Disclaimer: Don't own anything except original characters. All material (c) to respective owners. I write these for fun and make no profit. They're just random plot bunnies that live within my strange mind. A/U Story

Title from a song by JLS

Chapter 6: Tightrope

He didn't remember her being so frustrating or her being able to read him so well. He glanced at his compass in thought, he knew he would regret this and was very sure she wouldn't forget something like what he was wishing he didn't have to do.

"Don't do it mate, you will never live it down."

"She will know all your secrets, especially that one."

She heard him mutter as she went to open the door, she was in for a rather unpleasant surprise when it didn't budge. Jack being the one that initiated this confrontation locked them inside. He wasn't just going to let her win or walk out, they were either going to settle this or kill each other.

The latter at present sounded appealing when she realized she was trapped.

"I doubt you'll come looking for the key." She knew exactly what he meant, he was still scheming and she walked into this one of her own stupidity. "Are we at a standoff then love?"

She clasped her hands into fists before glaring at his back. "No we are not," he glanced over his shoulder seeing her eyes had again turned stormy. "You will open this door or I'm jumping out your window and overboard. I will swim along the side of the pearl or drown before I let you have your way Jack."

He couldn't help himself chuckling at her determination; at least that aspect hadn't changed. She did something he never saw coming though, she reached over to a shelf where an empty bottle sat and shot it at him. Reflexively he ducked wincing at the shattering sound behind him, which was a new trick even for her.

Jack glanced down at the mess behind him before slowly turning his attention back on Maddison. "You nearly took off my head love."

She was so angry she put all pretenses of nice behind her. "I don't give a damn Jack; I've had enough of your games, you pretending to have any sort of feelings and in general you." She was beyond livid; it had been a long time since she was this angry. "I don't know why I ever let myself fall for you period. I knew it all and yet I just let myself get attached and at this point I think I actually miss my aunt." She slammed her fist hard into the nearest wall; she didn't even flinch at the large gash or the obvious splinters.

His eyes widened at her anger, he didn't know she had it in her and her injured hand the way she seemed to care less worried him. Maddison was broken, he could see many more changes that he missed and he knew it was probably his fault. Jack didn't think of his well being at present, for some reason he seemed to be on auto-pilot and walked to his desk.

He gathered some tweezers, cloths, bandages and rum. With no sense of preservation he walked over catching her hand and put the things on the shelf nearest to him. He proceeded to pick out the chips of wood before dowsing her hand with rum. That brought her out of her raging rant which in turn was followed by colorful words. She watched him wipe down the wound with care and bandage it, he said nothing returning the things to his desk and walking to the window.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" He silently beat himself up closing his eyes against the sounds of his ship and the ocean. He felt the wind come through the cracked window before glancing out across the mass of water, his thoughts now on what he had accomplished without thinking about it.

He failed, he had shown something he never did and was well aware Maddison would think. Thinking was bad, very bad.

She stood there scrutinized her hand closely, before taking notice to his silent retreat. Maddison did think, she thought hard and realized with a little reluctance she didn't need the compass. Jack proved he had something toward her, he would never admit any word associated with feeling. He wouldn't let her be hurt, he was there when she needed him, they were friends and that was all she would get.

For the moment it was good enough for her to calm down, it didn't mean she would be cooperative by his standards. "Thanks Jack."

Her tone indicated no smugness, no knowing, nothing that would make him the least bit uncomfortable. He dared to turn around seeing she was looking over his handy work, her harshness in her face faded and she seemed a little relaxed.

"Welcome." The word felt bitter on his tongue, making a face he focused back on the ocean.

"What do we do now?"

His attention returned to her, she seemed content to remain in the room with him which was indeed an improvement over the past several encounters. He shrugged unsure of what to say to that, he turned to his desk looking down at his maps before meeting her gaze.

"We go there."

She walked slowly to the desk and glanced down to where he was pointing. "Why there?"

"I want what it has, I would rather be mad like before…not…this." He indicated the many voices he heard with gestures she as familiar with.

"There's something there that will clear out the madness from the locker?"

"Aye, I hope so." She wasn't sure if she liked the idea of him becoming what he was before, granted the voices she knew were hard on him, but this Jack by far benefitted by them.

"Did it occur to you that the voices might be helpful as well as annoying?"

"I don't see how." He saw she was thinking, the look in her expression always meant she was probably right and he wouldn't like it.

"Maybe they are exactly what you swore off and say don't exist."

"Maddison don't push it love." He didn't like her thoughts, especially where they were directing her attention to.

"Naturally you can't handle even the slightest bit of truth." She sighed shaking her head before listening to the silence around her, she met the icy gaze Jack had aimed at her and winced. "Oops."

Why was it when they got along one of them always had to say something wrong? She didn't know the answer to that but she did know she pissed him off again. Before he said two words the ship was rocked hard and both moved to the door, another sharp jerk sent them both into a tangled heap in the middle of the floor.

"Ow." Both managed before untangling and leaving to the deck.

For the moment all problems were forgotten, Jack went to the helm and Maddison went to help wherever she was needed. The attacking ship had British sails and another one was coming up on the side of the one already blowing things up. She caught a rope tossing it to Elizabeth who immediately swung down from the last few rungs of the ladder to the crow's nest.

She went about helping with cannons, dragging around powder kegs, hauling cannon balls and helping wherever she could. By the time they got their distance from the attacking ships, she was exhausted and leaning on one of the unfired cannons trying to catch her breath.

Her only relief was she didn't have to sword fight, the battle didn't get that out of hand and she was very sure that Jack wasn't going to let either ship anywhere near the Black Pearl if he could help it. She was also certain the ship alongside the other had been EITC.

"What happened to your hand?" She glanced up briefly at Will's strangely dark tone before glancing down.

"I punched the wall of Jacks cabin because he was winning." He seemed unconvinced by this and turned a hard look on the distant pirate at the helm. "Will in all the time you've known him has he ever lifted a finger to hit a female?" he shook his head. "He wouldn't do so either, that is why he's a good man to an extent. I just didn't know how to deal with my anger and found the wall a fitting target." He lowered his gaze eyeing the injury.

"I don't think I want to anger you Maddison." She smiled watching him walk off in a better mood.

"The whelp should know me better than that." She stifled a yell whirling to see Jack had just come up behind her from his previous position at the helm. "It's bleeding again though love."

"Yes he should," she glanced down at the red oozing through the bandage. "So it appears it is bleeding again, why do you care?" he sighed glancing skyward as if for some sign. "Not even they like you Jack." He smiled mockingly at that before grabbing her wrist and pulling her back the way they started from. "No."

"Shut up Maddison." He shook his head ignoring her attempt to pull away and sighed before turning and lifting her over his shoulder.

She didn't see that coming and found herself staring down at his feet and the deck before hearing the door shut and finding herself dropped on his bed. He went to his desk for the needed medical supplies, purposely ignoring her as she cursed him to the seven seas.

"You are so wonderful with words love." She glowered at him before becoming aware he was beside her on the bed and much too close for her liking. "Hold still Maddie." She glared but did so watching him gently undo the bandages and again treat the wound.

She hissed ignoring the sting of the rum before he again wrapped the injury remaining as he was watching her slowly pull her hand away from him. His dark eyes scanned hers before he wondered why on earth he let himself put himself in this position and why her comments on his acquired friends from the locker seemed way to close for his comfort.

"Love." He flinched eyes narrowing slightly. "Exactly, you're heart isn't only black it's like damn stone." Again he was clenching his jaw; he rarely managed a smile since her being on board.

"Blasted woman."

"I know." She smiled at the disdain he sent her way, at least she was still capable of pissing him off and he hadn't won their previous battle of wits yet.

"I give up Maddison, we're both wrong…you happy?" she shook her head, she wasn't sure if misery would count as happy in their situation, but it may count as a slight start. "I don't understand you anymore than you do me."

"I think that's our problem."

"Yours."

"You don't believe in problems?" He again found himself annoyed with her. "You have several of them chasing you and going to that island can't solve all of them."

"I only want two of them solved on that island. My voices and you." He didn't say any of those words, he had softened and he wasn't denying that, but any word dealing with feelings wasn't capable of leaving his lips.

"Did you give any thought to what I said earlier?"

"About caring?" He flinched again, he really hated her sometimes. "Yes."

"And?"

"No, that's what it meant earlier and still does."

He sighed flopping backwards on his bed and stared up at the ceiling in surrender, she was either too stubborn or too thick skinned. She wouldn't be fooled into believing he suddenly had some sort of epiphany and instantly began to care. He hated to admit it but she was smart and sometimes too much so for her own good or his.

She glanced down seeing his eyes were shut and he was quite, he for the moment would remain silent until he had some other idea of getting past her barriers. She knew Jack better than he did himself on some accounts, this one being the fact that he wasn't going to give up.

She didn't deny he looked peaceful, she could just let him have his way and compromise her own feelings just to keep herself from hurting more. It wasn't in her nature to do that and clearly her second thoughts were stopped in favor or her common sense taking over.

"Do I fascinate you?" it was the first time he said something with a smile, she just shook her head at his obvious smug tone.

"Yes, but it still doesn't work." He groaned glancing up seeing she was lingering close to him watching him for some sign of trickery.

"Why can't things be like before Maddie, you were much less annoying."

"Simple, someday I may show you. Not all scars are visible Jack. You have many that only certain women find, but the deep ones I know." He winced glaring at her with one eye closed.

The tension continued with many more battles throughout the few weeks it would take them to come to the island. She spent a few days now and again in the brig, but somehow she always ended up free again to make Jacks life hell.

The crew got to a point where they could read the pair, they knew when to vanish or be blind and deaf during one of their more public battles. It got to a point where the Turners both would watch on with curious exchanges with each other. Maddison was clearly wearing Jack down, but in what concept neither knew.

Anna-Maria saw it but she kept it to herself. She could see that even denial couldn't hide the fact Jack cared for Maddison in a fashion and she knew it wouldn't be healthy to point it out to either of them.

Maddison walked cautiously up to the helm later that afternoon, it was nearly nightfall and the sky was already changing. Jack hadn't spoken to her since their last fight two days ago when she informed him of his painfully obvious issues and that his voices were right.

She had lost her temper again and actually found herself feeling just a little bad for it. Jack spared her a glance but remained silent and continued to focus across the ship to the distant horizon, nothing yet appearing in the distance. She briefly wondered how far off from the island they were.

Sighing she slowly made herself an obstacle in his line of vision. "It's been two days Jack, I didn't know you could keep quite that long." He pretended she was invisible, he literally appeared to be looking through her and it wasn't something she was accustomed to.

Jack decided on handing over the helm to Cotton before turning away from Maddison and heading for the stairs. Irritated she went after him nearly falling on down the stairs when he whirled to face her, she just barely managed to maintain her balance. He was a step or two below her and his gaze was so hard she felt herself freeze in her attempt to speak.

His eyes moved across hers in search of something, he had no idea what and he had no idea why his voices remained silent around her now. It was like he needed her around for peace, he shook his head turning away from her and continued his progress down the stairs and below deck.

Maddison lingered on the stairs long after he was gone wondering what he had been thinking, he seemed disturbed by her presence now more so than infuriated. She stifled a yelp feeling a hand come to rest on her shoulder, she glanced up at Elizabeth who had been watching the exchange at a distance.

Will stepped up to his wife's side glancing down to see if Jack lingered anywhere below them. "It seems he has even more issues with you now." He seemed thoughtful watching both women with a certain inquiry about him.

"I think she noticed Will." He smiled at Elizabeth's tone raising his hands in a placating gesture. "Are you alright Maddison?" she glanced at her two friends before glancing to where Jack retreated.

"No, not really." She didn't feel right about any of this, something was really wrong and she had to determine if her pride would let her find out what or if she would continue to treat Jack the same. "Later." She left them while moving swiftly down the stairs.

Jack remained in the rum storage listening to his less than pleasant voices, he wasn't going to let anything get to him. He would remain down there and soak away his troubles with rum, it never let him down and he didn't have to worry if it would like him the next day or not.

Rum wasn't women and he wasn't going to let her in. He wasn't going to admit to anything and wanted more than anything to be on that island.

Maddison checked his cabin before knowing exactly where to find him, she made her way through the crews quarters and paused outside a familiar room. He was in there probably drinking himself into oblivion and all because she had to open her mouth.

It was amazing how they reversed roles so often, how guilt and hurt seemed to be their one true weapons of choice. She silently opened the door and stepped into the cool gloomy room, the smell of damp greeting her senses as well as the distinct scent of rum.

She walked slowly to the largest section of the room and leaned lightly against one of the many barrels, he stood there muttering to himself, cursing her to hell and drinking himself into a satisfying rum coma. Maddison shook her head walking into the room and stopped him from accomplishing the latter.

"Not wise." She ignored him putting the rum bottle aside, at least he was speaking to her again.

"I'm sorry I made you think." Jack slowly turned seeing she was meaning every word she said.

It wasn't often she did this, especially now. "Why are you sorry now then love? Is it because you know exactly what I've been thinking?" she didn't deny or accept what he was saying, instead she shrugged.

The silence he was greeted with from his less than appealing voices didn't go unnoticed, he was relieved and worried. "I don't know what goes on in your mind and don't pretend to. I just know that sometimes when I say things that are more than accurate for your liking you…end up…here." She indicated the rum storage and saw him make a face.

"I'm not doing this Maddie." He stepped further into the room and made sure to take the bottle she confiscated with him.

"I know." He stopped turning so tired of hating her and then liking her. "We're never changing; I think we should both face that. It may make life easier." He wearily slouched against a rum keg and eyeing her distrusting her words.

"What does that mean?"

"It means we're done, we'll get what you want and go back to life as you liked it." He arched a brow at her soft tone, she had given up changing him and now she was going to let him have his wish.

Maddison never gave up that easily, he had pushed her into surrender and now felt very not himself for winning so easily. He sat the rum bottle aside turning to study her, the strange fire he had gotten used to still lingered but seemed to be embers.

"Silence is bliss?" She smiled at the shocked look he offered her before she started to leave.

It was his turn to stand there and try to say something, sadly it didn't work in his favor and she was gone before he did anything.

He admitted he was the most stubborn man on the seven seas, so why did he a pirate suddenly feel so dirty? It was something he never in his life had accomplished, guilt was one thing he could drown but over Maddison it was another story all together. She knew far too much about him and he was beginning to learn far too much about her.

"The island will end my misery." he drank his rum content to return above deck, she was probably somewhere watching the ocean go by and hoping for some sign of the island.

Someplace out there was the end of her ability to get through to Jack, the island would end the voices and make him the black hearted bastard that left her behind before. She didn't shed a tear though, regardless of it all Maddison knew Jack and knew exactly how he felt even if he didn't wish to say. Her heart ached for the man she loved and his stupidity.

"Maddison can I help?" she shook her head wishing to be left to her own dismal thoughts.

Will could see the hurt and had a feeling she finally gave into the stubborn man that was now at the helm of his only love, a ship that couldn't return the affection that the woman beside him could. He glanced from one to the other before seeing Elizabeth and Anna-Maria offer him a questioning look, he shrugged wishing he could do something to get it through to Jack that this girl would die for him. She would also do anything for him and a ship couldn't replace any of those qualities.

He glanced in the distance, something on the distant horizon nowhere near the island he intended to go to. He wasn't sure but could almost swear it was quite possibly a ship. Not wanting to take any chances he steered the Pearl toward the south beach where the cave would be closer and his freedom returned.

"She love's ye Jack." He pointedly gave Gibbs a warning look, the first mate took it to heart but shook his head in a pitying fashion.

"Love, I hate that word and feelings."

"Then why is it still here in your head mate?"

"Oiy not you again. Go away!"

It was strange when for once his voices did what he wanted, he glanced down the stairs to the main deck and there was Maddison walking toward him and a frustrated Will left behind. He smirked knowing her talent for ignoring what she didn't want, he was very familiar with this trait and many others.

She tried not to hurt her friends, they cared for her in their own fashion but she refused to include them in her battles with Jack. It was and would always be between them. Slowly she come to his side glancing in the distance, his abrupt course change troubling her. He took notice to her observations and shrugged.

"Ship."

"Who?"

"No idea love, that is why I'm going to the south side of the island." She wondered if he made a mistake leaving the ship free to roam. "Don't say it Maddison, I'm not going to go back and hunt for a ship that very well may not bother us."

"I know, I just wish you would."

"You are not Tia Dalma, Calypso by any means and your feelings have been wrong many times." She just glared at his mocking tone. "You know what I mean."

She still scowled at him. "That's what I thought until I ended up here in your world." she stormed off to the back of the ship and far away from him.

Jack looked toward the sky as if seeking some sort of peace, his response didn't come in any fashion he expected. He knew Maddison could have been right about the ship, he was too worried about himself to care if it was a danger or threat to them. That had also proven to be one of his many faults, he groaned leaning forward against the wheel before indicating someone should take over and went to look for her.

He searched for a good hour surprised she wasn't easily found, he finally found her sitting behind some crates and glancing over the side of the ship. Rum bottle in hand and humming some off tune he didn't recognize.

"Go away." she wasn't in the mood for him.

He heaved a sigh before walking to her side taking his life into his own hands again.

"Talk to me."

"Why, you ignore everything I have to say."

"Maddie, it never stopped you before." at the least he got a brief smile out of her before it faded into her serious expression.

"I need you Jack, whether or not you return feelings. I have no one in this world and you know that. Leaving me in Tortuga was a guarantee you would have me back. Why did it take so long? I could have saved you a lot of trouble." he met her blue gaze, his dark ones between angered and curious.

"You would never have been able to change a thing."

"I would have had you, that's all that mattered." he didn't get why she wanted anything to do with him.

He wasn't what she wanted, he didn't want to be and yet she stayed.

"Maddison, you don't have me. That's the point I've been trying to make." she wanted to just reach out and shove him overboard, he turned everything she said into his personal issues.

"Oh screw you Jack Sparrow!"

He thought better of the comment that come to mind, he did want to live a little longer and with far less damage.

She was caught off guard during her rampage when he placed a calloused hand against her cheek. He leaned in kissing her, hard and passionately. He pulled back and left her standing there in surprise and frustration. It didn't take him long to take advantage of her temper and get what he wanted.

She wondered why she bothered, he could have her and she wouldn't complain. "LAND HOE!" she glanced up at Ragetti's call from the crow's nest before moving swiftly across the deck and to the helm.

She kept her distance mindful of Jack and exactly what he was capable of. There close off to the left was the south end of the island he had been rambling about. It was covered in beaches, varying degrees of greenery and a small mountain face in the far distance.

"There?"

"Aye, there Maddie." She shoved him away already gathering he was heading into her personal space for a reason and she wasn't going to be tricked again.

"Good, now you can go back to being you and I can go home."

Jack watched her stalk off to gather with the rest of the crew, he had been shocked by her comment. She wasn't staying, even after all he did she wanted to go back to Molly and be left behind again. He didn't know why that bothered him but it did and badly.

His voices were so many now he literally didn't hear his own voice, staring at the crew readying the long boats to the island he made his way to the one with the Turners, Anna-Maria, and the girl that never left his side.

She glanced down at the clear water lost in thought, Jack tried to come near her but she moved far away from him focused on the now white sand coming closer. Hopping out of the boat she ignored the slosh of her boots in the water and helped the others tie off the boats.

Part of the crew were to remain behind to have the longboats ready and the rest were on the Pearl, Gibbs being the one in charge at present. She was stopped by a hand on her shoulder, she smacked away the familiar ringed fingers and went about with the others toward the jungle.

"Idiot."

"What he said."

He wondered if the all powerful beings in the skies were the reason he was tortured. Maddison had changed and not for the better and here he was trying to make it worse for both of them. Jack wondered how he was supposed to make her happy when he couldn't even make himself happy.

"Swords." Will, Elizabeth and Maddison all proceeded to hack their way into the mess, there were no clear paths and she could take out her issues on innocent plant life for a while.

She estimated two hours before they come to a clearing in the middle of the leafed mass around them. She promptly flopped down among the tall grass and weeds staring up at the afternoon sky, her only consolation was it would be much easier returning to the ship. She didn't like the notion they might be spending the night there and was very sure wild animals lurked around the shadows.

"You have a lousy idea of taking care of problems Jack." Dark eyes met hers an unsure look crossing his face.

Jack didn't know if she wanted to throttle him or was just letting her opinion known, he often found he didn't understand her by any means. She closed her eyes against the sun and took several deep breaths before getting to her feet and marching on ahead with the others. The clearing was small and it didn't take long before they began hacking away at the area around them again.

Jack tried to direct them, he conveniently ignored the compass's wishes in his hands and used the map he had stashed in his jacket for extra guidance. Maddison shook her head walking casually over beside him, he waved the compass in annoyance before eyeing the map carefully.

He offered her a sidelong glance, the knowing look in her expression only pissed him off further. He stuffed the object in his coat and moved a finger tracing their progress across the map. Maddison reached into his jacket and pulled out the object of his irritation and eyed the map ignoring the dark look he gave her.

"That way." she put the compass back and moved off with the others to continue hacking their way toward the mountains ahead.

"That way." he glared at her back wondering how she would feel if she went ungracefully to the ground, he resisted the urge due to the fact Will was watching him with his own look and he wouldn't get away with the idea at present.

Soon they all paused near a cave, it was small and appeared to be another set of smaller mountains hidden by the trees, vines and general jungle around them. She slashed the stream of vines covering the hole and peered in before turning to Jack. She moved her finger in a beckoning fashion and pointed into the gaping black nothing ahead of them.

She could hear water, bats and didn't want to think of what else may live in the inky darkness. "Is there something in there we should worry about Jack?"

Shaking his head in answer her turned to Anna-Maria who was readying a torch before lighting it. He took it and lead the way into the now less gloomy cave. She laughed softly when bats greeted the first intruder of the cave, which she was glad was Jack.

"You go first then Maddie." He handed over the torch.

"Why? So you can run before the rest of us see it coming?" She glared daggers at him before he decided it best to keep the torch, he was worried she might set him on fire if he allowed her to lead.

"What coming?" questioned Elizabeth uncertain of the cave as it was.

"I think she's implying that Jack can't play save his own skin in this case." She smiled at that, Will also found the battle of wits ahead amusing.

Anna-Maria just shook her head keeping up with the others and prayed nothing in the cave was hungry, she didn't want to be on anything or anyone's menu. Continuing in the cave the group was greeted with more bats, some reptiles of the less than pleasant kind judging by Elizabeth's unpleasant tone, some various other critters she didn't take the time to identify and to her displeasure a few spiders seemed to creep about.

"You can always hold on Maddie."

"I think I would rather take the spiders Jack."

He huffed in defeat before smacking into a rock that was blocking another entrance. She stifled laughter this time in favor of saving their only current light source. Once he examined himself for damages he took the light back and moved it within the small opening. He glanced around seeing it was a chamber of sorts and judging by his calculations and the distance they traveled, he had to get into it.