I'm sorry this update took so long. It's nearing the start of summer holidays, which means excruciating essays and summatives, then exams and what not. I've just been a bit overwhelmed with the workload.

Anyway, I'd like to thank: Destiny Xavier16, WriterMonkey0626, fantasyluver714, daughterofposeidon99, Lauren, LaurenvBelladonna, butterflyninja935, mahem, Spawn of Madness, Masquerade Madness, SC, thumbelinarocks, Tsukiyomi Zakuro, sammibelle and Gaby. :)

Enjoy!

Chapter 30: The Turning Tide II

The opulent dining table was lined with both exquisite food and succulent wine. Savory beef, pork, vegetables, bread, and fruit rested on the shimmering silver platters, waiting to be eaten. The porcelain skinned woman sat at one end of the table, while her fiancée was seated at the opposite end- not a word being shared between them. Hardly a sound was heard, save for the quiet clatter of their finely engraved forks and knives.

"You know.." Edward Crowley began, staring into his reflection of the red wine currently in his glass, "I have never enjoyed being ridiculed, through any means."

Glancing up from her plate, she set the knife and fork down silently as something within her flickered, "… I do not understand what you mean, Edward?"

The man smiled with slight bitterness and whisked back his dark blonde locks of hair as he leant back in the red velvet chair, swirling the crimson liquid in his wine glass, "Are you quite sure that you don't?"

"Yes. I have done nothing that would ever compromise your trust in me." The brunette rested her hands in her lap as she observed him from across the table.

The General remained quiet at her statement. Perhaps he had been a bit hasty in suspecting she had intentions of avoiding becoming his bride or to possibly sneak off during the night to find Sparrow and escape.

No matter- even if she was to abruptly disappear from the manor then he would search across every sea and ocean to retrieve her.

A smirk adorned his features, "So I see.." He placed the wineglass onto the table with his sight still on her, "In approximately two days time, a seamstress will arrive at the manor to create the wedding gown of your precise desires. This woman is said to be the very best at her craft, and has promised to make you a queen on our fateful day."

Her hazel hues were locked onto the table, simply lost in her own thoughts. Ah… Her marriage to Crowley. The day when her independence and freedom would be sealed inside a shimmering gold ring.

Solemnly, she reached a hand to her chest and caressed the ancient amulet bound to her person. Seeing this, Edward's lips curled maliciously into a snarl. Oh yes, that god-forsaken necklace binding her to that heathen pirate.

"I have recently come into the possession of a book," He tapped his jeweled fingers against the tabletop, "One that will force the removal of that damned amulet from around your neck."

She glanced up in interest. Hadn't Jack mentioned a book? "Oh," She remarked soundly, "You never did tell me why you wish to remove it so desperately."

The man across from her gazed off to the side of the room, admiring one of the many sublime paintings that lined the walls. Katherine was unaware of the binding properties between her amulet and Sparrow's ring, and Edward would have it remain that way. He snapped somewhat and chose to ignore her inquiry, "The accursed book is written in a foreign language that is not familiar to my eyes. I will have to assign a specialist to-"

"Not necessary, Edward," She just knew the book which Crowley was speaking of just had to be the one belonging to Jack's comrade, "Perhaps I may know pieces of this language, and can possibly decode it."

He practically scoffed, "You?" An exuberant chuckle erupted from his broad chest before he finally settled with a sip of wine, "Very well, my darling. I will let you have your fun with the book for the time being, for there is no need to worry about a hasty removal of that amulet."

His eyes pierced her, daring her to flinch or blink, "I do believe Jack Sparrow has given up on you, my love."

Katherine wanted to smile. To laugh at his attempt to dishearten her, but she knew better. She didn't know why this necklace was such a burden to the General, but she knew Jack would never give up on her and if he was still the man she knew him to be then he would be plotting to save her from this hell.

And plotting he was. The captain currently sat at the round table of his cabin, hunched over a sheet of parchment with a quill in one hand and his compass in the other. So concentrated in his work, he hadn't noticed when Will had stepped into the room minutes ago.

"Jack.." No response, "Jack."

Jolting his head up, the charms and beads of his hair jingled together. He dropping the quill back into the inkpot before sniping, "What is it, Whelp?"

William seated himself on one of the old chairs, "Have you established a plan to have Katherine returned?"

Chewing on his lower lip, the pirate sighed in defeat before flopping down into a chair as well, "No." He grabbed onto a stray rum bottle from earlier in the evening before swigging down a good portion of it, "I just want 'er back, and I want her back now.."

"Jack, for as long as I've known you," Turner paused to chose the correct words, "you have been a remarkable thinker, especially on your feet; often putting your thoughts to action the moment you think of them. Perhaps this time you should thoroughly take your time with this matter."

Smirking smugly at the compliment, Jack sat up straight in the chair, "Ye don't think I know that, William?"

Will sighed before standing, "I'm attempting to stress the fact to you that if this plan is rushed and not well rounded, then you may be risking your life," Sparrow opened his mouth to retort, but Turner spoke first, "and Katherine's as well."

He was left speechless at those words. Crowley would never harm her, would he? True, the man made brash decisions but he would never harm a woman; especially not a woman he claimed to love dearly. Right?

Jack felt nauseated by these thoughts and so he waved a hand toward William, "I won't be puttin' either of our lives in danger, savvy? Now leave me be, I want to sleep.."

After Will left, the captain stood from the chair and sauntered lazily toward his bed before collapsing down onto it. He stared up at the wooden roof with a solemn pout of his lips, "I'll ne'er let anyone hurt ye love.. I swear it on me life.."

.

"Bloody hell, where is she…" Sparrow was leaned casually against an alleyway wall as he concealed his presence in a secluded area in the town of Greyleah. There weren't many beggars in the fishing town; only the occasional drunkard seen stumbling out a pub that was frequently visited.

Perhaps something had happened to Katherine, which would be reason for her late arrival to their rendezvous. A chilling breeze crawled up his spine. He'd wring that General's neck if he had done anything to her.

Jack spotted a tendril of memorable chestnut hair as the hooded figure who owned said hair continued down the cobble street at a brisk, anxious pace.

He smirked deviously. It wouldn't hurt to give her a little scare would it?

Emerging from his place in the alleyway, Jack quickly caught up and strode easily behind her, undetected as his grin grew by the second. Deciding the time was right, he slid a hand over her eyes while his other slithered around her slender waist.

"Oh? What do we have here?" He disguised his voice, smiling all the while, "A beautiful woman do as I please with, hm?"

He had to admit she had fight in her when she attempted to wriggle herself out of his arms, only to stop moments later. Such a familiar scent was emitting from the man's clothes and skin… The sea, spiced rum and gunpowder..

She removed his hand from her eyes before turning around, still in his arms, "Jack.." Katherine breathed in relief, resting her palm over his heart, "You frightened me.."

He chuckled, tightening his hold on her with both arms, "Forgive me, darlin'. I simply had to."

A contempt smile pulled at her lips as her eyes softened, gazing up at him. Oh lord, how she adored the man before her with such passion.. She wanted to marry him. To be his wife until the day of her death. Perhaps in another life...

Abruptly, Jack captured her hand in his before pulling her with him into an opaque ally, trapping her against the masonry wall and sliding her over-sized hood off to kiss her lips with such fervor. Both breathless after the enthralling kiss, he rested his forehead against hers and merely breathed while looking into her eyes.

She felt utterly naked against his relentless stare; averting her gaze as the blush she tried so desperately to prevent began to arise to her cheeks.

Removing his forehead from hers, he leaned to nuzzle his nose into her silky locks, "I miss ye, love.. Miss ye so bad." He breathed in the fragrance that belonged solely to her, "Come back.. To the Pearl."

Weaving her gentle fingers through his dark hair, she held him close as tears brimmed on the edges of her hazel hues, "If only I could, Jack… I want nothing more.."

Moving back slightly to look into her eyes as a question surfaced in his mind. He inquired seriously, "Did he hurt you?"

"..What?" She said, flabbergasted.

Frowning grimly, Jack repeated sternly, "Did he hurt you, Katherine?"

A quiet laugh poured from her lips as she raised her hands to his cheeks, caressing them slowly with her thumbs, "No, Edward Crowley is many things but I don't believe he would ever harm a woman."

He placed his own ringed hands over hers, "Ye never know, love.."

Silence fell between them before Katherine nodded and reached into the messenger bag she had brought with her, handing him a rather heavy book, "Is this the book belonging to your comrade?"

Jack grinned, taking it from her and placing it on a nearby crate, "Aye, love. That's it." He asked, "Did ye manage to write a copy of yer father's will for me?"

She dug through the bag and presented a sealed letter to him, "Here,"

He pointed at the bottom, "It's unique. Ye can tell by the signature.."

However, the one he had caught a glimpse of in Katherine's bedroom and the one in his hands were different. The will from Katherine's room was lacking a wax imprint, while the one in his hands had it.

Jack was sure of it. Katherine had been shown a fake will, produced by Crowley..

REVIEW PLEASE for a Jack Sparrow shaped cookie? :) LOL.