Chapter Two

Just In a Tad Bit Of Trouble :/

As we both took off towards the docks I called after Megan and said "Your whining made me miss the promotion!" Then we both heard a loud echoing splash, and a shouted 'ELIZABETH!' "Of course!" I muttered "Idiot, can't even breathe correctly she is such a whiner. What can James possibly see in her anyway!?"

"Hurry up Bridge! We need to get there before the soldiers so we can get a first row seat!"

"First row seat!?" Oh, ya. Maybe I can be the one threatened and James will notice me! Because God knows that James loves a damsel in distress which I can pull off just as well as a tough girl not to be messed with. And I can also try to push Elizabeth back into the ocean and she can actually drown.

We both reached the docks just as Jack pulls Elizabeth out of the water. Megan rushes to help him out while Mullroy states "Not breathing!"

"Maybe you should take off her corset, they really hinder the breathing process." I state matter of factly.

Jack then pushed Mullroy out of the way saying "Move!" he then cut off the corset and then looked between Megan and I and asked "Who are you?"

Before we could say anything Mullroy states "I never would have thought of that."

"Clearly you've never been to Singapore." Then he catches sight of the medallion and asks Elizabeth "Where did you get that?"

She was about to reply when suddenly swords were pointing at Jack and Megan. Governor Swann pulls his daughter out of the way as Megan says "Hey! you can injure someone with that!"

I give Megan a look that says 'Shut up!'

James says "On your feet."

"Shoot them!" Governor Swann states. And Megan's eyes widen in shock.

Before Elizabeth can say anything I step forward and say "Do you intend to kill the two people that saved her? Commodore, Governor."

"Who are you? And how do you know who we are?" James asks me.

I practically swoon at his voice but I manage to reply "My name is Bridgette Pa..."

Governor Swann interrupts me and says "Oh, yes I got a letter from your father explaining that you were coming! We didn't expect you for weeks! Commodore you remember her don't you? She was here three summers ago! She spent most of her time bothering you, Gillette, and,Groves!"

Realization dawns on James' expression as I whisper "I was here before?" I shoot Megan a look she looks just as surprised as I feel.

Would you kindly move out of the way Miss Paige? I believe thanks is in order for these two." He walks up to them and shakes Jack's hand then yanks up his sleeve and says, "Had a brush with the East India Trading company did we? Pirate."

"Hang him." says Governor Swann. Then James grabs Megan's arm and pulls up her sleeve as well showing her own brand. "Hang her." The Governor says again. Megan looks as if she's gonna faint.

"Keep your gun on them, men. Gillette fetch some irons." James then catches sight of something else on Jack's arm and pushes his sleeve up even more. "Well, well... Jack Sparrow isn't it?"

As this was being said I made sure I was closer to Jack than Elizabeth.

I swallowed tightly, nervously eyeing the pirate brand. I was...a pirate. Confusion knitted my eyebrows together. How had this even happened? A shiver convulsed through my body. This was so strange...but...awesome! A beam erupted on my face. My, I had a world of amazing possibilities now brilliantly laid out in front of me! I could now own my own ship, go on an adventure, hunt treasure and-

"Captain Jack Sparrow. If you please, sir," he informed James with a smirk. I looked up then, wonder on my face from hearing these amazing words in real life, when his gaze caught mine. And then...his right eye closed wonderfully in a magnificent wink...

"OH MY GOODNESS, I LOVE YOU!" I screamed in glee and threw my arms around him. He stumbled backwards and down we went on the deck.

"Megan!" Bridgette gasped, appalled.

It finally dawned on me what I was doing. Oh my goodness, I was hugging Jack Sparrow! Oh my, my heart was gonna explode! This was wrong, it was so wrong, what in the world was I thinking? I jumped away from him with a scream. "I'm so sorry sir!" I exclaimed, bowing down frantically. What was I thinking? I'll tell you what- I wasn't thinking! What fangirl in her right mind would even find herself remotely worthy to be in his presence, let alone touch him!?

James seemed slightly amused. "Are you two together?" he asked, right eyebrow arching oh so highly up.

"Frankly, sir, we aren't. She's as new to me as she is to you," Jack said from the ground. He turned his makeup smudged eyes back to me, the jewelry embedded in his dreads jingling. "You don't have to bow madame, we're both respectful pirates here."

"So sorry!" I gushed, straightening myself up. Refusing to meet his eyes, I looked over to Bridgette. A twinge of sympathy showed in her eyes when she cast her gaze to look longingly over as James. From the longing etched in her face, I could tell that she was heavily considering doing the same thing I just did.

"Who are you?" James asked, pinpointing his attention on me, completely oblivious to Bridgette drooling at his side.

Who am I? Why in fact, who exactly am I? I'm no longer merely a high schooler Megan who lives in New Mexico. No. No, no, no. Now I am something so much more! Now, I'm pirate, a pirate that deserves so much more than to be restricted by a measly title such as Megan. Ha! I scoff in the face of my old name.

Smiling wickedly, I looked him in the eye and with a tilting of my chin I said, "My name is Rose." Wait no, that wasn't exotic enough. "Scratch that, my name is Jasmine. Wait no, sorry...I can do so much better than that! Um..." Everyone stared at me with narrowed but confused eyes. "Ooh, I go by Ariel! Wait, wait no...no that's not it... Ooh I got it, I am-"

"She goes by Megan," Bridgette cut me off with an exasperated sigh.

I shot her a glare. "Way. To. Go," I said angrily. "Now how the poop am I supposed to strike fear into the hearts of my enemies!?"

Suddenly all eyes turned toward me. Oh, damn. That was stupid on my part, wasn't I supposed to be a respectable young lady? How is that possible when I just revealed that I knew a pirate! I bit my bottom lip out of distress and the metallic tang of blood filled my mouth and I instantly released it.

"How do you know her?" James asked me as he eyed my now injured lips for a second too long. I felt blood rush to my cheeks as I felt his heavy gaze on me.

"I..I..I know her from the boat ride over!" I stated with triumph. "We got to know each other and became good friends. It didn't seem to matter to me that she was a pirate. Because, she hardly even acts like one." When I saw a few of the soldiers give each other looks I knew this was the wrong thing to say. I frantically searched my mind for something to correct the situation. I took a step towards James who was still eyeing me and I grabbed his arm and said "If I knew she was telling the truth I would have never befriended her! But, I did."

I looked down in shame as Megan said "Hey not cool! were best friends!" I looked at her and mouthed 'I'm sorry! But, I have to! I still love you!' Megan looked satisfied at my words.

Then, James lifted my head up with his hand and said "Understandable. But, I expect you to have better judgement in the future." I felt lightheaded at the close proximity we were in and if I did not have a hold of James I would have fallen onto the dock. And then I did something that I wanted to do since I saw Megan do it I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him a quick hug while I inhaled his scent of salt water, wood, and pure manly musk. I then took a quick step away to where I was before. It wasn't as intense as I wanted it to be but I was satisfied...for now.

James had a slight pink tinge to his cheeks that made me want to attack him but, I refrained. Mullroy then spoke up looking slightly confused and said "These are his sir," handing James Jacks effects.

James composed himself and took the effects and said As he examined Jacks gun. "No additional shot nor powder, a compass that doesn't point north." He pulled the sword halfway out of its scabbard and said "And I half expected it to be made of wood. You are without a doubt the worst pirate I have ever heard of."

Megan cut in before Jack could say anything "But you have heard of him!"

As Gillette came back with the irons I stepped between him and Megan (Even with what I just said I can't let my best friend go to the gallows now can I?)

Then Elizabeth spoke up trying to take my place by shoving me out of the way, but I pushed back and she gave up settling for standing beside and slightly behind James. I gave her a satisfied smirk as she glared at me and said "Commodore, I really must protest"

"Carefully lieutenant," James said.

Elizabeth stepped up,(or tried to) her father's jacket slipping off from around her shoulders before he adamantly put it back on. The fury in Bridgette's eyes were so easy to see that even a blind man could catch onto it. I back away from her anger, not wanting to be caught in the crossfire. "Pirates or not, these people saved my life," Elizabeth stated sternly.

"One good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of wickedness," James stated matter of factly.

He stepped forward and suddenly a pair of manacles chained both me and Jack together. Appalled, I stared down at it. Oh this does so totally not match my outfit.

"Though it does seem enough to condemn him," Jack smirked.

James smiled, fixing to say something when I interrupted.

"Wait did you say wickedness?" I wrinkled my nose. "I thought that we were pirates, not witches." Everyone stared at me open-mouthed, at loss for words. "I mean...when you say wicked you think of it in the context of witches. Wicked witch of the west ya know? For pirates we should probably...I dunno. Maybe say a lifetime of wrongdoing instead? Or a lifetime of law breaking? Frankly, I believe that saying it that way is much more accurate for-"

"My god, you never stop talking do you?" James stared at me in shock.

"You get used to it," Bridgette said with a frown, staring at me disapprovingly.

James tested the manacles, checking to see if the chains were secure. Once satisfied, he turned to nod at his men for them to drop their weapons. That's when I remembered what happens next and a sense of dread washed over me. Man, please tell me that I wasn't going to be dragged-

"Finally," Jack said happily. In a movement so lightning quick that a blink of an eye would've caused for you to miss it, he reached out to a victim, swinging our shared chain up and over- Bridgette's unsuspecting neck.

"Bridge!" I screamed, horrified. Instantly I felt sick to my stomach. This was my best friend he was threatening here! She managed to shoot me a terrified stare, fear, something I've never seen on her, marked all over her ghostly pale face. Tears springing to my eyes, I reached out to try and touch her when Jack somehow bumped me behind him, tightening the chain around poor Bridgette's neck. "Let go of my friend!" I screeched, using my free hand to pummel his back with a shower of punches. But it did nothing, he still held Bridgette tightly against him and I was powerless to stop it.

"Bridgette!"

Everyone was shocked to hear this voice say my name I was so shocked (and very pleased) that I actually forgot my fear to stare at James who had said my name so urgently that I would think that I was actually about to die! But, then I thought how can he be so concerned? He just met m...Oh ya, Apparently I've been here before. Well at least I didn't have to lay down the boring groundwork now.

"I knew you'd warm up to me. Commodore Norrington, my effects, please. And my hat." Jack said happily. I set a glare on my face and wished Jack could see it.

James stands there and looks angrily at the pirate. "Commodore!" James gets Jacks effects and just looks at our group of three for a second. Jack then nods to me and James hands me his stuff. I look dumbly at it for a second before deciding i'm not going to put this on him! I know someone who would be much more willing. Before I can fully hand over the effects to Megan who looks like she knows exactly what i'm thinking. Jack grabs his gun and points it at my head. I turn my head to Megan then Jack and give him a deadpanned look. Then I practically shove the effects at Megan. And I instantly regret move as Megan gives me a startled look and, Jack jerks the chain a little and I choke with the tight hold the chain has on my neck.

James is about to take a step forward with his hand on his sword. But I give him a warning look and say "Don't." He frowns but does as I say.

Jack then tells Megan to put his effects on him and she happily obliges but, it complicates my situation as to Im forced to twist around painfully for Megan to be able to put his hat and belt on. Megan hardly seems to notice my uncomfortable situation because shes trying to put his belt around him but is hindered because the chain on my neck is in the way.

I look up at Megan and say "Can I PLEASE put the belt around him?"

Jack gives me an amused look and Megan looks displeased as Jack says "Want to get your hands on me don't you love?"

I hear someone scoff, then I say "No, because I fear I might be strangled to death if Megan does it." I look at her sympathetically when she gives me her puppy dog look. I want to give in but I can't. and I say "I'm sorry, Sweetheart but, you don't want me to die do you?"

She gives a defeated look and says "Fine."

Jack seems amused about the whole situation. And James looks as if hes gonna blow a gasket. Then I whisper in Megans ear "Don't worry I have no interest whatsoever." She gets happier at that and lets me put his belt on. All the while with Jack looking between us with a smirk on his face.

Bridgette slid the belt around his waist, grimacing through her pain. Worriedly I watched her, paying very, very close attention to her neck and the bruise starting to form there... My eyebrows furrowed in fear. For the first time in my life, I was serious. She finished buckling it with a pained flourish. With a joyous smile, Jack turned to me. With a furrowed brow, I looked at him distrustful. Now that he's harmed my friend...well, things were the slightest bit different.

Running the brim of his hat through my forefinger and thumb, I got on my absolute tiptoes to put it on his head. Even then I just barely passed his shoulder. "You're despicable," I said slowly, hardly trusting the words coming out of my mouth.

"Sticks and stones love," he told me with a wink. A blush charged my face and I rocked back to the heels of feet, avoiding to meet him in the eyes.

With that he turned Bridgette to face forward again, and backed us all up carefully, step by step. It was hard to breathe. Before I knew it, my back was rammed up against a cargo gantry.

"Gentlemen...m'ladies...you will always remember this as the day you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow," and he shoved Bridgette away, for her to tumble into James' arms.

"Bridge!" I exclaimed, shocked when he wrapped an arm around my waist. Heat swarmed through me.

"Seems like we're stuck together sweetheart," he grinned at me with a sneer. I stared at him wild eyed. With a wink, he grabbed a rope and kicked away a belaying barrel. A counterweight dropped and suddenly the ground disappeared beneath my feet, wind whipping through my long hair.

"Noooooo!" I screamed. "I'm scared of heights!"

He laughed under his breath, and we stopped at the middle of the gantry. Tears streaked down my face and I burrowed my face into his shoulder, wanting to die, just die, die, die. He grabbed another rope and swung, swung far, far away. Somewhere in the air, the fear became too much to bear and soon everything faded away in a horrified curtain of black.