DISCLAIMER: Alas, I'm ye to control Disney and thus own POTC, better luck next time. CC.

Alex knew it was time for her to get up and once again she resisted the urge, she was warm and comfortable why did the world want to torture her so. Groaning and rolling over caused the arm wrapped around her waist to tighten and the body that it was attached to groan in response to hers.

"Morning, Jack."

She said softly and threw her head back into the pillow. Jack merely grunted back and they laid there for a few minutes before she heard him sigh and throw the covers back, it was time for the Captain to get to work.

She turned her back on the room and pulled the covers back over herself savouring the warmth Jack's body left behind. She deserved a lay in; she had been getting up and making bread every day bar one since she'd landed herself on this boat.

"What is all of this?"

Jack's questioning voice cut through her sleeping reverie and she turned to see him standing amidst several piles of clothes. Alex rubbed her face and moved to the outer edge of the bed to get a better view. Tilting her head to one side she grabbed the nearest foreign article of clothing to examine it closely. It was one of her singlets, at least it had to be one of her singlets, she was quite sure there weren't any tags on clothing at this point in time.

"I think they're mine, they must have just appeared overnight."

Granted that vague explanation didn't really fit with her once well developed sense of logic but since landing in this situation Alex had really done away with logic and decided it was best if she just went with the flow.

"How?"

Alex shrugged and got out of bed grabbing a pair of pants here, shirt there, and very discreetly snatched a bra and pair of underwear so she could at last be completely comfortable in her own clothes.

"I guess I went to bed thinking 'I wish I could have my own clothes here' and I deduce that it happened… somehow."

Jack grabbed her causing her to drop a pair of jeans and underwear as he pushed her back onto the bed.

"Good, now think 'I wish for all the rum I could drink'. No! Think 'I wish for all the rum Jack could drink'."

Alex's eyes widened and she shook her head at his bizarre request.

"Don't be ridiculous, Jack."

"Just wish, woman!"

She grabbed his hand that were holding her down on the bed and moved them away from her person.

"Just think, Jack, you now have your wardrobe back."

Jack left the room still bewildered at how this magically appearing clothing debacle had occurred and how much it had considerably improved Alex's mood. He was getting used to her, not quite as slowly as he'd first imagined, in fact she'd quite quickly found her niche in the crew and thus a nice corner of his own life. She could cook, she didn't snore, he enjoyed having her sleep next to her and heaven save him the smell he left of the sheets and on his clothes was intoxicating. He knew he had to move faster along this road toward consummation or he might find himself lost.

Alex happily wandered through the river of clothes, her clothes, clean clothes. The faint scent of washing power that clung to them almost made her cry out with joy, then again her sweaty, smelly body and less than clean hair didn't exactly match. After stowing the garments away and pulling on a pair of jeans and t-shirt she finally made it to the galley. She had a date with blood, offal and a pail of goat's milk. Ah, black pudding.

A few hours later Tom stared into the large pot of boiling water giving an uneasy glance at the round sausage shaped black puddings. He didn't doubt that Alex (ma'am, sir) knew what she was doing he just wasn't certain if the crew would eat it. He looked over to the Captain's wife as she roughly kneaded dough for yet another fresh loaf of bread. She wore very well fitting pants and a strange shirt, but then again, in his opinion, everything about Alex was strange, fierce, commanding, beautiful, but strange.

"I think you're about right to put those puddings in now Tom. Just whack the lid on top when you're done then get me out some bread pans, we'll have a rest when everything's in the oven."

They sat at one of the mess tables Alex sitting quietly feeling the gentle rocking of the Pearl while Tom wolfed down the secret batch of scrambled eggs she'd made for them both. She thought it was justified, he was young, a runt and needed her protection, Alex felt like if she could teach him half of what she knew he could make himself a more valuable member of the crew. If he knew how to cook, and cook well, he'd be indispensable. However her maternal thoughts were interrupted by a slight sharper rock than usual.

"Tom?"

She asked her body becoming more alert by the jerky movements. Tom merely lifted his head from his now spotless plate.

"Yes, Alex ma'am?"

"Should I be worried by this motion?"

Tom stopped and listened for a moment, there were very distinct sounds in the distance.

"Ah… yes."
"Cannon fire?"

She tried to go for nonchalance but failed dismally and instead ended up with nervousness.

"I think you're right Alex ma'am."

At that split second the ships bell began to ring hurriedly, they were under attack and all she knew she could do was to have Tom protect the bread that was baking.

"Jack!"

Alex ran on deck towards the helm, her heart in her throat. She knew he was a pirate and that pirates stole and plundered but she really didn't want to die today.

He turned and as he saw her swore.

"Get yerself below, luv! You'll injure yerself up here."

She snorted as she reached his side.

"No more than you, Jack and I think that's the least of our problems. Who's attacking?"

He pulled out his telescope and aimed it in the direction of all the trouble.

"I can't exactly make it out."

Alex sighed and snatched it from him.

"Let me try, my eyes are younger than yours."

Jack made a sort of chocking sound, she hadn't exactly said he was old, but near enough was close enough.

"Spanish"

She said shortly as she handed the telescope back.

"What do you mean by your eyes are younger."

Alex patted his cheek in a fond way.

"Not that this isn't exactly the best time, Jack. But let's face it, you married a younger woman."

Jack turned to face her, confused.

"Still don't see why you can call me old."

Gibbs stared at the two of them dumbfounded that they would start an argument such as this as they were being attacked by a Spanish galleon.

"I said 'my eyes are younger' but if the hat fits…"

The Galleon shot again, luckily the Pearl was out of range and with the last few sails being hoisted they would gain more speed, that was if the Captain to tear himself away from arguing.

"Jack,"

Gibbs started touching his arm.

"You heard what she said, Gibbs?"

"Aye, Cap'n but now ain't the time unless you want te meet Davy Jones again."

The look on Jack's face was of total dread and he rushed to the wheel.

Alex lifted an eyebrow at this sudden surge of piratical responsibility.

"Someday you're going to tell me all about your zany adventures before my time travel, and considering what I just said I could probably believe just about anything."

The first hit landed on the Pearl just as Alex was strapping a knife to her waist, clearly the Pearl wasn't 'the fastest ship in the Caribbean' as Jack bragged at a drop of a hat.

"Jack!"

She screamed out as she ran onto the deck holding onto a railing so she wasn't thrown. She hadn't been sea sick yet, much to her own amazement, and she wasn't about to start now.

"Hold up, luv, I'm having a touch of trouble here."

He spun the wheel sharply to one side causing the ship to veer sharply to starboard attempting to cut off the ship that was very nearly on their heels.

"I can see you're in a whole lot of bloody trouble. They're not blasting their damn cannons at us, why?"

Anna-marie was suddenly by her side brandishing a pistol.

"They'll wait till they can give us a full broadside attack or, if they're that arrogant they'll just board us, kill half and take the rest prisoner."

Alex looked at the woman dumbfounded,

"The Spanish in these parts are showmen and this is THE Pearl. What a prize to have captured her without damaging her too much."

Alex turned her head back to Jack who was being handed his cutlass and pistol my Gibbs, both had a very grim look on their faces.

"Alex, luv, get down below."

For once it wasn't posed as a suggestion or even a teasing hint; it was an order point blank, an order from her Captain.

"Not on your tanned arse. I've just as much right to fight these bastards as you have. Besides, Tom's watching your dinner, everything'll be fine."

Jack grabbed her arm and began walking.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Jack?"

Alex raged as she was forcibly dragged down below. The pirate in question didn't say a thing until he'd properly deposited her in their room.

"For once, luv, do as I ask and stay down here."

He let go of her arm and for a second his hand seemed to hover over her face.

"Be safe."

With that Jack left. With that Alex wasn't sure she had wanted him to leave, not that crazy, hot, angry sex would be the sanest thing to happen on a pirate ship when there are Spaniards closing in but nothing in this situation was exactly sane. Alex wasn't sure she wanted to have sex with Jack, but she was sure there was no way he was going to get killed before she'd made her mind up.

sigh not as many reviews this time. It almost made me want to wait before I updated again. Lucky for you readers I couldn't. But remember reviewing helps me updated, it keeps my fragile sensibilities intact. CC

soaringphoenix86: I have to agree with you, she is very tough on him. And that idea about Gibbs having a chat to Jack isn't such a bad idea, we'll see what's in the cards about that one. So glad you enjoyed the songs, it wasn't like I wanted to turn it into a song-fic but I just couldn't resist!

Pawys: Looks like you are enjoying it, I don't think Alex would every hurt Jack too badly, just enough to keep the game of cat and mouse running, but which is which?

Robin Goodlass: I'm so happy that you really like it and you're enjoying my characterisation. The three songs were: 'Oh better far to live and die', 'Here's a first-rate opportunity' and 'What ought we do' all from Pirates of Penzance. The purple pants was a reference to an Australian version I've seen too. I'm so glad you like it please keep reviewing.