Hey everyone. I am very sorry that this update is late, I was really busy with homework and had no time to write. To make it up to you (somewhat) I made this chapter as long as I could.

This chapter is dedicated to:

Sakura123

ALSO: Pookie Power 2005, NazgulQueen

Merci

Still don't own POTC, but neither do you. (Unless you work at Disney, which I highly doubt)

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Kate spent the rest of the day outside, staying close to her father and Ana. She kept her distance from the crew, and they kept their distance from her. It was a silent rule that they had.

She would sit on the stairs and watch everyone go about their work. The rays of the sun were wonderful, warming her now paled skin. It had occurred to her that she hadn't been out in the sun in weeks. There was a minute here and there, but not really out.

Despite herself, she found her eyes continuously drawn toward Jonathan. He was working hard, carrying boxes below deck. She smiled. He hadn't changed much.

Her reaction towards him was surprising. She wasn't really mad at him. Sure, there was a little bit of harbored anger, but it wasn't very strong. Everything had been a mistake. If he had intended to hurt her, he would have taken his chance back on the Rosaria. But he didn't. He had refused to take any part in it.

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In the next few days, Kate regained her strength, and began to help around with little jobs, sewing up tears in the sails and tying knots. At first her father hadn't wanted her to work, but Dr. Morrison said it was good for her.

She was recovering rather well. Her lip had healed, and her bruises started to disappear, while she was becoming more comfortable around people. Her back still pained her at times, and there was still a fear of being alone with anyone, but besides that, she was basically fine.

Jonathan avoided her indefinitely, staying as far away as possible. He was afraid of how she would react to him being there. He had seen her improve, both physically and mentally, but he wasn't going to take any chances.

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Kate looked around the room. She wasn't on the Pearl anymore; she was in her old house in Port Royal. The house was dark and somber, with barely any signs of life.

She paused a moment in front of the portrait of her family above the fireplace in the parlor. Everyone was smiling, happy to be together as a family. Such a contradiction considering the mood of the place.

Making her way through the familiar hallways, she came upon a slightly open door upstairs. She carefully poked her head in.

A woman lay on the bed, next to a young girl. A man stood in the corner of the room, watching the scene. She spoke to a young girl with tears in her eyes.

"Katie I need you to take care of your brothers for me. Keep them out of trouble." She stroked the girl's face. The woman coughed violently before continuing. "I love you Katie. Remember that alright? Promise me you'll remember."

"I promise mama." The girl managed to choke out as her mother kissed her forehead. She hugged her tightly until the man in the corner came and put his hands on her shoulders.

Two boys came in, standing next to the bed. The woman spoke to each of them, telling them to be careful and help their father. She coughed again, and reached out for the man's hand. He held it firmly.

"I…I love… you all." She said. The hand went limp. They stood there a minute, until the man motioned his children out of the room. The girl turned around, trying to go back to the bed.

"Mama? Mama!" the woman didn't respond. The girl burst into tears and ran from the room. Kate followed the little girl, calling out to her. There was no response.

The girl ran out to the docks and sat by a rock nearby. She buried her face in her hands, shoulders heaving from her sobs.

Kate woke with a start, her cheeks wet with tears. She tried to comfort herself.

It was only a dream, only a dream.

This time.

It had been real, years ago. Her last moments with her mother. The nightmare had tortured her for months, and then suddenly stopped. Now it was back, in all its horrible glory.

She tried to fall back asleep, but just as it had before, the dream kept her up. It was useless even trying to fight it. With a sigh she got up. Maybe a little fresh air would help.

She made her way out of the cabin, closing the door quietly so as not to wake Ana, who lay in the other bed, snoring slightly.

The air was crisp and cool, colder than she had thought. She wrapped her arms around herself to keep warm and climbed the stairs to the helm.

She always liked it at the helm, with her hands on the pegs of the wheel; it gave her the sense of responsibility and power that she had been lacking in her life lately.

There was a cough behind her. She whipped around to see Jonathan, leaning on the railing behind her. His back was to her. No doubt he was oblivious to her presence.

She walked over, a battle raging in her mind.

Don't go over there! You'll regret it!

No I won't. Why would I?

Who knows what he could do to you. In case you haven't noticed, he's alone.The thought made her pause in her tracks. Maybe the voice was right…

He wouldn't hurt me.

Oh yeah? What about the last time?

That was an accident. He didn't want to hurt me. I think…

Exactly. YOU THINK. You don't KNOW.

Well I won't know if I don't ask.

Don't say I didn't warn you…

She took a deep breath and moved over next to him.

"Hello" He jumped at the sudden sound.

"Oh, um hello." Even in the dark she could see his cheeks turn red. Typical Jonathan. She leaned on the railing next to him, still keeping her distance.

"What are you doing out here so late?"

"It's my watch tonight. What about you?"

"Can't sleep. Thought I'd get some fresh air." They stood in silence for awhile, just watching the waves. Kate broke the silence.

"Thank you." He turned to her, confused.

"Why? Everything I've done since we met in Savanna has been a disaster."

"I admit that you made a mistake, but you did save my life in the end."

"It wouldn't have been in danger if it wasn't for me." Silence.

"But really, that's not all I should thank you for." Jonathan didn't respond. "You didn't tell my father what happened on the Rosaria." He was still silent. "You were really a big help Port Royal too. I don't know what I would have done without you." She glanced over at him. His face was solemn, staring out at the great expanse of ocean before them.

"If you're going to thank me, the least I could do is apologize." He turned to her fully. "Kate, I am extremely sorry for everything that happened. I really didn't mean for it to turn out this way." She gave a slight nod.

"I know, and I forgive you." There was a pause.

"Are you ever going to tell your father? You know, about what happened." She thought a moment.

"I don't think I will. I know my father couldn't handle it, and I don't really want to say it out loud. I assume that they know everyone can figure out what happened themselves." Jonathan nodded in agreement.

A minute later, Kate was rubbing her hands up and down on her arms, trying to warm them. Jonathan took off his coat and handed it to her.

"No, it's okay." She held up her hand to wave it away.

"I insist. You just got better; I don't want you getting sick now." She smiled and he draped it over her shoulders. They stood there for hours, mostly in a comfortable silence, with a few words here and there.

Before long Jonathan's watch was over, and he had to go. She returned to the cabin she shared with Ana Maria, and laid down on her bed. She still couldn't sleep, only this time her thoughts were on Jonathan.

She had never really noticed him before, the way he looked. He had the most wonderful brown eyes, and dark brown hair that kept falling in them. She sighed. The more she thought about it the more she realized he was actually quite handsome.

Soon she fell asleep, dreaming of him.

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Oh a little luvey dovey there. Anyway, very sorry for the lateness.

Chicaga

R+R please! (I almost have 50 reviews! Hooray!)