Author's Note: Another update. Sorry these chapters are a little short but it's how I prefer to write. Thanks for the interest in this story, and if you want some clues as to what's going to happen and haven't done so already- read the trailer!

Chapter Eight: Guilt

Night-time, and the sky was a navy blanket, dotted with a million tiny silver stars, beautiful, vast and clear. Tortuga, or at least this part of it, was quiet and peaceful, the streets almost deserted, and those who were out were not the sort of people to question why a fearful pirate was carrying a bound, sleeping tavern wench over his shoulder, heading down to the caves.

Jack sighed. He was starting to hate himself for doing this. Actually, why was he doing this? He had saved this woman from death, surely he owed her nothing? He had never hurt her, or done anything he needed to apologise for. Evaneta weren't, as far as he knew, desperately looking for the princess they had given up on so many years ago.

But he knew why, really. Guilt.

It was an emotion he rarely felt. After all, he was Captain Jack Sparrow, a pirate. But there was something in Carmen's eyes when he looked into them... something that made him realise he had to return the Princess.

Guilt.

He picked his way over the rocks carefully, the Pearl now in sight. Over his shoulder, Carmen stirred a little, but did not wake up. Jack wondered if he was attracted to her. He knew she was a pretty girl; but then again, Jack had known many pretty girls- he had slept with them but not felt feelings, and care, and responsibility, as he did for Carmen.

He decided it was best not to think about it.

Will approached him as he reached the Pearl, which was bustling with his crew. Will smiled warmly. "Everything go alright, then?"

"Perfectly, as always," Jack responded, grinning. "How are things 'ere?" They walked up onto the ship.

Will chewed his lip. "Well... we have one extra, Jack."

"A captive?" Jack asked, interested. "Hm, I'm goin' ter go and have a look. 'Ere- take the Princess, put her in me cabin and untie 'er, I doubt she's a threat."

Jack gently handed Carmen to Will, watching as Will carried her into his cabin, then shook his head to clear it, and headed for the brig, greeting various members of his crew as he past. He went down the steps into the brig quickly, determined to set off quickly.

"Evenin', Cap'n," said a tall, red-headed pirate said when Jack reached the bottom.

"Tobias." Jack nodded his head in acknowledgement. "Where's the captive?"

Tobias Hawke pointed to a man tied to a wooden beam. Long black hair hung elegantantly into a lowered, bearded, pale face. The man was out cold. Jack raised his eyebrows; it was Edward Poelle.

"That's interesting," he breathed. He turned to Hawke. "We keep 'im. I'm wantin' words with 'im."

Hawke nodded, brown eyes fixed on Jack. "As yer wish, Cap'n," he nodded.

"Go and tell Mr Turner to set sail for Evaneta, Tobias," Jack ordered. He watched as Hawke nodded again then bustled off up the stairs. This was going to be an interesting adventure. He looked back at Edward Poelle before heading upstairs himself.

It was going to be a very interesting adventure.