A/N: My author's note today includes a quote that xRubyDustx has specifically asked me to include. There was another anonymous review posted for New Beginnings saying that my character, Danielle, is the same as Trinity in "League of Pirates" and "Family Jewels". xRubyDustx had this to say:

"a) that does not reflect my views

b) that historic pirates do not belong to one person, therefore all are

allowed to use their names!

and c) that you and I are in accord that while there are similarities,

our characters are unique and individual."

xRubyDustx and I have had many conversations about our characters and stories. Our characters are two separate "people" and while they are similar in some aspects, unique to the both of us. Thank you all for posting, all constructive reviews are welcome.

thomthom

and ta-da, here is my next chapter...

New Beginnings: Chapter 10

Dani moved her head and felt the softness of the pillow. She could hear Jack's snoring to her left, a weirdly comforting sound being that it was so loud. She opened one eye and looked at him. If more people saw him like this, his reputation would be ruined. Jack stirred and Dani's eye closed.

"Don't bother to pretend to sleep, love. I know you're awake."

He sat up and looked at her. Jack smiled his devilish smirk then turned around to start his dressing. Dani took this opportunity to look down at herself. She had no clothes on.

"Jack?" She asked to his naked back.

"Yes, love?"

"Where are my clothes and why are they gone?"

"I wanted you to be comfortable. And I do like flesh to flesh." He turned and smiled again. "And you know I like equal participation in intimate situations. Don't you trust me?"

"Of course, I trust you. I only take issue because I'm naked and I don't remember last night."

"Well, I that case, last night was the best night I've ever had with a woman. Including with those from Tortuga. And they're professionals."

"Shut up, Jack," she said as she slapped his arm. "We need to get our ship back."

The group of pirates met at a small pub near the docks. They were served bread, fried ham and coffee for breakfast while the lot of them ran through their ideas. The best idea was to just catch up and steal the ship back. Killing anyone and everyone who got in their way.

Jack was the angriest of them all. He had his pride hurt. His ship was taken away…again. He had to watch it sail away. Jack was furious.

"Bloody pirates," he accidentally let slip out before he could control it.

The crowd turned to look at him then went back to their individual conversations. Everyone had thought the same thing; they were just too scared to say it in front of Jack.

They all grabbed the things they had with them and clambered onto the HMS Royale, the ship stolen by Will and Elizabeth.

When Will watched the crew man their stations, he suddenly realized how hard it had been sailing with a crew of two. He was incredibly grateful that he was back with his friends, but the fact that his father was missing was weighing on his mind.

He let Jack be captain, of course. He didn't really have choice, Jack was the captain.

Jack and Dani's compasses pointed them in the same direction. They wanted their bloody ship back.

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It proved to be a good thing that they had that day ahead of Norrington and his crew. About twelve hours after Jack and the crew had left Nassau, Norrington's three ships pulled into port there and starting raising Hell. The guards at Nassau had no idea that the people they had been questioning just he previous day were fugitive pirates.

Norrington was even more furious that before. They weren't going to be able to sail on today and they were getting away. His crew did need a break though. Their morale was terribly low and maybe tonight would raise their spirits.

The three ships of men collectively lost all naval decorum and scattered through the town. They spilled, in force, to the taverns. Norrington watched his crew run away from the ships. He didn't understand why they wanted to act like uncivilized heathens. He'd been there, done that. Now that part of his life was over.

He walked into the same quiet tavern Jack and Dani had danced in just two nights before. But the locals quickly ran him out. The regulars clearly did not want government officials in their pub. He stood in the street. He had no current plans. He really didn't even know what he would do once he found the fugitive pirates. Beckett was crazed and was making outrageous threats against Danielle. He was angry that she lied to him, but was unsure that Beckett should be able to get his hands on her.

He looked around and walked up the cobbled street to a rowdy bar, where most of his crewmembers had gone. He got a tankard of rum at the bar and settled down in the corner to sulk.

Norrington wondered if Danielle had ever cared for him like he had cared for her. He'd probably never know why those bloody pirates were so damn enticing. They were mean, crude, and…dirty. Norrington thought back to the sword fight he had with Danielle. She was so quick and…beautiful. She was truly in her element. He shook his head. Pirates were something to kill and save the seas from. He forced all thoughts of Danielle out of his head and drank his rum in silence until he was too tired to keep his eyes open.