Disclaimer: Refer to chapter one.

Check the end of this chapter for briberies, reminders, thanks and such.

Lip Balm

…

Sweat trailed down Henrietta's back as she ran toward the docks, muscles aching and joints creaking as her sand covered legs pumped quicker and quicker down the strangling sea grass and coarse shells. Nicking her heels on protruding rocks and stones, the young blossoming girl of eighteen wiped beads of sweat from her eyebrows and dare not stop running. Today was the last day the major merchant ships docked and she wanted out more than anything.

Holding tightly onto a round, peeling item, she finally stepped onto the splintering dock and breathed a sigh of relief. The sun had barely rose and there was always time for convincing, be it hours, if must. Quickly opening her palm, Henry broke the round vegetable in half with a small pocket knife and peeled off the layers of the skinning onion. An old, back-bent lady at the market place assured her that the onions she was selling was by far the strongest. Henry had thought she was lying…until now. Taking a large sniff of the onion, her eyes began to water.

That was good, for she was no actress.

Tucking chops and slices of the onions in her sleeve, Henry prayed that someone would take notice of the weeping miss and excuse he subtly for the sour odor.

Walking around carelessly on the dock, she spotted an aging Captain at the helm of a decent looking merchant ship. Decent as the ship was, the captain was no sight for sore eyes. A large, belly hung above his trousers and touched the helm, although the ship was in no position to move. Even from the far distance, Henry could see graying nose hairs protruding from his nostrils. Sighing, she squeezed between two crates of bananas and stepped onto the ship from the ramp.

Approaching the man with her head bent, she sniffled loudly.

"Y'there lass, what're you doing on my ship?" He asked suspiciously in a gruff voice.

"Captain, dear, fine Captain," Henry looked up, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You are the Captain, aren't you? Of this fine, merchant's vessel…" She sobbed. "I'm sorry, excuse my tears." Patting her eyes gently with her finger tips and sniffled.

"What is it, lassie? What is--"

Henry interrupted, "Captain, it's just that my father passed away recently. He's happy with my dear mother, now. B..but I fear that…" She bawled something fierce. "I fear that I have no where to go."

The Captain stroked his gray beard thoughtfully and patted his belly as if it were to give him inspiration. Suddenly catching himself in the act, he raised his eyebrows, "Why're you comin' to me, though? Head off to your friends now."

"B..but my father," Henry hiccupped. "H…he told me to live and love at the ocean where the name of our family truly lies, sir. He did." She fiddled with her thumbs, looking up tentatively, eyes still watering. "He was a good man. Always wanted best for my mother and myself. I watched him pass away, and he uttered his last words to me as I wept over the wise and just father that I had.. He told me to get away from this God forsaken town and live on the ocean as he's wanted me to do."

"He wanted me to find a nice, gentleman Captain to escort me to a safe and secure port where I could blossom happily without the slander of forward men amongst this town." She continued.

The man sighed, "Just to the next port?" She nodded sadly as he looked at her with sympathy. "Aye, then, missy, t'the next port it is. Yer name?"

"Henry, sir," She smiled.

"Well then, young Miss. Henry, if you will allow me to kiss your hand," He grinned gently, revealing missing teeth and blackened ones as well. Henry stood still, eyeing the man. Did he know? What he playing gentleman? She smiled, and extended her arm. The Captain, smiling wider, bent down to kiss her hand but instead, sniffed loudly.

Henry jerked her hand away, stumbling carelessly over a crack on the deck of the ship and spilled all the chopped onions from her sleeves. The Captain looked perplexed, bending over to pick up a chunk of the white vegetable. He sniffed it carefully and then bit into it the spicy slice of vegetable. Henry could see tears brimming in his eyes.

Henry could not help laughing, seeing as a gruff man looked as if he had been bawling. The Captain's eyes narrowed.

"You," He snarled. "Y'dare make a dupe of me?"

Henry got up quickly, whipping out her pocketknife, knowing it was no use. She raced across the ramp and ran wearily to a stray corner, spotting a ship and concealing herself on the deck.

The Captain, with his jiggling belly raced after her, waving a pistol menacingly. Watching from the deck of a stranger's ship, she saw the Captain stop huffly and walk back to his own ship, eyeing around carefully.

Breathing a sigh, she got up from her position but felt a rough hand seize her by the shoulder and pull her up. "I think ye may have gotten lost." Henry turned around to meet a man of curtained, brown hair, a slight goatee and blue crystals for eyes. Despite his clean cut face and sharp features, his clothes were raggedy and torn at places. A sword stood noticed to Henry at his waist.

"You're right," Henry stated tiredly, shrugging off his hand. "I am lost. Please, sir, can you help me find my way?"

He threw his head back and laughed loudly, "I am no sir, missy,"

"Shall I call you a missus?"

He laughed again, "Call me Cap'n, miss, Cap'n Rackham." He grinned, waving his arms around. "This is me ship, a beauty that you have just trespassed upon." His smile faded a bit, but laughter never left his eyes. "Tell me, lass, why yer walkin' all over my ship? This Pirate's Ship?

"Pirates Ship?"

He rolled his eyes, pointed towards a large, black flag hanging from a mast and then pointed to the location of the ship. It was hidden behind a large piece of land, the other ships, however, paid no attention to this "Pirate's Ship".

Henry's eyes widened in fear as she nodded, gulped and then prepared to step off board. "Well then, Pirate Captain Rackham," She almost smirked. "I will be leaving now." He laughed and placed an arm around her shoulders, "Y'need a place to stay, lass. I can see it in yer eyes, that longin' look that I used ter have before I 'came Pirate."

Henry raised an eyebrow. "So you overheard me talking to that monstrosity over there?"

"Funny how walking up and down a dock will do to loosen your leg muscles. Great fer eavesdropping, too." He paused and then continued. "By the way, yer a terrible actress."

Henry laughed, threw her head back and imitated the Pirate Captain. He grinned and then opened his mouth to reveal a dark, gaping hole. She squinted, staring into his mouth until a white clock was in place of his face, the hour hand spinning swiftly. Her laughter stopped as her eyes shut tight and then it was black.

When she opened her eyes she saw Captain Rackham, his eyes long lost the laughter that it once had, his goatee a bit longer, his hair more coarse. Morose was clearly strained across his once jovial expression. She felt as if she had aged half a decade.

"I'm sorry, Henry," He said, tucking a piece of parchment into his belt.

"What are you sorry for, love?"

"I'm sorry Henry." He repeated and then hastily placed a gem in her palm before looking away. "You may take her now."

She felt hands grab her legs and arms to lift her up. Henry thrashed madly and used her fingernails to scratch everything in sight, thought it was no use. Holding her hands they blindfolded her and then all she felt was a great fall, as if her stomach had tied itself around her forehead and then everything around her was cold, salt water.

She was drowning.

…

"Wake up, lassie, wake up, you hellcat," Jack shook the mad woman violently, trying to shake her from her terrible nightmare. Hastily grabbing a bucket of water and throwing it onto her face, she gasped and clawed at the air angrily. Finally she stopped, opened her eyes and groaned, holding the side of her head.

"Henry, what the 'ells the matter wit' ye?" He wiped the sweat and saltwater from her forehead and helped her sit up.

She looked towards Jack, opening her mouth and then closing it. Grabbing onto his shoulders, she gave a look of total vulnerability, looking around fearfully before speaking.

"I don't know how to swim."

She then fell into a state of weariness once more and collapsed on her hammock, Chicky clucking quietly besides her. He stared for a moment, watching her now peaceful expression, as if she had spewed something putrid from her body and never let herself near it within the few seconds. His gaze lowered to her hand where her fingernails had dug into her palm. Peering into her hand he saw the hazy crimson gem held loosely in her grasp.

Jack squinted confusedly and stood by her hammock until her breaths were even and short.

…

Henry woke up groggily and touched the side of her head, massaging her temples to rid of the pounding beating in her brain. After a few moments, Henry realized that the pounding was not from a terrible headache but from Gibbs who was trying desperately to rouse her from her sleep by mutilating Jack's door with his fist.

"Henry," He said again and again. "Henry, Jack wants ye to wake up now. Bloody hell, woman, 'ave ye plugged yer ears?"

"Yes!" Henry shouted. "Yes, Gibbs, I have."

"Finally," He said, voice muffled. "Crazy bad luck ye are.."

Getting up from her hammock, she scattered feed for Chicky in a corner and scraped off bird droppings before leaving Jack's quarters, still groggy. Jack stood in front of the double doors, pushing her to a stop in front of him.

"Take yer clothes off," He ordered.

Henry snapped awake from her tiredness and looked at him incredulously.

"Ye, m'dear Henrietta," He circled her once before placing his face against hers, amusement dancing on his tanned features. "Ye, are goin' to learn how ter swim. So hurry along now, get undressed, I won't wait long."

Henry looked around, noticing that that Black Pearl had stopped moving. Declaring Jack Sparrow fit to be insane, she headed back into the Cabin without a word.

…

Thank you to all my reviewers. :D I LOVE YOU ALL. [Passes out pieces of bread with maggots in them. Mm. Pirates food.] And sorry for the delay. I've been getting lazy. :P Don't kill me!

This Chapter's item is Captain Jack Sparrow chocolate. Shaped like Captain Jack Sparrow, skulls, and cross bones and etc you will have fun eating these chocolates as they are filled with chewy nougat and yummy caramel. If you're lucky you'll get one that has fortune on it. "Have a nice day"

Review and it'll come flying your way. :D