Their meal eventually lasted for almost two hours, and by the time darkness fell, every one had quietened and there was a definite sense of foreboding as their new journey began. Every one had had to tell at least two things about themselves, accept Cotton, who found it incredibly amusing that he did not have to tell them anything. Jack and Will had told their tale of the rescue of Elizabeth, with some members of the crew butting in occasionally. Savannah had answered two very awkward questions about her sex life, but had managed to keep her head held high, as she told them with a straight face that she only once played a pirate wench because she needed to get a lift to Spain. Marti's eventful trip to Singapore had been told by Jack in full embarrassing detail, and all in all, the crew were embarrassed, and amused at the same time. But every one agreed that they felt they knew each other better, even Rosaline who had been embarrassed by the crews amusement at her upper class lifestyle.

When all the food was gone, all the stories were told, the drink drunk, the laughter ended and the daylight had faded away, Jack got to his feet. His face was grim, and the rest of the crew shared his sentiments.

"It's time to move," He said, and the crew stood up, "Cotton, Gibbs, Mort and Clay, stock up the jolly boats," His voice was raised, but still serious, "Ana, take Elizabeth and the boy down to the armoury, and bring up the supplies. Savannah, you and Will get yerselves on deck," Just as they were about to leave, Jack leant over and whispered into Savannah's ear, "Go and get yer stuff from yer cabin," Savannah looked straight past him as if she hadn't heard him, but Jack saw her give a sharp nod when she had moved past him. Soon the entire crew had filed out, leaving Rosaline and Jack alone.

"Tis up to you, what y' do," Jack told her squarely, "But I be warnin' ye now, stayin' on this ship on yer own might not be a good idea." Rosaline looked him in the eye. Was he caring about her welfare? Although there was no way in hell she was going to let him know it, she was madly jealous of the women in the crew at the moment, and couldn't get over thinking every flirtatious gesture he made was serious. But why would he want her to go with them if he was interested in Savannah, or Ana Maria, or Martina? But then maybe she would be an easy target for the enemy. Maybe he wanted bait, get her out of the way. But how could a man look at her so honestly and have intentions such as those? Rosaline's mind fought with itself. She definitely didn't want to stay on the ship on her own, but would she be in more danger on the island? "Can ye handle a weapon luv?" Jack looked doubtful. Not in a degrading way, because it was quite obvious that although Rosaline could fight on instinct, she still had her fight or flight pause, which was likely to be the pause that killed her, and she was brought up in a proper English society, her father was a high society figure, and she had never had to so much as touch as sword in her life.

"Not as such," She admitted. Jack looked torn. He couldn't leave her on her own, but if she went with them, he couldn't waste time protecting her. It wasn't as if he didn't want to, but the whole point of the voyage was to save William Turner, and he could not let down his crew, his friends, for the safety of a woman he thought of as important.

"Roz, if y' come with us, I might not be able to protect ye, and that's what I'm worried about." Rosaline thought she saw truth in his eyes, but wasn't sure. However, one thing she was sure of, was that she was at least going to give herself a fighting chance, even if he wasn't.

"Give me a pistol, and give me a sword." She said slowly. She smiled, but as much as she tried, she couldn't do it very convincingly, "I'm a fast learner." She assured him.

Jack sighed. He could see from her stance that Rosaline was trying to be brave, and he couldn't stand the thought that her bravery might just not be enough. She looked determined, to be sure, and he didn't deny that she probably was a fast learner. But there was no telling what they would be up against. If I loose this woman, I will never forgive myself, Jack thought.

What is he thinking? Rosaline quizzed herself, Why is he looking at me like that? What does it mean? Then Jack stepped closer to her and held her face in his hands. He stared into her eyes and she stared back.

"Stay in the centre of the group." He told her, twisting a lock of her hair in his fingers, and tucking it behind her ear, "Stay behind me, and stick close to Martina, or Savannah. Please try to stay alive." He almost sounded like he wasn't just begging her, but whatever powers had control over the outcome of the battle soon to come. Rosaline felt tears prick the corners of her eyes. She wanted desperately to believe this was genuine. To ignore the fact that Jack was a pirate, and she a Lady. Ignore doubt that always crept into her mind. Jack helped her ignore it by leaning in to kiss her.

Rosaline pushed all 'what ifs' to the back of her mind, even though she knew they would come out sooner or later. If she could just ignore them long enough…

Jack pulled away, and left his hand on her cheek briefly. The look they shared was enough. Jack was worried about her, even though he was not particularly happy to admit to his feelings. Rosaline was fighting her jealousy, her betrayal, and her feelings for him. They knew at this moment, that they both had problems with the other, but for the time being, there was nothing they could do about it.

"Will," Savannah approached the anxious blacksmith on deck, just as Jack and Rosaline left the galley. Will turned to meet her. She extended her hand to him, and he took it. "Good luck, what ever may happen." She said, "I really do hope we find your father. But remember," After shaking his hand, hers adjusted the sheath of her sword, and her weapons belt, "when it gets down to it, we all have to make sacrifices for what we truly want. We have to take everything we can."

"And give nothing back?" Will remembered hearing the toast from Jack and Mr Gibbs on his first visit to Tortuga.

"Aye. That is the pirates way." Savannah looked out over the ocean to the shore. "We give nothing to the enemy, and we show no mercy. Mercy is what gets you, or the people you love killed." Will sensed there was something behind her statement, from the way she did not make eye contact when she said it. Her hand was poised over her pistol. He was about to say something more when Jack's orders interrupted them. They both turned to see everyone ready to go.

Savannah headed a Jolly boat with Gibbs, Cotton and Mort. Will joined Jack, Rosaline and Elizabeth.

"Ready for this, lad?" Jack asked him. Will checked his pistol, secured his sword and nodded firmly,

"Ready as I'll ever be."

"Then we be ready." Jack said, "Cast off! Take a good look at this wondrous ship men, and give yerselves a good reason to come back to it!" There was a cry from most of the crew, and the splash of three boats hitting the waters surface.

There was no light but that of the moon as the pirates rowed to shore. They left the boats tied to some rocks, in a place which looked practically inconspicuous. Whilst they were doing this, several had realised, but not voiced the concern of the fact that they were on quite a large island, with no map.

Jack knew this of course, but he could tell by the look on Savannah's face that they had the only map they would need. He had realised whilst they were still on the ship, and knew that Savannah had already thought of it. She was prepared, because she hadn't asked him. She never went into any situation without a plan. Jack looked at her intently, watching her take in her surroundings. Rosaline looked on, the familiar green eyed monster surfacing, but being frightened off by the gremlins of her fear.

Clay was also watching intently. Savannah had an incredible mind, he thought, but he still had his suspicions. No one could be that secretive without having something sinister to hide. Or at least something less than pleasant.

"It's at the foot of that mountain," She whispered. "In a cave, but it's hard to find… It's… it's that way." She pointed out her index finger on her right hand, and then stumbled backward, Gibbs catching her. She shook her head and tried to get her balance back. She smiled at Gibbs, who had hold of her arm to steady her.

"A good," Jack said, sarcastically, "A bloody forest."

Vanessa; thank you very much, your review made me smile at the end of a very hard day!

Not much to say at the minute really, except im stuck somewhere in chapter 46 and I can't think how to end it!

Love y'all

Savvy Z