Usual disclaimers.

Thanks to Prolix, A Depp Girl, SectorLutter, KillerK, beatlechicksteph, Mrs Depp, sassafras, RandomGal, jackslittlefriend and Rose Pearl, for reviewing. Thanks to Hilary and Linnie for editing.

…

Chapter four: 'Don't forget luv, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow…'

The Black Pearl set sail from Tortola three days later, heaving with men as they went in search of a ship for Job Bailey and the crew he had gathered together. Jack had been in two minds as to whether to bring Jenny along until she had persuaded him that she would be safer with him than on her own in Tortola with only Tom to defend her.

'Jen!' Jack called, hurrying over as she was about to step onto the rigging. 'I told ya, yer not to go up there now.'

'I'm still a member of this crew,' she reminded him. 'I'm not going to slack just because of… well, the baby.'

'You are going to slack because of the baby and if I have ter order ya, I will, savvy? We've got enough men on board that every task is taken care of, so you young missy, are going to rest on your laurels.' He guided her to the poop deck steps and sat her down, standing over her with hands on hips and a mock stern look on his face.

'I don't have any choice, do I?'

'Yes ya do. Ya can either sit there and watch the world go by of your own free will, or I can find another use for them manacles…'

'All right, all right,' she conceded with a grin. 'I will obey you, for once!'

'Bloody hell! D'ya hear that Shay?' he exclaimed as the Irishman walked past. 'She's actually agreed ter obey me.'

'Ah, the world'll come to an end, that's for sure,' Shay laughed, bobbing his tongue out to Jenny who returned it.

'At least give me some sewing to do, Jack. I'll get bored just sitting around day after day. Please,' she begged.

'Ya might regret sayin' that. Mr. Gibbs has been complainin' that no-one is doin' any mending.'

'Who's taking my name in vain,' the quartermaster enquired as he came from below.

'Jenny here has just volunteered fer some make an' mend.'

'Has she now?' A wicked grin spread across the older man's face and he disappeared back below faster than he came up, returning some minutes later with various items of clothing, small sails and some lengths of rope to splice.

'This should keep you going,' he grinned, dumping the lot at her feet.

'I'm sure it will, Joshamee,' she sighed, rolling her eyes at Jack's laughter, then settled down to her task.

…

'I 'ope it don't take too long ter get us a ship.' Job Bailey stood beside Jack at the helm and looked out at the empty ocean. The attack by Valentine had winded him more than he cared to admit and he lost interest in everything, even sailing. But now there was a chance of revenge, his interest had renewed tenfold and he was eager to have his own command once more.

'It shouldn't, mate. There's usually plenty o'traffic this time of year.'

'That's true enough,' Bailey agreed, scanning the horizon and wishing a ship would magically appear. 'I don't think we'll keep some o'the men from each others throats fer too long either.'

Jack sighed. His quartermaster had already had to break up a couple of fights between some of his crew and some of Bailey's. 'We'll look fer two or three days then head back fer Tortola fer a few days then look again, savvy?'

'Sounds reasonable enough, Jack. Why did Valentine want Jenny?' He asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

'Tell the truth, I'm not really sure. A couple of bounty hunters were after her an' kidnapped her in Fortaleza an' boarded a ship bound fer Port Royal. We went ter give chase when we ran into The Nomad. I had been roughed up pretty badly by the hunters and Gibbs had got th'ship an' had a flag of truce run up but they still fired on us.' He shook his head at the memory. 'It's too much of a coincidence that The Nomad shows a few days after the bounty hunters do, so I'll wager Valentine had something to do with it.'

'Were the bounty hunters employed by Valentine?' Job Bailey asked, puzzled.

'No, by Jenny's father. It's complicated. I intend findin' out from the man himself what part he had to play.'

'If someone don't kill 'im first.'

'They had better bloody not,' Jack spat, brooding over the possibilty. 'Here, d'ya want t'take her?' He offered Bailey the helm of his ship, grinning at his friend's obvious delight.

'Never thought I'd be at th'helm of The Black Pearl,' he grinned, enjoying the feel of a ship beneath his hands once more.

'Make th'most of it. It's not everyone I let control her, savvy?'

'I know that Jack and I appreciate it.'

Jack left The Pearl in the capable hands of Job Bailey and made his way below, where Jenny had retired earlier for some peace and quiet. She looked up from the window seat and smiled when she saw who it was.

'Thought ya might like some company, eh?'

'I always like your company.' She put aside the mizzen topgallent sail she had been repairing and opened her arms, holding Jack to her as he snuggled against her. 'You won't be able to do this before long,' she chuckled, nuzzling his hair.

'I know,' he lamented, pouting theatrically. 'I've been tryin' ter think of a good place fer ya t'live an' I reckon one of th'Bahaman Islands might suit. The Fragrance Isles to be precise.'

'What is it like there?' Jenny enquired, although in her heart she really did not want to know.

'It's a paradise Jen. There's all kinds of flowers an'trees there, you'll love it, I know ya will.'

'Whereabouts is it?'

'Not that far from Tortuga, so th'men can drop me off then go an' do what they do. That sound good ter ya?'

'You would let them take The Pearl into Tortuga without you?'

'Gibbs'll keep an eye on them,' Jack replied blithely.

'There are times I wish I had never got pregant,' she bemoaned, biting her lip as tears threatened to spill.

'Hey. No, no, no. Ya mustn't say that Jenny. Everythin' will work out, savvy?' He held her to him, soothing her as she cried in his arms. 'I know we won't see each other as much, but it'll make our reunions all the sweeter, eh?'

'I suppose so,' she sniffed, wiping her face with the sleeve of her shirt. 'It won't stop me worrying about you though.'

'I promise I'll keep meself safe.'

'You had better, Jack…' she warned, the rest of her words cut off by his lips pressing against hers.

…

'Sail ho!'

Many pairs of eyes scanned the horizon keenly, eager to spot if the ship would make a good prize or not.

'Can ya seem 'em, Benny boy?' Jack called to the man high on the main mast.

'Not clearly, Cap'n,' he called back then resumed looking through his spyglass.

'Let me know as soon as ya can, savvy?'

'Aye Cap'n Sparrow, savvy.'

'God I hope this is the one,' Jack prayed. Tensions were running higher than ever after two days at sea and Jenny rarely left the cabin after being accosted in the dark corridor by one of Bailey's crew. Despite afterwards being accompanied by Jack, who led her through the ship looking for the man, she was unable to recognise him.

'Cap'n,' Ben Watson called down. 'It's a three masted barque. They're low in th'water too.'

Jack smiled triumphantly. He and Job had agreed to split the profits on whatever cargo the ship they comandeered, half and half, and if the ship was low in the water, that meant she was laden with something or other. He had thought of having Bailey sail under his colours and splitting any profits he made, but after having seen the men his friend had got together, Jack quickly changed his mind. The less he had to do with Bailey's crew, the happier he would feel.

'I wonder what th'cargo is?' he thought to himself, grinning as Bailey joined him at the bowspit.

'Looks like this is it, eh Jack?'

'Let's hope so, Job. Let us hope so.' The two men had also agreed that, being as they were on Jack's ship, he should take charge of organising the attack and he strode about the deck, issuing orders left and right, feeling a sense of pride at having so many men under his command. He grinned to himself as he could hear Jenny's voice in his mind accusing him of being big headed. 'Best go an' warn her,' he mused, making his way below.

'Jen?' He knocked on the cabin door and waited for her to unlock it. 'We've spotted a ship.'

'I know, I've been listening to the commotion.'

'I don't reckon they'll fire on us, so ya should be safe enough. Then we'll head back ter Tortola, get th'other ship fitted up an' head fer th'Bahamas, savvy?'

'I can stay on board for a while longer, Jack. Besides, the men are all keyed up for this, you need to strike now if you're going to strike at all.'

'Jen, th'Pearl could get hit, I don't want ter risk it.'

'Then leave me in Tortola with Tom. I know I wasn't keen before but there's not much else you can do.'

Jack sighed, frowning as he tried to work out the best thing to do before nodding slowly. 'All right luv,' he agreed, kissing her lips. 'Bailey has taken a lot of th'worst one's as his crew, so yer should be safe enough wi'Tom.'

'Go on, you're needed on deck.' Jenny shooed him from the cabin, patting his backside as he exited the door, then locked it behind herself once more.

…

The Black Pearl chased down the heavily laden ship and was soon within striking range. Men hung over her sides, from the rigging, anywhere they could find to try and intimidate the French barque into surrendering. They shouted and cursed and jeered, fired their pistols into the air, but not too often. They did not want to waste shot if they did have to fight. But the barque soon struck her colours and under Jack's instruction, the two ships were lashed together and he and Bailey made their way across.

'S'il vous plaît ne nous nuire pas,' (please do not harm us) the French captain pleaded, spreading his arms wide to show he was unarmed. 'Prendre que vous voulez mais nous épargnez nos vies.' (Take what you want but spare us our lives)

'Anglais?' Jack enquired, frowning when his counterpart shook his head.

'Can anyone speak French?' he called back to the crew and raising his eyebrows as Richard Page stepped forward. 'You can?'

'Yeah. Spent a lot of time in Martinique.'

'Tell him we want th'ship.'

Page translated to the Frenchman who gestured wildly and jabbered something at the pirate.

'He asks what is to become of him and the crew?'

'Tell him we'll take 'em near ter land then cast them off in th'boats.'

'Why not kill 'em all, Jack?' Job Bailey enquired, drawing murmurs of agreement from his men.

'Why? Don't worry, yer men will slake their bloodlust soon enough,' he drawled, distastefully. 'I'll have them on th'Pearl if it makes yer happier.'

'Don't ya trust me, Sparrer?'

'As it happens, no. Or rather I don't trust some o'the men you've got. Come on, we're wastin' time here.' Jack indicated with a nod of the head for his crew to go back to their ship then turned to Richie Page.

'Tell the Frogs ter go over as well.'

'Vous serez obligé à aller à l'autre bateau où ils vous tortureront et vous nourrit aux requins.' (You are to go to the other ship where they will torture you and feed you to the sharks) Page grinned at Jack who looked from him to the looks of panic on the faces of the French crew, a frown on his face. His arm shot out and grabbed Richie's, preventing him from moving.

'Just what did you say to them?' he asked, his voice a menacing growl. 'What was that word… torturant… something?'

'Nothing Jack,' Page smiled innocently, tugging at his arm to free it and pulling a face at Jack as his grip tightened.

'I will not ask you again, Page. What did you say to them?' Jack glanced about as Bailey's crew closed in around them but did not loosen his grip.

'Jack… Jack! C'mon, I'm sure it's just a misunderstandin' eh?' Job Bailey fought his way through the throng and tried to come between the two men but Jack stood firm.

'You tell the Frenchies that we mean them no harm and if I see one look of panic on their faces, you are dead, Richard Page.'

'All right, all right. Gawd, what a lot of fuss over nothing,' he grumbled, relieved nonetheless when Jack released his hold on him.

'L'autre bateau vous ne signifie pas le mal. Vous ne serez pas torturé ou serez tué. Ils vous relâcheront dans les bateaux quand nous approchons de la terre.' (The other ship means you no harm. You will not be tortured or killed. They will release you in boats when we near land.)

'Well?' Jack snarled.

'I told 'em yer won't hurt them and that they'll be released, an' that yer a disgrace ter pirating,' Page spat, pushing past Jack and into the throng of men.

'Page,' he warned, making to go after him.

'Cap'n! Jack!' John Williams called, not noticing the tension on deck in his excitement. 'You are never goin' ter believe what's in th'hold.'

'Surprise me,' Jack replied dryly, still shooting looks about him.

'Ammunition. Powder, shot, pistols, carronades. You name it.'

'What?!' Jack's head spun around to face his cook, the beads in his hair swinging wildly. 'You are joking?'

'Nope,' John grinned, realising too late that something had been amiss. But his news seemed to have dispelled whatever it was and the men broke out into a hugh roar, almost as one and they clapped their partners on the backs and danced little jigs of delight.

'All's well that ends well, eh Jack?' Bailey smiled ruefully at his friend.

'Aye. I'd never had Cookie down as havin' good timin' before,' Jack sighed, grateful that the tension had been defused but keeping the incident at the back of his mind for the future.

…

'Jack?' Jenny watched as the prisoners made their way over to The Black Pearl and followed Pete Symmonds down to the brig, Davy, Billy, Shay and Jonas following the prisoners with pistols drawn.

'I don't trust that lot.' He jerked his thumb towards Le Brestois and Bailey's crew. 'Page said somethin' to th'French and they're spooked now.'

'What will you do with them? Not set them down in Tortola, surely?'

'Nah, I'll cast them off in boats when we reach some o'the islands. They'll have more of a chance of survival then.'

'You're a good man, Jack Sparrow,' she smiled, reaching up to kiss him.

'Thanks luv.' He returned the smile but Page's barb still stung. 'We'll see who is a disgrace ter pirating when we get ter Tortuga,' he thought darkly.

'What are yer waitin' for?' he barked, striding along the deck. 'Weigh anchor. I'm not havin' that lot lead us in.'

The crew of The Black Pearl manned the capstan and drew the anchors from the sea bed and hurried to make their ship ready first, grinning across to their counterparts when they suceeded and The Black Pearl gracefully swung around and headed back for the Virgin Isles, Le Brestois following slowly behind.

'Was there trouble?' Jenny approached Jack hesitantly. It was not often that she had seen him in a foul mood and the one he was in now was very foul.

'Not trouble as such,' he frowned, leaning against the capstan. 'I'm just watchin' me back closely an' I'll advise th'rest of th'crew ter do likewise. It's not that I don't trust Bailey, I do… well, as much as ya can trust another pirate. It's th'men he's got together, Page in particular, that I don't trust.'

'You think they'll try something?' she asked, fear showing in her eyes.

'Probably not. Hey, don't worry luv. I intend being so far in front of them they wouldn't reach us anyway, savvy?' He cursed inwardly for upsetting Jenny and wound his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. 'Yer not worryin' are ya?'

'No,' she sighed, uncertainly.

'Th'sooner we get you an' Tom ter Tortola, th'better.'

'I wish you would let me come. What am I supposed to do, not knowing what has happened to you? What if…. what if you don't come back?' she whispered, leaning against his shoulder.

'I will come back Jenny Wren, I promise.'

'But you might not.'

Jack hated facing reality. He hated acknowledging the fact that every time he sailed on his ship it could be for the last time. That one day he might come against a ship that was faster than his precious Pearl and had more firepower. And he knew that there was every possibilty that he might not come back from this fight with Valentine and he had to make sure that Jenny and their child were provided for.

'Come t'the cabin luv.' He led her down the steps and into their cabin, locking the door behind them. 'Here.' Jack walked over to his tallboy and unlocked it, pulling out the small drawer in the top and retrieving something from within. He walked back over to Jenny and placed a compass in her hands. The compass that lead to the Isla de Muerta.

'Jack!' she exclaimed, looking in shock at it. 'What…?'

'I'll tell th'crew that if things go wrong, whoever survives is ter make it back here an' yer to use this, savvy?'

'But…'

'No Jenny! Call it insurance, eh? Now I want yer ter keep on ya all th'time. Never leave it anywhere, no matter how safe ya think it might be.'

'Of course I won't,' she sniffed, blinking back tears.

'Hey. It's only if, an' that's a very big if, the worst happens. Don't forget luv, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow,' he grinned, tilting her head to face him and kissing her tenderly on the lips.

'I know, but even your luck has to run out sometime.'

'Aye, when we're old an' grey an' have a brood of children around us.'

Jennt smiled tearfully, looking down at Jack's hand on her belly. 'I'll keep it safe,' she said, putting the compass into a pouch she wore around her waist to keep personal effects in.

'Keep yerself an' our babe safe, that's more important, eh?' he smiled, stroking her face tenderly.

'Of course I will,' she replied, covering his hand with hers. 'Now go on,' she shooed. 'You have a ship to take care of.'

'Aye,' he sighed. 'That I do…'

…

Author's notes:

The Fragrance Isles are at the bottom end of The Bahamas, and are now known as The Crooked Isles. They were discovered by Christopher Columbus who named them for the sweet smelling flora and fauna.

My French is as good as my Spanish and the French spoken by the captain comes from a translation site – so don't blame me if it's wrong! :p