Sorry about the delay everyone, but thanks for all of
the reviews! I have something in particular in mind for
this story in the next chapter(s); just a little womanly
drama. ;) and of course, Jackie-poo will be in trouble. As usual.

Enjoy! :)

Chapter 19: Morning Star IV

Jack sat on a crate outside just a ways off from the church, lazily fondling with his compass as the warm heat of the sun grazed him. On the barrel beside him sat William as he ran a hand through his dark locks. "Oi, Whelp," He said, rattling the navigational device in his hand, "how much longer?"

The blacksmith shrugged, "I don't know, Jack. There was a lot to translate; she could be another hour."

"Bloody hell.." He moaned, tapping at the needle as it continuously changed direction before it suddenly stopped, aimed at the doors to the old church.

They straightened upon seeing the doors to the church creaked open as Katherine and an elderly priest stepped out into the street.

"Thank you so much, Father." The brunette smiled in gratitude as the minister kindly held her hands in his own, "You've been such a great help," Before going to Jack and William, the pastor graciously blessed her with the words of God, wishing her health and luck with her findings. William leaned back casually against a stone wall, "How did it go?"

"Thankfully, a few priests spoke both English and Latin," Katherine adjusted the assortment of loose notes in her hands, "Very little, mind you. However, a kind priest took time from his sermon to transcribe the map!"

Jack stuffed the compass into his coat pocket before clapping his ringed hands excitedly, "Wondrous, love! What did ye learn?"

"The Spring of Neptune is located in a ruin on a secluded island, just a way's away from here. The ruins have been there for centuries, and it was believed to be a shrine to Neptune, where the god spent his additional leisured time. Long ago, pilgrims once prayed there in hopes that there would not be any storms or typhoons in the coming days."

"Perfect, darlin', perfect!" The pirate captain kissed her forehead, jubilant with her discoveries, "Let's get back to the Pearl, aye? The faster we arrive, the sooner we get gold, jewelies, and other shiny things of that nature!"

Katherine briefly reveled in the fleeting sensation of his once present lips against her forehead, however she was broken from her reverie when she realized that he was quickly striding to the shores of Rome.

"Jack, wait! These ruins are very, very old! What if they collapse while we are inside? Or, what if they have collapsed already?" She hastily caught up to him, resting a hand on his arm.

William piped, "Katherine has a valid point, Jack. What will you do if there isn't anything there? What if someone else has already collected all of the valuables?" "…We cannot know for sure unless we see for ourselves, aye?" The sunkissed pirate ushered the two to the beach, "Now, move! Go! Shoo!" .

Katherine rested her hands against the thick wood rails of the Black Pearl, looking out warily at the small, isolated island where the Spring of Neptune was located.

"Ye seem restless, lass.." Gibbs came beside her, his small flask in hand.

She watched him take a few sips from it before looking away to the horizon, "Yes, I am." Sighing disdainfully, "I'm simply worried about Jack.."

"Aye, miss. Jack has ne'r truly been a careful man, ye got that right; but all will be well. You'll see, lass!" He placed a warm, reassuring hand on her shoulder before ordering the crew to lower the anchor into the oceanic depths.

Jack swaggered to her side, peering at whatever had vexed her attention. Giving up, he questioned, "Are ya ready to board the dinghy, darling?"

She brushed away a brown tendril of her hair, "… Yes."

The pirate sensed auras of distress and apprehension from his beloved regal passenger. No.. She was a crewmate. Katherine had become more than just a wayfarer.

"Yer worried," He displayed that ever-charming smirking of his, "My inept grasp of the female creature tells me so, milady."

"Really?" Katherine questioned incredulously. He leaned closer; his nose just barely touching hers, the braids of his hair tickling her face and neck, "…Really."

"Jack.." The ivory skinned woman breathed weakly as her heart fluttered. Such proximity, "I'm only concerned for you."

His head began to turn to the right just slightly as he leant even closer to her, raising a callused hand to caress her face. Their lips, only inches away from meeting, "Is that so, love..?"

Katherine swallowed, wishing that she could breathe to soothe her trembling form, "I.." She managed, ".. Yes.."

The captain dove in to kiss her, yet only manage to brush his lips against hers before being interrupted by Will as he came out from the hold, "Are you two ready?"

Moving away from one another, Jack eyed the blacksmith in frustration and chagrin for his intrusion. William realized that he disturbed the two at a rather sensitive moment and apologized. "Ah.. I'm sorry. I hadn't known that you were going to.. Well.." He paused briefly, ".. Anyway, we will be leaving to the island shortly."

Will then swiveled around awkwardly and strode briskly to the ladder into the boat. The brunette glimpsed at Jack once more, a faint blush over her cheekbones before following after Turner. Jack pouted, as he hadn't gotten what he had waited so long for- to feel the petal pink lips of Katherine pressed against his.

Once Katherine, Gibbs, William and Jack were seated in the dinghy, the first mate rowed the ores toward the petite island. The captain of the Black Pearl was giddy with excitement. True, he had no clue of what might be inside but in all honesty, he hadn't the slightest care; a gut feeling in his loins was enough to say something of value was there.

"Jack," Turner spoke up suddenly after tucking the information and map into his shirt, "Just where did you acquire this map anyway?"

Sparrow smirked at him before snatching Gibbs's flask from him and downing a gulp or two. At seeing that, the older man didn't seem to pleased that all his precious rum was being downed, but said nothing of it, "Never you mind, dear Whelp."

Eventually, the four arrived on the shoreline of the tiny island. Jack hopped out before assisting in helping the hazel-eyed young woman out of the boat.

"Finally," He breathed in excitement as he surveyed the spot of land, "we're here."

There weren't nearly as many palms as the Caribbean, yet they were abundant. It was serene and undisturbed; no one had been here for quite some time, she concluded.

William adjusted the sword on his side before glancing at the tan pirate beside him, "Shall we?" He whipped open his unique compass and studied the direction of the point before grinning goldenly, "North-East of here."

They began their trek along the sandy beach. William had given the map and many documents to Katherine for safekeeping and to provide information while they travel.

"We should stay on the shoreline," Katherine spoke as she unfolded the map, "the doors to the shrine should be just by the water."

Turner glanced at her, "Perhaps even on the water?"

"Well, we do know that the spring is a quarter or more submerged," She said, unsure as she peered around the island, "I suppose it could be anything.."

Suddenly, Jack-who lead the way of their little group- stopped and turned to his left, before swiveling around to the right, then back to the left.

A sigh was heard from Gibbs as he uncorked his flask, "Aye, this'll take a while.." "Got it! This way, mates!" Jack quickly jogged ahead, the many chimes and objects hanging from his hair and clothing clanging as he went.

Katherine seemed a bit skeptic, "William, are we sure we can trust that compass? Wouldn't a map suffice?" "Ah well, you see that compass is special. I'm not sure how or whom he got it from, but has some sort of abnormal property."

She smiled before laughing a bit. Leave it to Jack to have a magical compass, she thought, "Oh, very well,"

Meeting up with Jack again shortly after he went ahead, they perceived the triumphant smile across his face, "Milady and gents," He pushed aside some foliage to reveal thick stone doors of a ruin, "we have found our spring!"

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