Disclaimer: Show me Jack and Will along with the horizon. Disney still has them but I can dream.

Not All Treasure Is Silver and Gold

Jem stared out at the moonlight rippling across the sea. The waves rolled in and out as the ship tilted slightly. I came up behind her and placed my hands against the frame of the window, and then I moved and stood close behind her.

"Jack." She said after a few minutes and then turned to face me. She rubbed her hand over my chest and then looked down at her hand, refusing to meet my gaze. "I hope you'll always remember me fondly when I'm gone."

"Where are you going?" I pulled her in close to me and felt my heart hammering. "You have not mended me yet. I am in a terrible amount of discomfort and I will require much attention, plus a lot of rum." I said playfully.

"Jack, I am being serious, you know as well as I do that we can't go on like this." She pulled away from me and poured fresh water from a pitcher into a nearby basin. "Come here and let me take care of your shoulder. You know captain you should really take better care of yourself."

I went over to her and put my hands on her shoulders. "Jem, after all that we have shared. You can't leave." I could see the pain inside her and the fear, but worse than that I saw her determination.

"Jack please sit down." She inspected my shoulder and washed away the blood that was still flowing. "This one may need stitches." She spread her fingertips over my shoulder. "Please take off your shirt, it will make this a lot easier."

I grabbed her hand and looked up into her eyes. "Jem, don't try to tell me that you can stand there and inform me you are leaving. I know your intentions are to get a ship and go back to the sea but instead of your own ship you can sail with me."

Jem stumbled backwards and laughed. "Your being ridiculous, now get rid of your shirt so I can remove the bullet." Jem turned away and gathered up some clean rags.

"Me ridiculous? I'm not the one thinking of leaving." I smiled and pulled her onto my lap.

She pulled away from me and smiled back. "Jack, you know if I were not here to help you I would smack you. Let us discuss the future at a later time; right now all I want you to do is to remove your shirt."

An evil grin came across my face. "You want me to undress?"

She stared at me and shook her head. "Just your shirt Jack!"

Though she had seen me on other occasions, especially on The Vengeance, she stared at my muscles, my broad chest, and my various scars as I removed my shirt.

"Is something wrong?" I opened my eyes wide and looked at myself. "Does the sight of my bare chest affect you?" I gave her a wide golden grin.

Pretending no interest, she went straight to my wound. She gave out a small gasp, which didn't make me feel to good.

"You're not squeamish are you Jem?"

"No I am not squeamish." She held out her hand. "Give me your knife."

I placed my knife in her hand. She wrapped her fingers around the hilt. "Luv, this is going to hurt you more then it will hurt me." She handed me a bottle of rum. "Please drink this. I will remove the bullet and then stitch you up."

I took the bottle of rum and gulped it.

"Are you ready?" She asked.

"I am not worried. I trust you with the knife, the needle, and my shoulder. Do your worst beauty." I said as I took another swig and then chocked when she dug the knife into me to remove the bullet.

The pain was excruciating and I closed my eyes tightly and flinched. "Jem, to take my mind off the burning in me shoulder, tell me your deepest, darkest secret. What passion blazes inside such a romantic soul?" I opened my dark eyes and allowed myself to stare up into hers.

"If I answer you Captain Sparrow, will you do the same?" She asked me as she drenched my wound with the alcohol and then dug the knife back into my shoulder.

I winced again and almost yelled. I nodded. "Aye Luv, if I can still speak, after ya butcher me."

"Jack I am removing a bullet, not your tongue. Of course that might not be a bad idea. You do talk to much." She smiled at me, but her smile soon turned into a frown. "The bullet is embedded in the bone, I will have to dig a little more."

I didn't move or say a word while she dug the bullet out and sewed me up. She then took the bottle from my hand and took a gulp. She seemed more relaxed now and ran her fingers through my now damp hair.

"I'm finished. Let me apply some clean bandages and you should be as good as before, if not better." She handed me the rum and then she carefully tore clean bandages and gently wrapped me. She was sending tingles up my spine.

As she bandaged me she spoke softly. "My one secret is that I should be a great artist."

"Really?" I asked. Remembering all the artwork that she had in her cabin. "Really, I can just imagine you covered with paint as you get that little look on your face."

"What look?" She sat on the edge of the bed and looked at me.

"That little scrunchy thing you do when you are thinking." I mimicked her.

She grabbed the rum from my hand and took a swig. "Scrunchy thing?"

I nodded. "You are doing it now in fact. Your brow are slightly creased and your eyes slightly narrowed."

She blinked several times to dispel whatever look I was referring to.

"I have no idea what you mean Jack. I do not make faces." She took another swig and handed me the bottle.

I graciously accepted it. Took a drink and glanced at her. "A tis a pity then, it's a wonderful look for you."

"Now for you Jack. What is your greatest passion?"

I looked down at the floor then I rolled my eyes up to her face and smiled. "Killing people."

She looked at me hard. "Is that the truth? I don't believe you."

"Don't you? I am a pirate, after all."

"Yes, you are. But you're not like other pirates."

"How are you so sure? I killed your father and your brother and you say inadvertently I will kill William. Ah but yes, if you are right I will be killed because of you."

I placed my hand on my shoulder and then I looked into her dark somber eyes. "Luv if this is true, I want you to know, I want to spend what ever time I have left with you and I would be glad to die for you." I raised the bottle. "Here's luck to us!" I hoisted the bottle to my lips and drained it.

Sensing the closure of the conversation she grabbed my left arm and looked at the ugly burn mark on it, that I had received long long ago. "Well Captain, do you wish to share and tell me how you got that."

"Well Luv, I must give my friends credit for that. I was awarded this when I had a brush with the East India Trading Company. They were the same blighters who branded me with this." I let her glance at the 'P' burned into my right arm. They wanted to make sure that I would always remember who I am or should I say what I am?"

I pulled my arm away from her. "You see when I was their prisoner they put me in irons. I had to do some drastic thinking. I only had one arm in the irons when I made me escape. In order to get it off I used a little powder in the lock. Just enough to blow it off, not enough to take my arm. As you can see, it left a little bit of a scar."

Jem's brow furrowed and she ran her hand over the scar. "You say this is just a little? It looks like it must have hurt."

I looked at her and laughed. "I've certainly had more pleasurable experiences, like dancing with you in my arms." I looked into her dark eyes. "Jem you can't go. I could never hurt you. Please, stay on The Black Pearl with me."

Jem stood up and headed for the door. "I can't do that. I've seen how you live. I've seen how you fight. What if one day you're killed in the middle of a battle and it is because of me. Or what if you're taken prisoner by your enemies, Norrington?"

I laughed. "That is quite a lot of ifs Jem and I would never let that happen."

"You can't guarantee me that. Ever." She reached out and laid her hand against my shoulder. Her eyes searched mine and I ached for a way to settle this, but deep in my heart I knew the truth and she would leave.

"Perhaps we should go up on deck and make sure we lost the Naval boats. Better yet, you should rest. I will send William to you, I'm sure you want to speak to him and see how your crew is fairing."

As Jem turned to leave I followed her and when the cool air hit my face I did feel slightly faint. I leaned against the wall and breathed in the salt scented air. Trying to ignore my light-headedness I forced my gaze on the ocean.

"It's very beautiful, isn't it?" She asked.

"Very." My gaze was now on her face and my heart was racing. There were so many things about her I liked and so many more I wished I knew.

The longer the silence stretched the twitchier I became. She glanced at me and then focused her attention on the dark sea, but a few seconds later; she looked back at me to find my gaze had not wavered from her.

"What?" She asked showing a little uneasiness. "Have I grown a new head?"

I pushed myself away from the wall and moved to stand next to her. "Jem, tell me have you ever had a man kiss you hear before?" I touched her neck just below her ears.

She looked at me and laughed. "That is very forward of you Captain." She ran her hand across my forehead. "Are you feeling ill? You should be resting." She said primly.

"Yes it is a bold question, and you have not answered it?" I looked at Jem, "And what about your lips. Can I kiss those?"

"You already have and I'll have to say I liked it. Off with you and go to bed." She turned me around and started to take me back to my quarters.

I pulled back from her. "Jem, you are so beautiful. I say we should have another go at it to make sure you really liked it."

Before she could respond, I pulled her into me and I kissed her. I ran my fingers through her hair and tilting her head brushed the hair away from her neck and kissed her right below her ear.

"You really are incorrigible Captain Jack Sparrow."

"Pirate" I responded as I kissed her again.

"Jem." Mathew and Scott approached us. Jem spun around to great them. Scott spoke first.

"We have been looking for you, captain. We have to talk and if you don't mind, we would like words with you alone."

I placed my hands on Jem's shoulders and smirked at the men. "She minds."

"Jack, I will speak for myself." She removed my grasp and went over to Mathew and Scott. She stood between the both of them and put an arm around each of their shoulders. I am sure she thought she had gone a fair distance but she was still in earshot.

"Jem, we have no desire to stay on The Pearl and sail under the command of Captain Sparrow." Mathew voiced his opinion. "We are concerned about Tom and you have to tell us what is going on."

Mathew then flung his hand into Jem's pocket and pulled The Ball Of Santiago out. Jem grabbed his arm and made him drop the ball and Scott immediately bent down and picked it up.

Scott rolled it around in his hands. "So, Tom didn't lie. Look Mathew, it is The Ball Of Santiago and the Ruby of Hope lies in it."

Mathew now stood close to Scott and they were both in a trance as they looked upon the ball. All of a sudden they started to sweat. Jem yanked the ball away from Scott and put it back in her pocket.

"Give me The Ball!" Scott yelled and the next instant he held a round shining barrel of a pistol pointed directly against her forehead. She hit the gun away and he grabbed her wrist. Jem then kicked him in the groin and he doubled over in pain. He reached down and grabbed the gun. She also dove for it. She hit the deck first, rolled over with lightening speed and pulled the trigger. The powder flashed and the madman fell to the floor with a bullet in his chest.

My crew now came running. "Who is shooting pistols at this hour?" Gibbs yelled. Then catching sight of the figure lying in a huddle he looked at Jem and then he looked at me. I had been standing back watching the whole scene, not wanting to interfere with Jem and her crew.

"By the blood! What happened here Captain?" Gibbs questioned me. "Is it murder?"

"Not murder Gibbs." I walked over to Jem, pulled her up and took the gun from her shaking hand. "It was an accident, she is as innocent as a baby." I placed my arm around her waist.

Will had now come upon the sight and he looked at Gibbs, Jem and myself. I could see the look of disbelief in both William's and Gibbs's eyes.

"Accident! Says he." Mathew yelled. "Jem, she pulled that gun on him." Mathew bent down and held Scott's limp body. He looked up at all of us with a crazy look in his eyes. "Scott is dead and they killed him! Yes, Captain Barbossa and Captain Sparrow killed him. They went for buried treasure and will not share any of it with us. They will kill us all, we must kill them first."

As he talked the color of his cheeks grew dull and yellow and his lips became fat and drooped apart. His drool was falling on to the deck. His eyes stared with a fixed and glassy glare. He stood up and pulled himself close to William as he gazed at Jem. "She is wicked, she is a murderer. She is a Barbossa!"

Jem moved towards him. "Mathew you know it was an accident."

He suddenly flung her back and I caught her before she went over the rail.

"Ye bloody murderer." Mathew yelled at her. "I'll have that ball or I'll have your life!"

He pushed me aside and leaped at Jem, thrusting his hands into her pocket where the ball was nestled. He lifted her off her feet as though to dash her bodily upon the ground. As he did so his heel got caught on a loose board and he fell to the deck, his arms still encircled around her. Jem struggled and freed herself just to be hit with all his weight and in that instant an enormous and thunderous splash occurred as they both went flying over the rail and found themselves plunging into the waters.

Jem being a good swimmer had no difficulties in reaching and clutching the slimy sea moss rope that hung down from The Pearl. Gibbs, William and I stood on the deck and saw no sign of Mathew. Will pulled Jem up to safety and she joined us as we gazed upon the surface of the water. There seemed to be a slight commotion in the waves but nothing ever appeared. Mathew never surfaced and the sea engulfed him.

Will took his coat off and placed it around Jem. He looked at her then at me. "Is there any truth in what he said? We now have two dead pirates and it appears you have taken them both." Will looked directly at Jem.

I pulled Jem towards me and looked at Will. "Dead Men tell no tales mate and there are no tales to be told here."

Jem pulled away from me and stepped up to Will. "Anything can happen at sea Mr. Turner." She looked back at me and then at Will. "Have you ever heard of The Ball Of Santiago?"

"No Jem! Don't!" I yelled.

Will looked upon me then her. "Why yes I have, but it is buried and nobody knows where it lies."

She ran her hand down Wills cheek. "Aye Mr. Turner, that is where you are wrong. I know where The Ball Of Santiago is and Jack under pain of death helped me." She looked at me with tears in her eyes. "I have to go." She walked off leaving William and Gibbs staring at me.

Damn her for telling the truth and damn her for being reasonable this one time.

XXXXXXXXX

I didn't sleep at all that night. I was waiting for Jem to come to me but she never did. I had no idea where she went or where she slept. I lay quietly on my bed tossing and turning and just staring at the ceiling lost in thought when I heard a tremendous scream.

"I know that scream." I jumped up and ran towards William's quarters. When I arrived I found Elizabeth crying over an unconscious William Turner.

"Elizabeth my Luv." I pulled her off the floor and saw that she had been beaten rather badly. Her face was bruised and her dress was torn from her body.

"Please Lass, don't tell me Mr. Turner did this to you." I looked down on William's prone body.

"No Jack." Elizabeth threw herself in my arms and then pulled back. "No, it was Tom. He came here looking for Kat. He said Jem had something of his and if she didn't give it to him he was going to kill Kat." Elizabeth began to swoon and I placed her on the bed.

She caught her breath and continued. "He had an odd and scary look in his eyes. I looked at Kat and told her to run. She did. Tom grabbed her and pulled her back by her hair. That is when I stabbed him with Will's sword that he had left on the bed. Tom turned around and attacked me." She placed her head in her hands and began to weep.

I sat next to her, wiped her tears and put my arm around her. "I thought he was going to kill me Jack." She looked into my eyes. "The next thing I remember, Tom was flying across the room and he and William were fighting. Tom hit Will over the head with this solid gold candelabra and he was about to run him threw with his own sword when Jem came in. She pulled her gun on him and told him not to harm Will. She said she would do want he wanted and they both left together." She knelt back down next to Will. "Jack I am sorry. I have been so wrong about Jem. She means no harm to us. I know now she loves you and she truly does love our daughter. Jack, Tom is going to kill her and he will kill Kat too." She began to wail.

"Elizabeth darling, there will be no killing." I pulled her off the floor and shook her to get her to look at me. "Was Kat with Jem when she came in here?"

"Yes. No. I don't know. I think so."

I pulled her close to me and hugged her. "You tend to William I will go find Jem and Kat. Don't worry, remember I am Captain Jack Sparrow and nothing will happen to our daughter. Nothing. Savvy?"

I left the room and went down to the brig, figuring it was dark and quiet down there and Tom could have a private talk with Jem. My instincts paid off. As my foot hit the bottom step I heard their voices.

"Come Luv, I'm not well and you are the only one who can make me feel better. If you don't give me Ze Ball, I will kill this child."

I could now see them. Tom was backed up against the wall with a knife at Kat's throat and Jem had a pistol pointed at his head. The only thing going through my head was please please don't do anything stupid.

"Tom you can wait until there are angels in hell." She lowered her pistol and

reached her hand into her pocket and handled the ball. Taking a deep breath she looked into Kat's eyes. "Tom I know Jack Sparrow is your enemy but his daughter plays no part in this. You are a dear friend and The Ball Of Santiago has injured your judgment. I do not believe you would have tried to kill me except for the curse of the ball."

Tom cried in a hoarse raucous voice. "Give it to me. I need it. Give it to me this instant." He tightened his grip as he reached his hand around Kat's neck and she screamed.

Jem shot her gun in the air trying to distract Tom and not wanting to hit Kat, she then hurdled herself at Tom and knocked Kat from his grip. Kat fell to the floor and swiftly crawled to a dark corner. Jem fought Tom for the knife and won. She took the knife and stabbed it in his shoulder pulling it out fast before he could grab it.

"I know you are cursed but you bought it on yourself. I told you to leave it alone but no, you had to insist, you had to touch The Ball Of Santiago. You can be so stupid."

He yelped and pulled back from her. "Please Jem, please my dearest, I am your friend, I am your lover, you can trust me."

Will pressed is hand on my shoulder. I turned and was surprised to see him standing behind me. "Jack, does Jem really have it? Does she possess The Ball Of Santiago?" He looked at me with deep concern in his eyes.

"Aye Lad, she does and I have been trying to have her get rid of it but she won't. You see it is a gift to her from her dead father." I clasped my hands together. "I can only hope she knows what she is doing."

Jem pulled the ball from her pocket and held it in front of Tom. "You my friend, my first love, you will never have this. I'm disinclined to acquiesce to your request. Every time you say we will split something evenly I have always come out short. Well, I am sorry Tom, this is the end of the line for you."

"Jem, please I promise you, I just want to hold it." Tom pleaded. "There will be no bloodshed." As he spoke he gave her a devilish grin. "I know you would share almost anything with me, I know you are thinking of my own safety." He gnashed his teeth with indescribable menace and threw himself at her.

We were all totally unprepared for what happened next. He flung himself so hard they both fell onto the floor. He moved with such agility, like a cat. He jumped up and threw Jem against the wall. With an arm as strong as steel he clutched her throat and grabbed the knife from her hand.

With the intent to save Jem, I caught Tom by the wrist and pulled him back. Bending the blade away from Jem took every fiber of strength I had. Tom was younger and larger then me and very strong. I could see the murderous endeavors in his eyes. With a vehement cry, he clapped his hand on my shoulder and throwing all his weight forward we both fell upon the floor. As we hit the floor Tom gave out a piercing scream and then relaxed. He let me go and started beating the floor with his hands. I immediately leaped up and saw what happened. The knife, I turned away from Jem, had indeed been plunged into Tom during our fall. He now lay quivering in front of me.

Jem knelt down next to Tom, removed the knife and looked at Will and I.

"Jack you know he is cursed but I cannot let him die. Can I?" She looked at me with pleading eyes.

"What monstrous thing has gotten into him?" Will asked stunned, while gazing down upon my victim. A thin red stream trickled from his parted lips.

"Jem he is not dead, I will send Mr. Gibbs and Cotton to help you." I went over to her, grasped her head in my hands and placed my forehead upon hers.

In the confusion Jem had dropped the ball and William bent down to pick it up. At that moment I pounced him and knocked him down.

"NO! Will! Don't touch it!"

He lay there petrified, scarcely daring to breathe. "Jack is there something you want to tell me?"

I was lying on top of him and I could see the terror in his eyes.

"Jack, will you please get off of me and tell me what is going on." Will asked while struggling to get away.

Jem came over and picked up the ball and placed it back into her pocket. She then pulled me up off of Will and he sat up looking at us both, as if we had gone mad.

"Behold this little ball." She said, drawing if from her pocket. "It appears this has brought all this disaster upon me or should I say Tom, Mathew and Scott."

At the sight of the ball, Will quickly rose and fixed his gaze upon it. His eyes dilated like those of a cat and his breathing became erratic.

Jem replaced the ball in her pocket and Will appeared to awaken from the trance that the sight of the object had sent on him.

"Come William, I need a drink and so do you." I glared at Jem. "So be it for keeping it a secret, especially from my crew. Get rid of that or I will have to get rid of you. Don't ever pull it out again in the presents of William, my crew and myself. Savvy?"

For a moment Will stood transfixed and staring at Jem. He then dropped his gaze and looked at me. "Yes, Jack let us have a drink and you must tell me about, The Ball."

I put my arm about his shoulder and we started to head out of the brig when I heard Jem gasp. I rolled my eyes and threw my head back. "Lord woman what is it now." I turned around to see what was bothering her. There was a pool of blood but there was no Tom.

"Where did he go?" I went to Jem and shook her. "Tell me where did he go! Did you take pity on him AGAIN? You know what you must do and if you don't I will. I told you the ball was evil but you refused to listen. I will have no problems putting a bullet threw his thick skull. You best kill your friend, your lover, your--. " I tossed my hands up in the air. I was furious and I was loosing it.

"Jack." Will came over to us. "Be gently mate, she meant no harm and you know that." He pulled me away from her. "Don't let your anger get in the way of you true feelings."

I glared at her and she turned away.

"Jack look, Tom went that way." Will pointed to a trail of blood. He pulled his sword and started to follow the tracks of red. "Jack if we don't get him, he will kill you. He vowed he would do that when I put him down here. We have to find him before he hurts someone else or worse, kills somebody."

We followed the trail and it lead us up on to the main deck. I cursed as I came on deck as the sun hit me full in the face. "Are you all right Captain?" AnaMaria asked.

"No, I'm dead." I said with a hoarse voice. "At least I wish I was." I looked at her and then at Jem. "AnaMaria, have you seen the likes of Tom Vickers?"

"Jack." William yelled out. "There he is, up in the rigging with Katheryn."

I turned as I heard the sharp scream from Kat. He was deliberately tangling her into the rigging.

"Jem you must come up here, the view is spectacular." Tom yelled. "If you don't give me the ball I will let her fall." Kat was clinging onto the mast for dear life and screaming her head off.

Without thought I ran toward the mast where she was. Tom then pulled her from the mast and tossed her, but she did not come falling down. One of the ropes had caught about her ankle and she now swung upside down about fifty feet above the deck.

Jem started to climb up and I grabbed her arm. "Jack, I must go. It is because of me Tom has taken Kat and he will kill her if I don't go to him."

I released her arm. "Lass if you must go I won't stop ya but I would think hard before I started that climb. The ropes will give way. Note, Tom sliced some of them. They will snap before you get half way up."

I surveyed the scene; then I grabbed a rope off the deck and coiled it quickly about my body. I climbed up the mizzen stay to the main mast and secured myself to the cross beam as I tried to reach Kat.

Tom was still clinging to the rigging above me and I could tell he was loosing his strength as his blood dripped down upon me. His face was drawn and pale.

"I'll kill you both." He snarled. "You and your daughter will be dead and I will have Ze Ball and Jem."

My perch on the cross-section was just as tenuous as Toms and Kat's. I turned my attention away from Tom.

"Kat" I called out in a loud yet soothing voice as I unwound the rope from around my shoulders and lowered a piece to her. "Take a deep breath Luv and reach for the rope."

"I can't!" She shouted, her small voice filled with terror.

"Yes you can." I assured her. "If you don't take the rope, Jem will be very upset and run off with Amber and we will never see them again."

I could feel the hot glare of Jem's eyes on me as I spoke and then to my surprise, Kat grabbed the rope.

"That's my girl, hold on tight and what ever you do. DON'T LET GO! Remember Jack has you and he loves you."

I started to pull her upright when the rigging broke from under her. The heavy, tangled ropes and sails fell with a rush to the deck. Kat screamed in agony, as the rope against her ankle was pulled taut. The sail hit the deck with such force that it jarred the boards under AnaMaria and Will's feet and sent a rush of air over them.

Kat was screaming and twisting as she sought to maintain her grip. Then I noticed Jem was almost under her. She was hoisting herself up the ropes that led to the crow's nest. I saw her reach up above her head and grab another line and it broke. She slipped but caught herself. To my relief I was glad to see her.

"Jem make sure you keep your grip tight." I yelled. All in all she was doing a great job.

"Kat." Jem spoke calmly to her. "What ever you do, don't look down. I am under you and if you fall I promise you I will catch you."

"Jem cut the damned rope from her leg." I shouted.

Jem moved swiftly and easily through the tangled mess. Watching her was like watching a panther slink though the jungle. She could barley reach Kat's ankle but she stretched and sliced the rope with her dagger. As soon as the rope was cut free, I fell back into thin air.

"Daddy!" Kat screamed from her place in the rigging. At the same time Jem lost her grip and fell a few feet before she stopped herself. It was then she realized she was terrified.

I had lost my footing but somehow I managed to catch myself against the mast and not loose my grip on the rope that Kat was holding on to. Time seemed suspended as we hung far above the deck. Kat was whimpering in pain and I was attempting to right myself and find solid footing.

Jem had started to climb up again. "Jem, stay where you are. Please don't come any further. Please." I could only hope she would listen to me.

I glanced down at Kat and Jem, and I could tell Jem was still climbing. "Jem would you catch me also, if I fell?" I gave her one of my famous grins.

Jem stopped climbing and looked up at me. She shook her head and then she realized I was trying to make light of the situation for Kat's benefit. "Absolutely Jack, you would have my head if I let you make a mess on the deck."

"Thanks Luv." I smiled again at her. "I'm glad chivalry is alive and well on the high seas."

She looked up at Kat. "Kat darling. I am right below you and your father has you. There is no reason to be afraid. You should know I would not take Amber away from you. Now do as your father says and don't let go of the rope."

I slowly begin to lower Kat toward the deck. William ran to her and caught her, as she got closer. She was sobbing and she threw her arms around his neck. I dropped the rope and made my way to Jem who hadn't moved.

When I got close to her I could feel her trembling. She looked at me and then averted her gaze to the deck far below.

"Jem, my dear, you told Kat not to look down, you should follow your own advice." The Pearl rocked and she grabbed my leg. "Jack how can Charlie come up here everyday it is so."

I looked at her and smiled then I looked off into the far horizon. "How can he not? From here you can see the light of day met the waves of the ocean. The two of them blend together into the most wonderful symphony of harmonious colors. It's beautiful."

"Yes, it is." Jem whispered.

Jem's voice had a strange tone that made me look at her and I realized she wasn't talking about the sea. She saw me looking at her and she released my leg.

"Do you spend much time up here?" She asked as she stared into my kohl-rimmed eyes and did not turn away.

"I haven't been up here in a long time." Mesmerized by the sea I stared off into the horizon. I eventually looked back down at her and she was still staring at me.

The ship pitched from side to side and she once again grabbed my leg, taking in a deep breath she whispered. "Jem, get a hold of yourself." I saw her shiver again.

"Jem, don't worry I won't let you fall. This is my home, our home. We are two peas in a pod Luv. We belong to the sea." The ship tilted again and what was left of the sails stretched tight. "Come, I think it is time we headed back down."

Together we made our way down the rigging to the safety of the deck. I surveyed my crew and then looked at Jem. My heart ached for her in more ways then one, but I knew what I had to do.

I walked over to her and brushed the hair away from her face. "Friend or no friend. Curse or no curse." I looked at my men and then I looked up at Tom who had also been making his way down.

"Shoot him, open fire and bring him down." Shaking my head and looking at the fallen sails I grabbed a piece of rigging and threw it. "Someone clean up this mess." I walked over to Will and took the sobbing child from his arms.

"And you, I am very proud of you. I will take you below to your mother so you can't get into anymore trouble."

Kat pursed her lips in an effort not to say anything. Then she threw her arms around my neck. "Daddy, I thought we were dead."

I felt the anger and rage melt from me. I looked at Jem and then back at my sweet daughter. "No Luv you will only be dead IF, you don't obey me." I kissed her on her head and glanced over at Jem who was now kneeling next to Amber and looking at the both of us.

As I turned the guns echoed over The Pearl and Tom did come out of the riggings. However he came down on his on volition. He swung himself down and landed on AnaMaria, knocking the breath out of her. He took her sword and came at me. Amber leaped at him and he went to the ground. Jem grasped the sword and pointed it at his neck.

"I will take care of him. Jack please call off your crew and take Kat to her mother." She looked down at Tom.

"Please Jem, give me the ball. I just want the ball." Tom lay there crying.

"Tom my friend, you can cry out but nobody will help. Your only salvation is death." She raised the sword to plunge into his body when Howard came up behind me and placed a gun to my head.

"Jem, put it down and step down or I will kill him." Howard said slowly and I could feel his hot breath on my neck. "I will kill this precious little girl also."

"Jem kill him. Kill him now!" I ordered.

Howard banged the pistol against my head. I winced slightly and then rolled my eyes. "You two have been scheming behind our backs ever since you killed Jeffery." Howard snapped as he hit me again. I would normally have just turned to fight him but I was still holding Kat.

Howard then placed his left arm around my neck and pulled back tight. "Jonathan, Tom and myself will not tolerate it anymore. Jem, let Tom up and we will take over The Pearl." He pulled his arm again and I started to choke. "Captain Sparrow tell your men to drop their weapons or you will be visiting Davy Jones's locker real soon."

Jem stood motionless still holding the sword above Tom's neck, looking at him and then at me. My crew dropped their weapons all but one. I saw William, moving ever so slowly for his sword. I looked at him and mouthed, don't do anything stupid, as I nodded my head down towards Kat.

Will raised his sword and threw it with such grace and ease. That boy's aim was remarkable as it hit Howard's gun hand. How he missed me and Kat I will never know. I could feel the air from the blade pass my head and I could hear the sound of the steel going into his hand. Howard yelled out as he shot the gun and the bullet went astray. I dropped Kat and she ran for shelter and I immediately attacked Howard.

Tom had rolled from his position on the deck and had kicked the sword out of Jem's hand. He hit her so hard to the ground she laid there unconscious. Tom grabbed for the sword and Will went for Howard's gun. Tom seeing this turned on Will. Before Will could get the weapon Tom plunged the sword down towards Will but it never hit him. Tom fell backwards as a gunshot rang across the deck. Blood splattered from his head and the sword fell to the ground.

All was silent as we looked upon Tom's bloody face. The shot had gone straight threw his head. To my surprise and I am sure everybody else's, I saw Elizabeth once again standing with a smoking gun in her hand, but this time she shot the right person and she killed him.

Elizabeth took a few steps back and Kat was standing next to her. Elizabeth went to her knees and Kat threw her arms around her neck.

"Mommy, I knew you could do it. I knew you could!" Elizabeth dropped the gun and embraced Kat.

"Congratulations Luv." I said as I walked over to Elizabeth and picked up the gun. "You know for having such a bleak outlook on pirates you're well on your way to becoming one. Saved a man whom you truly love and is running from the Royal Navy, sailing with a buccaneer crew out of Tortuga and you're completely obsessed with treasure." I looked at Kat and then towards Will, who appeared to be in shock. "As I have told you mate, not all treasure is silver and gold." Then I looked towards Jem who was lying near Tom's lifeless body.

"Of course there are some treasures that should be destroyed."

When I said that I felt a pang go through my heart. Which treasure should I destroy, The Ball Of Santiago or the Love I hold for Jem. There was really no question. I knew what I had to do.

A/N Thank you for all the wonderful reviews. As you can tell the seas will be getting rough for Jack and Jem.