Title: Send Her My Love Title: Send Her My Love

Pairings: JS/OC, WT/ES

Overview: The Infamous Captain Jack Sparrow has had interesting acquaintances and activities in the past. This story is of a chain of many events that have gone awry, and come back to haunt him.

Disclaimer: What I do own of POTC is just the movies. I gave that pirate book to my friend, but it would've been useful in this case – I should've got another one.

A/N: So, I just read over chapters one to ten. I would like to say now that I've improved since the beginning, if not in length, then in the realistic nature of the fic. Or as realistic as a fic can be. –grins-

In addition to just critiquing my story, for errors, grammar, consistency, continuity, etc, I read it over to check to see where I'm going will work out. And yes, yes it will work quite nicely. The two stories will compliment each other nicely, and by the time I'm finished I think this will be a very nice duo. On that note, yes, there will be only two parts to this story, unfortunately. No, you cannot beg or plead for me to bring the characters back after I've finished. When it's done, it's done. My muse wouldn't let me bring it back. Even though I'll probably miss the Payton/Jack interaction. It is rather amusing. Plus making another character of her human nature will be difficult. However, I digress.

Chapter Nine is the last of the flashback chapters. The remainder of the flashbacks will be reserved for the second story, for a very good reason. You'll all understand when it starts getting posted. Isabella Night (who is practically my beta) already knows my reasoning.

Thanks to Sirenne Claire and HeavenlyKitten for the reviews, the kiss was different, and I wasn't sure I should put it in, but I figured it suited the chapter well. Also, yeah, Jack does get slapped a lot. But he really did deserve that one.

We're officially past the halfway point! To Chapter Eleven!

Chapter Eleven: Unruly Nature

Where the storm hits, we watch the players in this play fight for their lives, and the anger abates – for now.

Payton raced below deck to do as Jack had said. There was no time for pride, or any other silly matter which might have struck her in her anger – this was life or death. And if she was going to kill Jack, he'd have to be alive for her to kill, and although that logic lacked some… logic, it made sense enough for her to run around like a fool checking the cargo in the hold, and all the portholes.

Winded, she had finally checked them all, and was leaning on her knees by the stairs, panting slightly. Looking up, she jumped backwards as she saw the wave of water come crashing down the stairs. The rocking of the ship had become distinctly worse since last she had been on deck, and the wave with the heavy rainfall proved that they were indeed sailing into a storm.

No one had ever said Jack was smart of course. Crafty, yes, smart, not necessarily.

Payton quickly, and rather recklessly, climbed the slippery wooden stairs to get to the deck. She felt the world tilt as the Black Pearl crested another massive wave. Her legs give out beneath her, and for a terrifying moment, she was sliding sideways toward the railing, and the ocean. When her feet hit the railing, she shakily stood, fighting against gravity and wining. The sheer amount of wind and water falling down was making it difficult for the crew to communicate, and stay upright. Payton used the railing for support as she stumbled toward where Jack stood strong at the helm. She swore that she could see a grin on his face, but she wasn't sure.

With a wince and a curse when her shins cracked against the stairs to the helm, Payton climbed up to stand near Jack, holding onto the railing for dear life. As the ship swayed again, she was glad that she did. She felt her feet slip out from under her again, and she was sure that had she not been holding onto that railing, she would have fallen off the ship. Payton saw another crewmember slide past her, and she reached out a hand to grab him, but it was too late. He passed right by her, scrabbling madly against the deck to catch onto something, anything. She could see the terror in his eyes, begging for her to help him. She knew that she couldn't help him without get herself in trouble, and there was still a chance she wouldn't be able to help him at all, putting them both in danger. She watched helpless as he was swept over the side of the ship.

"Man overboard!" She yelled as loud as she could, and most of the crew heard, turning to see the man getting pulled away from them. Some of the crew tried to throw a line to him, but he was too far away, and in the next wave, he was lost from sight.

Payton shuddered in horror and repulsion, knowing that what she had witnessed could very well be her fate as well. She turned for the sight of the ocean, knowing as well that she'd be useless if she dwelled on it. She continued to strive to reach Jack.

He hadn't noticed her yet, she was well aware he was focussing his entire being on making sure his ship got through this storm. It was strength of spirit, and the strength of his love for the Black Pearl that she could barely fathom. But if she knew anything, she knew that he would get them out of the storm – more or less in one piece. She finally at reached his side, and was holding to the railing near him.

"Jack!"

He lost focus for a moment. "Payton?" He cursed, and abruptly spun the wheel. She held tighter as the world tilted again. "Payton, get in my cabin! I can't deal with this distraction!" He was completely serious, he tone brooked no argument.

Slightly annoyed, Payton never the less obeyed. "Yes Captain." She made the dissent to reach his cabin, not falling once. She pushed open the door, and fell inside as the ship rocked again from the strength of the storm. Wearily, she stood, and with difficulty, pushed the door shut against the wind. With a sigh, she collapsed with her back against the door, taking deep breaths, sodden and disheartened.

The window was open. And rain was hitting her from across the room, a testament to exactly how strong the wind was, and how high the waves were. With an exasperated growl, Payton willed herself to stand. Her exhausted body refused to comply. She pulled her legs underneath her, and used them to push herself up, holding onto the door frame at the same time. Fatigue settling in over her entire body, she staggered toward the window, nearly falling over as the ship rocked none too gently. Payton groaned, passing the desk slowly. As she reached the bed however, a huge wave rocked the ship, and with a yelp of surprise, she fell off her feet, slamming her ribs into the side of the iron bed frame which bolted the bed to the floor. Payton whined in protest, her breath coming out in jagged gasps. She couldn't see because of the film of watery tears threatening to fall from her eyes. The only thing she could register was pain. She grit her teeth, unable to move.

Moments pass. The ship rocks with the waves, sliding Payton across the floor. She could hear the wood of the Black Pearl creaking ominously, but could do nothing. Water crashed into the cabin, causing Payton to become more wet then she was before. Finally, holding onto her side tightly, she stood again, albeit a bit shakily. She walked slowly, carefully, to the open window, and knelt by the handle. Giving it a good yank, she successfully got it closed … for all of about five seconds. The wind cruelly ripped the handle from her grasp before she could latch it close. Surprise, she leant forward, and was subsequently hit in the head by the window, causing the poor girl to groan, and hold her head in her hands. The freezing seawater which then splashed over her did not make matters any better. She was sorely tempted to give up.

With determination which she didn't know she had, Payton again grasped the handle, slippery with water. Something wet and warm tickled down her face, but she wiped it away, focussed entirely on her task. Little by little, she reclaimed the window from the window, closing it with a crash. She quickly latched it, and then fell over backwards, unable to move. Her eyes closed, and she knew no more.

Jack was on deck, oblivious to everything except himself, the Pearl and the storm. They were getting through it, but it was taking time. It was a large storm. He could see the other side. That meant that they were almost out, fantastic news since he was wet, freezing cold, stiff and sore from standing for hours on end at the helm of the Pearl. It was nearly an hour since he had told Payton to go below to his cabin, and nearly two since they had come across this storm. He spun the wheel, then held it taunt. He grit his teeth as his shoulders and arms throbbed, aching from holding the wheel, but there was no chance of being relieved. Not until he got his ship and crew out of this storm. Some of the crew were safely bolted down below, and others were out on deck, straining against the wind to tie of lines and keep the sails intact.

Finally, the wind slackened, and the rain slowed it's furious beat against the ship and ocean. With a sigh, Jack dismissed half of the crew who were on deck. He remained at the helm, making sure that they would ride out this storm completely before he would allow himself to rest. The remaining crew manned the lines, staying vigilant despite the reprieve from the storm.

It had taken nearly three hours in total before they had completely ridden out the storm, and were now safely on the other side, sailing in the light of the setting sun. Jack assigned crew to watch the deck, and had a crewmember take over the helm for him. He sauntered into his cabin, shutting the door behind him.

"Payton? Luv?"

He looked further into the cabin, surprised at the lack of response. At first he thought that she was mad at him, but when he looked to the floor, he found Payton lying in water on the floor of his cabin. At first he could only stare in horror. Quickly surpassing the initial shock, he picked her up bridal style, and placed her very gently down on his bed.

"Mister Gibbs!"

The portly man rushed to the cabin, opening the door. "Aye Capt'n?"

Jack turned to his first mate, a grave expression on his face. Gibbs sobered from his usual jovial mood immediately. "I need some damp cloths, and now!"

"Aye Capt'n!" He left the door ajar, running off as quickly as he could.

Jack turned back to Payton, concern in his features. He brushed her damp hair back from her face, and felt a sticky substance on his hand. He pulled back to look at his hand, and saw blood on his fingertips – her blood. Jack cursed, just as Gibbs returned.

Concerned, Gibbs asked, "What is it Capt'n?"

Jack turned to look at his first mate, taking the proffered cloth. "She's injured Mister Gibbs. I need clean bandages, and a bowl of warm water."

"Aye Capt'n!" He disappeared again. By now, a few other of the crewmembers were curious as to what was happening, and were talking to each other in hushed tones.

Jack was oblivious to this, wiping the blood and sweat from Payton's face. She was shivering violently, and her skin was as cold as ice. Gibbs returned with the bowl and the bandages, placing them down beside Jack.
"Thank ye Mister Gibbs, ye can go back ta yer duties. Shut the door, savvy?" Jack spoke absent-mindedly, eyes only for the girl laying on his bed.

"Aye Capt'n." Without another word, the first mate left the cabin, shutting the door softly behind him. He glared at the crew who were staring interestedly. "Back ta work ye scabrous dogs!"

Jack meanwhile looked over Payton. Her clothing was sodden, sticking to her form, and probably the reason she was so cold. He could hear her teeth chattering.

"Sorry 'bout this luv, ye can hit me later, savvy?" He gently began to remove her clothing from her shaking body. First the boots, then the pants, then the corset, and finally the shirt. He wrapped her in the dark crimson blanket from his bed, making sure she could get warm again. Taking a look at the blood on her head, Jack picked up the cloth, and rinsed it in the bowl of water. He gently wiped away the blood, trying to find the source. After looking for a few moments, he found a small cut on her head, which was healing by itself, so he decided to leave it alone. That dealt with, now the only concern was that she was freezing cold. Jack held her close to himself, trying to warm her body with the heat from his own. Kicking off his boots, he lay down in the bed, pulling her to rest beside him. A short while later, he felt her snuggle into him, a contented sigh heard from her lips. With a grin, Jack allowed himself to fall asleep.

Please review darlings.

I could've done more with this chapter, however, I felt that the part after this (where Payton awakes) is better suited for chapter twelve. After all, a lot of things happened here.