Disclaimer: I don't own PotC 1, but I'll see what I can do about getting my hands on PotC 2 ;)

Chapter 5- Acceptance

Alexis opened her eyes to strangely familiar surroundings. Her head began to ache as she sat up scanning the tent she was in once more. Rubbing her throbbing head, Alexis tried to remember how she had arrived there. Unable to do so, Alexis pulled back the sheet that covered her and stood up. As the pain in her head intensified and the room began to spin, she quickly sat down again. Hearing voices passing outside, Alexis muttered quietly to herself, "Pirates!"

Taking a deep breath to relax herself, Alexis stood once more and moved towards the half-opened flap of the tent. Brushing her long hair back behind her ear, she peeked around the corner. The bright sunlight hurt her eyes and she shielded her face with her hand. A sharp laugh to the right of Alexis startled her and she gasped. Mr Gibbs stood watching her with a smile upon his face and an empty bucket in his hand. "Didn't think ye'd be up so soon!" he said with another laugh, "Not after last nigh' " Winking at her as though they shared a joke, he continued walking down towards the clear, sparkling ocean shore.

Alexis heart began to beat faster as she tried once more to think of what might have happened the previous night. Stepping out into the burning rays of the sun, she walked unsteadily around the pirates' campsite. Deep in thought, she failed to notice a small pirate, no higher than her waist, kneeling down with a hammer in his hands as he hit a peg holding a tent up, back into the ground. Bumping into him Alexis looked around, before glancing down and noticing the tiny but solid-looking man watching her. Her face flushing pink, she stumbled an apology and walked away as fast as she could.

Searching for someone she recognized, Alexis saw Mr Gibbs, standingknee deepin the water. Reaching the damp sand, she called out to him. "Ah, 'ullo again lass!" he said with a friendly smile, "I guess you'd be looking for the Cap'n and Will?" Hating to admit she was actually seeking these pirates, Alexis nodded back without returning the friendly gesture. Pointing towards a track through the trees behind the tents, Mr Gibbs told her, "They be just through there", then began scooping water into the bucket he carried.

Reluctantly, Alexis began to follow the path until she heard the chopping of wood coming just behind the trees. Entering the clearing, she saw the two pirates she was trying to find. Will and two other sweaty looking pirates stood over a fallen tree, axes in their hands. Jack sat on the large stump, watching his crew work. Although Alexis did not know much about Jack, his laid back attitude did not surprise her. Placing her hands on her hips, Alexis said, "Don't want to get your hands dirty Jack?"

Seeming surprised to see her Jack raised his eyebrows, and then a grin crept across his face as Alexis moved towards him. "Didn't want to leave I see," he said continuing to smile mischievously at her.

Narrowing her eyes at him, Alexis replied, "Don't be so sure of yourself Mr Sparrow. I want to leave here as soon as possible, but..." Alexis stopped as she remembered why she had come to see him. Composing herself as though the matter was of little importance she preceded, "I was wondering if you could help me with something?" Jack leaned forward on the tree stump and looked up at her with a hopeful expression evident on his tanned face. Oblivious to his intentions, Alexis continued quietly, "This morning-"

"Afternoon," Jack corrected her with a tilt of his head.

"This afternoon", Alexis said impatiently, " I woke up and I cannot remember what happened last night. I was hoping that you might be able to help me?"

"Well, you stole me rum," Jack replied.

"Rum?" Alexis questioned.

Tapping his chin in thought he said, "You said the same thing las' night. Just before you fainted." Watching as Alexis' blue eyes opened in horror, Jack smiled innocently, his gold teeth flashing at her in the sunlight. "You had too much rum, luv."

Alexis still felt confused. She had not read enough books to know what Jack spoke of, and could not understand how a drink could prevent her from remembering. "So your saying this, this rum, can cause me to forget the previous night?" she asked him.

"Aye, if you've had one too many," he told her with a twinkle in his eye.

Alexis reflected on this for a moment, annoyed at herself for taking the chance on something she was unfamiliar with. Something that belonged to pirates. Finally it dawned on her that she had stayed too long mixing with these men. Eager to leave, Alexis said stiffly, "Thankyou Mr Sparrow, but I really must be going."

Jack stood up and swaggered closer to her. Alexis took a cautious step back as he leaned in to speak. "I'm wondering, what is it your in a hurry to do, on an island, all by your onesies?" he said with a smirk.

"I have much more important things to do then hang around with the likes of pirates, Jack," she retorted although she knew what he said was true. Turning her back on him Alexis added, "And their rude Captain."

Will, who had been listening to the conversation, called out to Alexis as she began to leave. "Wait! We want you to stay, don't we Jack," he said with a meaningful glance at his Captain. Alexis looked uncertainly from Will to Jack, who had his eyebrows raised as he stared back at his crewmate. Then swinging round to face her, Jack held out his hands in agreement.

"Just a little longer," Will said with a half smile, "And we know you like our food".

Feeling slightly embarrassed, Alexis considered their offer. Looking down at her feet, she thought about how well they had treated her. These pirates were much different to what Alexis had perceived them to be and not once had they intentionally tried to hurt her. Looking back up, Alexis studied their faces. Jack, Will and the other two pirates stood silently waiting for her decision. Breathing in deeply, Alexis nodded her head slowly as she accepted.

"And then, I saw in 'er eyes, the same look me mother use ta give me! So I was out o' there as fast as me legs would take me!" Mr Gibbs finished his story to a round of laughter. Alexis joined in as she sat on the sand, finding herself easily amused by the pirates' tales in places she had never heard of. The crew had formed a circle around the pile of wood used for their campfire, and the adventures the pirates told of while they ate amazed Alexis. She longed to visit these places, but knew she had unfinished business on her island.

Wobbling as he stood, Jack held up a bottle of rum and gesturing to her with his free hand, he announced, "A toast! To Alex!" Ignoring the fact he had use the short version of her name, Alexis suppressed a smile with the back of her hand, secretly hoping she hadn't looked like Jack after consuming the pirates rum the night before. "Here's hoping you won't find it necessary to attack us again," he finished seriously, before giving her a cheeky grin. The crew raised their bottles in accord, and gave three cheers for her.

Alexis smiled back at the crew, years of fear and anxiety on her young face slipping away. She felt strange to be with these men, but she also felt a sense of belonging. She had not felt that in a long time. Standing to leave, Alexis thanked the men for their hospitality, nodding specifically at Will who had convinced Jack to let her join them.

As she made her way home, Alexis was surprised to find herself hoping she would see them again. Feeling happy for the first time in many years, Alexis smiled as she realised she had pirates to thank for that.

Author's Note: Once again, I hope you are enjoying the storyandthanks to my buddy, Antonette, for being my 'beta writer'!

Mystic Moon Maiden- Hehehe, that chapter was a lot of fun to write too! Thanks so much for reviewing once more!
SpectralLady- Hehe, I'm glad you liked the way they met! And yes, I noticed you haven't updated it in a while :( Awww, I hope that the writer's block will go soon! You were doing a fantastic job!
Countess Jackman- Here ya go! I finally updated! I'm so happy you like her name! I was worried everyone would hate it! Hehe :)'
Tiffany Sparrow- Hehe, well, if I told you that, I'd be giving away some of the story! ;) And aww, poor Will :)' But thankyou again for your review! It really helps me write!
DeppInLove- Lol! Nice saying! ;) Thankyou! Your too kind! I'll try to update as soon as I can:)
Daftlilme- Sorry for leaving you up in the air! Hope this chapter helped a bit :) And you'll find out what happened to her parents...all in good time! I can't say too much though, but you may find out a little bit more about it next chapter ;)