Disclaimer: Once again, I do not own any of the Pirates of the Caribbean characters. If I did, there would be no such thing as Jackliz, but let's not get into my opinions on pairings. Thorn and Livna are my own creations.

Well, here's chapter two! Chapters three, four, and five are all going up tonight because they've been collecting dust in a folder on my computer for the past couple of weeks. Hope you enjoy it!


IOU

"Just look at her." Thorn said insistently, sounding as though she was trying desperately to sell something to Jack as she slid one arm around his shoulders, pointing to Livna. "You don't know how perfect you two would be! Can't you at least give her a chance?"

Jack watched the light-haired girl standing at the edge of the ship for a long moment, looking thoughtful. "Nope." He finally said, smiling and pulling away from Thorn. "How many times do I have to tell you, love?"

Thorn cut him off before he had a chance to continue with his usual story. "Trust me Jack, one day you're going to want something other than your beloved sea." And for my sake it better be within the next six days. She thought to herself, exhaling. "Trust me." She left her position at his side, walking down the deck towards Livna.

Jack watched her walk for a long time, contemplating more than a few things. Why was she so set on getting him to fall in love? Honestly, he didn't even believe in falling in love! And not under any circumstances did Thorn cause his heart to beat just a little bit faster. Definitely not. But then, why was his heart beating faster?

Thorn's cat-walk stalk came to an end when she reached her sister's side, gripping the edge of the ship with both hands, glaring down at the water.

Livna rolled her eyes, the wind gently tussling her hair as she glanced sideways at Thorn. "What's happened this time, Thornie?" she inquired, resting her chin in the palm of one hand.

Thorn ignored her sister's 'endearing' nickname, finding no reason to beat around the bush. "It's Jack. He is so annoying! He won't even consider giving you a chance." Her British accent was edged with sheer annoyance. "I refuse to loose this bet!"

A deep sigh escaped the petal-soft lips of her taller sibling, eyelids lowering halfway over light blue eyes. "What's the problem with loosing the bet? You wouldn't be loosing anything, nor would Jack be gaining anything."

Thorn looked at her as though this was the single most insane question that she could've asked. "Are you kidding? Of course he'd be gaining something! If he wins this bet, he'll hold it over my head for the rest of my life."

Livna was silent for a moment, seeming to be incredibly interested in watching the waves roll by. "If you're really set on winning, then maybe I could help you get Mr. Sparrow to fall for me. I can act as though I'm infatuated with him, if I truly must."

Thorn's expression brightened, tilting her head slightly. "You'd really do that for me? Thanks, Liv! I owe you one, big time." She exclaimed cheerily, stepping away from the edge and walking towards the bow of the ship, wanting to see the sunset.

Once she was out of earshot, Livna pushed a strand of pale hair that had fallen astray from the rest out of her eyes, smile edged with malevolence twisting her features. "Yes, sister, you owe me big time."

Thorn was standing at the bow, gazing dreamily towards the last dying rays of sunlight that painted fiery colors across the darkening canvas of sky. She had become accustomed to watching sunsets alone, and she nearly jumped when Jack's voice sounded behind her.

"'lo Thorn." He greeted, moving to stand beside her, leaning on the ship's railing. "You didn't bribe your sister, did you? She's been…all over me lately." He finished, laughing slightly.

The faintest inkling of a smile turned the corners of Thorn's mouth up, shrugging slightly. "No, I'm afraid I didn't. Don't s'pose you ever thought that she might like you?" She replied, over-emphasizing the last two words.

"The thought never crossed my mind, I'm afraid." Jack replied, infamous smirk easily visible on his face. He was silent for a long while, as they both watched the last sliver of golden-orange sun dip below the horizon, it's final colors sparkling over the waters, as the sky forwent it's final transformation from a pastel-blue to dark navy.

Had Thorn not known herself better, she would say that her heart was beating faster. But, of course, she did know herself better. A rather depressing thought crossed her mind that this might actually have been romantic, had she been with someone she could actually stand to be around for more than a few minutes. Shaking away this thought, she turned back to look at Jack.

"Did you honestly come all the way down here just to see if I had bribed Livna?" Thorn asked, breaking the silence that had fallen over them, words coming out quieter than she had intended from the weight of the night. The humidity clung to her body, and each time the slightest of breezes blew past, she was thankful.

Jack shrugged slightly. "A Captain can't take a stroll around his own ship before retreating to his quarters for the night?"

Thorn sighed, smiling slightly. "Of course you can, Jack. I just thought you might've needed something?"

Jack studied her for a moment, part of him wondering if she could here the fast-paced thudding of his heart. "Thorn…I wanted to tell you…." He trailed off, dark eyes fixed on a chip in the wooden flooring of the deck. No, he couldn't tell her what he was thinking. Not now…not ever. He glanced back up at her, expecting the look of confusion on her face.

She raised her eyebrows, prompting him to finish.

"That you're loosing this bet." He finished, smirking as he pushed past her, walking in the direction of his cabin.

Now it was the female pirate's turn to stare after him, jolted back to reality by the sound of his door closing.