A/N: Wow...I actually managed to keep to the deadline! I don't know why I did it to myself but not only did I have another hectic week, this is also the longest fanfic chapter I have ever written. :D

I hope it was worth all the time it took :)


Chapter 9 – George's final mistake

Sylvia was in her own bed. She had slept for a few hours but now she was sat up and wide awake. Her father was sitting beside her patiently waiting for an explanation.

"He would have killed him," said Sylvia breaking the silence.

"George acted on…"

"George acted like a mad man," said Sylvia shivering as she remembered with horrible accuracy exactly what he had looked like as he raised his pistol

"He could have easily shot me, he didn't care." Sylvia's eyes widened as she realised something she had not seen before.

"He knew he had lost me to Jack," she said very quietly. Lord Ryecroft did not hear her.

"I'm sure you were in no danger," he was saying but Sylvia felt it was imperative that he understand what George had tried to do.

"He was mere inches from shooting me, father. If Jack had not got in the way…" She let her voice trail off dramatically. Lord Ryecroft swallowed and Sylvia knew this had hit home.

"Then he will be dismissed from service immediately," he said, "There is no excuse for compromising your safety." Sylvia sat still. Her chest suddenly felt constricted like it had when Jack had fallen on top of her, crushing her. Lord Ryecroft's words were still flowing and she picked out the main points.

"He saw you…with the pirate….rather closer than…" Sylvia's head snapped round and her eyes bored directly into her father's with an intensity he had never seen there before.

"He saw me kissing Jack," she said clearly so there could be no mistaking her words for anything else. Lord Ryecroft shook his head disbelievingly.

"It isn't true," he said desperately reaching out for something, "It can't be."

"It is true," said Sylvia definitely, "I lo…"

"Don't say it!" shouted Lord Ryecroft as he rose to his feet, "I don't want to hear it! How could you do this to me Sylvia? How could you do this to yourself?" Sylvia closed her eyes as her father marched out of the room.

When Sylvia got out of bed later she found her father had locked her in her cabin. Too exhausted to fight any more Sylvia walked back to her bed and fell into it. She had known this time would have to come, the time when everyone knew, but she had not bargained on the extra complication of Jack being hurt in the process. She brought her hands up to her face and let loose a cry of pain. It didn't make her feel any better but at least it didn't make her feel worse.

The next day Sylvia heard a commotion which she simply could not ignore. She hurried to her door but unsurprisingly it was still locked. She pressed her ear to the wood but could make out nothing but the vague rumble of lots of activity. Frustrated and curious she began to pace up and down. A couple of minutes later Sylvia heard the sound of a key scraping in the lock and she looked up expectantly. Her face visibly fell as Lotte stepped into the room.

"What's going on out there?" she demanded not wasting a moment. Lotte looked very uncomfortable.

"Tell me," said Sylvia trying to exert some authority over her maid.

"I'm not supposed to be telling you Miss," Lotte whispered with a frightened look at the closed door.

"It's alright Lotte, no one will know," said Sylvia who could feel herself leaning forward. She thought that if Lotte took much longer she might be tempted to shake the truth from her.

"That Jack Sparrow, he wanted to see you Miss," said Lotte in a scared rush.

"Jack!" said Sylvia her eyes lighting up, "Jack was here?"

"Why yes Miss, he tried to get aboard but they wouldn't let him. He had to leave Miss, they would a'killed him but he was cursing something terrible, I was right sure that I would have to cover my ears Miss." Sylvia ignored this last bit.

"Did you see him?" she asked desperately.

"Yes Miss," said Lotte with one more look at the door.

"How did he look? Did he look well?" Sylvia asked wishing Lotte would just spill out all she knew so that she could sift through it. Lotte shook her head, her curls bounced comically.

"Oh no Miss, he was awful pale and he was limping a little. I'm no doctor Miss but I'm sure that he shouldn't have been standing. Sure as eggs are eggs." Sylvia bit her lip.

"Thank you Lotte," she said feeling very grateful towards the maid. Lotte gave a small nod and then hurriedly deposited the food tray she had been sent in to give Sylvia before retreating so hastily that she almost tripped over. The news that Jack was not looking well, although not unexpected, had made Sylvia worry but, small comfort though it was, at least he had been well enough to try and see her.

That night Sylvia did not get undressed, she waited until she was sure most of the crew had retired to their beds before she opened her window as wide as possible. It opened onto a thin ledge which would provide her with just enough foothold to get her round to the main part of the ship where she could get to the beach. She had some difficulty moving her bed and other assorted bits of furniture to allow her to slip through the window legs first but she managed it at last. The ledge was slippery and once or twice Sylvia felt her shoes slide rather unnervingly but finally she made it to the main deck in one piece. Under the gaze of only the moon and stars she went to find Jack.

"Jack, ye stubborn fool, will ye just sleep? Ye'll feel better fer it," said Gibbs exasperatedly.

"I knew this would 'appen," said Jack staring up at the ceiling, "I knew I should never 'ave…"

"Yer not listening to a bloody word I say are ye?" said Gibbs with an exaggerated sigh.

"What?" asked Jack looking up at his first mate. Gibbs rolled his eyes. Suddenly they both heard footsteps. Gibbs stood up and they both looked towards the open door. The footsteps slowed and then a familiar figure appeared. Sylvia stood in the doorway her face the picture of anxiety.

"Nice to see ye lass," said Gibbs giving her a quick smile as if he had been expecting her all along, "I'll be leaving fer a while." Sylvia returned his smile with a brief one of her own as he passed her, then her eyes returned to Jack and she walked to his bedside. Jack was sitting up painfully. Sylvia sank to her knees in front of him and took his hand.

"I'm so sorry," she said but that was all she could get out before she began to cry.

"Don't be crying luv," said Jack with a brave effort to hide any pain he was feeling, "I told ye I'd be ok and I am, I never break a promise." Sylvia continued to sob.

"Sylvia, look at me." Sylvia raised her eyes to Jack's like a guilty child.

"Ye saved me life," said Jack, "There be no reason fer ye to cry." But Sylvia knew there were a million reasons. The main one spilled out of her mouth without her permission.

"They'll never let us be together Jack, never," she said tearfully. Her grip on Jack's hand tightened.

"We don' need permission luv," said Jack but Sylvia needed it. She had never lived in a world where permission was not needed. Jack could tell she could not see a happy ending on the horizon.

"Smile luv," he said and though it was a command Sylvia heard a real plea behind it. For some reason he needed to see her smile so she did, through her tears.

"Tha's better," said Jack encouragingly, "No use in upsetting yerself." Sylvia smiled again, Jack was right.

"I love you," she said and she felt something inside her burn stronger than ever before.

"Love ye too," said Jack and he kissed her hand which was still wrapped around his own.

Sylvia returned to her ship unseen with promises to see Jack again, promises she knew she may be unable to keep. Seeing Jack had calmed her though, now she knew for certain he was alright she felt much stronger. She managed to get back into her cabin via the conventional entrance which did mean she could not lock herself back in but she did not care. No one said anything the next morning, she presumed her maids had sorted out the situation but they said nothing to her so she couldn't tell if they were suspicious. She knew she would not be so lucky to avoid detection if she disappeared every night so she remained alone in her cabin, isolated, without even visits from her father who apparently had not even begun to forgive her. This solitary existence persisted for Sylvia for a whole week but she did complain. A lot of the time she spent looking out of the window her thoughts entirely taken up by Jack. She sent him prayers across the water and she dreamt of him beside her and always woke miserable because he was not there and might never be, at least if her father got his way.

Sylvia's confinement did not just punish her; it was a great strain on Lord Ryecroft too. He had never had to be so stern with Sylvia, and even if he had found cause for punishment Sylvia had usually got out of it. Sticking to such a harsh and complete solitary rule nearly broke Lord Ryecroft's heart and unbeknown to Sylvia he was often found outside Sylvia's locked cabin door sometimes he could even be caught trying to hear what was going on inside. He missed having George to talk to but, just as he had said, he had been dismissed. A man called John had taken his place but Lord Ryecroft had yet to establish anything other than a working relationship with the man. To distract himself from everything else Lord Ryecroft threw himself into the new task he had appointed for the entire crew. A task which was to become clear to Sylvia the day she was allowed to remerge.

Sylvia walked out, she had made a token effort to appease her father by dressing in one of the dresses she knew he liked but she forgot all about making her father happy when she stepped out onto the deck and saw rows and rows of crates. Some were half packed, some were being moved from one place to the next, and some were piled on top of each other as high as her. The crew were all busy dealing with them; they did not even notice her. Sylvia watched with a growing sense of dread. She had to find her father.

"What's going on?" she demanded as soon as Lord Ryecroft came into view.

"I'm preparing the Conqueror to set sail," replied her father without making eye contact.

"Leave?" asked Sylvia in horror, "When?"

"Everything should be ready in a month or so," said Lord Ryecroft still not meeting his daughter's eyes, "And you will be granted no permission to leave the ship until we reach the next port, is that clear? I never want that pirate mentioned again." Sylvia looked at her father for a moment.

"Do you really mean to make me this unhappy?" she asked. Lord Ryecroft looked up at Sylvia and for a moment his resolve faltered but he knew what had to be done.

"There is no other choice Sylvia," he said, "There could never be." And he walked away feeling older than he had ever felt in his life.

Sylvia continuously looked for opportunities to sneak away but none presented themselves, there were too many eyes watching her. She grew desperate but her father had increased her protection and no one wanted to make a mistake, they knew what had happened to George. As hopelessness and heartache set in Sylvia began to lose her appetite. She grew pale and depressed and could not be encouraged to say a word to anyone. Lord Ryecroft responded by shouting at the crew more harshly than he had ever done before. He knew it wasn't their fault, just as they knew they were not really the ones being punished, but Lord Ryecroft just didn't know where to turn. He found he was unable to help his daughter, but all was not lost for help arrived from a very unexpected quarter. The three maids assigned to looking after Sylvia watched their charges health begin to dwindle and knew they had to do something but it was Milly who dared to suggest the idea. Initially the other two were fearful but gradually they came together and hatched a plan which, in their opinion anyway, was most daring. The first part was perhaps the most terrifying of all and it was Betty who drew the short straw.

"Lord Ryecroft sir?" Lord Ryecroft turned to see Betty curtsying with Milly and Lotte doing the same a few paces behind her.

"What has my daughter done now?" he demanded his voice made strong by unhappiness.

"Nothing sir," replied Lotte at once, "We didn't mean to suggest anything was wrong sir."

"Then what do you want?" Lord Ryecroft asked impatiently. He was usually a patient man but dealing with the maids was always somewhat trying and he really did not need it right now.

"We've come to make a request of sorts sir," said Lotte, her feet shifted nervously.

"For the good of Miss Ryecroft, sir," piped up Milly.

"Oh?" said Lord Ryecroft. Sylvia's unhappiness was something that was preying on his mind constantly and he was all too keen to find a way to indirectly cheer her up.

"You know how much young Miss Ryecroft adores going ashore sir," said Lotte her eyes flicking from the floor to her master's face.

"She has been stuck indoors for an awfully long time, sir," added Milly.

"We thought," said Betty thinking she might as well finish what the others had started, "We thought it would be nice, sir, if we could take her ashore for a bit of a treat."

"But what of the pirate?" asked Lord Ryecroft sharply.

"He need never know sir," said Lotte.

"We would never let such a scoundrel near Miss Ryecroft, sir," squeaked Milly, little patches of pink forming on her cheeks. Lord Ryecroft believed this whole heartedly, the three maids had never shown an ounce of warmth towards the pirate which was more than could be said for himself.

"We would not allow her from our sight, sir," promised Lotte, "We only want to allow her a little freedom before we set sail again." All three maids held their breath while Lord Ryecroft considered the proposal.

"You must make Sylvia come to me and promise not to disobey you," he said. Lotte looked at Betty.

"Of course, sir," said Betty. The colour on Milly's cheeks was deepening.

"Right then," said Lord Ryecroft importantly, "If you can make her promise to be obedient I will grant you permission to escort her to shore."

Sylvia heard her maids enter the room, she told them to go away but they did not. Reluctantly Sylvia looked up from the last book Jack had been reading to see Betty, Milly and Lotte looking half terrified, half very excited. Milly had those pink flushes on her face which appeared whenever she was facing a difficult situation.

"What's the matter?" asked Sylvia at once. It was Milly who stepped forwards; she seemed to be biting her lip to stop herself from smiling.

"If you consent to stay with us Miss, we have been granted permission to escort you around town," she said all in a rush.

"I don't consent," said Sylvia stubbornly. What was the point in leaving the ship if she could not go alone? What torture it would be to walk the same places she and Jack had been, it was bad enough here on the Conqueror.

"But Miss," said Milly, "We were really hoping you would come." Sylvia looked at her. There was a sparkle in the maid's eyes that Sylvia had never seen there before; it was intriguing to say the least.

"What's going on?" she asked lowering her voice but the three maids just continued to look oddly mischievous without saying a word.

"Ok," said Sylvia looking into each of their faces, "I'll promise."

After Sylvia had agreed not to disobey the three maids in front of her father she found herself on shore. Neither of the maids spoke until they were well out of earshot of the Conqueror's occupants.

"Follow us Miss," said Milly positively skipping ahead, her cheeks still very pink.

"Tell me what's going on," said Sylvia who could not help but smile. This was all so strange!

"Just follow us," said Betty. They led Sylvia down the beach and through passageways Sylvia could not place until they arrived at the site of a small waterfall whose thundering water had created a deep blue pool at its base. For a moment Sylvia thought this was it, that her maids had brought her to see this and she was going to be expected to be soothed by its beauty. Before the anti climax fully hit however she could not help saying.

"It's beautiful."

"Aye luv, that it is." Sylvia span around at once, her eyes wide, and when she saw him she froze. Jack stood before her, his dark eyes looking into her own. Betty, Milly and Lotte were all standing a little way off looking shiny eyed. No one spoke until Lotte stepped forwards.

"We'll be leaving now Miss," she said, "We'll be back in a few hours." Sylvia was speechless. They were leaving? Jack grinned at the sight of her trying to understand what was going on. Sylvia smiled too, a little warily. She reached out her hand as if to test that Jack was real, he took it and then pulled her to him meeting her lips with his.

"Oh Jack," Sylvia breathed. Those two words said it all.

They made love in the waterfall pool with the sound of the water pounding in their ears.Sylvia lost herself in Jack's kohl rimmed eyes; she clung to him and tasted him revelling in every part of him. Later, as the afternoon began, they lay on the warm rocks. Jack was half dressed and Sylvia was wrapped in his coat. It smelt of him; a warm sea smell. Jack was dozing peacefully but Sylvia was remembering what her father had told her.

"Jack?"

"Mm?" came the sleepy response.

"My father is preparing the Conqueror to leave." Jack's eyes snapped open. He sat up with a wince of pain.

"When are ye leaving?" he asked, his wet hair was hanging round his face.

"In a month," replied Sylvia emotion welling up inside of her. Jack said nothing. He was frowning. Sylvia could see a small crease in his forehead.

"I don't want to go Jack," she said her hand finding his. When Jack raised his eyes to look at hers Sylvia saw an intense sadness but when he smiled a moment later the look was gone.

"I'll think o' something," he said projecting such an air of confidence that Sylvia almost believed him. She desperately wanted to but surely there was no way. She looked down at the water. Jack saw she did not believe him so he put one hand under her chin and made her look at him.

"Have I ever given ye reason not to trust me?" he asked and he kissed her. She kissed him back even as her tears began to fall.

Jack stroked Sylvia's hair gently. She had sobbed herself to sleep on his lap but now she looked peaceful and it was his head that was reeling. He had known of course that one day she would leave but he hadn't really thought about it properly until now. He knew one thing for sure; he definitely did not want to let her go. The thought of never seeing a woman again had never bothered him in the slightest before but when he thought about the same thing applying to Sylvia he felt a pain that was nothing to do with his other injuries.

Jack was climbing over the rocks an hour later. He stepped down and let out an involuntary cry of pain. Sylvia scrambled over to where he was at once.

"Jack, are you alright?" she asked her hands gently touching his chest as if they tell her what her eyes could not.

"Aye," said Jack, "Nothing t' worry yerself about."

"It's from the gunshot, isn't it?" said Sylvia with a worried expression, "You shouldn't be here, you should be resting."

"I don't need any more rest," said Jack, "I be fine so wipe that look off yer face." Sylvia was looking tragic.

"I never meant for you to get hurt."

"It weren't yer fault luv. Stop yer worrying," said Jack and he pulled Sylvia onto his lap.

"Oh Jack," said Sylvia, "It's going to be hell to say goodbye to you."

"I told ye luv, I'll think o' something," said Jack, "No more talk a' goodbyes, savvy?" Sylvia nodded and smiled a little sadly. Jack lifted her up ignoring the protests from his aching body and soon Sylvia was laughing as he threatened to drop her in the water.

Sylvia was watching Jack as he walked behind the waterfall. He looked so beautiful with the water all around him, the beads in his hair catching the light and glinting like diamonds. Her heart gave a shuddering beat as she walked over to join him over the perilously slippery rocks. Jack reached out a hand to help her and together they sat on a large rock behind the sheet of rushing water. When Jack spoke Sylvia could barely hear him over the sound of it.

"Did ye know ye were about t' meet me this morning?"

"No, I had no idea. I never expected my maids to plan something like that."

"I didn't either," confessed Jack, "It were quite a surprise t' find one of 'em waiting outside the Pearl. Shaking like a leaf she was." Sylvia laughed.

"I don't blame her," she said with mock seriousness, "You are a very viscous pirate."

"Just the way ye like it, eh?" said Jack with a wink. Sylvia grinned. She leaned over but as she did so her hand slipped and caught Jack's shirt moving the deep V. Her fingers brushed over something she had never noticed before. Jack tried to move her wrist but Sylvia looked down and saw two scars on Jack's chest, even she could tell they were the marks of bullet holes long since healed. Her breath caught in her throat. Jack used this as an opportunity to move his shirt again so they were covered. Sylvia looked at him, her eyes full of horror.

"How did that happen?" she asked, her voice quiet and horrified.

"It were a long time ago luv," said Jack evasively. Sylvia swallowed. She wondered how she had not noticed before, and felt herself blushing as she realised she must have been too caught up in the moment.

"Is there anything else you're hiding?" she asked. Jack looked uncomfortable which told Sylvia that the answer was a definite yes.

"Show me then," she said calmly.

"Sylvia luv, I…"

"Just show me Jack." Jack sighed and reluctantly rolled up his shirt sleeve, the one which did not cover the branded P. Sylvia gasped as she saw an intricate network of scars criss crossing over his forearm. Sylvia felt compelled to reach forwards and run her fingertips over the jagged pattern.

"Oh Jack," she breathed, "Someone tortured you." Jack rolled down his sleeve.

"As I said luv, it were a long time ago," he said.

"But…" Sylvia began but she could see Jack did not want to talk about it so she swallowed her questions, "I love you Jack, very much."

Jack smiled as he fought to rid his mind of the memories that had just flooded in to his mind.

They were kissing behind the waterfall when Jack suddenly pulled away. He could hear something apart from the roaring water, someone had joined them. Sylvia opened her mouth to speak but Jack put a finger to his lips. He cursed silently as he remembered he had left his pistol and sword out in the open.

"Stay here," he told Sylvia and he began to edge around the rocks. The water kept him hidden but he had to be careful, he wanted to do the seeing before he was seen.

George had his pistol in his hand, he had shot the pirate once, he was going to finish the job or die trying. It was the pirate's fault he had lost his job, dismissed from the Conqueror after all those years of loyal service. It was the pirate's fault the love of his life would never know what he felt for her. These were crimes that he had to pay for, and George was here to collect. As soon as it was light enough to pick out the Black Pearl's sails from the sky George had watched. He had not missed a single coming or going. Today he had seen the pirate leave and then, to his horror, he had seen Sylvia heading in the same direction with her three maids. There was no way he could allow that, so he had checked that his pistol was fully loaded and followed them at a safe distance. The trouble was he had lost their trail, and when he had seen the maids coming back his way Sylvia and the pirate had been nowhere to be seen. It had taken him hours to stumble across this little place, but he had known at once that this was no dead end. Discarded items of clothing were scattered here and there. George could see Sylvia's delicate shoes and the pirate's scruffy hat. He narrowed his eyes; they had to be close by.

Jack heard a noise close to him and turned to see Sylvia climbing across to be with him. So much for staying where she was. He stood up and wrapped one arm around her waist to steady her on the slippery rocks. He pointed downwards with his free hand and Sylvia looked through a gap in the rocks where the water did not reach. When she saw George she almost screamed out of sheer shock but Jack covered her mouth with his hand. George picked up something from the ground and held it up. Sylvia heard Jack curse and then realised that George was holding Jack's hat. The finer points of his expression were not visible from this distance but it was painfully clear that George was not stopping by for a friendly chat. Jack held Sylvia close to him as he tried to remember exactly where he had left his pistol, if he could just reach that…

"Sylvia, luv," he whispered in her ear, "Stay here. Don't move whatever 'appens, savvy?" He waited until Sylvia nodded before releasing her. He hoped that this time she would actually listen to him. He didn't know whether Sylvia had seen George's pistol, but he certainly had.

George threw the pirate's stupid hat into the water, a gesture which was not as satisfying as he would have liked. He span round when he thought he heard a noise but there was nothing there. Despite his best efforts he began to lose his cool.

"I know you're here Jack Sparrow!" he shouted out, "You might as well just give yourself up now!" George waited but nothing happened. He had not expected it too, but it would have been nice.

Jack was crawling behind a rock he wished was larger. He winced as his back gave a particularly nasty twinge; this was not the best position for him to be in. On the other hand he knew George would not hesitate to kill him so he really did not have much choice. His pistol was only ten feet from him now. The problem lay in its exact position. Instead of being behind the rock like Jack himself the pistol was out in the open, so to retrieve it Jack was going to have to appear in clear view of George.

George heard another noise and this time he did not dismiss it as nothing. It had come from to his left. Cautiously, pistol at the ready, he approached and with each step his head became clearer. Each step brought him closer to retribution.

Jack could hear George getting closer, it was now or never. He threw himself forwards, his fingertips brushed the gun barrel but before he could grab the gun George's boot slammed down hard on his hand. Apparently George was closer than he had expected. Jack tried to pull away but George pressed down harder crushing Jack's fingers. Jack gritted his teeth and looked up into a gun barrel. George wished the moment could have stretched on and on, this position of absolute power was delightful.

"Any last words Sparrow?"

"Yes actually," said Jack through the pain of what felt like five broken fingers, "I'd advise ye t' take a look behind ye."

"What?" said George sharply turning round in spite of his best judgement.

"Sylvia?"

Sylvia said nothing. She was holding Jack's sword in both hands and the blade was pointing directly at George's chest. George opened his mouth to speak again but his lapse in concentration allowed Jack to get free of him and to his feet. Everything happened in slow motion. The sword slipped from Sylvia's hands as George span round once more his pistol rising but he was too late. The gunshot reverberated through the air and for a fragile instant all three of them remained standing but then, with a burst of blood from the mouth, George fell flat on the sand never to move again.

Sylvia just stared at George's body without blinking. She seemed to be trying to will him to move. Jack walked slowly over to her and as soon as he touched her she began to shake.

"It's ok luv," he said gently but Sylvia was not listening. She just kept staring at George, the George she had known all her life, the George who, up until recently, had been her friend. Her knees hit the sand and then her whole stomach turned over and she vomited onto the rocks. Jack knelt down and held her hair out of her face. When she had finished she began to shake again worse than ever. Jack wrapped her in his arms and just held her. It took a long time for Sylvia to stop shaking. When she finally did Jack deemed it safe to move her away from the area and then leave her alone so he could collect his effects. His hat was floating close by so he reached out and grabbed it. Next he picked up his sword and then Sylvia's shoes. Then he stood and looked at George's body which was still lying face down in the sand. He felt no remorse, although there was a certain amount of guilt but that was connected with Sylvia. He had not wanted to shoot George in front of her but he had had no choice.

"I told ye I'd get me revenge," he said to the still form of the man whose only crimes were really following the rules he had been brought up to obey and loving someone. Jack turned away from George and suddenly, as if someone had flicked on a switch within him, his hand screamed at him. With a sharp intake of breath Jack cradled his crushed hand which was already discoloured by purple bruising.

"Jack," called Sylvia shakily. Jack hurried over to her and almost winced when he saw her. She was horribly pale; her eyes seemed to stand out from her face in a way that was almost haunting. He couldn't decide what was more painful, his hand or seeing Sylvia this way.

"Jack," she said again, "George is dead." The truth was sinking in. Sylvia felt like a cold blanket was being drawn tightly around her.

"George is dead," she whispered.

"Sssh," said Jack. He had seen this before. People reacted differently to death, but disbelief was common.

"It were him or me luv," said Jack plainly, "He 'ad to go." Sylvia found she could not make herself look at Jack. She was glad beyond words that it was him who was with her now not George but to hear him talking so calmly about George's death was scaring her. She did not realise that Jack's matter of fact manner was actually helping her fight off the rising tide of panic that might otherwise have consumed her entirely.

When Sylvia's three maids arrived Sylvia almost panicked then. What if they saw George's body? It was for this reason she stood abruptly and went to meet them. Jack followed close behind, the same thoughts running through his head too. Once they were well away from the scene of the crime however Sylvia turned back to Jack, her hands clinging to him like he was her life support. In that moment she considered simply running away with him but even as the thought crossed her mind she dismissed it, a move like that would take an immense amount of courage and she did not have that yet. Maybe she would one day.

"It's time to go now miss," said Lotte hoping Sylvia was going to come without a fuss. Sylvia buried her face in Jack's shirt. Jack stroked her hair gently.

"I won't let you go luv," he whispered. Sylvia looked up at him, gave the briefest of pale smiles and then kissed Jack right on the mouth which made all three maids blush furiously and look away. With one more trembling look Sylvia reluctantly tore herself from the safety and comfort of Jack's arms and joined her maids. Jack stood where he was and watched her leave wondering as he did so just how he was going to sort this mess out. His hand gave another painful throb as Sylvia disappeared out of sight and with that Jack turned and made his own way back to the Black Pearl passing George's lifeless body on the way.


A/N: It's so close to December! Who else is feeling Christmassy? Ok...so maybe that chapter wasn't the best for creating a festive mood. :)

Thank you to everyone who reviewed, and a special mention goes out to those people who took time from their busy thanksgiving holiday to read and review. Being English I don't celebrate that holiday myself but I hope all of you out there that do enjoyed yourselves! :D

I shall aim for the next chapter to be out by Tuesday...I sense some long nights ahead ;)