Couldn't resist, mate. *smiles* Yes, I'm finally back with the sequel to Artemis of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl….

Disclaimer: I would be married to Jack.

(Artemis's POV)

"Jack, I'm so glad you're alive and- Wait, how did I get in here?"

Jack stood from his isolated corner of the cabin and sauntered over towards me. I watched in nervous shock as he sat down beside me and stared silently at me for a few quiet moments. Clearing my throat awkwardly, I pulled myself up from my resting position to a sitting position.

"How did you find me?" I asked, embarrassed, as I stared at my fingernails.

"Actually, dearie, it was Mister Gibbs who found you. He was on a search for some rum and found you instead." I quickly looked up and glared dangerously at Jack. "Not sayin' that's a bad thing, luv. Although I have been wondering why you decided to steal away on the ship. Lizzie really that annoying?"

I smiled despite myself at Jack's joke, but immediately sobered. Staring at the bed mattress, I said, "I couldn't bear to watch you be hanged, Jack."

Jack's hand cam under my chin and forced me to look up at him. "That's not an answer, luv."

Stuttering, I managed to say, "I'm not sure why I came here, Jack. Something about the Pearl just seemed safer, more welcome… I don't know. Don't pay any mind to me and my crazy rants, Jack."

Jack smiled what seemed to be a very sincere smile. "I intend to do exactly the opposite."

I blushed, fully comprehending that Jack was holding my chin in his hand and it didn't bother him. I lowered my eyelids in embarrassment, but he would have none of that. His fingers dug into my chin, not hurting me, but grabbing my attention. I looked back up at him in confusion and shock; he was acting very un-Jack-like. "Jack?"

The pirate captain smiled absently at me, his eyes not registering my question. He leaned forward ever so slightly, his lips parted. "Jack?" I asked again, uncertainly. "Jack, what are you doing?"

Jack stopped, the ghost of a smile already gone from his lips. He sighed, a blank expression on his face. "Get some sleep, luv."

"But Jack," I protested, "this is your bed! Where will you sleep?"

"In my bed, of course," he said with a suave smile now gracing his lips.

"I-I… but-"

"Rest, darlin'. You've had an exciting day as it is." When I still hesitated, Jack looked softly at me. "I promise you'll be comfortable. Now sleep."

I finally allowed myself to smile before pulling the sheets over my body and snuggling up to the pillow. I yawned loudly, closing my eyes and allowing sleep to take me. Not for a moment did Jack leave my side. Right before I slipped in unconsciousness, I heard Jack whisper, "Sleep well, my- Miss Swann."

(Jack's POV)

About a week later…

I was truly glad to have Artemis with me on the Pearl, but she was a nuisance with my emotions. My lungs always seemed to constrict around her, my heart beating painfully against my chest whenever she would smile or laugh. I knew she loved me, I'd heard it from her own mouth, but I wasn't sure how to feel about her. Sure, she was a friend and good fighter, but lover? Maybe, a voice inside me whispered. Maybe the infamous Captain Jack has finally fallen for a girl.

No, I'm not! I told myself. I almost fell for Elizabeth, and I am not falling for Artemis!

Ah, so you are capable of love? You just don't like the strings that are attached.

Shut the bloody Hell up, I told that impeccably annoying voice.

"Jack?"

I snapped out of my trance and whirled around, seeing Artemis framed in the doorway of my cabin. "May I come in?" she asked politely.

"Uh, sure. Yes, enter my humble abode."

The girl laughed and rolled her eyes at me as she stepped in and dropped down on my bed, which gave a groan of protest. "You know, Jack, you should really take a look at this bed of yours. It seems to enjoy talking quite a bit."

I smirked at her joke, watching her gold-specked green eyes flash in the sunlight. She chatted with me first about one of Gibbs's outrageous stories, then moved on to her latest escapade with gambling and rum. I stared at her the whole time, completely entranced by her voice. Good Lord, I realized, I'm falling for the bloody girl!

"Jack, are you even listening to me?"

"O-Of course I am, darlin'. I heard every word you said."

Artemis smirked at me. "What did I just say?"

"'Jack, are you even listening to me?'" I responded in a nonchalant tone.

"That's not what I meant, and you know it," she growled.

"I-"

"Cap'n, we've reached land!" Gibbs announced as he appeared at my door.

I sighed and heaved myself from my chair, leaving only after Artemis had left. We both stood motionless at the rail, staring silently at the approaching native island. Artemis smiled, whispering, "It looks so beautiful, Jack."

"I know, luv. I'm chief of the island, you know."

She looked up at me, her short hair blowing wildly with the Caribbean breeze. Her eyebrows were raised at my statement, as if she were saying, "Yeah right, Jack." I smiled. "No, really. The little Indians made me their chief and I make it a necessity to drop by every other year or so."

"I'm sure you do, Jack," she said with a grin.

Within the hour, we had beached the ship and Artemis and I were exploring the island together. Of course, I knew where I was going but the girl was hungry for adventure. She eagerly held my hand as she ran through the trees, pointing at birds, insects, and plants with unabashed excitement. I smiled at her joy of this minuscule island, glad that she was so happy.

Sooner than we expected, however, we ran into the natives. There was a group of five Indian men holding their spear-thingys and talking hurriedly with one another. They stopped abruptly when they spotted Artemis and me holding hands and walking through the trees. Luckily for Artemis, she hadn't seen or heard them yet and was still pointing excitedly at varying kinds of creepy-crawlies.

"Lam say say womakay!" one of the natives exclaimed while pointing excitedly at the girl.

Turning back to me with a frown, Artemis stared at me. "Jack, did you hear-"

"Bon liki, liki!" they all exclaimed as they ran towards us.

Artemis screamed and stumbled backwards, falling on her bum. I helped her up and whispered in her ear, "Now would a good time to run."

She ran in the opposite direction, flailing and screaming as she did so. I don't think she knew I wasn't behind for a while.

(Artemis's POV)

I ran for what felt like hours, but was probably only two minutes, through the foliage and stopped suddenly to catch my breath. I panted heavily as I braced myself against a tree trunk.

"Jack, are they gone? Did they follow us?" I received no answer; I turned around to find empty air. "Jack! Jack where are you!"

I screamed Jack's name for a good, solid ten minutes before losing my voice. I plopped down angrily on a rock, holding my head in my hands. I'll go back and I'll find him, I thought to myself, utterly determined. I'll save him!

"Lam say say womakay!" I heard.

"Oh shit," I muttered.

Five review law applies. (Once I get five reviews, I will update the next chapter.)

Luv, Luv, Luv,

Artemis Sherwood