Here's chapter 4, sorry it took so long. I actually have a good portion of the story completed, but I just haven't posted it yet.

Thanks for your comments ClumsyElf, and GoneOutForSomeChicken. Becket is a little pansy isn't he?

All comments are welcomed and much appreciated so...Please comment.

Without further ado, I give you Chapter 4.

Enjoy!

Chapter 4:

Jack stood rubbing his sore cheek while watching the soldiers take Feronia away wailing her limbs about and screaming.

"Official business! Ha! You scum. Willing to sell your soul for a profit!" Feronia spat as they hauled her away. Jack tried to solemnly plead with her with his eyes, but to no prevail.

"Burn in hell!" were the last audible words Feronia screamed from a distance among an array of additional curses. Jack only cringed, he couldn't even bare to make eye contact.

"Excuse me Mr. Sparrow," Mercer asked, "the three kids in the hut are too young and unfit for work. Would you like for me to comply with Beckett's orders and dispose of them?"

"No!" Jack answered a bit too abruptly. Mercer eyed him suspiciously. "I mean no…um… I'll take care of it myself. Go help the others on the beach" Mercer nodded and headed toward the shore. Jack waited until no one was in sight, then slowly approached the hut.

Inside he spotted three children huddled in the corner trembling with fear. Their eyes were glazed over from the horror they likely witnessed. Jack cautiously drew near to them. He gently held out his hand and they flinched at his gesture.

"No, no its alright"

The youngest of the three, no older than two, held out her hand until her fingers became entwined with Jack's. He smiled, and led the three outside.

"Now, here take this and head in this direction," Jack directed while pointing east. He handed the eldest a pouch with a considerable amount of money in it. "There is a village about two miles east of here along the shore." Jack tried feverously to communicate his directions with his hands, because he know the children could not understand a word he spoke.

"Sparrow!" a voice called out. Jack looked around nervously.

"Hurry!" he whispered. The children quickly scurried off, with an unspoken understanding.

"Jack Sparrow, Beckett wants to see you back on the Dauntless. All the slaves have now been brought aboard." The soldier said..

"Well best not keep him waiting," he responded sarcastically as he discreetly watched the three children dash off into the sunset.

On the Dauntless…

The crew celebrated their plunder with rum and laughter. Jack returned aboard to much merriment.

"Hey, cheers to Jack Sparrow, without him we wouldn't soon be wealthy men!" A crew member shouted as he raised his glass when Jack entered the ship.

"To Jack Sparrow!" the rest of the crew cheered in unison.

"Now gents, I have some amusement for us." Beckett called out, "Crowd around, but do be careful this feisty beast has been known to bite" The crew chuckled. "Here she is, the beauty of the sea!" Beckett bellowed sarcastically.

Feronia with her hand bound behind her back was pushed on deck and shoved to the floor where she collapsed to her knees. The uncontrollable hackling from the crew followed. Jack's eyes grew wide.

"If I am correct this little wretch put up quite a fight at all of our expense," Beckett said, "It's only right we return the favor. Am I right gentlemen?" The crowd cheered in agreement. They wanted a show and Beckett was going to give it to them. Becket slowly paced around Feronia, with a wooden club in hand.

"You know in my experience men with superiority complexes such as ye self are compensating for something else they have in short supply! Bastard" Feronia roared at him. The crew tried restrained their chuckles.

"A word of advice, never insult you captor. It will always end in blood shed!" Beckett fumed. He then abruptly pulled away and raised the club high above his head. Then he delivered a crushing blow to Feronia's back. Her knees buckled beneath her as her face made contact with the deck. The crew howled with enjoyment, and Jack winced with guilt and despair.

Feronia scrambled to get to her feet, but was met with another fierce blow this time to her neck. She once again found her self on the floor, and groaned from the throbbing pain that now accompanied her neck. She winced from the shooting pain. Feronia tried furiously to get up but her body denied her that privilege.

Beckett prepared for the next strike by rising the blood stained club above his head. He sung it forcefully, aiming at her head. Then suddenly a resilient hand grasped the club before it could make contact with her skull. Feronia's weakly looked up to behold her savior's face. She was very displeased to find her angle to be none other than Jack Sparrow.

"Sparrow! I thought I warned you. How dare you oppose me again!?" Beckett condemned. Jack nervously searched his mind for an explanation for his actions.

"um..well..this lass did slap me and you did say that it was through my efforts that all of this was possible" Jack quickly spat out trying to dig himself out of the hole he trapped himself within. "I think that it is only fair that I am compensated for my troubles. Let me have my way with her. That's all I ask…uh…Savvy?"

"I knew you'd com to realize the benefits of the slave trade. You may have my cabin. You deserve it. Now get that witch off her feet and send her to my cabin for Mr. Sparrow." Beckett grinned.

A few of the few crewmates stepped forward and wrestle Feronia into the cabin. Jack entered and slammed the door and locked it. On deck the crew continued their drunken celebration.

"Quick! Get up!!" He directed her as he held out his hand for assistance. She refused his gesture and struggled to get up independently

"Get away from me!" she screamed when she finally manage to come to her feet. Jack grabbed her hand and pulled her to an alternate doorway. He handed her a pouch gold coins.

"Go down this corridor and make a right when you come to a lit lantern. You'll find a longboat. Lower it into the sea and head for shore with all haste. Do not make any side trips."

Feronia hurled the bag of coins back at Jack's face. "I don't need your guilt money! You're not going to use me as a scapegoat for your conscience! I will never forgive you!" With her fierce blue eyes gleaming with passion she spit in his face. She turned to proceed with her escape but Jack grabbed her shoulder and spun her around.

"I was only following orders." he whispered in her ear sorrowfully.

"Then I don't know who has it worst. All those people who had their freedom unrightfully stolen or you, who willingly gave it up to that life-sucking scum to find you place in society." The anger and conviction in her voice was undeniable. She then abruptly left. "Good riddens, Mr. Sparrow."

Jack sat in Beckett's cabin contemplating his actions. He knew he would have to face Beckett's wrath. "I could really use some rum" he mumbled to himself.