Welcome Back, Jack Sparrow

Disclaimer: Captain Jack Sparrow is not mine sigh I can dream all I want though. That also sadly means the POTC1/2/3 aren't mine either. I do own the throw, folders, posters, actions figures, etc. though!

Again, and I cannot stress this enough, I abhor Mary-Sues and guarantee I will never intentionally create one. But if she seems to be taking on that appeal, let know, please.

Author's Note— You might be interested to know I have figured out how this story will end and I guarantee it is perfectly in the character of our beloved Captain Jack Sparrow. Of course that is a long was from now but I thought that might be of interest to someone.

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Welcome Back, Jack Sparrow

The Seventh Installment

Introducing Mr. Smith

Mentally, Tara was heavily protesting the very idea. She could never pull it off! However, the off had been extended and he had accepted. What more could she do then follow through?

She looked back at him, glad now that he had been forced to change clothes. He seemed somewhat more presentable that way. His face could use some more cleaning, but the surf could deal with that as far as water needed. All that left was his hair...

"And what's in that head of yours?" Jack asked, noting how she was studying his head. He looked up to see if there was anything worth examining. Nope.

Tara shook her head, realizing he had noticed her staring. I'm sorry, I was just thinking on the best way to get you to the tavern. It's just that I cannot simply say I found you on the beach and have been aiding you for the past several days. I am afraid my family might no understand."

"As they shouldn't; you are a mindless girl who did a stupid act and while it was kind and I certainly can't complain, you were a fool for doing it. For all you know I might have robbed you."

"Then why haven't you by now? After all, you have had the chance, not that I carried much with me." She provided smartly.

"And if I decided to rape you?"

Tara blushed at the studied her hands as she answered. "Then you would have already done that."

"None sense. If I was planning on doing anything I would wait until you had done all you could for me and then taken your body." Jack said as a matter of factly, leaning back more comfortably now as he mindless argued. He felt dizzy now for some reason he couldn't place. That fact aggravated him as it seemed to be happening frequently nowadays and for the last few.

Wide eyed, she stood from her position on the blanket and backed away. "You wouldn't dare!" She half told, half asked him.

Jack, who had closed his eyes, cracked one open to look at her, "Why not, lass? Seems like a fine plan to me." His face remained completely impassive.

"You are a brute," she huffed, deciding his was playing. If nothing else she could still provide him with more, or at least that's what she tried to convince herself of. She was more unnerved by the comment then she cared to admit. "And I do not find you manner of humor funny."

"Who said anything about trying to amuse you?"

"Oh you…you…."

"Pirate," He provided, his tone the as-a-matter-of-fact type.

"Oh do not even start that again." He had already insulted her today by calling her a fool and now he was being almost vulgar with his manner of talking.

"Whatever you say, love."

"Now I am going. I must get home but come tomorrow I will have a more sure plan to get you to the inn. Please do try not to do anything harmful or stupid while I am away, Mr. Smith."

Jack just waved her away, not even taking the time to reply as his dizziness gave way to a headache. His plan had worked like a dream and still he was not having a good day.

Damn it all, this was Davy Jones's fault. If he hadn't chased him and just let him be none of this would be happening. He would be where he belonged, on his precious Pearl and being his regular piratey self.

But no! He was stuck on some damnable bit of land depending on some woman to aid him. If I ever get my hands on that slimy, maniacal sea dredge I would show him what damned to the depths really mean. He'll be lucky if he ever wants to see water again when I'm done with him.' Jack mentally swore.

With a groan, he covered his eyes with his hand. He had been feeling off for a few days now and it seemed to be getting worse. He looked down for a moment at the untouched food and just covered his eyes again, suddenly not feeling like downing anything.

Tara, meanwhile, made her way home. She was still a bit anxious about her talked with John, but knew there was nothing she could do about it and figured it was all in bad humor. "Or bad taste," she muttered to herself.

She walked into the tavern through the back door, not surprised to see her mother in the middle of preparing a batch of meat pies. "Glad to see you didn't get lost, Tara, darling. I was beginning to think you might have drowned."

"Nonsense Mama, I was just doing the…" She paused, realizing she had left them at the beach, "Oh no, no, no, no." She groaned.

Her Mama stopped, hand covered in the ingredient of her work at her daughter's pause, "Something the matter?"

"I, well…" Tara bit her lip, not really wanting to admit what had happened. It was bad enough she lost dishes from time to time in the surf, but to leave the entire basket!

"Well?" Mama prompted.

"I left the dishes on the beach. I was…" She shrugged helplessly, not sure of what excuse she could use. Thankfully she was given more time by the offered response.

Brows furrowed, the older woman frowned at her daughter. "You left the dishes? Tara," she sighed. "That is so irresponsible. When you were a child that was acceptable but now you are grown. You should know better."

"Yes Mama, I do. I just got distracted. I'm sorry."

"Just pray they aren't stolen and get them quick. We'll discuss the rest later." She answered, shaking her had and going back to her work. 'Really, that child', she mused. She didn't know what to do.

"You mean now?" Tara asked, not really wishing to see John again so soon, especially after there last conversation.

"Well of course now. You were the one that left them. Besides, it's nearing dark so the faster you go and get back, the more light you'll have to work with. Dishes are expensive in a group that large and someone might steal them before you could get back tomorrow." She was lectured. "I would send one of your brothers with you but they are helping your father and Madeline is too little to be wondering this late. Now off with you."

Reluctantly, Tara nodded and headed back out the door. Her father would be furious if the dishes got stolen, though she highly doubted they would, being in safe company and all. Surely no one would steal something with a man sitting there.

After some minutes of walking she was back at the beach. The whole while there she thought of the entire John/Tavern situation.

John, much to her relief, appeared to have drifted into sleep.

She moved quickly, picking up the basket. Just as she was about to leave, a voice caught her attention.

"Just couldn't stand to be away from me, aye lass?" Jack teased her, having been half asleep and welcoming the distraction to his apparent illness. He had been at sea most of his life so hiding and ignoring a bit of sickness came pretty easy by now.

Rolling her eyes, Tara turned to look at him. "What can I say? You just seem to draw me to you. Something I can offer you, Mr. Smith?"

"Tend to have that affect on people, don't feel so special. As for offer, a real bed would be nice or at least a hammock."

"I am working on that actually. I had some ideas, but they don't seem to work quite right."

"What's difficult? Lead the way and I'll follow."

"And say what that I found you on the be…" She paused, having been running some of her ideas through her head and suddenly a smirk appeared on her lips. "Mr. Smith, I do believe I have a plan. Better still, it's so simple I feel like a fool for no think about it before."

"Well then, let's hear it. I've got things to be doin' you know."

"Like sitting on a beach?" She asked, glad for once to have the upper hand.

"Exactly like that. It's hard work doing that all day you know."

"You are infuriating, do you know that? I mean really, can nothing insult you?"

"Could you get back to the plan?" Jack countered, not in the mood the play word games any longer.

"Fine, back to the plan then; I was thinking perhaps you could prove yourself of a rescuer."

"Come again?" Jack asked with a cocked eyebrow.

"Well, I left my dishes here, as I am sure you might have noticed. I had to return for them, which is all obviously truth. Who is to say someone did now find them and attempt to take them? After all, they are a good set and while not highly valuable, to the right kind of man anything and be sold for a profit, especially when it starts free."

"So if I were to have said wondered by when said someone was taking what weren't theres and you happened on the scene…"

"I can bring you back to the tavern. Of course there will have to be a bit more to the story then that but I can worry about it then."

Jack nodded his approval to the plan. If it worked, it worked. If not, it was on her head. He still had a place to stay that was sheltered. That sounded grand to him. "So when do we leave?"

"Now would be great. The sooner we get home the better off this.

"Seems to me waiting a few extra minutes will add to the believability of the story," Jack felt the need to add. That and it would give him a few minutes to prep himself for the trip, however long it might be.

"That's…a very good point, actually." She conceded. "Well then, uhm, just let me know when you are ready, alright?'

"Can do."

"Good," Tara said before she walked to the surf, kicking off her shoes and wading in a few feet. She liked the feel of the water. Somehow it calmed her whenever she was upset and gave her a sense of adventure whenever she was bored.

It was something she was just raised with, she supposed, so it was very much a part of her life. She had lived in the tavern near this beach as long as she could remember.

Jack, in the meanwhile, laid his head back and closed his eyes to brace back the ache there. It was really starting to annoy him.

After some ten minutes had passed, he made himself stand and draw her attention. "We best be moving out now, don't want to over do it."

Tara turned, nodding her head as she walked back onto the beach. Rinsing her feet in the cool water, she slipped her shoes back on and went back to where Jack stood, picking up her basket.

"Are you sure your injuries are up to this?"

"What's in a walk, eh? I'm John Smith after all."

"Have it your way then, Mr. Smith."

Jack nodded his head and with a slow pace the two made it back to the tavern.

Tara paused for a few minutes, trying to convince herself tat they would actually succeed in the little lie. Hopefully…

Jack took the reprieve to lean against the wall, not saying anything to encourage her into the building or remain out. Like to admit it or no, the walk had made his back start aching worse then it had in a few days; probably because of the muscle use seeing as he hadn't been waling much formally.

He was prepping himself as well for the unfamiliar surroundings. In case of emergency, or worse recognition, he needed to be able to note the exits and possible threats as soon as that door was open.

"Alright Mr. Smith, it's time to show you to the family." Tara finally said with a breath as she opened the door.

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Author's note: For taking forever to get this out and for the lacking in the last chapter I made it longer. ;) I hope everyone enjoyed it.

Please remember to review and let me know what you think! I am especially concerned about keep Jack in character. Let me know how I am doing,

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!! Well, technically it's a day late, but oh well.