Author's Note: Good morning/afternoon/evening, my friends! I hope this chapter finds you well during these trying times. I hope you are all staying safe. I am constantly working, so doing the personal projects that I'd like to do has been a bit of a challenge. I am almost done with an art piece that I started I think back in May, but finding the motivation to do anything has been meh. Adulting is hard, you guys. I actually have two new stories that I am working on, one for Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit and the other is gonna be an Avengers/Final Fantasy XIV crossover, so I guess there's that. Yay? I seem to have a problem with starting multiple projects and then never finishing them. *shrugs* I don't think I'll ever win on that front.

Anywho, here's the next chapter. Forgive me if the format seems off. I decided to try and post this using the mobile app since I like sitting in my bed to write and not having a 15 lb laptop on my legs. So I'm posting this using my iPad. I hope you enjoy the chapter nonetheless.

Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who or Pirates of the Caribbean. They belong to their respective creators.

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Chapter Three

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Trying to "break" the Doctor out of the brig was easier said than done.

While a good majority of the crew were on the main deck, making sure that the Pearl was sailing full speed ahead, a fair few of them were milling about below decks, making it harder for me to sneak down into the brig. I stuck to the shadows as much as possible, ducking behind barrels and pillars and sometimes crawling under hammocks. I was bound to be found out but there was that hope that I could make it through unseen. For a moment, I felt like I was Edward Kenway, stowing away on a ship trying to assassinate enemies while undetected. With that thought, my current mission felt all the more thrilling.

I wonder if Assassin's Creed is real in this universe.

Shuffling near my hiding spot brought me back to the present, nearly giving me a heart attack. I was apparently underneath this particular crew member's hammock, so when he decided to climb into it I rolled from underneath it and under another. I continued to do this until I finally made it to my destination.

It was surprisingly well lit in the brig. It made me wonder how many candles they had to purchase just to illuminate the space so they weren't walking into the cells, or accidentally locking themselves in them. I carefully made my way the maze of cells until I found the one I was looking for. Sitting with his head in his hands was the prime reason I was sneaking around.

"You look like you've seen better days," I commented.

At my voice, the Doctor's head shot up. "You're okay!"

"Well, that depends on your definition of okay," I countered, removing the sonic screwdriver from my pocket. "You dropped this by the way."

"With purpose."

"I thought as much. That's why I'm bringing it back."

I handed him back his favorite tool so he could use it on the cell door. I knew how to use it, but didn't want to reveal that to him just yet.

Soon, I thought to myself. Need to get him back into the TARDIS first.

"I take it negotiations went south?" he questioned.

I shrugged. "I wouldn't say that. He wanted help with something in exchange for directions to the nearest port."

The familiar sound of the sonic screwdriver assaulted my ears. "If that's the case, then why are you sneaking around down here trying to break me out?"

"I managed to find a loophole. When he wasn't looking, I was able to locate a port relatively close on the maps that he left out in the open."

"Fantastic!" he declared. "That'll make it easier!"

A resounding click filled the air as the cell door was unlocked. The Doctor tossed it open, looked around, and then to me. "Let's get out of here then. Lead the way!"

I nodded and led him out of the brig. We more or less followed the same path I took, deviating when necessary. We made it out onto the main deck, taking in the fresh air. I didn't realize how badly I needed it until the cool sea breeze hit my face. I shivered at the chill, but it was nonetheless welcome.

"We better get inside the TARDIS," I suggested, rubbing my arms to warm them.

The Doctor shot me a concerned look, one I returned with a confused look of my own. "Right," he said. "We need to get out of here and back to London."

We walked up to the doors of the TARDIS, the Doctor taking his key out and unlocking the door. As he quietly did so, I kept a look out for any of the crew, my eyes darting back to the captain's cabin every few seconds. I hoped that maybe I could catch a glimpse of Jack and Gibbs and wave them a goodbye.

Something told me that wouldn't happen.

The Doctor rushed in, urging me to follow. I did so, closing the doors to prevent anyone from following us. I heard a click of the lock and took a deep breath. The TARDIS was making her move, signalling me to do what needed to be done. She knew, and there would be no leaving until the beans were spilled.

I sighed. Needed to face the music sooner or later.

I walked further in, watching the Time Lord furiously flip switches and pull levers to prepare for take off. He was so focused that he didn't even spare me a glance. So he missed it when I walked up to the console, pressed a button, and then pulled a screen close to me.

"Oi!" he exclaimed when he finally noticed. "Don't touch any of that! That's sophisticated equipment."

"I'm not gonna argue that she's a sophisticated beauty, Doctor," I began. "But getting the scanner up and running doesn't take a genius to do so."

"What would we need the scanner for?" he inquired. "How did you figure it out anyway? You're the first human I've met that has gotten it down on the first try."

"I can definitely tell you that I am not like other humans."

His brow furrowed in confusion before a familiar groaning sound grabbed his attention. The TARDIS was making its usual sound when she was taking off. The Doctor smiled.

"Finally! Next stop, London, England, 2005!"

I couldn't bring myself to celebrate with him, because I knew that it was a short-lived victory. As if to prove my point, the groaning stopped and a red light began blinking. The Doctor looked at the screen in front of him and frowned.

"That's not right," he muttered. He smacked the side of the screen, most likely hoping that the readings would change. "Why haven't we moved?"

I looked down at my feet, finding them more interesting than watching my friend's disappointment turn into frustration, and then anger. "Doctor."

He ignored me, continuing to pull levers and press buttons. "We should have moved. Why didn't she take off? This doesn't make sense!"

"Doctor."

"Mind you, sometimes she gets a mind of her own and doesn't want to do as she's told, but that is beside the point."

I looked back up at him. "Doctor!"

At that, he turned to me. "What?"

"It's me," I told him. "I'm the reason that we can't leave."

The Doctor became very confused, as I suspected he would. I pushed the screen I had moved toward him and gestured for him to use it. "I promise to explain, but it will make it easier if you scan me."

"Why would I need to--?"

"Just do it. Please."

The Time Lord did as he was directed and turned the screen towards him. With a whirl of his sonic screwdriver, the scanner began doing it's job. A small red light blinked on the back of the screen, an indication that there was a scan in progress. His eyes, full of concentration, were now full of wonder, confusion, and surprise as he received the results.

As I knew would happen, the scan showed normal signs of what made up a human, and the slight-yet-ever-present traces of…

"Artron energy and huon particles?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"That's not possible."

"It shouldn't be, but it is."

The Doctor let go of the scanner and walked closer to me. "But it can't!" he shouted. "Artron energy I can understand, but huon particles--"

"Are only found in the Heart of the TARDIS," I finished.

When I said this, his eyes darkened and then he was really close to me. He put his hands on my shoulders and then asked, "How did it happen? How is it possible?"

I gave him a sad smile. "I hope you like long and somewhat complicated stories."

There was a hum from the TARDIS, causing both of us to look around at her. After some time, I looked back at the Doctor, who let out a breath he was holding. The anger in him seemed to melt away, for a time at least, and was replaced with concern and understanding. "I think we've got plenty of time for that," he insisted.

I nodded, and then began to explain everything.

"So this is your ship?"

The Doctor turned and gave Jack a grin that spoke volumes of the pride he had for the TARDIS. "Thing of beauty, isn't she?"

I could read the bewilderment in the pirate captain's expression as he continued to examine the inside of the machine. "It is….certainly something to be sure, mate."

I tried not to laugh at the Doctor's crestfallen expression. As I covered my mouth at my failed attempts, Donna scooted closer to me and muttered, "You can feel the testosterone." I nodded and giggled, unable to hold it in any longer.

Both men looked in our direction, yelling, "OI!"

I lost it, Donna joining in my fit of laughter. That is, until pain shot from my right shoulder, reminding me that I was still healing.

"Take it easy there, lass," a concerned Gibbs advised, directing me to sit in the closest seat.

I did as I was told, not really enjoying the pain or the sudden feeling of weakness that I displayed in front of the others. I could feel their looks of pity, which didn't make me feel any better. "I'll be fine," I mumbled.

When I finally got settled, I looked around at everyone and then looked down at my feet. No one seemed convinced. I sighed.

I guess I'm gonna have to call in tomorrow.

As if he had read my mind, the Doctor broke the uncomfortable silence. "Well," he began, "We should really be getting on our way."

I looked up and nodded. A soft "Yeah" was all I could manage.

The Doctor and Donna shook hands with both Jack and Gibbs, sharing well wishes and offers of other adventures. I took my time standing up, watching their interactions. I hoped that they might meet again, all of them, even if it was just for a moment. That hope then turned to sadness.

What if I never got the chance to see them again?

I remember the Doctor telling Donna that travel between parallel worlds was supposed to be impossible, that he thought that he had closed the way forever. This could have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a chance that I would never get again. The thought upset me.

I don't want to leave.

The truth hit me like a ton of bricks. I met people that I had never, in my wildest dreams, ever thought I'd meet. I had never entertained the thought that the universe of a movie would be a parallel universe to mine, and yet it was possible. While it had been dangerous, and I had feared for my life on several occasions, I wouldn't have traded the experience for the world. I wanted to experience more that this universe had to offer, and the idea that this could go away in the blink of an eye, as if it had all been a dream, brought a sadness to my heart that I hadn't experienced for a long time.

Gibbs was the first to break me from my inner turmoil. "It'll be strange with ye gone, lass," he admitted.

I gave him a sad smile, deciding to hide how his statement threw me off. We had only just officially met yesterday afternoon when they had come to Port Royal to provide Jack an escape. Though I had to admit to myself that it felt like I had known him for longer, given the conversations we had throughout today.

That's only because I know him through the movies, I inwardly told myself.

"It'll be strange going home," I noted. "None of this ever happens where I am from, except in stories." I tried to make sure I didn't say something too outlandish, considering I didn't really get to explain movies and television shows to him.

Gingerly, the sailor pulled me into a hug, careful of my shoulder. "Stay out of trouble, will ye?"

I hugged him back as much as I could. "I'll do my best." Pulling away from the hug, I gave him a small smile. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Joshamee Gibbs."

"And likewise to ye, lass." With that, he left the TARDIS.

I barely caught it, but there seemed to be a hint of sadness in his eyes. Odd.

As I watched him leave, pondering what I saw, I felt a small tap on my shoulder. I turned and was met with an ever curiosity-filled stare. "Any farewell sentiment for me, love?"

I released the breath that I didn't realize I was holding in. I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks as I thought about the last time I tried to say goodbye to him. "What? You didn't get enough last time?" I inquired.

There was that trademark cheeky grin. "I'd say that there is room for more."

I couldn't help but smile as I looked down at my feet, afraid to look him in the eye. I really didn't want to lose my composure, and I knew that if I stared into those chocolate orbs of his, I would. "Perhaps," I managed.

I felt a finger push my chin up, forcing me to look at him. He let go. "Perhaps?"

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. He tried to move closer to me, but I deflected by taking a small step back and then holding out my hand for a handshake. "Thank you for everything, Captain," I uttered. When he finally took hold of my hand and shook it, I added, "It was an honor to meet you."

The handshake was over, but he didn't let go. Instead, he pulled my hand to his lips and placed a lingering kiss upon it. "The honor was mine, love," he admitted.

My face felt like it was on fire.

Throwing me another of his trademark smiles, he nodded his farewells to the Doctor and Donna and left. I barely registered the closing of the TARDIS doors.

Did that….did that just happen?

Captain Jack Sparrow…..the most unpredictable man I had ever met. Just when you think you have him pinned down, he surprises you.

A cough broke me out of my reverie. I turned and saw both of my new friends smiling at me. "You alright?" Donna asked me.

"Y-yeah," I squeaked as I walked closer to the console. "I-I'll...uh...I'll be fine."

"Ready to go?" The Doctor inquired.

"Yeah," I lied.

Within moments, the TARDIS groaned to life. The Doctor flipped switches, turned knobs, and pressed buttons. The wheezing and groaning continued. Everything seemed to be running smoothly. Until it wasn't.

There was a sudden jolt, knocking me onto the floor. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Donna clinging to the railing. Directly across from me, the Doctor was holding on to the console.

"HOLD ON!" he shouted over the sounds of the TARDIS and the many different alarms going off.

The ship was shaking violently, most likely due to the turbulence of travelling from one dimension to the other. I struggled to find something to hold onto, given my injury. I crawled towards the console, hoping that I would be able to use it as a means of not being tossed around like a rag doll. I finally made it when another jolt happened.

All of a sudden I saw this bright light shining through a crack in the console. Seeing it made me realize that the jostling had knocked a panel loose, the panel bouncing up slightly from the vibrations. I grabbed onto the ledge underneath with my good hand, planning to help the Doctor fix it as soon as the TARDIS had landed and the shaking had stopped. Thinking nothing of it, I pulled myself up closer and into a crouching position. Another jostle, and it happened.

The panel flew open all the way, the light shining brighter.

"NO!" I heard the Doctor scream.

Being the closest to it, I could feel the warmth of the light. I slowly stood up, compelled to look into it. It was blinding at first, but then it felt...nice.

Why does the Doctor sound like he is scared? I wondered. It's so warm.

Something was nagging at the back of my mind, but I couldn't tell what. I just wanted to bask in the warmth of the light. Suddenly, there was an agonizing pain in my wounded shoulder, and I couldn't help but scream.

"XANTHE!"

The light flashed even brighter and then it was gone. I fell to the ground, taking in deep breaths like I had just run a marathon. At the same time, the TARDIS stopped shaking and the sounds ceased. Both the Doctor and Donna ran towards me. I felt them take a hold of me and help me up.

"Are you alright?" I heard Donna ask.

I nodded, fixing my clothes (if you could really call pajamas clothes) and looked at them both. "I'm fine." In fact, I felt better than fine.

Both of them were looking at me with concern and bewilderment.

"What?"

"Your eyes," the Doctor muttered.

"What's wrong with my eyes?"

"They're glowing."

I furrowed my brow in confusion. The Doctor handed me a mirror, which I hesitantly took. What I saw caused me to feel both awe and fear. My normally azure stare was now glowing an iridescent yellow.

What the hell?

Seconds later, they returned to their normal hue. I looked to the Doctor for an explanation, hoping he had one. I really needed some reassurance that I was going to be fine. He looked just as stumped as me.

"What happened to me?"

"You stared into the Heart of the TARDIS," he began in a somber tone. "You must have absorbed some of it."

He hesitated before he said anything else, and I noticed. It was hard not to. "Doctor?"

He ignored me, scanning me with his sonic screwdriver and then the console. He started typing away next to a computer screen and then flipping switches.

"Doctor?" I asked a little louder.

The Time Lord continued what he was doing, pulling out a screen next and then pushing me in front of it. He pressed a button, and that was when I really lost my cool.

"Doctor!"

He finally looked up at me, tears threatening to escape. He was just as scared as I was. I plucked up enough courage to finally ask him what I wanted to, even though I was terrified of the answer.

"Am I going to be ok?"

I leaned against the railing of the Pearl, staring out at the horizon and enjoying the breeze. I had found a coat in the Doctor's closet and pulled it on since the wind mixed with the dropping temperature caused there to be a chill. I looked back at the TARDIS and sighed.

To say that the Doctor wasn't upset would be a lie. He was angry with me for lying, which was understandable. I essentially made him think that we were both in danger being here, so I deserved the anger he felt towards me. If he decided to never talk to me again, I would deserve that, too. But what could I say to the man who I knew all about, but he didn't know me?

Now I know how River felt.

I continued my silent vigil, giving the Doctor the time he needed. I took the time to really admire the stars. With no light pollution in the 1700s, I could make out all of the constellations, even see the band that was the Milky Way. I couldn't help but smile.

I heard soft footsteps approach me, but I didn't look away to see who had joined me.

"I never thought ye were a stargazer," Gibbs observed.

"I used to look up at the stars sometimes. Then, when I was about fourteen, I had to keep track of where the constellations were in the sky for school. So my father bought two telescopes so that we could take a closer look together." I looked away from the night sky and back out at the horizon. "It's something that I wish we could still do," I added.

I felt Gibbs place a comforting hand on my shoulder. I turned to him and gave him a sad smile. "Ye miss yer family, don't ye, lass?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I mean...I just saw my stepmom, brother, and sister just a few hours ago, but that doesn't make me miss them any less."

"Aye. Sailin' will do that to ye."

"Do you have any family that you miss, Gibbs?" I asked.

Though he tried to hide it, I saw a sadness in his eyes. "Aye, I did. Still do, as a matter o' fact."

Did….as in past tense. I felt bad for asking now.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry."

"It's fine, lass," Gibbs reassured me. "Perhaps it's time I talked to someone about it."

I waited patiently for the first mate to start. He leaned against the railing, clasping his hands together, almost as if he was trying to keep himself grounded. He took a deep breath and then began.

"She was my niece. I remember gettin' to see the little lass whenever I was in London and had shore leave. She was a lively little tike." He chuckled at the memory and I gave him a small smile before he continued. "About a year ago, perhaps longer now, I got word that she was married off to someone in a higher station than her. Not long after, she was committed to an asylum. She died there."

I was shocked and terrified, to say the least. I wondered what she could have done to have put her there in the first place, but I didn't ask. I didn't know her, so I couldn't make that kind of judgement call. I put a reassuring hand on Gibbs' arm, trying to give him what comfort I could. "I am so sorry, Gibbs," was all I could muster. "You have my condolences."

Gibbs gave me a sad smile and nodded his thanks.

"What was her name?"

"Chelsea," came the reply. Gibbs patted my hand and then walked away.

I watched him walk away as I contemplated everything that he told me. His story sounded familiar, but I couldn't quite place where I had heard it. I decided to not linger on it too much and instead figured that it was as good a time as any to head inside. I made my way towards the TARDIS and was about to knock on the door before I thought better of it.

The Doctor is probably still angry with me. Better keep giving him his space and find somewhere else to bunk for the night.

I wasn't exactly sure where I should sleep tonight. I couldn't sleep outside, even if the thought of it sounded nice. It was too cold and I didn't want to get sick. I couldn't exactly find a vacant hammock and sleep in the crew's quarters. I was trying to avoid Leech like the plague, and I was sure that one of the newer crew members would get superstitious about a woman being down there in their shared space. There was only one other place I could check, and it was the last place that I wanted to go. I sighed.

Well, there's no avoiding it now.

I walked to the captain's cabin and knocked, waiting to hear an answer back. When I didn't hear anything, I backed away and headed up the stairs leading to the helm. If Jack wasn't in his cabin, then he'd be at the helm.

Considering his "bandaged" hand, I'm willing to bet that he is trying to keep this ship going.

When I got to the top of the steps, I was surprised to see that Jack wasn't there. Instead it was Cotton and his parrot. The parrot saw me first, making my presence known.

"RAWK! Pretty girl!" he squawked.

I blushed at what he said while Cotton threw a smile my way. I gave him a small wave and headed back down the stairs. I was at a loss.

Where's Jack? I wondered.

I tried knocking on his door again, but I still didn't get an answer. Tentatively, I twisted the handle down and pushed on the door. It opened.

Oh.

Carefully, I walked into the cabin, closing the door behind me. I pulled the coat closer around me to keep the chill at bay. All of the candles were out and there was no sign of movement.

"Jack?" I quietly called out. When I didn't hear an answer, I called out a little louder. "Jack?"

Still nothing. Maybe he is asleep?

Sure enough, I heard a light snore. I breathed a sigh of relief and let out a quiet chuckle. I don't know why, but the sound of his snore made me smile.

I better leave him alone then and just take my chances with the Doctor, I thought.

It was a short lived thought, because when I turned around to leave, I ended up bumping into something, hurting my toe and creating a loud noise.

"Ow!" I exclaimed.

"Xanthe?"

"Shit!" I turned around and, with what moonlight that was illuminating the cabin, saw that Jack was sitting up in his bed, pistol in hand...and shirtless. I gulped.

"Is that you, love?" he managed, grogginess evident in his voice.

"Y-yeah. Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," I sputtered out. "I was wondering why you hadn't answered when I knocked. I didn't realize that you had already turned in. I'll just go."

"It's quite alright," he reassured me. "Anything the matter?"

He lit a candle and then walked over to me. "N-nothing. Really. It's nothing important."

"Xanthe."

"Really. I honestly, I don't know why I decided to come in here and bother you. I'll just...uh...I'll just go sleep in the brig."

"You'll do no such thing." Jack then gave me a look that said not to argue with him.

I sighed, and tried with every ounce of energy I had left to look anywhere but at his bare chest. "Fine," I finally agreed. "Is there anywhere that I can sleep? I normally wouldn't ask, since the TARDIS is here, but given the circumstances, I...I really can't do that."

Jack hummed at what I said. "You know, love, there is always my bed."

I looked at him wide-eyed. "What?!?" I squeaked.

The pirate captain chuckled, mirth and mischief twinkling in his eye.

Seeing this, I decided to fire a joke back at him. "I'd rather sleep on the floor, thank you."

"You wound me, love."

"Well, it's either that, or I take over the bed and you get the floor."

"Hmm….I will do you one better." He reached around me to grab something from behind him. I couldn't really see what it was, just that he was really close and if he were to turn his head, our lips would have touched. I stood stock still, trying to control my breathing.

Oh, dear God!

I heard a jingle and then a set of keys appeared in front of me. "Follow me," he said, and then gesture to my right.

I let out the breath that I was holding and then did as he said. I hadn't noticed it before, but there was a side door on the right side of the cabin. Jack found the key for it and slid it into the keyhole. With an audible click, he unlocked and opened the door, gesturing me inside.

I looked inside and saw that it was a side cabin. There was a mattress with a side table and mirror that was on the window side of the small room, with a decent sized chest on the opposite side. There were blankets already laid out on the bed, with a wash basin on the side table.

"Will this do?" I heard Jack ask.

Turning to face him, I smiled and nodded. "Thank you."

"No worries, love."

I nodded my thanks again and then walked into the cabin. I sat on the bed so that I could take off my shoes when Jack interrupted me.

"Everything alright?"

I looked up at him, surprised by his concern. "Yeah, why?"

"You keep itching your wrist."

I furrowed my brow and looked down. Sure enough, my fingers were scratching at an itch that I didn't realize I had until now. "Huh," I muttered. "I didn't know I was doing that."

"You're sure that everything is alright?"

Now I was getting tired of him asking. "Yes, Jack. I'm fine. If I need anything, I'll let you know."

Jack didn't seem so sure, but he nodded his understanding anway. I was silently thanking him for not pushing it any further. "Good night, love," he uttered.

I nodded back. "Good night."

With that, he left, closing the door behind him. I went back to untying my shoes and then took off the coat and threw it on top of the chest. I was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to succumb to sleep's sweet embrace. I got under the covers and laid down, curling up until I was in a comfortable position.

It took me awhile to fall asleep, if only because the evening's events were still playing through my head. There were still too many questions that I had and no answers to go with them. Then there was Gibbs' story about his niece. The more I replayed the conversation in my head, the more I knew I had heard that story before. There was one question that remained with me as the sound of the waves outside the ship lulled me into a deep sleep.

Chelsea….why does that name sound familiar?

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A/N: Thank you for reading! Feel free to let me know what you thought by leaving a review!