Disclaimer: Captain Jack still belongs to Disney. When I figure out how to get him I'll let you all know.

Chapter 4 Surprise

I was warm and quite content as I lay in me berth. AnaMaria took care of all me needs during the night and I knew I had a devilish grin on me face. I rolled over to kiss her before the morning light would rudely awaken her. I figured she would much rather be awoken by Captain Jack Sparrow, instead of said sun. The candle had gone out long ago and the room processed a faint glow as the stars disappeared and the sun slowly appeared.

AnaMaria was so still I hesitated to wake her. She had buried herself deep under the blankets and I could only make out her slight form. I went under the blanket meself to place me body against hers. I was very surprised at how hairy she was. Yes she was extremely hairy. I had never taken note of this before. I guess with a fair nights rest and a considerable lack of rum I was noticing AnaMaria for the first time. I nuzzled me face into her neck, or I thought it was her neck. Once again, I was accosted with a lot of hair. I was also shocked by her smell. Shiver me timbers and blow me down, this lass smelled. I mean she really S T U N K! I began to think I shouldn't talk. I'm sure me smell was not much better. I would have to get Mr. Gibbs to fill us up a tub with warm water and scrounge up a bar of soap. What better way to start the day than to take a bath with a fine woman?

She started to stir and she moaned slightly while she stretched. As she was moving she scratched me with her long nails. OW!! I yelled and I'll have to say I was very loud. I thought I was a gentleman last night or should I say "a very GOOD pirate." Why was she attacking my manly hood and me? I leaped out of the bed and almost fell backwards into a small table. I knew I was making a lot of noise and Mr. Gibbs or Mr. Cotton would surely come running. I started to rant and rave at AnaMaria. I was flailing my hands all around and my voice was going up by octaves.

"Do you think it wise to scratch your Captain? I did not merit that love, and for that you will pay dearly. Savvy?"

I was on a real mean streak when there came a knock on me door.

"WHO THE BLOODY HELL IS IT?" I yelled as I pulled the blanket off the bed to cover me nakedness and to throw open the door.

To my surprise and WOW was I surprised. AnaMaria was standing there. She gave me a meek smile and handed me a bottle of rum. "Good morning Captain. Are you not well? You are making a large disturbance and the crew is concerned. Do you appreciate my surprise?" She asked all this as she attempted to peer into the room.

"Surprise?? Aye, what surprise?? And how did you get your body out here, when I last saw you over there?" I slowly turned towards the bed and this time I did stumble hard; I fell backwards and went right over the table. Ouch! I cringed as I gathered meself up.

Sitting on me bed was a dog. A really big dog. A really big, hairy, female dog. She sat there staring at me and panting. She was a said Golden Retriever, pure of breed by the looks of her. She looked to be rather young. She had a thick coat which looked damp, dirty, tangled and full of seaweed. Her fur reminded me of my hair. This would explain the extreme hairiness and pungent smell. She cocked her head and looked at me with an undeniably friendly expression. A little too friendly. Filthy as she was, the animal was nonetheless appealing.

I opened the bottle of rum AnaMaria had given me and I downed it. I was hoping this would chase away the willies. Was I seeing things? I looked at AnaMaria and raised an eyebrow. "What in bloody blazes is that? Why is it in me bed with me?"

"Captain it is a dog." AnaMaria said cautiously.

"I know what it is! Why is it? What is its point and purpose missy????"

AnaMaria went to the bed and started petting the beast. She glanced up at me and then down at the floor. She started to talk, keeping her eyes focused on the bloody floor.

"She is a good dog, very good and well behaved. Usually." The dog looked at her and seemed to understand every word AnaMaria spook. "I told you of her last night. Captain, this is your surprise." A wide grin spread across her face as she continued.

"The storm that knocked you off the ship took havoc on other seafaring vessels also."

I rolled me eyes at her as she made that statement, but I remained silent. The rage was building up inside and I felt it was best to say nothing.

In a softer voice now AnaMaria kept speaking. "We spent weeks looking for you Captain. There were many listing ships, injured people. We even looted fallen merchant ships. We came across much debris and searched many an isles. On one said isle, I heard noises and I could only hope I had found you. As I approached the sounds that were coming from the underbrush, a very large bore charged at me. I had no time to pull my gun or cutlass. I was down on the ground when without warning, this said animal came from nowhere and saved me. She bolted in front of me. She lunged at the creature; she bore her teeth and growled low in her throat. Captain, she did not look to friendly. She looked wild with rage and tore into the attacking animal. By this time Mr. Gibbs had come to my aid and put a bullet into the bores head. This mutt saved my life and now I am asking you to save her. Please accept me gift Captain. I know you will profit with her and she with you."

AnaMaria got off the bed and came over to me. She gently kissed me and ran her fingers through me hair. With a long look into me eyes she said, "Captain, this lass needs love and attention just like you. Can this not be the day Captain Jack Sparrow welcomes a dog into his life?" She kissed me again and left the room looking back at the bed, the dog and me.

"Damm dog" I said. It was ignoring me. "Well it looks as if you've had a difficult journey lass. Welcome to The Black Pearl. Do you think this is wise to be owned by a pirate? You better be worth your salt and gold or you will be off me ship. Savvy? Do we have an accord?" The dog whined softly as if agreeing. I stroked her head and scratched behind her ears. I think at that moment she realized she had me. She could provide meaning, and purpose to me life. More than I ever expected.

With that I told her to get along and to stay off the bed. I only invite certain type to me berth and the canine species was not it. I told her our next order of business was to go find something to fill our bellies and to go face the day and the crew. Aye yes, I had to name the mutt. It would have to be a good name. One with meaning, one with conviction. She was obviously a diamond in the rough and something to be reckoned with. She did save AnaMaria and for that I owed her.

I finally emerged on deck, Gibbs announced we were coming up onto Tortuga. I was ready to go find meself a girl and a large pint of rum. When I stepped on shore I felt like I was home. I could hear laughter of drunken pirates as they chased women. The unforgettable stench of Tortuga filled me senses and I quicken me pace to me favored tavern The Faithful Bride.

Night fell, the smoke hung heavy in the lantern lit tavern. I was enjoying me drinks and me choice of women. I was surrounded by me crew and other scoundrels. Attempting to get me feet under me so I could find me way back to the Pearl a dark figure of a man slowly steeped towards me. Wiping the dust and smoke from me eyes, I saw me old friend. Bootstraps you ol dog. I'm so glad to see you mate. Pull up a chair and we'll have one more.

Standing in front of me was indeed the image of Bootstraps, but no, it was his son, the young William Turner. He was armed with everything he could carry and looked nervous. "You Sparrow, are you familiar with that ship the Black Pearl?" he asked. "Somewhat", I said. "And why do you ask?" Will came closer and as I looked into his deep brown eyes I could see hurt and torment. "Ay, I see you have heard of me lad" and I pulled him close to me. I gave me old friend a welcoming embrace. Will pulled back and then said the words I thought I would never hear. "Jack, I mean Captain Sparrow, I would like to sail under the command of a pirate. I would like to sail under the command of Captain Jack Sparrow. Do we have an accord?"

A/N: This chapter was so fun to write. I wanted to introduce "The Dog". I am an animal lover with a degree in Animal Science. Yes, I do have a dog and he is my inspiration even though Jack's dog is female. Please enjoy and for all those who own dogs give them a hug and a kiss. A bath wouldn't hurt either. SAVVY?