Disclaimer: Pirates Of The Caribbean belongs to Disney SOB!

WHAT ABOUT TOM?

The storm was still raging as I made my way back up to the deck. There was no real light except when the lightning would flash and illuminate the sky. I could see Jem's silhouette standing strong at the helm, using all her strength to keep The Pearl steady.

She did not hear me approach and I stole up behind her. I pulled her away from the helm and kissed her hard. Shrieking in alarm, she did let go of the helm and I caught it before it spun out of control.

"What is it Lass? Why do you have to scream so loud? It is I, Jack." I looked at her and I was greatly amused.

"What is it?" She repeated. "You scared the life out of me."

I laughed and she looked at me sternly. "It's not funny Jack."

"It is from where I stand Luv."

"Fine then, I suggest you stand close to the helm and not so close to me." She stepped a few inches away from me but I could tell she wasn't going to far.

"How long do you think the storm will last?" Jem asked, as she scrutinized the dark skies above us.

"Not long, I hope. I usually like storms, but I hate this one. This is not an act of weather; it is the act of the curse. The curse of, Inez Garibaldi Santiago."

Jem, sensing I was not at ease, stepped close to me again and put her arm around my shoulders. "How long have you known Will and Elizabeth?" She asked hoping for a long story, in order to change the subject and to take our minds off the storm.

"For quite awhile now." Was all I said, I was not in a chatty mood. Then I had to ask. "How long have you known Tom Vickers?" I raised my eyebrows and looked at her as the water poured down on us and the lighting flashed.

She shrugged. "I have known him for eight, nine years. After his mother died, he spent all his time with my brother and I. He is a fine sailor. I have trusted him with a lot." She took my spyglass from my pocket as she spoke of Tom. She wanted to make sure Tom and The Vengeance were still sailing behind us.

More lightning flashed and a loud clap of thunder shook The Pearl. Jem waited for the thunder to stop before she spoke again.

"Do you want the truth about Tom, or do you want to hear a made up story?"

I shifted slightly and glanced at her. "Well child, if ya were to tell me the truth would I like it?'

She rolled her eyes. "Jack, you can't fault a flower for attracting bees. I am just charming and charismatic by nature." She smiled at me and laughed. "Tom has always been there to rescue me. He would always intervene between my brother and I. Yes, I would stop him, just the way I stopped you. He has learned the hard way; I will fight my own battles. Tom is charming, intelligent and somewhat pleasing to the eye. He is the one who saved me from Jeffery's beating and he is also the one who gave me Amber." She slid her arm off my shoulder and wrapped it around my waist. " She is the only thing in this world I truly love."

"Aye Jem, I didn't need to know all that, but I need to know the truth. Is he bloodthirsty? Is he after you and your treasure?" I gave her a quick glance and then looked out at the sea again.

"I won't lie to you Jem. I don't like him and I don't trust him." I paused and looked at The Vengeance. "When given a choice he will show no mercy, I have seen men like him before. When cornered he will draw blood and I fear it is mine he will come get."

Another flash of lightning streaked through the night, followed by a deafening roll of thunder. The ship shook violently and it felt as if it might capsize. I gripped the helm tighter and Jem grasped me tighter.

I laughed, as she grasped me. "Admit it Luv, you find me irresistible."

She loosened her grip and pushed me into the helm. "Hardly, I find you irritating. You know, that is certainly some ego you possess."

I smirked at her and I was getting ready to come back with a wise remark when the playfulness vanished from my face. "Holy mother of God." I yelled. "Jem your ship is on fire! Luv, the main sail is consumed with flames." Gritting my teeth, I cursed our luck. "There is no way to put it out. She is going to blow."

Jem panicked. "No Jack, I can't loose my ship. Jack, I must go over to her."

"Jem. No, that would be a fool's errand."

"Jack, please pull close to her, you don't understand. Amber is over there. I must get my dog. I cannot let her drown and go into a burning grave. Please get me close so I can swing over." Her eyes were looking at me severely and I could tell she was holding back tears. "You'd think in this gale my ship wouldn't burn." She continued. "Please Jack help me!"

"Very well Jem, this is against my better judgment, but I know if I don't help you, you will go get the damn dog yourself and die trying."

I turned The Pearl starboard and yelled over the wind and rain. "Charlie, Rogers, aid Jem in getting to her ship." I grabbed her arm before she left. "Tell your men to lower the rowboats in preparation for your crew to flee. Be quick; remember you have a lot of gunpowder on your ship. This is going to take down your whole ship, be quick and careful. Get Amber and get off that ship, I will pick you up from one of your rowboats."

She left my side and it became strangely quiet. No one was shouting or screaming. The whole scene played out like some strange dream. I knew the ship was going to blow up, I knew this as well as I knew the sea. I couldn't take the tension anymore.

"Gibbs, we will pick up the survivors. I don't like her crew but they are pirates and they would do the same for us."

"Captain." I turned to see Will coming towards me.

"Will take over the helm. I must go help Jem. I want you to pull The Pearl away from The Vengeance once I am over. I don't wish my ship to go up in flames. Savvy? I have to make sure Jem gets off that powder keg."

Before Will could argue, I handed him the helm and I grabbed a rope. I swung over and boarded The Vengeance. I waved my hands at Will. "Take her away, do it now. Get as far as possible The Vengeance is going to blow."

Clinging to the rail of Jem's ship, I watched as the rowboats came crashing downwards and men quickly climbed down to get into them.

Jem stood on deck next to Tom and Matthew, her face was ashen. "We must get everyone off. We only have four boats and sixty-five crewmembers. The squeeze will be tight, but there's room for everyone."

I could see Tom was trying to get her into a boat but she refused to go. I heard her arguing with him. "No, not until I know everyone is off. I am the captain and I will be the last to leave, or I will go down with my ship. Now do as I say, I must get Amber."

Her answer angered him and he pulled her towards one of the boats.

"Jem." I made my way to her. "Go with Tom." I sneered at him and made sure Jem saw me. " I will get your dog. If I know her, she is in your cabin lying on your bed. She will come to me. Go, I won't let you down. I'll get her."

I looked about the ship as the flames spread through the rigging and now they were making their way across the deck. "Clear the deck and get to the boats, I don't think you are ready to go to hell yet!"

Tom, not hesitating a beat, pulled Jem towards one of the boats and I went after Amber.

I made it to Jem's cabin and I heard Amber whimpering. "Amber come, we must get out. You saved me many a times Luv, now it's my turn."

The dog began to bark but she did not come. I could not see her threw all the thick, black smoke but I made my way toward the sound. I finally found her; she was trapped underneath a beam that had fallen due to the storm. With all my might I pushed it off of her, picked her up in my arms and ran for the deck. The ship was now engulfed by fire. I noticed all the boats were gone. Why was I not surprised? Without thinking much of it, I dove over the side with Amber.

"Jack!" Jem screamed as she realized what I had just done. Rising to her feet, she tried to see me in the water. "Sit down!" Tom snapped at her. "You'll tip us over."

"We have to go back for them." Jem ordered as she desperately searched the waves for some sign of life.

"Not bloody likely." Tom retorted as he and the others continued to row. "That ships got stores of gunpowder on her. She'll be exploding before long and the further we're from her the better off we'll all be."

"What about Amber and Jack?" She was stunned and then remembered my words to her about Tom, having it in for me.

Tom looked at her. "The captain knows how to swim and he knows how to survive."

"Tom, you start rowing back now or I will throw you overboard myself and you will have to see how well you can swim and survive."

While they were fighting I was struggling to keep my head above the water. Waves crashed all around me as I swam. Each wave seemed larger than the last, I was certain I was going to drown, then I felt Amber grab my arm. I had lost all sense of direction and could no longer see anything that gave me a clue as to where I was or where any of the boats might be. Lord, what have I done? No one can survive this, not even Captain Jack Sparrow. Yes, Jem told me the only thing she loves is Amber, so what do I do, I go save Amber. Not one of my smartest moves.

More waves crashed over us and then I noticed a rowboat within five feet of me. "Amber good girl, once again you saved old Jack."

"Jack." Jem shouted, as she grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the boat. Then we heard a loud explosion rent the air.

"Take a deep breath." I shouted.

She barley had time to comply before I dragged her off the boat and down into the water.

Jem panicked and swam back to the surface. "What are you trying to do, drown the both of us?"

She wanted to fight me, but I knew what I was doing. I pulled her down again. I had my eyes wide open and all I could see was black all around. I felt the water creeping in through my body. It was stifling and terrifying. My lungs were burning and I knew Jem's had to be too.

Just when I thought I could not stand it any more, I started to swim to the surface. Pain pounded through my throat and sides, as I struggled not to take a breath. Suddenly we broke the surface. Jem and I, both gulped in the air.

Pieces of burning wood and ship remains were scattered all around us. Just as I had predicted, the ship had exploded. I grabbed a piece of passing wood and released my grip on Jem. "Hold on to this for a second." I disappeared and I heard her yelling for me.

It seemed like forever, but I eventually returned to Jem and I had a larger piece of wood that appeared to be a portion of one of the decks. On top of the wood sat Amber. "Climb up." I said and then helped her up on top.

As soon as she was in place, I climbed out of the water and joined her on our makeshift raft. The waves continued to toss us about and threatened several times to overturn us. She pulled Amber into her arms and held on to her.

"It's alright girl. I don't know what I would do if I lost you." She gave her a tight squeeze. I couldn't help but think that hug should have been for me.

I looked at the both of them and smiled. "Well Luv, hopefully you will never have to find out." I looked over the dark waters and the flaming pieces of wood. "Someone is bound to find us in the morning."

Sometime in the middle of the night, the storm stopped. The sky was still too dark to see anything, but the waves settled down, and for a time Jem slept, using Amber as a pillow.

By morning, the sun had returned and with it came no sign of The Pearl.

I did not want to alarm Jem and I am sure she already knew it, but if there were no ship, we were without food or water and we wouldn't last long. I could see her reading my thoughts. I offered her an encouraging smile.

"They'll be looking for us. The question is will the find us?" I took a deep breath as I toyed with the edge of the raft. "Kind of makes you wish for a smaller ocean."

Jem smiled and replied. "Or a bigger raft."

I smirked at her. "Aye that would work too."

"Jack." Jem asked, while she licked her parched lips. "Have you ever been caught out like this before?"

"No." I said as I scanned the ocean around us. "This is definitely a new experience for me Luv. You know, being a pirate, I usually have a ship."

"Now Jack, I'm glad to see you have found your sense of humor."

"Well, you won't find it funny if we are not found in three days." I saw the look of horror in her eyes. "I didn't mean to say that. It was uncalled for." I pulled her against me and we laid down on the raft, watching the blue, perfect sky above us, while we traveled across the waves.

"Jack, are you scared?" She broke the silence.

"Scared Luv, no. I don't want to die, especially not like this." I leaned up on one elbow and stared into her face while I stroked her cheek. "There's really nothing to worry about, Jem. I swear to you, we are not going to die out here."

She narrowed her eyes. "How do you know?"

I hesitated before I answered. "Because Luv, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow." I gave her a weak smile.

She gave a slight laugh and smacked me on the shoulder. "And you honestly believe that?"

"Well yes Luv I do, believe I am Captain Jack Sparrow." I smirked at her, knowing that was not what she meant. "Now my Pet, I honestly do believe, deep in my soul, that my destiny is not to die on this raft." I folded my arm under my head and continued to stare up at the sky.

"You know Jack, oddly enough I believe you." Closing her eyes she fell asleep as the water lapped against the wood.

Hours passed slowly and we drifted on in the baking sun. I slept for a short time and when I awoke I saw Jem watching me. Her face was turning a darker shade of pink from the sun.

Sitting up and raking my hands through my hair I cursed myself. " I should never have brought us here." I clenched my teeth, angered at myself.

I reached out and touched her hand. I looked up into the clear sky above and the scorching sun that was beating down on us. Jem and I didn't talk much for most of the day. We were lost in our own thoughts and sought to preserve our dry throats.

When night finally came it gave us a welcomed relief from the fierce heat of the sun. We eventually curled up together to fight the sudden chill of the sea. Needless to say, Amber's body warmth helped us immensely. Sometime after midnight we both fell asleep.

I woke first to the bright morning sun. My mouth was drier than the worst drought and my stomach rumbled for food. Through bleary, scratchy eyes I couldn't believe it. I saw trees. I jerked upright.

"Jem!" I shouted, shaking her. "Jem, there's land."

Jem sat up so quickly, we bumped heads. "Ow!" She snapped, rubbing the tender spot below her temple.

I just rubbed my head and looked in the direction of the island we were approaching. "I'll be damned." I said under my breath. "Come on, let's swim for it." I rolled off the raft and splashed into the water.

To delighted and relieved not to obey, Jem followed after me and Amber needed no coaxing. We were not that far from shore and it only took a couple of minutes to make it to the small beach.

For several minutes, we lay in the surf, allowing the water to splash over us as we enjoyed lying on something that didn't rock beneath us.

"It's land!" Jem yelled out gleefully as she stood up and started splashing the water at me. "Solid, wonderful, beautiful land." She threw herself on top of me and we both started rolling in the sand. Amber started barking and leaped over us several times. "You were right Jack Sparrow. You were not destined to die on that raft."

I finally found enough energy to rise off the sand. I could tell Jem was watching my every move. I walked up the beach and climbed the nearest coconut tree and dropped two coconuts to the ground. By this time, Jem had also gotten off of the sand and she was standing underneath the tree picking up the fruit.

She started rubbing the coarse husk on the tree. "How are we going to eat these?"

I jumped out of the tree and pulled a dagger out of my boot. "With relish." I answered, taking one from her hand and sliced it open. I handed her one half and I took the other. I drank the milk; I was too hungry and thirsty to care about the fact that I actually hated coconut. At this moment it was the best food I'd ever tasted.

In no time at all, we finished off both coconuts between the three of us. "Now Jem, all we need to find is a small stream of fresh water and some meat."

"Aye." She agreed. "Water would be wonderful." She wiped the milk from her lips and looked down at Amber. "I know dear, you would prefer the water to milk."

I lightly touched her sun burnt face. "Do you know how to dig oysters?"

"Of course I know how to dig oysters." She pulled backed startled. She did not realize I had moved closer to her.

"Good." I handed her my dagger and two-emptied coconut shells. "Go dig us up some while I find water. You can put them in this and I'll be back as soon as I can."

Taking the dagger and the shells she and Amber headed toward the beach. I, knowing exactly where I was, found the water.

We were soon sitting next to a small stream feasting on oysters, berries and small quail I managed to capture. The stream was about two hundred yards from the beach. The trees were lush and the flowers kept the area shaded and tranquil.

Jem bent over the stream and rinsed the salt water from her hair while I just lay in the grass and watched. She looked up at me and gave me a wide smile.

"What?" I asked.

"You look like a pirate. All rough and worn. All you need is a peg-leg and a patch."

I glanced at myself. My shirt was torn, my hair was in its normal mess of dreadlocks and trinkets and my skin was also darker due to the intense sun.

"Aye Luv that is what I am. A pirate. I've always been fortunate enough not to take many wounds to my face or head, so I have never needed a patch. Lorelei use to say it was a miracle; since my head was so swollen by stubbornness and vanity, she didn't know how anyone could miss hitting it." I laughed slightly and then a deep sadness came over me.

Jem twisted her hair to drain some of the water from it. "Who is Lorelei?" Combing her hair with her fingers she came over and sat next to me.

I sighed and plucked a blade of grass from the ground. Twirling it through my fingers I stared at the stream. "Lorelei was my mother. She was a beautiful woman and she died way too young. She died on this very island."

"Jack, you mean to say, this is the island where the treasure is?" She looked up at me with wide eyes.

"Yes, we have arrived. I hope you are happy for I am not. I was fourteen when I was last here. I hated it then, and I hate it now. You've no idea what awaits you my dear."

I tossed the piece of grass into the stream and watched it drift away. "I admired my father and I adored my mother. They were the paragon of romance." I pulled up another blade of grass and looked into Jem's eyes. "But then he found, The Ball of Inez Garibaldi Santiago, and he was possessed by it. It changed him. Why I didn't kill him before he killed her I don't know. I must say, after he killed her, I never knew a man to get as drunk or curse the way he did. I guess I was a coward and afraid to stand up to him. I was too blind and stupid to see what the rest of the crew knew."

"What changed you?" Jem questioned as she now attempted to remove the tangles from my hair.

I tossed the second piece of grass into the stream and Amber leaped in after it, I pulled a face as I got splashed with the fresh, cold water.

"I grew up, and my father attempted to kill me. When I drew my sword on him I did not want to kill him. Yes, I was angry with him for killing Lorelei, but she was his woman and I figured he had his reasons. After all he was a pirate and the captain. I really did not want to cut his throat." I pulled away from Jem, not wanting her to play with my hair. I stood up and put my back to the closest tree and then intently looked at her.

"I couldn't believe my eyes when my father drew his sword on me. I actually thought he wore his sword just for show. It amazed me that he knew how to hold one. What struck me most at the time was, he showed no anger or emotion. He calmly walked up to me and told me, I had a choice. I could help him retrieve the ball of Santiago or I could die."

Jem now looked at me stunned. "So you killed your father, rather then help him get The Ball of Inez Garibaldi Santiago?"

"Yes, I did. You see Jem it is that evil. Bootstraps Bill, William's father, even tried to disarm my father but he struck him down. He used moves with his sword that I had never seen. The speed with which he attacked Bill and then me was amazing. It was then, that I realized what I had to do. I killed my father Jem; with one fine sweep I dragged my blade across his neck. Why his head did not fall to the ground first, before his body did, I do not know. The one thing I do know Luv, it was on that day, I became captain of The Black Pearl. Yes, that was the day Captain Jack Sparrow was born. That was the day I had to face the crew and take charge. The fine infamous day I made your father my first mate."

I closed my eyes and hit the back of my head on the tree. "I do try to appreciate things in this world Luv, other than myself, but I will never let a treasure consume me enough to kill those I love." I looked at her. "Are you sure you want this treasure?"

"Jack, I'm sorry what happened to you and to your father and mother. It is tragic but yes, I do want the treasure. My father wanted me to have it. He sent the papers to my mother and me. I did not know my father as you knew yours, but I do know he loved my mother and me. He would not harm us; he always wanted the best for us. He wanted me to have The Ball of Santiago and I shall."

She picked herself up off the ground and came over to me. She stood so close I could feel her warmth and I could see her chest moving as she breathed.

"We have an accord Captain Sparrow and I expect you to hold up your end. Once you have given me the treasure and we are off this bloody island, you can go your own way. You can return to your precious Black Pearl, your daughter and Elizabeth or is it AnaMaria?"

She wrapped her arms around my neck. "You can leave this island and never think about it again my Luv. You have a life ahead of you. The only thing I have is my dog, my long time friend, Tom if he hasn't drowned and the treasure my father wants me to have. Jack, my ship is gone, my brother, mother and father are dead. You have to take me to the treasure." She placed a kiss on my lips and looked into my eyes. "I truly am sorry you had to kill your father. Obviously you had to kill mine too."

She released my neck and stepped back. Ripping a small strip of cloth from her shirt, she tied her hair back, then extended her hand to me. "Since you are the one who knows where the treasure is buried, it is up to you to show me where it is."

"Aye Luv, I am the only one who can show you where it lies. If you still wish to hang onto your unshattered dreams and hopes. I guess I can't blame ya."

I reached out and pulled her to me. She grimaced as our body's hit hard against each other. "I will take you to the site, but stay here for just a minute. I'll be right back."

I needed time to think. I walked down the beach and glanced back towards her. I looked up into the sky and watched a single cloud drift overhead, as if an angel were flying over me. I then walked over to a small group of trees and sat next to a grave.

"Aye Lorelei, what am I to do? Life can be so wonderful and terrifying all at once. She won't listen to me. Why the hell should she? Father didn't listen to you, and he wouldn't listen to me. She has yet to be touched by the curse, but she is determined and she will be." I kissed the palms of both my hands and placed them on the dirt that has covered my mother's remains for many years.

I returned to Jem and knelt down beside her. Gritting my teeth against the urge to fall upon her, I looked into her face. "You my pet are infuriating. You are a naïve dreamer and so different from the other women I have known. If this is what you want, then come with me." I stopped and looked at her. "First you must answer a question?"

"Dearest Jack." She whispered. "That was not part of our accord but go ahead, ask."

I wanted to tell her how much she'd come to mean to me and how much the thought of her getting the treasure and leaving me would hurt, but the words lodged themselves in my throat.

"Jack?" She was now staring at me. "Is something wrong?"

"No, I was just thinking we should scout around and make sure there is nobody else on this island. Perhaps some of your crew has also been washed ashore."

She paused and looked at me. "What is your question Sparrow?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Would you mind if we were stranded here for the rest of our lives?" I asked, not sure where the question came from, or why her answer suddenly seemed so important.

"I'm not sure." She put her hand to her mouth and tapped her finger on her lips. "I know I would miss my servant Maggie, I'd miss Kat's laugh and oh yes, I'd miss Tom's wonderful apple pie."

I looked at her and thought to myself…. Don't ask…Don't ask…. and then I did. "What about Tom?"

She looked me square in the eye. "What is it you want me to tell you?"

"I want the bloody truth."

She sighed. "If the truth you're after is whether or not I love him, then yes."

"Love." I sneered. " Love is nothing more than the lie men invented to woo women to their beds without guilt."

Jem's eyes opened wide. "Do you honestly believe that?"

"Believe it? I know it to be true. If you have not noticed madam, I am a man."

"Then more's the pity for you. A life without love Jack is an empty one. I am sure you have loved or you are in love. What about Miss Swann? AnaMaria?"

I glared at Jem. I was ready to stop this conversation but she kept edging me on. "A life without love is a happy one." I answered back.

"Jack, heaven above are you dense or are you just merely doing this to perturb me. Are you telling me you've never once known the thrill of being in love? You have never felt your heart quicken when someone special approaches you? You've never longed to spend every moment of every day with one person?"

I rolled my eyes at her. "That's called lust. L-U-S-T!"

"No Jack, it's called love. L-O-V-E, Love."

"Then yes, I've been in love countless times." I threw my hands up in the air. "In fact, I'm in love right now. For all I can think of is holding your naked body against mine."

"No Jack, now that is lust." She smiled and pulled on my hair. "Now my feelings for Tom are totally different. He is like ---"

Disappointment and fury squeezed into my chest and I could barely breathe. I didn't want to listen to her anymore and I shut my ears. What did I expect? I wanted her to say no Jack, I hate him. Tis you I love…. My jaw tensed, I pushed myself away from her.

"Aye, I suppose if given a choice you'd much rather be marooned with him.

She stood up and gave me an annoyed glare. "I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to."

Placing her hands on her hips, she faced me. "Why are you so angry?"

"I'm not angry." I snapped

"Yes you are." Jem accused "You said you wanted the truth."

"And you gave it to me. With both cannons." I froze in thought. Why couldn't she love me? Aye yes, I killed her father. What the hell? I didn't really want her to love me. No, that would be too—too. I stormed off, heading down the beach.

"Jack, where are you going?" Jem yelled after me.

"To take you to your damn treasure."

Jem stood there with her arms crossed. "Men" she seethed. "You give them what they want and suddenly they fly off the handle. So what are you doing Captain? Are you going off to pout? What did you want me to say? Did you want me to tell you, I love you?" She laughed and then she abruptly stopped.

"Jack!" She called, chasing after me.

I was half way down the beach when she and Amber caught up to me. "Jack." She panted. "I'm----"

I just looked at her and without saying a word I pressed my fingers to my lips and motioned for her to follow. I turned and walked away, then I stopped, turned and looked back whence I had come. I stood for a little while then looking and listening, I could hear the sound of distant talking.

"Jem, we are not alone and I'd give you one guess who is here on this island with us."

Following a sudden impulse I turned grabbed Jem's arm and cut off across the sand, but keeping pretty close to the shore. My objective was to spy on the intruders, I intended to watch them from the back of the low sand hills that fronted the beach. We had gone some distance when I became aware that the voices were drawing closer. Suddenly I saw three heads appear above the sand hill so I pulled Jem down quickly into the sand and Amber flopped beside her.

The sun was glimmering on the sand and the stillness seemed to press upon us. Suddenly we heard the sound of a man's voice and it was slowly counting. "Ninety-one," the voice began, "ninety-two, ninety three."

"Jem." I whispered. "It appears your treasure is no longer a secret. Tom and his friends are trying to find it also. I'd be willing to wager the papers you claim to be so precious, are now in dear Tom's hands. Needless to say, they are in the wrong place and they will never find it. However Luv, we could use their shovels."

Tom stopped counting and I stopped talking. They stood there for a long time then started to dig.

"Bloody Hell." Tom shrieked. "We will never find it. Why did Sparrow have to take Jem with him? I can only hope he has gone to see Old Hobbs."

"Yes, but he has probably taken our captain with him." Mathew spoke up. "You know mate, I think Jem has a soft spot for Captain Sparrow. You're loosing your touch Tom."

The third man, Jonathan then chimed in. "I think Sparrow has a weakness for Jem too. Have you seen the way he is always looking at her and I understand he spent all his waking hours, while not on duty with her, when she was injured. If you listen to Sparrow's friend William Turner, you would know how he feels."

"All of you just shut up." Tom yelled in anger. "Jem is my girl. She will always be mine. You all know how she is. She loves to play games and torture those she does not like. We all know Captain Jack Sparrow is Jem's enemy. He killed her father. She loves me and if she is alive she will come back to me. Mark my words, she will come to me." He wiped the sweat from his forehead and surveyed the beach. " I will find her and we will find the treasure. Now, just be quiet. I have to think."

In the perfect stillness I could hear the washing of the little waves beating upon the distant beach, and then I heard the far-away sound of a laugh, most likely from one of those who stood by the boat. One, two, three minutes passed and then the men picked up they're stuff and left.

Just as they disappeared down the beach there was a sudden faint flash of light and intervals of muffled thunder in the distance.

"Well Luv, I have no idea what chased them off but we cannot stay here." I stood up and brushed the sand from my breeches. "Maybe they realized they are in the wrong area or the impending storm has driven them away. Come, I know where there is a cave, in which we can spend the night. I am sure they will be back tomorrow. We must commandeer their tools and boat. We have the element of surprise on our side, they think we are dead."

We crept along cautiously, stopping now and then to make sure we were alone. The sky was turning dark again and the rains were coming back.

"This small cave is hidden from the beach. Nobody will find us here." I sat down and looked up into Jem's face. She had been quiet for such a long time. She frowned and stared down at me.

"Jem, I know you still plan to go for the treasure, but do you think it is wise with your men so close? What did you tell Mister Vickers's before he joined your crew? Did you promise him riches? I can only assume he did not know everything for you have been very secretive. But," I twirled the beads in my beard and narrowed my eyes. "Did your brother tell him?"

She knelt down beside me and brushed my hair back from my face. I stared at her, wondering if she was going to slap me or get angry with me, once again.

She then sat beside me and fell silent in thought. "No Jack, I won't let Tom or my crew get the treasure. He will no doubt be angry when I scheme against him but it seems to me he and my brother must have been plotting against me all along."

Disbelief showed on my face. "Jem you told me he was loyal to you and you have feelings for him. Did you not hear him tell his friends, how devoted you are to him and how you belong to him?"

She placed her hand on my knee. "Jack, I wish I could convince you, all I want is the treasure. I do love Tom, as a brother, that is all and that is all it ever will be." She smiled at me. "I have a trusty dog who loves me and I am a survivor. Don't worry about me."

Amber attempted to lay in-between us and Jem directed her to go lay down on her opposite side. She obeyed and laid her head in Jem's lap.

Sighing, I closed my eyes. "Jem if you only knew how many strong women I've seen broken. Don't let Tom get to you. You are right, you don't need anybody, and you can take care of yourself. You certainly don't need Tom."

I reached down and took her hand into mine. "Trust no one at your back unless you want a knife in it. This be the pirate's first code, and a lesson I don't want you to learn firsthand." I gently kissed her knuckles and released her hand.

"Are you going to sleep?" She asked.

"Twas my plan." I mumbled.

Settling down she laid her head on my shoulder and started to trace small circles in the hairs on my leg.

"Jem." I whispered "If you continue to do that, neither of us will have any sleep tonight."

Balling her hand in a fist she stopped. "Sorry."

"Don't be. It was quite pleasant, I just don't want to hurt you." I smiled at the thought of what I really wanted to do.

She tucked her arm up around her waist and I could feel her eyes on me while she watched me drift off to sleep.

She reached out and ran her hand across my chest, and then she delicately caressed my stomach. Before she could move lower I grabbed her hand. "Luv, I gave you one warning and I don't usually do that. Now let us be going to sleep."

"Do you wish me to move?" She giggled.

I opened my eyes and I gave her my dazzling smile that never fails. "I wish you to stay right where you are. Savvy?" I released her hand and I closed my eyes once again.

She placed her hand on Amber's head and looked down upon her faithful friend.

"Amber, my sweet friend I have made a dreadful, frightening discovery. I think I could be falling in love. I think I am completely, utterly head over hills for, Captain Jack Sparrow."

A/N Thank you for the wonderful reviews. I hope this is not considered a cliffhanger. I do have to admit I do end most chapters with cliffhangers but not all of them. However, cliffhangers are fun and add suspense and hopefully make you want to read more. Enjoy. R/R