DISCLAIMER: Apparently I don't have enough money to buy into PotC :( So I must reluctantly admit that I still do not own anything related to the movie, but I do own Alexis.

Chapter 4- Thief

Four long nights had passed since Alexis had encountered the strange pirates and she was beginning to feel overwhelmed by the mixed feelings she had. Hiding behind the trees under the cover of the night sky, she watched the men carry on their daily routine. Sitting around a large bonfire on the white shore, they ate and drank, showing no concern for anything. As they chatted loudly amongst themselves, Alexis gave an emotional sigh. She felt more alone now than she ever had before.

The sweet aroma of cooking food reached her senses and she breathed it in deeply. Alexis longed to taste food different to her normal diet of fish and wild berries found on the island, but she knew the pirates would not give it to her willingly. There was only one way she could satisfy her hunger; by stealing it. Settling herself down by the trees, Alexis was completely invisible in the dark. Jack and Will came into view, carrying large glass bottles in their hands, and distributed them to the other pirates. She watched closely as the men cheered, clinking the bottles together and began to consume them quickly. Wondering at the bizarre behaviour of pirates, Alexis leaned back against a tree and closing her weary eyes, quickly fell asleep.

Alexis woke not long after to the sound of silence in the pirates campsite. Sitting up, she rubbed her back that had begun to stiffen from the uncomfortable position she had been lying in. Peering through the trees, Alexis could see the dying fire on the sand and three pirates who lay just near it, seemingly asleep. The remainder of the food the pirates had been eating still sat above the fading embers in a large pot. Scanning the site one last time for any sign of activity, Alexis stepped out from the shield of the large trees and began to move quickly in and out of the shadows that were cast by the moonlight.

Treading carefully, she weaved around the objects that were scattered along the ground until she reached the sleeping pirates. Two of the men, she didn't recognize, but the last she saw, was Jack, who lay sprawled out on the sand, a bottle still in his hand. Hardly daring to breathe, Alexis tiptoed around them, the faint smell that still lingered from the pot urging her closer.

On reaching her destination, Alexis slipped the lid of the pot and looked down. A wooden spoon sat inside, and searching the ground around her, spotted a small cup that appeared unused. Still holding her breath, she poured some of the remains of the liquid substance into the bowl. A soft scrapping sound rang out as she placed the lid back onto the pot. Biting her lower lip, she glanced down at the three pirates around her. When none of them moved, she breathed a sigh of relief, and quickly began to leave.

Her haste to depart made Alexis less cautious of where she was stepping, until it was too late. Her foot came down on Jack's hand. Alexis froze. "No Will!" he mumbled incoherently clutching the bottle in his hand tighter, "Get your own rum!" Recognizing Jack was still asleep, she stifled her desire to laugh aloud at him.

'Come on Alex!' she pleaded to herself silently.

Ensuring she was much more alert this time, Alexis moved slowly back to the safety of the trees, where she made for her home so she could at last taste the food she had acquired.

"Three nights!" proclaimed Hammond angrily to Will, "Three nights our grub has gone missin'! It 'as to be the girl!" Sitting around the campfire once more, the pirates discussed the mystery behind the disappearance of their food. "I say we should never 'ave let her get away!" he finished furiously.

"We haven't lost too much," Will replied coolly trying to keep the peace, "Besides, she must be hungry, we can't expect her to stay away from the smell of the food, can we?" Hammond shook his head in disagreement, but said nothing. At that moment, the sound of loud footfalls came from behind the large, evergreen trees. The crew turned to face the noise and were surprised to see the very person they were speaking of.

Alexis stumbled through the clearing, and stared unsteadily around at the men. Will gazed at her in amazement as she stood there swaying from side to side. Her hair was messier than last time, and her blue eyes appeared to be unseeing. Will stood up and began walking towards her slowly. "Alexis…?" he said warily.

Her eyes fell on him, still seeming to be unfocused, until she smiled, lighting up her sun-kissed face. "Will!"Alexis slurred as she swaggered closer, "It's so nice to see you again!" Will eyed her carefully. This was not the same girl he had met only a few days earlier he decided. The way she walked reminded him very much of-

"Mr Sparrow!" exclaimed Alexis brightly turning her attention to his Captain as he emerged from a tent close to the fire. Stumbling towards him, Alexis linked her arm through Jack's, who looked utterly perplexed by this action. Giggling, she said, "Oh, Mr Sparrow! You do make me laugh!"

Jack and Will exchanged glances as Alexis let out a loud hiccup. Covering her mouth, Alexis excused herself with a grin still upon her face, and then Jack realised. "You didn't just take our food did you?" he said through gritted teeth and clenched hands, "You stole my rum!"

"Rum?" Alexis repeated looking confused.

"Yes!" Jack replied exasperated, "Me rum!" Looking as though he didn't know wether to be mad or amused, Jack continued to watch her swing awkwardly on her feet as she hiccuped again. His frustration with her seemed to cause a change in her mood.

Frowning at him, she said indignantly, "If you had lived here your entire life Mr Sparrow, you would have stolen their food too! If it wasn't for your...your kind, I wouldn't be like this!" Her expression changed once more as she lowered her head, her shoulders drooping as she continued sadly, "My parents would still be alive."

So that was the reason she distrusted pirates so much Will realised. He looked at Jack and was surprised to see his Captain did not look in the least bit disturbed by this revelation. If anything, Jack began to look thoughtful as he rubbed his chin. "I wonder then, how it is you come to speak English so well?"

Alexis brightened once more, and Will knew that if she had been in her right mind, she would not have easily moved on from the topic of her parents. "Books, Mr Sparrow! I read of course!" she told him happily with a wild gesture of her hand.

"Of course!" Jack replied throwing up his hands in mock imitation of her.

Suddenly, Alexis began to pale, as she rocked more precariously on her small, bare feet. "Oh, I don't feel very well" she said quietly to no one in particular as she placed her hand on her forehead. Then she collapsed backwards into Will's arms, as the rum finally took hold of her.

Author's Note: I hope you guys,as thereaders, enjoyed the fourth chapter! And once again, thankyou to my beta reader Antonette for giving me feedback on my chapters!

Flute Damioh- Or should I call you Tiffany Sparrow? ;) I'm glad you thought it was long enough and that you find the same with this chapter! Btw, very nice guess, but I have to say, sorry, he's not her father :)
Mystic Moon Maiden- Thankyou so much! Your too kind!
SpectralLady- Hehe, you were right! They did meet again, even if it was under strange circumstances ;)
Jackie G- Aww, all will be answered, but not yet :) Hope you don't get too confused again!
DeppInLove- Thankyou so very much! Hope I don't disappoint :)