AN: Wow, I am getting better at updating quicker

Not much, but a little

Anyways, an amazing thing happened, and inspiration struck me in the form of another story. So I will be focusing much of my effort getting that one off the ground. Luckily, I have the next five chapters written for this story, and heavy editing is the only thing preventing me from sharing them to the public. Too bad for you.

But, do not fear, I will not abandon this story if I can help it, though I must admit, I am very excited for this new one I am writing, so make sure to check it out and tell me what you think.

Now that I am done with my long and dreary explanation of nothing in particular, here is the next chapter, one that I really enjoyed writing. You all get to see a whole new side to Ella.

As usual, enjoy.

Jack looked after Finn as Barbossa dragged her onto the frigate, the insults still echoing in his ears. For the first time in a long while, he was feeling…regret. No, Jack Sparrow didn't feel regret, not after regaining his beloved Pearl. Shaking his head in frustration, he turned toward Gibbs who held Ella still, Finn's shouts carrying across the gap between the ships. He cringed, and instead of talking to Gibbs like planned, Jack strutted off to his wonderful cabin.

Soon, the crews were once again switched, and the Pearl was…staying put. Jack had wanted the Flying Fortune to be well away before he put his master plan into action. Flipping open his compass, he saw with delight it was no longer spinning mercilessly like it had been for the past two weeks. It was now pointed toward…the direction Barbossa had gone. Jack shook it again, but the pointer stayed put.

Now that couldn't be right. It should be pointing toward the key and compass, back in Port Royal. He flipped the compass shut and threw it on the table. Stupid thing was becoming unreliable.

A definite knock was heard at the door. "Enter," sighed Jack, leaning back in his chair comfortably.

Gibbs entered, and was rudely shoved aside by none other than Ella. Jack surveyed her thoughtfully, noticing the glare she was giving him. She looked nothing like Finn did, almost complete opposites, in fact. Finn had been tall and, in a small way, elegant, while this Ella was short and forceful. Her caramel hair was a tangled mess, no doubt due to the treatment she had received by Barbossa's hand, and her brown eyes glowered at him bluntly. He knew he was in for a thrashing, and unlike Finn, he had a feeling this was going to be a lot more harsh. At least for his ears.

"You bastard!"

"I think," interrupted Jack, "that Finn has already bashed me enough with names and insults that we can skip over that part. My ego can only take so much."

Ella glared and stamped her foot hard, with a small scream emitting from her mouth, causing both Gibbs and Jack to duck slightly. "You sold my best friend for a ship! You are a thoughtless criminal!"

"I am a pirate…"

"I don't care! I didn't think anyone could be so heartless as to do that, but you are! I hate you!" Ella hit both fists on his table for effect, and Jack curled up defensively in his chair.

"Easy on the table, darling, that was a pain to acquire…"

"Don't patronize me!" she hissed.

"That wasn't patronizing…" Jack tried to explain, but Ella cut him off again.

"I don't want to even hear you speak! You disgust me! I want you to go back and take Finn back!"

"That's not really an option…"

"I don't care! I demand that you do it!"

"You obviously weren't listening," said Jack in a loud voice. "Barbossa is going kill her if we follow. Now, you wouldn't want your dear friend to meet her end on your account, hmm?"

Ella marched over to the side of the chair and stuck her finger in his face threateningly. "You created this mess. Fix it. If you don't, I will personally skin you alive."

"Calm down, luv," begged Jack, smiling a little, though it wasn't voluntary. It was more of a tactic of self-preservation, used on countless women, and always worked.

"Don't you dare call me 'luv.' My name is Ella, not some stupid nickname you made up for me!"

So maybe it didn't work on this women...or Finn for that matter, but he couldn't think about that now.

"Alright!" Jack exclaimed. "Ella. If you would just sit down calmly and be quiet and stop yelling at me--"

"Give me one good reason," she responded, raising her hand to slap him.

"Because I have a plan! Sit…please?"

Ella let out a slow breath, but did as requested. Gibbs stood to the side of her uncertainly, though keeping a reasonable distance away incase of a sudden outburst.

"Well?" she asked skeptically.

"Okay," began Jack slowly. "As I understand it, you have a key of some sorts."

"Not any more," Ella responded sharply. "And how would you know?"

"Let's say I have a certain talent for hearing things I'm not suppose to."

"Eavesdropping, you mean."

"To put it bluntly, yes. Now, as you are aware, Miss Delaney has a key and oversized pocket watch that are also of great importance."

"They go to the Fountain of Youth. Barbossa already explained everything to me, so cut to the chase and tell me what this amazing plan is."

Jack, a little irked that this annoying girl just stole his thunder, opened his compass to take a quick peek. It was still pointing toward Barbossa… "We are going to follow Barbossa to where I assume to be Port Royal. Finn most likely does not have the key or map with her, seeing as she came with me in her nightdress." Ella gasped appropriately at the comment, but Jack ignored her. "When they go to retrieve the items, I will go, take Finn with the items, and we will go find the Fountain of Youth. Savvy?"

Ella was still staring daggers at him. "You broke your word to Finn. Why in the world should I believe you?"

"I promised to rescue you in exchange that she help me by any means necessary to regain my ship. We were both good to our word, though she did seem to prove…reluctant."

The two kept eye contact icily, until Ella stood up viciously. "Did I mention how much I hate you?"

"Once or twice already."

"Let me remind you." She grabbed a book that was sitting on he table, brought it up, and before Jack could register what was happening, lugged it at his face, smacking him square in the jaw. Gibbs let out a sound of pity as Jack fell to the floor, clutching his jaw. "Second time in a few days he was hit there."

"When was the first?"

"Miss Finn punched him."

Ella raised her eyebrows. "Finn punched him?" She turned to Jack, who had risen to his knees painfully. "Well, I can't remember a time when she has lost her temper in public. Congratulations, Captain, though I suppose, if it was she who lost it, then you most definitely deserved it."

"Maybe," Jack agreed with a muffled voice. "She's an interesting lass, I must say."

"Good-bye," Ella said, then stormed out defiantly, with Gibbs following behind, saying that he could show her to her cabin.

Jack got back onto the chair, touching his wound tenderly. Then he opened his compass again, shaking it to make sure it was working. Still pointing toward Barbossa, or more specifically, though he grudgingly admitted it, Finn.

Well, after meeting Ella, he wasn't surprised that what he wanted most at the moment was Finn. How the two girls became friends, he would never understand. This…little terror that he had on board now was nothing but a pain to deal with, though he had to give her credit for not putting up with nonsense and rude treatment. He supposed the saying opposites attract had some truth to it, after being able to encounter the two ladies.

What he wouldn't give to have had that same conversation with Finn. While she probably would have stormed in with the same amount of energy, she would have demanded (in a decent tone of voice, of course) what in the world he had just done. He would have smiled, she would have blushed, but somehow kept her composure, and tell him in a sharp voice to get to the point and start explaining. No threats, no insults hurled; she really didn't need them. He had a feeling she was used to being listened to, and obeyed without question. He would have then explained his plan, she would have listened, though certainly not looking at all pleased during the time. She would then tell him that his plan would not work, and give him a better idea, that in truth, might be more effective. But he wouldn't let her know that, and instead would remind her that he was captain, and because he knew she didn't like arguing, she would stand up, glare at him, then march out.

She, unlike her friend, seemed to have a natural sense of grace and composure…something Jack was not familiar with, and frankly, was not sure how to handle. He had managed it, obviously, but he wasn't sure how. When he thought that Finn was wrapped around his finger, she would surprise him by making some smart remark or under mind him in some way. Unlike Ella, who was blunt and obvious, Finn was a…riddle. He really wasn't sure what she was.

And now that he thought about it, he really wanted to know.

"No, no, no…" he muttered it himself. "Jack, ol' boy, you can't be doing this right now. She really isn't that important, or that interesting."

But their conversation from a few weeks ago floated back. She had said she cared about him. Or, more specifically, what happened to him.

She didn't really care, that was just an answer to make him feel better.

Though she didn't seem like the type to lie.

"Well, I don't care about her," Jack said to himself confidently.

Then why was he trying to get Finn back?