His arms were stretched, celebrating their returned freedom, but his head snapped towards me when he heard my gasp.

Dark-rimmed eyes widened with shock as he spotted me lying in a dark corner.

A name flitted across my mind as I looked at his face. Jack Sparrow.

I frowned but even as I lay there the dream in which that name had been mentioned faded. Then he spoke.

"Apologies, miss, I did not know there was anyone in here… well, anyone sober at least…" His voice was slightly accented, and almost sounded slurred from drink. He held up a ringed forefinger from his right hand as he backed towards a table where a hat was resting. "I've obviously disturbed you, again, sorry, I'll just meander off…"

I jumped to my feet, I recognised this man, and when you can not remember anything, recognising someone is a huge deal. This person could be the only way I would …well, remember anything, pirate or no.

"Wait…" I called boldly, then stopped. What do I say? I took a breath. "…Do I …know you?"

It sounded lame, even to my ears, and I brushed a strand of black hair behind my ears in an annoyed gesture. "I mean…" Oh god, this is not working out… if only I could remember where I remembered  him from.

He paused and gave me a strange look. "Prob'ly be best if you didn't, love. Specially at the moment."

His hand reached behind him for his hat but the sound of a banging door made him freeze. He shot me a warning look before diving behind the table.

A moment later the blacksmith was back, Will.

Will spotted the donkey who was frantically trotting around a circle and gently calmed it.

He looked for a moment at Mr Brown who, I noticed, was now fast asleep on his chair.

"Right where I left you," He muttered, in a disdained voice. "Miss Ebony…" He called as he started to turn his head in my direction, but stopped as his eyes fell upon a hammer.

He looked at it for a moment and I heard him mutter: "Not where I left you…"

I swallowed nervously as his eyes moved to the table where Jack's hat lay.

He frowned at it suspiciously for a moment before walking warily over as though he expected it to jump out and attack him.

His hand moved to pick it up but stopped when the tip of a sword appeared at his neck.

I gasped and my hand flew to my mouth.

Jack stood up slowly and Will eyed him with mistrust. The sword did not waver.

"You're the one they're hunting. The pirate." The last word was filled with distaste but Jack seemed not to notice.

He grabbed his hat with his free hand and placed it on his head as he sidled around the table. His eyes did not leave Will's face.

"You seem somewhat familiar. Have I threatened you before?"

"I make a point of avoiding familiarity with pirates."

"Ah. Well, it would be a shame to put a black mark on your record. So, if you'll excuse me…"

He threw me a quick nod before lowering his sword and moving away from Will towards the entrance.

In an instant Will whipped out his sword and held it out to Jack's throat.

"Ebony get back." He said to me without shifting his angry gaze from Jack.

I don't think it even occurred to me to actually move.

"Friend of yours, eh?" Jack asked him mockingly.

"Barely." Came Will's low reply.

"Now why doesn't that surprise me?"

Jack's sword jerked up to meet Will's and he stepped backwards to give himself some room.

"Do you think this wise, boy, crossing blades with a pirate?"

"You threatened Miss Swann."

I wondered at the venom in Will's voice as he said this.

Jack slid his sword up and down Will's testily, making a sleek grinding sound.

"Only a little." The reply was crooned, mocking Will's indignation.

I jumped as their swords began to clash and the clang of metal hitting metal rang out through the forge.

After a minute, they broke apart, swords still raised.

It was then that I felt really helpless. I had no sword, I had no memory, and I didn't even know which side I was meant to be rooting for.

"You know what your doing, I'll give you that, excellent form but how's your footwork? If I step here…" Jack neatly moved his foot to the right and grimly smiled as Will moved his own feet in return. "Very good. Now I step again…"

Their swords clashed once more as he moved his foot and Jack neatly disarmed Will making him gasp.

"Ta." Jack said with a smile as he sheathed his own sword.

He moved towards the wooden door at the other end of the room.

Oh God, what should I do? Here was someone who I recognised, someone who might be able to jog my memory a little. Should I stop him leaving? Should I go after him? But then what would Will think..?

I glanced at the Will and saw that he had picked up his sword and was aiming it towards Jack. Oh dear God, he's going to kill him! I thought desperately as I saw the look of fierce concentration on Will's face.

"Jack!"  I screamed, making the pirate turn and stare at me, shocked.

Will made a sudden move to throw the sword and I leapt forward and knocked it off its course as it left Will's fingers.

A cry of pain escaped my lips as the blade cut through my palm. The sword clattered loudly on the ground some four metres away.

I glanced at Will. His mouth was open and he was staring at me as though I had gone mad. He looked angry.

Behind me, I heard the wooden plank that was blocking the door being lifted and spun round to see it hit the ground.

Jack flashed me a grin and winked cheekily. "Ta, love."

He turned back to the door and pulled it open, letting in a gust of wind.

"Pirate!" Will pushed past me, grabbing a nearby sword off a rack. "Halt!"

Jack ignored him and stepped outside, banging the door shut behind him.

There was a heavy clunk against the wood from the other side.

Will reached the door and tried to push it open, but failed.

"Blast! He's bloody blocked it." He muttered before turning around to face me. He scowled.

I bit my bottom lip and winced slightly. 

"You, stay here. Don't move." Was all he said, though his tone was dark and threatening.

I think I nodded, too shaken to disagree, but Will had already turned and was heading for a smaller door on the other side of the room.

He pulled it open violently and strode quickly into the street.

The door shut with a loud bang behind him.

I stood there for a moment before I sank to the floor and cradled my bleeding hand in my lap, feeling depleted of energy and confused.

I had just saved a man's life.

I should be happy. I should feel good about what I had just done.

But I didn't feel good. I felt like crap.

It wasn't because the man I had saved was a pirate. It wasn't that I had practically betrayed Will's trust, after he had been really good to me. It wasn't even because my left hand was bleeding and in pain.

It was because… well, something felt wrong.

I felt apprehensive. I felt nervous. I felt as though I had stuffed something up, but I did not know what.

I also felt out of place. Very out of place.

I could not remember where I had come from, but I had a feeling it wasn't from anywhere around here. It just felt… too different. And I was pretty sure swordfights were not a usual occurrence wherever I was from.

I sighed and resignedly settled myself to wait for Will to return.

Mr Brown was still asleep on his chair.

*** *** *** *** ***

A/N:

Whoo! I am happy. I just finished another chapter. AND some wonderful, wonderful people have given me 19 reviews! Well, that was last time I checked anyway.

Now please… give me more. I really want to know what people think of this so far.

Thankyou. 

For the record, I hold no rights to the original story, and am making no money off this modified story.