INTO THE CARIBBEAN

CHAPTER EIGHT – The Crew and A Captain's Advice

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The next morning arrived entirely too fast for many people who were either peacefully sleeping or passed out in Tortuga. Many groaned as the light filled their closed eyelids and before they soon turned their backs while others slept through it and wouldn't wake until late afternoon, and then would begin their routine of the previous night all over again. The bright sun slowly began filling up the small room with light, making Alex groan in annoyance as she slowly woke. Leaving her eyes closed, being too exhausted to try and open them, her warm body begged her to go back to sleep. Her mind brought her to the familiar place between dreams and reality, and in that place she slowly regained her memory.

Tortuga…The Faithful Bride…Jack…Will…rum…Alex's eyes sprang wide open at the last two thoughts and remembered she was in Gibb's home, the room lit with the morning's rays of light. When Alex was fully aware of where she was, she realized she was lying on her left side, her head resting on her left arm and her right arm against her chest. She looked again at her arms with a confused look.

If these are my arms…then what's that on my hip? She thought. Her eyes hesitantly wandered down her dirty attire towards her stomach and saw an arm that was not her own draped over her abdomen. There was a dirty off-white sleeve that was pulled back towards the elbow, revealing a tan, dirt-soiled arm. Alex sighed in annoyance, knowing who the armed belonged to. The tattoo told it all…Jack.

Alex suddenly became alert of the rest of his body behind her, and realized that there were only a few small inches between Jack's chest and her back, with his dirty arm lifelessly wrapped around her waist and his warm breath felt on the back of her neck. Alex rolled her eyes. Mangy cad, he didn't listen to me. But were we…was I…was he sleeping like that all night? Alex thought in panic…she couldn't decide if that was a good or bad thing. It can't be that bad…I mean, it's not every day I wake up with an attractive person holding me, especially if said person is a pirate. Alex made a second thought about what just passed through her mind and her eyes shut in disgust. What the hell am I thinking, this is Jack!

"Jack, wake up!" Alex hissed, but there was no answer in return. "Jack!" She tried again, this time lightly elbowing his chest, but all that he did in response was groan into her hair and pull her closer. Great, he just had to be a deep sleeper. She thought and began her attempt to break free from his grasp. Carefully turning onto her back, she picked up his arm with one hand and slowly slid it over onto his own body, but froze when he began to stir. He was muttering unintelligible words under his breath as he placed his arm around her again. Alex heaved a sigh and began to make a second attempt but immediately froze when he began to shift again. She slowly turned her head and watched as he nestled his head into his pillow, and his body closer to her.

When he stopped and resumed his deep, even breathing, Alex smirked. "So, the infamous Jack Sparrow likes to cuddle, aye?"

When she turned to face him again with the same smirk, it instantly disappeared when she found herself staring straight into a pair of very awake eyes and a large, mischievous grin. Before Alex had any time to quickly scramble out of the bed or push him out, Jack already rolled himself over on top of her and pinned her down with his body. He leaned on his forearms, which were now on both sides of Alex's head.

"That's Captain Jack Sparrow, my dear." Jack corrected with a smug grin while he looked down at Alex and her narrowed glare. "And yes, he likes to cuddle, but he preferably likes to call it holding a woman."

Her eyes went wide as his grin grew. "You've been awake this whole time?"

Jack looked up at the headboard with a contemplating look of thought before shrugging and looking back down at her. "Give or take a few minutes before you woke, yes, I suppose I was."

Alex let out a sardonic chuckle but kept the glare. "You really are something else, aren't you?"

"Aye." He winked.

She rolled her eyes. "I'm going to forget you ever did this and brush it off as stupidity. Now, if you'd excuse me…" She began to wiggle from underneath him to try and get up from the bed, but she couldn't budge. "Mind getting off now?"

"If I remember correctly," Jack ignored her request, "we were in this exact position back in Port Royal, but you said it wasn't the right time." He reminded her with a smug tone and a smirk. "The only difference between then and now is that we're in a bed," he lowered his head to hear ear and roughly whispered, "which I find infinitely better."

Alex rolled her eyes, ignoring the strange effect his warm breath had on her skin. His talent for having a good memory was being used for the wrong purposes. "This still isn't the right time, nor will there ever be."

Jack slyly smiled. "I don't see any cannons anywhere, darling." His gaze slowly roamed down from her eyes to her mouth, and Alex felt herself nervously gulp under his intense stare. "I would say this would be a very opportune time..." She realized then how much of a compromising position they were in, her body pinned underneath his and him looking down at her like that…This can't be good...make him stop, Alex! Say something, hit him, yell at… Her mind and conscience became blurred as he slowly leaned down towards her…

…then they both heard Will loudly groan from the couch outside of their room.

"Ooh, my head…"

Jack stopped from further advancing, and instead he dropped his head beside Alex's and groaned. "Damn whelp." She heard him say. When he rolled himself off of her and sat up in the bed to search for his boots, Alex felt a wave of relief wash over her the moment his body warmth left her, but she thought she also felt a ripple of disappointment, too. She quickly shrugged off that feeling as she jumped out of bed and rolled her shoulders at an attempt to relax the sudden tenseness she felt.

"You're hung over, boy, don't stand up too fast." Jack grumbled as he pulled on his boots, but Will didn't listen as he stood up and tried to walk over to the bedroom. His hand was on his head, and though he honestly didn't look well, Alex couldn't help but laugh. He staggered into the room just as Jack was about to exit, so as they brushed by each other Alex overheard Jack say in a very sarcastic tone, "Nice timing, Turner, couldn't have been better."

Will looked back at his retreating form in confusion as Alex hurried to meet him before he fell and hurt himself. "Just ignore him. Are you feeling alright?"

"I think so. I just have a really bad headache." Will groaned.

"Yeah, that's because you had too much to drink." Alex laughed. "Don't you remember?" Inwardly, she hoped for her own good that he wouldn't remember a thing.

Will shook his head. "I don't think so." He answered, and Alex relaxed. "But I have this awful feeling like I did something."

She tensed. "…like what?"

"Well, this is kind of awkward to ask you this but...did I…" He paused, briefly laughing nervously. "Did I…kiss you last night?" Alex instantly looked up at him and into his confused face and hesitated before answering.

"Erm, no, no you didn't."

A wave of relief washed over Will's face. "Good, that would have been embarrassing if I did, and not to mention wrong of me." He laughed, and Alex feigned a laugh of her own as she did her best to hide the hurt feeling that swelled up inside.

"Turner, Keller, let's go!" Jack called. She followed Will out towards the front door in silence, meeting with Jack when they stepped outside. Nobody bothered locking the door.

Alex and Will followed Jack, who said that they were to meet Gibbs at the docks with the new crew he picked up during the night and early morning, so they followed with no objection in silence. Will was lost in his own thoughts as Alex was lost in hers.

Will held a faint memory of last night, blaming it all on himself yet unknowingly hurting Alex…'not to mention wrong of me,' he had said. She frowned. In attempt to clear her mind of that fresh and upsetting memory, she idly indulged herself in observing the alter-ego of Tortuga which actually looked…normal.

The streets weren't as full as the previous night, and the buildings didn't look so dirty anymore. Most people had recovered from their drinking hour the previous night and were walking in a straight line and actually keeping a sober conversation like they never touched an ounce of rum in their lives. That's Tortuga for you. Alex smirked, recalling the words of a friend who had been on these streets once before her.

Aye, this was Tortuga indeed.

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"Feast yer eyes, Capt'n." Gibbs said as they walked along the dock and examined the crew that he had found. "All of them, faithful hands before the mast, every man worth his salt. And crazy to boot." Gibbs finished with a smile down at a short man who possibly only came up to Jack's hip in height. The sun shined off his bald head, and he looked up at Jack with what seemed to be a permanent angry frown. His little beard almost matched Jack's, too. Minus the beads.

"So, this is your able-bodied crew?" Will asked in almost a mocking tone and Alex laughed. Jack raised his eyes from the bald little man and narrowed them at a man with a parrot on his shoulder three men down.

"You, sailor!" Jack shouted while heading over to him.

"Cotton, sir." Gibbs added.

"Mr. Cotton," Jack properly addressed with a serious stare at the weathered pirate. "Do you have the courage and fortitude to follow orders and stay true in the face of danger and almost certain death?" Alex raised her brow, trying to piece together what speedily came from the pirate's mouth. Mr. Cotton didn't answer but instead looked over at Gibbs with furrowed brows. Jack, growing irritated at the sailor not answering him, stepped into his face and growled, "Mr. Cotton, answer me!"

"He's a mute, sir." Gibbs quickly explained. "Poor devil had his tongue cut out, so he trained the parrot to talk for him. No one's yet figured how." Mr. Cotton opened his mouth, revealing nothing but his teeth and the back of his throat…and the stub of what used to be his tongue. Alex felt like she was about to gag, and Jack stuck out his tongue in disgust and quickly shook his head.

"Mr. Cotton's…parrot. Same question." Jack said, turning his attention to the parrot.

The blue parrot squawked, "Wind in the sails! Wind in the sails!"

"We mostly figured that means 'yes'." Gibbs quietly said.

"O'course it does!" Jack turned to Will and Alex. "Satisfied?"

"Well, you've proved they're mad." Will answered, and when Jack looked to Alex for an answer she just shrugged.

"And what's the benefit for us?" A voice called from down the line, making heads turn and look for the source. It was indeed not a man's voice, that was for sure. Jack curiously yet cautiously walked over to the figure who adorned a large hat that covered the face. He reluctantly began to lift the hat, and when a cascade of dark hair fell, he relaxed and greeted her with a seductive tone.

"Anamaria," Jack grinned, but it was wiped right off when the dark skinned woman gave a hard slap that whipped his head back towards Alex and Will.

"Déjà vu, eh, Jack?" Alex smirked.

"I suppose you didn't deserve that one either." Will added while Alex snorted loudly, her brown eyes glimmering with mild amusement.

"No, that one I deserved." Jack admitted before turning to face the wrath of Anamaria.

"You stole my boat!"
"Actually—" She slapped him again, harder this time. "Borrowed, borrowed without permission!" He recovered, smiling sheepishly at her. "But with every intention of bringing it back to you!"

"But you didn't!"

Alex liked this woman. She brought Jack down from his mighty pedestal with just a few harsh slaps and a forceful attitude. Oh yes, she grinned. They would get along just fine.

"You'll get another one!" Jack quickly smiled.

Anamaria pointed her forefinger at him, making Jack cower back a bit as he stared at it like he was looking down the barrel of a pistol. "I will." Anamaria glared.

"A better one." Will quickly said, and Jack nodded in agreement.

"A better one!" Jack concurred.

"That one." Will added as he pointed at the Interceptor that was anchored just off shore in the blue waters.

"What one?" Jack looked around, and when he followed where Will's finger was pointing, he turned around and looked at him like he had gone mad. "That one?" Will nodded, and Jack let out a breath before turning to face Anamaria with his famous golden grin. "Aye, that one! What say you?"

Anamaria thought about his proposal with her fingers stroking her smooth chin before letting out a loud "Aye!" followed by the rest of the crew's agreeing roars. They instantly departed and began to make ready to board whenever their new Captain decided it was time to leave.

"No, no, no, no, no," Gibbs caught their attention with a frantic look. "It's frightful bad luck to bring a woman aboard, sir." He warned in his rough British accent. "Especially two." He skeptically eyed Alex, who just raised her brow at him.

"It'd be far worse not to have them." Jack answered with a worried expression as he looked up into the sun before turning on his heel and disappearing down the docks. Will and Gibbs looked up into the sky in confusion, but Alex rolled her eyes.

"I'm sure we'd be able to depart much faster if we all weren't looking up and blinding ourselves with the sun."

Will looked down at her. "I don't get what he's looking at." He shrugged, and then brushed by Alex, leaving her alone with Gibbs, who was still looking up into the sky.

"You old fool." Alex teased, shading her eyes as she looked up into the sky. There was nothing but clear blue skies and an occasional seagull that would fly overhead. "So, you think I'm bad luck, huh?"

Gibbs laughed, turning his gleaming eyes at her. "Even more so now that yer older, ye hellcat."

"Aw, c'mon, I'm not that bad anymore." Alex chuckled. "Plus, my father showed me how to work on ships, so rest assured I won't send us down to Davy Jone's locker."

"Bless his soul then." Gibbs chuckled humorously, earning a teasing hit on the shoulder from Alex.

"So tell me, how do you know Jack?" She questioned curiously.

"Well ye see, lass, when he lost the—"

"Alex, c'mon, we're beginning to board." Will said from behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder. She looked from Will to Gibbs, who had a knowing grin, causing her to lift her brow at him.

"Go on, lass, there'll be plenty of times for stories like before. I'm glad to be seeing ye and that you're alright."
"Does that mean you don't think I'm bad luck, then?" Alex smiled.

"No, not all the time." Gibbs winked. "I've managed a voyage with you before, so I'm sure I can do it again."

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"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me…" Alex hummed underneath her breath as she climbed down the rigging from the crow's nest. It was now another's turn to keep an eye out for ships, though she would have loved to stay up there all day if she had the chance. Her time so far on board a ship with an entire crew of pirates excited her, and she felt rightfully accepted.

"Will you move already?" Anamaria asked irritably, her lips creating a firm line on her mouth. A yellow bandana held her long black hair out of her face, her dark skin healthily tanned from years in the sun.

"Oh." Alex stepped aside from the rigging, clearing the path for Anamaria. Without so much as a thanks or a smile, she grabbed onto the rigging and began pulling herself up. But she paused, and turned to face Alex with narrowed eyes.

"Why are you here, anyways?" She suspiciously asked.

"I'm here to help rescue my friend, Elizabeth Swann."

Obviously, the name didn't ring a bell, yet Anamaria seemed to ponder her answer and almost accepted it. Almost. "You're not a pirate…" She studied Alex a moment longer, then dangerously glared at Alex again. "…are you one of Jack's whores?"

"Of course not!" Alex defended herself, returning the glare. "Why, are you?"

"Bloody hell, no!" Anamaria answered with equal fervor. "I'm just here to get my bloody ship back!"

"And I'm just here to find my friend!" They stared each other up for several tense moments, each daring the other to do something until finally Alex cracked a small grin.

"So, how did it feel slapping Jack then?" She laughed.

Anamaria chuckled amusedly. "The best damn thing since that sailor in Nassau." They both laughed heartily.

"Alex Keller." Alex introduced herself as she extended her hand.

"Anamaria, and I don't bother having a last name." She grinned while taking her hand and exchanged a friendly handshake.

"Keller! Anamaria! Get to work or its double duty for you tomorrow!" Jack shouted from the helm, causing both women to roll their eyes.

"Shut yer hole, Sparrow!" Anamaria yelled back. "Give him a good slap for me when you have the chance, aye?"

"No worries." Alex chuckled.

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It was after dark and the Interceptor had made good time during that long day. The crew worked hard and obeyed every order that came from Jack, who was looking more like an actual captain each time Alex stopped to watch him. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, Alex especially, but the only one who looked out of place was Will. He didn't look like he was having the greatest moments at times, causing Alex to worry about him. She barely had a time to talk to him during the day, but now when all the tasks were done she found him standing alone by the main mast and looking out onto the sea.

"Something on your mind?" Alex asked as she leaned against the mast beside him.

He continued to look out into the sea. "Too many things." He simply replied.

"Want to talk about it?" She offered. He became silent for a moment.

"I'm not sure it would help."

"We could always try."

"Look, I've already told you it won't help, so there's nothing you could do." Will snapped, and Alex instantly felt shock fill her eyes as she looked back at him. He had never spoken to her like that before. Never. He knew it too, because he clenched his eyes shut before looking at her in realization. "Alex, I—"

"No, you're right, Will." Alex coldly cut him off. "I know there's nothing I could do, but I'm bloody trying to do the best I can if you haven't noticed already. And I already know what you're probably thinking, but guess what, I miss Elizabeth too! You're not the only one who wants to make sure she's safe." She pushed herself away from the mast and began moving away. "Save your apology." With that, she turned her back on him and began to climb the rigging up to the crow's nest in anger, leaving a stunned Will behind.

She muttered and cursed under her breath as she climbed higher and higher until the moon was the only light that shined her way. With one last sigh, she pulled herself up into the flat platform and sat against the mast, and as she pulled her knees to her chest and placed her arms around them, she silently fumed in anger at Will and herself.

He probably didn't deserve her lashing out at him, but she didn't deserve to be yelled at when all she was trying to do was help. He needed to realize that she was hurting too…more than he would ever know.

Quiet moments passed. The moon and the soft breeze were her only companions as Alex sat up there coated within the night sky. Nothing else was in the way of her view, just an endless sky sprinkled in stars and small clouds that shielded part of the majestic moon. She sighed. As much as she would have enjoyed this night and this time to herself, like she desperately wanted to, it couldn't be done. Nothing could get her mind off him, not even–

"Rum?"

Alex sharply turned to her right, where sure enough there was Jack peaking his head and upper torso from the rigging with a full bottle of rum in his hand. She sighed and turned round to face the dark horizon. "Not tonight, Jack."

Without invitation, Jack sat down beside Alex and purposely pushed her over a little bit so he could have his share of the mast also. She didn't stop him.

"Rum, the sweetest and most satisfying drink on this planet, is a man or woman's best friend when nothing else works out." He explained as he uncorked the bottle and brought it to his lips to take a few gulps.

"Well in that case, I changed me mind." Alex smirked as she snatched the bottle from Jack and brought it up to her own lips. She was ready to drain the entire thing without pausing to breathe, but Jack stopped her.

"Whoa, slow down, lass. Leave some for me." He took the bottle from her and held it protectively in his hand. They sat in silence for a moment or two before he spoke again. "I saw you and young William had a small ruffle before you came up here not looking too pleased." He stated. He glanced at her but didn't continue.

"So that's the reason for the rum? To cheer me up?" Alex sarcastically asked.

"That, and to see what was wrong."

Alex scoffed, "What would you care?"

Jack chuckled from deep within his throat. "Sometimes, lass, even the listeners need to be listened to." He wisely answered in a husky voice while giving her a small smile. Alex just rolled her eyes. So he had done more than just seen Alex and Will, but had heard their conversation. Or at least part of it. "You're good friends with William?" Jack eventually stated more than asked.

Alex sighed. "Aye. We've known each other for the past eight years, so I'd say we're good friends."

"Nothing closer?"

"What are you implying, Sparrow?" Alex slowly asked through narrowed eyes.

Jack shrugged. "I'm just thinking, after eight years of friendship…nothing else would evolve from it? Nobody fancies anyone?" He chuckled then took another swig of rum.

Alex shook her head. "He's known Lizzie for the same amount of time, too."

"Ah, so he fancies her then?" Alex carelessly shrugged as if to say 'I don't know', but Jack interpreted the true answer from the expression on her face. "I see." He murmured. "Is that what the little fight down below was about?"

"We weren't fighting."

"Then what would you call it then?"

Alex slowly breathed. "I don't know, and I don't care."

"Ah, well you see, luv," Jack lifted his finger to compose his statement, "if you don't care, then why are you up here?"

"Because I feel like it."

"Because you care."

"I do not!" Alex finally exclaimed, throwing both hands into the air in frustration, but Jack wasn't fazed when she snatched the bottle from his hand and took a large swig. She was beginning to grow irritated at whatever he was doing. Why? Because whatever he was doing, which was trying to get her to talk to him, was working.

"Do you want to know what I think?" Jack asked, and Alex sighed.

"No, not really, but I have a feeling that's not going to stop you from telling me." She took a large swig of rum.

"I think you fancy William."

Alex almost coughed out the liquid she had in her mouth and her eyes went wide while Jack sat back and watched her sputter in amusement. "I do not bloody fancy Will!"

Placing his hands up in defense, Jack said, "It won't help if you deny it, luv. I can tell, and though you exactly don't get the shiny eyes when he walks by, it's quite clear that you see him as something other than just a friend."

Alex clenched her eyes shut and sighed before opening them. She had been found out by just spending a week with this man, but she had been with Will for eight long years and he still hasn't figured it out. Jack was right; it wouldn't help denying it now, and admitting it to Jack of all people didn't seem to be frightening as she thought it should be. She didn't quite know why, either, but she felt like she could entrust him with that small 'secret', even if he was a pirate. It wasn't like she had a choice in the matter, anyways.

"Is it that obvious?" She eventually asked in a quiet voice, feeling a tad bit embarrassed.

Jack softly chuckled. "Not really, but I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, darlin'. I know everything." He winked. "I'm sure everyone else aboard the ship wouldn't care if they found out, and William seems to only have this Swann lass on his mind to notice, if I'm correct." Alex just shrugged with a nod.

"I can't blame him, though. Lizzie is everything I could never be…she's rich, beautiful..." She frowned.

"Luv," Jack started as he lazily placed his arm around her shoulders and waved the rum around with his free hand as he spoke, "I have a contradiction for those two foolish reasons you gave for him not to like you."

"Enlighten me." She sarcastically replied.

"Aye, you may not be rich in silver and gold, at least not yet, since you have yet to plunder any ships with Captain Jack Sparrow, but anyways – you're rich with everything else money cannot buy, such as your free spirit, which I myself greatly admire. And who is to say you aren't attractive?" He slyly grinned as he quickly looked her over, in which she gave him a warning glare. He coughed. "Ahem…if that's all you could think of that's a difference between you and her, then there's nothing else she has that you don't."

"No," Alex corrected. "She has Will." And she doesn't even know it.

"Look, Alex, you won't notice the other jewels in the mound of treasure if you just keep your eye on one of them, savvy?" When he saw that Alex's expression didn't change, he gave her a small smile. "You're a fine lass, Keller, and not too bad to be around when you aren't being stubborn." He chuckled as she elbowed him, causing him to lift his arm up from around her shoulder and place it at his side as a shield.

"Oh, thanks." She mordantly replied with a chuckle.

They sat in silence for several long moments as the chilly breeze came and went then returned again. The only momentary warmth came from the bottle of rum they shared, and Alex tried her best not to curl up beside Jack from the warmth that radiated off of him. She even had to fight off the exhaustion that was beginning to envelope her body and was about to doze off when the bell rang from the deck below, springing her back to wake and signaling that whoever was at the mast was done with their shift, and it was the next person's turn – Jack's.

"Don't stay up too long, you'll be waking up early if you're going to be under my command." Jack said as he pushed himself up. Alex just tiredly nodded. "And I'll be taking that with me." He quickly snatched the rum bottle from her hand, earning a glare from Alex.

"Hey, I'm not done with that!"

"You are now. I've seen far too many people plunge to their deaths after a night of drinking rum to keep them awake from way up here. I'd hate for it to happen to you."

"Aww," Alex cheekily smiled. "Captain Jack Sparrow actually does care about me, how sweet."

"Not really, I just don't want to be cleaning blood and dismembered body limbs in the morning." When Alex narrowed her eyes at him, he winked with a chuckle. He tipped his hat to her before he began to descend down the rigging. It wasn't until the tip of his hat disappeared from her view that Alex called him back, causing him to peak his head up at her with a curious glance.

"Um…thanks for listening, Jack."

He chuckled. "Not a problem, luv." He gave her a smile before he departed from her presence once again.

"Hey, and don't start thinking that you're instantly on my good side and could start calling me 'luv' or whatever!" She called after him.

"Whatever you say, luv!" Jack shouted back, and she could hear the grin in his voice. Shutting her eyes and shaking her head, Alex couldn't help but smile herself.