A/N: Sorry about the huge delay with updates but hopefully this chapter is long enough to make up for it. I'm on break for a while so updates will be slow in coming but please all bear with me. I promise to be good in the new year.

As usual a BIG! thanks to all you reviewers specially Pixy who is the most insistent and prolific reviewer of all (read: You are my total hero and I have a shrine to you on my wall).

Without further ado..

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Another cannon blast echoed above the screams and crackle of flames from the town below.

Jack remained staring out after the cursed men, lost in thought.

Abruptly he shook his head, as if coming out of a trance and turned to her. She met his eyes as best she could in the darkness, one eyebrow raised and in no way showing the fact that she was a quivering mass of jelly inside.

When he didn't respond she turned away and sat back against the wall, the cold stone causing the skin on her back to ache, even through her clothes.

She absently examined her shackles and found that they were actually quite loose around her wrists. The thick iron cuffs had obviously been made for bigger hands. With great care she pulled off one glove and squeezed her hand so that it was almost the width of her wrist. Gently, aware of the delicate bones in her hand, she slid the heavy iron down across her hand and off into her lap.
This small victory lightened her spirits inordinately and she repeated the process on the other hand. Glad to be finally free she put her gloves back on and then rubbed her wrists to relieve the tension from the heavy weight that had rested there for several hours. Carelessly she dumped the heavy cuffs and chains onto the floor. They made a heavy clink as they settled, a sound oddly louder than it should have been. Rogue suddenly became aware of the relative silence of the night.

She realised the gunfire and explosions had stopped but didn't know why. Maybe they had defeated the enemy. But if they were the same as Dreadlocks and his buddy she doubted it. They had more likely got bored and left.

She was considering this while absently rubbing her wrists when her cellmate spoke, startling her.

You're a steady one girl, many's the hardened seafarer who's run from those men. And that was before they were cursed.

She looked up but he was still staring out the window. Rogue bristled at this and his condescending use of girl. This guy had no idea who he was dealing with. Her anger served to chase away the last lingering shreds of fear and apprehension from the attack and all that had followed.

Yeah, well I don't scare that easy she shot back, refusing to stare at his turned back and instead looking out into the corridor of the prison at the torch burning fitfully in the wall bracket. Stupid time period doesn't even have proper lighting she thought petulantly, her anger dwindling to a low grade irritation at her situation.

Jack turned at her answer and she couldn't see his face clearly in the gloom until he moved again and then she saw his lip curled into a half smile, illuminated by the moonlight washing over part of the cell. It dampened her irritation, mostly because it was not the reaction she expected but also because that expression made him look very attractive. It was disconcerting realising this when she was trying to be mad at him. Narrowing her eyes she resolved to ignore her feelings. She was very good at it after all.

What's your name girl? he asked, still with that half smile, jolting her out of her musings.

What's yours? she countered instantly.

Captain Jack Sparrow at your service he declared extravagantly. He seemed to be waiting for a reaction and when she didn't give one he looked disappointed.

Not heard of me then? he asked hopefully.

Should I have?

Well I am one of the most famous pirates in the Caribbean and for that matter the world he added grandiosely. She merely raised an eyebrow and he subsided, looking affronted.

You never answered my question lass. Your name?

she answered curtly, realising he probably wouldn't stop until she told it to him.

So are you a pirate Miss Rogue? he asked then when she didn't answer he continued on regardless, clearly mocking her, That's a fine pirate name if ever I heard one. Name like that could strike fear into the hearts of honest men and no mistake.

Rogue flinched infinitesimally, remembering that she did inspire fear in most people she met. Shaking it off she glared over at the grinning man and replied coldly.

.

Then what are you? Excuse my presumption but they don't put just anyone in these cells. They save them for the worst blackhearted scoundrels they do. Only the worst mind you he grinned at her, and continued that's why I'm in here. I'm one of the worst pirates in the Caribbean.

Well that would explain why you're in here Rogue muttered Only really crap pirates get caught and locked in jails

Jack looked almost hurt at her comment and his brows lowered in annoyance, the first she had seen from him. His emotions were quicksilver, she realised, rather like her own often were.

So what are you then? he asked shortly, one hand resting on the sash at his waist. His fingers curled around some invisible object, as if he was used to carrying something there.

His irritation fuelled her own. Rogue hated people prying and this guy was not in her good books to begin with. Even if he did try to save your life a traitorous voice whispered but she ignored it.

I'm a mutant she bit out rage lacing her tone

A what?

A mutie. A freak. A gene reject Rogue replied, each insult snapping from her lips as she got more and more worked up. Life was kicking her in the guts and then this guy was just the icing on the goddamned cake.

Jack blinked, slightly taken aback by her vehemence but his face showed only puzzlement, not the hatred or scorn she had half expected.

I don't know what your talking about dovey. None of those fancy words mean anything to me.

At her furious glare he raised both hands, in defence and went on placatingly,

But I can judge from your tone that you are not counted among the blessed in society.

He smiled, flashing gold and yellow teeth, And if that be the case you find yourself in good company. The forces of law and order have no great fondness for me either, as you can see he finished, gesturing at the cell around them.

Rogue relaxed and was moderately embarrassed at her outburst. She was so much more emotional now, every word bringing a reaction but she reasoned that she had cause to be a little moody.

Dropping her eyes from his, she settled back against the wall and picked at the straw caught in her pants.

Yeah. Me an' the law have never been on the best of terms she said wryly, not looking up but smiling none the less.

Your accent is strange. Where do you hail from? he asked suddenly, back to his probing questions and ruining the tender peace between them.

I was going to ask you the same question she responded snarkily.

It was his turn to be disconcerted by her questions. He looked evasive, shifting his eyes from hers for the first time.

I'm not from anyplace in particular. he responded airily I like to be free, go where the tide takes me.

And where might that be? she asked, not relenting now she had him even a little off balance.

Answer my question and I'll answer yours he replied, smoothly steering the conversation out of her hands.

You'll never have heard where I'm from. she snapped angrily, annoyed that he had once again turned the tables on her.

I might surprise you. I've been to a great many places he replied meeting her challenge.



He blinked but didn't miss a beat.

Ah Mississippi, I know it well. My mother's cousin married a girl from Mississippi. Big, blonde woman, loved to hunt ostriches

Rogue said disbelievingly

At his nod she continued, asking, with a falsely sweet smile So how did you find the weather? Too cold? And did you think the pygmy people of Jackson were friendly? What about queen Irene of Caldecott? Did you see her famous palace?

I didn't care much for the snow and ice, I'm more of a warm weather fellow. I didn't have much haul with the natives but Queen Irene knows me well. Had tea with her of an afternoon. She's good friends with my mother's cousin's wife.

The one who rides ostriches?.

The very same. he finished grinning confidently.

Rogue smirked at him Mississippi is about as hot as here and there ain't no Queen of Caldecott. she said triumphantly. And if your mother's cousin's wife rides ostriches she continued, she must be a damn site thinner than any of the folks I ever saw down there.

Aye she's a slip of a girl he said trying to salvage his story.

There ain't no ostriches in Mississippi she said quellingly, her gaze direct and uncompromising.

Jack looked nonplussed and closed his mouth. Clearly he didn't like being tricked. Or caught off guard. Rogue filed this away in her memory. It might be of use later on. Although at the rate she was going, later on might be considerably sooner than usual.

Jack recovered quickly and fired off another question at her.

What have they put you in here for? You never did tell me.

Why do you keep asking all these questions!?' she demanded irritably. He was beginning to annoy her and she wasn't sure she wanted to go into the whole arrest, incarceration, imminent torture thing when she had just stopped thinking about it. No more than you deserve you painted whore whispered fatty in the back of her mind. She imagined squishing his presence like a bug and he shut up. At least she could deal with some problems. Where did he get off calling people whores anyway? In her case it was insulting and completely untrue. So there she thought at him, mentally squishing his personality a little more.

Jack cleared his throat and she was brought back to the cell and his questioning expression.

Rogue dropped her gaze, suddenly worried. She remembered what Fat Hands had said about witches and even what with he currently thought about her taken out, it sounded pretty bad. She felt a little wary of revealing her supposed crime to anyone. Even her fellow prisoner. Especially her fellow prisoner. Particularly one who she knew nothing about, she realised. Even though he now knew quite a bit about her.

Jack was still regarding her with one eyebrow raised. From what she had seen of him already he'd find out somehow even if she didn't tell him.

she mumbled sullenly.

Jack asked, not catching her low murmur.

she snapped, much louder this time.

Jack looked her up and down and then, to her surprise, burst out laughing.

Rogue felt affronted, not really understanding why but going with the emotion none the less.

That is not what I thought you'd say. Been cursing faithless lovers? Or were you curdling the milk? Did a toff get a boil on her arse and blame it on you? He laughed and shook his head Only in the Caribbean. I knew there was a reason I stayed around here.

Rogue didn't answer sending him a stony glare that only made him chuckle more.

So they put you in here to soften you up. Better bonfire fodder hmm?

He grinned at her scowl, clearly delighting in teasing her.

Don't take on girl. I'm cautious enough of your looks to treat you careful and if you are a witch well, you've nothing to fear from me.

You'd better be careful. Rogue warned angrily One touch and I could suck the life right out of your body.

Jack snorted in disbelief, clearly thinking she was boasting.

Rogue was stung by this. She admitted she had grown used to people knowing her powers and being properly respectful of them and it needled her that this loony pirate didn't believe her. She was sorely tempted to give him a little demonstration but what with fat rapist man mooching around her mind plus the residue from her trip here, she didn't want anymore noise in her head.

A bell sounding outside interrupted them and they both looked toward the window. Day was upon them and they had barely noticed. Jack abruptly leapt up, and paced around the cell.

What time is it? Late, late...too late. he muttered still striding about.

What's wrong? Rogue asked, concerned at his sudden change of demeanour.

It's already morning! he said gesturing out the window.

Yeah I can see that she answered tartly. When he kept pacing she signed melodramatically.

What's so wrong with it being morning? Do our freaky friends gain super powers? Do you turn into a frog? she asked sarcastically.

Jack stopped and faced her Morning means that in a few hours those guards are going to come and take me to that pretty gallows as sits in the yard and string me up like rigging from the mast and they will probably do the same to you.

I have to have a trial first she retorted, worry making her words sharper. They're going to try me and find that I am innocent and you'll be the only one strung out.

He laughed at her, only this time it was a cold, mocking laugh, quite unlike his earlier chuckles.

Do you know how they try witches here lass? he asked.

When she shook her head he continued, Its no pretty thing and I've seen some of the worst torments man can create.

His voice dropped and became ominously soft.

They begin by asking you to confess. If you deny it they ask again. If you deny it enough they try to persuade you to confess he said persuade' drawn out mockingly as he flashed a gold tooth at her. Rogue glared back, refusing to be spooked.

There are many ways, but the one favoured here is the Press Yard he said malevolently.

He obviously expected her to know what the Press Yard was but she had no clue. What did newspapers have to do with torture? Her brain was refusing to acknowledge a connection between grapes and torture either through example or inclusion. Covering her ignorance, which would only raise more questions and that was the last thing she wanted, she answered curtly,

Is that all? If you wanna scare me ya gonna have to do better than that.

Jack glared at her and she glared right back, angry brown eyes meeting angry green. Neither was willing to look away and Rogue knew that she'd let her eyes fall out before she let him win. She repressed the voice that said this was juvenile. She was having to do a lot of that lately.

The heavy tramp of feet interrupted their staring match. They both turned toward the noise and saw two guards enter the prison. Rogue retreated further into the corner, hunching her body up inside her enormous coat and warily watching the newcomers.

They were an odd pair. One was fat while the other was slender but they conversed easily, as men who had spent long hours in each others company. They shook their heads over the dead guard, who Rogue had virtually forgotten. That brought her up short when she realised there had been a dead guy lying not far away and she had ignored it. This place was no good for her.

They looked like the clean up crew, come to assess the damage done in the attack. Jack seemed to recognise them and lay down, pretending to be asleep. He clearly wanted to avoid any conversation with them. Rogue wondered why, again realising she knew so little about him.

They entered the cell next door and examined the hole made by the cannonball.

Most of em have gone muttered one, frowning out at the daylight.

They'll soon be caught again. stated his companion confidently, adjusting his red coat.

They looked over at Rogue's cell and for the first time seemed to noticed Jack lying on the floor.

D' think he's dead?' the first one asked, glancing at his associate.

The fatter man scrutinised him carefully, crinkling his brow in thought.

I don't know. He could be. There ain't no marks on him but many's the man who's died o' fright after a battle like last night. he said.

Jack coughed loudly and rolled over, startling both men who half lowered their guns before realising where the noise came from.

The fatter smiled He's just asleep he said, as if he had known it all along.

Her cellmate began to snore loudly, backing up this statement. Rogue was sure that it was wounded pride rather than self preservation that had prompted this. It was probably because they thought he had died of fright. Rogue snorted softly, realising too late that this brought their attention down on her.

Hang about! the thinner said peering in at her. There's a woman in there!

Rogue wondered how they could all tell. She wasn't exactly dressed like a girl and she didn't think with all the muck still coating various parts of her anatomy that she could be very attractive but still all the guys she came into contact with could tell. Guys in the past must be more perceptive than the guys in her time. Although only marginally, she amended looking back at the two specimens outside her cell.

What of it? demanded his companion, attempting a superior air and failing dismally. He was trying to act not only as if he knew, but as if it was a normal occurrence which Rogue was willing to bet dollars to pesos it wasn't.

Well this isn't the female cells. And she shouldn't be in the cells with a man. It promotes licentious behaviour among the prisoners having men and women in the same cell. he said earnestly.

The other paused considering this. At last he spoke, grudgingly You may be right. But it makes no matter a cos the female cells was all destroyed in the attack. So even if we wanted to move her we couldn't.

The other opened his mouth clearly ready to argue the matter when a call from above made them both straighten up.

You two get up here now! The Commodore's ordered men to clean up down at the docks and you're on guard detail!

The two men exchanged weary glances but picked up their dead comrade and marched off up the stairs, struggling and arguing as they tried to negotiate the narrow passage.

Rogue watched them go and then turned to her companion saying,

You can stop pretending now. The big bad soldiers have gone.

Jack continued snoring, deliberately annoying her or so she felt. Rogue searched around and found the bone he had used before on the dog lying on the floor near her feet. She picked it up and tossed it at him. It hit him dead between the shoulders and he sat up, a furious look on his face.

She smirked at him and he dropped the bone, muttering curses under his breath.

You'd better be careful girl he warned rubbing his back. and scowling at her. She scowled back, unrepentant.

Why were you pretending to be asleep? If you're not a coward then you would've faced them. They weren't that scary she finished sarcastically.

My reasons are my own. he muttered darkly, I noticed you were in no hurry to introduce yourself our two fine Redcoats he continued, You've no call to be talking of cowardice girl he practically sneered. Why didn't you tell them you were innocent hmm? Or maybe use your wondrous craft to escape?

Why didn't the greatest pirate in the Caribbean find a way to escape? The losers in the next cell got away free and your still stuck in here! she returned angrily.

Why do you keep tormenting me? he shouted in frustration.

Why do you keep tormenting me? She shot back childishly.

He actually growled at her, sounding oddly like Logan for an instant. Rogue ignored the brief stab of homesickness and continued glaring at him, refusing to give an inch to this stubborn, rude, prying moron. He thought he was so in control and so much smarter than her. Well he was just as screwed as she was.

He turned and stormed across the cell, but he failed to see the bone he had left on the floor after she had thrown it. He trod on it and it rolled from under his boot, making him wheel his arms and thrust out his legs to try to stay upright.
Jack managed it, which Rogue thought was pretty good. If it had happened to her she would have fallen straight onto her butt. However he still looked funny as hell and she couldn't help snickering at his ridiculous movements, the heat of her rage dying.

Having righted himself he stared over at her balefully, but she just kept on grinning. He turned his glare to the object that had caused his trouble. In a fit of rage he kicked it away, no doubt opting to relieve his frustration at her on it.
The bone went skidding across the flags and struck the opposite wall. The force of his kick caused it to bounce off and return to his feet, sporting a large crack. Enraged by this Jack kicked it again and this time when it stuck the bone cracked in two, one half sailing into the straw near her feet and the other shooting back at Jack, who had to dodge to avoid it.

Feel better ? Rogue asked, arms crossed over her chest Or do you want to want to kick something else for a while?

Watch out wench or I might find bigger targets he half growled at her.

You'd better be the one to watch out Captain she bit back.

Or you might use your terrible powers on me? he said sarcastically

Call me wench again and you'll find out! she snarled back.

Again they glared at each other. Jack dropped his gaze and resumed his petulant pacing, while Rogue watched him, feeling strangely superior. Usually she was on the receiving end and it felt good to be dishing out the maturity for once.

Jack stopped pacing and stared absently at the bone at his feet. It had broken off into a jagged point. He picked it up, turning it over in his hands, considering it. He tested the sharp end on his thumb and tried to break it off. When it wouldn't come away his held it up and examined it in the light that now streamed in the window.

He turned toward the door and knelt down, attempting to curl his hand out and up so the one was facing the lock of the door. He carefully inserted the broken end into the keyhole and began manoeuvring it about, grunting and cursing softly when it slipped in his grasp.

What are you doing? Rogue asked scornfully, watching his desperate and vaguely pathetic attempts to pick the lock using the broken bone.

Again he ignored her, focused intently on his work. He was beginning to seriously piss her off.

he whispered twisting the bone inside the lock with a thick crunching sound.

The sounds of someone running down the stairs reached them. Instantly Jack dropped the bone, which remained stuck in the lock and lay back on the floor, feigning sleep.

Rogue was just about to chew him out about his faking again when the man who had come down the stairs strode straight to their cell. He was really a boy, she realised studying his face as he came toward them, probably not much older than her.
Kinda cute too she thought absently, even with the funky clothes. She decided men should not wear tights and buckled shoes. It was just wrong.

He stared coldly through the bars and demanded Jack's attention.

You. Sparrow! he barked, glaring coldly at Jack through the door. The light from the window cast shadows over his face, enough to obscure his eyes from her. Not that seeing his eyes would make much difference she reasoned, but it would be comforting to see them anyway.

He clearly didn't like her companion, which Rogue couldn't really blame him for. He was very good at rubbing people the wrong way. Even his friends seemed to hate him, although she didn't know if she could call the freaky skeleton guys friends. They had left the guy on an island after all. He was just bad with people she decided. That was something she could relate to.

It was creeping up on her that she and Jack, although completely different, still seemed to have a lot in common. She didn't know if she was happy about that or not. She definitely didn't want that to make her feel any sympathy toward him, even as she felt her earlier anger at him fade.

Rogue was abruptly brought back to the conversation when Mr Imperious grabbed the bars and snarled through them, glaring like he wished it was Jack's neck.

Mr Imperious had just become Mr Intensity. Over pirates. Rogue never thought it was a subject you could get particularly intense about. Sure she could see that sometimes all that swinging about and having sword fights on tropical beaches could be annoying and some people really hated parrots but there was nothing there to inspire the kind of vibe Tights Guy was giving off. There was so much more going on here than she knew and she had to remind herself how little she really knew about this time period.

Their conversation had moved on without her and she decided she really had to pay more attention if she wanted to learn anything useful. It was inattention that had helped to get her into this mess in the first place.

Wonderfully the next words out of his mouth were just what she wanted to hear.

I can get you out of here he claimed confidently, that superior note firmly back in his voice.

Her cellmate's answer was what she was coming to realise was typical of him, an arched eyebrow and a flip comment.

How's that? The key's run off.

Rogue attempted to swallow a laugh, even though it wasn't that funny. When Jack tipped his head back slightly and winked at her she grinned back, not hiding her mirth from Tights Guy. She stopped abruptly, remembering that she was angry at him, but then decided to let it go for now, since they both had a common foe. If Tights Guy could be called that, she wasn't sure about him yet.

He angrily retorted with some technical crap that she didn't understand. Why didn't he stop talking and just get them outta there? she wondered, her eyes drifting to the barred window and the hole where the other inmates had escaped hours before.

When he said his name was Will, Rogue was surprised, she wouldn't have pegged him as a Will. Maybe a Eustace or Clarence or something equally fussy.
Jack's reaction was very different. he was suddenly all compliance, agreeing quickly to whatever Tights Guy, Will, wanted. They even shook on it.
Rogue smelt a rat, metaphorically for once, which was a nice change in this place. There was no way Jack was doing this, finding a ship and some chick called Swann, out of the goodness of his heart. He definitely had at least one ulterior motive. From what she knew of him she would say he had about seven.
And none of this solved any of her problems, which to her, were much more important than some stupid ship.

Hey what about me? Rogue demanded, hands on hips.

What about you? Jack asked, watching eagerly as Will levered the bench against the door.

Well what am I supposed to do?

Grow up, marry a nice gent, have lots of fat babies he said distractedly as the door came free with a wrenching squeal. Will tossed it aside.

Hurry, someone will have heard that. he ordered.

Jack darted nimbly out and grabbed for a bundle against the wall.

Not without my effects he muttered.

The two men may have reached an agreement but Rogue had yet to do so. While she wanted to get out of the cell a voice whispered that going with these ancient criminals would not be the best idea. She was still semi-mad at Jack and this Will guy just gave her a trouble vibe. Probably not the best people to be hanging around with. She didn't know where they were going and their plans obviously had something to do with freaky zombie pirates. She didn't think she wanted to get into that.
Also too she felt she should stay near where she had landed so as to make the rescue efforts easier. She refused to think that there may not be any rescue efforts, firmly squashing the nagging voice in the back of her mind which gleefully sniggered that she was probably stuck here forever and good riddance. She really had to stop absorbing people who hated her.

The first voice was saying she should stay here and attempt to explain things to the authorities. Maybe they would believe her and she certainly shouldn't go looking for more trouble than she was already in.

The voice reminded her a lot of Jean.

In fact it was almost... exactly.... like...... Jean.

Rogue narrowed her eyes, irritation sweeping through her.

There was no way she was going to sit in here any longer, filthy and the rest just because Prom Queen Jean thought it was a good idea. Fuck the consequences, she was goin' with her gut on this one. Nimbly she leapt up, bruises and scrapes for the moment forgotten and hurried after her rapidly disappearing cellmate and his intense companion.

She followed them out and trailed the two men down the stairs. Will turned to look at her.

Who are you? And why are you following us? he demanded, looking with disapproval at her ragged appearance.

I'm comin' with you. I can't stay here. I'm actually kinda fond of my life, no matter how crappy it is and I'm gonna try an' hold onto it for as long as possible. That means getting far away from here Rogue answered, not breaking stride.

Luv, you're not invited on this one Jack told her, peering carefully around a corner.

Well, luv she responded tartly I don't care. And besides, she threatened with a falsely sweet smile if you don't take me with you I'll go tell some of those nice guards what you're planning to do.

What if we decided to kill you hmm? I think that would keep you from blabbing Jack threw back, a sinister gleam in his eyes and real threat in his body as he half turned to face her, fingering the hilt of the short sword he carried. Will didn't look happy with this suggestion but she doubted her wanted her to reveal their plan either. She couldn't depend on him

Rogue met Jack's gaze, showing a confidence she didn't feel. You could try she offered, shifting her stance and directing a challenging look at both of them.

She was aware of the bluff in her words. Weak as she was she thought maybe she could defeat them but both carried those swords as if they knew how to use them and she didn't think she was any match for that. At least not in her current state. But she was hoping that they wouldn't know that and she kept her back straight and her stare level willing them to believe her.

The two men were silent considering their options. Jack locked eyes with her and for a long moment dark held green as they had so often in the past hours, neither giving quarter. Finally Jack chuckled softly. He dropped her determined gaze and nodded So be it my dear. You are very welcome to join our little crew.

Rogue grinned slightly in triumph and hurried along behind them, ignoring the disapproving looks from Will. Problem of impending trial and execution solved. The slightly larger problem of how to get home would just have to wait until a time where she wasn't running for her life.