I do not own POTC or any of the other characters in this story except for Raven.

Sorry it's taken me forever to get this up. I have a good reason! I got the lead role in a play, singing solo n all. See? I dun have time! But I'm totally gonna keep posting, as often as possible. So please, keep reviewing! And sorry about all the mistakes,one of theses days ill take the time to actually edit them all and fix everything, so please bare with me. ;-)

Chapter 3

Tortuga

The ship continued its journey for another week, heading in the direction of the infamous pirate island, Tortuga. Raven spent much of her time out on deck, watching and asking questions when she felt it was permitted. The crew didn't mind at all, she was always polite and quiet. More often then not, Jack was worried about Raven being out so long. He simply could not stand the idea of her getting sick and perhaps even dieing. Death was not pleasant, but neither was an ill crewmember.

On the 7th morning since the confrontation with Norrington, Jack was watching Raven as she talked amiably with Anna-Maria. Anna-Maria laughed, throwing her head back; Raven smiled warmly. Jack could feel the corners of his mouth threatening to pull up. The simple sight of Raven doing so well and bonding so well with his crew made him feel….he wasn't sure how to describe it. It was warm, happy, almost….safe. The seemed to be the feeling Raven inspired was safety. Perhaps it was the fact that she had stared down Norrington that made everyone let their guards down around her, but there was still something about her that you just had to trust, to like. Perhaps that was why Jack had grown so protective of Raven.

Raven and Anna-Maria parted, each going in opposite directions. Raven headed towards Jack, climbing the stairs to the helm slowly and calmly and, in that same calm stride, walked over to Jack and stood beside him at the wheel.

"Well, Captain," she said after a long while. "How much longer?" Jack quickly calculated the distance that remained before giving her an answer.

"Not much longer. I'd say we'd arrive at 'bout dusk." Raven nodded and watched the sea as though still thinking.

"Captain, it's best that I tell you a few things before we go a-shore. I don't want any of the crew coming to any unfortunate surprises because of me." Jack turned away from the ocean and looked directly at Raven for the first time, shocked at what she had just said. What could she have possibly done to cause his crew any trouble? And Norrington had definitely wanted her back to give to this Anderson, whoever he was. Jack stared at Raven for a few moments before speaking.

"Aye, ye can tell me, lass." Raven nodded slowly, still looking out towards the ever-shifting waters of the Caribbean.

"I am wanted in every city that is under England's control. Do not believe any of the stories you may hear of me, I am no criminal, I was simply ... in the wrong place at the wrong time. There will be many more soldiers trying to search this ship was it passes through certain straights and passages. I believe it may even be best that you let me off at Tortuga so I may find my own way and not cause any more trouble then I have already been."

Jack had turned back to sea as Raven had spoken, but he was still listening with rapt attention. He made no move as she spoke and stayed silent for a long time after she finished. Her simple speech had brought many questions up and many dilemmas. Jack thought about everything for a long time before he spoke again.

"Aight, lass. I 'ear ye. But I'm not goin' to simply let ye off in Tortuga with now means of protection or a way to survive. Before I say another word, le'me tell ye that ye'll not be leaving this ship to loose yerself in Tortuga. Tortuga's a bad place and yer in no shape to defend yerself. Secondly," Jack said emphatically, closely Raven's mouth that had already opened to argue. "I see no reason why I can't smuggle ye in me ship when I can other goods. Ye'll jus' learn to hide when yer told to. And last, I'm under the impression that yer a fast learner, unless what Anna tell me is false. So ye'll be able to take care of yer keep. And Ye've already proved ye've a level head e'en in a tight moment. So, with that said, I'm also telling ye that yer goin' to stay on this ship while I an' some of the crew go in to Tortuga. And ye'll stay hidden."

Raven was now the one staring at Jack, her mouth hanging loose in shock. Obviously, she hadn't expected Jack to keep her on–board. But now, it seemed that he wanted her as one of his crewmembers, despite that fact that she was still unable to use her hand much.

And Raven was right.

As Jack stepped into the crowded little pub, he instantly saw him. The soldier was probably 25, give or take a few years. This made him only a decade or so younger then Jack. But Jack could still pick him out instantly. The man's clothes were appropriately tattered and his hair looked scrubby, but it was clean and he had had nothing to drink nor had he beckoned for a whore. He simply sat at the table, his head down, eyes roaming. Jack grinned at him as their eyes met. The man's eyes narrowed somewhat in recognition.

Jack walked over to the bar and bought himself a drink before settling into the chair across form the man. After taking a sip, Jack spoke to the man.

"So, what would a prissy soldier like yerself be doin' h're in Tortuga?" Jack's tone was friendly, but his eyes glittered like stars in a winter sky. They were hard and dangerous and had the desired effect on the man, who, knowing full-well who Jack was jumped up to leave.

Jack was quicker. Despite his normally lethargic movements, he was on the man in an instant, his sword at the man's throat. He wasn't smiling anymore, but instead glared with all the force of a thousand gods.

But the man was no weakling. He quickly blocked Jack's sword from his throat and grabbed its pommel, making to twist it from Jack's grasp as he reached for his own sword. Jack rolled his arm around in a circular motion, loosening the man's grasp and lunging. The man was quick and parried, but Jack was much more experienced. Soon, he had backed the man out of the pub and onto the street. No one paid attention to them, most were either too drunk to care, or were smart enough to stay out of it.

When Jack had led the man to the far end of the street, where things were somewhat quieter then in front of the pub, he played his trump card. He let the soldier knock his sword out of his hand. The man took advantage of Jack's moment of weakness and lunged. Jack side stepped him and grabbed at his sword handle, tugging it out of his hand as he administered a swift kick to his behind, sending him straight into the compacted dirt street. The man rolled over to jump up but found himself once again at the wrong end of a blade. Jack held the man's sword to his throat as he stooped to pick up his own sword.

"Stand," he commanded. The man stood carefully, fear beginning to creep into his eyes. Jack wasn't known to be merciful with soldiers of the Royal Navy.

"Now," Jack began again. "I think ye should answer me question."

The man swallowed a few times. Then he seemed to gather courage. Jack sighed as he saw the all too common look of patriotism cover the soldier's eyes.

"Lad, don't say ye'll have to kill me, 'cause I'll gladly do just that."

The man bit his lip, and then finally spoke.

"Very well, Mr. Sparrow. There's no need to be violent, we are both gentlemen." Jack rolled his eyes again. Soldiers and their small talk. It was honestly pathetic, particularly as not one of them believed a pirate was worth anything short of worm food.

"Lad, do ye know who I am?"

The man nodded.

"You are Jack Sparrow, Captain of the Black pearl and you are also…"

"As much as I'd love to talk about me all day, I think its time to move on to yerself. What are ye doin' in Tortuga, an' don' make me ask again."

"Aye, Sir. I've been posted here to wait for and capture Miss Charron. I was told to kill any who got in my way."

Jack thought for a moment.

"And who sent ye?"

"Mr. Anderson, Sir."

Jack bit his lip. This Mr. Anderson again.

"And who is this Anderson ye speak of, then?"

It was the soldier's turn to look shocked.

"You've never heard of Mr. Anderson?"

Jack poked the sword a little deeper into the young man's throat, causing a grimace of pain.

"First off, I'm the one with the sword, so I'll be doin' the questionin'. Second off, I have heard of him, but who he is fails me. So, to the question." The man nodded nervously.

"Aye. Mr. Anderson is a wealthy man. He is the King's first cousin and next in line for the throne, unless a son is born. He owns many properties all over the world, but he is also a slave trader. He is very rich."

Jack's glare deepened. A slave trader. The bastard sold humans for money, when he had more then enough. Jack was one of the few people who believed that slaves were as human as the King of England. The only reason he was ever vocal with his opinions was because he was a pirate, for which he was forever thankful.

"So, why did Mr. Anderson the slave trader chose ye for this job, since he already knew ye'd have to deal with me."

"Because I am loyal not only to His Majesty, but also to Mr. Anderson. I promised to tell no one about my mission, particularly as the French does not wish for his daughter to come to harms way. He has already had signs posted offering rewards for her safe return. Mr. Anderson also wishes her safe return. He is so concerned that he is going so far as to use means as dramatic as myself."

Jack glared at the man for a few more moments. Then, without a way of him knowing, Jack brought the pommel of his sword down on the base of the man's lower neck, striking the section of nerves and knocking him out. Jack dropped the man's sword into a poorly tended flower garden and hastened to his ship, not even stopping back at the pub.

He growled under his breathe as he realized he had yet to even have a woman here. It was too late for that. He needed to take action quickly; who knew how many soldiers were posted on this island. Belatedly, he realized he should have asked, but it was too late now. The more he went on, the more he realized that Raven was more important then she looked. Obviously, she was the daughter of some obscure French lord or what-not. And she was Mr. Anderson's fiancée. But there was also something else, Jack was certain. Other wise, there would not be nearly this much clamor to get her back. Whatever happened, Jack knew things were better of to keep Raven out of the hands of anyone he didn't trust. She was in constant danger of being found.

By the time he had boarded his ship, Jack's mind had already digested all the information he had received that night and he already knew what actions he would take.

Almost copied led zepplin lyrics into here...joy. well, i gotta run to my practice, so please review!