Two chapters in one day. I'm on a role. Thank you to K.D. Sparrow for reviewing. Enjoy the next chapter and keep those reviews and criticisms coming.

Disclaimer: Jack Sparrow...still not mine, workin on it though. However Meredith, Griffin and Sally are my own creations.

VI: Homeruns and... Sally?

I had quickly crossed the span of the room to inspect the changing screen. Located behind it was a hip-bath filled with water.

"I'll wait for you on deck Miss Wright." Jack said. He had gone before I could thank him. Then again, I supposed I would be seeing him often enough and should enjoy my solitude. I wasn't sure that I would see much of that. I wasn't even sure if I would ever see home again.

'Home,' I thought as I grabbed my shampoo and razor from my trunk, ' What home?' I didn't have anyone. Obviously no boyfriend, no pet, hell I didn't even have my parents at this point. We hadn't spoken for, at the very least, three months. Not since my mother had seen the new Victoria's Secret ad I was in. I didn't understand, I was modeling underwear for god's sake. Not doing porno or something equally disgusting. I cringed, thinking about how bad we had let things get between us. I'd never know if we could patch them up now. I bit my lip, scolding myself, " Knock it off Mere. You may still get home, back to New York. You aren't dead yet. Look on the bright side." With that I found my way into the still-warm bath and began to sing a rousing, if somewhat off-key, chorus of Monty Python's Spamalot.

I didn't think I had taken a terribly long time to bathe. Sure I scrubbed up, cleansed my face and hair, shaved, and put on lotion. I didn't go through the normal routine, or blow-dry my hair or put on any make-up. I normally didn't, as it makes my face feel like it's suffocating. Except for a photo shoot, most models don't wear a ton of make-up. The most I'll wear for special occasions is mascara, eyeliner, and maybe lipstick, if I was truly doing it up. Because I didn't have to follow through with most of the stupid rituals most females suffer through, I truly did not feel that I had taken a long time. Apparently I was mistaken as Jack was muttering to Gibbs and vice-versa.

" I tol' ye 'twas no good ter have a woman aboard. 'Tis bad luck says I."

" It's worse when you're hungry,'' came the irritable reply.

" Mr. Gibbs, Jack"

" Captain Missy."

Gibbs and I both stared at Jack's brusque manner. " Um, I was going to thank you for the bathwater and for letting me freshen up."

" Well did you have to take so bloody long?"

" You should be half so lucky that I didn't have to go through the normal B.S. that I do for my job. Forgive me for believing in hygiene." I retorted crossing my arms, challenging him to say another word. What did I care that he was the captain, a pirate no less, of the ship that had saved me from a watery grave and could just as easily toss me overboard again. Okay I cared but the thought occurred a little too late. Gibbs was staring and Jack's mouth was twitching. I wasn't sure what that meant but prepared myself for the worst.

Wait, was he laughing? Rather trying not to. For some reason this emboldened me and I decided to press my luck. " So what'll you do Cap't? Throw me over board for having washed up? That would be a little redundant don't you think?"

Laughter burst from Jack's mouth and I couldn't surpress a triumphant grin. " Aye Miss Wright, that would be going backwards when we should really be moving forward. Mr. Gibbs, would you please tell Sally to bring dinner to my quarters. The lady and I will be dining there this evening as we have much to discuss, until then I shall be showing her the Pearl. Mr. Gibbs, did you hear me man?"

" Aye Cap't." Poor Mr. Gibbs, he was still looking rather confused about the banter between Jack and I. I giggled as he went away and Jack fixed me with a with a stern gaze making me stop. I could not remember the last time I had laughed, but his stare made me feel like a naughty child and I wasn't the least bit sorry. I didn't know what was coming over me, I looked back up at Jack to find him smirking at me and I felt myself turning red.

' What the hell? I'm grinning like an idiot. Sure he's attractive, but I'

" Shall we Miss Wright?" Jack interrupted my fairly incoherent train of thought with a sweep of his hands and a bow indicating the way I should go.

" Aye Aye Cap't" I joked and soon fell into step beside him. It was a grand ship to be sure. Fine wood working, very swift and the Pearl's black sails must have struck terror into the hearts of anyone who had the misfortune to cross her path. Jack's love for his ship was obvious, his enthusiasm contagious; it was hard not to be drawn in by it. " So you really made a deal with Davy Jones to raise her from the ocean?"

" Aye, what an adventure that was," and he launched into an animated re-telling of the adventure including his own consumption by the Kraken and his escape.

" Sea turtles?" I said skeptically as we finished up touring below the decks.

" Did you believe in the triangles? There are two, the one you fell into and the Dragon's triangle off the coast of Singapore." I shook my head. I hadn't believed and I certainly didn't know there were two of them. Jack grabbed a bottle from one of the shelves before continuing. " Well you do now. As it stands that may also be how I can help you get home, provided we come to an accord."

If I hadn't been paying attention before, which I was, very intently, I was at that moment. " How?"

" Miss. Wright," he leaned closer and I could barely breathe, " How much do you know about the particular triangle you fell into?"

I shook my head, trying to rid myself of the fog that Jack's proximity seemed to produce. " Noth…not much."

Jack straightened and I blinked in surprise. " Yep, my plan will help you get home. And yes, my rescuers were sea turtles."

I stared after him as he continued toward the stairs to his cabin. Wow he had a great butt, I mean walk, stride. I mentally slapped myself. " Get a grip Mere. You are twenty-four, a mature woman, not a crazy hormone driven teenager. He's a pirate, untrustworthy, a really hot pirate. NO. Pirate, but he did mention how to get home. Home, home run, Gah! He's a pirate, probably has syphilis or something. Why does he have to be so hot?" I muttered. " Remember home, home, home." I sprinted up the stairs wanting to continue our conversation, okay and to mentally drool some more. " Cap't, Jack, what were you OOF!" I then collided with a very large, very broad man.
" You are a very, tall tall man." I said backing up. Now I stand at five-seven, so I wasn't exactly short but this guy, this guy was huge.

Jack chose precisely the right moment to come out of the other room. " Ah, I see you've met Mr. Sally."

" Sally? You're Sally? But I had thought"

" Nay lassie. I be Sally, the cook fer the Cap't and the crew." The man's thick Irish brogue made me relax a bit and try to look him in the eye. He had big green eyes and they glinted with thinly veiled mishchief which made me afraid to ask but I did anyway.

" Why do they call you Sally?"

" Why the crew gets lonely fer women when they be at sea so long. Makes 'em feel a wee bit closer ter home callin' me Sally. I don't mind it, I cook fer 'em but if they want any more womanly comforts, well" he paused before continuing, trying to be polite I thought, " well, I ain't that giving lassie." I laughed at his effort and Sally gave me a toothy grin in return.

" Meredith Wright." Sticking my hand into his.

" Sally, I think we'll get on fine lassie. But now ye best eat, yer skinny enough as 'tis. Anything ye'll be needing Cap't?"

" No, thanks Sal."

" G'night then. Night Lassie."

" Bye Sally." I said as Jack moved to the table. I looked at Jack, " Can I eat now?"

Jack inclined his head, " Be my guest."

Needless to say, I pounced on the table.