act of kindness.

"Good morning, love, have a good nap?" Jack asked, smiling.

"Yes, yes I did. And your coat—thank you." She carefully lifted the coat off her shoulders and handed it to him, slightly embarrassed at her lack of anything better to say. "Wait, morning? Did I really sleep that long?" She was shocked at the possibility.

"Yes, actually. You've missed most of our little trip. If you'll turn around a bit," he shifted to the left and pointed, "you'll be seeing exactly where we'll be landing. Isla Azul."

She turned, and was surprised to see a quite large, colorful mass of land coming up over the horizon. "Oh, I see. Quite beautiful from here."

"Ah. Yes. Quite beautiful from a distance, not so up close unfortunately. I hate to have to port here, but seeing as we're in a rowboat with no food, it'll have to do." Jack stared off at the growing island in the distance, and let the oars slide from his hands. He leaned back, and said, "Well, I suppose we might as well enjoy the view while it lasts. If you're not too hungry, you wouldn't mind if we took a bit of a break, would you?"

"Oh no, of course not. From what you say, I gather this isn't a place we really would want to rush into." She smiled sincerely. The thought of going onto the island scared her, although she knew it was necessary. "Well I suppose I won't get much of a view from over here," she laughed, "you mind if I sit over by you?"

"Oh, no, that's fine. I mean, you're welcome to," he scooted over to make room beside him. He began to take off his shoes.

"What are you doing?" Stella asked, slightly alarmed, as she climbed over towards him.

"Balancing the boat," he responded, matter-of-factly, tossing the boots to the other side, where Stella had been seated. "We've had quite enough near-drowning experiences to last us a while, don't you agree?"

"Yes, good idea." She sat down carefully, not positive if his shoes would be quite enough weight to keep her from falling in the water. Once seated comfortably, they both looked out at the island as the boat rocked and sloshed back and forth, carrying them slowly down the coast. Stella wanted to ask what had been plaguing her mind ever since she had seen Jack's face floating above her after she was pushed off the boat. She wanted to ask him why. Why, when even the man who claimed to love her with all his heart betrayed her, the man whom she had met but a day earlier had decided to save her life. She began to speak, but her fear drove the words back. She couldn't help but be terrified of driving Jack out of her life. One slip, she could offend him, embarrass him, and he'd be gone. He seemed like he was all she had. Norrington obviously had lied when he said he loved her in the first place, and her family would most definitely side with him on any subject; they kowtowed to his every whim! They would certainly scold her for not working harder to make him love her more or something of the sort. Jack was her unlikely lone supporter. If only he weren't so distant! How could someone so close by seem so far away? The silence between them had gone on for quite some length of time now, and she had to do something. She had kept on staring at the island, just to avoid that awkward quick eye contact that always resulted in more silence. "Why?" she managed to sputter out. "I mean, why did you do it? Save me?"

Jack looked her in the eyes. It was difficult. He was sure that if he kept the gaze too long, she would disappear, or his eyes would melt, or something crazy like that. He had to answer, the question was very direct. "I saved you because..." Why was this so hard? He knew why; couldn't he just say it? Why wasn't it that simple? "Because..." Stella looked on, regretting her question more and more with each second he stumbled for an answer. "Because I felt it was the right thing to do. They shouldn't have tried to hurt you." He couldn't believe he heard himself say that. "What a stupid answer," he thought, "I can't even tell her the truth. What kind of man am I if I can't tell her the bloody truth?"

"Oh," Stella said, looking out again at the sea. "That was very noble of you Jack. Thank you, again." Jack simply gazed at his feet, lamenting his answer, but glad it was over.