AN: I know I ought to be doing homework and such, but the story has been calling to me. So I am writing and updating, despite the threat on my grades. Maybe I should just drop school and write for the rest of my life...no, bad idea. Ha ha...I need more sleep.

Anyway, I loved writing this chapter, so I hope that, as always, enjoy.

It was a cloudy night, and windy. The perfect night for escape, in fact.

Richard was creeping along the deck slowly, covering a flickering lantern unsuccessfully while attempting to make out the long boats. The Commodore had long turned around to go to Port Royal, forgetting about Barbossa altogether. The thought of being able to kidnap Winnie seemed to be more tempting than rescuing Ella, though he was planning to stop for a week to re-supply and make repairs on the ship, for they had run into a nasty storm the night before. The Commodore was aware that Winnie was gone from Port Royal, but he seemed to hope for information there, something Richard didn't believe he would get.

Whatever the case, Richard intended to get off the Hildegard as quickly as possible. He was not going to become a criminal, even if it meant deserting the army, and he was going to find Ella and rescue her, then proceed to hide her from Belmont. There was no chance that he was going to let him come anywhere near her. Not now that he knew who Belmont really was.

He would have tried and bring Elizabeth and Clarissa along, but seeing as they were with Dawson, it would have been to risky too attempt a rescue. It was too bad; Elizabeth would have been useful, helping him manage the longboat and finding their way thru the Caribbean waters. Clarissa…well, he would have just felt bad leaving her there. She seemed to helpless, it would have been cruel not to bring her.

Though, he had to admit, there would be definite advantages to traveling alone. He only needed to bring minimal amount of food and water, and it would be less weight to row across the waves. His man power combined with his makeshift sail would hopefully push him out of sight by daybreak.

After lowering the longboat softly into the water with a small splash, Richard climbed down rapidly, praying no one had been awake enough to hear the sound, and that no one would be looking for him. It was his shift for watch, and if he didn't wake up the next fellow, he hoped that it would give him enough time to escape.

He began to row, slowly as to not disturb the water too much, then quicker to gain speed. The moon was peeking out of the clouds shyly, casting faint rays upon him and the ever disappearing Hildegard. Slowly but surely, as the sun rose gloriously out of the horizon, the boat became nothing more than a small speck, then nothing at all.

So, now he was alone, and it was an odd feeling indeed. He wasn't scared necessarily, though there was a feeling of emptiness in the vast sparkling blue. Richard sighed, wiped his sweaty brow, bent over, and started rowing again for a long time.

Three days had passed, all sweltering, all ruthlessly sunny, all cloudless. Richard's food supply had run out the day before, and his water supply was rapidly vanishing. He had expected to run into a ship quicker than this, for it was a well traveled route, but to no avail. If only he had packed more supplies…but hoping would do no good right now. He was fading slowly, there really wasn't much left to hope.

After their first meeting, Jack and Ella had more or less stayed a respectful distance away from each other. Ella did not think Jack worthy of to so much as stand in her shadow, and Jack really did not want his eyes clawed out.

After the first few days, Ella did try to be a little more friendly to the rest of the crew. Gibbs had been more or less pleasant, and was easy to talk to. Apparently, he had spent much of his time with Finn when she had been with them, and they would talk about her every now and then. For Ella, this was a strange thing, for she had not had anyone to talk to about her best friend for four years, and to realize she was actually, truly alive was still quite a shock. There was another fellow, Cotton, who couldn't speak, but always smiled when he saw her, and kept very good company.

The rest of the crew, while decent enough compared to Barbossa's, still caused Ella a great deal of uneasiness. They were stare at her as she walked across the deck, or smile suggestively every now and then. Many times she found herself wishing Richard were there.

Jack, after seeing that Ella was not always a ticking time grenade, began to realize why Finn had become friends with this young lady. Except for him, she was very civil toward everyone on the ship, and was generally talking like there was no tomorrow to anyone who would listen. As long as she was not angry at you, she appeared to be a very good friend.

Once or twice Jack had tried to start up a conversation, after all, this was a women, and he couldn't very well ignore her when she was on his ship, but all he had been given was the cold shoulder. At least Finn would have had the decency to say something.

Bugger, his thoughts always seemed to wander to Finn these days. It wasn't like he actually cared about her. He was Captain Jack Sparrow! Those types of things never happened to him! But then why did his compass keep pointing toward Barbossa? Why wasn't it pointing toward the map?

His conclusion was that she knew where the map and key were, so she was the way to them, meaning she was the one he wanted. It all made great sense in the end, and Jack was at ease, most of the time.

Though he really didn't want to admit it, he missed Finn quite a bit. He wasn't even sure why. She had never shown any interest in him, which was actually quite strange, he thought. She never seemed to be angry, except for those few times, when he most certainly deserved to be slapped. She always seemed to be thinking, or dreaming. A riddle indeed.

No, no, not a riddle, just another confusing women who he never needed to see again. Finn really didn't mater that much, she was just the way to the treasure. But then why had he felt so horrible when he had handed her over to Barbossa?

Jack shook his head. This was ridiculous. Finn was just another women, and that was that. He had bigger things to worry about, like how he was going to get the map and key. He wandered out of his cabin onto the deck, whistling a sea chantey. The days of late had been sunny, without much wind, though nothing like he had encountered a few weeks ago. It wasn't affecting the speed of the Pearl too much, so he had nothing to worry about.

"Captain, something has been spotted on the horizon!" shouted the man from the crow's nest. "It looks like a…boat!"

Jack opened his spyglass lazily, excepting to see some merchant ship that was ripe for the picking, only to see a longboat drifting along. "That's…strange," he murmured, mostly to himself.

"What's strange?" snapped Ella, coming up next to time.

"Deciding to finally speak with me?"

"Temporarily, if you don't act like a--"

"I understand," he interrupted, not really wanting to be insulted, especially after Finn's speech a week or so ago, which was still ringing in his ears.

"Well?"

"There is a longboat out there, in open ocean."

"Now, that is strange," said Gibbs, who had come up next to him. "What do you reckon happened? Ship wrecked?"

"Most likely," answered Jack. "I can't tell if there is anyone in there though. Men! Turn her around toward that boat!" he yelled, and the men began scrambling to do as ordered.

"What are you going to do?" asked Ella, more intrigued than not.

"Save the poor devil, of course," said Jack. "It is one of the unspoken rules of the sea. You never know when you yourself might be in the same situation, where you are begging to be saved. It is a rather nasty predicament, I must say."

"You've been stranded?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes." Over his shoulder, Gibbs was mouthing the word 'marooned' to Ella, causing her to suppress a smile. Jack rolled his eyes and made his way to the helm grandly, caressing the wood on his way up. He was still ecstatic that the Pearl was his again.

Ella squinted against the bright rays, trying to make out who was in the boat. He was coming closer, rowing, in fact, though, he appeared to be going at a snails pace. She wondered if the fellow had even noticed the ship that was coming to rescue him.

"From the looks of it, the devil's alive," commented Gibbs, who was watching as well.

"Yes. I feel so bad for him. Though, I wonder what would have caused him to be out here."

"Might have been thrown over in a storm. Happens every now and then."

"And the longboat?"

Gibbs frowned, stumped at Ella's question. Shrugging, he went to join Jack at the helm, leaving Ella to stare alone. She could see more of the features now, if she looked long enough. The man's hair was blonde, and he appeared an average height, slim but sturdy. He looked an awful lot like Richard…

And then she noticed the clothes he was wearing. They were exactly like the one's the navy would wear. Could it be…?

"Richard?" Ella yelled over the railing, hoping the man would hear. Above her, she could hear Jack scolding her, but she paid no mind. "Richard?"

The man looked up, and jumped at the sight of the gigantic vessel that was coming toward him. Now he was close enough that Ella could see facial characteristics.

It was Richard.

"Richard!" she screamed again, louder and more frantic this time.

"Ella?" The voice was faint, but flabbergasted. "Ella, is that you?

"Yes!"

"Shush there, luv," commanded Jack. "Let the man come aboard. Men, throw him down some rope!" The orders were carried out, and soon Richard flopped up onto the deck, weary and dehydrated.

"Richard! Someone, get him water!" cried out Ella, kneeling down to cradle his head.

"Ella? What in the world are you…?"

"Shh, don't talk right now. You need rest. How long have you been out there?"

"You just told him not to talk," said Jack pointedly. "One of you men, get over here and get this fellow to the sick bay. Hurry!"

"I'm going too," announced Ella as Richard was lifted up. Jack was about to disagree, but quickly thought better at the look from her face.

"Do as you wish, Miss Bronte. I have obviously never stopped you before."

Ella, smiling slightly, followed to where Richard was being placed softly and sat next to his now sleeping form, relief flooding her. Richard was here. How lucky could one girl get?

It was the next day when Richard finally woke from his slumber. Ella had fallen asleep as well, never leaving his side, something Jack noted with an increasing interest.

"Why do you suppose she stays down there?" he asked Gibbs when he had passed by, only to see her asleep as well.

"I'd imagine it is because she loves him," Gibbs answered matter of factly. "She was sure excited when she realized who he was."

"Yes, but she doesn't have to stay down there, in the sick bay. Ella has a cabin."

"You seem surprised," Gibbs said, raising his eyebrow. "It's not that unusual, this type of devotion."

Jack turned and peeked back into the room curiously. Ella's head was resting on Richard's chest, and moving up and down with it. Both looked completely at peace. "I can't say that I have ever seen it before. Then again, it's not like I am that attached to anyone I know. Easier that way, really."

Gibbs had come up beside him. "I had a fiancé once. She fell ill with scarlet fever two weeks before we were suppose to be married. Stayed right by her side until the last breath." Jack looked down in surprise, only to see tears brimming on the man's eyes. "Worst three days of my life. But if I hadn't been there to see her through it, I don't think I could ever live with myself. It may be easier to live without people caring about you, Jack, but it sure makes life…meaningless. These two are lucky to have each other."

Jack shrugged. "To each his own, I suppose. What do you say to some rum?"

"I think I might take you up on that."

Laughing, the two men went to go retrieve their drinks, but the conversation had made Jack terribly uneasy. The only thing he could seem to think about was: would Finn do the same thing for him? She had said she cared…posh, it didn't matter. She was just another women, after all.

"Ella? Ella?"

Blinking her eyes, Ella sat up slowly to see Richard's gray eyes watching her sweetly. Smiling, she put her hand on his face. "Hello."

Richard smiled as well, a beautiful smile that showed all the love and relief he had inside of him. "Ella, are you okay? Has Barbossa treated you badly?"

"I'm fine, but Barbossa is gone now."

He looked at her skeptically. "This is the Black Pearl. Is it not Barbossa's ship?"

"Not anymore. It is Jack Sparrow's ship now."

"How?"

Ella's eyes darkened, her hands becoming fists. "He traded…a girl for the ship."

"Winnie?"

Ella's eyes changed from anger to astonishment. "How did you…?"

Smiling, Richard explained how he had met Winifred, and that a women called Elizabeth had reported a kidnapping involving Winnie. "So this man, Jack Sparrow, traded her for this ship?"

"Yes. I can't say I think very highly of him, though he did insist he had a plan all along, something I don't exactly believe."

"Well," said Richard, "the action certainly doesn't say much for his character…but I think it might have been lucky for Winnie." Ella raised an eyebrow, a little annoyed Richard had said that. Sighing, he continued. "I have so much to tell you, I don't even know where to begin."

"Just start from the beginning. We have plenty of time."

So he did, starting again from when he had met Winifred, then explaining that the Commodore had heard of Barbossa's attack on Savanna, and they went to go follow him. He then told of the mysterious midnight meetings between him and Captain Dawson, and of the kidnapping of Clarissa, then the explanation that the Commodore had really wanted Winnie, not the governor's daughter. Then came Elizabeth's arrival, and how Belmont put her in the brig, and was now headed toward Port Royal in hope for information on Winnie, and then his escape from the Hildegard.

"You forgot to explain how Finn is lucky," reminded Ella.

"As far as anyone on that boat is concerned, Winnie is still with Jack Sparrow. No one in this world except the people here know that Winnie is with Barbossa now, who is no longer on the Black Pearl apparently. In all respects, she is more safe now than she would be here or in Port Royal for that matter."

"Barbossa is no walk in the park to be with. I'm still worried about her."

"I don't blame you. But how has Jack Sparrow been treating you?"

"That's Captain, lad."

Both of them turned around to see Jack leaning casually against the door, smirking. "So, you're a navy officer? Lucky for you that you are acquainted with Miss Bronte, or we of have to tossed you over board."

"You were eavesdropping again!" growled Ella, standing up.

"A terrible habit I must attempt to overcome. Unfortunately, I find it to be a wonderful asset in certain instances, such as this."

"How so?"

Sparrow waltzed over and looked down at Richard for a moment. "Well, to begin with, I now know I am stashing a runaway from the British navy, which means a new crew member for me, seeing as they won't be taking you back anytime soon. Secondly, I also know that I am not the only person looking for dear Finn, something that I can possibly use to my advantage."

Ella stared at him skeptically, still annoyed he had been eavesdropping. "Oh? How is that?"

Jack frowned and put up a finger. "I'll let you know, when I sort out the details and whatnot. Shouldn't be terrible though. After all, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow!"

"And who cares?" challenged Ella.

"A good many people, actually," said Jack triumphantly. "Now, it's Richard, correct? If you're feeling any better, it would be greatly appreciated if you were to help crew my ship. Another hand is always welcome."

"Very well," answered Richard politely. "I will be out soon."

Jack saluted mockingly and exited, humming something, leaving the two alone.

"Richard, I'm so glad you're here."

He smiled softly and put his hand on her cheek gently. "I've missed you, Ella. When I found out that you had been kidnapped…I didn't know what I was going to do. I'm…I'm glad you're safe now. I promise, I won't let anything else happen to you."

Ella gazed into his beautiful gray eyes, peace flooding her. He sat up slowly and moved his hand to her neck, caressing her sweetly. "Have I ever told you that I love you?" he murmured.

Ella's heart about leapt out of her chest with joy. "I think I already knew that," she whispered, bringing her own hand to his face. "But I like hearing you say it to me."

Just like that his lips were on hers, sweet and loving, promising. Ella's heart was soaring with the clouds, and she kissed back softly, if not a little shyly.

"You know, you two can always save that for later tonight."

Ella broke apart to see Jack grinning maliciously, leaning comfortably against the doorway. She opened her mouth a few times, but was in too much shock to spit out a smart remark. Richard recovered first and left his bed slowly, not saying anything, and leaving to help the crew man the ship.

"That was…was…" hissed Ella furiously, livid that her first kiss had to be ruined by this criminal.

"My revenge," finished Jack, "for ignoring me for the past few weeks."

Ella glowered, her brown eyes burning. "You're just jealous."

"Of what? Not having your lips on my own? That can be easily fixed." Grabbing her wrist roughly, Jack pulled Ella toward him until there were a mere inch apart. He had originally planned to actually kiss, just to tease, of course, but suddenly, instead of brown eyes staring heatedly at him, they were a dark, deep blue, not nearly as harsh, but much more entrancing. Surprised at the change, Jack let out a gasp of shock and pulled away swiftly.

Ella, who had been absolutely irate a moment before, blinked, utterly confused now at his abrupt change in mood. Jack stared at her, a look between disgust and fear written on his face. They stayed like that a moment longer before Sparrow turned and walked away without another word.

Blue eyes? Why them? Why her? Jack rubbed his temples tiredly, trying to make sense of his thoughts. There was nothing special about Finn. The end. She was just another women. Women were everywhere, and there were easier ones to get than her. Finn wasn't especially memorable in the least; she was pretty, not gorgeous, quiet and sensible, not explosive, like her friend. But…

Growling in frustration, he changed directions for the hold to retrieve some rum, something to make him stop thinking about her. As soon as he came to Port Royal, he would drop off Ella, convince Finn to give him the map and key, then sail away, never to see her again. She would be out of his life, and never again would he have to worry about Winifred Delaney.