Author's Note: Yay, reviews. You guys rock! Please forgive me if I don't update much until June 14th, I have exams starting the 5th. I've included a next chapter preview at the end of this one, er, just to tease you. Remember to review!

Chapter Thirteen: In The Brig

Jack tried to ignore his throbbing neck and cheek as he went down to the brig. Will looked up as he entered, but apparently decided not to comment on his injuries. Edward Poelle was once again tied up, and he glared at Jack, who nodded back.

"It's time we had a little talk," Jack said.

"About the Princess?" Will asked.

Jack's eyes fell on Edward, who had cringed. "Aye. I don't think I've explained properly to you, Will. Yer see, when I was a teenager, I sailed with a ship which one day stopped a Royal fleet. It was a fight we won easily, killing practically all of the crew. I found a girl in one of the cabins- Princess Carmen Regalia, of Evaneta. Well, I couldn't kill her or let any harm come to her. I took her back to me ship and eventually left her in Tortuga with Edwina Poelle, a kind woman who assured me no harm would come to Carmen."

"My mother." Edward spoke acidly, but did not look at either of them.

"Aye." Jack nodded.

"I have a question," Will said suddenly, tugging at a rough roll of rope on the wall with his calloused hands. "Why didn't you just take the Princess back to Evaneta if you were concerned?"

Jack grinned without amusement. Will could be so slow sometimes. "And be hung for piracy? Wonderful idea, Turner."

Will's face darkened dangerously, but Jack winked to show he was joking.

"So Edwina knew who Carmen was?" Will asked, intruiged.

"Aye, I told her, and she promised to tell Carmen when she was old enough to know. Now, as it happens, Edwina's son, him over there-" Jack pointed at Edward, "was about Carmen's age. I'm s'pposing yer mother told you about Carmen, Poelle?"

Edward reluctantly met his eyes. "Yes."

Jack fought the urge to kick him. He shook his head, bitterly disgusted. "Then why, in the name of God, did you not tell Carmen who she was?"

Edward's eyes were wet with tears. He blinked, apparently disgusted at himself.

"Why?" Jack growled again.

Edward sniffed, shaking his head. "It was... oh God, Sparrow have you ever loved anyone? Because my mother and I... we loved Lainey so... loved her so much..."

"I thought that to love someone meant you told them the truth, mate," Jack said coldly.

Will raised an eyebrow. Apparently he thought that Jack was being a little harsh with the man who clearly regretted his actions. Jack privately had to agree, and wasn't sure why he was acting like this.

"I- I wouldn't expect you to understand," Edward sniffed. "How can you? You're... a dirty pirate! We loved Lainey so much... so much... we were worried she would leave."

Jack just looked at him, and finally he thought he did understand. He did understand why Edward Poelle, at least, had never told Lainey about her true origins, why he was so desperate to keep her near, keep her close. Poelle was in love with Lainey.

"I do understand." Jack said the words quietly, and they made Edward's eyes widen. Will, too, looked at Jack in surprise. "Yer in love Lainey, aren't you?"

Poelle was silent, but Jack knew. He knew from the way his eyes suddenly shone with the bitter pain he had felt for years at not being able to have his stepsister, knew from the way his cheeks pinched. Poelle looked down. Jack glanced at Will, who was nodding in understanding.

"Don't tell her," whispered Poelle.

"Aye." Jack had no intention of telling the Princess. He didn't know quite why. He supposed it was because it could easily complicate things.

There were footsteps on the stairs. Jack and Will watched as Tobias entered, his red hair ruffled. He nodded to them, then looked curiously at the sorrowful Edward.

"Tobias, mate," Jack said, grinning. "Yer to guard the ship when we stop at Moia, specifically the girl. Don' let anything happen ter her, no matter what."

Tobias nodded. "Yes, Captain."

Jack gestured to Will to leave. They made their way to the stairs, then Jack glanced back at Poelle. He couldn't help feeling pity for him. "Edward." Edward raised his eyes to Jack's face. "No harm will come to her. I promise." Edward nodded.

Then Jack and Will went upstairs.

Next chapter preview:

"Sparrow can't help you now, pretty," leered the man, stepping forward, growling.

"Jack! Jack!"

The man was so close now, he reached out to touch her. "Pretty, I already told you, Sparrow isn't here to save you..."

Lainey closed her eyes as his hand descended towards her. This was it... no Tobias... no Edward... no Jack... She fought back the tears that threatened to spill, determined not to let this evil man see her cry. Fingers brushed her shoulder, and she shuddered, horrified...