[A/N] - So in the previous chapter I mentioned the words 'First Mate' and 'Quartemaster'. For those who might be confused or slightly familiar with the words, here are what they mean.

The First Mate, also known as the Chief Mate, Chief Officer, First officer, First Lieutenant, or simply The Mate, was placed in charge of a ship's cargo and deck crew. They were head of the deck department on merchant's vessels. The First Mate was responsible to the captain for the safety and security of the ship. Responsibilities included the crew's welfare and training in areas such as safety, firefighting, search and rescue. First Mate had a rank just below the Captain. He would take control of the ship if the Captain could not perform his duties any longer.

Quartermaster was a term used to describe the navigator of a naval vessel. The title was derived from the phrase "master of the quarterdeck", as the helm was located here. Pirate quartermasters were commonly elected by the crew and ranked higher than any officer aboard the ship, except the captain. Pirate quartermasters could veto the captain's decisions and often oversaw punishments and discipline for such crew members as transgressed the Code of the Brethren. It was also common for quartermasters to lead pirate boarding parties. After Captain, the most authority on a pirate ship had Quartermaster. As a Captain's right hand, he was in charge when Captain was not around. He had the authority, and he could punish men for not obeying commands.

So in other words, Gibbs and Artemis are almost equal in the roles. Able to fill for the Captain which is also why the two of them give away orders. However, Gibbs is First Mate due to his experience.


A little after and the mind of Elizabeth was repeating the words of both Jack and Norrington.

"As I said… persuade me"

"So, you never wondered how your latest fiancé ended up on the Flying Dutchman in the first place"

She shook her head and left out a sigh before an idea popping in her mind. She put the compass in her pant's pocket and walked towards Artemis who was still behind the wheel.

"Hey," she said as she approached the older woman.

"Hey" Artemis replied with a smile and turned her attention to look at her. "Back on the ship together I see" she added, feeling nice that her younger adopted sister was with her once again, despite the lies she had been told.

"Yeah… I see you changed a lot"

"For better, I think," the redhead said and the two of them let out a weak laugh.

"For you yes, the better"

"I can say the same for you. Assuming I am right on how you obtained those papers"

"I guess our little adventure… changed me as well"

"For better if you ask me. Its good to see you embracing that wild side of yours… Batton! Hands off Gibb's rum or I will use your fingers for a necklace!" she added right after, her voice loud and full of authority.

Elizabeth looked at the deck, seeing one of the men that approached the table the night prior. He let down gently the bottle of rum he had tried to steal and rushed away as Gibbs shouted some curses at him.

"Artemis…. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure thing Lizzie"

"How did Will ended up on the Dutchman?"

The redhead bit her bottom lip and took a minute longer to answer.

"Will knew about the chest and that we needed the key… So, he volunteered to go and get it from the Flying Dutchman but his plan… backfired… he saved himself though and I know he is planning a way of escape… you were all he worried about"

"So you guys met… meaning you came in contact"

"For very shortly… yes, we did… but he told us that you had not a lot of time and that… well, he wanted to save you"

"I see," Elizabeth said, somehow convinced but eyed the woman carefully who refused to look her in the eyes. "One last question"

"Go ahead"

"So you know about those papers… that Jack had to sign?"

"Yeah?"

"Well... he won't listen to me but we both know this is a very good opportunity. A chance of redemption and well payment for him… what other could Jack want than money and women? He could have it all if he signed them"

"You don't know him as well as you think you do"

"You do though…maybe you could talk some sense to it"

Artemis' face hardened and she left out a deep breath. She should have seen it coming, she did in a way but never expected it to come right from the woman she cared the most.

"Listen to me, Lizzie… I want your safety, both yours and Will's. I argued a lot with Jack on that matter and things haven't been easy as well… however, I do not possess as much influence on him as many people think I do"

Elizabeth was shocked, never expecting Artemis to be so naïve. From their very first adventure, it was obvious that Jack had a liking on her, a liking which she was sure it had grown more but for some reason, the woman in front of her didn't want to see it.

"You do though and you should try… like I said, it is a great opportunity-"

"You don't get it, do you?!" she cut her off and talked, her tone slightly higher as her temper was rising. "You still naïve Elizabeth and I expected you to understand better than anyone. Those papers are not an opportunity, they are enslavement in fancy letters… and even if you did, you would go as far as to condemn another soul for yours and Will?"

"Well, this soul isn't exactly a saint one"

"Does it matter?! It is a soul; a person and you are so blindly in love that you are willing to sacrifice innocent people in order for you to achieve your goal. You are no better than those aristocrats we met"

"Well, at least I try! What happened to you?! You wouldn't think twice on helping Will and I but now, look at you… you don't even dare to condemn a dammed soul. A dammed soul-"

"A dammed soul that is my Captain! A dammed soul who granted me my freedom and I look after like everyone I the crew! *takes a deep breath to calm down" You have your people to look after and I have mine. Now, please…. Go… go and keep track of the destination…"

Elizabeth looked at Artemis with an open mouth, not believing what she had just heard. She raised her head high and stormed away from the woman who was once a sister but now, it was a complete stranger.

"Unbelievable" she muttered to herself as she passed by the crew which had stopped to see the argument.

"What is everyone looking at?! Back at the work you dogs!" Artemis said, anger hearable in her voice and the men quickly followed orders as they very knew that the specific woman could punish them hard if she was on her bad days.

Jack and Norrington stayed also quiet, having heard most of the argument but decided not to interfere. Instead, each one looked at the two women with completely different emotions.


Much later after the small argument which had drawn quite the crowd, there was peace on top of the Pearl. The winds were helping the majestic ship to move forward and fast enough while the crew was more relaxed. Artemis had gone downstairs to grab some rum and check the storage; something she could be found doing when she wanted to occupy her mind. In her place behind the wheel, Cotton was put in charge.

Elizabeth was sitting on the stairs, deep in thought and alone. Sometime later, Jack approached her and sat next to her.

"My tremendous intuitive sense of the female creature informs me that you are… troubled"

"I just thought I would be married by now. I'm so ready to be married"

He decided to open a bottle of rum and handed it to her. Without a second thought, she took the bottle and took a big sip while looking upset.

"You know…*clears throat* Lizzie, I am Captain of a ship and being Captain of a ship, I could, in fact, perform a marriage right here. Right on this deck. Right now,"

"No, thank you," she told him as she looked even more disgusted and handed him back the bottle before walking away.

"Why not? We are very much alike you and I. I and you… us" he continued as he followed her after.

"Except for a sense of honour and decency and a moral centre. And personal hygiene"

"Trifles. You will come over to my side, I know it"

"You seem very certain"

"One word, love: curiosity. You long for freedom. You long to do what you want to do because you want it. To act on selfish impulse. You want to see what it's like. One day… you won't be able to resist. Just look at your dear sister, Artemis"

"Why doesn't your compass work?"

"My compass works fine"

"Because you and I are alike. And there will come a moment when you have a chance to show it. To do the right thing"

"I love those moments. I like to wave at them as they pass by"

"You'll have the chance to do something… something courageous. And when you, you'll discover something. That you're a good man"

"All evidence to the contrary. You said so yourself a little before"

"No, I have faith in you. You want to know why?"

"Do tell, dearie"

She leaned closer. "Curiosity. You're going to want it – a chance to be admired – and gain the rewards that follow. You won't be able to resist. You're going to want to know what it tastes like"

"I do want to know what it tastes like"

Jack caressed her cheek as their faces were very close. "But seeing as you're a good man, I know that you'd never put me in a position that would compromise my honour or hurt my dear sister who you are so fond of. *Jack is ready to kiss her when he sees the black mark return to the palm of his hand and snatches his hand away* I'm proud of you, Jack"

Someone cleared their throat and the two of them turned their heads towards the source, only to see none other than Artemis. She was standing a few feet away and her face was a mere blank, unable to be read by any of them.

"Lassie/Artemis," the two of them said and took a step back.

"Came to inform you that we reached land and we are preparing the boat," she said, her voice frightening stable and emotionless.

"You two ladies will excuse me, but I need my jar of dirt," Jack said and walked away.

"Artemis-"

"No need Mrs Turner. I suggest you prepare yourself, your assistance is needed"

With no other words, she walked away; her heartfelt heavy and her breath short but kept good control over her emotions. She had no reason to feel this way, knowing very well how Jack flirted with all women. However, he hadn't flirted with any since she joined the ship and she truly thought he had changed. Maybe deep down she did feel something about him, but she just saw that it was a waste of time.

Thankfully his true colours showed up in time, she told herself as she walked towards the boat and pushed each and every single emotion aside.