Author's Note: Sorry I haven't updated in soooo long. I've had no net access. At least you can't say this is a short chapter lol. Thanks everyone for the reviews, keep them coming!

Chapter Twenty: The Hunt

The sun was resting on the horizon as Carmen left Norrington's cabin. He had requested she go in there to wash and change, for he declared it was quite wrong for a woman to wear a man's clothing. Personally, Carmen thought it might be because the clothing belonged to Jack. Instead, she had been given a nice, simple green dress and some proper shoes. It felt strange to be wearing a dress again.

The sky was a wonderful blur of purple and pink, and the air was crisp and cool after the storm. Carmen could have spent all day in this spot. But she needed to put Jack's things back. She knew deep down this was probably only an excuse to see him again, but she ignored it.

She walked over to the side. The two ships were still sailing side-by-side. It was still going to be quite a jump to the Pearl though. She knew she should call for one of the pirates to help her, but she was determined to prove she was capable. She glanced around to check that no Marines were watching, especially James, then climbed shakily onto the rail. Then she jumped.

She hit the deck of the Pearl hard and on her front, feeling the wind knocked out of her. She lay still for a while, feeling her cheeks grow dark. She hoped Jack hadn't seen.

"What are you doing, luv?" asked a familiar voice above her, and she felt her blush deepen.

"I fell," she said shortly, reluctantly accepting Jack's help to get up. She bent down to pick up the pile of his things. "Is that such a crime?"

"Oh, are we in a 'let's-not-talk-to-Jack' mood?" Jack asked, his eyes twinkling. Her heart ached at the sight.

"No," she replied, looking away.

"You know, Princess, if either of us has the right to be mad at the other, surely it is me. After all, who snuck out to fight an undead pirate after being ordered to stay here?"

"That was Norrington, not you." She realised she had said 'Norrington' instead of 'James'. She cursed herself, daring to turn her eyes back to Jack's.

"I know it was dear James," he said, his eyebrows high, "but that doesn't mean I wanted you to come along and risk death."

"You aren't in charge of me," she snapped. "And last time I checked, neither was he."

Jack was staring hard at her, eyes narrowed. "Well, I see no need to continue this conversation if you have no intention of talking to me like a fellow person. What was it you wanted?"

She held out his effects. "These belong to you."

He took them from her, shaking his head in disbelief. "Ta," he said simply, and walked away, disappearing into his cabin. She sighed and looked after him, feeling oddly heavy. She was engaged to James Norrington, and she should simply try to forget her love for Jack Sparrow. But it was not that easy. She wanted, more than anything else, for him to admit he loved her back.

She should just give up hope. James was a good, kind, brave man. He was just... not Jack. She wished things between her and Jack were... well, normal again. Ever since that blasted island, things had been downright awkward, and it was breaking her heart.

"Penny fer yer thoughts, Miss Carmen?" growled Joshamee Gibbs, approaching her suddenly.

"I'm afraid I could barely begin to put them into words," she replied honestly.

"Ah. 'Tis a lucky escape we just had from Cap'n Chiltingham, Miss, yer just mark me words," he said in his gravelly voice. "Jack wasn' too pleased with yer fer gettin' involved."

"I had to save my friends. I'm not a total pirate yet," she said, and actually managed a small smile.

"Even pirates have feelings, Miss Carmen," Gibbs said, eyebrows raising, and she was sure she blushed, thinking of Jack. "'Tis often said that the most shielded of hearts can love the most."

"I should like to hope so," Carmen said softly, looking away, hating herself for the burning feeling in her eyes. "But I now believe that it is a fool's hope to think the heart could belong to me."

Gibbs had an uncanny ability to know exactly what she was talking about. His eyes were deep with meaning as she looked back to him. "Like I said, shielded hearts, Miss."

She blinked. Gibbs was suggesting there was hope- but was there? She was becoming bored of the games and the waiting. She had James Norrington; a man who adored her without question, who would love her forever. "Thanks," she said to Gibbs, because she had no idea how else to respond.

Jack reappeared at that moment, closing his cabin door behind him. His eyes locked with Carmen's own, and she felt her stomach turn over. He swaggered over to them, face serious. Gibbs lowered his head.

"Jack," he said simply.

"My dear Mr Gibbs," Jack replied, clapping him on the back. "Tell me, are we making good time?"

"Good time? Aye, I should say. But why do yer ask, Cap'n? We've escaped Chiltingham."

"Escape? One ought not be so sanguine, Master Gibbs. Indeed, we have escaped Morta. But do you not think that said pirate captain will be following us? At the moment, we are not sailing away freely, but we are running, fleeing, absconding, praying to God himself that to Aron Chiltingham we are but a pretty little dot on the horizon, savvy?" Jack said all this very quickly, his face right in that of the confused-looking Gibbs. Carmen, meanwhile, was starting to worry. They were not free? Her hand had flown to the Heartstone. Of course, now Chiltingham would want revenge more than before. Jack turned to her abruptly. "Carmen, a word," he said simply, mysteriously.

She did not protest as he wrapped a hand around her wrist and starting moving. She was excited; was he finally going to admit he loved her? They were heading to the brig. He was silent as they made their way down the steps, and her heart raced.

But down in the brig, it sunk. Sitting down there, looking grim and serious, were Elizabeth, Will, Ana and Edward. They greeted her simply with nods. Trying to hide her hurt, she asked coolly, "What is going on?"

"We're having a discussion," Edward informed her, sounding more tired than she had ever heard. He reached up to move his hair out of his face. "Jack thought it would be a good idea for you to join us."

"It wasn't just me," Jack said quickly, coldly, as though determined Carmen would not think he wanted her there. This hurt, and she swallowed around a painful lump.

"Anyway," Elizabeth said in a strangely sharp voice, casting Jack a dark look, "I found out how to kill Aron Chiltingham."

"Kill him- as in for good?" Carmen asked. For a brief moment, she thought back to their kiss, how she had felt then. Then she thought of Mar. All of a sudden, she felt hard and cold.

"Yes," Elizabeth said, her face excited and dark. She leaned forward. "His lifeforce is connected to the Heartstone."

Carmen reached automatically for the stone at her throat. She wrapped her fingers around it. "So do we destroy it?" she asked, avoiding Jack's eye.

"We believe so," Jack said, speaking crisply and sharply, most unlike his usual self. "But we're going to wait and see what Chiltingham has to say. Because he is going to catch up with us."

"Alright," Carmen said, uncomfortable and hurt by his tone. "Alright then."

"If we destroy it, we can free my father," Will said abruptly, plunging them into an even more awkward silence.

Carmen cleared her throat. "I'm- I'm going back to see James," she said acidly. "Thank you for keeping me informed. Good day." She didn't wait for an answer before heading up the stairs, feeling unusually brittle and cold. She thought of Mar and Jack and her heart ached.

xXx

Aron lay on his bed, hands beneath his head, watching Pussy pace with an idle expression. Her sobbing was irritating him, the way she tossed her hair was irritating him, the way she kept muttering pointless threats was irritating him. This woman, who had once been so attractive in his eyes, had become a total bore. Sure, her brother had just died, but it was only Tobias. In Aron's opinion, Tobias was a greasy idiot that the world would be better off without. Out of the pair of them, Pussy had so much more potential.

"Do not panic, my dear," he said slowly, green eyes flickering after her. "We shall have our revenge."

"Revenge?" she repeated sharply, looking at him with wild, red-rimmed eyes. "We already tried to get revenge! Look how that ended!"

He raised an eyebrow. "I suggest you think who you are talking to."

"Sorry," she shot back tartly.

"Why are you so mad at me?" Aron asked, truly intruiged.

"First of all it was that floaty, softly spoken princess! And you, you staring at her, all... all dew-eyed! That hurt, Aron!" she shouted back, her cheeks red. "And now my brother is dead and you just don't care!"

"Oh."

"Oh?" she repeated, eyes flashing.

Aron sat up, rising and going over to her. He watched with some satisfaction as she flinched, but he merely traced a finger along her jaw. "Pussy- Tally, have I ever let you down? Your brother... that's a tragedy, but he isn't my responsibility. You are."

She exhaled slowly. "I suppose so..."

He brushed her lips with his, drawing her closer. "Dear, I'm only doing this for you..." His hands moved to her shirt, and he pulled it down over her shoulders. But as his eyes fell on her bare throat, he hissed and stepped back. "The Heartstone! Where is it?"

She flushed. "I- I don't know!" There was definate fear in her blue orbs now, and she stepped back.

He clenched his teeth. "After the Pearl we must go. It has to be there!" A sudden thought came to him, and he smiled.

"What are you happy about?" Pussy asked.

"If someone wears the Stone... I can control them..."

xXx

Even though it was early morning, Jack Sparrow was drinking rum. He savoured the feel of the burning liquid slipping down his throat, numbing the constant pain in his chest. He was trying to concentrate on coming up with a plan to make sure everyone was okay, but it was hard when Carmen's pretty face kept drifting before his eyes. It was most off-putting.

He remembered when she used to trust him. Now, she just seemed constantly angry at him. He knew letting her go was for the best. But it was breaking his heart to have her be so cold and hard.

He ran a hand through his hair, trying to get rid of all these thoughts. He looked around as Gibbs came in, carrying another two bottles of rum.

"Mr Gibbs, you are my favourite sailor ever," he slurred, taking both bottles.

"Dare I ask it, Cap'n; is it not too early ter be gettin' drunk?"

"It is never too early," Jack said sagely, opening a new bottle and taking a long drink. "Nor is it ever too late. The time is always right, Master Gibbs, for rum."

"Aye, Cap'n," Gibbs nodded. "Aye. I'm goin' ter go and prepare some food."

"Excellent idea," Jack said.

He watched Gibbs leave, then turned back to his desk. He had to be going insane. He had never felt so dull, so lifeless, so empty. He was tempted to run and find Carmen and hold her. God, how he wanted to hold her.

The door opened again. He turned around and started at the sight of Carmen herself, standing so calmly in the shadows of the doorway. Her expression was intense, her pretty lips pouted. Those amber eyes were somehow more dull than usual. She stepped forward.

"Carmen?" he asked, standing up.

Then she was kissing him, hard and passionate, pressing her slender frame against him. He gave into her hot, wet mouth without thinking, taking her into his arms. He had wanted this so badly. And now she was his, kissing him, wanting him.

He froze as he heard scraping metal. He moved back to see Carmen had drawn a sword he hadn't even noticed on her. What was going on? Her eyes were empty.

"Carmen?" he asked again.

Then she lunged for him. Natural reflexes kicking in, he drew his own sword and blocked. He didn't understand what was happening. She swung again, but he moved lightly out of the way.

"What are you doing?" he demanded.

Then she was moving the sword quickly, expertly. He had seen her fight before, and she had never, never been this good. He was having to really concentrate on her blade now, blocking it, moving swiftly. He stared into her empty eyes, trying to understand why she was attacking him. He felt sick.

Jack leapt back to dodge one of her blows, and fell backwards onto the deck. He managed to keep his balance, leaping away. "Stop it!" he shouted, blocking as she swung a blow at him. He ducked around the mast and rolled away, but she caught him quickly, her blonde-brown hair tumbling wildly around her blank face.

"What on earth are you two doing?" Will asked from where he was standing nearby. As Jack glimpsed his face, he saw Will looked amused. He thought they were playing. Actually, a few people had gathered around. Great.

Then he felt a sharp pain in his stomach. He glanced down slowly, realising that as he had looked around, she had slashed his stomach. Scarlet blood was spurting out onto his shirt.

"Hey!" Edward said suddenly, rushing forward as Carmen moved back towards Jack, sword raised.

Jack barely blinked before Edward was on the floor. As Carmen turned, he saw the Heartstone glimmering at her throat. And then he knew. He raised eyes to Carmen's, and saw the poisonous green orbs of Aron Chiltingham looking back. "Oh, it's you," he said, before his legs gave way. He realised he was sitting in a puddle of his own blood. Someone was screaming.

"What's wrong, Jack Sparrow?" Aron asked, twisting Carmen's soft voice. "Do you love Carmen Regalia, dear Jack?"

A tear escaped Jack's eye. He wondered where it had come from. "God, yes," he whispered. Then he reached up suddenly and his fingers wrapped around the Heartstone.

Blackness.