Disclaimer: None of POTC belongs to me.

AN: Still trying to complete this before AWE but it may dribble over.

Back in her own cabin, Valentine hummed softly as she finished dressing. Last night had been incredible. She supposed that she should be tired, after all neither she nor Jack had slept much, but instead she felt energized. Proving his own words false, Jack had introduced her to yet even more ways in which to express their mutual desire.

But what Val remembered most from the previous hours was how just after dawn, Jack had held her gently in his arms and idly fingered the chain and ring she still wore about her neck. After several minutes of this, he had rolled her beneath him and met her eyes with his. Val had watched as he mentally fortified himself before beginning to speak. Unfortunately he had only managed the words, "Valentine, our marriage" before he was rudely interrupted by a knock at the door and a voice informing them that Port Royal was in sight. Jack had shouted that he would soon be on deck and that the crew should bloody well be able to make port without his assistance. But when he turned back, the moment had been lost and they both knew it. Cursing softly, he had rolled out of bed and dressed. Before leaving, he had turned and in a more serious tone than she had ever heard him use before, he'd informed her, "Valentine, we do need to talk of the future. Once we dock things may be hectic for awhile but tonight we'll dine together."

He hadn't waited for her answer but then Val supposed there really had been no need. Of course she would dine with him tonight. Tonight and every night in the future if she had her way. Smiling foolishly as she folded and packed the corset that had so ably served its function, Val realized that she was not all that perturbed that they had been interrupted. For as silly and sentimental as it might be, she wanted a proper proposal and not one delivered in the afterglow of spent lust. Snorting at this bit of unexpected feminine weakness, Val began to pin up her hair and noted that she would need to find some bit of lace or ribbon to wrap around her neck for Jack's love bite was far too visible. As she was rooting around in her trunk, Mr. Gibbs knocked and called from behind the closed door.

"Ma'am, we'll be docking shortly. Can you spare me a few minutes?"

Laughing as she swung open the door, Val decided to put the poor man out of his misery, "Mr. Gibbs, why don't you just call me Val? It will be so much simpler that way."

Joining in her laughter he agreed, "Aye, that it will be Val. And you must call me Gibbs." At her quizzical expression, he added, "Don't much care for me given name. Gibbs will do just fine."

Val noticed that today he had also reverted to dressing as a respectable merchant sailor. She was about to ask him about this when he blurted out, "Val, I have a confession to make. Need to get it off me chest afore we make land."

"Then by all means Gibbs, tell me whatever it is. I would hate for you to carry such a burden," she merrily teased hoping that he was about to tell her the cause for the change in uniform.

"Remember when I said yesterday that sometimes a man needs a kick in the pants to know what he desires?"

"Yes." Val realized that she was not going to get the explanation she sought.

Taking a deep breath, Gibbs quickly said, "Well I know it tweren't none of my business but I hated to see Jack wed that awful woman. Not when there was someone like you that he could be with. It just didn't seem right, specially since you two were already married." He finished on a mumble, "Anyways, it was me that put old man Harper up to stopping the wedding. I hope that I did the right thing?"

For a moment Val felt disappointment that it had not been Jack who had plotted to end the wedding. Then noting Gibbs' truly repentant countenance, she assured him, "It's okay Gibbs. I am not mad at you but I would be careful about when you break the news to Jack. He is convinced that it was me who caused that scene and I am afraid that he will not be happy to learn otherwise." Val smiled as she thought of how Jack's arrogance would be pricked by the knowledge that she had not interfered in his marrying another. Not that it really mattered now how it had occurred. She was just glad that it had and would bet that Jack was thankful for his narrow escape. However, this news did explain why Jack had been so certain of her desire for him, for he had not been idly taunting her. He truly believed that she had sought to stop the marriage. Perhaps learning the truth might set him back a bit which would be all to the good.

Beaming with the relief of having unburdened himself, Gibbs revealed, "And might I say Val that I am glad that things between you and Jack worked out. Don't believe I've ever seen him so happy as he is this morning."

"Gibbs, you could do me one favor."

"What would that be?"

"You could tell me what all of the pirating business was about. Something tells me that there was more to that encounter than a desire to plunder."

Now looking extremely uncomfortable, Gibbs cleared his throat and shuffled his feet. "I'm afraid I can not divulge that Val. That's something you'll have to ask Jack about." Then because he could not help himself he added, "Alls I can say is that there is more to Jack than many give him credit for. True, he rarely does something without seeking some gain for himself, but he also carries a streak of decency and nobility in him. You'd best be speaking to him about that encounter. Now I've a need to go topside for we're almost ready to dock. I'll see you later Val."

After Gibbs' departure, Val continued her hunt for a bit of material to cover the mark on her neck. She had found a scrap that would do nicely and was arranging it about her neckline when the sounds from the pier began to filter through the porthole. Curious, she went over and opened the window and poked her head out. There was a great deal of commotion to be seen. Val could make out Governor Swann and Commodore Norrington amongst the rather large crowd that had gathered. Surprisingly, mixed in with all of the babbling voices, Val thought she heard French being spoken. Straining to hear and locate the source, she noticed a rather portly florid man standing next to the Governor and gesticulating wildly. Snippets of the unknown man's words floated over and Val heard the words "arrest and hang him", "the King will demand retribution" and "search that ship from top to bottom."

A trickle of fear ran down her spine. It could be no coincidence that the writing on the documents that Jack had stolen was in French and that this man demanding the search of the ship was alternating between English and French. She had just resolved to find Jack and warn him when she heard the large man yell, "There he is, the scoundrel. Don't let him out of your sight." Val gasped out loud as several marines trained their guns towards the ship. Well, the time to warn Jack had surely passed. She had to do something and do it now while there was still an opportunity. Quickly she made her way down the narrow corridor and almost barreled directly in Mr. Cotton and his parrot. The parrot squawked its disapproval but Val had no time to issue apologies.

"Mr. Cotton, fetch the black flag and bring it to my room. I'll be right back."

Mr. Cotton's parrot responded, "Aye miss. Fetch the flag. Fetch the flag." and the two quickly headed in the opposite direction.

Carefully, Val made her way to the deck. There was so much confusion and shouting that she was able to unobtrusively make her way to Jack's cabin. Once there, she searched for the packet of documents that Jack had stolen. Amazingly enough they were still lying on top of his desk. Jack had made no attempt to hide them at all. Evidently he had not expected to be greeted in the harbor by an irate crowd. She plucked them up and stealthily made her way back to her own cabin. In a rumpled heap on the bed was the black flag. Val reopened her trunk, wadded up the offending material, and shoved it deep into the pile of clothing. She was about to close the lid, when an idea occurred. Rustling through her garments she pulled out several of her most scandalous unmentionables and laid them on top before closing the trunk. Then she lifted her skirts and wedged the packet underneath her garter. It was a tight uncomfortable fit but it would have to do. Above her she could hear the planks being lowered and the sounds of the ship being boarded. Opening her door, she found two crew members and she pressed them into carrying her trunk to the deck. Val followed them at a sedate pace with a haughty look upon her face.

This time when she went topside, she was faced with a sea of red coats and bayonets. The first person that she ran into was James Norrington. Val could read his distaste for his current assignment in his eyes.

"James, whatever is going on here?"

"Val, you need to get off this ship now. Here, let me escort you to safety." He took her arm and began walking her towards the gangplank only to be intercepted by the portly fellow.

In French, he demanded, "Commodore, you can not let this woman disembark. She may be one of them and can tell us where the documents are hidden."

James began to answer, "This woman has nothing…"

But Val cut him off with her own response. In a tone that would have made the strongest of men weaken, she icily spoke in faultless French, "I beg your pardon sir. I do not pretend to know what business you have aboard this ship but I will not tolerate your insinuations." Val would have continued but just then a marine strode up with a shackled Jack in tow.

"Ah Commodore Norrington, how good of you to arrange a greeting party." Jack drawled sarcastically.

"Sparrow be quiet, you are not helping matters. This is all a misunderstanding which should be easy to clear up once Ambassador LeClerc realizes your true identity." Turning back to the Ambassador, James performed the introductions. "Ambassador LeClerc, this gentleman that you have accused of being a pirate and raiding your ship is in fact the heir to the Earldom of Coltshire and a respected member of English peerage. I am afraid that you must be mistaken in your identification"

The Ambassador turned his nose up in the air and sniffed, "This man is no more a member of your peerage than I."

Jack laughed and opened his mouth to make a nasty comment when another voice was added to the fray. Running up the gangplank, Millicent cried out, "Jack, my darling, what has that dreadful woman done this time? I knew she was nothing but trouble from the first moment I saw her."

Jack could not respond as Millicent, in an unusual display of affection, was smothering his face with kisses.

Ambassador LeClerc demanded, "And who might you be mademoiselle?"

"Why I am Millicent Witherspoon, Mr. Sparrow's fiancée and I insist that you release him at once. This is no way to treat the future Earl of Coltshire. My father shall have something to say about this."

Val almost chuckled at the look of outrage on the younger woman's face. She wasn't sure what upset Millicent the most; the fact that Jack was in shackles or that fact that there was someone in town who did not immediately recognize her. Still, her validation of Jack's lineage was most welcome.

"That may be mademoiselle, but I believe that this man has stolen important papers from my ship and I intend to retrieve them and see him brought to justice."

"If anyone stole anything sir, I assure you that it was that woman. She is a shameless hussy who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Why she even had the gall to stop my marriage," Millicent pointed accusingly at Val.

All gazes turned to Val. Despite the seriousness of the situation, she had a difficult time refraining from laughing. The morning was definitely not turning out as she had expected. Raising her chin and once again adopting an imperious tone, she calmly stated, "Contrary to Miss Witherspoon's assertions, I am not a thief. Nor did I stop her wedding but that is neither here nor there. I have been forced for the last several weeks to endure the uncouth company of this man and his crew and I should like very much to return to my home and be left in peace. Now if you will excuse me?" She started to sweep past the Ambassador but his arm reached out and grabbed her elbow. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jack bristle but before he could say anything she yanked her elbow free. "Ambassador, I shall forgive your impertinence because I can see that you are distraught. However, I will not stay on this vessel a moment longer. By all means search my trunk and person if you feel compelled to do so, but be quick about it."

Both Norrington and Jack gave her an odd look and then James ordered Mr. Murtogg to open the trunk. The first object that Murtogg pulled out was the corset from the previous evening. Millicent emitted a scandalized squeak. Blushing to the roots of his hair, Murtogg shoved it back into the truck and pulled out another garment. This time it was a diaphanous night rail that was so sheer he could see his hand through the folds of material. Hastily he replaced it and then as quickly as he could, he felt around in the trunk. Feeling only cloth, he stood up and reported, "Nothing in here, sir."

Val gave the Ambassador a supercilious smile and inquired, "Satisfied? Or would you now violate my person as well as my possessions?"

For a moment it looked as if he would indeed insist upon her being searched, but the glares he received from James, Governor Swann, and Jack caused him to back down. "No madam, I shall not insist upon it. You have my apologies for disturbing your privacy."

"Apology accepted, Ambassador. Now if you will be good enough to move out of my way, I should like to disembark." She gave him a brilliant smile and then leaned conspiratorially towards him and whispered loud enough for those in the immediate vicinity to hear, "If I were you, I should check in his wardrobe. I saw no signs of pirating while I was aboard but the man really does have the most dreadful sense of fashion. If nothing else, you should find the experience amusing." Then bidding everyone a good day, she proceeded to leave the Diamond. As far as she was concerned, it was not a moment too soon. She could barely control her laughter and if the looks upon James' and Jack's faces were any indication, they were experiencing the same struggle. Indeed, the only two sour faces aboard the ship belonged to Ambassador LeClerc and Millicent.

Jack smiled cheerfully as Norrington gave the order for the ship to be searched. Even Millicent hanging about his neck could not diminish the joy he felt. Valentine was one in a million and she was his. She believed enough in him to risk her own hide and was clever enough to think quickly. He had no doubt at all that she had somehow secreted off the ship any damning evidence. Since they had drunk all of rum and wine and thrown the empty casks overboard, the only things remaining were the flag, the portfolio, and their clothing. With Valentine smuggling away the flag and portfolio, the clothes alone would not be enough to convict them. Most certainly that was what she had been trying to tell them with her acerbic comment about his dress sense. If James' carefree grin were anything to go by, he had also figured out the truth of the matter. The only one of the three original conspirators who was still in the dark was Governor Swann and he would be informed later. Of course this meant that he would have to avoid Valentine until the Ambassador departed Port Royal, but he would use the time to make it patently clear to Millicent and her father that the engagement was over and that he had no intention of marrying Miss Witherspoon.

Val arrived home and immediately sent a servant to fetch Katherine. Katherine was delighted to see her and wanted to hear all about the trip but Val had more pressing matters on her mind. She thanked her friend for looking after her estate during her absence and then handed her a bundle of cloth. "Katherine, take this and hide it somewhere. I don't dare keep it here." Then she reached under her skirts and pulled out the documents, "When James comes home, make sure that he gets these. I assume that he will know what to do with them."

Once again, Katherine proved her intelligence by refraining from asking unnecessary questions. She simply accepted the articles and replied, "I will take care of it. It would appear as if you had an eventful trip. James would not tell me what was going on but obviously you were drawn into it as well."

"I am afraid that I can not tell you much about the situation. All I know is that if I had not removed these from the Diamond, Jack would likely have ended up in the gaol and perhaps even in the hangman's noose. He might still do so."

"If even half of the tales about Jack are true, then I doubt very much that that shall happen. The man has more lives than a cat."

Val smiled and laughed, "He does have the rather uncanny ability to land on his feet, doesn't he? At any rate, I hope that the search of the ship yields nothing else incriminating."

Slyly Katherine inquired, "And would it matter very much to you if it did? Have you and Jack reached some sort of understanding?"

Having rid herself of the contraband, Val sat down at her desk and began to idly sort through the correspondence that had accumulated during her absence. She knew that she was delaying answering Katherine's question because she did not have a definite answer to give. Had her and Jack reached an understanding? She thought so, but they had not put into words any agreement and now they would have to wait several days before they could safely be seen in each other's company. Millicent's appearance on the ship and her insistence that she and Jack were still engaged bothered Val. Jack had not contradicted her claim. The rational part of Val understood that it had hardly been the time or place for such a conversation but she still was unsettled by Millicent's obvious belief that she and Jack would still wed. No sooner had Val told herself to stop being a silly goose than she lifted a thick sheaf of papers from the pile. A quick perusal revealed that they were annulment papers and that Jack was listed as the plaintiff seeking relief from their marriage. Val felt the blood drain from her face. Apparently she held the answer to her questions in the palm of her hand.

Katherine, who had been patiently waiting her friend's answer, noticed the alarming change in her countenance. "What is it Val? Whatever is the matter with you?"

Wordlessly, Val handed the papers to Katherine. Katherine scanned them and then tried to reassure Val, "You don't know that this is what Jack wants. While you were away, Mr. Witherspoon pressured Governor Swann to rush the papers through. James and I even discussed whether or not the Governor was acting on behalf or Jack or Mr. Witherspoon. Don't jump to conclusions before you speak to him."

Val only half heard Katherine's words. Yesterday's conversation with Mr. Gibbs echoed in her mind:

"Aye it's often the truth that we don't appreciate what we have till it's done and gone. I was just saying that to Jack."

"Really? Well, what did Jack say to that observation?"

"Told me to stop being such a sentimental barmy old fool and that the trick to life was to hold onto what you wanted once you'd found it."

"But what if you don't know you want it until it's gone?"

"That's exactly what I asked Jack and he said that if that happened you had to do whatever it took to get back what was yours."

The conversation coalesced with her newly found knowledge of this morning that Jack had not been the one responsible for the interruption of his marriage to Millicent. Suddenly, her deductions of yesterday morning came tumbling down like a house of cards. Evidently Jack had decided that he really wanted to marry Millicent. Why else would he risk his freedom to steal those documents with the only reward being a hastening of obtaining annulment papers? Jack had done whatever it took to get his way. Most likely, his seduction of her had also been part of the plan. Perhaps he'd thought to sweet talk her into signing the documents or maybe he'd thought that she'd be repelled by his advances and sign them out of self defense? With a bitter smile, Val acknowledged that if the later had been his plan, it had spectacularly backfired on him. Oh, she had no doubt that he'd enjoyed their physical encounters but then again Jack was never one to look a gift horse in the mouth. It felt as if her heart were literally breaking in two; Jack had planned all along on leaving her. A simmering anger began to replace her sorrow. She would be damned if she was once again the one left waiting in vain. This time, she would be the one doing the leaving. She was brought out of her grim thoughts by Katherine's hand on her arm.

"Val, please don't jump to conclusions. There are many possible explanations. You were so happy just a few moments ago. I hate to see you like this."

"Katherine, I appreciate your kindness but trust me when I say that there is more to this than just these papers. I've been a fool but then Jack never did make any promises. Now be a good friend and witness this for me." So saying, she signed the document with a flourish and then waited for Katherine to add her signature.

Hesitantly Katherine asked, "Is this legal? I mean, is an annulment still possible?" She felt the heat suffuse her face at the question but she had to ask. When Val refused to answer, Katherine sighed heavily and reluctantly added her name to the bottom of the paper.

Val folded the papers and placed them in an envelope. Before sealing it, she paused for a moment and then appearing to reach a decision, she reached up and removed the chain from her neck and placed it in the envelope. "I am afraid that I shall have to further prevail upon your friendship. If you could see that this is delivered to Jack some time next week, I would be grateful. I have many arrangements to see to. I do believe that I will have to ask you to continue to oversee the estate for a bit longer, until I can arrange for its sale."

Trying to ignore the tears welling up in her eyes, Katherine implored, "Val, don't be so rash. Think about it, Jack obviously wants you. He stopped the wedding ceremony and everything."

"You're wrong Katherine. It was Mr. Gibbs who arranged for the interruption. Jack had every intention of going through with the marriage to Millicent."

"But its obvious when he looks at you that he cares for you. Can't you see that?"

"What I see is that Jack Sparrow lusted after me. Maybe it was because I was the one who got away or maybe he truly did desire me, but it makes no difference for lust is all it ever was. Not everyone can find what you and James share. Now be a darling and stop worrying about me. I will be fine. Like Jack, I always land on my feet. Once I settle back down somewhere, I'll write and we can arrange a visit."

Unhappy with the situation, but able to see that her friend's mind was well and truly fixed on this course of action, Katherine nodded and said, "I'll take care of Diablo until you send for him. Val, I believe that you are wrong and that Jack does care for you but I understand that you must do what you think is right. Where do you plan on going?"

Carelessly, Val shrugged, "Wherever the first ship out of Port Royal is headed."

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