Disclaimer: Avast me hearties, I don't own no Movie rights aye? But I own me Jacqueline lass there. Arrr! (Don't know what came over me, terribly sorry.)

Chapter Quote: "I've been scarred for life."

Chapter Two

Pirate Flags

I couldn't figure out what was bothering me the next day. The weather was fair and we had a good wind. And the more I thought about it, the more puzzled I became. Why was I acting like this? What was wrong? I glanced above me at our flag which marked us as what we are, Pirates. I felt that pit in my stomach again that had been brewing all day since I had awoken whenever I said that word. I hadn't always been like this, the first two years with Jack I was just a sailor. I kept to my morals, not participating in any fights or raids unless they struck first.

But then something changed, and I found myself wishing to please Jack instead of keeping this awkward drift between us. So I followed him. And I hadn't cared for a long time, soon raiding ships with those who had become my friends brought no reproach in my mind. No reprimand. For the first time, I felt like I had someone who cared about me. Someone who was proud of me. Ana Maria, Natalie, Gibbs, the life I shared with them held a thrill that I couldn't describe. My heart would beat wildly and I would just feel so...alive. Invisible, like nothing could ever stop me, and nothing ever would. Like until now I hadn't done anything I truly wanted. So I kept at it.

Jack gave me a ship, and that was that. I was twenty, and my little Spanish Privateer was called the St. John. I don't know much about God, but I suppose his saint wouldn't be too pleased to have a pirate ship named after it. But I never bothered to change the name. However, I knew my name had grown just as feared as my famous father. But no one called me Jacqueline, only Natalie and Jack called me that. They called me the Iron Sparrow. Don't ask me where it came from, and now I doubt if any of them remember my true name. And I enjoyed it. I killed and raided, storing up my treasures of gold and all kinds of riches. I had lived for it. So what had changed?

Why wouldn't the pit in my stomach disappear? I seemed suited for this kind of life, I was no longer judged by my gender. I could do as I pleased. Then why was I so troubled? I sighed, it didn't make any sense. For three years I had lived as the 'Iron Sparrow'. The crew took to called me 'Captain Ron' or just plain Captain. I glanced over my shoulder at the sound of footsteps, it was Natalie. She had joined me when I had become captain of my new ship. Natalie's curly brown hair was pulled back into a lose ponytail with the edges reaching just to the tip of her shoulder blades. Her matching chocolate brown eyes were shining with excitement. She had grown up, and was my closest friend.

"Ahoy Captain!" she called to me in jest as she walked to me side.

"Anything to report Ms. Davis?"

"Not a ruddy thing, though ma'am, the rum stores are looking a bit low..."

Now I smiled, "This is serious business."

She laughed, "Come on Jacqueline, you love that blasted stuff just as much as I do."

"Can't deny the facts of life." Could you believe it? I had grown fond of drinking, never too much mind you. But it's hard to believe isn't it? I leaned against the main mast of which I had been standing next to.

"Aye. Clear skies and a fair wind." She said, moving towards the rail and looking out over the vast blue waters stretching for miles out before us. "We can't be the only ones sailing today."

I grinned, my enthusiasm sparking, "Hopefully not."

The Spanish had gained much through their discoveries in the new world. And at the same time they brought back treasures, many of which never made it back to Spain. It was where I had gotten my ship. Every moment I spent with Natalie I felt my doubts blow away with the breeze and the pit in my stomach disappear. I looked out again over the vast ocean stretching out before me.

"I think we should get a chance to spend some of this loot sometime, don't you think?"

I glanced at her with my brows raised, "I guess so." Something was on her mind, and I wondered just what that something was. She caught my questioning gaze and flashed me a small smile.

"What? I was just curious."

I shook my head, "Using my position against me... never thought I would see the day."

She winked, "Just thought I'd give you a subtle hint."

I recalled how I had met her, both of us stowaways on that pathetic merchant ship. It made me want to laugh, I had been so oblivious then, so unaware of what was really happening. I had to fight to suppress a shudder when I thought of Jeb Hammer, and I made a mental note to ask Jack just why the man had hated him so much next time I saw him.

"We have to set a course Jack." Natalie said lightly, propelling my mind back to reality. I smiled at the use of my old name.

"Ile De Muerta Natalie, we have cargo to unload." I said.

"Want me to do it now?"

"No, I will. I've been standing here far to long anyway." I walked off towards the wheel.

"See you later then Jack."

"Don't cause trouble Natalie."

"What are you talking about? Trouble? Me?" she winked again and then disappeared into the hold.

"Yeah you." I muttered, "Trouble is your middle name."

Natalie and I shared a cabin, being the only women on board. I didn't pry into my men's affairs on shore, but I made sure that no women besides us ever boarded the ship. Only once in a while for morale. That night my hammock swung gently with the roll of the waves. But I couldn't sleep. Natalie was on watch, and I had three more hours before it was time for me to wake. I fingered the golden sparrow hanging on it's chain about my neck. And subconsciously I remembered my mother's words about it so long ago...

Well, I told you a little, oh my sweet child, the necklace you wear ever about your neck shall always be a reminder of his namesake, the Sparrow.

I sighed and rolled over, forcing my eyes to close. We would be at Ile De Muerta, soon. I would see Jack again. The ship creaked and groaned in an endless lullaby. And before I knew it, it swept me into a restless sleep.

"I love you Jacqueline." Tom pulled me closer to his chest and nuzzled my neck. I smiled and kissed his cheek.

"I love you."

He held me close, the warmth of his body comforted my fears as we watched the waves lap up against the sandy shore... but then he was gone. I called for him. But I saw nothing as the sand disappeared and everything was black. I saw Jack's face, but a sword swung between us and he disappeared too. And then it moved up again, held high. Tom...the sword crashed down, and I screamed. My heart ripping in two...

"JACQUELINE!"

I awoke with a start and sat bolt upright, it was Natalie. Her eyes were wide and worried. I was drenched in a cold sweat.

"What happened? You were screaming." She said anxiously.

I blushed and forced a small smile on my face, "I was dreaming...you were wearing a dress." I lied, I had to. No one needed to know about my real dream. I needed to be strong, I was a Captain. I was a pirate, and if that meant lying to my best friend too...then I had to do what I had to do.

She eyed me suspiciously, and I knew she hadn't bought it. But a smile slowly lit up her tanned face. "Was it that horrifying?" She asked, sinking into her hammock and tossing off her boots.

"I've been scarred for life."

She chuckled and laid down, throwing off her wet cloak. "Whatever you say Jack, you can hide what you want. Oh, and bundle up before you go out. Nasty bit of weather we've landed ourselves in. And Jack, no more screaming."

I agreed firmly and started to pull on my knee high leather boots. I wanted nothing more to do with the dream I'd had. What was wrong with me? I threw on my coat and wandered over to the door. Natalie's deep breathing soon forced me to relax. Everything's fine, I'm fine. Tom's fine. I'm fine... but I wasn't. The sickening pit in my stomach had formed again. And I had started to have nightmares. My fears surfaced as I walked out onto the deck and announced my presence to the watchman. For the millionth night in a row, I found myself not being able to get images of my dreams out of my head.

TO BE CONTINUED...