A/N: I know this chapter has been a long time coming and I'd like to apologize to all my faithful readers for keeping you waiting so long. I have been going through some personal problems and the depression that has followed has left me feeling less creative than normal. As a result, I'm afraid that this chapter is not one of my strongest. Things are starting to look up however...there are moments of brightness these days...and I promise not to keep you waiting this long again. My goal is at least one chapter a week, if not more...despite the fact that I work until 3 AM on average. And I am feeling inspired by our pirates once again so the writing should get better. Enjoy!

Carolyn...Glad you enjoy the word choice. I took all of her arm to just below the shoulder...my poor pirate lass...it's only to make her stronger in the end...but I think she's still angry with me none-the-less.

Cal...Hope I don't keep twisting your emotions too badly. I know you've been waiting a long time for an update...I just hope you haven't forgotten about me ;o)

Kungfuchick...Thank you for the review...although I'm sure Anamaria would probably rather have her arm than a night with Jack at this point.

Kenn...I can't share my secrets of what inspires my writing...sorry mate ;o) Am I so predictable that it is time to move on to Act II? Oh well, perhaps you just know me too well. I'm glad you're enjoying.

Viggorus-0506...I'm glad that you actually read through the whole thing. Makes me feel special :o) I hope you keep enjoying. Thank you for the review.

fearlessfreak...Glad you're enjoying. If I can get some free time to spend doing other things I will review your story. Work has kept me pretty busy as of late.

Chapter Seventeen

"Maraud and embezzle and even hijack, Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho! Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me." Jack was singing softly to himself at the helm as he watched the sun set over the Caribbean Sea. He did not hear his first mate approach.

"You love that song, don't you?"

Jack had a strange moment of déjà vu, but shook it off and turned to face the voice.

"Aye, I do," he answered.

"I've come to take over for the evening," Anamaria said.

"Oh," Jack said, turning around to face the setting sun. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Anamaria said, "it is." She put her arm around his back and leaned her head on his shoulder.

They stood there for a moment, watching the orange globe sink on the horizon.

"Alright Jack, go get some sleep," Anamaria suggested, "or at least some rest."

Jack nodded, turning to her. As her hand slipped from his back, he took it in his own and squeezed it gently. They still kept their true relationship a secret from the crew, but at times shared small gestures of affection when no one was looking.

"I'll be down in several hours to keep you company," she said, smiling at him.

Jack gave her a wink and headed below deck.

Anamaria refocused her gaze on the horizon. Only the tip of the sun showed over the ocean, setting the sky around it on fire.

It had been seven months since Anamaria had lost her arm. It had taken three excruciatingly long months for it to heal completely and she was only now beginning to feel confident in her abilities at sea again. Jack had been supportive of her, surprisingly. He had pushed her when she needed pushing and when she genuinely needed help he had been her most devoted friend. He had been there for her through her most troubled time and now that she was feeling better she hated knowing that the time was coming when she would have to leave him and The Pearl behind. She wondered if he sensed that their time together was drawing to an end.

She had always known that she would want her own ship at some point. Originally, she had thought that she would ask Jack for it immediately, then as time began to pass she saw it as something that would happen maybe five or ten years into the future. When she had injured her arm, she thought she may never sail at all again, much less on her own ship. Now she knew the time was drawing close though. She had to prove to herself and others that she was capable of running things without Jack around to help or protect her. She hoped that her captain wouldn't be angry with her. She didn't think that he would be, if anyone should understand her it should be Jack. Still, she worried about telling him her plans.

That night when Anamaria had seen that The Pearl had traveled the extra distance that Jack had wanted to accomplish, she went below deck to find him. Instead of finding him sleeping as she had expected, he was sitting at his desk, rum bottle in hand, studying his most detailed map of the Caribbean. He had removed his vest, shirt, boots, and bandana and was comfortably immersed in his work. As Anamaria crossed the room she scooped up his hat and placed it on her head. She then took a seat across from the captain, who seemed only to notice her once she was seated.

"We're about fifty miles off the coast of Cartagena," she informed him.

He looked up at her as if she had interrupted him. "Thank you," he said, glancing back down at the map.

Anamaria let the silence hang for a moment before pursuing the conversation, "Jack?"

"One moment," he said, holding up a finger as he continued to study the map.

It seemed as if the moment drug on forever as she sat there, waiting for him to acknowledge her. Finally, he looked up. "Nice hat," he commented.

Anamaria gave him a slight smile and then took the hat off, placing it in front of her on the desk. Her expression became more serious and she leaned forward, "Jack, I've been doing some thinking lately and..." her eyes fell as she paused and then rose to meet his again as she continued, "I think it's time for me to have my own ship again."

She had no idea what had inspired her to ask him that tonight. She had been thinking about it earlier, but she had been thinking about it often these days. She had not, however, planned on asking him tonight. But now that she had begun the conversation she couldn't go back on it at this point.

Jack looked slightly surprised at first, but recovered quickly. "Oh?"

"I miss it, you know? Knowing that she belongs to me, the feeling of being in control of my own destiny, of being free to sail wherever and whenever I want. You understand that, right?"

Jack nodded slowly. "But you already have most of that here," he said softly.

"I know, but I've seen you with The Pearl and I want to have that again myself. Nothing beats the feeling of being captain of your own ship."

Jack began to nod slowly.

"I'd like to sail with you for a while, if you don't mind," she added. "It would make you a commodore." She knew that hearing the title would make him happy at the very least.

"A commodore," he said, mostly to himself.

Anamaria nodded, "Commodore Sparrow...it has a nice ring to it, I think."

Jack repeated the words, "Commodore Jack Sparrow." He rested his elbow on the table and leaned his chin on his hand, pondering the thought. "It does sound nice." He was quiet for a moment as he continued to ponder the idea. "What kind of ship would you want?"

Anamaria shrugged, "Something smaller than The Pearl. A schooner probably would be best. Something easy to control…easy to captain and crew."

Jack was thinking. "I'd want twenty-five percent of your plunder."

"Jack!" The amount sounded incredibly high to Anamaria.

"I'm already giving you a ship. You can split a fourth of your plunder with me," he remained firm.

Anamaria's eyes narrowed. "You owe me a ship," she stated, "and I don't have to agree to sail with you at all."

"Fine," Jack said. "Ten percent."

"Agreed," Anamaria reached across the table to shake his hand.

"I'll start a look out tomorrow morning. Let me know if something catches your fancy while you're on duty as well. Are you sure you don't want a three-mast? Think how powerful we could be running two ships together like that." Jack smiled at the thought.

"I think the schooner will be enough Jack." She watched the smile fall from his face. "Are you mad at me?"

Jack looked slightly surprised that she had chosen to ask that question. "For asking for your own ship? No…I knew this would happen at some point. I knew you wouldn't want to sail with me forever. Why would I be mad?"

"I don't know," Anamaria answered, shaking her head.

"You'll be a great captain," he said.

Deciding she wanted to change the subject, she asked, "What were you working on?"

"This?" Jack questioned, gesturing to the map. "I want to pay Will a visit again. I was just trying to figure out when we might fit that in. Although now, the distance to Port Royal would provide an excellent opportunity to look out for a ship for you. We can sail there straight away."

Anamaria nodded, "Still interested in getting him on board the crew, huh?" She paused when Jack failed to answer. "You know he's never going to come with you Jack. Especially now that he has a family."

"His father was an excellent pirate, one of the best men I've ever known."

"And a terrible father. You've commented on that many times yourself. Why would you want Will to follow in his father's footsteps like that? I don't even think that Will is cut out for a pirate's life if you ask me."

"He could 'ave been," Jack started, "if 'e hadn't let Elizabeth get in the way."

"Somehow I don't think he sees her as being in the way," Anamaria said.

Jack rolled his eyes skyward as he shook his head.

"He loves her. What's so wrong with that?" Anamaria asked.

"Nothing," Jack said, "as long as you don't let it affect your priorities in life."

Anamaria was growing annoyed with their conversation. "Maybe his love for her is his priority," she said under her breath.

"What a waste," Jack said.

Anamaria let out a heated breath to show her displeasure.

"What?" Jack asked, beginning to study his map again.

Without another word, Anamaria was on her feet, quickly moving out of Jack's cabin.

"Anamaria," he called just as the door slammed shut behind her. Taking one last glance at the map, he picked up the rum bottle. He emptied the last of the liquid in one long drink and then sat back to enjoy the burning sensation it created in his chest. Sighing aloud, he stood to follow her, slipping a shirt over his head on the way out.

Making his way out on deck, he spotted her moving towards the bow of the ship. He rushed to catch up with her, but she was walking quickly and had reached the front of The Pearl before he caught her.

"Ana..." He reached for her arm, but she snatched it away whirling angrily around to face him instead.

"What makes you so cynical about love Jack?" she stabbed.

He studied her face carefully and as he searched her eyes that had been hardened by anger for the moment, she began to wish that she had not acted so rashly. She had allowed her temper to get the best of her and as a result, allowed Jack to see a weakness in her. Or at least what Jack would interpret as a weakness; Jack saw any display of feelings as weakness.

She had caught him a little off guard by getting so upset and storming off. The rum had helped to dull the sensation however and now he was pondering an answer that would satisfy her and not reveal too much about himself.

"I'm not cynical. I'm realistic," he began. "The sea and The Pearl are my priorities. They are my loves. That's what being a pirate is all about, isn't it? You put something or someone else above those things and you risk losing it all. Your ship," he said gesturing towards where he stood and then out to sea, "and the ocean…those are the only things that really matter. That's where my 'eart lies."

Anamaria knew that all these things held true for pirates. She had grown accustomed to a life like that herself, but she couldn't help feeling other things as well.

"I've lost it all before Ana. I won't lose it again. I cannot," he said.

"But why do you feel such pity for anyone who is in love? Will isn't a pirate. He's a blacksmith. And yet you speak of his love for Elizabeth as a mistake…or worse, a waste." She fell silent.

"Will is a good man. He could accomplish great things for himself if 'e wanted, but Elizabeth ties him down. She keeps him from reaching 'is full potential for himself because he's concerned about her."

"Perhaps he wants to accomplish great things for his family," Anamaria suggested.

Jack shook his head. "It never works out that way. You've learned that lesson by now, 'aven't you? The only person you can count on is yourself."

Anamaria was silent.

"The first time you find yourself counting on someone else, they let you down."

"So you think Elizabeth is going to let him down?"

"Or he'll let her down," Jack stated. "But more than likely, it will be her. Look at 'er. A governor's daughter married to a blacksmith, cut off from all ties with her family and now she's pregnant with his child. 'ow long do you think that will last? 'ow long do you think she'll really enjoy living in that small house on that small salary that Will provides?" Jack asked.

"She loves him," Anamaria suggested.

"She thinks she loves him. That love won't last forever. Eventually she'll grow tired of that lifestyle, of that way of life and she'll move back to her family. Then what will Will 'ave? Nothing! Some memories of how things were and a broken heart. No, he would be much better off to move on now…to be prosperous for himself."

Anamaria shook her head. "So you think Will is going to be hurt in the long run."

"I don't think," Jack said. "I know. I've known girls like Elizabeth before. They think they know what they want, but they don't. She thinks she'll be happy being poor because she's with Will and they're in love, but she'll change. You wait and see."

"Jack," Anamaria decided to press her luck, "Who's Maddy?"

Jack's expression clouded. "What?"

"You talk about her in your sleep. You call her name," Anamaria said softly. "Who is she?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Jack said.

"Yes you do."

"I'm tired and I'm going to bed. We're not having this conversation. I don't know anyone by that name." Jack turned and began walking to his cabin.

"Maybe not anymore, but you used to," Anamaria said, catching up with him.

Jack turned to face her, his eyes burning a dark obsidian. "Whatever you presume to know, you don't. Do not mention that name around me again." He resumed his brisk walk to his cabin.

He knew that Anamaria would probably follow him, but he didn't care. She had aggravated him by bringing up that name. A name he did not want to hear, especially from her. He slipped his shirt over his head and got into bed, hoping that she didn't try to come after him.

He had almost drifted into dreamland when he felt the mattress shift beside him. He felt her arm go around him and then he heard her whisper softly in his ear.

"I'm sorry Jack."

He rolled over to face her, "I don't want to talk about it."

"Then we won't talk," she said, kissing him gently.

He responded, kissing her back. Even though he had thought he didn't want to see her, it was nice to hold her now that she was here. To feel her in his arms, responding to his touches and kisses.

It wasn't long after they finished making love that Jack fell asleep. He had been tired that day and the conversation that had taken place between them earlier had worn on him emotionally. Almost immediately he began to dream.

They were sitting in one of her father's farmhouses playing with the baby chickens. She was dressed in one of her usual frilly gowns, but she was sitting on the ground. He was stretched out beside her, petting the chicks as they ran by.

"Jack," she said in her soft, sweet voice, "when we are married…will you have as much fun playing with our children as you do the baby chicks?"

Jack glanced up at her, a smile still playing across his lips. "I imagine I'll 'ave even more fun then."

She laughed lightly and he continued to play.

"Jack," she said again, her tone more serious as she placed her hand on his knee.

The simple gesture made him stop his playing and focus fully on her.

"I want to give myself to you," she paused and he studied her carefully. "I know we are to wait until we are married, but I don't want to wait that long. I want to experience all of you before you go to sea. I need to know all of your love."

He didn't know what to say. "Maddy, are you sure?"

She nodded, small tears springing to the corners of her eyes. "I know you've been with lots of girls before Jack, but I've been saving myself for that one right man. And now that I've found him, I don't need to be officially married to share all of myself with him. Our love binds us to one another Jack and that's all that matters."

"Oh Maddy," he said, touching her cheek and then moving his hand behind her neck to pull her into a deep kiss.

She slid closer to him and he continued their kiss.

Pulling away briefly she stared into his deep eyes. "Will you be with me Jack? Will you share your love with me?"

"Yes," he whispered, kissing her again, "but not here. You deserve better than this."

"Then where?" she asked.

"I know of a place in town," he said, standing and brushing off his pants. He extended a hand to her and she rose beside him.

He took her to an inn in the town where he had friends, people who wouldn't mention their presence there to anyone, including her father. They went to a small upstairs bedroom and he did his best to fight the urge to take her as quickly as he wanted.

She was terrified and he lay on the bed just holding her for minutes that seemed like hours until she decided to give herself to him. He undressed her slowly, wanting the moments to last forever and trying desperately hard to memorize every inch of exposed flesh. She had been right, he had been with other girls, other women even, but none had been as beautiful to him as she was. None had he cherished the way he did her. She was perfect in every way.

He took his time with her, something he had not done with other girls, wanting her to enjoy it as much as he did.

Just before he entered her, he paused in his actions. "Maddy, are you sure this is what you want?" He would never take advantage of her.

She nodded. "I'm so scared Jack. But yes, this is what I want."

"I'll be gentle," he promised. "I would never hurt you."

"I know," she said. "I love you Jack."

"And I love you Maddy."

He entered her slowly, allowing her body to adjust to his intrusion before beginning to move in and out.

She sighed heavily.

He immediately stopped. "Are you alright?" he asked.

She nodded, kissing him, "Yes, yes, I'm fine. Please keep going."

He continued, slowly grinding against her until he was fully sheathed within her body and then beginning to pump in and out again.

Later on as they lay sweating beside one another, he reached over and brushed her hair away from her face. "I love you," he said, "so much."

"I love you too," she said.

"I wish that I didn't have to leave…that I had enough money for us to get married now."

"It's alright," she reassured him. "I'll wait for you. I'm not going anywhere. I'll wait for you forever."

A clap of thunder in the distance caused Jack to awaken. For a split second he struggled to get his bearings, to remember where he was. And then the dream came back to him.

Why were the dreams coming back these days? They had not haunted him for many years and yet now they were back. He rolled over and felt a small amount of comfort at seeing Anamaria lying there beside him. He kissed her on the shoulder and she stirred slightly, moving closer to him. He wrapped an arm around her and quickly fell back asleep.

The dream was not a good one this time, however.

They were going home from sea for several days. He had plans to go and see his one true love. The thought of being able to spend time with her for a few days was all that had kept him going some days over the last month.

But as the ship drew into the harbor, a feeling of dread came over him. Dark clouds rolled in on the horizon and the wind began to pick up. He saw the body hanging from afar and at first thought nothing of it. A pirate no doubt, the governor's warning to those who chose to break the law while at sea. But as they got closer he realized it was a girl, her dress billowing in the wind. One hundred yards closer, then fifty more. No, it couldn't be. Please don't let it be…

"Madelyn!" Jack screamed, sitting straight up in bed.