I got one review! Hurrah! Hurrah! MeraSparrow is a doll. :) She wrote me a precious review! -pets review- My lovely… My preciousss...

O.O Whoa. Anyway... Onto the next chappie. This one was quick to write. :D


Paper Heart

As the wind blows through my dread locked hair, and cools my tanned flesh I almost feel adventure once again swooping down on me like an enemy pirate attacking from above. It's a feeling one never forgets. Once you've had the feeling, you crave it, like rum, it's an addiction you cannot escape, nor can it be ignored. I hold tightly to the crow's nest, lest I should fall, almost willing myself not to. It's a constant danger, but so is the life I live.

The life of a pirate.

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It had taken a full week to arrive in Tortuga.

Mara draped her legs through the bulward and stared off to the town laced in the night's darkness and decorated in torch lights and drunken screams. It looked and sounded quite terrible. She pondered, at length, why a Captain would take his crew to such a place, but upon a glimpse of what—and who—was surrounding her she remembered the reason.

They were pirates.

She closed her eyes and breathed in the night air, knowing fully that behind her was Gibbs: ready with pistol, cutlass, and rope should she try to jump ship. It would've been a tempting idea had they been docked anyplace else, but it was not so tempting at this particularly unappealing town.

Mara had thought originally that she would be forced to trek about in Tortuga and follow Jack on his errands, but when she appeared dressed to go ashore he had ordered her to stay aboard the boat with Gibbs and Anamaria. This plan had rather pleased her own preferences so no arguments had erupted at the time. Jack had left with good speed and was due to return with the rest of the crew by morning.

Where they planned to go after that she had no idea. All she knew was that the main plan was to leave Tortuga at once. She thought it odd and mildly worrisome.

Loud whispers between Gibbs and Anamaria drew her attention.

"Anamaria, you've been in a mighty dark mood lately. Care to talk about it?

"No."

"Alright, then."

"Are you certain he's in love with her?"

"Anamaria, you just now pressed upon me that we weren't going to talk about this."

"Right." Anamaria breathed a heavy sigh. "But has he said anything else about her?"

It was Gibbs's turn to sigh. "No, Ana. He's mentioned nothing. The only thing he's talked about all week is making it to Isla De Muerta. Ever since we spotted the navy on the horizon that one day he's been in a spook, same as the rest of the crew. We've outrun them for now, but they obviously figured we were headed here."

Mara's eyebrows creased. Isla De Muerta? Where was that? She leaned her forehead against the rail and felt her heart sink. A secret berth, most likely. Impossible for the navy to find, even! Oh, dreadful news. She tuned her ears to Gibbs and Anamaria once more, dismayed at what else she might learn.

"…just hope they haven't been able to figure out the lat. and long. for De Muerta. The navy was there once before but they seemed unable to track their position. The only reason, Jack says, they got back to Port Royal was with his explicit instructions. He took them roundabout ways to and from to utterly confused them."

Gibbs chuckled. "Aye, so he did, Ana. Seems to have worked too. They won't catch us. At least, I've no fear of it."

Mara drew back her head from the railing and wiped her face with her hand. She stifled a sniffle as she stared down at it.

Tear drops were upon her palm.

"Unhappy hour... And suddenly I am faced with an unparalleled doom and a certain fate to stay with these demons and devils." Mara could barely hush the words from her lips for fear of being eavesdropped upon as she had Ana and Gibbs, but she felt compelled to speak from a loneliness that had begun to clutch at her heart. "I suspended my wedding from a weakness to nerves and now my only fear is never getting a second chance to bind myself to the man I love." She folded her hands in her lap, studying her ring-less fingers. "It's a shame it took me till now to realize what a fool I was. -And what a fool I still am."

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"Are all our forces in full operation? The time for our ambush on Captain Jack Sparrow is nearing." Norrington looked square into the eyes of his second in command. Gillette returned with a positive grin.

"Yes, Commodore. Every man is armed. The ship we called over from the other port has arrived and they say they too are fully prepared."

"Good." The Commodore put his hand to the hilt of his own blade which dangled at his hip. "Sparrow won't escape his fate this time. He won't see us till we round the peninsula and by then it will be too late. We will be in position to attack and upon him before he has a moment to react. Man-to-man combat is our main priority. We cannot shoot holes in the Black Pearl so long as Miss McArthur is aboard. We cannot risk her death."

"But without disabling the Pearl with the long-nines she'll be able to sail away—and with our men aboard!"

"That is a chance we shall have to endure. At last need we will set the sails ablaze with fire, but I anticipate that so long as we attack the helmsman and keep anyone from approaching it again henceforth, the ship won't be able to go any sort of distance." Norrington watched Gillette fidget, considering the plan.

"It's risky, Commodore, but you're right. It's our only chance."

"Of course it is. Everything is hazardous when pirates are involved." Norrington looked at Gillette and gave him a brief smile before striding to his desk and seating himself. "You are dismissed, Lieutenant."

With a bow, Gillette moved to leave. "Thank you, Commodore." As he closed the door to the room he took in a deep breath and blew it out heavily. "I hope this works."

---------------------

Mumbling his favorite tune of devils and black sheep, Jack climbed up the ladder of the ship; several large parcels strapped to his back. He grinned at the sight of his first mate awaiting him on deck. "Aye! Gibbs! Lovely day for a trip into Tortuga, isn't it?" He untied the bags from his back and let them drop to the deck, motioning for Cotton to gather them and take them to their place. "I must say, it's raised my spirits quite a bit."

"I see that, Cap'n. And I'm guessing seventy-five percent of that trip was spent drinking rum in a tavern? With the othertwenty-five percent spent gathering supplies?"

"Aye, well you got most of it right. Seventy-five percent for rum and a tavern,twenty percent for wooin' Giselle, and five percent for gathering supplies. That's mostly the back and forth ride in the longboat." Jack's eyebrows quirked for a moment before his attention returned to Gibbs. "Funny that you volunteered to stay behind this time, mate. Would've thought you'd have wanted your share of the fun too." Jack leaned back against the bulward still grinning. "I know you love this town as much as I do." He turned his face toward Tortuga, studying it in the sunlight.

"Well, Cap'n. I can't say I do. Besides, we come here often enough. I figured it was my turn to stay behind."

Jack turned his focus to Gibbs, studying the elder pirate. "I hope you're not trying to say you're too old to gallivant all over Tortuga."

"No! -No… I'd never say that Jack. I just needed a rest this time around." Gibbs said with a chuckle. "Besides, I had a few questions for Anamaria."

Jack's head tilted back as he continued to study his first mate. Slowly, he began to nod. "Aye. So you did." Sucking in a deep breath Jack threw his hands into the air. "Well, I'd say it's time to batten down and get going! No telling when those lobster heads might show their guns."

Gibbs climbed up to the poop deck and stood beside Jack as he took his place at the helm. "Stow the gear and weigh anchor! Cap'n says it's time to move out!"

"Aye aye!" Came the shouts of the crew already beginning to make way, but a voice had piped up at the same time that had caught Jack's attention.

"Who was that?"

"Who was what, Cap'n?" Gibbs looked out over the crew who had fallen silent.

"I distinctly heard someone objecting to leaving."

"Aye?" Gibbs furrowed his brow. "Does it really matter, Jack? One crewman not wanting to leave port isn't unusual. The men like Tortuga too-"

"No. I distinctly heard a threat." Jack, keeping his eyes on the crew, began down the stairs to the main deck. He went through the mass of men, studying them one by one. "Somebody doesn't want us to leave; nor I to live. Now, who was it?" He gradually made his way to the bow where some boxes remained, yet to be stowed. "A younger man. High voice. Eunuch possibly." He grinned at his own jest. "But most likely someone not a part of this crew."

"That would be me, Captain Sparrow." All eyes turned to a young man that had sprung up from behind the boxes and pointed a cutlass to Jack's throat.

Jack merely smiled and held out his hand as if expecting a friendly greeting. "Ah! The young eunuch! Pleased to make your acquaintance." His smile fell slightly as he retracted his hand when it received no welcome. "You know, I know a man who was very much like you when I first met him, in fact, I'm pretty sure he was actually a eunuch at the time even though when I called him that I was only joking-"

"Enough! Jack Sparrow, I challenge you to a duel to the death!"

"Honestly. Captain Jack Sparrow, if you please, boy. I've a reputation to maintain."

"Just stop talking! Either you accept my challenge or you are a coward and I slit your throat right now."

Jack's eyes narrowed and he was forced to suppress a smile that drifted up. The cutlass trembled violently in the boy's grip and his face was pallid and pressed into an expression of foolish courage. Jack looked at him with interest. "How old are you, boy? Eighteen?"

"Twenty-four."

"Right then." Jack tucked his hands behind his back and began to pace. "You are a young twenty four year old who climbs aboard a pirate ship with only a cutlass and the goal of challenging the best pirate Captain in the world to a duel to the death. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Do you really think that's wise, boy? Crossing blades with a pirate?"

"It's not a matter of wisdom at this point, Captain Sparrow. It's a matter of honor."

Jack ceased to pace and turned to face the young man. "So it be. I accept your challenge. But what do you aim to win from this fight? My title? The Black Pearl?"

"I only want the woman you hold prisoner in the belly of this dark-hearted ship. You and your crew must agree to return Miss Mara Jane McArthur to me if I kill you." The boy's arm seemed to trembled more violently with the words.

"Then if I win, and you die under my blade, you agree that I may do as I please to her and that I don't have to ever return her to Port Royal, savvy?" Jack watched the boy, to see his reaction, but he seemed to only become more determined.

"Agreed. But you better pray that I find her unharmed. If she is injured my wrath will be insatiable."

"You won't ever find her, mate. You're not going to live through this." Jack glanced at Gibbs, giving him a signal he hoped would be taken as 'get the ship sailing'. Then, too slowly for the boy to notice—for his full attention was upon Jack—members of the crew began to complete the work already begun to make way.

Jack pulled his cutlass and backed toward the center of the ship, the boy in pursuit. "Before I kill you, though, I shall like to know your name."

"Jesse Norrington."

Jack found himself at a loss for words, by time he recovered the boy made his first advance, barely parried by Jack. "You aren't by any chance related to Commodore James Norrington, are you?"

"He is my Uncle: my father's brother."

"Ah." Jack fell silent in shock and concentration as the fight began to heat up. The only clear thought he could pull into his mind was: Does that family have an obsession with 'J' names?

Anamaria pressed her way through the crowd of crewmen to Gibbs's side. "Well, it seems you were right. He's willing to kill this boy to get Mara. '…if I win…you agree that I may do as I please to her and that I don't have to ever return her to Port Royal…' sounds a lot like he prefers to keep her for himself versus return her to her proper home."

Gibbs looked at Ana, wide eyed. "I can't believe that's all you can think of, Ana. It's a bit of pure luck that boy was able to be here before we were. It doesn't make any sense."

Ana's eyes flicked to the fight and the boy. "Admitted. It is odd."

"I'm worried. We'll talk about what's going on around here later. For now I suggest we get out of here. Something is going terribly wrong."

The midget of the crew sprang upon a small box and pointed frantically across the water. "Gents! Gents! Look out to the western peninsula! It's an ambush! The Royal Navy is upon us!"

Gibbs and Anamaria looked to each other, then separated in a great hurry.

"Get those sails unfurled! Hurry up with that anchor! Pull out the cannons and ready the guns!" Anamaria pressed her way through the mass of crew as she barked out orders. She took a moment to look out over the water. They wouldn't be able make an escape this time. They were going to end up in a fight.

Gibbs attention flickered briefly to Jack, who was still locked in combat with the young Norrington. He gritted his teeth and moved to the helm to steer the ship as it began to make-way. So, the boy had come with the British, but why they had let the boy come aboard Jack's ship alone, he couldn't understand. The navy wasn't usually so… careless. But it didn't matter now. Jack and the boy were both forced to fight around the crew and the things going on aboard the Pearl. What with the anchor being weighed and rigging being pulled to hoist canvas, the deck was in turmoil and Jack and Jesse were caught in the midst of it! Several warning cannon shots boomed from across the water. It wouldn't be long now until the navy was upon them—and they were still trying to gain speed and turn the ship to the correct direction!

Meanwhile, Jack pressed his advantages. He was older, more experienced, and stronger from his years working aboard a ship. The boy was really no match for him, but Jack didn't aim to kill him. He worked steadily to press the boy toward the side of the ship. He would throw him overboard. That would fix him! Jack grinned as Jesse stumbled and barely caught his footing in time to parry an advance by his opponent. "You'd better give up, boy!"

"I can't! I have to save her! And if I give up and hand over rights as the winner of this battle to you, you'll kill me."

"Oh? But who says I plan to. I'd rather not, you know. If I kill someone its usually because they're a pirate like meself or utterly out to get me."

"But I am out to get you!"

"No. If I gave you Mara now you'd leave."

"So why don't you just do that?"

Jack chuckled. "Because there's no profit in doing so." He pressed the boy back once more—the railing was so close now!

A female cry interrupted and drew both their attentions. Jesse was the first to speak.

"Mara! I came for you! I'm here to save you!"

Jack creased his eyebrows and turned the fight so he could see Mara's reaction.

Mara had opened her cabin door to see what was the noise on deck was about and when she saw Jack and Jesse locked in battle, she had been utterly shocked. Even now, she was still shocked. "Jesse! What are you doing? You're going to get yourself killed!"

"That's sort of the point, love." Jack interjected before Jesse could react. "He challenged me to a fight to the death with the stakes high. If I win, you stay here forever, and if he wins, you get to leave, but one of us is going to have to die first."

Mara stood, brazen to the spot, as she watched the two share blow after blow and parry. "No! Please! Captain, don't do this."

Jack let loose a laugh. "It's what he wants, love."

"Jesse! Stop! He won't kill you if you give up."

"I won't give up until you're safe!" Jesse gritted his teeth and in a surprise burst of strength pushed Jack and pulled the fight from beside the bulward.

Mara had to scurry back to avoid being run over by the two's fighting. She looked wildly about her for something—anything—to help her end the fight. She didn't much care if Jack died, but if Jesse was killed- Oh! She couldn't even think about it. Her eyes caught a surprising sight across the bay.

Navy ships!

Good news for once! They had only to survive until the navy arrived then the fight would be forced to a standstill. The crew of the Black Pearl would be too overwhelmed for Jack to keep fighting. But if only the navy would hurry! She rushed to the railing and focused her gaze upon them, but staring at the ships would offer them no greater speed. She returned her thoughts to the duel. What could she do to keep either one from killing the other?

Anamaria watched Mara from the poop deck. She turned and jabbed Gibbs in the side. "You'd better go down there and get her before she jumps off of this ship. We're going to need that hostage to get out of this mess."

Gibbs's eyes flicked from Ana to Mara and back again—then to the helm. "Alright! I'll go see if I can get her locked in the brig. Take the wheel!" Pulling his pistol, he jogged down the steps and caught Mara by surprise. "Alright, missy, you're going to have to go below. Things are going to get a bit too hectic up on deck for you to stay up here."

Mara had been just about to grab up a plank of wood and jump into the fray between Jack and Jesse when Gibbs had caught he by the wrist and put a pistol in her face. "No! But- The fight!"

"Sorry. You've got to go down into the brig." Gibbs pushed Mara along in front of him, but her struggle drew Jesse's attention.

"Mara! Get your hands off of her, you filth!" Jesse leapt past Jack to catch Gibbs and stop whatever he was trying to do with Mara, but Jack caught him with the tip of his cutlass, sending him sprawling to the deck with a deep arm injury. He cried out and struggled to get up, but slipped again.

Gibbs grimaced as Mara struggled all the harder against him.

"No! He's hurt! No, please! Stop fighting! I'll do anything, Captain! Don't kill him!" Mara felt anger welling up against Gibbs and with a determined blow to his foot sent him sprawling into the bulward in pain. She rushed to Jesse and threw her body over him as Jack approached. "Stop this! I demand you stop this madness!"

A familiar voice interrupted the chaos on deck. "Sparrow! This is your last day on Earth! We're through with your crimes against the King and his loyal subjects! Return the girl to us and perhaps your fate will be all that much more kind!"

Jack turned his attention to the voice that was so near behind them. The two navy ships had just nearly caught up and Commodore Norrington, flanked by Gillette, was at the bow of the one to the Pearl's left. Jack found himself having to suddenly keep watch over two hostages and an angry Commodore. Both prefered him dead, but he could use one against the other quite easily. "So you say, gentlemen. But you've made a mistake to attack a ship holding two hostages. I'll kill them both if don't stem your attack."

Gillette's voice rose up in surprise. "What! Two now? Tell what other port have you plundered that we might add it to the list of your crimes!"

"None. The boy came to us. Norrington's nephew, as I have it, stowed aboard and challenged me to the death." Jack pulled his pistol and pointed it to the two on the ground. "I can kill them both now, or you can back away and we can negotiate a ransom. Take your preference, Commodore."

James Norrington felt his teeth grind together. "You're bluffing! You can't have my nephew!"

"See for yourself!" Jack pulled Jesse from under Mara and held him in front for Norrington to see. "Doubt me so much now?"

"No, I see your proof." Norrington sighed and held up a hand. "Cease all movement. We'll negotiate ransom." Gillette backed down from the bow to pace out his frustration on the deck of the Dauntless.

Jack grinned and waved the pistol in their direction. "That's what I thought you'd say."

"I'll pull my ship alongside yours, if you don't mind, so we can get this over with quickly."

Jack's head immediately nodded. "Sounds like a plan."

"Retract your guns first. We're retracting ours."

"So we shall. Everybody, stow the guns!" Jack motioned for several of the crew to take Jesse and Mara and hold them under guard. Jesse had already been stripped of his weapon when he fell, and his arm was bleeding profusely. He held a trembling hand to it, his face full of frustration and anger.

The second navy ship drifted back while the Commodore's pulled alongside and dropped anchor. Jack stood watching it with a smug grin on his face. He glanced back at the two captives and winked causing Jesse to stir against his captor's grip.

"Villain! You plan some evil don't you?"

"Boy, what makes you think that?" Jack kept his back to Jesse, avoiding showing his confident smile.

"I just know your kind. I know you shouldn't be trusted."

"And what do you know of my kind? Hmm? That we are a race of thieves with little honor and fewer morals? No, lad, you know nothing of my kind." Jack tucked his pistol into his belt and watch the Commodore take a place on deck across from him.

"What are your demands, Sparrow?"

"First off, and you should know better, it's Captain Sparrow. Secondly, I want at least ten thousand pounds for the two." He felt a laugh rise up in his throat. "And, Commodore, a pardon would be first-rate."

James pressed his lips together. "Possibly yes to the first and definitely no to the second."

"Only possibly?"

"That price is a bit high, even for you."

"It's not for me though. You're buying back your nephew and his bonny lass."

"I meant, you're getting the money so I'd rather not give you so much." James sent a glare across the decks to Jack. "But if that is all you will settle for, fine. Agreed."

Jack clapped his hands together. "Wonderful! It's a deal, then! Ten thousand pounds for Miss Mara McArthur and Mister Jesse Norrington." His eyes caught sight of the second navy ship moving upon them once more. "Commodore! Our agreement? That ship has to stay back."

James turned his gaze and waved at the other ship. "Stay back!"

Jack watched apprehensively as the other ship continued to approach, no men could be seen on deck but for the helmsman. "Norrington!"

"I'm trying!" James continued waving frantically and yelling. "Stop! Stop!"

It was to no avail.

The ship began to pull alongside the Pearl sending chills up Jack's spine. He motioned to Gibbs. "Get these two down into the brig. We've been tricked!"

With a wave from Jack's hand cannon fire erupted from inside the Black Pearl, sending shards and splinters of wood flying upon the Dauntless and her mate Queen's Lace. For though the cannons had been pushed behind the wooden doors, they could still fire; and now they had become a surprise attack on the navy.

Red and white clothed militant men sprang up and out of the bellies of the navy's two ships with guns and boarding tools in hand. Within seconds a desperate fight had broken out aboard the Pearl with the navy quickly boarding and attacking every pirate that could be found.

Jack spotted Norrington walking away from the vanguard of the fight, a smug grin on his face—and Jack knew he had been the fool.

---

Bulward - Solid rail along ship side above deck to prevent men and gear from going overboard.


Buahaha. Jack a fool? But of course. The Commodore purposely tricked him.

If you're still drawing a blank on everyone's motives in this chappie they will all be explained in the next. So never fear! You will not be confused for long. :)

R&R!