I'm back!

SODOKU: I was so flattered by your review, I blushed! It's always nice to have someone who takes their time to express their opinion about the writing that one spends so much time on. Isn't that what this site is all about, getting feedback on your pieces? Thank you for devoting some time to my story, I hope your ideas about it only get better! I hope one day to be on your infamous list of favorites! blushes again :)

And Jackline: I'm not lying! You must be thinking I am! I never realized how much I had written before Jack came into the story! It must be so terribly awful of you to have to sit there and worry about him! hahaha We all want him in here, don't we! He's in the next chapter, though. I promise!

And on to Chapter Five:

James settled himself at the head of the table that evening, almost an exact week since the emergence of such shocking news. He sat in a crisp navy uniform, all of its gold accents shining beneath the wondrous light. The food was scattered across the table, linens spread beneath it as a miniature crowd gathered in seats at the round table. It wasn't much of a dinner party, per say, much rather a welcoming party of the Bouviers and an introduction of them to the highest officials.

Many hearts fell, once again, beneath James' victory. He charmed the lot with his own heart, with his glowing face and with his kind words. He did always know just what everyone wanted to hear and was so often willing to hand them such a pleasure. The meal ended after talk of business nonsense and other manners of royalty and the men retired to the balcony for cigars.

They were lit ecstatically, the smoke engulfing the minute space while they all rested their weight upon the railing. It seemed they were all captivated by the same, dark ship just in their view.

"They're due to hang in a month, you know?" A man's voice broke into the air. The others proceeded to pivot and address the speaker, and alternatively James held his head. He raised the hot cigar to his sultry lips, further bending his body across the rail to better the view.

"Yes, all seventeen of the blood thirsty crew, men. Magnificent redemption!" They all mumbled responses of agreement, unconsciously nodding their heads and taking swift puffs of their cigars. Their voices fell into a distance while James maintained his glare and concentration upon a topic of discussion in which he ignored the discussion but rather furthered the topic in the confines of his own mind. The cigars burnt out within a few moments and they returned to the house; oh, all but the exception of James. He kept his watch. His nose crinkled in wonderment and he extinguished the ashes of his cigar atop the railing. A newcomer then came unto the deck.

She waltzed beside him and latched her arm to his while he straightened his body in her presence.

"Did you much enjoy yourself this evening, Miss Bouvier?"

"Catherine," she whispered. She picked up her volume to continue, "And indeed I did, it was most entertaining."

He smiled politely and opened his mouth to recite words of adoration retaining to her looks, but rather she cut in.

"Would you mind telling me of a Mr. Captain Jack Sparrow? His name has been mentioned quite a number of times and I certainly cannot follow his tales without knowing of his person!" She cocked her head slightly, awaiting his response. His lips had folded into something of a scowl, however, an appreciative one to his name, and he simply scratched the top of his head in thought.

"Best pirate I've ever seen, Catherine. He's quite a brilliant man; he is always so sure of himself and his actions. His ship," he extended his pointer finger into the distance. She raised her hand to her brow and squinted her eyes into the distance. "The Black Pearl." So entranced in thought he failed to recognize the parting of her lips to speak and he continued with his banter.

"His faithful men are due to hang next month. Can you imagine the jail cells, their wretched bodies lying sprawled across the hay-laden floors? And the sick abandonment of hope as their Captain roams free. So terribly ach-''

He gasped at his openness to speak of a creature and pursed his lips suddenly. She softheartedly tossed him her smile and tightened her grip upon his arm.

"Certainly you can tame him, James." He simply returned her kindness and casually altered their conversation as he ignored such an ignorant statement, such a false one at that. He was never a creature to be caged. --