Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Disney's.

A/N: Hello everybody! Whew! Sorry for the long delay. Thanks to Murphyangel, Deathly Nightshade, Katie my pirate buddy, Leanan Sidhe, sarah, savvyblackpearl, A Lady Pirate, Scouter, icebluehost, ponysteph15, and i-walk-the-line for being the fabulous reviewers of Chapter 22. I'm sure we'd all like to see what Captain Blake is up to, so I hope you enjoy the new installment.


The warming rays of the sun began to vanish. Replacing them was a chilling wind that swept up everyone's spines, caressing their hearts with a feeling of uneasiness.

"You're goin' to wear ruts into the woodwork, missy," a gravelly voice proclaimed from behind the helm.

Belle glanced up from behind the broad rim of her hat, smiling at Gibbs. Halting her pacing (an act she had been thoroughly concentrating on for about fifteen straight minutes) she nodded in his direction. "I apologize if I seem antsy."

"Eh," he shrugged, tugging the helm to the left with a sudden jerk of his wrist, "I don't blame ye, lass. It's a heavy responsibility thrown onto yer shoulders."

"And it doesn't help that we're almost upon The Rising Sun," she pointed out, staring out into the looming darkness. The distant ship was outlined by the remaining red glow hovering over the horizon. "I'm sure Captain Hernandez is not a force to be reckoned with."

"What will be the plan of action if he is less than willin' to negotiate?" Gibbs asked, "And I'm sure he's goin' to put up a fight. No captain in his right mind will hand over his ship without a fuss."

"I do not wish to endanger anyone," Belle confessed, "My original plan was to go alone."

"That's out o' the question," Gibbs replied with a shake of his greasy head, "You're a beautiful woman he's bound to take advantage of."

"Pish posh," she grumbled, "Just because I'm a woman, Joshamee, doesn't mean I can't negotiate with the bloody man."

"I agree," Jack said huskily from behind them, "She does have a quick tongue. Or so I'm led to believe."

Gibbs and Belle gazed at his half-dressed form leaning against the railing. His rakish grin reflected the developing moonlight and his hair was uncharacteristically tied up with a strip of fabric.

"You should be resting," Belle pointed out, sounding extremely cross.

"I agree, Jack," Gibbs nodded enthusiastically, "It's not good for you to be walkin' about as of yet."

"A little fresh air can't hurt, can it?" Jack shrugged innocently, "That's all I wanted."

"I'm sure," Belle glared, "That's not all you are up to. You're out to make mischief."

He feigned an expression of shock and hurt. "You're too quick to judge, luv."

"Anywho…" Belle sighed, "Oh, yes. Gibbs, I'll negotiate. If things don't go very well, then we'll attack."

"Will we?" Jack raised his eyebrows. "A daring move for such a nervous gel."

"I'm not nervous," she lied. Belle couldn't hold back her growl of annoyance.

Jack leaned closer to her, his voice lowering an octave. "You're shakin' in your delicious boots, darling. Will you be able to handle it?" He grabbed her by her leather belt and pulled her slowly towards him. She couldn't help but allow it to happen. She saw Gibbs out of the corner of her eye shake his head in exasperation.

"You seem to believe in me, Jack Sparrow. I may be new at this, but I sense that you have a tiny bit of faith in me, even if you don't know who I am," she whispered into his tanned cheek.

"I'm having flashes of remembrances, Captain Blake," he said, grin widening.

"You are?" She couldn't hide her excitement, "What of?"

"I cannot describe them aloud in mixed company," Jack said in a sing-song voice, twirling her around suddenly, "But I shall savor them and keep them close to me heart!"

"You're a fool," she muttered, trying to contain a smile but failing miserably. Turning to a bored Gibbs, she reiterated, "Yes, we'll attack. I need to know you all are standing behind me. After all, right now you're my first mate, and I need to know I can rely on you."

Gibbs nodded and said, "I'll go devise a plan wit' the crew, Captain," and walked off to find the crew.

"I really don't want to put anyone's life on the line." Belle worried her lip and began pacing once more.

Jack sat back, leisurely watching her. "That's the pirate's life, Belle. It's not about security and comfort. When I agreed to help you get your ship back, I'm sure I knew what I was getting me and my crew into, don't ye think?"

"Yes."

"Hell, we need some new excitement around here."

"I suppose you're right." She began to worry her lip again, and Jack stared at her while she did this, mesmerized.

"Captain!" Anamaria ran up, looking frustrated by having to call her this new title. "We're almost upon The Rising Sun. They've spotted us."

Belle acknowledged this and ordered, "Prepare one of the boats. I'll be heading over alone."

Anamaria replied, "Aye," looking slightly concerned about her decision before disappearing.

"This is it, I suppose," Belle smiled again, "This adventure is almost at an end."

Jack took her by the arm and pulled her close once more so that their foreheads were touching. "Kiss me, Captain Blake," he commanded gruffly, "Help me remember."

"Jack." As soon as their lips met, a fire consumed them both, sweeping them up on the current of their deepest desires. She heard him emit a low groan as he plunged his hands into her short blond hair, intimately cradling her skull.

It was Belle that broke away first. "I have to go," she said softly, "Go get some rest. I don't want you out here shirtless in these cold winds."

He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He could only watch as she straightened her black hat and disappeared over the side of the Pearl as the crew looked on in worried silence.


"He can't be alive…he's dead."

"He isn't, but he will be."

"We're taking him down river…"

Belle shook her head as another vision swarmed her and continued to row, her arms flexing as she battled with the choppy water. Plump droplets began smacking her on the back. "Of course it's raining," Belle muttered, "It adds to the dramatics."

The moonlight suddenly disappeared, and in its wake the massive hull of The Rising Sun overpowered her vision. The beautiful wood of the ship was so dark it was almost black. It was so sleek it shined.

She wanted this. She wanted it more than anything in her entire life.

Well, besides freedom.

Besides Jack.

Moving a bit closer caused the rustlings of an agitated crew to reach her ears. Belle was sure they were formulating a plan on how to deal with the Pearl. Or with her.

"Watch yer head!"

As soon as she bumped into the side of The Rising Sun, a rope was thrown at her quickly. After tying up her boat, she used it to walk up the slippery steps, heaving herself up with each tug of the rope.

An outstretched hand awaited her, and she took it. The strong figure pulled her over so forcefully that she wobbled on her feet.

"My lady…to whom do I owe the pleasure of such a visit?"

If Belle thought the Pearl crew seemed rugged and domineering, these men were dangerous, cruel giants. And there were about thirty of them surrounding the Captain.

Captain Hernandez. He was of Hispanic origin, with black hair combed back and a black goatee. Blue eyes skimmed her slim figure carefully and with caution. He had a strong, handsome face, with a powerful, muscled body to match. The smile on his face is what unnerved her, though. It wasn't a friendly one. It was carefully placed and faked.

"I'm Captain Belle Blake," Belle answered calmly, calculating the glimmer of recognition in his expression, "And I assume you're Captain Hernandez."

"Miss Blake?" he questioned, his tone incredulous, "Surely not. The Belle Blake I remember was a gawky young girl."

Sighing, Belle thrust out her wrist, revealing the Rising Sun brand on her flesh. He carefully took her wrist then, as if not to alarm her, and ran a finger along the raised, puckered pink flesh.

"It is you," he whispered, shaking his head, "I'll be damned. After all these years…" He skimmed her figure once more, this time more appreciatively. "You certainly grew into those legs, Miss Blake."

The crew guffawed.

Narrowing her eyes, she yanked her wrist out of his grasp.

"Do you remember who gave you that brand?" Hernandez asked in amusement, stepping closer to her.

"I thought it was my father. So I wouldn't forget."

"Wrong answer, poor girl."

"I am not a girl, Captain. Who gave me this brand?"

"Please, call me Thomas. Such old friends shouldn't be so formal."

"Who gave me the brand, Thomas?" Belle hissed, resting her hand on the hilt of her sword.

"I did, of course. Want to know why?"

"I've had about enough of these guessing games," Belle warned.

Captain Hernandez laughed out loud, saying, "I don't really care what you've had enough of, pet. You're surrounded by my men, so I would be careful that you don't wear my patience thin." He stepped closer to her and grabbed her wrist again. She did not fight his touch. Belle's eyes flicked to the crew, who was staring at her like a main course.

"I branded you because I wanted someone to bring you back to me, of course."

"What? Why?" Belle asked, trying to appear unruffled by the intensity of him.

He caressed her wrist, replying matter-of-factly, "It was so many years ago, Belle. I wanted the past to torment you. I wanted you for myself. I wanted your father to know that you would be in my custody whether he liked it or not and that fact killed him. I was just waiting for someone to return you to me. Or for you to get too curious…"

"What did you do to my father?" Belle whispered.

"I killed him, pet. I betrayed him. I wanted his wealth. I wanted his life. So I took it. It was all too easy."

The weight of the facts came crushing down on her. Belle, trembling, almost yanked her pistol from its holster, but she tried to restrain herself.

"You want to kill me now, don't you?" he said gently, running a few fingers through her hair as she stared at him with pure hatred, "Come on. Try."

"I am here to negotiate with you, Captain Hernandez," she spat, still shaking and trying to keep it out of her voice, "This is rightfully my ship by blood. I want it back."

"…and if I don't give it back?"

"Suffer the consequences."

He snorted. "I'm frightened, I truly am, Miss Blake, but you're going to have to entice me with your negotiations. Just handing over MY ship doesn't sound like a negotiation to me."

"What do you bloody want, then?" Belle said calmly.

"Like I said, I have been waiting for the moment you stepped back into my life. Do you want to be a part of this ship?"

She nodded hesitantly.

"Then you'll have to be a part of my crew, darling. And I don't mean any old member of my crew. You're going to be very special."

"What does that mean?"

"You'll share my bed," he said huskily, touching her hips and running his hands up to her breasts, "And do my bidding. Your sole purpose would be to please me."

"Go to hell!" She shoved him off of her.

"Is that a no?" he frowned, "Because breaking you would be the sweetest victory I have ever known."

"Prepare for battle, you son of a bitch," she snarled, "Because I'd rather have The Rising Sun at the bottom of the ocean than be with you!"

"A pity," he sighed dramatically, "We'd be so good together. Do you really want a battle?"

"Yes. I'm not leaving without my ship."

"You've already established that if you win, you get the ship," Captain Hernandez yawned, "What do I get if I win?"

Belle was silent as she grasped the rope, getting ready to fall back into the rowboat.

"I want you, Miss Blake. And I shall have you. Do we have an accord?"

"Yes," she gritted her teeth, "We do."

Belle disappeared over the side of the ship, listening to the crew's wicked chuckling as she began to row back to The Black Pearl.

This was going to be brutal…

…but for which side?


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