DISCLAIMER: Sadly, I must still tell you I don't own PotC, and probably never will :(

Chapter 7- Betrayal

It had been ten very long years since Alexis had seen Barbossa, and the memories of that day had never left her. Fighting down the fear that moved to consume her, Alexis stared at Jack in thought. "We need a plan," she said determinedly.

Jack opened his mouth as though to say something, then closed it again. His shoulders drooped as he realized there would be no talking her out of it. Resolved to attempt the impossible, he sauntered over to Alexis, and draped an arm around her shoulders. "Barbossa and his men are cutthroat pirates, Alex", Jack told her softly, "They'll kill ya without a moments hesitation. We can't just attack them, luv".

Swirling out of his arms to face him, Alexis said angrily, "So we stay where we are and let them attack us!" Breathing in deeply, she began again more calmly, "Your Captain Jack Sparrow. You're a pirate! Surely you and your crew can challenge them?"

Will who had stood thoughtfully watching their argument, stepped in to defend his Captain, "Alex, I'm afraid Jack is right. We aren't like Barbossa's men. We've seen what they can do."

"Well so have I!" Alexis exclaimed, "You didn't see him kill your Mother and your Father, and then leave you here to die!" Swallowing back tears she continued, "You can stay here and hide, or you can help me?" Looking from Will to Jack, she saw that they stayed motionless where they stood. Will stared at his Captain anxiously, and Jack watched Alexis, his face unreadable. Staring intently into Jack's deep eyes for a moment, Alexis nodded and said quietly, "I should have known better." Turning her back on them, she made to walk away.

Taking a step forward, Jack called out, "Alex!" As she turned slowly to face him, he could see the redness of her eyes as she fought back tears of frustration and fear. "I'll get me men ready. What do ye want done?."

Crouching down behind a low hill, Will, Alexis, and four other members of Jack's crew waited for the signal. Leaning in close to whisper to her, Will pointed to the sword at her side and said, "Are you any good with that?"

Giving him a cynical look, she whispered back, "I've been alone on an island for ten years Will, and besides, you didn't beat me when we met. I was distracted." Flashing her a quick smile that lit up his usually serious face, they returned their attention to the matter at hand. Having quickly disassembled their tents and moving them to a hiding spot Alexis had shown them, she and Jack had organized a rough plan as Barbossa's ship drew closer. Now, they awaited a sign to begin their attack.

They did not have to wait long. The crunching of leaves and stones became louder, as Barbossa's men appeared along the path. They seemed ready for an ambush, as they looked around warily, their hands not lingering far from the sheaths of their swords. Then one of the men, who bore a nasty scar across his right eye, stepped straight into Alexis' trap. As he dangled in midair, Barbossa's crew turned to see what had caused the distraction at the back of the line when a second pirate stepped into a similar trap. A low birdcall was heard over their exclamations of surprise. Will glanced at Alexis and then waved a hand to the four pirates with them. With that, they attacked.

Dashing over the slight hill, they ran at Barbossa's crew from behind. A clash of swords could be heard, and Alexis found herself confused as to who was fighting with her as the rest of Jack's crew came out to join them. Her own sword was ready in her hand, but she scanned the battle scene for a glimpse of Barbossa. Alexis spotted Will crossing blades with a thin pirate who was missing an eye, but realized Jack was nowhere to be seen.

A coarse voice broke her thoughts, as a bald pirate with yellow teeth and similarly coloured eyes said, " 'Ello poppet! Didn't know Sparrow let women on 'is ship." Disgusted by the sight of him, Alexis raised her sword to strike, but he blocked her, bringing his dirty, scarred face close to hers he spoke once more, "Play nicely, poppet." Raising a knee to his stomach, Alexis bolted away as he doubled over.

Running past both Jack and Barbossa's crew as they fought, Alexis sought to distinguish both Captains' among them. Passing into a clearing away from the main battle, she caught sight of Barbossa through the gaps in the trees. His large, black hat stood out distinctly from the bright green surroundings. As she moved to slip through the foliage, Alexis noticed his arm was out at his side, a gun in his hand. Following the direction it was aimed at, her heart missed a beat. Jack was standing still in direct firing line, eyeing Barbossa cautiously. With a threatening look upon his face, he cocked the gun back and said, "Call ye men off Jack."

Alexis stayed out of sight behind the trees as she watched Jack's crew put down their weapons and join their Captain. "Loyalty Jack. That's ye crew's downfall," Barbossa sneered at him. Returning a sarcastic smile, Jack looked down at the ground as his hands were tied in front of him. At the same time, the pirate who had attacked Alexis went over and spoke to Barbossa, pointing in her direction. Ducking down, Alexis knew it was useless. They knew she was there.

Stepping out slowly from the foliage, she raised her eyes to meet those of the man who had murdered her parents. He looked back at her blankly, no hint of recognition on his lined face. "Letting women aboard now Jack! Ye have changed since we were mates," he said smugly.

Alexis's eyes fell quickly on Jack who suddenly looked uncomfortable. "Mates?" she asked so softly he barely heard her. "Jack...?", Alexis began as the memories came flooding back to her, as clearly as the very day it happened...

"Mummy, I don't want you to go!" Alexis whined holding tightly to her mother's soft hand.

Looking down gently at her, Alexis' mother ran her other hand through her daughter's long hair, tucking it back behind her ear. "I'll only be gone for a short time, honey," she told Alexis," I need to tell Daddy that there are visitor's on the island." Kneeling down so she was at the same height as her child, she continued, "But I need you to stay here. Will you do that for me?"

Alexis nodded back unhappily, as her mother kissed her forehead. "I love you Mummy," she said as her mother began to leave.

"I love you too, sweetie," she smiled back at her daughter, her blue eyes looking warmly at her.

Alexis watched her mother's retreating back until it disappeared through the greenery, and then settled herself down on the ground in the cave.

It was not long until she began to grow restless. Alexis knew her parents should have returned by now and as curiosity got the better of her, she slipped quietly from the cave, heading in the direction she knew her mother went.

Reaching the edge of the trees, she saw her parents standing on the sand, but they were not alone. Around them, stood a group of men. Alexis' eyes grew wide as she realized they were pirates, who her mother and father had constantly warned her about. Worried about their safety, she crawled closer to the scene, hoping the men would go away.

A tall man, with a wide, black hat on, raised a sword in front of her father. Alexis could see the angry expression on the man's face as he shouted at them, "Ye gonna tell me where it is!" As Alexis' father protested, the man with the black hat who appeared to be the Captain, lost patience, striking him with the sword. The blade pierced through to the other side. Her mother let out an anguished cry, before the sword quickly silenced her.

Alexis' eyes welled with tears, as she saw the bloody sword in the man's hand, dripping with crimson blood. Blinking back the tears that had begun to run down her face, she stared around at the pirates who surrounded the bodies of her parents. One man who had dark skin and markings upon his face, looked down at her dead parents, no expression in his black eyes. Another, stood to the side, a red bandana around his head...

"You were there," Alexis said, her voice deadly low. Her blue eyes glared coldly at Jack, who seemed as though he wanted to say something, but feared Alexis' wrath. Barbossa was forgotten, as she felt anger and embarrassment for giving her trust to pirates, and for actually believing they were her friends. "You lied to me," she continued icily.

"Alex, please," Jack begged her, holding the palms of his hands together, "Please don't say..."

"Don't say what, Jack?" she cut him off furiously, her voice shaking in anger, "That you stood by and allowed him to kill my parents!" Jackwinced as she said this, avoiding Barbossa's gaze as he listened intently to their argument, trying hard to decipher what they were speaking of.

Then comprehension came over his wrinkled face. As Alexis continued to glare at Jack, hatred on her face, she didn't see the nasty smile Barbossa gave her as he said, "This, is Katherine and Marcus' daughter?" Turning to face his crew he told them, "Well well, looks like we'll be getting the treasure after all gentlemen!"

Author's Note- There ya go! Seventh chapter, I hope you liked it and that it explained a few things for you! Also, just to clear something up that'Tiffany Sparrow' mentioned; Barbossa isn't dead, or at least, not in my story ; ) I've taken characters, appearances, personalities etc, andsome specific things from the movie, e.g Jack being apart of Barbossa's crew, but everything else in the PotC movie never happened, unless it's mentioned in the story, savvy? I hope that helps you understand a bit better if anyone was confused!

Daftlilme- Ooh, your guess was spot on! Thanks again for your review!
Countess Jackman- Hehe, well now you now what's going on! Sorry if this chapter was a little full on, but you had to to be told what was up with Jack, and I was worried if I didn't tell you this chapter you'd gouge out my eyes! ;)' Hehehe, thanks for your review!
Tiffany Sparrow- Hehe, thats alright! As long as you read it, that's good enough for me! ;) And I hope the author's note at the end helped you understand about Barbossa! And thanks again for your review!
SpectralLady- Yep! You were right! It's all Barbossa's fault :( Hope you didn't get too scared! Hehehe :)' Thankyou for reviewing!
MysticMoonMaiden- Wow! Someone actually likes cliffhangers! Hehe, glad you liked the chapter! Thankyou so much for reviewing once more!