Disclaimer: I do not own POTC! I only own my OCs (Annaliese and Nikko)!

Enjoy chapter 8!

"Cap'n, a word with ye please!" Gibbs' voice called out. And the moment Annaliese felt Jack's lips barely touch hers, they were gone…

Jack placed his hands on the sides of her face and held them there, staring into her eyes, as if intensely searching for something. Then, he abruptly let her go, turned, and stalked to the helm, where his conversation with Gibbs was brief, hushed, and seemingly tense.

It had all happened so fast, Annaliese was at a complete loss for words. She leaned against the mast and took a deep breath. Composure… She suddenly jumped and gasped as something unexpectedly nuzzled against her shin, but she sighed in relief when she realized it was only Nikko. Annaliese tenderly scratched the area behind his ears before walking with him to the forecastle deck, needing a moment to clear her head.

Air…yes, air…that's what I need! Annaliese thought to herself. The breeze was nice and cool, causing her hair to lightly whip around behind her. She could feel the ship rolling over the gentle waves beneath her bare feet. The sun had disappeared below the horizon, leaving a fiery shadow in the sky. The stars were just beginning to reveal themselves, one by one, in the darkening blue-black sky.

Such old, treasured memories began flooding back…but she only pushed them aside impatiently.

What had started as a tour of the Pearl had quickly transformed into something completely different! Good Lord, I could have just as easily ran my fingers seductively over his body – and the effect would have been the same! What the hell were you thinking? She mentally slapped herself, I've never let my guard down that easily! I know better, I'm smarter than that! I've never let myself get caught up in these intoxicating little games before: so why should I now?

Jack watched her from the helm. She had her arms wrapped around herself, a hand resting across her bandaged arm. She was shifting from one foot to the other in response to the Pearl's soothing movements. Are all Gypsies like her? This one is a brazen seductress, for sure, but did she share any inkling of the feelings she had conjured up within him? Perhaps she was just innocently admiring my ship. Is it possible I'm misinterpreting everything?

He thought of her delicate fingers caressing his beloved Pearl. It was almost as if the girl was trying to soothe the Pearl's battle-weary soul. He imagined those same fingers gently gliding over his own battle scars…

"Cap'n," Gibbs startled Jack out of his reverie. He looked at the man and noticed he held out a full bottle of rum.

"Ah, Gibbs, you're a king among men," Jack patted him on the shoulder in appreciation, then took the bottle and went to join the girl.

Annaliese heard boot steps approaching behind her.

"Cold, luv? I might be able to help with that," Jack said teasingly. Annaliese looked over her shoulder at him and smiled. He held a bottle out to her, which she took and looked up at him inquisitively.

"Rum," he said, "cures just about everything." He grinned, his gold teeth glinting softly in the moonlight.

Annaliese lifted the bottle to her lips and took a small sip. She had expected the taste of cheap, rot-gut rum, but it was actually quite good. She took another, longer sip and noticed Jack smirking in approval.

"It's good," she commented as she handed the bottle back to him. He slung his arm around her shoulders and motioned towards the deck.

"Come, sit…" Jack led her down to the deck, where they sat, leaning against the side of the ship, sharing the rum. Nikko followed them, as well, and curled up against Annaliese.

"So…'Liecy'…" Annaliese smiled at her newly given nickname, "I'm curious: do all Gypsies share yer fascination with ships…and personal adornment?" Jack asked, brushing his fingers against her hoop earring.

"No, and some," she replied, "I've never met any other Gypsies who are particularly interested in sailing ships. I've loved the idea ever since I was a young girl. The first time I came aboard a ship was when my parents and I were moving from London to Port Royal in the Caribbean."

"Ah, so that explains yer proper little accent," Jack nodded his head in approval.

"Indeed. I was only seven years old at the time…" Annaliese paused, wondering if she should continue with her story or not.

"But when I was fourteen, both of my parents fell very ill…and they both ended up passing away before my fifteenth birthday."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, luv," Jack said softly, holding her close.

"I was immediately put in an orphanage," she continued, "and I hated it there… The very thought of having different parents to watch over and raise me was just absolutely appalling to me! So…I ran away one night…and I was found later on by one of the head Gypsies, who took me in and began training me in the art of the life of a Gypsy. When I was younger, I had always loved going to the market with my mother and watching them perform and dance in the streets. I thought it was a unique way to live and always wanted it for myself."

"Yes…and what of these?" he changed the subject by touching her earrings again, his arm still draped over her shoulders.

"I got them pierced when I was training to become a Gypsy," answered Annaliese.

"Hmmm…that sort of thing is simply not done by proper ladies," he mentioned, gently playing with her earring. "Pity…" he continued, more to himself than to her. "'Tis rather attractive."

"Yes, but I'm no proper lady, Captain," Annaliese smiled furtively. "And thank you."

Jack handed her the rum. "And what about that tattoo of yers?"

"What do you know of my tattoo?" she choked on the rum.

"Tossing and turning in yer sleep exposed it," he replied innocently, gesturing with his graceful hands. Annaliese only gave him an inquisitive look.

"But you were oblivious to it when you stripped me earlier on?" she asked inquiringly. The look that appeared on his face at her words clearly read, "Busted!"

"Well…I wasn't necessarily looking at yer bottom half…to be precise," he replied sheepishly.

"Uh huh, that's what I thought…" Annaliese rolled her eyes at his statement. "I got it done when I was fifteen and had started living out on the streets."

"You chose to have it done?" Jack asked disbelievingly.

"Yes, of course, all Gypsies are branded with the same mark! And didn't you choose to have yours done?" Annaliese asked him accusingly, eyeing the tattoo of a sparrow flying across a setting sun on his right forearm.

"Well, yes…of course…but I'm a pirate and you're…a Gypsy,"

"If you think about it, Jack, there isn't much of a difference…other than the environment of choice."

Jack only stared at her blankly as she watched him, expecting a response.

"Speechless, huh?" Annaliese finally untangled herself from him and stood up. She reached down and took the rum from him before walking to the other side of the deck and gazing at the moonlight sparkling on the ocean. She took a quick swig of rum.

"But…secretly…" Annaliese started again in a quiet voice, "I had another dream…a dream that longed for adventure and to sail on the ocean."

"Well, what if I could make all of your dreams come true?" Jack got up and strolled over to her.

"You can't make all my dreams come true," Annaliese replied sensibly, looking over at him.

"Of course I can, luv, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow!"

The corners of Annaliese's lips curled up amusingly at his confidence and she shook her head at him.

"Now, listen to me, luv…" Jack took a step closer to her, "how would you feel about making this beautiful ship your new home? Three square meals a day, plenty of company, and all the adventure you could ask for!" He gestured grandly with his arms. "And besides…I could use an entertainer!"

"Really, Jack, where else am I going to go?" she asked him with a smirk.

"Excellent!" He beamed, draped his arm over her, and took the bottle. "Welcome to the crew of the Black Pearl, Liecy!" Jack took a big swallow of the rum and handed it back to Annaliese, who accepted it and did the same.

At least she didn't have to worry any longer about being abandoned in some strange port somewhere…

"Mr. Gibbs!" Jack suddenly called, turning to face the helm, "I want this ship turned around! We're heading back to Tortuga!"

Annaliese's eyes widened in terror at his words and she began grabbing at his shirt in desperation.

"Wait, what? I don't understand! You're taking me back? Why are we turning around?"

Jack looked over at her in confusion, but his gaze softened upon meeting the dread in her eyes.

"No, no, of course not, luv!" he took her hands in his reassuringly. "But before we–er, I rescued you from Tortuga, the crew had full intentions to restock our supplies, but we never got a chance to do so because we–er, I ran into you. Now that we're certain of what we're doing with you, it's time to head back to accomplish what was originally intended."

Annaliese let out a sigh of relief and visibly relaxed.

"I'm tired, Jack, where can I sleep?" she asked him wearily.

"Take my bed, luv, I've got watch," he took the bottle from her and ambled back to the helm. Annaliese smiled after him, feeling as if an enormous weight had been lifted from her shoulders. But, what had she gotten herself into?

Wow, I finished this a lot sooner than I had expected, but after getting such great feedback, I just had to get started on it! By the way, sorry about denying you guys that first kiss, I'm a terrible tease!

TO ALL OF THOSE WHO REVIEW: I will send you a preview for the upcoming chapter (once it's available) to show you how much I appreciate it!

Thanks for reading and reviewing!