A/N: I have two wonderful sources to thank for this chapter. I've done quite a bit of research on the pirate lifestyle and I used two wonderful books to compose my version of Jack's Articles. So...a big thank you to David Cordingly's Under the Black Flag: The Romance and Reality of Life Among the Pirates and to Angus Konstam's The History of Pirates. If you are interested in reading more about piracy, both of these books are excellent sources that I would recommend.

Miss Anya: Thank you for the review. I hate seeing stories where Ana is pining away for Jack too…she has her own needs! She's a pirate! And that's one of the reasons Jack likes her I think…she has her own agenda, she's not dependant on anyone. Glad to see you're enjoying still…I promise to try to keep posting updates pretty regularly.

Cal: Thanks again for a wonderfully detailed review. Please keep them coming! I'm sorry that I made you sad…although I suppose that could be a good thing ;-) if it means you are enjoying my writing and feeling connected to the characters. I'm glad you're enjoying so far and it is great to get to see exactly what you are thinking as you are reading.

Chapter Four

Jack woke up the next morning before the sun rose. He was feeling very much on edge and wished to get dressed and back on the street as soon as possible. If ever there was a "morning after" he wanted to avoid, this was the one.

But as he got out of bed, Giselle stirred. He stood completely still, holding his breath in the hope that she would not awaken. She rolled over and continued to sleep and Jack breathed a sigh of relief. He hurriedly put his clothes on and was on his way out the door when he heard her call his name, "Jack?"

He walked back over to the bed and looked down on her. He kissed her on the forehead and whispered, "Go back to sleep Giselle. It's all just a dream."

He had hoped that her sleepy state would allow her to believe she was perhaps dreaming. Apparently, today was Jack's lucky day because she sighed softly and seemed to drift back off to a deep sleep. He stood there a moment, watching her, before padding softly out the door and back onto the street.

Since the sky was still dark, Jack decided to first go back to The Pearl and get some more sleep. He was exhausted and contributed it to the emotional strain Giselle had put him through only hours before.

When he woke several hours later, he headed into town to get a bite to eat. By coincidence, he happened to stop at the same restaurant that Anamaria was dining in. Seeing her sitting there alone, he approached her table and asked, "Anyone coming to join you?"

"No," she responded, "have a seat."

Jack sat down across from her and looked around the small room. He had never eaten at this particular location before and was unsure why exactly he had chosen it, but it seemed nice enough. A small home with one large open room for dining, it provided a cozy atmosphere that was rare, if not extinct, in the port city. An older woman soon appeared at their table and inquired as to what they would like to eat. Jack ordered a large stack of pancakes, ham, and eggs while Anamaria settled for eggs, bacon, and some toast. Both pirates asked for orange juice to drink, considering the long journey at sea that lie ahead of them.

While they waited for their food, they carried on a casual conversation. Anamaria couldn't help but ask if Jack had enjoyed himself last night.

"I 'ad a rather nice evening, thank you," he simply answered.

Anamaria knew he wasn't telling the whole story since she had seen him leaving The Pearl as she walked by earlier. However, she decided she would let him have his pride and not ask any more questions.

Jack returned the question to her, but she didn't give him a direct answer, instead returning a smirk followed by, "Wouldn't you like to know?"

He smiled back at her, not admitting that yes, he really would like to know.

She stopped his thoughts however, when she asked, "So how many crewmembers have you recruited so far?" By his silence, she could predict his answer. "You know we're leaving tomorrow, right? You only have one day Jack. You better get to it. Our crew isn't large enough to fair well for long."

"I was trusting that my fine crew would find a suitable amount of sailors," Jack stated, smiling at her.

"Right," Anamaria chuckled. "Well, just in case we don't, I suggest you get started yourself."

Just then the old woman brought their food. It was quiet for a long moment while they dug into the delicious meals.

"This is wonderful," Jack said, his mouth full as he wiped at it with a napkin.

Anamaria looked at him slightly disgusted, but forgave him for his poor table manners.

"Yes, it is," she agreed.

"So, the two men you were with last night, did you recruit them?" Jack asked, thinking he was being subtle, but failing miserably.

Anamaria gave a small smile before answering, "No, they're just friends. Their work ethic leaves a lot to be desired."

Jack nodded.

"But I have talked to about fifteen or twenty men who are interested in joining. They'll be by the ship early tomorrow morning. What time are you planning on weighing anchor?"

"Early morning," Jack responded, continuing to talk with his mouth full. "Just after sunrise. I want to get an early start on things."

"Good," Anamaria nodded in agreement.

They were soon finished with their meals and Jack offered to pay.

"Thanks," Anamaria obliged.

Jack didn't mind paying for the meals, otherwise he wouldn't have offered. But he was surprised that she was allowing him to pay. Come to think of it, he had covered the meals and alcohol just the other night as well.

He passed quite a few shillings to the old woman, the meal had been a little expensive, and they were on their way. Anamaria was not anxious to spend the day with her captain and they soon split up.

Jack spent the entire day looking for more crewmembers, but by the time the sun sunk into the ocean he had only found five potential sailors. As he wandered back to The Black Pearl he pondered over how it was possible that Anamaria had managed to find more men than he had. He finally attributed it to the fact that she had been looking for two days more than he had. He would never admit that she was just better at him than some things.

Since Jack was very reluctant to go back to The Briar Rose, he decided to stay onboard The Pearl and drink in his cabin. Maybe, if he was really lucky, Anamaria would even happen to wander by. He would also be sure this way that things were in order and ready to go in the morning.

He was about halfway into his bottle of rum when the knock came at his door.

"'old on a moment," Jack said, jumping up to cross the room. Remembering how inappropriate he had felt the last time someone had stopped by, he had left his sash, bandana, and boots on this time.

Anamaria was standing at his door and he smiled warmly at her before noticing the ten men that accompanied her.

"Captain Sparrow," she addressed him properly. "These men are anxious to join our crew. They are willing to go ahead and sign The Articles tonight so they will be ready to sail first thing in the morning."

Jack looked hastily around for a place within reach to deposit the rum bottle he was still holding. Finding none, he swung his arm behind his back and smiled at the pirates standing in front of him. "Of course."

Jack allowed them to enter his cabin and invited them to have a seat at the large table located in the middle of the room. He quickly stashed the bottle out of sight, hoping that none of them were paying attention. While Anamaria knew what he was up to, she doubted the other men had noticed. Jack handed his copy of The Articles to Anamaria and allowed her to read them.

"One…Every man shall obey civil Command; the Captain and the Quartermaster shall have two shares in all Prizes; the Master, Carpenter, Boatswain and Gunner shall have one Share and a half; all other officers one share and a quarter; and private gentlemen of fortune shall have one share each.

Two…Every man shall have an equal vote in affairs of moment. He shall have an equal title to the fresh provisions or strong liquors at any time seized, and shall use them at pleasure unless a scarcity makes it necessary for the common good that a retrenchment may be voted.

Three… If any man shall offer to run away, or keep any Secret from the Company, he shall be marooned with one Bottle of Powder, one Bottle of Water, one small Arm and shot.

Four… If any Many shall steel any Thing in the Company, or game, to the Value of a Piece of Eight, he shall be marooned or shot.

Five… If at any Time we should meet another Marooner (that is Pyrate) that Man that shall sign his Articles without the Consent of our Company, shall suffer such Punishment as the Captain and Company shall think fit.

Six… None shall strike another aboard the ship, but every man's quarrel shall be ended on shore by sword or pistol in this manner: at the word of command from the Quartermaster, each man being previously placed back to back, shall turn and fire immediately. If any man do not, the Quartermaster shall knock the piece out of his hand. If both miss their aim, they shall take to their cutlasses, and he that draws first blood shall be declared the victor.

Seven… That Man that shall snap his Arms, or smoke Tobacco in the Hold, without a cap to his Pipe, or carry a Candle lighted without a Lanthorn, shall receive Moses's Law (that is 40 stripes lacking one) on the bare back.

Eight… That Man that shall not keep his Arms clean, fit for an Engagement, or neglect his Business, shall be cut off from his Share, and suffer such other Punishment as the Captain and the Company shall think fit.

Nine… If any Man shall lose a Joint in time of an Engagement he shall have 400 pieces of Eight; if a limb 800.

Ten… If at any time you meet with a prudent Woman, that Man that offers to meddle with her, without her Consent, shall suffer present Death."

When she had finished, Jack passed the large blue quill and parchment around for each of them to sign. The men provided the captain with their signatures and Jack placed the parchment in a desk drawer. Anamaria gave the pirates a few more details such as where they would be sleeping, what their jobs would be and the names of the crew's officers.

"Welcome aboard The Black Pearl sailors," Jack said.

The men stood and shook hands with their new captain before filing out of the cabin.

"What do you think?" Anamaria asked when they were gone.

"I'm sure you did a fine job recruiting," Jack responded. "They seem a capable lot."

Just then Mr. Gibbs came walking down the hallway.

"There should be about twenty more here in the morning," she commented.

"Been busy, eh?" Jack said.

"Captain Sparrow," Mr. Gibbs interrupted, "I need to see you alone for a minute, sir."

Jack gave him a slightly disgruntled look at being disturbed then turned back to Anamaria, "If you'll excuse us."

She nodded and left the room, closing the door behind her.

"Jack, I've heard a lot about the other night from the crew already."

Jack crossed the room to sit at his desk as he listened to Gibbs carry on.

"Now I wasn't here so I don't know exactly what went on, but apparently you and Anamaria got a little loud."

Jack directed dark eyes towards his friend, warning him to be careful of how he continued.

"I thought we talked about that Jack..." he trailed off.

"First, it's none of your business or the crew's what goes on behind my closed doors."

"You made it everyone's business Jack."

The Captain's eyes grew even darker and Gibbs was afraid to continue.

"Second, how dare any of you to assume to know the company I keep in my private quarters."

"From what I hear, it wasn't too hard to make out the lass's voice."

Jack wasn't planning on backing down just yet. "What Anamaria and I choose to do during our private time is of no concern to you or any other crewmembers for that matter."

"I know that Jack, but the crew isn't always as understanding. You have to remember that."

Jack nodded, "I appreciate your concern Gibbs, but the crew must respect their captain's privacy."

"Then the captain must respect 'is privacy," Gibbs answered simply.

Jack dropped his head, "Is that all, Gibbs?"

"Don't get me wrong Captain, the crew respects you and Anamaria both a great deal. You are both good, strong leaders. I don't even think there will be a problem with the two of you seeing each other. But the crew doesn't want to listen to your intimate moments alone together."

Jack had gotten the message and now he was tired of listening to Gibbs.

"I was kind of surprised when I first heard about it," Gibbs continued. He either did not sense Jack's annoyance or was choosing to ignore it. "You've never been one to bring women on board the ship."

"Is that all Gibbs?" he asked again, his voice growing harder.

This time Gibbs got the message and stood to leave. "Yes Jack, that's it."

Jack rose to walk him to the door.

"Just be careful. I don't want to have to get you out of anymore trouble."

Jack rolled his eyes, opening the door for Mr. Gibbs to leave. Gibbs left without saying anything else and Jack latched the door back. Sitting back down at his desk with his bottle of rum he wondered why the old man always felt such a great deal of responsibility towards him.

He treats me like a damn child sometimes. I'm like the son he never had. He took another sip from the bottle. So maybe Ana and I did get a little loud. Maybe we shouldn't have been on the ship at all. But what's done is done, can't go changing things now. I wonder what they do think about us being together. One more sip of rum. At least I know they won't be sleeping with her too now. He smiled to himself. She's all mine...at least while we're on The Pearl. This could be a good investment. We make a pretty good team. He drank the rest of the rum in one long swallow. Time for bed.

He stumbled blindly across the room before falling into bed, his head beginning to reel from the effects of the alcohol.