Dead Men Tell No Tales

Disclaimer: The cannibals ate Disney and now I own Jack and Will. Oh, I fell asleep what a beautiful dream.

The Things We Do For Friends

I had no idea what I was in for when I agreed to Jem's half brain scheme. The next couple of days were bloody hell. I had gone to extremes to show Ana Maria that Jem was the last person I wanted to talk to. I had gone to great lengths to show her I didn't need or want Jem and I felt that I had succeeded. I made many advances on Ana Maria and to my chagrin she took every single one of them.

Will's wounds were mending well but he still had a fever. Jem and Ana Maria did not want to risk moving him, for when we started our voyage we would be prime targets. It would be best to have Will in top condition to help us fight.

"Will, Ana Maria insists you drink this. It is some herbal concoction that will heal you faster." I poured some into a shell and held it to Will's lips. "Drink it all, heal fast and sleep well, I want to get out of here as fast as possible. Savvy?"

Will wrinkled his nose. "Jack it smells, are you sure it isn't poison. I don't—"

I took advantage of Will's open mouth and poured it down his throat. He swallowed and then gagged, but he managed to keep it down.

"Jack, that's not fair." He looked at me with his soulful, deer like eyes. "You're looking kind of tiered Captain. Is Ana Maria wearing ya out?"

I patted his cheek. "You don't know the worst of it lad." I looked over my shoulder and saw Ana Maria heading up a narrow path, leading in the direction of Barbossa's house. She was heading up to get more supplies. Ana Maria had been doing this for several days and continually informing us on what Barbossa was doing. He knew we were still alive and surviving on the island somewhere. Basically he was just waiting for us to do something stupid. That did not make me feel all that secure.

"Will I know you don't trust Ana Maria, neither do I, but there is nothing we can do now but play Jem's and Ana Maria's game. Jem is a strong one for standing with the code and when she makes an accord she will stick to it. You get well and I will decide what to do next, I didn't shake hands with Ana Maria and it seems to me, I am the one putting everything on the line."

"There is nothing to decide Jack." Jem came up behind me. "Ana Maria can be trusted and you won't, under any circumstances, wash your hands of her now. She is aching for your touch and you will give it to her. She has done everything I have asked and more."

Will's eyelids were growing heavy as he looked at the both of us. "Jem, I think Jack is aching for you." He gave me a meek smile. " I'm so---so---Jack, you poisoned me.."

Jem sat next to Will and placed a cold cloth on his head. "Will, Jack Sparrow would not poison you. Just get some rest." Closing his eyes, he surrendered to a drug induced sleep. Jem watched over him for a long time, while I sat down and cleaned out the various weapons Ana Maria had bought to us from Barbossa's house. "Jack we will talk later." Jem whispered to me.

"Jem darling, there are many things I wish to do later and talking is not one of them." I turned toward Will and he was sound asleep. What ever was in that potion sure knocked Will out. Are you sure we can trust Ana Maria?" I then turned to Jem. "Luv we are alone right now. I can't believe how desperately I want you. I want to throw you to the ground and ravish you."

Jem's beauty made my throat dry and stomach clench in pain. I stood up tossed the gun into the sand and pulled her towards me.

Jem pushed me away. "Bloody hell Jack, we can't do this!" She looked up and we both saw Ana Maria coming down the path. "Jack you are an idiot." She turned to Ana Maria. "I'm sorry, Ana Maria, for both of us." She turned and walked away.

"Jem." I yelled, she didn't stop. I turned and faced Ana Maria. She took three long strides to stand in front of me. She dropped the supplies and slapped me across the face. I grabbed her hand before she could do it again.

"Luv I'm sorry, old habits are hard to break." I dragged Ana Maria against me, stared into her deep brown eyes and then crushed my mouth with hers. The kiss overwhelmed her, I could tell. She parted her lips for me and fell into my arms. Something inside me shifted, realizing that if Ana Maria did not believe me, it could lead to terrible consequences.

"Ana Maria, I'm sorry. Please let me make it up to you. I want to make love to you."

Now that did surprise Ana Maria and Jem. Jem was standing by the fire and dropped the food into the flames. "Damn Captain Sparrow." Jem laughed. "How many women does it take to satisfy you?"

I looked over at her, rolled my eyes and then back at Ana Maria.

"That's enough Jack! Do you think I'm stupid?" Ana Maria's breath caught on a sigh.

"Please Luv, give us a chance."

"I didn't know there was an US, Jack." She pulled away from me and started gathering up her belongings. "You've made it abundantly clear that you don't love me. Jem, I've held up my end of the bargain but evidently you haven't. I will not tolerate this and I will get revenge."

"Ana Maria please don't." I grabbed her shoulders and made her look at me. "I know you have no reason to trust me. Doubt me all you want but don't doubt Jem. She is being honest with you. There has been trouble between Jem and I for months and there is no way it will heal. We are at a stalemate and I continue to open the wounds. Please accept my apologizes. I know it won't be easy but let me try."

I looked over toward Jem and I could tell she was furious with me. "Ana Maria please, I promise you I will never make love to her again. You're my girl, I want you to be my…my wife." I opened my arms to her and gave her my infamous golden grin.

Ana Maria stepped back and looked at me. "Are you foxed?"

I held up my right hand. "No Luv, sober as a judge. My Pet, I have had many women but none satisfy me as you do. I will make a promise to you. I will be loyal to you and only you, after we are wed. Please Luv; I have never broken a promise."

"Perhaps you do care for me." Ana Maria looked into my dark eye. "I just don't know."

I clenched my fists. "Ana Maria, Jem bewitched me—there's no other explanation. You're the only woman I want in my bed." I reached for her and pulled her into my arms. Ana Maria surprisingly pushed me away.

"I don't want to make love to a man who reeks of another woman's scent."

"Ana Maria you are just being difficult. Do you believe me or not? Will you consider my proposal?" I stood my ground and just stared at her.

"I am angry Jack and I refuse to act in haste. I need time to think." She placed her belongings back on the ground and she looked over at Jem with contempt.

I threw my hands up in the air and stormed down the beach. Being rebuffed by both women was a humiliating experience. I really didn't blame Ana Maria for turning me away. I walked down to the shoreline and jumped into the water. I figured if I took a bath Ana Maria might see fit to let me back in her arms.

When I returned Jem was tending to Will and Ana Maria was making us a fine meal. Will's recover was slow. Despite Ana Maria's careful handling his energy was taken by a persistent fever. Ana Maria said the fever was not life threatening just debilitating. During the endless days while Will sweat out his fever I also mended.

Jem made it quite clear that I was to stay away from her and I did. Ana Maria was becoming more and more possessive of me and watching my every move. I could tell Ana Maria was jealous of my attention to Will and the time I spent with Jem caring for Will. She began to hover nearby and refused to let me out of her sight. I was beginning to feel like her property. I didn't like it, not one little bit.

After five treacherous days, Will's fever final broke. Will was still weak but he was eager to get up and move about.

"Jack please, I need something more to eat then this fish broth, Ana Maria keeps giving me."

Jem smiled and brought him over some bread. "Shall I feed you?"

I waved her aside and took the bread. "You've been way to attentive Jem. I'm sure Will appreciates it but he is capable of feeding himself."

Jem glared at me. "Jack Sparrow, Will is our friend and you best stop being jealous."

Will looked alarmed. He had no idea what had been going on. "Jack, Jem, just give me the damn bread." Will drank the broth and inhaled the bread. When he had finished he shoved the bowl at me. "Jack, tell Ana Maria I need solid food, no more flavored water."

"You got it Lad, please forgive my gruffness. I am just in a foul mood. I will go find you something to fill your empty stomach. Tomorrow we will venture out and begin our trek back to The Pearl, the chest and our enemies."

This would be our last night for sleeping in the cave. We all bedded down and as usual I had a hard time getting to sleep and I thought I was the only one awake. Will and Jem slept inside the cave, Ana Maria and I slept under the stars. As I stared up at the stars I saw Jem leave the cave and head into the forest. Jem had been going off by herself on several occasions and knowing this was our last night I had to follow. I gently removed Ana Maria's arm off my chest and quietly followed Jem. As I followed her, the call of nature was too urgent to ignore, so I stole away behind some trees but keeping an eye on Jem.

When I continued to follow her, the darkness of the forest gave me a shiver. The long shadows looked like gargoyles reaching out. Then I saw Ana Maria step in front of Jem. I stole behind a large tree and watched both women.

Jem came to an abrupt stop and pulled her gun. "Ana Maria, what are you doing out here. I thought you were one of the Caniba."

Ana Maria moved from the deep shadow into the moonlight filtering through a break in the trees. "Jem, I'm sorry did I frighten you." Ana Maria's voice sounded shaky. She attempted to edge around Jem. She then grabbed her arm. "Jem you don't belong here. I know Jack is out here with you. You return back to camp and leave Jack alone. He is mine. I have followed my end of the accord. Will Turner is well and we will be leaving this island tomorrow and you will not be coming with us."

Jem pulled away and put her gun back into her sash. "Ana Maria that sounds like a threat. Jack is not with me and I have no intentions of leaving this island with you or him. There is nothing left between Jack and I." She tossed her long dark hair and basically dismissed Ana Maria. She then turned around and smiled. "Jack may always want to be with me, but if I see him I'll make sure I send him to you. I would love to send Captain Sparrow to you. Now if you don't mind, I have some unfinished business and it does not concern you or Jack."

"Bah! You are as obsessed with Jack as he is with you." Suddenly she pulled a dagger and rushed at Jem. Jem caught Ana Maria's wrist. They struggled for several minutes and then Jem shoved Ana Maria to the ground. Jem picked up the dagger and held it up in the moonlight. "Ana Maria, as you can see Jack is not with me. If he were he would be pulling you back, Jack knows I would kill you."

Ana Maria picked herself up from the ground and ran back to the camp. She was shaking and out of breath when she reached the fire. I had just gotten back a second before her. She gave a heavy sigh when she saw me stretched out in front of the fire, with a dangerously wicked gleam in my eye.

Surrendering to her clamoring need to be held she slipped out of her clothes and climbed under the covers, naked beside me. Her arms went around me and she murmured something unintelligible and snuggled against me. I moved away and looked at her.

"Why are you trembling so and what is it you just said to me?" I looked down on her wondering what sort of a story I was going to get.

"Your lover tried to kill me!" Ana Maria shouted.

I shot up. "What in blazes are you talking about? You are my lover."

"No Jack, Jem pulled a knife on me."

I wrapped my arms around her. "Wait here, I'll get to the bottom of this. How dare she threaten you!" I stood up, looked down at her and gave her my infamous grin.

Ana Maria grabbed my leg. "No Jack, it's late. You can speak with her tomorrow."

"No, this can't wait. I won't be long." I turned and went to find Jem. She was now sitting next to Will and they were both drinking whisky. Jem stood up and gave me a welcoming smile. I grabbed her and pulled her close.

"I knew you would come." Jem smiled.

"I'm here because Ana Maria tired to kill you. What in bloody hell were you thinking, going out into the jungle alone? Why didn't you just kill her, Jem? She attacked you and you let her go."

Jem pulled away. "What is it about you that makes women so desperate for your attention?"

Will placed a bottle to his lips. "Really Jem, do you have to ask him that? He is, Captain Jack Sparrow." Will then handed me a bottle of whiskey. "Jack are you so blind that you cannot see it. Ana Maria feels Jem is a threat. You must go calm her down, show her how much you care for her."

I cringed and searched Jem's face. "Jem I know Ana Maria is fiercely jealous but I did not think she would try to kill you."

Jem picked up a bottle of rum and sat close to Will. To close for my liking and I am sure Elizabeth would agree with me. She took a swig of the rum and then smiled at me. "Jack it is working. We now have Ana Maria where we need her and you will have your eye tomorrow. Trust me Luv. Go take care of Ana Maria."

I looked at both Will and Jem. They appeared to be quite comfortable and drinking plenty of alcohol. I sat down next to Will and drained the bottle of whiskey he had given me. I then took another and another. "Very well, I will go to her but I will be good and drunk before I do or I just may kill her." I managed to down six bottles of whiskey, two bottles of rum and one bottle of brandy I wasn't felling any pain. I stood up and said my goodbyes to two Jems and three Wills. I looked over at them and pointed my finger at one of them.

"Ya know Jem, I will do me best. Wanted to let ya know, Ana Maria cepted me proposal. Can ye imagine that?" I gave a slight laugh and stumbled over my own two feet. "I want ye to know Luv, it would never ave worked out between us. All we ever had together was sex." I wiped my lips and talked in a whisper. "Ya know, I have bedded many women, and I know ya bedded other men. Ave you been with her Lad?" I looked over at Will and he was now standing up. "Of course I know ya couldn't ave been as good as me or is it I?"

I quickly looked at Jem. "Is he better than me? Shall we have a duel? Ya know if ya were not so damn beautiful, maybe ya wouldn't arouse Ana Maria's jealousy."

Will was now standing beside me and leading me out of the cave. " Jack, I think it is time for you to go to bed. Tomorrow will be a big day, I promise you."

"Will…Lad…Whelp…many people promise things but it never comes to past." I pulled away and turned to face Jem. "Jem, Ana Maria knows there is something dif—dif—different about ya. You alone, out of all the women in my past…" I waved my hand through the air. "What a past. As I was saying, you alone touched me…..heart. Had ye thinking didn't I?"

Will grabbed me by the arm and turned me around, to take me over to Ana Maria. "Jack stop. This is not the time or place."

"No, no, she has got to listen to me." I started grumbling as I leaned my full weight on Will. "I want you to marry me."

Will looked at me and started to laugh. "Jack, I don't know what to say."

"Say yes, Luv. Just say yes."

Will shook his head. "Captain you will regret this in the morning. Come, its time to get you to bed."

I could feel that the temperature had dropped and my thoughts were wandering. The flames in the fire were sinking. I smiled at Will as he directed me to my bed and Ana Maria.

I stopped dead in my tracks trying to remember something as I took my shirt off and dropped it on the ground. I stood there and looked at it, after a moment smiled and leaned on Will again.

He looked into my face with great attention. He then looked at Ana Maria. "Whisky," he said with immense satisfaction.

"I see," she said cautiously. "A lot of it?"

He shook his head slowly from side to side. "Aye, about the same amount as me,"

I hit Will. "Not me, I." I said very clearly.

"You?" Will looked at me totally confused.

I smiled at him. "Your eyes, they are soft, dreamy. My eye."

"Jack your eye is the color of fine whisky. Not sherry, brandy or rum. It's whisky and they will both look like that tomorrow."

I laughed and grabbed Will around the shoulders. "Lad you're terribly drunk. What have you been doing?"

His expression altered to a slight frown. "I'm not drunk mate, you are."

"Oh no, not me. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow."

Will glanced over at Ana Maria and then laid me down beside her. "Good luck Lass, see you in the morning."

I at once put my arms around her waist and pulled her close, nuzzling affectingly at her.

"Come to me my J…J…Jewel." I murmured. "Let me take ye to heaven."

"Are you alright?" Ana Maria asked. "I would say drunk isn't anywhere near sufficient to describe your current state. Jack, you're completely pissed."

My eye traveled down her front. "No, I'm not," I said with great dignity. "I did that already."

She laid there and stared at me for a long time. "Jack, how exactly do you decide when you are drunk?"

My eye was now drifting around the camp then fixed on the fire. "Och easy, Ana Maria. If I can stand, I'm not drunk." I closed my eye and put a smile on my face.

"Did you see Jem?" Ana Maria asked tentatively. "What did she say?"

"She said she didn't intend to hurt you."

"And you believed her?"

"No," I raised up on my elbow and looked at her. "Did you believe attacking Jem would endear you to me?"

Her eyes opened wide. "She told you?"

"Did you believe she wouldn't, and I see you don't deny it?" I laid back down. "Ana Maria, the lady does not want me. Can you not see that? Now go to sleep. As you can see, I am with you and I'm exhausted."

She wrapped her arm and leg around me. "I just wanted to sleep." I rolled away from her and pulled the blanket over me. "I'm too tired to do either of us any good." I did not bother undressing I nearly eased down into the sand, groaned and fell asleep.

I awoke to daylight. I was warm and comfortable. I stretched and jumped in surprise when I realized I wasn't alone. Ana Maria's arms surrounded me and her body provided heat to my back.

"Ana Maria, are you awake?"

"I've been waiting for you to wake up." She replied.

I pulled out of her arms and sat up. "I've done a lot of thinking since last night."

She smiled and also sat up. "It's alright Jack. You may have been drunk but you came to life some where in the middle of the night. I do believe you, I now know that you are over Jem."

I looked at her startled. "No I couldn't have."

"Yes you could, twice." She smiled over at me and her eyes glanced over my body. I stood up and looked down at her. "Well, that's hardly fair, I don't remember a thing. Was it all right? I didn't do or say anything foolish did I?"

"No I wouldn't call it foolish. You weren't very conversational, though."

"Thank the Lord for small blessings." I grumbled, as I quickly dressed myself. I was annoyed that I could not remember undressing.

Ana Maria now got up and looked over at Jem and Will who were making breakfast. She then glanced at me. "Mm, you'd forgotten how to say anything except. I love you, but you said that a lot."

"Oh," I gave her a wide smile and before I headed towards Will I paused. "Well, I guess it could have been worse."

I made my way over to Will and Jem. I stood silently by the fire, watching Jem as she tossed her lustrous hair back from her face and handed me a plate of food. She was a vision of beauty. I stared into her innocent face, at her sweet smile and dancing eyes. I felt awful inside, I felt I had wronged my love, but I did what she wanted me to do.

"Jack, Jack aren't you going to take the plate?" Ana Maria was now standing behind me and poking me in the ribs. She took the plate from Jem. I jumped when I felt Ana Maria caress me upper thigh. Ana Maria smiled at Jem. "Good morning."

Jem pulled the plate out of her hand. "That is entirely a matter of opinion. Ana Maria I warn you, if you make any attempt on my life again, I will beat you, hang you upside down from a spear and carry you to a Caniba smoking shed. Savvy?"

I stepped aside I did not want to be standing in between the fighting women. I looked at Jem and took the plate making sure my hand ran across hers. "Sorry, me mind was else where. Ye got anything for a very vicious headache?"

Will laughed and tossed me a bottle of whiskey. "You can have that, or perhaps Jem could make you up a recipe of hobnailed liver? It works wonderful for hangovers."

I looked at him suspiciously. "It sounds nasty."

"It is," he said cheerfully. "But you'll feel better after you throw up."

"I'll take me chances with the whiskey." I sat next to Ana Maria and the four of us ate a hearty meal of eggs, cooked oats and bread.

After our stomachs were full we all gathered up what ever we would need and could carry. We each had two guns stashed in our belts and two swords slung across our bodies. Our pockets were full of bullets. Ana Maria made sure we had an ample amount. I had to make sure the bullets would not damage my now shriveling up eye.

I looked at me eye with great concern and then I looked out at the morning seas and the brooding dark horizon. I slipped my hat on over me dreadlocks and beads. Ana Maria was kind enough to retrieve my hat for me earlier in the week. She knows how attached I am to it.

"Ana Maria, Jem, you two will take the lead, I know you both know the island much better than William or I. Set the pace ladies and may you keep us away from danger."

Jem looked at Ana Maria. "I know every ridge, slope and beach from my childhood. I use to love this untamed land, of course then pumas did not wander these woods." Jem stepped in front of Ana Maria and took the lead. Ana Maria followed her then Will and myself.

We walked under great canopies of tropical trees for almost an hour. We passed lone and abandoned huts. "Jem, Ana Maria, I say we take a rest, some water and bread would be nice."

I sat down, not waiting for a replay and Will fell lightly beside me. As we lay there Ana Maria pulled her gun on Will.

"Will, whatever you do, don't move." I almost jumped at her, thinking she was pulling a mutiny and then I saw laying two feet away from him was a five-foot snake, sunning on a flat rock. I had no idea what type it was but judging by Ana Maria's and now Jem's face, I could tell it was poisonous.

It raised it's mean wedge-shaped head and was studying Will. Jem was now standing next to Ana Maria who was sweating profusely and waving the gun erratically.

Jem pulled her gun and looked at Ana Maria. I could not believe how calm Jem was as she smiled at her nemesis. "You know Annie, if you miss, Will won't see the rest of today, let alone the light of tomorrow." The snake rose further off the ground and began to coil.

Jem tilted her head and looked at the venomous creature. "I've killed a score of these and never missed."

Will looked up at her, and the only thing he dare moved was his eyes. "Well Jem," he said in a low murmur. "I think this would be a good time to prove your skill and stop bragging."

Ana Maria withdrew her gun. "Jem, be my guest, I will not be responsible for killing Will."

"Damn it ladies, will somebody do something?" Will now yelled out. As he did the snake leaped into the air, Jem assumed a shooter's stance and with both hands on the gun pulled the trigger. Will let out a sigh of relief, as the snake fell to the ground with its head blown to pieces. Will jumped up, and with a sigh of relief, hugged Jem.

"Nothing like waiting to the last minute Luv." I looked up at Jem and smiled at her. I could tell she was quite proud of herself. I looked over at the snake's remains. "Someone was bound to hear that shot we must get moving."

Leaving the snake we went deeper into the woods. Ana Maria was now guiding us down the dark gloomy trails as Jem was telling Will of her various snake hunts. The trees were thick but there were places where the sunlight poured down. As Ana Maria was about to step into a sunny patch, a large puma burst from the dry underbrush. It bared its teeth and growled low. Ana Maria reached for her gun and the great cat snarled and leaped on her. Will and I danced back several steps and Jem just stood there frozen.

I pulled my gun and hoping not to hit Ana Maria, I shot at the animal, aiming for its head. I hit his broad shoulder and it just made him more violent. The puma backed away from Ana Maria's motionless body and advanced on me.

"That's a good kitty, nice kitty." I pulled my sword and the cat started to paw at it, he then started snapping at the blade. He continued to advance on me, lunging more ferociously each time. He was driving me backwards.

"Will, if you can, pull your sword and kill this beast as I lure it backwards. I would much appreciate it Lad, I want to keep the gunshots to a minimum. Savvy?"

I kept backing up and after ten steps I stumbled on a rock and fell on my butt. The moment I was down the puma leaped and Jem shot it in mid air.

Will looked at Jem. "What the bloody hell's the matter with you? Jack said don't use the gun; I was going to kill it! You didn't give me a chance."

I was now lying on the forest floor with the large dead animal on top of me. I stared up at both Will and Jem and rolled my eyes. "Let me guess Jem, you've killed a score of these also and never missed."

She smiled at me as Will removed the carcass and she pulled me up. "No Jack, the puma is a new addition to the island and now I would say my father is missing one."

I looked over towards Ana Maria who was now sitting up and tending to her animal wounds. She had several deep cuts but nothing life threatening. As I tended to Ana Maria, Jem stood in the middle of the trail looking in both directions and shaking her head.

"Damn we are going the wrong way!" Jem threw her hands up in the air and looked at me.

I looked up at her. "What do you mean we are going the wrong way? I thought you knew this island like the back of your hand?"

"Jack darling, if you hadn't noticed, Ana Maria was leading us down the trail."

"Aye Luv, I did notice, but I also noticed you were entertaining William with stories of your child hood."

She looked at me and frowned. She then looked down the trail into the blackness. "We have to get out of here." Abruptly she lowered her body. All the muscles in her became visibly tense. "The Caniba are watching us."

I crawled over to Jem and Will crouched next to her.

"What're you looking at?" Will asked.

Jem placed her finger to her lips. "Shh just listen, hopefully we have not disturbed their burial grounds. You see if you don't disturb them they rarely disturb us."

I looked into Jem's dark eyes. "Rarely?"

Jem smiled at me. "My father has learned to leave them alone. They are an ancient warlike people and allow him to share their island. The chief and I were on friendly terms when I was young and I played on this land. Of course he is dead now." She nudged me with her shoulder and grinned even wider.

"No doubt." I looked at her warily.

"Don't worry Jack, the younger warriors are in charge now, but they still honor their chief's pact with my dad. He provides them with much needed supplies in exchange for the privilege of living here in a peaceful coexistence. You see it works to everyone's advantage."

"Jem, tell me how this will work to our advantage?"

She stood up and looked down at the both of us. "As long as we have not disturbed the burial mounds we are good."

Will looked at her. "I thought they were cannibals and they eat their dead, not bury them?"

Jem started leading us down a different trail. "Will the Caniba are people with much compassion."

"Compassion!" Will and I both said in unison as we remembered the way they attacked our small craft and left those poor men on the beach.

"Yes," Jem looked at us and then at Ana Maria who was now bringing up the rear of our group. "They do practice the ritual of eating humans; it is part of their identity. Everyone knows they practice this and it horrifies outsiders, a practice that no other would do. It is a lost tradition and it does have its price. They see it as a kind of cycling and renewal of life. They didn't always eat their own and even today they don't eat everyone that dies. Just some select few. They came to the conclusion that the deceased return to the family as a peccary – a forest pig and dietary mainstay. As the wheel of life turns, the deceased feeds the family. So instead of killing the pig, just eat the dead."

Both Will and I were listening to Jem's every word. She looked around the woods and then continued. "The older Caniba say that when the bodies are buried, it's harder to let go emotionally. They say their thoughts constantly return to the loved ones body lying in the dirt. It is easier to think of them if they are consumed."

As we walked Jem told us other tales of her youth. Two hours later, I was beginning to loose hope. The island was a tropical jungle suited only for wild animals, insects and cannibals. The thick tangle of mangrove and pine forest was all but impenetrable. I also noted several deceptive looking patches of quick sand on either side of the winding path. Ana Maria had a dour mood. I could tell the animal wounds were getting to her.

"Come Luv, do you want to rest?" I placed my arm around Ana Maria and sat her down. "We can admire the island's natural beauty." At first I was teasing but then I did see it. Colorful tropical birds were flittering in the trees, eagles and ospreys were soaring high above us in the cloudless sky and there were numerous native mounds, both mysterious and intriguing surrounding us on all sides. They were topped with shells that had been blackened with age.

Jem sat next to us. "What do you think of my father's island?" She asked conversationally.

I removed my arm from around Ana Maria and looked at Jem. "It's beautiful." I said wistfully. "If I were not here as a captive."

I looked around again and realized Will was not with us. "Will, ahoy Mister Turner. Will came up behind me and he looked very pale.

"William what is it? What are you looking at?" I now stood up next to Will.

"Jack, listen we are not alone." Will's hand went for his guns.

We heard a low, barely audible sound. The shrill cries of the birds cut off simultaneously and the woods were preternaturally silent.

I then heard something running. A scrabbling noise and stones being dislodged and then a faint rustle in the bushes. I looked at my three companions.

"I vote we run!"

"I second that motion." Will said, as we both jumped and ran in the opposite direction of the noise. Jem and Ana Maria were close behind us. For the first time after the curse had been lifted, I felt a grave peril. The Caniba were indeed coming and they were coming fast, I wasn't sure we could outrun them. I did not look back, I figured there was no reason and I was afraid of what I might see. My instincts told me to keep running and that is what I did.

When we reached a clearing Ana Maria stumbled. She lay there stunned and couldn't catch her breath. Then she yelled out for me.

"Jack! Jack, please help me. Save me."

I stopped and looked at Will and Jem. I took a deep breath and began to turn around in the opposite direction of Ana Maria. There were many thoughts going threw my head. She killed my little girl, she betrayed me, she tired to kill Jem, more than once and I could never trust her whole heartily again. As I continued to think, I came to the conclusion there was no profit in it for me to go back.

I detected a rustle in the bushes, and then Jem placed her hand on my shoulder. "Jack, you have to do what you think is right." I turned to face Jem and looked into her serious eyes, I pulled my guns.

"Jack!" Ana Maria yelled.

"Right here, Luv." I felt my body stiffen and I went back for her. Why? I really don't know. Despite everything I was thinking, I did want to trust her, but I think I did it more for Jem then myself. I did not want Jem to think I was cold hearted and that I could actually discard Ana Maria like that. Somewhere in my past I guess I did once love Ana Maria. I would never love her again, but I knew she loved me and would never stop. She had taken good care of Will and gotten us food and supplies.

I pulled her up off the ground and aimed my guns into the bushes. Jem and Will were now standing behind me with their weapons drawn. "Stop or I will shoot." I yelled out in a husky voice. The bushes once again shook and I squeezed off a single warning shot into the air. Jem and Will both shot into the bushes. After the three shots rang out through the woods all became silent. I looked back at Will and Jem. Jem nodded her head and put her gun away.

"They have gone for now, but they will be back. We are too close to one of their burial grounds and that was their way of telling us to move on."

"I don't have to be told twice." We were all winded and the muscles in my calves and thighs were hot with pain. My heart thumped so hard I felt as if my chest were going to explode. "Ana Maria, how are you? Can you walk?"

"I twisted my ankle but I can manage. Thank you, Jack. " She looked at Will and Jem, her voice faltered slightly. "Thank you Jem and William."

She looked at Jem. "What made you come back?" She then shifted her eyes on me.

"I have decided to trust you Ana Maria." Jem said, as she placed her hand on her shoulder. "You have done everything you said you would do and more, however, remember this, nothing you've done will ever change my feelings about you."

I placed Ana Maria's arm over my shoulder. "Luv, trusting you is more difficult than loving you. If we are going to be married and actually give it a chance, I have to give you me trust as well as me love. To have one, you must have the other. Savvy?"

Slightly dizzy, Will leaned on my opposite shoulder. Then he jumped as he looked into the jungle. Like a cat with tremendous energy he leaped at me.

"Jack, there, over there, I buried the chest. I buried it in that mound. I know for I remember that odd shaped tree."

Jem, looked at Will. "Why did you bury it there?"

Will looked at her. "Why not? It was heavy, we carried it as far as we could and we figured nobody would ever find it out here. Also we liked that tree." Will smiled at her and started to pull at me.

Jem grabbed Will's arm. "Will it is one of the Caniba's burial mounds. Please don't tell me you dug in it? Don't tell me you disturbed the dead?"

I looked down the dark trail and then I gently removed Ana Maria's arm from my shoulder and placed my arm around Will. I smiled at Jem and tilted my head at her. "Luv, William, won't tell you any of that, will you lad? We have no desire to disturb the dead and we will let some future generation discover their deep dark eating secrets. As for the Whelp and myself we just want the chest and a single gold coin."

I now let Will pull me toward the mound. "I'm content to live in peace among the living but I do need me eye." I shouted over my shoulder at Jem. "Show me Will, where is the chest and we will dig it up. Now!"

Squinting into the forest, Jem strained to see through the steadily deepening shadows. Night was near and the sun was balanced on the western horizon. Jem and Ana Maria paced back and forth as Will and I dug.

"Over there." Ana Maria shrieked. "There is something moving quickly in the shadows." Jem and Ana Maria placed their hands on their guns.

"The movement is closer." Jem yelled at us. "Will you two please stop playing games and get the job done."

Ana Maria inched behind Jem. "My God, they are coming back and they will kill us. Jack and Will are disturbing the dead, you have got to stop them."

Jem looked at her is disbelief. "Me? Are you daft? His your man, you tell him to stop."

Ana Maria now coward behind Jem. "It is much closer. It's its…" and before she could get another word out another large puma came straight at them, bounded at them through the brush and Ana Maria cried out. Jem drew her pistol stumbled backwards slightly and then shot the cat.

"Damn Jem, why do you always have to wait to the last minute?" I looked at her and I had a wide grin on my face as Will and I stood over the Aztec chest.

The breeze was stiffening, it was getting cooler and the moon was rising. I looked at both women. "Why are you two so spooked? Just keep your weapons loaded and we will be finished soon."

I now looked at the beams of moonlight dancing in the trees. The bitter taste of loosing my eye was now gone. I threw open the chest and pulled out a coin. I then pulled me eye from my pocket.

"God Will, look at it. It is flat, it's dried out, and it's smashed." I grabbed Will and made him look at it. "It's not even the same color as me good eye. You said it would be the color of whiskey."

Will looked at the eye and then at me. "You remember me saying that?" Will grinned and then he cringed as he looked down at the eye. "Jack, I think you should just come to the conclusion you will only have one eye." He grabbed it from my hand and tossed it into the woods.

"William, William Turner!" I threw my hands up in the air and then I started pulling my hair to prevent me from killing him. I turned to put my hands around his neck when I saw him laughing at me. He held the eye in his hand and showed me his other hand was full of rocks. As he laughed the moonlight cascaded over my shoulders. It glinted through my dark hair and exposed me for what I was. I was once again a skeleton.

Will gazed at my eye and then immediately swooped his hand behind my head, grabbed me by the hair on the nape of my neck and pulled me close, he then pushed my eye back into its socket.

I yelled and closed both eyes. It was an extraordinary feeling. I could feel the power of woven magic, the sense of the spell, the shocking realization that I could once again face danger and I could---I could….that is when I opened my eyes and realized I could, see.

I wasn't aware that I had cried out and Will was looking at me in horror. "Jack, Jack, my God, what have I done? Are you alright? Are you going crazy?"

"No Lad, not at all." I looked at him and my eyes glinting in the moonlight. I pulled him close and hugged him tight. "Will, thank you lad, it appears we will both live to face another day and probably," I gave him my wide golden grin. "Face the hangman together. You and I, jointly lad, I said it before and I'll say it again, we make a good team. Your father would be proud of you."

A/N Thank you, thank you, for all your kind words. Since I got so many nice reviews I decided to keep my promise and Jack did get his eye back. Now all he needs is his ship. This chapter was tons of fun to write and believe me the next chapter will also be full of adventure, I guarantee it, or I'm not Lovely Raven Sparrow. Read, Review and Enjoy.

TA for now

Lovely Raven Sparrow