I sure kept you waiting for this chapter, but here it is at long last. I quite like the way I am dragging this story out, but I am anxious to make Jack and Angelica the main focus. This chapter indirectly leads into that, because the last kind of established where the characters were in their lives, and what they wanted. Angelica does not make an appearance here, though she will start to become more of a central character in the story.

Thanks to everyone who reviews, I really, really appreciate their feedback.

Enough Jabber, on with the story. I hope you like it!

~Chapter Five~

Jack wandered back freely through the town, tracing the cobble-stoned streets and winding alleyways back to the coast. Roosters raised their crows marking the break of dawn, and wild dogs could be heard rowdily barking in the distance. Apart from that, everything in the town was quiet. Shops and stalls were shut up for the night, and the marketplace was completely deserted. Jack worked his way down the winding streets, following the salty smell of the ocean that he so greatly desired. He let his thoughts drift to that of the manuscript, and of course Angelica. He couldn't just deny what had transpired between them, so he had decided just to go with it. He needed that manuscript, though he needed a way to convince Angelica to hand them over. He wasn't exactly willing to test her temper, and wasn't prepared to threaten her; for last time he did that the only thing he managed to do was encourage her that fiery anger she concealed so well.

Jack gave a grimace in the hopelessness of his inner debate. Finally reaching the top of the last hill, the ocean became visible over the incline. Jack stopped to admire the beauty of the sea. When his eyes met those rippling waves consistently lapping onto the sandy beach on the shore, he felt home. The sun had begun to rise over the horizon, casting a magnificent yellow glow over the mighty expanse of ocean. Many palm trees scattered the beach, all the way along to the karst cliff right at the end of where the eye can see. He directed his eyes back to the foreshore, where anchored at the end of the dock was his magnificent Pearl. Nothing in the world could ever compare to his feelings towards the Pearl, for they were truly unique. What the Pearl meant to him, what it offered to him, uniting him with all he desired.

Continuing his way down the hill, he made a quick detour to slip into the nearest pub at the pirate end of the port. The long night of drinking had finally died out, leaving nothing but passed out sailors slumped over chairs and tables. Jack carefully stepped over those who had fallen to the floor, eventually making his way to the counter. The barmaid was busy serving a shadowed figure in the corner of the bar. Jack passed a glance at him, presuming him to be another washed up drunken sailor with a bad hangover. Sitting himself down and resting his boots on another vacant chair, he tossed a dime on the counter. "Make it a bottle of rum, love." Giving her a smile. She blushed at his charm, fetching a bottle from under the counter, before clearing up the many empty bottles and smashed pieces of glass that littered the counter. Noticing the barmaid's lack of attention, he took the opportunity and pocketed the coin. Jack was so wrapped up in his own thoughts he failed to notice the mysterious man intently staring at him.

Footsteps could be heard coming through the door, causing Jack to swivel around in his chair. Jack gave a grin. "Ah, Will!" Jack announced cheerily, signalling for Bootstrap to join him at the counter. Will accepted his invitation, pulling up a chair. "Jack, what have been up to, haven't seen you all night." Jack gave a smirk, for Will was very observant. "You spent all day cooped up in your cabin, slip out late at night and don't come back until early the next morning." Bootstrap gave a pause. "Hiding something from the crew, Jack? You know that's not wise. Barbossa catches on quick." Jack frowned. "He already has, mate." Will stared at Jack. The captain was known for always being one step ahead of everyone else, but now Jack didn't seem to even know what he was doing here anymore. "Watch your back, Jack. We may all want this treasure, but they are hungry, Jack. They crave immortality, and they want it now. If you don't start showing signs of progress, they will find their own means to secure it." Jack listened to his words, understanding the implication: kill anyone who blocks their path. Jack was not willing for Angelica to undergo any amount of pain on his part. Jack motioned for the barmaid to have two more bottles of rum brought over to them, before bootstrap continued. "So what do you know, Jack? What are you hiding?" Jack glanced around, checking for any rogue eves-droppers, before leaning closer to Will and lowering his voice. "I found the manuscript that was rumoured." Will have a hopeful smile, showing his gleaming teeth. "And you have it? Yes?" Taking a swig from his bottle. His eyes somewhat sparkling at the idea that immortality might have just come a little bit more possible. "Well, no." Jack struggled to let out from his throat. Will stared at Jack; his voice raised a little louder. "No?" Jack let silence fall between them, sculling his rum before answering. Animating with his hand, Jack divulged.

"There is this girl." Jack said, dropping his eyes low. "A girl." Will repeated, quite surprised. Jack silenced, as though waiting for Will to make a connection between this girl, and the manuscript. Will furrowed his brow, unsure of what the nature of this girl meant to Jack. He knew Jack wasn't one to get attached by a female, so he assumed her to be of no physical or emotional desire to Jack. With a questioning look, he continued. "And, she knows where it is?" Jack waved his answer off, proving it to be wrong. "Ha, no. Not quite. She…has it." Will was now beyond comprehension. If Jack was incapable of attaining a manuscript off a woman, he had no idea how they expected to continue their journey. Will sat back in his chair, smiling at Jack. "What are you saying, Jack…that she won't give them up to you?" Jack groaned in his futility, giving a slight nod at Will, eyeing him for his reaction. "Well, Jack. If you can't separate her from it, take her along with it." Will said it all so simply, it made Jack feel somewhat idiotic for not thinking of it before, despite the impossibility of the suggestion. Jack could never convince her to come with a pirate crew, let alone with him. He knew, yes, she had the potential to follow what she wanted, though he would have a hard time convincing her that this venture was what she desired.

"She's not that easy." Jack grimaced. Will thought it over for a second, before replying. "Who is she Jack? She can't be some regular girl if she is in possession of that manuscript." Jack considered this. She certainly was not someone anyone knew about, he would be surprised if anyone knew her name outside of the convent. "She's no-one anyone would know about." Jack divulged. "Well, Jack. What are you going to do about her? You must do something quick, you know." Will whispered, careful not to be overheard. Jack nodded in agreement. Will finished off his drink and clapped Jack on the back. "Come on Jack. Don't look so delusional. You always figure it out in the end." Will said, before tipping the barmaid generously and taking his leave, bidding Jack goodbye. Jack acknowledged him, finishing multiple drinks and leaving. The mysterious man went un-noticed by both Jack and Will, although he had heard every word, and it gained him great insight into the secretive venture of infamous Jack Sparrow, that had caused so much conspiracy and wonder, most especially to the Spanish Monarchy and empire. The barmaid approached the man, noticing his empty cup of alcohol. "Another cup, sir?" Shaking his head and averting his eyes, he headed off in a hurried rush out of the pub.

Jack swaggered along the port, making way for all the cargo being hauled off ships and onto carts. The harsh light caused him to squint, and while he tried to clear his vision, he spotted his first mate coming towards him. Jack gave a scowled at the sight of him. He knew Hector would most likely be disgruntled at his lack of conformity to the search, and with his lack of attention to the crew. Jack considered momentarily jumping off the port into the sea, just to avoid an unpleasant confrontation. "Ah, Hector." He acknowledged, trying to keep his tone as jaunty as possible. He watched as his first mate advanced towards him. "Jack, what are you doing out and about at such a reasonable hour?" Giving Jack a haughty expression and motioning towards the bright sun. "Ah, I have just returned from a night of working assiduously to uncover any relevant or noteworthy information regarding the critically eluding treasure of Cortez." Jack stated confidently, standing with hands on his hips, attempting to appear most pleased with himself. "Oh, well since you have been working so determinedly, I am sure your effort must have been rewarded, considering your research occupied you until the break of dawn." Barbossa eyed him, fully aware Jack had been preoccupied with the woman he had so naïvely mentioned the previous night. "Ha, not any physical evidence." He stated, raising his hands to wave his first mate's suspicions off. Hector frowned, stepping closer to Jack, in an effort to invade his personal space, making Jack retreat a few steps backwards to avoid close contact with Barbossa's face. "You know, Jack. The entire Spanish Navy is out trying to claim the treasure for it's own. You had better get to that script before they do, or else they will hunt us down one by one if they hear even the slightest trace of information that links us to that manuscript." He raised his hand, gesturing to the missionaries that were on watch by the bay, to prove his point. Jack looked discouraged, but forced a smile to keep his first mate in the dark. "No worries mate." Jack said, as Barbossa's cat-like eyes followed his every movement as Jack began slipping past him to make his way onto the ship.

As Jack stepped onto the deck of the ship, he was greeted by the grimy looking face of Kohler, whose expression appeared to be anything but friendly. His stature forced Jack to arch his spine back, so Kohler could purposely intimidate Jack. Jack forced a smile, attempting to slip back to the comforts of his cabin, but Kohler blocked his way. "Ah, Kohler!" Jack started, grinning. He made a gruff sound in his throat, before Jack noticed most of the crew had gathered around, ignoring their duties they were due to complete. Jack glanced around at them, knowing a quick escape into his cabin would not avert a confrontation. Kohler spoke; "Captain, there are rumours amongst the crew, and we are questioning your authority with this search." His voice was stern, knowing the Captain would most likely try and weasel his way out of the situation. "Ah, and what might these rumours be?" Jack said, resting his elbows on the rail to make his intimidation seem more discreet. The crew gave a snickering laugh at Jack's attempt to temper the situation. "We feel you are not looking after the crew's best interests." Kohler continued. "Well Gents, have no fear, you worthless seadogs." Jack said, addressing the entirety of the crew. "We are making great progress, but with the Spanish Armada at our tails, the information requires discretion and valor." The crew silenced under the Captains words, doubting whether it was the right thing to question his authority. The crew exchanged looks, before Jack saw he had not yet won over the crew. Realizing that the crew was unconvinced, he divulged. "I have located the rumoured manuscript that the Spanish are so eager to find, and I am working on a scheme to attain it." The crew whispered amongst themselves. "Well, when will you get it?" Kohler asked, eagerly. "Have no fear. It shall be ours before you know it. In the meantime, get yourselves busy! Clear off! Oi, Oi!" Jack shooed the crewmen that blocked the way to his cabin, before disappearing behind the door. The crew remained unconvinced, exchanging looks at one another, before dispersing and going about their daily activities on deck.

Jack slipped back into his cabin, heaving a sigh as he pressed his back to the door, allowing his legs to give way as he sunk down to his knees. His mind wandered to Angelica, and how exactly she had come by that map. The more he thought about it, the more puzzling it seemed to him. She was a girl of no circumstance; her mother sought refuge in a convent, probably indicating that her mother was rejected by society for becoming pregnant. Angelica had not known her father, and given the fact that her mother was left by the man who had impregnated her suggested he was not a man of Christianity. Jack rested his head against the door. The only non-religious in this town were pirates. Jack concentrated, to determine if the brand of "pirate" seemed fitting. It would cover the immoral act of impregnating a woman without the bond of marriage, and also why Angelica had somehow come into possession of something so sought after by not only pirates, but the Spanish empire also. Jack heaved himself up and proceeded towards the bed, removing his boots and collapsing on the soft underlay. Jack thought hard, when another solution came to his mind. At first the idea seemed most unlikely, but the more he thought about it, the more he realised how limited the reasons for her possessing the manuscript were. He wondered if, somehow, Angelica could have been related to Cortez. Jack chuckled lightly, but realised it was as implausible as the next assumption. What were the odds he had stumbled on a relative of Cortez, and one who just happened to have his original manuscript? He assumed it would have been passed down the bloodline if that be the case. Of course, he could not see a way to broach the topic with her, as he felt sure she would claim it was borrowed from the great library as some kind of self-defense method. Each time Jack came close to a solution, he realised how impossible it would be. She was difficult to predict, tricky, with an attitude set with a temper to match. As much as he tried, he couldn't figure her out. He needed to think of something, some way to pry that manuscript away from her, or else as Will had suggested, take her along with it. Jack considered this, grinning at the thought of taking her against her will and onto the Pearl. A thought crossed his mind. The Pearl, that was sure to hold some leverage with her. His thoughts were untimely interrupted by a sudden rowdiness being heard on deck. Giving a groan, Jack slid off the bed and investigated the noise.

"Captain!" A crewmember called from the upper deck. Jack pushed several crewmembers aside to get a clear view of the situation on shore. The navy fort had set off the alarm bell, and all patrols immediately abandoned their normal routes and hurriedly headed to the fort. The crew suddenly became wary, passing glances at the captain to see his reaction. Barbossa peered through his spyglass, following the patrols' tracks. "It appears they have been summoned to a meeting of sorts." Barbossa gave a pause, as the crew started suspiciously murmuring amongst themselves. "Most likely about us." He stated, snapping his spyglass shut. With a quick glance around at the crew, he realised they were in great danger. "Gents, it seems as though we have been discovered, for it is not every day the patrols are called to fort. It is not safe here. We must spread out over the town, and avoid discovery to the best of your abilities. Only a few of you must stay here, for it is almost certain this ship shall be raided. Hide everything!" He waved the crew off as they approached him to ask questions. Jack still remained staring at the last of the missionaries making their way to the fort, contemplating where he should lay low until the navy had exhausted the search. The crew scampered back and forth, gathering belongings and camouflaging their appearances. Barbossa watched as they prepared both themselves and the ship, clearing away anything suspicious. "Head off, Lads! To the Brothels!" Hector announced, roaring with laughter. The crew chuckled, as the brothels were indeed a great hideout. Once inside those filthy, stained walls, you could be anybody. The crew started to clear off the ship, leaving only Jack and Barbossa standing on the upper deck, Jack looking the more suspicious of the two. "And what about you, Jack? Where exactly will you be laying low?" Barbossa inquired to Jack, turning to face him. Jack stroked his braided beard, trying to avoid his first mate's watchful eye. "The town, mate." Jack attempted to shrug him off, before disappearing off deck to gather his valuable belongings. Barbossa smirked to himself, wondering how long the captain was planning to dismiss him whenever he mentioned the girl.

The crew quickly scampered away down the pier, not knowing how much time they had. "Navy on our tails!" They called out to other vessels, quickly spreading havoc as the pirates flooded out of ships, dashing into the town. Jack was in his cabin, gathering his trinkets together and stuffing them into a sack. After clearing his desk of any revealing papers, he snatched a bottle of rum from the cabinet and hurried out of the ship. Pirates scurried away, and Jack considered how exactly he would convince Angelica to allow him to hide with her, though he wanted to give it a try. He could benefit in more ways than one.

~End of Chapter Five~

Another long chapter, they are becoming habit. I hope this maintained interest, even though you guys never found out who the mysterious man was. If you made the connection, there is a link between him and the sudden raiding naval patrols. All will become clear in chapter six, though I may have to keep you waiting, as exams are looming and are demanding my attention. Well, it's half complete anyway, so I will post it when I can.

Aw, the review button is looking lonely! xoxo