To the wonderful people who actually read this, here you go. I know I didn't add enough. But work and house chores take up my days now. That and seeing Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest for the 5th time. Apparently everyone wants to see that movie with someone strongly interested (obsessed is such a strong word) in the story.

By reading my stories I subject you to the cruel reality of my lack of time. As much as I love to write, sometimes life does not permit such activities.

Enjoy!

P.S. I still don't own Pirates in any way. Though one day I will own Jack Sparrow. lol

When Jack awoke the next day, he wondered if his conversation last night had all been a dream. He walked through the ship without any success in finding someone. Had the rum and heat finally gotten to him? Speaking of rum, how much did he have left?

His question was left unanswered as the boat suddenly shifted and moved forward. He swayed, barely managing to stay upright, before it stopped. Some shouts could be heard outside, followed by laughing. As fast as his rum soaked body would let him, Jack climbed back up to the deck and looked over the sides. He saw four long ropes tied to the main mast traveling forward and straining. Sliding down a small rope used to get up onto the Pearl, he hit the sand hard and casually walked up to the front.

A small group of men were holding the ropes as a few more of them ran from the back of the ship carrying the large logs from the night before. They placed the logs in front of the Pearl. The men holding the ropes pulled and the Pearl moved forward slowly, rolling on the logs underneath her.

"Good morning, Captain!" Jessica called out from where she was holding the rope.

"So you really did return," he called back, swaying as he approached her. "Smart idea, lass. Did it hurt?"

"Did what hurt?"

"Thinking so hard about such an easy thing."

Jessica's eyes darkened and she spat onto the sand next to him. "Obviously you lost that capability a long time ago, Sparrow. You can barely walk right, so I suppose I should give you credit for that."

"Sticks and…"

"Stones, love. I know, I know," she mumbled.

Jack grinned and leaned towards her. "I see you're learning from old Jack."

"Old you may be, but I have nothing to learn from you," she smirked, suddenly pulling the rope hard.

Jack stumbled back as the men walked forward a few feet. Then they stopped and the Captain once more approached the woman. "I could show you a thing or two that would prove how young I still am, lass."

"By now I think you'd be limp, Cap'n," Anamaria appeared by his side, making him cringe and duck.

"And why's that, love?"

"With all those whores, you'd think that their constant slapping of your person would force your only good senses to soar, thus leaving your abilities lacking."

"I don't … follow," Jack blinked, his eyes foggy in thought.

"Don't worry yourself over what Ana says, Captain. Though she does bring up a good point."

"What good point?" the Captain asked sternly, giving up his hard thinking.

Both of the women laughed and tugged on their ropes, once more allowing the Pearl to move forward.

"I don't get it," he pouted.

"Don't worry yourself over it, Captain. Just grab a rope and PULL!" Jessica chuckled, pulling the ship forward again.

Two Weeks Later

Jessica lay in the sand about a hundred feet in front of the Pearl, her shift about to come up. They had decided after two days that splitting up into two teams would allow them to constantly be on the move. Nights there were starless, moonless, and without any form of light. The only way they could find each other was to be constantly calling out to each other.

"Group two!"

"Right here!" she called back.

"Jess?"

Jessica grinned and tilted her head to the right. "Aye, Cap'n."

"I didn't know that you were my sleeping neighbor."

"It doesn't appear as though you are sleeping," she responded smartly.

"I suppose you are the guard of the group."

"Yes."

"Then no point in asking why you are awake. How are you doing?"

"Fine."

"Really?"

"What about you?"

"I'm miserable without water."

"I thought you'd miss the rum more."

"No, I can live without rum if it meant I could live on the sea forever."

"Luckily you won't have to worry about that. In no time we will sail out of hell and find ourselves a real port with living people and a large keg of rum."

Jack chuckled and rolled towards the voice. "Tortuga?"

"Tortuga," she laughed, breaking the silence surrounding her sleeping group. "Aye, Tortuga."

"What brought you here?"

Jessica paused before answering carefully. "My ship was attacked by the Kraken during a storm. Two strikes against us. We couldn't fight to save our lives and the ship. I managed to avoid being eaten at first, but the sea tossed me towards the wreck that the Kraken was still consuming. I was swallowed whole, only to die in the belly of the beast, acid burning me until I finally woke up here. Alone. In a bloody desert."

"So you have always lived on the sea?"

"Yes and no. I was taken away from the sea for a few years, but I caused so many problems that I was allowed back by the sea."

"Where are you from?"

"Originally? England. I lived in the Caribbean for almost half of my life."

"England? Ugh. Never really appreciated the air."

She chuckled once more. "I understand. I love the Caribbean. What's your story, Captain Sparrow?"

"I owed Davy Jones my soul because he raised the Pearl for me. He sent his beastie after me and in the end; I went down with the Pearl."

"You went down with honor and bravery."

"In a manner of speaking."

She could almost see his grin in the sightless night.