A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I'll be updating less (probably) now because I'm out of town... :( So despite the annoying chapter ending, PLEASE wait patiently!

Disclaimer: I don't own PotC.

We sailed peacefully for the next few days, the only disturbances being strange noises and sometimes minor explosions from Tia Dalma's cabin, which she shared with the twins. This was due to Aryza and Emera "practicing their magic."

On the fourth day, I was in the crow's nest, scanning the horizon with the telescope, when I found a ship on the horizon.

"Is that the Silver Wave?" I asked Jack, scurrying down the mast.

"Aye," said Jack. "We're catching up."

"It looks just like an ordinary ship," I said doubtfully.

"It is an ordinary ship," said Jack. "It's the people on the ship who aren't ordinary."

"Oh," I said. "Right. So what piracy-related activities are we planning to do?"

"I plan to swing over when no one is looking, and search the ship for the thing that Merlow has that belongs to me," said Jack.

I?

"Captain Sparrow, there's two things wrong with that," I said, folding my arms across my chest.

"Pray tell, luv."

"One—what do you mean by I? I believe it's we. Two—how will you know when no one is looking on the other ship?"

"The answer to the former means that you will stay on the Pearl and I'll swing over alone. You're not getting into any more trouble than you need to, savvy? As for the latter—" he smirked "—I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. Is this is tenth time already?"

"All right, I trust the second part," I said stubbornly, "but as to the first part, I'm not pleased."

"Well, that's highly unfortunate," said Jack smugly, "but there are times when one must get used to the happenings in life."

"Jack, I'm coming!"

"No, you're not."

"I am."

"You're not."

"Since when have you decided whether or not I can be allowed to perform certain activities associated with the word 'piracy'?"

"Since you decided to be one of my crew. It's Captain Jack Sparrow--never forget that, darlin."

"Pirates don't follow orders!" I protested.

"They follow orders from me," said Jack.

"Jack, I despise you!"

"No, you don't. Few days ago you said you love me."

"I despise you now."

"Let's try an experiment, then," said Jack smoothly. "Say I let you come aboard with me. Will you despise me then?"

"Well... no."

"Ah," said Jack, grinning. "Then it's not me you despise, it's my decisions."

"Listen, Jack," I said exasperatedly, "I'm coming."

"Yes, all right, darling," he said. "Suit yourself."

We were about three ships' length from the Silver Wave now.

"Do you really think," I said skeptically, "that they'll just let us swing aboard and search Captain Merlow's cabin?"

"No."

"Then how--"

"I said 'when no one's looking!'"

"Oh. Right."

After a moment I started again, "But how would you know--"

"I won't even say this time," sighed Jack.

"I know you're Captain Jack Sparrow," I shouted. "It's really not that amusing anymore!"

"Then just don't make me say it," said Jack with his usual roguish grin.

"Don't you think it'll be wiser to negotiate?" I asked, not incredibly keen on doing something as reckless as what Jack had proposed. We were now almost level with the Silver Wave.

"I don't, actually," said Jack.

"And why not?" I challenged.

"Because I'm a man on my word."

I coughed.

"And I said that we would be doing things associated with the word 'piracy.' If we negotiate, we wouldn't."

"Oh, Jack, honestly--"

"I'm captain. And you wanted to come." He grinned.

I sighed inwardly as I took the rope he handed me. In a few moments, he had given me the signal. I dreadingly swung.

The cool, refreshing rush of air was more than wonderful. I landed lightly after Jack on the deck of the Silver Wave. It was slightly smaller than the Pearl. Footsteps sounded behind us. I whirled around.

A middle-aged man was swaggering toward us. He was undoubtedly captain.

"I don't like intruders," he said in a dangerously quiet voice.

"Captain Merlow?" I said immediately, deciding not to listen to Jack. "We're here to negotiate the return of Captain Jack Sparrow's--"

"Intruders usually die on this ship."

In a flash, he pulled out a gun. I saw a glittering, convoluted golden symbol on it.

"Ladies first," he said, smiling coldy.

He held the gun to my throat.

The silence was punctuated only by the sound of Merlow cocking his pistol.