I suppose another little blurb wouldn't kill me. I'm feeling generous today. :o)

She had seen him from time to time and was instantly smitten. She knew enough of him to know that he was a very powerful figure, and there was something about his playful presence and his commanding swagger that drew him towards her. Captain Jack Sparrow, she had learned from listening and watching whenever she had the chance. They had stolen the ship from a few lowly pirates in England, and were on their way now to Port Royal, Jamaica.

Nighttime brought freedom for Dulcinea as she learned to avoid the night watch, who usually dozed off as the ocean bobbed the ship up and down and lulled him to sleep. She wandered around the ship's parts carefully, stealing food now and then and not leaving a trace of her presence, careful not to raise suspicions. But it was Captain Jack himself who noticed something was amiss.

He stood in his cabin late one night, candles extinguished, watching by the window, and waited. He knew that someone wasn't being honest about the rations he had doted out, and he was determined to find out who was stealing the extra food, fully prepared to shoot the bloody bastard who was culpable.

The captain was just about to doze off when he heard soft, careful footsteps. His eyes snapping open, he gripped his pistol and watched with curiosity as a young girl about the age of fifteen wandered by, a dark cloak concealing her identity. He got up and slowly opened his door, stepping out into the warm sea air.

She was huddled over a basket of fruit when he approached her from behind, eating ravenously. He cocked his gun and she froze, then turned slowly to face him. A half-eaten apple fell to the floor, and she raised her hands in defense.

"And so, we have us a stowaway," he said, approaching her and lifting the cloak that covered her face. A cascade of dark brown curls fell from underneath, and her brown eyes penetrated his determinedly.

"You do know what we do to pretty young stowaways aboard our ship, don't you, love?" he voiced, running the tip of his gun down the front of her bodice. A sudden chill came over her as he smiled and flashed a few gold teeth.

She dropped a bag at his feet, and out spilled gold coins, jewels and rare gems. "I'll give you what you want," she began, boldly squaring her jaw, "If you take me in as your own and promise me no harm."

Slightly surprised, he looked down at the treasure and back up at this young girl as she stood before him, suppressing her fear. He lowered his gun and frowned.

"Who are you?"

Capítulo Tres

After their meal, the pair headed back to the confines of Dulcinea's upstairs hideaway. Jack was mumbling about treasure and gold and Spain, while the gypsy's head spun. She knew in her heart it was unreasonable, that she could be easily found if she went back, but something within her wanted to stay with Jack. Even while she nearly rotted in jail after being caught by the East India Trading Company several years ago, she pined for him, barely eating and unable to sleep. She knew that her heart still belonged to him, and she also knew that his feelings for her had not died. She could tell by the way he looked at her.

"And we'll leave three days from now, then. I still 'ave yet to find a decent crew to get us there. About eight should do us well, ay?"

Jack was still talking (mostly to himself), eagerly planning the trip that he would be going on alone. Well besides for his 8 person crew. Dulcinea stifled a yawn.

"Time to retire, I suppose," Jack said, yawning himself. "Do you know a place where I could rest me head for a few nights?" He glanced at her sideways, and she knew what he was trying to do. She caved in. It had been a long time since she had had someone sleep beside her.

"You might as well get yer swashbucklin' arse upstairs… there's barely room for one but I'm sure I can find some way to make room for two." She smiled at him, and he returned the smile drunkenly, slinging his arm over her shoulder. "You are too, too kind, my dear," Jack slurred as he had some difficulty making his way up the stairs.

Getting him up the stairs and safely inside was the task that Dulcinea knew would be the most difficult. She stood behind him, steadying his wobbly steps, and guided him through the door with a slight shove. Jack, his balance completely off, stumbled ahead and bumped directly into a glass cabinet, filled with small vials of multi-colored potions. The glass vials clinked as they bounced off of one another, and Jack ended up sprawled on the floor, unable to move.

"Oh dear…" he murmured, closing his eyes. The gypsy knelt beside him. "Jack?" "Hmmm?" "Come on, now. Up ya goes." She managed to somehow pull him upright, and he landed safely on her small, rumpled bed. She pulled off his boots, his effects, as well as his beloved hat without protest from the drunken pirate. His eyes were closed and his body was still. She lit a candle beside the bed and climbed in beside him, leaning over his frame.

"Jack…" she murmured to herself, reaching out and caressing his face gently. It had been so long since she had been close to him, and there was no way she could avoid those sparks that flew within. Since that day she had walked away, she had longed for him.

Jack opened his eyes narrowly, and reached up to play in her soft, draping curls. She closed her eyes, welcoming his touch. The pirate proceeded to pull her lower, till their lips almost met. She opened her eyes and gazed at him. He opened his mouth and the scent of rum floated around her.

"My little pearl," he repeated again, holding on to her tightly. "Dulcinea, come with me. We have so much to see. Me and you… we belong together. Turning our backs on the world that judges us so harshly and turning our hearts to each other is what we do best." He reached up deeper in her curls, his hand at the nape of her neck, pulling her closer. "The King and Queen of the Spanish Main we'll be. We'll own the world." He smiled then, eyes deep into hers. "Nobody will be able to take that from us, love. Come with me, and never look back." Jack's words fell into a hush as he took her mouth in his, kissing her delicately. She felt as though she was drowning in his love, and drowning in his words. She had been turning her back against the world her whole life. She wasn't sure if she should turn now. Should she go? Or should she stay? Her mind was telling her it wasn't wise to get wrapped up in a pirate, but her heart was already sailing in the sea of his love. She snuffed the candle, and they fell asleep, minds clouded, but hearts receptive to each other.