A/N: It's getting worse isn't it? sighs I'm really sorry guys but I kind of lost interest in this story for a while. I still know where it's going but it's taking soooo long to get there :P.
Also I spent the last couple of weeks writing a one-shot for another category and when I was finished I didn't really feel like writing. I've been rehearsing for a play, going to movies and sleepovers with my friends, writing my novel and, now that the end of the school year is coming up, working on school projects. That's the problem with having a life :P.
Anyway I'm back, this chapter will probably be too short for your collective liking but at least I'm trying again.
JenDraca: looks guilty I guess I really didn't update faster did I? You're probably going to kick my arse now...grimaces at idea of future beating I'm a dead woman...
Dreamgirl21147: winks Yes, her name really fits her personality doesn't it? I'm glad you liked that chapter despite the shortness. Here's some more, I hope you don't mind its horrible lateness.
Dragonflygirl804: I'm happy that the chapter made you laugh :D. This one is slightly darker though... (I guess I'm just in an angsty mood :P). Keep reviewing!
RandomCharacter: Boo! :D...poor Lindsey...so sick... patpat. I read your new chapter! And I reviewed so that's where all my rambling is. I'm too lazy to ramble twice so I shall just continue.
Anaknusan: Yay Egypt!!!!! I adore Ancient Egyptian stuff . Good to know that someone else shares my obsession :D. Poor stupid Will shakes head he just doesn't know how to deal with women like Storm. Lol. Please keep reviewing! I love hearing from you!
Disclaimer: Not even going to bother.
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Storm ran at top speed along the deck, jumping nimbly over buckets, ropes, beams and, occasionally, crewmen. When she had reached the bow, she gazed out beyond the spray and crashing waves to the horizen, trying to see the land that the boy in the crow's nest was still happily yelling about.
There, in the left side of her field of vision was a spot darker and definitely more solid then the rest of the seascape.
There it was. She'd made it.
Behind her, Storm could hear the soft quick pounding of her daughters' footsteps on the deck and Jack's faint cursing as he tripped over a bucket. A moment later, Finn and Sam were standing next to her and were scanning the sea in the same manner as their mother.
For a long moment the three were frozen like that, then, in what seemed a quantum leap, the small family were whooping with joy and embracing each other fiercely. Jack stood a few feet away from them. His wife and daughters. He felt strange, on the outside looking in. They were so close, so happy in each other's company and he was acutely reminded that he was not-and probably never would be-a real part of their lives. He just happened to be convenient.
Storm was kneeling on the deck each of her arms encircling one of the twins. Their eyes were closed and Finn and Sam were each leaning on one of their mother's shoulders.
Slowly, as though becoming aware of his presence, Sam opened her eyes. She watched him stand awkwardly for a minute or two. Then she smiled and carefully disengaged herself from her mother's arm. She walked over to her father and hugged him tightly around the waist. Jack paused slightly, almost unsure of how to react. But he soon overcame his hesitation and wrapped his own arms around his dark-haired daughter.
It was then, as he was holding Sam that he became aware of Storm looking at him. He was surprised at her expression. She seemed......pleased. A happy, satisfied smile playing about her lips. Perhaps for a moment, as they each embraced one of their children, she had forgiven him.
!
"Storm!" Jack called after his unlikely wife's retreating back, "Storm!" he cried even louder.
The female pirate merely hurried up the stairs to the helm. She was carrying a map and was busily explaining the best course to set and where the ship should most likely make berth when they landed. Anamaria nodded at all of her instructions and adjusted the ship's wheel accordingly.
"STORM!!" The frustrated captain hollered at the top of his lungs.
Storm continued ignoring him, pretending to be too involved in her discussion to pay him any mind.
It was only when Jack was standing next to her and grasped her shoulder that she turned her head lazily towards him.
"What were ye drinkin' when drew this map?" he asked, waving a piece of yellowed parchment. "I can't make 'eads or tails of it!"
The female captain's eyes flicked towards the offending map and back to Jack's face. Her face remained passive as she shrugged. "It's a false map," she replied.
Jack stared at her incredulously, "A false map? Ye gave me false maps? No wonder I haven't understood the directions ye've been giving the helmsman!"
Anamaria gave an angry cough.
"Helmswoman," Jack corrected absently but continued glaring at Storm. "What am I supposed to do with false maps? I don't even know where I am!"
Storm smirked. "Well Jack," she drawled, "the island we're currently heading to is on that map...it's just not the one that's marked."
Jack glanced at the document and back to his wife. "Then where is it?" he demanded.
"Well, I do have a system that I could explain to ye..." she paused, "but I don't feel like it."
Storm straightened her bandana, nodded at Anamaria-who nodded back-and with that she left an exasperated Jack standing there, to go seek out Faye and Nicolas.
Jack stared at her as she left, unsure of how to react to this display of insubordination. He started when he heard Anamaria chuckling under her breath. Adjusting his sash, Jack shot the woman a fierce glare.
"Oh shut up, Ana." He spat and he stormed off to his cabin. He needed another drink.
!!
Storm pored over her maps, memorizing every inch of the island they were steadily nearing. She took into acount every defensible area, every landmark, and each strategic position. For a moment, the pirate queen felt a twinge of doubt. Perhaps she should tell Jack the whole truth, she thought, give him fair warning. He should know about the possible dangers she was leading him into.
Storm felt an uncomfortable pang of guilt. He had been quite fair...and she'd never expected to receive help from this quarter...Maybe she should tell him everything....
The pirate scowled and brushed away a few stray braids. Storm O'Connor hated doubt. She snorted softly, she owed Jack Sparrow nothing. She would tell him when the time came and only when the time came. Unless, of course, he figured it out himself.
"So," the captain said, looking up at her two most trusted companions, "When do ye think we'll reach the island?"
Nicolas leaned back leisurely and toyed absently with a dagger. He looked inattentive and dreamy but Storm knew that that was when he was weighing all possible factors and was truly considering her question. She trusted his opinion because of this.
"I'm guessin'...sunrise tomorrow." He answered at last.
Faye, who was on the other side of the small cabin, leaning against the door, nodded her assent. "So I suppose this makes this night the 'calm before the Storm'." She winked at her captain.
Storm chuckled softly at the pun, "I suppose it does..." she replied thoughtfully.
"Well," the female captain stated briskly, rising to her feet. "We might as well enjoy ourselves before all hell breaks loose." She paused at the door, "Ye know what to do tomorrow I expect?"
Her crewmembers nodded soberly.
"Good. Ye're dismissed. Do as you wish for the rest of the day." She grinned widely and winked, "I'll see ye both tonight."
Faye and Nicolas grinned back as their captain slipped out the door.
!!!
Finn and Sam scurried quickly away from their position near the cabin door where they'd been eavesdropping. They watched in frozen silence as their mother nimbly climbed the steps up to the deck. As soon as Storm was out of sight, Sam turned to her sister.
Uh oh, thought the wiser of the twins, seeing her sister's wicked grin, this never bodes well.
"What's in yer head, Finn?" asked Sam, with some trepidation.
"I have a plan."
A/N: I know, I know, it's very short and I was meaning to write more but this is a pretty good start considering I haven't updated this story since March. Pleeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaassssssseee review!! I will try to continue this soon. As soon as school's out (which is in two weeks! Woohoo!!!) I will have a lot of time to devote to writing. Now press that little purple button and tell me what you think!
