A few weeks later, I had settled into my routine, I would wake up and go to Jack's quarters and stay with him in is office a lot. He taugth me how to read a map. And how to navegate. And even taught me how to use my sword properly. He taught me how to do it and was very pleased that it only took two afternoons. I used to practise with will sometimes, i was getting good and nearly beat him a couple of times. I could never beat jack though. It would always end up with him pointing a sword at my throat afer disarming me, and he had me pinned on the floor with the sword at my throat. I liked it when he won. I liked his touch and his heavy body leaning over me.

one day after one of our swords fight, I was panting heavily and staring into jacks' eyes. Jack had a starange look on his face but jumped up and sent me to get him some rum.

"are you ok john?" jack asked me. I was sitting moreosley on a chair by his table

"I'm fne sir"

"Don't lie, and since when do you call me sir?"

i looked up at Jack "I'm sorry si- jack. It's just"

"Just what?"

"Well. The men were laughing at me because i'm your helper. "

Jack got angry and stormed outside. I was shocked and ran out side after him

He had the three guys who had been laughing at me, on the deck and had a whip in his hand

"What do ya think ye are doing, laughing at John like that? '" Said Jack. I was confused. "Now then, fer that yer getting a lashin'! MEN! Sort em out" he threw the whip to will.

"Ten strokes each" Jack bellowed and stood back and came and stood next to me.

The men all turned round "What's gonna happen?" I asked

"Their bein' punished for their actions savvy?" said Jack.

I looked over to them and screamed when Will first hit the first man. I grabbed jacks' hand by instinct, and then suddenly let it go, looking at his hand. It felt like electricity. Jack looked at me strangely. And said

"It's OK lad" and he put his arm round my shoulder "Ye need ter get used ter this. It's part of a pirate" I watched as the men screemed in pain. One of them was laughing tho.

"Is that all ye got FIRST MATE?" He shouted after he had had his ten lashing. I felt Jack stiffen against me.

"WILL!" He shouted. "Keelhaul him!"

The crew who had been in shock at the man's sub order nation all gasped, the man who whad shouted looked scared.

"What's going to happen?" I asked Jack. But he didn't reply to my question. I looked on in confusion. He was dumped on the deck. He was gasping for breath and had cuts and bruises all over his wet body.

"THAT be keelhauling" said jack to me "and le' tha' be a LESSON TER YER" he shouted to the rest of he crew. He walked away, I followed him a second later after looking at the man on the floor.

"how could yu do that jack?" I asked jack

"it had ter be done" said jack

"But jack, it's ... so cruel" I told jack a tear foaming in my eye.

"sometimes you gotta be cruel to be kind johnnie" said jack he also looked sad. I felt sorry for jack. And then i said thank you and he said not to worry about it.

We docked at a port a bit like tortuga. This town was called Port elizabeth. I was in a tavern with will and jack, drinking rum, we all had had a bit too much rum.

I was swaying around in my seat i'd never had this much rum before. "Jack" I said to jack, and took a swallow of rum, "I'm drunk" I told him, holding my rum at a perilous angel.

"HAHAHAH" jack laughed drinking his rum

I leant on his shoulder, hodling my rum. " I like you jack" I said to him, forgetting that i was a boy

"You what?" jack asked, his rum sloshed over me. "I said," I said, taking a deep breathe "I like you jack" And then i put down my rum and i kissed him. Jack pushed me away and I cried. "What do ye think ye are doing lad?" asked Jack, taking a swig of rum

"Yeah John, I'm shocked. I oughta punch you!" shouted will he slammmed his rum down on the table.

I cried

"But Jack, you don't under stand. I'm not who you think I am" I cried. Jack looked puzzled and will looked confused "I'm...a..." I sobbed "I'm a girl!" I cried. And then ran away throught the pub.

I was in the street crying when someone put a hand on my shoulder, I looked up, it was jack. "What's this about being a girl?" said jack "I can't believe it"

"Well, I am!" I cried

"Prove it to me then" he said.

"HERE!" I said

"Yes." he said

"Umm. How?" i said

"Come with me" he said and took me down a back passage.

"Now then, prove it, we're alone now" he said

"My name" I cried, "is really Elana" I cried "and i came aboard because i was beeten by a landlord and i hated my job" I cried and stared at jack

"OK love" said jack. "It's OK" He hugged me and let my cry on his shoulder.

When i finished with crying, jack asked me "So, do you really like me?" he said

I nodded miserabley. Jack grinned

"well, now that yer a lass. I like yer too" he said and with that he kissed me. I couldnt believe it, it was the most amazing thing I had ever felt!

The the kiss ended "jack, I love you" I whispered and then fell a sleep on his shoulder.

I woke up in the morning in a bed that i hadn't been in before. I looked all around me and realised i was in jack's room.

"Mornin' love" he said to me.

"Morning" I smiled.

"Sleep well?" he said

"I guess, yeah" i said

"I have a surprise for you Elana" he said

"Really?" i was a little bit scared. Jack came over to me and hugged me "It's Okay, it's a nice surprise" said Jack.,

Will walked in the door. "Will ! " I cried, and started to explain

"It's OK, Elana, I know everything" he said smiling at me and i've come here to tell you something
"What?"

"I'm your brother!" he smiled. My mouth opened in shock. I loooked at Jack. He nodded "Tis true lass." I cried a happy cry and jumped up and hugged will.

"I can't believe this, this is amazing!" i said, I was practically jumping around. Jack caught me and held me close

"Calm down sweetie" he said with a gin.

"but.. but... He's my brother and you love me! I'm so happy!" Jack smiled and kisses me.

It had been three weeks since everything had come out. Jack had bought me lots of nice dresses and will was such a great brother. One day jack came up to me an asked me to sit down.

"Elana. I love you and I want to marry you. Will you marry me?"

"I Will!"I said "Except..."

Jack looked heartbroken. "it's OK love" he said sadly and got up to leave. I grabbed his hand "No jack, stay." i asked "let me finish"

"OK" said jack

"Except.. I want to go home to tortuga. I want to go back and live there. With you"

"Give up the sea?" said jack. I nodded and said "I Need to be safe jack." I stroked his face "I need a home. My life before was so scary and now it's so perfect. I want to go back to tortuga and live there with you. As your wife"

Jack grinned "OK then" He said and he kissed me. I don't think i would ever get used to him kissing me. "Jack." I said
"Yes love?"

"When we get married" I said.. i blushed

"What is it love" he asked and then he realised.

"Oh sweetie" He said to me, stoking my face and hair "It'll be OK, When we make love it will be the best thing you'll have ever done." He looked into my eyes "I promise"

"But, when mr. Smith... did that to me" I cried

"I know, i know, it was scary, hush hush" He stoked my hair "I promise my love that i'll never hurt you. I haven't hurt you before have I?"

"No" I smiled. "I trust you jack. I love you" I smiled and he kissed me again.

A few days later we had docked in Tortuga. Jack and Will shook hands and will hugged me

"Good luck little sister" he smiled at me

"See you later Jack, be good to her" he said to jack.

And with hat he left on the black pearl.

Jack and I waved him good bye. When the pearl had disappeared, jack took my hand "Come on Elana, let's go home" I took his hand and we walked home.

THE END?