Disclaimer: I tried to lure Jack away from Disney and into my basement using vast amounts of rum, but he was too crafty for me, and therefore isn't mine.

AN: Due to several pleading reviews, I decided to add a bit more to my story, "The Call of Freedom." Consider this particular section a really long "test chapter," and if people read and review, the story will continue. It probably won't go on for too long, but I'll give it my best shot to make it as interesting as possible. However, if no one reads this story or likes it, it will go back to being a one-shot. Meanwhile, thanks to everyone for their supportive reviews; I hope that you'll all keep reading and reviewing this story! Thanks again!

Chapter 2: Let the Adventures Begin:

Never in my life had I seen anything so beautiful. Surrounding me were the blue waves of the ocean and the air that was beginning to warm as we made our way to the Caribbean. The voyage had been long, but not as much as it should have been; Jack had not been joking when he said that the Pearl was one of the fastest ships in the Caribbean, if not the world, and would explain why we were halfway around the world in less than half the time it normally took.

"Rosie!" cried Mr. Gibbs. "Get below and start with the grub!"

I bit my lip and sighed, my moment of peace over…for now. "I'll be right there, Gibbs!"

As I made my way down below to the galley, I realized how much I had changed in six weeks. My hands were no longer the soft, smooth, delicate things they had been back home in Europe; instead, they were covered with barely-healed blisters and skin roughened by the winds. My hair was in a messy bun at the nape of my neck, just barely protecting it from being as sunburned as the rest of me, and I was worn down to the bone. Also, my first name was different; Jack and the crew couldn't risk my family finding out where I was, so I had become Rose Nelson, which was a common enough name, and the rose was my favorite flower...

'And yet, I wouldn't trade this whole bit of madness for anything,' I thought as I made my way down to what served as the Pearl's kitchen.

When I had first come aboard, Jack and the crew pretty much thought that I wouldn't be able to do much at first, seeing as I was a "society lass" and had, in all likelihood, never worked a full day in my life. However, after watching Mr. Gibbs and a few other men for a few days, and after doing a bit of everything to see what I "took to" the best, my official chores were decided on. I would put my embroidery and sewing skills to the test by mending canvas for the sails and the hammocks, and to do the cooking.

I had read in a book once that working in the galley was normally considered an insult, and was traditionally a place to send crewmembers that had been too injured in fights to participate in the lootings. Once I thought about it, though, it wasn't that bad a place to work, and I rather enjoyed it. Besides, the crew hadn't looked down on me when I officially accepted the task, and had even grown to like seeing me down there, doing something useful and generally keeping out of the way.

But what had truly convinced me to take up the job was that it was safer to be in the galley and working than being up top and doing things I could not handle, such as keeping an eye out for enemies or ships to plunder. Also, Jack (or Captain Sparrow, as I called him now in public) had been quick to tell me that since I really couldn't fight anyway, the galley would probably be the safest place for me until he had me trained to use a sword, or at least a pistol and a knife for protection. I couldn't argue with him on that, and simply took the official job as the ship's cook, and was actually fairly good at it.

"There you are, luv!" called a voice I would recognize even while half asleep.

'Speak of the devil,' I thought with a smile as I moved pots and pans around to make the crew's supper. Out loud, I said in my most pleasantly teasing voice, "And a 'good afternoon' to you, too, Captain Sparrow."

"It's Jack, luv," he said, as he took a spot next to me, leaning against the small countertop.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his teeth flash at me, the silver and gold catching the light from the four lanterns that hung along the walls. His golden-tanned skin seemed to glow, and I couldn't help but notice that his shirt was partially open. However, I knew that he was just trying to tease me, as he always did whenever he came to visit during my work time, and I had gotten used to him being the quirky, seductive rogue that he was. Besides, his coming to visit me had grown to be a pleasant time for the two of us to talk and poke fun at one another.

During my first day here, I managed to realize that Jack had saved me, not out of love (as some might think), but out of need. He explained that he had seen in me the same desire for freedom and the ocean that he had, and wanted very much for me to experience life on the sea and what it had to offer. In all probability, becoming a pirate was likely the only way for me to achieve that freedom; it was either follow Jack to the Pearl, leaving my old life behind on land, or give up everything I desired in my life and became a nobleman's wife. In the choice between a gilded cage or a life of freedom, I felt I had made the right choice in going with Jack.

"So, luv, ready to see someplace other than open-ocean?" Jack said as he watched me chop potatoes and toss them into a pot of boiling water.

I turned to him with a grin. "Most definitely, Captain," I replied, finishing with the potatoes and reaching for the carrots. I could hear him sigh as I did so.

"How many times to I have to tell you my name, Rosie?" he said, obviously flustered.

"Well, considering that you like to be addressed by your title, and that one of the crew might walk in at any moment now, I'd say you'd have to do it at least once more," I said with a slight laugh.

Jack's soft chuckle reached my ears as he reached over and patted my lower back, just above my bum. I was thankful that he thought highly enough of me to not touch me inappropriately, nor treat me like some serving wench from a seedy tavern. When he wanted to be, Captain Jack Sparrow could appear quite the gentleman, which is how he sometimes acted whenever I asked him a question or needed some advice on getting along with the crew.

Despite everything I knew about him being popular with women, I found myself liking the handsome pirate captain far too much for my own good. I knew that Jack Sparrow was a womanizer, a man with a girl (or three) in every port, and that it was a mistake to feel too much for him, since he would only break my heart. So I decided to do my best and try to avoid thinking of him in that way, hoping that, one day, I would find some other man of the sea who could return my feelings, but wouldn't destroy my dreams of freedom.

"Rose, you'd better cook faster, the crew's half-starved!"

"Yes, Mr. Gibbs!" I yelled back up the stairs, rolling my eyes as I did so. Well, time to get back to work.

"LAND HO!"

"Well, finally!" I said, dabbing my forehead with a shirt sleeve.

Behind me at the helm, I could hear Jack chuckling at me. "So eager to get your land-legs back, Rose?" he asked teasingly.

I turned around to smile at him. "Well, after spending so much time at sea with the same group of men," I turned and looked at Mr. Cotton standing right beside me, "and birds for the whole voyage, I think that it would be nice if we managed to see something other than each other's faces for a while."

Jack's mouth twisted into a pout. "Becoming tired of looking at my handsome face, luv?" he said, looking slightly offended. "That's not probable, darling. Everyone loves to look at me!"

Choking slightly to hide my laughter, I merely shook my head and decided not to comment. Instead, I turned my attention to helping Mr. Cotton with his bird, who had taken an unusual liking to me. Happy to see me, Mr. Cotton raised the arm holding his bird and put his hand on my shoulder.

"Pretty bird!" the parrot exclaimed as it eagerly climbed onto my shoulder to be petted and fed. "Very pretty bird!"

Again I could hear Jack's soft laughter as I took the feathered creature up to the helm. Officially, the bird had no name, and was merely referred to as Parrot or even Cotton, since he was practically an extension of the original Mr. Cotton. However, I felt Mr. Cotton and his bird were their own selves and had their own personalities, so I asked Mr. Cotton if I could name his bird. He had nodded his approval, and I had begun throwing random names at the parrot, hoping that it would respond to one of them. Unfortunately, it didn't. I had tried every decent name I could think of, but the only name it would respond to was the shortening of a curse I had thrown at it after it had startled me.

It was actually a very funny moment, one that the crew still talks about. I had just settled down to rest for a moment on a barrel, pulling out a bit of hardtack to nibble on when a feathered bundle nearly took my head (and shoulder) off. My reply was what anyone expected.

"You damned old feather-duster!" I had yelled, ducking my head to avoid being knocked out.

"Pretty bird," the creature had quipped, combing its beak through my hair as an apology.

I had merely sighed and given it a piece of hardtack. That was how the bird came up with his nick-name for me, and was the beginning of my new job as the "official" bird's caregiver and feeder whenever Mr. Cotton was busy or needed some peace with his thoughts. I was also the only one who called the bird 'Dusty,' as I was the one who had given him the 'name,' and the only one that it would obey when called that.

"Alright, Dusty, here's your dinner," I said, offering a bit of hard bread crust.

"Pretty bird!" Dusty eagerly accepted it with one of his claws and went to work while I attempted to talk to the man beside me.

"So, where are we headed, Captain?" I asked, looking towards the landmass in front of us.

"Tortuga," he answered, a fond smile on his face.

"Tortuga?"

I had heard of the infamous pirate port, and how it was full of drunks, wenches, taverns, and brothels, amongst other things. It was also a good place to find the best thieves, assassins, pirates, and if one looked carefully, murderers. It was definitely not a place that a former gentlewoman like me wanted to go to, and I was beginning to think that staying on the Black Pearl while we were there would be a very good idea.

"Don't let its reputation throw you off, luv," Jack said, pulling my attention back towards him. "A place for the lowest scum of the earth, it's true, but Gibbs and I will make sure that no harm comes to you."

A smile tugged on my lips as Dusty tugged on my hair, asking for more food, which I gave. "So what will we be doing in Tortuga, Captain?" I asked.

"Well, the crew needs to have some time to themselves," he replied, looking thoughtful. "We need to restock the galley and the rum holds, and do a few repairs, so I'm thinking we'll be here for a week, two at most."

Jack suddenly turned his eyes towards me and jerked his head, motioning for me to come closer so he could talk to me without being overheard. Puzzled, I obeyed. Over the six weeks I had spent on the Pearl, the serious private talks I had had with Jack had diminished as I managed to accept my life here and be accepted by the crew. Therefore, it wasn't very often that I needed to have a "private" chat with the Captain.

"Luv, I want you to promise to stay close to me or Gibbs while we're onshore." The look in his eyes said he was speaking as both my captain and as a friend, a person who genuinely cared what happened to me while we were in the dangerous town. "Even if you have to stay near Marty," he nodded towards the bald little midget of the crew, "he's better than nothing. Savvy?"

Seeing as it was the only way to ease his worries, I nodded my head. "Aye, sir," I replied. Besides, just the idea of someone looking after my wellbeing made me feel quite a bit better.

Once my chore with Dusty the Parrot was finished, I headed down to my quarters to do something I hadn't had the courage or opportunity to do since I'd run away from home. I wanted to write a letter to my family to let them know I was alright.

Sadly, this was easier said than done. How my parents were going to react to receiving this was beyond me, and I knew that if they ever managed to find out where I was, I would be hanged for joining a crew of pirates and my family would be shamed. Jack had told me that, in all likelihood, writing a letter to them would either make them angry, or give them peace in knowing that I was alive and happy. Hopefully, it would turn out for the best if I managed to use the correct words.

Dear Mama and Papa,

Words cannot possibly express what I want to tell you, particularly about what I have felt in my heart of hearts during my years growing up. I suppose, then, that I should start from the beginning and work my way onwards from there.

For so many years I had felt the horrid feeling of being smothered by what was expected of me by my family. I was expected to be polite, foolish, and to think of nothing more than living a life of luxury and have little to do with anything involving thought. I know you were (and probably still are) disappointed in me for not achieving those ideals, but I cannot say I am sorry for that, for it is those things that makes me who I am. However, the one thing you both desired most of me was to marry well and bring both a great name and a great fortune to our family, which, in fact, became my reason for leaving on the day of my wedding.

But before I left Sir James at the altar, I had met the most extraordinary man, one who showed me the spirit of freedom that only the seas could offer. For so long I had only seen the sea in the distance from my bedroom window, so close and yet so far away from my reach. One night, I heard it call to me as it never had before, and to my amazement, I answered it by putting on the guise of a boy and slipping over the garden wall. I went to a tavern and actually drank something stronger than wine…it was rum, the drink so happily praised by sailors and pirates, and it was better than any of the finest drinks in our home, for it was something that I wanted and not which was forced upon me by others.

Imagine my surprise when, while sipping my drink, my disguise was seen through by a pirate rogue! I will not give his name, for I fear for this good man's life, but it was he who showed me his ship and the great freedom that it gave him and his faithful, hardworking crew. He showed me the vast openness of the sea and how, once you've seen it from the helm of a ship, nothing on land could possibly hold you there. He was right, and on the day of my wedding, he offered me the one thing that neither you, Mama and Papa, never had…

He offered me my freedom…and I accepted it.

I have since joined his crew and am quite happy. The men have all accepted me as one of them, a fellow lover of the sea, and I would not trade it for anything in the world. I hope that you can be happy for me, as I have finally found my calling in life. Pray apologize to Sir James for me, and inform him that I wish him luck in finding the bride that he so desires.

I love you, Mama and Papa, and think of you very often. I know that, from this day forth, there is little to no chance of my ever being accepted back into your good graces. And yet, I hope that you will one day think of me fondly as the daughter who loved you both very much and will continue to love you long after this letter is completed and read. Perhaps I will write again, and perhaps not…the life of a pirate is a dangerous one, after all. If I survive this year, I will attempt to write again.

God Bless You, Mother and Father. I love you both.

Your Daughter,

Angela

I sealed the letter and put it in a waterproofed pouch which I tied to my belt, right next to my pistol and knife. I had never shot a pistol a day in my life, but Jack told me that all there was to it was to aim and pull the trigger. The knife, however, as well as the sword hanging on my left hip, required much more learning than that, which Jack and Mr. Gibbs were more than willing to provide (though I was still terrible at it). All three weapons still required getting used to wearing, and since we were going into a pirate port, it was probably a very good idea to wear all three, if only to appear more intimidating.

No sooner had I emerged onto the deck than I saw that we had docked in Tortuga. The sounds of gunshots, raunchy laughter, slurred voices, music, and catcalls filled the air, as did the stench of unwashed bodies and alcohol. It made me feel nauseous, but the crew seemed unusually eager as they finished up their chores. Just as the last rope was tied down and the sails were fully hoisted up, Jack called us all together.

"Remember to be back in time for your watch of the ship!" he commanded in a loud voice that was surely heard. "We leave in a week's time! Gibbs, you and Rose come with me to take care of supplies. Marty, you and Cotton take watch of the ship and send that bird out for us if there's trouble. The rest of you get going, and don't be late coming back!"

The men let out a huge cheer and were off the ship before I could blink twice. Meanwhile, Jack sauntered over to me and put an arm around me. Though I would never tell him, I very much liked the feeling of his hand on my shoulder; it was still warm from the Caribbean sun, and was very gentle. I tried to push aside any and all thoughts on it, though; I knew that Jack was either trying to flirt with me (as I heard he did every other woman), or wanted it to appear as though he were trying to protect me by pretending that I 'belonged' to him.

Well, either way, I was not going to complain, and from the look in his eyes, Jack was all too happy to leave his hand right where it was. So, after making sure that Mr. Gibbs was following, Jack led us both into town.

An hour after being in the pirate haven, I was more than ready to leave and never come back. At least two dozen men had tried to proposition me, but a deadly look from both Jack and Mr. Gibbs was more than enough to send them on their ways. The smell of spilled alcohol, perfume from the harlots on the streets, and men who had apparently been sleeping in pigsties were warring on my nose, making me gag. My two male protectors seemed unaffected by it, but were willing to conclude the business of our shopping trip quickly, if only to spare me from being eyed by the apparently lusty shopkeeper.

Finally, the restocking of the Pearl was done, and we were free to do as we pleased. I was eager to go help Marty and Cotton with guarding the Pearl, but Jack insisted that I 'sample the rum' here in Tortuga, and would not take 'no' for an answer. And so, not taking his arm from my shoulder once since we had left the ship, Jack used it to steer me into a tavern called The Faithful Bride.

Several members of the crew were already there and halfway through their third or fourth mug of alcohol. They cheered when they saw us approach, and quickly made room for us newcomers as Jack ordered three rums. When they arrived, he handed one to me even as Gibbs took another. As I made to take my first sip, I noticed that Jack was eagerly smiling at one of the serving wenches, and inwardly winced. To hide my hurt, I took a large gulp of my drink and let it burn down my throat. Watching Jack flirt with other girls stung, so I let the rum burning down my throat take it away, causing me to finish my first drink in record time.

Jack looked at me in surprise when he saw that I had already finished the mug, but for some reason refused to order me another. Refusing to allow him to take charge of my alcohol intake, I waved over the same serving wench who Jack had been eyeing and told her to bring me another. Just then, one of the crewmen, Barton, challenged us to a drinking contest, which, for some reason, included me. Against Jack's protests, I agreed to join in and made ready to do some damage.

Rolling his eyes, Jack unwillingly found himself very impressed with the girl currently lying unconscious on his bed. Never before had he seen a female drink that much rum in one sitting and still come out second place in a drinking contest. Barton had won out, but only because Angela had passed out while drinking the mug that would have made her the winner. Leaving his drunken men unconscious on the floor of the tavern, Jack had quickly swept up his only female crewmember and headed towards the Pearl.

After climbing the gangplank, he had gotten concerned looks from Marty and Mr. Cotton, both of whom had a fondness for the girl snoring away in Jack's arms. The pirate captain had merely smiled at the two before taking her to his cabin and laying her down on his bed. He had actually assigned Angela her own cabin on the ship, but Jack knew from experience that it would be better to have someone care for you while you were hung over instead of trying to fight it alone.

Looking down at the young woman, Jack shook his head. She really was a puzzle, one that he was constantly trying to understand. In his mind, he still called her Angela, for that was her real name, but outside, he called her Rose because she had, in all appearance, come into full bloom while on the Black Pearl. Jack supposed that it might have had something to do with the fact that she had survived storms and brief encounters with a Royal Navy or two, but there was something else inside her that had seemed to make her grow in other ways.

For one, Rose/Angela was no longer as shy as she had once been. A ship full of men making lewd suggestions at her, as well as cooking for them and sewing canvas under their instructions, was enough to bring out the brazen face that was hidden within every woman. The modest noblewoman that she had been raised to be was fading, and in her place was a bolder personality that would better help her survive on the seas in the life of a pirate.

"No longer an angel, are you, luv?" Jack whispered to her. "Now you've got the beauty, allure, and thorns of a rose." He chuckled. "Right now, I can't think of a better name for you, or a better way for you to be."

Sitting in a chair next to the bed, Jack pulled out a bottle of rum to occupy himself with as he watched her sleep. Yes, she had come a long way from the shy maiden he had first met in that tavern in Europe. She had merely shown up there, intent on one night free of golden chains, and instead had gotten roped in by the lure of the sea and all her charms. At first, Jack had found himself doubting her, but after two weeks of showing her what life could be like, the fevered look in her eyes had grown, and Jack knew that if he didn't save her now, a spirit of the sea would be lost.

'I'd never have forgiven myself if I'd left her there to marry that ass.'

Handsome the nobleman may have been, but Jack knew a neglectful husband when he spotted one. That Sir What's-His-Name would have married Rose, gotten an heir off of her, then left her to rot in that country estate of his while he traveled the world. In another few years, her spirit would have been broken, and all that would have been left would have been an empty shell. A more tragic life Jack could not imagine for anyone.

'Well, it didn't happen. Now she's here in your cabin, and is going to have a wicked hangover tomorrow morning.'

Yawning, the pirate sighed in contentment before downing the last of his rum, setting the empty bottle on the table right before drifting off to sleep.

AN: Well, that was chapter two of my story. Please let me know what you think of it, like if it was too long or too worth! Thanks!