Disclaimer: POTC was a bullfrog, and it always had some mighty fine wine.

A/N: A shortshot between the girls. Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I saw too many Ana/Jack fics and I got tired of being angry all the time. If you can't beat 'em, at least give 'em a salute.

"So you talked him into it, ey?" Anamaria gave Squirrel the thumbs-up. "Nice one."

Squirrel ducked her head, red to the tips of her ears. "It wouldn't be right otherwise. But Jack agreed pr-pretty much straight away."

Ana chuckled. "Ah, Jack." She shook her head, then grinned, her face slightly turned away. "You gotta love him."

Squirrel's smile faded somewhat. She looked out over the sea. Years of timidity and nervousness were fading into bravery after only a few months at sea. But there was always one question that she could never ask Ana.

"You're a lucky girl," Ana said, staring out, her hands tight on the helm. "There've been many women who've tried to do what you've done, lass. And I must say, I'm glad it's you who's finally getting hitched to that scoundrel."

Squirrel turned to her friend, unsure of how to phrase her question.

"Ah, yes." Anamaria smiled distantly. "You gotta love him."

"Did you?" Squirrel asked gently.

Anamaria stiffened, then softened. She turned slowly, a look of sadness in her eyes. "Aye." She said slowly. "I did, once." She sighed and looked away. "Call me a fool, if ye wish. You can hate me as well if'n ye want. But I loved him, and I thought he loved me too."

Squirrel looks down, suddenly feeling hot tears prick at her eyes. "S-so what m-m-makes you think Jack loves me?" But she must've been speaking too softly for Ana to hear.

"You probably know what he's like… You watched him in the tavern, right?" Ana stared out to sea. "No girl can resist him. He may be drunk and unpredictable, but there's something about him. Some kind of… I don't know… sun-baked charm?" Ana sighed, reliving memories. "He's incorrigible, that man. But you still can't help but love him."

"That may be true." Squirrel said, a little bolder now, "So what makes you think he'll stay true to me? What makes you think he loves me?"

Ana let go of the helm and sat next to her friend. "Because you're different, Squirrel." Ana's eyes were open, sincere. "I've never met anyone like you, Squirrel. You have a gift, a rare kind of natural beauty. And you have a good heart."

Squirrel stood up, hand to her mouth. "That won't change anything… Jack is… how do I know?"

Ana put an arm around Squirrel's shoulders, hugging her quickly. "Because you're special, girl. This is the first time I've ever seen Jack, genuinely and completely, in love with someone." Ana looked into Squirrel's eyes. "For the most part, Jack was a pirate. He takes what he wants from us women." She looked away, ashamed, then looked up. "But you? He may have stolen your heart, but he can't just run off with it. You know why?"

Squirrel blinked, and shook her head.

Ana smiled gently, and a little sadly. "Because you've stolen his, Squirrel. And he'd never be able to leave your side without a piece of him being torn away from him." Ana's caring smile suddenly dissipated into a savage grin. "You haven't slept with him yet, have you."

Squirrel blushed bright red and stammered a negative and an excuse and a demand for an apology. Ana laughed.

"Thought not." She winked, then was serious again. "He wants to keep you, Squirrel. And despite your doubts, I'm sure you want to keep him. Aye?"

Squirrel looked out at sea, and remembered everything Jack was to her. He was freedom, he was life, he was love - the things she'd never known growing up on Tortuga. He was a rogue, the man who'd stolen her heart. His smile made her melt, and his eyes captivated her. His hands were gentle, his kiss was strong. He told her how he felt, pouring out his heart, his fears, his doubts, and his regrets. He made her laugh, he dried her tears, he endured her slaps with a playful boyish grin and a twinkle in his eyes. He wasn't perfect, and he certainly was no angel or knight in shining armour. But she loved him. Ever since she was a young girl with only fantasies and dreams to keep her alive, she had loved him. Everything she was yearned for him - heart, body and soul.

Yet his indiscretions, his past, his mistakes… Could she forgive them? Or would he simply repeat them with her?

"Is that why you wanted to get married?" Ana prompted, "Because you want to keep him?"

Squirrel smiled, and felt the doubts lift away like a heavy cloak. "No," She smiled. "It was Jack who proposed to me." She laughed, and winked at Ana. "But he told me to tell everyone it was my idea."

A/N: I don't blame Ana for having a crush on the Cap'n. After all, who could resist such a man? (;