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Chapter 8: New Admiration

Jack gazed out into the brightening distance ahead of him. Taking a ship was much easier then he thought it was going to be. Sure he had to walk a while before finally coming across one, but taking it was a snap for the captain. There hadn't been a person in sight, it was like whoever owned it was just giving it away.

Then again, everyone was probably still asleep. Jack knew the owner of the ship would come looking for it soon. He had to be fast and get off the island as soon as possible. It must've been at least 6:30 by now, he thought, judging by the skies. He hastily anchored the ship after finally arriving not far from the small house, and got off.

For some reason as he walked, his eyes wandered to his left hand. A smile graced his features when he was reassured the mark still hadn't returned. It'd been a little over a week and the horrid spot was still gone.

This meant Davy Jones thought for sure he was no longer among the living. All he had to do now was retrieve the heart and rid of the kraken. That mark would never be seen on Jack Sparrow again! He was sure of it.

Quietly, he entered the house. He arched an eyebrow when he realized his quiet entrance. Angie looked up from a small bag in front of her, obviously containing some of the things she didn't want to leave behind.

"Hey you're back I see."

"I am. Michelle still asleep I imagine aye?"

"Yes."

"Ah, I figured she would be. Well then if you'll excuse me, we have no time to waste. Savvy?" He said, making his way down the hallway and to her room. He entered the dark room and let his eyes adjust a bit before approaching the sleeping figure.

He made his advance toward her and poked her shoulder lightly, "Wake up love! No more time for sleep."

She groaned and covered her head with the blanket, "Go away Jack..." He looked at her, offended slightly for a moment and raised an annoyed eyebrow.

"Michelle, if you don't get up I will have no choice but to drag you along myself." He said seriously. She just yawned and didn't move.

"Alright then, don't say I didn't warn you." He said, taking the blanket and throwing it off of her. Her eyes opened slightly at the sudden loss of warmth, "Jack, isn't it a bit too early in the morning for those kind of thoughts?"

He smirked at her statement, "As fun as those thoughts can be love, that's not why I'm here. We've got a tight schedule."

"Mmmk, well wake me up in like three hours then k?" She said groggily, closing her eyes.

"Time to go." He said, picking her up and tossing her over his shoulder. She screamed in surprise, "JACK! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? PUT ME DOWN!"

"I'll do so when we get to the ship, I told you we're on a tight schedule."

"What? What ship? What are you talking about?"

He continued walking and Angie followed them out, giggling at Michelle's dangling position on Jack's shoulder. He stopped abruptly and placed her on the ground. She just looked at the two with confusion and waited patiently for an answer.

"I really dont know why you're so surprised love, we discussed it just last night. Could it be that you've forgotten?" Jack asked, not understanding her confusion.

She shook her head, "No I remember. It's just you didn't tell me anything about leaving today... and Angie.." Her eyes trailed to her friend, "You're coming?"

Angie nodded, "Yup. Jack talked to me about it this morning and convinced me to come along. Oh and don't worry about your stuff, I packed all our important things in here already." She said, holding the bag up. Jack conviced her? Michelle couldn't believe it. Leaving Curacao was something she never thought Angie would do.

She turned to thank Jack but he was already halfway to the ship. The two girls ran to catch up to him. Michelle's mouth dropped when her eyes took in the image of the ship before her. It was beautiful. The billowy white sails didn't seem to have any tears at all. She got closer and finally boarded the ship. The decks were perfect, the structures forming the horizontal surfaces didn't contain even a scratch.

Even the framework was amazing. She'd never seen such a beautiful ship before, not even in Port Royal.

She watched silently as Jack quickly got to work. Was he planning on navigating this ship all on his own? Angie and Michelle exchanged glances, both of them obvously thinking the same thing.

"Um.. I'm gonna go check out the rest of the ship, if he needs any help let me know ok?" Angie said, walking off into the inner chambers of the ship.

Michelle nodded and looked back over to Jack, why was she feeling so awkward all of a sudden? It was like she was watching an entirely different man. On land Jack seemed to always be wavering and stumbling. Not to mention drunk.

But on a ship he seemed so in control and sure of every movement he made. He really knew what he was doing. So this was the side of himself he was known for. The side she'd never seen until now.

The ship suddenly started to move and he made his way up to the steering wheel. She approached him awkwardly next to the large wheel and noted his concentrated expression.

"Jack do you need any help with anything?" She asked, with a new admiration for the man.

He turned to face her and smiled, "Thanks love but I've got it under control. No need to worry." He replied, moving the wheel slightly. Michelle turned to see they were further from the island than she thought. She'd probably never see Curacao again, but she wasn't quite sure if that saddened her at all.

"Wow. I have to say Jack, I'm impressed. You really are quite the captain." A look of shock crossed his face. That was the first time he'd ever heard her compliment him.

"Well of course I am, I needn't remind you again who I am?" He said with a flirtatious smile.

A small blush rushed to her cheeks and she looked away, trying to think of something to change the subject. She remembered last night when he had used that same tone, they ended up kissing.

"Jack! Question! Um... I always wondered, what is that black stuff around your eyes?"

"It's called kohl."

"Kohl?"

Jack nodded, still facing her, "It's used as protection against eye ailments and relief from the glare of the sun love. Being out in the sun all day isn't easy on my sensitive eyes." He answered.

"Ohh I see. Well that all makes sense now then. I thought it was like your feminine side showing or something." She laughed.

He smiled back with amusement, "Not in a million years love." He turned back to the wheel and pulled his compass out. A look of disgust came upon him as the pointer spun endlessly. He didn't understand! Why was he the only one it wouldn't work for? He wanted the heart! Michelle peeked over his shoulder and watched the compass.

"Why is it doing that? I thought it's supoosed to point in the direction of what you desired most?"

He closed it and sighed, "It is, the bloody thing never worked for me."

"Then perhaps you don't know what you want."

"Don't be rediculous. I know exactly what I want. I want that bloody heart. My life depends on it."

His life... depended on it? Michelle looked down for a minute and snatched the compass from his hands. She closed her eyes, 'I need to help Jack find this heart... if his life really depends on it... point me to the heart.'

Jack stared at her, wondering what the hell she was doing. She opened the compass, no longer was it pointing at Jack.

"I thought you wanted me?"

"Right now, I want you to live Jack." She said, Jack then realized the new direction the compass had read was the one he needed.

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