(A/N: I know some of you readers are upset with the fact that I have Jack Sparrow, the hottest pirate in the Caribbean, torturing someone. And even though he seems perfect you have to remember that he is a pirate so chances are he had done stuff like this before. And if you can't handle that then I suggest you stop reading this. I hate to be brutally honest, but that's life. No one's perfect, and I know you hate to accept it, but Jack is a scalawag. Just be glad I have him regretting this.

-Smeagol's girl)

"I can't believe you."

Jack was heading for his quarters, watching as Em was brought in ahead of him by two men. Will was in hot pursuit behind him, determined to stop him. "You can't be doing this again." Jack looked at him.

"And what do you propose I do?" he snapped. "If I don't they're going to make me kill her," he whispered so the others wouldn't hear. "Or they'll maroon me again and she'll be left in the hands of someone else."

"At least they won't be betraying her," snarled Will. Jack gave him a dangerous look and Will backed off.

"I hate this, alright? I hate the fact that I have to torture someone who means this much to me. But there's nothing I can do right now but wait for the opportune moment, savvy?" He turned and headed into his quarters and sent the two men away so he could be with her alone.

"What are you going to do to me today?" she asked. Her eyes were blindfolded again, and he kneeled in front of her.

"Are you going to tell me where the idle is yet?" he asked, knowing he had to.

"No," she answered, and he walked over to the fireplace and pulled out the red hot poker. "What are you going to do?" she asked again. He untied her hands, and retied them around one of the main support beams that held up the roof in his quarters. Then he unbuttoned the back of her shirt and slid it over her shoulders so her bare back was exposed to him. "Are you going to whip me?"

"No," he answered, and stood behind her.

He ran the end of the poker down her back and she screamed in pain as he did it. His fingers gripped the poker tighter in anger as he was forced to do it again and again, and then reheat it so he could do it again. Em screamed the entire time, loudly, and Jack felt as if he were being torn up on the inside everytime he did it. Eventually her knees gave way and she was on her knees, gasping in pain and screaming. When he finally got to stop, he placed the poker back where it belonged and went to her, closing her shirt over her back again. He then untied her hands and removed her blindfold. Em's eyes were red from sobbing, and tears were still falling down them.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, trying to keep from tears. She was unable to move because it hurt so much, and he called for someone to come and clean her up and lock her away. When they came, he left, not being able to look at her, and went back to the helm where Will was standing.

"The entire crew could hear her screaming," he said coldly. Jack only looked at him and didn't answer. "How long will this go on for?"

"I've tortured people before, Will," he said grimly. "Some for a lot longer than I have with her. And it's barely effected me until now." He shook his head and placed a hand on his forehead. "I have to think of a way to get us both out of here. I can't do this for much longer, mate."

"Well then think of something quick!" said Will. "That's becoming unbearable to listen to." Jack gave him a meaningful look.

"You're not the one who has to do that to her, mate." Will stared and Jack walked back to his quarters for some peace, leaving him in charge again.

"I brought this for you," said Jack when he visited Em that night. She looked up at him and he handed her a chicken leg. She took it greatfully and bit into it, savoring the taste. "I know you haven't eaten very much in a while." The nearly inhaled it, and tossed the bone out the window. "How's the back?"

"It hurts... a lot," she said. "I can't move to you, so can you come here?" He moved to her and sat next to her. She placed one hand in front of her and the other behind her so she could slowly turn herself to face him from the side. "How are you holding up?" she asked softly.

"Barely," he admitted, looking at her with dark eyes. "Nothing I've done, in all my life as a pirate, can compare to this, luv."

"I know," she said, her eyes tearing up. "And I know it's my fault. But you understand why I have to... right?"

"Yes," he said, reaching over and taking her hand. "I just hate it." A tear fell down his face and she placed his hand on her cheek and nuzzled against it softly, her eyes closed. He stroked her cheek with his thumb in a short moment of bliss, and for a minute, he knew that he had never cared for a woman as much as he did for her. But he also knew there was nothing he could do about it but savor small moments like this. "I'm going to find a way to get us out of here, luv," he said softly. "I promise." She looked at him and smirked a little. "I'm going to hide with you, and make sure no pirate lays a hand on you again. I swear I'll find a way. Savvy?"

"Savvy," she said softly.

"I'm sorry," he said, gesturing to her hand and her back. "I'm sorry for everything." She closed her eyes and pressed his hand to her cheek again. She knew he was keeping from tears again and shook her head.

"It's okay to cry, Jack," she said softly. "Even a pirate needs to cry sometimes."

"Yeah, well," he said, wiping away tears as if he didn't want her to see them. "I hate getting emmotional, mate. It's just not me." She reached over, very slowly, and placed her hand on his face.

"I love you, Jack," she said softly. He took in a deep breath and stood up, leaving reluctantly, and went to his quarters for the night.

Louder, Louder

And we'll run for our lives

I can hardly speak, I understand

Why you can't raise your voice to say...