Disclaimer: I don't own POTC

a/n--WWEEEE!!!!I love writting this story!

Part Five

The week carried on and no one even suspected her true nature! No one wondered about her odd ways of doing things, like changing and going to the bathroom, but she blamed that on their view of her upbringing. Jack was constantly starring at her, though, and that couldn't be good.

Tigger was now spending most meals and free time with her. Somehow, the over-grown lummocks had found his way into her heart, which was rather irritating, beacuse she had half a mind to kill something when he recieved his first lashing.

Oh shit!

Lashings! How in gods name was she going to get passed that? No sailor ever went through his career unmarred by an officers whip! She was relieved to see Jack was lenient on the new boys though.

But she wasn't quite new.

Damnit! Lashings were given bare-backed! That meant no shirt! It might reveal a few things that were better off remaining secret.

Tigger hadn't been too happy about his lashing for talking back, which had been exaggerated to ignoring a direct order, and Jack didn't seem too happy about giving it. She had been the first to offer comfort and help in dressing the welts that had been dealt to Tiggers back. This showed another useful talent, leaving more room for error.

Healing.

She wasn't a full-fledged doctor, but she could clean, dress, and bind any common cuts, give clean, neat stitches, and she knew how to remove limbs that were beyond help. She didn't know if her stomach could handle that amount of gore, but she'd find out when the time came.

Then the upbringing came back to haunt her.

Why did bloody nobles all think an education was inportant? The common people got by just fine without it, so why on earth did the nobles need it?!?

Oh yeah, to count their money. Rich people can be so vain!

She took on the role of treasurer, healer, and part time lookout. How she managed these three jobs was beyond her, but she was still doing just fine. She started to teach Tigger mathematics in their spare time, hoping that the chance of whippings would be lessened if he took over the job.Then Jack found out.

The Captian has held a weekly math class ever since.

It was only a matter of time before she made a mistake, so she worked extra hard to make sure that none were made. She didn't know if Jack noticed, since she really never payed much attention to his starring, but she hoped he hadn't.

Well...he did.

"Azrun, lad, I'd have a word wit' ye in my quarters."

Sapphire froze for a fraction of a second. This couldn't be good. She stood, picking up her papers so they wouldn't blow away. Why did he have to pick now to call her in? She was right in the middle of an inventory price list! But who was stupid enough to say no to Jack?

" 'Corse, Captain." she followed Jack to his cabin in her usual straight-backed manner. While he slumped into his big old chair, she did herself a favor and remained standing; just in case she had to make a run for the boats.

Jack looked at her in a funny way, took a swig of a nearby rum bottle, and leaned forward. "I've been noticin' that yer workin' like a dog out there."

Gods take me now... "Yes, is that wrong?"

"No, no, no. It's good, very good. Shows dedication and all that good gentlmenly stuff. I'm jusst wonderin' if yer tryin' to impress somebody?"

Great, he thought she wanted a higher position. "Not really, Captain. Just keeping busy s'all."

"Oh, good. A fine sailor ye are lad."

"Thank you, Captain."

"Now, we're not two days from a small island I like to call Safe Haven. Nice little place. It's like a...mmm...what would you call it-"

"A safe place to take a break?"

"Yes, somthin' like that. Discovered it in the middle of a storm, by complete accident. Loved it ever since."

"Good to hear."

"I want to hold a bit of a competition. The usual stuff, wrestling, fencing, shooting, whatever. Just to see how ye compare to the rest o' us scallywags, Savvy?"

"Of course, Captain. Any chance to prove myself would be wonderful."

"Good." Jack waved his hand towards the door, showing she was dismissed. She took her time in going back out to the rambling of the working crew. Really dodged a bullet there, though she was sure another was coming.

"Azrun! Ye still 'ave to finish helppin' me!"

" 'Course, mate. I'm a'comin'"

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a/n--how was that? I really need to make my chapters longer...oh well, no one's perfect!

R&R!!