I'm terribly sorry that I haven't updated in over a month! I've been so busy with finals and preparations for Christmas that I haven't had time to update any of my stories! Old news: I'm now the proud owner of the POTC DVD! No waiting until Christmas for me! Jack all around! LOL!

New news: I'm going to try and post a POTC Christmas story up later tonight, and a new story sometime within the next week. The new story is called Sparkling Sapphire Waters. Watch for new posts! I will also try to update A Sparrow Set Free in the coming week! Recommendations: Read The Continuing Adventures of Kitty Groves! It's an excellent story with an amazing plot line. The author, Hils, just updated, and the new chapter is phenomenal! This chapter is dedicated to Matt, Emi, Jess, and all of my faithful reviewers with which without your opinions my story wouldn't matter! Thanks! I love you guys!

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Chapter 3: Familiarity

Ariel's eyes widened in terror as the man reached for her. She tried in desperation to use her bound hands to push away from him, but he caught her by the cotton shirt that hung loosely off of her body. She let out a muffled scream from under her gag.
"Shhh, luv, I'm not gonna 'urt ya!" She ignored his softly spoken words and struggled against him as he pulled her out from under the bed. "Why must ya always play the 'ero?" She heard him mumble to himself before pulling her into the harsh candlelight.
If she had not been in such a situation Ariel would have laughed at his appearance. He wore a red bandana tied around his head, taming back his long, brown hair heavily adorned with beads and bone. A loose-fitting cotton shirt that was once white opened to reveal his tanned chest, and muddied pants clung to his body. His piercing brown eyes stared back at her with curiosity as he studied her appearance.
Sensing his gaze upon her, Ariel struggled with her bonds, wanting to rid herself of his haunting glare. She let out muffled cries for help from under her gaze. She cared not who burst through the door behind him, as long as the person carried her away from here.
"Shhh," he soothed. With what Ariel hoped was inconspicuousness, she slowly inched away from him, but he noticed, quickly catching her. Her eyes widened as her produced a knife from his boot, hastily cutting the fixed bonds from her wrists. Gingerly, Ariel reached up to untie her gag, her wrists screaming in pain. The man suddenly caught her wrists in his hands, beginning to steadily and gently work the pain from her wrists. His fingers danced across her skin in a soothing pattern.
When the tenderness in her wrists had gone, the man placed them back into her lap, untying the gag from her mouth. Tracing a single finger over her bruised cheek he asked the simplest of questions,
"What's yer name, luv?" The whisper floated into her ear, his warm breath tickling the back of her neck. Without giving Ariel a chance to respond, the stranger picked her up from the floor and settled her onto his shoulder. She struggled fiercely against him, ignoring the intense throbbing pain in her shoulder.
"Stop! What are you doing?" She cried out, panic betraying her defiant behavior.
"Takin' necessary precaution o' course. Since ya we're on Osiris's ship an' ya won' give me yer name, I can' trus' ya ta be any less of a scallywag than 'e is, savvy?" Ariel only growled in frustration as he carried her onto the deck of the ship.
"Gibbs!" He called out, "Be sure tha' e'ry room is searched fer swag! I'm takin' this strumpet ta the 'Pearl' ta 'ave me way wit' 'er." He let out a hearty laugh, sending violent shivers throughout Ariel's body.
"'old on tight, luv," The man warned before swinging them over to the 'Pearl'. Landing safely on the deck, Ariel loosened her grip on her captor slightly only to glance up at the view that met her. Osiris's ship was in ruins. Crewmembers walked desolately among the ruins freeing the bodies of trapped crewmembers from among the rubble, members of what Ariel knew only as the 'Pearl' were interrogating others. Devastation could be seen everywhere, and though she was a pirate, Ariel's eyes had never seen such things. She felt compelled to defend Osiris's boat from these scoundrels. Though it was five years past, Osiris had once meant something to her, and she would not allow his death to be in vain. She would not stand helpless as the weakened woman they thought her to be. She would stand and fight. From the angle that she had been draped over her captive's shoulder, she could see the hilt of his sword that protruded just slightly within her reach. Ariel drew his weapon quickly, knowing that he would notice the loss of weight on his hip almost immediately. "'ey!" His voice rang angrily through the air. His arm moved from the small of her back onto the sheath of his sword. Ariel seized this precious moment to wriggle out of his grasp. She rolled gracefully out of his arms and onto her feet. Giving a slight laugh, she ran to the wheel of the ship. It stood, unguarded, calling out to her, daring her to touch its smooth surface, to feel it turn with the slight pressure of her hand.
Ariel caressed the smooth surface of the wheel for a moment while contemplating what course of action she wished to take. Once again, she had acted upon only instinct and not careful planning. She must be mindful that the Captain lurked close by and she had not rid the ship of him yet. A cold sword pressed upon her neck pulled her from her thoughts. "I wouln' be movin' lass if I was you." This voice was unfamiliar and carried a permanent air of malice. "Let 'er go, Jacob," her captors voice floated into her ears, as the sharp cold left her neck. "She can' 'urt anyone. I know what this one's capable of." His voice hovered close. Anger built up inside of her, and she whirled around, pressing her sword tightly against his neck. "If you shant follow me your friend here dies," she spoke clearly into the face of an aging man. He backed away slowly as more members of the crew began to gather. "Easy, luv, ya know ya don' wan' ta 'urt me." Peering into his swirling umber eyes she asked, "How do you know what I want?" Her fingers brushed his skin; she felt the sudden, overwhelming pull of a vision enveloping her.

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The scarred man stood over her captor, sword tip drawing a single drip of blood from his neck. He uttered a rapid string of words that Ariel could not understand. She felt herself running toward her captor. She tried to take control of her legs, her mind screaming out for help.
Scarlet light washed over her captor as she dove in front of him. He was knocked violently unconscious, the scarred man smiling maliciously. He had won.
An overwhelming sadness washed over Ariel as she attempted to shake her captor awake. He did not respond to her screams, she was certain he no longer resided in this place. After a fleeting moment, his eyes blinked open, studying Ariel curiously. His eyebrows furrowed. His voice could be heard floating in the air.
"Who are you?"

* * *

Ariel sat up quickly, breathing heavily. She allowed her gaze to wander, perplexed. Darkness engulfed her from all sides with the exception of a single flickering candle that shone brightly on the bed table beside her. She glanced down, noticing that she was tangled in delicate silk sheets. Who had placed her there?
Her shoulder had been bandaged with care. The bandage restricted her movement, taking her several minutes to raise herself from the bed. As she stretched her weakened legs, and her feet touched the rough, wooden floor, her legs gave out from under her. Before she could cry out, strong arms caught her, placing her back onto the bed.
"Ya ought ta be careful, luv. A smart lass like yerself should know 'er limits. Ya need ta relax."
"I have no limits." Ariel tried to raise herself from the bed again, but he pushed her back down.
"I can' 'ave ya faintin' on me ship again, luv. Ya best stay 'ere."
"Your ship!"
"Aye, the 'Black Pearl'. Captain Jack Sparrow if ya please, luv." He said, giving her a mock salute.
"I don't care much for who you are Mister Sparrow, let me off of your ship immediately!"
"Captain Sparrow, luv, Captain, and unless ya want ta be floatin' in the ocean, I suggest ya take advantage of this opportunity and stay aboard me ship. With those words Ariel was silenced.
Jack studied her with curiosity.
"Yer a feisty lady, luv. Many a pirate would be hesitant ta cross ya, but not me, luv. I see right through yer act. Ariel." Ariel's head shot up at the mention of her name.
"W-What did you call me."
"Ya 'eard me, luv. I know who ya are." He smiled, slowly, gold teeth shimmering in the dim candlelight.
"How?" Her voice came out in an almost inaudible squeak. She had been so careful in hiding her identity. She had many a price on her head from not just respectable men, but pirates as well.
"Don' ya worry yer pretty little head, I'll not be turnin' ya in. I've been in yer position many times 'at I care not ta 'member, and I feel responsible."
Ariel peered back at him, a look of pure perplexity etched into her features.
"Captain, my business is none of yours!" With that, Ariel attempted to raise herself from the bed again, only to be stopped by Jack's gentle hand under her chin, guiding her gaze to meet his.
"Yes it is, luv. Ya see I got ya inta this predicament. It was so long ago, I don' 'pect ya ta 'member." Jack stopped for a moment, contemplating the situation.
"Would you 'member this?" With that Jack locked Ariel into a deep, passionate kiss.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ In the next chapter we'll meet Ariel's sister, Captain Black Rose Crown, and find out what's really going on between Ariel and Jack. Merry Christmas! Topping my list: REVIEWS! Joy and happiness to you in whatever holiday you celebrate this season!