Author's Note: Omg omg! We're finally here. The moment you have been waiting for... the story.

Thanks everyone for the reviews :).

It's my birthday on Monday, hint hint. I want Jack Sparrow on a plate, thanks.

Chapter Seventeen: Jack's Story

Jack's cabin was a bathed in a golden glow from the lamps around the room, and caught in the centre of it all was Lainey. It was funny to be in here alone, because this time she found herself paying far more attention to it. The smell of the room- this was quite simply rum, salt, and the scent she had originally described as strange and spicy, which she now knew clung to Jack Sparrow.

The floorboards were now clear of any bodies. Her amber eyes found a pile of papers stacked in the corner, covered in neat curly handwriting. She supposed it was Jack's writing, but it didn't seem fitting at all. She supposed the fact he could write at all didn't seem fitting to a pirate, though.

Several rum bottles littered the desk, some more full than others. She couldn't pretend that this surprised her, and it did explain a lot.

Jack had left her a soft tunic to sleep in, oversized enough for it to be decent. She had slipped into it gratefully, enjoying it's softness against her skin, and wondering perhaps for a moment if Jack Sparrow wore this.

There was also a basin of water and a cloth, and she had washed herself down, feeling refreshed and clean. She had brushed her hair down loose, and was sitting on the bed, head down, when there was a knock at the door.

"Yer decent?" Jack's voice came through.

"Yes," she replied softly. For a moment the strangeness of the situation struck her. She was in Jack Sparrow's tunic, in his cabin on the Black Pearl. It made her head spin.

The door opened, and there stood Jack Sparrow himself, looking oddly smokey in the pure light. It made his skin look even more golden, his eyes even more dramatic. He looked at her for a moment before smiling softly, a flash of gold. He cocked his head. "Everythin' okay?"

She smiled back, eyes twinkling. This man before her... so beautiful, so handsome, so brave- a pirate. She remembered what she had told Coral. Was she really losing herself to this man?

"Are yer alright?" Jack asked, raising an eyebrow. Obviously, he, like everyone else, could read her mood through her huge eyes.

She nodded. There was no way she was going to share her worries, her feelings, with Jack. "Fine, thank you. Just fine. Er... thank you for the tunic, and everything..." She trailed off, realising she'd sounded a little weak.

That wonderful golden smile again. "No problem, luv- tisn't every day I have a girl like you in me cabin!" Then he winked wickedly to show he was just joking. He crossed over to her, sitting down on the bed beside her and kicking off his boots to reveal grubby, hairy brown feet. Grinning at her surprised look, he collapsed back onto his back.

"Comfortable?" she asked, unable to stop a smile spreading across her face. He looked so innocent.

"Quite," he replied, chuckling. He lifted his hat and stuck it on Lainey's golden head, grinning at the result. "Suits yer, luv- yer'd make a beautiful pirate."

A blush stained her cheeks. Jack Sparrow knew exactly how to flatter her. "Thanks," she murmured.

He smiled, then he slowly reached out to lift a strand of her hair, examining it. "It used to be darker, and it used to be in ringlets." He shook his head at the question which formed in her face. "I like it better like this, Carmen."

"It's Lainey." She spoke the words softly, only because she wanted to finally know the truth.

His brown eyes twinkled. "Is that a cue for me to tell the story?" She blushed; he had known exactly what she had been thinking. His face grew serious, and he looked up at her. "Are yer sure? It's late."

"Jack, please," she said. "I wouldn't listen before but now I want to. You've been so kind, it's the least I can do."

Jack shrugged. "Yer don't trust me entirely, luv, we both know that. The opportune moment to inform you of all would have been after I saved you from that intruder, but I let that one pass me by."

She reached out and grabbed his hand impulsively. "Please."

He bit his lip, then nodded. "Alrigh', luv. Promise me yer won' say anythin' until I'm finished. I hate it when people interupt." She nodded, and he sat up, stiff, prepared to spill what he had so longed to tell her. "Yer've probably guessed by now yer name isn't Lainey, luv. It's Carmen, or more precisely, Carmen Karenza Keisha Regalia, Princess of Evaneta."

Lainey's jaw dropped. Jack had to be joking. A princess? She didn't even know of any Evaneta. However, she had promised not to interupt, so she forced herself to keep quiet.

"Yer name was the first thing yer said ter me. Back then, I was sixteen. You were eight. I sailed with The Crimson Mermaid, and we had just taken on a Royal fleet on Evaneta. I was sent looking for loot. I found you instead." He paused, his eyes dark with memories. "So small, so terrified. I always thought, when I was a boy, that I was going to be a positively fearsome pirate. I always have tried to be, but there's been a couple of occassions where that's been forgotten- the first time I met you, and this time."

"What did you do?" Lainey breathed, her voice sticking in her throat. She wasn't sure she believed Jack, but she was hearing a version of the past she had forgotten.

"I suppose I should've held yer as a captive, you being a princess. But, I lied to the captain. Said yer were a servant and took yer with me."

Lainey's eyes were filled with tears, and she wasn't sure why.

"We wound up in Tortuga. It had been a few months, and I was so fond of you." Lainey watched Jack closely. For a second, it looked as though his own eyes were tear-filled. He swallowed. "But... a pirate and a princess, luv... I left yer with Mrs Poelle, who promised ter tell yer of it all... I'm supposin' she didn'... neither did Edward Poelle, who was also informed..."

"Edward knew?" Lainey demanded, because Jack seemed to be finished. Then she shook her head. "Dear God, Jack, this is madness." Tears were splashing down her face. "I'm a tavern wench, for God's sake... Look at me, I'm no princess..." She hung her head, so confused.

"No, Carmen," Jack said softly, sliding gentle fingers beneath her chin. He raised her head firmly and looked into her eyes. Their faces were so close... "Carmen, I promise you, you are a princess. And there was never a more beautiful princess..."

She swallowed. How nice it would be to believe... but it was too far-fetched. She moved away from Jack's fingers, shaking her head. "No, Jack. I'm sorry. I would remember."

Jack shrugged, hard again. He stood up. "Maybe not. I'll prove it ter you, luv. We're goin' ter stop at Chalpa Island tomorrow. Yer'd better sleep. Come on, I'll tuck yer in."

She didn't question him. His emotional mood, his playful mood- they all seemed to have passed. She was too tired. She climbed into his bed, and he pulled the quilt up, tucking her in. This was such an un-pirate-like action she remembered his words: I was going to be a positively fearsome pirate. I always have tried to be, but there's been a couple of occassions where that's been forgotten.

For a moment his face paused over her own, and she wondered if he was going to kiss her forehead again. But he didn't, he just nodded, then moved away, blowing out the lamps quietly and going to the door. He paused there.

"Goodnight," he said softly.

"Goodnight, Jack." The door closed. Lainey's head was spinning, but her mind was focused on the sudden emptyness of the room.

Next chapter preview...

"I think you think it too," Will observed quietly.

"Don't." Jack spoke softly. He didn't want to think about this. He was Jack Sparrow, Captain Jack Sparrow, and his heart belonged only to freedom.