AN: I'm SO sorry I haven't updated in so long. I've been working on this chapter and the previous two ever since the last update. Writers block hit me along with a week long vacation:/. So please don't hate me:/. Review please: ).

He had been kind to me, treating me as if I were gold and supposedly loving me. We'd been falling sweetly in love until the day he got appointed Lord. He had shared the news with me. Of course I'd been happy for him and my happiness had quickly faded when he came up with some weird excuse to get married. Something to do with his new job and his social status. I hadn't been ready for marriage and I didn't want to be tied down while he'd have to sail all over the place. I told him that, which was when I quickly realized what we'd mistaken for love wasn't what it seemed. His hand had been like the branding iron that was used to brand cattle and even pirates, like Jack, against my skin. At first the blows were gentle, if you could call slaps across the face gentle, and then slowly they'd progressed into scratches and bruises for me trying to escape. The power had gotten to his wig-covered head.

It was actually through him that I'd met Jack Sparrow. He'd branded him earlier in his years and Jack had stopped by like he does, going from place to place just to basically annoy people at upper-class based ports. I'd met him before he'd picked me up in Tortuga, although I'd probably looked different. I'd worn corsets and such painful clothing before Mana and I had moved to Tortuga, mostly to get away from the man who'd ruined me; Cutler Beckett.

I doubted Jack remembered me from those days as I watched his expression while I spoke and explained the whole ordeal to him. We were sitting in the bed, the pillows holding us up while he watched me with intense emotion. I couldn't decide whether he was concerned or wanting to pummel Beckett even more than normal, or both. "Jack?"

His jaw clenched and unclenched as I watched, waiting for his response. We ended up sitting in that silence for a few more moments until he gathered his thoughts. "He hit you" He said as he tried to grasp the concept, "Just because you didn't want to get married?"

"And because I refused to do what he wanted after that. I couldn't be tied down like that Jack. I didn't even love him. I didn't know what love was. You showed me that, you stubborn pirate, along with freedom."

Jack chuckled and pulled me next to him so I could relax within his arms. "Well then I'm glad I could give that to you, my darling girl." I listened intently as I positioned myself with my head on his chest. His voice rumbled through his chest. "You are aware that my… father will jeopardize things, or at least try savvy?" I nodded as he continued. "He will try to convince you you're not supposed to be on this ship and that you're not who you are. He does it to everyone, love."

I listened as he spoke, each word seeming new and warning me of the future. I'd heard of Teague Sparrow, a pirate captain that was supposedly like Jack in his conceited referrals to himself every waking moment. Jack's words made me anxious of the next few days, as if they were telling me that I wouldn't be accepted. "Jack, I'll be alright. He's not coming aboard to accept me as your wife, although he might as well. He's coming aboard to get Beckett off our tail by showing us where the treasure is hidden."

"Aye." He moved me so I was staring into dark, kohl-lined eyes with my green ones.

With sudden force, I was pulled to him, our lips caught up in a kiss that showed our love for the other, as if we were having to part ways. Slowly, Jack allowed his lips to work on mine, my eyes closing in happiness. Jack was obviously dreading his father coming aboard, with the fact that I was living in his quarters with him and also with the newly-added detail about my past, which would mean that I would have to prove that I was a true pirate by doing what I had to, even if it meant killing. "Hmm… Jack?"

"Aye?" He didn't look at me. Instead, he pressed his lips to the left side of my neck, distracting me.

"I love you."

"And I love you, Alexis Sparrow."

I still hadn't gotten used to being called by my newer last name. It had been quite some time since we'd gotten 'married' but no one hardly ever called me by my last name, except occasionally Jack, the old softy. It would take some getting used to, especially with Jack's father around to pester him to death.

Jack's chuckle interrupted my thoughts. I opened my eyes to see that he was staring at me with the most beautiful brown eyes I'd ever seen. I laughed and furrowed my brow at him. "Come 'ere darling."

I was more than happy to do so as I watched him slide down on the pillows and I followed suit, curling up next to him. My head rested on his shirt-covered chest, my fingers wandering to the opening of his shirt, caressing the skin there with delicate fingers. His strong arms snaked around me, pulling me to him in the moonlit night. I heard him sigh under my head and I smiled. Slowly, I fell into a sleep that Jack would regret waking me up from.

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I was awoken the next morning by Jack, who instantly regretted it. I glared at him as soon as I felt him moving me off of him very noticeably, waking me up. He grinned in his devilish way, which made me even more irritable. We'd been awake for a while the night before, talking and just savoring the feel of being with the other. "Jack Sparrow what do you think you're doing?" I rolled onto my stomach and placed the left side of my face against the pillows, spreading my arms out.

I heard him chuckle behind me as he climbed next to me and pulled the covers back, attempting to lift me from the bed. I moved out of his grasp, knowing I was frustrating him. "Come on, Alley. We're in Tortuga earlier than we expected and my father is going to be waiting. Making him wait is like making me wait; not good. Come on, darling."

I couldn't help but smile at the thought of Jack waiting. It was quite a site, as I'd witnessed it several times. "Fine" I moaned, rolling into his arms.

He instantly picked me up bridal style and carried me to the door. Before we exited, he nudged me with his left arm, which was supporting my upper body. I looked to him with tired eyes and he bent his head down slightly to meet my lips in a tender kiss. When he pulled away to continue out the door, I smiled. He was obviously dreading his father coming aboard, but the sooner we got the bloody treasure, the sooner Beckett would be off our case. Beckett, I thought with disgust. He was horrible, with or without our past together.

Jack continued to carry me until we reached the gang plank, where he let me down gently, one arm still remaining around my waist. I grinned and squared my shoulders, trying my hardest to look every bit the pirate that Jack married, not a woman who broke down the night before because of an old relationship. We made it onto the dock soon enough and a man with dreadlocks and silver crosses embedded in his hair appeared to our view. His nose was long and misshapen and his face was creased and scars. No doubt he used to be handsome, just like his son who had his arm around my waist protectively, although I had a feeling Jack wouldn't turn out to mirror his father. Teague expanded his hand to his son who shook it with his free hand. The elder sparrow turned to eye me, a faint smirk on his face. "And who's this, Jack?"

I extended my hand, knowing what Jack was wanting me to say, and I said it. I spoke as his hand met mine, and I shook it before releasing it. "Alexis Sparrow." His dark eyes flickered with something that wasn't joy.

Jack tightened his hand on my waist, letting me know he was about to strangle his father already. "Shall we?" Jack masked his aggravation with a grin as he gestured to the Pearl. His father strode past us, taking the lead. "Can I kill him?" He whispered to me on the way up.

I shot him a look that told him to behave as we ascended onto the Pearl's decks once more. Jack released his hold on me as he went to tell Captain Sparrow where to go. I heard their voices across the deck, both aggravated but masked with fake happiness. He would be staying in my old cabin, which was on the opposite end from our cabin and it was below deck, which meant me and Jack could still have our privacy. Around ten minutes later, Jack immerged from below the decks, looking angry as he went up to the helm, strutting past me. He discussed something with Gibbs, who was at the wheel. Gibbs nodded and started to lead the Pearl back into open waters as Jack came down to me and led me to the bow with a firm arm around my shoulders. Once we stopped walking, I moved so the railing was in front of me and Jack was behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist. No words had to be said as we stood there, me leaning on him as he rested his head on mine. Like curtains, his hair fell around my head, blowing with mine in the gentle breeze.

The sky was a clear blue with no clouds as the sun shone brightly, illuminating everything in a bright light. It was quite warm, but not too warm so I wasn't becoming uncomfortable in my breeches and shirt. Our peace was interrupted by the sound of Captain Sparrow's voice calling Jack. He groaned with protest as he pulled away and turned to his father. "I understand that you want to be with your bonny lass, but we have a treasure to find." Jack nodded and followed his father.

It was quite humorous to watch them walk towards our cabin. They both walked with a swagger, although Jack's was slightly more exaggerated. They both resembled each other enough that it made them look like a mirrored image. My husband sent me a face over his shoulder when he thought his father wasn't looking. He was caught when Teague pinched his arm. I laughed. They were quite a scene to watch. I watched them until they disappeared within the cabin. For a while I stood at the bow, watching the ocean lap at the Pearl in the normal fashion. I stood there, thinking about everything under the sun until I grew extremely bored. I knew that I probably shouldn't go to the cabin, but I went anyways. When I was less than five feet in front of the door, I heard the two men arguing.

Jack's voice sounded first. "My ship. My ship. Not yours. My ship has whoever I want to have on it."

"Pirates don't get married."

"You did." Jack's voice was extremely coy and I could just imagine his 'I told you so' smirk. "You got married."

"Aye, and look where your mum is."

Jack was silent for a moment, his feet shuffling very loudly. "Think of it this way; If it weren't for Alex, then this treasure wouldn't need found, which it needs to be so the Brethren Court can finally relax about keeping it safe. She's the whole reason we've been pouring over these ridiculous maps."

"Jack you better know what you're doing." With that, the door swung open. Jack's father smiled in his annoying fashion at me. "You can have your cabin back."

"Thank you." My voice was much smaller than I'd thought it would be. When he had left, I entered, closing the door behind me. Jack tried to smile at me as a glared at him. "Jack Sparrow am I just a toy to get the bloody treasure?"

His smirk faded immediately, the fact that I'd over heard him and his father sinking in. "No, darling. I had to think of something to get him off my back about marrying."

"Aye Jack. But it doesn't make it right." I stood there, glaring daggers at him and my breathing rushed.

I didn't know what I was feeling. Hurt, upset, love, and anger were what I was feeling towards the man I loved with all of my heart. After I'd calmed down some moments later, Jack started to swagger to me before I stopped him. Instead, I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, pulling him closer to me. I laid my head against Jack's chest and I heard him sigh into my hair as he held me. I didn't know why, but I could never stay mad at him. Every time I tried, I failed horribly.

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Jack tightened his grip on his wife as she buried her head into his chest. He sighed into her stick straight hair, his hands weaving themselves in it as they stood. His thoughts were spinning; after all, he hadn't said anything too bad, plus if he did he was a pirate. 'Lord, I love this woman but it seems like every little bloody move I make it's not what she wants' he thought as he pulled her closer. 'Or maybe she's scared. I wouldn't blame her. After all, my father whom she has known less than twenty four hours, is on board and telling me how to run my life.'

"Jack?" Her voice sounded through out the room quietly, her voice no more than a whisper in the silence of the room. Jack allowed his gaze to meet hers as she tilted her head up to look him in the eyes, her head never leaving his chest. "Promise me we'll get through this. I have the feeling that this treasure hunt is going to turn out to be more than we're expecting."

"We'll get through this, darling." Jack pulled back slightly so he could cup her face and look into her green eyes with his kohl-rimmed dark ones. "I have no doubt about what you say, Alley. Knowing Beckett, it won't be pretty. Then again everything pales in comparison with you…" He bent slightly and met her lips gently, feeling her melt against his touch.

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I kissed him back gently, not wanting the moment to end. Jack had a way of words. A way that made me forget about my anger towards him; like with his flattery comments about fights. I instantly wanted to forget any and every one but the man before me. Now I was wrapped in his arms, getting kissed by him in a sweet manner. No doubt he was sorry, his kiss proving that. Then again, the kiss was also proving that he didn't want me to be mad at him, which wasn't easy to do.

Jack slid one of his hands to the small of my back while the other moved from my hair to the back of my neck to rub it gently. Almost instantly, I relaxed. His lips moved from my mouth to my neck, his hand that was on my neck moving some of the hair away. I closed my eyes and savored the feel of his lips on the right side of my neck. They quickly opened, however, when he nipped slightly. "Relax, love."

I obeyed him as he continued to nip and kiss my neck until he pulled away. I was sure that he had caused a love bite, not that I minded. I grinned as he pushed me gently back onto the bed, which was a few mere feet away.

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AN:Alright so how was that? And please review. That purple button is calling your name. It'd be the best birthday present:). July 1, aka today, is my birthdayyyy. : ). So review: ).