This was really quite unfair.

It was the fourth day since Jack had met Isabella, and every single day she had shown up. It wasn't that he didn't like her. On the contrary, she had a brain, and was quite a pleasant conversationalist. It was just that he knew better than to get involved with her. He may have been young, but growing up on the dock, he'd seen all to well what happened when pirates mixed with the young daughters of influential men. It wasn't pretty.

He had important business to attend to. He had to find a crew, and instead he had to deal with feigning off Isabella. Make no mistake: that wasn't easy. She was intelligent, and fiery... and awfully nice to look at...

Jack shook his head. His mind had once again begun to wander as he listened to Isabella speak. It was just that she had so many possibilities. There was only so many advances that one man could turn down...

But no, he'd sworn to himself that he wouldn't do this. When he was ten years old, he'd watch Mad Joe hung for consorting with the commodore's daughter. Joe had taught Jack everything about being a pirate, and Jack had promised himself he'd not end up the same way. He'd just have to choose his women more carefully.

"Do you not agree, Jack?"

"What?" Jack looked at her with startled eyes, and she looked right back at him, her eyes smoldering with amusement, among other things.

Oh, really quite unfair.

"Jack?"

"Yes?" He looked back down at Isabella. There was a different tone in her voice now.

"Jack, I'd like to see the Black Pearl."

"Sorry?"

"Well, you're always talking about her. I feel I should at least see the ship that you value so much more than me."

Jack looked at her sharply, but she was laughing. "Alright then. Follow me."

He led her down the streets, toward the dock. When they had almost reached the Pearl, Isabella looked at him. "Jack?"

"Yes, darling?"

"Why do you refuse to court me? I know you're attracted to me. You can't exactly hide it."

Not entirely sure how to respond, Jack instead pointed ahead. "There. That's the Pearl."

Isabella followed his gaze and blinked, apparently surprised, much the way William had been. "That's the Pearl? Jack, what a beautiful ship."

Jack grinned. "I told you as much, did I not?" He leapt from the dock, and then turned to help her across. "My first mate William may, or may not, be onboard. I'm not entirely sure. He's a quiet duck, that one. Not altogether there, if you catch my meaning." He pointed to his head ridiculously, apparently to indicate the insanity of William.

Isabella burst out laughing. "You have to be the strangest man I have ever met."

Jack shrugged. "One does what one must." His words didn't fit the scenario, but that didn't faze the man. "Shall I show you around then?" Isabella nodded enthusiastically.

Jack led her through the entire ship, explaining everything about the Pearl, down to the last wood detail. The final place he showed Isabella was the captain's quarters.

"Oh, they're beautiful," she admired. But she didn't seem to be looking at them. Jack, who had instinctively moved toward he when she entered the room, forced himself to step back. "Jack, you never answered my question."

"And what question would that be?" he asked, annoyed at how unnerved he felt. He should be placing this feeling over her, not the other way around.

"You know full well what question I mean, Captain Sparrow. Why do you refuse to give into me? I'm not exactly running away playing chaste."

"Which is exactly what you should be doing!"

Isabella rolled her eyes. I'm not a child."

"Of course you are," Jack muttered, finding her harder and harder to turn down.

"No more than you are. I'm seventeen, four years younger than yourself."

"Yes... but Isabella, there's an entire world between us." Jack suddenly realized that Isabella had shut the door behind her. Definitely not a good thing, considering she was also standing in front of it. This could make his escape significantly more difficult.

"Says who?"

"Look at us, Isabella!" he yelled, annoyed. "I'm captain of a ship. A pirate ship. And you... you're the jeweler's daughter. It's perfectly alright for you. If we're found out, the worst that you'll get is a slap on the wrist and disappointed parents. But it's different for me! I could very likely end up hung!" He was yelling now. He hated yelling, (with the exception of giving orders) but he hated losing control more. Oh, why had he ever let her on board?

Isabella slowly moved closer, until her body was suddenly pressed up against his, her mouth inches from his own. "I won't tell anyone."

And he was kissing her, and nothing had ever felt so good.

L'AMOUR

When Isabella arrived home, it was late in the afternoon. She rushed past her father, calling an excuse. She was acutely aware of how she looked, and what her father would assume (most likely the truth) if he were to see her.

She had reached the top of the stairs, and almost her room, when her brother stepped in front of her. She stopped so suddenly in order to avoid running into him that she fell over. Emilio helped her to her feet, black eyes looking at her critically.

"What happened to you?"

"And what is that meant to mean?" she answered, trying to move past him.

Emilio raised an eyebrow. "Look at yourself."

Isabella's cheeks flushed, partly in annoyance, and partly for fear he would discover her secret. "I was at the beach, and lost track of time. I ran all the way home, so that father would not be worried. Now if that excuse is acceptable to you, I'd like to please enter my room so that I might change for dinner."

Still holding her shoulders, Emilio stared at her for a few moments more before finally relenting and letting her into the room. Even when the door had shut, he watched where she had stood. Something was going on. His sister wasn't telling him something, and he didn't like it one bit.

Isabella sunk against the door as it shut, taking a deep breath. Her brother didn't know anything, surely not. He had looked so suspicious... but Emilio always looked suspicious. He was her older brother. It was his job.

She moved to the mirror above her dressing table, checking to see how frightful her appearance truly was. For the first time, she realized Jack may have been right. If they were caught... she couldn't bear it if he were killed.

Isabella straightened her shoulders resolutely. They just wouldn't be caught.