Disclaimer: see first chapter. And the occasional drabble in every other chapter.

The next day passes almost uneventfully for Squirrel. Almost.

After politely turning down an invitation to have breakfast with the crew, Squirrel climbs the rigging and sits in the crow's-nest again, watching the sea and listening to the waves break against the side of the ship. The sun is shining, and all is calm. Squirrel eats her breakfast quietly, eyes closed in bliss.

She's finally free. Everything is finally going her way.

"What are we going to do about that girl?"

"We'll deal with her once we get out of Port Royal, aye? Nothing to worry about, Anamaria. Just keep making Squirrel feel like she's at home."

Squirrel nearly chokes on her bread.

"Listen, Jack." Ana's voice is stern. "I don't know about you, but I think Squirrel's a nice girl." Jack snorts, and there is the sound of someone being slapped. "Listen, Captain! Squirrel doesn't deserve to be lied to like this."

"We ain't lyin' to her!" Jack grins. "We're just… neglecting some of the… finer… details."

Squirrel swallows food that suddenly has no taste.

Ana shakes her head, trying instead to concentrate on steering the Pearl. "She's a lot smarter than you think her, Jack Sparrow. She saved your life, and this is how you repay her?"

"Hey!" Jack holds up his hands, as if fending off an attack. "I did return the favour. I fished her out of the sea. You know she can't even swim, right?"

Squirrel feels a hot flush rise in her face, not of embarrassment, but out of anger. How dare he!

The conversation ends. Squirrel watches as Jack swaggers across the deck, looking out at the sea with a grin on his face. I was wrong, Squirrel thinks bitterly. He's not any different to any other pirate in Tortuga. You've seen one, you've seen 'em all. And to think I was… Squirrel swallows, then finally admits to herself, To think I was in love with him. When Jack's back is turned, Squirrel climbs slowly down the rigging and creeps back into her cabin.

While the ship sways from side-to-side in the current, Squirrel sits and sorts through her papers, organising them, busying her hands and mind so her eyes won't overflow with tears.

Betrayed again. What a surprise. The voice sneers. I mean, look at you. You're so gullible. You're so easily fooled by people and their false concern.

Shut up.

Make me. You know it's the truth. Jack doesn't see you more than anything he can use. Not like that, and you know it. He doesn't want anything from you.

Except my skill.

The thought comes so rapidly to Squirrel it's almost like a physical blow. She rocks back on her heels, staring at the ceiling. First a tavern owner, now a pirate. Squirrel casts her mind back to when she 'helped' Mister Gibbs win that huge bag of gold from that short sailor. Is that what Jack wants her to do? Steal other people's gold in games of chance?

"He's in for a rude awakening." Squirrel mutters, angry now. She stuffs the rest of the papers back into the chest. "If I can't read him, then I can't help him." The grin comes viciously to her face.

Is that really how you'd use your gift? A voice asks gently. Revenge?

Squirrel hits herself on the head, wincing. What was this, a war between her shoulder-angel and shoulder-devil? With a sigh, Squirrel realises she wouldn't be able to betray Jack. I am too gullible. She thinks, closing the chest. But it's too late now. And if I let Jack know that I heard him, who knows what will happen?

Squirrel sits up as she remembers something. "Port Royal?"