A/N: Another chapter! A bit of jealousy and denial. A hint of romance here and there.

Your reviews are appreciated. Please keep them coming. It equals better quality. Also special thanks to people who helped me out with Elizabeth's character. I've never wrote her in a COTBP fic before so I didn't know how to turn her innocence to that trickster quality. I kicked her up a notch here but you'll see the real fiery Elizabeth in the next chapter.

Read and review.

Elizabeth looked towards Tortuga with the spy glass Will had lent her.

"Well what do you think?" Will asked.

"I have yet to see it up close but it's quite interesting in a vile and extremely exaggerated way," she smirked.

"It'll linger but it's not as impressive as Jack tries to convince everyone. Don't let him tell you otherwise," he warned her.

"Thanks for the warning guardian angel. I shall keep that in mind but I really don't get all the fuss about Jack. That's all I hear on this ship, Jack this and Jack that! And Jack says this but he's wrong but he says it anyways and it's so amusing," she huffed. "I don't understand the legend. So far all I've seen him do is drink rum, use a governer's daughter as a shield and talk to a river woman. I have yet to be impressed."

Will sighed and shrugged. "The thing about Jack is, he manages to impress you without doing anything impressive at all."

Elizabeth shrugged in a careless manner but found that Will was frighteningly right. "You're a master observer Will Turner," she smiled.

"And you seem to be the number one critic and cynic of my friend the Captain over there Miss Swann."

"I'm just hard to impress," Elizabeth said easily.

"Lower anchor slimy gits and order the crew of the Interceptor to dock it close by," Jack announced loudly as he looked over at Will and Elizabeth. Great! Just what he needed. It looked like his best mate was falling for the girl he was using in his plans. Which would make it hard for him to take advantage of her, speaking strictly in a business manner of course.

"Climb down the lot of you except for Cotton," he added apologetically. "Your turn to take mind the Pearl mate, so sorry," he said in a sad voice. "But!" he added cheerfully. "On the bright side Miss Swann will be staying with you."

"What?" she protested in outrage. "I will be doing no such thing."

"I'm just being a gentleman my dear," Jack said in his best attempt at an innocent tone of voice. "Tortuga is an extremely dangerous and vulgar place for a sweet young lady of your standing," he added and tried to mask the sarcasm in his voice but failed. Elizabeth stomped over to him with a pointed finger.

"Now you listen to me Sparrow," she said in a threateningly low whisper. "You have ruined my engagement day by kidnapping me, took me out of a perfectly fine dress and dragged me half the way across the ocean and fed me crap about adventure for the whole voyage. Now you better deliver some of that infamous town of yours. I will do as I please. I'm no longer a prisoner on your ship so much as a business partner."

Jack's expression remained calm. "Says who?" he said with a cocky smile.

"Says the knife I have against your stomach."

Jack looked down and swallowed as he found the knife against his shirt. "Mr. Gibbs could you help Miss Swann down the ladder please?"

"Thank you Captain Sparrow, how very kind of you," she said sweetly as she moved along. "But I don't need any help climbing down your stupid ladder," she added as started climbing down the side of the ship.

Andrew could hardly believe his luck or his eyes for that matter. Just when he was losing hope-and after sitting in that pub for two days straight- Elizabeth Swann came striding through those doors! It didn't matter if she was dressed in trousers and a shirt instead of her usual dress. He'd done his homework, he knew his target and furthermore he knew he would have no problem working with Elizabeth Swann. She was a beauty. Dress or not.

And of course right beside her was what Andrew wanted most in this world. Captain Jack Sparrow.

"And this is a pirate's idea of a good time?" Elizabeth said with a bored tone of voice.

"This, princess, is the most delightfully delightful rose in the bouquet of roses in the Caribbean," Jack said as he looked around in amazement. "Don't you love it?"

"It'll pass."

"Care for a drink of rum?"

"Is there anything else to drink?"

"Well there's ale."

"I'd love some rum thank you," she said with defeated manner.

"And who is to say you won't use this chance to escape?"

Elizabeth batted her eyes innocently. "Tortuga isn't exactly a town a sweet lady like myself would like to get lost in," she said with a smile as she went to find seats.

"Says the woman who threatened me with a kitchen knife...twice," Jack scoffed before going to the barmaid in search of drinks.

Elizabeth managed to find a couple of empty seats in a corner and sat down.

"Elizabeth Swann?" the man in the seat beside her asked.

"It depends on who is asking," she asked as she reached for the knife in her pocket.

"It's Andrew Moretti," the young man said hastily. "We met last year at the Commodore's ball in Port Royal."

"Yes! Yes of course Mr. Moretti," she said in a happy squeak. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question."

"Well I was kidnapped by a crew of pirates," Elizabeth said as if it happened every day.

"Oh my! Elizabeth are you well? We must get you out of here at once. I could barter a passage--"

"Don't be silly! They aren't as fierce as they are made out to be. I'm fine and I'm quite certain they'll take me back when they find their treasure and don't need a hostage anymore."

"Oh don't trust so easily Elizabeth."

"I wouldn't worry if I were you Mr. Morreti. I'm quite capable of taking care of myself as I've discovered during my voyage here. And what about you Mr. Morreti? What brings you to this poor excuse of a town? You stand out like pirate in a court!" she pointed out his well dressed appearance with polite humor.

"Please Elizabeth, call me Andrew. This isn't the place to be formal," he pointed out. "I ran away."

"You what?"

"I couldn't take it anymore. To go where they tell me and act as they expect me. I took all my earnings and fled to find my own way in the world. I'm free to do as I wish, one day in Tortuga and the next in Florida."

"You've traveled to the new world?"

"I will. Soon."

She was clearly impressed and out of breath. "It must be quite exhilarating to be so free."

"It is. And I understand why you wouldn't want to go back to your old life immediately. But please be careful."

Elizabeth nodded . "Now that you mention it I have to tell you something--"

"There you are Lizzie, I was afraid you'd pulled a disappearing act on me," Jack said meaningfully as he sat down and handed her the smaller of the two mugs of rum he was carrying. "And who is your friend here?"

"This is Andrew Morreti Jack," Elizabeth introduced. "Andrew, this is--"

"I know you. You're Captain Jack Sparrow!" Andrew exclaimed as he shook Jack's hand.

"I like him already. I didn't know you had friends in these ports love," Jack smirked. "I would've liked you a whole lot better if I did."

"Andrew is currently traveling the world."

"Yes," Andrew nodded enthusiastically. "Captain Sparrow I must say I've been dreaming of meeting you for the longest time. I know all there is to know about you. It's quite an honor. Could I possibly join your crew until the next time you make port?"

Jack forced a smile. "I would love to, believe me. But I don't need anymore crew members."

"Take me as a passenger than."

"As if I need more dead meet on my vessel," Jack teased Elizabeth. Andrew dropped a heavy bag of coins on the table and Jack smiled.

"Welcome aboard the Black Pearl Mr. Morreti," Jack said warmly. Elizabeth rolled her eyes and down the strong drink with a scour on her face.

"Thank you," Andrew smiled. "Now if you'll excuse me I'll go get myself a drink and bring my trunks down from my room."

Andrew couldn't believe his own luck. He had them right where he wanted them. Did Norrington really think he would deliver them on a silver plate? He was foolish if he thought Andrew would give up the chance to capture Jack Sparrow himself and collect the prize money offered for him. He was a wanted man by the king himself.

And Elizabeth Swann was a thing to behold. He'd played them well and if he continued doing so he could get rid of Sparrow and keep the girl for himself.

He remembered that Elizabeth had meant to say something before Jack interrupted and took note to find out what that was about.

Next he took out some parchment and a pen from his pocket. It was time to lead Norrington to a completely opposite direction.

I have found Sparrow and the girl and it seems as if they're headed for Tripoli. I would recommend you start your search there but I will contact you as soon as I have their exact location.

My regards,

Andrew Morreti

He stamped the paper with the seal Norrington had gave him. Folded the paper and handed it to the cabin boy from the merchant ship. He would know who to give it to once he got to Port Royal.

Later that night the three of them strode down the docks. Andrew and Jack with grins on their faces and Elizabeth quite grumpy at how well they were getting along.

"And then they made me their chief," Jack explained and Andrew chuckled in appreciation.

"I must say Captain Sparrow you are every bit the legend I hoped for," Andrew gushed. "I'm honored."

"Always glad to have an admirer on board. There are no empty cabins available but you may have the small space behind the stairs," Jack offered merrily.

"Good enough for me sir," Andrew smiled. "Thank you and good night," he said as he carried his trunks behind the stairs and Jack went to his cabin.

Elizabeth rushed after Andrew after a few minutes.

"Andrew wait, it seems you like and respect Jack Sparrow but you're the only person here I can talk to so--"

"I do not like and respect Sparrow," Andrew scoffed with a frown. "I just needed a ride. I do not trust the man one bit."

Elizabeth let out a sigh of relief. "Good because I meant to tell you something before Jack interrupted us in the inn."

"Yes? Come, sit down," he pointed at the soft cushions he'd used to make a space for himself.

She sat and took a deep breath. "I know I talked in a very trusting manner regarding Jack but the truth is, I don't trust him. My plan is to use him for my own purpose and nothing more. I probably shouldn't even be telling you this but I need your help."

Andrew smiled. "How can I help you?"

"When I first got on this ship I was scared, I admit but soon I realized that I could make this work to my advantage. I struck a bargain with Jack and he's to drop me off at a location of my choice when he's through with his quest. But I don't trust him. He has a hidden agenda. I can just feel it."

Andrew was clearly intrigued now. "What is it? What is he up to?"

"There's this talk about him being cursed--"

"And you believe that?"

"I haven't seen anything unusual about him and I wouldn't believe it if he told me. But I believe him trying to hide it from me and I believe his search for this book."

"A book?"

"Yes and if it's valuable, I want it. I want it and I want to be dropped off at a location of my choice."

"Quite ambitious."

Elizabeth's expression remained stony. "Let it be stated that this doesn't mean I trust you. I don't trust anyone."

"But you trust me more than you trust Sparrow?"

"I trust anyone more than I trust him," she admitted.

"Why did you tell me this?"

"Last time I checked you were an investigator before you left Port Royal," Elizabeth explained. "I need you to find out about this book, the curse and how I can use it to my own advantage. I think we can manage between the two of us."

"That could be managed," Andrew smiled. "But you're more likely to find information. Given that you're a woman and persuasive."

"The problem isn't finding the information, I hear a whisper here and there but I need you to help me figure out what it means. And frankly I needed someone to talk to."

Andrew planted a kiss on her hand. "You have my devoted help. And no matter how we manage to best Sparrow, whether we fall by ambition, blood or lust--"

"Like diamonds we are cut by our own dust," she completed the quote in amazement. "You've read John Webster's book."

"I wouldn't call myself well read if I hadn't."

"This is why I need your help."

"My extensive knowledge of literature or our similar taste in reading?" he said huskily.

"Both," she whispered as she left him under the stairs.

"I don't trust him one bit love," Jack said hotly. "Not a bit. He has something up his fancy expensive sleeve."

"Is that jealousy I sense?"

Jack snorted. "Me? Captain Jack Sparrow jealous of some pompous rich bastard who doesn't have a purpose. Please laugh at me the day that happens," he laughed. "I'm just saying you didn't even really know him in Port Royal. You can't just trust every single person who pops up."

"I don't trust you and we manage to get along just fine."

"If this is your definition of fine," he said tiredly as he sat at his desk and drank some rum.

"Don't worry grandpa' I can take care of myself," Elizabeth assured him as she looked through the books in the shelves. The collection was impressive, he was a pirate after all and she guessed that even though he didn't much care about the books, the ships they'd raided had been stocked with them.

"And plus, he's getting off at the next port. What harm can he do?" Elizabeth gushed as she looked over the books. "Robinson Crusoe," she exclaimed excitedly. "I can't believe you have this."

She took it off the shelve and blew the dust off of it.

"I'd go with The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle if I were you. Far better book. It's on the middle shelf," Jack commented as he looked up from his maps.

Elizabeth cast him a surprised and questioning look.

"It has to be a better book because the man I stole the books from was much angrier to lose it," he explained hastily.

Elizabeth nodded, picked it from the shelf and sat on her chair.

Jack yawned theatrically, picked up his compass and the map. "Well I'll have to study these maps thoroughly so good night," he said as he turned his chair around and looked over the maps.

"Good night," she whispered.

"Oh and Elizabeth?"

"Yes?"

"I shall kindly ask you not to share any information with Mr. Morreti. You can never know what someone's really thinking."

She decided to play it innocent. "What kind of information could you be talking about?"

Jack spared a look over the back of his chair. "Just general odd information that one would not hear on a normal pirate ship. And as far as Mr. Morreti is concerned this is a normal pirate ship savvy?"

"Completely savvy captain," Elizabeth agreed sweetly. "Wouldn't dream of saying a word."

Jack's only response was a dry cough.

The next afternoon Elizabeth sat in the comfortable spot Andrew had made behind the stairs.

"So tell me all you know so far," Andrew said as he took a coconut out of his trunk, carved a whole in the top and handed it to Elizabeth. "It's quite a hot day. Sip if you're thirsty."

"Thank you," she smiled.

"Tell me."

"All I know so far is that there's a book that's supposed to lift the curse,that Jack stole the Interceptor because he doesn't want to use the Pearl and that he's keeping me until he finds it because he knows as long as he has me the Commodore can't battle him," she said as she took a sip of the coconut milk.

"I see," he said thoughtfully. "Well Elizabeth if we're going to figure this out and use it to your advantage you're going to have to ask him questions and study his every response and action. I don't care if you have to pretend you're in love with him or that you actually care about this curse but you have to find a way. Find the name of the book if you can, if it is what I think it is we're in for a big ride."

"What do you think it is?"

Andrew shook his head. "Let us not assume anything. I have faith in your abilities Elizabeth."

"I'll try but he's clever."

"I took him as a drunken fool," Andrew commented.

She laughed. "That too."

Jack should've been happy he finally had someone to take Elizabeth off his hands but as he minded the helm he found himself standing on his tip toes trying to peek at where they were and what they were doing. There was something about Morreti that was extremely suspicious. He knew what it was but he couldn't do anything about it just yet.

"Captain Sparrow," Elizabeth called out as he came up the stairs.

"Ah! Good afternoon Miss Swann."

"Captain Sparrow would you mind telling me where our next stop is?"

Jack coughed, banged his own first against his chest and shrugged. "Well we'll need to get some more gun powder so we'll stop by at Venice, we can drop off your precious Andrew there if that's what you're worried about."

She flashed him a thoughtful smile. "That's not what I was worried about."

"Out with it then," Jack urged her. "Haven't got all day."

"Well I wanted to ask you about..." she whispered. "This whole deal about the curse and the book. I've been hearing about it all over this ship and frankly if you don't want me to talk about this and wonder, you must tell me--"

"Shhhh! Fine, fine. I'll tell you if you would please shut it," he whispered urgently. "Mr. Gibbs would you care to take the helm while I go down to the cellar and get some rum?"

"Aye Captain," Gibbs complied obediently as Jack strode down the stairs. Elizabeth followed him all the way down to the cellar.

"Do you want to tell me now?" she demanded and crept behind Jack who was now looking for the biggest bottle of rum he could find.

His manner was almost angry as he turned around with a bottle of rum in his hands pushed her towards the opposite wall until she was completely cornered.

"Listen missy, the rumors on the ship are true. I'm a cursed man but I have no intention of staying so," he explained calmly as he placed a hand above her head and caged her.

"What about the book?"

"Book? What book?" Jack asked innocently.

"You know what book I'm talking about. Where is it?"

"Where's what?"

"The book!"

"What book?"

"The book you need to lift the curse."

"Oh that book! Why didn't you say so from the start," he sighed. "I don't know where the Maledizioni is but I have a map and my compass. I know you want me to drop you off at Port-au-Prince or where ever it was that you wanted to go and I will. You have my word," he said sincerely as he held his right hand in an oath.

"Jack that's not what I meant at all," she informed him in soft whisper.

"Well what did you mean?"

She sighed and put a hand on his shoulder. "What is your curse?"

Jack coughed yet again in a meaningful manner. "As I was saying. I know which direction we are going in-with the help of my trusty compass- but I don't know exactly where it's leading," he explained.

Elizabeth was confused but she nodded.

"And may I inquire as to why you needed all this information?"

"I make it my business to know what's going on at all times," she smiled. "We better get back up there."

Jack grinned. "Wouldn't want Mr. Morreti to jump to conclusions would we?"

She smiled and smacked him playfully.

"Oh great, of course it has to be raining," Jack mumbled with a puppy dog expression once they went on deck and found that it was absolutely pouring rain.

She laughed at his dismay, lost her balance and almost slipped. He caught her with a laugh.

"Don't break your back on my watch princess," he chuckled. "You'll bring your Commodore friend down on me."

"I doubt it," she said and almost slipped again but he caught her.

"Lets get you to the cabin before you crack your head open on my deck," he dragged her along to the cabin. And for the first time in the past couple of days she thought about that one time he'd kissed her and immediately she felt hot tingles in her stomach. She didn't know if it was because she was ashamed or secretly excited.

A warm coat was gently placed on her shoulder and she was helplessly turned around to face him.

"Don't think I trust you one bit princess, I don't trust you anymore than I trust Moretti. I don't care what you want or why are you so curious. I don't know and I don't care. But I do know one thing," he said threateningly.

"And what is that?" she whispered.

"I'm going to kiss you now."

"Oh," was the only thing she got to say before he took her mouth in a heartbreaking kiss. She found herself kissing him back and moving so close that the only space between them was their clothes. Drawn to the heat of his body she kissed him like they were going to die.

When they broke apart he strode away easily as if he hadn't felt anything at all. "Interesting," he whispered as he sat on his chair for the thousandth time.

"What is?"

"You are," he said as he took his infamous map,turned his chair around and coughed a bit harder this time. "Bloody rain gave me a cold. Oh well! Good night Lizzie."

"Good night Jack," she whispered as she went to sit down on her chair only to find that it was now beside Jack's desk. She smiled, walked over, sat down and rested her head on his desk. "You know you don't have to turn your chair around to study your maps."

"I know," he said. He never turned around that night.

"The Maledizioni you say? By god Elizabeth it's as I thought."

"What is it?"

"A book of curses and cures. The book of curses and curse as a matter of fact. The most valuable thing a man can own."

Elizabeth's eyes widened. "I see why he would want it. Not only to lift his own curse but for the power."

"Uh huh," Andrew nodded as he pulled out a book from his trunk. "As a matter of fact in this book right here it says that it's to be found on...on...Atlantis."

She chuckled. "The secret island of Atlantis you mean? Nice children's fantasy."

He looked her in the eye. "Elizabeth if Captain Jack Sparrow is real and he has a ship named the Black Pearl. If the man really is cursed. If he is looking for this legendary book. Why shouldn't this book be on Atlantis?"

"You have a point," she admitted. "This is why I asked for your help."

"Wise choice," he smiled. "Here take the book. Even after I get off it'll help you. Everything you'll need to know is in there."

Elizabeth didn't seem to be listening anymore. "How do I get the book?" she mumbled with a smile. She already knew the answer.

"I'm getting off in a few days and you're on your own. But I'll find you eventually and we'll travel the world together," he smiled. "I'll take you to the new world."

"You will?" she asked but it was more of a statement than a question.

He nodded as he cupped her face gently and they both leaned in about to kiss when Jack's voice interrupted them as he walked by.

"There's a bit more speed to be coaxed from these sails gents," he shouted as he waltzed by.

They jumped apart and chuckled awkwardly. "Here," he said as he dug up a little sack from his trunk. "I got them straight from China."

She took out the handfuls of shiny glass marbles in different sizes and gasped at how amazing they were. And as she walked back to the cabin a few minutes later she missed Jack glaring daggers at her.

The gifts did not stop until they reached Venice. A necklace, some little exotic fruits and other little trinkets.

When it finally came time for him to leave Jack looked immensely happy and Elizabeth more than upset.

She sat behind the stairs with him the as he prepared to leave.

"I will find you. All you need to do is send me letters from time to time and I'll use them to find my way to you. And I trust you to get the book."

"I will," she said confidently as she helped him pack his things. All so suddenly she froze and lifted a seal out of a coat pocket.

"This is the Commdore's seal," she laughed bitterly and stared at him. "I've been so foolish. You've been working with him all along, you trailed us down--"

"Yes, yes I did," he confessed and pulled her towards himself as she started banging her fists against him. "Norrington wanted me to look after you but my relationship with you was not a lie."

"And why are you leaving now? Why didn't you insist that I come with you? If your goal is to save me on James' order..." she asked confused, everything came to place in one second and understanding washed over her. "Ah! It isn't just about me anymore. You want Jack! If you take me now you'll lose track of him but if you had a friend on this ship...I could lead you to him at the right time. You would get him, the book and me in one go," she said understandingly.

"Elizabeth it's not what it looks like--"

"Is it not? Well that wouldn't help explain the little cabin boy I met in Tortuga who said he was carrying a message from you to Port Royal. The boy must have been lying."

It was Jack who spoke the sarcastic reply this time as he appeared there magically. "Mr. Gibbs, I believe Mr. Morreti has been taking advantage of our hospitality by planning to deliver my head on a silver platter. Could you escort this worthless piece of scum off my ship?"

"Gladly capt'n."

"This isn't over yet," Andrew struggled as the crew members dragged him away. "I'll get you Sparrow."

"Yeah, yeah. You and every man in England," Jack dismissed him with a wave of his hand.

"You knew of his plan all along," Elizabeth said wide eyed and she followed Jack as he stomped off angrily.

"Obviously."

"Why did you let him--Why didn't you say anything?" she demanded.

"Would you have believed me?" he asked. "Probably not. You were blinded by love."

Now she was angry. "Love?" she cried in outrage.

"I would throw you off for helping him at this very second but I need you to save my own skin," he explained truthfully.

"For helping him? I didn't even know!"

"But if I'd arrived a few minutes later he would've convinced you that you should help him, swept you into a kiss and you would be planning on how to lead him to us at this very second. I don't think you would mind the idea of me dead and all that prize money to spend on your travels."

Her expression softened now. "Jack I don't want you dead."

"Only behind bars then," he laughed before side stepping her and going in the cabin.

She calmed herself with a breath and followed him inside. She wasn't done with him yet.

Hmmm. Tell me what you think. The next chapter features Jack and Elizabeth having a private dinner.

What is Jack's curse? Why is he acting a bit differently from his normal self? And what is Elizabeth going to do about all this?

Find out in the next chapter.