Hey everyone! Sorry it took so long! I've been having a terrible week.
(Plus, I'm trying to make chapters longer; bear with me here.)

I'd like to thank my reviewers on the last chapter: Spawn of Madness, Artemis Sherwood,
LORI, WriterMonkey0626, electrogirl88 and hatter sammy. :)

Enjoy!

Chapter 18: Morning Star III

Upon scanning the zealous tavern, Jack spotted their target at a table near the back with a handful of other swashbucklers drinking with him. Sparrow grinned widely, as his clever eyes never failed him. He turned to observe Katherine and William peering the pirate behind him.

"Whelp, you stand guard at that pillar." Jack instructed, clasping onto Katherine's arm, "Make sure no baddies come and interrupt our conversation, aye?"

The blacksmith reluctantly nodded before leaving to do as he asked. Locking eyes Katherine, the pirate lord smiled, "Let's see if this old friend o' mine as some information for us."

The two made their way towards the table where the man sat at, merrily drinking his ale. At the sight of Sparrow, he stopped drinking and slammed his tankard down, "Capitaine Jacques," He leant back in his seat, motioning for the other pirates to leave, "Wuat brings yu to Depradare?"

With a smile of pure charm, Jack removed his hat as he bowed, "Capitaine Chevalle, long time no see, eh mate?"

Chevalle smirked and nodded before he spotted the brunette and stood from his seat, pulling a chair out from the table, gazing at Katherine, "Mademoiselle?"

Smiling at his hospitable offer, she seated herself at the table, "Thank you, Capitaine."

"Sa c'est mon plaisir, mon chéri." He murmured before taking her ivory hand and laying a kiss against her knuckle. Inwardly, she pondered how pirates could be so polite one moment, and harsh in the next.

Watching the two, Jack sneered visibly before flopping himself down onto the chair beside her, "Chevalle, we are here on strict business terms only."

"Of ceurse, Jacques." He spoke he sat down and drank from his mug again, "Ow' may I be of assistance?"

Sparrow presented the chart onto the table, "We are looking for a certain fountain. Do you know any one who might know Latin?"

In thought, the French captain caressed the hair of his blonde wig, "Non, mon ami. Howeveur, I du know dat dere are priests in de heart of Rome whom may help yu."

"The priests there will help us?" Katherine exclaimed, thankful for the information.

Smiling, Chevalle responded, "Oui mademoiselle, yu have my word."

"Do you know anything specifically on the Spring of Neptune?" Jack enquired intently, leaning forward on the table.

"Non Jacques, désolé. If I did, I wud assist yu den." He apologized before downing his alcohol. Nodding, Jack relaxed in the seat as he rolled up the map.

Standing, Jack tipped his hat to the French buccaneer with a grin before tossing him a coin, "Thanks mate, here's fer your troubles."

Catching the coin, Capitaine Chevalle nodded before beckoning his crew back to the table and ordering more drinks.

"So, what was said?" Will questioned as they regrouped, moving towards the door and out into the street.

Jack adjusted his hat and coat as he responded, "Apparently, there are priests in the city of Rome who are fluent in the Latin language. They might be of some help to us."

"Ah, so I suppose that our little detour here was unnecessary?" Turner said, avoiding a drunken man stumbling towards him.

Pursing his lips, Sparrow responded with an air of irritation, "No, Whelp. The crew needed a night to relax, drink and enjoy the pleasure of lustrous women."

William glanced at him as they walked back to the ship, "When are we departing, then?"

"Hmm. Later tonight, perhaps?" Jack concluded with a nonchalant shrug.

Something sparked Katherine's curiosity, "Jack, you aren't leaving to drink with the crew?'

With a stellar smile, the captain of the Black Pearl slithered an arm across her shoulders, "Nay, love. I've got planning and preparing to do, aye? Besides, me hold's bursting with rum."

From the brink of her eye, she noticed William taking his leave as they conversed, "I mean… Not only for rum, Jack.."

"…Eh?" He glimmered at her briefly, baffled. It suddenly dawned upon him what she meant, "Ah! You mean women!"

Abashed, she averted her gaze; regretting her desire to ask him the question. He obviously hadn't been thinking of it, and she practically introduced the thought to his mind.

Jack kept a vigilant eye on the indigo sky, "Not tonight, love…"

Not wanting to pry and press the matter any further, she left it at what it was and climbed the steps of the helm to chat idly Cotton.

.

The Black Pearl was at sea again that same night, which quickly transitioned to day. The ship drifted along the shores of Italy as they made their way to Rome. Standing proudly at the helm, Jack looked on fondly as his beloved galleon conquered vast distances in short time.

"Good morning, Jack," Katherine greeted with a bright smile as she climbed the steps to the helm and stood at his side.

Pulling her close into an embrace, he revealed a golden grin, "Mornin' love. How are you?"

"Well rested," She whisked a lock of brown hair from her sight as they separated, "and you?"

Jack nodded, "The very same, Miss White. I have a feeling in the bottom o' me heart that we're getting closer,"

She agreed fully, "Yes. Infact, I had a dream about the whereabouts of the Spring."

"Oh?" He enquired, genuinely curious, "Tell me more."

Katherine laughed beneath her hand, "Well, I'm not for certain, but in my dream, the Spring was midway beneath the ground on a tilt; incredibly close to the ocean. Perhaps in a cave?"

"Ah.. Did ye see any shinies?" He wondered.

Smiling as she replied, "Yes Jack, many."

Slapping his hands against the spokes of the wheel, his grin was feral, "Good! You're such a relief, love!"

Katherine couldn't help but laugh at the rejoicing pirate; who gradually halted in his movements to observe her.

Her luster chocolate hair, skin like silk to the touch, gentle hazel eyes and a heartwarming smile that sent quivers throughout his loins. A breathtaking frame, of that he had to admit. For someone so pristine, it was a rarity to have such a curvaceous but lithe image.

"Jack?" She awoke him from his reverie as she rested a hand against his rough cheek, "Are you feeling well?"

He stammered a bit, "A-Aye, love. Perfectly fine; I suppose it's the sun and heat, eh?"

Katherine still seemed concerned, to which he laughed and hauled her into a one-armed embrace, "Hand me my compass," He smirked, "I have a feelin' we're close."

"Is it in your cabin?" She moved to separate herself from him, but his hold kept her flat against him still, "Jack?"

He bit back a laugh, "No, not in me cabin.. It's in me pocket."

"Which pocket?"

"… Pant pocket." He smirked handsomely, a seductive undertone laced in his words, "Go on love, reach in."

In all her life, a man had never asked her to do such a provocative thing. As a result, her cheeks gained a soft rose colour, "J-Jack! I…"

It took all of his will not to crack from the innocent timid look on her visage, "Please? How will we arrive without me trusty compass?"

She demurely placed her hand into his pant pocket, heat rising to her face as her fingers came in contact with his thigh before realizing that there wasn't a compass in his pocket.

"Oops, sorry darlin," He grinned charmingly as he attempted to contain himself in both laughter and desire, "wrong pocket."

"J-Jack!"

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