Disclaimer: Disney has a restraining order.

Special Thanks: Kate! My pirate buddy, for all her witty and fantastic ideas! YO HO!

A/N: Hey, all! Just wanted to say that updates may be scarce for a while during the month of January, for a lot will be going on. I shall try my hardest! Well, you awesome reviewers, enjoy Chapter Four: Ana vs. Will.

PineAppleLint


Ana stood in the dining hall, scrubbing the table, which was covered in a layer of filth. She curled her lip after her rag turned black after a couple of scrubs. She sat on a chair, staring at it in disgust.

"This is going to take a while," she muttered to herself, blowing the loose curls that were framing her face out of her eyes.

"Need help?" someone proclaimed from the doorway. She jumped, clearly startled, dropping the rag as she turned and saw William smiling at her disgruntled state.

"No, I am fine, thank you," she said crisply, "I think I can manage cleaning a table."

Will instantly frowned and replied, "Don't you think you are acting a little childish? Perhaps I did come along to watch over you, but can't you just dismiss it as a friendly gesture?"

She sighed and perched a hand on her hip, setting the nasty rag down and smoothing out her skirts. "I just want you to understand that I do not need a baby sitter. You treat me like a child, Will. I am no child. I am a grown woman fully capable of watching over herself."

Will sat down in the chair next to her, looking purely exhausted by the last couple of days. He had been working like no tomorrow, always taking the helm when June and Jack were at it again. There had been no time for sleep.

"Anastasia, just because I want to watch over you doesn't mean I don't think you a woman. You just have a lot to learn."

"Then teach me!" she replied, walking over to the window and staring out at the cloudy sky and the choppy waves.

"Why not Jack, or June for that matter?" Will asked, rolling up the sleeves of his billowing shirt. She turned and stared as his shirt shifted and she got a good view of his tanned chest. Ana smirked and snapped out of it, concentrating back on the scene outside of the window.

"You know they would rather drink themselves to death than take on a woman with no skills in the piracy area," she said gently, "You are the only one patient enough."

Will met her serious gaze and looked thoughtful. "All right. As a friend, I shall help you."

Ana smiled and said, "Thank you. And perhaps I can give you lessons on how to be happy for a change."

He instantly frowned at her comment. "What was that supposed to mean?"

She rolled her eyes and stated, waving her arms around, "Look where we are, William! On a bloody pirate ship! You should be having the best time of your life since you have that pirate blood in your veins. But no, you are still moping around, pining after your dead wife. She's GONE, Will. You can't change that!"

Mr. Turner looked like he just got slapped in the face. "Don't talk about Elizabeth that way," he seethed, "Do not disrespect her."

"Oh, for goodness sakes, you talk about her like she is still alive! Get a hold of yourself!"

Will stood up and said, his voice getting louder by the second, "I do not see what you are trying to do, Anastasia. You are always provoking me. What do you want me to do? Are you testing me? Seeing if I'll hit you?"

"No," she shook her head, her pretty face a mask of rage, "I just want to see you finally be a man, get over your losses and be everything that I know you can be!" She walked right up to him, their toes touching, her face inches from his and she added defiantly, "I am not afraid of you, William Turner."

"She was my WIFE, Ana. I cannot forget that. I loved her more than life itself. That is something I can never have again," he said, his brown eyes cloudy with anger, depression and annoyance.

"And why not?" she cried, "If you don't try, you won't ever find out!"

"I don't want to find out," he said with an arrogant growl, "I just want to be left alone."

"That is sure a good outlook on life," she said sarcastically.

"It's my life," he argued, "I can do what I want. Stop acting like my mother!"

"I am not trying to be your mother, Will. I just hate seeing you beat yourself up over something you couldn't control."

She loved him so much, and here he was, telling her he could never love anyone ever again.

"You have given up on love, Will?" she asked quietly, "There's a lot of pretty lasses out there who are respectable and sweet, willing to give you a try." She raised her hand to stroke the side of his face gently but his hand shot up and grabbed her by the wrist painfully. He stared at her in bewilderment and confusion, wondering what that simple gesture meant.

"Don't," he ordered, "Don't touch me," and forced her arm to go back to her side.

Ana stared up at him, her eyes flooding with tears. Will left the room as quickly as he had entered, not saying a word.

She grabbed the rag and began to scrub viciously at the table again, trying desperately not to cry.

"Pirates don't cry," she murmured angrily, "Cowards cry. So what if he looks at me like I'm some sort of a disease?"

She scrubbed again and one salty tear fell onto the table top. She took the rag and attacked it, getting rid of the splotch that represented her weaknesses.

Why did she have to love a man who didn't want to love anyone ever again in his lifetime?

"Damn love," she snarled, "Damn love to hell!"

"Easy, luv," June proclaimed as she waltzed in, munching heartily on a green apple, "William looks mighty angry. What did you do this time?"

"I did nothing! I was trying to give him advice and he..." she paused, shaking her head, "I don't know why we get into these tiffs. Perhaps I should just leave him be."

"Ye get under his skin, darling, no doubt about that," June replied, "But perhaps that's a sign of somethin' else. I think he's mad because ye understand him more than anyone else does. And it scares him."

"What?" Ana asked, frankly bewildered, "But he said I was wrong! That I didn't know what I was talking about and I just wanted to provoke him!"

"Will's an arrogant man," June pointed out, "Stubborn, persistent. Would he really tell you ye hit the bull's eye?"

"No," Ana stated with a sigh, "I suppose not."

"Well then," June said with a wink, "I think we are getting somewhere, don't ye agree?"

Ana didn't answer.

"Luv, why were ye crying?" June asked, "Ye never cry." She reached up and gently swiped her thumb under Ana's eyes, removing the tears, "The last time I've seen ye cry was when I accidentally set yer china doll on fire."

"That was no accident, June," Ana said, narrowing her eyes at her.

"It isn't nice to hold grudges, luv," June said, holding up her hands, "That was, what? Fifteen years ago?"

She smiled at the old memory. "You were twelve, I was eight," she mused.

"Ah, so it was fifteen years ago," June stated and threw her apple out the window, "How old is Will anyway?"

"Twenty five, I think," she murmured, "Last April he came into the tavern and we celebrated. Nothing fancy. I think I stuck a candle in a bread loaf."

June laughed and said, "Ah, bread. The way to a man's heart."

Jack burst in and eyed June and Ana. "June," he said, cutting to the chase, "There's a storm comin'."

"Ah, fun!" she said excitedly, "I want to take the helm!" She began to dart up the stairs so she could take the helm but Jack grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back into the dining hall, not being gentle at all.

"Ow, whiplash," she hissed and glared at him. Suddenly, she asked, "How old are ye, Jack?"

"Fifteen."

Ana and June rolled their eyes. "No, really."

Jack grinned and said, "It's a mystery, luvs."

June stepped up to him and examined him closely. Jack watched her curiously, his eyes following her every movement as she circled him, not trusting. She pulled on one of his dreadlocks and he slapped her hand away in a feminine manner.

"What are ye doin'?" he questioned in exasperation.

"Ana, what do ye think, luv? Not a day over fifty," June said, studying him.

Jack opened his mouth, looking horrified. "I'm thirty one!" he shouted, "What do ye think I am, an old man? I'm in perfect condition!"

"Ha, gotcha," June smirked.

"Damn it," Jack muttered under his breath. He turned on June and said, "I should make ye work in the galley for that one."

"Why do you have it out for June, Captain?" Ana asked with a smile, "We were just guessing your age, and before you stomped down here, we were having a serious discussion."

"Because June is a nuisance and a female version of a low, cheating scallywag," Jack informed Ana, "And female scallywags are very dangerous out on these here seas."

June scoffed, "Ye two, stop talking about me like I'm not even in the room, savvy?" She walked over to the window and murmured, "The storm's comin'." She whirled around to face them and added, "Well, what would ye rather me be? Some refined lady? That part o' me is long gone."

Jack glared at her and said, "At least ye could use a bit o' manners. Ye belch like an old man."

"Manners?" she laughed, "Jack Sparrow is telling me to get some manners, Ana. How hypocritical is tha'?" Ana shrugged sheepishly as Jack started to look like a cornered dog ready to lash out at any moment. The females were ganging up on him and he didn't like it.

June cleared her throat and closed her eyes for a moment, dropping her arms to her sides in an almost dreamlike state. When she opened her eyes again, she smiled cheerily and suddenly curtseyed, "Well Mr. Sparrow, sir," she commented in a tip-top fancy accent, "I shall be above on deck working on your exquisite and divine ship. If you want to verbally harass me any more, that's where you will be able to find me." She began to walk up the steps in a graceful manner, almost as if she were floating. She paused, staring at Jack's shocked face with amusement. "Oh," she added, "Mister Sparrow? I advise you to remove that scone that was shoved up your ass immediately." As soon as she delivered the insult, she was gone.

Ana let out a muffled gasp of laughter as Jack turned to her, his mouth gaping open.

"I told you, Jack," Ana said quietly after she controlled herself, "She used to be a wealthy aristocrat. Was the daughter of a well off gentleman who worked for the government in England. When she moved here, she instantly befriended me."

"So why did she give it all up?" Jack asked softly, staring at the stairs as if June were still standing there.

"Always did have a rebellious streak in her, as you can see," Ana smiled warmly, "Even as a child. She wanted to have a shot at piracy."

"And she just left one night?" Jack murmured, staring at his dirty fingernails like he had nothing better to do.

"Yes. I heard a tap on my window and she was out there with a sack over her shoulder. She did not have a lot of experience…so the East India Trading Company got a hold of her and branded her. A friend helped her escape and she started her new life as a pirate." Ana's hand worked to smooth out her frizzy hair and added, "I almost jumped out the window and went with her."

"Why didn't ye, luv?" Jack asked, his chocolate brown eyes staring into her green ones.

"I don't know. I guess I was never really interested in piracy. Until now."

Jack stared out the window and said, "I would love to chat with a pretty gel like yerself some more, but I better be headin' above and get ready for the storm."

"Anything I can do, Jack?" she questioned, smoothing her skirts again.

"Prepare dinner. We all will be down in a couple hours," he said and began to leave. As he walked in his drunken manner to the door she heard him proclaim over his shoulder, "Oh, and it's CAPTAIN Jack, young missy."


Ana slaved over the vegetables in the dimly lit kitchen area. It was cramped, almost as if it used to be the dining hall's broom closet. She peeled potatoes, humming along as her fingers worked with the knife quickly and accurately. She heard a door slam and she didn't even bother to lift her head. The Pearl was rocking violently, and she thanked God that she didn't still have the nausea. The storm was upon them, and she could hear the wind howling from outside.

Biting her lip, she hoped everyone was all right.

"Ana," Will said as he walked into the kitchen, "Do you need any help?"

"Is everyone all right up there?" she asked, ignoring his question.

He smiled and said, "Fine. Nothing a warm meal can't handle." She nodded and got back to work.

Will watched as she concentrated on the potatoes, her eyes calm, her manner relaxed. She had an apron loosely tied around her slim waste and her blonde hair swept up in a practical bun.

He walked up to her and grabbed a couple of potatoes, reaching for a small kitchen knife and getting to work. They peeled in silence, every once in a while one would sneak a glance at the other.

"Are you mad at me, William?" she finally asked, setting down the knife and staring at the table, "Was I out of line in the dining hall?"

"No," he said gently, still peeling, "In fact, I admire you for being so truthful."

"Well, if it matters, I am sorry," she said, grabbing another potato. "Oh, may you get a pan out for me? You don't have to peel. I know it's quite boring."

"Actually, it's relaxing," he smiled and added, "Excuse me," as he tried to reach for the pan in the cramped space. His body brushed against hers and she stiffened, a blush forming along her cheeks. Will reddened as their gazes met for an instant and he broke the stare in embarrassment.

"I think that will be enough potatoes," she said, placing her hands on her hips once she finished off the last one, "Now I need a spoon and some spices, perhaps a bowl.? I have no idea where those are."

"Me either," he admitted with a laugh. They began to open up random cupboards and squeeze past each other in their search. It was awkward, no doubt about that. Suddenly, her skirts caught on the handle of his cutlass.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he said with wide eyes and they both bent down to untangle it, hitting their foreheads together.

"Sorry!" she said as he winced, "Oh! I didn't mean."

"It was an accident," he laughed, "My apologies." His hands worked at her skirts and set her free.

"It's so cramped in here," she said, unusually flustered, "I'm surprised Jack hasn't used some of his swag to buy appropriate items for an acceptable kitchen."

"He doesn't need a kitchen," Will grinned, "He has his rum."

"Ah," Ana rolled her eyes, "Surprise, surprise. His liver should be shot by now."

Will got quiet again and he set a bowl down on the table, searching again for a spoon.

Ana watched him search intently for what she asked for, his brown hair gleaming in the candlelight, the bow loosening and causing some strands to fall and brush his shoulders. He scrunched up his nose as a rat scurried across the floor and disappeared.

She smiled at his facial expression and suddenly, she realized he was staring back, a confused and curious expression a midst his features.

"Anastasia, what is wrong?" he asked gently, "Something is on your mind."

"Oh," she sputtered, embarrassed she had been caught, "Uh, just thinking about our future piracy lessons, I suppose."

Will smiled and said, "And what would you like to learn first?" as he presented her with a spoon, a look of triumph on his face.

"Thank you," she said, taking it from him and setting it in the bowl, "Perhaps you can teach me about managing a ship.the jobs, the definitions of the different parts."

"That sounds like a good start," he said, wiping his hands on a rumpled rag, "We can start tomorrow if you'd like."

She smiled and he nodded to her, saying, "I probably should be going above deck to help the others."

"Have fun getting wet!" she teased as he exited the kitchen.

"Don't worry, I will," he called.

Ana shook her head, grinning like a fool as she began to sprinkle the raw meat with spices. She was a sorry excuse of a woman, melting into a big puddle of mush whenever he can near or gazed at her with those big brown eyes of his.

But, she thought, melting wasn't such a bad feeling after all.


"Dinner is served!" Ana said, her words dripping with a certain dramatic flourish.

Jack sat next to June, not looking very happy about it. He scowled as he watched her pick her teeth with her fingernail.

Will sat next to Anastasia's empty seat, looking famished. She smirked, for they all looked like drowned rats.

"I told ye so, Jack," June said with a sigh, "Ye better thank me because five more seconds with the canvas up and the mast would've snapped."

"The Black Pearl can withstand anything!" Jack argued, glaring at her some more.

"I'm not picking a fight," June said with a smile, "Ye are always on the defensive. Perhaps ye are feeling a bit more vulnerable now that yer kohl has rubbed off."

Jack's eyes rolled downward, as if he were trying to look and see for himself.

"Stop bickering and eat already," Ana complained, slapping June in the hand gently.

June said, "Eating is me specialty, dear friend," and grabbed a heaping spoonful of steaming vegetables, and snatched a hunk of meat, the same one Jack had been going after.

"'ey!" Jack whined, "That was mine!"

"Oh, all right, ye big baby. Ye can have it!" June batted her eyelashes and picked up the hunk with her fingers and dropped it into his lap.

Will's eyes grew huge, Ana stifled a giggle, June looked pretty content with herself, and Jack just stared at his lap in surprise.

He picked it up calmly and set it on his plate, eyeing June.

"It slipped?" she suggested, shrugging.

"You'll pay fer that one later, lass," he muttered under his breath so only June could hear.

She grinned began to dig in, everyone following her example. It was quite comical. On one side, Will and Ana used their forks and knives respectfully, taking small portions into their mouths at a time, sipping their wine.

On the other, Jack and June slurped their drink, gnawed at their meat, and Jack especially enjoyed licking his fingers. He grinned, his gold teeth glinting as he said, "Ana, this is fabulous! Perhaps once we pick up me crew back in Tortuga, I will have to throw the cook overboard just so ye can be me new one."

"I'm glad you are enjoying it, Captain," she replied and took another sip of her wine.

June paused for a moment and said, "Yeah, the food is good," as a string of whatever it was hung limply from her lips.

Jack stared at her with a smirk on his face. He smacked the table and said, "Will? Look at this girl," he pointed to June, "It's a surprise I haven't bedded her yet. Such a fine specimen, she is."

Will chuckled as June eyed Jack suspiciously, the food still hanging from her parted lips. She shrugged, which she seemed to be doing a lot of lately, and went back to eating after she said, "No man can resist me."

Jack laughed openly at her remark, but stopped abruptly, looking frankly disturbed. His gaze returned to June, who was smiling secretly to herself as she took another forkful of potato into her mouth.

Sparrow scooted his chair away from her and practically shouted, "Stay away from me!"

Will and Ana stared at them back and forth, confused.

"So," June said, grinning, stretching as she leaned back into her chair, "Who's ready for dessert?"


Whoa, so what was going on between June and Jack? (winks) You'll just have to find out later, I guess. (evil heeheeing) And the tension between Ana and Will is just unbearable! Ahh! Review please and I shall send you a potato that was half eaten by the infamous Captain Sparrow himself! I would like to thank FedEx for making those deliveries possible.