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He awoke later that night to a muffled scream. Bleary as he was, it took him a moment to recollect where he was. Glancing about the cabin he was awakened fully at the sound of a second scream. Throwing off the covers and nearly tripping over his discarded boots, he stumbled down the stairs leading to Ari's quarters. He hesitated only a moment before gripping the knob and trying the door. He was surprised to find it unlocked but didn't think about it much as he spotted the young woman thrashing about on the bed. He hurried over to her and gripped her shoulders effectively keeping her still.

Searching her face he realized she was still asleep. "Wake up." He demanded when she didn't still her movements. He heard her mumble a pained and horrified 'father' before continuing her wild gestures.

Shaking her slightly he tried again. "Wake up love." After a moment felt her stiffen and saw her open wide terrified eyes. The desperation and anguish on her face made Jack jerk back from her as if she'd burned him.

It took her a moment to clear the dream away before she focused on him and sat up. "Captain Sparrow." She stated confusedly. There was no tone of accusation at finding him in her room even though he fully expected it. He was taken aback for a moment before standing up.

"Ye alright love?" He questioned somewhat awkwardly.

She took a deep, shaky breath and frowned before letting her eyes fall to her lap. "I had a dream. About my father."

Jack stood for a moment not knowing what to say. He remembered how distraught Elizabeth was when her father died and she hadn't even been present to witness it. But this woman, this puzzle of a girl, still wasn't crying. Even in her dream all he could detect was horror and disbelief but she wasn't crying. He could tell that her loss was tearing at her painfully and yet her eyes remained dry.

"I'm sorry I woke you." She said, effectively breaking into his thoughts.

"I's alright lass. I'm just glad ye didn't wake the whole crew. Can't have 'em barging into me cabin thinking I was doing the unthinkable to ye." Trying to lighten the mood.

Her eyes widened slightly and she looked aghast. "I didn't even think of that." Then unexpectedly she gave a sardonic laugh. "Can't have you defamed as Captain your first day in command can we?"

"Can't say there'd be much damage done to me reputation, I'm already infamous in me own right."

"True," she said seriously. "But I have yet to hear of you forcing yourself on any woman unlike many who share your profession."

"Ye think me incapable Miss Silver?" He asked honestly curious.

"No I don't believe you incapable." She said honestly. "But strangely I could never see you doing so. You seem the type that likes the game of seduction. It's not a win if it's forced."

Jack stood momentarily shocked. He wasn't sure whether to be offended or flattered. Her honesty wasn't something he expected and in getting it, he had to admit it was true. And he believed that any man that could force themselves on a woman obviously had not the means of wooing her. It was… a degrading act, not to mention disgusting.

"I'm sorry." she said forcing him out of his thoughts yet again. "I have often been told my tongue will hang me. I had no right to say such things. I don't know you and yet here I am making judgments. Even after you've been so kind to me."

Jack again didn't know how to respond. "I'm not offended lass." He said not knowing what else to say. Elizabeth had accused him of being a good man and he may have proven her right partly towards the end of their acquaintance but that had been after a great deal of events. This woman barely knew him.

"Look like you could use a drink love." He knew he could use one.

She looked thoughtful for a moment, studying him with a keen interest which made him slightly uncomfortable. "Perhaps it will do me some good." She said after a moment. She got out of the bed seemingly oblivious to her state of undress.

Jack enjoyed the short glimpse of her lithe and strong body. A life at sea had been good to her. He imagined that her skin would be soft from exposure to the saltwater of the sea. His reverie was broken when she addressed him.

"Are you alright?"

Covering himself with a cocky smirk he settled for a quick nod. Leading the way up the stairs he headed for the dining room and his much needed drink.

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"You keep doing that."

Jack locked eyes with the girl called Ari and gave her a questioning stare. "Keep doing what?"

"Looking at me as if I might break at any moment."

Jack was unashamed. He kept wondering when she would snap. She'd suffered the loss of her father today and she had yet to shed a tear. That was part of the reason he'd asked her for a drink. He'd been around enough females to know that alcohol was an askance for tears. Yet she had held her own. Granted she hadn't drank much but she didn't act even slightly emotional. What was wrong with her?

"I won't you know." She said breaking into his thoughts.

"Why's that?" He asked honestly dumbfounded.

"Tears won't do me any good."

"In this case I'd have to disagree lass." He remarked. Her pain was so obvious but kept just beneath the surface. She was feeling it but not allowing it any release.

But all she did was give a slight shrug to which he gave one of his own. If she wanted to suffer in silence then he would let her. As it was he was having some rum and feeling the stress of the night. He was tired. Just plain tired.

"Well love, I'm off ta bed."

She looked up and seemed as if she were about to say something but had decided against it. Was that fear he saw?

"I'm sorry again for waking you. Thank you for keeping me company."

"I's no trouble." He said, uncomfortable again. She always seemed to throw him off balance.

"Good night again Captain."

Waving at her he headed out of the dining room and to his cabin. There were only a couple more hours 'til dawn. They would be at their port destination shortly after sunrise and he didn't want to be tired. It wasn't a pirate port and he would need his faculties. He didn't even hear Ari head toward her own cabin as he drifted off to sleep.

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Things were going remarkably smoothly considering that he had suspected trouble. He supposed it helped that the crew looked like respectable sailors so the people of the town hardly spared him a second glance.

The supplies were getting steadily restocked and since the crew had been interrupted at the last port, he was going to allow them a couple days on shore. According to Ari, they had been out at sea for close to six months before stopping for supplies and rest. It was obvious that they needed time to land.

It was now mid morning and Jack was starting to feel a bit of weariness. He woke with the sun, alert and ready despite his lack of sleep. He had fully expected to experience a great deal of difficulty at the port. Now, it was hardly worth the worry.

Walking around the port market he spotted Ari coming out of a book store. She was smiling a bit, though it was obviously forced. The shopkeeper stood at the door talking to the young woman. Jack thought it strange that she held a rag against her nose and mouth but thought nothing of it. Ari said goodbye and, having spotted him, headed toward him.

"Braving the port market I see." She said in greeting.

"Aye, not as much threat as was thought."

Nodding, she glanced around the many shops and people. "We've been coming here for years. These are a very tolerate people. If we hadn't been in such desperate need of supplies, we would have come straight here."

But then Jack would never have met her and he would probably have half the navy on his back for a stolen ship.

"I's a nice change to not have to worry over me neck." Jack said to cover his thoughts.

"I guess it would be. You stand out rather oafishly. Is there anything you require Captain Sparrow?" She asked.

"There's not much that a pirate Captain requires love. Just a ship and a crew, and ye already gave me that." He replied while grabbing her books to carry them.

She looked back at him surprised. "I believe we were in more need of you. You saved my life and I believe most of the crew would have jumped ship as soon as possible without a strong Captain."

"Does tend to happen," he amended. "I was actually thinking that you would need new sheets for your cabin." She said as an afterthought.

He hadn't really thought about it. But now that she brought it up, he was sleeping in the bed of a dead man. Wasn't that some kind of bad omen?

"Perhaps a new bed altogether then." She said as if reading his thoughts but she was looking at his face. Must have given himself away. She lead the way through the market toward a large building at the end of the street.

"And how do ye suggest ol' Jack be paying fer this new cabin ensemble?"

She tossed a shooing hand. "I will be of course. They were my fathers things, and as his daughter I will be replacing them as they need replacing."

He considered this. "And how do ye intend to be paying?"

"What do you think those books are for?"

He looked down to the ones in hand. They looked ordinary enough to him. He knew they wouldn't be worth much even if there were quite a few of them. Finally he said "I don't quite follow ye lass."

"I translate them." "Ye what?"

"I translate them for the lady at the shop. She has a large variety of books in other languages that are really interesting but do her little good to sell if no one can read them. I translate them, and rewrite them in English or whichever language she needs."

"Ye speak different languages?"

"A few." She said offhandedly.

"And ye get paid for it?"

"A good amount, yes."

"Why?"

She stopped outside the buildings door and turned to look at him. After a moment she gave a shrug. "My father was an explorer. I have been traveling with him for a while. It became helpful, even necessary, to learn as many languages as possible. Communicating with natives becomes vital to find what you are looking for in his line of work. As I was younger, I picked up and retained the languages more quickly. I was his on-hand interpreter."

Jack was fascinated. "Just how many languages do ye speak?"

"Just the main ones. Spanish, French, Latin, a few African dialects, some Mandarin. A little Arabic." Seeing his stunned face she became defensive. "What?"

"Not a thing love." He said as he followed her into the building. Truly wonders never cease.

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