Hey all! I'm back with a new chapter for ya...aren't you happy? I know you all didn't like the A/N, but I had to post it just to let you all know what was going on. ANYWAYS, I'm proud of this chapter, but I know for a fact that you'll hate me at the end...but there will be another chapter of course!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own POTC...-twitch-


Jack and I took each day as they came slowly as to not injure ourselves further. It took Jack only a week to regain his position as Captain after Gibbs substituted for him.

There was some uneasiness between Jack and I ever since those kisses. I was beginning to think they were just his way of thanking me for what I had done for him, but I just don't know. Emotionally I'm so confused right now to the point where I can barely think straight without feeling the reminisce of our lips touching. Just forget about it, it was nothing.

I've been given a temporary job of cleaning the deck of the Pearl until I'm to be dropped off at a random port. Yet I didn't mind washing the deck, I just couldn't stand the thought that I would be leaving when the Pearl docks next.

My day of mopping up the Pearl began at dawn and ended an hour or so before the dinner bell was to be called. I've been routinely waking up just before dawn to get out on deck to watch the sun rise from it's enchanted slumber, then it's time for work. With barely anything on my body, my skin started to take on a shade of light tan. When my day is finally over, my whole body aches from the tiresome labor. I look forward everyday for my body to drop onto Anamaria's spare cot.

About two weeks after Marius's death was when I received the note on top of my cot. There was sloppy writing upon a piece of parchment telling me to meet down in the galley just before the sun sinks below the horizon that very night. The letter was left unsigned.

I sat puzzled for a moment on my bed, just wondering what was waiting for me in the galley. If Marius was still living I would be worried, but then again he is dead so there was nothing for me to fret. I bided my time until the sun finally set, then I stepped onto the deck before I was to go into the galley. That's odd, no one's out here…strange.

I stood at the top of the stair case that leads into the galley. I could hear just quiet murmurs through the ship's walls, but nothing I could decipher. I walked down the stairs in my confused state of mind, wondering what all was going on with everyone. I opened the door, slowly walking into the full galley.

"Hey ev'ryone, it's Kora!" yelled Gibbs. The whole room burst into cheers and joyful shouts. I couldn't help but smile.

Jack was sitting at the end of the long table, feet temporarily up on the table itself. With the support of his chair, Jack brought himself up onto the table, gesturing for me to join him upon it. I took his hand as I stepped onto the bench to get up with Jack.

"Listen here you scurvy dogs! Tonight is the night devoted to celebration!" I turned to face Jack with a baffled look on my face, which he took as the perfect opportunity for explanation.

"This celebration is dedicated to Kora, for her heroic deed of killing that bastard who shall remain nameless. She has truly earned her place upon the Pearl!"

Cheers followed Jack's miniature speech, their glasses of rum thrown into the air. A few of the crew members brought out some instruments, ready to play music for the festivity.

"So Capt'n, we all had to perform some sort of initiation, what will she be doing?" question a man named Andrew.

Jack brought his hand to his beard, his fingers twirling the two braids, obviously thinking of the perfect initiation for me. Men around me were hollering random and obscene suggestions, such as slitting my palms and climbing up to the crow's nest and having sex with Anamaria. You've GOT to be kidding me!

"Capt'n, I be'ive the lass has gone through plen'y of events tha' make up as her initiation act," spoke up Gibbs.

"Well, you've got a point old man," replied Jack, slapping him on his shoulder. I sighed in relief, mentally thanking Gibbs for saving my hide. Everyone except Anamaria began to mumble obscenities from Jack's decision.

"I guess you're now safe Kora from perpetual humiliation. Well, let's get the party going, shall we?" Jack asked me while helping me off the table to the floor. Jack merrily walked over to a barrel filled with a dark, aromatic liquid; rum. He dipped two mugs into it and came back to where I was standing.

"Drink up, luv!"

I looked into my mug, debating if I should take a drink of the atrocious liquid that I was forced to serve men back at the Splintered Barrel. My curiosity won over my mind; I took a fair-sized sip, only resulting in my mouth and throat burning from it. As quickly as it took over my mouth, I coughed it right out. Jack heartily laughed at my reaction to the taste.

"You'll get used to it, only a matter of drinks and it'll go down just like water."

And he was right. I finished off my first glass rather slowly, but then I grew accustomed to its flavor. By my second mug I was on the table again, this time dancing to the music around me. A few men joined me, but Jack was not one of them. He stood against the wall of the galley parallel with the table, watching my every move. My eyes locked with his, causing my heart to flutter in my chest.

Almost automatically, I jumped off the table, sauntering over to him in a seductive manner. Whether it was lust or the rum, I didn't know. All I knew was that I needed to be near him or I'd wither away to oblivion.

Once I reached Jack, my arms instinctively draped over his shoulders, drawing myself against his body. He sharply exhaled, obviously pleased with the close confines between each other. My lips found their way against the nape of his neck, gently nipping at the sensitive yet erotic flesh. Again Jack exhaled in a staggered manner. While continuing to torture his body, Jack finally resisted.

"Not here…" Jack uttered huskily. He grabbed me by the arm and guided me out of the galley, leading me toward his cabin. Never will my life be the same afterwards…


PLEASE DON'T FLAME ME BECAUSE OF THE ENDING OF THIS CHAPTER-dodges bricks and stones- If you want me to continue, REVIEW w/o flaming me in the process!