Miss. Swann went ahead of me climbing up the ship. Nervousness welled up into my stomach, knowing it would be the first time I had seen James in a week. I stumbled onto the deck and there in front of me, at long last, was James. I ran into his arms, relief coming over me. He held me tight and kissed my forehead. I could have cried if it weren't for my inability to. I looked up at him, ready to forgive him when his eyes were on someone else.

I glanced at his direction and saw he was watching Miss. Swann in her chemise. I thrust my hands to my sides, feeling like an idiot. Of course he missed me, but he had also come for Miss. Swann. Why did I save her? Why didn't I throw her into the fire as well? My face became red as he walked over to her, standing by the Governor.

She began to ask him to save Mr. Turner, and not at all to my surprise, he denied requests. If he saved Mr. Turner, the man she loved, then he would not have a single chance with her.

"But we've got to save Will!" She yelled at the two men.

Governor Swann protested immediately. "No! You're both safe now. We will return to Port Royal immediately, not go gallivanting after pirates!"

"Then we condemn him to death!" She objected, pleading looks bolting from her eyes at James.

"The boy's fate is regrettable, but, then, so was his decision to engage in piracy." Governor Swann sighed, trying to persuade his daughter from the choice of helping Mr. Turner.

As things couldn't get any worse, Sparrow jumped in at that moment to convey his thoughts on the matter. "If I may be so bold as to inject my professional opinion. The Pearl was listing near the scuppers after the battle. It's very unlikely she be able to make good time. Think about it. The Black Pearl. The last real pirate threat in the Caribbean, mate. How can you pass that up?"

James's jaw line tightened, showing his pure hatred for Sparrow. "By remembering that I serve others, Mr. Sparrow, not only myself."

James glanced at me before he began to tap up the steps. I turned my view towards Miss. Swann, her eyes pleading. That's when I stepped in, to save the bloody day for the love sick young woman.

"James, remember what it felt like when you almost lost me to my depression?"

James stopped abruptly, halfway up the stairs. He swiveled around to look at me, confusion on his face.

"Remember what it felt like when the only person you loved was about to die and there was no other option but to sit and wait?"

He continued to stare at me.

"Well, Miss. Swann doesn't have time to sit and wait. She only has the option of saving him…and she can only do that through you."

His jaw line tightened again. He observed Miss. Swann's face, and then turned back to me, obviously trying to make a decision.

"Plus, it was Mr. Turner that kept anything from happening to me while captured…" I smirked up at him, seeing his decision immediately come before him.

James put his hands behind his back and came down a few steps. "Mr. Sparrow, you will accompany these fine men to the helm and provide us with a bearing to Isla de Muerta. You will then spend the rest of the voyage contemplating all possible meanings of the phrase 'silent as the grave'. Do I make myself clear?"

Sparrow smiled. "Inescapably clear."

Sparrow disappeared with the two "fine gentlemen". Miss. Swann walked off with her father, leaving James and I alone. I observed James silent expression, waiting for him to turn and leave me alone. Now that I was back with him, I didn't want to be near him. He shot a look at me, keeping rim rod straight with an expression of no emotion. I breathed heavily, silently, slowly…just waiting.

"Brenna?" He held out his arm to me.

I wrapped my arm into his and walked with him to the railing. We stood, arm in arm for a few minutes, not saying a word. Then, as if he were finally seeing me for the first time, he touched my cheek, moving my head to look into his eyes. He let go of my arm and smoothly cupped my face in his hands. He swooped down, preparing for a kiss.

"Did you agree to help Mr. Turner for me or for Miss. Swann?" I said, breaking his moment of bliss.

His hands dropped to his sides, his expression changing to disbelief. He backed a few feet away from me and bowed. Turning on his heel, he stormed off, not answering my question. But his actions said it for him…it was for Miss. Swann…it was for her happiness.