Author's Note: In respsonse to one review, no, they haven't kissed already.. apart from a few forehead pecks from Jack.

And also, I was asked for advice on romance writing: my number one tip? Don't jump in with both feet. Plan carefully, slowly, have a gradual romance. Nobody falls in love instantaneously. Take it easy ;).

Anyway, thanks for the reviews, keep 'em coming.

Chapter Twenty One: Remembering

Lainey had never seen a more beautiful night sky. Navy blue, sprinkled with a million tiny silver stars. A moon so full and large, a stunning disc above them.

And there was land, solid land beneath her feet. It would have been green in the daylight but now it too looked silver in the moonlight, grass and trees and flowers.

They had docked at Chalpa, and Jack had collected her, running down onto the lovely beach with her. He had briefly told her there was a small village at one end of the island, but they weren't going there.

Now they were running, lightly, relaxed, through a grassy clearing. Neither of them had spoken, but Jack was holding Lainey's hand as though it was the most natural thing in the world. And Lainey had to admit, she felt like it was. The place was deserted, so gorgeous.

Finally, they stopped. Lainey pulled away from Jack to step forward, gasping at the sight before her.

It was a lake, the water sparkling so beautifully in the moonlight. Tall trees framed it light a painting, and small red flowers grew around it. A single rowing boat was tied up at the side.

"Is this it?" she asked quietly.

"Aye," Jack said, coming up behind her, wrapping his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "Do yer like it, luv?"

"It's lovely, Jack, but why here?" She didn't dare look up into his face, for fear of flinging her arms around his neck and kissing him.

Jack seemed serious. "Because I've come here many a time when I've needed to think. I think it'll help yer remember... I want yer to believe me, luv..."

She turned her head to face his, her legs feeling weak. She wasn't really sure what was happening. His face was before her own, his eyes looking longingly into her own, outlined with their kohl so attractively. A gold tooth slid out to nibble on his lip, before he leaned closer to her... and she wanted him to kiss her, she really did. She was standing on her toes, raising her mouth to his... her eyes half-closed...

"Stop." Jack spoke abruptly, stepping away from her, shaking his head.

Lainey looked back at him, her cheeks burning, her eyes starting to fill with tears. What was going on? He had led her on, and now just told her he didn't want her.

"No, luv," he said, but his expression softened as he saw her hurt face. He walked back towards her, cupping her cheeks in his hands. He spoke quietly. "I do want it, yer know. But yer have to believe me story first, luv."

Lainey nodded. Jack did want to kiss her; that was a relief, and it made her heart beat faster. He felt the same as she did!

"Come over ter the rowing boat," Jack said, taking her hand once more, firmly as though to reassure her of his feelings, and leading her over to it.

"Is it safe?" she asked, nervously.

Jack laughed, playful again. "Let's hope so, luv, as we're goin' in it." He winked at Lainey, making her blush, though she could not explain why. "Righ', lay down then, luv."

"What?" she asked, looking at him, shocked.

He laughed. "We're goin' ter be on our backs, luv, don' panic. Yer've got ter trust me, if yer want ter trust me." He looked confused for a moment himself, then his grin returned.

She decided to give it a shot. After all, Jack Sparrow had saved her life. He wouldn't let anything happen to her. Swallowing, she stepped into the boat, feeling it move around on the water. Oh, what she wouldn't give to be back on the Black Pearl now!

"Not a jot on the Pearl, I know," Jack said, as though he knew what she was thinking.

Finally, she managed to settle down in the boat on her back. It was hard to be comfortable. Jack climbed in beside her, making the boat wobble worryingly. Finally, he was sitting down beside her, untying the boat. He lay down beside her. It was quite squashed.

"What about rowing?" Lainey demanded.

"I figured we'd just... sort o' float, luv," Jack said. He patted the oar beside him. "We'll row back when we need ter, alrigh', luv?"

"Stop calling me 'luv'," Lainey said.

Jack didn't say anything. Lainey sighed, shaking her head at his confusing ways, then looked up (not that there was really anywhere else to look). That wonderful sky... so beautiful. She was losing herself in it. Beside her, she could feel Jack's solid, steady body, hear his gentle breath, but nothing else.

"Jack!" Fear, fear flooded through her. Tiny hands gripped the doorframe, staring out onto the deck, where huge black waves were splashing down. Thunder rumbled, lightning flashed, and there was water everywhere, leaking out of her eyes. "JACK!"

"Carmen!" She heard him running to her, a handsome young man, brown hair in a ponytail, chocolate eyes dark. He had no facial hair.

"Jack!" she sobbed, as he lifted her into his arms, holding her close, carrying her back inside. She nestled into his soaked white shirt.

"Tis alrigh', honestly," Jack told her, placing her gently on his bed. "Tis only a storm. Yer need ter stay in here, though, Princess."

Lainey gasped, staring at the sky, her heart thundering. What had just happened to her? She realised she was gripping Jack's wrist tightly. Was she remembering? She swallowed, trying to lose herself again.

"Hide the princess!" The handsome young officer stared at Carmen, his blue eyes filled with dread.

A gunshot was heard. The other officer nodded grimly. "Get under the bed, Your Highness!"

Before Carmen could cry, she was bundled under there.

A tear shone in the moonlight as it trickled down her face, silver on her skin.

Peace, peace. Carmen, huddled underneath the bed, was trembling. There was no noise. The screaming and shooting had stopped a while ago. She peaked out from between the sheets. The cabin door opened suddenly, and she froze, lips trembling, fighting the urge to scream. She watched large black boots go over to a cabinet.

A whimper slipped out.

"Come out!" A young male voice, forceful and ringing.

"Jack..." she whispered.

She stood, looking up at him, a pirate. So much larger than she was, with horrified eyes the colour of chocolate.

"Who- who the hell are you?"

He was holding a gun. She swallowed, petrified. He lowered it, his face suddenly softer.

"Who are you?" he repeated, in a voice that was gravelly velvet.

"Carmen Karenza Keisha Regalia, Princess of Evaneta."

"Carmen." Lainey breathed the word, her real name.

He gathered her up into his arms, and in them she found safety.

"Oh my God." She closed her eyes, tears running down her cheeks.

"Princess." Jack spoke quietly. "I missed you."

Next chapter preview...

"Tobias!" Will ran forward to help, tying up the boat. "There's a ship- the Heaven! It's approaching the Pearl... we need to return, come on, Jack!"

Jack leapt nimbly out of the boat. Carmen was still sleeping, so he grabbed her and held her close. They began to sprint back down to the ship.