Alright guys, here's the next chapter! Thanks for commenting… I love them! Lol… alright don't leave me hangin, comment!

-Desperado

Ten minutes later, Jack was back, accompanied by the whole crew for dinner. They moaned and groaned about how the captain had worked them all day and they were hungry and tired. Isabelle appeared carrying a platter of chicken and potatoes and suddenly the mood sky rocketed. They burst out cheering and Jack laughed and clapped right along with them. When Ana came out carrying the two large platters of fish, the crew cheered some more. Ana and Isabelle sat down and ate with the crew and Jack decided he better stay and make sure his crew behaved themselves around Isabelle. She seemed to take a liking to Litler, one of Jack's favorite crew members. Isabelle was introduced to the rest of the crew and she immediately fit right in, thanks to the phenomenal meal that she had thought of and prepared. When the time came to thank the cook, Ana wouldn't let herself take any of the credit and Isabelle was hugged and kissed and slapped on the back by all the crew mates. She had never felt so much at home in all her life.

She watched the last of the crew members leave the galley and go back to their duties. She smiled. For the first time in the longest time, she, Isabelle Thatcher, was truly happy. She didn't care if this was indeed a pirate ship, she was herself and she loved everything about the Black Pearl. The crew welcomed her with open arms and the captain didn't mind having her around. She liked being able to talk with another woman. As soon as her ribs healed, she would prove that she could actually be useful somewhere beside the galley. She knew everything there was to know about a ship. When her family had sailed over from Spain she made the captain explain everything to her, she became so enthralled with it all. She would climb the rigging, sure she got in trouble for that, but she knew how. She would wander aimlessly through the ship, just to see if she could find her way out of the maze of corridors. She would stand at the bow and open her arms wide, feeling the wind whip her loose hair around her shoulders and cheeks. She was never a lady type. She always preferred to do things her way or no way at all. Isabelle was stubborn as the day was long and she always went down with a fight. Being with her father, alone, for all those years took some of the fight out of her. It made her think that maybe there just wasn't a place in society for her and she was better off on a pirate ship.

She and Ana cleaned up the mess the pirates had created and Ana showed her around the huge ship. Jack watched the slight pain in Isabelle's step and wanted her to get back to bed to rest it so it would heal faster. When they were done with their tour, Ana brought Isabelle up to the helm and they stood beside Jack. "Well, Captain, Elle knows the in's and out's of this ship. I'll be retiring to me cabin now. Elle, I'll see you in the morning," Ana said and gave Isabelle a lazy salute.

"Oh, it's Elle now is it?" Jack asked, steering the ship. Isabelle watched him for a little while as he glided the great ship through the darkening waters.

"Yes. Isabelle was a boring name to say the least." Jack watched as she wrinkled her nose. "I never liked it," she said and smiled, looking down and then toward the horizon. Jack watched her.

"Ever steered a ship before, Elle?" Jack asked and Isabelle looked up at him with laughter in her eyes.

"No, I can't say I have," she said and furrowed her brow at him.

"Then I think ye should learn," Jack said and pulled her over to him. He gently placed her hands over the wheel and put his own hands over hers, careful not to give her full control of the massive ship. Isabelle's smile widened and she could feel Jack's soft cheek brush against her own with the sway of the ship. Jack knew Isabelle was smiling by the way her cheeks were set beside his. He could smile widen and then lessen. She usually smiled brighter when the ship hit a sharp wave. She just seemed content with gliding smoothly through the water. "Now, what ye should always think to do while steering a ship is, note the stars," Jack said and tilted his head upwards. Isabelle followed his head and glanced up at the stars.

"Why is that, Captain?" Isabelle asked, replacing her eyes on the horizon. Jack lowered his head and his cheek once again found itself next to Isabelle's.

"Well, love, the stars help you guide the ship at night," Jack said and took one of his hands off hers to point to a star a little to the left and above them. Isabelle knew his hand was gone before she even looked. The cool evening air rushed over the place where Jack's warm hand used to be and reminded her just how cold she actually was. "That star, is the Southern Achilles. Helps me all the time, Elle," Jack said and smile at her as she watched the star as though it was shining brighter and brighter with each passing moment. Jack was content with letting her search for new stars and point out ones she didn't recognize to him. He answered her questions and steered the ship at the same time. In all the time Isabelle was watching the stars, she never moved out of Jack's warm embrace. She never moved her hands out from under his own. She never moved her cheek away from his cheek. She felt safe, like this was the only man on this ship, and maybe even this world that could keep her safe. And for the first time in her life, she knew what it felt like to be completely safe. She just hoped this wasn't the first and last time all in one.

"Last question I promise," Isabelle said after hors of talking about stars and ships. Jack laughed and smiled, almost sad that she wouldn't be talking anymore, but it was late and he would have liked it if she rested her ribs.

"Ask away, love," Jack said and nodded next to her shoulder.

"Can I steer the ship more often?" Isabelle asked in a small voice. Jack was almost surprised at the tone of her voice. She was usually so proud and confident. Not so much this time. Little by little, Jack Sparrow was beginning to understand this strange and beautiful woman.

"Anytime ye want, Elle. I'll always be here." Maybe that's what Isabelle wanted. A solid promise. Maybe she wanted someone to say that they would always be there. Maybe she wanted something more to her life before she stepped foot on the Black Pearl. Maybe she wanted to be more than second best in her father's eyes. Jack Sparrow had said everything she wanted to hear her own father say all her life in one short sentence. She felt her eyes swell with years and bit her lip as the scene swan with the salty years gathering in her eyes.

Jack knew she was crying. She didn't expect the answer he had given her and she was eternally grateful for it. He understood that she only wanted someone to be there always for her, but she was too stubborn to ask someone to watch out for her. He new in one sentence he had volunteered himself, and somehow, he was happy. He didn't care. "Thank you, Captain," Isabelle choked and turned around in his arms. She kissed him lightly on the cheek and he removed his arm reluctantly. Jack watched as Isabelle walked slowly toward his cabin, finally resting her broken heart.

Gibbs found Jack the next morning sleeping on the deck, resting his head back on an old pillow. He had two blankets draped over him, and he actually looked perfectly happy and comfortable. Ana Maria took the wheel as she waited for her captain to wake up or at least Isabelle so she would have someone to talk to. It turned out that Isabelle happened to wake up first and started lunch quickly and efficiently. It would have been faster had it not only been herself. After setting the pre cooked lunch aside, Isabelle made her way up the steps to the helm where she spotted Ana. "Mornin' Elle," Ana said and yawned, leaning heavily on the wheel.

"Morning, Ana," Isabelle said and leaned up against the railing close to her, resting her still healing ribs.

"How are the ribs?" Isabelle smiled thinking to herself how much they still hurt.

"They still bloody well hurt," Isabelle hissed and laughed at the look on Ana's face. "What? Can't a properly raised woman use vulgar language?" Ana laughed and smiled the rest of the conversation.

"Jack woke up with the sun beating down on his face. He would have gotten up right away, had it not been for the extremely comfortable position he worked himself into sometime during the night. Litler strolled by and Jack grabbed his shoe in mid step. Litler jumped and looked down at Jack, startled. Jack laughed and Litler sighed in relief. "Thought we might have rates, I did!" Litler shouted at Jack with his heavy Irish accent.

"Sorry I scared ye, mate. Where's th'lass?" Jack asked pulling himself into a sitting position. Litler looked around and his gaze stopped when he reached helm. He smiled on seeing a laughing Ana Maria and Isabelle gesturing wildly with her hands. He blinked twice, thinking he saw Jack at first, but then finally noticed it Isabelle and Jack was still on the floor.

"Elle's with Ana at the helm. Gibbs said the lass prepared lunch already, then. What say you to that, Captain! A pre cooked lunch!" Litler laughed and saluted as he walked away, still smiling to himself. Jack pushed himself up off the deck and shook his head a few times trying to get rid of the little dots in front of his eyes from getting up too fast. Once all the blood had rushed back to his head, he made his way over to the helm. Ana and Isabelle did see him coming, knew he was there, but carried on their conversation anyway.

Jack stood for a little while and only when they stopped did he butt in. "So everyone's callin' ye Elle now?" Jack asked, walking up to Ana. Ana nodded for Isabelle and smiled.

"Isabelle was hard fer some of the men to say," Ana said almost spilling over laughter. Jack shook his head.

"Whenever ye two are together, it's nothin' but little girls. I feel like I'm babysitting."

"So do I, Captain, what with making your lunch and all," Isabelle said and smiled. Jack watched her for a little while as she talked to Ana. He noticed she said as little as possible, and nothing at times. Her side must be getting to her again, he thought ruefully. Isabelle was very good at deceit. She had Ana believing she was paying attention to the conversation and participating in it to boot. But only Jack noticed the unfaltering pain behind her eyes and the hitch in her breathing and laughter. He mentally kicked himself for allowing her to stay up late last night. He stopped, confused at this last thought. Why should he care what time she stays up at night? But still, he couldn't stop thinking about how much pain her eyes showed.

Isabelle had been good with dealing with her side for days on end. She had hi8dden the pain well and she had concealed her tears. But standing here at helm, trying to keep herself in a constant standing position while the ship rocked every which way, was certainly taking its toll. She tried not to talk a lot, thinking the less she talked the less pain there would be. When that didn't work, she tried to not breathe so deeply, but that just made her dizzy and nauseous. Obviously Ana hadn't noticed so she went on pretending. Jack stood idly by her side. She could almost feel the tension in his body next to her. He knew something was up, but she wasn't about it admit it.

"Ana, love, why don't ye take a well deserved break. Come back fer lunch," Jack suggested. Ana tilted her head to one side and looked at Isabelle.

"Ye'll be alright if I leave ye won't ye?" Ana asked. Isabelle smiled at her thought process.

"Of course I'll be alright. Go, you are about to fall asleep on your feet. Go and rest," Isabelle said and plastered on a smile. To Ana it looked like a warm, friendly smile. To Jack it looked like a smile that was trying to conceal pain and weariness. Once Ana was out of sight, Jack beckoned Litler over to take the wheel. He led Isabelle down the stairs and by the railing where he noticed her leaning against it heavily on her left side so she didn't upset her right side.

"Ye don't look too good, love. Mind tellin' ole Jack what the matter is?" Jack asked and placed one of his elbows on the railing, folding his hands together. Isabelle looked into his deep brown eyes and knew she didn't have to hide her pain any longer. She let it show clearly on her face and jack unfolded his hands to catch her when she swayed alarmingly. "Isabelle?" Jack asked in panicked voice. He furrowed his brown and searched her half closed eyes. She looked as though she was looking straight past him and at something far more interesting. But she wasn't. She was merely protecting herself from the evil she knew to be in men. It was purely instinct for her.

Jack stared at her pale face and found something he never wanted to see on her gain. Her beautiful dark eyes were empty. Jack racked his mind for another word to describe the feeling he got when he looked into her eyes and nothing looked back at him. Suddenly her eyes snapped back on his and she searched his eyes. Startled, Jack tightened his grip on her arms. Her eyes grew wide and she closed them, fearing the worst. Isabelle anticipated a hard hand on her face, a blow to her side, but nothing like that that came. Instead what she felt was long awaited and in some respect, refreshing.

Jack watched as Isabelle shut her eyes and turned her face a little to the side, waiting. Jack opened his mouth, ready to say something, but shut it, not knowing what to say. He was hurt she would think he would hit her. He was hurt, but at the same time he was surprised she would balk at the physical intimacy. A young woman should not be afraid of another person's touch; she should welcome it because it should always be one of grace and love. Jack choked back a tear, never thinking for one second that her life was that bad. A little part of him shattered as he thought about what she must've gone through. What he did next went against all the codes and rules and guidelines of piracy. He, Jack Sparrow, most feared man in the entire ocean, leaned down and kissed her tightly closed eye lids one at a time.

Isabelle opened her eyes and found herself staring straight into a mirror image of her own, except the ones looking back at her weren't over flowing with tears. "I'm so sorry," she said quietly and leaned into him heavily. "So…sorry," she said and closed her eyes, the pain engulfing her.

"Elle, Elle, love, look at me, don't close your eyes, look at me!" Jack insisted. Isabelle opened her eyes slowly and watched him with a worried look. "Just keep yer eyes on mine," Jack said and swooped her off her feet. Her head nestled into his chest as he carried her back to his cabin. He looked down into her eyes the entire time and she did the same. He didn't know why she was so weak by he wasn't going to risk losing her. He knew the way to his cabin by heart and he didn't need his eyes to look around at where he was going and the crew was careful not to run into him and the beautiful woman he carried in his arms.

Jack made it to his cabin and Isabelle managed to keep her eyes on him the whole time. She clung to him, not letting him lay her down on the bed, so instead, he made his way over to his favorite chair and sat down with her nestled into his side. He pushed the hair back from her forehead and smiled slightly. "What's the matter?" Jack asked and looked her over.

"It's nothing. I'm just tired and my side hurts," Isabelle said. She smiled a little, trying to reassure him. Truth was, she was overjoyed and she didn't know how to express it. She was happy someone cared enough to ask her until she responded truthfully. She was happy he was sitting with her, his arms around hers.

"Love, don't lie. Its bad fer a lady like yerself," Jack said. He watched the small smile fade slowly from Isabelle's lips.

"Captain…" she began.

"Jack."

"What?"

"Call me Jack, love." He smiled at her and she nodded.

'I don't want to go…back," Isabelle said finally after a long pause. Jack was a little surprised that she had to ask.

"Wasn't gonna take ye back," Jack said. Isabelle looked up at him with a questioning look. "You thought I was gonna take you back to a father that doesn't care about you? To a man who hits and beats you for no reason?" Jack asked, narrowing his eyes. Isabelle noticed all traces of his drunken accent was gone and he sounded proper and gentlemanly.

"You, you weren't…"

"No," Jack said and cocked his head so she would look at him. He expected a thank you, a smile, or the color to come back to her face. She threw her arms around his neck, despite her broken ribs. She kissed whatever part of him was available. He laughed out loud and hugged her tighter to him. She kissed his cheeks and kneeled in his lap, content on staying there for a while.

"Thank you, Jack," she whispered. She was smiling and laughing as Jack tried to keep up with her numerous kisses. Finally he gave up and kissed her square on the lips. To his surprise, she didn't push him away or not respond to the kiss. She leaned into it and kissed him deeply. When they pulled apart lifetimes later, she let out a string of curses. Jack winced at the words she was shouting. She looked up at him and laughed. "I'm sorry. It's my side. I shouldn't have leaped like I did," Isabelle winced. Still her face never left the warm curves her smile created. She kept touching her side, hissing, and pulling her hand away quickly. Finally, Jack placed a hand over her side as softly as he could and she stopped.

"Why don't you rest, love," Jack said and smiled. Isabelle nodded and she laid her head back against his chest when he opened his arms for her to lie back down. He kissed her forehead and they both entered their dreams, sleeping peacefully as their hearts beat in time with each others.

Comment please! can't wait to hear what you guys think about this chapter! lol

-Desperado