Revenge of the Bleeding Heart

Disclaimer: I only own anything you don't recognize from "Pirates of the Caribbean". This is the sequel to "A Halloween Wish", so suggest you read that first…or you won't understand this.

Author's Note: This chapter is a bit on the short side, but I had to get this scene across. Enjoy, mates!


Chapter 12: "Do we have a heading?"

"Jack!" I slightly yelled as I jolted up in bed, pulling my sheet up over my chest. I was alone in bed. My heart was racing faster than a hummingbird's. I felt as if my stomach was in my throat. What had happened yesterday? As I glanced around the room, I realized everything was different now. I was back on the Bleeding Heart. Jack had pissed me off, Chris led the attack on the Black Pearl, I returned to my ship…and I…oh God. I had slept with Chris last night. And the sad part was that Jack had been in the back of my mind the entire time. "Damn it all," I muttered as I stood and walked over to one of my trunks.

I pulled out a fresh shirt and pair of pants rather quickly and got changed as fast as I could. I was completely body conscious. I must have been so stressed last night that sleeping with Chris was the only way to relieve it all. And after everything Jack had put me through, I was ready to explode and kill him. "Why am I still thinking about that bastard?" I asked no one in particular. It made no sense. I loved Chris more than anything. I knew I just had to put Sparrow behind me…and fast.

I walked over to my pile of clothes from last night and picked them up. I dumped them in a small basket I kept dirty clothes in and then turned around and took a deep breath. I was finally home…well…my home away from the modern era. It was then that I noticed a small envelope in the middle of the floor. I tilted my head slightly and walked over to it. For a moment, I just stared down at the ivory rectangle. I knelt down and picked it up before walking over to my desk and sitting down in my chair. I tore it open carefully and pulled out the single piece of thin parchment that was inside. When I unfolded the letter, I was speechless. Will had given me a letter from Jack!

Dearest Natalie,

I know you are angry with me, love, but I would greatly appreciate it if you would just read what I have to say. I'm not one to apologize on many occasions…pirate, you know, but I'm truly sorry for the way I have treated you, darling. You know that I never wanted to leave you six years ago, and I never meant to talk about you with my crew the way that I did. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, love. It's in my nature to act this way. Reason's got nothing to do with it. I've tried so hard to change for you…and I will continue to try until you're in my arms again.

Don't think that you were just another warm body for me either, love. The whores I've met have meant nothing to me. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on and I know that you're the most amazing one as well. I hope one day you will forgive an old pirate like meself. If you would be so kind as to accept my apology and come back to me, please meet me in Tortuga in a week. I'll be in the Faithful Bride once more. Until then, love.

Captain Jack Sparrow

My eyes were burning with tears by the time I finally read his name. I quickly crumpled up the note in my hand and threw it across the room. The ball of paper hit the dresser and then fell to the floor next to it. Why did Jack have to write me a letter like that? When did he have the time to write that? I left him and Will ran to me within only moments. Jack wouldn't have had the time to…oh Lord…he must have written it days ago. He must have known that Chris would return and sweep me off. "Damn you, Sparrow…DAMN YOU!" I screamed.

This was just too much for me to handle. I loved Chris more than I could imagine, but there was that small part of my heart that he was unable to claim…for Jack Sparrow had stolen it. I didn't hate Jack for it either. I was glad that he had kept it for so many years. Still, I was ready to just wring his neck out like a dishrag. He was putting me through so much pain. What was I going to do now? If I went to Tortuga, I'd leave with Jack and never be a captain again…never see my ship or my freedom again. But if I stayed away, I'd never see my first love again. Was that something I was willing to risk?

I shook my head and grabbed my sword and pistol from my desk. After attaching them to my belt, I walked to my door and then out onto the main deck. My crew members were all going about their business like nothing had changed. It was as if I had never left. The ship was at a stand still. I guessed that we hadn't really picked a destination to go to yet. I looked around and noticed that Bowen was sitting all alone on a crate. I noticed a melancholy look in his eyes as he took a bite of a green apple and stared at the deck. Something was wrong.

I walked over to him slowly and sat down on the crate next to him. He looked at me for a short moment and slightly smiled. "I see you're awake, Captain."

"Yeah," I replied, "I had a long night."

"I know…the entire crew knows." Bowen was smirking as he spoke. I chuckled at his comment, realizing what he was talking about. "What was it like?"

"What was what like?" I asked as I tucked a loose strand of hair from my face.

"Staying on the Black Pearl with Captain Jack Sparrow, of course!" He sounded so excited about the idea, and that made me smile. It was a treat to see a young soul like him. He had so much life in him…so much innocence. "What's Jack like? Is he as amazing as the stories say?"

"Jack…uh…Jack's quite a character, Bowen. He…he's an intelligent man, and a very good man. Yet, he's not the same as the stories. He's real." I smiled at the thought of Jack. Even though he was putting me through so much stress, he was still something to smile about.

"You love him, Captain." I raised an eyebrow at the cabin boy. It was more of a statement than a question.

"Are you asking me if I love him?"

"No, Captain. I'm saying that you do love Sparrow. I watched the way you exchanged glances and words with him when you split him and Chris up. The way your eyes spoke to each other…it looked like love to me."

"Young man," I began as I placed a hand on his shoulder, "You have much to learn about love and life. You may be a pirate on my ship, but you're still the cabin boy. You're young and still have innocence coursing through your veins. Keep that as long as you can." Bowen just looked at me and tilted his head. It seemed he had no idea what I was talking about. "Forget it, mate. It's hard to explain." I stood up and placed my hands on my hips as I stared out at the open ocean. I could feel my heart beating loudly within my ears. I took in a deep breath and let it out, but it was shaky. "Bowen, can I ask you something?" I asked.

"Of course, Captain."

"Stop calling me captain," I said as I turned to look at him. His eyes showed signs of confusion. "And also…what would you do in my position?"

"If it's not too bold, Morgan…I'd go hear what your lover has to say." I gave the boy a sincere and warm smile before nodding my head. "Do we have a heading?" he questioned.

"Go to the helm and inform Girard that we sail for Tortuga. We need supplies."