Hello again my darlings! AJ Sparrow- glad to see you're all caught up with my chapters! I hope you like this one as much as you did the others! Xox. Mrs Captain Sparrow- hey thanks for your review, I love them! Xox! Dugadugabowbow-wow isn't your name fun to type! Lol seriously! I love it thanks for your stellar review! Don't leave me hangin' update againxox. Tk421beth-hello favorite! Your reviews are soooo much fun to read. They seriously make my day. I'll be like sitting in chorus at the end of the day thinking, I wonder what she wrote today… keep it up! Love you! HERE'S YOUR NEXT CHAPTER!

Jack sauntered confidently through the streets of the little town and ran into everyone. The streets were crowded and there was a painted lady or three of each and every corner. He smirked. He finally found the tavern he was looking for and made his way through the constant crowd and into the loud and dimly lit place. He scanned the place, looking for the man he knew it be there. Spotting him, he walked through the maze of men competing for the same woman, and over to the table where a single man sat with a drink in hand and one in front of him. Jack sat down and took the drink, smelling it and watching the liquid. Rum. He took a big gulp and set the cup down with a loud thud. The man looked up and his face brightened. "Jack!" the man said and stood up. Jack stood up and the two dangerous looking pirates embraced each other warmly right there in the middle of a tavern. "I had an inkling ye were gonna be here," the man said and Jack laughed.

"Course, mate Its been a year. On the dot today. I'd never miss out rum sessions, especially when yer buyin'," Jack said and the man laughed. "So how are ye, Tucker," Jack asked. Tucker smiled and nodded, his light brown hair falling in front of his eyes. He pushed it out of his eyes and smiled.

"And jest why d'ye look so high 'n mighty?" Tucker asked on seeing the smug expression on Jack's face. Jack smiled ever brighter and laughed at Tucker's growing curiosity. "Spill it, Sparrow," Tucker shouted with a smile on his face and Jack nodded, smiling.

"I found it," Jack said simply and Tucker narrowed his eyes. "The map. I have the map," Jack said and Tucker's eyes widened in realization.

"No ye don't," he said and Jack laughed out loud.

"Yeah, I do, mate!" he said over the shouting in the tavern. Tucker rolled his eyes and hoisted a large brown sack onto the table. Jack's eyes widened.

"Ten thousand shillings," Tucker said as Jack opened the bag and looked inside. Jack retied the back and smiled at Tucker. "I knew this year would be the year. The year of Jack Sparrow." Jack smiled widely, showing his golden teeth.

"Mate, do ye have ten thousand shillings to spare?" Jack said, suddenly a little weary about the trae.

"Jack. Ten years ago, I promised that if ye found the map to the Amazon, would owe ye ten thousand shillings. And ye have, lad! Ye have!" Jack nodded, still looking at the sack.

"But d'ye need his money, Tuck?" Jack said and Tucker's green eyes twinkled and his expression changed.

"I'm a pirate captain. I'll never be poor, Jack. There's always more where that came from," he said and Jack nodded, feeling better about the trade. "Well, let's see it," Tucker said, waving his hands around. Jack pulled out the map and Tucker eyed it. He nodded and smiled. "Ye be careful, Jack." Jack smiled his thanks and nodded, putting the sack underneath the table on his feet. They two carried on a conversation with each other, telling and retelling stories. They had been best friends when they were little, and they had somehow found a way to meet with each other, every year on the dot. When their parents decided to move to completely different countries, they had made their promises and their minds. They would become notorious pirate captains, but still be the best of friends. And they were, and they always would be. They just happened to pick Venezuela last year. In Jack's world, a lot could happen in a year, but he knew he would be in Venezuela no matter what.

"You're married!" Tucker said randomly. Jack looked at him strangely. "Your ring," Tucker said and Jack smiled.

"Yes, I'm married. Newly," he said and Tucker smiled sadly.

"Congratulations. Who would've thought? The infamous Captain Jack Sparrow tied down!" Tucker said and Jack laughed, twisting the ring on his finger.

"Aye, lad. A fine woman," he said wistfully. And Tucker smiled. He had never seen that particular look in Jack's eyes before. He was glad it was there, even if he was sorry he missed the wedding.

"Tell me about the wedding," Tucker asked and Jack leaped into the story, not leaving out any details on Tucker's request. Tucker sat and remained fascinated and Jack couldn't help but smile at him. Poor lad had never found love. But then again, neither had Jack before Isabelle. He told the story of how he didn't believe in love. He didn't believe love existed. He thought it was just something people talked about to pass the time. He was too busy to go out and find love. He had decided early on that if loved really wanted him, it would find him. And it did.

Hours passed and drinks were downed. Jack and Tucker caught up on a year in several hours, content with smiling and laughing. A lady approached Jack and wrapped her arms around him, whispering in his ear. Jack gently removed her arms and shook his head at her. She huffed and moved on. "Jack, that's got to have been the eighth one," Tucker said and laughed at Jack's innocent expression.

"Can't help it, mate," Jack said and winked. Tucker threw his head back and laughed.

"A year passed and you're still the funniest man I've ever met," he said, his voice husky from being so tired. His tanned face drooped with exhaustion and his smile never faltered. Jack was getting tired himself and he knew Isabelle was back on the Pearl worrying about him. "Well, we're setting sail tomorrow, Jack. Tomorrow morning," Tucker said and Jack sighed. Another year, another goodbye.

"M'wife's probably worried sick by now. The ole commodore isn't particularly fond of me, savvy?" Jack said and Tucker smiled. Jack picked up the heavy sack and set it on the table, rising with Tucker. Tucker rested a hand on Jack's shoulder.

"Keep yerself safe, Sparrow. I do want to see ya against next year," Tucker said and Jack laughed.

"Same te ye!" Jack said and Tucker pulled him in for a hug. It did seem odd to on lookers, but it wasn't to two best friends. Jack hugged Tucker tightly and kept the lump in his throat down. Jack and Tucker pulled away and Jack kept his hands on Tucker's shoulders. "You watch yourself now, hear me?" Jack said and Tucker nodded. "May the wind be to yer back and the sun upon yer face." Without missing a beat Tucker jumped in.

"Any may the winds of destiny carry you aloft to dance among the stars." Both men smiled at their recitations and hugged once more. Jack nodded at Tucker's sad smile and walked away, sack in hand. "Next year, Jack! Italy!" Tucker shouted and Jack turned back to him and nodded.

"Italy it is, mate!" he yelled and they both waved as they walked their separate ways.

Jack walked back to his ship with ten thousand shillings draped over his shoulder. He calmed himself as he walked. He had almost lost it back with Tucker. It had pulled at his heart to see how much Tucker had grown, how much he had matured. Tucker was five years younger than Jack, and Jack was happy he could see the young man tucker was becoming. A year older, and a year wiser. Jack smiled sadly to himself thinking he wouldn't see his friend for another year. Maybe by then he'll have darker blonde hair and less bright green eyes, dulled by the many battles they've seen and the seemingly endless deaths. Tucker knew Jack's eyes had lost their luster after a while, muffled by the many lives he had witness and then seen taken. That was the life they had both chosen. To be notorious, to be infamous and scandalous. Jack didn't know what next year might hold in store. Maybe next year Tucker would show up with a few more scars, older than he really was. Or maybe he would be young and spry, like he had been so long ago on the beach back home in Scotland. Jack shook his head. The past was gone and the future was just another day.

He shuffled noiselessly on deck late that night, thoughts and regrets running through his head like a group of angry mutts. He set the gold down in the hold and made his way back up on deck. He wanted to hold hi wife, but he wanted to be out in the fresh air. Seeing as he was doing the latter one anyway, he stuck with that. His feet led him to the railing, and he rested his hands on the soft wood. His eyes searched the open ocean behind his ship. There wasn't much, millions and billions of stars, the moon, and his beloved horizon, but not much. It seemed to disappear at night, blending in with the black, ominous sea. He sighed, resting his elbows on the railing and hanging his head. It was always hard to say goodbye to a close friend. No matter how many times you've done it.

Two hours later, Jack's eyes were involuntarily closing on him. He pushed himself off the railing and moved slowly back to his cabin, throwing a backward glance at the ocean behind him. The door creaked a little as he opened it before shutting it right away again. He removed his boots at the door so he didn't wake his sleeping wife. He took off his weapon belt and shirt and set them all down on the table. He dropped gracelessly on the bed next to Isabelle and she rolled over, opening her eyes. She smiled and her eyes threatened to close again. "You're back," she said and Jack wrapped his arms around her tightly. She nuzzled in and smiled.

"Yeah, love." Jack said with a smile. "I'm back," he whispered and closed his eyes, burying his face in his soft pillow, welcoming the sleep that overcame him quickly.

Morning came and Isabelle woke to an empty bed and a note on Jack's pillow. She smiled and stretched like a cat before finally opening her eyes all the way. She grabbed the note and sat up.

Isabelle,

Me and some of the boys, including young William, went to town today. We need to restock the Pearl for our long voyage to the Amazon. Sorry about waking you last night, Elle. I'll be back later today and we'll set said early tomorrow morning with the tide. I had Cotton make you and Liz something special in the galley. Don't worry about me again, love. I'll be just fine.

All my heart and soul,

Jack Sparrow.

Isabelle smiled and sighed. She wondered what Jack had thought to prepare in the galley. She slipped out of bed and dressed back in her clothes. Soon she was dressed and she grabbed Jack's stick of kohl and drew a thin line under her eyes. After that, she slipped out of the cabin, and set out to find Elizabeth. Elizabeth, to her surprise, was already in the galley, eating whatever was on her plate. Isabelle sat down next to her and Elizabeth smiled sleepily, stretching her arms. "How are you," Elizabeth asked, her voice still husky from sleep.

"Oh, I'm fine," Isabelle replied sarcastically. "Jack and Will went into town today," Isabelle said accusingly. "Please, let them come back tonight," Isabelle said more to herself than to Elizabeth. Cotton set a plate of pancakes and sausages, eggs and potatoes down in front of her. He held his fingers up and pulled out a bottle of Jack's best rum from the cabinet. He set it down in front of them with two wine glasses. "Jack does know how to spoil us," Isabelle said. "And Cotton knows how to cook!" she said biting into her food.

"And where Jack's good rum is stashed. Bravo, Cotton, bravo," Elizabeth said, pouring herself and Isabelle some…a lot of rum. Something told her they were going to need it.

The two women made their way to the deck, sitting and enjoying the slight breeze that blew through their hair. They talked for hours, having no desire whatsoever to go on land. It looked less appealing than Tortuga, so they remained on the Pearl. Probably the best place to be.

Jack sprinted through the streets, trying to outrun the whole bloody navy. He had sent the rest of the crew back to the Pearl to tell someone about whatever was happening and he feared no word would be sent. He took a sharp turn and ran straight into a door. "Right," he said and opened it, stumbling in. The ladies looked at him funny but he ran straight past him and to the back door. He burst out and continued his sprint looking both ways. 'Now, if i could just make it back to the Pearl' he thought. Then he wouldn't have to admit Isabelle was right. He cursed himself for not listening and kept running. He stopped in an alleyway and tired to control his compromised breathing.

"Hello, Sparrow," came a Venezuelan accent from behind him. He turned around slowly.

"Commodore…and company. How very nice to see you," Jack said and smiled cheekily. The commodore nodded to one of his men and they hit Jack over the head hard, instantly knocking him unconscious.

Hello! I hope you like that little, teaser there! I know! I'm getting good at these cliffhangers! I'm tellin' ya, if I get as many reviews as I got last time, I will… seriously… do something amazing. Just haven't thought what… Anyway! Keep reviewing! I love them!

Here's your quote.

What I am to you is not real. What I am to you, you don't need. What I am to you is not what you mean to me. You give me miles and miles of mountains and all I ask for is the sea.

-Desperado