A/N: I recently took another glance at this story and realized how poorly written it was. So I've decided to polish it up one piece at a time. I don't know if anyone is still reading it, but for my sanity, I am going to retool it chapter by chapter. Maybe I will be struck with new inspiration and finish it.

Disclaimer: I own neither Pirates of the Caribbean nor any of it's characters, names or locations. This is a simple exercise in creativity that I will not try to sell or profit from. All credit goes to Disney.

Anamaria stood on deck of the Pearl, her body numb. She could neither feel or hear the rain or the shouts of the crew as the wave pushed them all underwater. Her mind lay with her sister and the horrifying realization that the rope they had all be tugging on not but seconds ago had gone slack. Not heading the cries of her captain, Ana ran to the front of the boat and looked down. The figurehead, so proud and commanding, was absent. Only splintered wood lingered in her place. She searched the waters, scanning out and down as far as she could. Nothing. Only emptiness.

The emptiness spread, crawling up the side of the ship and into her very soul, bringing with it a sense of sadness she had not felt for years. Her baby sister, the only family left to her, the center of her world for years, was gone, taking the figurehead with her. No. She would not allow it. Without hesitation, she clambered up on the railing, bending her knees and bracing herself for the impact of the waves. It never came.

Strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her down and into a warm body. She fought against them, clawing her way back to the side. The arms tightened, pulling her back more insistently.

"Ana! You can't!" the voice of Jack Sparrow pleaded with her.

"I have to!" she choked out. He didn't understand. Laura was hers to protect. She couldn't just let her go.

"You can't," he repeated. "Or you'll be lost too." Lost. Now that someone had said it out loud it was like a wall broke over her. Her sister was lost. Fear mixed with despair and she reached out, trying to free herself from Jack's arms. When he refused to even loosen his grip, she turned on him, pushing out, expelling all the negative energy. Jack allowed her to hit him for several moments before he pulled her tighter. "Ana," he breathed in her ear. His voice broke through the hard façade she had spent months constructing. All at once, she was crying into his chest.

Anamaria was completely aware that the crew was watching her make a spectacle of herself. All of the respect she had earned had surely disappeared now. But she couldn't stop. The rain trickled down her face, mixing with her tears. Her sister was gone and she couldn't find her. She couldn't stop it. She felt Jack wind a hand into her hair while the other hand ran comforting circles over her back. He didn't whisper false promises that Laura would be alright, didn't offer condolences. He just held her. On their own accord, her arms came to rest around his waist.

"She's gone," she whispered it like a question.

"Aye, love," Jack confirmed sadly. The tears sprung anew and she pulled away. This time Jack let her go, trailing behind her by a few feet, still connected by the rope. Ana looked out again, seeing nothing but gray, unforgiving water. She could feel the crew watching her; she knew if she turned around she would see them staring at her in shock. She couldn't face them. A hand brushed her shoulder and she chanced a look at Jack. The kohl around his eyes had smeared and faded. It had been so long since she saw him without it. She bit her lip against the outpouring of emotion. She reached for him and he met her halfway, grasping her hand tightly. "We'll look for her," Jack said with conviction. "Now and when this storm clears. We'll look for them as long as it takes."

Them. It was then that she realized that the young recruit had leapt after Laura. He must have cared for her dearly. She felt a little bubble of hope. Hayden was strong, a good swimmer. He may have been able to get them to the surface. They could be floating somewhere, hanging on. They might be alive.

It was a long shot, but it was a hope. Ana clung to it like a buoy, allowing the thought to calm her breathing and stop her tears.

"We'll look for them," she agreed.

The Pearl weathered the rest of the storm. It disappeared as quickly as it came, moving away and leaving no sign of herself save for the wrecked front of the ship. When the rain had abated and the wind died, the crew set about cleaning up. Ana hadn't joined them, but retreated to the captain's quarters. She poured over maps, searching for an island in the area. There was nothing within a 15 mile radius. It was a huge distance. She had nothing to go off of. The could sail in any direction and not find anything. She cursed violently just as the door swung open. She looked up to see Gibbs and Jack standing in the doorway, silhouetted by the faint light of the sunset.

"Miss Anamaria?" Gibbs cleared his throat nervously. She looked at him expectantly. "The crew and I just wanted to let you know that we'll do anything to help find Laura and Hayden. We're all fond of them. And that we don't think any less of ye' for…" he trailed off. Ana's heart swelled. Without warning she closed the distance between she and the second mate, embracing him in a hug. Gibbs seemed surprised at the uncharacteristic display of affection. He patted her back nervously, then pulled back. "Well," he grumbled gruffly, "best be getting back to the crew." he scurried out of the door. Jack chuckled as he went. His laughter died as he looked at his first mate.

Ana looked at him expectantly. Jack closed the door of the cabin slowly. "Any luck?" he asked.

"There is a chain of islands all around here. But they're a ways in the distance and all around." She struggled to keep her voice steady. "There's no way to pinpoint any particular one." she swallowed thickly.

"There is one," Jack contradicted her. He reached for something at his waist. Ana watched as he unhooked the compass he always carried from his sash. He held it out to her. "Use this." he instructed simply.

"Jack," Ana looked unsure. "That points to the Isla de Muerta."

He shook his head. "Sometimes it does. But not always." Ana's face twisted in confusion. "It points to what you want most." he clarified. Ana's eye's widened. "I tried it out there," he gestured outside of his cabin.

"Did it work?" she asked, unable to disguise the excitement in her voice.

"Not for me. It seems that as badly as I want to find your sister and her mate, I want something else a bit more." His dark eyes trained on Ana pointedly. Her heart pounded with what he was implying. He flipped the compass open and extended it toward her. "You try," he said simply.

Ana took the compass, cupping it in her hands. The point spun, swirling around quickly. It spun for a moment, watched carefully by Jack and Ana. Then, with a motion of absolute certainty, it stopped, pointing southwest. Ana looked up at Jack. Their eyes met for a moment.

"Southwest," she said. Jack nodded. He took the compass back from her.

"Better go rouse the crew. The sooner we get there, the better." Ana swallowed again, her eyes following him as he moved to the door. "Coming?" he asked her as he reached for the doorknob. She followed him silently, pausing right in front of him. She placed her hand on top of his, stopping him from opening the door. He looked at her quizzically. Acting before she could think too much on it, Ana leaned up and captured his lips in a kiss. Before Jack could even register what was happening, she pulled back, opened the door and began shouting orders at the crew. He stood there, a little bewildered. A tiny smile graced his lips. He pulled out the compass again and flipped the lid open. The little needle spun, following Ana as she moved around the deck.