A/N: I'm sorry. Once again, I know it has been a very long time since I posted. The house has taken up a large portion of time and I've been sick. And to the mix the fact that I'm getting married in four days and I've just been all around very busy lately. But I'm back in the swing now and I promise to try my very best to keep the chapters coming. I've already started Forty One and am over half way through! Again, for another warning…to all of my Jack/Ana fans…You've got to trust me. I know this doesn't seem to be taking a happy turn, but things will work out in the end. I'm just going to test your nerves a bit here and there. Remember, it only makes the story more interesting and the reward at the end all that much sweeter.

Aubiered19 – Good to see you reading and reviewing. You have definitely been there for the test of time! It means a lot to know that someone who has been reading so long is still enjoying.

Captainme – "Have I ever given you any reason not to trust me?" I know it is tough these days, but the rewards will pay off in the end, I promise. It's not easy to write these chappys…remember, I love Jack and Ana just as much as the rest of us.

LongingforLlangarlia – Another Jack and Ana fan who is terribly stressed. I'm sorry mate, but I promise it will all end well. Just bear with me.

Fredsonetrueluv – Well despite the fact that it was Jack and Elizabeth instead of Ana, I am glad to see some compliments about the scene. Just bear with me and our favorite captain as he struggles to learn some important lessons in the near future.

Kungfuchick – Another Ana/Braden fan, eh? We'll have to see if these two have potential…

Jacknanamaria – Alright, my trusty fanfic reader…here it is, in print…I am giving you my word right here and now that I am not joining the evil league of Jack/Elizabeth fanfic writers. From the very beginning…three years ago (wow, this has been an undertaking) this story has carried the same outline, the same plot and it's headed the same place. I'm not going to change that now. I won't promise that I might not challenge you with my story line…I love a good drama and this one is just heating up…but I do PROMISE you that in the end you will be happy. You just have to hang in there with me until then. If I break my promise to you then I swear on pain of death to give you my entire Johnny Depp/Jack Sparrow collection…and believe me, it's quite extensive. You have my word mate…my word.

An-angel-in-hell – It is interesting what exactly Ana is capable of getting away with, isn't it? What does that say about our dear captain?

Eddie – a true power in the Caribbean waters…that's been Jack's dream for how long? Of course, nothing ever stays that good, does it?

v-love – Don't kill your computer and don't stop reading. I promise it will all be ok in the end.

KSP33 – Sorry to keep you waiting so long mate. It has been a busy last few weeks for me. I hope you will keep reading and reviewing!

Mary You read just in time mate…and because I promised today, here's your update!

Chapter Forty

Anamaria awoke the next morning feeling as if she was going to be sick. Jumping out of bed, she hurried to the bowl in the corner of the room where she knew she could relieve her illness. Her gagging woke Braden who rushed to her side.

"Captain, are you alright?" he asked, worried.

"Get out," she managed. It was almost an order.

"But Anamaria, are you going to…"

She cut him off, "Now. Get out now."

Braden knew she was serious and he quickly gathered his clothes and dressed. "If you need me," he started, trailing off as he saw her glaring at him. "I'll be in town," he added before shutting the door behind him.

What was wrong with her lately? she wondered as she threw up again. Too much rum last night she supposed, glancing around the room at several empty bottles. The last thing she had needed him to see was another weakness. She sighed to herself, remembering last night. She had broken her own vow to herself to never become involved with another crewmember again.

He had come to help her with her ankle and at some point his visit had turned into something more. That was when Jack had come by. Braden had been too bold speaking to his commodore and Anamaria had been about to ask him to leave when he began apologizing profusely to her. He had seemed sincere and she had made the mistake of letting him stay. Several bottles of rum later and they had ended up in bed together.

She groaned out loud. What was she going to do now? She couldn't really ask Jack to take him onboard The Pearl. He would want to know why and if she explained it, it would only make the situation worse. She would have to work to keep their relationship purely professional at this point, but it would be hard, almost impossible.

Confidant that her stomach had settled for the minute, she dressed and went to find Jack's room. Three knocks later and a sleepy, but very satisfied looking Elizabeth answered the door.

"Is Jack still here?" the dark skinned pirate questioned.

Elizabeth seemed slightly uncomfortable, "Yes. I don't think he's quite awake yet."

Anamaria pushed past her without really thinking the situation through, "Jack!"

She crossed the room and sat down on the bed beside him, not taking a second glance at Elizabeth who still stood at the door, fidgeting. She noticed the pale red mark on his neck, but the situation didn't really dawn on her until she pulled back the covers. Jack's eyes blinked open as he reached for the covers.

Anamaria stood, her mouth open in surprise. "I should have known," she managed, stepping back towards the door.

"Anamaria," Jack said.

She shook her head, frustrated with herself and the situation. It wasn't as if she could truly be upset. She had been off having her own fun after all and she and Jack had set the rules down from the beginning that there was never anything serious between them. Still, finding proof was far more painful than she would have expected.

"I…I'm," she stuttered, "I'm sorry to interrupt."

Elizabeth had blushed a deep shade of crimson and Jack was already up and getting dressed.

"I'll just…I'll meet you at The Pearl when you're ready," she said, hurrying out of the room.

"I've got to get going," Jack said, minutes later, pulling on his boots.

"Jack," she said.

His eyes met hers for a brief second as he tied his bandana around his head, "You can either come with me or wait here. I'll be back later on this afternoon."

She wanted to say something to him, to let him know how she felt this morning about the night they had shared, but she couldn't get her lips to form the words. She stepped forward to touch his hand, but she was a beat too late and he passed her on his way to the door.

"I'll just wait here," she said softly. "I'd probably only be in the way anyway."

"I'll be back later this afternoon or perhaps even tonight," he said. "Here are some coins. Get yourself some food if you're hungry. Don't wander off too far and try to stay out of trouble. Take your sword with you just in case."

"I left it on The Pearl," she said. "I'm sorry. We were just so rushed and I didn't think about it. Does that mean I have to go back to the ship with you?"

Jack sighed. "One of the first lessons you learn as a pirate is to never go anywhere without your weapon." He unsheathed his sword and held it out to her. "Here, take mine for now. I'll bring yours when I come back."

"Jack, are you sure?" she asked, taking the blade.

"I won't need it on my way to the ship and when I get there I'll have yours," he said.

She fingered the design on the sword, "Will made this for you."

Jack nodded.

"I remember when he finished it," she said, smiling sadly. "He was so proud of it. He had beautiful craftsmanship." A small tear ran down her cheek.

Jack reached forward and lifted her chin with his finger. "Don't," he hushed.

Meeting his eyes, she suddenly felt a great betrayal. She turned her head from his touch. "He always considered this to be his greatest piece of work."

Jack could almost read her thoughts. "There's nothing wrong with what you did," he whispered.

Elizabeth couldn't look at him. She was blinking back tears.

He touched her chin again, turning her head towards him. "You allowed me to bring you pleasure and you brought me the same. There's nothing wrong with allowing yourself to enjoy that."

Elizabeth didn't respond.

"I'll see you tonight," he whispered, pressing his lips to her cheek.

It took him nearly a half an hour to walk to The Pearl and when he arrived Anamaria was waiting there for him.

"How does she look?" he asked, stepping up behind her on the beach.

Anamaria had seen him approaching and she was trying hard to bite her tongue. She knew she shouldn't say anything to him about Elizabeth. Furthermore, she knew she had no right to even be mad at him, but the anger she felt surprised her. She had never thought she was the only girl Jack had been with since the two had started sailing together, but being forced to see another woman he had chosen left her feeling somehow betrayed.

"I'm sorry to have interrupted you this morning," she stated, unable to keep quiet. "I suppose I should have known better. I've seen that same smile on your face too many times in the morning to think it was just from a good dream. How is the governor's daughter?"

Jack turned mocking eyes on her. "Why don't you tell me about your evening with your first mate instead. Finally discovering the rights of Captain's privilege?"

Anamaria's dark eyes smoldered.

"So that's all it was to you?" she asked, her voice growing louder. "Your right as Captain to take me to bed with you?"

Jack took a step towards her. "I never said that, he stated in a low voice. "Don't make this into a scene on the beach in front of our crew," he warned.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she said sarcastically. "I don't mean to be taking time away from your precious Pearl."

"Too much to drink already this morning?" he asked in a light tone, faking a smile. He stepped closer to her and put his arm around her pulling her close to him as he walked with her around the ship's hull.

"If you have a problem with me," he began in a low tone, gesturing towards the ship as if they were discussing her difficulties, "then fine, but don't address it here in front of the crew. That will only bring trouble for both of us. So I've been with Elizabeth and you've been with Braden. There was never a commitment between us as far as sex goes. We've both been with other people from the start of it. I've seen you step upstairs with many a different sailor in Tortuga so I don't see why this changes anything. As far as Braden is concerned, what you do with him on your own time is your concern. I know he's young and I know he's new to this whole pirate thing and I know you two are close, but the boy must learn how to respect his captain and his commodore. I trust that you will speak to him about that never becoming an issue again."

Anamaria nodded.

"If there is anything else you'd like to discuss about us, I trust you'll wait to do so in private," the captain finished.

"Of course," she said softly.

Jack let go of her shoulder and stood beside her, staring up at the ship. "So how long do you think the repairs will take," he said loudly so that the crew could hear.

"At least a month, maybe more," she replied. "She's pretty worn."

"Well, then I guess we should be getting to work," he replied.

Looking around, Anamaria discovered only about half of their crews waiting for orders. "Maybe stopping in a port town with a ship that needs so much work wasn't such a good idea after all. With rum and women to distract them, some sailors may never show up to work."

Jack laughed, but she was probably right.

They worked through the heat of the day with their most trusted crewmembers by their sides. Marty, Gibbs, and Cotton along with nearly thirty other sailors were all there to take orders from their two captains and Muriel. The work was physically grueling and as the sun began to sink below the horizon, Jack was depressed that no progress had been made that he could actually see.

Seeing the disappointment cross his face, Anamaria stepped up, "You knew before we ever started that this was going to be a long process."

Jack nodded, staring out at the open ocean.

"It's only the first day," she reminded him.

Jack seemed to ignore her remark. "I'm going to go for a swim," he responded, heading towards the water.

"Jack, wait," Anamaria stopped him. "If you want to get cleaned up there's a place just up the beach."

Jack turned a slightly interested gaze upon his former first mate.

"Come on, I'll show you," she said, heading up the beach.

Jack followed, mildly interested in where she might be taking him.

"I'm guessing that as the crew begins to run out of money they'll be more likely to show up for work in the mornings," she suggested as they trudged through the sand.

Jack smiled, hesitant to broach the next subject that he knew he must tackle with her. "You know who wasn't there today."

She knew immediately who he was referring to, "It's not as if you two hit it off all that well last night."

"Regardless," he began, "he's your first mate and that makes me his commodore. "If he wants to be a leader and you've already chosen him as such, he must set his personal differences aside. I expect him to be there in the morning."

"I agree," she nodded, "and I will speak to him. It's just through here," she added, pushing aside the brush that was native to the island.

It was a moonless night and Jack struggled hard to focus his eyes on the clear pool that lay before him. It was small, but nicer and probably warmer than swimming in the ocean during this time of year.

"Ahhh," he said, stripping off everything except his shirt and pants and wading into the water. "You coming?"

"I think I'll just wait here on the rocks," she said, sitting down beside his things.

"Suit yourself," Jack said, plunging under water.

It was dark and she could just barely make out his silhouette in the blackness, but she remembered how much she always loved to watch him swim. His tanned body never failed to draw her attention and she was glad it was so dark tonight because it made it easier to imagine him without his clothes on. Her mind briefly flashed back to the day that he had taken her inland while the crew had careened The Pearl. Of all the exotic and beautiful locations they had been to, that had been her favorite. They had been so happy then. Their lives had been near perfection, but it would have been impossible for things to stay like that forever.

She heard a rustle behind her and she quickly rose to her feet, hand on her sword. Jack pulled himself out of the water behind her and wrapped his arms around her, causing her to jump.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Shhh, I heard something," she whispered.

Several seconds passed and nothing happened.

"Are you sure it's not just your imagination?" he said, laying a soft kiss on the side of her neck.

She shrugged. "No, I thought I heard someone." She turned to face him.

He kissed her softly on the mouth.

"Jack, what are you doing?" she asked in between kisses.

"Mmm?"

"Captain Saldana!" came the shout through the brush.

The two pulled away from each other just before Braden appeared out of the darkness.

"Lucky guess, but I thought you might be here getting cleaned…" he paused upon seeing Jack. "Commodore," he nodded.

"Sparrow and I were just discussing the amount of work that needs to be done on The Pearl before we'll be able to sail out of here. I have to admit I was surprised that we didn't see you out there today."

Braden hesitated before answering. "I don't think I have to tell both of you that I don't necessarily agree with most of Sparrow's decisions."

"It doesn't matter," Anamaria's tone was firm. "He's your Commodore and you are my first mate. I expect you to be a leader. I expect you to be there tomorrow."

Braden dropped his head, clearly disappointed that he had let down his captain. Sucking on his lower lip, Jack could tell he was chewing on it between his teeth as he glanced off to the side. He was also annoyed with the Commodore. Jack was not happy with the position Anamaria had put them in by selecting Braden as her first mate. He had been a poor choice he could see now and he wondered why she hadn't had the foresight to see this moment coming.

"I'd like to speak to you alone Captain," Braden said in a low voice.

Jack turned to Anamaria for her reaction. She nodded at him, "It's fine. I'll handle it."

Jack picked up his things from the sand and without saying another word to Anamaria began to make his way back to the lights of the town.

As soon as Jack was out of earshot, Braden started in on his captain. "I can't support him."

"That's not your choice," Anamaria said, raising her voice. "You are my first mate and you will support him."

"He's holding us up. He's holding you up. I thought you wanted to get to the Indian Ocean as soon as possible. Why are you letting Jack get in the way of that?" he asked.

"It's Commodore Sparrow to you," she said harshly.

"Why are you defending him?!"

"I don't have to defend him. I respect him. He's never been anything but the best captain I've ever known," she said.

"Despite the fact that you lost your arm because of him?" Braden asked.

"Who told you that?" she asked hotly.

"You deny that it's true?" he asked.

"Of course I deny it's true. It wasn't Jack's fault."

"But it was him the shot was fired at, was it not?"

"If that shot had hit Jack it would have killed him. I don't regret what I did for one second. I was his first mate, looking out for my captain was my main priority. I should only hope you would learn to feel the same," she said.

"I do feel the same about my captain. That's what worries me about her commodore," he replied. "I don't see him looking out for you like you do him."

Anamaria let out a scoff. "You weren't here to see what happened when I lost my arm. Don't you dare judge Jack on something you know nothing about."

Braden stayed quiet.

"If you want to keep sailing with us, you better be there tomorrow morning. At dawn," she began to push her way back through the brush.

"I'll give it some thought," he said, struggling to catch up with her.

She turned to him. "If you're not there, don't ever bother showing your face around me again."

Anamaria took off towards the town not giving him the slightest chance to catch up with her.