A/N: Thank you for all the reviews! You guys sure know how to make me smile :D. I give you Chapter 22...


Chapter 22: The secret diaries

Nathan was standing rigidly in his cabin. His wife might have thought him asleep while she got dressed silently and slipped from the ship but he had been very much awake. He had thought about stopping her but had then hit upon a far smarter plan; he would have her followed. This would uncover the truth once and for all. The only problem was that now all Nathan could do was wait. He had waited for two hours now and he was starting to get impatient, there were only so many times he could pace around his cabin, only so many times he could pretend that everything was alright when a member of the crew entered the room. At first he had been so blinded by anger that the objects in the cabin had merely blurred in front of him but now, though the anger was not fading, his eyes began to see what for so long they had overlooked. For the first time it came to his attention that the room had no feminine touches in it. There were no pictures, no ornaments, none of the things that normal wives collected and normal husbands complained about. If it had not been for Sylvia's dresses in the wardrobe there was almost no trace of her existence in his life at all. He looked around searching for something that bore his wife's mark, anything, and his eyes fell upon the neat row of leather bound diaries that sat on a shelf, each one of them identical to each other.

Nathan had crossed the room in an instant but for a while he could not make himself reach up and remove one of the diaries from where they sat. He had never even considered looking at Sylvia's private diaries before, it just wasn't the right thing to do. Neither was running away from your husband, Nathan reminded himself and with that thought to stiffen his resolve he reached for the diary closest to him. It seemed strangely heavy in his hands, heavy with all the secrets of a heart. Nathan found his mouth was suddenly very dry, so he swallowed and then opened to the first page. Sylvia's neat handwriting was very easy to read.

'I miss him now more than ever before. I thought it would be worse at the beginning, I thought this feeling would fade with time but it seems to take more of a hold on my heart each day. Sometimes it is even an effort to get up when I know he will not be there to greet me. Sometimes it even hurts to breathe.'

Nathan read his wife's words and knew she had not written them about him. He might have been able to convince himself that her words were about her father for he knew they had once been very close, but as Nathan skipped ahead a few pages and read on the truth became all too clear.

'I wish you could hear me Jack. I wish you could tell how much I still love you. Do you ever think of me at all? Do you lie awake at night with your heart breaking like I do? Oh, I love you Jack, I love you.'

Nathan's hands had begun to shake so badly he could barely hold the diary straight enough to read from it. He could not have read the next sentence anyway for the words had been smudged by something, a tear perhaps? His throat tight, Nathan turned page after page and still that man was there immortalised in Sylvia's beautiful steady handwriting. Words of love, words of longing, bitter-sweet memories, all of them leapt out at Nathan wounding him like they were being carved into his skin. As he reached the end of the diary he felt a burst of fury like nothing he had ever felt before and he began to rip out fistfuls of pages from the centre binding. They fell to the floor, torn and crumpled but the words remained unchanged. With a yell Nathan threw what remained of the diary against the wall. It bounced off and fell open, the black ink continuing to taunt him. Chest heaving, Nathan grabbed another diary. There was Sylvia's unchanged writing and there were her words of love directed not at him, the rightful receiver, but at another man, the same man.

'It's cold without you; the whole world seems to be divided into black and white just like you said it could never be. I can't feel anything; I am numb without you Jack.'

No one heard Nathan's anguished cries as he threw diary after diary on the floor. Every one of them was the same, full of desire and love for another man. He ripped out pages, he tore them into pieces, he threw them across the room but nothing removed the words from his mind. The ink smudged as his own tears fell upon the unfaithful writing; they left defiant streaks of black along the white pages.

Nathan had come to the last diary. This one would surely hold some love for him; after all, it had been started just after their marriage. He opened the first page and began to read.

'Forgive me Jack, I had to do this. I still love you, I will always love you and no other. I shall never love Nathan, never. He may be my husband but he does not own my heart. I married him for his ship, that's all. May swift winds bring me to you Jack, for I have signed my life away to take this chance.'

Nathan screwed up his eyes to black out her words. She had never loved him, not even for a moment. His fist hit the desk which shook with the impact. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes, their cold and distant gaze not seeing anything but red. There was a knock at the door which Nathan did not hear the first time. It was repeated more loudly.

"What?" Nathan said. He was in no mood for any of the crew.

"It's Officer Connelly, sir." Nathan looked over at the closed door expecting to see the officer he had contacted earlier in the day. It was then he remembered that he had not invited the man in yet.

"Come in," he said impatiently for some reason he did not hold much hope that the officer would have any news for him. The door opened and a tall man, with hair as dark as coal walked in. His startlingly blue eyes took in the defaced books and ripped pages that were strewn all over the room.

"Well?" Nathan snapped. The young officer could see the senior man had been crying. He lowered his eyes out of respect and embarrassment.

"Do you have any information or are you just going to stand there?" The officer cleared his throat.

"I do have information, sir. I observed a woman fitting your wife's description meeting with a man in town." Nathan's fists clenched tightly, so he had been right.

"Yes?" he said shortly.

"Well, they appeared to be very familiar, sir." The officer's pale cheeks coloured slightly. "They engaged in a brief conversation before heading off across the cliff's, sir."

"And did you follow them?" Nathan's voice had regained a measure of control once more, not because he was feeling any less angry but because he greatly desired to know what the other man knew.

"Yes, sir, I did. I had to be careful, sir, but I managed to follow them undetected. The man led your wife to a secluded cove where a ship was docked."

"A ship?" Nathan asked in surprise. He had not expected that.

"Yes, sir. I didn't think it really existed, but I saw it with my own eyes."

"What are you talking about?" Nathan found himself lost in the officer's story all of a sudden.

"The ship, sir, it was the Black Pearl." The blood in Nathan's veins ran cold.

"A pirate ship?"

"Yes, sir." Suddenly Nathan's face fell slack as a number of connections formed in his mind. The Black Pearl, pirates, his wife's rescuer…

"What is the name of the Captain of the Black Pearl?" Nathan asked. He already knew the answer but he wanted to hear it from someone else, he wanted to have it confirmed. As the officer spoke Nathan raised up the diary that was in his hands and stared at the name that appeared more than any other inside it.

"His name is Jack Sparrow, sir."

Jack was the happiest Sylvia had seen him since their reunion. She suspected it was the combination of her finally deciding not to go back to Nathan and the fact they were on their way to the Pearl. It was hard for her to contain her own excitement when she saw the Pearl's great black sails once more. A wonderful wave of warm familiarity washed over her.

"Oh Jack, she's so much more beautiful than I remember!" Jack let Sylvia rush ahead as the Black Pearl came into view. It was amazing to witness a shadow fall away from Sylvia, the woman he had first fallen in love with was beginning to shine through. She had got within about twenty metres when Sylvia saw a familiar face.

"Gibbs!" she cried happily. The pirate turned, and as soon as he saw who had called his name his face broke into a grin and he began to walk towards Sylvia and Jack.

"It's so good to see you," said Sylvia and before anyone could stop her she had kissed Gibbs on the cheek. Gibbs' ruddy face reddened slightly.

"It be mighty good t' see you too lass." He looked at Jack who gave him a don't-get-any-ideas look which made him smile sheepishly. Sylvia watched him, her eyes full of laughter but suddenly they clouded over and she turned to Jack.

"What if the rest of your crew don't like me?" Jack looked surprised as if he had never considered this notion.

"Oh, don't you worry missy," Gibbs said reassuringly, "This crew be as good as gold, you mark my words." Between Gibbs' too smooth tone and Jack's sudden preoccupation with his fingernails Sylvia did not feel very convinced. Her feeling of intense happiness was replaced by a horrible nervousness. Jack put his arm around her waist and they all walked forwards once more, right onto the Pearl. It was not long before they were joined.

"Cap'n, the…" The voice came to an abrupt halt.

"Ah, AnaMaria, this is…" But Jack's introduction faded away and Sylvia could see why. AnaMaria was looking nothing short of scandalized. Sylvia tried to return the other woman's stare politely but facing something so hostile was impossible and she was forced to look away.

"This is Sylvia," Jack finished somewhat lamely. AnaMaria's jaw had set and she was grinding her teeth, Jack could hear the layers of enamel grating against each other. He watched her, unsure what was wrong with her or what to do about it.

"Cap'n, I'd like a word," she said stiffly.

"Can it wait?" Jack asked. He wasn't prepared to leave Sylvia alone until she knew where to go and who was who. Besides, AnaMaria's behaviour was decidedly odd and he wasn't sure he wanted to be left alone with her too long. The pirate woman's eyes flashed and Jack almost stepped backwards, he had no desire to be slapped by her again. It looked like she was about to say something but she never did. Instead, she abruptly turned on her heel and stalked away. Jack, Sylvia and Gibbs stood watching her leave in silence. Finally Sylvia spoke.

"That didn't go very well." Jack quirked his head slightly to one side.

"She's usually a little bit nicer than that," he said with a small shrug, "Not much mind you." The incident had done nothing for Sylvia's confidence, Jack could see that. He tried to think of a member of his crew who was more likely to greet her with more enthusiasm.

"Sylvia, this is Mr Cotton."

"Pretty as a picture." Sylvia jumped as the voice came not from the man in front of her but from her left where a blue macaw was perched, shifting its weight from one foot to the other in a state of apparent excitement.

"He's a mute," Gibbs explained. No one said a thing about the parrot. Sylvia looked completely overwhelmed and Jack thought maybe getting her below would be a good idea. Introductions could always be done later when she was feeling more comfortable, but before he could even turn around he heard a shout.

"Cap'n, we've been seen!"

Sylvia stood completely still as Jack and Gibbs dashed forwards to see what the trouble was. Mr Cotton was staring at her and Sylvia had to suppress a shudder. She listened to Jack shouting various orders at crew members that were appearing everywhere. Some looked at her with interest but most were so preoccupied with whatever was happening that they did not notice her.

"Get her out of here!" For a moment Sylvia thought Jack was talking about her but it soon became clear that the female he was referring to was the Pearl. The crew scattered in every direction and Sylvia heard the familiar whoosh as the main sail was lowered.

"Ready the guns, prepare for a fast exit." Jack knew they didn't have all they needed for a long voyage but that was not a problem, they would just have to make a short one. Sylvia looked at Jack and saw he had a pistol in his hand. He saw her looking at it.

"Ye might need one of these," he said and he tossed it to her. She caught it but held it at arms length. She may have killed a man once but she did not have the desire to do it again.

"Jack?" Jack walked over. She looked terrified.

"It's Nathan, isn't it?" she said her voice shaking.

"It's alright luv."

"Of course it's not alright, I led him straight to the ship, I…" Sylvia was bordering on the hysterical. Jack put his arms around her.

"You go down to me cabin, do you remember where it is?" Sylvia nodded. She thought she did anyway; she had visited it enough times in her dreams.

"But I want to stay with you, Jack," she said. She jumped as the first gun shot from the shore sounded.

"Go t' me cabin and wait fer me there," Jack said firmly. He may have given Sylvia a pistol but there was no reason to ask her to use it, not yet anyway. With that said he kissed her and turned back to face the gathering marines leaving Sylvia to get to safety alone.

The whole cove was swarming with marines. The problem was they had no heavy artillery which would be useless if the Pearl could get out of range. Nathan cocked his own pistol determined not to let the Pearl disappear before he got what he wanted. He wanted Jack dead and Sylvia brought back to him.

To some people being fired at by marines would not be a situation to smile at but Jack did not fit into that catagory. He knew, just as the marines did, that they had no way of catching the Pearl once she was out in open water and in a few minutes that would be just where she'd be. He had his pistol in his hand but he did not shoot. He was looking for someone in particular, he recognised him the moment he saw him. There was Sylvia's husband. Jack smirked at the sight of him. He seemed to be searching for someone too and Jack had no doubt that he was that person. He decided to save him the bother of looking. He walked out onto the deck into broad daylight.

"Jack Sparrow!" Jack rolled his eyes. Apparently Nathan believed Jack walking out was merely a coincidence. Sylvia had heard Nathan's voice and she froze right where she was. She was in the doorway which would lead her inside the ship and to Jack's cabin.

"Jack Sparrow!" Nathan shouted again and Sylvia felt the words tear at her insides. Where was Jack? Would he answer?

"Ye be a mighty pretty thing." Sylvia span round and saw AnaMaria was watching her. There was a blade in her hand which she was spinning in her fingers.

"I can see why the Cap'n is taken with you," she said never removing her eyes from Sylvia's face. Sylvia wasn't sure how to respond so she kept quiet hoping that someone would call the pirate woman away.

"What's in this fer you then?" AnaMaria asked, "Not rich enough already?" She was eyeing Sylvia's fancy dress now, her eyes mere slits in her face.

"I'm not rich," Sylvia stammered, "I don't have anything any more."

"Ah, so that's it then, is it? Thought you'd take some o' our hard earned…"

"No," Sylvia said quickly, "I don't want your treasure." AnaMaria's lip curled.

"Not all treasure is silver and gold," she said bitterly almost to herself, then she addressed Sylvia once more, "Then it be the Cap'n himself?"

"Yes," Sylvia whispered back. AnaMaria smiled and removed her hat from her head. A cascade of long dark hair fell about her dark skinned face. She was very attractive and she seemed to know it too.

"If you want the Cap'n, why did ye put him in danger?" AnaMaria asked lightly, "He's on deck right now, within range of t' marines." She watched Sylvia's eyes widen in horror and she watched her hurry away to try and find a way up to the deck.

"If you want the Cap'n," AnaMaria said softly to Sylvia's retreating back, "Go and get him."

"I heard you the first time," said Jack after Nathan had shouted his name for the second time, "I would have thought a gentleman such as yourself would be polite enough to call a man by his full title." Jack grinned; he did so enjoy getting under other people's skin and this time it had an added sweetness to it.

"You're no Captain in my eyes," shouted Nathan. Jack pretended to look surprised.

"Strange that a sea faring man such as yourself can't recognise a Captain when he sees one." Nathan's blood was pumping in his ears so hard that he could barely hear the pirate when he spoke; how dare he stand there looking as smug as a man in his castle while he, Captain Nathan Spencer, shook with rage! Jack's voice broke once more through Nathan's wall of anger.

"What is it that you want then?" he asked, "Ye'd better make it quick because in a few minutes I won't be able to hear a word you say." He was right. The Pearl was slowly pulling away.

"You've stolen something from me, pirate, and I want it back!" Spit flew from Nathan's mouth.

"And what might that be?" Jack asked casually. Nathan snarled.

"You stole my wife Sparrow, and I want her now!" Jack raised his eyebrows.

"There appears t' be some mistake," he said quite calmly but with a very obvious grin, "It weren't me who did the stealing. Yer lovely wife was mine before she became your wife so really, you did the stealing from me which makes you the pirate, if you think about it." He reacted just in time to avoid the bullet Nathan sent in his direction. His hat however was not so lucky. Jack picked it up and inspected the neat hole.

"Now that's not very nice." He neatly sidestepped Nathan's second shot. The third went badly astray for Nathan's hands were shaking so badly with fury that he would have been hard pressed to shoot Jack even if he were but a foot away. Jack watched him with irrepressible amusement and raised his own pistol. Nathan noticed and reloaded.

"Ye have more chance of shooting yerself than me," Jack observed, "So just pay attention." Nathan's mouth went dry. He was trembling from head to foot. The other marines had stopped shooting and were paying attention too as Jack suddenly sounded deadly serious.

"Sylvia is no longer yer wife, she is no longer yer concern. If you attempt t' find her again I will have to kill you, savvy?" Jack lowered his pistol. In about a minute none of the bullets from the shore would be able to reach him.

"If I can't have Sylvia, Mr Sparrow, then no one can." Jack frowned in confusion as Nathan raised his pistol and pointed it away from where he stood. He had expected to have to dodge another bullet. By the time he realised who Nathan was going to shoot it was too late. Jack could only watch as the bullet whistled through the air and hit its target who was too busy trying to get to Jack to notice Nathan at all. Nathan's eyes gleamed with sick satisfaction as he saw Sylvia slump out of sight.


A/N: I should run and hide about now, right :P

I am going away this weekend which means I won't be working on the next chapter, therefore I won't predict when I can get the next one out. Needless to say, it will be as soon as possible, as always :)