Hello my wonderful readers. I has been too long since I last updated but college has been keeping me somewhat occupied. I shan't make any promises of updating anytime soon, but know that I will finish this story. Please continue to review, it helps the creative process. Thanks!

Oh, a disclaimer since I forgot one in my previous chapters. No character belongs to me save Meredith and the subsequent original characters that have yet to be introduced to the story. Unfortunatly, Jack does not belong to me. Does any one know a way to correct that?

V: Propositions

Jack had come into the cabin after several hours had gone by to check on the newest addition to the ship. He walked through the cabin to his private quarters. Nearly hesitating as he reached for the knob, he grasped it gingerly, almost as if he were caressing a woman. Slowly the knob turned and he peered at the still sleeping form on his bed. Jack exhaled with surprise. He hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath. Opening the door wider, Jack eased into the room. He'd hoped that she'd still be asleep. All he wanted was to get a better look at her. It might help him solidify his plan.

Jack sat in a chair by his writing desk and studied her. Meredith, guardian of the sea. A bit hard to imagine as she was such a tiny thing. Aside from her small frame, Jack took in her hair colour. It had the appearance of honey but he remembered that it had glints of red in it when she was on the deck, in the sunshine. It was unusual, and he wondered if she dyed it like Scarlet did on Tortuga. He touched his cheek reflexively and shook his head. He was getting lost in the past. Now was the time to think of the future. With some effort he forced himself to focus on the present situation at hand, and his gaze fell once more on Meredith. Her skin was of an olive complexion. That would work to his advantage if she agreed to his plan. She had the look of many women he had seen in Italy. She would say that she was a foreigner. That would be true, in a sense anyway. Once more Jack thought of how unusual she was. Her manner of dress was only one indication of this, Jack smirked as his eyes skimmed her bare legs. The chest that the crew found was another, for apparently, it belonged to her. Remarkably, its contents had not been destroyed by the sea.

" Mmmmm"

Jack brought his wandering eyes back to Meredith's face as her eyes fluttered open. She gave him a sleepy smile which caused Jack to quirk a quizzical brow before she drifted back to sleep. A moment later she awoke with a yelp. Her wide eyes directed at Jack.

"You!"

" Me?''

" How?"

" We carried you down but other than that, not altogether sure."

" Why?"

" I have a theory"

" What?"

" Exactly. Did you sleep well luv?"

" …Thank you, yes." She yawned sheepishly and paused to sigh as she stretched. Raising her arms above her head, she arched her back much like a cat, uttering soft noises of contentment.

" Ahhh…umm. Hmm." Jack raised a hand, opening and closing his mouth unable to make a sound.

" Your bed is very comfortable Jack. I don't think that I'd mind staying in it again." Jack looked at her and stood abruptly. Turning towards her, he found his voice.

" Really? In that case, I may have a proposition that you may find rather favorable." At which Meredith shot out of the bed, eyes blazing and arms akimbo.

" Just because I am a woman does not automatically make me a plaything or mean that I am of lesser worth. I don't know how the hell I got here but it appears that you are just like every other man that I've met. I refuse to be anyone's whore. Do I look like one? I "

Jack stopped her tirade by grabbing her hands and pulling them close." These hands are not the hands of someone who labors for a living. They aren't rough nor are they calloused." He looked at her surprised expression as she glanced down at their entwined hands. " Frankly, these are the hands of someone with a great deal of brass." Releasing her hands, he moved to fix her shirt which was falling off her shoulder. " So you see, I'd never assume that you were a common whore, and in turn you should ne're jump to conclusions about all men. Certainly I'm not like every man you've met." Jack glanced at Meredith for confirmation before flashing his gold teeth. " After all luv, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, the most fearsome pirate in the Spanish main. Savvy?"

" Alright Mr. Sparrow"

" Capt'n"

Meredith rolled her eyes. " Fine, Captain. What do you propose?"

" Well, I…" Jack stopped mid thought as Meredith grasped her stomach as it growled in protest of its neglect. " Perhaps we should discuss this after we've gotten you some food." The pair began to move toward the door before Jack halted causing Meredith to run into his back." On second thought, there are things that need to be done first."

" I'm not one of those girls who doesn't eat. I really will eat. What could be more important than food?"

Turning round to find her glaring at his chest, he smirked," Well I thought you might want to change, but if you don't mind, I'm sure the crew won't either."

Meredith froze, " You know Sparrow, you may have a point. Change, food, then talk. Sounds good. One problem, I don't have any other clothes seeing as you fished me from the water."

" A wonderful catch I must say. I am under the impression that a trunk my crew found may be yours. I had Pintel and Ragetti put it by the foot of my bed." Jack watched with an amused look as she spun and practically ran to the trunk. Upon opening she let out a squeal.

" Oh my Gucci's! My Manolos, you're safe! Jack they saved my La Pearl," she stopped pulling items out of her trunk, halting just short of pulling a very finely crafted bra from the trunk. " Erm, my stuff, thank you. Where can I change?"

Jack indicated a screen which was placed discreetly in a corner, concealing a hip bath. " I'll wait for you on deck Miss Wright."