Disclaimer: Sadly, I must say that all characters and objects pertaining to the movie Pirates of the Caribbean are property of Disney and not my own. Even though I would love to own Jack Sparrow, sadly I don't. All other characters and objects are of my own creation.

Author's Note: My lord, I got more reviews and even better..they were even nicer than before! Lol. Okay I'm extremely excited (could also be that I'm hyper too...hmmm) Anyways,

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Chapter Four

How am I going to get back down?" "I guess we have to jump."

Rachel felt lost and utterly alone as she gazed out the window of Jack's cabin. It had been a week since she woke up to find that somehow in some way she was in another world so distant from her own. Jack and Mr. Gibbs, who she learned was the first mate, had tried everything but brute force to get her out of the cabin and into the fresh air of the Caribbean. But after three days and several failed attempts, Jack finally got the point and was left with lumps caused by some unfortunate objects that were within Rachel's reach. As she watched the sea through the glass, her thoughts had once again drifted to the pirate captain who rescued her. Her mind battled with her heart over what to do.

'Pirates are suppose to be story book characters who pillage and plunder and live happily ever after with the rich damsel he so gallantly saves from a horrible rich prick who only wants more status. They're not suppose to be real anymore! Just figure out a way to get back home to everything normal...--------

'Wait... Normal? Whats normal about my life? I make a living of telling those pirate stories to school children who dress up as pirates for Halloween just for stupid candy. I dress like a pirate to get people to go to the museum I work for. Hell, my own father raised me on a boat and he taught me how to sword fight. I even went to college just to be called a "pirate expert." I know more about pirates than I do about the average everyday guy..ugh! I've have always dreamed about being a pirate, falling in love with a pirate...--------

'No, you didn't dream about falling in love with a pirate. You dreamed about the Captain Jack Sparrow and only because you thought he was so heroic and dashing the good/bad guy everyone loved to hate. Give me a freakin' break chick...--------

'But Jack is here and he did save me...He is real and not just story book character... Wait a second.. Why the heck am I so worried about how I feel about Jack? I'm the one that went 300 years back in time. I need to be thinking of that, not that crazy pirate...'

Rachel sighed, placing her hand on the glass, feeling the warmth it captured from the sun. As the warmth crept through her fingers and up her arm, she smiled remembering Jack's touch when he helped her back in the bed. It was warm and compassionate..trust worthy. And with that, she stood up, slipping on the boots and dress coat Jack had given her and she left the cabin.

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Jack stood at the helm of his beloved ship, guiding her smoothly through the calm water. There, at the wheel of the ship, was Jack's thinking spot, the one place he could go and feel absolute freedom. But for the past week, even this special spot for him was confining. Everywhere he went, his mind drifted off to the same place. To his cabin where the red eyed woman stayed. He was furious with her for disobeying his orders to go on deck but he felt a twinge of pain for her and what she's been through. One moment all he wanted to do was grab her by the hair and drag her out of there and the next moment he just wanted to bury his face in that hair as she cried.

'Bloody woman..the whole lot of 'em but this one more than any. Curse that aim of hers too..Damnable minx...' he thought as he rubbed one of the many lumps on his head.

"Can we talk, Captain?.." Rachel's soft voice came from behind him.

"Mr. Cotton! Take the helm!" Jack hissed as Cotton's parrot squawked 'hoist the main sail' at him. He grabbed Rachel's hand and pulled her along towards the main mast. "Up." he ordered her, pointing up towards the crows nest.

"I beg you pardon?" looking straight up at the crow's nest gave her a dizzying nauseous feeling.

Jack stared at her, his expression in itself demanding his order be followed. Nervously, Rachel shook her head and started to back away.

"Bloody hell, you devious minx! Get up there." Jack ordered again, forcing her hands onto the thick ropes.

Seeing no way out, Rachel did as commanded and began to climb, looking down periodically to make sure Jack was close behind. About a third of the way up, she stopped and looked straight down and let out a terrified yelp.

"Jack! Please, I want down. I want down now!" she begged him. Jack grinned as he climbed next to her, brushing the hair from her cheek with one hand and holding onto the ropes with the other.

"Come on, luv. I know you can do it. Trust me." he encouraged.

"Jack..I can't... I'm scared of heights."

Jack put his free arm around her waist and moved closer to her, urging her on. The crew had been watching the captain and the woman climb the rigging and were impressed that she had even made it half way without stopping. One by one, the men began to cheer her on. With their support, she continued to climb, and slowly but surely they reached the top. Jack's protective arm left her side only for the brief moment when they climbed into the crow's nest.

"You alright?" he asked, staring at the woman before him who was crying yet again.

She nodded, smiling as she wiped away the tears. The roar of cheers from the crew below grew louder as Jack and Rachel leaned over the nest for a brief moment to show off her success.

"Jack, I'm so sorry for how ungrateful I've been towards you. You saved me and I should have..." with just one look, Jack silenced her.

He stood behind her in the cramped space, placing one hand on the railing on each side of her then pointed out towards the horizon. They stood for a few moments, staring out at the sea in silence.

"Tell me about where you come from." Jack whispered in her ear, bringing a smile to her lips.

"What do you want to know?" she asked as she leaned back into his chest, feeling a strange sort of comfort being so close to him.

"Tell me about you. I want to know everything." she started at the beginning, telling him about some of the crazy things she did as a child and about her mother who died before she was even old enough to walk.

"I was practically raised on the water. My dad was a Naval captain and he taught me lots of things. Oh god, if he could just see me now..." she drifted off.

"Homesick?" Jack questioned, her warm breath on her neck creating goosebumps on her arms. She merely shrugged and gazed out at the endless sea.

"I dunno what I feel Jack.." he chuckled, placing his hands on her hips and leaned back against the top end of the main past. "I miss home because I'm used to home.. I'm more terrified about not knowing how to survive here..."

"With that wicked aim of your, I have a feelin' yer gonna be just fine." Rachel laughed for what felt like the first time in ages.

"Really, Jack? And how do you know that?" Jack grabbed one of her hands and placed it over the most recent of the wounds his head received.

"Thats how I bloody know, ya evil wench." Rachel laughed, her hand rubbing the bump tenderly. "I only wonder if yer aim is this good with a pistol." Jack stood up straight, releasing her hand.

Together they watched the warm sun begin to set just off on the horizon. Cotton's parrot caught her eye from below and then her fear hit her again.

"Um...Jack? How...How am I going to get back down?"she asked, clinging to his arms.

"Well, this is interesting.." Jack stated as he looked down at the deck. "To be honest, luv, I guess we have to jump."

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AN: Ack! I didn't know where this was taking me so I ended this chapter quickly. Sorry about it being short but it was getting too off course! I'm gonna get started on yet another chapter... :P