Disclaimers: Okay, what's up with these things, eh? We all know that no matter how much we would like to, NONE of us own Jack Sparrow or anything from the movie, or Johnny Depp for that matter. The only thing I actually own is Emma, and that random dude who sold Will that stuff! It really is bothersome. Sigh Oh well, let us proceed, yes?

A/N: Thanks to the FOUR PEOPLE who reviewed, your comments were much appreciated. Iwould really like if some more of you would review. I may be a pretty good writter for a thriteen year old, but, as you can see, I could always use the extra help! Thank you.

Chapter3 - Situation Gone Sour

Sitting in the blacksmith's shop, Emma was folding over with laughter in her chair after listening to Jack's version of Will's grand adventure.

"Ye didn't come to slap the boy, did ye?" Jack asked chuckling.

"No, but I just might when he gets back!" Emma exclaimed, thinking of how Will had brushed her aside despite her flustered state. Jack observes the abrupt sourness of her mood.

"What's wrong, love?"

Well, here I go, thought Emma. Clearing her throat, she started.

"Well, it really is a bore, so I shan't waste your time."

"No not at all, I'd really like to hear. Come now, indulge me, will ye?"

Emma had no way of passing this, and cursed herself for bringing attention to the fact she was upset.

"Alright, alright. You see, it all starts with my mother. As of lately, she has been persisting that I become more socially involved with ladies of my age, and begin spending less time with the 'likes of William Turner.' Then again, she has never truly accepted my choice in friends or my form of being – for as long as I can recall – so I had never truly taken her seriously. Lately, however, she has been insisting – threatening to throw me out of my own home if I do not comply, or 'begin to act my age and find a good man with which to settle down,' as she would say!" She was becoming quite riled up, and every once in a while, Jack would grunt in understanding.

"Worse yet, she has wanted me to settle with that wig-brained com -" Stopping mid-sentence, Emma caught herself before spilling what she dreaded, fearing that by saying it would make it all the more real.

Jack narrowed his eyes. "What was that, love?" This was something interesting – some good gossip, and he new it.

"I-It is nothing," Emma stuttered.

"Ah, there can never be nothing, as nothing is always something, so I have the feeling there really be something ye be hidin' behind nothin' which is really something, savvy?"

Baffled by Jack's statement, Emma shook her head slightly to get some clearance. Putting on a hard face, she looked at him intently.

"I informed you already, Mr. Sparrow, that it is nothing. Even if it were to be something significant, as you so claim, it would be none of your concern."

Emma, since childhood, had been a determined individual – individual being the precise word – there was no one truly like her. Her mother was not able to coax the words out of her, so what chance had a pirate captain she had only just met? Emma would not break down for him, she assured herself of that.

"Ah, but you see, love, it is my civic duty to assure a strumpet as yourself is well off by all means necessary, that incudin' the love sector – and again, Miss Whibley, no need fer formalities, call me Jack."

Emma cringed at his bold statement. "I could never love that asinine, pond-scum-eating fool if Norrington were the LAST MAN ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH!" Her hands flung immediately to cover her mouth, trying in vain to hide the words she had already spilled, as her eyesight became blurry.

Jack was astounded. Then he grinned. "So it's that tight-wound bast'rd yer mum wants ye to hitch," his voice stated the fact as he sneered. "You've no luck at all – me sympathies, love."

Starring at nothing in particular, Emma's hands remained on her mouth; her eyes focused ahead of her as the reality began to sink in, not taking into account Jack's last statement. A shiver running through her body, her mind raced at an immense speed, darting from one though to another. Emma's Eyes began to sting as the saline tears welled, threatening to surpass the boundary of her lower lids. Though she fought to stifle it, a choked sob escaped her throat, catching Jack's attention.

Refocusing his attention on her, Jack cursed himself for being so careless with his words. 'Never think 'fore ye speak, eh Jack!'

"No! No, love, please don't cry! I'm sorry! Truly am! I swear I didn't mean it! I mean, ye do have me sympathies, but – Oh, bloody hell! Please stop!" Jack pleaded frantically. He had no idea what to do. How could he help the situation now? 'Ye've really put yer foot in it this time Sparrow!'

He knew he had to act quickly, so he did the only thing he could think of. Wrapping a consoling arm around her, Jack pulled Emma into a tight embrace as sobs wracked her body.

"Shhh, I'm sorry, really, I am…It's goin' to be alright…"

"She is going…to marry me…off to him!" Emma cried out in agony at her own words. "I am… going to die…waking up to…him every day until I DIE…" Gripping tightly onto Jack's coat, she continued to cry in despair.

"It's not as bad as ye think love, they can't make ye do anythin'. Yer mother can't make ye marry unless ye say 'I do'! You won't be forced into anything Emma, Surly they can't"

"I have no where to go Jack! My mother will throw me out of the house! Every one will know about it and I will be out of a job!"

"Ye can always go work in Tortuga?" Jack offered weakly. His efforts only weakened her further, and again Emma cried out in resignation at the thought, spilling more tears on her face.

Sighing, Jack resumed stroking her back. If it was one thing he could not stand, it was a crying woman like Emma, though he had to admit, he did not mind holding her in her time of need, caressing her this way. She seemed to fit so perfectly in his arms that he- 'NO! Not NOW Jack! This isn't the time te be fantasizin' about her!'

Through her distress, Emma somehow felt slightly better at the comfort Jack was offering her. 'Pirates are not completely stonehearted, are they?' Said a voice amidst the chaos that occurred in her mind. Her thoughts as well as Jack's, however, were stalled by a sudden noise.